When I was trying to conceive my first daughter, I was already working in the field of women’s health.

I knew how to track my cycle.
I understood hormones and mine looked pretty good.
I was eating well and taking all the “right” supplements.

And yet… I struggled. For two full years. Month after month, I’d feel hopeful, then heartbroken. And I started to wonder: what am I missing?

It wasn’t until I took a step back that I saw the bigger picture. What I really needed was to dig deeper—into minerals, gut health, and the foundation my hormones were responding to.

Hormones Aren’t the Problem (They’re the Response)

We’ve been taught to zoom in on hormones: progesterone, estrogen, LH, AMH. But those are downstream. They reflect the state of your body. They’re like the messenger, not the message.

And when things aren’t working—irregular cycles, low temps, short luteal phase—it’s tempting to think “my body is broken.” But what if they’re just doing exactly what they’re supposed to… in response to a body that’s depleted, inflamed, or not absorbing nutrients properly? I like to equate it to a plant and how if we had a plant and it was dying, we wouldn’t blame the plant. We would be trying to change how we were nourishing it and its environment. So why don’t we do the same thing with ourselves? Our bodies aren’t broken, they just need something different.

The Missing Link: Minerals

Minerals were a major turning point for me.

I ran an HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) on myself and saw the real story:
I was burnt out, depleted, and unknowingly operating in a Four Lows pattern—a state where the body is trying to conserve energy, and fertility often takes a backseat.

• Magnesium: I was low—and that was impacting progesterone, blood sugar, and stress regulation.
• Zinc: Essential for cervical mucus, egg quality, and immune tolerance—also low.
• Potassium + Sodium: Out of balance, which impacts thyroid function and adrenal resilience.

I also had almost all of the signs of an iodine deficiency. I didn’t need to focus on my hormones or try reproductive technology. The hair test doesn’t. It told me what I didn’t want to hear but needed to hear.

Your Gut Is Your Hormonal Gatekeeper

I also had to face something I’d been ignoring: my gut health. Even though I didn’t have glaring digestive symptoms, I knew something was off.

Turns out, my gut was:

• Underproducing stomach acid (which meant I wasn’t absorbing minerals well)
• Recirculating estrogen due to poor bile flow and beta-glucuronidase issues
• Inflamed from years of stress and subtle food reactivity

The gut impacts:

• How we absorb minerals
• How we detox estrogen
• How our immune system regulates implantation
• And how “safe” our body feels to even consider reproduction

Once I began working on gut repair and mineral balance at the same time, my body finally shifted. Ovulation was stronger, inflammation was down, and I felt less stressed.

And a few months later… I saw two lines.

The Loop That Keeps Us Stuck

This is the cycle I see in many women now—especially those who feel like they’ve tried everything:

• Low minerals = poor digestion
• Poor digestion = low absorption
• Gut inflammation = immune confusion
• Hormones adapt = fertility stalls

So we chase progesterone cream, seed cycling, or even Clomid—without realizing our body is actually calling out for nourishment and safety.

What Helped Me—And What I Teach Now

Here’s the roadmap I use with my clients (and used myself):

1. Test mineral status (HTMA)

Learn what your hormones are responding to and where your body needs support.

2. Assess gut function (GI-MAP)

Look for hidden inflammation, infections, estrogen detox issues, and immune imbalance.

3. Rebuild, don’t override

• Start with minerals
• Add in gentle gut support
• Focus on blood sugar, sleep, circadian rhythm support, and nervous system health
• Go slow. Go deep. And trust the body. It is SO hard to be patient and surrender during this time, but I think of it as part of the transition to motherhood. My best advice is to embrace it!

You’re Not Broken. You’re Protecting Yourself.

Fertility is a complex and sacred process. And if your body isn’t ovulating, implanting, or sustaining—it’s not failing. It’s protecting you. It’s asking for something deeper.

You’re not too late. You’re not too complicated. You just need a new lens. If this resonates… and you’re tired of guessing—let’s get to the root. Check out our program here!

​Here is another great blog post on mindset and how it can affect fertility that you may find helpful!