08 Aug Hormones, healing, and a $1 bottle I can’t shut up about
💌 Notes from Natalie
Hey hey!
What. A. Week. We’re officially 4 weeks post Spine disc replacement surgery. While I’m not exactly running marathons or deadlifting small cars… I am walking every day, red-lighting like it’s my job, and doing the slow-and-steady turtle version of strength training.
Let me be real: getting back into the gym after back surgery is weird. My brain wants to go full beast mode, but my body is like, “Girl, sit down and stretch.” It’s like my mind is in her 30s, and my lower back is applying for early retirement. 😅
That said, it feels GOOD to be moving again. REALLY good. Even if it’s just tiny, surgeon-approved movements. I filmed some of the things I’ve been doing and shared them on Instagram. If you’re navigating your own comeback season (or just want to see what post-surgical realness looks like), go take a peek.
The nerve pain has improved a TON. I definitely had some huge shifts around this! Like 1. Learning about a medication that was making me feel crazy (stopped that one!), a device that distracts your mind from the pain (more on that in next weeks note), and being able to MOVE more.
Oh, and something big happened this week…
We hosted a live DNA + Health webinar that was literally mind-blowing. If you’ve ever thought “I’m stuck with this body or these symptoms because of my genes,” I’ve got news: you’re not. Just because you were born with certain genetics doesn’t mean you’re stuck with those outcomes. Your DNA isn’t a life sentence! It’s more like a manual… and now you get to actually read it.
The webinar had people gasping, texting their sisters, and Googling methylation. It was that good. If you were there, you know. If you weren’t? All I can say is… I sent 8 emails. Ha. No current plans to run it again, but if that changes, I’ll let you know first.
Now for a few OTHER things you might’ve missed this week that you can still access…
📱On the GRAM:
Early post-surgery exercises I’m doing now (yes, I’m filming the comeback one baby rep at a time)
And…the $1 olive oil that’s currently changing my life, my salads, and maybe even my mood
🎥 On YouTube:
14 surgeries later I share the whole journey as to WHY I had 14 surgeries, how they are linked together and all the recovery hacks I have learned. You can view that HERE
I dropped a brand new booty and leg workout that’s 100% lower-back friendly. You can do it with just your bodyweight, which means no weird gym equipment or excuses. Great if you’re healing, just starting out, or your spine’s been giving you side-eye. Click below to give it a go!
🎙️ On the PODCAST:
🎧 My full back surgery story and what I did before, during, and now post-op to manage pain, prep my body, and recover. Listen on Apple or Spotify.
🎧 An amazing convo with Dr. Betty Murray about hormones in midlife and the BIGGEST misconceptions we’ve all been fed. Listen on Apple or Spotify or watch below on YouTube.
🏆 AND THE THING I’M OBSESSING OVER THIS WEEK…
Let’s talk about olive oil for a second. I know… random. But not all olive oil is created equal. Most of the stuff on store shelves? Blended, oxidized, or just… sad. But this new find? From The Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club. It’s next-level.
It’s fresh, cold-pressed, single-origin, and it actually tastes like something you’d want to drizzle on your food and not just cook with and forget. I tried it once and immediately became that person who talks about olive oil like it’s a luxury skincare product.
And yes… they’re doing a deal where you get a full-size trial bottle for one dollar. One. Dollar. 😳
It’s normally $39, but somehow we all win here.
I’ll be back soon with more updates, healing progress, and probably another oddly specific product I’ll become obsessed with.
Until then… if you’re navigating your own health stuff, starting over, or just trying to get your spark back… I’m right there with you.
You’ve got this!
xo
Natalie Jill
