What if your body isn’t broken… but trying to communicate with you? In this powerful episode of PCOS Unfiltered, Lindsie sits down with Allie Chandler to explore her decade-long journey from being a healthy, active athlete to suddenly becoming chronically ill—and ultimately finding her way back to healing. After a trip abroad triggered a cascade of symptoms, Allie spent years navigating misdiagnoses, overwhelming physical challenges, and a healthcare system that couldn’t fully connect the dots. Through that process, she became her own advocate—diving into functional medicine, uncovering root causes, and discovering a crucial missing piece: the nervous system. This conversation goes far beyond PCOS and supplements. It dives into the emotional toll of chronic illness, the role of trauma and nervous system dysregulation, and why so many women feel stuck despite “doing everything right.” If you’ve ever felt frustrated, dismissed, or like your body isn’t responding the way it should—this episode will give you a completely new lens on healing. Because healing isn’t about doing more… it’s about doing what actually supports your body.
🌿 Allie’s Healing Journey
🧠 The Emotional Toll of Chronic Illness
⚡ Nervous System & True Healing
Tools Allie used in her healing:
💊 PCOS & Supplements: What Most People Get Wrong
Foundational work before supplements:
⚠️ Supplement Quality & Safety
“You’re the only one who knows how you feel—so you have to keep advocating for yourself.”
“You can throw all the supplements at it, but if your body doesn’t feel safe, it’s not going to stick.”
“Your body isn’t broken—it’s communicating.”
“Healing doesn’t happen through pressure or perfection—it happens when your body feels safe.”
If this episode resonated with you, take a moment to ask yourself:
Where am I trying to force my body instead of actually supporting it?
If you loved this conversation:
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) So the good news is that I'm like, I would say 99% better. (0:05) I rarely have symptoms anymore, (0:07) but there's a whole 10 years of time where I wasn't, (0:11) you know, I was bedbound at age 26 and I was newly married, (0:15) but yeah, a lot of it was just kind of like, (0:17) we had talked about figuring out, you know, (0:19) functional medicine, figuring out my root causes (0:21) and then how do you actually address these things (0:24) to kind of get yourself back physically better, (0:26) but also mentally and emotionally and spiritually, (0:29) like how do you kind of reclaim your body (0:31) when you're dealing with any kind of chronic condition? (0:36) Hey, beautiful. (0:37) Welcome back to PCOS Unfiltered.(0:39) I'm your host, Lindsie, (0:41) and today's conversation is one I know so many of you (0:44) are going to feel deeply (0:46) because we're not just talking about PCOS, (0:48) we're talking about what happens (0:50) when your body completely changes, (0:52) you don't have answers (0:53) and you're left trying to figure it all out on your own. (0:56) Today, I'm joined by Allie Chandler (0:58) who shares her incredibly powerful journey (1:00) from being active, healthy and thriving (1:03) to suddenly becoming chronically ill after a trip abroad, (1:07) navigating years of symptoms, misdiagnoses (1:09) and ultimately having to become her own advocate (1:12) in the healing process. (1:14) In this episode, (1:15) we go way beyond surface level conversations.(1:17) We talk about the gap (1:19) between conventional and functional medicine (1:21) and why so many women fall through it, (1:23) what most people get wrong about supplements, (1:25) especially with PCOS, (1:27) the real non-negotiables for healing, (1:30) hint, it's not just what you're eating (1:32) and one of my favorite topics, (1:34) the nervous system, trauma (1:35) and why your body needs to feel safe (1:37) before it can actually heal. (1:39) We also dive into the emotional side of this journey, (1:42) the identity shifts, the pressure to do everything right (1:45) and the moment you realize healing isn't about doing more, (1:48) it's about doing differently. (1:50) If you've ever felt like you're doing all the things (1:52) and still not seeing results, (1:54) this episode is going to give you a completely new lens (1:56) to look through.(1:58) Now, as always, the content shared on PCOS Unfiltered (2:01) is for informational and educational purposes only. (2:05) The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests (2:08) are not intended to serve as medical advice. (2:10) Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional (2:13) before making any changes to your diet, (2:15) exercise or treatment plan.(2:17) The information shared is based on personal experience (2:19) and expert interviews (2:21) and it's not a substitute for professional medical guidance. (2:24) Okay, let's do this. (2:25) Here's my conversation with Allie Chandler.(2:35) Welcome, welcome to Allie and for those of you listening, (2:39) welcome back to PCOS Unfiltered. (2:42) Yeah, I'm super, super excited for this one. (2:45) Lots of good stuff, I think to come.(2:48) So Allie, let's just kind of start (2:50) and I think the listeners need to hear your story. (2:53) I know it could probably be a long one, but. (2:57) I know, I'm always like, (2:58) how do I summarize everything that happened to me (3:01) in two minutes? (3:03) Yeah, so let me just give you the quick notes.(3:05) So my whole life, I was very active. (3:09) I played competitive volleyball. (3:10) I was always like a weightlifter.(3:12) I did boxing, you know, just always super healthy. (3:16) And so basically what happened to me (3:19) was I was teaching high school (3:22) and decided I didn't like it (3:23) and I wanted to go backpack through Europe (3:25) with some girlfriends.
