What if some of the patterns you're carrying didn't actually start with you? In this episode of PCOS Unfiltered: Nourish, Heal, Thrive, I sit down with Tatiana Slezak for a deeply personal conversation about her lifelong experience with PCOS, painful and unpredictable periods, heavy bleeding, hormone treatments, and the years she spent being told that this was simply something she had to live with. But Tatiana's journey eventually led her to begin looking beyond her physical symptoms and exploring the relationship she had with herself. Together, we talk about generational patterns, self-talk, meditation, journaling, body connection, and the importance of creating space to actually listen to yourself. Tatiana also shares her personal spiritual perspective on energy and generational trauma, and how that inner work has become an important part of her own wellness journey.
Listening is a great place to start, but lasting change happens when you begin putting these ideas into practice.
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This week, I want you to pay attention to something you hear all day long but may rarely notice:
The way you talk to yourself.
Tatiana reminds us that even when we're doing something meant to support ourselves—like meditation, journaling, movement, or eating differently—we can turn it into another opportunity to judge ourselves when we don't do it "perfectly."
So this week, simply notice.
❤️ What do you say to yourself when you make a mistake?
❤️ What do you say when you miss a workout or don't follow through on something you planned?
❤️ Would you speak to someone you love the same way?
You don't have to fix every thought. Start by noticing it.
Then ask yourself:
What would it sound like to speak to my body with curiosity, appreciation, and a little more grace?
Tatiana Slezak joins me in this episode to share her personal experience with PCOS and the inner and spiritual practices that have become part of her wellness journey.
Her work explores topics including self-awareness, meditation, energy, inner work, generational patterns, and creating a deeper connection with yourself.
Want to learn more about Tatiana and her work?
🌐 Website:
http://tatianaslezak.com/
▶️ YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@TatianaSlezak
📸 Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/iamtatianaslezak/
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❤️ Share this episode with someone who feels stuck or is ready for a fresh perspective.
⭐ Leave a review to help more women discover PCOS Unfiltered.
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Remember:
Your life isn't determined by your past, your diagnosis, or your circumstances. The stories you believe shape the choices you make—and every new choice is an opportunity to create a different future.
⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health routine.
(0:00) I still, I always come back to this language you use towards yourself, because you are the one (0:07) the closest to yourself. And if you go, Oh, you idiot, you didn't do this meditation today. (0:12) Oh my gosh, woman.These are the pieces of energy that go to your body. (0:21) When you, when you have those thoughts, those little thoughts about yourself. (0:30) Again, don't feel guilty when that happens, but realizing that the words that we use (0:38) towards ourselves have huge, huge impact on how our body functions.(0:44) Welcome back to PCOS Unfiltered, where we help you understand what your body has been trying to (0:51) tell you all along. I'm your host, Lindsay, nurse turned health coach, two-time author and body (0:57) wisdom guide. Here, I help you understand the messages behind your symptoms so you can stop (1:03) fighting your body and start working with it.Before we jump into today's episode, I have (1:08) something special coming up that I want to make sure you know all about. So on September 30th, (1:13) I am hosting a free online workshop called stop starting over. If you're tired of trying harder, (1:19) starting another plan or feeling like you're doing everything right, and still not feeling (1:23) like yourself, this workshop is for you.We're going to look at your health through a different (1:28) lens. One that starts with understanding your body instead of blaming it. So no new diet, (1:33) no complicated plan and no more rules to follow perfectly.It's completely free and you can find (1:38) registration link in the show notes. I'd love to have you there. Now today's conversation is a really (1:44) interesting one.My guest is Tatiana Slezak and she shares her own lifelong experience with PCOS, (1:51) now PMOS and hormonal symptoms from painful, unpredictable periods, beginning as a teenager (1:57) to years of being offered hormones and eventually being told that this was simply something she'd (2:02) have to just live with. But Tatiana's journey eventually led her to start asking deeper (2:07) questions and exploring the emotional, energetic and generational patterns that she believes played (2:12) a role in her own experience. We talk about generational trauma, the expectations women (2:17) have carried for generations, the way we speak to ourselves and some of the simple practices Tatiana (2:23) has used in her own life.From journaling and quiet time to becoming more aware of the language (2:28) she uses toward herself. And I really love one of the themes that comes through in this conversation. (2:34) Your inner work doesn't need to become another thing you're trying to do perfectly.