The Hormone Genius Podcast

In this episode of the Hormone Genius Podcast, we sit down with Jillian Stecklein, Director of Physical Therapy at My Catholic Doctor, to explore the often-overlooked connection between female physiology, athletic performance, and long-term health.

Jillian shares how many athletes—especially women—have been shaped by outdated cultural messaging around food and body image. Patterns of disordered eating, under-fueling, and overtraining are not uncommon, and they create a dangerous cycle where the body becomes increasingly vulnerable to injury and burnout. These patterns are often reinforced by an identity rooted in performance, where self-worth becomes tied to output rather than overall well-being.

Through both clinical experience and personal insight, this episode reframes what it means to train well. A supportive, holistic routine is not optional—it is essential. For women over 35 especially, this includes consistent strength training to support bone density and stabilize key muscle groups like the core, hips, and shoulders. It also includes daily “maintenance” work—simple, physical therapy-style exercises that improve posture, breathing, and coordination.

Equally important are the foundational lifestyle habits that support recovery and resilience: quality sleep, proper hydration, and adequate nutrition. Restricting calories or eliminating entire food groups without guidance can have significant downstream effects on performance, healing, and hormone health.

A critical piece of this conversation is the role of the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Loss of a cycle, or amenorrhea, is not a normal adaptation to training—it is a warning sign. It reflects a low-estrogen state that can compromise bone density, increase injury risk, and impact long-term fertility. As Jillian emphasizes, the cycle should be viewed as a powerful health marker, offering insight into whether the body is truly supported.

The episode also dives into the root causes behind some of the most common injuries seen in active women. Stress fractures often trace back to micronutrient deficiencies and poor force absorption due to weak support muscles. IT band syndrome is frequently linked to core and pelvic instability, while plantar fasciitis can stem from misalignment and limited foot mobility. Even systemic pain—such as lingering post-viral symptoms—can reveal an underlying baseline of inflammation and reduced recovery capacity.

Ultimately, this conversation is about shifting perspective. It invites women to move away from a performance-at-all-costs mindset and toward a more sustainable, integrated approach to health and fitness—one that honors the body, supports its needs, and builds strength from the inside out.

Jillian Stecklein is a pelvic floor physical therapist and the Director of Physical Therapy at My Catholic Doctor. She specializes in helping women restore strength, stability, and function through a holistic, root-cause approach to movement and healing.

Instagram: @thecatholicpelvicpt
Website & Programs: pregnancyprepared.com

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

The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and 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 take a deep dive into Chronic Endometritis (CE), an often-missed but highly impactful root cause of infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and abnormal bleeding. This conversation highlights both a breakthrough in diagnosis and a more effective, targeted approach to treatment—offering real hope for women who have long struggled without clear answers.

Chronic Endometritis is an inflammatory condition of the uterine lining caused by infection or microbial imbalance. It is frequently confused with endometriosis, yet the two conditions are entirely different in both cause and treatment. At its core, CE reflects a disruption in the uterine microbiome. A healthy environment is dominated by protective bacteria—primarily Lactobacillus—but when this balance is lost, pathogenic bacteria can take hold, leading to chronic inflammation.

What makes CE particularly challenging is how subtly it can present. Women may experience infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, prolonged or irregular bleeding, brown spotting, or persistent mid-cycle mucus. Despite these symptoms, many cases go undiagnosed due to limitations in traditional testing methods.

Historically, endometrial biopsy has been the standard diagnostic tool, but it often fails to detect localized infections, resulting in false negatives. This episode explores a game-changing advancement: menstrual blood DNA testing. This non-invasive approach captures a comprehensive sample of the uterine lining during menstruation, providing a detailed analysis of bacterial and yeast composition. The result is a far more accurate diagnosis and the ability to create a truly personalized treatment plan.

This episode ultimately underscores a powerful shift in how we approach fertility challenges—from symptom management to root-cause identification and targeted care. By leveraging better diagnostics and more thoughtful treatment protocols, Chronic Endometritis becomes not just identifiable, but highly treatable, opening the door to restored health and renewed hope for many women.

Check out also this recent article from Natural Womanhood on the benefits of Restorative Reproductive Medicine: https://naturalwomanhood.org/restorative-reproductive-medicine/

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

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/

The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and 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 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.