Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Optimal Metabolism

What if the missing piece to improving your metabolism, balancing your hormones, and restoring your energy has very little to do with what you're eating? What if the light you're exposed to, the timing of your meals, and the signals your body receives from its environment are just as important as the food on your plate?

This week on Optimal Metabolism, I welcome fellow registered dietitian Ethan Okunas, also known as The Quantum Dietitian, for a fascinating conversation about circadian biology, mitochondrial function, and the environmental factors that influence our metabolic health.

Ethan brings a unique perspective to nutrition, looking beyond calories and macronutrients to explore how our biological clocks, light exposure, and daily habits influence insulin sensitivity, cortisol, leptin, energy production, and our ability to maintain a healthy weight.

We explore why someone can be doing everything "right" with their nutrition yet still struggle with stubborn weight gain, fatigue, blood sugar instability, and hormonal imbalances. We also dig into some lesser-known concepts in quantum biology and how understanding our body's natural rhythms may help us make more informed decisions about our health.

If you've been frustrated by a lack of progress despite eating well and working hard to improve your health, this conversation will give you a whole new perspective on the signals your body needs to function optimally!

• Ethan's journey from traditional dietetics into circadian and quantum biology, and why he believes nutrition is only part of the metabolic health picture.
• Why two people can eat the exact same foods and experience very different metabolic responses.
• The connection between circadian rhythm disruption, insulin resistance, and weight-loss resistance.
• Why mitochondrial health is so important for energy production, metabolic flexibility, and overall wellness.
• How morning sunlight influences biological signaling and may affect cortisol, blood sugar, appetite, and nighttime sleep.
• The relationship between circadian rhythms, leptin signaling, hunger, and late-night cravings.
• Why eating the same meal in the morning versus late at night can produce different blood sugar and insulin responses.
• What "environmental mismatch" means and how modern lifestyles can interfere with our natural biological rhythms.
• What quantum biology actually means and how to distinguish established science from emerging theories.
• The concept of structured water and its proposed relationship with light and mitochondrial function
• Practical circadian strategies to prioritize when dealing with insulin resistance, stubborn weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and low energy.

Ethan Okunas is a registered dietitian and founder of Quantum Dietitian. With a background in clinical nutrition and a passion for circadian and mitochondrial biology, Ethan takes an integrative approach to understanding metabolism and human health.

He holds a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition from Framingham State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Fitness from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Ethan is also the author of Quantum Nutrition and Quantum Weight Loss, exploring how nutrition, light, circadian rhythms, and environmental factors interact to influence human health.

Website: https://quantumdietitian.com/

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Feel Great System + COMPASS Metabolic Reset: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Cortisol Calm: Learn how to support healthy cortisol, melatonin, and circadian rhythms through nutrition, light exposure, meal timing, and lifestyle strategies.

https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/cortisol-calm-signature-course/

Low Insulin Academy: My signature course teaching you how to address insulin resistance, blood sugar instability, and stubborn weight struggles through sustainable nutrition and lifestyle strategies.

https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/low-insulin-academy-on-demand/

Cortisol Balance Mini Course: Learn foundational strategies for supporting cortisol regulation and improving your body's stress-response patterns.

https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/cortisol-mini/

Have you ever been told your lab results are perfectly normal, yet you're still struggling with exhaustion, brain fog, stubborn weight gain, digestive problems, or hormonal imbalances? You're not alone, and there may be important pieces of your health puzzle that haven't been explored.

In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I welcome Dr. Jim Chialtas, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, licensed acupuncturist, and advanced Functional Medicine practitioner with more than 20 years of clinical experience. Jim brings a unique perspective to chronic health challenges by combining Functional Medicine with Traditional Chinese Medicine to investigate underlying imbalances and better understand how the body's systems work together.

We dive into the fascinating connections between thyroid health, the brain, gut function, nervous-system regulation, and metabolism. We discuss why conventional lab testing doesn't always provide the full picture, how nervous-system dysfunction may contribute to persistent symptoms, and why seemingly healthy habits like fasting, exercise, and dietary changes don't always produce the results we're hoping for.

If you've been doing everything right but still aren't feeling your best, this conversation will encourage you to look beyond individual symptoms and better understand the interconnected nature of your health!

• Why conventional lab results can appear normal even when someone is experiencing significant symptoms.
• How two people with nearly identical symptoms can have completely different underlying health challenges.
• The connection between thyroid function, metabolism, fatigue, brain fog, and stubborn weight gain.
• How the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems influence digestion, hormones, and overall well-being.
• What functional dysautonomia is and how nervous-system imbalance may contribute to chronic health problems.
• The surprising relationship between the brain, gut, and metabolic health.
• Why treating digestive symptoms alone may not address the underlying contributors to gut dysfunction.
• How fasting, low-carb diets, and intense exercise may not be appropriate for everyone, especially when the body is already under significant stress.
• What Traditional Chinese Medicine can contribute to understanding health patterns that may be overlooked by conventional approaches.
• How combining Eastern and Western approaches can offer a broader perspective on complex chronic health conditions.
• Why identifying underlying contributors to illness is different from simply managing symptoms.

Website: https://afunctionalapproach.net/

Dr. Chialtas's Podcast: A Functional Approach

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Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasttohealnutritiontherapy

Feel Great System: https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

Low Insulin Academy: Learn strategies for addressing insulin resistance, blood sugar instability, and stubborn weight struggles.

https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/low-insulin-academy-on-demand/

Cortisol Calm: Explore how circadian rhythms, light exposure, nutrition, and nervous-system regulation can support healthier cortisol and sleep patterns.

https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/cortisol-calm-signature-course/

300 EPISODES! 🎉 After more than six years behind the microphone, I am so grateful to every one of you who has listened, shared an episode, learned alongside me, and supported the evolution of the Optimal Metabolism Podcast. I couldn't think of a more fascinating topic for this milestone episode!

Today I'm joined by Ariana Thacker, founder of MoldCo, whose work in the mold space began after her own devastating experience with mold exposure. Ariana became extremely ill, was dismissed by eight different doctors, and ultimately discovered mold was at the root of what was happening to her health.

This conversation also became very personal for me. I have long suspected mold could be an issue in my son's apartment. He has struggled with frequent illness, coughing and mucus, along with anxiety and nervous-system symptoms. MoldCo sent me one of their home testing kits, so we tested his apartment—and his results came back with a HERTSMI-2 score of 18, which MoldCo categorizes in its highest warning range and recommends further investigation and remediation.

Ariana and I unpack what those results mean, why mold-related illness can be so difficult to recognize, symptoms you may never think to connect to your environment, and how mold exposure may intersect with inflammation, hormones, your immune system, nervous system, and metabolic health.

If you've been doing "all the right things" but continue to struggle with unexplained symptoms, your environment may be another piece of the puzzle.

• Ariana's personal experience with mold exposure and being dismissed by eight different doctors
• How her own health crisis ultimately led her to create MoldCo
• Why mold exposure and water-damaged buildings can be overlooked when investigating chronic symptoms
• Common and surprising symptoms associated with mold exposure
• Why someone can feel chronically sick even when conventional testing continues to come back "normal"
• The connections between mold exposure, inflammation, hormones, the immune system and nervous system
• How environmental exposures may interfere with metabolic health
• Why certain people can be much more sensitive to mold than others
• My son's ongoing coughing, mucus, frequent illness, anxiety and nervous behavior—and why I finally tested his apartment
• What we discovered when his MoldCo home test returned a HERTSMI-2 score of 18
• What HERTSMI-2 testing measures and how to interpret the results
• What to do when testing reveals elevated mold levels in your home or apartment
• Testing versus guessing: where to begin if you suspect mold
• Practical next steps for addressing both your environment and your health

🏠 MOLDCO

Learn more about MoldCo, home mold testing, and their approach to identifying potential mold exposure:

Explore MoldCo

After learning more about mold exposure—and seeing the results from my son's apartment—I decided to take another step toward improving the air quality in our homes. I ordered Air Oasis air purifiers for my entire family.

If you're also looking for ways to support cleaner indoor air and reduce airborne contaminants in your home, you can check out the Air Oasis purifiers below.

Use code SHANAH to save 10% on your order.

Shop Air Oasis Air Purifiers — Save 10% with code SHANAH

CODE: SHANAH | 10% OFF

If you're working on blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, appetite, or overall metabolic health and are looking for a natural approach, check out the Feel Great System.

The system combines a concentrated yerba mate drink used in the morning to support energy, focus, and appetite control, plus a clinically studied fiber-based drink mixed with water and taken before meals to help moderate the glucose and insulin response to food while supporting healthy lipid levels.

Order the Feel Great System here

Want to dig into the science for yourself?

Read the Feel Great clinical studies

If you're struggling with stubborn weight, insulin resistance, blood sugar issues, cortisol problems, low energy, poor sleep, cravings, or a metabolism that simply doesn't seem to be responding anymore, this is where I recommend starting.

My Complete Metabolic Health Reset helps you get back to the foundations and look at the bigger metabolic picture instead of continuing to chase individual symptoms.

Start the Complete Metabolic Health Reset

🎙️ Optimal Metabolism Podcast:
Listen to more episodes

🌐 Shana Hussin Wellness:
Visit my website

📲 Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

What if one of the most overlooked tools for improving blood sugar has been sitting right in front of us all along?

In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I'm joined by Chris Reade, entrepreneur and author of Beating Diabetes, to talk about his personal journey with type 2 diabetes and the discoveries that changed the trajectory of his health.

Chris shares how his diagnosis pushed him to dig into the research for himself—and why soluble fiber ultimately became such an important part of his approach. We unpack what soluble fiber actually does, how it can influence post-meal blood sugar and metabolic health, and practical ways to incorporate more of it into your everyday life.

I also share how this conversation connects with the strategies I teach for improving insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation. If you've been diagnosed with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes—or you're simply trying to improve your metabolic health—this is an episode you won't want to miss.

• Chris's type 2 diabetes diagnosis and what prompted him to take a deeper look at his health
• The changes he made to improve his blood sugar
• Why soluble fiber became such an important part of his approach
• How soluble fiber can affect digestion, satiety, and the post-meal glucose response
• Practical ways to increase soluble fiber in your diet
• How fiber can fit alongside other metabolic strategies such as meal timing and fasting
• Common mistakes people make when trying to improve their blood sugar
• Why improving metabolic health doesn't have to mean following an extreme or complicated plan
• Chris's advice for someone newly diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
• Why there is hope for people struggling with their metabolic health

This conversation about soluble fiber also ties beautifully into one of the tools I personally use and recommend—the Feel Great System.

