Tag Archives | brain

EP 746

746: Why ADHD Feels Worse in Midlife and What Actually Helps To Feel More Regulated with Jenna Free

May 14, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

“Is your nervous system stuck in overdrive?”

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Jenna Free, a counselor specializing in ADHD and nervous system regulation, to discuss why so many women in midlife feel overwhelmed, scattered, and exhausted despite their best efforts to stay organized.

Together, they explore how the nervous system gets stuck in a chronic fight-or-flight state, the role of dysregulation in ADHD symptoms, and why traditional productivity hacks simply don’t work when your nervous system is running on empty.

Jenna breaks down her approach to resetting the nervous system and explains how small, consistent changes can lead to massive improvements in mental clarity, energy, and overall well-being.

This conversation offers new insights on how to break free from the cycle of rushing, crashing, and feeling burned out—and provides tangible steps to reclaim control over your brain and nervous system.

Jenna Free

Jenna Free is a counselor specializing in ADHD, nervous system regulation, and mindfulness practices. She is passionate about helping women overcome the chaos of constant overwhelm and hypervigilance by teaching them how to regulate their nervous systems and achieve sustainable productivity. Jenna is the author of The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation and offers support to those struggling with ADHD and chronic stress

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. How a dysregulated nervous system contributes to ADHD-like symptoms in midlife
  2. The link between survival mode (fight or flight) and chronic overwhelm
  3. Why traditional productivity hacks fail when your nervous system is stuck
  4. Practical tips to help interrupt dysregulation and shift into a more balanced state
  5. The importance of slowing down and creating space for mindful action
  6. How to reframe beliefs and thoughts to support nervous system regulation
  7. Why a regulated nervous system leads to more sustainable energy and better overall functioning

QUOTES

“Being in survival mode is a primal mechanism, but it’s not meant to be how we live in 2026.”

“If you believe that being frantic and rushed is the way to be successful, you will never change.”

“Regulation work isn’t about feeling nice—it’s about functioning better.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your MitoQ Order

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Order The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation

Jenna Free Website

Jenna Free Instagram

Jenna Free Youtube

RELATED EPISODES 

744: The Midlife Brain Reset: How to Protect Your Memory, Focus & Mental Sharpness Starting Now

728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

693: Tired All the Time? It Might Be Hidden Problems With Your Mitochondria with Siobhan Mitchell

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

Read More
EP 744 (1)

744: The Midlife Brain Reset: How to Protect Your Memory, Focus, and Mental Sharpness Starting Now

May 7, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

“Is this brain fog… or something more?”

In this solo episode, Dr. Mariza unpacks the hidden neurological and metabolic shifts happening during perimenopause and menopause—and why so many women suddenly feel mentally “off.”

From brain fog and memory lapses to anxiety, overwhelm, and lower stress resilience, these symptoms are often dismissed as aging or stress. But Dr. Mariza explains that this is actually a neuroendocrine and metabolic transition driven by changing hormones, brain energy shifts, inflammation, and blood sugar instability.

She breaks down what’s really happening inside the female brain during midlife, why women feel more sensitive to stress, and the most powerful lifestyle strategies to support long-term brain health, energy, mood, and resilience.

If you’ve been wondering why you don’t quite feel like yourself anymore, this episode will help connect the dots—and give you a roadmap forward.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Why perimenopause is a neuroendocrine and metabolic brain transition
  2. The connection between estrogen, brain energy, and brain fog
  3. How blood sugar instability worsens anxiety, fatigue, and mood swings
  4. Why inflammation and chronic stress hit harder in midlife
  5. The critical role of sleep, nervous system regulation, and muscle building
  6. The best supplements for brain health, stress resilience, and energy support
  7. Why tracking biomarkers and HRV can help protect long-term brain health

QUOTES

“Stabilizing your blood sugar is the fastest way to reclaim your energy, your focus, and your calm.”

“What we’re dealing with is an energy problem—and once you see it that way, everything changes.”

“Your brain is not broken. It is adapting and recalibrating.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Learn more about Joi & Blokes 

Explore Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide Support

Download the Midlife Lab Guide

RELATED EPISODES 

728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It

743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause with Dr. Jayne Morgan

693: Tired All the Time? It Might Be Hidden Problems With Your Mitochondria with Siobhan Mitchell

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

Read More
EP 739 (1)

739: You Can Reverse Brain Aging in 12 Weeks (Here’s How) with Dr. Majid Fotuhi

April 21, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

“Is this brain fog… or something more?”

In this episode, brain expert Dr. Majid Fotuhi explains how perimenopause is a true neuroendocrine transition, where shifting hormones can temporarily impact memory, focus, sleep, and mood—often leaving women worried they’re experiencing early cognitive decline. 

The good news? These changes are typically transient, and as hormones stabilize, the brain can return to its baseline function. 

Dr. Fotuhi shares that what many women are experiencing is not the beginning of the end, but a normal phase—and one that can be supported with the right lifestyle and brain-health strategies. 

If you’ve been feeling “off” mentally and wondering what it means for your future, this episode will bring you the peace of mind you need. 

Be sure to tune in!

Majid Fotuhi

Dr. Majid Fotuhi serves as an adjunct professor at the Mind/Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins University and teaches at George Washington University and Harvard Medical School. With 37 years of experience in teaching, clinical practice, and neuroscience research, Dr. Fotuhi has pioneered a multidisciplinary approach to enhancing brain vitality and cognitive performance at any age. His groundbreaking “Brain Fitness Program” combines a comprehensive baseline “Brain Portfolio” assessment with 12 bi-weekly brain training sessions. He’s the author of three books and is recognized as one of the leading experts in memory and successful aging. 

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. The 5 pillars of brain health to boost everyday brain function 
  2. The benefits of physical activity on your brain health 
  3. How the food you eat directly impacts your brain 
  4. Preventative health practices for protecting your brain
  5. Prioritizing quality sleep and circadian rhythm optimization 
  6. Mindset and brain training to help keep your brain young
  7. About Dr. Fotuhi’s latest book- The Invincible Brain 

QUOTES

“Exercise is the only intervention that has been shown to increase the number of cells in the hippocampus, which is a memory part of the brain. No other intervention increases the number of brain cells… exercise is the fountain of youth, the miracle cure for so many problems, psychological, physical, and it’s a no-brainer.” 

“Lifestyle choices and how you live your day, hour to hour, make a difference in what your brain would look like in the future. And if you do a lot of good things in a short period of time, you can see significant improvements.”

“84% of our patients had objective improvements in the cognitive test, but pretty much a hundred percent improved in some ways. They felt better, they slept better, they had more energy, they had a better positive outlook toward the future. Everybody improved.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Order Dr. Fotuhi’s latest book: The Invincible Brain

Dr. Fotuhi’s Website

Dr. Fotuhi on Instagram

RELATED EPISODES 

728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It

667: The Hidden Foods and Habits Fueling Brain Inflammation And How to Reverse It Naturally with Dr. Austin Perlmutter

668: Your Brain on Perimenopause: The Hidden Neurological Transition No One Warns You About

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

Read More
Energized-podcast-Dr.-Jila-Senemar

721: No, It’s Not All in Your Head: The Medical Truth About Perimenopause with Dr. Jila Senemar

February 17, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

What if midlife wasn’t a crisis to survive—but a turning point to optimize your health? 

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Jila Senemar, who breaks down what’s really happening in midlife and why preventative medicine is your greatest advantage. 

Instead of waiting for a diagnosis, we explore why being proactive with your hormones, heart, brain, and metabolic health can change the trajectory of your next decades. 

Dr. Jila reminds us that women’s health is rarely one-size-fits-all. Rather, it needs personalized, outside-the-box thinking. We talk about removing the shame, stigma, and outdated myths around perimenopause and menopause and celebrating this transition for what it truly is. 

Tune in here for honest insight and practical lifestyle shifts to help you thrive in midlife!

