Peptides for Women

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Stephanie Rimka, a functional medicine practitioner, peptide educator, speaker, and author, to talk about her journey using peptides in clinical practice and how they’re transforming the future of health, longevity, mitochondria, metabolism, nervous system regulation, and women’s wellness.
This conversation goes far beyond peptides alone. Dr. Rimka shares her philosophy around healing, communication within the body, mitochondrial health, trauma, female sexuality, nervous system safety, and why she believes modern medicine is missing the deeper picture of true healing. We also dive into emerging therapies like SS31, Clotho, and Cell Factors, and discuss why these molecules are creating so much excitement in the peptide and regenerative medicine space.
We also explore the role of pleasure, orgasm, nervous system regulation, touch, trauma healing, and feminine energy in overall health, alongside a fascinating conversation around carnivore diet principles, metabolic health, and how Dr. Rimka personally structures her lifestyle for longevity and vitality.
This is one of the most thought-provoking and wide-ranging conversations we’ve had on the show.
In this episode, we cover:
How Dr. Rimka first became interested in peptides
Why she shifted her perspective on “natural vs pharmaceutical”
The role of peptides as communication signals in the body
What SS31 is and why it’s becoming a major topic in longevity medicine
Mitochondrial health and how mitochondria communicate throughout the body
How SS31 may support energy production, smell/taste recovery, and cellular repair
Why Dr. Rimka starts with mitochondrial support in complex chronic illness
What Clotho is and its connection to aging and longevity
Cell Factors, secretomes, and the future of regenerative medicine
Peptide receptor sensitivity and communication signaling
Thoughts on genetic testing, SNPs, and methylation
Nervous system safety and its role in female sexuality
Female orgasm, oxytocin, and healing physiology
Trauma, somatic therapies, and fascial release work
PT141 and sexual health conversations
Dr. Rimka’s experience with the carnivore diet
Carnivore diet as an elimination approach for autoimmune and gut issues
Oxalates, glyphosate, and mitochondrial stress
Steak, oysters, zinc, and libido support
Lifestyle design, creating a life aligned with joy, pleasure, creativity, and feminine energy
Empowering parents navigating ADHD, autism, anxiety, and sensory disorders
Connect with Dr. Stephanie Rimka!
Website: https://drrimka.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_rimka/
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz
🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
‼️Disclaimer‼️
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined by Colin and Aleah Dechant- wellness coaches, peptide advocates, and functional health practitioners- to talk about their deeply personal journey through breast cancer recovery, burnout, metabolic dysfunction, midlife health challenges, and the powerful role peptides played in helping them rebuild their lives and health together.
After Aleah was diagnosed with breast cancer just days after her 40th birthday, the Dechant family chose an integrative path forward that completely changed the trajectory of their lives. What began as a healing journey quickly became a passion for functional medicine, peptide therapy, metabolic health, and helping other women and men feel vibrant again in midlife.
This conversation dives into functional lab testing, hormone dysfunction, inflammation, body composition, emotional resilience, peptide stacks, metabolic healing, relationships, confidence, and why feeling good again in your 40s and 50s is absolutely possible.
In this episode, we cover:
Aleah’s breast cancer diagnosis shortly after turning 40 and why she chose an integrative oncology approach instead of conventional treatment alone

How peptides like GHK-Cu were introduced during cancer recovery

The role of peptides in tissue repair, recovery, and healing support

Colin’s perspective supporting his wife and family during treatment and how the entire family navigated cancer treatment together

What functional lab testing revealed about Aleah’s hormones, inflammation, liver detox pathways, and gut health

High estrogen, poor estrogen metabolism, sluggish detoxification, and inflammatory pathways on DUTCH testing

How functional testing helped uncover years of hidden dysfunction

Why Aleah became an FDN practitioner after her healing journey

Colin’s experience with career burnout after 25 years in management and leaving corporate life behind and relocating their family to Arizona

The importance of family support and making big life decisions together

How peptides helped Colin improve energy, sleep, recovery, body composition, and joint pain

Colin’s peptide experience with L-carnitine, glutathione, BPC-157, and TB-500

Aleah’s experience using microdosed tirzepatide for inflammation and metabolic healing after cancer treatment

The differences they noticed between research peptides and pharmacy-compounded peptides

Why women deserve to feel good AND look good without guilt

Men’s perspective on aging, performance, energy, and confidence

How improving health transformed their marriage, family dynamic, and confidence

The peptide stacks they’re currently using and experimenting with: KLOW peptide stack, glutathione, tirzepatide, BPC-157, TB-500, and more

Building a wellness business together focused on helping midlife women and men thrive

