Rethinking Fasting: Myths, Metabolism, Hormones & Grace | Cynthia Thurlow

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True wellness is never static - it’s meant to evolve with you.

In this episode of The Art of Being Well, I sit down with Cynthia Thurlow, nurse practitioner, functional nutrition expert, and bestselling author of Intermittent Fasting Transformation, to talk about how her perspective on fasting and metabolism has changed over the years.

We discuss what most people get wrong about fasting, why women need a more flexible approach, and how to honor your body’s cues instead of pushing past them. Cynthia explains the concept of “digestive rest,” how to fast safely around your menstrual cycle, and why muscle preservation is essential for longevity and hormone balance.

This conversation is a reminder that health isn’t about rigidity - it’s about rhythm, intuition, and grace.

Pre-order Cynthia's newest book: The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond (Releasing Tuesday, April 28 2026) 

A few of my favorite things we cover in this episode: 

•  How Cynthia transitioned from cardiology and ER medicine to functional health
• Learning to follow intuition - and the role of human design in decision-making
• How imposter syndrome can be reframed as a drive for growth
• Behind her viral TED Talk: fasting, resilience, and recovery after illness
• The role of mindset, purpose, and staying in your own lane in a social media-driven world
• The evolution of her fasting philosophy - why flexibility matters
• Redefining fasting as “digestive rest” for everyday health
• The truth about OMAD (one-meal-a-day) and why it’s not right for everyone
• How fasting affects women differently in each life stage: menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause
• Why muscle preservation and resistance training are critical for longevity
• Bioindividuality in fasting: adjusting protocols for stress, sleep, and body composition
• Reframing self-discipline with compassion - the power of grace in wellness

Products Mentioned:

• Intermittent Fasting Transformation by Cynthia Thurlow

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Happy listening and we hope you learned a little bit more on the art of being well!

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In Health,

Dr. Will Cole