Below Her Surface

In part two of this special series, Lily is rejoined by her mum and clinical naturopath Amanda Haberecht to tackle the second round of community questions, this time focused entirely on the intersection of endometriosis and fertility. Amanda runs Darling Health, a multidisciplinary clinic with a significant endometriosis and fertility caseload, and brings clinical pattern recognition that most women never get access to.This conversation moves beyond the binary of "endo means infertility" to look at what the data actually says, what specialists disagree on, and which testing pathways shorten a woman's road to answers. Lily and Amanda cut through the noise on surgery, supplementation, oestrogen detoxification, and the mental load of being told everything wrong with you starts and ends with one diagnosis.In this episode, Lily and Amanda explore:The 50% statistic — why half of women presenting to IVF clinics have endometriosis, but only 20 to 30 percent of women with endo will struggle to conceive.Why the severity of disease doesn't predict the fertility outcome — and why a woman with widespread endo can have four children while another with stage one struggles for years.The seven and a half year diagnosis delay — what's behind it, and why so many women still leave their GP being told "it's just period pain."Surgery, IVF, and the specialist tightrope — when laparoscopy helps fertility, when it creates more scar tissue, and how to navigate conflicting advice between an endo surgeon and an IVF doctor.AMH and the shorter fertility window — why women with endo should be testing AMH early, what egg freezing decisions look like with this information, and what can actually stabilise the number.Omega-3s, NAC, and the supplements with real evidence — including the data on NAC shrinking endometriomas and supporting embryo implantation rates.MTHFR, COMT and the oestrogen detox pathway — why every woman with endo who runs a Dutch or endo map test shows blocks, and what that means for protocol design.The estrobolome — how the gut and vaginal microbiomes determine how effectively oestrogen is detoxified and cleared.When all roads stop leading to endo — why miscarriage, low energy, and conception delays in a woman with endometriosis are sometimes Hashimoto's, methylation issues, or male factor in disguise.This episode is a grounded, science-led continuation of Part 1, reminding us that an endometriosis diagnosis is the start of the investigation, not the end of the conversation.Amanda HaberechtInstagram:⁠ ⁠@darlinghealth_sydneyConnect with LilyInstagram:⁠⁠ @lilycook⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to work with Lily⁠⁠DisclaimerThe content in this episode is for educational purposes and reflects the clinical experience of the host and guest. It is not a substitute for individualised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Specific supplements (including NAC and methylated B-vitamins), functional medicine tests (Dutch, endo map, vaginal microbiome panels), and fertility decisions should be discussed with your treating clinician before making any changes.

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with Rachel Godfrey: strength coach, founder of Chase Life Consulting and The House of Onyx, and a clinician's clinician on female fat loss. After 13 years in the industry working with high-achieving women over 35, Rachel's built a model that refuses to treat the body as separate from the woman living in it. This conversation moves beyond the fitness industry's "track your calories and try harder" template to interrogate why the same traits that made you successful in your career are now sabotaging your body. Lily and Rachel cut through the noise on identity work, the real mechanics of cravings, and why most women are running a short-term tool against a long-term problem. In this episode, Lily and Rachel explore: Why fat loss is an identity problem, not a willpower problem. What changes when you lead with who you want to become rather than what you want to lose. The high-achiever trap. How perfectionism, completion addiction, over-analysing, and people pleasing accelerate your career and then break your body. The myth of the "perfect" diet plan. Why personalised macro plans are mostly a story women tell themselves and basic principles get the result. Tracking calories as a short-term tool. When it earns its place, when it stops working, and why using it to manage long-term behaviour creates perfectionism and disordered patterns. The 3 PM craving rule. Why afternoon cravings aren't an afternoon problem, and how to read them as a 24-hour signal. Snacking, grazing, and the constant-eating culture. What's actually driving the obsession with eating every two hours. GLP-1s in clinical practice. Where they help, where they're overused, and what happens when you pair them with real identity work versus when you don't. Burnout as the body's verdict on your identity. Rachel's own story of mercury toxicity, adrenal dysfunction, and a torn hamstring as the universe's invoice. Why "size 12 with abs" exposes what women actually want. How conditioning yourself to play small shows up in the goals you're willing to name out loud. This episode is a grounded look at what happens when a strength coach and a clinician stop being polite about the gap between what the fitness industry promises and what actually produces a lasting body. Rachel Godfrey Instagram: @therachelgodfrey Connect with Lily Instagram: @lilycook Apply to work with Lily Disclaimer: The content in this episode is for educational purposes and reflects the clinical experience of the host and guest. It is not a substitute for individualised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified practitioner before making changes to your nutrition, training, or medication.

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily is joined by content creator Matilda for a raw and insightful follow-up Q&A. Having navigated one of the most complex cases of Hashimoto’s Lily has seen in practice, Matilda shares the reality of her 12-month journey from a "thyroid storm" to achieving regulated blood work for the first time in over a decade. This conversation goes beneath the surface of a standard diagnosis, exploring how under-eating, overtraining, and extreme stress can trigger autoimmune spirals. From the heartbreak of miscarriage to the exhaustion of the postpartum period, this episode offers a science-literate yet deeply human look at what it takes to truly heal when the system feels broken. In this episode, Lily and Matilda explore: *Matilda’s Health Update – Moving from a TSH of 104 to regulated markers through food, supplementation, and reduced training intensity. *Can You Reverse Hashimoto’s? – Understanding how to turn autoimmunity "off" and the difference between managing symptoms and achieving dormancy. *Why You Still Feel "Crap" with Normal Bloods – Why TSH alone doesn't tell the full story and the importance of testing T3, T4, antibodies, and iodine. *The Gluten & Dairy Connection – Why removing inflammatory triggers is crucial during an autoimmune flare to clear brain fog and support digestion. *The Reality of Fatigue – Distinguishing between "normal" mum exhaustion and debilitating physiological fatigue that impacts your personality and libido. *Pregnancy & Postpartum Challenges – Navigating thyroid surges, breastfeeding supply issues, and the emotional toll of miscarriage. *Advocating for Yourself in the Medical System – The role of integrative doctors, private testing panels, and finding practitioners who look at the whole picture. *Nutrition Hacks for Busy Parents – Tips for syncing your eating schedule with your kids and the benefits of "flipping" breakfast and dinner. This episode is a grounded guide for anyone feeling dismissed by standard medical advice, reminding us that while the path to health isn't a quick fix, it is possible to feel like yourself again.

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with content creator and model Onella to peel back the layers on what it really looks like to live and work in the digital spotlight. A client of Metaphysical Wellness for several months, Onella shares her evolution from winning a national modelling search to navigating the pressures of being a curve model and living with Vitiligo. This conversation moves beyond the "perfect exterior" to discuss the mental load of social media, the nuances of PCOS, and the courage it takes to work on your health while the world is watching. Onella opens up about the "chaotic" reality of her career - from crying in hotel rooms during glamorous brand trips to the discipline required to treat her personal life as a business. Together, Lily and Onella challenge the stigma surrounding weight loss in the body-positive community, advocating for a "baseline" of health that prioritises internal markers over external opinions. In this episode, Lily and Onella explore: *The shift from modelling to content creation – How PCOS and insulin resistance changed Onella’s body size and why many brands dropped off when she moved from a size 16 to a 20/22. *Living with Vitiligo – Onella’s journey as an ambassador for the Vitiligo Association of Australia and her experience growing up confident despite having a "different" look. *The myth of the "perfect" influencer life – The reality of travel anxiety, emotional burnout, and why long-form YouTube content feels more authentic than 7-second reels. *Health as a trend vs. health as a baseline – Navigating the overwhelming amount of health advice on TikTok and learning to separate "trends" from actual body physiology. *Weight loss and Body Positivity – Why wanting to improve your health or change your body composition doesn’t mean you hate yourself, and how to handle online scrutiny during a transformation. *The "Chaotic Brain" and systems – How to build routines that allow you to function when your natural state is high-energy and non-linear. *Sustainable balance – Learning that balance isn't a 50/50 split, but rather having the capacity to enjoy life (and chocolate) without it derailing your long-term goals. This episode is an honest, refreshing look at the intersection of public image and private health, reminding us that being "visible and valued" starts with how we treat ourselves beneath the surface

