Well & Worthy Life | A Podcast for Midlife Women

In this episode, we're joined by mindset and mental fitness expert Teresa Townsend. Teresa helps busy female executives thrive during menopausal years. Teresa is so easy to talk to and has so much knowledge to share about what's within our control, including our mindset and how we react.

Before coaching, Teresa was in the business finance industry. She realized that she wasn't enjoying her life as much as she should be, and she started searching for more. Eventually, through her husband, she stumbled across coaching and never looked back.

Teresa dives into how speaking to yourself positively and moving with awareness improves everything. It reflects on your relationships and all other aspects of your life. It all starts with your mindset. If you feel stuck, affirmations can help you get unstuck.

Negative thought patterns may never fully go away, but we can reduce the frequency with which we experience them. We can learn to think differently and rewire our brains, so Teresa discusses the importance of stopping and listening to what we're saying to ourselves. We have the power to speak things into existence that have the power to influence our lives day today. Awareness of these thoughts and what you're doing when you get them are the first steps to overcoming them.

You can take control back from the things in your life that drain you, whether that's certain types of media or even people. Teresa emphasizes that if you choose to, you can put up boundaries and start taking control back. It's up to you.

Head to Teresa's website to learn more about mindset and health during menopause.

Teresa's Instagram

We are joined once again by Dr. St. Petery, a functional medicine doctor practicing out of Birmingham, AL. She returns to the podcast today to discuss turning back the clock with peptides.

Dr. St. Petery starts by explaining what peptides are, how they are made, and what they are particularly helpful for. Our body actually makes peptides, but you can often get them prescribed. Deanna shares her experience with using peptides and how it supported her body composition. It has also made a big difference in her skin and her libido.

The key in using peptides is to mimic how our body would naturally cycle them. There is a proper way to purchase and use them, and Dr. St. Petery wants people to be aware of what that means. She also discusses which peptides she finds to be the most beneficial and powerful, although they are not readily available in every state.

After chemotherapy, Dr. St. Petery's hair didn't grow back the same. She started taking peptides for this recently and has noticed a significant improvement in the growth rate, thickness, and health of her hair. Her nails have started growing longer, too. These are physical changes, but they imply that there are changes also happening internally as a result of the peptides.

Peptides are an alternative option to bioidentical hormone treatments. They can also help with weight loss, thyroid health, libido and hormone health, gut health, and more. Peptides are not a fix all, but they can help. The best thing you can do is implement a lifestyle change and use peptides alongside that if you choose to.

Dr. St. Petery's website: ​​https://www.functionalmedicineofalabama.com/

My other podcast with Dr. St. Petery: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/functional-medicine-and-the-importance-of-food/

Join Balance: https://wellandworthylife.lpages.co/balance

In today's episode we're discussing gut health with author Dr. Will Bulsiewicz. He's a board-certified gastroenterologist and gut health expert. His book "Fiber Fueled" isn't about quick fixes. It focuses on the big picture of what we put in our body and shares simple steps that help you create positive shifts in your digestion.

Dr. Bulsiewicz doesn't feel like he chose gut health, but that it chose him. He fell in love with gastroenterology in medical school because he loved the connectedness of the system, and how the digestive system has so many different parts to consider. He dives deeper into the health crisis he faced that forced him to look at himself, how he was living, and make a change in his own life for the better.

Our microbiome is made up of trillions of invisible organisms that live inside every single one of us. They are connected not only to our digestive system but also our immune system, our hormones, and our brain function. They also influence our metabolism. This is why damage to the microbiome (also known as dysbiosis) can affect us so greatly.

Dr. Bulsiewicz shares why it's so important to eat a wide variety of plants: science has shown that the most powerful predictor of a healthy gut is the diversity of plants in your diet. Research shows that the healthiest people are those who eat 30 or more different plants per week.

There are two things that keep Dr. Bulsiewicz feeling good. The first is eating a plant-based diet, and the second is taking a fiber supplement. Diet always comes first, but after diet there are supplements that can help. All of this should center around enhancing and feeding the good microbes.

Dr. Bulsiewicz's Website: https://theplantfedgut.com/

Dr. Bulsiewicz's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd/

Join Balance https://wellandworthylife.lpages.co/balance/

In this episode we're joined by Sharon Holand Gelfand, a Holistic Function Nutritionist and author of "The Gut Method." As Sharon puts it, she didn't find gut health - gut health found her. She actually started out in banking and finance, but when her son was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, she decided to pursue further education in functional nutrition. What she discovered was the gut-brain connection.

Sharon also had health issues herself, including IBS, eczema, hypoglycemia, and consistent immune dysfunction. The more she learned, the more small changes she implemented. As she made these small changes, she got better. With her newfound knowledge, her son was better able to manage his symptoms as well.

There is new and fascinating research about the gut-brain connection . Food doesn't just influence how you feel in your body, but it also impacts your mental health. We discussed a new study regarding gut inflammation and prevalence of mental health issues. It's more important now than ever to acknowledge and appreciate just how powerful the food we put in our body can be.

In The Gut Method, Sharon shares her story and helps the reader identify patterns so that they feel empowered to make changes instead of getting overwhelmed. The book also touches on gut mapping and how it can be a very useful tool for evaluating overall health.

We talk about the changes Sharon made in her life, especially since going through menopause. Specifically, sensitivities to certain things, including alcohol. Sharon has adjusted her life accordingly, and she rarely drinks like she did before. Putting her health first is always worth it.

Sharon's Website: https://sharonholand.com/

Sharon's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonholandgelfand/

Join Balance: https://wellandworthylife.lpages.co/balance

In this episode we're joined by Jill Guthrie, a health coach in Savannah, GA. Deanna met Jill on Instagram, and after talking, she couldn't wait to bring her on the podcast. A diagnosis of osteoporosis along with a love of running and nutrition is what set her on her health journey. She has also been eating a plant-based diet for the past three years.

When Jill started making her own health and nutrition a priority, she became so passionate that she would talk about it to anyone who would listen. That's how she ended up at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). This program influenced Jill's life in so many positive ways.

Jill has been running races since her mid 30's, but she always had a desire to run the Boston Marathon. In 2008, this dream became a reality. Although she admits she did many things wrong, she learned a lot along the way. Jill doesn't hold back from expanding on her love for running and nutrition and what it meant for her to conquer more marathons in the years ahead.

Our eating habits may (and even should) change with the ebb and flow in our lives. This adjustment requires the knowledge of what food does in our body. This also helps us choose what goes on our plate more wisely day-to-day.

Jill has been plant-based for years, and eventually her husband would join her eating this way. Transitioning to a plant-based diet has helped her husband lose weight that had fluctuated for years and to keep it off. He's been able to reduce his diabetes medications too. From her own experiences and working with her clients, Jill knows what difference a healthy diet can make.

Jill's Website: https://jillguthrie.com/

Jill's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillguthriehealth/

Join my Balance Program: https://wellandworthylife.lpages.co/balance

Today's guests are Wendy and Tiffany, two sisters with a podcast called "Life After Fat Pants" talk about powerful transformation. Fat Pants is a metaphor for anything that we need to work on, transform, or let go of. Other people can want something for you, but until you're ready to work for it, it won't happen for you.

Yes, they are sisters by blood, but they define sisterhood a little bit differently. For them, sisterhood is the female relationships in your life that stand the test of time. Tiffany and Wendy themselves went through a period of estrangement, but they were able to forgive and move past it. Wendy wrote "The Weight of It All", which was inspired by the sisters' real-life experiences and celebrates the bond that they have.

The women dive into the subject of powerful transformation, and how true transformation goes far beyond the physical. During a time of transformation, relationships expand and contract. It changes how you see yourself and the worth that you feel.

Tiffany shares a lot about her surgery and weight loss. She has done therapy to work through what brought her to be overweight. It wasn't always easy, but she kept her faith in the process. During her weight loss journey, she weighed herself only once a month. It's important to remember that losing weight doesn't magically solve someone's problems. For Tiffany, it's been a process of dealing with what got her there.

The message that Wendy leaves us with is about availing ourselves to change. We must be open to learning new things. Everything is a process and an evolution.

Life After Fat Pants Podcast: https://www.lifeafterfatpantspodcast.com/

Life After Fat Pants Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterfatpantspodcast/

My Balance Program: https://wellandworthylife.lpages.co/balance

In this episode, we're talking about why the all-or-nothing approach doesn't work. There are ways that you can take a more balanced approach to your healthy lifestyle. This includes prioritizing your needs, tuning into your body, and focusing on what you can add into your life instead of subtract.

What works for one person may not work for another, especially when it comes to food. A focus on whole foods is generally a good approach, but we also need to pay attention and listen to our bodies. We don't do enough listening to our own bodies because we let busyness take over our lives.

Sometimes, when we finally tune in, we throw ourselves into the next diet or change we want to make. Then when we mess up, we completely abandon the plan, or we say we'll start again on Monday. The truth is that this kind of approach is not sustainable. For example: when it comes to sugar, we sometimes get this idea that we need to give it up all together. However, this can lead to an unhealthy cycle of constantly trying to quit.

As women, we're so busy taking care of everyone else. In our middle age years, many of us are still caring for our children and our aging parents. By this time, we thought we would be less busy, yet we're busier than ever. There's always an excuse to not take time for ourselves. It's important we don't let those excuses get in our way.

Focusing on making sustainable changes is the key to success. When you take an all-or-nothing approach, it's difficult to keep it going for the long-term. Manageable and flexible changes are the ones you are more likely to stick to for a lifetime.

Listen to Jeff's story: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/jeffs-story-how-he-saved-his-life/

Join my Balance program:https://wellandworthylife.lpages.co/balance

Let's welcome Ed Park, the Founder and President of NeuroReserve. NeuroReserve makes Relevate, a nutritional supplement that restores vital nutrients for healthy brain aging. Ed talks about how maintain a healthy brain by taking action in our own lives.

Many people don't realize that two thirds of the people diagnosed with dementia are women. Knowledge is power, and that's why it's important to be aware of this. There are many things we can do to maintain a healthy brain and reduce our chances of getting dementia. These include a healthy diet, regular exercise, proper sleep, and reduced stress.

Nutrition is one of the most important ways by which one can decrease their risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Nutritional supplements aren't a replacement for a good diet, but they are a practical tool for those who need a boost to the diet they already have. Relevate is based on the strongest evidence on brain-protective dietary patterns.

Ed shares the effects of Relevate and what to expect when taking it, including Ed's own experience and the clients that take Relevate every day. Relevate isn't intended to be a "miracle cure," and they make sure to let their customers know that it's something you need to be taking for the long haul. Ed believes in a multifactorial approach in supporting brain health, including nutrition, supplements, proper sleep, and exercise. Brain training by learning new skills or playing brain-stimulating games are also helpful avenues explore. For those who feel discouraged, it's important to remember that there are so many resources out there for you to learn how to maintain a heathy brain.

NeuroReserve Website: https://neuroreserve.com

Join my Balance program: https://wellandworthylife.lpages.co/balance/

Today we're with Bridget Kilpatrick, and she's here to talk to us about how to combat inflammation. We'll be talking about what inflammation is, what causes it, and how you can deal with it. Making good choices helps us to live a long, healthy life.

Inflammation alone is the leading cause of death and disease. Diet is one thing that can help with prevention. Everyone's body is different, and everyone's body responds to food differently. It's all about reflecting on what works (and doesn't work) for you, and basing your diet around what you enjoy but also can tolerate.

Once you start eliminating the foods that don't work for you, you'll notice a huge difference. This could mean better energy, more stable moods, healthier skin, less bloating, and more. It can also help with another cause of inflammation, which is stress. Another way to address and manage stress is exercise, which can help take you out of that fight-or-flight mode.

Meditation or prayer is another practice that can help reduce stress (and therefore inflammation), and it also helps set you up for success in your day. It's a daily commitment, but the difference on the days that you practice can be so profound that it almost becomes addictive. Make time for this practice every day and feel the difference for yourself.

We need to pay attention to our diet, our stress, and our environment if we want to help reduce inflammation. In large part, it comes down to how we treat our bodies. You have to be ready to choose wisely and put your effort into taking action so you can feel better.

Organic Health Fitness Website: https://www.ohealthfitness.com/

Organic Health Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohealthfitnessbhm/

Inflammation Blog Post: https://www.ohealthfitness.com/organichealthblog/chronicinflammation

Anti-inflammatory Food list:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5cdc63e3840b1605bc596fc8/t/60a4c57f20a5810a360c3af8/1621411226688/Anti-Inflammatory+Foods.pdf

Another podcast: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/detoxifying-your-home-with-bridget-kilpatrick/

Balance: https://wellandworthylife.lpages.co/balance

In this episode we're joined by Carol Bevil and we discuss breaking the diet culture. Carol is a personal trainer, nutritionist, coach, author, blogger, and speaker. We talk about wellness, fitness, faith, and how her perspective on these things have changed over time. We also hear about how her Instagram got hacked, her new book, and so much more.

Carol jumps in by talking about the situation with her Instagram account. This was a very sophisticated hacking job, and at the time of this episode's recording, she is still waiting to see what will happen. She's been praying for the hacker and is hoping a seed will be planted in his heart from this experience.

Breaking the diet culture is something that's important to Carol. God wants our relationship with food to be one of comfort, blessing, joy, and peace. Sadly, the diet culture has destroyed that. For so many people, food is often related to guilt and shame. Carol touches on how the diet industry works, what their main motivation is, and why we need to look to God to guide our relationship with food.

It's interesting how we go to God for so many things, but not usually for help with our relationship with food. Faith is the backbone of Carol's coaching, and authentic transformation comes when you surrender. Willpower is a little moment where you realize you are facing something in which you need Jesus.

We cannot let our relationship with food claim our identity, or allow us to judge others harshly. As women, we can strengthen each other and help equip each other to navigate our relationship with food.

Carol's website: https://www.fuelbodyfeedsoul.com/

Another podcast with Carol: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/knowing-your-worth/

Join Balance: https://wellandworthylife.lpages.co/balance/