Hormone Healing RD

Work 1:1 with Colleen to heal your acne here.

What if your acne isn’t really about your skin at all?

In this episode, I’m joined by Colleen Clesen, an aesthetician with a background in nutrition and dietetics. After struggling with her own breakouts and realizing how limited both dermatology and standard aesthetics training were, she went back to school to fill in the missing piece. Now she helps women connect the dots between acne, hormones, gut health, and daily skincare.

We get into why gut health is usually the first place to look, what stool tests actually reveal, and how inflammation in the body shows up on your face. We also talk about the mistakes most people make with their skincare routines, why supporting the skin barrier matters as much as internal work, and how the liver and bile clearance play a critical role in clearing acne. It’s an honest look at what really drives breakouts and what can actually help.

You’ll Learn:

[00:00] Introduction

[01:00] The real reason Colleen became an aesthetician

[04:00] Why acne isn’t just a skin issue but a red flag of internal imbalance

[05:00] Gut-first: the surprising reason location of breakouts doesn’t matter

[07:00] Stool test markers that reveal hidden inflammation, estrogen problems, and acne triggers

[14:00] Scalp flare-ups as a signal your gut and immune system are exhausted

[17:00] The one simple thing Colleen has clients add to their diet that quickly improves skin and hormones

[21:00] Why most acne products wreck the skin barrier and what to do instead

[32:00] The truth about beef tallow on acne-prone skin

[47:00] How sluggish liver detox and bile flow recirculate hormones and fuel breakouts

[59:00] The first step Colleen recommends if you can only change one thing

Resources Mentioned:

Psyllium Husk Powder | Website

Kossma Squalane Oil | Website

Kossma Cleansing Gel | Website

Red Light Face Mask | Website

Green Envee Firm Collagen Gel Masque | Website

Green Envee Rejuvenate Brightening Enzyme Masque | Website

Clearstem Aloe Based Moisturizer, Hydraglow | Website

CeraVe | Website

NuDerma Professional High Frequency Wand | Website

Cosmo Cleansing Gel | Website

Lymphatic Course for Head & Neck | Website

Hormone Healing podcast episode on Intro to Lymph Flow with Leah | Website

Work 1:1 with Colleen to heal your acne here.

Get Instant access to the FREE Functional Thyroid Series here.

Find more from Amanda:

Hormone Healing RD | Instagram

Hormone Healing RD | Website

Hormone Healing RD | Facebook

Hormone Healing RD | YouTube

Hormone Healing RD | TikTo

Join Patreon to listen to our bonus episode on leptin and PCOS here.

What if everything you’ve been told about PCOS is too simplistic to actually help you heal?



In this episode, I sit down with Ava Nouri, a registered dietitian on my nutrition team who works closely with women navigating PCOS. Her own health journey through fatigue, brain fog, blood sugar issues, and hormone imbalances led her to integrative and functional nutrition, where she now supports clients with the same challenges she faced.

We get into the real spectrum of PCOS, why the conventional boxes don’t fit, and the deeper metabolic and gut factors that drive symptoms. The second half of the conversation unpacks the pro-metabolic movement, what works, what backfires, and why so many women feel stuck trying to make it fit. It’s a raw and nuanced look at one of the most common questions women in my community ask.

You’ll Learn:

• The reason PCOS is more of a metabolic disorder than just a hormone issue
• What happens in the body when insulin resistance drives high androgens and irregular cycles
• The link between gut dysbiosis, inflammation, and worsening PCOS symptoms
• Why so many women with PCOS lose minerals faster and end up depleted
• The damage of excess iron and how it fuels inflammation and gut issues
• What it feels like to follow a pro-metabolic diet that backfires with PCOS
• The missing role of fiber, beans, and vegetables in restoring gut health and hormone balance
• Why one-size-fits-all PCOS protocols rarely work and what to focus on instead
• How mineral testing and stool testing reveal hidden drivers of stubborn symptoms
• The importance of self-experimentation and trusting your body over rigid food rules

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[06:22] Defining PCOS and why the conventional view misses the mark

[13:24] Insulin resistance as the core driver of PCOS symptoms

[16:23] The role of gut health and microbiome imbalances in driving PCOS symptoms

[23:25] How mineral depletion and excess iron fuel inflammation and worsen PCOS symptoms

[39:33] The pro metabolic approach as a nourishing alternative to restriction and fear of food

[42:49] Reframing the pro metabolic approach for PCOS

[58:09] Finding balance with pro metabolic nutrition by avoiding extremes and trusting your body’s feedback

Resources Mentioned:

Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden | Book

Heal Your Metabolism by Kate Deering | Book

Articles and Writings by Ray Peat | Website

The Feminine Periodical Newsletter | Website

Master your minerals. Harmonize your hormones. Start your mineral journey here.

You can work with Ava one on one here.

Find more from Amanda:

Hormone Healing RD | Instagram

Hormone Healing RD | Website

Hormone Healing RD | Facebook

Hormone Healing RD | YouTube

Hormone Healing RD | TikTok

Master your minerals. Harmonize your hormones. Start your mineral journey here.

What if the root of your child’s health struggles isn’t another cream, pill, or quick fix, but something much deeper?



In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nina Marie Rueda, a naturopath who works with children and families through a functional, integrative lens. Her own journey started during her first pregnancy, when she realized how little she’d supported her body and baby with nutrition. This pregnancy completely changed her perspective, and she went from wanting to become a university professor to birth work, nutrition training, and eventually naturopathy.

We get into why minerals matter so much for kids, especially when it comes to challenges like picky eating, eczema, and sleep struggles. Dr. Nina explains how testing works, why hair analysis often gives a clearer picture than blood work for children, and what common mineral patterns she sees in practice. The conversation is raw, practical, and full of insights for parents trying to make sense of their kids’ health struggles without getting lost in overwhelm.

You’ll Learn:

• How a Bradley Method class shifted Dr. Nina’s path to naturopathy
• What minerals actually do in kids’ bodies and why they’re essential
• The link between taste buds, zinc, and picky eating
• Why hair mineral tests show the long game while blood work is a snapshot
• Common mineral patterns seen in children with eczema
• How heavy metals disrupt gut microbes and fuel skin issues
• The mineral imbalances behind sleep struggles in kids
• Why parents’ own mineral status affects mealtime stress
• The reason some kids’ multivitamins should avoid iron and copper
• How minerals shape digestion, detox, and resilience in children

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[05:47] Why minerals are the non-negotiable foundation for children’s health

[07:40] Hair testing versus blood work for understanding mineral balance in kids

[13:05] Why picky eating in kids often comes down to mineral imbalances and taste buds

[22:46] Eczema in kids and the role of mineral imbalances and heavy metals

[39:43] How mineral imbalances and heavy metals disrupt children’s sleep patterns

[45:22] Choosing the right multivitamins for kids and why avoiding copper and iron matters

[49:10] Making supplements part of daily family routines

Resources Mentioned:

Minerals & Gut Health Connection for Eczema Course | Website

Gut and Minerals Free Resource | Website

Picky Eaters Protocol | Website

Find more from Dr. Nina:

Nerdy Notes with Nina Marie | Substack

Dr. Nina Marie | Website

Dr. Nina Marie | Instagram

Find more from Amanda:

Hormone Healing RD | Instagram

Hormone Healing RD | Website

Hormone Healing RD | Facebook

Hormone Healing RD | YouTube

Hormone Healing RD | TikTok

Join Patreon for a bonus episode where I share more details about my journey here.

Forget tracking your food, I dropped 55 pounds postpartum by focusing on the basics.

Instead of obsessing over the scale, I treated weight gain and loss as signals, clues about stress, thyroid health, circadian rhythm, and whether my body was fueled for energy and milk supply. Two pregnancies taught me that workouts, light exposure, and small daily practices matter far more than numbers. The biggest shift wasn’t physical, it was staying grounded, cutting the obsession, and focusing on being the mom and woman I wanted to be.

