Below Her Surface

Lily Cook
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Below Her Surface hosted by Lily Cook, founder of Metaphysical Wellness, dedicated to unpacking the clinical and human realities of health. Cut through the noise and guesswork with conversations that feature health experts, women in business and lifestyle, and individuals with lived insight - delivering accessible, science-grounded information you can actually use. From hormones to mindset to biology - no trends, no fluff, just what works.

  1. HÁ 23 H

    Endometriosis, Inflammation & Exercise: Why Intensity Isn't Always Your Friend

    In part one of this special series, Lily is joined by a very special returning guest - her mum, Amanda Haberecht. Amanda returns to the show to tackle the first round of community questions specifically focused on the intersection of endo, fertility, and systemic health. Together, they move "below the surface" of endometriosis, reframing it as a complex condition that sits somewhere between a hormonal imbalance and an autoimmune disease. This conversation cuts through the jargon to explain why endo is so much more than a reproductive issue. Lily and Amanda discuss why the severity of a woman's symptoms often doesn't match her surgical stage and why "powering through" high-intensity workouts might actually be fueling the inflammatory fire. In this episode, Lily and Amanda explore: *Endo as an inflammatory "runaway train" – Understanding why the immune system gets activated but receives mixed messages, leading to chronic systemic inflammation. *The role of Oestrogen – How this growth hormone drives both the disease and the inflammatory response. *The Autoimmune Connection – Why endo may eventually be classified as an autoimmune disease and its link to conditions like Hashimoto’s and Coeliac disease. *Contraception Myths and Realities – Discussing whether the Pill or the Mirena truly "stops" endo or simply provides a necessary reprieve from symptoms. *Why high-intensity training can backfire – How excessive exercise acts as a pro-inflammatory stressor, spiking cortisol and potentially worsening pain. *Supportive Movement – The benefits of being "Miss Moderate" by prioritising weights, walking, and low-intensity Pilates to promote blood flow without exhausting the body. *The Oestrogen-Histamine Link – Why women with endo often struggle with allergies, sinus issues, and headaches. *Dietary Nuance – Moving beyond "blanket bans" to look at the evidence for Mediterranean and Gluten-free diets, and the importance of food quality in dairy and meat. *Gut Health and the "Oestrobolome" – How your microbiome and liver health dictate how effectively you detoxify oestrogen. This episode is a grounded, science-led guide to navigating endometriosis without extremes, reminding us that managing the condition requires looking at the whole person, not just the symptoms.

    46 min

  2. 19 DE ABR.

    Authenticity, Body Image & The Reality of Being a Content Creator with Onella

    In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with content creator and model Onella to peel back the layers on what it really looks like to live and work in the digital spotlight. A client of Metaphysical Wellness for several months, Onella shares her evolution from winning a national modelling search to navigating the pressures of being a curve model and living with Vitiligo. This conversation moves beyond the "perfect exterior" to discuss the mental load of social media, the nuances of PCOS, and the courage it takes to work on your health while the world is watching. Onella opens up about the "chaotic" reality of her career - from crying in hotel rooms during glamorous brand trips to the discipline required to treat her personal life as a business. Together, Lily and Onella challenge the stigma surrounding weight loss in the body-positive community, advocating for a "baseline" of health that prioritises internal markers over external opinions. In this episode, Lily and Onella explore: *The shift from modelling to content creation – How PCOS and insulin resistance changed Onella’s body size and why many brands dropped off when she moved from a size 16 to a 20/22. *Living with Vitiligo – Onella’s journey as an ambassador for the Vitiligo Association of Australia and her experience growing up confident despite having a "different" look. *The myth of the "perfect" influencer life – The reality of travel anxiety, emotional burnout, and why long-form YouTube content feels more authentic than 7-second reels. *Health as a trend vs. health as a baseline – Navigating the overwhelming amount of health advice on TikTok and learning to separate "trends" from actual body physiology. *Weight loss and Body Positivity – Why wanting to improve your health or change your body composition doesn’t mean you hate yourself, and how to handle online scrutiny during a transformation. *The "Chaotic Brain" and systems – How to build routines that allow you to function when your natural state is high-energy and non-linear. *Sustainable balance – Learning that balance isn't a 50/50 split, but rather having the capacity to enjoy life (and chocolate) without it derailing your long-term goals. This episode is an honest, refreshing look at the intersection of public image and private health, reminding us that being "visible and valued" starts with how we treat ourselves beneath the surface

    45 min

  3. 5 DE ABR.

