Podcast Summary: “How WeNatal is Rewriting the Fertility Story”

The Cathy Heller Podcast with Cathy Heller | Featuring: Ronit Menashe & Vida Delrahim, Co-Founders of WeNatal
Date: May 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers around reframing the narrative of fertility, recognizing the role of both partners, and reclaiming power over personal health and fertility journeys. Cathy Heller welcomes WeNatal’s founders, Ronit Menashe and Vida Delrahim, for a heartfelt, insightful conversation on shared responsibility in conception, the emotional impact of loss, and practical tools to optimize health and fertility.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The WeNatal Story: Friendship, Loss, and Purpose (05:24–10:42)

• Origin:
  • Ronit and Vida met at Nike, became close friends, and initially envisioned working together on something “fun” or “creative.”
  • Their entrepreneurial journey was born out of personal heartbreak—both experienced miscarriages, one week apart.
• Medical System Shortcomings:
  • Vida was told “keep trying, you’re lucky you even got pregnant,” and found little support or answers from conventional healthcare.
  • Ronit, already deeply involved in wellness and functional medicine, realized through research that male health is responsible for 50% of pregnancy outcomes—a fact largely omitted from mainstream fertility conversations.
• The Impact of Shame:
  • Cathy shares, “The hours I have spent in my own journey, just feeling the sense of responsibility and shame… I never considered, actually, until this moment that there was anything different that could have been done outside of what I did.” (12:30)

Breaking the Fertility Narrative—It’s Not Just a Woman’s Issue

• Powerful Statistic:
  • “One in four women that go through fertility treatments, their husband’s or partner’s sperm is not even checked.” (14:14 – Ronit)
  • High-dose antioxidants can dramatically improve male fertility—the basis for WeNatal’s men’s prenatals.
• Changing the Conversation:
  • Ronit: “It takes an egg and a sperm to make a baby. You need to optimize both of them.” (16:20)
  • WeNatal champions a team approach: “Our WeNatal men are going to be the best dads because they’re involved from day zero.” (16:50)

Cathy’s Own Fertility Journey and Grief (17:31–23:27)

• Personal Testimony:
  • Cathy recounts her repeated losses and the pressure placed solely on her body.
  • She describes the profound effect on her marriage, sense of self, and the isolation brought by trauma.
  • “I felt like such shame and sadness. Then I got pregnant on our anniversary and had a miscarriage. It really affected my marriage… I was already in my second trimester again.” (21:19)
• Societal Myths Dispelled:
  • The myth that men’s fertility does not decline with age is false; both partners’ health (including mitochondrial health of eggs and sperm) is crucial.

Science & Hope—You Can Change the Narrative (31:38–37:06)

• Mitochondria & Egg Quality:
  • “If you fuel your mitochondria, then you’re less likely to have those genetic abnormalities.” (24:39 – Ronit)
  • After adopting a regimen focused on functional medicine, Ronit became pregnant at 42: “I took three months without trying… at 42 I got pregnant on my first try.” (32:22)
• Shifting Mindset:
  • Biological age can differ from chronological age; optimizing health can improve outcomes even at “advanced” maternal ages.

Shared Purpose & Spiritual Lessons (35:49–41:35)

• Embracing Grief as Part of Purpose:
  • Vida: “Those losses have taught me more about life than you can imagine… About a year and a half ago, I started doing Kabbalah, and it’s taught me about the meaning of these souls…” (36:22)
  • Cathy shares her spiritual framing: “Every soul has its own volunteer mission and signs on the dotted line for whatever the life is… this baby’s only understanding of reality was being with you, Cathy.” (37:23)
• The healing power of sharing stories:
  • “Thank you for making a space to talk about what is often unsaid.” (40:56)

Health, Modern Environment, and Actionable Steps (41:35–50:27)

• Declining Fertility Statistics:
  • Men today have 50% less sperm compared to their grandfathers.
  • Societal trends and toxins (“modern toxic soup”) play a huge role.
• Practical Solutions:
  • Detox your home—switch to glass/stainless steel, clean personal care and household products.
  • Nutrition: “The Mediterranean diet is pro-fertility in both men and women.” Three months of clean living can make a difference.
  • Move more, sleep more, reduce stress, cultivate gratitude (WeNatal offers a journal for mind-body alignment).
  • “No one should take face value from one doctor—test, trust your gut, do your own research.” (46:21 – Vida)
• Supplements & Skepticism:
  • Bioavailable, high-quality supplements are crucial since today’s food supply is less nutritious; not all prenatals are equal.
  • “Ours is made with the purest ingredients which anybody can absorb. You just can't get everything from food.” (54:52–55:30 – Ronit)
  • Add in a quality multivitamin, omega 3, and magnesium for foundational support.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Male health is the reason for 50% of miscarriages.” (Ronit, 09:40)
• “No woman should ever feel like fertility is solely on her shoulders. It is a team sport.” (Vida, 10:39)
• “Sometimes the most obvious thing is hidden in plain sight.” (Cathy, 12:30)
• “Men today have 50% less sperm compared to their grandfathers.” (Ronit, 41:36)
• “If you fuel your mitochondria, then you’re less likely to have those genetic abnormalities and then have a way lower chance of having a pregnancy loss.” (Ronit, 24:39)
• “Thank you for making a space to talk about what is often unsaid.” (Cathy, 40:56)
• “Our health and our fertility are intertwined.” (Ronit, 33:25)
• “Do your own research. You can’t just take at face value what maybe one doctor will say to you.” (Vida, 46:21)
• “We treat our body like pieces… but really you need alignment in the whole body.” (Vida, 45:56)
• “Every soul has its own volunteer mission and signs on the dotted line for whatever the life is.” (Cathy, 37:23)

Actionable Takeaways

1. Rethink Fertility:
   • Both partners’ health matter; optimize as a team.
2. Mind-Body Connection:
   • Emotional healing, gratitude, and mindset shifts are as important as physical interventions.
3. Audit Lifestyle for Toxins:
   • Small, consistent changes in your home and diet make a real difference.
4. Educate Yourself:
   • Doctors may not always have the latest info—doing your own research is empowering and necessary.
5. Supplements & Nutrition:
   • Quality, bioavailable prenatal vitamins (for both partners), omega 3s, and magnesium are foundational.
6. Hope Is Real:
   • Advanced age does not mean opportunities are over. Biological age and a renewed approach can lead to new possibilities.

Resources & Where to Start

• WeNatal.com/abundant: Special link for listeners; free magnesium with purchase.
• Comprehensive Resources:
  • Masterclasses (over 11 experts on diverse fertility topics)
  • Journals for mindset and relationship alignment
  • Informational posts on social media (@we_natal)

Closing Thoughts

This episode breaks the silence on grief, guilt, and the unspoken truths of infertility while arming listeners with scientific knowledge and practical steps. Cathy, Ronit, and Vida encourage reshaping not just fertility, but one’s relationship to health, wholeness, and possibility—reminding everyone, “You have the power to guide your own journey.”