"herhormonetrainer.com is a product of my very own hormonal journey."

Endometriosis to Empowerment - Karen's hormonal journey.

For years, I struggled with debilitating hormonal issues. Since I was 15, I experienced irregular 40+ day cycles, severe menstrual flooding, intense pain, depression, bloating, and overwhelming carbohydrate cravings which lead to weight gain – especially during the second half of my cycle. I thought this was part of being a woman, but it wasn't. It felt like I was in constant battle with my own body.

It wasn't until just five years ago that I was FINALLY diagnosed with Endometriosis and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), which finally explained the chaos in my body. I was tired of simply managing the symptoms – I needed a real solution. Surely, life shouldn't be this hard. I knew too well the power of nutrition on hormones, but I hadn't considered how my overtraining or over-exercising was exacerbating my symptoms. While naturopathy helped ease things, it always felt like I was relying on sheer willpower to stay on track.

My turning point came when I learned that, in the final 10 days of your cycle, your body needs nurturing – not pushing. If you don't feel like exerting yourself, DON'T! During this phase, your cortisol levels need to decrease, not increase. This revelation was a game-changer, mainly when I reflected on how challenging the second half of my cycle had been.

The funny thing was that I was overtraining because I felt compelled to compensate for the weight gain that typically occurred during this phase. I was stuck in a vicious cycle: I craved carbohydrates, gained weight, and trained harder. From the moment I woke up each morning during this phase, I was trapped in the same pattern – with less and less willpower to make healthy food choices. My body was crying out for more rest, nourishment, and sleep, but I kept pushing through as I was convinced that everything would work out with just a little more effort.

With this new, simple concept in mind, I decided to give it a go. From day 20 of my cycle, I swapped my 10km run with a walk if I didn't have the energy. If I didn't feel like doing every pilates class with my clients, I sat with them and learned to observe and perfect using my words from the sideline instead of perfecting by demonstration. If I felt like I couldn't complete the housework needed in this phase, I left it for the next day....Or asked another family member to help. If I could squeeze in a little 10-minute power nap in between my clients, I would do so.

- REST | REFRESH | REVIVE -

When I tried this approach, the results were nothing short of magical. I went from suffering through endless hormonal turmoil on a 40+ day cycle each month to having a balanced 26-28 day cycle with far less discomfort from the horrible symptoms I was suffering from.

"What a simple thing to do that doesn't cost you a cent."

I realised that strategic movement and exercise, aligned with the phases of your cycle, can relieve the pressure of hormonal imbalance. I had discovered how to HACK my hormonal cycle, working in harmony with my body's needs. This profound shift transformed not only my health but my life.

Through this journey, I realised I wasn't alone. So many women feel trapped in the chaos of hormonal imbalances. That's when HerHormone Trainer and HerHormoneFIT were born – my on-demand fitness program designed to help women regain health control through cycle-based training and hormonal harmony.

Her Hormone Trainer combines my 15 years of experience as a naturopath and Pilates instructor to help women understand their bodies and thrive with endometriosis, PCOS, or any hormonal imbalance. With the right movement and nutrition, I believe we can live powerfully, even with hormonal life phases. It's time to stop enduring and start thriving. 

My dream is to help you discover your own 'ah-ha' moment when uncovering your missing hormonal puzzle piece. While your journey may not be the same as mine, at HerHormoneTrainer.com, I'm here to guide you and share everything I've learned so you can feel whole and balanced once again.