Menopause Management: Why Many Professionals Are Choosing Natural Solutions Over HRT

Hey, it's Robert Sikes here. I just had an amazing chat with Robin Switzer, the mastermind behind what used to be KetoCon and is now called Hack Your Health. If you want the inside scoop on what it really takes to build a health conference, plus some honest talk about life, fitness, and navigating menopause naturally, you're in the right place.

Robin is someone I've had on my podcast a few times, and every time, she shares a little more of the real Robin. Not just the conference organizer, but the person behind the scenes. So, let me take you through our conversation and what I learned from her. Plus, I'll share some thoughts on how you can dive into this world of health and fitness with me in my Free Bodybuilding Masterclass. Let's get into it!

Who Is Robin Switzer Beyond the Conference?

Robin is known for putting together one of the biggest events in the health space, but she's always been pretty private about her personal life. She told me she's never been comfortable making it "all about me" because the event is about helping others, not boosting egos.

Recently, she moved closer to her family in Florida to spend more time with her grandkids, two little ones now, with more on the way thanks to her son Sam getting married soon. Family is a huge part of her life, and it's clear that balancing work and personal life is something she's navigating thoughtfully.

Back to the Gym & The Challenge of Fitness in Your 60s

One of the things Robin opened up about was her return to the gym after a long break. She joked about how hard it is to come back stronger once you hit your 60s. It's not just about physical strength; it's about retraining your brain to understand what your body can actually handle. She's been working on building muscle again and loving that feeling of accomplishment after a good workout.

Why the hiatus? Menopause.

Robin went through it without hormone replacement therapy (HRT), focusing instead on sleep, mindset, and nutrition, specifically low-carb, keto, and carnivore diets. She even added berberine to her routine, which helped a lot. Her approach was all about keeping things natural and listening to her body.

Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy: Robin's Take

There's a lot of buzz about HRT right now, especially with new science showing it's safer and more beneficial than once thought. But Robin's experience was different. She went through menopause before this new research was mainstream and chose to focus on natural methods instead.

She respects those who choose HRT, but she personally prefers to avoid it unless overwhelming evidence convinces her otherwise. She's healthy metabolically and hormonally now, and she feels good without it.

This balance between natural living and embracing scientific advancements is something Robin and I both think about a lot. We're in a space where ancestral nutrition meets biohacking, and it's fascinating to see how these worlds blend — sometimes smoothly, sometimes with tension.

The Evolution of Hack Your Health: More Than Just Keto

Robin has been working hard to grow the event beyond just keto and carnivore diets. Hack Your Health now includes biohacking, nutrition, fitness, and all things health optimization. She shared how the biohacking community and keto/carnivore communities are starting to come together, each learning from the other.

The event attracts a mix of people: some are just starting their health journey, and others are looking for ways to optimize after healing from metabolic issues. It's a place where everyone can learn, share, and grow.

New Location, New Opportunities

This year, the event is moving from Austin to Tampa, Florida, and it's happening in November instead of summer. Robin and her husband Ryan, live in Florida now, so they wanted to bring the event closer to home. Being local means they can connect more with the community and build stronger relationships with local businesses and attendees.

Tampa offers a beautiful waterfront convention center with lots of nearby restaurants and a great airport — perfect for attendees. Robin expects this year to be the biggest yet, with a mix of returning fans and many new faces from Florida and nearby states.

The Reality of Running a Big Health Conference

Robin doesn't sugarcoat how tough it is to plan and run an event like Hack Your Health. It's a huge financial and logistical challenge. She's had years where she put her own money into the event to keep it going. The software, the venue, the AV team, and all the little details add up fast.

She still does a ton of the work herself because paying others to do it isn't always feasible, but she knows that investing in the right tools and people will help the event grow and become more profitable over time.

Her Dream for the Future

Robin wants to see Hack Your Health grow to 5,000 attendees — double last year's numbers. She envisions an event where every exhibitor is exhausted from talking to new people and making connections. The goal is to impact tens of thousands of people's lives through the knowledge shared at the event.

She's passionate about helping people avoid the health struggles she faced in her younger years by sharing real, science-backed information and fostering a supportive community.

The Power of Community and Accountability

One thing that really stood out to me during our talk was how much Robin values the community around the event. She said that when you walk into Hack Your Health, you feel the positive energy and excitement from people who are all there for the same reason: to learn and improve their health.

This community is different from other spaces where ego and competition can get in the way. Here, people share their stories, support each other, and want to help others avoid the pain they've experienced.

Trends in the Health Space: What's Hot and What's Not

Robin shared some interesting insights on current health trends. She's noticed a rise in people jumping from one diet to another, trying to find what works. The keto and carnivore communities continue to grow, but there are some odd trends too, like the "sugar diet," where people eat mostly sugar to boost a hormone called FGF21. Robin thinks this is a bad idea long-term because of sugar's negative effects on the body.

She's all for fat-based nutrition and keto, but sugar? Not so much.

What's Next for Robin?

Outside the conference world, Robin's focused on fitness and family. She's loving getting back to the gym and pushing herself physically. She also took an amazing solo trip to Scotland recently, a bucket list dream come true, and she's thinking about traveling more, maybe to Colorado or Portugal next.

Robin's story reminds me that no matter how busy or successful we get, it's important to make time for what lights us up, family, fitness, and new experiences.

Join Us at Hack Your Health 2025!

Ready to be part of this incredible event? Hack Your Health 2025 is happening in November at the Tampa Convention Center. Tickets are available now, and you can get a special $100 discount with the code "KetoSavage". You'll find top speakers, hands-on experiences like cold plunges and DEXA scans, and a welcoming community ready to support your health journey.

Visit HackYourHealth.com to learn more and grab your tickets. I'll be there speaking, and I can't wait to meet you in person!

Final Thoughts

Talking with Robin reminded me how much work and heart go into building something that truly helps people. It's not easy, but the payoff is huge when you see lives change for the better. If you're on your own fitness or health journey, remember you're not alone; there's a whole community out here ready to support you.

If you want to take your transformation to the next level, I invite you to join my Free Bodybuilding Masterclass. It's designed to help you cut through the noise, get shredded, and unleash your inner savage with a proven 7-Phase System that's helped hundreds of people just like you.

Let's do this together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Hack Your Health?

Hack Your Health is a health and wellness conference that started as KetoCon. It brings together experts and enthusiasts from keto, carnivore, biohacking, and fitness communities to learn, connect, and optimize their health.

Where and when is Hack Your Health 2025?

The event will be held in November 2025 at the Tampa Convention Center in Florida. It's a beautiful location with lots of local amenities and easy access from the airport.

Who is Robin Switzer?

Robin is the founder and organizer of Hack Your Health. She has a deep passion for natural health, nutrition, and building a supportive community. She's also a grandmother and fitness enthusiast.

Does Robin support hormone replacement therapy for menopause?

Robin prefers natural approaches like nutrition, sleep, and mindset for managing menopause. While she respects HRT and acknowledges new science supporting it, she personally chooses not to use it.

How can I get involved in the health and fitness community?

Attending events like Hack Your Health is a great way to connect with like-minded people. You can also join online communities, follow trusted experts, and consider coaching or masterclasses like my Free Bodybuilding Masterclass.

What's the best way to start working out after a long break?

Start slow and listen to your body. It's normal to feel sore and challenge yourself, but don't push too hard too fast. Consistency is key, and setting small goals helps keep motivation high.

Episode Chapters:

Chapters:

0:00 Embracing Natural Menopause Solutions

2:02 Navigating Vulnerability Online

6:12 Balancing Fitness and Work

8:32 Hormone Therapy vs. Natural Methods

12:40 Combining Ancestral Health with Tech

14:59 Health Tips for Beginners

19:02 Event Planning Challenges

21:00 Scaling a Business

25:12 Growing Event Attendance

27:06 Building In-Person Connections

31:08 Post-Event Tasks

33:05 Importance of Relaxation

36:53 Small, Impactful Events

39:14 Value of Face-to-Face Events

43:15 Women's Health and Diet Trends

45:19 Ketogenic Diet Insights

48:30 Returning to Fitness

50:22 Scotland and Family History

54:32 Tampa Conference Preview

56:14 Celebrating Success