The Functional Fueling® Podcast

Your Guide to Understanding Long COVID, MCAS & Dysautonomia w/ Lily Spechler In this episode of the Functional Fueling Podcast, we discuss: What’s really happening in the body with long COVID The connection between dysautonomia, POTS & long COVID Why histamine & mast cells may be an overlooked piece of the puzzle How previous viral infections like EBV may play a role Why long COVID can completely change your energy & metabolic needs The biggest nutrition mistake seen in long COVID recovery Why doing more isn’t always better when it comes to exercise & healing The conversation around spike detox protocol Why the order of operations matters so much in recovery Important show links Learn more about Lily on Instagram @longcoviddietitian Apply to for our 1:1 coaching program and get customized support from our team Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app Microclots Long Covid Episode Long COVID & Period Problems Episode ⚠DISCLAIMER: The information in this episode should be used for general education purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your medical provider before beginning any new health recommendations.

[The LOdown] The Overlooked Environmental Factors Affecting Thyroid Health A few things we chat about in this episode Why your thyroid may be especially sensitive to your environment The everyday exposures that could be quietly influencing thyroid function The connection between environmental exposures & oxidative stress Which exposures I actually pays attention to in my own life Simple ways to lower your exposure without living in fear of everything around you Why jumping straight into “detox” may not always be the best first step Which commonly feared ingredients may not deserve nearly as much attention Important show links Pre-Order my book The Thyroid Breakthrough Take The Energy Leak quiz Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

Could Poor Oxygen Delivery Be Draining Your Energy? In this episode of the Functional Fueling Podcast, we discuss: What hypoxia actually means & why oxygen matters for energy production Why normal blood oxygen doesn’t always tell the full story The connection between oxygen, mitochondria & fatigue How breathing, hydration & movement may support oxygen delivery Where iron fits into the oxygenation picture What may impact oxygen availability at the tissue level Emerging strategies being explored to support oxygenation Important show links INJECT Oxygen into your LIFE with Patriox Liquid Oxygen Water Pre-Order my book The Thyroid Breakthrough Take The Energy Leak quiz Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app ⚠DISCLAIMER: The information in this episode should be used for general education purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your medical provider before beginning any new health recommendations.

[The LOdown] Period Recovery While Breastfeeding: The When, How & More Details In this episode of the Functional Fueling Podcast, we discuss: What’s actually keeping your cycle away while breastfeeding Why nursing frequency may matter more than prolactin How much energy breastfeeding really costs your body The hormonal dominoes required to start ovulating again Why getting your period back doesn’t always mean ovulation is back The postpartum exercise + weight-loss mistakes that can prolong amenorrhea Why every woman’s timeline for cycle return looks different Important show links Pre-Order my book The Thyroid Breakthrough Take The Energy Leak quiz Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app ⚠DISCLAIMER: The information in this episode should be used for general education purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your medical provider before beginning any new health recommendations.

How to Fix Chronic Pelvic Pain with Dr. Christina Enzmann A few things we chat about in this episode Why chronic pelvic pain is rarely coming from just one place The overlooked gut & vaginal microbiome connection Why pelvic floor tension can be mistaken for weakness How histamine & estrogen may influence symptoms The difference between endometriosis, adenomyosis, and other pelvic pain patterns What everyday hygiene habits may be disrupting vaginal health Where functional medicine looks when conventional answers fall short Important show links Follow Dr. Enzmann and learn more about her practice Pre-Order my book The Thyroid Breakthrough Take The Energy Leak quiz Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app ⚠DISCLAIMER: The information in this episode should be used for general education purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your medical provider before beginning any new health recommendations.

[The LOdown] What Late Ovulation is Really Telling You In this episode of the Functional Fueling Podcast, we discuss: Why late ovulation happens What high AMH actually means The thyroid's role in ovulation The hidden drivers of poor follicle maturation How to interpret your cycle tracking data The Energy Leaks affecting ovulation Important show links Pre-Order my book The Thyroid Breakthrough Take The Energy Leak quiz Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app ⚠DISCLAIMER: The information in this episode should be used for general education purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your medical provider before beginning any new health recommendations.

The Complete Guide to hCG: What Your Levels Really Mean with Dr. Sasha Hakman In this episode of the Functional Fueling Podcast, we discuss: Take The Energy Leak quiz Shop our Mineral Magic and Hormone Potion formulas Listen to my Energy Leaks podcast episode Learn more about the 6 stages of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app ⚠DISCLAIMER: The information in this episode should be used for general education purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your medical provider before beginning any new health recommendations.

[The LOdown] The Missing Nutrients Behind Hashimoto's In this episode of the Functional Fueling Podcast, we discuss: The role of nutrient deficiencies in Hashimoto's Why women with Hashimoto's have higher nutrient needs The hidden connection between oxidative stress and thyroid health The first labs I look at before recommending supplements for Hashimoto's Important show links Take The Energy Leak quiz Shop our Mineral Magic and Hormone Potion formulas Listen to my Energy Leaks podcast episode Learn more about the 6 stages of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app ⚠DISCLAIMER: The information in this episode should be used for general education purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your medical provider before beginning any new health recommendations.

Pain, Swelling & Exercise Intolerance? This Lymphatic Tool May Help | Rush Simonson A few things we chat about in this episode Why not all vibration plates are created equal The hidden risks of most vibration plates and how it compares to micro-vibration plates The connection between mechanical stimulation and bone density How vibration may improve pain, soreness, and exercise recovery Who may benefit most from low-magnitude vibration & who should use caution Important show links Learn more about the benefits of Juvent plates at www.juvent.com Read blog post by Ro Immune and Lymphatic Systems: The Missing Link in Chronic Inflammation and Thyroid Autoimmunity Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app ⚠DISCLAIMER: The information in this episode should be used for general education purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your medical provider before beginning any new health recommendations.

What 10 Years of Helping Active Women Taught Me About Why So Many Stay Stuck with Thyroid Symptoms A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 Why so many active women stay stuck despite doing everything right The hidden energy leaks I see behind persistent thyroid symptoms Why normal thyroid labs don’t always explain how you feel The limitations of thyroid hormone medication The underfueling patterns keeping many active women from healing Why your weight may be a symptom, not the root cause of your hormone imbalances The overlooked immune connection behind thyroid dysfunction Why restoring hormone utilization matters more than chasing hormone levels Why you don’t need to quit exercising to heal your thyroid, but do need to rethink the structure of it Important show links 👇👇👇 Book a Clarity Session - 7/3 - 7/17 only Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

[The LOdown] Coming off Thyroid Medication - Timeline, The Prep and Outcomes A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 Whether it's actually possible to come off thyroid medication Why so many women remain symptomatic despite treatment The four Energy Leaks I most commonly see in thyroid dysfunction How I determine whether someone is ready to taper medication Why increasing thyroid medication isn't always the answer How restoring whole-body physiology supports thyroid health Important show links 👇👇👇 Book a Clarity Session - 7/3 - 7/17 only Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

The Hidden Immune Connection To Endometriosis, HPV, Herpes & Recurrent Vaginal Infections: Causes, Triggers & Solutions with Christian Sohmen A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 The immune connection to fertility & unexplained infertility The overlooked immune drivers of endometriosis Why recurrent BV, yeast infections, HPV, & herpes keep coming back Why antibiotics often don’t solve recurrent infections How immune balance influences women’s reproductive health Where micro-immunotherapy fits into a root cause approach Important show links 👇👇👇 Learn how Micro-immunotherapy can help with autoimmune conditions Book a Functional Clarity Session with one of our dietitians Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

Episode 151: [The LOdown] AMA: Navigating Toddler Sleep Deprivation and Balancing Business, Motherhood and Health A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 How I balance motherhood with work and healthy habits The strategies I used to help my toddler finally become a better sleeper (no crying involved) How I make time for movement and self-care as a busy mom The productivity tools I rely on The non-negotiables and mindset reframes I've adopted since becoming a working mom Important show links 👇👇👇 Order your hormone potion in our FFN Shop Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

Are Seed Oils Really Harmful? The Truth Behind the Headlines with Cherie Calbom A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 Why seed oils have become one of the most debated topics in nutrition The history of seed oils & how they entered the food supply How different oils are processed & why that matters The role of omega 6 fatty acids in human health What current research suggests about dietary fats & inflammation How seed oils may influence metabolic, hormonal, and skin health The challenges of avoiding seed oils in today's food environment Tips for choosing oils when grocery shopping & dining out Simple swaps for incorporating a wider variety of fats into your diet Important show links 👇👇👇 Join our Functional Thyroid Foundations Course to learn how to eat and exercise for thyroid health Purchase a copy of Cherie's book on Amazon ' The Truth Behind Seed Oils " Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

[The LOdown] The Strategy Behind My Daily Meals & Grocery Shopping A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 What my weekly meal planning routine actually looks like How I balance intentional nutrition, ease, and real life as a busy mom The grocery shopping strategies that help me stay consistent throughout the week Why I focus on repeatable routines rather than rigid meal plans The staple foods I always keep on hand How I structure meals and snacks to support energy, satiety, and hormone health My favorite shortcuts for simplifying healthy eating during busy seasons How I approach feeding both myself and my family without overcomplicating nutrition Important show links 👇👇👇 Sign up for our Functional Thyroid Foundation Course for more energy, less inflammation, and a Functional Nutrition Plan for your thyroid health Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

Osteopenia & Bone Stress Injuries in Pre- and Post- Menopausal Women with Dr. John Neustadt In this episode of the Functional Fueling® Podcast, Lauren sits down with John Neustadt to discuss the often-overlooked factors driving osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bone stress injuries in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Together, they explore the complex relationship between hormones, thyroid function, gut health, inflammation, stress, sleep, and bone remodeling, as well as the limitations of DEXA scans for assessing true fracture risk. You'll also learn how common medications may contribute to bone loss over time, the key macro- and micronutrients required for optimal bone density, and practical strategies to support long-term skeletal health and injury prevention. Whether you're an active woman concerned about bone health, have breastfed for an extended period, had low estrogen levels or are looking to prevent osteoporosis naturally, this episode provides evidence-based insights to help you build stronger bones at every stage of life. A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 The hormone connection to bone loss and bone-related injuries The limitations with DEXA for understanding osteopenia and osteoporosis risk The connection between gut health, inflammation and bone loss How common medications many people are taking affect bone density over time How stress hormones, sleep and thyroid health influence bone remodeling The role of specific macro and micronutrients in bone health Important show links 👇👇👇 Purchase your Mineral Magic through our supplement shop Follow me on Instagram Learn more about Dr. John Neustadt at www.nbihealth.com Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

[The LOdown] The Truth About Healing Timelines for Thyroid, Fertility & Autoimmunity A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 The realistic root cause healing timelines for menstrual cycle recovery, immune dysregulation, infertility and thyroid recovery Understanding phased healing and its importance in long term recovery The role of energy leaks in healing timelines Why optimizing health before pregnancy is so essential Factors that influence healing timelines Recognizing signs of progress when healing Common mistakes when root cause healing Important show links 👇👇👇 Apply for our 1:1 coaching program Take our FREE energy leaks quiz Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

How to Stop Mouth Breathing with Dr. Douillard Breathing is something we do every second of every day, yet most people never stop to consider how their breathing patterns may be influencing their energy, metabolism, stress response, exercise performance, sleep, and overall health. In this episode of The Functional Fueling Podcast, we dive into the physiology of breathing and why chronic mouth breathing may affect far more than just your lungs. We explore the connection between breathing mechanics, nervous system regulation, lymphatic flow, circulation, thyroid function, cortisol patterns, and exercise tolerance — especially in active and high-performing individuals. A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 Why your breathing patterns may be affecting more than just your lungs How chronic mouth breathing can influence stress hormones and thyroid function The surprising connection between nose breathing and exercise performance What your breathing habits may reveal about your nervous system How diaphragmatic breathing supports circulation, detoxification and resilience A simple daily practice that can improve sleep, focus and daily energy Important show links 👇👇👇 Apply for our 1:1 Coaching program Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

Energy Leaks: The 4 Root Causes of Thyroid and Hormone Disruption in Active Women A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 What “energy leaks” are Why hidden energy leaks may keep you feeling symptomatic despite healthy habits How energy leaks impact thyroid function, the immune system, adrenal and sex hormones The connection between mitochondria, energy leaks, and histamine The most common energy leaks I see clinically How identifying your energy leaks can change your healing approach Important show links 👇👇👇 Take my Find Your Energy Leaks Quiz to see if you have any energy leaks. Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app

Low Pregnenolone vs DHEA-S: The Hormones Before the Hormones In this episode, we’re diving into two of the most overlooked hormones in women’s health: pregnenolone and DHEA-S — the hormones before the hormones. While estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone often get the spotlight, pregnenolone and DHEA play a foundational role in the hormone cascade and can significantly influence energy, metabolism, fertility, cycles, thyroid function and stress resilience. When these hormones become depleted or dysregulated, symptoms like fatigue, cycle irregularities, low libido, poor recovery, inflammation, brain fog, and hormone imbalances can follow. A few things we chat about in this episode 👇👇👇 What pregnenolone & DHEA do in your hormone cascade Why they sit at the root of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone balance What low pregnenolone or DHEA can mean, even with “normal” labs How bottlenecks between pregnenolone & DHEA disrupt hormone balance How stress shifts pregnenolone into downstream hormone pathways How low DHEA impacts ovulation, cycles, and hormones The link between energy, mitochondria, and pregnenolone and DHEA production Why these hormones are often overlooked in standard testing and what that means for your results Important show links 👇👇👇 Learn more about adrenal hormones in this blog Learn more about my Mentorship Sessions & Course here Apply to our 1:1 coaching program Follow me on Instagram Rate the show! Please give us a 5 star rating in your podcast app