Welcome to the GutFit Nutrition Podcast with Leigh Merotto, RD, MHSc—Registered Dietitian, gut health expert, and long-distance runner. This show is your go-to resource for all things gut health, IBS, and performance nutrition. Each episode delivers evidence-based tips, tools and strategies to help you tackle IBS and digestive symptoms, fuel running and fitness, and feel your best from the inside out.
If you're ready to beat painful bloat and gut flare-ups, say goodbye to irregular poops, and thrive in your active life with whole body, REAL science-based tools — this is the show for you!
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4: Abdominal Massage & IBS — Hands on Healing For Visceral Sensitivity, Bloat & Constipation
Episode 4
Friday, April 18, 2025 • Duration 48:08
In this episode, we’re diving deep (literally!) into the world of abdominal massage—a powerful yet often overlooked tool for supporting digestion, relieving abdominal discomfort, and improving gut health. Our guest, Benedict San Juan, shares how this hands-on technique can benefit those struggling with IBS, constipation, bloating, reflux, PMS, and even post-surgical adhesions.
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👤 TODAY'S GUEST: Benedict San Juan RMT
Benedict (Benny) San Juan is a Registered Massage Therapist. Benny graduated from Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy and has been practicing since 2016. He currently practices at Heal Space in Toronto. Benny offers a collaborative approach to therapy by listening to his patient’s needs and goals. He performs a thorough assessment which guides his treatment plan.
Benny uses a variety of massage techniques and educates his patients on self-care exercises so they can take better care of themselves.
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
3: Fatty Liver Disease & IBS? Here's How to Foster a Healthy Gut-Liver Axis
Episode 3
Friday, April 11, 2025 • Duration 57:24
In this episode of The GutFit Nutrition Podcast, we’re speaking all about fatty liver disease and the connection to the gut microbiome. Whether you're struggling with fatty liver and IBS, looking for expert guidance on fatty liver disease, or want practical strategies to support your gut-liver axis, this episode has you covered.
⏱️ Chapters:
(00:00) – Intro
(02:22) – Meet Andy De Santis, RD
(04:41) – What Is the Liver & What Does It Do?
(08:18) – Signs, Symptoms, and Risks of Fatty Liver
(10:23) – Definitions: NAFLD vs MAFLD
(12:48) – Common Tests & Predictive Indicators
(15:04) – Connection Between IBS, SIBO & Fatty Liver
(16:45) – Visceral Fat vs. Liver Fat
(20:42) – What Causes Fatty Liver Disease?
(24:05) – Nutrition Strategies for Prevention
(36:13) – The Gut-Liver Axis Explained
(42:00) – Nutrition Prescription: The High-Polyphenol Mediterranean Diet
(46:15) – Processed vs. Whole Foods in Liver Support
(47:22) – Fermented Foods & Probiotics
(49:17) – Misunderstood Superfoods: Coffee, Fruit, and Chocolate
(52:39) – Sustainable Lifestyle Changes
(53:04) – Lifestyle Strategies Beyond Diet
(56:48) – HIIT vs. Steady-State Cardio
(57:41) – Debunking Detoxes & Cleanses
(1:01:36) – How to Connect with Andy
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👤 Today's Guest: Andy De Santis RD MPH
Andy is a registered dietitian in private practice, social media enthusiast and multi-time published author from Toronto, Canada. He graduated from the University of Toronto School Of Public Health with a master's focused on public health nutrition in 2014 before starting this career in the research and education department of Diabetes Canada. Andy operates a private practice in Toronto, Canada where he sees a wide range of patients but has spent the last several years honing his skills in the world of fatty liver disease - a condition which affects 1/3 of the population and for which nutrition has a massive role to play.
2: Visceral Hypersensitivity & IBS With FODMAP Everyday
Episode 2
Friday, April 4, 2025 • Duration 01:00:45
This episode was a recording from a live webinar hosted by the amazing FODMAP Everyday. We dive deep into Visceral Hypersensitivity (VH) which is considered a hallmark of IBS and is likely responsible for the discomfort and pain you experience. Listen as I chat with Dede Wilson from FODMAP Everyday on this oh-so important topic!
⏱️ Chapters:
(00:00) – Welcome & Episode Intro
(01:00) – Meet Dede Wilson & FODMAP Everyday
(02:07) – What Is Visceral Hypersensitivity?
(06:00) – Nervous System & Gut Connection
(11:00) – Why the Low FODMAP Diet Works
(15:00) – Causes of Visceral Hypersensitivity
(20:00) – Leaky Gut & Gut Barrier Breakdown
(22:30) – How to Improve Visceral Hypersensitivity
(26:00) – Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy & Nerva
(28:00) – Anti-Inflammatory Diet Strategies
(31:00) – Fiber, Fermented Foods & Microbiome Support
1: What is Gut Health? (And How to Know If Yours is In Top Shape)
Episode 1
Friday, April 4, 2025 • Duration 22:28
In this first episode of the GutFit Nutrition Podcast, we’re chatting all about gut health. If you’ve been wondering what exactly it means to have good gut health, and what that looks like (bowel movements, symptoms, energy & more), this episode has you covered!