Connect with Colin & Aleah Dechant!
Aleah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functionalhealthwithaleah/
Colin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyw2bcoaching/
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz
🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
‼️Disclaimer‼️
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Angela Petersen, a practitioner and author focused on helping women restore metabolic balance, optimize hormones, improve libido, and reclaim vitality through peptides, lifestyle medicine, and root-cause healing.
We dive into the deeper issues impacting women’s health today- from hormone dysfunction and birth control to metabolic disease, libido loss, brain health, and the emotional toll of modern life. Dr. Angela shares her perspective on why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies, relationships, and energy levels, and how peptides, hormone optimization, and foundational health practices can help women feel like themselves again.
In this episode, we cover:
Why modern healthcare often feels like “sick care” instead of healthcare
The inspiration behind Dr. Angela’s book, The Wellness Glitch
Foundations Before Injections: why root-cause healing matters
The biggest signs of perimenopause women shouldn’t ignore
Why testosterone is often overlooked in women’s hormone health
Top hormone labs women should ask their doctors to run
How progesterone supports sleep, anxiety, and emotional balance
The long-term concerns surrounding hormonal birth control
The connection between libido, relationships, and overall vitality
How SSRIs may impact sexual function and desire
Peptides for libido, arousal, and sexual wellness
PT141, Kisspeptin, Oxytocin, and nitric oxide support
Why gut health matters for oxytocin production and bonding
Tirzepatide for metabolic health, confidence, and brain protection
Peptides and strategies for cognitive health and neuroprotection
Why blood sugar regulation is critical for preventing cognitive decline
The importance of estrogen for brain, bone, and heart health
Concerns about statins, cholesterol, and women’s brain health
Practical ways women can improve vitality, confidence, and longevity
Connect with Dr. Angela Petersen!
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ampdhealth.net/
Twitter/X: http://x.com/fixtheglitchnow
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/amplified_total_wellness/
Phone number: 385-486-4181
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠
🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
‼️Disclaimer‼️
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

Welcome back to the Peptides for Women podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Melissa Petersen, founder and CEO of Human Longevity Global and president of Peptide University. She’s a global authority in longevity medicine and metabolic innovation, and fun fact, she’s also the practitioner who originally introduced me to peptides years ago! So this conversation feels like a full-circle moment, diving even deeper into the science, strategy, and philosophy behind these powerful tools.
We explore how peptides and GLP-1s actually work in the body, why precision dosing matters more than ever, and the biggest mistakes both clinicians and patients are making right now. Plus, we get into the often-overlooked foundations: circadian rhythm, nervous system regulation, and metabolic inputs, that ultimately determine whether peptides work… or don’t.
In this episode, we cover:
The origin story behind Human Longevity Institute and Peptide University
What peptides actually are (and why thinking in “molecules” changes everything)
GLP-1s explained: why they’re revolutionary—and where things are going wrong
Precision dosing vs. standard dosing (and why “less is more”)
The real reason GLP-1 side effects happen and how to avoid them
Foundational gut support before starting peptides (enzymes, nutrients, hydration)
Simple, budget-friendly ways to improve digestion and metabolic health
Circadian rhythm as the missing link in weight loss, sleep, and hormone balance
Why timing (when you eat, sleep, and move) matters more than what you do
The impact of light exposure, nervous system regulation, and daily inputs
Why peptides “stop working” and what’s actually happening in the body
The BioHealthSpan framework: inputs → terrain → targeted interventions → amplification
How to think about health as a system, not a quick fix
Connect with Dr. Melissa Petersen!
Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://docmelissa.com/
Peptide University: https://mypeptideuniversity.com/
Human Longevity Institute: https://humanlongevityinstitute.com/
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drmelissagp/
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz
🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
‼️Disclaimer‼️
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast!
In this episode, I’m joined once again by returning guest Samantha Lander, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, wellness coach, DJ, and founder of SeeFit Living, to answer your biggest peptide questions straight from our community.
We’re diving into the real-world conversations women are having around peptides right now: from GLP-1s and weight loss resistance to libido, sleep, mitochondria, inflammation, gut health, and healthy aging. Samantha and I also talk about the importance of foundations like protein, minerals, hormone balance, stress management, and gut health before relying on peptides as a “magic fix.”
We break down some of the most common misconceptions around peptides, discuss how different peptides work in the body, and share practical insights from both our personal experiences and clinical work with women in perimenopause and midlife. If you’ve been curious about peptides but overwhelmed by conflicting information online, this episode is packed with honest conversation, education, and practical nuance.
In this episode, we cover:
Why GLP-1s sometimes “stop working”
The biggest mistakes women make while using peptides
How under-eating can stall weight loss on GLP-1s
Retatrutide vs. Tirzepatide
Mitochondrial health and metabolic resistance
MOT-C, SS31, SLUP, AOD, and other metabolic peptides
Why gut health matters for peptide effectiveness
Histamine reactions, estrogen dominance, and peptide sensitivity
GHK-Cu copper peptides for skin health and collagen support
NAD, glutathione, and longevity support
Beef organs, minerals, and foundational health strategies
PT141 for female libido and sexual wellness
Why stress and burnout impact libido more than hormones alone
DSIP for sleep and circadian rhythm support
Peptides for immune modulation and recovery
Thymosin Alpha-1, KPV, BPC157, and autoimmune considerations
The future of peptides and increasing FDA regulation
Connect with Samantha Lander!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seefitliving
Links & Resources:
🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz
🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
‼️Disclaimer‼️
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.