Former CrossFit Pro: How Overtraining Destroyed Metabolism & Hormones

Today I have Dr. Becca Chilczenkowski, board-certified practitioner and hormone specialist who was a top 100 CrossFitter yet gained 15 pounds in one month and lost her cycle for three years from overtraining. Genetic testing revealed her inflammatory system turns on easily and struggles to turn off, making extreme exercise backfire. Becca reveals why detoxification—liver, gallbladder, bile support—is foundational, why she cut training from 6 days to 3 days weekly and became leaner, and why peptides are a "privilege you must earn" through lifestyle work first. She shares healing weight loss resistance, autoimmune, and MCAS through nervous system regulation, faith, and honoring rest as productive.Key TakeawaysGenetics: Some bodies turn on inflammation easily, struggle to shut offDetox first: Liver, gallbladder, bile before hormone optimizationExercise less: 3 days strength beats 6 days HIITRest is productive: Body forces rest if you don't choose itProtein moderation: 80-90g/day works better for somePeptides privilege: Earn through lifestyle, not replacementBile crucial: Main hormone detoxifier, methylation supportGenetic testing: Infron Pro 7 validates strugglesNervous system: Faith, journaling, vagus nerve essentialMindset matters: Self-talk sabotages healingChapters & Timestamps01:11 Becca Fitness Origins02:28 Injury IVF And Weight Gain03:10 Functional Medicine Awakening05:35 Beyond Hormones Root Causes06:27 Inflammation Stress And Metabolism08:19 Where To Start Cell Detox10:20 Exercise Stress Perimenopause11:56 Nervous System Grounding Tools15:28 Bile Liver And Gut Support17:47 Fitness Myths Rest Protein21:42 Learning To Rest And Reset Mindset24:22 Gut Rebuild Strategy26:54 Methylation Detox Basics28:58 Labs That Matter Most31:48 Genetics For Personalization34:00 Muscle Bone Without HRT36:38 Training Styles That Stick39:16 Nutrition For Strength41:16 Peptides Safety First44:02 Peptides Pros And Cons47:24 Mindset Faith And Support49:35 Where To Find Becca Guest DetailsDr. Becca Chilczenkowski — Board-Certified Practitioner & Hormone SpecialistBackground: Former top 100 CrossFitter. Lost 40-50 lbs competing, then gained 15 lbs in one month despite perfect diet/exercise. Lost cycle 3 years from overtraining.Discovery: Genetic testing (Infron Pro 7) revealed highly responsive inflammatory system—turns on easily, struggles to turn off.Practice: Virtual practice for weight loss resistance, autoimmune, MCAS, long COVID. Chicago-based.Philosophy: Detox first (liver/gallbladder/bile). Rest is productive. Peptides require earning through lifestyle. Faith-based.Connect:Instagram: @theHormoneQueenWebsite:FitMom.co About Your HostsMicah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCPDr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out. Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLMDr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen. About AutoImmune Alchemy PodcastMission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemyAutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches. Connect with AutoImmune AlchemyWebsite:MyAutoimmuneMD.comDr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.orgInstagram: @myautoimmunemdFacebook: @MYAutoimmuneMDYouTube: @myautoimmunemdEmail: [email protected] & Review: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. If this episode helped you understand environmental toxins and autoimmune disease, please leave a 5-star review!