The Health Investment Podcast with Brooke Simonson

EPISODE 140 - Dr. Michael Albert is a co-founder and the Chief Medical Officer of Accomplish Health, a virtual obesity medicine practice. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Before joining Accomplish Health, he served a joint faculty appointment at Cedars-Sinai and UCLA. In addition, Dr. Albert founded the Medical Weight Loss Program at Cedars-Sinai under the Weight Loss Center. He completed his internship and residency at Cedars-Sinai, where he served as the Kennamer Fellow for UCLA. He earned his MD from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and his BS from Duke University. In his spare time, Dr. Albert cohosts the Impossible Healthcare podcast and is an active social media user, including TikTok, where he educates his over 220K followers on obesity and health. In the episode, he shares why the prevalence of obesity continues to rise; how food processing affects satiety; weight loss approaches that are a waste of time, money, and energy…and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/140

P.S. – If you’re liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode 🙂

QUESTIONS I ASK DR. ALBERT IN THE EPISODE:

What is your definition of obesity?

Should everyone with obesity try to lose weight, or can you be “healthy at every size” (as the HAES community suggests)?

Why does the incidence of obesity continue to rise and why has this never been a problem before for humans?

Can you explain why it's important to eat foods that are satiating when trying to lose weight? Which foods are most satiating? How does food processing affect satiety?

When trying to lose weight, what do you see people doing that’s a waste of their time, money, and energy?

What do these popular dietary patterns get right (if anything): Keto? Vegetarian/vegan? Mediterranean? What do they get wrong?

You often post new studies on Twitter. What new research currently excites you?

In your years as an obesity medicine specialist, have you changed your mind about anything?

If you had to summarize “best practices” for weight loss on a billboard, what would it read?

LINKS [SOME MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS; PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO]:

Visit Accomplish Health's website, follow Dr. Albert on Twitter and TikTok, and listen to the Impossible Healthcare Podcast

“My Unbiased Thrive Market Review (AND A Shopping List!)” – save money on your first Thrive Market order by clicking here

Click here when you're ready to lose 5-50+ pounds permanently!

Follow The Health Investment Podcast on Instagram

Follow host Brooke Simonson on Instagram

Email Brooke: [email protected]

Shout out to Christian Juarez for the theme music! (Click here to visit his Soundcloud!!)

EPISODE 139 - Tonia helps people declutter and redesign their lives so they can have time for what matters the most. This helps them live a more organized life which supports them in managing time, spaces, mental health and living their life purpose. She started her career as a teacher and after 12 years, in 2014, decided that she wanted to follow her passion of helping people create spaces to match their values and life purpose. Soon after starting Time + Space Solutions, she realized that while an organized space can be transformative, it was only the first step in making space to grow, evolve, and shift attachments. She started to apply her background in education, the arts, and psychology—along with trial and error—to create an integrated process for individuals to live out their values and to have spaces that support them. In the episode, Tonia explains the internal work you need to do if you want your home to stay decluttered and organized, why common organizational hacks may not work for you, why it’s so important to master the skill of letting go…and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/139

P.S. – If you’re liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode 🙂

QUESTIONS I ASK TONIA IN THE EPISODE:

How are you different from a professional organizer or coach?

Why are tips and life hacks not helpful when it comes to making lasting changes?

How do you help people get rid of things they think they may need some day?

What do you do when people give you gifts?

What’s your 5-step process for helping people organize their inner + outer world?

Why is letting go so important?

What about people with kids? Do you have to have a lot of stuff?

I know you talk about the importance of a “growth mindset.” Why is a growth mindset critical?

LINKS [SOME MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS; PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO]:

Visit Tonia's website and connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Get a bottle of sugar- and additive-free wine for a penny!

Click here when you're ready to lose 5-50 pounds permanently!

Follow The Health Investment Podcast on Instagram

Follow host Brooke Simonson on Instagram

Email Brooke: [email protected]

Shout out to Christian Juarez for the theme music! (Click here to visit his Soundcloud!!)

EPISODE 138 - Michelle Mendez is a paradigm shift coach helping individuals to identify and replace limiting beliefs and habits hindering them from achieving their goals and dreams. Her personal growth journey began a few years ago when, through coaching, she became aware of her own limiting paradigms that were keeping her from achieving her boldest dreams. Because of the beautiful changes she was experiencing both in her inner and outer world, she had a desire to learn how to show others, through coaching, how they can become aware of and replace those unconscious limiting beliefs and habits that are hindering them from living the life of their dreams. Her company, Michelle Mendez Coaching is on a joyful mission to help others shift those limiting paradigms that are standing between them and the life of their dreams. In the episode, Michelle explains what a paradigm is, when you might need a paradigm change, how your current paradigms may be holding you back…and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/138

P.S. – If you’re liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode 🙂

QUESTIONS I ASK MICHELLE IN THE EPISODE:

What is a paradigm? What are the different types?

How can someone know if they need a paradigm shift?

You talk about "limiting paradigms"—is that the same thing as a "limiting belief"?

What areas of life do paradigms control?

What happens if you don't make paradigm shifts?

On Instagram, you posted, "We've been conditioned to believe to improve our results, we need to change our behavior"...but you said that's not the case. What's a better way to change behavior?

LINKS [SOME MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS; PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO]:

Follow Michelle on LinkedIn and visit her website

“My Unbiased Thrive Market Review (AND A Shopping List!)” – save money on your first Thrive Market order by clicking here

Click here when you're ready to lose 5-50+ pounds permanently!

Follow The Health Investment Podcast on Instagram

Follow host Brooke Simonson on Instagram

Email Brooke: [email protected]

Shout out to Christian Juarez for the theme music! (Click here to visit his Soundcloud!!)

EPISODE 137 - A veteran of the health and fitness industry, Ryan has spent over 14 years studying the human body and how it moves. At one point in his fitness career, he was squatting and deadlifting over 400 pounds, but his butt wasn't showing it. Then his knees and back started giving out and his hips were so tight he couldn't sit crossed-legged on the floor. After seeing various physical therapists and taking educational courses, Ryan stumbled across a couple of amazing practitioners that opened his  eyes to how the body truly functions. That’s when he realized that he was squatting and deadlifting with his back and knees while his butt and core just sat back and let it happen. From then on, he’s been on a mission to help people change the ways they move in order to help them reach their aesthetic goals and keep a healthy and strong body while they do it. In the episode, Ryan explains why it’s important to build a stronger butt, mistakes most people make when attempting to strengthen their glutes, big misconceptions surrounding fitness and nutrition…and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/137

P.S. – If you’re liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode 🙂

QUESTIONS I ASK RYAN IN THE EPISODE:

Can you start off by telling us a bit about your background? (Specifically, what led you to become a personal trainer? And why did you start The Better Butt Lab?)

Let's talk butts! Aside from vanity reasons, why is it important to build strong glutes? How can strong (or weak) glutes positively/negatively impact other areas of your body?

What are the biggest mistakes people make when trying to strengthen their glutes?

What are the best exercises for butts?

What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about getting fit? Strength training?

If someone is looking to set up a basic home gym, what "must have" equipment do you recommend that they purchase?

How does exercise work for weight loss?

LINKS [SOME MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS; PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO]:

Follow Ryan on Instagram and take his Better Butt Quiz

Get a bottle of sugar- and additive-free wine for a penny!

Click here when you're ready to lose weight for the last time

Follow The Health Investment Podcast on Instagram

Follow host Brooke Simonson on Instagram

Email Brooke: [email protected]

Shout out to Christian Juarez for the theme music! (Click here to visit his Soundcloud!!)

EPISODE 136 - Dr. Kara Wada is an Assistant Professor of Allergy/Immunology with over 10 years of experience teaching medical trainees about misbehaving immune systems. Currently, she serves as Associate Fellowship Program Director at the Ohio State University and Founder/CEO of The Crunchy Allergist. Her advocacy work focuses on improving the physician-patient relationship, improving awareness around invisible illnesses, and improving consumer protections in the personal care and cosmetics industry. She coaches clients using both life and health coaching techniques to break out of their fatigue and fog and find clarity and confidence in her 60 days to Redefining Success Program. This program is run in partnership with Jenifer Tharani MS, RD, who brings her non-restrictive anti-inflammatory nutrition program because teamwork really does make the dream work! In the episode, Dr. Wada explains what’s wrong with functional medicine, why by-mail allergy tests are a waste of money, factors to consider before buying a bunch of expensive supplements…and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/136

P.S. – If you’re liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode 🙂

QUESTIONS I ASK DR. WADA IN THE EPISODE:

I'm excited to chat with you about a couple of topics in particular: functional medicine doctors and food sensitivity tests. Let's start with the field of functional medicine. First of all, what are functional medicine doctors, and why are they so appealing to people (vs. more traditional doctors)?

Do all functional medicine doctors have the same training as MDs?

What's wrong with functional medicine? (Is the training standardized? Is it covered by insurance? Do doctors over-prescribe supplements and lab tests? Is the training standardized? Is it really just a marketing tactic?)

Now, on to the topic of food sensitivity tests. There are soooo many popping up! What are the most popular ones people have probably heard of? How do they "work"?

Do they give you accurate data, or are they just a waste of money?

Are food allergies/sensitivities a real problem for most people, or have they been hyped up by fear mongering?

LINKS [SOME MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS; PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO]:

Visit Dr. Wada's website, follow her on Instagram, and subscribe to her podcast

“My Unbiased Thrive Market Review (AND A Shopping List!)” – save money on your first Thrive Market order by clicking here

Click here when you're ready to lose 5-50+ pounds permanently!

Follow The Health Investment Podcast on Instagram

Follow host Brooke Simonson on Instagram

Email Brooke: [email protected]

Shout out to Christian Juarez for the theme music! (Click here to visit his Soundcloud!!)

EPISODE 135 - EC Synkowski is the founder of OptimizeMe Nutrition, which delivers B2B and B2C educational nutrition programs without the dogma and gimmicks that saturate the current nutrition market. She has a bachelor’s in biochemical engineering, and two master’s degrees (one in Nutrition & Functional Medicine). She’s also a Certified Nutrition Specialist®, Licensed-Dietician Nutritionist, TEDx speaker, podcaster (The Consistency Project), and founder of the #800gChallenge®, in which users add a healthy-daily dose of fruits and veggies each day without any diet eliminations. Over 1,000 gyms have run the challenge for members and more than 20,000 individuals have participated. In the episode, she explains her #800gChallenge®, breaks down 10 important principles of nutrition to clear up all confusion, busts a few myths…and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/135

P.S. – If you’re liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode 🙂

QUESTIONS I ASK EC IN THE EPISODE:

Can you share a bit about your background with us? (Specifically, what made you want to devote your life to studying and simplifying nutrition principles?)

I love how you speak about addition rather than subtraction when it comes to diet. Why do you think it's so important to focus on what you're adding in rather than cutting out?

On that topic...can you share the thought process behind your popular "800 Gram Challenge"? How does it work?

You aim to clear up all confusion through your "10 Principles Of Nutrition." Let's dive into each one, briefly...

Which nutrition myths are your favorite to bust?

If every single yo-yo dieter were to hear this, what would you want them to take away from this episode?

LINKS [SOME MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS; PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO]:

Visit EC's website, follow her on Instagram and Facebook, and listen to her podcast

“My Unbiased Thrive Market Review (AND A Shopping List!)” – save money on your first Thrive Market order by clicking here

Click here when you're ready to lose 5-50+ pounds permanently!

Follow The Health Investment Podcast on Instagram

Follow host Brooke Simonson on Instagram

Email Brooke: [email protected]

Shout out to Christian Juarez for the theme music! (Click here to visit his Soundcloud!!)

EPISODE 134 - Frederic Bahnson is a personal and executive coach who works with individuals and teams to create happiness, improve performance, and foster well-being in their personal and professional lives. He has devoted two decades to the art and science of decision-making, delivering practical strategies that streamline this important human process. In addition to coaching, Frederic is a practicing general surgeon and served as Chief Medical Officer for Macro-Eyes, an AI company focused on global public health. He previously studied physics, worked as a systems engineer, and has won several awards for teaching and mentoring. Frederic and his wife, children, and dogs live in Oregon, where they enjoy endless explorations, hobbies, and outdoor pursuits. In the episode, he shares a simple process for making better decisions, why confidence is key when it comes to decision making, why destiny is overrated…and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/134

P.S. – If you’re liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode 🙂

QUESTIONS I ASK FREDERIC IN THE EPISODE:

Can you share a bit about your background with us?

On top of being a surgeon, you make time to coach clients on educated decision-making—and you made time to write Better Than Destiny. Why are you so passionate about this line of work? How did you get started?

What do you mean by better than destiny?

The advice in your book is “backed by science.” Which sciences?

What tips do you have for making the best decisions (rather than just mediocre ones)?

What is a practical process for decision making?

When it comes to the "big stuff"—like life and career goals—what tips do you have for figuring those out? What about making smaller decisions

LINKS [SOME MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS; PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO]:

Visit Frederic's website, follow him on Instagram, and connect with him on LinkedIn

“My Unbiased Thrive Market Review (AND A Shopping List!)” – save money on your first Thrive Market order by clicking here

Click here when you're ready to lose 5-50+ pounds permanently!

Follow The Health Investment Podcast on Instagram

Follow host Brooke Simonson on Instagram

Email Brooke: [email protected]

Shout out to Christian Juarez for the theme music! (Click here to visit his Soundcloud!!)

EPISODE 133 - Robert Davis—aka “The Healthy Skeptic”—is an award-winning health journalist whose work has appeared on CNN, PBS, WebMD, and in The Wall Street Journal. The author of four books on health—including a newly updated version of his book Fitter Faster—he hosts the “Healthy Skeptic” video series in which he dissects the science behind popular health claims. Davis holds an undergraduate degree from Princeton University, a master’s degree in public health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and a PhD in health policy from Brandeis University, where he was Pew Foundation Fellow. In the episode, he shares how to avoid exercise off ramps, barrier-lowering workouts that anyone can do, which performance enhancing supplements are just hype and which actually work…and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/133

P.S. – If you’re liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode 🙂

QUESTIONS I ASK ROBERT IN THE EPISODE:

What inspired you to update your book Fitter Faster? And why bring on a personal trainer as your co-author?

Why exercise? What are the "big six" benefits? (...and why isn't weight loss one of the six? What does research suggest we should focus on for that?)

What are some of the primary reasons people don't exercise? Can you relate to any of these yourself, either now or previously?

What are your tips for avoiding common "off ramps," as you describe them?

Can motivation to exercise be contagious?

You use the term "barrier-lowering workouts." Can you elaborate on this?

We talked about why exercise is important...but why, specifically, should we engage in some form of weight training?

Do you need a bunch of fancy equipment or a gym membership to do weight training?

Let's talk supplements...are most overrated? Which aren’t?

LINKS [SOME MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS; PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO]:

Visit Robert's website and follow him on Instagram and Facebook

Get a bottle of sugar- and additive-free wine for a penny!

Click here to adopt science-backed habits + an "everything in moderation" mindset so you can lose 5-50 pounds permanently!

Follow The Health Investment Podcast on Instagram

Follow host Brooke Simonson on Instagram

Email Brooke: [email protected]

Shout out to Christian Juarez for the theme music! (Click here to visit his Soundcloud!!)

EPISODE 131 - Michelle Kapler is a Certified Life Coach specializing in overdrinking and alcohol freedom. She works with individuals who identify as women who want to change their relationship with their alcohol consumption. Michelle is on a mission to create a modern conversation around drinking, alcohol culture (especially in motherhood), and how we think about using alcohol as a way to cope with stress. As a former heavy drinker, a highly successful entrepreneur, and a mother, Michelle understands what it's like to have a big, full, wonderful life on the outside... but to truly feel like you need that nightly glass (or bottle) of wine. To feel like sometimes you are drinking against your own will. To feel like you have lost control. To hear the full story of Michelle’s journey with over-drinking, head over to her podcast (The Alcohol Freedom Podcast) and check out episode two. When Michelle isn’t coaching her clients online, you can find her creating healthfully indulgent meals, drinking herbal tea, digging in one of her family’s many veggie gardens, or hanging out with her husband, two kids, and a couple of chickens on their solar powered homestead in Ontario Canada. In the episode, Michelle shares how to know if you have a problematic relationship with alcohol, what to do if you feel weird not drinking in social situations, mindset shifts everyone must overcome when on a journey to drink less…and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/132

P.S. – If you’re liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode 🙂

QUESTIONS I ASK MICHELLE IN THE EPISODE:

On your website, you write: "I'm a Certified Life Coach and I want to help you find freedom in your relationship with your drinking. I can help you question that nightly glass (or bottle) of wine that you need to make it through your life. I get it. I've been there. And I want to help you explore this without labels and without judgment." Can you tell us a bit about your background? (Specifically, what made you become a Certified Life Coach? And was your own relationship with drinking what inspired you to focus specifically on helping people with that? Can you tell us more about your own journey with alcohol?)

How much alcohol is "too much"?

How does someone know if they have a problematic relationship with alcohol?

"Sober curious" is a new term I've been hearing, but from what I understand it's mostly people who are choosing to enter a life of full-on sobriety (or are at least curious about it). Are most of the people who come to you "sober curious" or just wanting to cut back a bit?

I'm not a mom yet, but I've heard and read about alcohol as becoming something that's synonymous with motherhood. Is this new, or is it just spoken about more now? What advice do you have for moms, specifically, who find themselves relying on a drink (or several!) to make it through the day?

Since so many of our social lives revolve around food and alcohol, it could feel awkward to drink less—or not at all!—among friends. Sometimes you can even feel like a problem or a bother if you're not drinking! What tips do you have for navigating social situations?

Are there certain mindset shifts that are necessary to overcome when on a journey to drink less?

LINKS [SOME MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS; PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO]:

Visit Michelle's website and follow her on Instagram

Listen to episode 7 of The Alcohol Freedom Podcast for tips on socializing without drinking

Get the free class Michelle mentions: How To Relax Without Your Nightly Glass of Wine

“My Unbiased Thrive Market Review (AND A Shopping List!)” – save money on your first Thrive Market order by clicking here

Click here when you're ready to lose 5-50+ pounds permanently!

Follow The Health Investment Podcast on Instagram

Follow host Brooke Simonson on Instagram

Email Brooke: [email protected]

Shout out to Christian Juarez for the theme music! (Click here to visit his Soundcloud!!)

EPISODE 131 - Angela Ficken, LICSW, is a full-time psychotherapist in private practice specializing in OCD, eating disorders, and anxiety-related concerns. She’s spent years building her business into something more than a standard full-time private practice, writing for Huffington Post (and eventually other major online sources) as an expert. Through her writing and hearing from her clients how difficult it was finding an understanding therapist—one who could actually teach coping strategies to manage difficult emotions—she decided to create the Worried To Well-balanced course to reach more people than those she could meet within her office. The course is designed to help those who have significant stress in their lives and struggle to find ways of coping with stress and anxiety. In the episode, Angela shares how to set boundaries, how to think your way to feeling better, how to find a mantra that works for YOU...and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/131

P.S. – If you’re liking The Health Investment Podcast, be sure to hit “subscribe/follow” so that you never miss an episode 🙂

QUESTIONS I ASK ANGELA IN THE EPISODE:

I'd love to start off by having you debunk some common misconceptions about therapy. Which therapy myths bug you most?

Who should see a therapist? What tips do you have for helping someone find the right therapist?

You have a great blog on your website, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on some of the topics: “How To Set Boundaries And Improve Your Wellbeing,” “Thinking Your Way To Feeling Better,” “How To Find Your Mantra,” and “How To Manage Stress In Uncertain Times”

Can you tell us a bit about your Worried To Well-Balanced masterclass and program?

LINKS [SOME MAY BE AFFILIATE LINKS; PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO]:

Visit Angela's website, follow her on Instagram, read her blog, and learn more about her Worried To Well-Balanced masterclass

Get a bottle of sugar- and additive-free wine for a penny!

Click here to adopt science-backed habits + an "everything in moderation" mindset so you can lose 5-50 pounds permanently!

Follow The Health Investment Podcast on Instagram

Follow host Brooke Simonson on Instagram

Email Brooke: [email protected]

Shout out to Christian Juarez for the theme music! (Click here to visit his Soundcloud!!)