Have you ever felt like you don’t recognize yourself anymore? 

Not just physically, but a sinking feeling that something is deeply wrong and you can’t quite put your finger on it?

For many women in perimenopause, this is their new reality.

And it’s time we talk about why!

The fact is, hormonal shifts during this transition can unexpectedly trigger PTSD-like symptoms—especially if you’ve experienced trauma in the past. 

Flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened anxiety come on without warning. 

The trauma may even feel like it’s happening all over again.

Many women describe it as a sense of being completely disconnected from themselves—just like I did when I entered perimenopause.

Which is why today, I’m addressing the issue head on.

I reveal why perimenopause is often called our 'second puberty'—and how it can be just as unsettling as adolescence.

Plus, I'll help you make sense of symptoms like mood swings, anxiety, and brain fog, so you can stop blaming yourself and start understanding the real changes happening in your body.

If you’ve been feeling lost, untethered, or even sacred… 

Tune in for the clarity, support, and solutions you need to feel like YOU again. 

"Hormonal shifts during this transition can bring SCARY flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety back to the surface. You may even feel like the trauma is happening all over again."

"Perimenopause is a hormonal reckoning, and everything is up for review. But with the right knowledge and support, we can gain agency over our health and thrive in midlife."

"Feeling like you’ve lost yourself during perimenopause isn’t just in your head—it’s a direct result of hormonal fluctuations, particularly the decline of estrogen and progesterone, which affect everything from your mood to your ability to handle stress."

"Eight out of the ten most common perimenopause symptoms are brain-related—things like mood swings, brain fog, anxiety, irritability, and mental fatigue. 

Save your FREE seat for my upcoming Thriving in Perimenopause & Menopause Summit 

Download a FREE copy of my 14 Hormone-Balancing Recipes Guide 

593: Why EVERYONE Needs Progesterone in Perimenopause and Beyond and How We Are Getting Dosing All Wrong with Carol Petersen

589: Effective Strategies and Tools to Calm Irritation, Mood Swings and Stress Deregulation Throughout Perimenopause

#572: How to Know You are in Perimenopause Including the 40+ Symptoms Associated with Declining Hormones

Are you waking up feeling exhausted—even after a full night's sleep? 

It’s one of the top complaints I hear from women and something I’ve personally struggled with, too.

Which can be especially frustrating when you know you’re doing everything else right.

You’re eating clean. Walking after meals. Taking supplements… 

So, what else could be causing it?

Meet your circadian rhythm (aka your biological clock). 

In this episode, I sat down with award-winning science journalist and circadian rhythm expert, Lynne Peeples—to help you get to the bottom of your morning sluggishness and start waking up energized.

Lynne shared powerful tips from her new book (The Inner Clock) about how simple daily habits—like getting morning light and avoiding late meals—can reset your internal clock, balance hormones, and give you all-day energy. 

We also discussed the importance of wearables—with specific recommendations for optimizing your body’s natural rhythms. 

Tune in for the crucial steps you NEED to take to reset your circadian rhythm and feel better today! 

Visit podcast episode here: https://drmariza.com/episode599

“Circadian rhythms affect so much more than just sleep. They’re tied to our hormones, metabolism, mood, and even our gut health. Keeping these rhythms in sync can make a world of difference for your overall well-being.”

"Getting outside within the first couple hours of waking up is key. Just 10 to 15 minutes of natural light—even on a cloudy day—helps set your circadian rhythm and sets you up for better sleep that night." 

"Our digestive system is tied to our biological clock. Eating late at night spikes your blood sugar more, raises your core temperature, and disrupts sleep. Keeping meals within a 10-hour window—earlier in the day—helps support metabolism and balance." 

“Morning light is critical for setting your internal clock. Even on cloudy days, get outside—natural light is still much stronger than indoor light and it helps you stay in sync with your body’s natural rhythm.”

"The consistency piece is huge—eating, sleeping, and exercising at the same time every day. That keeps your body's clocks in sync and makes it easier to fall asleep, wake up refreshed, and maintain your energy throughout the day." 

We’ve all heard the saying, “Follow your heart.”

But what if I told you that your heart holds even more power than we’ve been led to believe?

In just a few minutes per day, you can learn to tap into that power and break free from the cycle of burnout, anxiety, and overwhelm—and completely transform your mind, body, and soul. 

It’s called heart coherence.

And in today’s episode, I sit down with multiple-time New York Times best-selling author, holistic wellness expert, and meditation teacher Kimberly Snyder to show you how it works. 

Kimberly blends ancient wisdom with modern science—and guides you through the five heart stages: 

Dark; Propelled; Steady; Devoted; and Clear. 

She also shares SIMPLE, heart-centered practices that can dramatically reduce stress, boost your energy levels, and even improve your gut health, hormone balance, and relationships.

Whether you're at work, at home, or in the midst of chaos, you can do these practices with ease—and the results can be life-changing. 

Tune in here and get ready to open your heart for rapid healing!

“The heart is actually another brain—it sends more messages to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. It controls so much around our health, vitality, and emotional well-being. When we learn to tap into this power, it can transform everything.”

“These aren’t long meditations or complicated rituals—just quick, simple practices that take a few seconds. Even in the middle of chaos, you can realign and come back to a centered place in 3 to 10 seconds.”

“Once you start living from your heart, you’ll notice a shift. You’ll have more energy, better communication, and deeper intuition. It’s like opening up to a new way of living, where everything feels more in flow.”

Kimberly’s Feel Good Podcast

Kimberly’s NEW book: The Hidden Power of the Five Hearts

Kimberly’s website, Solluna

More about the HeartMath Institute on heart coherence and its impact

#575: Transform Your Life Through Self Love, Trusting Your Heart and Raising Your Self Worth with Roxy Saffaie

#360: The Most Important — Yet Little-Known — Secret to Align Your Goals with Your Heart’s Purpose with Dr. Benita Varnado

#569: How to Build a Strong Emotional Connection with Your Partner and How to Transform Your Love Life with Vanessa and Xander Marin

Are you ready to shatter the myths surrounding menopause and take control of your hormonal health at ANY age? 

The truth is, the medical establishment has—and continues—to overlook viable holistic treatments for women in midlife, especially when it comes to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

The focus has always been on symptoms—NOT the root cause.

But that’s all about to change.

Meet Kristin Johnson and Maria Claps.

Two experts on a mission to help women educate themselves, advocate for their health, and seek out medical practitioners who can help. 

I sat down with Kristin and Maria to discuss the benefits and complexities of HRT, especially the critical roles that progesterone and estrogen play in maintaining your long-term health. 

We also shared simple solutions to ward off serious conditions, like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline. 

This episode is packed with invaluable information that every woman should hear—whether you’re just beginning to experience hormonal changes or are well into menopause.

Tune in and learn how to thrive—into your 60s, 70s, and beyond!

View the podcast page here: https://drmariza.com/episode597

Check out Maria and Kristen's new book: The Great Menopause Myth

Stay tuned for more information on how to register for my FREE Thriving in Perimenopause and Menopause Summit! 

593: Why EVERYONE Needs Progesterone in Perimenopause and Beyond and How We Are Getting Dosing All Wrong with Carol Petersen

592: Menopause, HRT, and Breast Cancer + How to Advocate for Yourself with Dr Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz

583: The Truth About Menopause That You Deserve to Know with Dr. Mary Claire Haver

#404: Do Women Need to Wait Till Menopause to Begin Hormone Replacement Therapy? with Esther Blum

Menopause always gets a bad rap. But let’s face it… as women,  menopause is inevitable. 

So let’s quit overlooking its significance and use it as a time to reassess our priorities to enjoy a higher level of self-awareness and well-being! It’s time to highlight this beautiful transition into a new phase of life.  

Menopause marks evolution– not an ending. That’s why I’ve invited Dr. Anna Cabeca to the podcast today to help YOU celebrate your menopause in midlife and feel exactly how you want to in your body. 

As an expert in women’s health, integrative medicine, anti-aging techniques, and longevity– you won’t want to miss all the knowledge Dr. Anna shares in this episode to help you make the most of your life! 

Join us here as we dive into hormone health during menopause and talk about all the pros and cons of bioidentical hormone replacement.  Plus, we’ll guide you on what you can do NOW to navigate your body’s changes with ease and grace as you age. Check it out! 

Dr. Anna Cabeca – known as the girlfriend doctor– is an OB/GYN who’s served 10,000+ women in her private practice, and millions more through her books, online videos, and articles. She’s been in practice for over 20 years, and it’s her personal and professional mission to give proven pragmatic solutions to women dealing with menopausal health challenges so they can lead the life they want, need, and deserve.

View podcast page here: https://drmariza.com/episode596

Register for the Mastering Your Hormones Masterclass HERE!

Dr. Anna’s Website 

Dr. Anna’s Facebook

Dr. Anna’s Instagram 

579: Hormone Replacement Options And Hormone Testing for Women in Midlife + Self Advocacy for Optimal Health with Esther Blum

592: Menopause, Hrt, And Breast Cancer + How to Advocate for Yourself with Dr Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz

#558: The Science Behind Ozempic And Important Facts About Glp-1 Agonists + Hormone Replacement for Women 40+ With Dr. Tyna Moore

#557: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Hormone Replacement in Their 40s And Beyond with Felice Gersh

#404: Do Women Need to Wait till Menopause to Begin Hormone Replacement Therapy? With Esther Blum

Feeling like you don’t have the mental capacity or physical energy to do the things you love lately? 

You may have been told this is just a normal part of menopause and aging as a woman. But it DOESN’T have to be! 

Midlife is a time for a serious health reflection. And we deserve a better method of healing to feel stronger, energized, and ah-mazing– no matter what stage of life we’re in. 

This episode is all about optimizing your metabolic and brain health. Because symptoms of metabolic dysfunction can be silent, and we often excuse them away for being too busy, or just being a woman heading towards menopause. 

My mission here is to help YOU create great energy and improve your metabolic health– especially in midlife when your body starts to shift. 

So tune in here for all my top daily habits and recommendations on optimizing your cellular energy– for lasting brain, metabolic, and OVERALL health! 

View the podcast episode here: https://drmariza.com/episode595

Use code DRMARIZA to get up to 40% off at Cozy Earth >>

Stay tuned for more information on how to register for my FREE Thriving in Perimenopause and Menopause Summit! 

584: The Health Costs of Our Modern Life & How to Start Feeling Better with Dr. Casey Means

#552: The Midlife Muscle Crisis: Why Maintaining Muscle Is Necessary for Fat Loss, Strength and Longevity with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

#546: How To Stay Lean, Energized, And Strong by Working with Your Physiology, Not Against It with Dr. Stacy Sims

#531: How To Create Metabolism-Loving Meals That Can Fix Your Blood Sugar and Ward Off Chronic Disease 

#545: How To Reverse Your Biological Age with Simple Lifestyle Habits and the Most Important Factors in Reversing Your Inner Age with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald

580: Mastering Your Sleep, Metabolism, And Overall, Health in Midlife with Cynthia Thurlow

#535: How To Effectively Reset Your Metabolism, Lose Weight, And Upgrade Your Hormones

Last August, I was scared I’d never have the mental bandwidth to live my dreams, or even become the mom I’d always strived to be. I was severely struggling with a brain injury and post-concussion syndrome, uncertain of how my future would look. 

Now– 1 year later– I’m feeling great, functioning 88% better than I was after my injury. So how did I transform, and tackle my symptoms HEAD-on? (no pun intended!)

Despite perimenopausal symptoms, increased inflammation, and mold exposure I experienced all while on my road to recovery, a few things I’ve been doing have made all the difference…

In this podcast, I give you my top tips– my non-negotiables and consistent habits that have helped me truly transform despite several health setbacks. 

Regardless of if you’ve experienced a recent health scare or injury,  the recommendations in this podcast can be life-changing. 

Tune into this episode to learn how YOU can become a woman who fires on all cylinders, living life with energy, ease, and grace!

View the podcast page here: https://drmariza.com/episode594

Use code DRMARIZA to get up to 40% off at Cozy Earth >>

Midlife Metabolism & Hormone Reset Program

Stay on the lookout for my Thriving In Perimenopause and Menopause Summit in October!

#543: What I Am Doing to Overcome Post Concussion Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue and Low Thyroid Function and A Big Update About the Podcast

586: What You Can Do in Perimenopause to Optimize Your Energy, Resilience, And Brain Power with Dr. Mariza

#564: This Is the Most Powerful Tool I Use to Heal My Body and Optimize My Health with Dr. Mariza

The conversation around Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is back on the table, which we love. But unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there.  

The majority of women dosing with progesterone are not getting enough to be effective. So what do we need to do to avoid this? 

Compounding pharmacist and expert in the hormone replacement field Carol Petersen joins the podcast today to guide us on how to ensure effective progesterone dosing to treat hormone-related symptoms and conditions. 

Progesterone is key in estrogen metabolism and estrogen dominance–  AND it protects the uterus and supports overall health. Even if you don’t have a uterus, it still can be beneficial for women’s health. 

Ready to find out if you’re getting enough progesterone? 

Listen here to learn how progesterone can be your solution to a symptom-free perimenopause and menopause! 

Carol Petersen is a compounding pharmacist with decades of experience helping patients improve their quality of life through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. She’s a Certified Nutritional Practitioner involved in multiple organizations, including the International College of Integrated Medicine and the American College of Apothecaries, the Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), the American Pharmacists Association, and the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding. She co-hosts a radio program “Take Charge of Your Health” and she’s on the Medical Advisory Boards for the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (CeMCOR.ca) and the Institute for Bioidentical Medicine (IOBIM.org). She also writes and edits for A4M’s website www.worldhealth.net and is a co-producer of “Immortality Now” podcasts. 

Book Your Free 15 meeting on Carol’s Website!

The Wellness by Design Project Website

Carol’s YouTube

579: Hormone Replacement Options and Hormone Testing for Women in Midlife + Self Advocacy for Optimal Health with Esther Blum

#572: How To Know You Are in Perimenopause Including The 40+ Symptoms Associated with Declining Hormones

#479: 8 Superpowers of Progesterone

#403: 5 Big Benefits of the Powerhouse Hormone: Progesterone

Dealing with menopause symptoms is rough enough, but navigating a cancer diagnosis at the same time causes even more stress and anxiety. 

As a holistic-focused physician going through menopause, a diagnosis of breast cancer put a bump in the road for Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, leading to concerns about how she would navigate her own journey. 

It can be hard to feel heard by your physician, and advocating for things like holistic healing options, lab testing, and hormone replacement therapy can become an endless battle.

But as a women’s empowerment advocate and a public educator, Dr. Suzanne is here today to help YOU advocate for your needs and to speak up about your situation because you deserve to be heard. 

Hearing Dr. Suzanne’s story can help you get through any tough times you’re facing. Especially for the breast cancer community– there are ways you can manage your longevity and your health now going forward for the better. Check out this podcast to find out how! 

Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz earned her medical degree from the USC School of Medicine and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She frequently appears as an expert in women’s health and integrative medicine in print, online, and on TV, where she’s the Chief Medical Correspondent for the Drew Barrymore Show. She’s the author of MENOPAUSE BOOTCAMP: Optimize Your Health, Empower Your Self, and Flourish as You Age. 

Menopause Bootcamp Certification Course 

Get 20% off with Code: Energized20

Get Dr. Suzanne’s book HERE: Menopause Bootcamp 

Dr. Suzanne’s Website 

Dr. Suzanne’s Socials: 

Facebook

Instagram 

TikTok

YouTube 

#590: Dispelling Myths About Breast Cancer and Mammograms + Navigating Hrt After Breast Cancer with Dr. Jenn Simmons

579: Hormone Replacement Options and Hormone Testing for Women in Midlife + Self Advocacy for Optimal Health with Esther Blum

#547: What You Need to Know About the Opill and Hormone Changes in Perimenopause with Dr. Carrie Jones

#404: Do Women Need to Wait till Menopause to Begin Hormone Replacement Therapy? With Esther Blum

COVID might seem like old news, but if you’re a woman in midlife who’s had COVID in the past, it could still be majorly affecting you. 

Your perimenopause or menopause symptoms may actually be heightened because of your history of a viral illness like COVID. 

COVID still is absolutely dysregulating women’s menstrual cycles, fertility, and perimenopause/menopause experiences. That’s why Dr. Jessica Drummond joins me today to help you navigate the ups and downs as you transition into perimenopause or menopause– all while keeping your immune system in check. 

People who are most at risk for long COVID are perimenopausal women– or women in their mid to late thirties to mid-fifties. And unfortunately, post-viral syndromes can make it difficult to tolerate hormone therapies, which can be really helpful during this transition. 

So it’s essential to know if the menopause symptoms you’re facing are in part due to long-COVID or another viral infection. 

Listen to the podcast here to learn how you can support yourself hormonally with neuroinflammatory strategies and tools to feel like your best self in midlife– even after illness!

Dr. Jessica Drummond is the founder and CEO of The Integrative Women’s Health Institute. With 25 years of experience as a licensed physical therapist, licensed clinical nutritionist, and board-certified health coach, she’s passionate about caring for and empowering women in all things women’s health and pelvic health. She helps women overcome hormonal imbalances and chronic pain conditions. Dr. Drummond was educated at the University of Virginia, Emory University, Duke Integrative Medicine, and Maryland University of Integrative Health.

Check out Dr. Drummond’s FREE workshop for women's health and wellness professionals on functional nutrition - including immune and hormone health

The Integrative Women’s Health Institute Website 

Dr. Drummond’s Instagram

#574: The Connection Between Trauma, The Immune System, And Autoimmune Disease: Lab Testing and Solutions with Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried

579: Hormone Replacement Options And Hormone Testing for Women in Midlife + Self Advocacy for Optimal Health with Esther Blum

#572: How To Know You Are In Perimenopause Including The 40+ Symptoms Associated With Declining Hormones

#334: 3 Immune-Boosting Habits That Are Non-Negotiable Right Now