In this episode of the Vibrant Wellness Podcast, Dr. Brooke Stubbs is joined by longevity expert Kayla Barnes and integrative physician Dr. Sara Szal for an in-depth conversation on female longevity, advanced lab testing, and why many popular health optimization strategies fail to account for women’s unique biology. Together, they explore how a growing cultural shift, primarily driven by millennials and data-savvy patients, is challenging the idea that feeling fatigued, foggy, or hormonally “off” is simply a regular part of aging.
The discussion centers on the limitations of applying longevity research from animals or men directly to women. Kayla shares her personal experience with caloric restriction, long considered a gold standard for longevity, and how it negatively impacted her thyroid function, hormones, and menstrual cycle. Dr. Sara explains the underlying physiology, noting how low caloric intake can disrupt luteinizing hormone signaling, ovulation, and metabolic stability in women. Together, they highlight the significant data gap in women’s health research and the importance of female-specific protocols, bio-individuality, and clinician-guided “end-of-one” experimentation.
Throughout the episode, the conversation emphasizes the power of measuring upstream biomarkers to detect metabolic and hormonal drift years before disease develops. Together, they explore how foundational habits such as sleep, resistance training, zone-2 cardio, nutrition, and nervous system regulation remain the most impactful drivers of longevity. This episode empowers women to advocate for deeper testing, informed consent, and proactive strategies that support both healthspan and lifespan.
Key Topics Covered
🧬 Why female biology requires a different approach to longevity and health optimization
📊 How advanced lab testing helps detect metabolic and hormonal drift years before disease
🔥 Why caloric restriction can disrupt thyroid function, ovulation, and hormones in women
⌚ How wearables and at-home metrics reveal patterns in sleep, stress, and recovery
🏋️♀️ Why muscle mass, grip strength, and resistance training are critical longevity markers
🧠 How mitochondrial health influences ovarian aging, energy, and resilience
🌉 How to bridge longevity medicine with conventional care through data and collaboration
✨ Why “feeling tired and foggy” may be common—but is not normal or inevitable
Timestamps
00:00 Dr. Sara Szal, MD & Kayla Barnes-Lentz
02:02 When Longevity Protocols Fail Women
06:12 The Data Gap in Women’s Health
07:58 Tracking Biomarkers at Home
08:52 Detecting Metabolic Drift Early
10:06 Bridging Longevity & Conventional Medicine
12:31 Why Data, Testing & Informed Consent Matter
19:31 Testing Cadence & Environmental Toxins
21:47 Advanced Labs & Why “Normal” Isn’t Optimal
23:18 Lifestyle Foundations: Sleep, Nutrition & Movement
28:56 Hormones, Muscle Loss & Aging
37:17 Peptides, GLP-1s & Emerging Tools
47:32 Hyperbaric Therapy & Nervous System Recovery
52:28 Final Takeaways
Resources Mentioned
🌐 Explore more from Dr. Sara Szal on her official website
📱 Connect with Dr. Brooke Stubbs on Instagram
🔗 Connect with Dr. Sara Szal on Instagram
📚 Learn more about Kayla Barnes-Lentz on her official website
📲 Connect with Kayla Barnes-Lentz on Instagram
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Limitations
Please note the information provided by Vibrant Wellness is intended solely for research and informational purposes to help inform lifestyle choices aimed at potential risk mitigation. The information is not intended to be used by the patient for any diagnostic purpose and is not a substitute for medical advice by a healthcare practitioner. Please consult a licensed healthcare practitioner for any questions regarding diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any disease or health assessment.
