The Melissa Ambrosini Show

What are essential oils? How do they interact with our bodies? What are the practical ways we can integrate them into our lives for optimal wellness? Today, more than ever, we are hearing more and more about essential oils and just how magical these powerful gifts from the earth are. Despite them being in the spotlight however, it’s not every day that you come across someone in the public health sphere who’s an essential oils guru, but the wildly popular Dr Eric Zielinski specializes in the therapeutic use of essential oils, so I knew I had to have him on the show! For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/41 Achieving true health is not an easy task. For many people, it might be easier to pop a pill or push aside lingering discomfort in favor of finishing everything on your to-do list. But Dr Z (as he is commonly known) says there is a different way and is passionate about showing people how to make their health a priority with Mother Nature's medicine. Essential oils can be the natural solution for an infinite number of physical, emotional and spiritual issues, so if you want to learn about the best essential oils from a true research backed expert, and how to live a toxic free life, this episode is for you. In this episode we chat about:  His journey from chiropractor to essential oils guru (04:08) What are essential oils and why are they so powerful (06:47) Why understanding dilution is imperative (10:06) The top things you must know before you start using plant extracts (11:43) Why bio individuality is key when using oils (11:54) The many ways you can use the oils in your everyday life (21:47) How oils can help boost your health and happiness (23:47) You won’t believe these products that use essentials oils! (28:38) The best oils for women (41:31) The most harmonising oils to combat stress (41:38) How to become obsessed with oils (42:47) How to use aromatic anchors in your life (49:50) Oils for meditation and spirituality (51:24) How and why you need to control your home environment and how to create a home wellness sanctuary (56:40) Plus so much more! P.S. You should always consult a health practitioner before starting any new health practice. For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/41 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know when you first fall in love, and you experience the honeymoon stage? You’re so loved up, present and totally in flow. Life feels great. Epic, actually! Then it slowly starts to fade away and life goes back to normal. That’s what we are lead to believe is suppose to happen, right?! Well today’s guest Dr Bruce Lipton says no way! We can actually experience the honeymoon effect as part of our everyday reality. In fact, we can live in that state of bliss constantly... Sounds good to me! For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/40 Dr Bruce Lipton is an internationally recognized leader in bringing science and spirit together. He is a stem cell biologist, the global smash hit bestselling author of The Biology Of Belief and The Honeymoon Effect, plus he just happens to be a super powerful speaker. If you want to experience the ‘honeymoon effect’ every single day and create heaven here on earth, then you’re going to LOVE today’s episode.  In this episode we chat about:  How knowledge is power (06:15) How to truly experience heaven on earth (08:04) Why the first 7 years of your life are crucial for the development of your belief systems (all you parents are going want to grab a pen for this bit!) (10:42) How to reprogram your negative, limiting, fear-based beliefs (so much gold here!) (29:41) The importance of self-love in creating your dream existence (33:50) Why your new hobby needs to be theta hypnosis (36:44) Why repetition is your best friend when reprogramming your beliefs (37:36) Why you need to fake it till you make it (47:04) How worrying can repel your desires and ruin your manifesting (50:46) How 90% of all disease is stress related, and how you can influence your genes to create vibrant, glowing health (55:33) Plus so much more!   For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/40 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine trying to operate complex machinery without an instruction manual… sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what most of us are doing in our relationships! After all, it’s not like we’re taught ‘Relationship 101’ in school. Instead, we’re left to figure it out for ourselves and if you’re anything like me, you fumble, because I (and maybe you too?) never really understood the basic principle that our relationships are our teachers. Relationships serve a divine purpose, and are the most amazing opportunity for growth.  For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/39 Today’s podcasts guests, Chris and Lori Harder, are great examples of what growth in a relationship can look like.  