Optimal Metabolism – Details, episodes & analysis

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

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If you're dealing with anxiety, low mood, chronic stress, or hormonal chaos—you're not broken. You may just be out of rhythm.

In this powerful episode, Shana is joined by Dr. Kelli Ritter—licensed counselor, functional nutritional therapy practitioner, and quantum circadian specialist—to unpack how circadian disruption is a hidden root cause behind so many modern symptoms.

From anxiety and insomnia to burnout and hormone imbalance, Dr. Kelli reveals how our light environment, trauma history, and daily rhythms impact the nervous system—and what it really takes to heal.

This conversation is both science-backed and soul-nourishing, especially for the woman who's doing everything right but still feels stuck.

• Why anxiety and trauma are often symptoms of circadian chaos

• How modern life dysregulates the nervous system (and how to repair it)

• The link between hormone imbalance, poor sleep, and emotional instability

• Why rest and rhythm—not more willpower—are the real medicine

• How to build safety, stability, and regulation into your everyday life

Dr. Kelli blends 25+ years of experience in counseling, functional nutrition, and quantum biology. Her approach helps women rewire the nervous system, reconnect with their bodies, and return to rhythm for true emotional and physical healing.

• 🌿 Follow Dr. Kelli Ritter on Instagram

• ✨ Explore the Feel Great System endorsed by Shana

• 💻 Courses & Coaching with Shana

• 🎧 More Podcast Episodes

Nikkiey Stott is a registered nurse, certified personal trainer, and founder of WarriorBabe, her personal nutrition and fitness coaching business. Her specialties include strength training for all ages, consuming an appropriate amount of each macronutrient for longevity, and building and maintaining muscle lifelong. Our conversation covered hot topics like strength training to increase metabolism, why cardio isn't helping you reach your goals, and protein as the prime macronutrient. 

[1:21]- My 12 Days of Christmas offer is going on RIGHT NOW! It has been so fun to share these daily deals with you, make sure you receive my emails to have exclusive access to discounts on all things related to achieving your best health and wellness. Also, the waitlist for the LIVE Low Insulin Academy is open! Make sure you are on the waitlist for a discount towards enrollment when it opens January 2!  

[7:32]- Nikkiey's story of what brought her from yo-yo dieting and strict training solely for physique goals to a sustainable balance between nutrition, exercise, and life! 

[13:50]- Strength training vs. cardio- how does the body use calories differently during these exercise practices? 

[21:19]- Why is strength training the best way to speed up metabolism? 

[26:22]- If you want to begin strength training, this is where you should start! 

[32:56]- How do adequate amounts of macronutrients influence fat loss? Why are protein-centered eating habits so important? 

[41:49]- What is Nikkiey's view on intermittent fasting and how it contributes to muscle building? 

[46:25]- What should strength training look like in perimenopause and menopause? 

[53:35]- How do oral contraceptives impact body composition? 

[58:46]- How to get back on track after feeling like you've fallen off the rails. 

Special thanks to L'BRI for sponsoring this episode. To receive a free pack of samples from this clean and purposeful skin care company, use the link here! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM NIKKIEY STOTT: 

Website: https://warriorbabe.com/nikkiey-stott/ 

Personal Instagram: @nikkieystott

WarriorBabe Instagram: @warriorbabe 

Podcast: The Macro Hour  

FOLLOW ME ON:

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin

Website: https://www.fasttoheal.info/

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

ENROLL in LIA ON-DEMAND HERE!

FREE Starting Guides

10-Day Low-Insulin Jumpstart 

Metabolic Makeover Starter Course

Low Insulin Academy On-Demand Course

Low Insulin Academy Live WAITLIST

BE ON THE PODCAST by emailing support@fasttoheal.info and sharing your story of how Fast to Heal Services have changed your life!

Energetically speaking, what happens in the body during an extended fast? Where does energy come from during a long fast and how does the body maintain its metabolic needs? I discuss all this and more in this week's podcast episode! Tune in to be encouraged and understand what fasting periods best fit your goals! 

[2:16]- What happens in the first 12 hours of fasting? Why should almost EVERYONE fast for a minimum of 12 hours daily? 

[9:50]- I am so excited to share that my 12 Days of Christmas starts December 1! Make sure to check my website daily for incredible deals on all things related to achieving your best health and wellness. Also, the waitlist for the LIVE Low Insulin Academy is open! Make sure you are on the waitlist for a discount! 

[12:00]- What is a low energy state? How does the body thrive in this state? 

[18:03]- You're 24 hours in! How is the body using autophagy to meet its energy needs?

[21:27]- The human growth hormone is incredibly active at 48 hours fasted! What is happening in the brain? This is fascinating! 

[32:51]- Three days into a water only fast… how is the body actively fighting precancerous cells and protein here? 

[35:57]- Should you reach 5 days, autophagy intensifies, release of protective hormones increases, and the body continues to "eat" stored body fat for energy. 

