Energized with Dr. Mariza

How many times have you been told, "Your labs are normal," even though you know something doesn't feel right?

In this empowering solo episode, Dr. Mariza challenges one of the biggest beliefs women have been conditioned to accept: that being a "good patient" means staying quiet, pushing through symptoms, and trusting a healthcare system that has historically overlooked women's biology.

She explores how decades of research gaps, delayed recognition of perimenopause, and outdated medical training have left millions of women feeling dismissed, unheard, and convinced that exhaustion, brain fog, anxiety, poor sleep, weight gain, and hormone changes are simply part of getting older.

Dr. Mariza explains why perimenopause is far more than a reproductive transition. It's a neurological, metabolic, cardiovascular, and whole-body transition that deserves proactive care—not years of unnecessary suffering.

Most importantly, she shares practical strategies for becoming an active partner in your healthcare, including how to prepare for appointments, ask better questions, understand your symptoms, and advocate for the care you deserve.

If you've ever left a doctor's appointment feeling unheard or wondering if it's "all in your head," this episode will remind you that your symptoms matter, your intuition matters, and you deserve answers.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why women have been conditioned to become "good patients"

The hidden impact of research gaps in women's healthcare

Why "your labs are normal" isn't always the full story

How perimenopause affects the brain, metabolism, heart, and hormones

The questions every woman should ask at her medical appointments

How to prepare for appointments so you become an active partner in your care

The difference between normal lab ranges and optimal health

Why you deserve evidence-based care that prioritizes your long-term health

QUOTES

“You are the CEO of your health.”

“Symptoms are not inconveniences to silence. They are signals to understand.”

“Normal isn't always the same as optimal.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Stop surviving and start thriving: join the free 5-day challenge beginning July 27, 2026: https://drmariza.com/jumpstart

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

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

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Thriving in Perimenopause Survival Guide: https://go.drmariza.com/lp/perimenopause-survival-guide/

Joy & Blokes Lab Testing: https://joiandblokes.com/labs-with-dr-mariza-snyder/

RELATED EPISODES

761: Finding Your Way Back to Pleasure and Feeling Fully Alive with Gabriella Espinosa

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

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

650: Unlock Your Health: The Ultimate Biomarker & Lab Blueprint to Thrive in Midlife and Beyond

Have you ever looked around at your life and wondered: "When did I stop feeling like myself?"

Maybe you're checking all the boxes, taking care of everyone else, managing your career, your family, your home, and your health—but somewhere along the way, joy, curiosity, desire, and pleasure started to disappear.

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with Gabriella Espinosa, women's wellness expert, host of the Pleasure in the Pause podcast, and advocate for redefining pleasure and connection in midlife.

Gabriella shares her own journey through perimenopause, where anxiety, overwhelm, brain fog, low libido, and feeling disconnected from herself led her to explore the missing conversation around pleasure, body awareness, intimacy, and nervous system safety.

Together, they discuss why so many women lose connection with their bodies after years of caregiving, striving, and putting everyone else first—and why pleasure isn't a luxury, but an essential part of feeling alive, energized, and connected.

They also explore how changing hormones, stress, and survival mode impact desire, why intimacy can be rebuilt at any age, and how simple daily moments of joy and sensation can help women reconnect with themselves.

If you've been feeling like the version of you who felt vibrant, playful, confident, or deeply connected has disappeared, this conversation will remind you that she isn't gone—and it's never too late to rediscover her.

GABRIELLA ESPINOSA

Gabriella Espinosa is a women's wellness and pleasure advocate, yoga and breathwork teacher, host of the Pleasure in the Pause podcast, and executive producer of the upcoming documentary Hot. Through her work, she helps women reconnect with their bodies, redefine pleasure, and navigate midlife with greater confidence, connection, and vitality.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why so many women feel disconnected from themselves during midlife

How perimenopause can impact desire, intimacy, and confidence

Why pleasure is an important signal of safety, vitality, and wellbeing

How chronic stress and survival mode affect connection with your body

The importance of learning the language of your own needs and desires

Why intimacy and pleasure can be rebuilt at any age

Simple practices to reconnect with your body through sensation

How to advocate for your pleasure, health, and relationships

QUOTES

“Pleasure has no age limit or expiration date.”

“Pleasure is actually information.”

“Perimenopause doesn't mean the end of pleasure. It can be the beginning of a new exciting chapter.”

“What feels good in my body?”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

https://www.womaness.com/DRMARIZA

Stop surviving and start thriving, join Midlife on Fire Collective now

https://drmariza.com/firecollective

Pleasure in the Pause Podcast

Get the 7-Day Pleasure Body Journal

Pleasure in the Pause Website

Gabriella Espinosa Website

Gabriella Espinosa Instagram

Gabriella Espinosa Youtube

RELATED EPISODES

760: The Mindset Shift That Helps You Stop Feeling Stuck with Dr. Rachel Goldman

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

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

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

Why do so many women reach midlife and suddenly feel like everything is harder than it used to be?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with nationally recognized clinical psychologist, behavioral change expert, and author Dr. Rachel Goldman to explore why so many women feel overwhelmed, disconnected from themselves, and stuck during major life transitions.

Dr. Rachel explains how stress, changing responsibilities, shifting identities, motherhood, career demands, and body changes can create a sense of losing yourself—and why the answer isn't pushing harder, but learning how to respond differently.

Together, they discuss the mindset shifts that help women navigate change with more self-compassion, flexibility, and resilience. They also explore the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and how simple tools from cognitive behavioral therapy can help break patterns that keep us stuck.

Dr. Rachel also shares why self-care doesn't have to mean adding another overwhelming task to your list. Instead, small intentional moments like movement, breathing, time outside, connection, and creating a reset can completely shift how you show up in your life.

If you've been wondering whether you'll ever feel like yourself again, this episode is a reminder that change doesn't mean you've lost who you are—it may be an invitation to step into your next chapter with more strength and confidence.

DR. RACHEL GOLDMAN

Dr. Rachel Goldman is a nationally recognized clinical psychologist, behavioral change expert, speaker, and author of When Life Happens: The Mindset Shift You Need to Manage Stress, Build Confidence, and Break Free. She helps people manage stress, improve mindset, navigate life transitions, and build confidence through practical, evidence-based tools rooted in psychology and behavioral change.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why so many women feel disconnected from themselves in midlife

How mindset impacts stress, emotions, confidence, and behavior

The importance of self-compassion during seasons of change

Why routines and small habits help create stability during stressful times

How to stop all-or-nothing thinking and create realistic solutions

The connection between body image, aging, and identity shifts

Why resilience comes from building tools before life gets difficult

How to create a personalized stress management toolbox

QUOTES

“Life can be challenging, but it doesn't have to feel so challenging.”

“We have to create the time.”

“Feeling stuck isn't who you are. It's a signal.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

https://www.mitoq.com/energized

Grab the “When Life Happens” book by Dr. Rachel Goldman

https://amzn.to/4aBRJwq

Goldman Website

Dr. Rachel Goldman Instagram

Dr. Rachel Goldman Facebook

Dr. Rachel Goldman Youtube

RELATED EPISODES

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

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

754: How to Find Joy When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan with Amberly Lago

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

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

Why women commonly wake up around 3:00 a.m. during perimenopause

How estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and blood sugar affect sleep

The biggest mistakes women make before bedtime

Why sleep apnea is often overlooked in midlife women

How CBT-I can help retrain the brain for better sleep

The role of caffeine, alcohol, fiber, and evening nutrition

Why cooling the body improves sleep quality

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

https://peri-revolution.com/

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

https://amzn.to/4b6OM75

Take the Chronoquiz nowGet 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

What if the reason you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted, disconnected, or stuck isn't because you're broken—but because your nervous system no longer feels safe?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with psychiatrist, neuroscientist, inventor, and author Dr. Dave Rabin to explore the science of safety, nervous system regulation, emotional healing, resilience, and what it truly means to be alive.

Drawing from decades of work treating patients with PTSD, anxiety, addiction, and chronic stress, Dr. Rabin shares why many traditional mental health approaches often fall short and why healing begins by helping the body relearn safety.

Together, they discuss how modern life, chronic overstimulation, smartphones, loneliness, and constant stress have created what Dr. Rabin calls a "habitat crisis" that is overwhelming our nervous systems and contributing to rising rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and chronic disease.

Dr. Rabin also explains why feeling must come before thinking, how many of our limiting beliefs become subconscious programs during childhood, and how simple practices can help rewrite those stories in real time.

The conversation dives into heart rate variability (HRV), vagus nerve health, emotional processing, play, connection, and the remarkable science behind Apollo Neuro—a wearable technology designed to help the body feel safer, sleep better, and recover more effectively from stress.

If you've ever felt trapped in survival mode, disconnected from joy, or exhausted from constantly pushing through, this episode offers a hopeful roadmap back to safety, resilience, and healing.

Dr. Dave Rabin

Dr. Dave Rabin is a board-certified psychiatrist, neuroscientist, inventor, and mental health innovator. He is the co-founder of Apollo Neuro, a wearable technology designed to improve stress resilience, sleep, focus, and recovery through gentle vibrations that activate the body's safety response system. He is also the author of A Simple Guide to Being Alive, which explores the neuroscience of safety, healing, emotional well-being, and human flourishing.

IN THIS EPISODE


Why nervous system dysregulation is driving so many modern health challenges


How chronic stress, smartphones, and overstimulation contribute to a "habitat crisis"


Why feeling emotions is essential for healing and resilience


How subconscious childhood programming shapes adult behavior and beliefs


The connection between vagus nerve function, HRV, and long-term health


Why sleep quality may be one of the most powerful tools for nervous system recovery


The science behind Apollo Neuro and how it supports safety and resilience


How play, connection, and joy help create lasting healing

QUOTES“Feeling is required for healing.”

“Pleasure and joy remind us that we are safe.”

“We all have the ability to heal ourselves.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

http://hellobatch.com/ENERGIZED

Get the “A Simple Guide to Being Alive” book by Dr. Dave Rabin now

https://apolloneuro.com/pages/a-simple-guide-to-being-alive

Apollo Neuro Website

The Board of Medicine

Dr. Dave Rabin Instagram

Dr. Dave Rabin Facebook

RELATED EPISODES 

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

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

754: How to Find Joy When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan with Amberly Lago

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