Menopause isn't just a hormonal decline; it's a neurological renovation. The brain actively prunes pathways that supported relational, people-pleasing behaviors and builds new ones for a more independent mindset geared toward leadership. Difficult symptoms are the messy 'remodel' phase.

The neural systems evolved for physical survival—managing pain, fear, and strategic threats—are the same ones activated during modern stressors like workplace arguments or relationship conflicts. The challenges have changed from starvation to spreadsheets, but the underlying brain hardware hasn't.

The emotional flatness and lack of motivation common in menopause stems from a drop in dopamine. Instead of forcing yourself through old routines, you can strategically counteract this by introducing novelty. Learning a new sport or changing daily habits helps naturally boost dopamine and reignite drive.

A key sign of a deep midlife identity shift is feeling 'allergic' to passions, routines, and roles you once loved. This isn't a failure but an indicator that you've completed a chapter—'mission accomplished'—and are like a plant that has outgrown its container, ready for something new.

The feeling of breaking down in midlife isn't caused by a single trigger. It is a cumulative effect of layered stressors—family, career, aging parents, health—that coincide with a period of low biological resilience and high emotional reactivity, creating a 'tiramisu of stress.'

Life transitions like menopause involve a difficult liminal space—the 'goo phase'—where the old identity has dissolved before the new one emerges. Society focuses on the end result (the butterfly) but fails to talk about or support individuals during the disorienting, messy process of becoming 'goo.'

Contrary to the belief that women have a finite egg supply, experiments showed infertile mice regained fertility after their NAD levels were boosted with NMN. This suggests age-related infertility could be reversible, challenging a core tenet of reproductive biology.

During menopause, the decline of estrogen also means losing its 'girl gang' of neurochemicals (dopamine, serotonin, etc.). This dissolves a lifelong 'neurochemical armor' that fueled motivation and joy, forcing you to redefine your identity and priorities without those chemical drivers.

Contrary to the cultural narrative that aging diminishes relevance, experience brings profound advantages. Older leaders are often smarter, more in tune with their integrity, and less afraid to take risks or disappoint others, making them more effective and resilient.