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*This episode includes honest discussion of pregnancy loss, chronic pain, and the emotional weight of a long infertility journey. Please take care of yourself as you listen.*

This one is personal.

Four weeks ago, I became a mom. And I've been sitting with this episode in my heart ever since, trying to find the words because this isn't just a birth announcement. This is nine years of faith, grief, pain, and perseverance finally having a face. Her name is Evalina, and she is my miracle.

In this episode, I'm sharing the most vulnerable parts of my journey, the parts I didn't always talk about when I was in the thick of it. I'm talking about what it really felt like to live with endometriosis, the miscarriage in 2020 that broke something in me that took a long time to heal, and the slow, unglamorous work of keeping the faith when hope felt impossible.

I'm also sharing something that surprised me, a realization I had during my unmedicated birth that stopped me in my tracks. Because somewhere in the hardest moments of labor, I understood something about my endo pain, my body, and my worth that I wish I had known years ago.

This episode is for you if you're still waiting. If you're grieving. If you've been told your pain isn't that bad, or if you've quietly wondered whether something is wrong with you. I want you to hear this from someone four weeks out from her miracle: you are not broken. Your story is not over.

In this episode, I cover:

• The core belief that anchored me through nine years of infertility
• What living with endometriosis actually felt like and what it stole from me
• The 2020 miscarriage that broke me, and the long road back
• What "keeping the faith" really looks like when the faith is exhausted
• My unmedicated birth vs. endo pain and the empowering realization it gave me
• The emotional complexity of early motherhood after infertility

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love to connect:

Come find me on Instagram. I share openly about endometriosis, infertility, and all the messy, beautiful in-between. You can find me at @aligned.to.rise.

And if you're ready to stop navigating this journey alone, I offer free 30-minute consultations, a space just for you to be heard and to explore what support could look like. Click here to book yours today.

If today's episode helped you feel a little less alone, please share it with a woman who needs to hear it. You never know whose day, or journey, you might change.

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
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Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

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Show notes:

If you've been told your labs are normal but you're still completely exhausted all the time, this episode is for you. Fatigue is one of the most common complaints I hear from women with endometriosis, and it's rarely random. Your exhaustion is data. It's your body asking for support somewhere.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the most common root causes of endometriosis-related fatigue that I see in my practice, and the lab patterns that actually reveal what's going on beneath the surface.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why endometriosis is a whole-body inflammatory disease, not just a reproductive condition
• How chronic inflammation quietly drains your energy (and what lab markers to look at)
• The connection between your immune system and your fatigue
• Why gut health is one of the first places I look, and what I commonly find on a GI Map stool test
• Key nutrient deficiencies that contribute to exhaustion (iron, B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D)
• How blood sugar dysregulation is stealing your energy without you realizing it
• What your hormones and adrenal health can reveal, and why I look at this last

Ready to find out what's actually driving your fatigue?

The best place to start is your gut. The Cycle Clarity Panel includes a GI Map stool test plus a one-on-one consultation with me to review your results and give you a personalized action plan. This is all virtual, available anywhere in the US.

👉 Learn more about the Cycle Clarity Panel

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

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Show Notes:

This week is our final episode of the infertility awareness series. I am excited to talk with Deidre Bloomquist. She is a functional nutritionist, and her specialty is reversing infertility through restoring health by reducing toxicity and other fertility barriers. In today’s episode we dive into how toxicity impacts the body and fertility.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear:

-Endocrine disruptors like phthalates and fragrances impact hormones, which affects fertility.

-Toxins are everywhere, especially in products with fragrances, which are in many everyday products people use.

-Your gut health matters for overcoming fertility barriers because it impacts your hormones, and when there are imbalances, like dysbiosis, it stresses out your body, which can impact your hormones too; toxins like pesticides, heavy metals, mold, and even emotional stressors can cause gut imbalances.

-In early conception, the thyroid is important in cellular replication, and if the thyroid is not functioning optimally it might cause fertility issues; heavy metals like aluminum and mercury, along with mold, can throw your thyroid off balance.

-A lot of times people think that their symptoms are completely normal, when it can be traced back to toxins that you were exposed to in utero; learning how to manage how many toxins you come into contact with will ultimately impact the health of your child.

-Unexplained infertility is definitely explainable, and what it really means is doctors don’t really know why you are unable to get pregnant; by digging deeper into the root causes of your symptoms, you are given a pathway to make the changes you need in order to get pregnant.

-When IUI or IVF doesn’t work typically it’s because the body doesn’t feel safe, and it is trying to keep you safe; doing functional work can help and prepare your body for those procedures or to get pregnant naturally.

To reduce toxicity and support fertility, start with your water source. Invest in a good quality filter. Look at things around your home and see what has fragrances, and buy things new in a better quality when you run out of that product. Make changes slowly, and remember perfection is not the goal. Prioritize daily use items for immediate improvement.

Connect w/ Deidre:

www.always-growing.com

www.instagram.com/alwaysgrowing_littles

Subscribe to The Endo Belly Girl Podcast:

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
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Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

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Show Notes:

This episode is a deeply personal one. After nine years of painful periods, endometriosis, IVF, and miscarriage, I'm sitting here days away from welcoming my baby girl, and feeling something I never expected: gratitude.

Not just for this pregnancy, but for the entire journey that brought me here.

In this episode, I'm sharing the unexpected gifts that nine years of infertility gave me, including:

• A deep sense of self-awareness, learning to truly listen to my body physically, mentally, and emotionally
• Nervous system resilience built through navigating chronic pain, uncertainty, and loss
• Learning to love my body again after years of feeling like it was broken and working against me
• A level of empathy for others that I could never have developed any other way

If you're currently in the thick of your own fertility journey, this episode is for you. You are not broken. You are not alone. And there is hope on the other side.

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

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Show notes:

In this episode, I sat down with somatic psychotherapist and nervous system coach Tracy Whitton, author of 365 Days of Nervous System Care, to explore one of the most overlooked root causes of hormonal imbalance, chronic illness, and emotional dysregulation: your nervous system. With over 25 years of experience working with thousands of bodies, Tracy shares the patterns she sees most in the women she works with, and what we can actually do about them.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• What the nervous system actually is, and why it matters for your hormones, digestion, and emotional health
• Why your body can't prioritize sex hormones when it's stuck in a stress response, and how this connects to menstrual issues, endometriosis, and fertility challenges
• 
  
• Why safety is the foundation of all nervous system repair, and what safety actually means (hint: it's not about removing discomfort)
• How to stop thinking your body is failing you, and what to tell yourself instead

Resources & Links:

• 365 Days of Nervous System Care by Tracy, available on Amazon
• Connect with Tracy: Website
• Connect with Tracy: Instagram

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

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In this episode, we're digging into four common myths in the endo world that sound helpful but can actually keep your nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight mode, making healing harder, not easier. If you've been doing everything "right" and still feel tense, inflamed, or reactive, this episode is for you.

What We Cover:

We start by breaking down what survival mode actually looks like: hypervigilance around food and symptoms, constant symptom tracking, fear of flare-ups, feeling like your body is the enemy, and muscle guarding. We also explore how chronic sympathetic nervous system activation contributes to pain, inflammation, and even fertility struggles.

Then we tackle the four big myths:

• Myth #1: If you just eat clean enough, your endo will calm down.

• Myth #2: More discipline equals better results.

• Myth #3: Pain means something is wrong right now.

• Myth #4: You have to push through to stay strong.

We wrap up with practical, actionable ways to start moving out of survival mode: eating with less fear and more gratitude, calming your nervous system when symptoms arise, building restorative habits, gentle consistency over perfectionism, and leaning on a support system rather than isolating.

Resources mentioned:

Ep. 129: Why Endometriosis Pain Doesn’t Improve (Even With a Clean Diet)

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
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Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

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Are you between the ages of 35-50, have endo, and just been feeling a little “off” or “different” lately? In this candid and eye-opening episode, we welcome back functional nutritionist Molly for a deep dive into perimenopause (what it is, how it intersects with endometriosis, and what you can start doing today to support your body through this transition).

Molly first joined us back on Episode 54 (September 2024) to share her personal health journey, including her stage four endometriosis diagnosis and successful excision surgery. Now she's back to talk about the next chapter: navigating perimenopause, something she's currently living through firsthand and helping clients navigate.

In this episode, we cover:

• What perimenopause actually is and why it can start as early as your mid-30s
• The three stages of perimenopause and what to expect at each one
• The surprising overlap between endo symptoms and perimenopause symptoms (and how to tell them apart)
• How fluctuating estrogen and progesterone affect your ligaments, mood, sleep, anxiety, and more
• Why perimenopause has been called "the second puberty"
• The role of minerals in midlife hormone health
• What HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) testing is and why it can reveal what standard blood work misses
• Common mistakes women make in perimenopause
• The truth about protein, blood sugar balance, and why eating more can actually help you lose weight
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and bioidentical hormones — what endo warriors need to know before going that route

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Molly's first episode: Episode 54 (September 2024)
• Instagram: @goodforyoufd
• Website: www.goodforyoufood.net

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

Send us Fan Mail

If you have endometriosis and bloating is ruling your life (like looking six months pregnant by the end of the day no matter what you eat), this episode is for you.

Most people assume bloating is a food problem. Cut gluten, try low FODMAP, eliminate dairy, and still nothing changes. In this episode, we unpack why endo bloating is more complex than that and walk through the five layers you actually need to address to get lasting relief.

Key takeaways:

• Why endo bloating is a multi-layered issue, and the biggest mistake people make trying to fix it
• The 5 layers of endo bloating: inflammation, gut health, nervous system, physical body, and hormonal shifts
• Why "inflammation hunting" is always the first step, and the foundational changes you can make today without any testing
• The gut layer: what a comprehensive stool test (like the GI Map) can reveal that conventional medicine misses, including low stomach acid, bacterial overgrowth, yeast, and parasites
• The nervous system–gut connection via the vagus nerve, and why the "rest to digest" principle is non-negotiable
• How chronic pelvic pain creates protective muscle guarding that slows digestion and worsens bloating, and what helps (posture, breathwork, abdominal massage, pelvic floor PT)
• When to investigate hormones (hint: it's layer five, not layer one) and what estrogen dominance looks like
• A real client story: from bloated every single day to finally feeling free

Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Period Pain Playbook
• Work with me 1:1

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.