The Melissa Ambrosini Show

Your gut affects SO MANY aspects of your health — from your skin, to your mood, your fertility, your emotions, your hormones, your stress levels and more. So even the smallest improvements to your gut health can have amazing flow-on effects to the rest of your body and mind… but the opposite is true too: if your gut’s in bad shape, everything’s going to be out of whack. So it’s super important to get your gut sorted, which is why on this week’s show — due to popular demand — I have brought back the amazingly insightful Donna Gates, gut expert extraordinaire! Today she will be answering all your burning questions to help you understand this oh-so-important organ — and get clear on how to take care of it — so you can experience massive shifts in your mood, energy levels and general vitality. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/36 If you’ve never heard Donna speak before, you’re in for a treat. As the international best-selling author of The Body Ecology Diet: Recovering Your Health and Rebuilding Your Immunity, she is on a mission to change the way the world eats. The Body Ecology Diet was the first ‘diet’ of its kind — sugar-free, gluten-free, casein-free, and probiotic-rich. In fact, Donna’s ALWAYS been ahead of her time (she was teaching about fermented foods way back in 1994, and was the first to coin the phrase ‘inner ecosystem’). Over the past 25 years, she has truly become one of the most respected authorities in the field of digestive health, diet, and nutrition.... so I cannot wait for you to hear us delve crazy-deep into all things gutsy! If you care at ALL about your health (and you’re reading this, beautiful, so I know you do) this is a must-listen episode that has the power to impact your life in massive ways, for decades to come. In this episode we chat about: The 5 daily habits for good gut health (05:16) The essential tests to find out what's going on inside your gut (18:06) The truth about intermittent fasting and fertility (20:58) Donna’s best-ever anti-aging tip (22:08) The hidden cause of infertility (which so few women know about) (25:19) Important eating strategies during pregnancy and breastfeeding (26:54) What a keto diet is and if it's good for you (28:21) Why knowing your genes is key to optimum health (29:38) How to heal skin issues like acne, psoriasis, eczema and rosacea (if only I’d known this stuff when I was a teenager!) (33:26) How to lower cortisol and support your adrenals (37:08) Vegan bone broth alternatives (41:04) How to heal histamine and SIBO (51:28) Why you want to avoid alcohol and eating in between meals (01:06:26) Plus so much more! For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/36 The only purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is no substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I recently met Mike on my trip to Greece where we worked with the Afghanistan refugees. After that experience we headed to Naxos and Santorini to spend a few days together, and it’s safe to say that Nick (my hubby) and Mike had a mega bromance going on! But Nick wasn’t the only one drawn to this beautiful human... Everybody wanted to be around him. It’s not everyday you meet someone you feel so honored and humbled to simply be in their presence. Mike is so powerful, yet soft, grounded and purpose driven. I felt like I was in the presence of true greatness. Which is why I am so excited to share his story with you today. Mike Sherbakov knows a thing or two about living an extraordinary life. From active duty in the United States Marine Corps to being a social entrepreneur, philanthropist, mega global adventurer, inspiring father, and creating The Greatness Foundation, his entire life is dedicated to being of service and supporting others just like you to unlock greatness. Mike is fascinated with exploring human potential, and is on a mission to positively impact one billion lives. He holds degrees in kinesiology and psychology, along with advanced certifications in fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, and yoga. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/35 If you’re craving some feel-it-in-your-bones inspiration to lift you up and rocket you forward, this conversation is for you! In this episode we chat about: How he went from working in the marines to being an entrepreneur, philanthropist, adventurer, and creating The Greatness Foundation (04:18) Why you can sometimes be frightened of your light (not your darkness) (08:16) How to live an extraordinary life (10:05) The power of showing up (and why it’s so essential) (13:27) The top five regrets of the dying (16:17) How to find your passion and purpose in life (21:09) The ideal people to surround yourself with, if you want to achieve greatness (21:53) Why you need to be a student for life (23:13) Why are we here on earth? (An answer that’ll make your heart soar!) (24:44) Parenthood as a transformational journey (27:23) The daily rituals that will change your life (30:19) Why openness is the key to everything (37:25) The beauty of different perspectives (40:14) Plus so much more!   For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/35 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now more than ever we are seeing a return of empowered women, birthing their children in the way that THEY want to… and it’s thanks to powerhouse women like Genevieve, who are blazing the trail and lighting the way for all of us. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/34 Whatever your dream birth may look like, Genevieve believes that preparation and knowledge is key to set yourself up for your ideal birthing experience. And after giving birth to two children (in a birthing centre, supported by a midwife and doula) she knows her shizzle, and wanted to share everything she knows with YOU! That’s why she wrote her incredible book, The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth. It’s a modern (yet ancient) approach to this sacred journey, which recognises that childbirth is a miraculous process... not a medical condition or illness. There’s so much juicy, empowering knowledge in this conversation, I know your mind is going to be blown wide open. So whether you are thinking about having a baby, are still years off, or aren’t interested at all, if you are a female this podcast is for you! In this episode we chat about: How she went from being a junk food-eating, soft drink-guzzling smoker to Mama Natural (05:19) Why a scary, fearful birth doesn't have to be your reality (and how to shift your mindset and perception) (13:56) Vaginal birth vs Cesarean — the facts, the myths, and what every woman NEEDS to know (19:48) The key to natural birth (seriously — why aren’t we taught this stuff at school?!) (24:04) The ‘gentle’ intervention option (that many women don’t know about) (25:13) How to make a Cesarean as similar to a natural birth as possible (the answer lies in your vagina!) (26:55) Home birth vs Hospital birth — which is right for you? (27:58) How to reduce your risk of interventions (29:36) The difference between a midwife and doula (and why you want both!) (36:49) How to find your dream birth team (I absolutely loved her ideas here… take notes!) (38:40) Why you should eat your placenta… yes, really! (43:58) Why presence and surrender are essential for a blissful birth (57:24) The 3 things you must do for healthy, humming hormones (59:20) Why you must avoid stressful exercise when pregnant (01:05:24) Plus so much more! For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/34 The only purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is no substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nora Gedgaudas is a board-certified nutritional consultant and a board-certified clinical neurofeedback specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She’s also a globally recognized authority on ketogenic and ancestrally based nutrition, a pioneer in the Paleo movement, and a bestselling author to boot. (To say that she knows her shiz is an understatement!) For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/33 There’s so much gold in Nora’s methods and philosophy, but her approach to brain chemistry, moods, and mental health is my favorite of all. Anxiety and depression are NOT natural and do NOT have to be part of your everyday reality. So if you are currently experiencing either of these conditions — or know someone who is —- then this conversation is for you! In this episode we chat about: How she went from living with a family of wild wolves to where she is today (yes, really!) (04:41) How she lost 25 pounds doing no exercise and eating more healthy fats than ever before (08:53) The dentist whose work inspired Nora’s entire approach to wellness (13:29) The 2 foods you’ll find in the diets of ALL the most healthy people in the world (no matter where they live) (19:11) Why eating too much protein is not good for you and can actually make you age faster (24:59) The best way to age gracefully and limit disease (26:38) Behind the scenes of her 25-year struggle with depression (and how she turned it all around) (33:36) The truth about depression and how you can support yourself (and your cellular health) if you are currently experiencing it (34:56) The absolute easiest ‘quick win’ when it comes to dealing with depression (38:15) The underlying causes of depression (including how exhaustion can be keeping you sick) (44:40) The diet that Nora followed to heal from 25 years of dark depression (57:57) The first 3 baby steps you can take if you’re going through depression right now (Powerful AND totally achievable = Gold) (59:59) The food we should ALL be cutting out immediately (01:01:34) Why you need to listen to your food cravings (01:07:47) Plus so much more! For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/33 The only purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is no substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If I were to narrow down a list of my absolute favourite books — the ones that have rocked me to my core and changed the course of my life — Conversations With God by Neale Donald Walsch would be a sure-fire inclusion. When I read it the first time (and there’s been many re-reads since) almost the entire book ended up dog eared and highlighted. I found myself nodding along in agreement, even saying ‘YES!’ out loud, because everything I was reading was resonating so intensely with what I already knew to be true deep in my heart. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/32 The author of this book — and the ‘voice of God’ — is Neale Donald Walsch, a modern day spiritual messenger whose words continue to touch the world in profound ways. With an early interest in religion and a deeply felt connection to spirituality, Neale spent the majority of his life thriving professionally, yet searching for spiritual meaning before experiencing his now famous conversation with ‘God’. The Conversations with God series of books that emerged from those encounters has been translated into 37 languages, touching millions and inspiring important changes in their day-to-day lives. Neale has since written 29 books on spirituality and its practical application in everyday life. Seven of those have reached the New York Times Bestseller List, with the first Conversations with God book occupying that list for over two-and-a-half years. (Crazy, cool!) I was insanely excited to interview this amazing man, and our conversation did not disappoint. (I had goosebumps — or as I like to call them, ‘god bumps’ — the entire time!) Get ready for a spiritual awakening! In this episode we chat about: His journey and how he got to where he is today (05:00) How the Conversations with God phenomenon came to be (06:55) The passage from his book that brought my husband and I together (I wasn’t kidding when I said it was a ‘life changing’ book!) (14:30) Neale’s foolproof strategies for dealing with challenges when they pop up (18:02) The powerful spiritual tool that will change your life forever (I loved this so much!) (22:36) How Neale deals with tough moments (and why what we resist persists) (26:18) Neale’s favourite phrase that helps him move through adversity (28:52) Are you really creating your own reality? (31:02) Why being self-centered is the key to living your best life (37:12) The one sentence to say to yourself before you walk into any room (40:00) Why expectations ruin relationship (and how to ditch them instantly) (43:09) Why forgetfulness is a great gift (47:28) How and why sex is sacred (and how to use this extraordinary expression of love to enhance your relationship) (50:53) The key to life (01:10:10) Plus so much more!   For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/32 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s no denying that EMFs (electromagnetic fields) are harmful! It’s a fact that we need to stop hiding from. Whether you feel it within yourself (like I can) or not, you are being affected by these fields every single day, and they’re having an undeniable impact on your health, happiness and hormones. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/31 Today’s podcast guest, Dr Libby Darnell — a Functional Medicine practitioner and Doctor of Chiropractic — has experienced this impact personally and professionally. She knows the detrimental effects of EMF all too well, after losing her seven-year-old niece in two months after high exposures of EMFs in her home and school. Now an expert on how to keep your family safe from EMF radiation, Libby is on a mission to spread the message about this life-ruining toxin and share the simple but effective techniques that can save us, our kids and our future. In this must-listen episode, she tells it to us straight — including revealing some pretty scary secrets about the dangers lurking within every modern household (I have to say, I was gobsmacked!). So settle in, buckle up, and get ready for the aha’s — this one’s quite the ride! In this episode we chat about: What EMFs actually are, how they affect you, and why they are detrimental to your health (05:24) Why you need to check your smart meter to save your health (14:27) The repercussions of doing nothing to protect yourself from EMFs (19:15) What Libby predicts in the future for our health and EMF exposure (19:58) The scary truth about ‘dirty electricity’ and how you can avoid it in your home (20:28) The common household item (that your kids probably LOVE) that is slowly toxifying everyone in your household (21:22) How EMFs can affect your sleep, health and fertility (27:07) Libby’s crazy effective (and super cheap) EMF protection hack (you’ll be running to your kitchen to give this one a go (36:25) The easy but powerful technique you can do whilst brushing your teeth, to limit your EMF exposure (37:55) The dangers of fluorescent light bulbs (40:56) Why you should unplug your mobiles and laptops before using them (45:54) Plus so much more! For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/31 The only purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is no substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Figuring out your ideal daily rituals that can enable you to really thrive can be tricky… but not for today’s guest, Elena Brower, who’s totally mastered the art. She’s also a master of many other things — including co-parenting with ease and grace, self-love, compassion, busting through fear, and dismantling addictions. I couldn’t wait to pick her brains on these topics in this heart-expanding, soul-stretching episode. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/30 Elena’s story is a fascinating one. After struggling with addiction for years, she figured out how to heal her pain (and ditch her self-destructive patterns) through self-love, daily rituals, meditation and various healing practices. These days, she’s a world-renowned yoga teacher with her NYC classes always packed to the rafters, an author, teacher, speaker and self-love guru, as well as a loving Mama. She’s also the author of Art of Attention — an artful yoga workbook now translated into six languages — and the creator of Teach.yoga, a virtual home for yoga teachers worldwide. If you want to amp up your self-love, learn how to consciously co-parent, and create life-changing daily practices, then this episode is for you. In this episode we chat about: How Elena got to where she is today and how she learned to love herself (04:40) Conscious parenting and how to lead by example (09:00) How blended families can co-parent with grace (11:50) Why treating your children like an adult is imperative for their growth (14:16) Why lying to your children will break their respect (14:50) Why compassion is the key to self-love (16:35) How to love yourself (17:32) The breath exercise to rock your daily practice and amp up your self-love (22:52) How to bust through limiting beliefs and how to re-write your fear-based stories (27:28) What the powerful ‘miracle practice’ is and why it’s imperative to conscious creation (27:50) Why our children are not ‘ours’, why we can not control them, and why letting them make mistakes is key to their expansion and growth (37:00) The importance of vulnerability in all our relationships (and how to embody this sacred quality) (43:00) Plus so much more!   For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An abundance mindset was not something that came naturally to today’s guest, Peta Kelly. In fact, not that long ago, she had to do some major re-writing of her money story. But when she did? She became a self-made millionaire... at the grand old age of 25. (Seriously!). So you can probably tell you’re in for some epic aha’s in this episode. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/29 Peta was recently featured in Forbes Magazine and has also been named in Inc Magazine's list of Top 27 Female Entrepreneurs changing the world. Pretty epic, huh?! She is a divine soul on a mission to unleash the genius of GenY’s globally. At age 22, she ditched her PhD studies and went on the hunt for that ‘thing’ that was calling her higher. That's when she found her first business passion in network marketing and became a 7-figure-a-year earner by the age of 26. Her network marketing journey led Peta to her bigger, more global soul work and now she’s building a global enterprise, Jeaniius — a hub of nakedly brilliant people, mobilized to create epic-ness for our planet through conscious enterprise and magical collaborations. Peta teaches the new way to live, lead, earn and give, and what excites her the most is bringing her brilliant, badass generation together as one team and one family so that we can gift our planet (and our kiddies) an environment where they can truly thrive. If you have any limiting money beliefs, abundance blocks or simply want to be ‘richer’ in all areas of your life, this episode is for you! In this episode we chat about: How she became a self-made millionaire at age 25 (04:42) How she mastered her Mean Girl to retire her mum at age 26 (13:53) Her secrets to busting through fear (15:33) Why rewriting your money story is key to experiencing abundance (and how you can do it in your own life) (21:23) Why alignment is so ridiculously important in manifesting your heart’s desires (31:52) The one exercise that will change your relationship with money forever (41:23) Why being ‘nice’ to money is imperative (such a cool idea!) (42:11) How to become financially free… even if you’ve always been ‘bad’ with money, or thought it wasn’t ‘possible’ for you (48:17) The 3 powerful M’s that will rock your life (50:11) Plus so much more!   For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/29 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know that feeling when you hear something and it strikes you like a bolt of lightning? You are left thinking ‘Damn, I wish I knew this earlier’? Well… that’s exactly what I felt during this episode when Nadine Artemis started speaking about gum disease. You see, I have a secret… I have battled receding gums for years and still looking for that missing piece that will hopefully return my gums back to their natural healthy state. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/28 Nadine Artemis is the author of Holistic Dental Care: The Complete Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums and the upcoming book, Renegade Beauty. Described by Alanis Morissette as a ‘visionary’, Nadine has formulated a stunning collection of rare and special botanical compounds, all aimed to reclaim the natural vitality of your skin and smile using the power of nature. Her healing creations, along with her concept of Renegade Beauty, inspires people to get back to nature and rethink conventional notions of beauty and wellness. In this episode we chat about: How Nadine created Living Libations and how she got to where she is today (04:20) What a ‘still room’ is (and why you’ll want one!) (10:18) Nadine’s insider secrets for radiant and glowing skin (11:26) The dangers of stock-standard beauty and skin care products (14:53) Why your bacteria is your beautician (I absolutely LOVE her insights here!) (16:50) Why you need to understand and look after your mouth’s microbiome (19:10) How to restore and rejuvenate your oral microbiome (20:12) Why you need to think of your mouth as an ecological garden (23:07) The surprising cause of receding gums (23:50) Nadine’s favorite trick to rejuvenate your gums (using two common ingredients you’ve already got in your kitchen) (25:39) The eight steps to self-dentistry (33:15) The power of healthy sun exposure and why it’s essential for our health and beauty (42:26) Plus so much more!   For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/28 The only purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is no substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You have most like heard of astrology or you may have even had an astrology reading, but do you know what Jyotish astrology is? This powerful ancient Vedic based science of the stars is not something I had ever been exposed to until I met today’s special guest Laura Plumb. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/27  Laura is a leading educator on the power of the Vedic sciences to promote sacred health and sumptuous living. Formerly the General Manager of The Discovery Channel in Europe, Laura is now the founder and director of VedaWise, offering clinical services in natural medicine for whole person wellness and trainings in the Vedic sciences. Laura has studied the world over with some of the greatest luminaries of our time, practising and sharing what she has learned from ancient, proven wisdom for modern, dynamic times. For me personally, Laura has used the stars, plant medicine and also the ancient Indian healing modality of Ayurveda to support me along my journey and I can’t wait for you to soak up her wisdom today! In this episode we chat about: Her journey to where she is today (05:03) How to see the love and beauty in everything (09:36) Why meditation is key to happiness (13:36) What is Jyotish astrology, why it’s so powerful and how it differs from other types of astrology (17:36) What is Saturn's return and why you must understand it (23:42) How the stars and planet can guide you (30:01) The role the sun and moon play in our life (37:28) What rising sign and moon signs are (39:40) What is Mercury Retrograde and how to understand it (43:35) Western Astrology vs Jyotish Astrology (44:04) Why oiling your body top to toe before shower is one of the most important things you can do for your health (01:06:18) Benefits and power of sesame oil (01:13:15) The truth of who we are and why are we here on earth (01:22:24) Plus so much more!      For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/27 The only purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. It is no substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.