In this episode, we address a listener's question about common bloating culprits like carbonated drinks, straws, and smoothies. We dive into the science behind bloating, distinguishing it from distension, and explores various causes such as gas-producing foods, constipation, and microbiome imbalances. We discuss practical advice on managing these triggers and emphasizes the importance of personalized approaches to gut health.

⏱️ Chapters:

• (0:00) – Welcome & Intro
• (1:06) – Listener Q&A: Noura’s Bloating Question
• (1:44) – What Is Bloating vs. Distension?
• (2:23) – Common Causes of Bloating
• (3:23) – Backup Bloat & Constipation
• (5:30) – Carbonated Drinks & Bloating
• (7:22) – Stepwise Approach to Fizzy Drinks
• (8:37) – Straws: Myth or Trigger?
• (9:57) – Why Smoothies Can Cause Bloating
• (12:50) – Tips to Make Smoothies Gut-Friendly
• (13:55) – Personalized Approaches to Bloating
• (16:08) – Gut Harmony Method Program & Final Takeaways

—

👩🏻‍💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️

📌 Gut Harmony Method Program

—

✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️

📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

🎁 ⁠⁠⁠Grab a Freebie!⁠⁠⁠

🖥️ ⁠⁠ Shop the Resource Suite⁠⁠⁠

👩🏻‍⚕️ ⁠⁠⁠Apply For Coaching⁠⁠⁠

If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧

If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at ⁠leigh@leighmerotto.com⁠. See you soon!

If you’ve been feeling frustrated, limited, or even afraid to move because of pelvic floor symptoms like leaking, urgency or pelvic pain — you’re not alone. These symptoms are common especially in those dealing with gastrointestinal issues like IBS, IBD and endometriosis. This episode will give you hope, validation, and the tools to start rebuilding trust in your body.

⏱️ Chapters:

• • (0:00) – Intro
  • (2:18) – Meet the Guest: Courtenay Pollock, Exercise Physiologist
  • (3:06) – What Is an Exercise Physiologist & How They Differ from Personal Trainers
  • (10:30) – How Pelvic Health Became Courtenay’s Focus
  • (16:22) – What Is the Pelvic Floor & What Does It Do?
  • (20:27) – Signs of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
  • (23:39) – IBS, Constipation & the Pelvic Floor Connection
  • (26:24) – Common Causes of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
  • (31:38) – Weak vs. Tight Pelvic Floor: Key Differences
  • (37:01) – Nervous System Regulation & Pelvic Floor Health
  • (46:51) – What a Supportive Exercise Plan Can Look Like
  • (55:57) – Rapid-Fire Segment: Rating Popular Pelvic Floor Tools
  • (1:08:06) – Final Advice for Supporting Your Pelvic Floor

• 
  

  👤 Today’s Guest: Courtenay Polock, APD

  Joining me all the way from Australia is Courtenay Polock, Accredited Exercise Physiologist and founder of Her Exercise Physiology — a virtual clinic providing accessible, evidence-based care for women, with a special focus on pelvic health across the lifespan. Courtenay has extensive experience in helping women navigate endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, postpartum recovery, and more — and she’s here to share her expertise on how to build an intentional, supportive exercise plan that works with your body, not against it.

  📌 Courtenay's Website

  📌 Courtenay’'s Instagram

  —

  
  

  👩🏻‍💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️

  📌 Squatty Potty

  —

  
  

  ✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️

  📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

  🎁 ⁠⁠⁠Grab a Freebie!⁠⁠⁠

  🖥️ ⁠⁠ Shop the Resource Suite⁠⁠⁠

  👩🏻‍⚕️ ⁠⁠⁠Apply For Coaching⁠⁠⁠

  If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧

  If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at ⁠leigh@leighmerotto.com⁠. See you soon!

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women, yet many still go years without answers. Symptoms can range from intense pelvic pain and painful periods to bloating, bowel and bladder issues, fatigue, infertility, and more.

And for those with IBS, it can be incredibly confusing to tease apart what’s gut-related and what might be something more. In today’s episode we will chat about what endometriosis is, the link with IBS and gut health, and how to seek support if you suspect you have endometriosis alongside gut issues.

⏱️ Chapters:

• (00:00) — Intro
• (00:30) — Welcome to the GutFit Nutrition Podcast
• (01:56) — Meet Cindy: dietitian & endometriosis specialist
• (03:00) — Cindy’s 15-year journey to an endometriosis diagnosis
• (06:55) — Limited conventional options & the rise of integrative care
• (10:54) — What is endometriosis? A clear, simple explanation
• (13:43) — How to get diagnosed: surgery, scans & red flags
• (19:01) — When endometriosis gets misdiagnosed as IBS
• (24:59) — Can you still have endo even if your scans are normal?
• (31:34) — Common overlapping conditions: PCOS, IBD, autoimmune & more
• (33:16) — Why IBS is three times more likely with endo
• (43:05) — How Cindy supports gut health in clients with endo
• (46:58) — Why constipation makes endo symptoms worse
• (53:17) — How long does it take to see improvements with treatment?
• (1:07:19) — Summary & Final Takeaways

👤 Today’s Guest: Cindy Dabrowska, MAN RD

To help me break this all down today is Cindy Dabrowska, a registered dietitian, with a masters degree in applied human nutrition. She is an endowarrior and founder of The Supportive Endo RD, a private practice that uses medical nutrition therapy and functional medicine principles to support women with endometriosis and infertility.

📌 Cindy's Website

📌 Cindy's Instagram

—

👩🏻‍💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️

*Resources & Links Mentioned:*📌 Endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analyses

—

✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️

📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

🎁 ⁠⁠⁠Grab a Freebie!⁠⁠⁠

🖥️ ⁠⁠ Shop the Resource Suite⁠⁠⁠

👩🏻‍⚕️ ⁠⁠⁠Apply For Coaching⁠⁠⁠

If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧

If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at ⁠leigh@leighmerotto.com⁠. See you soon!