Health Coach Talk: Conversations About Wellness Through Functional Medicine Coaching

Imagine a therapy for grief that speaks to the body as well as the mind. In this episode of Health Coach Talk, we explore a unique approach to processing grief that goes beyond traditional, mostly conversational therapeutic methods. Dr. Sandi sits down with Marelda Rodrigues, an FMCA alum and pioneer in grief wellness massage, to uncover how her unconventional methods are helping clients heal from deep emotional wounds. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/marelda-rodrigues-088/

Accountability coach Lindsey House discusses breaking free from diet culture and adopting a holistic approach to well-being in this episode. Topics include the limitations of calorie counting, shifting focus from weight to overall health markers, importance of accountability coaching in behavior change, and societal pressures to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty.

How can individuals improve wellness and even hormone balance in the wake of the pandemic? Health coaches provide a critical role in post-COVID healthcare, according to Dr. Sandi's latest guest on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Margaret Christensen. In a world flooded with choices and ever-changing advice, Dr. Margaret advocates for a return to the fundamentals, with health coaches leading the charge toward a holistic, strengths-based approach to well-being. Listen along to discover: How COVID-19 changed the healthcare environment, and health coaches' role in a post-pandemic world The power of character strengths to shift perspective and open up new paths to healing (we love the VIA Character Strengths Survey) The impact of chronic stress on hormone balance and brain health Practical tips for mitigating the effects of endocrine disruptors and autoimmune conditions Full show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/margaret-christensen-086/

When it comes to your personal health, what are your priorities? According to Dr. Patrick Hanaway, establishing a relationship with nature should be near the top of the list. This week, he joins Dr. Sandi on Health Coach Talk to explore nature's role in holistic well-being. They discuss the macrobiome, Dr. Patrick's cancer diagnosis, his work with indigenous peoples, and more in this powerful episode. While conventional healthcare tends to focus solely on the physical body, the functional medicine matrix places mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being at its core. This holistic approach has long resonated with Dr. Patrick, whose profound relationship with nature is built on the wisdom of indigenous cultures and his own lived experiences. He serves as a role model for anyone seeking to deepen their relationship with nature as part of an integrated approach to health and well-being. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/patrick-hanaway-085/

What does it take to earn your National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) credential? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi hosts the Health Nerds, FMCA’s own Susan, Amy, Kellye, and Micki, who unpack their journey from FMCA graduates to thriving health coaches. The four guests reveal their personal stories of studying for and passing the NBC-HWC exam and share how their experiences inspired them to help others find exam success. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/health-nerds-084/

Ready to let go of what's holding you back and elevate your career in health and wellness? Join Dr. Sandi and Marketing & Mindset Coach Robert Notter on this episode of Health Coach Talk as they uncover the keys to thriving in your practice. Robert shares his business success strategies in a conversation packed with actionable insights you can use to shift your mindset and excel in your business. In his 20+ years as a business coach, Robert has helped clients at all career stages tackle every business challenge imaginable. For some coaches, sales tactics and marketing strategies feel intimidating. For others, projecting confidence and authenticity in client interactions seems out of reach. Robert emphasizes mindset as the "root cause" of these issues. He peels back the layers of self-doubt and fear that often hold coaches back from realizing their full potential and offers tips for overcoming limiting beliefs and stepping into your power as a coach. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just starting out, Dr. Sandi and Robert offer valuable insights and tips to level-up your practice and transform your success in health coaching. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/robert-notter-083/⁠

How are your hormones today? For many of us, the answer is "I have no idea." Depending on your health, gender identity, and life stage, hormones may not be on your radar at all. But if you've experienced hormonal imbalances, especially due to menopause or perimenopause, you know that understanding and optimizing hormones can be a key to well-being. In this episode of Health Coach Talk, "The Girlfriend Doctor" Anna Cabeca joins Dr. Sandi to discuss hormones' effects on sexual health, intimacy, and relationships and share her insights into a more holistic approach to hormone health. Dr. Anna explains how our hormones impact everything from memory and mood to sex drive and motivation. These complex, intricate chemicals are connected to liver and adrenal function, circulation, lifestyle factors, nutrition, and age. Over the course of our lives, hormone fluctuation can have a considerable (and sometimes, a disruptive) influence on the delicate balance of our bodies. Hormone replacement therapy may be part of the solution, but it's probably not enough on its own. That's why Dr. Anna advocates for a holistic approach to optimizing hormone health by making intentional shifts in our habits, diets, and lifestyles. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/anna-cabeca-082/⁠

We hear it all the time: You know you'd make a great health coach, and you've even found a training program that will arm you with the skills, knowledge, and certification you need to start working with your own clients. But what happens next? How do you set prices, get clients, find your niche? In short, what does the step between coach-in-training and successful health coach look like? Joining Dr. Sandi in this episode is Reed Davis, Board-Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition®, who delves into opportunities for health coaches, particularly those who are just starting out. Reflecting on his journey, Reed shares how his earliest clients shaped him into the curious, creative, and successful health coach he is today. Often, those clients came to him frustrated and hopeless, desperate for a root-cause solution to their health problems after conventional doctors prescribed strong drugs and failed to offer a listening ear. Reed helped them get better—all without diagnosing or prescribing anything. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/reed-davis-081/

You've probably heard conflicting information about the safety and efficacy of hormone therapy for menopausal and post-menopausal women—you may even have heard that it's dangerous. As our guest this week says, "the bottom line is, that's nonsense." Let's set the record straight. This week, Dr. Sandi unpacks the complex history and science of hormone replacement therapy with her friend and colleague, women's health and hormone expert Dr. Felice Gersh In this conversation, Dr. Felice debunks the now-infamous Women's Health Initiative study that drove decades of healthcare practitioners and their patients—including Dr. Sandi—to avoid hormone replacement therapy. She shares the science behind why this study was flawed and highlights the importance of bioidentical hormones, emphasizing their role in addressing conditions like osteoporosis, cardiovascular issues, and cognitive health. Full show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/felice-gersh-080/

Dr. Vincent Pedre, a Functional Medicine expert, discusses the gut-brain connection and mind-body practices. He shares how mind-body techniques like meditation and yoga can promote healing. The podcast dives into the importance of the mind-body connection in achieving holistic health through habits like meditation and nutrition.