Introduction: Why This Conversation Matters

We sat down with Leah Brueggemann, a functional diagnostic practitioner who helps women understand their bodies, balance hormones naturally, and reclaim their energy. 

What makes Leah so special? She’s walked the path herself—through painful periods, fertility challenges, and into motherhood—all while weaving functional mushrooms into her family’s daily life. If you’ve ever wondered how mushrooms can impact hormones, pregnancy, or even your kids’ immunity, this one’s for you.

Chapter 1: From Music to Hormone Health

Leah didn’t set out to be a hormone health expert. In fact, she started as a professional musician. But when her own hormones crashed—bringing irregular cycles, painful periods, and benign breast tumors—her life took a turn. With breast cancer running in her family, she knew she couldn’t ignore the signs. After years of frustration and tears, she decided to take her health into her own hands. Books, research, and going back to school led her to a new path: helping women heal naturally.

Takeaway: Sometimes your greatest struggle becomes your greatest purpose.

Chapter 2: Why Functional Mushrooms Belong in the Conversation

When Leah works with clients, functional mushrooms are almost always part of the protocol. Why? Because they support the whole body—not just one symptom. Mushrooms like reishi, cordyceps, and lion’s mane bring energy, stress support, and focus in ways that are deeply nourishing rather than quick fixes.

Chapter 3: PCOS, Stress, and the Mushroom Connection

For women with PCOS, Leah often turns to reishi and maitake. Reishi helps calm stress hormones, while maitake supports blood sugar balance. Together, they bring powerful support for hormone pathways. But here’s the catch—dosage matters. Leah was one of the first people to call us out on “mushroom math,” realizing that many brands underdose their products. She educated her clients on therapeutic doses and why quality matters.

Chapter 4: Mushrooms and Lyme — An Unsung Hero

One of the most moving parts of our conversation was about Lyme disease. Leah has seen clients with Lyme experience profound benefits when combining lion’s mane and chaga—particularly in reducing brain fog and feelings of disconnection. It reminded me of a client who inspired us years ago to launch Chaga as part of our lineup. Mushrooms aren’t working on just one organ system; they’re modulating multiple pathways at once, which is why they can feel so powerful for complex conditions like Lyme.

Chapter 5: The Basics Are Still the Basics

Here’s Leah’s tough love: hormones don’t have to suck. But you can’t hate your body into healing. Symptoms are your body’s way of communicating, and healing starts with the boring basics: sleep, nutrition, and stress management. Mushrooms amplify what you’re already doing—they aren’t a shortcut. Leah’s approach? Make the basics fun. Seed cycling with energy bites, using red light, or adding mushrooms to your daily rituals can turn the “boring” into joyful.

Chapter 6: Final Words of Wisdom

Leah leaves us with three truths every woman should know:

1. You can’t hate your body into healing.
2. It’s not TMI to talk about your cycle, cervical mucus, or hormone health.
3. The boring basics—sleep, blood sugar balance, nourishment—are what truly change your life.

Mushrooms, supplements, and tools can give you that extra boost, but healing starts with understanding and honouring your body. And as Leah shows us, when you blend authenticity with education, you empower women to take their health into their own hands.

Closing

Health isn’t about chasing the latest trend. It’s about listening to your body, choosing conscious tools, and making the boring basics a little more joyful. Functional mushrooms aren’t magic—they’re food. But when used intentionally, they can help us write a new story for our hormones and our everyday resilience.