Energized with Dr. Mariza

Feeling like even the smallest things are suddenly overwhelming you? 

This is actually part of a much bigger hormonal and neurological shift happening beneath the surface. 

In today’s episode, I’m covering one of the most common—and least talked about—midlife experiences: the brain-related changes that come with perimenopause. 

Even women who experience few classic symptoms like hot flashes are still undergoing silent physiological changes affecting the brain, bones, muscles, metabolism, and cardiovascular health. 

We explore why perimenopause can be a destabilizing but deeply transformative recalibration where everything from hormones to lifestyle habits comes up for review. 

So I’m breaking down simple daily habits you can start right away to support your brain, stabilize your energy, and reduce overwhelm without adding more to your already full plate. 

Ready to clear the fog and feel like yourself again in midlife? Tune in here for the science-backed tools to start today. 🧠

IN THIS EPISODE

QUOTES

“Over 70% of women in perimenopause experience brain-related symptoms: mood changes, sleep disruptions, hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, irritability, cognitive shifts, memory lapses, and low stress resilience. Eight out of the 10 most common symptoms in perimenopause are brain-related.”

“This is metabolic neuroscience, and this is exactly why we cannot just push through the brain fog. We need to stabilize glucose. We need to lower insulin spikes. We need a calm cortisol. We need to reduce the inflammatory load.” 

“These are the signals that we get to listen to, and that's why I created something to help you decode those signals and give your body back what it has been asking for.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Discover my Morning Metabolic Ignition Method in my FREE 7-day Jumpstart Program

https://go.drmariza.com/lp/reignite-your-energy/

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

https://peri-revolution.com/

The Menopause Brain by Dr. Lisa Moscone

RELATED EPISODES

 721: No, It’s Not All in Your Head: The Medical Truth About Perimenopause with Dr. Jila Senemar

718: Low-Grade Inflammation: The Hidden Root of Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Hormone Imbalance with Dr. Shivani Gupta

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

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

Midlife is a time for rebirth… a time to come into who you truly are. 

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with the brilliant Dr. Deanna Minich to dive into how this stage of life can bring you to the best version of yourself after years of balancing roles, expectations, and responsibilities. 

Dr. Minich shares why midlife is the perfect time to rediscover your voice, clarify your needs, and define your non-negotiables so you can live the next chapter on your own terms. 

We’re reframing menopause not as an ending, but as the beginning of a powerful second half of life filled with purpose and authenticity. 

Ready to reclaim your energy and step into midlife with clarity and confidence?  Tune in here! 

Deanna Minich, PhD, MS, CNS, IFMCP

Deanna Minich is a nutrition scientist, international lecturer, educator, and author with over 25 years of experience in academia and in the food and dietary supplement industries. She’s the Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health, and has written seven books and over 50 scientific publications. Her work aims to help others live well by using therapeutic lifestyle changes that impact their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

IN THIS EPISODE

QUOTES

“I think it's a really powerful system and I think the best thing for women, no matter if you're going through perimenopause, you're just about to enter, or even if you're post, it's really connecting into that wisdom within that we have as the endocrine system.”

“There's no way I could ever do women's health on my own. I want to be connected to a collaborative, to a team, to other people in the space where we rise together and we really get the message out. So that's what I've been doing.”

“Here’s the message for women: we all need a way to bring ourselves into better coherence, better emotional, mental status, like where we feel in the zone.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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

http://troscriptions.com/ENERGIZED

Use code ENERGIZED and get 15% off on your entire purchase

https://symphonynaturalhealth.com/products/herbatonin

https://symphonynaturalhealth.com/products/macalife

Dr. Deanna’s Website

Dr. Deanna on Instagram

Dr. Deanna on Facebook

Symphony Natural Health Website

RELATED EPISODES

 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 

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

Struggling to reclaim your identity and find joy in midlife? 

You’re far from the only one! In this episode, I’m joined by women’s health and hormone expert Dr. Sonya Jensen to explore how you can turn your midlife overwhelm into a true awakening.  

We talk about the reality of this season—juggling kids, careers, aging parents, and big life transitions—while your body undergoes one of its most profound hormonal and emotional shifts. 

Unresolved trauma can surface out of nowhere during perimenopause and menopause, but we cover why these mental and emotional shifts make sense biologically. Dr. Jensen invites you to reframe midlife as a powerful opportunity to celebrate change rather than resist it, and to reconnect with peace, joy, and self-trust.  

This conversation is packed with tools to help you refocus your mind and reclaim the parts of yourself that may have been lost along the way. 

Tune in here to redefine who you are in midlife!

Dr. Sonya Jensen ND

Sonya Jensen is a Naturopathic Physician, international speaker, author, and embodied healer who guides women to reclaim their power through hormonal wisdom, emotional depth, and ancestral healing. She integrates trauma-informed modalities, herbs, nutrition, hormone therapy, longevity medicine, and nervous system support to address the unseen patterns behind hormonal imbalance. Dr. Sonya Jensen is the founder of the HER Method and the HER Community, where she helps women decode the stories their bodies are telling to transform relationships, fertility, perimenopause, and life’s transitions. 

IN THIS EPISODE

QUOTES

“I wish I had just sat down with other women and just talked about these transitions, and just talked about the challenges I'm feeling. But when you have this pressure on yourself to make it seem like you have it all together so you can hold space for others, it's really challenging to ask for help.”

“When we normalize that, then we can normalize perimenopause and the changes that we go through and the suffering that we may go through, but we can have a different relationship to that suffering.”

“We're losing those hormones. We're losing that armor. We're losing that protection that those hormones we're giving you. So if we're low in estrogen, most women will feel less motivated, maybe a little bit more depressed, maybe more fearful too because estrogen does help to stabilize that fear center.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE

https://peri-revolution.com/

Order Dr. Jensen’s Book: Heal Your Hormones, Reclaim Yourself

http://www.healyourhormonesbook.com

Dr. Jensen’s Website

Dr. Jensen on Instagram

RELATED EPISODES 

722: Why Women Feel Unsafe Right Now: Trauma, Hormones & Protecting the Next Generation with Dr. Aimie Apigian

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

702: How to Heal Trauma and Rebuild Trust Through Connectability with Anna Runkle

It can take about 4 to 6 doctor’s visits for women’s symptoms to finally be connected to perimenopause and menopause. 

So how do you know you’re entering this massive transition? 

In today’s episode, I’m joined by women’s health and nutrition expert Dr. Amy Shah for a deep dive into midlife transitions and why our healthcare system still struggles to make these critical links. 

Dr. Shah shares her own beautiful ascension, revealing how a season of life that can feel destabilizing is also deeply transformative. Through tips from her own experience combined with her well-rounded medical expertise, you’ll walk away with clarity and confidence.

We also talk about intentionality in midlife—how to navigate new opportunities, say yes to growth, and still carve out space for yourself. 

If you’re ready to step into your next level with purpose and self-trust, tune in here!

Amy Shah, MD 

Dr. Amy Shah is a double board-certified MD and nutritionist with training from Cornell, Columbia, and Harvard. She’s a gut-health expert, best-selling author, and worldwide educator in women’s health. She focuses on evidence-based research in women’s health and hormones, nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle medicine, helping people transform their health, digestion, and natural hormone balance. Her goal is to help you save yourself by prioritizing physical and mental health, even amidst the busiest of schedules.  

IN THIS EPISODE

QUOTES

“Once I started doing that, it improved things so much. That cortisol strategy, the cortisol reset, that is what changed everything.”

“What’s taking me into the next phase of my life is that we don't have a lot of time. We are allowed to fail. We are all imperfect, flawed people. And if you just give yourself permission to do things that you really want to do in this life, this is the time.”

“Go in with confidence, open eyes, and start doing things proactively because, like I said, your gut and your hormones are so connected that if you start improving your gut health, all of a sudden your brain health improves. Your hormone health is going to improve, and this rocky roller coaster of a transition will be so much smoother.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

https://peri-revolution.com/

Dr. Amy’s Website

Sign up for Dr. Amy’s Free Newsletter HERE

Dr. Amy’s Podcast: Save Yourself

Dr. Amy on Instagram

Dr. Amy’s YouTube Channel

RELATED EPISODES 

721: No, It’s Not All in Your Head: The Medical Truth About Perimenopause with Dr. Jila Senemar

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

490: Why We Crave The Foods We Crave and What We Can Finally Do About It with Dr. Amy Shah

“There's no better human on the planet to stand up for herself once she realizes how powerful she is than a menopausal woman.”

Wise words spoken by the wonderful Dr. Mindy Pelz, who joins the podcast to unpack what’s quietly shaping how we as women see ourselves, our bodies, and our worth. 

We explore how unresolved trauma biology impacts longevity, influencing everything from nervous system regulation to autoimmunity and cardiovascular health, especially in the post-menopausal years. 

This conversation validates what so many women are feeling right now: a shared awakening and a call to speak up and come together. Dr. Pelz reminds us that you can lead change without traumatizing your nervous systems. 

You’ll hear some empowering ways to alchemize frustration and grief into meaningful action through community and connection. 

Tune in here to join the conversation and learn to stand up for yourself in midlife and beyond! 

Mindy Pelz 

Dr. Mindy Pelz is a New York Times bestselling author and a globally recognized voice in women’s health, hormones, and aging. Her bestselling books, including her newest – Age Like A Girl– teach women how to sync with their hormones, harness the power of fasting, and age with strength and purpose. Through her top-rated The Resetter Podcast and YouTube channel, Dr. Mindy is leading a movement to reframe menopause as a time of awakening and help women step into the most powerful chapter of their lives. 

IN THIS EPISODE

QUOTES

“When you look at your health, you also need to look at your friend group. You need to look at your home environment. You need to look at the messaging you're allowing into your brain. All of this really matters to the feminine body.”

“This rewire that happens at menopause is for our benefit because we can finally stand up for ourselves, we can gather with other women. This is the evolutionary explanation of menopause.”

“In all the research I've done on menopause, there's no better human on the planet to stand up for herself once she realizes how powerful she is than a menopausal woman.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE!

https://peri-revolution.com/

Order Dr. Mindy’s Book: Age Like a Girl HERE!

https://www.discover.hayhouse.com/agelikeagirl/

Dr. Mindy Pelz Website

⁠The Resetter Podcast

Dr. Mindy on Socials: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

RELATED EPISODES 

722: Why Women Feel Unsafe Right Now: Trauma, Hormones & Protecting the Next Generation with Dr. Aimie Apigian

721: No, It’s Not All in YourHead: 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

For most of the past century, more women than men have died from cardiovascular disease. Yet, heart disease is still widely perceived as a male problem. 

That’s why in this episode, we dive into why cardiovascular and metabolic health are essential for women, especially in midlife, and why education is your greatest tool. 

You’ll gain the confidence to advocate for yourself and make informed decisions about your long-term health. I’ll also be sharing my favorite simple habits to kickstart your metabolism, protect your heart, and boost your everyday energy. 

Remember, it never has to be perfect—consistency builds momentum, and that’s where real change begins. 

Tune in here to gain key insight and prioritize yourself and your longevity!

IN THIS EPISODE

QUOTES

“Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. Not breast cancer, not ovarian cancer. All cancers combined. And what's even more alarming for most women, the warning signs begin years- sometimes decades- before a heart attack or stroke ever happens.” 

“Research shows that insulin resistance is a primary driver of cardio metabolic disease in women, especially after menopause.”

“You do not need perfection. You need 7,000 steps per day, walking after meals, fewer long sitting stretches. Get up and move your butt, even if it means walking around your house or going around the block. Start building your life around movement. This is one of the most powerful yet underestimated tools for heart health and for your resilience.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

https://peri-revolution.com/

Order your Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide Support Supplement

https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/Vxvdja

RELATED EPISODES 

716: Midlife, Hormones & Heart Health: The Critical Connection You’re Not Hearing About with Cathy Eason

711: Estrogen, Inflammation, and Your Heart Health: What Every Woman Needs to Know with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj

690: The Perimenopause Revolution: Why midlife isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of your most energized, powerful, and vibrant self

686: Your Second Puberty Explained: What’s Really Happening to Your Body in Perimenopause

What if the breaking point so many of us are feeling right now is actually the beginning of profound healing and purpose? 

In this episode, returning guest and trauma expert Dr. Aimie Apigian helps you understand why so many conversations feel triggering—and how unresolved trauma, not just current events, may be at the root. 

We explore the difference between resolved and unresolved trauma, and why being activated is a sign your body is asking for deeper safety and support. 

We’re talking about shifting pain into meaningful action—whether that’s healing your body, setting boundaries, or standing up for change in a grounded way. 

Dr. Aimie breaks down her sequence of healing and explains the science behind how trauma is stored and how it can truly be resolved. 

Tune in here to go from overwhelmed to empowered!

Aimie Apigian, MD 

Dr. Aimie Apigian is a double-board-certified physician in Preventive and Addiction Medicine with double Master’s degrees in biochemistry and public health. She’s the leading medical expert on how trauma becomes our biology and what to do once it creates a chronic health condition. She hosts a podcast, a YouTube channel, and online Summits, working with experts in the health and trauma space. She also leads groups through her programs to address stored trauma in the body, and teaches practitioners to do the same in her Biology of Trauma online Training.

IN THIS EPISODE

QUOTES

“Don't do anything alone. This is where a tribe, a group of people, can make a tremendous difference in the world.”

“Healing is not staying small to stay safe. It's finding that safety, but then layering in the support on a biology level, on a somatic level, on a mind level. Those are all the three levels that allow our mind and body to have the energy to actually process.”

“When we've had this past trauma, our brain likes to put things into those kinds of boxes. so being able to step back and learn over time that while it's important to speak up, it's also important to choose who I share those things with because it's not meant for everybody.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

⁠Dr. Aimie’s book: The Biology of Trauma

https://a.co/d/09grbJrF⁠

Dr. Aimie’s Socials: 

⁠Dr. Aimie’s Website

⁠

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn 

YouTube

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

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

702: How to Heal Trauma and Rebuild Trust Through Connectability with Anna Runkle 

What if midlife wasn’t a crisis to survive—but a turning point to optimize your health? 

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Jila Senemar, who breaks down what’s really happening in midlife and why preventative medicine is your greatest advantage. 

Instead of waiting for a diagnosis, we explore why being proactive with your hormones, heart, brain, and metabolic health can change the trajectory of your next decades. 

Dr. Jila reminds us that women’s health is rarely one-size-fits-all. Rather, it needs personalized, outside-the-box thinking. We talk about removing the shame, stigma, and outdated myths around perimenopause and menopause and celebrating this transition for what it truly is. 

Tune in here for honest insight and practical lifestyle shifts to help you thrive in midlife!

Jila Senemar, MD, FACOG, MSCP

Dr. Jila Senemar is a board-certified OB/GYN with over 20 years of clinical experience. She’s a certified menopause specialist, longevity physician, and proud mom of three, who’s helped thousands of women feel strong and healthy at any age. Dr. Jila blends the best of conventional medicine with cutting-edge holistic solutions. Her individualized patient plans combine conventional gynecology practices with holistic care, prioritizing metabolic health, hormone optimization, and lifestyle redesign.

IN THIS EPISODE

QUOTES

“I can be their gynecologist, and I can help them with the other components of their lifestyle modifications with exercise, nutrition, and hormonal optimization.”

“I've learned a lot just by going through it and what the method provided me, which is how to learn and listen to my body. It was so different than what I was used to, and I think we each need to find what works for us.”

“We need to change all of it. It's normal. It needs to be celebrated. It is what it is. It's part of us just being who we are… That’s our chemistry, that's our biology.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

https://peri-revolution.com/

Dr. Jila’s Website

Dr. Jila on Instagram 

RELATED EPISODES 

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

716: Midlife, Hormones & Heart Health: The Critical Connection You’re Not Hearing About with Cathy Eason

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

Do you find yourself feeling disconnected even when you’re busy and surrounded by people? 

If you've ever felt that ache of invisible loneliness, this episode is for you.

We unpack why loneliness can sneak into midlife—especially as hormones shift—and name the quiet grief many women feel but rarely talk about.

This conversation is about reminding your nervous system that you’re not doing life alone, and that relationships, community, and meaningful time with friends can make all the difference. 

And because loneliness feels like it hits so much harder these days, I’ll share some simple, practical tools to help you reconnect and feel more supported. 

Plus, I’ll tell you all about my 7-day jumpstart designed to help you feel grounded, connected, and more like yourself again. 

Tune in here! 

IN THIS EPISODE

QUOTES

“Loneliness can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, anxiety, depression, and yes, more severe perimenopausal symptoms.”

“It's disconnection layered on top of hormonal vulnerability. That's why this time really is a zone of vulnerability.”

“We're gonna be talking about nervous system regulation and gut health. Really diving into the things that get you feeling the way that you wanna feel again, but more importantly, we're gonna talk about how to stay connected to yourself and to other women while you're in the middle of it.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

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/

RELATED EPISODES

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

712: WHY LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IS MITOCHONDRIAL MEDICINE (AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOUR ENERGY, METABOLISM & LONGEVITY)

710: KICKSTART YOUR NEW YEAR: HOW ONE SIMPLE HABIT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE, HEALTH, AND MINDSET

704: HORMONE INTELLIGENCE FOR WOMEN IN MIDLIFE: HOW TO THRIVE THROUGH PERIMENOPAUSE WITH DR. AVIVA ROMM

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

What if the missing piece to your wellness journey wasn’t a supplement or a workout… but light?

In this podcast, we’re talking about one of the most underrated tools in health and hormone optimization: red light therapy.

Expert in the area, Ari Whitten, joins me to shine light on red light and all the ways it can boost your health and confidence long term. Ari is a bestselling author, a top podcast host, and one of the most trusted voices in the science of energy, mitochondria, and red light therapy.

In this episode, we cover:

Why red light therapy is a game-changer for women in midlife

How it impacts your hormones, sleep, brain, skin, and fat metabolism

What most people get completely wrong about red light dosing

And how to avoid wasting money on the wrong devices

Ari’s here to cut through the wellness noise and deliver the truth—with clarity and science to back it up.

Tune in here for a deep dive into all red light therapy can do for you! 

Ari Whitten, M.S.

Ari Whitten is the founder of The Energy Blueprint and bestselling author of The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy and Eat for Energy. He has a B.S. in Exercise Science and a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine. For over 30 years, he’s immersed himself in nutrition science, exercise physiology, and evolutionary biology, as well as cutting-edge areas like neuroscience, geroscience, circadian science, microbiome research, and more. He hosts The Energy Blueprint Podcast, and his books, online programs, coaching, and nutritional supplement line have helped thousands of people worldwide to optimize their health, energy, and longevity.

IN THIS EPISODE

QUOTES
“There’s an enormous amount of poor quality devices, worthless devices, junk devices on the market that are a waste of money that won't do anything valuable.”

“If your interest is combating arthritis or affecting a certain muscle or tendon injury or ankle sprain or something like that, you want to focus on the dose of light delivered directly to those tissues. On the other hand, if you are interested in general anti-aging health longevity... The bigger concern is actually the total dose of light delivered to your overall body.”

“A lot of the focus is on the intensity of the light… But the other thing is: how big of a surface area is that intensity of light hitting? What is the total amount of light delivered to the tissue? That’s going to hugely impact those systemic effects like the release of stem cells into your circulation.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order Ari’s book: The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy on Amazon

https://theenergyblueprint.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Light-Therapy-Revised/

The Energy Blueprint Website

The Energy Blueprint Podcast

RELATED EPISODES 

623: RED LIGHT THERAPY FOR UPGRADING YOUR MITOCHONDRIA, CELLULAR ENERGY, SKIN AND BRAIN HEALTH WITH JONATHAN OTTO

693: TIRED ALL THE TIME? IT MIGHT BE HIDDEN PROBLEMS WITH YOUR MITOCHONDRIA WITH SIOBHAN MITCHELL

712: WHY LIFESTYLE MEDICINE IS MITOCHONDRIAL MEDICINE (AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOUR ENERGY, METABOLISM & LONGEVITY)

704: HORMONE INTELLIGENCE FOR WOMEN IN MIDLIFE: HOW TO THRIVE THROUGH PERIMENOPAUSE WITH DR. AVIVA ROMM