Birth is one of the most transformative experiences a woman can go through, yet for so many of us, it's also one of the least understood.

In today's episode, I'm joined by my incredible doula, Anna Maria Boelskov. Anna Maria is a naturopath, herbalist and experienced doula who has spent more than 15 years supporting women through pregnancy and birth. As a first-time mum, meeting Anna Maria completely changed the way I think about labour. She helped me replace fear with confidence, curiosity and trust, and I'm so excited to share her wisdom with you.

Together, we explore what a physiological birth really means, the different birth options women may experience, how to prepare your mind and body in the final weeks of pregnancy, and why your nervous system plays such an important role in labour.

We also discuss the first signs of labour, when to head to hospital, the different stages of labour, how to create a birth environment that supports oxytocin, advocating for yourself while working alongside your care team, and how to navigate decisions around interventions and epidurals with confidence.

Whether you're currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or supporting someone through their birth journey, I hope this conversation leaves you feeling more informed, empowered and excited for what's to come.

As always, this episode is intended to educate and empower. Every pregnancy and birth is unique, so we encourage you to discuss your individual circumstances with your healthcare team.

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Why are so many women iron deficient, and are we overlooking the signs our bodies are giving us?

Today on Selfdom, I’m joined by leading nutritional biochemist Dr Libby Weaver to unpack one of the most common health issues affecting women: iron deficiency.

We explore the difference between low ferritin, iron deficiency and anaemia, the symptoms women often dismiss as “normal,” and the role of menstruation, diet, gut health and iron absorption.

Dr Libby also explains why iron needs increase during pregnancy, what women should know about supplementation and iron infusions, and why ongoing exhaustion, particularly postpartum, can sometimes deserve further investigation.

This episode is about helping women better understand their bodies, ask the right questions and feel empowered when it comes to their health.

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Iron for a day: notes

Please note, this is not a prescribed day (unless it appeals). It is simply to demonstrate how much food, as well as the focus, that is required to obtain the minimum daily requirement for iron to prevent deficiency across the menstruation years when the RDI is 18mg. If periods are heavy or the woman is an athlete or trains like one, her requirements will be even greater. Also, those who eat vegetarian or vegan require 1.8x the RDI to account for lower iron bioavailability since their intake of inhibitory substances is typically higher (e.g. phytic acid, oxalic acid) and all of their iron is in non-haem form.

Omnivorous eater – iron

2 eggs = 1.7mg

1 cup raw spinach (~30g) = 0.5mg

½ tomato = 0.2mg

2 slices good quality bread = 1.3mg

30g cashews = 1.5mg

1 banana = 0.3mg

200g tinned line-caught tuna = 2.2mg

½ cup cooked kidney beans = 1.8mg

1 cup cooked brown rice = 0.8mg

100g mixed vegetables = 0.6mg

2 dried figs = 0.6mg

200g cooked beef or lamb = ~6mg (varies depending on cut; some higher, some lower)

½ cup broccoli = 0.5mg

1 medium potato = 0.6

Total = 18.6mg

Vegetarian/vegan eater – iron

100g muesli with dried fruit and nuts = 4.6mg (the cereal is fortified with synthetic iron)

30g cashews = 1.5mg

1 banana = 0.3mg

1 cup cooked chickpeas = 2.9mg

½ cup broccoli= 0.5mg

1 cup cooked quinoa = 2mg

30g walnuts = 0.8mg

1 slice good quality bread = 0.7mg

1 tbsp peanut butter = 0.3mg

100g firm tofu = 2.9mg

1 cup raw spinach = 0.5mg

100g mixed vegetables = 0.6mg

1 cup cooked brown rice = 0.8mg

Total = 18.4mg (but RDI is really 32.4mg for vegan/vegetarian eaters)

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Joining me today is Sheridan Joy Austin, qualified nutritionist, GAPS practitioner and founder of Foraged For You, a brand dedicated to supporting women through pregnancy and postpartum with nutrient-dense, thoughtfully formulated products.

Pregnancy nutrition can feel incredibly overwhelming. One expert tells you to avoid certain foods, another encourages them, and social media is filled with conflicting advice. In this episode, Sheridan helps us unpack the science behind some of the biggest conversations in pregnancy nutrition so you can feel more informed and empowered.

We discuss the differences between folic acid, folate and folinic acid, whether nutrient-dense foods like liver and oysters really deserve their bad reputation, the role of healthy fats, iodine, magnesium and iron during pregnancy, and why nutrition should never be a one-size-fits-all approach.

We also chat about glucose tolerance testing, postpartum recovery, how to navigate conflicting nutrition advice online, and the story behind why Sheridan created Foraged For You after recognising a gap in the market for truly nourishing pregnancy and postpartum products.

As always, this episode is designed to educate and empower. Every pregnancy is unique, so we encourage you to speak with your healthcare team about what is right for you.

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How do you turn something you genuinely love into a brand that reaches millions of people?

Today on Selfdom, I’m joined by Emica Penklis, naturopath, nutritionist and founder of Loco Love, to hear the story behind one of Australia’s most loved conscious chocolate brands.

Long before Loco Love became the brand it is today, Emica’s own health journey led her to study naturopathy and nutrition, explore meditation and rethink her relationship with food. Eventually, her love of cacao and creating chocolate with her hands evolved into something much bigger.

We talk about the early days of Loco Love, building a business before functional foods and conscious wellness became mainstream, the moments Emica wanted to give it all up, her biggest business lessons and how she has protected the integrity of the brand as it has grown.

This is a conversation about trusting your intuition, building with purpose and what can happen when you turn something you deeply believe in into a business.

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As I near the end of my pregnancy, I’m sharing 10 of the biggest lessons the past nine months have taught me, and surprisingly, most of them have very little to do with pregnancy.

From redefining what it actually means to be “healthy” and letting go of perfection, to learning to slow down, ask for help, prioritise sleep and move my body without aesthetics being the goal, pregnancy has completely changed the way I think about wellness.

I also chat about our obsession with optimisation, why ordering the “healthiest” thing on the menu isn’t always the healthiest choice, the importance of food and supplementation, authenticity online and why I have more respect for mothers than ever before.

Whether you’re pregnant or not, I hope this episode encourages you to slow down, listen to your body and remember that enjoying your life is part of being healthy too.

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Bringing home a newborn can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to sleep. In this episode, paediatrician Dr Daniel Golshevsky (Dr Golly) shares the number one thing every new parent should know before their baby arrives, practical newborn sleep hacks that actually work, and how to build healthy sleep habits without fear or unrealistic expectations.

We also dive into why putting the mother first during the postpartum period isn't selfish, it's essential. From managing sleep deprivation to supporting your mental health and navigating the early weeks with more confidence, this conversation is packed with evidence-based advice that every expecting and new parent needs to hear.

Whether you're pregnant, preparing for birth or already in the newborn bubble, this episode will leave you feeling calmer, more informed and far less alone.

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I’m officially 35 weeks pregnant, and things are starting to feel very real!

In this solo episode, I’m sitting down for a big pregnancy Q&A and life update as we enter the final few weeks before Baby Bull arrives. I’m sharing everything from our baby shower and why we chose meaningful keepsakes over traditional games, to my iron infusion, nesting mode and turning our house upside down getting ready for baby.

I’m also answering your questions about pregnancy anxiety, why we’re waiting until birth to find out the gender, my birth intentions, postpartum recovery plans, maternity leave, body image, maternity style and what I’m most excited about when it comes to becoming a mum.

Plus, I share how grief has shaped the way I think about growing our family and why this next chapter feels so incredibly special.

A very honest life lately from 35 weeks pregnant. Baby Bull, we are almost ready for you. 

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Erika De Pellegrin, founder and host of The Balance Theory, joins me to chat about her journey from a lawyer to building one of Australia’s leading wellness podcasts.

We dive into how she started and grew The Balance Theory, the realities of building a successful podcast and personal brand, and the lessons she’s learnt along the way. We also explore motherhood, ambition, identity, comparison and how entering this new season of life has completely shifted her perspective on what balance and success really mean.

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In this Q&A episode, dietitian and The Nude Nutritionist Lyndi Cohen is back to answer your biggest questions about food and nutrition. We chat about why resisting junk food can sometimes make you want it even more, what to do when you feel like everything upsets your gut, whether seed oils really deserve their bad reputation, and how to navigate all the conflicting nutrition advice online.

If you’ve ever wondered what you should actually be eating for your health, without turning food into another thing to stress about, this episode is for you.

Is wellness culture actually making us healthier, or is it just diet culture in disguise?

In this episode of Selfdom, I sit down with dietitian Lyndi Cohen, also known as The Nude Nutritionist, to unpack our increasingly complicated relationship with food, weight and our bodies.

We talk about binge and emotional eating, food noise, intuitive eating and why trying to eat “perfectly” can sometimes leave us feeling more out of control. Lyndi also breaks down some of the biggest wellness trends, including clean eating, intermittent fasting, carnivore diets, seed oils, ultra-processed foods and glucose spikes.

We also dive into GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, what they do to appetite and food noise, the nutritional considerations that can be overlooked, and what can happen when you stop taking them.

A refreshing conversation about cutting through the noise and finding a healthier, more balanced relationship with food.

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