This Simple Morning Shift Ends the Cortisol Belly Fat Cycle

ADHD or Perimenopause? Why Women Over 40 Get Misdiagnosed

Have you ever felt like your brain was replaced overnight, focus gone, memory slipping, and a fog you just can’t clear? As someone who’s navigated both adult ADHD diagnosis and the rollercoaster of perimenopause, I’ve experienced firsthand how the intersection of hormones and brain chemistry can turn your world upside down. In this episode of Create The Best Me, I break down the real science behind why so many women over 40 are suddenly being diagnosed with ADHD (or thinking they have it), why your medication may have stopped working, and the role estrogen plays in keeping our brains firing on all cylinders. I also share the three most common misdiagnoses women receive, plus, I give you a playbook to approach your doctor armed with the facts and confidence you need. This episode is for every woman who feels like she’s “losing it.” You’re not alone, and there’s a reason for what you’re experiencing!   What You'll Learn 1. The real connection between estrogen and dopamine: Why perimenopause can upend years of mental clarity and what’s really happening beneath the surface. 2. Why your ADHD meds might feel useless now: How hormonal changes impact the effectiveness of stimulant medications as you move through midlife. 3. The three most common misdiagnoses to watch out for: How anxiety, depression, and even early-onset dementia can mask underlying hormone-related ADHD symptoms. 4. How to prepare for your doctor’s visit: The steps to build your case, track symptoms, and ensure you’re seen and heard in the medical system. 5. Why holistic strategies matter: From external systems, sleep, and routines to hormone therapy conversations, how to support every part of your life, not just your diagnosis.   Music by:  Epidemic Sound   Call to Action:  If this episode helped you, share it with a woman who may be sitting there with a diagnosis that does not quite fit and wondering what is wrong with her. This may be the piece that helps connect it all.   📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep169 [https://createthebestme.com/ep169]   Related Episodes: 🎧 Listen to these episodes next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19143428 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19143428]  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119]    ⚖️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please talk with your qualified healthcare provider about your symptoms and treatment options.   #ADHDAfter40 #Perimenopause #WomenWithADHD #MidlifeWomen #BrainFog #CreateTheBestMe  📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/ [https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/]   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com [https://createthebestme.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme [https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox [http://www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme [https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox [http://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox]   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv [https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv]

Why Your Doctor Says You’re “Normal” But You Feel Like Crap (Perimenopause vs. Burnout)

Are you tired of being told your labs are “normal” when you know something is off? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Will Haas, founder and CEO of VYVE Wellness in Charlotte. Together, we discuss the frustrations so many high performers (especially women) face when they hit that midlife wall: unexplained fatigue, brain fog, stubborn weight, and a new reality where old routines just don’t work anymore. We dive into: * The difference between burnout and perimenopause (and why they so often overlap) * Why standard labs don’t always reveal the real cause behind your symptoms * What deeper tests really show about hormones, recovery, and cellular health * How to use heart rate variability (HRV) as your “check engine” light for burnout * The truth about GLP-1 drugs, “skinny fat,” and rebuilding your metabolism the right way If you’ve ever left the doctor’s office feeling dismissed or confused…the conversation is about to change. Music from: Epidemic Sound   Call to Action:  Ready to stop settling for "normal"? Hit Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! * Comment below: What is one change you are going to make to your recovery routine this week? * Share: Send this to a friend who needs to hear this exact message today. Make sure to come back next week, we have another amazing episode lined up with more strategies to help you navigate midlife with energy and confidence!   📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep168 [https://createthebestme.com/ep168] https://vyvewellness.com/get-started [https://vyvewellness.com/get-started]   Related Episodes: 🎧 Listen to these episodes next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19143428 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19143428]  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119]    #vyvewellness #DrWillHaas #Perimenopause #MidlifeHealth #FunctionalMedicine #BurnoutRecovery #GLP1 #MitochondrialHealth #CreateTheBestMe #takecontrolofyourhealth  📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/ [https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/]   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com [https://createthebestme.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme [https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox [http://www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme [https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox [http://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox]   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv [https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv]

