Hormone Healing RD

Amanda Montalvo
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Oct 31, 2025 • 58min

8: How to Heal Your Gut Without a Stool Test

Join Patreon to learn about how minerals impact digestion and basic supports for your gut!What if you could heal your gut without stool testing or protocols?In this episode, I map a simple path that doesn’t require labs or fancy add-ons. You’re going to learn four specific areas that anyone can use to heal their gut for good (and none of them are pills). The real blocker is the common state many people are in that shuts down digestion and irritates the gut lining. There are small timing tweaks that get your digestive juices to show up when they’re supposed to, and things to change first so symptoms don’t boomerang a few months later. This episode will make you re-think everything you knew about gut health.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[04:20] What actually causes symptoms to come back after a ‘gut protocol’[08:01] The reason your gut still struggles even when you ‘eat clean’[26:21] The simple timing shift that gets your digestive juices working again[40:05] Why blood sugar swings mess with your microbiome[48:53] The overlooked body system that keeps your gut detoxing properly[54:59] The most important thing to think about when the goal is to repair your gut long termResources Mentioned:Holistic Healing for Nina-Marie Rueda | BookBon Charge | Website (use code HHRD for a 15% off discount)RA Optics | WebsiteViva Rays | Website (use code HHRD for a discount)Spectra 479 | GlassesSleep ZM | GlassesPaleo Valley Essential Electrolytes | Website (use code HORMONEHEALINGRD10)Hormone Healing podcast episode Intro to Lymph Flow with Leah | Listen Now Hormone Healing podcast episode How To Have Healthy Digestion | Listen NowLearn about helpful nutrition habits, the different phases of your cycle, how to track, signs of good metabolic health, and so much more in my Free Healthy Period Starter Guide.Find more from Amanda:Hormone Healing RD | InstagramHormone Healing RD | WebsiteHormone Healing RD | FacebookHormone Healing RD | YouTubeHormone Healing RD | TikTok
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Oct 27, 2025 • 52min

7: What to Do When Your Child Gets Sick | Dr. Nina-Marie Rueda

Join Patreon for a bonus Q&A with Nina where we discuss antibiotics.Panic is contagious, but so is calm.In this episode, Nina is back to talk about what to do when your kid gets sick. Nina created Primary Care Parent, which I keep on hand for quick, at-home decisions.We tackle fear first, because kids track our nervous system. Then we dig into foundations like rest and hydration before anything fancy. Screens get dialed back so sleep signals can do their job. Food stays simple, and the extra sugar that dulls immune cells gets a hard pass. And you’ll see why small, consistent moves beat complicated protocols.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[02:49] Nina’s checklist before reaching for over-the-counter options[03:15] Why rest and hydration come before supplements[05:02] The real impact of screen time on healing and sleep[11:29] The hidden immune cost of sugar during illness[12:55] Whole foods that speed up recovery during illness[20:53] Why your calm presence is the strongest medicine in the room[24:58] The surprising truth Nina learned from pediatrician about kids’ fevers[30:19] The natural medicine cabinet every parent needs[40:57] The gentle ear infection remedies that actually work[48:32] Natural sinus infection supportFind more from Dr. Nina:Dr. Nina Marie | InstagramDr. Nina Marie | WebsiteNerdy Notes with Nina Marie | SubstackHolistic Healing for Busy Parents | BookFind more from Amanda:Hormone Healing RD | InstagramHormone Healing RD | WebsiteHormone Healing RD | FacebookHormone Healing RD | YouTubeHormone Healing RD | TikTokGet your Paleovalley electrolytes here. (use code HORMONEHEALINGRD10)
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Oct 20, 2025 • 1h 13min

6: The Complete Guide to Detox During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Join Patreon to get access to liver and bile guide bonus here.Your body doesn’t press pause on detoxing just because you’re pregnant.In this episode, I push back on the idea that detox is dangerous by default in pregnancy. I explain how it’s a constant, built in process led by the liver. I also set the record straight on what actually crosses the placenta and why milk still has protective checks.The real risk is forcing it and stirring up more than your body can clear. So I lay out gentle, everyday moves that support drainage without drama. Think basics like fiber to keep things moving and a daily rhythm that lowers stress.It comes down to working with your body’s detox systems, not against them.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[01:55] What “detox” really means during pregnancy and breastfeeding[03:35] The surprising truth about what the placenta and breast milk can’t filter out[11:30] The daily foundations that naturally support your body’s detox pathways[25:03] Why stress, light, and breath may matter more than any detox gadget[35:50] Specific movements that can change your sleep and comfort in late pregnancy[46:51] The safe supplements and minerals that actually make a difference[52:19] The one binder that supports detox without overstimulating your systemResources Mentioned:Paleovalley Whole Food Vitamin C | WebsitePaleovalley Electrolytes (use code HORMONEHEALINGRD10) | WebsiteBodyBio PC | WebsiteParis Latka YouTube Channel | YouTubeThe Feminine Periodical Newsletter | WebsitePsyllium Husk | WebsiteRA Optics Glasses (use code HHRD) | WebsiteHome Is Where The Sauna Is | ArticleLearn about helpful nutrition habits, the different phases of your cycle, how to track, signs of good metabolic health, and so much more in my Free Healthy Period Starter Guide.Find more from Amanda:Hormone Healing RD | InstagramHormone Healing RD | WebsiteHormone Healing RD | FacebookHormone Healing RD | YouTubeHormone Healing RD | TikTok
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Oct 13, 2025 • 1h 8min

5: Understanding & Fixing The Root Cause of Acne | Colleen Clesen

Work 1:1 with Colleen to heal your acne here.What if your acne isn’t really about your skin at all?In this episode, I’m joined by Colleen Clesen, an aesthetician with a background in nutrition and dietetics. After struggling with her own breakouts and realizing how limited both dermatology and standard aesthetics training were, she went back to school to fill in the missing piece. Now she helps women connect the dots between acne, hormones, gut health, and daily skincare.We get into why gut health is usually the first place to look, what stool tests actually reveal, and how inflammation in the body shows up on your face. We also talk about the mistakes most people make with their skincare routines, why supporting the skin barrier matters as much as internal work, and how the liver and bile clearance play a critical role in clearing acne. It’s an honest look at what really drives breakouts and what can actually help.You’ll Learn:[00:00] Introduction[01:00] The real reason Colleen became an aesthetician[04:00] Why acne isn’t just a skin issue but a red flag of internal imbalance[05:00] Gut-first: the surprising reason location of breakouts doesn’t matter[07:00] Stool test markers that reveal hidden inflammation, estrogen problems, and acne triggers[14:00] Scalp flare-ups as a signal your gut and immune system are exhausted[17:00] The one simple thing Colleen has clients add to their diet that quickly improves skin and hormones[21:00] Why most acne products wreck the skin barrier and what to do instead[32:00] The truth about beef tallow on acne-prone skin[47:00] How sluggish liver detox and bile flow recirculate hormones and fuel breakouts[59:00] The first step Colleen recommends if you can only change one thingResources Mentioned:Psyllium Husk Powder | WebsiteKossma Squalane Oil | WebsiteKossma Cleansing Gel | WebsiteRed Light Face Mask | WebsiteGreen Envee Firm Collagen Gel Masque | WebsiteGreen Envee Rejuvenate Brightening Enzyme Masque | WebsiteClearstem Aloe Based Moisturizer, Hydraglow | WebsiteCeraVe | WebsiteNuDerma Professional High Frequency Wand | WebsiteCosmo Cleansing Gel | WebsiteLymphatic Course for Head & Neck | WebsiteHormone Healing podcast episode on Intro to Lymph Flow with Leah | WebsiteWork 1:1 with Colleen to heal your acne here.Get Instant access to the FREE Functional Thyroid Series here.Find more from Amanda:Hormone Healing RD | InstagramHormone Healing RD | WebsiteHormone Healing RD | FacebookHormone Healing RD | YouTubeHormone Healing RD | TikTo
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Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 12min

4: Do You Have PCOS? Criteria, Symptoms & Nutrition - Ava Nouri

Join Patreon to listen to our bonus episode on leptin and PCOS here.What if everything you’ve been told about PCOS is too simplistic to actually help you heal?In this episode, I sit down with Ava Nouri, a registered dietitian on my nutrition team who works closely with women navigating PCOS. Her own health journey through fatigue, brain fog, blood sugar issues, and hormone imbalances led her to integrative and functional nutrition, where she now supports clients with the same challenges she faced.We get into the real spectrum of PCOS, why the conventional boxes don’t fit, and the deeper metabolic and gut factors that drive symptoms. The second half of the conversation unpacks the pro-metabolic movement, what works, what backfires, and why so many women feel stuck trying to make it fit. It’s a raw and nuanced look at one of the most common questions women in my community ask.You’ll Learn:The reason PCOS is more of a metabolic disorder than just a hormone issueWhat happens in the body when insulin resistance drives high androgens and irregular cyclesThe link between gut dysbiosis, inflammation, and worsening PCOS symptomsWhy so many women with PCOS lose minerals faster and end up depletedThe damage of excess iron and how it fuels inflammation and gut issuesWhat it feels like to follow a pro-metabolic diet that backfires with PCOSThe missing role of fiber, beans, and vegetables in restoring gut health and hormone balanceWhy one-size-fits-all PCOS protocols rarely work and what to focus on insteadHow mineral testing and stool testing reveal hidden drivers of stubborn symptomsThe importance of self-experimentation and trusting your body over rigid food rulesTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[06:22] Defining PCOS and why the conventional view misses the mark[13:24] Insulin resistance as the core driver of PCOS symptoms[16:23] The role of gut health and microbiome imbalances in driving PCOS symptoms[23:25] How mineral depletion and excess iron fuel inflammation and worsen PCOS symptoms[39:33] The pro metabolic approach as a nourishing alternative to restriction and fear of food[42:49] Reframing the pro metabolic approach for PCOS[58:09] Finding balance with pro metabolic nutrition by avoiding extremes and trusting your body’s feedbackResources Mentioned:Period Repair Manual by Lara Briden | BookHeal Your Metabolism by Kate Deering | BookArticles and Writings by Ray Peat | WebsiteThe Feminine Periodical Newsletter | WebsiteMaster your minerals. Harmonize your hormones. Start your mineral journey here.You can work with Ava one on one here.Find more from Amanda:Hormone Healing RD | InstagramHormone Healing RD | WebsiteHormone Healing RD | FacebookHormone Healing RD | YouTubeHormone Healing RD | TikTok
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Sep 29, 2025 • 51min

3: Everything You Need to Know About Minerals for Your Child's Health | Nina Marie

Master your minerals. Harmonize your hormones. Start your mineral journey here. What if the root of your child’s health struggles isn’t another cream, pill, or quick fix, but something much deeper?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nina Marie Rueda, a naturopath who works with children and families through a functional, integrative lens. Her own journey started during her first pregnancy, when she realized how little she’d supported her body and baby with nutrition. This pregnancy completely changed her perspective, and she went from wanting to become a university professor to birth work, nutrition training, and eventually naturopathy.We get into why minerals matter so much for kids, especially when it comes to challenges like picky eating, eczema, and sleep struggles. Dr. Nina explains how testing works, why hair analysis often gives a clearer picture than blood work for children, and what common mineral patterns she sees in practice. The conversation is raw, practical, and full of insights for parents trying to make sense of their kids’ health struggles without getting lost in overwhelm.You’ll Learn:How a Bradley Method class shifted Dr. Nina’s path to naturopathyWhat minerals actually do in kids’ bodies and why they’re essentialThe link between taste buds, zinc, and picky eatingWhy hair mineral tests show the long game while blood work is a snapshotCommon mineral patterns seen in children with eczemaHow heavy metals disrupt gut microbes and fuel skin issuesThe mineral imbalances behind sleep struggles in kidsWhy parents’ own mineral status affects mealtime stressThe reason some kids’ multivitamins should avoid iron and copperHow minerals shape digestion, detox, and resilience in childrenTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[05:47] Why minerals are the non-negotiable foundation for children’s health[07:40] Hair testing versus blood work for understanding mineral balance in kids[13:05] Why picky eating in kids often comes down to mineral imbalances and taste buds[22:46] Eczema in kids and the role of mineral imbalances and heavy metals[39:43] How mineral imbalances and heavy metals disrupt children’s sleep patterns[45:22] Choosing the right multivitamins for kids and why avoiding copper and iron matters[49:10] Making supplements part of daily family routinesResources Mentioned:Minerals & Gut Health Connection for Eczema Course | WebsiteGut and Minerals Free Resource | WebsitePicky Eaters Protocol | WebsiteFind more from Dr. Nina:Nerdy Notes with Nina Marie | SubstackDr. Nina Marie | WebsiteDr. Nina Marie | InstagramFind more from Amanda:Hormone Healing RD | InstagramHormone Healing RD | WebsiteHormone Healing RD | FacebookHormone Healing RD | YouTubeHormone Healing RD | TikTok
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Sep 22, 2025 • 54min

