Today, Katherine and Shelley have a real and honest catch-up — and things get personal. Shelley opens up about her feelings around wanting a fourth child, the tug-of-war between heart and logic, and what life has really been like with three kids under three.
They dive into:
- The pros and cons of expanding their family
- The emotional thought process behind the “maybe baby” conversation
- The realities (and chaos) of having three little ones so close together
- Why Shelley and her husband decided on a vasectomy — and how that decision feels now
It’s a raw, relatable chat for any parent who’s ever wondered if their family is complete… or if there might be room for one more.
This episode is proudly sponsored by:
✨ This episode is brought to you by Chief Nutrition — the brand we’re a little bit obsessed with. Their clean, high-protein snacks are made from real food, nothing fake or processed, and they actually taste amazing. Whether it’s their beef bars, collagen bars, or liver capsules — we’re huge fans. Use the code BARELYBALANCED for 20% off your order.
Today we’re joined by the incredible Nicola Laye — a breathwork coach who specialises in guiding women to reconnect with their bodies and find calm through the power of breath.
This session is completely pregnancy-safe and perfect for the woman who’s feeling overwhelmed, scattered in her thoughts, or simply craving a moment of stillness.
Take this time for you — to pause, slow down, and calm your nervous system.
Allow Nicola’s gentle guidance to help you drop back into your body and breathe a little easier.
Save this episode so you can revisit it whenever life feels a little full — and gift yourself a few moments to simply breathe.
This week we’re joined by the beautiful Davina Rankin for a conversation that every woman — and especially every mother — needs to hear.
Together we explore what it means to reclaim your energy, reconnect with your body, and remember the woman underneath all the layers of motherhood, work, and daily life.
Davina shares gentle yet powerful wisdom around self-love, boundaries, and learning to trust the flow of life again.
In this episode, we chat about:
✨ Reclaiming your energy as a woman and learning to say no without guilt
✨ Letting go of the people-pleasing patterns that leave you feeling depleted
✨ Rediscovering who you are beyond motherhood
✨ Sitting in the pleasure of the present moment (even when life feels messy)
✨ How to love yourself harder — right now, as you are
✨ Simple daily practices to check in with your body and heart space
✨ Tuning into signs from the universe, god, or angels — and trusting the process
✨ How reconnecting with yourself brings more pleasure, clarity, and joy into your life
This conversation is your gentle reminder to slow down, come home to your body, and celebrate the woman you’ve become.
This weeks show sponsor:
This episode is proudly brought to you by Comfy Koalas, our go-to low-tox nappy and wipe brand. If you haven’t tried their subscription boxes yet, they’re a total game changer — no more running out of nappies mid-week! You can get $35 off your first box with the code BARELYBALANCED, which pretty much means two free bags of nappies.
In this honest and informative episode, Katherine and I sit down to catch up on how her second and third trimesters have been so far. From navigating tests and blood work to understanding what’s truly necessary, we unpack some of the most common (and confusing) parts of pregnancy care.
We dive deep into gestational diabetes and the glucose tolerance test (GTT) — do you really have to do it, and what are the alternatives if you’d prefer not to? We also discuss the GBS swab, how to advocate for yourself when it comes to routine testing, and practical ways to support your vaginal microbiome if you do receive a positive result.
Iron levels are another big topic in this chat — we explore why they tend to drop during the second and third trimesters, how to interpret your results, and our honest thoughts on iron infusions, including when they can be helpful and when other options might be worth considering.
This episode is a down-to-earth look at pregnancy from both a personal and clinical perspective, offering insight, reassurance, and a few light-hearted laughs along the way.
Related Episode:
Dr Lily Nichols – Gestational Diabetes: What You Need to Know
Show Sponsors:
This episode is proudly brought to you by Comfy Koalas, our go-to low-tox nappy and wipe brand. If you haven’t tried their subscription boxes yet, they’re a total game changer — no more running out of nappies mid-week. You can get $35 off your first box with the code BARELYBALANCED, which pretty much means two free bags of nappies.
It’s also brought to you by Chief Nutrition — the brand we’re a little bit obsessed with. Their clean, high-protein snacks are made from real food, nothing fake or processed, and they actually taste amazing. Whether it’s their beef bars, collagen bars, or liver capsules, we’re huge fans. Use the code BARELYBALANCED for 20% off your order.
Today we’re joined by the wonderful Deborah Freudenmann naturopath, author, and mum who is passionate about root-cause health and disease prevention. In this episode, Deborah shares her personal story of living with type 1 diabetes, navigating postpartum stress and anxiety, and what she’s learned about the profound impact stress has on our bodies. We dive into why stress regulation is more than “calming down” it’s disease prevention and how to build your own personal toolkit for resilience.
We chat all things:
• Deborah’s personal journey with stress and motherhood
• What actually happens in the body under chronic stress
• Why supplements and one-size-fits-all toolkits don’t work
• How to experiment and find the stress tools that are truly yours
• The invisible link between a mother’s regulation and her child’s
• Simple, realistic practices to weave into your day
You can connect with Deborah on Instagram
This episode is proudly sponsored by:
✨ Chief Nutrition – Our go-to for clean, high-protein snacks that actually taste amazing. Their bars and beef jerky are made from real food ingredients you can trust — perfect for keeping energy steady through busy days (and long appointments). Use code BARELYBALANCED at checkout for 20% off your first order. Shop here.
✨ All Things Better – A carefully curated online wellness store bringing together the best in natural products, home essentials, and feel-good finds. They source brands that align with health, sustainability, and style, so you can shop knowing you’re choosing better for yourself, your family, and the planet. Explore their range.
This week on the podcast we’re joined by the amazing Leah Itsines – recipe developer, cookbook author, businesswoman, and mum. Leah is passionate about making healthy eating simple, realistic, and enjoyable for busy families, and she’s built a thriving community by keeping food approachable and fun.
In this episode we chat about:
Leah’s current pregnancy journey and how she’s feeling
Her birth plans and mindset as she prepares
Postpartum preparation and the support she’s putting in place
Nutrition for mums – keeping food simple, balanced, and realistic
Children’s nutrition and her tips for feeding little ones well
Finding balance between health, family, and real life
✨ Connect with Leah Itsines
Instagram: @leahitsines
Website: www.leahitsines.com.au
Our Sponsors
Comfy Koalas – Eco-friendly, super soft nappies delivered straight to your door. Use code BARELYBALANCED for $35 off your first order – that’s basically like getting 3 bags of nappies for free! 🌿 www.comfykoalas.com
Chief Nutrition – Wholefood snacks packed with protein and nutrients to keep you fuelled and energised. Use code BARELYBALANCED for 20% off. 🍫 www.chiefnutrition.com
Nourishing Your Bump – The online support system you need through pregnancy and postpartum. Expert guidance, practical tools, and real mum-to-mum advice to help you feel supported every step of the way. 🤰 www.freedomwellness.com.au/nourishing-your-bump
We’re joined by Dr Rob McLeod, a Specialist General Paediatrician based in the Illawarra, who works across Wollongong Public and Private Hospitals and runs a busy private clinic, Friendly Paediatrics. Dr Rob is also the Co-Founder of AllerStart, Australia’s first allergen introduction product, designed to make introducing allergens to babies simple and stress-free — helping reverse the rise of food allergies in Australia, where rates are among the highest in the world.
In this episode, we dive into the essentials of introducing allergens to babies, including:
We’ll also be sharing an exclusive launch offer for all of you parents who are navigating the food introduction stage with your child/ren.
This episode is proudly sponsored by:
✨ AllerStart Kit + Le Puree - First Bites Single Ingredient Veggie & Fruit Purees as an “Allergen Introduction Bundle” for $60. Developed by paediatricians, GPs, dietitians, and food scientists, this is the first allergen kit to include fish and shellfish and introduces the top 11 allergens. Made with real food rather than processed ingredients, it’s designed to be simple and stress-free — just sprinkle, mix, and serve, with no guesswork or overwhelm.
✨ Chief Nutrition – Our go-to for clean, high-protein snacks that actually taste amazing. Their bars and beef jerky are made from real food ingredients you can trust — perfect for keeping energy steady through busy days (and long appointments). Use code BARELYBALANCED at checkout for 20% off your first order. Shop here.
Today we’re pulling back the curtain on our everyday lives as nutritionists — sharing the healthy habits we’ve built for ourselves and our families that now run on autopilot. These aren’t overwhelming “all-or-nothing” routines, just simple, sustainable practices that add up to a big difference over time.
Think of this episode as a little peek inside our kitchens, pantries, and daily rhythms. Grab your notepad, because you might hear something you’ll want to try yourself. And remember, building habits takes time — give yourself at least 12 weeks to let the positive ones outweigh the old patterns.
This episode is proudly sponsored by:
✨ Chief Nutrition – Our go-to for clean, high-protein snacks that actually taste amazing. Their bars and beef jerky are made from real food ingredients you can trust — perfect for keeping energy steady through busy days (and long appointments). Use code BARELYBALANCED at checkout for 20% off your first order. Shop here.
✨ All Things Better – A carefully curated online wellness store bringing together the best in natural products, home essentials, and feel-good finds. They source brands that align with health, sustainability, and style, so you can shop knowing you’re choosing better for yourself, your family, and the planet. Explore their range.
Creatine isn’t just for gym junkies and bodybuilders — but is it really all it’s cracked up to be? In this episode of Barely Balanced, we’re breaking down creatine from a clinical nutritionist’s perspective.
We’ll cover:
What creatine actually is (spoiler: your body already makes it!)
The science-backed benefits beyond muscle growth
Common myths that need to be left in the 90s
How to dose it safely (and whether you really need to “load”)
What to look for in a quality brand
If you’ve been curious about whether creatine deserves a place in your daily routine — or you’ve been side-eyeing that white powder in the supplement aisle — this chat is for you.
Show Sponsors:
Chief NutritionWe love Chief products because they do what so many bars and snacks on the market don’t: they use real, wholefood ingredients that actually nourish your body. No weird additives, no hidden nasties — just nutrient-dense, high-quality fuel that gets our clinical nutritionist tick of approval. Perfect for busy days, post-gym snacks, or keeping mum-life energy steady.
👉 Check them out at www.wearechief.com.au and use code barelybalanced for 20% off your order.
All Things BetterSupplements that actually work. All Things Better takes the confusion out of supplementation by focusing on evidence-based, high-quality formulas that deliver results without the fluff. When we say better, we mean it.
Today we’re joined by the incredible Laura from @alifeworthnourishing and @chiefnutrition. Laura is a Nutritionist who has made a name for herself with her pack-flipping content and honest product reviews across social media.
In this episode, she takes us behind the labels – teaching us what to look out for on the back of a packet, how certain ingredients can impact the way we feel, and her best tips for navigating the supermarket shelves with confidence.
We chat all things:
What sneaky ingredients to look out for when reading food labels
How additives and preservatives can affect your mood, energy and gut health
Marketing tricks that make products seem “healthy” when they’re not
Simple swaps to make your weekly shop healthier (without blowing the budget)
Laura’s favourite go-to products and brands she trusts
You can connect with Laura over on Instagram @alifeworthliving and via her website: https://www.alifeworthnourishing.com/
Recipes we mentioned:
Podcast Sponsor:
This episode is proudly sponsored by Chief Nutrition. As always, we only share brands we personally love and trust. Use the discount code BARELYBALANCED at checkout to save on your next order.
Today, Katherine and Shelley dive deep into a topic so many parents are curious (and often overwhelmed) about: how food can influence your child’s behaviour and ADHD tendencies.
