In this episode of Discovering the Wellness Formula, we sit down with Gary Sardina, RD, a clinical dietitian and Co-Founder of the Wellness Roots Foundation, to explore what real-world nutrition looks like inside the hospital and how we can use those insights to stay healthier outside of it.

Gary shares his journey into dietetics, from his early days in food service to his current role focusing on the assessment and treatment of malnutrition in acute care. He explains why early identification of nutrition risk is critical, how interdisciplinary healthcare teams collaborate to support recovery, and what common patterns he sees among hospitalized patients.

We dive into practical, evidence-based discussions around gut health, cancer nutrition myths, sugar and fasting, omega-3s, and the pros and cons of popular diets like low-carb, keto, and smoothies. Gary also offers actionable strategies people can use today to reduce their risk of hospitalization and improve long-term wellness.

As Co-Founder of the nonprofit Wellness Roots Foundation and sponsor of this podcast, Gary shares why he felt called to start an organization dedicated to nutrition education, food access, and community wellness, and what impact he hopes to create.

Finally, Gary reveals his personal Wellness Formula, tying together clinical experience, prevention, and purpose-driven work.

This episode is brought to you by the Wellness Roots Foundation.

wellnessrootsfoundation.org

In this episode of Discovering the Wellness Formula, we’re joined by Jessica Herron, a mental health leader, trauma survivor, and self-described caretaker; who brings both professional insight and lived experience to the conversation around burnout.

Jessica shares her personal journey into the mental health field and how identifying with the “caretaker archetype” shaped her life, work, and eventual reckoning with burnout. Together, we explore what burnout really looks like beneath the surface, why helpers and healthcare professionals are especially vulnerable, and how trauma, people-pleasing, and self-sacrifice often intertwine.

This conversation gently guides listeners toward reconnection; through self-awareness, self-compassion, grounding practices, and small but meaningful shifts that help us move from chronic over-giving to self-alignment. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from yourself while caring deeply for others, this episode offers validation, insight, and hope.

In Part 2, we dive deeper into Dr. David Lee’s personal story and the groundbreaking system he developed through his own healing journey. After facing significant health challenges early in his career, Dr. Lee discovered a unique integration of acupuncture, diet, and herbs that not only restored his health but reshaped his entire approach to medicine.

We explore his innovative frameworks — including the Tetrasoma Diet, Tetrasoma Acupuncture, and Bisoma Technique — and how they help patients identify their body types, personalize nutrition, and activate the body’s innate healing intelligence.

Dr. Lee also shares practical steps for beginners: how to identify your body type, how to choose foods that support rather than stress your system, and what to look for when choosing a qualified practitioner.

In this episode of Discovering The Wellness Formula, we explore the deep roots of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with Dr. David Lee, a renowned acupuncturist, researcher, and educator with over 26 years of clinical experience.

Dr. Lee takes us on a journey through acupuncture’s 5,000-year-old history, from the discovery of ancient meridian points to its legalization in California in the 1970s. We discuss the meaning of qi (energy), the intricate system of meridians, and how the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—reflect the balance between body, mind, and nature.

Whether you’re curious about how acupuncture works or interested in how modern medicine is beginning to appreciate these time-tested systems, this episode offers both clarity and context. Join us as we uncover how this ancient practice continues to shape modern approaches to health and self-healing.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Wendy Kreider, a chiropractor whose journey began with her own search for relief from chronic headaches. What started as a personal healing experience at age 25 blossomed into a lifelong passion for helping others tap into the body’s natural ability to heal. Dr. Wendy shares how her early career in social work shaped her understanding of health and quality of life, and how she was ultimately called to chiropractic care.

She opens up about her discovery of NetworkSpinal, a gentle yet powerful technique developed by Dr. Donny Epstein, and the profound impact it has had on her life and her patients. From pain relief and stress reduction to greater clarity, energy, and connection, Dr. Wendy’s story highlights the transformational potential of chiropractic and spinal wave entrainment.

Listeners will gain insight into the philosophy behind NetworkSpinal, why Dr. Wendy is so passionate about it, and how this approach can enhance physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Kate Kaczor, MBA, RD, CEDS-C is a dynamic registered dietitian specializing in eating disorders, mental health, and substance use disorder. As a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Kate brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and compassionate care to her work. She’s helped open new treatment facilities, developed programs to increase access to care, and is known for her creative, client-centered strategies. Through her work, Kate empowers people to challenge food rules, let go of shame, and rediscover joy and freedom in eating. Her mission: helping every person find complete peace with food.

🎓 CEU Opportunity for Registered Dietitians
Enjoyed this episode? Dive deeper into Kate’s expertise by watching her
CEU-eligible presentation:
"Hormones and Eating Disorders" — a recorded session offering valuable insights into the hormonal factors influencing eating disorder development and recovery.

👉 Watch the presentation here: https://wellnessrootsfoundation.org/hormones-eating-disorders-rds/

In this powerful episode of The Wellness Formula, we’re joined by Michaela “Mickey” Williams an eating disorder recovery coach, speaker, and founder of Body Love & Beyond. Mickey’s story is one of lived experience and professional insight: from her own recovery journey to managing programs at a leading treatment center, she now helps others navigate the path toward freedom, self-trust, and body peace.

Together, we explore what recovery really means, why body neutrality might be more realistic than body positivity, and how social media impacts our relationship with our bodies. Mickey also shares how mindset, behavior change, and self-compassion intersect in her coaching and what to do when the journey feels stuck.

Whether you’re in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just curious about creating a more body-inclusive world, this conversation is an honest, grounded look at what healing can truly look like.

💡 Key Topics:

• What is a recovery coach?
• The difference between body positivity and body neutrality
• What recovery looks like beyond treatment
• Strategies for navigating stuck points in healing
• Why community and compassion matter most

🎧 Tune in and walk away with hope, perspective, and practical tools for a more accepting and empowering relationship with your body.

Check out Michaela Williams Website here: 

https://www.bodyloveandbeyond.com/

In this episode of Discovering the Wellness Formula, we sit down with Ashley Kwanten, a former music industry insider turned wellness coach for touring artists. Ashley shares her inspiring journey from managing Grammy-winning talent to launching Wildrock Wellness, where she helps musicians thrive through personalized nutrition and holistic health strategies. We dive into the unique challenges artists face on the road, how food choices impact overall wellness, and why rest and recovery are just as important as performance. Ashley also offers simple and actionable tips that anyone, not just rockstars, can use to boost their own health while balancing busy lives. Whether you are chasing creative dreams or just trying to feel your best, Ashley’s approach to whole person wellness is something you will not want to miss.

Check out Ashley Kwanten’s work:
https://www.wildrockwellness.com/

Today's guest is Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Natasha Aftandilians. Natasha earned her bachelor's degree from UC Irvine and her master's degree from Phillips Graduate University. Since beginning her career as a therapist in 2018, she has worked with diverse populations, including children, teens, young adults, families, and the elderly. Her professional journey spans from public schools and community mental health clinics in the heart of Los Angeles, to residential treatment settings specializing in eating disorder recovery. In her private practice, she addresses a range of diagnoses such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. With a curious and direct approach, she empowers her clients to overcome their barriers to health by challenging unhelpful and negative thought patterns and helping clients see their inherent strengths. We're thrilled to have her here today to share her insights and expertise in mental health care.

This is our very first episode, and we’re so excited to have you here. Today, we’re diving into what this podcast is all about, sharing our personal stories, and exploring the “why” behind this journey.

We’ll talk about what inspired us to create Discovering the Wellness Formula and how we aim to make health and wellness accessible, meaningful, and practical for everyone. Whether you’re just starting your wellness journey or looking for fresh perspectives, this podcast is here to guide and inspire you.