Sweaty AF Podcast

Perimenopause can leave many women feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and disconnected from their bodies, but it doesn't have to be that way.
In this episode of the Sweaty AF Podcast, Lucy sits down with women's hormone health expert Kim Bilyk for an honest and empowering conversation about what really happens to our hormones during perimenopause and beyond. Together they explore why so many women have been taught so little about their menstrual cycles and how understanding our natural hormonal rhythms can dramatically improve our health, energy and quality of life.
Kim explains why hormone symptoms are often about much more than declining oestrogen levels. She discusses the importance of supporting the body's natural detoxification pathways, how chronic stress disrupts hormonal balance, and why nervous system regulation is one of the most overlooked pieces of the women's health puzzle.
The conversation also explores the benefits of cycle syncing and learning to work with your body instead of constantly fighting against it. Kim shares practical, holistic approaches to supporting hormones through nutrition, breathwork, movement and traditional practices such as vaginal steaming, while explaining why every woman's journey is unique.
Lucy and Kim also discuss body confidence, intimacy and libido during midlife, challenging the idea that these changes are simply something women have to accept. Instead, they offer hope, practical advice and a reminder that reconnecting with your body is one of the most powerful things you can do for your health.
Whether you're approaching perimenopause, currently experiencing hormonal changes, or simply want to understand your body on a deeper level, this episode is filled with practical insights that will help you feel more informed, empowered and in control of your wellbeing.
Understanding the hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause
Why learning about your menstrual cycle is one of the most important health tools for women
How chronic stress affects hormones, sleep, energy, weight and libido
The relationship between the nervous system and hormonal balance
How cycle syncing can improve wellbeing, productivity and resilience
Supporting healthy oestrogen metabolism through nutrition and lifestyle
The role of breathwork and nervous system regulation in women's health
Traditional practices including vaginal steaming and their place in holistic care
How to reconnect with your body, rebuild confidence and support a healthy libido
Simple ways to work with your hormones instead of against them

Website: https://kimbilyk.com
https://www.instagram.com/kimbilyk_
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with someone who would benefit from learning more about hormones, perimenopause and holistic women's health. Your support helps us continue bringing expert conversations on longevity, wellness and female health to listeners around the world.
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In this episode of Sweaty AF, Lucy sits down with world-renowned fertility specialist Gabriela Rosa to explore the often-overlooked root causes of infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and failed IVF treatments.
With more than 24 years of experience helping couples conceive, Gabriela shares why fertility challenges are rarely "unexplained" and how a deeper investigation into health, lifestyle, inflammation, hormones, metabolism, and male fertility can dramatically change outcomes.
Together, they discuss the limitations of conventional fertility testing, the role of insulin resistance and inflammation, the impact of stress and nervous system regulation, and what both men and women can do to optimize fertility naturally.
Gabriela's journey into fertility medicine and the patients who changed her career
Why "unexplained infertility" often isn't unexplained at all
The hidden root causes of infertility and recurrent miscarriage
The surprising link between insulin resistance and fertility
Why many fertility investigations are incomplete
The overlooked role of male fertility and sperm DNA health
How inflammation affects conception and pregnancy outcomes
Fertility during perimenopause and the truth about age-related decline
Lifestyle habits that support fertility and healthy pregnancy
Why fertility is a team sport for both partners
Stress, nervous system regulation, and the power of "micro-joys"
Sauna use, circulation, and reproductive health
Why men trying to conceive may need to avoid heat exposure
Gabriela's evidence-based approach to helping couples conceive naturally
Fertility is not simply about age or luck. By understanding and addressing the underlying factors affecting health, many people can improve their chances of conception, pregnancy, and long-term wellbeing.
Website: https://fertilitybreakthrough.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielarosa_fertility
Learn more about Gabriela's Fertility Breakthrough Program and The F.E.R.T.I.L.E. Method®:
https://fertilitybreakthrough.com/about-gabriela-rosa/

In this episode of Sweaty AF, Lucy sits down with Dr. Perry Nickelston, chiropractic physician, lymphatic health expert, and founder of Stop Chasing Pain, to explore the powerful connection between the lymphatic system, inflammation, nervous system regulation, pain, hormones, and longevity.
Perry shares his own journey from chronic illness and autoimmune struggles to discovering the life-changing impact of lymphatic flow, and explains why he believes the lymphatic system is one of the most overlooked keys to modern health.
The conversation covers:
Why the lymphatic system is critical for detoxification, immunity, and inflammation.
The connection between chronic pain, stress, and nervous system dysregulation.
How sedentary living impacts lymphatic flow.
The role of breathwork and movement in supporting lymphatic drainage.
Why gut health and brain health are deeply connected.
The glymphatic system and cognitive decline.
Menopause, hormones, and lymphatic stagnation.
Sauna, cold exposure, vibration plates, and rebounders for lymphatic support.
The “Big 6” lymphatic reset and why order matters.
Daily habits Perry uses for his own health and recovery.
This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone interested in longevity, healthspan, recovery, inflammation, nervous system healing, and optimizing health from the inside out.
Connect with Perry:
Website: Stop Chasing Pain
Instagram: @stopchasingpain
YouTube: Stop Chasing Pain YouTube Channel
For more longevity and healthspan talk head over to @sweatyafpodcast on Instagram.

This week on Sweaty AF, Lucy sits down with hormone expert Karen Martel to unpack what’s really happening to women in perimenopause, and why so many women are being dismissed, misinformed, or told it’s “just ageing.”
Karen shares her own personal journey through hormonal chaos, early menopause, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, and metabolic dysfunction, despite doing everything “right” when it came to health and fitness.
We discuss:
Why 70–80% of women gain weight in perimenopause.
The hormones most doctors AREN’T testing properly.
Why progesterone loss starts earlier than most women realise.
The truth about estrogen and why women shouldn’t fear it.
The connection between hormones, brain health, bone health, cardiovascular disease and dementia.
Why biohacking alone isn’t enough without optimised hormones.
The biggest mistakes women make when starting HRT.
Why testing matters, even if you have zero symptoms.
How perimenopause can accelerate biological ageing.
The role of HRT in longevity, metabolic health and healthy ageing.
This is a must-listen conversation for every woman approaching midlife who wants to better understand her body, hormones and long-term healthspan.
Find Karen:
Website: karenmartel.com
Instagram: @karenmartelhormones
Podcast: Hormone Solutions with Karen Martel
For more conversations like these around female healthspan, hormones and longevity, follow Sweaty AF Podcast on all podcast platforms and follow @sweatyafpodcast on Instagram.

In this episode of Sweaty AF, I sit down with Nick Bracks, mental health advocate, speaker, coach, actor, author and host of Move Your Mind with Nick Bracks.
Nick opens up about his deeply personal journey with anxiety, compulsive behaviour, depression and alcohol misuse. He shares what it was like growing up in the public eye as the son of the Premier of Victoria and how pressure, perfectionism and the pursuit of identity shaped his early years.
Lucy and Nick explore why mental health conversations have improved dramatically over the last decade, while also discussing why so many people are still struggling beneath the surface. They talk about the pressures of modern life, social media comparison, chronic stress, poor sleep and the growing impact of overwhelm in today’s world.
Nick explains why exercise became the foundation of his recovery and how small, consistent habits can create real long term change. He also shares the tools that helped him rebuild confidence and manage anxiety, including meditation, journaling, movement, breath work and connection with trusted people.
The conversation also dives into alcohol and mental health, the rise of anxiety in younger generations, emotional resilience, mindset, and why prevention matters just as much as treatment.
This episode covers:
Exercise and movement for mental health
Anxiety, overthinking and chronic stress
Male mental health and emotional shame
Social media and comparison culture
Alcohol, binge drinking and “hangxiety”
Meditation, journaling and daily routines
Public speaking anxiety and building confidence
Creating healthier habits that actually stick
Why connection and community matter
How to recognise when someone may be struggling
The importance of preventative mental health care
Instagram: @nickbracks
Website: www.nickbracks.com
For more conversations like this, follow Sweaty AF Podcast on all podcast platforms or over on Instagram at @sweatyafpodcast.
Connect with Nick Bracks