Did you know there is a direct correlation between our gut health, hormones and genetics when it comes to mental health and illness? In this episode, STAT Wellness Founder, Kristin Oja, DNP, FNP-C, IFMCP discusses how the foods we eat could actually be contributing to our mental health or lack thereof. She also talks about how stress and physical fitness can play a big part in depression and anxiety and why it’s important to know what’s really going on with our own physiology. Kristin provides tangible ways to take control of your own health with a balanced combination of medicine, mindfulness and movement because wellness feels good!

Kim Schaper’s mental health journey began at the age of 7 years old when she was molested by her grandfather. For years she struggled with eating disorders, depression and finding self love. From trips in and out of treatment centers, being over medicated for years, to educating herself about mental health and wellness Kim is an inspiration. She uses her experiences to help others on their physical and mental health journeys as a way to find overall wellness.

From the outside, it looked liked Kristin Mize had the perfect life. Married to her high school sweetheart she had a beautiful baby boy who was one and a half, she was pregnant with 2 more twin boys on the way, had a great career living in a suburb of Atlanta and even had the picket fence to go with it. But it wasn't until she finally told her husband he'd be better off without her that she was able to get the help she needed after being diagnosed with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder. With the help of doctors, medication and close friends Kristin gave birth to twin boys and became a counselor to help women going through similar issues she had experienced. She specializes in helping other women along their journeys of motherhood from prenatal through postpartum and beyond because she truly believes you have to take care of yourself first to be the best mother and wife you can be. Kristin owns her own practice (www.kristinmize.com) and recently launched the Good Vibe Mom Tribe (@good.vibe.mom.tribe) with the goal of creating a fun, honest and real-life community promoting maternal mental health and supporting women, mothers and hopeful moms-to-be.

On November 9th, 2018, Dan Curran's dad took his own life. Dan is the friend who encouraged our host, Megan, to share her story which inspired this podcast. In this episode we learn how depression and suicide affect our loved ones and why it's a final act of desperation. Dan also sheds light on his own struggles with anxiety and the steps he took to overcome panic attacks. As a high school physical education teacher, Dan shares his perspective on what our youth are going through as anxiety and depression are more prominent than ever. He talks about ways we can help the next generation with their mental health and how he hopes that sharing his story will help normalize the conversation. 

Denae Olberding found confidence and true happiness in running. But after daily training, malnutrition and anorexia, and running over 13 marathons in just a few short years her body began to shut down. In this episode Denae talks about walking away from the one thing she loved the most and how it affected her both physically and mentally. She also discusses the healing process, finding joy in creating a run club for others and shares that the struggle is still present today.

In Part 2 of Phillip's story, we learn about the moment he hit rock bottom and planned to end his life. Phillip now uses his story to help others from all walks of life. He encourages people to ask for help to get through the hardest times and is leading by example by being vulnerable and sharing his emotional journey.

Phillip Blow is most well-known for his Mr. Olympia title, his larger than life smile, and his impact on the fitness community - but that is just the surface. In Part 1 of Phillip's story, we learn how his self-confidence has been continuously challenged his whole life from his relationship with his dad growing up to his relationships with women since he was assaulted at 17. We also learn that the death of his first born daughter taught him the value of life after she passed away at just 10 months old.

Renee Klein's story begins with her sister, Sandy. When Sandy was just 2.5 years old she was hypersensitive to people and things in her environment, and her family knew she was atypical for her age. At 8 years old, Sandy had a psychotic break and her family's lives would never be the same. Renee shares how the struggles of a family member very much affects the entire family and their group of friends. Her family turned that challenge into something good in bringing awareness and action to help support other families dealing with mental illness by working with NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) and the housingtaskforce.org as well as supporting the genetic research with the Prechter Family Fund. Renee has made it her life mission to share her family's story to bring light to a sometimes dark subject and show compassion to everyone she meets - because you never know what someone is going through.

As one of Atlanta's top trainers and community creators, Heath Ward struggled for years with his own sense of self worth. After years of abuse in his childhood, Heath found healing in friends, fitness, accountability and being vulnerable. In this episode we hear how Heath uses his own story to help mentor young men struggling physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

Kinsey Trzcinski went through more in her first 26 years than most people do in a lifetime. From being a caregiver to her mother until her dying day, getting divorced just months after her mom's death to learning her dad was not the person she thought, Kinsey is resilient to say the least. In this episode we learn how Kinsey found a new role in taking care of herself, how she strives to find the positive in the most devastating times and how she is bringing her energy and light to her new found career in fitness.