(2:39) Sometimes it can begin with a few quiet minutes, a breath, a journal or simply noticing how you're (2:44) speaking to yourself. Some of the ideas we explore today reflect Tatiana's personal experience (2:50) and beliefs and aren't necessarily established medical science. So as always, I encourage you (2:55) to listen with curiosity.You don't have to agree with everything you hear. Take what resonates, (3:00) ask questions, and let the conversation invite you to think about your own story (3:04) in a different way. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only (3:09) and should not be considered medical advice.Please consult your healthcare provider before (3:14) making any changes to your diet, exercise or treatment plan. Now go ahead, settle in, (3:20) grab your favorite beverage and maybe have something nearby to take some notes. (3:23) And let's dive in.Here's my conversation with Tatiana Slezak. (3:34) Hello and welcome. Welcome back to PCOS Unfiltered.And welcome to Tatiana. I am (3:42) super, super excited to have her here and have her share her story. So let's just begin there.(3:50) Yeah, tell us about you and why you're here. (3:55) Well, I'm here on your podcast. Thank you so much for having me.Because I really think it's such an (4:05) important topic. And I'm so glad that we hear about this more and more. And that you actually (4:14) dedicated full podcast to I still call it PCOS.I know. Yeah, yeah. Has changed as (4:25) I struggled my whole life with all sorts of hormonal, hormonal issues.And at the time, (4:33) nobody really knew what's happening happening until I think, even now, basically, it's the (4:41) world's just started to open. And that's why I'm here. That's why I reached out because (4:50) I really do think that you are doing an amazing job, just bringing all those people together and (4:58) having conversation.Not as a taboo topic somewhere. Yeah. Yeah, thank you.Yeah. Yeah, (5:08) eventually, we'll probably transition to PMOS. But right now, we're still incorporating, right? (5:19) But I mean, tell us tell us about your story.You know, you had some, some like female, (5:25) you know, hormonal issues, you know, yourself, right? So tell us a little bit more about that. (5:30) Yes. So since I remember the first time I got my period, and maybe (5:35) I'm second period, and the party started, so am I, (5:41) I was in huge pain.So I grew up in Poland. So it was back in Poland was born in 76. (5:50) So after after having my second period, all all of a sudden, I am, I am in huge pain.And (5:59) basically, my mom back then, use towels for me at night. So (6:09) I was just bleeding so much. And it's been like this since, actually, and show shortly after, (6:21) I was diagnosed with PCOS back then and straight to hormones, right? So then I am in high school, (6:29) taking hormones, bloating.And basically, that was the only thing that was offered. And then (6:39) fast forward. I moved also I lived for a while in the United States, then again, hormones, (6:46) then hormones, hormones, hormones.And at some it didn't feel right. So at some point, I just stopped (6:54) having hormones on my own, and decided just to live with this somehow. (7:06) Through I had diagnosis done exactly 20 years ago, where I was told that I do not have PCOS anymore, (7:16) which was very surprising, because I was told this is what I'm going to have through my, (7:22) through my whole life.But I just try all the alternative methods I could think of, (7:30) because I just knew that I don't want to take hormones to the rest of my life, (7:35) because that was the only thing that was offered, as well as this. Not the surgery, they (7:43) are through through my belly, they went, they try to come up the cysts. And that that was, (7:53) that was basically it.So that's that was my all whole contact with the regular medical field (8:03) when it comes and what I heard all the time, that's, that's how you are. You just need to (8:10) get used to it. So I kind of got used to it that seven days of my life are going to be of my month (8:18) are going to be screwed.And since ever, and whenever I asked for help, and recently here (8:24) in Australia, I went to that not recently, I say recently, but it was actually about 15 years ago, (8:32) when I actually went to the hospital, to maybe find out there is something that can be done, (8:40) what I've heard is, oh, it's because you are getting older. And I'm like, but I had it since, (8:48) you know, since I was a teenager. So then this is where I realized I really need to dig, (8:54) dig even deeper.After that, that maybe that's a wrong approach, because I know things have (9:01) changed. But I decided just to look for stuff on my own and start doing my own inner work, (9:09) to see what the hell is really happening. And in my case, what is the actual cause of, of that? (9:19) Yeah, I hope it makes sense.But I myself, from the medical field when it comes to to that, because, (9:28) oh, that's how you are. That's so many women have that. Blah, blah, blah, blah.(9:35) Yeah. Yeah, no, I appreciate you sharing your story. And I've had other women on (9:40) as well that have had, you know, their own journeys of PCOS.And it's always interesting, (9:45) because there's everybody's so different. Right? Like, I mean, so you experienced the heavy (9:52) bleeding. And were you were you still every month to? (9:57) Oh, no, no, no.So my periods generally were every two weeks, every three weeks, every two months. So (10:04) I was all over the place always never could even put my calendar up. And one doctor asked me to (10:10) measure the temperature.It was also over the place. She said that I was making this up, (10:17) then I was told the reason is because I'm too fat. I wasn't really fat.I'm a tall girl. (10:23) So maybe it's because yeah, you should lose weight. But yeah, I was all over the place.(10:32) Yeah, wow. Yeah, I mean, and then that's interesting, because like one of the criteria (10:35) now, which, you know, maybe they weren't saying this at the time, but, you know, is, is less than (10:42) nine periods a year to be diagnosed, you know, so, but I've heard other stories like yours, (10:48) where it's been more frequent periods, heavy periods, you know, that type of thing that they (10:53) still end up getting diagnosed. And so I think, you know, like we were talking about, like with (10:58) name change, you know, recently, to, you know, to PMOS, which you even said, right, like, you (11:04) didn't really think about like, what PCOS actually stood for, you know, because it's it, it, it was (11:13) focused more on the hormones, you know, but now I think we're discovering that there's more to it, (11:19) you know, kind of like what you were saying, once you started doing, you know, some of the inner (11:23) work, but, but it's just interesting to me, too.It's, it's a lot of like birth control, right? (11:28) You know, they just put a bandaid on it. And, you know, oh, we'll keep an eye on it. You just (11:34) got to live with it.It's very unfortunate, because sure, you know, there's nothing like (11:40) life threatening, there's, you can live with it. But that's not optimal. That's not how you should (11:48) be living your life, right? Like you were saying, you know, seven days a month, where you just, (11:55) okay, I gotta, you know, I gotta have backups, and I'm going to be in pain and all that stuff.Like, (12:00) it's just, unfortunately, that's, that's, I feel like the traditional healthcare system all the (12:07) times. Yes. And it's not only that it's seven days, because then after those seven days, (12:12) you need to recover after the after those days, right? So it's, and me being quite energetical, (12:20) and wanting to do many things, I'm actually admiring myself how I managed to, to push (12:29) through it.But then it's this recovery thing, more than more than seven days. And hearing that, (12:40) that's how you are, that's your beauty, women are, that's, we have this expression in Polish, (12:48) that's your beauty, like part of you. Women are hormonal and stuff.I basically put it a little (12:56) bit on the side thinking, okay, that's, that's how I am. Apart from some moments hearing at school, (13:02) why you can't take part in PE, or you're making things up, blah, blah, blah. So not everybody (13:08) believing you.I think my mom was the one who really believed me. And what's what was happening, (13:14) I saw her suffering because she never had those issues. So she was suffering for me.But there (13:20) was not much that she could do apart from letting me to, to stay home. I must say that things got (13:28) slightly better since I had my kids. But, but still, still, instead of, (13:39) instead of having it for a week, let's say I am, I am in pain for, for one day.(13:49) However, I'm extremely, extremely grateful that my kids don't have that, because I have two (13:56) daughters, and that I didn't pass it. And I truly believe maybe some people would say I'm delusional, (14:02) but I truly believe that one of the reasons that they didn't get it is also the inner work that (14:08) I started to do with them when I had them in, in my belly. Because I know that so many from (14:20) my friends that so many kids, they, girls, they take it from their moms, and (14:30) either it's coincidence or not.But, but they didn't. And I'm, I'm very grateful (14:37) for that, because I think that would be extremely hard seeing them. Yeah, yeah, yeah.(14:44) Well, yeah, let's, let's dive a little deeper into that. Because I know, like, when we talked the (14:50) first time, you know, we were talking about, like, generational trauma, right? And, you know, and how (14:55) that can carry over. And I think that's an important conversation, too.You know, when I, when I went to (15:00) Costa Rica, that was one thing that got brought up, and I hadn't, like, yeah, I'd, like, heard of it, (15:06) you know? But, like, we actually dove a little deeper into that, and you don't realize, I think, (15:12) the effect that it really, truly, you know, does have. Yeah, so generational trauma, plus also us as (15:24) women. I don't want to create us women as victims.But we, as women, we went through so much. (15:33) And basically, and so going from the big picture, us as women, all over the world, (15:42) who are going through so much through generations and generations. Then going to individual cases, (15:52) we carry on our shoulders more, more than we should.So we take care of other people, (16:00) we don't really care about ourselves. We worry, nurture, and basically handling so much. (16:09) Then we have a lineage of women.So when I started to dig in, I realized that the most (16:19) things that are happening were from my father's side, that all the women were suffering. So that (16:28) was interesting that I got it. I believe I got it from my dad.However, also, my mom's lineage (16:36) also went through lots of difficult things, war situations. And so I believe when I started to (16:48) dig in, I can see energies and that it's deeply imprinted in us. So then we suffer because that's (17:07) how our body can also process how much we need to go through.So what needs to be healed, (17:18) it's the whole generation of women, plus the lineage, plus individual things that are happening. (17:28) How was your mom? How was she handling her womanhood? And I strongly believe (17:37) working with women a lot, not necessarily on this issue, but on other issues, (17:44) that you can stop things on you so you don't pass them to your kids. I feel like I healed (17:55) 80% of my issue with myself.It's quite difficult to work on yourself. It's easier to work with (18:03) other people. But I'm confident that because of this work, I didn't pass it to my kids.And that's (18:13) the most important thing for me. However, also, I don't want other women to feel guilty because (18:20) that's the worst thing that you can do if your kids actually have it. I believe that there is (18:30) no harm in doing inner, energetical, emotional work, even if you don't believe it or (18:41) you still can heal so many parts of your life.So it's always beneficial to do it. There is really (18:49) no risk. The only thing you can gain is results.But I believe that we are all energy. Our thoughts, (19:01) our emotions, it's all energy. And it needs to either go out or it will stay in your body.(19:10) Once it stays in your body, it can really mess things up. And then once we are in the belly, (19:17) in our mom's belly, and things are happening around them, we absorb, we take those things (19:25) as children as well. And energetically, things are shifting, really shifting right now.(19:32) And I think my mom's generation wasn't able to do that. But our generation has this capacity (19:41) of really energetically start changing ourselves. And then we can change things around us and (19:49) eventually the world.But what's happening internally in us, the language we use towards (19:58) ourselves is extremely important and has big impact on our body, on everything that's happening (20:09) there. I hope it makes sense. I know I'm a little bit in circles, but I really see that.I really (20:28) see that. Sometimes you are the worst with judgments that you put. And it makes things worse (20:41) and it's harder to heal the regulation.If you work from different sides and you go to the (20:54) energetical side of you, you go to the source, in my opinion, that's the source. (21:04) It's a bigger issue than just you and me. It's actually the whole womanhood, all of us.(21:12) Yeah, yeah. No, I mean, I completely agree. I mean, like you said, I think we have the capacity (21:18) in this day and age to be able to change that.And it still is probably in process. We're still (21:26) maybe not fully there yet, but we're definitely a lot better than maybe our moms or grandmoms (21:35) that all they had to worry about was being the wife and taking care of the house and making (21:41) sure they were home-cooked meals and they didn't work. They didn't make money.Even if you think (21:47) way back, right? At one point, women didn't have the right to vote. They couldn't do certain (21:54) things like we can now. And I do believe that, yes, that is carried through.But we're in this (22:06) time when I think we can start making those changes. But it does, it starts with us, (22:12) starts with the stories we tell ourselves, right? Like you were kind of saying. So what specifically (22:20) maybe, I mean, I know for me, for example, sometimes it's just journaling, just something (22:27) that might seem so simple.I recently started doing more meditation. (22:31) But like what more specifically were some things maybe that you (22:38) implemented to kind of start doing some of that inner work? (22:45) Journaling is amazing. And when you write down actually using pen and paper, (22:53) there is this also connection.So with journaling, I wasn't sure how to start. (23:02) So I started to write letters to the higher power. (23:06) I love that.(23:07) Yeah. And sometimes it doesn't make sense what you write. And sometimes it's worth to go really, (23:19) really deep.So there are different types of journaling, writing what you are grateful for. (23:25) That's actually, I know that some people say, oh, grateful for, but it's actually, (23:32) that's the real small seed that you can then, that is getting stronger and stronger. (23:41) And the energy in your body is changing.One tool that I actually really love, and I have been doing (23:50) it for ages now, not for some so long, but six years. I call it meeting with the boss. (24:03) So I wake up a bit earlier and just sit down and I wouldn't call it a meditation.I just sit (24:13) and I call it, I meet with the higher power, but I don't have any task to ask questions or anything. (24:21) I just, I just sit. And I, the reason I call it meeting with the boss is I know that I wouldn't (24:27) skip the meeting with the boss and that I need to do it for at least five to 20 minutes a day.(24:35) And the moment, it's like quiet time, quiet time. But then I remember I started (24:44) doing it in different parts of the day and then I forgot. And then I said, oh, actually, (24:49) I wouldn't skip the meeting with the boss.I call it meeting with the boss. And then (24:56) when I was doing it, I realized it doesn't, I don't do anything. It doesn't give me anything (25:03) because I just sit there basically.Sometimes I have some profound thoughts, but most of the time (25:10) I just sit there and nothing is happening. And I thought nothing was happening until I noticed how (25:17) less reactive I became on some situations. And I started putting those dots together.(25:25) So, oh, that must be my meetings with the boss. Meaningless, whatever. I just sit, (25:33) I make sure I sit so it's still on the bed.So sometimes I would meditate, sometimes close my (25:39) eyes, but there is basically no plan. Not like, okay, I'm meditating now. It's just whatever (25:46) happens, happens.And it happens as well that I have lots of thoughts when, when I sit and it's (25:53) okay as well. I found that that was an amazing tool. First thing in the morning when we are still (26:00) in between worlds, sleeping world and reality.So that was my, that's my biggest thing. (26:12) Yeah. I love that.Oh my gosh. (26:14) Yeah. And apart from, because like you said, journaling, meditation, absolutely, absolutely (26:25) amazing.But controlling, catching yourself without guilt again, because that's the biggest (26:32) one. We tend to go, okay, I'm meditating and then I don't meditate and I go, oh, why could you do (26:39) that? We tend to, I think, blame ourselves even for not doing good things. (26:47) What I wanted to say, oh yeah, I, I still, I always come back to this language you use towards (26:54) yourself because you are the one that closest to yourself.And if you go, oh, you idiot, (26:59) you didn't do this meditation today. Oh my gosh, woman. These are the pieces of energy (27:07) that go to your body.When you, when you have those thoughts, those little thoughts about (27:17) yourself and it's important to let it out. Again, don't feel guilty when that happens, (27:28) but realizing that the, the words that we use towards ourselves have huge, huge impact on (27:37) how our body functions. Yeah.And we, we tend to beat ourselves up constantly as women, I believe. (27:47) Yes. I would probably agree with you.I have my moments still. That's for sure. (27:53) Yeah.But important is for this to be a joy, joyful process, not another work that you need to (28:00) do. Oh, again, I did it. And now I feel guilty that I did it.You can, even once you catch it, (28:07) let it go with your breathing. Okay. Let it out.Let it out. It's okay. It's okay.(28:14) And it does change the energy of the whole body. And it's like holistic place. And it, (28:23) it starts to shift our hormones, our mental health.Yeah. Yeah. That's what I would say (28:32) are the most important things.Then of course, food, physical movement. And, but I decided that (28:43) maybe I can bring the information about the energy here as well. And realizing and being good to (28:56) yourself that it's not only you that you actually carrying, and in most cases, a lineage of, (29:05) of women who actually suffered.And maybe it's time for you to, to heal this. So it's not going (29:15) to be passed to, to other women. Yeah.Yeah. Yeah. And our mothers just exactly as you said, (29:26) our mothers were more on survival modes.That was this generation that they had to survive, (29:33) provide their, the people were not yet ready to, to think about this. And we, that the problem, (29:41) the problem is that we are actually starting. So we are like, you know, those people who came (29:49) to Australia where I'm from now, and it's, it's an open field.It's a trial and error, (29:58) really, because we don't fully know probably generations after they will have those tools (30:03) and they will know how to work with energy and stuff, but we are just starting. We are pioneers (30:10) in having those new tools to, to heal ourselves as well. Not just tablets, but also energy that, (30:20) and we can do a lot by ourselves.Yeah. Does it make sense? Yes, it does. (30:30) It does.I mean, I feel like, you know, like you said, the meeting with the boss, like, (30:33) I feel like that's still a form of meditation in a way, you know, when you just like, there's no, (30:37) you know, like meditation doesn't have to be what everybody thinks it is sitting in silence for (30:42) whatever, you know? So, I mean, I love that. And I think it just gives you that time, you know, (30:49) to yourself, like sometimes, again, as women too, right? We just, we need that time because (30:56) we are constantly thinking about everybody else. It's just kind of our nature too.And yes, (31:02) because of the generational, you know, piece too, but, but we need that time to ourselves and, (31:09) you know, maybe some more than others. But I, I think the important thing is too, (31:12) kind of like you mentioned, you know, maybe five minutes, maybe 20 minutes for some people (31:16) just starting off, it might be two minutes, right? I mean, it might be something super small (31:24) and you might have to work your way up. I know like for me, I have to be careful because (31:29) in my mind, I think if I can't do something for like, you know, 30 minutes or something, (31:34) then I'm just like, why bother? You know, when it's like, all I need is a couple minutes, (31:39) five minutes, whatever it might be.And I know that I can get a lot of benefit out of that. (31:46) Such an interesting conversation with Tatiana. And I think there's one message I really want (31:51) you to take with you today.Give yourself some grace, whether it's your nutrition, movement, (31:57) meditation, journaling, or any of the other inner work we talked about today, (32:01) please don't turn it into another thing. You have to do perfectly. Your health is in a straight (32:06) line.Your body changes, your life changes, and sometimes the tools you need change too. (32:12) And honestly, that ties so perfectly into something I have coming up. (32:15) If you're tired of feeling like you're constantly starting over another Monday, another diet, (32:21) another plan, another promise that this time you're going to get it right.I want you to join (32:26) me for my free stop starting over workshop on September 30th at 6 p.m. Eastern. We're going (32:32) to talk about why lasting change doesn't come from trying harder or being more disciplined. (32:36) It starts with understanding what your body actually needs and learning how to work with (32:41) it instead of against it.You can grab your free spot through the link in the show notes. (32:46) And as always, I want to hear from you. Send me the word body on Instagram and tell me what (32:51) stood out from today's conversation or what you want to hear more of on the podcast.I'll also (32:56) send you the link to join us inside the healthy ever after community so we can keep these (33:00) conversations going beyond the show. And if you enjoyed today's episode, make sure to subscribe, (33:05) leave a review and share it with someone who might need this reminder today. (33:09) Because healing doesn't come from doing more.It comes from understanding better. (33:14) I'm sending you so much love and I'll see you on the next episode of PCOS unfiltered, (33:19) nourish, heal, thrive.