In this episode, Maggie McDaris, CEO and Co-Founder of Phase, breaks down the science and practical application of cycle syncing, explaining how each phase of the menstrual cycle influences energy, cognition, productivity, and overall performance. She walks listeners through the follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and menstrual phases, highlighting the unique strengths and challenges of each stage, including the often-overlooked immune and recovery considerations during the luteal phase. Maggie also explores the role of dopamine, healthy ways to pursue motivation and achievement, and how understanding your biology can help prevent burnout in a culture that often expects women to perform the same way every day. The conversation addresses the stigma surrounding menstrual cycles, the importance of involving men in the discussion, and how cycle awareness impacts sleep, circadian rhythms, and workplace success. Maggie concludes by sharing actionable tips for getting started with cycle syncing and explains how the Phase app helps women align their schedules with their biology to optimize health, productivity, and sustainable performance.
Maggie McDaris is the CEO and Co-Founder of Phase and a thought leader at the intersection of human performance and the future of work. A Registered Dietitian, corporate wellness and public health expert, and WELL Accredited Professional, she has spent more than a decade translating health science into practical strategies for real life and work. Before founding Phase, Maggie scaled high-growth wellness businesses and led multidisciplinary teams, gaining a firsthand view of how modern work routinely ignores human biology. That insight became the foundation for Phase, a biology-based productivity system designed to help women connect the dots between their bodies and their workload. Maggie is skilled at turning deep wellness expertise into high-impact, revenue-generating solutions, and she's on a mission to fundamentally reframe how we think about productivity, performance, and sustainable success. She lives in the U.K. with her family.
SHOW NOTES:
0:39 Welcome to the podcast!
4:11 About Maggie McDaris
5:30 Welcome her to the show!
6:26 Her view on cycle syncing
9:27 The phases of the menstrual cycle
13:05 Follicular Phase
14:46 Ovulatory Phase
16:44 Luteal Phase
21:10 Dopamine & healthy ways to “chase the high”
24:19 How to prevent burnout
26:06 Menstrual Phase
28:35 Recap of each phase benefits
29:25 Evolutionary purpose of ovulation strengths
31:42 3 specific phases of Luteal
35:08 Immune weakness in luteal phase
42:28 How Phase helps optimize your schedule
47:15 The stigmatization of menstrual cycles
48:32 The role of men in this conversation
52:30 Impacting sleep & circadian rhythm
57:56 3 Tips on how to get started
1:02:44 How to get Phase App
1:03:36 Her final piece of advice
1:05:39 Thanks for tuning in!
RESOURCES:
Phase App - Discount code: BIOHACKERBABES
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