Strong + Unfiltered: Perimenopause, Hormones, Gut Health + Metabolic Optimization

Your child snores, breathes through their mouth, gets constant ear infections, wets the bed, struggles with speech, or everyone keeps telling you they'll "grow out of it." What if those aren't random childhood quirks at all? In this episode, I sit down with speech-language pathologist and myofunctional therapist Kate Kurzhal SLP, myofunctional therapist and Passionate AF Mom to unpack the signs of...

What if the reason you're not getting better isn't because you're missing the right supplement, hormone, or protocol—but because you're applying the right tool to the wrong physiology? In this episode, Danielle sits down with Dr. Eric Balcavage to discuss state-based medicine, resilient physiology, and why so many people are stuck despite "doing all the right things." Together they unpack the diff...

If you've been told your thyroid is "normal" because your TSH came back in range, but you're still exhausted, gaining weight, losing hair, struggling with brain fog, or feeling like a completely different person... this episode is for you. This week, I'm joined by Dr. Amie Hornaman, better known as "The Thyroid Fixer," for an unfiltered conversation about everything conventional medicine often get...

This week, I'm joined by naturopathic doctor and women's health expert Dr. Sonya Jensen for a conversation about the growing disconnect between women and their bodies, and what it's costing us. We dive into everything from medical gaslighting and birth control to nervous system regulation, intergenerational trauma, intuition, and why so many women have lost trust in themselves. We discuss how our...

If you've ever left a doctor's appointment thinking, "That answered exactly none of my questions," this episode is for you. This week, I'm joined by fellow physician assistant and functional medicine practitioner Shelly Satizabal for a candid conversation about perimenopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), birth control, statins, medical gaslighting, and women's health . We discuss why so many...

Welcome back to Strong + Unfiltered. This episode turned into a spicy little reality check about perimenopause, overtraining, body recomposition, endurance culture, nervous system overload, and the internet making women think they're doomed in midlife. We're talking about why your habits matter more than your hormones, why some women are running themselves into the ground emotionally and physicall...

Welcome back to Strong + Unfiltered. Today's episode is a solo Q&A all about hormone replacement therapy, perimenopause, progesterone, estrogen, blood clot myths, and the massive amount of misinformation women are still being fed about hormones. We're diving into the REAL differences between birth control and bioidentical HRT, what the WHI study actually did (and didn't) show, why some women are s...

If you feel like you're doing everything right… eating "clean," working out constantly, tracking your macros… and still not losing weight, this episode is going to hit.   Danielle is breaking down your biggest questions around weight loss resistance, metabolism, under eating, and overtraining, and calling out the habits that are quietly keeping you stuck.   We're talking about why chronic dieting,...

Danielle sits down with Becca Murphy to unpack her personal experience with orthorexia, disordered eating, and how "doing all the right things" can quietly spiral into underfueling, overtraining, and hormonal imbalance. We're talking about the sneaky, socially acceptable behaviors that get praised in fitness culture but are actually massive red flags, especially for high-performing women navigatin...

In this episode, Danielle sits down with Dr. Cassie Smith, author of Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones , to break down the real connection between gut health, hormones, and why so many women still feel off despite "doing all the right things." They dive into the labs most conventional doctors are missing, why looking at symptoms and your full story matters just as much as your lab results, and how t...

In this episode, Danielle breaks down one of the most overused phrases in women's health and weight loss: weight loss resistance. If you feel like you're doing everything right but not losing weight, or you're worried your metabolism or hormones are the problem, this episode is for you. Danielle gets honest about why most women are not actually dealing with true weight loss resistance, and what's...

This episode is a little different… and honestly, one of our favorites. It's part catching up with my friend Liz Rodriguiz, part going down random rabbit holes, and part accidentally dropping some really solid insights along the way. From airway health to alignment to planners and business… we went everywhere. If you like episodes that feel like you're hanging out with friends but still walk away...

Understanding your menstrual cycle is one of the most powerful ways to understand your health, yet many women were never taught how their cycle actually works. In this episode, Danielle sits down with a registered nurse and certified fertility educator to talk about fertility awareness, cycle tracking, ovulation, and how these tools can help women better understand their hormones throughout differ...

Histamine intolerance and MCAS are being talked about everywhere right now, but most conversations focus on food lists, supplements, and restriction. In this episode, Danielle sits down with a certified functional nutrition practitioner to explore a different perspective, the role of the nervous system in chronic reactivity, inflammation, and histamine-related symptoms. They discuss why some peopl...

Dr. Jessica Lee is a double board-certified Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon and Lifestyle Medicine physician. She completed her medical training at the University of Mississippi and her surgical residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. Currently practicing with Charleston ENT& Allergy, she is also the founder of Integrative ENT Health, where she focuses on blending conventiona...

Kate Kurzhal is a double graduate from Indiana University-Bloomington (Bachelors-2014; Masters-2018) - Go Hoosiers! with proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL). She has been a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Michiana area for 8 years and has owned/ operated Ripple Effect Pediatric Therapy (recently rebranded!) since 2022. Her areas of expertise include: feeding therapy (especially picky ea...

Alexa Larangeira is a Registered Dietitian with expertise in managing metabolic and gut health, and a personal goal of improving her patients' quality of life. She specializes in disorders of the gut-brain axis and insulin resistance, using a weight-neutral, evidence-based approach that prioritizes sustainability over restriction and short-term gain. Known for being both clinically sharp, nonjudgm...

Jess Wallace - adventure host, travel lover, online business manager, teacher turned entrepreneur and promoter of living a big, authentic + full life is back on the pod!  She specializes in helping female entrepreneurs thrive in their businesses.  Jess and Danielle host all women adventure trips to create a space for women to connect, see the world together, make lifelong friends, and unlock core...

Kira  Roe is a chiropractor who graduated from Life Chiropractic College West in 2024. She currently practices in Florida, where she focuses on pregnancy and pediatric care and enjoys working with young athletes to help them stay healthy and active.  Kira takes a whole-body approach to care, recognizing that true healing happens when every system of the body is considered. She is passionate about...

WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT : The biggest breast cancer risk factor no one wants to say out loud How chronic under-eating and dieting impact hormones and long-term health Why breakfast actually matters for blood sugar, cortisol, and appetite regulation The real reason you're bingeing or overeating at night (hint: it's not willpower) How to tell if you're actually eating enough for your body and activity...

Jess Wallace - adventure host, travel lover, online business manager, teacher turned entrepreneur and promoter of living a big, authentic + full life is back on the pod!  She specializes in helping female entrepreneurs thrive in their businesses.  Jess and Danielle host all women adventure trips to create a space for women to connect, see the world together, make lifelong friends, and unlock core...

Megan Crozier is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) and Restorative Wellness Practitioner specializing in women's hormones, digestion, and metabolism. She helps health-conscious women who feel like they're "doing everything right" uncover the real why behind symptoms like bloating, low energy, PMS, mood issues, and stubborn weight changes—so they can stop relying on trendy diets...

Meet Caitlin Birnie! She was born and raised in Massachusetts, where she currently lives with her husband and 2 daughters (5 & 3) . She's a former athlete and marathon runner who fell in love with strength training. Now she's just trying to find the easiest way to balance training, running, nutrition and life. Caitlin has been in the fitness industry as a personal trainer & nutrition coach for 10+...

Whitney Stuart MS RDN CDCES is a Certified Diabetes Educator and Dietitian focused on improving women's health through simple and sustainable inventions using blood sugar balance and food as medicine. Whitney has been voted best Dallas Dietitian since 2019 and has helped thousands of busy individuals find joyful health through her virtual practice, Whitness Nutrition. She has been featured on ABC,...

Briana Sidwell  is a women's health and strength coach who helps women 30+ build real strength, confidence, and trust in their bodies — particularly as they navigate perimenopause, menopause, and the often-overlooked in-between years. Before entering the fitness industry, Briana spent years in corporate America, where she saw firsthand how chronic stress, long hours, and "pushing through" quietly...