In this episode of the Holistic Pregnancy Podcast, I’m joined by Illie Balaj, CEO and Founder of Live Healthillie, for a grounded and practical conversation about what optimal health really looks like before pregnancy. You can find her on Instagram at @healthillie!

We dive into why true preconception health goes far beyond “just taking a prenatal” and why fertility isn’t only about your cycle. Ili shares her common-sense approach to wellness, focusing on nutrient-dense eating, non-toxic living, and building health from the inside out to support the entire body long before you ever see a positive pregnancy test.

Throughout this conversation, we explore what foundational health actually means, how preconception preparation supports hormones, fertility, and overall well-being, and why starting now, even if pregnancy feels far off, can make a meaningful difference. You’ll walk away with practical, realistic tips you can begin implementing today to support your health, fertility, and future pregnancy more intentionally.

This episode is for anyone who wants to feel empowered and informed about preconception health, fertility, and what it truly means to prepare the body for pregnancy in a holistic, sustainable way.

Just Ingredients - use the code TAYLORSHAFFER to get 10% off your order!

NEXT STEPS:
>> Explore our courses
>> Jump on the email list
>> Access the Facebook community
>> FREE nutrition guide
>> Postpartum cookbooks

...And as always, please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love!

*Follow along on Instagram

In this episode of the Holistic Pregnancy Podcast, I’m breaking down one of the most common fears around birth: pain. Instead of talking about how to avoid it, I explain how pain actually works in labor, and why understanding it can completely change the way you experience birth.

I share why labor pain is different from injury pain, how the brain interprets pain through fear and expectation, and why labor pain is actually productive and purposeful. We talk about the role of the nervous system, hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, and why feeling safe matters so much during labor.

This episode is for you if:

• You feel anxious or afraid of labor pain
• You want to understand what your body is actually doing during birth
• You’re planning a medicated or unmedicated birth and want an informed choice
• You want to break the fear–tension–pain cycle before labor begins

This episode is brought to you by Kindred Bravely, maternity and nursing essentials designed for real bodies and real life. Use the code NESTEDANDNOURISHED to get 15% off your order.

NEXT STEPS:
>> Explore our courses
>> Jump on the email list
>> Access the Facebook community
>> FREE nutrition guide
>> Postpartum cookbooks

...And as always, please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love!

*Follow along on Instagram

In this episode of the Holistic Pregnancy Podcast, Taylor is joined by Moran Liviani, a doula and childbirth educator with nearly 14 years of experience, to explore how trauma, both birth-related and non-birth-related, can shape a woman’s labor, birth, and transition into motherhood.

Moran shares her own journey through a traumatic first birth, followed by two deeply healing experiences that transformed her relationship with birth and her body. Together, Taylor and Moran discuss how unprocessed trauma, fear, and subconscious patterns often surface during labor, why birth is largely a mental and emotional experience, and how women can prepare holistically for birth, not just physically.

This conversation is for anyone who:

• Has experienced a traumatic or disappointing birth
• Feels fear or anxiety around giving birth again
• Wants to understand how trauma lives in the body
• Is preparing for birth and wants to do the deeper emotional work
• Supports birthing women and wants a trauma-informed lens

🌿 Connect with Moran:

• Instagram: @2lifedoula
• Website: www.2life.com.au
• Book: Birthing with Trauma and Fear: A Guide to an Empowering Birth Experience

✨ Mentioned in this episode:

• Grab my favorite protein powder + use code TAYLORSHAFFER for 10% off

NEXT STEPS:
>> Explore our courses
>> Jump on the email list
>> Access the Facebook community
>> FREE nutrition guide
>> Postpartum cookbooks

...And as always, please consider leaving a rating and review to share the love!

*Follow along on Instagram