Sleep Sabotage: The Biology of Modern Insomnia

In this episode, Sarah and Amanda dive into one of the most common — and misunderstood — struggles in midlife health: sleep disruption. From feeling “tired but wired” to waking at 3 a.m. unable to fall back asleep, they unpack why sleep problems are rarely just about sleep itself. Together, they explore the deeper biology behind insomnia, including cortisol dysregulation, nervous system overload, blood sugar instability, nutrient depletion, inflammation, and the genetic pathways that influence stress resilience, rumination, hormone balance, and neurotransmitter production. The conversation connects sleep to real-world patterns they’re seeing clinically in both midlife adults and athletes — from burnout and anxiety to overtraining, under-fueling, hormone shifts, and chronic stress. They also discuss lifestyle factors like blue light exposure, birth control, caffeine, alcohol, and nutrient deficiencies can quietly impact recovery and sleep quality.