Sweaty AF Podcast

Peptides are everywhere right now but what are they really and do they live up to the hype?
In this episode, I’m joined by peptide specialist Dean Henry to break down the science in a way that actually makes sense. From fat loss and hormone balance to brain function, sleep and longevity, we explore how therapeutic peptides work in the body and where people are getting it wrong.
Dean shares his own journey into the world of functional medicine, how peptides differ from traditional pharmaceuticals and why more is not always better when it comes to optimisation.
If you are a midlife woman navigating changing hormones, energy dips or stubborn weight gain, this episode will give you a clearer and more grounded understanding of what peptides can and cannot do.
• What peptides actually are in simple terms
• How peptides act as signalling molecules in the body
• The difference between peptides, hormones and pharmaceuticals
• Why cycling peptides matters and why more is not better
• Peptides for midlife women including hormones, brain fog, sleep and mood
• The truth about GLP-1s including Ozempic and Mounjaro
• Fat loss versus longevity and what to prioritise
• Peptides for inflammation, injury recovery and gut health
• Collagen, skin and anti ageing from the inside out
• The most exciting peptides right now for longevity
• How to start safely and avoid overwhelm
• Peptides do not replace your biology they optimise what is already there
• More is not better cycling and dosing matter
• Many symptoms in midlife link back to stress, inflammation and hormonal shifts
• GLP-1s can be powerful but misuse and overuse come with risks
• The foundation always comes back to sleep, stress and lifestyle
Instagram @dean.e.henry
Follow @sweatyafpodcast on Instagram for weekly episodes, expert insights and midlife biohacking

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Mark Sherwood to explore what it really takes to extend both lifespan and healthspan.
Dr. Sherwood’s journey from elite athlete to law enforcement officer and now a leader in functional medicine has shaped a deeply practical and empowering approach to longevity.
We explore the real drivers of aging, from chronic stress and hormonal imbalance to the overlooked role of mindset, and how modern life is often misaligned with our biology.
This episode is about taking ownership of your health, understanding your body on a deeper level, and recognising that thriving in midlife is not only possible, but expected when you have the right tools.
Why stress mismanagement is one of the biggest accelerators of aging
The truth about hormonal health in both women and men
Why normal lab ranges may not reflect optimal health
The role of peptides in repair, recovery, and longevity
How mindset, belief, and identity influence your biology
The mismatch between modern lifestyles and human physiology
Simple lifestyle shifts that can improve healthspan
This episode reinforces that longevity is not about quick fixes. It is about understanding the systems that drive your body.
Dr. Sherwood explains that hormones should be optimized, not simply within range. Health is something you invest in daily. Your thoughts and beliefs are not abstract, they are biological signals. Small, consistent lifestyle changes can significantly shift your long-term health trajectory.
“Empower people instead of discouraging them”
“Hormonal health is an art, not a script”
“Hormones should be optimized, not just normal”
Website: https://drmarksherwood.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drmarksherwood/
If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who is ready to take their health seriously in midlife.
For more conversations that translate cutting-edge health science into practical, real-life results follow Sweaty AF Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/sweatyafpodcast/

https://www.instagram.com/sweatyafpodcast/

In this powerful episode of Sweaty AF, I sit down with Melissa Lori to explore her extraordinary journey from the modeling and entertainment world into the realm of healing, spirituality and transformation.
Melissa opens up about the darker side of life in the public eye, sharing how years of bullying, body dysmorphia, anxiety, depression and deep emotional pain led her to a breaking point. She speaks candidly about her struggles with suicidal thoughts, the moment she knew something had to change, and how discovering plant medicine and energy healing became the beginning of a completely different path.
The conversation dives into Melissa’s first experience with ayahuasca, what she believes it showed her, and how it sparked a deeper awakening. Lucy and Melissa also unpack Reiki, energy healing, emotional release, trauma stored in the body, and the everyday practices Melissa believes can help people begin to feel more grounded and connected.
They also discuss Melissa’s own ongoing health journey, including how past illness shaped her identity, how she thinks about healing today, and why simple practices like journaling, nature and self-awareness can be so powerful.
This is a deeply personal conversation about pain, survival, awakening and what it means to truly begin healing from the inside out.
Melissa Lori’s background in modeling and entertainment
The hidden emotional cost of beauty standards and social media
Living with anxiety, depression and body dysmorphia
Melissa’s experience with suicidal thoughts and hitting rock bottom
How ayahuasca became a major turning point in her life
What ayahuasca is and how Melissa describes the experience
Reiki explained in simple terms
How Melissa approaches energy healing in her work
Trauma, emotional suppression and how stress can show up in the body
The role of touch, grounding and energetic boundaries
Powerful transformations Melissa says she has witnessed in clients
Her personal thoughts on illness, healing and the mind-body connection
Mold toxicity and the healing practices she is currently using
Simple starting points for anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed
Why journaling and time in nature are two of her most recommended tools
Melissa Lori is a healer, Reiki master teacher and content creator whose work focuses on spirituality, energy healing and emotional transformation. After spending many years in the modeling and entertainment industry, Melissa’s personal struggles led her toward a much deeper path of self-discovery and healing. Today, she shares her perspective on Reiki, plant medicine, energy work and personal growth to help others reconnect with themselves and begin their own healing journey.
Connect with Melissa at:
Instagram: ⁠http://www.Instagram.com/MelissaLori⁠
Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/OfficialMelissaLori⁠
YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/MelissaLoriofficial⁠
Twitter (X): ⁠http://www.Twitter.com/IamMelissaLori⁠
TikTok: ⁠http://www.tiktok.com/@themelissalori⁠

