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If you feel like your body changed overnight in perimenopause — especially around your belly, energy, cravings, sleep, and weight — you are not imagining it.
In this episode of Living Life Naturally, Lynne is joined by Morgana Lakatos-Hayward, certified menopause health coach, bestselling author, and former 2x World Champion Latin Dancer, for a real and refreshing conversation about why weight loss often feels harder in midlife.
And spoiler alert: it’s not because you’re lazy, broken, or “just need more willpower.” 💜
In today’s episode, Lynne talks with Morgana Lakatos-Hayward about the hormonal shifts that can make weight loss feel so frustrating during perimenopause and menopause.
Morgana shares her personal journey from the world of competitive Latin dance, body shaming, and extreme fad dieting to becoming a certified menopause health coach. After developing adenomyosis and turning to holistic health, she became passionate about helping women understand their bodies instead of fighting against them.
Together, Lynne and Morgana explore why the old “eat less and move more” approach often doesn’t work the same way in midlife — and why hormones like insulin, cortisol, and estrogen can play such a big role in stubborn weight gain, especially around the middle.
They also talk about blood sugar balance, sleep, strength training, stress, diet culture, GLP-1 medications, cravings, and why supporting your body’s foundations may be far more effective than hopping on the next restrictive plan.
This is a great episode for any woman who has thought, “I’m doing everything right… so why is my body not responding?”
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
In this conversation, Lynne and Morgana discuss:
- Why midlife weight gain is often connected to hormones
- The role of insulin resistance and blood sugar swings
- How chronic stress and cortisol may contribute to belly fat
- Why estrogen fluctuations can affect fat storage in perimenopause
- Why skipping meals or under-eating may backfire
- The importance of protein, strength training, and muscle mass
- Why sleep is one of the most powerful “biohacks” for hormone health
- How diet culture keeps women stuck in guilt, shame, and restriction
- Why GLP-1 medications still require strong health foundations
- Simple ways to begin supporting your body instead of battling it
Guest Bio:
Morgana Lakatos-Hayward is a former 2x World Champion Latin Dancer who experienced body shaming and spent a decade caught in extreme fad dieting. After developing adenomyosis, she turned to holistic health and eventually became a certified menopause health coach and bestselling author.
Through her company, This Isn’t a Diet, Morgana helps midlife women support fat loss, restore hormone balance, and reconnect with their bodies using holistic health, biohacking, and practical lifestyle strategies.
Resources from Morgana Lakatos-Hayward:
Morgana is offering Lynne’s community 30% off her 60-day SHED program plus a complimentary consultation. Book a consultation here: https://thisisntadiet.com/booking
Mention “podcast” in the subject line.
Connect with Morgana Lakatos-Hayward:
Website: https://thisisntadiet.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shedwithmorgana/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Morganalh
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgana-lakatos-hayward-9881991b7/
Gentle Disclaimer:
The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always consult your qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine, starting a new supplement, or incorporating herbal remedies — especially if you are taking medications, have an existing health condition, are pregnant, nursing, or are preparing for surgery.
✨ Join the Community
If you’re tired of living in “before” mode and want community while you heal your relationship with food, body, and hormones, join Lynne’s free Facebook community:
👉 Energized Healthy Women’s Club
A safe, encouraging space for women in midlife navigating hormones, energy, eating, and self-worth — together.
If you want connection, compassion, and REAL conversation with women walking the same midlife path… join us in the Energized Healthy Women’s Club on Facebook.
👉 Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/energized.healthy.women
📩 Stay Connected With Lynne:
💛 Visit Lynne’s Website: https://holistic-healthandwellness.com
🎧 Watch or listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lynne-wadsworth
📩 Email: lynne@holistic-healthandwellness.com
🛜 Join Lynne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnewadsworth
🛜 Join Lynne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnewadsworth
👉 Grab your free copy of 5 Essential Steps to Flourishing in Midlife and start thriving today. This is YOUR time to shine.
Did You Enjoy The Podcast?
If you enjoyed this episode, the best way you can support the show is by leaving a quick 5-star rating and review for the Living Life Naturally podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or iHeart. Reviews help more women find this show—women who are navigating midlife changes and looking for calm, energy, and real support. Thank you for being here… and for helping us reach the women who need these conversations most. 💜
Did you know that the Living Life Naturally Podcast is in the top 3% globally and we have recently been featured on Million Podcasts. Check it out here: https://www.millionpodcasts.com/menopause-podcasts/
We’re also featured in the 100 Best Midlife Women Podcasts, 90 Best Perimenopause Podcasts, 100 Best Women Over 50 Podcasts, 100 Best Women’s Health Podcasts, 100 Best Aging Podcasts, 100 Best Health Podcasts, 100 Best Holistic Podcasts, 100 Best Hormone Balancing Podcasts, 100 Best Natural Health Podcasts, 100 Best Wellbeing Podcasts, 100 Best Women In Their 40s Podcasts, 100 Best Anti-Aging Podcasts and 100 Best Health Coach Podcasts list.
