If your doctor told you “everything looks normal” but you still can’t get pregnant… this episode will blow your mind (and validate your gut instinct).
I’m joined by Dr. Aumatma Simmons, board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist and the powerhouse behind @holisticfertilitydoctor, to talk about why unexplained infertility isn’t actually unexplained—and how to uncover what your body’s been trying to tell you all along.
We dive into the root causes missed in traditional fertility care, how to tell if your labs are actually optimal (not just “normal”), and what high-achieving women need to understand about stress, estrogen, and their nervous systems if they want to get pregnant naturally.
Dr. Simmons also shares the real deal on the age and fertility myth (spoiler: it’s based on data from the 1800s) and gives us a first look at her AI-powered root cause analysis tool, Madre Fertility.
Why “unexplained infertility” is a lazy diagnosis—and what’s actually going on
The 5 most common root causes most doctors miss
Why normal labs ≠ optimal fertility
How high-achieving women accidentally block ovulation
Easy ways to regulate your nervous system and boost hormones
What it actually takes to increase estrogen and restore ovulation
Take the Root Cause Quiz → www.madrefertility.com
Work with Dr. Simmons → www.holisticfertilityinstitute.com
Follow her on Instagram → @holisticfertilitydoctor
Episode Highlights:
[03:10] The personal fertility journey that led Dr. Simmons to this work
[09:30] Where the “fertility cliff at 35” myth actually comes from
[14:45] Toxins, gut health, stress & the real root causes of infertility
[25:40] Why your estrogen is low (and what to do about it)
[33:10] Why normal labs can be misleading
[41:00] How perfectionism and high cortisol block your cycle
[50:00] 3 free tools to regulate your nervous system and boost hormones
[58:00] What to do if you feel like you’ve tried everything
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Are you eating more, gaining weight, and still not getting your period back? Or maybe you’ve gotten one bleed and assumed you were fully recovered—but still can’t get pregnant? In this episode, Lindsey breaks down the 10 most common mistakes she sees women make when trying to restore their cycle and support natural fertility.
Spoiler alert: it’s not always about the calories, and it’s definitely not just about weight.
Whether you’re tracking macros, still overtraining, or waiting for a doctor to “diagnose” you before taking action, this episode will help you identify what might be holding you back—and what to do instead.
In this Episode:
Why tracking calories might actually be slowing your recovery
The hidden harm of “clean eating” when it comes to hormones
Why fiber isn’t always your friend if you have low estrogen
The role of your nervous system in ovulation
Why one period ≠ full recovery or full fertility
Why fertility treatments don’t always work (and what to do first)
Why it’s never too early to care about getting your period back
📚 Referenced Episodes:
Ep. 76 – You don’t have to be Underweight to Lose your Period
Ep. 86 – What Every Woman Needs to Know About Carbs & Fertility
📥 Links & Resources:
💻 Free Training: How to Get Pregnant with a Missing Period
Submit a listener question for the podcast
🧪 Grab our Lab Guide: Understand Labs with HA
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
If the idea of “slowing down” makes you panic… this episode is a must-listen.
Jennifer is a Yoga, Pilates, Meditation & Breathwork teacher who specialises in fertility & women’s health. During a long & difficult fertility journey of her own, Jennifer eventually found the practice of Fertility Yoga. This practice was able to ease her anxiety while TTC, relieve chronic insomnia, re-balance a thyroid condition…and eventually it helped her to fall pregnant naturally. She now runs an online business, Element Pilates & Yoga, helping women all over the world to overcome fertility challenges & find their way to motherhood.
In this Episode
Why giving up high-intensity workouts felt impossible—and why she finally did it
How fertility yoga helped regulate her cycle, balance hormones, and heal insomnia
What most doctors miss when diagnosing cycle issues or "early menopause"
The real science behind blood flow, nervous system regulation, and fertility
Practical tips to shift out of fight-or-flight and reconnect with your body
If you're stuck in the "all or nothing" mindset around exercise, think fertility yoga sounds boring, or feel like rest equals failure—this episode is here to change your mind (and maybe your cycle).
