EP290: How to Fast Like A Girl with Mindy Pelz
Fasting gets talked about a lot… but most people still don’t understand why it works or how to do it in a way that actually feels sustainable (especially if you’re a woman navigating stress, hormones, and a busy life).
In this episode, I’m joined by fasting expert Dr. Mindy Pelz, who breaks down the science in a way that’s clear, empowering, and surprisingly doable.
We talk about why your body has two fuel systems, how fasting helps you switch between them, and what starts to happen in the body at key milestones like 13–15 hours, 17 hours, 24 hours, and beyond.
You’ll also learn why fasting can feel amazing for some people, terrible for others, and how to train your body to fast safely instead of forcing it.
Most importantly, Dr. Mindy shares practical ways to get started, plus how women can fast in a way that sustainably supports their hormones.
You’ll learn:
-
Where the fasting sweet spot window is for autophagy, your body’s cellular “cleanup mode”
-
The incredible benefits of fasting for up to 24 hours
-
Why some people experience a “fasting high”
-
Why women may need to fast differently depending on where they are in their cycle
-
How to start if you “can’t fast” (and why you may have experienced issues in the past)
-
Simple strategies to ride out hunger waves without white-knuckling
-
Other easy ways to support autophagy beyond fasting
If you’ve ever wondered whether fasting is actually safe, effective, or “for you,” this episode will help you understand the science and find a rhythm that supports your energy, metabolism, brain, and hormones.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube.
Prefer audio? Listen below or on Spotify & Apple iTunes Podcasts.
Helfpul Resources
Paleovalley Essential Electrolytes
>>> Support easier fasting and better energy with clean hydration—save up to 20% on Paleovalley Essential Electrolytes.
About Dr. Mindy Pelz
Dr. Mindy Pelz is a New York Times bestselling author and a leading voice in women’s health, hormones, and aging. Her books, including Eat Like a Girl, Fast Like a Girl, and the upcoming Age Like a Girl empower women to work with their biology, not against it. Through her top-ranked podcast, The Resetter Podcast, and YouTube channel with 110M+ views, Dr. Mindy is changing the menopause conversation, helping women unlock energy, brain clarity, and purpose in their second half of life.
Thanks so much for spending time with us this week! Have a question or feedback? Email us at [email protected]—we would genuinely love to hear from you.
For more in depth conversations and practical guidance, be sure to subscribe to Dr. Autumn Smith’s YouTube channel, where new videos drop regularly to help you rethink health and nutrition in a clear, manageble way.
You can also follow the ReThink Health Podcast on Spotify or iTunes so new episodes are easy to find and listen to whenever it works for you. Subscribing and following makes a real difference and helps this information reach more people. Thanks again for being here. We will see you next time!





