What if one of the most overlooked tools in recovery wasn’t a therapy or a stretch - but a specific protein that rebuilds what pain breaks down?

In this episode, integrative physiotherapist Matthew Craig takes us inside the evolving role of targeted collagen peptides in real-world rehabilitation - from fresh surgical scars and stubborn tendon pain to cancer-related cording, fascia restriction, and the creeping loss of bone strength in midlife.

Pain doesn’t follow a neat script, and neither does healing. That’s why Matthew unpacks where collagen makes the biggest impact: in poorly perfused tissues that heal slowly, in post-cancer recovery where cording tethers movement and amplifies pain, and in athletes who need to back up high training loads without joint flare-ups. He shares practical guidance on dose and timing - why 10 g daily supports ongoing repair, and why acute or “critical window” healing may call for 20 g split across the day.

We explore the nuances of collagen type and quality, from type I and III for tendon, skin, and fascia integrity to type II for cartilage and joint comfort. Matthew explains how hydrolysed, bioavailable peptides stimulate fibroblast activity, remodel scar tissue, and improve movement tolerance so that manual therapy and strength training deliver better results.

The conversation extends into bone health for peri- and post-menopausal women, where targeted collagen has shown measurable gains in bone density—small but powerful changes that shape long-term mobility and independence. Matthew also clears the air on athletic recovery, DOMS, and muscle support, debunking the myth that collagen is “just for beauty.”

It’s a clinical roadmap that bridges rehab, recovery, and resilience:

• Why and when to add collagen to a care plan
• Post-surgical healing for scars, fascia, and pain
• Selecting types I, II, and III for clinical goals
• Dosing for acute and ongoing recovery
• Cancer rehab, cording, and restoring movement
• Collagen’s emerging role in bone density support
• Pairing collagen with whole-protein and loading for results

Collagen isn’t a cosmetic extra - it’s protein with a purpose, especially when matched to the job. If you’re navigating surgery, tendon pain, cancer rehab, or simply want stronger bones and better training outcomes, this episode gives you the practical playbook every clinician should hear.

Connect with Matthew: https://www.bouncerehab.com.au/team/

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

What if the very nutrient celebrated for preventing neural tube defects is now tipping into excess, disrupting biochemistry, fuelling anxiety, and shaping the health of the next generation?

In this thought-provoking conversation, clinician–researcher Carolyn Ledowsky - now nearing the end of a four-year PhD - shares her evidence-based re-evaluation of folic acid, methylfolate, and the overlooked role of men in preconception care.

Carolyn unpacks why folic acid isn’t the villain, but why unchecked intake poses real risks. We explore unmetabolised folic acid and methylation bottlenecks, the stability challenges of methylfolate, and why folinic acid may offer a practical interim solution. She outlines a pragmatic public health roadmap: cap daily intake at 400–500 mcg, remove voluntary fortification to prevent hidden excess, and individualise care with methylfolate plus B12 and cofactors where needed.

This conversation also delves into recurrent pregnancy loss and the striking results of tailored protocols - removing folic acid, lowering fortified foods, using methylfolate, testing MTHFR/DHFR status, and including the partner. Importantly, Carolyn brings men into focus, highlighting emerging evidence that male folate metabolism and genetics directly influence fertility and pregnancy outcomes.

And in a surprising clinical insight, she reveals how elevated B6 often normalises quickly with lysine - reshaping how we think about nutrient “toxicity” in the post-viral era.

If you care about smarter prenatal nutrition, realistic fortification policy, and giving couples the best chance of healthy conception, this episode provides a science-led roadmap for clinicians, policymakers, and future parents alike.

Connect with Carolyn: mthfr support

Read Carolyn's Paper: 

Health effects of excess folic acid use and high blood folate during preconception and pregnancy: a systematic review

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

What if the root of stubborn chronic illness isn’t just poor lifestyle choices, but an invisible toxic burden quietly overwhelming the body?

In this compelling episode, naturopath and mentor Liza Twohill shares insights from her 25+ years of clinical experience helping patients in regional Australia navigate the hidden impact of agricultural chemicals, mining exposures, heavy metals, and everyday pollutants. From her grassroots beginnings in Dubbo to her current role as NHAA Board Director and Adjunct Professional Fellow at Southern Cross University, Liza has honed a practical, step-by-step framework for guiding patients safely through detoxification.

You’ll learn why trace minerals like zinc, iodine, and molybdenum are foundational to detox, how polyphenols and antioxidants can dial down chronic inflammation and support mitochondria, and why jumping straight into “heroic” detox protocols often backfires. Instead, Liza maps out her six-stage process - assessing exposures, reducing body burden, calming the nervous system, addressing inflammation, optimising drainage, and finally implementing targeted detox strategies.

Whether you’re a clinician seeking clarity on environmental medicine or someone struggling with complex health issues, this episode offers a refreshing perspective: detox isn’t about quick fixes, but about restoring the body’s natural resilience with patience, precision, and respect for individual biochemistry.

Connect with Liza: www.lizatwohill.com

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Feeling buried in admin when all you want is to focus on your patients?

You’re not alone. The naturopathic profession has long struggled with burnout as practitioners juggle clinical work, business management, marketing, and ongoing education—often single-handedly.

In this groundbreaking conversation, Amy Skilton and business mentor Tammy Guest explore how artificial intelligence is creating unprecedented opportunities for naturopaths to reclaim their time, amplify their unique gifts, and ultimately become more human in their practice. Beyond the fear-based headlines, AI offers practical solutions to longstanding challenges in our profession.

Discover how practitioners are using AI to transcribe and summarise consultations, freeing them to be fully present with patients. Learn how research that once took hours can now be completed in minutes, with practitioners maintaining discernment while AI handles the heavy lifting. For those who struggle with marketing and content creation, hear real-world examples of practitioners finally launching the courses and programs they’ve dreamed of—all thanks to accessible AI tools.

Perhaps most compelling is the recognition that our predominantly female profession has a unique opportunity to influence AI’s development. With 70% of current AI users identifying as male, naturopaths can bring a holistic, patient-centred perspective to ensure this technology reflects the values we hold dear.

Whether you’re tech-savvy or tech-phobic, this episode offers practical starting points and free resources to help you explore how AI might enhance your practice. The world needs the special gifts that only you have—don’t let them remain hidden because you’re weighed down by tasks that AI could handle with ease.

Connect with Tammy 

Check out Tammy's Clone Yourself with AI course

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Could fertility struggles be your body’s way of asking for deeper healing?

For many couples, difficulties conceiving are the first signal that something more foundational in their health needs attention. In this eye-opening episode, holistic fertility expert Eli Huang shares how true preconception care goes far beyond hormones, drawing from her background in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), functional testing, and emotional healing to uncover the hidden factors behind infertility.

Eli’s journey from reluctant IT professional to passionate practitioner follows in the footsteps of her father’s 40+ year TCM career, creating a powerful lineage of integrative care. Her unique 90-day fertility program blends pulse and tongue diagnosis with modern pathology, personalised supplementation, and mindset work—helping couples address physical, emotional, and spiritual blocks to conception.

She shares why unresolved trauma, digestive dysfunction, sleep issues, and chronic stress can derail fertility, and how even negative beliefs can physiologically suppress reproductive function. Perhaps most striking is her insight into male fertility: around 80% of couples referred to IVF have male factor issues that are often overlooked, and potentially reversible with natural approaches.

Whether you’re actively trying to conceive, supporting patients through fertility challenges, or simply curious about the ripple effects of preconception health, this episode offers profound insights into how whole-person healing paves the way for healthier pregnancies—and generations.

Connect with Eli

Tune in to Eli's podcast : The Holistic Health and Hormones Podcast

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Could one overlooked mineral be the missing link in cardiovascular care?

Magnesium might just be the most critical yet underutilised nutrient for heart health, according to naturopath and former heart failure nurse Gina Robertson. In this compelling episode, Gina draws on her years in cardiac wards and naturopathic practice to uncover magnesium’s profound impact on cardiovascular disease, particularly in conditions like hypertension, arrhythmias, and post-operative recovery.

From reversing life-threatening arrhythmias in seconds to halving rates of post-surgical atrial fibrillation, Gina shares powerful clinical examples and explains why standard blood tests miss magnesium deficiency in most patients. You'll learn how this essential mineral transforms stiff, non-compliant vessels into more elastic channels, reducing cardiac strain, and why stress may be one of the biggest drivers of magnesium depletion today.

We dive into the nuances of magnesium supplementation, including the best forms for specific conditions (think glycinate, orotate, citrate, glycerophosphate), practical dosing strategies, and when to consider topical applications. Gina also highlights complementary nutrients, key dietary considerations, and cautions around renal impairment.

Whether you're supporting patients or your own cardiovascular health, this episode offers evidence-based insights that challenge conventional care—and could shift the way you approach heart health forever.

Connect with Gina

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Why isn’t your acne responding, no matter how “clean” your skincare routine is?

In this eye-opening episode, skin specialist nutritionist Jacinta Barbagallo shares why stubborn breakouts rarely start on the skin’s surface—and why real solutions lie far deeper. Together, we explore the three root causes of acne: retention keratosis, hypersebum secretion, and skin pH imbalance, and the surprising internal drivers behind them, from nutrient deficiencies and cortisol surges to gut dysfunction and metabolic imbalances.

Jacinta unpacks how to go beyond surface-level treatment with targeted clinical tools like strategic blood testing (e.g. SHBG, fasting glucose, insulin, hormone panels) and foundational nutritional strategies, including 30g of protein per meal, omega fatty acid balance, and key herbal medicines like burdock, Oregon grape, and peony licorice.

Most importantly, she reframes what progress really looks like. With hormones taking months to recalibrate and skin cells needing 6–8 weeks to renew, Jacinta shares what signs to look for along the way, like faster breakout recovery and reduced inflammation.