The system pairs a pre-meal fiber drink, with a concentrated yerba mate tea, making it simple to incorporate metabolic support into your everyday routine.

I'm especially excited about the new Balance Apple formula. It provides about 5 grams of fiber per serving and combines multiple fiber sources with apple polyphenols and apple cider vinegar. The formula is designed to support fullness, the gut microbiome, and a healthier post-meal glucose response. balance-appledistributor-guidee…

Ready to learn more?

🍎 Get the Feel Great System WITH the new Balance Apple:
Shop the Feel Great System + Balance Apple

🌿 Learn more about the Feel Great System:
Explore the Feel Great System

🍏 Want Balance Apple only?
Shop Balance Apple

📖 Learn more about Chris Reade and his book, Beating Diabetes:
Beating Diabetes

🎙️ Listen to more episodes of Optimal Metabolism:
Optimal Metabolism Podcast

Shana Hussin Wellness

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

How long does it actually take to reverse insulin resistance? Is it 30 days, 90 days, six months—or years?

This episode of Optimal Metabolism was originally recorded as an Instagram LIVE, where I answered this question and talked about what it really takes to improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health.

There isn't one universal timeline for reversing insulin resistance, but that doesn't mean you have to wait years to start seeing progress. I break down the symptoms that can tell you your metabolism is moving in the right direction, the lab values that can help you objectively measure progress, and why fasting glucose alone doesn't always tell the whole story.

Most importantly, we talk about how much progress you can make in 90 days when you stop jumping from one strategy to another and consistently work on the right things.

• Why there isn't one timeline for reversing insulin resistance

• What affects how quickly insulin sensitivity improves

• Early signs your metabolic health is improving

• Hunger, cravings, energy, weight, and other symptoms to watch

• Symptom resolution vs. lab values—how do you actually know you've reversed insulin resistance?

• Metabolic markers that can help you track your progress

• Why fasting glucose alone doesn't tell the whole story

• Why consistency matters more than constantly changing strategies

• How much progress you can make in 90 days

• How the COMPASS Reset + FEEL GREAT system can help you put these strategies into action

My COMPASS Reset starts Wednesday!

This is your opportunity to stop guessing and spend the next 90 days consistently working on the foundations that can help you improve your metabolic health and FEEL GREAT.

Want the full details about the 90-day COMPASS Reset?

https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

If you want to participate in the COMPASS Reset classes without the full option, you can join here:

https://smhnutritionandwellness.thrivecart.com/compassreset/

If you want to order FEEL GREAT and automatically gain access to my COMPASS reset, you can get started here:

https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

Give your body 90 days of consistently doing the right things and see just how much can change.

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Podcast: https://shanahussinwellness.com/podcast/

What if one of the biggest missing pieces in your metabolic health has nothing to do with your diet—and everything to do with the light you're exposed to every day?

In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I sit down with Roudy Nassif, founder of VivaRays and a leading educator in light, circadian health, and quantum biology. Roudy's passion for light began with his own search for answers after years of struggling with ADHD, depression, mood swings, and chronic exhaustion that no diet, doctor, or supplement seemed to fix.

That journey ultimately led him to discover just how profoundly our exposure to light—and darkness—can influence our biology.

We dive into the connection between your light environment and cortisol, blood sugar, sleep, energy, mood, and metabolic health. We also discuss why getting your nutrition "right" may not be enough if your circadian rhythm is working against you.

If you've been struggling with fatigue, poor sleep, insulin resistance, weight loss resistance, or cortisol issues despite doing all the "right" things, this conversation may help you recognize a missing piece.

• Roudy's personal journey from ADHD, depression, mood swings, and chronic exhaustion to discovering circadian and light biology

• Why light may be one of the most overlooked pieces of metabolic health

• Can you eat a great diet and still struggle metabolically because of your light environment?

• How morning sunlight influences your circadian rhythm, cortisol, blood sugar, energy, and metabolism

• How spending our days indoors under artificial light may affect metabolic and hormonal health

• The relationship between light exposure, cortisol dysregulation, and chronic exhaustion

• Roudy's experience with ADHD and mood and how changing his light environment affected his health

• Why circadian health may be especially important for women in perimenopause and menopause

• Common mistakes we're making with artificial and blue light

• What makes blue-light-blocking glasses different—and when should you actually wear them?

• Roudy's ideal daily light routine from morning through bedtime

• Simple light-related strategies you can begin implementing right away

I've personally been using VivaRays blue-light-blocking glasses and absolutely love them!

From September 14 through October 5, use code SHANAH to save 15% on VivaRays.

After October 5, the same code will continue to give you 10% off.

Shop VivaRays through my special link:
https://vivarays.com/shanahussin

CODE: SHANAH

I'm starting another round of my COMPASS Metabolic Reset on September 23 for Feel Great users!

If you're already a Feel Great user, you can learn more about the reset and get started here:

Join the COMPASS Metabolic Reset:
https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

If you're not yet using Feel Great, but you're interested in participating in the reset and want to learn more about getting started with the products, you can start here:

Get Started with Feel Great:
https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

I've also heard from many of you who aren't currently Feel Great users but would still love to participate in the COMPASS Metabolic Reset. I'm working on an option that will allow non-users to join our meetings live for a fee and receive the replays.

Those details are still being finalized, so watch my emails and social media for the official announcement and registration details.

My hope is that once you experience the reset and learn more about the benefits we're implementing, you may decide becoming a Feel Great user is the right next step for you!

Born in Lebanon and trained as an engineer, Roudy Nassif's interest in light and circadian health grew out of his own struggles with ADHD, depression, mood swings, and chronic exhaustion.

After embarking on a worldwide journey to better understand himself and the natural world, Roudy immersed himself in quantum biology, circadian science, and the effects of light on human physiology.

Today, Roudy is a health entrepreneur, martial artist, light educator, and founder of VivaRays. He has educated thousands of functional medicine and naturopathic doctors on using light to support sleep, energy, focus, and overall vitality. His mission is to help one billion people live in greater alignment with nature's light and dark cycles.

VivaRays: https://vivarays.com/shanahussin

Discount Code: SHANAH

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Podcast: https://shanahussinwellness.com/podcast/

Low Insulin Academy: Say goodbye to insulin resistance, stubborn weight issues, and blood sugar instability for good.

Cortisol Calm: Learn how to bring cortisol, melatonin, and leptin—your master circadian hormones—back into balance naturally.

Personalized Coaching: Get individualized help to uncover what's driving your unique metabolic health struggles.

3-Month Metabolic Overhaul: My highest level of support for bodies in metabolic and hormonal chaos.

Amy Van Houten has a story you won't soon forget.

As a mom of sextuplets, Amy already knew what it meant to navigate a full and demanding life. Then everything changed when she unexpectedly lost her husband to a heart attack and found herself moving forward as a single mom.

In this episode, Amy shares the deeply personal story of navigating loss, motherhood, her own health transformation, and ultimately finding a renewed sense of purpose through it all.

We also talk about Amy's experience with the Feel Great system and the changes she began noticing in her health. What started as something she was doing for herself eventually became something much bigger. Amy began sharing her experience with others and has since built a thriving business—all while raising her family and staying grounded in her faith.

This conversation is about so much more than physical health. It's about what can happen when improving your health gives you the energy and confidence to start saying yes to possibilities you may never have imagined for yourself.

If you are in a season where you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what your next chapter looks like, I think Amy's story will leave you feeling incredibly encouraged!

• Amy's health before discovering the Feel Great system and what led her to try something different

• The changes Amy experienced in her weight, energy, appetite, and overall health

• Raising sextuplets and what life looked like for Amy and her family

• Unexpectedly losing her husband to a heart attack and navigating life as a single mom

• Prioritizing her own health while carrying tremendous grief, stress, and responsibility

• The important role Amy's faith has played throughout her journey

• How Amy's personal health transformation naturally led her to start helping other people

• Going from simply using Feel Great herself to building a thriving business 

• What this opportunity has given Amy as a single mom beyond additional income

• Why you do NOT have to consider yourself a "salesperson" to successfully share something you genuinely believe in

• Turning some of life's hardest circumstances into an opportunity to serve others and discover a new purpose

My next 90-Day COMPASS Reset begins in mid-September!

If you're struggling with stubborn weight, cravings, energy, blood sugar, or simply feeling metabolically stuck, this is your opportunity to experience the Feel Great system with guidance, accountability, and a community alongside you.

If you're using the Feel Great System, you're already in! That's the only requirement.

Maybe you listened to Amy's story and found yourself thinking:

"Could I do something like this?"

If you are passionate about health, love helping others, or are looking for an opportunity you can build around your existing life, I'd love to talk with you about partnering with me and Unicity.

You do not need to be a salesperson, have a huge social media following, or already know how to build a business. Amy's story is such a beautiful example of what can happen when you simply start by sharing something that has genuinely impacted your own life.

Reach out to me at shana@shanahussinwellness.com to learn more!

Made 2 Be Redeemed

Website: made2beredeemed.com

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Website: shanahussinwellness.com

Podcast: Optimal Metabolism with Shana Hussin, RDN

If your body suddenly seems to be playing by a completely different set of rules in perimenopause or menopause, this episode is for you!

For the first time ever on Optimal Metabolism, I am welcoming back a three-peat guest! Cynthia Thurlow, NP, is a two-time TEDx speaker, international speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Everyday Wellness podcast. Her viral TEDx talk on intermittent fasting has surpassed 15 million views, and she has become a leading voice in women's metabolic health, perimenopause, menopause, and intermittent fasting.

Cynthia joins me to discuss her latest book, The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond.

We're digging into the connection between declining estrogen and the microbiome—and why changes in your gut may affect everything from insulin resistance and stubborn weight gain to inflammation, energy, sleep, brain health, and hormone balance.

If you've been eating healthy, exercising, fasting, and doing all the things that used to work—but your body isn't responding the same way anymore—this conversation may help explain why.

• Why the gut becomes increasingly important as estrogen declines
• How the microbiome changes during perimenopause and menopause
• The connection between gut health, insulin resistance, and blood sugar
• Why stubborn weight gain in midlife isn't simply about calories or willpower
• What the microgenderome is and why women should know about it
• Why digestive problems and food sensitivities can suddenly appear after 40
• The estrobolome and the relationship between gut health and estrogen metabolism
• How chronic stress can influence the gut and the menopause transition
• Why sleep and circadian rhythm matter for gut and metabolic health
• The gut-brain connection and why anxiety and brain fog can increase during midlife
• How gut and hormonal changes may influence immune health and autoimmunity
• Why extreme dieting and exercise strategies may stop working in midlife
• Practical ways women can begin supporting their microbiome and metabolism

Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, two-time TEDx speaker, international speaker, and founder and CEO of the Everyday Wellness Project. With more than 25 years of experience in health and wellness, she specializes in perimenopause, menopause, intermittent fasting, and women's metabolic health.

She is the bestselling author of Intermittent Fasting Transformation and The Menopause Gut: Balance Your Microbiome to Reclaim Your Health in Midlife and Beyond.

📕 The Menopause Gut: Cynthia's latest release and the foundation of her gut-centric approach to perimenopause and menopause.

Order the book here:
https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/the-menopause-gut

Or order from any major book retailer.

🎁 Bonus Resources + Gut-Type Guide:
https://themenopausegut.com/

🌐 Cynthia's Website:
https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/

🧭 90-Day COMPASS Reset

If you're tired of guessing what your body needs, COMPASS gives you a structured 90-day roadmap to help improve insulin sensitivity, blood sugar, metabolic health, and body composition—with education, accountability, weekly coaching, tracking, and support along the way.

Our next COMPASS session begins mid-September 2026.

Learn more + join COMPASS:
https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

✨ The Feel Great System

Want to start with something simple? The Feel Great System is a simple two-step daily system designed to support blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, cravings, fasting, energy, and overall metabolic health.

Learn more about the Feel Great System:
https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/

🎙️ Optimal Metabolism Podcast:
https://shanahussinwellness.com/podcast/

🌐 Shana Hussin Wellness:
https://shanahussinwellness.com/

What if we've been focusing on the wrong things when it comes to preventing heart disease?

In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I sit down with Daniel Trevor, heart attack survivor, citizen scientist, serial entrepreneur, and author of Unholy Trinity: How Carbs, Sugar & Oils Make Us Fat, Sick & Addicted and How to Escape Their Grip.

Daniel's interest in cardiovascular and metabolic health became deeply personal after suffering a heart attack despite believing he was doing the right things for his health. That experience sent him deep into the research surrounding cholesterol, insulin resistance, blood sugar, type 2 diabetes, nutrition, and cardiovascular disease.

And this conversation challenges a LOT of conventional thinking!

We explore whether cholesterol alone gives us an accurate picture of cardiovascular risk, why metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance deserve much more attention in the heart disease conversation, and which tests Daniel believes can provide a better picture of what's happening before a cardiovascular event occurs.

We also get into statins, vegetable oils, low-fat diets, processed foods, obesity, prediabetes, and why our rates of metabolic disease have risen so dramatically.

You don't have to agree with every perspective presented in this episode to benefit from asking better questions about your health. My hope is that this conversation encourages you to become more informed about your own metabolic health, understand your numbers, and have deeper conversations with your healthcare provider.

• Daniel's own heart attack and why it completely changed the direction of his life
• Why he began questioning conventional thinking surrounding cholesterol and heart disease
• Is high cholesterol always an accurate predictor of cardiovascular risk?
• The relationship between insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, blood sugar, and heart disease
• Why prediabetes and insulin resistance can go undetected for years
• Which cardiovascular tests and markers Daniel believes deserve more attention
• The controversy surrounding statins and their relationship with blood sugar and type 2 diabetes
• What Daniel believes we've gotten wrong about vegetable oils and dietary fat
• Why he challenges conventional low-fat nutrition advice
• Processed foods, appetite, cravings, and our modern food environment
• What's really behind the dramatic rise in obesity and metabolic disease
• What the Blue Zones can—and can't—teach us about longevity
• Practical steps you can take to better understand your metabolic and cardiovascular health

Daniel Trevor is a citizen scientist, serial entrepreneur, heart attack survivor, and author of Unholy Trinity: How Carbs, Sugar & Oils Make Us Fat, Sick & Addicted and How to Escape Their Grip.

Following his own heart attack, Daniel immersed himself in research surrounding cardiovascular disease and metabolic health. His book draws from more than 1,200 scientific references as he explores the relationships among our modern diet, insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Learn more about Daniel and his work: DanielTrevor.com

I'm officially starting another round of my 12-Week Metabolic Reset this September—and I'm doing it right alongside you!

If you're ready to focus on your blood sugar, insulin resistance, weight, energy, and overall metabolic health, I'd love for you to join me.

If you're planning to participate, now is the time to get started with the Feel Great System so you have your products and are comfortable using them before we officially begin the Reset.

12-Week Metabolic Reset: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Get Started with the Feel Great System: https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

Website:
https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Instagram:
@shana.hussin.rdn

What if obesity isn't simply about food?

In one of the most powerful conversations I've ever had on the Optimal Metabolism podcast, I sit down with CrossFit coach, author, educator, and metabolic health advocate Athena Perez to explore the deeper roots of obesity, emotional eating, and lasting transformation.

Athena's story begins long before she reached nearly 500 pounds. She shares how childhood trauma shaped her relationship with food, why lasting healing required far more than losing weight, and how addressing her emotional health became just as important as improving her physical health.

We also take a fascinating deep dive into Athena's experience completing multiple 40-day fasts. She openly discusses why she chose such an extended fast, what happened to her body and mind throughout the process, how she approached refeeding afterward, and whether she believes prolonged fasting helped reset her metabolism.

This episode isn't about promoting extreme fasting. It's about understanding the complex relationship between trauma, metabolism, behavior change, and healing. Whether you've struggled with weight, emotional eating, insulin resistance, or simply want to better understand the human side of obesity, I believe this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

• Athena's journey from nearly 500 pounds to becoming a CrossFit coach and educator
• The connection between childhood trauma and lifelong struggles with obesity
• Why healing emotional wounds was just as important as changing nutrition habits
• The decision to complete a 40-day fast
• What happened physically, mentally, and emotionally during the fast
• Whether prolonged fasting can "reset" metabolism
• The often-overlooked importance of the refeeding process
• What Athena learned about true hunger versus emotional hunger
• Common misconceptions about obesity and larger-bodied athletes
• Why sustainable healing goes far beyond the number on the scale

Website: https://www.athenamperez.com

Instagram: @athenamperez

Learn more about Scaled Nation Training and Athena's educational resources for coaches and healthcare professionals.

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Shana's 90-Day Metabolic Reset, COMPASS

Could your gut be the missing piece behind your hormone imbalance, stubborn weight, fatigue, and blood sugar struggles?

In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I'm joined by returning guest Dr. Cassie Smith, licensed naturopathic physician, founder of Modern Endocrine, and author of the new book Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones.

Dr. Cassie explains why so many women spend years chasing hormone solutions without realizing that the health of their gut may be driving many of their symptoms. We discuss the fascinating relationship between gut health, estrogen metabolism, cortisol, insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic health, along with practical strategies you can begin implementing today.

If you've been struggling with stubborn weight, digestive issues, hormone imbalance, fatigue, or simply feel like your body isn't responding the way it used to, this episode will help you understand why healing often starts in the gut.

Dr. Cassie Smith

• Modern Endocrine: https://www.modern-endocrine.com/

• Fix Your Gut, Fix Your Hormones: https://guthormonefix.com/

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Podcast: https://shanahussinwellness.com/podcast/

Feel Great System
One of my favorite tools for supporting healthy blood sugar, gut health, and metabolic wellness. Learn more here:
https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

Balance Fiber
This is the fiber supplement I personally recommend to help nourish the gut microbiome, support healthy digestion, and promote balanced blood sugar:
https://unicity.link/4fd5ff95bd

Have you recently been told you have fatty liver or high cholesterol? If so, you're not alone, and the good news is there are practical steps you can take to improve your metabolic health.

In this episode, I explain why these conditions are connected and why simply focusing on cholesterol numbers or liver enzymes doesn't tell the whole story. We'll explore the root causes behind fatty liver and high cholesterol, and I'll share natural, sustainable strategies you can begin using today.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why fatty liver isn't simply caused by eating fat
• How insulin resistance can contribute to both fatty liver and high cholesterol
• The "overflowing sink" analogy that explains why addressing the root cause matters
• Why cholesterol isn't the enemy—and what your numbers may actually be telling you
• The important connection between your gut, liver, and metabolism
• Simple lifestyle habits that support healthy blood sugar, liver function, and heart health
• Why I recommend beginning with a daily metabolic support system that combines a high-potency tea and a fiber matrix to support healthy blood sugar, cravings, gut health, energy, and healthy cholesterol levels

Whether you've recently received concerning lab results or you're looking for natural ways to improve your metabolic health, this episode will help you understand what's happening in your body—and what you can do about it.

Your body isn't broken. It's responding to the signals it receives. When you improve those signals with consistent daily habits, you give your body the opportunity to heal and thrive.

If you're ready for more guidance and support, learn more about my 90-Day Metabolic Reset (COMPASS), where we take a deeper dive into restoring metabolic health through education, coaching, and practical lifestyle strategies.

JOIN COMPASS: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

TEA + FIBER NUTRACEUTICALS: https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

If you listened to Dane Johnson's first appearance on the podcast, you know his personal healing journey from severe Crohn's/Colitis inspired thousands of people struggling with inflammatory bowel disease. In this follow-up conversation, we go far beyond his story and take a deep dive into the practical strategies he uses to help clients address the root causes of chronic gut inflammation.

We discuss hidden pathogens, environmental toxins, functional lab testing, a variety of peptides, the pros and cons of popular gut-healing diets, advanced therapies, and the often-overlooked connection between the nervous system and digestive health. Dane also shares the biggest mistakes he sees people make while trying to heal on their own and offers practical first steps for those feeling overwhelmed.

Whether you're struggling with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS, autoimmune disease, or simply chronic digestive symptoms, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what true gut healing can involve.

Learn more from Dane Johnson:
https://crohnscolitislifestyle.com/

Many people focus only on food or supplements, but healing often requires addressing the gut, metabolism, and nervous system together.

