Girl Chat: Birthday Recap, Estrogen Dominance, Bacteria Overgrowth & Juicy Tea w/ Fi

Mari Llewelyn
This is the Pursuit of Wellness podcast, and I'm your host, Mari Llewelyn.

Hi, guys. Welcome back to the Pursuit of Wellness podcast, also known as Pow my PoW girls. My name is Mari Llewellyn. I am the host of the show, and I like to bring on my bestie slash work partner, Fiona Fi. Welcome to the show.

Fiona Fi
Thank you for having me again. You guys always tell me how much you love when Fi comes on because we just have, like, a girly chat, and it feels very organic, very real. These episodes tend to be more personal, like, what's going on in our lives, wellness wise, personal wise, relationship wise, all of the things. So welcome to the show if you are new, and welcome back if you've been here for a while. We love you so much, and we have lots to catch up on.

Mari Llewelyn
The last time we did a solo, it was when we were in LA and I had just come back from New York, or both of us had come back from New York, and I'd been to the time 100 event. Now we are just coming back from. Oh, my God. We're always on the go. We're always traveling now.

We were just in Mexico for my 30th birthday. Got back yesterday. I'm officially 30. Wild. How do you feel?

Fiona Fi
Older? Wiser? The same. Okay. The same.

Mari Llewelyn
But, like, I do feel very different this year versus what I go. Do you feel any different? You're, like, the same. Okay. I do feel very different this year.

Okay, hold on. Let me clarify. Let me clarify. Like, as of today versus last week, the same. But in terms of where I'm at mentally, when I turn 29, verse 30, like, night and day, think about your.

Fiona Fi
Life when you were 20. Like, your birthday at 29. Insane. What did we do? We were in Newport beach.

Mari Llewelyn
Remember? We went to Nobu, right? We were, like, full in our la, went down to Newport, did Nobu on a party boat thing. Like, very different vibe. This sounds so bad, but I remember when I turned 29 being so concerned with, like, my body and the way I looked and, like, I didn't really think about that once.

Like, yes, I put on some fun outfits, but I wasn't really thinking about the way I looked. I was so in the moment with our trip and with the people we. Were with, I realized I felt that way, too. Actually, when I got back, like, I think going into the trip, we had talked about this. I was like, wasn't feeling like my absolute best or maybe most, like, bikini ready, whatever that means.

Fiona Fi
But, like, I got back and I was like, I didn't think about it. Once when I was, like, with everyone and having fun in my bikini, I was like, I was just on that boat having a good old time. I felt silly, actually, because I feel like I got so worked up about my skin. And I actually was saying this to Sammy on the boat. I was like, it's so funny because I spend so much time worrying about, oh, my gosh, I'm not gonna have makeup on on the boat.

Mari Llewelyn
People are gonna see my face. Like, when I go in the ocean, like, my acne will be out. It's. Anyone listening who's had acne. It's a very vulnerable position to be in.

When you show up at a workout without makeup or, you know, I'm around you without makeup on. And for me, that's completely different. Like, you and Greg, I don't really think about it, because I'm so close with you guys, but with a group, I spent a lot of time before the trip having anxiety about my face. And then when we were there, I literally didn't think about it once, and no one made me feel weird. I didn't feel like anyone was looking at my acne, like, not once.

And it just goes to show, like, we can get so trapped in our own heads for such silly reasons. Yeah. Like, we make a mountain out of a molehill, you know? I'm glad you felt that way. Anyway, the trip was so fun.

Fiona Fi
So much fun. Fi planned the whole thing, so shout out to fi for coordinating. It was really nice for me to not stress about the itinerary or anything. Thank you. I really.

Mari Llewelyn
I really enjoyed that. And, like, not being stressed about timing and everything was really nice. Very much, like, wholesome fun. Like, we got a villa. It was.

How many of us was it? Nine. Nine people in a villa. Gorgeous. In Cabo, in this residential neighborhood.

We spent a lot of time at the villa, just hanging out. Played a lovely game of fishbowl, which I loved. I haven't laughed that hard in years. It was epic, hilarious. It was crazy.

We should insert the clip of your man pretending to give birth to a placenta. Yeah, guys. Our final round, it got down to sudden death. And we did team boy, team girl. And sudden death, I should say, was acting it out.

Fiona Fi
No words. New word. So it had not been a word used prior, and we picked placenta. Poor Kenny. Guys didn't even know.

He goes, what is that? He thought it was a vegetable. Yeah. He didn't think it was a vegetable. I'm a vegetable.

I did, of course, proceed to show him a bunch of photos of a placenta and tell him that like women could actually eat their own placenta after. And he will never be the same. But the video I have of him pretending to deliver a placenta's car, you gotta post that. Yeah, we'll share it, we'll share it. That was amazing.

Mari Llewelyn
We had an amazing boat day. Lots of swimming, lots of sun. I for some reason thought that I could lay in the sun for 2 hours and not burn which was like I burnt my eyeballs. You and Sammy were on the front of the boat for literally like two of the hours. Like no umbrella, like in the sun.

