May is National Women's Health and we wanted to open up a conversation about physical, mental and emotional health when it comes to running your own business.
Most business owners treat their body like a machine that should just keep running — no matter the season, the phase, or the cost.
But here’s what we learned from Naomi Keene at www.oesthetics.com on our recent podcast: your biology isn’t the enemy. It’s a powerful tool you can harness to dramatically improve your performance, mental health, joy, and bottom line.
The Reality for High-Achieving Business Owners
We push hard. We have audacious goals. We wear the stress like a badge of honor.
Yet many (especially women) hit walls they don’t understand:
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Energy crashes at the “wrong” time
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Decision fatigue that feels heavier than it should
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The sense that something is “wrong with me” when capacity changes
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Shame around not being able to sprint 24/7 like they used to
Naomi put it perfectly: “Business owners, we got it hard because we want big, beautiful things… and yet we have this whole biological side that has to be considered and learned.”
Once you stop swimming against the current and start working with your biology, everything compounds — financially, emotionally, and in overall fulfillment.
Key Lessons from the Conversation
1. Don’t Fight Your Rhythms — Harness Them
Women’s cycles (and even men’s daily hormonal fluctuations) create natural windows for high performance and recovery. Fighting them leads to burnout, poor decisions, and amplified stress. Working with them creates better endurance with less effort.
2. Track Your Cycle Like You Track Your P&L
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Know your high-energy phases (great for big rocks, sales, creative work)
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Protect low-energy phases (focus on admin, strategy, recovery)
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Build your calendar around biology instead of pretending it doesn’t exist
3. The Basics Still Win
Sleep, nutrition, movement, and community aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They’re performance tools.
Naomi’s non-negotiables: consistent sleep, high-protein meals, movement (even walking groups), and limiting social media consumption.
4. Support Isn’t Weakness — It’s Strategy
You weren’t meant to do it all alone. Hiring an EA, building systems, or delegating isn’t giving up — it’s protecting your capacity so you can show up as your best self.
5. Medication Shouldn’t Be the First Answer
Many symptoms labeled as “depression” or “anxiety” are tied to hormonal shifts, trauma responses, or lifestyle. Addressing root causes (sleep, nutrition, cycle awareness, support) often delivers better long-term results than masking symptoms.
The Business Payoff
When you optimize your biology:
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You make clearer decisions
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You sustain energy longer
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You build stronger teams and systems
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You enjoy the journey more
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You actually protect the asset that matters most — you
The message is clear: understanding and working with your biology doesn’t slow you down. It 10x’s what you’re capable of — in profit, joy, and life fulfillment.
If you’re a business owner (especially a woman) feeling stretched thin, exhausted, or stuck in a cycle of push-and-crash, start simple:
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Track your cycle for 2–3 months
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Block your calendar around your natural energy
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Prioritize sleep and real food like you prioritize payroll
Your business (and your future self) will thank you.
What’s one small change you’re going to make this week to better support your biology? Share in the comments.
Full episode with Naomi is live - Full Podcast Episode
#WomensHealth #MentalHealth #BusinessLeadership #FemaleEntrepreneur #HormoneHealth #MoreProfitLessStress