Health Coach Talk: Conversations About Wellness Through Functional Medicine Coaching

What if trauma isn’t just in your mind, but in your cells? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes double board-certified physician and trauma expert Dr. Amy to explore the biology of trauma and how it impacts both mental and physical health. Dr. Amy shares groundbreaking insights from her new book The Biology of Trauma, which reveals how the body stores fear, pain, and overwhelm, and how we can begin to heal.Full show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/aimee-apigian-151/

What does it really mean when food is “grass-fed” or “regenerative”? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes regenerative farmer Joe Wanda, founder of Wanda Farms in Harvard, Illinois. Together they explore how farming practices impact the nutrient density of food, the health of our soil, and ultimately, the well-being of our families and communities.Full show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/joe-wanda-150/

What if the path to healing and growth started not with reinvention, but with radical self-acceptance? In this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi sits down with motivational speaker, author, and emotional fitness advocate Hakeem Bourne McFarlane to explore the power of choosing yourself: embracing your story, owning your identity, and doing the internal work that leads to external impact. Full show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/hakeem-bourne-mcfarlane-149/

What happens to healthcare when artificial intelligence gets faster, smarter, and more accessible? In this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi speaks with Stanford professor and AI pioneer Dr. Ronjon Nag about the future of AI in medicine, why human connection still matters, and how coaches can embrace technology without losing their impact. With decades of experience building AI systems and now leading longevity science initiatives, Dr. Ronjon offers a unique perspective on where we’re headed and what it means for personalized care.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/ronjon-nag-148/

What if treating heart disease meant going beyond prescriptions and procedures to ask what truly matters? In this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a board-certified interventional cardiologist who found new purpose through functional medicine and personalized, lifestyle-based care.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/sanjay-bhojraj-147/

What role can health coaches play in addressing today’s mental health crisis? On this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes FMCA graduate Shelby Garay, Senior Manager of Coaching at the Headspace Training Institute, to talk about her journey from FMCA’s inaugural class to shaping the future of mental health coaching. Shelby shares her passion for dismantling health inequities, training new coaches, and integrating functional medicine principles into mental health care.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/shelby-garay-146/

What does it really mean to “stay in your lane” as a health coach? In this week’s episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes attorney and certified health coach Lisa Fraley to shed light on the legal side of coaching. Lisa blends her experience as a former healthcare lawyer with her background as a coach to help professionals understand scope of practice, protect their businesses, and feel confident about how they serve clients.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/lisa-fraley-145/

What does it take to be at the forefront of a profession that is transforming healthcare? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes Karen Malkin, one of the first National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches in the United States. Karen has spent years weaving together nutrition, environmental health, and brain health into her coaching practice, helping clients create sustainable lifestyle changes and even guiding those working to prevent or reverse cognitive decline.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/karen-malkin-144/

Can cognitive decline be prevented or even reversed with the right approach? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi speaks with FMCA graduate and ReCODE 2.0 health coach Julie Luby and Apollo Health’s VP of Coaching Services, Chris Coward, about the groundbreaking work being done in brain health coaching. Together, they explore the ReCODE program developed from Dr. Dale Bredesen’s research, share inspiring client success stories, and discuss how health coaches can specialize in supporting clients facing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/julie-luby-chris-coward-143/

What would it mean to truly explore your limits, physically, emotionally, and spiritually? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi sits down with Akshay Nanavati, a speaker, author, and former Marine whose journey through trauma, addiction, and war led him to a life of intentional suffering, deep self-exploration, and global impact. From ultramarathons to solitude in Antarctica, Akshay shares what it means to live at the edge of human potential and how facing discomfort can lead to profound transformation.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/akshay-nanavati-142/