You’ll Learn:



• Why weight gain or loss is just a symptom, not a verdict on your health
• The basic things to focus on that will support your body in being healthy and losing excess weight
• The link between circadian rhythm, light exposure, and thyroid health
• What snacking all day can do to your blood sugar
• The damage of constant stress on milk supply, cycles, and body composition
• Practical nutrition adjustments that supported milk supply during pregnancy and postpartum

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[03:32] Seeing weight as a symptom and not a measure of worth

[06:41] Entering the first pregnancy with a soft mindset and focusing on health over the scale

[17:13] Focusing on circadian rhythm and light exposure to support thyroid and blood sugar health

[24:48] Switching to kettlebell training and discovering its impact on strength, stress, and postpartum fitness

[34:16] Struggling with childcare decisions and choosing to make working from home with kids the only option

[37:53] Balancing postpartum stress, nutrition, and slow sustainable weight loss while prioritizing motherhood and health

Resources Mentioned:

Mama Stay Fit Training | Website

Kettlebell Program by Adina Rubin | Website

Hormone Healing RD Podcast episode with Carrie Bennett | Podcast

Mother Wildflowers Course | Website

The Feminine Periodical Newsletter | Website

Find more from Amanda:

Hormone Healing RD | Instagram

Hormone Healing RD | Website

Hormone Healing RD | Facebook

Hormone Healing RD | YouTube

Hormone Healing RD | TikTok

Join us for our Histamine and Hormones Training on September 28th!

Why do some women feel amazing during certain phases of their cycle while others feel absolutely wrecked?



In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Shapiro, RD, a functional dietitian who works with clients navigating Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine issues. She also lives with MCAS herself, bringing both professional insight and personal experience to the table.

Why do histamine flares hit hardest right when hormones shift? Tune in as we break down the menstrual cycle, step by step, and look at how mast cells and histamines interact with rising and falling hormones. The patterns aren’t always what you’d expect, and tracking them can change everything about how you handle symptoms.

You’ll Learn:

• The role of mast cells in the immune system and why histamine release can trigger so many symptoms
• The link between rising estrogen and increased histamine release
• Why people with histamine issues can have paradoxical hormone symptoms
• How long histamines actually stay in your system, and ways to avoid long-term suffering
• What happens when conditions like POTS and hypermobility overlap with histamine issues during the cycle
• Practical strategies for tracking cycle patterns to spot histamine-driven flares
• The debate around antihistamines, pregnancy, and de-stigmatizing medication for symptom relief
• Why lowering histamines must come before deeper root-cause work like gut or mineral protocols
• The connection between histamines, mast cells, and endometriosis

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[10:17] How estrogen and histamine interact to trigger symptoms during the menstrual cycle

[13:53] How progesterone and luteal phase shifts trigger unexpected symptoms in histamine, POTS, and hypermobility clients

[21:47] Tracking cycles and temperatures to spot patterns and histamine flares

[25:53] Using antihistamines and other strategies to manage flares and reduce stigma around medication

[48:09] Understanding the immune system’s role in endometriosis and its connection to histamine and progesterone

Listen to Other Hormone Healing Episodes with Michelle:

MCAS, POTS, & Hypermobility Part 1 | Listen Here

MCAS, POTS, & Hypermobility Part 2 | Listen Here

The Root Cause of Reflux | Listen Here

Resources Mentioned:

Ovia Cycle-tracking App | Website

Natural Cycles Fertility Awareness App | Website

Oura Ring | Website

Tempdrop Wearable Sensor | Website

Read Your Body App | Website

Podcast with Nina Boyce on Fertility Awareness Method | Podcast

Find more from Michelle:

Michelle Shapiro RD | Instagram

Michelle Shapiro RD | Website

Michelle Shapiro Nutrition | YouTube

Find more from Amanda:

Hormone Healing RD | Instagram

Hormone Healing RD | Website

Hormone Healing RD | Facebook

Hormone Healing RD | YouTube

Hormone Healing RD | TikTok

In this episode, we dive into part two of the baby reflux series with Emily Swann, a nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Emily shares her personal journey as a mom navigating silent reflux with her daughter and how it inspired her to integrate holistic practices like bodywork and nutrition into her approach to infant health. We discuss practical tips for addressing posture, movement, and environment to support babies with reflux and empower parents to take a proactive role in their baby’s healing. This episode is a great listen whether you’re dealing with reflux, colic, or just want to learn how to support your baby’s well-being naturally!

Emily Swann is a wife, mother, nurse and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. What started out as a career as a NICU nurse quickly turned into a love for holistic wellness outside the hospital system and her passion is helping women and babies breastfeed through holistic lactation work. Emily incorporates bodywork and nutrition as key pillars for infant health and looks at the dyad of mother and baby as one rather than two separate parts.

We talk about:

• Emily's personal experience with reflux with her daughter, and what she believes to have been the root of the reflux
• Explanation of dynamic infant movement
• How oral restrictions can impact reflux
• Emily's tips for moms to do bodywork on their own babies/children
• Outsourcing motherhood with informed decision making

Free Healthy Period Starter Guide: https://hormonehealingrd.ck.page/ab86b6faf2 

Connect with Emily:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloveofbreastfeeding 

Links/Resources:

• Get Emily's Dynamic Infant Movement course: https://www.theloveofbreastfeeding.com/offers/RLjhVyEL?coupon_code=AMANDAM
• FAQ’s on Emily’s website: https://www.theloveofbreastfeeding.com/faq 
• Get Emily’s free body work video: https://www.theloveofbreastfeeding.com/freebie-1-landing-page

Connect with Me: 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hormonehealingrd 

Free Thyroid Training: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/

Feminine Periodical (weekly newsletter): http://bit.ly/2tWOBtw 

Master Your Minerals course: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/master-your-minerals-course

In today's episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Therese Dansby, a registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). We dive deep into the world of infant reflux, discussing everything from symptoms and challenges to alternative therapies and personal experiences. Therese shared her wealth of knowledge on topics like oral restrictions, bodywork, and the importance of a holistic approach when it comes to helping babies with reflux. This is a great episode if you're a mom struggling with infant reflux or just want to learn more about this common issue.

Therese started her career as a NICU nurse in 2007, pivoted to birth center postpartum care in 2013, and became an IBCLC in 2015. Helping moms build confidence in their breastfeeding choices and work through breastfeeding struggles is her dream job alongside homeschooling her own three children, ages 10, 7, and 2.

We talk about:

• Various root causes of infant reflux, including physical factors and chemical factors
• The range of symptoms from reflux, such as mild "happy spitting" to severe cases requiring medical intervention, such as GERD in NICU settings
• The value of a holistic approach for addressing feeding techniques, bodywork, dietary changes, and alternative therapies like homeopathy
• The importance of identifying the underlying issues contributing to your baby's reflux, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach
• Following your maternal intuition and working with healthcare providers who will listen to your concerns

Functional Thyroid Mini Course: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/

Connect with Therese:

• Milk & Motherhood Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bZdEwtkT96shfLpeKKzGN?si=En1Da6wXRtKL4gONrKT-4w&nd=1&dlsi=00c957b6ca544a16
• Allergen free cookbook: https://happymamahealthybaby.freshlearn.com/10729
• Online breastfeeding course: https://happymamahealthybaby.freshlearn.com/nourished-beginnings
• Website: https://theresedansby.wixsite.com/therese 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happy.mama.healthy.baby/ 
• Handout that we promised on a summary from this episode: https://aympodcast.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Baby+Reflux+Resources.pdf

Connect with Me: 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hormonehealingrd 

Free Thyroid Training: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/

Feminine Periodical (weekly newsletter): http://bit.ly/2tWOBtw 

Master Your Minerals course: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/master-your-minerals-course

It’s time for part 2 of our iodine series. If you haven’t listened to the previous episode on what iodine does in the body, why it’s so important, and how to test your levels, I recommend starting there. Today I will be covering who iodine may be a good fit for, considerations when supplementing, and long term use of iodine. 

