Authentically Shawna

Yvonne Prowse, Spiritual Director & Director of Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre, joins Dr. Shawna on today's episode. 

Yvonne defines spirituality, shares the benefits of working with a spiritual director, and how to cultivate spiritual practices in the day-to-day & in a retreat setting. 

If you are interested in a spiritual retreat at Loretto Maryholme Spirituality Centre, you can find more information here. If you want hear Dr. Shawna's experience at a 6 day silent retreat at Loretto Maryholme in July '25, listen to "Lessons in Silence | S2E1."

#authenticallyshawna #spirituality #spiritualdirection #lorettomaryholmespiritualitycentre #spiritualpractices 

Philip Wilson, President of Relax Saunas of Momentum, joins Dr. Shawna on today's episode. 

Philip shares the benefits of far infrared saunas, their history, and the unique technology behind Relax Saunas. 

If you are interested in purchasing a Relax Sauna after listening to today's episode, use code: DRSHAWNA for $150 off your purchase from November 10-17, 2025. After November 17, code: DRSHAWNA will save you $100 off your purchase. 

#authenticallyshawna #farinfraredsauna #detoxification #heartratevariability #mindbodyconnection 

Heidi DeBrincat, certified GYROTONIC® Method trainer, joins Dr. Shawna on today's episode. 

Heidi shares knowledge gained over a 40 year career as a movement practitioner and the transformative work of the GYROTONIC® Method. She discusses the unique aspects of the decompressive movement system, the importance of mind-body connection in movement practices, and the lessons learned from personal injuries.

To learn more about working with Heidi, you can find her on Instagram at both @heididanceandmovement & @studiohcond. Or you can email her at [email protected].

#authenticallyshawna #gyrotonicmovement #decompression #spinehealth #mindbodyconnection #breathwork

Dawn Hoezee, President & CEO of Contact Reflex Analysis (CRA) & VerVita, joins Dr. Shawna on today's episode. 

Dawn shares the work of her father, Dr. Dick Versendaal, DC and how that led to the formation of both CRA & VerVita. She discusses the importance of a heart-centered approach to life, tools to support menstruation, and how VerVita essential oils can help you process emotions. 

To learn more about CRA click here or check them out on Instagram @contact.reflex.analysis.

To learn more about VerVita click here or find them on Instagram @vervita.wellness. 

#contactreflexanalysis #vervita #heartcentered #essentialoils #legacy #mentrualhealth

William Marsh, Director of Education & Quantum Systems at Premier Research Labs, shares his expertise on nutritional science with Dr. Shawna on today's episode. 

William shares the benefits of consuming high quality food & supplements, what could be causing your supplements (no matter the quality) from performing optimally, and the easiest biohacking tool you've probably never heard of (hint: it has to do with pH). If you are interested in Premier Research Products, you can learn more about them on their website.  

#authenticallyshawna #premierresearchlabs #quantumreflexanalysis #interferencefields #pH #biofield 

Angie Noack, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) and Senior VP of Business Development of Braincode Centers shares her expertise on neurofeedback with Dr. Shawna on today's episode. 

Angie shares the science behind neurofeedback, who can benefit from neurofeedback both from an injury & prevention perspective, and how a Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG) brain map can help you understand your unique brainwaves. 

If you are interested in working with Braincode Centers, you can find them on Instagram @braincodecenters or their website. 

#authenticallyshawna #braincodecenters #neurofeedback #brainhealth #optimalhealth #tbi #anxiety #depression #mooddisorders #adhd

Brooke McKeever shares her 18 years of expertise in light therapy with Dr. Shawna on today's episode. Brooke is the co-founder of Ultra Red Light Therapy in Newport Beach, CA where she is light therapy practitioner, teaches others how to use light therapy in her "Light Academy," sells light devices, and is a business coach. 

Brooke shares the science behind red light therapy, who red light therapy can help both from an injury & prevention perspective, and what devices on the market she recommends. 

To connect with Brooke, you can follow her on Instagram @ultraredlight or go to her. website. For her list of resources, click here.   

Join Dr. Shawna on a solo pod about the behind the scenes of her recovery process. She discusses how she manages a team of practitioners to help her heal, when she hires/fires a practitioner from the team, and how the past 8 years have taught her to trust her intuition about next steps. 

For up to date information about the podcast, follow Dr. Shawna on Instgram @drshawnaberk.

Join Dr. Shawna for a travel episode about historical sites in the Toronto area, one of her favorite vacation destinations. Below is a list of locations she visited the past two summers (and a couple on her list for the next visit). Happy traveling!

Markham 

• https://www.markham.ca/arts-culture-library/markham-museum

Richmond Hill 

• https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/learn-more/Richmond-Hill-Heritage-Centre.aspx

Pickering 

• https://www.pickering.ca/parks-recreation-culture/museum-pmv/

Oshawa 

• https://www.parkwoodestate.com

Aurora

• https://aurorahs.com/index.php/

Sharon 

• https://www.sharonmuseumandgardens.ca

Leaksdale 

• https://lucymaudmontgomery.ca

Uxbridge

• https://www.uxbridgehistoricalcentre.com/hours-and-admission

Keswick 

• https://www.georgina.ca/things-do/eildon-hall-museum

• https://www.georgina.ca/home-page/things-do/georgina-village-museum

Toronto

• https://blackcreek.ca/buildings/
  

Welcome back to the Authentically Shawna Podcast! Season 2 will be a continuation of sharing authentic conversations from across the health & wellness space, hosted by Dr. Shawna Berk, DPT. The first four episodes of the season will focus on experiences/ideas from Dr. Shawna's trip to the Toronto area in July '25.  

In the first episode, Dr. Shawna talks about the 6-Day Silent Retreat she attended at Loretto Maryholme retreat & spirituality center on Lake Simcoe. If you have ever wanted to do a silent retreat and want to know more about what the experience was like for a novice to embracing silence, then this episode is for you! To see Dr. Shawna's photos of the property, go the post for this week's episode on Instagram @drshawnaberk.