Yovana Mendoza started her Youtube channel and Instagram account about 6.5 years ago after she adopted a new healthy lifestyle. While the initial switch to her new found diet led her to feel amazing at first, she would later start to develop signs of health issues that would indicate that maybe her diet wasn’t working so well for her long term after all. In this episode, Yovana will walk you through some of the red flag signs she wished she would have listened to earlier on and encourages listeners to approach their healthy lifestyle with an open mind. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

• How Yovana got started in the health world 
• What exactly a raw vegan diet is
• Why vitamin B12 and other supplements are so important for vegans
• Why the vegan diet didn’t work Yovana and how it affected her health
• About her experience developing health issues like amenorrhea, candida, etc during her last year as a vegan
• What SIBO is and how it caused her to change her diet to include animal protein
• What her vegan doctor’s recommended to help with her SIBO 
• What it was like for her to transition from a vegan diet to eating animal products 
• About the backlash she got from the vegan community when she changed her diet
• What exactly caused her SIBO
• How the vegan diet can lead to Candida
• Why eliminating processed foods is  the key, rather than eliminating protein 
• What Yovana ate to cure her SIBO and what she eats in a day now
• About how she buys her meat and tries to opt for the highest quality whenever possible 
• About the symptoms to look for 
• Yovana’s advice for listening to your body and finding what works best for each individual 
• Yovanas’ tips for those that decide vegan/vegetarian diets work best for them 
• What she looks for when purchasing animal products like eggs, fish, etc.
• Yovana’s thoughts on the recent documentary Game Changers 

Connect with Yovana: 

Youtube: Yovana Mendoza | Instagram @Yovana | Pinterest Rawvana

After working in the hospital for 6 years, Dr. Jess Peatross decided to leave her job and pursue further education in Functional Medicine. Her passion for preventive care and her search to find more tools to help heal her patients drove her down this path of self improvement and furthering her education. Now, she has the power to give her patients the best of both worlds with her training in both western medicine as an MD as well as Functional Medicine.

During her Functional Medicine training, she really began to understand and research the medicinal power of CBD and cannabis. Today, we’re picking her brain on CBD, cannabis and how sift through the BS on the market. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How Dr. Jess’ experience in internal medicine and as a hospitalist led her to dig deeper into finding the root causes of chronic disease 
• About the process that prescription drugs and medical devices go through to get “approved” 
• Why it’s important to question the motive behind medical studies 
• What exactly CBD is
• About the many uses and benefits of using CBD as medicine
• How to find high quality CBD and pinpoint the right dose for you
• What “full spectrum” CBD means
• How to spot a good CBD 
• Why topical CBD balms work to help decrease inflammation 
• About the difference between CBD and cannabis 
• The difference between CBD from hemp and from cannabis
• How THC with CBD can help to fight cancer 
• How THC can affect developing brains in young adults
• How CBD can affect pregnant women/new mothers 
• How medical marijuana has been linked to lower narcotic use and death in some studies 
• What the endocannabinoid system is 
• How micro-dosing psilocybin has been shown to help some with addiction 

@dr.jess.peatross | Nourish Medical Center San Diego | Online Education with Dr. Jessica Peatross 

Resources / Links:

• Bayer sold HIV-risky meds - Factor VIII concentrate - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bayer-sold-hiv-risky-meds/
• Caught selling a blood-clotting product that stopped potentially fatal bleeding in hemophiliacs but was linked to the risk of HIV infection. New York Times reported that it sold millions of dollars worth of an older version of the medication in Latin America and Asia while marketing a newer, safer product in the United States and Europe: https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/22/business/2-paths-of-bayer-drug-in-80-s-riskier-one-steered-overseas.html

Doctor Christian Gonzalez, better known as Doctor G., is a Naturopathic and Functional Medicine Doctor who specializes in Oncology, Environmental Medicine and helping breast cancer patients in particular. He has worked with thousands of patients teaching them the fundamentals to living a better life. Understanding nutrition is one of the pillars of health, Doctor. G is constantly preaching the importance of diet in healing and performance.

In today’s episode, we take a deep dive into his research and tips on breast cancer and breast cancer prevention. 

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• How Dr. G got started in the medical field and more specifically into naturopathic medicine 
• Why breast cancer is one of his main focuses and how increasingly common it is among women 
• Why it’s important for women to take measures that can help prevent breast cancer 
• How diet and physical activity play a role in the development of all cancers, including breast cancer 
• Why a mix of vigorous aerobic and anaerobic activity and overall muscle to fat balance in the body are important to prevent breast cancer specifically 
• How insulin sensitivity plays a role in cancer development 
• Why it’s imprint to include different colored fruits, veggies and sources of fiber into your diet 
• How alcohol consumption affects the hormones in your body and in heavy amounts has been linked to breast cancer 
• The role green tea as medicine can play in the prevention of breast cancer 
• Why it’s important to understand that our hormones are intimately tied with the driving of major cancers 
• How estrogen is broken down in the body and how it’s metabolized can indicate problems 
• Foods you can eat (like broccoli sprouts, mushrooms, artichokes, beets, citrus fruits etc.) to prevent breast cancer if it runs in your family 
• Supplements like magnesium and epsom salt baths that can help your body better process estrogen 
• Why a healthy gut and regular trips to the bathroom are crucial to breast cancer prevention 
• How pesticides like glyphosate negatively affect gut microbiome 
• The role that genes play in breast cancer 
• Short term fasting and how spacing out meals can help lower inflammation in the body 
• How blue light in your room at night affects your levels of melatonin, which is anti-cancer 
• Why sleep quality in general is crucial to protecting yourself from developing cancer and overall health
• How plastic use, perfumes, and dairy consumption affect hormones 
• How to find the best doctor for you if have breast cancer 
• How losing his mother to breast cancer has led Dr. G to help educate others on cancer prevention 
• What aromatase blockers do and when they become necessary 
• How stress plays a role in the prevention of cancer 

Click here to Connect with Dr. G: On Instagram 

References from the episode:

• Resources to help to find the best doctor for you if you have breast cancer: https://oncanp.org | americanassoctaionofnaturopathicphysicians.org 
• Amanda’s Episode with Doctor G on Heal Thy Self Podcast: Episode 35

Ever struggle with health issues and wonder if the root cause could be tied to the food you’re eating?  After struggling with her own health issues and finding no answers from the modern medicine route, Mary decided to turn inward and start focusing on the food she ate. After tons of research and running some blood/stool tests, Mary confirmed she had celiac disease (an intolerance to gluten) and after a few months of changing her diet, things that bothered her since 2nd grade no longer gave her pain anymore.

In this powerful episode, we’ll go on to talk about the power of the food you eat and the importance of customizing your diet to you. In addition, we’ll cover some trendy diets like paleo and keto. Lastly, don’t forget to checkout her healthy version of the modern gel packs, Phat Fudge.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The power of food to heal your body 
• Paleo and PaleoYOU - customizing your diet for you
• Why keto may not be best for athletic performance 
• What keto is good for 
• Eating for your period cycle  
• Why everyone should be eating liver 
• What CBD full spectrum can help with 
• The diet inflammation connection 

References from the episode:

• Checkout Phat Fudge Here
• Ojai Energetics CBD Full Spectrum 
• Get to know Mary more: Instagram | Twitter

In this episode you’ll hear tips from Celeste Thomas (aka @thetruespoon), a registered nurse, skincare junkie,  and green beauty fanatic who has a unique perspective as both a registered nurse specializing in skincare and tremendous success with healing her own skin and acne. She also has a wellness lifestyle blog chronicling recipes that support healthy skin, green beauty, skincare practices, recommended products, and fitness routines that support this healthy lifestyle. This combination gives Celeste a unique opportunity to share trustworthy tips on holistic skincare and help empower others to love their skin through healthy lifestyle swaps. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

• How Celeste’s past struggles with acne led her to specialize in skincare
• About natural ways to heal acne 
• The problem with using medications for acne treatment 
• The importance of a healthy gut and how it relates to skin health
• Ways to start healing your gut naturally
• Why “quick fixes” don’t work 
• What fermented foods can do for your skin & gut 
• About which foods & drinks can commonly lead to breakouts 
• About caffeine’s relation to skin problems 
• About how acne can affect anxiety & mental health 
• Why it’s important to have self-compassion throughout your skin journey 
• How ice rolling can prevent breakouts and improve skin 
• How bacteria from the gym can cause breakouts & how to prevent it
• How exfoliating can help with breakouts & bacne
• The difference between physical exfoliating and chemical exfoliating 
• About some non comedogenic products that can help
• About how taking internal collagen can be more helpful than topical collagen
• Which toxic ingredients to look out for and resources that can help you spot them 

References: 

• Connect with Celeste: Website | Instagram 
• Celeste’s Fermentation Book | Celeste’s Acne Skincare Guide 

At 18, Justin began working at his local YMCA where he got certified to teach children as well as his water safety certificate. After getting certified, he started coaching Westside Special Olympics and later coached the Junior Olympic swim team as well as a high school strength conditioning for water polo and swim. That is where Justin really fell in love with strength training. 

Now, Justin really focuses his efforts on helping athletes take it to the next level when it comes to strength training. His no B.S. attitude and deeper understanding of strength performance really provides an environment where his clients can flourish and accelerate their functional fitness growth.  In this episode, we take a deep dive into all things workout and fitness.

_____

In this episode you’ll learn: 

• How having a “student” mentality improves workout experience and progress
• Justin’s go-to assessment for those back in the gym after a hiatus
• About the benefits of box squatting
• About the Conjugate Method of Powerlifting 
• Why you shouldn’t worry about “getting strong but not looking bulky”
• Why diet is imperative to your workout progress 
• About the benefits of strength training for weight loss
• Justin’s advice for those training for marathons 
• Recommendations for those working out after a long sedentary period
• Advice for those strength training with limited funds 
• The difference between class instructors and trainers/coaches
• Why strength training is a good option for those with little time 
• About the Linear Progression Method and the Strength Hypertrophic Power-building Method 
• About CNS Adaptivity 
• What a deload week is and when to do them
• The difference between strength and hypertrophy 
• How to best develop a big butt 
• The tie between aesthetic and functionality; Sickness Fitness Wellness Continuum (Death vs. Wellness vs. Fitness) 
• How fitness/lifting improves brain functionality
• The lowdown on Crossfit
• The importance of having good form 
• What to look for in regards to bad programming/coaching:
• Why it’s crucial to check your ego at the door and not be intimidated in the gym 

________________________

References from the episode:

Connect with Justin:  @jjarel | justinjarel.com 

The gym where he instructs: @Deuce_gym in Venice, CA 

In this episode you’ll hear tips from Jennifer (aka @Kids.Eat.In.Color), a mom, wife, and registered dietitian who has a masters of science in public health, in international health and human nutrition from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. When she was a new mom, Jennifer learned that feeding kids is sometimes tricky. Her first child fell off the growth chart and she learned how much effort can go into feeding a child and has spent a lot of time studying and working in the world of food, culture, and family.

 Jennifer completed dietetics coursework through the University of Northern Colorado, and organized her own dietetic internship focusing in policy and organizational management in the Washington DC metro area. She also has a bachelors of science in Cultural Anthropology & a minor in Economics from Wheaton College. Additionally, she spent 6 months living in India studying poverty and development and coordinated the Youth Nutrition Program for a food bank for several years. That's where she learned how much kids need veggies and decided to go back to school for nutrition and public health.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

• How Jennifer got into child-focused nutrition 
• Why pressuring kids to eat can have negative effects 
• How your approach can help avoid “food battles” with children 
• How parenting strategies can affect the foods that kids want and like
• Why it’s helpful to have structure when it comes to meals and snacks
• How to start changing your approach to food as a parent 
• Why parents should decide what to serve, and allow their kids to decide what to eat and how much 
• How to work with their changing taste buds and adjust accordingly 
• About setting goals to shoot for when it comes to protein, fat, veggies & fruit intake
• Some things to be aware of when it comes to feeding certain age groups
• How teaching that there aren’t good or bad foods can help prevent kids from associating foods with certain feelings
• Tips for eating in social situations 
• That sugar intake actually has not been shown to cause hyperactivity in children
• Why it’s important to balance setting boundaries and allowing kids to learn about food on their own 
• Why listening to your body is key when it comes to eating 
• How to approach family dynamics in relation to what your kids eat 
• Why kids under 2 don’t need juice 
• How to approach fast food with children
• About breastfeeding and formula 
• Jennifer’s advice on supplementing vitamins for children

References from the episode:

• Connect with Jennifer aka Kids.Eat.In.Color: Instagram |  kidseatincolor.com 

• Sign up for Jennifer's FREE shopping list and learn more about her program:  bit.ly/VeggieList 

Darin Olien is a “Superfood Hunter”, exotic superfood expert, and the author of the book, SuperLife. He uses his hands on experience and knowledge to help formulate supplements and has a passion for traveling the planet to discover new and underutilized medicinal plants and healthy foods. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

• What Darin does as a superfood hunter & how he got started in the field
• Why he travels all over the world to visit superfood farms in person and what he’s learned
• What “wild food” really is  
• About how and where baruka nuts are harvested
• Why Darin believes fair trade is crucial and how he operates business with locals 
• About the journey to create technology that can successfully crack a baruka rather than having locals do it by hand
• What a baruka tastes like and about it’s nutritional content 
• About their program to plant trees in Brazil and fight deforestation 
• How each food purchase is like “voting with your dollars”
• How spending a few extra bucks can really change the nutrient content you receive
• About Darin’s book SuperLife and his approach to nutrition 
• Darin’s hint as to what his next superfood focus will be 
• About the benefits of turmeric and other superfoods 
• How losing his house in Malibu fire has affected his outlook on life
• How Darin stays fit while traveling and about his recent favorite pool workout 
• What Darin’s new podcast will include 
• About Darin’s morning routine and how it has helped him know himself better  

References from the episodes:

• Connect with Darin Olien:  @superlifeliving | superlife.com 
• Baraku Nuts: barukas.com/meowmeix

In this episode, we take a deep dive into breathing techniques, cold exposure and heat exposure. While new health and fitness trends are always popping up, we’re taking it back to the basics with our guest, Kimmy Moss. Kimmy is a coach and leads the Breath & Exposure program at Deuce Gym. “You can go weeks without eating food, days without drinking water but how many minutes can you go without breathing?” - Kimmy Moss. Kimmy really challenges us to think about something we haven’t paid much attention to on the regular: our breathing patterns. 

Kimmy is also a huge advocate for cold exposure. From her college soccer years, she had naturally been drawn to the benefits of incorporating cold body dunks into her routine. Now as an XPT Level 3 Certified Coach, she teaches students how to conquer their fears of the ice bath using breath as a tool to get their bodies and minds through the stress of cold exposure.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The power of nasal breathing 
• How to increase your CO2 tolerance 
• How to downregulate (transition to parasympathetic mode)
• How to upregulate / energize yourself with your breath 
• The importance of breathing into your diaphragm/belly 
• A primal breathing technique
• The benefits of cold exposure
• The roots of hold/cold exposure
• The benefits of heat exposure 
• Infrared sauna vs.  dry sauna   

Resources: 

• Connect with Kimmy Moss: @Kimmy.Moss

Dr. Jen Esquer is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT, PT) based in Los Angeles, CA. Her love for movement and the body came from an early age as she competed in gymnastics for 9 years, coached and taught Pilates for 6 years through undergrad and graduate school. 

She continued to explore movement through calisthenics and AcroYoga and focused on educating people through social media. With her release of her latest program, The Mobility Method, Jen continues to help more people learn how to relieve pain, prevent injury and optimize their movement.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The connection between flexibility & mobility
• How athletes can work on mobility without sacrificing performance
• • Stimulating fascia, warming up for workouts, foam rolling
• Passive vs active stretching
• How lack of mobility in one area can affect the whole body
• Stress management effects on mobility and health
• Daily practice for mobility work
• Correlation between mobility and longevity
• PNF stretching & FRC (Functional Range Conditioning)
• Jen’s Programs

References from the episode:

• Connect with Jen: Instagram @DocJenFit
• The Mobility Method Program
• The Optimal Body Monthly Program