THE GIRL'S GUIDE TO GUTS! Chloe Melas & Judy Batalion with Gabby Reece

Two women who have been through it all with their own gut health issues offer groundbreaking honesty and advice to live a full life while navigating symptoms.

“Chloe Melas and Judy Batalion bring much-needed honesty, humor, and clarity to the conversation, connecting the dots between gut health and whole-body wellness.”—Dr. Mark Hyman, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Function Health

Bloating. Pain. Cramps. Gas. Food fear . . . Your doctor gives you medical advice. Your nutritionist suggests dietary changes. But who actually knows what you’re going through? How do you work, date, travel, parent, dress, eat, and maintain relationships when your condition is with you every day?

In The Girl’s Guide to Guts, Chloe Melas and Judy Batalion, who together share decades worth of experience living with ulcerative colitis, show up with remarkable openness and candor about everything from bleeding and bloating to sex and fertility, what to do after a diagnosis, the anxiety of living with a chronic illness, what to bring in your carry-on (and we’re not talking heels!), and the countless lattes purchased in exchange for use of a bathroom. They also interview experts in their field to give you the inside scoop on what your doctor is actually thinking.

Here, you’ll learn about figuring out how to survive a first date when your stomach is gurgling, navigating colonoscopies and chronic pain while raising kids and working high-pressure jobs, and advocating for yourself with your doctors.

The Girl’s Guide to Guts takes bowel disease—our culture’s final taboo—from being a topic many women hold inside or only discuss privately into a conversation we’re ready to put center stage.

Chloe Melas is an entertainment correspondent at NBC News. She previously worked at CNN where she broke numerous high-profile stories during the Me Too era. Chloe also published her late grandfather’s memoir, Luck of the Draw, which became a New York Times bestseller. Chloe is the co-founder of the gut health brand Bio.me. She lives in New York with her two sons, four pets, and husband.

Judy Batalion is a New York Times bestselling author of award-winning nonfiction and fiction. Her essays have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Vogue, among others. Judy has a BA in the History of Science from Harvard, a PhD from the University of London, and has worked as a museum curator and university lecturer. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children.

Gabby Reece is an American athletic icon, wellness entrepreneur, podcast host, bestselling author, and one of the most influential voices in women’s health, fitness, and performance. A former professional beach volleyball player who became Nike’s first female spokesperson and shoe designer, Gabby has spent decades redefining strength, longevity, and what it means to live well.

Known for breaking conventions both on and off the court, Gabby’s signature shoe line famously outsold Air Jordan during its release, while her athletic career at Florida State University set volleyball records that still stand today. Simultaneously, her modeling career landed her on the covers of publications ranging from Sports Illustrated to Vogue, helping redefine traditional perceptions of feminine strength and paving the way for female athletes to become mainstream cultural influencers.

As a serial entrepreneur, Gabby has co-founded multiple companies and platforms at the intersection of performance, wellness, and human potential, including Hamilton House, Laird Superfood (NYSE: LSF), XPT, and HIGHX. Through these ventures, she has helped pioneer conversations around recovery, functional fitness, nutrition, resilience, and sustainable high performance long before they became mainstream.

Gabby is also the founder and host of The Gabby Reece Show, where she interviews world-class experts, athletes, scientists, physicians, and thought leaders to translate cutting-edge wellness and performance research into actionable tools for everyday life. In addition, she co-hosts the Proof of Practice podcast alongside Dr. Stacy Sims, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, Amber Taylor, and Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan — bringing together leading voices in women’s health, strength, longevity, and evidence-based performance.

A New York Times bestselling author of My Foot Is Too Big for the Glass Slipper: A Guide to the Less Than Perfect Life, Gabby is known for her grounded, straightforward approach to leadership, parenting, relationships, and personal growth. Her philosophy centers on a simple but powerful belief: true strength comes from taking ownership of your life while remaining open to growth, discipline, and learning from others.

Whether leading a workout, hosting a conversation, building community, or mentoring the next generation, Gabby’s mission remains consistent — helping people build stronger bodies, clearer minds, deeper resilience, and lives rooted in purpose and integrity.

Together with her husband, legendary big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton, and their three children, Gabby splits her time between Kauai and Malibu, living the intentional, ever-evolving lifestyle she champions for others.