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This episode is all about overcoming and healing from the damages of sugar addiction, which is a much bigger issue in our society than many people recognize it to be.Joining me for this topic is Michael Collins.Michael, founder of www.sugaraddiction.com and creator of The Quit Sugar Summit, as well as the Board Chairman of the Food Addiction Institute, has been completely sugar-free for over 30 years and has worked closely with others to help them regain their lives ravaged by this addictive product.      Mike has been in recovery from substance-use disorder for over 34 years and can speak on recovery topics separate from sugar.      He raised two children sugar-free from the womb to over six years old and they both only had had sugar once a month for their entire childhood.    His book, The Last Resort Sugar Detox, which was rated #1 in Healthy Living on Amazon, is currently available for free on Amazon in the US and 99 cents for those outside of the US.In our discussion, we cover the following:-What motivated Michael's interest in sugar addiction-The telltale signs of sugar addiction-Whether sugar addiction is on a spectrum or a more black and white issue-The underlying drivers of sugar addiction-An overview of how sugar impacts the body, mind, and spirit-How sugar is the true gateway drug to other addictions-Why those who are able to overcome other addictions often have a more difficult time overcoming sugar addiction-How the conventional food industry and cultural programming promote sugar addiction-Why sugar addiction is so hard to break-Beginning steps to take for breaking this addiction-What to expect in the first 30 days of kicking the habit-Pitfalls to be aware of-And moreYou can connect with Michael and browse his services at www.sugaraddiction.comReferences and recommended readings:-Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intakehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2235907/-Sugar Addiction: From Evolution to Revolutionhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6234835/-Decoding sugar addictionhttp://news.mit.edu/2015/decoding-sugar-addiction-0129-A Behavioral and Circuit Model Based on Sugar Addiction in Ratshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4361030/-Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar--Your Brain's Silent Killers Hardcover by David Perlmutter MD https://www.amazon.com/Grain-Brain-Surprising-Sugar-Your-Killers/dp/0316485136/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=Sugar+Addiction&qid=1578517827&sr=8-12-The Case Against Sugar by Gary Taubeshttps://www.amazon.com/Case-Against-Sugar-Gary-Taubes/dp/0307946649/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Sugar+Addiction&qid=1578517875&sr=8-3-The 21-Day Sugar Detox Daily Guide: A Simplified, Day-By-Day Handbook & Journal to Help You Bust Sugar & Carb Cravings Naturallyby Diane Sanfilippohttps://www.amazon.com/21-Day-Sugar-Detox-Daily-Guide/dp/1628602708/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Sugar+Addiction&qid=1578517875&sr=8-5

Welcome to Episode 16 of the Empowered To Heal Podcast, which is part two of a 2-part series on overcoming mold illness using holistic approaches.To help me take a deep dive into this critical topic, I am joined by a colleague within the health and wellness space and friend, Allana McKinnon.Allana McKinnon is a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner and Certified Gluten-Free Practitioner. She works one-on-one with clients suffering from autoimmunity, Celiac, gluten-related disorders, gut dysfunction, stealth infections, mold illness and biotoxin illness, hormone imbalances, and detoxification.Allana has also been through her own mold journey with several health setbacks due to mold exposures. She understands the often non-linear, frustrating and invalidating world of mold illness and takes a practical approach to help her clients lower mold exposure and heal from the extreme toxic after-effects.In Part One of this 2-part series, Allana and I covered:An overview of Allana's personal story with mold-related illnessThe most important things to know about mold illnessThe most common risk factors for and symptoms of mold illness and when one should suspect mold toxicity as a root cause of their ongoing health challengesWhy mold illness is becoming more and more prevalentWhy is it so common for mold illness to go undetected for a long time for many people.What type of doctor or health specialist works with mold illnessInsurance coverage for mold-related health issuesWhat seems to be the standard of care when it comes to helping people overcome mold illness and why it is not near enoughIn Part Two we discuss:Need-to-know basics around remediationA step-by-step holistic framework for healing the body, mind, and spirit in the aftermath of exposureWhether or not mold avoidance practical, necessary, and a healthy approach to healing

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Empowered To Heal Podcast, which is part one of a 2-part series on overcoming mold illness using holistic approaches.To help me take a deep dive into this critical topic, I am joined by a colleague within the health and wellness space and friend, Allana McKinnon.Allana McKinnon is a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner and Certified Gluten-Free Practitioner. She works one-on-one with clients suffering from autoimmunity, Celiac, gluten-related disorders, gut dysfunction, stealth infections, mold illness and biotoxin illness, hormone imbalances, and detoxification.Allana has also been through her own mold journey with several health setbacks due to mold exposures. She understands the often non-linear, frustrating and invalidating world of mold illness and takes a practical approach to help her clients lower mold exposure and heal from the extreme toxic after-effects.In this part of this 2-part series, Allana and I cover:An overview of Allana's personal story with mold-related illnessThe most important things to know about mold illnessThe most common risk factors for and symptoms of mold illness and when one should suspect mold toxicity as a root cause of their ongoing health challenges Why mold illness is becoming more and more prevalentWhy is it so common for mold illness to go undetected for a long time for many people .What type of doctor or health specialist works with mold illnessInsurance coverage for mold-related health issuesWhat seems to be the standard of care when it comes to helping people overcome mold illness and why it is not near enoughIn part II we discuss:Need-to-know basics around remediationA step-by-step holistic framework for healing the body, mind, and spirit in the aftermath of exposure Whether or not mold avoidance practical, necessary, and a healthy approach to healing

In this episode, I am joined by a fellow FDN practitioner and friend, Jennifer Woodward. Together we take a deep dive into the ins and outs, benefits, and downsides of the carnivore diet.Jennifer specializes in helping busy, overwhelmed moms get to the bottom on their chronic health issues using functional lab tests and a holistic, caring approach to wellness.She has successfully worked with hundreds of women in her group coaching programs and in her private California practice.Our interview covers the following:-What exactly the carnivore diet is and the three levels of it-The science of and rationale behind this diet and the top reasons for doing it-Whether or not this diet is meant for short-term therapeutic use only or if there are situations where it would be a benefit to do it long-term or perhaps make a permanent lifestyle choice-The reasons why so many people have and continue to experience a reversal of many health issues after sticking with this diet for a period of time-Whether or not there are dangers of doing this diet long-term such as severe nutrient depletion, becoming too acidic, too much strain on the kidneys and other organs, and more-Scenarios when this diet may not be safe or wise to try-Health challenges that may benefit the most from going carnivore-What inspired Jennifer to do a 30-day trial with this diet and her experiences with it-Things everyone should know before attempting this diet and hacks to implement while doing it to ensure your success and safety-And more!   

This episode's interview topic is healing histamine intolerance and mast cell issues.Joining me for this discussion is fellow FDN practitioner, histamine expert, master health coach, and friend, Alison Vickery.Alison has nearly 10 years of experience with histamine intolerance and mast cell activation.Her work is used by major nutrition and functional health schools as she seeks to constantly shed light upon this poorly understood area of ill health.As a former sufferer of histamine intolerance, mast cell activation, chronic fatigue syndrome, and mold illness she is passionate about helping others overcome complex chronic health challenges.In our discussion we cover the following:-Alison's story with chronic health challenges and what led her to become so passionate about working with histamine intolerance and mast cell issues-Fundamental, need-to-know facts about histamine intolerance and mast cell issues-When to suspect that histamine or mast cell issues are a part of your health puzzle-Reasons why mast cell disorders are becoming more and more prevalent-Why these conditions often go underdiagnosed and improperly addressed for so many sufferers-The most common underlying causes of these conditions-Types of doctors and other health specialists that are best to work with for navigating and ultimately overcoming mast cell issues and how to find them-The standard of care when it comes to addressing mast cell issues and why it is not enough-The connection between histamine and mast cell issues and other complex invisible chronic illnesses such as CFS, POTS, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and more-Whether or not histamine and mast cell issues can be adequately addressed with a 100% natural, holistic approach-The steps one needs to take within a comprehensive approach for overcoming histamine and mast cell issues-And more!

