Calling all TTC over-achievers, type A, and chronic researchers! This episode is for you if you find yourself struggling with the lack of control you have in the fertility journey and are ready to move out of the frustration.

Discover how reconnecting with your body and intuition while embracing self-reflection and exploration can transform your experiences with fertility. Jessica Katz, a licensed mental health therapist, shares insights on balancing high-achieving traits with self-compassion, and teaches practical tools to reduce overthinking.

• The symbolism of the Empress Tarot card as a metaphor for nurturing and self-awareness in fertility

• Common challenges faced by overachievers and perfectionists dealing with infertility

• The pitfalls of over-researching and trying to control every outcome in fertility treatment

• The importance of tuning into the body's sensations and intuition

• Practical exercises: walking around questions, body pendulums, and cultivating somatic awareness

• Connecting the masculine (achievement, control) and feminine (trust, surrender) energies

• The impact of stress on reproductive health and methods to activate the parasympathetic nervous system through yoga

• The significance of self-love, acceptance, and honoring the body through difficult fertility journeys

• Jessica’s approach to working with clients across multiple states

Connect with Jessica Katz:

www.empresscounseling.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/empresscounseling/

Free Infertility Mental Health Starter Kit: https://preview.mailerlite.io/forms/1626237/159278213335352485/share

Fringe Fertility is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people with Ayurveda for Fertility,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

The BMI is being used to decide who gets access to fertility treatment. Clinics turn people away. Insurance denies coverage. And it is happening based on a number that cannot distinguish muscle from fat, was never validated against reproductive outcomes, and was built on data that excluded women entirely.

In this episode, Kerry gets personal about her own long and frustrating history with the BMI chart and unpacks the real story behind this 200-year-old tool: its origins, its documented racial and sex biases, and why the research is actively calling for change in how fertility clinics apply it. She also brings in an Ayurvedic lens on body constitution and ojas, and why the body types most often turned away by BMI cutoffs may actually be the most constitutionally resourced for fertility.

If a number on a chart has ever made you feel like you do not belong in a fertility clinic, this episode is for you.

What we cover:

• Where the BMI actually came from (and who it was built to measure)
• Why it is considered both racist and sexist by design
• How Ayurvedic body constitution challenges the one-size-fits-all model
• Ojas: what Ayurveda has always understood about fertile bodies
• What the current research says about BMI cutoffs in IVF clinics
• Practical steps if a BMI number is blocking your care

Read the full blog post + resources: https://fertilebodyyoga.com/blog/bmi-and-fertility-and-why-i-hate-the-bmi/

Resources

Devlin, Keith. “Top 10 Reasons Why the BMI Is Bogus.” NPR, July 4, 2009. https://www.npr.org/2009/07/04/106268439/top-10-reasons-why-the-bmi-is-bogus

“Opinion: Women With Obesity Are Often Restricted From IVF. That’s Discriminatory.” NPR Health Shots, January 14, 2024. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/01/14/1224546666/opinion-women-with-obesity-are-often-restricted-from-ivf-thats-discriminatory

Boots, Christina, et al. “Addressing Weight Bias in Reproductive Medicine: A Call to Revisit BMI Restrictions for IVF Treatment.” Fertility and Sterility, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38750875/

“Body Size, Fertility, and Reproductive Justice.” MDPI, 2022. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4184/2/2/11

Charaka Samhita (ancient Ayurvedic foundational text, approx. 400–200 BCE)

Your dosha, or personal constitution, determines how you approach & experience your fertility, as well as what yoga poses are most balancing and nurturing. Take the quiz, find out your predominant dosha, learn how it affects your fertility experiences, and get 3 poses that align with your inherent nature!

Kerry Hinds is a E-RYT, RPYT, Relax and Renew® Certified Teacher, Ayurvedic Heath Advisor, Fertility Yoga Teacher and Trainer, and Reiki Practitioner. She is the founder of Fertile Body Yoga and teaches weekly fertility yoga classes and offers other avenues of mind + body support for those trying to conceive. All is available in the FBY Virtual Studio.

Get your free e-book and start transforming your journey today!

Today’s guest is Victoria Meyers, a registered dietitian and founder of Nourishing Minds Nutrition specializes in period recovery and hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA). She shares her inspiring journey from disordered eating to helping women restore their menstrual health and fertility. She discusses the root causes of HA, the impact of nervous system regulation, and practical steps for women reclaiming their cycles and confidence.

Let Victoria guide you through understanding hormonal health, nourishing your body, and reclaiming your fertility, because your cycle is a vital sign of overall well-being. Dive into root causes of HA, the importance of hormonal balance, and strategies for recovery.

Key topics:

• Victoria’s personal story of overcoming disordered eating and hormone imbalance

• What is hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) and how it affects fertility

• The spectrum of HA and differentiating it from PCOS and endometriosis

• Recognizing healthy menstrual cycle markers and troubleshooting irregularities

• The connection between nervous system health, stress, and hormonal regulation

• Nutritional strategies including adequate carbs, fats, and mineral balance for cycle recovery

• The role of functional lab testing, especially hair tissue mineral analysis

• Impact of birth control on menstrual health and how to safely come off

• The societal perspective on celebrating menstruation and fertility awareness

Your Free Training with Victoria: https://sales.victoriamyers.net/free-training

Connect with Victoria:

• Website: https://www.nourishingmindsnutrition.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourishedfertility/

• Podcast: https://www.nourishingmindsnutrition.com/podcast

Fringe Fertility is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠coaching programs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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In this episode, Kerry explores the true meaning of Karma, its misconceptions, and how understanding it can impact your fertility journey. She emphasizes that fertility struggles are not punishment or bad karma, but part of a complex spiritual process, and offers practical advice on self-forgiveness and agency.

What was covered:

• The real meaning of karma as action, not reward or punishment
• Karma's role across multiple lifetimes and reincarnation
• Misconceptions about karma and fertility struggles
• The importance of self-forgiveness and releasing guilt
• Agency over actions, not outcomes, in spiritual growth

Resources:

Kaya Midland's Courses on Vedic Scripture - https://yogawithkaya.com/online-programs/

2 Month Fertility Yoga Library: https://studio.fertilebodyyoga.com/product/37946

Join the Email List: https://fertilebodyyoga.kit.com/f281ada0e8

keywords:

karma, fertility, self-forgiveness, spiritual growth, yoga, reincarnation, mental health, fertility obstacles, mindset, personal growth

Fringe Fertility is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠coaching programs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Wait...before you move on because you're not a yoga teacher - stick around and listen! This could apply to you if you work in the fertility realm or if you're a student in one of my classes! If you've ever wondered about what's going on in my head while teaching a class - this will give you some insight!

Fertility Yoga Teacher Training is livestreamed and recorded, April 17-19th, 2026. 35 CEU hours for YA.

$75 off Early Bird until March 20th: EB75

https://fertilebodyyoga.com/fertility-yoga/teacher-training-mentorship/

Topics covered:

• The rise of fertility yoga as a supportive practice
• How cycle-specific sequencing enhances fertility
• The five pillars of fertility yoga: physical, energetic, emotional, spiritual, social
• Energetic balance and chakra work for fertility
• Holding space for grief and emotional release in fertility journeys
• Building a sustainable fertility yoga business

Fringe Fertility is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠coaching programs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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In this conversation, clinical psychologist Charlynn Ruan and Kerry discusses the intricate relationship between mental health and fertility. She highlights the psychological challenges faced by individuals on their fertility journey, including shame, self-blame, and the emotional toll of medical procedures. The discussion emphasizes the importance of psychological support, effective communication in relationships, and the need for specialized therapy to navigate the complexities of fertility. Charlene also addresses the societal pressures on women and the need for men to engage in the process, advocating for a more balanced approach to mental health and fertility support.

Takeaways

• Fertility journeys often require psychological support due to emotional challenges.

• High-functioning women may experience shame and self-blame during fertility struggles.

• Therapists often lack training in fertility-related psychological issues.

• Couples should seek therapy together to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of fertility.

• Support systems are crucial for individuals undergoing fertility treatments.

• Delayed grief can occur after successful pregnancies due to unprocessed emotions.

• Communication styles between partners can impact relationship dynamics during fertility challenges.

• Men often need encouragement to seek therapy and support during the fertility process.

• Setting clear boundaries and responsibilities can help alleviate stress in relationships.

• Therapy can provide a safe space to express feelings without judgment.

  
  

  Fertility Yoga Teacher Training: https://fertilebodyyoga.com/fertility-yoga/teacher-training-mentorship/

  WEBSITE: https://www.mythrivepsychology.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThrivePsychologyGroup IG: https://www.instagram.com/thrivepsychologygroup/ TIKTOK:

Keywords

mental health, fertility, psychological support, therapy, emotional well-being, relationships, infertility, coping strategies, women's health, couples therapy

Fringe Fertility is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Kerry Hinds ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Fertile Body Yoga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – a virtual holistic wellness hub for those going through fertility. She focuses on the mind, body, energy & soul while supporting people in⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠coaching programs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠fertility yoga classes,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠collaborative workshops⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.