Decoding Exercise Physiology with Robert Brace from Decoding Women's Health

Decoding Exercise Physiology with Robert Brace from Decoding Women's Health

Author: Pushkin Industries January 26, 2026 Duration: 44:38

What if we reframed the way we approach exercise? On today’s show, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor is joined by Robert Brace - founder of Brace Life Studios. He’s also Elizabeth’s trainer. They discuss how he tailors his workouts to women in midlife, the benefits of exercising in a group and how movement and exercise connect to our mental and spiritual well-being. Robert also gives advice about how to approach training at different hormonal cycle phases, and ways to get started, even when it feels tough. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Robert Brace’s Studio

Martial arts increase oxytocin production

Systematic review: pain, cognition, and cardioprotection—unpacking oxytocin’s contributions in a sport context

Bidirectional Association between Physical Activity and Dopamine Across Adulthood—A Systematic Review

Embodied mood regulation: the impact of body posture on mood recovery, negative thoughts, and mood-congruent recall

Bone mineral density loss in relation to the final menstrual period in a multiethnic cohort: results from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise

Menstrual cycle tracker apps – Natural Cycles, Flo and Apple Health 

Exercise platforms/apps – Nike Training, TheBraceLife.com 

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Every week, Brave New Planet from Pushkin Industries takes a clear-eyed look at the powerful forces reshaping our world. This isn't about speculative fiction; it's about the real, breathtaking pace of change in fields like artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and digital connectivity already unfolding around us. Each episode is a deep exploration of a specific technological frontier, dissecting both its extraordinary promise and its profound perils. The central question isn't whether a development is simply good or bad, but how we can steer these awesome capabilities toward a future that benefits humanity. You'll hear from the scientists, ethicists, and thinkers who are at the very edge of these fields, providing the context we all need to move beyond simple hype or fear. The goal is understanding, equipping us to grapple with the ethical dilemmas and societal impacts that these tools inevitably bring. Tuning into this podcast means engaging with the critical conversations that will define our collective path forward, examining whether our relationship with emerging science leads to utopia or dystopia. It's a necessary guide for anyone curious about the forces designing our tomorrow.
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