
Rebel and Be Well
Unconventional Wellness Used By Conventional Healthcare ProfessionalsThe Rebel and Be well podcast is hosted by Christa Rymal - registered nurse, founderand CEO of lifestyle medicine retreat center, The Point Retreats, which is located amidst the woods and waters of Northern Minnesota. During her podcast, listeners will experience in-depth discussions with trusted medical and health and wellness leaders to discover what they do to stay well – using traditional and non-traditional health practices. Experts will share not only what, but why they practice the holistic lifestyle medicine they do, and the science that backs their less main-stream ideas.With this, listeners come to understand the real and relatable personal health struggles of healthcare providers, and what rebelling outside of the traditional healthcare system did to better their lives, careers, and health. Come away with reliable knowledge given by experienced and successful conventional medicine healthcare professionals on outside-the box health topics. Find hope and inspiration from honest stories of healing, while clarifying thescientific-based evidence to wisely guide the inner rebel inside you – it’s time to Rebel and Be Well!Website: www.thepointretreats.comFacebook: @pointretreatsInstagram: @pointretreatsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMY7ZlzexhTkpB9QN90Mxw
Latest episodes

May 21, 2021 • 1h 2min
Biohacker Thaddeus Owen
Christa Rymal of The Point interviews Thaddeus Owen- BS Chemical Engineering, MS Holistic Nutrition, Biohacker. A lifelong learner of the latest science and ancient practices, hear what Thaddeus has found, through self-experimentation, works best for upgrading our own health. A captivating speaker and educator that warrants listening to, Thaddeus teaches from his expansive pool of knowledge with information that is easy to take home. Not only did we find opportunities to relate to his personal journey to health, but everything we'd learned is directly applicable to the health struggles we most all have- and the barriers we most all face in the modern age. Many health and wellness leaders are attracted to biohacking, primal living, or natural living but are unsure where to begin. Thaddeus is a great leader in the space and this podcast is a good entry point to the subject- as Owen takes this opportunity to educate by using anecdotes, research, and a cutting edge perspective to preventative wellness. Hearing outside-the-box ideas from Thaddeus feels far less outside-the-box once you better understand his background, personality, and affinity for knowledge. By the end of the podcast we're optimistic you will have found more than one rebellious way to live well, and the resources and to do it confidently:- Personal Journey to Health: Challenges with Anxiety, Morals, Career, etc.- Biohacking- Sleep- Supplements- Living Well Within A Modern Era- Bridging Body, Mind & Soul- Spirituality+ Resources to Apply at HomeEspecially relevant to current events, Thaddeus also shares with the audience his thoughts on what we can learn from the recent pandemic. Yes, supplements and behavioral changes are mentioned, but we were impressed with the novel idea that a perspective change is our greatest opportunity for long term health. Owen's opinion? How you see the big picture can help or hurt - altering how you care for yourself physically and feel emotionally. Listen in to understand the stance Thaddeus suggests we take as we move into the next year.Thaddeus Owen concludes our podcast with a fireround which brought up a new topic of holistic health gaining momentum in the industry- spirituality. Evaluating purpose, life, and greater meaning is a growing practice in preventative medicine and lifestyle health. "I want to share these secrets with you. I want you to build optimal health. Most statistics show what it takes to be 'average'. We don’t want to be average, we want to be as healthy as humanly possible while we’re on this plane of reality. This is what I’m here to teach you. Information from ancient sages, spiritual masters, health experts, and the latest science thrown in with a bit of the occult (meaning hidden)". – Thaddeus OwenResourcesAccess blogs, products, and ongoing education in biohacking and other outside-the box-health opportunities: https://primalhacker.com/Join Thaddeus Owen (and partner Heidi Sime) as he leads and facilitates an all-inclusive offsite Boundary Waters Canoe Adventure Summer '21:- June 24-28, 2021: https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/217

May 14, 2021 • 57min
Heart-Centered Physician Dr. Bill Manahan
Christa Rymal of The Point interviews Bill Manahan, MD- Assistant Professor Emeritus with the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center in Minneapolis. A heart centered physician, Dr. Bill Manahan co-founded The Wellness Center of Minnesota (1982-1992), one of America’s first, physician-led, integrative medicine centers. With a robust career to speak to and learn from, Bill now consults with physicians and clinics wishing to expand into a more integrative and holistic practice. The intention? Help to make the primary healthcare system more holistic and more joyful for patients and practitioners. In this interview Dr. Bill provides listeners with an insider's look at how medicine has changed over the past several decades in the western world- what has been lost and what has been gained. His lessons speak to both a healthcare practitioner and a care consumer, so we invite you to listen in on his perspective around the current culture of healthcare, where professionals may have blindspots, and some notable changes that have profoundly changed the course of most of his patients' lives. Dr. Bill Manahan offers insight into what he personally had to unlearn as an expert in the medical field, some stories that changed the course of his practice, as well as a personal testimony to the need to implement lifestyle medicine in tandem with allopathic medicine. Feel reminded of the value in a whole-systems approach to wellness, and as a healthcare professional relate to Bill's call to bringing heart back into medicine: empathy, compassion, understanding, and individualized treatments as means of healing equally as important as modern pharmaceuticals - arguably more.We are honored to hear Dr. Manahan's wisdom and perspective, and we welcome you to feel heard and inspired to "rebel and be well" alongside us - tune in!- Fast vs. slow medicine- Empathy, compassion, and heart returning to conventional healthcare- Blind spots in western medicine and areas of opportunity to integrate eastern medicine- How lifestyle medicine can delay, negate, and heal chronic disease- Specific practices that have profound impacts on healingResourcesAccess information, events and a health clinician community open to both allopathic and alternative medicine in Minnesota - Co-Chaired by Dr. Bill Mahananhttp://www.minnesotaintegrative.com/Join Dr. Bill Manahan as he leads and facilitates an all-inclusive retreat with education on preventative health, alternative care advocacy and personal growth at The Point:- September CME Retreat: https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/510

Apr 30, 2021 • 49min
Forest Bathing with Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller
Episode 8Christa Rymal of The Point interviews Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, MD, FACOG, FABOIM, on the resurgence of an old practice- Forest Bathing. Dr. Suzanne, a healthcare leader reintroducing forest bathing into the US, offers anecdotes, studies and much more backing the approach that time in nature medically heals. An author, speaker, an expert in several integrative modalities, having her own conventional MD background, and with an active client base in OB-GYN, Dr. Bartlett Hackenmiller didn't miss a beat in acknowledging the potentially 'out-there' claim that simply being in nature can tangibly better your health. As you listen-in, she will debunk any hesitancy with anecdotes, stories, and studies as Suzanne teaches us not only what forest bathing is, but how and why it may be practiced. "Going outdoors and walking, hiking, running, sitting, gazing, bird watching, fishing. Whatever the activity is, if you enjoy it and you're outdoors, you're benefiting from it. It doesn't have to be some fancy new thing - it's just getting outdoors." - Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, M.D.Board certified by American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Board of Integrative Medicine, Suzanne holds additional certifications in herbal medicine and is a certified forest therapy guide. She currently serves as medical director for the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and as medical advisor for the organization, AllTrails. Her partnership with AllTrails paris well with her interest in outdoor adventure; something she notes is a great alternative to quiet meditative time in nature while still having the wellbeing benefits. Her personal interest in mountain biking and National Park hiking also brought to light insider trail recommendations - shared in the podcast!Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller is a great resource for any person interested in health and wellbeing. Though her stories commonly speak to the symptom solving and healing nature of time outdoors; her work also pairs well with nutrition and movement in living a preventative medicine lifestyle. As a bonus, Suzanne also dives into breathwork and the importance of breathing exercises. Another integrative modality she recommends that, alone or paired with forest bathing, can surpass many conventional approaches in resolving unwanted symptoms. Tune into this episode to be reminded of the small but impactful changes that you can implement immediately without side-effects or a need for continuing education. Better yet, you get to individualize how you bathe in the forest, so you will enjoy the practice on both a visceral and cognitive level - all while you're improving your health. ResourcesPersonal website providing integrative wellness offerings and opportunities - events, media, blog and more. - https://integrativeinitiative.com/Authored book: The Outdoor Adventurer's Guide to Forest Bathing: Using Shinrin-Yoku to Hike, Bike, Paddle, and Climb Your Way to Health and Happiness - https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Adventurers-Guide-Forest-Bathing/dp/1493042025Join Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller as she leads and facilitates activities and education at The Point. She will partner with The Point for the following CME retreat in 2021:- September 30th - October 2nd: https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/510

Apr 16, 2021 • 1h 1min
Leading Physician and Author Dr. David Katz
For the first time, Christa Rymal of The Point interviews Dr. David Katz - leading physician, author, multiple time Founder and CEO, and nominee for both a James Beard Foundation Award and the position of US Surgeon General. Katz is a provoking visionary with the career, case studies, and community accolades to invite trust, so we recommend a pen and paper for this episode. Tune in to learn about his life's work; turning science into action for the addition of years to life, and life to years. Dr. David provides immediate actions you can take for your longevity, the 6 cylinder engine that makes up lifestyle medicine, and a financial case for putting the 'health' back in 'health'care. “We need cultural responsibility and personal responsibility, and when they work in tandem then everything can change” - Dr. David KatzDr. David Katz, has been featured on Anderson Cooper, Good Morning America, and CNN. Dr. David's life work is in the translation of science into action; for addition of years to life, and life to years. Recently, and amidst the COVID pandemic, Dr. Katz has advocated for a "total harm minimization" strategy. Dr. David Katz is a Founder and former Director of Yale University's Yale Research Center, past President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, President and Founder of non-profit True Health Initiative, and Founder and CEO of Diet ID, inc. A fellow of numerous renowned colleges, Katz is also the recipient of several awards for teaching writing and contributions to public health. A 2019 nominee for a James Beard Foundation award in health journalism, David has too been a widely supported nominee for the position of US Surgeon General. Dr. Katz has received three honorary doctorates, holds multiple US patents and has over 200 peer reviewed publications. In addition, Katz has co-authored 19 books including multiple editions of leading textbooks in nutrition, preventative medicine, and epidemiology.Don't miss this highly-anticipated episode, as Dr. David Katz shares his pointed concerns and solutions to the widespread issue of poor health, chronic disease, and loss of vitality. While illuminating the big picture need for a change in our healthcare systems, David also offers insight into the individual's health deficit which was emphasized during the recent pandemic. He grants us perspective, too, to his well-supported response to COVID- 'Total harm minimization'. Learn how Dr. David Katz is suggesting we respect the virus while minimizing total harm. During the interview we acknowledge that, anywhere people are hurt is bad, and anywhere they are protected is good. As a listener, discover where your vulnerabilities may lay - socially, economically, in health, or otherwise. “The broader vision is about healthcare, but there is a critical place in that for disease care and for what clinicians do and we salute that.” - Dr. David KatzOur team anticipates a part II and part III with Dr. David Katz, though for now we appreciate the knowledge provided, and find hope- that we have physicians leading wellbeing initiatives with wisdom, expertise and the drive to make our communities return to vitality.“The value proposition of this cannot be overstated, and we have the knowledge, we just need to convert it into the power of routine action”. - Dr. David KatzResourcesLeaders in healthcare offering their grave concerns about the damaging physical and mental health impacts of the prevailing COVID-19 policies. Sign their recommended approach - Focused Protection:- https://gbdeclaration.org/Understand your health-risk and review documentation on total harm minimization: - https://www.truehealthinitiative.org/ Improve health outcomes with Dr. David Katz’s revolutionary dietary assessment tool:- https://www.dietid.com/Dietary suggestions:- https://cuisinicity.com/

Mar 26, 2021 • 59min
Health and Wellness Leaders Rachel Prairie, Christine McDonough, and Mandi Holden
Christa Rymal of The Point hosts a special episode on our podcast: interviewing three women, together, leading outside-the-box health and wellness. Meet trainer of the trainers, Coach Rachel Prairie; spiritual life coach & reiki master Christine McDonough; and inspirational blogger and fitness enthusiast Mandi Holden. Join us as we discuss the tie these women have to one another, and the hard-learned and earned lessons they're teaching their independent communities. All three of our female-guests, with differing backgrounds and experiences expanding their healthspan, offer us a fresh perspective on our own journeys. As non-conventional health professionals, they provide listeners nuanced yet sound reasons for taking a whole-systems approach to health.Hear Rachel speak to action, Chritine speak to energy, and Mandi speak to mindset. Learn the importance of play, and how to determine what goals are best for you to focus on- paramount to finding happiness and the lifestyle suited for you. Rachel, Christine, and Mandi each share their intimate relationship with failure and resolution, empowering us as listeners to answer these questions for ourselves:1) How do I feel?2) Where do I feel I can do better?3) Where do I not feel well? Without limiting wellness to nutrition, fitness, or any other single modality, we start to piece together our wellness web. In doing so, we also begin tuning in to where we are in the present, and prioritizing what we need for a better future.Take inventory as you follow along, let their messages resonate with you, and feel inspired, heard and understood. Before the end of today's episode you will gain new insight on how to approach holistic well-being with less struggle than those who've come before you. ResourcesRead more from Mandi Holden on her blog:https://www.mandiholden.com/Follow each of our guests on social media. Become part of their inspirational wellness communities:Rachel Prairie: @coachrachelprairie Christine McDonough: @christinewmcdMandi Holden: @mandimon04Join this group of women as they lead and facilitate experiential wellness, self-care advocacy and personal growth at The Point:- May Women's Retreat:https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/499

Mar 19, 2021 • 49min
Integrative Health Care Pioneer Carolyn Torkelson MD, MS.
Christa Rymal of The Point interviews women's health specialist and integrative primary care physician, Carolyn Torkelson MD, MS. With a background that has moved Carolyn from nurse, to MD, to leader and pioneer, and now to author and educator; Carolyn is a trusted resource to peer physicians and females especially. Carolyn talks today with Christa about bridging the gap between non-conventional medicine and conventional medicine to discover an optimal whole-systems approach to wellness: A kind of balanced health that without guidance can be hard to find, yet incredibly important if we as females wish to find fulfillment, satisfaction, and quality of life.Operating as a friend, colleague, trusted advisor, and near-encyclopedia, Dr. Carolyn is a practitioner and professor of OB/GYN and Women's Health. Dr. Carolyn also directs integrative services at The University of Minnesota's Women's Health Specialists and co-chairs the Minnesota Holistic Medicine Group. In both today's episode and in many previous articles written by Dr. Carolyn, she covers female hormones, sexual wellbeing, nutrition for women and advocating for self. She emphasizes the value of understanding your own health, gaining a wide range of knowledge about your options for well-being, and using that as a directive - advocating for yourself boldly as you build or rebuild a healthier life. We are grateful to have Dr. Carolyn with us to normalize many aspects of women's health that most females are hesitant to address- moving topics (such as sexual health) out of a taboo bucket and into one of necessity. In this episode you will hear of Carolyn's own personal and professional experiences in women's health, the impact her clinical research and patient practice has had on her road to being a forerunner in the specialty, and why beginning to prioritize female health has already made positive and impactful changes in our communities and can do the same for you in your personal life. Tune in to find out how you, at this stage in your journey, can find a whole-systems approach to wellness!ResourcesAccess information around the work Dr. Carolyn Torkelson is doing around women's health in all ages and stages:www.womenagingwell.orgJoin Dr. Carolyn Torkelson as she leads and facilitates learning, advocacy and growth at The Point. She will educate for the two of the following retreats in 2021:- May Women's Retreat:https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/499- September CME Retreat:https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/510

Mar 12, 2021 • 44min
Health through Happiness with Dr. Corey Martin
Christa Rymal of The Point interviews Yale-trained family physician Corey Martin on dealing with, and staying resilient to, life's challenges. With years in patient care and as founder and creator of several programs and platforms committed to health through happiness, Corey teaches us a great deal about reconciling the polarity of caring for others and prioritizing your own wellbeing. It is not an either/or it's a both/and, and after listening today you will no longer brush past issues without addressing the impact they've had on you. Dr. Corey Martin's work has most been with the healthcare professional population, but his wisdom also offers a great deal of hope for educators and anyone else struggling with life-dissatisfaction. Corey's interview covers three pillars that contribute most to burnout, and provides listeners a fresh perspective on how we can mend our communities. We have a need for long-term change within our working systems (companies often overburdening their staff), but until greater change happens on the business operations front, we cannot forget that we need to take action now towards individuals; to throw some life preservers out to save people before there are more dire consequences in the future. To avoid an even worse up-tick in disastrous outcomes for our healing frontline workers and leaders, Corey discusses opportunities in the form of:1) Taking care of ourselves2) Taking care of each other (peers)3) Taking care of our familiesThere is a great deal of hope provided in this interview, and you'll also feel the heavy reminder that we all have a need for self-compassion. Feel understood as you listen to Corey's own experiences with death and dying that most changed his approach to life. Lastly, beyond burnout and resilience, in this episode you will start understanding how to reconcile the desire to be perfect with the reality of needing to let go. Tune in to find the strength and support to rally, and the tools to sustain.“'Good enough' is pretty damn good!” - Corey Martin, MD ResourcesAt home resources promoting health through happiness (resilience, purpose, gratitude, social connection, and more):- https://www.bouncebackproject.org/Organizational retreats and programs for leadership, courage, purpose and resilience (local and international events):- https://www.innovationsinresilience.com/Join Dr. Corey Martin as he leads and facilitates learning, healing and leadership at The Point. He will educate for the two following CME retreats in 2021:- April:https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/375- August:https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/572

Mar 5, 2021 • 58min
Chef and Educator Jeremy Reinicke
Christa Rymal of The Point interviews culinary chef and educator, Jeremy Reinicke, on the real journey it takes to eat well for a lifetime - both for health and for pleasure. Be reminded of the perspective, simplicity, and humanity we all need to honestly improve our health-span using food as medicine; and, importantly, how to enjoy cooking for nutrition- enough to cause a ripple effect in your life and those you care for. Our podcast episode enlightens listeners on a “back to the basics” approach to cooking whole and fresh foods, great food, and taking command of your own kitchen. Having extensive experience in a professional kitchen and also in a healthcare and education setting; Jeremy brings novel light-heartedness, balance, and hope to eating for health. Jeremy stands as a rare breed as he bridges professional culinary cuisine, passion, healthcare, and applying what you've learned in a real-life setting.As a regular culinary educator to physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers, Jeremy lets listeners in on his philosophy. Knowledge that students of his courses, healthcare providers and beyond, have taken home with lasting success. Covering cooking skills to safety, and never neglecting a individual's need for satisfaction and fun when handling food, this episode will cover it all. Expect to smile, experience countless "aha" moments and an urge to find passion in your kitchen.“Becoming your ‘best self’ is a life-long journey, not a day trip. To stay energized and focused, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and avoid becoming discouraged when we fall short. Most importantly, we must not forget to celebrate the small successes along the way.” - Chef Jeremy ReinickeResourcesPrograms for virtual, live cooking courses:- https://launchmyhealth.com/Join Chef Jeremy as he leads classes in our teaching kitchen, and provides 5-star meals all-inclusive at The Point. He will educate and cook for the two following CME retreats, and many other events planned for 2021:- April:https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/375- September:https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/510

Feb 26, 2021 • 46min
Physician, Educator and Facilitator Dr. Loie Lenarz
Our second podcast episode features a kindred spirit and courageous retreat leader, Dr. Loie Lenarz. Hear how empathy and emotional learning for healthcare professionals changes the landscape of patient care and provider success. Understand the pain being concealed, but strongly felt, by healing professionals, and how group support and prioritizing the self can bridge the feeling of disconnect between the trauma experienced inside hospital walls and the day-to-day lives we're asked to seamlessly return to. Loie spent 12 years in private practice followed by 10 years as Fairview’s Chief Clinical Officer and has been a clinical professor at the University of Minnesota since 1984. In 2007 she was awarded an Archibald Bush Foundation Medical Fellowship, during which she had the opportunity to study Adaptive Leadership with Dr. Ron Heifetz at Harvard and became a facilitator through The Center for Courage and Renewal. Listen to learn where you find peace, camaraderie and long-term satisfaction in your work. Bonus: On this episode you'll also hear some of the best medical advice we've ever received. ResourcesPrograms at The Center for Courage & Renewal:- http://www.couragerenewal.org/Join Dr. Loie Lenarz as she leads resiliency groupwork and education for healthcare professionals at The Point. She will present and facilitate at two CME retreats offered in 2021:- April:https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/375- August:https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/572

Feb 8, 2021 • 55min
Chronic Pain Clinician Sarah Martin
We are honored to launch our first podcast, featuring Sarah Martin, Physician Assistant and Certified Yoga Therapist. Hear how yoga therapy and parallel mindfulness practices are offering a good solution to long term opioid and narcotic use, the rebellion that brought on this discovery, and a greater movement being sought by orthopedics and other main stream medical centers.Learn to decrease your suffering, and contribute in finding more authentic space within yourself so that you may turn inward to better direct the course of your life. ResourcesFind Sarah directly:- sacredhealingyoga.net- sacredhealingyoga@gmail.comLearn more about the larger healthcare practice Sarah operates in partnership with when providing yoga therapy:- www.tria.com (search “living well” or “yoga therapy”)Join Sarah as she educates healthcare professionals at The Point as part of two CME retreats offered in 2021:- April: https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/375- August: https://thepointretreats.com/program-retreat/572The Rebel and Be well podcast is hosted by Christa Rymal - registered nurse, founder and CEO of lifestyle medicine retreat center, The Point Retreats, which is located amidst the woods and waters of Northern Minnesota. During her podcast, listeners will experience in-depth discussions with trusted medical and health and wellness leaders to discover what they do to stay well – using traditional and non-traditional health practices. Experts will share not only what, but why they practice the holistic lifestyle medicine they do, and the science that backs their less main-stream ideas.With this, listeners come to understand the real and relatable personal health struggles of healthcare providers, and what rebelling outside of the traditional healthcare system did to better their lives, careers, and health. Come away with reliable knowledge given by experienced and successful conventional medicine healthcare professionals on outside-the box health topics. Find hope and inspiration from honest stories of healing, while clarifying the scientific-based evidence to wisely guide the inner rebel inside you – it’s time to Rebel and Be Well!Website: www.thepointretreats.comFacebook: @pointretreatsInstagram: @pointretreatsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMY7ZlzexhTkpB9QN90Mxw