After over a decade together, Chris and Lori live and work under the one roof (which to me, is a mighty feat in itself). And not only do they do it well, they do it with crazy amounts of love, respect and compassion. So, if you want to learn how to run not one, but TWO multi-million dollar brands, AND be happy, successful, give back, inspire millions and have an epic soulful relationship, then this episode is for you! In this episode we chat about:  Chris and Lori’s magical love story and how they got to where they are today (05:24) Their top 5 tips on how to live and work together (with loads of love, and without losing your mind!) (08:54) Why your partner is NOT your coach (lots of light-bulb moments to be had here!) (15:45) The number one key to a successful relationship (19:43) The importance of understanding the masculine and feminine, and how they navigate between the two energy systems (23:13) The biggest challenge they have with each other and how they move through it with ease and grace (31:36) The biggest misconception about them as a couple (33:43) How they keep their love and relationship exciting and fresh after over a decade together (I’ve already put some of their insights here into action!) (37:25) Why self-love is the key to a successful relationship (43:47) What they are currently wanting to improve within their life (48:28) Plus so much more! For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/39 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hippocrates famously once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Never before has been more relevant than today, especially when it comes to combatting inflammation in the body and common autoimmune issues. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/38 It’s not everyday you meet someone who has healed herself from being wheelchair bound with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and done so mainly via the foods she eats. But today’s guest, Dr Terry Wahls, is that person and her story is now well known around the world. Dr. Wahls is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa. She is the author of The Wahls Protocol: How I Beat Progressive MS Using Paleo Principles and Functional Medicine and the cookbook The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life: The Revolutionary Modern Paleo Plan to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions. Unfortunately, autoimmune issues are all too common these days. But Dr Wahls’ approach to nutrition and health shows us that illness and decline are not inevitable, and we do have the power to rewrite our own future. Not only does Terry give you the tools to add years to your life, she also teaches you how to ‘cook for your life’ and reverse autoimmunity so that you can not just slow its descent, but live a life of radiant health and full-blown vitality. In this episode we chat about: Why she only eats one meal a day (05:16) The best anti-aging secret ever (05:56) The reason we feel hungry (even when we don’t really need to eat) (06:17) How she healed from secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (07:05) How to create health and cook for life (13:57) The biggest thing you need to remove from your diet to help you thrive (15:36) What a ketogenic diet is and the pros and cons of it (16:24) How to get your hormones back on track (19:42) The top things you need to experience glowing health and vitality (27:01) Why avoiding lectins may be the number one thing you need to do for your health (34:02) Plus so much more! For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/38 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if I told you that there are specific habits and rituals you can follow that WILL make you happier? It might sound farfetched but it’s 100% true, as you’ll find out in this conversation with today’s podcast guest, Gretchen Rubin — a lawyer-turned-writer who has dedicated her life to researching happiness and giving us tools to make life better. For full show notes and episode resources, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/37 Gretchen is one of the most thought-provoking and influential writers on the planet on the topics of habits and happiness. She is the author of several books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers Better Than Before, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. She has an enormous readership, both in print and online, and her books have sold almost three million copies worldwide, in more than thirty languages. On her popular weekly podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, she discusses good habits and happiness. She provides surprising insights and practical advice drawn from cutting-edge research, ancient wisdom, and her own observations, about how we can make our lives better than before. Fast Company named Gretchen on its list of Most Creative People in Business, and she’s a member of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100. She’s been interviewed by Oprah, and walked arm-in-arm with the Dalai Lama… So it’s safe to say, this lady knows her thing!   If you want to experience even more happiness in your life (and if you’re as fascinated by the power of habits as I am), then this episode is for you. In this episode we chat about: How she became an expert on happiness (03:32) Gretchen’s 21 strategies to dial up your happiness levels (07:17) The difference between habits and rituals (08:58) Why you need to understand the roles of treats vs rewards (and how you can use each to help you get stuff done!) (12:49) The essential 7 happiness habits (20:35) The 4 tendencies, and why it’s such a struggle to form new habits, even when you really want to (this is super interesting!) (23:47) How making your bed can make you happier (yep, you heard me correctly!) (34:20) The 2 questions to ask yourself to uncover what makes you truly happy (37:39) What to do when you ‘fail’ (and why, if you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough) (40:45) Why it's important to be nice to everyone (43:36) Plus so much more! For full show notes, episode resources and quick links to the above timestamps, head to https://melissaambrosini.com/37 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.