Rewriting the Narrative

A client was told to "be careful with estrogen." No follow-up question. No real explanation. Just a warning she's carried for years. When a coach brought this case to Sarah and Meredith, they didn't hand back an answer. They handed back more questions: the details of her original diagnosis, what's still being monitored, the full picture behind her hysterectomy. Not to second-...

In this episode, Sarah and Meredith recap some of the latest happening in their coaching practice right now. From blood work prep best practices to navigating injury recovery with clients, this is a candid, in-the-field conversation covering the nuances that most providers and coaches aren't addressing.   In this episode: Why Sarah and Meredith's blood work guidelines don't change rega...

If you're a coach working with active females, a woman navigating her own thyroid health, or anyone who's left a doctor's appointment with more questions than answers — this one's for you. Meredith and Sarah built an entire webinar around fixing the misinformation loop created by fear-based social media content, and they're recapping the highlights here. The goal: coaches who b...

If you’re thinking about getting pregnant after birth control, here’s what you need to know!   Hormonal birth control works by preventing ovulation, and it can take time and a little extra health support for your body to restore ovulation and its natural hormonal rhythm.  In this episode of Rewriting the Narrative, Sarah Bishop and Meredith Paci dive into the important considerations for women tra...

Feeling overwhelmed by pregnancy nutrition advice? You're not alone! . As a woman navigating pregnancy- whether it’s your first baby or 4th-   you might find yourself overwhelmed by advice from social media and the pressure to make the perfect choices for your health and your baby.  In this episode, we’ll explore the essential nutrition strategies and mindset shifts that can empower you during...

What happens when life gives you an opportunity to practice being the woman you want to Become? Mere and Sarah chat today about how women move through hard seasons of life without abandoning themselves. And , how they perhaps FIND themselves through those times.    It's not just about building resilience, it's about expressing it. Whether it's showing up for yourself in the chaos or le...

Welcome back to Rewriting the Narrative! Today, we dive deep into a topic that has gained significant attention in the health and nutrition community: the low FODMAP diet. While many have heard about it, the nuances surrounding its application and effectiveness are often misunderstood.   Sarah and Meredith discuss how foods high in these specific types of sugars may impact digestive health- and NO...

Today Sarah and Meredith are talking all about the menstrual cycle and why some women notice a shift to energy before ovulation. Some may feel this as a creative surge and improved gym performance. Others, anxious, wired energy and can’t figure why their symptoms resemble PMS when they are several weeks away from the start of their period.  They discuss the differences between feeling energized an...

Labs come back “normal,” but you still feel hypothyroid? In this episode, Sarah and Mere break down a case from inside the Fortify Mentorship and explain what to do when symptoms don’t match the numbers.  They cover what “normal labs” actually tell you, which markers matter, how to use a client’s health timeline, and why stress, life load, training history, morning routines, hydration, and meal ba...

In this episode, Sarah and Meredith unpack one of the biggest blind spots in women’s health: micronutrient deficiencies that show up as fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and “just feeling off.” They discuss how modern stress, under-fueling, training demands and medications  can quietly drain the body’s reserves, and share their favorite real-life nutrition strategies and supplements to consider to supp...

GLP-1 Medications- They’re everywhere  . But beyond the hype, what’s actually happening inside the body when someone uses these medications ,  and what can that mean for women’s hormonal and metabolic health? In this episode,  Sarah and Meredith dive into the science, nuance, and coaching implications behind GLP-1 receptor agonists. These aren’t magic, and just like any other medications require i...

A gut protocol is typically a structured plan designed to address digestive imbalances.  It often includes a “removal” or “kill phase” (clearing out overgrowths like SIBO, H. pylori, or pathogens), followed by phases that focus on repairing the gut lining, restoring balance, and rebuilding resilience . What happens after that thought How do we maintain health? In this episode, Sarah and Mere break...

