Health and Hormones

What if teaching our daughters about their cycles wasn't a slippery slope, but actually one of the most protective gifts we can give them? In this episode, Rita sits down with her dear friend Katie Vidmar — body literacy and fertility awareness educator, founder of the Body Literacy Project. Together they tackle one of the harder questions Catholic and Christian moms quietly wrestle with: Will teaching my daughter about her fertile signs lead her astray? Katie's answer — rooted in faith, science, and real stories — might shift the way you think about this entirely. What Rita and Katie Unpack The story of a friend who grew up feeling deep shame about a normal sign of health — and the conversation with her mom years later that changed how she'd raise her own daughters Why keeping women illiterate of their bodies is, in Lisa Hendrickson-Jack's words, "an act of systematic disempowerment" — and how that applies on both sides of the cultural conversation How body literacy actually has a protective effect on adolescent behavior (with research to back it up) The connection between body literacy and the pro-life cause — why seeing your own body as sacred matters When to start the conversation with your daughter (hint: earlier than you think) A story of a 15-year-old whose cycle tracking led to a diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency — and how root-cause care addressed her clinical anxiety without psych meds Why hormonal contraception, even when prescribed for "symptom management," carries risks most women are never told about Resources Mentioned The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack Teen Star — research on body literacy and sexual risk avoidance education Dr. Richard Fehring's research on hormonal contraception and the moral hazard effect FEMM protocol — restorative reproductive medicine for cycle abnormalities Katie Vidmar → https://www.katievidmar.com/ The Mother–Daughter Health Workshop — Starts May 11th If this conversation has stirred something in you, this is your next step. Rita and Katie are co-leading a four-day workshop designed for moms and daughters together — and you can still join even if you're watching after May 11th, because every session is recorded with lifetime access. Here's what's inside: https://healthandhormones.org/mother-daughter-2/ Katie Vidmar on how to teach your daughter to track her cycle (including off-smartphone options for the moms who, like Rita, are holding the line on phones for a few more years)A session on kitchen skills and real food — supporting healthy hormones through cooking and joy, not restriction Healthy relationship with food — especially valuable if you or your daughter has struggled with disordered eating Rita on cycle syncing, hormonal balance, and the red flags that signal "common but not normal" — the things we shouldn't just live with. https://healthandhormones.org/mother-daughter-2/ Before You Go If this episode resonated, the most meaningful thing you can do is send it to one mom in your life — the friend, sister, or daughter-in-law who's quietly wondering how to navigate this with her own girls. She doesn't have to figure it out alone. And if you haven't yet, subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next. What questions did this conversation raise for you? Send Rita a message — these are the conversations she most loves to have.

The Gut–Hormone Connection: Why Treating Them Separately Isn't Working Your gut and your hormones aren't two separate stories — they're chapters of the same one. In this episode, Rita unpacks the strong interplay between digestion and hormonal health, why conventional medicine tends to miss it, and the practical swaps you can start making today. Want to Go Deeper? Work with Rita one-on-one → healthandhormones.org Link to waitlist for upcoming Mother–Daughter Health Workshop, May 11–14 https://birdsend.page/forms/9473/Jzy3qWTSy3

Stuck in your weight loss journey and what you can do about it?This interview covers so much more than just why #weightloss isn't happening but a revolutionary approach to healing your relationship with food so you can experience true and deep healing in your journey. For more on Denise and Weight Loss with the Holy Spirit go here. https://weightlosswiththeholyspirit.com/ To sign up for our upcoming weight loss workshop go here: https://healthandhormones.org/weight-loss/ For more about Rita and her practice go here: https://healthandhormones.org/about/ To schedule a free discovery call today go to: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/709c8384/appointment/27841554/calendar/3368299?appointmentTypeIds

Are you unable to put a 100% into everything that your doing? Whether its stress, lack of energy, or a rash, there may be a simple solution for your problems right in front of you. To sign up for the waitlist for the upcoming weight loss workshop go here: https://birdsend.page/forms/9473/qpredEGDj6 For more about Rita and her practice go here: https://healthandhormones.org/about/ To schedule a free discovery call today go to: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/709c8384/appointment/27841554/calendar/3368299?appointmentTypeIds

