The Hormone Genius Podcast

In this episode of the Hormone Genius Podcast, we sit down with Jess Reynolds of Born From Her to explore a deeper, root-cause approach to Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). Rather than viewing HG as a mysterious or purely genetic condition, Jess challenges the conventional narrative and offers a powerful, integrative framework for understanding and addressing it.

HG is far more than typical morning sickness. It is characterized by severe, persistent nausea and vomiting—often more than three times per day—leading to dehydration, weight loss, and a significant disruption to daily life. While conventional medicine often points to unclear causes, with some focus on genetic factors like GDF15, this conversation opens the door to a broader perspective.

Jess shares that HG is often multifactorial, rooted in a combination of nutrient deficiencies, toxic burden, and nervous system dysregulation. Drawing from her own experience—where she endured up to 30 episodes of vomiting per day—she walks us through how she was able to reverse her symptoms in just three days by addressing these underlying imbalances.

A key theme in this episode is that nausea is not random—it is a signal. Often, it reflects the body’s need for nourishment, particularly protein. Adequate protein intake provides the amino acids necessary for liver detoxification and bile production, both of which are essential for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. At the same time, common food aversions may point to digestive insufficiency, where the body lacks the stomach acid and bile needed to properly break down proteins and fats, leading to cravings for simple carbohydrates instead.

Jess also highlights the importance of understanding the body's detox pathways and mineral status. Factors like drinking filtered but non-remineralized water, consuming high-histamine foods, and living in a chronic state of stress can all contribute to the internal environment that drives HG symptoms. Her own healing protocol included remineralizing her water, removing dietary triggers, supporting kidney and liver function, and addressing the emotional and nervous system component of her experience.

Ultimately, this episode emphasizes that the most powerful intervention may begin before pregnancy even starts. Preconception care—focusing on building nutrient reserves, supporting detox pathways, and regulating the nervous system—can create a strong foundation for both mother and baby. This proactive approach may not only reduce the risk of HG, but also support overall pregnancy outcomes and infant health.

One especially moving moment shared is from a client who, after implementing these principles, was finally able to sit down and enjoy dinner with her family after multiple pregnancies affected by severe HG. Her child’s simple words—expressing joy that her mom could finally be present—capture the profound impact of restoring maternal health.

This conversation is a reminder that even the most challenging conditions deserve a deeper look. By shifting the lens from symptom management to root-cause healing, there is real hope for transformation.

Sponsors
We Heart Nutrition

Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life.

20% off with code: GENIUS

We’re excited to partner with Salt & Light by Sami,

Their thoughtfully crafted candles offer a simple way to enjoy beautiful scent at home without harsh chemicals an easy, intentional swap for women who care about what they bring into their living spaces.

Hormone Genius listeners receive 10% off
Use code HORMONEHAPPY at checkout

Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

What if your body wasn’t something to “fix” or control, but something to understand?

In this episode, we explore the concept of natural law, not as a religious idea, but as a pattern woven into every part of life. From the changing seasons to agricultural cycles, the world around us operates in rhythms. When those rhythms are disrupted, the consequences are clear: crops fail without water, ecosystems fall out of balance, and health declines.

The same is true for the human body, especially the female hormonal cycle.

We break down how the menstrual cycle is more than just a monthly occurrence, it’s a vital sign of health, reflecting the intricate hormonal communication that supports fertility, mood, energy, and overall well-being. When that natural rhythm is interrupted, whether by environmental toxins like BPA and phthalates, chronic stress, or hormonal birth control, the body often responds with imbalance.

We dive into the research behind:

How xenoestrogens impact fertility and hormonal signaling
The classification of hormonal birth control as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization
The effects of endocrine disruptors on both women and men
The surprising science of pheromones, including the well-known “T-shirt study” and how attraction can shift when hormones are altered

We also unpack how hormones naturally rise and fall throughout the cycle, and why those fluctuations are not problems to suppress, but signals to understand.

This conversation isn’t about eliminating desire, emotion, or modern convenience—it’s about alignment. True vitality comes when the body’s systems are working in harmony, not against each other. When hormones are in balance, many women report greater self-awareness, improved relationships, and a deeper sense of well-being.

