fbpx

#305 The Ultimate Productivity Biohack for Women with Kate Northrup

SUBSCRIBE
iTunes Spotify iHeart Radio TuneIn YouTube

Have you ever wondered if your biology could be the secret to unlocking your full productivity potential? In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author Kate Northrup to dive deep into the connection between our natural cycles and how we work.

Together, we explore how aligning with your body’s rhythms can help you achieve more, avoid burnout, and find true success in both your personal and professional life. Kate shares her own powerful journey of discovering cyclical living, offering eye-opening insights that will change the way you approach productivity.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re pushing against your own energy, this conversation is for you.

Ina Coveney
On the podcast today, we have the wonderful Kate Northrup.

Kate Northrup
Hi, Ina, thank you so much for having me.

Ina Coveney
It's my pleasure. We're going to break the ice. I just want you to tell me what your favorite TV show or podcast that you're obsessed with is right now.

Kate Northrup
Oh, right now? I’m watching *Loot* on Apple TV with Maya Rudolph. She plays a billionaire giving away all her money. It's hilarious.

Ina Coveney
Awesome. I’ll definitely check that out. First, I need to say congratulations on everything you’ve built—publishing books, putting yourself out there, and creating an empire that makes women feel heard and helps them be more productive by doing less. The impact you’re having is incredible, and I just want to say, on behalf of your audience, congratulations for all your success.

Kate Northrup
Thank you. That’s so kind of you to say.

Ina Coveney
How do you feel about your success? What is your relationship with success right now?

Kate Northrup
My relationship with success has evolved. It’s rooted less in my career these days and more in other aspects of my life. I was listening to a podcast called *I Love Marketing* many years ago while working out, and they talked about having a “success list”—things that define success for you. For me, I feel successful when I don't have to set an alarm, when I’m feeling connected with my husband, when I’m laughing and snuggling with my kids, taking care of my body, or sitting in the sunshine. These things are my success markers, alongside loving the work I do. Yes, financial success and impact are part of it, but those are only a few things on the list. The tricky thing about success is that if it’s defined by someone else, it can be taken away. But my success list is made up of things I have control over.

Ina Coveney
Burnout is something many people face in their pursuit of success. What do you say to those who are burning themselves out trying to reach a certain goal, wondering if all the effort is worth it?

Kate Northrup
If we don’t find ways to fill ourselves up along the way, all the hustle and grind won’t be worth it. If you believe everything will be better once you hit a certain income or number of followers, you’ll never feel the way you think you will when you get there. You have to give yourself permission to feel good along the way. Sacrificing your well-being is never worth it because things won’t be magically different on the other side. And this brings us to the topic for today... So, Kate, where are you in your menstrual cycle, and how is that informing how you spent your week?

Kate Northrup
I’m on day 10, which means I’m in the follicular phase, heading into ovulation in a few days. As you know, I teach women how to organize their lives and work according to their cycles. Even if you don’t have a cycle anymore, you can follow the moon phases, as they align energetically. Each phase of our cycle has its own energy and hormonal signature that primes us to be a certain way—it’s our superpower. In the follicular phase, estrogen is rising, bringing a feeling of well-being and high energy. It’s a great time to initiate new projects and make plans. Ovulation, which is coming up, is a time of peak energy, creativity, and visibility—a great time for conversations like this, sending pitches, or making sales calls.

Ina Coveney
I knew nothing about this until I heard you talk about it on stage at a conference and read your book. I realized your mother is an OB-GYN. Did she influence your interest in this topic?

Kate Northrup
Growing up with a gynecologist for a mother meant I had way more information than most people. But even though my mom taught about cyclical planning in her book in 1994, I wasn’t interested in it at first. When I got my period, I hated it. My mom wanted to have a ceremony to celebrate, and I was like, “Mom, please don’t.” I only became fascinated by cyclical living after having my first daughter. My postpartum experience—dealing with anxiety, depression, and insomnia—brought me to my knees. When my period returned after 13 months, it felt like a sign of returning to myself. That’s when I started researching the menstrual cycle and realized how powerful it is. My anxiety disappeared when I began to align my life with my cycle.

Ina Coveney
As women, we've had menstrual cycles since the beginning of time. Why isn’t this knowledge more mainstream?

Kate Northrup
Periods are having a moment now. It's more mainstream than when my mom started talking about it in 1994. But historically, women have been conditioned to think there's something wrong with their bodies, particularly the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle is incredibly powerful, and when a woman is menstruating, she's most connected to her inner wisdom. Society has tried to suppress that power for centuries by making women feel ashamed of their bodies. It’s part of a larger effort to remove women’s power. But I see that changing now.

Ina Coveney
My husband can't even handle hearing about periods. I’ve made it my mission to teach my son about women's cycles. I had a whole conversation with him on a plane about it, and I’ll keep refreshing those lessons every year.

Kate Northrup
That’s amazing! We need to normalize these conversations. The menstrual cycle is where we all come from. It’s sad how disconnected we’ve become from it, and from the divine power of the feminine. We’re taught to fear or dismiss the things that are most powerful. Understanding the menstrual cycle is a key part of reconnecting to our bodies and our power.

Ina Coveney
I started journaling about my cycle after reading your book. I tracked my moods and activities with the moon phases, and I noticed that during the new moon, I had a super chill day. What does the new moon represent?

Kate Northrup
The new moon is about new beginnings. It’s the darkest time of the lunar cycle, which allows us to see inward most clearly. It’s a time for intuition, restoration, and setting intentions—similar to the energy of the first day of your period. It’s a time to ask, “What’s the best use of my creative energy for this cycle?”

Ina Coveney
During the waxing moon, I came up with my highest ticket offer in years. What’s happening in that phase?

Kate Northrup
The waxing moon is akin to the follicular phase—it’s when seeds start to sprout. It's a time for growth and movement forward. Ideas blossom, and it’s a productive time to put things in place. Just like planting seeds in biodynamic farming, ideas that were set in motion during the new moon start to take shape.

Ina Coveney
My kids went crazy during the full moon, but that’s when I took massive action and created a ton of content. What’s going on with the full moon?

Kate Northrup
The full moon shines a light on what’s hidden, both literally and metaphorically. It can bring up heightened emotions and a need for action. It’s a time for visibility and release, which is why many people feel a burst of energy or agitation during this phase. There’s data showing more hospital visits and even crimes during full moons, as it brings the shadow to light.

Ina Coveney
And the waning moon? I felt introspective and did some inner child work.

Kate Northrup
Perfect! The waning moon, like the luteal phase, is a time for introspection and tying up loose ends. It’s about preparing for the next cycle by turning inward and reflecting, much like autumn preparing for winter.

Ina Coveney
I can imagine if I don’t track this, I’d be fighting the natural flow. What would happen if women started planning their activities around their cycles?

Kate Northrup
Women wouldn’t feel crazy! The world is designed around a 24-hour testosterone-dominant cycle, but women’s bodies operate on a 28-day cycle. When we organize our lives according to our cycle, things flow with much less friction. We gain momentum and intuition, and physical symptoms often diminish.

Ina Coveney
I’m going to start tracking the moon in my journal. This has been so eye-opening. You wrote *Money: A Love Story* before your book on cyclical living. What made you switch topics so dramatically?

Kate Northrup
I write about what I’m learning and what I think will help others. Sometimes the topics are related, sometimes not. I spent years talking about money and even got a book deal out of it, but I pivoted to time and energy management because it felt right. Ultimately, both conversations are about accessing abundance and feeling “enough,” whether that’s in money, time, or energy.

Ina Coveney
What’s the relationship between building wealth and doing less?

Kate Northrup
Wealth is about having the freedom to do what matters most with our time. Doing less of what doesn’t

matter creates more space for what does. That’s true wealth.

Ina Coveney
Why is it important for women to build wealth, not just make money?

Kate Northrup
Women outlive men, often take breaks from earning due to caregiving, and may need to play financial “catch-up.” Building wealth, meaning getting your money to work for you, allows you to step off the grind and pursue what truly lights you up, not just what brings in money.

