Fertility Journeys

Lisa Pineda- The Benefits of Yoga on the Fertility Journey

On this episode of the Fertility Journeys Podcast, Dr. Shala Salem, M.D., talks with Lisa Pineda, an advanced yoga and meditation instructor, host of The Dismantling You Podcast, documentary Executive Producer of The Yogi, a two-time TEDx speaker, wellness coach, and global yoga retreat leader. 

She advocates for individuals and families who are struggling to start a family with Yoga For Fertility. Yoga For Fertility was created from her own personal experiences while struggling to conceive. Lisa has over 2000 hours completed in acute and clinical care, as she was considering a medical career.  She is also certified as a Mindfulness Meditation guide.  

 

Podcast : The Dismantling You Podcast 

Website: https://www.lisapinedayoga.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoga4fertility/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGQjvi9EZMGTG-Exvradm6g

Dr. Jessica Chen- Supporting your Fertility with Acupuncture

In this episode of Fertility Journeys Dr. Salem speaks with Dr. Jessica Chen, L.Ac., DAOM, about supporting fertility with acupuncture.  

Dr. Jessica Chen is a Board Licensed Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist with a speciality degree in women’s health and reproduction

Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Chen grew up with a strong herbal tradition — her mother often used medicinal herbs in seasonal dishes when preparing the family’s daily meals.  As a result, Dr. Chen continued studying the healing properties of food and plants, a journey that eventually led her to devote 12 years to practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine at the prestigious Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica, California. In 2017, Dr. Chen left to start her own practice where she offers herbal medicine, nutrition, acupuncture, cupping and facial rejuvenation among many other services.

Dr. Chen's extensive work with fertility, obstetric and gynecology has enabled her to help many many patients suffering from postpartum symptoms and other fertility-related struggles. These interactions also inspired her to co-author the book, “Sitting Moon” with Dr. Daoshing Ni, which touches on important themes relating to how a new mother must be cared for in the first month after giving birth.

Dr. Chen earned both her Masters and Doctoral degrees at Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Los Angeles, and her Bachelors in Psychology from Boston University. She also completed a post-graduate residency in the Chinese Orthopedics and Traumatology Department at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. Dr. Chen is certified in Chinese Nutrition, Cosmetic Acupuncture and is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

www.myqi.com

Instagram:  @restore_myqi

Brandon Johnson- Male Infertility and Mental Health

In this episode of Fertility Journeys, Dr. Shala Salem speaks with Brandon Johnson, LCSW about male infertility and mental health.   For men on the fertility journey it can be extremely difficult to find the support they need. Brandon discusses the challenges men face on the fertility journey, and how a couple can navigate a male infertility diagnosis. Brandon also discusses his own fertility journey and how his infertility diagnosis made him realize there was minimal support available to men.

Brandon Johnson is a  licensed Social Worker working with those on their fertility journey. For over two decades, he has provided several specialized therapeutic services to those dealing with grief and loss, infertility, depression, anxiety, and even mental disabilities. After dealing with his own fertility journey  and feeling like he had no one to turn to, he realized there was a great need for mental health support for men. He has since helped many men and couples on their own journey.  Brandon has an 8 week program called Barren Battles that walks couples through the emotional ups and downs of the fertility journey.

Instagram: @brandon.therapist

www.infertilityisntinferior.com

Dr. Meredith Broderick- Sound Sleep for Optimal Health and Fertility

In this episode of Fertility Journeys, Dr. Shala Salem speaks with Dr. Meredith Broderick, a neurologist and sleep specialist, about all things Sleep.  Sleep is arguably the most important pillar of health and wellbeing yet it is still not given the attention it deserves.  Dr. Broderick addresses what you can do to support optimal sleep and dispels several myths around sleep.  In addition, she also speaks about the conditions of insomnia and sleep apnea. 

 

Dr. Meredith Broderick, MD, is a neurologist who specializes in sleep medicine and behavioral sleep medicine.  She received her neurology training at Case Western Reserve University where she served as an assistant professor early in her career.  She obtained her sleep medicine and behavioral sleep medicine training at the world renown Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic.  She is the founder of Sound Sleep Guru, a telehealth based holistic sleep service serving Washington, California, and Alaska.  She is also an accomplished recreational climber, wife, and mother.  

IG: @sleepdoctormer

Website: www.soundsleepguru.com

In the Tip of the Day segment, Dr. Salem shares her own PCOS journey with you, and hopes that you feel connected and encouraged by her experience.  

Michelle Byrd- How to Prepare for Fertility Treatments

In this episode of Fertility Journeys Dr. Shala Salem, MD, speaks with Michelle Byrd a licensed therapist and fertility coach about how to prepare both mentally and emotionally for fertility treatments.  Research has shown that one of the most common reasons for a patient to drop out of fertility treatments is stress.  And while we know that infertility is a condition that can prove to be as stressful as dealing with cancer, there is still a gap in the mental support for those struggling. Michelle reviews some of the common struggles couples may encounter during fertility treatment and how best to navigate them.  

 

Her mission and passion is to not let others feel broken down from the waves that building a family can bring. Michelle is a mother, military spouse, and a therapist who has found a way to turn pain into purpose.  

 

For over a decade she has been helping people through the things they did not see coming.  Michelle helps to guide her clients through the life struggles that knock us off our feet and take our breath away. 

 

Her journey into private practice and coaching just felt right to accomplish the goal of being the light of hope for others. Having the right support in place has been instrumental to her own personal growth. 

 

Michelle firmly believes that your experience with your journey will be forever changed with the right support. 

 

Michelle Byrd MSW, LCSW

www.byrdcounseling.com

Instagram @theemichellebyrd

 

Also in this week's "Tip of the Week," I discuss the 4-7-8 breathing technique I learned from Dr. Andrew Weil, at the University of Arizona, during my integrative medicine training. It's simple and very effective. 

Josephine Atluri- Mindfulness & Meditation on the Fertility Journey

In this episode of Fertility Journeys, Dr. Shala Salem interviews Josephine Atluri about the practice of mindfulness and meditation.  Josephine has been helping clients to use mindfulness and meditation to cultivate calm and improve their mind body connection on the fertility journey. She also takes us through a guided meditation proving you only need to set aside 5 minutes a day to create a little calm in your life.

Josephine Atluri is an expert in meditation and mindfulness, helping thousands of people overcome adversity to find joy. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Josephine couples her business background with her meditation training to teach corporate mindfulness sessions. Her experience creating her modern day family of seven children via in vitro fertilization, international adoption and surrogacy, inspires her work as a highly sought-after fertility and parenting mindfulness coach. 

Josephine hosts a popular podcast, “Responding to Life: Talking Health, Fertility, & Parenthood,” and interviews guests on their inspiring responses to life’s challenges. Her infertility and parenting mindfulness expertise has been featured in Motherly, MindBodyGreen, The Bump, Prevention Magazine, and Woman’s Day. Josephine offers private sessions and online mindfulness courses at jatluri.com

For daily inspiration follow her on: IG @josephineratluri and on YouTube for free meditation videos.

Instagram: 

@josephineratluri 

@respondingtolifepodcast 

Responding to Life Podcast on Apple: https://apple.co/2W6YlQ1 

Mindfulness Journal for Parents Book & Online Course: www.mindfulparentclass.com 

Discount for Fertility Podcasts: 

PODCAST25 

Enter the code for 35% off the online fertility mindfulness course. 

https://josephine-atluri-meditation.mykajabi.com/pl/2147485847 

Lara Adler- Environmental Toxins & Fertility

On today's episode of Fertility Journeys, Dr. Salem sits down with environmental toxins expert Lara Adler to discuss how environmental toxins can negatively impact hormones and fertility. Lara discusses the lack of regulation in the chemical industry and how you can protect yourself from the dangers of environmental chemicals we are all exposed to on a daily basis.  

Lara Adler is an Environmental Toxins Expert & Educator and a Certified Holistic Health Coach who teaches health coaches, nutritionists, and other health professionals how to eliminate the #1 thing holding their clients back from the results they are seeking – the unaddressed link between chemicals and chronic health problems.

Combining environmental health education and business consulting, she’s helped thousands of health professionals in over 25 countries around the world elevate their skillset, get better results for their clients, and become sought out leaders in the growing environmental health and detoxification field.

Lara is a member of the National Association of Environmental Medicine, and the American Holistic Health Association.

Also, in the Tip of the Week segment, Dr. Salem gives a few tips for those dealing with infertility while navigating the holiday season, which can be a difficult time with all the parties and family gatherings.

Website: www.laraadler.com

Instagram: @environmentaltoxinsnerd

Dr. Vivian Chen- Optimizing Your Microbiome for Fertility

In this episode of Fertility Journeys, Dr. Shala Salem’s guest is Dr. Vivian Chen, a UK Physician with 15 years of clinical experience. She is board certified in the UK in both internal medicine and family practice. 

They explore the importance of supporting your gut microbiome, the health of which is key to promoting optimal overall health, and the evidence emerging that it plays a large role in fertility.  Dr. Chen reveals how your diet, stress, and exposure to toxins can negatively impact your gut health.  

Dr. Chen's world turned upside down when her daughter was hospitalized soon after being born with symptoms no doctor could figure out. Through doing her own research, she was able to help her daughter recover. She also realized that the many years of chronic fatigue, acne and brain fog she had was due to environmental toxicity. This opened the world of root causes she had never considered before as a conventional medical doctor. 

She now coaches clients back to health virtually by identifying root causes and implementing lifestyle solutions. She is also on a mission to help people reduce their toxin load, one important root cause of many chronic health conditions.

On the Truth About Toxins segment, Dr. Shala Salem explains why the health of the microbiome is important for optimal fertility.  She also discusses some of the research of the role of microbiome health in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis.

Dr. Vivian Chen-  Website: www.platefulhealth.com

Instagram: @plateful.health

Dr. Chen has a starter guide on how to detox your home and can be found at https://www.platefulhealth.com/reduce-toxins

For information on Dr. Chen's course  - The Detox Right course :   https://www.platefulhealth.com/waitlist-detox-course

Marilyn Gomez- A Story of Hope & Healing on the Fertility Journey

In this episode of Fertility Journeys with Dr. Shala Salem, Marilyn Gomez shares her fertility journey, and how she healed the trauma of infertility through therapy, Reiki and advocating for herself.

Marilyn Gomez is a speaker, self-advocate, podcast host, and entrepreneur who got her Reiki certification to help her heal through the trauma of infertility. She had her daughter in 2016, from her 3rd IVF transfer. In 2019, she attempted to expand her family with transferring the last two of her frozen embryos. That transfer failed. She closed the chapter of expanding her family to focus on healing, and embracing and normalizing having one child, in a society that asks for one more. Marilyn partners with several organizations that focus on Infertility coverage and maternal mental health. She owns an online store Infertile Tees- statement tees for your infertility journey, that encourage women to talk about their story and feel less alone. She also hosts Mama Vida Podcast and interviews women discussing all topics related to womanhood, purpose, and life. 

In the Truth About Toxins segment, Dr. Shala speaks about Bisphenol A (BPA). She reviews its history, how it impacts fertility, and how you can protect yourself.

Instagram @marilynbgomez,  @infertiletees

Podcast : Mama Vida Podcast 

www.Infertiletees.com

Dr. Loree Johnson- The Importance of Mental Health on the Fertility Journey

In this premier episode of the Fertility Journeys podcast, Dr. Shala Salem, M.D., welcomes Dr. Loree Johnson, Ph.D, LMFT.  Dr. Johnson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Coach in private practice with more than 25 years of experience as a clinician, educator, and clinical supervisor. 

Specializing in women’s mental health and reproductive health, Dr. Loree helps her clients overcome the emotional challenges that come with infertility - including pregnancy loss and emotional trauma. She also helps couples, who have become divided by their fertility journey, strengthen their connection. 

Dr. Salem and Dr. Loree discuss the impact of mental health on the fertility journey. They explore topics including the differences between infertility stress and infertility trauma, navigating grief, how to maintain connection with your partner while struggling with infertility, how to navigate social media, and EMDR therapy.  

Dr. Loree is a clinical fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and has served on its state and national boards. She is also a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Mental Health Professionals Group.