What if your genes aren't a scary, fixed destiny, but a highly personalized owner's manual waiting to be decoded?

Join your host, Genetics Expert and International Fitgenes Educator & Trainer Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP, alongside co-hosts Mikayla Wachsmann, MS, CNS, and Lily—his "Frenchie." Get an inside look into Mikayla's journey from Dr. Sam’s very first intern to running a fully remote telemedicine practice.

Long before launching her practice, Mikayla was working side-by-side with Dr. Sam, digitally hand-assembling the complex data that eventually evolved into today's premier Fitgenes Genetic Blueprints. Now, she is stepping out from behind the Zoom screen and into the studio to share how she helps clients transition from standard, frustrating "one-size-fits-all" advice to true precision nutrition and lifestyle optimization.

Together, this dynamic clinical duo reunites to break down the cutting-edge world of functional genomics, giving you the ultimate owner's manual for your unique biology.

In this episode, we will cover:

• The Pivot to Precision: Mikayla shares her personal "why"—from losing her father to brain cancer as an infant to navigating her own severe gut issues using the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) matrix.
• Demystifying Functional Genomics: Why the Fitgenes Genetic Blueprint is a tool to uncover your body's unique strengths and vulnerabilities, rather than a deterministic diagnosis.
• The Histamine Protocol: Why healthy "superfoods" like sauerkraut and avocados can cause an overflow in your "histamine bucket," leading to mysterious midsection water weight, morning congestion, hives, digestive issues and migraines.
• The 80/20 Solution: A realistic, judgment-free coaching strategy to manage a low-histamine lifestyle without sacrificing your absolute favorite foods.
• Overcoming "Metabolic Barbed Wire": How secondary, acquired stressors—like gut infections, mold, or nervous system dysregulation—wrap around your genes, block their expression, and cause weight or energy plateaus.

Connect with Mikayla:
• IG: @mw.clinicalnutrition
• W: MW-Nutrition.com

Connect with Dr. Sam:
• IG: @fitgenesusa
• W: FitgenesUSA.com

Are you a health practitioner ready to decode your patients' genetics and offer truly personalized, root-cause care? Elevate your practice by heading over to FitgenesUSA.com today to become a certified practitioner and gain access to our advanced genetic testing and clinical support.

Subscribe & Review:
If you loved this episode, please subscribe, share and leave a review. Every 5-star rating helps others find this show and unlock the power of their own genetic blueprint. We have incredible episodes coming up covering caffeine sensitivity, inflammation management, workout recovery, and so much more.

TIME STAMPS

• 0:00 - Intro: Mikayla Wachsmann
• 1:33 - Mikayla's Journey & Mentorship
• 5:47 - Genetics vs Functional Guide
• 7:30 - Gut Issues & Root Cause Care
• 10:48 - Remote Telemedicine Practice
• 13:23 - Histamine Intolerance Signs
• 16:39 - Gut Infections & DNA Data
• 21:12 - Acne, Bloating & Carb Choice
• 24:32 - Wounded Healer & Mold Journey
• 30:39 - Ideal Clients & Lab Testing
• 36:17 - Outro & Closing Message

DISCLAIMER
The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, cures or treatment. Neither Dr. Sam nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, supplement routine, or overall health plan based on genetic information or podcast discussions. Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP is the founder of and has a direct financial interest in FitgenesUSA testing, the Fitgenes Genetic Blueprint, and the CarbChoice Advanced.

Ever wonder why your best friend can crush sourdough toast and bananas all day with boundless energy, while you just look at a piece of bread and instantly feel bloated, heavy, and exhausted?

Join your host, Genetics Expert and International Fitgenes Educator & Trainer Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP, alongside co-hosts Mikayla Wachsmann, MS, CNS, and Lily—his "Frenchie." They crack open the frustrating world of "one-size-fits-none" dieting. If you’ve cycled through Keto, Paleo, and Veganism only to end up more confused than when you started, it’s time to stop the guesswork. Your body isn't working against you—it’s just waiting for the right instructions.

Dr. Shay introduces CarbChoice Advanced, a groundbreaking genetic test that analyzes the AMY1 gene to determine exactly how your unique biology handles carbohydrates. Whether you are a health-conscious individual looking for your perfect diet or a healthcare practitioner wanting to upgrade from "a compass and a prayer" to precision medicine, this episode provides the definitive roadmap.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "One-Size-Fits-None" Trap: Why trending diets fail most people and how ignoring your genetics is the missing link in your wellness journey.
• The AMY1 "Cannons" Analogy: A simple, brilliant way to understand how your mouth produces salivary amylase to fight off carbohydrate "Vikings."
• The Spectrum of Carbs: How to find your specific "Carb Number" to know if you truly belong on a strict Keto plan, a Mediterranean diet, or somewhere in between.
• The Practitioner’s Edge: How clinicians can use precision data to eliminate client compliance issues and build long-term lifestyle roadmaps.

Subscribe & Review: If you loved this episode, please subscribe, share and leave a review. Every 5-star rating helps others find this show and unlock the power of their own genetic blueprint. We have incredible episodes coming up covering caffeine sensitivity, inflammation management, workout recovery, and so much more.

Connect with Dr. Sam
IG: https://www.instagram.com/fitgenesusa/
W: www.fitgenesusa.com

Are you a health practitioner ready to decode your patients' genetics and offer truly personalized, root-cause care?

Elevate your practice by heading over to https://FitgenesUSA.com today to become a certified practitioner and gain access to our advanced genetic testing and clinical support.

DISCLAIMER
The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, cures or treatment. Neither Dr. Sam nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, supplement routine, or overall health plan based on genetic information or podcast discussions. Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP is the founder of and has a direct financial interest in FitgenesUSA testing, the Fitgenes Genetic Blueprint, and the CarbChoice Advanced.

Are you intimidated by the science of genetics? Do you worry that your DNA is a fixed fate you are powerless to change?

Join your host, Genetics Expert and International Fitgenes Educator & Trainer Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP, alongside co-hosts Mikayla Wachsmann, MS, CNS, and Lily—his "Frenchie." Together, Dr. Sam and Mikayla strip away sterile textbook definitions, replacing them with an intuitive framework you can actually use to reclaim your health.

We dive headfirst into the "How" of genetics. Learn why your cells are like tiny encapsulated cities, how your inherited genes operate like pages in a recipe book, and what the universal "traffic light" color-coding system (Green, Yellow, and Red dots) actually means for your daily well-being. Plus, Dr. Sam unpacks the buzzword of the decade—epigenetics—explaining how your lifestyle, mindset, and environment act as a dimmer switch to control how your genes behave.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Traffic Light of DNA (Green, Yellow, and Red Dots): Learn the difference between possessing a flawless "Green dot" copy of a gene, a hybrid "Yellow dot" copy, or a "Red dot" copy based on the fitgenes genetic blueprint system.

• Why "Bad Genes" Aren't Always Bad: Dr. Sam flips the script on "least beneficial" genes. Using estrogen detoxification as a prime example, he explains how a slow-clearing "Red dot" gene was actually a survival superpower during ancient hunter-gatherer times of starvation, even if it backfires in our modern world of chemical overload.

• The Epigenetic Dimmer Switch: Your DNA is not an on/off light switch—it’s a dial. Learn how epigenetics empowers you to use targeted actions (like high-quality fish oil, air optimization, and precise recovery protocols) to nudge a default "Red" or "Yellow" gene to behave like a healthy "Green" gene.

• The Sea of Green Trap: Think good genes make you invincible? Dr. Sam reveals real-life insights from his clinical practice showing how individuals with near-perfect "Green" genetics can still end up chronically ill if subjected to extreme environmental toxicity and poor lifestyle choices.

Subscribe & Review: If you loved this episode, please subscribe, share and leave a review. Every 5-star rating helps others find this show and unlock the power of their own genetic blueprint. We have incredible episodes coming up covering caffeine sensitivity, inflammation management, workout recovery, and so much more.

Connect with Dr. Sam
* IG: https://www.instagram.com/fitgenesusa/
* W: www.fitgenesusa.com

Are you a health practitioner ready to decode your patients' genetics and offer truly personalized, root-cause care?

Elevate your practice by heading over to https://FitgenesUSA.com today to become a certified practitioner and gain access to our advanced genetic testing and clinical support.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, cures or treatment. Neither Dr. Sam nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, supplement routine, or overall health plan based on genetic information or podcast discussions. Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP is the founder of and has a direct financial interest in FitgenesUSA testing, the Fitgenes Genetic Blueprint, and the CarbChoice Advanced.

Welcome to the debut episode of The Fitgenes Podcast!

Join your host, Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP—Genetics Expert and Certified Fitgenes Practitioner—and co-host Mikayla Wachsmann, MS, CNS, as they strip away the medical jargon and open up the ultimate user manual for your body.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting health advice, this episode is your breath of fresh air. Dr. Sam and Mikayla break down why your DNA isn't a genetic death sentence, but rather a personalized roadmap to optimal health.

In this episode, we cover:
• The Power of Genetics (The One-and-Done Test): Why your genetic blueprint is the single highest-value test you can ever take. Unlike other functional tests that require constant re-testing, your DNA stays the same for life.

• Functional Genetics vs. The Rest: Dr. Sam breaks down the four types of genetic testing (genealogy, paternity, disease diagnostics, and functional genetics). Discover why Fitgenes focuses on identifying the drivers of wellness rather than just chasing diseases.

• Dr. Sam’s Personal Journey: From crippling joint pain, anxiety, and severe digestive issues to vibrant health. Dr. Sam shares how discovering his own hyper-inflammatory genes and Vitamin D absorption issues changed everything, proving his genes weren't "bad"—they were just mismatched for modern society.

• Data vs. Wisdom: Why more data isn’t always better data. Learn how the Fit Genes approach helps practitioners prioritize information so clients get clear, actionable steps for diet, inflammation, and lifestyle without the information overload.

Key Takeaway: Your genes are not your destiny. They are your blueprint. By understanding your unique functional genetics, you eliminate the guesswork and gain total agency over how you heal, move, and thrive.

Subscribe & Review: If you loved this episode, please subscribe, share and leave a review. Every 5-star rating helps others find this show and unlock the power of their own genetic blueprint. We have incredible episodes coming up covering caffeine sensitivity, inflammation management, workout recovery, and so much more.

Connect with Dr. Sam:
• IG: @fitgenesusa
• W: www.fitgenesusa.com

Are you a health practitioner ready to decode your patients' genetics and offer truly personalized, root-cause care? Elevate your practice by heading over to FitgenesUSA.com today to become a certified practitioner and gain access to our advanced genetic testing and clinical support.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 — Introduction & Why Genetics is the Ultimate Testing Gap
04:24 — The Four Types of Genetic Testing
07:51 — Dr. Sam's Personal Health Journey
11:06 — Decoding the Results: Hyper-Inflammation and Vitamin D
16:14 — Nutritional Dosing vs. Nutrigenomic Dosing
17:58 — Evolutionary Mismatches & Caffeine-Induced Anxiety
24:42 — Cross-Referencing Blood Work: The Rotating Sushi Tray Analogy
30:06 — Rethinking Data Dumps & Exercise-Induced Obesity
36:19 — How to Get Started & Outro

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, cures or treatment. Neither Dr. Sam nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, supplement routine, or overall health plan based on genetic information or podcast discussions. Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP is the founder of Fitgenes USA and has a direct financial interest in FitgenesUSA testing, the Fitgenes Genetic Blueprint, and the CarbChoice Advanced.

Join Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP, and co-host Mikayla Wachsmann, MS, CNS, as they decode complex genetics into practical, actionable strategies for health, performance, and longevity. Each episode bridges the gap between clinical data and real-world results, breaking down the specific genes and pathways that actually matter—without the hype or technical noise. Whether you are working to shift your own health trajectory or you're a practitioner seeking clearer communication and better clinical outcomes, this show gives you the frameworks to make DNA truly usable.

Learn more, become a practitioner, or find care near you:
Western Hemisphere, Europe, & UK: FitgenesUSA.com
Australia & Asia: Fitgenes.com
New Zealand: Nutriscript.co.nz

Subscribe & Review:
If you loved this episode, please subscribe, share and leave a review. Every 5-star rating helps others find this show and unlock the power of their own genetic blueprint. We have incredible episodes coming up covering caffeine sensitivity, inflammation management, workout recovery, and so much more.

Connect with Dr. Sam:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/fitgenesusa/
W: www.fitgenesusa.com

Are you a health practitioner ready to decode your patients' genetics and offer truly personalized, root-cause care?
Elevate your practice by heading over to FitgenesUSA.com today to become a certified practitioner and gain access to our advanced genetic testing and clinical support.

DISCLAIMER
The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, cures or treatment. Neither Dr. Sam nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, supplement routine, or overall health plan based on genetic information or podcast discussions. Dr. Sam Shay, DC, FMCP is the founder of and has a direct financial interest in FitgenesUSA testing, the Fitgenes Genetic Blueprint, and the CarbChoice Advanced.