Want to try fertility yoga with Jen?Jen is hosting a free 3-day Fertility Yoga Workshop! You’ll get daily practices, breathwork, and calming tools to help regulate your hormones and reconnect with your body.
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
I’m tackling one of the most common and misunderstood topics in the world of hormone health and fertility: carbohydrates. Specifically, how well-intentioned choices—like following a low-carb or "clean" eating plan—might be silently disrupting your cycle, impairing ovulation, and delaying your chances of getting pregnant.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The science behind how carbs fuel ovulation, thyroid function, and estrogen balance
How low energy availability—even if you're eating a lot—can shut down your reproductive system
What happens to LH pulses, T3, and gut health on a low-carb or high-stress lifestyle
Why mindset matters as much as macros when it comes to recovery from hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA)
I’m breaking down the exact physiological reasons why your cycle may still be MIA—even if your labs look “normal” and you’ve already increased calories.
This isn’t just about how much you eat… it’s about what you’re eating (and what signals you’re sending your brain).
You’ll also hear:
Why we see so many Type A women, athletes, and “wellness girlies” struggling to ovulate
Real stats from our program (91% get their period back in 90 days!)
Why your gut health and hormone health are more connected than you think
Resources mentioned:
Free Quiz: Are You Too Healthy to Get Pregnant?
Episode 14: Disordered Eating and Digestive Issues with Dr. Heather Finley
Episode 85: Why Healthy, Type A Women Might Be Struggling to Get Pregnant
💛 Ready to stop second-guessing and start ovulating again—without going low-carb, burning out at the gym, or dropping $1,000s on supplements?
Take the quiz linked above and find out what’s keeping your period and fertility stuck. Your body wants to heal—you just have to give it the right tools.
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
In this solo episode, Lindsey gets real about why the conventional fertility model isn’t built for the high-achieving, fit, Type A woman struggling with a missing or irregular period. If you're eating clean, working out, and doing everything right—but still not ovulating—this episode is for you.
You’ll hear:
Lindsey’s personal fertility story and how she got pregnant naturally—three times—after being told IVF was her only option
Why a "normal" BMI, healthy labs, and regular workouts don’t mean your body is hormonally ready for pregnancy
How under-fueling and overtraining can silently sabotage your fertility, even if you look healthy on the outside
The research behind body fat, energy availability, and ovulation—and why increasing your intake might be the key
Why IVF may not be the golden ticket (and what to do before going that route)
The exact 4-part framework our team uses to help clients restore cycles and get pregnant naturally inside the Food Freedom Fertility Society
💡 Whether you’ve been told IVF is your only option or you just know something deeper is going on, this episode will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and hopeful.
🎧 Mentioned in This Episode:
🎥 **Free Training: **How to Get Pregnant with a Missing Period — Learn the 3-part framework our clients use to restore ovulation and get pregnant naturally (even if they’ve been told IVF is the only option)
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
In this powerful and honest episode, Lindsey sits down with past client Caitlyn, a nurse practitioner who went from a decade without a natural period to pregnant in under 6 months—all while working 12-hour hospital shifts and navigating a deeply ingrained identity around health and fitness.
In this Episode:
Why working in healthcare can help you identify the root cause of your missing period
The daily “healthy” habits that might actually harming your fertility
How to not let your work schedule interfere with recovery
Why you shouldn’t put recovery off just because it’s summer
How to advocate for yourself when your doctors ignore your symptoms
Tips for Type A women struggling to conceive naturally
Leave a Review + Share:If this episode encouraged you, please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend who's ready to take charge of her fertility.
📥 Ready to get your period back ASAP? Apply now to work with our team and get the support, structure, and strategy that helped Caitlyn go from no period to pregnant in just 3 months.
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
In this packed listener Q&A episode, Lindsey dives into some of the most frequently asked (and misunderstood) questions in the HA recovery and fertility space. Whether your period is back but ovulation is still MIA, or you're unsure if you're doing “enough” to support your fertility—this episode breaks it all down with compassion, science, and practical steps you can take today.
Questions Answered in This Episode:
"How long after cervical mucus should I expect a period?"
"Why is it so hard to eat carbs consistently throughout the day—and why does it matter?"
"My period is back, but I’m not ovulating. Is it still an under-eating issue?"
"Is HA recovery about total calories or specific macros—especially carbs?"
Key Takeaways:
Cervical mucus is a positive sign but not a guaranteed countdown to ovulation
Nutrient timing matters as much as total intake—especially for LH and FSH signaling
Eating all your calories at night may keep your body in survival mode
Mindset blocks like “earning your food” or fearing fullness can silently sabotage your progress
Carbohydrates are critical—not optional—for hormone production and ovulation
Recovery isn’t just about food—it’s also about stress, sleep, movement, and mindset
Resources Mentioned:
Free Training – How to Get Pregnant with a Missing Period
Episode 69: Nutrient Timing for Period Recovery
Low Carb for Period Recovery? What the Science Says (Blog Post)
Submit a question for a future Q&A episode → Listener Q&A Form
Want support from Lindsey and her team?
Check out the Food Freedom Fertility Society to get expert guidance and community support through every stage of period and fertility recovery.
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Today’s guest is Sarah—a former college basketball player whose journey with missing periods began during her time as a student-athlete. After college, Sarah pursued a career as a gym teacher and athletic director, but despite her active lifestyle, her period never returned. For years, she was reassured that it was “normal” for athletes, but everything changed when she got married and began trying to start a family.
When lower-intervention fertility treatments failed and her doctor began recommending IVF, Sarah found herself at a crossroads. That’s when she discovered she was severely underfueling—and connected with Lindsey to begin a new chapter in her fertility journey.
In this Episode
The information that gets missed after getting diagnosed with HA
Take charge of your fertility journey after 5 failed Clomid cycles
The accidental under fueling that can happen as a 3 sport athlete
Getting your period back in just 3 weeks
Natural pregnancy just 2 months later
Why you should care about a missing period as a college athlete
Want to learn more about how to go from no period to pregnant in under 6 months? Grab my free training here
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Susan Portz is a registered dietitian specializing in nutrition for women with unexplained infertility and those undergoing fertility treatments like IVF. After experiencing her own six-year infertility journey—including multiple rounds of IVF—Susan understands firsthand the emotional and physical toll of trying to conceive. Now a mom, she is passionate about helping other women optimize their fertility through science-based nutrition and sustainable lifestyle changes.
Through Fertility Nutrition Simplified, she provides expert guidance, compassionate support, and practical strategies to help women take control of their fertility. She offers a free training and a comprehensive course designed to help women improve their chances of conception with the power of nutrition.
In this Episode:
Why nutrition matters even if you’re doing IVF
Understanding a realistic timeline for pregnancy when using fertility assistance
Why so many millennial women are under fueling for fertility
Top foods and supplements for boosting fertility
How eating perfectly for fertility can be a gateway into disordered eating
Helpful mindset shifts to make if you’ve been TTC for multiple years
To learn more, find susan on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nutrition.for.infertility/@nutrition.for.infertility or reach out at susan@simplejoyfulnutrition.com.
course link (with 40% discount!): https://go.simplejoyfulnutrition.com/fertilitynutritionsimplified-5284
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
In This Episode:
– Average recovery times for clients following the Food Freedom Fertility method
– Why it doesn’t matter how long your period has been missing
– Understanding weight restoration and what it means for your fertility
– Will exercise delay your recovery time?
– Unpacking what full recovery from HA looks like
– Why more information isn’t what you need to get your period back
Links and Resources:
– Episode 39: What happens if I don’t get my period back?
– Find ED support: allianceforeatingdisorders.com
– Apply for the Food Freedom Fertility Society: Click HERE
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Jillian Greaves (MPH, RD, LDN) is a Functional Medicine Dietitian, Women's Health Specialist, podcast co-host, and founder of the highest-rated dietitian and functional nutrition business in Boston. She has been recognized across major publications such as Dr. Axe, Healthline and EatingWell for her transformative and unique approach to wellness. Jillian’s mission is not only to empower women to understand and treat the root causes of their health issues naturally, but also to guide them in breaking away from the pursuit of perfection in doing so.
