Interview: Anti-Aging Hacks from Zora Benhamou

Fit is Freedom with Kelly Howard

Navigating your menopause journey can be scary. There are a lot of horror stories out there, and quite frankly, not a lot of research-backed information. Thankfully, we have Zora Benhamou joining us this week.

Zora the Explorer, as I affectionately call her, is joining us this week on the Fit is Freedom Podcast to educate us more on how we can make the best of our inevitable menopause experience, biohacking our way to health and strength well beyond all of the big changes.

All About Zora

Zora Benhamou is a gerontologist and the host of the Hack My Age podcast, dedicating her life to educating and empowering women through the aging process. She was first inspired to learn more about aging through personal experience when her mother passed away at the young age of 57. After losing her mother, she learned that preventing your fate isn’t just genetics. As a matter of fact it’s only 20% genetics and 80% diet and lifestyle. It was a true lightbulb moment that led Zora to a career that she loves, helping others understand how to age gracefully and healthily.

She not only has a passion for health and wellness but also adventure. Spending a large chunk of her life as an expat, she has traveled the world and lived in many different countries while speaking six different languages. Recently, she and her husband became empty nesters and embraced the nomadic lifestyle full time, living in a different country every 4-6 weeks!

Important Links

Zora Benhamou Website

Zora Benhamou Facebook

Zora Benhamou Instagram

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Post Menopause

There is very little research done on older people, but there is even less research done on older women. Thus, there isn’t enough research on all of the changes women go through with menopause.

There are, however, a few important things to keep in mind when going through menopause. First and foremost is a necessity to keep your bones strong. The statistics on survival rates after falls in older women is staggering. Osteoporosis is a big issue that can be helped with action, but it’s important to keep an eye on.

While some used to suggest that women slow down once menopause occurred, the opposite is really true. To keep your muscles and bones strong, women need to keep moving while also getting adequate sleep.

How to Stay Healthy

Throughout the aging process, you want to stay as healthy as possible. Zora shares a few tips…

• Longevity starts in childhood. The earlier you start exercising and eating healthy, the better prepared you will be for the big changes that come.
• Check in on mental and spiritual health. If your bucket keeps filling with stressors and worries, it’ll get too full. If it gets too full, it will overflow, and when it overflows, it will manifest in the body.
• Observe your body and its hormonal patterns. The earlier you know your patterns, the better prepared you will be. Take time to learn about yourself. If you still have a cycle, track it on an app. It will help you in the future.
• Learn about your body without being obsessive. Learn about your body, notice its movements, weight, and strength. Continue working on it, setting goals, and building strength.

Advice on HRT

As previously stated, there is little research done on women and the effects of hormone therapy. While it used to be discussed in a negative light, there is new research on the horizon suggesting otherwise.

Talk with your doctor, read new research and studies, and advocate for yourself and what you feel is best for your body during this time.

Tips for Navigating Menopause

• Do what you love!
• Lift weights and use your muscles!
• Prevent injuries with flexibility/mobility!
• Try some plyometrics!

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