(3:26) And long story short, (3:28) it took me many years to discover what happened, (3:32) but I ended up getting Lyme disease (3:35) and some co-infections and, you know, (3:37) some different Babesia Bartonella, things like that (3:41) on this backpacking trip.(3:42) And so basically overnight, my health went from, (3:46) I honestly was the healthiest I'd ever been (3:48) when I went over there, (3:49) to I can't walk up these stairs on this trip in Europe (3:53) because my heart rate is like 210. (3:56) Like it was so, I never had had, you know, heart issues (4:00) and it was a whole conglomeration of gut issues, (4:05) neurological, like I felt like I was walking on a boat (4:08) all of a sudden. (4:10) And like, it was like my neurological system (4:12) was like completely messed up (4:13) and my nervous system was shot.(4:15) And it just was this huge, huge change (4:18) that happened overnight. (4:20) So there's so many more things I could get into with that. (4:22) But basically that put me on this path (4:24) of getting into more functional medicine (4:27) and kind of understanding, you know, root causes (4:30) and all these other pieces.
(4:32) And how do we kind of like take healing into our own hands? (4:35) Because sometimes like the practitioners (4:39) may not have all the training (4:40) on whatever's going on with you. (4:42) So a lot of it was me becoming my own advocate (4:45) and me trying to figure out like, what is going on? (4:49) Like, what can I research? (4:50) Who can I connect with in order to get healed? (4:53) And so the good news is that I'm like, (4:56) I would say 99% better. (4:59) I rarely have symptoms anymore.(5:01) But there's a whole 10 years of time where I wasn't, (5:05) you know, I was bedbound at age 26 and I was newly married. (5:09) So there's a lot more like depth (5:11) I can get into with my story. (5:13) But yeah, a lot of it was just kind of like, (5:15) we had talked about figuring out, you know, (5:17) functional medicine, figuring out my root causes (5:19) and then how do you actually address these things (5:22) to kind of get yourself back physically better, (5:24) but also mentally and emotionally and spiritually, (5:27) like how do you kind of reclaim your body (5:29) when you're dealing with any kind of chronic condition? (5:33) Yeah, yeah.(5:33) So from your experience, (5:35) kind of where was the breakdown (5:37) between like traditional, you know, healthcare, (5:40) treating you and going the functional medicine route?
(5:43) Yeah, I think, so I started in the traditional side (5:48) because I had such acute issues. (5:50) I was like terrified. (5:51) Something was, you know, seriously wrong.(5:53) So when I ended up having to fly home from Europe (5:57) and I didn't think I would even be able to make that flight (6:00) because I was, I actually fainted. (6:03) I remember fainting in a bathroom in Europe (6:05) and kind of coming to, in Ireland actually. (6:09) And all these women were like trying to feed me (6:11) and they thought it was like blood sugar (6:13) and giving me drinks.(6:14) And I just was like, I'm so out of control with my body. (6:17) And so I made it home and I went right to the ER. (6:20) My family got me from the airport (6:22) and they were like, (6:23) okay, we're just gonna go right to the hospital.(6:26) And so they had done some of the basic testing (6:28) and didn't really know what was happening. (6:31) So they put me on heavy steroids and a lot of antibiotics. (6:34) And they're like, either way, no matter what it is, (6:37) like hopefully this will knock it out.(6:39) Well, it actually crashed me even further (6:42) because, you know, (6:43) there's already a lot my body was dealing with. (6:45) And so I couldn't even finish the antibiotic course, (6:48) which I know is not good to do. (6:49) You always hear like, don't stop in the middle, (6:51) but I couldn't handle it.(6:53) My body was like, absolutely not. (6:56) And so I guess I had started that route (6:59) and then I started seeing like, (7:00) I saw a cardiologist just to rule any big things out (7:03) and pulmonologist, allergist, (7:06) like all the basic specialties. (7:09) And it was like, and I don't blame anyone.
(7:12) I think traditional, you know, conventional medicine, (7:14) obviously it has a place and we need it for certain things, (7:18) but for more long-term chronic conditions, (7:22) I've found that they only know their specialty (7:25) and that's all that they should know. (7:26) It's all, you know, their training is in, (7:28) if they're like an ear, nose, throat, (7:29) they're not gonna be able to diagnose you (7:31) with Lyme disease or whatever else (7:33) because they haven't really learned that piece of it. (7:36) And so that's kind of when I started transitioning (7:39) to the functional space.(7:40) And I was like, you know, (7:42) I think there's more going on than really anyone (7:45) has really taken the time to sit down with me (7:47) and do a deep dive. (7:48) Cause it was a lot of it felt like, (7:50) well, you're not gonna die today, so see you later. (7:53) You can leave, you know, if anything gets worse, come back.(7:57) And so I really wanted someone that would, you know, (7:59) sit down with like my whole health history (8:01) and listen to this story and listen to all my symptoms. (8:04) And I did find some really good (8:07) functional medicine practitioners who did do that. (8:10) And even then it's like, how do you find the right one (8:13) who knows how to find your root causes (8:15) and you have sort of a compatible style.(8:17) So there's a lot of pieces to it. (8:20) But yeah, I found functional medicine (8:22) because I was just doing all of the research on my own. (8:26) Like I was literally just Googling symptoms (8:28) and being like, what could this be? (8:30) Like my symptoms would change.(8:32) I had eventually had tracked 130 some different symptoms. (8:37) It was like every day I would wake up and I'd be like, (8:40) what's it gonna be today? (8:41) Like a horrible migraine or I'm throwing up today. (8:44) You know, it's just like always shifting.(8:47) So it was really difficult for me to figure out, you know, (8:50) how to get actually diagnosed with something. (8:53) I wanna say it took me four years (8:57) of seeing practitioners before they were like, (8:59) we should maybe check for Lyme. (9:01) And you know, there's other stuff I had going on.(9:03) I always had had hormone stuff. (9:05) You know, I did get diagnosed with PCOS before that (9:08) and was dealing with, you know, all the PCOS stuff. (9:11) And so I think a lot of it is like putting, (9:13) you want someone to kind of take into consideration (9:16) all the pieces of your health history (9:18) and put it all together in like a comprehensive plan (9:21) rather than just like, this is my specialty, (9:24) this is all I know how to do.
(9:26) So yeah, I think that's a big, big piece of it. (9:30) Yeah, I mean, it's interesting that they didn't, (9:32) you know, knowing that you were in another country, (9:34) like, I don't know, I feel like, (9:37) and granted I'm from the ER side of, you know, of nursing, (9:40) but like, that's usually one of the first questions (9:43) is if you've traveled outside of the country (9:45) and you'd think that would have been (9:47) like kind of top of mind. (9:49) Right.(9:49) Well, they do. (9:50) I mean, I was like, I just got off a plane. (9:53) I was running around Europe for, (9:55) I think it was seven weeks we were there.(9:58) So it was quite a while and a lot of, you know, (10:00) a lot of different environments, a lot of like new things. (10:02) So yeah. (10:04) I mean, but you do bring up the point (10:06) of how specialized we are here, you know, (10:09) in the traditional side, which yes, like you said, (10:12) kind of, you know, can be good, (10:14) but then bad when you have some of these different things (10:18) and they're not talking to each other, (10:20) the providers aren't talking to each other either, (10:22) you know, and I think that's where it becomes (10:24) super important.(10:25) Like you said, you were tracking your symptoms. (10:26) Like I talked to clients and I've mentioned it (10:30) on the episodes, you know, multiple times (10:32) about just tracking some of that stuff on your own (10:35) so that you can also be an advocate for yourself (10:38) when you go to see your doctor, you know, (10:41) and that can maybe help pull some of those pieces together, (10:43) especially if you are seeing a few different, (10:46) you know, specialties. (10:48) Definitely.(10:48) Yeah. (10:48) And I was, I almost took that to the most extreme side. (10:52) You would laugh at this, (10:53) but whenever I had an intake with a new practitioner, (10:57) I had like a 50 page packet where I was like, (11:00) here's everything I've tried.(11:02) Here's every test I've taken. (11:03) Here's the comparison charts of like over time.
