Hey friends, can I get real with you for a minute? If you've ever wondered what perimenopause actually looks like for someone who's supposed to have it all figured out — spoiler alert: I definitely didn't — this episode is me pulling back the curtain on the messy, vulnerable truth of my own menopause journey.

I'm sharing everything, and I mean everything. The early warning signs I completely ignored (hello, three cups of ice daily from Starbucks!), the transfusion-level anemia that finally woke me up to what was really happening in my body, and the moment I stood crying in my closet because I knew I'd never wear my favorite sweaters again.

This isn't your typical clinical discussion about hormones. This is the raw, honest truth about what it's like to navigate perimenopause when you're so busy taking care of everyone else that you miss your own red flags. I'm talking about the supplements that failed me for months, the protocols I tried that didn't work, and the one thing that finally gave me my life back (hint: it wasn't what I expected).

I also dive deep into why I chose to go through menopause without HRT — and trust me, I know this might ruffle some feathers, but I'm sharing my clinical experience and personal reasoning. Plus, I'm breaking down my current approach to supporting women through this transition, including my go-to protocols with herbs like Tribulus for hot flashes and Chaste Tree for perimenopause support.

Whether you're in the thick of your own menopause journey or you're a practitioner looking to better support your patients through this season, I'm hoping this episode gives you both the clinical insights and the real-world wisdom that only comes from actually living through it.

We're covering perimenopause symptoms beyond just hot flashes, natural hormone balancing strategies, the crucial role of liver detoxification and gut health in hormone production, and why self-care and boundaries become absolutely non-negotiable during this transition.

Here's what you'll walk away with:

• The real symptoms of perimenopause that nobody talks about

• Natural protocols for managing menopause symptoms effectively

• How liver health and hormone balance work together

• Why this season requires extra self-care (not less!)

• My clinical approach for supporting women through menopause

This conversation is my gift to every woman who's ever felt like she was drowning in her own body and every practitioner who wants to show up better for the women they serve. You're not broken, you're not alone, and there absolutely is hope on the other side.

The Surprising Risks of Bioidentical Hormones No One is Talking About - Don't forget to check out the interesting episode I mentioned in today's podcast!