Often it’s not until people begin their trying to conceive phase of life that they start paying attention to their menstrual cycle. Mainly to figure out when exactly your fertile window is so that, if you’re in a hetero relationship, time sex properly. But really - we need to start paying attention sooner!

We have a tricky relationship with our monthly bleed. When we don’t want to get pregnant, it’s a nuisance, and when we’re trying to get pregnant and we see blood on the toilet paper - it’s devastating. Both scenarios, your bleed is associated with something negative. 

Considered the 5th Vital sign, the quality and function of your menstrual cycle is paramount for understanding your fertility. More and more awareness is being placed on menstrual cycle, but there is still a long long way to go to understanding the whole cycle and how it affects your life and fertility.

In this episode, the lovely Julie Lipsett and I have a VERY cool conversation about all things related to your menstrual cycle. We also dive into the history of PMS which is a very interesting avenue of exploration. 

Julie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a certified Fertility Awareness Educator.. Since graduating from Drexel University with a degree in Music Therapy and Counseling in 2017, she has worked as an outreach therapist in the neighborhoods south of Boston, a special education counselor, and then as a virtual outpatient therapist. 

She decided to incorporate Fertility Awareness into her practice in 2021, after experiencing the life-changing benefits of the method herself. Because menstrual cycles are so intimately connected to our overall wellness and mental health, she felt like it was a natural next step. She became a Fertility Awareness Educator after a two year certification course through The Well School of Body Literacy. 

Here’s what we covered in the episode.

Resources:

⁠therapywithjuliallc.com⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/julie.lipsett.fae/⁠

⁠https://www.amazon.com/Her-Blood-Gold-Awakening-Menstruation/dp/1906289069⁠

⁠https://www.amazon.com/Period-Repair-Manual-Treatment-Hormones/dp/1975926773

40 Days to Fertile Freedom Small Group Program⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Fringe Fertility is brought to by⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠coaching programs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Fertility coaching and mindset work is becoming more and more mainstream in the fertility world. And there is a good reason for this - it makes a HUGE difference in your life and your experiences with fertility, as well as help with conception.

I’ve got the one and only Rosanne Austin on the podcast today to talk about how mindset can impact fertility and how to go about making powerful changes in how you’re showing up for your fertility.

Rosanne Austin, JD, PCC, received her coaching training from the Coaches Training Institute in San Rafael, California. She is certified by and a member of the International Coach Federation.

Rosanne is also a proud member of California State Bar. She received her Juris Doctorate from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from San Francisco State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Rosanne is the author of 3 bestselling books and her work has been featured on leading podcasts. When she is not writing, mentoring, speaking, teaching, leading her transformational events and programs, or loving on her husband and son, Rosanne gives back by serving organizations committed to providing resources to survivors of Human Trafficking and for the protection of abused/abandoned dogs and cats.

And at the time of this recording - Rosanne is going on a speaking World Tour! See if she’s coming to you.

In the podcast today we talk about - 

I think you will all appreciate Rosanne’s candid and fearless approach to talking about fertility - it’s refreshing and to the point - just like her!

Resources:

World Tour: https://www.frommaybetobaby.com/special-announcement-the-fearlessly-fertile-world-tour/

From Maybe to Baby: https://www.frommaybetobaby.com/about/

Fearlessly Fertile Podcast: https://www.frommaybetobaby.com/ff-podcast/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rosanneaustinfertility/

40 Days to Fertile Freedom Small Group Program⁠⁠⁠⁠

Fringe Fertility is brought to by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠coaching programs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

One of the most common questions that arise when teaching fertility yoga, and yoga in general - is - Can I go upside down when I'm on my period? Will I get endometriosis? Will my endometriosis get worse?

In this episode I talk about about yoga inversions when you're menstruating.

Resources:

Original Blogpost: https://fertilebodyyoga.com/blog/yoga-inversions-and-endometriosis/

Suggested poses for when you're menstruating

Supported Wide Angle Forward Fold

Supported Semi-reclined Baddha Konasana

Belly Bolster Prone Savasana can be wonderful if you have cramps

40 Days to Fertile Freedom Small Group Program⁠⁠⁠

Fringe Fertility is brought to by⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠coaching programs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you feel like the politics of fertility are in our face these days, you’re not alone. Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, the aftermath of that ruling, and more recently the attack on IVF in Alabama and legislation in the cue for personhood laws (life starts at conception) in red states (with sweeping bans on access to reproductive procedures) it’s enough to make someone scream and swear - a lot.

Which I do in the podcast. Because it’s too much - and I keep saying ‘how can this be?” and ‘what the fuck is happening?’ 

I didn’t want to talk about fertility and politics alone - because it’s not something that I feel educated enough on to speak to - but I’m ready to drop some f bombs around what’s happening out there. So I enlisted someone who knows what they're talking about.

