What if fertility, hormone health, burnout, and menopause are not separate issues — but signs of whether the body feels safe, supported, and in balance?

In this episode of Centered Presents: The Future of Health, Dr. Molly Brown sits down with Dr. Mao Shing Ni of Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica to explore acupuncture, Chinese medicine, women’s health, fertility, hormone balance, menopause, longevity, and the healing power of returning to the basics.

A 38th-generation doctor of Chinese medicine, Dr. Mao shares how his own childhood recovery from a serious fall shaped his life’s work. After acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, and traditional Chinese medicine helped restore his health, he went on to continue his family’s medical lineage and build Tao of Wellness, Yo San University, and a multi-generational practice rooted in preventative care.

Dr. Mao also opens up about burnout during the pandemic and the personal health wake-up call that led him to restructure his life around sleep, self-care, movement, and a more sustainable clinical schedule.

Together, Dr. Brown and Dr. Mao discuss how chronic stress, sympathetic overdrive, lack of sleep, and modern expectations on women can affect reproductive health. Dr. Mao explains how the body may adapt to stress through conditions such as PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, hormonal imbalance, and fertility challenges — and why restoring a sense of safety is central to healing.

The conversation also covers how acupuncture, herbal therapy, nutrition, and lifestyle changes can support women going through egg freezing, IVF, fertility preparation, and pregnancy. Dr. Mao explains how Chinese medicine can work alongside reproductive endocrinology to support egg quality, uterine lining, hormonal balance, stress regulation, and the body’s readiness to conceive.

Dr. Mao also reframes menopause as the “second spring” — a powerful season of renewal, identity, wisdom, and vitality. He discusses hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, weight gain, libido changes, bone health, hormone replacement considerations, and natural ways to support the body through this transition.

This episode is especially relevant for anyone interested in acupuncture, Chinese medicine, fertility, IVF support, women’s health, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, hormone balance, burnout recovery, longevity, nervous system regulation, and sustainable vitality.

Learn more from Dr. Mao Shing Ni at Tao of Wellness and Yo San University.

00:00 Show Intro00:23 Meet Dr Mao01:06 Lineage and Recovery03:35 Passing the Torch05:03 Molly’s Healing Story06:55 Why Santa Monica10:11 Provider Burnout Lessons16:56 Women Stress and Hormones22:37 Nervous System Basics25:30 Fertility and IVF Support32:11 Stressful World Reality33:04 Menopause Symptoms Explained35:46 HRT vs Natural Options37:43 Treatment Timeline Plan38:09 Second Spring Mindset41:16 Men Andropause Talk44:11 Vitality Basics Framework45:35 Diet Protein Debate48:53 Sun Nature Community50:46 Retreats Detox Resets53:13 Closing Thanks Outro

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