96. Menopause Stole My Brain—Here's How I’m Getting It Back (and You Can Too!) with Melissa Slemp
Release Date: 03/03/2025
Emotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
In this soul-nourishing episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast, I welcome back one of my favorite guests—Stephanie Fusnik (Crassweller), the CEO and founder of VitalityOET and host of The Metabolism and Menopause Podcast. If you’re in midlife and you’ve ever felt like you're doing “all the right things” but still feel stuck—emotionally, physically, or spiritually—this episode is for you. Stephanie and I shift the focus from food and fitness to something far deeper: identity, faith, and the power of knowing who you truly are. We talk about how motherhood changed her...
info_outlineEmotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
This is one of the most jaw-dropping and informative episodes I’ve ever recorded, and it will absolutely shift the way you view gut health and your symptoms. In this episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast, I sat down with Kim Rogers, also known as the "Worm Queen," to explore a topic that might make you squirm — parasites, worms, and what they may be doing inside your body. If you're dealing with gut issues, unexplained symptoms, skin flare-ups, or even mood changes, this is a conversation you need to hear. Kim shares her powerful personal journey from chronic illness to creating her...
info_outlineEmotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
In this episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast, I’m joined by my dear friend and fellow holistic health practitioner, Jacquelyn Lovett, to talk about something more women need to be aware of—Graves’ disease and thyroid health. In previous podcast episodes, we have talked about thyroid health and Hashimoto’s disease, but not Graves’ disease. I thought it was a perfect time to highlight Graves’ and Jacquelyn. Jacquelyn shares her powerful story of being diagnosed with this autoimmune condition and how she avoided surgery and a lifelong prescription regimen by choosing a...
info_outlineEmotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Season 3 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! In this episode, I’m letting you in on one of the sneakiest contributors to emotional eating—control. If you’re anything like me, you might find yourself trying to control not just your food and body, but also the people and situations around you. Sure, control feels like safety, but in reality, it often leads to disconnection, guilt, and a stronger urge to turn to the ice cream, chocolate and chips for comfort. Here’s what we explore in this episode: Why Control Feels Safe: Understanding how control acts as a coping...
info_outlineEmotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 100 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! I can't believe it! We've hit 100 episodes of the Emotional Eats Podcast!! I am loving this journey and want to celebrate with you, my special audience. It’s because of you that I continue to share as much information and expertise as I can. To make this episode extra special, I invited my dear friend and fellow health coach, Melissa Slemp, to put me in the hot seat and interview me. In this conversation, I share the good, the bad and the ugly of creating this podcast, the lessons learned, the evolution of content, and I...
info_outlineEmotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 99 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! Have you ever felt like the clutter in your home is adding to your mental load, making it harder to focus, relax, or even stay on track with your health goals? In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Leyko, the powerhouse behind Paring Down, to explore how decluttering is deeply connected to emotional eating, stress, and mental well-being. Shannon is a former Miss New York, a professional vocalist, and an author who never expected to build a career in the world of decluttering. But after moving to Alaska, writing a book, and...
info_outlineEmotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 98 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! In this episode, I’m diving deep into a personal journey—one that many of you may relate to—the connection between alcohol and emotional eating. If you’ve ever found yourself pouring a glass of wine after a long day or reaching for snacks when stress of the day kicks in, you’re not alone. But have you ever paused to consider why? I’m sharing my own experience of letting go of alcohol—not as a rigid, rule-based “quit” but as an intentional choice to release something that wasn’t serving me. You’ll hear about...
info_outlineEmotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 97 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! I was really looking forward to this episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast because I sit down with the incredible Dr. Prudence Hall to discuss a topic that affects every midlife woman—menopause. Dr. Hall, a pioneer in women's health, shares her extensive experience in gynecology and integrative medicine to help women better understand their hormonal shifts, the power of bioidentical hormones, and the deeper root causes of weight gain. We also explore the mental and emotional toll of menopause, including anxiety, fatigue, and loss of...
info_outlineEmotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 96 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! In this episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast, Kim Hynes is joined by fellow health coach and friend, Melissa Slemp, to discuss their personal experiences with menopausal brain fog and the challenges it presents. From forgetfulness to struggling with focus and decision-making, they dive into the cognitive shifts that come with perimenopause and menopause. They share their own journeys, their clients’ experiences, and practical strategies to support brain health during midlife. Brain fog isn’t just about misplacing your keys—it can...
info_outlineEmotional Eats Podcast - Emotional Eating, Weight loss, Perimenopause, Menopause, Women's Health, Life after 40, Life after 50, Aging, Hormones, Mindset, Fitness over 40, Emotional Wellness
Welcome to Episode 95 of the Emotional Eats Podcast! Kim sits down with relationship expert and author Bob Grant to explore the relationships, dating, and emotional connection for women over 40. Bob shares his extensive experience as a clinically trained relationship coach and therapist, offering invaluable insights into the patterns, struggles, and breakthroughs women experience in love and partnerships. Highlights from the Episode: Why relationships and emotional eating are connected The importance of self-relationship, voicing your needs and boundaries Common relationship...
info_outlineWelcome to Episode 96 of the Emotional Eats Podcast!
In this episode of the Emotional Eats Podcast, Kim Hynes is joined by fellow health coach and friend, Melissa Slemp, to discuss their personal experiences with menopausal brain fog and the challenges it presents. From forgetfulness to struggling with focus and decision-making, they dive into the cognitive shifts that come with perimenopause and menopause. They share their own journeys, their clients’ experiences, and practical strategies to support brain health during midlife.
Brain fog isn’t just about misplacing your keys—it can feel like a complete loss of mental sharpness and confidence. Kim and Melissa discuss how hormonal shifts, blood sugar imbalances, stress, and lifestyle factors play a role in cognitive changes. They also open up about their personal experiences with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), exercise, nutrition, and mindset shifts that have helped them regain clarity and confidence.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing a piece of yourself due to brain fog, this episode will not only validate your experience but also give you actionable steps to feel more in control of your mind and body.
Episode Highlights:
- What exactly is menopausal brain fog, and how does it impact daily life?
- Kim and Melissa’s personal struggles with memory lapses, word retrieval issues, and focus challenges.
- The emotional toll of feeling mentally “off” and how it affects self-confidence.
- The role of hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, in cognitive function.
- Why stress, sleep, and blood sugar regulation are critical for brain health.
- Lifestyle habits and routines that support mental clarity, including exercise, journaling, mindfulness, and spiritual practices.
- The power of humor and self-compassion in managing cognitive changes.
- The importance of community and seeking support during this transitional phase.
About Melissa Slemp:
Melissa Slemp is a certified health coach specializing in type 1 diabetes, blood sugar regulation, and holistic wellness for midlife women. She is passionate about helping women navigate hormonal changes, improve metabolic health, and reclaim their energy and confidence.
Connect with Melissa:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/type1.in.midlife/
- Website: https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/
- Podcast: https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/podcast
Join the Conversation and Community:
Continue learning, talking and getting support around emotional eatin, midlife women’s health and menopause by joining the Emotion Eats Community.
Click here to join: https://kimhynes.com/emotional-eats-community-sign-up
Connect with Kim:
https://www.instagram.com/kimhyneshealth
If you like the Emotional Eats podcast, please subscribe/follow and give us a 5 star rating and review and tag us on social media. I would be so grateful.
Note: The information in this podcast is not to replace working with your doctor, other medical practitioner or mental health practitioner. This podcast is to provide conversation, information and entertainment.