Tired all the time, but told your labs are normal? You're not alone, and you're not imagining it.

In Episode 17, Dr. Ciera Fox and registered clinical counsellor Amanda Sarich dig into why exhausted moms so often leave the doctor's office without answers, and what blood tests you should actually be asking for.

Dr. Ciera Fox covers the exact labs to request for the top five causes of fatigue she sees in women: iron stores (ferritin + CRP, not just a CBC), B12 and methylation, thyroid hormones beyond TSH, vitamin D, and hormonal sleep disruption in perimenopause. She also shares how to prep for each test, including washout periods for supplements and why timing your thyroid test matters more than you'd think.

Plus: how to walk into any appointment and advocate for yourself, even if you've already been dismissed.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Nothing in this podcast constitutes medical or therapeutic advice. Dr. Ciera Fox and Amanda Sarich are not your doctor or counsellor. Always consult your own qualified healthcare practitioners before making changes to your health

Being tired as a mom is expected, but what happens when exhaustion becomes your normal?

In this episode of Her Body and Mind, Dr. Fox and clinical counsellor Amanda Sarich explore why so many mothers feel chronically exhausted, overwhelmed, and disconnected from themselves, and why women are often told it’s “just part of motherhood.” From the invisible mental load and societal expectations placed on women to the ways moms learn to push through their own needs, this conversation unpacks why so many women stop questioning how they feel.

They also explore some of the deeper factors that can contribute to exhaustion, including nutrient deficiencies, thyroid concerns, hormonal shifts, and perimenopause, and discuss when it may be worth looking beyond “just being a busy mom.” Because while motherhood is demanding, feeling chronically depleted shouldn’t always be dismissed as normal.

Together, Dr. Fox and Amanda unpack the complicated reality of maternal fatigue: how women normalize feeling exhausted, how caregiving and lived experiences can disconnect us from our own bodies, and why many moms don’t realize just how depleted they are until things begin to improve.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this normal, or am I more exhausted than I should be?” this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• Why “mom tired” has become normalized

• Why women often dismiss or minimize their own symptoms
• How iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, thyroid issues, and vitamin D deficiency can play a role
• When exhaustion may be more than stress or busy motherhood

• How to start checking in with yourself again

Next episode: Dr. Fox breaks down how to actually investigate fatigue, including what testing to ask for, what’s commonly missed, and how to better understand what your body may be trying to tell you.

Disclaimer
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, clinical, or counselling advice. Nothing discussed in this episode should be considered individualized medical or mental health advice. If you have questions about your health, symptoms, or are considering making changes to any protocols related to your body or mind, please consult your physician, nurse practitioner, naturopathic doctor, therapist, or other qualified healthcare practitioner before making any changes.

Now that we’ve explored what Internal Family Systems is, this episode focuses on how to begin working with your parts in a safe and grounded way.

IFS is not about eliminating parts or “fixing” yourself. It’s about building relationships within your internal system, learning how to approach protectors with respect, unblend from reactive states, and access Self-energy as a steady internal leader.

In this practical guide, we explore:

• How to recognize when a part is activated

• The difference between blending and unblending

• How to access curiosity and compassion toward your parts

• Questions to ask when working with protectors

• Why safety and pacing matter in parts work

• When to seek professional support

This episode offers a thoughtful introduction to applying IFS principles in everyday life — during moments of anxiety, self-criticism, conflict, or overwhelm — so that you can respond from Self rather than react from survival patterns.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical advice. Please consult a licensed mental health provider or your Doctor if you feel overwhelmed, unsafe, or in need of clinical support.

In this episode, we explore the transformative psychological framework known as Internal Family Systems (IFS), developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz.

IFS is built on a simple but powerful premise: the mind is naturally multiple. Rather than having one fixed personality, we are made up of distinct “parts” protective parts, wounded parts, striving parts, each carrying its own story, emotions, and intentions. At the core of this system is the Self: calm, curious, compassionate, and capable of leading.

In this foundational conversation, you’ll learn:

• The core principles of Internal Family Systems

• Why symptoms are not pathology, but protection

• The roles of Managers, Firefighters, and Exiles

• What Self-energy is and why it matters

• How IFS reframes trauma, anxiety, and inner conflict

Whether you’re new to IFS or deepening your understanding, this episode offers a clear and thoughtful introduction to the architecture of your inner world.

Disclaimer
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute psychotherapy, diagnosis, or medical advice.

When we begin trauma therapy, we expect relief, less anxiety, fewer triggers, and more emotional stability. What many people don’t expect is grief. In this episode, we explore one of the most misunderstood parts of trauma healing: the grief that surfaces when survival strategies soften, and the nervous system finally feels safe. We define grief as a uniquely human response to loss, not only the loss of a loved one, but the loss of safety, innocence, protection, and unmet childhood needs. We unpack how avoidance once served as protection, why grief is often delayed in trauma survivors, and why sadness may increase even as trauma symptoms decrease. We briefly explore what research tells us about the natural rhythm of grief and why there is no universal timeline for emotional integration, especially when loss has been postponed by survival. Finally, we share practical, nervous-system-informed ways to gently turn toward grief between therapy sessions without becoming overwhelmed.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Why do I feel sad now that therapy is helping?

• Is it normal to grieve childhood trauma years later?

• Why does healing sometimes feel heavier before it feels lighter?

This episode will help you understand that grief is not regression, it’s integration.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for

individual therapy, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing

significant distress or thoughts of harming yourself, please seek support from a licensed

mental health professional or contact emergency services in your area.

In part three of our Everything Iron series, we cover treatment including supplementation, nutrition strategies, and why treatment plans need to be individualized. We discuss common reasons iron treatment doesn’t work (or feels intolerable), and how to support the body while rebuilding levels.

We also talk about advocacy: what questions to ask, when to reassess, and how to be taken seriously when symptoms persist.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or mental health care. We are not your doctor or your counsellor. Please seek individualized support from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.

In part two of our Everything Iron series, we talk about assessment, what tests are useful, what results actually mean, and why many women are told their iron is “fine” when they still feel exhausted.

We discuss common labs (including ferritin), how to interpret results in context, what symptoms to track, and when it’s worth advocating for deeper investigation.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or mental health care. We are not your doctor or your counsellor. Please seek individualized support from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.

In this episode, we kick off our Everything Iron series by breaking down iron deficiency, what it is, why it’s so common in women, and why it is frequently missed, downplayed, or misattributed to stress.

We explore how low iron can affect energy, mood, cognition, sleep, exercise tolerance, and anxiety-like symptoms, and why women’s concerns are often minimized in healthcare.

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or mental health care. We are not your doctor or your counsellor. Please seek individualized support from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.