1. Let’s start with a classic: What’s your worst, funniest, or most awkward period story?

One of my first periods arrived right in the middle of a jazz ballet exam—while I was in a leotard. Talking was strictly forbidden, so I was too scared to ask for a bathroom break. Looking back, I know the examiner would have completely understood, but at the time, I was frozen with embarrassment. Eventually, she gently said, “Dear, I think you might need to go to the bathroom.” I was mortified then, but now? It’s definitely a story that makes me laugh.

2. What’s something about your body you wish you’d known sooner?

I wish I had known that going on the pill hadn’t solved my painful periods—it had just masked them. It wasn’t until my mid-20s, when I decided I didn’t want to stay on the pill long-term, that the pain came roaring back. That’s when I realised I had to dig deeper into the root cause. Since then, I’ve learned so much about managing symptoms through lifestyle choices, like following a low-inflammatory diet, which has made a world of difference for my endometriosis. I just wish I’d known all of this sooner.

3. Have you been diagnosed with a women’s health condition?

I’ve never had a formal endometriosis diagnosis because I haven’t had a laparoscopy. But when I was pregnant, an internal scan confirmed what I’d suspected—my reproductive organs were stuck together, one of the telltale signs of endo. What’s frustrating? I first went to a doctor about my unmanageable period pain when I was 15. It wasn’t until my 30s that a healthcare practitioner even mentioned endometriosis as a possibility.

4. What was your diagnosis experience like?

I was constantly told that period pain is normal and that the pill would fix everything. When I decided to come off it, I was dismissed again—told I was being silly because I had already found something that "worked."

It wasn’t until I started working with a naturopath during my fertility journey that I realised: this wasn’t normal. There was likely an underlying cause.

I had to fight to be taken seriously, to find practitioners who were willing to dig deeper instead of just masking my symptoms. It was a long, exhausting—and expensive—process, which doesn’t feel right. No one should have to work this hard just to get answers about their own body.

5. How has your condition changed your daily life?

Because I’ve chosen to manage my endo symptoms naturally, I have to be mindful of everything—eating a mostly low-inflammatory diet, managing stress, and taking supplements to support my body.

I treat my cycle as a monthly check-in with my health. If I have a more painful period, it’s usually a sign that something in my lifestyle has been out of balance. It’s a reminder to recenter and refocus on my well-being.

Right now, I’m pregnant—so I have to admit, I’m enjoying the break from my cycle, the pain, and the PMS that can come with it!

6. Have you tried anything that has helped you manage your symptoms?

About 18 months ago, I did a DUTCH test, and the results were shocking—my cortisol levels were so low that my naturopath had to call the lab to confirm they weren’t a mistake.

I had been running on stress for so long that my body had completely burned out. My naturopath explained that this level of imbalance was fueling inflammation, making my endo symptoms worse.

Since then, I’ve focused on recalibrating my body. I take herbs and supplements to support my adrenals, and I’ve swapped HIIT workouts for lower-impact movement like reformer Pilates, yoga, and strength training. I’ve noticed a huge difference in my cycle and my endo symptoms as a result.

7. What’s one thing you wish more people understood about women’s health?

Your cycle is so much more than just your period—it’s an incredible tool for checking in with your overall health. Your body is always giving you signals. You just have to learn how to listen.

8. If you could tell younger you one thing about your body, what would it be?

You only get one body. Treat it like the place you’re going to live for the rest of your life.

9. When your body feels hard to live in, how do you take care of yourself?

I go back to the basics:
- Prioritising sleep
- Fueling my body with the right foods
- Getting outside in nature
- Connecting with people I love

It’s not about quick fixes—it’s about coming home to myself.