Athena's PMDD Story: From 15 Symptomatic Days a Month to Reclaiming Her Life

Opening Hook (The "Before" State)

When Athena joined us on the podcast, she shared her journey with PMDD — a condition that had taken over nearly half of every month of her life. For one to two years, she had been experiencing severe mood swings, debilitating physical symptoms, and a creeping sense of isolation that was quietly pulling her away from the people, events, and experiences she loved most.

The Struggle (Symptoms & Challenges)

Athena's challenges included:

The Turning Point

After working with a naturopath who confirmed her estrogen and progesterone imbalances, Athena still felt stuck. She knew something deeper needed to shift. As someone who described herself as "hippie, woo woo" and drawn to alternative healing, she wasn't willing to default to birth control or antidepressants — she wanted a sustainable foundation. After hitting rock bottom in December/January, she finally reached out to Her Mood Mentor and said: "Okay. I'm worth it." 

The Transformation (The "After" State)

Through the PMDD Rehab one-to-one program with Her Mood Mentor — a four-month intensive that combined nutritional therapy, Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA), nervous system regulation practices, and mindset work — Athena experienced a profound shift. She went from spending 15 days a month in survival mode to feeling equipped, empowered, and genuinely hopeful about her hormonal future — including future life seasons like pregnancy and menopause.

In Her Own Words

Here's what Athena shared on the podcast:

👉 "Knowledge is power — education is empowerment for sure." 

👉 "I feel like I became an adult, almost like a mature woman with my health. To have these tools in my toolbox is a game changer." 

👉 "Speaking my needs — I can't emphasize that enough. I didn't think I would get that out of working with you, but here I am. I feel more empowered to share my needs." 

👉 "It's a practice. I trust myself and I am playful, not perfect — getting rid of the people-pleasing and perfectionism tendencies and stepping into my power." 

👉 "It's no longer in the hole, the dark cave. There's a light at the end of the tunnel. You might not see it now, but you will get there." 

The Bigger Picture (Key Takeaway)

Athena's story shows that PMDD doesn't have to define you — or take away half your life. Through a root-cause approach that addressed minerals, nervous system regulation, cycle literacy, and self-advocacy, she found not just symptom relief, but a deeper relationship with herself, her body, and the people around her.

What This Means For You

Athena's transformation proves that PMDD doesn't have to steal the best weeks of your month, your relationships, or your sense of self. With the right approach and support, you can:

❤️ If this podcast has ever made you feel seen, less alone, or more hopeful in your healing—please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review PMDD Pep Talk. Your words don’t just help us grow—they help someone in the depths of their cycle find this support when they need it most. Every subscribe click, rate, and review helps us reach more people who are still suffering in silence.

Listen to the episode on the PMDD Pep Talk Podcast:

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Watch the episode on Youtube

https://youtu.be/BTTc_tj-ZyQ 

You can find Jes:

Instagram: @hermoodmentor

Youtube: @hermoodmentor

Website: https://hermoodmentor.com/

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