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Could the key to protecting women's brains during menopause already exist and be overlooked for decades?
In this groundbreaking episode, I sit down with Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, UCLA neurologist and internationally recognized researcher, to explore the powerful link between estrogen, menopause, and cognitive health. Dr. Voskuhl breaks down her decades of research on sex differences in neurological disease and the role of estriol, a lesser-known estrogen unique to pregnancy, in protecting brain function.
We discuss:
Why 70% of menopausal women experience cognitive decline and how it’s often dismissed
The overlooked role of estriol in brain protection and how it differs from estradiol
Her creation of Cleopatra RX and the science behind its formulation for cognition, not just hot flashes
What her clinical trials in MS patients revealed about estrogen’s neuroprotective effects
The future of menopause care, Alzheimer’s prevention, and women’s brain health
The difference between FDA approval, safety data, and why estriol has been used safely in Europe for 40+ years
Dr. Voskuhl shares why she believes we must stop ignoring the brain in menopause and how Cleopatra RX is aiming to fill that gap with a safe, affordable, and research-backed solution for cognitive decline in midlife women.
This is a must-listen for any woman experiencing brain fog, verbal memory lapses, or focus issues during perimenopause and menopause.
🔗 Resources & Links:
Learn more: https://www.cleopatrarx.com
Research publications: Cleopatra RX → RCare → Scientific Publications
Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl’s UCLA profile: HERE
Want more support for your midlife transition? Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community or schedule a 1:1 Clarity Session with Victoria at www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Conversation
Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!
Find more information on our website: www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Community! www.msvictoriabyrd.com/community
Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses
Subscribe & Review
Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife with strength and resilience.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.
Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
In this inspiring episode of Women Mastering Midlife, host Victoria Byrd welcomes Sharon Macy — motivational speaker, content creator, and host of the globally ranked podcast Mom to More. Sharon shares her journey from two decades as a stay-at-home mom to becoming a celebrated podcaster and community builder.
Together, Victoria and Sharon dive into the often invisible value of motherhood, reframing career "pauses" as strategic and powerful foundations for a new chapter. They explore how the skills women gain during motherhood — from emotional intelligence and conflict resolution to project management and leadership — are deeply transferable and deserve recognition.
Listeners will walk away with:
Practical steps for rediscovering your purpose after motherhood
Ways to reframe fear and self-doubt when stepping into something new
Inspiration from other midlife women who started small and created massive impact
How to identify and own the "invisible resume" of your stay-at-home years
The importance of community and connection during reinvention
Whether you’re reentering the workforce, starting something entirely new, or simply trying to rediscover yourself after years of caregiving, this episode is a must-listen.
Connect with Sharon Macy:
🎙 Podcast: Mom to More
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.momtomore.com
📸 Instagram: @momtomore
🔗 LinkedIn: Sharon Macy on LinkedIn
📘 Facebook: Mom to More Facebook Page
Want more support for your midlife transition? Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community or schedule a 1:1 Clarity Session with Victoria at www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Conversation
Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!
Find more information on our website: www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Community! www.msvictoriabyrd.com/community
Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses
Subscribe & Review
Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife with strength and resilience.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.
Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
Today on Women Mastering Midlife, I’m joined by Annie Evans- entrepreneur, single mom, skincare expert, and all-around powerhouse, for a refreshingly real conversation about navigating life after divorce, building a thriving business, and embracing self-care and community during the midlife years. Annie shares how she went from reluctant business owner to founder of two successful locations and her own skincare line, all while raising her two children and learning how to prioritize her own well-being.
We dive into the realities of midlife dating, the challenges of managing hormonal shifts alongside parenting teens, why self-care is non-negotiable (even if it looks different than you expected), and how women can leverage their hidden skills to reinvent their lives after major transitions. Annie’s story is packed with wisdom, laughter, and the reminder that reinvention at midlife isn't just possible, it’s powerful.
If you're a midlife woman wondering how to rebuild, reclaim your identity, or take a leap into something new, this episode is for you.
What We Cover in This Episode:
Annie's journey from economist to esthetician to multi-location business owner
Lessons from building a business as a single mom in midlife
How divorce reshapes your sense of identity and motherhood
The unexpected benefits (and challenges) of dating in your 40s
Prioritizing self-care in the busiest seasons of life
Letting go of societal expectations and redefining success on your terms
The importance of asking for help, building community, and finding joy in solo adventures
Why women underestimate their transferable skills — and how to own your experience
Words of encouragement for any woman standing at a new beginning
Resources Mentioned:
Books: Who Not How, 10x is Easier than 2x, Traction
Small Business Administration (SBA) resources for women entrepreneurs
Connect with Annie Evans: https://spruceshoppe.com/
Join the Conversation
Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!
Find more information on our website: www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Community! www.msvictoriabyrd.com/community
Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses
Subscribe & Review
Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife with strength and resilience.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.
Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
In this empowering episode of Women Mastering Midlife, Victoria Byrd, RPh, dives into one of the most underrated minerals for women in perimenopause and menopause: magnesium.
Often overlooked, magnesium plays a critical role in hormone balance, sleep quality, mood regulation, muscle function, and more. But not all magnesium is created equal—and the form you choose can make a big difference in how you feel.
Join Victoria as she breaks down:
Why magnesium is essential in midlife (and why declining estrogen makes deficiency more common)
The signs you may be low in magnesium (hello, insomnia, anxiety, muscle cramps, and restless leg syndrome!)
Top magnesium-rich foods to add to your plate
A breakdown of the different forms of magnesium—including glycinate, citrate, malate, L-threonate, oxide, taurate, and chloride—and which ones support sleep, digestion, brain health, and more
Dosage guidance and supplement safety tips
When to supplement and when to prioritize food sources
Whether you’re struggling with sleep, mood swings, or muscle tension, magnesium could be the missing piece of your midlife wellness puzzle.
Mentioned in the Episode
📝 Free Supplement Guide with a magnesium breakdown chart: Get it at www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
🧠 Dr. Rhonda Patrick’s research on magnesium and brain health
📚 Dr. Lara Briden’s Period Repair Manual
🧂 NIH Magnesium Fact Sheet for health professionals
Want more support for your midlife transition?
Join the Women Mastering Midlife Community or schedule a 1:1 Clarity Session with Victoria at www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Conversation
Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!
Find more information on our website: www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Community! www.msvictoriabyrd.com/community
Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses
Subscribe & Review
Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife with strength and resilience.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.
Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
In this episode of Women Mastering Midlife, Victoria Byrd, licensed pharmacist and integrative women’s health coach, breaks down everything you need to know about creatine supplementation for women over 40.
Once known only for “muscle bros,” creatine is now backed by solid research for its benefits in muscle preservation, cognitive function, bone density, and energy—especially during perimenopause and menopause.
You’ll learn:
Why women start losing 3–8% of muscle mass per decade after 30—and how creatine helps slow it down
What the latest research says about creatine’s effects on strength and performance in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (even without workouts!)
Creatine’s brain-boosting and bone-supporting benefits as we age
The truth about safety, water retention, and common myths
Dosage, timing, and whether capsules or powder work better
Victoria’s personal routine and trusted brands (Thorne, Optimum Nutrition, Naked Creatine)
Why consistency matters more than timing—and how to easily add it to your day
👟 Whether you're strength training 3x a week or just getting started, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to decide if creatine belongs in your midlife wellness plan.
🔗 Links + Resources Mentioned:
💪 Grab Victoria’s Free Strength Training Guide for Midlife Women
📖 Blog post: Creatine for Women in Midlife
🧠 Book a 50-minute Midlife Mastery Clarity Session
📚 Experts to follow: Dr. Gabrielle Lyon and Dr. Stacy Sims
💬 Let’s Connect: Have questions about creatine or midlife muscle loss? DM Victoria on Instagram @msvictoriabyrd or leave a comment with your takeaways!
Join the Conversation
Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!
Find more information on our website: www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Community! www.msvictoriabyrd.com/community
Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses
Subscribe & Review
Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife with strength and resilience.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.
Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
Welcome to a special Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode of Women Mastering Midlife with your host, Victoria Byrd, pharmacist, certified menopause practitioner, and integrative health coach. In this milestone episode, Victoria reflects on her journey from pharmacy to midlife coaching and answers your most frequently asked questions about navigating the menopause transition.
Tune in as she unpacks powerful and practical advice around:
Why she left pharmacy to become a menopause health coach
The evolving role of pharmacists in menopause care and why education and collaboration matter
Hormone therapy facts: Is it safe? Who is it for? What the WHI study got wrong
Perimenopause brain fog and what Dr. Lisa Mosconi’s research reveals about estrogen and the brain
How to stay motivated during injury recovery and strength training setbacks
Real talk on midlife belly fat, metabolic changes, cortisol, and why cookie-cutter diet plans don’t work
Victoria also dives into the cultural messaging midlife women have internalized about their bodies and the real reasons sustainable weight loss is more complicated than calories in/calories out.
Whether you’re deep in perimenopause, navigating the changes of postmenopause, or just curious about your body, this episode is full of insights, validation, and actionable strategies to help you thrive.
🔗 Resources & Links:
💼 Learn about 1:1 coaching & availability: msvictoriabyrd.com
📩 Submit your AMA questions for the next episode: [email protected]
📚 Free resources for midlife women: msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
🧠 Book Rec: The Menopause Brain by Dr. Lisa Mosconi
Join the Conversation:
Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!
Find more information on our website: www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Community! www.msvictoriabyrd.com/community
Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses
Subscribe & Review
Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife with strength and resilience.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.
Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
In today’s empowering episode of Women Mastering Midlife, I sat down with Elana Broitman, author of the groundbreaking graphic novel Holy Menopause! Adventures of a Middle-Aged Superheroine. Elana shares how she turned the often-overlooked midlife experience into a vibrant, hilarious, and deeply relatable story, redefining menopause not as a limitation, but as a superpower. We dive into how her character Mina reclaims her voice, strength, and invisibility to transform everyday frustrations into heroic triumphs.
Elana’s message is clear: Midlife is not the end of your story, it's just the beginning of a new adventure.
In this episode, we discuss:
Special Highlight:
Elana’s book Holy Menopause! was named Oprah Daily’s #1 pick for Mother's Day- a must-read (and must-gift!) for every woman redefining midlife on her own terms.
Connect with Elana Broitman:
Get your copy of Holy Menopause! Adventures of a Middle-Aged Superheroine
Find more on Instagram!
Join the Conversation:
Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!
Find more information on our website: www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Community! www.msvictoriabyrd.com/community
Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses
Subscribe & Review
Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife with strength and resilience.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.
Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
Welcome to Season 2 of Women Mastering Midlife! In this special episode, I’m reflecting on one full year of podcasting: 53 episodes filled with powerful conversations, expert interviews, personal stories, and important truths about navigating midlife. From tackling perimenopause and menopause care to rebuilding identity during major life transitions, this community has grown stronger with every listen.
Today, I’m keeping it short and sweet to say thank you and to encourage you to dive into our growing library of episodes covering midlife health, wellness, and the messy, beautiful reality of mastering this chapter of life.
What You’ll Hear In This Episode:
Featured Past Guests Mentioned:
Listener Favorites to Revisit:
Take Action:
Final Thoughts:
Mastering midlife isn’t about perfection it’s about showing up, learning, falling, thriving, and doing it all with strength and grace. Thank you for being here. Season 2 is going to be bigger, bolder, and even more beautiful. I can't wait to keep growing with you.
Join the Conversation:
Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!
Find more information on our website: www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Community! www.msvictoriabyrd.com/community
Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses
Subscribe & Review
Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife with strength and resilience.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.
Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
In this heartfelt solo episode, Victoria wraps up Mental Health Awareness Month with a powerful conversation about the invisible mental load so many midlife women silently carry. From managing family schedules, emotional labor, aging parents, and career shifts, all while navigating perimenopause and hormonal changes — it's no wonder we feel anxious, exhausted, and overwhelmed.
Victoria dives deep into how constant low-grade stress actually reshapes the brain, impacting memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation. She explores why the midlife transition feels like a "pressure cooker," the role hormone loss plays in our mental resilience, and the hidden ways the mental load weighs heavier than we realize.
You’ll leave this episode with practical, compassionate strategies to lighten your load — including brain dumps, cognitive boundaries, nervous system support, and reclaiming moments of joy in your day.
If you’ve ever felt exhausted by noon, snapped over something small, or forgotten why you walked into a room, this episode is for you. You are not alone.
What You'll Learn:
What the "invisible load" really is — and why it goes unnoticed
How constant low-grade stress physically changes your brain
The impact of perimenopause and hormone shifts on stress resilience
Signs your mental load may be too heavy to carry alone
How to set cognitive boundaries and lighten the emotional burden
Simple strategies to reclaim your autonomy, protect your brain, and find more joy
Powerful Takeaways:
72% of mothers report feeling solely responsible for managing the household, even with a partner (YouGov 2022).
Join the Conversation:
Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!
Find more information on our website: www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Community! www.msvictoriabyrd.com/community
Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses
Subscribe & Review
Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife with strength and resilience.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.
Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
What if the real reason you're feeling frazzled, forgetful, or reactive isn't about willpower, but about your nervous system?
In this heartfelt and enlightening conversation, Victoria sits down with nervous system coach Jessica Addeo to explore why midlife women are so often living in a state of chronic dysregulation and what to do about it.
From the myth of “regulate once and done” to the science of sensory input and co-regulation, Jessica breaks down the nervous system in a way that feels empowering, not overwhelming. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how your body communicates through stress, overwhelm, and even that scroll-you-can’t-stop moment, and why your gum-chewing, weighted vest, or crunchy snack might be doing more than you realize.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why nervous system dysregulation is normal (and not something to fix)
What "fight, flight, and freeze" really look like in daily life
How chronic stress shows up as brain fog, memory issues, sleep disruption, and gut problems
The real reason mindset alone won’t calm you down and what to use instead
Personalized tools to support your nervous system using sensory input (like seltzers, ankle weights, spicy snacks, and yes, your neck fan)
Why co-regulation is critical in midlife relationships and how loneliness affects our physiology
How to shift out of survival mode without adding more to your plate
Key quote: "Your regulated nervous system isn’t always calm and quiet, it’s the version of you that feels the most present, connected, and capable. That’s what we’re building." – Jessica Addeo
Resources Mentioned:
Jessica Addeo:@jessicaraddeo on Instagram
Her website: jessicaraddeo.com
Tune in, take a breath, and walk away with real-life tools to help you move through midlife with more resilience and regulation.
Join the Conversation
Get your FREE guides HERE: www.msvictoriabyrd.com/free-guides
Share your thoughts and stories on our social channels and tag us @WomenMasteringMidlife and @misvictoriabyrd Let’s rewrite the narrative together!
Find more information on our website: www.msvictoriabyrd.com
Join the Community! www.msvictoriabyrd.com/community
Book a FREE 1:1 discovery call to learn more about coaching programs and courses
Subscribe & Review
Enjoyed this episode? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more women navigating midlife with strength and resilience.
Disclaimer
This podcast is for entertainment, educational, and informational purposes only. The hosts, guests, and experts featured are not your personal healthcare providers or advisors. The content should not be considered as professional, personalized medical, psychological, or prescriptive advice.
Always consult qualified professionals such as your physician, therapist, pharmacist, or coach for specific concerns and decisions related to your health or lifestyle. *Women Mastering Midlife* is not responsible for any undesired outcomes resulting from actions taken based on the content of this podcast.
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