As always, this podcast episode is for educational purposes only. If anything resonates with you, I hope it encourages you to talk with your provider before you make any changes. 

I cover:

• Populations that are generally a good fit for iodine
• Why iodine should be avoided for Hashimoto’s
• 4 steps to supplementing with iodine, including cofactors 
• Recommendations for long term use of iodine (6 months and 6-12+ months)
• How often to retest your labs, including thyroid blood panel and HTMA

Functional Thyroid Mini Course: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/

Links/resources:

• Thyroid antibodies:
  • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8106604/#:~:text=This%20study%20also%20found%20an,for%20thyroid%20autoimmunity%20%5B69%5D.
  • https://www.optimaldx.com/blog/hashimoto-thyroiditis-iodine#:~:text=Excess%20iodine%20can%20exacerbate%20autoimmune,major%20cause%20(Ruggeri%202021). 
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25050783/ 
  • Fertility
    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6454505/ 
    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3063534/
    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3257674/
  • Iodine and breasts:
    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3063534/
    • https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5327366/ 
    • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15239792/ 
  • Iodine and prostate:
    • https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/3/1228#:~:text=Our%20group%20has%20found%20similar,tissues%20that%20take%20up%20iodine. 
    • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31284874/ 
• https://www.larabriden.com/iodine-for-breast-pain-ovarian-cysts-and-pms/

Connect with Me: 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hormonehealingrd 

Free Thyroid Training: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/

Feminine Periodical (weekly newsletter): http://bit.ly/2tWOBtw 

Master Your Minerals course: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/master-your-minerals-course

We are kicking off our iodine series and starting with our first episode on the basics of iodine, what it does, how we use it in the body, how it impacts women’s health, and then we will get into how to assess your iodine status. Next week, in part two, I will get into how to utilize iodine for support on your healing journey. 

As always, this podcast episode is for educational purposes only. If anything resonates with you, I hope it encourages you to talk with your provider before you make any changes. 

I cover:

• What exactly is iodine and its role in our body
• Iodine's role during ovulation, progesterone production, and metabolizing estrogen
• The increase of iodine deficiency over the years, signs of deficiency, and prevention recommendations
• How to assess your iodine status

Functional Thyroid Mini Course: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/

Links/Resources:

• Mineral testing episode: https://hormonehealingrd.com/podcast-episode/how-to-do-mineral-testing/ 
• How To Learn About Your Thyroid On An HTMA episode: https://hormonehealingrd.com/podcast-episode/s5-e17-what-you-can-learn-about-your-thyroid-on-an-htma/ 
• Book: Iodine Why You Need It Why You Can't Live Without It by Dr. David Brownstein
• Book: Overcoming Thyroid Disorders by Dr. David Brownstein

For the full list of studies included in these resources, visit the blog: https://hormonehealingrd.com/podcast-episode/s7-e05-iodine-series-part-1-iodine-basics/

Connect with Me: 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hormonehealingrd 

Free Thyroid Training: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/

Feminine Periodical (weekly newsletter): http://bit.ly/2tWOBtw 

Master Your Minerals course: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/master-your-minerals-course

In this episode, I am focusing on mineral shifts that happen during pregnancy, mineral needs that increase, as well as highlighting minerals that I often get asked about when it comes to pregnancy. 

As always, this episode is for educational purposes only. Please make sure you talk with your provider before making any changes. 

I cover:

• Natural fluctuations in copper and iron levels during pregnancy and their crucial roles in maternal and fetal health
• Importance of preparing for postpartum by addressing mineral imbalances
• Why it's important to maintain healthy levels of crucial minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and iodine during pregnancy
• Food source recommendations to support your mineral levels during pregnancy

Functional Thyroid Series: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/

For the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the blog: https://hormonehealingrd.com/podcast-episode/s7-e04-mineral-shifts-in-pregnancy/

Connect with Me: 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hormonehealingrd 

Free Thyroid Training: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/

Feminine Periodical (weekly newsletter): http://bit.ly/2tWOBtw 

Master Your Minerals course: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/master-your-minerals-course