Yeah, but Sammy turns brown. I know. And I was looking up there like. Okay, marty, like this poor british girl thinks she can sit up there. Yeah, I went really red, became a lobster.

I think my scalp's. You recovered great though. Like you're not peeling or anything. I'm peeling on my chin. My face is peeling a little bit.

Fiona Fi
Yeah. I think our face is just very sensitive. Yeah. Such good food, amazing food. Had my like proper birthday dinner at acre accra which is a resort that fi loves and it's like in the jungle with animals and we had a private table and it was amazing, like so special, it was so fun, so much fun.

Mari Llewelyn
And yeah, we just had a great time. Like everyone there, I felt like had a great time. It was four couples. Four couples, yeah, three, four.

Four couples. Plus our friend Logan which we love. Logan, he's a great 9th Wheeler. Honorary 9th wheel. He loved it.

Fiona Fi
He was like on 9th wheel anytime. Yeah, that was great. He's so sweet. I love Logan. He's our friend from LA.

Mari Llewelyn
Just a really good group. And 30, flirty and thriving. You know it. Guys, I'm gonna do an episode. It's either already up or it's coming out next week on things I'm leaving in my twenties and things I'm bringing into my thirties so look out for that one.

I have some thoughts on what I want to bring into my thirties. I feel really good about being 30. I feel like I've been 30 for like ten years. You've always been very mature. I mean like from the day I met you I just.

Fiona Fi
And like, not because your looks are like, you look very young, but I was just like from all you had accomplished at such a young age. When I found out you were like my age, I was like, you're 25. What do you mean? I always just assumed you and Greg, especially Greg. I feel like Greg's such a boss CEO guy.

You just assume he's in his mid thirties. You know what's funny? He's even younger than you. Before losing weight and going on my fitness journey and everything, I was like a Peter Pan girl. I was sure I would be the girl who kept partying into their thirties and would go back to Drexel and be stuck in that.

Mari Llewelyn
Yeah, I was certain of it, because I was like, I never want to leave this time of my life. You could not be Bora. I know. Weird. That just goes to show what you think about yourself when you're that age.

Yeah, you never know. Never know. What updates do you have? Like, what's going on with you? Well, I had a couple kind of, like, realizations, actually, after getting back from Cabo where, you know, we were indulging, having a good old time.

We've been back for 12 hours. What have you realized? No, I really. I got home last night. You know, it wasn't, like, anxiety necessarily.

Fiona Fi
Like, I got home and I was just like, okay, you know when you get back from a trip and you're like, I'm ready to, like, get my shit locked down. I actually have a couple, like, three day weekend trips coming up for a friend's wedding. And another thing. And so I'm like, when I'm here in Austin, I want to be, like, on my a game. Like, I am trying to.

So on that note, I'm really trying to work on my estrogen dominance, which, like, I've been doing with supplements and stuff. I fell off a little bit. I'm getting back on. I got all my supplements in my tray. I'm doing that again.

And yesterday I went on a deep dive, little rabbit hole about kind of, like, the best foods and stuff to be eating when you're trying to do that. Carrots. Carrots are, like, massive for it. I don't know why all these girls eat two big, raw carrots at night. And I was like, okay, so I'm definitely gonna start doing that.

Brussels sprouts. Honestly, it's a lot of stuff you eat. I'm gonna say the word, like, carfiscarus, carr, fisherisch, kafrush, kunfish. That word. This is a wellness podcast.

Mari Llewelyn
We are scientists. We know what we're talking about. A lot of those. So, like broccoli, like kale, cruciferous. There you go.

Sorry.

Fiona Fi
Just trying to implement more of that. So the big takeaway when I was reading this was, like, good protein and fiber and limit sugar, limit, like, starches that, like, aren't really doing much for you. And I think. I think when I'm, like, trying, you know, along with these semaglutin I've been doing, which, like, I do want to touch on that, too. I have really been trying to put in work on my diet, but I feel like when I focus on my diet, I immediately go to just, like, bodybuilder mode.

Like, and I feel like you could relate to this in your past, too. I'm just like, okay, I'm gonna eat, like, a protein shake for breakfast, rice and ground beef for dinner, and rice and ground beef at lunch too. And, like, that's it. And, like, I'm not getting any. I mean, I'm getting protein in carbs.

Like, I'm not getting any nutrients, and, like, I'm not getting any fiber, and I can feel it. And I just. From everything I've been reading, like, fiber is, like, huge because you want to be detoxing. I just had a realization. What?

Mari Llewelyn
Well, you always struggle. I hope you don't mind if I say this. You always have a hard time going to the bathroom. Oh, no. It's 100%.

And that makes you, like, all that estrogen is floating around in your system. Cause it's not getting released. I was watching. Not that TikTok has any, well, helpful. I don't know.

I feel like all of us are getting our medical advice from TikTok, and it's awful. Yeah, but at the same time. But I did see this on TikTok. But this woman said, like, literally, when you are struggling with estrogen dominance, she's like, you gotta get that shit out. Like, it stays in you.

No pun intended. No, literally, pun intended. It stays in you, and you're not detoxing properly. I'm gonna get this wrong, but there's, like, three steps to detoxing, and, like, my body's doing the first two and not the third, which is why, like, doing lymphatic drainages and stuff like that. Like, do lymphatic drainage massages.

Fiona Fi
I should say do help me a lot because they keep me regular. But also, I will say a common side effect of semaglutide or any of these kind of GLP one medications is it slows your digestion. Digestion, which then slows that end. So that combined, like, definitely probably doesn't help in a way. So true.

I am trying to get my fiber up. I am going to Trader Joe's after work today, and I'm getting all my veggies. Nice. I also randomly was looking back at some old videos during COVID when I was, like, funny enough. I was looking back when I was doing your guides and starting to use bloom and I was eating so many more veggies than I am now.

Like, for breakfast, I would make like, an egg scramble with, like, with like, onions and spinach and tomatoes and bell peppers. I feel like I thought I was, like, simplifying things by getting, like, barely anything at the grocery store, but I'm actually getting absolutely no nutrients. I think this is such a good epiphany that you had. And also just mentioning, like, greens, like, taking your bloom greens every day is gonna help a ton. And I find that I, like, go to the bathroom more regularly when I'm being sick.

I brought them on the trip. Yeah. When I know I'm like, on vacation indulging a lot. Gotta get him in 100%.

Mari Llewelyn
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And I even noticed, like, when you bring lunch, you always have rice, turkey, green beans, every single day. And, yes, that's, like, perfect if you're trying to become an IFBB pro and you're, like, a man. But it probably would be better if you did, like, maybe still turkey, but you did bell peppers and onions and sprouts and maybe potato instead of the rice. Exactly. And made, like, a little concoction.

I bet you would see a lot of improvement I used to make. So I was looking back at these videos. I made all these yummy stir fries and stuff, and I'd put a little salsa on it or hot sauce, and they were so good. And to be honest, I remember feeling really good at that time. And granted, I was like, it was Covid, so we were all just walking a ton.

Fiona Fi
I feel like I was walking so much every day, but I really feel like that aspect of it was huge, and I have been really lacking there. Um, also, with your results from Emily, you had such crazy gut dysbiosis. I think the good bacteria would help. Yes. You know what you should do, which I do.

Mari Llewelyn
Try to prep the veggies, like, do a huge sheet tray of tons of carrots. I like to slice them into medallions. I also love parsnips. Lately, the root vegetables are really good. And then just put them in a tupperware because those are so annoying to make every night because it takes 45 minutes.

Fiona Fi
Yeah. Or get them, like, I guess, like, pre cooked from Trader Joe's or something. But, yeah, I'm trying to up my veggies, too, so I'm with you on that. Yeah. So that's kind of my big, like, aha.

And, yes, it literally did happen to me last night. I was like, I was, like, filling all my trays with my supplements. I was like, I need to go to the grocery store tomorrow. Yeah, I did not want to go. We just went to sweet green, our little, uh.

Mari Llewelyn
I'm glad you're bringing this up, though, because I think, like, for any girls listening who are on a weight loss journey or wellness journey, it is tempting to, like, simplify, simplify, simplify until the point where you, like, are not getting the nutrients you need. Like, I'm guilty of this, too. Whenever I'm freaking out about my skin, I'm tempted to just eliminate everything. But then the reality is I'm not getting enough vitamin a, I'm not getting enough fiber. Like, this happens to me all the time because I think we get scared of eating the wrong thing.

Fiona Fi
That's exactly what it is. Like, I started just feeling like everything I was eating was triggering me in some way or like, I was having a reaction. I'm like, no, it's, like, all in my head, exactly what you're doing. I felt like I was just taking away and taking away and taking away until all I literally have is, like, rice and ground beef or ground turkey. And it's.

Mari Llewelyn
And that's also not enough fat. No, it's not. It's not. I have. I haven't even been eating avocados.

Yeah. I have not had an avocado. I had a lot of guacamx. But, like, I haven't eaten an avocado, like, on a lunch in, like, three months. Yeah, I think.

Fiona Fi
I don't know why. I don't know why I suddenly got, like, freaked out, but I'm working on it, so that's kind of my health epiphany. Yeah. I think you'll feel more full. Yeah.

Mari Llewelyn
And don't freak out if you're, like, bloated at first. I know. Oh, I know. Sometimes when you up the veggies out of nowhere, your body's like, what's happening? And you'll get bloated.

That happens to me. You can increase it incrementally, but just know that it's like your body's getting used to it, too, because obviously, you're not gonna feel as bloated when you just have rice in turkey. Yeah. You know what I mean? Exactly.

Love that. Want to hear about your. Oh, bacteria. Just bacteria babe. Just call me bacteria babe from now on.

Guys. Bacteria babe. Did I talk about this at all on the last solo? Possibly. I think I maybe touched on it.

Fiona Fi
Yeah. Basically, guys, for anyone who didn't hear, I think I have gotten to the root of my acne. Um, I would say that, like, I know that's a bold claim, but I think I have. I think we're on to something. I think we're on to something.

Mari Llewelyn
And the way I realized this was I did a gi map test, which is a stool test, and I knew that I had some gut issues in the past. I had mold, I had sibo, but that was shown to be gone. Like, it showed that I had gotten rid of it. So I did another gut test recently, and I was shocked at the results. It was far worse than I anticipated because I had so much bacterial overgrowth, and some of this bacterial overgrowth I've seen in my past labs from, like, two plus years ago.

So one of them being h pylori. And if you look up h pylori, it's spelled hpl, p y l o r I. Quite common. A lot of people have it, but I have it at a really high level. I compared ours after, and yours was double mine, and mine was red.

Fiona Fi
Mine was in the red zone. Yours was double mine. Yeah. You guys, I have, like, an exuberant amount of h pylori. And when you have high levels of h pylori, it allows for other bacteria to take over because it essentially weakens your whole gut lining.

Lying. Yeah. So everything's messed up. So not only do I have h pylori, I have a parasite. I have the stoff thing.

Mari Llewelyn
What else did I have? Strep. You have the streptococcus whatever, I think so. The parasite sibo, everything. And I said to Emily, I was like, why is this so bad?

What did I do wrong? And she was like, I don't think you did anything wrong. Oftentimes, h pylori is coming from your house or your spouse. And at first, I was like, do you literally mean, like my house and my spouse? And she was like, yeah, your house or your spouse.

And then I was thinking, I was like, okay, well, I've moved house, I don't know, eight times in the past five years. Five years? Yeah, whatever. I've had acne for about a decade. What has been consistent in my life for a decade?

Greg. I have been with Greg for about ten years. And then I was like, huh. My acne kind of started, like, ten years ago. I think my husband is the reason I have acne.

And that's, like, a very simple way of putting it. Like, here's what I think. Greg and I used to be very different people back in the day. When we met ten years ago, we were both up to no good, doing all types of things, you know, rolling around Philadelphia, eating things, doing things. I don't even want to get into details of that, but we've traveled to many different places.

We've been to Ecuador. We've traveled the world together. Either one of us could have been exposed to h pylori at any point. And then h pylori is incredibly contagious when you are, like, not with just, like, sitting next to someone. Like, I'm not going to give feet.

Well, actually, maybe I did give you my h pylori, now that I think about it. But you have to exchange. Sorry. You have to, like, exchange saliva. I don't.

Well, we've share drinks. Okay. Yeah, but, like, you have to exchange saliva and whatnot. So, obviously, one of us gave each other h pylori, and we've essentially been passing it back and forth for ten years. And then when you think about it, we're obviously trying to have a baby right now.

We've been on top of each other non stop, extra close, extra close for months, so. And do you think it can be. Spread through other bodily fluids? I know. I thought about that, too.

Fiona Fi
I know. Yeah. So, moving to Austin, I feel like it got. My acne got so much worse. I think when you go through a big life transition where there's stress, your immunity goes down, and h pylori has more room to take over.

Mari Llewelyn
But at the same time, I've been really on top of Greg, so, anyway, Emily and I. And by the way, guys, like, I did a post about this on instagram, and people were, like, flooding to Emily's DM's, being like, I thought you helped Mari. Why does she have h pylori again, giving her a hard time? Because they. I know they were like, you didn't really fix her skin, guys.

Emily is the only person I've ever worked with who did fix my skin. My skin was clear for a solid four months last year. The protocol she gave me worked. However, H. Pylori is so stubborn.

We tried every natural method possible, and it did work for a little bit, but now it's back, and that's not Emily's fault. I'm so grateful for Emily, and she was the one who flagged this to me and made me realize that Greg could be a reasonable. That I have acne. She has guided me through this whole thing, and she very respectfully said to me, hey, like, maybe you should reach out to another gut specialist just to get another opinion on this. And I really respect that she said that to me because I think a lot of doctors are very, like, territorial and don't want you talking to other people.

And Emily has been nothing but gracious and so smart and kind. So anyone who's, like, reaching out to her, saying, you're not helping Mari, like, back off. Get a life, bro. Anyway, sorry, I just had to get off my chest, but I am beginning to work with other people for this gut issue. Emily will always be in my life and always be such a guide to me and such an inspiration.

We're working on something together, actually, which I can't wait to share with you guys. But, yes, I have been kind of asking around and getting opinions, and I think, and this might shock you guys, but I'm at the point of my journey where I think I have exhausted every natural method possible, and I almost think, and I'm going to be really self aware right now. I think my obsession with health and wellness and also potentially just the amount of information that I absorb from podcast guests and research and things like that. I was so afraid of western medicine and, like, doctors that I never considered that as an approach. Like, in my head, I was like, that's evil.

I tried that in the past, and it didn't work. Like, I only want to do natural methods, and so for years now, I've been doing natural supplements, diet, which are amazing. Like, that has to be the base of your recovery. Let's get it right. Like, if I was neglecting my health, that would be a whole other thing.

Fiona Fi
They go hand in hand. Yeah, I think there's people that do the medical route the whole time and then find the more natural route and together that helps them. Yeah, but you've kind of done the opposite way. I've done the opposite way, and I think I ran myself into the ground. I got to the point where I was like, my whole life is revolving around avoiding food for my skin.

Mari Llewelyn
Taking every supplement under the sun that might help. Red lighting, sauna ing, coal, plunging Costa Rica. Constantly searching for a new answer. Oh, my gosh. Or whatever from a guest or anyone that is, like, this worked for me.

Constant, and it was exhausting. And I think I'm finally at the point where I'm like, your girl might just need an antibiotic. I know, Mari. I know, I know, I know. And I want to say this because I don't want anyone listening to think, like, I am anti medicine.

And maybe I was a little bit, like, I think I was having some self judgment on myself. I think there is such thing as overusing antibiotics, which I have been. I've done that in the past. But right when Mari kind of shared this with me for the first time, I was like, this is what antibiotics. Like, this is what medicine and antibiotics are for.

Fiona Fi
Like, in this case, when you have exhausted all other opportunities, like, you've tried absolutely everything, you're literally, like, driving yourself into the ground. Like, really a big mental health toll on yourself because you feel like you're trying absolutely everything. Maybe it's time to try another round. And it's almost like with someone you trust, you know? It was so much good stuff.

Mari Llewelyn
Yeah, that. How do I put this? It was having a negative effect on my life, the way that I was digging myself. What's the right phrase? Yeah, you were, like, digging yourself into such a hole of this, like, looking for the right answer and trying absolutely everything that you, like, buried yourself in it.

And I almost. I actually want to say this. I had this, like, emotional reaction to finding this out, because I think it was the first thing that really resonated with me as, like, the reason. And then I had this epiphany where I was, like, I think subconsciously, this whole time, ten years of acne, I thought it was my fault. Like, in my head, I was like, I'm doing something wrong, whether it was eating something wrong.

Like, anytime I even had a little treat meal, I was like, dang it, Mari. Like, that was your fault. Like, you chose to eat badly.

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Fiona Fi
I think because of the transformation you had and you living a certain lifestyle and, like, doing one thing and getting the result you wanted and, like, you were the force behind it and you were the one making those decisions every day and, like, you were the one eating x and not Y and going to the gym and not drinking. Like, you had the power to make those changes. So I think then when something isn't changing, you're like, I'm doing it wrong because you're like, I changed it in the past. Like, how, like, that's how I see it, to be honest. I think that's why it drives you so crazy, because you had such control and power over that part of your life.

Mari Llewelyn
That's true. That literally made your entire life. Yeah. And now you feel like you don't have and like, kind of similar, like, fertility stuff. It's like the moment it feels like it's not in your power.

It's like it's a control thing. You know, you have the power, but you don't actually. No, it's like, I didn't have control. Yeah. And I had this emotional reaction.

Cause I was like, you have beat yourself up so much for something that was never your fault and nothing you ever did would have helped because this is the type of bacteria that's so stubborn. You need antibiotics, and it's to the level of, like, nothing I ate would have ever undone that bacteria. Nothing would have gotten it. No. No herb was gonna get rid of the h.

Pylori. You removing sweet potatoes and raspberries from your diet, and you're gonna cut it, girlfriend. That's all I'm gonna say. If anyone listening gets that reference, then you are a real one. No, I'm still very much eating sweet potatoes and raspberries, just so everyone knows.

Fiona Fi
You should. Yeah, but, yeah, I had this moment where I was like, oh, my God, you've been so mean to yourself. For what? Been so anxious and so, like. I mean, the tears I've shed, the freakouts I've had, the opportunities I've missed out on, the way I've held myself back.

Mari Llewelyn
Like, I am not doing that shit anymore. I'm done. I'm so done. And just hearing that it wasn't my fault and that there's maybe a solution was just like, I had such a. Like, oh, my God.

Like, I freaked. Lift it off your shoulders. Yeah. Like, I imagine that crying. And I'm not saying that I didn't.

Like, I woke up feeling so much better about my skin. I didn't, like, I want this acne to be gone so, so, so badly, but, like, this has given me a light at the end of the tunnel, I would say. So. Um, just an update of where I'm at with the antibiotics. Haven't started taking them yet.

I have all of them sitting in my pantry. Uh, reason being, I have to see if I'm pregnant or not, and we're currently in between. I overshare so much on this podcast. Like, I don't need to be saying this right now, but I just want the girls to know I'm in between ovulating and having my period, and I don't want to start taking heavy antibiotics if I'm pregnant. So, guys, we need to wait.

We need to wait. And the good thing is, if I do get my period, I probably will be sad. Like, every time I get my period, I'm a little bit sad, but at the same time, then I can start my healing journey, and I'll have a plus either way, so. Yeah. So we now call Greg bacteria boy.

That's his nickname. So if you follow Greg on Instagram, which if you don't, his name is Greg. Greg's love life. Greg lab's life. Greg's love.

What is it? Greg love's life. Greg Lav's life. Go comment on his pictures and say, bacteria boy, how you doing? He's gonna lose his mind.

He's gonna hate that so much. He's gonna literally hate that. How you doing baby bacteria boy? Baby ba. Okay.

Well, that was all my updates. Really? Yeah. Oh, do you want to say anything about the response you got with the semaglutide? Yeah, sure.

Fiona Fi
Why not? Overall, very positive. Very positive feedback. Like, the amount of DM's I got from girls being like, I either have been on it and haven't told a soul because I'm embarrassed that I'm on it or I really want to try it, but I don't know where to go, or I'm scared or no one really talks about it or I just hear negative things. I got a lot of positive feedback.

So thank you, guys, and lots of really nice messages thanking me for being honest and sharing about it. The way you shared it was so eloquent and so well done. I had people calling me asking if you had practiced beforehand or how did she come up with that? You just did it off the cuff. Yeah.

I actually wasn't even gonna tell you guys. We were sitting in La Mari's like, do you wanna say it? I was like, should I? But I'm glad I did. I'm glad I did.

Mari Llewelyn
I didn't force her. No, no, no. Absolutely not. I've been waiting to. It's just like, I was like, when is the right moment?

Fiona Fi
Like, when is the right moment? There's never a right moment. So, overall, very well. You know, a couple people with, you know, maybe a negative thought here and there, but, like, I'm embracing it. I'm not gonna make it my entire personality.

I've decided that. But I am embracing it. And I am just gonna say for any of the haters, it I, like, I am still putting in daily effort. Like, I am still working out. I am still working on my diet, as we just discussed.

Like, I am not trying to take an easy route with a cheat at all. That's all I'm gonna say. So, yeah, period. Period. Thanks for your feedback, guys.

Yeah. Okay. I'm gonna pull up a q and a that I posted for me and Fi haven't looked at the questions at all. Let's do maybe let's make it a little rapid fire since we've already been talking for a while. By the way, guys, if you don't follow me and Fi on instagram, you should, because that's where we ask for questions and we interact with you guys.

And the pal page. And the pal page pursued a wellness podcast. Oh, this is a cute one. How to live a healthy lifestyle. Going into freshman year of college, I have, like, I was the least healthy person in freshman year of college.

Mari Llewelyn
I mean, do you have advice? I actually. I went to, like, the gym on campus. I would try to time it out like it was right next to greek village. So I would go to the gym and then go get lunch after at the sorority house.

Fiona Fi
Like, I. I tried to do little things here and there. I mean, it's college. Like, try not to drink too much and, like, take care of your body, but also have fun. It's college, you know, walk.

Walk everywhere. Walk to class if you can. Smart. Yeah. Healthy snacks.

Yeah. Healthy options. At the cafeteria, there were girls who were definitely doing it. Oh, yeah. I just wasn't one of them.

Me either. I mean, I was eating biscuits and gravy and all the good stuff. You were having a southern experience. I was. I certainly was.

Mari Llewelyn
Um, why do you take inositol as a supplement? I take d chiro. Inositol because. Oh, I wish I could explain this as well as some people, but it helps with insulin resistance, so it helps shuttle the insulin into the cell so that you don't have high blood glucose, which is a common issue for pcos. I take it.

Fiona Fi
I take a capsule at night. Yeah, it's good for, like, two capsules. Hormone balance, pcos, that kind of thing. And I actually did a genetic test recently, guys, and it showed that I have a hard time with insulin. Like, certain things about my cell.

Mari Llewelyn
Oh, I don't discard of the waste in my cell easily. Like, my cell kind of has a hard time releasing the garbage, as you would like, the glucose. So this helps with that. And I'm also taking it for fertility purposes. I heard that it's good for that.

Do you meal prep? If so, what are you keeping every week? I meal prep every now and again, as I mentioned before, I meal prep veggies or sweet potatoes, because those take a long time. Or I'll do, like, a whole bunch of ground beef. But I'm not, like, the queen of meal prepping.

Fiona Fi
I'll, on a Monday night or Sunday night, make three lunches for the week. I'll do. Well, I'm trying to spice it up now, so I don't know about that, but I do rice and ground beef and some green beans and, like, for three days, basically. And that helps me with, like, my lunches. Lunch is a big one to meal prep because that's the one that you're like, I'm not trying to throw down in the kitchen right now.

Mari Llewelyn
We're working middle. Yeah, we're working. We're working. Is there anything about your character you're working on? Example?

Being more patient? Excuse me. Wow. I actually feel like I have one. This person knows that I'm impatient.

Fiona Fi
Oh. I mean, maybe it was just an example. That is obsessive compulsive. Go ahead. I am trying.

And I actually feel like you call me out on this sometimes, and my mom calls me out a lot on it, especially with Kenny. I think sometimes I can be. I'm not gonna say mean. I just, like. I kind of tease, but I think sometimes I can tease.

Not meanly, just like. Like, I don't know. Do you know what I mean? Yes, I know. And I've tried to.

I try to catch myself doing that. Like, when I feel like I'm kind of teasing him. Like I. Oh, my God. What am I trying to say?

Mari Llewelyn
Do you want me to say it? Like, I kind of just, like, embarrass him sometimes in front of everyone. And Mari's like, why did you just, like, out him like that? It's, like, cute. And she's like, I don't think he appreciates that like that.

No, I love you, and I. You don't have a mean bone in your body. That's not what it is. I think you assume this is a really weird freudian analysis, but I think you assume a mother role with him. Yeah.

And you are like my little kidney. Fix your shirt. You need to work on your form. Don't do that. Like, it's a little bit.

It's a little bit motherly. Yes. Perfect. Exactly. We were at the gym in Cabo, and he was doing flies, chest flies.

Fiona Fi
And I said, mari, can you please fix his form? She's like, let him live. Let him be. I was like, but his. She's like, let him live.

Mari Llewelyn
I think I get it, because I used to be a little bit more like that with Greg and kind of nitpick his character, and I think accepting that they are not us and they are not a representation of us, and if they're going to embarrass themselves, let them embarrass themselves in a good or bad way. Yes. So that, too. Like, I really am trying to just be like, guys, I love Kenny. I love him exactly as he is.

Fiona Fi
I love him because he is Kenny, and he is a goofball and crazy. We're on the boat in Cabo, and I look around. Kenny's not on the boat, and Leo and Priya are like, oh, Kenny swam to the boat next door, and I look over, and it's like, you know, those Lily pad things. Like the foamy things. Kenny's just laying on this pad with all these people.

You didn't see that? No. Oh, yeah. There was one point I look around like, kenny's gone. Was I on the beat?

I actually didn't notice Kenny was gone, I will be honest. And Leo and pre were like, Fiona. Kenny, like, swam away. And I was like, wait, was he on a different boat? Yes.

He literally went to another boat. But I was just like, oh, and priest. Priest. Like, that's it. I was like, it's Ken.

Mari Llewelyn
Like, he was the other people on the boat. It was another 30th birthday. Were they talking to him? Yeah. Oh, he was literally, like, laying on the thing with them talking.

I'm dead. But, like, I think old Fiona would have been for some reason. Not for some reason. I know why. Like, triggered by something like that.

Fiona Fi
And I was just like, I love my man. Get it? Go socialize. That's like, when Greg, you know, Greg. I think people would expect this, but Greg, like, kind of gets the drunkest of the group.

Mari Llewelyn
Like, when we go out, Greg gets wild, but he's so funny when he's like, he gets crazy. He's so silly. He's so silly. But everything that he's thinking will come out of his mouth. And I'm very much someone who's like, I don't want to offend people.

I'm very polite. Like, I. But honestly, it's nice because you almost. Love Greg for that. Cuz it's like he's gonna tell you how he's feeling.

Yeah. And he's so himself to the core. Like, no one could ever change Greg and I love that about him. Yes. Sometimes I'm cringing and my butt cheeks are clenched, but the whole dinner at.

Fiona Fi
La Lupita, Greg's, like, has, like, a mezcal. Greg and Kenny did a mezcal flight. They have, like, a whole flight of mezcal. Greg's surrounded by literally 15 tacos. Bone marrow.

Him and Kenny both got bone marrow. And they're at the end of the table, just like, Greg doing his laugh. Like, hey. And Mari's literally there, like me. While Greg is saying everything, he's thinking.

Mari Llewelyn
Sorry. Sorry, everyone. Love it. Okay, maybe one more. How to get your parents to believe that red meat isn't bad for you.

The dads need help. Ugh. Our parents generation has the weirdest perception of food. Like, my dad doesn't eat red meat. Really?

Fiona Fi
Yeah. Oh, my God. Never has. My dad eats. Well, never has.

Mari Llewelyn
My dad eats all kinds of meat. Kathy eats a lot of red meat. Our parents generation were marketed to during the time of, like, cheerios are low fat and good for your heart. Butter is bad for you. Like margarine.

All the wrong information. Because companies were like, oh, if we just tell them that it's good, then they'll eat it. So we have the low fat, low fat phase. Yeah, fat. And then, like, sugar free vegetables.

Like, literally the worst things ever. I think lead by example. And when you're with them, be like, oh. The reason I eat this way is because I learned this information instead of, like, telling them what to do and kind of, like, trying to. Yeah.

I mean, guys, if your parents. I mean, my dad's 65. They've been living this way for a while. They might not change. You're not gonna change them, but just lead by example and be like, oh, yeah, the reason I eat this is because of x, y, and z.

I learned this information about it. For example, Greg's mom has absorbed so much of the information, she listens to the podcast. Hi, Leslie. Hi, Leslie. She uses ghee now.

She eats her whole eggs. Like, she eats really well. And by the way, looks amazing. Like, Leslie looks way younger than she is. Yeah.

And is so athletic and fit. So maybe there's some parents listening. Wait, I have a funny story about Leslie. Can I tell this really fast? Yeah.

Fiona Fi
Her and I had to have a little call last week, and she was like, I hate to sound like Mari, but can we do it between this window or this window I'm riding? I love that. I said, leslie, this is my life. I said, what window works best for you? I was like, mari, Mari's riding tomorrow.

I get it, girl. Yeah. Guys, Leslie picked up horseback riding, so now me and her are horse girls together, and it's so amazing. And she's like, I hate to sound like Mari, but I'm going to the barn. I love that.

Mari Llewelyn
Like, Leslie setting a boundary. Yeah. No, it's gotta be done. I think you're pregnant. Someone said, we don't know.

We actually don't know. To be very honest. We don't know. TBD. How tall are you, Mari?

I'm five'ten. Fi is five'nine. Let's do one more. Okay. Do you use tallow based sunscreen?

Tell him yes. Oh, my gosh, you guys. I'm gonna put them onto it, but if you sell this out, I will come for you. Sky and soul. I think it's called soul and sky.

Yeah. You sent it to me. I think Daisy Keech. Yeah. Posted about it.

Her episode comes out soon. Guys. People keep asking, guys, I used it. Yes. Very soon.

Fiona Fi
I used it in Cabo. Bought two bottles. They're pretty small bottles, and, like, they're definitely not the cheapest. Amazing. Mari knows I have, like, ridiculous reactions to, like, normal sunscreen.

Cause they have octicrylene and octi benzone and all this stuff in it. This stuff was amazing. I did not burn. I put it on, like, twice all day and wash chillin. Like, it was amazing.

And the sun, Cabo was really strong. Yeah. So I'm obsessed. Yeah. Fee has super duper sensitive skin and has, like, full on allergic reactions to regular sunscreen.

Mari Llewelyn
And this tallow one, she was perfect. It was. You're not burnt either. Yeah. And it wasn't.

Fiona Fi
I didn't put it on my face. I didn't. I used my clear stem face. Yeah, we like clear stem. Hello, sunshine for the face.

So good. Just like everyday base, too. Use code pal for 20% off, by the way, on clear stamp. Yes. But, yeah, the sky and soul one.

Put it all over my body. It was amazing. And I find I've tried a lot of zinc based sunscreens because that's what the difference is. Like, a lot of brands either use zinc or, like, the octicrylane ocubenzone stuff. Zinc based sunscreens really have a white cast.

They come on so white, and they're so annoying to rub in. This one, I think. Cause it had, like, shea butter and olive oil and, like, a bunch of natural stuff rubbed in really easily. Yeah. And you looked like you were glowing, too.

Thank you. Yeah. Shea Butter is an acne pork hogger, so just be careful with it on your face. Yeah. Body.

Body only. Okay, guys, I think that's it for the questions. We love you guys so, so much. Just a reminder, if you don't follow or subscribe to the show, please make sure you do that. We post every Monday and Thursday.

Mari Llewelyn
And if you want to see our discount codes. Are they in the. In the description box? They're in the description box. Also links to the newsletter, links to the voicemail, um, button thing.

Instagram pages, everything you need. And we love you guys so much. And we'll see you in the next episode. Bye bye. Thanks for joining us on the Pursuit of Wellness podcast.

To support this show, please rate and review and share with your loved ones. If you want to be reminded of new episodes, click the subscribe button on your preferred podcast or video player. You can sign up for my newsletter to receive my favorites@mariloellan.com. it will be linked in the show notes. This is a wellness out loud production produced by Drake Peterson, Fiona Attucks and Kelly Kyle.

This show is edited by Mike Fry and our video is recorded by Luis Vargas. You can also watch the full video of each episode on our YouTube channel, Arifitness. Love you, power girls and power boys. See you next time. The content of this show is for educational and informational purposes only.

It is not a substitute for individual medical and mental health advice and does not constitute a provider patient relationship. As always, talk to your doctor or health team.

Girl Chat: Birthday Recap, Estrogen Dominance, Bacteria Overgrowth & Juicy Tea w/ Fi

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1. Birthday Recap

2. Health Realizations

3. Personal Wellness Strategies

4. Mental Health and Body Image

5. Closing Thoughts

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