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Have you ever felt totally off but couldn’t explain why?

Did you ever figure out what was causing it?

Today, Jay sits down with Dr. Sara Szal, a Harvard- and MIT-trained physician, researcher, and bestselling author, to dive into a topic that affects everyone but rarely gets the attention it deserves: hormones. Together, they break down what hormones really are, how stress and daily habits can throw them off balance, and why understanding these powerful chemical messengers can completely transform the way we think about health. Dr. Sara shares how simple changes, from better sleep and mindful eating to managing stress, can help reset your body’s natural rhythm in just a few days. This is a conversation that beautifully bridges science and self-awareness, revealing just how deeply our biology and emotions are connected.

Jay and Dr. Sara also explore one of today’s most misunderstood topics: women’s health and birth control. Dr. Sara explains how the pill, though widely used, can disrupt hormone balance, increase inflammation, and even affect fertility, insights many women never hear about. She breaks down what’s really happening inside the body and offers practical ways to restore balance through nutrition, testing, and natural alternatives. Together, they also discuss how emotional stress and relationships deeply influence hormonal health, and why learning to understand and manage your body’s signals is one of the most empowering steps you can take for your well-being.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Balance Your Hormones Naturally

How to Manage Stress and Lower Cortisol 

How to Reset Your Body in Just 3 Days

How to Heal Fatigue by Listening to Your Body

How to Transition Off Birth Control Safely

How to Support Fertility and Hormone Health

How to Regulate Before You React

When you slow down, nourish yourself, and make small, consistent changes, you create space for balance to return. Health isn’t about perfection or control; it’s about awareness, alignment, and kindness toward yourself. 

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

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What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

00:22 What Exactly Are Hormones?

01:20 What Causes Hormonal Imbalance?

02:18 How to Measure Stress Hormones

04:03 When You’re Running on Cortisol

05:07 The Truth About Insulin Resistance

06:36 How Hormones Differ in Men and Women

09:11 Why Measuring the Right Hormones Matters

10:22 Simple Ways to Rebalance Your Hormones

13:09 Why Estrogen and Progesterone Decline

19:09 Why You Should Start with Cortisol

21:11 Four Powerful Ways to Reduce Stress

27:01 How to Turn Stress into Strength

28:53 Breaking Free from Chronic Stress

31:10 Everyday Habits to Lower Cortisol

34:44 Feeling Low on Energy But Can’t Explain Why? 

36:11 How to Decompress and Recenter Yourself

40:02 Do Men or Women Heal Faster After a Divorce?

42:38 Creating Healthy Emotional Distance

44:07 The Power of Boundaries in Healing

47:37 People-Pleasing: A Hidden Stress Response

20:09 The Biggest Hormonal Shifts in Life

54:10 What You Need to Know About Andropause

55:10 The Evolution of Birth Control

57:27 Painful Periods Are Not Normal!

52:25 Lifestyle Fixes for Acne and Hormone Health

01:00:09 The Hidden Long-Term Effects of the Pill

01:02:51 How to Reverse the Pill’s Impact

01:04:43 Does Birth Control Affect Fertility?

01:06:27 The Complexity and Simplicity of Hormones

01:09:27 How to Take Ownership of Your Health

01:10:30 Is Natural Birth Control Effective?

01:12:23 How to Make IUD Insertion Less Painful

01:14:59 Getting Pregnant After Birth Control

01:17:26 What Science Says About Cycle Syncing

01:20:17 How to Safely Transition Off the Pill

01:21:36 Where Science Meets Spirituality

01:26:43 Sara on Final Five

Episode Resources:

Dr Sara Szal | Website

Dr Sara Szal | Instagram

Dr Sara Szal | YouTube

Dr Sara Szal | LinkedIn

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Love this podcast!
Jay, and everyone else who works on this podcast, thank you. Your energy and passion is contagious and helpful. Thank you so much!
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Amazing and life changing podcast
I was not a fan of podcasts, however after listening to a few of Jay Shettys podcasts I’ve quickly become a fan of podcasts in general but primarily this one. It genuinely gives sincere positive life changing habits that I personally have incorporated into… life and often share with my own friends… and family. Like many of us, I sometimes struggle with anxiety, and the many tips and mindful habits on this podcast truly help.
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By ChrisAlan83
Jay has a special energy that draws people towards him, and a talent at taking people on a journey
By ChrisAlan83
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I just listen to my first show, it was so relatable, easy to listen too and connect with. Continued listeners.
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Doesn't get better than this!
I have been listening few years! Always delivers! Deep raw real conversations that are raising the vibration of the world! Grateful to Jay and all his guests! Beautiful work!
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thank you
i've am currently in one of the biggest battles of my life regarding my mental health. my therapist suggested this podcast and wow, i am forever grateful for Jay Shetty, his team and guest stars. you guys have helped me so much with all this wisdom and knowledge on what we humans struggle with daily both mentally and physically. you have a permanent subscriber right here. thank you!
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Thank you for sharing your insight and knowledge as you fulfill your purpose in life in making wisdom go viral. I really enjoy your podcast.
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He has some much good interesting information. I like how he uses facts and information behind what he talks about. I am glad I found him in 2020 because he was just what I was looking for. I would love to meet him and keep up the great work. I am looking forward to your book. Not sure what to expect but listening to everything you said so far has been great. I can’t wait to see what it has in store for us. Thank you for being a positive person and shedding light on things. I’m glad your not a lawyer or doctor! I’m glad you found your passion and helping others. I am looking for that as well. I feel stuck and hope your content gets me passed that!
By Scottie4488
2020 Vision & Purpose
He has some much good interesting information. I like how he uses facts and information behind what he talks about. I am glad I found him in 2020 because he was just what I was looking for. I would love to meet him and keep up the great work. I am looking forward to your book. Not sure what to expect but listening to everything you said so far has been great. I can’t wait to see what it has in store for us. Thank you for being a positive person and shedding light on things. I’m glad your not a lawyer or doctor! I’m glad you found your passion and helping others. I am looking for that as well. I feel stuck and hope your content gets me passed that!
By Scottie4488
“Amazing and life changing podcast”
I was not a fan of podcasts, however after listening to a few of Jay Shettys podcasts I’ve quickly become a fan of podcasts in general but primarily this one. It genuinely gives sincere positive life changing habits that I personally have incorporated into my life and often share with my own friends and family. Like many of us, I sometimes struggle with anxiety, and the many tips and mindful habits on this podcast truly help.
By ChrisAlan83
Amazing and life changing podcast
I was not a fan of podcasts, however after listening to a few of Jay Shettys podcasts I’ve quickly become a fan of podcasts in general but primarily this one. It genuinely gives sincere positive life changing habits that I personally have incorporated into my life and often share with my own friends and family. Like many of us, I sometimes struggle with anxiety, and the many tips and mindful habits on this podcast truly help.
By ChrisAlan83
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Life is beautiful when you find the right words and the right person who motivates you to keep growing, learning , going deep in our feelings and become a better version of ourselves ...Thank you Jay for been part of my journey and teaching me how to embrace the chaos with a better understanding. I was addicted to chocolate, now is chocolate and “On purpose”
By Gloraya
Every episode is an opportunity!
Life is beautiful when you find the right words and the right person who motivates you to keep growing, learning , going deep in our feelings and become a better version of ourselves ...Thank you Jay for been part of my journey and teaching me how to embrace the chaos with a better understanding. I was addicted to chocolate, now is chocolate and “On purpose”
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By Steelborne
Great Perspective
“The world we see is what we give it, nothing more than that. As a man thinketh so does he perceive. Therefore, seek not to change the world, but choose to change your mind about the world.” So far I would say the above quote from “A Course in Miracles,” sums up Jay’s podcast the best. If you want to live a purposeful life in service of others, as I do, you need to change your mind - your perception; not work to change others or the world. Work authenticity in what you are. Jay does this extremely well. Fantastic messages for a purposeful life. I will certainly listen to every episode.
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Inspiring
Great pearls of wisdom in each episode. Always motivates me to make changes in my life. Finally consuming content that increases your emotional intelligence and asks you to be better for your community. Keep a pen and notebook handy while listening. Lots of helpful and actionable steps for you life.
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Thank you so much for your enlightenment. It is so easy to listen and realize what direction I wanted to go but didn’t know the steps to take. The podcast on how to not fall in love fast hit me like a brick. Words and their definitions such as what love means to me, values, priorities and preferences, etc. All of it is pure gold!!! Thank you Jay!
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The most Transformational podcast
This podcast will become a mirror to your life, you will begin to have moments after listening that are constantly reflecting situations in your everyday and it gives you the tools and inspiration to make great choices! Jay is truly one of a kind. His messages and content services all walks of life.
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This is an amazing podcast! It really has helped me to set my intentions for my day and to make decisions in alignment with my purpose! I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of your choices and the fact that it forces me to think deeply about my life and my choices! Thank you so much for all you do!
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Podcast is great!
This is an amazing podcast! It really has helped me to set my intentions for my day and to make decisions in alignment with my purpose! I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of your choices and the fact that it forces me to think deeply about my life and my choices! Thank you so much for all you do!
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Jay Shetty podcast is what has literally changed my life. Just buy listening everyday I have seen have much I have grown and healed myself as a person. I can’t thank him enough for all his love, compassion, and knowledge. It’s what’s truly helped me be the person I am today and constantly wanting to grow into the best version of myself.
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Thank you, Jay, for your podcast! I love the content and find myself regularly sharing the insights with people in my life. Many times I will listen 2 to 3 times per episode. Once while doing tasks, again to take notes, and a third time to really let it sink in. Listen, meditate, contemplate. Thanks again to you and your team.
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Meaningful content!!
Thank you, Jay, for your podcast! I love the content and find myself regularly sharing the insights with people in my life. Many times I will listen 2 to 3 times per episode. Once while doing tasks, again to take notes, and a third time to really let it sink in. Listen, meditate, contemplate. Thanks again to you and your team.
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We human beings come across those souls so fortunately, yet so rarely, that generate a spark within us to see what the naked eye cannot. You have changed the rarity of such meaningful friendships by instigating that self-love, self-awareness, and self-care in every person who’ve had the chance to hear and see you. Knowledge is power, but when shared with others it becomes powerful. Thank you for sharing with the world your lessons and your insights. I’ve embarked on this journey of self discovery and your voice has been a powerful guide. I’m hoping to have a chance to connect with you personally some day, but until then I look forward to hearing from you every week to inspire me to make an impact in my own life for a better present.
By BrotherRidhu
Gratitude for sharing knowledge
We human beings come across those souls so fortunately, yet so rarely, that generate a spark within us to see what the naked eye cannot. You have changed the rarity of such meaningful friendships by instigating that self-love, self-awareness, and self-care in every person who’ve had the chance to hear and see you. Knowledge is power, but when shared with others it becomes powerful. Thank you for sharing with the world your lessons and your insights. I’ve embarked on this journey of self discovery and your voice has been a powerful guide. I’m hoping to have a chance to connect with you personally some day, but until then I look forward to hearing from you every week to inspire me to make an impact in my own life for a better present.
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Mentor I hope to meet someday
This is one of my favorite podcasts I listen to every week. I look forward to it and know I’ll always go away learning something new, a new perspective on a subject I never considered. As I learned from Jay that you can be mentored by someone you haven’t met and he is def someone I consider a mentor (hopefully I’ll meet someday). This is a must listen, consider it a self care item.
By Hidef53
“Love this podcast!!”
Jay, and everyone else who works on this podcast, thank you. Your energy and passion is contagious and helpful. Thank you so much!
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Love this podcast!!
Jay, and everyone else who works on this podcast, thank you. Your energy and passion is contagious and helpful. Thank you so much!
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Thank you so much Jay for creating this podcast and providing weekly content! I listen whenever I have some down time during the day and it’s such a nice way to reflect and stay motivated and grounded throughout the day.
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Thank you so much Jay for creating this podcast and providing weekly content! I listen whenever I have some down time during the day and it’s such a nice way to reflect and stay motivated and grounded throughout the day.
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Jay has an amazing gift and an even more amazing heart! I love what he is doing in the world and has made me a better person through his insights and kindness! Thank you Mr. Shetty
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“Fantastic”
Thank you for sharing your insight and knowledge as you fulfill your purpose in life in making wisdom go viral. I really enjoy your podcast.
By Kshaq87
Fantastic
Thank you for sharing your insight and knowledge as you fulfill your purpose in life in making wisdom go viral. I really enjoy your podcast.
By Kshaq87
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Jay is life-changing!
Listening to Jay Shetty during my commute early in the mornings has changed my life! He’s wise yet so simple in delivering his message. I’m a fan and I’m so thankful for his insights in life, love and everything in between!
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“Thank you Jay Shetty for your spiritual wisdom and insight. ”
Thank you Jay Shetty for your spiritual wisdom and insight. I am on a spiritual journey currently and I’ve been searching for answers and teachings that are deeply connected spiritually. There’s a higher calling on my life. I thank you again for all of your teachings.
By PearlJelly9
Thank you Jay Shetty for your spiritual wisdom and insight.
Thank you Jay Shetty for your spiritual wisdom and insight. I am on a spiritual journey currently and I’ve been searching for answers and teachings that are deeply connected spiritually. There’s a higher calling on my life. I thank you again for all of your teachings.
By PearlJelly9