Tag Archives | Hormones

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

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

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!

738: The Hidden Link Between Inflammation, Hormones & Fertility with Dr. Natalie Crawford

April 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

Fertility is a powerful reflection of your overall health—not a separate or isolated system.

In this episode, fertility expert Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down what’s really happening physiologically as fertility shifts in midlife, connecting the dots between hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and egg quality.

We dive into the everyday habits quietly disrupting fertility—from chronic stress and blood sugar imbalances to inflammation—and how these factors directly impact ovulation and hormone signaling.

Dr. Crawford also cuts through the noise around age, offering a more nuanced, science-backed perspective on what you can actually do to support your fertility at any stage.

You’ll learn that it’s the simple shifts each month that can make a meaningful difference starting now.

Ready to support your body from the inside out? Tune in here!

Natalie Crawford, MD

Dr. Natalie Crawford is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Texas. She’s the CEO and co-founder of Pinnacle, a professional network for women in medicine. Dr. Crawford is a digital health educator on social media and hosts the podcast “As a Woman” with over 6 million downloads. Her new book, “The Fertility Formula”, will be released this spring.

IN THIS EPISODE

How is fertility a reflection of your body’s overall environment?
Accurate cycle tracking and what signals to pay attention to
Factors that disrupt fertility and how to catch issues early on
How inflammation and metabolic health are deeply tied to fertility
5 non-negotiables when it comes to women’s health and wellness
High-impact changes to help support your fertility
Fertility recommendations for women 35 and older
Dr. Crawford’s fertility story and how to get her new book, The Fertility Formula

QUOTES

“The follicular phase and luteal phase are the two phases of the cycle, and learning to track your ovulation specifically is a really important tool because the early stages of ovulatory dysfunction all occur within a normal cycle, meaning the first stage is a short luteal defect.”

“I can’t control everything, but I want to control what I can, so I have the easiest time getting pregnant, I feel my best, I have the best odds of success if I have to do fertility treatments. That’s the zone we want to live in, and we want to lower that inflammatory burden on the day-to-day, not to be all or nothing, but to really cultivate that body resilience so we can handle the challenges of life that we know are coming.”

“It’s your body’s data. You’re gonna find out one way or another, and I think you deserve to know it sooner.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Pre-orderThe Fertility Formula

Dr. Natalie Crawford on socials:

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Dr. Crawford’s Podcast: As A Woman

RELATED EPISODES

691: The Fertility Crisis No One Talks About: Why Your Health Today Impacts Future Generations with Dr. Ann Shippy

530: The Critical Role That Nutrient Deficiencies Play In Fertility and Conception And How To Close The Gap with Lisa Dreher

687: The Period Brain: Why You Feel Like a Different Person Every Month And How To Stop Fighting Your Cycle and Start Thriving in It with Sarah Hill

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

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!

727: The Missing Link in Perimenopause: How to Rebuild Energy, Resilience & Hormonal Harmony with Dr. Deanna Minich

March 10, 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

Midlife is a time for rebirth… a time to come into who you truly are.

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with the brilliant Dr. Deanna Minich to dive into how this stage of life can bring you to the best version of yourself after years of balancing roles, expectations, and responsibilities.

Dr. Minich shares why midlife is the perfect time to rediscover your voice, clarify your needs, and define your non-negotiables so you can live the next chapter on your own terms.

We’re reframing menopause not as an ending, but as the beginning of a powerful second half of life filled with purpose and authenticity.

Ready to reclaim your energy and step into midlife with clarity and confidence? Tune in here!

Deanna Minich, PhD, MS, CNS, IFMCP

Deanna Minich is a nutrition scientist, international lecturer, educator, and author with over 25 years of experience in academia and in the food and dietary supplement industries. She’s the Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health, and has written seven books and over 50 scientific publications. Her work aims to help others live well by using therapeutic lifestyle changes that impact their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

IN THIS EPISODE

Uncommon signs that you’re entering perimenopause
The importance of musculoskeletal strength in midlife
What’s really going on with female hormones in perimenopause
Setting boundaries in midlife in your relationships and career
Balancing lifestyle changes and hormone replacement therapy for optimal results
How to navigate stress and manage your nervous system
Finding your authentic self in perimenopause and beyond
How to connect with Dr. Deanna for more midlife expertise

QUOTES

“I think it’s a really powerful system and I think the best thing for women, no matter if you’re going through perimenopause, you’re just about to enter, or even if you’re post, it’s really connecting into that wisdom within that we have as the endocrine system.”

“There’s no way I could ever do women’s health on my own. I want to be connected to a collaborative, to a team, to other people in the space where we rise together and we really get the message out. So that’s what I’ve been doing.”

“Here’s the message for women: we all need a way to bring ourselves into better coherence, better emotional, mental status, like where we feel in the zone.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

Dr. Deanna’s Website

Dr. Deanna on Instagram

Dr. Deanna on Facebook

Symphony Natural Health Website

RELATED EPISODES

724: Age Like A Girl: Why Midlife Women Stop Shrinking and Start Leading with Dr. Mindy Pelz

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

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

574: The Connection between Trauma, the Immune System, and Autoimmune Disease: Lab Testing and Solutions with Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried

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!

724: Age Like A Girl: Why Midlife Women Stop Shrinking and Start Leading with Dr. Mindy Pelz

February 26, 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

“There’s no better human on the planet to stand up for herself once she realizes how powerful she is than a menopausal woman.”

Wise words spoken by the wonderful Dr. Mindy Pelz, who joins the podcast to unpack what’s quietly shaping how we as women see ourselves, our bodies, and our worth.

We explore how unresolved trauma biology impacts longevity, influencing everything from nervous system regulation to autoimmunity and cardiovascular health, especially in the post-menopausal years.

This conversation validates what so many women are feeling right now: a shared awakening and a call to speak up and come together. Dr. Pelz reminds us that you can lead change without traumatizing your nervous systems.

You’ll hear some empowering ways to alchemize frustration and grief into meaningful action through community and connection.

Tune in here to join the conversation and learn to stand up for yourself in midlife and beyond!

Mindy Pelz

Dr. Mindy Pelz is a New York Times bestselling author and a globally recognized voice in women’s health, hormones, and aging. Her bestselling books, including her newest – Age Like A Girl– teach women how to sync with their hormones, harness the power of fasting, and age with strength and purpose. Through her top-rated The Resetter Podcast and YouTube channel, Dr. Mindy is leading a movement to reframe menopause as a time of awakening and help women step into the most powerful chapter of their lives.

IN THIS EPISODE

1. The biology of trauma and its impact on women

2. Addressing the patriarchal system in health care

3. Tapping into your intuition, especially in perimenopause

4. Rewriting the narrative in midlife and showing up for yourself

5. Qualities to look for in a doctor and how to best advocate for yourself

6. Tips for owning your power amid the chaos going on today

7. Having the hard conversations and coming together as strong, powerful women in midlife

8. All you can gain from Dr. Mindy’s new book: Age Like a Girl

QUOTES

“When you look at your health, you also need to look at your friend group. You need to look at your home environment. You need to look at the messaging you’re allowing into your brain. All of this really matters to the feminine body.”

“This rewire that happens at menopause is for our benefit because we can finally stand up for ourselves, we can gather with other women. This is the evolutionary explanation of menopause.”

“In all the research I’ve done on menopause, there’s no better human on the planet to stand up for herself once she realizes how powerful she is than a menopausal woman.”