It's really common to attribute weight loss that won't.budge. to hormones being imbalanced. But what if I told you that giving hormones all the blame isn't going deep enough. There is so much more we need to consider if you're stuck and struggling to lose weight. Things like are you eating enough? Exercising too much? Not supporting your body's ability to breakdown and absorb foods. There is so much we need to do and almost none of it is about calories in calories out. To sign up for the waitlist for the upcoming weight loss workshop go here. https://birdsend.page/forms/9473/qpredEGDj6 For more about Rita and her practice go here: https://healthandhormones.org/about/ To schedule a free discovery call today go to: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/709c8384/appointment/27841554/calendar/3368299?appointmentTypeIds

Listen to this on repeat if you're experiencing lots of stress! What is cortisol? How does it impact our hormones? And how in the world do I support dysregulated cortisol? I cover all this and more in todays episode. For more about Rita and her practice go here: https://healthandhormones.org/about/

Ever been told your labs look "fine" but you still don't feel right? In this episode, Rita Johnson, NTP and owner of Health and Hormones, breaks down why your symptoms are actually a roadmap — not a problem to silence. Using her fire alarm analogy, Rita explains why eliminating symptoms without addressing root causes can lead to bigger health issues down the road.In this episode you'll learn:Why getting rid of symptoms isn't the same as solving the problemHow digestive issues like alternating constipation and diarrhea point to deeper imbalancesThe role digestive secretions (stomach acid, enzymes, bile) play in everything from energy to hormone balanceWhy eating "clean" and exercising consistently still might not be enoughHow addressing root causes now can set women up for a smoother perimenopausal transitionWhen it's time to stop waiting and get supportFor more about Rita and her practice go here: https://healthandhormones.org/about/To schedule a free discovery call today go to: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/709c8384/appointment/27841554/calendar/3368299?appointmentTypeIds[]=27841554

Struggling knowing that you know what to do for your health--but why can't I do it? Listen to today's episode. We will unpack what to do if you know exactly what to do but are crippled by overwhelm. For more about Rita and her practice go here: https://healthandhormones.org/about/ To schedule a free discovery call today go to: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=27841554

Are you tired of taking tons of supplements? You might not need to. This video will get you on track to finding the crucial supplements that you really need. And how to know if you need a different kind of support first. For more about Rita and her practice go here: https://healthandhormones.org/about/To schedule a free discovery call today go to: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/709c8384/appointment/27841554/calendar/3368299?appointmentTypeIds[]=27841554

What is cycle tracking and how does it help us know more about who we are and how we were made? What are ways our body tells us about our health and how we can support it? Meet Christina Valenzuela from Pearl and Thistle. https://pearlandthistle.com/ Next steps to heal your gut? Grab my free ebook. https://birdsend.page/forms/9473/lLmy1vIdou For more about Rita and her practice go here: https://healthandhormones.org/about/ To schedule a free discovery call today go to: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/709c8384/appointment/27841554/calendar/3368299?appointmentTypeIds

Are you experiencing hair loss? You'll never guess what could be at the bottom of it. In today's episode Rita unpacks how to stop hair growth AND get it to come back fuller than ever! Next steps to heal your gut? Grab my free ebook. https://birdsend.page/forms/9473/lLmy1vIdou For more about Rita and her practice go here: https://healthandhormones.org/about/

Many of us today have full plates, and busy lives. Here is a peek at my life and how I balance, family, school, and business with a healthy diet. Want to schedule a free discovery call with Rita? Do that here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/709c8384/appointment/27841554/calendar/3368299?appointmentTypeIds[]=27841554

Food freedom, intuitive eating are terms thrown around a lot when we talk about fostering a healthy relationship with food. But here is my hot take and initial recommendations I make for women that want more for their relationship with food for themselves, and for their family. Want to chat with Rita about what is going on in your health journey? Schedule a free discovery call here. https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=27841554

