The Health Investment Podcast with Brooke Simonson

EPISODE 120 - Dr. Janeeka Benoit (better known as “Dr. J” on social media) is a Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician and Sports Medicine Specialist. She's the Founder of MedFitDO and also a runner, exercise enthusiast, and former ACE Certified personal trainer. Not only does she enjoy caring for athletes, she also has a passion for preventing chronic disease through exercise so people can live holistically healthier lives, both mentally and physically. As an osteopathic physician, Dr. J is focused on treating the whole body so people can live more fully and have life transformation from the inside out. In the episode, Dr. J shares why exercise is absolutely critical for disease prevention, a helpful acronym for making movement a habit, why she chose to become a DO rather than an MD...and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/120

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. J IN THE EPISODE:

Can you tell us a bit about your background? (Specifically, what led you to become a doctor and become so interested in exercise for prevention?)

What physical benefits come from exercise? Cognitive benefits?

What kind of intensity is needed to reap the benefits: light, moderate or high? 

How often should we be exercising?

What are your tips for making exercise a habit, not just a “sometimes” activity?

In what ways do you think health professionals can help patients exercise more?

Why did you choose to become a DO rather than an MD?

How is osteopathic medicine similar to and different from "alternative" medicine?

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

Follow Dr. J on Instagram and YouTube, and download her FREE guide

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

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 119 - Dr. Jane Tornatore is a therapist, speaker, and author based in Seattle, WA; she has been in private practice for 15 years. Her style incorporates compassion, curiosity, deep listening, and heartfelt optimism, along with powerful shots of playfulness. Jane has dedicated her career and her life to helping people love themselves and have self-compassion. She received a Master’s degree at the University of Illinois, and a PhD at the University of Minnesota. Before going into private practice, she spent two decades working in the field of Alzheimer’s, including research and working for the Alzheimer’s Association. She has authored over 20 articles and just published a book—Everything is Perfect, Just Not ME! A Roadmap for Self-Acceptance. In the episode, Jane shares quick, tangible exercises for overcoming perfectionism; where perfectionist tendencies come from; how to achieve more balance between your personal and professional life...and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/119

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 JANE IN THE EPISODE:

Can you tell us a bit about your background? (Specifically, what led you to become a therapist and eventually write your book Everything is PERFECT, Just not ME!?)

I know you had your own journey to overcoming perfectionism. Can you share a bit more about that?

What's the first step to overcoming perfectionism and loving yourself for who you are?

How does someone become a perfectionist in the first place?

I know you encourage the exercise of saying, "I’m the kind of person who_____ (fill in the blank).” I have my clients do this when working towards habit change! Love it!! Can you explain a bit more about it?

Do you have any other tangible exercises that are really useful for overcoming perfectionism and boosting self-confidence/love?

You say that we have the power to change our thoughts. How can we do this?

Is it possible to achieve balance between your personal and professional life?

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

Visit Jane's website, read her book, and download her free guide

Other books mentioned in the episode: Train Your Brain and Atomic Habits

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

Click here to lose 5-50 pounds for the LAST time so you can start showing up as the trimmest, healthiest, most confident, most energized version of yourself!

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 118 - Tricia Nelson lost fifty pounds by identifying and healing the underlying causes of her emotional eating. She's spent over thirty years researching the hidden causes of the addictive personality. Tricia is an Emotional Eating Expert and author of the #1 bestselling book, Heal Your Hunger: 7 Simple Steps to End Emotional Eating Now. She also certifies health coaches so they can get better results, referrals and revenue by helping their clients overcome emotional eating. Tricia is the host of the popular podcast, The Heal Your Hunger Show. She's a well respected speaker and has been featured on numerous media outlets, such as NBC, CBS, KTLA, FOX and Discovery Health. In the episode, Tricia explains how to tell the difference between emotional eating and food addiction, why diets don’t work, how to use her “PEP test” to stop emotional eating ...and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/118

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 TRICIA IN THE EPISODE:

Can you tell us a bit about your background? (Specifically, what is your journey with emotional eating and how did it lead you to start Heal Your Hunger?)

What's the difference between an emotional eater and a food addict? How does someone know which one they are?

Is there more to emotional eating than just eating too much for emotional reasons?

How can someone differentiate between emotional hunger and physical hunger?

Why do people keep going back to diets when, on a deeper intellectual level, they probably know they're not working for them?

Why are “comfort foods” so comforting?

You speak of 3 hidden causes of emotional eating. What are they, and what can we do about them?

I know you also believe there's one weight loss mistake you should never make. What is that?? 

What's the PEP test, and how is it related to food addiction?

I know stress eating is a biggie for a lot of people. How can we manage our stress before it drives us to the pantry? 

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

Meet Tricia here: https://vimeo.com/617410685

Visit Tricia's website and follow her on Instagram

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

Click here to lose 5-50 pounds for the LAST time so you can start showing up as the trimmest, healthiest, most confident, most energized version of yourself!

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 117 - Welcome to this special *BONUS* episode! Since the content of this ep is so timely, I wanted to release it stat!! Paul Offit, MD, is the Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as well as the Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology and a Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He has published more than 160 papers in medical and scientific journals in the areas of rotavirus-specific immune responses and vaccine safety, and he’s authored 10 books. Dr. Offit is also the co-inventor of the rotavirus vaccine, RotaTeq, recommended for universal use in infants by the CDC in 2006 and by the WHO in 2013. In the episode, he shares why everyone who is eligible (kids included!) should get vaccinated ASAP, why the vaccine doesn’t impact fertility or alter your DNA, why “booster mania” may be stalling herd immunity...and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/117

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. OFFIT IN THE EPISODE:

Can you tell us a bit about your background? (Specifically, what led you to become a pediatrician and become particularly interested in vaccines and infectious diseases?)

I've seen and read some hesitation from parents to get their kids vaccinated against COVID because "most children have mild symptoms or no symptoms." Why is it important to vaccinate children, not just adults?

What risks are parents mostly worried about when it comes to vaccinating their kids? Are possible risks from the vaccine worse than risks from getting COVID?

What are the top myths that you're hearing from parents, particularly in regard to vaccinating their kids, and how are you addressing those?

What would you identify as the main reason people have doubts about vaccines in general?

How are risks (from contracting COVID and getting vaccinated) similar and different for adults as they are for kids?

Has there always been some level of controversy around vaccines? 

Do you think the anti-vaccine movement is gaining momentum? Is social media making it worse? 

What's your advice to parents who have kids that are still not yet eligible for a vaccine?

Do you think that the COVID vaccine should join the list of immunizations that are mandated by schools?

You've called the rush to get boosted "booster mania," and believe that it could be harmful to our overall efforts to reach unvaccinated kids and adults. Why is that?

Where has the White House’s messaging missed the mark?

Is there a magic number of vaccinations that we need to reach to finally move beyond this pandemic? If so, is that attainable in the coming months?

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

Get more of your COVID questions answered: https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/making-vaccines/prevent-covid

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

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 116 - Elizabeth Edwards is a graduate of Purdue University and a Registered Dietitian. She has worked in the food service industry for 17 years holding many different positions including grocery store stocker, restaurant line cook, server, hospital food prep & cook, and has been a K-12 Director of Food Service for the past 7 years. Elizabeth believes establishing healthy eating habits at a young age is vitally important to lay the foundation of health kids will take with them into adulthood. Her areas of focus are transforming school menus to include more locally grown foods, working in more scratch-made dishes, and moving toward a more sustainable cafeteria by reducing single use plastics & foam. In the episode, Elizabeth shares the current landscape of school nutrition, challenges she faces as a district menu planner, projects she’s currently working on that excite her...and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/116

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 ELIZABETH IN THE EPISODE:

Can you tell us a bit about your background? (Specifically, what led you to become a dietician and work to improve school food?)

What are your thoughts on the current nutrition landscape in schools? What types of foods are typically served for breakfast, lunch, and snack?

In terms of government oversight of school lunches, who's in charge? National? State? City?

What’s the most encouraging thing going on in school nutrition these days? Is there any legislation that's particularly promising, re: "healthifying" school lunches?

Where should other efforts be focused?

What current work of yours are you excited about? Are there any success stories you’d like to share?

In an ideal world, what are the reforms you’d like to see take place right now in schools across the country?

What obstacles are standing in the way of change?

How can RDs, other nutrition professionals, and parents make a difference in their local schools' nutrition?

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

Visit Elizabeth's website and follow her on Instagram

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

Click here to lose 5-50 pounds for the LAST time so you can start showing up as the trimmest, healthiest, most confident, most energized version of yourself!

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 115 - Dr. Wendy Schofer is a certified life & health coach and pediatrician who specializes in helping parents struggling with their kids' weight & obesity. Unlike medical weight loss programs, she doesn't focus on what's wrong with the child or try to fix their weight with diets, exercise, pills, and surgery. Instead, she empowers the parent to focus on what matters most to lead the whole family to lifelong healthy habits. In the episode, Wendy shares why it’s important to place less emphasis on an individual child's weight and more emphasis on creating a healthy whole family, the role of a parent when it comes to preparing and serving food, how parents can model healthy eating behaviors for their children...and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/115

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 WENDY IN THE EPISODE:

Can you tell us a bit about your background? (Specifically, what led you to become a pediatrician and become interested in helping parents worried about their overweight kids?)

On your website, you write, "Even as a pediatrician, I still had worries about my family's weight and health. Controlling food and activity just created friction with my kids - and I thought I was failing them. Through coaching, that changed because I changed. The Family in Focus approach was born from my own powerful transformation." Can you elaborate on this?

Why is it important to place less emphasis on an individual child's weight and more emphasis on creating a healthy whole family?

How can families teach their children about the importance of eating healthy?

How can a parent help their child reach a healthy weight when they have their own struggles with weight?

How can parents encourage healthy body images for children? What's the best way to encourage a healthy body weight while fostering a healthy self-image?

What questions should parents be asking their pediatricians about their child's weight?

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

Visit Wendy's website

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

Click here to lose 5-50 pounds for the LAST time so you can start showing up as the trimmest, healthiest, most confident, most energized version of yourself!

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 114 | Brandon & Emily Wiseman are the owners of BE WISE Fitness. Simply put, they’re obsessed with helping busy moms and dads—like themselves!—get fit and reclaim their confidence, all without sacrificing family time. They call that a win, win, win! Brandon & Emily believe that fitness is about more than the time spent in the gym. It’s about setting a good example for your kids through healthy habits. And, it’s about looking and feeling like your best self, while still juggling family, work, and a social life! In the episode, they share how you can get awesome results from just 30 minutes of effort, common nutrition mistakes their clients make before working with them, why eating healthy actually isn’t too expensive...and more! Enjoy!!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/114

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 BRANDON & EMILY IN THE EPISODE:

Can you tell us a bit about your background? (Specifically, what made you want to start BE WISE Fitness together?)

Why did you choose to help parents, specifically?

How is getting healthy/fit as a parent different from getting healthy/fit as a non-parent?

What mistakes are most of your clients making before working with you, re: fitness? Nutrition? Mindset? Other (like in terms of sleep or stress)?

Why do you put such an emphasis on strength training (vs. cardio)?

"Eating healthy is too expensive." Thoughts?

"I lack the motivation and willpower to stick with healthy habits long-term." Thoughts?

What are the biggest determinants of long-term success when it comes to sustaining a healthy lifestyle?

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

Visit the BE Wise website and follow Brandon & Emily on Instagram

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

Click here to lose 5-50 pounds for the LAST time so you can start showing up as the trimmest, healthiest, most confident, most energized version of yourself!

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 113 | Candice Davies is a former psychotherapist who worked extensively in the field of addiction and eating disorders for over a decade. She has always been intrigued by the ways in which the mind and body are (or aren't) connected, and the various forms in which this communication can be enhanced or severed. Her belief that the ways in which people nourish and feed themselves exists in several manners, has resulted in her always being interested in the ways in which people "fill themselves up" both literally and metaphorically. She currently runs online cooking courses (and a membership) that help people gain confidence in the kitchen, and she constantly encourages her clients to embrace finding pleasure in what they eat! In the episode, she shares why it’s absolutely critical for your mind and body to feel connected, her reasons for starting a cooking membership, how to make tasty meals in just minutes...and more!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/113

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 CANDICE IN THE EPISODE:

Can you tell us a bit about your background? (Specifically, what made you want to become a psychotherapist and specialize in addiction and eating disorders?)

I know you became "intrigued about the disconnect between mind and body" in the eating disorder patients you saw. Can you explain more about this?

Do most people have a mild disconnect between mind and body, or does that only happen in more severe cases (like eating disorders)?

How can we become more deeply connected to our mind and body?

What led you to start a cooking membership?

Why must we learn to cook/prepare food for ourselves?

On your website, you say, "My favourite kind of meal to prepare is one that tastes like it took hours to cook, but actually didn't." Tell us more about this! What tips do you have to make cooking easier and more enjoyable without sacrificing the quality of food?

How do you balance meal prep with family demands?

What advice would you give a complete beginner just starting to cook for themselves?

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

Visit Candice's website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook

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

Click here to lose 5-50 pounds for the LAST time so you can start showing up as the trimmest, healthiest, most confident, most energized version of yourself!

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 112 | After 40 years on a diet, yo-yoing up and down the scale, Renée Jones had learned every diet—and every cheat!—before finally stopping the comfort and stress eating to shed “those last 30 pounds” yet AGAIN in 2012...but this time, she has maintained at her goal weight. Now she helps others overcome their emotional eating to shed their weight AND keep it off. Renée has a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and a Clinical Residency in pastoral care to guide her international coaching practice of traditional and contemporary models as well as relaxation and horse-assisted methods. Her book, What’s Really Eating You: Overcome the Triggers of Comfort Eating, is an Amazon bestseller, and her TEDx talk helps her reach people around the world. In the episode, Renée shares a helpful acronym to stop emotional eating in its tracks, what to do when you have crazy cravings, seven tips for navigating the holidays...and more! Enjoy!!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/112

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 RENÉE IN THE EPISODE:

First of all, can you tell us a bit about your background? What made you want to get a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling?

What is emotional eating? When does it start?

On your website, you say, "I figure I lost about 2000 pounds–up and down five to ten pounds here and there, to big chunks of 25 to 40 before regaining it, to the last time when I finally reached my goal by facing my stuff and overcoming emotional eating." Can you tell us a bit more about your 40-year diet yo-yo and emotional eating journey?

What did it take for you to empower yourself to change? Did you seek help from a coach, book, or something else? Was there a specific “aha” moment along the way that was transformational in your journey?

What can someone do when they have a craving and they just can't say no to it?

I know you have a helpful acronym: HANG. Can you explain that?

What are your thoughts on the popular "intuitive eating" principles?

Is it possible to overcome emotional eating if your kitchen is fully stocked with a bunch of your trigger foods?

What’s a tangible trick you have to help someone stop emotional eating in its tracks?

I know you have 7 top tips for navigating the holidays. Can you share those with us?

Does everyone struggle with emotional eating?

There are a lot of therapists and health coaches out there, but your approach is quite unique! What do you want people to know about your business?

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

Visit Renée's website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook

Buy Renée's book

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

Click here to lose 5-50 pounds for the LAST time so you can start showing up as the trimmest, healthiest, most confident, most energized version of yourself!

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 111 | Carlee Hayes is a Nutrition Manager at NutriSense, a company using personalized data to help anyone achieve their health potential. With a passion for cooking and food early on, Carlee originally wanted to be a professional chef. Combining food and her deep desire to connect with and help others, she followed her great grandmother’s footsteps in the path to becoming a Registered Dietitian. Her training at Western Illinois University and an internship at the Memphis VA Hospital lead her to a career in outpatient counseling and bariatric nutrition therapy. In these positions, Carlee realized many of the disease states (upwards of 80%) her patients suffered with were actually preventable by addressing diet and lifestyle first. She knew she had to dig deeper into preventative health, which led her to NutriSense and Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM). With her love for food, experience in behavioral counseling, and a little help from real-time technology, Carlee is on a mission to stop preventable diseases and help people live their healthiest lives. In the episode, she shares why glucose spikes matter for everyone, how to eat foods in different pairs and orders to mitigate glucose spikes, short- and long-term effects of out-of-control blood sugar...and more! Enjoy!!

EPISODE WEBPAGE: thehealthinvestment.com/111

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 CARLEE IN THE EPISODE:

What's your story/background? (Specifically, what led you to become a dietician and work at NutriSense?)

Can you explain how continuous glucose monitoring works? Why do glucose spikes matter?

Should everyone care about what spikes their glucose or just people with conditions like prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, etc?

Are there differences between people in terms of response? What external conditions (like lack of sleep, stress, time of day, etc.) can affect glucose spikes?

What are some foods/drinks that people think are healthy but actually spike your glucose?

Which fruits spike your glucose most? Which vegetables?

What are some foods/drinks that spike your glucose when eaten in isolation, but not when combined with non-starchy veggies, healthy fats, etc.?

What about exercise? Can that curb glucose spikes?

What about alcohol? Do all types spike your glucose?

What effect do natural sweeteners (honey, dates, stevia) and artificial sweeteners (aspartame) have on your blood glucose levels?

What are some “blood sugar balancing” myths/misconceptions that really irk you?

If someone doesn't have a CGM, what are some best practices to follow when it comes to maintaining rolling blood sugar hills (not high peaks and low valleys)?

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

Visit the NutriSense website and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Listen to my previous episode about mitigating glucose spikes with Jessie Inchauspe, aka the "Glucose Goddess"

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

Click here to lose 5-50 pounds for the LAST time so you can start showing up as the trimmest, healthiest, most confident, most energized version of yourself!

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!!)