The Positively Altered Podcast

Episode #107: What a BBC War Zone Veteran Knows About Feeling Safe

Melanie Marshall has led news teams through war zones on six continents, and she'll tell you certainty was never on the menu. The former BBC journalist explains why feeling uncertain doesn't make you powerless, and shares a simple trick for the news story that keeps you up at night. Then there's the tear gas canister in Tunisia and the strangers who ran back to carry her out. 

In this episode, we cover: 

(3:00)  “Got a Fungus? She’s Your Doctor. Got a Tech Problem? You’re on Your Own.” 

(6:00)  “Breaking News: We’re Pausing the Podcast for an Eyeshadow Emergency.” 

(7:00) She Did WHAT to My Face?! The Makeup Artist Deserves an Award.” 

(12:00) Afghanistan: Great People, Great Humor, and Unexpected Airport Compliments.” 

(20:00) Only Two Drones and a Couple of Mortars? Sounds Like a Normal Workday.” 

(40:00) Forget the Sightseeing. We’re Going to Israel for the Hot Soldiers.” 

Dr. Cindy’s Socials:

https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks

Dr. Cindy’s Merch

Dr. Cindy’s Partners:

Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com

Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

About Melanie Marshall

Melanie Marshall is a Peabody, RTS, and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist who spent 20 years reporting from some of the world's most high-risk places for the BBC, including Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, and Israel/Gaza, where she served as Deputy Bureaux Chief. 

After two decades on the frontlines, Melanie walked away from the career that defined her to rebuild from scratch: a new country, a new business, and a whole new relationship with fear. Today, she is a keynote speaker and narrative strategist whose work is built around a simple, hard-won truth: you don't need certainty to act. You just need to see in the dark.

Her signature frameworks, "Accidental Bravery" and "See in the Dark," draw on everything she learned about courage, crisis, and showing up when the plan falls apart. Her forthcoming book, Accidentally Brave: Notes from a Terribly Beautiful World, is part memoir, part how-to for anyone who has ever had to make the next move without knowing where the ground is.

Melanie is the founder of Imrama, a narrative strategy and content studio, and lives in Toronto with her dog, Sonora.

Follow Melanie

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Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 

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Episode #106: Why Dieting Makes You Binge (and What Your Nervous System Wants Instead)

Say "I can't have sugar," and your nervous system hears scarcity. Say "I don't eat sugar," and it hears choice. Dr. Sherry Shaban explains why fearing food drives the very bingeing you're trying to stop, and why your poop and sleep know more than your macros ever will. By the end, Dr. Cindy admits she's the one on the couch. Pull up a seat next to her.

In this episode, we cover:

Dr. Cindy’s Socials:

https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks

Dr. Cindy’s Merch

Dr. Cindy’s Partners:

Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com

Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

About Sherry Shaban

Sherry Shaban is the creator of Make Peace with Food™ and a practitioner with 25 years of experience in health, fitness, and life coaching. BSc, CAT(C), D.O., Sherry is an extraordinary coach who transformed her own life after a near-paralysis experience, redefining what it means to heal, grow, and thrive. Known for challenging conventional wisdom around dieting, fitness, and self-sabotage, she empowers individuals to move beyond limitations and create lasting transformation—both inside and out. A nervous system expert, Sherry integrates intuitive eating, movement, chronic pain recovery, and mindset strategies to help clients achieve true food freedom and holistic wellness.

Sherry is also a certified hypnotherapist, yoga practitioner, and osteopath based in Montreal, QC. Sherry is the founder of Make Peace with Food Podcast, the HIIT Decks™ App, and Transformation in Paradise Retreats, where she combines yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, and nervous system regulation in stunning destinations around the world. 

WEBSITES

www.makepeacewithfood.com

www.sherryshaban.com

www.hiitdecks.com

SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Facebook⁠

Facebook

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠TikTok

LinkedIn⁠

⁠YouTube

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Cindy on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Cindy's episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 

If you enjoyed today's conversation, the Daily Dose newsletter delivers more insights straight to your inbox—short, real, and made to SHIFT how you see things. Sign up at drcindyspeaks.com/send.   

Flashback Friday Episode #105: Lessons from Mr. America Chris Zaino: A Transformation from Illness to Inspiration

In this episode, host Dr. Cindy Howard interviews Dr. Chris Zaino, Mr. America 1998 and Mr. Universe winner. Chris shares his powerful journey of overcoming ulcerative colitis after doctors told him he needed his colon removed. Through chiropractic care, his body healed from what was considered an incurable disease. Chris discusses his philosophy of living as "Zero percent secret identity, 100 percent hero" and how his inspiring principles serve both men and women seeking authentic lives. The conversation explores the importance of finding your authentic self, recognizing your "why," and embracing life's challenges as growth opportunities rather than viewing them as obstacles.

Dr. Cindy’s Socials:

https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks

Dr. Cindy’s Partners:

Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com

Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

About Dr. Chris Zaino: 

Dr. Chris Zaino is a world-renowned speaker, author, entrepreneur, former Mr. America, Mr. Universe, and IFBB professional bodybuilder. 

After defying a deadly terminal disease in his late 20s, Dr. Zaino leveraged his experience to get his doctorate and become one of the largest wellness clinics in the world, seeing thousands weekly. 

Dr. Zaino created the “The Stallion Project,” to resurrect heroes from the complacency of their secret identity, so they may live heroic lives once again, by expressing and experiencing true love, now, in every area of their lives, through his four-step methodology: Brain, Body, Boardroom, and Bedroom. 

Currently, Dr. Zaino is one of the top “Secret Weapons” as a private holistic coach to executives, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, celebrities, influencers, sheiks, and kings internationally, with a focus on Male Vitality. 

Follow Dr. Zaino:

Website

Instagram 

Facebook

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Cindy on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Cindy's episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 

If you enjoyed today's conversation, the Daily Dose newsletter delivers more insights straight to your inbox—short, real, and made to SHIFT how you see things. Sign up at drcindyspeaks.com/send.   

Episode #104: Your Diagnosis Isn't the End of the Road: What Your Gut Wants You to Know

Jennifer Germain was hitting the bathroom 22 times a day when a colonoscopy finally named it: Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Her specialist prescribed biologics for life. She politely declined, emptied every scrap of sugar from her pantry, and was off her meds within nine months. You'll learn why your gut runs your mood and why athletes aren't as healthy as you think. Plus a post-practice snack that left Dr. Cindy genuinely appalled.

In this episode, we cover:

Dr. Cindy’s Socials:

https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks

Dr. Cindy’s Merch

Dr. Cindy’s Partners:

Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com

Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

About Jennifer Germain

Jennifer Germain is a Functional Medicine Health Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, and the founder of Compass Health Coaching, LLC in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Her journey into health coaching began in 2020 after being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease following months of illness. Determined to take control of her health, Jennifer pursued lifestyle and functional health strategies that significantly improved her well-being and ultimately inspired her to help others do the same.

She later trained and became certified through the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy and launched Compass Health Coaching in 2022. Today, Jennifer works with individuals one-on-one, delivers health and wellness seminars, and partners with businesses to support employee wellness initiatives. Her mission is to empower people to take control of their health and create lasting change—because genes are not destiny, and no one should feel defined by a diagnosis. 

Follow Jennifer

Instagram

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Cindy on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Cindy's episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 

If you enjoyed today's conversation, the Daily Dose newsletter delivers more insights straight to your inbox—short, real, and made to SHIFT how you see things. Sign up at drcindyspeaks.com/send.   

Episode #103: Tierra Duncan on the Birth Control Illusion

Tierra Duncan got diagnosed with endometriosis at 17 and spent over a decade on birth control before anyone tested her hormones. She joins Dr. Cindy to unpack what that pill is really doing, why "your labs are normal" doesn't mean you're fine, and what she'd tell her teenage self about advocating for her own body. Practical, overdue, and full of things nobody taught either of them in health class.

In this episode, we cover: 

(5:00) How blackberry brandy relieves menstrual cramps. 

(6:00) Why do most women think, “What’s wrong with my body”?

(8:00) Looking at blood levels to see why you are broken in the first place. 

(9:00) Looking further into the birth control pill.

(15:00) What advice would you give your seventeen-year-old self?

(16:00) What is endometriosis, and what are ways to help support the body?

(20:00) The stages of sleep and how most women struggle to get good-quality sleep. 

(22:00) Making fitness approachable for women. 

(26:00) Do’s and don’ts with nutrition. 

(29:00) Rapid-fire questions

Dr. Cindy’s Socials:

https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks

Dr. Cindy’s Merch

Dr. Cindy’s Partners:

Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com

Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

About Tierra Duncan:

Tierra Duncan is a women’s health educator, author, and coach with over a decade of experience helping women understand their hormones and feel at home in their bodies. Through her writing and her publishing company, Duncan Milam, she challenges outdated health narratives and shares practical, science-backed strategies for natural hormone balance. Tierra lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter. 

Follow Tierra

Instagram

Website

Book: The Birth Control Illusion

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Cindy on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Cindy's episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 

If you enjoyed today's conversation, the Daily Dose newsletter delivers more insights straight to your inbox—short, real, and made to SHIFT how you see things. Sign up at drcindyspeaks.com/send.  

Episode #102:  Chris Woods Flatlined at Forty. Here’s What He Learned.

Chris Woods flatlined at forty, got a pacemaker, and figured out what actually holds people back. He joins Dr. Cindy to talk about his book, Balls and Brains, the strengths test that changed his career, and one deceptively simple question that gets even the toughest guys talking. Expect fear, growth, and some jokes along the way.

In this episode, we cover:

Dr. Cindy’s Socials:

https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks

Dr. Cindy’s Merch

Dr. Cindy’s Partners:

Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com

Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

About Chris Woods

Chris Woods is a Certified Professional Coach and the author of the book "Balls & Brains: A framework for living your best life by overcoming fears and maximizing strengths."

"Balls & Brains" is a no-nonsense, actionable guide for people seeking to break free from self-imposed limitations and step into their fullest potential.

Chris Woods combines personal storytelling, psychological frameworks, and practical exercises to help readers overcome fear (Balls) and maximize their innate strengths (Brains). This isn't just another self-help book, it's a roadmap for those who are tired of playing small and ready to lead with courage and clarity.

Chris brings decades of experience as a four-time global C-suite executive and former Google sales leader. He has led at scale, made high-stakes decisions, and lived inside the pressure that comes with responsibility and ambition. 

He rose up from a rough upbringing in a tough area of Boston - the original "Good Will Hunting".

At 40 years old, Chris flatlined in a hospital bed. That moment forced him to confront not just his health, but how he was defining success and the internal fears driving his choices. It changed everything.

Today, he coaches from lived experience—not theory. He helps leaders and professionals align who they are with what they do, so success feels energizing instead of exhausting.

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Website

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Cindy on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Cindy's episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 

If you enjoyed today's conversation, Dr. Cindy's Daily Dose newsletter delivers more insights straight to your inbox—short, real, and made to SHIFT how you see things. Sign up at drcindyspeaks.com/send. 

Episode: #101: Dana Lyons on the Cancer Conversation Nobody Has After Year One

Dana Lyons is back for round two, and this conversation goes places the first one didn't. She and Dr. Cindy sit down two years and twelve years out from their own cancer diagnoses to talk about what actually happens once the casseroles stop coming and the attention moves on. They get into mirror work, why "cancer-free" is a dangerous phrase, and the difference between surviving something and actually thriving past it.

In this episode, we cover:

Dr. Cindy’s Socials:

https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks

Dr. Cindy’s Merch

Dr. Cindy’s Partners:

Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com

Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

About Dana Lyons:

Dana Lyons is an author, speaker, and coach who knows what it means to face hard battles and still choose joy. A wife, mom of five, grandmother of five, cancer survivor, and everyday woman in her 50s, Dana speaks honestly about walking through fear, learning to care for herself after years of caring for everyone else, and finding strength in the middle of change. She is passionate about helping women discover that it’s never too late to get well and live fully—body, mind, and spirit. 

Follow Dana:

Website

LinkedIn

LinkedIn for Dana

Facebook for Dana 

Facebook for Grit & Grace

Facebook for The Lyons Group 

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Cindy on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Cindy's episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast.

If you enjoyed today's conversation, Dr. Cindy's Daily Dose newsletter delivers more insights straight to your inbox—short, real, and made to SHIFT how you see things. Sign up at drcindyspeaks.com/send. 

Episode #100: Would You Live Differently If 100 Birthdays Were Guaranteed?

Dr. Cindy stars in this milestone episode and takes the mic solo, walking you through what turning 100 actually means to her. From a vintage Corvette analogy to the five traits real centenarians share, you get to enjoy the insights she's gathered from exploring the views of so many worthwhile guests. What's more, she closes with a question worth asking before your next birthday.

In this episode, we cover: 

(1:00) We Made It to 100! 

(4:00) Choosing to Age Better. 

(7:00) Think of yourself as a classic car 

(11:00) The power of a thank-you note 

(14:00) If you were guaranteed 100 birthdays… 

(15:00) The birthday story 

(19:00) How to Connect with Dr. Cindy

Dr. Cindy’s Socials:

https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks

Dr. Cindy’s Merch

Dr. Cindy’s Partners:

Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com

Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Cindy on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Cindy's episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 

If you enjoyed today's conversation, Dr. Cindy's Daily Dose newsletter delivers more insights straight to your inbox—short, real, and made to SHIFT how you see things. Sign up at drcindyspeaks.com/send. 

Episode #99: Your Feet Called. They Want to Talk About Your Sex Life. 

It turns out, your feet have a lot more to say about your health—and your sex life—than you've been letting them. Joshua Holland is back, and this time he and Dr. Cindy go there: circulation, intimacy, reflexology, and why the fastest-growing industry on the internet involves feet. Equal parts science, sensory awareness, and absolutely no filter.

In this episode, we cover:

Dr. Cindy’s Socials:

https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks

Dr. Cindy’s Merch

Dr. Cindy’s Partners:

Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com

Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

About Joshua J. Holland:

Joshua J. Holland is a wealth of experiential knowledge and wisdom, renowned as a dedicated biohacker, state-of-the-art fitness trainer, holistic health coach, and athlete. He champions the philosophy of “awareness through experience” and has spent years consulting with elite professionals to build a vast well from which to evoke alignment of body, mind, and spirit for his clients and community. 

His ideological approach to life and work is based on principles of effectiveness, efficiency, and quantifiability. His passion stems from fostering a state of bodily wholeness via connection through an extensive network of like-minded individuals.

Joshua's vast experiential knowledge base has earned him a sought-after following in the world of health, wellness, fitness, and lifestyle. He collaborates with some of the world’s most renowned musical and theatrical artists to fine-tune their physical and spiritual bodies. 

Additionally, he has expanded his expertise to work with Vivobarefoot, integrating their innovative barefoot philosophy into his holistic approach. This collaboration further enriches his exploration of healing modalities, aiming to restore individuals to optimal physical and spiritual wellness awareness.

Follow Joshua:

Instagram

Website

Podcast: Simply walk the talk

The Foot Collective Website

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Cindy on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Cindy's episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 

If you enjoyed today's conversation, Dr. Cindy's Daily Dose newsletter delivers more insights straight to your inbox—short, real, and made to SHIFT how you see things. Sign up at drcindyspeaks.com/send. 

Episode #103: Tierra Duncan on the Birth Control Illusion

Tierra Duncan got diagnosed with endometriosis at 17 and spent over a decade on birth control before anyone tested her hormones. She joins Dr. Cindy to unpack what that pill is really doing, why "your labs are normal" doesn't mean you're fine, and what she'd tell her teenage self about advocating for her own body. Practical, overdue, and full of things nobody taught either of them in health class.

In this episode, we cover: 

(5:00) How blackberry brandy relieves menstrual cramps. 

(6:00) Why do most women think, “What’s wrong with my body”?

(8:00) Looking at blood levels to see why you are broken in the first place. 

(9:00) Looking further into the birth control pill.

(15:00) What advice would you give your seventeen-year-old self?

(16:00) What is endometriosis, and what are ways to help support the body?

(20:00) The stages of sleep and how most women struggle to get good-quality sleep. 

(22:00) Making fitness approachable for women. 

(26:00) Do’s and don’ts with nutrition. 

(29:00) Rapid-fire questions

Dr. Cindy’s Socials:

https://linktr.ee/drcindyspeaks

Dr. Cindy’s Merch

Dr. Cindy’s Partners:

Professional Health Products: http://www.phpltd.com

Stopain Clinical: https://www.stopainclinical.com/

Infinedi: https://infinedi.net/

About Tierra Duncan:

Tierra Duncan is a women’s health educator, author, and coach with over a decade of experience helping women understand their hormones and feel at home in their bodies. Through her writing and her publishing company, Duncan Milam, she challenges outdated health narratives and shares practical, science-backed strategies for natural hormone balance. Tierra lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter. 

Follow Tierra

Instagram

Website

Book: The Birth Control Illusion

Follow, rate, and review Dr. Cindy on Apple and Spotify!

If you love Dr. Cindy's episodes, here's how to follow her so you never miss one!

Questions about her content? Please visit Dr. Cindy’s disclaimer at the bottom of the page. www.drcindyspeaks.com/podcast 

If you enjoyed today's conversation, Dr. Cindy's Daily Dose newsletter delivers more insights straight to your inbox—short, real, and made to SHIFT how you see things. Sign up at drcindyspeaks.com/send.