In this episode of the Period Recovery & Fertility Podcast, Lindsey has an honest, grounding conversation about exercise, identity, and why so many women stay stuck in recovery without realizing their training habits are part of the problem.
If you’re trying to get your period back or hoping to get pregnant in 2026, this episode is a must-listen. Lindsey breaks down why movement that once felt empowering (especially for former athletes or women with a history of restriction) — can quietly work against ovulation and hormone balance when your goals change.
Drawing from physiology, lived experience, and years of working with women inside the Food Freedom & Fertility Society, this episode explores how old identities, fear-based movement, and unintentional underfueling can keep your body in survival mode — even when you believe you’re “doing everything right.”
If you’ve ever thought:
“I eat pretty well and exercise responsibly — why hasn’t my period come back?” this conversation will help you see what might actually need to shift.
In this episode, we cover:
Resources Mentioned:
Ready to Restore Your Period Without Letting Old Food and Fitness Rules Run Your Life?
Watch my free training: How To Recover Your Period and Get Pregnant With the Food Freedom Fertility Society
You’ll learn exactly what’s keeping you stuck — and the proven path to recovery inside the Food Freedom Fertility Society.
Episode 98: 5 Things That Helped Me Overcome My Fear of Weight Gain
In this episode of the Period Recovery & Fertility Podcast, Lindsey opens up about one of the biggest fears women face in hypothalamic amenorrhea recovery: the fear of weight gain.
After years of disordered eating, compulsive exercise, and living in a body that was far below her natural set point, Lindsey shares the mindset shifts, science, faith, and lived experiences that helped her finally let go of control — and ultimately restore her period, heal her relationship with food, and get pregnant naturally.
If you’ve ever thought:
“I know I need to gain weight… but I’m terrified,”
this episode is a must-listen.
These are the exact tools Lindsey used to overcome 15+ years of body image struggles and build the freedom-based relationship with her body she has today.
In this episode:
Resources Mentioned:
Ready to Restore Your Period Without Obsessing Over Every Bite?
Watch my free training: How To Recover Your Period and Get Pregnant With the Food Freedom Fertility Society
You’ll learn exactly what’s keeping you stuck — and the proven path to recovery inside the Food Freedom Fertility Society.
In this episode of the Period Recovery & Fertility Podcast, Lindsey sits down with former client Taylor, a full-time touring musician and songwriter who went from years of restrictive eating, industry pressure, and a completely missing period… to restoring her cycle naturally and getting pregnant on the very first month she and her husband tried.
If you've ever felt like your lifestyle is “too busy,” “too demanding,” or “too public” for recovery — or you fear what will happen if you stop controlling food and movement — Taylor’s story will remind you what’s possible when your body finally feels safe again.In this episode:
Ready to Understand What’s Keeping You Stuck?Take my free quiz: Fertility Fix for the Fit GirlGet your personalized report and the next steps your body needs to restore ovulation naturally.
In this episode of the Period Recovery & Fertility Podcast, Lindsey sits down with former client Tori, who went from years of missing periods, two rounds of amenorrhea, and “DIY recovery”… to restoring ovulation and getting pregnant on her very first ovulation inside the Food Freedom Fertility Society. She’s now 27 weeks along and thriving.
If you've ever thought “Why isn’t this working for me?”, “I should be able to fix this myself,” or “I’m scared to ask for help,” this episode will speak straight to your heart.
If you’ve ever been told to “just go back on the pill” when you lost your period, or you’ve been dismissed with a misdiagnosis like “PCOS type D,” this episode is a must-listen.
Today, Lindsey sits down with Dr. Chrisandra Shufelt, Chair of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville and a leading researcher in Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA). Dr. Shufelt has spent decades studying how hormones, stress, metabolism, and lifestyle interact to influence women’s health—especially heart health.
Together, they break down:
What FHA actually is (spoiler: it’s not just “no period”).
Why high-functioning, health-conscious women often miss the diagnosis.
How low estrogen + chronic stress impacts bone density, cardiovascular function, inflammation, and brain signaling—even when you feel “fine.”
Why one in every three women with FHA may already be showing early cardiovascular changes, even in their 20s.
How ongoing research is working to improve diagnosis, treatment, and awareness—including two major new studies that need participant voices.
This is a supportive, science-backed, empowering conversation that every active woman needs to hear.
About Our GuestDr. Chrisandra Shufelt, MD, MS
Chair, Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
International researcher in women’s hormonal health, cardiovascular risk, and menopause
Principal investigator on multiple studies examining FHA and long-term health outcomes
Resources & Research Participation
Dr. Shufelt and her team are actively recruiting for two important research studies:
1. REVEAL Registry (Virtual / Worldwide)For women with missing or irregular cycles, with or without a formal diagnosis.No clinic visit required.
→ Join the REVEAL Registry: https://noperiod.info/reveal
2. ARCH FHA Study – Mayo Clinic Jacksonville (Travel Stipend Provided)A 3-month research study evaluating cardiovascular + bone health in women with FHA.Travel expenses are covered.
→ Apply for the ARCH Study: https://noperiod.info/arch
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: www.foodfreedomandfertility.com/
Twitter:@lindseylusson
Tiktok: @food.freedom.fertility
Lindsey sits down with Taylor, a former elite marathoner who qualified for the Olympic Trials twice—but spent 15 years without a period.
After years of overtraining, under-fueling, and convincing herself she could “fix it” on her own, Taylor finally surrendered control, restored her cycle, and went from no period to pregnancy within months.
