Metabolic Freedom With Ben Azadi

What if your weight loss resistance in your 40s isn’t about willpower, but a powerful hormone shift that changes your metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and fat storage?

In this episode of the Metabolic Freedom Podcast, Ben Azadi welcomes back hormone expert Karen Martel to unpack why weight loss resistance is often a biological signal, not a motivation problem. Karen explains how hormone disruption from environmental xenoestrogens can create estrogen dominant symptoms in younger women, even when bloodwork appears normal.

The conversation then shifts into perimenopause and menopause, where the real metabolic shift begins. As estradiol declines, women often experience increased belly fat, worsening cholesterol, rising blood sugar, poor sleep, mood changes, and accelerated aging of skin and muscle. Karen breaks down the critical difference between estrogen and estradiol, why metabolic health often declines after ovarian function changes, and why many traditional weight loss strategies stop working during this phase.

You’ll also learn how environmental toxins impact hormone receptors, why hormone metabolite testing like the DUTCH test can provide deeper insight, and how bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may support long-term metabolic and overall health when used appropriately. If you or someone you love is entering their 40s and struggling despite healthy habits, this episode highlights a major missing piece.

 

Key Topics Covered

Why weight loss resistance is often hormonal rather than a willpower issue

How hormone patterns differ between fertile years, perimenopause, and menopause

What xenoestrogens are and how they mimic estrogen in the body

Common sources of hormone disruptors: plastics, fragrances, pesticides, cleaning products, and receipts

Why bloodwork may look normal while symptoms of estrogen dominance still exist

Daily detox strategies to support hormone balance, including minerals and sauna use

How hormone dynamics shift in the 40s as estradiol begins to decline

The difference between estrogen and estradiol and their impact on metabolism

Why fasting harder and eating less can backfire during perimenopause

How estradiol loss affects insulin sensitivity, visceral fat, cholesterol, mood, libido, and collagen

The Women’s Health Initiative misconception and the role of synthetic progestins

How urine hormone metabolite testing (DUTCH) helps personalize hormone support

Why individualized care is essential when considering hormone replacement therapy

Karen’s personal experience with rapid menopause symptoms and recovery

The role of gratitude and mindset in long-term health and resilience

 

Resources & Links Mentioned

Karen MartelWebsite: https://karenmartel.comPodcast: The Hormone Solution Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@karenmartelhormones/videos

Special OfferCoupon code: FREEDOMDiscount: 15% off at https://karenmartel.com

 

Follow Ben Azadi

🌐 Website: https://www.benazadi.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenazadi💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benazadi▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ketokamp

 

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In this episode, Ben Azadi reveals a powerful standing move that can instantly make your belly appear flatter by activating a deep core muscle most people have never been taught to train: the transverse abdominis.

Most stubborn belly protrusion is not just about food, hormones, or age. It is often a neuromuscular activation issue. When the transverse abdominis is weak or offline, the belly sticks out, posture collapses, and back pain increases, even in people who eat clean and exercise.

Ben teaches the “Wedge Drill,” a simple standing exercise using a rolled towel under the heels to shift gravity and reflexively activate deep core stabilizers. This drill retrains the nervous system, improves posture, supports digestion, and enhances spinal stability.

He explains why this method can be more effective than traditional planks or crunches, how it helps reduce bloating, and why it is especially important for those over 40 or dealing with back pain.

The episode also introduces the 14-Day Belly Fat & Core Reset and a free 7-day metabolic protocol designed to support fat loss, improve insulin sensitivity, and restore core function.

Key takeaway:You do not just need more ab workouts. You need better activation.

FREE GUIDE: How To Lose 1 Pound Of Fat Per Day HERE - https://bit.ly/4j45Yxa

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The meat you’re buying may not be just meat.

Even if you eat high-protein, low-carb, or keto, hidden additives in grocery store meat can inflame your gut, spike insulin, increase cravings, and block fat loss.

The 3 Hidden Ingredients to Watch For:

1. Sugar in Meat

Found in bacon, sausage, jerky, deli meats, and rotisserie chicken.Often labeled as dextrose, maltodextrin, brown sugar, or high fructose corn syrup.

Small amounts stimulate dopamine, increase cravings, and override fullness signals. For the 88% of Americans who are insulin resistant, even trace amounts matter.

2. Seed Oils

Canola, soybean, sunflower, and safflower oils are often added to processed meats.

These oxidized omega-6 fats create inflammation, impair fat burning, and remain in your body for up to 680 days. They may increase risk of heart disease, cancer, brain fog, and gut dysfunction.

3. Fillers and Binders

Modified starches, potato flour, and carrageenan are added to improve texture and reduce costs.

They can slow protein absorption, irritate the gut lining, and trigger rebound hunger.

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📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today to receive immediate access to a FREE course on metabolism with exclusive interviews from Dr Daniel Pompa, Dr Jason Fung, Megan Ramos, Cynthia Thurlow & more. CLICK HERE: http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com  ($997 Retail Value For FREE)

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Coffee is not the enemy. When paired with the right nutrient, it can become a powerful metabolic tool.

In this episode, Ben explains why fatigue, brain fog, and stubborn belly fat are often signs of low cellular energy, not aging. The key missing piece for many people is creatine.

Creatine plays a critical role in fueling mitochondria, regenerating ATP, and supporting both brain and muscle function. As we age, natural creatine production declines, leading to lower energy, slower metabolism, and reduced mental clarity.

Ben breaks down why creatine is not just for athletes. Research shows it improves lean muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, fat oxidation, cognitive performance, recovery, and age-related muscle preservation.

You’ll learn why combining high-quality creatine with coffee enhances absorption and turns caffeine into usable cellular fuel instead of a stress signal.

The episode also covers the biggest mistakes people make with creatine, why quality matters, how to use it correctly, and the exact daily protocol Ben follows.

Plus, Ben answers common myths around creatine, kidneys, weight gain, cortisol, and whether coffee cancels out its benefits.

Key takeaways:


Creatine supports fat loss, muscle, and brain energy


Coffee can enhance creatine’s effectiveness


Daily consistency is essential for results


Quality creatine makes all the difference

This episode reframes creatine as a daily cellular upgrade for energy, focus, metabolism, and longevity.

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

🔥CLICK For Your Complete 14 Day Fat Loss Plan (Reignite Your Body & Life) HERE - 

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Waking up at the same time every night is not caused by age, hormones, or drinking water before bed. It is often a nervous system issue linked to a deep muscle called the psoas.

The psoas connects the spine to the legs and is directly wired to the fight-or-flight response. When this muscle is tight, the body stays in survival mode, keeping sleep shallow and causing nighttime awakenings, racing thoughts, and frequent urination.

In this episode, Ben Azadi explains how releasing the psoas signals safety to the nervous system and allows deep, restorative sleep to return.

Ben shares a simple 5-minute nighttime ritual designed to:


Calm the nervous system


Lower nighttime cortisol


Improve circulation and bladder signaling


Support deeper sleep cycles

The ritual includes gentle hip opening, vagus nerve breathing, ankle pumps to reduce nighttime urination, spinal decompression, and stillness paired with gratitude.

Listeners also learn why broken sleep keeps the body stuck in survival mode, making belly fat, cravings, inflammation, and low energy worse over time.

FREE Fat Burning Reset Guide (Better Than Ozempic) HERE-https://bit.ly/3O0mtyH 

📚 🎁  Purchase Ben's new book Metabolic Freedom today to receive immediate access to a FREE course on metabolism with exclusive interviews from Dr Daniel Pompa, Dr Jason Fung, Megan Ramos, Cynthia Thurlow & more. CLICK HERE: http://www.metabolicfreedombook.com  ($997 Retail Value For FREE)

🔎 Find All Metabolic Freedom Sponsorship Deals⁠⁠⁠https://www.ketokamp.com/sponsorship-deals
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