This week, Marianne welcomes Zeina Maktabi, functional nutritionist, registered dietician, and newly minted Pilates mat instructor (yes, Dubai, you’ll be seeing her on our mats soon!).

With a deep passion for health that’s spanned decades, sharpened during COVID, Zeina brings clarity, compassion and calm to the often-noisy world of wellness advice.

In this conversation, she busts one of the biggest myths circulating among health circles: you do need that breakfast.

Especially as a woman. Zeina explains how skipping it can elevate cortisol at the wrong time, disrupting your hormonal balance and energy levels. But cortisol isn’t the enemy. It’s also essential for wakefulness and hormonal cascades. It’s all about balance and pace.

Zeina's mantra? Slow is the fastest way.

Here are her 5 simple yet powerful tips:

• ✨ Tip 1: Master your circadian rhythm.
• 🥚 Tip 2: Don’t skip breakfast.
• 🌈 Tip 3: Choose the right breakfast: think protein-forward and fiber-rich with colour.
• 💊 Tip 4: Supplement smartly: individualized, seasonal, and not forever.
• 🚶🏽‍♀️ Tip 5: Movement is fuel too.

Whether you're navigating hormonal changes, revisiting your nutrition, or just want to feel more grounded in your daily routine, this episode is a must-listen.

If you liked this episode:

🎧 Listen to Episode 10 with Dr Erik Korem to dive deeper into the science of circadian rhythms.

https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/the-core-connect-podcast/id1766482868?i=1000675162281

🎧 Try Episode 14 with Chantal Blake for a supportive conversation about harnessing the power of our menstrual cycles. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/the-core-connect-podcast/id1766482868?i=1000678559124