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Navaz Habib, often known as The Vagus Nerve Doc, to talk about why the vagus nerve has become such an important part of the modern health conversation.
We get into what the vagus nerve actually is, where it runs in the body, and why it matters so much when it comes to stress, inflammation, recovery, sleep, gut health and overall nervous system balance.
Dr. Habib shares how his own early health struggles led him into functional medicine and eventually to a much deeper understanding of the vagus nerve and its role in helping the body regulate and recover. We talk about what low vagal tone can look like in real life, from poor sleep and digestive issues to anxiety, low HRV and feeling like your body is stuck in overdrive.
We also explore the connection between the vagus nerve and HRV, how age and perimenopause can affect the nervous system, and why simple daily practices like breathwork can be one of the most effective places to start if you want to improve resilience and recovery.
Dr. Habib also shares his VAGUS Protocol and explains how he approaches supporting the nervous system through validation, activation, gut brain immune support, reducing stress burden and building habits that are actually sustainable.
This is a really helpful episode if you are interested in nervous system regulation, stress resilience, better sleep, gut health, recovery, HRV, menopause, or practical tools that can help you feel calmer and more regulated in everyday life.
In this episode, we cover what the vagus nerve is and why it matters, the signs of vagus nerve dysfunction, the link between vagal tone and HRV, how stress, trauma, toxins and physical strain can affect the nervous system, the connection between the vagus nerve, gut health, inflammation and immunity, why low vagal tone may be linked to anxiety and poor sleep, and how breathwork, humming, cold exposure, sauna and movement can all support vagus nerve function.
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that stress itself is not always the problem. The bigger issue is often our capacity to respond to it. Dr. Habib explains how improving vagal tone may help the body shift out of a chronic fight or flight state and into a more restorative state where healing and recovery can actually happen.
His biggest recommendation for anyone wanting to get started is simple. Start with the breath.
You can find Dr. Navaz Habib through Health Upgraded, where he shares his work, education and resources on vagus nerve health.
Health Upgraded: health-upgraded.circle.so/dr-navaz-habib
Instagram: @drnavazhabib
Podcast: The Health Upgrade Podcast
Books: Activate Your Vagus Nerve and Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Joy Kong, a leader in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy, to explore one of the most exciting frontiers in longevity science.
Dr. Kong explains how regenerative medicine shifts the focus from simply managing symptoms to actually helping the body repair and heal itself. Through the power of stem cells, the body can receive powerful biological signals that support tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and restore function.
The conversation explores how aging affects our natural stem cell reserves, why modern medicine often overlooks root-cause healing, and how regenerative therapies are being used to support conditions ranging from autoimmune disease to neurodegeneration.
Dr. Kong also breaks down the science behind stem cell signaling, clears up common misconceptions about the legality of stem cell treatments, and explains how these therapies are becoming increasingly accessible through concierge-style medical services.
If you’re curious about the future of medicine, and how regenerative therapies may transform the way we approach aging and chronic disease, this episode offers a fascinating look at what’s coming next.
What regenerative medicine actually is (and why it’s different from traditional medicine)

How stem cells help the body repair and regenerate

Why aging reduces our natural stem cell activity

The role of stem cells in treating chronic and autoimmune diseases

How regenerative medicine may help prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s

The importance of addressing the root cause of disease

Clearing up myths about the legality of stem cell therapies

The future of regenerative medicine and how people can access treatment

Learn more about Dr. Kong and her work in regenerative medicine:
https://joykongmd.com/