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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
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