We're excited to introduce you to Cory, an incredible member of our BodyTalks community. Join us as she shares her journey to hormonal harmony, exploring the power of intuition, self-care, and finding support in unexpected places.

The Impact of High Cortisol on My Body

Having had PCOS and dealing with the absence of my thyroid since 2017 meant that my body was navigating its own set of challenges. But 2021 felt different. As the world slowly emerged from the shadow of the pandemic, many of us were left to grapple with changes that went far deeper than just returning to "normal life." For me, this time marked the beginning of something different. There was an underlying anxiety I couldn’t shake, a sense that something was off, no matter how much I tried to explain it away as pandemic fatigue. I had inflammation, my sleep was poor, and I felt constantly tired.

It wasn’t until I started working with a naturopath that things began to make sense. My cortisol levels—the stress hormone—were very high, and it was impacting everything from my sleep to my mood. This was my wake-up call: I needed to make changes, and they needed to be lasting.

Discovering Inositol and Moving Away From Quick-Fixes

I first encountered the power of inositol through Peach Perfect's Happy Hormones supplement. But, Bodology's philosophy of addressing the root cause, their dedication to single-ingredient solutions, and founder Jasmin's personal connection to PCOS spoke to me on a deeper level.

The path hasn't always been straightforward. I waded through a sea of information, often conflicting and overwhelming. Navigating the world of wellness with PCOS, hormone imbalances, and a thyroid condition felt like piecing together a complex puzzle. It required patience, self-reflection, and a willingness to embrace trial and error. There were times when I felt disheartened, especially when things didn’t work as quickly as I’d hoped, or at all.

The Instagram Accounts That Helped Me Take Control of My PCOS—And Finally Quit Birth Control

One thing that made a significant difference for me was finding a sense of community. My Instagram circle of like-minded women became a surprising source of support and connection. The more I shared my journey, the more I realized how many of us were walking parallel paths. It’s easy to feel alone when your body doesn’t fit the "norm," but opening up about my experiences showed me that we’re far more connected than we think. 

Through this community, I found invaluable advice—and I even made the life-changing decision to stop taking birth control after 20 years, something I’d always relied on to manage my PCOS.

Along the way, I have discovered resources that resonated with me. I worked with my naturopath to understand my body's rhythms and followed accounts like @arc.woman and @greenshaker, whose advice felt aligned with my needs. I even found valuable insights on TikTok from @erikahoang_, who shared guidance on navigating PCOS and the transition off birth control. It was a decision I made with a lot of hesitation, but it’s been one of the most liberating shifts in my health journey. My energy levels are better, I feel calmer, and for the first time in a long time, I feel more aligned with my body.

The Power of Listening to My Body Through EFT and Tarot

I started to check in with myself regularly, asking my body what it needed instead of pushing it through routines that didn’t serve me.

As an intuitive healer, I connect with my body through daily tarot readings and by simply asking what it needs. I can then sense what kind of movement or nourishment to lean into by what makes me feel energetically more lit up. Then my EFT practice helps me maintain inner equilibrium, allowing my body to make choices that support its well-being.

The Morning Routine That Helps Me Lower Cortisol Levels

Now, my mornings begin with a simple ritual: 15-30 minutes of soaking up the sun with my husband and dog, a practice that has quieted the inner chaos and reduced my cortisol levels. I nourish my body with protein-packed breakfasts, start each day with an adrenal cocktail (insert link to Cory’s adrenal cocktail), and move my body in ways that feel good, honoring where I am in my cycle. EFT tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques; also known as tapping or psychological acupressure) has become a consistent practice, helping me soothe my nervous system and find a sense of grounding.

Prioritizing protein in the morning has been pivotal for me too, providing sustained energy throughout the day. I've also been exploring the wisdom of cycle syncing, aligning my diet with the phases of my menstrual cycle (follicular, ovulatory, luteal and menstrual). And when my nervous system is regulated, my body naturally gravitates toward choices that nourish and sustain, with fewer cravings for sugary quick fixes.

Where I'm at Today and The Key to Lasting Change

Recently, I learned from my new gynecologist that my hormones have returned to normal ranges, and I no longer meet the diagnostic criteria for PCOS. Whether this is due to a combination of the years of work I’ve put into healing, combined with the support of products like Bodology, and my decision to come off birth control after 20 years, it feels like a significant turning point in my wellness journey. I don’t know if I was misdiagnosed as a teenager, but what I do know is how empowering it feels to have reached this point, to feel at home in my body again.

If there's one lesson I've learned, it's the importance of progress over perfection, of showing up consistently with kindness and self-compassion. Real, lasting change takes time. It's been years of learning, growing, and evolving, and I’m still on that journey. What's helped me stay the course is letting go of the need to do everything "perfectly". Enjoy the birthday cake, skip the workout when your body needs rest, forget the pills once in a while – then gently ease back into your routine, and get back on track tomorrow.

To anyone hesitant to embark on her own wellness journey, remember that healing is a process, a delicate dance of self-discovery. Trust your intuition, experiment, and be patient in discovering what truly works for you. We are all unique, and our paths will reflect that. Find a few trusted sources that resonate with you, and try not to get lost in the sea of information. Your body holds the wisdom; listen closely, and it will guide you.