Nicole Chenard

In this episode, Nicole Chenard explores the often-overlooked connection between IBS, digestion, and nerve compression. She discusses how spinal nerve compression can drive digestive symptoms and emphasizes the importance of understanding the gut-spine connection. Nicole shares insights from her 15 years of clinical practice, highlighting the role of the nervous system in digestion and offering practical advice for addressing digestive issues beyond diet.Takeaways:Nourishment is how we lead, heal, and rise.IBS is not just stress or in your head.Spinal nerve compression can drive digestive symptoms.The gut is wired with nerves that communicate.Digestive organs rely on clear nerve signaling.Spine-gut map shows spinal communication with digestion.Nerve compression can alter gut motility and sensitivity.Stress affects IBS through neuromuscular changes.Traditional GI care often misses spinal factors.Addressing spinal mobility can improve digestion.Keywords: IBS, digestion, nerve compression, spinal nerves, gut health, Nicole Chenard, nervous system, digestive symptoms, spinal alignment, gut-spine connectionnicolechenard.com

In this episode, Nicole Chenard discusses the hidden epidemic of malnutrition amidst the obesity crisis, emphasizing that malnutrition is not just a problem of scarcity but is prevalent even in well-fed individuals. She explores the paradox of calorie-dense yet nutrient-poor foods, the business model behind malnutrition, and the need for a shift in how we approach nourishment. Chenard advocates for a holistic understanding of health that prioritizes nutrient restoration over mere calorie counting, and she offers insights on how to reverse malnutrition through mindful eating and connection to food.TakeawaysMalnutrition is often invisible and misunderstood.Obesity can coexist with nutrient deficiencies.The food industry profits from nutrient-poor, calorie-dense foods.Healthcare often focuses on disease management rather than nutrient restoration.Real nourishment involves eating for function and feeling.Emotional hunger must be addressed alongside physical hunger.Metabolism is a conversation between body and brain, not just a calculation.Disconnection from food sources contributes to malnutrition.Reversing malnutrition is possible with mindful choices.Community and education are key to achieving real nourishment.Keywordsmalnutrition, obesity, nutrient deficiency, health crisis, nourishment, food politics, public health, diet, wellness, nutrition educationTitlesUnveiling the Hidden Malnutrition CrisisThe Obesity Paradox: Nutrient Deficiency ExplainedSound bites"We are starving in plain sight.""Disconnection is reversible.""We need more real nourishment."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Hidden Malnutrition01:20 The Paradox of Obesity and Nutrient Deficiency03:11 Understanding Malnutrition in a Caloric World04:54 Reversing Malnutrition: A New Approach to Nourishmentnicolechenard.com

The History of Food and Warnicolechenard.com

What if the story of war… has always been the story of food?In this short, powerful episode, Nicole Chenard — award-winning dietitian, performance coach, and speaker — reveals how every empire, rebellion, and modern industry has used food as a tool of control… and how that same story is playing out in our bodies and consciousness today.From the grain routes that built civilizations to the dopamine-driven diets of modern culture, this is a conversation about power, sovereignty, and the quiet revolution happening every time you choose what to feed your body — and your mind.You’ll learn:How food has been weaponized throughout history — and why it still is.The connection between nourishment, attention, and personal freedom.How to reclaim your energy, clarity, and sovereignty in a world built on distraction and depletion.This episode is a call to remember that nourishment isn’t just physical — it’s spiritual and it's your power.When you choose presence over convenience, intention over impulse, you’re not just eating… you’re leading...you're in control.Books recommended in episode (no endorsement): https://www.foodpolitics.com/https://www.foodpolitics.com/safe-food-bacteria-biotechnology-and-bioterrorism/NicoleChenard.comfood history, food and war, nourishment and power, modern food industry, psychological war, spiritual nourishment, sovereignty, embodied leadership, performance nutrition, food as control, attention economy, mind-body connection, conscious leadership, wellness podcast, personal freedom, resilience, health sovereignty, holistic health, nutrition and mindset, elite performance.

SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Nicole Chenard and Al Donatio explore Al's transformative journey from a corporate finance career to becoming an adventurous traveler and mountaineer. Al shares his experiences of overcoming personal challenges, including a cancer diagnosis, and how it reshaped his perspective on life and travel. The discussion delves into the importance of setting boundaries, the joy of exploring new cultures, and the lessons learned from trekking to K2 base camp. Al's stories highlight the significance of resilience, gratitude, and the thrill of stepping outside one's comfort zone.Keywordstravel, adventure, K2, cancer, personal growth, nutrition, hiking, cultural experiences, resilience, boundariesChapters00:00 Introduction and Background01:20 The Journey to World Travel04:01 Life Changes and New Perspectives06:31 Overcoming Challenges and Setting Boundaries09:11 Nutrition and Cancer Experience12:07 The Call of Adventure: First Big Trip14:45 Embracing the Unknown16:59 Traveling to K2 Base Camp19:49 Experiences in Pakistan22:36 The Trek to K2 Base Camp25:14 Culinary Delights on the Trek27:52 The Beauty of the Mountains30:42 Conclusion and Reflections31:46 Journey Through the Karakoram34:45 The Majesty of K235:35 Challenges on the Trek40:40 Cultural Connections and Misconceptions45:39 Personal Growth Through Travel50:36 Reflections on Life and Perspective56:42 Looking Ahead: New Adventureslearn more at https://nicolechenard.com

Summary:In this engaging conversation, Nicole Chenard, MS, RD, LDN and Brittney Slater, LMFT explore the intricate dynamics of sex therapy, focusing on the neuropsychology of pleasure, the differences in sexual desire between men and women, and practical strategies for couples to enhance intimacy. They discuss the importance of understanding the brain's response to sex, the impact of stress on sexual health, and how lifestyle choices can influence desire. The episode emphasizes the need for communication and connection in relationships, especially in high-stress environments.Takeaways:Brittney emphasizes the importance of pleasure in intimacy.Understanding the brain's response to sex can help couples cope better.Desire discrepancies between partners are common in relationships.Men often associate sexual desire with visual stimuli more than women do.Women may need to de-stress to enhance their sexual arousal.Communication is key in navigating sexual relationships.Stress management can significantly impact sexual health.Couples should work together to manage household responsibilities to reduce stress.Healthy lifestyle choices can improve sexual desire and intimacy.Brittney offers online seminars for couples to enhance their sexual relationship.Keywords:sex therapy, pleasure, intimacy, relationship dynamics, neuropsychology, sexual health, couples counseling, stress management, communication, sexual desire, nicole chenard, speakteasy, speakeasy, wellness, holistic healthChapters00:00 Introduction to Sex Therapy and Its Importance04:33 Understanding Pleasure and Intimacy10:40 The Science of Sexual Response15:47 Removing Barriers to Intimacy20:25 Navigating High-Stress Relationships24:04 Understanding Sexual Dynamics in Long-Term Relationships26:49 Addressing Mismatched Sex Drives29:33 Factors Affecting Sexual Desire33:15 The Importance of Individual Health in Relationships

Summary:In this conversation, Nicole Chenard, MS, RD, LDN discusses the critical issue of drug-drug interactions and nutrient depletion caused by various medications. She highlights specific drug categories, their common uses, and the essential nutrients that can be depleted as a result of their use. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding these interactions to prevent health issues and improve overall well-being. Nicole also encourages listeners to be proactive about their health by checking their medications and understanding their nutritional needs.Key Takeaways:Nutrient interactions with medications are often overlooked.Common drugs like NSAIDs can deplete ...Antihypertensives can lead to changes in ...Statins may reduce levels of ...Metformin can deplete vitamin B12 and ...SSRIs can change levels of folate and ...Oral contraceptives may lead to deficiencies in B12 and ...Alcohol interferes with the effectiveness of a majorly prescribed drug most people have taken many times... Addressing nutritional deficiencies is crucial for recovery from illness and wound healing.Patient education and physician education on drug-nutrient interactions and drug-drug interactions is essential.For more information and to book a free 15 minute consult, head over to www.nicolechenard.com today.Keywords:nutrient depletion, medications, health, drug interactions, vitamins, minerals, patient education, Nicole Chenard, nutrition, drugs, medicine, diet

Chapters00:00 Introduction to Nutrition and Brain Health06:49 Antioxidants: The Brain's Defense Mechanism11:51 The Role of Polyphenols in Brain Health16:34 Conclusion and Call to ActionSummary:In this conversation, Nicole Chenard discusses the critical relationship between nutrition and brain health, particularly for active duty military personnel and veterans. She emphasizes the importance of understanding chronic inflammation, the role of antioxidants, and the impact of social eating on motivation and health. Through practical dietary strategies, she aims to empower listeners to improve their brain health and overall well-being.Takeaways: Nutrition and brain health are interconnected Chronic inflammation can lead to cognitive decline Antioxidants stabilize unpaired electrons in the brain Polyphenols help control blood sugar levels Social eating can change someone's life Eating well can improve mood and motivation The brain has limited ability to combat oxidative stress Avoid refined carbohydrates for better brain health Eating with others enhances motivation to eat Your inner army needs proper nutrition to functionMore info and to contact Nicole Chenard: nicolechenard.com or instagram.com/nicole.chenardKeywords: nutrition, brain health, chronic inflammation, antioxidants, veterans, TBI, PTSD, dietary strategies, social eating, mental health, elite warriors, special ops

Show Notes: In this conversation, Nicole Chenard, an award-winning innovative Registered Dietitian and Healthy Lifestyle Coach, explores the intricate relationship between identity, personal values, and health. She discusses how identities can shape our choices and behaviors, often leading to conflicts between values. Through personal anecdotes and examples, Nicole emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in understanding one's values and identities, and how this understanding can lead to better health outcomes and a more fulfilling life. For more info, booking, and requests, visit: nicolechenard.com Keywords: identity, personal values, health, behavior change, lifestyle, nutrition, self-awareness, decision making, freedom, performance

Mental Detox and Integration for Athletes starts with Elizabeth McIntire, of Boston Brain Integration. Keywords: Kinesiology, Brain health, Brain integration, health, athlete, win, test, strategy, cutting-edge, psychology, voice, muscle testing, concussion, traumatic brain injury, TBI Learn more about Elizabeth and Brain Integration here: Boston Brain Integration Learn more about your host, Nicole Chenard, here: Nicole Chenard

Embracing the beautiful of organic conversations. Get to know your podcast host, Nicole Chenard, the woman behind the mic!

How Foreign Mary Mastered The Guinness Book of World Records in IrelandHistory of St. Patrick article from The History Channel: https://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/who-was-saint-patrickMary's Guinness Book of World Records fact-checked Irish Times article "Siege of Ennis captures a world record for Cork": https://bit.ly/4091c6IYouTube Video of referenced audio, "The World's Largest Céilí, Cork City, Ireland 2005" in episode: https://youtu.be/gP62vKS5PxUBook your nutrition session directly here: https://nicolechenard.com Keywords: St. Patrick's Day, National Nutrition Month, Ireland, County Cork, County Kerry, Waterford, Corned Beef, Cabbage, Guinness, Irish Step Dancing, World Records, Sports, Hurling, Football, Golf, Potatoes, Digestion, Irish, Nicole Chenard, Mary, Mother, Earth, Evolution, Nutrition Prescription

In this episode, Nicole Chenard discusses myth-busting military performance optimization with nutritional biochemist Dr. Rachele Pojednic. Dr. Rachele Pojednic, PhD, EdM, is an Associate Professor & Program Director of Exercise Science in the Department of Health and Human Performanceat Norwich University, where she examines therapies designed to enhance performance & recovery. She is also the Director of Scientific Research & Education at Restore Hyperwellness, a research associate at the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine at Harvard Medical School and an award-winning faculty member at the Harvard Extension School. Previously, she was a tenure track Assistant Professor in the Nutrition Department at Simmons University in Boston, MA. For the past decade, Dr. Pojednic’s work has examined nutrition, supplementation and physical activity interventions on muscle physiology, performance and recovery, as well as muscle related chronic disease. Connect with Dr. Rachele Pojednic & learn more:https://www.rachelepojednic.com/ <--- More background info, research, and educationhttps://strongprocess.com/ <--- Courses mentioned in the showhttps://www.instagram.com/rachelepojednic/ <--- Amazing myth-busting updateshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelepojednic/ <--- Keep it professionalHost: Nicole Chenard, MS, RD, LDNFounder of Major League Nutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/majorleaguenutrition/E-Mail: admin@majorleaguenutrition.comKeywords: myth-busting, military, performance, optimization, nutritional, biochemist, cryotherapy, restore, strongprocess, majorleaguenutrition, nutrition, athletes, sports, temperature, health, hormones

In this episode, Nicole Chenard breaks down carbohydrates and the basics of sugar. Hidden names for sugar. Is fruit bad for us? Where do carbohydrates fit in when I'm counting macros? How much sugar is in my wine? And more...This is a quick, unedited Q & A episode. Did you like it? Let us know! Reviews are the best way to pay it forward and help us create and publish more content.Write to: admin@majorleaguenutrition.com or DM @majorleaguenutrition on Instagram for requests and comments! Book one on one nutrition counseling sessions and order your own personalized meal plan today at majorleaguenutrition.com

Hilery Hutchinson's contact info & where to book a retreat in El Salvador:  Website: https://www.healingwithhilery.com or https://www.elsalvadorretreat.com  Email: hilery@healingwithhilery.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elsalvadorretreat   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healingwithhilery  https://sipify.me/ Use code "NICOLE" at checkout to get 10% off your entire purchase today! To book a one on one nutrition consult or a nutrition or wellness presentation with Nicole Chenard, MS, RD, LDN go to https://nicolechenard.com

