Birth Control at 14, Autoimmune at 24: Lacey's Health Journey (Ep. 83)

In this week's episode of The Wellness Effect, Jensen sits down with Lacey (Kira's off camping) to get into the parts of her story she doesn't usually tell. They trace her health journey all the way back to birth — a difficult delivery, years of chronic illness and unexplained symptoms as a kid, going on the pill before ever having a natural cycle, a wild university era of diet pills and toxic relationships, seven years of bodybuilding, and finally the autoimmune flare that led her to functional health. It's a raw, unfiltered look at how decades of "small" symptoms compound into bigger health issues — and how healing often starts with looking back, not just forward.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Health issues rarely appear out of nowhere — Lacey's autoimmune disease was the result of decades of compounding red flags that started in infancy. Starting birth control before ever having a full natural cycle can shape hormonal health for years to come — Lacey didn't have a regular period until age 29. Extreme diet and exercise control (like bodybuilding) can mask real health issues under a "healthy" facade, and often functions as a coping mechanism for a lack of control elsewhere in life.   CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro: Missing Kira & Setting the Stage 00:57 – Birth Story: A Traumatic Start 06:12 – Constant Sickness & the Antibiotic Cycle 08:01 – Family Dynamics & Suppressed Emotions 10:23 – Bedwetting & Nervous System Dysregulation 27:41 – Silent Until Three: A Hidden Identity 28:26 – First Period at 14 & Straight to the Pill 36:25 – Diet Pills & University Chaos 42:35 – Entering the Bodybuilding World 51:34 – COVID, Quitting Bodybuilding & Getting Her Period Back 58:05 – Raw Vegan Diet & Finding Functional Health 1:01:47 – Healing, Present Day & the Fertility Journey   Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program. Follow us on Instagram: The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/ Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/ Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/ Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.