Shelley opens up about her personal journey with her eldest son—navigating low iron, gut issues, constant fatigue, and behavioural challenges—and how nutrition played a pivotal role in supporting his health and wellbeing. And Katherine shares her experience with Sunny’s big emotions and the rollercoaster of toilet training, giving another real-life glimpse into how food and nourishment can influence little ones in unexpected ways.
With a blend of lived experience as mums and clinical expertise as nutritionists, we unpack the powerful connection between what goes on the plate and how it can show up in mood, focus, energy, and behaviour. From hidden food triggers to nourishing nutrients that support calmer, more balanced little bodies, this is a conversation every parent will want to hear.
If you’ve ever wondered “Could what my child is eating be impacting their behaviour?”—this episode is for you.
✨ This week’s sponsors ✨
A big thank you to our sponsors who help keep these conversations flowing:
🌿 Chief Nutrition – Wholefood snacks made from real ingredients, perfect for busy mums and families on the go. No nasties, just nourishing fuel you can actually trust. Don’t forget to use the code barelybalanced at checkout for an exclusive discount.
🤰 Nourishing Your Bump – Our very own program designed to support you and your baby to thrive through pregnancy. With expert nutrition guidance, recipes, and resources, it’s everything you need to feel confident and supported on your pregnancy journey.
Ever wished you could sit down with an expert and ask all your burning IVF questions? In this episode, I do exactly that. I ask Katherine, who generously shares her wisdom, practical tips, and even sample meal plans to support you through your fertility journey.
These are your questions — the ones you left Katherine over on Instagram — answered in detail, with plenty of real-life, actionable advice you can start using right away. Whether you’re just starting IVF or already deep in the process, this episode is packed with insights to help you feel informed, empowered, and supported every step of the way.
This episode is proudly sponsored by:
✨ Chief Nutrition – Our go-to for clean, high-protein snacks that actually taste amazing. Their bars and beef jerky are made from real food ingredients you can trust — perfect for keeping energy steady through busy days (and long appointments). Use code BARELYBALANCED at checkout for 20% off your first order. Shop here.
✨ All Things Better – A carefully curated online wellness store bringing together the best in natural products, home essentials, and feel-good finds. They source brands that align with health, sustainability, and style, so you can shop knowing you’re choosing better for yourself, your family, and the planet. Explore their range.
Let’s talk about cortisol — the hormone that gets a bad rap but actually plays a vital role in keeping us alive and functioning.
In this episode, we’re unpacking the nuanced truth about cortisol — not just the stress-y headlines or wellness trends that love to villainise it. Because spoiler: you don’t always need to ‘fix’ your cortisol… sometimes you just need to understand it.
We’ll chat:
The natural cortisol cycle and why we actually need it to survive
What cortisol testing can (and can’t) tell you
Whether your “low energy” is really a cortisol issue — or something else entirely
The BS we see online about healing your hormones and “adrenal fatigue” quick fixes
And most importantly — how to work with your cortisol, not against it
Whether you’re feeling burnt out, living in a coffee-fuelled cortisol loop, or just love a no-BS chat about hormones — this one’s for you.
Cortisol isn’t the enemy… but it might be trying to tell you something.
This weeks sponsors:
Chief Nutrition creates wholefood protein bars and snacks we actually recommend to our clients (and snack on ourselves). Think grass-fed beef bars, collagen bars, and genuinely nourishing options free from all the nasties.
Discount Code: barelybalanced
https://wearechief.com/
All Things Better is all about simple, thoughtful wellness products that actually make a difference to your everyday routine — from gut health support to daily essentials you’ll keep reaching for.
This week on the Barely Balanced Podcast, we sit down with the wonderful Solaine Douglas, a clinical nutritionist who specialises in women's health and hormones, to unpack a topic that so many women face — PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). 🌿✨
In this episode, we explore:
💡 What PCOS actually is (spoiler: it’s more than just cysts on your ovaries!)
