A Better You Naturally - Leanne Stockwell

09/10/2026

Iron is one of the first things I think about when someone tells me they’re exhausted, and it comes up frequently when I’m muscle testing clients with fatigue.

We tend to associate iron deficiency with anaemia, but you can have depleted iron stores without being anaemic.

So you may have had blood tests and been told everything is “fine”… yet that doesn't necessarily mean your iron stores are optimal for you.

Iron helps us make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body, and it’s also involved in the cellular processes that allow our mitochondria to produce ATP, our body’s usable energy. ⚡

When iron is low, you may notice:
🩸 Fatigue and weakness
🩸 Poor exercise tolerance
🩸 Feeling puffed more easily
🩸 Headaches or dizziness
🩸 Brain fog
🩸 Restless legs
🩸 Hair shedding
🩸 Feeling cold
🩸 Reduced concentration

During Perimenopause, heavy or more frequent periods can also contribute to iron depletion.

Once periods have stopped, it’s easy to assume iron is no longer something to think about. Iron status can still be affected by dietary intake, absorption and digestive health.

Then there’s B12, another important nutrient involved in red blood cell production, nervous system function and cellular metabolism.

So sometimes the question isn't simply:

“Am I getting enough iron and B12?”

We also need to ask:

👉 Am I absorbing them properly?
👉 Is my digestion working well?
👉 Could other factors be affecting absorption?
👉 Am I eating enough iron and B12-containing foods?

This is why I don't love looking at nutrients in isolation.

What are you getting? What are you absorbing? And what can your body actually use?

If your energy has disappeared, looking at your nutritional foundations can be a really good place to start.

Sometimes we don't need another stimulant. We need to give the body the raw materials it needs to make energy in the first place. ⚡

If something here makes you wonder whether iron could be one of your clues, let's chat.

Book your free call via the link below x

https://www.abetteryounaturally.com.au/aby/reset-discovery-call/

07/10/2026

Why am I so tired all the time?!

We know fatigue can have lots of different causes.

So rather than asking “what can I take for more energy?”, what if we started with:

“WHY am I so tired?”

Think of your body like a battery. 🔋

You can keep plugging it in with coffee, energy supplements, sugar or sheer determination…

…but if something is stopping that battery from charging properly, you’re going to keep running flat.

Sometimes the issue is that your body isn't getting enough of what it needs to make energy.

Sometimes you're getting the nutrients, but you're not absorbing or using them effectively.

Sometimes your body is simply under too much pressure from ongoing stress, poor sleep, illness or inflammation.

Sometimes blood sugar is constantly rising and falling, leaving you feeling like you're on an energy rollercoaster.

The important thing is that fatigue is information.

It’s worth paying attention to what your body is trying to tell you rather than simply accepting that this is how midlife feels.

Start looking for the clues:

🔎 When did the fatigue begin?
🔎 Is there a particular time of day when it hits?
🔎 How's your sleep?
🔎 How's your digestion feeling?
🔎 What does your blood work show?
🔎 What else has changed?

The more clues we have, the better we can understand what might actually be draining your energy.

So, Energy Detective… 🕵️♀️

What clues has YOUR body been giving you? If you'd like to explore this with a listening ear, book in for a free call with me via the link below, let's figure it out together x

https://www.abetteryounaturally.com.au/aby/reset-discovery-call/

05/10/2026

If there's one thing I hear a LOT from women in their 40s and 50s, it’s: “Why am I so tired?”

It's not just 'I stayed up too late' tired - it's a waking-up-tired issue.

Dragging yourself through the afternoon.
Needing coffee just to function.
Getting to the end of the day with absolutely nothing left in the tank.

It’s very easy to blame it on hormones, especially during perimenopause and menopause.
But fatigue is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and there can be many different things driving it.

During October we’re going to become Energy Detectives. 🕵️♀️⚡

We’ll look at some of the big pieces that can influence your energy, including:

🩸 Iron and nutrient deficiencies
🦠 Post-viral fatigue
😵💫 Stress and the nervous system
🦋 Thyroid function
🍭 Blood sugar and insulin resistance
🔥 Chronic inflammation
😴 Sleep
🥦 Digestion and nutrient absorption
⚡ And what’s happening inside your cells to actually produce energy

The interesting part? It’s often not just one thing.

You might have several pieces of the puzzle contributing to why your battery keeps running flat. That’s why reaching for another coffee, taking an “energy” supplement or simply trying to push yourself harder doesn't necessarily solve the problem.

We need to work out WHY you're tired.

While life can certainly be exhausting sometimes, feeling permanently exhausted shouldn't simply be accepted as part of getting older. ❤️

Throughout October, we’ll unpack the different pieces that could be affecting your energy - and explore what you can do to start getting some of it back.

Let’s find out what’s really draining your battery. ⚡

02/10/2026

For years, people have watched me muscle test and asked “can you teach me how to do that for myself and my family?”

Well… finally, the answer is YES! 😁

I’m excited to introduce ASK YOUR BODY – Level One: Muscle Testing for Everyday Health.

This is a brand-new workshop for everyday people, not health practitioners, who want to learn the foundations of muscle testing and explore how they can use it for themselves and their families.

Over 1½ hands-on days, we’ll learn, practise and have some fun along the way.

You’ll discover how muscle testing can be used to explore questions around things like foods, stress, environmental exposures and other factors that may be affecting the body, while also learning when something needs further investigation or professional support.

📅 31 October & 1 November
📍 Bunya, Brisbane Northside
💛 $695, including your own ASK YOUR BODY Testing Kit

I’m keeping this first workshop intentionally small, with only a handful of spots available.

So if you’ve ever watched me muscle test and thought…“I would LOVE to know how to do that!”…this might be your chance.

Find out more and book your spot via the link: https://offers.abetteryounaturally.com.au/ask-your-body-brisbane-772808

ASK YOUR BODY – Level One
Your body knows. So let’s learn how to ask it. ❤️

Leanne xx

30/09/2026

So… how do we actually build a healthier midlife metabolism?

Over the past month we’ve talked about insulin, cortisol, hormones, thyroid, muscle, protein, sleep, gut health and GLP-1s.

Hopefully one thing has become very clear: your metabolism is not just one thing.

There isn't one switch we need to turn back on, and there’s definitely no magical supplement that will “boost” your metabolism while you continue doing everything else you’ve always done. 😉

Your metabolism reflects a whole network of systems working together. That’s why my approach with women in midlife isn't simply “eat less and move more”.

I want to understand the bigger picture:
How well is your body managing blood glucose? Are you getting enough protein? Are you maintaining muscle? Are you constantly snacking? How is your sleep? What’s happening with your hormones and thyroid? How’s your digestion? Are stress and cortisol part of the picture? Are you eating foods that actually nourish your body?

Most importantly, what needs to change so this isn't another three-month diet followed by another three years of frustration?

This is exactly why I love Metabolic Balance.

It’s not a generic meal plan. We use your blood results, medical history and individual information to create a personalised whole-food eating plan designed specifically for you. We create structure around meals, prioritise protein, give insulin a break between meals and focus on real, nutrient-dense foods.

Alongside that, we look at the other pieces of the puzzle that may be getting in your way - hormones, digestion, nutrients, stress, sleep and whatever else your individual picture is showing us.

If you're currently using a GLP-1, this can also be a fantastic opportunity to start creating those foundations while appetite and food noise are quieter, alongside the medical care of your prescriber. I want you to feel like you're working WITH your body again, rather than constantly fighting against it. ❤️

If you've spent September thinking “this is me…” and you'd like some help working out what's getting in the way of your metabolism, book a free Reset Call via the link below and we’ll chat about where to start x

https://www.abetteryounaturally.com.au/aby/reset-discovery-call/

28/09/2026

Let’s talk about the elephant in the weight-loss room… GLP-1 medications.

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others are being used by many women, and I get asked about them regularly.

Do I recommend them?

For the right person, under appropriate medical care, they can be an incredibly useful tool. They can significantly reduce appetite and food noise, improve glucose regulation and help people lose substantial amounts of weight.

For someone whose weight is significantly affecting their metabolic health, they can be a fantastic thing.

The conversation I think we also need to have is: what are we doing while the medication is doing its job?

When food noise is quieter and appetite is reduced, we have an incredible opportunity to build the foundations that will support our health long-term.

That means prioritising protein, protecting and building muscle, improving food quality, moving your body, working on sleep, supporting digestion and creating sustainable routines around meals.

It’s also an opportunity to look at emotional eating, self-sabotage and some of the habits that may have contributed to weight gain in the first place.

Why does this matter?

Because appetite can increase again when the medication is reduced or stopped, and weight regain after stopping GLP-1 therapy is common.

One important clarification: GLP-1 medications don't simply “switch off” or permanently slow your metabolism. When we lose significant weight, our bodies require less energy, and energy expenditure can adapt downward. Losing lean muscle can also affect how much energy we use.

So the goal shouldn't simply be:

“How much weight can I lose?”

It should be:

“How can I use this opportunity to improve my metabolic health for the long term?”

Lose excess body fat. Protect your muscle. Nourish your body. Build sustainable habits.

Let’s make the most of the window. ❤️

If you’re using a GLP-1 and would like support with your nutrition, metabolism and the bigger picture, book a free Reset Call via the link below x

https://www.abetteryounaturally.com.au/aby/reset-discovery-call/

24/09/2026

When we're trying to lose weight, we tend to focus on two things: food and exercise.

Those things matter, but your metabolism is influenced by much more than what you eat and how much you move.

Let’s start with sleep.

Even relatively short periods of inadequate sleep can affect insulin sensitivity, appetite regulation, food choices and how energetic we feel the following day.

Have you ever noticed how after a terrible night's sleep you're suddenly desperate for coffee, carbohydrates and something sweet at 3pm? That's not a lack of willpower.

Then there’s your gut.

Your gut microbiome interacts with your metabolism and plays a role in inflammation and glucose regulation. Your digestive system also needs to efficiently break down and absorb the protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals your body relies on every day.

Your bowel function matters too - we need to be eliminating waste regularly (like once daily at least).

This becomes particularly important if you're using GLP-1 medications. Slower gastric emptying from these meds and can cause digestive symptoms such as nausea, constipation, reflux, and the feeling of being extremely full. Diarrhea can also be a part of the picture for some people here.

When your appetite is significantly reduced, overall food and nutrient intake can drop too.

So this isn't the time to think, “Great! I'm barely hungry, so I'll just eat as little as possible.”

We need to make the food you are eating count.

Think protein, vegetables, fibre, healthy fats, adequate water and nutrient-dense whole foods.

Sometimes digestive support, such as enzymes or support for stomach acid production, may also be helpful.

Your metabolism isn't just about burning calories.

It’s about how well your body can digest, absorb, regulate, recover and function. ❤️

If you're struggling with your metabolism, digestion, energy or weight and aren't sure where to start, book a free Reset Call via the link below. Let's look at the bigger picture together x

https://www.abetteryounaturally.com.au/aby/reset-discovery-call/

21/09/2026

My thyroid tests are normal… so why does it still feel like my metabolism has ground to a halt?”

This is something I hear so often.

Your thyroid hormones absolutely play an important role in metabolic rate, and there are two important points here...

First, sometimes your thyroid may need to be investigated more thoroughly if you're experiencing symptoms that suggest something isn't quite right.

Second, your metabolism isn't controlled by your thyroid alone. Through perimenopause and menopause, our whole hormonal environment is changing.

Oestrogen influences insulin sensitivity, body composition and where we tend to store fat. As oestrogen changes, we often see a shift towards carrying more fat centrally - hello, meno-belly! 👋

Progesterone also begins changing earlier in perimenopause, often alongside changes in sleep, mood and stress tolerance.

Then we add thyroid hormones, cortisol and insulin into the mix…

And suddenly, we can see why looking at just one piece of the puzzle may not give us the full picture.

Your thyroid also relies on adequate nutrients and appropriate signalling throughout the body to make, convert and use thyroid hormones effectively. A single blood marker such as TSH doesn't necessarily explain everything that's contributing to fatigue, weight changes or metabolic difficulties.

Sometimes thyroid function IS part of the problem.

Sometimes insulin resistance is a priority.

Sometimes it's sleep, stress, nutrition, muscle loss or menopause-related changes.

Often, it's several of these jigsaw pieces working together, and that's why personalised assessment matters. Rather than assuming there's one single reason your metabolism has changed, I want to ask: what's actually influencing the changes in YOUR metabolism - and which pieces of the puzzle do we need to work on first?

If you're struggling with unexplained fatigue, weight gain or changes in your metabolism, book a free Reset Call via the link below. Let's take a closer look at what's really going on for you.

https://www.abetteryounaturally.com.au/aby/reset-discovery-call/

17/09/2026

Once we’re over 40, I believe we need to think MORE about how we get stronger and maintain our muscle mass, and LESS about how much we weigh. And I’m pretty sure that will make US happier too!

Muscle isn't just about looking toned, it is metabolically active tissue. It plays an important role in glucose disposal, insulin sensitivity, metabolic health, strength, mobility and healthy ageing.

From 40 onwards, maintaining muscle becomes increasingly important. Hormonal changes, reduced activity, not getting enough protein and repeated dieting can all contribute to the loss of lean muscle mass.

The problem with focusing solely on weight loss is that the goal shouldn't simply be to make the body smaller. We want to lose body fat while preserving as much of that precious muscle as possible.

Which brings me to 🥁🥁🥁 ... PROTEIN.

Protein provides the amino acids needed to maintain and build muscle, while also helping with fullness and meal satisfaction. Combine adequate protein with resistance training and you've got two incredibly powerful tools for supporting your midlife metabolism.

This becomes even more important if you're using a GLP-1 medication. When appetite drops significantly, it can be easy to simply eat much less. Less food can also mean less protein and fewer nutrients, and during significant weight loss, lean mass can be lost alongside body fat.

So if you're taking a GLP-1, I don't want you thinking only:

“How much weight have I lost?”

I also want you thinking:

“How much muscle am I protecting and promoting?”

The number on the scales is only one measure of success. In midlife, we want to be leaner if needed - but we also want to be STRONG. 💪❤️

I'd love you to set a goal for this week: aim to include a good source of protein at three meals each day. If you're already doing this, is there something else that you've been meaning to start doing that will benefit your lean muscle mass even more?

If you’d like to chat about the right eating plan for you, including which protein sources may suit your body best, book a free Reset Call via the link below. I’d love to help x

https://www.abetteryounaturally.com.au/aby/reset-discovery-call/

14/09/2026