Eps 431: Pre-diabetes in Your 20s: Why Healthy Women Are Being Missed with Jenny Pena
Feeling tired all the time isn’t something women should simply accept.
The afternoon energy crash. Constant cravings. Brain fog. Needing coffee just to function. Feeling exhausted after meals. These have become so normalized that many women assume they’re just part of getting older.
In this episode, I’m joined by Jenny Pena, National Board Certified Health Coach and host of The Path to Better A1c podcast. After navigating PCOS and prediabetes herself, Jenny now helps women understand one of the most overlooked drivers of their health: blood sugar.
Together, we unpack why blood sugar affects so much more than diabetes. From cravings and energy to hormones, metabolism, focus, and mood, Jenny explains how learning to read your body’s signals can completely change the way you feel. We also cover the lab markers every woman should understand, why “normal” labs don’t always tell the whole story, and the small lifestyle shifts that can make a surprisingly big difference.
Tune in to learn why feeling tired, foggy, and constantly hungry may not be something you have to live with.
Episode Timeline
00:00 - Why Blood Sugar Matters Beyond Diabetes
01:55 - Jenny’s Journey From PCOS & Prediabetes
06:30 - Why Cravings Aren’t A Willpower Problem
09:00 - The Blood Sugar Roller Coaster Explained
13:30 - Understanding A1c & What It Really Measures
18:20 - Why You Should Ask For A Fasting Insulin Test
22:30 - The Hidden Impact Of Sleep & Stress On Blood Sugar
27:45 - Why Walking After Meals Works
32:20 - Building A Blood Sugar Friendly Plate
35:40 - The Protein Habit That Changed Everything
38:50 - How Much Fiber Do You Actually Need?
45:00 - The Biggest Blood Sugar Mistakes Women Make
47:45 - Where To Learn More From Jenny
Links
Learn more from Jenny Pena:
Website: https://jennypena.com
Instagram: @coachjennp
Podcast: The Path to Better A1c
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