Today, we’re stepping into the early luteal phase. That soft exhale after ovulation when your energy begins to turn inward. If the ovulatory phase was your full bloom, this is the golden hour that follows: warm, grounded, and quietly powerful. 

We’ll explore what’s happening hormonally as progesterone begins to rise, why your cravings or sensitivity might shift, and how gentle nourishment can help stabilize both mood and blood sugar. This episode is all about moving from performance to presence, supporting your body through slower mornings, grounding meals, and mindful movement. 

We'll discuss:
 -How progesterone changes your blood sugar and energy needs
 -Why your body may crave more carbs (and how to choose the right ones)
 -The best approach to fasting in this phase, think soft regulation, not restriction
 -How to honor emotional and physical boundaries as your body moves inward 

Take a breath, grab something warm to sip, and let’s explore how to steady yourself in this beautifully tender part of the cycle. 

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💌 Connect with me on Facebook & Substack (Kimberly Thornton), Instagram, TikTok, and Lemon8 (@momof_thor_boys) to learn more about The BLOOM + Balance Method.

✨ Take a breath, root into your body, and rise into your best self!

 This is your power phase.

Your energy is high, your mind is sharp, your confidence is amplified, and your body is primed to perform.

In this episode we break down how to fuel, fast, move, and live during the Ovulatory Phase (often around days 12-16) so you can take full advantage of your natural rhythm. 

We will walk through how to optimize your workouts, support blood sugar, and use this phase to create momentum and magnetism in your life.

Plus: a guided refection to help you show up boldly, fully, an authentically this week. 

Follow The Kimberly Thornton Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💌 Connect with me on Facebook & Substack (Kimberly Thornton), Instagram, TikTok, and Lemon8 (@momof_thor_boys) to learn more about The BLOOM + Balance Method.

✨ Take a breath, root into your body, and rise into your best self!

Today, we're stepping into the Growing Phase, the time of rising energy, expanding focus, and building momentum. In the BLOOM + Balance Method, this phase follows the Shedding Phase (your menstrual reset) and ushers in renewal as hormones begin to rise again, giving you more vitality, motivation, and creative potential.

Think of it like spring: your body is blooming, metabolism is waking up, and energy is ready to expand. In this episode, we’ll explore how to fast smartly, nourish optimally, and move intentionally to align with your body’s natural rhythm instead of working against it.

You’ll learn:

 -The biology and energy shifts of the early follicular phase

 -How to approach fasting during a time of rising estrogen and improved insulin sensitivity

 -The key nutrients that support strength, metabolism, and hormone synthesis

 -The best ways to train and move your body in this higher-energy window

 -A guided reflection to help you channel your growing energy with purpose

By the end, you’ll know how to support your metabolism, stabilize blood sugar, and build strength from the inside out... all while honoring your body’s natural flow.

Tune in today to reconnect with your energy, your rhythm, and your potential for growth! 

Follow The Kimberly Thornton Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💌 Connect with me on Facebook & Substack (Kimberly Thornton), Instagram, TikTok, and Lemon8 (@momof_thor_boys) to learn more about The BLOOM + Balance Method.

✨ Take a breath, root into your body, and rise into your best self!

In this episode, we explore one of the most sacred parts of your cycle: the shedding phase. Also knows as the menstrual phase, this is your body's natural time to release, rest, and renew.

Together, we'll walk through how to support yourself through gentle fasting, nourishing foods, restorative movement, and mindful reflection so you can move through this phase feeling grounded, cared for, and aligned with your body's rhythm. 

Take a deep breath, slow down, and let your body lead the way. 

References & Resources 

1. Hormonal Shifts & Performance:
Dewey, R., et al. Effects of the menstrual cycle phase on exercise performance in eumenorrheic women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 2020. PMC7497427

– Research shows that while hormonal changes can slightly influence performance metrics, the overall impact is small. Listening to your body and adjusting intensity is far more beneficial than pushing through fatigue. 

2. Gentle Fasting & Stress Response:
Longo, V. D., & Panda, S. Fasting, circadian rhythms, and time-restricted feeding in healthy lifespan. Cell Metabolism, 2016. PMC4551691

– Short, overnight fasts (12–14 hours) may support metabolic balance and parasympathetic recovery when approached gently. 

3. Fasting During Menstruation:
Australian MindBody (2023). Cycle syncing and fasting: When to fast and when to fuel.
– Suggests beginning gentle fasting around days 3–5 of menstruation, allowing the body time to honor early shedding before reintroducing fasting windows. 

4. Nourishment & Menstrual Health:
Cleveland Clinic (2024). What to Eat During Your Period: Foods That Help Ease Symptoms.
– Highlights the role of anti-inflammatory foods, stable blood sugar, and hydration in supporting menstrual health and energy during the shedding phase. 

5. Movement & Cycle Awareness:
Rupa Health (2023). Cycle Syncing Workouts: How to Move in Harmony with Your Hormones.
– Encourages restorative movement (walking, yoga, stretching) during the menstrual phase to support circulation, lymphatic flow, and emotional release. 

Follow The Kimberly Thornton Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💌 Connect with me on Facebook & Substack (Kimberly Thornton), Instagram, TikTok, and Lemon8 (@momof_thor_boys) to learn more about The BLOOM + Balance Method.

✨ Take a breath, root into your body, and rise into your best self!

 What if the secret to steady energy and balanced hormones isn’t eating less—but eating in rhythm with your body?

In this episode, we explore how to fuel your body the right way by aligning your meals and fasting windows with your natural hormonal and circadian cycles. You’ll learn what to eat, when to eat, and how to use fasting as a supportive tool instead of a stressor.

We’ll walk through how your body’s needs shift through each phase of your cycle. From lighter, energizing meals during your follicular phase to grounding, nourishing foods during your luteal and menstrual phases and how to match fasting durations accordingly.

Follow The Kimberly Thornton Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💌 Connect with me on Facebook & Substack (Kimberly Thornton), Instagram, TikTok, and Lemon8 (@momof_thor_boys) to learn more about The BLOOM + Balance Method.

✨ Take a breath, root into your body, and rise into your best self!

What if when you eat matters just as much as what you eat?

In this episode, we dive into chrononutrition (the science of aligning your meals and fasting windows with your body's natural rhythms. You'll learn how meal timing influences your hormones, metabolism, energy, and even your sleep.

We'll talk about intermitten fast and time-restricted eating through a female physiology lens, what the research actually supports, when fasting helps (and when it backfires), and how to experiment safely without disrupting your cycle or stress response.

By the end, you'll know how to use food timing as a gentle, sustainable tool to steady your blood sugar, improve your energy, and sync your body with its natural rhythm.

**Listener Challenge** Try one small shift this week: move dinner 30 minutes earlier or shorten your eating window by one hour and notice how your body responds

Follow The Kimberly Thornton Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💌 Connect with me on Facebook & Substack (Kimberly Thornton), Instagram, TikTok, and Lemon8 (@momof_thor_boys) to learn more about The BLOOM + Balance Method.

✨ Take a breath, root into your body, and rise into your best self!

Do you hit a wall between 1 and 4 PM? The heavy eyelids, brain fog, and sudden drop in productivity (what most of us call the "afternoon crash") is more than just bad luck.

In this episode, I break down why it happens, what the research shows, and the simple fixes you can use to restore energy and focus. You'll learn:

• The biology behind the mid-afternoon slump (circadian rhythms, blood sugar swings, hormones, and more)
• Habits that make the crash worse—like meal timing, caffeine, and sleep patterns
• Quick fixes you can try today to feel more energized and clear-headed
• Longer-term lifestyle shifts that keep your energy steady for good
• A real-life case study showing how small changes can eliminate the 3 PM wall

By the end, you’ll walk away with a practical toolkit to keep your afternoons productive—and your energy balanced.

 Press play and let’s dive in! 

Follow The Kimberly Thornton Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💌 Connect with me on Facebook & Substack (Kimberly Thornton), Instagram, TikTok, and Lemon8 (@momof_thor_boys) to learn more about The BLOOM + Balance Method.

✨ Take a breath, root into your body, and rise into your best self!

If you're trying to balance your blood sugar or hormones but still struggling with mood swings, cravings, or low energy -- you might be making one of these common mistakes.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the 3 biggest pitfalls I see women fall into when it comes to blood sugar and hormone health and what to do instead so you can finally feel like yourself again. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

-The most overlooked mistake women make when trying to balance hormones naturally

-How blood sugar actually impacts things like sleep, cravings, skin, and fertility

Simple shifts you can make today to support energy, mood, and hormone balance

Whether you're navigating PMS, perimenopause, or just wanting more steady energy, this episode will give you tools to stop guessing and start healing. 

Tune in now and lets BLOOM together!

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2  Rosmond R. (2005). Role of stress in the patho...   

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4  Johnston JD, et al. (2016). Chrononutrition: c...   

                                 PubMed Link  

0  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25926513/ 

1  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27287096/ 

2  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15808912/ 

3  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27321094/ 

4  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26903988/ 

Follow The Kimberly Thornton Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💌 Connect with me on Facebook & Substack (Kimberly Thornton), Instagram, TikTok, and Lemon8 (@momof_thor_boys) to learn more about The BLOOM + Balance Method.

✨ Take a breath, root into your body, and rise into your best self!

Welcome to the very first episode of The Kimberly Thornton Podcast!

In this episode, I'm sharing the story behind why I created this space, what you can expect in the weeks ahead, and my heart for helping women feel like themselves again.

We'll talk about the inspiration behind this space, the kinds of conversations you can look forward to, and why tuning into your body is the most powerful step you can take towards healing. 

If you've ever felt "off," struggled with hormones or blood sugar, or just wanted a place to reconnect with your true self - you're in the right place. 

Click "subscribe" button so you don't miss what's next! 

Follow The Kimberly Thornton Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💌 Connect with me on Facebook & Substack (Kimberly Thornton), Instagram, TikTok, and Lemon8 (@momof_thor_boys) to learn more about The BLOOM + Balance Method.

✨ Take a breath, root into your body, and rise into your best self!

I’m Kimberly Thornton, Functional Health Practitioner and creator of The BLOOM + Balance Method. This teaser gives you a glimpse into how Root + Rise helps women balance hormones, stabilize blood sugar, and reclaim their energy — so you can root into your body and rise into your best self.

Follow The Kimberly Thornton Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💌 Connect with me on Facebook & Substack (Kimberly Thornton), Instagram, TikTok, and Lemon8 (@momof_thor_boys) to learn more about The BLOOM + Balance Method.

✨ Take a breath, root into your body, and rise into your best self!