Fempower Health | A Women's Health Podcast Georgie Kovacs

How can you sync your fitness routines with your menstrual cycle? And why should you? In this episode, exercise physiology expert Jess Freemas discusses the connection between periods, workouts, and women’s hormonal phases. She is from Orreco, a bio-analytics platform that helps athletes. At Orreco, Jess helped pioneer the FitrWoman app, which empowers female athletes and exercise enthusiasts to understand their bodies and optimize their performance. 
Jess explains the challenges, stigmas, and misconceptions surrounding menstruation, working out, and how tracking your menstrual cycle can equip you to adapt your exercise habits for improved health. You’ll learn strategies to manage period symptoms, the science behind exercising according to menstrual cycle phases, and ways to level up your fitness for life.
Jess is a Female Athlete Specialist at Orreco. Based in the U.S., Dr. Freemas is advancing female athlete research and delivering high-impact consultation to various athletes and teams across the NWSL, WNBA, NCAA, and Team USA. Jess holds a Master's degree in Exercise Physiology and a Ph.D. in Human Performance from Indiana University and has published work detailing the effects of menstrual cycle hormone fluctuations on female physiology and performance.

Discussed in this episode:

Research on the menstrual cycle and working outWomen’s hormones and their impact on energy, mood, and nutritional needs What happens when women stop working out because of their period?How women can follow a menstrual cycle workout plan to improve health and performance How the FitrWoman app helps women align their workouts and athletic goals with their menstrual cyclesWays to improve menstrual education and awareness for overall health

“We want the menstrual cycle not just to be seen as a burden, but that it means you might feel better at certain times. You should log it and notice when you're feeling good and when you might be feeling worse. It's a tool to really figure out your own individual patterns so that you can optimize your health that way.” — Jess Freemas

Related to this episode:

Related episode: Why Women Should Sweat in Sync With Their Cycle | Jenni HulburtMore Episodes on Nutrition & Exercise
 Jess on LinkedIn: Jess FreemasOrreco Website: www.orreco.com FitrWoman App: www.fitrwoman.com Orreco Social Media: @orreco1FitrWoman Social Media: @fitrwomanRecommended Books: View the Bookshop here

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Listen to Melody Joy Paine discuss finding joy in the midst of pain and grief. Learn from her insights as a filmmaker and advocate for pediatric rare disease patients. 
Episode Details:
In this episode, rare disease advocate Melody Joy Paine speaks about the power of staying present, authentic storytelling, and finding joy amidst life’s deepest pain. Melody is a brilliant filmmaker who helps rare disease patients and their families share their stories. Her dedication to providing a platform that allows her subjects to express their vulnerability without outside dictation has set her apart in her field. Her work showcases a profound exploration of what it means to be human, even in life’s toughest circumstances. 
In this conversation, Melody discusses her encounters with emotional resilience through the chaotic beauty of a large family and experiencing the sudden loss of loved ones. We explore how to make connections with others, and what it means to find joy and meaning in life beyond just a diagnosis. We also discuss the values Melody encapsulates in her business, "Imperfect Joy”.
Discussed in this episode:
Learning to find joy during painful grief and lossMelody’s profession as a filmmaker for rare disease patients and familiesHow to use storytelling as an advocacy toolAcknowledging guilt over taking time for self-carePediatric rare disease and its impact on mothersThe coexistence of pain and joy in hard times Examples of families navigating and coping with a child’s rare diseaseEncouragement to talk about mental health and build community for well-being 

“An important part of advocacy that’s often missing is connecting with the people. When we want to answer questions of what it looks like to cultivate joy, to be connected, to not let a diagnosis bring our entire life down, we look to people’s stories for answers. It's through experiencing it with them that we can see meaning and purpose in this journey." — Melody Joy Pain 

Related to this episode:
More Episodes on Women's Mental Health
Melody’s website: www.imperfectjoy.com Melody’s Instagram: @imperfect_joy_n-Lorem Foundation: www.nlorem.org Related Books: www.bookshop.org/lists/top-picks-for-mental-health

