Aligned to Rise Podcast

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"You're just inflamed." If you've heard that and walked away with more questions than answers, this episode is for you.

This kicks off a month-long series on inflammation, one of my favorite topics to nerd out on. Inflammation is one of the most overused and least understood words in health. Too often it's treated as the end of the conversation, when it should be the beginning.

In this episode, I break down what inflammation really is: a normal, protective immune response that your body needs to heal. It can also go sideways and stick around far longer than it should. Using a fire analogy, we look at the cast of characters inside your immune system. There are the "arsonists" that light the fire, the "firefighters" that put it out, and the accelerants and retardants that turn the flame up or down. You'll learn why chronic inflammation shows up so differently from person to person, and why there's no one-size-fits-all fix.

Being in a state of chronic inflammation doesn't mean you have to stay there. It just means that's where you are right now.

In this episode

• The difference between acute inflammation and chronic inflammation 
• Three ways inflammation can go wrong
• Signs of acute inflammation
• Signs of chronic inflammation
• Conditions linked to chronic inflammation, from endometriosis and autoimmune disease to IBD, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
• Why inflammation is never random: it's always your immune system responding to something
• The immune "fire crew": frontline pro-inflammatory cells, resolving cells like M2 macrophages and T regulatory cells, and the molecular signals (DAMPs, PAMPs, SAMPs) that turn the fire up or down
• Why balance, not elimination, is the goal

Timestamps

• 00:00 Welcome and the October inflammation series
• 01:14 What inflammation is (and isn't)
• 02:05 Acute vs. chronic inflammation
• 03:28 The fire analogy, and three ways inflammation goes wrong
• 06:03 What acute inflammation looks and feels like
• 07:35 Signs and symptoms of chronic inflammation
• 08:58 How common this is, and conditions linked to chronic inflammation
• 10:35 Why understanding your body matters
• 11:24 Inflammation is your immune system at work
• 12:40 Meet the arsonists, firefighters, accelerants, and retardants
• 15:39 What happens when the balance tips
• 18:01 What's coming up in the series

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1
• Cycle Clarity Panel

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. 

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So many women are told their hormones are "off" and sent home with birth control and no real explanation. I know that was my story. But hormones are chemical messengers: they respond to signals from the rest of your body. When they're out of balance, it's a sign something deeper needs support.

In this episode, I break down the seven main things I look at in my practice that impact your hormones, so you can see the bigger picture and know there's something you can do about it. 

In this episode, we cover:

• Why hormone imbalance is a symptom, not the root cause
• How your gut affects estrogen detox (and why I always start there)
• Your liver's role in hormone detox and thyroid conversion
• Everyday toxins, endocrine disruptors, and a slow-and-steady way to reduce them
• How stress, cortisol, and your nervous system affect your hormones
• Why blood sugar balance might be the most impactful dietary change you can make
• The nutrients your body needs to build hormones
• How your thyroid and sex hormones interact

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Why hormones aren't the problem
• 01:47 A client story: from birth control to real answers
• 04:01 #1: Your gut
• 06:18 #2: Your liver
• 07:51 #3: Your environment and toxins
• 12:30 #4: Your nervous system
• 14:46 #5: Blood sugar
• 16:51 #6: Nutrition
• 20:26 #7: Your thyroid
• 21:58 Quick recap

Resources mentioned:

• Episode 146: The Gut–Hormone Connection 
• Free Hormone Assessment: find out if your gut might be impacting your hormones
• Book a free consultation with me 

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1
• Cycle Clarity Panel

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. 

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Have you been told your hormones are off and that birth control is the fix? Or that your labs look "normal," even though your periods say otherwise?

In this episode, I'm walking you through why standard serum (blood) hormone testing only gives us a tiny snapshot, and what testing can actually show us why your hormones are out of balance in the first place. 

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why high estrogen doesn't look the same for everyone
• What a GI Map and DUTCH test can reveal that blood work can't
• How your body detoxes hormones
• Why supporting your liver first can sometimes backfire
• My take on DIM, and why I don't recommend it without testing first
• Why hormones are a symptom, not the root cause
• My own journey from chronic endo pain to feeling good in my body again

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1
• Cycle Clarity Panel

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. 

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If you've ever sat in a doctor's office describing period pain that knocks you flat, only to walk out with a birth control prescription and zero answers, this one's for you.

I've been there. Years of debilitating periods, stage 4 endometriosis, and a whole lot of "everything looks normal." One of the things that made a real difference for me (and that I see move the needle with my clients over and over) wasn't something I was ever told to look at. It was my gut.

Now, I'm not here to tell you your gut is the one magic fix. You know I don't believe in that. But I am here to show you why ignoring it means missing a big piece of the puzzle.

In this episode, we get into:

• Why I don't believe hormones are ever the root cause, and the question I ask instead
• The bathtub analogy that explains why I work "back to front" with clients, and why focusing on your liver first can backfire
• The enzyme that can quietly send estrogen back into circulation
• The "estrobolome" — yes, it's a real thing, and yes, it's fascinating
• How food sensitivities fit into the pain picture
• What the research is showing specifically for my endo ladies 
• Why I test instead of guess, and what I look for when a client comes to me with painful or heavy periods

Ready to stop guessing?
My Cycle Clarity Panel includes the GI Map test plus a one-on-one session with me, so you understand what your results mean and how they connect to your symptoms. I have a few spots open right now. 

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1
• Cycle Clarity Panel

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. 

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One in six people will struggle with fertility in their lifetime, and especially if you've ever been handed a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility," this episode is for you.

I know this journey intimately. It took me about nine years to bring my miracle girl into the world, including a stage four endometriosis diagnosis and being told IVF was my only option. Spoiler: it wasn't. And I've watched clients walk that same path (even ones told the same thing I was) go on to conceive naturally once we dug deeper.

So in this episode, I'm giving you the inside scoop on what a typical fertility workup actually covers and the key pieces that so often get left out. Because "unexplained" usually just means no one has looked deep enough. 

When you understand what's really worth investigating, a whole new set of answers opens up and that changes everything about how you support your body.

If fertility is your journey right now, I want you to walk away from this one knowing you have more options than you've been told, and more options than you've been given.

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1
• Cycle Clarity Panel

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. 

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Welcome back to Aligned to Rise! I wanted to start off with my take on the broader picture of what women's health care really SHOULD look like. 

As a mama to a baby girl who will someday grow up to be a woman herself, I'm more passionate about women's healthcare than ever.

Give it a listen and let me know your thoughts!

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1
• Cycle Clarity Panel

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. 

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Hey my friend, I hope you've thoroughly enjoyed your summer! Get excited because the wait is over: a brand-new episode of Aligned to Rise is coming your way next week!

Give this episode a listen to see what's coming on the podcast and beyond. Looking forward to getting back in action!

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1
• Cycle Clarity Panel

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. 

Send us Fan Mail

This summer, Aligned to Rise is taking a pause, and today's episode is all about why. This isn't goodbye, it's a pause with a purpose. Inside this episode, I share what I'll be working on behind the scenes this summer, gives a sneak peek at the topics and offerings coming this fall, and let you know how to work with me while the podcast is quiet.

In This Episode

• Why I'm is stepping back from the podcast for the summer 
• What it really means to practice what you preach as a health practitioner
• A behind-the-scenes look at what I'm working on this summer: a podcast refresh, new episode research, a new course, and a live workshop
• A sneak peek at fall topics, including more on GLP-1s, "unexplained infertility," and hormone balance, endo, and inflammation from a root-cause lens
• Why the podcast will feature more guest interviews this fall
• How to keep in touch with me this summer, even while the podcast is on pause
• A limited-time opportunity to start the Cycle Clarity Panel this summer

Work With Me This Summer:

Just a few spots are open for the Cycle Clarity Panel this summer if you've been wanting real answers about your cycle, hormones, or symptoms, now is a great time to get started.

Check it out

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1
• Cycle Clarity Panel

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. 

Send us Fan Mail

*Out of the vault! This episode originally aired October of 2024, but I've had so many questions coming in about endo surgery that I thought it was time to bring it back!*

Today, we’re diving into one of the most frequently asked questions: How to prepare for endometriosis surgery and what to expect. If you’ve been feeling uncertain about the process, this episode will give you the guidance you need to feel more confident going in and recover more smoothly afterward.

We’ll cover everything from pre-surgery preparation to post-op recovery tips, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge to support your healing journey. Let’s make this experience as smooth as possible!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

-Myth-busting common misconceptions about endometriosis surgery.

-How to plan ahead, from researching your surgery to practical tips like what clothes to wear and how to set up the support you need for recovery.

-Meal prep ideas and food considerations to help reduce inflammation and promote healing after surgery.

-Natural tools for managing pain and inflammation, beyond just what your doctor prescribes.

-The importance of patience and resting your body for full recovery.

-How long-term diet and lifestyle changes can help prevent multiple surgeries, plus alternative treatments and healing modalities to explore.

I’ve curated a list of anti-inflammatory recipes linked below! Whether you're preparing for surgery or looking to manage your endo symptoms long-term, these recipes will nourish and support your body.

Check it out and start planning for your healing journey!

Resources:
Alyssa's Anti-Inflammatory Recipe List
Nancy's Nook
iCareBetter

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1
• Cycle Clarity Panel

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. 

Send us Fan Mail

GLP-1s are everywhere right now, and the conversation around them has gotten loud, polarized, and honestly a little exhausting. You've got one camp calling them a miracle drug and another saying you're taking the easy way out. I'm not here for either of those takes.

What I am here for is giving you the full picture: the questions, the considerations, and the context you actually deserve before making any decision about your body. 

As a functional nutritionist who works primarily with women navigating endometriosis, hormone imbalances, and gut health issues, I'm seeing this topic come up constantly, from clients, from my community, from women who've been told this is their only option. So let's talk about it.

In This Episode We Cover

• What informed consent actually means (and why it matters more than you think)
• The real benefits of GLP-1s
• Practical questions to bring to your prescribing practitioner before starting
• What GLP-1s are actually doing inside your body
• The gut health considerations nobody is talking about 
• Muscle mass, nutrition, and why "eating less" isn't always the whole story
• How chronic inflammation connects to blood sugar, gut health, and your hormones, and why quieting symptoms isn't the same as addressing root causes
• The fertility and hormone questions that still don't have clear answers
• Why having an exit strategy matters if you do choose to start
• How to use GLP-1s as a tool alongside foundational work, not instead of it

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1
• Cycle Clarity Panel

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.