2: How I Lost 55 Pounds Postpartum - My Experience

Join Patreon for a bonus episode where I share more details about my journey here.Forget tracking your food, I dropped 55 pounds postpartum by focusing on the basics.Instead of obsessing over the scale, I treated weight gain and loss as signals, clues about stress, thyroid health, circadian rhythm, and whether my body was fueled for energy and milk supply. Two pregnancies taught me that workouts, light exposure, and small daily practices matter far more than numbers. The biggest shift wasn’t physical, it was staying grounded, cutting the obsession, and focusing on being the mom and woman I wanted to be.You’ll Learn:Why weight gain or loss is just a symptom, not a verdict on your healthThe basic things to focus on that will support your body in being healthy and losing excess weightThe link between circadian rhythm, light exposure, and thyroid healthWhat snacking all day can do to your blood sugarThe damage of constant stress on milk supply, cycles, and body compositionPractical nutrition adjustments that supported milk supply during pregnancy and postpartumTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[03:32] Seeing weight as a symptom and not a measure of worth[06:41] Entering the first pregnancy with a soft mindset and focusing on health over the scale[17:13] Focusing on circadian rhythm and light exposure to support thyroid and blood sugar health[24:48] Switching to kettlebell training and discovering its impact on strength, stress, and postpartum fitness[34:16] Struggling with childcare decisions and choosing to make working from home with kids the only option[37:53] Balancing postpartum stress, nutrition, and slow sustainable weight loss while prioritizing motherhood and healthResources Mentioned:Mama Stay Fit Training | WebsiteKettlebell Program by Adina Rubin | WebsiteHormone Healing RD Podcast episode with Carrie Bennett | PodcastMother Wildflowers Course | WebsiteThe Feminine Periodical Newsletter | WebsiteFind more from Amanda:Hormone Healing RD | InstagramHormone Healing RD | WebsiteHormone Healing RD | FacebookHormone Healing RD | YouTubeHormone Healing RD | TikTok
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Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 10min

1: How Anxiety, Histamines & Progesterone Are All Connected - Michelle Shapiro, RD

Join us for our Histamine and Hormones Training on September 28th!Why do some women feel amazing during certain phases of their cycle while others feel absolutely wrecked?In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Shapiro, RD, a functional dietitian who works with clients navigating Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and histamine issues. She also lives with MCAS herself, bringing both professional insight and personal experience to the table.Why do histamine flares hit hardest right when hormones shift? Tune in as we break down the menstrual cycle, step by step, and look at how mast cells and histamines interact with rising and falling hormones. The patterns aren’t always what you’d expect, and tracking them can change everything about how you handle symptoms.You’ll Learn:The role of mast cells in the immune system and why histamine release can trigger so many symptomsThe link between rising estrogen and increased histamine releaseWhy people with histamine issues can have paradoxical hormone symptomsHow long histamines actually stay in your system, and ways to avoid long-term sufferingWhat happens when conditions like POTS and hypermobility overlap with histamine issues during the cyclePractical strategies for tracking cycle patterns to spot histamine-driven flaresThe debate around antihistamines, pregnancy, and de-stigmatizing medication for symptom reliefWhy lowering histamines must come before deeper root-cause work like gut or mineral protocolsThe connection between histamines, mast cells, and endometriosisTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[10:17] How estrogen and histamine interact to trigger symptoms during the menstrual cycle[13:53] How progesterone and luteal phase shifts trigger unexpected symptoms in histamine, POTS, and hypermobility clients[21:47] Tracking cycles and temperatures to spot patterns and histamine flares[25:53] Using antihistamines and other strategies to manage flares and reduce stigma around medication[48:09] Understanding the immune system’s role in endometriosis and its connection to histamine and progesteroneListen to Other Hormone Healing Episodes with Michelle:MCAS, POTS, & Hypermobility Part 1 | Listen HereMCAS, POTS, & Hypermobility Part 2 | Listen HereThe Root Cause of Reflux | Listen HereResources Mentioned:Ovia Cycle-tracking App | WebsiteNatural Cycles Fertility Awareness App | WebsiteOura Ring | WebsiteTempdrop Wearable Sensor | WebsiteRead Your Body App | WebsitePodcast with Nina Boyce on Fertility Awareness Method | PodcastFind more from Michelle:Michelle Shapiro RD | InstagramMichelle Shapiro RD | WebsiteMichelle Shapiro Nutrition | YouTubeFind more from Amanda:Hormone Healing RD | InstagramHormone Healing RD | WebsiteHormone Healing RD | FacebookHormone Healing RD | YouTubeHormone Healing RD | TikTok
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Dec 2, 2024 • 1h 24min

