Most people trying to fix their hormones start in the wrong place. They chase supplements, blame stress, or assume sleep is the problem. In reality, true hormonal balance starts in the gut. Without a healthy gut, nothing you do for your hormones will land properly. That is what this masterclass is all about.

In this episode, I break down why gut health is the foundation for optimal hormones, steady mood, good sleep, strong energy, and proper detoxification. You will learn the hidden signs of poor gut function, why probiotics often make things worse, and the exact phases you need to follow to rebuild your gut for long term hormonal balance.

This is the education most people never get from their GP. It is simple to understand, grounded in functional medicine, and something you can start working on today.

Inside this episode you will learn:

• Why the gut is the control centre for inflammation, nutrient absorption and detoxification
• How serotonin is made in the gut and what that means for your mood and stress hormones
• Why poor gut function disrupts testosterone, thyroid hormones and oestrogen balance
• The gut liver hormone triangle and why detoxifying used hormones matters
• The hidden triggers that destroy gut health, including stress, PPIs, antibiotics, alcohol and low fibre diets
• Why reflux is usually low stomach acid, not high
• Why waking at 2am or 3am is often a gut and blood sugar issue
• The link between gut health, melatonin, and broken sleep
• How inflammation and endotoxins create anxiety, wired tired energy, and night time wake ups
• Why you can have a dysfunctional gut without any digestive symptoms at all
• The real signs of gut dysfunction that show up in hormones, cholesterol, iron and sleep

The three phases of fixing your gut:

1. Clean up: antimicrobials, digestive support, bile flow, enzyme support

2. Rebuild: glutamine, zinc carnosine, colostrum, short chain fatty acids, DGL

3. Re inoculate: targeted probiotics and prebiotics when the gut can actually tolerate them

Most people rush to probiotics first. That is like putting flowers in a dirty vase. Clean the gut first, rebuild the lining, then reintroduce the bacteria.

Practical steps you can start today:

• Eat whole foods, slow down and chew properly
• No scrolling while eating, get your system into a calm state first
• Increase fibre and plant diversity, aim for 30 different plants per week
• Use veggie ice cubes to boost diversity in a simple way
• Eat away from stressful environments like desks or bill paying areas
• Limit snacking and give your gut proper rest periods
• Add fermented foods if tolerated
• Stay hydrated with electrolytes and good quality water
• Increase protein intake to support gut lining repair and hormone synthesis
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol if sleep or digestion is off

Supplements mentioned in this episode
General starting points, not prescriptions
• DGL to soothe the gut
• Digestive enzymes before meals
• Glutamine to support the gut lining
• Magnesium glycinate for deeper sleep or magnesium citrate for bowel motility

The message is simple. Healthy hormones start with a healthy gut. Without fixing this foundation, you will always chase symptoms. If sleep is broken, if motivation is low, if libido has dropped or energy crashes hit you daily, it is time to look deeper.

If you want to explore your own gut health and hormones with functional testing and a proper plan, message me and we can see what is really going on.

Today on The Optimal Health Podcast we have an amazing episode with Dr. Heather Stone.

Dr. Heather Stone, DC, one of the leading functional medicine experts, is here to share how you can heal naturally and reclaim your vitality—without relying on Big Pharma.

Dr. Stone's journey began when she was diagnosed with low thyroid and Hashimoto's. Unable to find effective help, she took matters into her own hands, becoming a doctor and developing her revolutionary Thyroid Transformation Blueprint.

This framework has helped thousands of women achieve what once seemed impossible: reversing chronic symptoms, breaking free from the pharmaceutical treadmill, and reclaiming their vibrant, healthy selves. For women battling fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, mood swings, and hair loss—or those frustrated after seeing multiple doctors with no lasting results—Dr. Stone offers hope and solutions.

Her work speaks directly to women seeking to restore their energy, vitality, and confidence, including ambitious entrepreneurs who know that optimized health is key to achieving their personal and professional potential.

- No, You ARE NOT A Hypochondriac: Uncovering The Hidden Disease Behind The Strange & Terrible Symptoms You Are Experiencing

- Understanding Lesser-Known Autoimmune Diseases: Hashimotos, Hypothyroidism & Other Leading Drivers For Poor Quality Life

- Your Thyroid Transformation Blueprint: The 7 Pillars To You Need To Follow To Bring Your Autoimmune Disease Into Remission

- It's Not Just About Calories-In & Calories-Out: Going Beyond A Weight-Loss Mindset To Address The Root Of Obesity - Knowing What To Eat & What NOT To Eat

- Blood Sugar: What Impacts It? (Hint: It's Not Just Food)

@drheatherstone

Take the free optimal health quiz and find out exactly how to start improving your health now - www.ojayhealth.com/optimal

We go through a throwback episode when this was The Beyond The Champion Show with guests Alex Viada from Complete Human Performance alongside Dr. Mike Israetel from Renaissance Periodization.

It is one of the funniest episodes I have recorded, and it is an old but good one.

As always, to take the free Optimal Health Test go to www.ojayhealth.com/optimal now

@olliematthewshealth on Instagram

@drmikeisraetel on Instagram

@alex.viada on Instagram