The Fertility Fitness Podcast

This weekly show is designed to help you improve your fertility. Every Tuesday, I will be focusing on actionable steps to help you take control of your own TTC (trying to conceive) journey. I'm Maria, a personal trainer specialising in fertility. Whether you are preparing for IVF, managing your BMI, or ready to throw everything you have at your own trying to conceive journey, tune in each week to...

Maria and Roisin, share their personal stories and insights. Roisinreflects on her own childbirth experiences, comparing the difference between her first delivery and the safer, more positive experience she had with her second child. She really emphasises the need for proper support and guidance during postpartum recovery, which is so important for all moms out there.   Speaking of recovery, Maria...

Welcome to Fertility Focus, your go-to podcast for valuable insights and actionable steps to improve your fertility. I'm Maria, a personal trainer specialising in fertility. Whether you're preparing for IVF, managing your BMI, or embarking on your trying to conceive journey, this show is for you. This week I am delving  into the key factors that can make a significant difference in your IVF outcom...

In this weeks show, Maria  interview's  David O'Rourke, a senior embryologist and fertility technologies expert and founder of Profertility.  David shares his unconventional background and how he became passionate about embryology and genetic screening. He describes the role of an embryologist as a highly skilled scientist responsible for handling and selecting embryos during fertility treatments....

In this episode, we dive into five common mistakes to avoid when trying to lose weight while focusing on your fertility goals. Let's get started: Mistake #1: Eating More Than You're Burning Many of us fall into the trap of thinking that a gym session gives us the freedom to eat whatever we want afterward. Unfortunately, that's not the case. We discuss why it's crucial to prioritize your nutrition,...

In this week's Fitness Fertility Podcast, Maria interviews Karina Dhiman who shares her journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer and infertility at the age of 33. Karina's cancer treatment led to heart failure at just 36 years old, but before starting treatment, she and her husband went through urgent IVF to freeze as many embryos as they could. They later decided that surrogacy was their bes...

In this week's episode, Maria discusses the important questions you should ask your fertility clinic during your initial consultation. These questions will help you make informed decisions about your treatment. For additional support, download Maria's free self-advocating guide at fitnessfertility.com/freeresources. Fertility Treatment Options: Understand the available treatment options and their...

Welcome to this week's podcast, where hosts Maria and Roisin discuss the challenges of navigating the vast world of fertility information. In this episode, they dive into Maria's personal experience with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and how it led her to recognise the importance of building a fertility survival kit. Join us as we explore the overwhelming nature of absorbing new knowledge durin...

In this week's episode, Maria discusses how to start working out again after experiencing a pregnancy loss. After experiencing pregnancy loss, it is important to focus on both physical and mental health. In this episode, Maria shares her personal experience and provides 5 general steps to help individuals start working out again after a pregnancy loss. The key points discussed are: Consult with a...

In this week’s show, Maria and Roisin address the challenges of navigating the vast world of fertility information. With the overwhelming nature of absorbing new knowledge during a fertility journey, drawing from Maria's personal experience with PCOS and recognising the need to build a fertility survival kit. key Items to include in your fertility survival kit: Use a reliable tracking app for your...

Welcome to Fertility Focus, where Maria discusses how to safely work out during the Two Week Wait (TWW). The TWW is the period between ovulation or embryo transfer and finding out if you're pregnant. It can be mentally challenging, leading to excessive symptom spotting and anxiety. While it's important to acknowledge and accept this phase, finding ways to distract yourself is equally crucial. Exer...

This week  we are reflecting on the key questions we received at The Fertility Show. Let's get started! Topics Covered: Is it safe to train while going through fertility treatment? High-intensity training and its impact on cortisol levels? The negative effects of elevated cortisol on overall health and fertility. Identifying the signs of cortisol-induced damage. The importance of rest and cool-dow...

In this week's focusIn  we explore the Fertility Show held in London, where we shine a spotlight on five extraordinary exhibitors who captured our interest. Topics covered Chasing Rainbows is a charity founded by Samantha Catanach, also known as The Crazy Fertility Queen. It aims to foster open conversations about pregnancy loss and raise awareness of miscarriage while providing support and a sens...

This week on the Fitness Fertility Podcast, we were joined by Laura Biggs. Laura is the CEO of Intuitive Events Ltd and the Founding Director of Menopause Mandate. She is also the managing director of The Fertility Show, which will be taking place in London this weekend, on Saturday, May 20th, and Sunday, May 21st. Laura has her own inspiring fertility story, overcoming challenges such as endometr...

In  this week's focus,   we will be discussing symptoms of infertility that often go unnoticed.  It's important to be aware of these symptoms as they can indicate underlying issues affecting your ability to conceive. Topics covered Uterine Fibroids Short Luteal Phase Short Follicular Phase Facial Hair Your period? Recognising these unnoticed symptoms of infertility is crucial for proactive fertili...

This week we were delighted to be join by Andreia Trigo, the CEO & Founder of Enhanced Fertility, TEDx Speaker, Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award Winner, author, and nurse consultant. Topics we covered Being diagnosed with MRKH syndrome at age 17  and the impact on Andreia's life. How Enhanced Fertility speeds up the process of trying to conceive for those dealing with infertility. Andreia exp...

In this week's Fertility Focus, we explore how exercise can help you manage anxiety. Topics covered include: Anxiety affecting millions of people worldwide, with women being almost twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with it. Up to 40% of women experiencing infertility having a psychiatric diagnosis, most commonly anxiety and depression. Exercise can help manage anxiety in several ways: Diversi...

It's the Fitness Fertility Podcast's Birthday! Join us as we delve into Maria's TTC journey and discover the motivation behind her work in fertility and fitness. Topic's Covered  Maria was diagnosed with PCOS at 15 years old and did not fully understand the implications of the diagnosis. She believes that infertility needs to be talked about and diagnosed much earlier to give women options and sup...

Welcome to this week's Fertility Focus. This week we are talking about myths surrounding trying to conceive. With so much misleading information out there, we are debunking 5 myths around trying to conceive that just aren’t true! Myth #1: Having an orgasm helps you get pregnant. Research suggests that orgasm does not help with the actual process of getting pregnant. While it may be important for m...

In this weeks show,Maria and Roisin address several common questions from listeners, including tips for lowering BMI, managing pain from endometriosis during workouts, coping with pregnancy announcements and baby showers, and losing weight before a summer holiday. Regarding weight loss, they discuss the role of lifestyle factors such as sleep and hormones, particularly leptin resistance, which can...

Today, Maria will  be talking about a well-known phenomenon in the infertility and trying-to-conceive community - Knicker Watch.  It's when women pay incredibly close attention to the content of their knickers. What you can see in your knickers is sending you messages about what your body is doing, which is why tracking your cervical mucus from the moment you decide to try for a baby is crucial. H...

This week, we interviewed Tia Brown, who shared her fertility journey of overcoming premature ovarian insufficiency through Egg Donor Conception. It's quite a ride, so strap in! Tia's Fertility Journey: Tia shared her journey, starting with her diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency. She explained what premature ovarian insufficiency is, its symptoms, and how it made her feel emotionally. Ti...

In this weeks focus we zero in on environmental toxins and how they can affect fertility through anatomical development and hormonal disruption. Here are 5 key toxins to avoid when trying to conceive: Pesticides: Eating high-pesticide fruits and vegetables may reduce women’s chances of conceiving and bearing children. Eat organic produce whenever possible. BPA: Found in plastics and everyday items...

This week, we will discuss the importance of training and eating according to your menstrual cycle. Topics covered: Hormones define a lot about us, so it makes sense to harness and embrace the differences rather than ignoring them. The taboo around periods and cycles and how it used to be hidden. More people are now talking openly about periods and cycles, such as Jessica Ennis Hill and Maisie Hil...

Building Exercise into Your Daily Life 5 steps to building your exercise routine and taking control: Create an actual workout plan that supports your fitness and fertility, with gradual increases in intensity and rest days included. Understand the plan and what is required of you, then write the workouts into your diary or phone calendar. Take time with the planning section as it is key to success...