We sit down with the incredible Jess Thompson, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 26 years old. What started as a gut feeling that something wasn’t right led to a diagnosis that gave her only one to two years to live.
Jess walks us through her journey, the symptoms she pushed for answers on, navigating a healthcare system that didn’t always take her seriously, going through chemo and major surgery, and what it felt like to stare death in the face. She shares the moment she was told she was in remission and how that changed her relationship with her body, her priorities, and her sense of purpose.
But Jess’s story doesn’t end there. Shortly after celebrating being cancer free, her partner was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. She opens up about how they processed this together, what resilience looks like now, and the lessons she carries forward every day.
This conversation is raw, grounding, and full of courage.
It’s a reminder that listening to your body can save your life, and that even in the darkest moments, there can still be light.
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A real, honest conversation about anxiety, panic attacks, and the overwhelming moments so many of us quietly carry.
This week we’re joined by Dr Victoria Thompson, clinical psychologist, to dive deep into anxiety in all its forms.
Jess opens up about her own recent experience with anxiety and panic attacks, sharing what those moments have actually looked and felt like behind the scenes. Together, we unpack what anxiety really is, how to recognise when it’s becoming unmanageable, why panic attacks happen, and how health anxiety shows up, especially for women navigating chronic symptoms or complex health journeys.
We also explore the link between women’s health conditions and anxiety, and the practical tools that can help you come back to safety, calm, and self-trust.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, spiralled into fear, or wondered “is this normal?”, this episode will feel like a breath out.
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Website: wearethecyclist.com
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This week we are joined by Laura Henshaw, co-founder of Kic.
In this conversation, Laura opens up about her experience with painful periods, navigating pregnancy & her decision to have children, and how her relationship with cycle syncing has evolved over time. We also dive into the cultural moment of GLP1s, SkinnyTok, comparison culture and the pressure to change or control our bodies in order to fit in.
Laura shares what has helped her stay connected to herself, soften self judgment, and find confidence in a changing body. This is an honest, spacious and deeply human chat about identity, womanhood and coming home to your body.
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Website: wearethecyclist.com
Press play, we cannot wait for you to hear this one.
This week on The Cyclist, we sit down with Daisy Dagg for one of the most open and powerful conversations we’ve had yet.
Daisy shares her story starting from her cervical cancer diagnosis in her early years, through the confusing and painful journey that eventually led to her vulvodynia diagnosis. She opens up about what it’s really like to live with chronic pelvic pain, from how it affects intimacy and relationships, to the emotional toll of constantly being dismissed.
We then talk about her experience with endometriosis and the decision to have a hysterectomy, diving into the mix of grief, relief, and hope that can come with it.
This is an honest, brave, and necessary conversation about the realities of living in a body that’s constantly in pain, and finding a voice through it all.
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@wearethecyclist | wearethecyclist.com
What does it take to perform at the top of your game when your body doesn’t always play ball?
This week, we’re joined by Jess Kerr, New Zealand cricketer, to talk about living and performing with type 1 diabetes, navigating endometriosis surgeries, and being diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy.
Jess shares how she manages blood sugar, recovery, and energy on and off the field, what it’s really like to push through chronic pain as an elite athlete, and how she’s learnt to listen to her body instead of fight against it.
It’s an honest conversation about resilience, identity, and redefining strength when your health throws you a curveball.
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@wearethecyclist | wearethecyclist.com
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From PCOS to the pill - we’re diving into the topics that TikTok loves to oversimplify.
In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Sara Widdowson, dietitian and founder of Your Monthly, to unpack the real science (and the real-life experience) behind PCOS, hormone balance, and contraception.
We tackle the big questions:
✨ What actually is PCOS - and can you cure it?
✨ Why do so many TikTok “hormone hacks” miss the mark?
✨ How can you best support your body when coming on or off the pill?
This one’s for anyone who’s ever been confused, overwhelmed, or misled by the noise online. Sara helps us bring it back to evidence, empathy, and what’s actually within your control.
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Hit play and join the conversation, because understanding your hormones shouldn’t be this hard.
Today Jess sits down in Sydney with longtime friend and running legend Lydia O’Donnell, co-founder of Femmi and Nike Run Club Head Coach for the Pacific.
Lydia shares how shifting from “how I look” to “what my body can do” changed everything, including her performance. She opens up about RED-S, losing and regaining her period, and how cycle-aware training and proper fueling helped her rebuild strength and smash PBs. You’ll hear the story behind Femmi, why women aren’t “small men” in sport, the power of male allies, and Lydia’s advice to younger athletes on patience, confidence, and learning your body.
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Website: wearethecyclist.com
Hit play to join the conversation and take what you need for your next run, walk, or workout.
We’ve officially launched Cadence, our sister brand, our passion project, and the culmination of three years of building, learning, and healing.
In this episode, Jess and Kat share the full journey from that first DM to launch day - the highs, the heartbreaks, and the why behind it all. We chat about what drove us to create Cadence, the gaps we saw in the women’s health space, and the products that supported us on our own journeys (and now, hopefully, yours too).
We also dive into the realities of the supplement industry - how unregulated it is, what transparency really means, and why we built Cadence to be different.
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning frustration into purpose, this one’s for you.
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Shop Cadence: cadencewellbeing.com
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This week on the podcast we’re joined by Prue Craven, who was born with a rare condition called MRKH, meaning she never developed a uterus.
Prue opens up about the moment she realised something was different, the long journey through IVF and surrogacy heartbreak, and the life-changing 14-hour transplant surgery that gave her the chance to carry her own child. She shares what it was like to wake up with a uterus for the first time, the incredible story of her friend becoming her donor, and how it felt to finally give birth to her daughter Rose.
This is a story about resilience, hope, and breaking down what we think is possible for women’s health.
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Instagram: @wearethecyclist
Website: wearethecyclist.com
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This week on the podcast we’re joined by Georgie, who courageously shares her real story with endometriosis and adenomyosis. She speaks honestly about the symptoms she’s lived with, the multiple surgeries she’s endured, and the ongoing challenges of navigating life with chronic pain.
We dive into how her diagnosis has reshaped her day-to-day - from the difficulty of holding down work to the way her dreams of having children have shifted. Georgie’s openness is raw, relatable, and a reminder of the resilience so many women draw on while navigating these conditions.
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In this episode, Kat shares her powerful and emotional birth story.
From raspberry leaf tea to acupuncture, induction herbs, dates, evening primrose oil, perineal massage, and even colostrum collection, Kat takes us through everything she tried in the hopes of achieving a VBAC. Despite her best efforts, her journey led to a second emergency c-section - and with it, the lessons and peace she found in knowing she had done everything she could.
We talk through the emotional rollercoaster of birth, her tips for postpartum recovery, and the surreal moment where Jess experienced a miscarriage while Kat was in labour - a true reminder of the complexity of womanhood and the shared experiences of our bodies.
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Website: wearethecyclist.com
From battling anorexia and OCD to co-founding one of New Zealand’s leading mental health charities Voices of Hope, Genevieve Mora’s story is one of resilience and hope.
In this episode, Gen (@_genevieve_mora) opens up about her lived experience with anorexia, the toll it took on her body and cycles, and the road to recovery. We dive into how disordered eating impacts reproductive health, why launching a charity became her way of helping others, and what it’s been like navigating pregnancy after everything her body has been through.
This is a raw, honest, and empowering conversation about mental health, womanhood, and learning to trust your body again.
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Hit play to join us on this powerful journey with Gen.
This week on The Cyclist Podcast we’re diving into a raw and powerful story of living with endometriosis.
Our guest is Abbey Harrison, perinatal and women’s health social worker, who not only supports women through birth, loss, and midwifery referrals, but has also walked her own long road with chronic illness.
In this episode we focus mostly on her personal journey with chronic health, particularly Endometriosis. She shares her deeply personal journey, from being dismissed with symptoms as a teenager, to multiple laparoscopies, becoming a young mum, going through miscarriage, and learning how to rebuild her sense of self in a body that doesn’t always cooperate.
It’s a conversation about endo, resilience, and redefining your worth when life doesn’t follow the script. This is an episode every woman will see a piece of herself in.
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Website: wearethecyclist.com
Hit play and let's learn to cycle better together.
This week we’re joined by Emma Peters, clean beauty advocate, makeup artist, and founder of Aleph Beauty.
The global beauty industry is worth over $670 billion, but behind the glamour lies a hidden health story. Many everyday products contain hormone disruptors that can interfere with the endocrine system, impacting everything from menstrual cycles to fertility and long-term hormonal balance.
Emma brings over 20 years of experience in the beauty world, breaking down what “clean beauty” really means, which ingredients to watch out for, and why this is so much more than just a trend—it’s a health conversation. As a mother to two daughters at very different stages of their hormonal journeys, Emma shares both professional expertise and personal perspective on why this matters for our generation and the next.
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Website: wearethecyclist.com
Hit play and join us as we uncover the hidden health impacts of the beauty industry.
This week, it’s just me, Jess, sharing my miscarriage story, both past and present.
I open up about the heartbreak, the silence, and the lessons I’ve learnt along the way. It’s raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal, but it’s a conversation that so many of us need to hear. My hope is that this episode helps someone feel less alone in their own journey, or helps others better understand what miscarriage can be like behind the statistics.
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Website: wearethecyclist.com
Hit play and join me as I share my story.
This week on the podcast we’re talking all things birth with Dr Morgan Edwards, an Obstetric Anaesthetist specialising in pain management, epidurals, and anaesthesia during labour and delivery. From C-sections to epidurals, and the importance of self-advocacy, Dr Morgan shares her expert insights, practical advice, and the realities that often get left out of the conversation.
We unpack what really happens in the delivery room, how to navigate your options, and the small but powerful steps you can take to feel confident, prepared, and in control during birth. Whether you’re planning, pregnant, or reflecting on a past birth, this episode is full of empowering takeaways and myth-busting truths.
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Website: wearethecyclist.com
As mentioned in the episode, here is a link to Dr Morgans resource Your Labour Your Way
Hit play to feel informed, equipped, and ready to advocate for yourself.
Hot flushes, low mood, brain fog, weight changes, insomnia... sound familiar? You might be in perimenopause, even if no one’s told you so.
This week on The Cyclist, we’re joined by hormone expert and medical researcher Dr Nicky Keay to break down what perimenopause and menopause actually are, when they can start, and what signs to look out for. We cover the most common (and commonly missed) symptoms, how to know if you're in it, and the role of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone during this transition.
We also dive into RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) and how undereating, stress, and overtraining can impact your hormones at any age, especially during midlife.
This is the hormone education we should have received sooner, and a must-listen for anyone wondering if what they’re experiencing is “just stress” or something more.
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Hit play and let’s learn to cycle better together.
Dr Amelia Ryan, co-owner of Auckland Gynaecology Group, is a gynaecologist on a mission to improve how we diagnose and treat women's health conditions, especially endometriosis.
In this episode, we get into the realities of being diagnosed with endo, why so many of us are dismissed or misdiagnosed for years, and how ultrasound is changing the game. We also unpack the good, the bad, and the misunderstood when it comes to the pill, plus why PMS shouldn’t just be shrugged off as “normal”.
Whether you're navigating hormonal symptoms, trying to get a diagnosis, or just want to understand your body better, this one’s for you.
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Website: www.wearethecyclist.com
Hit play and let’s demystify your body together.
From life on luxury superyachts to navigating chronic illness and fertility decisions, Polly Markus (aka @miss_pollys_kitchen) has lived many lives in one. In this feel-good episode, we sit down with Polly to chat about her journey with Crohn’s disease - from diagnosis to remission - and how it led her to make big decisions like freezing her eggs and preparing for motherhood.
She shares what it was like working as a chef at sea, how food became both her creative outlet and healing tool, and what she's learned through pregnancy after chronic illness. This episode feels like a Facetime with your funniest, most honest friend.
A must-listen if you’re navigating gut health, fertility, or just love a good real-life story.
And, of course, a link to our FREE Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Guide Here.
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Website: www.wearethecyclist.com
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In this episode, it’s just us - Jess and Kat - sitting down for a real and raw chat about Kat’s first birth and how she’s preparing for baby number two.
Kat opens up about her birth with Cooper, how she ended up having an unplanned C-section, and the things she wishes she’d known beforehand. We talk about her recovery, the early postpartum days, and the products that actually helped during that chaotic season.
Now, with her second baby on the way, Kat’s taking a different approach, from mindset to planning, and shares what she’s doing this time to feel more informed, calm, and empowered.
Whether you’ve given birth before or are navigating it for the first time, this one feels like a warm chat with friends , with practical takeaways and honest reflections along the way.
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Explore more at wearethecyclist.com
Hit play and come behind the scenes with us on all things birth, recovery, and doing it your way.