Whether you're navigating your own skin challenges or supporting clients through theirs, this episode offers a comprehensive and empowering roadmap to finally understanding what your skin is trying to tell you.

Connect with Jacinta

Discover the Clear Skin Blueprint 

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Is Cellular Energy the Key to Fertility Over 35?

In this insightful episode of Wellness by Designs, naturopath and nutritionist Belinda Kirkpatrick explores how supporting our cells' energy systems may hold the key to optimising fertility, particularly for women over 35. At the heart of the discussion is nicotinamide riboside (NR), a cutting-edge nutrient that acts as a precursor to NAD+, the essential molecule powering mitochondrial function, DNA repair and healthy gene expression. As NAD+ levels naturally decline with age—starting as early as our 30s—so too can egg and sperm quality. Belinda explains how NR effectively raises cellular NAD+ levels by easily crossing cell membranes, unlike other forms that must convert before entering cells.

Belinda shares practical guidance on how she uses NR in fertility treatment plans, highlighting typical doses ranging from 250 to 1000 mg daily depending on age and egg quality markers. Importantly, she explains that NR can be taken right up until egg collection during IVF without interfering with medications, making it a valuable option for those navigating assisted reproductive cycles. She also reveals her "top three" supplements for fertility support—NR, ubiquinol and NAC—describing how they work synergistically to enhance egg quality and overall reproductive health.

Beyond supplements, the episode dives into lifestyle strategies to support NAD+ levels naturally, from eating protein-rich foods that provide tryptophan precursors to understanding how sun exposure can deplete NAD+, while practices like infrared sauna therapy may help boost it. With her trademark blend of scientific detail and compassionate, practical advice, Belinda offers an evidence-informed roadmap for anyone seeking to optimise their reproductive potential—whether they're undergoing treatment or simply planning ahead. For those ready to explore how cellular health underpins fertility, this conversation provides an essential guide to the latest research and integrative strategies.

Connect with Belinda: Naturopath in Sydney - Belinda Kirkpatrick Naturopathy & Nutrition

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Is Ubiquinol the Missing Nutrient for Lifelong Heart Health?

In this eye-opening episode of Wellness by Designs, Dr Ross Walker, a renowned cardiologist with 25 years dedicated to preventative medicine, challenges the conventional approach to heart disease, statins and cholesterol management. Central to the discussion is ubiquinol, the active form of CoQ10, essential for mitochondrial energy production and a powerful antioxidant. Dr Walker explains how our natural production of ubiquinol begins declining around age 30 and drops sharply by 50, contributing to fatigue and reduced cardiovascular resilience.

Dr Walker explores why many patients with “normal” cholesterol still develop significant coronary artery disease, arguing that coronary calcium scoring offers a far superior risk assessment tool than standard cholesterol tests. Dr Walker also addresses statin-associated muscle symptoms, recommending 150 mg of ubiquinol daily for statin users, citing research showing a 50% reduction in muscle problems, and up to 300 mg for those with heart failure to support cardiac function and endothelial health.

From mitochondrial health to protection against oxidative stress, this episode highlights why ubiquinol may be a cornerstone in maintaining cardiovascular wellness and why a more personalised, evidence-based approach is needed to truly prevent heart disease.

Connect with Dr Walker: Home - Dr Ross Walker

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Is it time to rethink how we treat atopic dermatitis?

Atopic dermatitis is more than skin deep—and naturopath and award-winning clinician Rebecca Hughes is here to prove it. In this practical and insightful episode, Rebecca shares her integrative, root-cause approach to eczema that goes far beyond suppressing symptoms with topical steroids.

Drawing from extensive clinical experience, Rebecca highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis, noting that conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and lupus are often misidentified as eczema—leading to ineffective treatment. She walks practitioners through key investigations, from food intolerance and intestinal permeability testing to genetic susceptibilities, that help identify true inflammatory drivers.

Rebecca also outlines her foundational nutrient protocol, including zinc, vitamin D, vitamin A, quercetin, and glutamine, and discusses how these work synergistically to modulate immune response, stabilise mast cells, and repair gut integrity. She also addresses overlooked environmental triggers like mould and water-damaged buildings, as well as the clinical importance of emotional support, sleep hygiene, and managing the psychological toll of visible skin conditions.

Clinicians will find practical strategies for supporting patients through topical steroid withdrawal, tips on using bleach baths safely for Staphylococcus aureus overgrowth, and why children with eczema require particularly vigilant care.

With a soon-to-be-released practitioner course on atopic dermatitis, Rebecca equips healthcare professionals with the tools they need to treat this complex condition confidently and holistically.

Connect with Rebecca: Home - Rebecca Hughes Naturopath

 Explore Rebecca's Managing Atopic Dermatitis Course: Use code SAVE30 for a 30% discount. More information on the course can be found here: Managing Atopic Dermatitis | Natural Skin Medicine Courses

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health