The Period Problem No One’s Talking About with Allison Yamamoto

Discipline, perfectionism, and “healthy habits” can sometimes mask a dangerous relationship with food and exercise. Allison Yamamoto opens up about her journey from NCAA cheerleader to marathon runner, revealing how her pursuit of athletic excellence led her down a path of restrictive eating, overtraining, and eventually losing her period for several years.

What makes this conversation particularly powerful is how Allison’s story uncovers the societal reinforcement that keeps many women trapped in unhealthy patterns. Despite serious health warning signs, doctors dismissed her concerns as “normal for an active woman.” Friends and family praised her discipline and commitment to “health,” unintentionally encouraging behaviors that were actually compromising her well-being.

The revelation that missing periods signal more than just fertility concerns becomes a crucial turning point. Hypothalamic amenorrhea indicates a body in survival mode, with serious implications for bone density, immune function, and long-term health. Yet this vital information remains largely unknown to many women pushing themselves toward arbitrary fitness goals while chronically underfueling.

Most striking is Allison’s description of the mental burden – the constant calculations, food rules, and guilt that ran “like a tape” in the background of her mind despite appearing successful externally. This invisible struggle consumes enormous energy that could be directed elsewhere.

Through her coaching practice, Allison now offers women individualized support addressing both nutritional/exercise components and the psychological factors keeping them stuck. The hopeful message? Hypothalamic amenorrhea is reversible through lifestyle changes, with the return of menstruation serving as tangible evidence of healing.

Ready to transform your relationship with food and exercise? Discover what your body really needs without the rigid rules and restrictions that steal your mental freedom. Your period isn’t just about fertility – it’s a vital sign worth protecting.

To Learn More About Allison and her programs click HERE