The Health Bridge Podcast with Holly B.

WHAT IF YOUR AUTOIMMUNE SYMPTOMS AREN'T ALL FROM YOUR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE? Could gut health and the microbiome be contributing to your autoimmune symptoms, chronic inflammation, fatigue, brain fog, or digestive problems? In this episode of The Health Bridge Podcast, Holly B. explores the connection between gut health, the gut microbiome, dysbiosis, inflammation, autoimmune disease, and the gut-brain connection with Dr. Sulaiman Bharwani (Dr. Sal), a board-certified gastroenterologist and nutritionist, microbiome expert, and founder of GutRewired. If you have an autoimmune condition and continue to experience chronic symptoms—even when your disease appears to be under control—this conversation will help you understand why looking at the gut may be an important piece of the bigger picture. Together, Holly and Dr. Sal explore what we currently understand about the microbiome and autoimmune disease, how gut dysfunction may influence inflammation and immune function, and how the gut and brain continuously communicate with one another. This isn't about claiming that gut health can "cure" autoimmune disease. It's about becoming more curious about your symptoms, understanding the multiple factors that influence your health, and learning to see your microbiome as an ally rather than something that simply needs to be "fixed." With more than 30 years of experience in research, education, and clinical care, Dr. Sal brings a unique perspective to this conversation—translating complex science about the gut, brain, microbiome, and nutrition into practical strategies people can use in everyday life. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE • Why dysbiosis may play a significant role in autoimmune disease • How the microbiome helps train and regulate the immune system • The relationship between gut health, inflammation, and the gut barrier • Why autoimmune symptoms may not always tell the whole story • How to investigate whether gut issues may be contributing to your symptoms • What microbiome testing can—and cannot—currently tell us • Why plant diversity matters for a healthy microbiome • The role of fermented foods, probiotics, and prebiotics • How the gut communicates with the brain • How stress can influence gut symptoms and the gut-brain connection • The potential role of gut-directed hypnotherapy • Why Dr. Sal believes your microbiome should be viewed as an ally • How foundational habits like sleep, hydration, nutrition, breathing, and movement support gut health ABOUT DR. SAL Dr. Sulaiman Bharwani (Dr. Sal) is a board-certified gastroenterologist and nutritionist with more than 30 years of experience in research, education, and clinical care. He is the founder of GutRewired and has nearly 100 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals. His work focuses on translating complex science around the gut, brain, microbiome, and nutrition into practical strategies people can use in everyday life. Dr. Sal is also a sought-after educator and speaker who has taught and presented at universities and medical conferences around the world. RESOURCES Free Daily Thrive Guide + Wellness Tracker: https://subscribepage.io/dailyguide Healing Breakthrough Session: https://tidycal.com/workwithhollyb/breakthrough-call Women Healing Autoimmune — Free Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenhealingautoimmune/ Learn more from Dr. Sal at GutRewired: https://gutrewired.com/ CONNECT WITH HOLLY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/health_bridge_coaching/ The Health Bridge Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHealthBridgePodcast SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/healthbridgeapple Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/healthbridgespotify UPCOMING EVENT WITH DR. SAL If you're in the San Diego area or will be visiting at the end of October, Dr. Sal will be joining us for an in-person event. Details are still being finalized. Reach out to Holly or Dr. Sal if you'd like information about attending. A QUESTION TO CONSIDER What if your diagnosis is only one piece of the story—and your body is giving you more information than you've been taught to hear? I'd love to hear from you: Have you ever wondered whether all of your symptoms were actually coming from your autoimmune condition? DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nothing discussed on this podcast should replace individualized medical advice. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding your health, medications, symptoms, testing, and treatment decisions.

What If Your Autoimmune Disease Isn't the Root Cause? | Dr. Sam Shay What if your autoimmune diagnosis is only part of the story? In this episode, Dr. Sam Shay and I explore what may be happening beneath an autoimmune diagnosis and why understanding your body's unique "root process" may be more useful than simply managing symptoms. Dr. Sam explains how genetics, gut health, lifestyle, stress, sleep, environmental factors, and metabolic health can all contribute to immune dysregulation. We also discuss functional testing, genetic testing, and why "normal" lab results don't always tell the whole story. But perhaps the most important part of this conversation is what happens when we stop viewing the body as broken and start recognizing symptoms as communication. Dr. Sam shares his own experience discovering that his genetics helped explain some of the patterns he was experiencing—and the powerful realization that led him to say, "I forgave my body." Because healing isn't about fighting your body into submission. It's about learning to listen, understand, and partner with it. What You'll Learn Why an autoimmune diagnosis may not explain the whole picture Dr. Sam's "root process" model of autoimmunity How genetics can provide clues about your individual health patterns The major categories of functional testing Why "normal" labs don't always mean optimal health How genetics, gut health, lifestyle, and environment interact Where Dr. Sam recommends starting with testing Why your genes aren't your destiny How changing your relationship with your body can change your healing journey Why your body may not be broken—it may be communicating Resources Daily Thrive Guide + Wellness Tracker: https://dailyguide.subscribepage.io/ Free Healing Breakthrough Session: https://tidycal.com/workwithhollyb/breakthrough-call Women Healing Autoimmune Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenhealingautoimmune Guest Resources Dr. Sam Shay: https://drsamshay.com/ FitGenes USA: https://fitgenesusa.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsamshay/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drsamshay Follow Holly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/health_bridge_coaching/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHealthBridgePodcast Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/healthbridgeapple Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/healthbridgespotify The Question to Consider What if your symptoms aren't your body failing you—but your body communicating with you? Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your healthcare or treatment plan.

Have your symptoms suddenly changed—and immediately wondered if your autoimmune disease is getting worse? For women living with autoimmune disease, perimenopause and menopause can create a confusing overlap. Fatigue, joint pain, poor sleep, brain fog, digestive changes, headaches, and weight changes can all leave you wondering: Is this an autoimmune flare, changing hormones, or something else? In this episode, Holly sits down with Functional Medicine Nutritionist Cindy Dupuie to explore the connection between hormones, digestion, inflammation, and autoimmunity. They discuss why symptoms can become harder to interpret during perimenopause, how hormonal changes can affect digestion and inflammation, the challenges of hormone testing, HRT, self-advocacy, and the importance of looking at the bigger picture when your body starts changing. Most importantly, this conversation explores how to pay attention to your body without automatically interpreting every new symptom through the lens of fear. Because a changing body isn't necessarily a failing body. Sometimes, it's asking you to listen in a new way. In this episode, you'll learn: Why perimenopause and autoimmune symptoms can be difficult to distinguish How changing hormones can affect digestion and inflammation Why you may feel different even when your autoimmune markers remain stable How to investigate new symptoms and advocate for yourself Why hormone care isn't one-size-fits-all Where HRT and holistic approaches can work together How to pay attention to your body without becoming hypervigilant Connect with Cindy Dupuie Website: https://alivingbalance.net/ Resources Daily Thrive Guide & Wellness Tracker: https://subscribepage.io/dailyguide Apply for a Healing Breakthrough Session: https://tidycal.com/workwithhollyb/breakthrough-call Connect with Holly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/health_bridge_coaching/ Remember: Your body changing doesn't mean your body is failing you. Sometimes it simply means it's asking you to listen in a new way.

What if your body isn't working against you... but communicating something you haven't yet learned how to hear? When you live with lupus or another autoimmune condition, it's easy to approach your body as a problem to fix. Find the right supplement. Follow the right protocol. Eliminate the symptom. But what if healing requires something deeper than fixing? In this episode, I'm joined by Blaise Kennedy, a teacher of embodied, relational spirituality whose work explores nervous system healing, trauma, intuition, connection, consciousness, and what it means to become more fully embodied. We explore what happens when we stop fighting the body and begin listening to it, why being truly heard and received can help the nervous system relax, and how we can rebuild trust in our own intuition. Blaise and I also talk about the connection between trauma and the body, the importance of community and co-regulation, why illness shouldn't automatically be viewed as a personal failure, and his provocative perspective that illness may sometimes be part of a larger process of healing and transformation. If you've ever felt like your body is betraying you, this conversation may invite you to see your healing journey through a completely different lens. In This Episode: Why we instinctively approach illness as a problem to fix Moving from fighting your body to listening to it How being heard and received can help the nervous system relax Rebuilding trust in your intuition Trauma, stored emotion, and disconnection in the body The body's innate intelligence The role of community, connection, and co-regulation Why "it's my responsibility, but it's not my fault" is such a powerful distinction Why illness may be part of a larger healing process Creating the conditions for healing rather than simply suppressing symptoms Connect with Blaise Kennedy Website: Blaise Kennedy Connect with Holly Instagram: Health Bridge Coaching with Holly B. Free Daily Thrive Guide & Wellness Tracker: Download the Daily Thrive Guide Healing Breakthrough Session: Apply for a Healing Breakthrough Session Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The views expressed by Holly Beck and her guests are their own and should not replace individualized medical care. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or treatment plan.  

Healing doesn't happen because of one big decision—it happens because of hundreds of small ones. The cup of tea you choose to drink. The food you put on your plate. The thoughts you repeat. The people you surround yourself with. Every one of those choices is either creating an environment where your body can heal... or making that healing more difficult. In Part 2 of Holly's conversation with holistic health educator Karen "ZuZu" Armes, the focus shifts from healing philosophy to practical action. Together, they explore simple, affordable ways to reduce inflammation, support the nervous system, and build daily habits that create a strong foundation for long-term health. Karen shares her favorite herbal teas for adrenal support, explains why chronic inflammation prevents healing, breaks down the science behind antioxidants and grounding, and offers practical ways to reduce the toxic burden many of us unknowingly place on our bodies. But this conversation goes beyond herbs and nutrition. Holly and Karen also explore the powerful connection between mindset, relationships, self-worth, and physical healing—reminding us that lasting wellness is built one intentional choice at a time. In this episode, you'll discover: Karen's favorite herbal teas for inflammation and adrenal support Why inflammation keeps the body from healing The connection between antioxidants, oxidative stress, and chronic illness How grounding may support nervous system regulation and overall wellness Practical anti-inflammatory habits that don't have to break the bank Why investing in healthy food today can reduce healthcare costs tomorrow How your thoughts, relationships, and environment influence your healing Why small, consistent choices matter more than chasing the perfect protocol Resources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/health_bridge_coaching/ Apply for a Healing Breakthrough Session: https://tidycal.com/workwithhollyb/breakthrough-call Free Daily Thrive Guide + Wellness Tracker: https://subscribepage.io/dailyguide Watch Part 1 with Karen "ZuZu" Armes: When Illness Becomes Your Identity — How to Reclaim Your Power & Heal Connect with Karen "ZuZu" Armes: https://www.zuzuunleashed.com/ Karen's Adrenal Tea Recipe: https://www.holistichealtheducators.com/blog/karen-s-adrenal-tea     Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your specific health concerns.