Aligned to Rise Podcast
Welcome to Aligned to Rise, the podcast for ambitious women who are ready to reclaim their vitality, align with their true power, and rise into the life they were meant to live.Hosted by functional nutritionist and performance coach Alyssa Chavez, this show blends the science of gut and hormone health with the soul of mindset work, nervous system healing, and emotional release. Whether you’re navigating endometriosis, period pain, fatigue, or digestive drama—or you’re just craving deeper clarity and confidence in your body and purpose—you’ll find the support you need right here.Each week, you’ll hear raw...
Estrogen Dominance Symptoms & Testing
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Heavy, painful periods? Breasts sore for a week before your period? PMS that makes you feel like a different person? You might be dealing with estrogen dominance, even if your labs say your estrogen is “normal.”
In this episode, I explain what estrogen dominance actually is and why it’s about balance rather than one “bad” hormone. Estrogen dominance can mean too much estrogen, or it can mean too little progesterone to balance it out. Estrogen is a growth hormone, which is why the symptoms tend to be about growth, swelling and heavin...
Preconception to Postpartum: What Every Woman Should Know Before Pregnancy, During It, and After w/ Alex Wachelka
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Most of us go into pregnancy and postpartum with a prenatal, a list of foods to avoid, and not much else. After the birth, attention shifts to baby and mom is left to figure out the rest on her own.
In this episode I’m joined by Alex Wachelka, a perinatal nutritionist, board certified lactation consultant, and mom of three boys. We talk about what your body actually needs from preconception through postpartum, why “healthy” eating can work against fertility, and which labs and nutrients are often missed. As a mom who’s...
Calm the Fire: Your Anti-Inflammatory Game Plan
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All month long, we’ve been unpacking inflammation: what it actually is, where it comes from, how it shows up on your labs, and even how it can drive weight gain. Today, we’re tying it all together with a bow, so you walk away with real, actionable steps, not just more things to add to your to-do list.
Diet is one of the biggest levers you can pull to calm inflammation, but there’s so much conflicting information online that it’s hard to know where to start. So I’m bringing...
What's Actually Causing Your Inflammation? (The Labs That Find the Why)
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Being told “you’re inflamed” can feel like an answer. It’s actually where the question starts. Inflammation is your immune system responding to something, and calming it down without finding that trigger is like turning off the smoke alarm while something is still burning in the oven.
In the third episode of our inflammation series, I cover the main places chronic inflammation tends to come from and the testing that can help you work out which ones matter for you. It’s rarely just one thing, and it isn’t the same ans...
Here's Why You Can't Lose the Weight w/ Monika Eva
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You’re eating well and exercising, and on paper you’re doing everything right. So why is the scale going up instead of down? If that frustration sounds familiar, this episode is for you.
This month on Aligned to Rise, we’re digging into inflammation and all the ways it can affect your health and your life. Today I’m joined by double board-certified hormone nutritionist Monika Eva to talk about one of the most confusing parts of it: how inflammation can quietly get in the way of weight loss.
In...
What Is Inflammation?
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"You're just inflamed." If you've heard that and walked away with more questions than answers, this episode is for you.
This kicks off a month-long series on inflammation, one of my favorite topics to nerd out on. Inflammation is one of the most overused and least understood words in health. Too often it's treated as the end of the conversation, when it should be the beginning.
In this episode, I break down what inflammation really is: a normal, protective immune response that your body needs to heal. It can...
Don't Shoot the Messenger: Why Your Hormones Aren't the Enemy
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So many women are told their hormones are "off" and sent home with birth control and no real explanation. I know that was my story. But hormones are chemical messengers: they respond to signals from the rest of your body. When they're out of balance, it's a sign something deeper needs support.
In this episode, I break down the seven main things I look at in my practice that impact your hormones, so you can see the bigger picture and know there's something you can do about it.
I...
Why Serum Hormone Testing Isn't Enough
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Have you been told your hormones are off and that birth control is the fix? Or that your labs look "normal," even though your periods say otherwise?
In this episode, I'm walking you through why standard serum (blood) hormone testing only gives us a tiny snapshot, and what testing can actually show us why your hormones are out of balance in the first place.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why high estrogen doesn't look the same for everyoneWhat a GI Map and DUTCH test can reveal t...What Your Poop Can Tell You About Your Period Pain
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If you've ever sat in a doctor's office describing period pain that knocks you flat, only to walk out with a birth control prescription and zero answers, this one's for you.
I've been there. Years of debilitating periods, stage 4 endometriosis, and a whole lot of "everything looks normal." One of the things that made a real difference for me (and that I see move the needle with my clients over and over) wasn't something I was ever told to look at. It was my gut.
Now, I'm not here...
What Your Doctor is Missing in Your Fertility Testing
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One in six people will struggle with fertility in their lifetime, and especially if you've ever been handed a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility," this episode is for you.
I know this journey intimately. It took me about nine years to bring my miracle girl into the world, including a stage four endometriosis diagnosis and being told IVF was my only option. Spoiler: it wasn't. And I've watched clients walk that same path (even ones told the same thing I was) go on to conceive naturally once we dug deeper.
...
The Future of Women's Healthcare
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Welcome back to Aligned to Rise! I wanted to start off with my take on the broader picture of what women's health care really SHOULD look like.
As a mama to a baby girl who will someday grow up to be a woman herself, I'm more passionate about women's healthcare than ever.
Give it a listen and let me know your thoughts!
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We're Back!
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Hey my friend, I hope you've thoroughly enjoyed your summer! Get excited because the wait is over: a brand-new episode of Aligned to Rise is coming your way next week!
Give this episode a listen to see what's coming on the podcast and beyond. Looking forward to getting back in action!
Subscribe to the Aligned to Rise Podcast:
Apple | Spotify
Connect w/ Alyssa:
Work w/ Alyssa:
Free Period Pain PlaybookWork with me 1:1Cycle Clarity Panel...
See You in September: What's Coming to Aligned to Rise
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This summer, Aligned to Rise is taking a pause, and today's episode is all about why. This isn't goodbye, it's a pause with a purpose. Inside this episode, I share what I'll be working on behind the scenes this summer, gives a sneak peek at the topics and offerings coming this fall, and let you know how to work with me while the podcast is quiet.
In This Episode
Endometriosis Surgery: Myths, Tips, and Holistic Recovery Support (From the Vault)
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*Out of the vault! This episode originally aired October of 2024, but I've had so many questions coming in about endo surgery that I thought it was time to bring it back!*
Today, we’re diving into one of the most frequently asked questions: How to prepare for endometriosis surgery and what to expect. If you’ve been feeling uncertain about the process, this episode will give you the guidance you need to feel more confident going in and recover more smoothly afterward.
We’ll cov...
Before You Say Yes to GLP-1s: The Questions Nobody Is Asking You
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GLP-1s are everywhere right now, and the conversation around them has gotten loud, polarized, and honestly a little exhausting. You've got one camp calling them a miracle drug and another saying you're taking the easy way out. I'm not here for either of those takes.
What I am here for is giving you the full picture: the questions, the considerations, and the context you actually deserve before making any decision about your body.
As a functional nutritionist who works primarily with women navigating endometriosis, hormone imbalances, and gut h...
Why Your Perfect Diet is Still Wrecking Your Hormones
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If you've been eating a near-perfect diet and still struggling with hormonal imbalances, period pain, bloating, or fatigue, this episode is for you. I break down why the stress around clean eating can be just as damaging to your body as the food itself, and how the pursuit of dietary perfection can actually keep you stuck.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
Why chronic food stress and anxiety trigger the same cortisol response as a physical threat and what that does to your hormonesWhy highly reactive women who restrict...5 Things That Will Determine Your Success With a Holistic Approach to Endo
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Trying a holistic approach to endo but not seeing the results you hoped for? In this episode, I'm breaking down the 5 things that will truly determine your success, and it goes way beyond what's on your plate.
