Ask Lively

Blood sugar: The Cycle Saboteur w/ Dr. Nirali Jain

What if the real reason behind your hormonal struggles isn’t your hormones at all, but your blood sugar? From irregular cycles and PMS to low energy and fertility challenges, unstable glucose levels can quietly throw your body off balance. And the surprising part is that most women were never taught to look at blood sugar as a key piece of the puzzle. So what can you actually do about it in real life? In this episode, Nathalia sits down with Dr. Nirali Jain, board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, to unpack how blood sugar influences your cycle, hormones, and fertility. Together, they break it down into clear, practical steps you can start applying right away. In this episode, you’ll learn: * how insulin functions as a powerful reproductive hormone and affects ovulation * why blood sugar spikes matter even if you don’t have PCOS or diabetes * what role glucose plays in egg quality, implantation, and fertility * simple, realistic ways to stabilize your blood sugar and support your cycle Your body isn’t working against you. It’s responding to what you give it every day. And when you start supporting your blood sugar, everything else can begin to fall into place. Resources & Links Try the Lively App for free: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-period-tracker-cycle/id6447674634 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-period-tracker-cycle/id6447674634] Follow Lively on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelycycle [https://www.instagram.com/livelycycle] Learn more about Lively: https://livelycycle.com/ [https://livelycycle.com/] Connect with Dr. Nirali Jain on Instagram:@eggspert_md Stay connected with Ask Lively. Follow the podcast, subscribe, and leave a review to help us keep bringing you clear, honest conversations about your body and your health.

A Gut-First Approach to Women’s Health w/ Savannah Regensburger

What if your hormones aren’t the root of the problem, but simply the signal? From bloating and acne to painful periods and irregular cycles, many of the symptoms we tend to blame on hormones actually begin much deeper, in the gut. When digestion isn’t working as it should, when inflammation builds up or the microbiome is out of balance, your hormones often respond accordingly. So where do you actually start if you want to support your cycle in a sustainable way? In this episode, Nathalia sits down with clinical nutritionist Savannah Regensburger to explore the connection between gut health and hormones in a way that feels clear, realistic, and applicable to everyday life. No extremes, no overwhelm, just practical insights you can actually use. In this episode, you’ll learn: * how your gut and hormones communicate and why this connection affects everything from PMS to acne * which common foods may be quietly contributing to inflammation and hormonal imbalance * the key nutrients and habits that support natural detox and hormone regulation * simple, realistic shifts in your diet and lifestyle that can make a real difference over time Your body isn’t working against you. It’s constantly communicating. And when you start supporting your gut, you’re also supporting your hormones, your cycle, and your overall wellbeing in a way that lasts. Resources & Links * Try the Lively App for free: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-period-tracker-cycle/id6447674634 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-period-tracker-cycle/id6447674634] * Follow Lively on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelycycle [https://www.instagram.com/livelycycle] * Learn more about Lively: https://livelycycle.com/ [https://livelycycle.com/] Recommended by Savannah: * “This Is Your Brain on Food” https://www.amazon.com/dp/0316536822 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0316536822] * “The Gut Immune Connection” https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063014785 [https://www.amazon.com/dp/0063014785] ---

From Fertility to Birth: How to Prepare Your Body for a Healthy Pregnancy and Confident Childbirth w/ Dr. Betsey Caldwell

What if the way you prepare before pregnancy could shape your entire birth experience? Most women are taught to focus on getting pregnant, but very little attention is given to what comes after. How you support your body, your pelvic floor, your habits and your mindset can have a huge impact on how you experience pregnancy, birth and recovery. In this episode of the Ask Lively Podcast, Nathalia sits down with Dr. Betsey Caldwell, Doctor of Physical Therapy, childbirth educator and postpartum recovery coach, to talk about what real preparation actually looks like. Together, they break down the essentials of pelvic health, everyday habits that make a difference, and how to approach this phase with more confidence and less fear. In this episode, you’ll learn: * What’s really happening in your body in early pregnancy and how to support it from the very beginning * Common myths around pelvic floor health and what actually matters * Simple, evidence-based habits that can lead to a smoother labor and easier recovery * How to shift your mindset from “getting pregnant” to truly preparing for motherhood * Practical ways to feel more confident and informed in your first trimester Your body is capable of incredible things. But how you prepare can shape the entire experience. With the right knowledge and support, pregnancy and birth can feel less overwhelming and much more empowering. Resources & Links Try the Lively app for free: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-period-tracker-cycle/id6447674634 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-period-tracker-cycle/id6447674634] Follow Lively on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelycycle [https://www.instagram.com/livelycycle] Learn more about Lively: https://livelycycle.com/ [https://livelycycle.com/] Explore Dr. Betsey’s programs (use code LIVELY for 25% off): The Push Lab https://www.drbetseypt.com/thepushlab [https://www.drbetseypt.com/thepushlab] Floor & Core Lab https://drbetseypt.com/floorcorelab [https://drbetseypt.com/floorcorelab] Free guide: How to prepare “down there” for childbirth https://drbetseypt.com/howtopreparedownthere-page [https://drbetseypt.com/howtopreparedownthere-page] Stay connected with Ask Lively. Subscribe, follow and leave a review to support the podcast and help us keep bringing you conversations that matter. 💛

Movement as Medicine: Regulating Your Cycle Through the Nervous System w/ Zsofia & Marta

What if regulating your cycle isn’t about doing more, but about finally feeling safe in your own body? So many women find themselves stuck in a loop of pushing harder. More workouts, stricter routines, more effort. And yet instead of feeling better, they feel more disconnected, more exhausted, and further out of sync. What if the missing piece isn’t discipline, but understanding? In this episode of the Ask Lively Podcast, Nathalia sits down with Zsofia and Marta, founders of The Fertility Class™, to explore a different approach. One that starts with the nervous system. Together, they talk about how movement can become a form of medicine. Not another task on your to-do list, but a way to support your body, regulate your hormones, and reconnect with yourself in a deeper, more sustainable way. This conversation is especially for anyone who feels like they’ve tried everything and nothing has worked. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why the “push harder” approach to fitness can actually disrupt your cycle * How your nervous system impacts hormones, fertility, and overall balance * What fertility-focused movement really means and how it differs from typical workouts * Why feeling safe in your body changes everything * Simple ways to use movement to feel more grounded, regulated, and in sync Your body isn’t broken. It’s responding.When you stop forcing and start supporting, things begin to shift. Movement stops being something you have to do and becomes something that brings you back to yourself.Resources & Links: * Try the Lively App for free: ⁠https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-period-tracker-cycle/id6447674634⁠ [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-period-tracker-cycle/id6447674634] * Lively Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livelycycle [https://www.instagram.com/livelycycle] * Learn more about Lively: https://livelycycle.com/ [https://livelycycle.com/]Explore The Fertility Class™Website: https://thefertilityclass.com/ [https://thefertilityclass.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefertilityclass/ [https://www.instagram.com/thefertilityclass/] Program Access: https://myclass.thefertilityclass.com/offers/52uFzu3e/checkout [https://myclass.thefertilityclass.com/offers/52uFzu3e/checkout] Stay connected with Ask Lively. Subscribe, follow, and leave a review so we can keep bringing you conversations that help you feel more in tune with your body. 💛

Let’s Talk Poop: Gut Health, Pelvic Floor & Hormones with The Vagina Whisperer

Let’s talk about poop.It might feel like an awkward topic, but your bowel movements are actually one of the most honest signals your body gives you about what’s happening inside. Your gut, hormones, and pelvic floor are deeply connected, and things like period poops, PMS bloating, or constipation can reveal a lot about your overall health. In this episode of the Ask Lively Podcast, host Nathalia sits down with Dr. Sara Reardon, a board certified pelvic floor physical therapist, founder of The V Hive, and widely known online as The Vagina Whisperer. Together they explore the powerful connection between gut health, hormones, and the pelvic floor. Dr. Reardon shares what your digestion can tell you about your menstrual cycle, why bathroom habits matter more than most people realize, and how small daily changes can support better gut, pelvic, and hormone health. If you have ever wondered whether your digestion is normal, why your body feels different around your period, or how your pelvic floor affects everything from bloating to constipation, this conversation will give you answers you probably never learned before. In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why bowel movements are often considered an important “vital sign” of overall health• What’s actually happening in your body during period poops and PMS related bloating• How pelvic floor dysfunction can influence digestion, constipation, and bathroom habits• Simple everyday habits that can support healthier digestion and pelvic floor function• When digestive changes are completely normal and when it might be time to talk to a healthcare provider Your body is constantly communicating with you. Even something as ordinary as digestion can offer powerful insight into your hormones, your cycle, and your long term health. The more you understand these signals, the more confident you can feel in your own body. Resources & LinksTry the Lively App for freehttps://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-period-tracker-cycle/id6447674634 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lively-period-tracker-cycle/id6447674634] Lively Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/livelycycle [https://www.instagram.com/livelycycle] Learn more about Livelyhttps://livelycycle.com/ [https://livelycycle.com/] Connect with Dr. Sara Reardon Websitehttp://www.thevagwhisperer.com/ [http://www.thevagwhisperer.com/] Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/the.vagina.whisperer/ [https://www.instagram.com/the.vagina.whisperer/] TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@thevagwhisperer [https://www.tiktok.com/@thevagwhisperer] Stay connected with Ask LivelySubscribe, follow, and leave us a review so we can keep bringing you honest and empowering conversations about women’s health.