S2 Ep. 29: Self- Made Hormone Genius: From the Pill to Empowered Fertility with Elissa Miller

What happens when a woman finally discovers that the symptoms she thought were simply “part of being a woman” may actually be telling her something about her hormones? In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we sit down with Elissa Miller, a wife, mother of three (soon to be four!), hormone coach, and passionate advocate for fertility awareness. Alyssa shares her deeply personal journey, from debilitating menstrual cramps and unexplained symptoms as a teenager, to years on hormonal birth control, to the life-changing discovery of fertility awareness and the science of the natural menstrual cycle. For Elissa, the biggest awakening came when she realized that the bleeding she experienced on the birth control pill wasn't actually a natural menstrual period, and that there was an entire world of information about women's hormones and fertility that she had never been taught. Her story is one so many women can relate to: What if we had been given more information about our bodies from the beginning? We talk about what Elissa discovered when she began observing her natural cycle, the connection between hormones and how women feel physically and emotionally, and why understanding fertility can be about so much more than avoiding or achieving pregnancy. We also explore women in athletics, cycle awareness, the importance of informed consent, and why fertility awareness-based methods are often misunderstood because they are lumped together with the outdated “rhythm method.” Once she discovered this information, she couldn't keep it to herself. She began sharing resources with friends, teaching NFP at her church, helping introduce teens to a holistic understanding of their bodies, and eventually becoming a hormone coach so she could walk alongside other women who are trying to understand their own hormonal health. This episode is ultimately about the ripple effect, how one woman saying yes to learning about her body can impact her marriage, her children, her friends, and generations of women to come. Alyssa's message to every young woman is simple and powerful: You can say yes to your hormone genius. And then? Tell someone else. In this episode, we discuss: Elissa's experience with severe menstrual cramps and being placed on the birth control pill as a teenager Symptoms she experienced while on hormonal birth control that she didn't initially recognize as potentially hormone-related Women's hormones, athletic performance, and injury risk throughout the cycle The moment Alyssa discovered fertility awareness and realized how much she hadn't been taught about her body Why the bleeding experienced on hormonal birth control is different from a natural menstrual period The difference between fertility awareness-based methods and the “rhythm method” The “feminine genius” and why our cycles can be viewed as a gift rather than a burden Teaching teens about fertility and hormone health Why women need community and support when seeking alternatives to mainstream approaches You can learn more about Elissa and pick up her free eguides; Cycle Syncing Guide with Essential Oils & Fertility Awareness Beginners Guide at https://pinnacleliving.wavoto.com/pinnacle-living-welcome/ or find her on IG@ https://www.instagram.com/pinnacle.living/. Opinions, statements, and beliefs of our interviewees are not necessarily a reflection of the HG podcast's beliefs and opinions as a whole. Medical disclaimer: The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.