Today’s interview topic is neuroscientific strategies for greater energy, resilience, and focus and to help me take a deep dive into this topic I am joined by Lisa Wimberger.Lisa Wimberger is the creator of the Neurosculpting method and founder of the Neurosculpting® Institute in Denver Colorado. Her journey into this line of work was catalyzed by her own trauma and desperate need to overcome a life-threatening seizure disorder that arose from it.As the Founder of the Neurosculpting® modality, Lisa runs a private meditation practice in Colorado teaching clients who suffer from stress disorders, and she is a faculty member of Kripalu Yoga and Meditation Center, the Law Enforcement Survival Institute, Omega Institute, and 1440 Multiversity.Additionally, Lisa’s services are sought on a national level by individuals in law enforcement looking to find a new way to navigate through their stress patterns.Her mission to share practical and powerful stress management techniques to those in need caused Lisa to develop her Neurosculpting® programs combining neuroscience principles with mindfulness and energetic modalities.In this interview, you will learn the following:-How Lisa suffered from a seizure disorder that was triggered by trauma and how it ultimately served as her catalyst to create the Neurosculpting®modality!-Need-to-know brain science basics-Initial warning signs that one's brain is in trouble-The most common factors that damage the brain-The link between brain health, energy levels, and chronic fatigue-Why genetics are NOT our destiny and what is!-What our brains need from us on a daily basis to be healthy and support optimal energy, stress resilience, and focus-The role that Neurosculpting® can play in supporting brain health-Practical neuroscientific strategies that people can implement into their daily routines to support brain health-And much more!This is a fantastic interview filled with pearls of need-to-wisdom for ALL of us!

The focus of this episode is Natural Hormone Balancing. To help explore this critical topic, I am joined by Dr. Debra Muth, NDSince 1998 Dr. Debra Muth has specialized in hormones and women’s health. In 2001 she decided to branch out and specialize in chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, food sensitivities, thyroid, stealth infections, mold-related illnesses, and heavy metals are just some of the areas that she looks at to get to the root of the symptoms a patient experiences.In 2011 she founded Serenity Health Care Center in Waukesha Wisconsin. Serenity is one of the Midwest’s foremost integrative clinics providing care for patients around the world offering cutting-edge protocols.Dr. Muth is known as a medical detective, leaving no stone unturned she will help you find the answers to your ongoing health challenges. To date, she has worked with over 5,000 patients from around the world.In our conversation, we cover the following:-A brief overview of the most critical hormones in the body, what each of them does, and why their balance is so critical for optimal health-The most common symptoms that people experience when their hormones get out of whack-The cascade effect of chronic hormone imbalances-Common underlying root causes of hormone dysfunction-Conventional versus Holistic approaches for helping to rebalance hormones- A generalized, step-by-step framework for restoring hormonal balance holistically-And much more!

Today’s broadcast is all about overcoming fear and to help me dive into this topic I am joined by fellow FDN-P, Sheri Levy.Sheri is a former marketing executive left the industry when she could no longer, in good conscience, promote junk-food brands within the entertainment sector aimed at children.  At this time, 1 out of every 2 children was struggling with chronic health challenges and her children were no exception.Then, In 2015, despite 7 years of annual mammograms, Sheri was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Breast Cancer, double-positive, triple aggressive.In the first months of her diagnosis, she was able to use her knowledge to identify her cancer’s pathology and the breakdown in her body that allowed it to ignite 10 years before it was detected by "modern" technology. Armed with the understanding of therapeutic pathways, she began healing the “why” of her cancer, system by system, organ by organ.In November of 2017, two days before Thanksgiving, a sensitive, BioCept® blood test that looks at 1 in 1 million cells out of 32.2 trillion proclaimed Sheri to have NO detectable metastatic breast cancer tumor cells!You can connect with Sheri at https://sexystronglife.com/In our interview, we discuss:-Sheri’s personal story as it relates to overcoming fear and getting out of the way of the body healing-Some of the most common fears that arise for people amidst health challenges; particularly amidst invisible illnesses that are not well understood such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Lyme, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, etc.-Some of the most common unhealthy and destructive ways of approaching such fears-Why humans tend to gravitate towards coping with fear in unhealthy/destructive ways way more than healthy/productive ways-Some brain science behind why negative thoughts and beliefs seem to stick to us like velcro and why it’s SO hard to break out of negative thinking and behavior ruts-How living in a state of chronic fear impedes the body’s ability to heal-And, most importantly, tips and strategies for overcoming fear and getting out of the way of your body’s ability to heal, especially when there are legitimate concerns such as financial stress, lack of support, harsh judgments, and more!  

In this episode, I am joined by Rabia Karmali-Muscatwalla.Rabia is a certified mindset life coach and works with clients who struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, and low confidence. They are overwhelmed with daily responsibilities and struggle with going after what they truly want because they are afraid of stepping out of their comfort zone.Rabia helps her clients attain clarity on where they are right now, where they want to be, and how they can make the changes to achieve their goals.Through coaching and various tools such a Mindfulness and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Rabia’s clients improve on how they deal with problems, manage social anxiety, guilt, sadness, and constant worrying. They are ultimately able to manage their fear of rejection, be resilient and feel more in control and confident to achieve their goals.Rabia has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education. She is also a certified Mindfulness Practitioner.Her website is www.luminarymindsetcoaching.orgIn our discussion, Rabia and I cover:-What exactly anxiety and panic are and the different ways they manifest in a person’s life-The root causes of anxiety and panic from both a physiological and mental/emotional standpoint-What happens in both the body and mind when anxiety and panic take over-Common myths around anxiety and panic-Common mistakes people make when trying to navigate anxiety and panic-And, most importantly, strategies for overcoming them and becoming the boss of your mind and life!  

Today I am joined by fellow holistic health and wellness pro, Michael Roesslein. Michael is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach, and co-founder of Rebel Health Tribe - an online-based health and wellness education and empowerment community. Over the last year, Michael went through a serious health crisis with his wife, Mira - which turned out to be Lupus, a multi-system autoimmune condition. This healing journey led both of them on a personal exploration involving mental, emotional, and spiritual levels of healing that now have Michael shifting his professional focus more in those directions. In our interview, we take a deep dive into the following: -Why hardship is both an inevitable and necessary part of life -Tips, tools, and strategies for staying grounded and sane amidst major life turmoil -How to not get swallowed up into victim thinking and allow hardship to transform you for the better -Common pitfalls that people often succumb to when life throws adversity their way -Top strategies for surviving hardship and coming out on the other side a stronger, more enlightened, and more conscious person And much more! To connect with Michael, you can find him at https://rebelhealthtribe.com/

In this episode, I am joined by my friend and master life coach, Dana Baruch. Dana is an educator of 30+ years, organizational consultant, retreat leader, community builder, and owner of Dana Baruch Coaching and Consulting. She has had the pleasure of guiding people in every stage of life from infants to seniors. One of her guiding beliefs is: SHIFT happens! You can connect with Dana at www.danabaruch.com In our discussion, Dana and I take a deep exploration into 5 main points: -How to define what personal success means to you -The connection between organizing your mind, personal success, and overall physical and mental health -The main reasons people struggle with organizing their mind and cultivating personal success in their lives -Principles to live by in order to organize your mind for personal success -Specific tools and strategies for challenging your brain in healthy ways, organizing your mind, and creating forward movement in both your health and life

Today's episode is all about breaking free from dietary dogma! In exploring this super important topic, I interview a fellow Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner, Belinda Lindemann. Bella is the owner of the Functional Gut Health Clinic where she specializes in the treatment of chronic constipation, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), gut infections and other chronic digestive complaints. As a former IBS-sufferer herself, Bella is passionate about helping others overcome their health challenges so they can get back to their most vibrant, happy and healthy life. In our discussion today, we take a deep dive into knowledge, tips, and strategies for helping you to sort through all the dietary overwhelm, separate fact from fiction, and find a way of eating that is BEST for you and your needs. In doing this, we discuss the following: -Where diet and nutrition rank in the hierarchy of creating optimal physical, mental, and emotional health -Why there is so much "heated" talk around which dietary approach is "best" and how not to fall into the trap of the next "best" fad diet -The latest dietary fads to be aware of these days and how they can potentially harm your health -How to begin sorting through all the dietary information available, distinguish between fact and fiction, and discover a way of eating that best supports bio-individual needs And more! You can learn more about and connect with Bella at https://bellalindemann.com/

In this episode, I am joined by Nancy McKay who is a Life Coach out of Lakewood, Colorado. Together we will be taking a deep dive into the topic of Rewiring Your Mind For Wellness, Greater Confidence, and Life Success. Nancy’s life experiences of growing up in an alcoholic household, being sober for over ten years herself and an ovarian cancer survivor give her a unique perspective on becoming empowered to heal later in life. When she isn’t busy building her business and helping her clients face their challenges, she spends a great deal of time with horses, honing her skills to become an Equus Coach, and providing her clients with multiple resources for healing and growth. In our interview, Nancy and I will answer some BIG questions around rewiring the mind for wellness and personal success such as: How does one overcome fear and self-doubt? Why are change and transition so challenging and what are some tools that you can implement in order to better navigate? What are the steps needed to rewire the mind for wellness, greater joy, and personal success? And so much more! You can reach Nancy at nancy@amazingoutlookcoaching.com or visit her website: www.amazingoutlookcoaching.com

Today's episode is all about gut health and how the 100% food-based probiotic, Inner-Eco, can help you optimize yours! Joining me in today's interview is Barb Vogel, co-owner of Inner-Eco. Inner-Eco was started in 2008 by Barb and her business partner Niki Price, both former elementary school teachers in Denver, with the desire to create healthy products and to provide humanitarian services globally and locally. The duo knew that if the fresh coconut water probiotic worked for them, it could work for others. They believe in bringing real food with clean ingredients to families of all sizes in order to create the necessary pure environments our bodies deserve. Their ultimate mission is to be the champion of healthy, happy environments starting from the inside out. Barb and Niki are here to build better environments – for our guts and for fellow citizens of planet earth. For the last 10 years, a portion of inner-ēco profits has gone toward freeing enslaved individuals around the world. We believe that keeping your gut bacteria in a healthy balance is key for overall happiness. In our discussion together, we address the following questions: What makes Inner Eco different than other probiotic products on the market? What is the process involved in making these probiotics? Why is gut health and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome SO important? Why are digestive diseases and chronic health challenges, in general, are such an epidemic? What role do Inner Eco probiotic products play in helping to maintain or restore a healthy microbiome? What conditions benefit the most from Inner Eco probiotic products? What is the recommended dosage and how are these products stored? Are there any contraindications that people need to be aware of or situations where one would need to start out with super low dosages and slowly titrate up versus following recommended doses on the bottle? Where can people find these products / how do they purchase? To learn more, visit: https://www.inner-eco.com/

In this episode, I am joined by Carol Egan. Carol is a Cornell University-trained Executive Health Coach and Founder of Immersion Health, a company that specializes in corporate leadership and wellness training. As a member of Forbes’ Coaches Council, Carol has created and led wellness programs and workshops for C-Suite executives at Travelers Insurance, Keller-Williams, ESPN, JP Morgan, Dana Farber, GE Capital, and other Fortune 500 brands. Through her programs, Carol has helped hundreds of executives transform their minds and bodies with simple and sustainable strategies for healthy living. The clients that come Carol’s way are no longer satisfied with the status quo of low-energy, foggy thinking, and dull performance. Instead, they want to create healthy habits that result in increased energy, mental clarity, and emotional balance -- of which she guides them through a step-by-step process to achieve. Carol is a regular contributor to publications such as The Huffington Post and Forbes Magazine where she writes about nutrition, wellness, and strategies for peak performance. Carol has spent more than 25 years studying with leading authorities around the world on the benefits of clean eating, inner balance and living with purpose. You can connect with Carol at https://carol-egan.com/ Our dynamic discussion covers the following main points: What exactly “mindset” is and the impact it has on recovery from anything as well as personal success. The characteristics of a growth mindset versus a fixed one All factors that need to be addressed when it comes to restoring health and where mindset ranks in the hierarchy The biggest mindset hurdles that people face when dealing with chronic health challenges and the resulting life stress The most important guiding principles for cultivating a healing mindset along with practical strategies for implementing these principles into your life

In this episode, I am joined by my guest Reed Davis. Reed is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Certified Nutritional Therapist, an expert in functional lab testing and holistic lifestyle medicine, and founder of the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® certification program. Reed is known as one of the most successful and experienced functional clinicians in the world, having provided functional lab assessments to over 10,000 clients. Reed is also a Clinical Advisor for BioHealth Laboratories and lives in the US, teaching the FDN course and helping his graduates build robust private practices. The main topics discussed in this episode include: Why symptoms can be a good thing and how suppressing them on a long-term basis leads to what is known as Metabolic Chaos® What the FDN approach is and why it’s such an effective framework for helping people to recover from chronic health challenges How FDN differs from conventional medicine and other approaches What the FDN process looks like -- in discussing this, Reed will talk us through the step-by-step, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® approach The health challenges that benefit the most from the FDN model How FDN can be especially effective with some of the “Big Hitter” conditions such as Chronic Lyme & Company, Mold Illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Mast Cell Disorders, and more The top benefits of working with an FDN practitioner. And so much more! To learn more about working with a certified FDN practitioner (FDN-P), visit: https://www.empoweredtoheal.com/comprehensive-health-mentoring To learn more about the FDN certification program, visit: https://ua175.isrefer.com/go/Cert/EHealth/

In this episode, I’m joined by my guest and fellow holistic health and wellness professional, Carrie LaDue. Carrie is an intuitive energy healer and personal coach for people who are struggling mentally, emotionally, physically, or financially. She helps her clients release trapped emotions and correct energetic imbalances so that they can achieve their fullest potential. She is also a business coach for healers and coaches who struggle to grow their businesses. She helps them get clients so that they can continue doing work aligned to their purpose, serve their clients deeply, and create the financial freedom they desire. In our discussion, Carrie and I take a deep dive into a question that is commonly asked by those struggling with chronic health and/or life challenges, and that question is: “I’ve tried so hard to get well yet nothing seems to be working! What now?” In discussing this question we uncover: Primary reasons why it is so common for people to get trapped within chronic illness and life challenge ruts Common mental and emotional roadblocks that often greatly contribute to this vicious cycle. The missing components within both conventional and holistic health care settings when it comes to helping people recover their vitality from chronic health challenges And most importantly, tips, strategies, and actionable steps you can take to break free from destructive patterns that are keeping you stuck and ultimately create the conditions in both your body and your life for vibrant health and personal success You can connect with Carrie at https://www.dgcoachinghealing.com/

In this debut episode, I present the following: A summary of my long, winding journey with complex, chronic health challenges and the resulting life chaos that ensued The evolution and transformation that I've gone through and continue to go through as a result of my journey The roadmap for deep healing and life transformation that I ultimately discovered of which inspired and continues to inspire my passion to help others cultivate hope and realize the power within themselves to not only restore their health but to also create a life filled with joy, passion, and purpose The biggest and most important lesson I learned, of which now serves as the backbone for the work I do with my clients in helping them to restore their health and transform their lives.