758: Why Your Body Can't Heal Until It Feels Safe: The Nervous System Shift That Changes Everything with Dr. Dave Rabin

What if the reason you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed, exhausted, disconnected, or stuck isn't because you're broken—but because your nervous system no longer feels safe? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with psychiatrist, neuroscientist, inventor, and author Dr. Dave Rabin to explore the science of safety, nervous system regulation, emotional healing, resilience, and what it truly means to be alive. Drawing from decades of work treating patients with PTSD, anxiety, addiction, and chronic stress, Dr. Rabin shares why many traditional mental health approaches often fall short and why healing begins by helping the body relearn safety. Together, they discuss how modern life, chronic overstimulation, smartphones, loneliness, and constant stress have created what Dr. Rabin calls a "habitat crisis" that is overwhelming our nervous systems and contributing to rising rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and chronic disease. Dr. Rabin also explains why feeling must come before thinking, how many of our limiting beliefs become subconscious programs during childhood, and how simple practices can help rewrite those stories in real time. The conversation dives into heart rate variability (HRV), vagus nerve health, emotional processing, play, connection, and the remarkable science behind Apollo Neuro—a wearable technology designed to help the body feel safer, sleep better, and recover more effectively from stress. If you've ever felt trapped in survival mode, disconnected from joy, or exhausted from constantly pushing through, this episode offers a hopeful roadmap back to safety, resilience, and healing. Dr. Dave Rabin Dr. Dave Rabin is a board-certified psychiatrist, neuroscientist, inventor, and mental health innovator. He is the co-founder of Apollo Neuro, a wearable technology designed to improve stress resilience, sleep, focus, and recovery through gentle vibrations that activate the body's safety response system. He is also the author of A Simple Guide to Being Alive, which explores the neuroscience of safety, healing, emotional well-being, and human flourishing. IN THIS EPISODE Why nervous system dysregulation is driving so many modern health challenges How chronic stress, smartphones, and overstimulation contribute to a "habitat crisis" Why feeling emotions is essential for healing and resilience How subconscious childhood programming shapes adult behavior and beliefs The connection between vagus nerve function, HRV, and long-term health Why sleep quality may be one of the most powerful tools for nervous system recovery The science behind Apollo Neuro and how it supports safety and resilience How play, connection, and joy help create lasting healing QUOTES“Feeling is required for healing.” “Pleasure and joy remind us that we are safe.” “We all have the ability to heal ourselves.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Use code ENERGIZED and get 30% off on your first BATCH order http://hellobatch.com/ENERGIZED Get the “A Simple Guide to Being Alive” book by Dr. Dave Rabin now https://apolloneuro.com/pages/a-simple-guide-to-being-alive Apollo Neuro Website The Board of Medicine Dr. Dave Rabin Instagram Dr. Dave Rabin Facebook RELATED EPISODES  756: What Low-Grade Inflammation Is Really Doing to Your Hormones, Brain & Metabolism with Dr. Mariza 753: The Brain’s Hidden Role in Chronic Pain, Migraines & Fatigue with Dr. Howard Schubiner 754: How to Find Joy When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan with Amberly Lago 717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

Why do so many women enter perimenopause feeling like the rug has been pulled out from under them? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with integrative medicine physician and menopause expert Dr. Melinda Ring to explore why perimenopause often feels so destabilizing and why so many women feel blindsided by symptoms they were never warned about. Together, they unpack the profound neuroendocrine changes happening during the perimenopause transition and why symptoms like sleep disruption, anxiety, brain fog, overwhelm, stress sensitivity, and feeling "not like yourself" often become some of the earliest signs that something is shifting. Dr. Ring explains the critical connection between hormones, the stress response system, sleep quality, nervous system regulation, and long-term health outcomes. They also discuss why traditional medical approaches have historically fallen short for women, the growing role of hormone replacement therapy, and why individualized care matters more than ever. The conversation dives deep into HPA axis dysfunction, trauma, chronic stress, self-compassion, resilience, and the importance of helping women feel safe in their bodies during a time of tremendous change. If you've ever wondered whether what you're experiencing is normal—or if you've found yourself saying, "I don't feel like myself anymore"—this episode offers both validation and practical guidance. Dr. Melinda Ring Dr. Melinda Ring is a board-certified physician, integrative medicine expert, educator, and internationally recognized leader in women's health and menopause care. She serves as Director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health and is passionate about helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause through evidence-based, whole-person care that addresses hormones, lifestyle, stress, sleep, and long-term health optimization. IN THIS EPISODE Why perimenopause often feels so overwhelming and unexpected The connection between sleep disruption, hormones, and brain health Why many women feel like they "don't feel like themselves" anymore The role of HPA axis dysfunction and chronic stress during midlife How trauma and long-term stress influence the menopause transition The evolving conversation around hormone replacement therapy Why individualized hormone care matters more than one-size-fits-all protocols How women can build resilience, safety, and self-compassion during perimenopause QUOTES“Sleep is the force multiplier.” “You can't heal in survival mode.” “The brain is reorganizing, not just the ovaries.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your Troscription Order http://troscriptions.com/ENERGIZED Sign Up Now for the "Advanced Integrative Menopause Care for Clinicians" Course Training with Dr. Melinda Dr. Melinda Website https://www.drmelindaring.com/signup Dr. Melinda Instagram Dr. Melinda Facebook Dr. Melinda Tiktok Dr. Melinda Youtube RELATED EPISODES  756: What Low-Grade Inflammation Is Really Doing to Your Hormones, Brain & Metabolism with Dr. Mariza 755: What If Your Body Isn’t Broken, Just Undernourished? The Missing Link Between Nutrients, Hormones & Energy with Ryan Woodburry 754: How to Find Joy When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan with Amberly Lago 717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

What if inflammation is the missing link behind so many of the symptoms women experience after 40? In this solo episode, Dr. Mariza breaks down the powerful connection between low-grade chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, hormone changes, brain health, energy production, and accelerated aging. She explains why inflammation is far more than an immune system issue and how it silently influences nearly every aspect of health during perimenopause and menopause. Many women assume that fatigue, brain fog, stubborn belly fat, poor sleep, anxiety, joint pain, cravings, and declining energy are separate issues requiring separate solutions. But Dr. Mariza reveals how these symptoms are often interconnected through one common underlying process: inflammation. She also explores why perimenopause is not simply a hormone transition but a metabolic, vascular, and neuroendocrine transition that increases inflammatory burden and changes how the body responds to stress, blood sugar fluctuations, sleep disruption, and hormonal shifts. Most importantly, Dr. Mariza shares the practical lifestyle pillars she uses to lower inflammation, improve metabolic flexibility, support hormone health, and create the internal environment needed for healthy aging and long-term vitality. If you've been feeling like your body is changing but can't quite connect the dots, this episode will help you understand what inflammation may be trying to tell you. IN THIS EPISODE Why low-grade inflammation is one of the biggest drivers of symptoms after 40 The connection between inflammation, metabolism, hormones, and aging How perimenopause increases inflammatory burden throughout the body The labs Dr. Mariza recommends to assess inflammation and metabolic health Why blood sugar regulation is one of the fastest ways to lower inflammation The critical role of muscle, movement, sleep, and nervous system regulation How gut health influences inflammation, immunity, and metabolism Practical daily habits that help reduce inflammation and support healthy aging QUOTES“The goal isn't simply to lose weight. The goal is creating an internal environment where the body no longer feels the need to stay inflamed.” “One workout cannot undo eight hours of sitting.” “When inflammation comes down, everything goes up.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your MitoQ Order https://www.mitoq.com/energized%C2%A0 ⁠Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Fix Your Metabolism Masterclass Joi & Blokes Lab Testing Blood Sugar Hacks Guide RELATED EPISODES  755: What If Your Body Isn’t Broken, Just Undernourished? The Missing Link Between Nutrients, Hormones & Energy with Ryan Woodburry 753: The Brain’s Hidden Role in Chronic Pain, Migraines & Fatigue with Dr. Howard Schubiner 751: Bloating, Brain Fog & Hormone Chaos? Your Gut May Be the Root Cause with Dr. Cassie Smith 741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel

What if one of the biggest missing pieces of perimenopause isn't hormones at all? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with Ryan Woodbury, co-founder and co-CEO of Needed, to explore why nutrient deficiencies may be one of the most overlooked drivers of fatigue, brain fog, low energy, poor stress resilience, and other common symptoms women experience during perimenopause. Ryan shares the surprising personal experience that led her into the world of nutritional science and supplementation, including discovering her own nutrient deficiencies despite following a highly nutrient-dense diet. Together, they unpack the alarming research showing that most women are entering pregnancy, postpartum, and eventually perimenopause already running on depleted nutritional reserves. They discuss the shortcomings of traditional nutritional recommendations, why so many women remain deficient despite taking standard multivitamins, and how decades of stress, caregiving, disrupted sleep, pregnancies, and modern environmental demands create a perfect storm for depletion. Dr. Mariza and Ryan also dive into the critical role nutrients play in supporting hormone production, brain function, metabolism, cellular energy, blood sugar regulation, and healthy aging. Most importantly, they offer practical guidance for building a stronger nutritional foundation so