Cortisol Isn't the Villain: Women, Lifting, and the Truth About Stress
Wed Feb 04 2026
It's a two-host episode (no referee!), and Gene and Megan go straight at one of the most common pieces of bad advice women still get: "Your cortisol is high… you should stop working out." They break down why cortisol is supposed to fluctuate, why strength training creates a healthy temporary spike, and how lifting actually improves the systems that help cortisol
They also hit the hard truth that makes strength training non-negotiable: after 30, women tend to lose muscle mass over time and bone density can decline each year—unless you load the system and give it a reason to adapt. The episode lays out simple best practices: consistency, progressive overload, training with enough intensity to create change, and not confusing "a lot of sweating" with "the right stimulus."
If you've been told to back off lifting because of stress hormones—or you're stuck in the "cardio-only" loop because you're afraid of getting bulky—this is your reset button (and your permission slip).
Subscribe to get the latest dose of Movement is Medicine!
Explore Recharge:
www.rechargexfit.com
More
It's a two-host episode (no referee!), and Gene and Megan go straight at one of the most common pieces of bad advice women still get: "Your cortisol is high… you should stop working out." They break down why cortisol is supposed to fluctuate, why strength training creates a healthy temporary spike, and how lifting actually improves the systems that help cortisol They also hit the hard truth that makes strength training non-negotiable: after 30, women tend to lose muscle mass over time and bone density can decline each year—unless you load the system and give it a reason to adapt. The episode lays out simple best practices: consistency, progressive overload, training with enough intensity to create change, and not confusing "a lot of sweating" with "the right stimulus." If you've been told to back off lifting because of stress hormones—or you're stuck in the "cardio-only" loop because you're afraid of getting bulky—this is your reset button (and your permission slip). Subscribe to get the latest dose of Movement is Medicine! Explore Recharge: www.rechargexfit.com