In this powerful episode, Dr. Aimee Duffy, a leading expert in functional and integrative medicine, joins host Sima to unpack why high-achieving women feel chronically exhausted. Dr. Duffy reveals that fatigue and brain fog are rarely “just stress” or a busy lifestyle — they’re often red flags of hormonal imbalance, especially low progesterone, adrenal dysfunction, and subtle thyroid issues that mainstream medicine frequently overlooks. With compassion and science-backed insight, she explains how small, sustainable shifts (not intense overhauls) can help women move from “pushing harder” to truly listening to their bodies and restoring vibrant energy.

Key Takeaways

Exhaustion isn’t a badge of honor — it’s often the first sign that chronic stress is stealing progesterone and pushing the body into survival (hibernation) mode.

Brain fog is the brain’s protective response to overload; low cortisol, declining progesterone, and later estrogen all erode cognitive sharpness and calm.

Lifestyle and hormones are inseparable: poor sleep, processed foods, constant “go” mode, and internal gut stress compound adrenal fatigue and accelerate hormone decline as early as the late 30s.

Thyroid and adrenal issues are massively under-diagnosed in conventional medicine because labs are flagged only when they’re extremely abnormal, not when they’re “suboptimal.”

Healing starts with baby steps that cost nothing: prioritize sleep, walk outside in sunshine, breathe deeply, choose real food over chemicals, and stop glorifying the 5 a.m. boot-camp grind.

The “watering can” analogy: symptoms (brain fog, weight gain, mood swings) are just the water spilling out after years of slowly filling the bucket with unmanaged stressors.

You don’t have to do more to feel better — you have to optimize what your body already knows how to do when you stop fighting it.

Connect with Dr. Aimee Duffy
Website: http://www.aimeeduffymd.com/
Instagram: aimeeduffymd
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(Dr. Duffy welcomes women ready to reclaim their energy through functional medicine and hormone optimization.)

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Disclaimer
This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.

About Healthy Mind By Avik
Healthy Mind By Avik is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it has become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, this channel brings you powerful podcasts and grounded conversations across mental health, emotional well-being, mindfulness, holistic healing, trauma recovery, and self-empowerment. With over 4,400 episodes and 168.4K global listeners, we are committed to amplifying stories and breaking stigma worldwide.
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