In this episode, we cover:
Why your mindset is the foundation of everythingThe importance of committing to the long game (and how to stay motivated when progress feels slow)Why having the right coach or support system is a game-changerWhat a true holistic approach actually looks likeHow cultivating gratitude for your...5 Things Your Cycle Is Trying to Tell You About Your Fertility Right Now
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Have you ever felt like your body was sending you signals you just didn't know how to read? In this episode, I'm sharing everything I wish I had known years earlier — before a nine-year fertility journey that could have looked very different if I had understood what my cycle was trying to tell me all along.
Whether you're actively trying to conceive, trying not to conceive, or simply want to understand your body better, this episode is for you.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
Your Hormones Aren't the Problem--This Is.
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If you've been told you have a hormone imbalance (or you've suspected it yourself), this episode is going to completely change the way you think about what's happening in your body.
Most women dealing with symptoms like PMS, heavy periods, painful periods, fatigue, bloating, mood swings, or irregular cycles have done the research. They've landed on terms like estrogen dominance or low progesterone. They may have even started supplements, tried seed cycling, or cleaned up their diet. And yet they still don't feel better.
Here's what most people miss...
I'm Not Broken: Becoming a Mom After a 9-Year Fertility Journey
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*This episode includes honest discussion of pregnancy loss, chronic pain, and the emotional weight of a long infertility journey. Please take care of yourself as you listen.*
This one is personal.
Four weeks ago, I became a mom. And I've been sitting with this episode in my heart ever since, trying to find the words because this isn't just a birth announcement. This is nine years of faith, grief, pain, and perseverance finally having a face. Her name is Evalina, and she is my miracle.
In this...
Decoding Endometriosis Fatigue: The Root Causes Most Doctors Overlook
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Show notes:
If you've been told your labs are normal but you're still completely exhausted all the time, this episode is for you. Fatigue is one of the most common complaints I hear from women with endometriosis, and it's rarely random. Your exhaustion is data. It's your body asking for support somewhere.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the most common root causes of endometriosis-related fatigue that I see in my practice, and the lab patterns that actually reveal what's going on beneath the surface.
Re-release Unveiling Hidden Fertility Barriers w/ Deidre Bloomquist
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Show Notes:
This week is our final episode of the infertility awareness series. I am excited to talk with Deidre Bloomquist. She is a functional nutritionist, and her specialty is reversing infertility through restoring health by reducing toxicity and other fertility barriers. In today’s episode we dive into how toxicity impacts the body and fertility.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear:
-Endocrine disruptors like phthalates and fragrances impact hormones, which affects fertility.
-Toxins are everywhere, especially in products...
Unexpected Gifts from my 9-Year Infertility Journey
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Show Notes:
This episode is a deeply personal one. After nine years of painful periods, endometriosis, IVF, and miscarriage, I'm sitting here days away from welcoming my baby girl, and feeling something I never expected: gratitude.
Not just for this pregnancy, but for the entire journey that brought me here.
In this episode, I'm sharing the unexpected gifts that nine years of infertility gave me, including:
A deep sense of self-awareness, learning to truly listen to my body physically, mentally, and emotionallyNervous system...What Your Nervous System Has Been Trying to Tell You w/ Tracy Whitton
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Show notes:
In this episode, I sat down with somatic psychotherapist and nervous system coach Tracy Whitton, author of 365 Days of Nervous System Care, to explore one of the most overlooked root causes of hormonal imbalance, chronic illness, and emotional dysregulation: your nervous system. With over 25 years of experience working with thousands of bodies, Tracy shares the patterns she sees most in the women she works with, and what we can actually do about them.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
What t...Endo Myths Keeping You Stuck in Survival Mode
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In this episode, we're digging into four common myths in the endo world that sound helpful but can actually keep your nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight mode, making healing harder, not easier. If you've been doing everything "right" and still feel tense, inflamed, or reactive, this episode is for you.
