Hormone Puzzle Podcast: Fertility, Hormones, & Women's Health

In episode #296 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, our guest Kirsten McLennan, talks about IVF and Surrogacy.

More about Kirsten:

Kirsten McLennan is an IVF and surrogacy Mum and a strong advocate for infertility awareness. Drawing on her extraordinary personal infertility experience and 20 years working in the Corporate Communications industry, she is passionate about raising awareness about a taboo subject that impacts hundreds of millions worldwide.

Kirsten released her debut book 'This is Infertility' through C&R Press in Nov 2022. This is Infertility is the six-year journey of Kirsten and her husband Ryan as they navigate against tremendous odds to be parents. It combines the couple's personal experiences with factual insights into fertility treatment and surrogacy and what people can expect.

Kirsten is an IVFbabble ambassador (the world's leading online fertility magazine and community) and she writes and interviews for fertility magazines, blogs, and video blogs. She also speaks at global fertility expos. Through her popular Instagram profile @‌straight.up.infertility, Kirsten shares her personal experience and insights on infertility. She holds a Communications Degree and a Master's Degree in Marketing. Kirsten is from Melbourne, Australia but currently lives in North Carolina, USA with her husband Ryan and their son Spencer.

Thank you for listening!

This episode is made possible by Puzzle Brew's Fertility Tea: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/fertility-tea

Follow Kirsten on Instagram: @‌straight.up.infertility

Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram: @‌kela_healthcoach

Get your FREE Fertility Meal Plan: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/

FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: The disclosure that follows is intended to fully comply with the Federal Trade Commission's policy of the United States that requires to be transparent about any and all affiliate relations the Company may have on this show. You should assume that some of the product mentions and discount codes given are "affiliate links", a link with a special tracking code This means that if you use one of these codes and purchase the item, the Company may receive an affiliate commission. This is a legitimate way to monetize and pay for the operation of the Website, podcast, and operations and the Company gladly reveals its affiliate relationships to you. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, the Company only recommends products or services the Company believes will add value to its users. The Hormone Puzzle Society and Dr. Kela will receive up to 30% affiliate commission depending on the product that is sponsored on the show.

For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at [email protected]

Episode #295 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast is a special episode where our host, Dr. Kela Smith talks about Expanding Your Fertility Coaching Business Internationally.

Each month the last episode is dedicated to coaches and people who want to be coaches to teach you skills that you can use in your own coaching practice so if you're already a coach or maybe you're thinking about becoming one you can learn so many skills from listening to these episodes.

More about Dr. Kela: Dr. Kela Smith is a Holistic-Integrative Fertility and Hormone Doctor and the Lead Educator - Hormone Puzzle Society Educational Institute for Coaches.

After personally battling infertility, she was finally able to conceive by implementing her Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E method (plus cycle optimizing), which takes a holistic approach to preparing the body for pregnancy from the inside out. Since then, she has made it her mission to help other women who are struggling with infertility to optimize their bodies and hormones so they can get pregnant, stay pregnant, have a healthy super baby, and easy postpartum, as well as eliminate symptoms of hormone imbalance.

With over 25 years of experience as a professional fitness trainer and wellness educator, Dr. Kela has created 7 courses and published multiple books on fertility, hormones, pregnancy and total body wellness. Her recent book, The Hormone Puzzle Method: Optimizing Pregnancy has all her tips for a healthy, happy pregnancy.

She mentors future fertility experts at the Hormone Puzzle Society Educational Institute for Coaches, which is an accredited and certified institute of higher learning for anyone interested in becoming a fertility coach.

She also hosts The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, Solving-Infertility Summit and Healthy Happy Pregnancy Summit.

Thank you for listening!

Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram - @‌kela_healthcoach

Get your FREE 3 Steps to Launch a Fertility Coaching Business Guide: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/education

For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at [email protected]

In episode #294 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, our guest Dr. Greg Brannon, talks about Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) and Fertility.

More about Dr. Greg:

Dr. Gregory J. Brannon is a surgeon, public figure, and founder of the leading Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) practice Optimal Bio where he oversees seven offices across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. In addition to his current role of Physician and Medical Director at Optimal Bio, Brannon uses over 30 years of medical experience to educate others on taking ownership of their health. Dr. Brannon is the author of the 2020 published book, The Hormone Handbook: Optimizing Your Health Through Bioidentical Hormones, and will author a second book in Spring 2024 titled "Restore."

Prior to spending 30 years as a successful private practice OBGYN in Cary, NC, Dr. Brannon completed his medical residency at University of Southern California Women's Hospital, Los Angeles, and then served as assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of North Carolina School of Medicine, with work at Wake Area Health Education Center.

Brannon's OB/GYN experience sparked his interest in hormones and how they work within the body. Impressed and inspired by his experience with BHRT, Brannon opened Optimal Bio in Cary, NC in 2012. Optimal Bio is a BHRT practice dedicated to bringing people's bodies back to the optimal levels they were initially designed to maintain.

Thank you for listening!

This episode is made possible by Puzzle Brew's Fertility Tea: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/fertility-tea

Follow Dr. Greg on Instagram: @‌gregbrannonmd

Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram: @‌kela_healthcoach

Get your FREE Fertility Meal Plan: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/

FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: The disclosure that follows is intended to fully comply with the Federal Trade Commission's policy of the United States that requires to be transparent about any and all affiliate relations the Company may have on this show. You should assume that some of the product mentions and discount codes given are "affiliate links", a link with a special tracking code This means that if you use one of these codes and purchase the item, the Company may receive an affiliate commission. This is a legitimate way to monetize and pay for the operation of the Website, podcast, and operations and the Company gladly reveals its affiliate relationships to you. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, the Company only recommends products or services the Company believes will add value to its users. The Hormone Puzzle Society and Dr. Kela will receive up to 30% affiliate commission depending on the product that is sponsored on the show.

For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at [email protected]

In episode #293 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, our guest Leslie Schrock, talks about Debunking Fertility Myths from Preconception to Pregnancy and Beyond.

More about Leslie:

Leslie Schrock is an author and angel investor working at the convergence of health and technology. Her breakout hit, Bumpin': The Modern Guide to Pregnancy mixes the latest clinical research with practical advice for working families. Her second book, Fertility Rules, takes the same approach to male and female fertility. Leslie is an investor in Caribou, Roon, Perchwell, Legacy, Kinfield, and dbt Labs (and others), and an advisor to Maven, Alife, Origin, and Reverance. She is also on Gameto's bioethics board and the board of advisors at the Moody School of Communication at her alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin.

She was named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, and her work has been featured on CNBC, NPR, Time, GQ, Fortune, Entrepreneur, Wired, The Economist, and The New York Times.

Thank you for listening!

This episode is made possible by Puzzle Brew's Fertility Tea: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/fertility-tea

Follow Leslie on Instagram: @‌leslieschrock

Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram: @‌kela_healthcoach

Get your FREE Fertility Meal Plan: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/

FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: The disclosure that follows is intended to fully comply with the Federal Trade Commission's policy of the United States that requires to be transparent about any and all affiliate relations the Company may have on this show. You should assume that some of the product mentions and discount codes given are "affiliate links", a link with a special tracking code This means that if you use one of these codes and purchase the item, the Company may receive an affiliate commission. This is a legitimate way to monetize and pay for the operation of the Website, podcast, and operations and the Company gladly reveals its affiliate relationships to you. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, the Company only recommends products or services the Company believes will add value to its users. The Hormone Puzzle Society and Dr. Kela will receive up to 30% affiliate commission depending on the product that is sponsored on the show.

For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at [email protected]

In episode #292 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, our guest Dr. Sarah Ellis, talks about The Microbiome and Your Fertility.

More about Dr. Sarah:

Dr. Sarah Ellis is a Naturopathic Doctor and Clinical Science Liaison dedicated to helping everyone improve their health and feel their best. She uses nutrition, nutraceutical supplementation, and lifestyle adjustments to help her patients become the best versions of themselves. She has a passion for women's health (specifically PCOS, Endometriosis, & fertility), gut health, nutrition, pediatrics, and family health.

Thank you for listening!

This episode is made possible by Puzzle Brew's Fertility Tea: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/fertility-tea

Follow Jessica on Instagram: @‌dr.sarahellis

Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram: @‌kela_healthcoach

Get your FREE Fertility Meal Plan: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/

FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: The disclosure that follows is intended to fully comply with the Federal Trade Commission's policy of the United States that requires to be transparent about any and all affiliate relations the Company may have on this show. You should assume that some of the product mentions and discount codes given are "affiliate links", a link with a special tracking code This means that if you use one of these codes and purchase the item, the Company may receive an affiliate commission. This is a legitimate way to monetize and pay for the operation of the Website, podcast, and operations and the Company gladly reveals its affiliate relationships to you. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, the Company only recommends products or services the Company believes will add value to its users. The Hormone Puzzle Society and Dr. Kela will receive up to 30% affiliate commission depending on the product that is sponsored on the show.

For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at [email protected]

In episode #291 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, our guest Jessica Bourke, talks about Unlocking Fertility Myths.

More about Jessica:

With eighteen years of clinical experience dealing with fertility issues and pregnancy loss, Jessica has gained a reputation for helping people to succeed where everything else has failed. Jessica is a TEDx speaker, co-author of the 'Guilt Free Gourmet', and regularly appears in Irish media. She is the creator of the ground-breaking Making Sense of Miscarriage™ and Fertility ReSet 2.0 programs, which offers detailed, evidence-based support for those who are on the fertility journey or are dealing with recurrent miscarriage. As your 'Fertility Detective', Jessica's goal is to help her clients "get pregnant and stay pregnant!"

Thank you for listening!

This episode is made possible by Puzzle Brew's Fertility Tea: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/fertility-tea/

Follow Jessica on Instagram: @‌thefertilitydetective

Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram: @‌kela_healthcoach

Get your FREE Fertility Meal Plan: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/

FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: The disclosure that follows is intended to fully comply with the Federal Trade Commission's policy of the United States that requires to be transparent about any and all affiliate relations the Company may have on this show. You should assume that some of the product mentions and discount codes given are "affiliate links", a link with a special tracking code This means that if you use one of these codes and purchase the item, the Company may receive an affiliate commission. This is a legitimate way to monetize and pay for the operation of the Website, podcast, and operations and the Company gladly reveals its affiliate relationships to you. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, the Company only recommends products or services the Company believes will add value to its users. The Hormone Puzzle Society and Dr. Kela will receive up to 30% affiliate commission depending on the product that is sponsored on the show.

For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at [email protected]

Episode #290 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast is a special episode where our host, Dr. Kela Smith talks about The Role of Fertility Coaches and Their Impact on Clients' Fertility Journeys.

Each month the last episode is dedicated to coaches and people who want to be coaches to teach you skills that you can use in your own coaching practice so if you're already a coach or maybe you're thinking about becoming one you can learn so many skills from listening to these episodes.

More about Dr. Kela: Dr. Kela Smith is a Holistic-Integrative Fertility and Hormone Doctor and the Lead Educator - Hormone Puzzle Society Educational Institute for Coaches.

After personally battling infertility, she was finally able to conceive by implementing her Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E method (plus cycle optimizing), which takes a holistic approach to preparing the body for pregnancy from the inside out. Since then, she has made it her mission to help other women who are struggling with infertility to optimize their bodies and hormones so they can get pregnant, stay pregnant, have a healthy super baby, and easy postpartum, as well as eliminate symptoms of hormone imbalance.

With over 25 years of experience as a professional fitness trainer and wellness educator, Dr. Kela has created 7 courses and published multiple books on fertility, hormones, pregnancy and total body wellness. Her recent book, The Hormone Puzzle Method: Optimizing Pregnancy has all her tips for a healthy, happy pregnancy.

She mentors future fertility experts at the Hormone Puzzle Society Educational Institute for Coaches, which is an accredited and certified institute of higher learning for anyone interested in becoming a fertility coach.

She also hosts The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, Solving-Infertility Summit and Healthy Happy Pregnancy Summit.

Thank you for listening!

Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram - @‌kela_healthcoach

Get your FREE 3 Steps to Launch a Fertility Coaching Business Guide: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/education

For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at [email protected]

Because getting pregnant is only half the battle, staying pregnant is the other half. For this season, we've decided to add a special episode every month dedicated about how to have a healthy happy pregnancy, birth and postpartum. If you are still in the process of fighting infertility and you feel triggered by this episode, please skip it until you are ready.

Episode #289 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast is a special episode where our guest speaker Parijat Deshpande talks Navigating Stress and High-Risk Pregnancy.

Each month one episode is dedicated for pregnant women to teach them how to have a healthy happy pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Parijat Deshpande a speaker, somatic trauma consultant, the author of the best-selling book Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy, and the founder and CEO of Ruvelle, a trauma-informed, lifestyle wellness brand exclusively dedicated to improving high-risk pregnancy outcomes. She is also the mother of two rainbow babies (who are no longer babies!) in her arms and five babies in her heart. When she's not working, she loves to read, hike, and cook and bake for her family with fruits and vegetables from her garden.

This episode is made possible by @‌healthyhappypregnancysummit

Follow Parijat on Instagram: @‌healthy.highriskpregnancy

Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram - @‌kela_healthcoach

Get your FREE Pregnancy Meal Plan https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com

FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: The disclosure that follows is intended to fully comply with the Federal Trade Commission's policy of the United States that requires to be transparent about any and all affiliate relations the Company may have on this show. You should assume that some of the product mentions and discount codes given are "affiliate links", a link with a special tracking code This means that if you use one of these codes and purchase the item, the Company may receive an affiliate commission. This is a legitimate way to monetize and pay for the operation of the Website, podcast, and operations and the Company gladly reveals its affiliate relationships to you. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, the Company only recommends products or services the Company believes will add value to its users. The Hormone Puzzle Society and Dr. Kela will receive up to 30% affiliate commission depending on the product that is sponsored on the show.

For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at [email protected]

In episode #288 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, our guest Myriam Steinberg, talks about The Catalogue Baby Journey: Embracing Single Motherhood by Choice.

More about Myriam:

Previously the organizer of the In the House Festival, for which she was nominated for the YWCA's Women of Distinction Award, Myriam Steinberg is now an author. Her first graphic novel, Catalogue Baby: A Memoir of (In)fertility has won the Vine Award for Canadian Jewish Literature in the non-fiction category, the gold medal of the Independent Publisher's (IPPY) Award in the graphic novel category, and the gold medal of the Foreword Indies Award in the graphic novel category. It is also on the American Library Association's 2021 list of graphic novels to read. Myriam has written articles for Birthing Magazine, She Knows, and the CBC. Her work has also been included in two anthologies: Choosing Single Parenthood: Stories From Solo Parents by Choice, and Bloom Where You Are Planted. She is currently working on her second graphic novel, entitled Stick, Stay, Grow.

Thank you for listening!

This episode is made possible by Puzzle Brew's Fertility Tea: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/fertility-tea/

Follow Myriam on Instagram: @‌catalogue_baby

Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram: @‌kela_healthcoach

Get your FREE Fertility Meal Plan: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/

FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: The disclosure that follows is intended to fully comply with the Federal Trade Commission's policy of the United States that requires to be transparent about any and all affiliate relations the Company may have on this show. You should assume that some of the product mentions and discount codes given are "affiliate links", a link with a special tracking code This means that if you use one of these codes and purchase the item, the Company may receive an affiliate commission. This is a legitimate way to monetize and pay for the operation of the Website, podcast, and operations and the Company gladly reveals its affiliate relationships to you. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, the Company only recommends products or services the Company believes will add value to its users. The Hormone Puzzle Society and Dr. Kela will receive up to 30% affiliate commission depending on the product that is sponsored on the show.

For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at [email protected]

In episode #287 of The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, our guest Jaclyn Downs, talks about Navigating the Impact of Genetics on Your Fertility Journey.

More about Jaclyn:

Jaclyn Downs is a Functional Nutrigenomics Consultant that has a passion for fertility optimization and reproductive wellness. She is the author of the book "Enhancing Fertility through Functional Medicine" (Routledge/CRC Press). Her book discusses common, but lesser-known, root causes of inflammation with topics on oxalates, mold toxicity, iron dysregulation, phase 2 liver detox pathways, and covers the genetics related to these topics.

Through the use of functional lab testing, detailed health history, symptoms, genetics, environmental and epigenetic influences, she works with fertility practitioners and clients to give them insight and tools to better determine root causes for reproductive challenges. She also is certified in Functional Genomic Analysis and offers personalized nutrigenomic interpretations.

Additionally, Jaclyn has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Drexel University and a master's degree in holistic nutrition, and certifications as a health coach, doula, and yoga instructor.

Thank you for listening!

This episode is made possible by the Solving Infertility Summit: www.solving-infertility.com

Don't miss the FREE Solving Infertility Summit. It's a gathering of top women's health experts from around the globe, all sharing their insights on fertility and hormone health.

Visit www.solving-infertility.com to register. I hope you'll join us for this incredible event.

Follow Jaclyn on Instagram: @‌functionalfertilitysolutions

Get a FREE Guide - How Genetic Testing Can Solve "Unexplained" Infertility HERE.

Follow Dr. Kela on Instagram: @‌kela_healthcoach

Get your FREE Fertility Meal Plan: https://hormonepuzzlesociety.com/

FTC Affiliate Disclaimer: The disclosure that follows is intended to fully comply with the Federal Trade Commission's policy of the United States that requires to be transparent about any and all affiliate relations the Company may have on this show. You should assume that some of the product mentions and discount codes given are "affiliate links", a link with a special tracking code This means that if you use one of these codes and purchase the item, the Company may receive an affiliate commission. This is a legitimate way to monetize and pay for the operation of the Website, podcast, and operations and the Company gladly reveals its affiliate relationships to you. The price of the item is the same whether it is an affiliate link or not. Regardless, the Company only recommends products or services the Company believes will add value to its users. The Hormone Puzzle Society and Dr. Kela will receive up to 30% affiliate commission depending on the product that is sponsored on the show.

For sponsorship opportunities, email HPS Media at [email protected]