Instead of chasing the next “calm in a bottle,” we’re talking about why calm is a skill you can practice , and how small, practical steps can shift your nervous system, energy, and mindset. We cover: Why supplements aren’t a magic fix for anxiety (and what to consider before adding another one) Red flags that mean it’s time to refer out or get extra support Simple daily practices for stress relief...

Supplements absolutely have a time and place- but they need to be used as that, supplementing a strong foundation. In this episode, Sarah and Mere discuss the principles of functional health coaching, and the importance of an approach that considers the whole person rather than just symptoms. They unpack common pitfalls of misguided advice in the fitness and health space, the real role of suppleme...

Iron deficiency is common but the solution isn’t always as simple as grabbing a supplement off the shelf. In this episode, we unpack why low iron and anemia are symptoms, not a final answer. We break down: The difference between iron deficiency and anemia Why root causes matter more than just chasing a lab range Why diet still matters How inflammation, poor liver and gut health, and stress all mes...

In this conversation, Meredith and Sarah are helping you better understand one of their favorite topics- stomach acid! Stomach acid plays a big role in digestion and overall health, and commonly needs some bolstering in the individuals they work with. This episode explores various factors that can affect stomach acid production, including diet, lifestyle, stress and underlying pathologies. The dis...

Join Mere and Sarah as they review their recent webinar focused on  perimenopause, designed for coaches and women eager to learn. Building a community around education fosters accountability and growth. They reflect on the positive feedback received and the need for coaches to understand women's health issues on a deeper level, better equip their clients- creating a ripple effect to instill re...

In this episode, Sarah and Meredith break down the connection between hypothyroidism and perimenopause, exploring how emotional stress, under-eating, and communication patterns can affect thyroid health. They unpack why TSH alone isn’t enough, the role of cortisol and nutrient status in thyroid function, and how to recognize early signs of dysfunction. Whether you’re a coach or a midlife woman, th...

In this episode, Sarah and Meredith discuss the complexities of midlife transitions, focusing on perimenopause and its impact on weight gain and body composition .  They explain the hormonal changes that do occur during this time, how that impacts fat loss and the need for individualized approaches to dieting and fat loss. Reducing women’s midlife challenges and real life changes to “just move mor...

In this episode, Sarah and Meredith delve into the critical topic of bone health, and their personal experiences with bone stress injuries and the importance of  bone mineral density. Bone health starts earlier than you think, and decline doesn’t wait until post-menopause. They explore the impact of hormones on bone density, the significance of DEXA scans for assessing bone density, how to build s...

Period missing for 3 months or longer? It may be Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (FHA) . Secondary amenorrhea, defined as the absence of menstruation for three months or longer, is common among athletic women of reproductive age. In this conversation, Sarah and Meredith delve into the critical topic of amenorrhea and its implications for women's health . They share personal experiences with...

In this episode, we're diving into the nuances of hormone therapy, focusing on the differences between bioidentical and synthetic hormones- specifically progesterone. We discuss FDA approval, communicating with doctors ,  the importance of clear communication in health, and how to navigate the healthcare system to find the right hormone therapy provider. We believe at Fortify that women are beyond...

Sarah and Meredith dive into the often overlooked aspects of sleep hygiene and its powerful impact on both physical and mental health. Sarah and Meredith share their personal kryptonites that affect their sleep (like caffeine late in the day and doom scrolling) and their go-to strategies for improving rest. They explore how hormonal fluctuations and internal health can impact sleep quality and pro...

Diving in to the emotional and psychological aspects of receiving lab results on today's episode. Sarah and Mere discuss how individuals often react to lab results, the importance of context in interpreting these results, and the difference between optimal ranges and individual needs. The conversation emphasizes the significance of mindset and curiosity in health, encouraging listeners to view...

In this conversation, Meredith and Sarah discuss the intricacies of training, particularly for women in perimenopause. They explore the importance of understanding movement patterns, the need for individualized training approaches, and the significance of strength training during hormonal changes and how to fearlessly pursue you goals at any age! They advocate for a personalized approach to fitnes...