Peptides for Women

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined by Alissa Meisel, an occupational therapist, board-certified health and wellness coach, and founder of Meisel Health, to talk about her incredible 150+ pound weight-loss journey and how bariatric surgery, GLP-1s, peptide therapy, and lifestyle changes became different tools along the way.
Alissa has spent years struggling with her weight, dieting, exercising, and trying to figure out why nothing seemed to work long-term. After infertility treatments contributed to significant weight gain, she ultimately underwent sleeve gastrectomy in 2020 and lost more than 100 pounds.
Years later, despite continuing to exercise, prioritize protein and hydration, and do everything she had been doing to maintain her weight, she began gaining weight again. That’s when she began exploring GLP-1s and peptide therapy, which became another tool in her health journey and helped her lose an additional 30 pounds.
In this episode, we talk about the physical AND emotional side of weight loss, why mindset matters, what happens after bariatric surgery, and how feeling comfortable and confident in your body can impact every area of your life, including your marriage and intimacy.
In this episode, we cover:
Alissa’s lifelong struggle with dieting, weight, and an all-or-nothing mindset

How her college years changed her relationship with food and exercise

The emotional connection between food, stress, and comfort

Her experience with infertility treatments and gaining over 100 pounds

Why she ultimately chose sleeve gastrectomy in January 2020

What life was really like after bariatric surgery, including severe complications and the mental/emotional challenges she experienced

The lack of support she felt after surgery and why she created a roadmap for other women

Regaining 20 pounds years after losing more than 100 pounds

Why training for a half marathon didn’t produce the results she expected

How GLP-1 therapy and peptide therapy became another tool in her journey

Losing an additional 30 pounds and reaching more than 150 pounds of total weight loss

Why Alissa believes sustainable weight loss requires more than one tool

The importance of mindset, fear, judgment, and self-advocacy

How losing weight changed Alissa’s confidence and relationship with her body

The connection between body confidence, intimacy, and marriage

Why busy women need to make space for themselves, their health, and their relationships

How Alissa went from working in clinical healthcare to helping women with metabolic health and wellness

Connect with Alissa Meisel!
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/alissaameisel/⁠
Website: https://www.meiselhealth.com/
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
‼️Disclaimer‼️
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined by Nerida Bint, Australia’s leading emotional intelligence coach and creator of The Emotional Home framework. Nerida shares her personal journey with weight gain, emotional eating, and Retatrutide, including how she lost 14 kilos (about 30 pounds) in 14 weeks after years of trying to lose weight through diet and exercise.
We also talk about the emotional patterns behind food and how becoming more aware of her habits helped Nerida change the way she eats, trains, recovers, and takes care of herself. Plus, we dive into her shift from intense CrossFit training to strength training, her current peptide routine, nervous system regulation, self-worth, and how emotional intelligence can transform your relationships.
In this episode, we cover:
Nerida’s journey from competitive CrossFit and owning women’s gyms to struggling with weight gain in her 40s
How she lost 14 kilos (30 pounds) in 14 weeks using Retatrutide
Her experience with food noise, emotional eating, and habitual snacking
How Retatrutide helped her become more aware of her eating patterns and portion sizes
Why Nerida views peptides as a tool to support healthy habits, rather than a replacement for them
Her shift from intense CrossFit workouts to more sustainable strength training, walking, and recovery
Why recovery, nervous system regulation, and sustainable movement became such an important part of her lifestyle
Nerida’s current peptide routine, including Retatrutide, BPC-157, MOTC, Kisspeptin, and GHK-Cu
Her experience noticing changes during her menstrual cycle after starting Kisspeptin
Why baseline bloodwork and follow-up testing can provide useful data during a health journey
Nerida’s work around emotional intelligence, self-worth, subconscious beliefs, and nervous system regulation
What Nerida means by your “emotional home” and how childhood emotional patterns can influence your adult life
How becoming more emotionally aware helped transform Nerida’s relationships and communication
Nerida’s advice for women who want to communicate more effectively with their partners
Connect with Nerida Bint!
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/neridabint/?hl=en
Website: https://www.neridabint.com/
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
‼️Disclaimer‼️
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined by Samantha Lander -- an FDN practitioner, international best-selling author, professional DJ, and adjunct professor at My Peptide University -- for part 2 of our Q&A series. We’re answering more questions from our community about GLP-1s, peptide therapy, inflammation, nervous system regulation, rheumatoid arthritis, bariatric surgery, weight loss plateaus, and growth hormone peptides.
If you’ve ever wondered what to do when a GLP-1 stops working, which peptides may support inflammation and tissue repair, or how to approach peptides after bariatric or weight-loss surgery, this episode covers a lot of ground.
We also talk about the importance of addressing the foundations first, including nutrition, movement, gut health, mitochondrial health, and nervous system regulation, rather than relying on peptides alone.
Throughout the episode, Samantha and I share our own experiences with different peptides and discuss how we approach peptide protocols with clients. As always, individual responses can vary, and peptide therapy should be approached with appropriate professional guidance.
In this episode, we cover:
What to do when GLP-1s stop working or weight loss plateaus

Why more GLP-1 isn’t necessarily better

Microdosing GLP-1s and taking a more individualized approach

Peptides discussed for inflammation and tissue repair, including BPC-157 and TB-500

Thymosin Alpha-1 and immune support

Peptide considerations for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

What to consider when dealing with lipomas and dysregulated fatty tissue

Peptides and recovery after bariatric surgery or weight-loss surgery

Why muscle preservation is important during weight loss

Why GLP-1s may need to be introduced carefully after bariatric surgery

Gut health, SIBO, motility, and inflammation after surgery

Growth hormone secretagogues including Sermorelin, CJC, Ipamorelin, and Tesamorelin

Why some people experience bloating or water retention with Tesamorelin

Peptides and nervous system regulation when you feel stuck in fight-or-flight

Selank, oxytocin, breathwork, magnesium, minerals, and other strategies discussed for nervous system support

Samantha’s experience with EMF exposure and the strategies she uses to reduce it

Why peptide protocols should be bio-individual and personalized

Samantha’s work teaching peptide education through My Peptide University

Connect with Samantha Lander!
Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/seefitliving⁠⁠
Use code SEEFITLIVING for a discount on your courses at My Peptide University.
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
‼️Disclaimer‼️
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined by one of our favorite returning guests, Samantha Lander, for a fun and candid Q&A dedicated entirely to your peptide questions.
Samantha is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, certified personal trainer, holistic lifestyle coach, and peptide educator who works with women and men to improve their health from the inside out. Together, we tackle some of the most common questions and concerns we hear about peptides, from whether certain peptides are appropriate with a history of cancer to using peptides for metabolism, brain fog, recovery, and healthy aging.
We also dive into the importance of starting with the foundations before relying on peptides, why lower doses may sometimes be more appropriate, how Samantha approaches cycling peptides with her clients, and why the goal shouldn't simply be to suppress appetite or chase weight loss.
And, as always with Samantha, expect plenty of real-world clinical experience, honest opinions, and a few entertaining tangents along the way.
In this episode, we cover:
Whether growth hormone peptides are appropriate for people with cancer or a history of cancer
How Samantha uses bioregulators to support areas like sleep, cortisol, adrenal function, and thyroid health
Using Epitalon and Pinealon as part of a sleep and circadian rhythm protocol
Why Samantha prefers lower-dose GLP-1 approaches with many of her clients
The difference between appetite suppression and achieving appetite balance
Why metabolism doesn't necessarily “quit” when you turn 40
How peptides like AOD, 5-Amino-1MQ, Retatrutide, and Tirzepatide can fit into a broader metabolic strategy
Why cycling off GLP-1s and focusing on mitochondrial health may be important
The connection between gut health and brain fog
Peptides and other approaches Samantha uses for cognitive support
GHK-Cu, BPC-157, glutathione, and exosomes for skin and tissue repair
Whether peptides and other therapies can help support a healthier biological age
Why nutrition, movement, strength training, and foundational health still matter even when you're using peptides
Samantha's biggest advice for getting long-term results from peptides
Connect with Samantha Lander!
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/seefitliving⁠
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
‼️Disclaimer‼️
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined by my husband, Beau Woodward, for another candid conversation about his experience with peptides, fitness, longevity, and what it really looks like to prioritize your health in midlife.
Beau shares the routines that have helped him feel his best in his late 40s—from strength training and getting enough sleep to morning sunlight, stress management, and his current peptide stack. He also talks about his experience with GLP-1s, growth hormone peptides, NAD+, and the KLOW/Wolverine stack, including what he personally notices when he’s on and off different protocols.
We also talk about why consistency becomes even more important as we age, how peptides can complement healthy habits rather than replace them, and why sourcing high-quality peptides matters.
In this episode, we cover:
Beau's morning routine and how he starts his day with sunlight, coffee, reading, and quiet time
How his fitness routine has evolved as he's gotten older
Why strength training, core work, and recovery have become priorities
Beau's experience using GLP-1s and how they've affected food noise and appetite
His experience with Ipamorelin + Tesamorelin for growth hormone support, recovery, sleep, and body composition
The Wolverine/KLOW stack and why recovery matters more in midlife
NAD+ for energy, cognition, and afternoon stamina
Why sleep, exercise, sunlight, and stress management still form the foundation
Why quality and sourcing matter when choosing peptides
The potential intersection of AI, longevity research, and peptide therapy
What Beau is researching next in the world of longevity and biotechnology
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
‼️Disclaimer‼️
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.