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Are your hormones running the show? In this episode of Mind Body Medicine for Self-Healers, I welcome hormone health coach and yoga instructor Maddie Pollack. After surviving cancer at 25, Maddie discovered she was living with undiagnosed PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). She shares how she moved from irregular cycles and adrenal fatigue to a life of balance using the pillars of nutrition, movement and nervous system regulation.
Key Highlights & Timestamps
01:47 The Birth Control "Band-Aid": Maddie discusses being placed on birth control at age 15 without education or a diagnosis, masking her PCOS symptoms for years.
05:05 The "Hustle" Trap: A look at how waking up at 5:00 AM for intense fasted workouts can backfire for women with PCOS by spiking cortisol and depleting the adrenals.
07:53 Coffee and Cortisol: Maddie explains why drinking coffee on an empty stomach was a major trigger for her anxiety and why eating protein before caffeine is a non-negotiable for hormone health.
09:02 The Magic of Seed Cycling: A breakdown of how to use pumpkin, flax, sesame, and sunflower seeds to support hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle.
10:21 Shifting Exercise for Longevity: Why Maddie traded HIT classes for yoga and strength training, especially as estrogen begins to decline in the 30s.
15:51 HPA Axis Dysfunction: An explanation of "Adrenal Fatigue" and how a dysregulated nervous system leads to the "tired yet wired" feeling.
21:13 The Miracle of Magnesium: Sarah and Maddie discuss why magnesium is the first mineral to be depleted by stress and Sarah shares her DIY recipe for magnesium oil.
22:45 #1 Tip for PCOS Healing: Nervous system regulation
Maddy's Bio
Maddy Pollack is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Hormone Health Coach and Yoga Instructor. After surviving cancer at 25 years old, she dove into the world of wellness and received her Hormone Health Coach certification, which changed her life forever in the best way.
Maddy works one-on-one and in group settings with clients to help them balance their hormones naturally, reverse PCOS symptoms, lose weight, live in tune with their cycles and become more confident in their bodies. Through the pillars of nutrition, movement, and nervous system regulation, she emphasizes a whole body approach with her clients and is passionate about helping women tune in to their mind-body connection.
Connect with Maddy
https://www.instagram.com/maddypollack_health/
https://www.tiktok.com/@maddy.pollack.health
Who am I?
Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.
With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.
#pcosrelief #pcosawareness #pcoslifestyle #healingispossible #nervoussystemregulation #seedcycling #healyourself