Have your clients (or even you) ever used exercise as therapy only to end up more depleted than energized?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re breaking down how to help clients (and ourselves) find the right dose of exercise for their current season of life. From “go hard or go home” narratives to sneaky stressors like high-demand jobs, toddler wake-ups, or perfectionist tendencies, we share how to reframe movement through a truly functional lens. We also cover what the research says about minimum effective dose, signs that exercise might be doing more harm than good, and why giving clients “permission to do less” can actually unlock better outcomes.

Whether you’re a clinician navigating this conversation with patients, or a woman juggling her own fitness goals, this episode will give you practical frameworks and empathetic language to support more sustainable exercise routines.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:56 Why “exercise is therapy” can be a red flag
• 02:56 Looking at client history—not just their current workouts
• 05:05 Season of life: capacity, stress, and what’s on their plate
• 07:28 The sneaky stressors many clinicians overlook
• 10:14 Red flags in labs and symptoms that signal overtraining
• 19:54 How to approach cardio and lifting for real-life results
• 22:52 What counts as “exercise” to your client?
• 24:08 Why good programming (and good referrals) matter
• 28:36 Real client stories and resistance to change
• 34:56 Why doing less now can help you do more later
• 36:19 Final tips and reminders for clinicians

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

This podcast does not create a doctor-patient, provider-client, or supervisory relationship between you and any of the hosts or contributors.

Additionally, health coaches, fitness professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information shared. Practitioners are expected to use their professional judgment and remain within the legal and ethical scope of their individual certification, licensure, or credentialing body. If there is any uncertainty about what falls within your professional scope of practice, it is your responsibility to consult with your licensing board, certifying organization, or regulatory authority.

Unconventional Coll

Join the Unconventional Collaborative for 50% off with code HALFOFF: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Are your clients hitting the gym, eating “clean,” and still feeling exhausted, anxious, and bloated? We see it all the time—women who are praised for their discipline but are actually deeply undernourished. And sometimes? Clinicians miss the signs too.

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re talking about one of the most common but overlooked issues in functional and conventional healthcare: undereating. Whether it's hiding behind food sensitivities, excessive exercise, or outdated calorie goals, under-fueling shows up in all sorts of sneaky ways.

This one’s for clinicians who want to support their clients more holistically—and for high-achieving humans who are doing “everything right” and still not feeling like themselves.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:36 The impact of undereating on hormones and metabolism
• 02:19 How diet culture teaches women to fear hunger
• 05:22 When discipline disguises disordered eating
• 09:51 Sneaky symptoms and lab clues your client is under-fueled
• 16:03 Why macros aren’t enough—micronutrients matter, too
• 17:37 What mineral depletion says about your metabolism
• 18:00 The relationship between stress, food, and capacity
• 18:51 Helping clients shift from weight loss to true health
• 21:22 What to watch for in thyroid and sex hormone labs
• 23:38 Coaching with compassion: the “capacity” conversation
• 27:40 Sneaky signs of under-fueling even seasoned pros miss
• 30:53 Why performance ≠ health—and how to help clients see that

Links and resources:

• The Anatomy of Anxiety by Ellen Vora: http://goodreads.com/book/show/58385699-the-anatomy-of-anxiety

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

This podcast does not create a doctor-patient, provider-client, or supervisory relationship between you and any of the hosts or contributors.

Additionally, health coaches, fitness professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information shared. 

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility or liability for any outcomes resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided in this podcast.

Join the Unconventional Collaborative for 50% off with code HALFOFF: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Ever left a doctor’s office feeling dismissed, confused, or worse—unseen? 

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re pulling back the curtain on the red flags we see in both conventional and functional medicine. From providers who brush off symptoms to those who rely too heavily on expensive testing and supplement stacks, we talk through the patterns we’ve seen—and the ones we want to change.

We also share the green flags we look for in collaborative providers, the difference between discernment and dogma in clinical care, and how to advocate for yourself (or your clients) in today’s confusing wellness landscape. If you've ever wondered what questions to ask when choosing a provider, this episode is a must.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:37 Common red flags we’ve seen in healthcare providers
• 04:54 Preventative wellness: what your provider should be doing
• 06:58 What to do when you're told “your labs look fine” but you feel awful
• 08:17 When testing becomes a crutch instead of a tool
• 16:59 Weight bias in medicine and the need for trauma-informed support
• 17:49 Knowing scope of practice and when a provider should refer out
• 19:35 Why not every MD is qualified to give nutrition advice
• 21:18 Elimination diets, testing fatigue, and what real support looks like
• 24:15 The beauty of collaboration in healthcare
• 25:54 Green flags we love to see in practitioners
• 34:04 The best questions to ask when choosing a provider

Links and resources:

• Women’s sexual health, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by Peter Attia and Rachel Rubin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0XW6av2wLQ
• GLP-1s Explained: Risks, Benefits, and Real-World Applications: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506559/episodes/17622871

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

Additionally, health coaches, fitness professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information shared. Practitioners are expected to use their professional judgment and remain within the legal and ethical scope of their individual certification, licensure, or credentialing body. If there is any uncertainty about what falls within y

Join the Unconventional Collaborative for 50% off with code HALFOFF: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Is wearing a weighted vest actually helping or is it just another wellness trend preying on women in perimenopause?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re unpacking the very hot topic of weighted vests and why they’re suddenly everywhere. We break down where this trend came from, what the research doesn’t say, and why social media is once again skipping over the nuance in favor of buzzwords and biohacks.

In this episode, we cover:

• 02:13 The problem with the weighted vest trend on social media
• 03:37 Common misconceptions and where proper use actually matters
• 07:40 When it does make sense for certain clients and how to know
• 08:00 The link between burnout, high-achieving women, and exercise culture
• 09:00 Why adding weight to your walk could be hurting
• 11:00 Bone health basics (and why the false sense of security is dangerous)
• 12:30 What actually works for building bone density
• 14:00 Why weightlifting is almost always the better choice
• 15:35 One use case that might make sense + a teaser for next week's episode

Links and resources:

• Send us an email: [email protected]

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

The content shared by Unconventional Collaborative is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This podcast does not create a doctor-patient, provider-client, or supervisory relationship between you and any of the hosts or contributors.

Additionally, health coaches, fitness professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information shared. Practitioners are expected to use their professional judgment and remain within the legal and ethical scope of their individual certification, licensure, or credentialing body. If there is any uncertainty about what falls within your professional scope of practice, it is your responsibility to consult with your licensing board, certifying organization, or regulatory authority.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility or liability for any outcomes resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided in this podcast.

Are postpartum workouts empowering or just another pressure on moms to “bounce back”?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re diving deep into postpartum fitness culture—and calling out the unrealistic, unhelpful, and often harmful messaging that’s flooding social media. From snapback culture to sleep deprivation, mineral depletion, and the mental load of motherhood, we explore why pushing women into high-intensity training just weeks after giving birth is not just misguided—it’s dangerous.

Whether you’re a practitioner, a mom, or both, this conversation offers validation, education, and a whole lot of real talk.

In this episode, we cover:

• 02:43 The harsh reality of postpartum recovery (even with “healthy” pregnancies)
• 05:29 How clinicians can better support postpartum women
• 09:51 Why sleep and recovery must be non-negotiables
• 14:24 Depletion during pregnancy: what most women don’t know
• 17:58 Exercise and body image struggles postpartum
• 19:16 Therapy, identity, and realistic expectations
• 23:25 The role of support systems in healing
• 27:47 What real postpartum fitness can look like
• 30:18 Practical, compassionate advice for postpartum movement

Links and resources:

• Brianna Battles: https://www.instagram.com/brianna.battles/
• MamasteFit: https://www.instagram.com/mamastefit/
• Expecting and Empowered: https://www.instagram.com/expectingandempowered/
• Nourish Move Love: https://www.instagram.com/nourishmovelove/

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

This podcast does not create a doctor-patient, provider-client, or supervisory relationship between you and any of the hosts or contributors.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility or liability for any outcomes resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided in this podcast.

Join the Unconventional Collaborative for 50% off with code HALFOFF: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Is cold plunging really helping your health or just pushing your already stressed system over the edge?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we unpack the cold, hard truth about cold plunges. From hormonal differences to nervous system baselines, we dive into why women respond differently to extreme stressors and what that means for popular wellness trends like cold therapy. Plus, we share what we’re seeing in clinical practice, including how to coach clients who are skipping the basics in favor of biohacks.

If you’ve been wondering whether a cold plunge is helping your hormones—or just adding to your burnout—this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:45 Why cold plunges aren’t one-size-fits-all, especially for women
• 03:50 How hormones impact our stress response (and recovery)
• 07:22 Our personal experiences with cold exposure and blood sugar spikes
• 13:44 When cold plunges help and when they don’t

Links and resources:

• Listen to Episode 5: Is Cycle Syncing Supportive or Just Another Form of Control?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/05-is-cycle-syncing-supportive-or-just-another-form/id1831430877?i=1000723424122

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

The content shared by Unconventional Collaborative is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This podcast does not create a doctor-patient, provider-client, or supervisory relationship between you and any of the hosts or contributors.

Additionally, health coaches, fitness professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information shared. Practitioners are expected to use their professional judgment and remain within the legal and ethical scope of their individual certification, licensure, or credentialing body. If there is any uncertainty about what falls within your professional scope of practice, it is your responsibility to consult with your licensing board, certifying organization, or regulatory authority.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility or liability for any outcomes resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided in this podcast.

Is it more transparent—or more strategic—to share your prices publicly?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re having an honest, nuanced conversation about pricing in private practice. Do you list your rates on your site? Do you keep them off until a discovery call? We’ve tried it both ways, and in this episode, we unpack the mindset, messaging, and business realities behind each approach.

In this episode, we cover:

• 02:22 The cost of doing business: what your pricing actually needs to cover
• 06:48 How to sell the transformation—not just the cost
• 09:01 Our honest opinions (and lessons learned) about listing prices online
• 21:49 Final thoughts: pricing confidence, client respect, and what we’d do differently

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

The content shared by Unconventional Collaborative is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This podcast does not create a doctor-patient, provider-client, or supervisory relationship between you and any of the hosts or contributors.

Additionally, health coaches, fitness professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information shared. Practitioners are expected to use their professional judgment and remain within the legal and ethical scope of their individual certification, licensure, or credentialing body. If there is any uncertainty about what falls within your professional scope of practice, it is your responsibility to consult with your licensing board, certifying organization, or regulatory authority.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility or liability for any outcomes resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided in this podcast.

Are fertility monitors giving women real answers or just more reasons to stress?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re breaking down the rise of at-home hormone trackers like Mira and Inito, and sharing how we really feel about them. We talk about the promise of data, the pressure to “get it right,” and the fine line between feeling empowered and feeling overwhelmed. We also dig into what these tools can help with, what they can’t, and how we coach clients through fertility without turning it into a numbers game.

If you’ve been wondering whether fertility monitors are helpful, harmful, or somewhere in between, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• 02:05 What fertility monitors actually track
• 04:42 Why these tools have become so popular and who they’re built for
• 06:56 What we love about at-home fertility trackers
• 14:35 What we hate about at-home fertility trackers
• 18:06 When to use these tools and when to step back

Links and resources:

• Listen to Episode 06. Why IVF Shouldn’t Be the First Step: Root Cause Fertility Strategies for Practitioners: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/06-why-ivf-shouldnt-be-the-first-step-root-cause/id1831430877?i=1000724420037

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

The content shared by Unconventional Collaborative is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This podcast does not create a doctor-patient, provider-client, or supervisory relationship between you and any of the hosts or contributors.

Additionally, health coaches, fitness professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information shared. Practitioners are expected to use their professional judgment and remain within the legal and ethical scope of their individual certification, licensure, or credentialing body. If there is any uncertainty about what falls within your professional scope of practice, it is your responsibility to consult with your licensing board, certifying organization, or regulatory authority.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no respon

Join the Unconventional Collaborative for 50% off with code HALFOFF: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Are you running too many labs and missing what really matters?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re unpacking a hot topic in functional medicine: testing fatigue. We’re both pro-labs and pro-thinking, and this conversation is all about striking that balance. We share the most common mistakes we see with overtesting, how we approach lab work in our own practices, and why clinical thinking, client readiness, and strong intake forms matter just as much—if not more—than what a lab says.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re leaning too hard on lab work—or felt overwhelmed by all the “must-have” tests—this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• 02:11 Why over-testing is a real problem in functional medicine
• 03:04 What targeted testing actually looks like (and why it matters)
• 03:50 Why conventional testing often misses the full picture
• 04:24 What makes a comprehensive health assessment actually comprehensive
• 06:43 How to assess client capacity before you run anything
• 07:29 The cost, stress, and supplement burden of unnecessary labs
• 12:59 Why clinical intuition gets stronger with experience (and fewer tests)

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

The content shared by Unconventional Collaborative is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Additionally, health coaches, fitness professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information shared. Practitioners are expected to use their professional judgment and remain within the legal and ethical scope of their individual certification, licensure, or credentialing body. If there is any uncertainty about what falls within your professional scope of practice, it is your responsibility to consult with your licensing board, certifying organization, or regulatory authority.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility or liability for any outcomes resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided in this podcast.

Are you asking your clients the questions that actually matter?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re digging into five (plus one!) things we always ask our clients—and think you should too. These aren’t the typical food and supplement questions. We’re talking about what’s really going on behind the scenes.

This episode isn’t just for practitioners—it’s also for anyone who wants to better understand the root causes of their symptoms and feel seen beyond their lab results.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:16 Why news consumption should be part of your client intake
• 05:32 The link between screen time and anxiety (and how it shows up in health)
• 11:22 Airway dysfunction: the root cause no one’s talking about
• 19:56 Why relationships, joy, and purpose matter for health outcomes
• 22:11 How asking for someone’s story shifts your entire clinical approach
• 24:13 Why we always ask about breast implants—and how that changes care

Links and resources:

• Aris Health & Wellness: https://www.arishealthandwellness.com/
• Sleep Test: https://www.sleeptest.com/

Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:

Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/

Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com

Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative

Connect with Laura Ligos:

Website: https://thesassydietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian

Connect with Danielle Kepics:

Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co

Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics

The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.

Additionally, health coaches, fitness professionals, clinicians, and other practitioners are solely responsible for how they interpret and apply the information shared. Practitioners are expected to use their professional judgment and remain within the legal and ethical scope of their individual certification, licensure, or credentialing body. If there is any uncertainty about what falls within your professional scope of practice, it is your responsibility to consult with your licensing board, certifying organization, or regulatory authority.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility or liability for any outcomes resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided in this podcast.

Join the Unconventional Collaborative for 50% off with code HALFOFF: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/