Menopause, HRT, and Becoming Your Own Advocate

In this bonus conversation of the From Survival Mode to Sovereignty series, Lindsey is joined by Cindy DuPuie, functional medicine nutritionist and founder of A Living Balance, to talk about what women need to know during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.

If you’ve ever been told your symptoms are “just part of aging,” this episode offers a more empowering perspective. Cindy shares why so many women feel dismissed in this season, why self-advocacy matters, and how understanding your body, your labs, and your options can help you make more informed decisions.

Together, Lindsey and Cindy talk through the deeper role hormones play in the body, common symptoms women often normalize, the importance of thorough lab work, and why “normal” lab ranges don’t always mean optimal. They also unpack common misunderstandings around hormone replacement therapy, what women should know about the Women’s Health Initiative study, and why personalized support matters so much in this transition.

This episode is a reminder that menopause is not the end of vitality. With the right support, information, and care, this can be a season of deeper understanding, stronger advocacy, and feeling more at home in your body.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• common perimenopause and menopause symptoms women are often told to ignore
• why women need to become informed advocates for their health
• the difference between normal lab ranges and optimal patterns
• key lab markers to explore during the pause years
• common mistakes women make when trying to interpret labs on their own
• what to know about HRT before making assumptions
• why personalized care matters in menopause support
• what vitality can still look like in postmenopause

Resources Mentioned

• Cindy’s free Lab Checklist for the Pause Years: https://mailchi.mp/ec838eef0e74/lab-checklist
• Cindy’s course, Grace In Transition for Women Of A Certain Age
  Use code: HHF20
  https://alivingbalance.net/course/
• Lindsey’s free 7-Day Morning Rituals Blueprint: https://lindseyalexis.co/7-day-morning-ritual

Connect with Cindy

• Website: https://alivingbalance.net/course/
• Instagram: @Cindy_Dupuie
• YouTube: Cindy DuPuie

Listener Reflection

As you listen, ask yourself:

• Have I been dismissing symptoms that deserve deeper support?
• Do I actually know what my labs are showing?
• What would it look like to advocate for myself with more clarity and confidence in this season?