Office Visits with Dr. V

In this episode of Office Visits with Dr. V, Dr. V welcomes Raychelle Heath, Raychelle is a former educator from South Carolina who left the US to travel and explore different cultures. She now lives in Costa Rica, where she teaches yoga and meditation. She shares her incredible journey, which started with teaching in the Marshall Islands and later in Mexico before becoming a full-time writer and traveler. She discusses how her journey led her to discover the benefits of yoga and meditation for both the mind and body.

Raychelle emphasizes the importance of infusing personality into work and speaking up when necessary for creative writing and social justice. She discusses her journey into yoga, emphasizing that it is an eight-fold path that includes physical postures, breathwork, meditation, and ethical guidelines.

Tune in to this episode of Office Visits with Dr. V, as Raychelle shares her journey toward self-discovery through yoga and meditation!

[00:00 - 03:35] Opening Segment

• Dr. V welcomes Raychelle Heath!

[03:36 - 20:54] Finding One’s Purpose And Empowerment Through Language And Art

• How Yoga and meditation benefit the Body

[20:55 - 40:11] Empowering Non-English Speakers Through Education And Communication

• She shares that her journey to yoga and meditation started in college, but she didn’t fully embrace it until she moved to the Marshall Islands

[40:12 - 52:17] Closing Segment

• Raychelle advises listeners to find a welcoming environment and a certified teacher is important in yoga practice.  

Tweetable Quotes

“A lot of people don't do meditation because they think they have to sit until the back hurts. That is a lie. You can stop and take three breaths. Just three. And if you, do it with intention and presence, you have meditated. It's not a competition, it's not a race, it is a practice.” - Raychelle Heath

“When you're really getting into the practice of yoga, the posture is a, a vehicle towards that kind of release of the mind and tapping into the higher self.” - Raychelle Heath

“There are some things about people's bodies that are going to make the practice look different. But doesn't mean they're not a candidate for it because their body is different.” - Dr. V

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Connect with Raychelle Heath on her:

Website: The Raychelle Heath

Facebook: Black Women In Wellness

Instagram: @bwiw_interviews

LinkedIn: Raychelle Heath

Thank you for listening, please like and share this episode with a friend!

If you would like to stay connected and get your questions answered by Dr. V, feel free to reach out!

Facebook: Office Visits with Dr. V

Instagram: Office Visits with Dr. V.

Website: https://officevisitswithdrv.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links and Resources:

https://officevisitswithdrv.com/resources

In this episode of Office Visits with Dr. V, Dr. V shares her knowledge on how to take better care of our health, enjoy life, and be happy by discussing the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, reducing risky substances, and healthy relationships. She provides an additional “plus one” – her own lesson from her garden that teaches us how weeds represent the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle if left unchecked.

Tune in to this episode of Office Visits with Dr. V, so that you won’t miss out on her tips to stay healthy and enjoy life!

[00:00 - 03:19] Opening Segment

• Dr. V believes in the pillars of lifestyle medicine, namely: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, reducing risky substances, and healthy relationships

[03:20 - 15:46] Taking Care Of Your Garden: Preventing Problems In The Future With Intentional Lifestyle Choices

• She shares a story about cleaning out her garden

[15:47 - 23:37] Clearing Out The Weeds And Finding Happiness

• Taking care of our bodies by eating healthy, exercising, managing stress, and getting enough sleep is important for the prevention

[23:38 - 30:51] Closing Segment

• Dr. V advises listeners to be intentional about preventing bad habits from forming

Tweetable Quotes

“It's better to prevent a stroke than to recover from a stroke. Keeping your garden clean, free of weeds and junk, keeping your body clean, free of junk, and prevents problems in the future.” - Dr. V

“Take care of your garden. Keep the weeds out, it's easier to keep the weeds and pluck up one little weed than to clean out the whole garden. It's easier to prevent the stroke than it is to recover from the stroke.” - Dr. V

“The garden represents our body. We started with a good foundation. We have everything that we need in our bodies for it to thrive, for it to heal itself, for it to help us move physically, for it to help us stay balanced mentally.” - Dr. V

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Thank you for listening, please like and share this episode with a friend!

If you would like to stay connected and get your questions answered by Dr. V, feel free to reach out!

Facebook: Office Visits with Dr. V

Instagram: office_visits_with_dr_V.

Website: https://officevisitswithdrv.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links and Resources:

https://officevisitswithdrv.com/resources

In this episode, Dr. V sits down with Dr. Jennifer Griggs to explore how to reclaim our birthright of dignity after it has been violated. She explains what rumination is – the act of replaying past events in an attempt to make sense of them, but ultimately only leads to further damage. She shares methods for reclaiming one’s dignity, such as learning how to advocate for oneself and natural speaking therapy, as well as gardening metaphors that can be used as a tool for healing.

Dr. Griggs emphasizes the importance of being able to name and feel difficult emotions such as sadness, anger, grief, and shame, and how collapsing the storytelling without judgment and recognizing the need that was being met at the time – can provide some detachment from the emotions involved and allow for an honest appraisal of what happened.

Tune in as Dr. Jennifer Griggs explains why healing is so important and encourages us to take action in order to move forward with our lives!

[00:00 - 03:21] Opening Segment

• Dr. V welcomes back, Dr. Jennifer Griggs to the show!

[03:22 - 15:47] Acknowledge Your Emotions To Reclaim Your Dignity

• Ruminations are when we replay the past or worry about the future and it affects our sleep and mood

[15:48 - 19:18] Discover And Understand Our Dignity

• Collapsing the story without judgment can help with detachment and understanding

[19:19 - 29:41] Closing Segment!

• Dr. Griggs encourages listeners to take care of themselves is essential in order to take care of others

Tweetable Quotes

“We can't just go in and rip out the weeds and expect everything's going to be able to grow. We have to really get to the root.” – Dr. Griggs

“There's something beautiful about doing it in community and doing it with others and seeing we're not really alone, that these are universal emotions and understanding you have to feel it to heal it.” – Dr. Griggs

“The weeds don't flourish and thrive because they're not getting what they need to grow.” - Dr. V

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You can reach Dr. Griggs through her:

Website: Jennifer Griggs

LinkedIn: Dr. Jennifer Griggs

Instagram: Dr. Jennifer Griggs

Facebook: Dr. Jennifer Griggs

Thank you for listening, please like and share this episode with a friend!

If you would like to stay connected and get your questions answered by Dr. V, feel free to reach out!

Facebook: Office Visits with Dr. V

Instagram: office_visits_with_dr_V.

Website: https://officevisitswithdrv.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links and Resources:

https://officevisitswithdrv.com/resources

In this episode, Dr. V sits down with Dr. Griggs a physician and a professor of medicine and public health. She is also a personal and leadership coach specializing in dignity, forgiveness, and self-forgiveness at work and in life. Dr. Griggs is known for her fierce compassion, humor, and ability to work with metaphors.

Tune in as Dr. Griggs explains more about the concept of dignity is essential yet fragile, and how honoring it can create a healthier workplace environment for all.

[00:00 - 07:46] Opening Segment

• Dr. V introduces Dr. Jennifer Griggs to the show!

[07:47 - 09:59] Understanding, Naming, and Reclaiming Our Dignity

• She explains how dignity is not the same as respect; respect is something that must be earned

[10:00 - 25:46] Preserve and Reclaiming Our Birthright

• What are violations of dignity?

[25:47 - 29:26] Closing Segment

• Tune in to the next episode as Dr. Griggs continues with her conversation next week!

Tweetable Quotes

“Dignity is as essential as it is and as much as it's our birthright. It's also incredibly vulnerable to harm.” – Dr. Griggs

“Centering dignity in everything we do and being attuned to those situations and people that violate our dignity can help preserve it. And even more important, reclaim it. Learning how to reclaim our dignity when it's been violated.” – Dr. Griggs

“You don't earn dignity. You're born with but in our society, I mean, we feel like we've got to earn things and we've got to be worthy of them and prove that we deserve things.” - Dr. V

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You can reach Dr. Griggs through her:

Website: Jennifer Griggs

LinkedIn: Dr. Jennifer Griggs

Instagram: Dr. Jennifer Griggs

Facebook: Dr. Jennifer Griggs

Thank you for listening, please like and share this episode with a friend!

If you would like to stay connected and get your questions answered by Dr. V, feel free to reach out!

Facebook: Office Visits with Dr. V

Instagram: office_visits_with_dr_V.

Website: https://officevisitswithdrv.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links and Resources:

https://officevisitswithdrv.com/resources

In this episode, Dr. V sits down with Dr. Christina Bowen MD, ABOIM, Dip ACLM, Dr. Bowen talks about the importance of your well-being in the health care system. She shares her journey from private practice to leading ECU Health’s initiatives to support providers, such as a nine-month onboarding experience, micro-learnings focused on personal well-being, one-day experiences on leading yourself, orientation sessions, quality academy, and a three-day immersive retreat.

Tune in as Dr. Bowen explains how ECU Health is working to ensure that providers are able to practice to the best of their ability by addressing your well-being!

[00:00 - 04:44] Opening Segment

• Dr. V introduces Dr. Christina Bowen MD, ABOIM, Dip ACLM to the show

• She is a board-certified physician in family medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, integrative medicine, and lifestyle medicine.

• ECU Health has an office of well-being with a Chief Wellbeing Officer to optimize the well-being of healthcare workers and providers

[04:45 - 11:56] Recognizing The Need Of A Wellbeing Officer

• Self-care is important for physicians to stay in the profession longer and enjoy it more

[11:57 - 24:55] Prioritizing Self-Care And Compassion

• Staying connected to your “A1 priorities”, is key to maintaining a sense of balance and wellbeing

[24:56 - 31:53] Closing Segment

• Dr. Christina Bowen MD, ABOIM, Dip ACLM shares with the listeners to set realistic goals and give themselves compassion when they don’t meet them

Tweetable Quotes

“Give yourself a little bit of space and think about what would I like this one precious life that I'm living to look like.” – Dr. Bowen

“You have to start with compassion for yourself.” – Dr. Bowen 

“I used to go to work sick and I knew that the body needed rest to recover and I would come to work sick anyway. Nobody told me to go home, nobody's going to take care of yourself. We got a full schedule of patients. And so, in the culture that you're describing, it feels like that there is definitely, emphasis on self-care is important.” - Dr. V

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You can reach Dr. Bowen through her:

Website: ECU Health

LinkedIn: Dr. Christina Bowen 

Thank you for listening, please like and share this episode with a friend!

If you would like to stay connected and get your questions answered by Dr. V, feel free to reach out!

Facebook: Office Visits with Dr. V

Instagram: office_visits_with_dr_V.

Website: https://officevisitswithdrv.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links and Resources:

https://officevisitswithdrv.com/resources

In this episode, Dr. V sits down with Nicol Michelle Epple, PhD (Dr. Lov), Dr. Lov explores the essential role of love and self-care in physical and mental health. She shares her journey of returning to college at age 40 to gain a deeper understanding of love as an absolute in our ever-changing world and advocating for self-care. She discusses the stigma associated with mental health, the physiological effects of trauma on the body, and how sexual exploitation is seen by modern culture. She touches on the importance of addressing trauma in order to heal, seeking out a trauma-informed specialist for safe processing, and giving oneself grace when dealing with trauma. 

Tune in as Nicol Michelle Epple, PhD (Dr. Lov) speaks to the power of turning tragedy into transcendence through faith, self-love, and understanding one’s gifts. This is an enlightening episode about healing from trauma, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and finding hope through connection with others.

[00:00 - 09:30] Opening Segment

• Dr. V introduces Nicol Michelle “Dr. Lov “ Epple, PhD to the show

• She is a teaching professor and has a private practice in counseling and holistic healing arts

[09:31 - 18:54] Exploring the Impact of Trauma and Sexual Exploitation on Women's Lives

• Self-love is taking the time and energy to nurture your soul, body, and spirit

[18:55 - 23:21] Transforming Trauma to Transcendence

• How trauma results from a series of events that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functions

[23:22 - 47:00] Closing Segment

• Nicol Michelle “Dr. Lov “ Epple, PhD encourages listeners to give ourselves grace and understand our worth in God’s eyes

• Dr. V invites us to visit https://officevisitswithdrv.com and click on the coaching tab to schedule a free discovery interview

Tweetable Quotes

“Self-love is saying, I need help, I need support. Healing comes through, connection, and often if we don't know how to heal ourselves, and many times we don't know how? We need another source, God, a friend, a professional, you know, a family member or whatnot to help us through it.” - Nicol Michelle “Dr. Lov “ Epple, PhD

“There is healing and there is hope for healing. And it does exist.” - Nicol Michelle “Dr. Lov “ Epple, PhD

“I'm trying to get people to understand that that's capable and that's what we need to be doing in our lifetime because it's really integral to our health and our wellness. When you're not vibrant and you're dragging, that doesn't feel good.” - Dr. V

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You can reach Dr. Lov through her:

Website: Nicol Michelle

LinkedIn: Nicol Epple

Instagram: @nicolmichelleepple

Thank you for listening, please like and share this episode with a friend!

If you would like to stay connected and get your questions answered by Dr. V, feel free to reach out!

Facebook: Office Visits with Dr. V

Instagram: office_visits_with_dr_V.

Website: https://officevisitswithdrv.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links and Resources:

https://officevisitswithdrv.com/resources 

In this episode, Dr. V sits down with Brooke Rozmenoski, Brooke is a functional nutritionist, personal trainer, coach, mother, and wife who specializes in women’s health and is here to discuss the power of lifestyle changes in optimizing health. She explains how energy management (as opposed to stress management) can help women feel more confident and have more sustainable results with their health goals. We discuss nutrition and movement as well as the consequences of not managing stress. With insights on building confidence through baby steps, we speak about the importance of self-care for long-term physical and mental health. 

Tune in as Brooke Rozmenoski shares her 10 habits that can help improve fertility and encourages listeners to get curious and take things one step at a time.

[00:00 - 03:19] Opening Segment

• Dr. V introduces Brooke Rozmenoski to the show

[03:20 - 11:41] Stress Management And The Power Of Lifestyle Changes

• Build confidence through the journey of reaching goals

[11:42 - 30:49] The Impact of Stress on Your Health

• Quality protein and fiber intake are essential for blood sugar regulation, daily satiation, and energy

[30:50 - 32:46] Closing Segment

• Brooke Rozmenoski encourages listeners to  

Tweetable Quotes

“You are much more likely to stay committed to yourself when you're giving yourself achievable focuses versus if you're trying to do everything by tomorrow.” - Brooke Rozmenoski

“Exercise should match the external stressors that you have and internal stressors that are going on.” - Brooke Rozmenoski

“Know that there is a way through and to really ask questions, “Why”, and to start to get curious.” - Brooke Rozmenoski

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Resources Mentioned:

Website: Brooke Rozmenoski

LinkedIn: Brooke Rozmenoski

Instagram: @brookerozzie

Facebook: Brooke Rozzie Coaching

Podcast: Better After Baby

Thank you for listening, please like and share this episode with a friend!

If you would like to stay connected and get your questions answered by Dr. V, feel free to reach out!

Facebook: Office Visits with Dr. V

Instagram: office_visits_with_dr_V.

Website: https://officevisitswithdrv.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links and Resources:

https://officevisitswithdrv.com/resources 

In this episode, Dr. V sits down with Lucy Townsley, a Women’s Health consultant who has been doing this work for 24 years. Join them as they discuss the differences between traditional Western Medicine and Chinese medicine in regard to treating women during menopause. She shares her story on how her journey to becoming a health and wellness practitioner began when she was a champion lady jockey in Ireland and suffered an injury that led her to explore Chinese medicine for healing, which was further strengthened by caring for her sister who had non-Hodgkin’s lymphatic cancer.

Tune in as Lucy Townsley to learn more about how to live a happier and healthier life during menopause! If you want to know more about what’s next with Office Visits with Dr. V.

[00:00 - 04:08] Opening Segment

• Dr. V introduces Lucy Townsley to the show

[04:09 - 15:57] Unlocking Optimal Health And Wellness

• Chinese medicine practitioners diagnose patients through pulse diagnosis and tongue examination

[15:58 - 27:46] Uncovering The Secrets To Balancing Hormones Naturally

• Removing sugar from your diet can make a huge difference in symptoms of pre-menopause

[27:47 - 37:09] Closing Segment

• Lucy Townsley encourages listeners to practice gratitude can help to reduce cortisol levels and keep other organs functioning optimally

Tweetable Quotes

“One of the most important things that women can do to help balance hormones naturally is to almost take control of their liver again. The liver takes on a lot of stuff. We emotionally and physically take on a lot of stuff.” - Lucy Townsley

“Remember what you've achieved in your life and really be aware of what you're grateful for. So, there can be these really very simple things like your health, roof over your head, food on your table, meeting amazing people.” - Lucy Townsley

“The kidney energy is what gives you energy for the rest of your life. So, if you burnt it out in your twenties, and thirties, and forties, you know, doing too much and not listening to what your body's telling you.” - Lucy Townsley

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Resources Mentioned:

Website: Lucy Townsley – Acupuncture Galway

Facebook: Lucy Townsley – Acupuncture Galway

Thank you for listening, please like and share this episode with a friend!

If you would like to stay connected and get your questions answered by Dr. V, feel free to reach out!

Facebook: Office Visits with Dr. V

Instagram: office_visits_with_dr_V.

Website: https://officevisitswithdrv.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links and Resources:

https://officevisitswithdrv.com/resources 

In this episode, Dr. V sits down with Dr. Michelle Johnson, an accomplished woman with a Ph.D. and the founder of the College of Preparatory and Leadership Academy. Dr. Johnson shares her inspiring story of resilience and self-care as she took back control of her health and wellness. She shares valuable advice on how to transition to a healthier lifestyle emphasizing that it doesn’t have to be a drastic change but rather a slow and steady process. Tune in as Dr. Johnson provides tips for finding reputable sources for nutrition and offers her Plant-Based Tribe of supporters as a resource for getting motivated! If you want to know more about what’s next with Office Visits with Dr. V.

[00:01 - 03:42] Opening Segment

• Dr. V introduces Dr. Michelle Johnson to the show

• Dr. Johnson is the founder of the College Preparatory and Leadership Academy with her husband

• Her story about being overwhelmed by work, ministry, children, and her husband

[03:43 - 26:05] From Detox To Plant-Based Diet

• How she ended the 28-day detox that weaned her off of certain foods and ended with a plant-based diet

[26:06 - 34:03] Transforming Lives Through Plant-Based Nutrition

• Resetting metabolism and improving energy, clarity of mind, and regularity of bowel movements

[34:04 - 39:23] Closing Segment

• Dr. Johnson encourages people to look at reputable sources and find evidence-based research and invites listeners to join the “Plant-based Tribe”

Tweetable Quotes

“Definitely mind games because it was more in the mind for me than physical than in the body, the gut or anything like that. It was really in the mind. It was a detox of discipline and attention.” - Dr. Johnson

“I knew that if my stubborn self who said, oh, I'll never give up cheese, I'll never do that because I was addicted to cheese, but if I could do it and still doing it, then somebody else could do it as well. If my busy lifestyle, I can do it, somebody else can do it as well. And I begin to fall in love with God's food. It felt like a different form of worship to me where I was just grateful for opening a pomegranate and just seeing the amazing wonders, that God did, and the colors, and the sweetness. And once you detox from sugar, you can taste real sugar that God made. It's amazing.” - Dr. Johnson

“I am a firm believer in education and doing things the right way.” - Dr. V

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Resources Mentioned:

Episode 31: What's Coming Up

Thank you for listening, please like and share this episode with a friend!

If you would like to stay connected and get your questions answered by Dr. V, feel free to reach out!

Facebook: Office Visits with Dr. V

Instagram: office_visits_with_dr_V.

Website: https://officevisitswithdrv.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links and Resources:

https://officevisitswithdrv.com/resources 

Sit down and chat with Dr. V as shares exciting updates about the show and talks about her new focus in the upcoming episodes. Tune in if you want to know more about what’s next with Office Visits with Dr. V.

[00:00 - 01:51] Opening Segment

• Dr. V introduces the show

[01:52 - 04:03] Only Great Things Ahead

• In the next episodes, she will be shifting the focus to the pillars of health and achieving optimal health

• She will also be discussing the importance of knowing your purpose

[04:04 - 04:49]  When You Take Care of Patients, Who Takes Care of You?

• Dr. V takes care of the healthcare provider that takes care of everybody else
  • Go to  https://officevisitswithdrv.com and click on the coaching tab to schedule a free discovery interview

[04:50 - 05:23] Closing Segment

Tweetable Quotes

“My intention, my purpose, my vision is to restore physical and mental peace, physical and mental health.” - Dr. V

“With optimal health, there's peace.” - Dr. V

“When you are working on your purpose and you have a clear vision for your life, that makes you happier and it makes you healthier.” - Dr. V

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Resources Mentioned:

Episode 30 - The Life-Changing Power of Lifestyle Medicine with Dr. Iris Schrijver

Thank you for listening, please like and share this episode with a friend!

If you would like to stay connected and get your questions answered by Dr. V, feel free to reach out!

Facebook: Office Visits with Dr. V

Instagram: office_visits_with_dr_V.

Website: https://officevisitswithdrv.com

Email: [email protected] 

Links and Resources:

https://officevisitswithdrv.com/resources