It was early on in Jillian’s career when she realized the potentially damaging consequences of the “pill for every ill” approach traditional medicine often takes. After years of struggling with her own health, she realized that what she learned in her professional experience and her doctors’ orders to “just take birth control” were not enough to help her truly reverse her symptoms. Fueled by her own personal health challenges and frustration with being told that “everything looks normal” while her body was telling her otherwise, she decided to build her own private practice.
Through her private nutrition coaching and courses, Jillian has helped thousands of women – and counting – heal their gut and hormone symptoms while breaking away from dieting extremes through personalized and sustainable programs. Her unique approach to helping clients achieve whole-person health is focused on helping them foster empowering relationships with food and their bodies.
In this Episode
– Understanding the stress bucket
– How under eating derails blood sugar balance and increases cortisol
– Dangerous social media diet trends for hormones and fertility
– Understanding how the circadian rhythm impacts hormone production
– Nutrition to boost egg quality and the importance of fermented foods
– Debunking myths about AMH and your ability to get pregnant
– Learning the line for what’s too much exercise for fertility
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Mallory Cooper is a devoted wife to her husband, Colton, of five years, a proud dog mom to her two golden doodles, Dood and Doodette, and, most recently, a loving mother to her little miracle boy, Hendon. She is passionate about her faith, cherishes time with family and friends, and embraces every opportunity to soak up the sunshine.
In this Episode:
– The toxic environment of them gym when battling exercise addiction
– Why a missing period should be a red flag for disordered eating support
– Unpacking the financial and emotional costs of IVF
– Moving out of denial and into alignment with your true values
– Advocating for yourself and why permanent period loss is a myth
– Using recovery tools to support your body postpartum
– The importance of addressing your relationship with exercise
– How to go from no period to pregnant in 5 months without fertility treatment
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Maggie lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and cat. She works in IT audit, and in her free time she loves spending time outdoors, reading, and exercising (now--in moderation!). Maggie and her husband welcomed a baby boy just a few weeks ago at the end of January!
In this Episode:
– The perfectionist pathway into period loss
– The sobering results of not responding to the Provera challenge
– How to overcome food guilt during recovery
– The macro counting trap preventing you from eating enough
– How motherhood will challenge your relationship with food
– Getting your period back in 6 weeks
– The benefit of restoring your period before fertility treatment
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Jennifer L. Gaudiani, MD, CEDS-C, FAED, is the Founder and Medical Director of the Gaudiani Clinic. Board-certified in internal medicine, she completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard, medical school at Boston University School of Medicine, and her internal medicine residency and chief residency at Yale. Dr. Gaudiani served as the medical director at ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders prior to founding the Gaudiani Clinic, which is a Denver-based outpatient medical clinic that offers telemedicine throughout the US and is dedicated to caring for people with eating disorders, disordered eating, and malnutrition. Dr. Gaudiani’s first book, Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders is available on Amazon.
In this Episode
The gap in doctors identifying and diagnosing eating disorders Defining Relative Energy Deficit in Sport (RED-S) Identifying the body systems impacting by undereating How to distinguish between healthy behaviors and ED behaviors Why women in their 40s are at a higher risk for developing an eating disorder Is full recovery from an eating disorder even possible? Why some women lose their period, and others do not The shocking statistics of EDs among patients seeking fertility assistance
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: www.foodfreedomandfertility.com/
Twitter: @lindseylusson
In the Episode:
What is set point weight?
Is it possible to overshoot your setpoint and when will your weight return to baseline?
Expectations for your 2nd recovery period
Why cycle tracking is an important tool for hormonal health
How to know whether or not you’re ovulating
Troubleshooting if your period are irregular after recovery
The role body and exercise plan in fertility
Wanna ask a question for me to answer on the pod? Add it here
Invest in a wearable fertility device: Tempdrop
Use code “AFfoodfreedomfertility” for 20%off
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: www.foodfreedomandfertility.com/
Twitter: @lindseylusson
While the etiology of HA and PCOS are very different, the two conditions can present very similarly in the clinical setting. In this episode, Sam and I unpack the similarities and differences between HA and PCOS and share some foundational nutrition and lifestyle habits that are beneficial for healthy hormones and fertility if you’re unsure which condition you have.
