Dr. Sandra Scheinbaum (aka Dr. Sandi) is the founder and CEO of the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA), a collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). Dr. Sandi is a leader in the field of health coaching education.

An educator and licensed clinical psychologist for over 35 years, she was a pioneer in blending functional medicine principles with positive psychology, cognitive-behavior therapy, and mind-body medicine. She is the author of Functional Medicine Coaching, Stop Panic Attacks in 10 Easy Steps, and How to Give Clients the Skills to Stop Panic Attacks. She has her own healing story of overcoming ADD, panic attacks, and Reynaud’s Syndrome. 

In today’s conversation we discuss a number of important topics including:

• How people seeking to heal from autoimmune disorders can apply powerful positive psychology techniques 
• How people can address anxiety and panic attacks and 
• What’s important about working with a health coach and what the future is like for health coaching as a profession.

Quote: “You can always say, I have more to achieve. That’s the key to healthy aging.”

What’s inside this episode?

01:55 Dr. Sandi’s story, how she went from teaching, to getting a PhD in clinical psychology, to focusing on mind-body medicine, to learning about nutrition and functional medicine, to starting the FMCA program at age 65

07:10 The importance of having meaning, purpose, mission, and passion in your sixties and beyond and how Dr. Sandi is able to be a leader in this field

09:05 Get inspired: check out how many pushups Dr. Sandi does EVERY day – at age 74. It’s not twelve; it’s twelve sets!

15:08 The importance of intrinsic motivation and how there is always another level to attain; and how to get started developing healthy habits

20:15 Why understanding your strengths is so important to developing a positive mindset, especially when it comes to overcoming autoimmunity

25:36 What “PERMA” stands for and why we need it for a life well lived

33:01 Delving into panic attacks: Dr. Sandi’s personal experience with panic attacks in her twenties, how she healed, and what you can do to change your thoughts, distract yourself, recover fully, and prevent panic attacks

42:00 Anxiety is tied to the future; depression is tied to the past. How to be free in the present moment

43:13 What is a functional medicine health coach; why are they so important in helping others take control of their health; and how they undergo transformation themselves

47:27 Where can you learn more about becoming a health coach or to connect with Dr. Sandi

50:29 Dr. Sandi’s vision for the future

Resources mentioned:

Dr. Stacy Sims, exercise physiologist: https://www.drstacysims.com/

Discover your strengths free survey: https://www.viacharacter.org/

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) book: Molecules of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine by Candace Pert, Ph.D.: https://amzn.to/407ritD

Positive Psychology: https://positivepsychology.com/what-is-positive-psychology-definition/

Book: The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Ben Hardy: https://amzn.to/408lZKr

Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA): functionalmedicinecoaching.org

Connect on social media:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FunctionalMedicineCoachingAcademy/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsandi/
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/sandrascheinbaum/

Dr. Sandi’s Books: 

• Functional Medicine Coaching: Stories from the Movement That's Transforming Healthcare: https://amzn.to/4fwEi0h
• Stop Panic Attacks in 10 Easy Steps: https://amzn.to/41PqZox
• Stay tuned for Dr. Sandi’s upcoming book: Your Health Coach Will See You Now

Want my help reversing an autoimmune condition?

If you live in the continental U.S. and are committed and determined to reclaim your best health, I offer Functional Natural Medicine Autoimmune Reversal Programs over Zoom. Get on my calendar for a free 30-minute discovery call, here: https://palmerkippola.com/functional-medicine-autoimmune-reversal-program/