Q: Tell us about your background and how you got into wellness.

Stephanie Nunes: I graduated from Simmons College in Boston as a Nurse Practitioner and also hold a post-master’s certificate in Genetics and Genomics from Southern California University.

I started in primary care in The Villages, Florida, where many of my patients were retirees.

They often came to me wanting to live their best lives. Some were proactive, while others were dealing with long-term health issues that had caught up to them. That experience changed how I view aging. I wanted to help people not just live longer, but live well.

Q: How do you approach wellness at Thrive?

Nunes: Wellness is not a single goal. It is a balance that changes over time. We focus on building consistent, realistic habits that support physical, mental, and emotional health. It is about progress, not perfection.

Q: Where does hormone therapy fit in?

Nunes: Hormonal balance can play a big role, especially during stages like perimenopause and menopause. Low levels can cause fatigue, mood changes, poor sleep, and more. When we address that, patients often feel better and can stay consistent with healthy habits.

Q: When should someone have their hormones checked?

Nunes: It depends on symptoms. Many women begin to notice changes in their 40s, but anyone experiencing shifts in energy, mood, or sleep should consider an evaluation.

Q: What are signs of low testosterone?

Nunes:  For women, many notice changes in focus, sleep, stamina, libido, and exercise recovery. These are real, biological changes, not personal shortcomings. For men, changes in testosterone can show up gradually: lower energy, reduced focus, disrupted sleep, or just a sense of not operating at full capacity.

Q: What improvements do patients notice most?

Nunes:  When clinically appropriate and carefully monitored by a qualified

provider, hormone therapy can help restore balance. Women frequently say they are finally sleeping through the night, are experiencing less hot flashes and feel more balanced emotionally. HRT helps support energy levels, muscle maintenance, recovery, and overall vitality. For some men, that

may mean improved energy levels, motivation to stay active, and more consistent mental clarity. 

Q: What should people know about GLP-1 medications?

Nunes: GLP-1s help regulate blood sugar and appetite, which allows patients to feel full longer. At Thrive, we combine medication with a full program that teaches nutrition and long-term habits so patients can maintain results.

Q: Who is a good candidate?

Nunes: It varies. Some patients want to lose a small amount of weight, while others are trying to avoid bariatric surgery. Every plan is personalized.

Q: How do you address muscle loss concerns?

Nunes: We encourage weight-bearing exercise. Strength training helps maintain muscle and supports bone health.

Q: What are peptides?

Nunes: Peptides are short chains of amino acids that signal the body to perform certain functions, such as producing collagen or supporting recovery. We use them for anti-aging, muscle support, and metabolism.

Q: What is a popular option right now?

Nunes: NAD+ therapy has been very popular. Patients often report better energy, focus, and overall vitality.

Q: How about sexual health for men & women?

Nunes: Sexual health is closely tied to hormone balance, energy levels, and overall wellness. For women, changes in estrogen and progesterone can lead to symptoms like dryness, discomfort, and even urinary incontinence, which we can address with treatments like hormone therapy and non-invasive options such as ThermiVa to support tissue health and function. For men, testosterone plays a key role in libido, energy, and performance, and when levels are low, restoring balance can make a meaningful difference in quality of life.

Q: What should people look for in a provider?

Nunes: Safety and sourcing are critical. At Thrive we only use medical-grade products from vetted suppliers and review certifications and testing carefully. Low-cost options found online can be unsafe and should be avoided.