Lauren Hart Clancy, a former fertility yoga student, joins me for this and brings a calming presence to talking about the politics of fertility - AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS! 

Here is what we cover:

I think that you find Lauren’s knowledge and level-headedness when talking about such emotional issues is refreshing. Yes, we can be mad and angry AND yes, we can do something about it as well. 

Resources:

The Village Advocate IG: https://www.instagram.com/villageadvocate/

Resolve New England: https://resolvenewengland.org/support/

Resolve IVF Advocacy Day: https://resolve.org/events/advocacy-day/

Resolve.org Take Action: https://resolve.org/take-action/

Doctors For Fertility: https://www.doctorsforfertility.com/

ASRM (American Society of Reproductive Medicine): https://www.asrm.org/

40 Days to Fertile Freedom Small Group Program⁠⁠

Fringe Fertility is brought to by⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠⁠⁠and⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in⁠ ⁠⁠⁠coaching programs⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠ ⁠⁠⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This episode will be relatable to so many who have decided to conceive and live a fast paced - hustle bustle kind of life. When life is busy, and you have a demanding job, adding fertility testing and treatments can add to the craziness of it all.

Living and maintaining this high level of output and being used to succeeding with hard work - it can be a wake up call when the things that you’re used to doing usually reap reward, but then not in the fertility world.

In this episode I talk with an alumna student who shares her story of going from her corporate job and busy lifestyle to relinquishing some control and learning how to slow down. Seeing that fertility does not abide by the same rules as most of the other parts of her life.

Here’s what we talk about in this episode:

40 Days to Fertile Freedom Small Group Program⁠

Fringe Fertility is brought to by ⁠⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in ⁠⁠⁠coaching programs⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠⁠.

I wanted to do a podcast that highlights one of, in my opinion, best practices for fertility that the yoga system has to offer: Yoga Nidra.

This practice you can do at anytime in your cycle - menstrual or fertility treatment (yes! including stims and post retrieval). It's that gentle and wonderfully nurturing.

Yoga Nidra is often translated as yogic sleep, or divine rest. It is a state the we arrive in through progressive deep relaxation.

In this episode:

Get your FREE YOGA NIDRA recording to get you started

40 Days to Fertile Freedom Small Group Program

Fringe Fertility is brought to by ⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in ⁠⁠coaching programs⁠⁠, ⁠⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠.

During the fertility journey, it's sometimes hard to find the right words or even words at all to express what you're feeling and going through. And that is where creative expression comes into play. It's an easy and accessible avenue of getting your emotions flowing. And it can be beautiful ❤️

When emotions are not expressed or processed, they get sticky and hang on for a long time - in our minds, bodies, and energy.

In this episode I speak with Elena Clamen, LMHC & Art Therapist about different ways to express yourself if you don't consider yourself an 'artist'. And why it's so important!

We talk about the connection between the pelvic bowl (sacral chakra) and how it is connected to emotions, creativity, and fertility.

Join us for our workshop Feb 13th, 2024 6:30 - 8:30pm ET - live via zoom!

Art Therapy & Fertility Yoga Workshop

Workshops & Events at FBY

Contact Elena Clamen LMHC & Art Therapist: [email protected]

Elena's IG: https://www.instagram.com/ladybug_art/

Kerry's IG: https://www.instagram.com/fertilebodyyoga/

Fringe Fertility is brought to by ⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠and ⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in ⁠coaching programs⁠, ⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠ and ⁠collaborative workshops⁠.

This episode is so FULL of great information for your fertility and living - and they may seem random at first but you will see that they are truly connected!

My guest today, Phoebe Lyman is an, Abdominal Manual Therapist and Preconception Coach, who integrates rewilding principles into fertility support. Based in Los Angeles, she specializes in deep abdominal organ therapy to prepare individuals for pregnancy. As the founder of WildCulture Collective, Phoebe also fosters an online community advocating for ecologically-grounded and anti-capitalist family building. Guided by the belief that intentional preconception that prioritizes ecological reconnection is the key to restoring harmony with the earth and each other, Phoebe's mission is to empower individuals on their journey towards conscious conception.

As you can tell from the bio - there is so much to talk about here!

First we talk about Castor Oil packs and Phoebe explains why they can be a supportive addition to your fertility self care routine. We then dive into her conscious conception work that weaves in rewilding as an antidote to capitalism. Yes, yes, yes. It’s so good. 

Here is what we cover in this episode:

I think you are going to love this episode - you can feel Phoebe’s passion come through as well as her articulate and spot on explanation of rewilding and how it can be so powerful for our fertility. I say it in the episode, but when I read her Wild Conceptions: resisting capitalism through fertility and rewilding - I was so excited because she was able to put into words concepts that I have felt and been trying to explain for so long - but never had the words to explain! 

Definitely check out the workbook but also the Pillars of Preconception Free MiniCourse - links below!

Resources:

Wild Conception Workbook: https://wildculture-collective.mn.co/plans/355628?bundle_token=686b45fb21c8d5375ce83805b148bff3&utm_source=manual

Pillars of Preconception Free Minicourse: https://wildculture-collective.mn.co/plans/365920?bundle_token=4bfdbf60459abeecab26c7547b47533e&utm_source=manual

Website: www.phoebelyman.com

IG: @wildculturecollective 

Fringe Fertility is brought to by Kerry Hinds and Fertile Body Yoga – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in coaching programs, fertility yoga classes, and collaborative workshops.

Dealing with fertility can be overwhelming - and one of the ways I believe that you can settle this overwhelm is with a mindfulness practice. And one of the best mindfulness practices around is meditation.

In the world of fertility, we are always looking for ways to support our fertility, yet often we turn to things outside of ourselves - yet there is so much power that comes from within us. And as far as start up costs and accessibility - mindfulness meditation is free and there for when you need it.

I’m excited to bring you this podcast episode because mindfulness and meditation is something that I expose my students and participants in my programs to. In fact I’ve got a new 40 days to fertile freedom group right now and 50% of them chose meditation as their daily practice for 40 days! 

There are so many myths, misunderstanding, and misconceptions of what mindfulness is and what meditation is - I thought best to bring in someone who has studied and practiced deeply in meditation and mindfulness.

In this episode I have Bec Conant, a friend, colleague, and mentor who is going to break down all the noise around meditation and mindfulness for you - and of course we talk about how it can be helpful to fertility beyond dealing with overwhelm.

Bec Conant is the Founder and Director of Om Births, an online yoga program designed specifically for expecting and new parents. Bec is a certified 500hr Prenatal Yoga teacher, and Meditation teacher, and has over 25 years experience. She is a certified Pelvic Floor Yoga Teacher and lives in her hometown of Boston MA with her husband and 6 yr old son.

Bec leads the Mommy Sangha. An Online meditation community for moms of all ages and stages designed to incorporate and support a mindfulness practice in the midst of the journey into and through parenthood. She holds meditation teacher certifications from Kaia Yoga and Dharma Moon.

Her book The Om Births Approach was published in 2023 and offers a framework for using yoga and mindfulness to prepare fully for the birth and postpartum experience. Go to the resource list for the link to the book! 

Here’s a few highlights from our conversation around fertility and meditation & mindfulness.

I hope that this episode inspires you to sit, breathe, and make friends with yourself with mindfulness meditation.

Resources:

Om Births Website

Bec’s Book: The Om Births Approach

40 Days To Fertile Freedom Program with Kerry

Free Guided Meditations from Kerry

2 Week Wait Meditation

Fringe Fertility is brought to by Kerry Hinds and Fertile Body Yoga – a virtual wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in coaching programs, fertility yoga classes, and collaborative workshops.

CONTENT WARNING: in this episode, we talk about sex. There is a short conversation about sexual trauma, and we use anatomically correct words for genitalia. 

This episode is in the context of heterosexual couples - we acknowledge that same sex and queer couples experience things differently when it comes to sex and how it interacts with fertility. There is however lots of great information on reconnecting with your partner while navigating fertility treatment that is applicable for everyone.

Sex is complicated. Whether it's before you start to build your family, when you’re trying to conceive - all the way through our sexually active years. 

When you’re trying to conceive sex becomes regimented, something that needs to happen at a certain time (the want disappears). And if you’re doing IVF, sex is sometimes stopped altogether when you’re doing IVF because there is a fear of a spontaneous pregnancy. Yes - it seems so backwards.

Sex and fertility is something that not a lot of people are talking about - but it’s important. So I’m tackling it today with my amazing guest Mandi Murtaugh. Mandi is a pelvic floor physical therapist, yoga teacher, and heart-centered coach. Inspired by the lived experience of her own long journey to parenthood, she specializes in walking with clients through all stages of family building–from pre-conception through fertility treatment and beyond. She lives in Tacoma, WA with her family.

We talk about A LOT in this episode:

Here are the highlights:

Mandi approaches these topics in a trauma informed and loving manner - making a taboo topic more approachable and accessible to us all. 

Resources:

Season 1, Episode 14 - Naturopathic Medicine and Fertility with Dr. Tiffany Bloomingdale

Mandi’s website: https://www.thresholdscollective.com/meet-mandi

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thresholdscollective

https://www.instagram.com/drmandimurtaugh/

This podcast is brought to you by Kerry Hinds and Fertile Body Yoga, a virtual yoga studio that is dedicated to supporting those on their fertility journeys - mind, body, energy + soul.