Aging Powerfully with Melissa Grelo

What if the most powerful prescription for how you age isn't in a pill bottle — it's in how you live?

In this episode, we're diving deep into Lifestyle Medicine — the evidence-based science of using the six pillars of health (how we eat, move, sleep, manage stress, connect with others, and avoid harmful habits) as medicine itself. The research is remarkable, and the implications for women navigating midlife and the menopause transition are profound.

On the show this week are two exceptional women at the forefront of evidence-based women's health care in Canada:

Dr. Ariane Ouellet-Decoste is a Canadian-trained physician with nearly two decades of experience spanning emergency care, preventative medicine, and women's health. After 15 years in emergency medicine in Quebec and the UK, she transitioned her focus to preventative and lifestyle medicine, training with The Menopause Society, the British Menopause Society, and the Canadian Menopause Society. She also holds a postgraduate certificate in Nutrition Science from Stanford School of Medicine, and currently serves as Medical Director at Coral — a virtual women's health clinic specializing in menopause care.

Linda Franco, RN is Director of Patient Care at Coral Health, with over 13 years of clinical experience — including 8 years in emergency medicine. At just 20, she became the youngest Assistant Head Nurse at the Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal. Trained in menopause and hormone therapy through the Canadian Menopause Society, Linda holds certifications in menopause, nutrition, fitness, and holistic health, and designs care pathways that put women at the centre of their health journey.

Together, they bring clinical depth, real-world experience, and a genuine passion for helping women thrive — not just survive — through every stage of life.

In this episode, we cover:

What Lifestyle Medicine actually is
The 3 core principles and 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine and why they matter 
How to start using lifestyle as medicine — today

Whether you're just beginning to think about your health differently, or you're deep in the work of optimizing how you feel and age — this one's for you.

RESOURCES & LINKS: Coral Health

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner

Producer: Melissa Grelo

Episode supported by:

AGING POWERFULLY WITH MELISSA GRELO LIVE IN CALGARY, MAY 16, 2026!

Tickets available now: www.agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

If you’ve ever been told that debilitating period pain is “normal,” this episode is for you.

Endometriosis affects an estimated 1 in 10 women and people assigned female at birth, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and undertreated conditions in women’s health. It can impact fertility, work, relationships, mental health, and overall quality of life — often for years before a diagnosis is made.

Today, I sit down with one of Canada’s leading experts in women’s health, Dr. Nicholas Leyland, to cut through the myths, the confusion, and the medical gaslighting with clear, evidence-based answers.

Dr. Leyland is a renowned gynecologic surgeon, researcher, educator, and incoming President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC). With decades of experience treating complex gynecologic conditions, he offers trusted insight into what endometriosis really is, how it’s treated, and how women can advocate for the care they deserve.
In this episode, we discuss:
What endometriosis actually is — and why it hurts so much
The most common (and often overlooked) symptoms
Who is at risk and how many Canadians are affected
Why diagnosis is often delayed for years
Treatment options: medications, surgery, and what actually works
Whether endometriosis is a lifelong condition
Fertility considerations
Barriers to getting proper care in Canada
Midlife, menopause, and hormone therapy considerations
Health-care inequities affecting women
How to advocate for yourself at medical appointments
Rapid-fire myths and misconceptions

Resources & Support:
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC): sogc.org
The Endometriosis Network Canada: endometriosisnetwork.com
Talk to your primary care provider if you suspect endometriosis

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

AGING POWERFULLY WITH MELISSA GRELO LIVE IN CALGARY! 

May 16, 2026, Hotel Arts, Calgary, Alberta

Tickets available now: www.agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com

This special double episode drops in recognition of World Sleep Day — March 13th.

Are you exhausted but wide awake at night? Melissa sits down with sleep expert Dr. Colleen Carney to unpack why sleep gets harder as we age, what actually works to fix it, and why so much of what we think we know about sleep is wrong. With a special focus on women in perimenopause, midlife, and menopause — this one is packed with real answers.

IN THIS EPISODE:
Insomnia vs. occasional poor sleep — how to tell the difference
Sleep stages, how much you actually need, and why quality matters
How hormones, stress, and anxiety disrupt sleep in midlife
Why sleep apnea is so often missed in women
Sleep's critical role in heart health, brain health, mood, and metabolism
Sleep medications, CBT-I, and what the science actually supports
Common sleep myths — busted
ABOUT DR. COLLEEN CARNEY:
Dr. Colleen Carney is a licensed clinical psychologist, Professor of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University, and one of the world's leading experts in insomnia and CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia). Her research has shaped international clinical guidelines for treating sleep disorders.

RESOURCES:
Canadian Sleep Society
National Sleep Foundation
Sleep Foundation: sleepfoundation.org

Always speak with a qualified health-care provider about sleep concerns or treatment options.
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY STARBUCKS CANADA PROTEIN DRINKS.
Learn more at https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/drinks/protein-beverages

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

This special double episode drops in recognition of World Sleep Day — March 13th.

Are you exhausted but wide awake at night? Melissa sits down with sleep expert Dr. Colleen Carney to unpack why sleep gets harder as we age, what actually works to fix it, and why so much of what we think we know about sleep is wrong. With a special focus on women in perimenopause, midlife, and menopause — this one is packed with real answers.

IN THIS EPISODE:
Insomnia vs. occasional poor sleep — how to tell the difference
Sleep stages, how much you actually need, and why quality matters
How hormones, stress, and anxiety disrupt sleep in midlife
Why sleep apnea is so often missed in women
Sleep's critical role in heart health, brain health, mood, and metabolism
Sleep medications, CBT-I, and what the science actually supports
Common sleep myths — busted
ABOUT DR. COLLEEN CARNEY:
Dr. Colleen Carney is a licensed clinical psychologist, Professor of Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University, and one of the world's leading experts in insomnia and CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia). Her research has shaped international clinical guidelines for treating sleep disorders.

RESOURCES:
Canadian Sleep Society
National Sleep Foundation
Sleep Foundation: sleepfoundation.org

Always speak with a qualified health-care provider about sleep concerns or treatment options.
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY STARBUCKS CANADA PROTEIN DRINKS.
Learn more at https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/drinks/protein-beverages

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

Bloating, irregular periods, weight changes, mood swings — these symptoms could point to several different conditions, and getting the right answer matters. In this episode, I sit down with fertility specialist and reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Marjorie Dixon to break down two commonly misunderstood reproductive health conditions: PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and uterine fibroids.

We get into what each condition actually is, how they show up in the body, and — crucially — why their symptoms are so often mistaken for perimenopause. Dr. Dixon shares how clinicians distinguish between these diagnoses, what to ask your doctor, and why getting the right answer is the first step toward the right care.

If you've ever wondered whether what you're experiencing is "just hormones" or something else entirely, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

What PCOS and fibroids are — and how they differ
The overlapping symptoms that can mimic perimenopause
How a fertility specialist approaches diagnosis
What tests and conversations to have with your doctor
Why these conditions are underdiagnosed and what to do about it

Guest: Dr. Marjorie Dixon, Fertility Specialist

www.anovafertility.com 

Instagram: @anovafertility 

This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical guidance.

Tech and Audio Producer: Drew Garner 

Producer: Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo, @agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo)

AGING POWERFULLY WITH MELISSA GRELO LIVE IN CALGARY! 

May 16, 2026, Hotel Arts, Calgary, Alberta

Tickets available now: www.agingpowerfullywithmelissagrelo.com