Are you on a fertility journey, trying to conceive (TTC), and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to do everything perfectly? Welcome to Imperfectly Fertile — the podcast that helps you let go of guilt and find clarity on your path to pregnancy. Hosted by Emily Barker, registered fertility nutritionist, each episode explores the real, raw, and often messy side of trying to get pregnant in today’s world.

Inside, you’ll hear:
- Expert conversations on fertility, nutrition, and holistic health
- Practical guidance on where to focus your energy (and what to let go of)
- Supportive stories that normalize the ups and downs of TTC
- Alternative health approaches that can make a real difference in your fertility journey

Whether you’re navigating IVF, exploring nutrition for fertility, or just beginning your TTC journey, this podcast is here to help you release the pressure to be perfect, and remind you that you don’t have to do it all to conceive.

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility

Have you ever wondered why you feel different throughout your menstrual cycle? In this episode of Imperfectly Fertile, Emily sits down with women’s health expert and yin yoga teacher Laura Wilkes to explore what it really means to live in sync with your menstrual cycle, what “fertile living” is, and how it’s different from simply trying to conceive. You will learn how understanding the natural rhythm of your menstrual cycle phases and hormones can help you feel balanced, reduce stress, and boost fertility naturally.

01:00 – Laura’s Story & Journey to Hormone Healing

06:30 – What Is Cyclical Living?

09:23 – The Difference Between Women’s and Men’s Cycles

13:10 – How Modern Living Affects Your Menstrual Cycle

15:00 – The Four Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

20:20 – Yin Yoga for Hormone Balance & Fertility

25:12 – What Does “Fertile Living” Really Mean?

32:25 – TRE: Tension & Trauma Release for Women

36:00 – Three Key Takeaways for Living Cyclically

Laura shares her powerful personal story of burnout, hormonal imbalance, and healing through cycle syncing and cyclical living. Learn how to recognize the signs your body gives you throughout each phase — from menstruation to ovulation — and how to support your energy, nutrition, and movement to align with your body instead of fighting against it.

Visit Laura’s Website at https://www.laurajwilkes.com/

Follow Laura on Instagram @‌laurajwilkes_

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility

Endometriosis is often misunderstood as just painful periods, but its impact goes far beyond cramps. In this episode of Imperfectly Fertile, Emily explains what endometriosis really is, and the hidden symptoms and underlying causes of endometriosis, from immune dysfunction and gut imbalances to hormonal disruption and environmental triggers.

00:43 — Common Misconceptions About Endometriosis

01:41 — What Endometriosis Actually Is & How It Happens

04:30 — Symptoms and Diagnosis

06:08 — The Genetic and Hormonal Component of Endometriosis

08:20 — The Gut Connection in Endometriosis

13:10 — Endometriosis and Immune System

15:55 — Testing for Endometriosis

17:20 — 3 Quick Things You Can Start Doing Today

You will learn how to identify your personal triggers, which tests are truly useful, and why anti-inflammatory nutrition and addressing food intolerances can make a real difference. If you’re navigating endometriosis, infertility, or unexplained symptoms, this episode explains strategies to support your immune system, balance your hormones, and take actionable steps toward healing from the inside out.

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at ⁠https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/⁠ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility

Getting ready for IVF can feel overwhelming, and knowing how to get your body and mind ready can make all the difference. In this episode of Imperfectly Fertile, Emily breaks down the essential steps to take while waiting to prepare for IVF to improve your success rate.

01:10 – Functional Nutrition for IVF Preparation

06:28 – Key Tests to Do Before Your IVF Cycle

16:45 – Nutrition, Diet, and Lifestyle for IVF Success

21:45 – Movement and Exercise

22:35 – Managing Stress During IVF

Whether this is your first cycle or your fifth, you’ll learn realistic, science-backed actions that help you feel confident and prepared. If you’re asking yourself, “What should I do before IVF?” or “How can I improve my IVF success naturally?”, this episode will give you the roadmap you need.

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility

When am I ovulating? Am I even ovulating? Am I seeing Fertile Cervical Mucus? Is it enough? If you've ever wondered or worried about these questions, then this episode is for you. In this episode Emily talks to Reflexologist and Fertility Awareness Educator Katy Ewen. Katy explains the best way to track and understand your cycle and fertile signs to identify any issues that might be getting in the way and help you maximise your chances of conceiving.

What is fertility awareness is and why it’s important when TTC

Best way to track your cycle and find out when we are most fertile

What are the ‘red flags’ to look for when working with cycle tracking?

Cervical mucus - what are we looking for? What if we’re not seeing it?

Tips for surviving the 2WW

Katy's three key takeaways

Visit Katy's website at: https://www.reflexeast.com/

Follow Katy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reflex_east/?hl=en

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at ⁠https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/⁠ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility

Are you considering a solo parent journey or already walking that path? In this episode, Emily sits down with Mel Johnson, The Solo Parenthood Coach. Mel talks about her own journey to solo parenthood and going from navigating the grief around not being able to become a parent in the way she’d imagined to thriving as a solo mum to her daughter Daisy.

2:00 - Mel’s story and journey to solo parenthood

4:41 - Creating Mel’s business, ‘The Stalk and I’ 

7:20 - Navigating the decision to become a solo parent - letting go of the fairy tale we’ve been sold

14:00 - Rethinking what perfect is - letting go of binaries and embracing your own way

16:50 - Grieving the loss of an imagined future and letting 

20.35 - Mel’s advice for women considering going down the sold parent route 

23:45 - Fears vs reality of becoming a solo parent 

26:44 - Navigating finding a sperm donor

30:00 - Being single in a couple-centric world

35:00 - Self-care non-negotiables and Mel’s ‘Life Raft’ as a solo parent 

39.45 - Mel’s three key takeaways 

Mel gives her advice around making the decision to pursue the path in the first place, doing the work to feel confident in embracing the journey, and letting go of the fairytale we’ve been sold about how becoming a mum should look. She explores the things she wished she knew when she was starting to navigate the journey herself as well as some valuable gems of insight for anyone on this path or considering a solo parent journey.

Visit Mel’s website at: https://thestorkandi.com/

Follow Mel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i/?hl=en

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at ⁠https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/⁠ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility

A very personal episode this week about my own fertility journey. The ups and downs and trying for a baby as well and rollercoaster of IVF and how I navigated things (imperfectly of course).

I talk about navigating IVF, testing, diet and supplements, my individual roadblocks and all of the relatable emotions and issues that come with trying to get pregnant.

I hope many of you can relate to this episode and that it brings you some hope and makes you feel a little less alone on your trying to conceive journey.

Do you feel like knowing what to do in terms of exercise when TTC is a bit of minefield? Can I do HIT? Do I have to give up spinning and what about if I'm going through IVF?

In this episose, Emily sits down with PT, pilates expert and founder of online prenatal online fitness platform The Bump Plan to bring you the evidenced-based low-down on moving your body when you are TTC and beyond.

We talk about some common misconceptions, listening to your body, finding a form of movement you love and how to move your body if you are going through fertility treatment.

Visit Hollie's website The Bump Plan at: ⁠https://thebumpplan.com/?v=7885444af42e

Follow Hollie on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebumpplan/

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at ⁠⁠https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/⁠⁠ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility

In this episode, Emily sits down with the founder of Ovom Care Dr. Lynae Brayboy to discuss the coolest cell in the body - the oocyte (or egg cell). We discuss IVF, egg freezing, egg quality, the mitochondria (energy in the cell) and SO much more. A truly fascinating episode that you don't want to miss!

Dr Lynae (MD) is an obstetrician-gynaecologist specialising in reproductive endocrinology and the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Ovom. She has also conducted extensive research into oocyte mitochondria, exploring their role in egg quality and quantity—critical indicators of reproductive ageing. She has received several prestigious grants to support her work in this important field.

Ovom Care is dedicated to helping individuals and couples on their journey to parenthood by offering accessible, personalised, and technology-driven fertility services. With clinics in the scenic and affordable settings of Lisbon, Portugal, and London, UK, Ovom Care provides comprehensive reproductive care supported by a world-renowned team of fertility specialists.

Visit Ovom's website: https://www.ovomcare.com/

Follow Ovom on Instagram: @ovomcare

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility

This weeks episode is about secondary infertility and what happens when you’ve had one of more successful pregnancy but come up against road blocks the next time around.

Emily sits down with fertility specialist, acupuncturist, and clinical investigator Alex O'Connor.

We discuss the isolation many secondary infertility mums can feel on this journey, some investigations that can help shed some light and some key things to consider if you’re struggling to have another baby.

Visit Alex's Website at⁠⁠⁠: http://www.fertilitydecoded.co.uk/

Follow Alex on Instagram: @fertilitydecoded

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/⁠⁠⁠ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility

This week's topic is around stress and infertility and is one that I know will resonate with most, if not all of you. Emily sits down with Jennifer Edmonds, a yoga, pilates and meditation teacher who specialises in fertility and women's health.

We talk about the impact stress and trauma on your fertility, the power of fertility yoga and breathwork, as well as tools to support yourself through stressful times whilst releasing the pressure to be 'stress free' and do things perfectly.

2:22 - Jen's fertility journey

13:00 - Jen's take on stress and infertility

21:49 - Tools for supporting yourself through the stress and infertility

23:19 - Trauma and infertility and ways to navigate this

34:00 - Yoga as a way to connect to and trust your body again

39:00 - Jen's key takeways

If you've ever felt your blood boil when someone has informed you that 'stressing makes things worse and you just need to relax,' then I hope that this episode will be a soft landing with some real and achievable ways to support yourself.

Visit Jen's Website at⁠⁠:https://www.elementpilatesyoga.com/about

Follow Jen on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@jen.elementpilatesyoga

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at ⁠⁠https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/⁠⁠ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility

One of the hardest parts of TTC (if you are in a couple) is nourishing your relationship alongside the rollercoaster of emotions that can come with trying for a baby.

This week Emily speaks to Aly Bullock, a couple & family therapist who specialises in helping couples communicate with intention for a healthier relationship.

3:06 - Common things Aly sees with the couples she's supporting through infertility - couples having different reactions to the journey and the conflict and disconnect that can sometimes come along with that

4.40 - What things does Aly recommend couples can do to feel more connected when navigating disconnect and reacting differently to the journey

5:49 - How do you navigate your relationship when you feel you are doing more or making more effort than your partner or your partner is less on board

12:20 - How trying to follow all the rules and putting more pressure on yourself can have a negative impact on your relationship and how to support yourself and each other

16:00 - Sex while you are TTC. Normalising how hard this is, ways to incorporate fun into sex on your fertility journey to make things feel less strain

19:30 - Tools and activities to help couples feel more connected

26:00 - Aly's key takeaways

We talk about common issues that can come up for couples while going through the stress of infertility and miscarriage, as well as some key tools couples can lean on to support themselves and each other, and work towards a more harmonious and connected relationship.

Visit Aly's Website at⁠: alysonbullock.com⁠

Follow Aly on Instagram ⁠@relationshipswithaly

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at ⁠https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/⁠ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility