Energized with Dr. Mariza

Why do so many women enter perimenopause feeling like the rug has been pulled out from under them?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with integrative medicine physician and menopause expert Dr. Melinda Ring to explore why perimenopause often feels so destabilizing and why so many women feel blindsided by symptoms they were never warned about.

Together, they unpack the profound neuroendocrine changes happening during the perimenopause transition and why symptoms like sleep disruption, anxiety, brain fog, overwhelm, stress sensitivity, and feeling "not like yourself" often become some of the earliest signs that something is shifting.

Dr. Ring explains the critical connection between hormones, the stress response system, sleep quality, nervous system regulation, and long-term health outcomes. They also discuss why traditional medical approaches have historically fallen short for women, the growing role of hormone replacement therapy, and why individualized care matters more than ever.

The conversation dives deep into HPA axis dysfunction, trauma, chronic stress, self-compassion, resilience, and the importance of helping women feel safe in their bodies during a time of tremendous change.

If you've ever wondered whether what you're experiencing is normal—or if you've found yourself saying, "I don't feel like myself anymore"—this episode offers both validation and practical guidance.

Dr. Melinda Ring

Dr. Melinda Ring is a board-certified physician, integrative medicine expert, educator, and internationally recognized leader in women's health and menopause care. She serves as Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health and is passionate about helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause through evidence-based, whole-person care that addresses hormones, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and long-term health optimization.

IN THIS EPISODE


Why perimenopause often feels so overwhelming and unexpected


The connection between sleep disruption, hormones, and brain health


Why many women feel like they "don't feel like themselves" anymore


The role of HPA axis dysfunction and chronic stress during midlife


How trauma and long-term stress influence the menopause transition


The evolving conversation around hormone replacement therapy


Why individualized hormone care matters more than one-size-fits-all protocols


How women can build resilience, safety, and self-compassion during perimenopause

QUOTES“Sleep is the force multiplier.”

“You can't heal in survival mode.”

“The brain is reorganizing, not just the ovaries.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

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Sign Up Now for the "Advanced Integrative Menopause Care for Clinicians" Course Training with Dr. Melinda Dr. Melinda Website

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What if inflammation is the missing link behind so many of the symptoms women experience after 40?

In this solo episode, Dr. Mariza breaks down the powerful connection between low-grade chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, hormone changes, brain health, energy production, and accelerated aging. She explains why inflammation is far more than an immune system issue and how it silently influences nearly every aspect of health during perimenopause and menopause.

Many women assume that fatigue, brain fog, stubborn belly fat, poor sleep, anxiety, joint pain, cravings, and declining energy are separate issues requiring separate solutions. But Dr. Mariza reveals how these symptoms are often interconnected through one common underlying process: inflammation.

She also explores why perimenopause is not simply a hormone transition but a metabolic, vascular, and neuroendocrine transition that increases inflammatory burden and changes how the body responds to stress, blood sugar fluctuations, sleep disruption, and hormonal shifts.

Most importantly, Dr. Mariza shares the practical lifestyle pillars she uses to lower inflammation, improve metabolic flexibility, support hormone health, and create the internal environment needed for healthy aging and long-term vitality.

If you've been feeling like your body is changing but can't quite connect the dots, this episode will help you understand what inflammation may be trying to tell you.

IN THIS EPISODE


Why low-grade inflammation is one of the biggest drivers of symptoms after 40


The connection between inflammation, metabolism, hormones, and aging


How perimenopause increases inflammatory burden throughout the body


The labs Dr. Mariza recommends to assess inflammation and metabolic health


Why blood sugar regulation is one of the fastest ways to lower inflammation


The critical role of muscle, movement, sleep, and nervous system regulation


How gut health influences inflammation, immunity, and metabolism


Practical daily habits that help reduce inflammation and support healthy aging

QUOTES“The goal isn't simply to lose weight. The goal is creating an internal environment where the body no longer feels the need to stay inflamed.”

“One workout cannot undo eight hours of sitting.”

“When inflammation comes down, everything goes up.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

https://www.mitoq.com/energized%C2%A0

⁠Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

https://peri-revolution.com/

Fix Your Metabolism Masterclass

Joi & Blokes Lab Testing

Blood Sugar Hacks Guide

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

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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

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

http://thisisneeded.com/DrMarizaSnyder

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

https://peri-revolution.com/

Needed Website

Needed InstagramNeeded Facebook

Needed Academy Instagram

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What if resilience isn't about pushing harder, but about learning how to move forward with grace, courage, and joy when life doesn't go according to plan?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with bestselling author, speaker, coach, and podcast host Amberly Lago to discuss resilience, overcoming adversity, and finding purpose through life's most difficult challenges.

After surviving a devastating motorcycle accident that nearly took her life, enduring dozens of surgeries, and being diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Amberly faced years of chronic pain, uncertainty, and reinvention. Rather than allowing her circumstances to define her, she chose to build a life rooted in resilience, gratitude, faith, community, and purpose.

Together, they explore the mindset shifts that help women move through difficult seasons, the role of gratitude in healing, why joy is a daily practice rather than a destination, and how small habits can create profound transformation over time.

Whether you're navigating health challenges, career transitions, relationship struggles, or simply feeling stuck, this conversation offers practical tools and powerful encouragement to help you move forward with greater confidence and hope.

AMBERLY LAGO

Amberly Lago is a bestselling author, resilience coach, TEDx speaker, top-ranked podcast host, and motivational speaker. After surviving a catastrophic motorcycle accident and living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, she transformed her personal challenges into a mission to help others build resilience, find joy, and create meaningful lives despite adversity. She is the author of multiple books, including Joy Through the Journey and True Grit and Grace.

IN THIS EPISODE

How resilience is built through daily decisions and small actions

Amberly's remarkable recovery journey after a life-changing accident

Why gratitude can shift your mindset during difficult seasons

The importance of acceptance when facing unexpected challenges

How community helps accelerate growth and confidence

Why joy is a strategy, not just an emotion

The role of habits, discipline, and non-negotiables in long-term success

How to move forward when life feels uncertain or overwhelming

QUOTES

“You can't be grateful and miserable at the same time.”

“Resilience isn't about bouncing back. It's about moving forward.”

“When you've got grit, there is no quit.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

https://peri-revolution.com/

Use code DRMARIZA and get 10% off on your Womeness Order

https://www.womaness.com/DRMARIZA

Joy Through the Journey Book by Amberly Lago

True Grit and Grace Book by Amberly Lago

The Amberly Lago Show

Amberly Lago Website

Amberly Lago Facebook

Amberly Lago Instagram

Amberly Lago Youtube

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753: The Brain’s Hidden Role in Chronic Pain, Migraines & Fatigue with Dr. Howard Schubiner

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743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan

What if your chronic pain, migraines, anxiety, fatigue, IBS, or other persistent symptoms aren't permanent at all?

In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with Dr. Howard Schubiner, physician, researcher, and leading expert in neuroplastic symptoms, to explore a groundbreaking approach that is helping people reverse chronic pain and other conditions long considered lifelong and irreversible.

Dr. Schubiner explains how the brain creates pain as a protective danger signal, why emotional injuries can activate the same neural pathways as physical injuries, and how unresolved trauma, chronic stress, adverse childhood experiences, and self-silencing can contribute to chronic symptoms years or even decades later.

Together, they discuss the growing body of research around neuroplastic pain, the connection between emotions and physical symptoms, and why many people continue suffering despite normal scans, medications, and conventional treatments.

Dr. Mariza also shares her own experience with chronic migraines, leading to a powerful live demonstration of how pain reprocessing techniques can begin shifting the brain's expectations and neural patterns in real time.

This conversation offers hope for anyone who has been told they simply need to manage their symptoms for the rest of their life.

HOWARD SCHUBINER

Dr. Howard Schubiner is a physician, researcher, educator, and one of the leading voices in the field of neuroplastic symptoms. He is the author of Unlearn Your Pain and has spent decades helping patients recover from chronic pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, IBS, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and other conditions through evidence-based approaches rooted in neuroscience, emotional processing, and neuroplasticity.

IN THIS EPISODE

What neuroplastic symptoms are and why they are often misunderstood

How childhood experiences, trauma, and chronic stress can contribute to chronic pain

Why migraines, IBS, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and fatigue may share similar brain-based mechanisms

The powerful connection between emotions and physical symptoms

How pain reprocessing therapy helps retrain the brain's danger signals

Why self-silencing and people-pleasing often show up in women with chronic symptoms

The role of emotional awareness and expression in healing

A live demonstration of changing neural pathways through visualization and safety signals

QUOTES“Pain can be a message that our brain sends.”

“Emotional injury causes the same parts of the brain to light up as physical injury.”

“Chronic pain is not necessarily a life sentence.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Use code ENERGIZED and get 30% off on your first BATCH order

http://hellobatch.com/ENERGIZED

Get your copy of Dr. Howard Schubiner Newest Book now

https://www.amazon.com/Unlearn-Your-Pain-Recovering-Depression/

Unlearn Your Pain Website

The Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS)

Howard Schubiner Instagram

Howard Schubiner Facebook

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741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel