🎙️ Fertility Finesse Episode: Claire Walsh – Holding Her Breath Through IVFWhat happens when a world-record free diver, author, and mindset coach finds herself facing one of the greatest challenges of all, not 60 metres below the surface,but within the world of fertility treatment?In this unflinchingly honest episode, Claire Walsh joins me (our first time to meet in person) to reflect on her deeply personal experience of IVF:“It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.” From holding her breath in freediving to holding it in the clinic waiting room, Claire brings her signature depth, humour, and poetic insight to a subject so many still whisper about. She opens up about the emotional whiplash of hormone swings, the disorienting blur of appointments, the loneliness of hope and loss—and why she knew, “If ever I get through this, I’m going to talk about it.” The floodgates opened on Instagram when Claire shared what she had gone through. A brave decision to help others. Claire is a joy to speak with and we've had a few conversations lasting hours...🎧 In this episode, we explore:• How fertility treatment rattles even a seasoned resilience expert• Why being a ‘strong woman’ doesn’t protect you from the heartbreak of IVF• The pressure to “just be grateful” and stay silent• What helped Claire re-anchor herself during her toughest moments• Surviving in a medicalised system• Coming to terms with facing life without a childClaire doesn’t sugar-coat the experience. Instead, she tells it as it with her signature raw honesty, tenderness, and a refusal to hide her vulnerability.This is a conversation for anyone who wonders, “Why is this happening to me? Is it just me”—and for those supporting someone they love through it.🔗 About Claire:Claire is an 8-time national freediving record-holder, Buteyko breathwork coach, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of Under Water: How Holding My Breath Taught Me to Live. I adored this book and highly recommend you read it!She brings the full force of her creative, physical, and emotional intelligence into every conversation and this one is no exception.🌊 Trigger Warning: This episode contains references to IVF and fertility challenges. Please listen with care.🗝️ If you’re navigating fertility yourself, know that you are not alone—and that finding your voice is part of finding your power.—📲 Subscribe, share, and tag me on Instagram @helenatubridy with your thoughts and experiences.#FertilityFinesse #ClaireWalsh #IVFJourney #RealTalkFertility #HoldingYourBreath #MindsetMatters #BreakTheSilence #EmbodiedResilience #FertilityCoachIreland #HelenaTubridy #FertilityPodcast #MentalHealthMatters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
43:02
--------
43:02
Supplements with Substance: What Actually Supports Fertility?
So delighted to welcome Mark Whitney, founder of Pillar Healthcare, to Fertility Finesse, especially as he and his partner just welcomed their second baby!Huge congratulations, and heartfelt thanks for making time to share his insights during this incredibly special (and sleep-deprived!) chapter.Mark is the driving force behind pre-Conceive and my respected sponsor for this FFS podcast series. It's the first fertility supplement in Europe to be independently tested in a clinical trial. Over three years of research, pre-Conceive was shown to improve key fertility parameters in both women and men, making it a major milestone in evidence-based reproductive support.With a passion for the periconceptional period - those vital months before and around conception - Mark brings both professional expertise and personal dedication to improving reproductive outcomes, not just for today’s intending parents.Outside of Pillar Healthcare, Mark collaborates with academic institutions, serving on the board of a research and incubation centre exploring new treatments in restorative reproductive medicine.This episode is packed with practical, grounded guidance and a lot of heart. I'm so grateful to Mark for sharing his knowledge and guidance with you all.💊 What’s real and what’s just great marketing? With fertility supplements lining every pharmacy shelf and popping up in every algorithm, how do you know what’s actually worth taking? Mark breaks down the science vs. the spin—and why “just take CoQ10” might not be the full picture.🥦 Food first… but is it enough? We explore the idea that a healthy diet should cover your nutritional needs, and why that’s often not enough for fertility. Mark and Helena get real about common nutrition mistakes and overlooked gaps in preconception care. Ans look at easy ways to get on track.👶 Trying to conceive in your 40s? You're not alone, and your nutrition needs might be different now. This episode highlights what women over 40 need to focus on to give their fertility the best possible support, including insights into egg quality and what’s modifiable vs. what isn’t.🧬 Male fertility matters, too. Often ignored and under-tested, sperm health plays a much bigger role than many people realise, including its link to miscarriage. Mark shares what kind of improvements men can see and how sperm can be a mirror of overall health.👨👩👧👦 Secondary infertility: the surprise no one expects Already have a child, but struggling to conceive again? We talk about how fertility can shift on both sides and the role of lifestyle, age, and supplementation for second-time (or third-time) hopefuls.💡 Final takeaway: If you’re at the very start of your fertility journey, or not sure what to take Mark offers his #1 piece of advice on supplements and why “less but targeted” often beats a scattergun approach.🔗 Mentioned in this episode:pre-Conceive by Pillar HealthcareNutritional strategies for men and women over 35🎧 Whether you’re trying for baby #1 or #4, this episode is packed with clarity, calm, and clear guidance to help you make smarter, more confident choices on your fertility journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
44:20
--------
44:20
Dating, Blended Families, Baby-Making: Love, Fertility & Second Chances with Mairead Loughman
