Realfoodology Podcast with Courtney Swan

Episode: Can You Slow Ovarian Aging? | Guest: Iman Hasan

Release Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode, Courtney Swan welcomes Iman Hasan, a luxury brand-builder turned wellness innovator, for a raw and insightful discussion on women’s health, the realities of the fertility industry, and what it actually means to slow ovarian aging. Iman shares her deeply personal journey through loss, early signs of menopause, and recovery—revealing how she reversed clinical markers and restored her cycle using cutting-edge approaches and lifestyle strategies. The conversation boldly critiques Western medical practices, debates vaccine research, explores the societal impact of “hustle culture” on women, and emphasizes the essential role of lifestyle, nervous system regulation, and ancestral nutrition in fertility and longevity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

I. Introduction & Iman Hasan's Backstory ([01:24] - [02:16])

• Iman’s Background:
  • Luxury brand-building career (Vogue House, Conde Nast) shifting into wellness after her mother’s death.
  • Builds health and wellness brands—practitioners, tech, supplements—focusing on impactful change.
• Personal Catalyst:
  • Loss of her mother to cancer post-vaccine during the pandemic (see Vaccine Segment).
  • Motivation to amplify truth and elevate authentic voices in health and wellness.

"I love what I do... but I want to give back. And how do I give back is amplify people's voices... that are changing lives."
—Iman Hasan ([01:24])

II. Critique of Western Medicine & Vaccine Research ([02:16] - [07:22])

• Mother's Experience:
  • Iman's mother, immune-compromised in remission, worsened after receiving COVID vaccine/booster.
  • Skepticism around the lack of individualized assessment and informed consent.

"Within 90 days... my mother's health did like a complete 180."
—Iman Hasan ([02:33])

• Suppression of Data & Lack of Studies:
  • Discussion about the absence of long-term studies on vaccine effects, especially on children.
  • Frustration with being gaslit or labeled “anti-vaxxer” for asking critical questions.

"There is not one global study that has been done to track the rate of vaccines... what it does to their lives."
—Iman Hasan ([04:40])

"Safe and effective... Okay, well, show me the data."
—Courtney Swan ([05:29])

• Calling for Research and Parental Empowerment:
  • Importance of collaborative, open-minded pediatricians.
  • Self-advocacy for parents in medical decision-making.

III. The Fertility Industry: IVF, Root Causes, and Mitochondrial Health ([07:49] - [13:04])

• IVF Industry Critique:
  • IVF as a numbers-driven, factory-like industry, often omitting critical health markers (thyroid, vitamin D, inflammation).
  • Insufficient focus on baseline health and roots of infertility.

"They're not even checking inflammation in the body... if you are chronically inflamed, you will not conceive."
—Iman Hasan ([08:32])

• Mitochondria’s Role in Fertility:
  • Oocytes (eggs) have the highest density of mitochondria; ATP production is essential.
  • Few doctors prioritize mitochondrial health—those that do (e.g., “Egg Whisperer” Amy Azaday, Zaha Merhi) see better outcomes.

"The highest density of mitochondria in your entire body live in your oocytes, in your eggs... if you're not feeding your mitochondria, that's where infertility will come in."
—Iman Hasan ([09:35])

• Lifestyle Interventions Can Make IVF Unnecessary:
  • Reducing inflammation, supporting mitochondrial function, and nervous system regulation can restore fertility naturally for many.

IV. Biohacking, Reversing Ovarian Aging, & Functional Medicine Approaches ([13:04] - [22:56])

• NAD/NMN Supplementation for Cellular Health ([13:04] - [14:37]):

  • NMN (instead of NAD) is more bioavailable for supporting mitochondrial energy.
  • Recommendations to focus first on baseline health: sleep, hydration, diet, inflammation, gut health.

• Iman’s Personal Biohacking Journey ([14:51] - [17:01]):

  • Severe emotional stress after her mother’s death triggered premature menopause.
  • Through testing and consulting leading fertility doctors, learned that ovarian aging can be slowed and reversed.
  • Interventions: Rapamycin for slowing ovarian aging; PRP, stem cells, exosomes for ovaries; hyperbaric chamber; TCM acupuncture; addressing vitamin D deficiency; antioxidants (CoQ10, NMN, inositol).

"I did stem cells, I did exosomes... I went on a dose of 2.5 mg of rapamycin a week... and I was able to pull my body out of menopause."
—Iman Hasan ([16:01])

• Vitamin D as a “Master Hormone” ([17:01] - [18:40]):
  • Challenges even in sunny climates (like Miami), especially with darker skin and when nervous system is dysregulated.
  • No routine vitamin D checks in standard fertility clinics.

V. Regulating the Nervous System, Trauma, and Feminine Energy ([24:22] - [36:07])

• Top Five Fertility Prep Strategies ([24:22] - [25:41]):
  • Quality sleep and circadian alignment
  • Whole-food, organic diet to reduce inflammation
  • Nervous system regulation (neurofeedback, breath work, peptides, body work, red light therapy)
  • (“Less is more” philosophy)

“Less is more... we are so far away from feeling safe within our own bodies. If you don't feel safe within yourself, how are you gonna bring a life in and care for that life?”
—Iman Hasan ([26:18])

• Impact of “Hustle Culture” and Societal Expectations on Women ([27:49] - [38:36]):
  • Both discuss burnout and how striving for masculine ideals can dysregulate female health.
  • Importance of creating space for restorative, feminine energy.

"We have been pushed so far from society... I believe in traditional gender roles. I will go as far as to say I believe in traditional gender roles. I think men and women have certain responsibilities."
—Iman Hasan ([28:54])

• Culture, Trauma, and Perfectionism in Upbringing ([37:17] - [38:36]):
  • Iman reflects on her Pakistani upbringing—high expectations, little tolerance for mediocrity or emotion.
  • Links to her drive but also acknowledges lack of emotional space and its downstream effects.

VI. Nutrition, Ancestry, and the “Trendy” Return to Ancestral Foods ([39:10] - [40:57])

• Food in Pakistan vs. U.S.:
  • Ancestral foods (bone broth, turmeric, organ meats, ghee) now health “trends” in the U.S.
  • Advocacy for unprocessed, organic, whole-food diets.

"Everything that's now becoming a fad and becoming a health food is actually ancestral to South Asians especially and came from our culture."
—Iman Hasan ([40:09])

VII. The Future of Wellness ([41:06] - [45:02])

• Industry Direction:
  • Wellness is shifting from “trend” to baseline lifestyle.
  • Calls for more research, accessible science, and regulation (especially supplements).
  • Hope for increased focus on healthspan, alternative medicine, and functional/integrative care.
  • Small studies (e.g., rapamycin slowing ovarian aging by 20%) show promise but need scale.

"Wellness is gonna be the baseline for everybody's life... I think functional medicine will become the norm."
—Iman Hasan ([41:30]; [45:02])

VIII. Memorable Quotes

• On Western Medical System:

  "The Western medical system is such a fraud. Everyone's life is for profit."
  —Iman Hasan ([03:00])

• On True Feminine Energy:

  "She just is. That is the beauty of her... Her pure, just existence."
  —Iman Hasan ([33:37])

• On Letting Go:

  "Less is more to times. And quite frankly, the biggest thing is I have nothing to prove to anybody anymore... And that's liberating."
  —Iman Hasan ([35:43])

IX. Actionable Takeaways & Closing Thoughts

• For Women Preparing for Fertility:

  • Prioritize sleep, reduce inflammation with whole-food diet, check vitamin D and thyroid, regulate your nervous system, address emotional trauma.
  • Biohacking/longevity tools (NMN, PRP, rapamycin, hyperbaric oxygen) can complement foundational lifestyle changes.
  • Seek collaborative, holistic practitioners—advocate for your needs.

• Societal Shift Recommendations:

  • Move away from toxic hustle culture; create space, peace, and self-acceptance.
  • Integrate ancestral wisdom and modern science for optimal healthspan.

• Future of Wellness:

  • Anticipate expanding accessibility of functional/integrative care and increased scientific rigor in the supplement and wellness industries.

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Iman's Personal Story & Switching Careers: [01:24] - [02:16]
• Vaccine Discussion & Medical System Critique: [02:16] - [07:22]
• Mitochondria & Fertility Science: [08:32] - [09:35]
• Biohacking Out of Menopause: [14:51] - [17:01]
• Vitamin D & Hormone Health: [17:01] - [18:40]
• Top 5 Fertility Preparation Tips: [24:22] - [25:41]
• Societal Expectations & Feminine Energy: [27:49] - [38:36]
• Ancestral Diet & Food Culture: [39:10] - [40:57]
• The Future of Wellness Industry: [41:06] - [45:02]

Conclusion

This rich, vulnerable exchange between Courtney and Iman lends a powerful voice to an urgent conversation about women’s health, fertility, societal roles, and the future of wellness. By sharing scientific insights and personal narratives, this episode inspires listeners to challenge medical dogma, reclaim their autonomy, and pursue health with integrity—starting at the cellular level and radiating outward to every aspect of life.

Find Iman Hasan:
Instagram: @imanhasan
Podcast: Biohacket

For more:
Visit www.realfoodology.com and follow Courtney Swan @realfoodology.