In this episode of The ProofI’m joined by Dr Natalie Crawford, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist, for one of the most comprehensive and practical conversations on fertility I’ve had on the podcast. We go well beyond ovulation timing to explore how sleep, stress, insulin resistance, nutrition, toxins, supplements, and lifestyle choices shape reproductive health for both women and men.
Natalie breaks down complex physiology in a way that is empowering rather than overwhelming. We talk about why fertility is deeply connected to metabolic health, why inflammation is such a common thread, and how small daily decisions can meaningfully influence egg quality, sperm health, miscarriage risk, and long-term outcomes. This is a science-led conversation designed to replace fear and confusion with clarity and agency.
What We Cover
- Why sleep is the single most powerful lever for fertility, hormones, and inflammation
- How insulin resistance disrupts ovulation, sperm quality, and hormone signalling
- The role of strength training and muscle in improving insulin sensitivity
- Why chronic stress worsens fertility, and how to use movement to blunt its effects
- What a fertility-supportive diet actually looks like, including soy, fibre, fats, and protein
- Which supplements matter, including folic acid, vitamin D, choline, omega-3s, and CoQ10
- Fertility myths around sex, timing, positions, and abstinence
- When medical treatments like ovulation induction, IUI, surgery, IVF, and egg freezing are appropriate
If you or someone you care about is navigating fertility, I hope this episode provides reassurance, evidence-based guidance, and a reminder that many factors are modifiable, even when outcomes are uncertain.
You can learn more from Dr Natalie Crawford by preordering her book The Fertility Formula at nataliecrawfordmd.com/book. You can also follow her on Instagram for ongoing fertility education, and listen to her podcast As a Woman.
- Intro (00:00)
- How Personal Loss Changed Medical Practice (03:34)
- Infertility, Isolation, and the Power of Support Systems (11:32)
- Fertility Is Not Luck: How Empowered Choices Shape Outcomes (16:03)
- Common Fertility Myths and Misconceptions (21:31)
- Sperm Health, Lifestyle, and Testosterone Risks (32:59)
- Chronic Inflammation and Its Impact on Reproductive Health (42:50)
- Egg Quality vs Age: What Really Drives Infertility (50:55)
- Hidden Signs of Chronic Inflammation You Shouldn’t Ignore (01:01:22)
- Tracking Your Menstrual Cycle as a Vital Health Sign (01:10:34)
- Birth Control and Fertility Awareness (01:19:17)
- Lifestyle Changes That Can Improve Natural Fertility (01:28:33)
- Why Sleep Is Critical for Hormones, Fertility, and Metabolic Health (01:34:13)
- Muscle Mass, Insulin Resistance, and Fertility Health (01:43:48)
- How Food Influences Inflammation (01:53:33)
- Supplements That Support Fertility and Egg Quality (02:05:56)
- Fertility Supplement Red Flags (02:15:55)
- Everyday Behavioral Toxins That Harm Fertility (02:29:46)
- Common Fertility Myths Explained (02:36:19)
- When to Consider Medical Interventions for Infertility (02:42:43)
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More about Natalie Crawford
Natalie Crawford, MD is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Austin, Texas. Dr Crawford is CEO and co-founder of Pinnacle, a professional network for women in medicine focused on leadership and education. Dr Crawford completed her undergraduate education at Auburn University obtaining a degree in Nutrition Science, Medical School at University of Texas Medical Branch, Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Texas Southwestern, and Fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of North Carolina, concurrently obtaining a Master of Science in Clinical Research. She is an Affiliate Clinical Professor of Women’s Health at the University of Texas Dell Medical School. Dr Crawford is a digital health educator on fertility and reproductive health on Instagram/TikTok @nataliecrawfordmd, twitter @ncrawfordmd, and You Tube “Natalie Crawford, MD,” and she is the host of the popular podcast “As a Woman” with over 6 million downloads. Her debut book, “The Fertility Formula”, will be released by Penguin Random House.
