The Cyclist
The go-to women's health podcast for real, honest conversations about hormones, periods, PCOS, endometriosis, fertility, and the rest. Hosted by Jess Quinn & Katherine Douglas, we dive into all things women's health and help you to demystify owning a female body— with expert advice and real stories to help you feel empowered and informed. If you're tired of being dismissed and want to decode your body, this podcast is for you.
Episodes
From Severe Bloating to Nomu Matcha: Tessa Stockdale on Chronic Gut Issues and Healing as a Founder
Two gut girlies sit down to talk.In this episode, Jess is joined by Tessa Stockdale, co-founder of Nomu Matcha, the award-winning New Zealand ceremonial matcha brand she built with her mum Karen, for a conversation that started, fittingly, over a shared obsession with gut health.Tessa takes us back six years to when her gut issues first started showing up in her mid-twenties. She was in advertisin
Jess Is Pregnant! The Full Story: Miscarriage, Sertraline and a Very Positive Pregnancy Test
There’s a third person in the room in this episode with Kat and Jess… Jess is pregnant! In this episode, Jess and Kat talk about baby number two and share the full journey of how they got here. This is the conversation Jess says she has dreamt of recording, and it's everything. Honest, emotional, funny, and deeply real.Jess takes us back to the beginning. After a two-year journey to fall pregnant
PCOS Has Had A Name Change! Here's What PMOS Means for You with Dietitian Sara from Your Monthly Club
She's had a rebrand. And it's been a long time coming.In this episode, Jess sits down with Sara, New Zealand registered dietitian, women's health expert, and founder of Your Monthly Club, to unpack one of the biggest developments in women's health in recent years. PCOS has officially been renamed PMOS, Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, and Sara is here to explain exactly wh
What a Childfree Life Can Look Like with Danni Duncan
Not every woman's path looks the same. And that's exactly the point.In this episode, Jess sits down with Danni Duncan, content creator, community builder, and founder of The Others Club, for a conversation that's a little different from our usual. Danni has spent years building one of the most engaged childfree communities in Aotearoa and beyond, and this episode is for every woman who has ever fe
Progesterone, PCOS, Endometriosis and Miscarriage: Naturopath Francesca Lyon on the Hormones Changing Everything
What if the key to your mental health, fertility, and longevity was sitting quietly in one hormone most women have never been taught to protect?In this episode, Jess sits down with Francesca Lyon, degree-qualified Naturopath and Medical Herbalist from Auckland, now based in Amsterdam, and Director of Nutrition at Future Woman, a UK-based at-home hormone testing company. Francesca has spent over 13
Period Pain: The Pain I Learned To Normalise with Ella Cunningham
We're closing out our period pain miniseries the way it started. With a real story.In the final episode of the Period Pain Mini Series, Jess sits down with Ella, founder of Els Lovers, a New Zealand-made brand creating wearable heat packs designed specifically for endometriosis and period pain relief. Ella takes us right back to the beginning to a musical theatre rehearsal camp, three days bef
Period Pain: The Part No One Talks About with Psychologist Andy Leggat
Your pain is real. And your brain is trying to protect you.In episode four of our period pain miniseries, Jess sits down with Andy Leggat, registered Health Psychologist and Fertility Counsellor with over 15 years of clinical experience, for one of the most validating conversations we've had on this podcast. Andy is a returning Cyclist guest, and if you haven't heard her first episode on
Period Pain: What Your Pelvic Floor Has To Do With It with Pelvic Health Physio Caitlin Fris
Your pelvic floor has more to do with your period pain than you might think.In episode three of our period pain miniseries, Jess is joined by Caitlin Fris, pelvic health physio, founder of Unity Studios, The Cyclist's resident pelvic health expert, and the woman behind @thevaginaphysio on Instagram. Caitlin has been on the podcast before and if you haven't heard her first episode, Pelvic H
Period Pain: What Conventional Medicine Leaves Out with Naturopath Loula George
What if the answers to your period pain have been hiding in your gut, your diet, and your environment all along?In episode two of our period pain miniseries, Jess sits down with Loula George, one of New Zealand's most respected naturopaths, with over 30 years of experience specialising in women's health. Loula is the kind of practitioner whose name gets whispered in reverent tones across t
Period Pain: Is Your Pain Being Taken Seriously? It Should Be. Says Gynaecologist Dr Praveen De Silva
This is where the period pain conversation gets real.In the first episode of our Period Pain Mini-Series, Kat sits down with Dr Praveen De Silva, a New Zealand-born gynaecologist, endometriosis surgeon, and Clinical Lead for Endometriosis and Laparoscopic Surgery at Te Whatu Ora Waitemata. He was also the name our community called out overwhelmingly when we asked who they wanted to hear from on th
Welcome to the Period Pain Mini Series! Here’s what to expect
Hello, and welcome to The Cyclist Period Pain miniseries. We are so glad that you're here. Before we get into the episodes, we wanted to sit down and talk to you about why we made the series, because honestly, it comes from a really personal place. In fact, I don't think The Cyclist would exist without period pain. It was a huge pivotal part in our journey that led us to realise we need mo
Ellie Fitzgerald on Child-Free by Choice, Circumstance, or Something in Between
Almost two years on, and this conversation goes even deeper.Ellie Fitzgerald was the very first guest on The Cyclist, and she's back. In this raw and honest catch-up, Jess and Ellie revisit everything that has unfolded since Ellie shared her ruptured ectopic pregnancy story, nearly two years ago now. What started as a check-in becomes one of the most vulnerable conversations we've had on t
We’re back! Sertraline, breastfeeding & a new era of The Cyclist
We're back! And it feels so good to say that.In this episode, Jess and Kat reunite for an honest and overdue catch-up after a longer break than either of them planned. Life has been full. A new baby, a return to work, new products, and some deeply personal health journeys that kept unfolding in the background.Kat opens up about returning to work after six months of maternity leave with baby Louie,
2025 Wrapped: Anxiety, Babies & Big Dreams with Jess & Kat
A raw and honest end-of-year conversation reflecting on everything 2025 asked of us.In this final episode for the year, Jess and Kat sit down for an unfiltered chat about the highs, the heartbreaks, and the behind-the-scenes reality of the year that was.We speak openly about Jess’ battle with anxiety, the moments we felt completely overwhelmed, and the times we genuinely questioned whether we coul
The Mind Body Approach Every Woman Needs with Britt McNabb
This week we sit down with fitness trainer and psychology graduate Britt McNabb, known online as @mindbody.britt, for a powerful conversation on healing your relationship with movement and the body you call home.Britt shares her own 40kg weight loss journey and how it shaped the unique mind body approach she uses with women today. Her work blends nervous system education, fitness, and deep self co
Endometriosis, Ulcerative Colitis & Learning to Love a Changing Body with Elbee
This week we sit down with Elbee to talk about the health changes that arrived after birth and the journey to finally being taken seriously.Elbee is a beauty, lifestyle and parenting creator who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis postpartum, later undergoing endometriosis surgery in 2023 and facing unexpected complications with the Mirena.We speak about the early signs that something was not ri
Hearing ‘It’s Bowel Cancer’ at 26 with Jess Thompson
We sit down with the incredible Jess Thompson, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 26 years old. What started as a gut feeling that something wasn’t right led to a diagnosis that gave her only one to two years to live.Jess walks us through her journey, the symptoms she pushed for answers on, navigating a healthcare system that didn’t always take her seriously, going through chemo and major
Anxiety, Panic Attacks & Women’s Health: Jess and Dr Victoria Go There
A real, honest conversation about anxiety, panic attacks, and the overwhelming moments so many of us quietly carry.This week we’re joined by Dr Victoria Thompson, clinical psychologist, to dive deep into anxiety in all its forms.Jess opens up about her own recent experience with anxiety and panic attacks, sharing what those moments have actually looked and felt like behind the scenes. Together, we
Laura Henshaw on Pregnancy, Period Pain and Why Your Body Isn't a Trend
This week we are joined by Laura Henshaw, co-founder of Kic.In this conversation, Laura opens up about her experience with painful periods, navigating pregnancy & her decision to have children, and how her relationship with cycle syncing has evolved over time. We also dive into the cultural moment of GLP1s, SkinnyTok, comparison culture and the pressure to change or control our bodies in order
Daisy Dagg: Vulvodynia, Endo & Life After a Hysterectomy
This week on The Cyclist, we sit down with Daisy Dagg for one of the most open and powerful conversations we’ve had yet.Daisy shares her story starting from her cervical cancer diagnosis in her early years, through the confusing and painful journey that eventually led to her vulvodynia diagnosis. She opens up about what it’s really like to live with chronic pelvic pain, from how it affects intimac
Endo, Type 1 Diabetes & Finding Strength in Setbacks with Jess Kerr
What does it take to perform at the top of your game when your body doesn’t always play ball?This week, we’re joined by Jess Kerr, New Zealand cricketer, to talk about living and performing with type 1 diabetes, navigating endometriosis surgeries, and being diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy.Jess shares how she manages blood sugar, recovery, and energy on and off the field, what it’s really like to push
The Truth About PCOS, TikTok Myths, and The Pill with Dietician Sara Widdowson
From PCOS to the pill - we’re diving into the topics that TikTok loves to oversimplify.In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Sara Widdowson, dietitian and founder of Your Monthly, to unpack the real science (and the real-life experience) behind PCOS, hormone balance, and contraception.We tackle the big questions:✨ What actually is PCOS - and can you cure it?✨ Why do so many TikTok “hormone hacks
You Are Not a Small Man: How Hormones Change the Way We Move with Lydia O'Donnell
Today Jess sits down in Sydney with longtime friend and running legend Lydia O’Donnell, co-founder of Femmi and Nike Run Club Head Coach for the Pacific.Lydia shares how shifting from “how I look” to “what my body can do” changed everything, including her performance. She opens up about RED-S, losing and regaining her period, and how cycle-aware training and proper fueling helped her rebuild stren
Building Cadence: The Story, the Science, and the Sisterhood
We’ve officially launched Cadence, our sister brand, our passion project, and the culmination of three years of building, learning, and healing.In this episode, Jess and Kat share the full journey from that first DM to launch day - the highs, the heartbreaks, and the why behind it all. We chat about what drove us to create Cadence, the gaps we saw in the women’s health space, and the products that
Born Without A Uterus with Prue Craven
This week on the podcast we’re joined by Prue Craven, who was born with a rare condition called MRKH, meaning she never developed a uterus.Prue opens up about the moment she realised something was different, the long journey through IVF and surrogacy heartbreak, and the life-changing 14-hour transplant surgery that gave her the chance to carry her own child. She shares what it was like to wake up
The Brutal Reality of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis with Georgie
This week on the podcast we’re joined by Georgie, who courageously shares her real story with endometriosis and adenomyosis. She speaks honestly about the symptoms she’s lived with, the multiple surgeries she’s endured, and the ongoing challenges of navigating life with chronic pain.We dive into how her diagnosis has reshaped her day-to-day - from the difficulty of holding down work to the way her
Kat's Birth Story: From VBAC to Emergency C Section
In this episode, Kat shares her powerful and emotional birth story.From raspberry leaf tea to acupuncture, induction herbs, dates, evening primrose oil, perineal massage, and even colostrum collection, Kat takes us through everything she tried in the hopes of achieving a VBAC. Despite her best efforts, her journey led to a second emergency c-section - and with it, the lessons and peace she found i
Gen Mora: What Anorexia Taught Me About My Body, My Periods, and My Pregnancy
From battling anorexia and OCD to co-founding one of New Zealand’s leading mental health charities Voices of Hope, Genevieve Mora’s story is one of resilience and hope.In this episode, Gen (@_genevieve_mora) opens up about her lived experience with anorexia, the toll it took on her body and cycles, and the road to recovery. We dive into how disordered eating impacts reproductive health, why launch
The Endometriosis Story Every Woman Needs to Hear with Abbey Harrison
