Tag Archives | sleep

EP 759

759: Tired, Wired & Inflamed? The Sleep Fix Most Women Are Missing with Dr. Michael Breus

June 30, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

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Episode Summary

Why do so many women suddenly start waking up at 3:00 a.m. during perimenopause?

In this practical and science-backed conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with renowned sleep specialist Dr. Michael Breus to unpack why sleep changes so dramatically during perimenopause and menopause, and what women can do to finally get restorative sleep again.

Dr. Breus explains how fluctuating estrogen, progesterone, melatonin, cortisol, body temperature, and blood sugar all collide during midlife, creating the perfect storm for middle-of-the-night awakenings. He shares why waking up at 3:00 a.m. is incredibly common, how modern habits often make it worse, and why women need a layered approach instead of relying on a single solution.

Together, they discuss everything from sleep apnea, hormone replacement therapy, alcohol, caffeine, blood sugar, and evening routines to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), breathwork, thermoregulation, and supplementation.

Most importantly, Dr. Breus offers practical strategies women can begin implementing immediately to improve sleep quality, reduce nighttime wakeups, and build a foundation for better health through every stage of menopause.

If you’ve been lying awake at 3:00 a.m. wondering what’s happening to your body, this episode is packed with answers and actionable solutions.

DR. MICHAEL BREUS

Dr. Michael Breus is a board-certified clinical psychologist, clinical sleep specialist, bestselling author, and founder of The Sleep Doctor. For more than two decades, he has helped millions of people improve their sleep through science-backed strategies focused on circadian rhythms, sleep disorders, behavioral sleep medicine, and overall wellness. He is the author of multiple bestselling books, including Sleep, Drink, Breathe.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Why women commonly wake up around 3:00 a.m. during perimenopause
  2. How estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and blood sugar affect sleep
  3. The biggest mistakes women make before bedtime
  4. Why sleep apnea is often overlooked in midlife women
  5. How CBT-I can help retrain the brain for better sleep
  6. The role of caffeine, alcohol, fiber, and evening nutrition
  7. Why cooling the body improves sleep quality
  8. Practical habits that create a healthier nighttime routine

QUOTES

“Everything we do, we do better with a good night’s sleep.”

“Sleep is the currency of attention.”

“You need runway to land the plane.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Get the “Sleep Drink Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Profound Long-Term Health” book by Dr. Michael Breus. 

Take the Chronoquiz now

Get the Home Sleep Study – The at-home sleep study measures key sleep metrics

The Sleep Doctor Website

The Sleep Doctor Instagram

The Sleep Doctor Youtube

RELATED EPISODES 

758: Why Your Body Can’t Heal Until It Feels Safe: The Nervous System Shift That Changes Everything with Dr. Dave Rabin

757: The Hidden Emotional Shift of Perimenopause (No One Prepared Us For) with Dr. Melinda Ring

756: What Low-Grade Inflammation Is Really Doing to Your Hormones, Brain & Metabolism with Dr. Mariza

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

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

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EP 745 (2)

745: Why You’re Wired, Tired, and Awake at 3AM (And What to Do About It) with Dr. Scott Sherr

May 12, 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

Why are so many women waking up exhausted… but unable to shut their brain off?”

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Scott Sherr to unpack the hidden nervous system and biochemical shifts driving sleep struggles, anxiety, exhaustion, and feeling “wired and tired” in midlife.

Together, they explore why women in perimenopause often lose stress resilience, why the brain gets stuck in overdrive at night, and how neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin, adenosine, and cortisol shape sleep quality, recovery, and mood.

They also dive into the powerful connection between mitochondrial health, nervous system regulation, energy production, and why building more “reserve” may be the missing key to feeling calm, focused, and resilient again.

If you’ve been struggling with middle-of-the-night wakeups, burnout, anxiety, or feeling like your brain never truly powers down, this episode will help connect the dots—and offer practical solutions that actually move the needle.

Dr. Scott Sherr

Dr. Scott Sherr is a physician, health optimization expert, and Chief Operating Officer of Troscriptions. His work focuses on nervous system regulation, mitochondrial health, hyperbaric medicine, sleep optimization, and performance medicine. He is passionate about helping people improve resilience, energy, recovery, and cognitive performance through science-backed strategies and targeted support.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. Why so many women feel “wired and tired” in perimenopause
  2. The real reason behind 2–3 AM wakeups and racing thoughts
  3. How GABA, cortisol, serotonin, and adenosine impact sleep and stress
  4. Why nervous system regulation is essential for resilience and recovery
  5. The connection between mitochondrial health, energy, and brain function
  6. How chronic stress and sympathetic overload affect hormones and mood
  7. Practical tools to support sleep, focus, calm, and nervous system balance

QUOTES

“Sleep will make or break you the next day—especially in this season of life.”

“To increase your performance is having more reserve.”

“You’re not meant to live in a state of disruption, exhaustion, and feeling wired and tired all the time.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

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

Troscriptions Website

Dr. Scott Sherr Instagram

Dr. Scott Sherr Youtube

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

593: Why EVERYONE Needs Progesterone in Perimenopause & Beyond with Carol Petersen

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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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!

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EP 731

732: The Silent Disruptor: How Chronic Stress Hijacks Perimenopause

March 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

Balancing the overwhelm of family, work, and midlife symptoms, all while just trying to feel like yourself again? You’re NOT alone. 

In today’s episode, we explore stress as the silent disruptor of midlife—and why it can amplify so many of the symptoms you experience during perimenopause. 

We go beyond surface-level stress management and dive into how chronic stress impacts your nervous system, hormones, and overall wellness. 

We also highlight the often-overlooked power of connection and community, reframing them as a force multiplier for healing during this phase of life. 

You’ll learn simple, practical tools you can start using today to calm your nervous system and navigate overwhelming days with more ease and resilience. 

Ready to feel in control again? Tune in here to soften the stress and show up as your best self! 

IN THIS EPISODE

1. What makes stress so silent in perimenopause? 

2. The biology of trauma and how unresolved trauma can show up as midlife symptoms 

3. How connection and community enhance your longevity

4. Forming meaningful relationships and cultivating a sisterhood

5. Simple and practical tools to build community connection

6. Recognizing triggers and learning ways to ease your nervous system

7. Exploring the benefits of breathing techniques, movement, natural light, sleep, and quality connections 

QUOTES

“When you’re under constant stress, which most of us are, this system gets stuck in the on position. And during perimenopause, we know that cortisol levels are often elevated, making every symptom feel worse.”

“The effects of loneliness and social isolation have been compared to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Loneliness increases your risk of premature death by 26%, heart disease by 29%, and stroke by 32%.”

“When you heal your relationship with stress and build meaningful connections, you’re not just helping yourself. You are modeling for your children what it looks like to prioritize mental health and community. You’re also contributing to a larger global shift in how we talk about menopause, and how we talk about resilience.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

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 

722: Why Women Feel Unsafe Right Now: Trauma, Hormones & Protecting the Next Generation with Dr. Aimie Apigian

726: The Midlife Mood Shift: The Hormonal Rewire That Changes Everything with Dr. Sonya Jensen

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

#612: That Sucked. Now What? How to Navigate Health, Identity, and Life Transitions with Dr. Neeta Nawalkha

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.-Ari-Whitten

719: The Truth About Red Light Therapy: Benefits, Myths & How to Use It with Dr. Ari Whitten

February 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

What if the missing piece to your wellness journey wasn’t a supplement or a workout… but light?

In this podcast, we’re talking about one of the most underrated tools in health and hormone optimization: red light therapy.

Expert in the area, Ari Whitten, joins me to shine light on red light and all the ways it can boost your health and confidence long term. Ari is a bestselling author, a top podcast host, and one of the most trusted voices in the science of energy, mitochondria, and red light therapy.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Why red light therapy is a game-changer for women in midlife
  • How it impacts your hormones, sleep, brain, skin, and fat metabolism
  • What most people get completely wrong about red light dosing
  • And how to avoid wasting money on the wrong devices

Ari’s here to cut through the wellness noise and deliver the truth—with clarity and science to back it up.

Tune in here for a deep dive into all red light therapy can do for you! 

Ari Whitten, M.S.

Ari Whitten is the founder of The Energy Blueprint and bestselling author of The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy and Eat for Energy. He has a B.S. in Exercise Science and a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. For over 30 years, he’s immersed himself in nutrition science, exercise physiology, and evolutionary biology, as well as cutting-edge areas like neuroscience, geroscience, circadian science, microbiome research, and more. He hosts The Energy Blueprint Podcast, and his books, online programs, coaching, and nutritional supplement line have helped thousands of people worldwide to optimize their health, energy, and longevity.

IN THIS EPISODE

  1. What is red light therapy, and how can it benefit your health? 
  2. How to make time for red light therapy in your routine 
  3. The importance of high-quality red light therapy 
  4. Different red light devices for targeting your needs in the body 
  5. The science and studies behind red light therapy 
  6. How to maximize systemic benefits of red light therapy 
  7. About Ari’s book: The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy

QUOTES

“There’s an enormous amount of poor quality devices, worthless devices, junk devices on the market that are a waste of money that won’t do anything valuable.”

“If your interest is combating arthritis or affecting a certain muscle or tendon injury or ankle sprain or something like that, you want to focus on the dose of light delivered directly to those tissues. On the other hand, if you are interested in general anti-aging health longevity… The bigger concern is actually the total dose of light delivered to your overall body.”

“A lot of the focus is on the intensity of the light… But the other thing is: how big of a surface area is that intensity of light hitting? What is the total amount of light delivered to the tissue? That’s going to hugely impact those systemic effects like the release of stem cells into your circulation.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

The Energy Blueprint Website 

The Energy Blueprint Podcast

Order Ari’s book: The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy on Amazon HERE

RELATED EPISODES 

623: RED LIGHT THERAPY FOR UPGRADING YOUR MITOCHONDRIA, CELLULAR ENERGY, SKIN AND BRAIN HEALTH WITH JONATHAN OTTO

693: TIRED ALL THE TIME? IT MIGHT BE HIDDEN PROBLEMS WITH YOUR MITOCHONDRIA WITH SIOBHAN MITCHELL

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

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

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