Most women were never taught how their menstrual cycle actually works — or how deeply it affects energy, mood, stress tolerance, workouts, and overall health.

In this episode of On The Ascent: Health, Dr. Laura Peterson Wright is joined by functional hormone specialist Anne McLeary for a practical, eye-opening conversation about hormones, stress, and learning to work with your cycle instead of constantly pushing through it.

Anne explains why so many women experience heavy or painful periods, PMS, irregular cycles, or burnout, and how modern stress, blood sugar dysregulation, and environmental toxins can disrupt ovulation and hormone balance. We break down the four phases of the menstrual cycle in a simple, approachable way and discuss how energy, motivation, and resilience naturally change throughout the month.

This episode also covers:

• Why ovulation quality matters — even if you’re not trying to conceive

• The connection between stress, estrogen dominance, and progesterone

• What cycle syncing actually means for workouts, nutrition, sleep, and social plans

• Why symptoms like PMS and extreme fatigue aren’t “just normal”

• Simple, actionable steps women can take right now to better support their hormones

• How understanding your cycle now can support a healthier transition into menopause

Workshop

Anne McLeary will be hosting an in-person women’s hormone workshop at Ascent Health & Performance on February 3rd at 6:00 PM, where she’ll dive deeper into understanding your menstrual cycle and supporting hormone balance naturally.

🔗 Learn more and register here:
https://ascentak.com/workshop-womens-hormones/

Connect

Anne McLeary
Instagram: @mcleary.anne
Website: https://www.annemcleary.com

Ascent Health & Performance
Instagram: @ascenthealth_ak
Website: https://www.ascentak.com

About the Podcast:
On The Ascent: Health explores evidence-based conversations around women’s health, performance, longevity, and living well — hosted by Dr. Laura Peterson Wright of Ascent Health & Performance in Anchorage, Alaska.

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