Erica: Hey, girl. By now, you know I have Her Collective, my online community for ambitious women who are done doing it alone. Her Collective is for the women who are smart, capable, and driven, but they find themselves stuck on the sticky floors like self doubt, burnout, and waiting for permission that quite honestly never comes. Inside HER, you get more than motivation. You get real support, real strategies, and real momentum. We work on things like clarifying what you want now and what's coming next, building confidence without burning yourself out, navigating hard conversations, career moves, and leadership moments with clarity, and surrounding yourself with women who actually get it. This isn't about hustling harder. It's about moving intentionally with the right tools and the right people in your corner. If you're ready to stop spinning, start choosing yourself, and build a career in life that actually feels aligned, I'd love to welcome you inside her collective. You can learn more and join us at www.joinhercollective.com. Because honestly, girl, you were never meant to do this alone. I'm your host, Erica Rooney. And today, I have doctor Iris Crawford, a naturopathic physician and nat National Women's Health and Hormone Expert, also known as the Hormone Boss. She is the founder and CEO of Natural Courier Wellness and creator of Empowered Women's Health Project. Iris also just had a book released in August, and it is called Everything's Not Normal. So, Iris, congratulations. That's awesome. You're gonna have to tell me if I said the name of your company right, though. Natural

Iris: Thank you so much. Yes. It's well, it's actually called Nature Cure. Nature Cure. It's a German word for natural cure, and so that's where that was that was derived from.

Erica: Good. Okay. Well, I messed that one up. So that's why I like that. But it is so great to have you. I would love to just jump right in and hear a little bit about who you are, who you serve, what you're doing, kinda how all of this came to be all the way up to your exciting.

Iris: Thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it. Yeah. I so it's it's been quite an interesting last few years. I originally so I came from Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised there, and I graduated from naturopathic medical school in 2006 from a a university in Portland, Oregon. And after that, I spent several years in private practice, and I ended up creating a large wellness center in Seattle. And I had a team by the time I had a team, I guess, of of about 11 people. And things were going really well, but what happened was I decided to close that wellness center right around March 2020. And so I shut my doors, a planned closure, 03/13/2020, which you may recall was the date that it was considered a national emergency for the pandemic. Not connected to that. It really wasn't. It really wasn't.

Erica: Because I hear that. That's immediately like, well, yeah. No wonder you shut down. It was COVID. It was like the universe.

Iris: I don't know whatever powers it be, but I was ahead of the gate.

Erica: I was gonna say the universe was shutting you down whether you wanted to or not.

Iris: Yes. Exactly. So I felt very, very lucky Yeah. To be because I already had that half half put in in the virtual space and then half in my clinic. Yeah. And so when I closed my clinic, I just went a 100% virtual so that I could help more women nationwide. And now my practice is a 100% virtual. I have a I have a virtual, like, a virtual kind of clinic space where my my client they're now called clients because I'm really more kind of coaching on a national basis. And they're able to log in to a personal dashboard and and have access to me and my team, and we give really kinda customized one on one care. So, yeah, I was able to transition to that. And and then fast forward to about let's see. It was about a year later. I had a my mother passed away that same year, actually, in August of that same year. And after that, she had been sick and and things like that. And so when that happened, my husband and I were kind of having a conversation, and we were like, well, what do we why do we need to stay in Seattle at some point when we're thinking of moving somewhere sunnier? And we threw out some ideas, and we went and visited a couple places, and we landed in Tucson, Arizona. So we are living in the foothills of Catalina Mountains and just loving a huge change of pace here. And and then I'm able to just just focus on life practice in virtual online space, and I hadn't even freed up time to write this book. And the book has been in the works for years, but I haven't been able to kinda focus in on it. I think I started writing it in, I mean, really 2018, I think, right around the time when I started the Empowered Women's Health Project. So I caught got kinda realized what my really what my true purpose was in specializing in women's hormones. And it really I became really passionate about why I think this is so important for women to hear that, no, everything is not normal. When you go to your doctor because something's not right, and they do that blood work and they just say, well, there's nothing wrong. Everything's everything's normal. And so women are kinda just grinning and baring it, kind of say, and having to deal with these things when there's actually something missing.

Erica: Yeah. No. I let I mean, I love the title of the book. Right? Because it's a little bit humorous, but it's only humorous because it's so true. It's sadly humorous. And here we are, we're always told that everything looks fine, so you should be good to go. But we have this gut feeling that something isn't right. So I love it. It all says it's the guide to getting the health care you deserve, which I also think is so empowering to tell. Health care is such a complex system to navigate. And unless you are really familiar with health care and how it works and insurance and how that works and how it all comes together, you kinda feel, like, just stuck with whatever you're told.

Iris: Exactly. And I think that there needs to be a shift in mindset in that health insurance is going to make you healthier. It really isn't. It really is just there for when something goes wrong. Unfortunately, there's a lot about our wellness, our well-being. They don't consider I don't mean they, but the conventional model does not consider us something wrong. It's just something that you have to with. Right. Especially, like, as they get older. Right?

Erica: Right. Absolutely. Well, cool. Well, I love it. I can't wait to read it. But on this podcast, we talk about all things sticky floors. So what are those limiting beliefs, whether it's imposter syndrome, perfectionism? What's your sticky floor moment? What's your sticky floor story?

Iris: Yeah. I was thinking about this, and I think two main things kinda came to mind. And the first is and it just kept kinda I didn't really wanna talk about this all that much, but the first thing that really I would not go away was the fact that I was born into poverty. And it's we have enough of a fight as it is, but when I had to dig myself out of that hole, even just to get to ground zero. And it is not easy to no one in my family even graduated from high school. So it's just like when that is not a a thing that you do. I came out wanting no knowing that I wanted something better and something different for my life than what my family was struggling with. Yeah. And somehow I knew that the when I heard about, like, health, it just lit me up because my family always struggled with illness. And so it really lit me up thinking the way out of poverty was through health. And so I got really, really excited about health, and then I just started on a path going towards that. I hadn't gone a day of high school. That's that was the situation that I was dealing with, and I ended up finally going at about 18, I entered community college, and I just started working my way up through that. And so it was fifteen years of college later that I finally was able to get my medical degree. And then and then the real work begins to becoming practicing as a as a physician. But, yeah, that that was kind of the biggest the big learning thing that I felt like actually was kind of the biggest thing that tried to hold me back. Yeah. I had to fight and work harder. I felt like I had to work 10 times harder than the average person because of that, because there's not a lot of people came from a background like mine who made it

Erica: to medical school. Yeah. Well, absolutely. And just I mean, people who are the long line of family members who've gone to school or own businesses or had jobs, it's a very different thought process. It's a very different upbringing. It's a very different support system. Right? Yep. So, I mean, my first thing the first thing that pops into my head is like, wow. That's really freaking courageous to not follow the same footsteps and to go against that grain. So how did you dig down and find find that courage?

Iris: To be honest, it's since I was a little girl. I knew that I like, for example, an experience or a memory that I have is when I was very young. I was probably six or somewhere between six and eight. I'm not exactly sure, but the I was riding the yellow school bus on and getting dropped off at home. And the bus dropped me off in front of my house, which my house was in it was in Seattle. It was built by my literally built by my grandmother. It was a cinder block house with a flat roof and all the it was we had about 20 buckets inside to cap catch all the leaks and everything. It was kind of unfinished even. Yeah. The school bus dropped me off from front of my house, and I didn't want the other kids to see that that was my house. And so I I started walking down the street to pretend like I was walking to my house until the school bus was out of sight, and then I turned around and went back. So there was just something that I that was inside of me. And I don't know why I had that and no one else. Like, I had a sister who grew up with me. She was seven years older older, so there was an age difference. But I I don't know. No one else had that. I had this just the this drive or desire to have something different than what we had. And so, I mean, I had moved out of my house at age 15 and worked two jobs and had my own apartment, and it just I had a drive and and and a determination, a dogged determination Yeah. To just be somebody is kinda how I put it.

Erica: Yeah. Well, one thing that I think is so cool too is because we don't just talk about, like, the limiting beliefs and stuff, but we actually talk about some of the things that are systemic. Right? And poverty is a very systemic issue. It's very hard to break out of that cycle. And that's part of the gravity that keeps sometimes very successful pea people who could be very successful weighted down because they have all of the other things that they have to worry about, such as food or a roof over their heads that other people don't have to worry about. About.

Iris: Yeah. And there's a sense of I don't deserve or I don't belong that I think is innately in folks who grow up in a situation like mine. And that is something I have dealt with. And I had to and it and it kept reminding me that over time, which I write about in my book. But so I feel like I've that's that's been my lifelong lessons that Mhmm. Oh, I I just this. I have this value. I I do belong. And so it's it's important to find your community that you belong. Right? Because it's something that I think you have to stand on stand on that foundation in order to be successful.

Erica: Yeah. I think that's a great story. Or instead of being afraid of success even. Right? And there's something to be said about that. I was talking with one woman about money stories is really what it was, and it it she talked a lot about how her own deeply held beliefs about money were actually preventing her from making more money. Yes. She could overcome these deeply held beliefs that she shouldn't make more than her father. Yeah. Once she finally worked through all that, she was able her business took off. But it it's so interesting to me how these things are tied to these beliefs that we hold, which nobody would ever be like, oh, yes. It's my belief about money that's holding me back. Or it's my belief about Yeah. What I think about poverty is holding me back. I don't know. But those things are tied very much to our actions that drive us forward.

Iris: So how do you Yeah. And I think go ahead. Well, I was just gonna say, I think there's also societal judgment. Yeah. Even so for people who are successful and for people who are not, like, either way, you're gonna be judged. You're gonna be shamed either way. So that's also another thing to navigate. That's very true.

Erica: Yeah. So how did you put your lifelong lesson was and and still is kind of working through this I deserve, I belong. Was that something that you recognized early, or was that something that now you see looking back? Hey there, listeners. If you have ever felt like you're stuck in a place, held back by self doubt, perfectionism, or that pesky inner critic, you're not alone. We all face those sticky floors that keep us from reaching the heights we dream of. But guess what? It's time to shatter those limiting beliefs and toxic behaviors to uncover infinite possibilities. My book, Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, is your ultimate guide to smashing through barriers, overcoming limiting beliefs, and stepping into your full potential. This book has been endorsed by none other than the great Mel Robbins, best selling author and motivational powerhouse. It's also been featured in Success Magazine, so you know it's packed with insights that work. Inside, you'll find real life sticky floor stories, practical strategies to help you navigate your own sticky floor moments, and a whole lot of inspiration to keep you climbing. This isn't just a book. It's your roadmap to success, confidence, and freedom. Grab your copy of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors today at www.ericaandersonrooney.com. Whether you're in the boardroom, the classroom, or just starting out, this book is for you Because no one, and I mean no one, deserves to stay stuck, no one deserves to feel small, and you have glass ceilings to shatter. Let's do this.

Iris: No. I for sure in hindsight. I did not realize that in my twenties, didn't realize it in my thirties. I think probably in my forties is when I started to understand some of those deeper things that are that they're not they're they're not it's not something that you are conscious of thinking about or feeling that about yourself. Right? There there are things that that are there and kind of dictating maybe your behavior sometimes, but and maybe your thoughts and emotions, but that it's not exactly something you're necessarily in touch with. So it was working with a coach who kinda helped me understand that a little bit more and and helped me to realize how I how I can help other women to kind of move through that because and this is why I titled the book the way that it is because we do all belong. We do all deserve to get better health care than what we're getting. And that's what I'm trying I'm trying to create a new normal.

Erica: Yeah. I mean, we could have a whole other 16 part podcast episode on health care. I know. It's a disaster. It really is. Yeah. Well, awesome. So you said there were two. So we talked about the first one. What was your second sticky floor?

Iris: So I would I the second thing was being outspoken, having opinions, and standing my ground with those. But and there's diff I wanna I we all have have a not we all, but I have at least some desire to be liked, right, or to be respected. I mean, I've I've worked hard to get to where I am, and I feel like I'm a very fair person. But I have been in some situations that are kind of the the boys club type of situations. And I really felt like I ruffled feathers because and and and I felt like there was an kind of an a bias against me as a woman having the opinions that I have and standing my ground the way that I did. And this is kind of how you're conversing with your peers and how they might respond to you. And I felt like, yeah, I just had some situations where I felt like, I guess I guess I have my opinions, and sometimes I rub people the wrong way, and it's not about me. And so though there there are some obstacles that can kinda get in the way of you trying to navigate your career when you're dealing with that type of stuff. Let me ask what yeah.

Erica: Being a woman in historically a male dominated field, right, like, there is an unconscious bias. There's a really cool exercise out there that talks I will probably mess this up, but it it says, like, a father and a son are in an accident. So they call the hospital to rush the son straight to surgery, and the doctor says, I can't operate on this person. He's my son. You know, what's what's the answer? And it stumps a lot of people, but the answer is the surgeon is the mother. But every brain goes to the surgeon is a man, the surgeon is the father. So how could that be? Yeah. So it's this unconscious bias. Right? So I've my question out the long way to get to the very beginning of my question is being a woman in this, like, traditional male dominated field, and especially doing what you do, really focusing on women's health, did you ever have any moments where you felt like your peers and other people were trying to basically tell you that they knew more than you did about this female body.

Iris: Oh, about this female body?

Erica: Well, I'm just even well, definitely, yes, in general of, like, they know more than you, but your specialty being women's health and being a woman, like, I just find it so hard to believe that a man would come to you and be like, no. No. No. You got this all wrong, Iris. Let me tell you. But did that ever happen?

Iris: I can't think of an instance where I was confronted with a male peer Yeah. Who was trying to mansplain hormones to me.

Erica: I was just curious because I mean, that'd be pretty bold man. I'll give you that. I was just curious because I I, as an HR person, have seen sometimes people make statements about other groups of people and how they should should or should not be feeling. And I'm like, yeah. I'm not gonna tell that person, like, as a person of color, as a woman, how they should be feeling because that's kind of up to him. But I was just curious. Right. Thing.

Iris: Well, what I have had happened because I've been an entrepreneur my entire career. I did start out working at a natural medicine pharmacy. I was a lead physician there for for the first couple of years after I graduated from medical school, but I was also starting my practice, my private practice. And so I've been, I've owned my own business for the entire sixteen years I've been in practice. And and so what I do have a lot is men mansplaining how to run my business. Business and marketing. Business and marketing is something that I very rarely come across other male peers who don't think that they know how to do it better than Yeah. Me. It's just it's a very strange thing. And also, out in the world too, not just peers, but out in the world, anytime I'm speaking with I think it's kind of salespeople who are working for agencies and things like that. They they're coming speaking to a doctor, so maybe they think that I don't know anything about business. But, of course, they're jumping to that conclusion, which is just like, I can't waste my time with that. Like, maybe I'd like to speak with a female colleague because I just I just wanna talk about these things and not be I can't have I can't, like, waste my time being over explained. Yeah. I just I'll just interrupt. I'll say, I get it. Let's move on. Yeah. I mean, I just don't have time to to have a a conversation like that. So

Erica: And that goes straight to your second point of sticky blurs of rustling feathers. Right? And being that outspoken person, then you're not gonna sit there for the boys. Some might see me as aggressive. Mhmm.

Iris: Some might call me aggressive, but I think I'm just assertive, which is not a not a feminine trait.

Erica: Right. Right? So how have you had to navigate others perceiving you as being aggressive, Right? And saying, like, no. This is me actually acting the way any normal person would act in this situation. As a female, you're labeling me as aggressive when, really, I'm just acting like a normal person. Does anything, like, pop into your mind about a story that that's connected to, or, like, how do you even navigate that?

Iris: I had to because it used to really bother me because I I always felt like I was a being accused of something I didn't do Yeah. Which was kind of a hot button. Because I feel I make a lot of effort in this world to be a kind, you know, respectful, fair person with a high degree of integrity. That's just who I am, and I work hard at that. And so when I have when I when people responded negatively to me, it was very upsetting, and I just I would sleep over it. I it was just so upsetting. And I had to finally come to this realization that that people's reactions to me, it it it has nothing to do with me. And I can reflect on it a little bit just to make sure and check-in with myself and make sure that was I was I acting in with integrity? Was I being kind? What could I do better? Of course. That's always a good thing because we're we're just human. Right? Right. But having employees, I had to navigate it there because they were so sensitive sometimes. Like, when I would just kinda boop boop boop. I'm just, like, giving giving direction. Yeah. This is not all people can respond to that in a positive way. They need to be they need to get buy in. So they they have to needed or not needed, but they have to feel appreciated. And there's all these things that have to go around being a good leader. Right. Right. I can't just say, I want this and I want it by this date. Yeah.

Erica: There's a lot more fluff in there with some people. Other people that works very well with.

Iris: Yes. Yes. And not and yeah. So not everyone's the same. And, yeah. Well, I guess what I had to do was I had to realize that it when when I have someone who is responding negatively to me that I I just I can get over it now because I'm not I'm just like, well, that that's that's that's about them, not me. That's not a reflection of who I am. Yeah. And I'm happy to work towards a resolution so that they don't go away thinking that I'm impossible or that I'm the rat guy or something. Right? But but only a little bit. Like, I I can't I'm not gonna be the caretaker of someone else's feelings. It's just because sometimes it it's just totally out of your control when it come to a certain degree.

Erica: Yeah. So yeah. I mean, that in particular, like, really rings true for me because I know that I always feel, a little bit uncomfortable if I don't feel liked. And it's like, if there's just this feeling, this uncomfortable feeling, and I automatically go to, like, well, what did I do? What did I say? And did I do it wrong? And what can I do to make this person like me? Right? And it's it's an automatic thing, and I have to constantly talk to myself and say exactly, number one, what you said, which is, like, their reaction to you. It has nothing to do with you. It's not your business. Right? But I love that you said, like, I have the inner dialogue with myself. I check myself. Was I kind? Was I acting with integrity? Did I do the right thing? Because sometimes we can't. I mean, I know I have stepped out of bounds before, but then you have that emotional intelligence to own it if that is the case. Let's say, okay. Yes. I did do did do a dirty air. I need to go and make amends, or you can sit there and really say, like, no. I was a good, true, kind person with integrity, and that was their reaction. So we'll let them go have their little reaction over there in that corner, but I'm not going to let it affect me or my ideas, my business, my thought process. So I think that's very powerful. I do think it is an area in particular where women struggle more so than men.

Iris: Yeah. Yeah. And I I agree because we're one is valued in our society as being being valuable female traits

Erica: Yeah.

Iris: Is kindness, compassion, empathy, caring, all of those things. And those things are not valued as male traits. Okay. So, yeah, I've always kind of felt like I was a little bit I that I maybe had more testosterone or, like and I did at one point. Not anymore. I'm 51 now. But but I I used to feel like I had kind of maybe more male traits or several male traits that I was always kind of at odds with. I was like, is that okay? And do do I feel okay about that? Is is that good or bad? Right. I didn't know. And and now I feel like it might be to where I am. And but I also have the the feminine traits I feel like. So and so having that balance is really key, I think.

Erica: It's key for everybody, though. Really. Men listening to this podcast could take some of these female traits.

Iris: Exactly. Right. You're talking about toxic mass masculinity, and that needs more balance. So I think we need to embrace women can embrace their more masculine sides and men can embrace their feminine sides and it'd be all great. Yeah. But, yeah, I think the balance is the perfect way to go about it.

Erica: Yeah. So do you ever find yourself now that you're like, okay. This is who I am. I'm accepting of myself essentially as well. Right? Like, this is who I am. This is and this is good. Do you ever or have you ever recently run into any instances where you found yourself kinda questioning that at all? Do you have to remind yourself on a regular basis, or do you feel like you were just rocking and rolling?

Iris: I feel like it comes up maybe in my relationship with my husband where I can be it because it can come out in negative ways sometimes Mhmm. When there's an imbalance. And I think that that's the thing. And we're we're always kinda striving for that homeostasis. Right? But when when I'm not inbound in touch with the feminine side or or maybe stress is getting to me or or things like that, then I can be maybe a little more gruff than I would like to be. So I think that that it can come out with with your family. We don't have kids, but if you're if I had kids, that it'd be We're gonna be like, apologizing all the time.

Erica: That's, I mean and that's one thing too. We talk a lot about in our family, and and I've got two small kids. And I talk about it with my husband a lot because we get the school reports. They are little angel babies in school. Right? Perfect. And then they come home, and I'm like, I'm gonna kill this kid. Like, he's talking back to me. She's rolling her eyes. She's four. Like, this

Iris: Oh my god.

Erica: I know. It's wild. Right? But then I really just I read this somewhere, and I cannot remember where, but it talked about how when we are out in the world, we have to be on. We have to present ourselves a certain way. We need to act a certain way. We have to have our filter on, all of the things. Right? But when we get home, we can be ourselves. The filter comes off. Right?

Iris: Yeah. No.

Erica: Yeah. Lose touch with that total, like, am I being kind sometimes? And you're letting it all hang out. We let it all hang out. And so then it kinda comes out that way sometimes. So we talk about that a lot in our family of, like, yeah. It's not great that we're all being like this, but you know what? It shows that we're all relaxed and comfortable with each other. So we're just gonna go with that. Yeah. Unconditional love. Unconditional love. Unconditional love here.

Iris: We'll pick it back up tomorrow,

Erica: and everybody's had a good night rest.

Iris: But it is it is interesting to say that, like, when you think about where you need to

Erica: run the checks and balances again, it's interesting to say that, like, when you think about where you need to run the checks and balances again, and and I tend to agree. It's a lot more often at home when you get to kinda shut down a lot of that, like, filter and stay stage makeup for lack thereof Yeah. Yes. When I presented to the world. Yep. So Well, well, tell me a little bit more about your book. I want everybody to hear really, like, what's in it? Why do they need to go buy it right now? I mean, I know I'm gonna go buy it, but why does everybody else need to go buy it? I'm super excited to hear about it.

Iris: So yeah. And I and so it's Everything's Not Normal, the Empowered Woman's Guide to Getting a Health Care You Deserve. And what it really is is me kind of pulling the curtains back on exactly what's going on as far as all the the daily kind of health struggles that women are facing, but not getting help, from their doctors on. So you go to the doctor, you're struggling with it could be low energy or headaches or anxiety, depression, low libido, foggy brain. These are, like, these are things that I bet I bet you at least eighty percent of the women listening have at least one of those things. And we're told that there's nothing wrong and that you just kinda have to deal with it or meditate more, stress management kind of a thing.

Erica: It would stress me out.

Iris: Right. And so it puts the onus on us that it's something that we're doing wrong. And so my message really is, hey. Actually, there's something going on, and it's not normal. Like, it's biology. And so, yes, we're we're living in a world of a lot of stress. And I think I'm serving women who are leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, hustlers, women who are really out there trying to make a difference in the world. And that level of stress, we our bodies can't help but get into this hormone imbalance. And so my message is really about how I lay out exactly what this hormone imbalance is and exactly how I fix it. So with all the thousands of women that I've had through my program, we wherever we test the right things in the right way, what those tests are, everything I lay out everything on on how I take women through this process. First of all, the biggest key is understanding what's really going on, understanding what your hormones are actually doing. And the fact of the matter is is that stress causes a hormone imbalance in in women that it does not cause in men. And this is why the medical approach current conventional level approach is it's based on male physiology. And so I'm kind of cracking open this this idea that it that women's physiology is actually different than men's. Yeah. And what happens is breast causes cortisol production, that main fight or flight hormone, and that steals your ability to make progesterone. So then your progesterone goes down. And estrogen might be the same be normal at first, but over time, it's something that happens to your adrenal stress response that causes lower and lower hormones because your your adrenal glands are where DHEA is made, which is the precursor to estrogen and testosterone. And so all of it can go low after a time, but this hormone imbalance is happening right now in almost all women. And so my my I'm wanting to level the playing field for women leaders and really help optimize that those hormones so that they can stay competing at a high performance level in their careers and in their roles of of being leaders and and being moms and caretakers and doing it all. Right? Not so that you can do more. Right? Not Right. Not that much to do more. Yeah. Right. It's about being more effective and and being happy. Absolutely.

Erica: No. I mean, you went through the checklist in the beginning of, like, fatigue, anxiety, and I'm like, I don't know a single woman that wouldn't check off at least three on that box that you just made.

Iris: My gosh. Sleep? I mean, so many women suffer from sleep problems. Yeah. It's huge. Yeah. Which is all Exactly.

Erica: Everything else. Like, I'm I'm a queen. Like, I firmly believe in, like, getting them eight hours of uninterrupted sleep in. But, yeah, I I used to really struggle with sleep, and that affected the entire rest of the day.

Iris: And there's so many women that that are dealing with hormones falling asleep or staying asleep, and it is hormone related directly.

Erica: Oh, yeah.

Iris: So yeah. So that's so, yeah, the book talks about the it just lays everything out there, teaches you about the science, the hormones, and everything. So it's still it's very empowering.

Erica: Yeah. Well, I can't wait to read it. And I will put all of this in the show notes, but I want you to also say it here for people listening. Where can they buy the book? Where can they find out more information on you and all of the cool things that you're doing?

Iris: Yeah. So there's a couple places. Well, first of all, the the book is available on Amazon. You can buy it in either digital or print. K. K? And then you can find me at I'm I'm the hormone boss. You can find me at my website, hormone-boss.com or on Instagram at hormone.boss. Okay.

Erica: Alright. And like I said, I will list all of that in the show notes, and I've got one final question that I want to ask you. And this is something I ask all of my podcast guests is now that all of the things that you are successful, you've got degrees, you've got a book, you've got a business, what would you tell the Iris who's getting off the school bus walking the opposite way of her home? Now that what advice would you give her?

Iris: I think the first thing really is that some things that you want in life aren't necessarily the same things that will make you happy. Mhmm. And it's interesting because there's several things that I've worked really hard for and just, like, became it became all in all consuming. Right? And then you achieve that and you're like, wait. Is this really why did I want this so bad? Or that sort of a thing. So that's kind of one thing. And it's tied into another thing, which is it's actually being able to find workarounds because I was really, really severely determined say, severely determined. Finding workarounds rather than just banging your head against a wall, there's always a better well, there's always another way. Yeah. And sometimes it turns out we can't see. You can't see it, but sometimes it turns out that it's a it's it's better. Yeah. Yeah.

Erica: I love it.

Iris: Those are kind of the the things I would leave you with.

Erica: No. I love it. Those are both two really solid pieces of advice. Well, thank you, Iris. It was so wonderful to talk to you. I know I've said it three times, but I can't wait to read the book. But thank you so much for your time. Let me know what you think. I will. I will. Thank you.

Iris: I really appreciate being here. Thanks. Thanks a lot.