Embracing Flow

This episode is an invitation to slow down and listen to the messages your body has been sending all along. Dr. Brittney Hobbs, a trained clinical pharmacist turned somatic soul guide, joins Heather to talk about somatic healing, the nervous system, and the energetic blueprints that shape our lives.

Together, they explore:

• [00:01:45] Brittney’s first period story and wardrobe hacks from the dance team
• [00:04:00] Why she left traditional medicine to address root causes of pain
• [00:08:00] What “somatic” actually means (hint: it’s not just beating sticks in the woods)
• [00:14:00] How to make micro-check-ins a powerful daily ritual
• [00:21:00] Human design and energetic blueprints: why healing must be individualized
• [00:30:00] Why “healing isn’t logical, it’s cellular”—and how trauma lives in the body
• [00:37:00] From gunky pond to mountain stream: Brittney’s powerful closing metaphor

If you’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or overwhelmed, this conversation is your gentle nudge to start small, listen in, and return home to your body.

🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs this info.

Dr. Brittney Hobbs is a Somatic Soul Guide, Wellness Consultant, and a trained clinical pharmacist who helps high-achieving women decode the deeper root causes of pain, fatigue, and tension through a powerful blend of somatic healing, energetic precision, and wellness wisdom. Other places to connect with Dr. Nathalie Beauchamp:

• Website: https://brittneyhobbs.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/brittney.hobbs

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In this episode of Embracing Flow, Heather talks with Dr. Nathalie Beauchamp—chiropractor, speaker, and author of Smart Cuts—about practical ways professional women can biohack their health without overwhelm.

Whether you’re navigating peri-menopause, adrenal fatigue, or simply exhausted from doing it all, this conversation offers simple, science-backed tools you can use now.

⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – Meet Dr. Nathalie + her first cycle story
4:00 – How her own challenges led to a lifetime of health education
6:00 – What is biohacking, really?
9:00 – Morning light, grounding, and circadian rhythm tips
12:30 – Reducing toxic load: home, body, beauty
17:00 – Understanding adrenals and cortisol
22:00 – Vagus nerve, breathwork, and parasympathetic tools
28:00 – Cold plunges, humming, and nervous system health
30:00 – Sleep, blood sugar, and hidden hormone disruptors
33:00 – Why women need protein and strength training
36:00 – The pressure to “go extreme” and why sustainable health matters
38:00 – Final thoughts: Simplify your wellness

🎁 Get Dr. Nathalie’s free biohacking guide at drnat.life

🔗 Links Mentioned in the Show:

• Website: drnat.life
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnathaliebeauchamp/?hl=en

🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs this info.

Dr. Nathalie Beauchamp is a Chiropractor and biohacking expert with over 27 years experience. She is the author of several books on health and wellness including her latest, “SmartCuts—Biohack Your Healthspan: Cutting Edge Protocols For Greater Energy and Performance.” Through her signature coaching programs, and corporate wellness initiatives, Dr. Beauchamp helps empower professional women to achieve peak health, energy, and productivity.

Other places to connect with Dr. Nathalie Beauchamp:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnathaliebeauchamp/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drnathaliebeauchamp
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnathalieb/
• Pinterest: https://ca.pinterest.com/drnathaliebwell/

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When Shannon Toner woke up in the ICU after collapsing from menstrual toxic shock syndrome at age 15, no one could explain what happened—or why. What followed was a decade of being dismissed, medicated, and misunderstood. But instead of staying silent, Shannon transformed her trauma into advocacy.

In this raw and powerful episode of Embracing Flow, Shannon shares her personal journey through the pain and confusion that so many menstruators silently endure. From misdiagnosis and painkillers to healing through education, she takes us through the exact moment she decided to found Protect Her, Inc a nonprofit dedicated to ending period stigma and bringing real menstrual health education to youth.

We explore:

• What menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS) really is (and what the warnings on tampon boxes don’t tell you)
• Why cycle education for kids as young as 8 can be life-changing—and life-saving
• How body literacy and natural healing helped Shannon reclaim her life
• The role parents, teachers, and partners can play in breaking generational shame
• Tips for spotting product sensitivities, how to start tracking, and how to advocate for your health

💡 Whether you’re a parent, educator, athlete, medical professional, or someone with a cycle—this episode will challenge what you thought you knew about menstruation and leave you feeling inspired to learn more, speak up, and protect the next generation.

🔗 Links Mentioned in the Show:

• Website: protectherinc.com
• Instagram: @protectherinc
• Shannon’s LinkedIn: Shannon Toner

📣 If you’ve ever felt left in the dark about your own body—or want to ensure the next generation isn’t—this conversation is your light switch.

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs this info.

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Menopause doesn't have to mean dry skin, low energy, or confusion around what your body needs. In this episode of Embracing Flow, host Heather Allmendinger welcomes Ana Pang, a menopause skin and vitality specialist, to explore how midlife women can reclaim their radiance naturally.

✨ With over 20 years of experience and her own journey through eczema and hormonal imbalance, Ana shares:

• How hormonal shifts—not just aging—impact your skin and energy
• Why hydration and bone broth are essential
• Natural skincare tips (hint: bok choy makes a surprise appearance!)
• The power of time-restricted eating and moderation over restriction

💧 Discover simple, nature-based ways to support your body, soften your skin, and boost your energy—no 12-step skincare routines required.

Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Ana Pang + early menstrual experiences
06:00 – The eczema that changed everything
10:00 – Aging vs. hormonal shift: the real cause of skin changes
13:00 – What to avoid in skincare and what to try instead
16:30 – Natural ingredients: Bok choy, aloe, jojoba & more
21:30 – Dark spots, fading them naturally
23:00 – Nutrition strategies: bone broth, mushrooms, hormone balance
25:00 – Cellular renewal and fasting
28:00 – Hydration: the most overlooked beauty tool
33:00 – Simplicity + moderation: Ana’s wellness philosophy
36:00 – Where to find Ana + final thoughts

Ana is a Menopause Skin & Vitality Specialist, helping women in midlife rejuvenate their skin, balance hormones, and regain energy naturally through the Yin-Yang method. With over two decades of expertise, she shares science-backed strategies for deep hydration, smooth texture, and lasting radiance—without complicated routines.

Website: https://menopauseskincare.life/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ana.pang.218/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pangana78218

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-pang-0682b5342/

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@menopauseskinrejuvenator?_t=ZN-8ucoypZibP4&_r=1

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In this nourishing episode, Heather welcomes functional wellness guide Zoa Conner to talk about self-care that actually works. Discover how your nervous system, hormones, pelvic floor, and menstrual cycle all connect—and what it really means to “listen to your body.”

🔹 [00:01:00] Zoa’s cycle story and early experiences
🔹 [00:04:00] From physics to holistic wellness: how Zoa's journey began
🔹 [00:08:00] Detox demystified: what your body really needs
🔹 [00:10:00] The truth about sweat, deodorant, and nervous system stress
🔹 [00:14:00] Crying, laughter, and yawning as nervous system resets
🔹 [00:17:00] Vibrational healing, lymph flow, and pelvic release
🔹 [00:21:00] How stress lives in your hips—and what to do about it
🔹 [00:29:00] Feminine vs. masculine energy: are you in balance?
🔹 [00:33:00] The power of rest and redefining productivity
🔹 [00:40:00] Menstrual cycles as a 5th detox channel
🔹 [00:44:00] Teaching the next generation about cyclical living
🔹 [00:50:00] Seasonal shifts, hormone health, and slowing down
🔹 [00:55:00] Zoa’s Weekly Wellness Checklist and how to access it
🔹 [00:57:00] Final words of wisdom: listen without judgment

In today's world, we are surrounded by cheap food, reasons to sit all day, toxic exposures in our food, water, and air, and stress - oh the stress! If we are going to live long, productive, healthy, beautiful lives, we need to protect and nurture our bodies and minds. We need an extensive Wellness Toolkit to help us! The biggest tool in that toolbox is our lifestyle and self-care practices. Self care is more than pedicures, a new dress, or a glass of wine. Self care is not about what works for your sister, friend, or some random person on the internet. Self care should be personalized and create positive progress towards a healthier, more vibrant you! I am lucky enough to spend my days helping women and men figure out what their best self care practices are through experimentation, testing, intuition, science, and curiosity! 

