Tag Archives | Hormones

EP707-Before-You-Plan-2026,-Ask-Yourself-This--12-End-of-Year-Questions-to-Realign-Your-Energy,-Goals,-and-Hormones-Tuesday-Q&A

707: Before You Plan 2026, Ask Yourself This: 12 End-of-Year Questions to Realign Your Energy, Goals, and Hormones

Listen to the Episode Here

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

Episode Summary

At the end of a busy year, you’re probably feeling like you’ve been running on empty while pouring into everyone else. 

So in this reflective episode, I invite you to pause and look back on 2025 with honesty and compassion for yourself.

Together, we address the exhaustion so many midlife women are carrying and create space for a much-needed reset after a full and demanding year. 

You’ll be guided through what truly worked in 2025, what you’re ready to release, and what you want to consciously carry forward as you turn the page. 

With a focus on discernment, alignment, and intention—hallmarks of the perimenopausal journey—this episode offers 12 powerful reflection questions to help you find clarity on all you’ve gone through this year.  

Tune in to honor how far you’ve come and step into 2026 with renewed confidence and purpose!

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Taking what I’ve learned in 2025 into the new year 
  2. Discovering what you want to call on in 2026 
  3. The benefits of taking time for reflection activities 
  4. How to make the most of a dedicated reflection time 
  5. My 12 end-of-year reflection questions for your 2025
  6. Highlighting what you would like to see more of in 2026

QUOTES

“I feel like this is the season of slowing down or at least becoming a bit more discerning about what we’re saying yes to and what we’re saying no to.”

 “I want to invite you into an end-of-year reflection practice, not the kind that’s overwhelming or guilt-inducing. Just real simple questions that help us reconnect with what worked, what didn’t, and who we want to be, and who we need to be in the next year to come because without reflection, we are destined to repeat.”

“May 2026 be your most vibrant, energized, and aligned year yet– may you get all the wins, or at least one, right? Give me the wins!”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

My Newest Book: The Perimenopause Revolution 

Join me on Instagram!

Use code ENERGIZED and get $100 on your first CAROL Bike order

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#614: Thoughtful Reflection Questions to Set the Stage for Your Best Year with Dr. Mariza

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699: Managing Anxiety and Identity in Midlife + Why You Need Community More Than Supplements with Rosie Acosta

697: Hold Nothing: How to Find Stillness, Strength, and Soulful Connection Through Life’s Transitions with Elena Brower 

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Energized-podcast-Dr.-Jessica-Shepperd

705: You’re Not Fading — You’re Evolving: Redefining Menopause with Dr. Jessica Shepherd

Listen to the Episode Here

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

Episode Summary

Perimenopause and menopause should be a time of possibility—not of decline. 

Here to help me dive into this topic is renowned women’s health expert Dr. Jessica Shepherd, who shares how this powerful transition invites us to look inward and decide how we want to show up physically, emotionally, and metabolically as we age. 

We explore the real hormonal changes happening in midlife and why this season can actually put you back in the driver’s seat of your health and wellbeing. 

You’ll hear a refreshing, science-backed perspective on aging that challenges the old narrative, leaving you feeling confident and strong. Plus, you’ll hear our top non-negotiables and lifestyle recommendations to help you feel like your best self. 

If you’re ready to redefine what midlife and longevity can look like for you, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to thrive through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond!

Jessica Shepherd, MD, MBA, FACOG

Dr. Jessica Shepherd is a board-certified OB/GYN, Chief Medical Officer of Hers, and author of Generation M, the chart-topping book redefining women’s health. A leading voice in women’s wellness and longevity, she’s a regular on Good Morning America and frequently featured on The Today Show, CNN, LIVE with Kelly and Mark, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and more. With a no-nonsense approach and deep medical expertise, she’s helping women cut through the noise, take control of their health, and feel their best at every stage of life.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Lessons learned from navigating transitions in midlife 
  2. Non-negotiable health habits for perimenopause and beyond
  3. Redefining menopause for our generation of women 
  4. Addressing the conversation of midlife hormone replacement 
  5. The neuroendocrine transition and what’s happening cognitively in perimenopause and menopause  
  6. Altering your emotional bandwidth in menopause 
  7. The importance of finding connection and community in midlife
  8. Tips for staying grounded in a healthy routine and lifestyle 
  9. Where to get more of Dr. Shepperd & her book: Generation M

QUOTES

“In the perimenopausal space, it’s kind of like when your indicator comes on and says that you have low gas. And as you see that signal, the goal is [to] go refuel. Let me use this opportunity to go refuel. Perimenopause is the time to start getting some things in place to refuel: changing your diet, incorporating more protein, but also fiber. Looking at what you may be depleted in to refuel.”

 “I want to really change that narrative of what we do for our health, how we think of ourselves in health, and start those conversations earlier.” 

