"I think you always hold back when you have a net," says Debra Atkinson, women's fitness expert.  In the thick of midlife changes of her own, at the age of forty-nine, she felt the itch to do more and take a huge risk.  Debra quit her very secure positions in academia and as a personal training director, packed up her house, and moved to another city to start her new adventure.  Talk about a midlife pivot!Today, Debra Atkinson is a respected author, lecturer, trainer of other coaches, podcaster, and a leader in the industry, working with women on hormone balancing fitness.  Her own menopause journey has provided her important insights into the special challenges that the fifty plus crowd faces in their desire for long-term health.  Debra has cracked the code on the hormone-exercise connection for thousands of women in her Flipping 50 programs and coaching services.  Her very impressive credentials are just too long to list!In this episode Debra and I discuss:-Why she left her secure position to academia to become a fitness entrepreneur-Perimenopause and menopause changes that require women to look at their fitness routines differently-The impact of hormones - estrogen and cortisol-The pros and cons of Keto and intermittent fasting and why we shouldn't work out in a fasted state -Why weight and resistance training is a MUST and how to safely get started if you haven't done weights before-Protein - why women need more of it for muscle and bone-The best protein sources - If it runs (beef/pork) higher in amino acids  If it flies - the next best - If it swims - not as high in amino acids but does contain         Omega-3-High protein smoothies are a great way to get extra, needed protein  Be sure to add fruit, greens, fiber, and healthy fat for a balanced shakeDebra will be holding a May 1-7, 2023, that focuses on the science of midlife women and fitness.  The effects of trauma on fitness goals, such as chronic disease and long Covid, will also be discussed.  So interesting!Flipping 50 offers 2 protein productshttps://www.flippingfifty.com/product-category/protein-powders/Debra's bestselling books:You Still Got It, Girl! The After 50 Fitness Formula for WomenHot, Not Bothered: 99 Daily Flips to Slimmer, Trimmer, Fitter FasterYou can find Debra Atkinson and her podcast at:https://www.flippingfifty.com/https://www.instagram.com/flipping50tv/https://www.facebook.com/groups/flipping50insiders/Follow Asking for a Friend on Social media outlets:https://www.instagram.com/askingforafriend_pod/https://www.facebook.com/askforafriendpod/Please provide a review and share. This helps us grow! https://lovethepodcast.com/AFAF