In Part 2 of our end of year round table, we sit down with Optimize U women’s health providers Laura Chastain, Amanda Shelton, and Ashley Johnson for a meaningful conversation on thyroid health, PCOS, perimenopause, menopause, and what it looks like to support women through every stage of hormonal change.

They share the personal experiences that shaped their careers, the mission behind their work, and their commitment to helping women understand their bodies, their symptoms, and their options. This episode highlights the importance of education, connection, and individualized care so women feel prepared, supported, and empowered.

What We Discuss

How Their Passion Began

• The moments that led each provider into women’s health

• How life experience influences the way they support and advocate for patients

• Why trust and communication are essential in women’s healthcare

PCOS GLP 1s and Root Cause Care

• How GLP 1 medications are helping PCOS patients beyond weight loss

• Why addressing metabolic and hormonal root issues changes long term outcomes

• The role of personalized treatment in restoring balance and confidence

Perimenopause Support

• Guiding women through the uncertain and overwhelming phases of perimenopause

• Helping patients understand what is ahead and how to navigate it

• Recommended books and resources for women entering this stage

Women’s Health in 2025

• The impact of the FDA removing the black box warning on hormone therapy

• How this shift opens the door for better brain, bone, and heart protection

• Why women today are becoming more informed, proactive, and engaged in their health

Looking Ahead to 2026

• The growing need for research on testosterone in women

• Understanding that women naturally produce more testosterone than estrogen

• Exploring the concept of mom brain and the potential connection to hormone decline

Key Takeaways

• Women benefit from care that recognizes their unique history and biology

• Education and preparation are key to navigating hormonal changes with confidence

• With the right support, women can move forward feeling stronger, clearer, and more empowered

Welcome to Part 1 of our End of Year Special at the Optimized Health Podcast.

In this episode our male providers Josh Porter, Matt Hughes, and Justin Edwards sit down together to share how they each discovered their passion for hormones, preventative care, and helping people reclaim their lives.

You’ll hear how this work hasn’t just shaped their careers. It has transformed their own personal health journeys. They talk about what keeps them motivated, the mission that drives them, and the question they’re always asking:

“What is the next step to help someone become the best version of themselves?”

Inside This Episode

🔥 Men’s Health Highlights of 2025

• FDA removal of Black Box warnings

• Understanding red blood cell production while on TRT

• Why guidelines are options and not mandates

• TRT’s role in prosocial behavior, PTSD support, and anxiety relief

• Honoring and serving veterans through better care

🧬 Looking Ahead to 2026

• The rise of peptides

• The truth about the grey market

• Why 2025 created a major shift in preventative medicine

• What real optimization could look like in the near future

💡 Provider Hot Takes

• Their favorite patient victory stories

• The one optimization superpower they would give every man

• The best recovery hack of 2025

• The wellness trend they hope disappears in 2026

Whether you want to better understand TRT, learn more about peptides, or you’re passionate about improving your health in the year ahead, this conversation is packed with insight, stories, and real hope for what is coming next.

Have you ever wondered what your true purpose in life is , or why motivation fades when the “big moments” are behind you?

In this episode, Pastor Matty Finley from Silverdale Baptist joins The Optimized Health Podcast to talk about mindset, and how the way you think can transform your health, fitness, and everyday life.

We dive deep into:

• Understanding your “why” and creating lasting habits

• Finding balance in a world that glorifies burnout

• Building community and asking for help

• Learning from failure instead of being defined by it

• Why the five people closest to you shape your future

Maybe life isn’t where you thought it would be by now, but there’s still purpose, time, and strength in you. Your story isn’t over.

🎧 Tune in to rediscover your why and reignite your mindset for growth, purpose, and health.

👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.