The Better Yoo Project: Optimizing Health, Hormones and Aesthetics.

Brittany McNeil is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with a passion for helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals through personalized care. With extensive experience in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Aesthetics, Weight Loss solutions, and Wellness Visits, Brittany provides a holistic approach to health that focuses on both the physical and emotional well-being of each patient. Brittany works closely with patients to alleviate the symptoms of hormonal imbalances, offering customized treatment plans that optimize overall vitality and quality of life.Brittany’s own health challenges led her to specialize in hormone therapy, and she later expanded into areas like thyroid and gut health. Brittany shares invaluable insights on the mental health impacts of hormone replacement therapy, using tools like GAD and PHQ-9 to highlight improvements in anxiety and depression. We also discuss the advantages of a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, California's controversial legislation affecting nurse practitioners, and the importance of balancing professional aspirations with family life.Topics discussed in this episode include:How Brittany transitioned from CNA to NP and embraced functional medicine.Why mastering specialized areas like hormone therapy is crucial before exploring thyroid and gut health.How hormone replacement therapy can positively impact mental health.Why continuous education and personalized patient care are vital for nurse practitioners in functional medicine.How Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs emphasize leadership and clinical excellence.Why California's legislation barring DNPs from using "doctor" in clinical settings is controversial.How tools like ChatGPT and Google Scholar can enhance research, despite academic restrictions on AI.How ongoing initiatives are aiming to secure FDA approval for testosterone use in women.How Brittany advocates for nurse practitioners' recognition, especially in underserved rural areas.The all-female advisory board that Lexi has been invited to join.Details on an upcoming documentary that Lexi is involved with regarding female testosterone. Brittany on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittany.thenp Frank Institute for Health and Wellness: https://frankinstitute.com Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

Dr. David Minkoff is one of the most in-demand speakers in the field and wrote an Amazon best-selling book called The Search For The Perfect Protein. The demand for the products and protocols he discovered became a catalyst for founding BodyHealth.Com, a nutrition company that now manufactures and distributes cutting-edge nutritional solutions for the many health problems of today. Additionally, Dr. Minkoff and his wife set up a small clinic in 1997 to help some friends with their medical problems. What began as an experiment blossomed into Lifeworks Wellness Center, one of the most successful clinics for complementary medicine in the United States.Transitioning from a fast-paced career in emergency medicine, Dr. Minkoff found his calling in alternative healing after a pivotal conference with Dr. Jeffrey Bland. This episode explores the dangers of mercury fillings, highlighted by Dr. Minkoff’s wife's harrowing experience with mercury toxicity and her eventual recovery through detoxification, which fueled their passion for alternative medicine. Additionally, Dr. Minkoff shares his inspiring foray into Ironman triathlons, emphasizing the crucial role of amino acids and protein in recovery and athletic performance. Dr. Minkoff also introduces PerfectAmino, a supplement that efficiently meets protein requirements without raising insulin or glucose levels, making it ideal for athletes and those with dietary concerns.Topics discussed in this episode include:How mercury fillings pose health risks and the dangers of mercury vapor exposure.Why Dr. Minkoff's wife's mercury toxicity led them to explore alternative medicine solutions.Why the experience with mercury detoxification sparked Dr. Minkoff's interest in alternative medicine.How Dr. Minkoff and his wife established a clinic for alternative healing practices.Why Dr. Minkoff was inspired to participate in Ironman triathlons after witnessing a race in Hawaii.How many proteins are in our body, and why we have trouble absorbing protein.Why amino acids are vital for recovery and performance in athletes.How PerfectAmino optimizes protein intake for athletes and individuals with dietary concerns.Why LifeWorks Wellness Center and BodyHealth offer valuable health resources and products.How Dr. Minkoff emphasizes the importance of nutrition in athletic performance and overall health.Why PerfectAmino is beneficial for those on keto diets or with metabolic concerns.Why consulting a doctor is always recommended for those with specific genetic conditions before using supplements.Lifeworks Wellness Center: https://www.lifeworkswellnesscenter.comBodyHealth: https://bodyhealth.com Dr. Minkoff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivinginatoxicworld Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

Sal Frisella, CEO of 1st Phorm International, shares his journey of leadership in the health and fitness industry. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork and resilience in achieving success. Sal discusses shifting from a 'me' to a 'we' culture, highlighting how investing in employees enhances business growth. He reveals strategies for authentic leadership, including prioritizing family, embracing challenges, and staying true to oneself. His insights on cultivating a strong workplace culture and redefining work-life balance are both inspiring and practical.