Wondering what it looks like to work with me in my one on one package? I run you through that in this short video that explains who I help and what you need to do to get moving forward in your health journey! Move forward on working with me here: https://divinemercy.practicebetter.io/#/61a25eb03980330e548dff9a/bookings?p=6778234d1c6457ee4c92ce96&step=package Ready to schedule a discovery call with me to ask your questions? https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=27841554

If you've ever wondering how is women's health SO difficult to navigate!! Why are so many women told to just take hormonal birth control and that that will 'fix' their problems, then you MUST listen to this episode. Dr Naomi is a NaPro trained OBGYN who specializes in women's reproductive surgeries. She is a wealth of knowledge and so passionate at dispelling myths. You will walk away from this episode empowered on how to help make a change in women's health and understand the gift that is restorative reproductive medicine. To follow her on IG: @napro_fertility_surgeonAnd check out her non for profit: https://www.rrmacademy.org/

Podcast episode all about why I prioritize lifting weights and you should too!! Wondering how you can exercise to support what it is your body needs the most right now? Schedule a free discovery call with Rita? Do that here https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=27841554

Food reactions are so confusing!! How do we know what food we are eating that is bothering us? Why is this bothering me now when it never did before? If I eliminate this food will I develop an allergy? And so much more!! Join me as I answer all the questions you have (and ones you didn't know you have) about food allergies and sensitivities.Wondering how can I heal my gut so that I'll be able to eat those foods I love again! Check out this YouTube video. Want to schedule a free discovery call with Rita? Do that here.

Struggling to get through the day? Feeling unwell and uncomfortable more often than not? Girl, I see you. I have been there and it.is.hard. But I have to tell you something, you are not stuck. This does not have to be how your story ends. Your body is incredible and able to heal. I hope hearing my story helps inspire you in yours. Still feel stuck? Grab a free discovery call with me and let's talk about what your body needs to move forward from here!

Here is the thing when we have symptoms like hot flashes we often think the biggest issue is the annoyance. But the difficulty of being uncomfortable is nothing compared to what could go wrong long term if we don't start supporting your body with the onset of symptoms! So join me as we dive into what your body is telling you when you experience hot flashes and how to support your body through them so that they are no longer a problem for you!Want to learn more about what it looks like to work with Rita? Grab a free discovery call with her here!

I used to think that pelvic floor physical therapy was only necessary postpartum. Not anymore! And conversations like this show me how important it is for all people in all stages of life!Meet Dr Trina Winner and enjoy our conversation all about pelvic floor physical therapy and what you can do to support yours as you age with strength and grace!Go here for more on Dr Trina WinnerCheck out my Hormone balancing over 40 group class where we have conversations like this for 8 weeks! Want to schedule a free discovery call with Rita? Hop on her schedule here.

It's such a confusing time. What has always worked for you before is not working now! So why is that the case and what else can be done? These are some of the things I"m thinking of when I talk to someone who is struggling to lose weight after menopause. Free discovery call with Rita hereGrab my free hormone balancing ebook

Wondering why your inflammation issues haven't gone away after incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet?? Join me as we unpack this on today's episode.Want someone to help you navigating this in your own health journey? Schedule a free discovery call with Rita here.

I have spent A LOT of time thinking about this. And then problem solving how do we help them from here? Instill a love of supporting their body's and understanding their hormones. Grab a recording of my Created to Flourish webinar here.Love what you hear? Reach out to me about coming to your area to give this talk in person. Let's ignite a new cultural shift of girls who love and embrace their bodies as a gift from God!

And by the pill I mean the hormonal birth control pill. But things like the IUD and other artificial contraception tell a similar story. Having issues with hormonal health and looking for REAL solutions? Check out these options below that I mention in the podcast.FEMM Medical providersNapro Medical providersOr schedule a free discovery call with me here and let's see how we can work with your body to improve your hormones!

Join me as we unpack what heartburn is usually telling us about what is going on inside your body! Want to grab my balancing hormones naturally guide? Grab that here.

We want to give our children so much!But it can be so heavy if we have no idea what 'better' looks like. How do we do things differently than what was done for us? What does this even mean? I unpack that especially in the realm of body literacy in today's podcast. Want a recording of my mother daughter Created to Flourish webinar? Sign up here. Or check out my upcoming Mother Daughter group class Created to Flourish here!

Hormones are so often the crux of the conversation when we aren't feeling well or are struggling. So how do we support our hormones when the internet gives us so many different ways that they can be balance. Take this supplement. Lift weights. Lose weight. Eat more. Eat less. and the list goes on and on.In today's episode I talk about the single most important thing you can do to balance your hormones.Want to learn more about my upcoming perimenopause group class? Grab your free balancing hormones guide here and you'll be the first to know when doors open in August!

We have lived our whole life inside this body. What do we do when suddenly what we have always done that worked so well for us suddenly doesn't work anymore? How do we learn as if for the first time how to support our body now?I hear this all the time with the women I work with. Things are going fine then wham perimenopause/menopause hits and it's a different ball game. On this episode I unpack why that is and how you can move forward from here.Want to learn more about my upcoming perimenopause group class? Grab your free balancing hormones guide here and you'll be the first to know when doors open in August!

A sneak peak inside my Created to Flourish mother daughter class. Created to flourish webinar get that hereWant to be the first to know when doors open for my next class? Grab your cycle syncing guide here.

If we teach young girls about their fertility won't they use it before it's appropriate? Will they engage in premarital sex and risky sexual behaviors? Watch out. This subject fires me up!! If you want to know when I'll be offering my next Created to Flourish workshop where I teach girls about their amazing female bodies sign up for my email list here. (I'll also send you a free cycle syncing workshop!)

What does dysregulated blood sugar have to do with hormones and where do we even start in supporting this vitally important system of the body?This is a huge piece of a puzzle when hormones are out of balance and something that cannot just be addressed by medication. Dive in more with me!Want more tips on how to balance your hormones naturally? Grab my ebook that walks you through that here.Ready to figure this out with an ally in your corner? Schedule a free consultation with Rita here.

Hormonal imbalances are quiet literally the.worst. But even when we feel terrible and want to get out of the cycle of knowing our body needs support and unsure what to do we still don't want to take medication for the rest of our lives! So in today's podcast we will unpack what does low progesterone look like symptomatically and how can you support your progesterone levels naturally!Want more tips on how to balance your hormones naturally? Grab my ebook that walks you through that here.Ready to figure this out with an ally in your corner? Schedule a free consultation with Rita here.

I hear it often that menopause is used when someone is talking about perimenopause and vice versa. So let's talk about what these terms mean and how we can support your body now!Want to learn more about how to balance your hormones naturally? Grab my free ebook here! For more information on schedule a free discover call with Rita: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=2784155411

How do we give our girls something we weren't given? Teach them about their bodies differently than we learned about ours? If this is something you or your daughter would enjoy sign up here for my free cycle syncing workshop

This wraps up my series on travel. In this episode I unpack what we eat on a road triphow we save time if we aren't able to prepare in advance before time in the car and some of go to travel hacks that help us have more peace in the car.Enjoy!If you are wanting to learn more about how to uniquely support your hormones grab my hormone balancing ebook here.

Wrapping up my travel healthy (on a budget) hacks with what we do on a roadtrip.Looking for someone who can help you bring healthy living into your life while also prioritizing what your body is telling you? Sign up for a discovery call here!Want to know what you can do to balance your hormones naturally? Grab my free ebook.

We love to travel without and with our kids! Today I share some of our favorite travel hacks we use when flying. Want to learn more about how to balance your hormones naturally? Grab my free ebook! https://birdsend.page/forms/9473/cDk9YT4KSn

I love talking about travel! I especially love sharing with others the ways we travel and save a boat load of money so that we are able to travel. And do it more frequently!! So let's dive into this new series. Here is the recipe I mentioned for the instant pot Mexican burrito bowls. I hope you enjoy!Another reason I love to eat healthy when we travel is so that I don't derail my health by eating out and having weight fluctuations! Who wants to feel bleh on their vacation? Not this lady!Want to learn more about how to balance your hormones naturally? Grab my free ebook! https://birdsend.page/forms/9473/cDk9YT4KSn

We get stuck in a rut of striving for perfection in our health journey. So much so that we often ask what is the point of eating healthy sometimes if so often I screw up. Here is what I tell people when they ask me, do I have to do all the things all the time?Want someone to help you find out what are your non-negotiables that so quickly derail your health? Schedule a free discovery call with me and let's help you figure this out.

How is it possible to have a big family, homeschool your kiddos, and run a business from home? On this week's episode I cover some of the how we juggle these things in our family. Want to balance your hormones naturally? Grab my free ebook here.

It's so easy to get overwhelmed by how much other people are doing. But we need to take a lot into account before we begin judging ourselves harshly and feeling more overwhelmed about what they have on their plate that we don't have. Phew! Listen here for my biggest tips on how to let go of this unique type of stress. Sick of navigating all of this alone? Schedule a free discovery call with me here.

As we learn more about the impact of a vaginal delivery on a baby's gut microbiome there will inevitable be mama's who wonder, is my baby's gut health going to be ruined forever because they were born via c-section? Give a listen and find out what new research is showing are the long term impacts of how your baby was delivered. Research article can be found here.If you are looking for someone to help you navigate healing your gut, or your kiddos, schedule a free discovery call with Rita here.

Do you feel frustrated in the realm of women's health? Stuck and wondering how you can help support women that are being prescribed 'the pill' as the solution to their women's health issues? Wondering what you can do to initiate a cultural shift in our world to help women understand that they deserve more? Resources to learn about moreGuiding Star ProjectFactsaboutfertilityElevate by Katie Vidmar Interested in my cycle syncing workshop? Grab that here

We all go through seasons where it is just hard to get food on the table. So when you are in one of those seasons what does a nutritional therapy practitioner eat??I hope you enjoy a preview into what we eat during the crazy season we are in, postpartum with baby number 6.Vertias Fitness that I gave a shout out for! GF DF meals meal planning for $12.99 a month. Use this code 'Rita23' to get 10% off! http://www.veritas-fitness.com/For more information on schedule a free discover call with Rita: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=2784155411

Women often share with me that their sleep is poor almost as an after thought. Sometimes we write off poor sleep because, "I've always been a light sleeper" or "I'm just getting older". But poor sleep tells us a lot about how we need to support your body. On this episode I talk about a couple things that pop into my head when someone shares with me that they aren't sleeping well. Would you like to chat about your sleep and how to help you support your body better? Schedule a free discovery call with me. https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=27841554

Do you have the dream to travel with your family but it just seems to far away or "against the grain"? This episode is about how my husband and I traveled abroad with our five kids. Your dream IS possible and you can live it out! It is our job to bring into action the dreams God puts on our hearts whether that be starting a business or taking your family to Europe for a month. IT IS POSSIBLE!Also, travel isn't the only place dreams can come true. It can happen in your day to day life and health journey too! To learn more about how you can change your dreams into reality schedule a discovery call with me here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=27841554We will talk about where you are and what has been holding you back from living the life of your dreams!!

Have you been missing your period for weeks, months, years even? If so that means there is an imbalance in your body that you need to pay some attention to. Don't just settle for taking the pill because even if that seems to be helping it isn't helping your hormones but instead over riding them. In this episode we will dive deeper into what to do to support your body when you have been missing your period.

Click here for my free cycle syncing workshop!Click here for my free e-book!

Postpartum life can be hard. And at 6 weeks resuming relations with your spouse may not be at the top of your priority list. In this episode we trouble shoot some of the biggest complaints women have with being intimate with their husbands after giving birth. Things like "I have zero libido", "I don't look attractive", and nursing woes.Nursing cups for sore/cracked nipples: https://www.amazohttps://healthandhormones.org/work-with-me/n.com/Silver-Nipple-Shields-Nursing-Newborn/dp/B085R9WV81/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1For more information about working with Rita go to: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=18525602&appointmentType=27841554

Life update. Postpartum. Busy and happy. And of course, what to expect from the podcast in 2025. For my whole birth story go to my Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEieo-upPTM/?img_index=1Cycle Syncing Workshop: https://healthandhormones.org/cycle-syncing-workshop/