With my coaching clients, I often emphasize the importance of consuming enough protein in our first session. Protein is the only macronutrient we don’t store. We need the amino acids from protein to protect our muscles as we age, support all the tissues in our body, to fuel cellular function, and most importantly (in my opinion), to create neurotransmitters – chemical messengers – that impact how we feel every day.
When you start tracking your protein, and paying attention to how you feel with more or less, it can be a great way to tune into your body’s unique needs for it!
This episode will challenge the notion that genetics determines our health outcomes and shed light on the role of lifestyle factors in shaping our well-being. From debunking the claim that obesity is primarily genetic to uncovering genetic imbalances and finding effective solutions, this episode will leave you inspired and empowered to take control of your own health.
Kashif Khan is an author, speaker, visionary entrepreneur and investor. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of The DNA Company, a digital health company that uses genetic insights to develop genomics-based health management applications that offer patients precision healthcare tailored to their unique biology. In his newest title, The DNA Way: Unlock the Secrets of Your Genes to Reverse Disease, Slow Aging, and Achieve Optimal Wellness, Kashif gives an action plan based on your unique genetic makeup to help you live your best life.
Download and listen to this episode here or find wherever you get podcasts.
It’s been a hot minute since I shared a new recipe. Since most of my favorite recipes are included in my newsletter and resources tab, I haven’t felt the need to create more or overshare. But I couldn’t help it with this one.
BRAIN bowls are my obsession. This is the way I can maximize nutrient density while also making sure that my food is tasty and filling. Eating is a sensory experience that bring safety to the nervous system. I want as many of my senses engaged in the process as possible. This recipe is a perfect example. Per usual, there are so many other ways you can adapt this recipe to your own needs.
Last fall, after trying out a new mind-body therapy, my body was triggered into complex PTSD symptoms. These symptoms included: hypervigilance, disturbing flashbacks and nightmares, irrational fear, irritability, disconnect and distrust in my personal relationships, low self-worth and hopelessness, and an overall sense of waiting for the worst thing to happen.
Due to years of unprocessed, stored trauma, these symptoms were almost debilitating and lasted for close to eight months.
Because I know that trauma is not just in my head, and moving out of trauma involves engaging the whole body, I utilized a handful of tools to find regulation again.
Linda Kreter is a serial entrepreneur, with five successful companies and deep experience from startup to sale. She is the host of the top-ranking Wise Health for Women podcast. She specializes in adaptability and growth, sharing skills and capabilities to intentionally respond – not react – to life’s circumstances. Her lived experience with Durable People Thrive™ and Self-Care and Resilience programs address human problems that may hinder individual progress: fear, uncertainty, self-awareness, values-based living, and especially clarity in communications. In this episode, we explore the concept of toxic people and the long-term impact on your health.
Download and listen here or find wherever you get podcasts.
While most everyone will experience trauma at some point in their lives, not everyone who experiences trauma will experience PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) symptoms.
Complex PTSD (CPTSD) is caused by ongoing trauma that lasts for months or years, whereas PTSD is caused by a single traumatic event.
However, both create symptoms that negatively impact the body.
Symptoms of PTSD include:
Anxiety or depression
Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
Feelings of low self-worth
Feelings of hypervigilance
Mood swings
Panic attacks
Feeling triggered “for no reason”
Easily startled or frightened
Zoning out or losing chunks of time
Guilt or shame
Irritability, outbursts, angry behavior
Trouble concentrating
Trouble feeling emotions, feeling numb
Both PTSD and CPTSD can cause a person to feel alone, damaged, worthless, and completely different from other people – so you may feel like nobody could ever understand you or what happened to you. This makes relationships and friendships extremely difficult, and isolation (or playing possum) is real.
The physical effects of PTSD are far-reaching and not limited to the following:
It alters gut bacteria and creates digestive issues, which may lead to inflammation or poor neurotransmitter function long-term.
It creates anxiety and hypervigilance that come out of seemingly nowhere. This may feel like chest pains, headaches, or stomachaches.
It increases resting pulse rate and blood pressure – or drops it too low. When the body is in a high cortisol, sympathetic dominant state, blood pressure and pulse rate can be higher, but over time, the low cortisol compensatory effect may lead to very low resting heart rate and pulse, which creates symptoms of dizziness or vertigo.
It creates restless sleep and impacts cortisol awakening response, leading to blood sugar imbalances.
It can make you crave quick-fueling foods like processed carbs, sugar, or drugs/alcohol for numbing.
It can cause numbness and tingling throughout the body, dizziness, or out-of-body feelings.
If you are experiencing or have experienced these symptoms, it’s not all in your head and you’re not alone. Finding treatment for the root cause is draining. BUT. There is hope. I’ll share more on that in part two.
Dr. Tamika Henry is a family medicine physician who has always been interested in helping others. Growing up with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and seeing the health struggles of her family members, she knew that medicine was her calling. However, after working in geriatric medicine and feeling like she was just reacting to problems instead of solving them, she stumbled upon the world of functional medicine. Functional medicine allowed her to ask the important question of “why” when it comes to health issues and take a more natural approach to treatment. Dr. Henry is now dedicated to helping her patients achieve optimal health through functional medicine and improving their overall well-being.
On this episode of Sparking Wholeness, Dr. Tamika Henry highlights the importance of taking a holistic approach to health and wellness. She discusses the challenges of identifying prediabetes, diabetes, and gut issues, and emphasizes the need for lifestyle changes such as balanced eating, regular physical activity, and stress management. She also talks about her own experiences with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and how it inspired her to pursue medicine. Dr. Henry believes in taking a comprehensive approach to mental health and encourages small wins and positive self-talk. Finally, she stresses the importance of listening to your body, finding a healthcare team that works together, and aiming for optimal results. Tune in for valuable insights into improving your overall health and well-being!
Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, MD, is a neurologist, neuroscientist and an internationally recognized expert in the ancient practice of Ayurvedic medicine. Chaudhary is the author of “The Prime” (Penguin Random House, 2016) and “Sound Medicine” (Harper Collins, 2020); is a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine and is a highly sought-after speaker, researcher and adviser for Healthy Directions.
Download and listen to this episode here, or find wherever you get podcasts.
Tamara Rosier, Ph.D., is the founder of the ADHD Center of West Michigan, where she and her staff work with individuals with ADHD (and their families) to learn strategies and develop new skills to live effectively with ADHD. Dr. Rosier is also the president of the ADHD Coaches Organization. She is the author of Your Brain’s Not Broken. She is a popular conference and keynote speaker is a frequent guest on podcasts and has published numerous articles about living with ADHD. Things you need to know if you suspect you have ADHD.
In this part two conversation, we tackle more of the issues that people with neurodivergent brains face, and the discussion may surprise you!
Download and listen to this episode here, or find wherever you get podcasts.
Matt Zemon is the Co-Founder of HAPPŸŸ, a mental wellness company that specializes in psychedelic-assisted ketamine therapy along with digital therapeutics that promote life-transforming outcomes. As an entrepreneur in the well-being sector, Matt was the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Psychable, an online community connecting people who would like to explore the healing power of psychedelics with a network of practitioners and psychedelic-based treatments, and the co-founder of Take2Minutes, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals improve their mental health and well-being.
Matt is the author of Psychedelics for Everyone: A Beginner’s Guide to these Powerful Medicines for Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, PTSD, and Expanding Consciousness and received his Master of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health with honors from King’s College London. In this episode, we take on the slightly controversial topic of psychedelics for mental health, and how they’re being used today when all other options fail.
Download and listen to this episode here, or find wherever you get podcasts.
