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The Cyclist

Author: Jess Quinn and Katherine Douglas

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The go-to women’s health podcast for real, honest conversations about hormones, periods, PCOS, endometriosis, fertility, and the rest. Hosted by Jess Quinn & Katherine Douglas, we dive into all things women's health and help you to demystify owning a female body— with expert advice and real stories to help you feel empowered and informed. If you’re tired of being dismissed and want to decode your body, this podcast is for you.

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36 Episodes
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We’ve officially launched Cadence, our sister brand, our passion project, and the culmination of three years of building, learning, and healing.In this episode, Jess and Kat share the full journey from that first DM to launch day - the highs, the heartbreaks, and the why behind it all. We chat about what drove us to create Cadence, the gaps we saw in the women’s health space, and the products that supported us on our own journeys (and now, hopefully, yours too).We also dive into the realities of the supplement industry - how unregulated it is, what transparency really means, and why we built Cadence to be different.If you’ve ever dreamed of turning frustration into purpose, this one’s for you.✨ Follow & ConnectInstagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: wearethecyclist.comShop Cadence: cadencewellbeing.comHit play to join us on the journey.
This week on the podcast we’re joined by Prue Craven, who was born with a rare condition called MRKH, meaning she never developed a uterus.Prue opens up about the moment she realised something was different, the long journey through IVF and surrogacy heartbreak, and the life-changing 14-hour transplant surgery that gave her the chance to carry her own child. She shares what it was like to wake up with a uterus for the first time, the incredible story of her friend becoming her donor, and how it felt to finally give birth to her daughter Rose.This is a story about resilience, hope, and breaking down what we think is possible for women’s health.Follow & ConnectInstagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: wearethecyclist.comHit play and join the journey.
This week on the podcast we’re joined by Georgie, who courageously shares her real story with endometriosis and adenomyosis. She speaks honestly about the symptoms she’s lived with, the multiple surgeries she’s endured, and the ongoing challenges of navigating life with chronic pain.We dive into how her diagnosis has reshaped her day-to-day - from the difficulty of holding down work to the way her dreams of having children have shifted. Georgie’s openness is raw, relatable, and a reminder of the resilience so many women draw on while navigating these conditions.Follow & Connect:Instagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: wearethecyclist.comHit play to listen in and join the journey.
In this episode, Kat shares her powerful and emotional birth story.From raspberry leaf tea to acupuncture, induction herbs, dates, evening primrose oil, perineal massage, and even colostrum collection, Kat takes us through everything she tried in the hopes of achieving a VBAC. Despite her best efforts, her journey led to a second emergency c-section - and with it, the lessons and peace she found in knowing she had done everything she could.We talk through the emotional rollercoaster of birth, her tips for postpartum recovery, and the surreal moment where Jess experienced a miscarriage while Kat was in labour - a true reminder of the complexity of womanhood and the shared experiences of our bodies.Follow & Connect:Instagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: wearethecyclist.com
From battling anorexia and OCD to co-founding one of New Zealand’s leading mental health charities Voices of Hope, Genevieve Mora’s story is one of resilience and hope.In this episode, Gen (@_genevieve_mora) opens up about her lived experience with anorexia, the toll it took on her body and cycles, and the road to recovery. We dive into how disordered eating impacts reproductive health, why launching a charity became her way of helping others, and what it’s been like navigating pregnancy after everything her body has been through.This is a raw, honest, and empowering conversation about mental health, womanhood, and learning to trust your body again.Follow & Connect:Instagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: wearethecyclist.comHit play to join us on this powerful journey with Gen.
This week on The Cyclist Podcast we’re diving into a raw and powerful story of living with endometriosis.Our guest is Abbey Harrison, perinatal and women’s health social worker, who not only supports women through birth, loss, and midwifery referrals, but has also walked her own long road with chronic illness.In this episode we focus mostly on her personal journey with chronic health, particularly Endometriosis. She shares her deeply personal journey, from being dismissed with symptoms as a teenager, to multiple laparoscopies, becoming a young mum, going through miscarriage, and learning how to rebuild her sense of self in a body that doesn’t always cooperate.It’s a conversation about endo, resilience, and redefining your worth when life doesn’t follow the script. This is an episode every woman will see a piece of herself in.Follow & ConnectInstagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: wearethecyclist.comHit play and let's learn to cycle better together.
This week we’re joined by Emma Peters, clean beauty advocate, makeup artist, and founder of Aleph Beauty.The global beauty industry is worth over $670 billion, but behind the glamour lies a hidden health story. Many everyday products contain hormone disruptors that can interfere with the endocrine system, impacting everything from menstrual cycles to fertility and long-term hormonal balance.Emma brings over 20 years of experience in the beauty world, breaking down what “clean beauty” really means, which ingredients to watch out for, and why this is so much more than just a trend—it’s a health conversation. As a mother to two daughters at very different stages of their hormonal journeys, Emma shares both professional expertise and personal perspective on why this matters for our generation and the next.Follow & Connect:Instagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: wearethecyclist.comHit play and join us as we uncover the hidden health impacts of the beauty industry.
This week, it’s just me, Jess, sharing my miscarriage story, both past and present.I open up about the heartbreak, the silence, and the lessons I’ve learnt along the way. It’s raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal, but it’s a conversation that so many of us need to hear. My hope is that this episode helps someone feel less alone in their own journey, or helps others better understand what miscarriage can be like behind the statistics.Follow & ConnectInstagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: wearethecyclist.comHit play and join me as I share my story.
This week on the podcast we’re talking all things birth with Dr Morgan Edwards, an Obstetric Anaesthetist specialising in pain management, epidurals, and anaesthesia during labour and delivery. From C-sections to epidurals, and the importance of self-advocacy, Dr Morgan shares her expert insights, practical advice, and the realities that often get left out of the conversation.We unpack what really happens in the delivery room, how to navigate your options, and the small but powerful steps you can take to feel confident, prepared, and in control during birth. Whether you’re planning, pregnant, or reflecting on a past birth, this episode is full of empowering takeaways and myth-busting truths.Follow & Connect:Instagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: wearethecyclist.comAs mentioned in the episode, here is a link to Dr Morgans resource Your Labour Your WayHit play to feel informed, equipped, and ready to advocate for yourself.
Hot flushes, low mood, brain fog, weight changes, insomnia... sound familiar? You might be in perimenopause, even if no one’s told you so.This week on The Cyclist, we’re joined by hormone expert and medical researcher Dr Nicky Keay to break down what perimenopause and menopause actually are, when they can start, and what signs to look out for. We cover the most common (and commonly missed) symptoms, how to know if you're in it, and the role of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone during this transition.We also dive into RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) and how undereating, stress, and overtraining can impact your hormones at any age, especially during midlife.This is the hormone education we should have received sooner, and a must-listen for anyone wondering if what they’re experiencing is “just stress” or something more.Follow & Connect& connect with us below: @wearethecyclist wearethecyclist.comHit play and let’s learn to cycle better together.
Dr Amelia Ryan, co-owner of Advanced Gynaecology Auckland, is a gynaecologist on a mission to improve how we diagnose and treat women's health conditions, especially endometriosis.In this episode, we get into the realities of being diagnosed with endo, why so many of us are dismissed or misdiagnosed for years, and how ultrasound is changing the game. We also unpack the good, the bad, and the misunderstood when it comes to the pill, plus why PMS shouldn’t just be shrugged off as “normal”.Whether you're navigating hormonal symptoms, trying to get a diagnosis, or just want to understand your body better, this one’s for you.Follow & Connect:Instagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: www.wearethecyclist.comFind Amelia Here: https://www.advgynae.co.nz/Hit play and let’s demystify your body together.
From life on luxury superyachts to navigating chronic illness and fertility decisions, Polly Markus (aka @miss_pollys_kitchen) has lived many lives in one. In this feel-good episode, we sit down with Polly to chat about her journey with Crohn’s disease - from diagnosis to remission - and how it led her to make big decisions like freezing her eggs and preparing for motherhood.She shares what it was like working as a chef at sea, how food became both her creative outlet and healing tool, and what she's learned through pregnancy after chronic illness. This episode feels like a Facetime with your funniest, most honest friend.A must-listen if you’re navigating gut health, fertility, or just love a good real-life story.And, of course, a link to our FREE Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Guide Here. Follow & ConnectInstagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: www.wearethecyclist.comHit play and come hang out with us.
In this episode, it’s just us - Jess and Kat - sitting down for a real and raw chat about Kat’s first birth and how she’s preparing for baby number two.Kat opens up about her birth with Cooper, how she ended up having an unplanned C-section, and the things she wishes she’d known beforehand. We talk about her recovery, the early postpartum days, and the products that actually helped during that chaotic season.Now, with her second baby on the way, Kat’s taking a different approach, from mindset to planning, and shares what she’s doing this time to feel more informed, calm, and empowered.Whether you’ve given birth before or are navigating it for the first time, this one feels like a warm chat with friends , with practical takeaways and honest reflections along the way.Follow & Connect:Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@wearethecyclist⁠Explore more at ⁠wearethecyclist.com⁠Hit play and come behind the scenes with us on all things birth, recovery, and doing it your way.
PCOS: Is it your hormones, your diet, or both? In this episode, we break it all down with expert Clare Goodwin (@thepcosnutritionist).Clare is a PCOS nutritionist and medical scientist who’s helped thousands of women take back control of their hormones without extreme diets or restriction.We cover what’s actually driving PCOS symptoms, why insulin is often the real root cause, and how to manage it with realistic food and lifestyle changes. Clare also answers some of your top questions - from how much inositol to take daily, to what to do when you’ve tried FODMAP, gluten-free, and everything in between. Plus: what no one tells you about stress, under-eating, and hormone chaos.Follow & Connect:Follow Clare on Instagram @thepcosnutritionistFind us on Instagram: @wearethecyclistExplore more at wearethecyclist.comHit play and let’s decode PCOS - once and for all.
This week we’re joined by Louisa Morley - mum of four, content creator, and all-round open book.In this candid, feel-good conversation, Louisa shares her journey of falling pregnant with twins at 16, navigating surprise pregnancies (yes, even while on the pill and the Mirena), and what it was really like to become an egg donor. We also chat about her experience of not having a period for two years, the emotional and hormonal shifts along the way, and how she’s approaching cycle education with her own daughters. It’s raw, relatable, and full of wisdom you wish you’d heard sooner.Follow & ConnectFollow Louisa on Instagram @louisamorley_Follow us on Instagram @wearethecyclistVisit our website: www.wearethecyclist.comHit play and join us for a conversation that feels like a FaceTime with your bestie.
This week on The Cyclist mini-series Infertility Unfiltered, we’re joined by Jennifer Edmonds, a woman who defied the odds and found her way to motherhood, twice.After being told she was in early menopause, Jennifer went on to have her first born through IVF, then later conceived her second child naturally following a long road of secondary infertility.In this episode, she shares her raw, real, and deeply hopeful journey, from heartbreak to healing, and what it’s like to hold on to hope when the path isn’t linear. Jennifer’s honesty and resilience offer powerful insight for anyone navigating their own fertility challenges.Follow & Connect:Instagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: www.wearethecyclist.comHit play to hear a story of strength, surrender, and beating the odds.
What’s really going on with your vagina, your cycle, and your hormones?This week on The Cyclist podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Olivia Smart - a Christchurch-based gynaecologist with a warm, no-nonsense approach to women’s health.In this episode, we dive deep into the menstrual cycle, vaginal health, and the often-misunderstood vaginal microbiome. Dr. Smart also helps us unpack what’s actually happening during perimenopause and menopause - and how to support your body through it all. From pH balance to hormone shifts, it’s an empowering and informative chat that leaves no question off the table.Follow & Connect:Instagram – @wearethecyclistWebsite – www.wearethecyclist.comHit play and join us for a conversation every woman deserves to hear.
What does it really mean to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatment, not just physically, but mentally and relationally?This week, we’re joined by Andy Leggat, a registered Health Psychologist and Fertility Counsellor with over 15 years of clinical experience. Andy has worked extensively with individuals and couples dealing with reproductive health challenges, including infertility, gynaecological pain, cancer, and chronic conditions.We dive deep into the emotional toll of fertility treatment, how to support a partner through the process, and why secondary infertility can come with its own set of complexities. Andy also shares insights on what not to say to a friend going through it, how to hold space for grief and hope at the same time, and what true support looks like.Follow & ConnectInstagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: www.wearethecyclist.comHit play to feel a little more seen, supported, and informed - wherever you are on your journey.
Endometriosis, stage performances, and yellow skivvies - this week we’re joined by Emma Watkins, the original Yellow Wiggle, to talk about living with endo in the spotlight.Emma opens up about her stage 4 endometriosis diagnosis, what it was like managing debilitating pain while touring the world with The Wiggles, and why she pushed through for so long, even when her body was screaming at her to stop. From pausing shows mid-performance to finding strength in slowing down, this is a story of resilience, reality, and reclaiming health on your own terms.Whether you're navigating your own endo journey or just want to hear what it really looks like behind the curtain, Emma’s story will stay with you.Follow & Connect:Instagram: @wearethecyclistWebsite: www.wearethecyclist.comHit play and join us for this powerful conversation. 💛
This week on Infertility Unfiltered (a mini series by The Cyclist), we’re joined by Jessica Giljam-Brown, a nutritionist and medical herbalist, known for her work at Wellness by Jessica. Jess shares both her personal and professional insight into infertility, a journey she knows intimately and one she now supports others through with evidence-based, holistic care.We speak with Jess about the emotional toll of infertility, how natural medicine can play a role in the process, and what she wishes more people knew when seeking support. She opens up about her own path to pregnancy, as well as practical nutrition and supplement tips for those trying to conceive.Please note: Jess is currently pregnant, so if this may be triggering for you, please take care and feel free to skip this episode.Follow & Connect:✨ Instagram: ⁠@wearethecyclist⁠✨ Website: ⁠www.wearethecyclist.com⁠We’re so glad you’re here - hit play, subscribe, and let’s learn to cycle better together.
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