The transition through midlife can feel like stepping into unknown territory, your body changes, your moods shift, and suddenly what used to work no longer does. But what if understanding your hormones was the key to feeling like yourself again? In today’s conversation, Dr. Cheryl Burdette, Director of Education at Progressive Medical Center and Co-Founder of Precision Point Diagnostics, breaks down what’s really happening inside your body during this season of change. She shares how functional testing and targeted lifestyle shifts can restore energy, balance, and clarity at any age.

Dr. Cheryl‘s work spans everything from hormone testing to gut health and detoxification, and she has a way of making complicated topics feel doable. We talk about the truth behind those midlife changes no one really prepares us for, why they happen, what your labs might be telling you, and simple steps to start balancing your hormones naturally. It’s the kind of honest, empowering conversation every woman deserves when navigating this season of life.

If you’ve been feeling “off” and can’t quite put your finger on why, this episode is your invitation to pause, learn, and take your power back. You’ll walk away with practical ways to support your hormones, boost your energy, and feel at home in your body again because midlife isn’t the end of your vitality, it’s the beginning of understanding it.

Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Welcome to The Girlfriend Doctor

[00:04:38] The lack of support and feeling lost during menopause.

[00:11:10] Exponential problem of hormonal problems for women today.

[00:14:17] Basic testing recommendations and challenges.

[00:19:44] Hormone detoxification pathways.

[00:27:58] Hormone transition and health.

[00:29:13] Stages of feminine transition.

[00:30:59] Hot flashes, endocrine disruptors, and inflammation.

[00:36:59] Hormone receptor site damage.

[00:41:04] High hormone levels and health concerns.

[00:44:08] Hormonal balance in women.

[00:46:32] Gut hormonal connection.

[00:49:33] Gut-based work as anti-inflammatory.

[00:50:45] Rapid fire questions for Dr. Cheryl Burdette.

[00:56:21] Omega-3 fatty acids and oxidative stress.

[01:00:07] Hormonal health insights.

Memorable Quotes:

"We have an ability to shift our genetics, to move them in a healthy direction, even if we were dealt a bit of an unfair hand." [00:23:05] – Dr. Cheryl Burdette

"If gut's going to govern whole person inflammation, then that's probably the thing that gives us the most information about the gut." [00:51:33] – Dr. Cheryl Burdette

Connect with Dr. Cheryl Burdette:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcherylburdette/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-burdette-137a50189/

Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:

Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca

Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

If you’ve ever wondered why your body suddenly feels like it’s changing the rules, hot flashes, mood swings, brain fog, and all, this one’s for you. Perimenopause can feel confusing and even a little isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, I’m sitting down with my dear friend and hormone expert Dr. Mariza Snyder, who’s helping women everywhere see this season of life in a whole new light. She’s breaking down what’s actually happening in our bodies and how we can work with those changes instead of fighting against them.

Dr. Mariza has spent nearly two decades helping women understand their hormones, and she has such a beautiful way of making it all make sense. We talk through the stages of perimenopause, the shifts that happen along the way, and what your body’s trying to tell you through all of it. She also shares her top go-to practices, simple, doable things that make a real difference when it comes to energy, mood, and metabolism.

Your body isn’t broken; it’s evolving. Tune in for a heartfelt and empowering talk with Dr. Mariza, plus a peek into her upcoming book, The Perimenopause Revolution (coming October 2025). You’ll walk away feeling seen, supported, and ready to take charge of your health with a little more grace and a lot more confidence.

Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction.

[00:02:54] Perimenopause as a transition.

[00:04:31] Perimenopause as a window of opportunity.

[00:08:43] Late reproductive stage transitions.

[00:10:59] Hormonal changes in perimenopause.

[00:15:51] Adrenal fatigue and lifestyle changes.

[00:18:02] Metabolic health during perimenopause.

[00:21:28] Healing mindset and self-care.

