Julianna Denney Sauber: Cortisol, Menopause and Why Pushing Harder Backfires for Women

If you have been told that the solution to stress, fatigue, or weight gain is to simply push harder, this session will challenge that idea. Female physiology responds to stress very differently than male physiology, and the hormonal shifts of menopause can make the body even more sensitive to cortisol. In this presentation, Julianna Denney Sauber explains how cortisol influences metabolism, weight, digestion, and pain levels in women. You will learn why intense exercise can sometimes worsen hormonal stress and how chronic stress can trigger what is often referred to as cortisol steal. You will leave the session with a clearer understanding of how your stress response works and practical, science based strategies you can use to support your hormones, protect your energy, and work with your body rather than against it.