The U.S.  has the highest rate of maternal deaths and complications among developed nations, but it doesn’t have to be this way. We sit down with Melissa Hanna, founder and CEO of Mahmee, a groundbreaking maternal healthcare company uniting nurses, doulas, OBs, lactation consultants, mental health providers, nutritionists, and more into one coordinated circle of care.

Melissa shares the personal spark—co-founding Mahmee with her mother, a longtime nurse and lactation consultant—that set her on a mission to change maternal health. We dive into the overlooked root causes behind poor maternal outcomes and why too many moms feel dismissed in the system.

Whether you’re pregnant, planning to be, or want to support people who are pregnant, this conversation is packed with insights, advocacy tips, and one bold idea for how we can rewire the entire maternal health system.

Notes:

Follow Melissa Hanna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissachanna/

Follow Mahmee on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mahmee

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

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

Megan lit up the kitchen on Season 4 of Next Level Chef with her creativity, but it was her decision to step away for her health that truly set her apart. In this episode, the Minneapolis-based personal chef, nutrition coach, and autoimmune advocate shares the full story behind her time on the show, and her journey with a chronic health condition. 

With a background in Public Health and Nutrition and features in Shape Magazine and Well+Good, Megan opens up about the reality of living (and cooking) with an autoimmune condition, the stress-symptom connection, and how she uses food as a form of self-care, healing, and empowerment.

This conversation is full of honesty and practical insight for anyone living with chronic illness, chasing a dream, or learning how to truly nourish themselves.

Notes:

Visit megansheley.com for more about Megan, including some of her mouthwatering recipes.

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/megansheley/?hl=en

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@megansheley

For years, Erin Kerry was told her mental health struggles were due to a “chemical imbalance.” She did what many do: followed the standard treatment plan. Medications led to more medications to manage side effects. But through it all, she never truly felt well.

In this eye-opening episode of Health Under the Hood, Dr. Markyia Nichols sits down with Erin, functional medicine practitioner, mother of three, and host of the Sparking Wholeness podcast, to talk about what happens when conventional care falls short, and what’s possible when we dig deeper.

Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, PTSD, and depression, Erin went on a personal mission to heal, not just survive. Her journey led her to uncover powerful root causes, from past trauma to nutrient deficiencies to gut health imbalances, and remain medication-free for more than a decade.

Notes:

Sparking Wholeness Podcast

Book: Live Beyond Your Label

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sparkingwholeness/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sparkingwholeness

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-kerry-655a59111/

Dr. Keesha Ewers is board-certified in both functional and Ayurvedic medicine, a Doctor of Sexology, trauma-informed psychotherapist, integrative medicine nurse practitioner, and a MAPS-certified MDMA-assisted psychotherapy therapist. 

With more than 40 years in the medical field, Dr. Ewers helps women reverse autoimmune disease, heal childhood trauma, and reconnect with themselves in profound ways. After conducting the HURT Study in 2013, she developed the HURT Model, redefining how we understand the connection between unresolved trauma and chronic illness.

In this episode, we explore her groundbreaking work, her own deeply personal health journey through autoimmune disease and childhood abuse, and how she emerged with a mission to heal others at the root. If you’ve ever felt that your physical symptoms might have deeper emotional origins, or wondered if full-body healing is really possible, this conversation is for you.

Let’s get Under the Hood.

Notes:

Check out Dr. Ewers’ book on Amazon - Solving the Autoimmune Puzzle 

Follow her work:

https://www.drkeesha.com/

Instagram - @drkeesha

Facebook - @drkeeshaewers

LinkedIn - @keeshaewers

This episode dives into the incredible story of Shaun and Shamus Evans—the father-son duo who just made history at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, becoming the first tandem team to ever cross the finish line, clocking in at an astonishing 3 hours and 15 minutes. But their journey didn’t start in Tokyo. In 2015, they ran 3,200+ miles across America from Seattle to NYC, gifting Freedom Push chairs to families along the way to champion inclusion. From the open roads of the U.S. to the world stage in Tokyo, Shaun and Shamus are proving that real endurance isn't just physical—it's driven by purpose, love, and an unbreakable bond. Get ready for a story of grit, heart, and a mission that’s changing the meaning of movement forever.

Check out their book on Amazon - Better Together: A Memoir of Persistence, Inclusion, and a Family’s Power to Overcome 

Follow them on social media:

Instagram - power2push

Facebook - power2push

In this episode, board-certified clinical hypnotherapist, Dr. Sonia Gupte, explains the fascinating connection between the subconscious mind and physical health. Discover how this ancient practice, backed by cutting-edge science, can help prevent, manage, and even reverse disease.

Dr. Gupte takes us on a journey through the history of hypnotherapy, explaining how the mind's untapped potential can unlock profound changes in the body’s ability to heal. From boosting the immune system to reducing chronic pain, reversing stress-related diseases, and improving overall wellness, hypnotherapy is a powerful, non-invasive tool for health transformation.

Bio: Dr. Sonia Gupte is a doctor turned healer, board-certified clinical hypnotherapist, international bestselling author, certified hypnotherapy trainer and mentor, and founder and director of Enso-nia, Center for Mind and Life Transformation in San Diego.

Dr. Gupte’s book:

Within: Finding Yourself, Fixing What’s Broken, & Finally Reclaiming True Health

Dr. Gupte’s website:  enso-nia.com 

Follow Dr. Gupte on social media:

Instagram 

Facebook

In this episode, Deborah discusses her unique approach to treating hormonal imbalances, the importance of the hypothalamus, and the key factors that contribute to health issues that many practitioners overlook.

Enjoy 10% off at Deborah's store with code HEALTHUNDERTHEHOOD10. Don’t forget to check out her book, The Hypothalamus Handbook, for more insights.