Rooted in Wellness with Mona Sharma

What if the key to healing emotional trauma, reducing inflammation, and reconnecting with yourself isn’t another quick fix, but ancient wisdom and simple daily rituals? In this heart-opening episode, I sit down with healer, musician, and soulful guide Shayoon Alexander to explore the intersection of emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and embodied living. Together, we unpack how trauma gets stored in the body, how discipline can be a gentle act of self-respect, and why regulation, not restriction, is the new foundation for lasting wellness. Shayoon shares powerful tools from both ancient lineages and modern neuroscience to help you release emotional wounds, return to your body, and live a life anchored in love, purpose, and peace. Whether you're navigating stress, chronic symptoms, or just feeling disconnected from your inner self, this episode is for you. Shayoon Alexander is a musician, a trauma-informed healer and co-founder of the LightForce Center, where she combines neuroscience, somatic therapy, and quantum healing to help people release emotional trauma and regulate their nervous system.  We Also Discuss: (00:00) – Self-Healing Journey and Ancient Wisdom for Wellness (07:30) – Daily Rituals, Discipline, and the Power of Saying No (15:00) – Healing Emotional Trauma and Releasing Stored Pain (22:30) – Nervous System Regulation and Emotional Processing Tools (30:00) – From Fear to Self-Healing and Living with Purpose (37:30) – Overcoming Resistance and Doing the Inner Work (45:00) – Transforming Wellness through Pain to Purpose Awakening (55:00) – Ancient Remedies, Health Misconceptions, and True Healing Thank You to Our Sponsors: Pulsetto: If you’ve been feeling anxious, burnt out, or disconnected from your body, Pulsetto is a gentle, wearable tool that supports your vagus nerve—the gateway to your rest-and-restore state. Try it for 10% off at pulsetto.sjv.io/MONA with code MONA. 12 tips: Small shifts, big energy—feel clearer, brighter, and more like you.Download my 12 wellness tips with Dr. Mark Hyman: monasharma.com/12tipsStress Quiz: The way you react to stress isn’t random—it’s rooted in your biology and lived experience. Discover your unique stress type + get a personalized healing plan to help you feel more calm, clear, and resilient. Take the quiz now:monasharma.com/quiz Find out more about Mona Sharma: Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips.  Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation. Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma. Find out more about Shayoon Alexander:  Instagram: ​​@shayoon The Light Force Center: @thelightforcecenter Website: https://www.thelightforcecenter.com/ 

What if your immune system isn’t attacking you… but protecting you in ways we’ve only just begun to understand? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Bland, the father of functional medicine, to explore why autoimmune conditions and chronic inflammation are on the rise, and how shifting the story we tell about our health can transform the way we heal.  Dr. Bland shares why 70% of our immune system begins in the gut, how our immune age may be a more powerful marker of vitality than our actual years, how some colorful foods can help rejuvenate our cells and more! Dr. Jeffrey Bland, PhD is widely celebrated as the “father of functional medicine.” He’s authored best-selling books and over 120 peer-reviewed studies and launched Big Bold Health. For more than four decades, Dr. Bland has been pioneering a systems-based, personalized approach to healing, what we now call functional medicine.  What's Discussed: (04:33) What if disease labels are holding us back from true healing? (14:48) Why your immune system may actually be protecting you, not attacking you. (24:19) How colorful plants can literally rejuvenate your immune system. (33:49) Discover why your immune age matters more than birthdays. (40:02) When high achievement pushes the immune system into overdrive. (47:16) Simple choices that help your body return to balance. (01:04:25) What soil, farming, and human health teach us about resilience. Thank You to Our Sponsors: Pendulum: Nourish your gut, support your whole body—head to pendulumlife.com and use code MONA for 20% off your first membership order. iFit: Movement is medicine—iFIT makes it personal, science-backed, and ready for you anytime, anywhere. Explore more at iFIT.com. 12 tips: Small shifts, big energy—feel clearer, brighter, and more like you.Download my 12 wellness tips with Dr. Mark Hyman: monasharma.com/12tips Learn more about Mona Sharma: Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips.  Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation. Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma. Learn more about Dr. Jeffrey Bland: Website: https://bigboldhealth.com Instagram Big Bold: https://www.instagram.com/bigboldhealth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjeffreybland/

