From Overwhelm to Ownership: Reversing Osteoporosis with Maria Tassoni

This transcript is lightly edited for readability.

Maria: I just assumed I was fine, because I've never had any health issues. I never really even gave it a thought, because I was always so active — strength trained on and off all my life, since I was in high school. I was just in shock.

I'm the kind of person that if I have a problem, I want to solve it. So with the osteoporosis, it took a while, but it dawned on me: oh, I have to really do something about this. I have to really take personal responsibility for this.

I just have a calmer mindset. More positive, more peaceful, more focused, more confident. If there is something that I truly want in my life — want to change, or want to be, or whatever — I can make that happen. And just seeing myself keeping promises to myself. You can do a lot of things you think you can't do. So don't let age be the determining factor. I was by far the oldest person that summited Rainier. I was 62 and a half years old.

Edie: I am Edie Feffer, and welcome to Anchored — a show for women who are committed to living a life where everything they do and are begins with self-trust. They're unshakable in their truth, rooted in their emotional well-being, and steady in their commitment to self-love and body love. That is what it means to be anchored. Our conversations dive deep into all aspects of health and wellness, from food freedom and spirituality to routines and relationships. This is where you come to stay grounded.

I loved this conversation with Maria because we touched on two topics that come up often in my coaching sessions. One is navigating overwhelm, and two is rethinking your relationship with alcohol.

If you have ever felt overwhelmed in a healing protocol, you are not alone. Maria talks through how she worked through that phase, and she shares practical strategies for traveling and still living your life while doing more for your health. She also made a really powerful shift with alcohol, and shares her experience with honesty and grace. Maria trains like an athlete. She does not let age define her, and she is proof of what's possible when you show up for yourself. I hope you enjoy this episode.

For those listening, just to give you a little bit of background on my relationship with Maria: we met through Dr. Doug Lucas's practice, which specializes in reversing osteoporosis. What's special about our coaching relationship is that we had the opportunity to meet in person at Dr. Doug's retreat here in Scottsdale, at The OsteoCollective.

Let's start with an introduction. I'd love it if you could share a little bit about yourself.

Maria: I was born in Caracas, Venezuela to Italian parents, and then they had the courage to come to Arizona. My dad had a sister there, and she helped us immigrate to this country in the early sixties.

I grew up in Arizona, then I went to college in California, and then I moved to the East Coast. I moved to New York City — it was all those old Woody Allen films that beckoned me. They made it look so exciting and glamorous and fun. And it was. I lived there my whole adult life, did many different things, many different careers, including acting and television production. And then I moved into personal training. I did that for a little while. I was always interested in wellness. And then I became a nurse.

My husband Peter and I moved to Bend, Oregon right before COVID, in 2019, so that was lucky. I have a wonderful adult son who's in business school in Boston — he's 30 years old — and Pete has three wonderful children who are my stepchildren, and they're all adults as well.

We moved to Bend because we love the outdoors. I love to ski, alpine ski, cross-country ski, mountain bike, hike, backpack, stand-up paddleboard, yoga. But I also love to read, and I play the piano. I studied classical piano for, I don't know how many years — 13 years, something like that. I actually studied music therapy in college, my first degree.

Edie: Maria, you're a woman who wears so many different hats. I love it.

Maria: I have a lot of interests, yes.

Edie: Thank you for introducing yourself. I'd love to start by going back to when you received your osteoporosis diagnosis. How did you find out that you have osteoporosis?

Maria: I was in nursing school. That was 2011, so I was 50 years old. The practitioner I saw at school said, I think we should do a DEXA. So we did. But because I was in school and I was so busy, I never really paid attention to the results, and unfortunately the provider did not call me or notify me.

So I just assumed I was fine, because I've never had any health issues. I'm 64 — I don't have high blood pressure, I don't have high cholesterol, I don't have diabetes, I don't smoke. Everything else is great. So I just thought, oh, I'm healthy, I'm fine. Everything's fine.

Then I started practicing as a nurse in 2012, and I had insurance and a new gynecologist, and he said, what's going on with your bone health? And again, I never really even gave it a thought, because I was always so active — strength trained on and off all my life, since I was in high school. I told him I did a DEXA in 2011, and he said, let's take a look at that. That's when I saw that my hips were already in osteopenia, but my lumbar spine was already osteoporotic, so negative 2.5. I'm looking over at notes that I have — I have a DEXA from 2013 where my lumbar spine, my L1 to L4, was already negative 2.6.

I was just in shock, because that first provider, when we did the DEXA, never phoned me. I never knew, so I just didn't think there was a problem. And then everything else I told you about being so strong and healthy and taking good care of myself — I was just in shock.

But then I found a rheumatologist in New York City and worked with him. From the get-go he was just very reassuring: you'll be fine. He put me on a pill called Evista — that's raloxifene; Evista is the trade name. And he was like, yeah, just take calcium, take the Evista, take vitamin D, keep doing what you're doing, you'll be fine.

So that's how I went along. And I have to be honest, I didn't really take the Evista regularly. I didn't take my supplements regularly, which is shocking compared to how I am now. It's like, who was that person? I don't even know.

Edie: How disappointing that the first provider didn't follow up to interpret the results. And I can certainly understand why you'd be in such a state of shock as well, knowing that you live an active lifestyle, that you were strength training and taking good care of yourself.

Maria: When I look back — even in nursing school, I don't think we even talked about menopause. I certainly didn't really think about the fact that because I was losing estrogen, I was going to lose bone as well, that that was going to be a real problem. And there was never a discussion about this with any provider. So that's also really shocking when I look back, that no one was really talking about it. It's so strange when I look back, compared to how it is now.

Edie: And so how did you get connected to Dr. Doug's program, Optimal Bone Health?

Maria: What happened was, I moved to Bend in 2019 and started with a new provider here. She saw that the Evista was not working well, so we started another drug called Reclast — you take an infusion once a year. I did that for three years. What you do is the infusion, and then a year later you do a DEXA, because it takes about a year for it to get into your body, into your bones.

The first two years I had improvements, and I was really excited, really happy. Then last summer I did a DEXA — that was in August of 2024 — and my lumbar spine was negative 3.1. It had gotten better, but then it went back to almost what it had been before, or worse. The hips stayed about the same. I was just in shock, because I thought, oh, I'm just going to get better, better, better, and then we'll go on to the next drug. And I didn't even think to look outside of what I was doing with my provider, who's really very good and caring and knowledgeable and experienced.

Well, that was a turning point. I said, okay, I'm asleep at the wheel. I have to wake up. I have to take more responsibility for all of this. This one person cannot spend the precious few minutes she has — what is it, 15 minutes now, maybe a half hour if you're lucky — on nutrition, on strength training, on supplementation, on doing additional tests. Not to mention that with the way our insurance is set up, a lot of the tests that I did with Dr. Doug, most practitioners don't even do.

So I realized I had to look outside. Of course I went to the internet. Of course I went to YouTube, which is so weird, because I'm a nurse and I have a master's degree in exercise physiology. But I found Dr. Doug, and what I really liked about him right off the bat was that he backed everything up with studies.

He offered a one-hour information session, and I listened to that. With my provider in Bend, we had talked about hormone therapy, and she basically said, because you are so many years out from menopause — I went into menopause at 47 — you're really not a good candidate. Also, my mom had done hormone therapy, but not the kind that we're doing. I think she did Prempro, and she did get breast cancer. So I was also like, oh no, I don't even want to think about hormone therapy. I didn't even really know about that as a viable alternative.

But then when I was listening to Dr. Doug, I asked a question during that session about this very thing, and either he or whoever was monitoring the chat said, no, actually, you're not too old. And that got me thinking more.

Then I talked to the wonderful Julie about the program, one of Dr. Doug's employees, and I just thought, my life is worth this money and more. I was scared, but I took a chance, because it just sounded like a perfect fit for me right now — because it's so comprehensive. I don't know of anything else in this country, at least, that's like this. Being able to work with Heidi, my wonderful provider, Kyle, my nutritionist, Julia, who has been my great health coach — and then of course you.

I have to say, let's see, we've done one, two, three — this is my fourth coaching program with you. All of it's been amazing, but I feel like this work that we've done together with the different classes has just been tremendous.

Edie: I'm so happy to hear that, Maria. And I think for those listening, it's helpful to hear what your journey to this point has been like. It has, I'm sure, required a tremendous amount of patience and curiosity, and you've done such a good job of staying true to yourself to find a fit that feels aligned for you with the approach that you want to take in healing your osteoporosis.

I would love to hear more about both your experience with hormone replacement therapy and the group coaching.

Maria: I started hormone therapy — estradiol cream and progesterone. I don't take testosterone. I take DHEA, which I guess is working pretty well. We did some testing in February, so I'm not sure what the future holds with all that, but that's all going really well. There have been some changes in my body, but pretty smooth.

I think that's by design. Heidi did such a great job of slowly ramping me up, instead of just putting me on a high dosage right off the bat. I did do prior cardiac screening — I do have some history in my family — and thank goodness all the tests I've done are great. So I don't have any issues with that. I was a good candidate, and I'm doing well on that.

I also have to say, I am on Evenity. I'm taking an injection through my provider once a month, and I will be done with that in August. What I'm hoping to do after that is just not do more medication, and stick with the hormone replacement therapy, supplementation, high protein, strength training, impact training, all of that. I just wanted to let everybody know that I am on Evenity right now. I had started it before I started Dr. Doug's program.

The first coaching program I did with you was the one on thriving through the holidays, and timing is everything. Just you saying certain things, I remember. We did a week where we were talking about boundaries, and that hit me really hard, because it was the perfect timing for me to hear all of that. I was planning on doing certain things during the holidays, and I just wasn't feeling good about it, and I changed my plans. It was a little scary. It took some courage, but I'm so glad I did.

As I've gotten older, I have been trying harder and harder to not put others ahead of myself. But I think, being raised as a female, and a female in the 1960s — I am definitely getting better about really listening to myself and paying attention, because before, I think I would just ignore it. And I realized, oh no, this is not okay. So that was a big revelation.

Edie: Yes, I remember that. That was the first program we worked together in. And in that program we covered everything from boundaries, like you spoke to, to strategy with nutrition around blood sugar balance, to movement, and how do you still follow your protocol if you're someone who's traveling.

I remember your celebration around boundaries, and how lit up you were when you shared that win about making the shift for your holiday plans with the group. And it isn't always easy to do, to your point, especially when you're perhaps in a caretaker role, or when you have all of these different demands tugging on you. It's really easy for us to let ourselves fall to the bottom of the totem pole. Boundaries is a topic that we explore in health coaching just because stress management is a big part of a healing protocol. So thank you for sharing.

Maria: It's all this personal development. One of the other things that I started doing, that I had wanted to do for years and years, was meditation. I started that in November. I use this app called Insight Timer, and it helps you keep track of the days. I think I'm up to like 85 days in a row. Many days it's five minutes, but sometimes it's more. Sometimes I do guided, sometimes I don't — but I'm doing it consistently. And that's something that you had said in our first coaching program: it's about consistency.

That November, that Thanksgiving, we hosted at our home. We had friends over. And for the very first time, or maybe the second time, I had no alcohol. I prioritized the primary food, which is our friends and our conversation and being together. And I ate exactly what I wanted. I exercised. The next day I felt great. I'd never felt like that before — usually you have a food hangover, or food and the alcohol, just the richness of the food and having the alcohol.

Edie: I remember that call. I remember when you came back. I was so excited, after we got through the holidays, to hear celebrations.

I think the messages that you're sharing with us now are going to be so helpful to those listening, because one, you can see how quickly things can change. And I loved the reminder that we're striving for consistency, not perfection. With the meditation example that you shared — some days it's a couple of minutes, some days it's longer, some days it's guided. You're not forcing yourself to adhere to one set routine, and you're being flexible with yourself while at the same time prioritizing your health and your well-being through the holidays, through your trip to Costa Rica, through different family events. It's just been such a joy to witness, so congrats on all of the progress that you've been making.

Maria: Thank you. It feels good. When you talk about Costa Rica, about traveling — given the supplements I take, doing the estrogen cream, and wanting to do the strength training consistently, when you travel it definitely makes it a lot more difficult, and you can't do everything perfectly. I don't think I track on Cronometer as much when I travel.

But golly, Amazon is your friend. They have all kinds of different pill box things that you can get. I found one that I love where it's a whole week, and it's all divided up every day, three times — morning, afternoon, and evening — and they're different colors. And then I also have little bags, tiny little bags that are BPA free and food safe, and I'll put pills in those.

With just a little bit of planning, you know what it is: if you're committed to something, you'll do it. You'll make it happen. You'll figure it out, and maybe it isn't perfect.

I'm actually going to go backpacking for the first time. We're going to Grand Staircase-Escalante in May. So I'm taking all my supplements, all my powders, on my back, and I'm going to be able to do that. I'll be backpacking, so I'll have weight on me every day. If I can fit in some pushups or some air squats, stuff like that, I'll do that too.

Just going back to traveling — not backpacking, but just going somewhere. We went away for a few days during Christmas, and I actually found local gyms where I could pay a daily fee and go in. It's only like $20. I was doing that just because it is hard — if you just stop something, it is hard to start it again. Even if I could just get one weight training session in, or two, or whatever. The strength training is important, really important. And of course, as you know, you can do heel drops anywhere, so you can do impact training anywhere.

So I think as long as you're committed to that thing, whatever it is, you'll find a way to do it. You just have to be a little creative and have faith, and then the solution is there.

Edie: You've done such a good job of finding ways to stay consistent without it being all consuming. You're still living life. That's the key.

Maria: Yes. You don't want to get crazy about it and obsessive. But there were definitely times, I think when we went to Costa Rica, where it is hard when you're in a different place. Sometimes you do forget, or you go to dinner and you have to bring all your stuff.

Just the other day, when I was skiing last Saturday, I forgot my afternoon supplements. And I have to say, it felt so weird. I was like, oh, this is so strange, I'm missing something. But it was fine. I just took those at night, and it was fine.

Edie: Would you be comfortable sharing what you're most proud of yourself for at this point in the journey?

Maria: Just that I'm doing all the things that I'm doing, and I'm doing them consistently. Like I said, I went from not even taking my Evista on a consistent basis — that was a medication for osteoporosis that I was just kind of not taking seriously — to never having missed taking my estradiol cream or my progesterone. I'm just so religious about that. Taking my supplements. Drinking my water. Doing my homework for your classes, reading the books that we've been reading — because in addition to The Miracle Morning, we also read Atomic Habits by James Clear. I think it's just showing up for myself.

Edie: That's exactly what I was just going to say. You show up for yourself so lovingly. It sounds like you have elevated the way you show up for yourself, the way you take care of yourself, the way you prioritize your needs.

What do you think the shift was? How did you create that result? I think it's so comforting for anyone listening to hear that this is what's possible. One of the concepts that we talk about in group coaching is that of an expander — an expander is someone who is mirroring what's possible for you. To know that you used to think of yourself as someone who was inconsistent with the medication, and to now have created this new self-concept in a matter of months, Maria.

Maria: Yeah, it's amazing. It is amazing.

I think over the years I've worked on trying to be kinder to myself, and so that has been going on for years. And then just the program, and you — it really started with the holiday coaching. That really started it. That was life changing for me. That really was. I remember telling my husband every week, and he's like, oh my gosh, this is amazing. This is so amazing. And then we just have kept going and going and going.

That really has helped give me the support. I don't know what's going to happen after the year's over. I know I'll stay connected to The OsteoCollective somehow, so hopefully that'll help, because that really does help. Just doing the coaching with you has helped tremendously.

I'm the kind of person that if I have a problem, I want to solve it. So with the osteoporosis, it took a while, but it dawned on me: oh, I have to really do something about this. I have to really take personal responsibility for this. Even though yes, I'm strong and I'm healthy and I do all these things, I have to be more focused on what I'm doing, and add more things, which I've done.

One of the big things that I love, besides traveling — I didn't mention that one before — I love to move. I don't want to break my hip. I don't want to break my spine. I have never had a fracture in my body, so I want to be as proactive as I can, because I want to ski when I'm 90. I want to hike when I'm 90, as much as I can. I want to be that person that shocks people, in a good way. So that's a big motivation.

Edie: What a great why. I know you shared a little bit earlier on in the call, but any other thoughts or advice that you'd like to share with anyone who's just received an osteoporosis diagnosis? Is there anything you wish you would have known sooner?

Maria: I actually tell this to young women: pay attention now to your bone health. If you can get a DEXA, even if you have to pay for it, or do a REMS scan — something. It's worth it, just to see a baseline. But if you are older and you've gotten the diagnosis, understand that it doesn't have to be the end. It's not a death sentence. And there's so much you can do.

Edie: There are lots of ways to get additional information. When we think back to what you shared, how your journey unfolded, it sounds like you participated in the masterclass initially to get information. When you first came into the program, how were you feeling? If you think back to where you were when you started?

Maria: Definitely motivated. A little bit scared, wondering how this was all going to work out. And then, of course, everyone in the program knows this: at first, it is overwhelming. There's a lot of information they want from you, testing you have to do, and you just kind of get thrown in.

But because you spend this money, and then you devote — you say, I'm going to give myself this year to really focus on this and get myself on the right track — that helps in a lot of ways, to focus you.

So then I was just all in. And like I said, it was overwhelming. So many things, like all the supplements. I take so many supplements now, but I take them, and it's like nothing now. It's like drinking water — which I drink more of. That's another thing. I used to drink maybe four glasses a day, maybe. Now I'm drinking at least eight.

It was just a lot. But then I realized, okay, it's okay. I'm dating myself here, but there used to be, way back in the day — maybe people still do this — plate spinners. They'll start with a stick and then a plate on the stick, and they'll spin one, and then they keep adding. Well, that's how it is. I have to increase my protein. I have to drink more water. I have to keep track of these hormones, applying this cream and making sure I switch inner thighs every month. There's a lot. And if you don't get something perfect, it's okay. And then little by little you can just integrate it all.

I just met with Kyle yesterday, my nutritionist. She had wanted me to eat 120 grams of protein every day, and I just struggled, struggled, struggled. So she said, as long as you're getting at least 30 per meal, we can go to 110. That changed my life. But now I think that a lot of times I actually do get 120. So things are getting easier. It just takes time.

For anybody listening who is thinking of starting the program, or has just started the program: be patient. It's okay. Everyone feels overwhelmed. It's normal. You'll get it.

I think you said this — there is a lot, there's so much that this program offers that I still haven't even done. I want to do the osteoporosis course; I haven't done that yet. I have a hard time finding time to listen to the weekly Wednesday programs at The OsteoCollective. But those are saved, and I will go back and look at the archive and find the ones I find most interesting. I know I'm getting what I need. So I love your courses — I do prioritize that.

Right now we're doing The Miracle Morning, and it's amazing. I notice a difference already.

Edie: Oh, tell me more, Maria. Tell me more. What's changed for you?

Maria: I feel like already I just have a calmer mindset. I mean, I'm a positive person by nature, but mornings can be kind of tough, and I'm not really a morning person — although that's not true anymore. I am now a morning person. It's subtle, but I feel calmer, more positive, more peaceful, more focused, more confident. That if there is something that I truly want in my life — want to change, or want to be — I can make that happen.

And just seeing myself keeping promises to myself. I am taking supplements every day. I almost never, ever miss anything. I do log my food in Cronometer for the most part, because that does help me figure out my protein, and that is so important. So just my commitment to that, my commitment to moving every day.

In fact, Hal Elrod, who wrote the book, talks about doing some kind of exercise in the morning, just even a little bit, just to get you going. So I started doing yoga in the morning. That's something that I've wanted to do more regularly. You can find things on YouTube — they're fabulous — for like 10 minutes. And now I find that I really need to do this in the morning. The other day we decided to get up early and go skiing, and I didn't do anything, and it felt very strange. But it's exciting. I'm hopeful.

Edie: I love that. For those listening, the current program that I am teaching in group coaching is called The Miracle Morning, and it's kind of like a book club with a twist, where we're reading the book The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod and then coaching on those concepts over the course of six weeks together.

I just get so excited when I hear how you are feeling, Maria. It sounds like self-belief is something that you've increased, in terms of what potential already exists inside of you — feeling more empowered because you're keeping your small promises to yourself, being really intentional with the way that you're starting your day. And then to be at a point where you're craving it, where it's on autopilot. I think that's so exciting to see, and you've done that in less than a month. So congrats to you.

Maria: Thank you. Also, the journaling that we did — that was something else I'd wanted to do all my life. I have written on and off, but not consistently. And since we started, I think I write something every day. That must have been in February, because we did Atomic Habits in January.

Edie: Yes, Pages to Progress. I think it was a five-week course that I led. So many people have resistance to journaling. I've been there before. Can you speak to the shifts that you've noticed in yourself as a result of that practice?

Maria: There was definitely a resistance before, and I think the big one, maybe for many people, is: I don't have the time, or, oh, I have all this stuff to do, that's not as important.

I use it for different things. I always write down three things I'm grateful for. That's wonderful, just to remind myself every day how lucky I am. I may even write down things I want to accomplish for the day, so it helps to focus me, gives me clarity. It reinforces that feeling of gratitude that I have about so many things, and puts that in the forefront. Or if I'm upset about something, it just gives me a place to work it out. And that's just for me. So I like that too.

Edie: That's how I think of it as well. It's like this portable container where you can let your thoughts unspool.

And I think the gratitude practice that you've developed is such a great way to protect your mood and your energy and your mindset. I think of that as giving yourself a big dose of vitamin G — gratitude. As corny as that may sound, it has such an impact. It releases this positive chemical flood in the body, and that all counts toward stress reduction.

For those listening, stress reduction is a part of our healing protocol, because when you have prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol, that increases bone breakdown and decreases bone formation. That's why we're taking a holistic approach to reversing osteoporosis and exploring the lifestyle factors, like Maria has been with sleep and stress management and the way she navigates the holidays. It all is supportive of our overall goal, which is to help you heal your bones.

One thing that's so fun that we can see coming through in this conversation is that as scary as a diagnosis of osteoporosis can be, it can be a portal to helping you heal so much more than just your bones. When you think about that, Maria, what are some of the changes or unexpected outcomes that you've created as you've done this work over the past six months?

Maria: When I started, I had no idea that I would stop drinking alcohol.

I'm Italian. It's part of my culture. I remember being given little tiny glasses at dinner when I was a kid — thimble size — that we'd enjoy with our meal. And that's how I've always been. During times of stress, I probably just drank more regularly. I hate to say it, but when I became a nurse in New York, here I'm trying to help people, and oh my gosh, it was just so stressful. I never drank too much, meaning more than a glass of wine or a glass of beer, that kind of thing. But I was drinking more regularly, because before it was more social.

I remember when I started the program in late October, I was talking to Kyle, and we talked a little bit about alcohol, and she just said, well, how do you feel afterward? And I was like, well, obviously sometimes okay, sometimes not okay. But I remember thinking then, oh no, there's no way. It's so much a part of my culture and my life. And I was drinking a lot less often, but I enjoy the taste too — that's the main thing. So at that time, it was like, no way.

And then I talked to Julia, my health coach, and we were talking about that too, and she actually just said: count. Keep track of how many times you drink. So I was like, okay. And I know in December I drank on eight different occasions — a glass of beer or a glass of wine.

I think what was going on was, in the midst of all of it, I'd have something, and I'm going through the program and trying to make my bones strong, knowing that alcohol is a toxin, it's a poison, and it actually is bad for our bones. So here I'm doing this great stuff, but I'm still having the glass of wine.

And I decided December 31st, I thought, okay, I'm going to do dry January. And then I just told my husband, who doesn't drink at all, just doesn't like it. I said, I think I'm going to stop.

Because, like I said, I enjoy the taste of champagne and all that stuff. But it's just been fantastic. There are a lot of non-alcoholic beverages out there that are wonderful. There are more beers now, and they're working on wine. I just had a non-alcoholic Prosecco a few weeks ago when I was in Spokane. It was delicious. So if you can enjoy the taste without the ill effects of it — I'm glad I've decided to stop now and not 20 years ago, because there are so many alternatives.

Edie: You mentioned that you're feeling so much better, that it's been excellent that you've stopped drinking. I'm excited to explore this topic together, because I think there are so many people who have this little nudge to scale back, or to stop altogether. Can you speak to the shifts that you've noticed, and why it felt important to you to stop?

Maria: I feel like as we get older — and this happens when we're younger too — we don't feel so great the day after we've had even a glass of wine. And like I said, as you get older, it's more pronounced. If you're trying to change your life for the better, and you're doing the strength training, like I was trying to do more often, and just making sure that I was moving on a regular basis — I love to move, but I can become sedentary too — you see that when you wake up the next day.

This actually happened when we were traveling. We were in Joshua Tree, and we were hiking there, and we were going to get up really early to do this sunrise hike. And I'd had a glass of wine — that's it, a little glass of wine with dinner — and I woke up not feeling so great. The hike was a struggle. I know it was because of just having that glass of wine beforehand. And you just say to yourself, why?

So doing dry January, every day: just sleeping amazing. My sleep is amazing. I mean, it's always been good, but when I've had alcohol, that does disrupt it. Not having the alcohol at all, more often than not my sleep is fantastic. I track it on my Garmin watch, and I do feel it.

Then that just fuels you for what's to come. So you're going to do more. You're going to follow through with your exercise. When I would have a glass of wine or beer, the next day maybe I wouldn't exercise, or maybe I'd just take a walk and wouldn't really go as hard as I wanted to, just because I didn't feel so great. Even if it's just once a week, it interrupts your life. It interrupts what you want to do with your life, and who you are.

I am an athlete. So I'm training — I'm not training for the Olympics, but I'm training for my life. I'm training so that I can go out and ski and mountain bike and do this wonderful backpacking trip and just feel really strong. Why would I want to sabotage myself?

Edie: When you describe it, it feels like something you are adding into your life, versus taking away.

Maria: What does alcohol give us? What is it doing for us? It's really not helping us. It's not our friend. There's nothing positive about it. So coming to that realization just made me think, oh, okay. It's easy to stop.

Edie: What a great thought. It's easy to stop. And I think it's also really exciting to hear the shifts you've noticed in terms of the improvements with your sleep.

Maria: Like I said, I've always been a great sleeper, but just taking that one thing away, I am much more consistently a great sleeper. And so I'm not losing a day ever because of just having a glass of wine. It feels great.

Edie: Congratulations. And it's interesting — I have a podcast episode called My Sober Curious Journey, and our stories are very similar, in that mine started as I was training for a race. I could count the number of drinks that I had on two hands for the whole year, but I still felt like there was this little nudge to cut it out completely, for similar reasons. Even if I just had one drink, I felt it on my long run. And I just felt like, if I'm an athlete, why am I not putting myself in the position to feel and function my best?

And while it did improve my performance and my runs, I think for me the biggest win was just feeling like I was staying true to myself, trusting the message that my body was sending me and acting on it. That boost in confidence is such a special part of the journey — whether it's specific to alcohol, or keeping your promise to yourself not to scroll before bed, or finding a system for supplements with travel like you have. All of those little votes for yourself really add up in a way that would be so easy to dismiss, or to not pause to celebrate, because they seem so small. But really they are so big, because only you know the messages that your body is sending you, and whether you're acting on them or not.

So to close: when I think about all of the wins, all of the evidence, all of the celebrations that you're gathering, it adds up to something so much bigger than just a journey to healing your bones. Congrats. I'm just so happy for you.

Maria: Thank you. I do want to add one thing that I didn't say before, which is that I climbed Mount Rainier a few years ago, and before that I had climbed other mountains. I had a coach, this guy named John, and we had talked about alcohol during that time too, because I was drinking once in a while. He said it's inflammatory, so it isn't good for your training. I wish I'd completely stopped then.

I was able to climb Mount Baker and Ruth Mountain before I did Rainier, and before Rainier I didn't drink alcohol as often as I probably had done before.

You can do a lot of things you think you can't do. So don't let age be the determining factor, because I was by far the oldest person that summited. I summited with my husband. This was 2023. I was 62 and a half years old. So, not easy — but you can do it. You can do it.

Edie: Amazing. You are such an inspiration, and you've shared so many helpful words of wisdom. Thank you so much for being here.

Maria: Thank you for having me.

Edie: I can't wait to get this out into the world.

If you'd like more information on Dr. Doug Lucas, or if you're curious to learn more about reversing osteoporosis, be sure to check the show notes. I have linked Dr. Doug's resources there for you.

If you enjoyed this episode, please do me a favor and rate it. Your reviews will help me help more people. And if you'd like my support in your health journey, you can head to my website at ediefeffer.com, where you can check out the different ways that we can work together. You can also come hang out with me on Instagram — I'm @ediefeffer. I will see you here next week.