Strong + Unfiltered: Perimenopause, Hormones, Gut Health + Hormone Optimization

Danielle Kepics PA-C
  • 4.9 (73)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Strong + Unfiltered is the women's health podcast for anyone tired of being told "everything's normal" when you feel like shit. Hosted by Danielle Kepics, PA-C—board-certified physician assistant and functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner—this show cuts through the BS of conventional medicine and wellness culture to give you real, evidence-based answers about your health. Each week, Danielle interviews credentialed experts (no weekend-certified wellness gurus here) about hormones, perimenopause, HRT, gut health, SIBO, metabolic wellness, PCOS, thyroid issues, insulin resistance, and everything your doctor isn't telling you. Perfect for women ages 30-50 who are fed up with medical gaslighting and ready for root-cause solutions. New episodes every Monday. Because you deserve better than "just live with it." Be the CEO of your own health.

  1. 3D AGO

    EP249: Are Your "Healthy Habits" a Red Flag? The Truth About Orthorexia + Endurance Training

    Danielle sits down with Becca Murphy to unpack her personal experience with orthorexia, disordered eating, and how "doing all the right things" can quietly spiral into underfueling, overtraining, and hormonal imbalance. We're talking about the sneaky, socially acceptable behaviors that get praised in fitness culture but are actually massive red flags, especially for high-performing women navigating endurance training, weight loss, and metabolic health. From obsessive tracking with apps like MyFitnessPal, to chronic dieting, to using exercise as a coping mechanism, this episode connects the dots between control, trauma, and the way we use "health" to avoid what's really going on underneath. We also break down how low energy availability, RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), and chronic underfueling can show up as fatigue, poor recovery, hormone issues, and stubborn body composition changes. If you've ever felt wired and tired, stuck in rigid routines, anxious about missing a workout, or unsure how to stop tracking calories and macros… this episode is for you.   Enter the Brick Giveaway here!  Learn more about working with me  Shop my masterclasses (learn more in 60-90 minutes than years of dr appointments) Follow me on IG Follow Empowered Mind + Body on IG  Follow Becca on IG

    56 min

  2. APR 27

    EP 249: Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones? What Your Conventional Doctor is Missing ft. Dr. Cassie Smith

    In this episode, Danielle sits down with Dr. Cassie Smith, author of Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones, to break down the real connection between gut health, hormones, and why so many women still feel off despite "doing all the right things." They dive into the labs most conventional doctors are missing, why looking at symptoms and your full story matters just as much as your lab results, and how things like poor sleep, chronic stress, and over-scheduling are quietly wrecking your health. If you've been bouncing between gut protocols, hormone fixes, and still don't feel like yourself, this episode will help you connect the dots and understand what's actually missing. Learn more about working with me  Shop my masterclasses (learn more in 60-90 minutes than years of dr appointments) Follow me on IG Follow Empowered Mind + Body on IG  Get Dr. Cassie Smith's book here Follow Dr. Cassie on IG

    1h 2m

  3. APR 20

    EP 248: You're Not Weight Loss Resistant… You're Just Not Doing This

    In this episode, Danielle breaks down one of the most overused phrases in women's health and weight loss: weight loss resistance. If you feel like you're doing everything right but not losing weight, or you're worried your metabolism or hormones are the problem, this episode is for you. Danielle gets honest about why most women are not actually dealing with true weight loss resistance, and what's really getting in the way of fat loss. She walks through the foundational habits that must be consistent before blaming your hormones, including strength training, calorie intake, daily movement, and protein. You'll also learn when weight loss resistance is real, how to tell if your metabolism has adapted, and when it's time to look deeper at things like hormones, stress, gut health, and sleep. If you're stuck, frustrated, or feel like nothing is working, this episode will help you understand what's missing and what to do next. Get your Labs Freebie here!  Join Mindset. Movement. Metabolism here!

    17 min

  4. APR 13

    EP 247: Your Jaw Might Be Screwing Up Your Pelvis (Also… WTF Is a Hobonichi?)

    This episode is a little different… and honestly, one of our favorites. It's part catching up with my friend Liz Rodriguiz, part going down random rabbit holes, and part accidentally dropping some really solid insights along the way. From airway health to alignment to planners and business… we went everywhere. If you like episodes that feel like you're hanging out with friends but still walk away learning something, this one's for you.   Learn more about working with me  Shop my masterclasses (learn more in 60-90 minutes than years of dr appointments) Follow me on IG Follow Empowered Mind + Body on IG  Follow Liz on IG

    1h 17m

  5. APR 6

    EP 246: Cycle Tracking, Ovulation, and Perimenopause: What Women Should Actually Know

    Understanding your menstrual cycle is one of the most powerful ways to understand your health, yet many women were never taught how their cycle actually works. In this episode, Danielle sits down with a registered nurse and certified fertility educator to talk about fertility awareness, cycle tracking, ovulation, and how these tools can help women better understand their hormones throughout different stages of life. They discuss why ovulation matters far beyond fertility, how fertility awareness methods compare to hormonal birth control, and why accurate hormone testing depends heavily on timing within the cycle. The conversation also explores how tracking changes during perimenopause, signs that hormone replacement therapy may be worth considering, and the reality many women face when their symptoms are dismissed in conventional healthcare settings. You'll also hear practical advice for improving cycle health, what women with consistently healthy cycles tend to do differently, and one surprisingly simple nervous system tool that can make a bigger difference than most people expect. Ashley is a nurse, certified fertility awareness educator, and hormone health coach—and the creator of The Hippie Martha. A birth nerd, hormone junkie, and holistic fairy godmother, she blends strong clinical skills with cycle literacy, pattern recognition, and whole-body assessment to use the menstrual cycle as a powerful detective tool.    LINKS: HRT Discovery call Hormone strategy session Learn more about working with me  Shop my masterclasses (learn more in 60-90 minutes than years of dr appointments) Follow me on IG Follow Empowered Mind + Body on IG  Follow Ashley on IG

    1h 2m

  6. MAR 30

    EP 245: Histamine, MCAS, and the Nervous System: Why Your Body Feels Stuck in Fight-or-Flight

    Histamine intolerance and MCAS are being talked about everywhere right now, but most conversations focus on food lists, supplements, and restriction. In this episode, Danielle sits down with a certified functional nutrition practitioner to explore a different perspective, the role of the nervous system in chronic reactivity, inflammation, and histamine-related symptoms. They discuss why some people seem to become more sensitive to foods, environments, and stress as they get older, and how nervous system state may influence everything from histamine release to sleep quality. You'll also hear a deeper conversation about why many healing approaches encourage people to disconnect from their bodies, why that can backfire, and what it actually looks like to help the body feel safe again. If you've been dealing with symptoms that feel random, overwhelming, or impossible to figure out, this episode offers a different framework for understanding what might be happening. Jennifer Parkinson is a Certified Functional Nutrition Practitioner. As the founder of EDS Nutritionist, Jennifer specializes in supporting individuals with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) who are struggling with chronic pain, fatigue, brain fog, gut dysfunction, and daily instability.    LINKS: Learn more about working with me  Shop my masterclasses (learn more in 60-90 minutes than years of dr appointments) Follow me on IG Follow Empowered Mind + Body on IG  Follow Jen on IG

    1h 9m

  7. MAR 23

    EP 244: Sinus Infections, Tonsil Stones, and Steroids: What Your Conventional ENT Isn't Telling You

    Dr. Jessica Lee is a double board-certified Otolaryngologist–Head and Neck Surgeon and Lifestyle Medicine physician. She completed her medical training at the University of Mississippi and her surgical residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. Currently practicing with Charleston ENT& Allergy, she is also the founder of Integrative ENT Health, where she focuses on blending conventional surgical expertise with evidence-based lifestyle and integrative therapies. Dr. Lee has published and spoken widely on the role of airway, sinus, and gut health in chronic inflammatory diseases, and her clinical work emphasizes patient-centered, multidisciplinary care for chronic rhinosinusitis and related airway conditions. She serves on national committees within the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and is recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Her passion is equipping both patients and colleagues with innovative, whole-person strategies to improve outcomes in chronic sinonasal disease.   WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT: Why you have chronic sinus infections and why they keep recurring The real root causes of chronic nasal congestion and sinus pressure How repeated oral steroid use can contribute to insulin resistance and osteoporosis What to do for a sinus infection without immediately needing antibiotics Early intervention strategies to stop illness before it spirals The supplements that may help shorten colds and respiratory infections When a "recurrent sinus infection" might actually be a migraine disorder What causes tonsil stones (tonsilloliths) and why some people keep getting them What actually works to prevent and manage tonsil stones How stress, sleep, inflammation, and lifestyle affect your immune system and upper airway health   Learn more about working with me  Shop my masterclasses (learn more in 60-90 minutes than years of dr appointments) Follow me on IG Follow Empowered Mind + Body on IG  Learn more about working with Dr. Jessica Follow Dr. Jessica on IG

    1h 24m

  8. MAR 16

    EP 243: How Thumb Sucking + Pacifiers are Ruining Your Kids Health, Mouth Breathing + Health Issues Your Pediatrician Doesn't Even Know About.

    Kate Kurzhal is a double graduate from Indiana University-Bloomington (Bachelors-2014; Masters-2018) - Go Hoosiers! with proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL). She has been a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Michiana area for 8 years and has owned/ operated Ripple Effect Pediatric Therapy (recently rebranded!) since 2022. Her areas of expertise include: feeding therapy (especially picky eaters and ARFID), myofunctional therapy and airway-centric care in pediatrics. Kate derives much of her "why" as a therapist from her experiences in motherhood. As a soon to be Mom of four under 5, she knows each child truly is unique but also deserves strong advocacy for individualized whole child care. She says,"Much of my passion to serve and support Michiana families is derived from my own recognition that it truly does "take a village" and I enjoy being part of the "villages" I serve." When she's not advocating for healthier feeding, stronger habits, and clearer communication, you can find her down a rabbit hole of true crime (shoutout Crime Junkies!), at a 5 am workout,  playing with her girls, cheering on The Irish or enjoying the hidden gem of South Bend - Taqueria Chicago (IYKYK). WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT: What myofunctional therapy is, and why both kids and adults need an evaluation Why lisps and "off" speech sounds can signal airway or oral function issue How chronic mouth breathing affects sleep, behavior, focus, and overall healt The connection between airway dysfunction and ADHD symptoms in childre Pediatric airway red flags most pediatricians don't routinely screen fo When to stop pacifier use and thumb sucking, and how it impacts jaw developmen Why every child should have an airway evaluation by age si What ARFID is (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and how it shows up in kid The simple habit of nasal hygiene, including why blowing your nose daily matters   Learn more about working with me  Shop my masterclasses (learn more in 60-90 minutes than years of dr appointments) Follow me on IG Follow Empowered Mind + Body on IG  Learn more about working with Kate Follow Kate on IG

    1h 6m
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4.9
out of 5
73 Ratings

About

Strong + Unfiltered is the women's health podcast for anyone tired of being told "everything's normal" when you feel like shit. Hosted by Danielle Kepics, PA-C—board-certified physician assistant and functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner—this show cuts through the BS of conventional medicine and wellness culture to give you real, evidence-based answers about your health. Each week, Danielle interviews credentialed experts (no weekend-certified wellness gurus here) about hormones, perimenopause, HRT, gut health, SIBO, metabolic wellness, PCOS, thyroid issues, insulin resistance, and everything your doctor isn't telling you. Perfect for women ages 30-50 who are fed up with medical gaslighting and ready for root-cause solutions. New episodes every Monday. Because you deserve better than "just live with it." Be the CEO of your own health.

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