[00:25:45] Vagal tone and parasympathetic regulation.

[00:28:30] Embracing perimenopause as opportunity.

[00:34:56] Wisdom for your journey.

Memorable Quotes:

"The more that we understand and we can connect the dots between our symptoms and this being a profound shift, we can enable ourselves to move through this without suffering, with feeling more empowered." [00:06:34] – Dr. Mariza Snyder

"Decide that you are worthy of healing. It is a mindset shift that you deserve it." [00:21:28] – Dr. Mariza Snyder

Links Mentioned:

The Perimenopause Revolution Book: https://drmariza.com/book

Book Bonus Page with a Perimenopause Toolkit ($500 value): https://peri-revolution.com

Thriving In Perimenopause Survival Guide: https://drmariza.com/perimenopausesurvival

Connect with Dr. Mariza Snyder:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/drmariza/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmarizasnyder/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/drmariza

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/drmarizasnyder

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drmariza/

Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:

Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca

Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

You might not think much about your bones until something goes wrong, but they’re living tissue that respond to how you move, eat, and even how you think. There’s a powerful connection between movement, mindset, and bone health that we don’t talk about enough. My guest today, Margie Bissinger, knows this better than anyone. She’s a Bone Health Expert, Physical Therapist, and Happiness Coach who’s helped thousands of women rebuild their strength and confidence from the inside out.

Margie and I get into what really works when it comes to keeping your bones strong without fear, confusion, or overwhelm. We talk about how to track your bone health between DEXA scans, what kinds of exercise truly make a difference, and how nutrition and hormones play a bigger role than most of us realize. She also shares her integrative approach to bone health that’s helped so many women feel vibrant again, and we answer some of your real questions from the Girlfriend Doctor community.

If this conversation sparks something in you, I’d love for you to join me for my Mastering Your Hormones Masterclass. It’s where I break down what’s really behind those mood swings, brain fog, and energy dips, and show you how to get back in balance naturally. You can save your seat at dranna.com/hormones. And while you’re there, check out Julva, my gentle, hormone-free cream that helps women feel comfortable and confident again. It’s truly been life-changing for so many. And there’s a new twist on my favorite superfood blend, Mighty Maca Mango! It’s zesty, refreshing, and the perfect way to give your body some love. You can find it all at dranna.com.

Key Timestamps:

[00:00:00] Introduction.

[00:01:10] Bone health and happiness expert.

[00:05:21] Osteoporosis and integrative health.

[00:08:04] Bone turnover markers explained.

[00:11:18] Calcium supplementation and absorption.

[00:17:30] Bone density and strength training.

[00:20:39] Root causes of osteoporosis.

[00:22:51] Osteostrong and bone health risks.

[00:26:31] Osteoporosis exercise recommendations.

[00:30:12] Vibration plate benefits and concerns.

[00:34:36] Osteoboost's effectiveness questioned.

[00:38:56] Maintaining strong, healthy bones.

[00:42:52] Medications that build bone.

[00:48:26] Collagen supplementation benefits.

[00:52:01] Bone scan age recommendations.

[00:54:52] Osteoporosis and exercise safety.

[00:57:19] Osteoporosis awareness and prevention.

Memorable Quotes:

"Happier people have increased bone density." [00:20:33] – Margie Bissinger

"Take that fear and turn it into empowerment. Learn what you can do." [00:41:53] – Margie Bissinger

Links Mentioned:

MORE Natural Approaches to Osteoporosis & Bone Health Summit: https://www.happyboneshappylife.com/a/2148013152/zdrUyFt7

Mastering Your Hormones Masterclass: https://dranna.com/hormones

Julva Cream: http://dranna.com/summeroflove

Mighty Maca Mango: https://drannacabeca.com/products/mighty-maca

Connect with Margie Bissinger:

Website: https://margiebissinger.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margiebissinger/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@margiebissinger6980

Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca:

Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca

Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com