women can thrive through midlife and beyond. If you've ever wondered why you still feel depleted despite doing "all the right things," this conversation will help connect the dots. RYAN WOODBURY Ryan Woodbury is the co-founder and co-CEO of Needed, a company dedicated to improving nutritional support for women across every stage of life. With a background in environmental science, nutrition, and food systems, Ryan has become a leading advocate for evidence-based nutrient support for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. Her mission is to help women move beyond bare-minimum nutrition and build the foundation needed for lifelong vitality. IN THIS EPISODE Why nutrient deficiencies are so common among women entering perimenopause The hidden impact of stress, caregiving, pregnancy, and postpartum depletion Why traditional multivitamins often fail to meet women's nutritional needs The critical role of vitamin D, magnesium, choline, omega-3s, and B vitamins How nutrient deficiencies contribute to fatigue, brain fog, and metabolic dysfunction Why foundational nutrition matters before adding targeted interventions The connection between blood sugar regulation, inflammation, and hormonal health How women can build a stronger foundation for energy, cognition, and healthy aging QUOTES“95% of women have at least one nutrient deficiency in a very key nutrient.” “You deserve to get what your body actually needs, not the bare minimum.” “When women reclaim their energy, they don't just change themselves, they change the world.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Subscribe now and get 20% off + FREE Shipping on your first NEEDED Supplement Order http://thisisneeded.com/DrMarizaSnyder Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Needed Website Needed InstagramNeeded Facebook Needed Academy Instagram RELATED EPISODES 754: How to Find Joy When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan with Amberly Lago 751: Bloating, Brain Fog & Hormone Chaos? Your Gut May Be the Root Cause with Dr. Cassie Smith 741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel 743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan

What if resilience isn't about pushing harder, but about learning how to move forward with grace, courage, and joy when life doesn't go according to plan? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with bestselling author, speaker, coach, and podcast host Amberly Lago to discuss resilience, overcoming adversity, and finding purpose through life's most difficult challenges. After surviving a devastating motorcycle accident that nearly took her life, enduring dozens of surgeries, and being diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Amberly faced years of chronic pain, uncertainty, and reinvention. Rather than allowing her circumstances to define her, she chose to build a life rooted in resilience, gratitude, faith, community, and purpose. Together, they explore the mindset shifts that help women move through difficult seasons, the role of gratitude in healing, why joy is a daily practice rather than a destination, and how small habits can create profound transformation over time. Whether you're navigating health challenges, career transitions, relationship struggles, or simply feeling stuck, this conversation offers practical tools and powerful encouragement to help you move forward with greater confidence and hope. AMBERLY LAGO Amberly Lago is a bestselling author, resilience coach, TEDx speaker, top-ranked podcast host, and motivational speaker. After surviving a catastrophic motorcycle accident and living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, she transformed her personal challenges into a mission to help others build resilience, find joy, and create meaningful lives despite adversity. She is the author of multiple books, including Joy Through the Journey and True Grit and Grace. IN THIS EPISODE How resilience is built through daily decisions and small actions Amberly's remarkable recovery journey after a life-changing accident Why gratitude can shift your mindset during difficult seasons The importance of acceptance when facing unexpected challenges How community helps accelerate growth and confidence Why joy is a strategy, not just an emotion The role of habits, discipline, and non-negotiables in long-term success How to move forward when life feels uncertain or overwhelming QUOTES “You can't be grateful and miserable at the same time.” “Resilience isn't about bouncing back. It's about moving forward.” “When you've got grit, there is no quit.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Use code DRMARIZA and get 10% off on your Womeness Order https://www.womaness.com/DRMARIZA Joy Through the Journey Book by Amberly Lago True Grit and Grace Book by Amberly Lago The Amberly Lago Show Amberly Lago Website Amberly Lago Facebook Amberly Lago Instagram Amberly Lago Youtube RELATED EPISODES  753: The Brain’s Hidden Role in Chronic Pain, Migraines & Fatigue with Dr. Howard Schubiner 717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause 741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel 743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan

What if your chronic pain, migraines, anxiety, fatigue, IBS, or other persistent symptoms aren't permanent at all? In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with Dr. Howard Schubiner, physician, researcher, and leading expert in neuroplastic symptoms, to explore a groundbreaking approach that is helping people reverse chronic pain and other conditions long considered lifelong and irreversible. Dr. Schubiner explains how the brain creates pain as a protective danger signal, why emotional injuries can activate the same neural pathways as physical injuries, and how unresolved trauma, chronic stress, adverse childhood experiences, and self-silencing can contribute to chronic symptoms years or even decades later. Together, they discuss the growing body of research around neuroplastic pain, the connection between emotions and physical symptoms, and why many people continue suffering despite normal scans, medications, and conventional treatments. Dr. Mariza also shares her own experience with chronic migraines, leading to a powerful live demonstration of how pain reprocessing techniques can begin shifting the brain's expectations and neural patterns in real time. This conversation offers hope for anyone who has been told they simply need to manage their symptoms for the rest of their life. HOWARD SCHUBINER Dr. Howard Schubiner is a physician, researcher, educator, and one of the leading voices in the field of neuroplastic symptoms. He is the author of Unlearn Your Pain and has spent decades helping patients recover from chronic pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, IBS, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and other conditions through evidence-based approaches rooted in neuroscience, emotional processing, and neuroplasticity. IN THIS EPISODE What neuroplastic symptoms are and why they are often misunderstood How childhood experiences, trauma, and chronic stress can contribute to chronic pain Why migraines, IBS, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and fatigue may share similar brain-based mechanisms The powerful connection between emotions and physical symptoms How pain reprocessing therapy helps retrain the brain's danger signals Why self-silencing and people-pleasing often show up in women with chronic symptoms The role of emotional awareness and expression in healing A live demonstration of changing neural pathways through visualization and safety signals QUOTES“Pain can be a message that our brain sends.” “Emotional injury causes the same parts of the brain to light up as physical injury.” “Chronic pain is not necessarily a life sentence.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Use code ENERGIZED and get 30% off on your first BATCH order http://hellobatch.com/ENERGIZED Get your copy of Dr. Howard Schubiner Newest Book now https://www.amazon.com/Unlearn-Your-Pain-Recovering-Depression/ Unlearn Your Pain Website The Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS) Howard Schubiner Instagram Howard Schubiner Facebook RELATED EPISODES  751: Bloating, Brain Fog & Hormone Chaos? Your Gut May Be the Root Cause with Dr. Cassie Smith 743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan 717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause 741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel

What if the foods marketed as “healthy” are actually contributing to the very symptoms so many women are struggling with today? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with Julia Putzeys, certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and founder of the Trash Panda app, to expose the hidden reality of ultra-processed foods and how they impact energy, hormones, metabolism, mood, inflammation, and long-term health. Together, they unpack the confusing world of food marketing, ingredient labels, food additives, artificial flavors, seed oils, and the growing prevalence of ultra-processed foods in the modern food supply. Julia shares her own journey from believing she was eating healthy to discovering how many seemingly nutritious products were filled with ingredients that offered little nourishment and often contributed to poor health outcomes. They also discuss the powerful mindset shift from calorie counting and restriction toward nourishment, nutrient density, and real food. As mothers, both Dr. Mariza and Julia share practical strategies for helping children develop a healthier relationship with food while avoiding the traps of hyper-palatable, addictive processed products. If you've ever felt overwhelmed at the grocery store or questioned whether the foods in your pantry are actually supporting your health, this episode offers practical guidance and empowering tools to help you make more informed choices. JULIA PUTZEYS Julia Putzeys is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, founder of the Trash Panda app, and mother of three. Combining her background in software product management with her passion for nutrition, Julia created Trash Panda to help consumers quickly identify potentially harmful ingredients in packaged foods and discover healthier alternatives. Her mission is to make ingredient transparency and healthier food choices more accessible to families everywhere. IN THIS EPISODE Why over 70% of grocery store products are considered ultra-processed foods The difference between processed foods and ultra-processed foods How food additives, flavorings, and dyes impact cravings, behavior, and long-term health Why calorie counting often distracts us from focusing on true nourishment The connection between ultra-processed foods, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic disease How food marketing creates confusion around what is actually healthy Practical strategies for helping children develop healthier eating habits How the Trash Panda app helps consumers identify healthier food swaps QUOTES“Eating whole food means reading the ingredients, not just the nutrition label.” “Your body becomes addicted to ultra-processed foods because they’re designed that way.” “When I started focusing on real food, I had so much less food noise.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Use code ENERGIZED and get $10 off on annual membership for the Trash Panda App on IOS https://apps.apple.com/redeem Download the Trash Panda App now on IOS or Android https://trashpanda.app.link/AvwFh7mfG3b Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your MitoQ Order https://www.mitoq.com/energized%C2%A0 Trash Panda App Website Trash Panda App Instagram Trash Panda App Facebook Trash Panda App Youtube RELATED EPISODES  751: Bloating, Brain Fog & Hormone Chaos? Your Gut May Be the Root Cause with Dr. Cassie Smith 741:Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel 743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan 717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

“What if your bloating, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, stubborn weight gain, and hormone symptoms are actually starting in your gut?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Dr. Cassie Smith — dual board-certified endocrinologist, founder of Modern Endocrine, and author of Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones — to unpack the powerful connection between gut health, hormone balance, stress, metabolism, inflammation, and reproductive health. Together, they dive into how chronic stress, poor gut health, blood sugar dysregulation, inflammation, and lifestyle overload silently impact everything from cortisol and insulin to estrogen, progesterone, thyroid function, and fertility. Dr. Cassie explains why so many women are told their labs are “normal” while still feeling exhausted, bloated, anxious, inflamed, and disconnected from their bodies — and why gut dysfunction is often the missing piece conventional medicine overlooks. They also explore the growing metabolic and hormonal crisis happening in younger women, the connection between PCOS, insulin resistance, gut dysfunction, and birth control, and why many women are struggling to restore healthy cycles and fertility later in life. This conversation is a powerful reminder that hormones do not work in isolation. Your gut, nervous system, metabolism, sleep, stress resilience, and hormones are all deeply interconnected. If you’ve been feeling like your body is trying to tell you something but nobody has connected the dots yet, this episode will help you understand where healing truly begins. DR. CASSIE SMITH Dr. Cassie Smith is a dual board-certified endocrinologist and the founder of Modern Endocrine. After becoming frustrated with the limitations of conventional medicine, she built a practice focused on uncovering the root causes behind hormone dysfunction, metabolic issues, fertility struggles, and gut-related symptoms. She is also the author of the book Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones. IN THIS EPISODE Why chronic stress has such a powerful impact on gut health and hormones How gut dysfunction contributes to fatigue, brain fog, bloating, anxiety, and weight resistance The connection between estrogen decline, microbiome diversity, and inflammation Why insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction are rising in younger women The hidden relationship between PCOS, gut health, cortisol, and fertility Why birth control is often used as a Band-Aid instead of addressing root causes The foundational lifestyle habits that support gut and hormone healing Why slowing down, resting, and reducing nervous system overload matters for recovery QUOTES “Your hormones are doing the best they can in the environment you give them.” “It doesn’t matter how many supplements or hormones we throw at you if the foundations aren’t in place.” “Your gut is where all healing begins.” “Your body cannot heal in survival mode.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Get your “Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones” Book by Dr. Cassie Smith https://guthormonefix.com/ ⁠Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Modern Endocrine Website Modern Endocrine Instagram Modern Endocrine Facebook Modern Endocrine Tiktok Modern Endocrine Youtube Hormones, Metabolism and You PodcastThe Menopause Gut Book by Cynthia Thurlow RELATED EPISODES  741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel 743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan 738: The Hidden Link Between Inflammation, Hormones & Fertility with Dr. Natalie Crawford  740: Why You’re Bloated, Gaining Weight & Feeling Off in Menopause (It Starts in Your Gut) with Cynthia Thurlow

“What if the exhaustion, brain fog, low libido, and metabolic changes women experience in midlife are actually rooted in a deeper cellular energy crisis?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Dr. Andrew Salzman — physician, inventor, biochemical engineer, and Chief Scientific Officer of Wonderfeel — to unpack the powerful connection between NAD, mitochondrial health, inflammation, ovarian aging, gut integrity, nitric oxide, and the dramatic energy shifts women experience during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Salzman explains why menopause represents a major biological inflection point for women and how declining NAD levels may be contributing to fatigue, brain fog, poor recovery, metabolic dysfunction, sleep issues, reduced stress resilience, cardiovascular changes, and shifts in sexual health. Together, they explore the evolutionary role of menopause, why ovarian senescence accelerates aging pathways, how inflammation and the enzyme CD38 rapidly deplete NAD stores, and why the gut microbiome may be one of the biggest drivers of inflammation and energy decline in modern women. They also dive into nitric oxide production, cardiovascular health, the brain’s dependence on NAD for sleep and cognitive function, and why ingredients like NMN and creatine are gaining attention for supporting healthy aging and resilience in midlife. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “I don’t feel like myself anymore,” this conversation will help connect the dots between your symptoms, your mitochondria, and your long-term vitality. ANDREW SALZMAN Dr. Andrew Salzman is a physician, inventor, biochemical engineer, and the Chief Scientific Officer of Wonderfeel. With more than 30 years of experience in drug discovery and development, over 170 scientific publications, and more than 50 patents, Dr. Salzman has spent decades studying aging biology, inflammation, cellular resilience, nitric oxide signaling, and mitochondrial health IN THIS EPISODE Why menopause is a major biological inflection point for women How declining NAD levels impact energy, metabolism, sleep, and brain function Why CD38 accelerates inflammation and NAD depletion during aging The surprising connection between gut health, inflammation, and menopause symptoms How estrogen decline contributes to leaky gut and systemic inflammation Why nitric oxide is essential for circulation, libido, cardiovascular health, and cognition The role of NAD in circadian rhythm, sleep quality, and stress resilience Why NMN and creatine are gaining attention for healthy aging and vitality QUOTES“Menopause will happen, but the question is: how do we maintain vibrancy and resilience through it?” “NAD is the common currency that drives energy throughout the body.” “The gut is the foundational driver of inflammation as we age.” “Without NADPH, you don’t have nitric oxide production.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Subscribe and Save $15 on Wonderfeel Youngr™ NMN: https://tidd.ly/4rPnckS Use code ENERGIZED and get 30% off on your first BATCH order https://hellobatch.com/ENERGIZED Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Wonderfeel Website Wonderfeel Instagram Wonderfeel YouTube RELATED EPISODES  741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel 691: The Fertility Crisis No One Talks About: Why Your Health Today Impacts Future Generations with Dr. Ann Shippy 717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause 743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan

“What if the life you worked so hard to build is also the thing quietly burning you out?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Brooke Taylor to unpack the hidden emotional patterns driving burnout, overachievement, perfectionism, and chronic stress in high-performing women. Brooke shares her deeply personal story—from climbing the corporate ladder at Google while battling addiction, burnout, and health issues—to ultimately discovering what she now calls the “Success Wound.” Together, they explore how so many women unconsciously tie their worth, safety, belonging, and identity to achievement… until their body can no longer sustain the pressure. They dive into the emotional roots of over-functioning, the nervous system impact of constantly “doing,” and why midlife often becomes the moment women can no longer outrun themselves. Brooke also shares practical tools to identify your own success wound patterns, regulate your nervous system, reconnect to your true self, and move from manic ambition into aligned ambition. If you’ve ever felt exhausted despite accomplishing so much… if you’ve struggled to slow down, feel present, or believe you’re enough without constantly proving yourself… this conversation will hit deeply. BROOKE TAYLOR Brooke Taylor is a transformational career coach, speaker, and former Google marketing lead who has helped over 5,000 high-performing women redefine success on their own terms. After experiencing burnout, addiction, and deep emotional reckoning in her own life, Brooke developed the framework she now calls the “Success Wound” to help women break free from overachievement patterns and reconnect to fulfillment, purpose, and self-worth. IN THIS EPISODE What the “Success Wound” actually is—and how it develops Why high-achieving women often tie worthiness to productivity The hidden connection between burnout, perfectionism, and chronic stress How childhood conditioning shapes our relationship with achievement The 5 success wound archetypes: Grinder, Pleaser, Hider, Seeker, and Work Hard/Play Hard Why perimenopause can intensify emotional and nervous system burnout The difference between manic ambition and aligned ambition Practical tools to regulate your nervous system and reconnect to your true self Why healing your success wound is lifelong work—not a quick fix QUOTES“The more that I succeeded, the more love, belonging, and approval I would get.” “We don’t rise to the level of our confidence. We fall to the level of our self-worth.” “You are not working from the most powerful part of yourself when you’re working from fear.” “There is nothing wrong with your ambition. It’s the way your worth became tied to it that needs healing.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Grab Brooke’s new book The Success Wound https://amzn.to/3RoWBOC Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your Troscription Order http://troscriptions.com/ENERGIZED Order my new book The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Brooke Taylor Website Brooke Taylor Instagram Brooke Taylor Tiktok RELATED EPISODES  717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause 741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel 733: Why We’re Still Exhausted in the Age of “Evidence-Based” Everything with Shawn Stevenson 728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It