Longevity, biohacking and science in general can often feel like a domain dominated by male voices. But when you scratch beneath the surface, there are some incredible female voices in the health optimisation space.
I am here to highlight my personal top 20. Who I am following, reading and listening to, in order to build my knowledge on best practice health creation – be it physical, mental or emotional health.
These women are leaders and trailblazers in their fields, many of who are highlighting variations in physiology between genders. Others are working at a grassroots level within their industry or community to help progress the quality of life and healthspan of those they advocate for.
I’ve included many menopause experts in this list, as the transitions of perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause are deeply connected to our well-being and long-term health. Optimising these transitions begins with establishing healthy lifestyle habits before menopause, but can have a positive impact at any age.
Therefore, no matter your current age, optimising your female physiology is beneficial for your energy now, and the enjoyment of life as your future self.
May you enjoy browsing this list of health leaders. My hope is you discover a new voice to draw health inspiration from.
Top 20 female health leaders for 2024
1. Dr Gabrielle Lyon, Functional Medicine Practitioner, USA
Best known for: Promoting muscle as the organ of longevity
Book: Forever Strong, A New, Science- Based Strategy for Aging Well
Podcast: https://drgabriellelyon.com/podcast/
Website: https://drgabriellelyon.com/
Did you know muscle is the largest endocrine (hormone-producing) organ in the body? Healthy, high-quality muscle is so important for quality of life now and in future. Women with high muscle mass levels are less likely to die from heart disease whilst adults with low skeletal muscle mass are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. So, the time to start is now. Listen to Dr Lyon if you need some extra motivation to build quality muscle, start a strength regime or learn why eating quality protein is ideal for your health.
2. Dr Maz Roginski, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Australia
Best known for: Balanced approach to health creation through the lens of East meets West medicine.
Podcast: https://balancedacupuncture.com.au/optimal-health-wellness-blog/
Website: https://balancedacupuncture.com.au/
What I love most about Dr. Maz is listening to her calming voice and often unique yet considered, science-led topics that beautifully balance Eastern concepts of medicine with the Western medical approach. She has a wonderful way of explaining the wisdom of the traditional Chinese medicine system, in use for over 3,000 years. Listen if you’re seeking a new way of seeing medical care.
3. JJ Virgin, Holistic Nutrition Expert, USA
Best known for: Helping 40+ year old women to age powerfully.
Podcast: https://jjvirgin.com/main-podcasts/
Website: https://jjvirgin.com/
If anyone epitomises health for women in their second spring, it has to be JJ Virgin. JJ is a well-networked, highly educated podcast interviewer, offering practical and thought-provoking conversations to inspire change, embracing the wisdom and vitality ageing powerfully can offer.
4. Joan McDonald, Role Model and Social Media Influencer, USA
Best known for: Starting weight training exercise at 70 years old, reversing her metabolic disease, and empowering women with the message that it’s never too late to start.
Book: Flex Your Age. Defy stereotypes and reclaim empowerment
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trainwithjoan/
Website: https://www.trainwithjoanofficial.com/
Joan is the perfect antidote to a fear of ageing. She is a 78-year-old who looks more radiant than ever, who has an uplifting story of transformation thanks to starting weight training later in life. Jean is a wonderful example that it’s never too late to give something new a go, and a showcase on how adaptable and amazing the human body really is!
5. Dr Stacy T Sims PhD, Exercise Physiologist, New Zealand
Best known for: The statement “Women are not small men”, Sims highlights the significant gender inequalities in scientific research whilst simultaneously educating women on how to optimise their physiology.
Books: Roar, Next Level
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstacysims/
Website: https://www.drstacysims.com/
The ability to bring science to the masses is Stacy’s superpower. She cuts through the health clutter by bringing clear, to the point and research-backed tips for her female audience. Her book makes for ideal reading for female athletes, both professional and amateur alike.
6. Dr Jemma King PhD, Human Behaviour Scientist, Australia
Best known for: Her keynotes and leadership on the neuroscience of performance and stress hacks for high achievers.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jemma-king-76013328/
Best Podcast interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oR5swR-ssw
Jemma is a dynamic, highly educated and sharp Australian researcher who delivers messages to high performers of private and government organisations in Australia. She has a great ability to inspire change in the real-world using science-backed strategies and has been interviewed on podcasts all over the globe. Give her podcast a listen if you’re a high performer under daily pressure in your working life.
7. Greta Durston, Vaginal Microbiome Naturopath, Australia
Best known for: Her ability to put vaginal microbiome health on the map.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greta.naturopathy/
Website: https://www.gretanaturopathy.com/
Greta is definitely one to watch in the female health space. An up-and-coming Melbourne-based Clinical Naturopath who is supporting a whole new generation of women who previously would have had great difficulty getting professional care for their vaginal health.
8. Dr Tara Swart, Neuroscientist and MD, United Kingdom
Best known for: Her belief that the things we most want from life – health, happiness, wealth, love – are governed by our ability to think, feel and act; in other words, by our brain.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taraswart/
Website: https://www.taraswart.com/
Dr Tara Swart is a neuroscientist and medical doctor. Her work focuses on improving mental resilience, enhancing brain performance, managing stress, regulating emotions, and retaining information. She emphasises the importance of lifestyle factors for optimal brain function, such as rest, nutrition, hydration, exercise, and mindfulness and is very educational and easy to listen to.
One of Tara’s best podcast interviews is with Dr Chatterjee called The Truth About Stress, Belly Fat, Alcohol and Journalling & How To Tune Into Your Body & Mind.
9. Louisa Nicola, Neurophysiologist, Australia
Best known for: Her work helping elite athletes and top executives optimise their performance.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisanicola_/
Website: https://www.neuroathletics.com.au/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-neuro-experience/id1274468842
Louisa blends two powerful areas of interest – brain function and performance optimisation, wrapping this under her cleverly named business Neuro Athletics. A pivotal moment for her was when she scanned the brain of a high-performing hedge fund manager and discovered his brain was aged beyond his years. This sparked her interest in helping individuals optimise their brain function and performance, and now she shares her learnings with the world.
10. Aggie Lal, Biohacking influencer, USA/Bali
Best known for: Influencer turned biohacker and creator of the female-focused biohacking movement and company Biohacking Bestie.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aggie
Website: https://biohackingbestie.com/
Book: Biohack Like a Woman: How to Get Fit Effortlessly, Feel Beautiful, Have More Energy, and Unleash Your Superpowers With Biohacking.
Aggie is a woman with influence. Previously living life as a travel content creator, Aggie now uses her platform to educate her audience on creating health habits for the sake of your body on the inside, not what it looks like on the outside. Aggie is one to tell it how it is, with a twist of humour and a dash of millennial zest. She has inspired a new generation of younger female biohackers. Great for 20-35 year olds.
11. Hannah Went, Molecular Biologist, USA
Best known for: Co-founding one of the most rigorous and high-quality epigenetics labs in the world.
Podcast: https://everythingepigenetics.com/episodes/
Website: https://www.trudiagnostic.com/
What I enjoy about Hannah is her curious nature and ability to attract high-quality podcast guests in order to curate educational conversations about the emerging field of epigenetics and cellular ageing. Worth a listen if epigenetics, longevity and ageing well is a curiosity for you.
12. Marie McLeod, Positive Psychology Coach, Australia
Best known for: Hosting the internationally celebrated, “How to thrive” mental health documentary and her work as a positive psychology coach.
Documentary: https://www.howtothrivefilm.com/watch-trailer
Website: https://www.howtothrivefilm.com/
Marie is one of those people who just ‘gets’ people. A long career in health, social services and positive psychology combined with a deep desire to help people thrive, no matter where they sit on the mental health continuum, sets Marie as an emerging leader in the mental health space in Australia. The documentary she hosted is well worth the watch, especially if you or someone close to you has suffered from mental health challenges.
13. Dr Wendy Sweet PhD, Menopause Educator, New Zealand
Best known for: Choosing to do her doctoral research on women’s healthy ageing, Wendy has leveraged her expertise to educate thousands of women and practitioners worldwide on achieving a smooth and healthy menopause transition.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-sweet-phd-5614b731/
Website: https://www.mymenopausetransformation.com/
Dr Wendy Sweet exudes an infectious enthusiasm for the immense value women in their 50s and beyond bring to our workplaces, communities, and society. Through her doctorate, she discovered that menopause is a biologically programmed transition into ageing, opposite to puberty. The symptoms experienced during menopause are signs that women may not be adjusting their lifestyles to align with the internal changes of ageing. This insight is grounded from her studies of women’s healthy ageing.
14. Jessie Inchauspé, Biochemist, USA
Best known for: The ‘Glucose Goddess’ who is helping millions of people understand how to manage blood glucose in uber practical ways.
Book: Glucose Revolution
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glucosegoddess
Best podcast interview: https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/podcast-ep720
In a world where death from metabolic disease is the biggest killer, we must find new ways to address this challenge. Jessie offers education and hacks that could literally save millions from going down the path of glucose-driven destruction.
15. Dr Libby Weaver PhD, Nutritional Biochemist, New Zealand
Best known for: Her impassioned work to educate women on the impact of living without intention, as a modern human, in a body with ancient circuitry, and her book Rushing Woman’s Syndrome.
Book: Rushing Woman’s Syndrome
Website: https://www.drlibby.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DrLibby/
Dr Libby has the most incredible way of educating and breaking down complex biochemistry for the lay-woman so she can appreciate her amazing body. Her books are equal parts engaging, science-led and relatable. Apart from the eye-opening and enduringly pertinent book Rushing Woman’s Syndrome, I personally love her Sweet Food Pathway cookbook, a must for those who would classify themselves as a health enthusiast who also loves delicious, nutritionally loaded desserts.
16. Dr Kara Fitzgerald, Functional Medicine Doctor and Researcher, USA
Best known for: Her work showing how in as little as 8 weeks you can reverse your biological age with the 4 pillars of diet, exercise, sleep and stress reduction.
Book: Younger You
Podcast: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/
Website: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/
Dr Fitzgerald is a leader of leaders. She is passionate about the impact lifestyle can have on real health outcomes, and sets about educating her followers via her work in consulting, research, online courses, her book and her podcast. A good fit for practitioners or health professionals looking to learn from the best.
17. Dr Molly Maloof, Functional Medicine Doctor, USA
Best known for: Her smarts around mitochondrial function, metabolic optimisation and human connection for longevity.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmolly.co/
Book: The Spark Factor. The First Guide to Biohacking for Women
Website: https://drmolly.co/
Dr Maloof is a refreshing voice in the longevity and biohacking world. Her book The Spark Factor is a comprehensive view on women’s health from the point of view of the mitochondria – the power centres of our cells. Her work also highlights the power of relationships and oxytocin and human connection for healthspan.
Listen to Molly being interviewed by JJ Virgin, where they talk about two pillars of longevity – mastering metabolism and human connection.
18. Katia Dowling, Longevity Industry Champion, Australia
Best known for: Her weekly longevity round-ups on LinkedIn and insane breadth coverage of the world’s best Longevity conferences, investment and forums.
Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiadowling/
Website: https://lumenlongevity.com/
If you’re keen to see private industry and government raise the bar on longevity, you must follow Katia. Thanks to her globetrotting, she has her finger on the pulse and brings global conversations to the public via her LinkedIn profile. Katia is here to connect industry, scientists, investors and consumers to boost the longevity space in Australia. Her Lumen Longevity event will be one to watch in 2025.
19. Dr Mary Claire Haver, OBY/GYN, USA
Best known for: Leading the way in modern menopause education, support and medical treatment.
Book: The New Menopause
Website: https://thepauselife.com/
If more doctors around the globe were like Dr. Haver, millions of women would transition through menopause more smoothly. Through her new book and numerous insightful podcast interviews, she is bringing incredible knowledge to the masses. Listen to one of her best interviews with Steven on the DOAC podcast about menopause.
20. Dr Mindy Pelz, Integrative Doctor of Chiropractic, USA
Best known for: Her high energy, passion for women’s health, and ability to have the most incredible conversations with fellow health leaders on her podcast.
Book: Fast Like a Girl
Website: https://drmindypelz.com/
Podcast: https://drmindypelz.com/resetter-podcast/
Dr Mindy is a well-regarded women’s health expert and holistic health practitioner who has gained significant recognition for her work in fasting and overall wellness. My favourite discussion she had with Stacy Sims was around the nuances of fasting, and proving to always scratch beneath the surface of those 20-second reels, to discover that health protocols must be personalised, and to never blindly follow all that social media throws your way!
These trailblazing women are transforming the way we think about health and wellness, offering a beacon of hope in a world of health protocol recommendations that often feel complex and at times, contradictory.
Their dedication to their fields and their willingness to share their expertise and insights with the world are inspirational.
As I reflect on their achievements and contributions to the health conversation, let us remember that you, too, can make a significant impact in your own sphere – whether in your work, family, or personal life – simply by prioritising your own health. By taking inspiration from these leaders, we can all take steps toward a healthier, more vibrant future. Here’s to the women who lead the way in health, and to all of us who benefit from their wisdom and guidance.
