Before the Positive Test: Why Pregnancy Prep Matters More Than Ever with Brittany Metka

In this episode I sat down with Brittany Metka from The cycology lab to talk about what it really looks like to prepare for pregnancy in today’s world — a world filled with toxins, stress, and confusing advice.This episode is full of actionable tips, compassionate insight, and validation for anyone who’s trying to do pregnancy prep better, not harder.Listen in to hear us talk about:Why the modern world is making fertility harder — and what you can do about itHow Brittany uncovered root issues through functional lab testingThe role of blood sugar, muscle strength, and a colorful diet in fertility prepWhy nervous system regulation and stress relief are essential for hormone healthPractical, real-life steps you can take today to prep your body for pregnancyso much moreIf you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything but still not getting answers, this episode is for you.Connect with Brittany:InstagramConnect with Lauren:InstagramWork With MeThank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!This episode was edited and produced by Intent Media.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

I’m back, and I honestly can’t explain how good it feels to be here again.It’s been six months since I last recorded, and a lot has happened. I’m coming to you now about five months postpartum, and for the first time in a long time, I feel like I have my life, my soul, and my body back after a really difficult pregnancy, an unexpectedly intense birth, and a postpartum season that took real time to recover from.In this episode (Part 1), I’m sharing my birth story, because I really believe birth stories are sacred. Mine didn’t go the way I planned at all, and I debated whether to share it, because it’s intense. I gave birth in Israel on June 16th, in the middle of a sudden war with Iran, and it was the definition of “everything out of control.” If you’re currently pregnant and feel like this might be too much, it is completely okay to save this for later.I take you through the final days of pregnancy with SPD, the chaos of lockdown with two toddlers, losing my original doula plan, switching hospitals last minute, and what it was like going into labor while sirens and alerts were going off. I also share what helped me get through it in the moment, and how I’ve been processing it since, including the shift from anger and resentment to finally being able to draw strength from what I survived.If you’ve ever had a birth or postpartum experience that didn’t go how you expected, I hope this helps you feel less alone.In this episode, I open up about:The moment everything changed when we went into war and life shut downLosing my original birth plan, and what it felt like to adjust in real timeAdvocating for what I wanted during labor (and what I had to let go of)Using hypnobirthing, breath, and visualization to stay grounded when everything felt chaoticTransition, nausea, pushing, and the moment I met my baby girlPostpartum in the hospital during sirens, shelters, and being moved ward-to-ward+so much moreJoin The Empowered Path to Pregnancy today for 25% off with the code CHANUKAH at checkout! <join here>Connect with Lauren:InstagramCoursesApply to work with meRecipesGet my FREE eBook: How to Boost Your Egg Quality- a Step by Step GuideThank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!This episode was edited and produced by Intent...

As I get ready to take a break for maternity leave, I wanted to record one last episode to reflect on what this pregnancy has really been like behind the scenes.The second half of pregnancy has brought its fair share of challenges — physically, mentally, and emotionally. From dealing with pelvic pain and SPD to navigating waves of prenatal anxiety, it’s been a lot. I also talk about what it’s been like trying to balance work, motherhood, and the pressure to stay "relevant" online, all while growing a human.I’m sharing updates on my maternity leave plans, how I’m setting boundaries for my mental health, and why I felt it was important to share this chapter, even the messy parts. If you're pregnant now, hoping to be, or just juggling a million things while trying to stay grounded, I hope this episode resonates.In this episode, I open up about:What it’s really been like dealing with SPD, pelvic pain, and prenatal anxietyHow I’m balancing business, family, and the realities of growing a babyWhy I’m stepping back from social media Giving myself permission to restThoughts on maternity leave in Israel and what I’m hoping for postpartumLetting go of the pressure to “keep up” and embracing the newborn phase with presence+ so much moreConnect with Lauren:InstagramCoursesApply to work with meRecipesGet my FREE eBook: How to Boost Your Egg Quality- a Step by Step GuideThank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!This episode was edited and produced by Intent Media.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Yael Trusch is a financial educator and the host of the Jewish Money Matters Podcast, where she empowers people to develop a positive relationship with their money that is also aligned with their values.Yael brings a unique blend of Torah wisdom and practical financial strategies to her work, helping women integrate spirituality and financial wellness. She holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and has years of experience teaching both Torah and financial literacy. Listen in to hear Yael share:How her background in Torah teaching led her to financial educationWhy we need to normalize talking about moneyHow to align your financial decisions with your personal and spiritual valuesThe importance of "money dates" for couples and how to do them rightStrategies to teach children healthy and values-based financial habitsWhy giving to charity (maaser) is a powerful spiritual and financial tool+ so much more!Connect with YaelInstagram- @yaeltruschPodcast- Jewish Money MattersThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal journey as I prepare for my third childbirth—this time, leaning deeply into the practice of hypnobirthing. I open up about what this experience has been like for me, how I’ve used techniques like deep breathing, visualization, and affirmations to stay calm, and why I believe it’s so important to challenge the way we’ve been taught to think about labor and birth.I also talk about some of the most common myths around birth—especially the idea that pain and fear are just part of the deal—and offer a different perspective rooted in trust, peace, and choice. Whether you’re planning a home birth or hospital birth, what matters most is creating an environment that supports you physically and emotionally.In this episode, I share:How I’ve reframed my beliefs about pain, fear, and danger in childbirthThe hypnobirthing tools I’ve found most powerful and how I use themWhat actually happens in the body during labor—and how mindset plays a huge roleMy thoughts on choosing between home and hospital birth here in IsraelWhat I’ve learned about midwives, post-birth care at the milon, and navigating the birth systemHow I’m protecting my birth bubble and preparing to welcome this baby with joyWhat birth costs look like in Israel and how I’ve planned for it+so much moreWhether you’re pregnant, planning to be, or just curious about a different way to approach birth, I hope this episode inspires you to trust your body and your voice in the process.Connect with Lauren:InstagramCoursesApply to work with meRecipesGet my FREE eBook: How to Boost Your Egg Quality- a Step by Step GuideThank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!This episode was edited and produced by Intent Media.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Nicole Fennell, RDN, is a functional Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with nearly 15 years of experience helping women uncover the root causes behind frustrating symptoms like bloating, fatigue, brain fog, and stubborn weight. As the founder of Chews Food Wisely, Nicole leads a team of expert dietitians who specialize in thyroid health, hormone balance, gut support, and metabolism mastery.Through her signature BRAIN Method—balancing blood sugar, regulating inflammation, supporting adrenal resiliency, optimizing the gut, and replenishing nutrients—Nicole empowers her clients to finally feel like themselves again through a food-first approach. Whether she’s teaching at the University of Texas at Tyler or teaching her clients from her computer screen, Nicole blends science, soul, and sustainability into everything she does.Listen in to hear Nicole share:Her journey getting diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease as a registered dietician and how that inspired her to help women treat the root causes of thyroid dysfunctionWhy so many women with thyroid issues get told their labs are ‘normal’ when they feel awfulWhat role nutrition actually plays in thyroid health and how minerals, blood sugar balance, and inflammation affect your thyroidThe link between PCOS and hypothyroidismHow to tackle stubborn weight gain with hypothyroidismThe importance of stress management, consistent routines, and rest for healing your thyroid+ so much more!--------Connect With Nicole:InstagramWork With NicoleConnect with Lauren:InstagramCoursesApply to work with meRecipesGet my FREE eBook: How to Boost Your Egg Quality- a Step by Step GuideThank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!This episode was edited and produced by Intent Media.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Lauren has always been a passionate home cook, food lover, and advocate for mindful eating. She explored a range of culinary paths—from childhood sugar cravings to mastering refined techniques in cooking school. Her journey with food has been shaped by health challenges like PCOS, a kosher lifestyle, and a deep love for creating meals that nourish both body and soul. Drawing inspiration from Gwyneth Paltrow, Lauren has used her experiences to build a more intentional and joyful relationship with food.Listen in to hear Lauren share:How childhood memories and a sweet tooth shaped her early relationship with foodThe role kosher living and moving to Israel played in deepening her culinary connectionHer struggles with emotional eating, infertility, and PCOS—and how they led to a radical shift in dietThe surprising challenges (and breakthroughs) of giving up sugar and redefining what healthy eating meansHow quarantine rekindled her creativity in the kitchen and sparked a new businessWhy taking culinary classes helped her fall in love with food all over again+ so much more--------Registration is Open: My signature 4-week program, Balance Your Hormones 101 is open! In this 4 week course you will learn how to build delicious, healthy meals to balance your hormones, boost your energy, regulate your period, optimize your fertility, and feel amazing in your body!Use the code PODCAST10 to save 10% when joining! Grab your spot HEREConnect with Lauren:InstagramCoursesApply to work with meRecipesGet my FREE eBook: How to Boost Your Egg Quality- a Step by Step GuideThank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!This episode was edited and produced by Intent Media.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Meg Langston is a Functional Nutritional Therapist. Her passion for using lifestyle and nutrition to support healthy hormones and normal digestion was birthed out of her personal battle with overcoming irregular cycles, learning why diet and hustle culture hinder your health and what a powerful tool every women’s menstrual cycle is. She and her team specialize in helping women address the root cause of hormones and digestion and believes you SHOULD and CAN feel good all month long! Meg runs a virtual private practice with a team of practitioners dedicated to supporting busy women, get answers, feel empowered and bring back the joy in health.Listen in to hear Meg share:Her personal journey of regulating her cycle as a former athleteHow understanding the phases of the menstrual cycle can transform women's healthSigns of hormonal imbalance and how to address them through nutrition and lifestyleThe critical roles of liver health, iron regulation, and mineral balance in our hormones and fertilityHer personal experience healing through miscarriage Practical stress management strategies, including the importance of fun and rest+ so much moreRegistration is Open: My signature 4-week program, Balance Your Hormones 101 is open! In this 4 week course you will learn how to build delicious, healthy meals to balance your hormones, boost your energy, regulate your period, optimize your fertility, and feel amazing in your body!Use the code PODCAST10 to save 10% when joining! Grab your spot HEREConnect with Meg:InstagramWork With MegConnect with Lauren:InstagramCoursesApply to work with meRecipesGet my FREE eBook: How to Boost Your Egg Quality- a Step by Step GuideThank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!This episode was edited and produced by Intent Media.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode, Lauren discusses strategies for getting back on track with healthy habits after the disruptions of holidays and vacations.Sharing her own experiences, including recent Passover celebrations, she shares how to deal with the guilt of "falling off the wagon," ways to reframe the all-or-nothing mentality, and practical, sustainable steps to re-establish health routines.Listen in to hear Lauren share:How holidays and vacation impacts our usual health habitsWhy the all-or-nothing mindset is a trap—and how to shift your thinkingActionable tips to restart your routine without feeling overwhelmedThe role of frequency and consistency in habit formationHow hydration, fiber, and simple daily choices play into long-term healthWhy setting goals that honor your current life season makes all the difference+so much more to help you bounce back with confidenceThis episode offers motivation and realistic advice for anyone ready to move past a period of unhealthy eating or routine disruption and reconnect with their wellness journey.Registration is Open: My signature 4-week program, Balance Your Hormones 101 is open! In this 4 week course you will learn how to build delicious, healthy meals to balance your hormones, boost your energy, regulate your period, optimize your fertility, and feel amazing in your body! Grab your spot HEREConnect with Lauren:InstagramCoursesApply to work with meRecipesGet my FREE eBook: How to Boost Your Egg Quality- a Step by Step GuideThank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!This episode was edited and produced by Intent Media.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Tylar Brannon is the CEO of Optimal Bio, a unique healthcare clinic that specializes in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy(BHRT). BHRT uses all-natural hormones that are identical to the hormones made by your body to ease the degenerative side effects of aging and other medical issues. The goal of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is to balance your body’s hormones, bringing them to the optimal levels your system was initially designed to maintain.Tylar focuses on personalized, natural hormone treatments designed to address fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, sleep issues, and more. Tylar has a passion for proactive, individualized care, and her commitment to educating others on hormone health is evident in her work.Listen in to hear Tylar share:How Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) differs from synthetic hormone treatmentsWhy lab testing, diet, and lifestyle changes are critical components of hormone balancingHow environmental factors can influence hormone levels and what you can do to minimize their impactThe importance of preventative health care and how BHRT supports both men and women through age-related changesInsights on societal stigma around hormone therapy and why being informed matters+ so much more!Connect with Lauren:InstagramCoursesApply to work with meRecipesGet my FREE eBook: How to Boost Your Egg Quality- a Step by Step GuideThank you so much for listening to the About Health and Hormones Podcast! If you loved today’s episode, I would love to know! Please leave a rating and review so I can make this podcast even better for you all. I would love to connect with you.I’m so glad you were here today, and I wish you all health and happiness!This episode was edited and produced by Intent Media.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy