Brain fog, irritability, and burnout – What’s really going in your 40s and what you can do about it
04/08/25 • 61 min
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Feeling more tired, irritable, or overwhelmed than usual – but not sure why?
In this raw and relatable conversation, Sam Lindsay-German is joined again by Vera Wellness naturopath, Elysia Humphries, to unpack the real (and often hidden) symptoms of perimenopause and menopause – from brain fog and burnout to joint pain, weight gain, and loss of identity.
Together, they explore:
🌿 What perimenopause really looks like – and why it’s not just about hot flushes
🌿 The hidden symptoms that show up before your period disappears – from frozen shoulder to burnout
🌿 Why your hormones are impacting your joints, brain, energy, and even your tolerance for noise
🌿 How to support your cognitive health, mood, and resilience (even if you’ve got small kids and zero time to yourself)
🌿 The real story behind midlife weight gain – and why that “menopause belly” might actually be helping you
🌿 Natural medicine vs HRT – and why you don’t need to choose sides
Whether you’re in your 40s and feeling off, deep in the transition, or supporting someone else, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and better equipped for what’s ahead.
Recommended resources from this episode:
- 📖 Wise Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer
______________________
For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.
We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au
To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.
______________________
DISCLAIMER:
This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here
Feeling more tired, irritable, or overwhelmed than usual – but not sure why?
In this raw and relatable conversation, Sam Lindsay-German is joined again by Vera Wellness naturopath, Elysia Humphries, to unpack the real (and often hidden) symptoms of perimenopause and menopause – from brain fog and burnout to joint pain, weight gain, and loss of identity.
Together, they explore:
🌿 What perimenopause really looks like – and why it’s not just about hot flushes
🌿 The hidden symptoms that show up before your period disappears – from frozen shoulder to burnout
🌿 Why your hormones are impacting your joints, brain, energy, and even your tolerance for noise
🌿 How to support your cognitive health, mood, and resilience (even if you’ve got small kids and zero time to yourself)
🌿 The real story behind midlife weight gain – and why that “menopause belly” might actually be helping you
🌿 Natural medicine vs HRT – and why you don’t need to choose sides
Whether you’re in your 40s and feeling off, deep in the transition, or supporting someone else, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and better equipped for what’s ahead.
Recommended resources from this episode:
- 📖 Wise Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer
______________________
For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.
We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au
To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.
______________________
DISCLAIMER:
This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Previous Episode
Confused about PCOS? Here's what you need to know
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women – but is it really what you think it is?
In this episode of Women of the Well, Dr Peta, Dr Thea, and Sam break down what PCOS actually means, why it’s often misunderstood (even by medical professionals), and what you really need to know if you’ve been given this diagnosis.
They discuss:
🌿 The real meaning behind “polycystic ovaries” – why the name is misleading and how it can result in overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis.
🌿 Why PCOS isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition – understanding the different causes behind ovulation issues and how factors like insulin resistance, inflammation, and stress play a role.
🌿 The impact of birth control on PCOS diagnosis – why going on the pill young can mask underlying issues and what happens when you stop taking it.
🌿 How lifestyle, stress, and nutrition affect ovulation – the key factors that can restore your cycle naturally and what to focus on instead of weight loss.
🌿 Why your period is a monthly “report card” for your health – and what irregular, heavy, or absent cycles are telling you about your body.
If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS (or suspect you might have it), this episode will help you understand what’s really happening in your body – and how to support yourself with the right approach.
Additional Resources:
💡 Unlocking the Power of Your Cycle – A self-paced course to help you understand and work with your cycle for better health, energy, and hormonal balance.
______________________
For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.
We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au
To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.
______________________
DISCLAIMER:
This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Next Episode
The trap of victim consciousness and how it affects your health
Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Send us a text here
Do you ever feel powerless, stuck, or like life is just happening to you?
In this episode of Women of the Well, Dr Thea and Dr Peta explore a topic that might feel a little uncomfortable but has the potential to spark real change.
They’re talking about victim consciousness.
Not as a label or an accusation, but as a nervous system state that many of us (consciously or unconsciously) fall into – especially when we’ve experienced chronic pain, health issues, or any form of trauma or dismissal.
They discuss:
🌿 What victim consciousness really means – and how it’s linked to a dysregulated nervous system
🌿 Why identifying with your diagnosis (endo, PMDD, menopause, etc) can actually keep you stuck
🌿 The Victim Triangle – and how it plays out in chronic health conditions
🌿 Why society benefits from keeping women disempowered (and why reclaiming your power matters)
🌿 How to shift your beliefs, reclaim agency, and access more joy, pleasure, and possibility in your life
If you’ve ever felt stuck in your pain, powerless in your body, or trapped by a diagnosis, this is a must-listen conversation that aims to help you see things differently and move forward with more compassion for yourself.
Quick request: We’re planning future episodes right now, and we’d really love your input. If there’s a topic or question you want us to explore, please email or send us a DM on Instagram — your suggestions truly shape the show.
______________________
For more information about us, visit VeraWellness.com.au.
We’d love to continue the conversation with you on Instagram @verawellness.com.au
To stay in the loop with every new episode of Women of the Well and gain first access to special resources and events – join our Podcast VIP Club here.
______________________
DISCLAIMER:
This podcast is for information and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Women of the Well | Holistic Women’s Health and Wellness - Brain fog, irritability, and burnout – What’s really going in your 40s and what you can do about it
Transcript
[00:00:00] Sam: so welcome to another exciting week of, women of the well. today I'm back in my lovely yoga studio and I'm back with Elysia Humphries, who's our resident naturopath here at Vera. Hello,
[00:01:15] Elysia: Hello,
[00:01:16] Sam: today we're, excited because we're gonna talk about a subject that's close to both of our hearts and that is the subject of menopause even though I hate that term, we can discuss that at some point. Don't really like the te
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