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In this episode of the Hormone Helper Podcast, Andrew Costa speaks with Alexis Hughes, a death doula and life coach, about the profound impact of fear on our lives and choices. They explore Alexis's journey into becoming a death doula after losing her mother, the role of a death doula in end-of-life care, and the importance of addressing fear and regret to live a fulfilling life. The conversation delves into identity, gender differences in processing grief, and the significance of having difficult conversations. Alexis shares insights on living intentionally, defining purpose, and the lessons learned from those at the end of their lives.

Get in touch with Alexis

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withoutfeardoula/

website: https://www.withoutfeardoula.com/

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Life Coaching and Death Doulas

02:54
The Journey into Death Doula Work

05:45
Understanding the Role of a Death Doula

08:26
Fear and Its Impact on Life Choices

11:31
Identity and Fear: Building a Life Without Regret

14:02
Gender Differences in Processing Fear and Grief

16:50
Proactive Approaches to Fear and Anxiety

22:52
Understanding the Risk-Reward Regret Pipeline

27:53
Lessons from Life's End: Regrets and Realizations

32:24
Defining Purpose: The Why Behind Our Actions

36:55
Practical Steps to Align Actions with Intentions

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In this powerful episode of The Hormone Helper Podcast, Andrew sits down with Kate McDowell, a consulting hypnotist, NLP practitioner, and holistic nutritionist — to explore how identity and unconscious patterns shape our health.

Kate shares her inspiring journey from being diagnosed with MS to becoming symptom-free through holistic healing and mindset transformation. Together, she and Andrew unpack how unconscious beliefs drive behavior, how hypnosis and NLP can reprogram the mind, and why shifting from a “sick” identity to an empowered one is the true key to lasting health.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling “stuck” in their wellness journey or ready to explore the deeper connection between mind, body, and healing.

Episode Highlights:

• How Kate overcame MS through mindset, nutrition, and holistic healing
• The unconscious patterns that keep you stuck in illness
• Why awareness and identity shifts drive true transformation
• How NLP and hypnosis rewire the mind for better health
• The difference between being “at effect” and taking personal power back

Guest Info:
Kate McDowell — Consulting Hypnotist, NLP Practitioner, & Holistic Nutritionist
Kate helps women uncover the unconscious stress patterns and identity blocks affecting their health. Drawing from her own healing journey, she guides clients to rewire their beliefs, release emotional blocks, and reclaim their energy and well-being.

Connect with Kate:
Instagram: @alignednaturalhealth
Facebook: facebook.com/alignednaturalhealth

Support the show

get support with coach andrew here: https://ovou.me/fit4allfitnessinc
Dont forget to listen to coach andrew on instagram and facebook
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In this episode of the Hormone Helper Podcast, Andrew sits down with personal trainer and FP Fitness founder, Keyon Silva, to cut through the noise of the weight loss industry. From Netflix documentaries to social media misinformation, they talk about what actually works for sustainable fat loss, and why crash diets and quick fixes keep failing.

You’ll hear:

• Why most weight loss plans fail (and how to build one that lasts)
• The truth about calorie deficits, macros, and nutrient timing
• How to create “tiny wins” that build massive long-term success
• What no one tells you about genetics and fat loss plateaus
• Why mindset and environment matter more than motivation

Whether you’ve tried every plan under the sun or you’re just starting your journey, this episode is the perfect reminder that simple, consistent habits always win.

Make sure you connect with Keyon here: https://www.instagram.com/fp_fitness.real/

Support the show

get support with coach andrew here: https://ovou.me/fit4allfitnessinc
Dont forget to listen to coach andrew on instagram and facebook
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What if your emotional state, NOT your to-do list, is what’s holding you back?

In this episode of The Hormone Helper Podcast, I sit down with behavior expert Tree Ryde for a raw and eye-opening convo about why we sabotage our own goals and how to reclaim emotional control, presence, and purpose.

Tree blends years of experience in marketing, yoga, NLP, and hypnosis to help people release old patterns, shift limiting beliefs, and live more aligned, on-purpose lives.

Here’s what we unpack in this powerful conversation:

• Why “just be present” isn’t helpful advice, and what actually works
• The real reason people stay stuck in self-sabotage loops
• How emotional states and nervous system responses (like fawning) shape behavior
• How to clean up your social media to support your mental health & goals
• A simple “belief rewrite” exercise that anyone can use to reset their inner programming

Whether you're navigating stress, lack of motivation, or just feel like you're not living in your lane, this episode gives you tangible mindset tools to shift your emotional state, and your life from the inside out.

Connect with Tree Ryde:

• Behavior Expert at Burlington Hypnosis Center
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treeryde
• Tree works with individuals and groups, and offers two donated hours a month to speak with youth groups, men’s groups, and women's groups.

Don't forget to Subscribe, leave a review, and keep tuning in to The Hormone Helper Podcast to keep growing into the fullest version of YOU.

Support the show

get support with coach andrew here: https://ovou.me/fit4allfitnessinc
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Feeling tense, inflamed, or stuck in chronic pain? You’re not alone, and your posture, breath, and nervous system may have more to do with it than you think.

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with osteopathic manual practitioner Megan Buchwald to explore the deep connection between your physical structure, your hormones, and your healing. Megan shares her own story of back pain and scoliosis, what led her to osteopathy, and the most common root causes she sees in her practice today.

 Inside this episode:

• Why stress patterns and shallow breathing are keeping your body in “fight or flight”
• How pelvic and spinal misalignment can affect your hormones, periods, and energy
• The truth about static stretching, posture tools, and how fascia actually heals
• Why most people don’t even realize their nervous system is dysregulated
• Practical daily non-negotiables that Megan recommends for better body function

Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, hormonal imbalances, or just want to move and feel better—this episode is a must-listen.

Guest Info
Megan Buchwald is an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner and the founder of Mindful Body Osteopathy. She helps her clients regulate their nervous systems, realign their structure, and restore hormonal balance through hands-on care.

Connect with Megan Buchwald:
📍 Practice Location: Sayza Hot Yoga Space, Simcoe, Ontario
📱 Instagram: @mindfulbody.osteo

check her out here on insta too: @sayzahotyoga
 

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, subscribe to the show, or leave a review! And don’t forget—you can now TEXT the Hormone Helper Podcast with your questions or feedback!

Support the show

get support with coach andrew here: https://ovou.me/fit4allfitnessinc
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Can your body heal itself? According to today’s guest, the answer is YES, and it starts with understanding how your structure influences your hormones.

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Jacob Simonini, Osteopathic Manual Practitioner and founder of the Toronto School of Osteopathy, to unpack how somatic dysfunction, trauma, and stress affect the endocrine system, and what it actually takes to feel well again. With roots in emergency care and a deep passion for osteopathy, Jacob shares practical tips for reconnecting to your body and restoring balance, one layer at a time.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• What somatic dysfunction is and how it affects hormonal regulation
• How stress, trauma, and even small injuries can alter your endocrine system
• Why emotional reactivity is tied to physical tension—and what to do about it
• Daily habits to manage stress and support your body’s self-healing
• How osteopathy differs from physiotherapy and chiropractic care

Connect with Jacob Simonini:
Instagram: @jacobsimonini
Toronto School of Osteopathy: @torontoschoolosteopathy
Email: [email protected]

About Jacob:
Jacob Simonini is an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner and founder of the Toronto School of Osteopathy. With a background as an Advanced Care Paramedic and clinical educator, Jacob brings a rich blend of emergency care and holistic healing to his work. He believes in the body’s innate ability to heal and is passionate about helping others rediscover health through structure, movement, and self-awareness.

Support the show

get support with coach andrew here: https://ovou.me/fit4allfitnessinc
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Is hormone testing the best place to start your healing? Dr. Taylor Smeenk says different, and here’s why.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Taylor Smeenk, chiropractor, functional medicine practitioner, and founder of Empact Wellness. She’s not just a practitioner, she’s on a mission to shift how we approach healing, root causes, and long-term health. If you’ve been overwhelmed by labs, supplements, or inconsistent results… this conversation is going to give you clarity.

What we cover in this episode:

• Why starting with hormone tests can delay healing
• How to think about your symptoms through the lens of epigenetics
• Real-life applications of DNA testing for optimal health
• What “re-integration” means after symptoms subside
• Why long-term healing requires nervous system + identity support

Dr. Taylor also unpacks the nervous system’s role in lasting transformation—and how men and women alike can step into self-worth, presence, and long-term vitality.

Connect with Dr. Taylor Smeenk
Instagram: @drtaylorsmeenk | @empactwellness
Website: drtaylorsmeenk.com
Book: Women Who Lead: The Book

Dr. Taylor Smeenk is the CEO and Founder of Empact Wellness, a Chiropractor and Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. After navigating her own experiences with illness and injury, she now helps others find true healing by going deeper than symptoms—working at the intersection of root cause care, nervous system regulation, and personalized longevity.

If this episode sparked something in you…
Subscribe to the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more people discover the Hormone Helper Podcast. Got a question for Dr. Taylor or want a part 2? Drop it in the show notes email, we read them all.

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get support with coach andrew here: https://ovou.me/fit4allfitnessinc
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A new era of the Hormone Helper Podcast is here, and it’s deeper, more connected, and packed with powerful collaborations.

In this kickoff episode for the 2025 season, Andrew Costa returns to the mic after a meaningful 6-month pause to share big life updates and the new direction for the show. From stepping into fatherhood to stepping up in his mental health and leadership, Andrew opens up about what’s shifted, and why this year is all about collaboration.

🎙️ Here’s what this episode covers:

• Why the Hormone Helper Podcast is now being released in seasons
• How Andrew’s transition from hormone coach to business mentor is expanding impact
• The surprising power of men’s groups and emotional healing
• Big updates on Lorna’s pregnancy and life behind the scenes
• Why health, happiness, and purpose might be simpler than we think

This season will feature a wide range of practitioners—from endocrinologists to mindset coaches—sharing knowledge you usually can’t get unless you're their client.

Want someone featured?
Submit your guest suggestions or questions for upcoming guests using the email in the show notes!

Subscribe, rate, and share
If you’re ready for real conversations about wellness, mindset, and meaning, hit that follow button, leave a review, and tag us on socials. Let's grow this movement together.

Support the show

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GRWC EP: 22

In this episode of Getting Real with the Costas, Lorna and Andrew Costa discuss how improving their health has positively impacted their business and personal lives. They share their recent successes, including their million-dollar revenue and Andrew's transition into business coaching. They emphasize the importance of taking care of oneself and how it affects all aspects of life, including relationships, career, and overall happiness. They encourage listeners to take action, start their journey towards their goals, and seek support from mentors and coaches. They also discuss the power of community and surrounding oneself with people who are playing bigger and inspiring growth.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
FAST LAUNCH: https://fit4allfitness.com/fastlaunch

Connect with Lorna for binge eating support:
---> Instagram @lorna_bingeeatingcoach
---> Tiktok @lorna_bingeeatingcoach
---> Podcast: Ditch Decade Diets Podcast

Support the show

get support with coach andrew here: https://ovou.me/fit4allfitnessinc
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Send us a text

the best way to show up on social media to get engagement and clients: C2C ep 3

The best way to show up on social media is by consistently posting valuable content, building a community, and delivering value. It is important to choose the right platform based on your target audience and their preferences. Reels and carousels are effective for delivering short, digestible content, while lives and stories are great for engagement and selling. Consistency is key, and it is important to have a dedicated space for information and offers. Building trust and nurturing relationships with your audience takes time and consistency.

"If you are not on social media regularly, then you are basically dead in the water."

Support the show

get support with coach andrew here: https://ovou.me/fit4allfitnessinc
Dont forget to listen to coach andrew on instagram and facebook
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