How do you know when mold detox symptoms are a normal part of the process versus a sign you need to slow down? What should you do if mold detox triggers fatigue, low HRV, and gut issues?

This is part 3 of my mold detox story, where I share what happened when I started detoxing from mold, and how I had to adjust when things didn’t go as I planned them.

In this episode, I talk about the difference between manageable detox discomfort and your body telling you to slow down—because detox shouldn’t take over your whole life or make it hard to function. Within the first couple of weeks of this detox, I started noticing clear signs my body was struggling — deep fatigue, low HRV with a higher resting heart rate, looser stools, and intense emotional symptoms like agitation, sadness, and sudden anger.

Instead of pushing through what could be labeled a “Herxheimer response,” I listened to my body and adjusted my plan to better support it through the protocol.

I also share how differently my husband responded to the same detox plan at the same time, which reinforced how individualized detox needs to be. As things progressed, I noticed new clues that shifted my entire focus: loss of appetite, burping, and reflux — signs that made me think toxins were recirculating through my gut, and that low stomach acid and possible H. pylori were in the picture.

Your body is always giving cues, and when you get multiple data points pointing to the same thing, it’s worth listening to them! I decided to pause detox and prioritize gut support, and then got strong confirmation through both my acupuncturist and my chiropractor that my gut and liver were both struggling through the detox.

This is your reminder to always listen to your body, especially when dealing with something as serious and difficult to detox as mold. If you’re on the same path as me, or think you might be struggling with mold illness or something similar, don’t miss this episode, and be sure to check out the SHE Thrives hybrid program to get personalized support alongside a community of other women having similar experiences as you.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or currently use prescription medications, you should discuss any dietary changes or potential dietary supplement use with your doctor, and should not discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.

Website Show Notes:

In This Episode:

1. [2:41] The first signs of nervous system dysregulation during my mold detox
2. [7:20] The importance of listening to your body and the signals it’s sending you
3. [9:15] The first adjustment I made to my mold detox protocol and why
4. [11:30] What’s been working the best during the detox process

Why can’t I lose weight after 35? Can exercising more and eating less still cause weight gain? How much should I really be eating and exercising?

This week, I welcomed metabolic health expert Ashley Fillmore to talk about metabolic health for women over 35 and the framework she uses to help women achieve sustainable body composition goals. She also shares her personal experience with body dysmorphia, chronic over-exercising, restrictive eating, hormone imbalance, loss of menstrual cycle, and difficulty getting pregnant.

Early in her career working in a wellness center, Ashley noticed that the standard “exercise more, eat less” approach wasn’t working for many women—especially those doing intense training and restrictive diets. So she decided to pursue advanced training in hormone and metabolic health related to sustainable weight loss.

We unpack what metabolism means in the context of body composition, including how the body breaks down and uses calories, and the role of BMR (basal metabolic rate) and TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). Ashley warns that many women unknowingly eat below their BMR—sometimes due to calorie apps—contributing to metabolic adaptation (also called metabolic damage), weight loss resistance, fatigue, stalled gym progress, irregular cycles, and sleep problems. We discuss how increasing food intake strategically can improve these symptoms.

We also talk about why weight loss resistance often increases after 35 due to hormone shifts associated with perimenopause, including declines in estrogen and progesterone and increased insulin resistance. Ashley emphasizes that insulin is a fat-storage hormone and that processed “diet” foods and blood sugar instability can prevent fat loss even when someone is in a calorie deficit.

Ashley outlines her three phases of transformation: the Repair Phase (address metabolic adaptation and hormonal/metabolic issues), the Rebuild Phase (eat at maintenance, establish strength training consistency, and build foundational skills), and the Results Phase (a strategic, sustainable body composition transformation with a conservative, science-based approach to deficits, followed by maintenance education).

If you’re a woman who has been struggling to lose weight despite “doing everything right,” are in perimenopause or close to it, or just need a little extra help getting your metabolism in check, don’t miss this episode packed with amazing advice tailored to women experiencing metabolic health struggles.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or currently use prescription medications, you should discuss any dietary changes or potential dietary supplement use with your doctor, and should not discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.

In This Episode:

1. [2:45] How Ashley started working with women to fix their metabolic health
2. [11:47] What does it mean to help women “heal” their metabolism?
3. [19:40] Why do so many people struggle to lose weight after a certain age?

In this episode of the She Talks Health podcast, I’m continuing with the second part of my personal journey dealing with mold illness. In the last episode, we covered how I realized I had been exposed to mold, the tests I did to confirm it, and the symptoms I experienced that led to my discovery.

This week, I revisit the onset of my symptoms, ranging from anxiety and insomnia, fatigue, sleep problems, gut issues, and more, which appeared suddenly after years of being in remission from Hashimoto's and other health problems. I also recount the initial steps I took, including HTMA and mineral balancing, before diving into the complexities revealed by my thyroid tests, which showed alarmingly high antibody levels.

We’ll dig into the results of my MARCoNS test, which demonstrated the presence of biofilms and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in my nasal passages, contributing to my chronic inflammation and immune challenges. Additionally, I discuss the critical insights gained from genetic testing with Dr. Erica Gray of Toolbox Genomics, which highlighted specific detox pathways that needed support in my body based on my genetics. This new information helped me formulate a modified and more effective detox plan tailored to my genetic needs, including liver support, multiple binders, and glutathione supplementation.

While this new protocol has offered hope, it has not been without setbacks, and I’m committed to sharing my detailed experiences and the adjustments I’ve made along the way in upcoming episodes. Join me as I continue to document this intricate journey, sharing my successes and challenges throughout this whole mold detox process.

If you're wrestling with similar health issues, or know someone who is, I hope my story provides you with practical steps and encouragement to pursue effective detoxification and regain control over your health.

Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to educate you about how to take care of your body and as a self-help tool for your own use so that you can reach your own health goals. It is not intended to treat or cure any specific illness and is not to replace the guidance provided by your own medical practitioner. If you are under the care of a healthcare professional or currently use prescription medications, you should discuss any dietary changes or potential dietary supplement use with your doctor, and should not discontinue any prescription medications without first consulting your doctor. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment. If you suspect you have a medical problem, we urge you to take appropriate action by seeking medical attention.

In This Episode:

1. [3:53] What running my own bloodwork revealed about my thyroid health
2. [7:43] Working with a professional to help manage the choice paralysis of choosing the right treatment
3. [10:50] How inflammatory responses make us really sensitive to mold detox at first
4. [12:15] What is a MARCoNS test? And what it revealed about my mold illness
5. [15:30] How I approached detox and the mistakes I made along the way
6. [17:00] What my genetics revealed about my ability to detox mold and other environmental toxins
7. [19:00] Developing a detox plan that worked with my genetics to help me safely detox