Podcast: https://sustain-your-vitality.captivate.fm/listen

Travel and Retreats: https://intentional-vitality.com

Functional Wellness: https://zenandvitality.com

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Fertility isn't just about making babies — it's about the health and vibrancy of your entire life. In this no-holds-barred conversation, Dr. Aumatma Simmons, a naturopathic endocrinologist and best-selling author, reveals how hormones, toxins, and misunderstood medical advice are impacting far more than we realize.

We explore why true fertility is an indicator of your body's health, creativity, and resilience — and how understanding your cycle, avoiding common toxins, and tuning into your womb wisdom can change everything.

Whether you’re trying to conceive, heal your hormones, or simply live your fullest life, this episode will empower you to protect your future.

Time Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome and Dr. Aumatma’s Journey to Womb Wisdom
04:00 - Shame, Culture, and the Early Messages We Receive About Periods
09:00 - What Is a FABNE? (Fellow of American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology)
13:00 - Why IVF Isn't Always the Answer
18:00 - The DIY Fertility Trap: Why Google and AI Are Not Your Doctors
24:00 - How Everything in Your Body is Connected to Fertility
29:00 - Toxic Tampons, BPA, Fragrances, and Hidden Hormone Disruptors
38:00 - Why Fertility Awareness Matters at Every Stage of Life
46:00 - Cyclical Living: Harnessing Your Seasonal Superpowers
53:00 - How Men (and Businesses!) Can Benefit from Womb Wisdom
57:00 - Final Thoughts: Creating Safety to Create (Anything)

I'm a Naturopathic Doctor in practice for almost 20 years. I also have a speciality as a FABNE - which is a fancy acknowledgement that deems me an expert on hormones in a holistic way. For a majority of my time in practice, I have focused on fertility, and over the years have helped the birth of thousands of healthy babies. My best-selling book "Fertility Secrets: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You about Baby-Making" reveals a lot of my research and real-life experience beyond what's commonly taught to us as medical professionals-- and shares the major reasons why I am so passionate about educating women. I believe that ALL women should have access to knowledge about our bodies and what I have come to title 'womb-wisdom' which is the source of our creative energy - babies or other creations! Over the years, I have learned that one of my gifts is to take lots of pieces of information and convert it into a distilled take-away that someone can put to use instantly! So, I have stepped into the educational space of training the next generation for fertility specialists that approach fertility from a holistic perspective. Also, running a multi-6-figure business based on my female superpower (my menstrual cycle) is knowledge that I teach, train, and coach on for female entrepreneurs who want to up level their businesses without the grind-- and the burnout. I feel like the 'womb-wisdom' I referred to earlier is a core source of creation energy that we have access to as women. So, while most female entrepreneurs learn to grind like men (yep, I have been there too!) I think it's time that we access our own superpowers!

Website: https://holisticfertilityinstitute.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/holisticfertilitydoctor/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aumatma/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HolisticFertilityExpert

Egg Meets Sperm Podcast: https://www.holisticfertilityinstitute.com/podcast

Book: https://amzn.to/4lQRZvu

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In this enlightening episode of Embracing Flow, host Heather Allmendinger is joined by Bonnie D'Arcangelo, a clinical herbalist and holistic health consultant, to unpack the intricacies of personalized herbal medicine. Bonnie shares her journey, expertise in herbal formulations, and the significance of understanding individual energetics for effective healing. Together, they explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of health, the risks of over-the-counter medications, and the need for individualized care in achieving true wellness. Tune in to discover how to become your own healer by embracing holistic and personalized approaches to health.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:27 Bonnie's Background and Expertise

01:53 Personal Story: First Menstruation

03:45 Naming the Business and Spiritual Traditions

08:13 The Importance of Individualized Herbal Medicine

27:05 Emotional and Spiritual Aspects of Healing

31:40 Dangers of NSAIDs and Natural Alternatives

46:34 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

Bonnie D'Arcangelo is a clinical herbalist and holistic health consultant with a Master of Science in Herbal Medicine and is a certified Aromatherapist with the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy. She is the co-founder of AEtherbal (Ee-th-herbal) and the founder of Veusebeia (Veh-you-say-bee-ya) Phytotherapy Center. She is the herbal formulator of AEtherbal's topical products that blend science and herbal medicine to provide advanced delivery of medicinal herbs. She has helped hundreds of people to live pain-free lives and find relief for "What Ails" them. Bonnie also seeks to give back to nature what she takes and is the founder and president of Michigan Protects a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to plant and protect native Michigan medicinal plants that are at-risk for extinction.

Website: http://www.aetherbal.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/veusebeia/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniedarcangelo

Youtube: https://youtube.com/aetherbal

Business website: https://www.aetherbal.com/

Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom, Bride of God Book Link: https://amzn.to/4itOWqd

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In this solo episode of Embracing Flow, host Heather Allmendinger shares her deeply personal journey through a season of transition, from the challenges of perimenopause to her partner's cancer diagnosis. Heather discusses the importance of surrendering control, slowing down, and trusting that transformation and growth happen in these slower, quieter moments. She invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences and consider the wisdom in embracing life's natural cycles.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections

01:04 Facing Life's Unplanned Transitions

02:07 The Impact of a Partner's Illness

02:59 Embracing the Slowdown

04:07 Trusting the Process of Letting Go

05:19 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

06:20 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

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In this episode of Embracing Flow, host Heather explores the profound impact of birth control on women's health with guest Michael Gaskins. They discuss personal experiences, historical insights from the Nelson Pill hearings, the dangers of misinformation from the medical establishment, and the issues surrounding hormonal birth control. Gaskins shares his journey from a layperson deceived by a renowned physician to a passionate women's health advocate and author of 'In The Name of The Pill.' They uncover the detrimental effects of birth control on both individuals and the environment, emphasizing the critical need for informed consent and self-advocacy in healthcare.

00:00 Introduction to Menstrual Health Issues

00:38 Personal Journey and Discoveries

01:22 Podcast Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:04 Michael Gaskins' Advocacy and Research

04:38 The Impact of Birth Control on Health

08:43 Personal Stories and Tragic Outcomes

15:57 The Nelson Pill Hearings and Historical Context

26:40 Doctor's Dismissal and Patient Experiences

27:54 The Business of Birth Control

28:24 Fertility Awareness vs. Hormonal Methods

30:51 Pharmaceutical Deficiency and Medical Practices

32:36 The Nelson Pill Hearings and Birth Control Safety

39:54 Advocating for Personal Health

42:26 Finding Reliable Information and Trusting Intuition

45:20 Connecting the Dots and Final Thoughts

50:10 Closing Remarks and Resources

Mike Gaskins is an author and media producer who began his journey as a women’s health advocate after a world-renowned physician lied to him about birth control side effects. This chance encounter triggered a passion for research that led Mike to discover many shocking levels of deceit and misinformation surrounding these potent drugs. He frequently writes for a number of websites, and his book, In the Name of The Pill, explores the dubious nature of both the history and science of hormonal birth control.

Connect with Michael Gaskins!

Website: https://inthenameofthepill.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthenameofthepill/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inthenameofthepill

Check out Michael’s book, In the Name of The Pill, on Amazon! 

https://amzn.to/3UAuRpV

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In this eye-opening episode of Embracing Flow, host Heather Allmendinger tackles the marginalized subject of fertility awareness and body literacy. Heather discusses the shortcomings of traditional health education, which often reduces the menstrual cycle to simply a tool for reproduction and birth control. She shares personal stories and insights about the importance of understanding the menstrual cycle beyond fertilization, highlighting how it serves as a vital health marker. Heather emphasizes the need for broader education and systemic change, encouraging listeners to embrace cyclical living as a means to better advocate for their overall health. Tune in to explore how fertility awareness can transform your relationship with your body and optimize your well-being.

00:00 Introduction to Embracing Flow

00:38 The Gap in Body Literacy Education

03:23 Redefining Fertility Awareness

05:02 The Importance of Ovulation Beyond Reproduction

07:46 Personal Journey and Discoveries

10:51 The Cultural and Systemic Blind Spot

14:24 Empowering Through Knowledge

19:02 Conclusion and Call to Action

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