Stories of Hope & Healing: Ryan Hughes

In this episode of Stories of Hope & Healing, Dr. Leland Stillman welcomes nurse practitioner Ryan Hughes to discuss his transformative journey from chronic symptoms to renewed health through a root-cause approach. Ryan opens up about a lifetime of struggles with insomnia, brain fog, gut dysfunction, eczema, and low energy—issues that had begun to interfere with both his personal well-being and professional performance. Despite some initial gains with functional medicine, it wasn’t until he took a deeper, more integrative path that he experienced lasting results.

Dr. Stillman and Ryan explore the modalities that played pivotal roles in Ryan's recovery, including hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA), light therapy, targeted nutrient protocols, and group coaching. Through personalized assessments and consistent implementation, Ryan saw major improvements in sleep quality, skin health, digestion, and overall cognitive function, reaching a point he now describes as 90–95% of his ideal health. The episode illustrates how properly applied non-pharmaceutical therapies can create synergy, restore biological resilience, and support the body’s natural healing systems.

Listeners will come away with a grounded understanding of how holistic strategies, when guided by clinical insight and personalized testing, can address the root causes of chronic symptoms. Whether you're a patient searching for answers or a practitioner seeking better outcomes for your clients, Ryan's story underscores the value of looking beyond symptom management to achieve long-term wellness.

If you're inspired by Ryan’s journey and want to learn more, you can connect with him at OptimizeYourBrainHealth.com and follow him on Instagram @realryanhughes.

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