The Female Health Solution Podcast

What does it take to create lasting health and fitness changes—especially when life feels overwhelming? In this episode, Dr. Beth Westie sits down with Ashley Fillmore to discuss why a strategic, sustainable approach matters more than quick fixes. Together, they explore the bigger picture of metabolic health, the pressure of diet culture, and the guilt that can arise when progress doesn't match expectations. Their conversation emphasizes patience, self-compassion, and realistic timelines, with a reminder that your approach to health needs to account for the season of life you're in! In This Episode Why more health information doesn't always make it easier to know what to do. The role of outside guidance and self-compassion in navigating health challenges. How high expectations, guilt, and shame can contribute to burnout. Why sustainable change requires realistic planning—not promises of instant transformation. The value of returning to the basics and building consistency. How listening to your body and adjusting your lifestyle and mindset can support long-term health.   All bout Ashley! Ashley Fillmore is a leading expert in sustainable weight-loss. She helps women heal their metabolism, balance their hormones, and achieve body-composition changes that last a lifetime. Ashley has a BSc in Exercise and Nutrition and is a certified personal trainer, professional nutrition coach, and health educator with nearly twenty years of experience! Ashley is the host of the top-rated podcast, Cheers to Your Success! She is the founder and president of Metabolic Fix™ – a premium online coaching company that has helped thousands of women finally break free from chronic dieting and achieve long-term, sustainable results using the Metabolic Fix Method™. She is deeply committed to helping women better their lives, and strives to inspire others to embrace the life of health, happiness, and self-love they deserve. Episode Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction and guest background Meet Ashley Fillmore and learn about her work helping women pursue sustainable health and body-composition changes. 01:02 — The influence of health knowledge on self-help How health knowledge shapes the way women approach their own wellness. 01:44 — Ashley's experience in health and hormonal focus Ashley shares her background and her focus on metabolism and hormonal health. 03:06 — The bigger picture of metabolic health Looking beyond weight loss to consider a broader approach to health. 04:00 — Information overwhelm and high-achieving women The challenges of navigating abundant health advice while holding yourself to high standards. 05:14 — Outside guidance and self-compassion Why support and a kinder approach to yourself can make a difference. 06:12 — Diet culture and high standards How diet culture can influence expectations around bodies, health, and progress. 07:10 — Guilt and shame around health struggles A discussion of the emotional weight that can accompany health challenges. 09:08 — Common mistakes: lack of self-grace and burnout Why pushing harder without allowing yourself grace can become unsustainable. 10:14 — Life stressors and seasons of life How changing responsibilities and stress levels affect your capacity for health and fitness goals. 16:18 — Unrealistic transformation timelines Examining expectations about how quickly meaningful change should happen. 18:57 — Patience and realistic planning The importance of creating a plan that allows time for sustainable progress. 22:15 — The myth of instant transformation Why lasting results require a different approach from quick-fix promises. 23:32 — Basics and consistency The value of foundational habits and showing up consistently over time. 33:06 — Body size, health, and authenticity Exploring the relationship between body size, personal health, and being true to yourself. 34:20 — Listening to your body and managing food noise A conversation about tuning into your body and navigating persistent thoughts about food. 39:13 — Lifestyle and mindset changes How everyday choices and your approach to health can support long-term well-being. 40:16 — Where to find Ashley and final thoughts Learn where to connect with Ashley and hear the conversation's closing reflections.   Schedule a free strategy call here: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call  

Understanding Your Body After Birth Control What every woman should know about hormonal changes post-pill. What happens when you stop hormonal birth control—and why doesn't your body always return to its usual rhythm right away? Dr. Beth Westie explores the transition off birth control, including missing periods, weight changes, mood swings, and the return of ovulation. Dr. Westie explains how hormonal birth control alters your natural cycle and discusses the role of communication between the brain and ovaries—the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis—in restoring cycle function. Drawing on personal experience and a fertility case study, she explores how stress, nutrient availability, gut health, and underlying hormonal issues may affect this transition. The episode also covers cycle tracking, testing, and personalized support to help you better understand your symptoms and identify next steps. Every woman's experience is different, and understanding your body's needs is an important part of moving forward. Episode Timestamps 00:24 — Introduction to the hormonal impacts of birth control 00:52 — Common symptoms after stopping birth control 01:19 — Why Dr. Westie describes birth control as replacing—not regulating—your cycle 02:14 — The physiological cascade associated with hormonal birth control 04:33 — Dr. Westie's personal experience as an athlete 07:18 — Why your natural cycle may take time to resume 08:14 — Understanding communication between the brain and ovaries 09:33 — How stress and lifestyle can affect ovulation 11:23 — A case study on nutrient restriction and fertility 14:06 — Potential nutrient depletion associated with birth control 15:29 — Gut health and estrogen metabolism 17:50 — How interconnected body systems influence hormonal health 18:49 — The importance of testing and personalized assessment 19:16 — Supporting the nutrients needed for hormonal health 20:43 — Managing stress and lifestyle factors 21:39 — Monitoring your cycle and symptoms 23:03 — Using the hormone cascade map to understand your health 24:02 — Taking action and next steps for hormonal recovery Further Reading Beyond the Pill Your Brain on Birth Control For questions or personalized support, book a free strategy call with Dr. Westie's team: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call

In this episode, I dig into one of the most overlooked pieces of the women's health puzzle: ferritin. If you've been struggling with hair loss, stubborn fatigue, or that feeling of running on empty no matter how much you sleep, your iron reserves may be at the heart of it. I explain why standard iron testing so often misses the real story, how ferritin acts as your body's savings account for iron, and why hair loss is frequently one of the earliest warning signs that something is off beneath the surface. I also walk through the factors that quietly deplete your reserves, from heavy periods and gut absorption issues to inflammation that can artificially mask a deficiency. Most importantly, I share what real recovery looks like, including why patience and a personalized, root-cause approach matter so much when you're rebuilding your iron stores. If this episode resonates with you and you're ready to stop guessing about what your body needs, I'd love to help you get clarity. You can book a free strategy call with our team to talk through your symptoms and explore whether comprehensive testing and a personalized plan are the right next step for you. Sometimes the fastest way forward is simply having someone help you connect the dots. Free Ferritin PDF Download: https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/the-ferritin-pdf-download Grab a time here: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call Chapters 00:00 — Introduction to hair loss and the importance of ferritin 02:11 — Common misconceptions about iron testing 04:11 — Ferritin as a reserve, not just circulating iron 06:21 — Ferritin as an early warning sign 08:46 — Why hair loss occurs before other symptoms 09:40 — The importance of comprehensive testing 11:16 — Diffuse shedding vs. patchy hair loss 12:16 — Regrowth delays and the need for patience 13:13 — Timing and long-term recovery 14:14 — Challenges with supplements and absorption 16:36 — Timeline for ferritin and hair recovery 17:50 — Factors affecting iron absorption 18:47 — Heavy periods and iron loss 19:30 — A holistic approach to iron and health 20:16 — Inflammation and ferritin levels 22:40 — The importance of full iron panel testing 23:39 — Next steps for personalized treatment 26:18 — Long-term results and patience 27:14 — Empowering women to take control of their health 28:05 — Final thoughts and encouragement   Ready to get to the root of your symptoms? Book your free strategy call today and let's build a plan that's tailored to you: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call  

Are you exhausted no matter how much you rest? In this episode, Dr. Beth Westie breaks down the critical differences between burnout and chronic fatigue—two conditions that are often confused but require very different approaches to heal. Dr. Westie explains how to identify the root causes of your exhaustion, why proper testing is non-negotiable for an accurate diagnosis, and how personalized treatment makes all the difference. Through real-life examples and practical advice, she helps women finally understand why they feel the way they do—and what to actually do about it. If you've been told your labs are "normal" while you continue to run on empty, this episode is for you. 👉 Ready to get to the root of your fatigue? Book a free strategy call with Dr. Beth's team here: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call Chapters & Timestamps Time Topic 00:00 Introduction to burnout and chronic fatigue 02:13 External vs. internal causes of fatigue 03:49 Signs of burnout and when it responds to circumstances 05:58 Deep physiological causes of chronic fatigue 07:54 The cultural mindset and pushing through exhaustion 09:59 The importance of proper testing and diagnosis 11:52 Case study: burnout in a healthcare worker 14:02 Persistent fatigue despite rest and lifestyle changes 15:58 Lab tests for thyroid, adrenal, and nutrient levels 18:03 Treatment approaches for burnout vs. chronic fatigue 20:07 The significance of personalized treatment plans 21:52 Real-life success stories and transformations 23:54 The importance of addressing physiological drivers 25:49 The dangers of ignoring physical symptoms 28:06 Dr. Beth's personal postpartum experience with thyroid issues 30:11 Final thoughts and call to action Key Takeaways Burnout often responds to changes in your circumstances—reduced stress, rest, and recovery can move the needle. Chronic fatigue persists despite rest and lifestyle changes, because it's driven by underlying physiological issues like thyroid dysfunction, adrenal dysregulation, blood sugar imbalances, and gut health. The only way to know which one you're dealing with? Proper, comprehensive testing—not a single marker and a "you're fine." Recommended Lab Testing Mentioned Thyroid panel (beyond just TSH) Adrenal / cortisol function Blood sugar markers Nutrient levels Gut health assessment Resources & Next Steps Still feeling exhausted and not sure where to start? You don't have to figure this out alone. Schedule your FREE strategy call with Dr. Beth Westie's team to uncover the root of your fatigue and build a personalized plan to restore your energy: 🔗 https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call No pressure, no obligation—just clarity about whether this is the right next step for you. Connect Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so more women can find the answers they've been searching for. Share this episode with a friend who's been running on empty! Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace advice from a licensed medical professional. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs.

Dr. Beth Westie, women's health and hormone expert, tackles one of the most frustrating experiences women face in their late 30s, 40s, and 50s: being told their labs are "normal" while their body feels anything but. In this episode, she explores why standard blood work often misses the bigger picture—and why "normal" and "optimal" are not the same thing. Dr. Beth breaks down how conventional reference ranges are built, why even many functional practitioners don't get women all the way to feeling better, and why the order in which the body's systems are addressed can make or break your results. Along the way, she shares a few real case examples and a personal story that illustrates just how broken the current testing system can be. If you've cycled through practitioners, protocols, and supplements and you're still not yourself, this conversation offers a new way to think about what's really going on! Dr. Beth also invites listeners to go deeper in her free live workshop, the Complete Hormone Reset Masterclass, where she walks through her full framework, key pillars, real cases, and the specific markers worth running. Register for the workshop here: https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/the-hormone-reset-workshop