If you’re waking up tired, dragging through the afternoon, and wondering why you still feel depleted despite eating well, exercising, and getting decent sleep—you are not alone. So many midlife women are told their labs are “normal,” yet they still don’t feel like themselves.

In this episode, I sit down with naturopathic doctor and functional medicine expert Jennifer Nelson-Hawks to talk about one of the most overlooked pieces of midlife health: minerals and electrolytes. We dive into why sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium play such a critical role in energy, stress resilience, sleep, hormone balance, and overall wellbeing—and why standard blood work often misses the bigger picture.

Jennifer shares how her own experience with burnout and grief led her to discover Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), and how this testing has helped women uncover hidden imbalances contributing to fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, joint pain, and stubborn weight struggles.

In this episode:

03:04] – Why “normal” lab work doesn’t always mean you’re healthy or thriving

04:22] – The difference between conventional lab ranges and optimal health ranges

[07:18] – Why midlife women are especially vulnerable to mineral depletion

09:30] – The connection between burnout, stress, and cellular energy depletion

[12:05] – How sodium and potassium impact adrenal function and daily energy

[14:57] – What Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) can reveal that blood work may miss

[16:12] – The surprising link between mineral imbalances, joint pain, and bone health

[18:46] – How custom mineral support can help improve sleep, clarity, and resilience

Links and Resources:

Jennifer Nelson-Hawks, BCND, is a Board-Certified Doctor of Naturopathy, author of Your Labs Are Lying, and founder of Jennifer Hawks Health. With over 20 years of experience in holistic and functional medicine, she helps high-functioning women who feel dismissed by "normal" labs uncover the real drivers behind their fatigue, stubborn weight, and digestive struggles using advanced testing. Through her signature Unstoppable Method™, she turns complex data into clear, personalized strategies so women can restore energy, confidence, and lasting resilience.

Instagram: ND + Mineral Maven + Gut Health Expert (@jenniferhawkshealth) 

Facebook: Jennifer Hawks Health | Jackson WY

Link to Freebie Electrolyte Opt-in | JH Health

Connect with me, Sara Poldmae:

• Website: https://risingwomanproject.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

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