What We Cover:
We start by breaking down what survival mode actually looks like: hypervigilance around food and symptoms, constant symptom tracking, fear of flare-ups, feeling like your body is the enemy, and muscle guarding. We...
Endo + Perimenopause Unpacked w/ Molly Sellers
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Are you between the ages of 35-50, have endo, and just been feeling a little “off” or “different” lately? In this candid and eye-opening episode, we welcome back functional nutritionist Molly for a deep dive into perimenopause (what it is, how it intersects with endometriosis, and what you can start doing today to support your body through this transition).
Molly first joined us back on Episode 54 (September 2024) to share her personal health journey, including her stage four endometriosis diagnosis and successful excision surgery. Now she's back to talk about the next chapter...
Why Endo Bloating is So Hard to Fix
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If you have endometriosis and bloating is ruling your life (like looking six months pregnant by the end of the day no matter what you eat), this episode is for you.
Most people assume bloating is a food problem. Cut gluten, try low FODMAP, eliminate dairy, and still nothing changes. In this episode, we unpack why endo bloating is more complex than that and walk through the five layers you actually need to address to get lasting relief.
Key takeaways:
Why endo bloating is a multi-layered issue, and t...Why Endometriosis Pain Doesn't Improve (Even With a Clean Diet)
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You're eating a beautiful, anti-inflammatory diet, and yet your pain just won't budge. You're not doing it wrong. You're just missing a few pieces of the puzzle. In this episode, Alyssa digs into why food alone is often not enough to manage endometriosis pain, and what a whole-body approach to healing actually looks like.
In This Episode
Why endometriosis is a full-body inflammatory disease, not just a reproductive disorderThe often-overlooked role of blood sugar balance in managing inflammation and painHow to eat for blood sugar stability: meal timing, spacing, and...The Unconscious Fear That May Be Blocking Your Fertility w/ Lauren Enright
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In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Enright, a mind-body fertility coach, birth doula, yoga teacher, and somatic experiencing practitioner, to explore one of the most overlooked pieces of the fertility puzzle: the role that fear, emotions, and the nervous system play in your journey.
Whether you're in the thick of trying to conceive, navigating a diagnosis like endometriosis, healing after loss, or carrying anxiety into a new pregnancy, this conversation is full of grounding insight and practical tools to help you feel more empowered along the way.
...
Can Diet Really Improve Fertility?
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If you’ve ever been told to “just relax,” that your labs look “normal,” or to simply move forward with IVF without any deeper conversation about nutrition or other underlying support for fertility, this episode is for you.
In today’s episode, I’m sharing part of my own fertility journey, and the moment I realized there had to be more I could do to support my body.
We’re breaking down:
The biggest myths around fertility nutritionWhat actually matters when it comes to supporting egg quality and implantationHow...The 4 Pillars Every Endo Healing Plan Needs
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If you’ve tried everything for endometriosis, like diet changes, supplements, workouts, and doctors, but still feel stuck, this episode is for you.
In this episode, I break down the 4 foundational pillars of endometriosis healing and explain why true relief doesn’t come from addressing just one area of the body.
Endo is complex, and healing requires a whole-body, holistic approach that supports your physical body, nutrition, sleep, and nervous system.
You’ll learn:
Why focusing on only food or supplements often isn’t e...Creating Change That Actually Lasts w/ Alicia Meek
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If you’re someone who’s capable, driven, and doing “all the right things,” yet still feels stuck, exhausted, or like you’re constantly starting over, this episode is for you.
In this conversation, I'm joined by Alicia Meek, an intuitive tarot and NLP practitioner who supports women in creating sustainable, grounded change without hustle, force, or toxic motivation.
We explore why willpower and motivation often fail, how chronic overwhelm disconnects us from self-trust, and what it actually takes to create clarity and momentum that lasts.
This epis...
Why Your Period is Your Fertility Report
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What if your period wasn’t something to dread, but a powerful source of information about your body and your fertility?
In this episode, I share why your menstrual cycle is your body’s monthly fertility report, whether you’re trying to conceive right now or not. Painful, heavy, irregular, or emotionally brutal periods aren’t random. They’re messages from your body about inflammation, hormones, stress, blood sugar, and safety.
I walk you through:
Why your period is a vital sign (just like heart rate or blood pressure)H...The Real Root Causes of Period Pain
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Painful periods are common, but they’re not normal. In this episode, I break down what’s actually happening in your body when your period hurts and why pain is a signal, not something to simply override.
You’ll learn how inflammation, hormones, gut health, blood sugar, toxins, and even your nervous system all play a role in period pain, and how understanding these root causes opens the door to real, lasting relief.
Whether you deal with cramps, PMS, endometriosis, or fibroids, this episode will help you see your body in...
5 Inner Shifts That Changed My Fertility Journey
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In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing some of the most powerful inner shifts that changed everything in my 9-year fertility journey.
After years of believing my body was broken--after endometriosis, pregnancy loss, and multiple rounds of IVF—I realized that the missing piece wasn’t another supplement or protocol. It was the story I was telling myself.
You’ll hear how shifting my mindset, clearing limiting beliefs, and supporting my nervous system led to profound emotional and physical changes and ultimately, to conceiving naturally.
If you’ve ever...
What Actually Shifted Jennifer Edmonds’ Fertility Journey
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In this powerful episode, I’m joined by fertility yoga, Pilates, and breathwork teacher Jennifer Edmonds, whose personal journey through infertility, IVF, miscarriage, and nervous system dysregulation led her to a completely different understanding of what the body needed in order to conceive.
We dive into:
✨ Jennifer’s story of being told she was in early menopause, and what happened next
✨ Why fertility isn’t just about hormones, labs, or egg quality
✨ How chronic stress, trauma, and nervous system overload can shut down fertility
✨ The science behind...
What is Functional Nutrition and How Can It Help With Endo?
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*This episode is a replay of episode 3, one of my most popular episodes of all time, which originally aired on September 27, 2023. I thought it was time to bring it back to the surface for you to enjoy!*
Today’s episode is jam-packed and it really answers the question that I receive often of “Alyssa, what exactly do you DO?”
I got into the work that I do because it has been absolutely life changing for me. I tried so many things to help with my endo sympto...
Step-by-Step Anti-Inflammatory Diet
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*This is a replay of one of our most popular episodes to date, which originally aired as episode 71 on January 22nd, 2025. Enjoy!*
Have you ever wondered if the food on your plate could help reduce your pain and give you more control over your body? Spoiler alert: it can. Today, we’re breaking down how to create an anti-inflammatory diet tailored specifically for you and your endometriosis.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
-Debunking myths: Common misconceptions about anti-inflammatory diets and...
When Your Body Stores What You Ignore
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Your symptoms are never random, they’re messages.
In today’s episode, we dive into the emotional roots behind some of the most common struggles women face, from pelvic pain and endometriosis to bloating, constipation, back pain, fatigue, and even infertility.
Drawing from German New Medicine, Louise Hay’s work, and my own healing journey, we explore how unresolved emotions, stress patterns, and subconscious beliefs can show up physically in the body… and how understanding this connection can open the door to deeper healing.
You’ll learn:
Why Does Endometriosis Cause Infertility?
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In this episode, we take a look at the deeper connection between endometriosis and infertility, something I've lived, studied, and supported women through for nearly a decade.
I break down why endometriosis can make conception more challenging, what the research actually says, and the physical, emotional, and immune-system factors that play a role.
You’ll learn:
How endometriosis affects egg quality, ovarian reserve, the fallopian tubes, inflammation, and moreWhy oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, and adhesions matter more than most women are toldThe surprising reason your nervous system state inf...