Is It Hormones or Burnout? (Spoiler: It's Neither)

If you've been wondering why you can't keep up the way you used to...why your energy is gone, your confidence has taken a hit, and no matter what supplements you try nothing really shifts, then this episode is going to reframe everything.

Because here's what nobody is telling you: it's not just hormones. And it's not just burnout. There's a third option that changes everything once you see it.

In this episode, the first in a four-week series, Dr. Adrienne breaks down why so many women in perimenopause and menopause are hitting a wall, and why the standard advice of "get your hormones checked" is only part of the story.

You'll learn why menopause symptoms are so much louder for some women than others, what's actually happening in your nervous system during this transition, and why the business you built may now be one of your biggest stressors.

This isn't about adding more supplements or pushing harder. It's about understanding the feedback loop that's quietly running in the background, and what you can actually do about it.

In this episode:

• Why the hormones-or-burnout question is the wrong question entirely
• The Stanford research showing menopause is a capacity crisis, not just a health issue
• What the myelin sheath has to do with why everything feels harder now
• Why your adrenal glands are choosing cortisol over estrogen — and what that means for your symptoms
• The feedback loop between your business structure and your biology
• A 60-second nervous system reset you can use before you open your laptop tomorrow morning

Mentioned in this episode: Free Masterclass: Menopause Proof Your Business

Next week: Cortisol: the volume knob for all your symptoms, and why powering through is making everything worse.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 — Is It Hormones or Burnout? (Series Kickoff) 

00:30 — Why High-Achieving Women Suddenly Can't Keep Up 

01:55 — The Reframe: It's Menopause Plus Everything Else You're Carrying 

02:56 — When Your Business Model Becomes a Physical Stressor 

04:28 — Your Nervous System Has Actually Changed (The Myelin Shift) 

06:15 — Why Your Adrenals Are Choosing Cortisol Over Estrogen 

07:54 — You Can't Out-Hustle Your Hormones — Dr. Adrienne's Own Story 

11:12 — The 60-Second Nervous System Reset Before Work 

13:41 — Free Masterclass + What's Coming Next Week

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my free Masterclass:
MASTERCLASS: How to Menopause Proof Your Business



Dr. Adrienne Stein ND

https://www.masteringmenopausemethod.com/

Summary

One in ten women cite menopause as the reason they're leaving the workforce — but I believe that number is much higher. Brilliant entrepreneurs, healers, and coaches are quietly shutting down their businesses because they "just can't do it anymore." But here's what nobody's telling you: you're not broken. You're being invited into the most powerful phase of your life.

In this episode, I'm exposing the biggest cultural lies we've been sold about menopause and what it means for your power. Because everything we've been taught about this transition is backwards. Your symptoms aren't problems to fix — they're signals to decode. Your body isn't malfunctioning — it's finally telling you the truth about what's been unsustainable all along.

I'll walk you through why your old business strategies suddenly stopped working, what your symptoms are actually trying to tell you, and how to build a business your nervous system can actually hold. Plus, I'm sharing why menopause isn't a decline — it's a portal into a completely different kind of power.

This isn't about managing symptoms. It's about recognizing that when your biology shifts, your business needs to shift with it. And what becomes possible when you finally stop fighting yourself and start flowing with your transformation.

Timestamps + Topics

• 00:00 — The cultural lies we've been sold about menopause and power
• 01:30 — Why even self-aware women believe menopause equals decline
• 03:00 — What your symptoms are really telling you (and why they're not problems to fix)
• 05:00 — Menopause as portal: the massive life audit your biology is doing
• 07:00 — What becomes available when you stop resisting the process
• 08:30 — Why your old strategies suddenly stopped working
• 10:30 — The sacred invitation: what to let go of and what to reclaim
• 12:30 — You're not broken — you're being called into different work
• 13:00 — Join the free masterclass: Menopause Proof Your Business

Key Takeaways

• Menopause isn't decline — it's a portal to different power. Your symptoms aren't problems to fix; they're signals your body is sending about what's unsustainable.
• Your nervous system is your capacity regulator. You can't build a sustainable business on top of a dysregulated nervous system. Old strategies don't work because you're becoming someone new.
• This transition asks you to release perfectionism and over-functioning — and reclaim your truth, natural rhythms, and sovereignty. You're not broken. You're being called into a different way of living and leading.

Ready to Go Deeper?

