Aleen is joined by Tamar Samuels and Vanessa Rissetto, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and co-founders of Culina Health. Tamar and Vanessa talk about why they believe food is medicine, how nutrition is not one-size-fits-all, and give tips on how to make eating nutritious meals less daunting. They also share their real feelings towards leafy greens (spoiler: ew, kale) and what Instagram often gets wrong about nutrition. Finally, we play a game of “DST Confessions” in which Aleen, Vanessa, and Tamar must all confess to something about our favorite topic (food obviously). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Thursday’s episode, Aleen is joined by Ashley Fern, returning DST guest and the face behind @betchestravel (go follow if you haven’t already). They start by sharing their Non-Scale Wins of the week, presented by Impossible Foods, which includes Aleen's truly “virtual” workout experience and a listener submission about putting your mental health first. Then, Ashley joins us for a new segment, "Workout Woman", where she'll be testing out & sharing new workouts she's been loving (or not) both IRL & at-home. For Ashley's first workout, she shares a detailed review of her recent intense (ugh) group cardio session. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Aleen is joined by Morgan Simianer, star of everybody’s favorite bingeable Netflix reality series Cheer. Morgan tells us what she’s been up to in the past two years since finding sudden fame with the team from Navarro College in season one. Aleen and Morgan talk about what it’s like to be a high profile (and high pressure) athlete, both mentally and physically, as well as how Morgan’s life has changed since the show aired. We also hear about what’s next for Morgan now that her cheering career is behind her, which surprising thing gives her the most anxiety (hint: it’s not flying through the air in a death-defying stunt), and what it feels like to be getting compliments from strangers when you don’t see yourself that way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aleen is rejoined by sisters Dr. Lindsay Kite and Dr. Lexie Kite, co-authors of the book More Than a Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament for this week's Dear DST. The conversation kicks off with Lexie, Lindsay and Aleen sharing their Non-Scale Wins. Next, they dig into some listener emails about breaking bad habits and how we can fight off the peer pressure that some of us feel to keep up with the "norm" of beauty standards (cough cough, botox and fillers). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Aleen is joined by Dr. Lindsay Kite and Dr. Lexie Kite, co-authors of the book More Than a Body: Your Body Is an Instrument, Not an Ornament and identical twins. They’re also co-directors of the nonprofit Beauty Redefined. Lindsay and Lexie work to help women understand that having a positive body image isn’t just about believing your body looks good, it’s knowing your body IS good—regardless of how it looks. They share lessons on how we can better ourselves, while acknowledging we’re human and will inevitably compare ourselves to others more than we’d like to admit. They also break down their approach of inspiring younger generations to feel the same. Start being nicer to your body by reading their book: https://amzn.to/3qkS9Av and find out more about their online courses at www.morethanabody.org  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aleen is back with Celebrity Fitness Trainer Jordan Syatt for this week’s Dear DST episode. We kick things off by sharing our Non-Scale Wins of the week and then read some listener emails. Both emails share a common (and very relatable) theme: body image. The first emailer is focused on their post-wedding body image, and the other on the body image of someone they’re dating. Jordan shares that it’s okay to value your health as one of the most important things in any relationship, and judgey-ness isn’t all bad. I mean, we all judge people constantly, right? Right?!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aleen is reunited with one of the most requested DST guests, celebrity trainer and lover of big salads, Jordan Syatt! They start by catching up on everything Jordan’s been up to since he was last on the show in 2019 (where did time go?) including a big relationship change, a cross-country move, and a new fitness hobby. Then they talk about fitness best practices, wellness must-dos & don’ts, and a whole lot more. Plus, they discuss popular fitness myths & the truth behind them, including why Jordan thinks HIIT is not it and why low intensity cardio workouts are still super beneficial for your health. Finally, Aleen and Jordan answers some interesting listener-submitted questions and have a quick convo about Harry Potter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year! Sami and Aleen start the year with a brief reflection on 2021 before sharing a bittersweet announcement about the podcast, and discuss what’s in store for DST this coming year. Then they react to the resolutions they set for 2021 - from finding new hobbies to starting a family, we listen to all the resolutions that they met (or more likely… didn’t meet) throughout the year. Finally, they end the show by setting some ‘loose commitments’ for 2022, because let’s be real: ‘resolutions’ is a strong word. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sami and Aleen are back for the final episode of Dear DST of 2021. We kick off by sharing our Non-Scale Wins and then dig into listeners' emails, which focus on the importance of getting a second medical opinion and how to set little goals for yourself to avoid doom scrolling on social media. Let’s continue to be the best version of ourselves in the new year and take these WTF moments and turn them into taking control of our problems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we’re joined by Dr. Sandra Gelbard, a board certified internal medicine physician, who previously served as the Chief Medical Officer of the Endometriosis Foundation of America. Dr. Gelbard gives us an extensive overview of endometriosis, clears up some misconceptions and gives us tips on how to best support loved ones who may be experiencing it themselves. You can read more in Vogue about Dr. Gelbard's approach to treating endometriosis and how she's helped many women including Lena Dunham to make tough medical decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices