Dr. Jessica Shepherd joins Clinical Advisory Board

We are so thrilled to welcome Dr. Jessica Shepherd to the Clinical Advisory Board as Head of Medical Affairs. Dr. Shepherd is a board-certified OB/GYN, women's health expert and leading voice in longevity. 

We sat down with Dr. Shepherd to hear more about her background and why she’s so excited to join the Pvolve team. 

1. Let’s start with some fun stuff. Share 5 things about yourself.

• I was born in Canada and am a very proud Canadian.  
• I sing in the shower very loudly. 
• French fries are my guilty pleasure. 
• I wrote a book called Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause in 2024 and it was featured on GMA, Today Show and Live with Kelly and Mark.
• I hate burpees but will still do them. 

2. Why did you choose to join Pvolve and what will your role as Head of Medical Affairs entail? 
   I chose to join Pvolve because of their commitment to evidence based practices, improving strength training, and involving their community in exercises that promote longevity. My role as Head of Medical Affairs is to ensure that the science behind the exercises is promoting the best in women.

2. What excites you most about joining Pvolve? I think Pvolve is really doing something special.
   I am thrilled to be joining the incredible team and community and I just know we’re going to have a lot of fun, while also offering something truly special for women. 

3. Are there any specific areas you plan to focus on with the brand? 
   As a gynecologist and women's health expert, I really want to focus on the impact of exercise in women's health and longevity, specifically for women in perimenopause and menopause. Together with Pvolve I know that we will see evidence-based outcomes  for women that make their lives better. 

4. Are there any personal stories or experiences that shape how you approach fitness, longevity, and women’s health? 
   After getting my undergraduate degree in exercise physiology, I spent a year working as a personal trainer in a hospital rehabilitation center. There I was able to work with women as they aged and saw that exercise was a beautiful way for them to stay strong, improve their health, and also feel good about themselves. This experience has stayed with me and informs my holistic approach with my patients as they go through menopause. 

5. What do you think is the biggest challenge women face when it comes to aging, and how can Pvolve’s programs address those challenges?
   The biggest challenges that women face as they age is the loss of muscle mass, decrease in bone mineral density, and the increase in adipose tissue (aka fat). Pvolve addresses these challenges through its unique approach to resistance training, while also improving mobility, flexibility and balance, which are critical as we age.

6. How do you see fitness playing a role in healthy aging for women? How important is building muscle as you age?
   Fitness, in my opinion, is one of the fundamental roles in healthy aging. We underestimate how the loss of muscle mass significantly decreases quality of life and increases risk of frailty. Muscle is the organ of longevity. It is imperative that women start rebuilding their muscle in their 40th decade or even younger to counteract the changes that come in menopause with a decline of estrogen which contributes to significant loss of muscle mass.

7. What role does fitness play in managing menopause symptoms, and how can women use exercise to navigate this stage of life?
   There are many studies that have shown that physical activity and fitness play a significant part in managing menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, decreased quality of sleep and anxiety. Fitness has a way of improving mood, building community, improving strength, and best of all, building confidence.