Title: “Dating, Blending, Baby-Making: Love, Fertility & Second Chances with Mairead Loughman”What do dating, partnership, and fertility have in common? Everything—especially when you're navigating love and conception in real life, not just theory. In this lively and inspiring episode, I’m joined by the fabulous Mairead Loughman - well-known relationship expert, matchmaker, and host of the award-winning Would Like to Meet podcast.We dive into the real talk about:💞 Why choosing the right partner matters more than ever 👶 The unique Irish challenges of blending families and trying to conceive 🧠 Mairead’s five must-answer questions before committing to someone new 🪞What actually makes a relationship work (and how much has changed in just a generation) 🔗 How dating and fertility are more closely linked than people realise—and what that means for anyone TTCWe also touch on her insightful second podcast Tough Love, co-hosted with psychotherapist Stephanie Regan for anyone navigating the messy middle of modern relationships.Whether you're figuring it out for the first time or giving love and family another go, this episode is a warm, witty, must-listen. Mairead is truly inspiring and so full of grounded, compassionate wisdom that may just change how you date, relate, and dream of your future family. And make it your own reality...🎧 Listen now on Fertility Finesse wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
36:02
--------
36:02
From Endo to Empowered: Suzanne Dömötör on Fertility, Food & Finding Her Own Path
This week, I’m thrilled to welcome the brilliant and beautifully honest Suzanne Domotor to the show. A mom of two with a deeply personal fertility journey, Suzanne brings raw insight and radiant warmth to this powerful conversation. Diagnosed with endometriosis at just 20, Suzanne’s path took a major turn when adenomyosis was also discovered during surgery. Alongside her reproductive health challenges, she uncovered multiple food intolerances, leading her to rethink everything from daily meals to long-term plans. Especially when you love cheese... what can you do? Suzanne and her husband co-founded Fully Free, a vibrant, plant-based cheese company born from necessity and a love of great food. Together, they’ create award-winning dairy alternatives that puts freedom back on the plate. Suzanne shares openly about what it’s like to have a fertility coach as a mother Yes, I’m her proud mum, Helena Tubridy! We dive into the experience of growing up with open conversations around reproductive health, what others were saying, and how early support influenced her decision to start her family young, while many of her friends were still in college. She takes us through the emotional terrain of making life-shaping choices early on, and the unique perspective that comes from choosing motherhood on her own terms. We also talk candidly about pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood, especially the parts no one prepares you for. Suzanne brings truth, grace, and grit as she reflects on the untold realities of birthing and raising tiny humans, and how fertility conditions like endo and adeno continue to shape her daily life. This is a conversation about courage, clarity, and creating a life that aligns with your needs and not societal timelines. Tune in for a warm, deeply human chat filled with wisdom, laughter, and a fresh perspective on fertility and family-building. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
36:56
--------
36:56
A Restorative Approach to Fertility with Dr. Codruta
In this episode, Helena Tubridy welcomes Dr. Codruta, medical director of Saol Nua Clinic, sharing an effective and science-backed approach to reproductive health: Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM). Dr. Codruta brings clarity and warmth to what can often feel like a confusing and overwhelming journey. She explains how RRM focuses on identifying and treating the underlying causes of fertility issues rather than simply bypassing them with medication or IVF. The focus is on preparing for a healthy pregnancy, often after miscarriage, secondary infertility, or over the age of 40.They discuss the key principles of Restorative Reproductive Medicine and the common mistakes and missed diagnoses that many couples face. Dr Codruta shares why a thorough investigation is essential before treatment begins. They also talk about how hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, endometriosis, and cycle irregularities can all impact fertility and how they can be effectively treated and higlight the often-overlooked role of mindset, mental health and emotional wellbeing. How a fertility doctor and fertility coach work together to help couples achieve pregnancy more easily.A warm and honest conversation packed with compassion, insight, and practical guidance for couples trying to conceive naturally, or those who feel stuck after failed fertility treatments. Dr. Codruta offers a refreshing and dynamic perspective: with the right investigations, an integrative approach and expert support, many couples can and do achieve pregnancy naturally, without rushing into invasive options. To learn more about Dr Codruta’s work find her on Instagram @dr_codruta_p Tune in to feel more empowered, and inspired.Share with someone who needs to hear this! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fertility Finesse is about honest, empowering conversations about fertility, IVF, restorative reproductive medicine, ,and miscarriage - pregnancy loss. Hosted by Helena Tubridy internationally recognised fertility coach, trauma therapist and former midwife, bringing you medically-accurate insights from expert guests in reproductive healthcare and allied fields, along with real lived experience of navigating fertility challenges to empower you. We cover your questions and dispel myths, discuss what's happening in the fertility world, cover the emotional and mental load of trying to conceive, the mindset shifts that help, practical strategies and thoughtful answers to questions you've been afraid to ask - helping you navigate your fertility journey with clarity and confidence. Join me whether you're exploring your options, navigating the rollercoaster of fertility treatment or healing from loss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland