In this episode of the Fueled & Free Podcast, Margaret has an honest conversation about one of the most common questions she hears: “How long is this going to take?” Whether it’s balancing hormones, healing the gut, improving energy, or reaching weight loss goals, many women expect a clear timeline. But the body doesn’t work that way.

Instead, Margaret reframes the process of health and healing — comparing it to learning a new skill that takes time, practice, and patience. She emphasizes why expectations can become one of the biggest obstacles to progress, and how showing up consistently with the right support makes the difference.

This conversation sheds light on why healing is not a quick fix, but a personal journey that requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to embrace the process.

Episode Recap:

• Why “How long will this take?” is the wrong question to ask {00:53}
• How expectations can sabotage real healing {01:21}
• Why health journeys are like learning a new skill — and can’t be rushed {02:42}
• The truth about timelines for gut healing, hormone balance, and metabolism {07:28}
• The cultural obsession with “perfect health” and why it’s unrealistic {09:06}
• How functional testing helps remove barriers slowing your progress {13:25}
• A better question to ask yourself instead of “How long?” {13:40}
• Why creating space for healing, and showing up matter more {16:07}

Links & References:

• Click here to order peptides with EllieMD, a US based telehealth provider.
• Book a peptide consult zoom call
• Download my GLP 1 Peptide Guide
• Join The Microdose Method GLP Coaching Group
• Join our 1:1 Coaching Program
• Learn more about working with our team by visiting fueledandfree.com

Connect with me on Instagram @margaretannpowell

**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. Please seek the guidance of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.

In this episode of the Fueled & Free Podcast, Margaret explores the reality of PMS and PMDD, especially for women in their 30s and 40s. She challenges the conventional approach of prescribing birth control as a “fix,” explaining why it fails to address the root causes of hormonal imbalance.

Instead, she highlights the role of bioidentical progesterone in easing symptoms, supporting perimenopause, and protecting long-term health.

This conversation sheds light on why women need real hormone support — not suppression — and how understanding progesterone’s benefits can transform mental health, sleep, and overall well-being.

Episode Recap:

• Why birth control is the default prescription for PMS, PMDD, and perimenopause symptoms {01:53}
• How medical training and pharma influence keep doctors from addressing root causes {04:59}
• Why suppressing ovulation in perimenopause makes symptoms worse, not better {06:08}
• The critical difference between synthetic progestins and natural progesterone {07:32}
• How bioidentical progesterone supports mood, sleep, metabolism, and long-term health {09:26}
• The outdated fears around hormone therapy—and why they don’t apply to progesterone {11:10}
• Best practices for progesterone use—and how to know if it’s working for you {13:26}
• Questions to ask your provider so you can advocate for better hormone care {24:04}

Links & References:

• Access hormone replacement therapy from Raena Health, a US based telehealth provider.
• Taking Charge Of Your Fertility Book on Amazon.
• Click here to order peptides with EllieMD, a US based telehealth provider.
• Book a peptide consult zoom call
• Download my GLP 1 Peptide Guide
• Join The Microdose Method GLP Coaching Group
• Learn more about working with our team by visiting fueledandfree.com
• Ep. 67 | Estrogen Dominance In Perimenopause: Why You’re Bloated, Gaining Weight, Moody, & Have Heavy Periods

Connect with me on Instagram @margaretannpowell

**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. Please seek the guidance of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.

In today’s episode I’m sharing real talk on the cost of GLP-1 peptides like semaglutide and tirzepatide, what insurance does (and doesn’t) cover, and what it actually takes to maintain results long term.

These medications can be powerful tools for weight loss and metabolic health, but they’re not quick fixes. That’s why it’s so important to understand not just the financial side, but also the lifestyle shifts, maintenance strategies, and functional testing that truly support lasting results.

I’ll walk you through what you can expect if you’re paying cash, what insurance may cover depending on BMI or health conditions, why weight regain is such a common challenge, and how strength training + holistic health strategies fit into the picture.

You deserve clarity, and you deserve support in making these decisions with eyes wide open.

Episode Recap:

• How much GLP-1s really cost — and why so many women ask this question {00:43}
• When insurance typically covers GLP-1s and when it almost never does {01:20}
• What cash pay looks like at pharmacies, medspas, and telehealth platforms {05:42}
• How long you might actually need to be on a GLP-1, and why weight regain is common {09:19}
• What maintenance really looks like: strength training, protein, gut health, and hormones {13:39}
• Why functional testing still matters, even if GLP-1s are working {20:25}
• The hidden cost of not addressing metabolic issues early {25:39}
• Why GLP-1s are more than weight loss drugs — they’re metabolic therapies {26:41}

Links & References:

• Click here to order peptides with EllieMD, a US based telehealth provider.
• Book a peptide consult zoom call
• Download my GLP 1 Peptide Guide
• Join The Microdose Method GLP Coaching Group
• Learn more about working with our team by visiting fueledandfree.com
• Ep. 68 | Microdosing GLP-1s / Semaglutides: A Tool for Reducing Inflammation, Weight Loss & Insulin Resistance
• Ep. 75 | My 6 month update on microdosing a GLP 1, how peptides impact cravings, blood sugar, and can be a tool for longevity

Connect with me on Instagram @margaretannpowell

**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. Please seek the guidance of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.

Today’s episode is all about something I know so many of you have struggled with: that constant chatter in your head around food. The “should I eat this?” … “why can’t I stop?” … “just one more bite” loop that feels like it never shuts off. This “food noise” can feel exhausting, overwhelming, and even isolating.

In this episode, I’m diving into how GLP-1 medications can quiet that food noise, shift the urge to binge, and create more freedom in your relationship with food. We’ll talk about the connection between dopamine, ADHD, and binge eating, and how microdosing GLP-1s can bring calm where there used to be chaos.

I’ll also share the flip side of this, because while reduced appetite and food noise can be a relief, some people find that eating loses its pleasure. That’s why it’s so important to reframe our relationship with food from an emotional tug-of-war into something more neutral, where food supports life instead of consuming your thoughts non stop.

Episode Recap:

• How GLP-1s can change your relationship with food {00:37}
• What “food noise” is and why it leaves so many women feeling exhausted and hopeless {01:36}
• The link between ADHD, dopamine-seeking, and impulsive eating or drinking {03:37}
• How GLP-1s quiet brain chatter, blunt binge urges, and soften dopamine hits {06:28}
• The freedom that comes with food taking up less mental space {08:49}
• The flip side: when eating feels less pleasurable and more neutral {09:28}
• Reframing neutrality around food as empowerment rather than loss {14:51}
• Why GLP-1s are about more than appetite—they reshape mindset, habits, and pleasure {16:11}

Links & References:

• Click here to order peptides with EllieMD, a US based telehealth provider.
• Book a peptide consult zoom call
• Download my GLP 1 Peptide Guide
• Join The Microdose Method GLP Coaching Group
• Ep. 68 | Microdosing GLP-1s / Semaglutides: A Tool for Reducing Inflammation, Weight Loss & Insulin Resistance
• Ep. 75 | My 6 month update on microdosing a GLP 1, how peptides impact cravings, blood sugar, and can be a tool for longevity

Connect with me on Instagram @margaretannpowell
Learn more about working with our team by visiting fueledandfree.com

**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. Please seek the guidance of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.

Today’s episode is a special one because we’re celebrating 75 episodes of the Fueled & Free Podcast! 🎉 In today's episode, I’m sharing my six-month update on microdosing a GLP-1 peptide, Tirzepatide.

This hasn’t been about chasing shortcuts or finding an “easy way out,” but rather giving my body the support it needed to finally respond again. Over the past six months, I’ve seen not just physical changes in body composition and cravings, but also shifts in my mental health and the way I view wellness as a whole.

I know this is not for everyone, and I’m not here to tell you what to do, but I am here to share openly about what has been a game changer for me and for so many women I’ve worked with. You are NOT broken. And you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through your health journey to create real change. If you’ve been curious about peptides, weight loss, or even the stigma around weight management, this episode will encourage you to explore your options without shame.

Episode Recap:

• My six-month update on microdosing GLP-1 {1:08}
• Physical changes, body composition, and reduced cravings {06:30}
• Exploring peptides and how they benefit in many ways {10:59}
• Cultural shifts in weight loss & public conversations (Serena Williams, etc.) {16:34}
• Why emotional health is just as important as physical health {22:19}
• The stigma around weight loss + how I worked through it {23:04}
• Long-term use of GLP-1 and who it may help {31:06}
• Why you deserve support and education in your journey {38:12}
• Letting go of shame and embracing your health choices {44:23}

Links & References:

• Click here to order peptides with EllieMD, a US based telehealth provider.
• Book a peptide consult zoom call
• Download my GLP 1 Peptide Guide
• Join The Microdose Method GLP Coaching Group
• Ep. 68 | Microdosing GLP-1s / Semaglutides: A Tool for Reducing Inflammation, Weight Loss & Insulin Resistance
• Ep. 74 | Feeling puffy, inflamed and stuck with your weight? Sharing my honest experience in microdosing a GLP 1.

Connect with me on Instagram @margaretannpowell
Learn more about working with our team by visiting fueledandfree.com

**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. Please seek the guidance of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.

Today’s episode is a vulnerable one, and honestly…not something I ever thought I would be sharing: my personal journey with microdosing a GLP-1 peptide. This wasn’t about chasing a shortcut or “cheating”, but about giving my body the support it needed to respond again!

I’m not saying you should do this, because I know it’s not for everyone. But…I’m also not here to gatekeep, and I will GLADLY share something that’s been a game changer for me (plus many of the women I’ve worked with)!

You’re NOT broken, and you don’t have to “white-knuckle” your way through your health to make progress. If you’re curious about using a GLP-1 in a safe and aligned way, you DESERVE the freedom to explore that - without shame. Our team would love to support you in doing so!

Episode Recap:

• The frustrating reality of doing #allthethings for your health, but still not seeing the changes you want {1:53}
• Why I chose to microdose a GLP-1 + how I knew it was the right next step {5:57}
• The positive shifts I’d made with my health, but still being being borderline insulin resistant {16:48}
• The internal judgment I had around using a GLP-1 + how I worked thru it {18:44}
• What I’ve learned since microdosing tirzepatide {22:06}
• What *actually* changed for me after microdosing + what it didn’t “fix” {24:14}
• My current health stats + why it’s okay to WANT to change your body {33:04}
• How your personal health story impacts how your body responds {31:06}
• The plan I followed & how I approached this process {38:12}
• Why we need to stop believing that struggle is the only path to healing {44:23}
• Why your body needs to be ready to respond to GLP-1s for them to work effectively {47:44}
• Amazing results our clients are seeing with solid foundations already in place {51:12}
• My honest reflections on this experience {53:46}

Links & References:

• The GLP-1 Peptide Episode Everyone’s Been Waiting for w/Dr. Gus Vickery
• Stelo continuous glucose monitor (CGM)
• How peptides are being used to reverse NA fatty liver disease, kidney disease, high BP, etc.
• Telehealth platform to get microdose GLP 1 peptide prescription
• Ep. 68 | Microdosing GLP-1s / Semaglutides: A Tool for Reducing Inflammation, Weight Loss & Insulin Resistance
• Ep. 71 | The Overlooked Signs of Insulin Resistance in Women 35+
• Connect with me on Instagram @margaretannpowell
• Learn more about working with our team by visiting our website
• Book a free clarity call HERE

**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your home environment could be sabotaging your health, today’s episode is for YOU.

I’m joined by nationally recognized mold investigator, Brian Karr, co-founder of We Inspect and The Dust Test, who shares jaw-dropping insights on all things mold. Brian didn’t set out to become a mold expert, but he did have his own life-altering experience with mold.

Since then, he’s helped over 10,000 people identify and reduce mold exposure and other environmental toxins with clarity, NOT panic!

Ultimately, you can’t fix something if you don’t know the true source of where it’s coming from.

Whether you’ve dealt with chronic inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, skin issues, or other frustrating health symptoms, this conversation with Brian is a MUST-listen. Get ready to be much more informed about mold and empowered as you navigate your health journey!

Episode Recap:

• Brian’s story of discovering toxic mold in his apartment + how it launched his mission to help others {3:53}
• What can happen when you unknowingly stay in a mold-infested environment {10:38}
• Differences between a traditional home inspector vs. mold consultant + why this matters {12:19}
• Why Brian’s team takes a “balanced” approach to remediation {13:06}
• Subtle & powerful signs (like nose blindness) of mold in your space {16:51}
• Why symptoms can vary for people living in the same home {24:59}
• Key steps to take if you suspect mold growth in your home {36:53}
• How Brian’s team tests + identifies the root source of mold {44:51}
• How HVAC systems can spread toxins throughout your space + what to watch for {54:55}
• 3 crucial pieces your remediation plan must contain + the importance of clear, supportive communication during this process {58:37}

Links & References:

• Full show notes HERE
• Follow Brian on Instagram @moldfinders
• Check out Brian’s website
• Book a free clarity call with Brian, click here.
• Check out the Dust Test
• Listen to #moldfinders: RADIO
• Ep. 43 | Our experience with mold exposure this summer, supporting your body during mold exposure, symptoms of mold illness
• Connect with me on Instagram @margaretannpowell
• Learn more about working with our team by visiting our website
• Book a free clarity call HERE
• Send us an email at fueledandfreepodcast@gmail.com

**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.

Today’s episode is a long time coming, and it’s regarding something that’s really shifting in our culture right now: alcohol.

I’m diving into my personal journey with alcohol and growing up around addiction, the rise of the sober curious movement (especially with millennials and Gen-Zers), the significant impact on women’s health, why more people are turning to cannabis / THC, and more.

Alcohol no longer serves me; I’ve personally made the decision to quit it, and I’m consciously breaking a multi-generational cycle of alcohol dependance.

I hope this episode empowers you to look at what’s really serving you (and what’s not). You deserve to live a healthy, vibrant, and aligned life!

Episode Recap:

• My early exposure to alcohol + how I’ve continually reevaluated my relationship with it {4:58}
• Why alcohol was the one thing I justified keeping in my routine {9:56}
• My “sober curious” journey & realizing I no longer need alcohol {11:52}
• Benefits I’ve noticed since quitting alcohol {17:09}
• How alcohol impacts women’s health in their 30s & 40s {21:42}
• The generational shift as younger people move away from alcohol {29:21}
• How increased cannabis use is affecting alcohol consumption {31:22}
• Downsides to regular THC use {33:46}
• Getting honest about why you’re really using cannabis & THC + my personal experience {35:54}
• The surprising connection between GLP-1 medications & alcohol cravings {41:16}
• How the media constantly glamorizes alcohol {44:00}

Links & References:

• Full show notes HERE
• It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn
• The Naked Mind by Annie Grace
• We Are the Luckiest by Laura McKowen
• The Chalene Show with Chalene Johnson
• Oura Ring discount for 10% off
• Ep. 68 | Microdosing GLP-1s / Semaglutides: A Tool for Reducing Inflammation, Weight Loss & Insulin Resistance
• Connect with me on Instagram @margaretannpowell
• Learn more about working with our team by visiting our website
• Book a free clarity call HERE
• Send us an email at fueledandfreepodcast@gmail.com

**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.