🌿 Cortisol Calm
If chronic stress, poor sleep, adrenal dysfunction, or nervous system dysregulation are holding back your healing, my Cortisol Calm course will teach you how to naturally restore healthy cortisol, melatonin, and circadian rhythms without relying on endless supplements.

🌱 The Feel Great System
Looking for a comprehensive approach to gut and metabolic health? The Feel Great System combines nutritional support with targeted products designed to help optimize digestive health, reduce inflammation, and support a healthier microbiome.

🌾 Patented Fiber Blend
One of my favorite tools for supporting digestion, feeding beneficial gut bacteria, and promoting overall gut health is this highly studied fiber blend. 

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Most people think fiber is simply about digestion.

But fiber is one of the most powerful tools we have for supporting blood sugar regulation, cholesterol, gut health, appetite, and overall metabolic health.

The surprising part?

Not all fibers do the same job.

In this episode, I explain why fiber diversity matters and how different soluble and insoluble fibers work together as a fiber matrix to support multiple systems throughout the body.

We'll also discuss one of the biggest misconceptions on social media, that all "gums" are unhealthy, and review what the research actually says about ingredients like guar gum, gum arabic, beta-glucans, citrus pectin, and more.

Whether you're working on insulin resistance, digestive health, cholesterol, or simply trying to understand nutrition on a deeper level, this episode will help you make more informed decisions about fiber.

• Why fiber is about much more than digestion
• The difference between soluble fibers and why each one has a unique role
• How a fiber matrix supports blood sugar, cholesterol, gut health, and satiety
• The science behind guar gum, gum arabic, beta-glucans, locust bean gum, and citrus pectin
• Why some people experience bloating when increasing fiber
• The truth about the "gums are bad" debate
• How to evaluate nutrition claims using evidence instead of fear

If you'd like to learn more about the multi-fiber supplement discussed in this episode, you can find it here:

Fiber Matrix (Balance): Balance Fiber Matrix

If you're interested in the complete Feel Great System, which combines the fiber matrix with a polyphenol blend to support metabolic health, you can learn more here:

Feel Great System: Feel Great System

One of the most significant changes in women's health has officially arrived. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is now known as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)—a name that better reflects the true nature of this common condition.

In this episode, I sit down with Cory Ruth, RDN, women's health and PMOS expert, to discuss why this historic name change was made and what it means for the millions of women living with the condition. We explore how the previous name often led to confusion by focusing on the ovaries, when the condition is fundamentally driven by complex endocrine and metabolic dysfunction.

Cory explains why insulin resistance plays such a central role, why weight loss can feel so frustrating, how PMOS impacts fertility and long-term health, and what women can do to support their metabolism through nutrition and lifestyle.

If you've ever struggled with stubborn weight, blood sugar instability, irregular cycles, infertility, or have been diagnosed with PMOS (formerly PCOS), this conversation will help you better understand what's happening inside your body—and why this new name represents an important step forward in women's healthcare.

• Why PCOS was officially renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS)
• How insulin resistance drives many PMOS symptoms
• Why PMOS is much more than an ovarian condition
• The connection between metabolism, hormones, fertility, and overall health
• Why weight loss is often so challenging with PMOS
• Nutrition and lifestyle strategies to improve metabolic health
• Common myths surrounding PMOS
• Practical first steps women can take to better manage the condition

Website: www.thewomensdietitian.com

Instagram: @thewomensdietitian

Book: PCOS Is My Power

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin

Website: shanahussinwellness.com

⭐ 90-Day Metabolic Reset (Start Here!)
If you're struggling with insulin resistance, weight loss resistance, blood sugar issues, or have been diagnosed with PMOS (formerly PCOS), the 90-Day Metabolic Reset is the perfect place to begin. This comprehensive program will help you restore metabolic health through simple, science-backed nutrition and lifestyle strategies designed to address the root causes of metabolic dysfunction.
👉 https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

If you're looking for a simple way to support healthy blood sugar levels after meals, I'm excited to share one of my favorite products—GOOD IDEA®! This refreshing sparkling beverage is designed to help reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes when enjoyed before eating, making it a great addition to your metabolic health routine.

💙 Save 15% on your order with code: SHANAH

Shop here: https://www.goodidea.us/discount/SHANAH

To celebrate the podcast, I'm giving away ONE FREE month supply of the Feel Great System, valued at $235!

Here's how to enter:

⭐ Leave a rating and review for the Optimal Metabolism podcast on Apple Podcasts.

⭐ Take a screenshot of your review.

⭐ Email your screenshot to shana@shanahussinwellness.com by July 31.

🎉 One winner will be randomly selected and announced during the first week of August.

Thank you for listening to and supporting the podcast, it helps us reach more people looking for hope and practical solutions for better metabolic health!

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to do everything "right"—eat nutritious foods, take quality supplements, exercise regularly, and prioritize sleep—yet still struggle with fatigue, inflammation, hormone imbalance, or stubborn metabolic issues?

In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with Dan Stachofsky, founder of Essential Energy, to explore one of the most overlooked influences on our health: the environment we live in every day.

Dan's journey into environmental health began after his daughter developed a chronic immune condition that didn't fully respond to conventional or functional medicine. His search for answers led him to investigate how light, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and our modern environment influence cellular energy, nervous system regulation, and the body's ability to heal.

If you've been working to improve your metabolism, reverse insulin resistance, heal adrenal dysfunction, or restore your energy but still feel stuck, this episode may help you discover a missing piece of the puzzle.

• Dan's personal journey from technology executive to environmental health advocate
• Why some people don't heal—even when they're following the "perfect" protocol
• The hidden impact of our modern environment on metabolism and overall health
• How light influences mitochondria, cellular energy, and recovery
• The relationship between EMFs, the nervous system, and chronic stress
• Why circadian health is foundational for hormone balance and healing
• How artificial light can affect sleep, cortisol, melatonin, and blood sugar regulation
• Practical ways to create a healthier home and work environment
• Simple changes you can make today to better support your body's natural healing processes

Dan Stachofsky is the founder of Essential Energy. After years in the technology industry helping build digital infrastructure for companies like Microsoft and Amazon, his daughter's chronic illness led him on a search for answers beyond conventional medicine. Today, Dan works alongside integrative practitioners to help people understand how light, electromagnetic fields, and environmental stress can impact cellular function and long-term health.

Learn more at: https://essentialenergy.solutions/

Use code SHANAH for a discount!

If you're realizing there's more to healing than just food and supplements, my COMPASS 90-Day Metabolic Reset Program is the perfect place to begin.

COMPASS is a simple, step-by-step program designed to help you reduce inflammation, stabilize blood sugar, improve energy, reverse fatty liver, reduce sholesterol, and build a strong foundation for metabolic health. You'll learn practical strategies around nutrition, meal timing, circadian rhythm, light exposure, stress reduction, and other lifestyle habits that help your body function the way it was designed to.

Learn more here: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Obesity treatment has changed dramatically over the past decade. While nutrition and lifestyle remain the foundation of long-term metabolic health, today's medical landscape also includes bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications as potential tools for certain individuals.

In this episode, I sit down with board-certified bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Betsy Dovec to discuss how obesity treatment has evolved, who may benefit from bariatric surgery, how today's procedures differ from common misconceptions, and where GLP-1 medications fit into the conversation.

Whether you've considered surgery yourself, are curious about today's obesity treatments, or simply want to better understand the options available, this episode offers a thoughtful, balanced discussion focused on long-term health—not just weight loss.

• How bariatric surgery has changed over the years
• Who may be an appropriate candidate for weight loss surgery
• Common myths and misconceptions about bariatric surgery
• The role of GLP-1 medications in modern obesity treatment
• Why preserving muscle mass is essential during weight loss
• What happens when GLP-1 medications are discontinued
• The importance of protein, resistance training, and medical follow-up
• Looking beyond the scale to prioritize metabolic health and longevity

Website: https://bodybybariatrics.com/

⭐ Feel Great System
https://shanahussinwellness.com/feel-great-system/

⭐ 90-Day Metabolic Reset
https://shanahussinwellness.com/90-day-reset/

Website:
https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shana.hussin.rdn/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FastToHealWithShanaHussin

✔ Low Insulin Academy
https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/low-insulin-academy-on-demand/

✔ Cortisol Calm
https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/cortisol-calm-signature-course/

If you enjoyed today's conversation, please share this episode with a friend or family member and consider leaving a rating and review. Your support helps us continue bringing you evidence-based conversations that empower you to take control of your metabolic health.

What if the way you're aging has more to do with your metabolic health than your age itself?

In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I sit down with longevity physician Dr. Jennifer Timmons to discuss the powerful connection between insulin resistance, hormone health, disease prevention, and aging well.

Dr. Timmons shares how her experience in traditional primary care led her to pursue advanced training in functional medicine, precision medicine, and longevity medicine. Together, we discuss what it really means to optimize health as we age, why insulin resistance accelerates many age-related conditions, and how women can navigate menopause with a long-term health strategy in mind.

We also explore the growing interest in peptide therapies, where they may fit into a comprehensive health plan, and the foundational lifestyle habits that matter far more than the latest longevity trends.

If you're interested in protecting your metabolic health, maintaining vitality as you age, and increasing your healthspan—not just your lifespan—this episode is for you.

• Why insulin resistance may accelerate the aging process
• The difference between lifespan and healthspan
• Menopause as a long-term metabolic and cardiovascular transition
• The role of muscle mass in healthy aging
• How longevity medicine differs from traditional healthcare
• Preventive testing and early disease detection
• Peptide therapies: benefits, limitations, and considerations
• Common mistakes people make when pursuing longevity
• Why consistency often beats biohacking
• Practical steps women can take today to age well

Website: https://timmonswellnessmd.com/

Instagram: @jennifertimmonsmd

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

If you're struggling with stubborn weight, blood sugar issues, fatigue, cravings, or suspect insulin resistance may be contributing to your symptoms, my RESET program is the perfect place to start.

My COMPASS Reset is designed to help you identify what's driving your metabolic dysfunction and begin implementing simple, sustainable strategies that support blood sugar balance, hormone health, and lasting energy.

Learn more here:
https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Between constant notifications, endless scrolling, chronic stress, poor sleep, ultraprocessed food, and information overload, modern life is placing an unprecedented burden on our brains. It's no wonder so many people struggle with brain fog, forgetfulness, low energy, difficulty focusing, and concerns about long-term cognitive decline.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Marc Milstein, brain health researcher, international speaker, and author of the bestselling book The Age-Proof Brain. Dr. Milstein translates cutting-edge neuroscience into practical, evidence-based strategies that help people improve memory, focus, productivity, and long-term brain health.

We discuss how today's environment is impacting our brains, what science actually says about dementia prevention, and the simple daily habits that can help keep your brain sharp and resilient as you age. If you've ever worried about memory loss, struggled with focus, or wondered what modern stress is doing to your brain, this conversation is packed with actionable insights you can start using today.

• Why modern life may be working against your brain health
• The biggest factors contributing to brain fog and difficulty concentrating
• The connection between stress, sleep, and cognitive performance
• How lifestyle habits influence dementia risk
• Common myths surrounding brain aging and memory loss
• Practical ways to improve focus, productivity, and mental clarity
• Daily habits that help protect the brain as we age
• What the latest neuroscience research reveals about maintaining cognitive health
• The surprising factors that have the greatest impact on long-term brain function
• Where to start if you're concerned about memory, focus, or brain health

Website: www.drmarcmilstein.com

Instagram: @drmarcmilstein

YouTube: Dr. Marc Milstein

Podcast: Best of Your Brain

Book: The Age-Proof Brain

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

90-Day Metabolic Reset: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Type 2 diabetes is often presented as a chronic, progressive disease that inevitably requires increasing medications over time. But what if that's not the full story?

In this week's episode of Optimal Metabolism, I sit down with Dr. Jason Shumard to discuss the root causes of type 2 diabetes, why conventional treatment approaches often fall short, and what it actually takes to reverse blood sugar dysfunction.

Dr. Shumard shares his perspective on insulin resistance, metabolic health, nutrition, and lifestyle factors that contribute to diabetes progression. We explore common misconceptions about blood sugar management and discuss practical strategies that can help people regain metabolic health and reduce their reliance on medications.

If you've been told that type 2 diabetes is something you'll simply have to manage forever, this conversation may challenge what you thought you knew.

• Why type 2 diabetes develops in the first place
• The relationship between insulin resistance and blood sugar dysfunction
• Common myths about diabetes treatment
• Why medication alone may not address the root cause
• Nutrition strategies that support healthy blood sugar levels
• The role of fasting and meal timing in metabolic health
• Lifestyle factors that influence insulin sensitivity
• What "diabetes reversal" actually means
• How long it may take to see meaningful improvements
• Practical first steps for listeners dealing with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes

Dr. Jason Shumard specializes in helping people understand the underlying causes of type 2 diabetes and implement strategies to restore metabolic health. Through education and practical lifestyle interventions, he helps individuals take control of their blood sugar and work toward lasting health improvements.

Dr. Jason Shumard: https://drshumard.com/

If you're struggling with insulin resistance, blood sugar instability, stubborn weight gain, fatigue, or metabolic dysfunction, here are the resources I recommend most:

✔ RESET – My step-by-step program designed to help you improve metabolic health, reduce inflammation, and create a foundation for lasting healing:
RESET Program

✔ The Feel Great System – One of my favorite tools for supporting appetite control, blood sugar balance, energy, and weight loss:
Order the Feel Great System Here

In this thought-provoking episode of Optimal Metabolism, Shana tackles four deceptively simple questions that reveal some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding metabolic health today.

Could eating too often be more problematic than eating too much? Can someone be overweight and undernourished at the same time? Is your fatigue really a food issue—or could your light environment be playing a larger role? And what if your nightly Netflix habit is affecting your blood sugar more than that dessert you enjoyed after dinner?

If you've been struggling with stubborn weight, fatigue, cravings, blood sugar issues, or simply feel like you're doing everything right without seeing results, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you a fresh perspective on what may be driving your symptoms.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

• What's harder on metabolism: overeating or over-frequent eating?

• How insulin and meal frequency influence fat burning and metabolic flexibility.

• Why many people today are simultaneously overweight and undernourished.

• The connection between nutrient density, cravings, and metabolic dysfunction.

• How light exposure impacts circadian rhythms, cortisol, melatonin, and energy production.

• Why fatigue isn't always about food, supplements, or hormones.

• The surprising relationship between evening screen exposure and blood sugar regulation.

• Practical strategies to improve metabolic health without adding more restriction.

SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE

Today's episode is sponsored by GOOD IDEA.

GOOD IDEA is a science-backed beverage designed to help reduce blood sugar spikes when consumed before meals. If you're working to improve metabolic health, insulin resistance, prediabetes, or blood sugar control, it may be a helpful tool to add to your routine.

Check out GOOD IDEA and save 15% here: https://www.goodidea.us/discount/SHANAH

Join my brand new 90-Day COMPASS Metabolic Reset HERE.

Cancer care is evolving, and today's conversation with Martha Tettenborn dives into one of the most overlooked aspects of healing and prevention: metabolic health.

Martha is a cancer survivor, author of Hacking Chemo, and currently works with Dietary Therapies, where she helps support patients using evidence-based nutritional and metabolic approaches alongside conventional cancer care.

In this follow-up conversation, we move beyond Martha's personal story and explore what she's seeing firsthand in patients today. We discuss the growing connection between insulin resistance, blood sugar dysregulation, inflammation, and cancer progression — and why metabolic health deserves a much bigger place in the cancer conversation.

Martha also shares practical insights into keto therapies, fasting during treatment, common mistakes patients make when trying these approaches on their own, and the importance of individualized care and professional guidance.

This episode is not only valuable for those navigating cancer, but also for anyone struggling with fatigue, inflammation, insulin resistance, stubborn weight gain, or chronic metabolic dysfunction. So many of the foundational principles that support metabolic healing apply broadly to overall health and disease prevention.

✨ How Martha's perspective has evolved from cancer survivor to working directly with patients at Dietary Therapies

✨ Common metabolic patterns she is seeing in cancer patients today

✨ The connection between insulin resistance, blood sugar dysregulation, and cancer progression

✨ What people are misunderstanding about keto and fasting for cancer care

✨ Who may not be a good candidate for fasting during treatment

✨ The biggest mistakes people make when trying dietary therapies on their own

✨ How metabolic therapies can work alongside conventional oncology care

✨ Why nutrition and metabolic health are still often overlooked in cancer treatment

✨ Lifestyle habits and strategies that may support long-term healing and recurrence prevention

✨ Why metabolic health matters even for those who have never faced a cancer diagnosis

Learn more about Martha's work through Dietary Therapies

Get Martha's book Hacking Chemo

READY TO IMPROVE YOUR METABOLIC HEALTH?

✨ My 90-Day COMPASS Reset begins Monday, June 1st!

This guided reset is designed to help you stabilize blood sugar, improve energy, reduce inflammation, and begin healing your metabolism with sustainable strategies focused on meal timing, metabolic flexibility, circadian health, and nervous system support.

The only requirement to join is being on the Feel Great System.

Get started here: https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

In today's episode, I'm answering some of the most common metabolic health questions I hear from people who feel frustrated, exhausted, and stuck — even though they're trying to "do everything right."

We're diving into the real root causes behind fatty liver, high triglycerides, stubborn weight gain, cravings, blood sugar instability, and rising blood pressure — and why insulin resistance is often at the center of it all.

Inside this Q&A Instagram Live, we discuss:

✨ What I would focus on FIRST if someone had fatty liver, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, and 50 pounds to lose

✨ Can insulin resistance exist even if your glucose levels look "normal"?

✨ The biggest breakfast mistake I see people making — especially when it comes to blood sugar and cravings

✨ Why nighttime cravings happen (and what they may be telling you about your metabolism)

✨ Whether walking after meals is REALLY as powerful as people claim for blood sugar control

✨ How meal timing, sunlight, sleep, movement, and insulin all work together to influence metabolic health

If you've been told to simply "eat less and move more," but your body still feels inflamed, exhausted, and resistant to change, this episode will help you better understand what may actually be happening beneath the surface.

RESOURCES & LINKS:

✨ 90-Day Metabolic Reset (COMPASS): https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

✨ Feel Great System: https://ufeelgreat.com/c/SHANAH

✨ Low Insulin Academy:  https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/low-insulin-academy-on-demand/

✨ Cortisol Calm: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/cortisol-calm-signature-course/

✨ Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com/

Connect with Me:
Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

What if weight loss wasn't the ultimate goal—but instead the starting point for true health?

In this episode, I sit down with longevity-focused coach Jason Nelson to discuss the hidden side of modern fat loss culture. While many people are finally losing weight through restrictive dieting, excessive cardio, or GLP-1 medications, they're often left with low energy, muscle loss, metabolic dysfunction, and bodies that still don't feel healthy.

Jason explains why focusing only on the scale can actually move people further away from long-term vitality, and why muscle, bone density, metabolic resilience, and biological age are becoming the true markers of health and longevity.

We also have an honest conversation about GLP-1 medications and peptides—what's working, what's being overhyped, and what people absolutely need to understand before relying on these tools long-term.

If you've ever felt frustrated because you lost weight but still didn't feel well… this episode is for you.

• Why fat loss should be viewed as the entry point to longevity—not the final goal
• The hidden metabolic consequences of aggressive weight loss
• Muscle loss, fatigue, and slowed metabolism after dieting
• Why some people lose weight but never regain their energy
• What Jason is seeing with GLP-1 medications in the real world
• The truth about peptides and modern fat loss therapies
• The psychological cost of relying on external tools for control
• Why muscle health matters more than ever after 40
• Biological age vs chronological age—and why it matters
• The future of fitness, metabolism, and longevity optimization
• How to pursue sustainable fat loss without damaging your metabolism

Website: Body Image Health

Instagram:  @jaynelson0580

🔥 Feel Great System: Feel Great System Information

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin

Website: Shana Hussin Wellness

Podcast: Optimal Metabolism Podcast

What happens when a pharmacist of 30+ years realizes the system she was trained in isn't actually helping people heal?

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Amanda Yue, PharmD, to discuss her journey from conventional pharmacy to root-cause healing—and the life-changing results that followed.

Amanda shares how her 80-year-old mother-in-law, who was facing foot amputation due to long-standing type 2 diabetes, was able to not only avoid surgery—but reverse her diabetes and regain her memory after early signs of cognitive decline.

We also dive into Amanda's personal health struggles, including 27 years of psoriasis, leaky gut, hormonal imbalances, and chronic symptoms despite "normal" lab work—and what finally helped her heal.

A major part of this transformation came from implementing the Feel Great System, which includes a concentrated yerba mate tea and a fiber matrix supplement. These tools helped address insulin resistance, reduce food cravings, and stabilize blood sugar—unlocking the body's ability to heal.

This conversation goes beyond one success story. Amanda explains how the same approach helped improve her entire family's health, from blood sugar and weight to focus and hormonal balance.

If you've ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like nothing is working—this episode will challenge what you've been told and show you what's actually possible when you address the root cause.

• Amanda's experience as a pharmacist and why patients keep getting worse
• Her personal struggles with leaky gut, psoriasis, and hormonal imbalance
• Why "normal labs" don't always mean you're healthy
• How her 80-year-old mother-in-law avoided amputation
• Reversing type 2 diabetes naturally
• The role of the Feel Great System (concentrated yerba mate + fiber matrix)
• The connection between insulin resistance and memory loss
• Improvements in cognitive function and early dementia symptoms
• Why medications like statins and PPIs may not address the real issue
• The role of insulin resistance in weight gain, inflammation, and chronic disease
• How this approach impacted her entire family (PCOS, Hashimoto's, ADD, and more)

👉 Learn more from Amanda:

• Website: https://restoredigestion.com/restoredigestion
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootcausepharmd/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.yue.79/

Compass: 90-Day Metabolic Reset (Starting June 1)

If you're tired of guessing and ready for a step-by-step plan to finally fix your metabolism, balance your blood sugar, and lose weight in a sustainable way—this is for you.

🔗 https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Fatty liver is one of the most common metabolic conditions today—and many people don't even know they have it.

It's often discovered incidentally on lab work or imaging, and the typical advice is vague at best: lose weight, eat better, exercise more.

What's often missing from that conversation is this: Fatty liver is not just about fat. It's a metabolic and hormonal issue—driven largely by insulin resistance.

In this episode, we break down what fatty liver really is, why it develops, and most importantly, whether it can be reversed.

The good news is that in many cases, fatty liver is reversible when the root cause is addressed.

We'll walk through how insulin, blood sugar, and metabolic dysfunction contribute to fat accumulation in the liver, and why simply cutting calories or following generic diet advice often isn't enough.

You'll also learn how meal timing, circadian rhythm, and metabolic signaling all play a role in liver health—making this more than just a "diet issue."

If you've been told you have fatty liver, elevated liver enzymes, or you're dealing with stubborn metabolic issues, this episode will help you understand what's actually happening in your body and what steps support true healing.

• What fatty liver is and how it develops
• Why fatty liver is strongly connected to insulin resistance
• The difference between dietary fat and liver fat
• Why "eat less, move more" often isn't enough
• How chronically elevated insulin drives fat storage in the liver
• The role of blood sugar, triglycerides, and metabolic dysfunction
• Why fatty liver is often an early warning sign
• How meal timing and reducing constant snacking support liver health
• The connection between circadian rhythm and metabolic function
• Key strategies that support reversing fatty liver naturally

If you're looking to improve insulin sensitivity, support liver health, and restore metabolic function, this is exactly what I teach inside my reset.

Learn more at: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

What if the constant thoughts about food… just disappeared?

In this powerful success story, I sit down with Jill Kramer to talk about her transformation using the Feel Great System—and how it completely changed not only her body, but her relationship with food.

At 56 years old, Jill is now the leanest she's ever been, with better gut health, more energy, and zero obsession around food. But what makes this story even more incredible is what happened with her mom…

After years of struggling, her mother lost 40 pounds, came off all medications, and experienced something so many people are desperate for: freedom from food noise.

This episode is a must-listen if you feel stuck, frustrated, or like nothing has worked for your metabolism.

• Jill's health struggles before starting the Feel Great System
• What finally "clicked" for her metabolism and weight loss
• How her gut health dramatically improved
• What "food noise" felt like before—and how it completely disappeared
• The biggest mindset and lifestyle shifts that made this sustainable
• Her mom's transformation: 35 pounds lost and off medications
• Why this approach worked when other methods didn't
• The connection between blood sugar, cravings, and hunger
• What surprised Jill the most during her journey
• How this can work for midlife women (and others!) struggling with weight and energy

If you've been stuck in a cycle of cravings, weight gain, or constant thoughts about food—this episode will open your eyes to what's possible.

👉 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that change is possible.

Try the FEEL GREAT SYSTEM: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/

What if severe anxiety, depression, and brain fog aren't just mental health issues—but metabolic ones?

In today's powerful conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Matt Bernstein, a clinical psychiatrist and leading voice in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry. We dive deep into the connection between metabolism and brain health—and why conditions like insulin resistance, blood sugar instability, and circadian disruption may be at the root of many mental health struggles.

If you've been dealing with fatigue, poor sleep, mood swings, or difficulty focusing—this episode will help you understand why your body feels out of sync and what you can start doing about it. This is a must-listen for anyone who feels like they've been missing a key piece of their healing puzzle, especially when it comes to more severe mental health issues.

• What "metabolic psychiatry" really means
• The connection between insulin resistance and brain function
• How blood sugar swings impact anxiety, mood, and energy
• Why mitochondrial health is critical for mental clarity
• The role of circadian rhythm in mental and metabolic health
• How modern lifestyle factors are contributing to the mental health crisis
• Where traditional psychiatry may be missing the mark
• Foundational steps to begin supporting both brain and metabolic health

🌐 Learn more about Dr. Bernstein and his work:
https://accordmh.com

Dr. Bernstein on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accordmh/

Find me on Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Shana's 90 Day Insulin Reset: 90-DAY INSULIN RESET

Thank you to GOOD IDEA for sponsoring this episode!

Save 15% on your GOOD IDEA order with code SHANAH, or click THIS LINK TO SAVE.

Carbohydrates have become one of the most controversial topics in nutrition. Depending on who you follow, carbs are either the root of all metabolic disease or an essential part of a healthy diet.

In this episode, I'm sharing my personal and clinical approach to carbohydrates and answering a question I hear all the time:

Do you have to go keto to heal insulin resistance and metabolic issues?

The short answer is no — but the full answer is much more nuanced.

Carbohydrates do impact blood sugar and insulin more than any other macronutrient, which is why low-carb and ketogenic diets can be helpful for some people, especially in the early stages of metabolic dysfunction. However, long-term healing is not about eliminating carbohydrates entirely. It's about restoring the body's ability to handle them appropriately.

In this episode, we explore the concept of metabolic flexibility and why the goal is not permanent restriction, but rather rebuilding a metabolism that can efficiently switch between burning glucose and fat.

I also share a perspective that is often missing from modern nutrition conversations — the role of seasonality and light exposure. Historically, carbohydrate intake naturally fluctuated throughout the year, with lower availability in the winter and higher availability in the warmer months when light is abundant and plant foods are growing.

This seasonal rhythm aligns with how our metabolism and circadian biology are designed to function.

If you've been confused about carbs, frustrated with restrictive diets, or unsure how to approach nutrition long term, this episode will help you understand a more balanced, biologically aligned way forward.

• Why carbohydrates became such a controversial topic
• The role of insulin in carbohydrate metabolism
• Whether keto is necessary for healing
• The concept of metabolic flexibility and why it matters
• When a lower-carb approach may be helpful
• Potential downsides of long-term extreme carb restriction
• My personal framework for using carbohydrates strategically
• The importance of meal timing and insulin patterns
• How seasonality and light exposure influence carbohydrate needs
• Why local and seasonal eating supports metabolic health

Learn more at: www.shanahussinwellness.com

FEEL GREAT SYSTEM: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/

What if cancer isn't just genetic — but deeply connected to your metabolism and your body's ability to manage infections?

In this powerful episode, Shana sits down with Mark Lintern, author of The Cancer Resolution, to uncover the overlooked connection between cancer, chronic infections, and blood sugar dysregulation.

If you're struggling with insulin resistance, fatigue, weight gain, or inflammation, this conversation will connect important dots. You'll learn how glucose, insulin, and mitochondrial dysfunction create an internal environment where both infections and cancer can thrive.

Most importantly, this episode breaks down practical, foundational steps you can take to shift your metabolic health and support your body's natural defenses.

This is about empowerment — not fear — and understanding how your daily choices shape long-term health.

• The surprising connection between infections and cancer
• How blood sugar and insulin impact disease progression
• Why insulin resistance creates a vulnerable internal environment
• The role of mitochondria in both immune function and cancer
• How inflammation links infections, metabolic dysfunction, and cancer
• The impact of circadian rhythm, sleep, and light exposure
• Simple, practical strategies to support a "disease-resistant" body

🌐 Learn more from Mark Lintern: Cell Suppression

📘 Get his book: The Cancer Resolution

FEEL GREAT System: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/

Is fasting helping your metabolism… or actually making things worse?

If you've tried fasting and felt shaky, exhausted, or stuck, or if you're fasting longer and seeing no results, this episode is for you. The truth is fasting isn't one-size-fits-all. The wrong approach can actually increase stress hormones, disrupt blood sugar, and stall your progress.

In this episode, I break down:

• How to tell if you're fasting too much or too little
• Why fasting feels easy for some people… and miserable for others
• The role of insulin, cortisol, and circadian rhythm in fasting success
• Why timing your fast matters more than just extending it
• How unstable blood sugar makes fasting feel like punishment
• The biggest mistakes people make when trying intermittent fasting

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn
Website: shanahussinwellness.com
Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

FEEL GREAT SYSTEM: CLICK HERE

Ashleigh Di Lello is an international speaker, mindset and trauma expert, and the creator of Bio Emotional Healing®, a method designed to help people break free from trauma, chronic pain, and subconscious patterns that keep them stuck.

Ashleigh's journey is nothing short of remarkable. As a professional dancer who performed with legends like Michael Jackson and appeared on Dancing with the Stars, she seemed to be living a dream life. But behind the scenes, she was battling severe illness, chronic pain, and a life-threatening health crisis.

Through her healing journey, Ashleigh discovered how deeply trauma, emotional stress, and subconscious programming can affect the nervous system and physical health. This realization led her to develop a method that helps people retrain their brain, regulate their nervous system, and unlock their body's ability to heal.

In this episode, we explore how unresolved emotional trauma can keep the body stuck in survival mode, how it affects hormones and overall health, and what it takes to finally break those patterns so the body can move toward healing.

This conversation will open your eyes to the powerful connection between emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and physical health.

• Ashleigh's journey from professional dancer to health crisis and healing
• Her experience performing on Dancing with the Stars
• How trauma and emotional stress can affect the nervous system and physical health
• Why many people stay stuck in survival mode without realizing it
• The connection between subconscious programming and chronic illness
• What Bio Emotional Healing® is and how it works
• Signs your body may be stuck in a trauma loop
• Practical ways to begin retraining the brain and nervous system for healing
• How emotional healing can support physical recovery and overall wellness

Website: http://ashleighdilello.com/

Instagram: @ashleighdilello

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn
Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin
Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com

90 Day Insulin Reset: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Most people think their metabolism is controlled by what they eat during the day. But the truth is, your hormones start being programmed the moment you wake up.

Your morning routine has a powerful influence on insulin, cortisol, melatonin, and other key hormones that regulate your energy, metabolism, sleep, and overall health. When your morning habits are aligned with your body's natural circadian rhythms, your metabolism becomes more stable, your energy improves, and your body becomes more resilient.

In this episode, we explore how simple morning habits can help reset your hormonal signaling and support metabolic health. These foundational practices are often overlooked, yet they play a crucial role in restoring balance to the body.

You'll learn how the first hour of your day can influence blood sugar and blood pressute regulation, cortisol patterns, sleep quality, and even your ability to burn fat efficiently.

If you've been struggling with fatigue, poor sleep, blood sugar swings, or stubborn metabolic issues, your morning routine may be one of the most powerful places to start making changes.

• Why the first hour of your day plays a critical role in hormonal regulation
• How cortisol is meant to function in the morning and why that matter
• The importance of morning light for circadian rhythm and metabolic health
• How your morning habits influence insulin sensitivity and energy stability
• Why starting the day with calm, intention, and proper light exposure can transform your health
• The connection between morning routines, sleep quality, and metabolic resilience

Learn more about metabolic health and the foundational strategies that support insulin balance, circadian rhythm, and hormone regulation through the programs and resources available at:

shanahussinwellness.com

Circadian Reset Guide: https://shanahussinwellness.com/circadian-foundations-guide/

90 Day Insulin Reset: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I sit down with Dr. Michael Biamonte, founder of the Biamonte Center for Clinical Nutrition and author of The Candida Chronicles, to unpack the surprising connection between Candida overgrowth and metabolic dysfunction.

Candida is often reduced to "just a yeast infection," but Dr. Biamonte explains why chronic fungal overgrowth can disrupt insulin signaling, impair liver detoxification, drive inflammation, weaken immunity, and create the perfect storm for weight gain, fatigue, high cholesterol, and blood pressure issues.

If you've ever felt like your body is working against you, this conversation may connect the dots.

You may want to explore this deeper if you experience:

• Stubborn weight loss resistance
• Blood sugar swings or insulin resistance
• Chronic fatigue or brain fog
• Recurrent infections
• Bloating, digestive complaints, or food sensitivities
• Hormonal imbalances that don't improve with diet alone

Dr. Biamonte is offering listeners a FREE copy of The Candida Chronicles and his 5-Phase Treatment overview.

📩 Email: drb@health-truth.com to request your copy.

Website: www.health-truth.com
Instagram: @drbiamonte

Check out my NEW INSULIN RESISTANCE WEBINAR HERE!

If you're eating clean… exercising… and still struggling with blood sugar, cravings, or stubborn belly fat — this episode may change how you see your metabolism.

Because your blood sugar isn't just influenced by what you eat.

It's influenced by when you see light.

In this episode, I break down:

• How morning light sets your insulin sensitivity for the entire day
• Why artificial light at night increases cortisol and blood sugar
• The connection between melatonin and metabolic health
• Why high morning glucose can be a cortisol issue — not a carb issue
• How circadian rhythm disruption drives insulin resistance
• Simple daily shifts that can dramatically improve metabolic health

Most people focus on food.

But your hormones follow rhythm — and rhythm follows light.

If your cortisol is elevated at night and suppressed in the morning, your metabolism feels chaotic. You may feel tired but wired, wake at 3AM, crave sugar, or struggle with weight loss even when your labs look "normal."

The good news? Circadian rhythm can be reset.

In this episode, I walk you through the practical steps to:

✔ Anchor your morning cortisol properly
✔ Support melatonin production at night
✔ Improve insulin sensitivity naturally
✔ Stabilize blood sugar without extreme dieting

Your body isn't broken. It may just be out of rhythm.

Are medications solving the root of metabolic disease — or just masking it?
In this powerful episode that started as a Instagram LIVE, I break down what you're not being told about the most commonly prescribed drugs for blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight loss: GLP-1s (Ozempic, Wegovy), statins, and Metformin.

I help you unpack:

• What these medications actually do (mechanisms of action)
• The real data behind their risk reduction claims
• How statins may suppress natural GLP-1 production
• Why GLP-1s cause significant muscle loss, not just fat loss
• Why Metformin doesn't reverse insulin resistance

More importantly, I walk you through what does restore metabolic health — including a system that's helping real people normalize labs, lose weight, and feel better without long-term prescriptions.

• The surprising truth about how statins impact your gut hormones
• Why insulin resistance — not cholesterol — is the real root cause
• How GLP-1 drugs work and what happens when you stop them
• The 3-step system to support blood sugar and cholesterol naturally
• How to evaluate your labs beyond A1C and LDL

Join my 90-Day Insulin Reset: Comment RESET on Instagram or Facebook and I'll DM you the link- https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Feel Great Nutraceuticals: The first step to restoring insulin and liver function- https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Website: shanahussinwellness.com

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy are dominating the conversation around weight loss — but what happens when the prescription ends? In this episode, Shana sits down with Lindsay Venn, PA-C, RD, and Clinical Director of Insulin IQ, to unpack how to reverse metabolic dysfunction without relying on lifelong medication.

They explore why insulin resistance is the real root issue, how to safely taper off GLP-1s without losing your progress, what labs can reveal your true healing status, and why many chronic diseases — including cancer — are deeply tied to your metabolism. This episode is a must-listen if you're struggling with fatigue, weight, hormonal chaos, or feeling like your body just isn't responding anymore.

What We Covered:

• Why GLP-1s may help but not heal your metabolism
• The most important labs to run before tapering off
• Common mistakes when weaning off Ozempic & Wegovy
• How insulin, mitochondria, and inflammation connect to cancer
• The role of fasting insulin, meal timing, and light in true healing
• The #1 lifestyle shift to calm your hormones and burn fat naturally

Links & Resources:

Learn more about Lindsay: vennintegrativemedicine.com

Reverse insulin resistance, fatty liver, and cholesterol issues: https://shanahussinwellness.com/fattyliverguide/

Join my 90-Day Insulin Reset: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Connect with Shana:

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

This episode was originally recorded as part of my Insulin Reset Facebook & Instagram LIVE series, where I go live weekly to teach the truth about insulin resistance, hormones, and metabolic health.

In this powerful session, I unpack:

• The REAL reason your cholesterol and triglycerides are high

• How fatty liver actually develops (hint: it's not from eating fat)

• Why statins may lower numbers but don't solve the root issue

• The overlooked roles of insulin, chlorogenic acid, and liver overload

• How the Feel Great System (Unimate + Balance) can support your body in reversing these patterns naturally

📅 Catch me LIVE every week!
🔹 Instagram Live: Mondays & Wednesdays at 9 AM CST
🔹 Facebook Live: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9 AM CST

Get started reversing insulin resistance, cholesterol issues, and fatty live with my 90-Day Insulin Reset!

What happens when a doctor leaves his practice, but finds his true mission? In today's episode of Optimal Metabolism, I'm joined by Dr. Kenny Harless—a retired chiropractor whose second act is nothing short of transformational. Through his own health journey and the discovery of the Feel Great System, Dr. Kenny has found new purpose: helping others reverse insulin resistance, regain energy, and restore hope.

We dive into why he left the conventional model, the breakthroughs he's seeing in his clients and the leaders he is training, and how this new chapter has brought not only healing—but financial freedom and deeper faith. This one's for anyone who feels like it's "too late" or that nothing is working. You're going to love this conversation.

💡 What We Cover:

• Dr. Kenny's journey from chiropractic care to metabolic healing
• Why conventional care wasn't cutting it—and what changed everything
• Personal and client transformations through the Feel Great System
• The role of faith and legacy in his second act
• How healing others has opened unexpected doors financially and spiritually

🔗 Links & Resources:

 90-Day Insulin Reset Program

Feel Great System Info

Work With Me

Dr. Kenny's Website

📲 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Shana Hussin Wellness

Dr. Kenny on TikTok

If you've ever felt "hangry," needed a snack every 2–3 hours, or crashed after a meal—this episode, taken from Instagram LIVE is for you. Shana Hussin shares how meal timing and food order can drastically improve blood sugar stability, reduce cravings, and help women over 40 finally feel in control of their energy and weight.

You'll learn:

• Why the timing of your meals matters more than you think (especially for women)
• The simple food order hack that reduces glucose spikes without changing your food
• How Shana uses Yerba Mate tea to support fasting and curb appetite
• The role of Balance Fiber Matrix in coating the stomach and balancing blood sugar
• Thoughts on WHEN to intermittent fast and how long

Links & Resources:

🔹 Download the Hormone-Friendly Fasting Guide for Women
https://shanahussinwellness.com/hormone-friendly-fasting-guide-for-women/

🔹 Explore the Feel Great System (Balance Fiber Matrix + Yerba Mate Tea)
https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/

🔹 Join the Low Insulin Academy (Pay-What-You-Can Options):
https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/low-insulin-academy-on-demand/

What if your body could heal—without more medications, specialists, or confusing diets? In today's episode, Wendy Knox shares her incredible journey of reversing Hashimoto's thyroiditis, terrible IBS, chronic pain, and losing 29 pounds—naturally—using the Feel Great system.

After years of living in discomfort, inflammation, and fatigue, Wendy found a sustainable path to true healing. Her story will inspire anyone struggling with autoimmune issues, digestive distress, or unexplained pain.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Wendy's lowest point—and the health conditions she thought she'd live with forever

• How the Feel Great system helped her rebalance her thyroid and calm autoimmunity

• The unexpected gut and digestion improvements that resolved her daily IBS symptoms

• How reducing inflammation helped her finally break free from chronic pain

• The simple shifts that led to her 29-pound weight loss

• Her advice to anyone who feels like they've "tried everything" without success

Links Mentioned:
🌟 Explore the Feel Great System:
https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/

🌿 Join the Metabolic Reset Program (for deeper support):
https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

📲 Connect with Wendy on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bmfd64BVe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Could insulin resistance be the real root cause of Alzheimer's? In this powerful and personal episode, Shana Hussin, RDN, interviews Rachel Daughtery, the passionate voice behind Booty & Brains, whose mission is to shift the Alzheimer's conversation toward prevention and metabolic healing.

Rachel shares how her mother's diagnosis ignited a relentless pursuit of answers — leading her to the science connecting insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and neurodegeneration. She explains why building muscle, stabilizing blood sugar, and reducing inflammation are not just good for your waistline — they're critical for brain health. This conversation is equal parts science and soul, offering hope and actionable steps for those with a family history of Alzheimer's or looking to prevent cognitive decline.

🔗 Booty & Brains on Instagram

🧠 90 Day Reset to reverse insulin resistance: 90 Day Reset

✨ Try the FEEL GREAT System: Feel Great System

✨ Explore all Shana's wellness programs: Visit the Wellness Hub

Rachel's personal story of becoming an Alzheimer's prevention advocate

The role of insulin resistance in cognitive decline

Why Alzheimer's is now being called "Type 3 Diabetes"

How movement and muscle mass protect the brain

The blood sugar-brain connection most people miss

Practical ways to lower insulin and protect brain function

Why prevention starts decades before symptoms appear

In this powerful interview, Shana sits down with Sam Hughes, VP of Sales at Unicity, to uncover the story and science behind the Feel Great System—a metabolic support protocol built on two potent products: Unimate and Balance.

Sam shares his unique journey from working in customer service to helping roll out this system across North America. He breaks down the ingredients inside each product, why they were chosen, and how they're helping thousands reverse insulin resistance, balance blood sugar, and feel better—often fast.

If you're ready to simplify your wellness journey and actually feel great, this episode is for you.

• Sam's journey from customer service to VP of Sales at Unicity

• How the Feel Great System was developed—and why it's so effective

• Ingredient breakdown:

  • Unimate: Yerba mate extract, chlorogenic acid, mood + fat metabolism

  • Balance: Biosphere fiber matrix, insulin + cholesterol control

• Success stories from the field

• Why metabolic health is in crisis (and what's working)

• How to integrate these nutraceuticals with fasting and circadian health strategies

🎁 Start your 90-Day Reset NOW: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

Feel Great Ordering Link: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/

In this powerful solo episode, Shana breaks down two of the most overlooked drivers of weight gain, low energy, and chronic disease: insulin resistance and fatty liver. Discover why these silent conditions are skyrocketing, how to test for them (even if your doctor isn't looking), and the exact lifestyle steps that can start reversing them—naturally. Plus, hear why she recommends the Feel Great system and how her metabolic reset program works.

What We Cover:

• Why fatty liver is now shockingly common 

• How insulin resistance leads to liver fat, hormonal chaos, and stubborn weight

• Testing for fatty liver 

• How to reverse fatty liver and insulin resistance without extreme diets

• The role of structured fasting, protein, and light in healing

• The "Feel Great" system Shana recommends—and how it complements her reset

• Why her own reset program is changing lives

Link for the Feel Great System (yerba mate tea + fiber matrix): https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/feelgreat/

Link for my Complete 90-Day Insulin Resistance RESET: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/reset/

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have changed the game for weight loss—but what happens when the prescription ends and you need a plan?

This week, I'm joined by Dr. Jim Hill, leading obesity researcher and architect of the National Weight Control Registry, to uncover what really happens after GLP-1s—and how to maintain your results without spiraling into regain.

We'll explore the three types of weight regain, what makes maintenance so different from weight loss, and why your body is capable of mimicking GLP-1 effects naturally—if you know how to support it.

Whether you're on these meds now, thinking of stopping, or just want to protect your progress, this is a must-listen.

Learn more about the 90-Day Reset Program (includes Feel Great System + Low Insulin Academy + coaching):

🎁 Free Resources

Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com
Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

• The truth about what happens when you stop GLP-1s

• Why most people regain—and how to avoid it

• The three types of regain no one talks about

• What your body needs to activate natural GLP-1 signaling

• How mindset impacts long-term weight maintenance

• Why blood sugar control is everything post-medication

The holidays bring joy, but they can also trigger emotional eating, guilt, people-pleasing, and that "I'll start over in January" mindset that sets you back. In this powerful re-air of one of Shana's most-shared episodes, you'll learn how to stay grounded and aligned with your health goals—without feeling deprived or isolated.

Shana shares practical strategies to help you recognize and overcome the most common holiday eating traps, all through the lens of metabolic health and faith-based wellness. If you've ever struggled with holiday parties, food pressure, or all-or-nothing thinking, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Links Mentioned:

💥 Join the 90-Day Metabolic Reset

🏠 Visit the website: shanahussinwellness.com

🎯 What You'll Learn:

Strategies to reduce hunger before gatherings

How to respond to pressure from friends and family without guilt

Whether or not to implement intermittent fasting over the holidays

Food order to negate blood sugar spikes

How to minimize binging at events

What it really means to honor your body during the holidays

If you want to truly reset your body, habits, and hormones going into the new year, the 90-Day Reset is your next step. It's designed for women who are ready to stop starting over—and finally experience breakthrough. Get all the details here »

In today's episode, I'm sharing exactly how I lost weight while on a cruise and over Thanksgiving—yes, during two of my most food-filled weeks of the year!
No tracking, no food guilt, no agonizing gym workouts—just two meals a day, a simple fasting rhythm, and daily support from the Feel Great System.

✨ I'll walk you through what I ate, when I ate, how I felt, and the mindset shift that changed everything. Whether you're traveling, hosting, or just trying to make it through the holidays without backsliding, this is for you!

• Why I stopped obsessing over food—even on vacation

• How Unimate and Balance helped me stay full, focused, and inflammation-free

• What a "real life" day of eating looked like on the cruise

• Why fasting 16–18 hours was effortless (and enjoyable)

• My honest results: 2 pounds lost (9 pounds total!) + zero stress

• Simple swaps and rhythms that changed everything

➡️ Start the Feel Great System
➡️ Get 75% OFF Low Insulin Academy or Cortisol Calm when you subscribe!
Join the 90-Day Reset and make this your turning point.

💥 Codes emailed to you after starting Feel Great.

💻 Website: https://shanahussinwellness.com

📸 Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

💌 Free Starting Guides: View All Freebies

If you feel like you've tried everything—fasting, low-carb, supplements—and your weight still won't budge, this episode is for you.

Shana welcomes Craig Mullen, founder of Remedy Functional Health and a pioneer in root-cause healing, to unpack the deeper reasons behind weight loss resistance and metabolic burnout. Together they explore how hormone dysfunction, mitochondrial fatigue, and even your nervous system may be silently sabotaging your progress.

Craig shares cutting-edge strategies he's using with high performers to reverse fatigue, balance hormones, and restore metabolic flexibility—including the use of peptide therapy, regenerative tools, and advanced diagnostics most doctors miss.

• Why you can still be metabolically sick—even with "normal" labs

• The role of mitochondria, peptides, and regenerative therapies in weight loss

• What to do when low-carb and fasting stop working

• Nervous system dysfunction as a root cause of insulin resistance

• Signs your hormones need support (beyond estrogen and thyroid)

• Simple actions to take this week to start moving the needle

→ Visit Craig Mullen's Website
→ Follow Craig on Instagram
→ Enroll in Low Insulin Academy
→ Check out Cortisol Calm
→ Visit Shana's Homepage

FEEL GREAT SYSTEM

MY 90-DAY RESET

Summary:
In this episode, Shana dives into one of the most overlooked yet reversible conditions in metabolic health — fatty liver. She explains why this isn't really a "liver problem," but a sign of insulin resistance and disrupted circadian rhythm. You'll learn how to heal your liver naturally through nutrition, light, and daily rhythms — and how the Feel Great System and 90-Day Reset provide a simple, effective framework for restoring energy, hormones, and metabolic balance.

What You'll Learn:

• Why 1 in 3 adults now have fatty liver — and most don't know it

• The difference between fatty liver and insulin resistance (and how they're connected)

• The early warning signs your liver is struggling

• Lab tests & how to get a diagnosis

• How light exposure, meal timing, and stress patterns impact liver function

• The Feel Great System (Balance + Unimate) for improving blood sugar, triglycerides, and energy

• The 90-Day Reset framework for restoring circadian rhythm, lowering inflammation, and promoting regeneration

• A faith-based reminder that your body was designed to heal when you live in rhythm with God's creation

💬 Comment RESET to join the 90-Day Reset community and begin healing your metabolism from the inside out.
💬 Comment FEEL GREAT to learn more about the two-step system that helps rebalance insulin and support liver health.

Episode Summary:
What if your chronic symptoms aren't your fault—but the result of being failed by a broken system?

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Aaron Hartman—author of UnCurable and founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine—to explore the deeper reasons behind weight loss resistance, autoimmune illness, trauma, and more.

We discuss the 4 reasons people struggle to lose weight (even when "doing everything right"), how to regenerate the body using light, food, and rhythm, and why addressing unresolved trauma may be the key to healing.

Dr. Hartman's story of healing his daughter—and what he now knows about the body's design—is one you don't want to miss.

What We Covered:

• Dr. Hartman's story: How healing his daughter reshaped his view of medicine

• The 4 root reasons you're not losing weight (and what to do instead)

• Why trauma can block metabolic healing

• GLP-1 drugs: useful tool or long-term concern?

• The real reason autoimmune disease is exploding—and what the immune system is trying to tell us

• How circadian biology, light, and rhythm affect healing

• What most doctors are missing about chronic illness and regeneration

• Simple ways to begin restoring your body—starting this week

Links + Resources:
👉 Learn more about Dr. Hartman: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com
📘 Grab his new book UnCurable
🎓 Dive deeper with my Low Insulin Academy: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/low-insulin-academy-on-demand/
🌙 Heal your circadian rhythm in Cortisol Calm: https://shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/cortisol-calm-signature-course/