🧪 How it’s properly diagnosed (because it’s often misunderstood or missed)
🧘♀️ How to manage PCOS naturally — from nutrition and lifestyle to mindset and self-compassion
❓ Common myths and misconceptions that can leave women feeling confused or discouraged
❤️ Why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, and how to discover what your body truly needs
Whether you’re newly diagnosed, have been living with PCOS for years, or simply want to understand the condition better — this episode is packed with empowering, practical advice to help you take charge of your health.
Solaine’s compassionate, evidence-based perspective reminds us that PCOS doesn’t define you — and there are supportive, holistic ways to feel better in your body.
Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen! 🎧✨
Find Solaine here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solainedouglas_nutrition/
This week’s episode is proudly sponsored by two brands we absolutely adore:
🥩 Chief Nutrition – Wholefood, high-protein snacks made from grass-fed Aussie beef and sustainably sourced ingredients. Perfect for busy days when you need real food that actually nourishes (and tastes amazing). As nutritionists, we love Chief because there are no hidden nasties — just simple, clean, nutrient-dense fuel to keep your energy steady. Use the discount code ‘barelybalanced’ for a little extra love at checkout.
🌿 All Things Better – A brand after our own hearts, focusing on holistic wellness tools, lifestyle products and natural support for everyday wellbeing. Think beautiful, practical pieces that help you slow down, tune in and create small moments of calm in your busy day. We love how they make better living feel achievable, not overwhelming.
Supporting these brands supports the show — and they’re truly products and philosophies we’d stand behind any day of the week. Thanks for supporting us, so we can keep bringing you these conversations! ❤️✨
This week on the Barely Balanced Podcast, we sit down with the beautiful Kayla Gane — mum to little Vera and currently expecting baby number two!
Together, we dive into the real and raw sides of motherhood: how parenting styles can evolve, what it means to truly collaborate with your partner (even on the messy days), and the unexpected ways body image shifts as your family grows.
Kayla opens up about her journey, shares heartfelt insights, and reminds us all that there’s no one ‘right’ way to do this parenting thing — just the way that feels most authentic for your family.
It’s honest, funny, and deeply relatable — whether you’re a new mum, soon-to-be mum, or just love peeking behind the curtain of someone else’s motherhood story.
Tune in for a chat that feels like a warm cup of tea with friends.
Find Kayla:
This week’s episode is brought to you by two brands we genuinely love and trust as nutritionists:
✨ Chief Nutrition — wholefood snacks made from real, nutrient-dense ingredients. What we adore about Chief is their commitment to keeping it real — no artificial nasties, no fillers, and a focus on high-quality Australian grass-fed meats and collagen. Perfect for busy days when you need a protein boost or a satisfying snack that actually supports your health, not just your hunger. Don't forget to use our discount code barelybalanced to save on your next order!
🤰 Nourishing Your Bump — our signature program designed to guide you through pregnancy and postpartum. It’s more than just nutrition advice; it’s a holistic resource that helps mums feel empowered, informed, and truly cared for. From trimester-specific nutrition tips and supplement guidance to postpartum recovery strategies, it’s everything we wish every mum had in one easy place. You can explore the program at: freedomwellness.com.au/nourishing-your-bump.
We love these brands because they share our philosophy: real food, real support, and real results.
This week on the Barely Balanced Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Tara Pavlovic (@tarapavlovic) for a beautifully raw and real conversation. 🌱✨
We dive into what it’s really like living with PCOS, the unexpected mental health struggles that can follow having children, and how Tara’s journey led her to rethink her relationship with alcohol. From feeling burnt out to rediscovering what truly matters, Tara shares openly about redefining her values and what it means to live fully and authentically — beyond the highlight reel.
It’s honest, unfiltered, at times tearful and at times hilarious — exactly how we like it. 💛
Hit play, pour yourself a cuppa (or a cheeky mocktail 😉), and get ready to feel seen, supported, and maybe a little inspired to pause and check in with your own journey.
Podcast Sponsors:
This week’s show is proudly sponsored by Chief Nutrition — a brand we genuinely love for making wholefood snacks that are actually good for you (and your kids). Think: clean, high-protein collagen bars, savoury beef bars, and other real food products with no nasties. Perfect for busy mums, lunchboxes, or when you’re running between daycare drop-off and work.
Don’t forget to use our discount code barelybalanced at checkout for 20% off your order. Your snack drawer will thank you! 🫶
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome — the silent disease that so often gets overlooked, misdiagnosed, or dismissed entirely. In this deeply personal episode, we’re joined by the lovely Laura from @alifeworthnourishing to shed light on what it's really like living with chronic fatigue.
Laura shares her powerful story — from the years of confusion and exhaustion, to finally getting a diagnosis. She walks us through the tests she had to advocate for, the health history that shaped her journey, and what managing chronic fatigue looks like for her today.
If you've ever felt like something was "off" but no one was listening, this episode is for you. We talk gentle routines, self-compassion, navigating medical gaslighting, and what a day in Laura’s life actually looks like now.
Whether you’re personally dealing with fatigue or supporting someone who is, this episode will leave you feeling seen, validated, and more informed.
This week’s show sponsor is Chief Nutrition
Use code BARELYBALANCED at checkout for 20% off their range of wholefood protein bars and snacks – perfect for busy mums on the go.
This week on the pod, we’re joined by fellow Nutritionist and all-round legend Malissa Fedele.
Malissa is passionate about helping women feel more balanced, calm, and connected — and in this episode, we dive deep into the beautiful intersection of food and mood.
We chat about:
• How your daily food choices can influence your mood and mental clarity
• Whether food alone is enough to support your mental health
• The role of supplements — when they’re helpful and which ones to consider
• How to work with cortisol, not against it
• Simple lifestyle tips to support your nervous system
• How to tune in to your body and spot the signs that stress is taking a toll
Find Malissa here:
www.malissafedele.com
@malissafedele on Instagram
This episode is proudly sponsored by:
✨ Nourishing Your Bump — our signature program to support you and your baby on the journey from pregnancy to postpartum. Learn more at: freedomwellness.com.au/nourishing-your-bump
🥩 Chief Nutrition — clean, high-protein snacks made with real food. Use code barelybalanced for 20% off at wearechief.com
In today’s episode, we catch up with Katherine to chat all things second trimester.
Whether you're in your second trimester or just curious about what’s to come, this chat is both informative and reassuring. Plus we share lots of lifestyle tips to support your sleep, night routine and why that is so important.
Episode Sponsor:
A huge thank you to Chief Nutrition for supporting this episode. We’re longtime fans of their clean, high-protein snacks (hello collagen bars 👋).
Use the code BARELYBALANCED for 20% off at wearechief.com.
In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Laura, fellow Nutritionist from Chief Nutrition, to deep dive into all things collagen.
This is a must-listen for anyone wanting to support their gut, joints, skin, and overall wellbeing—without the fluff. Laura brings the facts, cuts through the noise, and gives you practical, no-BS insights into how collagen can (or can’t) play a role in your health journey.
We chat about:
What collagen actually is and how it functions in the body
The key benefits of collagen for gut health, skin, joints, hair, and nails
The different types of collagen (Type I, II, III) and which to look for
How to read a collagen product label and avoid marketing fluff
Collagen as we age—why it’s especially supportive as we age into our 30's and beyond.
The best ways to incorporate collagen into your daily routine
Debunking common collagen myths and misinformation
Laura’s top tips on choosing a high-quality collagen supplement
Why Chief’s approach to collagen is different (and better!)
Check out Chief Nutrition:
🌐 Website: wearechief.com
📱 Instagram: @wearechief
✨ Use our exclusive code BARELYBALANCED at checkout for 20% off your order!