Testosterone is everywhere in menopause conversations right now, often framed as a solution for everything from low energy and brain fog to bone health and longevity. In this episode, Dr. Sarah Court breaks down what actually matters when it comes to testosterone for menopausal women, separating social media hype from clinical evidence. The real questions are not whether women have testosterone or whether levels change with age, but whether testosterone should be prescribed, for whom, and what the data truly supports.

Using current consensus guidelines, this episode explains why testosterone has one narrow, evidence-based indication, hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and why claims about mood, energy, cognition, bone health, and longevity are not supported by high-quality research. Dr. Court also walks through how testosterone is prescribed in the real world, why the lack of FDA-approved products for women creates problems, and what the safety data does and does not tell us about long-term risks. If you have heard confident claims about testosterone as a menopause cure-all, this episode provides the context you need to evaluate those messages with clarity and skepticism.

FOLLOW @MovementLogicTutorials [https://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials/] on Instagram

Movement Logic: Free Barbell Mini Course [https://mailchi.mp/d4c544ab3a5d/minicourse]


Instagram: Professor Susan Davis [https://www.instagram.com/professorsusandavis/]
Instagram: Dr. Kelly Casperson [https://www.instagram.com/kellycaspersonmd/]

Global Consensus Position Statement [https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2019-01603] on the Use of Testosterone Therapy for Women — Davis et al., 2019, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

ISSWSH Clinical Practice Guideline [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.02.667] on Systemic Testosterone for Women — Parish et al., 2021

Testosterone Therapy for Women [https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(19)30189-5], Systematic Review & Meta-analysis
(Lancet Review) — Islam et al., 2019

Androgen Therapy in Women [https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(15)00128-7], A Reappraisal — Davis & Wahlin-Jacobsen, 2015

Kelly Casperson blog post [https://kellycaspersonmd.com/testosterone-can-help-with-libido-energy-focus-and-more/]— Testosterone Can Help With Libido, Energy, Focus, & More During Menopause

You Are Not Broken Podcast [https://www.yournotsobrokenpodcast.com]— Kelly Casperson, MD


YouTube Short: Testosterone and Bone Health [https://youtu.be/nHatCgKJQC4]

YouTube Short: Testosterone, Motivation & Vitality [https://youtu.be/ecUoZZTqwIw]


119: Testosterone in Menopause: What We Know, What  We Don't

In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel and Sarah talk with registered dietitian and longtime myth buster Abby Langer, RD, about what it actually means to eat in a healthy, sustainable way. Abby brings clarity to some of the most confusing and overhyped nutrition messages online, explaining the meaningful difference between dietitians and nutritionists, why food guidelines get so much misplaced blame, and why simple habits like eating more fiber, plants, and whole foods still matter far more than clean eating, hormone-balancing diets, or supplement-driven solutions. She breaks down ultra processed foods, weight gain misconceptions, what causes overeating, and why carbs, fruit, sugar, and seed oils have all become targets of unnecessary fear.

The conversation also explores protein needs, plant versus animal protein, the role of fiber in digestion and satiety, what gut health is and isn’t, and why probiotic claims are often overstated. Abby shares how her decades of experience in hospitals, primary care, and private practice have shaped her evidence-based approach, and she offers grounded advice on how to build a sane, less anxious relationship with food in a culture that thrives on extremes.

SIGN UP [https://mailchi.mp/d4c544ab3a5d/minicourse] for our FREE Barbell Mini Course
FOLLOW [https://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials/] @MovementLogicTutorials on Instagram

RESOURCES

abbylangernutrition.com [https://abbylangernutrition.com/]
Substack: Bite Me [https://bitemebyabbylanger.substack.com/]
Instagram: @abbylanger [https://www.instagram.com/direct/t/119905326062913/]

118: How Should We Eat To Be Healthy? With Abby Langer, RD

In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Sarah discusses two primary methods for measuring bone density: DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) and REMS (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi-Spectrometry). The episode explains what each method measures, their technologies, reliability, and practical applications. It compares their availability, cost, accuracy, and limitations. DEXA is recognized as the clinical gold standard but has some limitations, while REMS, although newer, shows promise with advantages in certain clinical situations.



Movement Logic Site Wide Sale now on! [https://movementlogictutorials.com/movement-logic/sale/]

Follow Movement Logic on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials/]



References:

77: Are You Getting DEXA Scammed? [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/movement-logic-strong-opinions-loosely-held/id1614469934?i=1000668259419]

FRAX tool [https://www.fraxplus.org/calculation-tool]

Best Practices for Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Measurement and Reporting [https://iscd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Best-Practices-DXA-Article.pdf]

New technology REMS for bone evaluation [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34786596/]

Could radiofrequency echographic multispectrometry (REMS) overcome the overestimation in BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine? [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12891-022-05430-6]

DXA beyond bone mineral density and the REMS technique [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11322484/]

Cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency echographic multi-spectrometry for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in the United States [https://academic.oup.com/jbmrplus/article/9/1/ziae138/7877142]

117: DEXA vs REMS: What's the Difference?

In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel Beversdorf talks with strength coach James Lederach, MS, CSCS, about the deeper side of coaching and how helping someone get stronger often means helping them grow as a person. Together, they explore the benefits of strength development for adults and kids, training that supports rather than interferes with sport, the downsides of early sport specialization in youth, and the broader life lessons that strength training offers beyond physical health and performance.

James and Laurel reflect on how training develops resilience, self-reliance, and emotional steadiness for both kids and adults. They discuss how good coaching balances structure with empathy, how strength training teaches self-trust, and why the most meaningful outcomes of training have less to do with performance and more to do with who we become through the process.

SITE WIDE SALE — Save $$ [https://movementlogictutorials.com/movement-logic/sale/] on our Movement Logic Tutorials

FOLLOW @MovementLogicTutorials [https://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials/]on Instagram

RESOURCES

Bell, 2018; PMID: 30135085 [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30135085/]

DiFiori, 2014;  PMID: 24463910 [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24463910/]

Post, 2017; PMID: 28288281 [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28288281/]

Post, 2016; PMID: 27807260 [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27807260/]

VISIT James Lederach's Gym Heavy Athletics [https://heavyathletics.co/] 

FOLLOW @james_lederach [https://www.instagram.com/james_lederach/] on Instagram

116: Coaching Strength, Building Character with James Lederach, MS, CSCS

In this episode of the Movement Logic Podcast, Laurel Beversdorf and Dr. Sarah Court examine the enduring myths and misinformation around the aesthetic goal of “getting abs.” They analyze the anatomy and function of the abdominal muscles, the cultural evolution of ab training versus core strength and stability training, and the role mechanical tension, muscle length, and training volume play in hypertrophy (muscle growth). Additionally, they discuss how pursuing the aesthetic goal of "getting abs" is different from performance goals related to abdominal strength.

The hosts unpack popular misconceptions, such as “abs are made in the kitchen,” or that body composition changes work differently for women than men, or that core stability means never moving your spine. They contrast these myths with what current research on energy balance and hypertrophy training show. They also trace how Pilates, physical therapy, and social media helped shape the modern core strength and stability narrative—one that, in some circles, shifted from building strength through movement to “protecting” the lumbar spine by avoiding it.

Additionally, this episode aims to clarify all of the factors that influence the appearance of the abdominal region, and how gendered, moralized, and shame-based messaging about the midsection continues to distort public understanding of exercise and body image.

CART CLOSES Nov 1st for Lift for Longevity—SIGN UP [https://movementlogictutorials.com/bone-density-course-lift-for-longevity/]

FOLLOW [https://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials/] @MovementLogicTutorials on Instagram

RESOURCES

Clip: [https://tinyurl.com/ra253jzv]Mel Robbing Podcast interview with Stacy Sims about abs

67: [https://tinyurl.com/22dy48st] Popular Explanations for SI Joint Pain are Wrong, Says Science

78: [https://tinyurl.com/yc7jsm8s] Behemoth Knee Myths

20 [https://tinyurl.com/yjex3bk2]: Pelvic Floor In-Depth with Stephanie Prendergast, MPT

54: [https://tinyurl.com/yyt7h96v] Alignment Dogma - Spine

58: [https://tinyurl.com/3f9mynvp] Alignment Dogma - Shoulders

48: [https://tinyurl.com/m53zjf3u] Alignment Dogma - Pelvis

80: [https://tinyurl.com/26mabmxr] Posture Panic Pt. 3 with Author Dr. Beth Linker, PhD

50: [https://tinyurl.com/32eyf2pz] Bracing versus Breathing

Slouch: [https://amzn.to/3LhCBu9] Posture Panic in Modern America, by Beth Linker

GHD Sit-Up [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pbZ8mX2D1U]

Hodges, 2001; PMID: 11181617

Kalantari, 2024; PMID: 38565979

Brown, 2011; PMID: 21325932

Cholewicki, 1999; PMID: 10521659

115: How to Get Abs

In this episode of the Movement Logic podcast, hosts Laurel Beversdorf and Dr. Sarah Court PT dive deep into their six-month online barbell lifting course, 'Lift for Longevity.' They discuss the course structure, including linear periodization, high variation, and impact training. Laurel and Sarah also share insights on the benefits of barbell training for women, challenging societal norms about women's fitness, and emphasizing the importance of strength and self-efficacy. They underscore the transformative power of consistent strength training and offer practical advice for those considering joining their course.

Sign up for the live Q&A on Wednesday October 22nd here (or get the replay) [https://mailchi.mp/movementlogictutorials/qanda]

Movement Logic on Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials]

References:

Episode 112 Redefining what’s possible: Lift for Longevity Alums Share their Stories [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/movement-logic-strong-opinions-loosely-held/id1614469934?i=1000730791636]

114: Barbells Don’t Lie: Inside Our Lift for Longevity Course

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Court and Laurel Beversdorf delve into the claims and marketing tactics used by two high-profile menopause experts and social media influencers, Dr. Mary Claire Haver and Dr. Vonda Wright. They explore and critique various aspects of their advice, including the advocacy for supplements like turmeric and collagen, the promotion of hormone therapy, and questionable exercise prescriptions. The hosts analyze the scientific validity of their claims, the potential harms, and the prevalence of fearmongering in their messaging. The episode aims to empower listeners to become more critical consumers of health information, especially in the menopause space.

Sign Up for Our Free Strength Class THIS FRIDAY! [https://tinyurl.com/mr368a4k]

Follow us on Instagram [https://tinyurl.com/4znx9a8c]

References:

Episode 37: Plyometrics – Get More Bang for your Bones [https://tinyurl.com/4ab69rwd]

Episode 96: Bone Density Grifters – Introducing the Grift-O-Meter! [https://tinyurl.com/4p4ajrwj]

Episode 103: Do Weighted Vests Do Anything For Us? [https://tinyurl.com/37htct47]

Episode 109: Hot Flashes, Cold Facts: Menopause Myths That Won’t Die [https://tinyurl.com/44zc297s]

Episode 110: Fact Checking Female-Specific Training & Nutrition Advice with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, PhD [https://tinyurl.com/37ht6y9a]

Episode 111: Make Stacy Sims Make Sense [https://tinyurl.com/375cxrme]

The Pause Life [https://thepauselife.com/]

Calorie Restriction with or without Time-Restricted Eating in Weight Loss [https://tinyurl.com/c489s6n6]

Inflammatory mechanisms linking obesity and metabolic disease [https://tinyurl.com/2xdp2sjm]

The power of creatine plus resistance training [https://tinyurl.com/yh5nhj22]

The Effects of Creatine Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training [https://tinyurl.com/4kpwty63]

Dose-Response of creatine supplementation on cognitive function [https://tinyurl.com/44rs4jha]

Effects of Collagen Supplements  [https://tinyurl.com/mrhbz6da]

Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides [https://tinyurl.com/bdf684r5]

Oral intake of specific bioactive collagen peptides [https://tinyurl.com/5xz3bnzm]

Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides [https://tinyurl.com/5as6m99f]

Vonda Wright [https://www.drvondawright.com/]

The musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause [https://tinyurl.com/2say7ek6]

Single Leg Balancing [https://tinyurl.com/2y22xtpk]

Managing Menopausal Skin Changes [https://tinyurl.com/2zeukd4u]

Topical estrogen for skin aging [https://tinyurl.com/3sh9cu22]

Dr. Wright Instagram Posts:

MSK Syndrome of Menopause [https://tinyurl.com/bp744pp3]

F.A.C.E. [https://tinyurl.com/ysdaddhs]

Estriol for face [https://tinyurl.com/3x5hvn24]

Canyon Ranch [https://tinyurl.com/y7mhvens]

Bone Density [https://tinyurl.com/52tfanfh]

Hip Fracture [https://tinyurl.com/3f2bmdmy]

Step Down [https://tinyurl.com/4ucnv7z4]

Weighted Vests [https://tinyurl.com/nw7axr5a]

Grip Strength [https://tinyurl.com/mrrbwh7d]

113: Debunking Menopause Grifters: Dr. Mary Claire Haver and Dr. Vonda Wright

Welcome to Episode 112 of the Movement Logic Podcast! In this special episode, Laurel and Sarah talk to four women who recently completed Lift for Longevity about their experiences. Whether it’s overcoming fear of injury, finally finding a program that sticks, breaking free from perfectionism, or realizing barbells belong in their hands, each woman brings a unique and inspiring story.

In this episode, you’ll hear from:

Karen Klubertanz, an interior designer and yoga therapist who came to us after chronic back pain and years of yoga and kettlebells. Her story is about overcoming fear, learning to train with RPE, and discovering she could get stronger safely and sustainably.

Anna Grojec, a freelance writer and editor in New Jersey who found us through the podcast and has now completed the course twice, entirely asynchronously without ever taking a live class. Her story is about making strength training stick for the first time in her life through structure and community support.

Terry Littlefield, a longtime yoga teacher and old friend of Sarah’s who came in skeptical, took our free class, and realized she had to join. Her story is about shifting from perfectionism to consistency and finding confidence under the barbell.

Janai Leeb, a personal trainer in northern Los Angeles County who first got the impression in her PT cert that barbells weren’t for her. She joined to build her own barbell skills and now teaches them to her clients. Her story is about finding her lane with the barbell and showing others that anyone can lift, at any age.

If you’ve ever wondered if you’re too old, too inexperienced, or too "not a gym person" to lift barbells and get stronger, these conversations will change your mind.

SIGN UP for our FREE CLASS [https://mailchi.mp/movementlogictutorials/strength] for Bone Density Course on October 17th WITH REPLAY

FOLLOW [https://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials/] @MovementLogicTutorials on Instagram

112: Redefining What’s Possible – Lift for Longevity Alums Share Their Stories

In this episode, Laurel and Sarah take a look at one of the most influential and controversial voices in women’s health: Dr. Stacy Sims. Known for the phrase “women are not small men,” Sims has built her brand on the idea that women need entirely different training and nutrition strategies than men.

Laurel and Sarah trace Sims’ rise to prominence, the research she leans on, and the rhetorical playbook she uses on major platforms like the Mel Robbins Podcast, and the Huberman Lab podcast. They examine how Sims’ is able to persuade listeners of her ideas, even though her catchy slogans and bold claims outpace the evidence.

Rather than just fact-checking Sims’ most dubious claims on cycle syncing, fasted training, cardio, and how women should train, this episode instead focuses on how Sims’ messages are delivered. You’ll listen for how Sims’ and the hosts of these podcasts frequently employ persuasive tactics like appeals to authority, fearmongering, absolutist framing, pseudo-feminist virtue signaling, and what Laurel and Sarah call “mechanism theater” can make the weak evidence and shaky reasoning behind the claims sound stronger than it is. These strategies aren’t unique to Sims; you’ll start noticing these persuasive tactics everywhere, especially in menopause marketing and wellness content online.

SIGN UP for the FREE CLASS [https://mailchi.mp/movementlogictutorials/strength] for Bone Density Course

FOLLOW [https://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials/] @MovementLogicTutorials on Instagram

RESOURCES

Sims’ TedX talk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5LYGzKUPlE]

110: [https://tinyurl.com/37ht6y9a] Fact-Checking Female-Specific Training & Nutrition Advice with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, PhD

Debate [https://tinyurl.com/29w4zvpw]between Sims and Colenso-Semple on  Docs Who Lift

Post Debate Interview [https://tinyurl.com/mdzphbar] on Barbell Medicine

109: [https://tinyurl.com/44zc297s] Hot Flashes, Cold Facts: Menopause Myths that Won’t Die

62: [https://tinyurl.com/mwnmt459] Make McGill Make Sense

Bulky mug [https://tinyurl.com/2mzd3rh5]

Social Post [https://tinyurl.com/2f36eb75] from Dr. Colenso-Semple about choice to use mechanistic, rat, or men’s data

108: [https://tinyurl.com/44zvn7zz] Breathing for Bone Density? YogaU Cannot Be Serious

108: [https://tinyurl.com/er3fukyu] Does it Have to be Heavy? Rethinking the Lift Heavy Shit Narrative

98: [https://tinyurl.com/3xxx4ucn] Capacities for Longevity Part 3 - Cardio

Decoding the Gurus [https://tinyurl.com/yntb4tsb]

Front Page Fitness [https://tinyurl.com/yc4xucr5]

Conspirituality [https://tinyurl.com/4brd6js8]

Yoga Meets Movement Science [https://tinyurl.com/4akxnvyh]

Barbell Medicine [https://tinyurl.com/3vyu85ar]

111: Make Stacy Sims Make Sense

In this episode, Laurel and Sarah sit down with  muscle physiology researcher and science communicator Lauren Colenso-Semple to take a hard look at some of the most popular and problematic claims circulating in women’s health and fitness. Together, they unpack the slogan “women are not small men,” and the idea that women need completely different training and nutrition approaches than men. Lauren explains where the evidence actually stands on topics like muscle loss at 30, lifting to failure, cardio recommendations for women, bone density changes at menopause, training fasted versus fed, cycle syncing, cortisol “hacks,” and more.

This conversation is a deep dive into separating women's physiology from marketing ploys. Learn why overcomplicating women’s training does more harm than good. You'll gain clear, evidence-based guidance for women in perimenopause, post-menopause, and beyond.

Sign up [https://mailchi.mp/d8a4ba1c59c5/bdcwaitlist] for the Bone Density Course Interest list

Follow us [https://www.instagram.com/movementlogictutorials/] @MovementLogicTutorials on Instagram

04:30 Why Naming Sources Matters

08:15 “Women Are Not Small Men”: What’s True and What’s Branding

16:00 How Much Research on Women Actually Exists

29:30 Training to Failure, Heavy vs. Light Loads, and Age-Specific Claims

31:00 The Case for Keeping Moderate-Intensity Cardio

36:15 Bone Loss Myths and What Exercise Really Helps

46:30 What “Challenging Sets” Mean in Research

49:00 Cortisol, Fasted Training, and Breakfast Timing

52:30 Low Energy Availability vs. Simply Skipping Breakfast

01:08:00 Cycle Syncing and Monthly Program Overhauls

01:15:00 Rapid-Fire Q&A: Creatine, Weighted Vests, Collagen, Protein Targets, Electrolytes

01:23:30 How Overcomplicated Rules Keep Women Out of Exercise

01:24:00 Has Stacy Sims Done More Good or More Harm?

01:26:30 Why Simple, Progressive Training Works for Everyone

Dr Lauren Colenso-Semple [https://bit.ly/3I4aail] on Instagram

Front Page Fitness [https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/front-page-fitness/id1809853430] Podcast

Study [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39630025/] Menstrual cycle phase does not influence muscle protein synthesis or whole-body myofibrillar proteolysis in response to resistance

Mel Robbins Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mel-robbins-podcast/id1646101002?i=1000700967350] interview with Dr. Stacey Sims

Huberman Lab Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/huberman-lab/id1545953110?i=1000662955352] interview with Dr. Stacey Sims

110: Fact-Checking Female-Specific Training & Nutrition Advice with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, PhD

Welcome to the Movement Logic Podcast, with yoga teacher and strength coach Laurel Beversdorf, and physical therapist Dr. Sarah Court. With over 30 years combined experience in the yoga, movement and physical therapy worlds, we believe in strong ideas, loosely held – which means we’re not hyping outdated movement concepts. Instead, we’re here with up-to-date and cutting-edge tools, evidence and ideas to help you as a mover and a teacher. Music: Makani by Scandinavianz & AXM

Laurel Beversdorf

Shows