The Strength in Hormones Podcast

Episode 123: Your Guide to Correcting Insulin Resistance

Your Guide to Correcting Insulin Resistance
If you're struggling with fatigue, stubborn weight gain, or irregular cycles, insulin resistance could be at the root. Insulin Resistance affects far more than just blood sugar. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know to identify, understand, and correct insulin resistance.
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
How to spot insulin resistance and confirm it with the right labs
Common symptoms you might be overlooking
The connection between insulin resistance, PCOS, thyroid health, and fertility
Why the “just cut carbs and exercise more” approach doesn’t work
Nutrient deficiencies that can worsen insulin resistance
How mitochondrial health impacts energy, metabolism, and blood sugar
Hormone shifts in perimenopause and menopause and their effect on insulin sensitivity
Practical strategies for using carbs, fats, and exercise to improve insulin function
Which labs to track and the optimal ranges for monitoring your progress
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Find out if you're experiencing insulin resistance with our Blood Sugar Hormone Testing Package
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Episode 122: Case Study: How She Resolved Her Acne, Chronic Bloating & Got Pregnant with Ease

Case Study: How She Resolved Her Acne, Chronic Bloating & Got Pregnant with Ease
In this episode, I share a powerful case study of a client struggling with bloating, acne, low cortisol, and low progesterone — symptoms that had left her feeling hopeless after working with multiple practitioners.
We take a deep dive into what was actually going on behind the scenes, including:
Brain-to-ovary communication imbalances
Gut microbiome and digestive juice issues
Mold, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors
Elevated blood sugar response from “healthy” meals
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
Adrenal and nervous system dysregulation
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
I walk you through how we addressed each of these root causes to help her finally feel balanced, energized, and — most importantly — get pregnant with ease.
Whether you’ve been struggling with persistent gut or hormone issues, or just want to understand the power of root-cause healing, this episode breaks down the exact systems we targeted and why a surface-level approach isn’t enough.
Important show links 👇👇👇
Get your hormones tested- learn more about our hormone testing packages
Work with us 1:1 for root cause healing - $300 off through 10/25/25
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Episode 121: Behind the Scenes of My Career Path: Your Questions Answered

Behind the Scenes of My Career Path: Your Questions Answered
This is a long overdue podcast episode that you have been asking for, for YEARS!In this episode, I answer the questions I get most often about my career journey, how I built my practice, and the trainings that shaped my approach.You can also find more specifics on this over at functionalfueling.com/about. I hope this episode helps guide you on your career path!A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇• How a functional nutrition undergrad & grad school program gave me a systems-first lens that guides my work today• Lessons from working as a sports dietitian in sports medicine and athlete performance, including interpreting labs, supporting menstrual health, and integrating sports medicine into nutrition practice• How my passion in functional nutrition shifted 5 years in and why I made the transition from sports to internal medicine and how this shaped my philosophy and helped me spot advanced hormone patterns in chronic disease populations• How I use performance data—exercise information, nervous system function, and other sports medicine lab metrics—to identify what truly moves the needle for women of all activity levels• The story behind building Functional Fueling®, some of the advanced trainings I’ve completed, and simple advice for starting a private practice• How I apply systems biology in practice, connecting hormones with other body systems and sequencing care for effective results
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Join my 3 Part Hormone Testing Workshop Series (Clinicians Only) to learn how to spot advanced hormone patterns, analyzing labs and functional nutrition and supplement support: Register Here
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Episode 120: How I Started Solids and What Feeding Looks Like Now

How I Started Solids and What Feeding Looks Like Now
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
How I introduced solids and open-cup drinking: what I prioritized and what I skipped
Green juices for babies: safe bases & what I avoid
The baby products & pantry staples I reach for on repeat & brands we actually use
The key nutrients babies need from 6–24 months & simple ways we cover them
How I prevent constant snacking and build balanced plates
Allergen and grain strategy: why I’m cautious with early grains and how I’m lowering future allergy risk
Low-tox swaps for babies: how I’m cutting down microplastics & endocrine disruptors
Important show links 👇👇👇 
Paleo Jerky discount code 
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Episode 119: [The LOdown] Why You Can't Stay Asleep, What Your Hormones Have to do with it (And How to Fix It)

[The LOdown] Why You Can't Stay Asleep, What Your Hormones Have to do with it (And How to Fix It)
Do you find yourself waking up at 2 or 3 a.m., staring at the ceiling, wondering why you can’t stay asleep? In this week’s episode of The Strength in Hormones Podcast, I dive into the root causes of nighttime waking and what your hormones—like progesterone, thyroid, and cortisol—have to do with it.
You’ll learn why sleep disruptions often flare during certain phases of your cycle, how thyroid function impacts your ability to stay asleep, and practical strategies to finally get deeper, more restorative rest. 
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
00:00 Introduction to Sleep Disturbances04:00 Understanding Sleep Data and Quality10:41 Hormonal Influences on Sleep15:58 Cortisol and Blood Sugar Dynamics with Sleep19:47 Stress and Sleep Quality with Practical Solutions23:01 Testing for Hormonal Imbalances Driving Sleep Disturbances
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Listen to mentioned episode: The Vagus Nerve Solution to Inflammation with Dr. Habib
Get your hormones tested with our DUTCH test, learn more about our hormone testing packages 
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Episode 118: [The LOdown] How to Control Inflammation Around Workouts

[The LOdown] How to Control Inflammation Around Workouts
Inflammation isn’t always the enemy. In fact, it’s exactly what your body needs after a workout to repair muscles, stimulate growth, and get fitter. But when exercise-driven inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to hormonal chaos.
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
✅ The difference between acute (helpful) and chronic (harmful) inflammation
✅ Why short-term oxidative stress from exercise is actually a signal for repair and hypertrophy
✅ Signs your workouts are creating more harm than good
✅ The types of training that create the most oxidative stress vs. lower-stress options
✅ Nutrient timing strategies to better control inflammation and support recovery
✅ How mitochondrial dysfunction, low thyroid, toxins, and nutrient gaps can turn a healthy workout response into damaging chronic inflammation
By the end, you’ll understand how to train in a way that maximizes the benefits of inflammation—without tipping your body into overtraining, poor recovery, or systemic stress.
If you’ve been wondering whether your workouts are helping your hormones—or secretly working against them—this episode is for you.
Important show links 👇👇👇
Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial for our Strength in Hormones program 
Listen to mentioned episodes 
Fueling For Your Workouts 
Mitochondria: Fatigue, Fertility, Thyroid 
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Episode 117: [The LOdown] Minerals for PCOS

[The LOdown] Minerals for PCOS
PCOS is often talked about in terms of hormones, blood sugar, and fertility—but minerals are one of the most overlooked tools for managing symptoms and restoring balance. In this episode of the Strength in Hormones podcast, we explore how specific minerals like magnesium, chromium, zinc, selenium, and electrolytes can directly impact insulin resistance, thyroid health, adrenal function, and hormone balance.
You’ll also learn about the double-edged role of iron in PCOS, why testing matters, and how to individualize your mineral needs for better energy, cycles, and metabolism.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been navigating PCOS for years, this conversation will give you practical, science-backed insight into how minerals can be the missing link in your hormone health journey.
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Why minerals matter for PCOS
Understanding PCOS Diagnosis and Treatment
The Role of Magnesium in PCOS
Chromium and Insulin Resistance
Zinc’s Impact on Androgenic Hormones
Selenium and Thyroid Health and How This Impacts PCOS
Electrolytes and Adrenal PCOS
Iron: The Double-Edged Sword
Testing and Individualizing Mineral Needs
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Doors are open to our program Functional Thyroid Foundations now through 8/24. Learn more and enroll here: functionalfueling.com/functional-thyroid-foundations
Listen to mentioned episodes:
[The LOdown] Minerals for Hypothyroidism
[The LOdown] The Period Issue – Is it PCOS or Hypothalamic Amenorrhea?
Order Mineral Magic at  functionalfueling.com/mineral-magic
use code:podcast15
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Episode 116: [The LOdown] The Root Causes of Women's Hair Loss

[The LOdown] The Root Causes of Women's Hair Loss
If your hair is thinning, shedding faster than it’s growing, or just won’t regain its fullness, the problem may go deeper than shampoo or supplements. In this episode, we uncover how key mineral imbalances—especially zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and iodine—can make or break your hair health.
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
Why low zinc or iron can shorten your hair’s growth phase and trigger excess shedding
How high copper or iron drive oxidative stress and immune dysfunction
The role of the immune system in hair follicle health—and how autoimmunity (like alopecia areata or Hashimoto’s) plays a role
Environmental triggers such as mold, infections, and toxins that sabotage hair growth
How thyroid health (especially low T3, reverse T3 dominance, or Hashimoto’s antibodies) impacts the hair cycle—and why thyroid hormone medication alone may not be enough
The androgen connection: DHT, testosterone, PCOS, insulin resistance, and how stress can ramp up androgen output
Top food sources and supplementation for essential minerals and nutrients that support healthy, strong hair
We’ll also cover lab testing strategies to restore your hair’s natural growth cycle.
If you’ve been told your hair loss is “just aging” or “just genetics,” this episode will give you a deeper, root-cause lens—so you can finally see lasting improvement from the inside out.
 
 Important show links 👇👇👇
Learn more about our hormone testing packages 
Save 15% on my Mineral Magic supplement this month only on with code 'podcast15' atlink: functionalfueling.com/mineral-magic
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Episode 115: [The Lodown] Your Guide to Coming Off Birth Control: What to Expect & How to Support Your Hormones

[The Lodown] Your Guide to Coming Off Birth Control: What to Expect & How to Support Your Hormones
 
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Join waitlist for Inflammation Hormony now
Get your hormones tested with our DUTCH test- learn more about our hormone testing packages 
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Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

Episode 114: Is It Really ADHD? Focus, Hormones & the Functional Medicine Lens with Christa Biegler, RD

Is It Really ADHD? Focus, Hormones & the Functional Medicine Lens with Christa Biegler, RD
In this episode of the Strength in Hormones podcast, we explore the deeper layers behind ADHD—beyond the common diagnosis and medication route. From neurotransmitters and hormones to micronutrients and brain inflammation, we dive into the functional root causes that often get missed. Whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD, suspect it, or just feel chronically unfocused and overwhelmed, this conversation breaks down what's really going on in the body and brain—and where to begin if you want a more holistic, hormone-informed approach to focus and mental clarity.
A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇
What ADHD actually is and how it's typically diagnosed
The current treatment landscape and where it falls short
The role of the thyroid and adrenals in focus and attention
Nutrition and lifestyle approaches for ADHD
Nootropics and cognitive support options
Why addressing endocrine disruptors and stress play a role in ADHD management
Functional vs. conventional approaches to ADHD
 
Important show links 👇👇👇
Join our Inflammation Hormony program today
Learn more about Christa's practice Less Stressed Life at www.christabiegler.com
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