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In the U.S., about 1 in 35 children are adopted. While adoption is a life-changing experience for everyone involved, it’s a highly challenging process. In this episode, we enter the adoption world and explore the challenges, misconceptions, and triumphs surrounding this deeply personal journey, as well as new technology that makes the process more ethical.  
Erin Keaty-Quick, founder of the adoption networking app, PairTree, joins to discuss the reality of adoption today. We talk about current statistics, ethical adoption agencies, what open adoption means for families and children’s identity, the cost of private adoption, and the importance of expanding access to licensed adoption professionals across every state.
From ethical concerns to expensive adoption fees, there are barriers that must be overcome in the adoption industry. Erin Keaty-Quick is the founder and CEO of PairTree, an ethical adoption platform that connects expectant mothers with families seeking to adopt. Listen to this important conversation where we share personal stories and helpful resources for anyone considering adoption. 
Discussed in this episode:
The challenges of private adoption todaySocial, financial, and legal requirements for adoption Why it’s important to connect licensed, ethical adoption professionals with families and expecting momsBreaking taboos of open adoptions and understanding different levels of openness between birth and adopted families How the adoption process varies by state in the U.S.Ethical considerations in adoption such as preventing coercion of birth moms and overcoming limitations of LGBTQ adoptionFinancial assistance options for families wanting to adoptHow the PairTree platform works for networking, education, and encouragement in the adoption process 
"I have more respect for the birth families of our kids than anyone else on the planet because they signed up for grief for the rest of their lives. And they did it solely out of love for the children that I get to parent." — Erin Keaty-Quick
Related to this episode:
PairTree: www.pairtreefamily.com PairTree on LinkedIn Erin Keaty-Quick on LinkedInRelated: Tips to Ease Your Mind Around Infertility Related: Navigating Fertility Treatments & Costs | Barb ColluraRelated: More Episodes on Fertility and Trying to Conceive
and More Episodes on Women's Mental Health
AAAA: https://adoptionart.org Carrot Fertility Benefits: www.get-carrot.com Kindbody Fertility Wellness: www.kindbody.com Maven Family Care: a href="http://www.mavenclinic.com" rel="noopener noreferrer"

Learn about embryo donation and fertility in this insightful discussion with co-founders of EM-POWER with Moxie: an organization that offers resources to donors and families. 
Episode Details:
In Part 2 of the Journey to Parenthood Series, we explore the topic of embryo donation and the decisions available to utilize or donate during the fertility journey. Our guests Jen Vesbit, Gina Davis, and Maya Grobel — co-founders of EM•POWER with Moxie — share their personal experiences of fertility and transformative stories of embryo donation.
EM•POWER with Moxi is an education, support, and matching organization dedicated to empowering all stakeholders involved in embryo donation. In 2023, Maya, Jen, and Gina launched a first-of-its-kind open matching platform for embryo donation, Moxi Matching, to help donors and recipients meet and match in a safe and supported way. The founders have a combined 30+ years of experience working in reproductive medicine, as well as personal experience as embryo donors and a recipient. 
Discussed in this episode:
What is embryo donation? Different experiences between embryo donors and adopted parentsCommon challenges faced when considering embryo donation Financial considerations for individuals considering embryo donation Stories of EM-POWER founders’ experiences with infertility and embryo donationThe importance of psychological and community support through the embryo donation processFamily-first approaches to building a family amidst the fertility journey 

"For those of us who get to the path of embryo donation, it’s generally after a lot of other stuff has happened… We’ve spent a lot of time, emotional resources, financial resources, and mental gymnastics, and after all that, it becomes, ‘Okay, now I'm going to shift to an egg donor. It feels like I don't have choices. I have to do this to have a family.’" — Maya Grobel



Related to this episode:

Journey to Parenthood Part 1: Fertility Facts & Myths | Dr. AimeeRelated: Tips to Support Your Fertility | Dr. Aumatma SimmonsResources for Fertility & TTCFilm One More ShotEM-POWER with Moxie: www.empowerwithmoxi.com Instagram: @empowerwithmoxi LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/empowerwithmoxi Books on Fertility: https://bookshop.org/lists/trying-to-conceive-fertility