Sam Abbott, MSEd, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist who helps those with PCOS ditch diets and balance hormones without feeling guilty or stressed about food. She is the owner of PCOS Nutrition Company, where she helps clients improve hormone regulation without a side of diet culture or weight stigma. In her Nourished with PCOS Program Collective, her non-diet nutrition membership, she empowers people with PCOS to find peace and balance with nutrition, hormones, body and life. You can find Sam on Instagram at @pcos.nutritionist or on her podcast, the Nourished with PCOS Podcast, where she gives free tips and support around managing PCOS without dieting.
In this Episode
Why weight shouldn’t be the focus when it comes to balancing your hormones
Looking holistically at each individual to accurately diagnose PCOS
Why nutrition recommendations for PCOS and HA don’t have to conflict
Understanding the different “types” of PCOS
Is adrenal PCOS just HA? What does the research say
Why comparison is the worst metric for whether or not you’re eating enough
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: www.foodfreedomandfertility.com/
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Jamie joined the Food Freedom Fertility Society in April 2024 after being told IVF was her only option. She is a 28-year-old nurse with a love for running, living in St. Louis MO. She dove in and started diligently following the FFF Method. In just 2.5 weeks, Jamie saw a return of her period! 2 months after that, she got pregnant naturally.
In the Episode
Why rapid weight loss should be met with concern, not praise
Losing your period when on the pill and why that’s not normal
Is ovulation induction a waste of time with HA?
Overcoming the fear of gaining all the weight back
Why it’s unhealthy to restrict and overtrain during fertility treatment
The power of community for motivation in your recovery journey
How to approach your fertility journey with confidence
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: www.foodfreedomandfertility.com/
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Michelle is a Registered Dietitian with her Master's in Health Psychology. She is the owner/founder of Yates Nutrition with a mission to both treat and prevent eating disorders for women all over the world. Michelle ultimately leads women away from habits and behaviors which can be destructive, discouraging, and disordered and leads them to a healthy relationship with food, fitness, and their bodies. Michelle hosts Nourished & Free: The Podcast and lives in the Midwest with her husband, 2 kids, and cat.
In the Episode
Does the field of dietetics set you up for developing an eating disorder?
The overlap between restrictive EDs and binge eating
The top things women who struggled with binging need to know
How perfectionism with food can drive binge eating
Understanding the clinical definition of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
The first steps to healing from BED and improving your relationship with food
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: www.foodfreedomandfertility.com/
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Renae lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband, Trevor, and goldendoodle, Derby.
She works as a Physician Assistant in Dermatology and loves all things - SKIN.
Reane and her husband are currently pregnant with a baby boy, due in December 2024!
In this Episode:
Can you recover from HA while doing IVF?
The role proper nutrition can play in egg retrieval
Creating safety in an over-stressed body
Tracking recovery progress while using supplemental hormones
Why many doctors will tell you to skip IUI
Honesty is key when working with a fertility specialist
How to make HA recovery a positive experience
Overcoming the fear of gaining weight
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: www.foodfreedomandfertility.com/
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Noelle is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP™) and a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA®) Certified Personal Trainer. She’s the host top-ranked health podcast, Well-Fed Women, and the founder of coconutsandkettlebells.com. She’s also the author of the best-selling cookbook, Coconuts and Kettlebells, and the creator an innovative personalized home workout program, Strong From Home.
Noelle has been working in health and wellness industry for almost 20 years. She’s a Marine Corps wife, mom to two young kids, and currently resides with her family in Northern Virginia.
Download Noelle’s FREE Protein Hacks guide and sample meal plan here: Protein Prep Method.
In this episode:
Hitting rock bottom with dieting and trying to change your body
What we’ve learned over the last 20 years about fitness culture
Why more isn’t better when it comes to exercising for healthy hormones
What is HPA axis dysfunction, and how do we fix it?
Questions to ask if you can’t break your routine with exercise
Sifting through the lie “If I stop now, I’m going to lose all my fitness”
Why true mental healing from disordered eating takes years, not months
Letting go of a fit identity and learning to be okay with getting it wrong sometimes
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: www.foodfreedomandfertility.com/
Twitter: @lindseylusson
