Be Well by Kelly Leveque 365: Menopause Reset: Fasting, Sleep, + Functional Fitness Tips | Dr. Mindy Pelz
Dec 17, 2025
Dr. Mindy Pelz, a New York Times bestselling author and women's health educator, redefines menopause as a neurological reset rather than a decline. She discusses how the hormonal shifts can lead to newfound clarity and stronger boundaries. Mindy shares practical tips on boosting energy during menopause through lifestyle changes, including effective exercise and intermittent fasting. She emphasizes the importance of restoring neurochemicals for well-being and offers insights on improving sleep while adapting to midlife relationship dynamics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Menopause As An Evolutionary Upgrade
- Menopause is an evolutionary upgrade that repurposes women as cultural leaders after reproduction ends.
- The grandmother hypothesis explains longevity by assigning post-reproductive women crucial foraging and caregiving roles.
Clinic Pattern Sparked The Inquiry
- In Mindy Pelz's clinic many women with perfect lives reported suicidal thoughts during midlife.
- This clinical pattern drove her to investigate neurochemical changes beyond sex hormones.
Estrogen Powers A Neurochemical 'Girl Gang'
- Estrogen supports a 'girl gang' of neurochemicals (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, GABA, BDNF) that shape mood and social drive.
- When estrogen declines many of those neurochemicals drop too, explaining brain fog, low motivation, and irritability.