What works to optimize your biology? Hormone expert Alisa Vitti has made it her life's work to find out. On this episode of the Spartan Up! podcast, she explains how and why women need to plan differently for intermittent fasting and HIIT workouts, how men can maximize testosterone and performance using their circadian rhythms, and how women can unlock hormonal power by understanding infradian rhythms. New studies are revealing more about our endocrine systems and the unique differences between men's and women's.

Vitti's journey began shortly before she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. When she sensed that something was wrong, she did extensive research and self-diagnosed herself. Her doctor confirmed the diagnosis, but told her, essentially, that she would never feel 100 percent and would have to be on medication for the rest of her life. Unsatisfied with that answer, she dedicated her life to finding a solution.

"Fifteen years ago, I weighed 200 pounds," she said. "My face, chest, and back were covered in painful cystic acne. I only had my period twice a year. I was exhausted, depressed, and I had constant brain fog. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but there was no mistaking this for normal.

"...At age 20, I was told I would never be able to have children naturally, even with the aid of IVF. There was no treatment besides taking an under-researched cocktail of medications that might or might not help my symptoms, but wouldn’t cure me."

Her studies in functional nutrition and hormones helped her discover a treatment protocol that changed her life. That research was the basis for her first book, WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source. Her latest book, In the FLO: Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life, offers a biohacking program for women.

Related: How to Fix Low Testosterone

Listen to the podcast in its entirety below.

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