(11:08) And like, here's the mindset stuff.(11:10) I had everything. (11:11) And I know like they don't have time to look at all of it. (11:13) I feel like it would have been more helpful (11:15) just to have like a little one pager of like, (11:17) you know, here's the top, you know, (11:19) they're not gonna sort through 50 pages.(11:21) But at the time I was like, I am so baffled. (11:24) Like, I don't know what to do. (11:26) I don't know who can help me.(11:27) So let me give you everything that I've ever done. (11:31) And even like health history of like my childhood, (11:33) I'm like, maybe there's something in there that's helpful. (11:37) And so, yeah, it was really important (11:39) in kind of discovering the pieces of it (11:42) is really understanding and being an advocate, (11:44) like you said, for my own body.(11:45) Cause only, you're the only one that knows how you feel. (11:48) So if somebody keeps, you keep trying to get help (11:50) and they're like, you know, nothing's wrong with you, (11:52) but you know there is, (11:54) you really have to just be like, (11:55) well, I'm gonna keep searching (11:56) cause I know something is right. (11:59) Yeah.Yeah. (12:00) So that kind of leads into the next question is, (12:02) you know, the emotional toll that this took on you, (12:05) you know, between being sick, (12:07) not having the answers, going to all these doctors, (12:10) you know, still not having the answers (12:12) that you're looking for, (12:13) maybe getting a little relief, you know, here and there. (12:17) So how did you cope?
(12:18) How did you deal with all that? (12:20) So I feel like I also had to sort of (12:23) become my own therapist in a way.(12:26) So the biggest thing that I found helpful (12:28) was I started doing research into like mindset (12:34) and I got really into limbic system retraining. (12:38) I had been on a lot of these like Lyme forums (12:40) once I actually did find out that it was Lyme later. (12:44) So I started joining Facebook groups for Lyme (12:46) and kind of seeing like, what are people talking about? (12:48) What's everyone else doing? (12:49) Like, of course there's not a one size fits all approach (12:52) at all for that as there isn't for most things, (12:55) but a lot of them were talking about (12:58) limbic system retraining.(13:00) So I was like, well, that's interesting. (13:01) Let me look into that. (13:03) And so I started doing this program (13:05) that required a full hour a day of like, (13:09) it's sort of, you know, mantras and things (13:11) that you say to yourself and try to convince your body (13:13) that these, I would have really severe anxiety (13:16) and panic attacks and it was sort of like, (13:18) hey, like we're safe.(13:19) Like you're kind of telling your nervous system, (13:21) to stop, like stop reacting like this. (13:24) We're safe.
(13:25) Everything's fine right now.(13:26) You know, thank you for warning me, but like, we're good. (13:29) We're sitting on the couch. (13:29) We don't need to panic right now.(13:32) And so a lot of it for me was discovering tools. (13:36) I did a lot of EFT too, like the tapping (13:39) for kind of acute things, (13:41) but you know, a lot of like guided meditations (13:43) and also a huge game changer for me was EMDR, (13:48) just kind of processing trauma. (13:50) And even like the trauma of being chronically sick, (13:54) I feel like that's also a trauma (13:56) that people maybe don't consider one, (13:58) cause it's not like one big moment, you know? (14:00) But yeah, I think coping for me was sort of this journey (14:04) of discovering what my body needed (14:08) and what my brain needed and you know, (14:10) like the mental and emotional support.(14:12) And also for me, I kind of got stuck in this victim loop (14:17) of like, this isn't fair. (14:18) You know, all my friends are, we're in our mid twenties. (14:21) Like all my friends are going on vacations (14:22) and getting married and having kids.(14:24) And it's so hard being on social media (14:27) and just seeing that when you're, you know, laying in bed (14:29) and you can't, like I was, like I said, I was newly married (14:32) and I couldn't like have dinner with my new husband. (14:36) I was just like, I had no energy. (14:38) And so a lot of it is like kind of getting out (14:40) of that victim loop and thinking like, (14:43) this is what it is right now.(14:45) How am I going to make this the best it can be?
