This episode is an introduction to Caitlin Johnson, dietitian and PCOS patient herself.
In this episode you will learn some of the background that drew Caitlin to specialize in PCOS and fertility. You'll hear about how her family's health shaped her early interest in writing a different narrative for herself. In her late teens she began training for a half marathon and was running more than 20 miles per week and saw that this level of activity made her struggle with weight gain - not what she expected with that level of effort. Suspecting something might be wrong, she had an appointment with her doctor. Bloodwork and a close encounter with an ultrasound wand, she obtained her diagnosis in that crinkly white disposable robe. Feeling vulnerable, she asked what PCOS was, and her doctor said it was the "#1 reason in America women couldn't have children". This one statement changed Caitlin's life and shaped her education, career and passion.
Caitlin went on to pursue a bachelor's in human nutrition and biology. She went on to become a dietitian but felt the conventional medicine and nutrition model offered little for her own PCOS management. Working closely with a naturopathic doctor helped Caitlin see that the functional and integrative medicine model offered a wide breadth of solutions and a more "root cause" approach to PCOS. As such, Caitlin pursued additional training in functional medicine, nutrition and women's herbalism.
Check out more of her story in this article.
Head over to the connect part of the app and tell us a little about you, how you were diagnosed and something that has helped your health journey since.