I Thought It Was Just Stress…
What if the symptoms you’ve been brushing off as “just stress” are actually your body asking for help?
This week’s Spark Short is a real, honest check-in between Liz and Michele as they reflect on their conversation with menopause expert Adrienne Cotton — and the wake-up calls that followed.
From realizing that OBGYN care doesn’t always cover this next phase of life, to uncovering how perimenopause symptoms can quietly impact sleep, anxiety, and overall health, this conversation is filled with those “why didn’t we know this sooner?” moments.
Liz and Michele open up about their own experiences — from night sweats and sleep struggles to the tendency to “gut it out” instead of seeking answers — and how that mindset is starting to shift. They also talk about the power of taking action, even when it’s uncomfortable, and why making that one doctor’s appointment might be the most important step you take this year.
But this episode is about more than health — it’s about community. It’s about accountability. And it’s about building a space where women support each other through this next chapter of life.
If you’ve been putting yourself last, ignoring symptoms, or telling yourself you’ll deal with it “later”… this conversation is your nudge.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
- Why your OBGYN may not be enough in this phase of life
- The surprising symptoms of perimenopause many women miss
- How stress, hormones, and sleep are deeply connected
- Why your 40s can feel like the most overwhelming decade
- The long-term impact of poor sleep on brain health
- Why “gutting it out” might be doing more harm than good
- The importance of proactive health decisions (even when inconvenient)
- How small actions — like booking an appointment — create momentum
- Why accountability partners can change your health trajectory
- The bigger vision behind Spark Me: community, connection, and real-life support
Resources From This Episode:
Adrienne Cotton episode- https://www.sparkmepodcast.com/menopause-misunderstood-what-every-woman-needs-to-know/
Spark Guides (coming soon)
Menopause specialists (to be included in Spark Guides)
Keep Sparking
If this conversation resonated with you:
- Follow Spark Me so you never miss a Spark Short
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- Tag us and tell us: What appointment are you finally making this week?