In this enlightening conversation, Marly Jones and Allison Beardsley explore the transformative journey of healing chronic illness through faith, community, and innovative wellness practices. Allison shares her personal story of overcoming chronic pain, the founding of Club Pilates, and her transition to the Red Light Method, a groundbreaking approach to wellness. The discussion emphasizes the importance of gratitude, peace, and resilience in navigating life's challenges, while also highlighting the role of faith in personal growth and healing.

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Transformation

03:45T he Journey from Pain to Purpose0

7:02 Founding Club Pilates: A Story of Resilience

09:49 Navigating Business Challenges and Growth

12:45The Decision to Sell Club Pilates

15:50 Post-Traumatic Growth and Resilience

18:49 Chronic Pain and Emotional Healing

21:59 Raising Kids in a Counter-Cultural Way2

4:45 Balancing Family Life and Passion Projects

29:16 The Impact of Community and Faith on Well-being3

4:59 Healing Through Red Light Therapy

40:00 Balancing Work, Family, and Spirituality

42:48 Navigating Chronic Pain and Emotional Health

49:58 The Power of Perspective and Gratitude

53:47 Taking Action: Faith as a Verb

In this episode of Healing Chronic Illness, Marly Jones explores the critical role of mitochondrial health in energy and resilience. She discusses the importance of antioxidants, stress management, sleep, exercise, sunlight, and supplements in supporting mitochondrial function. The conversation emphasizes practical strategies for improving energy levels and overall well-being, particularly for those dealing with chronic illnesses.

Takeaways

• Mitochondria are essential for energy production in the body.
• Antioxidants help protect mitochondria from damage.
• Chronic stress can impair mitochondrial function.
• Sleep is crucial for mitochondrial repair and health.
• Exercise, especially strength training, supports mitochondrial health.
• Morning sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythms and boosts mitochondrial function.
• A balanced diet rich in antioxidants is vital for energy.
• Stress management techniques can enhance mitochondrial production.
• Quality sleep is necessary for optimal mitochondrial function.
• Supplements can support mitochondrial health but should be taken wisely.

Chapters00:00Understanding Energy and Resilience02:55The Role of Antioxidants in Mitochondrial Health07:33Stress Management and Mitochondrial Production09:23The Importance of Sleep for Mitochondria10:48Exercise: Building Strong Cells and Mitochondria13:11The Power of Morning Sunlight14:59Supplementing for Mitochondrial Health

In this episode, Marly sits down with Kelly Jean Pittman and her daughter, Jayna, for a deeply encouraging conversation about trauma, attachment, brain health, and the real hope that healing is possible—no matter how difficult the beginning of the story may be. Kelly shares the powerful journey of adopting Jayna from China and navigating heart surgery, medical crises, extreme behavioral challenges, and daily PTSD-level meltdowns. Their story highlights how understanding developmental trauma and the brain’s stress response transformed the way Kelly parented and advocated for her daughter.

Listeners will hear how vision therapy, developmental movement, and especially NeurOptimal neurofeedback helped calm Jayna’s overactive nervous system, allowing her to form secure attachment, feel safe, and participate fully in relationships and everyday life. Kelly also breaks down the four pillars of brain health from her book Unleashing Happiness: nourishing food, decreasing toxin exposure, movement and sensory input, and restorative sleep. Together, Kelly and Jayna offer an honest look at living in a chronic stress response, what it feels like to “drop floors” back into calm, and why healing is a lifelong journey rather than a quick fix.

The conversation also explores the impact of screens on developing and dysregulated brains, why delaying smartphones was a profound gift for Jayna, and how their new ministry, Faithfully Unapologetic, is equipping Christian moms raising children with emotional and behavioral challenges. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or someone seeking your own emotional and neurological healing, this episode offers practical tools, spiritual encouragement, and genuine hope for meaningful transformation.

Marly shares about the neuroscience behind the term, Manifestation.

Daily Neural Warm-Up Protocol

1️⃣ Minute 1 — Set Intention
Say out loud what you’re building into your life: “Today I choose peace,” “I move my body for energy,” “I trust God with this healing process.”
When you speak it, your brain’s language centers link to your emotional and motor systems.

2️⃣ Minute 2 — Name the Old Pattern
Briefly acknowledge what you’re leaving behind: “I used to react in fear,” or “I used to skip self-care.”
Awareness lights up the pre-frontal cortex — the part that allows change.

3️⃣ Minutes 3–4 — State Change
Move your body: stretch, breathe deeply, shake out your arms.
Physical movement releases neurochemicals like dopamine and adrenaline that prime your brain for focus.
You’re literally preparing your neural soil for new growth.

4️⃣ Minute 5 — Micro-Action Commitment
Choose one tiny step you can do today. Maybe it’s “drink one glass of water before coffee,” or “pause for five slow breaths before checking email.”
Small wins are what build neural momentum.

5️⃣ Minute 6 — Visualize Success & Reward
Picture yourself doing it and feeling proud. Your brain doesn’t differentiate much between real and vividly imagined action — you get a preview dose of dopamine.

6️⃣ Minute 7 — Anchor & Pray
End with a breath and a prayer:
“Lord, thank You for renewing my mind and healing my body as I walk in Your peace.”
Faith and gratitude activate the same pre-frontal regions that reinforce hope and resilience.

That’s it. Seven minutes to prime your brain for growth and healing.

In this illuminating episode of Healing Chronic Illness with Marly, naturopath and neurotrainer Marly Jones dives into the healing power of light — from red and blue light therapies to ultraviolet medical treatments like PUVA.

Learn how light interacts with your cells’ “solar panels,” the mitochondria, to recharge your energy, calm inflammation, and restore balance to your immune and nervous systems. Marly also shares her personal journey with vitiligo, how early light-based treatments shaped her healing path, and why gentle, consistent exposure to natural and therapeutic light can help your body remember how to self-heal.

Whether you’re curious about home red light devices, managing chronic inflammation, or simply seeking natural ways to detox stress and boost your mood — this episode will help you see light as one of the body’s most powerful and God-given healing tools.

Many brain retraining programs like DNRS, Gupta, and Primal Trust rely on focus and motivation—but when your brain is stuck in survival mode, those systems aren’t online. In this episode, learn how neuroplasticity works, why effort-based retraining can backfire, and how NeurOptimal® aligns with your brain’s natural design—using gentle, real-time feedback to support self-regulation, healing, and lasting resilience.

What if stress isn’t the enemy, but your body’s built-in training system for strength, courage, and faith?

In this solo episode, Marly explores the powerful difference between stress relief and stress resilience—and why trying to eliminate all stress can actually keep you from growing. You’ll learn how to view stress as helpful instead of harmful, how that mindset shift transforms your emotional and spiritual life, and what’s happening in your brain when you face challenges with courage.

You’ll discover:

• Why anxiety and stress responses are God-given survival tools designed to help you adapt and thrive

• The role of the mid-anterior cingulate cortex (mACC)—your brain’s “courage center”—and how doing hard things strengthens it

• How to expand your window of tolerance without pushing yourself into overwhelm

• Practical ways to train your body’s cues to work for you, not against you

• How to listen to your nervous system so it begins to trust you as its own gatekeeper

• The connection between faith, neuroplasticity, and emotional resilience—how the renewing of your mind is both spiritual and biological

Scripture References:
2 Timothy 1:7
James 1:2–4
Romans 12:2
Psalm 46:10

This episode will help you stop fighting stress and start partnering with it—using both neuroscience and faith to build a calmer, more confident, and resilient life.

Summary

In this episode, Marly Jones discusses the powerful natural supplement N-acetylcysteine (NAC), highlighting its detoxifying properties and benefits for various organs, including the liver, kidneys, and lungs. She explains how NAC serves as a precursor to glutathione, the body's master antioxidant, and why it may be more effective than glutathione for individuals with chronic illnesses like Lyme disease and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). The episode also covers safe supplementation practices and food sources rich in cysteine, the amino acid from which NAC is derived. Marly emphasizes the importance of consulting healthcare professionals before starting any new supplement regimen.

• NAC is a powerful detox supplement that supports various organs.
• It is a precursor to glutathione, the body's master antioxidant.
• NAC is often more effective than glutathione for chronic illnesses.
• It is used in emergency medicine to treat acetaminophen overdoses.
• NAC helps protect the kidneys from damage during medical procedures.
• It reduces inflammation in the lungs and is beneficial for respiratory issues.
• NAC can cross the blood-brain barrier and support mental health.
• It boosts the immune system and helps with chronic infections.
• Food sources rich in cysteine include poultry, eggs, and cruciferous vegetables.
• Consult a healthcare professional before starting NAC supplementation.

Summary

In this episode, Marly Jones explores the intricate connection between the mind and body, focusing on how chronic stress and trauma manifest physically, particularly through the psoas muscle. She discusses the importance of understanding this connection for healing and introduces methods such as Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) and Foundation Training to help release stored tension and promote overall well-being. Marly emphasizes the necessity of feeling safe in one's body as a crucial aspect of mental health and healing.

Takeaways

The body stores stress in muscles, particularly the psoas.

Chronic stress can lead to pain and dysfunction.

The psoas connects the emotional brain to the physical body.

TRE can help release built-up tension and trauma.

Foundation Training teaches proper movement patterns.

Feeling safe is essential for mental health.

Trauma is a physical imprint stored in the body.

Regular practice of TRE can reduce anxiety and improve sleep.

Resilience is key to managing stress effectively.

Healing is a non-linear journey, requiring patience and self-kindness.

In this episode, Marly Jones explores the intersection of faith and science, particularly focusing on how prayer and neuroscience interact to promote healing. She discusses insights from experts like Dr. Lee Warren and Dr. Daniel Amen, emphasizing the transformative effects of prayer on the brain. The conversation delves into neurotheology, the study of how spiritual experiences affect brain function, and offers practical steps for incorporating prayer into daily life to enhance mental health and well-being. Marly encourages listeners to embrace gratitude and track their healing journeys, highlighting that prayer is not just a means of seeking help but a pathway to personal resurrection and transformation.

• Your brain actually changes when you pray.
• Prayer transforms the mind, rewires the brain.
• Neurotheology studies how our brains respond to spiritual experiences.
• Gratitude and worship light up brain regions associated with joy.
• Prayer is healing medicine for the brain.
• Science is confirming the promises of God for us.
• You are not hardwired; your brain can change.
• Gratitude activates the brain's happiness centers.
• Prayer isn't just for rescue, it's for resurrection.
• We are wired for connection with our creator.