240: Overcoming Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA): Community & Support with Dani Sheriff

In this episode of the Female Athlete Nutrition Podcast, host Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes, a sports dietician and lifelong athlete, speaks with Dani Sheriff, co-CEO of The HA Society. They discuss the confusion and pressure surrounding female nutrition and body image, particularly for athletes.   Dani shares her experience with hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA), its implications, and the importance of proper nutrition and balanced exercise. They emphasize the need for community support through recovery, addressing the emotional and physical aspects of healing. Dani highlights the role of fertility awareness in understanding one's cycle and health. The episode offers insights into managing HA, the benefits of community involvement, and the empowering journey of reclaiming one's health.   Dani Sheriff is the founder and co-CEO of The HA Society. Dani’s expertise comes from many years of research and time spent in the nutrition, sport and fitness industry, as well as being trained to use the fertility awareness method as a diagnostic tool as a certified fertility awareness practitioner. She helps women recover their missing periods, optimize them and get pregnant or avoid pregnancy naturally.   Episode Highlights:

• 01:25 Meet Our Guest: Dani Sherif
• 04:27 Understanding Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (HA)
• 05:37 Signs and Symptoms of HA
• 19:23 Personal Stories and Experiences
• 28:22 Addressing RED-S and Recovery
• 31:00 Long-Term Effects of HA and Reversibility
• 31:14 Impact on Bone Density and Heart Health