Hilery Hutchinson's contact info & where to book a retreat in El Salvador: Website: https://www.healingwithhilery.com or https://www.elsalvadorretreat.com Email: hilery@healingwithhilery.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elsalvadorretreat  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healingwithhilery https://sipify.me/products/sipify%E2%84%A2-reusable-straw Use code "NICOLE" at checkout to get 10% off your entire purchase today! Book a package or 1:1 nutrition education session with Nicole TODAY here: https://nicolechenard.com

In this episode, Nicole Chenard, MS, RD, LDN explores the often ignored link between inflammation and depression. The COVID-19 pandemic uniquely impacted our ability to work, gather, and communicate, and subsequently heightened feelings of fear, anxiety, and loneliness. While many medical professionals have turned to prescribing anti-depressants to treat these symptoms, Nicole dives into reasons why this may not be an effective first approach for everyone. Fear, stress, and anxiety can stimulate an inflammatory response in the body, and the solution may not lie in pharmaceutical prescriptions, but in activities we can plan to do every day, like eating an anti-inflammatory diet and planning consistent physical activity, to help alter our body's pH and our nervous systems. Tune in this week to learn how to take steps to notice and decrease inflammation in YOUR body today.Keywords: Inflammation, fear, anxiety, depression, emotion, COVID-19, pandemic, physical activity, exercise, PTSD, stress, isolation, cytokines, anti-inflammatory, diet, mood, mental health, neuropeptide-Y, serotonin, body, nutrition, wellness, connection, medicine, military, athlete, nervous systemTo Perform Better Now, as always, head to majorleaguenutrition.com  To submit questions, send them to admin@majorleaguenutrition.com or DM us on instagram @majorleaguenutrition  Thanks for listening! To support the creation of this content, all we ask is that you "like", share, listen and repeat! A special thanks to Michelle Severs, MS for editing!It's Suicide Prevention Month, so don't hesitate to learn more and/or connect to a professional from NAMI: https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month-(SPAM) Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 Or text "HelpLine" to 62640Referenced Research: https://neurofitlab.ca/ "Move the Body, Heal the Mind" Dr. Jennifer HeiszBlog and podcast episode referenced (amygdala): https://majorleaguenutrition.com/category/nutrition/Allison, D., Nederveen, J., Snijders, T., Bell, K., Kumbhare, D., Philips, S., Parise, G., and Heisz, J.J. (2019). Exercise training impacts skeletal muscle gene expression related to the kynurenine pathway in older men. American Journal of Physiology: Cell Physiology.Lucibello, K., Parker, J., and Heisz, J.J. (2019). Examining the impact of chronic training on the state anxiety response to an acute bout of aerobic exercise in low and high anxious individuals. Journal of Affective Disorders, 247, 29-35. Paolucci, E., Loukov, D., Bowdish, D.M.E., and Heisz, J.J. (2018). Exercise reduces depression and inflammation but intensity matters. Biological Psychology, 133, 79-84. Heisz, J. J., Tejada, M.G.M., Paolucci, E.M., and Muir C. (2016). Enjoyment for High-Intensity Interval Exercise Increases during the First Six Weeks of Training: Implications for Promoting Exercise Adherence in Sedentary Adults. PLOS ONE,11(12): e0168534.Paolucci, E., and Heisz, J.J. (2015). Investigating the protective effects of high and moderate intensity cycling on psychological stress and depression in young adults. Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport. 47(1). https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwidehttps://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/03/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-reveals-how-he-beat-years-of-depression.htmlSchmeltzer SN, Herman JP, Sah R. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A translational update. Exp Neurol. 2016 Oct;284(Pt B):196-210. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.06.020. Epub 2016 Jul 2. PMID: 27377319; PMCID: PMC8375392. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8375392/

In this episode, Nicole Chenard, MS, RD, LDN breaks down the part of the brain in charge of emotions and memory - the amygdala. Why? Everyday, whether you realize it or not, you make tons of decisions based on emotions, not logic (that's the prefrontal cortex's duty). While counseling 100s of clients for health and performance goals, Nicole has noticed the trend of emotions tied to decision-making when it comes to what's getting in the way of a client's success. If you're not hungry, the solution isn't food. So what are you? Angry, frustrated, lonely, overwhelmed, feeling like you need to let loose and live a little? Well, in that case, food isn't the solution (or alcohol). Find out what IS the first step to the solution on this episode. Thanks for listening! Did you like what you heard? Sharing, downloading, liking and subscribing are the best compliments!Research Study Referenced in Episode: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17576282/Lieberman MD, Eisenberger NI, Crockett MJ, Tom SM, Pfeifer JH, Way BM. Putting feelings into words: affect labeling disrupts amygdala activity in response to affective stimuli. Psychol Sci. 2007 May;18(5):421-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01916.x. PMID: 17576282.Keywords: emotions, emotion, health, stress, brain, brain health, memory, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, nervous system, nerves, words, language, linguistics, success, nutrition, fitness, wellness, mindfulness, food, performance, athletes, military, medicine

