MENSTRUAL CYCLE RESTORATION: NIKKI ZAHKA’S JOURNEY TO BETTER HEALTH, PERFORMANCE & METABOLIC RECOVERY | EP. 181
In this week’s episode of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, I sit down with my client and former Division 1 athlete, fitness professional, and tech sales leader Nikki Zahka to unpack her journey from chronic under-fueling and hypothalamic amenorrhea to restoring her health, rebuilding her physiology, and achieving her best physique yet.We cover:NIKKI’S ATHLETIC HISTORYNIKKI’S PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORSHigh performers often burn the candle at both ends not realizing that stress adds up across life domains.WHERE NIKKI WAS AT THE START OF COACHING (JANUARY 2023)Physique looked great externally but internally her health was compromised.Chronic under-eating (1200–1350 kcal/day) with high-output training.Showing signs of suppressed physiology, poor digestion, and hormonal dysfunction.WHAT NIKKI WAS EXPERIENCING WHEN WE STARTED WORKING TOGETHEROver 3 years without a menstrual cycle.Classic RED-S biofeedback: fatigue, hormone suppression, stress overload.Chronic under-fueling led to poor quality of life despite looking “fit.”HYPOTHALAMIC AMENORRHEA (HA)Causes: low energy availability + high stress suppressing hypothalamic signaling.Effects: reduced thyroid, elevated cortisol, reduced estrogen/progesterone.RELATIVE ENERGY DEFICIENCY & LOW ENERGY AVAILABILITY (LEA)Adaptable LEA: short-term, strategic, recoverable.Problematic LEA: chronic, damaging, with systemic consequences.Nikki had been in problematic LEA for years due to mismatch of intake/output.CONSEQUENCES OF RED-SHORMONAL: ↓ thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, IGF-1, leptin; ↑ cortisol.METABOLIC: suppressed RMR, reduced MPS.BONE HEALTH: ↓ bone mineral density, ↑ fracture risk.GI: constipation, digestive distress.PERFORMANCE: ↓ strength, endurance, glycogen storage, recovery; ↑ injury risk.HEMATOLOGICAL: iron deficiency → worsened thyroid function.THE PRIMER PHASEFoundation-building stage where we focused on restoring physiology, habits, and metabolic health.Pulled back from high-intensity, exhaustive training.Focused on fueling, recovery, sleep, stress management.INTENTION OF THE PRIMER PHASEReverse chronic low energy availability.NUTRIENT TIMING & WITHIN-DAY ENERGY AVAILABILITYImportance of distribution, not just daily totals.Even fueling throughout the day → reduces stress, improves recovery, supports hormones.Avoid large gaps without eating & fasted high-intensity training.OUTCOMES OF THE PRIMER PHASEAfter 6 months: improved training performance, recovery, and body recomposition.Fueling at >2000 kcal on training days at ~110 lbs.Biofeedback improved across the board.Proof that correcting EA + structured resistance training = muscle gain & better hormone function.LEAN BUILDING PHASESNext step after Primer: structured lean muscle gain phase RESTORED MENSTRUAL CYCLE after 3+ years.Focused on performance, fueling, and health markers.Out of 55 weeks, only 6 spent dieting; most time spent building.Mindset shift: from chasing leanness to fueling abundance.LESSONS & TAKEAWAYSNikki’s story is a powerful reminder that A HEALTHY BODY IS A RESPONSIVE BODY and when you prioritize physiology, the physiqueresults follow.WHERE TO CONNECT WITH ME:Follow Brandon on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brandondacruz_/For Info on Brandon’s Coaching Services: https://form.jotform.com/bdacruzfitness/coachinginquiryEmail:
[email protected]’s Website: https://www.brandondacruzfit.com
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