Former CrossFit Pro: How Overtraining Destroyed Metabolism & Hormones

Today I have Dr. Becca Chilczenkowski, board-certified practitioner and hormone specialist who was a top 100 CrossFitter yet gained 15 pounds in one month and lost her cycle for three years from overtraining. Genetic testing revealed her inflammatory system turns on easily and struggles to turn off, making extreme exercise backfire. Becca reveals why detoxification—liver, gallbladder, bile support—is foundational, why she cut training from 6 days to 3 days weekly and became leaner, and why peptides are a "privilege you must earn" through lifestyle work first. She shares healing weight loss resistance, autoimmune, and MCAS through nervous system regulation, faith, and honoring rest as productive.

Key Takeaways

1. Genetics: Some bodies turn on inflammation easily, struggle to shut off
2. Detox first: Liver, gallbladder, bile before hormone optimization
3. Exercise less: 3 days strength beats 6 days HIIT
4. Rest is productive: Body forces rest if you don't choose it
5. Protein moderation: 80-90g/day works better for some
6. Peptides privilege: Earn through lifestyle, not replacement
7. Bile crucial: Main hormone detoxifier, methylation support
8. Genetic testing: Infron Pro 7 validates struggles
9. Nervous system: Faith, journaling, vagus nerve essential
10. Mindset matters: Self-talk sabotages healing

Chapters & Timestamps

01:11 Becca Fitness Origins

02:28 Injury IVF And Weight Gain

03:10 Functional Medicine Awakening

05:35 Beyond Hormones Root Causes

06:27 Inflammation Stress And Metabolism

08:19 Where To Start Cell Detox

10:20 Exercise Stress Perimenopause

11:56 Nervous System Grounding Tools

15:28 Bile Liver And Gut Support

17:47 Fitness Myths Rest Protein

21:42 Learning To Rest And Reset Mindset

24:22 Gut Rebuild Strategy

26:54 Methylation Detox Basics

28:58 Labs That Matter Most

31:48 Genetics For Personalization

34:00 Muscle Bone Without HRT

36:38 Training Styles That Stick

39:16 Nutrition For Strength

41:16 Peptides Safety First

44:02 Peptides Pros And Cons

47:24 Mindset Faith And Support

49:35 Where To Find Becca

Guest Details

Dr. Becca Chilczenkowski — Board-Certified Practitioner & Hormone Specialist

Background: Former top 100 CrossFitter. Lost 40-50 lbs competing, then gained 15 lbs in one month despite perfect diet/exercise. Lost cycle 3 years from overtraining.

Discovery: Genetic testing (Infron Pro 7) revealed highly responsive inflammatory system—turns on easily, struggles to turn off.

Practice: Virtual practice for weight loss resistance, autoimmune, MCAS, long COVID. Chicago-based.

Philosophy: Detox first (liver/gallbladder/bile). Rest is productive. Peptides require earning through lifestyle. Faith-based.

Connect:

• Instagram: @theHormoneQueen
• Website:FitMom.co

About Your Hosts

Micah Yu, MD, MHA, MS, ABOIM, DipABLM, IFMCP

Dr. Micah Yu is a triple board-certified integrative rheumatologist who blends conventional medicine with holistic, nutrition-based healing to treat autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. A patient himself, Dr. Yu brings a deeply personal perspective to his work, having reversed his own autoimmune arthritis through lifestyle and integrative medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, rheumatology, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, and functional medicine. As the founder of MyAutoimmuneMD and co-founder of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic, Dr. Yu empowers patients to address the root causes of illness and reclaim their health from the inside out.

Melissa Mondala, MD, MHA, MS, DipABLM

Dr. Melissa Mondala is a dual board-certified physician in Family and Lifestyle Medicine, with advanced training in Integrative Psychiatry and Integrative Medicine. As President of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic in Newport Beach—recognized by UC Irvine as a Public Health Site of Excellence—she pioneers a holistic, patient-centered approach to chronic disease. Dr. Mondala is a nationally recognized Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, core faculty at Loma Linda University's Preventive Medicine Department, and a passionate advocate for plant-based nutrition, mental health, and women's wellness. A sought-after speaker and educator, she combines cutting-edge science with deep compassion to empower lasting healing, especially for those silently suffering from autoimmune, mental health, and long COVID conditions. She shares practical inspiration for healthy living and cooking at @drmelissaskitchen.

About AutoImmune Alchemy Podcast

Mission: Blending science with soul to transform autoimmune struggles into healing alchemy

AutoImmune Alchemy is a podcast dedicated to the autoimmune community, offering hope, validation, and evidence-based solutions for those struggling with complex autoimmune conditions. Hosted by the dynamic duo Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu, the show features expert interviews exploring root causes like hormonal imbalances, leaky gut, and inflammation that traditional medicine often overlooks. Each episode empowers listeners to take proactive control of their health through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and integrative approaches.

Connect with AutoImmune Alchemy

• Website:MyAutoimmuneMD.com
• Dr. Lifestyle Clinic:www.drlifestyle.org
• Instagram: @myautoimmunemd
• Facebook: @MYAutoimmuneMD
• YouTube: @myautoimmunemd
• Email: contact@myautoimmunemd.com

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