On this episode, Nicole Chenard interviews Nick DiGiovanni, a chef on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram with 14 million followers. He was selected to Forbes 30 under 30, a finalist on MasterChef Season 10, and has several business ventures including Osmo Salt. Nick DiGiovanni is one of TikTok's top U.S. food creators with 8 million followers and more than 250 million monthly views. He was the youngest-ever finalist on MasterChef and finished third during Season 10. He’s worked in several restaurants including a 3 Michelin Star restaurant called Benu in San Francisco, CA. The Harvard graduate is currently deferring his enrollment in Harvard Business School's 2+2 program so he can focus on growing his brand and several ongoing projects. Nicole has personally known Nick since he interned for her while she was creating nutrition programs for Massachusetts General Hospital and serving as the Wellness Director at the John Nagle Co. As an outstanding intern, he also helped her with the Boston Fisheries Foundation's Boston Seafood Festival several years back. Since Nick is such a big star now, Nicole likes to joke around that she produced his first video, which is on YouTube. Nick and Nicole produced their own nutrition video without the help of professionals (we've come a long way!) and had a lot of fun recording it. Created for 9/11 veterans and their families, the video, "Improve Your Mood with Food," describes the benefits of specific foods and nutrients for emotional wellbeing, as in decreasing depression and anxiety and increasing calm and happy. If you haven't checked it out yet, it's on YouTube, listed on the Nicole Chenard channel. We hope you like it! For more information, visit: https://nicolechenard.com Keywords: chef, food, nutrition, health, travel, cuisine, culinary, Japan, influencer, Italy, cooking, Forbes, surfing, hockey, balance, meat, dance, Argentina, winter, summer, family, fresh, cook, seasons, chocolate, cacao, honey, maple syrup, aromatic, senses, umami, influencer, truffles, Ecuador, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, learn, education, big picture, Vermont, brothers, farm, intern, try, sweet corn, street food, birthday, Max Brenner, Harvard, restaurant, connection, relationships

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's Dietetic Intern, Madison MacFarland discusses with Award-Winning Dietitian Nutritionist Nicole Chenard, MS, RD, LDN, the latest research in the connection between nutrition, hormones, and sleep. Included in this discussion: how your sleep habits impact everything from your appetite, your mood, the composition of the bacteria in your gut, and your ability to detox! Learning the "new" basics can help you make informed choices when it comes to your nutrition, exercise and sleep.  This episode will help clarify why it's not that you "don't have the willpower", and there's scientific reasons why you may be grabbing ice cream or potato chips for a night time snack.  After listening, you’ll have a deeper understanding of why the stages of sleep matter and how to measure them. Also discussed: the circadian rhythm and how it affects sex hormones and hunger hormones. Villanova University's Center for Obesity Prevention & Education (COPE)Harvard Law School's Center for Health Law & Policy InnovationInteractions between sleep, stress, and metabolism: From physiological to pathological conditionsCoupled electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and cerebrospinal fluid oscillations in human sleepPlease send your questions and curiosities. Your feedback is welcomed and encouraged! Did you learn something? Is there something that you’d like to know more about? E-mail: admin@nicolechenard.com on instagram https://instagram.com/nicole.chenard or for more info, visit: https://nicolechenard.comKeywords: testosterone booster, low testosterone, increase testosterone, melatonin, insomnia, circadian rhythm, oura ring, fitbit, apple watch, garmin, tracking device, rem sleep, symptoms, sleep deprivation, sleep stages, nutrition, calories, weight gain, metabolism, metabolic dysfunction, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, nutrition and sleep, corporate wellness, harvard law school, harvard medical school, villanova university, obesity, prevention, nutritionist, nutrition expert, dietitian, registered dietitian, nutritionist near me, presentations, education, progesterone, estrogen, cortisol, hormones, pituitary gland, hormonal imbalance, hypothalamus, brain, adrenal fatigue, adrenal glands, kidneys, plants, light, eye mask, mask, sleep hygiene, medicine, doctors, medical students, nutrition education, inflammation, anti inflammatory, performance, athletes, food is medicine, education