Energized with Dr. Mariza

Fertility is a powerful reflection of your overall health—not a separate or isolated system.

In this episode, fertility expert Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down what’s really happening physiologically as fertility shifts in midlife, connecting the dots between hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and egg quality. 

We dive into the everyday habits quietly disrupting fertility—from chronic stress and blood sugar imbalances to inflammation—and how these factors directly impact ovulation and hormone signaling. 

Dr. Crawford also cuts through the noise around age, offering a more nuanced, science-backed perspective on what you can actually do to support your fertility at any stage. 

You’ll learn that it's the simple shifts each month that can make a meaningful difference starting now. 

Ready to support your body from the inside out? Tune in here!

Natalie Crawford, MD 

Dr. Natalie Crawford is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Texas. She’s the CEO and co-founder of Pinnacle, a professional network for women in medicine. Dr. Crawford is a digital health educator on social media and hosts the podcast  “As a Woman” with over 6 million downloads. Her new book, “The Fertility Formula”, will be released this spring. 

IN THIS EPISODE

How is fertility a reflection of your body’s overall environment? 

Accurate cycle tracking and what signals to pay attention to 

Factors that disrupt fertility and how to catch issues early on 

How inflammation and metabolic health are deeply tied to fertility 

5 non-negotiables when it comes to women’s health and wellness

High-impact changes to help support your fertility 

Fertility recommendations for women 35 and older 

Dr. Crawford’s fertility story and how to get her new book, The Fertility Formula

QUOTES“The follicular phase and luteal phase are the two phases of the cycle, and learning to track your ovulation specifically is a really important tool because the early stages of ovulatory dysfunction all occur within a normal cycle, meaning the first stage is a short luteal defect.”

“I can't control everything, but I want to control what I can, so I have the easiest time getting pregnant, I feel my best, I have the best odds of success if I have to do fertility treatments. That's the zone we want to live in, and we want to lower that inflammatory burden on the day-to-day, not to be all or nothing, but to really cultivate that body resilience so we can handle the challenges of life that we know are coming.”

“It's your body's data. You're gonna find out one way or another, and I think you deserve to know it sooner.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE!

https://peri-revolution.com/

Pre-order The Fertility Formula

https://www.nataliecrawfordmd.com/book

Dr. Natalie Crawford on socials: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Dr. Crawford’s Podcast: As A Woman

RELATED EPISODES 

691: The Fertility Crisis No One Talks About: Why Your Health Today Impacts Future Generations with Dr. Ann Shippy

530: The Critical Role That Nutrient Deficiencies Play In Fertility and Conception And How To Close The Gap with Lisa Dreher

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

735: The Stress–Metabolism Connection: Why You’re Gaining Weight, Craving Sugar & Struggling with Energy

How do you retrain your brain and nervous system to seek out safety, joy, and alignment?

In this episode, mind-body alignment expert Dr. Melissa Sonners shares practical ways for midlife women to regulate their nervous system and find calm—even in the chaos of everyday life. 

She explains how many of us are unknowingly stuck in a stress-driven state, constantly scanning for what’s wrong, and how this pattern is reinforced by the questions we ask ourselves each day. 

Through her simple but powerful tools, she’ll help you learn to easily reset your nervous system and prevent burnout before it builds. 

Rather than waiting until the end of the day to relax (and realizing we can’t), she emphasizes creating moments of regulation in real time so we can be more present with our families and actually feel the joy in those everyday interactions. 

If you’re navigating the messy middle of midlife and craving more calm, presence, and connection, this episode is for you!

Dr. Melissa Sonners

Dr. Melissa Sonners is a chiropractor and mind-body alignment expert who helps women reconnect with themselves. As the host of the Be Inspired Mama Podcast and founder of Best Friends Book Nook, she creates spaces for self-growth without adding to busy schedules. After overcoming neurological Lyme disease, she discovered the power of small, intentional shifts for transformation. Now, she empowers women to turn inward for confidence and joy. Her upcoming book, The Connection Code, coming in April 2026 with Hay House Publishing, will guide women toward deeper alignment in their lives.

IN THIS EPISODE

Navigating the subtle and not-so-subtle symptoms of perimenopause 

Healthy communication in midlife as things are shifting 

Understanding and verbalizing your needs throughout your cycle 

Helpful ways to manage stress in midlife 

Getting clear on your values, especially in perimenopause and beyond 

Clarifying your non-negotiables and tapping into what feels best

About Book Nook, Dr. Sonners’ Virtual Book Club Community 

Using reading as a method of nervous system regulation 

QUOTES

“We always hear and we always know how much stress can impact your health. But I lived it, and I realized that stress was the catalyst for me getting as sick as I got.”

“Core values become your guiding principles. So when you have decision fatigue at any time, you don't have to think about it or make an emotional decision. You [say]: whatever one fits this value.”

“When you grab a book in the morning and you sit with it and you use it as an anchor tool, it trains your nervous system. Calm is safe. And that regulation is familiar. And when you do that in the morning, you're seeding your nervous system to find it throughout the day.”RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

⛓️‍💥 https://peri-revolution.com/

⁠👉🏻 Pre-order The Connection Code

⛓️‍💥 https://beehive.drmelissasonners.com/the-connection-code/

Dr. Sonner’s Website

Dr. Soner’s Podcast: Be Inspired Mama

Dr. Sonner on Instagram

Dr. Sonner on YouTube

RELATED EPISODES 735: The Stress–Metabolism Connection: Why You’re Gaining Weight, Craving Sugar & Struggling with Energy

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 

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

Over 90% of adults over 40 are mineral-deficient. Are you one of them? 

In this podcast, mineral expert and Beam Minerals co-founder Caroline Alan breaks down why and how mineral depletion quietly impacts energy, hormones, and overall vitality. 

As women enter perimenopause already running on empty, we explore how declining hormones combined with modern lifestyle stressors leave the body struggling to maintain key functions like mitochondrial energy, detoxification, and cognitive health. 

Caroline introduces the power of plant-based minerals, explaining how they replenish cellular reserves and play a critical role in hormone balance, fertility, and brain chemistry. 

This conversation highlights why minerals are a missing piece in midlife wellness—and how simple daily habits can restore what your body has been burning through for years. 

If you’ve been feeling exhausted despite doing “everything right,” this episode is for you! Tune in here.

Caroline Alan

Caroline Alan is the Co-Founder and CEO of BEAM Minerals Inc. After her busy corporate career, Caroline found herself struggling physically, mentally, and energetically. As a result of her journey back to health and years of deep study, Caroline has become devoted to educating people about how minerals operate in the body, why we need to supplement our mineral intake, and the benefits of natural humic and fulvic– plant-based mineral substances for replenishment in the body. Caroline is a regular contributor to Podcasts and health-focused events/programs around the world.

IN THIS EPISODE

How a mineral deficiency impacts perimenopause symptoms 

What do minerals really do in your body?

Why minerals are so important for perimenopausal women 

How plant-based minerals can meet the needs of your body 

What exactly are plant-based minerals, and how can you get them? 

Humic and Fulvic molecules and how they work in your body 

The biggest benefits of replenishing your minerals in midlife 

Getting started with Beam Minerals to feel your best in your body 

QUOTES“At a cellular level, minerals represent the fuel for energy production in your body.”

“All these minerals work together, the way all your cells work together, they all rely on one another in a very complex way… so that's why we end up talking about plant-based minerals because they're actually Mother Nature's solution to this issue of needing different minerals at different stages of your life.”

“If you start actually filling, replenishing minerals using humic and fulvic, that actually will get the minerals to the right place inside your cells, and now you start to have some huge shifts.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

👉🏻 Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

⛓️‍💥 https://peri-revolution.com/

👉🏻 Order Caroline Alan’s The Mineral Reset Book

⛓️‍💥 https://amzn.to/4cauIkd

👉🏻 Beam Minerals Website– Use code ENERGIZED for 20% off your first order!

⛓️‍💥 http://www.beamminerals.com

⁠👉🏻 Beam Minerals Women’s Complete Mineral Support Kit

⛓️‍💥 https://www.beamminerals.com/products/womens-mineral-support-kit⁠

Beam Minerals Instagram

Beam Minerals on YouTube

Caroline Alan on Instagram

RELATED EPISODES 640: Unveiling The Essential Role of Minerals For Cellular Energy And Detoxification with Caroline Alan

732: The Silent Disruptor: How Chronic Stress Hijacks Perimenopause

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

659: Brain Fog, Joint Pain, and Aging Skin? The Truth About Zombie Cells and How to Reverse Them with Dr. Greg Kelly

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

https://go2.drmariza.com/midlife-on-fire/

Join my 7- Day Metabolism and Hormone Jumpstart

https://go.drmariza.com/lp/metabolism-jumpstart/

Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

https://peri-revolution.com/

Dr. Jason Fung’s book: The Hunger Code

https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/

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

If you’re like me, you’ve noticed that among all the other crazy changes happening in perimenopause, your skin isn’t the same as it used to be. 

In this episode, I’m joined by triple board-certified dermatologist and skincare expert Dr. Mamina Turegano to break down what’s really happening to your skin during midlife. 

From increased dryness and loss of firmness to subtle shifts in texture, we explore why these changes occur and how fluctuations in your hormones play a major role.

Dr. Turegano shares how your skin is truly a window into your internal health, offering clues about everything from inflammation to overall aging and longevity. 

This conversation goes beyond surface-level skincare to help you understand what your skin is trying to tell you—and how to support it from the inside out. 

You’ll also learn what actually works (and what to skip) so you can simplify your routine and avoid common midlife skincare mistakes. 

Tune in here to feel like your most confident and radiant self!

Mamina Turegano, MD 

Dr. Mamina Turegano is a triple board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist based in New Orleans. She specializes in medical, cosmetic, and integrative dermatology, blending conventional and holistic approaches to skin health. With over 2 million followers across social media, she shares dermatologist-backed skincare and wellness insights with a broad audience. She also co-hosts a podcast called Skin Deep MDs.

IN THIS EPISODE

Dr. Mamina’s integrative medicine approach to Dermatology 

What’s happening to your skin during perimenopause?

Discussing the use of topical hormone products like estrogen cream 

Realistic skin care routines for midlife women 

Considering prescription products vs. over-the-counter skin care

Benefits, side effects, and recommendations for Botox 

External factors that are impacting your skin and aging 

How crucial your lifestyle choices are in determining your skin quality 

Top products for managing midlife wrinkles, dark spots, and hair loss 

Getting to the root cause of your symptoms and treating proactively 

QUOTES“It's all tied together, how you take care of yourself internally and optimize your skin health. That all will manifest with how you age externally.”

“I want people to feel reassured. They don't have to do a lot. The super foundational part of a skincare routine is making sure that you're cleansing daily— even washing your face is anti-aging.”

“I’m all about implementing lifestyle strategies. Skincare and lasers, they could do a lot, but they can only do so much. You can really optimize the results of your skincare and your procedures too if you have the right mechanisms in place internally. If your mitochondria is optimized, optimizing your sleep, minimizing more of those inflammation-inducing foods, minimizing sugar, minimizing alcohol, minimizing stress.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE! 

https://peri-revolution.com/

Dr. Mamina’s Website

Dr. Mamina on Instagram

Dr. Mamina on TikTok

 

Dr. Mamina on YouTube

Dr. Mamina’s Podcast: Skin Deep MDs

RELATED EPISODES 

631: Halt and Reverse Skin Aging, Plus the Top Preventable Factors Driving Skin Aging with Dr. Alessandra Zonari

659: Brain Fog, Joint Pain, and Aging Skin? The Truth About Zombie Cells and How to Reverse Them with Dr. Greg Kelly

#623: Red Light Therapy for Upgrading Your Mitochondria, Cellular Energy, Skin and Brain Health with Jonathan Otto595: How to Master Your Metabolism and Reverse Cellular Aging in Midlife + My Best Tips to Thrive with Dr. Mariza