Endometriosis, adenomyosis, infertility, and a messed up medical system—Amanda’s story is a heavy one, but it’s the reality for so many of us navigating the endo world.

After eight surgeries (ablation and excision surgery) and the emotional rollercoaster of failed fertility treatments, Amanda finally opted for a hysterectomy. She bravely and candidly tells her story from cancer to cysts to endo, shedding so much light on what living with this disease actually looks like.

In this episode, we get into the mindfuck of dealing with fertility issues and endometriosis. Despite specifically asking not to be there, Amanda was placed in the maternity ward post-hysterectomy, which apparently happens more often than you'd think. (Cruel, right?)

Imagine trying to heal from losing your fertility while a chime plays over the loudspeaker every single time a baby is born. It’s a level of systemic negligence that is hard to wrap your head around.

We’re talking about:

• Ablations & Bad Surgeries: Why burning endo tissue (ablation) is often a band-aid (kinda?) that causes more harm than good, and why you need to hold out for an excision specialist.
• The "Whiny Woman" Myth: Amanda opens up about being labeled a "difficult" or "whiny" patient by hospital staff and how that gaslighting and bias impacts recovery.
• The WTF Moment: Amanda shares an all-too-common experience of learning via the internet that her surgeon performed the wrong surgery for endo. We should be able to trust our surgeons over a Facebook group, yet that community was what led her to an actual endometriosis excision specialist.
• Finding Peace: How Amanda is finally sharing her story on her own terms and what her health looks like today.

If you’ve ever been told that ablation was your only option, or if you’ve been told a hysterectomy is a "simple cure," this episode is for you. Amanda is living proof that we have to be our own loudest advocates.

Today we’re welcoming Chelsea Jambo, the founder and CEO of OURbody, a hormonal wellness brand that is fighting period pain, supporting menstrual wellness, and drawing a line in the sand for women’s healthcare.

This conversation with Chelsea felt like a collective exhale. It was raw, it was cathartic, and it touched on the exact reasons why "The Health Class She Deserves" exists in the first place. (Period pain is not normal!)

Chelsea’s journey started in corporate boardrooms where she was expected to "power through" debilitating period pain, and it reached a breaking point when she was denied a basic breast cancer screening at 24 because she was "too young, "despite her family history.

If you’ve ever been told your pain is "normal," been dismissed by a doctor, or felt like you had to shrink your physical needs to succeed in a male-dominated career, this episode is your permission slip to demand more.

Our conversation highlights:

• The "too young" trap: Chelsea shares her frustrating experience of being refused breast cancer screening and how she advocates for her health.
• The abnormality of pain: Why we have normalized suffering for so long and how to reframe the narrative that "pain is just part of being a woman."
• The corporate sacrifice: A look at the invisible toll women pay when leading in male-dominated spaces while navigating hormonal health.
• The pillars of OURbody: exploring how transparency, community, and radical self-kindness became the foundation of her brand and her teas.

Chelsea’s story is a powerful reminder that we have to be the change we want to see in the world. OURbody isn't just a wellness brand: It’s a movement rooted in the belief that you deserve a balanced, pain-free life.

OURbody website: https://www.ourbody.ca/shop-all

explore the certified organic herbal blends for menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause discussed in the episode.

follow OURbody on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopourbody

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and today’s episode is a heavy hitter.

We are continuing our Her Story series with the incredible Maddie, and let me tell you, this conversation is a rollercoaster. Maddie isn’t just dealing with "painful periods," she’s navigating a complex alphabet soup of diagnoses including Endo, EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), PMDD, and PCOS.

But the core of Maddie’s story is a wake-up call: We’re diving deep into her traumatic surgery experience, the absolute nightmare of not being taken seriously for breast and lymphatic endometriosis (yes, it can grow anywhere!), and the medical negligence that nearly cost her her life.

Maddie is turning her pain into power by advocating for young girls so they never have to face the gaslighting she did. We talk about:

• The Overlap: How EDS and Endo often travel together and complicate everything.
• The Trauma: A raw look at her surgical experience and the "doctor misrepresentation" that led to a life-threatening situation.
• The "Rare" Reality: The struggle to get diagnosed when endo shows up in non-traditional places like the breasts and lymphatic system.
• Medical Menopause: The physical and mental toll of being forced into menopause and the lack of support for women in the thick of it.
• Advocacy: How Maddie is using Her Story to change the future for the next generation of girls and endo warriors.

⚠️ A QUICK HEADS UP: During this episode, Maddie shares some of her actual surgery photos. If you are squeamish or triggered by medical imagery, please use discretion.

Maddie’s strength is infectious, and her story is a reminder that we HAVE to be our own biggest advocates. Grab your heating pad, get cozy, and let’s get into it.

Find an excision specialist near you:
https://icarebetter.com/

Follow Maddie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@endopains__

Medical errors are a leading cause of patient harm, yet most of us walk into a hospital assuming the system is foolproof. The reality? The healthcare system is overwhelmed, and without the right tools, patients (especially women) can easily fall through the cracks.

That’s why we’re welcoming Dr. Julie Siemers to class. Julie is a DNP, nurse educator, and patient safety consultant who has spent over 40 years on the front lines, from trauma helicopters to the Dean’s office. She’s pulling back the curtain on what really happens behind hospital doors and, more importantly, how you can stay safe.

If you have an upcoming surgery, are caring for an aging parent, or have ever felt like "just a number" in a hospital bed, this episode is your survival manual.

Our conversation highlights:

• The "Three Ps" of Advocacy: Why being Polite, Present, and Persistent is the ultimate formula for ensuring you aren't overlooked.
• The Safety Scorecard: How to use professional resources to check a hospital’s patient harm stats before you check in.
• Narrative Consent: Why you should ask your medical team to "talk through" every move they make to catch errors before they happen.
• The Bedside Guardian: Why having a family member present isn't just "nice," it can be a life-saving layer of protection against medical deterioration.
• Questions That Save Lives: The specific scripts and questions you need to ask your surgical and nursing teams to ensure accountability.

Julie shares powerful stories from her career to prove that while the system is flawed, you have the power to be an important, active member of the healthcare team.

Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade: https://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/

Lifebeat Solutions Website: https://drjuliesiemers.com/lifebeat-solutions

Follow Dr. Julie Siemers on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjuliesiemers

If you’ve ever been told your pelvic pain is "normal," or if your ultrasound came back clear while you were doubled over in pain, this episode is for you.

In honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month, we are kicking off a brand-new series on endometriosis with Nicoletta Rasizzi, BSN, RN, the Founder of Elysara Medical & Wellness.

Nicoletta isn’t just a clinician; she’s an endo warrior who has turned her personal journey into a mission to bridge the massive gaps in women’s healthcare. Today, we’re stripping away the myths, "un-branding" endo as a simple period problem, and validating the reality that you are not crazy and there is a reason for your pain.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The "Womb Disease" Myth: Why labeling endo as a uterine issue is medically inaccurate and how that "misbranding" directly harms patients.
• The Diagnostic Gap: Why "clear" MRIs and ultrasounds are leading to years of gaslighting, and how to actually seek a proper diagnosis.
• Endo as a Whole-Body Disease: Understanding the systemic, inflammatory nature of endometriosis that affects more than just your reproductive system.
• Post-Op Care: Why surgery is rarely the end of the story and how women are often left without a roadmap for recovery.
• The Elysara Model: How Nicoletta and her team are changing the landscape of care through inflammatory regulation, hormone balance, and integrative support.

Connect with Nicoletta & Elysara Medical:

• Website: https://elysarawellness.com/endometriosis-management/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elysaramedical/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elysaramedical

About This Series: This is part one of my collaborative series with Elysara Medical. Over the coming weeks, I'll be talking to various professionals to give you a comprehensive toolkit for managing endometriosis and reclaiming your life.

The next installment will be in April, so make sure to follow along with the show so you don't miss it!

What you think you know about endometriosis is probably wrong. It's not your fault though—most doctors get it wrong.

Happy Endometriosis Awareness Month! This is one of the most painful diseases known to medicine, it affects at least 10% of women/afab folk, and it can cause very serious, potentially life-threatening health complications. Even so, it's wildly misunderstood, unfunded, and under-researched.

In the first half of this episode, I'm giving you updates since my surgery in June as well as some of the things I've been doing to manage the pain since then.

Then I move into education and not-so-fun facts about endometriosis. Listen to this episode to hear me bust the myths surrounding this disease.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is more than just a "hormone issue", it’s a full-body endocrine disorder that is severely under-researched and often misdiagnosed. In other words, it affects way more than just the ovaries.

That's why we're welcoming Megan-Marie Stewart to class, founder of the PCOS Awareness Association and PCOS warrior herself to pull back the curtain on what it really means to live with and advocate for this condition.

If you've ever struggled with irregular periods, unexplained weight gain, hair growth in unwanted places (hirsutism), dark patches of skin, acne, infertility, and/or pelvic pain, PCOS may be the culprit and this episode is made for you.

Our conversation highlights:

• The Diagnostic Gap: Why it takes so long for women to get a PCOS diagnosis and how to navigate the medical system.
• Beyond Fertility: Understanding PCOS as a systemic disease affecting mental health, skin, metabolism, and more.
• The Power of Self-Advocacy: How to be your own best health advocate when you feel unheard by doctors.
• Community & Support: The mission of the PCOS Awareness Association and the resources available to you.

Megan shares her personal journey from "PCOS warrior" to a global leader in the movement, proving that while this disease is complex, it is not your fault.

PCOS Awareness Association Website: https://www.pcosaa.org/

Resources page: https://www.pcosaa.org/resources-1

includes the crisis text hotline, laser hair removal, and PCOS research discussed in the episode.

PCOS AA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pcosaa

Ready to simplify your health without breaking the bank?

What's up ladies, this week we're welcoming Rosa Power from Two Raw Sisters to class. We’re diving deep into the philosophy of "Intelligently Lazy" cooking—a game-changer for anyone who wants to eat healthy without the stress, high costs, or restrictive diets.

Rosa opens up about her personal health journey, moving away from the dangerous normalization of overexercising and restrictive eating to find a sustainable balance. We discuss why rituals over restrictions are the key to long-term wellness and how to reclaim your relationship with your body.

In this episode, we cover:

• Intelligently Lazy Cooking: How to simplify healthy meal prep and save time in the kitchen.
• Healthy Eating on a Budget: Practical money-saving grocery shopping tips and affordable food swaps.
• Ditching Diet Culture: Moving past restrictive habits and understanding the impact of social media on body image.
• Women’s Health & Hormones: The importance of understanding the female body and the dangers of losing your period to over-training.
• Wellness Rituals: Why small, consistent changes lead to the biggest impact on your well-being.

Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly nutrition or just want to feel better in your skin, Rosa's & The Two Raw Sister's "intelligently lazy" approach proves that healthy living doesn’t have to be expensive or exhausting. Use the link below to download the Two Raw Sisters app and use the code GIFT4YOU for two weeks completely free!

Get the Two Raw Sisters App & enjoy 2 WEEKS FREE with code GIFT4YOU: https://tworawsisters.app.link/

Two Raw Sister's website: https://www.tworawsisters.com

Two Raw Sister's Podcast: https://www.tworawsisters.com/podcast

Two Raw Sisters on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tworawsisters/

What's up ladies, welcome to class! This week we are learning about *actual* sex education with Jenna Scherma and Ashley Smith, founders of Learn MOBO, and I'm so excited.

Jenna and Ashley saw major gaps in sex education, so they're doing something about it. Learn MOBO is a platform that transforms sex ed from awkward lectures into an engaging, interactive experience that meets educators, parents, and teens where they are.

Their 100% neutral approach to sex ed shouldn't be so radical, but it *feels* that way because of how we've modernly stigmatized sex. It's all just information—information that allows us to make educated, rational, consensual decisions about our bodies and relationships with others. When we teach youth with neutrality instead of fear, stigma, shame, or even positivity, it allows them to form their own opinions based on fact, not feelings.

Jenna and Ashley also put a huge emphasis on what sex education actually is. In other words, it's not just sex! Comprehensive, age-appropriate sex ed should start at a very young age, teaching kids about their anatomy, boundaries, and autonomy.

Read more about Learn MOBO: https://www.learnmobo.com/

Follow Learn MOBO on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/learn_mobo/

Follow Learn MOBO on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@learnmobo

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What's up ladies welcome to class! This week we're talking about something most of us have experienced: Medical gaslighting. I know I've mentioned it many a time on the pod before, but I'm super excited to have Dr. E in class this week so we can dive deep!

Dr. E, aka the NP with a PHD, is an author, speaker, podcaster, and recovering medical gaslighter. Her podcast, The Medical Disruptor, "dismantles the limitations of conventional medicine by blending it with innovative, integrative solutions." In our conversation, we discuss the way medical school trains doctors, why conventional medicine is extremely important, the pitfalls of conventional medicine, and the importance of holistic care.

What is medical gaslighting actually? Are doctors gaslighting us on purpose? What role do we play as patients and how can we advocate for better care? What does a healthy patient-doctor relationship look like?

Dr. E is answering all of these questions and more in this empowerment-packed episode! (p.s., Dr. E's answer to my signature question at the end is one of my favorites so far!)

Listen to Dr. E's podcast: https://www.drefratlamandre.com/e-podcasts

Get Dr. E's first book, It's Not In Your Head: https://www.drefratlamandre.com/first-book

Pre-order Dr. E's new book, It Takes Two: https://www.drefratlamandre.com/new-book

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