This is a raw, faith-filled conversation about what it really takes to let go of perfectionism, heal your relationship with exercise, and rebuild trust with your body.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
Why partial recovery never works when control is still in the driver’s seat
The mindset shift that helped Taylor surrender her addiction to running
How faith and community helped her rebuild a healthy relationship with food
What recovery looked like week by week—and how she got her period back after 15 years
Understanding when fertility treatment is okay after recovery
The unexpected lessons she’s learned now navigating pregnancy after HA
Connect With UsIf you’ve been “trying to do it on your own” and still don’t have your period, let Taylor’s story be your nudge that it’s time for real support.
👉 Learn more about the Food Freedom Fertility Society:https://www.foodfreedomandfertility.com/
Take the free quiz to uncover what’s keeping your cycle stuck:Fertility Fix for the Fit Girl Quiz
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
We’re back with the final episode of our 3-part series on functional testing for fertility! 🎉
Lindsey is joined again by our functional fertility dietitian, Anabelle, to unpack one of the most popular (and misunderstood) advanced hormone tests: the DUTCH test.
If you’ve ever wondered whether the DUTCH test could be the missing piece in your fertility journey, this episode is for you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
What the DUTCH test actually is (and why it’s different from standard bloodwork).
The hormones and metabolites it measures—estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, and more.
Why the timing of the test matters (and why it’s not useful if you’re not currently ovulating).
Who benefits most from running a DUTCH test—and who doesn’t.
How results can uncover hidden hormone imbalances contributing to symptoms like:
Short luteal phases
Heavy or painful periods
PMS or estrogen dominance
PCOS-like patterns
How a practitioner interprets results and creates an actionable, individualized plan (and why running the test on your own can feel like reading another language).
Next Steps
👉 Curious if advanced testing like the DUTCH is right for you?
Take our free quiz to uncover what’s blocking your fertility and what your next personalized step should be.
Take the Quiz Here
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Welcome to part two of our mini-series on the top functional tests for your fertility. Today we’ll discuss GI-MAP stool testing—a powerful way to uncover what’s really going on in your gut and how it’s impacting your gut symptoms, your hormones, periods, and fertility. I’m joined again by our functional fertility dietitian, Annabelle, to break down everything you need to know.
In this episode:
What the GI-MAP test is and what it measures (microbiome balance, pathogens, inflammation, digestion, immune markers, and more).
Why gut health and hormones are inseparable—from estrogen detox to nutrient absorption.
How digestive symptoms like bloating, constipation, and reflux can be early red flags of hormone imbalance.
Client stories where uncovering gut issues (like H. pylori) helped restore fertility and support natural pregnancy.
The surprising way gut imbalances may contribute to acne, skin flares, and unexplained infertility.
Why only 10% of our clients need advanced gut testing to fix their digestive issues
Links & Resources:
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
This is part one of a three-part series on functional lab testing with our Functional Fertility Dietitian, Anabelle. Over the next few episodes, we’ll dive into the three main labs we use to help clients get to the root of:
Hormone imbalances
Fatigue and burnout
Missing or irregular cycles
Fertility struggles and unexplained infertility
In today’s episode, we’re starting with one of our favorite tests: the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA).
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why HTMA is often the first test we run for clients who feel stuck in their fertility journey.
How mineral patterns reveal your body’s ability to handle stress, produce energy, and support hormone balance.
The three stages of stress (alarm, acute, and burnout) and how HTMA shows where your body is on that spectrum.
Why even women who “eat really clean” may still be mineral deficient due to soil depletion, stress, or under-fueling.
Real-life client stories where HTMA uncovered hidden burnout and helped guide targeted support—leading to restored fertility and pregnancy.
How this simple, low-lift test offers insight into thyroid health, adrenal function, hydration, and overall resiliency.
Why This Matters: Many women are told their labs look normal—yet they still feel exhausted, anxious, or struggle to get pregnant. HTMA helps uncover what’s going on beneath the surface by showing us the mineral imbalances that drive hormone and energy dysfunction. This can be both validating and empowering, giving you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.
Next Steps:We run HTMAs inside our Food Freedom Fertility Society as an add-on, and they’re included in our new Functional Fertility Package with Annabelle, which offers private coaching and personalized lab interpretation.
👉 Curious if minerals are the missing link in your fertility journey? Take our free quiz:
What’s Blocking Your Fertility (and What to Do About It)
It only takes a few minutes and will point you toward the best next steps.
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
Just because you’re bleeding doesn’t mean your cycle is healthy—or that your body is ready for pregnancy.
In this episode, I’m walking you through the five most common red flags I see in women who have gotten their period back but are still struggling to get pregnant. This is especially relevant for the 40% of our clients who come to us already cycling but still facing hidden hormone imbalances, cycle irregularities, or subclinical signs of under-fueling and stress.
If you've worked hard to restore your period but are still facing frustrating fertility setbacks, this episode is going to help you understand what your body is trying to tell you.
We’ll cover:
What an irregular cycle really means (and why it may be anovulatory)
The most overlooked signs of weak ovulation
Why a short luteal phase matters (and how it's connected to under-fueling and stress)
What your bleed quality can reveal about hormone balance
Why periods sometimes disappear again—and what to do about it
You'll also learn how we help clients inside the Food Freedom Fertility Society move from “just cycling” to thriving hormonally with regular ovulation, balanced hormones, and cycles that are truly ready to support pregnancy.
Whether your period just came back or you’re still dealing with short cycles, no ovulation, or low progesterone—this episode will help you connect the dots.
🔍 Related Resources & Links:
Connect with Lindsey:
Instagram: @food.freedom.fertility
Website: foodfreedomandfertility.com
Twitter: @lindseylusson
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