Energized with Dr. Mariza

What if the symptoms disrupting your life are connected to perimenopause, even if you’ve never had a hot flash?

Andrea Donsky spent 14 years in perimenopause and 11 of them with no idea what was happening to her body. Now, as a seven-time published menopause researcher, nutritionist, and bestselling author of Nourishing Menopause, she’s helping women put language to experiences that have been overlooked for far too long.

In this episode, Andrea joins Dr. Mariza to unpack her research into 103+ reported symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and why hot flashes aren’t even among the most common. Fatigue ranks #1, while nine of the top 10 symptoms are cognitive or mental-health related.

They also discuss why women are still being dismissed by healthcare providers, the foundational role of nutrition, blood sugar, sleep, movement, and stress management, and why perimenopause deserves to be viewed as an opportunity to protect your long-term health.

Most importantly, you’ll learn why this transition rarely looks the same from one woman to the next and why having the right vocabulary can completely change how you advocate for yourself.

Listen now to better understand what your changing body may be trying to tell you and the tools that can help you feel like yourself again.

ANDREA DONSKY

Andrea Donsky is a nutritionist, menopause researcher, bestselling author, and co-founder of We Are Morphus. She has worked in health and wellness for 26 years and has spent nearly a decade focused specifically on perimenopause and menopause.

Her research explores women’s real-world experiences during the menopause transition, including more than 100 reported symptoms and women’s experiences seeking care. She is the author of Nourishing Menopause, a research-backed guide combining nutrition, lifestyle, holistic health, and conventional approaches to help women feel their best through this transition.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why Andrea spent 11 years in perimenopause without realizing it

The 103+ symptoms women have reported during perimenopause and menopause

Why fatigue is the #1 reported symptom, not hot flashes

The surprising dominance of brain, cognitive, and mental-health symptoms

Why 40% of women in Andrea’s research reported feeling dismissed by healthcare providers

How nutrition, blood sugar, sleep, movement, and stress support women through this transition

Why HRT can be one valuable tool alongside foundational lifestyle strategies

How perimenopause can become a window of opportunity for protecting long-term health

QUOTES

“I was in perimenopause for 14 years total, 11 of which I had no idea.”

“We know that there’s 103 different symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.”

“The number one symptom across the board is fatigue.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

Nourishing Menopause by Andrea Donsky

Sign up now to receive your bonus: "The Nourishing Menopause Bonuses"

Andrea Donsky Website

Andrea Donsky Instagram

Andrea Donsky Youtube

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What if the cholesterol numbers you’ve been watching aren’t telling you the whole story about your heart?

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Philip Ovadia to explore why he believes metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance deserve far more attention when assessing cardiovascular risk, especially for women entering perimenopause and menopause.

Dr. Ovadia shares what he’s learned after 25 years in heart surgery, including why he’s now routinely operating on patients in their 40s and even 30s. They break down the metabolic warning signs that can appear decades before advanced heart disease, from rising blood pressure and waist circumference to fasting insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and HDL.

You’ll also hear their discussion about cholesterol and advanced lipid testing, how changing hormones can affect women’s cardiometabolic health, and why resistance training, real food, muscle, sleep, and blood sugar stability matter.

Plus, Dr. Ovadia explains how continuous glucose monitors can provide real-time insight into your metabolic health and the heart imaging he recommends women discuss with their healthcare providers.

Listen now to discover the metabolic clues your body may be giving you today and how to start protecting your heart for decades to come.

DR. PHILIP OVADIA

Dr. Philip Ovadia is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, founder of Ovadia Heart Health Center, and author of Stay Off My Operating Table and Stay Off My Kitchen Table.

After performing thousands of heart surgeries, Dr. Ovadia shifted part of his work toward prevention, helping patients identify and address metabolic dysfunction before it progresses to advanced cardiovascular disease. His virtual practice focuses on improving metabolic health as a strategy for reducing heart disease risk.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why Dr. Ovadia believes insulin resistance deserves more attention in heart disease prevention

The five basic metabolic markers he wants women tracking

Why your personal blood pressure baseline matters in midlife

What fasting insulin can reveal before blood sugar becomes obviously abnormal

Why cholesterol alone may not give you the complete picture of cardiovascular risk

How muscle and resistance training support metabolic and heart health

What a continuous glucose monitor can teach you about food, energy, and blood sugar

When Dr. Ovadia recommends considering coronary artery calcium imaging

QUOTES

“It's never too early to start thinking about this, but it's also never too late.”

“Cholesterol is not the main thing driving heart disease.”

“Low-fat diets, they simply don't work.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

http://drmariza.com/book

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

https://drmariza.com/trial

Stay Off My Operating Table by Dr. Philip Ovadia

Dr. Ovadia Website

Dr. Ovadia Facebook

Dr. Ovadia Instagram

Dr. Ovadia Youtube

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Is this perimenopause… or is something else going on?

It’s one of the most common questions Dr. Mariza hears from women in their late 30s and early 40s, especially when their periods are still regular and they’ve never experienced a hot flash.

In this solo episode, Dr. Mariza breaks down why early perimenopause can be so difficult to recognize and the less obvious signs that often appear first, including exhaustion, anxiety, irritability, brain fog, sleep changes, worsening PMS, migraines, and changes in stress tolerance.

She shares three important clues for identifying a possible perimenopause pattern: looking for clusters of symptoms, noticing changes from your normal baseline, and tracking how symptoms change throughout your cycle.

But hormones aren’t always the entire story. Dr. Mariza also explains why thyroid dysfunction, low iron, metabolic issues, nutrient deficiencies, sleep problems, and other conditions deserve investigation, even when perimenopause is part of the picture.

Plus, you’ll learn how to track your symptoms and walk into your next healthcare appointment prepared to ask better questions.

Listen now to connect the dots, understand what your body is telling you, and get clearer on your next steps.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why so many women over 35 aren’t sure whether they’re in perimenopause

The early perimenopause symptoms women often mistake for stress or burnout

Why you can be in perimenopause while still having regular periods

The three clues Dr. Mariza uses to recognize a perimenopause pattern

Why tracking changes from your personal baseline matters

How your menstrual cycle can reveal patterns in mood, sleep, migraines, and energy

What else to investigate, including thyroid, iron, metabolic health, and sleep

How to advocate for yourself when your labs look “normal” but you don’t feel like yourself

QUOTES

“Stop looking at the one symptom that proves you’re in perimenopause. Start looking at the collection of clues and patterns that your body is exposing.”

“Perimenopause doesn’t usually show up with a giant flashing sign.”

“Hormones may be a huge part of the picture without being the entire picture.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

http://drmariza.com/book

Comprehensive Perimenopause Lab Guide

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

https://drmariza.com/trial

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Has your period suddenly started behaving completely differently?

Maybe your cycles are shorter or longer. PMS hits harder. Your breasts are sore, cravings are stronger, your mood changes dramatically, or your libido seems to have disappeared.

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Beeya co-founders Kaya and Yasmin Purohit to explore what your changing cycle may be telling you, especially as you move into your late 30s and 40s.

Yasmin shares her experience coming off birth control after 15 years and struggling for two years with anxiety, painful cramps, breast tenderness, and acne. Together, they explore why these symptoms deserve attention and how foundational habits like sleep, movement, whole foods, and blood sugar stability can support hormone health.

They also unpack seed cycling, including exactly how it works, the nutrients different seeds provide throughout the menstrual cycle, what the research currently supports, and why women in perimenopause have become an especially important part of Beeya’s community.

Most importantly, this conversation is a reminder that your changing cycle is information.

Listen now to learn how to recognize the clues your body is giving you and support your hormones without making wellness another overwhelming job.

KAYA & YASMIN PUROHIT

Kaya and Yasmin Purohit are the co-founders of Beeya, a women’s wellness brand focused on helping women support their bodies through PMS, perimenopause, irregular cycles, fertility, and beyond.

After Yasmin struggled with severe symptoms following 15 years on birth control, she and Kaya discovered seed cycling and set out to make the practice simpler and more accessible for modern women.

Their work combines nutrition, education, and practical daily rituals designed to help women better understand and support their cycles.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why changing periods can be an early clue that you’re entering perimenopause

Yasmin’s experience after coming off birth control following 15 years on the pill

How sleep, movement, and whole-food nutrition can affect your cycle

The surprising connection between blood sugar, progesterone, PMS, anxiety, and rage

What seed cycling is and how to use different seeds throughout your cycle

Why women in perimenopause may benefit from additional nutritional support

How postpartum and perimenopause can overlap for women having children later

Why community, joy, and flexibility belong in the conversation about women’s health

QUOTES

“Your cycle is information. It’s always giving you information.”

“Not every day is going to be a winner.”

“Annoyance is the price you pay for community.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

https://drmariza.com/trial

Beeya Wellness Website

Beeya Wellness Instagram

Beeya Wellness Youtube

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Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I miss me”?

Somewhere between taking care of everyone else, keeping life moving, and getting everything done, it’s easy to lose touch with the parts of yourself that make you feel creative, connected, joyful, and fully alive.

In this deeply personal conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with one of her best friends, artist, jewelry designer, and Fully Expressed co-host Samantha Hollingsworth, to explore female friendship, creativity, and what it means to become fully expressed.

They talk about why women need friendships where they can stop performing and feel completely seen, what makes a relationship feel safe and reciprocal, and why deeper connections become especially meaningful in midlife.

Samantha also shares her unconventional journey through multiple careers and creative pursuits, and why women don’t have to choose one passion or stay on one path forever. Plus, she and Dr. Mariza dive into their shared love of fiction and how books can reconnect us with imagination, possibility, and joy.

If you’re craving deeper friendships, more creativity, or simply want to feel more like you again, this episode is for you.

Listen now for a heartfelt conversation about friendship, creativity, and finding your way back to yourself.

SAMANTHA HOLLINGSWORTH

Samantha Hollingsworth is an artist, creative, jewelry designer, Pilates instructor, and co-host of the Fully Expressed podcast and community. After exploring careers in film, movement, voiceover, and other creative fields, Samantha found her way into jewelry design and now creates custom pieces while preparing to launch her own line, Slater by Samantha.

At the heart of her work is a passion for storytelling, creativity, deep female friendship, and creating spaces where women feel truly seen.

IN THIS EPISODE

What it actually means to live a fully expressed life

Why you don’t have to choose just one passion or path

How safe female friendships help us become more ourselves

What to look for when building deeper friendships in midlife

Why friendship requires vulnerability, discernment, and accountability

How books can provide escape, imagination, and connection

Why creativity belongs to everyone, not just artists

Giving yourself permission to start over and write a new story at any age

QUOTES“Women need women. Like, that’s how we thrive.”

“Friendship is messy.”

“You can make whatever life you want.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Find inspiration, connection, and meaningful reads. Join the Book Club now!

https://drmariza.com/bookclub

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

https://www.womaness.com/DRMARIZA

The Fully Expressed Website

The Fully Expressed Community

The Fully Expressed Podcast

Samantha Hollingsworth Instagram

Samantha Hollingsworth Website

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