Join the FREE Masterclass: Menopause Proof Your Business

Learn how to build a business that works WITH your nervous system and biology instead of constantly fighting against it. Discover why your symptoms are information (not problems) and get a completely new map for who you're becoming.

Register for the free masterclass here

Connect With Me

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to continue the conversation:

• Comment on this episode on social media @dradrienne.nd
• Join the free masterclass to go deeper
• Share this with a friend who needs to hear this message

Remember: Your body is not your enemy. It's your most sophisticated guidance system, and right now it's trying

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my free Masterclass:
MASTERCLASS: How to Menopause Proof Your Business



Dr. Adrienne Stein ND

https://www.masteringmenopausemethod.com/

Summary

You know those Pinterest-perfect 5 AM routines that are supposed to transform your life? The ones designed to make 99% of women feel like failures by 6 AM? Yeah, those weren't built for actual humans with hormone fluctuations and a need for more than four hours of sleep.

In this episode, I'm breaking down why most productivity advice is fundamentally broken for women in perimenopause and menopause — and what to do instead. Because here's the thing: rhythm is medicine. When you stop fighting your natural capacity and start working with it, everything shifts.

I'll walk you through how to create mornings that don't require you to override your nervous system, design calendars that restore instead of deplete, and build businesses that can actually breathe. Plus, I'm sharing the micro-rhythms you can use today to start reclaiming your energy without overhauling your entire life.

This isn't about adding more structure. It's about honoring what your body actually needs instead of what some productivity guru thinks it should need.

Timestamps + Topics

• 00:00 — Welcome + why those 5 AM routines are setting you up to fail
• 03:00 — The shame spiral around morning routines (and why it's not your fault)
• 04:00 — What nobody tells you about those "miracle morning" success stories
• 05:00 — Nervous system-friendly mornings: starting the night before
• 06:00 — The difference between prescribed routines vs. regenerative rhythms
• 07:00 — Your calendar reveals everything about your relationship with capacity
• 08:00 — Signs your calendar is built for hustle, not healing
• 09:00 — Why your energy isn't linear anymore (and how to work with cyclical capacity)
• 10:30 — Designing around your natural patterns instead of pretending they don't exist
• 11:00 — Energy leaks: those soul-crushing commitments you said yes to 6 months ago
• 13:00 — Building businesses that can breathe: expansion and contraction
• 14:30 — When your "efficient systems" become prisons
• 15:00 — The question that changes everything: "What would this look like if it was regulated, not optimized?"
• 17:30 — Micro-rhythms: tiny practices that reset your nervous system in real time
• 18:00 — The 3-second pause-and-exhale practice
• 19:00 — Transitional breathwork between tasks
• 20:00 — Why rhythm equals sovereignty
• 21:00 — Your rhythm is always recoverable (even in chaos)

Key Takeaways

• Discipline punishes, rhythm adapts — stop trying to optimize your way out of your biology.
• Morning routines designed for your twenties don't work in perimenopause/menopause. Start the night before with actual rest.
• Your energy is cyclical, not linear — audit your week for energy patterns, not just tasks.
• Show me your calendar and I'll show you your relationship with your capacity. Build in buffer time, integration periods, and spaciousness.
• "What would this look like if it was regulated, not optimized?" — the question that transforms your business design.
• Micro-rhythms that work: 3-second pause-and-exhale, transitional breathwork (4 count in, 6 count out), 3 minutes with feet on earth, evening ritual that signals shift from doing to being.
• Your nervous system doesn't need a meditation retreat to regulate — tiny practices over time produce profound shifts.

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my free Masterclass:
MASTERCLASS: How to Menopause Proof Your Business



Dr. Adrienne Stein ND

https://www.masteringmenopausemethod.com/

Summary

I was staring at my perfectly organized calendar one Tuesday morning when it hit me: "Whose life is this?" Everything looked successful from the outside — business thriving, family healthy, all boxes checked. But inside? I felt like I was wearing a costume that no longer fit.

If you've ever looked around at your successful life and thought "this doesn't feel like me anymore," this episode is for you. I'm diving deep into what I call the quiet identity crisis — that disorienting experience when the woman you've always been starts to feel like a stranger.

In this episode, I'll share why high-functioning women often fade rather than collapse, how menopause strips away our tolerance for performing, and why this uncomfortable transition might actually be the most sacred thing that's ever happened to you. Because sometimes the most beautiful transformations start with the most uncomfortable question: "Who am I when I'm not performing?"

This isn't about fixing what's broken. It's about finally having the courage to become who you're meant to be next.

Timestamps + Topics

• 00:00 — Welcome + the quiet identity crisis no one warns you about
• 02:30 — The moment I realized I was living someone else's life
• 03:30 — "Fading, not collapsing": what high-functioning burnout really looks like
• 04:30 — How menopause strips away your tolerance for performing (nature's truth serum)
• 06:00 — The subtle signs you're grieving an old version of yourself
• 07:30 — The armor we can't take off: professional identities that suffocate us
• 09:00 — Why we cling to roles that no longer fit (the college sweater analogy)
• 11:00 — When your body rebels against identities you've outgrown
• 12:30 — From "How do I get back?" to "Who am I becoming?"
• 14:00 — The archetypal shift: Maiden, Mother, and the phase culture forgot
• 15:00 — China's "Second Spring" and becoming the Keeper of Wisdom
• 16:30 — Why women in transition are drawn to sacred, meaningful work
• 18:00 — How authenticity became my professional superpower
• 19:30 — 3 practices that moved me from crisis to clarity
• 21:00 — The release ritual: crossing beliefs off the list
• 22:00 — Following the sparks (yes, even soap making!)
• 23:30 — Why nervous system work is essential for identity evolution
• 26:00 — You're not broken, you're becoming
• 27:00 — The caterpillar's dissolving phase: necessary before flight

Key Takeaways

• You can be incredibly successful while completely disconnected from yourself — high-functioning women don't collapse, they dim.
• Menopause as truth serum: declining estrogen strips away your tolerance for performing roles that no longer fit.
• The identities that saved you (achiever, problem-solver, eternal optimist) can start to suffocate you.
• Stop asking "How do I get back to who I was?" Start asking "Who am I becoming?"
• The 3 practices that help: 10 minutes of just being (no role), release rituals (crossing beliefs off the list), and following random sparks of curiosity.
• This isn't crisis — it's metamorphosis. The caterpillar must dissolve before it becomes something with wings.

Want support?

If this episode resonated, subscribe to the podcast and share it with a woman who needs to hear this. You can also j

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my free Masterclass:
MASTERCLASS: How to Menopause Proof Your Business



Dr. Adrienne Stein ND

https://www.masteringmenopausemethod.com/

Summary

I’ve seen it again and again — women (myself included) think we’re burnt out, when what’s really going on is misalignment. And if you try to treat misalignment like burnout, you just end up spinning your wheels. You rest, feel a little better, dive back in… and the flatness is still there.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why this distinction matters so much in perimenopause and menopause. Our biology won’t let us fake it anymore — what doesn’t fit becomes intolerable. I’ll walk you through how to tell the difference, the test I use with clients, and the shifts that make your work feel aligned again.

This isn’t about being broken or ungrateful. It’s about evolution. When you learn to see the restlessness as guidance, not a problem, you open the door to your most powerful next chapter.

Timestamps + Topics

• 00:00 — Welcome + why burnout vs misalignment matters
• 02:30 — “Flat but functioning”: what misalignment looks like when you’re still successful
• 06:00 — Burnout vs misalignment: the core difference
• 07:30 — The 3-month sabbatical test you can try right now
• 09:30 — Why perimenopause/menopause amplifies the call to evolve
• 11:00 — My own story: a program that worked but still felt incomplete
• 13:00 — Reinvention as biology + soul, not a personal flaw
• 15:00 — Losing the “buffer” and why that’s a good thing
• 16:30 — My Loop Closure System: done, paused, or energetically complete
• 18:30 — Somatic check-ins + working with your actual capacity

Key Takeaways

• Rest that doesn’t restore your spark = misalignment, not burnout.
• Try the 3-month sabbatical thought experiment to clarify what’s really happening.
• In perimenopause/menopause, biology won’t buffer misfit work — use that wisdom.
• The Loop Closure System (done, pause, or complete) is a game-changer for perfectionists.
• Treat restlessness as guidance — it’s pointing toward your next evolution.

Want support? IIf this episode landed for you, subscribe to the podcast and share it with a friend. You can also join my newsletter so you never miss new tools to rebuild your energy and business with ease.

→ Instagram: @dradriennestein
→ LinkedIn

With love,
 Dr. Adrienne ND 💗 | Stay sovereign

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my free Masterclass:
MASTERCLASS: How to Menopause Proof Your Business



Dr. Adrienne Stein ND

https://www.masteringmenopausemethod.com/

Episode Summary:

This isn't just another conversation about productivity hacks and time management.