Dynamic Infant Movement For Baby Reflux with Emily Swann

In this episode, we dive into part two of the baby reflux series with Emily Swann, a nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Emily shares her personal journey as a mom navigating silent reflux with her daughter and how it inspired her to integrate holistic practices like bodywork and nutrition into her approach to infant health. We discuss practical tips for addressing posture, movement, and environment to support babies with reflux and empower parents to take a proactive role in their baby’s healing. This episode is a great listen whether you’re dealing with reflux, colic, or just want to learn how to support your baby’s well-being naturally!Emily Swann is a wife, mother, nurse and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. What started out as a career as a NICU nurse quickly turned into a love for holistic wellness outside the hospital system and her passion is helping women and babies breastfeed through holistic lactation work. Emily incorporates bodywork and nutrition as key pillars for infant health and looks at the dyad of mother and baby as one rather than two separate parts.We talk about:Emily's personal experience with reflux with her daughter, and what she believes to have been the root of the refluxExplanation of dynamic infant movementHow oral restrictions can impact refluxEmily's tips for moms to do bodywork on their own babies/childrenOutsourcing motherhood with informed decision makingFree Healthy Period Starter Guide: https://hormonehealingrd.ck.page/ab86b6faf2 Connect with Emily:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloveofbreastfeeding Links/Resources:Get Emily's Dynamic Infant Movement course: https://www.theloveofbreastfeeding.com/offers/RLjhVyEL?coupon_code=AMANDAMFAQ’s on Emily’s website: https://www.theloveofbreastfeeding.com/faq Get Emily’s free body work video: https://www.theloveofbreastfeeding.com/freebie-1-landing-pageConnect with Me: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hormonehealingrd Free Thyroid Training: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/Feminine Periodical (weekly newsletter): http://bit.ly/2tWOBtw Master Your Minerals course: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/master-your-minerals-course
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Nov 18, 2024 • 1h 10min

Getting To The Root Of Baby Reflux with Therese Dansby

In today's episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Therese Dansby, a registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). We dive deep into the world of infant reflux, discussing everything from symptoms and challenges to alternative therapies and personal experiences. Therese shared her wealth of knowledge on topics like oral restrictions, bodywork, and the importance of a holistic approach when it comes to helping babies with reflux. This is a great episode if you're a mom struggling with infant reflux or just want to learn more about this common issue.Therese started her career as a NICU nurse in 2007, pivoted to birth center postpartum care in 2013, and became an IBCLC in 2015. Helping moms build confidence in their breastfeeding choices and work through breastfeeding struggles is her dream job alongside homeschooling her own three children, ages 10, 7, and 2.We talk about:Various root causes of infant reflux, including physical factors and chemical factorsThe range of symptoms from reflux, such as mild "happy spitting" to severe cases requiring medical intervention, such as GERD in NICU settingsThe value of a holistic approach for addressing feeding techniques, bodywork, dietary changes, and alternative therapies like homeopathyThe importance of identifying the underlying issues contributing to your baby's reflux, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approachFollowing your maternal intuition and working with healthcare providers who will listen to your concernsFunctional Thyroid Mini Course: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/Connect with Therese:Milk & Motherhood Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bZdEwtkT96shfLpeKKzGN?si=En1Da6wXRtKL4gONrKT-4w&nd=1&dlsi=00c957b6ca544a16Allergen free cookbook: https://happymamahealthybaby.freshlearn.com/10729Online breastfeeding course: https://happymamahealthybaby.freshlearn.com/nourished-beginningsWebsite: https://theresedansby.wixsite.com/therese Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happy.mama.healthy.baby/ Handout that we promised on a summary from this episode: https://aympodcast.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Baby+Reflux+Resources.pdfConnect with Me: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hormonehealingrd Free Thyroid Training: https://hormonehealingrd.com/opt-in/free-functional-thyroid-mini-course-podcast/Feminine Periodical (weekly newsletter): http://bit.ly/2tWOBtw Master Your Minerals course: https://www.hormonehealingrd.com/master-your-minerals-course

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