If you want to support this women’s health podcast, leave a review for Fempower Health on iTunes or a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7MyhmKQ9RfxODSMZwblnYP?si=b53127f76eca44d4" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

In this episode, fertility specialist Dr. Aimee, known as “The Egg Whisperer,” begins our three-part series on the fertility journey. For part one, we explore fertility facts, the realities of egg freezing, and the pressures many individuals feel to make everything perfect. Dr. Aimee sheds light on the importance of understanding clear expectations physically and emotionally, being cautious amidst media myths, and navigating social pressures surrounding fertility treatment.
Learn about the dynamics behind the scenes of different types of fertility treatments and where both women and men can find support. We also discuss the complexities of endometriosis and its impact on both fertility and IVF. 
Dr. Aimee is a highly respected expert in fertility and reproductive medicine. She has a notable online presence and has gained clinical recognition for helping individuals and couples achieve their dream of starting a family, even after years of trying to conceive. She actively collaborates with researchers and scientists, contributing to advancements in reproductive medicine. 
Discussed in this episode:

Fertility knowledge gaps today and the widespread information on social mediaCommon myths and concerns about freezing your eggsEndometriosis and its impact on fertility treatments Common concerns, mistakes, and tips for IVF The impact of in-vitro fertilization on relationships Male fertility and hormones Therapy and support for the emotional aspect of fertility treatment The direction of fertility research and innovation in the future 

 "Every woman should feel like she has the right and ability to self-refer and get the most accurate knowledge from a fertility doctor." — Dr. Aimee


Related to this episode:

Fertility Resources: www.fempower-health.com/fertility-trying-to-conceive Endometriosis Resources: www.fempower-health.com/endometriosis Dr. Aimee’s Website: www.draimee.org Egg Whisperer: www.eggwhisperer.com Freeze and Share: www.freezeandshare.com Egg Freezing Party: www.eggfreezingparty.com Dr. Aimee’s Instagram: @eggwhispererDr. Aimee’s X/Twitter: @_EggwhispererDr/ Aimee’s Facebook: Doctor AimeeDr. Aimee’s YouTube: Egg Whisperer ShowAmerican Society for Reproductive Medicine: www.asrm.org Find Support: www.fertilityclinicsonline.com | www.fertilityauthority.com |  a href="http://www.fertilitycommunity.com"...

The ovaries play a key role in overall health, not just reproduction. More scientific findings are revealing that the ovaries even influence mood, behavior, and longevity. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Garrison from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging explains the intricate relationship between the brain and reproductive organs. She covers topics including the science of aging, the “hypothalamus pituitary gonadal axis”, menopause and health, hormone replacement therapy, and the importance of understanding ovarian function.
Dr. Jennifer Garrison is a PhD scientist and the head of a research lab at the Buck Institute, an independent institute dedicated to studying aging as a risk factor for diseases. Listen as Dr. Garrison explores how age is the primary risk factor for most chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. 
Discussed in this episode:
How the brain controls female physiology, including reproductive functionEarly menopause and POI/POF Menopause and how it relates to overall health The fascinating story women’s ovaries can tell us about aging Understanding hormones as messengers in the bodyThe impact of diet and exercise on aging and fertility How understanding the aging process can help target and treat age-related diseasesHormone replacement therapy for hormonal imbalances during agingPhysical and emotional symptoms associated with periods, motherhood, and menopause
"If we can understand the mechanisms that underlie aging— what's causing it, what's driving it— then we can use that knowledge to target age-related diseases."
— Dr. Jennifer Garrison

Related to this episode:

Related episodes: Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) and Menopause | Dr. Mandy LeonhardtRelated episode: Women’s Health and the Ovulation Cycle | Dr. Jerilynn PriorDr. Garrison’s Lab at Buck Institute: www.buckinstitute.org/lab/garrison-lab Dr. Jennifer Garrison on Twitter and LinkedIn Find Global Consortium for Reproductive Longevity and Equality (GCRLE) on Twitter,  Instagram, and LinkedInRecommended Books on Hormones and Menstrual Health


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