Ina Coveney
Many women listening might rely on their spouses for financial decisions. What do you say to them?

Kate Northrup
It’s essential to be involved in your financial life. Fifty percent of marriages end in divorce, and even in happy marriages, women outlive men. Women are naturally better investors, and when we have resources, everyone benefits. Being part of financial decision-making can improve marriages, too—it fosters connection and alignment.

Ina Coveney
You’ve mentioned *Relaxed Money*. What is that?

Kate Northrup
*Relaxed Money* is a program I teach, but it’s also about shifting from using adrenaline and pressure as fuel to using relaxation and joy. I learned this the hard way when my husband became seriously ill during the pandemic. I had to run our business, parent, and make money while feeling immense pressure. Through that experience, I realized I needed to switch from pushing through stress to relaxing into my work. When I did that, our business grew, and I felt much more at peace.

Ina Coveney
How do you even begin to relax when life feels chaotic?

Kate Northrup
It starts with healing our nervous systems. Many of us grew up in environments that conditioned our nervous systems to be on high alert. Our body’s set point for stress was established early, and we need to rewire that. Through various somatic practices, we can retrain our bodies to move out of survival mode and into a state of calm and creativity.

Ina Coveney
What does that look like practically?

Kate Northrup
For example, if your nervous system is deregulated, even when you have a moment to get something done, you may end up scrolling on your phone or feeling too distracted to focus. But if you're regulated, you can think clearly, prioritize, and use that time effectively. It’s not about changing the external circumstances, but how you handle them internally.

Ina Coveney
This has been amazing. Your message is that our bodies matter—that’s what I’m taking away. Can you tell me your big message for the world right now?

Kate Northrup
Your body matters. It’s your greatest access point to your power.

Ina Coveney
What’s the biggest misconception people have about you?

Kate Northrup
Honestly, I don’t know. People think all sorts of things, but it has nothing to do with me.

Ina Coveney
If everyone listening had to do one thing in the next 24 hours, what would it be?

Kate Northrup
Take off your shoes, go outside, and stand barefoot on the earth. Grounding or earthing instantly regulates your nervous system and reconnects you to the source.

Ina Coveney
I’ve heard of this but haven’t done it intentionally. What does grounding do?

Kate Northrup
It improves everything—your digestion, immune function, eyesight, even your sexual response. Regulating your nervous system is one of the most powerful things you can do for your body and mind.

Ina Coveney
Kate Northrup, thank you so much for this conversation. Can you tell everyone where to find you?

Kate Northrup
Yes, you can find me on Instagram at @katenorthrup or on my website, katenorthrup.com. I also have a weekly podcast called *Plenty*, where I help people tap into a sense of abundance.

Ina Coveney
We’ll include all the links below. Thank you for this amazing conversation!

Kate Northrup
Thank you so much for having me!

Let the BINGE begin

WATCH OR LISTEN NOW
Tess Waresmith - Super Humans Podcast
  • Ina Coveney
  • Posted by Ina Coveney
November 5, 2024

"You don't need to have a PhD to understand the power of investing."

INA SOLO - Super Humans Podcast
  • Ina Coveney
  • Posted by Ina Coveney
October 31, 2024

"The country is so divided, that people's reaction to your political affiliation is completely out of your control."

Rachel Luna on the Super Human Podcast
  • Ina Coveney
  • Posted by Ina Coveney
October 29, 2024

"Do not let the negative belief tell you that you can't enjoy the dream just because you're enjoying it."

Ina Coveney - Super Humans Podcast
  • Ina Coveney
  • Posted by Ina Coveney
October 24, 2024

"The bubble is bursting. Here's how to save your ship from sinking!"

Alex Sanfilippo on the Super Human Podcast
  • Ina Coveney
  • Posted by Ina Coveney
October 22, 2024

"True happiness isn’t found in wealth or achievements, but in meaningful experiences and connections."

SUPER HUMAN ACADEMY - Ina Coveney

Browse our easy-to-follow courses to step into your Super Human journey: email marketing, mindset and entrepreneurship!