Rebellious Wellness Lifestyle

In this episode, we challenge the dangerous myth that everyone should follow the same wellness advice. Dr. J Dunn explains why your genetic blueprint determines whether popular supplements help or harm you, and how understanding your biochemistry can solve health problems that conventional approaches miss.

Dr. J Dunn is the founder of MyHappyGenes® and Wholistic Methylation. After years of battling lifelong depression and finding no answers through conventional or natural approaches, Dr. J discovered the power of genetic testing focused on biochemical pathways. Her work helps people understand how their unique genetic variants affect detoxification, neurotransmitter production, energy creation, and overall health.

1. Why genetic testing focused on biochemical pathways differs from ancestry or drug compatibility testing
2. What genetic variants are and how they affect enzyme function at the cellular level
3. The critical difference between genes and enzymes, and why this distinction matters
4. Why popular supplements like turmeric can actually worsen symptoms for some people based on their genetic makeup
5. The truth about the MTHFR gene and why methylfolate isn't the universal solution many claim it to be
6. How genetic variants influence sleep patterns, entrepreneurial tendencies, empathy, and relationship dynamics
7. The difference between methylation patterns (which can change) and genetic variants (which don't)
8. Case examples: resolving ALS-like symptoms, depression, allergies, and autoimmune conditions through genetic-based interventions

1. There is no one-size-fits-all supplement or diet. What helps one person can harm another based on genetic variants that control enzyme function.
2. Genetic variants don't create "fast" enzymes—only normal or slow ones. You inherit either 100% enzyme function or reduced function (30%, 70%, etc.), never increased function.
3. Genes code for enzymes, not outcomes. The focus isn't on turning genes on or off—it's on providing the right co-factors (vitamins, minerals) to help slow enzymes work more efficiently.
4. The MTHFR obsession is oversimplified. Looking at one gene in isolation ignores the complex interplay of biochemical pathways. Methylfolate can trigger rapid detoxification that overwhelms the body.
5. Food reactions may be delayed. If you notice irritability, brain fog, or depression, look at what you ate yesterday—metabolites take time to build up and create symptoms.
6. Genetic testing can reveal why conventional treatments fail. Issues like chronic depression, chemical sensitivities, or difficulty losing weight often have biochemical roots that standard approaches miss.
7. Understanding your genes removes self-blame. When you discover your brain can't make neurotransmitters efficiently or your body holds onto fat due to inherited variants, it's not a personal failing—it's biochemistry that can be addressed.

1. Keep a food diary and track how you feel 24-48 hours after eating specific foods to identify genetic mismatches
2. Question popular wellness trends—just because something is widely recommended doesn't mean it's right for your body
3. If you're taking supplements without understanding your genetic variants, you may be working against your biochemistry
4. Consider genetic testing that focuses on biochemical pathways (detox, methylation, neurotransmitters, energy production) rather than just ancestry or drug interactions

About MyHappyGenes® test and sample reports

Weekly Q&A Series: Watch our weekly Q&A videos addressing questions about genetics, wellness myths, and science-backed health information on YouTube.

Podcast Resources: Visit the Rebellious Wellness Lifestyle Podcast for more episodes challenging conventional wellness narratives and empowering you to question health limitations

Bottom Line: Your genes aren't a life sentence—they're an instruction manual. Understanding your unique genetic blueprint allows you to work with your body instead of against it. Stop blindly following trends and start testing, not guessing.

At long last I've written the "why" for this podcast and who it's for. After one year of living in the energy of Rebellious Wellness Lifestyle (formerly named Rebellious Wellness Over 50) it's clearer than ever what this podcast is here to do and I wanted you to know.

Too many women are negotiating with a version of aging that doesn't feel true. Aging happens – that's real. But suffering, confusion, and fear-based advice that shrinks your world year by year? Those things are optional.

Rebellious wellness isn't loud as the word "rebellious" might indicate. It doesn't require perfection, extreme routines, or a complete lifestyle overhaul. It's quieter than that, and much more powerful. It's about asking better questions, refusing one-size-fits-all answers, taking your health seriously without becoming obsessed, using science without outsourcing your intuition, and staying engaged with your body, your life, and your sense of self as the years go by.

This podcast is here to support that courage. You'll hear conversations about the science of longevity, disease prevention, genetics, hormones, brain health, movement, and lifestyle – but always through a lens of discernment, giving you options, not fear.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why aging doesn't have to mean decline, resignation, or self-doubt

What rebellious wellness actually looks like in practice

The courage required to question conventional health narratives

Why prescription pad medicine isn't the whole story

How to age on your own terms – fully expressed, informed, and unwilling to negotiate with nonsense.

Why the stories you've been told about health and aging may be creating unnecessary fear and limitation

ABOUT THE HOST

I, Greg Cox, have been working in the wellness space for 20+ years and was a chef for 25 before that, often creating health meals for restaurants and as a private chef. I created the Rebellious Wellness Lifestyle Podcast to empower women to challenge the limitations society places on them as they age.

I believe in science without outsourcing intuition. In prevention over treatment. And in the radical act of remaining visible, engaged, and fully expressed at every age.

CONNECT

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Guest: Cindy Dupuie, Functional Medicine Practitioner & Menopause Specialist

When Cindy Dupuie's digestive system shut down and she abruptly entered menopause at 43 during a stressful divorce, conventional medicine offered little help. This experience launched Cindy on a 20-year journey into functional medicine and hormone replacement therapy.

Over the years she has discovered that women are routinely denied basic testing like DEXA scans and vitamin D levels—and that doctors often discourage HRT based on outdated information from the Women's Health Initiative study. Our conversation challenges the standard of care for menopausal women and explores why functional medicine practitioners are filling the gap left by conventional doctors who lack the time and training to properly care for women during this critical life transition.

"Menopause hits every single organ and tissue in our body. Estrogen and progesterone receptors are everywhere—in our bones, cardiovascular system, brain, gut, skin. This isn't just about hot flashes."

Key Themes

1. The WHI Study's Lasting Damage: The Women's Health Initiative study from the early 2000s scared an entire generation of women away from HRT, even though the study used synthetic hormones in older women who were decades past menopause. Bioidentical hormones given at the right time offer significant benefits for bone health, cardiovascular health, brain health, and overall quality of life.
2. Menopause Affects Every Organ System: This isn't just about hot flashes. Estrogen and progesterone receptors exist throughout the entire body—in bones, cardiovascular system, brain, gut, skin, and more. The decline in hormones impacts every single organ and tissue, yet most doctors treat menopause as a minor inconvenience rather than a systemic health transition.
3. The Standard of Care is Inadequate: Women are losing ground even when they're doing everything right with diet and lifestyle. Doctors tell them they're "fine" based on lab ranges that are far too broad, leaving women feeling dismissed when they know something is wrong.
4. Hormone Therapy and Cancer: Even women with breast cancer histories are being unnecessarily denied HRT. New research shows that for many women, HRT may not be contraindicated, and some oncologists are beginning to work with their patients on hormone therapy rather than issuing blanket refusals.

Actionable Guidance

1. Request a DEXA scan if you're over 60 and haven't had one
2. Get your vitamin D tested and aim for optimal levels (50-90 ng/mL, not just "in range")
3. Understand that "fine" on labs doesn't mean optimal—seek a second opinion if you feel terrible despite normal results
4. Educate yourself about bioidentical HRT before dismissing it based on outdated WHI study information
5. Consider adding a functional medicine practitioner to your care team for comprehensive lab interpretation
6. If you have a cancer history, don't assume HRT is automatically off the table—the research is evolving

Connect with Cindy

1. Website: livingbalance.net
2. Course: Grace in Transition - an 8-week online course covering diet, lifestyle, lab work, hormones, bone health, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's, environmental toxins, and gut health for women in perimenopause and menopause. Her next cohort will begin on February 2, 2026
3. Services: Cindy offers multiple levels of support from lab and supplement reviews to comprehensive functional medicine consultations at very reasonable prices.

"If I can educate my clients, either individually or through courses, on what they need, how to ask for it, and why—and help them be advocates for themselves—I can't be any happier than that."

Happy New Year! I'm kicking off 2026 with a solo episode about finding what you genuinely want this year—not what you think you should want.

Why "Enough is Enough"? I woke up one day after reading yet another article targeting women over 60 that was focused on managing aches and pains, and I'd had it. Enough with generic advice on how to act, dress, and age. Enough with words like "senior," "geriatric," and "sunset years."

When I look at aging advice for women in their 60s and 70s, I see two extremes:

ONE: The supplement-pushers, extreme exercise crowd, personal-best-at-all-costs messaging, and the "do whatever it takes to look young" camp.

TWO: Slow cooker meals on a budget, fall-proofing your home, slip-on sneakers, and managing decline gracefully.

Both assume things I refuse to accept. The first assumes we're desperately trying to recapture youth. The second assumes we're managing decline and nothing else. I'm in neither camp, and I bet you aren't either.

In this episode, I use my own life at 70 as an example—turning the page into a new decade, investing in IFM certification, and walking through my anti-resolution framework to figure out what's genuinely mine versus borrowed from "shoulds."

THE 5 QUESTIONS:

What worked and what didn't in 2025? Where were you feeling strong and where did you feel like "woe is me"?

How do you want to FEEL in 2026?

1. We don't actually want the thing—we want the feeling the thing gives us
2. My word for the year: EXPANSIVE

What do you ACTUALLY want vs. what you think you should want?

1. Test: When you imagine NOT doing it, do you feel loss (yours) or relief (borrowed)?
2. Real example: How I found time for 12 hours/week of coursework

What are you keeping and what are you kicking to the curb?

1. Keep what serves you, kick what doesn't (or "release" if you're more spiritual than me)

Let's talk about vanity

1. Refusing the moralizing about what we "should" want at this age
2. Also refusing desperate youth-chasing on the other extreme
3. If you want the Botox, the sassy shoes, the shimmy dress—make it YOUR choice

UNDERSTANDING SABOTEURS:

1. Extrinsic: Life happens (daughter needs you to pick up kids)
2. Intrinsic: Mindset blocks ("I could never run 13 miles")
3. Don't just give up when they show up—plan for them and work around them

DOWNLOAD THE WORKSHEET: My VA made a beautiful PDF with all these questions for you to work through. Get a copy here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Most people fail at resolutions not because they lack willpower, but because they're solving for the wrong problem
2. Borrowed goals don't stick—only pursue what's genuinely yours
3. Make room for saboteurs instead of pretending they won't show up
4. Aging happens. Feeling old is optional. Feeling bad is common. Feeling better is possible.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

1. Donna Summer & Barbra Streisand - No More Tears (Enough is Enough)
2. Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) certification program
3. My newsletter (sign up at rebelliouswellnesslive.com for weekly content on informed skepticism)
4. CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) for tracking blood sugar

CONNECT: Website: rebelliouswellnesslifestyle.com

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Enough is enough. Let's make 2026 about what's genuinely yours.

You are more. You still have more to do, to love, to experience, to feel.

Age Better. Live Fully. Beyond 60.

The fitness industry has largely forgotten about women over 40, pushing high-intensity workouts that leave us exhausted and discouraged. Christine Kirkland discovered a different path after becoming a mother and finding that the "no pain, no gain" mentality was destroying her body rather than strengthening it. Through Pilates, she found better results with less impact and has since dedicated her practice to helping women over 40 build strength, balance, and bone density through intentional, low-impact movement. This conversation challenges the assumption that heavy weights and intense workouts are the only path to fitness results and explores why slower, more focused movement might be exactly what our bodies need as we age.

I am a convert! I tried traditional Pilates in groups, one on one, on a reformer and on the mat and never felt it was "for me." Then I tried one of Christine's classes using her free, 7-day trial.

Now I take one of her classes 3 -4 times per week and am loving it. No more neck strain doing the hundreds!

Key Themes

· Rethinking Fitness After 40: The high-intensity approaches that work in your twenties often leave women over 40 exhausted and injured. Our bodies need a different approach focused on balance, bone density, muscle mass, posture, and core strength rather than just aesthetics.

· The Power of Intentional Movement: Slowing down allows you to actually activate the muscles you're targeting. When we move too fast with too much weight, "bully muscles" take over, leading to improper form, pain, and ineffective workouts.

· Building Strength Without Heavy Weights: You don't need heavy weights to build muscle mass and bone density. Resistance comes in many forms including your own body weight, light weights, bands, and small props. A plank is one of the most effective exercises for women over 40.

· Balance as a Longevity Marker: Research shows that the ability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds predicts lifespan. Balance should be a primary focus for women over 50, as falls can be life-changing events that significantly impact independence and quality of life.

· Movement as Prehab: Pilates focuses on joint mobility and proper alignment before adding load. This approach prevents injury and ensures you're building strength from a foundation of good alignment rather than reinforcing compensatory movement patterns.

· Finding What Works for Your Body: Not every workout is for every person. If high-intensity training leaves you depleted and discouraged, you're not the problem—you just haven't found the right workout yet.

Take aways and to dos

· Test your balance: Stand on one leg for 10 seconds. If you can't do this, make balance work a priority in your fitness routine.

· Start with lighter weights than you think you need: If you're new to Pilates or intentional movement, try 1-2 pound weights. Focus on feeling the target muscle working rather than how much weight you can lift.

· Pay attention to your bully muscles: Notice if your neck tenses during shoulder work or if your hip flexors burn during core exercises. These are signs that the intended muscles aren't activating properly and you need to slow down, reduce weight, or adjust form.

· Prioritize alignment before load: Before adding weight or resistance to any movement, ensure your joints are in proper alignment. This prevents injury and makes exercises more effective.

· Make time for shorter workouts: You don't need an hour to get results. A focused 20-25 minute workout can be highly effective when done with intention.

· Stop comparing yourself to your 25-year-old self: What worked in your twenties won't necessarily work in your forties, fifties, and beyond. Your body has different needs now, and that's not a failing—it's just reality.

About Christine Kirkland

Christine Kirkland is a certified Pilates instructor who specializes in working with women over 40. After struggling with postpartum depression and finding that high-intensity workouts left her exhausted and discouraged, she discovered Pilates and was amazed by the results from low-impact, intentional movement. She became certified to teach Pilates and has adapted her method specifically for the needs of women over 40, focusing on balance, bone health, muscle mass, posture, and core strength. Christine runs My Pilates, an online studio offering over 150 classes, weekly programming, live classes, and regular five-day challenges designed to meet women where they are in their fitness journey.

Connect with Christine

Website

Memorable Moments

· "The fitness industry really has forgotten about women over 40. What 20-year-old fitness influencers are pushing out there for us to do—it's not wrong, it's just not right for women in their forties, fifties, sixties, and up until their eighties."

· "When you move too fast with too much load, the bully muscles turn on. That shoulder muscle gets tired and the neck muscles take over—that's when you get the neck pain."

· "I wish women would stop thinking that what worked in their twenties is gonna work for them in their forties. It's a whole different ballgame when you're over 40."

· "You can build muscle with any type of resistance against your body. A plank using your own body weight is one of the best exercises you can do over the age of 40."

· "Balance is one of the most important things you can work on over the age of 50. Falls can have such catastrophic effects on quality of life and independence."

· "If anyone's feeling discouraged with exercise, I just really want them to know that they're not alone and you were never the problem. You just haven't found the right workout."

Elizabeth McGann is a holistic nutritionist, life coach, and founder of the Holistic GLP-1 Method. Her podcast, The Holistic GLP-1 Podcast, consistently ranks as a top show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Drawing from her own experience navigating weight challenges from childhood, Elizabeth takes a comprehensive approach that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of sustainable weight management.

This conversation challenges the current approach to GLP-1 medications and offers a science-backed roadmap for anyone considering these drugs or struggling with weight management. Elizabeth doesn't hold back about what's going wrong with standard GLP-1 prescribing practices and provides clear guidance on how to use these medications safely while building genuine, lasting health.

● The GLP-1 Problem Nobody's Talking About

Most people are being dosed dangerously high on GLP-1 medications. Elizabeth argues that standard dosing protocols are compensating for poor diet rather than supporting metabolic health. The higher the dose, the more severe the side effects and potential health risks.

● The Five-Pound Rule

Before considering GLP-1 medications, Elizabeth recommends losing the first 5-10 pounds on your own through diet management. This proves you understand the fundamentals and means you won't need the highest doses. If you can't lose weight without the medication, you're likely eating in a way that requires dangerous dosing levels.

● Food Noise Is Metabolic, Not Just Mental

The 'food noise' that GLP-1 medications quiet isn't just psychological. It's the result of glucose spikes from high-carbohydrate, processed foods. When you eat foods that spike your blood sugar, your body spends the rest of the day seeking the next sugar hit. A properly managed low-glycemic diet can achieve the same mental clarity without medication.

● Strength Training Is Non-Negotiable

Taking GLP-1 medications without strength training is dangerous, especially for people over 40. These medications cause disproportionate muscle loss, which affects bone health and overall metabolic function. If you're not willing to commit to resistance training, you shouldn't be on these drugs.

● The Minimum Effective Dose Strategy

Working with a compounding pharmacy allows for microdosing and customization that standard pharmaceutical protocols don't offer. The goal is to find the smallest dose that supports your metabolic shift while you do the real work of building sustainable habits around nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management.

● You Can Get Off These Medications

Contrary to what many doctors suggest, GLP-1 medications don't have to be lifelong. When used correctly alongside fundamental lifestyle changes, these drugs can be tapered down and eventually discontinued without regaining weight. The key is addressing root causes rather than treating symptoms.

● Track your glucose: Consider using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or apps like MyFitnessPal to understand how different foods affect your blood sugar. Companies like Levels Health provide extensive research on optimal glucose management.

● Start with elimination: Remove wheat/gluten, corn, eggs, dairy, and soy for a period of time to identify what may be causing inflammation and digestive issues. Reintroduce one at a time to observe your body's response.

● Prioritize gut health: Incorporate probiotic-rich fermented foods and bone broth (especially on an empty stomach) to heal and seal the gut lining. Much of our immune system and metabolic function originates in the gut.

● Build strength training gradually: Don't wait until you're on medication. Start with small commitments—visit the gym twice just to sit and have a smoothie, establish the pattern, then add 10 minutes of activity. Anchor the habit before worrying about intensity.