In this episode, I'm sharing something that might sound radical but changes everything once you understand it: you can't scale a business from a dysregulated nervous system. Not because you're broken. Not because you need to try harder. But because the system we've been operating in was never designed to support the way our bodies and minds actually function—especially during perimenopause and menopause.

I'll walk you through my own summer wake-up call when I caught myself slipping back into hustle mode despite knowing better, and why even those of us who teach sustainable business practices can find ourselves right back in survival mode.

This is about understanding that your capacity to lead, create, and make clear decisions lives in your nervous system. When it feels safe, you think clearly and make confident choices. When it's dysregulated, everything becomes harder—and no amount of productivity systems can fix that.

If you've been feeling exhausted despite trying every strategy, if you're swimming upstream every day, or if your body seems to be working against your business goals... this episode is for you.

Timestamps + Topics

• 00:00 – Welcome + the radical truth about nervous systems and business
• 01:30 – My summer pause story: slipping back into old patterns despite knowing better
• 05:00 – Why intellectual understanding isn't enough for lasting change
• 07:00 – How cultural messages keep pulling us back to hustle mode
• 09:30 – The deeper programming: unconscious beliefs that run the show
• 12:00 – Why traditional productivity strategies fail menopausal bodies
• 15:00 – Your body isn't failing you—it's trying to liberate you
• 18:00 – What a nervous system-safe business actually looks like
• 22:00 – Redefining productivity: presence over pace
• 24:30 – Three simple practices to nourish your nervous system today
• 31:00 – Final thoughts: You weren't meant to disappear behind your business

Takeaways:

• Your nervous system filters what feels possible in your business
• Slipping back into old patterns doesn't mean you're failing—it means you're human
• Regulated systems scale sustainably; dysregulated systems amplify what's broken
• Your body's signals aren't problems to solve—they're wisdom to listen to
• Small, consistent practices create lasting nervous system shifts

Want support? If this episode resonated with your experience, let's keep the conversation going. Your nervous system holds your capacity to create change, and when you take care of it, you're taking care of everyone who needs what you have to offer.

→ Instagram: @dradriennestein
→ LinkedIn

With love,
 Dr, Adrienne ND  💗
 “Stay fabulous, my friend.”

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my free Masterclass:
MASTERCLASS: How to Menopause Proof Your Business



Dr. Adrienne Stein ND

https://www.masteringmenopausemethod.com/

Episode Summary:

This isn’t just another conversation about hot flashes and hormone levels.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on something deeper—the quiet, invisible collapse happening inside high-achieving women during midlife. Not because they’re broken. Not because menopause is a problem to fix. But because the system we’ve been operating in was never built to support the way our bodies, minds, and souls evolve during this time.

I’ll walk you through how so many of us silently struggle to hold it all together, even as we’re falling apart inside—and why the answer isn’t just more supplements, stricter routines, or pushing through.

This is about creating a new blueprint. One that honors your energy, your wisdom, and the unique rhythm of this powerful season.

If you’ve been feeling foggy, disconnected, or like your life and business are no longer aligned… this episode is for you.

Timestamps + Topics

• 00:00 – Welcome + what we’re really talking about when we talk about menopause
  
  
• 02:30 – The hidden exhaustion women carry while “functioning”
  
  
• 04:30 – Why you’re not broken—your life just wasn’t designed for this version of you
  
  
• 07:00 – The high cost of pushing through and overriding your body’s wisdom
  
  
• 09:30 – Nervous system dysregulation: what it is, and why it matters now more than ever
  
  
• 12:00 – Reframing menopause as a sacred threshold, not a decline
  
  
• 14:00 – What your body is really asking for—and how to start listening
  
  
• 16:30 – Redesigning your business and life to match your actual energy
  
  
• 19:00 – What success looks like when you prioritize nervous system safety and joy
  
  
• 21:30 – Final thoughts: You’re not losing your power. You’re stepping into it.
  
  
  

Takeaways:

• Menopause isn’t the problem—it’s the wake-up call.
• Pushing through is a trauma response, not a strategy.
• You can lead, thrive, and create impact without burning out.
• The nervous system is your superpower. Let’s start there.
  
  
  

Want support?
If you're feeling this episode in your body and soul, let’s keep the conversation going. Join the newsletter, follow me on IG, or DM me when you’re ready for the next step. You don’t have to do this alone.

→ Instagram: @dradriennestein
→ LinkedIn

With love,
 Dr, Adrienne ND  💛
 “Stay fabulous, my friend.”

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my free Masterclass:
MASTERCLASS: How to Menopause Proof Your Business



Dr. Adrienne Stein ND

https://www.masteringmenopausemethod.com/

In this raw, heart-led episode, I’m doing something different. No strategies. No updates. Just the truth.

I’m sharing why I’ve chosen to pause—not quit, not disappear, but consciously step back to honour what my body, spirit, and nervous system are asking for. If you’ve ever felt the weight of pushing through when every part of you is calling for rest… this one’s for you.

Let this be your permission slip to recalibrate, too.

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my free Masterclass:
MASTERCLASS: How to Menopause Proof Your Business



Dr. Adrienne Stein ND

https://www.masteringmenopausemethod.com/

Today’s episode is short but deeply from the heart. I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing what’s been quietly in the works behind the scenes: a new space for women like us who are navigating menopause and still feel called to do meaningful work in the world. I talk about the heartbreak of watching powerful women disappear from leadership roles because of burnout… and how that inspired me to create something new.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, questioning what’s next, or wondering where all the wise women have gone—this episode is for you.

Let’s talk about menopause, money, legacy, and creating a life and business that truly supports who we are becoming.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Quick check-in + why this episode is a shorter, behind-the-scenes peek
• [00:30] – Introducing the MPowered Life Collective (the new membership!)
• [01:00] – The shocking UK stat: 1 in 10 women leaving work due to menopause
• [01:30] – What this means for women’s finances, careers, and wisdom legacy
• [02:30] – Adrienne reflects on the societal cost of losing midlife women leaders
• [03:00] – The invisible burnout among women in both corporate and entrepreneurship
• [03:45] – The original spark: “What if we menopause-proofed your business?”
• [04:30] – Why this membership isn’t just about health—it’s about leadership, purpose, and power
• [05:30] – Adrienne’s personal shift: moving from 1:1 to building a movement
• [06:15] – Real talk: what it looks like when aligned energy + soul-led business come together
• [07:00] – A peek into what’s coming next (and how you can be part of it)

Interested in learning about when the membership will roll out? Just shoot me an email and I'll be sure to let you know: [email protected] or join the waitlist:  MPOWERED LIFE MEMBERSHIP WAITLIST

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my free Masterclass:
MASTERCLASS: How to Menopause Proof Your Business



Dr. Adrienne Stein ND

https://www.masteringmenopausemethod.com/

Let’s get honest—what if the exhaustion, fog, and resistance you’ve been feeling isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong… but a sign that something deeper needs to shift?

In this episode, I’m talking about what it really means to lead from regulation instead of reactivity—and how to build a business that supports your nervous system instead of silently siphoning from it. I’ll walk you through the signs of quiet burnout that don’t show up in blood work, the truth about why your old business model no longer fits, and three powerful shifts to start building a more regenerative, aligned, and sustainable business—without burning it all down.

This isn’t about slowing down for the sake of it. It’s about finally syncing your success with your biology. And trust me, that changes everything.

Timestamps:

00:00 – When the way you work stops working
01:48 – Fatigue, fog, and frustration: the quiet symptoms of burnout
04:10 – Why nervous system regulation is non-negotiable for leadership now
06:05 – The moment I realized my business model no longer fit
08:12 – Regulated leadership vs. reactive leadership
09:44 – Shift 1: Protect your energy, not just your time
11:20 – Why presence—not a planner—is what you’re really craving
13:05 – Shift 2: Build offers that support your current capacity
15:00 – What happens when you stop overriding your rhythm
16:52 – Shift 3: Marketing from resonance vs. reaction
19:30 – Why regulation increases magnetism (and revenue)
21:15 – Making aligned decisions without blowing up your life
23:42 – Let it be sacred, not strategic: menopause as a rite of passage
26:00 – A new kind of business model: cyclical, regenerative, and alive
29:10 – Three reflection prompts to help you realign your work
35:00 – You’re not behind—you’re rebuilding from wisdom

💗If this spoke to you, share it with a friend or take 30 seconds to leave a review. Women need more models of leadership that feel like truth in the body.

Want to dive deeper?

Check out my free Masterclass:
MASTERCLASS: How to Menopause Proof Your Business



Dr. Adrienne Stein ND

https://www.masteringmenopausemethod.com/