The Courage To Be

Why do some women thrive during perimenopause while others struggle with anxiety, insomnia, or weight gain? 

How do estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone impact your energy, mood, and overall health? 

And what’s the difference between synthetic, bioidentical, and compounded hormone treatments?

In this episode of The Courage To Be™,Dr. Anna Garrett, a hormone health expert and pharmacist, explains what every woman should know about perimenopause, menopause, and hormone therapy. She breaks down how hormone levels fluctuate, why testing is key, and which treatment options—like estrogen patches, progesterone creams, and testosterone therapy—might work best for different symptoms.

She also shares a surprising anecdote about how women often don’t rub progesterone cream long enough, leading to fat tissue buildup and unwanted side effects—an important lesson for anyone using over-the-counter treatments.

Dr. Garrett addresses common concerns, including the connection between hormones and bone health, libido, and weight gain, and why personalized care is essential. If you’ve ever felt confused about hormone therapy or frustrated by mixed messages in healthcare, this episode will help you make informed choices.

• Find Anna Garrett's offering at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠www.drannagarrett.com/taste-of-peri⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📌 If you enjoyed this episode. We think you'll enjoy these other episodes:

• Perimenopause Symptoms: What No One Warned You - https://youtu.be/ws3iluIpBew

• Perimenopause Symptoms No One Warned Me About - https://youtu.be/H9D6k3PC5kM

If this episode helped you, a quick rating and review means a lot — it helps more women find the show.

🎥 Prefer to watch? Full video episodes are on YouTube: @thecouragetobe

📖 Free resource: Discover Women's Top Money Mistakes → https://www.thecouragetobehappy.com/free-gifts

✍️ More from Tania: thecouragetobe.substack.com

Are you struggling with unexplained mood swings, weight changes, or sleep issues? 

Could your symptoms be related to menopause or perimenopause without you even realizing it? 

How well do you understand the role hormones play in your overall health?

In this episode of The Courage To Be, Dr. Anna Garrett, a menopause expert and functional medicine practitioner, breaks down the misconceptions about perimenopause and menopause. She explains how hormonal imbalances can mimic psychiatric disorders, why birth control isn't a long-term solution, and how gut health, nutrition, and genetics all play a role in managing symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, brain fog, and weight gain.

Dr. Anna shares a powerful story of a woman misdiagnosed with a psychiatric disorder—when, in reality, her symptoms were due to severe hormone depletion. She also reveals how a simple lifestyle change, like cutting out dairy or adjusting carb intake, helped clients lose weight and regain energy.

Whether you're experiencing symptoms or just want to be prepared, this episode will give you the tools to advocate for your health and make informed choices. 

• Find Anna Garrett's offering at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.drannagarrett.com/taste-of-peri

📌 If you enjoyed this episode. We think you'll enjoy these other episodes:

• Perimenopause Symptoms No One Warned Me About - https://youtu.be/H9D6k3PC5kM

• Fight for a Magnificent Life with Gina Maier Vincent - https://youtu.be/lKOCv0Xx3kQ

If this episode helped you, a quick rating and review means a lot — it helps more women find the show.

🎥 Prefer to watch? Full video episodes are on YouTube: @thecouragetobe

📖 Free resource: Discover Women's Top Money Mistakes → https://www.thecouragetobehappy.com/free-gifts

✍️ More from Tania: thecouragetobe.substack.com

Is it just me, or does perimenopause feel like a rollercoaster of mood swings, brain fog, and sleepless nights? 

Could cutting out coffee or changing your bedtime routine actually help? 

And why don’t we talk more about how menopause and perimenopause affects everything—from work to relationships?

In this episode of The Courage To Be™ Podcast, host Tania Vasallo sits down with women’s health coach Carin Luna-Ostaseski, founder of Hot or Just Me, to break down perimenopause and menopause. They cover symptoms like hot flashes, anxiety, weight gain, and insomnia, plus practical solutions to improve sleep, manage stress, and balance hormones naturally. 

Carin shares how she struggled with imposter syndrome when launching Hot or Just Me and opens up about a moment when she thought she was having a heart attack—only to realize it was anxiety triggered by dehydration, too much coffee, and overstimulation.

Carin also discusses how menopause impacts relationships, why open conversations with teenagers and partners matter, and how small lifestyle changes can make a huge difference. Plus, The Courage To Be™ listeners get an exclusive discount on Hot or Just Me cooling products!

• Find Carin Luna-Ostaseski's offerings at ⁠https://hotorjustme.com/⁠ and use the code "thecouragetobehappy" for 10% off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📌 If you enjoyed this episode. We think you'll enjoy these other episodes:

•⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Perimenopause Symptoms: What No One Warned You - https://youtu.be/ws3iluIpBew

• Perimenopause Symptoms No One Warned Me About - https://youtu.be/H9D6k3PC5kM

If this episode helped you, a quick rating and review means a lot — it helps more women find the show.

🎥 Prefer to watch? Full video episodes are on YouTube: @thecouragetobe

📖 Free resource: Discover Women's Top Money Mistakes → https://www.thecouragetobehappy.com/free-gifts

✍️ More from Tania: thecouragetobe.substack.com

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by perimenopause symptoms like hot flashes, anxiety, or brain fog? 

How do you push through when life feels uncertain or overwhelming? 

What if you could turn your struggles into something that helps others?

In this episode of The Courage To Be™ Podcast, Carin Luna-Ostaseski, the founder of Hot or Just Me, shares her journey of creating a business that helps women navigate perimenopause and menopause. She opens up about her personal struggles with hot flashes, brain fog, and anxiety, and how those challenges inspired her to build a resource hub for women experiencing similar symptoms.

Carin also recounts a powerful anecdote about her experience with rejection when launching her Scotch whiskey brand, Sia. After facing 80 rejections, she finally found the right partner, and her persistence led to the brand’s acquisition by one of the largest spirits companies in the world. This experience taught her the importance of resilience and staying connected, even when faced with setbacks.

If you’re looking for inspiration on navigating perimenopause, building a business, or embracing courage despite challenges, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice.

• Find Carin Luna-Ostaseski's offerings at https://hotorjustme.com/ and use the code "thecouragetobehappy" for 10% off⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you enjoyed this episode. We think you'll enjoy these other episodes:

•⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Revolutionize Your Life: Discover the Secrets of Your Menstrual Cycle with Kate Nguy - https://youtu.be/4MMYCJwD8LA

• When Your Body Feels Out of Control - https://youtu.be/1Sgn4JB6nZk

If this episode helped you, a quick rating and review means a lot — it helps more women find the show.

🎥 Prefer to watch? Full video episodes are on YouTube: @thecouragetobe

📖 Free resource: Discover Women's Top Money Mistakes → https://www.thecouragetobehappy.com/free-gifts

✍️ More from Tania: thecouragetobe.substack.com

Are you living a life that feels true to you?

When was the last time you stopped to ask yourself what really matters?

Are the choices you make every day bringing you closer to the life you want—or taking you further away?

In this episode of The Courage To Be™ podcast—a show that explores what it really means to live boldly, make authentic choices, and create a life aligned with your deepest values—we sit down with Nancy Juetten. Nancy is an entrepreneur and visibility expert whose life took an unexpected turn after a breast cancer diagnosis right before the biggest launch of her career. She opens up about how this wake-up call forced her to reevaluate everything: her health, relationships, business, and most importantly, her core values.

Nancy shares a powerful anecdote about sitting in a doctor’s office, grappling with the reality of her diagnosis, and realizing that the success she’d been chasing didn’t align with what truly mattered to her. This moment became the catalyst for her “cake vs. cringe” list, a tool she now uses to identify what lights her up versus what drains her. She also dives into the art of setting boundaries, redefining success beyond external achievements, and the transformative impact of living in alignment with your core values.

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to realign with what matters most—whether in your personal life, career, or health—this episode will give you both the motivation and practical steps to start today.

• Find Nancy Juetten's offerings at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.getknowngetpaid.com/6questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📌 If you enjoyed this episode. We think you'll enjoy these other episodes:

•⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Struggling with Goals? Try This Simple Tool! with Mary Sullivan -https://youtu.be/uYlZBRba6E8

• Stop Letting Distractions Control Your Day with Penny Zenker -⁠https://youtu.be/Kw-oemQ3D-s

If this episode helped you, a quick rating and review means a lot — it helps more women find the show.

🎥 Prefer to watch? Full video episodes are on YouTube: @thecouragetobe

📖 Free resource: Discover Women's Top Money Mistakes → https://www.thecouragetobehappy.com/free-gifts

✍️ More from Tania: thecouragetobe.substack.com

Are you making decisions based on logic when your intuition is trying to guide you? 

Do you second-guess your gut feelings? 

What if understanding your Human Design could help you trust yourself more?

In this episode of The Courage To Be™ Podcast, host Tania Vasallo sits down with Lauren Kester, a certified Human Design coach and astrologer, to explore how understanding your unique design can transform the way you navigate life. They break down the five Human Design types (Manifestor, Generator, Manifesting Generator, Projector, and Reflector) and explain how each is wired to make decisions differently.

Lauren shares a personal story about a time she ignored her Human Design authority and ended up in a job that drained her energy. She reflects on how learning to trust her Sacral Authority led her to walk away from that misaligned career and step into coaching—where she now helps others do the same.

They also discuss how Human Design can improve relationships, career choices, and overall well-being, and Lauren gives practical tips for recognizing and trusting your own inner voice.

If you’re curious about intuition, energy alignment, and decision-making through Human Design, this episode is packed with insights to help you live more authentically. Tune in now!

• Find Lauren Kester's offering at https://www.laurenkester.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📌 If you enjoyed this episode. We think you'll enjoy these other episodes:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trusting Your Intuition with Lauren Kester - https://youtu.be/NgT1UfQo0Co

• Redefine Success: Intuition Over Hustle with Erin Gray - https://youtu.be/QOhKEN0Eiw0

If this episode helped you, a quick rating and review means a lot — it helps more women find the show.

🎥 Prefer to watch? Full video episodes are on YouTube: @thecouragetobe

📖 Free resource: Discover Women's Top Money Mistakes → https://www.thecouragetobehappy.com/free-gifts

✍️ More from Tania: thecouragetobe.substack.com

What’s holding you back from making progress in your career or business? 

Do you need a practical tool to simplify your goals and stay focused? 

How can you simplify complex decisions to stay focused and aligned with your goals?

In this episode of The Courage To Be™ podcast, a show that inspires listeners to embrace their courage, make bold moves, and achieve personal and professional breakthroughs, host Tania Vasallo welcomes career mentor Mary Sullivan. Together, they explore the Lean Canvas—a one-page tool designed to help entrepreneurs and professionals clarify their vision, streamline their priorities, and create actionable plans.

Mary shares a powerful anecdote about a client who turned her struggling side hustle into a thriving full-time business by using the Lean Canvas to redefine her target audience and focus on her unique value proposition. This real-world example highlights how breaking down complex goals into manageable steps can lead to transformative results.

Whether you’re a business owner feeling overwhelmed, a professional looking to pivot, or someone seeking clarity in your goals, this episode offers actionable insights and tools to help you take the next step with confidence.

• Find Mary Sullivan's offering at https://sweetbutfearless.com/⁠⁠⁠

📌 If you enjoyed this episode. We think you'll enjoy these other episodes:

• ⁠⁠⁠Stop Letting Distractions Control Your Day with Penny Zenker - https://youtu.be/Kw-oemQ3D-s

• How to Rewire Your Brain for Success with Reg Malhorta - https://youtu.be/MkSTOM0Tfhw

If this episode helped you, a quick rating and review means a lot — it helps more women find the show.

🎥 Prefer to watch? Full video episodes are on YouTube: @thecouragetobe

📖 Free resource: Discover Women's Top Money Mistakes → https://www.thecouragetobehappy.com/free-gifts

✍️ More from Tania: thecouragetobe.substack.com

Do you doubt yourself and cringe when others judge you? 

How do you reset when things don’t go as planned? 

Are distractions sabotaging your productivity? 

In this episode of The Courage To Be™ Podcast, host Tania Vasallo sits down with Penny Zenker, “The Focusologist,” to share practical strategies for managing distractions, enhancing productivity, and building resilience. Penny recounts a pivotal moment in her early career when a last-minute speaking opportunity forced her to confront her fear of public speaking head-on. That courageous decision not only reshaped her career but also set the foundation for her mission to help others focus on what truly matters.

Key topics covered include:

• How to reset your mindset during challenges using Penny’s “Reset Mindset” method.

• Overcoming fear of judgment and breaking the cycle of comparison.

• Leveraging focus as a superpower to boost productivity and achieve meaningful results.

Whether you're navigating self-doubt or seeking tools to balance priorities, Penny’s inspiring stories and actionable advice will empower you to embrace courage in your journey. Don't miss this insightful conversation!