Perimenopause Brain Fog vs. Memory Loss: What's Normal vs. What's Not

Is it just brain fog or something more serious? In this episode, I dive into one of midlife’s most misunderstood and frightening symptoms: perimenopause brain fog. If you’ve ever lost your train of thought mid-sentence, missed a word that was right there, or worried that these slips mean you’re starting to lose your memory for good, you’re not alone. Together, we cut through the confusion between brain fog and true memory loss. I give you a clear checklist of what’s a normal (if frustrating) part of perimenopause and what signs signal it’s time to check in with your doctor. I’ll walk you through the brain biology behind the “vocabulary gap,” how estrogen and acetylcholine affect your mind, the best foods to support cognitive health, and the science-backed habits that help your brain stay sharp through every hormonal shift life throws your way. What You’ll Learn: * The difference between brain fog and permanent memory loss (why worry isn’t always warranted) * Seven completely normal symptoms of perimenopausal brain fog and the five that mean it’s time to call your doctor * How estrogen and acetylcholine shape your memory, and why word-finding gets harder in midlife * The foods and nutrients that protect your brain and support memory (hello, blueberries and eggs!) * How “cognitive reserve” can help your brain reroute around fog and the three habits that build it, starting today Music by:  Epidemic Sound Call to Action: Drop a comment and tell me: which of the 7 brain fog symptoms did you recognize in yourself? I read every single one. 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep167 [https://createthebestme.com/ep167]   Related Episodes: 🎧  Listen to these episodes next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119]  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18414779 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18414779]   #perimenopausebrainfog #menopausebrainfog #brainfogsymptoms #brainfogcauses #menopausememoryloss  📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/ [https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/]   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com [https://createthebestme.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme [https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox [http://www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme [https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox [http://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox]   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv [https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv]

The Brain Pattern That Keeps Ambitious Women Single

How can you be a rockstar at work, run a household, and still find love completely bewildering? If you've ever felt like your love life is a cluttered pantry full of outdated stories and expired patterns, this episode is for you. I sat down with a powerhouse guest, board-certified integrative Neurosomatic practitioner and identity architect, Riana Malia, to tackle the unconscious patterns that keep high-achieving women single (and what to do about them). We cover why doing more doesn’t work in love, how to break free of old cycles fast, and the simple shift that will change the way you love, lead, and trust yourself. If you’re ready for real clarity and want to stop settling for chicken when you really want ribeye, don’t miss this conversation. What You’ll Learn 1. Why more “doing” doesn’t fix your love life Discover why high-achieving women get stuck in love even when they’re unstoppable everywhere else and what truly changes the game. 2. The 10%/90% shift for crystal clarity Understand why the conscious brain is only 10% of the story, while the unconscious makes up the powerful 90%, shaping your results in love and life. 3. How to clear old stories and expired patterns (for good) Learn Riana Malia’s “clear to create” methodology so you can stop telling the old story, detox dysfunctional patterns, and make room for extraordinary love. 4. The Clarity Codex: get specific about what you want Stop second-guessing yourself and learn to build your love “menu” based on your real desires, values, and non-negotiables. 5. How clearing love blocks transforms every relationship Hear real-world results of this work, not just in romance but with friends, children, coworkers, and most importantly, yourself. Music by: Epidemic Sounds Call to Action:   What is ONE “expired pattern” from your relationship pantry that you are throwing out today? 👇 Let me know in the comments! Don't forget to take Riana's free ELI assessment linked below! 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep166 [https://createthebestme.com/ep166] https://rianamalia.com [https://rianamalia.com] https://quiz.rianamalia.com [https://quiz.rianamalia.com] Related Episode: 🎧 Listen to this episode next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/17901989 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/17901989]   #CreateTheBestMe #HighAchievingWomen #RelationshipAdvice #SubconsciousHealing #DatingInMidlife #ManifestingLove #NeurosomaticHealing #WomensEmpowerment 📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/ [https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/]   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com [https://createthebestme.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme [https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox [http://www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme [https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox [http://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox]   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv [https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv]

This Simple Morning Shift Ends the Cortisol Belly Fat Cycle

Is your stubborn belly fat refusing to budge, even though you’re eating right, moving your body, and getting good sleep? In this episode, I break down the real reason so many women in midlife struggle with “cortisol belly” and the exact morning shift that can help you finally end the cycle. Forget blaming willpower. Instead, I’ll walk you through the unseen hormone connection sabotaging your efforts and share the science-backed five-step morning protocol I use to reset my cortisol, reclaim my metabolism, and give my body permission to let the belly fat go. If you’ve tried everything but still wake up feeling stuck, this episode is your action plan to move forward one doable morning at a time. What You'll Learn * Why you can do “everything right” and still gain belly fat in midlife * How cortisol targets belly fat and why it’s different from fat anywhere else * The crucial role morning routines play in your stress and fat storage * Five specific, actionable steps to reset your cortisol and metabolism when you wake up * The science behind light exposure, coffee timing, protein, nervous system hacks, and digital boundaries, and how these tiny shifts compound into BIG transformation Music:  Epidemic Sound Call to action: 👍 Drop a comment with the step you'll start tomorrow, and don’t forget to subscribe. Your best self is just a morning away! Catch another amazing episode created just for you next week! 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep165 [https://createthebestme.com/ep165]   Related Episodes: 🎧 Listen to these episodes next: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18414779 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18414779] https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18261094 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18261094]    #Cortisol #MidlifeWeightLoss #MorningRoutine #CreateTheBestMe #MenopauseHealth #releasemidlifebellyfat 📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/ [https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/]   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com [https://createthebestme.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme [https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox [http://www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme [https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox [http://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox]   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv [https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv]