Awake and Thriving

Meet Victor Briere, the co-founder of the International Institute of Ayurveda. He’s a gifted pulse reader specializing in ayurvedic diagnostic techniques and health counseling.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Victor about the functions and benefits of ayurvedic medicine. He explains the meaning and functions of the Vagus Nerve and the various signals it carries from the digestive system to the brain and vice versa.Listen in to learn how Ayurvedic medicine looks at the deeper causes of lifestyle diseases to completely heal them. You will also learn about the sympathetic nervous system and how it connects your digestive system to your brain. “While we want instant gratification in our mind, our body takes time to rejuvenate, heal, and repair.”- Victor [5:51]What you will learn:·       [1:00] Victor describes how Ayurvedic medicine deals with the whole body and its origin in ancient India. ·       [3:18] The art of Ayurvedic medicine- staying outside the sphere of balance makes you sick. ·       [4:58] How holistic medicine requires patience to allow the body to deeply heal and repair. ·       [9:49] The very individualized management approach and what your first visit would look like. ·       [14:41] Victor describes the lifestyle illnesses he usually encounters in ayurvedic practice and why.·       [18:04] The importance of making connection a priority both internally and physiologically today. ·       [19:14] The functions of the Vagus Nerve and the effects of a prolonged sympathetic nervous system.·       [24:12] The difference between adrenal fatigue and the sympathetic nervous system. ·       [27:01] How small issues in the body create anxiety and how to use holistic medicine to calm down. ·       [33:39] How he performs pulse reading and other holistic techniques to get the right information. ·       [42:37] The importance of matching your own body constitution and adhering to it to stay healthy.·       [45:42] Why society is continuing to get sick even with the massive technological advancement.  To order the book Pulse Unveiled, The Art and Science of Ayurvedic Pulse Readinghttps://store.bookbaby.com/book/PULSE-UNVEILED www.iiayurveda.com(School, education, workshops)pcayurveda.com(Clinic)

Meet Amy White, a board certified holistic nutritionist, and health and body coach. She teaches all frustrated, sugar-loving, calorie cutters how to ditch the dieting and eat for the body and health they want.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Amy about the keto diet as a perfect diet for weight loss even though it’s high fat. She explains the different types of diets, how they each impact your body, and why you should eat according to your body and health needs. Listen in to learn why the right food for your body will cause you to naturally eat less which makes losing weight and maintaining your weight loss just a normal part of living your everyday life.“You want to be metabolically adapted to using fuel.”- Amy [49:53]What you will learn:·       [1:29] Amy explains the types of people who work well with a keto diet and those who slide to low carb.·       [4:10] She explains the difference between keto, carnivore, and low carb diets.·       [6:09] Understanding keto diet as an extreme low sugar, low carb, and high-fat diet.·       [14:52] The benefits of sufficient protein intake for weight loss and maintaining a keto diet. ·       [18:45] Understanding the carnivore diet as an all-meat diet and when you should consider it.·       [20:54] Amy explains how to naturally do intermittent fasting and balance it with feasting. ·       [26:23] The importance of recognizing what’s happening on the inside of your body, not just the outside.·       [33:43] Understanding how to use food to communicate to your body. ·       [41:41] Understanding the good and bad metabolic adaptations and what each one means to your body. ·       [47:35] How to get metabolically adapted to using different fuel sources to manage your hunger.·       [52:00] She explains how she helps boost meals for people who ‘don’t get hungry’. ·       [54:19] The difference between nutrients hunger and hedonic hunger. Relevant Links:·      Website: https://www.thesimplicityofwellness.com/      Coaching Program: https://www.thesimplicityofwellness.com/hangry-to-healthy/      Guest Freebie: https://www.thesimplicityofwellness.com/7DayMP/      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesimplicityofwellness/      Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weightlossforeverwithamy·       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfwhitemsnc/

Meet WendyLeigh White, a practicing licensed naturopathic doctor and nutritionist for over 10 years. She empowers her patients to understand the interconnected systems of their bodies and their specific needs.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with WendyLeigh about the meaning of naturopathic and 'nature cure' medicine. She explains how she teaches her patients to tune in to the signals of their bodies, psychologically and physiologically. Listen in to learn the importance of listening to your body to understand your stress levels and how they’re impacting you. You will also learn the benefits of living in alignment with your unique design to feel and live better. “We’re designed well, and we will feel better if we live within our design most often.”- WendyLeigh [33:31] What you will learn: · [1:11] The difference between a naturopathic doctor (ND) and an MD different US states.· [4:16] WendyLeigh explains all the details that are involved during her patient’s first office visit.· [5:46] Why most of America’s population has low vitamin D.· [7:35] Take the right steps to age well and not follow in your family’s unwanted medical footprints.· [12:13] How your childhood experiences impact who you become and the choices you make as an adult.· [14:54] Understanding the deeper meaning of stress to your body and its relation to sleep.· [20:02] How to “Tune in to Your Body” and understand how stress shows up for you.· [21:53] How to use nature cure to align your body and help it stimulate its ability to heal.· [25:09] How to practice mindful eating to see its effects and make decisions based on those effects.· [32:29] The importance of living within the design of your body to feel better.· [33:50] WendyLeigh describes the program philosophy of weight-neutral, Health at Every Size, which takes the focus off of weight and looks at all choices in life that can contribute to health and not size.· [40:11] The mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical factors that contribute to your food choices.· [43:00] She talks about her own personal treatment with Chinese medicine, plus her views on supplementation.Relevant Links:·       Website: https://drwendyleighwhite.com/·       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyleighwhitend/  

Amber Fokken is the creator of ADO fitness, ADO band, Protea,  a certified personal trainer, and the author of Hippie Eats. She is passionate about leading an authentically healthy lifestyle after experiencing extreme nutrition and fitness advice early on in her career.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks to Amber as she shares about her passion for helping people heal from fitness extremes. She also shares her journey from a extreme bodybuilder to a holistic fitness trainer and how that changed her perspective on fitness for the better.Listen in to learn the importance of undertaking in-depth research before committing to any diet no matter how healthy it is deemed. You will also learn how to heal internally with what you eat.“I try to offer this better way because I want most girls who are vulnerable, who are just getting into the fitness journey to not fall into the hands of a coach that gives them years of trouble because of what they did.”- Amber Fokken [4:47] What you will learn:·       [0:31] Intro·       [1:41] She talks about her social media authenticity journey.·       [3:07] Why she decided to share about reverse dieting when following a fitness journey or competition. ·       [5:51] How she learned to heal herself from fitness extremes and became passionate about helping others heal too.·       [7:09] She explains in detail why she doesn’t identify as either a vegan or vegetarian and believes that people shouldn’t put restraints in their diets.·       [9:32] Why you should conduct due research before embarking on any type of diet including the healthy plant-based diet. ·       [11:02] Why she believes that plant-based diet is becoming more popular together with ethical protein consumption.·       [13:28] She explains the resources she utilized to educate herself on better health and fitness methods.·       [17:02] How she allowed her body to heal especially after her pregnancy which was of great help on her journey.·       [21:04] How her fitness idol inspired her to not only be physically healthy but take control of her life.·       [26:31] Why a mental compliment over a physical compliment was the best she ever received.·       [29:01] Understanding that internal health is from what you put in your mouth- think of the importance of micro nutrients in your body.Relevant Links:Website: https://ado-fitness.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishkadawn/?hl=enSurprise doggie guests Luna & Alpha Fokken w/ Kobe Robertson.

Meet Dr. Craig Mortensen, a functional medicine doctor operating out of Orange county. He graduated from Southern California University of health sciences. He is certified from the Institute of functional medicine and functional medicine university and also has certification as a QME, an EMT, and an NRCME.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks to Dr. Mortensen as he shares how an injury came as a blessing in disguise that finally pushed him to pursue functional medicine. He explains what sets functional medicine apart from naturopathic medicine and the process of treatment he uses with his patients.Listen in to learn what functional medicine really means and if it’s a method of treatment you would consider for yourself."Health is a state of complete physical and social well being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."What you will learn:• [0:31] Intro• [1:21] He explains the difference between the natural path medicine and functional medicine and how you should look for the distinction between the two. • [3:23] How a shoulder injury and disability, led him to transition from just a chiropractic to a functional medicine doctor.• [4:31] How functional medicine was used to treat his shoulder injury from the mental aspect of things.• [6:14] He explains the process that a patient goes through during their first visit and how long the whole treatment takes.• [10:23] How long has functional medicine been around?• [11:09] How other branches of alternative medicine are working together with functional medicine.• [12:13] Dr. Mortensen explains how different visits look like for a patient.• [13:21] How he personalizes a diet plan to every patient and incorporates probiotics where necessary.• [15:35] The misconception of immediate gratification. Why you need to be persistent and consistent when using functional medicine. • [17:32] He talks about other aspects of the health sector that he’s looking into. • [18:16] What does brain health mean from the functional medicine aspect?• [21:04] The obstacles that exist in the functional medicine sector.• [22:29] He describes what wellness looks to him and how the adrenal fatigue relates to stress. • [24:02] The different types of stress and how your body reacts to it in the same way as emotional stress.• [29:04] What type of patients should go see him as a functional medicine doctor?• [30:57] What to look for in a functional doctor and what the price ranges to expect. • [32:38] He explains the approach administer with supplements. The importance of Vitamin D testing.• [34:48] He talks about the software program that he and his brother are creating to lessen the burden of the initial lengthy process a patient takes before treatment and the costs that come with it.Relevant Links:https://www.functionalmedicinecalculator.com/http://bestocchiropractor.com/About_Dr._Craig_Mortensen.htmlFavorite Books:• The Second Brain• The End of Alzheimer’s  

The Awake and Thriving Podcast- Western Medicine and Holistic Health Care.In this premiere episode of The Awake and Thriving Podcast, get to know your host Andria Ryder and the purpose of this podcast. What you will learn:·         Who is Andria Ryder?·         How being in western medicine, neurosurgery, and organ donation opened her eyes to society’s sciolism about Holistic Medicine.·         How people are uneducated about holistic medicine. ·         What is the purpose of this podcast?·         Some of the questions that’ll be answered by industry experts who will be featured in this podcast.·         The importance of western medicine and holistic wellness integration.awakeandthriving.com@andriaryder

Meet Dr. Will Ferro, the founder of Betr Health, a digital health entrepreneur, and a gut health expert. He helps people restore their microbiome, uncover trigger foods and free themselves from dieting, frustration, disease and medications.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Dr. Will about gut health and the part it plays in your overall body health. He explains the top four things that cause distress in gut health and how you can change that. Listen in to learn why processed foods, overuse of antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, and toxic personal care products are overwhelming your digestive system and hence many health problems. You will also learn how you can build your body’s physiology by changing your eating habits and creating a healthy personalized food-print.“Never put something on your skin that you would not ingest in your mouth because it’s going to the same place.”- Will [12:15]What you will learn:[1:15] Dr. Will explains gut health as letting your overall body live with ease.[4:05] Why the digestive health is the root cause of autoimmune diseases. [6:04] The top four things that are causing distress to your gut health and how to reduce it. [9:19] The importance of ingesting gut-healthy foods and using all-natural skincare products.[13:50] How to get much better probiotics from natural living substances over taking just a probiotic for gut health.[16:54] He explains how his gut health program helps people approach healthy eating.[21:41] How to create your own healthy food print that focuses on digestive health. [24:27] How to build your physiology through gut health to help support your body demands. [27:00] How inflammation causes insatiable salt cravings that are harmful to your gut. [29:29] Reduce artificial sugar and salt to increase your overall health.[34:36] Understanding how fast gut health changes and the bad and good news about that.  Relevant Links:Website: https://betrhealth.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drferro/ 

Meet Leslie Kasanoff, she was a holistic chiropractor for 25 years and a medical lab scientist for 10 years. She’s now a health and wellness coach where she helps people attain natural lifetime wellness. In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Leslie Kasanoff about her transitions throughout her career and becoming a health coach. She describes the importance of hormonal health and how a good lifestyle can impact it.   Listen in to understand why your health is highly impacted by your dietary and environmental lifestyle as opposed to genetics. You will also learn what research shows about the benefits of soy and why it’s the best alternative to meat and dairy products.  “Disease is not a product of our genetics; it’s a product of our environment.”-Leslie Kasanoff What you will learn:[0:58] Leslie on her transition from a medical lab scientist to a holistic chiropractor to a health and wellness coach.[4:51] How to balance hormones healthily through diet and lifestyle without medication. [11:36] The time it takes to rebalance hormones plus how to reduce toxic things that disrupt your hormones.  [14:57] Why genetics account for a very small part in how your health turns out.[18:17] Understanding the health benefits of soy and why it’s the perfect alternative to dairy. [25:26] The meaning of whole foods and the health benefits they address. [31:02] How the food industry has targeted fat, salt, and sugar as it’s what our bodies are attracted to. [33:47] How to maintain brain health by embracing a good lifetime diet. Relevant Links:Website: https://www.drlesliek.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlesliekasanoff/ 

Meet Dr. Sneha Gazi, a physical therapist specializing in the pelvic floor and orthopedics. She specializes in treating all forms of TMJ and pelvic health issues and particularly loves working with pre and postpartum birthing parents and their babies.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Dr. Gazi about how she works with TMJ and pelvic issues patients both in person and through telehealth. She describes the pelvic floor, how it works, and the different causes of pelvic problems. Listen in to learn how pelvic muscles are treated through physical therapy without a need for surgery. You will also learn the importance of pelvic health education, especially for pre and postpartum birthing mothers to improve their quality of life. “There need to be different pieces to the puzzle when it comes to pelvic health and how you’re optimizing all of those things.”- Dr. Gazi [38:07]What you will learn:[0:59] Dr. Gazi explains how her thoughts and how her dance background led her to physical therapy.[3:29] The group of patients she works with in her orthopedics specialization.[5:10] How she conducts in-house therapy plus venturing into telehealth during the pandemic.[9:02] Why you don’t necessarily need clearing from a doctor to see a physical therapist.[12:27] Understanding the pelvic floor and how it works.  [16:57] Causes of loose pelvic muscles and how to strengthen them without surgery. [19:44] Factors that contribute to healing the prolapse in different people.[23:21] The positive and negative effects of Kegels and vaginal weights. [30:28] The process of conducting the external and internal pelvic evaluation. [35:25] The importance of educating yourself on pelvic health to protect yourself. [39:52] The importance of pelvic floor health during labor to improve your quality of life.[45:46] The causes of Diastasis recti during pregnancy and obesity and the possible treatment. Relevant Links:Website: https://www.snehaphysicaltherapy.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snehaphysicaltherapy/ 

In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Dr. Paul K, a neurosurgeon. He talks about the importance of sleep and the negative effects of sleep deprivation. Listen in to understand the meaning of love and its relation to stress, taking risks, and hormones. You will also learn the different ways you can utilize your brain and enhance its functionality for longer as you get older. “There are three phases of love; lust, attraction, and attachment and they’re all valuable.” [21:34]What you will learn:[1:13] The importance of sleep and the negative health effects of sleep deprivation.[6:15] The value of having nap time and quiet time to relax your brain. [7:16] How sleep deprivation affects your cardiovascular health. [11:10] How hard drugs negatively affects your system and your ability to sleep. [15:43] The importance of patient care for brain surgery patients with hard drug problems. [19:02] Understanding the scientific meaning of love and the three stages of it.[26:42] The different things you can utilize your brain to enhance its functionality. [29:33] Dr. Paul talks about the books he’s currently reading. Book Mentioned:The Great Influenza by John M. Barry

Meet Victor Briere, the co-founder of Pacific Coast Ayurveda and the International Institute of Tantric and Vedic Sciences. He’s a gifted pulse reader specializing in ayurvedic diagnostic techniques and health counseling.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Victor about the meaning of diseases and chronic diseases in ayurvedic. He explains the meaning of addiction in ayurvedic medicine and the pathology that causes it. Listen in to learn how to develop habits that nurture your sleep habits to avoid suffering from insomnia. You will also learn why nutritional problems don’t necessarily need to be caused by nutritional causes. “The mind and the body are completely connected, they’re one.”- Victor [35:57]What you will learn:[1:11] Understanding disease and symptoms according to ayurvedic medicine.[4:38] How according to ayurvedic medicine, a disease starts way before the symptoms appear. [9:23] The importance of changing your lifestyle and taking gentle herbal supplements to care for your gut.[13:12] Why chronic illnesses are largely caused by people’s lifestyles.[15:34] How relational issues and dietary habits affect your sleep cycles and how to improve.[22:01] How to change your unhealthy lifestyle by approaching your emotional attachments.[25:25] Victor explains in detail why nutrition is deeper than just the nutrients. [32:16] How to find solutions to solve the relational issues that cause nutritional problems.[34:57] Understanding the meaning of addiction in ayurvedic medicine. To order the book Pulse Unveiled, The Art and Science of Ayurvedic Pulse Readinghttps://store.bookbaby.com/book/PULSE-UNVEILED www.iiayurveda.com(School, education, workshops)

Meet Dr. Anita Wang, a board-certified MD with an anti-aging specialty for over 35 years. She utilizes an integrative approach to find the root cause of health issues, blending the best of conventional, naturopathic, and holistic medicine. In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Dr. Anita about functional medicine and how it looks at the general wellness of a patient. She explains the difference between functional and conventional medicine and why the former is an addition to the latter, not a replacement. Listen in to understand the benefits of the four basic pillars of health which are food, movement, mood, and relaxation. You will also learn how to eliminate toxins in your system to reduce the risk of hormonal cancer.“You need somebody who’s got a tool chest that’s a lot bigger than just one area.”- Dr. Anita [43:03]What you will learn:[1:07] Dr. Anita narrates the emotional story that led her to practice functional medicine. [6:16] The reactivity of primary medicine vs. the proactivity of functional medicine. [10:15] How to make your golden years golden by eliminating too much information in your body.[13:18] The steps she takes her patients through to find the root cause of health issues. [20:16] The four basic pillars of good health that you need to work on before testing for any issues. [28:58] Understanding the good, the bad, and the ugly of toxins in your body and how to eliminate them to reduce the risk of hormonal cancer.[32:38] The ongoing process of detoxification to improve your quality of life.[38:26] She talks about her favorite green morning drink.  [41:07] Why functional medicine is another tool and not a replacement for conventional medicine.Relevant Links:https://www.anitawangmd.com/

Meet Danielle Ingenito, a master intuitive healer, and an expert in healing after toxic relationships. She helps women discover how their Childhood Trauma is causing chaos in their adult life and believes that everyone deserves to feel loved by others and themselves. In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Danielle about how codependency, narcissism, and empathy affect relationships. She explains in detail how empath co-dependents and empath narcissists work with their energy.Listen in to learn the energy that you exhibit and how you form attachments with others. You will also learn the difference between how we connect to psychic capabilities and intuition energy.“There’s no space or time between energy, so you don’t have to physically be around them to take on their energy.”- Danielle [21:32]What you will learn:[1:08] How Danielle’s experience with toxic relationships and energy healing led her to help others. [4:20] Understanding how your co-dependency on your work leads to toxic relationships.[7:36] The process of how narcissists work to hurt you in the relationship without empathy. [12:22] How empaths take on other people’s emotions and how that negatively affects you.  [16:48] Understanding how empath co-dependents and empath narcissists work with their energy. [18:26] How severely co-dependent people in a relationship exhibit insecurities and untrusting feelings. [20:57] The key to knowing you have some else’s attachment on you.[23:08] Tips on how to protect your energy as a highly sensitive empath. [26:08] The true meaning of psychic energy and its difference from intuition.  [31:03] Why we shut down our psychic energy because of fear and judgment, plus how to regain it.[32:48] How Danielle helps women work with their stuck childhood energy to heal. Relevant Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleingenitomasterhealer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanielleDeeIngenito

Meet Amy White, a holistic nutritionist, and health and body coach. She teaches all frustrated, sugar-loving, calorie cutters how to ditch the dieting and eat for the body and health they want.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Amy on how to use diet to transform prediabetes and achieve a healthy metabolism. She explains how different bodies react differently to different nutrients intakes and how you can balance these nutrients according to your body’s needs.Listen in to learn the importance of ‘breaking up’ with sugar to get back in touch with the needs of your body. You will also learn the importance of regulating your sugar and fat intake to have a healthy metabolism.“If you do it right, you’ll understand what works for your body and what doesn’t work for your body and you’ll know that by how you feel.”- Amy [7:46]What you will learn:[0:54] How to completely transform prediabetic by readjusting your diet.[4:17] Understanding what works and doesn’t work for your body to eliminate your fear of food.[9:53] Simple at-home tests to measure your insulin resistance levels.[13:12] Understanding how body fat behaves on different bodies and how it sheds from the inside.[21:08] How to shift your body by making dietary and exercise changes consistently.[26:09] How to use food to communicate with your body and help it work with you instead of against you.[30:57] How getting rid of sugar in your diet will help satisfy nutrients hunger.[34:28] Learning to understand your hunger cues to feed your body when you’re truly hungry.[43:08] Why you need to find a balance with your ideal individual eating habits.[45:20] Learning how to regulate the sugar you put in your body to become metabolically flexible.Relevant Links:Website: https://amywhitenutrition.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyfwhitemsnc/

Meet Erika Marcoux, the host and producer of Your Truth Revealed podcast, a mindfulness teacher, yoga instructor, co-author of Foundations for Living Mindfully, and team captain for NAMI. She has a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and almost 20 years of experience and is passionate about helping others thrive.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Erika Marcoux on reconnecting with your soul and develop true love for yourself. She explains how you can transform your mindset by healing from the inside. Listen in to learn the importance of allowing yourself to undergo the creative and self-authoring life stage. You will also learn the importance of meditation and mindfulness in allowing your brain to continue thriving.What you will learn:[1:06] How personal events led Erika to help people with their mental health and mindfulness.[5:43] How she helps people reconnect with their soul by looking on the inside. [10:10] The process of changing your beliefs from limiting beliefs by use of affirmation. [13:44] The yogi psychology- learning to live for yourself and from an empowered place. [17:47] How to develop a loving and compassionate love with yourself. [21:54] The different life stages and what each means to your growth as you grow older.Relevant Links:Website: https://www.erikamarcoux.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emarcoux/

Meet Debbie Emick, co-creator and blogger at gobucketyourself.com, the co-host of the "One Life. Live It!", and author of The Other Side Of Perfect: Discovering the Mind- Body Connection to Healing Chronic Illness. She’s also a survivor of multiple chronic illnesses/autoimmune diseases. In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Debbie about her journey with chronic illnesses and the path she took to find healing by accessing her mind-body connection. She explains how she worked through her internal responses to heal her physical body and by incorporating both Western and Holistic medicine. Listen in to learn why it is important for doctors to focus on their patient’s mental health as much as they do their physical health. You will also learn why you should first focus on your internal health rather than putting too much importance on a diagnosis.“Until I really dealt with my own internal response distress, it didn’t matter how much stress I eliminated because I would just find something else to stress about.”- Debbie [34:01]What you will learn:• [1:11] Debbie talks about her struggles with autoimmune diseases before she found the benefits of mental and emotional health. • [7:16] How she figured out her allergies and intolerance by experimenting and seeking professional help. • [10:33] How Debbie’s chiropractor identifies herself with a familiar term to relate to her patients. • [16:41] She explains the physical and emotional health practices she does, plus her self-care routine. • [18:32] Why she has switched most of her supplements with what she’s sure she needs plus healthy oils. • [21:32] Why doctors should combine treating both physical and mental health for the benefits of their patients. • [28:00] Understanding why you don’t need a diagnosis and should seek to first heal your internal self. • [29:21] Debbie answers some funs questions.• [32:19] She describes how she dealt with her internal response to stress to be mentally healthy.• [37:43] Learning how to detach from things you identify with and instead find the real you.  Books Mentioned:• The Body Keeps the Score Bessel van der Kolk• When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress by Gabor Maté• Expressive Writing: Words that HealAuthor, The Other Side of Perfect: Discovering the Mind-Body Connection to Healing Chronic IllnessGet your copy of the book and claim your FREE companion journalCheck out our podcast, One Life. Live It!Find me on Instagram @imperfectprogress.me

Meet Jillian Rifkind, an acupuncturist and Eastern Asia bodyworker who specializes in nutritional therapy using traditional foods and supplements, healing musculoskeletal pain through meridian balancing and gentle movements, and improving mental health and vitality.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Jillian about visceral manipulation therapy and how organs can create physiological pain in other parts of our bodies. She explains the need to listen to your body and address the underlying problem instead of taking drugs that only take away the pain.Listen in to learn the benefits of not eating inflammatory foods for your overall organ health. You will also learn about sound healing which is using a body’s vibrations to tell it to transmit things better.  “Looking inward and listening to our body and finding things to balance and harmonize can be really important.”- Jillian [27:37] What you will learn:·       [1:36] Jillian explains her background in visceral manipulation, acupuncture, and how to use the body from a functional perspective.·       [3:49] The stress we create in our organs that create physiological pain and why movement can be helpful.·       [5:47] The importance of taking inflammatory foods off your diet for your organ health.·       [9:48] How fixations in the internal organs system create discomfort or pain in other body parts.·       [13:38] She explains the method she uses to analyze patient’s conditions which might include therapy or listening techniques.·       [16:10] Sound healing definition, benefits, and the sessions that Jillian does with her patients which range from one to many depending on individual problems.·       [27:06] The importance of listening to your body and looking for things to balance in the inside plus addressing the underlying problem, not relying on painkillers.·       [23:32] She talks about her current read which is Breathless by James Nestor and its discussion on the health benefits of mouth taping.·       [31:16] The nutritional benefits of eating meat which helps fuel the body in ways that plant-based meals can’t and how climatic conditions affects what our bodies need. Relevant Links:Website: https://dahliacenter.com/jillianrifkind LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-rifkind-80771a46/ 

Meet Dr. Alice Kerby, a doctor of Physical Therapy and Somatic Trauma practitioner. She’s passionate about restoring movement in her patients and sees profound results and success with a wide range of ages and conditions. In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Dr. Alice about chronic traumatic stress and how it affects the body. She describes certain practices that you can apply when in stressful situations to allow the stress to settle and avoid going into chronic stress.Listen in to learn the importance of building a resilient nervous system to help get rid of past chronic trauma patterns that stop you from feeling more yourself. “If we’re able to build resiliency in the nervous system it means we’re building resiliency up for chronic stress and being able to respond better when stuff happens that’s out of our control.”- Dr. Alice [12:39]What you will learn:·       [0:55] Dr. Alice explains how the body is designed to respond to stressful situations and how that transforms into chronic stress which is a major problem. ·       [5:00] The techniques you need to practice to allow stress response to settle to avoid chronic stress.·       [6:48] Somatic experiencing- allowing a person to feel what’s happening to their body when they undergo traumatic situations.·       [11:54] How to build resilience in the nervous system by clearing out past chronic trauma patterns to feel more yourself. ·       [15:48] Learning to be aware of what your conscious mind is doing and what is happening to your body around that.·       [16:47] The importance of changing your language to something motivational that allows you to work and take rest when the need comes.·       [23:24] Dr. Alice takes us through an exercise to allow us to feel our whole body by engaging all of our five senses.·       [29:18] She talks about the best compliment she’s received recently and the book she’s been reading. Relevant Links:Website: https://www.kerbymethod.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-alice-kerby-62269942/ 

Meet Dr. Ji Woon, a Canadian licensed naturopathic doctor specializing in women’s health. She treats the whole person by focusing on the body’s innate intelligence to heal using clinical nutrition, lifestyle medicine, strategic supplementation of nutraceuticals, botanical medicine, and homeopathy to restore balance.In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Dr.  Ji Woon about fertility and infertility in both women and men. She explains the importance of a regular menstrual cycle in determining egg health and eventually treating infertility.Listen in to learn the steps you need to take to protect your fertility health for both men and women. You will also learn how to increase progesterone levels in your body- the hormone responsible for maintaining a pregnancy. “To achieve optimal fertility, we need to have a regular cycle, if the period is irregular and we cannot expect when to have sex to have a baby, then that is going to be a problem.”- Dr.  Ji Woon [10:42]What you will learn:·       [1:19] Dr.  Ji Woon describes the thorough menstrual cycle assessment she conducts on women as part of the first step of treatment.·       [3:38] How taking basic health steps during her pregnancy drove her to her path of healing ITP completely.·       [7:56] How PCOS and hyperthyroidism  and other conditions that affect fertility levels in women. ·       [11:49] How basal body temperature guides the doctor with more targeted fertility treatments. ·       [14:22] She describes the two phases of the menstrual cycle- follicular and luteal phase and how they determine the health of the egg.·       [15:37] The importance of progesterone-making nutrients like magnesium B6 which will in turn help you get pregnant.  ·       [17:52] Why you should take the FSH, LH, and estrogen blood tests to test for fertility levels and when they should be done.·       [20:45] Why the 5-MTHF folate is better than folic acid when it comes to improving fertility health.·       [23:39] Understanding where a woman’s cramps are triggered from- improper diet and other health issues.·       [25:51] Dr.  Ji Woon explains why she’s not a fan of birth control pills due to their long-term negative effects on bodies.·       [28:37] How naturopathic medicine helps your body work smarter and better for you.·       [30:10] The importance of men getting tested for fertility because 50% of all cases of infertility is male infertility.·       [32:55] The little small steps you need to take to protect your fertility for both men and women.·       [34:50] The health benefits of having sexual intercourse regularly that you probably didn’t know about. Relevant Links:Website: https://jiwoonmin.com/ https://jiwoonmin.com/fertilitysupport

Meet Dr. Karen Jones, a retired Ob/ Gyn doctor, energy healer, and transformational facilitator.  She helps people transform their lives from struggle and strive to thriving, to increase health, vitality, and joy. In this episode of the Awake and Thriving Podcast, Andria speaks with Dr. Karen about her transition from an Ob/ Gyn to an energy healer and how that changed her view on medicine and healing in general. She explains how she began to think of what could make her patients and her healthy instead of what makes them sick after attending an energy healing school. Listen in to learn the benefits of holistic medicine over western medicine and how they both can be integrated. “We see each other as competition instead of collaborator coming directly from that belief in lack.”- Karen [17:09] What you will learn:·       [1:03] Karen narrates how she ended up in medicine working as an Ob/ Gyn doctor.·       [3:50] The second chakra emotional development- how she began to think around what helps us to be healthy rather than what’s making us sick.·       [7:02] How she was living all in her head not wanting to deal with uncomfortable feelings and how going to energy healing school helped her balance her mind and body together and then bring it to her patients.·       [9:41] She explains how she integrated energy healing to her Ob/ Gyn job while showing support to her team before retiring. ·       [13:20] How she helps women transform their lives one-on-one basis and is looking to help many more in group settings.·       [14:43] Learning how to be aware of unhealthy fear tendencies that lead us, women, not to support each other.·       [21:38] The importance of integrating and embracing holistic medicine into western medicine. ·       [27:36] How holistic medicine allows patients to be self-responsible for their health. ·       [33:12] The relationship of energy healing with physics and how it impacts the mental, physical, and emotional body fields. FB - https://www.facebook.com/karen.wholeselfIG - Karen Jones, MD & Mentor (@karenjonesmdthrive) • Instagram photos and videosI invite women to join my free FB group - Driven Women Ready to Unleash Their Luscious Life! - facebook.com/groups/selfmasterywithkarenFree gift - an 8 minute guided audio to help you to connect with your power and your resourceful self!  Link to signup page - Free Be In Your Body guided audio