CYCLICAL Podcast · Dr. Cassandra Wilder ND

Getting to the Root of ”Adrenal Fatigue” with Holly Bradich

·47 min·3 clips

Low-carb eating and intense exercise can leave depleted women more tired, not more energized.

1. CYCLICAL Podcast’s “Getting to the Root of ”Adrenal Fatigue” with Holly Bradich” focuses on fatigue, hormones, gut health, and stress physiology. 2. Cassandra Wilder is a naturopathic doctor and women’s cyclical health expert, and Holly Bradich is a functional nutritionist who works with gut health and the gut-brain connection. 3. The episode asks what people mean by “adrenal fatigue” and what the body is actually doing when fatigue, brain fog, and cravings show up. 4. Holly says the term validates symptoms but is not an accurate description of what she sees in clients. 5. She explains that adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys and release cortisol, which should peak in the morning and decline at night. 6. Holly says true adrenal failure would be a serious condition and that most fatigue cases point upstream to the brain and the HPA axis. 7. She describes the HPA axis as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system that perceives stress and signals the adrenal glands. 8. Holly says a passive-aggressive comment or getting cut off in traffic can still trigger a stress response, even when there is no life-threatening danger. 9. She says modern life, family responsibilities, aging parents, and multiple jobs all add pressure to the nervous system. 10. Holly says under-eating and overexercising are common in women, especially around perimenopause and menopause. 11. She says many women are doing CrossFit five days a week while eating too little and feeling depleted. 12. Holly says small practices like five minutes of deep breathing, a short walk, or boundary-setting can reduce the load on the nervous system. 13. She says mothers often need to use nap time, guided meditation, or delegated childcare to create even brief moments of regulation. 14. Holly explains blood sugar regulation and says a bagel-only breakfast or coffee-only morning can lead to a crash about an hour later. 15. She says balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy carbs help keep energy, mood, and focus steadier for several hours. 16. Holly also points to gut absorption problems such as SIBO, dysbiosis, low stomach acid, low digestive enzymes, and fat malabsorption. 17. She says stool signs like oily toilet water, stool sticking to the bowl, or undigested food can suggest absorption issues. 18. Holly and Cassandra use a conversational interview style with examples from clients, food journals, and daily routines. 19. People dealing with chronic fatigue, gut issues, and hormone symptoms would get the most from this episode. 20. People looking for a quick fix without lifestyle changes may skip it.

As heard by us

A calm, practical look at why "adrenal fatigue" resonates and what feels more useful than the label.

Cassandra Wilder uses the conversation to unpack why the phrase "adrenal fatigue" lands with so many people, even if it is not a precise label.

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Why you'd press play

A steadier way to think about the symptoms people call adrenal fatigue, and how to make stress feel more manageable.

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