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Hit Play Not Pause

Hit Play Not Pause

By: Hit Play Not Pause
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Perimenopause and menopause hit active women differently. We have a different lifestyle and different goals. And we know our bodies. Whether you run and hike or do CrossFit and ski (or a little of everything!), you’ve had a way of eating and exercising that worked…until the menopause transition, when it all goes out the window as body composition changes, fatigue, body aches, sleepless nights, hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, and low mojo blindside you out of the blue—despite doing everything right. Your doctor may (or may not) help with hormone replacement therapy. But what about all the active stuff you love? You’re already exercising and eating well. What you want is to feel and perform like you used to. That doesn’t mean fasting, swearing off carbs for life, or just slowing down. It means adjusting your nutrition, training, recovery, and mindset to work with your changing physiology as you hit this phase of life. And we’re here for it. At Hit Play Not Pause, we know the potential of women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, because we talk to elite athletes and everyday active women who are still hitting personal bests along with world-renowned sports dietitians, researchers, medical and menopause specialists to help you understand what’s happening under the hood during the menopause transition and more importantly, what you can do about it—from hormone therapy to heavy lifting and everything in between—to feel and perform your best. Host Selene Yeager is a health and science journalist with 30 years’ experience and more than two dozen books to her name. She also lives an active life as a former Ironman triathlete and professional mountain bike racer who still rides, runs, paddles, hikes, lifts, and through her work at Feisty Menopause helps others do the same.All rights reserved Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • Frozen Shoulder, Cranky Tendons, and the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause with Tara Findlay, RMT (Episode 281)

    Frozen Shoulder, Cranky Tendons, and the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause with Tara Findlay, RMT (Episode 281)
    Jul 8 2026

    Registered massage therapist and athlete Tara Findlay nearly lost her life to fibroids, was thrown into chemical menopause, developed a “cranky” shoulder that threatened her career, and watched a long-quiet autoimmune condition roar back to life. This week, she shares how hormones, inflammation, and tissue capacity collide in midlife—and how massage, eccentric loading, “movement snacks,” and better recovery can help active women heal, prevent injury, and keep moving through and beyond the menopause transition.

    Tara Findlay is a BC Registered Massage Therapist with 26 years of experience, a menopause educator, and a certified menopause coach. After navigating chemical menopause and a hysterectomy, she became passionate about helping women and healthcare practitioners understand the often-overlooked musculoskeletal effects of perimenopause and menopause. She co-created two online, self-paced courses—The Comprehensive Guide to Perimenopause & Menopause for RMTs and The Comprehensive Guide to Perimenopause & Menopause for Healthcare Practitioners—which help providers support midlife women through a perimenopause-informed lens. Known for translating evidence-based research into engaging, relatable teaching, Tara empowers practitioners to bring clarity and confidence to perimenopause care. She lives in Whistler, BC, and is committed to helping women stay active, resilient, and in the game through midlife and beyond. Learn more about her work at perimenopausewhisperer

    Resources

    Free Symptom Checklist here

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    Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

    Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15%

    Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/

    Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/

    Follow Us on Instagram:

    Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause

    Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

    Support our Partners:

    Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/

    Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/

    Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Midlife Fueling 101: Essential Sports Nutrition Advice for Peri & Postmenopausal Women with Kristen Arnold, MS, RDN, CSSD (Replay)

    Midlife Fueling 101: Essential Sports Nutrition Advice for Peri & Postmenopausal Women with Kristen Arnold, MS, RDN, CSSD (Replay)
    Jul 1 2026

    Muscle and bone loss. Inflammation. Bloating, diarrhea, and other GI issues. Peri and postmenopausal active women can face myriad training and performance challenges. But the good news is that a lot of them can be helped with proper nutrition practices. This week we dive into the basics on how to fuel your active midlife body, including what to know about carbohydrates, ultraprocessed foods, energy availability, protein, anti-inflammatory foods, supplements, and more with sports dietitian Kristen Arnold.

    Kristen Arnold MS, RDN, CSSD is a board-certified sports dietitian, cycling coach, retired professional athlete, and team sport director for USA Cycling and professional cycling teams. Her private practice is centered around empowering women through evidence-based sports nutrition coaching and information, and she has done research on improving postmenopausal women's health through nutrition strategies and counseling. You can learn more about her and her work at sportsnutritionforwomen.com.

    Resources

    Black Cohosh review here

    Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

    Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15%

    Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/

    Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/

    Follow Us on Instagram:

    Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause

    Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

    Support our Partners:

    Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/

    Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/

    Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Brain on Pain: Why Women Hurt More—and What to Do About It with Rachel Zoffness, PhD (Episode 279)

    The Brain on Pain: Why Women Hurt More—and What to Do About It with Rachel Zoffness, PhD (Episode 279)
    Jun 17 2026

    When you’re in pain, the first question someone asks is “Where does it hurt?” The answer—as anyone with phantom limb pain can tell you—is not always as straightforward as it seems. This week, pain psychologist and author Dr. Rachel Zoffness breaks down the “big fat lie” we’ve been sold about pain: it’s not just a signal from damaged tissue, it’s a brain-driven experience built from a mix of ingredients, including your nerves, thoughts, emotions, memories, and environment. She explains how the same brain regions that process emotions also construct pain, why that matters so much for women—who go through menstruation, childbirth, and menopause and are still disproportionately told their pain is “all in their heads”—and how understanding brain-based biology is the first step in changing how much you hurt. She also shares practical, evidence-backed strategies for active women to retrain their nervous systems, along with tools to help you advocate for care that goes beyond pills and procedures and actually reflects the modern science of hurt.

    Rachel Zoffness, PhD, is a pain psychologist and thought-leader revolutionizing the way we understand and treat pain. She's an assistant clinical professor at UCSF, lectures at Stanford, and consults on the development of pain management programs around the world. Dr. Zoffness’s new book, Tell Me Where It Hurts, is out now and is being translated to more than 25 languages. You can learn more about her work and find her book at www.zoffness.com

    Join us at Feisty Fest September 18-20, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

    Join the Feisty Strong STRONG Club: https://feisty.co/training/strong-club/ and use code:  HITPLAY15 to save 15%

    Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/

    Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/

    Follow Us on Instagram:

    Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause

    Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099

    Support our Partners:

    Midi Health: You Deserve to Feel Great. Book your virtual visit today at https://www.joinmidi.com/

    Previnex: Get 20% off your order with code FEISTYBRAIN at https://www.previnex.com/

    Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 15 mins
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