Embracing Flow

Painful periods are often dismissed as “normal.”But what if they’re not? In this episode of the Embracing Flow podcast, Heather Allmendinger sits down with functional medicine physician Dr. Jeffrey Brown to explore a different conversation around women’s health, hormones, and chronic cycle pain. Many women silently struggle with symptoms such as debilitating cramps, heavy bleeding, PMS, brain fog, mood swings, and fatigue. Too often, the only solutions offered are birth control, antidepressants, or surgery. But what if there are deeper root causes that deserve attention? Dr. Brown shares insights from more than 15 years of experience working in functional and regenerative medicine, helping women understand how inflammation, hormone balance, gut health, and lifestyle factors can influence menstrual health. In this conversation, we discuss: • Why painful periods are frequently normalized in modern healthcare • The difference between progesterone and progestin • What endometriosis and adenomyosis are and why they can be so debilitating • How stress, inflammation, and gut health influence hormone balance • The surprising role testosterone plays in women’s health • Why strength training and lifestyle changes can support hormonal wellbeing • How women can begin advocating for their bodies and their health This episode offers something many women have never been told before: Painful periods are not something you simply have to live with. Whether you are personally navigating painful cycles or supporting someone who is, this conversation brings education, compassion, and hope to the journey of understanding women’s health more deeply. Listen now and join us in changing the conversation around menstrual health. Meet Dr. Jeffrey Brown: Dr Brown is an osteopathic functional medicine physician. Attended NY College of Osteopathic Medicine. Completed residency at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Dept. of Family Medicine After becoming frustrated with traditional medicine's approach to health care while practicing family medicine, he became board certified with the American Academy of Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine. He has been focused on improving women's health care for over 15 years. His passion is helping women eliminate painful menstrual cycles Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjeffreylbrown/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKcuSjq89tXh4dVoUbJd0KA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffreybrown.do?igsh=OXBsNWh2ZTNkaTBp&utm_source=qr Website: https://hormonehealthwithdrbrown.com/ Free webinar on March 11 @7pm EST. Free gift for attendees. The link is hormonehealthwithdrbrown.com/webinar-registration Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Women are often taught that strength means endurance.That rest is weakness.That powering through is the only option.But what if that belief is quietly exhausting your body, your nervous system, and your emotional health?In this episode of Embracing Flow, Heather is joined by Erin Catron — a nervous system educator and trauma-informed therapist — for a deeply compassionate conversation about how survival patterns form, how they live in the body, and why so many high-functioning women feel tired, disconnected, inflamed, or overwhelmed without knowing why.Together, they explore:• How early experiences and unspoken shame shape our nervous system• Why your body may still be operating in survival mode• How tension, digestion, fatigue, and emotional burnout are connected• What safety actually feels like in the body• Why rest is not laziness — it is neurological repair• How to gently begin listening to your body again• And how small moments of awareness can reconnect your internal circuitryThis episode is not about fixing yourself.It is about realizing your body has been protecting you all along — and learning how to work with it instead of against it.If you are a woman balancing work, motherhood, caregiving, relationships, and responsibility — and you are tired of feeling like your body is failing you — this conversation is for you.Because you are not broken.You are responding.And you are allowed to respond with care.About Erin CutroneErin, is a clinical therapist of over 20 years who has evolved her work into nervous system and awareness training, helping people understand how stress, trauma, and protection patterns live in our bodies.With a background spanning mental health, counseling, yoga, meditation, Energetic anatomy and spirituality. Erin brings a truly holistic lens to healing. She has worked across psychiatric hospitals, schools, foster care, private practice, supporting people of all [00:01:00] ages, and through that work, she's come to see just how transformative nervous system education can be, not only for personal healing, but for collective expansion.Erin is the founder of This Space, a virtual and pop-up community wellness model, re-imagining what wellness can look like, and she's also the host of the Align With Love podcast where she explores how we soften the barriers around the heart and begin to live. Heal and lead from a place of deeper awareness and connection.https://www.inthespace.co/https://www.instagram.com/anahata_wellness/ Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You Don’t Need a Spa Day — You Need Self-ReconnectionIn this heart-opening episode of Embracing Flow, Heather sits down with Inner Radiance Wellbeing & Creative Guide Stephanie Keenan Ray, founder of Natural Beauties, Art & Ideas Creative Network, and co-host of Smiling Souls.Together they explore the truth women rarely say out loud:👉 You can take care of everyone else and still feel completely disconnected from yourself.This episode unpacks the simple rituals that help you return to your center—no luxury spa required.Stephanie shares:Her unforgettable (and hilarious) first-period storyThe role essential oils play in balancing hormones, mood, and nervous system regulationWhy creativity is one of the most underused forms of self-careThe power of grounding practices for burnout, overwhelm, and emotional overloadHow reconnecting with your “little girl self” changes how you show up in your lifeWhat women actually need to feel peaceful, energized, and authentic againHeather and Stephanie also explore why many women aren’t truly in their bodies, how stress rewires our sense of self, and why small daily rituals—breath, oils, journaling, creativity, nature—shift our entire emotional landscape.If you’ve ever felt drained, stuck, crispy around the edges, or lost in your own life… this one’s for you.✨ In every phase — embrace it, love it, crown it, and be Vivydus.Stephanie Keenan Re is an Inner Radiance, Well-being and Creative Guide. She is the founder of Natural Beauties Arts & Ideas Creative Network & She.E.O Elite Membership, and Co-Podcaster of Smiling Souls Podcast. In all she does, she guides women though simple rituals of self care, holistic solutions and creativity with the mission to help others shine from within, aging gracefully with confidence, joy, and inner peace.https://linktr.ee/natural_beauties Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When life feels full, your body always knows first.In this episode, Heather Allmendinger, Queen of Flow and host of the Embracing Flow™ podcast, unpacks how chronic stress reshapes hormonal balance — long before you realize it.Discover why cortisol is more than a “stress hormone,” how it hijacks your cycle rhythm, and what your body is really saying when you feel “tired but wired.”This episode connects this week’s Flow Q and DYK: how emotional and physical stress both disrupt your hormonal blueprint — and what to do about it. 🌿✨ You’ll learn:How cortisol changes energy, sleep, and cycle timingWhy your body holds onto stress signals long after the moment passesWhat true rest looks like in a hormone-aware lifestyleSimple shifts to support your body during high-stress seasons💭 Reflection prompt: Where is your body keeping score right now? And how can you give it extra credit instead of more pressure? Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Your body keeps the score of everything you’ve lived through — every stress, every push, every “I’ll rest later.” In this episode of Embracing Flow™, Heather Allmendinger, Queen of Flow and founder of Vivydus, unpacks how stress doesn’t just affect your mood — it reshapes your hormones, energy, and menstrual rhythm.Learn why your menstrual cycle is more than fertility — it’s your fifth vital sign. Heather explores the science behind cortisol, the HPA axis, and how chronic stress rewires hormonal balance. Through stories, research, and reflection, she helps you understand the link between stress, energy crashes, emotional swings, and cycle changes — and how to restore harmony.✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:How the stress hormone cortisol influences estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid balanceWhy women often feel “wired but tired” in high-stress seasonsThe connection between skipped periods, sleep issues, and chronic overwhelmSteps to reset your body’s natural rhythm through rest, awareness, and nutritionHow to teach the next generation that cycles are messages, not mysteries💭 Reflection Prompt: Where is your body keeping score right now, and what would it look like to give it support instead of pressure?🎧 Listen now and rediscover your rhythm.📚 ReferencesEffects of the Menstrual Cycle Phase on Cortisol Responses. PMC. PMCHow Stress Affects Your Menstrual Cycle | UT Physicians. UT PhysiciansChronic Stress and Ovulatory Dysfunction: Implications in Times of Global Disruption. PMC. PMCIs Stress Affecting My Menstrual Cycle? Understanding the Connection. HERA Health. Hera Women's Health -Higher Circulating Cortisol in the Follicular vs. Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle. PubMed. PubMedEffects of Menstrual Cycle on Cognitive Function, Cortisol and Metabolism. PLoS ONE. PLOS Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Have you ever had a week that looked fine on paper, but your body disagreed?Fatigue, cravings, mood swings, or a late period might not be “random” — they’re hormonal communication.In this Flow Fact Friday, Heather Allmendinger, founder of Vivydus: The Full of Life Company and USOA Ms. Berks County 2025, explains how your hormones act as an early-warning system when stress rises. Before burnout or lab results appear, your body is already adapting to protect you.You’ll learn:🌿 How cortisol interrupts hormone balance and ovulation💡 Why your cycle changes during stressful seasons✨ What “protective” hormone shifts look like — and how to respond with compassion instead of frustration📚 References:American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign. 2015.Harvard Health Publishing. Hormones and Stress: The Cortisol Connection. 2021.The Endocrine Society. Hormones and Health Overview.NIH. Stress and Reproductive Function. Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Feeling burned out, bloated, or stuck in survival mode—even though you’re “doing everything right”? You’re not alone, and it’s not you—it’s your hormones.In this empowering conversation, Heather Allmendinger, Founder of Vivydus — The Full of Life Company and Host of Embracing Flow, sits down with Chelsea McLeod, corporate-executive-turned-hormonal-health-coach and creator of The Healthy Hustle Method. Together they uncover what’s really behind fatigue, stubborn weight gain, sleepless nights, and stress cycles—and the steps high-achieving women can take to heal naturally.Chelsea shares how she went from leading a $60 million brand to suffering total burnout, then rebuilt her health by fixing root-cause imbalances in her hormones and gut. You’ll learn:🔸 The difference between “common” and normal symptoms🔸 Why cardio and calorie cutting can backfire for women 30–50🔸 Simple habits to lower cortisol and balance estrogen, progesterone & thyroid health🔸 How functional testing reveals what standard bloodwork misses🔸 Practical ways to restore energy, lose weight, and feel vibrant againIf you’ve ever thought your body was broken, this episode will remind you it’s not—it’s communicating. Learn how to listen, heal, and thrive in every phase of womanhood.About Chelsea McleodI had to heal myself before I could help other women heal. Ran myself into the ground in corporate for a decade before healing my insomnia, PCOS, high cortisol, and gut issues. From there, I helped family and friends heal after going back to school for integrative health to become a practitioner. Quit my job as a digital director at a publicly traded company when my side hustle scaled too fast. Now I've helped over 200 women heal.Website: https://chelseamcleod.com/freebie - busy girl guide to hormonal weight loss https://chelseamcleod.com/busy-girl-guideIG: https://www.instagram.com/healthywithchels/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-you-its-your-hormones/id1799354267 Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Have you ever noticed that your body seems to whisper before it shouts?Fatigue, mood shifts, or a late period aren’t inconveniences — they’re communication.In this Flow Fact Friday episode, Heather Allmendinger, Queen of Flow and host of the Embracing Flow™ Podcast, explores how your menstrual cycle acts as a built-in feedback loop for your overall health. Long before labs or diagnostics show imbalance, your body leaves clues in the rhythm of your cycle.You’ll learn:🌿 Why the menstrual cycle is considered the fifth vital sign💡 How stress, under-nourishment, and sleep patterns can alter your hormones🩺 What irregular, painful, or missing cycles may reveal about thyroid or adrenal health✨ How to read your cycle as data — not dramaYour body isn’t broken; it’s brilliant.Every change in your cycle is an invitation to listen, not push through.📚 References:American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign. Committee Opinion No. 651, 2015.Harvard Health Publishing. Hormones and Brain Health: The Estrogen Connection, 2021.National Institutes of Health (NIH). Estrogen and Bone Health.The Endocrine Society. Hormones and Health Overview.🎧 Tune in to learn how your body speaks through your cycle — and what it might be saying to you this month. Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Your menstrual cycle is so much more than a fertility marker — it’s your body’s fifth vital sign.In this episode of Embracing Flow™, Heather Allmendinger, founder of Vivydus: The Full of Life Company explores how menstrual health offers insights into hormone balance, thyroid function, adrenal health, and emotional well-being.You’ll learn:Why the “periods are only for pregnancy” myth misses the bigger pictureWhat your cycle can reveal about your thyroid, stress, and nutrient statusThe connection between hormone balance, brain health, and longevityHow to help daughters view their cycles as powerful, natural body literacy toolsReferences:American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Sign. Committee Opinion No. 651, 2015.Harvard Health Publishing. Hormones and Brain Health: The Estrogen Connection, 2021.Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Ovulatory Cycles and Cardiovascular Health, 2018.National Institutes of Health (NIH). Estrogen and Bone Health.The Endocrine Society. Hormones and Health Overview.Tune in and discover why your menstrual cycle is one of the most powerful indicators of whole-body health — and what it might be telling you. Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Are mineral imbalances fueling ADHD symptoms and hormonal chaos? In this episode of Embracing Flow, Heather speaks with Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Certified Health Coach Diane Yoder about the hidden connections between minerals, ADHD, and women’s health. From copper overload to low potassium, Diane explains how imbalances can impact focus, mood, and cycles — and why testing matters more than guessing.Discover how personalized nutrition and safe, science-backed detox methods can help restore balance, improve energy, and support both kids and adults dealing with ADHD symptoms.Connect with Diane at: https://northwestnatural.health/Electrolyte Powder: https://www.isagenix.com/rc/4LDSWOO Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Even without a regular monthly cycle, your body still moves through powerful rhythms that guide energy, focus, and resilience. In this episode of Flow Facts, Heather Allmendinger reveals how circadian, ultradian, and infradian patterns continue to shape women’s health — and why recognizing them matters.Learn how daily cycles regulate sleep and metabolism, why mid-day slumps are part of your ultradian rhythm, and how emotional or moon-connected rhythms provide structure in perimenopause and beyond. Discover practical insights for reducing burnout, restoring balance, and reclaiming confidence by aligning with the rhythms your body still follows. Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Rest isn’t laziness — it’s science. In this episode of Embracing Flow, Heather Allmendinger reveals how honoring your body’s need for rest strengthens resilience, balances hormones, and restores clarity.Discover the biology behind rest: how cortisol impacts stress and energy, how the parasympathetic nervous system and vagus nerve regulate recovery, and why sleep is a cornerstone of hormonal and metabolic health. Learn how circadian and ultradian rhythms shape your daily focus and how listening to your body’s signals helps prevent burnout.Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, balancing family and career, or leading in your professional life, this episode will inspire you to embrace rest as a strategic advantage.References (for your show notes):Hormonal response to stress: Cortisol and progesterone increase during stress in follicular phase PMC+2sciencedirect.com+2Cortisol variation across menstrual cycle: higher in follicular phase MDPIParasympathetic (rest-and-digest) physiology Vogue+2Verywell Mind+2Vagus nerve’s role in hormone, gut, and stress resilience jilliangreaves.comSleep-hormone interaction and cortisol dysregulation with poor sleep Sleep Centers of Middle TennesseeHealthlineRest techniques (vagus, breath, connection) and overall resilience Verywell MindVoguetimesofindia.indiatimes.comwomenshealthmag.com Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

In this week’s Flow Facts, Heather Allmendinger shares why rest is not weakness but resilience. Backed by science, she explores how responding to your body’s cues — from fatigue to brain fog — helps regulate stress hormones, restore balance, and unlock sharper focus.Whether you’re a leader, high achiever, or simply navigating daily demands, this episode will inspire you to view rest as a strategic advantage.💡 Key Takeaways:Rest regulates cortisol and supports hormone balanceIgnoring signals leads to fatigue and burnoutHonoring natural rhythms builds resilience and clarity🎥 Listen now to learn why rest is an essential part of strength. Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Episode SummaryCycle awareness is more than a health practice—it’s a relationship skill. In this episode, Heather explores how understanding cycles from adolescence through menopause supports stronger communication, empathy, and resilience in relationships.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How cycle charting builds communication tools for couplesWhy fertility awareness and body literacy can improve intimacyWhat research says about menopause, partner support, and marital satisfactionThe link between education and reduced divorce riskPractical tips for practicing cycle awareness at any life stageResources & Mentions:ACOG: Menstruation as a vital signNorth American Menopause Society guidanceRead Your Body appFEMM Health app Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Coach Wendy’s journey from professional organizer to life coachWhy so many women in the “sandwich generation” struggle with worthinessThe power of noticing your “yeah, but…” momentsHow guilt keeps us from self-care—and how to reframe itStep-by-step grounding and breathing exercises you can use anywhereThe role of gratitude in shifting mindset and reclaiming peaceHow to use the “Wheel of Life” and a letter to your future self for clarity and directionAbout Coach WendyWendy Taddeucci loves to work with women who are so overwhelmed with work, aging parents and children that they don't take time for themselves.Wendy Taddeucci is a Life Coach, co-host of the Smiling Souls Podcast, and is also a published author and creator of The Self-Care Sanctuary Journal: 30 Days of Journaling Prompts for Peace of Mind.Through her coaching, Wendy helps overwhelmed women to create more time and space to slow down and prioritize themselves.Wendy holds a Certificate in Life & ADHD Coaching from Coach Approach for Organizers and is also a former Certified Professional Organizer.Outside of her passion for coaching, Wendy loves traveling so she can make new friends and learn new things. She enjoys studying the spiritual, reading good biographies, and is an avid Gilmore Girls fan.Website https://coach-wendy.comFB page https://www.facebook.com/WendyTaddeucci/Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/WendyTaddeucci/LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendytaddeucci/8 days of journaling prompts for peace of mind https://coach-wendy.com/journal Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Are you truly understanding your cycle—or just jotting down dates?In this episode of Embracing Flow, Heather Allmendinger, Queen of Flow and Certified Fertility Awareness Educator, unpacks the crucial difference between tracking and charting your menstrual cycle.You’ll learn:The key differences between tracking and chartingHow charting provides insights into your health, energy, and moodPractical steps to start charting todayWhy charting is valuable even if your cycles are irregularRecommended tools: Read Your Body App & FEMM Health AppHeather also shares a personal story of how charting transformed her own life, and she invites you to join her at Girls Empowered, Inc.’s Daughter’s Day on Sunday, September 28 in Doylestown, PA for a free, fun, and empowering morning of conversation about puberty, periods, and hormones.📅 RSVP: girlsempowered.orgWhether you’re brand new to cycle awareness or ready to deepen your practice, this episode will help you Know Your Flow and use it as a strategy in life and health.Girls Empowered Inc: girlsempowered.orgRead Your Body App: https://readyourbody.com/FEMMHealth App: https://femmhealth.org/femm-app/ Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

In this Flow Facts episode, Heather Allmendinger, Queen of Flow and host of the Embracing Flow podcast, unpacks why the luteal phase can make you feel tired, less motivated, or more emotional — and why that’s not laziness.Heather connects this week’s Flow Q (“What’s something your body tried to tell you?”) and Did You Know (“Your emotions shift with your hormones”) to the reality of how hormonal changes affect your energy, focus, and emotional state.You’ll learn:What’s happening hormonally in the luteal phase and why energy naturally shiftsHow to recognize luteal fatigue and emotional changes without labeling them as “bad”Practical ways to work with this phase — including shifting your schedule, adjusting social commitments, and focusing on completion rather than starting new projectsHeather’s message is clear: when you know your flow, you stop fighting your body and start using your cycle phases as a strategy for life and work.💬 Share your takeaway: What’s one thing your body has been telling you this week? Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Episode 68: The Sleep Shift: Why Better Rest Changes EverythingGuest: Sherri Danzig, Founder of Choosing VibrancyWhat We Cover:The 5 stages of sleep and what each one actually doesWhy REM sleep is crucial for brain detox and hormone resetThe connection between sleep, immunity, and perimenopauseSheri’s personal burnout story (including a literal fire!)Sleep habits that sabotage your health without you knowingHow to build a bedtime routine that works for your life stageCreating a bedroom sanctuary and sleep-friendly homeTools to track sleep quality and how to interpret themWhy melatonin may not be the answerWhat Sherri recommends instead of a “quick fix” Meet Sherri Danzig – Wellness Mentor & Founder of Choosing VibrancyOver 25 years ago, Sherri did a bold career pivot—from selling food to feeding the soul. Leaving behind her role as a sales rep in the food industry, she followed a deeper calling to become a Neuromuscular Therapist, launching her lifelong mission to help others feel vibrant from the inside out.She founded Choosing Vibrancy to inspire and teach natural, simple self-care solutions that anyone—anywhere—can weave into daily life. Through her workshops, one-on-one consultations, and global wellness community, Sherri has helped thousands of people reclaim their vitality and well-being.If you believe that “Zen” moments are reserved for vacations or that your morning mood depends on everyone else in the house—get ready to flip that script.Driven by a deep fascination with the body-mind connection, Sherri has spent decades immersed in the science and art of personal empowerment. Her work invites you to reconnect with your own inner compass and discover just how good you’re meant to feel.Guest Resources:https://choosingvibrancy.com/https://nikken.com/en/choosingvibrancyhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/choosingvibrancyJoin Sherri’s free Facebook group: Choosing VibrancyBook a free 30-minute sleep consultationMentioned in this episode:Oura Ring (Heather’s sleep tracker)The power of sleep masks, soundscapes, and environment designWhy teens, caregivers, and professionals all need more sleep Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

🎧 What you’ll hear in this episode:00:00 – Welcome and ovulation energy vibes01:00 – Alyx’s hilarious and horrifying first-period story06:30 – From reproductive health posters in college to period CEO09:00 – The exotic dancer study that uncovered a 30% sales boost10:30 – Aligning business strategy with hormonal phases12:00 – How The Agenda Period planner turned into a powerful app15:00 – Why most period tracking apps fall short16:30 – Introducing Ritual, the first perfume line made for your cycle20:00 – The science of scent, hormones, and mood25:00 – Cycle awareness beyond menopause27:00 – Study tips for teens and hormone-based learning30:00 – Men vs. women: why we “don’t get” each other36:00 – White Diamonds, anyone? Rethinking postmenopause scents39:00 – How to create a life you don’t need to escape from41:00 – A permission slip to put yourself back in the center🧠 Key Takeaways:Our cycle affects everything from confidence to cash flow—if you know how to work with it.Most products are not designed with female biology in mind—but they should be.Aligning business, lifestyle, and even your scent with your cycle can radically shift your day-to-day energy.You don’t have to be menstruating to benefit from cyclical awareness—your body still flows even in menopause.✨ Mentioned in this episode:The Agenda Period AppRitual Perfume Kickstarter (link in show notes)Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertWhite Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor (…kind of 😂)👑 Connect with Alyx Coble-Frakes:Alyx Coble-Frakes is the CEO and Founder of The Agenda, a groundbreaking app designed to empower women by helping them understand and optimize their lives around their menstrual cycles and hormonal health.With a background as a health coach and entrepreneur, Alyx has dedicated her career to creating solutions for the often-overlooked challenges women face, including perimenopause. The Agenda combines science, technology, and lived experiences to provide actionable insights for women, offering them greater control and clarity over their health.Alyx has been featured on national TV, podcasts, and in magazines, showcasing her expertise in female hormonal health and her mission to change the narrative around women’s health. Website: https://www.theagendaperiod.comSocial Media Links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAgendaPeriodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theagendaperiodLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyx-coble-frakesPerfume link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/period-perfume-is-here/x/38649746?fbclid=IwY2xjawLc4NRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQVXc2bkZkZFRIYjZaMURMAR7K52s1nNxEKGtOqaYopgACWpwkHmcFyB8U5z8rWXBHy2E8kIbRealPjVnifA_aem_gSxevhjlMKRnB1Q9ZYIafw#/ Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This episode is an invitation to slow down and listen to the messages your body has been sending all along. Dr. Brittney Hobbs, a trained clinical pharmacist turned somatic soul guide, joins Heather to talk about somatic healing, the nervous system, and the energetic blueprints that shape our lives.Together, they explore:[00:01:45] Brittney’s first period story and wardrobe hacks from the dance team[00:04:00] Why she left traditional medicine to address root causes of pain[00:08:00] What “somatic” actually means (hint: it’s not just beating sticks in the woods)[00:14:00] How to make micro-check-ins a powerful daily ritual[00:21:00] Human design and energetic blueprints: why healing must be individualized[00:30:00] Why “healing isn’t logical, it’s cellular”—and how trauma lives in the body[00:37:00] From gunky pond to mountain stream: Brittney’s powerful closing metaphorIf you’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or overwhelmed, this conversation is your gentle nudge to start small, listen in, and return home to your body.🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs this info.Dr. Brittney Hobbs is a Somatic Soul Guide, Wellness Consultant, and a trained clinical pharmacist who helps high-achieving women decode the deeper root causes of pain, fatigue, and tension through a powerful blend of somatic healing, energetic precision, and wellness wisdom. Other places to connect with Dr. Nathalie Beauchamp:Website: https://brittneyhobbs.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/brittney.hobbs Connect with Heather Allmendinger!Freebies: https://linktr.ee/vivydusWebsite: https://vivydus.com/podcast/FB Group: https://facebook.com/groups/611487486871608/FB Personal: https://www.facebook.com/heather.m.allmendingerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivydus/Website: https://vivydus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmallmendinger/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VivydusPolkaDot Powerhouse: https://www.polkadotpowerhouse.com/referral?atid=10634Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3Dpf8nwAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.