• Find Penny Zenker's offering at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://pennyzenker360.com/the-reset-mindset/

📌 If you enjoyed this episode. We think you'll enjoy these other episodes:

• ⁠How to Stay Focused in a Busy World with Penny Zenker - https://youtu.be/NgyaakkTY2Y

• Redefining Productivity: Heart Over Hustle with Jennifer Conaway - https://youtu.be/I1r4H875oPM

If this episode helped you, a quick rating and review means a lot — it helps more women find the show.

🎥 Prefer to watch? Full video episodes are on YouTube: @thecouragetobe

📖 Free resource: Discover Women's Top Money Mistakes → https://www.thecouragetobehappy.com/free-gifts

✍️ More from Tania: thecouragetobe.substack.com

Are you tired of feeling dismissed by doctors when you know something isn’t right? 

Do you feel like your mood swings, fatigue, or sleepless nights might be hormone-related, but no one is listening? 

What if there’s a better way to get answers and take control of your health?

In this episode of The Courage To Be™, Dr. Ellenita Salko shares her personal journey from chiropractor to functional medicine practitioner. She opens up about her struggles with fibroids, thyroid issues, and perimenopause, detailing how she eventually opted for a hysterectomy to improve her quality of life. One powerful story she shares is about experiencing blood clots caused by birth control pills, which led to mini strokes early in her life—a life-changing moment that shaped her commitment to holistic healthcare.

Dr. Elle explains the importance of testing hormone levels through tools like the Dutch test, discusses hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and provides practical tips for managing midlife health changes through diet, sleep, and stress management. 

Whether you're curious about hormone health, struggling with unexplained symptoms, or interested in a more holistic approach to wellness, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you feel your best.

• Find Dr. Ellenita Salko's offering at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.ellewell.com/

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📌 If you enjoyed this episode. We think you'll enjoy these other episodes:

• Perimenopause Symptoms: What No One Warned You - https://youtu.be/ws3iluIpBew

• Menopause + ADHD: The Overlooked Brain Connection - https://youtu.be/T9uVOphxZvI

If this episode helped you, a quick rating and review means a lot — it helps more women find the show.

🎥 Prefer to watch? Full video episodes are on YouTube: @thecouragetobe

📖 Free resource: Discover Women's Top Money Mistakes → https://www.thecouragetobehappy.com/free-gifts

✍️ More from Tania: thecouragetobe.substack.com

Are you feeling brain fog, irritability, or trouble sleeping? 

Could your hormonal changes be affecting your brain health? 

How can you navigate perimenopause while maintaining your well-being?

In this episode of The Courage To Be™ Podcast, Dr. Andreia Lisboa Johnson shares her insights into menopause, aka: the "wisdom years" and how perimenopause affects brain health. She discusses the role of estrogen in brain function and offers natural remedies like herbs to ease symptoms like brain fog and mood swings. Dr. Andreia emphasizes the importance of diet, including avoiding gluten and sugar, and shares her own journey of transforming her health through holistic practices.

If you're struggling with perimenopause symptoms, Dr. Andreia’s practical advice and empowering approach could help you reclaim your vitality. Tune in for guidance on how to embrace this phase of life with grace and wisdom.

Please leave me a comment or DM me at [email protected] I love hearing your thoughts and insights. 💕

Dr. Andreia Lisboa Johnson has created a special Wise Sacred Season Survey just for the listeners! By completing this short questionnaire, you'll receive her Wise Sacred Season Guide—a valuable resource filled with practical tips to enhance your lifestyle, embrace your well-being, and navigate this transformative season with confidence and grace.

👉 Wise Sacred Season Survey: https://forms.gle/zsJ3pmaBmHdRjMDs8

📌 If you enjoyed this episode. We think you'll enjoy these other episodes:

• Perimenopause Symptoms: What No One Warned You - https://youtu.be/ws3iluIpBew

• Perimenopause Symptoms No One Warned Me About - https://youtu.be/H9D6k3PC5kM

If this episode helped you, a quick rating and review means a lot — it helps more women find the show.

🎥 Prefer to watch? Full video episodes are on YouTube: @thecouragetobe

📖 Free resource: Discover Women's Top Money Mistakes → https://www.thecouragetobehappy.com/free-gifts

✍️ More from Tania: thecouragetobe.substack.com