Ep 16: Lifestyle as Medicine: Cynthia Thurlow on Healing Beyond the Prescription Pad

Optimize WE with Cynthia Thurlow, hosted by Lindsay O'Neill:

Cynthia Thurlow's Background and Transition

• Professional Journey: Cynthia Thurlow started her career as an ER nurse and later became a nurse practitioner in cardiology, a field she worked in for over 20 years.

• Shift in Perspective: Her perspective on medicine began to change after her son was diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies. This experience, along with reading Robin O'Brien's book, The Unhealthy Truth, led her to believe that traditional allopathic medicine was missing key elements related to the influence of environment and food on health.

• New Career Path: Nine years ago, she left traditional medicine to focus on "lifestyle as medicine." She now specializes in helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause, aiming to provide transparency, advocacy, and inspiration.

• Accomplishments: Thurlow has delivered two TEDx talks, one of which has over 15 million views, and hosts the "Everyday Wellness" podcast.

Personal Stories and Parenting

• Son's Allergy Incident: Thurlow shared a story about her 19-year-old son, who has a severe peanut and tree nut allergy. On his first night of college, he had an anaphylactic reaction after eating a protein bar. He used his EpiPen, which his mother had insisted he take with him, and called 911, a response that likely saved his life.

• Parenting Teenagers: The conversation touched on the challenges of parenting teenagers, especially regarding driving, distractions from phones, and substance use.

• Open Communication: Thurlow emphasized being a "realist" and having open, preemptive conversations with her children about difficult topics like drinking, drug use (specifically the danger of fentanyl), and safe sex. She believes in creating a safe space where her kids know they can call for help without immediate judgment.

• Childhood and Personal Growth: Thurlow grew up in a chaotic household with alcoholism and abuse, which contributed to her becoming an introvert and an observer. She made a conscious decision not to replicate the intergenerational trauma she experienced.

Health, Wellness, and Perimenopause

• The "Pause": Perimenopause is a time when women are biologically designed to change how they live. The most successful navigation of this phase involves adapting one's lifestyle.

• Lifestyle Adjustments: Thurlow personally stopped intense, early-morning workouts, started sleeping more, became more mindful of her diet, and established stronger boundaries. As women lose estrogen, they also tend to lose their people-pleasing tendencies, which can be freeing.

• Foundational Health: The conversation stressed the foundational importance of sleep. Poor sleep can negatively impact mood, food choices, energy levels, and contribute to weight loss resistance. Improving sleep is the first step before tackling other health strategies like fasting or intense exercise.

• The "P's": The discussion highlighted the importance of basic bodily functions, summarized as "Pause, Pray, Poop, and Sleep." Constipation is a significant issue, as it can lead to the recirculation of estrogen, magnifying perimenopause symptoms.

• Stress Management: Thurlow emphasized that women become less resilient to stress during perimenopause and must practice daily stress management. Simple practices like putting legs up the wall, targeted supplements (e.g., inositol, L-theanine), and adaptogenic herbs can be beneficial.

• Mindset: The importance of positive self-talk was highlighted with an anecdote about talking to onions in a garden to help them grow. The same principle applies to our bodies; our cells listen to the words we tell them.

Professional Endeavors

• Cynthia Thurlow's Offerings:

• Book: She has published a book on women and fasting and has another one coming out in early 2026 focused on the gut microbiome for women in middle age.

• Program: She runs a 12-week signature program called "The Midlife Pause."

• Supplements: She has a supplement line, also called "The Midlife Pause," which includes foundational supplements for women like creatine monohydrate, vitamin D, and prebiotic fiber.

• Podcast: Her favorite part of her business is her podcast, "Everyday Wellness."

• Public Speaking: She is an active public speaker with upcoming international talks.