Happy & Healthy with Amy

What if just 15 minutes of writing a day could lower your blood pressure, ease anxiety, and even help you sleep better? In this episode, we’re diving into the powerful tool of journaling. Whether you’re struggling with sleep, stress, or emotional eating, journaling can be a powerful way to calm your mind and protect your brain—especially in midlife. What to Listen For: [00:03:00] Why journaling is...

Feeling frustrated with midlife weight gain and cravings that just won’t quit? You’re not alone — and it’s not just about willpower. In this episode, Amy breaks down the real reasons behind that stubborn midsection fat, shares the critical connection between estrogen and brain health, and how to work with your body (not against it) with five essential habits so you can reclaim your energy and prot...

Think that glass of wine is helping you relax and drift off? Think again.  Your favorite nightcap may actually be sabotaging your sleep and fueling your menopausal symptoms In this episode, we're unpacking the science behind alcohol's impact on sleep and menopause, explaining how it can intensify hot flashes, brain fog, and belly fat. You'll also discover empowering alternatives to...

Think that nightcap is helping you unwind? You might be shocked to learn how alcohol and sleep interact and what that means for your long-term brain health.  In this episode, I'll walk you through the six stages of change to help you take compassionate, actionable steps toward deeper rest and a healthier mind. What to Listen For [00:04:00] Why even small amounts of alcohol aren't as hear...

Are you telling yourself it’s all downhill after menopause? You’re not alone. In this episode, Amy reveals how your beliefs about aging impact your brain health and longevity. Learn how to shift your mindset, challenge ageism—and embrace menopause as a vibrant new chapter. What to Listen For: [00:01:00] Why decline is not inevitable with aging [00:02:00] How ageism is baked into our culture—and ho...

Do you ever find yourself asking: Is this brain fog from menopause, normal aging, or the start of something more serious? If so, this episode is for you.  With so many of us seeing parents struggle with cognitive decline, these fears are valid. But not all forgetfulness is the same—and in this episode, you’ll learn what’s normal at midlife and what might signal something deeper. What to Listen For...

Why do some memories last forever, while others vanish the moment you walk into a room?  In this episode, we break down the neuroscience behind memory—how memories are created, stored, and retrieved—plus how menopause, stress, and sleep impact what you remember and forget. What to Listen For: [00:02:10] The 3 essential stages of memory: encoding, consolidation, and retrieval—and how they work [00:...

Ever wonder why you can still remember your home phone number from childhood, but forget someone’s name seconds after meeting them? That’s not memory loss—it’s your memory systems doing exactly what they’re designed to do.  In this episode, I’m breaking down the four main types of memory, how they work, and why understanding them is essential for protecting your brain health, especially during men...

You’ve cleared the fog… now it’s time to find your flow. In this bonus episode of the Brain Fog series, we move past basic fixes and talk strategy: how to upgrade your cognitive performance using the latest in brain science. What to Listen For [00:01:00] Why brain fog isn’t a personal failing—and what it’s really trying to tell you [00:03:00] How most advice about “focus” gets it wrong (and what w...

Can’t get the brain fog to lift? You might be missing a key piece of the puzzle. In this episode, Amy uncovers surprising triggers of brain fog and walks you through evidence-based solutions to sharpen your focus and protect your brain. Listen now for practical tips! What to Listen For [00:01:00] The 3 brain regions affected by brain fog  [00:04:00] How indoor air quality and mold exposure might b...

Are you finding it harder to focus, constantly forgetting appointments, or struggling to finish your thoughts mid-sentence? You might be experiencing brain fog — and no, it’s not just “getting older.” In this episode, Amy breaks down exactly what brain fog is, why it happens, and what your symptoms might be trying to tell you. What to Listen For: [00:00:55] What brain fog actually is (hint: it’s n...

What does it really mean to age well ? This week, Amy welcomes back Jay Croft to talk all things optimal aging—from menopause and Alzheimer's prevention to the stories we tell ourselves about getting older. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to age on their own terms. What to Listen For [00:01:44] How Jay helps fitness centers connect with the 50+ community through Prime Fit Con...

If you’ve ever worried about your risk for Alzheimer’s, especially with a family history, you’re not alone. In this special masterclass replay, Amy walks you through 5 empowering steps to take charge of your brain health, reduce your risk of cognitive decline, and reclaim your clarity, confidence, and energy—starting today. Learn why women are at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease, how estro...

If you’ve noticed subtle changes in your memory or seen them in someone you love, this episode is a must-listen. I’m breaking down the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s, what’s normal, what’s not—and the powerful things you can do today to protect your brain health long before symptoms become severe. 🎧 What to Listen For: [02:00] A personal story about Amy’s mom and the memory mistake that raised a r...

If you’re juggling menopause, aging parents, and brain fog, this episode is for you. Today we explore how stimulating the vagus nerve — a key player in your nervous system — can lower inflammation, reduce anxiety, and improve your resilience to Alzheimer’s disease. You’ll walk away with actionable ways to feel better and think clearer, right now. What to Listen For [01:35] What is the vagus nerve...

What if your gut held the key to a sharper mind, better mood, and fewer hot flashes? In this episode, Amy explores the powerful gut-brain connection and how your microbiome could be influencing everything from your memory to your menopausal symptoms.  You’ll discover why your gut is more than just a digestion machine—and what you can do to nourish it and your brain. What to Listen For  [00:01:00]...

Feel like you don’t have time to take care of your brain? I got you.  In today’s episode, I walk you through 7 science-backed microhabits you can do in under three minutes to nourish your brain, lower stress, and support long-term cognitive health. These tiny shifts are perfect for busy women juggling careers, caregiving, and menopause. What to Listen For: [02:00] Your brain’s 3 main priorities—an...

Think Alzheimer's is a disease of old age? The science tells a different story. Research now shows the disease process begins silently 20-30 years before the first symptom—which means your 40s and 50s are your critical window for action, especially for women.  In today's final episode of our prevention series, I share the most powerful, evidence-backed lifestyle strategies that can drama...

This episode is for every woman who has watched a loved one battle Alzheimer's and wondered, " Is there anything I can do to prevent this?"   The answer is yes. In part three of our four-part series on Alzheimer's prevention, we explore the latest pharmaceutical breakthroughs, the three-phase model of Alzheimer's progression, and why early intervention is everything. Tune...

Imagine being able to detect Alzheimer's disease 10-30 years before the first symptoms appear—when interventions could potentially prevent cognitive decline entirely. In this second episode of our four-part series on Alzheimer's prevention, I explore the revolutionary blood biomarker tests that are changing our approach to brain health. Learn how these simple blood tests can detect Alzhe...

Alzheimer's disease begins 10 to 30 years before symptoms appear—which means there's a massive window for prevention if you know your risk factors. In this first episode of our four-part series on Alzheimer's prevention, Amy shares why "early is everything" when it comes to protecting your brain health, especially for women navigating midlife. Discover how genetic testing...

Are you feeling exhausted, stuck, or struggling with chronic stress? In this episode, I sit down with Tai Chi and Qi Gong master healer Sandra Tjoa to explore how these ancient practices can help restore energy, improve mental clarity, and promote deep healing. Sandra shares her personal journey—how she recovered from the grief of a child's death with the life-changing power of Qi Gong and Ta...

Think of your genes like a house full of light switches - while you can't change the wiring, your daily choices control which switches are on or off. This fascinating field of epigenetics shows us that genes aren't destiny, even with Alzheimer's. In this final episode of our three-part series, we explore groundbreaking research showing that nearly half of all dementia cases could be...

Are new Alzheimer's treatments finally offering hope? In this episode, we're diving into the latest breakthroughs in Alzheimer's treatment—what's been approved, what's in the pipeline, and what these medications can and cannot do.  If you or a loved one are concerned about cognitive decline, this is an episode you don't want to miss! What to Listen For [02:28] – Why A...

Alzheimer's disease begins decades before memory loss becomes obvious. In this deeply personal and informative episode, I share the subtle early signs I first noticed in my mom, helping you distinguish between normal aging and potential cognitive decline. Drawing from both my personal experience as a caregiver and the latest research, I walk you through groundbreaking developments in early de...