Well Beyond 40
byJJ Virgin
HealthFitness
Well Beyond 40 with JJ Virgin is the podcast for women who want to age powerfully and enjoy the best chapter of their lives. It’s YOUR turn now to focus on nutrition, wellness, fitness, mindfulness, and beauty. Refuel your body. Reignite your wellness. Renew your passion. Fall (back) in love with your life, and discover what it means to age powerfully. Every information-packed episode combines cutting-edge science, pearls of wisdom from JJ’s four decades as a health and wellness leader and the world’s leading experts on weight loss, metabolism, menopause, life transitions and much more. We dive deep into t...
Episodes(40 episodes)
S3E837 - Sarcopenia After 40: Dr. William Evans on Muscle and Aging
In your later decades, how can strength training reverse muscle loss?
In this episode, I spoke with Dr. William Evans, the scientist who first described sarcopenia, to unpack why muscle loss—not aging itself—is the biggest threat to metabolism, independence, and long-term health. We explored why muscle is far more adaptable than most women realize, even into advanced age, and why traditional measurements like scale weight and lean mass miss the real picture.
Dr. William Evans is a muscle researcher, former pharma scientist, and a professor at the Univ...
Published: Feb 4, 2026Duration: 58:41
S3E836 - Exercise Myths That Sabotage Metabolism After 40
How can outdated workout myths keep you exhausted and inflamed?
I’m calling out the exercise myths that once worked for me—but quietly stopped serving women after 40. In this episode, I break down why harder workouts, fasted training, and low-protein mornings can sabotage metabolism, energy, and recovery. Then I share what actually works now, when exercise and nutrition are aligned with your biology instead of fighting it.
What you’ll learn:
(02:38) How circadian rhythm and meal timing influence insulin sensitivity and energy.
(03:31) Why mo...
Published: Feb 2, 2026Duration: 20:49
S3E835 - Rewriting Your Deepest Life Instructions with Bizzie Gold
Are the invisible emotional patterns from your past the real reason you're stuck in your health or relationships?
In this episode, Bizzie Gold and I explore why so many of us stay stuck in patterns that no longer serve us, and why that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. We unpack how early conditioning shapes perception, behavior, and self-deception, and how those patterns can be decoded and rewritten at any age. Bizzie brings a refreshingly direct, data-driven perspective that challenges traditional mental-health narratives and opens the door to real, lasting change.
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Published: Jan 28, 2026Duration: 1:02:20
S3E834 - My Facelift Story: What Went Wrong and Right
What questions should you ask a surgeon before committing to a facelift?
In this episode, I’m sharing the full, unfiltered story of my facelift, including what went wrong, what saved my recovery, and why I’d still make the same decision again. This wasn’t about chasing youth, but about aligning how I felt on the inside with how I showed up in the world.
What you’ll learn:
(02:01) How years of acne, scars, and skin treatments shaped my decision to have a facelift.
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Published: Jan 26, 2026Duration: 26:35
S3E833 - What Doctors Miss About Chronic Illness and Aging with Dr. Jess Peatross
Why do chronic symptoms persist even when the results from your lab work say that everything’s “normal”?
In this episode, Dr. Jessica Peatross and I talk about why so many women feel stuck with unexplained symptoms even when their lab results say everything is “normal.” We unpack how hidden toxins, stealth infections, and nervous system overload quietly sabotage healing after 40. This conversation is about giving your symptoms language, restoring trust in your body, and understanding why healing requires the right sequence, not more guesswork.
Today’s guest is Dr. Jess, a...
Published: Jan 21, 2026Duration: 54:55
S3E832 - The Real Goal After 40 Is Building Muscle, Strength & Power
Why does cardio stop working for fat loss after 40? Also, what types of exercise best protect strength and independence as you age?
In this episode, I break down why the goal of exercise after 40 is no longer burning calories, but building muscle, strength, and power. I explain how aging biology, muscle loss, and metabolic adaptation make endless cardio ineffective for women in midlife. I also share the science, the research, and the practical strategy to help you train smarter so you can preserve independence, energy, and longevity.
What you’ll le...
Published: Jan 19, 2026Duration: 25:40
S3E831 - Essential Skincare Routines for Women Over Forty with Dr. Mamina Turegano
If your skin could talk, what might it say about how you’re aging? Would it say “This woman is rocking it” or “There might be a few things that you can tweak”?
In this episode, my guest and I explore how your skin is far more than a beauty metric—it’s a living reflection of your hormones, inflammation, stress, and overall health. I’m joined by Dr. Mamina Turegano, a triple board-certified dermatologist with a powerful internal-medicine perspective on aging skin. Together, we break down what actually works after 40, what’s hype, and how to build a...
Published: Jan 14, 2026Duration: 55:17
S3E830 - Why You’re Not Losing Weight, Even When You’re Doing Everything Right
What are the real reasons why women struggle to lose weight in midlife?
I see this pattern constantly: women doing all the “right” things and still feeling stuck, frustrated, and blamed by their own bodies. In this episode, I break down why the old weight-loss rulebook stops working in midlife and what’s actually driving fat loss after 40. Once you understand how muscle, protein, blood sugar, stress, hormones, and gut health interact, you can stop fighting your metabolism and finally start working with it.
What you’ll learn:
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Published: Jan 12, 2026Duration: 20:21
S3E829 - The Next Big Longevity Conversation Is Stem Cells with Dr. Dan Pardi
How can you activate your own stem cells without costly medical procedures?
In this episode, Dr. Dan Pardi and I break down the real science behind stem cells and why they’re central to aging powerfully. We also explore how lifestyle, inflammation, exercise, and nutrition all shape the environment that allows stem cells to repair and renew your body.
Dr. Pardi is a neuroscientist and human performance expert who’s obsessed with helping people age better from the inside out. He’s worked with elite military units, Fortune 500 executives, and no...
Published: Jan 7, 2026Duration: 1:22:00
S3E828 - I've Been Lifting for 40 Years. Here's the Truth About Getting "Bulky"
What actually causes the “bulky” look people blame on lifting?
I’ve been lifting weights for over 40 years, and I want to finally put the fear of getting “bulky” to rest. In this episode, I break down what really happens when you lift, why muscle actually makes you leaner, and how women have a built-in advantage when it comes to staying sculpted. I also share exactly how I balance training, nutrition, and recovery to build strong, toned muscle that supports powerful aging.
What you’ll learn:
(00:10) Wh...
Published: Jan 5, 2026Duration: 29:37
S3E827 - The Real Longevity Secrets Hidden in Blue Zones with Dan Buettner
What do the world’s longest-lived populations eat differently?
In this episode, my guest and I unpack what the world’s longest-lived people actually do to stay healthy well into old age. Dan Buettner and I also explore why longevity isn’t about biohacking or supplements, but about designing your environment, your food, and your daily routines to work for you.
Dan Buettner is a National Geographic explorer and bestselling author who’s spent decades studying the world’s longest-lived people in the Blue Zones. He’s known for turning cutt...
Published: Dec 31, 2025Duration: 45:14
S3E825 - The Food Pyramid is a Scam (And What to Do Instead)
Are you following a "healthy" diet that was actually designed by marketing experts instead of food experts and medical researchers?
In this episode, I expose the ugly truth about the Food Guide Pyramid and how this "pyramid-shaped lie" was built on marketing and sponsorships rather than actual science. We’ve been told for decades to build our meals around grains and fear fat, a strategy that has contributed to the explosion of obesity and metabolic disease. Today, I’m sharing my "JJ’s Plate Method" to help you reclaim your metabolism by prioritizing protein, health...
Published: Dec 29, 2025Duration: 18:41
S3E825 - Why Detox Fads Fail and What Sustainable Detox Looks Like with Sinclair Kennally
Why do detox cleanses often make you feel worse instead of better? Also, what simple daily habits can support detox without extreme cleanses?
In this episode, my guest and I break down why detox fads are failing women over 40 and what detox actually means at a physiological level. I’m joined by Sinclair Kennally to explain how the liver, gut, bile flow, and hormones all work together. We reframe detox as a lifelong support system—not a quick fix—so your body can truly heal, thrive, and age powerfully.
Sinclair Kennal...
Published: Dec 24, 2025Duration: 53:24
S3E824 - Stress and Poor Sleep Are Blocking Your Weight Loss Goals
How do stress and sleep disruption stop fat loss? And what can you do to get your body working with you, not against you?
I hear it all the time: you’re eating right, lifting weights, and doing cardio, yet the weight scale won’t budge. In this episode, I break down how chronic stress and poor sleep quietly sabotage fat loss by disrupting cortisol, insulin, hunger hormones, and metabolism. I also share the exact strategies I use to protect my sleep, calm stress, and keep my metabolism working with me instead of against me.<...
Published: Dec 22, 2025Duration: 25:53
S3E822 - Lose the Weight Loss Meds with Dr. James Hill
When coming off weight loss medications, how can you prevent your appetite from surging? Also, how can you keep the weight off?
In this episode, I explore with Dr. James Hill what really keeps weight off for good. We break down why the strategies that help you lose weight are not the same strategies that help you maintain it, especially in the era of GLP-1 medications. Together, we uncover the science-backed habits and mindset shifts that can help you create a lifestyle that supports your healthiest, happiest self for life.
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Published: Dec 17, 2025Duration: 51:04
S3E822 - Foods I Eat EVERY DAY As a Nutrition Expert
How can the foods you choose each day shape your long-term health and vitality? Also, what simple nutrition principles do I rely on that can help you feel stronger and more energized?
In this episode, I break down the exact foods I eat every day, and why the old ideas of “good days,” “bad days,” or “cheating” set you up for failure. I walk you through my personal food rules, including why protein comes first, why fiber is a non-negotiable, and how healthy fats and hydration shape your hormones, metabolism, and energy.
What y...
Published: Dec 15, 2025Duration: 36:59
S3E821 - Why Heart Disease Is the Number One Killer of Women with Dr. Jayne Morgan
Are you overlooking early symptoms of heart disease because they don’t look “typical”?
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jayne Morgan—one of the world’s leading voices in women’s cardiology—about the number one killer of women: heart disease. She explains how pregnancy complications, hormonal transitions, and overlooked symptoms silently raise risk long before most women ever get screened. Together, we break down what tests matter, what symptoms never to ignore, and how every woman can take charge of her cardiovascular health starting now.
Dr. Jayne Morgan i...
Published: Dec 10, 2025Duration: 1:12:53
S3E820 - Is Olive Oil Making You Gain Fat?
Should you toss out your extra virgin olive oil and ditch the Mediterranean diet?
In this episode, I break down the new study that sparked headlines claiming olive oil makes you gain fat—and explain what the science actually found. I walk you through the difference between healthy extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and the high-oleic industrial seed oils used in the research, and why lifestyle and total diet matter far more than a drizzle of olive oil on your salad.
What you’ll learn:
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Published: Dec 8, 2025Duration: 19:28
S3E819 - The Truth About Leakage, Prolapse, and Pelvic Floor Muscle Care with Dr. Sara Reardon
How can you tell whether your pelvic floor is tight, weak, or both?
In this episode, I speak with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Sara Reardon about the confusion so many women feel around leakage, prolapse, painful sex, constipation, and “mystery” pelvic symptoms. Sara shares simple habits, movement tips, and muscle-care strategies that can dramatically improve pelvic health at any age. I’m thrilled to bring her expertise into a conversation that empowers every woman to understand and support her pelvic floor.
Dr. Sara Reardon is a board-certified pelvic floor...
Published: Dec 3, 2025Duration: 46:02
S3E818 - Your Ultimate Healthy Holiday Guide for Powerful Aging
Which wellness tools will help you sleep better, recover faster, and feel stronger through the holidays? And which ones are suitable for giving as gifts to family, friends, and loved ones?
This holiday season, I've pulled together my absolute favorite health and wellness tools that I use and trust, which are perfect for gifting or treating yourself. These are the brands and tools that help me stay consistent with my routines, improve recovery, and keep my metabolism humming, even when life gets insane.
What you’ll learn:
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Published: Dec 1, 2025Duration: 25:09