What if your genetic test revealed something you weren't prepared for? – Season 2, Episode 7

Dr Fiona Lalloo is one of the UK’s leading Consultant Clinical Geneticists—and the first genetics expert to join me on the podcast. In this episode, Fiona explains why testing isn’t always as straightforward as we think, where private patients fall into nasty traps, and how the NHS approach to MEN1 can offer crucial long-term support.

Tune in to find out:

• The potential dangers of rushing into private genetic testing
• Why genetic counselling is NOT therapy (but many get confused)
• How gene inheritance works—and what it means for your family
• Why MEN1 is an unpredictable disease unlike many others
• How to take advantage of the NHS support you may not know exists

ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Dr Fiona Lalloo is a consultant in Cancer Genetics. She qualified from Newcastle University in 1990 and trained in adult medicine before moving into Genetics in 1994. Her MD was undertaken on the genetics of breast and ovarian cancer. She was appointed consultant in 2001. She has been involved at a national level with the recruitment of trainees into clinical genetics and is currently Chair of the Cancer Genetics Group. Dr Lalloo is involved with teaching of both undergraduates and postgraduate medicine devising, instigating and running the first national course on cancer genetics. She has maintained her research interest in breast and ovarian cancer and is the author of “Genetics for Oncologists”. Her clinical interests include breast, ovarian and bowel cancer and endocrine malignancies. She is currently Clinical Lead for Genetic Medicine.

Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced?
When I stopped just 'settling' for symptom management, I began carving a path to somewhere I believed impossible in MEN1: symptom-free, surgery-free, and medication-free. If you’re curious to see how I’m making this happen, join my community here.

Disclaimer
I share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.

What if MEN1 weren't just a physical disease? - Season 2 Episode 6

In this conversation, I sit down with psychotherapist and trauma expert, Benjamin Fry, to explore how unresolved emotional patterns, co-dependent relationships, and a lack of boundaries might be the missing piece in your healing journey.

In this episode:
• Why boundaries are about you and never the other person
• Who's responsible for my health – the doctor or me?
• Why your inner child shows up in adult situations
• How trauma and triggers keep your nervous system stuck
• Why the history of medical practice should worry us

Healing starts when you stop waiting to be rescued and start to rescue yourself.

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Benjamin Fry is a psychotherapist, author, and founder of Khiron Clinics. He specialises in trauma recovery and relationships, combining personal experience, clinical training, and thought leadership. He is the author of The Invisible Lion and the founder of Televagal, a mental health tech platform for therapists. To be notified about the release of Benjamin's new book, Re-pair, click here and register for email updates.

Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced?
When I stopped just 'settling' for symptom management, I began carving a path to somewhere I believed impossible in MEN1: symptom-free, surgery-free, and medication-free. If you’re curious to see how I’m making this happen, join my community here.

Disclaimer
I share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.

Could your disease be trauma, passed down through generations? - Season 2, Episode 5

Today, Dr Aimie Apigian completely reshapes how I understand MEN1 and genetic disease in general. We explore the science of inherited trauma, the role of the nervous system in healing, and why traditional approaches to physical illness often fall short.

Listen to find out:
• Why your genetic diagnosis might be missing the real root cause
• The single system controlling all your symptoms (and how to regulate it)
• How stored trauma can literally trigger disease in the body
• What healing looks like (when the body leads, not the mind)
• Why praise for 'resilience' could be dangerous for your health

If you've ever wondered why your body lets you down, even when your mind is doing everything right,  this one is for you.

About Our Guest: A Preventive and Addiction Medicine physician with Master’s degrees in both biochemistry and public health, Dr. Aimie Apigian is the national bestselling author of The Biology of Trauma. She hosts her podcast, leads online nervous system healing courses and a practitioner certificate training program. Bridging the worlds of functional medicine, attachment and trauma, she is a leading expert on how the body holds fear and overwhelm from the past to make one sick today.

Find Dr Aimie's #1 Besterseller on Amazon: Click here

Connect with Dr Aimie here:
Instagram: Click here
LinkedIn: Click here
YouTube: Click here
Website: Click here
Podcast: Click here

Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced?
When I stopped just 'settling' for symptom management, I began carving a path to somewhere I believed impossible in MEN1: symptom-free, surgery-free, and medication-free. If you’re curious to see how I’m making this happen, join my community here.

Disclaimer
I share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.

If you’ve ever spiralled after a scan, Googled symptoms until 2am, or felt like no one gets how exhausting it is to be so proactive all the time, this episode is for you. (Season 2, Episode 4)

Today I speak with Ed, a senior CBT therapist and VHL patient, about the subtle ways that chronic conditions like MEN1 can hijack our peace of mind. We talk about the pressure to do everything perfectly, how control becomes a coping mechanism, and why anxiety might be presenting as physical fatigue.

In this episode:
• When concern for your health becomes unhealthy obsession
• Why exhaustion might not be your disease but your need to control it
• How your disease can become your identity and limit your life
• Why purpose brings you back the power your diagnosis took away
• How to overcome perfectionism (a leading cause of stress)

About Our Guest:
Edward started his career in mental health first as a Psychiatric Nurse and then as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, specialising in the treatment of severe psychological disorders. He has worked as a senior therapist in specialist National Services for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Health Anxiety, Body Dysmorphic Disorder and related conditions and has supervised many colleagues and trainee therapists. For the last five years, he has worked privately after setting up his own practice. Throughout this time, he has also been treated himself for a severe health condition called VHL, kept alive after various surgical procedures and medical treatments. This dual experience has led to a deep interest in how therapy principles can best apply to the challenge of living with chronic physical illness.

You can contact Edward here: [email protected]

Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced?
When I stopped just 'settling' for symptom management, I began carving a path to somewhere I believed impossible in MEN1: symptom-free, surgery-free, and medication-free. If you’re curious to see how I’m making this happen, join my community here.

Disclaimer
I share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.

Ever left a medical appointment feeling dismissed, judged, or totally unheard? - Season 2, Episode #53

I speak with Dr Elena Borelli, a former Doctor of Medical Science turned Private Patient Advocate. She explains what’s really happening behind the scenes when patients feel ignored, how medical records can perpetuate harmful bias, and what to say (and not say) in high-stakes appointments.

We also explore second opinions, how to prepare for consultations, and what to do if you’ve been told your condition is just too rare for care. Elena brings compassion, clarity, and an empowering middle path—especially for those caught between wanting answers and losing faith in the system.

What we cover:
– Why rare disease patients often feel unheard
– How to prepare for appointments that actually go somewhere
– The truth about second opinions and mislabelled records
– What to do if you’re feeling dismissed by a provider
– How private patient advocates can help (and when to get one)

For anyone navigating rare, chronic, or complex illness—this one’s for you.

About Our Guest

Dr. Elena Borrelli DMSC, MS, PAC is the founder of Pathway Patient Advocates. She has over 20 years of experience in the medical field in both clinical and administrative settings. Apart from her experience in professional practices, Dr. Borrelli has encountered frustration and discrepancies while personally navigating the health care system. Her passion is to help patients better understand the overwhelmingly confusing medical system. Dr. Borrelli has experience in a variety of healthcare settings. Her main focus is to assist clients who are dealing with rare disorders, cancer, or undiagnosed symptoms. It is her compassion, experience, and determination that set Pathway Patient Advocates apart from the rest.

Social Media Links:
Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates
Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates
Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates
Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates
LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates
www.pathwaypa.com

Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced?
When I stopped just 'settling' for symptom management, I began carving a path to somewhere I believed impossible in MEN1: symptom-free, surgery-free, and medication-free. If you’re curious to see how I’m making this happen, join my community here.

Disclaimer
I share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.

"The realm of nutrition science is probably the last place you should look." Season 2, Episode 2

Lucy Fabbri—UK nurse and carnivore health advocate—shares how witnessing the realities of modern healthcare pushed her to rethink everything she knew about nutrition. From chasing blood sugars with insulin to being told patients with type 2 diabetes should eat more carbs, she began asking: what if everything we've been told is wrong?

In this episode:
• Why so-called 'healthy' porridge could be the worst way to start the day
• How humans evolved eating animal protein, making plant-diets non-sensical
• How a Carnivore diet provides all essential nutrients
• The biased and flawed evidence behind our food pyramid & Eat Well Plate
• How hospitals are making patients more unwell without realising it

About Our Guest
Lucy Fabbri is a UK-based registered nurse and carnivore health advocate. After personal struggles with fatigue and conventional dietary advice, she turned to a meat-based diet—and saw her health transform. She now helps others do the same through her Fuelled For Life programme, empowering people to reclaim their health through a species-appropriate, nutrient-dense way of eating.
Download Lucy’s free e-book here

Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced?
When I stopped just 'settling' for symptom management, I began carving a path to somewhere I believed impossible in MEN1: symptom-free, surgery-free, and medication-free. If you’re curious to see how I’m making this happen, join my community here.

Disclaimer
I share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.

"By the time you need it, it's too late. Be ahead of burnout." - Season 2, Episode 1

At just 12 years old, Anna’s life was changed by acupuncture. Now a Reiki Master and holistic therapist, she shares how complementary therapies helped her recover from chronic illness and reconnect with her intuition. Together, we explore the healing power of energy work, scent, body awareness—and why Western medicine still doesn’t tell the whole story.

In this episode:
• How acupuncture helped put Anna's chronic symptoms into remission
• What Western medicine still doesn’t fully understand
• How to choose the right complimentary therapies for you (and not waste time or money)
• Which traps to avoid (that social media marketing doesn't want you to see)
• How to 'justify' spending money on things that feel like a luxury, not a necessity

About Our Guest
Anna is a Reiki Master and holistic therapist based in London. She offers Reiki, massage, and Aromatherapy sessions—both in person and online—blending various holistic modalities to create fully tailored wellbeing journeys. She often works with women, particularly around long-standing conditions and mental health.

Website: www.freeflowholistic.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07591 410 658
Instagram: @freeflowholistic

Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced?
When I stopped just 'settling' for symptom management, I began carving a path to somewhere I believed impossible in MEN1: symptom-free, surgery-free, and medication-free. If you’re curious to see how I’m making this happen, join my community here.

Disclaimer
I share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.

What if the food you trust most is the thing making you feel worse?

In this honest and inspiring conversation, Sarah and I talk about healing chronic symptoms through food, what’s really in the products on our shelves, and why reconnecting with nature might be one of the most powerful shifts we can make.

In this episode:
• From processed to plant-based: how Sarah’s health transformed
• Behind the scenes of the food industry
• Why “vegan” doesn’t always mean healthy
• The anxiety–altruism connection (and how to find purpose)
• Tips for navigating food choices without fear or dogma

About our guest:
Sarah Wright is an international yoga teacher, plant-based chef, and founder of Nuve Foods, where she helps people heal through whole-food nutrition and mindful movement. Her own journey began with yoga to support her anxiety, eventually leading to a deeper connection between food, body awareness, and emotional wellbeing.

Sarah also hosted Modern Wellbeing, a podcast exploring sustainable living, holistic health, and conversations with forward-thinking entrepreneurs and nutritionists. She now blends intuition with nourishment—advocating for clean, minimally processed ingredients and empowering others to listen to what their bodies truly need.

Connect with Sarah here

Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced?
When I stopped just 'settling' for symptom management, I began carving a path to somewhere I believed impossible in MEN1: symptom-free, surgery-free, and medication-free. If you’re curious to see how I’m making this happen, join my community here.

Disclaimer
I share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.

What happens when your life no longer feels like home?

In this soft, soul-level conversation, Diwa and I explore the identity shifts that happen when illness, change, or pressure pull you away from your authentic self. We talk about how to come back to your body—gently, compassionately, and without judgment.

In this episode:
• Illness, identity loss, and the grief of change
• What to do when your body doesn’t feel safe
• Kundalini yoga and the release of stuck emotions
• Boundaries, self-permission, and everyday self-love
• Why community and vulnerability are key to healing

Diwa’s work supports women—especially travelling partners—who are navigating emotional transitions, inner disconnection, or simply yearning for more joy. Connect with her here.

Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced?
When I stopped just 'settling' for symptom management, I began carving a path to somewhere I believed impossible in MEN1: symptom-free, surgery-free, and medication-free. If you’re curious to see how I’m making this happen, join my community here.

Disclaimer
I share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.

Could your dog’s behaviour—or even their health—be reflecting what’s going on inside you?

In this eye-opening episode, animal communicator and energy practitioner Viviana reveals how our dogs often mirror our emotional wounds, energetic imbalances, and stress. Whether it’s anxiety, illness, or “bad behaviour,” what if your dog is actually showing you something about you?

In this conversation, we explore:

• How your dog may be absorbing your stress or trauma
• The energetic connection between humans and animals
• Why gut health is key to your pet’s emotional and physical well-being
• How to support your dog’s true nature in a human world

About Our Guest:
Viviana is an animal communicator, energy healer, and founder of Skool of Drool. Her work helps dogs and their guardians reconnect through intuitive communication, bodywork, and energetic healing—so both can live in alignment, authenticity, and health. Connect with Viviana here.

Are you sure MEN1 can’t be influenced?
When I stopped just 'settling' for symptom management, I began carving a path to somewhere I believed impossible in MEN1: symptom-free, surgery-free, and medication-free. If you’re curious to see how I’m making this happen, join my community here.

Disclaimer
I share my personal experience as a MEN1 patient. Nothing in this episode, including the opinions of my guests, is intended as medical or holistic advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making changes to your care.