Realfoodology Podcast
Episode: Fertility Journey, Wellness Tips & Honeymoon Recap
Host: Courtney Swan
Date: September 2, 2025
Overview
In this solo episode, Courtney Swan takes listeners on a deeply personal journey through her current fertility detox protocol, answers wellness questions from her community, and shares highlights and real talk from her recent three-week honeymoon across Europe. She covers the intersection between striving for balance and not living in fear about health choices, provides actionable product and lifestyle recommendations, and addresses common wellness myths with informed nuance. Listeners get Courtney’s candid perspective on everything from non-toxic living and detox routines to the realities of the European food system and the joys and logistical pains of glamorous travel.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Choose Your Hard: The Power of Personal Accountability
[15:32]
- Courtney opens with a resonant quote:
"In life, choose your hard. If you don’t choose your hard, your hard will choose you. Being poor is hard. Getting rich is hard. Being overweight is hard. Getting fit is also really hard. Being married is hard. But being single is also really hard. Every choice in life is hard. Choose your hard or hard will choose you instead."
- She stresses that every path has its challenges, and maintaining health requires intentional, sometimes difficult choices:
"For me personally, I would rather be driving the wheel of the car and deciding what's going to be hard for me and what's not."
— Courtney [17:32]
2. Balancing Wellness Without Obsession
[18:10]
- Courtney discusses the struggle to protect health without falling into fear or perfectionism, referencing a conversation about toxic levels in bottled water:
- She believes in a middle-ground approach — make informed, consistent choices, support your body's natural detox, but don't stress about total purity:
"We need to get to a point where we recognize that we are doing the absolute best that we can…and then just have to release and let the rest of it go."
— Courtney [23:10] - She does regular sauna sessions, uses binders and liver-supporting supplements, but allows herself flexibility (e.g., eating chips and guac out).
3. Informed Consent in Health & Wellness
[25:00]
- On being called out for not being perfectly “natural,” Courtney maintains her educational mission:
"I believe in informed consent. There are so many people going about their day not knowing about glyphosate in their food...I put all this information out there so people can make the best decisions for them."
- She makes selective compromises, like dyeing her hair a few times per year but avoiding most other toxins:
"I refuse to live in a bubble. I pick and choose."
— Courtney [29:40]
4. Fertility Journey: Detoxing With Purpose
[32:10]
- Newly married, Courtney candidly updates on her fertility journey. Recent testing revealed high glyphosate, mold, and Babesia (tick-borne infection):
- Her intensive detox protocol includes: near-daily sauna, binders, and herbal liver support. She’s stopped doing nails; hair dye will be paused when pregnant:
"Essentially, Hector and I are not, not trying...I wanted one more month of just getting everything out..."
— Courtney [34:10] - She’s waiting for a new round of tests before actively trying, trusting timing and not forcing anxiety.
5. Instagram Growth & Monetization Story
[37:45]
- Courtney traces her journey from hobby food Instagram in 2011 to full-time business by 2019:
"I was just so passionate about the information, I felt like it was spewing out of me...and then I realized, oh wow, these brands want to pay me to post about something I already use."
— Courtney [41:50] - She credits consistency, authenticity, and a passion for sharing over pursuing influencer status.
6. Non-Toxic Workout Wear & Product Recommendations
[44:10]
- Advocates for brands like Namari (91% hemp, 9% corn-based elastane, no PFAS) for clean athletic wear.
- Cautions about misleading "non-toxic" claims, points out hidden spandex in popular brands.
7. Gluten for Non-Celiacs: The American Wheat Problem
[47:45]
- Explains why even non-celiacs often feel better off gluten in the US:
- US wheat is hybridized, sprayed with synthetic folic acid (harder to metabolize, esp. for those with MTHFR mutation) and often desiccated with glyphosate.
- Bread in Europe (France/Italy) is usually heirloom wheat, less folic acid/glyphosate, which is why some tolerate it better abroad (though, Courtney notes this is changing).
"If you compare bread that we're eating here in America to bread in Italy or France, you're going to see a huge difference."
— Courtney [52:30]
8. Detox Tips for Mold & Glyphosate
[56:00]
- On coffee as a mold risk: insists on brands tested for mold (like Everyday Dose).
- Encourages regular detox-support: binders, herbal liver support, sauna, and avoiding conventional processed foods and water.
- She filters both drinking water and shower water, recommends checking your water on EWG.org.
9. Big Announcement: Moving to Austin
[58:35]
- Courtney and her husband are relocating from Denver to Austin:
"Austin has become such a hub for health and wellness and podcasting specifically. Could not be more excited!"
— Courtney [59:15]
10. Toilet Paper Toxins: Switch to Bamboo
[1:04:10]
- Conventional toilet paper can contain chlorine bleach (dioxins), formaldehyde, BPA, phthalates, and fragrances.
- Recommends bamboo brands: Plant Paper, Noo Trees, Caboo, Seek Bamboo, Repurpose, and Skinny Confidential’s new line.
11. Sleep Hygiene Tips
[1:07:20]
- Sleep was derailed by years on tour; now improved by:
- Strict sleep schedule, winding down at 9pm, blocking blue light, reading on a Kindle with warm light.
- Uses Opal app to lock out social media, and lights-out sleep gummies from Flav City.
"One thing that really hampers our sleep is being exposed to that blue light..."
— Courtney [1:09:10]
12. Stevia & Fertility: Proceed With Caution
[1:13:15]
- After research, she’s cut out stevia due to studies and anecdotal reports suggesting it may have anti-fertility effects:
"Apparently in some cultures back in the day, they used stevia as a contraceptive...stevia reduces fertility in adult female rats."
— Courtney [1:15:05] - Switches to monk fruit for sweetening, notes that FDA has never fully approved whole-leaf stevia.
13. Honeymoon Recap: Europe Adventures & Food Reflections
[1:20:20]
- Itinerary: Paris → Lucerne (Switzerland) → Capri & Amalfi Coast (Italy) → Marbella (Spain) → Paris
- Favorite Moments:
- Lucerne: Mountain gondola, toboggan run, cow spotting with bells, Mandarin Oriental hotel.
- Capri: Boat tour, La Fontelina beach club, Christian Dior pop-up beach club (Il Riccio).
- Marbella: Nobu Hotel Resort, organic restaurants, pools, family-friendly atmosphere, daily saunas.
- Travel Tips & Cautions:
- Paris was disappointing this visit:
“It just was not the same romantic Paris that I was wanting for our honeymoon...parts of it felt like third world country status.”
— Courtney [1:22:05] - Capri logistics were tricky (expensive taxis, tough to get around), but town and food were highlights.
- Amalfi Coast had an epic hotel but less to do than anticipated.
- Paris was disappointing this visit:
- European Food Reality Check:
- Past trips: Could eat bread/pasta in Europe with no issues; this time, experienced headaches and bloat.
- Notes increasing processed food and additives in Europe:
"We noticed a difference in the freshness, but sometimes, even in Europe now, GF stuff comes in a package."
— Courtney [1:37:35] - Invites listeners to share their European food/digestion experiences.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Health Balance:
"It's all about consistency, not perfection." [21:30]
-
On Wellness Criticism:
"I'm not here to judge anybody. I just believe in informed consent." [27:15]
-
On Toxic Toilet Paper:
"Please God, please do not buy fragranced toilet paper." [1:05:05]
-
On Stevia & Fertility:
"I have a girlfriend who, when she was pregnant, vomited for an entire day after accidentally consuming stevia." [1:16:35]
-
On Capri logistics:
"Every time you wanted to go down into the city, it was not possible to walk...the logistical side was a nightmare." [1:28:40]
-
On European food’s shift:
"We did not have this experience this time around...It did feel like it was a little bit different, where I felt like I couldn't have such a free for all." [1:38:43]
Additional Resources & Product Mentions
- Workout Wear: Namari (discount code: REALFOODOLOGY)
- Mold-Free Coffee: Everyday Dose
- Supplements: Flav City Sleep Gummies, Creatine Plus (by Pury), Lineage Provisions beef tallow, Seed Probiotics
- Toilet Paper: Plant Paper, Noo Trees, Caboo, Seek Bamboo, Repurpose, Skinny Confidential
- Apps: Opal (for locking out social media)
- Water Testing: EWG.org Tap Water Database
Timestamps of Key Segments
- Choose Your Hard Quote & Accountability: [15:32–17:45]
- Balance vs. Obsession in Wellness: [18:10–26:30]
- Fertility Detox Update: [32:10–36:56]
- Instagram Growth Story: [37:45–41:50]
- Non-Toxic Product Suggestions: [44:10–48:25]
- Gluten & US Wheat: [47:45–54:15]
- Mold Detox & Coffee: [56:00–58:00]
- Moving to Austin Announcement: [58:35–59:15]
- Toilet Paper Health Risks: [1:04:10–1:06:40]
- Sleep Hygiene Routine: [1:07:20–1:12:40]
- Stevia & Fertility: [1:13:15–1:18:45]
- Honeymoon Recap: [1:20:20–1:41:55]
- European Food Comparison: [1:37:35–1:41:55]
Conclusion
This episode is a blend of practical, science-driven wellness advice and real-life authenticity, reflecting both the progress and imperfections of a health-focused life. Courtney’s openness about her fertility journey, industry misinformation, and the realities of European food systems makes for a rich resource for those looking to take health into their own hands—without the burden of perfection. Recommended for wellness seekers, those considering detox for fertility, European travelers, and fans of actionable, reality-based nutrition content.