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with mindset and business coach Jess Williamson to pull back the curtain on what it truly takes to scale a global empire from scratch. From launching a swimwear brand at 22 with "zero clue" to managing five simultaneous businesses and eventually selling them, Jess’s journey is a masterclass in backing yourself before you feel "qualified".This conversation moves beyond clinical business advice and dives into the psychology of success. Jess explains why most people fail to take action on the information they receive and how subconscious programming around "safety" and "competition" can lead to burnout if left unchecked. In this episode, Jess and Lily explore: -The power of "delusional" belief - why deciding on a global outcome before you have the qualifications is often the key to making global moves. -The evolution of the Personal Brand - why you don’t have a business in 2026 if you aren't visible, and how to stop competing on price by becoming your own niche. -The Introvert’s guide to visibility - how Jess went from being petrified of eye contact to speaking on international stages and hosting Ted Talks. -Bridging the Gap: Information vs. Action - why receiving a "dopamine hit" from new information often prevents people from actually doing the work. -The Three Pillars of Strategy - stripping business back to the basics: selling your offer, delivering on the offer, and doing the work. -Reprogramming for Burnout - why burnout is often an internal issue of feeling "unsafe" to slow down, rather than a long to-do list. -Building Self-Trust through "Reps" - using micro-actions in fitness and health to prove to your brain that you can follow through on your word in business. -The "Willingness" Factor - why success isn’t about luck, but about being willing to look like an idiot and get a million "no’s" before you get a "yes". This episode is a high-energy, honest look at the grit required to build a life on your own terms. It serves as a reminder that while the strategy is simple, the courage to be seen and the resilience to stay in the game is where the real growth happens.

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily is joined by Matilda Spooner to share a raw and insightful look into navigating Hashimoto’s, thyroid dysfunction, and the path to conception. After years of being told to simply "up the dose" of her medication, Matilda shares how she moved from being a fatigued mum on the couch to reclaiming her vitality through a science-led, food-first approach. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the "hidden" side of autoimmunity - where looking fine on the outside doesn't match the internal reality of shutting down. Lily and Matilda discuss the importance of advocating for yourself in a medical system that often overlooks the nuances of female biology and the impact of lifestyle on thyroid markers. In this episode, Lily and Matilda explore: - The Post-Pill Reality – Navigating 90-day cycles and the surprise pregnancy that followed years of hormonal suppression. - The Fatigue Wall – What it’s really like parenting a toddler while struggling with undiagnosed thyroid crashes and the guilt of "not being able to get off the couch". - The Fasting Trap – Why fasted cardio and skipping breakfast are often the worst choices for women with Hashimoto’s and thyroid issues. - Fuelling for Recovery – The daunting but essential shift of increasing food intake, eating protein before training, and using carbohydrates to blunt cortisol. - Pregnancy Loss & Preparation – Processing a miscarriage through a physiological lens and using bloodwork to find the confidence to try for baby number two. - The Medical Gap – Why standard thyroid treatments often ignore root causes like iodine deficiency, selenium, and poor methylation. - Self-Advocacy – Why you shouldn't feel "dramatic" for seeking a second opinion when your intuition tells you something is wrong. This episode is a powerful reminder that "normal" blood results don't always equal optimal health. It’s an invitation to stop settling for "fine" and start working with a practitioner who looks at the full landscape of your biology to help you feel human again.

In this solo Q&A episode of Below Her Surface, Lily Cook, founder of Metaphysical Wellness, returns to dive deep into the questions that flood her inbox. This episode is a masterclass in reading between the lines of standard medical advice, specifically tackling the frustration many women feel when their labs come back "normal" despite feeling anything but. Lily breaks down the clinical nuances of hormonal health, from the specifics of androgen testing to the lifestyle factors that "turn on" PCOS symptoms. This conversation cuts through the marketing fluff of the supplement industry - specifically debunking the "natural Ozempic" and "lean creatine" trends - to provide a science-literate, grounded approach to female biology. In this episode, Lily explores: - The "Normal" Lab Trap – Why your pathology reports might say you’re fine, but your ferritin, thyroid, and insulin levels are far from optimal for how you actually want to feel. - Hirsutism and Hair Loss – The connection between insulin resistance and androgen production, and why basic testosterone testing often misses the full picture. - Endometriosis and Iron – Navigating low iron and heavy bleeds, why you don’t necessarily need to cut out red meat, and the role of prostaglandins in period pain. - The Creatine Myth – Why there is no such thing as "lean" creatine and how to avoid the temporary bloating often associated with "loading" phases. - Berberine vs. Reality – Unpacking the "Natural Ozempic" claims and why body composition results in clinical trials are often no better than a placebo. - PCOS: Genetic or Lifestyle? – Understanding the difference between having polycystic ovaries and the clinical expression of PCOS, and how strategy trumps generic "low carb" advice. -Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea (HA) vs. PCOS – The "danger zone" of misdiagnosis and why treating a loss of cycle as PCOS can actually make your hormonal health worse. This episode is a call to look beneath the surface of generic health trends and start looking at your data, your cycle, and your lifestyle as one interconnected whole.

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with coach and long-time fitness industry insider Chloe Rentifis to peel back the curtain on what really happens when “doing everything right” still leaves your body falling apart. From chronic gut pain at 16 and nine months without a period to cystic skin flares, relentless fatigue and the pressure to “look the part” in the fitness industry, Chloe shares the unfiltered truth about what happens when you ignore the whispers your body gives you, until they turn into screams. Together, Lily and Chloe discuss: • The early signs: years of gut pain, hospital stays and confusing diagnoses that were never fully explained, and how you normalise suffering when it’s all you’ve ever known. • Losing her period for nine months: the moment Chloe realised her body wasn’t just “tired,” it was shutting down, and how fear of future fertility finally pushed her to seek real answers. • Skin, anxiety & heart flutters: the symptoms she brushed off as “normal” until they were no longer ignorable. • Overtraining without realising: how six-day training weeks, Turf Games, Hyrox prep and 4am alarms added up to hormonal chaos, even while eating well and coaching others. • Identity vs. health: the pressure of being a coach who’s expected to look a certain way, and the mindset shift that let her step back without feeling like she was losing her credibility. • Starting again: the moment she told Lily, “You’re my last hope,” and the honest fear of investing again after being burned by endless practitioners and expensive testing. • The rebuild: cutting training back, prioritising sleep, reducing stress load, changing nutrition, and slowly watching her skin, cycle regularity, energy and gut health come back online. • Coaching differently: how Chloe’s experience reshaped the way she works with clients, teaches them to respect symptoms, and supports them to build health from the inside out, not just chase aesthetics. • Burning the finish line: why the obsession with timelines and aesthetics keeps women sick, and how slowing down can actually move you further, faster. • What the industry gets wrong: macros without nutrients, glorified extremes, overstimulation, and the myth that “healthy looking” equals healthy. • The new chapter: food as fuel (and joy), holistic habits, gentler training phases, more energy, clearer skin, and a long-term approach that finally feels sustainable. If you’ve ever felt burnt out, dismissed, misdiagnosed or trapped in the belief that you “should be fine,” Chloe’s story is a powerful reminder that you’re not meant to survive on fumes and that real healing often starts when you’re brave enough to stop.

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with strength coach and educator Janis Blums to unpack what really drives resilient, functional and healthy bodies in a culture obsessed with shrinking them. From his background in elite sport, biomechanics and fascia to his work with some of Australia’s top models, Janis shares how he builds strong women in an industry that often rewards the opposite. Together, Lily and Janis discuss: • From bootcamps in the rain to Sweaty Soul - how Janis went from lugging tyres in parks to building a niche studio and becoming the go-to coach for major modelling agencies. • Athletic roots and rehab – the high-jump, AFL and gymnastics background that shaped his obsession with movement, injury prevention and human performance. • Fascia, length–tension and “storage for the nervous system” - how connective tissue, posture and bone position change strength, tightness and pain • Mind–muscle connection and irradiation - the science behind his “10-second plank” and why gripping your hands, glutes and legs can wake up hard-to-reach muscles and stabilise your joints. • Blocking, tempo and smarter squats – practical tweaks like shin blocks, isometrics and single-leg work that shift women out of quad dominance and into safer, hip-driven strength.. • GLP-1s and the new starvation culture – what worries him about Ozempic-style drugs • Eating disorders, safety and re-feeding – the physiology of a starving brain and heart, the dangers of rapid re-feeding • Raising the bar for coaches – why Cert III/IV is only the starting line, and Janis’ call for trainers to invest in neuroscience, women’s physiology and collaborative • Strength as emotional armour – how lifting, breath work and honest coaching help women build the resilience • Turning obsession into education – the story behind • Turning obsession into education – the story behind his Delta X

In this solo episode of Below Her Surface, Lily answers your most-asked questions from Instagram, covering PCOS, insulin resistance, training, hormone balance, nutrition, and mindset. From demystifying medical testing to unpacking myths around fasting, gym classes, and metformin, she dives deep into the science and the strategy behind sustainable health and fat loss. Lily explores: • PCOS without cysts: why you can still have PCOS even without ovarian cysts, and how insulin resistance plays a key role. • When the weight won’t budge: how mismatched training intensity and diet can stall progress, and how to fix it. • Metformin and beyond: understanding what it does (and doesn’t) do, and when lifestyle changes can achieve the same results. • Testing for PCOS and hormones: what to ask your doctor, which labs to request, and how to interpret results for real insights. • Training for hormone balance: how to know when to push harder, and when your body needs nervous system regulation instead. • Fasting, Ozempic, and muscle loss: Lily’s no-BS take on what actually causes muscle loss and how to protect your strength. • Non-toxic swaps: why simple changes to plastics, cookware, and beauty products matter, but shouldn’t come before the basics. • Cycle syncing myths: why you don’t need to overhaul your training every few days, and what actually works instead. • Calorie counting and mindset: how to use tracking as a tool (not a trap), and why separating emotion from evidence is key to long-term success. • Final takeaway: fat loss is a physical process, but we sabotage it when we lead with emotion instead of science and consistency.

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with boutique owner and founder Lia to unpack how she’s reshaping fashion culture from the shop floor to social feeds. From launching her in-house label Sneaky Link to the wildly popular “same outfit, different size” videos, Lia shares how authenticity, size-inclusive design, and real community engagement built a 37-person business and what it really takes to grow without burning out. Together, Lily and Lia discuss: • Finding the voice: why Lia ditched glossy editorial shoots for organic, useful content women actually shop from and how that choice powered growth. • “Same outfit, different size”: the lockdown-born series that lets shoppers compare fits on a size 6 and size 12 body, demystifying inconsistent brand sizing. • Normalising the tag: embracing size 12–14 as typical, not “maxed out,” and expanding the label from 16 to size 20 so more women can wear what they love. • From two people to 37: building a team, opening an office and ops facility, and moving Lia off the shop floor into high-leverage work. • Community as strategy: open DMs, direct feedback loops, and the joy of making women feel confident. • Beating tall poppy syndrome: why sharing factories, numbers, and playbooks lifts everyone and how to build a circle of like-minded founders. • The next chapter: ahead of production and design, big creative plans for Sneaky Link, and a brighter, more inclusive future. • Fashion as fuel: dressing as a daily confidence practice - and kicking the stigma around “the number on the tag.” If you’ve ever wrestled with body image, fit frustration, or the pressure to “look the part,” this conversation will remind you what real confidence and community can build.

In this solo episode of Below Her Surface, Lily dives into the questions she’s asked most often, especially from the women who joined the free 3 Day Metabolic Reset. From PCOS to thyroid, cravings to calories, this is a no-fluff, evidence-informed conversation that unpacks what’s actually going on beneath the health trends. Lily answers listener questions on: • PCOS and insulin resistance: Why “gluten free, dairy free” isn’t a protocol and what really drives results. • The truth about carbs: How to calculate your needs, reintroduce them without weight gain, and why 65g isn’t a magic number. • Thyroid and weight loss: How metabolism adapts and what to do before cutting calories again. • Cortisol, progesterone, and fatigue: Why your testing day matters and how to support recovery. • Preconception and fertility: Why insulin, minerals, and metabolism all play a role before pregnancy. • Fasting myths: What works, what backfires, and how stress and hormones change the equation. • Gluten, dairy, and inflammation: How to know what your body’s really reacting to. • How long you can safely be in a calorie deficit: What happens before your metabolism pushes back. • What blood work actually matters for women: How to interpret it beyond the basics. • The smarter, calmer path to weight loss: Less hustle, more clinical precision. Whether you’re working on your metabolism, managing PCOS, or simply craving a grounded take on women’s health, this episode is your listener-led masterclass in making sense of the noise.

In this episode of Below Her Surface, Lily sits down with clinical nutritionist and naturopath Adrian Adams to unpack what truly integrative care looks like—minus the fads. From his early love of sport to the acne journey that steered him toward natural medicine, Adrian shares how he blends evidence-based testing with a practical, human approach. Together, Lily and Adrian discuss: - How integrative GP–naturopath co-care actually works in the room—and why patients get better results when clinicians collaborate - PCOS done properly: making a symptom-led case for fasting insulin, what numbers mean in real life, and why improving insulin sensitivity changes everything - Cortisol confusion: when a standard blood test is the wrong tool, why the cortisol awakening response matters, and what to fix first when you’re exhausted - Sensible testing vs. overwhelm: what to order, when to skip, and how Medicare rules shape GP decisions - Tools in Adrian’s kit: microbiome qPCR, DUTCH-style urinary hormones, leptin, GTT with insulin, and when hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps (from neuropathy to post-op healing) - Ozempic/GLP-1s without the drama: who they help, key side effects, muscle loss risks, and the habits you must build if you ever come off them - Gluten and gut integrity: why some people choose gluten-free for intestinal permeability—even without a formal intolerance - Adrian’s vision for the next decade: prevention that feels good now, truly patient-centred care, and hospitals that actually support healing Whether you’re navigating hormones, chasing better energy, or just over the “quick fix,” this one’s a grounded roadmap for smart testing, strategic lifestyle changes, and collaborative care that respects your time, budget, and biology.