In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman is joined by Dr. Pamela W. Smith, a trailblazer in functional medicine and hormone health, for a deeply insightful conversation on the foundational role hormones play in overall well-being.

Dr. Smith unpacks the hormonal hierarchy—why addressing adrenal, thyroid, and sex hormones in the right order matters—and how chronic stress, unresolved trauma, and environmental toxins disrupt this delicate balance. She highlights the gut microbiome’s surprising role in hormone regulation, the necessity of personalized testing, and why detoxification is often a missing piece in healing protocols.

Together, they explore how functional hormone therapy, strategic weight management, and even rediscovering personal purpose can help patients reclaim vibrant health from the inside out.

• The hormonal hierarchy: adrenal, thyroid, and sex hormones explained
• How gut health impacts hormone balance—and vice versa
• The overlooked role of trauma and stress in hormone dysfunction
• Why personalized lab testing is essential for accurate diagnosis
• Detox strategies for hormone-disrupting toxins
• Insights into bioidentical hormone therapy and weight regulation
• The connection between purpose, mindset, and long-term healing

• Dr. Pamela W. Smith – Official Website: https://www.centerforselfhealingarts.com
• Books by Dr. Pamela W. Smith: Available on Amazon
• Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com
• YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here
• LinkedIn – Dr. Aaron Hartman: Connect Here

👉 If you’re navigating hormone-related issues, gut imbalances, or just feel like something’s off—this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe to Made for Health, share this episode with someone who needs hope and clarity, and explore Dr. Smith’s books for deeper support on your healing journey.

In this episode of Made for Health, host Dr. Aaron Hartman answers a listener’s question by exploring how nutrition plays a critical role in our daily energy levels, cognitive clarity, and long-term health. Drawing from his clinical expertise, Dr. Hartman breaks down three of the biggest—but often overlooked—diet-related causes of fatigue: harmful fats, excess sugar and carbs, and chronic dehydration with low electrolytes.

He offers practical guidance on how to make smarter food choices, boost hydration, and improve your body’s ability to generate energy—without relying on caffeine or quick fixes. If you’ve ever hit an afternoon energy slump or struggled with brain fog, this bite-sized episode is full of simple shifts that can make a real difference.

• The top 3 nutrition-based causes of energy crashes
• How seed oils and bad fats disrupt your metabolism
• The sugar-insulin rollercoaster and its effect on brain function
• Why electrolytes are just as important as water
• Easy fixes for boosting hydration, focus, and stamina
• How to use food to fuel—not drain—your day

• What types of fats are harming your mitochondria and slowing you down?
• How does blood sugar instability affect mental clarity and energy?
• Are you drinking enough water—but still feeling tired?
• How can you improve energy without reaching for caffeine?

• How your diet may be silently sabotaging your energy
• The connection between hydration, sodium, and mental performance
• What Dr. Hartman recommends for sustainable focus and stamina
• Functional strategies to nourish your brain and body every day
• Why nutritional balance is key to long-term vitality

• Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com
• YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here
• LinkedIn – Dr. Aaron Hartman: Connect Here

👉 If you’re ready to stop feeling drained and start fueling your day with intention, subscribe to Made for Health. Share this episode with a friend who needs an energy reset—and submit your own health questions for future episodes!

In this episode of Made for Health, host Erin is joined by Dr. Amie Hornaman, also known as The Thyroid Fixer, for a candid and empowering conversation about thyroid health, hormone balance, and personalized healing.

Dr. Hornaman shares her powerful personal story of being a high-performing athlete whose life was derailed by a misdiagnosed thyroid condition—an experience that ultimately inspired her to become one of today’s leading voices in thyroid education. Together, she and Erin explore the real challenges of diagnosing and treating thyroid dysfunction, the crucial role of nutrition (especially protein), and why muscle maintenance matters deeply for women’s hormone health.

They also dive into emerging therapies, why standard lab ranges aren’t always enough, and how to find practitioners who will listen, test thoroughly, and treat root causes—not just symptoms.

Show Highlights:

✅ Dr. Hornaman’s journey from frustrated patient to expert practitioner

✅ Why so many thyroid conditions go undiagnosed or undertreated

✅ The role of nutrition, especially protein, in thyroid and hormone balance

✅ How muscle mass impacts metabolism, energy, and hormone function

✅ Why one-size-fits-all treatments don’t work for thyroid health

✅ The promise of new therapies and testing approaches

✅ How to find and work with providers who truly understand thyroid dysfunction

Some Questions We Explore:

✅ Why is hypothyroidism often missed in women—even with lab testing?

✅ What’s the connection between protein, muscle, and thyroid function?

✅ How can you advocate for yourself if your labs say “normal” but you feel awful?

✅ What new tools and treatments are available today?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

✅ How to recognize and address the hidden signs of thyroid dysfunction

✅ What a personalized approach to thyroid and hormone health really looks like

✅ How to use nutrition, strength, and mindset to reclaim your energy

✅ Where to go for trusted resources and support

Resources & Links:

🌐 Dr. Amie Hornaman – The Thyroid Fixer: dramiehornaman.com

🎙️ The Thyroid Fixer Podcast: Listen Here

📘 Free Thyroid Fixer Guide: Download Here

🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com

📺 YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here

🎧 Closing Call to Action:

👉 If you’ve ever been told your labs are “normal” but you don’t feel normal, this episode is for you. Subscribe to Made for Health, share with someone struggling with hormone issues, and check out Dr. Amie’s free resources to get started on your thyroid healing journey.

In this mini-episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman explains the crucial difference between “normal” and “optimal” lab values—a distinction that can make or break your long-term health strategy. While conventional lab ranges may label your results as “normal,” they often overlook early signs of dysfunction.

Dr. Hartman dives into key health markers including glucose, liver enzymes, white blood cells, cholesterol, and thyroid function, showing how striving for optimal values can offer earlier, more effective paths to prevention and wellness.

Listeners are encouraged to take a proactive approach to lab interpretation, engage with their healthcare providers, and even consider AI-supported tools to better understand their numbers—always in collaboration with medical guidance.

Show Highlights:

✅ Why “normal” isn’t always healthy

✅ Optimal lab ranges for glucose, thyroid, WBCs, and more

✅ How standard lab reference ranges are created—and why they may mislead

✅ Early signs of imbalance to catch before symptoms appear

✅ How to talk to your doctor about deeper lab analysis

✅ Using AI tools as a guide—not a diagnosis

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

✅ The difference between population averages and personalized optimal health

✅ The key markers Dr. Hartman reviews closely in functional medicine

✅ What to do when your labs are “normal,” but you still feel off

✅ The power of curiosity, data, and advocacy in modern health

Resources & Links:

🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com

🌐 LinkedIn – Dr. Aaron Hartman: Connect Here

📺 YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here

🎧 Closing Call to Action:

👉 Want more clarity on your labs? Subscribe to Made for Health, send your lab-related questions for future episodes, and empower yourself with real data-driven wellness.

In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman is joined by Maegan Hodge, licensed acupuncturist and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner, for a rich exploration of how ancient healing practices can inform and elevate modern healthcare.

Maegan shares her personal journey into the world of TCM and explains how its foundational principles—such as body constitution types, warming vs. cooling foods, and the central role of gut health—offer profound tools for understanding and treating chronic conditions, nervous system dysregulation, and more.

Together, they discuss how acupuncture and Chinese herbal wisdom can complement functional medicine, bridging the gap between traditional healing and modern science. This episode invites listeners to look beyond symptom treatment and embrace a more holistic, individualized approach to wellness.

Show Highlights:

✅ Maegan’s journey into TCM and how it transformed her health perspective

✅ The Five Element and body constitution frameworks in Chinese medicine

✅ Why gut health is foundational in both Eastern and Western paradigms

✅ The significance of warming vs. cooling foods in regulating energy and digestion

✅ Acupuncture's role in regulating the nervous system and promoting resilience

✅ How ancient diagnostic tools remain relevant in modern healthcare

✅ Real-life insights on blending TCM with functional and integrative medicine

Some Questions We Explore:

✅ How does traditional Chinese medicine define health and imbalance?

✅ What can warming and cooling foods teach us about personalized nutrition?

✅ How can acupuncture support mental and emotional well-being?

✅ Why is gut health considered the center of vitality in TCM?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

✅ How to understand your body through the lens of TCM constitutions

✅ What ancient Eastern practices can offer to today’s chronic health challenges

✅ How acupuncture works with the nervous system and promotes healing

✅ Practical ways to begin integrating TCM into your wellness routine

Resources & Links::

🌐 LinkedIn – Maegan Hodge:Connect Here

🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine:richmondfunctionalmedicine.com

🌐 LinkedIn – Aaron Hartman, MD:Connect Here

📺 YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine:Watch Here

In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman shines a light on several essential—but often overlooked—lab tests that can provide powerful insights into your health. From omega-3 fatty acid levels to hs-CRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) and vitamin D, these tests are key to understanding inflammation, heart health, and immune resilience—yet they’re rarely part of standard checkups.

Dr. Hartman explains what each of these markers reveals, how deficiencies or imbalances affect long-term health, and why they deserve more attention in preventive care. He also highlights additional tests like vitamin B-12, folic acid, and homocysteine, which can help detect nutritional gaps and cardiovascular risk factors that often go unnoticed.

This episode empowers listeners to take a proactive role in their wellness journey by encouraging meaningful conversations with their healthcare providers and staying curious about their own biology.

Show Highlights:

✅ What omega-3 levels reveal about inflammation and brain health

✅ The importance of hs-CRP in detecting silent inflammation and cardiovascular risk

✅ Why vitamin D is essential for immune function and chronic disease prevention

✅ The link between B-12, folic acid, homocysteine, and heart/mood health

✅ How these tests can uncover root causes of fatigue, mood issues, and brain fog

✅ Questions to ask your doctor to advocate for smarter testing

✅ A call for listener-submitted questions and future episode ideas

Some Questions We Explore:

✅ Why aren’t these tests part of routine checkups?

✅ What do optimal—not just “normal”—levels look like?

✅ How can nutritional testing help personalize your wellness plan?

✅ What should you do if your doctor won’t order these labs?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

✅ How to identify and correct hidden nutrient deficiencies

✅ Which markers provide a deeper look at inflammation and cardiovascular risk

✅ What steps you can take today to become your own health advocate

✅ How to prepare for your next doctor visit with empowered questions

Resources & Links:

🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com

🌐 LinkedIn – Aaron Hartman, MD: Connect Here

📺 YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here

🎧 Closing Call to Action:

👉 Don’t wait for symptoms to take action—start advocating for your health today. Subscribe to Made for Health, share this episode with someone who needs it, and send in your questions or test-related topics for an upcoming Q&A!

In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman is joined by internationally renowned Lyme disease expert Dr. Richard Horowitz, who shares insights from his 35+ years of experience treating over 13,000 patients with chronic Lyme disease and complex chronic illnesses.

Dr. Horowitz unpacks the 16-point treatment model he developed to address the multifactorial nature of chronic disease—including infections, inflammation, environmental toxins, mitochondrial dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. He explores how chronic Lyme overlaps with long COVID, mold illness, and autoimmune conditions, and emphasizes the importance of personalized, root-cause approaches to healing.

This eye-opening episode also addresses the medical and political challenges faced by Lyme patients and practitioners, the need for systemic change, and how advocacy and collaboration can help reshape the future of chronic care.

Show Highlights:

✅ What makes chronic Lyme disease so difficult to diagnose and treat

✅ Dr. Horowitz’s 16-point model and why it’s transforming chronic illness care

✅ The intersection of Lyme, long COVID, and other systemic health conditions

✅ How toxins, infections, and inflammation fuel long-term illness

✅ The political and institutional barriers to better care and research

✅ Real-world patient stories that highlight hope and healing

✅ Where patients and practitioners can access further education and support

Some Questions We Explore:

✅ Why are so many patients misdiagnosed—or not diagnosed at all?

✅ How can chronic Lyme mimic other diseases like fibromyalgia or MS?

✅ What’s the role of mitochondrial health and detoxification in recovery?

✅ How do we move from symptom management to root-cause resolution?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

✅ What a truly integrative, systems-based approach to chronic illness looks like

✅ How to use Dr. Horowitz’s model to guide testing, diagnosis, and treatment

✅ Why collaboration between conventional and functional medicine is crucial

✅ How to advocate for better awareness, resources, and policy change

Resources & Links:

🌐 Dr. Richard Horowitz – Official Website: cangetbetter.com

📘 Book – Why Can’t I Get Better? by Dr. Richard Horowitz

📘 Book – How Can I Get Better? by Dr. Richard Horowitz

🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com

🌐 LinkedIn – Dr. Aaron Hartman: Connect Here

📺 YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here

🎧 Closing Call to Action:

👉 Whether you're navigating chronic Lyme, mold illness, long COVID, or other mystery symptoms—this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe to Made for Health, share with someone who needs hope, and submit your questions for an upcoming chronic illness Q&A.

In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman dives into the complex and often misunderstood condition of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)—a disorder he describes as both metabolic and autoimmune in nature.

Challenging the conventional narrative, Dr. Hartman critiques standard treatment approaches like birth control pills, which often mask symptoms rather than address root causes. Instead, he offers a functional medicine perspective that focuses on hormonal balance, inflammation, insulin resistance, and lifestyle interventions.

Listeners will gain insight into innovative treatment options such as low-dose naltrexone (LDN), as well as the importance of personalized nutrition, stress reduction, and sleep in managing PCOS. This episode is a call to action for women to explore empowered, root-cause approaches to healing—and to ask the deeper questions their health deserves.

Show Highlights:

✅ Why PCOS is more than a hormonal condition—it's autoimmune and metabolic

✅ The problem with conventional treatments like birth control pills

✅ The role of insulin resistance, inflammation, and cortisol in PCOS

✅ A breakdown of root-cause strategies for healing naturally

✅ How low-dose naltrexone (LDN) may benefit women with PCOS

✅ The power of food, movement, and mindset in restoring hormonal balance

✅ Audience Q&A segment invitation for deeper discussions

Some Questions We Explore:

✅ What really causes PCOS—and how do hormones, diet, and inflammation interact?

✅ Why is PCOS so often misdiagnosed or poorly treated?

✅ Can lifestyle changes truly reverse PCOS symptoms?

✅ What are the benefits of low-dose naltrexone, and who should consider it?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

✅ How to identify root causes of PCOS beyond surface-level symptoms

✅ Actionable lifestyle changes that make a real impact on hormones and inflammation

✅ The limitations of conventional PCOS treatments and what alternatives exist

✅ Hopeful, science-backed strategies for managing PCOS naturally and sustainably

Resources & Links:

🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com

🌐 LinkedIn – Aaron Hartman, MD: Connect Here

📺 YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here

🎧 Closing Call to Action:

👉 If you or someone you love is navigating PCOS, this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe to Made for Health, share this episode, and submit your PCOS questions for Dr. Hartman to answer in a future Q&A.

In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman sits down with legendary organic farmer and regenerative agriculture pioneer Joel Salatin to explore the deep connections between farming, food, and human health. With wit, wisdom, and decades of hands-on experience, Joel shares his family’s journey transforming degraded land into a thriving, sustainable farm ecosystem—and how his philosophy challenges the status quo of industrial agriculture.

Together, they unpack the vital role of healthy soil, ethical animal husbandry, and diverse diets in restoring not just ecosystems, but also individual and public health. Joel also sheds light on the regulatory obstacles that small farmers face and passionately advocates for food freedom—the right to choose local, nutrient-dense food without bureaucratic interference.

Whether you're a conscious consumer, homesteader, or simply food-curious, this episode will inspire you to rethink where your food comes from and how it shapes your health and the planet.

Show Highlights:

✅ Joel’s family legacy and how they turned abused land into abundant farmland

✅ Why farming is fundamentally a biological—not industrial—system

✅ The crucial link between soil health, animal health, and human health

✅ What’s broken in the industrial food model—and how to fix it

✅ How diverse, seasonal diets contribute to vitality and resilience

✅ The truth about food regulation, and why small farmers struggle to compete

✅ Why local food networks and food freedom matter more than ever

Some Questions We Explore:

✅ How does regenerative agriculture support both land and human health?

✅ What does “food freedom” mean, and why is it under threat?

✅ Why is diversity in farming—and in our diets—so essential?

✅ What choices can individuals make to support sustainable food systems?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

✅ How you can be part of a movement toward healing food, health, and land

✅ Practical ways to source food more locally and responsibly

✅ The philosophy behind regenerative farming and how it contrasts with industrial methods

✅ Why trusting your local farmer could be the most powerful health decision you make

Resources & Links:

🌐 Joel Salatin – Polyface Farm: polyfacefarms.com

📘 Book – Folks, This Ain’t Normal by Joel Salatin

🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com

🌐 LinkedIn – Aaron Hartman, MD: Connect Here

📺 YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here

🎧 Closing Call to Action:

👉 Want to take control of your health and support a healthier planet? Subscribe to Made for Health, share this episode, and start connecting with your local food system today.

In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman explores the powerful connection between gut health and hormone regulation, with a special focus on estrogen detoxification—a crucial process for women in their mid-30s to early 40s.

Dr. Hartman breaks down how the gut plays a central role in detoxifying hormones like estrogen and how lifestyle and diet choices directly influence this process. He offers practical, science-backed strategies for supporting healthy hormone metabolism, including boosting fiber intake, eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, and ensuring consistent bowel movements.

This episode also includes answers to common audience questions about hormone health and encourages listeners to send in more for future discussions.

Show Highlights:

✅ How gut health influences estrogen detox and hormone balance

✅ Why fiber is critical for clearing excess hormones

✅ The role of colorful fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats in hormone support

✅ Simple tips to improve digestion and daily detox pathways

✅ Audience Q&A: Addressing real concerns about midlife hormonal shifts

✅ Functional medicine insights into estrogen dominance and digestive health

Some Questions We Explore:

✅ How does estrogen detoxification work, and why does it matter?

✅ What are the signs of hormone imbalance in women approaching perimenopause?

✅ Which foods best support natural hormone detox?

✅ What daily habits can improve hormonal and digestive health?

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

✅ How to support your gut for more efficient hormone detox

✅ Why your liver and gut need fiber to process estrogen safely

✅ Actionable ways to eat for hormone balance

✅ How constipation may be disrupting your hormone health—and how to fix it

✅ What to do now if you’re noticing early signs of hormonal changes

Resources & Links:

🌐 Dr. Aaron Hartman – Richmond Functional Medicine: richmondfunctionalmedicine.com

🌐 LinkedIn – Aaron Hartman, MD: Connect Here

📺 YouTube – Richmond Functional Medicine: Watch Here

🎧 Closing Call to Action:

👉 Ready to take control of your hormone health? Subscribe, leave a review, and submit your hormone-related questions for Dr. Hartman to cover in future episodes!