The Hidden Truth About Hormones: Understanding Thyroid, Adrenals, and More

Hello Warriors!

If you’ve been feeling like your body is waving a giant red flag—fatigue, weight gain, gut issues, anxiety, hormonal chaos—you are so not alone. Millions of women are still being told “you’re fine” while battling symptoms that are anything but fine.

This week on Episode 135 of the Suburban Warrior podcast, I’m welcoming back the incredible Nicole Broderick, founder of Innerlume Healing, her brand new practice based in Philadelphia, New York City, and offering virtual sessions nationwide. Nicole’s story is powerful—her own healing journey from being completely dismissed by the medical system to thriving as a practitioner is exactly why she does this work.

Nicole helps women safely and effectively uncover the root causes of what’s keeping them stuck—whether it’s gut issues, hormone chaos, chronic fatigue, or autoimmune symptoms. She’s a body detective in the truest sense, using nutrition response testing and muscle testing to help the body communicate exactly what it needs to heal.

This is one of the most important conversations we’ve had on the podcast—and a must-listen for every woman navigating midlife.

5 Powerful Lessons from Nicole Broderick (plus a little extra!)

1. It’s NOT “Just Aging” — It’s Metabolic Dysfunction

Symptoms like weight gain (especially belly fat), exhaustion, bloating, and brain fog aren’t “just midlife.” They’re the result of years of metabolic dysfunction—adrenal burnout, blood sugar imbalances, and hormonal chaos. It’s not about eating less; it’s about fueling with protein, balancing blood sugar, and supporting your stress response.

2. Thyroid Issues Are Often NOT Thyroid Issues

Women are frequently told they have hypothyroidism and put on meds like Levothyroxine. But the real problem is often adrenal burnout, not the thyroid itself. The thyroid is simply compensating for depleted adrenals. When the adrenals are supported, thyroid function often improves naturally—and many women are able to reduce or stop meds safely.

3. The Birth Control Pill is Silencing, Not Solving

Hormonal birth control stops ovulation—which means no progesterone (your calming, mood-balancing, anti-inflammatory hormone). Over time, this can contribute to depression, thyroid dysfunction, autoimmune disease, and major hormonal imbalances. The pill manages symptoms but doesn't heal the root cause.

4. SSRIs Are Not a Life Sentence

Nicole supports women in safely weaning off antidepressants when their bodies are ready. SSRIs are sometimes necessary in crisis, but long-term use can numb more than just sadness. With nervous system repair, adrenal support, and root cause healing, many clients find they no longer need them.

5. Your Body Wants to Heal—It Just Needs the Right Support

Nicole uses muscle testing to listen directly to what the body is asking for. Whether it’s parasites, mold, viruses, heavy metals, or nutrient depletion causing dysfunction, her protocols focus on clearing the stressors and strengthening the organs so the body can return to self-regulation and self-healing.

Nicole’s Midlife Wellness Staples:

• Magnesium (glycinate or food-based) for relaxation, detox, and hormone balance

• B Vitamins for energy, stress resilience, and liver detox

• Zinc for hormone production, immune health, and calming inflammation

• Adrenal Support like Drenamin to recover from burnout

You Are NOT Broken.
You Are NOT Alone.
You CAN Heal.

This is your reminder, warrior—you don’t have to accept feeling “off” as your new normal!

Learn more about Nicole Broderick and Innerlume Healing:

📍 Philadelphia + NYC + Virtual Sessions
📱 Instagram: @innerlume_healing
🌐 Website: innerlumehealing.com

Naomi Watts Is Hotter Than Ever—and So Are We

Our girl Naomi Watts is officially smashing menopause stigma with her new campaign called “Hotter Than Ever”—and honestly, SAME. As the founder of the menopause wellness brand Stripes, Naomi is teaming up with powerhouse women (think Chelsea Handler and Dr. Somi Javaid) to flip the script on how we talk about midlife. This campaign is all about reminding women that this phase of life isn’t about fading into the background—it’s about stepping fully into your power, wisdom, and confidence. Midlife is not the end. It’s the beginning of a whole new fire.

The “We Do Not Care” Movement Is Menopause Real Talk, Unfiltered

Have you seen this yet? Women all over the world are jumping into the viral “We Do Not Care” movement started by Melani Saunders, a midlife warrior who got real about her perimenopause journey on social media. And guess what? It exploded. Thousands of women are sharing the raw, unfiltered truth about their hot flashes, night sweats, hormone struggles, and everything in between—with zero shame. This is sisterhood. This is solidarity. And it’s a giant middle finger to the idea that we’re supposed to suffer in silence. We love her!

Ready to Warrior Up!

Listen to the Full Episode: Suburban Warrior podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for reading—and remember, knowledge is power! If you’re experiencing symptoms, don’t ignore them. There is help (and hope) out there. Stay tuned for our next newsletter to keep transforming your mindset and rocking your inner warrior!