If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right — eating clean, working out, taking the supplements — but your body still feels “off,” this is your wake-up call.
Because here’s the truth: your hormones won’t balance, your belly won’t flatten, and your brain won’t calm down if your nervous system is stuck in survival mode.
That’s what we’re unpacking in this week’s episode with nervous system expert and holistic midlife strategist Victoria Lefebre. And trust me — this conversation will change the way you see your health.
Contents
The Backstory
I hear from so many women in their 40s and 50s who say:
“I just don’t feel like myself anymore.”
They’re bloated, burned out, moody, exhausted — but they’re also doing everything they’ve been told to do. They’re balancing macros, lifting weights, taking magnesium, even trying hormone therapy.
And yet… nothing seems to stick.
Victoria says the reason is simple: we’re overlooking the very system that drives all the others — the nervous system.
Your nervous system is the command center for everything: your hormones, metabolism, digestion, mood, weight, and even your ability to feel joy. If it’s constantly firing in fight-or-flight, no supplement, no diet, no amount of willpower is going to make your body feel safe enough to heal.
The Big Overlooked Piece
Most midlife health advice is laser-focused on hormones. But what Victoria teaches — and what clicked for me in this conversation — is that hormones don’t balance unless the nervous system feels safe.
Think about it: if your body believes you’re running from danger, the last thing it’s going to prioritize is ovulation, digestion, or fat metabolism. Survival always wins.
This is why women can feel “stuck” no matter how clean they eat or how hard they train. It’s not a lack of discipline. It’s a body that doesn’t feel safe.
Real-Life Red Flags
So how do you know your nervous system is dysregulated? Victoria shared some signals that often get dismissed:
- You wake up tired, even after a full night’s sleep.
- Your mood swings hit out of nowhere and feel out of proportion.
- You’re constantly bloated or holding onto stubborn weight.
These aren’t just “normal midlife changes.” They’re your nervous system waving a red flag: we can’t keep running at this pace.
Where We Go Wrong
Here’s the kicker: sometimes the very things we’re told to do for our health are making the stress worse.
High-intensity workouts, intermittent fasting, constant caffeine — all of these can push a dysregulated system further into survival mode. That’s why so many women feel more depleted after “doing all the right things.”
Regulation = Confidence
One of my favorite parts of this episode was Victoria’s perspective on confidence. She explained that confidence isn’t something you “fake until you make.” It’s the natural byproduct of feeling safe in your own body.
When your nervous system is regulated, you don’t second-guess yourself. You trust your choices. You feel grounded. And that translates into every part of life — from relationships to leadership to simply walking into a room.
Simple Tools That Work
The best part? Nervous system regulation doesn’t require a silent retreat or an hour-long meditation. Victoria shared small, practical tools that actually fit into a busy life, like:
- A few minutes of intentional breathwork before opening your laptop.
- Grounding through your feet on the floor when you feel overwhelmed.
- Short movement breaks that signal to your body: “I’m safe.”
These aren’t grand gestures. They’re micro-practices that retrain your body to relax — even in the middle of a chaotic day.
Why This Matters in Midlife
Perimenopause and menopause already put the body under extra stress. Add in a nervous system that’s been running on fumes for decades, and no wonder symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and mood swings can hit so hard.
But here’s the hopeful piece: when you regulate your nervous system, you build resilience. Suddenly, those midlife shifts don’t feel like a tidal wave. They feel manageable.
The Final Takeaway
Victoria said something I’ll never forget:
“Confidence isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about finally letting your body exhale.”
If you take one thing from this episode, let it be this: your health, your energy, and your confidence don’t come from hustling harder. They come from creating safety inside your body — moment by moment, breath by breath.
Coach Brooke Davis Links:
Website: elysianwomen.org
LinkedIn: Brooke Davis – Owner – Davis Fitness
Facebook: Brooke Davis, CPT
Instagram: Brooke Davis (@brooke_elysian)
Free Community: Women’s Fitness Simplified: Lean down, tone up, build confidence!
Take Our Free Hormone Analysis: https://brookedavis.typeform.com/to/quKUjmTI
Book a Discovery Call: https://scheduler.zoom.us/brooke-davis-mjzn71/discovery-call
Victoria Lefebre Links:
YouTube: @victorialifestrategist
Instagram: @victoria_lifestrategist
Website: www.chaosclarityandconfidence.com
