Tag Archives | stress

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.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Join my Midlife on Fire Collective HERE!

Join my 7- Day Metabolism and Hormone Jumpstart HERE!

Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE

Dr. Jason Fung’s book: The Hunger Code

RELATED EPISODES

729: Why Counting Calories Doesn’t Work (And What Actually Controls Hunger) with Dr. Jason Fung

730: The Metabolic Shift After 40: What’s Really Driving Weight, Energy & Mood Changes

732: The Silent Disruptor: How Chronic Stress Hijacks Perimenopause

698: Food Noise, Cravings, and Midlife Weight Gain: How to Regain Control Naturally with Sarah Kennedy

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!

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!

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!

701: Mood Swings, Brain Fog & Exhaustion: The Hormone Conversation You Deserve with Dr. Carrie Jones

December 9, 2025 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

Feel like you’re just not yourself mentally in midlife? Trust me, you are absolutely not crazy for wondering what’s going on in your brain.

In this episode, hormone expert Dr. Carrie Jones joins me to unpack the very real brain changes and hormone fluctuations that make midlife feel like a rollercoaster.

Dr. Carrie brings refreshing honesty about giving herself grace on the days when her brain simply says “no” and how that compassion is essential for all of us navigating this season of life.

We dive into the midlife “reckoning,” when so many women realize it’s time to reevaluate who they are, what they want, and say goodbye to what no longer serves them.

Together, we explore why midlife can leave you feeling out of whack, how hormones drive these shifts, and what you can do to support your brain with more clarity and ease.

Tune in to feel validated and empowered as you move through this transformative stage of life!

Carrie Jones ND, FABNE, MPH

Dr. Carrie Jones is an internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and educator on women’s health and hormones with over 20 years in the industry. Dr. Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who did her 2-year residency focused on women’s health and endocrinology. She went on to get her Master of Public Health and was one of the first to become board-certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology. She was the first Medical Director for the DUTCH Test and the first Head of Medical Education at Rupa Health. Now, she’s the Chief Medical Officer at NuEthix Formulations and Head of Medical Education at Metabolic Mentor University.

IN THIS EPISODE

Addressing common brain-related perimenopause symptoms
How bringing on hormones can ease midlife symptoms
Top lifestyle interventions for perimenopause and menopause
How hormone changes in midlife impact routine and efficiency
The odd perimenopause symptoms no one talks about
How Dr. Jones manages patient care differently as a Naturopath
How to confidently find an expert you can address symptoms with
Easy ways to add exercise and strength to your daily routine

QUOTES

“We still have good days and bad days and things we cannot control. And because I can’t control the rollercoaster that my inherent hormones are on, and I can’t control necessarily what the neurons in my brain are doing… I actually give myself a lot of grace.”

“Even for as educated as I am, I’m not alone. There are a lot of women struggling, and there are a lot of women struggling a lot more than me, unfortunately.”

“$26 billion are lost on women in perimenopause and early menopause due to absenteeism and loss in productivity because they just don’t feel like they can do it. Their brain feels like it’s on the fritz.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

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

Dr. Carrie Jones’ Website

Dr. Carrie Jones on Instagram

Dr Carrie Jones’ Podcast: Hello Hormones

RELATED EPISODES

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

680: You Are Not Broken: Why Women Need Testosterone to Feel Strong, Sexy & Energized with Dr. Kelly Casperson

668: Your Brain on Perimenopause: The Hidden Neurological Transition No One Warns You About

#547: What You Need to Know About the OPill and Hormone Changes in Perimenopause with Dr. Carrie Jones

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!

700: The Hidden Cause of Migraines And Headaches: Histamine, Hormones, and Perimenopause with Dr. Meg Mill

December 4, 2025 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

80% of migraine sufferers are women. And I hear way too many women say their doctors brush off their complaints of headaches and migraines, giving no real, lasting solutions.

So that ends here!

I’ve invited the brilliant Dr. Meg Mill on the podcast to unpack the real connection between hormones, histamine, and headaches, especially as it relates to midlife hormonal changes.

You’ll learn the first practical steps—like:

balancing blood sugar
reducing oxidative stress
spotting symptom patterns
simplifying food eliminations
and choosing the right supplements

—to finally get ahead of chronic migraines. This conversation is all about giving you the clarity, tools, and confidence to support your body instead of suffering in silence.

Tune in to discover the migraine solutions every woman deserves!

Dr. Meg Mill

Dr. Meg Mill is a leading women’s health expert, Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy, and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with over 20 years of clinical experience. She’s the creator of the R.A.D.I.A.N.T. Method, a proprietary root-cause framework that empowers women to rebalance their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and reclaim their energy and confidence. Through her virtual Functional Medicine practice and membership community, the Women’s Wellness Collective, Dr. Meg has guided hundreds of women to lasting relief. A bestselling author and host of the top-rated podcast A Little Bit Healthier, she’s a sought-after speaker and summit host.

IN THIS EPISODE

Dr. Meg Mill’s experience with people suffering from headaches
Avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach to headache management
Understanding a variety of potential migraine triggers
The hormonal component to headaches and migraines
The connection between insulin resistance and headaches
Managing system-wide inflammation to help ease headaches
Specific foods that can contribute to migraines
How to get more support if you’re suffering from migraines

QUOTES

”Sometimes it’s looking at your hormones in the way you’re metabolizing. You may actually have low estrogen… so what we need to look at is how you metabolize your estrogen.”

“The more we can keep our blood sugar balanced throughout the day and night, the better [it is] for migraines.”

“If you can take away any message from this conversation, it’s that there’s hope and there ARE things you can do [for migraines].”