Take Back Your Health®

What if symptoms dismissed as “just menopause” are connected to your gut? Dr. Amy Myers sits down with Cynthia Thurlow, NP, to explore the menopause-gut connection, the estrobolome, immune health, trauma, hormones, and bio-individual nutrition.

Cynthia shares the health crisis that led to a 13-day hospitalization after a ruptured appendix, pancolitis, and complications that continued after she returned home. She later learned that Giardia had contributed to her prolonged illness, changing how she viewed the gut microbiome, declining estrogen, and the immune system.

Dr. Amy and Cynthia discuss estrogen processing, bowel regularity, brain fog, mood, skin changes, weight resistance, the gut-brain and gut-ovarian axes, trauma, hormone testing, protein, fiber, and why strategies may need to change across menopause.

What You’ll Learn

About Cynthia Thurlow, NP

Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, women’s health expert, and host of the Everyday Wellness podcast. She is the author of The Menopause Gut.

Resources

🚨 Special Offer 🚨

Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer.

🚨 Exclusive Sunlighten Savings 🚨

Dr. Amy Myers has used a Sunlighten sauna for 16 years to support circulation, the body’s natural detox pathways, and relaxation. Discover Sunlighten’s mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ technology, along with Amplify and the portable Solo System. Visit the Dr. Amy Myers Sunlighten offer page to save up to $2,100 plus free shipping. Use code Dr. Amy Myers.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and the menopause-gut connection

02:34 Cynthia’s travel illness and health crisis

04:21 Hospitalization, ruptured appendix, pancolitis, and complications

06:31 Giardia, weight loss, and declining estrogen

08:09 Why the gut microbiome matters in midlife

10:14 What the estrobolome does

11:31 Constipation, estrogen processing, and the Goldilocks effect

13:44 Estrogen metabolites, detox pathways, and exposures

16:29 Diet, stress, and the estrobolome

17:10 Estrogen recirculation and menopause symptoms

18:32 The gut-brain connection and neurotransmitters

20:22 Food poisoning, inflammation, and brain fog

22:52 Infection, microbiome disruption, and mood changes

25:09 Bio-individuality and healing the gut

26:36 Bloating, brain fog, and weight resistance

29:19 Trauma and the gut-ovarian axis

32:16 ACE scores, stress, and perimenopause

34:16 Earlier menopause and high-stress professions

36:31 Why women were taught to suffer in silence

38:23 WHI data and hormone replacement

40:35 Transdermal versus oral hormones

41:26 Why estrogen affects more than bones

42:35 Progesterone, testosterone, and cognition

45:43 Testing hormones in context

46:31 Finding a qualified practitioner

49:09 Hormone delivery methods and dosing

53:37 Digestive rest, protein, and fasting

54:35 Bio-individual protein and carbohydrates

55:02 When intermittent fasting works—and when it does not

56:15 Protein, carbohydrates, sleep, and performance

58:37 Changing your approach as your body changes

59:21 Cynthia’s three ways to take back your health

01:00:05 Fiber, estrogen elimination, and bone health

01:00:24 Healthy boundaries and peace of mind

01:01:24 Where to find Cynthia

01:02:08 Closing conversation

Fasting is not a one-size-fits-all tool—especially for women. In this episode of Take Back Your Health®, Dr. Amy Myers sits down with Dr. Mindy Pelz to explore fasting, metabolic health, blood sugar, ketosis, autophagy, menopause, trauma, and the importance of working with female biology instead of against it.

Dr. Mindy explains why fasting may need to look different during the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, and postmenopause. She also shares how trauma, strength training, protein, nervous-system regulation, and community fit into the bigger picture.

They also discuss practical questions: how long to fast, when longer fasts may be useful, whether coffee affects a fast, how to exercise while fasting, and how to protect muscle during a refeed. This is an educational conversation about Dr. Mindy’s perspective and experience—not individualized medical advice.

What You’ll Learn

About Dr. Mindy Pelz

Dr. Mindy Pelz is a 2x New York Times bestselling author and a leading voice in women’s health, hormones, and aging. She hosts the Live Like a Girl Podcast.

Resources

Connect with Dr. Mindy Pelz

🚨 Special Offer 🚨

Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer.

🚨 Exclusive Sunlighten Savings 🚨

Dr. Amy Myers has used a Sunlighten sauna for 16 years to support circulation, the body’s natural detox pathways, and relaxation. Discover Sunlighten’s mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ technology, along with Amplify and the portable Solo System. Visit the Dr. Amy Myers Sunlighten offer page to save up to $2,100 plus free shipping. Use code Dr. Amy Myers.

Timestamps

00:01 Welcome and Dr. Mindy’s introduction

01:20 How Dr. Mindy came to fasting and autophagy

03:16 Detox pathways and why some women feel worse when fasting

06:11 What fasting means and the metabolic switch

10:18 From vegetarianism to paleo, keto, and intermittent fasting

13:41 Why women and men may need different fasting rhythms

16:48 Perimenopause, glucose, and metabolic preparation

19:00 Postmenopause, ketones, memory, and brain health

20:41 How ketosis may vary across life stages

22:05 Hormone therapy, menopause, and emotional healing

25:43 Estrogen and the “neurochemical armor” of the reproductive years

27:41 Ketones, neurotransmitters, and mood

28:43 Hormetic stress, adrenal stress, and gradual fasting

30:46 Autophagy and longer fasts

31:53 How Dr. Mindy uses fasting in her own life

34:14 When trauma changes the way you use fasting

35:13 Practical fasting durations

38:05 Metabolic flexibility and quick fixes

42:08 Strength training, protein, and preserving muscle

46:15 Training in a fasted state

48:20 Coffee, additives, and fasting

51:37 Why Dr. Mindy created Live Like a Girl

53:35 Looking at health through a female lens

56:06 The five principles of living like a girl

59:15 Community and the “lime tree” idea

01:00:44 Dr. Mindy’s three ways to take back your health

01:02:05 Closing conversation

What if a diagnosis changes your entire future before you have time to process what is happening? In this episode of Take Back Your Health®, Dr. Amy Myers sits down with Jordan Rubin to discuss severe Crohn’s colitis, a later metastatic testicular cancer diagnosis, faith, nutrition, emotional healing, and hope.

Jordan shares how he lost a dramatic amount of weight as a teenager, tried countless approaches, and eventually found a real-food and faith-centered path that he says helped him recover. Years later, he describes a focused 40-day period that included nutrition, sunlight, sauna use, body therapies, prayer, emotional healing, and objective testing after a frightening cancer prognosis.

This episode explores Jordan’s personal perspective—not a universal treatment plan—and the importance of hope, second opinions, supportive relationships, and qualified professional guidance.

What You’ll Learn

About Jordan Rubin

Jordan Rubin is a New York Times bestselling author and the founder of Garden of Life, Beyond Organic, and Ancient Nutrition.

Resources

🚨 Special Offer 🚨

Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer.

🚨 Exclusive Sunlighten Savings 🚨

Dr. Amy Myers has used a Sunlighten sauna for 16 years to support circulation, the body’s natural detox pathways, and relaxation. Discover Sunlighten’s mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ technology, along with Amplify and the portable Solo System. Visit the Dr. Amy Myers Sunlighten offer page to save up to $2,100 plus free shipping. Use code Dr. Amy Myers.

Timestamps

00:01 Welcome and Jordan’s introduction

02:45 Jordan’s Crohn’s colitis diagnosis and early health crisis

05:10 From alternative treatments to a real-food and faith-based approach

07:47 Why food availability and raw dairy became part of Jordan’s story

10:14 Nutrition, sunlight, ocean air, and recovery

12:26 Digestive support and Jordan’s intensive research

14:27 A2 dairy, cultured foods, and rebuilding nutrition

17:21 Recovery, hope, and purpose

19:50 Medication history and working with a care team

22:48 From healing Crohn’s disease to founding Garden of Life

24:30 Jordan’s metastatic testicular cancer diagnosis

26:53 The focused 40-day period of healing and objective testing

30:22 Nutrition, sunlight, sauna, and body therapies

32:49 Emotional healing, prayer, and unresolved memories

35:13 Fear, test results, and the mental-emotional side of cancer

37:04 Dr. Amy shares her health and faith journey

40:27 Fear, expectation, and hope after diagnosis

42:20 Why Jordan prefers “cancer conqueror”

45:09 Hope, faith, and long-term recovery

48:21 Integrating conventional and natural approaches

50:45 Diagnosis, fear, and treatment statistics

54:01 Nutrition, toxins, spiritual alignment, and support

57:31 The mental and emotional burden of cancer

59:24 Getting a second opinion and understanding options

01:01:51 Faith with action and rebuilding the body

01:03:44 Jordan’s story from The Biblio Diet

01:06:18 Finding hope after conventional treatment

01:08:13 Supporting patients with encouragement and hope

01:10:55 Choosing the path that is right for you

01:13:33 Jordan’s three ways to take back your health

01:14:36 Where to find Jordan

01:15:03 Closing conversation

What if your health is shaped by more than food, supplements, and individual lab values? In this episode of Take Back Your Health®, Dr. Amy Myers is joined by Petra Davelaar Dorfsman, ND, to explore deuterium, light, water, mitochondria, and the environmental signals that influence how the body functions.

Petra explains what deuterium is, why she connects it with mitochondrial function and the glycocalyx, and how light, temperature, magnetism, nutrition, and circadian timing fit into her Energetics of Health framework. She also discusses testing, deuterium-depleted water, sunlight, sauna use, cold exposure, and why an individualized strategy matters.

What You’ll Learn

About Petra Davelaar Dorfsman, ND

Petra Davelaar Dorfsman, ND, is an integrative health practitioner whose official biography describes a focus on oncology, metabolic health, advanced diagnostic interpretation, and individualized health strategies. Her official site states that she consults internationally and works alongside conventional medical teams rather than in place of them.

Resources

Deuterium-Depleted Water: Explore MDRN Life DDW, the deuterium-depleted water resource mentioned in this episode.

🚨 Special Offer 🚨

Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer.

🚨 Exclusive Sunlighten Savings 🚨

Dr. Amy Myers has used a Sunlighten sauna for 16 years to support circulation, the body’s natural detox pathways, and relaxation. Discover Sunlighten’s mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ technology, along with Amplify and the portable Solo System. Visit the Dr. Amy Myers Sunlighten offer page to save up to $2,100 plus free shipping. Use code Dr. Amy Myers.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and Petra’s introduction

00:55 Petra’s path into naturopathic medicine and deuterium research

03:08 The researchers and collaborators shaping Petra’s framework

07:23 What deuterium is and why it matters

10:07 Natural deuterium levels and the body’s regulation process

11:41 Sunlight, water, indoor living, temperature, and food

13:47 Testing water and tissue deuterium levels

17:40 Deuterium regulation, water, light, and pancreatic function

20:53 The vagus nerve and digestive regulation

21:43 Morning sunlight and outdoor light

24:52 The glycocalyx, structured water, and the energetic field

27:50 Nanobubbles, environmental signals, and mitochondria

31:11 Magnetism, grounding, and environmental context

34:29 Cold exposure, resilience, and mitochondrial adaptation

37:50 Living with nature instead of isolated shortcuts

38:53 Evaluating deuterium-depleted water sources

41:02 Personalized timelines and avoiding excessive depletion

43:25 Testing caveats and sample handling

44:48 Petra’s experience and approach

47:59 Three ways to take back your health

49:54 Where to find Petra

50:09 Consultations and working alongside medical care

50:32 Closing conversation

What if your gut health depends less on finding one perfect probiotic and more on restoring an entire ecosystem? In this episode of Take Back Your Health®, Dr. Amy Myers is joined by Dr. Piper Dobner, a naturopathic doctor specializing in microbiome therapeutics, to explore the gut microbiome, helminthic therapy, and fecal microbiota transplantation.

Dr. Piper explains why the microbiome is a community of organisms working together, how helminthic therapy is discussed in relation to immune balance, and why careful dosing and monitoring matter. She also breaks down FMT delivery methods, donor screening, and the questions that still need better research.

What You’ll Learn

About Dr. Piper Dobner

Dr. Piper Dobner, NMD, MS, is a naturopathic doctor specializing in microbiome therapeutics. Her official biography states that she has worked in the fecal transplant space for a decade and has treated patients with recurrent and resistant C. diff infection. She is the founder and physician at Biome Basics and Head of Science & Education at SFI Health.

Resources

🚨 Special Offer 🚨

Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer.

🚨 Exclusive Sunlighten Savings 🚨

Dr. Amy Myers has used a Sunlighten sauna for 16 years to support circulation, the body’s natural detox pathways, and relaxation. Discover Sunlighten’s mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ technology, along with Amplify and the portable Solo System. Visit the Dr. Amy Myers Sunlighten offer page to save up to $2,100 plus free shipping. Use code Dr. Amy Myers.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and Dr. Piper’s introduction

00:31 Dr. Piper’s path into fecal transplant work

05:01 The microbiome as an ecosystem

07:43 The Yellowstone analogy and keystone species

11:37 Dr. Amy’s experience with helminthic therapy

13:25 What helminthic therapy involves

15:44 How human hookworm therapy works in the body

19:32 Safety, side effects, and overgrowth concerns

22:36 Why Dr. Piper recommends a low-and-slow approach

27:39 Parasites, autoimmunity, and context

32:49 A helminthic-therapy success story

38:35 What fecal microbiota transplantation is

40:13 FMT delivery methods and why route matters

45:56 Donor screening and infant microbiome research

48:27 Vaginal seeding, meconium, and early-life microbial exposure

52:03 How frozen oral FMT capsules are administered

55:44 Defining a healthy donor and screening for safety

01:01:36 Dr. Piper’s three ways to take back your health

01:03:20 Where to find Dr. Piper

01:04:18 Closing conversation

What if a sauna’s benefits are about more than temperature? In this episode of Take Back Your Health®, Dr. Amy Myers reconnects with Connie Zack, co-owner of Sunlighten and Sunlighten Day Spa, to explore infrared light, sauna science, wavelengths, heat shock proteins, and personalized wellness routines.

Connie shares the story behind Sunlighten and explains how steam, traditional, and infrared saunas differ. She breaks down far-, mid-, and near-infrared light, discusses red light, and explains why wavelength, separate delivery, independent testing, and proximity matter when comparing light-therapy products.

What You’ll Learn

About Connie Zack

Connie Zack is the co-owner of Sunlighten and Sunlighten Day Spa. Sunlighten’s official story explains how Connie and Aaron Zack were inspired by Connie’s brother’s health transformation and committed themselves to making infrared light more accessible.

Resources

Connect with Dr. Amy Myers

Connect with Connie Zack

Sunlighten Sponsor Offers

🚨 Special Offer 🚨

Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer: https://share.sunlighten.com/AmyMyers

🚨 Exclusive Sunlighten Savings 🚨

Dr. Amy Myers has used a Sunlighten sauna for 16 years to support circulation, the body’s natural detox pathways, and relaxation. Discover Sunlighten’s mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ technology, along with Amplify and the portable Solo System. Visit the Dr. Amy Myers Sunlighten offer page to save up to $2,100 plus free shipping: https://www.sunlighten.com/dramymyers. Use code Dr. Amy Myers.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and Connie Zack’s connection with Dr. Amy

01:09 Connie’s brother’s health journey and the beginnings of Sunlighten

03:41 Infrared, traditional, and steam saunas: what is the difference?05:39 How infrared energy works differently from traditional heat

08:32 The multidimensional benefits of infrared sauna technology

09:41 Near-, mid-, and far-infrared: how each wavelength works

14:05 Infrared wavelengths, precision, and the science behind them

16:27 Near-infrared light and why wavelength matters

18:46 Red light, cellular signaling, and mitochondrial function

20:14 Research on infrared, inflammation, mood, cardiovascular health, and metabolic health

22:10 Heat shock proteins, hormesis, and building resilience

25:22 How to get started with an infrared sauna

27:45 Choosing between the Solo Sauna and larger sauna models

31:21 Sauna wellness programs, consistency, and session length

31:44 Should you preheat your infrared sauna?

33:13 Sweating, detoxification, and heat shock protein activation

37:09 Using the sauna when you have limited time

39:18 Showering after sauna sessions and sweat exposure

41:53 Dr. Amy’s castor oil sauna routine

45:13 Sauna success stories involving sleep, mood, and nervous-system support

48:26 Sunlighten’s upcoming Amplify Red sauna

51:38 How to evaluate red-light and near-infrared products

53:53 Three ways to take back your health

56:31 Closing conversation

What if the brain’s future is shaped by more than genetics and age? In this episode of Take Back Your Health®, Dr. Amy Myers reconnects with neurologist and author Dr. David Perlmutter to discuss the brain’s immune system, metabolism, inflammation, and the lifestyle factors that may influence cognitive health.

Dr. Perlmutter joins Dr. Amy to discuss his newest book, Brain Defenders, and the role of microglia, the brain’s immune cells. They explore immunometabolism, blood sugar, sleep, exercise, diet, perimenopausal hormone changes, APOE4, and why brain-health work may need to begin long before symptoms appear.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

About Dr. David Perlmutter

Dr. David Perlmutter is a board-certified neurologist and author whose work focuses on brain health, nutrition, metabolic health, and neurodegenerative disorders. His newest book, Brain Defenders, focuses on the brain’s immune cells and their relationship to long-term brain health.

Resources and People Mentioned

Connect with Dr. Myers

Connect with Dr. David Perlmutter

🚨 Special Offer 🚨

Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer.

🚨 Exclusive Sunlighten Savings 🚨

Dr. Amy Myers has used a Sunlighten sauna for 16 years to support circulation, the body’s natural detox pathways, and relaxation. Discover Sunlighten’s mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ technology, along with Amplify and the portable Solo System. Visit the Dr. Amy Myers Sunlighten offer page to save up to $2,100 plus free shipping. Use code Dr. Amy Myers.

Episode Timestamps

What if the reason you cannot explain your fatigue, brain fog, digestive symptoms, or chemical sensitivity is not only in your body—but also in the building where you live? Mold-related illness can be difficult to recognize, especially when standard testing does not explain the full picture.

In this episode of Take Back Your Health®, Dr. Amy Myers speaks with Ariana Thacker, founder of MoldCo, about her experience developing chronic inflammatory response syndrome after moving into a mold-filled Miami unit. They discuss environmental testing, CIRS-related biomarkers, hidden water damage, treatment options, and ways to avoid ongoing re-exposure.

What We Cover:

About Ariana Thacker

Ariana Thacker is the founder of MoldCo. After developing chronic inflammatory response syndrome following mold exposure in her Miami home, she began studying the subject and built MoldCo to provide mold-focused environmental testing, lab testing, and provider-guided virtual care.

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Amy Myers:

Connect with Ariana Thacker and MoldCo:

🚨 Special Offer 🚨

Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer.

🚨 Exclusive Sunlighten Savings 🚨

Dr. Amy Myers has used a Sunlighten sauna for 16 years to support circulation, the body’s natural detox pathways, and relaxation. Discover Sunlighten’s mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ technology, along with Amplify and the portable Solo System. Visit the Dr. Amy Myers Sunlighten offer page to save up to $2,100 plus free shipping. Use code Dr. Amy Myers.

Episode Timestamps

What if the symptoms you’ve been told are “just aging” are actually signs of a major hormonal transition? Perimenopause can affect sleep, mood, metabolism, brain function, and resilience long before anyone explains what is happening.

In this episode, Dr. Amy Myers sits down with Dr. Mariza Snyder, a functional practitioner, women’s hormone expert, author, and host of Energized with Dr. Mariza. They discuss why perimenopause can feel like a second puberty, how hormone shifts affect the brain and metabolism, and practical tools for tracking symptoms, supporting blood sugar, building muscle, and advocating for better care.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

About Dr. Mariza Snyder

Dr. Mariza Snyder is a functional practitioner, women’s hormone expert, author, and host of Energized with Dr. Mariza. She focuses on perimenopause, hormones, metabolism, and midlife changes and wrote The Perimenopause Revolution.

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Amy Myers:

Connect with Dr. Mariza Snyder:

🚨 Special Offer 🚨

Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer.

🚨 Exclusive Sunlighten Savings 🚨

Dr. Amy Myers has used a Sunlighten sauna for 16 years to support circulation, the body’s natural detox pathways, and relaxation. Discover Sunlighten’s mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ technology, along with Amplify and the portable Solo System. Visit the Dr. Amy Myers Sunlighten offer page to save up to $2,100 plus free shipping. Use code Dr. Amy Myers.

Episode Timestamps

What if your hotel room could trigger a health setback before you even unpack? For those sensitive to mold, fragrances, or environmental exposures, travel can be challenging.

After encountering toxic mold during a recent trip to Costa Rica, I was reminded why preparation matters.

In this solo episode, I share my mold-safe travel protocol, from choosing lower-risk hotels and packing strategically to handling unexpected exposure and resetting once I’m home. I also share the tools and products I personally use to support my health while traveling.

What You’ll Learn

Disclaimer

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Resources and People Mentioned

Dr. Amy Myers Supplements Mentioned

Connect with Dr. Myers

🚨 Special Offer 🚨

Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer.

Timestamps

00:00 Dr. Amy’s Mold-Safe Travel Protocol
 02:43 Choosing a Lower-Risk Hotel
 07:20 Fragrance-Free Accommodations
 11:55 Food and Medical Travel Prep
 14:20 Luggage and Packing Bags
 19:06 Traveling in Cotton Clothing
 21:31 Better Sleep While Traveling
 23:49 In-Flight Essentials
 26:15 Hotel Room Inspections
 30:57 Travel Snacks and Supplements
 37:21 Digestive Support
 39:35 Mold-Support Protocol
 44:10 Cleaning After Travel
 48:58 Supporting Detox at Home
 51:19 Traveling With Mold Sensitivity
 55:34 Inner Circle & Final Takeaways