● Find your carbohydrate threshold: Experiment with lower-carb eating to find the amount that allows you to feel satisfied, maintain steady energy, and naturally lose weight without triggering constant food thoughts.

GLP-1 medications represent a significant tool for metabolic health, but they're being used in ways that create dependency rather than transformation. The medical establishment's approach—prescribe, dose up, stay on forever—ignores the fundamental metabolic and behavioral changes that lead to lasting health.

This isn't about shaming anyone who chooses medication. It's about ensuring that choice is informed, safe, and part of a comprehensive approach that addresses why weight became an issue in the first place. Whether you use GLP-1 medications or not, the principles of glucose management, strength training, gut health, and emotional work apply to everyone seeking sustainable wellness.

● Website: elizabethmcgann.com

● Podcast: The Holistic GLP-1 Podcast with Elizabeth McGann (Apple Podcasts, Spotify)

● Instagram: @elizabethmcgann

● Free resource: Freedom from Food Noise masterclass (15-minute video covering best practices—link available in podcast show notes)

● MyFitnessPal app for tracking macronutrients and carbohydrate intake

● Levels Health for continuous glucose monitoring research and education

● Rebellious Wellness blog articles on CGMs and blood sugar management

Questions or topics you'd like explored? Email Greg at [email protected]

My guest, Ellen Barrett is a 30-year veteran of the fitness industry. She had DVDs for sale! And she’s never had an injury in all of her years of teaching movement classes from HIIT to yoga and pilates.

I joined her online fitness studio and love the variety of classes. Especially love the 20 minute ones for a midday fitness snack.

Are you tired of fitness culture telling you that real workouts require pain, soreness, and 200-pound deadlifts? Ready to rebel against the idea that movement should feel like punishment? Then this is a great conversation for you and you might also enjoy Ellen’s online studio.

Ellen Barrett has been teaching movement since 1989—back when it was called aerobics, before Instagram created an economy around fake fitness results, and long before "biohacking" became a buzzword.

Her message is refreshingly simple: Movement is medicine. It should feel GOOD. And it should have zero negative side effects.

That's right. Zero. No soreness. No exhaustion. No injuries.

If you have those things? You went too far.

Ellen's fusion approach combines Pilates, yoga, dance, and breathwork—all done barefoot, because shoes might be secretly destroying your alignment and causing chronic pain you can't explain.

This conversation will change how you think about fitness, your feet, and what it actually means to be "fit" after 50.

✅ Why gym class trauma turned off an entire generation - Those timed pushup tests and heart rate monitors made fitness feel clinical, competitive, and intimidating instead of joyful

✅ The barefoot movement revolution - How going shoeless strengthens feet, fixes alignment, prevents chronic pain, and makes you feel integrated from head to toe

✅ Why Ellen is "allergic to shoes" - After 30+ years of barefoot teaching, her feet are so capable they can't stand being trapped anymore

✅ Fusion fitness beats perfectionism - Why Ellen left the rigid world of Pilates to create workouts that let you "just move" with heat, strength, and stretch combined

✅ The fitness fakery problem - Cosmetic surgery passed off as "results," influencers not walking their talk, and devious behind-the-scenes stuff at an all-time high

✅ How breathing reveals how you're living - Show Ellen how someone breathes and she'll show you how they're living their life (tension blocks flow and abundance)

✅ Why flexibility is the fountain of youth - Everyone talks about strength training for women over 50, but mobility and flexibility are the neglected keys to longevity

✅ Exercise as an anti-aging facial - Movement nourishes your skin through circulation better than any cream or serum

✅ The research on movement and creativity - Writers who walk are more prolific than those who don't—even accounting for time spent walking

✅ How to avoid victim mentality in your 50s - Why some women lose confidence and capability while others feel like they're just getting started

Who This Episode Is Perfect For

✔️ Women over 50 who feel intimidated by gym culture and Instagram fitness

✔️ Anyone who's convinced they need to lift heavy or run marathons to be "fit"

✔️ People suffering from chronic pain that doctors can't explain (especially back and knee problems)

✔️ Rebels tired of the all-or-nothing, perfectionist approach to fitness

✔️ Anyone who hated gym class and still carries that trauma

✔️ People looking for joyful movement that doesn't feel like punishment

✔️ Those curious about barefoot fitness and alignment

✔️ Women experiencing loss of confidence or victim mentality in midlife

✔️ Anyone who wants affordable, accessible online workouts without the intimidation factor

Ellen is convinced that shoes are causing chronic pain epidemics—and the research backs her up.

What happens when you wear shoes:

1. Your feet are in a cast, disconnected from the rest of your body
2. You lose proprioception (ground feedback and balance)
3. Your alignment gets thrown off from the ground up
4. Foot muscles atrophy from lack of challenge
5. Chronic back pain, knee problems, and mysterious aches develop

What happens when you go barefoot:

1. Feet get stronger (no more need for arch support)
2. Balance and stability improve dramatically
3. Alignment falls into place naturally
4. You feel more integrated and connected head to toe
5. Chronic pain often resolves

You don't need to be extreme:

1. Walk on the beach barefoot
2. Walk around your house without shoes
3. Take barefoot fitness classes in controlled environments
4. Spend an hour barefoot whenever possible

Ellen jokes she's "allergic to shoes" now—like putting rain boots on a dog. Once your feet are strong and capable, being trapped in shoes feels unnatural.

Ellen doesn't hold back about what's happening in the wellness industry right now.

The issues:

1. All-time high of "posers" - People not walking their talk, doing devious things behind the scenes
2. Cosmetic surgery passed off as results - "That body came from fitness" when it actually came from surgery (no judgment on the surgery, but don't lie about it)
3. Intimidation culture - 200-pound deadlifts presented as the only way to be "fit"
4. Perfectionist standards - Creating injury, burnout, and all-or-nothing mentality
5. Expensive "biohacks" - Selling saunas and supplements when the most effective intervention is free movement

Ellen's "movement is medicine" philosophy isn't just feel-good rhetoric—it's backed by research.

Studies show regular exercisers report:

1. Less depression - Movement regulates mood better than many interventions
2. Higher confidence levels - Capability builds self-esteem
3. More creative productivity - Writers who walk are more prolific than those who don't, even accounting for time spent walking
4. Greater sense of capability - Knowing your body can DO things translates to life confidence

The creative flow connection: When you move, you're not stealing time from productivity—you're enhancing it. Movement sorts things out mentally, gives you processing time, and actually CREATES time by making you more efficient.

The skin benefits: Exercise is literally a facial. The circulation, blood flow to your face, and sweating nourishes your skin in ways no cream or serum can replicate. You get that healthy glow at any age.

The autonomic nervous system: When you're chronically stressed (sympathetic dominance), your body isn't interested in healing—it's worried about survival. Movement, especially with breath integration, shifts you to parasympathetic (rest and repair) where healing happens.

Ellen's rule: If you're experiencing soreness, exhaustion, or injuries, you've gone too far in intensity, duration, or chosen the wrong format for your body in that moment.

What fitness SHOULD deliver: ✅ More energy (not depletion)

✅ Empowerment (not destruction)

✅ Confidence (not inadequacy)

✅ Better function (not worse)

✅ Connection to your body (not disconnection)

The "no pain, no gain" myth: We've been taught that soreness means "it's working" and exhaustion means you "pushed hard enough." But that's gym class trauma talking—the timed pushup tests and competitive heart rate monitors that made fitness feel like punishment.

The Goldilocks zone: Not overdoing it. Not underdoing it. Finding that "just right" place where you're challenged but not destroyed, energized but not depleted.

The more you move, the more sensitive you become to that zone. You KNOW when you've hit it.

Everyone talks about strength training for women over 50 (and yes, it's important). But Ellen argues that flexibility and mobility are the neglected keys to longevity.

Why flexibility matters:

1. Keeps you moving freely and painlessly
2. Prevents injuries from tight, restricted muscles
3. Maintains range of motion as you age
4. Allows you to keep doing activities you love
5. Creates that integrated, flowing feeling in your body

The Let's Move Online Studio

Ellen created her streaming platform in 2018 when everything went digital—initially just as a place to put her DVD workouts, then evolved into creating a new workout every month.

What's included:

1. 100+ fusion workouts combining Pilates, yoga, dance, and breathwork
2. Durations: 15, 20, 30, and 45 minutes
3. Intensity variety: gentle stretching to cardio challenges to strength building
4. New workout added every month
5. All classes done barefoot

Pricing:

1. 7-day free trial
2. $7.95/month (the most affordable fitness platform I've encountered)
3. No intimidation, no perfectionism, just joyful movement

Ellen's philosophy behind it: Created from the heart as a creative baby. Altruistic in nature—just wanting to provide accessible movement to people who need it. Freedom to name things what she wants, add her quirky personality, and serve "her people" who don't want to be judged.

Website: EllenBarrett.com

Streaming Studio: Let's Move

START BAREFOOT:

1. Walk around your house without shoes this week
2. Walk on the beach or in your yard barefoot
3. Try a barefoot fitness class (Ellen's platform has tons)
4. Notice how your feet feel—strong? Atrophied? Somewhere in between?

FIND YOUR GOLDILOCKS ZONE:

1. Pay attention to how you feel AFTER movement
2. More energy? You nailed it.
3. Exhausted or sore? You went too far.
4. No change? You might need slightly more challenge.

EMBRACE FUSION VARIETY:

1. Try Ellen's 7-day free trial at Let's Move
2. Mix cardio, strength, and stretch in the same workout
3. Choose durations based on your schedule (15-45 minutes)
4. Give yourself permission to modify and "do you"

SHIFT YOUR MINDSET:

1. Ask yourself: Am I approaching my 50s+ with victim mentality or empowerment?
2. Remember: These are the WISE years when you can contribute most
3. Movement is medicine—free, accessible, and instantly effective
4. Function over photograph. Always.

Ellen has spent 30+ years proving that movement can be medicine, fitness can be joyful, and going barefoot might solve chronic pain your doctor can't explain.

The rebellious truth: You don't need to do it the way fitness culture tells you to. You need to find what makes YOUR body feel capable, confident, and alive.

And if that means taking off your shoes, tossing Pilates and yoga and dance into a salad, and choosing 20 minutes over 90?

Perfect. Do that.

Stay rebellious,

Greg

P.S. Seriously, try Ellen's 7-day free trial. At $7.95/month after that, it's the most affordable online fitness platform I've found—and the variety is incredible.

Remember: Movement is medicine. It's the OG biohack. And it should have zero negative side effects—just energy, empowerment, and that feeling of being fully alive in your body.

Okay, I had to use "eye-opening" just once because this conversation literally changed how I think about vision health forever.

Are you tired of being told "there's nothing we can do" when your eyesight starts to fade? Ready to rebel against the idea that cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are just inevitable parts of aging you have to accept?

What if I told you there's a board-certified ophthalmologist who cured his own life-threatening asthma with homeopathy—and then brought those same principles to eye care?

Dr. Edward Kondrot is the world's leading homeopathic ophthalmologist, and he's been treating eye diseases with alternative therapies for over 45 years. He still wears two hats—traditional ophthalmology when surgery is needed, and homeopathic approaches for everything else—which makes him uniquely qualified to tell you what actually works.

Here's what makes this conversation so important: Your eyes aren't isolated organs. They're connected to your liver, your emotional state, your circulation, your diet, your stress levels—your WHOLE body health. And that means you have way more control over your eye health than you've been led to believe.

✅ How a traditional ophthalmologist became a homeopath - Dr. Kondrot's near-death experience with asthma led him to a cure Western medicine said didn't exist (and transformed his entire approach to treating disease)

✅ Why cataracts are a warning light, not a death sentence - What your body is trying to tell you when a cataract develops, and the questions you should ask before rushing into surgery

✅ The truth about glaucoma that most eye doctors won't tell you - It's not just about pressure—it's about the health of your optic nerve, and there are steps you can take to improve it

✅ Macular degeneration from a whole-body perspective - Understanding the dry vs. wet forms, and why improving circulation and nutrition can change the trajectory of this disease

✅ The Ozempic blindness connection - Why this wildly popular weight loss drug is causing optic neuritis and permanent vision loss in some patients

✅ What "the eye is the flower of the liver" means - The Chinese medicine connection between your eyes, your liver, and unprocessed frustration and anger

✅ Light therapy and microcurrent that's been used for over 100 years - Ancient modalities that help the eye regenerate and balance your autonomic nervous system

✅ The shocking increase in diabetic retinopathy - Why what was rare 45 years ago is now epidemic (hint: it's not just diabetes—it's obesity and what we're eating)

✅ Computer vision syndrome and the blue light problem - How our screens are creating a generation of kids with eye problems, and what to do about it

✅ How to get a FREE eye health consultation - Dr. Kondrot personally reviews eye records at no charge for people who've been told "there's nothing more we can do"

On his asthma cure awakening: "The third remedy I took, it was like somebody turned on the light switch. Not only did my asthma improve, mentally and emotionally there was a shift. I said, why didn't they teach us this in medical school?"

On what homeopathy actually is: "The homeopathic doctor feels, if the body's intelligent and wants a fever, let me give something which causes a fever. Then miraculously, you no longer have the fever. When I was cured of my asthma, I was given a substance which causes asthma."

On cataracts as a message: "The cataract is like a red warning light that goes off in your car. I wanna find out what's going on. Why do some people go blind with a cataract at age 50 and others live to 80 and 90 and never need cataract surgery?"

On what you don't want to see: "Subtly, I always wanna ask the person: what is it they don't wanna see? One of the biggest issues as we get older, we don't wanna see ourself getting older. I'm 75. I feel like I'm 20. When I look in the mirror, I go, who is this old guy?"

On glaucoma being more than pressure: "You can have a pressure of 25, which is high, and never lose vision. Or you can have a pressure of 10, which is low, and go blind. It's more the health of the optic nerve. You gotta take those steps to improve your overall health."

On food as medicine: "I feel that food is our best medicine. Thomas Edison said the doctor of the future would not prescribe any drugs, but instead advise the patient on diet and nutrition. One of the biggest contributing factors to poor health in the United States is our poor diet."

His shopping tip: "If it has a label, don't eat it. Always shop in the periphery of the grocery store. The periphery has the healthy food. The center has the canned and processed stuff."

On modern medicine's approach: "Modern medicine is maintaining disease. When you have hypertension, the doctors won't say, let's take steps to cure it. Nope. They're maintaining it. Take this drug, and next year you need two drugs. But homeopathy is one approach where we actually look for a cure."

On never giving up hope: "When a doctor tells you there's nothing else that can be done—that's the person I want to talk to. Never give up. The worst thing that can happen to someone is to give up hope. There's always something that can be done."

On how your vision projects your reality: "The eye is not just a receptor. It's also a projector. Your vision is projecting your external environment. Is the glass half empty or is the glass half full?"

✔️ Anyone who's been told their eye disease is "just something you have to live with"

✔️ People with cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy looking for alternatives to surgery or injections

✔️ Rebels over 50 who want to preserve their vision and prevent eye disease

✔️ Anyone suffering from dry eyes that aren't responding to conventional treatments

✔️ People taking Ozempic for weight loss (you need to hear the vision loss connection)

✔️ Those curious about homeopathy and how it actually works

✔️ Anyone who believes in the body's ability to heal itself with the right support

✔️ People ready to address the root causes of disease, not just mask symptoms

After COVID, Dr. Kondrot shifted from a 3-5 day in-clinic program to a home-based program that gives you all the benefits at a fraction of the cost:

1. Personalized Homeopathic Remedy

After reviewing your eye records and case history via Zoom, he prescribes a specific remedy for YOUR body and situation

2. Light Therapy

Using specific wavelengths to help the eye regenerate and balance the autonomic nervous system (used by the College of Syntonic Optometry for over 100 years)

3. Microcurrent Stimulation

Low-level electrical current to help the eye regenerate (doctors have been using this since 1803!)

Why balancing the autonomic nervous system matters: If you're in a chronic stress state (sympathetic, "grizzly bear chasing you"), your body isn't interested in healing. It's worried about survival. You must shift to parasympathetic (rest and repair) for healing to happen.

Dr. Kondrot's golden rule: If it has a label, don't eat it. Those chemicals, preservatives, colorings, and dyes? He has a degree in chemistry and doesn't even know what some of them are.

Smart shopping: Always shop the periphery of the grocery store. That's where the healthy, whole foods are. The center aisles are full of processed, shelf-stable junk.

During the day: You NEED blue light (that's why the sky is blue)

At night: You need to AVOID blue light and shift to red light

The problem: Computers and phones emit blue light all evening, disrupting your circadian rhythm

The solution: Use blue light blocking screens, enable "night shift" mode on your iPhone (shifts to reddish tone), and get outside in natural sunlight during the day

We're creating a generation of kids with eye problems because they're:

1. Using only central vision (screens) instead of peripheral vision
2. Not going outdoors to play, run, use all aspects of their eyes
3. Spending hours on smartphones and computers

Your action step: Reduce screen time, get outside, use your peripheral vision more

One of the biggest deficiencies we're seeing? Vitamin D, because we're not getting enough sunlight.

Get outside—but wisely: If you live in Seattle, you could be outside all year and not get enough. If you're in Phoenix, five minutes might be too much. Know your environment and don't overexpose.

This is where Dr. Kondrot goes deeper than most eye doctors ever will:

What don't you want to see?

Often, cataracts and other vision problems develop when there's something we're avoiding looking at—aging, life changes, difficult truths.

Embracing aging as a gift:

"Aging is a gift. You have a lot of wisdom. It's wonderful to age and stay healthy and have that wisdom."

Your eyes project your reality:

The eye isn't just a receptor bringing in images—it's a PROJECTOR. Your vision projects your external environment. Is your glass half empty or half full? Your eyes reflect that.

Body intelligence:

Every symptom or problem is a MESSAGE. Maybe you need to make changes. Maybe you need to address your emotional state. Your body is constantly giving you signals—are you listening?

Free Resources from Dr. Kondrot

Get it at: KondrotBook.us

This book covers lectures Dr. Kondrot used to give during his one-week program:

1. Homeopathy for eyes
2. Good nutrition
3. Reducing stress
4. Proper hydration
5. Light therapy
6. Eye exercises
7. Everything you need to know

His advice: "If you're having an eye problem, get a copy of the book and read it while you can read it—before you're unable to read."

Get it at: FreeConsult.us

Dr. Kondrot will PERSONALLY review your eye records at no charge and give you:

1. His assessment
2. His recommendations
3. Hope when you've been told there's nothing more that can be done

Who this is for: Anyone who's been given a bad diagnosis, told there's nothing else that can be done, or is losing hope about their vision.

IMMEDIATE (Do Today):

1. Enable night shift on your phone - Reduce blue light exposure in the evening
2. Shop the perimeter - Next grocery trip, stick to whole foods with no labels
3. Get outside in natural light - Even 10 minutes makes a difference for vitamin D
4. Download Dr. Kondrot's free book - KondrotBook.us

THIS WEEK:

1. Assess your emotional state - What don't you want to see? What frustration or anger needs processing?
2. Consider blue light blocking - For computer screens if you work digitally
3. Reduce screen time - Especially in the evening hours
4. Use peripheral vision more - Go outside, play, look at the horizon

THIS MONTH:

1. Review your eye health - When was your last eye exam? What were the results?
2. If you've been told "nothing can be done" - Get Dr. Kondrot's free consultation at FreeConsult.us
3. Address underlying health issues - Blood sugar, circulation, inflammation, stress
4. Consider homeopathic evaluation - Especially if conventional treatments aren't working

Your eyes are not failing you randomly. They're responding to:

1. What you're eating (or not eating)
2. How you're managing stress
3. What you're avoiding looking at emotionally
4. Your overall circulation and inflammation
5. Whether you're moving your body
6. Your blood sugar regulation
7. The health of your autonomic nervous system

Yes there are genetic influences here and lifestyle habits have contributed in a big way but you have more control over your eye health than you've been told. But only if you're willing to look at (pun intended) the whole picture—not just pressure numbers and whether you "need surgery yet."

Dr. Kondrot proved it's possible to cure diseases Western medicine says have no cure. He did it with his own asthma. He's been doing it with eyes for 45 years.

The question is: are you willing to keep an open mind and listen to your gut?

Main Website: HealingTheEye.com

(Testimonials, videos, programs, trained doctors, vitamins, microcurrent info)

Free Book Download: KondrotBook.us

("10 Essentials to Save Your Sight")

Free Eye Consultation: FreeConsult.ushttps://www.healingtheeye.net/doctor-lead-magnet

(Dr. Kondrot personally reviews your eye records—no charge)

Mission Work & Daily Tips: Kondrot.com (Substack)

(100% of subscriptions support mission work in Africa)

Charity Work: Site.org

(Giving Sight and the Gospel in Togo, Africa)

Sometimes the most rebellious thing we can do is refuse to accept "there's nothing more we can do" when it comes to our health.

Your eyes deserve more than just waiting until surgery is "necessary." They deserve:

1. Whole-body support
2. Emotional processing
3. Nutritional excellence
4. Stress management
5. Homeopathic wisdom that's been used for 200+ years

Your vision—both external and internal—is worth fighting for. Your sight is worth preserving. Your body is worth listening to.

And if you've been told there's nothing that can be done? Dr. Kondrot wants to talk to you. For free. Because he believes what I believe: there's always a way out of no way.

Stay rebellious,

Greg

P.S. Seriously, go download that free book while you can still read it comfortably. And if you're struggling with eye issues, take Dr. Kondrot up on that free consultation. The man is 75, still practicing, and reviewing eye records for free because he genuinely wants to help people. That's the kind of doctor we need more of in this world.

P.P.S. If you're taking Ozempic for weight loss, please do your research on optic neuritis and have this conversation with your doctor. In Denmark, where the drug originated, it's illegal to use it for weight loss. It’s prescribed only for Diabetes. That should tell you something.

Remember: Your eyes are projecting your reality. Make sure you're looking at a reality worth seeing.

Episode Guest: Dr. Nathalie Beauchamp (Dr. Nat) - Chiropractor, Author & Biohacking Expert

Are you tired of feeling like you need to nail every health habit every single day or you've somehow failed? Ready to rebel against the myth that you have to do everything—the workout, the supplements, the meal prep, the stretching—all in one perfect day?

Here's what the wellness industry doesn't always tell you: You don't have to do it all. Not even close.

This conversation with Dr. Nat is going to shift how you think about health habits forever. She's redefining biohacking as finding better, more efficient ways to be healthy—not adding more guilt to your already full plate.

✅ Why weekly and monthly habits matter more than daily perfection - Learn how to organize your health goals across different timeframes so you can actually stick with them

✅ The three-tier system for building new habits - Discover which changes are quick wins vs. which ones need serious planning (and why you shouldn't tackle too many at once)

✅ Sleep as your non-negotiable foundation - Why tracking your sleep might reveal you're getting way less than you think (and what to do about it)

✅ The truth about strength training after 50 - Research shows women in their 70s can still build bone density and muscle mass—no excuses, just smart strategies

✅ Why CGMs are now affordable (under $100/month) and how they can give you powerful insights about your unique body

✅ The connection factor - Why your health habits mean nothing if you're trying to do them alone

On redefining biohacking: "My definition of biohacking is just finding better and more efficient ways to be healthy. I see so many people thinking, 'If I can't go to the gym an hour and a half, four or five times a week, then I might as well not go at all.' That's not how this works."

On the daily perfection trap: "We think we need to do it all in one day—the perfect day where you take all your supplements, do your exercise, do your stretching. It's impossible. Let's face it, it's impossible."

✔️ Women over 50 who are tired of all-or-nothing approaches to health

✔️ Anyone feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of "must-do" health habits

✔️ Rebels who want to build sustainable routines that actually fit their real life

✔️ People struggling with sleep despite thinking they're "doing everything right"

✔️ Women concerned about bone density, muscle loss, and staying strong as they age

✔️ Anyone curious about blood sugar management and whether CGMs are worth it

✔️ Those who want to learn smart habit-stacking strategies from someone who gets it.

Your Affordable Biohacking Tool

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) - Now available for under $100/month through companies like Stelo and Levels. Worth doing at least once to see how YOUR body responds to different foods and activities.

