Goal Getter: Fuel Your Goals Without Burning Out

Ep. 45•November 25, 2025•24 min

045. Navigating the Holidays without Bloat, Fatigue, or Low Immunity | with Hannah Aylward pt 2

Struggling with low energy, bloating, chronic stress, or constant colds? Especially during the holidays? In this episode, you'll hear part two of my conversation with gut health expert Hannah Aylward as we unpack the deeper reasons women experience gut dysfunction, hormone imbalance, low immunity, and fatigue. You'll learn how undereating, overexercising, anxiety, and constant stress silently disrupt digestion, weaken the immune system, and keep your body in survival mode. We also talk about the truth behind intermittent fasting for women, why coffee on an empty stomach may be holding you back, and what it takes to rebuild your metabolism, nervous system, and gut health in a sustainable way. If you want better digestion, stronger immunity, and more energy this season, this episode will give you the clarity and next steps to get there. Get your energy back with the Energy Multiplier Blueprint 👉 https://energymultiplierblueprint.com View all of our resources at https://sprintnutritioncoaching.com Follow on instagram @iamjennahostetler and @sprintnutrition Connect with Hannah at https://www.hannahaylward.com and @hannahaylwardhhc

Key Takeaways

1
Chronic stress and under-eating are primary drivers of gut dysfunction
Many women are trapped in a cycle of under-eating, over-exercising, and high stress, which downregulates digestion.
Long-term stress weakens gut immune function, creating an environment for dysbiosis and intestinal permeability.
Healing requires moving out of a 'survival mode' state by nourishing the body and calming the nervous system.
2
The hidden dangers of intermittent fasting for women
While fasting can feel good initially due to a cortisol-driven energy boost, it often leads to hormonal imbalances and sleep issues over time.
Consuming coffee on an empty stomach can exacerbate stress hormone production and negatively impact gut health.
If you choose to fast, prioritize protein and nutrients to support metabolic function rather than relying on adrenaline.
3
Gut health is deeply connected to self-love and nervous system regulation
Healing the gut is often a 'self-love journey' that requires addressing boundaries, perfectionism, and negative self-talk.
Physical symptoms like bloating and anxiety often cause women to 'play small' and withdraw from their lives.
True recovery involves rebuilding trust in your body's signals rather than just following restrictive elimination diets.

Intro

In this second part of a two-part series, Jenna Hostetler and gut health expert Hannah Aylward dive into the root causes of digestive issues, hormone imbalances, and fatigue in women.
Hannah Aylward is a gut health expert and holistic health coach who helps women overcome chronic digestive issues through functional nutrition and nervous system regulation.

Hannah Aylward Website Instagram

– Common Patterns in Gut Dysfunction

Hannah identifies the 'type A' profile common among her clients: women who are under-eating, over-exercising, and constantly putting others' needs before their own.

Stress doesn't just stay stress. Over time, stress and anxiety will downregulate digestion and weaken gut immune function.
– Hannah Aylward

– The Journey to Healing

Hannah shares her personal struggle with chronic dieting and SIBO, emphasizing that supplements alone cannot fix a gut damaged by years of stress and malnutrition.

Identify the root cause (e.g., SIBO, dysbiosis).
Prioritize protein intake.
Address nervous system hyper-vigilance and boundaries.
Shift from a mindset of self-hatred to self-love.

– Intermittent Fasting and Caffeine

The discussion turns to the impact of fasting and coffee on the female body, noting that many women feel 'clear' initially because they are running on cortisol.

I'd rather you eat something small than nothing at all. If you are doing a coffee in the morning, throw some collagen or protein in there.
– Hannah Aylward

– Beyond Bloating: Reclaiming Your Life

Hannah explains that the goal of her work is not just symptom relief, but helping women regain the confidence to live their lives without fear of their own bodies.

Resources

Topics

Gut HealthWomen's HealthNervous System RegulationIntermittent FastingNutritionAdrenal FatigueSelf-LoveMetabolism