264: Fitness Journey over 50 - with Mareya Ibrahim-Jones
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Release Date: 06/06/2024
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
We all want to age with vitality and independence. Yet, there's a stark statistic looming over Americans: 1 in 3 people over 65 will suffer a fall. This "overlooked aging crisis" isn't just about a broken bone; it's often the starting point for a decline in health, confidence, and independence. According to Dr. Alan Rozanski, a distinguished professor of medicine, the solution isn't a new drug or a complex medical procedure. It's a proactive, powerful strategy he calls "muscle care." The Real Reason We Fall The primary driver behind this crisis is a natural process that we've accepted for too...
info_outlineBIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Keith Yackey is a 20-year veteran of high-performance philosophy and the founder of Married Game. His journey was forged in failure. "Jesse left 8 years ago. I messed up this relationship. I was selfish." When Yackey met his wife, he was "185 pounds of tiger meat wrapped in barbed wire." Five years later, he was 250 pounds. The man she married was gone. Only after doing the hard work did other high-performers start noticing his "code." What is that code? Your marriage, health, and business reflect your personal standard. The Health and Marriage Connection Why do successful men fail at home?...
info_outlineBIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
The Quest for Harmony Born amid the chaos of World War II, Udo Erasmus's journey began with trauma and survival. Fleeing Poland as a child, dodging bullets and bombs, he experienced fear, hunger, and deep mistrust in the world. By age six, he was already wondering, "There must be a way people can live in harmony." That question became the compass of his life. As Erasmus grew, so did his search for answers. He studied science, biology, psychology, and medicine, only to find these disciplines offered fragmented insights—not the holistic understanding he craved. Psychology taught thoughts and...
info_outlineBIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Perimenopause is a significant transition for many women, bringing with it a series of hormonal and physical challenges, including often-unexplained weight gain, particularly around the midsection. Health expert Chemaine Linnie, a certified hormone specialist and fitness coach, offers valuable insights from her own 165-pound weight loss journey and years of guiding women through this hormonal shift. Rock Bottom to Transformation Chemaine's personal journey began at her lowest point as a teenage mother in Dublin, weighing 280 pounds. A pivotal moment—her sister cutting her out of a...
info_outlineBIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
In the wellness world, many chase surface-level fixes, like creams, cleanses, and crash diets, while ignoring the internal systems that actually drive energy, detoxification, and glow. Cathy Goldstein, a holistic practitioner with over 40 years of experience, sees the body differently. She believes the real fix lies in supporting two overlooked systems: fascia and lymph. Cathy describes most people as walking around with a “traffic jam of toxins.” This buildup in the fascia and lymphatic system can lead to puffiness, swelling, fatigue, dull skin, and even emotional heaviness. Fascia is...
info_outlineBIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
In today’s world, many people struggle with weight gain, a slow metabolism, brain fog, and difficulty building muscle, despite healthy diets and exercise. Health expert Sarah Banta says the cause is often in thyroid and liver health. Her insights, shared on a podcast with Wade Lightheart, highlight how these organs regulate metabolism, fat burning, and muscle building. When these organs are not working well due to toxins, stress, or poor nutrition, the body may have trouble losing fat and gaining muscle. Thyroid: Metabolic Master Switch The thyroid controls how the body makes energy. It...
info_outlineBIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
The high-tech world of biohacking often focuses on physical factors for longevity, like supplements and cold plunges. However, author and biohacker Tony Wrighton suggests that mindset plays a more significant role. Drawing from his experience in behavior change and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Tony reveals that our beliefs about aging may impact lifespan more than diet or exercise. A Yale University study supports this idea, showing that individuals with a negative mindset towards aging live 7.5 years shorter than those with a positive outlook. This effect is more detrimental than...
info_outlineBIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Hair plays a crucial role in our identity, often symbolizing youth and confidence. Dr. Alan Bauman, with nearly 30 years in hair restoration, has seen the profound impact of hair loss and emphasizes dispelling misconceptions. Many hesitate to seek help, thinking their hair loss isn't severe or treatments are ineffective. However, early intervention is vital. Addressing hair loss early can prevent further thinning and even reverse it. Dr. Bauman stresses this proactive approach. A common myth is that hair restoration is only for complete baldness. In reality, early action yields better...
