Hayley Hobson: Hello, my friends, I'm Hayley Hobson, and I am so glad you're here. Welcome to the 10/10 podcast, where I help ambitious women like you look and feel younger so you can achieve that 10 out of 10 lifestyle and unlock financial freedom. Today, I've got a big topic.
Hayley Hobson: I'm talking all about hormones, and that's a topic that's been extremely important for women, especially as we age — and it has impacted my own personal health journey this past year. I recently had gotten some blood work done to check my hormones after being diagnosed with inflammation and a frozen shoulder — not a symptom that you would normally correlate with hormone issues. But what I learned is that apparently frozen shoulder is a sign of low estrogen.
Hayley Hobson: I was also noticing my hair thinning, and no matter what products I was using, I didn't see any regrowth. So I checked my hormones and when I got the results back, I was shocked. The doc basically said I had no hormones — zero, none. No estrogen, no progesterone, no testosterone. And I actually couldn't believe it. But here's the truth.
Hayley Hobson: Hormone imbalances like this around peri- or menopausal stages of life are actually extremely common. But it doesn't feel that way because no one's talking about it. The education and knowledge on the topic is really lacking.
Hayley Hobson: So women like you and me are stuck living with symptoms of unbalanced hormones — like weight gain, hair loss, hot flashes, mood swings, etc. — without any clue of why it's happening or how to fix it. And that's why I wanted to share my entire health journey with you, because you deserve to know. My story may help you, too, because you may know someone who is dealing with issues like this as well.
Hayley Hobson: So today I brought on an internationally renowned integrative health expert to talk about what we can do to take control of the imbalances that happen during midlife and even before that. She has collaborated before this podcast with a renowned naturopath and expert in integrative medicine.
Hayley Hobson: We're not going to talk about necessarily drastic treatments like hormone replacement therapy today. We're going to talk about all-natural ways to balance your hormones. So without further delay, I'm going to introduce Tina.
Hayley Hobson: Tina is the founder of Ewaken Vitality. She's had over 30 years of leadership in luxury retail and a lifetime passion for wellness, thus now moving into Ewaken Vitality. She has combined her business expertise with her global health journey — from studying yoga in India to traveling with the Dalai Lama.
Hayley Hobson: At Ewaken Vitality, she's joined by partners Dr. Mark Dargan-Smith, a global leader in integrative medicine, and Michael Schaefer, a veteran in natural product development. Together they are building a brand dedicated to women's health, balance and vitality.
Hayley Hobson: To give you a little more information about Dr. Mark: he's the chairman of the board and the chancellor and dean of the University of Natural Medicine and the founder of the American College of Integrative Medicine. He's worked with and studied alongside osteopaths, homeopaths, naturopaths, shamans, Native American healers, and medical doctors in acquiring his expertise in holistic health and integrative medicine. He's been an internationally renowned speaker on natural integrative medicine panels and scientific and medical advisories for several international companies as well.
Hayley Hobson: So you are going to get some expert advice here today. Welcome, Tina — it's good to have you. I know Mark is in the background somewhere — I think he's in Malaysia right now — so he couldn’t get on our time zone but definitely collaborated with us.
Tina Cuccurullo:: Thanks for that great introduction. I should have you introduce me all the time — introduce Ewaken Vitality all the time. You say that when anyone introduces me. I love it.
Hayley Hobson: Question for you: you guys have spent a lot of time in integrative and regenerative medicine. What made you come together and inspire you to focus specifically on women's hormone health?
Tina Cuccurullo:: For us, Dr. Mark has been formulating natural, mainly plant-based, products for years. We met — it's a long story — but he gave me this product and said, "this is really good for your energy and really good for your libido." I was like, oh, wow. I was 57 at the time; I'm now 65. He gave it to me — it was produced in Malaysia — and I took it and I felt energy again. It was amazing.
Tina Cuccurullo:: We took it, brought it here, and got together with Michael to make an amazing product. We had to tweak the ingredients for the U.S. market and put in additional ingredients to energize and support hormones through menopause as well.
Tina Cuccurullo:: My journey with natural medicine began when I got sick and was told by a conventional doctor that there was nothing I could do. I started reading books like Back to Eden and other healing books. I realized we can heal our bodies and live life to the fullest. I started with health-food-shelf items because there was little education available to me. Over time, I learned that less is more: yoga, exercise, clean eating, and supplements that are plant-based and work with my body have helped me.
Tina Cuccurullo:: When Dr. Mark introduced his product to me — prior to its being called Trata Vital — I felt an instant energy boost. At 55, after my divorce and discovering my hormones were out of whack, that boost felt like a life force. So we had to get the product to the U.S.
Hayley Hobson: I want to talk more about the supplement later — I've been taking it about six months and agree with you — but first let's talk about hormone balance in general, modern life, and stress. A lot of listeners are thinking: is this just me? What are the most common signs of hormone imbalance people don't recognize, and how do modern life factors like poor sleep and environmental toxins affect hormones? Could you start with the signs?
Tina Cuccurullo:: The most common signs are fatigue, mood swings, brain fog, stubborn weight changes, and disrupted sleep. Your body signals imbalance long before labs may show it. For me, it was mood swings and disturbed sleep — waking up drenched in sweat, feeling like you're literally drowning — which is a common complaint during the change.
Tina Cuccurullo:: Fatigue and mood changes are often written off as just being in a bad mood, but they can be related to hormone imbalance.
Hayley Hobson: If we talk about modern life — chronic stress, lack of sleep, toxins — how does that throw our hormones off track?
Tina Cuccurullo:: Our bodies are designed to be balanced, but chronic stress, environmental toxins, poor food and sleep — all of it — make it hard for the body to regulate. Cortisol is constantly elevated, which interferes with many systems. We can't expect our bodies to be naturally regulated given the modern stressors we face.
Tina Cuccurullo:: In California, for example, fires and poor air quality add to the burden. Everything — food, sleep, stress, environment — can make hormones go "crazy," and then the body doesn't know how to regulate itself.
Hayley Hobson: Do you feel women have been misunderstood regarding hormones — either told to "deal with it" or pushed to hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
Tina Cuccurullo:: Yes. Synthetic hormones can offer relief—but they don't solve the deeper imbalance. My approach is natural support through adaptogenic botanicals and bioidentical (plant-based) methods. I lean into mind–body–spirit practices, exercise, clean eating, and plant-based supplements.
Tina Cuccurullo:: My experience: when I had my daughter at 31, a conventional OB-GYN told me I was "in early menopause" and I fell into depression. That spurred me to self-educate. Years later, when my hormones were off, I chose natural paths rather than automatic HRT. My approach: treat the body from the inside out with a spiritual practice, nutrition, movement, and plant-based support.
Hayley Hobson: I had my tests and saw conventional doctors, and often the answer was "that's normal." But I want to live a 10/10 life, not accept "normal." I also grew up in a conventional-medicine home — my dad was a doctor — yet I went a different route. What is your practical approach?
Tina Cuccurullo:: I manage my body from the inside out. I have a deep spiritual practice, I'm mostly plant-based (about 80%), I exercise, and I watch what goes into my body. When I don't feel good I prioritize sleep, rest, and supplements that are natural and plant-based. Over time, the approach has been refined and less is more.
Tina Cuccurullo:: The product Dr. Mark gave me gave an immediate energy boost. After my divorce, a functional medicine doctor in Portland tested my hormones and found them "wacko" — I once had testosterone like a two-year-old's level. The product we developed helped.
Hayley Hobson: Many of our listeners want natural alternatives and want their symptoms acknowledged. I feel better now at 56 than in my 30s: better sleep, better body tone, endless energy. I pay attention to sleep metrics like REM and deep sleep — if you get about 1.5 hours of each, even 6.5–7 hours total sleep often feels restorative. Since balancing my hormones, my deep sleep has been great — personally that changed everything. I also lost eight pounds around my waist without radical dieting — just hormone balance — and I feel more confident in my body.
Tina Cuccurullo:: I hope more women discover natural alternatives. We need supportive community — a place to talk about sex, poop, hair loss, body changes — openly. That's one of the goals of Ewaken Vitality: to create a community with access to naturopathic doctors and opportunities to ask experts like Dr. Mark or Michael questions.
Hayley Hobson: Let's talk about the supplement. You and Dr. Mark created this formula — why did you create it, what ingredients are in it, and how do they support women's bodies to restore balance gently and naturally?
Tina Cuccurullo:: Many women don't feel seen during menopause. The formula was developed because there wasn't a solution on the market that felt right. Dr. Mark has been working with plant-based formulas for decades, and the inspiration for the product came from travel and traditional medicine. The name "Trata Vital" references a mid-century medicine woman who supported women; she would pick plants and create remedies.
Tina Cuccurullo:: One of the main ingredients for menopause support is EstroG100 (Estro-G) — there is clinical testing on it across multiple countries showing symptom relief for hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, and more. That's a core ingredient.
Tina Cuccurullo:: The other ingredients feed and support the body in an adaptogenic way — working with your body to regulate itself. The formula includes Estro-G, maca, wild yam, fenugreek, and others like saw palmetto; each plays a role in balancing hormones and addressing menopause symptoms.
Tina Cuccurullo:: Because it's plant-based science (it is science — plants have effects!), the formula can help regulate the body so that over time some people may need less support. Some women, even in their teens or twenties with heavy periods or bad cramps, have reported benefits because it helps balance hormones more broadly.
Hayley Hobson: Many listeners will want to know if it will work for them. I shared my own testimony earlier: my sleep improved massively, my REM and deep-sleep cycles improved, and my mood and energy are better. I was on sleep medication for 15 years in my twenties but got off them naturally. Since balancing hormones, things have improved beyond what I expected.
Hayley Hobson: My deep sleep the other night was two and a half hours and REM two hours and 17 minutes — those long cycles make you feel great. Balance improved my mood and body composition; for me it felt like eight pounds around my waist came off. I'm not promising the same for everyone, but that's my experience.
Tina Cuccurullo:: The product was created with science in mind. Dr. Mark and Michael co-formulated to ensure stability and access to ingredients that may not be readily available in the U.S. The Estro-G is the powerhouse ingredient with clinical data. Other adaptogenic and supporting botanicals complement it to restore balance.
Hayley Hobson: Where can people find it and is there a discount?
Tina Cuccurullo:: You can find it at EwakenVitality.com. Hayley mentioned a code for 20% off: “Hayley” (H-A-Y-L-E-Y). Hayley will have the show notes and links.
Hayley Hobson: To repeat: HayleyHobson.com/ewakenvitality (E-W-A-K-E-N Vitality) — you'll get 20% off with my code Hayley. The site has a PowerPoint that breaks down ingredients and clinical data — it's helpful for sharing and understanding the formula. Dr. Mark is working globally (hence being in Malaysia).
Tina Cuccurullo:: I want to reassure listeners: the formula is plant-based and safe. You can't "overdose" on it in the way people fear with synthetics. It's safe to take, even if you're on hormone replacement therapy (though you should always check with your practitioner). Some people who were on HRT have been able to decrease their dose while using the supplement and working with their practitioners.
Hayley Hobson: Thank you, Tina — I know you and Dr. Mark collaborated a ton. This is an important topic women need to hear about: natural ways to rebalance hormones and bring the body back to homeostasis. Share this episode with a friend so more women know there are options beyond immediate HRT.
Hayley Hobson: I encourage you to check the site — there's a beautiful presentation that outlines the ingredient sourcing and clinical studies. If you're experiencing symptoms like low energy, disrupted sleep, dryness, brain fog, mood swings, or weight changes, this natural hormone-balancing step could be a first line of defense to help your body find its rhythm again.
Hayley Hobson: I've been using it daily for about six months and it's helped me. If you want to reach out, my contact info is on my website — HayleyHobson.com. I'm back on social media: Hayley Hobson on Instagram, Hayley Hobson Whole You on Facebook, and I'm on TikTok as Hayley Hobson. Share the gift of health with your friends.
Tina Cuccurullo:: I'm grateful for the conversation and the opportunity to share Ewaken Vitality. I want to build a community where women can ask questions, get support from naturopathic doctors, and feel seen. Thank you for having me.
Hayley Hobson: Thank you, Tina — until next time, my friends, we will see you online. Thank you so much for having me. You're welcome.
The gift of health is meant to be shared. Until next time, my friends, I’ll see you online.