[38:38]- Why it is person-to-person dependent regarding when autophagy and breakdown of stored body fat begins! 

Special thanks to Theia Health for sponsoring this episode. CGM's provide incredible information for understanding your blood sugar levels- find out if using a CGM is for you! 

FOLLOW ME ON:

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin

Website: https://www.fasttoheal.info/

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

ENROLL in LIA ON-DEMAND HERE!

FREE Starting Guides

10-Day Low-Insulin Jumpstart 

Metabolic Makeover Starter Course

Low Insulin Academy On-Demand Course

Low Insulin Academy Live WAITLIST

BE ON THE PODCAST by emailing support@fasttoheal.info and sharing your story of how Fast to Heal Services have changed your life!

SUCCESS STORY- one of my favorite kinds of episodes to record! Instead of sharing holiday tips and tricks as I have done in previous years, I want to encourage you through this conversation with Michelle Pfile. After struggling with her weight for years, Michelle became passionate about healing her body and became a health coach. 

[2:45]- My 12 Days of Christmas special will be running at the beginning of December! Make sure you are on my email list to receive the daily deals! 

[7:11]- How Michelle went from being told she would be unable to conceive and overweight her entire life to healing her PCOS and being able to teach women as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. 

[17:25]- How Michelle lost 80 pounds through healing her metabolic health.

[25:16]- How Michelle implemented therapeutic fasting and quit snacking! 

[40:12]- What has Michelle done to maintain her healthy weight? What is her journey with alcohol? 

[52:27]- How did Michelle's prior exposure to beauty product toxins affect her health? 

[58:49]- Michelle's journey with PCOS. 

[1:01:57]- Michelle's final thoughts! How she has supported her children in their personal health journeys. 

Special thanks to Theia Health for sponsoring this episode. CGM's provide incredible information for understanding your blood sugar levels- find out if using a CGM is for you! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM MICHELLE PFILE: 

Website: https://www.michellepfile.com/ 

Instagram: @michellepfile 

Podcast: In Total Alignment

FOLLOW ME ON:

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin

Website: https://www.fasttoheal.info/

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

ENROLL in LIA ON-DEMAND HERE!

FREE Starting Guides

10-Day Low-Insulin Jumpstart 

Metabolic Makeover Starter Course

Low Insulin Academy On-Demand Course

Low Insulin Academy Live WAITLIST

BE ON THE PODCAST by emailing support@fasttoheal.info and sharing your story of how Fast to Heal Services have changed your life!

I have discussed on past episodes much about what to break a longer fast with, and even what to include during your fast, but I haven't talked a lot about what to eat BEFORE a fast. This information is super important, as eating the way I outline in the episode will make your fasts easier, with a quicker conversion to burning body fat!

[1:28]- What exactly does it mean to be in a fast?

[3:38]- What happens when we fast, and which fuel types do we burn through?

[7:02] Why intermittent fasting being villianized?

[11:28] What macronutrients to fuel your body with prior to a therapeutic fast, and why a high-carb approach doesn't make sense

[22:25] Using stored energy and fat for fuel by being metabolically flexible

[24:20] Preparing the body to burn stored body fat and protect lean tissue

[28:43] How to eat to mimic fat metabolism

[30:17] Using electrolytes to stay hydrated during a longer fast

Special thanks to Theia Health for sponsoring this episode. To order your own continuous glucose monitor without a prescription, use the link here! 

The next session of Low Insulin Academy LIVE will begin January, 2024! If you know you struggle with metabolic illness or are currently taking insulin and want to heal your body holistically, I highly encourage you to get on the waitlist for LIA! Doing so does not obligate you for enrollment, rather shares a discount code with you should you choose to enroll. 

FOLLOW ME ON:

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin

Website: https://www.fasttoheal.info/

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

ENROLL in LIA ON-DEMAND HERE!

FREE Starting Guides

10-Day Low-Insulin Jumpstart 

Metabolic Makeover Starter Course

Low Insulin Academy On-Demand Course

Low Insulin Academy Live WAITLIST

BE ON THE PODCAST by emailing support@fasttoheal.info and sharing your story of how Fast to Heal Services have changed your life!

Nir Salomon is the director of integrative gastroenterology at Sheba Medical Center. Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be treated through both pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals; in this episode we will discuss the latter. Nir and his research team have created CurQD, a supplement that heals the mucosal layer of the intestines. We cover the development of these nutraceuticals and who they are for. I wish I had known about CurQD when my son was struggling with ulcerative colitis, I truly believe it could have helped him heal so much more efficiently! 

[11:29]- Nir Salomon's story of how he became passionate about IBS and IBD. 

[15:26]- What is the difference between IBS and IBD? 

[19:33]- The purpose behind Nir's work and who it is for. 

[33:01]- How can one access the protocol Nir created? 

[37:40]- What is the route of a colectomy? 

[41:14]- Is CurQD a successful protocol for maintenance remission? 

[45:55]- How does diet contribute to healing of IBS and IBD? 

[49:29]- Can CurQD be taken in conjunction with pharmaceuticals like antibiotics or immunosuppressants? 

Previous podcast episodes sharing my sons struggle with ulcerative colitis: 

Episode 1: My Story and Why I'm Passionate About What I Teach! 

Episode 24: My Sons Battle With Ulcerative Colitis and How He Ultimately Healed

Episode 69: An Update On My Son's Battle With Ulcerative Colitis   

FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM NIR SALOMON: 

Website :https://evinature.com/ 

Instagram: @evinature

Facebook: @evinature 

FOLLOW ME ON:

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin

Website: https://www.fasttoheal.info/

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

ENROLL in LIA ON-DEMAND HERE!

FREE Starting Guides

10-Day Low-Insulin Jumpstart 

Metabolic Makeover Starter Course

Low Insulin Academy On-Demand Course

Low Insulin Academy Live WAITLIST

BE ON THE PODCAST by emailing support@fasttoheal.info and sharing your story of how Fast to Heal Services have changed your life!

More than ½ of American adults either struggle with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. As a result, many people struggle with glucose toxicity and are prescribed insulin. Let's discuss what we can do to teach the body how to burn fat and restore insulin sensitivity, ultimately to reverse metabolic illness and negate the need for endogenous insulin.

[6:20]- What is the root cause of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes? 

[15:07]- Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes is a lifestyle-induced illness. What can be done about this? 

[22:28]- Nutritionally, how can you limit carbohydrate intake to heal? Take my CARB QUIZ to understand the right amount of carbs for you! 

[24:37]- Muscle is our glucose sink! Why do you need to increase your skeletal muscle tissue? 

[31:05]- Metabolic illness is reversible, here is how!

Special thanks to L'BRI for sponsoring this episode. To order your free samples from this clean and purposeful skin care company, use the link here! 

The next session of Low Insulin Academy LIVE will begin January, 2024! If you know you struggle with metabolic illness or are currently taking insulin and want to heal your body holistically, I highly encourage you to get on the waitlist for LIA! Doing so does not obligate you for enrollment, rather shares a discount code with you should you choose to enroll. 

FOLLOW ME ON:

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin

Website: https://www.fasttoheal.info/

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

ENROLL in LIA ON-DEMAND HERE!

FREE Starting Guides

10-Day Low-Insulin Jumpstart 

Metabolic Makeover Starter Course

Low Insulin Academy On-Demand Course

Low Insulin Academy Live WAITLIST

BE ON THE PODCAST by emailing support@fasttoheal.info and sharing your story of how Fast to Heal Services have changed your life!

Part two of my two episode-long conversation with Danielle Hamilton, FNTP! Last week, we covered hypoglycemia, and in today's episode, we compare hypoglycemia to reactive hypoglycemia. We talk about how to identify it and how to heal from reactive hypoglycemia. If you haven't listened to PART 1 from last week, give it a listen before you dive into PART 2! This will provide you with a foundational understanding of hypoglycemia. 

[3:42]- What is reactive hypoglycemia?

[8:52]- How to heal hypoglycemia holistically! 

[19:42]- What is a mini meal? How should they effectively be implemented into one's day when they give up snacking? 

[24:10]- What role do electrolytes play in supporting the adrenals? 

[28:45]- Does caffeine cause a blood sugar spike or influx in the release of hormones? 

[38:44]- High insulin is not the only cause of reactive hypoglycemia! 

Special thanks to Theia Health for sponsoring this episode. CGM's provide incredible information for understanding your blood sugar levels- find out if using a CGM is for you! 

The minerals and adoptogenic mixes Dani mentioned! 

Rasa: Naturally Caffeine-Free Herbal Coffee Alternative 

QuickSilver Scientific: Quinton Hypertonic 

Trace Minerals: 40,000 Volts 

FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM DANIELLE HAMILTON: 

Website: https://www.daniellehamiltonhealth.com/
Instagram: @daniellehamiltonhealth 

Blood Sugar Mastery Course: https://www.daniellehamiltonhealth.com/bloodsugarmastery 

Reactive Hypoglycemia Course: https://daniellehamiltonhealth.com/offers/8vXLnBA5/checkout 

FOLLOW ME ON:

Instagram: @shana.hussin.rdn

Facebook: Fast To Heal With Shana Hussin

Website: https://www.fasttoheal.info/

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

FREE Starting Guides

10-Day Low-Insulin Jumpstart 

Metabolic Makeover Starter Course

4-Week Personalized Protocols 

Low Insulin Academy On-Demand Course

Low Insulin Academy Live WAITLIST

BE ON THE PODCAST by emailing support@fasttoheal.info and sharing your story of how Fast to Heal Services have changed your life!