Hi, I'm Iris Josephina

I help people understand, honor & support their hormones + fertility.

My mission

I help people receive honest education about their bodies so they can make informed choices for their hormones + fertility and feel empowered, informed, radiant & healthy. I believe that in order to live to our fullest potential, we must understand + embody our body  physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and somatically.

My story

My journey began in my teens when I struggled with my menstrual cycle and cystic acne. My periods were debilitating and I would always leak through pads and tampons - that's how heavy my periods were.

My doctor prescribed the strongest birth control pill available, which slightly improved my acne but led to a cascade of other symptoms: cramps, bloating, severe anemia, and nutrient deficiencies.

At 21, I decided to switch birth control pills after learning about the scary risks of heavy doses. This change coincided with my trip to the jungle in Colombia. On my first morning there, I woke up with a numb leg and was absolutely terrified. In total panic I called my doctor and he advised me to stop taking the pill immediately, suspecting the numbness was a side effect.

A couple of months later, I started a new pill (y'all I was determined finding the right one for me!) before joining an exclusive exchange program at UCLA, hoping to avoid menstrual disruptions while studying. However, I was once again overwhelmed by severe side effects. I would often feel like I was fainting (even while riding my bike through the busy traffic in LA!). My campus OBGYN told me there was "Nothing I could do except accept it."

This was the final straw for me. I had had enough. I quit the pill the next day and nothing could stop me finding a solution for my menstrual mayhem. I immersed myself in research on women's + cyclical health at the UCLA library and spent HOURS to understand what could be going on in my body. I was extremely determined to support my cycle and improve my symptoms through nutrition, supplementation, movement, sleep, and more.

Little did I know that by making that decision, I planted the seed for my future passion and career.

 

I became passionate about cultivating a relationship with my body & cycles and teaching others to do the same.


When I started feeling better, with regular cycles and zero discomfort during my periods after quitting the pill, I felt an overwhelming urge to share my story. I realized that much of what we've been told about our bodies is misleading, and I was driven to uncover and spread the TRUTH. There were 2 questions that kept my mind busy:

  • Why are so many of us suffering unnecessarily during our periods, being told it's "normal"?
  • Why is genuine, uncensored education about our cyclical bodies so hard to find?

These questions fueled my determination to speak out and make sure no one else feels as alone in their journey as I did.

As I shared my experiences and insights online, it became clear that people were hungry for real information about their periods, hormones, fertility and cyclical health.

Today, I’m thrilled to connect with over 32,000 followers on social media and support hundreds of clients and students. Through one-on-one coaching and my courses on hormones, fertility, nutrition and more, I provide the wisdom I wish I had when I was struggling.

Start your journey to understand and embrace your body’s natural rhythms today and discover a path to vibrant health - on YOUR terms.

 

I believe you are here for a reason and I really want you to know this:


YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I am here to support you every step of the way. There are countless tools and evidence-based practices that can help you. Your body and cycle are not broken; they are simply communicating with you through symptoms. I can help you understand your body's language and discover what it’s trying to tell you. Together, we got this!

Favorite thing to do

Dancing


Go-to affirmation

I'm safe in my body


Cyclical lifespan phase

Preconception

Human design type

Projector


Favorite food

Traditional Portuguese food


Favorite types of dance

Brazilian zouk & ecstatic dance

Your next step

Find out what's going on with your cycle or study with me

Masterclasses & Courses

Begin your hormone/fertility journey through joining our highly sought after masterclasses and courses.

Learn More

1:1 Consultations

Do you need more support? A few times per year I open the books to work with me 1:1 to support your hormones & fertility.

Learn More

Certification Training

Want to help revolutionize the way women & menstruators are supported in their cyclical health? Study to become a coach!

Learn More

Follow me on Instagram

Hop on over to Instagram and follow me for daily inspiration and education on all things hormones, fertility, menstrual cycles & funny memes (:

Follow Cycle Seeds
 

Professional bio


Iris Josephina Verstappen, BSc, MA (1990)
Functional Hormone Specialist (FSH) & Orthomolecular Hormone Coach

Entrepreneur, Speaker, Podcast Host

Iris studied cultural & medical anthropology in undergrad and holds a master's gender studies. These two fields laid a strong foundation for her current work and the topics she is passionate about. After anthropological research in the field of pregnancy and birth, she began her career as a birth worker in 2013 and continued education to certify as a Hormone Coach, gaining expertise as a Functional Hormone Specialist and excel in Orthomolecular Therapy.

Dedicated to make holistic hormone health education accessible, she became known for her expertise in menstrual cycles, cyclical living and using the menstrual cycle as a tool in business, establishing her reputation as a leader in the field.

In 2019, Iris launched her online coaching and education platform, Cycle Seeds Academy, where she offers courses on hormone health, cyclical wisdom for entrepreneurs and her signature Holistic Hormone & Cycle Coaching certification training. Her courses have impacted thousands of people.

On Instagram, where she shares insights on body literacy and the beauty of embracing natural cycles, she has built a following of over 32,000. Her podcast focuses on exploring the menstrual cycle, personal development, spirituality and running a business in alignment with your cycle, making her a sought-after speaker in wellness circles. She has been featured in publications such as Yoga Magazine, Happinez, Wilde Vrouw, Allure, etc and appeared on reknown podcasts such as the Period Party. She currently resides in The Netherlands and Portugal.