493: She Beat Leukemia By Building Muscle: The Truth About Building Muscle After 50 with Helen Fritsch

What happens when a 56-year-old woman who's never lifted weights walks into a gym and decides to compete in bodybuilding, and then were diagnosed with leukemia at 57? Most people would scale back, play it safe, maybe give up entirely. But Helen Fritsch did the opposite – she doubled down on building muscle. Helen never entered a weight room until her late 50s - she thought it was "for boys only." As a flight attendant and certified wine specialist, she spent decades doing cardio and avoiding heavy weights. At 56, she gave herself one month to prep for her first competition (most people take 12-16 weeks!) Two weeks in, her body transformation was so dramatic she couldn't believe it. She placed third. By 60, she'd won her pro card. Then at 57, a routine blood test revealed she had leukemia. Instead of watching and waiting as her oncologist suggested, Helen discovered research showing cancer patients with more muscle mass have significantly better survival rates. She dove into hormone optimization (learning most women get inadequate doses), peptide therapy, and serious weight training. Today at 68, she's stronger than she was at 30 and convinced that building muscle saved her life. This isn't just another fitness story - it's proof that everything you've been told about aging, muscle building after menopause, and "taking it easy" after 50 is wrong. Learn More About Helen Fritsch Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/helenfritsch_ifbbpro Website ➜ https://www.ageisirrelevant.com/ Thank you to our show sponsors! TIMELINE: Timeline is offering 20% off your order of Mitopure! Go to https://timeline.com/NATALIEJILL Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com Connect with me on social media! Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Nataliejllfit Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Nataliejillfit For advertising inquiries: https://www.category3.ca/ Disclaimer: Information provided in the Midlife Conversations podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen. Information provided in this podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast does not create a client-patient relationship between you and the host of Midlife Conversations or you and any doctor or provider interviewed and featured on this show. Information and statements may have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease. Advertising Disclosure: Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links. Opinions expressed about products or services are those of the host and/or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any sponsor. Sponsorship does not imply endorsement of any product or service by healthcare professionals featured on this podcast.