(14:48) And how am I going to like visualize and, you know, (14:51) not give up and also not get stuck in this like, poor me. (14:55) This is awful. (14:56) I'm just mad all the time.(14:58) And staying in that like negative, low vibration emotion, (15:01) I had to like lift myself out of that (15:04) and start looking for like gratitude. (15:06) And you know, all these like positive affirmations (15:08) and not like to the extreme where I'm like, (15:10) oh, I'm so glad this is happening. (15:11) But just, you know, kind of shifting my mindset (15:14) and so I think that really helped, (15:16) but that was a couple of year process for me (15:18) to even like figure out that I needed that, you know? (15:21) Yeah, yeah.(15:22) I mean, that's like the premise, you know, (15:25) the nervous system, I think for, (15:27) I mean, it is for what I do, (15:31) but I've even had a number of guests. (15:33) I have a number of guests coming up (15:35) that we're going to talk even more about all of that. (15:39) You know, so it's amazing that you're able to tap into that, (15:42) you know, even on your own and discover that (15:44) that's something you could have been doing (15:46) to go along with all the other stuff that you were doing, (15:50) but it does, it truly starts in, you know, (15:53) in the mind and nervous system regulation, right? (15:56) I mean, to heal, to lose weight, (15:59) like your body has to, yeah, (16:01) has to feel safe in order to do that.(16:04) I think that's missing in a lot of pieces, (16:07) even in the functional medicine space. (16:08) I think it's coming more into like focus now (16:11) for a lot of people. (16:12) And I know you do a lot, like you said with that, (16:14) but I do think it's foundational.(16:17) And I do think like people need to do that work first, (16:21) almost before, like you can throw a bunch of supplements (16:24) at anything, but sometimes it doesn't stick (16:27) unless you're like, okay, like, (16:28) let me get into this parasympathetic rest and digest state (16:32) where I can like accept the healing (16:34) and like my body can process the supplements. (16:36) And, you know, if you're always in this fight or flight, (16:39) and I was, I was totally in a panic all the time. (16:42) I had very severe anxiety.
(16:44) I remember, so my ex-husband was a PGA golf pro (16:48) and I couldn't even be alone. (16:50) Like he would go to work (16:51) and I would drive to his golf course (16:54) and I would bring my laptop (16:55) because I was still worked full-time (16:56) this whole time remotely. (16:58) And I would get on their wifi (16:59) and I would just sit in his parking lot (17:02) the whole time he was working (17:04) because I was terrified if I stayed home (17:06) because I was like reactive to everything, (17:09) food, smells, light, everything.(17:12) And so I felt like that's totally a nervous system thing. (17:15) Like my nervous system couldn't process (17:17) like any sensory anything. (17:19) I was just toast at that time.(17:21) And so I got to the point where I literally was like, (17:24) I cannot be more than like 20 feet from you (17:26) because what if an emergency happens? (17:28) Which it did, and I would have to go to the hospital, (17:31) you know, with my heart stuff (17:33) and I need you to be right there. (17:35) And like, that's like the ultimate (17:37) nervous system dysregulation. (17:39) I couldn't even like relax at home.(17:41) And so I had to, like, I really had no choice (17:44) but to like look at that and like, what are the steps? (17:47) I learned a lot about like the vagus nerve (17:49) and the impact that plays. (17:52) But once I started doing this, (17:53) like really deep nervous system work (17:56) is when my body was like, like, let's take a breath. (17:59) Like we're okay, we're okay.(18:02) Like, and it was a lot of that mindset too. (18:04) Like you said, but there's so many tools for, you know, (18:07) there's a lot of like really cool somatic therapies (18:10) and like trauma therapies and things like that. (18:12) But like you said, even any kind of chronic condition, (18:17) it's really important to start there.(18:19) Yeah, yeah, for sure, for sure. (18:23) So you work in the supplement industry in a way. (18:28) Yeah.(18:29) What do you see that most PCOS patients (18:31) get wrong about supplements?
(18:34) Yeah, and what actually matters, you know, (18:36) when it comes to supplements? (18:38) Yeah, I think the thing I see the most of PCOS (18:41) is people will just find some research online (18:45) and then they'll do one of everything. (18:48) You know, there'll be like five or six supplements (18:51) that, you know, the Vitex, the DIM, (18:53) all the big, D-chlorinositol, all the big ones. (18:57) And they'll just go on everything (18:59) and they won't really have like a protocol (19:02) or like a plan or a baseline.(19:04) Or if you tested your hormones, (19:06) like are there, you know, steps to take (19:07) before we just throw everything at it (19:10) and how do you know what's working? (19:12) And so I think like focusing on those basics, (19:16) like gut health or diet or stress (19:19) or even like regulating blood sugar, (19:22) getting that stuff under control first (19:25) and even the nervous system work. (19:27) Like there are foundational things that you can do (19:30) before you just throw, you know, (19:32) every supplement stack at it. (19:34) And of course, like you probably run into this too, (19:36) but quality of supplements also matters.(19:39) And this is a funny thing, (19:40) because I'll have friends who are like, (19:43) oh, I just started taking this supplement (19:45) and I'm like, oh, let me see. (19:47) And they're like, oh yeah, it was $10 on Amazon.
(19:49) And I'm like, yeah, but there's also like quality.(19:53) And there's, I think it was just like a magnesium supplement (19:56) but it was a form of magnesium that I was like, (19:59) for what you need, like you should probably do threonate (20:01) or glycinate or, you know, something different. (20:05) And so I feel like I have some of these conversations (20:07) with my friends sometimes where I'm like, (20:09) well, look at this brand. (20:11) Like this is a, you know, reputable brand (20:13) and they do final formulation testing (20:16) and they have like evidence behind.(20:18) And so, yeah, I think like in the supplement world, (20:21) it's, you know, working with someone, (20:23) finding someone to work with (20:24) who can get your whole health history (20:26) and kind of understand your situation (20:28) and can create like a step-by-step protocol. (20:31) It's probably also gonna have some of this like (20:33) nervous system work, mindset, diet, (20:35) all those pieces together (20:37) instead of trying to just resolve it on your own. (20:41) Cause it's just always better to have someone guide you (20:43) and have, you know, a clear person (20:46) who's sort of monitoring that.(20:48) And so I don't know if like people come to you ever (20:50) and they're like, oh, I'm taking like, you know, (20:52) 15 things and you're like, okay, or 20, you know, a lot. (20:57) Yeah, yeah. (20:57) Or they've at least tried it, you know, at some point.(21:00) Yeah, I mean, and that's the thing (21:02) cause everybody is so different. (21:04) And I mean, you know, from, you know, (21:06) from being in the functional health space, (21:08) it goes back to how we got there.
(21:11) So not only, you know, is whatever X, Y and Z (21:15) going on with our gut (21:15) and we might have some sensitivities, (21:17) but also, you know, how did we even get to that point? (21:20) Cause that part matters.(21:22) You know, what was our childhood like? (21:23) What was the birth like? (21:24) Like all of that stuff, right? (21:26) And so just because it worked for, you know, (21:29) somebody doesn't mean it's, you know, (21:32) maybe for somebody they took all the things and it worked, (21:37) but for others, it's, you know, (21:40) it's probably not going to be that easy. (21:43) It's such a puzzle, I know. (21:44) And it's like such a puzzle, like you said, (21:46) of even like genetics and not that genetics (21:48) are the be all end all, (21:49) but like all these things are pieces, right? (21:51) And like, have you taken a ton of antibiotics? (21:54) How's your gut health? (21:55) Like there's such a like deep health history (21:57) that I feel like is needed (21:59) in order to understand what's the best course of action.(22:03) So yeah, it's interesting. (22:04) Cause there's the quality of supplements (22:06) is a whole different story. (22:09) But who would you trust, you know? (22:11) Knowing what's the quality.(22:13) Yeah, I will say, (22:15) so my functional medicine practitioner (22:18) had warned me about Amazon supplements. (22:21) And cause she had an experience with a patient (22:23) that I guess was taking something (22:26) and it just like she was testing (22:28) and it was like the person wasn't taking it at all. (22:32) And I'm gonna find out it's from Amazon.(22:35) Yeah, so either, I guess if you look it up, (22:38) they apparently can, (22:41) they can like change the expiration dates on the bottles. (22:44) So basically if it's expired, the efficacy, you know, (22:48) goes way down or nothing. (22:51) But like I even, (22:53) I was getting a multivitamin off of there (22:55) that we usually get from, you know, a local shop, (22:58) but like we were traveling and I ordered it from there (23:01) and it came, it was like broken in pieces.(23:04) They were a faded, you know, it was a multivitamin.
(23:07) So they were like a faded green instead of like, you know, (23:10) the brighter green that I'm used to. (23:11) And I was like, okay, that's it.(23:13) I'm done with that. (23:14) Like, yeah. (23:15) And it wasn't expired, (23:16) but it clearly had been sitting on the shelf for a while.(23:21) So yeah. (23:22) It's very scary too. (23:24) So I was head of marketing at Microbiome Labs.(23:27) If anyone's taken Megasporbiotic, (23:28) that's kind of like the flagship product. (23:30) And I actually managed our whole Amazon side of things. (23:35) So part of my job was taking down resellers (23:37) who were selling Megasporbiotic that were not verified.(23:41) Like we didn't, we couldn't tell that these came from us. (23:43) So we had a whole like fraud team (23:46) and we had people investigating like, (23:48) did this account place an order with us? (23:50) And there were like, we would send, (23:52) we would buy bottles ourselves from resellers, (23:55) send them to our global team to test them. (23:58) And we did find counterfeit.(24:01) So it's scary because you don't know. (24:03) And it's not like super, super common, (24:05) but maybe like one out of every 200 resellers (24:11) or a hundred resellers, (24:12) there was one that was like, (24:14) this is not even Megaspore. (24:16) I don't know what you're taking.(24:17) Like we had a whole process for that. (24:20) So, and not that, I mean, I'm sure a lot of things are, (24:23) you know, maybe they're fine. (24:24) And if they're a verified reseller from the brand, (24:26) that's different of course.(24:27) But they're like random resellers that are third party. (24:30) It's scary because it's like, (24:32) you might not even be taking what you think you're taking. (24:35) So that was a whole like learning journey for me of, (24:38) wow, like people can make money off.(24:40) How do you feel okay making money off (24:42) of like faking these supplements for people? (24:44) Like that's such a karma thing. (24:45) I would never invite that into my life. (24:49) It's true.(24:49) Yeah, yeah. (24:50) But it does, it happens. (24:52) So no, I think that's a good discussion (24:54) because people need to be aware of that stuff.(24:56) You know, a lot of the stuff I get anymore, (24:59) it's I make sure there's like a third party testing, (25:02) you know, to it as well.
(25:04) And then I try to just order right from that site. (25:08) Because I've even heard the verified sellers (25:10) can still be partially because like shelf life, (25:14) like it may not be, you know, a fake product or whatever, (25:18) you know, but it's, and it may not be expired, (25:20) but it still can sit there for a while.(25:24) So, yeah. (25:25) Yeah, it's scary. (25:26) Yeah, and better to get it directly from like (25:28) your practitioner or, you know, from the site if you can.(25:31) Yeah. (25:31) Yeah, yeah. (25:34) I love this conversation with Allie.(25:37) We had a great time recording it. (25:39) And if this episode resonated with you, (25:42) I want you to take a moment and ask yourself, (25:44) where am I trying to force my body (25:46) instead of actually supporting it? (25:48) Because one of the biggest takeaways (25:50) from today's conversation is this, (25:52) your body isn't broken, it's communicating.
(25:55) And healing doesn't happen through pressure, (25:57) perfection or doing more.(25:59) It happens when your body finally feels safe enough (26:01) to respond. (26:03) And that's exactly the work we do here. (26:05) If you loved this episode, (26:06) make sure to subscribe (26:07) so you don't miss what's coming next.(26:09) We have some incredible conversations lined up. (26:12) And share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. (26:15) And leave a review.(26:16) It helps more women find these conversations (26:17) and start their own healing journey. (26:20) And as always, if you're ready to go deeper, (26:22) whether that's through my programs, workshops, (26:24) or just learning how to better understand your body, (26:27) you can find all of that in the show notes. (26:29) Remember, you don't have to live stuck in your diagnosis.(26:33) That's it for now. (26:33) I'm sending you so much love. (26:35) And I'll see you on the next episode of PCOS Unfiltered.(26:39) Nourish, heal, thrive.