I understand why women feel so invisible in the health care system


Women are ignored and dismissed in the medical system with our vague symptoms of feeling off, brain fog, anxiousness, depression and a listlessness that can't be explained. These are all tell tale signs of peri-menopause and menopause. A doctor is more likely to prescribe anti-depressants than hormone therapy or discuss natural methods. It's also why the highest rate of suicidal ideation for women is between 45-55. We are led to believe it is all in our heads, when it's our biochemistry going haywire.

In my case, my family doctor retired during covid and was replaced with a new doctor who didn't know me, nor took the time to review my files. Things were being missed, dismissed or referred to every specialist but an OB. So I turned to a naturopath in town, Dr Carly Wedler, to help understand what is wrong. 

At the time, I couldn't stop fidgeting, scratching at my skin or keep eye contact. In an hour long appointment you can actually root out issues. At first, neither Dr Carly or I though this could be perimenopause. I am was and am young. At the time I was 46, fit, high level of exercise, excellent diet and my blood work indicated all my hormone levels were normal except my thyroid. I've had hashimoto's for 20 years and my medication never varied but suddenly I was hyperthyroid not hypo. 

It turns out a shift to hyper and a need to reduce your medication can be an early sign of menopause. My meds have reduced 5 times in 2 years. Hyperthyroid causes agitation, scratching and a rapid heart beat. Not all of this resolved by changing my medication. Dr Carly suggested doing a DUTCH test. In a 6 month window all my hormones turned off. At 46 I had no measurable estrogen or progesterone but thanks to my heavy strength training regime I still had adequate testosterone. 

Under Dr. Carly's supervision we tried a natural approach to offset my symptoms but after 3 months she suggested I needed HRT or hormone therapy to combat my symptoms. 

If it wasn't for Dr. Carly I would be lost in the medical system. She saw a connection between what seemed as unconnected issues and gave me the tools to seek the care I need.

Depending on the level of care you need, a naturopath is a great option to combat menopause. Not everyone needs or can take HRT. Through a naturopath you can mitigate many of the symptoms.

I lost myself ....

I've tried to write this letter to you so many times and each time I sat at my computer paralyzed with anxiety. For the longest time I felt like a failure for feeling this way. How can I, the optimist and motivator, be paralyzed by anxiety. I'm not an anxious person, at least I didn't use to be. Menopause changed everything.

Everyone talks about the dreaded hot flashes (which do suck and feel like an internal inferno) and the weight gain, but nobody talks about the other side effects: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, paralysis, listlessness and so much more. For the past 2 years it feels like my very essence was being stripped off me, piece by piece and I was drowning in an abyss again.

The first time was after my son was born and I experienced postpartum depression. I didn't understand at the time that the drop in progesterone was causing me to feel so low, drowning in deep black water. Again, no one really discusses the why and how. Instead, a quick prescription of antidepressants is prescribed; or in my case, you are told how you are overwhelmed with parenting. It was exercise and triathlon that brought me back to life. The exercise re-balanced my hormones and triathlon gave me purpose with a new identity. And in turn, helped me help 1000's of women find there purpose again.

Exercise didn't work this time. Every tool I acquired and mastered in the past was failing me. A run no longer quieted the negative voices in my head. A hard HIIT workout didn't leave me full of endorphins. And, yes, the scale kept climbing even though my diet is balanced with no processed foods. I was doing "all the right things." How can I be a leader to my community when everything I knew and did, didn't work? How can I preach about consistency and habit stacking when I couldn't get out of bed? The sheer idea of responding to a text message sent me into an spiral of anxiety. 

It was my first full panic attack that made me realize whatever was happening to me was out of my control and I needed help.

Over the past 2 years I  learned what menopause is, besides the end of your menstrual cycle, and how to start finding myself again. I owe you an apology for being so absent. From late responses to texts and email messages, to ghosting on the comments page on the website, to not sending regular emails to you to stay connected.  I am deeply sorry for abandoning you these past 2 years.

I can say I am truly starting to feel like myself again. It's taken a network of professionals and research to find my way back. And just like post kids, this is a new period of transformation and understanding of who I am in this stage of life. 

Going into 2026 I want to share what I've learned, starting with the 7 key steps I took to regain control of my life. 

~ Amy xo

New Ignite videos are available for this week. Be sure to check out this workout designed to not only fire up your metabolism but also for the aging adult. Yes, I said the dreaded word ... aging. These workouts are designed to build muscle without spiking cortisol levels. To actually balance your hormones with long slow lifts, focusing on compressing your bones while adding muscle to your frame. IGNITE ='s longevity. Enjoy this week's workouts.

https://gettrifit.com/programs/ignitie-1

Walking Just Got Sexy. And Science Says It Could Save Your Life.

Hey,

A huge global study just dropped the truth: You don’t need 10,000 steps a day to boost your health. Just 8,000 steps a day can lower your risk of dying — from anything.

• 🧬 Meta-analysis of 15 international studies (47,000+ people)

• 🏃‍♀️ 8,000 steps a day = lower risk of all-cause mortality

• ⛰️ Benefit plateaus around 9,000–10,000 steps

• 💥 You can break it up into short walks all day long

Translation: You don’t need hours. You need intention. And you can sneak this into even the busiest day.

💡 How to Reach 8,000 Steps (Without Losing Your Mind)

Time of Day Activity Steps Est. Morning15-min walk~1,500 steps Mid-Morning10-min break walk~1,000 steps Lunch20-min walk~2,000 steps Afternoon10-min movement break~1,000 steps Evening15-20-min walk~2,000–2,500 steps

Daily Total: 8,000–10,000 steps. Done. Without chaos. Without guilt. Just you. Choosing you.

📥 Download Your Weekly Walking Tracker

Because checking boxes feels so satisfying…

I made you this beautiful one-page tracker to keep you motivated and on track.

Every step counts. Every day matters.
This is how we Get TriFIT — one confident, powerful walk at a time.

With you every step,
Amy 💜
Your coach in strong, science-based, zero-BS fitness that you can do no matter how busy life gets

Happy Monday! IGNITE 1 is reloading as it didn't upload properly. It will be available by 7am today.