While we focused on biohacking and habits, Dr. Nat reminded us of something crucial: people who live longest in Blue Zones aren't just eating well and moving—they're deeply connected to community.

Her advice? Find your people. Join a group. Try pickleball. Surround yourself with others on a similar health journey. The social aspect isn't optional—it's essential for longevity and vitality.

Beyond the Basics: When You're Ready

Once you've nailed sleep, movement, and nutrition, Dr. Nat covers advanced topics in her books:

1. Hormone optimization (adrenals, thyroid, female hormones)
2. Detoxification protocols
3. Strategic supplementation
4. Advanced biohacking tools

But here's the rebellious truth: you don't get to skip the basics. You can't exercise your way out of a bad diet. You can't supplement your way past terrible sleep.

Books:

1. Smart Cuts (Latest) - Quick, practical biohacking protocols with cost indicators and bite-sized action steps
2. Hack Your Health Habits - The comprehensive bible with 62 chapters covering everything from mindset to hormones

Website: DoctorNat.Life

(Sign up for the newsletter and download her free ebook)

Podcast/TV: Full season of interviews with 24 different practitioners covering everything from Ayurvedic medicine to mindset

Social Media: Find Dr. Nat on Instagram for ongoing tips, research updates, and real-talk about health and on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

Sometimes the most rebellious thing we can do is refuse to accept limitations that don't actually have to exist. You don't need perfect days. You don't need to do everything. You need consistency over perfection, community over isolation, and curiosity over rigidity.

Your body is capable of building muscle in your 70s. Your sleep can improve. Your blood sugar can stabilize. Your energy can return. But it won't happen by trying to be perfect—it happens by being strategic, consistent, and kind to yourself.

One habit at a time. One week at a time. One choice at a time.

Stay rebellious,

Greg

P.S. What's the ONE habit you're going to focus on this month? Don't try to do three. Pick one. Your future self will thank you for not settling for overwhelm.

Ready for more rebellious wellness wisdom? Subscribe so you never miss an episode of real talk about health, aging, and what's actually possible for your body.

Are you ready to tap into the superpower hiding in your subconscious mind? Whether you're leading a team, running a business, or navigating the unfamiliar terrain of retirement, your mindset might be the only thing standing between you and your next breakthrough.

In this conversation, I sit down with Michelle Waters—imagination advocate, clinical hypnotherapist, and business coach—to explore how hypnosis can transform everything from limiting beliefs to business success. And no, you won't be clucking like a chicken.

✨ Why hypnosis isn't meditation (and why goal-oriented people often find it easier to master)

🧠 How hidden childhood memories can sabotage your adult life—including a fascinating story about a woman's unexplained phobia of bumblebees

💼 The surprising connection between hypnotherapy and business success—discover why it's the "super arrow in a business person's quiver"

🎯 How to overcome social anxiety and self-sabotage when your career depends on confidence

🚀 Michelle's revolutionary AI-powered app that creates custom hypnosis recordings in just 5 minutes (personalized wellness is here, rebels!)

📖 Leadership wisdom for every stage of life—from corporate climber to community volunteer

"Hypnosis is like meditation, but with a goal. We're such a goal-oriented society that hypnosis works really well for people—even those who struggle with meditation."

"Your subconscious mind listens all the time, whether you are awake or you perceive yourself to be asleep."

"Leadership is important throughout one's life. The essence of leadership is always about who are you? How can you be the best you?"

"You can't make somebody do anything in hypnosis that they're not aligned with doing. When you try to suggest something they don't believe or think is crazy, they just wake up."

✅ Women over 50 navigating career transitions or retirement

✅ Business leaders dealing with imposter syndrome or social anxiety

✅ Anyone curious about hypnosis but skeptical of the "woo-woo"

✅ Professionals who struggle with meditation but crave mental clarity

✅ Leaders looking to unlock their subconscious blocks to success

✅ People interested in the intersection of AI and wellness

Here's what traditional therapy doesn't always tell you: your conscious mind might not even remember the root cause of your struggles. That social anxiety holding you back at networking events? That fear preventing you from taking your business to the next level? The answers might be locked in your subconscious, waiting to be discovered.

Michelle shares how hypnotherapy helped a shy realtor overcome decades of social anxiety by uncovering childhood patterns—transforming his ability to build the relationships his career demanded. Sometimes the barriers to our success were built when we were six years old, and we've been living with them ever since without even knowing it.

While meditation asks you to empty your mind, hypnosis gives your brain a job to do—making it perfect for those of us who can't sit still without a purpose. Michelle breaks down how hypnosis helps with:

1. Business mindset blocks that keep you playing small
2. Stress relief without adding another hour to your already packed schedule
3. Lost memories that might explain current patterns
4. Goal achievement through subconscious reprogramming
5. Confidence building for career transitions

Michelle created something truly innovative: MakeMyHypno.com—an AI-powered app that generates personalized hypnosis recordings in her voice, tailored to your specific goals and preferences. Pick from 19 different topics, choose your ideal setting (moonlit beach, anyone?), add your personal details, and receive a custom recording in about 5 minutes.

Use discount code 25PODCAST for 25% off!

Want to dip your toes in? Michelle hosts free online hypnosis sessions every month on Friday at noon Pacific. No commitment, no pressure—just a chance to experience what hypnosis actually feels like (spoiler: it's way more relaxing and less Hollywood than you think).

Find all the details at MichelleWalters.net, including:

1. Her podcast: Mind Power Meets Mystic
2. Her book: The ABCs of Conscious Leadership (featuring Zig Ziglar for "Z" - Zeal!)
3. Classes, events, and services

Your subconscious mind is either working for you or against you—there's no neutral. The question is: are you ready to find out what's really driving your decisions, fears, and limitations?

Don't settle for "that's just how I am." Your future self will thank you for questioning what's actually possible.

Stay curious, stay empowered, and keep exploring what your mind can really do.

Want to try hypnosis but not sure where to start? Leave a comment and let me know what mindset blocks you're working through—I want to hear about it!

#RebelliousWellness #HypnosisForLeaders #MindsetMatters #WomenOver50 #SubconsciousMind #BusinessMindset #PersonalizedWellness #LeadershipDevelopment