Health Coach Talk: Conversations About Wellness Through Functional Medicine Coaching

Is it ever too late to embark on a new, purpose-driven career? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes Charlette Plinneke, a former middle school science teacher who, at 64, transitioned into the field of health coaching. Now a nationally board-certified Functional Medicine Health Coach with a Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, Charlette shares how this career shift has revitalized her life and enabled her to guide others toward improved health and well-being.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/charlette-plinneke-124/

What does it take to truly rebuild yourself—body, mind, and spirit—after life’s hardest moments? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi is joined by Col. Martha McSally, a retired combat veteran, former U.S. Senator, and author of Dare to Fly, for a raw and uplifting conversation about overcoming adversity, redefining resilience, and how true transformation happens with the right support—much like the teammate role a health coach plays in someone’s health journey.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/martha-mcsally-123/

Is everything we’ve been told about cholesterol wrong? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes Jonny Bowden, PhD, a renowned expert in nutrition and functional medicine, to challenge conventional wisdom about cholesterol. As the co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth, Jonny explains why the outdated “good vs. bad cholesterol” model falls short and what we should focus on instead for true heart health.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/jonny-bowden-122/

What does it mean to “win broken”? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes Whitney Jones, a three-time Fitness Olympia champion, world-class athlete, and author of Win Broken, to explore the mindset that has fueled her success. Despite facing numerous injuries and setbacks—including 18 surgeries—Whitney has refused to let obstacles define her, proving that resilience and determination can shape a life of achievement and fulfillment.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/whitney-jones-121/

Could the key to preventing heart disease be found in your gut? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes cardiologist and bestselling author Dr. William Davis to explore how conventional medicine has overlooked the real drivers of heart disease—and how diet, gut health, and probiotics play a far greater role than previously thought. Dr. Davis, known for Wheat Belly and Super Gut, shares how his personal and professional experiences led him to rethink everything he once believed about heart health and prevention.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/william-davis-120/

What drives someone to leave a stable career in conventional medicine for a path focused on holistic wellness? In this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes FMCA graduate and former pharmacist Adriana Shuman to share her journey from pharmacy school in Slovakia to building a thriving health coaching practice in the U.S. Adriana’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and a deep passion for helping others achieve vibrant health.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/adriana-shuman-119/

What role does strength training play in women’s health, especially through midlife? On this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes Dr. Stephanie Estima, chiropractor, author, and expert in women’s metabolic and hormonal health, to discuss how exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle choices impact female physiology. Their conversation explores the importance of muscle preservation, the hormonal shifts that influence body composition, and how women can adapt their training and nutrition to optimize their health at every stage of life.Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/stephanie-estima-118/

Is our healthcare system designed to keep us healthy, or just to treat sickness? This week onHealth Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi brings listeners a special episode featuring excerpts from a past interview with Dr. Casey Means, originally recorded forWhat the Func?! and recreated here with full permission. In this conversation, Dr. Sandi breaks down Dr. Casey’s powerful insights on the failures of our current sick-care system and explains why health coaches are the key to bridging the gap between knowledge and action. As a Stanford-trained physician, co-founder of Levels, and leading voice in the metabolic health movement, Dr. Casey left behind a promising career in conventional medicine to advocate for a prevention-based approach—one that aligns perfectly with the work health coaches do every day to help people live longer, healthier lives.Show notes:https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/casey-means-117/

What if everything you thought you knew about exercise after 50 was wrong? For decades, women were told that endless cardio was the key to staying fit, but new research shows that strength training is the real game-changer for longevity, energy, and metabolism. This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes fitness expert and Flipping 50 founder Debra Atkinson to explore how midlife women can train smarter—not harder—to build strength, prevent injury, and feel their best at any age. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/debra-atkinson-116/

What does the future hold for health coaches in today’s evolving wellness landscape? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi explores this vital question with Leslie Wier-Fincher, a seasoned coach, mentor, and founder of the Health Coaching Jobs Newsletter. Together, they delve into the ever-expanding job market for health coaches, the challenges new coaches face, and the promising opportunities in this growing field. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/leslie-wier-fincher-115/