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.
Follow Dr. Mindy on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mindypelz/?hl=en
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@drmindypelz
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/drmindypelz
Shop her books: https://www.drmindypelz.com/books
Listen to her podcast: https://www.drmindypelz.com/resetter-podcast
Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/3269976?tab=collections
Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/
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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