Meet Corry Matthews of Rancho Palos Verdes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Corry Matthews.

Hi Corry, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been in the fitness and nutrition industry for over 25 years — but the real story started long before certifications and degrees. I grew up active, went on to earn my bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology and a master’s in Sports Medicine, and even became a competitive bodybuilder. But while I spent years helping others transform their health, it wasn’t until I hit my 40s that everything I thought I knew got flipped on its head.

Perimenopause hit me like a truck. I had stubborn weight gain, debilitating fatigue, hormone chaos, and eventually — a literal broken back caused by osteoporosis brought on by early menopause (and a previous injury from my days as a professional bodybuilder). Suddenly, all the old strategies that worked… didn’t. It forced me to relearn everything from the inside out. And it became clear: women in midlife need a different approach.

That’s why I created the Hormone Solution framework — a proven, personalized strategy that’s helped thousands of women over 40 lose weight, balance their hormones, and finally feel like themselves again (or better than ever). Today, I coach women through real-life transformation, host a podcast “Seriously What the 40”, speak at national events, co-created the Thrive South Bay movement and recently published a best-selling gluten free cookbook (my kids got allergies to wheat, dairy and eggs – ugh) — all rooted in this belief: women are not broken. We just need better support.

So how did I get here? By living it. By fighting for my own health. And now — by helping other women do the same.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not — and honestly, I don’t think I’d be the coach or the woman I am today if it had been.

There have been many moments that tested me, but one that’s etched in my heart is from my upcoming WILDx (pre-TEDX talk) — the moment my daughter was drowning at the beach. As a former pro bodybuilder and fitness coach, you’d think I’d spring into action. But I hesitated. I was so embarrassed by how I looked, so ashamed of the weight I had gained in perimenopause, that I didn’t want to take off my cover-up. That moment broke me — and woke me up. I realized how far I’d strayed from self-worth and how powerful body image can be, even for someone in this field.

Years before that, my family nearly lost everything when our nutrition stores failed. We put everything we had into those businesses, and when they didn’t make it (it’s hare to have a store front when everything is going online), the financial strain nearly bankrupted us. It was another humbling reminder that success doesn’t always look like a straight line — and that your passion must evolve with your life. But what I learned from the people I met running those stores, and the education I got on nutrition and supplements, has been instrumental in the way I run my business today and work with my clients.

And now, at just 47, I’m navigating yet another curveball: a broken back from osteoporosis, brought on by early menopause. I’m dealing with pain every day — and yet, I’m more determined than ever. The universe has a funny way of using me. Every challenge I’ve lived through has shown up later in the women I serve. It’s like I’m being handed these struggles not just to survive them, but to understand them so deeply I can help others heal too.

So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been meaningful. And every time I get knocked down, I come back with a stronger purpose — and a bigger mission to help other women feel seen, supported, and strong again.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the core of my work, I help women—especially those in their 40s and 50s—stop feeling broken, invisible, or held back by their health, and start showing up fully in their lives again.

I specialize in hormone-focused nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle strategies for women navigating perimenopause and menopause. After more than 25 years in the fitness and nutrition industry, I’ve seen firsthand how often high-achieving women are dismissed, misinformed, or told that feeling exhausted, heavier, and disconnected is “just part of aging.” I’m known for helping women understand why their bodies are changing—and for giving them practical, realistic tools that work with their biology, not against it.

What I’m most proud of isn’t weight loss or lab results—it’s confidence restoration. I work with women who are CEOs, executives, founders, and leaders who, despite incredible success, quietly doubt themselves because their bodies no longer feel familiar. When their health improves, their confidence returns—and they stop hiding. That’s when their brilliance shows up again in boardrooms, on stages, and in their personal lives.

Beyond one-on-one work, my mission is about reach and impact. Through Thrive South Bay with my co-creator Jen Mentesana, we create spaces—events, conversations, and community (we hold an annual lunch, an annual evening event and just recently started a free thrive walk where female business owners meet up for coffee and then we walk with our gorgeous ocean views located in the South Bay – it’s incredible)—where women can connect, be seen, and realize they’re not alone in these transitions. I also co-host the podcast Seriously, What the 40?, where we normalize those “what is happening to my body and my life?” moments, and give women language, science, and reassurance during a phase of life that’s often misunderstood.

What sets me apart is that I don’t approach this work from theory alone. I’ve lived it. I’ve been the expert who still struggled. That perspective allows me to meet women without judgment, without extremes, and without quick fixes—helping them reclaim their health so they can step back into the life, leadership, and visibility they were never meant to lose.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as feeling healthy enough, confident enough, and grounded enough to show up fully in your life. To live daily with my why at the center of my core – to be healthy enough to be present for every single moment of my life… I’ve got two beautiful daughters and I don’t want to miss a single second of their lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://corrymatthews.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corrymatthews/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corry.matthews/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrymatthews/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CorryMatthews
• Other: https://thrivesouthbay.com/