Rooted in Resilience

In this deep-dive episode, Ashley and Sarah sits down with Mike Fave — fertility and metabolic health coach — to unpack the overlooked foundations of male fertility and testosterone. Mike shares how he and his wife are preparing to start a family, the key labs they ran before trying to conceive, and what really drags testosterone down today — plus how to fix it naturally. They discuss why excess body fat disrupts hormone balance, how gut health secretly affects sperm quality, and why modern dairy isn’t always your friend.  They also cover the crucial connection between stress, thyroid health, and male hormones, the hidden dangers of PUFAs and micronutrient gaps, and Mike’s practical approach to losing fat, improving labs, and dialing in nutrition that actually works. If you or your partner want to raise testosterone naturally, plan for a healthy pregnancy, or just get smarter about men’s health, you’ll love this one. ______________________________________________________________________ Subscribe To The Rooted In Resilience Podcast: ⭐ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCSpofOL75STGMvUUlD5em7g  ⭐ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NTIxm2iqgIdnqI2j2FICr?si=477cfb0440fe40ce ⭐ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rooted-in-resilience/id1663060063 ______________________________________________________________________ Keep Up With Us! 🖥️ Website: https://www.armstrongsisters.com/ 🗞️ Newsletter: https://www.armstrongsisters.com/newsletter-signup 👩🏼‍🌾 Our Farm CoOp, Nourish: https://nourishcooperative.com/  {The highest quality food you can find, delivered directly to your door. Low PUFA chicken and pork, 100% grass-fed beef and lamb, traditional sourdough, raw dog food, & more} 🥚Waitlist for our eggs: https://angel-acresfarm.com/pages/waitlist-for-eggs {Low PUFA, corn & soy free, pasture-raised eggs, delivered directly to your door} ______________________________________________________________________ Follow Us On Social Media ➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strong.sistas/ ➡️ X: https://twitter.com/strong_sistas ➡️TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@strong.sistas?_t=8oW270Feyz5&_r=1 ➡️ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/strong-sisters-103331317/ ➡️FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083808037077 ➡️ THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@strong.sistas?invite=2 ____________________________________________________ 0:00 — Coming Up 0:51 — Welcome Mike Pavone: Male Fertility & Preparing for Pregnancy 2:30 — The Labs Mike & His Wife Ran Before Trying for a Baby 6:14 — Copper Deficiency: Mike’s Surprising Personal Fix 7:39 — High Prolactin: Hidden Roadblock for Female Fertility 10:00 — Early Testing: Why Waiting 6–12 Months Can Waste Time 11:55 — What to Look for in Male Hormone Labs 14:00 — How LH, FSH, and Testicular Function Work 15:30 — Estradiol & DHT: Finding the Hormone Balance Sweet Spot 16:50 — Fixing Low Testosterone: It’s Not Just About TRT 19:14 — Too Much Body Fat: The #1 Testosterone Killer 20:24 — Body Fat: It’s Active Tissue, Not Just Storage 25:10 — How Mike Coaches Clients to Lose Fat & Keep Hormones Healthy 30:30 — Why Body Recomposition Works Better Than Extreme Dieting 32:21 — Carbs, Fats & Protein: How They Impact Hormones 37:05 — Gut Health: Another Silent Testosterone Saboteur 39:20 — Common Foods That Secretly Wreck Your Gut 42:26 — Dairy & Casein: Surprising Hormone Impacts 47:58 — Why Modern Dairy Isn’t Like Ancestral Dairy 53:20 — Low Thyroid: Another Big Testosterone Killer 57:30 — High Cholesterol, Low Carbs & Hormone Confusion 1:03:30 — PUFAs & Bad Fats: Damage Testes & Reduce Sperm Quality 1:08:00 — Micronutrients: Small Deficiencies, Big Hormone Problems 1:10:45 — The Value of Food Tracking & Real Testing 1:16:05 — Why a Coach Can Save You Years of Trial & Error 1:17:30 — Micronutrients & Stress 1:21:50 — Final Takeaway 1:22:30 — Where to Find Mike & How to Work with Him

Is Infertility Actually the Man’s Fault? Did you know male fertility plays an equally important role in conception and pregnancy success? In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we dive into the hidden half of the fertility equation: male sperm health.  Learn how modern lifestyle, diet, and environmental factors are silently impacting testosterone, sperm quality, and even miscarriage rates. From estrogen-like compounds in your food to the real effect of PUFAs and EMFs, we're breaking down 6 overlooked causes of male infertility—and exactly what you can do about them. Whether you're planning for pregnancy or simply want to optimize your health, this episode is packed with insights, studies, and actionable steps. ______________________________________________________________________ Chapters:  0:00 – Coming up 0:42 – Male Hormonal Decline: A Century of Change 3:07 - Preparing for Pregnancy: Sarah’s Journey Begins 4:14 – Why Male Fertility Deserves More Attention 5:45 – Sperm's Role in Placenta Formation and Miscarriages 7:20 – Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Recurrent Miscarriages 9:04 – Spiritual Perspectives on Pregnancy 9:42 – Modern Diets & Lifestyle: Root Causes of Fertility Decline 10:55 – #1: Estrogen-Like Compounds & Environmental Toxins 12:50 – Soy, Flax & the Phytoestrogen Problem 14:18 – Estrogen in Tap Water & Heated Plastics 16:19 – Estrogen Dominance & 'Man Boobs' 17:28 – Easy Fixes to Lower Estrogen Exposure 19:36 – #2: Low Muscle Mass & Lack of Strength Training 22:15 – Train to Change: Efficient Training for Men 23:05 – #3: PUFAs & The War on Healthy Fats 24:35 – Oxidative Stress & Sperm Damage 26:25 – Progesterone, 2-AG & Fertilization Mechanisms 29:20 – Saturated Fats & Lipid Peroxidation: The Real Fertility Villain 32:20 – Real-Life Diet Tips to Cut PUFA 34:55 – #4: Infertility as a Metabolic Problem 36:05 – ATP, Mitochondria & the Sperm Energy Crisis 38:05 – Subclinical Hibernation & Low Metabolism 39:05 – The Body is Always Listening: Metabolic Signals 40:00 – #5: Carbs Are Crucial for Testosterone 41:11 – Why Low-Carb + High Protein Can Backfire 42:47 – PUFA Past & Present: Fat Stores & Testosterone 43:33 – Carbs, Cortisol & Hormonal Balance 44:40 – Energy Availability & Testosterone Production 45:20 – Oxidizing Carbs Properly for Hormonal Health 46:30 – #6: EMFs & Phones in Pockets 47:15 – Create Distance: How to Reduce EMF Exposure 49:45 – Laptops & Wi-Fi: The Sperm Mobility Killer 50:06 – Lifestyle Fixes: Body Fat, Sleep, and Stress 51:10 – Summary: Your Three-Month Tune-Up Plan 52:16 – Hidden PUFA in Seeds & Practical Swaps 53:18 – Shared Responsibility in Preconception Health 55:28 – Evaluate Daily Habits, Not Rare Behaviors 56:50 – Navigating Health Journeys as a Couple  01:01:10 – Sign-Off: Keep Learning & Empowering

In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Frank von Hippel to uncover the dark history of pesticides—from the Irish Potato Famine to modern-day endocrine disruptors. We explore how chemicals like DDT, glyphosate, and neonicotinoids are wreaking havoc on fertility, metabolism, and child development. Plus, practical tips to detox your home, avoid obesogenic chemicals, and protect your family. If you care about food, health, or the future of our planet, don’t miss this deep dive! ______________________________________________________________________ Subscribe To The Rooted In Resilience Podcast: ⭐ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCSpofOL75STGMvUUlD5em7g  ⭐ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NTIxm2iqgIdnqI2j2FICr?si=477cfb0440fe40ce ⭐ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rooted-in-resilience/id1663060063 ______________________________________________________________________ Keep Up With Us! 🖥️ Website: https://www.armstrongsisters.com/ 🗞️ Newsletter: https://www.armstrongsisters.com/newsletter-signup 👩🏼‍🌾 Our Farm CoOp, Nourish: https://nourishcooperative.com/  {The highest quality food you can find, delivered directly to your door. Low PUFA chicken and pork, 100% grass-fed beef and lamb, traditional sourdough, raw dog food, & more} 🥚Waitlist for our eggs: https://angel-acresfarm.com/pages/waitlist-for-eggs {Low PUFA, corn & soy free, pasture-raised eggs, delivered directly to your door} ______________________________________________________________________ Follow Us On Social Media ➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strong.sistas/ ➡️ X: https://twitter.com/strong_sistas ➡️TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@strong.sistas?_t=8oW270Feyz5&_r=1 ➡️ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/strong-sisters-103331317/ ➡️FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083808037077 ➡️ THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@strong.sistas?invite=2 ____________________________________________________ 0:00 – Coming Up 1:05 - The Potato Famine & Origins of Pesticides 4:58 - The Deadly Nightshade Family & Early Pesticide Resistance 7:29 - Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring & Environmental Warnings 12:45 - Endocrine Disruption: How Pesticides Mess With Hormones 14:56 - Fertility Crisis: Pesticides & Reproductive Health 17:38 - The Science Behind Hormone Disruption 20:10 - Male Fertility Decline & Sperm Count Collapse 22:13 - Estrogen Dominance & Women’s Health Risks 24:21 - Phytoestrogens in Food: Soy, Flax & Hidden Dangers 27:55 - How to Reduce Chemical Exposure at Home 30:16 - Toxic Homes: VOCs, Paint, & Building Materials 35:05 - The Chemical Age: From Warfare to Agriculture 40:29 - DDT: From Miracle Chemical to Banned Toxin 48:10 - Neonicotinoids: The New Pesticide Threat 49:55 - Glyphosate (Roundup) & Gut Microbiome Destruction 52:46 - Regulatory Failure: Who’s Really in Control? 57:26 - How to Fight Back: Clean Water, Food & Home Tips 1:11:40 - Integrated Pest Management: A Solution for the Future 1:19:40 - Obesity, Autism & Chemical Connections 1:25:08 - Italy vs. America: Why Traditional Diets Win 1:36:02 - Final Thoughts

In this groundbreaking episode, Georgi Dinkov shares astonishing updates on his cancer research that directly challenges the mainstream cancer treatment model. We dive deep into the real role of estrogen and androgens in cancer development, why modern treatments may be doing more harm than good, and how Georgi’s self-funded studies are showing tumor regression — without relying on toxic therapies. If you're interested in true root-cause healing, bioenergetics, and the future of cancer therapy, this conversation is a must-listen. Stay tuned for how vitamins, aspirin, pregnenolone, progesterone, and a different perspective on energy metabolism are changing everything we thought we knew. 👉 Support Georgi’s research by visiting idealabsdc.com. ______________________________________________________________________ Subscribe To The Rooted In Resilience Podcast: ⭐ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCSpofOL75STGMvUUlD5em7g  ⭐ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NTIxm2iqgIdnqI2j2FICr?si=477cfb0440fe40ce ⭐ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rooted-in-resilience/id1663060063 ______________________________________________________________________ Keep Up With Us! 🖥️ Website: https://www.armstrongsisters.com/ 🗞️ Newsletter: https://www.armstrongsisters.com/newsletter-signup 👩🏼‍🌾 Our Farm CoOp, Nourish: https://nourishcooperative.com/  {The highest quality food you can find, delivered directly to your door. Low PUFA chicken and pork, 100% grass-fed beef and lamb, traditional sourdough, raw dog food, & more} 🥚Waitlist for our eggs: https://angel-acresfarm.com/pages/waitlist-for-eggs {Low PUFA, corn & soy free, pasture-raised eggs, delivered directly to your door} ______________________________________________________________________ Follow Us On Social Media ➡️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strong.sistas/ ➡️ X: https://twitter.com/strong_sistas ➡️TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@strong.sistas?_t=8oW270Feyz5&_r=1 ➡️ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/strong-sisters-103331317/ ➡️FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083808037077 ➡️ THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@strong.sistas?invite=2 ____________________________________________________ 0:00 – Coming Up 0:54 – Catching Up With Georgie: How Are Things Going? 2:50 – Why Georgi Self-Funds His Cancer Studies 5:24 – Bioenergetic View of Cancer Explained 7:00 – Wound Healing, Glycolysis, and Cancer Metabolism 9:30 – Aspirin’s Role in Cancer Metabolism 14:04 – Cancer as a Regression to Primitive Life 16:00 - How Blue Light Damages Mitochondria and Fuels Cancer 18:52 – Updates on Breast and Prostate Cancer Studies 20:11 – How Pregnenolone Reverses Cancer Metabolism 24:50 – Estrogen Dominance and Energy Blockage 28:58 – The Problem with Lactate and Cancer Growth 30:00 – Pyruvate, NAD+, and Energy Blockage in Cancer 32:58 – How Killing Cancer Cells May Can Promote Metastasis 37:02 – How Pregnenolone and Progesterone Combat Cancer 38:50 – Human Equivalent Dosing for Pregnenolone 42:50 – PUFA’s Role in Estrogen Detox Impairment 44:18 – Pregnenolone vs Progesterone for Cancer Support 46:54 – Progesterone’s Protective Effects Against Cancer 48:29 – Prostate Cancer and the Myth of Androgens 51:01 – Androgens Are Crucial for Male and Female Health 54:10 – Estrogen’s Correlation with Aging and Disease 55:00 – Skyrocketing Cancer Rates in Young Adults 58:17 – Reversing Prostate Cancer With DHT and Aromatase Inhibitors 1:00:20 – Proving the Mainstream Model Completely Wrong 1:03:40 – The Profit Motive Behind Estrogen Therapy 1:07:14 – Why Watchful Waiting Has Become Standard 1:09:08 – Understanding Why Cancer Rates Are Rising 1:11:27 – Publishing Challenges and Growing Grassroots Support 1:14:00 – How to Support Georgi’s Research and IdealabsDC

In this empowering follow-up to their previous episode on breast milk, Sarah and Ashley take a deep dive into how the modern diet has transformed the fatty acid composition of breast milk—and what that means for a child’s lifelong health. From allergies and immune suppression to metabolic issues, cognitive development, and even cancer risk, the girls explore how polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) are impacting babies from day one. But it’s not all doom and gloom. They break down the science behind breast milk composition, share real studies, and most importantly, offer practical, hopeful strategies for how moms (and future moms) can shift their diet—even within days—to radically improve their baby’s nourishment and resilience. Whether you're already breastfeeding, planning for pregnancy, or just curious about food’s generational impact, this episode will leave you informed and inspired. 00:00 – Coming Up 00:47 – Mother's Breast Milk Has Undergone a Radical Transformation 02:31 – Explanation of How Breast Milk Now Mimics Formula in Fatty Acid Profile 04:14 – Historical Data on Rise of Linoleic Acid in Breast Milk 05:53 – Allergies and Breast Milk Composition 09:20 – Metabolic Suppression and PUFAs as Immunosuppressants 11:59 – Consequences of PUFAs in Milk: Cognitive Impairments, Autism, and ADHD 14:03 – Childhood Obesity and Early-Life PUFA Exposure 16:30 – Body Fat and Metabolic Impact of High PUFA Diets 18:14 – Trans Fats in Breast Milk 20:00 – Breast Milk: Fat- vs Mineral-Derived Content 22:04 – Linoleic Acid and Mammary Tumors 24:14 – 1985 Study: Diet Changes Breast Milk Fat in 3 Days 25:38 – Low-Calorie Diets During Breastfeeding and Fat Stores 27:52 – How to Optimize Fat Quality in the Maternal Diet 29:10 – Saturated Fat vs Carbs During Breastfeeding 31:57 – Beneficial Saturated Fats: CLA and C15:0 From Dairy 34:10 – Raw Milk, History, and Ancestral Practices 36:42 – Milk vs Milk Replacements: Nutrient Comparison 39:00 – Fast Shifts in Milk Composition—Encouraging Data 41:00 – Central Nervous System Risks From High PUFA Exposure 42:21 – Prioritizing Whole Food Fats Over Added Fats 44:25 – Calorie Balance and Metabolic Consequences 48:22 – Total Fat, Type of Fat, and Weight Timing Matters 49:57 – Fertility Focus: Prepping Body and Family Health 51:32 – Closing Message: Empowerment Through Better Food Sourcing