Your Hormones Aren’t Broken, But That Advice Might Be
In this blog post, we’re breaking down the latest episode of Black Iron Radio, where coaches Manders, Lauren, and Sam dive into one of the most confusing (and often fear-mongered) topics in wellness: hormones. From calling out misinformation on social media to unpacking what “hormone balance” really means, this episode is all about separating science from scare tactics. If you’ve ever been told your hormones are broken or felt overwhelmed by wellness influencers pushing pricey protocols, this one’s for you.
BLACK IRON RADIO EP. 255: YOUR HORMONES AREN’T BROKEN, BUT THAT ADVICE MIGHT BE
Is it really your hormones or is it just bad advice? Manders (NTP), Lauren (CNS/LDN), and Sam (RD) tackle the rise of hormone fear-mongering online and break down what’s actually worth paying attention to when it comes to metabolism, weight gain, fatigue, and more. From the truth about adrenal fatigue to the BS behind “hormone balancing” diets, we’re calling out the junk science and offer a grounded, realistic perspective on what your body actually needs to function well (no silly $60 supplements required).
📲 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
If you’ve spent five minutes on TikTok or Instagram lately, chances are you’ve been told your hormones are broken. Influencers love to drop phrases like “hormone imbalance,” “adrenal fatigue,” or “estrogen dominance” with all the confidence of a medical degree they don’t have. And naturally, they’ve got the perfect product to fix it.
Let’s pump the brakes.
At Black Iron, we’ve coached thousands of clients—many of whom have come to us worried about their hormones. The reality? Most people don’t have “broken hormones.” What they have is a mix of chronic stress, under-fueling, poor sleep, and wildly unrealistic expectations about what their bodies “should” be doing.
Let’s unpack this with a little more nuance.
Fear Sells (But That Doesn’t Mean It’s True)
The wellness industry exploded when social media became the new doctor’s office. Buzzwords like “clean eating” and “biohacking” paved the way for today’s hormone hysteria. What’s happening now is a mix of well-meaning misinformation and downright predatory marketing—especially toward women who feel dismissed by their doctors.
Yes, it’s frustrating to be told “everything looks normal” when your body doesn’t feel right. But using vague symptoms to self-diagnose a hormone issue based on what you saw in a reel isn’t the move. Especially when someone’s trying to sell you a greens powder or a $50 jar of bee pollen with it.
“Balance Your Hormones” Means…What, Exactly?
Here’s the thing no one wants to hear: “hormone balance” isn’t a tangible target. You have dozens of hormones doing different things on different timelines. Insulin, leptin, ghrelin, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones, human growth hormone—they all have specific roles, rhythms, and feedback loops.
So when someone claims a product or protocol will “balance your hormones,” you should be asking: which ones? And how are we measuring that?
Spoiler: They usually can’t tell you. Because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and there’s certainly no smoothie ingredient that “fixes” hormones.
The Real Reasons You Might Feel “Off”
When someone says, “I can’t lose weight because of my hormones,” we always ask: what else is going on?
Are you consistently under-eating or overestimating your calorie burn?
Is your sleep fragmented?
Are you living in a high-stress environment with minimal recovery?
Are you eating enough protein and fiber?
Are you strength training or just hammering cardio?
Fatigue, cravings, poor recovery, weight plateaus, and mood swings can absolutely have hormonal roots—but they’re often just as tied to nutrition, stress, sleep, and movement patterns. That’s where a qualified coach or dietitian can actually help you zoom out and look at the whole picture.
When Hormones Are the Issue
Yes, things like PCOS, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, or menopause can impact your body composition, metabolism, and energy. But even then—it’s not game over. You’re not broken.
For example:
Estrogen plays a role in preserving muscle mass. During and after menopause, it drops, which can make muscle maintenance harder. That doesn’t mean you can’t build or preserve muscle—it just means you’ll need to strength train and prioritize protein even more intentionally.
Hypothyroidism may lower your basal metabolic rate, but it doesn’t eliminate the impact of nutrition, resistance training, or overall energy balance.
Diagnosis or not, we always start by focusing on what you can control—especially if you feel like your doctor brushed you off. And yes, that includes getting a second opinion if needed. You deserve a care team that listens to you and works with you.
What You Can Do (Right Now) To Support Hormonal Health
You don’t need a fancy protocol. You don’t need a supplement stack that costs more than your grocery bill. You need the basics:
Eat real food: Focus on quality protein, fiber, and micronutrient-dense foods. If you’re not eating fruits and vegetables daily, start there.
Train with intention: Resistance training is non-negotiable if your goal is muscle retention, improved insulin sensitivity, or better metabolic health.
Sleep like it’s your job: Deep sleep is crucial for hormonal function—including human growth hormone production and cortisol regulation.
Manage stress: Chronic stress can disrupt everything from hunger cues to recovery to energy levels.
Fuel your body: Chronic undereating is one of the most common (and overlooked) causes of hormonal disruption in active women.
If you’ve already had labs done and everything looks “normal,” but you’re still struggling? That’s not a dead end—it’s just time to dig deeper into the habits, behaviors, and recovery strategies that support real change.
Final Thought
You don’t need to “fix” your hormones. You need to stop taking advice from people who don’t understand them.
The influencers pushing fear-based content aren’t helping you heal—they’re keeping you stuck and confused. If you truly suspect something is off, talk to a qualified professional. And while you wait for answers? Keep lifting, keep sleeping, keep eating, and keep showing up.
You’re not broken. But you might be a little underfed, overtired, and overexposed to bad advice.
Let’s change that.
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If you enjoyed this conversation, check out more episodes of Black Iron Radio, where we cut through the noise and give you real, no-BS advice on feeling, performing, and looking your best. Each week we share practical nutrition, training, and wellness strategies and tips to help you succeed.
📲 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify