In part one of this powerful and insightful two-part conversation of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with Dr. Mindy Pelz to unpack the real reason she wrote Age Like a Girl, and why menopause is far more than a hormonal ending, but a profound rewiring of a woman’s brain and identity. Dr. Mindy opens up about her own breaking point, the need to pull away and admit “I’m not okay,” and what actually happens to women emotionally, neurologically, and metabolically as estrogen fades. Together, they explore the loss of key neurochemicals, the shift away from people-pleasing, and why menopause may be preparing women to become better, more intentional leaders. This episode also offers practical insight for women in their 30s and 40s on lifestyle changes, micro-habits, and ways to support dopamine, serotonin, and metabolic health, setting the foundation for the next chapter of power rather than decline.

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What we talked about:

0:35 - Celebrating the holidays with family

2:05 - Introducing Dr. Mindy Pelz

4:16 - Start of the interview

5:12 - Why she wrote “Age Like a Girl”

8:42 - Dr. Mindy’s personal journey with menopause

11:00 - The breaking point

11:52 - Pulling away & needing isolation

14:07 - Admitting to people “I’m not okay”

17:43 - What happens to women after menopause

18:45 - Losing the neurons that make women people-pleasers

20:56 - Learning to ask yourself “What do I want?”

23:36 - The three phases of rewiring in women’s brains

26:01 - Menopause rewires women to be better leaders

29:20 - Losing over 12 different neurochemicals

30:51 - What 30 & 40-year-olds need to know now

31:08 - Lifestyle & neurochemical shifts

32:10 - Getting metabolic system in order

34:26 - Making time for yourself

35:24 - Ways to help dopamine & serotonin

39:04 - Shifting out of your old habits

40:36 - Becoming more sensitive to your environment

42:36 - Microdosing habits

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