218: Top 7 Episodes of 2022

Today I am recommending seven of my most popular episodes this year. If you are new to my podcast or have not been able to keep up with all of my content, this episode is for you. This episode will give you a taste of what we mean when we say lifestyle medicine. You will learn about nutrition, sleep, building healthy relationships, and finding a support group. 

Stick around! 

Friends, I will attend the Podcast Movement conference here in Dallas this week. While I attend the conference to learn how to improve my show, I want to leave you with a special episode.  

This year I have recorded close to seventy episodes under my new brand, Healthy Lifestyle Solutions. I thought it would be a great idea to recommend seven of my most popular interviews this year.  

We have lots of new listeners. If you are new to my podcast and want an idea of where to start listening, I recommend you listen to this entire episode. You will hear the soundbites of the top seven episodes of this year so far.  

We will cover topics related to heart disease, G.I. issues, intuitive eating, diet culture, the importance of a support group, the connection between the brain and the gut, autoimmune disease, building stronger relationships, and so much more.  

Lifestyle medicine is a medical approach that uses evidence-based behavioral interventions to prevent, treat, and in some cases, reverse chronic disease. 

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine trains and educates health professionals on these lifestyle interventions, also called pillars. They include nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, social support, and reducing the use of risky substances.  

Every year, health professionals have the opportunity to become board certified in lifestyle medicine. Many go on to begin programs to educate their patients in these modalities. Some change their practices to reflect the use of lifestyle medicine. My guests are trained in lifestyle medicine and will initially share their health stories and how they now support others.  

154: Organic Plant-Based Foods For Natural Healing with Jarrod and Anita  Roussel  

#1 Jarrod is a Physician Assistant and Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Anita is a nurse with her BSN and Certification as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach.  

Years ago, when Anita's health suffered, they tried to find answers to the traditional route without success. They knew there must be something they could do to turn things around! For Anita, this way of living had to be simple, enjoyable, and delicious if she would do it for a lifetime. After digging through the research and learning solid, science-backed nutritional principles, she was able to get rid of pain and autoimmune symptoms, lose extra pounds, and regain the energy she'd been missing for years! 

So together, they co-founded the Power On Plants Society and Podcast to teach women how to heal their pain, fatigue, and chronic health conditions, enjoyably, with whole plant foods. 

Let's listen in as Anita shares her story of facing chronic health issues. 

Anita restored her health and is now thriving. Jarrod and Anita created a program to support women in taking back their health. They talk about the importance of mindset.  

Let's learn about their membership program and their podcast. What would they change if they had to do it all over again? 

To listen to the full episode, please visit: https://www.healthylifestylesolutions.org/154 

152: Helping Individuals in Living an Energetic and Sustainable Lifestyle with Koen Vaessen

#2 Koen Vaessen is a vegan health coach from The Netherlands living in Slovenia. He is now using his skills to coach professionals and eco-driven entrepreneurs to make lasting lifestyle changes and live a vibrant vegan life. 

Let's meet Koen.  

Tell us why diets do not work.  

Koen goes on to explain emotional eating and what the real reason is behind most addictions.  

We learn about emotional resiliency, self-awareness, and limiting beliefs as he supports his clients in developing healthy and sustainable lifestyle changes.  

Make sure to listen to the full episode to learn more about emotional and mental health to heal addictive behaviors.  

Visit: https://www.healthylifestylesolutions.org/152

162: Healthy Eating Guide In Today's World with Dr. Monique May 

#3 Dr. Monique May, the Physician In The Kitchen ®, is a Board-Certified licensed Family Physician with over twenty years of clinical experience. A  native New Yorker, she has called Charlotte, NC home for most of the past twenty-three years. She graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in psychology. She obtained her medical degree with honors from Temple University School of Medicine. 

Dr. May completed her internship and residency in Family Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center  (now Atrium) in Charlotte, NC, where she was named Resident of the Year. A lifelong learner, she completed a Masters of Healthcare Administration at the George Washington University School of Public Health. Dr. May received the Physician of the Year award in 2019. 

Let's meet Dr. May. 

Dr. May speaks to us about heart health and what we can do to reduce our risks for heart disease. 

Listen to the rest of the episode to learn about Dr. May's books and programs. She supports her community in making a transition toward eating more plant-based foods.  

To listen to the full episode, please visit: 

https://www.healthylifestylesolutions.org/162

161: Lifestyle Modifications To Optimize Health with Dr. Melissa Mondala 

#4 Dr. Melissa Mondala is triple-board certified in family medicine, lifestyle medicine, and primary care psychiatry. She serves as faculty at Loma  Linda University Preventive/Lifestyle Medicine Department, a blue zone for longevity. She currently sits on the American College of Lifestyle Medicine  Board of Directors and is a Diplomate of Lifestyle Medicine. She planted seeds of change in the community through lecturing at local medical schools, veg fest, and virtual summits.  

Dr. Mondala's health problems began in high school and followed her for years.  

I asked Dr. Mondala to discuss Telehealth and why it works.  

Dr. Mondala has taken a deep interest in screening her patients for mental health issues related to depression, anxiety, and PTSD in hopes of offering appropriate support. 

Listen in to the rest of the interview as Dr. Mondala discusses the relationship between the brain and the gut.  

To listen to the full episode, please visit: 

https://www.healthylifestylesolutions.org/161

159: Making Your Life, Relationships, and Fitness The Best They Can Be with Michele & Dean Yasuda 

#5 Michele and Dean Yasuda are certified Big Leap Coaches and Hendricks Institute Leadership and Transformation Program graduates. They are the Co-founders of Michele and Dean, LLC, a company dedicated to Awakening Aliveness by inspiring all of us to harmonize with our purpose so we can fully engage in our lives. Michele and Dean offer  Relationship, Life, and Fitness Coaching and programs designed to support you in living your best life. 

We frequently bring old traumas and habits into our romantic relationships that lead couples to aggravate one another. But how do we cultivate a conscious connection that is loving, fun, and thriving? Dive in as Michele and Dean Yasuda talk about shifting our focus from blaming and criticizing to seeing our spouse as an ally.  

Michele tells us that we have an inner wisdom that we need to tap into. What are the common issues that most couples face? 

Michele describes the idea that we are the creators of our experiences. We must come from a place of one hundred percent responsibility for our relationship. Taking the perspective that our partner is doing for us and not against us can help us feel empowered.  

In their coaching, Michele and Dean guide us in tuning into what our bodies are trying to communicate. By listening to our bodies, we can live in truth and integrity.  

Make sure to listen to the rest of the interview to learn about fear melters, which are physical exercises we can do when fear kicks in. They discuss love scoops and breathing for self-love and self-care.  

To listen to the full episode, please visit: 

https://www.healthylifestylesolutions.org/159

168: How Women Can Prioritize Self-Care by Getting Enough Sleep with Dr. Cindy Geyer 

#6 Dr. Cindy Geyer graduated with honors from the Ohio State University  College of Medicine. She completed a residency in internal medicine at  Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.Y., and is triple board certified in internal medicine, integrative medicine, and lifestyle medicine. She joined the Ultrawellness Center after 23 years at Canyon Ranch in Lenox as their medical director. 

Dr. Geyer has served 20 years on the faculty for The Center for Mind-Body  Medicine's "Food as Medicine" conference, teaching physicians and other healthcare professionals about the power and practice of lifestyle approaches for themselves and their patients. A past member of the Board of Directors for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, she currently co-chairs the Women's Health Member Interest Group. Dr. Greyer is the  case series editor for the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.  

She recently authored the chapter on sleep in the first edition of Improving  Women's Health Across the Lifespan, a 2022 CRC publication in Dr.  James Rippe's Lifestyle Medicine Series. A clinician, author, educator, and mother, she is passionate about collaborative approaches to health and wellness.  

Dr. Geyer speaks about the importance of sleep.  

Dr. Geyer discusses how sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and female-related issues like menstrual cramps can cause sleep disturbances.  

To listen to the full episode, please visit: 

https://www.healthylifestylesolutions.org/168

166: Improving Women's Health at Every Stage of Life with Dr. Michelle Tollefson 

#7 Dr. Michelle Tollefson is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Denver, CO,  and a Professor in the Health Professions Department at the Metropolitan  State University of Denver. She created and oversaw the Lifestyle  Medicine Program and the Wellness Coaching and Lifestyle Medicine  Pathway. 

Dr. Tollefson founded and co-chaired the ACLM Women's Health Member Interest Group and the Pre-Professional Lifestyle Medicine Education Member Interest Group. She serves as the ACLM Board Secretary and serves on the Education and Membership Committees.

Dr. Tollefson is the editor-in-chief of Improving Women's Health Across the Lifespan, an international speaker, and women's health consultant leads PAVING the Path to Wellness groups and recently co-authored the PAVING the Path to Wellness Workbook with lead author Dr. Beth Frates and Dr. Amy Comander.  

She is a breast cancer survivor and thrivers through the power of lifestyle medicine.  

Dr. Tollefson shares her breast cancer story. 

What recommendations does she make to lower the risks of breast cancer?

Dr. Tollefson addresses other topics, such as mammograms and easy tips for going through menopause.  

Dr. Tollefson wraps up our interview by speaking about the breast cancer survivorship program she developed to offer continued support for survivors.  

To listen to the full episode, please visit: 

https://www.healthylifestylesolutions.org/166

 There you have seven episodes that I think you will enjoy. They are the most popular on my podcast. They reflect the content that I want to highlight. Lifestyle medicine is about doing things that you have control over. My podcast focuses on a plant-forward diet, daily moving, finding ways to manage stress, getting adequate sleep, and building healthy relationships.  

Make sure to subscribe to the Healthy Lifestyle Solutions podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.  

I will return next week with more healthy tips.