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Introduction to Nutritional Therapy & The 5 Foundations of Hormonal Health

Based on Inspired Wellness Podcast – Episode 1
By Michelle White, The Inspired Wellness Coach, NTP

 

Welcome to the very first blog post for The Inspired Wellness Coach Website! I’m Michelle White, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, founder of Inspired Wellness, and the voice behind Inspired Wellness Podcast—and I’m so glad you’ve found me. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause, or just looking to feel better in your body, you’re in the right place.

Let’s kick off our wellness journey by exploring what Nutritional Therapy is and the 5 key foundations I use to help women reclaim their energy, balance their hormones, and live long, strong, and vibrant lives.

Heads up: Everything shared here is for educational purposes and not meant to replace medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any health decisions.

My Mission

In my client work as an NTP, through my blog, and on my podcast, I’m on a mission to change the conversation around menopause and midlife wellness.

Like many women, I spent my 30s juggling a demanding career in finance, raising two young boys, and constantly pushing through exhaustion. I believed I had to work harder, sleep less, and just “tough it out.” But that only left me feeling drained, imbalanced, and out of touch with my body.

Now that I’ve learned how to support my hormones and health naturally, I feel better than I did in my so-called “prime years” (spoiler: the best is yet to come!!) —and I want the same for you.

So, What is Nutritional Therapy?

Unlike conventional approaches that often treat symptoms with medication or one-size-fits-all diets, Nutritional Therapy looks at the root causes of your symptoms and supports your body’s innate ability to heal.

As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I look at:

  • Your digestion
  • Blood sugar balance
  • Nutrient intake
  • Stress levels
  • Sleep habits
  • And so much more…

This holistic approach allows us to create personalized recommendations using real food, lifestyle strategies, and targeted supplements—so you can thrive, not just survive.

The STRONG Foundations of Hormonal Health

To simplify the approach I use in my practice, I created the acronym STRONG, which stands for the 5 essential foundations of wellness:

S = Sleep

Sleep is often overlooked but is crucial for hormone balance. Without enough deep, restorative sleep, your cortisol levels spike, your hunger hormones misfire, and brain fog sets in. Chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to inflammation, weight gain, and even long-term health issues.

Tip: Prioritize 7–9 hours of sleep per night, even if it means skipping that 5am workout.

T = Tackling Stress

Not all stress is bad—there’s eustress, like prepping for a big presentation, and distress, like ongoing relationship conflict or work pressure. But chronic stress keeps your body in fight-or-flight mode, raising blood sugar and inflammation levels.

We can’t always eliminate stress, but we can learn to manage it better. That’s where Nutritional Therapy shines: it’s tailored to your unique life so you can calm your nervous system and support adrenal health without flipping your world upside down.

R = Regulating Digestion

Let’s talk digestion—and yes, that includes poop. But digestion is much more than elimination. It’s about breaking down and absorbing nutrients, supporting gut health, and eliminating toxins effectively. Poor digestion can lead to bloating, constipation, food sensitivities, and more hormonal chaos.

Hint: If your digestion’s off, your whole system suffers—especially your hormones.

O & N = Optimal Hydration + Nutrient-Dense Diet

Water and nutrients are your body’s building blocks. Without proper hydration and a nutrient-rich diet, your cells can’t function properly. Forget calorie counting—think about food as information. Are you giving your body the minerals, proteins, fats, and vitamins it needs to thrive?

Start with high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and colorful produce at every meal.

G = Glucose Management

Blood sugar swings = hormone chaos. When your blood sugar spikes and crashes all day long, your body stays in survival mode. Over time, this leads to insulin resistance, inflammation, and fatigue. Balancing your blood sugar is key to managing cravings, moods, and long-term metabolic health.

Simple swaps and consistent meal timing can make a huge difference.

Why This Matters

Supporting these five foundations doesn’t just help you feel better today—it prevents chronic issues like heart disease, cognitive decline, and inflammation down the road. I don’t just want to live to 100—I want to be thriving until the very end. And I want that for you too.

If you’re ready to dive deeper, make sure to subscribe to the podcast, follow along here on the blog, and email meany questions or symptoms you’re dealing with. I’d love to tailor future episodes and posts to support you.

Final Thoughts

You deserve to feel amazing in your body. You deserve clarity, energy, confidence, and the tools to make empowered choices.

Let’s get STRONG together.

Until next time,

Michelle White

The Inspired Wellness Coach

Inspired Wellness Podcast

 

Listen to the Full Episode

Catch this conversation and more on Episode 1 of the Inspired Wellness Podcast on your favorite podcast platform!

Want more frequent tips and knowledge?  Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @theinspiredwellnesscoach

Listen to the full episode here on Apple or here on Spotify

Want to submit a question? Email me

And check out my Services page to learn more about my nutritional therapy services for women in perimenopause and beyond.