This week on Aging Powerfully, we’re getting brutally honest about one of the most avoided — yet most essential — topics in midlife: preparing your family for the unexpected.

Most people think they’re organized.

Spoiler: they’re not.

To cut through the confusion and give us the real roadmap, I’m joined by Canada’s financial powerhouse Pattie Lovett-Reid. Together, we break down the exact documents, details, and conversations every family needs long before a crisis hits.

In this eye-opening and empowering conversation, we explore:

• Last Will & Testament
• Powers of Attorney (financial + personal care)
• Healthcare directives
• Trust documents (where applicable)
• Life insurance and beneficiary designations
• Digital access planning (passwords, accounts, social media, subscriptions

Why planning ahead isn’t morbid — it’s mature.

It’s not about control — it’s about caring.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact beverly@agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

Guest: Dr. Amy Louis‑Bayliss

Original Air Date: January 30, 2025

Duration: ~89 minutes

In this deep-dive episode, Melissa sits down with Dr. Amy Louis-Bayliss to walk you through the seven key health metrics that every woman should know—especially as we navigate midlife and beyond.

From lab numbers to lifestyle markers, these data points give you a snapshot of where your health is now—and more importantly—where it can go. Dr. Louis-Bayliss shares how to interpret each metric, when to start checking it, how often to revisit it, and how to connect the dots between numbers and your life goals.

Whether you’re feeling fine and want to stay ahead, or you’re grappling with change and want clarity, this episode gives you the insight you need to take ownership of your health—not just survive, but thrive.

What you'll learn

• The “why” behind each of the seven metrics: what they signal and why they matter at midlife.
• How often to test or check each metric—and what changes warrant action.
• How to move from “just a number” to meaningful progress that aligns with your goals.
• How to bring your clinician into the loop and ask the right questions.
• How to track health not from fear, but from empowerment and clarity.
• Why knowing your numbers isn’t about perfection—it’s about possibility.

To find Dr. Louis-Bayliss: IG @lumewomenshealth, www.lumewomenshealth.com

Episode sponsored by Avène (@avene on Instagram).

Website: https://www.eau-thermale-avene.ca/en_ca

Find Melissa Grelo on Instagram @MelissaGrelo and @AgingPowerfullyWithMG, or on her website AgingPowerfullyWithMelissaGrelo.com.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact beverly@agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

Guest: Dr. Stephanie Faubion, Director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health & Medical Director of The Menopause Society

Part One: Menopause Myths & Medicine

Menopause has gone viral — but not always for the right reasons. From claims that a woman’s brain “eats itself” in menopause to this week’s breaking FDA news about estrogen therapy, it’s harder than ever to know what’s true.

In this first half of the episode, Melissa sits down with Dr. Stephanie Faubion, one of the world’s leading voices in women’s health, to cut through the confusion with evidence, empathy, and straight talk.

Together, they unpack:

The latest FDA decision and what it means for hormone therapy and women’s health

Whether estrogen can protect against heart disease or stroke

The state of research and funding in women’s health and menopause

AI and Menopause Care: helpful or hurtful?

How to discern who you should — and shouldn’t — trust for menopause information online

About Dr. Stephanie Faubion:

Dr. Faubion is the Director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health, Medical Director for The Menopause Society, and author of The New Rules of Menopause. A professor and chair at Mayo Clinic, she’s a globally recognized expert on hormone therapy, sexual health, and healthy aging — leading groundbreaking research through the DREAMS Registry and beyond.

The Menopause Society

Mayo Clinic

Part Two: Aging Powerfully — The Retreat Debrief

Then, Melissa switches gears to share a heartfelt recap of her inaugural “Aging Powerfully” retreat weekend — a three-day experience designed to help women reconnect with their strength, wisdom, and joy in midlife and beyond.

From expert-led workshops on menopause, mental health, fitness, and nutrition to unforgettable moments of laughter, vulnerability, and sisterhood — Melissa reflects on what truly made the weekend magical, what surprised her most, and what’s next for the Aging Powerfully movement.

www.agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com/retreat

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts — and tag a friend who deserves to age powerfully, with truth, community, and confidence.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact: beverly@agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

Guest: Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, Clinical Psychologist & Friendship Researcher

As we age, our friendships can evolve—some deepen, others drift, and new ones can feel harder to form. In this episode of Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo, Melissa speaks with Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, a clinical psychologist and leading expert on adult friendship, about why meaningful connection is vital for women in midlife and beyond.

Together, they explore:

• How women’s friendships change as we age—and why that’s normal
• Why it’s harder to make new friends in adulthood and how to overcome it
• The link between strong friendships, longevity, and overall health
• Navigating friendship loss, loneliness, and life transitions
• The benefits of friendships across generations
• How cultivating supportive relationships helps us age powerfully—with confidence, joy, and resilience

Find Dr. Kirmayer on her website, https://www.miriamkirmayer.com/

This episode is supported by Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo: The Retreat and partners @GoodLifeFitness, @lovemy.iris, @avene and @rexalldrugstoreofficial.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

For any partnership inquires, contact beverly@agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

Episode supported by Starbucks Protein at Starbucks Canada @starbuckscanada

https://protein.starbucks.ca/

When it comes to aging powerfully, there’s one thing we can’t afford to lose: muscle.

In this episode, Melissa sits down with one of the world’s foremost experts on muscle health and aging — Dr. Stuart Phillips, Professor of Kinesiology at McMaster University, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health and Aging, and Director of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence. With over 400 scientific papers and 31,000 citations, Dr. Phillips is one of the most cited researchers in the world when it comes to how nutrition and exercise shape our bodies over time.

Together, Melissa and Dr. Phillips unpack why building and maintaining muscle is essential for women — not just for strength or appearance, but for metabolic health, independence, and longevity. They dig into:

• The truth about muscle loss through menopause — and how to fight it
• What the data actually says about how to build muscle after 40
• Why protein and resistance training matter more than endless cardio
• The biggest myths and misconceptions women have about strength training
• How just a little bit of movement can make a massive difference in aging well

Because when it comes to longevity, strength isn’t optional — it’s powerful.

As Melissa says, there are those who “do their research,” and then there are those, like Dr. Phillips, who are doing the research. This is your chance to hear directly from the scientist changing how we think about aging, health, and the power of muscle.

• Learn more about Dr. Stuart Phillips’ research:
• https://mira.mcmaster.ca/our-faculty/stuart-phillips/
• Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) –
• https://pace.mcmaster.ca/home/about-pace/

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner

Producer: Melissa Grelo

If you’ve ever wondered why your body seems to be changing through midlife — even when your habits haven’t — this episode is a must-listen.

Melissa sits down once again with Dr. Sasha High (@sashahighmd), obesity physician and leading voice in metabolic health, for an eye-opening conversation about weight gain and weight loss during the menopause transition.

Dr. High breaks down the latest science behind today’s most talked-about obesity medications — and why calling them “weight loss drugs” is not only misleading, but potentially dangerous. She explains who these medications are really for, who shouldn’t be taking them, and why trendy “microdosing” approaches can backfire in serious ways.

If you’ve struggled with midlife weight changes, felt confused by conflicting advice, or just want the truth — free of diet fads and fear — Dr. High’s compassionate, evidence-based approach will change the way you think about your body, your metabolism, and your health.

In this episode:



• Why weight gain during menopause is normal — and what’s really behind it
• The science (and myths) of new obesity treatment medications
• Why “weight loss drug” culture is dangerous and inaccurate
• The truth about “microdosing” and other social media fads
• How Dr. High helps menopausal women find real, sustainable, science-backed solutions

Listen now — and start aging powerfully, inside and out.

This episode is supported by Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo: The Retreat and partners @GoodLifeFitness, @lovemy.iris, @avene and @rexalldrugstoreofficial.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner

Producer: Melissa Grelo

For any partnership inquires, contact beverly@agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

Guest: Dr. Shafeena Premji, Menopause Expert & Physician (@drshafeenapremji).

If you’ve been told you can’t take hormone therapy—or you’ve chosen not to—this episode is for you.

This week, menopause expert and physician Dr. Shafeena Premji joins us to unpack all the non-hormonal treatment options available to women navigating the menopause transition. From prescription medications to emerging therapies, Dr. Premji explains what’s proven, safe, and effective for managing symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and sleep issues—without using hormones.

She also breaks down the exciting new non-hormonal treatment recently approved by Health Canada, how it works, and why it’s being hailed as a game changer—especially for:

• Breast cancer survivors
• Stroke or cardiovascular disease patients
• Those beyond the 10-year window for starting hormone therapy
• Anyone seeking approved, science-backed non-hormonal symptom relief

We’ll cover what the research says, how to talk to your doctor about these options, and what this means for the future of menopause care in Canada.

You’ll learn:

• The science behind non-hormonal menopause treatments
• Which medications are currently approved and how they work
• Who should consider non-hormonal therapies
• How the newest Health Canada-approved treatment is changing the landscape for menopause symptom management

This episode is packed with expert insights and empowering information to help you make informed choices for your health and well-being through midlife and beyond.

EPISODE SUPPORTED BY: Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo: The Retreat (www.agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com/retreat).

Thank to you partners:

@GoodLifeFitness - www.goodlifefitness.com

@Avene - www.eau-thermale-avene.ca

@LoveMy.Iris - www.lovemyiris.com

Producer: Melissa Grelo.

Audio/Video Producer and Editor: Drew Garner.

This Menopause Awareness Month, we’re turning up the laughter (and maybe the thermostat) with one of the funniest and most relatable voices in the menopause conversation — Kara Murray, the Canadian mom behind the viral Instagram account @mediocremom76.

Kara has made millions of women laugh about symptoms that would otherwise make us cry — from night sweats and brain fog to mood swings and hot flashes that could power a small village. But beyond the humour, she’s using her platform to educate, empower, and remind us that none of us are alone in this stage of life.

In this episode, Kara shares how she started creating content about menopause, how comedy helps her (and all of us) cope with change, and why she believes laughter is one of the most powerful forms of self-care.

If you’ve ever felt invisible, overwhelmed, or just plain tired of pretending everything’s fine — this conversation will make you feel seen, understood, and lighter.

EPISODE SUPPORTED BY: Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo: The Retreat (www.agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com/retreat).

Thank to you partners:

@GoodLifeFitness - www.goodlifefitness.com

@Avene - www.eau-thermale-avene.ca

@LoveMy.Iris - www.lovemyiris.com

Producer: Melissa Grelo.

Audio/Video Producer and Editor: Drew Garner.