“I think resilience is key. But many times we have to practice it. We have to be expanded to come back, and if we don’t allow for that growth, then we are not resilient. And we know that mentally and emotionally and physically, the body is built to be resilient, but we have to teach it that as well.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Dr. Jessica Shepherd’s Website 

Dr. Jessica Shepherd on Instagram

Modern Meno on Instagram 

Order Dr. Shepherd’s Book on Amazon HERE 

RELATED EPISODES 

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

689: The Hidden Brain Shift: Why Perimenopause Symptoms Start Earlier Than You Think

686: Your Second Puberty Explained: What’s Really Happening to Your Body in Perimenopause 

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Energized-podcast-Anna-Runkle

702: How to Heal Trauma and Rebuild Trust Through Connectability with Anna Runkle 

Listen to the Episode Here

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

Episode Summary

I’m one of millions of women specifically trying to parent themselves while parenting children… and it can be seriously exhausting. And when childhood trauma still comes back to haunt us in midlife and beyond, life can feel impossible

That’s why I’ve invited trauma expert Anna Runkle on for this powerful episode to help unpack why so many midlife women are still impacted by old trauma, and how that buried stress shows up in our bodies. 

We dive into the hidden ways trauma can lead us to isolate, dysregulate our nervous system, and disrupt key hormones like cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin. 

Anna and I break down how this cascade of stress and deregulation can spark inflammation, oxidative stress, blood-sugar swings, and even contribute to autoimmune issues that so many women face. 

But most importantly, Anna shares simple, compassionate tools to help regulate your nervous system and finally begin healing the deeper patterns driving overwhelm in midlife. 

Ready to feel more grounded in this season of life? Hit play and listen now!

Anna Runkle

Anna Runkle is the creator of the popular YouTube channel, blog, courses, and coaching programs that provide tools for adults to heal dysregulation and other common trauma symptoms, helping them feel better and change their lives. Anna’s methods were developed through research, her mentoring of hundreds of individuals over the years, and her direct experience healing her own symptoms of early trauma. She’s the author of Re-Regulated: Set Your Life Free from Childhood PTSD and the Trauma-Driven Behaviors That Keep You Stuck and Connectability: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People, and Feel (At Last) Like You Belong. 

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Understanding nervous system deregulation 
  2. How Anna learned to adapt after childhood trauma 
  3. Symptoms that can manifest from over-functioning 
  4. How to manage stressors and stay regulated day to day 
  5. Top ways we can start to regulate, especially when deregulated 
  6. How connection can be a huge tool for healing 
  7. Free resources and where you can find more from Anna! 

QUOTES

“All these weird symptoms that I had… It’s neurological dysregulation. It’s really normal. Everybody gets dysregulated sometimes, but those of us who are traumatized as kids are often more prone to it. It happens more easily. It’s more intense. It’s harder to get out of.”

“Early trauma is very strongly correlated later in life with high rates of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, reproductive disorders, just about everything bad.”

“Those three things– dysregulation, disconnection, and self-defeating behavior– those are the things that can just take you out and keep you stuck in trauma forever. So the good news is you can learn to reregulate.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order Anna’s Book: CONNECTABILITY: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People, And Feel (At Last) Like You Belong HERE

Order Anna’s other book: Re-Regulated: Set Your Life Free from Childhood PTSD and the Trauma-Driven Behaviors That Keep You Stuck HERE

Anna’s Website

Anna Runkle on YouTube

Anna Runkle on Instagram

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681: The Biology of Trauma: How Stress Gets Stored in Your Body (and Passed On to Your Kids) and How You Can Start To Heal with Dr. Aimie Apigian

#629: Unlocking Emotional Resilience with Awareness, Lifestyle and Tools to Regulate Your Stress Triggers with Dr. Drew Ramsey

685: End Emotional Outsourcing: Break Free from Codependency, Perfectionism & People-Pleasing with Beatriz Albina

#308: What Is Trauma and How Does It Make Us Sick? with Dr. Elena Villanueva

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!

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Energized-podcast-Sarah-Hilljpg

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

Listen to the Episode Here

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

Episode Summary

If you’ve ever felt like you’re riding a menstrual cycle roller coaster of cravings, exhaustion, and mood swings– this conversation is for you. 

In this episode, I’m joined by leading researcher and women’s hormone expert Dr. Sarah E. Hill to unpack what’s really going on in your body—and your brain—during your cycle. 

Dr. Hill breaks down how shifting levels of progesterone and estrogen in the second half of your cycle can impact everything from your sleep and appetite to your mood and libido. 

We also talk about how this becomes even more complex—and important to understand—during perimenopause, when hormone patterns start to change unpredictably. 

You’ll learn why traditional health advice often fails women during this phase of life, and what to do instead to actually support your body. 

It’s time to rethink your period, reclaim your energy, and finally feel in sync with your hormones!

Dr. Sarah Hill

Dr. Sarah E. Hill is a researcher and professor at TCU, lead science advisor for 28, and the author of The Period Brain and This Is Your Brain on Birth Control. Sarah’s work has resulted in more than 80 research publications, with features in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Scientific American, The Economist, and on shows like Good Morning and Today. Sarah is a well-known speaker, consultant, and media expert in women’s health, hormones, and sexual psychology.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Understanding our hormone changes over the course of a cycle 
  2. Why cycle symptoms can be different during perimenopause 
  3. How past trauma impacts PMS and your stress response 
  4. What’s really happening with your hormone levels in your cycle
  5. Managing your stress response system to feel safe in your body 
  6. The negative impacts stress has on your reproductive system
  7. The critical connection between your brain and sex hormones 
  8. About Dr. Sarah Hill’s newest Book: The Period Brain 

QUOTES

“The week– or for some women, it’s even the full two weeks– of the luteal phase can be a really challenging time emotionally as their body is struggling to keep up with those wild swings and hormones. But then also as you go into perimenopause, you’re going through a period of intense hormonal change, and unlike what goes on across a regular cycle, it’s unpredictable.”

“Women are twice as likely as men to have mental health-related illnesses. They’re more than twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with anxiety. They’re more likely to experience burnout in the workplace. I mean, the list goes on, and it’s because there’s way too much that’s expected of us. And one thing that women don’t recognize about it is that in addition to this being bad for things like cardiovascular health… it can also prevent you from even producing sex hormones.”

“A big part of The Period Brain is first, just really giving women a roadmap to the second half of their cycle, since it’s not something that’s really talked about.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Preorder the Perimenopause Revolution here and get your VIP ticket to the Perimenopause Solution event

Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your first Troscriptions order

Order Dr. Sarah Hill’s Book: The Period Brain HERE

Dr. Sarah Hill’s Website 

Dr. Hill’s Instagram

Dr. Hill’s Facebook

RELATED EPISODES 

686: Your Second Puberty Explained: What’s Really Happening to Your Body in Perimenopause 

#648: This Changes Everything: The Perimenopause Revolution Every Woman Needs Now

#622: How to Feel Prepared for the Massive Hormone Shifts in Midlife with Dr. Taz Bhatia

#510: Need to Calm The Estrogen Drama Causing Period Problems? Here’s 5 Effective Ways to Do It

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
EP686-Your-Second-Puberty-Explained--What’s-Really-Happening-to-Your-Body-in-Perimenopause-(Chapter-1-of-The-Perimenopause-Revolution)-Q&A

686: Your Second Puberty Explained: What’s Really Happening to Your Body in Perimenopause 

Listen to the Episode Here

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

Episode Summary

Perimenopause is really like your “second puberty,”– and it sets the course for the rest of your life.

So in this episode, I’m giving you a special sneak peek into my brand-new book, The Perimenopause Revolution!

We’ll dive into what perimenopause really is, why it matters, and how understanding hormonal and metabolic changes can transform the way you navigate this stage of life. 

Even though half the world’s population will go through it, perimenopause is still clouded with confusion—so I’m here to clear it all up. 

From the wide range of symptoms to the long-term impact on your health, you’ll learn why this transition is not the beginning of the end, but the beginning of a more connected, vital, and powerful you. 

Tune in here and get inspired to put your best foot forward in this exciting new chapter of your life!

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. What to expect in my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution
  2. What’s driving the confusion around perimenopause?
  3. Understanding the system-wide changes during perimenopause
  4. Recognizing feelings and emotions common in perimenopause
  5. How to know when you’re in perimenopause 
  6. Common signs and symptoms of perimenopause 
  7. How perimenopause can impact all aspects of your life 

QUOTES

“Symptoms and changes in the body are a result of fluctuating and declining hormones that have far-reaching effects on many important systems– the brain, heart, metabolism, bones, and muscles, to name a few.” 

“My goal with this book is to help women gain a greater understanding of the impact of hormone shifts, as well as changes in metabolism and blood sugar on every aspect of their health. That way, they can target these areas and confidently approach the second half of life feeling strong, resilient, and energized.”

“Perimenopause forces us to confront challenges in a whole new way because what worked before no longer does, and ultimately, I think that’s a good thing because we learn to prioritize what really matters and let go of what doesn’t serve us anymore.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE

Join The Perimenopause Solution LIVE event HERE

RELATED EPISODES 

#648: This Changes Everything: The Perimenopause Revolution Every Woman Needs Now

#624: What We Got Very Wrong About Perimenopause

#572: How to Know You are in Perimenopause Including the 40+ Symptoms Associated with Declining Hormones

#539: Everything You Need to Know About Navigating Hormone Changes in 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