Perimenopause in the Trenches: Burnout, Inflammation & a Midlife Reframe with Sonja Courtis

This week I’m joined by Sonja Courtis—coach, educator, and straight-talker—who’s unfiltered about what really derails women in perimenopause and how to get your power (and pleasure) back.

We get into the messy middle: sudden cycle changes, the shock of early perimenopause, weight gain that won’t budge, sleep that tanks, and why “just push through” is failing women. Sonja unpacks the big levers most of us miss—inflammation, oxidative stress, liver + gut health, and a chronically wired nervous system—and how to create realistic, compassionate change without burning your life down.

In this episode:

• Perimenopause ≠ “the end”: reframing this rite of passage
• Inflammation & oxidative stress: why they matter more than you think
• Nervous system regulation > more willpower
• Alcohol, supplements, and what “quality over quantity” really means
• Building a real village and learning to receive support
• Micro-pauses, micro-pleasure, and sleep that actually restores you

If you’re feeling stretched thin, puffy, wired-but-tired, or just over it, this conversation is your permission slip to pause, recalibrate, and choose strategies that actually fit your season of life.

To connect with Sonja:

Instagram: @sonjacourtis

Website: sonjacourtis.com

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The Cycle Codes:

Instagram: @thecyclecodes

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Disclaimer:

The content shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider or a qualified medical professional regarding any questions or concerns you may have about your cycle, hormones, or health. I speak from lived experience and training in menstrual cycle awareness—not as a licensed medical practitioner.

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