Jila Senemar, MD, FACOG, MSCP

Dr. Jila Senemar is a board-certified OB/GYN with over 20 years of clinical experience. She’s a certified menopause specialist, longevity physician, and proud mom of three, who’s helped thousands of women feel strong and healthy at any age. Dr. Jila blends the best of conventional medicine with cutting-edge holistic solutions. Her individualized patient plans combine conventional gynecology practices with holistic care, prioritizing metabolic health, hormone optimization, and lifestyle redesign.

IN THIS EPISODE

1. Recognizing initial symptoms of perimenopause 

2. The importance of prioritizing preventative medicine 

3. Addressing the biggest myths around perimenopause 

4. Supporting your body in ways you may not be used to during midlife 

5. How to shift the midlife and menopause conversation 

6. Setting yourself up for success before reaching menopause 

QUOTES

“I can be their gynecologist, and I can help them with the other components of their lifestyle modifications with exercise, nutrition, and hormonal optimization.”

“I’ve learned a lot just by going through it and what the method provided me, which is how to learn and listen to my body. It was so different than what I was used to, and I think we each need to find what works for us.”

“We need to change all of it. It’s normal. It needs to be celebrated. It is what it is. It’s part of us just being who we are… That’s our chemistry, that’s our biology.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Dr. Jila’s Website

Dr. Jila on Instagram 

RELATED EPISODES 

720: Why No One Talks About Loneliness in Midlife—And Why It’s Not Just You 

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

716: Midlife, Hormones & Heart Health: The Critical Connection You’re Not Hearing About with Cathy Eason

704: Hormone Intelligence for Women in Midlife: How to Thrive Through Perimenopause with Dr. Aviva Romm

690: The Perimenopause Revolution: Why midlife isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of your most energized, powerful, and vibrant self

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

Read More
EP717-'I-Don’t-Feel-Like-Myself-Anymore”--The-Mental-&-Emotional-Reality-of-Perimenopause-Tuesday-Q&A

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

February 3, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

Feeling totally unlike yourself in midlife? 

Don’t worry– this is a REAL and valid feeling. 

In this episode, we dive into the hidden neurological shifts that happen during perimenopause, and how these hormone fluctuations impact your brain, mood, and sense of self. 

We explore the mental and emotional realities of this transition— changes that are too often misunderstood or brushed off as something to just deal with. 

Rather than pushing through, these brain-based shifts are a clear signal that your body is asking for a new level of support. 

I’m breaking down what’s actually happening neurologically and why self-love and proper care matter more than willpower. Tune in here for the most practical ways to support your brain through perimenopause!

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. How hormone shifts in perimenopause impact you physically and emotionally 
  2. Supporting your body in a different way during perimenopause 
  3. How perimenopause can be the awakening your body needs 
  4. The benefits of my 7- Day Metabolism and Hormone Jumpstart
  5. Why simple, easy routines are the most impactful for you 
  6. All about my Midlife on Fire Collective and how it can help you!

QUOTES

“We know that 8 out of 10 of the most common symptoms women experience during perimenopause are neurological, cognitive, and emotional. That’s why so many women say ‘I don’t feel like myself’.”

“Perimenopause isn’t a breakdown. It’s a biological awakening. It’s a biological initiation. It’s your body asking for a new way forward. Not harder, not faster, but wiser.”

“Everyone was amazed at how easy it was to go to sleep a bit earlier, how easy it was to move after meals, how easy it was to move throughout the day, how easy it was to make a morning and evening routine that felt good to them.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Join my Midlife on Fire Collective HERE! 

Join my 7- Day Metabolism and Hormone Jumpstart HERE! 

Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE  

RELATED EPISODES 

710: KICKSTART YOUR NEW YEAR: HOW ONE SIMPLE HABIT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE, HEALTH, AND MINDSET

712: WHY LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IS MITOCHONDRIAL MEDICINE (AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOUR ENERGY, METABOLISM & LONGEVITY)

704: HORMONE INTELLIGENCE FOR WOMEN IN MIDLIFE: HOW TO THRIVE THROUGH PERIMENOPAUSE WITH DR. AVIVA ROMM

609: NON-NEGOTIABLE ADVICE I WOULD GIVE MY EARLY PERIMENOPAUSAL SELF

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

Read More

MENU