Essentially You: Empowering You On Your Health & Wellness Journey With Safe, Natural & Effective Solutions

“Is your nervous system stuck in overdrive?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Jenna Free, a counselor specializing in ADHD and nervous system regulation, to discuss why so many women in midlife feel overwhelmed, scattered, and exhausted despite their best efforts to stay organized. Together, they explore how the nervous system gets stuck in a chronic fight-or-flight state, the role of dysregulation in ADHD symptoms, and why traditional productivity hacks simply don’t work when your nervous system is running on empty. Jenna breaks down her approach to resetting the nervous system and explains how small, consistent changes can lead to massive improvements in mental clarity, energy, and overall well-being. This conversation offers new insights on how to break free from the cycle of rushing, crashing, and feeling burned out—and provides tangible steps to reclaim control over your brain and nervous system. JENNA FREE Jenna Free is a counselor specializing in ADHD, nervous system regulation, and min

Why are so many women waking up exhausted… but unable to shut their brain off?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Scott Sherr to unpack the hidden nervous system and biochemical shifts driving sleep struggles, anxiety, exhaustion, and feeling “wired and tired” in midlife. Together, they explore why women in perimenopause often lose stress resilience, why the brain gets stuck in overdrive at night, and how neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin, adenosine, and cortisol shape sleep quality, recovery, and mood. They also dive into the powerful connection between mitochondrial health, nervous system regulation, energy production, and why building more “reserve” may be the missing key to feeling calm, focused, and resilient again. If you’ve been struggling with middle-of-the-night wakeups, burnout, anxiety, or feeling like your brain never truly powers down, this episode will help connect the dots—and offer practical solutions that actually move the needle. Dr. Scott Sherr Dr. Scott Sherr is a physi

“Is this brain fog… or something more?” In this solo episode, Dr. Mariza unpacks the hidden neurological and metabolic shifts happening during perimenopause and menopause—and why so many women suddenly feel mentally “off.” From brain fog and memory lapses to anxiety, overwhelm, and lower stress resilience, these symptoms are often dismissed as aging or stress. But Dr. Mariza explains that this is actually a neuroendocrine and metabolic transition driven by changing hormones, brain energy shifts, inflammation, and blood sugar instability. She breaks down what’s really happening inside the female brain during midlife, why women feel more sensitive to stress, and the most powerful lifestyle strategies to support long-term brain health, energy, mood, and resilience. If you’ve been wondering why you don’t quite feel like yourself anymore, this episode will help connect the dots—and give you a roadmap forward. IN THIS EPISODE Why perimenopause is a neuroendocrine and metabolic brain transition

“Why is heart disease still the #1 killer of women—and why aren’t we talking about it?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Jayne Morgan to unpack the overlooked connection between perimenopause, menopause, and cardiovascular risk. Most women are told menopause is just about hormones and symptoms—but it’s actually a vascular transition that directly impacts your heart, blood vessels, and long-term health. Together, they break down why women are often misdiagnosed, why key risk markers are missed, and what you can do to advocate for yourself early—before a major event happens. If you’re in your 40s or beyond, this conversation could change how you think about your health—and your future. Be sure to tune in! DR. JAYNE MORGAN Dr. Jayne Morgan is a leading cardiologist and national voice in women’s cardiovascular health. She is passionate about redefining “preventive care” for women—shifting the focus from reproductive health alone to include heart health, vascular function, and long-term longevity.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the very real mental energy drain that so many midlife women are experiencing—and how it can quietly lead to career burnout.  From mood swings, irritation, and resentment to brain fog and forgetfulness in high-stakes moments, these changes can leave you feeling like you’re not yourself anymore.  But here’s the truth: this is not a willpower problem or a personal failure— it’s a biological shift happening during perimenopause with very real professional consequences.  This episode is a call to stop suffering in silence and start advocating for better support, awareness, and care for women in this phase of life.  If you’re ready to reclaim your clarity and confidence— and step fully into your most powerful chapter—this conversation is for you. Tune in here! IN THIS EPISODE The neuroendocrine transition happening in perimenopause  How to adapt when your brain is functioning less in midlife  Different hormone changes and what they mean for your body  Un

“Why does your body stop responding… even when you’re doing everything right?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Siobhan Mitchell to unpack the true metabolic and cellular shifts happening in perimenopause and menopause. So many women feel like their body has suddenly turned against them—weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, and rising inflammation—despite doing all the right things. But this isn’t a failure of effort. It’s a biological inflection point driven by declining estrogen and its impact on metabolism, mitochondria, and vascular health. Together, they break down how estrogen loss reshapes everything from blood sugar control to fat storage, mitochondrial function, and long-term cardiovascular risk—while also exploring the emerging role of gut health and phytoestrogens like S-equol as targeted support. If you’ve been working harder than ever with fewer results, this episode will help you understand why—and what to do instead. Be sure to tune in! SIOBHAN MITCHEL Dr. Siobhan Mitchel, PhD, is a

“Is it really just hormones… or is your gut driving the symptoms?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Cynthia Thurlow to unpack the powerful connection between gut health and hormones in midlife. Many women are told their bloating, weight gain, fatigue, and mood shifts are “just hormones.” But Cynthia explains that the gut microbiome plays a central role in how these symptoms show up—and how they can be improved. Together, they break down how gut health influences hormones, inflammation, metabolism, and brain function, while also highlighting the foundational habits that matter most in this season. If you’ve been feeling off and unsure where to focus, this episode will give you clarity and a smarter path forward. Be sure to tune in! CYNTHIA THURLOW Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, intermittent fasting expert, and leading voice in metabolic health for women in midlife. With a background in cardiology, she now focuses on helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause through personali

“Is this brain fog… or something more?” In this episode, brain expert Dr. Majid Fotuhi explains how perimenopause is a true neuroendocrine transition, where shifting hormones can temporarily impact memory, focus, sleep, and mood—often leaving women worried they’re experiencing early cognitive decline.  The good news? These changes are typically transient, and as hormones stabilize, the brain can return to its baseline function.  Dr. Fotuhi shares that what many women are experiencing is not the beginning of the end, but a normal phase—and one that can be supported with the right lifestyle and brain-health strategies.  If you’ve been feeling “off” mentally and wondering what it means for your future, this episode will bring you the peace of mind you need.  Be sure to tune in! Majid Fotuhi Dr. Majid Fotuhi serves as an adjunct professor at the Mind/Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins University and teaches at George Washington University and Harvard Medical School. With 37 years of experience in teaching, c

Fertility is a powerful reflection of your overall health—not a separate or isolated system. In this episode, fertility expert Dr. Natalie Crawford breaks down what’s really happening physiologically as fertility shifts in midlife, connecting the dots between hormones, metabolism, inflammation, and egg quality.  We dive into the everyday habits quietly disrupting fertility—from chronic stress and blood sugar imbalances to inflammation—and how these factors directly impact ovulation and hormone signaling.  Dr. Crawford also cuts through the noise around age, offering a more nuanced, science-backed perspective on what you can actually do to support your fertility at any stage.  You’ll learn that it's the simple shifts each month that can make a meaningful difference starting now.  Ready to support your body from the inside out? Tune in here! Natalie Crawford, MD  Dr. Natalie Crawford is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is co-founder of F

How do you retrain your brain and nervous system to seek out safety, joy, and alignment? In this episode, mind-body alignment expert Dr. Melissa Sonners shares practical ways for midlife women to regulate their nervous system and find calm—even in the chaos of everyday life.  She explains how many of us are unknowingly stuck in a stress-driven state, constantly scanning for what’s wrong, and how this pattern is reinforced by the questions we ask ourselves each day.  Through her simple but powerful tools, she’ll help you learn to easily reset your nervous system and prevent burnout before it builds.  Rather than waiting until the end of the day to relax (and realizing we can’t), she emphasizes creating moments of regulation in real time so we can be more present with our families and actually feel the joy in those everyday interactions.  If you’re navigating the messy middle of midlife and craving more calm, presence, and connection, this episode is for you! Dr. Melissa Sonners Dr. Melissa Sonners is a

Over 90% of adults over 40 are mineral-deficient. Are you one of them?  In this podcast, mineral expert and Beam Minerals co-founder Caroline Alan breaks down why and how mineral depletion quietly impacts energy, hormones, and overall vitality.  As women enter perimenopause already running on empty, we explore how declining hormones combined with modern lifestyle stressors leave the body struggling to maintain key functions like mitochondrial energy, detoxification, and cognitive health.  Caroline introduces the power of plant-based minerals, explaining how they replenish cellular reserves and play a critical role in hormone balance, fertility, and brain chemistry.  This conversation highlights why minerals are a missing piece in midlife wellness—and how simple daily habits can restore what your body has been burning through for years.  If you’ve been feeling exhausted despite doing “everything right,” this episode is for you! Tune in here. Caroline Alan Caroline Alan is the Co-Founder and CEO of BEAM

Feeling like you’re doing everything right… but still struggling with unwanted weight, cravings, and low energy?  This episode is for you. We’re unpacking why your metabolism may not be broken at all—and how a dysregulated nervous system could be the real reason your body feels stuck.  For midlife women especially, chronic stress can quietly drive insulin resistance, hormonal shifts, and that frustrating loss of resilience that seems to hit in your 40s and beyond.  So this conversation sheds light on the powerful connection between stress and your ability to create and sustain energy in your body.  You’ll walk away with an empowering perspective on how supporting your nervous system can unlock real, lasting change in your health.  Tune in here to learn how to work with your body—not against it—and start feeling like yourself again! IN THIS EPISODE The correlation between stress and your metabolic health  What’s really happening in your body in a stressful state The negative impacts of stre

If you’re like me, you’ve noticed that among all the other crazy changes happening in perimenopause, your skin isn’t the same as it used to be.  In this episode, I’m joined by triple board-certified dermatologist and skincare expert Dr. Mamina Turegano to break down what’s really happening to your skin during midlife.  From increased dryness and loss of firmness to subtle shifts in texture, we explore why these changes occur and how fluctuations in your hormones play a major role. Dr. Turegano shares how your skin is truly a window into your internal health, offering clues about everything from inflammation to overall aging and longevity.  This conversation goes beyond surface-level skincare to help you understand what your skin is trying to tell you—and how to support it from the inside out.  You’ll also learn what actually works (and what to skip) so you can simplify your routine and avoid common midlife skincare mistakes.  Tune in here to feel like your most confident and radiant self! Mamina Turega

