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When Leonela “Leo” Serrata thinks back on her hormonal health journey, one moment stands out. “I remember the feeling in my chest when Dr. Gibson explained my labs and said, ‘Have you ever been diagnosed with PCOS before?’ It brought tears to my eyes because someone finally confirmed that I wasn’t crazy and that my symptoms were valid.”

Leo had been searching for answers for over two years, after inexplicably gaining weight in her mid-20s. A lifelong athlete, she stayed committed to her workouts, yet her body began to change in ways she couldn’t explain, and she sensed something was off. Multiple doctors assured her everything was fine, but deep down, she knew it wasn’t.

Her journey led her to Allara Health. From the very first consultation, Leo felt heard, understood, and supported. With the Allara team’s help, she was able to lower her inflammation, lose 30 pounds, and gain something even more important: the tools and confidence to manage her PCOS for life.

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Tell us a Bit About Yourself

My name’s Leonela, but everyone calls me Leo. I’m 32 and someone who’s always loved an active lifestyle.

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What first made you realize something was off with your hormones?

I’ve always been active. I was that girl who loved CrossFit, Orange Theory, and running - all of it. But in my mid-20s, things started shifting. Even when I kept up with my workouts, the weight wouldn’t budge. 

A few months before my wedding, I was prescribed hormonal birth control, and as my weight kept going up, I was so confused. After the wedding, it just kept piling on with no clear reason.

I knew I had hormonal problems as a child, so I went to see an Endocrinologist. Deep down, I knew something hormonal was going on, but doctor after doctor told me I was “fine.” 

Spoiler alert: I wasn’t.

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How did you end up finding Allara?

In 2023, after being on birth control for over a year and feeling like my body needed a reset, I stumbled upon Allara during my late-night research. I figured, ‘What did I have to lose?’ That first consultation felt different, like someone was actually listening. 

When my Allara doctor looked at my labs and said, “Have you ever been diagnosed with PCOS before?” it was this strange mix of relief and validation. She told me I had insulin resistance and some inflammation, which other doctors hadn’t caught before. Finally, someone could connect the dots.

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What’s been the most powerful part of working with the Allara team?

The follow-through. We didn’t just talk once and call it a day; my doctor checked in every three months, answered every question, and adjusted the plan as needed. She promised me I wouldn’t be on medication forever, and when my inflammation levels dropped, she made good on that promise. The goal was 1  year, and we were able to accomplish it in 8 months. 

That kind of trust and accountability is rare in healthcare.

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How has your health and mindset shifted since joining Allara?

Physically, I lost 30 pounds, lowered my insulin, and learned how to truly support my hormones. Mentally, it took me a lot to accept that my journey is not the same as everyone else's. What works for someone else won't necessarily work for me, and that’s ok.

Knowing that my body doesn’t work in the “normal” way and having PCOS doesn’t define me. I can reach optimal numbers, I can live healthily, and I can feel good again. I know that if I fall off track because of a setback, I can just correct it. It's not the end of the world.

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What’s the biggest “a-ha” you’ve had about hormonal health?

That every woman is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all plan, and that’s why so many women feel overlooked in traditional healthcare. Also, gut health is a big deal. If your digestion is off, your hormones will be too. The year I made the most progress was the year I worked on both at the same time.

I also prioritized nutrition, along with focusing on my hormonal health. With the support of my Allara registered dietitian, we accomplished in 8 months what I couldn't do in years.

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What would you tell someone who’s feeling stuck in their hormonal health journey?

Take it one day at a time. It's okay to feel sad and angry with your body for not working in the way it's meant to. Let yourself feel frustrated, but don’t stay there.

 Lean on your support system, make a small plan, and keep showing up for yourself. You are not alone in this; connecting with a team like Allara can make all the difference.

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Why do you keep coming back to Allara?

Because they don’t just treat symptoms, they treat me. My doctor is knowledgeable and supportive. Even when I took a break from care, my doctor welcomed me back without judgment and reminded me, “You did it once, you can do it again.” That’s the kind of encouragement that keeps me moving forward.