Energized with Dr. Mariza

Struggling to reclaim your identity and find joy in midlife? 

You’re far from the only one! In this episode, I’m joined by women’s health and hormone expert Dr. Sonya Jensen to explore how you can turn your midlife overwhelm into a true awakening.  

We talk about the reality of this season—juggling kids, careers, aging parents, and big life transitions—while your body undergoes one of its most profound hormonal and emotional shifts. 

Unresolved trauma can surface out of nowhere during perimenopause and menopause, but we cover why these mental and emotional shifts make sense biologically. Dr. Jensen invites you to reframe midlife as a powerful opportunity to celebrate change rather than resist it, and to reconnect with peace, joy, and self-trust.  

This conversation is packed with tools to help you refocus your mind and reclaim the parts of yourself that may have been lost along the way. 

Tune in here to redefine who you are in midlife!

Dr. Sonya Jensen ND

Sonya Jensen is a Naturopathic Physician, international speaker, author, and embodied healer who guides women to reclaim their power through hormonal wisdom, emotional depth, and ancestral healing. She integrates trauma-informed modalities, herbs, nutrition, hormone therapy, longevity medicine, and nervous system support to address the unseen patterns behind hormonal imbalance. Dr. Sonya Jensen is the founder of the HER Method and the HER Community, where she helps women decode the stories their bodies are telling to transform relationships, fertility, perimenopause, and life’s transitions. 

IN THIS EPISODE

Shifts that happen physically and mentally in perimenopause 

How to handle the resurfacing of trauma that comes in midlife 

Changing the narrative around women’s hormonal shifts in all stages of life 

Showing yourself grace and recognizing that shifts in your mental capacity are normal and okay

Making changes to help support your emotions during perimenopause and menopause 

Best lifestyle tips to regulate your mind and body back to a state of peace 

Discussing boundaries and discernment in midlife and what that can look like for you 

How to learn more about healing your hormones with Dr. Sonya Jensen’s latest book 

QUOTES

“I wish I had just sat down with other women and just talked about these transitions, and just talked about the challenges I'm feeling. But when you have this pressure on yourself to make it seem like you have it all together so you can hold space for others, it's really challenging to ask for help.”

“When we normalize that, then we can normalize perimenopause and the changes that we go through and the suffering that we may go through, but we can have a different relationship to that suffering.”

“We're losing those hormones. We're losing that armor. We're losing that protection that those hormones we're giving you. So if we're low in estrogen, most women will feel less motivated, maybe a little bit more depressed, maybe more fearful too because estrogen does help to stabilize that fear center.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE

https://peri-revolution.com/

Order Dr. Jensen’s Book: Heal Your Hormones, Reclaim Yourself

http://www.healyourhormonesbook.com

Dr. Jensen’s Website

Dr. Jensen on Instagram

RELATED EPISODES 

722: Why Women Feel Unsafe Right Now: Trauma, Hormones & Protecting the Next Generation with Dr. Aimie Apigian

720: Why No One Talks About Loneliness in Midlife—And Why It’s Not Just You 

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

702: How to Heal Trauma and Rebuild Trust Through Connectability with Anna Runkle

It can take about 4 to 6 doctor’s visits for women’s symptoms to finally be connected to perimenopause and menopause. 

So how do you know you’re entering this massive transition? 

In today’s episode, I’m joined by women’s health and nutrition expert Dr. Amy Shah for a deep dive into midlife transitions and why our healthcare system still struggles to make these critical links. 

Dr. Shah shares her own beautiful ascension, revealing how a season of life that can feel destabilizing is also deeply transformative. Through tips from her own experience combined with her well-rounded medical expertise, you’ll walk away with clarity and confidence.

We also talk about intentionality in midlife—how to navigate new opportunities, say yes to growth, and still carve out space for yourself. 

If you’re ready to step into your next level with purpose and self-trust, tune in here!

Amy Shah, MD 

Dr. Amy Shah is a double board-certified MD and nutritionist with training from Cornell, Columbia, and Harvard. She’s a gut-health expert, best-selling author, and worldwide educator in women’s health. She focuses on evidence-based research in women’s health and hormones, nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle medicine, helping people transform their health, digestion, and natural hormone balance. Her goal is to help you save yourself by prioritizing physical and mental health, even amidst the busiest of schedules.  

IN THIS EPISODE

Tips for recognizing when you’re in perimenopause 

Finding lifestyle strategies that work best for you in perimenopause 

What changes in your body in midlife, and how to best show up in this new and different way 

Changing your internal narrative and improving self-talk in perimenopause 

The biggest things that should change in women’s modern medicine 

How to move away from a place of fear and let go of holding back in midlife 

Best tips for smoothly navigating the perimenopause transition

Where to get more of Dr. Amy’s best midlife recommendations 

QUOTES

“Once I started doing that, it improved things so much. That cortisol strategy, the cortisol reset, that is what changed everything.”

“What’s taking me into the next phase of my life is that we don't have a lot of time. We are allowed to fail. We are all imperfect, flawed people. And if you just give yourself permission to do things that you really want to do in this life, this is the time.”

“Go in with confidence, open eyes, and start doing things proactively because, like I said, your gut and your hormones are so connected that if you start improving your gut health, all of a sudden your brain health improves. Your hormone health is going to improve, and this rocky roller coaster of a transition will be so much smoother.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

https://peri-revolution.com/

Dr. Amy’s Website

Sign up for Dr. Amy’s Free Newsletter HERE

Dr. Amy’s Podcast: Save Yourself

Dr. Amy on Instagram

Dr. Amy’s YouTube Channel

RELATED EPISODES 

721: No, It’s Not All in Your Head: The Medical Truth About Perimenopause with Dr. Jila Senemar

704: Hormone Intelligence for Women in Midlife: How to Thrive Through Perimenopause with Dr. Aviva Romm

690: The Perimenopause Revolution: Why midlife isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of your most energized, powerful, and vibrant self

490: Why We Crave The Foods We Crave and What We Can Finally Do About It with Dr. Amy Shah

“There's no better human on the planet to stand up for herself once she realizes how powerful she is than a menopausal woman.”

Wise words spoken by the wonderful Dr. Mindy Pelz, who joins the podcast to unpack what’s quietly shaping how we as women see ourselves, our bodies, and our worth. 

We explore how unresolved trauma biology impacts longevity, influencing everything from nervous system regulation to autoimmunity and cardiovascular health, especially in the post-menopausal years. 

This conversation validates what so many women are feeling right now: a shared awakening and a call to speak up and come together. Dr. Pelz reminds us that you can lead change without traumatizing your nervous systems. 

You’ll hear some empowering ways to alchemize frustration and grief into meaningful action through community and connection. 

Tune in here to join the conversation and learn to stand up for yourself in midlife and beyond! 

Mindy Pelz 

Dr. Mindy Pelz is a New York Times bestselling author and a globally recognized voice in women’s health, hormones, and aging. Her bestselling books, including her newest – Age Like A Girl– teach women how to sync with their hormones, harness the power of fasting, and age with strength and purpose. Through her top-rated The Resetter Podcast and YouTube channel, Dr. Mindy is leading a movement to reframe menopause as a time of awakening and help women step into the most powerful chapter of their lives. 

IN THIS EPISODE

1. The biology of trauma and its impact on women 

2. Addressing the patriarchal system in health care 

3. Tapping into your intuition, especially in perimenopause 

4. Rewriting the narrative in midlife and showing up for yourself 

5. Qualities to look for in a doctor and how to best advocate for yourself 

6.  Tips for owning your power amid the chaos going on today 

7. Having the hard conversations and coming together as strong, powerful women in midlife 

8. All you can gain from Dr. Mindy’s new book: Age Like a Girl 

QUOTES

“When you look at your health, you also need to look at your friend group. You need to look at your home environment. You need to look at the messaging you're allowing into your brain. All of this really matters to the feminine body.”

“This rewire that happens at menopause is for our benefit because we can finally stand up for ourselves, we can gather with other women. This is the evolutionary explanation of menopause.”

“In all the research I've done on menopause, there's no better human on the planet to stand up for herself once she realizes how powerful she is than a menopausal woman.”RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE!

https://peri-revolution.com/

Order Dr. Mindy’s Book: Age Like a Girl HERE!

https://www.discover.hayhouse.com/agelikeagirl/

Dr. Mindy Pelz Website

⁠The Resetter Podcast

Dr. Mindy on Socials: 

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

RELATED EPISODES 

722: Why Women Feel Unsafe Right Now: Trauma, Hormones & Protecting the Next Generation with Dr. Aimie Apigian

721: No, It’s Not All in YourHead: The Medical Truth About Perimenopause with Dr. Jila Senemar

720: Why No One Talks About Loneliness in Midlife—And Why It’s Not Just You

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

For most of the past century, more women than men have died from cardiovascular disease. Yet, heart disease is still widely perceived as a male problem. 

That’s why in this episode, we dive into why cardiovascular and metabolic health are essential for women, especially in midlife, and why education is your greatest tool. 

You’ll gain the confidence to advocate for yourself and make informed decisions about your long-term health. I’ll also be sharing my favorite simple habits to kickstart your metabolism, protect your heart, and boost your everyday energy. 

Remember, it never has to be perfect—consistency builds momentum, and that’s where real change begins. 

Tune in here to gain key insight and prioritize yourself and your longevity!

IN THIS EPISODE

Recognizing the warning signs of cardiovascular disease 

Labs and markers you should be asking your physician for 

Why lifestyle medicine matters SO much in midlife 

How to build metabolically healthy plates for each meal

Setting simple movement goals for optimal heart health

The massive benefits of sleep, mindfulness, and breath work

Supplements to support your cardiovascular and metabolic health

The pros of appropriately timed hormone replacement therapy 

QUOTES

“Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. Not breast cancer, not ovarian cancer. All cancers combined. And what's even more alarming for most women, the warning signs begin years- sometimes decades- before a heart attack or stroke ever happens.” 

“Research shows that insulin resistance is a primary driver of cardio metabolic disease in women, especially after menopause.”

“You do not need perfection. You need 7,000 steps per day, walking after meals, fewer long sitting stretches. Get up and move your butt, even if it means walking around your house or going around the block. Start building your life around movement. This is one of the most powerful yet underestimated tools for heart health and for your resilience.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

https://peri-revolution.com/

Order your Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide Support Supplement

https://berkeleylife.pxf.io/Vxvdja

RELATED EPISODES 

716: Midlife, Hormones & Heart Health: The Critical Connection You’re Not Hearing About with Cathy Eason

711: Estrogen, Inflammation, and Your Heart Health: What Every Woman Needs to Know with Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj

690: The Perimenopause Revolution: Why midlife isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of your most energized, powerful, and vibrant self

686: Your Second Puberty Explained: What’s Really Happening to Your Body in Perimenopause

What if the breaking point so many of us are feeling right now is actually the beginning of profound healing and purpose? 

In this episode, returning guest and trauma expert Dr. Aimie Apigian helps you understand why so many conversations feel triggering—and how unresolved trauma, not just current events, may be at the root. 

We explore the difference between resolved and unresolved trauma, and why being activated is a sign your body is asking for deeper safety and support. 

We’re talking about shifting pain into meaningful action—whether that’s healing your body, setting boundaries, or standing up for change in a grounded way. 

Dr. Aimie breaks down her sequence of healing and explains the science behind how trauma is stored and how it can truly be resolved. 

Tune in here to go from overwhelmed to empowered!

Aimie Apigian, MD 

Dr. Aimie Apigian is a double-board-certified physician in Preventive and Addiction Medicine with double Master’s degrees in biochemistry and public health. She’s the leading medical expert on how trauma becomes our biology and what to do once it creates a chronic health condition. She hosts a podcast, a YouTube channel, and online Summits, working with experts in the health and trauma space. She also leads groups through her programs to address stored trauma in the body, and teaches practitioners to do the same in her Biology of Trauma online Training.

IN THIS EPISODE

Discovering new layers of unresolved trauma 

Creating safe spaces to ask the hard questions

How to make your children feel safe to share their feelings  

The biology behind why we can feel re-triggered

Creating safety & mentally supporting yourself through hard times

Resetting your nervous system to feel safe in your body 

How to support & show up for each other through uncertain times

Dr. Aimie’s guide on healing stored trauma & more resources for you 

QUOTES

“Don't do anything alone. This is where a tribe, a group of people, can make a tremendous difference in the world.”

“Healing is not staying small to stay safe. It's finding that safety, but then layering in the support on a biology level, on a somatic level, on a mind level. Those are all the three levels that allow our mind and body to have the energy to actually process.”

“When we've had this past trauma, our brain likes to put things into those kinds of boxes. so being able to step back and learn over time that while it's important to speak up, it's also important to choose who I share those things with because it's not meant for everybody.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my latest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

⁠Dr. Aimie’s book: The Biology of Trauma

https://a.co/d/09grbJrF⁠

Dr. Aimie’s Socials: 

⁠Dr. Aimie’s Website

⁠

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn 

YouTube

RELATED EPISODES 

681: The Biology of Trauma: How Stress Gets Stored in Your Body (and Passed On to Your Kids) and How You Can Start To Heal with Dr. Aimie Apigian

720: Why No One Talks About Loneliness in Midlife—And Why It’s Not Just You

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

702: How to Heal Trauma and Rebuild Trust Through Connectability with Anna Runkle