We explore real-life examples-, from the “chocolate cake effect” to cultural patterns of attraction, and how small shifts in awareness can lead to profound changes in how we experience our bodies and relationships.

Whether you’re preparing for marriage someday, navigating your health right now, or simply curious about how your body works, this episode is an invitation to live more intentionally.

Sponsors
We Heart Nutrition

Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life.

20% off with code: GENIUS

We’re excited to partner with Salt & Light by Sami,

a brand whose mission is to provide toxin-free candles

that enhance the aroma of any space.

Their thoughtfully crafted candles offer a simple way to enjoy beautiful scent at home without harsh chemicals an easy, intentional swap for women who care about what they bring into their living spaces.

Hormone Genius listeners receive 10% off
Use code HORMONEHAPPY at checkout

Grazing Beauty Tallow Skin Care!
Grazing Beauty is a small-batch, mama-inspired skincare brand specializing in grass-fed tallow products like body balms, bar soaps, and lip balm.

Listeners can use the affiliate code HORMONEGENIUS at checkout for 10% off their order.

grazingbeauty.com/

Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

What if the path to better hormones, clearer thinking, and deeper peace wasn’t found in doing more but in returning to less?

In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we sit down with Kim VanDolah, wife, mother of six, author of Return to Simple, and health and lifestyle coach, to explore what it really means to step away from the noise of modern life and return to the rhythms we were designed to live by.

Kim shares her journey of letting go of overwhelm, expectations, and complexity, and how embracing a simpler, more intentional way of living transformed her mind, body, and spirit.

At the heart of this conversation is a powerful idea: the body, and life itself—functions best when we live in alignment with natural rhythms. When those rhythms are disrupted, whether through chronic stress, overstimulation, or disconnection from how we were created to live, we often see the effects in our health, especially in our hormones.

Together, we explore what Kim calls The Seven Ancient Paths, timeless principles that restore balance, clarity, and vitality:

True-Hearted Living – aligning with truth and living with integrity
Fasting – creating space by letting go of what no longer serves
Nourishment – choosing simple, nutrient-dense foods that truly fuel the body
Simplicity – clearing the excess to make room for what matters most
Nature – reconnecting with the rhythms of the natural world
Play – rediscovering joy, creativity, and lightness
Presence – slowing down and being fully where you are

We also connect these principles to hormone health; how stress, disconnection, and overcomplication can dysregulate the body, and how returning to simple, foundational habits can help restore balance. From nourishment to rest, from cycle awareness to nervous system regulation, this episode is a reminder that the body often doesn’t need more intervention, it needs reconnection.

Kim’s message is both grounding and freeing: your body is not the problem. It’s often the pace, pressure, and patterns of modern life that pull us out of alignment.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why simplicity is foundational to hormone health
The connection between natural rhythms and the menstrual cycle
How fasting and nourishment work together—not against each other
The role of presence, rest, and nervous system regulation
Practical ways to begin simplifying your daily life

Sponsors
💛 We Heart Nutrition

Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life.

🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS

🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum

Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery.

🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS

🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius

We’re excited to partner with Salt & Light by Sami, a brand whose mission is to provide toxin-free candles that enhance the aroma of any space.

Hormone Genius listeners receive 10% off

Use code HORMONEHAPPY at checkout

www.saltandlightbysami.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

In this episode of the Hormone Genius Podcast, we dive into the science behind protein, without getting lost in the intimidating biochemical diagrams. Instead, we take a practical and approachable look at what protein actually does in the body, why amino acids matter, and how much protein people really need to support optimal health. Proteins are literally the structural foundation of our bodies. They make up a significant portion of our tissues, including muscles, organs, skin, enzymes, hormones, and immune molecules. In fact, a large percentage of our body composition is made up of protein-based structures.

Every cell in the body relies on proteins to function. That means every day our bodies must continually rebuild and repair protein structures just to maintain normal physiological balance.

This process is known as anabolism, the state where the body is building and repairing tissues. The opposite state is catabolism, where tissues begin to break down. Ideally, our bodies maintain a balance between these two states.

But if we don’t consume enough protein, or if our bodies are under stress, illness, trauma, or aging—the body can shift toward catabolism. In that situation, it begins breaking down muscle tissue in order to release amino acids needed to sustain essential functions.

One of the most common questions about protein is how much we should consume daily.

You may have heard the popular recommendation of eating one gram of protein per pound of body weight. While this guideline is common in fitness communities, it may be unnecessarily high for many individuals.

Current research from protein experts like Dr. Don Layman suggests that for most healthy adults who exercise moderately, a target of around:

0.7–0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight

may be sufficient to maintain muscle mass and support metabolic health.

For many people, this translates to roughly 90–100 grams of protein per day.

A simple strategy is to aim for 25–30 grams of protein per meal across three meals daily. This approach naturally distributes protein intake in a balanced way and supports consistent amino acid availability throughout the day.

In other words, when the body doesn’t receive enough protein from food, it may start consuming its own muscle to survive.

This is one reason protein intake becomes increasingly important as we age.

Sponsors
💛 We Heart Nutrition

Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life.

🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS

🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum

Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery.

🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS

🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius

We’re excited to partner with Salt & Light by Sami,

a brand whose mission is to provide toxin-free candles

that enhance the aroma of any space.

Their thoughtfully crafted candles offer a simple way to enjoy beautiful scent at home without harsh chemicals — an easy, intentional swap for women who care about what they bring into their living spaces.

Hormone Genius listeners receive 10% off

Use code HORMONEHAPPY at checkout

What if the reason you still feel “off” — despite eating well, managing stress, and taking supplements — lies deeper than hormones alone?

In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, Teresa Kenney and Jamie Rathjen sit down with Star Edwards, MS, RD, LD, a Registered Dietitian specializing in Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy. Star has a deep passion for the rapidly evolving science of the gut microbiome and works to help healthcare practitioners better understand how microbiome testing and restoration strategies can support patient care.

Star’s work bridges the gap between emerging microbiome research and practical clinical application. With experience spanning functional medicine testing, provider education, public speaking, and product development, she brings a unique perspective on how clinicians can incorporate microbiome insights into everyday practice.

During this conversation, Star explains why the gut microbiome plays such a critical role in whole-body health. The trillions of microbes living in the gut influence digestion, immune function, metabolism, hormone balance, and even mood and sleep. Disruptions in the microbial ecosystem — sometimes called dysbiosis — have been linked to a wide range of chronic conditions, including metabolic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and hormonal imbalance.

One of the challenges clinicians face is understanding how to accurately measure the microbiome and translate that information into meaningful action for patients. Star discusses the role of advanced microbiome testing and how newer technologies are helping practitioners gain deeper insights into microbial communities and their functions.

In this episode, we also explore the work of Tiny Health, a health technology company focused on microbiome testing across all stages of life. Their testing platform uses shotgun metagenomic sequencing, considered a gold-standard method in microbiome research, which analyzes microbial DNA to identify bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms present in the gut or vaginal microbiome. This technology can screen for more than 120,000 microbes and provide strain-level insights into the microbiome ecosystem.

Star shares how microbiome testing may be especially relevant for women navigating fertility challenges, hormone imbalance, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and perimenopause. Because the gut microbiome interacts closely with hormone metabolism, immune regulation, and metabolic health, improving microbial balance may help address underlying contributors to symptoms rather than simply treating them.

Throughout the episode, Teresa, Jamie, and Star discuss the importance of a root-cause approach to women’s health. By combining clinical wisdom, lifestyle medicine, and emerging microbiome science, practitioners can gain a more complete understanding of the factors shaping a patient’s health.

Sponsors
We Heart Nutrition

Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life.

20% off with code: GENIUS

We’re excited to partner with Salt & Light by Sami

Their thoughtfully crafted candles offer a simple way to enjoy beautiful scent at home without harsh chemicals an easy, intentional swap for women who care about what they bring into their living spaces.

Hormone Genius listeners receive 10% off
Use code HORMONEHAPPY at checkout

Grazing Beauty Tallow Skin Care!
Grazing Beauty is a small-batch, mama-inspired skincare brand specializing in grass-fed tallow products like body balms, bar soaps, and lip balm.

Listeners can use the affiliate code HORMONEGENIUS at checkout for 10% off their order.

grazingbeauty.com/

Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.