Rescue You From The Rollercoaster of Perimenopause

Dr Kirstey Holland

HELLO, I’M DR KIRSTEY HOLLANDI have worked with women for more than 20 years; women who are worn out from struggling with health challenges such as gut disorders, anxiety, weight gain and more.I have developed a methodology that aims to heal, seal and repair the gut, rebalance hormones and rescue metabolic health, so that my patients can be their best and most vibrant selves again, I call it: The Hierarchy Of Healing. This process comes to life with my Vitality Protocol, which consists of 7 elements, the way you: eat, sleep, move, think, test, connect and prescribe. The process and the protocol are held within a belief that health is bio-psycho-social.I am a university qualified Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and hold a double degree in acupuncture and herbal medicine. I am a practitioner of Environmental and Nutritional Medicine, Functional Medicine and Naturopathy. I’m a person-centred, trauma informed counsellor and a qualified health coach. I believe that the best approach to healthcare should be grounded in ancient wisdom while leveraging cutting edge science. The best approach can be personalised for every woman. Because we are all unique in our own special way.MY STORYWhy do I do what I do? Because I understand what it’s like to feel disease in the body. You see, I am a recovered food addict. When I was a teenager my parents went through an awful divorce and I was sent away to a boarding school where I relied on food for comfort and love and to stop the pain of loneliness.I was the girl who used food to calm myself and feel safe. I ate when I felt stressed and constantly tried to restrict my diet, only to then binge.I was told I was fat, felt shame about showing my body, and never felt good enough.This relationship with my body and food continued for years and the turn point really came for me when I started travelling and studying extensively throughout Africa and Asia, and in particular, India where my fascination with Eastern mysticism and Ayurvedic medicine developed.In spite of this journey, I continued to battle with and abuse my body through food. I was sad and depressed. I knew that my external representation was due to the internal pain I was feeling but I didn’t know what to do about it.My obsession to manage my weight and my own personal disillusionment with western medicine led me to study Traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathy in both Australia and in China. I earned my degrees at a number of institutions, broadening AND deepening my perspective.This journey of learning and practicing has led me to understand that as a woman, our health is intrinsically linked with our own experiences and trauma. I now know that the single most effective way to feel vibrant is to heal, seal and repair the gut, to rebalance your hormones and in the process, rescue your metabolic health.  When we do this we extend our health span, the time we feel healthy and vital during our life. I have been in clinical practice since 2000 having studied and practised alongside some of the best health practitioners around the world – focussing on how to live in a beautifully balanced way that allows us to feel comfortable in our own skin.I live by the 80/20 rule and use practical tools that are designed to support the stage of life I’m in: peri/menopause. I want you to know it’s possible to integrate your story into your health in a positive way. It’s possible to come back into balance, live a full and happy life and get off the rollercoaster so you can live a life that’s more harmonious and graceful.

  1. Born Into Chaos, Called to Heal: My Story and Why I Do This Work

    JAN 31

    Born Into Chaos, Called to Heal: My Story and Why I Do This Work

    Send me a text if you liked this episode. In this deeply personal episode, Dr Kirstey Holland shares the story that shaped her life, her nervous system, and her life’s work.  Born in a nunnery in rural Africa, raised amidst beauty, danger, trauma, and deep connection to nature, Kirstey reflects on a childhood marked by instability, fear, and extraordinary resilience. She speaks candidly about early trauma, dysregulated nervous systems, chronic stress, insulin resistance, hormonal disruption, and how these experiences ultimately forged her path into medicine.  This episode weaves together ancestry, trauma, biology, and healing—showing how the body holds the score, how regulation is possible at any age, and why women in perimenopause deserve better care, better explanations, and better outcomes.  Kirstey shares the framework she now lives and teaches:  Repair the gut.  Rebalance hormones.  Reclaim metabolism.  And why true health is never just physical—it is always biological, psychological, and social.  This is not just a story.  It is a reclaiming.  And an invitation for women to trust their bodies again.  Support the show The information shared in this podcast does not substitute working with your primary health care provider; it is general in nature and not considered personalised advice. Visit us online for more information or if you wish to work with Dr Holland. thehollandclinic.com For your daily dose of women's health related info and ideas on how to gracefully live through health and wellbeing transitions your body experiences, visit our Instagram instagram.com/thehollandclinic

    39 min
  2. "Heal-Seal-Repair Protocol" - what do I recommend to repair your gut?

    06/08/2024

    "Heal-Seal-Repair Protocol" - what do I recommend to repair your gut?

    Send me a text if you liked this episode. Today I  introduce you to my Heal-Seal-Repair Program. It's designed to address gut health and various related health issues. The program focuses on reducing gut inflammation through a structured Elimination Diet Schedule, identifying individual trigger foods, and categorising foods into five groups: ideal, reasonable, acceptable, foods to eat with caution, and foods to avoid.  The program consists of a four-week detox phase and an eight-week reintroduction phase.  Participants are encouraged to carefully monitor their body's reactions to foods reintroduced gradually.  The program emphasises personalised dietary choices and provides flexibility in meal planning, aiming to promote overall health and well-being.  I also touch on complementary protocols like intermittent fasting and ketogenic beverages and highlight the importance of consulting healthcare providers for comprehensive health assessments. Enjoy! 00:00 Introduction to the Heal-Seal-Repair Program 00:41 Understanding Gut Health and Inflammation 01:46 The Elimination Diet Schedule 04:39 The Five Food Categories 08:38 Problematic Food Components 13:17 The Detox and Reintroduction Phases 17:37 Monitoring and Recording Reactions 29:36 Flexibility and Personalization 39:57 Conclusion and Next Steps Support the show The information shared in this podcast does not substitute working with your primary health care provider; it is general in nature and not considered personalised advice. Visit us online for more information or if you wish to work with Dr Holland. thehollandclinic.com For your daily dose of women's health related info and ideas on how to gracefully live through health and wellbeing transitions your body experiences, visit our Instagram instagram.com/thehollandclinic

    41 min
  3. Troubles of perimenopause & the hierarchy of healing

    11/07/2023

    Troubles of perimenopause & the hierarchy of healing

    Send me a text if you liked this episode. Hello gorgeous, this episode was recorded in the spur of the moment, as I'm driving home from dropping my son to his cricket match. If you want to ditch the myriad of symptoms that derail your good days as you go through perimenopause, you need the right approach. There's a "hierarchy of healing" that allow you to fix the vast majority of uncomfortable symptoms and reduce the risk of chronic illness in the future. Your gut is the gateway to resolving so many issues you experience with your hair, skin, waistline, mood, energy, sleep! Fix your gut first, then tackle your hormones to avoid a yo-yo effect of symptoms returning time and time again. Learn to recognise how you trigger symptoms with lifestyle choices and nutrition. Then resolve the symptoms with the approach that works for you. Let me talk you through this in this episode. If you want, you can then reach out for your personalised journey through perimenopause. It can be a graceful journey for you! In best health, Dr Kirstey Holland Support the show The information shared in this podcast does not substitute working with your primary health care provider; it is general in nature and not considered personalised advice. Visit us online for more information or if you wish to work with Dr Holland. thehollandclinic.com For your daily dose of women's health related info and ideas on how to gracefully live through health and wellbeing transitions your body experiences, visit our Instagram instagram.com/thehollandclinic

    31 min
  4. Heal in the right order

    10/12/2023

    Heal in the right order

    Send me a text if you liked this episode. Good morning from the Holland Clinic, on a rainy but refreshing day in Melbourne. We understand the many complexities involved in your search for health and vitality, which can feel increasingly daunting as we grow older. Yet, rest assured that you are not alone on this journey; we are here to guide you every step of the way. Often, as a society, we look for a single magic bullet to solve our health problems, whether it's taking a pill for a headache or seeking the ultimate anti-aging cream. We latch onto the convenience of this 'one thing' that can miraculously fix our issues. This was highlighted during a recent consultation with a client who was questioning why a product marketed to her wasn't working as promised. Indeed, quick fixes can be enticing, but we've found that holistic healing is a more sustainable, long-term approach. We had another client recently who perfectly illustrates the importance of holistic health. She was prescribed body-identical hormones, crucial to the management of perimenopause symptoms. But the hormones weren't as effective as they could have been because she hadn't made the necessary lifestyle and dietary changes. This illustrates a crucial point: no single treatment or medication works in isolation. An important transition occurs in women's bodies around the age of 40, akin to a 'non-negotiable renovation'. Suddenly, the dietary and lifestyle habits that previously served us may no longer work. This is why we advocate for gut health, even referring to it as the 'foundation of the house'. Our gut has a profound influence on our hormonal system, acting as a linchpin in the communication network between our gut's microbiome and our body's cells. The hormones, estradiol and progesterone, are crucial for our bodies to function optimally. To initiate hormonal therapy, having a baseline is pivotal since it enables us to assess improvements and ensure safe detoxification. Then, we need to monitor other hormones including testosterone and DHEA. We can also observe how estrogen metabolizes to prevent going down the potentially dangerous Four Hydroxy pathway. Next, we need to examine your melatonin levels and your cortisol awakening response. Imbalances here are linked to burnout and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which women in perimenopause often experience. Additionally, it's important to monitor your thyroid function and get ahead of any potential autoimmune disorders. To navigate your way from fertile years through perimenopause and into menopause successfully, it's crucial to understand and manage these complex hormonal changes properly. It is not just about enhancing your quality of life, but also preventing further health complications down the line. Ultimately, the Holland Clinic advocates for an holistic approach to health and vitality, with a focus on nutrition and lifestyle modifications. We believe in fasting, but in a supported, manageable way, and always with a focus on you feeling your best. It's not about quick fixes or fad diets. It's about making consistent lifestyle choices that you can sustai Support the show The information shared in this podcast does not substitute working with your primary health care provider; it is general in nature and not considered personalised advice. Visit us online for more information or if you wish to work with Dr Holland. thehollandclinic.com For your daily dose of women's health related info and ideas on how to gracefully live through health and wellbeing transitions your body experiences, visit our Instagram instagram.com/thehollandclinic

    15 min
2.6
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

HELLO, I’M DR KIRSTEY HOLLANDI have worked with women for more than 20 years; women who are worn out from struggling with health challenges such as gut disorders, anxiety, weight gain and more.I have developed a methodology that aims to heal, seal and repair the gut, rebalance hormones and rescue metabolic health, so that my patients can be their best and most vibrant selves again, I call it: The Hierarchy Of Healing. This process comes to life with my Vitality Protocol, which consists of 7 elements, the way you: eat, sleep, move, think, test, connect and prescribe. The process and the protocol are held within a belief that health is bio-psycho-social.I am a university qualified Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and hold a double degree in acupuncture and herbal medicine. I am a practitioner of Environmental and Nutritional Medicine, Functional Medicine and Naturopathy. I’m a person-centred, trauma informed counsellor and a qualified health coach. I believe that the best approach to healthcare should be grounded in ancient wisdom while leveraging cutting edge science. The best approach can be personalised for every woman. Because we are all unique in our own special way.MY STORYWhy do I do what I do? Because I understand what it’s like to feel disease in the body. You see, I am a recovered food addict. When I was a teenager my parents went through an awful divorce and I was sent away to a boarding school where I relied on food for comfort and love and to stop the pain of loneliness.I was the girl who used food to calm myself and feel safe. I ate when I felt stressed and constantly tried to restrict my diet, only to then binge.I was told I was fat, felt shame about showing my body, and never felt good enough.This relationship with my body and food continued for years and the turn point really came for me when I started travelling and studying extensively throughout Africa and Asia, and in particular, India where my fascination with Eastern mysticism and Ayurvedic medicine developed.In spite of this journey, I continued to battle with and abuse my body through food. I was sad and depressed. I knew that my external representation was due to the internal pain I was feeling but I didn’t know what to do about it.My obsession to manage my weight and my own personal disillusionment with western medicine led me to study Traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathy in both Australia and in China. I earned my degrees at a number of institutions, broadening AND deepening my perspective.This journey of learning and practicing has led me to understand that as a woman, our health is intrinsically linked with our own experiences and trauma. I now know that the single most effective way to feel vibrant is to heal, seal and repair the gut, to rebalance your hormones and in the process, rescue your metabolic health.  When we do this we extend our health span, the time we feel healthy and vital during our life. I have been in clinical practice since 2000 having studied and practised alongside some of the best health practitioners around the world – focussing on how to live in a beautifully balanced way that allows us to feel comfortable in our own skin.I live by the 80/20 rule and use practical tools that are designed to support the stage of life I’m in: peri/menopause. I want you to know it’s possible to integrate your story into your health in a positive way. It’s possible to come back into balance, live a full and happy life and get off the rollercoaster so you can live a life that’s more harmonious and graceful.

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