On this week's episode, Alanna and Nicole are joined by Lauren Nichols, whom Alanna found on Instagram via hashtags, in the middle of COVID lockdowns. Lauren suffers from and is an advocate for Long COVID – in fact, she is one of the first persons known to be suffering from this disorder.

In this episode, she explains her optimal health prior to having COVID (she was healthy other than having insomnia). She shares with us how she was one of the first people in the country to be infected with COVID – and doctors didn't take her seriously at first because she presented with severe GI issues and not respiratory symptoms. From there, she continued to get worse instead of better – and hasn't been "normal" since.

Her symptoms didn't start there. As the conversation builds, we learn about the consequences of her lingering symptoms, including her stroke, how it takes her hours just to get out of bed each day, and so much more.

Lauren also revealed to us details about the toll that COVID takes on the reproductive system, especially in women, which many tend to ignore.

This is a timely episode with summer gatherings and barbecues here for the ne

If you want to learn more about the podcast and the hosts, visit our website at www.girlswithgutspodcast.com.

Follow us on social media!

Instagram: @girlswithgutspodcast

Twitter: @girlswgutspod

Facebook: www.facebook.com/girlswithgutspodcast

Alanna's Instagram: @alannamartella

Nicole's Instagram: @thenikkidee

Lauren's Socials:

Instagram: @laurenthemedium

Body Politic Socials:

Instagram: @wearebodypolitic

Website: www.wearebodypolitic.com

On this week's episode, Nicole and Alanna are joined by Leslie Jacobs Toole, a local Cincinnati momma with a story to tell.

She had actually followed Alanna for a while on social media and once she learned of GWGP, she reached out to share her BRCA Gene story with the gals. Being a topic both Alanna and Nicole were not very familiar with, it was a no-brainer to have her on the show.

In this episode, Leslie shares with us about her long family history with breast cancer - including her mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 34. After witnessing her mother's suffering, she recognized the very real possibility she could have the BRCA Gene and also develop cancer like her mother. Against her mother's blessing, Leslie got tested - and the test came back positive. Then, in 2012 at the age of 24, she took her own health into her hands and got a double mastectomy. We were so blessed that Leslie felt comfortable enough to share the vulnerable details of how cancer and BRCA has affected her life - and we think others who are in a similar position will feel comforted and seen by her kind testimony - including how neglecting her emotional healing led her down a path that eventually led to her sobriety (7 years now!)

If your family has been touched by breast cancer and you're curious about the BRCA gene, then this is a wonderful conversation that you absolutely won't want to miss!

If you want to learn more about the podcast and the hosts, visit our website at www.girlswithgutspodcast.com.

Follow us on social media!

Instagram: @girlswithgutspodcast

Twitter: @girlswgutspod

Facebook: www.facebook.com/girlswithgutspodcast

Alanna's Instagram: @alannamartella

Nicole's Instagram: @thenikkidee

Leslie's Socials:

Instagram: @leslieajacobs

Bright Pink, A Supportive Community for Breats and Ovarian Cancer:

Website: https://www.brightpink.org/

Instagram: @bebrightpink

If you have ever thought getting pregnant with an ostomy bag can't happen, Krista is here to prove to you it absolutely can, without issue.

This is a wonderful episode that you won't want to miss, because Krista is just so darn likable! She makes everyone want to be her friend and we know you'll leave the episode feeling the same.

If you want to learn more about the podcast and the hosts, visit our website at www.girlswithgutspodcast.com.

Follow us on social media!

Instagram: @girlswithgutspodcast

Twitter: @girlswithgutspodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/girlswithgutspodcast

Alanna's Instagram: @alannamartella

Nicole's Instagram: @thenikkidee

Krista's Socials:

Instagram: @my.gut.instinct