    Vaginal Health, Organic Cotton & The Bamboo Myth: What’s Really Touching Your Skin?

    In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with Sera Delprado, the founder of Fanny Organics, to uncover the hidden impact our choice of underwear has on our hormonal and vaginal health. After battling chronic infections and finding a complete lack of genuine cotton options on the high street, Sera set out to create a brand that fuses high-end design with strict health-conscious standards. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the textile industry, exploring the "greenwashed" reality of bamboo fabrics and why synthetic materials like polyester are essentially like wearing plastic against your most sensitive organs. From the frequency of fabrics to the 36-second window in which our skin absorbs toxins, this episode is a wake-up call for any woman looking to respect her body from the base layer up. In this episode, Lily and Sera explore: -The "Fanny" Origin Story – How recurring health issues and a gap in the market led to the creation of a pH-conscious underwear brand. -The Bamboo Myth – Why bamboo is often a "fad" and the chemical-heavy process required to turn wood pulp into soft fabric. -Chemical Absorption – The reality that skin begins absorbing dyes and fabric chemicals in just 36 seconds. -Fabric Frequencies – The fascinating science of how different materials vibrate and why organic cotton matches the frequency of a healthy human body. -The Synthetic Trap – How petroleum-based fabrics like polyester create a breeding ground for bacteria, UTIs, and thrush. -Design Meets Health – The meticulous process of lengthening gussets and using undyed, raw organic cotton linings for ultimate protection. -Future-Proofing Women's Health – The link between chemical exposure and fertility, and the importance of teaching young women to demand respect for their bodies through the products they use. This episode is a grounded, eye-opening guide to the "bandage" we wear every day, reminding us that true wellness starts with the simple, honest materials we put against our skin.

    29 min

  4. 29 DE MAR.

    From Introvert to Global CEO: The Power of Delusional Confidence

    In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with mindset and business coach Jess Williamson to pull back the curtain on what it truly takes to scale a global empire from scratch. From launching a swimwear brand at 22 with "zero clue" to managing five simultaneous businesses and eventually selling them, Jess’s journey is a masterclass in backing yourself before you feel "qualified".This conversation moves beyond clinical business advice and dives into the psychology of success. Jess explains why most people fail to take action on the information they receive and how subconscious programming around "safety" and "competition" can lead to burnout if left unchecked. In this episode, Jess and Lily explore: -The power of "delusional" belief - why deciding on a global outcome before you have the qualifications is often the key to making global moves. -The evolution of the Personal Brand - why you don’t have a business in 2026 if you aren't visible, and how to stop competing on price by becoming your own niche. -The Introvert’s guide to visibility - how Jess went from being petrified of eye contact to speaking on international stages and hosting Ted Talks. -Bridging the Gap: Information vs. Action - why receiving a "dopamine hit" from new information often prevents people from actually doing the work. -The Three Pillars of Strategy - stripping business back to the basics: selling your offer, delivering on the offer, and doing the work. -Reprogramming for Burnout - why burnout is often an internal issue of feeling "unsafe" to slow down, rather than a long to-do list. -Building Self-Trust through "Reps" - using micro-actions in fitness and health to prove to your brain that you can follow through on your word in business. -The "Willingness" Factor - why success isn’t about luck, but about being willing to look like an idiot and get a million "no’s" before you get a "yes". This episode is a high-energy, honest look at the grit required to build a life on your own terms. It serves as a reminder that while the strategy is simple, the courage to be seen and the resilience to stay in the game is where the real growth happens.

    44 min

  5. 24 DE MAR.

    Overtraining, PCOS & No Period for 2 Years

    In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with Taao, a professional dancer who stopped getting her period for two years, gained 12kg in a matter of months, and was handed band-aid solutions like the pill and metformin “to make her feel sick so she’d eat less.” After spending thousands on specialists who couldn’t explain what was happening, she found her way to Metaphysical, and completely changed how she trains, eats and understands her body. We walk through her journey from PCOS chaos and hypothalamic amenorrhoea to regular cycles, strength, and a relationship with food that actually supports her life and career. This one is for the women who feel like they’ve “tried everything,” don’t fit the textbook version of PCOS, and are tired of being told to just “lose weight” or “go on the pill.” Together, Lily and Taao discuss: Taao’s first PCOS flare and the rapid 12kg weight gain no one could explain Why every practitioner was “stumped” by her bloodwork and symptoms The overlap of PCOS and hypothalamic amenorrhoea (HA) in dancers and high-achieving women How overtraining was pushing her further from a regular cycle Why low-carb, low-calorie protocols were making everything worse How increasing carbs and training less helped her lose fat and regain her period The wild medical advice she was given: metformin for nausea, ovarian drilling & random pill protocols The difference between evidence-based nutrition and disordered-eating-in-disguise How fixing her health opened up more energy, confidence and success in her dance career What Taao wants to see change in women’s health and how we talk about aesthetics vs health

    41 min

  6. 22 DE MAR.

    Thyroid Health, Pregnancy Loss & Advocacy: Matilda’s Journey with Hashimoto’s

    In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily is joined by Matilda Spooner to share a raw and insightful look into navigating Hashimoto’s, thyroid dysfunction, and the path to conception. After years of being told to simply "up the dose" of her medication, Matilda shares how she moved from being a fatigued mum on the couch to reclaiming her vitality through a science-led, food-first approach. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the "hidden" side of autoimmunity - where looking fine on the outside doesn't match the internal reality of shutting down. Lily and Matilda discuss the importance of advocating for yourself in a medical system that often overlooks the nuances of female biology and the impact of lifestyle on thyroid markers. In this episode, Lily and Matilda explore: - The Post-Pill Reality – Navigating 90-day cycles and the surprise pregnancy that followed years of hormonal suppression. - The Fatigue Wall – What it’s really like parenting a toddler while struggling with undiagnosed thyroid crashes and the guilt of "not being able to get off the couch". - The Fasting Trap – Why fasted cardio and skipping breakfast are often the worst choices for women with Hashimoto’s and thyroid issues. - Fuelling for Recovery – The daunting but essential shift of increasing food intake, eating protein before training, and using carbohydrates to blunt cortisol. - Pregnancy Loss & Preparation – Processing a miscarriage through a physiological lens and using bloodwork to find the confidence to try for baby number two. - The Medical Gap – Why standard thyroid treatments often ignore root causes like iodine deficiency, selenium, and poor methylation. - Self-Advocacy – Why you shouldn't feel "dramatic" for seeking a second opinion when your intuition tells you something is wrong. This episode is a powerful reminder that "normal" blood results don't always equal optimal health. It’s an invitation to stop settling for "fine" and start working with a practitioner who looks at the full landscape of your biology to help you feel human again.

    28 min

  7. 15 DE MAR.

    Fat Loss, Strategy & Physiology: Why Consistency Trumps Willpower

    In this solo Q&A episode of Below Her Surface, Lily Cook dives deep into the strategic side of fat loss, metabolism, and the psychological hurdles many women face on their health journey. Moving away from the "all-or-nothing" culture, Lily unpacks why high-effort often doesn't equate to high-results and how to treat your health like a science experiment by controlling variables rather than chasing quick fixes. This episode is an essential guide for anyone who has felt restricted by tracking apps or frustrated by "plateaus," offering a clear, data-backed roadmap to achieving aesthetic goals without sacrificing hormonal health or mental well-being. In this episode, Lily explores: - The Science of Fat Loss - Why doing ten sessions a week is less effective than three consistent ones, and how to manage variables like steps and calories to see what actually works. - The "Least Amount" Principle – Why achieving your goals with the minimum effective dose of exercise and restriction is better for your metabolism and long-term success. - Cycle Tracking as a Safety Guard – Using your period as a bio-feedback tool to ensure your calorie deficit isn't too extreme for your physiology. - DEXA Scans & Data – Using clinical evidence to move past the emotional weight of the scale and understand your unique muscle mass and body fat needs. - The Insulin-Thyroid Connection – Why generic Hashimoto’s advice might fail if you have insulin resistance, and the importance of bringing insulin down first. - The Myth of Willpower – Understanding how physiological imbalances like leptin resistance and nutrient deficiencies drive cravings that willpower alone cannot overcome. - Reclaiming Aesthetic Goals – Why it is healthy and normal to want to look a certain way, and how to pair physical progress with mental rewiring. - Building a Sustainable Routine – The non-negotiables of strength training, progressive overload, and why you should stick to a program for at least 6 to 12 weeks. This episode provides a grounded, science-literate approach to body composition, reminding us that strategy and physiological health are the true drivers of lasting change.

    28 min

  8. 10 DE MAR.

    Blood Work, PCOS Myths & The Truth About Supplements: Why "Normal" Isn't Always Optimal

    In this solo Q&A episode of Below Her Surface, Lily Cook, founder of Metaphysical Wellness, returns to dive deep into the questions that flood her inbox. This episode is a masterclass in reading between the lines of standard medical advice, specifically tackling the frustration many women feel when their labs come back "normal" despite feeling anything but. Lily breaks down the clinical nuances of hormonal health, from the specifics of androgen testing to the lifestyle factors that "turn on" PCOS symptoms. This conversation cuts through the marketing fluff of the supplement industry - specifically debunking the "natural Ozempic" and "lean creatine" trends - to provide a science-literate, grounded approach to female biology. In this episode, Lily explores: - The "Normal" Lab Trap – Why your pathology reports might say you’re fine, but your ferritin, thyroid, and insulin levels are far from optimal for how you actually want to feel. - Hirsutism and Hair Loss – The connection between insulin resistance and androgen production, and why basic testosterone testing often misses the full picture. - Endometriosis and Iron – Navigating low iron and heavy bleeds, why you don’t necessarily need to cut out red meat, and the role of prostaglandins in period pain. - The Creatine Myth – Why there is no such thing as "lean" creatine and how to avoid the temporary bloating often associated with "loading" phases. - Berberine vs. Reality – Unpacking the "Natural Ozempic" claims and why body composition results in clinical trials are often no better than a placebo. - PCOS: Genetic or Lifestyle? – Understanding the difference between having polycystic ovaries and the clinical expression of PCOS, and how strategy trumps generic "low carb" advice. -Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea (HA) vs. PCOS – The "danger zone" of misdiagnosis and why treating a loss of cycle as PCOS can actually make your hormonal health worse. This episode is a call to look beneath the surface of generic health trends and start looking at your data, your cycle, and your lifestyle as one interconnected whole.

    30 min
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Sobre

Below Her Surface hosted by Lily Cook, founder of Metaphysical Wellness, dedicated to unpacking the clinical and human realities of health. Cut through the noise and guesswork with conversations that feature health experts, women in business and lifestyle, and individuals with lived insight - delivering accessible, science-grounded information you can actually use. From hormones to mindset to biology - no trends, no fluff, just what works.

Informações

  • Criado por
    Lily Cook
  • Anos de atividade
    2025 - 2026
  • Episódios
    24

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