Tag Archives | energy

763: Why So Many High-Functing and Achieving Women Miss the Signs of Hormone Imbalance with Anastasia Sartan

July 28, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

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Episode Summary

Have you ever felt like you become a completely different person during the second half of your cycle?

One week you’re energized, focused, and confident. The next, you’re battling brain fog, irritability, anxiety, exhaustion, and wondering what happened to the version of yourself from just a few days ago.

In this live conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with entrepreneur, former Snapchat executive, and founder of The Cycle, Anastasia Sartan, to explore the overlooked realities of PMDD, hormone fluctuations, and why women’s changing biology has been largely ignored by the wellness industry.

After struggling with debilitating PMDD while working in the high-pressure tech world, Anastasia set out to create the first functional beverage specifically designed to support women through every stage of their hormonal journey—from the luteal phase and menstruation to perimenopause and menopause.

Together, they discuss how chronic stress, motherhood, the invisible mental load, nervous system dysregulation, and modern work culture amplify hormonal symptoms, leaving many women feeling like they’re constantly pushing through instead of truly thriving.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that your changing hormones aren’t a personal failure. They are an invitation to better understand your body, prioritize rest, and finally embrace products, habits, and support systems that were designed with women in mind.

ANASTASIA SARTAN

Anastasia Sartan is an entrepreneur, former Snapchat executive, data scientist, and founder of The Cycle, the first functional beverage brand created to support women throughout every phase of their hormonal cycle. Inspired by her personal journey with PMDD, she is on a mission to close the gap in women’s wellness by creating innovative products that help women feel supported, understood, and empowered.

IN THIS EPISODE

What PMDD really is and why so many women are misdiagnosed
Why hormone fluctuations dramatically impact mood, energy, and resilience
The hidden connection between chronic stress, motherhood, and hormonal symptoms
How nervous system regulation supports women’s hormonal health
Why women’s wellness products have historically overlooked hormonal cycles
The inspiration behind creating The Cycle functional beverage
Why rest may be one of the most powerful tools for hormone health
How honoring your body’s changing needs helps you thrive through every season

QUOTES

“Periods are a lifestyle, not a medical condition.”

“We had the hormones to scaffold us… until we didn’t.”

“Women deserve products that are designed for women’s biology.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Use code DRMARIZA and get 5% off on The Cycle Functional Drinks

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

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

The Cycle Website

Anastasia Sartan Instagram

RELATED EPISODES

762: Why Women Need to Stop Being “Good Patients” and Start Advocating for Better Healthcare with Dr. Mariza

761: Finding Your Way Back to Pleasure and Feeling Fully Alive with Gabriella Espinosa

760: The Mindset Shift That Helps You Stop Feeling Stuck with Dr. Rachel Goldman

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!

755: What If Your Body Isn’t Broken, Just Undernourished? The Missing Link Between Nutrients, Hormones & Energy with Ryan Woodburry

June 16, 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 one of the biggest missing pieces of perimenopause isn’t hormones at all?

In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with Ryan Woodbury, co-founder and co-CEO of Needed, to explore why nutrient deficiencies may be one of the most overlooked drivers of fatigue, brain fog, low energy, poor stress resilience, and other common symptoms women experience during perimenopause.

Ryan shares the surprising personal experience that led her into the world of nutritional science and supplementation, including discovering her own nutrient deficiencies despite following a highly nutrient-dense diet. Together, they unpack the alarming research showing that most women are entering pregnancy, postpartum, and eventually perimenopause already running on depleted nutritional reserves.

They discuss the shortcomings of traditional nutritional recommendations, why so many women remain deficient despite taking standard multivitamins, and how decades of stress, caregiving, disrupted sleep, pregnancies, and modern environmental demands create a perfect storm for depletion.

Dr. Mariza and Ryan also dive into the critical role nutrients play in supporting hormone production, brain function, metabolism, cellular energy, blood sugar regulation, and healthy aging. Most importantly, they offer practical guidance for building a stronger nutritional foundation so women can thrive through midlife and beyond.

If you’ve ever wondered why you still feel depleted despite doing “all the right things,” this conversation will help connect the dots.

RYAN WOODBURY

Ryan Woodbury is the co-founder and co-CEO of Needed, a company dedicated to improving nutritional support for women across every stage of life. With a background in environmental science, nutrition, and food systems, Ryan has become a leading advocate for evidence-based nutrient support for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. Her mission is to help women move beyond bare-minimum nutrition and build the foundation needed for lifelong vitality.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why nutrient deficiencies are so common among women entering perimenopause
The hidden impact of stress, caregiving, pregnancy, and postpartum depletion
Why traditional multivitamins often fail to meet women’s nutritional needs
The critical role of vitamin D, magnesium, choline, omega-3s, and B vitamins
How nutrient deficiencies contribute to fatigue, brain fog, and metabolic dysfunction
Why foundational nutrition matters before adding targeted interventions
The connection between blood sugar regulation, inflammation, and hormonal health
How women can build a stronger foundation for energy, cognition, and healthy aging

QUOTES

“95% of women have at least one nutrient deficiency in a very key nutrient.”

“You deserve to get what your body actually needs, not the bare minimum.”

“When women reclaim their energy, they don’t just change themselves, they change the world.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Subscribe now and get 20% off + FREE Shipping on your first NEEDED Supplement Order

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Needed Website

Needed Instagram

Needed Facebook

Needed Academy Instagram

RELATED EPISODES

754: How to Find Joy When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan with Amberly Lago

751: Bloating, Brain Fog & Hormone Chaos? Your Gut May Be the Root Cause with Dr. Cassie Smith

741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel

743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan

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!

747: The Silent Shift: Why The Perimenopause Transition Shapes Your Next 40 Years

May 19, 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

“Perimenopause is more than just hot flashes and mood swings—it’s a biological inflection point.”

In this solo episode, Dr. Mariza discusses the deeper, often overlooked changes happening during perimenopause and menopause. It’s more than a reproductive shift; it’s a systemic change affecting the brain, metabolism, hormones, mitochondria, gut health, and more.

Dr. Mariza delves into the silent shift that many women experience—feeling exhausted, stressed, and unproductive despite their best efforts. She explains how perimenopause accelerates aging processes, and why early intervention is key to reducing long-term health risks and preserving vitality.

This episode focuses on actionable steps you can take to support your body during this critical transition—from stabilizing blood sugar and building muscle to optimizing sleep and protecting your brain.

If you’ve been feeling “off” but can’t explain why, this episode is a must-listen.

Be sure to tune in!

IN THIS EPISODE

Why perimenopause is a biological and metabolic inflection point
The connection between hormonal fluctuations, mitochondria, and energy
How perimenopause accelerates aging and increases risk for chronic diseases
Why “just pushing through” is not the solution for midlife women
The importance of early intervention for better long-term health outcomes
Simple strategies for building energy, optimizing brain function, and protecting your future health
How stabilizing blood sugar, improving muscle mass, and prioritizing sleep can reduce inflammation and support resilience

QUOTES

“Perimenopause is more than just skipped periods or hot flashes. It’s a shift in every system of the body.”

“You deserve so much better than being told to just survive this season.”

“The moment to intervene is now—not when your health has deteriorated.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

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

Use code DRMARIZA and get 10% off on your Womeness Order

Check out the Morning Metabolic Ignition Method for better energy and resilience

RELATED EPISODES

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

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

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

741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel

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!

742: Perimenopause Or Career Burnout: Why Your Mental Energy Changes in Midlife

April 30, 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

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the very real mental energy drain that so many midlife women are experiencing—and how it can quietly lead to career burnout.

From mood swings, irritation, and resentment to brain fog and forgetfulness in high-stakes moments, these changes can leave you feeling like you’re not yourself anymore.

But here’s the truth: this is not a willpower problem or a personal failure— it’s a biological shift happening during perimenopause with very real professional consequences.

This episode is a call to stop suffering in silence and start advocating for better support, awareness, and care for women in this phase of life.

If you’re ready to reclaim your clarity and confidence— and step fully into your most powerful chapter—this conversation is for you.

Tune in here!

IN THIS EPISODE

1. The neuroendocrine transition happening in perimenopause

2. How to adapt when your brain is functioning less in midlife

3. Different hormone changes and what they mean for your body

4. Understanding your biology and supporting your brain in midlife

5. Why strategic lifestyle changes matter the most right now

6. How to get my top recommendations for battling brain fog from my new book, The Perimenopause Revolution

QUOTES

“That brilliant brain of yours is suddenly running on 25% to 30% less energy because that’s what’s going on in perimenopause.”

“65% to 99% of women say their symptoms negatively affected their work performance, with brain fog being the biggest culprit in terms of focus, clarity, alertness, and mental bandwidth. More than half of women make career-limiting decisions during perimenopause.”

“It’s about you going through a profound biological transition in your life that deserves support, understanding, and solutions that actually work.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Join my Midlife on Fire Collective

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

RELATED EPISODES

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

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!

735: The Stress–Metabolism Connection: Why You’re Gaining Weight, Craving Sugar & Struggling with Energy

April 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

Feeling like you’re doing everything right… but still struggling with unwanted weight, cravings, and low energy?

This episode is for you. We’re unpacking why your metabolism may not be broken at all—and how a dysregulated nervous system could be the real reason your body feels stuck.

For midlife women especially, chronic stress can quietly drive insulin resistance, hormonal shifts, and that frustrating loss of resilience that seems to hit in your 40s and beyond.

So this conversation sheds light on the powerful connection between stress and your ability to create and sustain energy in your body.

You’ll walk away with an empowering perspective on how supporting your nervous system can unlock real, lasting change in your health.

Tune in here to learn how to work with your body—not against it—and start feeling like yourself again!

IN THIS EPISODE

The correlation between stress and your metabolic health
What’s really happening in your body in a stressful state
The negative impacts of stress-induced blood sugar responses
How you can experience a blood sugar spike without eating
Simple tips for calming your nervous system and stabilizing your metabolism and blood sugar levels
Movement recommendations for getting stress out of your system
How to take control of your body in my Midlife On Fire Collective

QUOTES

“This is what’s called a stress-induced blood sugar response, and it’s completely normal in the short term, right? We are built for this…But the problem is, for most of us, this isn’t happening once in a while. It’s happening all the time, and over time research shows that it can lead to higher insulin levels, increased fat storage, especially in the abdomen, and more inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.”

“Your metabolism is deeply connected to your nervous system. So what can you do about this? I want to keep this real simple because this isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing fewer things consistently.”

“If we can start to create more safety in our bodies, it just changes everything. And we deserve that. We deserve to feel safe, because that translates into the safety of the people around us as well.”