A Real Talk about Hormones, Ozempic & Midlife Weight Gain with my Mom

Manifest with Tori DeSimone

In this vulnerable and unfiltered episode, I sit down with my mom to talk about something many women go through, but few talk about openly: midlife weight gain, hormonal changes, and starting a GLP-1. After gaining 55 pounds with no major lifestyle changes and struggling with symptoms like fatigue, hot flashes, anxiety, and loss of muscle, my mom found herself at a health crossroads. We walk through the emotional and physical toll this took, her experience going off hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and what finally led her to try tirzepatide (a GLP-1 medication similar to Ozempic).

This episode isn’t just about weight loss, it’s about reclaiming your life, making empowered health choices, and what happens when you start advocating for your own wellness. We also talk anxiety, alcohol, sleep, family dynamics, and yes, why my mom is already seeing mental clarity within days of her first dose.

If your mom (or you!) is silently dealing with hormone chaos, frustrating weight gain, or health confusion, this episode will make you feel seen, supported, and informed.

00:00 Life updates, small talk & avocado toast inflation

04:00 My mom’s health scare & going off HRT

07:00 Symptoms spiral after stopping hormone therapy

10:00 Shocking lab results: cholesterol, blood sugar & hormone crash

12:00 The decision to start tirzepatide (Ozempic-like medication)

15:00 What happened after her first dose (mental clarity, food noise, no cravings)

18:00 My evolving opinion on Ozempic

20:00 Women’s hormones are misunderstood—here’s what we’ve learned

24:00 Monitoring with InBody scans, strength training, and muscle preservation

27:00 Our honest feelings on weight, lifestyle changes & identity

33:00 Why I might never drink alcohol again (full breakdown)

44:00 10 facts that made me rethink alcohol for good

48:00 Newsletter updates & book recs from my mom

54:00 What we’re reading this summer

56:00 Travel talk & life reflections

59:00 Wrapping up + dinner’s ready!

Karen’s Kindle Newsletter Signup: https://karenskindle.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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One Golden Summer by Carly Fortune: https://bit.ly/4lN9CLH

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Listen to Manifest with Tori DeSimone on Apple Podcasts and rate 5 Stars! https://podcasts.apple.com/gr/podcast/manifest-with-tori-desimone/id1462579812

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Topics Discussed:

• Midlife weight gain despite healthy habits
• The importance of hormone testing and personalized care
• HRT (hormone replacement therapy) pros and cons
• Starting GLP-1 medications (tirzepatide/Ozempic)
• Mental relief from food noise and obsessive thoughts
• Female brain + heart health in menopause
• Family support through health challenges
• Alcohol and anxiety: real talk
• Journaling through newsletters
• Book recs & fun family updates

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