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?  Tu

Balancing the overwhelm of family, work, and midlife symptoms, all while just trying to feel like yourself again? You’re NOT alone.  In today’s episode, we explore stress as the silent disruptor of midlife—and why it can amplify so many of the symptoms you experience during perimenopause.  We go beyond surface-level stress management and dive into how chronic stress impacts your nervous system, hormones, and overall wellness.  We also highlight the often-overlooked power of connection and community, reframing them as a force multiplier for healing during this phase of life.  You’ll learn simple, practical tools you can start using today to calm your nervous system and navigate overwhelming days with more ease and resilience.  Ready to feel in control again? Tune in here to soften the stress and show up as your best self!  IN THIS EPISODE What makes stress so silent in perimenopause?  The biology of trauma and how unresolved trauma can show up as midlife symptoms  How connection and community e

Sick of being told your labs are “normal” when you KNOW something’s off?  In today’s episode, I’m joined by functional medicine expert Dr. Robin Berzin to talk about what it really means to take control of your health in midlife.  Dr. Berzin shares the early warning signs to watch for and how to better interpret your health data so you can catch imbalances before they become bigger issues.  You’ll learn how to advocate for yourself, understand key lab markers, and explore why supportive options like supplementation and HRT could be game-changers for you.  We’re reframing health as an ongoing, flexible practice—not a rigid destination—helping you release perfection and stay curious about what your body needs.  Tune in here to feel empowered and take your health into your own hands with confidence!  Dr. Robin Berzin  Dr. Robin Berzin the founder and CEO of Parsley Health, America's leading holistic medical practice designed to help women overcome chronic conditions. As a pioneer in functional medicine, s

Midlife is the time to measure, understand your body, and take proactive steps to support your future self.  In this episode, I’m diving into the massive metabolic shift that happens during perimenopause—and why this stage of life is the perfect time to build true metabolic resilience.  We explore how metabolism doesn’t respond to punishment or extremes, but instead thrives on consistent biological rhythms and supportive daily signals.  Even small, simple habits can create powerful changes when practiced consistently. Because over time, these small shifts can stabilize energy, reduce inflammation, and help eliminate those frustrating crashes.  If you’re ready to feel deeply supported in midlife, this episode will give you the roadmap to start today! IN THIS EPISODE One of the MOST important upgrades of your life  Preventing chronic disease and protecting your heart and brain health  Defining your own habits that bring you energy and clarity  Navigating hormone shifts and other physiolo

There’s SO much more to a healthy diet than calories in vs. calories out.  That’s why in today’s episode, I’m joined by renowned physician and metabolic health expert Dr. Jason Fung to unpack the science of hunger and why we’ve totally dropped the ball on healthy eating habits in today’s society.  We dive into the concept of food noise and explore the different types of hunger—especially the environmental and conditioned cues that are quietly driving your eating habits.  Dr. Fung explains how awareness of these triggers can be a powerful first step in shifting your relationship with food so you can feel healthier than ever before.  Drawing from insights in his book The Hunger Code, he shares practical strategies to help you identify your triggers and regain control over your appetite. Tune in here for some empowering tools to feel confident and amazing in your body again!  Dr. Jason Fung  Dr. Jason Fung is a physician, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author currently practicing in Toronto.

Feeling like even the smallest things are suddenly overwhelming you?  This is actually part of a much bigger hormonal and neurological shift happening beneath the surface.  In today’s episode, I’m covering one of the most common—and least talked about—midlife experiences: the brain-related changes that come with perimenopause.  Even women who experience few classic symptoms like hot flashes are still undergoing silent physiological changes affecting the brain, bones, muscles, metabolism, and cardiovascular health.  We explore why perimenopause can be a destabilizing but deeply transformative recalibration where everything from hormones to lifestyle habits comes up for review.  So I’m breaking down simple daily habits you can start right away to support your brain, stabilize your energy, and reduce overwhelm without adding more to your already full plate.  Ready to clear the fog and feel like yourself again in midlife? Tune in here for the science-backed tools to start today.

Midlife is a time for rebirth… a time to come into who you truly are.  In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with the brilliant Dr. Deanna Minich to dive into how this stage of life can bring you to the best version of yourself after years of balancing roles, expectations, and responsibilities.  Dr. Minich shares why midlife is the perfect time to rediscover your voice, clarify your needs, and define your non-negotiables so you can live the next chapter on your own terms.  We’re reframing menopause not as an ending, but as the beginning of a powerful second half of life filled with purpose and authenticity.  Ready to reclaim your energy and step into midlife with clarity and confidence?  Tune in here!  Deanna Minich, PhD, MS, CNS, IFMCP Deanna Minich is a nutrition scientist, international lecturer, educator, and author with over 25 years of experience in academia and in the food and dietary supplement industries. She’s the Chief Science Officer at Symphony Natural Health, and has written seven books and