Dr Fatima Khan Reveals Her Wellbeing Rituals – And Zela’s Science

Meet the Founder: Dr Fatima Khan on Wellbeing, Hormones & the Story Behind Zela 

At Zela Wellbeing, we believe wellbeing is deeply personal, rooted in connection, and inspired by the vibrant stories of women navigating their unique journeys. Our Zela Conversations interview series celebrates the wisdom, resilience, and authenticity of women who embody holistic health.
Today, we sit down with Dr Fatima Khan, women’s health doctor, hormone expert, and the founder of Zela Wellbeing, to talk about the science, story, and soul behind the brand.

Q: What do you wish more women knew about their wellbeing?

A: One of the biggest myths is that if you’re struggling with mood or focus, you’re just not trying hard enough—or that it’s something you should be able to push through. We’ve been conditioned to normalise burnout, brain fog, irritability, and even anxiety as just part of being ‘busy’, or worse, just ‘part of being a woman’.

But the truth is, mood and mental clarity aren’t just about mindset. They’re deeply physiological. They’re connected to everything—your hormones, gut health, nutrient levels, sleep quality, and the invisible labour of caring for others without rest or recovery. These experiences aren’t just “in your head”—they’re in your body, too.

Q: When it comes to emotional wellbeing, hormones play a bigger role than many of us realise. What should women know about this connection?

A: Hormones are powerful messengers in the body, influencing everything from sleep and mood to cognition and emotional regulation. During times of hormonal fluctuation—like perimenopause, postpartum, or even monthly cycle phases—many women experience changes in focus, memory, resilience, or energy levels.
Estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and even testosterone have a direct impact on neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. So when these hormone levels shift, it’s not unusual for mood or mental clarity to shift too. The key is recognising these patterns as biological, not moral. You’re not failing—you’re responding to real, physiological changes. And with the right support, it is possible to return to balance.

Q: How did your medical background—or your own health journey—influence the Zela formulation?

A: As a doctor specialising in women’s health and hormones, I’ve had thousands of conversations with women who felt dismissed—told their symptoms were “just stress” or “just hormones” without deeper investigation. I saw the same patterns: fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, burnout, cycle changes, brain fog. And no one was connecting the dots.

Then I went through it myself. After moving to Australia, starting my own clinic, and juggling motherhood, I experienced exhaustion and overwhelm that I couldn’t just “push through.” I knew what was happening—how chronic stress dysregulates cortisol, depletes reserves, disrupts sleep and mood—but I couldn’t find a single formula that addressed all these layers.

That’s why Zela is different. These formulations are deeply intentional—rooted in clinical evidence and built to support real-life complexity. We have not just combined calming herbs, hoping for the best. We have chosen ingredients that support the nervous system, hormonal pathways, neurotransmitter health, and recovery. Zela is clinical, yes—but it’s also deeply personal.

Q: What makes Zela formulas different from what’s already on the shelf?

A: We created Zela because we were tired of compromise. Too often, supplements are either overly generic or stuffed with trendy ingredients that sound good on a label but don’t move the needle.
Zela formulations are precise. Every ingredient is there for a reason: clinically backed, bioavailable, and included at therapeutic doses. We don’t add fillers or chase fads. We build blends that work together—supporting the brain-gut axis, hormonal rhythms, and the stress response system. This is integrative, multidimensional care.
What truly sets us apart is that Zela isn’t just a product—it’s part of a philosophy. We believe women shouldn’t have to figure this all out on their own. Our mission is to provide both support and education—because feeling good shouldn’t be a mystery.

Q: What’s one wellbeing ritual you turn to when everything feels like too much?

A: When things feel overwhelming—and they often do—the most grounding ritual I return to is simplicity. I do less. I put my phone away, close the tabs in my mind, and make space for stillness.
Sometimes it’s a walk without a podcast. Sometimes it’s sitting quietly with a warm drink and taking my supplements with intention. That small act reminds me: you’re allowed to rest here.
So much of women’s wellness is framed around optimisation, but when I’m depleted, I don’t need to be optimised—I need to be cared for. That’s what this ritual gives me. Permission to pause. And from that pause, I can return stronger.

Q: What’s your morning routine?

 A: I wake with the sun and begin with 20 minutes of transcendental meditation. This quiet, inward practice helps anchor my mind before the day begins. After that, I move—either a Pilates session or strength training, depending on what my body needs.
Then comes my daily Zela ritual. I take our Mood + Focus capsule with a glass of water, followed by a strong almond flat white. That blend of clinical care and comforting routine sets the tone for my whole day.

Q: And walk us through a typical evening?

A: Evenings are a time for winding down the nervous system. I usually make a nourishing dinner—grilled salmon, greens, or a warm curry with lentils and root vegetables. I try to eat early to support my circadian rhythm and digestion.
Before bed, I brew a chamomile tea and take Zela Sleep + Calm to support deep, restful sleep. I switch off my devices and write a few lines of reflection or gratitude in my journal. By 10PM, I’m in bed—rest is non-negotiable for me now. I’ve learned that it’s one of the most powerful investments in mental clarity, hormonal health, and resilience.

Q: What’s your vision for the future of women’s health—and how do you see Zela contributing to that evolution?

A: I believe we are on the cusp of a new era in women’s health—one where care is personalised, preventative, and finally centred around women’s real experiences. For too long, the system has expected women to fit into a one-size-fits-all model. But women are not small men. Our hormones, our stress responses, our lived realities—they’re different. And they deserve to be understood.
Zela is here to be part of that shift. We’re creating science-backed, context-driven formulations that support the real needs of women—especially during times of transition like perimenopause, postpartum, and periods of high stress. But beyond the product, we’re building a platform for education, community, and empowered choices.
Because when women have the right support, they don’t just survive—they thrive. And that changes everything.