What if the reason you feel depleted isn’t that you need to try harder—but that you’re carrying more than you realize?

In this episode of The Ripple Effect Connection, Kristi Hujik chats with health and performance expert Justin Buckthorp for a conversation about energy, resilience, recovery, and the hidden toll of modern life.

With more than 25 years in health and wellness, Justin has worked with everyone from executives to elite athletes, including professional golfer Justin Rose and soccer superstar Harry Kane. Through that experience, he’s seen that while our environments may be very different, the physical, mental, and emotional demands of life ultimately land on the same biological systems.

Justin introduces the idea of Life Load™ —the total stress we’re carrying at any given time—and explains why understanding that load can help us get ahead of burnout, illness, injury, and declining performance.

Kristi and Justin also explore the health consequences of being constantly “on,” why distraction is draining more than our productivity, and what elite performers understand about protecting their capacity that the rest of us can learn from.

Along the way, they get practical about morning routines, movement, recovery, sleep, gratitude, gut health, wearables, and why adding more health advice to an already overwhelmed life isn’t always the answer.

At its core, this conversation is about protecting your energy so you have more of yourself available for what matters most.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Justin Buckthorp and episode overview

01:58 Justin's journey into health and wellness

04:05 The evolution towards functional medicine

05:30 Working with professional athletes versus corporate wellness

07:07 Understanding life load and allostatic load

09:06 Proactive management of stress and recovery

11:05 The impact of distraction and modern society

12:58 Simple daily habits for health and well-being

17:01 Introduction to 360 Health and Performance™ platform

20:01 The future of personalized health care and technology

24:03 Gut health and the gut-brain axis

28:00 Practical tips for improving digestion and gut health

29:50 Connecting with Justin Buckthorp and resources

Connect with Kristi Hujik

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jon Gordon Certified Trainings - ⁠⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/jon-gordon-certified⁠⁠

Subscribe To My Youtube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@wholehealthkristi13⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Justin Buckthorp

Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/justinbuckthorp/⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠https://justinbuckthorp.com/⁠⁠

360os - ⁠⁠https://360healthperformance.com/⁠

What happens when doing all the right things… still doesn’t feel like enough?

In this episode, with my sister-in-law, Sharon Hujik, we explore what resilience really looks like when life presents challenges you didn’t choose — and can’t control.

Sharon shares the deeper lessons she’s learned navigating trauma, parenting through the complexity of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), and the emotional weight that many women quietly carry. This conversation moves beyond surface-level advice and into the real work of resilience — the internal shifts that change how we respond when life feels overwhelming.

We talk about:

• How trauma and chronic stress shape the brain
• The role of neuroplasticity in changing our responses
• Why endurance alone isn’t the answer
• The importance nervous system awareness and regulation
• Practical tools to move from reaction → response

This is a conversation for the woman who feels stretched, responsible for everything, and is ready to respond differently — not by doing more, but by understanding herself on a deeper level.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re holding it all together on the outside… while navigating something heavy on the inside — this one will resonate.

🎙️ Listen now and learn how resilience is not something you’re born with — it’s something you build.

Connect with Kristi Hujik
Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠
Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Wholehealthkristi
Health & Performance Coaching for CEO’s, Executive Leaders, & High Performers - https://www.kristihujik.com/corporate-offerings
Join my free online VIP Community - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BBMu47UsB/
Product discounts and links for you - https://linktr.ee/wholehealthkristi
Subscribe To My Youtube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@wholehealthkristi13 ⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Sharon Hujik
Website - https://sharonhujik.com/
Podcast "Rising To Resilience"

Told he had just three years to live, Ian Clark chose not to accept the prognosis.

In this episode, we discuss his journey from health crisis to rebuilding his body through essential minerals, detoxification, and a deep commitment to learning what the body truly needs.

We explore magnesium and iodine as foundational elements, the overlooked link between dental health and systemic disease, the importance of delivery methods in supplementation, and why the way we speak to ourselves may shape our biology more than we realize.

This is a conversation about responsibility, discernment, and rebuilding health from the inside out.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Personal Transformation

09:04 Understanding the Body's Healing Needs

11:42 Being the CEO of Your Own Body

15:48 Navigating Conflicting Health Information

20:32 The Importance of Detoxification

24:31 Nutrient-Dense Products for Healing

24:52 The Importance of Magnesium in Health

25:50 Introducing Solaris: A Natural Remedy

27:33 The Role of Restore in Detoxification

28:46 Understanding Blood Health and Detoxification

30:28 Navigating Supplement Choices

31:55 The Connection Between Dental Health and Overall Wellness

32:20 The Challenges of Dental Care

34:43 Simplifying Oral Health Practices

36:01 Rethinking Longevity and Health Mindset

38:57 The Power of Positive Self-Talk

Connect with Kristi Hujik

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠
Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Wholehealthkristi
Health & Performance Coaching for Leaders, & High Performers - https://www.kristihujik.com/corporate-offerings
Join my free online VIP Community - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BBMu47UsB/
Product discounts and links for you - https://linktr.ee/wholehealthkristi
Subscribe To My Youtube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@wholehealthkristi13 ⁠⁠⁠

Show Notes - https://www.kristihujik.com/podcast

Connect with Ian Clark

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ianclarkactivated/

Linktree - https://linktr.ee/ianclarkactivated

Website - hhttps://activationproducts.com/pages/perfect-iodine-lp?sca_ref=9553319.DBxu2OZMUSMtlbg

Nervous system regulation, breathwork, energy, cutting edge recovery technology, and systems-based care take center stage in this powerful conversation with Dr. Sean Drake, founder of Moderne Athlete.

In this episode of Ripple Effect Connection, Kristi Hujik chats with Dr. Sean Drake to explore a modern, human-first approach to healing and performance—one that treats the body as an integrated system rather than a collection of isolated parts.

Drawing from years of experience working alongside professional athletes across the NFL, NBA, NHL, PGA TOUR, and beyond, Sean shares why sustainable performance doesn’t come from pushing harder, but from restoring safety, alignment, and regulation within the body.

Together, they discuss the central role of the nervous system in recovery and resilience, the profound impact of breathwork in calming the body and supporting healing, and how movement, mindset, and regulation work together to expand capacity. Sean also brings real client stories into the conversation, illustrating the meaningful shifts that occur when individuals feel supported rather than overridden.

This episode is for athletes, high performers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who feels stuck in overdrive and is searching for a more aligned, sustainable path to health and performance.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

04:47 Combining Modalities For Healing and Recovery

06:25 Integrating Modalities for Holistic Healing

07:45 Energy In The Body and the Combination of Therapies

11:09 Personalized Approaches to Athlete Recovery

13:19 The Importance of Safety in Healing

19:36 Real-Life Success Stories in Healing

22:38 Amazing Healing Stories In Finding Safety

24:30 Understanding the Body's Natural Healing

26:33 Addressing Skepticism in Alternative Therapies

29:31 The Power of Breath Work

35:27 Zenbud Device for Nervous System Regulation

Connect with Kristi Hujik:Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristihujik.com

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WholehealthkristiHealth & Performance Coaching/Keynotes for CEO’s, Businesses, Executive Leaders, & High Performers - https://www.kristihujik.com/corporate-offeringsJoin my free online VIP Community - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BBMu47UsB/Product discounts - https://linktr.ee/wholehealthkristiConnect with Dr. Sean Drake:Website for Moderne Athlete - https://moderneathlete.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drseandrakePersonal Website - https://drseandrake.com

The food pyramid is back — and like in Stranger Things, it’s upside down.

In this episode of Ripple Effect Connection, Health & Performance Coach Kristi Hujik breaks down the new dietary guidelines and explains what they actually mean for your health, energy, gut, and daily food choices.

Kristi covers what changed, what didn’t, and what’s still missing — including protein recommendations, full-fat dairy, ultra-processed foods, added sugar, and alcohol guidance. She will also explain that even it is never applied to your nutrition decisions this is a ground-breaking development.

This episode is a calm, practical translation of nutrition guidance — designed to help you eat well without overwhelm, fear, or extremes.

If you’ve felt confused by changing nutrition advice, this episode will bring clarity.

00:00 Introduction to the New Food Pyramid

02:29 Understanding the Impact of Dietary Guidelines

03:55 Pros and Cons To Dietary Guideline Changes

04:57 The Importance of Protein in the New Guidelines

07:34 Beware of Processed Protein Products

08:26 Dairy and Fats: A New Perspective

11:26 Addressing Ultra-Processed Foods

13:46 Added Sugars and Alcohol Guidelines

15:47 What Remains the Same in Dietary Guidelines

17:32 The Need for Individualized Nutrition

19:51 Conclusion: A Simple Framework for Healthy Eating

Connect with Kristi Hujik

===== Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠
===== Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/
===== Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Wholehealthkristi
===== Health & Performance Coaching for CEO’s, Executive Leaders, & High Performers - ⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/coaching-offerings
===== Join my free online VIP Wellness Community - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BBMu47UsB/

===== Product discounts and links for you - https://linktr.ee/wholehealthkristi
===== Watch On & Subscribe To My Youtube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@wholehealthkristi13 ⁠⁠⁠

Detox don't retox!We take the air we breathe and the water we drink for granted — yet both can have a profound impact on our overall health. In this episode of Ripple Effect Connection, Kristi Hujik is joined by wellness entrepreneur & SVP at AirDoctor & AquaTru by Ideal Living Helen Christoni for a thoughtful conversation on why air and water deserve just as much attention as food when it comes to reducing toxic load. Helen pioneered the company’s expert social programs, helping bring science-backed air and water purification into millions of homes. Together, they explore lesser-known truths many people have never been taught — including why boiling water doesn’t remove chemical contaminants, how indoor air quality can quietly contribute to dis-ease, and why third-party testing is critical when choosing filtration systems. They also discuss travel, everyday exposure, and how filtering the air you breathe and the water you drink can meaningfully support the body’s ability to function, repair, and detoxify over time. Connect with Kristi Hujik: ===== Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠===== Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/===== Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Wholehealthkristi===== Coaching - ⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/coaching-offerings ===== Join my free online VIP Wellness Community - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BBMu47UsB/===== Show Notes - https://www.kristihujik.com/podcast===== Product discounts and links for you - https://linktr.ee/wholehealthkristi===== Watch On & Subscribe To My Youtube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@wholehealthkristi13 ⁠⁠⁠Connect with Helen Christoni:===== Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/helenchristoni/===== LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenchristoni/===== X - https://x.com/helenchristoni

===== Shop Air Doctor - https://www.airdoctorpro.com/?oid=17&affid=11750
===== Shop Aqua Tru -  https://aquatruwater.com/?oid2=50&affid2=11750

In this episode of Ripple Effect Connection, host Kristi Hujik welcomes Dr. Georgia Brown, a chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner with over 22 years of experience. They explore the intricate connections between physical health, emotional well-being, and energetic balance. Dr. Brown shares her personal journey and insights on how stored emotions and stress impact the body, the importance of addressing both physical and emotional health, and the role of functional medicine in holistic healing. They discuss the significance of understanding trauma, the necessity of forgiveness, and the challenges women face during menopause. The conversation also delves into the gut-brain connection, the benefits of bioidentical hormones, and the importance of supporting children and teens in their health journeys. The episode concludes with practical biohacking tips for better health and wellness.

00:00 Intro

02:59 Full Body Approach and Energetics

04:21 The Interconnection of Physical and Emotional Health

06:47 Understanding Emotional Patterns in Chronic Symptoms

08:45 The Impact of Trauma on Health

11:49 Forgiveness and Self-Awareness

12:50 Empathy and Boundaries in Healing

17:19 Functional Medicine and Holistic Approaches

19:59 Healing Is Not Linear

22:42 Integrating Wellness in Chiropractic Care

25:11 Transformative Impact on Children and Teens

29:20 The Gut-Brain Connection

31:47 Navigating Menopause with Bioidentical Hormones

36:26 Empowering Women Through Hormonal Health

39:47 Biohacking Favorites

41:07 Favorite Go-To Supplements

Connect with Kristi Hujik:

===== Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

===== Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/

===== Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Wholehealthkristi

===== Join The 30-Day Blood Sugar Reset - https://www.kristihujik.com/blood-sugar-reset

===== Work with me - ⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/coaching-offerings

===== Product discounts and links for you - https://linktr.ee/wholehealthkristi

===== Watch On & Subscribe To My Youtube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@wholehealthkristi13 ⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Dr. Georgia Brown:

===== Website - https://wintergardenchiropractors.com/meet-the-team/

===== Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drgeorgiabrown/

===== LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-young-rtt/

Kristi Hujik breaks down the fundamentals of metabolic health — what glucose is, how insulin works, and what metabolic dysfunction really means. You’ll learn why so many people experience early symptoms like fatigue, cravings, weight gain, inflammation, PMS, poor sleep, and anxiety long before their lab work shows a problem.

Kristi also shares why she chose blood sugar as the foundation of her first group program and why she partnered with Levels to help people understand their own metabolism through continuous glucose monitoring and real-time data.

What you’ll learn:
• What glucose actually does in the body
• Why insulin is essential for energy
• What metabolic dysfunction is (and why it’s so common)
• Why blood sugar is the foundation for hormonal balance, mood, and longevity
• How small daily habits create big metabolic shifts
• Why real-time data through Levels can help you understand your own biology

If you’re ready to understand your cravings, energy dips, stubborn weight, mood swings, or sleep issues, this episode will give you the knowledge you’ve been missing.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:24 What is Metabolic Dysfunction?

03:13 Why Metabolic Health Is A Problem

04:29 Glucose & Insulin Roles In The Body

07:44 Understanding Glucose Spikes

09:52 30-Day Blood Sugar Reset Importance

10:34 CGM Insights Importance

12:52 Partnership with Levels

15:12 Addressing Foods In Blood Sugar Reset

16:28 Using Levels Tracking In Blood Sugar Reset

Takeaways

- Metabolic dysfunction can lead to serious health issues if not addressed early.

- Common symptoms like fatigue and cravings are often signs of metabolic dysfunction.

- Glucose is essential for energy, but it needs to be regulated.

- Insulin resistance is a key indicator of metabolic health.

- Stabilizing blood sugar can lead to improved energy, mood, and overall health.

- The 30-day Blood Sugar Reset program is designed to help individuals understand and manage their blood sugar levels and address factors not related to food.

- Continuous glucose monitoring provides valuable insights into how lifestyle affects blood sugar.

- Metabolic health is a foundation for deeper healing and wellness.

- Simple lifestyle changes can quickly have a significant impact on metabolic health.

Connect with Kristi Hujik:

===== Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

===== Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kristihujik.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

===== Join The 30-Day Blood Sugar Reset - https://www.kristihujik.com/blood-sugar-reset

===== Work with me - ⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/coaching-offerings ⁠⁠⁠

===== Register for my Free 2026 Health Goals Planning Webinar - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JZ4InsLrToOLYZiEs8nRmA

===== Product discounts and links for you - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/wholehealth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

===== Watch On & Subscribe To My Youtube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@wholehealthkristi13 ⁠⁠⁠

===== Full Show Notes - ⁠⁠⁠⁠h⁠ttps://kristihujik.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

Upper cervical chiropractor Dr. Matthew Roe joins the show to explore how the Atlas and Axis at the top of the spine influence the nervous system, posture, and whole-body health. He and Kristi unpack the impact of modern stress, chronic sympathetic overload, and the rise of tech neck—especially what this means for kids and future generations. Listeners will learn how upper cervical misalignment can trigger widespread symptoms, why gentle adjustments can create powerful shifts, and what simple daily habits can support spinal alignment and long-term resilience.

00:00 Intro

03:51 Understanding Chiropractic Care and Health

05:48 The Importance of Upper Cervical Spine

08:43 C1 C2 and the Relation to Nervous System

10:57 Common Symptoms and Conditions Treated

13:08 Precision in Upper Cervical Adjustments

15:15 Success Stories and Unexpected Outcomes

18:49 Posture, Vagus Nerve, and Modern Health Issues

21:19 The Impact of Technology on Posture

23:25 Correcting Postural Issues Now and In the Future

25:16 The Need for Chiropractic Care with Younger Generation

27:37 Other Tools Besides Adjustments

31:07 Takeaways For Treating The Upper Cervical Spine

Connect with Kristi Hujik:

===== Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠

===== Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kristihujik.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

===== Work with me - ⁠https://www.kristihujik.com/coaching-offerings ⁠⁠⁠

===== Register for my Free 2026 Health Goals Planning Webinar - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JZ4InsLrToOLYZiEs8nRmA

===== Product discounts and links for you - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/wholehealth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

===== Watch On & Subscribe To My Youtube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@wholehealthkristi13 ⁠⁠⁠

===== Full Show Notes - ⁠⁠⁠⁠h⁠ttps://kristihujik.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠
Connect With Dr. Matthew Roe:

===== Website - https://wintergardenchiropractors.com/

===== Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/roefamilychiropractic/

===== Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/roefamilychiropractic

Do you ever feel stuck in survival mode — anxious, overwhelmed, or like your body and mind just won’t calm down? In this episode, Dena Ford, LMHC, PhD, joins us to explore how mental health, generational trauma, and chronic stress impact both the mind and body.

Dena shares her personal journey into mental health, how her own experiences with trauma shaped her career, and what she’s learned working with clients facing chronic pain, caregiver stress, and life transitions like menopause. We also dive into EMDR and somatic therapy, debunk myths about trauma therapy, and discuss how lifestyle changes and self-awareness can help regulate the nervous system and support long-term healing.

Whether you’re navigating your own trauma, supporting someone else, or just curious about the mind-body connection, this conversation offers practical insight and guidance for moving from stuck in survival mode to empowered, regulated living.

00:00 Intro

04:27 Understanding Generational Trauma

06:30 The Stigma of Trauma

09:14 EMDR and Somatic Therapy

11:58 Chronic Pain and Trauma Connection

14:33 Myths About EMDR and Trauma Therapy

16:51 Balance In The Central Nervous System

18:50 Somatic Work and Body Awareness

20:47 The Interconnection of Body and Mind

24:05 Menopause Hormones and Mental Health

26:30 Reinventing Yourself Through Menopause

27:20 Neuroplasticity and Epigenetics: Taking Control

28:50 The Challenges of Younger Generations

31:24 Social Media's Impact on Mental Health

32:49 Coping as a Caregiver

40:16 Rewiring the Brain/Limbic System

42:37 Simple Modalities for Healing

Connect with Kristi Hujik:

===== Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi⁠⁠ ⁠⁠

===== Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kristihujik.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

===== Work with me - https://www.kristihujik.com/coaching-offerings ⁠⁠

===== Product discounts and links for you - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/wholehealth⁠⁠⁠⁠

===== Watch On & Subscribe To My Youtube Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@wholehealthkristi13 ⁠⁠

===== Full Show Notes - ⁠⁠⁠h⁠ttps://kristihujik.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Dena Ford:

===== Email - [email protected]

Additional Resources:

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, MD: Nadine Burke Harris | Speaker | TED

Dr. Bessel van der kold, MD: Home - Trauma Research Foundation

Childhood Disrupted book by Donna Jackson Nakazawa

For more information on EMDR:
About EMDR Therapy - EMDR International Association