Wild Health Podcast

Dr. Tommy Wood, physician-scientist and professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington, shares how the brain develops, adapts, and recovers from injury across the lifespan. He explains how genetics, exercise, nutrition, sleep, and other daily habits shape cognitive performance and resilience. Drawing on research and clinical insights, Dr. Wood highlights practical, evidence-based strategies to support brain health at every stage of life.

This episode features health coach and nurse Michele Miller in conversation with Dr. Erin. They discuss why eating less isn’t always the path to better health, how metabolism adapts to prolonged calorie restriction, and the concept of “reverse dieting”—gradually increasing food intake to support energy, hormone balance, and body composition. The conversation emphasizes practical strategies, like eating breakfast and fueling around exercise, while addressing common fears about eating more.

Can your grip lower your blood pressure? In this episode, Dr. Erin Faules talks with Mark Young, CEO of Zona Health, about how isometric training can support cardiovascular health and help manage blood pressure without medication. We also cover early detection, self-monitoring, and nervous system regulation in protecting healthspan and preventing chronic disease. Topics covered: The Air Force origins of isometric training research How isometric exercise improves vascular health and lowers blood pressure Using data and self-tracking for early detection of dementia and heart disease The role of inflammation and nervous system balance in longevity

In this conversation, Dr. Erin Faules and Dr. Jeff Graham discuss the shift from traditional medical care toward a precision medicine model that integrates genomics, biomarkers, and lifestyle interventions. They share patient stories that illustrate how personalized care can uncover hidden risks, such as cardiovascular disease, while also supporting sustainable behavior change. The discussion emphasizes prevention, accountability, and evidence-based strategies for improving healthspan.

Steven Rofrano discusses how everyday food choices influence health and well-being. Drawing on his background in functional medicine and passion for regenerative health, he explores the importance of ingredient quality, accessibility, and taste in shaping healthier habits. Key topics covered: Shifting from industrial food norms toward nutrient-rich, traditionally prepared foods Why eliminating seed oils and using whole, heritage ingredients matters Making healthier foods the default option in society Balancing flavor with nutrition to create sustainable dietary change Considering regulation, sourcing, and the role of GMOs in modern agriculture

In this engaging discussion, health coach Ray Fernandez shares his expertise on wearable technology like the Oura Ring and WHOOP. He emphasizes tracking long-term trends in recovery and stress instead of fixating on single data points. Ray highlights how devices can reveal health issues and guide lifestyle changes without adding pressure. The conversation dives into how factors like diet and sleep impact health metrics, encouraging listeners to harness data for informed wellness decisions.

Dr. Clayton Bell, a functional and integrative medicine physician, shares both his clinical expertise and personal journey with Lyme disease and related co-infections. He discusses the challenges of accurate testing, how symptoms can overlap with conditions like mold exposure, and why whole-person care—addressing physical, emotional, and environmental factors—is essential. The conversation covers a spectrum of treatment approaches, from lifestyle interventions to antibiotics and SOT therapies, while emphasizing resilience and root-cause medicine.

Steve Weatherholt, a health coach at Wild Health, shares insights on personalized fitness plans for longevity. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining muscle mass and functional ability as we age, along with practical strategies for busy lifestyles. Discussions include the vital role of compound strength training, effective high-intensity interval training, and the significance of tailored nutrition. Weatherholt also tackles common fitness myths and the impact of perfectionism on health, offering advice on integrating fitness seamlessly into everyday life.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Courtney Runyon, we explore how over-giving, emotional suppression, and relational stress contributed to a life-altering autoimmune health crisis—and how, just days after ending a relationship defined by those patterns, her body began to heal. Courtney shares how empathy, when unboundaried, can drive inflammation—and how reclaiming agency over your energy can shift everything. We talk about the science of stress and the nervous system, the emotional roots of chronic illness, and how tools like psychedelics supported her recovery. This is a conversation about what happens when your body says what you won’t—and how healing begins the moment you start to listen.

In part one of this two-part conversation, Dr. Erin Faules sits down with storyteller and autoimmune survivor Courtney Runyon to explore what it means to heal in the face of uncertainty. Diagnosed with CIDP, a rare autoimmune disease that left her temporarily paralyzed from the neck down, Courtney shares the realities of navigating the medical system when clear answers are scarce. They discuss the importance of mindset, self-advocacy, and the physiological toll of chronic empathy—while also holding space for humor, joy, and post-traumatic growth. Topics include: How paralysis reshaped Courtney’s understanding of health and identity The role of mindset and nervous system regulation in recovery Why self-advocacy is non-negotiable in complex illness The double-edged sword of chronic empathy and its link to inflammation Finding humor and meaning in the most unexpected moments Stay tuned for part two next week.