What if the secret to better digestion, deeper sleep, balanced hormones, and lasting longevity isn’t in the latest supplements, but in ancient wisdom you can apply today? In this episode, I sit down with Ayurvedic wellness expert and Ayurgamaya founder, Salila Sukumaran, to uncover how simple morning rituals, seasonal lifestyle practices, and herbal remedies can transform your health. We explore how aligning with your circadian rhythm reduces inflammation and bloating, why your doshas influence metabolism and menopause symptoms, and how mindful eating supports synergy between body and mind. From tongue scraping to oil massage, from optimizing digestion to empowering women through holistic healthcare. Salila Sukumaran is an Ayurvedic wellness practitioner, yoga educator, and founder of Ayurgamaya, where she helps clients around the world restore balance through time-honored Ayurvedic principles.  What's Discussed: (00:00) Ancient wisdom that transforms health today (11:12) How modern life disrupts digestion and how to fix it (16:32) Discover your Ayurvedic body type and what it means (31:31) Simple lifestyle shifts that spark deep healing (37:46) Morning rituals that fuel your energy all day (43:02) Ayurvedic tools to navigate menopause with vitality (53:41) Herbal remedies for everyday health issues (01:01:47) Creating mind-body synergy through Ayurveda Thank You to Our Sponsors: Pulsetto: If you’ve been feeling anxious, burnt out, or disconnected from your body, Pulsetto is a gentle, wearable tool that supports your vagus nerve—the gateway to your rest-and-restore state. Try it for 10% off at pulsetto.sjv.io/MONA with code MONA. Rooted Academy: Join Rooted Academy by Mona Sharma, a science-backed, community-driven wellness platform designed to help you heal from within. Start your journey to balance, vitality, and lasting transformation. https://www.monasharma.com/rooted Learn more about Mona Sharma: Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips.  Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation. Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma. Learn more about Salila Sukumaran: Website: https://www.ayurgamaya.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salila.ayurveda/

In this engaging discussion, Ben Azadi, the founder of Keto Kamp and author of Metabolic Freedom, shares insights on why traditional dieting may not work. He highlights the importance of mindset and taking responsibility for one's health. Topics include metabolic flexibility, the crucial role of mitochondria in energy levels, and how gratitude can influence our DNA. Ben also critiques common myths around snacking and emphasizes shifting from sugar to fat burning for better health. Tune in for a fresh perspective on achieving true wellness!

What if the most overlooked pillar of your health isn’t food, sleep, or exercise, but your relationships?In this episode, I sit down with Shawn Stevenson, bestselling author and host of The Model Health Show, to explore how connection shapes everything from your stress response to your metabolism, gut health, and even gene expression.Shawn shares his journey of healing from a spinal diagnosis at 20, and how building a culture of connection, through food, family, and presence, transformed not only his body, but his entire life.We talk about why eating together is a healing ritual, how loneliness affects your biology, and why being seen and supported is essential for long-term wellbeing.Shawn Stevenson is a nutritionist, researcher, and the creator of The Model Health Show. Shawn is the author of the international bestsellers Sleep Smarter and Eat Smarter, which have been published in over 20 countries. His work bridges the gap between evidence-based health strategies and real-world application, with a focus on metabolic health, sleep science, and the impact of social and environmental factors on long-term wellbeing.What's Discussed:(00:00) Rooted in Wellness: Opening the conversation on healing through connection(04:45) From processed foods to healing: Shawn’s turning point and early health awakening(14:49) How community and relationships reshape your biology(29:03) Creative family rituals that build lasting bonds(38:28) Cooking as connection: empowering wellness through shared meals(47:18) Belief and biology: how mindset influences gene expression(54:04) What your biological age reveals, and why self-quantification isn’t everything(01:30:53) Your relationships are the most powerful wellness tool you haveThank You to Our Sponsors:Pulsetto: If you’ve been feeling anxious, burnt out, or disconnected from your body, Pulsetto is a gentle, wearable tool that supports your vagus nerve, the gateway to your rest-and-restore state. Try it for 10% off at pulsetto.sjv.io/MONA with code MONA.Rooted Academy: Join Rooted Academy by Mona Sharma, a science-backed, community-driven wellness platform designed to help you heal from within. https://www.monasharma.com/rooted12 Tips: 12 tips: Small shifts, big energy, feel clearer, brighter, and more like you.Download my 12 wellness tips with Dr. Mark Hyman: monasharma.com/12tipsLearn more about Mona Sharma: Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips.  Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation. Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma. Learn more about Shawn Stevenson:  Website: https://themodelhealthshow.com  Instagram: https://instagram.com/shawnmodel Podcast: https://themodelhealthshow.com/podcasts  Books: Eat Smarter, Sleep Smarter

What if eating at the wrong time is silently sabotaging your energy, hormones, and mood?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Rupy Aujla, medical doctor and founder of The Doctor’s Kitchen, to explore how syncing your meals, movement, and light exposure with your circadian rhythm can recalibrate your entire system.Dr. Rupy and I explain how inflammation disrupts your brain and metabolism, why late-night eating throws your hormones off track, and how simple daily rituals can reignite your energy and clarity. We also unpack the science of timing, why joy matters in your healing journey, and how sustainable habits can reconnect you to your body’s natural rhythm.This conversation is a refreshing blend of science and soul, practical, grounded, and full of tools to help you feel vibrant again, without the overwhelm.Dr. Rupy Aujla is a medical doctor, best-selling author, and founder of The Doctor’s Kitchen, who discovered the power of food as medicine after facing his own health scare in his early twenties. His journey led him to bridge the gap between nutrition and conventional medicine, showing that lifestyle isn’t just supportive, it’s foundational.We Also Discuss:(00:00) What Ancient Wisdom Can Teach Us About Healing Today(09:40) Dr. Rupy’s Turning Point: From Exhaustion to Empowerment(19:20) Your Body’s Hidden Clock: Why Timing Is Everything(29:00) Eat, Move, Rest: Syncing with Your Natural Rhythms(38:40) Food That Loves You Back: A Joyful Approach to Eating(48:20) Tiny Shifts, Big Results: The Power of Daily Rituals(58:00) Inflammation, Mood, and Energy: How It’s All Connected(01:07:40) Reclaiming Balance: Tools to Feel Like Yourself AgainThank You to Our Sponsors:Pendulum: Nourish your gut, support your whole body, head to pendulumlife.com and use code MONA for 20% off your first membership order.12 tips: Small shifts, big energy—feel clearer, brighter, and more like you.Download my 12 wellness tips with Dr. Mark Hyman: monasharma.com/12tipsStress Quiz: The way you react to stress isn’t random—it’s rooted in your biology and lived experience. Discover your unique stress type + get a personalized healing plan to help you feel more calm, clear, and resilient. Take the quiz now:monasharma.com/quizLearn more about Mona Sharma: Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips.  Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation. Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma. Learn more about  Dr. Rupy Aujla: Website: https://www.thedoctorskitchen.com/ Instagram: @doctors_kitchen 

What if the root of your symptoms isn’t in your head or your hormones, but in your gut?In this episode, I sit down with Kiran Krishnan, microbiologist and founder of Microbiome Labs, to explore why the gut is so much more than a digestive system. It’s the control center for your mood, your energy, your hormones, and your healing.Kiran breaks down how the gut and brain communicate, why stress disrupts your entire microbiome, and what most people get wrong about probiotics. We also explore the surprising role of fiber in longevity, how early morning light sets your gut rhythm, and why sometimes the simplest habits are the most powerful medicine.This conversation is a grounded, science-backed invitation to stop fighting your body, and start supporting it. Because when you understand your gut, you understand yourself.Kiran Krishnan is a research microbiologist and co-founder of Microbiome Labs. He has spent his career studying the gut-brain axis and helping people shift from symptom management to root-cause healing. Through his work, Kiran empowers people to trust their body’s intelligence and embrace daily rituals that create lasting balance.We Also Discuss:2:10 – What your gut is really doing when you're stressed, tired, or overwhelmed13:25 – The gut-brain connection explained simply: how your body "talks" to itself26:40 – Why fiber is more powerful than any supplement (and how to get enough)39:50 – Daily habits that regulate your nervous system and support gut repair53:05 – The truth about probiotics: what works, what doesn’t, and why1:05:15 – Hormones, inflammation, and gut health: how it’s all connected1:17:30 – Breath, sound, and light: ancient tools that reset your microbiome1:30:45 – What the future holds for personalized gut healing (and where to begin)Thank You to Our Sponsors:IM8: I’m always searching for wellness that’s simple, effective, and rooted in science. That’s why I love IM8, a daily drink with 92 nutrients designed to support energy, gut health, and longevity.Use code MONASHARMA10 for 10% off at im8health.com.Ifit: Movement is medicine. iFIT makes it personal, science-backed, and ready for you anytime, anywhere. Explore more at iFIT.com.Rooted Academy: Join Rooted Academy by Mona Sharma, a science-backed, community-driven wellness platform designed to help you heal from within. Start your journey to balance, vitality, and lasting transformation. https://www.monasharma.com/rootedLearn more about Mona Sharma: Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips.  Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation. Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma. Learn more about Kiran Krishnan:Website: https://rebelhealth.co/byrg-mod1-offer-48hr/ Website: microbiomelabs.com ​​Instagram: @kiranbiome

Discover the transformative power of returning to yourself for healing. Explore the unique scribble practice for emotional release and reconnect with your inner child, embracing joy and wonder. Understand why focusing on identity beats mere discipline in your wellness journey. Celebrate community support and the basics of well-being, like breath and sunlight, while letting go of what's holding you back. This is your chance to embody a healthier, more authentic version of yourself!

What if the way back to health isn’t about doing more, but about listening more deeply?In this episode, I sit down with Seamus Mullen, award-winning chef, health coach, and chronic illness thriver, to explore how true healing begins when we shift from control to connection.Seamus shares how his journey through autoimmune illness led him to reimagine food as nourishment, not restriction. We dive into the emotional and physical reset of fasting, how detoxing from modern toxins changed his vitality, and the unexpected healing that came from reconnecting with animals and energy.This conversation unpacks what most wellness plans overlook: the impact of environmental toxins, the spiritual dimension of healing, and the quiet power of choosing rest over hustle. Seamus reminds us that healing isn’t a destination, it’s a remembering.Seamus Mullen is an award-winning chef, health coach, and author who transformed his life after a near-death experience with chronic autoimmune disease. Through his personal story, Seamus reminds us that healing is possible, even when it feels out of reach—and that sometimes, the most powerful medicine is believing in your ability to begin again.We Also Discuss:(00:02) From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Our Healing Stories(08:44) Autoimmunity Isn’t a Life Sentence—Here’s Where to Start(14:56) Terrain Theory: Why Your Inner Ecosystem Matters(19:26) Lifestyle as Medicine: The Daily Shifts That Heal(28:26) Fasting for Clarity, Energy & Cellular Repair(48:22) Animal Wisdom & the Power of Energetic Connection(56:18) Co-Regulation: Why Healing Doesn’t Happen Alone(01:15:01) Becoming the Healer of Your Own LifeThank You to Our Sponsors:Pendulum: Nourish your gut, support your whole body, head to pendulumlife.com and use code MONA for 20% off your first membership order.iFit: Movement is medicine, iFIT makes it personal, science-backed, and ready for you anytime, anywhere. Explore more at iFIT.com. 12 tips: Small shifts, big energy, feel clearer, brighter, and more like you. Download my 12 wellness tips with Dr. Mark Hyman: monasharma.com/12tips Stress Quiz: The way you react to stress isn’t random—it’s rooted in your biology and lived experience. Discover your unique stress type + get a personalized healing plan to help you feel more calm, clear, and resilient. Take the quiz now:monasharma.com/quizLearn more about Mona Sharma:Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips. Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation.Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma.Learn more about Seamus MullenWebsite: seamusmullen.com Instagram: @seamusmullen

What if the key to healing isn’t more effort—but a shift in your frequency?In this episode, I invite you to explore a different kind of wellness—one rooted in emotion, energy, and intention. You’ll uncover why the way you feel each morning shapes every health decision you make, and how aligning with your core values becomes your blueprint for true healing.I dive into the science of vibration, how unprocessed emotions can block detox pathways, and why clearing must come before nourishing. I also share simple, grounded practices to reconnect with your body’s wisdom and begin healing from the inside out.If you’ve been trying all the right things but still feel off, this episode is a permission slip to pause, go inward, and reset your inner state.Because real healing begins not with doing more—but with feeling more aligned, clear, and calm in your own body.I Also Discuss:00:00 – Vibration, emotions & why how you feel in the morning matters03:00 – Core values exercise: how your frequency reveals your healing blueprint10:00 – The science of vibrational frequencies & how they shape our choices15:00 – Using your core emotion as a daily compass for healing20:00 – Why detox must come before nourishment (and how to begin gently)Learn more about Mona Sharma:Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips. Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation.Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma.