⚠️ Content Warning: This episode discusses domestic violence and emotional abuse. Please listen with care.

Abuse doesn't always look like what you see on TV. It doesn't always involve yelling, hitting, or obvious violence. A lot of the time, it's happening quietly, in your kitchen, over text, in the small moments that make you wonder, "Is this normal?" If you've ever asked yourself that question, this episode is for you.

Amanda Sarich, Registered Clinical Counselor and trauma specialist, breaks down the Power and Control Wheel, the clinical framework used to identify abusive relationship dynamics. Amanda and Dr. Ciera Fox, ND, walk through what abuse actually looks like in real life, why it's so easy to miss, and why so many women don't realize they're in it until they're deep inside it.

In this episode:

• What the Power and Control Wheel actually means (and why it matters)

• The difference between a bad relationship and an abusive one

• The quieter forms of abuse: intimidation, isolation, emotional abuse, economic control

• The cycle of abuse, and why it becomes addictive

• Why women often don't recognize abuse until it's named for them

• The only three ways out of an abusive cycle

• Safety considerations and crisis resources

If something in this episode sounds familiar, that's not a coincidence. Knowledge is the first step. You're not crazy. You're not too much. And it's not your fault.

Crisis Resources:

• 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Canada & US)

• BC Mental Health & Crisis Line: 310-6789 (no area code needed)

• Outside BC: Search your local domestic violence crisis line

Medical Disclaimer

The content shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or legal advice. Her Body in Mind is hosted by a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Naturopathic Doctor; however, nothing discussed in this podcast should replace the guidance of your own qualified healthcare provider, mental health professional, or legal counsel. If you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services (911). If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or domestic violence situation, please reach out to a local crisis line or support service. Please contact your own healthcare providers before making any changes to your health and wellness protocols related to your body and mind.

In this episode, Dr. Ciara Fox and Amanda Sarich ( Clinical Counsellor) break down one of the most common, and most misunderstood, hormonal conditions affecting women today: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Dr. Fox shares why the name itself is misleading, why so many women go undiagnosed for years (or decades), and what the actual diagnostic criteria really looks like, because it's probably not what you've heard.

They cover the full spectrum of how PCOS can present, from the "classic" picture you see on social media to the slim, athletic 18-year-old with high testosterone and irregular periods. They also get into the role of genetics, stress, cortisol, and inflammation in how PCOS develops and progresses, plus why going on the pill to "fix" irregular periods can mask what's actually going on for years.

Dr. Fox walks through both conventional and naturopathic treatment approaches, including diet and lifestyle, supplements like berberine, NAC, and inositol, pharmaceutical options like letrozole for fertility, and where GLP-1 medications like semaglutide fit into the picture. Plus, Amanda brings her counseling lens to the shame and stigma that so often keeps women from pursuing a diagnosis in the first place.

If you've ever been told you couldn't have PCOS because your periods are regular, you're slim, or you've had kids, this one's for you.

DISCLAIMER

The content shared on Her Body and Mind podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Ciara Fox's and Amanda Sarich's insights are shared in a general context and are not intended to replace the guidance of your own licensed healthcare provider. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health, wellness, or treatment protocols.

Weight loss drugs are having a moment, but the real story goes so much deeper than the headlines.

In this episode, Naturopathic Doctor Ciara Fox and Registered Clinical Counsellor Amanda Sarich break down everything you need to know about GLP-1 and GIP medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro without the judgment.

Dr. Fox explains why she, as a naturopathic doctor, chooses to incorporate these medications into her practice, and what the conversation around weight, metabolic health, and blood sugar is really missing. They cover how these drugs work, who might genuinely benefit from them, what the real risks are (and how to mitigate them), and why the shame surrounding their use needs to stop.

They also dig into the mental health side, because depression, fatigue, and food noise are real barriers that "just eat less and move more" simply doesn't address.

In this episode:

• GLP-1 vs GIP medications, what's the difference?

• Why BMI is outdated and what to measure instead

• The real risks of these drugs, and the risks of not taking them

• Muscle loss, bone density, and why proper monitoring matters

• The shame cycle around weight and medication use

• Cost, coverage, and how to make these drugs more accessible

Whether you're considering these medications, already on them, or just curious this is the honest, shame-free conversation you didn't know you needed.

DISCLAIMER: The content shared in this episode is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Nothing discussed by Dr. Ciara Fox or Amanda Sarich should be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Always consult your own qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your medications, supplements, diet, or health and wellness protocols.