High Performance Health

If you’re a woman over 35 who feels tired, stretched thin, and quietly disconnected from herself, this episode is for you. At 38, I was hospitalised, burnt out, and running on empty. Today, my biological age is more than 20 years younger than my chronological age, not because of biohacks, restriction, or endless workouts, but because I made a small number of strategic changes at the exact stage of life where they matter most. In this solo episode, I break down The Longevity Seven: the seven science-backed pillars I used to rebuild my health, and the same framework I now use with high-performing women to restore energy, strength, and long-term resilience. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN • Why women in their mid-30s to mid-40s are in a critical window for long-term health • The 7 simple pillars that radically improved my strength, energy, and biomarkers • How to build muscle, VO₂ max, and resilience without overtraining • How much protein women actually need as they age • Why plant diversity matters more than restriction • How sleep consistency impacts longevity more than sleep duration • The role of inflammation, gut health, and omega-3s in aging well • Why purpose, connection, and nature are non-negotiable for long-term vitality TIMESTAMPS 00:00 My Wake-Up Call at 38 04:45 The Longevity Seven Explained 08:12 Pillar 1: Daily Movement Without Burnout 16:30 Pillar 2: Protein & Plant Diversity Simplified 28:40 Pillar 3: Reducing Inflammation with Healthy Fats 34:55 Pillar 4: Why Sleep Consistency Matters Most 42:10 Pillar 5: Purpose and Longevity 47:20 Pillar 6: Relationships & Social Health 51:30 Pillar 7: Nature, Movement & Time Freedom 58:10 How to Start (Without Doing Everything at Once) RESOURCES & LINKS • Episode: Creatine for Women in Midlife – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIMxC_QOmmw • 21-Day Hormone & Longevity Reset (Live on January 29, 2026) – https://academy.angelafosterperformance.com/reset A BIG thank you to our sponsors who make the show possible: • Beam Minerals – Go to https://beamminerals.com/angela | Use code ANGELA for an exclusive discount

Angela is joined by Dr Will B to examine the critical relationship between meal timing, gut health, and inflammation.  They discuss how eating close to bedtime can negatively impact heart rate variability and create an inflammatory state in the body, particularly affecting the gut microbiome. They also look at the importance of allowing the gut to enter a recovery mode during the night and emphasise the benefits of earlier meal times KEY TAKEAWAYS: Meal Timing and Inflammation: Eating close to bedtime can lead to increased inflammation, as the body's inflammatory response peaks about six hours after a meal Importance of Fasting: Allowing the gut a fasting period of about 12 hours overnight can help recalibrate the gut microbiome, promoting a healthier gut environment and supporting overall health. Four Nutritional Pillars: To support a healthy microbiome and reduce inflammation, focus on four key nutrients: fibre, polyphenols, healthy fats, and fermented foods Dietary Patterns: While various dietary patterns (like vegan, carnivore, or keto) are often debated, the focus should be on ensuring adequate intake of the four nutritional pillars rather than adhering strictly to a specific diet TIMESTAMPS AND KEY TOPICS: [00:02:21] Nighttime gut microbiome recovery. [00:04:36] Inflammation and health risks. [00:08:03] Mediterranean diet and health. VALUABLE RESOURCES ⁠Join The High Performance Health Community⁠ ⁠Click here⁠ for discounts on all the products I personally use and recommend A BIG thank you to our sponsors who make the show possible ABOUT THE HOST Angela Foster is an award winning Nutritionist, Health & Performance Coach, Speaker and Host of the High Performance Health podcast. A former Corporate lawyer turned industry leader in biohacking and health optimisation for women, Angela has been featured in various media including Huff Post, Runners world, The Health Optimisation Summit, BrainTap, The Women’s Biohacking Conference, Livestrong & Natural Health Magazine. Angela is the creator of BioSyncing®️ a blueprint for ambitious entrepreneurial women to biohack their health so they can 10X how they show up in their business and their family without burning out. CONTACT DETAILS ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Disclaimer: The High Performance Health Podcast is for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of professional or coaching advice and no client relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should seek the assistance of their medical doctor or other health care professional for before taking any steps to implement any of the items discussed in this podcast. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Today I’m sitting down with world-leading exercise physiologist Professor Stuart Phillips, PhD, to cut through the noise around strength training, protein, fasting, and midlife muscle. We talk about why women don’t need a completely different training programme than men, why just two resistance sessions a week can meaningfully improve strength and long-term health, and why consistency matters far more than “perfect” protein timing or supplements. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN • Whether women need different strength training programmes than men • How little resistance training is needed to protect muscle and aging • Why lifting across all rep ranges builds better long-term results • How cardio and strength training interact (and sometimes compete) • How much protein women actually need per day and per meal • Why protein timing matters far less than total intake • Whether fasted training harms muscle, hormones, or recovery • How under-fueling quietly sabotages strength and adaptation Timestamps00:00 Strength Training Myths for Women 02:31 Why Lean Women May Struggle to Gain Muscle 05:17 Muscle vs Strength vs Power Explained 17:31 How Much Protein Do Women Really Need? 26:48 Protein Per Meal: Absorption, Timing & Anabolic Window 34:24 Carbohydrates, Performance & Insulin Sensitivity 37:34 Fasted Training: Risks, Benefits & Reality42:43 Optimising Post-Workout Nutrition 47:41 Balancing Cardio & Strength Training 52:19 Aging, DEXA Scans & What Really Matters VALUABLE RESOURCES A BIG thank you to our sponsors who make the show possible:• Hormone Harmony – Go to https://lvluphealth.com/angela | Use code ANGELA for an exclusive 15% off ABOUT THE GUEST Professor Stuart Phillips, PhD is a world-renowned exercise physiologist and Professor at McMaster University, internationally recognised for his research on muscle protein synthesis, aging, resistance training, and nutrition. With over 30 years of research experience, Stuart is a leading voice in evidence-based guidance on strength training, protein intake, and healthy aging. Social Media:Instagram, X & TikTok: @mackinprofFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMPPh.D/

Angela is joined by Sarah Rusbatch, to discuss the hidden health risks of alcohol, particularly for women in midlife. Sarah reveals the physiological reasons why women metabolise alcohol differently than men, leading to increased health risks, and shares the alarming statistic that four out of five women are unaware of the link between alcohol and breast cancer.  Together they focus on the three core pillars for successful behaviour change: focusing on what you gain, replacing the habit with a positive alternative, and embracing the power of small experiments KEY TAKEAWAYS: The Hidden Risks for Women: Women metabolise alcohol less efficiently than men due to lower levels of the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme, making them more susceptible to alcohol's negative effects Alcohol's Link to Cancer: One in five breast cancer deaths are linked to alcohol, and the risk increases dose-dependently. Four out of five women are unaware of this direct connection. The Power of Positive Substitution: Successful behaviour change requires moving the focus from the deprivation (loss aversion) to the gains (e.g., better sleep, more energy, better skin) and replacing the drinking habit with an effective, positive alternative. Addressing the Root Cause: For many, alcohol is a "solution to the problem" of boredom, stress, or escape. Lasting change requires looking at what alcohol is masking and making fundamental changes to your life TIMESTAMPS AND KEY TOPICS: 0:01:25: One glass of alcohol can be too much for those with genetic predispositions 0:03:08: Why women metabolise alcohol differently 0:04:45: Four in five women are unaware of the link between alcohol and breast cancer. 0:06:50: The alcohol industry's successful marketing strategy that led to the rise of female-targeted pink drinks 0:11:35: The three core pillars for behaviour change VALUABLE RESOURCES ⁠Join The High Performance Health Community⁠ ⁠Click here⁠ for discounts on all the products I personally use and recommend A BIG thank you to our sponsors who make the show possible Get weekly science tips to optimise your health and longevity to your inbox with Angela’s free newsletter. Click here to sign up  Reverse your biological age in 2026 - join Live Younger, Angela’s longevity membership for women.  Click here and use code “JAN26” for 30% off. Buy Sarah Rusbatch’s bestselling book Beyond Booze Sarah Rusbatch’s alcohol free challenge - https://sarahrusbatch.com/af-challenge Sarah Rusbatch’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sarahrusbatch/ ABOUT THE HOST Angela Foster is an award winning Nutritionist, Health & Performance Coach, Speaker and Host of the High Performance Health podcast. A former Corporate lawyer turned industry leader in biohacking and health optimisation for women, Angela has been featured in various media including Huff Post, Runners world, The Health Optimisation Summit, BrainTap, The Women’s Biohacking Conference, Livestrong & Natural Health Magazine. Angela is the creator of BioSyncing®️ a blueprint for ambitious entrepreneurial women to biohack their health so they can 10X how they show up in their business and their family without burning out. CONTACT DETAILS ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Disclaimer: The High Performance Health Podcast is for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of professional or coaching advice and no client relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should seek the assistance of their medical doctor or other health care professional for before taking any steps to implement any of the items discussed in this podcast. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Angela sits down with endocrinologist Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD to break down the biggest myths around GLP-1 medications, midlife weight gain, and perimenopause - and to explain how women can protect muscle, metabolism, and long-term health. Rocio explains how oestrogen decline and stress drive visceral belly fat, why you can have a normal BMI yet high visceral fat and low muscle, and why body composition matters far more than the scales. She also clarifies who GLP-1s are truly for, why microdosing “for wellness” is unsafe, and how to use these medications without losing muscle or bone. They also explore the psychological side of lifelong food noise, binge eating, and why GLP-1s can make sustainable lifestyle change finally feel possible. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN • How oestrogen decline changes fat distribution in midlife • Why “skinny fat” and sarcopenic obesity are often missed with BMI • How stress and cortisol contribute to midlife weight gain • Who is genuinely suited to GLP-1 therapy • How to preserve muscle and bone while on treatment • The mental health benefits of reducing lifelong food noise • Why safe dosing and body composition tracking are essential Timestamps 0:00 Intro & GLP-1 Myths 4:30 Oestrogen decline, perimenopause & new visceral belly fat 10:20 Stress, cortisol, midlife pressure & weight gain 15:05 “Skinny fat”, sarcopenic obesity & why BMI fails women 21:10 Muscle loss, slowed metabolism & weight loss resistance 27:40 Who GLP-1s are for: guidelines vs real-world practice 34:15 The truth about microdosing GLP-1s for “wellness” 40:05 Type 1 vs type 2 diabetes, insulin needs & GLP-1s 45:50 Inflammation, visceral fat & joint pain relief 52:00 Side effects, risks & how to avoid muscle/bone loss 58:10 Compounded GLP-1s, safety concerns & regulation 1:04:00 Psychology of rapid weight loss & identity change VALUABLE RESOURCES A BIG thank you to our sponsors who make the show possible: • Hormone Harmony – Go to https://lvluphealth.com/angela | Use code ANGELA for an exclusive 15% off • Beam Minerals – Go to https://beamminerals.com/angela | Use code ANGELA for an exclusive discount • Ozlo Sleepbuds® – Go to https://ozlosleep.com/angela | Use code ANGELA for your exclusive discount ABOUT THE GUEST Dr Rocio Salas-Whalen, MD is a double board-certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist known for her evidence-based, body-composition-focused approach to metabolic health. She is the author of Waitlists, a practical guide to safe and effective GLP-1 use, and is widely recognised for her clear, compassionate education around hormones, midlife weight gain, and modern obesity treatment. Website & Book: https://weightlessthebook.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsalaswhalen/