Think Better, Feel Better – Détails, épisodes et analyse

It would be easy enough to let a single diagnosis dictate the trajectory of your life. Let alone multiple chronic illnesses. 

Today’s guest is Loz Antonenko, an inspiring fitness instructor, life coach and published author of a book titled, “Get the F** Unstuck”. 

Throughout this episode, Loz shares how her personal health struggles became the catalyst for deep transformation—both mentally and physically and how it culminated in her current path as a wellbeing advocate and public speaker. 

From being diagnosed with a laundry list of chronic health conditions including ADHD, ulcerative colitis, fibromyagia, chronic fatigue syndrome, PCOS and PMDD (to name a few), to becoming a passionate advocate for mental and physical wellbeing, Loz shares how she turned life’s setbacks into stepping stones.

Learn about Loz’s simple, yet transformative concepts of tweaking “handbrake habits.” Daily practices, accessible to anyone around eating, breathing, sleeping, moving, and hydrating. With a compelling story, and her signature mix of infectious enthusiasm and grounded advice, Loz will have you thinking outside the box about how you’re approaching your wellbeing. 

• Loz emphasises that life often happens for you rather than to you, and personal struggles can serve as powerful catalysts for transformation.
• Loz’s unique wellness approach: Focusing on five essential "handbrake habits" that can significantly enhance overall health and wellness.
• Aligning actions with personal values a crucial step towards achieving life goals and maintaining physical and emotional health.
• Loz’s Insights For Navigating ADHD and Neurodivergence: Customised strategies can effectively manage ADHD symptoms without relying solely on traditional medication.
• Health is not about perfection but about consistent, sustainable practices that enhance life quality.

00:00 Loz Antonenko's Journey From Illness to Inspirational Speaker

02:37 Navigating Health Challenges and Medical System Complexities

07:35 Transformative Life Events and Personal Growth

11:24 Discovering Personal Growth Through Unexpected Gym Conversations

14:04 From Bodybuilding Extremes to Personal Transformation and Growth

19:28 Unlocking Health by Addressing Five Key Habits

23:58 Optimising Health Through Basic Habits for Better Productivity

27:33 Aligning Actions with Values for Personal Transformation

34:38 Empowering Neurodivergent Men and Women Over 40 Through Fitness

39:33 The Importance of Being In Tune With Your Body

41:52 Loz Antonenko Discusses Her Book and Online Presence

Connect with Loz: https://lozlife.com/

Find Loz on Instagram: @lozantonenko

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In this episode Bec is joined once again by Emrys Goldsworthy to explore the critical role of the vagus nerve in brain function, focusing on symptoms like brain fog, concentration issues, and memory. 

Emrys explains how the autonomic nervous system influences these cognitive aspects, highlighting factors like toxin exposures, diet, and lifestyle impacts. He emphasises the importance of the vagus nerve in body detoxification and suggests strategies for optimising its function, including outdoor activities, balanced nutrition, and light exposure. 

Discover how our modern lifestyles can disrupt vagal health, what signs to look for, and what steps can be taken to bring more balance to this vital nerve.

Emrys and Bec discuss;

• The vagus nerve plays a critical role in brain health by regulating neurotransmitters, the glymphatic system, and toxin elimination.
• Lifestyle factors, including exposure to toxins like microplastics and metal contaminants, significantly affect vagus nerve function.
• Natural interventions such as sun exposure, outdoor activities, and specific dietary choices can improve vagal tone and brain health.
• Hyperactive and underactive vagus nerve conditions are both indicative of nerve damage but manifest differently in symptoms.
• The autonomic nervous system, linked intensely with survival and repair functions, is crucial in understanding and managing brain fog and cognitive issues.

Covered in this discussion:

[00:00]  The Vagus Nerve's Role in Brain Fog and Concentration

[05:01]  The Hidden Dangers of Microplastics and Toxins in Everyday Life

[08:38]  The Vagus Nerve's Impact on Brain Health and Delusions

[17:58]  Understanding Hypervagatonia and Its Impact on Fatigue and Health

[22:33]  The Impact of Sunlight and Outdoor Time on Brain Health

[27:42]  Enhancing Brain Health Through Nature and Vagus Nerve Stimulation

[32:47]  The Impact of Diet on Vagus Nerve Health and Function

[38:38]  The Vagus Nerve's Impact on Hormones and Circadian Rhythms

[46:22]  The Role of Autonomic Systems in Inflammation and Healing

[50:51]  Exploring Vagus Nerve Health and Lifestyle Interventions

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Did you know mould illness can lead to dementia-like symptoms?

In this podcast, we explore the impacts mould can have on the neurological system and the various symptoms that can arise from exposure to mould.

Our guest is Lisa McDonald, a clinical naturopath and expert in mould illness and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). Lisa shares her personal experience with mould illness and how it led her to specialise in helping others with this condition. We touch on the lack of recognition and treatment options for mould illness in conventional medicine. Lisa provides advice on how to identify mould illness and offers insights into the naturopathic approaches she uses to support people suffering from mould illness and CIRS.

[0:00:00] Introduction to the topic of mould illness and its impact on neurological health

[0:02:05] Lisa's personal experience with mould illness and her journey to becoming an expert

[0:06:31] Discussion on the clinical term for mould illness: Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS)

[0:08:41] How to recognise mould illness and its varied symptoms

[0:11:48] The role of genetics in mould illness susceptibility

[0:14:41] The potential increase in mould illness cases due to flooding and humid climates

[0:16:21] Lack of recognition and treatment options in conventional medicine

[0:18:13] The neurological impact of mould illness, including cognitive impairments

[0:21:38] Recommendations for individuals suspecting mould illness and the importance of professional assessments

[0:24:56] Naturopathic approaches to supporting individuals with mould illness

[0:26:48] Dietary considerations for mould illness, including low histamine and anti-inflammatory diets

[0:28:31] How to find practitioners specialising in mould illness

[0:30:27] Challenges for renters in addressing mould issues

[0:32:05] Personal experiences and lessons learned from dealing with mould illness

[0:33:08] Conclusion and gratitude for sharing expertise on the topic

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In this episode, we invited nutritionist and life coach Sonya Reynolds in to share her expertise on supporting neurological conditions through nutrition.

Following Sonya's daughter's unexpected epilepsy diagnosis, she deployed her knowledge of diet and complementary medicine to drastically change her daughter's health. She now helps families in similar circumstances and has a special interest in applying her nutritional detective skills to chronic gut disorders and supporting families to navigate the keto diet.

Sonya and Bec discuss;

• Navigating an epilepsy diagnosis
• The gut-brain connection
• The role of diet in neurological disorders
• Uncovering triggers for neuroinflammation
• Blood-brain barrier and immune dysregulation
• Key dietary and supplement choices for better brain health

[00:33] Introducing Sonya Reynolds

[01:58] Sonya's journey with her daughter's epilepsy diagnosis

[04:19] The role of the keto diet in neurological healthcare

[08:05] Using medium-chain triglycerides in keto

[10:03] Supporting the protein needs of keto

[15:45] The importance of the gut and the gut-brain connection

[22:32] The addictive nature of casein

[25:10] Gluten: not just a problem for coeliacs

[30:17] Essential fatty acid deficiency

[32:45] Finding triggers for neuroinflammation

[36:16] Blood-brain-barrier dysregulation

[35:16] Immune dysregulation and inflammation

[36:38] Gut health and the microbiome

[39:34] Mould as a neurological risk

[40:47] Summary: considerations for overall brain wellbeing

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In this episode, Bec speaks to Christine Pope. A Sydney-based naturopath, nutritionist and homeopath with a special interest in cognitive health, healthy ageing, and women's health. Christine has developed her signature 'Ageing Outrageously" program to support her client's journey to age with vigour and vitality.

Bec and Christine cover:

• How a surgical procedure left Christine with her own cognitive health recovery journey
• Why women are more at risk for cognitive decline
• Why Alzheimer’s disease is called type 3 diabetes
• What is neuroplasticity & how can it be supported?
• What is the glymphatic system?
• The key brain foods and lifestyle factors you can be doing to protect your current and future brain health

[00:00] Welcome to Brain Awareness Week

[01:07] Introducing Christine Pope

[01:59] What is 'ageing outrageously'?

[02:50] Learning from neurology pioneers; Dr Dale Brederson and Dr Terry Wahls

[06:10] Why is Alzheimer's disease called Type 3 diabetes?

[07:11] Common cognitive health disruptors

[08:30] Hacking blood sugar for better brain health

[10:56] What is the glymphatic system?

[13:44] What is neuroplasticity & how can we support it?

[18:18] Why do women have higher cognitive decline risks?

[21:55] Brain Foods: essential fatty acids

[26:40] Brain Foods: berries

[28:04] Brain Foods: greens

[30:14] Brain Foods: eggs

[33:33] Prioritising exercise for better brain health

[40:10] Christine's journey with cognitive health

Connect with Christine Pope.

Christine's Better Brain Health [FREE WEBINAR].

Learn More About Christine's Ageing Outrageously Program.

Dr Dale Brederson's TED Talk: A Precision Approach to Ending Alzheimer's Disease.

Dr Dale Brederson's Book: The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline.

Dr Terry Wahls: The Wahl's Protocol.

Find The Glucose Goddess on Instagram.

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Mould illness is a chronic, systemic inflammatory attack on wellbeing. Yet, there is no accepted medical consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of mould illness, which forces many sufferers to take their wellbeing into their own hands.

In this episode, we speak to Camilla Thompson, a prominent Australian biohacking and wellness advocate. Camilla shares her personal journey through the challenges of postnatal depression, mould illness, and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), explaining how these experiences transformed her approach to health and led her to launch multiple businesses aimed at helping others optimise their wellness.

Gain insights into Camilla’s unique perspectives on biohacking fundamentals, her personal strategies for overcoming severe health issues, and her commitment to empowering individuals to take control of their health. Bec and Camilla dive into her holistic approach to addressing chronic illness, focusing on practices such as gut health optimisation, innovative techniques like cryotherapy and NAD supplementation as well as the critical role of adopting a hope mindset. As she reflects on her journey, Camilla provides practical advice on lifestyle changes that contribute to long-term wellness.

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It may shock you to learn that it’s only been within the last decade that scientists have been exploring the changes the female brain undergoes through puberty, pregnancy, parenthood and menopause. 

In today’s episode, we are joined by Dr Sarah McKay, a renowned neuroscientist, author and educator who specialises in women's brain health. In this fascinating discussion, we explore the intricate nuances of female neuro-physiology, and how brain development is shaped or even remodelled during periods of significant hormonal change, such as adolescence, motherhood, and menopause. 

Bec and Sarah also discuss what separates a male brain, from a female brain and how our life experiences shape and change women’s brain health. Dr McKay also shares her perspectives on the importance of friendships and connection and what the data reveals about the impacts of oral contraceptives as well as the quantifiable risks for women for dementia and post-natal depression.

• Experiences across a woman's lifespan, including education, socioeconomic status, and parenting, significantly impact brain development, often more than biology alone.
• Pregnancy brings forth notable changes in a woman's brain structure that prepare her for motherhood, often misunderstood as maternal instinct.
• Adolescence and pregnancy are pivotal biological events with comparable brain changes, signified by neural pruning and adaptation.
• Social support plays a crucial role in mitigating postpartum depression, superseding solely biological factors.
• Real-life experiences, varying by culture and socioeconomic conditions, crucially shape individual brain trajectories and health outcomes.

[00:00] Exploring Women's Brain Health Across Life Stages

[04:39] Gender Equality's Impact on Brain Development Differences

[11:54] Understanding Gender Differences in Dementia Incidence Globally

[15:29] Exploring Menopause, Brain Fog, and Evolving Conversations

[18:59] The Impact of Early Childhood on Lifelong Brain Health

[25:38] The Impact of Oral Contraceptives on Adolescent Brain Development

[32:57] Hormonal Changes and Brain Adaptation During Pregnancy and Adolescence

[39:56] Postnatal Anxiety and Intrusive Thoughts in New Mothers

[42:48] Hormonal Changes and Stress Reactivity in Pregnancy and Lactation

[47:11] The Emotional Challenges and Transformative Journey of Motherhood

[52:01] Key Factors for Maintaining Brain Health and Reducing Dementia

[55:22] Embracing Ageing, Female Friendships, and Upcoming Book Releases

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Although histamine is most often associated with allergies and immune responses, it plays a much more multifaceted role in the body as a hormone, neurotransmitter, and immune system mediator. 

In this episode, Bec is joined by chronic disease expert naturopath, Elizma Lambert to discuss the fascinating topics of mast cell activation syndrome, histamine, and their role in a leaky gut and leaky brain. 

Tune in to learn about the connections between mast cell stabilisation, gut health, and neurotransmitter regulation and explore the interplay between histamine, and glutamate, and how they influence the way you think and feel.

• Histamine acts as a multifunctional compound in the body, playing roles in neurotransmission, immune response, and hormonal regulation.
• Mast cell activation syndrome can result from dysregulated mast cells that release excessive histamine, leading to chronic inflammatory responses.
• Histamine's impact on the brain can contribute to neurological symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and brain fog.
• Understanding the interplay between histamine, glutamate, and other neurotransmitters is crucial in addressing histamine-related issues.
• What are the natural support options for mast cell stabilisation, gut histamine, glutamate and mood? 

[00:00] Welcoming Elizma Lambert

[01:53] Histamine's Multifaceted Role in Health and Disease

[11:49] Post Viral Fatigue and Long-Covid Symptoms

[13:16] Understanding Histamine's Role in Immune Response and Mast Cell Activation

[17:38] Histamine Pathways and Their Impact on Gut and Systemic Health

[26:04] Testing and Identifying Histamine Issues and Mast Cell Activation

[31:41] Histamine's Impact on Brain Receptors and Neurotransmitter Balance

[39:25] The Evolution of Information Access and AI in Healthcare

]42:05] Managing Histamine Issues Through Gut Health and Nutrient Support

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What we eat can have a profound impact on our present and future brain wellbeing. There are foods and food choices that complement our brain health and longevity and conversely, there are certain food groups that have strong evidence for compromising brain health. In this episode, Bec speaks with expert neurological health nutritionist Sonya Reynolds about the dietary approaches we can employ that can positively benefit our neurological wellbeing.

Key Takeaways:

~ The significant impact of diet on neurological health, particularly the role of gluten and dairy in inducing an immune reaction that can increase brain permeability.

~ The benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet rich in vegetables, fruits, good quality proteins, and antioxidants for supporting brain function.

~ The potential advantages of a low glycemic or modified Atkins diet as an alternative to traditional high-fat ketogenic diets for cognitive and neurological health.

~ The importance of personalized dietary approaches in managing neurological conditions and improving overall wellbeing.

[0:00:00] Welcoming back nutritionist, Sonya Reynolds

[0:01:20] Does diet really influence neurological health?

[0:02:53] The two biggest dietary triggers for neuroinflammation

[0:05:45] Coeliac disease vs. non-Coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS)

[0:08:07] Anti-inflammatory eating

[0:10:43] Sugar and brain health

[0:14:17] Mythbusting the keto diet for brain health

[0:18:32] Traditional keto vs. modified Atkins diet

[0:19:20] Do we need to track ketones?

[0:25:15] Resources for adopting keto styles of eating?

[0:27:58] Addictive foods

[0:36:28] Final summary

Full Episode Transcript Here

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Would it surprise you to learn that your vagus nerve can influence things like your gut motility, your stomach acid levels, your enzyme production and your heart rate?

In this episode, we are joined by Emrys Goldworthy. Emrys is a musculoskeletal expert clinician, with a special interest in the therapeutic potential of the vagus nerve. He’s is also a published author, having recently released his first book “The Vagus Nerve: Unleashing the Body’s Secret Weapon Against Disease”.

In this episode, Emrys joins Bec to discuss the profound impact of the vagus nerve on our health and wellbeing. He explains the role of the vagus nerve in various bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, inflammation, and mental health. Emrys shares insights on how low and high vagal tone can affect our overall health and provides strategies for improving vagal tone. He also highlights the connection between the vagus nerve and gut health, discussing the role of the microbiome and enzyme function. Emrys also offers practical tips for optimising vagus nerve function, such as breathwork, cold water immersion, and strengthening the neck muscles.

Key Takeaways

-- The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, inflammation, and mental health.

-- Low vagal tone can lead to symptoms such as elevated heart rate, digestive issues, and increased inflammation, while high vagal tone can cause problems like excessive acid secretion and constipation.

-- The vagus nerve is closely connected to gut health, influencing gut motility, enzyme function, and the microbiome.

-- Strategies for improving vagal tone include breathwork exercises, cold water immersion, and strengthening the neck muscles.

-- The vagus nerve can be affected by factors such as compression, weak neck muscles, and environmental toxins.

[00:00] Introducing Emrys Goldsworthy

[01:50] How Emrys became interested in using vagus nerve interventions in therapy

[06:05] Vagus nerve physiology 101

[08:28] Vagal tone and the gut-brain connection

[15:40] Clues your vagus nerve isn’t functioning optimally

[16:45] Vagus nerve relationship with allergies and histamine response

[19:07] The link between asthma and vagus nerve

[21:36] The role of vagus nerve in cortisol regulation

[26:19] The vagus nerve influences your gut and microbiome

[30:49] The role of the vagus nerve in toxin elimination

[37:25] How we breathe influences the vagus nerve

[40:27] Balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system response

[44:56] Compressions on the vagus nerve

[51:52] Learn more: Emrys’ book: The Vagus Nerve - Unleashing the Body’s Secret Weapon Against Disease

[53:53] The top three things everyone can do to care for their vagus nerve

Full Episode Transcript Here

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