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Dr. Perry Nickelston of Stop Chasing Pain returns to Intentionally Well for a deep conversation about what happens when the body begins adapting, compensating, and reorganizing around a problem.

We explore the relationship between the lymphatic system and organ function, the often-overlooked role of the vestibular system and cranial nerves, the way posture can change over time, and how chronic sympathetic activation can shape the way the body moves, protects, and responds.

Dr. Perry also breaks down why pain is often only one part of the story, and why focusing solely on the area that hurts can leave important pieces unexplored.

In this episode, we discuss:

•  Lymphatic flow and organ function 
•  The vestibular system and posture 
•  Cranial nerves and whole-body function 
•  Chronic compensation 
•  Sympathetic dominance and fight-or-flight 
•  What years of altered posture can teach the nervous system 
•  Connections between the feet, jaw, thoracic region, fascia and more 
•  Why symptoms can show up far from the original driver 
•  How to approach a complex body without making the healing process unnecessarily complicated 

If you’re new to Dr. Perry’s work, check out Episode 52: our original conversation on the lymphatic system and the Big 6 Reset You can also watch the standalone Big 6 Reset demonstration from our original conversation. Both below.

CONNECT WITH DR. PERRY NICKELSTON / STOP CHASING PAIN

Stop Chasing Pain Website
Stop Chasing Pain on YouTube
Stop Chasing Pain on Instagram
Stop Chasing Pain on X

MORE WITH DR. PERRY

Episode 52 — Original Intentionally Well Conversation
Big 6 Reset Demonstration

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CONNECT WITH VANESSA

Intentionally Well Website
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Email: [email protected]

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This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

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What if the way you walk, stand, load your feet—or even grip the ground—is telling a story about far more than your feet? This is not simply an episode about foot pain. In fact, you don’t need to have foot pain at all to get something from this conversation.

Today I’m joined by Dr. Jen Perez of Gait Happens, a chiropractor whose work centers around functional movement, biomechanics, gait and lower-extremity assessment, for a fascinating conversation about what the feet can reveal when we stop looking at them in isolation. We talk mechanics, gait, loading, recoil, footwear, and orthotics—but we also go somewhere conversations about the feet rarely go: the nervous system.

How might fear change the way we move? What does compensation tell us about what the body has adapted to? Can our mental and emotional experiences influence the way the body moves, protects, and holds on? And what happens when a diagnosis stops being something we have and slowly becomes part of who we believe we are?

Gait Happens has spent the last decade helping change the conversation around foot health, filling a much-needed gap in education and challenging us to think beyond the conventional, isolated approach to pain and dysfunction.

In this episode:

• Why foot pain isn’t always simply a foot problem
• The two-way relationship between the feet and the rest of the body
• The fascinating connection between the feet, gait, and nervous system
• What the way someone walks and carries themselves can tell us
• Surprising signs of fight-or-flight that may show up through the feet
• Fear of movement and how pain can change the way we move
• Adaptation, compensation, and the body’s ability to protect
• The mental and emotional components of pain
• Why language matters when talking about pain and the body
• Gait, loading, recoil, and healthy foot mechanics
• Footwear as a tool (not a universal prescription)
• The nuance around orthotics and individual needs
• What Dr. Jen looks for in footwear
• Building capacity and resilience rather than simply chasing symptoms

Connect with Dr. Jen & Gait Happens:

• Gait Happens YouTube
• Gait Happens Instagram
• Gait Happens Toe Spacers
• Gait Happens Toe Strengtheners
• Be Lenka Barefoot Shoes — Use code GAITHAPPENS for discount
• Altra Running

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Purchasing through these links is an easy way to support the podcast at no additional cost to you. 

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Connect with Vanessa and IWP:

• IWP Website: Intentionally Well Podcast
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• Vanessa on Instagram
• Podcast on YouTube
• Vanessa on TikTok
• Vanessa on X
• Email: [email protected]

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This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

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If you are enjoying this podcast and want to support Vanessa's work, you can do so here: Buy Me a Coffee – Intentionally Well

The carnivore diet is one of the most talked-about (and often misunderstood!) approaches to nutrition today. While many people associate it with weight loss or social media trends, there's much more to the conversation than that.

In this episode, I'm joined by Casey Ruff, host of Boundless Body Radio, for what became one of the most in-depth discussions I've had on the podcast surrounding carnivore nutrition, ketogenic diets, and metabolic health.

Together, we explore the science behind these approaches, why some individuals choose them for reasons far beyond weight loss, and the importance of recognizing that nutrition is rarely one-size-fits-all. We also discuss protein, metabolic flexibility, differences between men and women, GLP-1 medications, what Casey actually eats in a day, and why asking better questions about our health may be more valuable than searching for one perfect diet.

Whether you're simply curious about carnivore or you've been hearing more about it lately, I hope this conversation helps you better understand the thinking behind this approach.

We discuss:

• Casey's journey into ketogenic and carnivore nutrition, and why it was never part of the original plan. 
• The differences between ketogenic and carnivore diets. 
• Why some people explore these approaches for therapeutic and medical reasons beyond weight loss. 
• Common misconceptions surrounding carnivore. 
• Protein, metabolic health, and metabolic flexibility. 
• Important considerations for women versus men. 
• Individualized nutrition and why there is rarely a one-size-fits-all approach. 
• GLP-1 medications and the broader conversation around metabolic health. 
• What a day-in-the-life of eating looks like for Casey.
• Practical advice for someone who is simply "carnivore curious."

Connect with Casey and Boundless Body Radio:

• Website: myboundlessbody.com
• Podcast on Apple: Boundless Body Radio on Apple Podcasts
• Podcast on Spotify: Boundless Body Radio on Spotify
• YouTube Channel: Boundless Body LLC on YouTube

Connect with Vanessa and the podcast: 

• Click here to explore the Intentionally Well Affiliate & Discount Hub
• IWP Website: Intentionally Well Podcast
• Substack: Intentionally Well Reflections
• Podcast on Instagram
• Vanessa on Instagram
• Podcast on YouTube
• Vanessa on TikTok
• Vanessa on X
• Email: [email protected]

Support the show

This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

Send Vanessa a text or a voicemail!

If you are enjoying this podcast and want to support Vanessa's work, you can do so here: Buy Me a Coffee – Intentionally Well

Most of us don't think much about our eye health until something changes.

Earlier this year, I experienced an unexpected change in my own vision that led me down a path of learning more about eye health, and it quickly became clear just how many people are navigating dry eye, screen fatigue, floaters, and other vision concerns without fully understanding what's happening.

In this episode, I'm joined by optometrist and dry eye specialist Dr. Pam Theriot for a practical conversation about protecting your vision in today's digital world. We discuss why dry eye is becoming increasingly common, how screen use impacts the eyes, changes that can occur with age, and simple habits that can support long-term eye health.

Whether you're experiencing symptoms or simply want to be more proactive, this episode is filled with practical, evidence-informed advice you can begin applying today.

In This Episode:

• Why dry eye is becoming increasingly common
• The impact of screen time on eye health and digital eye strain
• Hormones and their role in dry eye and vision changes
• Understanding floaters and the eye's gel-like vitreous
• Common vision changes that can occur as we age
• Eye makeup, false lashes, and habits that may affect your eyes
• Choosing and using eye drops wisely
• Practical strategies for protecting your long-term eye health
• When it's time to see an eye care professional

About Dr. Pam Theriot:

Dr. Pam Theriot serves as the Clinical Director of the Dry Eye Center at Lusk Eye Specialists in Shreveport, Louisiana. She earned her undergraduate degree from Rice University before receiving her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry. She completed a residency at the State University of New York College of Optometry and a fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry.

Passionate about patient education, Dr. Theriot launched her educational blog and published Alleviate Dry Eye to help individuals better understand and manage dry eye disease. She serves on the Public Awareness Committee of the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS), is the Dry Eye Disease columnist for Optometric Management, and lectures internationally on ocular surface disease, aesthetics, presbyopia, and dry eye. In 2025, her TEDx talk on the importance of eye health in the digital age received an Editor's Pick Award.

Connect with Dr. Pam:

Website & Resources

• Dr. Pam's Website
• Free Dry Eye Guides & Patient Resources
• Watch Dr. Pam's TEDx Talk

Follow Dr. Pam

• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• X (Twitter)
• TikTok

Connect with Vanessa and the podcast: 

• Click here to explore the Intentionally Well Affiliate & Discount Hub
• IWP Website: Intentionally Well Podcast
• Substack: Intentionally Well Reflections
• Podcast on Instagram
• Vanessa on Instagram
• Podcast on YouTube
• Vanessa on TikTok
• Vanessa on X
• Email: [email protected]

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This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

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(Every purchase made through these affiliate links helps support Intentionally Well at no additional cost to you. Thank you for helping me continue these conversations.)

Originally aired: June 18, 2025 

Every summer, I like to revisit one or two conversations that have continued to stay with me long after the microphone was turned off. As part of this Conversations Worth Revisiting series, I'm bringing back one of the most powerful and hope-filled episodes in the history of Intentionally Well.

In this conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Pete Sulack—a husband, father, practitioner, and passionate follower of Christ—who shares the extraordinary story of walking through a diagnosis of Grade 4 diffuse astrocytoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Rather than allowing fear to define his path, Dr. Pete shares how his faith, intentional lifestyle changes, and commitment to supporting his body's terrain became central to his healing journey. Here we explore the intersection of faith, functional health, resilience, and what it means to pursue hope in the face of an impossible diagnosis.

Whether this is your first time hearing this conversation or you're revisiting it alongside me, I pray it encourages you as much today as it did when it first aired.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dr. Pete's diagnosis and the mindset that shaped his response
• Why informed decision-making matters when navigating serious illness
• The role of metabolism, mitochondria, and cellular health in healing
• How chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation can influence overall health
• Lifestyle strategies that helped create an environment supportive of healing
• Dr. Pete's experience with various therapeutic approaches, including ivermectin and fenbendazole
• The importance of supporting detoxification pathways
• Walking through suffering with faith, resilience, and hope
• Trusting God while making thoughtful, intentional health decisions

Connect with Dr. Pete Sulack:

• Instagram: @drpetesulack
• Be Resilient Program: redeemfm.com
• Redeem Essentials (Supplements): redeemessentials.com
• Matthew 10 International (Nonprofit): matthew10.com
• To receive Dr. Pete’s Resilience Protocol for free, comment the word “PROTOCOL” on any IG video.
• Book a consultation: redeemfm.com

Connect with Vanessa and the podcast: 

• IWP Website: Intentionally Well Podcast
• Substack: Intentionally Well Reflections
• Podcast on Instagram
• Vanessa on Instagram
• Podcast on YouTube
• Vanessa on TikTok
• Vanessa on X
• Email: [email protected]

Support the show

This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

Send Vanessa a text or a voicemail!

If you are enjoying this podcast and want to support Vanessa's work, you can do so here: Buy Me a Coffee – Intentionally Well

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to join Casey Ruff on Boundless Body Radio for a conversation about my ongoing health journey. After the interview, Casey generously invited me to share the episode here on Intentionally Well, and I knew it was one I wanted to bring to this community.

While many of you have heard pieces of my story over the years, this conversation gave me the chance to reflect on the physical side of my journey in a way I haven't often done on the podcast. We discuss the challenges of navigating chronic symptoms, the search for answers, the realities of living through an ongoing healing process, and what it looks like to continue showing up when the path forward isn't always clear.

I appreciated Casey's thoughtful questions and the space he created for an honest and meaningful discussion, and I'm excited to share it with you today.

In this episode, we discuss:

•  Aspects of my personal health journey and how it has evolved over the years 
•  The physical challenges that have shaped my day-to-day life 
•  Searching for answers when progress feels slow or uncertain 
•  What I've learned through years of navigating chronic health concerns 
•  The role of hope, perseverance, and continuing to move forward 
•  Reflections on healing while still being in the middle of the story 

About Casey Ruff:

Casey Ruff is the host of Boundless Body Radio, a podcast dedicated to helping listeners optimize health, fitness, and longevity through thoughtful conversations with experts, practitioners, and individuals with inspiring health journeys.

Connect with Boundless Body Radio:

Casey's Podcast on Apple

Casey's Podcast on Spotify

Connect with Vanessa and the podcast: 

• IWP Website: Intentionally Well Podcast
• Check out IWP Recommended Products
• Substack: Intentionally Well Reflections
• Podcast on Instagram
• Vanessa on Instagram
• Podcast on YouTube
• Vanessa on TikTok
• Vanessa on X
• Email: [email protected]

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review or sharing it with a friend. Your support helps so much!

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A special listener discount is available for Mara Labs products featured in this episode: Explore Mara Labs (Code is VANESSA)

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In this episode, I’m joined by David Roberts, founder of Mara Labs, for a conversation exploring cellular health, modern environmental stressors, and the body’s natural resilience systems.

David’s journey into this space began after his late wife Mara’s cancer diagnosis, which led him to deeply explore plant-based compounds and how they interact with cellular protection and repair mechanisms. That path eventually led to the development of BrocElite, a stabilized sulforaphane supplement designed to support detoxification pathways, mitochondrial function, and overall cellular resilience.

We discuss topics including sulforaphane, oxidative stress, detoxification and autophagy pathways, metabolic health and GLP-1 signaling, genetic variability such as MTHFR and COMT, and how modern environmental exposures like microplastics may be impacting overall health.

This is a wide-ranging conversation aimed at helping make complex biology more understandable and grounded in real-life application.

Key Topics Covered:

•  Sulforaphane and cellular defense systems 
•  Detoxification pathways and autophagy 
•  Mitochondrial health and oxidative stress 
•  Modern environmental exposures (including microplastics) 
•  Metabolic health and GLP-1 signaling 
•  Genetic variability (MTHFR / COMT) and sensitivity 
•  Why some people feel more reactive in today’s environment 
• Sulforaphane and pet health
•  BrocElite and Mara Labs story 

Connect with David:

• Mara Labs on Instagram
• Explore Mara Labs

Connect with Vanessa and the podcast: 

• IWP Website: Intentionally Well Podcast
• IWP Recommended Products
• Podcast on Instagram
• Vanessa on Instagram
• Podcast on YouTube
• Vanessa on TikTok
• Vanessa on X
• Email: [email protected]

Support the show

This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

Send Vanessa a text or a voicemail!

 If you’d like to support Vanessa and the podcast, you can do so here:
 Buy Me a Coffee

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Cherie Calbom, widely known as The Juice Lady. Cherie holds a Master’s degree in nutrition and has been a pioneer in whole-food nutrition and the juicing movement for decades. She is the author of 36 books, including the global bestseller Juicing for Life, which has helped millions of people reclaim their health through vibrant, nourishing foods.

Her latest book, The Truth About Seed Oils, explores one of the most controversial and overlooked topics in modern nutrition: 

How industrial seed oils became widely promoted as “heart healthy,” and what that shift may have meant for public health over time.

But this conversation goes far beyond just seed oils.

Together, we explored:

•  The history and rise of industrial seed oils 
•  How marketing and dietary guidelines shaped public perception 
•  The role of industry influence and lobbying in modern food systems 
•  The contrast between whole, traditional foods and ultra-processed oils 
•  And the deeper question of how far we’ve drifted from real, nourishing food 

We also found ourselves moving into a more reflective space as we discuss our cultural disconnection from food, the loss of reverence around eating, and what it might look like to return to a more grounded and intentional relationship with nourishment. 

This is a conversation that blends history, nutrition, culture, and deeper reflection on what it means to truly nourish the body.

I also mentioned my daily vitamin E supplement during this episode:
Mitolife PUFA Protect Vitamin E

You can use code Vanessa15 for 15% off if you choose to try it.

 Connect with Cherie:

•  Cherie’s Seed Oil Book & Resources: The Truth About Seed Oils
•  Cherie’s Website: Juice Lady Info
•  Instagram: @juiceladycherie

Connect with Vanessa and the podcast: 

• IWP Website: Intentionally Well Podcast
• IWP Recommended Products
• Podcast on Instagram
• Vanessa on Instagram
• Podcast on YouTube
• Vanessa on TikTok
• Vanessa on X
• Email: [email protected]

Support the show

This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

Send Vanessa a text or a voicemail!

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Buy me a coffee

IWP Recommended Products

What happens when the experience of chronic illness itself becomes traumatic?

In today’s episode, we explore the intersection of chronic illness, health trauma, the nervous system, and the brain-body connection. This conversation goes beyond root causes and diagnoses to examine what living in survival mode for long periods of time can do to the body, mind, and healing process over time.

Dr. Krista Morton and I discuss how chronic illness can shape the nervous system, reinforce fear patterns, impact emotional safety, and create physiological adaptations that many people living with complex illness know all too well. We also talk about the nuanced relationship between real physical illness and nervous system involvement—and why acknowledging the brain’s role in healing is not the same as dismissing physiological dysfunction.

This was a deeply thoughtful conversation that weaves together physiology, trauma, emotional health, nervous system regulation, and faith in a grounded and compassionate way.

Dr. Krista Morton, D.Sc., MA, INHC is an integrative medicine practitioner and founder of SomaSonder Wellness, where she works with individuals navigating complex chronic illness through a whole-body, root-cause approach that honors both physiology and lived experience. Her work focuses on conditions including mold illness, Lyme disease, MCAS, CIRS, autoimmune conditions, and nervous system dysregulation.

In this episode, we discuss:

•  Health trauma and the long-term impact of chronic illness 
•  How the brain and nervous system adapt to prolonged stress and illness 
•  Chronic illness as a survival state 
•  Fear, hypervigilance, and symptom amplification 
•  Complex PTSD and the nervous system 
•  Brain retraining and neural pathways 
•  The relationship between physiology and emotional health 
•  Mold illness, Lyme disease, MCAS, and chronic inflammatory conditions 
•  Root-cause healing and whole-body approaches 
•  The role of faith, resilience, and emotional safety in healing

Connect with Dr. Krista Morton:

• Dr. Krista’s Website
• Follow Dr. Krista on Instagram

Books Referenced:

• You Were Never Broken
• Healing the Shame That Binds You

Connect with Vanessa and the podcast: 

• IWP Website: Intentionally Well Podcast
• Podcast on Instagram
• Vanessa on Instagram
• Podcast on YouTube
• Podcast on TikTok
• Podcast on X
• Email: [email protected]

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This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.

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In this episode, I’m joined by classically trained homeopath Krista Rivet for a deeper conversation about homeopathy—what it is, how it’s used, and why it continues to be widely misunderstood.

Rather than staying at the surface level of “homeopathy basics,” we explore the nuance behind this practice: how remedies are selected, why two people with the same diagnosis may require completely different approaches, and what it actually means to treat the individual rather than just the condition.

We also discuss some of the most common misunderstandings around homeopathy (especially in real-world use), along with the role of emotional and mental states in the healing process, and how practitioners think about supporting the body as a whole system.

This conversation is both educational and reflective, and is intended for anyone curious about homeopathy, whether you’re completely new to it or already have experience but want a deeper understanding of how it works in practice.

Topics covered include:

•  What homeopathy is and how it differs from conventional approaches 
•  Why it is often misunderstood 
•  The importance of individualized treatment 
•  Emotional and mental health in relation to physical symptoms 
•  Common misconceptions and mistakes in usage 
•  How homeopathy can be used alongside other approaches 

Krista Rivet is a classically trained homeopath based in Canada with a background in psychology and health. She works extensively with women and children and continues to expand her studies through ongoing education and training.

Connect with Krista and resources mentioned:

• Krista Rivet’s Website
• Homeopathy Research Institute
• AIH Guide to Homeopathic Research
• Krista on Instagram

Connect with Vanessa and the podcast: 

• IWP Website: Intentionally Well Podcast
• Podcast on Instagram
• Vanessa on Instagram
• Podcast on YouTube
• Podcast on TikTok
• Podcast on X
• Email: [email protected]

Support the show

This episode is for informational purposes only. Please consult a trusted health practitioner for individual concerns.