Energized with Dr. Mariza

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 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

We have SO much information at our fingertips, and tons of science to back it up… but what REALLY moves the needle when it comes to wellness? Here’s the truth– information isn't the problem. Isolation is. We’re not short on data. We’re short on the kind of environment that actually supports what we know we need to do. That’s why in today’s episode, I’m joined by bestselling author and integrative health expert Dr. Shawn Stevenson to uncover what’s really missing in today’s health conversation. Despite having more access to evidence-based information than ever, so many people still feel exhausted, inflamed, and metabolically unwell—and we explore why that gap exists. Dr. Stevenson breaks down where even practitioners and wellness leaders are getting it wrong when it comes to creating lasting change. We cut through the noise to focus on simple, science-backed strategies that actually make an impact on your health and longevity. Ready to simplify your approach and finally feel better in your body? Tune in here! Shawn Stevenson Shawn Stevenson is the author of the USA Today National bestsellers Eat Smarter and the Eat Smarter Family Cookbook, as well as the international bestselling book Sleep Smarter. He’s also the creator of The Model Health Show, featured as the number #1 health podcast in the U.S.. A graduate of the University of Missouri, Shawn studied business, biology, and nutritional science and became the cofounder of Advanced Integrative Health Alliance. Shawn has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, Good Morning America, ESPN, and many other major media outlets. IN THIS EPISODE What society is getting wrong about “evidence-based” information Tuning into your body and emotions and tapping into its needs Why sleep is a force multiplier for overall wellness How to stack good habits in your favor and make them stick Being intentional about your community and relationships How your relationships with others can impact every aspect of your lifestyle choices Simple healthy habits to adopt to enhance your wellness and improve your longevity More about Dr. Stevenson's podcast and best-selling books QUOTES “We're swimming in information, we're swimming in content. There's just so much. We are being pulled away from the most important source of data that we will ever have, which is ourselves. Your body already knows. Your mind already knows what's best for you, but we are not listening.” “The longest running study in history where they follow people and after compiling all the data… the number one determinant of how long people live is the quality of their relationships.” “It's finding what works best for you, but giving yourself some form of an evening routine, something consistent so your brain knows that we're transitioning into rest. And communicating that with your loved ones, with your family, because they will be the potential obstacles or the potential supporters.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution HERE! https://peri-revolution.com/ Order Dr. Stevenson’s Book: The Eat Smarter Family Cookbook https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Smarter-Family-Cookbook-Connection/ The Model Health Show Dr. Stevenson on Instagram RELATED EPISODES 730: The Metabolic Shift After 40: What’s Really Driving Weight, Energy & Mood Changes 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 725: Exhausted, Wired & Not Yourself? The Hormone Havoc Causing Midlife Burnout with Dr. Amy Shah