Is chat support helping your business or quietly burning you out?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re unpacking the pros and cons of offering chat support to clients—from how we’ve structured it in our own practices to the unexpected mindset shifts it required. We talk about what works (and what definitely didn’t), how to set boundaries and still offer high-touch care, and why chat support can be a powerful tool for client progress—if it’s used intentionally. 

Whether you're deciding whether to include it, struggling with how to manage it, or feeling like it's becoming too much, this conversation will give you grounded, practical guidance.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:41 Why community and real-time connection matter in client care
• 02:12 The chat support debate: should you offer it or not?
• 02:57 Our personal experiences—what worked, what flopped, what we changed
• 04:15 Boundaries, compensation, and not working for free
• 05:39 How we use chat support effectively in our weekly rhythms
• 06:23 Pros and cons: real talk from both sides of the inbox
• 06:54 Different models and approaches—what works for you
• 08:52 Why chat access can be a huge value-add (even if clients don’t use it)
• 12:02 Setting expectations and encouraging meaningful engagement
• 24:51 Wrapping up with reminders, upcoming events, and the power of overdelivering

Links and resources:

• Listen to Episode 23. How to Design Protocols That Actually Work (Without Overwhelming Your Clients): https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506559/episodes/18491501
• Listen to Episode 21. Masterclasses, Memberships, or 1:1? Choosing the Right Business Model for You: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506559/episodes/18417374

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 in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified provider with questions about your health and never delay seeking care because of something you heard here.

Nothing shared by Unconventional Collaborative is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, and supplement statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This podcast does not create a doctor–patient, provider–client, or supervisory relationship.

All practitioners are responsible for interpreting and applying information within the legal and ethical scope of their own training and credentials. If unsure what falls within your scope of practice, consult your licensing or certifying body.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility for outcomes resulting from use or misuse of this information.

Tired of wondering where to start—or how to actually move a client forward—when it comes to protocol design? If you’ve ever second-guessed your plans, felt overwhelmed by lab results, or struggled to figure out how to balance clinical insight with client capacity, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we break down what protocol design really looks like inside a thriving clinical practice—and why it’s so much more than just stacking supplements. We talk about the foundational pillars we never skip, how to prioritize based on labs and client history, and why slow, supportive progress always beats rigid plans. You’ll also hear the specific tools and strategies we use to individualize our recommendations and build trust and momentum with our clients.

In this episode, we cover:

• 02:25 How we start designing protocols 
• 04:24 The non-negotiable foundations we always build from
• 06:37 Why client habits matter more than the perfect plan
• 12:03 How we personalize protocols based on what’s actually doable
• 17:32 When and how we integrate labs with client history
• 23:05 The value of flexibility and not rushing the process
• 26:56 Final thoughts + what’s coming next inside our community

Links and resources mentioned:

• Listen to Episode 22. The Parasite Cleanse Craze: Marketing, Myths & What You Actually Need: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2506559/episodes/18452084

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 in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified provider with questions about your health and never delay seeking care because of something you heard here.

Nothing shared by Unconventional Collaborative is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, and supplement statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This podcast does not create a doctor–patient, provider–client, or supervisory relationship.

All practitioners are responsible for interpreting and applying information within the legal and ethical scope of their own training and credentials. If unsure what falls within your scope of practice, consult your licensing or certifying body.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility for outcomes resulting from use or misuse of this information.

Are parasites really the root of all your symptoms or just another fear-based fad?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re diving into the popular (and often problematic) phrase: “If you have a pulse, you have a parasite.” We unpack the rise of parasite cleanses in the functional health world, challenge the reflexive use of antimicrobials, and explore why a more nuanced, root-cause approach matters—especially when dealing with vulnerable clients. From testing limitations to the importance of clinical context, we share how we approach suspected parasite issues in our own practices and what truly sets clients up for success. Spoiler: it’s not monthly full-moon cleanses.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:51 Why “If you have a pulse, you have a parasite” makes us cringe
• 04:03 When parasites are actually a concern and when they’re not
• 07:00 What needs to be in place before you even think about treatment
• 12:52 How stress changes everything (and why it's always relevant)
• 14:36 Our final thoughts on discernment, red flags, and what’s coming next

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 in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified provider with questions about your health and never delay seeking care because of something you heard here.

Nothing shared by Unconventional Collaborative is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, and supplement statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This podcast does not create a doctor–patient, provider–client, or supervisory relationship.

All practitioners are responsible for interpreting and applying information within the legal and ethical scope of their own training and credentials. If unsure what falls within your scope of practice, consult your licensing or certifying body.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility for outcomes resulting from use or misuse of this information.

What’s the best business model for a health and wellness practice? Should you launch a membership, stick with 1:1s, or start teaching masterclasses? If you’ve been feeling pressure to scale a certain way—but you’re not sure what actually works for you or your clients—this episode is for you.

Today, we’re unpacking the real-world pros and cons of different business models we've tried—and why the “right” model is the one that matches your energy, your capacity, and the kind of impact you want to make. From the power of staying in 1:1 work (yes, we still love it) to the lessons we’ve learned running masterclasses and memberships, we’re giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how to choose the business structure that actually supports your life.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:21 What’s coming next: special guests + event previews
• 01:53 Business model breakdown: the questions to ask yourself
• 05:01 Why we still believe in 1:1 sessions (and when it’s worth keeping them)
• 12:08 Masterclasses: how they fit, what to teach, and who they’re for
• 16:26 Memberships: the hard truths, what works, and what doesn’t
• 23:00 Final thoughts: you don’t have to do it all

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 in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified provider with questions about your health and never delay seeking care because of something you heard here.

Nothing shared by Unconventional Collaborative is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, and supplement statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This podcast does not create a doctor–patient, provider–client, or supervisory relationship.

All practitioners are responsible for interpreting and applying information within the legal and ethical scope of their own training and credentials. If unsure what falls within your scope of practice, consult your licensing or certifying body.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility for outcomes resulting from use or misuse of this information.

Do you ever wonder what tools are actually worth investing in for your health and wellness business?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re sharing the exact tools that have transformed how we run our practice—from client communication and symptom tracking to batching content and finding community support. These are the platforms and systems we rely on every single day to work smarter (not harder), serve our clients better, and stay connected to other like-minded practitioners.

Whether you’re full-time in your practice or still building it on the side, this episode gives you a peek behind the scenes into what’s working and what’s worth skipping.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:29 What we’re planning (and dreaming about) for 2026 inside the Unconventional Collaborative
• 03:12 The tools that save us hours and keep our business running smoothly
• 04:05 How we actually use Practice Better with clients 
• 07:24 The one client questionnaire we use in every single case
• 11:14 Why email still works and how we keep it simple and effective
• 13:09 How we handle social media (without it taking over our lives)
• 16:11 The ways we’re experimenting with AI in our business
• 19:17 Why you need a community as a practitioner (and how to find one)
• 24:43 What’s coming next—and why we’re so excited about these guests

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 in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified provider with questions about your health and never delay seeking care because of something you heard here.

Nothing shared by Unconventional Collaborative is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, and supplement statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This podcast does not create a doctor–patient, provider–client, or supervisory relationship.

All practitioners are responsible for interpreting and applying information within the legal and ethical scope of their own training and credentials. If unsure what falls within your scope of practice, consult your licensing or certifying body.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility for outcomes resulting from use or misuse of this information.

Have you ever been told you're in perimenopause but something about that felt off? Or maybe you’re a clinician who's had clients walk in with an “official” diagnosis, zero labs, and a whole lot of confusion.

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we unpack the growing wave of perimenopause talk—from the genuine support women deserve to the frustrating ways it’s being misdiagnosed, overused, and under-supported. We talk about the physiology of this transition, the red flags we look for when evaluating clients, the foundational work that needs to happen before hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is even on the table, and why so many women are more depleted than they even realize.

Whether you’re a practitioner, someone navigating your 30s or 40s, or just tired of being dismissed, this conversation will help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface—and what to do about it.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:48 When perimenopause is real—and when it’s not
• 06:00 How late motherhood impacts hormone shifts
• 10:00 Red flags: when HRT is prescribed without context
• 13:00 Why so many women are told to “suck it up”
• 16:00 Our go-to foundations before HRT 
• 23:00 Caffeine, alcohol, depletion, and the stories we’re told
• 26:00 What to ask yourself (or your client) before reaching for a patch or pill

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 in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or qualified provider with questions about your health and never delay seeking care because of something you heard here.

Nothing shared by Unconventional Collaborative is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease, and supplement statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This podcast does not create a doctor–patient, provider–client, or supervisory relationship.

All practitioners are responsible for interpreting and applying information within the legal and ethical scope of their own training and credentials. If unsure what falls within your scope of practice, consult your licensing or certifying body.

Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility for outcomes resulting from use or misuse of this information.

Are you building your wellness business on shaky ground without even realizing it?

In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re pulling back the curtain on all the things we’ve done wrong in business so you don’t have to. We’re talking about red-flag clients, pricing mistakes, boundary breakdowns, tech headaches, and how easy it is to end up resentful when you make exceptions "just this once."

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or stuck in business decisions that just don’t feel right, then this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• 01:48 What NOT to do in your business (even if you see everyone else doing it)
• 11:35 Why clear boundaries with clients protect you and them
• 16:03 Pricing from a place of alignment—not fear or ego
• 18:32 Understanding the market and what value you actually provide
• 18:52 Balancing client load with the energy you actually have
• 19:56 Rethinking how you price, structure, and add value to your offers
• 23:01 The importance of collaboration and not doing this alone
• 24:23 Why entrepreneurship can feel like doing everything and nothing at the same time
• 28:19 The danger of making “exceptions” that lead to resentment
• 31:27 Originality vs. inspiration—and how to know the difference
• 34:27 A sneak peek at exciting events coming to the Collaborative

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 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.

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 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 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.

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 your professional scope of practice, it is your responsibility to consult with your licensing board, certifying organization, or regulatory authority.