From now until the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard, we’re resharing the episodes you all loved the most. Catch a most-played episode every two weeks, right here in your podcast feed.

Good luck in the Open, and we’ll see you on the leaderboard. Sign up at games.crossfit.com.

Dr. Stacy Sims is an exercise physiologist, nutrition scientist, TEDx speaker, and the bestselling author behind the viral phrase “Women are not small men.” In this episode, she joins Denise Thomas to unpack what we really need to know about women’s physiology — and how most training and nutrition advice completely ignores it.

They get into the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, postmenopause, and how to train through it all. Stacy explains why women lose power during certain phases, how training affects the brain, and what female athletes should do differently when it comes to strength, conditioning, recovery, and stress. They also break down cold plunges, sauna use, and why CrossFit coaches and gym owners have an opportunity to lead the way in changing the narrative.

Topics Included

Biological differences in training, recovery, and metabolism
Power, hormone shifts, and the menstrual cycle
When and how to modify workouts
Why fasting and cold plunges don’t affect men and women the same way
How to feel and perform your best during perimenopause and postmenopause
Raising the next generation of girls to understand their physiology for performance

Resources Mentioned

Dr. Stacy Sims’ TEDx Talk: Women Are Not Small Men
Book: “Roar” by Stacy Sims
Book: “Next Level” by Stacy Sims
DrStacySims.com
Proov or Oova (hormone-tracking tools)
OsteoGains app

[Most Played] Female Physiology in CrossFit With Dr. Stacy Sims: What You Need to Know