Energized with Dr. Mariza

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 Lessons learned from navigating transitions in midlife  Non-negotiable health habits for perimenopause and beyond Redefining menopause for our generation of women  Addressing the conversation of midlife hormone replacement  The neuroendocrine transition and what’s happening cognitively in perimenopause and menopause   Altering your emotional bandwidth in menopause  The importance of finding connection and community in midlife Tips for staying grounded in a healthy routine and lifestyle  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 Dr. Shepherd’s Book on Amazon HERE ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Generation-Living-Well-Perimenopause-Menopause/dp/1454954892⁠ Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Dr. Jessica Shepherd’s Website Dr. Jessica Shepherd on Instagram Modern Meno on Instagram 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

Perimenopause and menopause can bring surprising changes to your brain—making multitasking even harder and emotional overwhelm way more real. That’s why in this episode, women’s health expert Dr. Aviva Romm joins us to break down what’s really happening cognitively in midlife and how these shifts can be a normal, navigable transition.  Together, we’re debunking common perimenopause myths and unpacking how sleep, nutrition, exercise, and daily lifestyle choices can dramatically support your brain power and emotional resilience.  Dr. Romm shares her top practical tools that will help you feel clear, focused, and confident as your body evolves in midlife.  Ready to thrive—not just survive—through midlife and beyond? Tune in now and discover how to support your brain and body so you can step into this next chapter feeling your best! Aviva Romm, MD Dr. Aviva Romm is a Yale-trained family physician, midwife, and herbalist who’s been a leading voice in women’s, maternal, and environmental health for over 35 years. She’s the author of nine books, including the landmark Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health, the New York Times bestseller Hormone Intelligence, and the forthcoming Force of Nature, a groundbreaking guide to perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Romm sees patients in New York, Massachusetts, and via telehealth. She also runs acclaimed online health programs and hosts the popular podcast On Health with Aviva Romm, empowering women worldwide. IN THIS EPISODE Navigating symptoms and changes in perimenopause  The cognitive emotional overwhelm that happens for women  Recognizing the common causes of midlife cognitive issues  The importance of advocating for yourself with your doctor   The massive benefits of sleep for cognitive functioning  Why you should focus on strength training in perimenopause  Creating your own community for perimenopause support  Debunking the myths and misinformation in the media around perimenopause and menopause  QUOTES“So often sleep is disrupted by perimenopause and menopause. What a lot of women don't realize is you can be having hot flashes but not consciously registering you're having hot flashes. So a lot of women are being woken up by hot flashes they didn't realize they were having.” ”We desperately need more practitioners who can answer those questions for women, whether it's a more natural, holistic approach that does or doesn't include hormone therapy, antidepressants, or any of the other things. Because the other problem is that these doctors are often doling out pharmaceuticals for sleep.” ”We now know that the impact of declining estrogen and progesterone on the brain [and] on the nervous system absolutely has an impact on anxiety, depression, and sleep.”  RESOURCES MENTIONED Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your MitoQ order https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101585564-17091761 Dr. Aviva Romm’s Website Dr. Aviva Romm on Instagram Dr. Aviva Romm’s Podcast: On Health  RELATED EPISODES  701: Mood Swings, Brain Fog & Exhaustion: The Hormone Conversation You Deserve with Dr. Carrie Jones 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 673: From Fatigued to Energized: Reclaiming Sleep in Midlife With Evidence-Based Solutions

The immune system is a MASSIVE key to your overall health. So what can you do to best support it and truly THRIVE at any age?  In this episode, pioneering functional medicine expert Dr. Jeffrey Bland joins me to explore how immune system rejuvenation can be a game-changer for long-term health. We dive into the idea that food truly is medicine, and how targeted nutrition (while minimizing ultra-processed foods) can help the immune system recover AND strengthen.  Dr. Bland shares exciting insights on immuno-rejuvenation and spotlights an ancient yet “new” superfood—Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat—that’s paving the way for the future of nutrition and longevity. Together, we unpack how chronic stress, inflammation, and poor nutrition quietly tax the body over time, increasing disease risk, and what you can do to interrupt that cycle.  Ready for real healing to occur? Tune into this episode for realistic, practical lifestyle strategies for sleep, stress, and nourishment to help you feel stronger, more resilient, and energized for your years ahead! Jeff Bland, PhD Dr. Jeffrey Bland is the founder of Big Bold Health, a company on a mission to transform how people think about the immune system. Jeff’s career in health spans more than 40 years. As a nutritional biochemist by training, he began his career as a university professor and later spent three decades in the natural products industry. In 1991, he and his wife founded The Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2012, Jeff founded another educational nonprofit called the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute. Jeff is the author of The Disease Delusion: Conquering the Causes of Chronic Illness for a Healthier, Longer, and Happier Life, as well as countless other books and research papers. IN THIS EPISODE Understanding the root causes of disease in functional medicine The importance of your immune and nervous systems The negative impacts ultra-processed foods have on your body  The significance of immune system rejuvenation for your health  Top food recommendations for optimal immune system health  How Tartary Buckwheat can enhance health and longevity  The drivers of neuroinflammation in the brain  Lifestyle practices to support physical and emotional resiliance   About Dr. Jeffrey Bland’s company, Big Bold Health  QUOTES“The only 2 places that are surveying the outside world to tell our inside body how to work 24/7 are the nervous system and the immune system. And those two systems are interconnected and they regulate how we look, act and feel. They speak to every organ of our body.” “That science supports the fact that when you intervene with the right things [in] your body in a fairly short period of time–three months– [it] can turn itself around.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Use code MARIZA and get 20% off on your Timeline order https://shop.timeline.com/MARIZA Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Dr. Jeff Bland’s Website: Big Bold Health Dr. Jeff’s Book: The Disease Delusion: Conquering the Causes of Chronic Illness for a Healthier, Longer, and Happier Life Dr. Jeff Bland on Instagram See more from Big Bold Health on Instagram RELATED EPISODES  #667: The Hidden Foods and Habits Fueling Brain Inflammation And How to Reverse It Naturally with Dr. Austin Perlmutter #636: Improve Your Mood, Clear Brain Fog & Reverse Autoimmune Disease by Healing Your Microbiome with Dr. Steven Gundry #601: The Food You Eat Will Impact Your Menopause Journey + Foods to Ease Menopause and Promote Longevity with Dr. Federica Amati 698: Food Noise, Cravings, and Midlife Weight Gain: How to Regain Control Naturally with Sarah Kennedy

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 Understanding nervous system deregulation  How Anna learned to adapt after childhood trauma  Symptoms that can manifest from over-functioning  How to manage stressors and stay regulated day to day  Top ways we can start to regulate, especially when deregulated  How connection can be a huge tool for healing  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 RELATED EPISODES  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

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 https://peri-revolution.com/ Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your MitoQ order https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101585564-17091761 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