This week on The Cyclist Podcast we’re diving into a raw and powerful story of living with endometriosis.Our guest is Abbey Harrison, perinatal and women’s health social worker, who not only supports women through birth, loss, and midwifery referrals, but has also walked her own long road with chronic illness.In this episode we focus mostly on her personal journey with chronic health, particularly
Is Your Makeup Messing With Your Hormones? with Emma Peters from Aleph Beauty
This week we’re joined by Emma Peters, clean beauty advocate, makeup artist, and founder of Aleph Beauty.The global beauty industry is worth over $670 billion, but behind the glamour lies a hidden health story. Many everyday products contain hormone disruptors that can interfere with the endocrine system, impacting everything from menstrual cycles to fertility and long-term hormonal balance.Emma b
My Second Miscarriage and Everything It Taught me with Jess Quinn
This week, it’s just me, Jess, sharing my miscarriage story, both past and present.I open up about the heartbreak, the silence, and the lessons I’ve learnt along the way. It’s raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal, but it’s a conversation that so many of us need to hear. My hope is that this episode helps someone feel less alone in their own journey, or helps others better understand what miscarria
The Birth Episode Every Woman Should Hear with Dr Morgan Edwards
This week on the podcast we’re talking all things birth with Dr Morgan Edwards, an Obstetric Anaesthetist specialising in pain management, epidurals, and anaesthesia during labour and delivery. From C-sections to epidurals, and the importance of self-advocacy, Dr Morgan shares her expert insights, practical advice, and the realities that often get left out of the conversation.We unpack what really
The Truth About Perimenopause Every Woman Should Know with Dr Nicky Keay
Hot flushes, low mood, brain fog, weight changes, insomnia... sound familiar? You might be in perimenopause, even if no one’s told you so.This week on The Cyclist, we’re joined by hormone expert and medical researcher Dr Nicky Keay to break down what perimenopause and menopause actually are, when they can start, and what signs to look out for. We cover the most common (and commonly missed) symptom
The Pill, PMS & the Endo Symptoms We Have Been Taught to Ignore with Dr Amelia Ryan
Dr Amelia Ryan, co-owner of Advanced Gynaecology Auckland, is a gynaecologist on a mission to improve how we diagnose and treat women's health conditions, especially endometriosis.In this episode, we get into the realities of being diagnosed with endo, why so many of us are dismissed or misdiagnosed for years, and how ultrasound is changing the game. We also unpack the good, the bad, and the m
Miss Polly's Kitchen: Chron's, Egg Freezing & a Baby on the Way
From life on luxury superyachts to navigating chronic illness and fertility decisions, Polly Markus (aka @miss_pollys_kitchen) has lived many lives in one. In this feel-good episode, we sit down with Polly to chat about her journey with Crohn’s disease - from diagnosis to remission - and how it led her to make big decisions like freezing her eggs and preparing for motherhood.She shares what it was
What Kats First Birth Taught Her & What She Is Hoping To Do Differently This Time
In this episode, it’s just us - Jess and Kat - sitting down for a real and raw chat about Kat’s first birth and how she’s preparing for baby number two.Kat opens up about her birth with Cooper, how she ended up having an unplanned C-section, and the things she wishes she’d known beforehand. We talk about her recovery, the early postpartum days, and the products that actually helped during that cha
The Truth About PCOS That Your Doctor Didn’t Tell You with Nutritionist Clare Goodwin
PCOS: Is it your hormones, your diet, or both? In this episode, we break it all down with expert Clare Goodwin (@thepcosnutritionist).Clare is a PCOS nutritionist and medical scientist who’s helped thousands of women take back control of their hormones without extreme diets or restriction.We cover what’s actually driving PCOS symptoms, why insulin is often the real root cause, and how to manage it
Louisa Morley on Twins at 16, Egg Donating & Getting Pregnant on Contraceptive
This week we’re joined by Louisa Morley - mum of four, content creator, and all-round open book.In this candid, feel-good conversation, Louisa shares her journey of falling pregnant with twins at 16, navigating surprise pregnancies (yes, even while on the pill and the Mirena), and what it was really like to become an egg donor. We also chat about her experience of not having a period for two years
Vaginas, Perimenopause & Everything After with Dr Olivia Smart
What’s really going on with your vagina, your cycle, and your hormones?This week on The Cyclist podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Olivia Smart - a Christchurch-based gynaecologist with a warm, no-nonsense approach to women’s health.In this episode, we dive deep into the menstrual cycle, vaginal health, and the often-misunderstood vaginal microbiome. Dr. Smart also helps us unpack what’s actually happen
Infertility Unfiltered: The Emotional Side of Infertility with Psychologist Andy Leggat
What does it really mean to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatment, not just physically, but mentally and relationally?This week, we’re joined by Andy Leggat, a registered Health Psychologist and Fertility Counsellor with over 15 years of clinical experience. Andy has worked extensively with individuals and couples dealing with reproductive health challenges, including inferti
The Show Must Not Go On: Emma Watkins’ (aka Emma Wiggle's) Endo Wake-Up Call
Endometriosis, stage performances, and yellow skivvies - this week we’re joined by Emma Watkins, the original Yellow Wiggle, to talk about living with endo in the spotlight.Emma opens up about her stage 4 endometriosis diagnosis, what it was like managing debilitating pain while touring the world with The Wiggles, and why she pushed through for so long, even when her body was screaming at her to s
Infertility Unfiltered: A Holistic Approach to Infertility with Jessica Giljam-Brown
This week on Infertility Unfiltered (a mini series by The Cyclist), we’re joined by Jessica Giljam-Brown, a nutritionist and medical herbalist, known for her work at Wellness by Jessica. Jess shares both her personal and professional insight into infertility, a journey she knows intimately and one she now supports others through with evidence-based, holistic care.We speak with Jess about the emoti
Jess & Kat Get Honest About Their Journeys with Natural Health
This week, we’re sharing our personal journey into natural medicine, the real, raw, and surprising moments that led us to where we are today.Kat opens up about growing up in a medical family and how chronic UTIs became the turning point that led her to naturopathy. Jess shares how natural medicine became a powerful support during her cancer treatment and why it’s now an essential part of her holis
Infertility Unfiltered: Understanding Infertility and when to seek help with Dr Lizzie Glanville
This week, we’re kicking off our four-part mini-series for Infertility Awareness Month: Infertility Unfiltered.We’re joined by gynaecologist and fertility specialist Dr. Lizzie Glanville to open the conversation with expert insights, compassion, and clarity.We unpack how to navigate infertility in both the public and private system, when to seek help, and what intervention options actually look li
Dr Libby on What Women Need to Truly Thrive
This week we’re diving into the emotional and physicaldrivers behind women’s health.We’re joined by nutritional biochemist, bestselling author, and women’s health expert Dr Libby (@drlibby)to talk about stress, hormones, and iron, and how it’s allconnected.We unpack the impact of chronic stress, the role emotions play in hormone health, and why so many women are unknowingly iron deficient. Dr Li
Eating in Tune with Your Cycle: The Nutrition Talk You Needed with Sara Widdowson
This week we're diving into your plate & your cycle. We're joined by dietician Sara Widdowson from Your Monthly (@yourmonthly) to talk all things cycle syncing, hormones and how food can support your cycle as a whole. We unpack how to build a blood-sugar friendly plate, how to eat to support your hormones, and what you really need to know about managing PCOS, endometriosis, or irregula
Sharyn Casey - The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
In this open, honest, and deeply powerful episode, we’re joined by the incredible Sharyn Casey (@sharyncasey) for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on motherhood, fertility, and mental health. Sharyn shares her journey through infertility and the emotional rollercoaster that came with it, including her diagnosis of a septate in her uterus and the life-changing care she received from her g
It's Not All In Your Head with Clinical Psychologist Dr Bex Parkes
In this raw, validating, and deeply insightful episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr Bex Parkes - clinical psychologist, founder of All About Wellbeing, and advisor to The Cyclist - for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on the powerful intersection between mental health and women’s health.Bex shares her personal journey through years of undiagnosed fibroids and autoimmune challenges,
How Food Helped Us Heal: The Two Raw Sisters Story
In this open, honest, and hilarious episode, we’re joined by the incredible Rosa and Margo from Two Raw Sisters for a conversation that’s as empowering as it is entertaining.Margo shares her journey with chronic fatigue and endometriosis, and how years of navigating symptoms led her to a deeper understanding of her body and health. Rosa opens up about her experience with RED-S (Relative Energy Def
Beyond Endo: What You Deserve to Know About Your Body with Dr Fiona Connell
In this open, honest, and insightful episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Fiona Connell for an empowering conversation that pulls back the curtain on women's health - from navigating endometriosis and medical gaslighting, to understanding the menstrual cycle and advocating for the care you deserve.Dr. Fiona shares her expertise on what a healthy menstrual cycle actually looks like - brea
When Your Body Doesn’t Work the Way You Hoped with Bree Tomasel
In this open and deeply personal episode, we sit down with the hilarious and heartfelt Bree Tomasel (@breetomasel) to talk about the messy, emotional, and often misunderstood side of women’s health.Bree shares her experience living with endometriosis and PCOS - from the symptoms she brushed off for years to the moment she finally got answers. She opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of navig
Let's Talk About Sex (like really talk about it) with Jo Robertson
In this open, honest, and deeply validating episode, we’re joined by the incredible Jo Robertson (@jorobertson.therapy) for a no-holds-barred conversation about sex, shame, and everything we were never taught about our bodies.Jo opens up about the most common struggles she sees in her therapy room - from painful sex and post-UTI fear, to differing libidos, low desire, and the emotional weight that
Endo, Mental Health & Fertility with Tima Savea
In this open, honest, and feel-good episode, we’re joined by the lovely Tima Savea (@timasavea) for a heartfelt conversation that unpacks the often unseen layers of womanhood - from living with endometriosis and navigating fertility, to mental health, painful periods, and the emotional toll that so often goes unspoken.Tima opens up about her personal journey with endometriosis - the pain, the conf
PCOS, ADHD, Periods & Pleasure with Steph Claire Smith
In this open, honest, and feel-good episode, we’re joined by the incredible Steph Claire Smith (@stephclairesmith) for a conversation that dives deep into the many layers of womanhood - from hormonal health and body acceptance to self pleasure, cycle syncing, and navigating life with ADHD.Steph opens up about her experience living with PCOS, how she’s learning to work with her cycle instead of aga
Why Women Need To Be "difficult" with Cecilia Robinson
In this episode, we sit down with Cecilia Robinson - entrepreneur, founder of Tend, and passionate advocate for women’s health — for a raw and powerful conversation about the reality of our healthcare system.Cecilia opens up about her personal battle with fertility & endometriosis and the years-long fight to be heard, diagnosed, and treated. We talk about why women are so often dismissed, why
Pelvic Health Demystified: Pain, Pleasure & Power with Caitlin Fris
In this episode, we’re joined by the incredible Caitlin Fris — pelvic health physio, founder of Unity Studios, The Cyclist Pelvic Health Phsyio and the woman behind @thevaginaphysio on Instagram. Caitlin is a true wealth of knowledge when it comes to pelvic health, and we go deep into conversations that so many of us need to hear.We talk about the connection between pelvic health and endometriosis
Endo, Infertility & Losing Baby Binkie with Ellie Fitzgerald
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Ellie Fitzgerald (@lovingelliesbellie) to talk about her lifelong journey with endometriosis, her struggles with infertility, and the recent heartbreaking loss of her baby Binkie, at 7 weeks pregnant.Ellie opens up about what it’s really like to live with endo — the physical pain, the emotional toll, and the unseen battles that come wi
It Started With Endo: How Our Pain Sparked The Cyclist
Welcome to the very first episode of The Cyclist Podcast! In this debut episode, we (your co-founders) sit down to share who we are, how we met, and why we created The Cyclist — a platform dedicated to demystifying the female body and reshaping the conversation around menstrual and hormonal health.We dive deep into our personal journeys with endometriosis, the challenges we faced navigating the he