Morgan Stock is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement and weight loss at Aurora Medical Spa. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Goldfarb School of Nursing and her Masters at Maryville University. Through considerable training at Biote in Texas, Morgan has gained useful knowledge of optimizing a person's hormones to make them feel great again. Her nursing background started on a Neuro oncology floor and brought her to the oncology/surgical ICU at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.We’re getting deep into the world of hormone therapy and functional medicine in this episode. We explore the revolutionary impact of hormone optimization and replacement therapies on women's health, touching on things like weight management, sleep, cognitive function, and the often-overlooked benefits of testosterone. Morgan shares her journey from oncology to wellness, highlighting the innovative practices at Aurora Medical Spa, including the use of Biote hormone pellets and advanced in-body testing. We also address the real-world challenges of hormone therapy side effects and share practical solutions to enhance patient comfort.Topics discussed in this episode include:How hormone optimization and functional medicine can enhance women's health and longevity.Why Morgan transitioned from oncology to wellness, focusing on preventative medicine.How Biote hormone pellets are revolutionizing hormone replacement therapy.Why testosterone is crucial for women's health beyond just improving libido.How environmental factors and medications can impact hormone levels in women.Why in-body testing and advanced testing options offer tailored treatment plans.How Aurora Medical Spa's mentorship program sets new standards for individualized patient care.Why managing side effects of hormone therapy, like fluid retention and breast tenderness, is crucial.How natural supplements and prescription medications enhance patient comfort and outcomes.Why collaboration among wellness providers fosters growth and innovation in functional medicine.Aurora Medical Spa: https://www.auroramedicalspa.com/ Aurora Medical Spa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aurora_medspa/ Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

Dr. Greg Jones is a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor and earned his degree in Naturopathic Medicine with honors from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe Arizona. Dr. Jones has received extensive training in regenerative injection therapy, IV nutritional therapy, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, and peptide therapy.Join us for an enlightening journey into the world of regenerative medicine as we check out the transformative potential of prolotherapy. Discover how Dr. Jones's personal battle with a back injury ignited his passion for innovative pain relief treatments, leading him from cardiology to groundbreaking regenerative medicine techniques. We'll explore how prolotherapy, with its controlled inflammation and dextrose injections, can trigger the body's natural healing processes and work wonders for joints. Dr. Jones will demystify advanced techniques, share compelling case studies, and highlight how lifestyle choices can heavily impact treatment outcomes. Plus, you'll hear about the cutting-edge use of thymosin beta-4 for its regenerative properties and how ARA 290 aids neuropathic pain relief.Topics discussed in this episode include:How Dr. Jones transitioned from cardiology to regenerative medicine due to a personal injury.How prolotherapy is different from treatments that traditional doctors offer.Why lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, and sleep impact the effectiveness of treatments.How COVID-19 reshaped Dr. Jones's practice to focus on sustainable healthcare models.How identifying pain generators is crucial for effective prolotherapy treatment.The difference in outcomes between prolozone (combining prolotherapy and ozone) and just prolotherapy.Why controlled inflammation is essential for the healing process.How anesthetics like lidocaine and ropivacaine vary in use depending on the injection site.How thymosin beta-4 is superior to TB500 for regenerative properties.How ARA 290 aids in treating neuropathic pain by repairing nerve health.How dextrose as a TRPV1 antagonist reduces nerve pain and inflammation.Why addressing systemic health issues is crucial before focusing on localized pain.How foundational health improvements can reduce the need for invasive procedures.Enovative Wellness: https://enovativewellness.com Dr. Greg Jones on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorjones_doctorjones Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

Dr Suzanne Ferree is the senior physician at Vine Medical Associates in Atlanta, Georgia. She is double board certified in Family Medicine, Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. Dr Ferree is an award-winning teacher of medical students and residents and has been on the faculty of Emory University, A4M, IPS, ACAM and SSRP. Dr Ferree uses bioidentical hormones, peptide therapy, neural therapy and regenerative medicine to treat patients with endocrine, mitochondrial, infectious, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. Her thriving practice treats executives and athletes from around the world as well as patients with chronic or unusual diseases.The groundbreaking world of neural therapy is on full display today with amazing insights from my mentor, Dr. Suzanne Furee. We explore the transformative potential of stellate injections and neural therapy, particularly for trauma-related pain and PTSD, while also addressing conditions like digestive disorders and mood issues. Dr. Ferree shares her extensive experience with over 2,000 procedures, highlighting the clinical significance of procaine as a local anesthetic and its healing metabolites. We discuss practical applications and success stories, emphasizing the healing synergy of combining neural therapy with other treatments like the O-shot. This episode is packed with everything you need to know about integrating advanced neural therapy into your practice.Topics discussed in this episode include:Why stellate injections are a key component of advanced neural therapy.Why understanding neural therapy metabolites is required for effective treatment.How procaine, as a local anesthetic, plays a role in neural therapy.Why procaine's metabolites, PABA and DEAE, are beneficial for tissue healing.How stellate and pelvic neural therapy address conditions from mood issues to digestive disorders.Why combining neural therapy with treatments like the O-shot can have fantastic results.How stellate ganglion block covers conditions from the diaphragm to the head.How trauma-related pain relief can be achieved through neural therapy.Why addressing interference fields, like scars, is important for comprehensive treatment.How stellate and pelvic neural therapy can aid in treating heart rhythm irregularities and emotional traumas.The GAD-7 questionnaire that Dr. Ferree uses to track neural therapy benefits.Common side effects that can be seen from neural therapy.Dr. Ferree on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsferree Registration for the Neural Therapy Conference: https://vinemedical.com/neural-therapy-conference-2026/ Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

Dr. Leonard Pastrana specializes in cellular optimization medicine and has multiple certifications in peptide therapy from the American Academy of Anti-aging and Seeds Scientific Research and Performance. Dr. Pastrana is a faculty member and one of only six certified clinical instructors from Seeds Scientific research and performance. He is currently the only Pharmacist to have this honor. Dr. Pastrana is also the head supplement formulator for multiple companies, including nuBioAge.We’re alongside Dr. Pastrana in this episode, welcoming him back to the podcast to address a controversial claim we recently heard about GLP-1 medications causing blindness. Dr. Pastrana debunks myths surrounding GLP-1s, giving all the fact-based details on semaglutide's effects on vision. Boldly challenging the misconceptions surrounding GLP-1 usage, we explore its potential anabolic benefits rather than the feared muscle loss. We also discuss the benefits of peptide combinations like BPC-157 and thymosin beta-4, while also taking on concerns about GLP-1s and cancer risk.  Topics discussed in this episode include:Myths surrounding GLP-1s, like semaglutide's impact on vision.Why nutritional support is essential for GLP-1 medications to enhance muscle growth.How Dr. Pastrana emphasizes scrutinizing research to avoid misconceptions in medical studies.Why specific peptide combinations can be beneficial for longevity.How GLP-1s positively impact metabolic health and reduce obesity-related cancer risks.Why informed medical practice is crucial when interpreting study results on GLP-1s.How a case study illustrates GLP-1 GIP's transformative effects on a 72-year-old patient's quality of life.How Dr. Pastrana’s longevity certification program offers tools for expanding medical knowledge.Why addressing GLP-1 myths about thyroid cancer is important for all practitioners.How GLP-1s contribute to reducing obesity-related cancer risks through weight loss.Why thorough patient history is vital for identifying GLP-1 contraindications. CALM 2026: https://nubioage.com/calm  Longevity Certification course: https://nubioage.com/longevity-certification Dr. Leonard Pastrana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leonardpastrana  NuBioAge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nubioagewellnessnetwork  Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com 

Dr. Abid Husain is an established cardiologist in the conventional healthcare system. Over the years, while treating patients in a traditional hospital setting, he realized the limitations of this system firsthand. Because of this, he began seeking a way to provide highly impactful, preventative care. After dedicating years to education in functional medicine and the leading-edge research on the biotechnologies of anti-aging, he has found it. Today, his practice Interlinked MD combines each of these modalities to provide the most comprehensive range of care available. We talk about innovative strategies for heart health in this episode, exploring topics like cholesterol management, nutraceuticals, and biohacking techniques. Dr. Husain sheds light on the intricacies of statin use, the role of key biomarkers, and the genetic influence of lipoprotein(a) in heart disease. We also discuss the benefits of CoQ10, niacin, and the importance of balancing aerobic and strength training for cardiovascular wellness. Additionally, Dr. Husain shares insights on post-pandemic heart health and previews his upcoming presentation at the Clinical Longevity Summit. Topics discussed in this episode include:Why updating your medical knowledge is crucial for practitioners and patients interested in heart health.How statins work by targeting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme in cholesterol synthesis.Why understanding cholesterol types is essential, focusing on small, dense LDL versus large, buoyant LDL.How genetic factors like lipoprotein(a) influence heart disease risk.Why nutraceuticals like CoQ10 and niacin are vital for cardiovascular health.How exercise, including aerobic and strength training, benefits heart health and nitric oxide production.How post-COVID insights are reshaping cardiovascular care and addressing long-hauler symptoms.Why continuous learning and nuanced understanding are needed for post-pandemic healthcare challenges.How niacin's debated benefits and potential side effects affect cardiovascular outcomes.Why omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D are essential for heart health and inflammation control.How liver function and bile production affect cholesterol management and cardiovascular health.Why balancing fiber intake and movement aids in managing cholesterol absorption and excretion.  Boulder Longevity Institute: https://boulderlongevity.com/  Dr. Husain on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_abidhusain/  Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com 

Jodi Choplin, NP, is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in women’s health. She provides compassionate, comprehensive care for women across all stages of life, from preventive screenings and routine exams to reproductive health counseling and wellness education. Jodi is passionate about creating a welcoming, supportive environment where patients feel heard, informed, and empowered to make the best decisions for their health.Jodi shares her amazing journey from a traditional OBGYN setting to specializing in functional medicine, highlighting the importance of proactive hormone therapy and self-driven learning. Together, we discuss the complexities of the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, uncovering how hormonal imbalances can manifest as mood disorders like anxiety and insomnia. We talk about the impact of hormone levels on metabolism and weight loss, emphasizing the necessity of accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans. Jodi empowers women with knowledge about their hormonal health, providing insights into effective interventions for optimal well-being.Topics discussed in this episode include:• How proactive hormone therapy and identifying subtle symptoms improve patient care.• Why self-motivated learning leads to groundbreaking advancements in women's health.• How luteal phase dysfunction impacts women's health during perimenopause.• Why progesterone deficiency is often mistaken for mood disorders like anxiety and insomnia.• How common and atypical symptoms, like early spotting and histamine reactions, signal hormone imbalances.• Why precise diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing hormonal health issues.• How hormone levels influence metabolism and weight loss, particularly in women.• Why tools like ovulation strips and basal body temperature tracking aid in pinpointing hormonal issues.• Why ignoring subtle hormonal cues can hinder weight management and overall well-being.• How deficiencies in estradiol and progesterone can slow down metabolism.• Why conducting lab work and body composition tests is essential for accurate hormone assessment.• How journals and apps can help track menstrual cycles and symptoms for better diagnosis.• Why understanding the interplay of hormones aids in addressing mood, sleep, and anxiety issues.• How supporting methylation and liver health with nutrients promotes hormonal balance.Jodi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoptimizenp Serenity Aesthetics and Wellness: https://serenityaestheticsandwellnessclinicllc.com/ Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com

Simona DeLucia is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner, functional medicine specialist, and founder of DeLucia Vitality, a rebranded longevity and wellness clinic in Davie, Florida. With over 15 years of experience in emergency medicine, aesthetics, and hormone optimization, Simona brings deep clinical expertise and heart-centered care to every patient encounter.Simona's personal battle with Hashimoto's disease highlights the limitations of conventional medicine and ignited her passion for integrating wellness into aesthetic practices. In this episode, we explore how she navigates the intersection of aesthetics and functional health, focusing on sleep, cycles, and gut health to transform patient journeys. Simona discusses the challenges in functional medicine, such as sourcing quality peptides and building trust with pharmacies, while providing insights into finding a reliable practitioner. Her story emphasizes the importance of informed, holistic care, empowering both practitioners and patients to take charge of their health narrativesTopics discussed in this episode include:• How integrating wellness into aesthetics provides deeper healing opportunities beyond surface-level treatments.• Why functional medicine is gaining trust among clients seeking comprehensive health solutions.• How questions about sleep, cycles, and gut health open doors to transformative patient journeys.• Why sourcing quality peptides amidst tightening regulations is a challenge in functional medicine.• Why Simona rebranded from “The VIP Injector” to reflect her evolving focus on holistic healing.• How building trust with reputable pharmacies is crucial for functional medicine practitioners.• Why thorough research and verified credentials are essential for finding reliable healthcare providers.• Why organic growth through word-of-mouth and social media is effective for building a practice.• Why starting with foundational elements like gut health and hormones is vital before advancing treatments.• How patient trust in aesthetic procedures can extend naturally to functional health discussions.Simona DeLucia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deluciavitality DeLucia Vitality: https://www.deluciavitality.com Follow our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lexiyoonp or visit us at https://www.yoodirecthealth.com