Strong + Unfiltered: Perimenopause, Hormones, Gut Health + Metabolic Optimization

Understanding your menstrual cycle is one of the most powerful ways to understand your health, yet many women were never taught how their cycle actually works.

In this episode, Danielle sits down with a registered nurse and certified fertility educator to talk about fertility awareness, cycle tracking, ovulation, and how these tools can help women better understand their hormones throughout different stages of life.

They discuss why ovulation matters far beyond fertility, how fertility awareness methods compare to hormonal birth control, and why accurate hormone testing depends heavily on timing within the cycle.

The conversation also explores how tracking changes during perimenopause, signs that hormone replacement therapy may be worth considering, and the reality many women face when their symptoms are dismissed in conventional healthcare settings.

You'll also hear practical advice for improving cycle health, what women with consistently healthy cycles tend to do differently, and one surprisingly simple nervous system tool that can make a bigger difference than most people expect.

Ashley is a nurse, certified fertility awareness educator, and hormone health coach—and the creator of The Hippie Martha. A birth nerd, hormone junkie, and holistic fairy godmother, she blends strong clinical skills with cycle literacy, pattern recognition, and whole-body assessment to use the menstrual cycle as a powerful detective tool.

LINKS:

HRT Discovery call

Hormone strategy session

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Histamine intolerance and MCAS are being talked about everywhere right now, but most conversations focus on food lists, supplements, and restriction.

In this episode, Danielle sits down with a certified functional nutrition practitioner to explore a different perspective, the role of the nervous system in chronic reactivity, inflammation, and histamine-related symptoms.

They discuss why some people seem to become more sensitive to foods, environments, and stress as they get older, and how nervous system state may influence everything from histamine release to sleep quality.

You'll also hear a deeper conversation about why many healing approaches encourage people to disconnect from their bodies, why that can backfire, and what it actually looks like to help the body feel safe again.

If you've been dealing with symptoms that feel random, overwhelming, or impossible to figure out, this episode offers a different framework for understanding what might be happening.

Jennifer Parkinson is a Certified Functional Nutrition Practitioner. As the founder of EDS Nutritionist, Jennifer specializes in supporting individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) who are struggling with chronic pain, fatigue, brain fog, gut dysfunction, and daily instability.

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Dr. Jessica Lee is a double board-certified Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon and Lifestyle Medicine physician. She completed her medical training at the University of Mississippi and her surgical residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. Currently practicing with Charleston ENT& Allergy, she is also the founder of Integrative ENT Health, where she focuses on blending conventional surgical expertise with evidence-based lifestyle and integrative therapies. Dr. Lee has published and spoken widely on the role of airway, sinus, and gut health in chronic inflammatory diseases, and her clinical work emphasizes patient-centered, multidisciplinary care for chronic rhinosinusitis and related airway conditions. She serves on national committees within the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and is recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Her passion is equipping both patients and colleagues with innovative, whole-person strategies to improve outcomes in chronic sinonasal disease.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• Why you have chronic sinus infections and why they keep recurring
• The real root causes of chronic nasal congestion and sinus pressure
• How repeated oral steroid use can contribute to insulin resistance and osteoporosis
• What to do for a sinus infection without immediately needing antibiotics
• Early intervention strategies to stop illness before it spirals
• The supplements that may help shorten colds and respiratory infections
• When a "recurrent sinus infection" might actually be a migraine disorder
• What causes tonsil stones (tonsilloliths) and why some people keep getting them
• What actually works to prevent and manage tonsil stones
• How stress, sleep, inflammation, and lifestyle affect your immune system and upper airway health

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Kate Kurzhal is a double graduate from Indiana University-Bloomington (Bachelors-2014; Masters-2018) - Go Hoosiers! with proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL). She has been a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Michiana area for 8 years and has owned/ operated Ripple Effect Pediatric Therapy (recently rebranded!) since 2022.

Her areas of expertise include: feeding therapy (especially picky eaters and ARFID), myofunctional therapy and airway-centric care in pediatrics. Kate derives much of her "why" as a therapist from her experiences in motherhood. As a soon to be Mom of four under 5, she knows each child truly is unique but also deserves strong advocacy for individualized whole child care.

She says,"Much of my passion to serve and support Michiana families is derived from my own recognition that it truly does "take a village" and I enjoy being part of the "villages" I serve."

When she's not advocating for healthier feeding, stronger habits, and clearer communication, you can find her down a rabbit hole of true crime (shoutout Crime Junkies!), at a 5 am workout, playing with her girls, cheering on The Irish or enjoying the hidden gem of South Bend - Taqueria Chicago (IYKYK).

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• What myofunctional therapy is, and why both kids and adults need an evaluation
• Why lisps and "off" speech sounds can signal airway or oral function issue
• How chronic mouth breathing affects sleep, behavior, focus, and overall healt
• The connection between airway dysfunction and ADHD symptoms in childre
• Pediatric airway red flags most pediatricians don't routinely screen fo
• When to stop pacifier use and thumb sucking, and how it impacts jaw developmen
• Why every child should have an airway evaluation by age si
• What ARFID is (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and how it shows up in kid
• The simple habit of nasal hygiene, including why blowing your nose daily matters

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Alexa Larangeira is a Registered Dietitian with expertise in managing metabolic and gut health, and a personal goal of improving her patients' quality of life. She specializes in disorders of the gut-brain axis and insulin resistance, using a weight-neutral, evidence-based approach that prioritizes sustainability over restriction and short-term gain.

Known for being both clinically sharp, nonjudgmental, and unapologetically real, Alexa helps clients feel better in their bodies without spiraling into rigid food rules, fear, or perfectionism. She challenges diet culture while still honoring metabolic health — blending science, compassion, and lived experience to create meaningful, lasting change.

Alexa believes strength isn't about shrinking yourself or chasing control — it's about building resilience, body trust, and measurable health outcomes.

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• Why many women are afraid to go to the gym, and how gym culture impacts body image
• GLP-1 companies marketing to people with eating disorders, and why that's dangerous
• Is it actually binge eating, or are you chronically under-fueling?
• What MUST be in place before starting GLP-1 medications (nutrition, strength training, mental health support)
• Why yo-yo dieting and weight cycling are harming your metabolism
• Why muscle mass should be treated like a vital sign
• The rise in male eating disorders and body image pressure
• Bigorexia explained: what muscle dysmorphia really is
• Long-term safety concerns with peptides and unregulated weight loss compounds
• Why food sensitivity testing is misleading (and often useless)
• Subtle signs of disordered eating most people miss
• Alkaline water myths, and what actually matters for hydration
• Do you really need electrolytes, or is it just marketing?
• Is fast food actually cheaper than healthy eating? Let's look at the numbers
• Why most people need fewer supplements, not more (our top 4 essentials)

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Jess Wallace - adventure host, travel lover, online business manager, teacher turned entrepreneur and promoter of living a big, authentic + full life is back on the pod! She specializes in helping female entrepreneurs thrive in their businesses.

Jess and Danielle host all women adventure trips to create a space for women to connect, see the world together, make lifelong friends, and unlock core memories. We love getting women outside, connecting, adventuring, betting on themselves, taking up space, doing it scared, building confidence, living big + chasing magic.

In this episode, we chat about:

• The personal announcement I've been sitting on (and why it matters)
• Why women need testosterone, too, especially in perimenopause and beyond
• How to find HRT in Utah, and what to look for in a hormone provider
• Supporting small businesses: why your referrals and shares actually matter
• Facts don't care about your feelings. Even when it comes to health and nutrition.
• Internet meltdowns vs real activism in wellness spaces
• Why "food noise" might actually be under-eating and poor nourishment
• The ongoing issues with GLP-1 medications and metabolic health
• Behind the scenes of building a scrappy health business
• Join us in Patagonia November 2026

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Kira Roe is a chiropractor who graduated from Life Chiropractic College West in 2024. She currently practices in Florida, where she focuses on pregnancy and pediatric care and enjoys working with young athletes to help them stay healthy and active. Kira takes a whole-body approach to care, recognizing that true healing happens when every system of the body is considered. She is passionate about identifying and addressing the root cause of issues rather than simply treating symptoms, helping her patients achieve lasting wellness and optimal performance. WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• Is sitting really "the new smoking"? The impact of sedentary lifestyles on back pain and metabolic health
• Why being sedentary is one of the biggest drivers of chronic pain
• How strength training and athleticism protect you from injury
• Why avoiding movement actually makes back pain worse
• The truth about chiropractic adjustments, nothing is being "put back in place"
• How building muscle improves chronic low back pain
• When back surgery is necessary and when it might not be
• TRT in men: benefits, risks, and when testosterone replacement may be harming you
• Peptides and musculoskeletal recovery, hype vs reality
• The pressure on healthcare providers to sacrifice their own health
• Chiropractic care during pregnancy: what to look for in a provider
• Adjustments to avoid during pregnancy, including labor-inducing techniques
• Can chiropractic help with uterine positioning and pelvic alignment?

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WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:

• The biggest breast cancer risk factor no one wants to say out loud
• How chronic under-eating and dieting impact hormones and long-term health
• Why breakfast actually matters for blood sugar, cortisol, and appetite regulation
• The real reason you're bingeing or overeating at night (hint: it's not willpower)
• How to tell if you're actually eating enough for your body and activity level
• How much food you really need to eat (yes, we give numbers, and yes, people hate it)
• GLP-1s again, what they're doing well, where they're being misused, and why context matters
• How food and nutrition became politicized and why that's making people sicker, not healthier
• Practical tips for eating well while traveling or on the go without spiraling into restriction

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Jess Wallace - adventure host, travel lover, online business manager, teacher turned entrepreneur and promoter of living a big, authentic + full life is back on the pod! She specializes in helping female entrepreneurs thrive in their businesses.

Jess and Danielle host all women adventure trips to create a space for women to connect, see the world together, make lifelong friends, and unlock core memories. We love getting women outside, connecting, adventuring, betting on themselves, taking up space, doing it scared, building confidence, living big + chasing magic.

In this episode, we chat about:

• Why people are being pushed toward "dialysis" without true kidney failure (and what that says about modern medicine)
• Oprah, the "obesity gene" narrative, and why oversimplified genetics are doing real harm
• How GLP-1 medications can worsen or mask disordered eating behaviors
• Why GLP-1s don't fix metabolic dysfunction, they just mute the symptoms
• The number one, actually useful recommendation for anxiety (hint: it's not another supplement)
• Why relying on insurance-driven healthcare keeps people stuck and under-treated
• What most people are missing when they say "I've tried everything" for metabolic health
• Real talk on Jess's hormone journey, labs, symptoms, etc
• How metabolism, hormones, mental health, and nutrition are deeply interconnected
• A brief but necessary detour into the Helen Keller conspiracy discourse (because the internet is wild)

Get more info about Mindset. Movement. Metabolism Group Coaching!

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Megan Crozier is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) and Restorative Wellness Practitioner specializing in women's hormones, digestion, and metabolism. She helps health-conscious women who feel like they're "doing everything right" uncover the real why behind symptoms like bloating, low energy, PMS, mood issues, and stubborn weight changes—so they can stop relying on trendy diets and finally get real answers. Her work combines functional lab testing with an individualized, root-cause nutrition approach that supports the whole body and prioritizes sustainable, non-restrictive habits.

In this episode we chat about:

• Long COVID symptoms in women and why histamine issues are often missed
• Histamine intolerance vs MCAS: how to tell which one you're dealing with
• Hormone fluctuations and histamine: why your menstrual cycle can worsen symptoms
• Why ovulation can make you feel sick, anxious, inflamed, or exhausted
• Why gut healing protocols and DIY gut fixes don't always work for histamine or MCAS
• Supplements that backfire in histamine intolerance and mast cell conditions
• Why "trying everything" isn't the same as addressing root causes
• The connection between trauma, nervous system dysregulation, and physical symptoms
• Why exercise isn't always a healthy coping mechanism (even if it feels productive)
• A real talk moment: why we treat our dogs' health better than our own and what that says about wellness culture

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