What happens when a Doctor of Physical Therapy who specializes in pain-free movement experiences a gut-focused nourishment cleanse for herself?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lara Johnson, Doctor of Physical Therapy, to talk about her personal experience with my 5-Day Nourishment Cleanse — and how profoundly it impacted her body, energy, digestion, food cravings, and overall sense of well-being.

As someone who works daily with the nervous system, movement patterns, and chronic pain, Dr. Lara shares why she believes healing cannot happen in silos — and how gut health, inflammation, stress, and nourishment play a critical role in pain, recovery, and resilience.

We talk about:

· How gut health influences pain, inflammation, and recovery

· What surprised Dr. Lara most during the cleanse

· Why nourishment (not restriction) supports healing

· The connection between digestion, energy, and nervous system regulation

· Why so many people normalize discomfort — and don’t have to

This conversation is for you if:

· You live a busy life, and care for others.

· You live with chronic pain, stiffness, or inflammation

· You’ve tried “everything” but still don’t feel fully well

· You’re curious about gentle, nourishing resets instead of juice cleanses

· You want to support your body in healing from the inside out

Healing is not about pushing harder — it’s about intuitive nourishment.

Connect with Dr. Lara Johnson

Website: https://www.bouldercoloradophysicaltherapy.com/

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

Join the Next 5-Day Nourishment Cleanse Reset your gut, reduce inflammation, and nourish your body with real food. JOIN THE CLEANSE: https://nourished-alive.com/cleanse

The USDA nutrition pyramid has changed — and if you’re a woman in your 40s, this update matters more than ever.

In this episode, I break down the new USDA dietary guidelines and explore what the flipped food pyramid really means for women’s health, hormone balance, metabolism, and sustainable nourishment. With a special focus on protein, this episode dives into why protein is now the foundation of the modern nutrition pyramid and how it supports muscle health, appetite regulation, blood sugar balance, energy levels, and aging well.

You’ll learn why traditional nutrition advice often fails women over 40, how protein needs shift during perimenopause and menopause, and how to apply the new protein pyramid through an intuitive, realistic approach — not restrictive dieting.

I also discuss how smarter protein choices can support gut health, hormone signaling, fat loss, lean muscle, and long-term wellness.

This episode is perfect for women looking for:

• Clear explanations of the new USDA nutrition guidelines

• Protein recommendations for women over 40

• Hormone-friendly nutrition strategies

• Intuitive eating with structure

• Sustainable health without extremes

If you’re confused by conflicting nutrition advice or tired of diets that don’t work anymore, this episode will help you rethink protein, nourishment, and what healthy eating truly looks like in this season of life.

REGISTER FOR MY UPCOMING PROTEIN CLARITY MASTERCLASS HERE!

DIVE DEEPER and read the blog HERE

Take the PROTEIN quiz and see if you're getting enough plant protein!

In this episode, I talk about why managing cholesterol—especially LDL—is so important for reducing the risk of heart disease, which is still the leading cause of death worldwide. I share how dietary cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol levels and how certain foods, like apples, berries, and garlic, can help lower it naturally. I also explain how simple lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of a heart attack by up to 94%, compared to the 20–30% reduction seen with statins. Tune in to learn how you can take charge of your heart health with everyday choices that really make a difference.

JOIN ME IN THE NEXT HUNGER HORMONE RESET: nourished-alive.com/hunger-hormone-reset

In this episode of Nourished Alive, I’m sharing one of my favorite client success stories — a real-life transformation that shows what’s possible when you stop settling for “fine” and start prioritizing your health.

You’ll hear how my client went from feeling exhausted, bloated, and stuck to feeling energized, confident, and fully alive again — simply by learning how to nourish her body intuitively, balance her hormones, and trust herself again.

This story is a reminder that lasting change doesn’t have to be complicated — it’s about small, intentional shifts that lead to big results.

💫 Join me as I walk you through her journey — from uncertainty to empowerment — and get inspired to start your own.

👉 Listen now and imagine what’s possible for you.

Join the Hunger Hormone Reset today: https://www.nourished-alive.com/3-month-hunger-hormone-reset

In this episode, I share my personal experience breaking a 48-hour fast and dive deep into the science behind what actually happens in your body during extended fasting.

From shifting fuel sources and balancing hunger hormones, to boosting insulin sensitivity and activating cellular repair, fasting is a powerful (and often misunderstood) healing modality.

I’ll walk you through the three key stages of a longer fast, how it impacts women’s health (especially during perimenopause), and why fasting gave me calm, steady energy, mental clarity, and even helped me build muscle while burning fat.

If you’ve ever been curious about fasting—or wondered whether it’s safe and sustainable for women—this episode will give you both the science and the real-life experience you need to understand its benefits.

✨ Ready to reset your hunger hormones and experience metabolic freedom?

Learn more about my 3-Month Hunger Hormone Reset program and join the waitlist today: https://www.nourished-alive.com/3-month-hunger-hormone-reset

READ MORE on my blog: https://www.nourished-alive.com/post/the-healing-power-of-a-longer-fast-my-48-hour-experience

In this solo, unscripted episode, I take you behind the scenes as I complete a 48-hour fast during our 3-month Hunger Hormone Reset program. I share why I chose to do it, what it felt like, and the powerful lessons I’ve learned about hunger, satiety, and trusting my body.

You’ll hear about:
✅ The purpose of the Hunger Hormone Reset
✅ What actually happens during a 48-hour fast (physically + mentally)
✅ The mindset shifts that make fasting empowering rather than restrictive
✅ How this practice is helping me (and my clients) feel more in tune with real hunger cues

If you’ve ever been curious about fasting or wondered how to reset your hunger hormones without medication, this episode will give you a real, honest look at what’s possible.

🎧 Listen now and consider how you can begin reconnecting with your body’s wisdom.

Join the 3 Month Hunger Hormone Reset Program HERE: https://www.nourished-alive.com/3-month-hunger-hormone-reset

You’ve finished the cleanse — so now what?

In this episode, I’m sharing the exact strategies I use (and recommend to my clients) for staying nourished, balanced, and energized long after a detox or reset ends. I’ll walk you through how to reintroduce foods one at a time, how to track your body’s responses using a simple journal, and how to maintain your results without falling back into old patterns.

I’ll also talk about the importance of planning ahead, staying accountable, and creating a lifestyle that supports you every day — not just during a cleanse.

You’ll hear my tips on:

• What to do right after you finish a cleanse

• How to catch early signs of imbalance before they spiral

• Why coaching, movement, and stress support are key to long-term success

• How to avoid needing another “drastic” reset down the road

✨ If you want more support, I’d love to work with you 1:1 — coaching spots are open!

Let’s keep this momentum going — your body knows what to do.

JOIN THE NEXT ROUND: https://nourished-alive.com/cleanse

In this heartwarming episode, I welcome Jeanne and McKenna, a mother-daughter duo, to share their personal experiences with the 4 Day Nourishment Cleanse.

Jeanne, a six-time cleanse participant, inspired her daughter McKenna to join for the first time — and together, they embraced the power of preparation, structure, and support. McKenna shares how the cleanse significantly improved her sleep and skin, while Jeanne reflects on how involving her daughter made the process even more meaningful.

Tune in to hear their candid insights on:

• 
  

  Why doing the cleanse together made a difference

• 
  

  The power of preparation and accountability
• How the cleanse fits easily into real life
• The lasting benefits they’ve both experienced

Whether it’s your first round or your sixth, this episode reminds us that healing and nourishment are even more powerful when shared.

✨ Learn more or join the next round at www.nourished-alive.com/cleanse

📲 Connect with me on Instagram @vesnarysdale

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal journey — from growing up in Bosnia to navigating the confusing and often frustrating U.S. healthcare system, to finally reclaiming my health on my own terms.

I was honored to sit down with Whitney, the host of 'There's Always a Reason' podcast to share my journey back to health.

After years of feeling unheard and overwhelmed, I dove deep into self-education, embraced targeted nutrition, and made powerful lifestyle changes. The result? No more symptoms. No more hormone imbalances. Just a vibrant, symptom-free life that I truly love.

Now, as the founder of Nourished-Alive, I help others cut through the noise, trust their bodies again, and take back control of their health — for good.

This cleanse changed my life, and I know it can change yours too.

✨ Join the next round at www.nourished-alive.com/cleanse
📲 Come say hi on Instagram @vesnarysdale

In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Ariaudo, executive health and wellness coach and expert in somatic relating and body intuition. Despite eating clean and living well, Sarah was still struggling with chronic inflammation—until she said yes to the 4-day Nourishment Cleanse.

Sarah shares how she personalized the cleanse to fit her lifestyle, extending it to 5.5 days, and how the group support kept her motivated throughout. The results? Improved energy, deeper sleep, mental clarity, and a visible reduction in visceral fat.

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything "right" but still not feeling your best, this conversation is for you. Sarah reminds us that the body knows what to do—and that healing is possible when we learn to listen.

Tune in to hear:

• Why even healthy habits sometimes need a reset

• How to adapt the cleanse to your unique body

• The power of community support in healing

• Why trusting your intuition is key to sustainable wellness

✨ Learn more about the cleanse and how to join the next round at https://nourished-alive.com/cleanse