Highly Favored
Stagione 1
cycle syncing.
box to the left.
the holy quintinity of supplements.
run for the bus.
di Leah Galora
In this episode of Highly Favored, I open up about cycle syncing: what it is, why it matters, and how learning my hormonal rhythm completely changed the way I move through life. As a nursing student currently studying maternity and child health, I’ve been learning about the menstrual cycle in the classroom while also learning my own body in real time. For years, I thought I was unstable, inconsistent, or “just bad at discipline.” In reality, I was operating on a monthly hormonal rhythm and trying to force myself into a 24-hour productivity model. We talk about: The four phases of the menstrual cycle PMS vs. PMDD Hormonal shifts and mood changes Why the luteal phase can feel so dark Adjusting food, movement, creativity, and expectations based on your cycle The privilege of having access to menstrual health resources Your body is not dramatic. It is cyclical. And when you learn to work with it instead of against it, everything changes. If this episode resonated, consider supporting menstrual equity in the D.C. area through Project Pink Tax (linked below). Thank you for being here on purpose 🤍 Sources Referenced Better Health Channel – Menstrual Cycle https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menstrual-cycle Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women’s Mental Health – PMS & PMDD https://womensmentalhealth.org/specialty-clinics/pms-and-pmdd/ NewYork-Presbyterian Health Matters – Cycle Syncing https://healthmatters.nyp.org/cycle-syncing-how-to-understand-your-menstrual-cycle-to-reduce-period-symptoms/ The Honey Pot – Cycle Syncing Guide https://thehoneypot.co/blogs/wellness/cycle-syncing-a-guide-to-aligning-your-hormones-with-your-cycle Project Pink Tax A student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free, high-quality menstrual products to communities across the D.C. Metropolitan Area. They partner with shelters, schools, and community centers to ensure menstrual products reach individuals who lack consistent access. Learn more or support here: https://www.projectpinktax.org/donate Mental Health Support If you are experiencing severe mood changes, suicidal thoughts, or believe you may have PMDD, please speak with a licensed healthcare professional. If you are in the United States and need immediate support: Call or text 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Available 24/7, free and confidential. Original cover art by @brittanisocial
In this episode of Highly Favored, I reflect on what it really means to let go; not by erasing the past, but by making space for the future. Letting go doesn’t mean that these pieces of your past are worthless, they’re just not for you anymore. and a really beautiful place to start is your closet If you’re ready to release clothes or items that no longer serve you, consider donating them to Martha’s Table, a Washington, D.C.–based organization that supports communities facing systemic barriers to access. You can find clothing drop-off locations or schedule a pickup here: https://marthastable.org/clothing-donations/ If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to stay. Thank you for listening with an open heart. Peace be with you 🤍 Original cover art by @brittanisocial
In this episode, I talk about why nutrition in the U.S. feels weirdly dystopian, how heavy processing strips our food of essential nutrients, and why supplementation is not a moral failure but a practical tool for filling the gaps. Inspired by a Guardian article where five doctors shared the supplements they personally swear by, I walk through what I call the "Holy Quintinity", the five supplements that have made the biggest difference in my own health journey. I also talk about why vitamin D matters especially for melanated people, how gut health connects to mood and immunity, and why nutrition should be treated as a right rather than a luxury. This episode is not about perfection or biohacking or doing everything right. It is about agency, care, access, and making the best choices we can inside a system that was not built with our health as the priority. Always consult your doctor before starting new supplements. Guardian article referenced https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/jul/13/five-doctors-on-the-health-supplements-they-swear-by Vitamin D3 + K2 https://a.co/d/5RF0AC6 Omega 3 fish oil https://www.naturemade.com/products/extra-strength-burp-less-fish-oil-2800-mg-softgels?variant=34459482914955 Synbiotic (probiotic + fiber) https://a.co/d/00yYUse Magnesium glycinate https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/grocery/product/365-by-whole-foods-market-365-by-whole-foods-market-chelated-magnesium-glycinate-300mg-180-ct-b0dr9dlpg6?ref_=US_OTR_ALL_UFG_WFM_OTHER_0542341 Women’s One A Day multivitamin https://a.co/d/4vmM9i3 Men’s One A Day multivitamin https://a.co/d/4Q4DV8u Food insecurity and mutual aid in DC https://dcfoodproject.org/emergency-food-access Original cover art by @brittanisocial
In this episode I talk about the idea of “running for the bus” inspired by Kerry Washington, where she talked about praying for the bus and then actually running for it. This conversation is about the difference between wanting something and participating in it. I reflect on how I spent a long time waiting for change while staying mostly still, and how that created frustration and disappointment. I talk about faith as something active rather than passive, and about the responsibility we have to meet God with what we are asking for. I share a story about running a 5k after years of avoiding it, and how much of that experience was really about letting myself be seen trying, being seen uncomfortable, being seen imperfect, and continuing anyway. This episode is about ego, hesitation, self preservation, and the quiet ways we opt out of our own lives. It is also about choosing to engage even when it feels awkward or uncertain. If you are manifesting something new in your life, this is an invitation to actively participate in it. Original cover art by @brittanisocial
This is basically me explaining why this podcast exists. I talk about how I realized I was spending way more time consuming than creating, and how that started to feel kind of empty after a while. I talk about being scared to try things publicly, about wanting things to be good before they exist, and how that mindset kept me stuck. This episode is me deciding to stop waiting for the perfect moment and just start. If any of that sounds familiar, you’ll probably feel seen here. Original cover art by @brittanisocial