57: When Your Body Says “Enough” – Thyroid Chaos, Toxins, and Nervous System Healing with Taylor Dukes

Nov 13, 2025

In this insightful discussion, Taylor Dukes, a board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Taylor Dukes Wellness, shares her transformative journey through health crises and brain tumor diagnosis. She delves into the links between thyroid health and hidden toxins while revealing the importance of gut function and emotional regulation. Taylor offers practical detox strategies, highlights the significance of nervous system healing, and emphasizes self-advocacy in a conventional healthcare system that often overlooks women's needs. A wealth of hope and actionable advice awaits!

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

From Misdiagnosed Nurse To Functional Medicine Advocate

Taylor Dukes recounts getting sick after mission trips and failing to get answers from conventional doctors.
A naturopath connected her history and healed her, which launched her into functional medicine practice.

ANECDOTE

Unexpected Brain Tumor Detected By Preventative Scan

A preventative Pernuvo scan unexpectedly found a brain tumor while she felt fine.
Integrative oncology shrank the tumor before surgery and she recovered after removal in February 2023.

ADVICE

One-Item Swap Strategy For Personal Care

Swap one personal-care item at a time to cleaner alternatives when you run out.
Prioritize removing fragrances and chemicals from daily-use products to reduce endocrine disruptors.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Could hidden toxins, stress, and gut imbalances be at the root of your thyroid issues—and the reason true healing still feels out of reach?

In this powerful episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness, host McCall sits down with Taylor Dukes, a board-certified nurse practitioner and founder of Taylor Dukes Wellness. Taylor shares her deeply personal and inspiring story—one that began with her own health collapse, transformed through functional medicine, and took a dramatic turn when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her journey through healing, brain surgery, and recovery has led her to become a powerful advocate for integrative care, nervous system regulation, and detoxification.

They discuss the connections between thyroid health, gut function, toxin overload, and emotional regulation. Taylor also breaks down practical, sustainable detox strategies, the role of nervous system support in chronic illness, and how women can learn to advocate for themselves in a healthcare system that often overlooks them.

Whether you're navigating thyroid issues, burnout, or simply looking for holistic lifestyle upgrades, this episode is packed with hope, insight, and actionable advice.

Key Topics Covered:

Taylor’s two-part health journey: from gut and thyroid issues to a brain tumor diagnosis and recovery
The emotional toll of being dismissed by traditional medical systems—and how to self-advocate
How environmental toxins and endocrine disruptors contribute to thyroid dysfunction
The power of simple, daily detox habits: laundry swaps, clean water, clean air, and skincare
What effective detox actually looks like (hint: it’s not a juice cleanse)
How gut health directly impacts thyroid hormone conversion, nutrient absorption, and immunity
Daily habits for supporting detox: castor oil packs, dry brushing, sweating, and movement
Why nervous system regulation is the missing link in healing protocols
Free medicine: grounding, breathwork, infrared light, and calming routines
How Taylor built a new life and business that prioritizes peace, purpose, and service

Connect with Taylor Dukes:

💻 Website: TaylorDukesWellness.com
📷 Instagram: @taylordukeswellness

Follow the Show:

💻 Website: modernthyroidclinic.com
🐦 Twitter/X: @thyroidexpert
🌐 Host Website: mccallmcpherson.com
🎥 YouTube: McCall McPherson Channel
📘 Facebook: McCall McPherson PAC
📸 Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa