Fertility Finesse Show

fatherhood, fertility, men's health, emotional well-being, fitness, personal training, community support, mental health, parenting, wellnessSummaryIn this episode of the Fertility Finesse Show, host Helena Tubridy speaks with personal coach Kevin Boyle about the often-overlooked emotional and physical challenges faced by men during the journey of fatherhood and fertility. They discuss Kevin's personal journey towards health and fitness, the importance of understanding one's motivations for fitness, and how men can engage in their health and wellness. The conversation also touches on the significance of community support, the balance between competition and recovery in fitness, and the impact of food choices on emotional well-being. Kevin emphasizes the need for men to shift their identity towards a healthier lifestyle and the importance of being proactive in their health for the sake of their families.TakeawaysMen often feel side lined during fertility struggles.Understanding your 'why' is crucial for motivation.Community support is vital for men's health.Food choices significantly impact emotional well-being.Rest and recovery are essential for overall health.Men need to shift their identity towards fitness.Engaging in physical activities can improve mental health.Healthy habits benefit the entire family.Grief and emotional challenges are not gendered.Building a sustainable fitness routine is key to long-term health.Sound Bites"You have to shift your identity.""Rest and recovery is an activity.""What gets measured gets managed."Chapters00:00Navigating Fatherhood and Fertility Challenges02:03Kevin's Personal Journey to Health and Fitness05:58The Emotional Landscape of Fatherhood09:33Understanding the Importance of Physical Fitness16:26Engaging Men in Health and Wellness Programs19:56Balancing Competition and Recovery in Fitness22:49The Role of Community in Men's Health27:14Food Choices and Emotional Well-being29:24Building Resilience for Parenthood35:00Conclusion and Call to Action

This week on Fertility Finesse, I’m joined by leading dietitian Orla Walsh for a grounded, practical conversation about how food genuinely supports fertility. We break down the eating fundamentals that matter most when you’re trying to conceive, from building balanced meals to understanding how simple nutrition shifts can influence hormones, egg and sperm quality, and overall wellbeing.Orla takes the confusion out of Mediterranean-style eating and explains how to bring those principles into everyday life without overhauling your entire kitchen. We also chat about supplements: what’s worth considering, what’s often unnecessary, and how to tailor choices instead of guessing.If food prep feels overwhelming, Orla shares surprisingly easy ways to create nourishing meals even on busy days. And because nutrition can feel like a minefield, we go through the most common TTC mistakes she sees in clinic — and how to avoid them.Orla Walsh RD, MSc is one of Ireland’s leading dietitians and the founder of Orla Walsh Nutrition, a thriving Dublin-based clinic known for its clear, evidence-driven approach.With a background in physiology, a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition, and extensive experience in sports, hormonal health, gut health, and fertility,Orla specialises in translating complex science into practical, sustainable steps that genuinely work in real life.Her balanced, no-nonsense philosophy helps people cut through confusion, support their hormones, and nourish their bodies without fads or extremes.In this episode, Orla brings her trademark clarity to the world of fertility nutrition,sharing what actually matters, what to let go of, and how food can support your journey whether you’re trying to conceivefor the first time or navigating secondary infertility.

Fertility Finesse Show host and fertility, IVF and miscarriage coach Helena Tubridy chats with clinical psychotherapist Stephanie Regan to explore the emotional complexities of fertility challenges and their impact on relationships. Stefanie Regan is a Dublin-based psychotherapist and media relationship expert with decades of experience in mental health, trauma, and workplace wellbeing. A regular on Newstalk and Ireland AM, she’s known for her warm, practical advice that helps people navigate love, loss, and life. Co-host of Tough Love and author of Journey Forward: Trauma and Healing (2023).They discuss how couples navigate stress and grief differently, the importance of communication, and the role of therapy in providing support. The conversation also touches on societal pressures, family dynamics, and the evolving nature of family structures, emphasizing the need for resilience and understanding in the face of adversity.It's all about:Navigating Love Through Fertility ChallengesThe Emotional Landscape of IVF and RelationshipsFertility challenges can strain relationships but also reveal their strength.Couples often experience stress and grief differently during fertility treatments.Communication styles can differ significantly between partners, impacting their connection.Intimacy can be affected by the medical nature of fertility treatments.Therapy can provide essential support and perspective during fertility struggles.Understanding family dynamics is crucial for couples without children.It's important to reflect on the reasons behind the desire for more children.Societal pressures can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy for couples trying to conceive.Setting boundaries is essential for those without children in family dynamics.The landscape of family structures is evolving, requiring new conversations about parentingChapters00:00 Navigating Fertility Challenges Together02:17 Understanding Stress and Grief in Relationships05:00 The Impact of Parenthood on Relationships07:29 Coping Styles and Communication in Couples13:14 Reclaiming Intimacy During Fertility Treatments17:40 The Role of Therapy in Relationship Support27:12 Understanding the Emotional Investment in Fertility29:59 The Importance of Self-Reflection in the Fertility Journey32:15 Navigating Control and Acceptance in Fertility Challenges35:34 Coping with the Pain of Comparison and Loss39:04 The Burden of Responsibility in Childless Adults42:09 Reclaiming Value in Childless Relationships46:09 The Evolving Landscape of Parenting Choices49:37 Resilience and Love Through Fertility Struggles

Tiny Gland, Mighty Impact, with Dr. Shandeep Momi a Dublin-based GP and founder of Functional Thyroid Care, who’s redefining how we understand and optimise thyroid health for fertility AND pregnancy.And what's usually missed...He shares his deeply personal story that shaped his clinical mission: his wife’s long, difficult journey to a Hashimoto’s diagnosis, and the gaps they uncovered in conventional thyroid care. From that experience came his passion to bridge science with a truly integrative, patient-centred approach.We explore why “normal” thyroid blood results don’t always mean optimal reproductive health, how deeper testing can reveal hidden imbalances, and why thyroid function is so crucial for fertility, hormone balance, and energy.Dr Momi breaks down what most people, and many clinics STILL miss, and offers practical insights to help you ask better questions, get better answers, and take charge of your thyroid story.If you’ve ever been told your thyroid is “fine” but you still need answers, this episode is a must-listen.

On this episode of Fertility Finesse, I’m joined by the brilliant Jen Hogan, Irish Times journalist, broadcaster, author, podcast host and... mum of seven!Jen is known for her sharp insights and her warm, no-nonsense take on the realities of family life, motherhood, and everything in between.She’s a powerful voice in breaking the silence around the real challenges facing parents and what really matters; topics that often get swept under the rug. Her best-selling book The Real Mum’s Guide to Surviving Parenthood and her TV and radio work give countless parents accurate info, a sense of solidarity, honesty, and sometimes the laugh they desperately need.In our conversation, Jen shares both her journey, navigating pregnancy loss, the challenges of secondary infertility, post-natal anxiety and depression, a career change, and the juggle of a big family alongside a demanding career. She brings her trademark mix of warmth, wit, and hard-earned wisdom to some of the most important conversations in parenting and fertility today.If you’ve ever felt unseen in your fertility or parenthood journey, or just longed for a voice that tells it like it is, without scaring the living daylights out of you then this episode is for you.

🎙️ Fertility Finesse Episode: Claire Walsh – Holding Her Breath Through IVFWhat happens when a world-record free diver, author, and mindset coach finds herself facing one of the greatest challenges of all, not 60 metres below the surface,but within the world of fertility treatment?In this unflinchingly honest episode, Claire Walsh joins me (our first time to meet in person) to reflect on her deeply personal experience of IVF:“It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.” From holding her breath in freediving to holding it in the clinic waiting room, Claire brings her signature depth, humour, and poetic insight to a subject so many still whisper about. She opens up about the emotional whiplash of hormone swings, the disorienting blur of appointments, the loneliness of hope and loss—and why she knew, “If ever I get through this, I’m going to talk about it.” The floodgates opened on Instagram when Claire shared what she had gone through. A brave decision to help others. Claire is a joy to speak with and we've had a few conversations lasting hours...🎧 In this episode, we explore:• How fertility treatment rattles even a seasoned resilience expert• Why being a ‘strong woman’ doesn’t protect you from the heartbreak of IVF• The pressure to “just be grateful” and stay silent• What helped Claire re-anchor herself during her toughest moments• Surviving in a medicalised system• Coming to terms with facing life without a childClaire doesn’t sugar-coat the experience. Instead, she tells it as it with her signature raw honesty, tenderness, and a refusal to hide her vulnerability.This is a conversation for anyone who wonders, “Why is this happening to me? Is it just me”—and for those supporting someone they love through it.🔗 About Claire:Claire is an 8-time national freediving record-holder, Buteyko breathwork coach, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of Under Water: How Holding My Breath Taught Me to Live. I adored this book and highly recommend you read it!She brings the full force of her creative, physical, and emotional intelligence into every conversation and this one is no exception.🌊 Trigger Warning: This episode contains references to IVF and fertility challenges. Please listen with care.🗝️ If you’re navigating fertility yourself, know that you are not alone—and that finding your voice is part of finding your power.—📲 Subscribe, share, and tag me on Instagram @helenatubridy with your thoughts and experiences.#FertilityFinesse #ClaireWalsh #IVFJourney #RealTalkFertility #HoldingYourBreath #MindsetMatters #BreakTheSilence #EmbodiedResilience #FertilityCoachIreland #HelenaTubridy #FertilityPodcast #MentalHealthMatters

So delighted to welcome Mark Whitney, founder of Pillar Healthcare, to Fertility Finesse, especially as he and his partner just welcomed their second baby!Huge congratulations, and heartfelt thanks for making time to share his insights during this incredibly special (and sleep-deprived!) chapter.Mark is the driving force behind pre-Conceive and my respected sponsor for this FFS podcast series. It's the first fertility supplement in Europe to be independently tested in a clinical trial. Over three years of research, pre-Conceive was shown to improve key fertility parameters in both women and men, making it a major milestone in evidence-based reproductive support.With a passion for the periconceptional period - those vital months before and around conception - Mark brings both professional expertise and personal dedication to improving reproductive outcomes, not just for today’s intending parents.Outside of Pillar Healthcare, Mark collaborates with academic institutions, serving on the board of a research and incubation centre exploring new treatments in restorative reproductive medicine.This episode is packed with practical, grounded guidance and a lot of heart. I'm so grateful to Mark for sharing his knowledge and guidance with you all.💊 What’s real and what’s just great marketing? With fertility supplements lining every pharmacy shelf and popping up in every algorithm, how do you know what’s actually worth taking? Mark breaks down the science vs. the spin—and why “just take CoQ10” might not be the full picture.🥦 Food first… but is it enough? We explore the idea that a healthy diet should cover your nutritional needs, and why that’s often not enough for fertility. Mark and Helena get real about common nutrition mistakes and overlooked gaps in preconception care. Ans look at easy ways to get on track.👶 Trying to conceive in your 40s? You're not alone, and your nutrition needs might be different now. This episode highlights what women over 40 need to focus on to give their fertility the best possible support, including insights into egg quality and what’s modifiable vs. what isn’t.🧬 Male fertility matters, too. Often ignored and under-tested, sperm health plays a much bigger role than many people realise, including its link to miscarriage. Mark shares what kind of improvements men can see and how sperm can be a mirror of overall health.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Secondary infertility: the surprise no one expects Already have a child, but struggling to conceive again? We talk about how fertility can shift on both sides and the role of lifestyle, age, and supplementation for second-time (or third-time) hopefuls.💡 Final takeaway: If you’re at the very start of your fertility journey, or not sure what to take Mark offers his #1 piece of advice on supplements and why “less but targeted” often beats a scattergun approach.🔗 Mentioned in this episode:pre-Conceive by Pillar HealthcareNutritional strategies for men and women over 35🎧 Whether you’re trying for baby #1 or #4, this episode is packed with clarity, calm, and clear guidance to help you make smarter, more confident choices on your fertility journey.

Title: “Dating, Blending, Baby-Making: Love, Fertility & Second Chances with Mairead Loughman”What do dating, partnership, and fertility have in common? Everything—especially when you're navigating love and conception in real life, not just theory. In this lively and inspiring episode, I’m joined by the fabulous Mairead Loughman - well-known relationship expert, matchmaker, and host of the award-winning Would Like to Meet podcast.We dive into the real talk about:💞 Why choosing the right partner matters more than ever 👶 The unique Irish challenges of blending families and trying to conceive 🧠 Mairead’s five must-answer questions before committing to someone new 🪞What actually makes a relationship work (and how much has changed in just a generation) 🔗 How dating and fertility are more closely linked than people realise—and what that means for anyone TTCWe also touch on her insightful second podcast Tough Love, co-hosted with psychotherapist Stephanie Regan for anyone navigating the messy middle of modern relationships.Whether you're figuring it out for the first time or giving love and family another go, this episode is a warm, witty, must-listen. Mairead is truly inspiring and so full of grounded, compassionate wisdom that may just change how you date, relate, and dream of your future family. And make it your own reality...🎧 Listen now on Fertility Finesse wherever you get your podcasts.