info_outlineBIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Dr. Jason Giles, a board-certified addiction medicine expert, former anesthesiologist, and a person who has personally battled and overcome substance addiction, recently appeared on the *Awesome Health Podcast* by BiOptimizers. With over 27 years of medical experience and leadership in managing 40 addiction treatment centers, Dr. Giles offers an honest and compassionate view into addiction and recovery. Addiction isn't just a medical condition, but a human challenge impacting all facets of life, from drugs and alcohol to screen time and food. These behaviors often serve as emotional...
info_outlineBIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Chris Mirabile's journey to achieving a biological age 13.6 years younger than his chronological age is not a tale of luck but of deliberate action and deep scientific understanding. His transformation extends beyond mere youthful appearance. He’s aging 31% slower than average. This remarkable feat is rooted in intense self-education and a disciplined lifestyle geared towards optimizing health at a molecular level. His story began at 16, when a severe seizure led to the discovery and surgical removal of a brain tumor. This life-altering event shifted his focus from basic fitness to a...
info_outlineAs Mareya Ibrahim-Jones approaches her 55th year, she prepares for her second bikini competition, reflecting on her long commitment to fitness, health, and wellness.
Ibrahim's journey showcases the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive later in life, particularly for women. She offers valuable insights into physiological changes after 50, emphasizing the importance of nutrition for muscle growth, fat management, and metabolic enhancement through exercise.
Embracing Change and Overcoming Struggles
Mareya´s path to health has been challenging, starting with an eating disorder in her late teens and leading to various health issues over the years. The perimenopausal phase introduced new challenges, intensified by the pandemic's stress. These experiences motivated her to deeply understand her body and aim to feel as good—or better—than in her youth.
Mareya emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach—encompassing food, mindset, physical activity, and supplementation—for her healing process. She advises women to be proactive about their health, not solely relying on doctors. Also, she discusses the early use of birth control and hormone replacement therapy, stressing the need to evaluate one’s lifestyle, diet, exercise, supplementation, and stress management thoroughly.
Understanding Hormonal Shifts
Women's hormonal changes before, during, and after menopause can cause symptoms like brain fog, mood swings, anxiety, weight gain, and night sweats. Ibrahim shares her experiences with these symptoms, highlighting the importance of understanding and managing these changes for overall well-being.
Strength training becomes crucial for women over 50 to maintain muscle mass, boost metabolism, and improve overall health. Ibrahim underscores the need for adequate protein to support muscle growth and recovery. As dietary needs evolve post-menopause, adjusting nutrition is essential.
Ibrahim’s vegan diet and its impact on her health demonstrate that dietary needs can change over time. Changes in her tolerance for alcohol and late nights have prompted a healthier lifestyle. She promotes a positive aging outlook, encouraging new ways to find joy and fulfillment.
Building a Supportive Community
Having a strong support system is essential. Ibrahim values community building and connecting with friends who share similar experiences. She observes positive transformations in women who prioritize their emotional and psychological health along with physical changes.
In addition, she criticizes quick-fix solutions, advocating for natural body regulation through strength training, proper nutrition, and understanding the gut-brain axis.
Mareya Ibrahim-Jones highlights the importance of self-discovery, personal power, and setting individual goals. Comparing oneself to others is unproductive; consistency is key to achieving long-term health goals. Her preparation for a bikini competition exemplifies the closure and confidence attainable through dedication.
She also emphasizes the need to educate about the long-term impacts of poor lifestyle choices on cognitive health and calls for a broader health discussion beyond aesthetics, focusing on metabolic and cognitive well-being.
Her program, "Fit and Fab over 40," is a 21-day challenge designed to optimize women's health in body, mind, and spirit, offering diet, exercise, and lifestyle guidance, supported by an accountability group.
As she prepares for her second bikini competition at 55, Mareya Ibrahim continues to inspire with her commitment to health and fitness. Her story is a powerful reminder that significant achievements are possible at any age, emphasizing the importance of personal power, goal setting, and a positive outlook for a fulfilling life.
In this podcast, you will learn about:
-
Mareya Ibrahim-Jones personal journey through perimenopause and how she overcame health challenges.
-
The importance of strength training, protein intake, and healthy lifestyle choices for women over 50.
-
How to manage fat loss and promote metabolic function through proper nutrition and exercise.
-
The significance of self-awareness, self-care, and building a supportive community for long-term health.
-
The impact of hormonal shifts on physical and emotional well-being and strategies to maintain overall health.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Free recipe booklet download The Perfect 10 Recipe Booklet
Free masterclass called Fit and Fab over 40 FIT + FAB OVER 40