If you're a woman in perimenopause or postmenopause, you've probably seen the claim that running is bad for your hormones because it raises cortisol. Maybe you've even wondered if you should be doing less cardio, switching entirely to walking, or giving up running altogether.
In this episode, Kevin and I unpack that idea and talk about what cortisol actually does in the body. Yes, exercise temporarily raises cortisol, but that's a normal and useful response. The bigger issue is chronic stress, poor sleep, under-fueling, and inadequate recovery. And while menopause can change how our bodies respond to stress, that doesn't mean we need to stop doing something that's incredibly valuable for our cardiovascular health, fitness, and brain health.
I want you to walk away from this conversation feeling less afraid of running and more confident about how to balance running, strength training, fueling, recovery, and the rest of your life.
00:00 – The Menopause Running Myth
02:50 – Where the Claim Comes From
07:08 – Cortisol Isn't the Villain
11:08 – Menopause and Cortisol Regulation
13:41 – What Actually Drives High Cortisol
15:20 – Research Says Aerobic Exercise Helps
18:11 – The Real Risk Is Heart Health
21:35 – Why Walking Isn't Enough
25:09 – VO2 Max and Longevity
29:03 – Measuring VO2 Max
33:01 – Training to Boost VO2
34:16 – Brain Benefits of Cardio
38:44 – Cortisol Fearmongering
40:24 – Strength Plus Running
43:11 – Walking Versus Aerobic Exercise
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