6: From Runner’s Gut to Race-Ready: How to Fuel Without GI Distress
Episode 6
Friday, May 2, 2025 • Duration 51:34
Today, we’re tackling a topic that so many runners struggle with—how to fuel properly to prevent GI distress. Whether you’ve experienced mid-run stomach cramps, bloating, or the dreaded emergency bathroom stop, you know how much gut issues can derail your performance. So, how can you fuel smarter and run stronger?
Fuelling endurance while balancing gut health is a topic I work with many of my coaching clients on, and joining me in this discussion is fellow Dietitian Stephanie Small!
(20:29) – Fat as Fuel? Why It’s Not Ideal for Performance
(23:40) – Avoiding GI Issues While Fueling
(27:32) – Gels vs. Real Food: Budget-Friendly Fueling
(37:04) – Carb Loading Explained & Practical Tips
(46:06) – Final Tips for Half & Full Marathon Nutrition
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👤 Today’s Guest: Stephanie Small RD MPh
Stephanie is a Toronto-based Sports Dietitian, PhD student, and the owner of Stephanie Small Coaching. She specializes in helping athletes—from marathon runners and triathletes to MMA fighters and corporate professionals—optimize their performance through science-driven, realistic nutrition strategies.
Not only does Stephanie bring her expertise as a dietitian, but she’s also an accomplished endurance athlete herself. She’s completed a 50k ultramarathon, three marathons, three half-marathons, and is currently training for an Ironman in 2025!
📌 Stefanie's Instagram:
5: IBS & Anxiety: Navigating This Common Connection With FODMAP Everyday
Episode 5
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 • Duration 01:02:18
Today’s episode is a recording from a live webinar I recorded with Dede Wilson, Cofounder of FODMAP Everyday® and The Queen Zone™. If you experience both irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and anxiety, you are not alone. These two conditions occur together more often than you may have realized.
⏱️ Chapters:
(00:00) – Intro
(01:31) – Meet your hosts: Leigh Merotto & Dédé Wilson
(02:54) – How common is anxiety with IBS?
(05:00) – Anxiety vs. stress: What’s the difference?
(07:28) – Gut-brain connection explained
(09:04) – Why IBS & anxiety often overlap
(13:41) – FODMAP fears: Why staying restricted can backfire
(17:02) – The 3 phases of the low FODMAP diet
(21:08) – IBS & gut inflammation: What we know
(25:06) – Are probiotics helpful for IBS?
(29:07) – Non-food triggers: Sleep, stress, and timing
(32:57) – Real-life strategies for eating out with confidence
(35:30) – Gut-directed hypnotherapy: Can it help?
(39:05) – Intermittent fasting & IBS: A risky combo?
(44:30) – Food intolerance tests: Fact vs. fiction
(56:00) – Breaking the restriction-anxiety cycle
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FODMAP Everyday is an incredible resource to help you thrive on the low FODMAP Diet with IBS! Checkout FODMAP Everyday for evidence-based, comprehensive guides, recipes and resources for your low FODMAP Diet Journey. You can find lots of evidence based blogs written by various Monash trained Dietitians including several from yours truly, as well as low FODMAP recipes, product guides and more.
10: Struggling to Hydrate and Always Have to Pee? Let's Talk Overactive Bladder (and the IBS Connection)
Episode 10
Friday, May 30, 2025 • Duration 42:53
In this episode of the GutFit Nutrition Podcast, we’re talking about the symptoms and impacts of Overactive Bladder (OAB), and link to IBS and digestive issues. This episode will empower you to take control with diet/lifestyle strategies and seek expert support, rather than simply living with it.
⏱️ Chapters:
(0:00) – Introduction
(1:46) – Introduction to the episode and focus on overactive bladder (OAB)
(2:24) – Meet Callie K, the Bladder Dietitian and her personal story
(5:00) – Callie’s journey from IC diagnosis to OAB and treatment challenges
(7:25) – Signs and symptoms of overactive bladder
(9:00) – Common root causes of OAB including pelvic floor and nervous system
(12:00) – How chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation affect the bladder
(15:00) – The gut-bladder connection and impact of IBS on urinary symptoms
(16:45) – Nervous system regulation as a key to bladder symptom relief
(20:56) – Overview of conventional OAB treatments and their limitations
(24:01) – OAB in active individuals and runners with IBS
(25:55) – Importance of proper hydration and common bladder irritants
(29:01) – Harmful bladder habits to stop doing right now
(32:07) – Dietary triggers for OAB and how to test sensitivities
(38:34) – Callie’s top takeaways for improving bladder health
(41:09) – How to connect with Callie K and learn more about her work
👤 Today’s Guest: Callie Krajcir, MS, RD
Callie Krajcir, MS, RD, The Bladder Dietitian®, is a Registered Dietitian and leading expert in bladder health. Living with interstitial cystitis (IC) her entire life and OAB during her college years has fueled her passion for helping others with IC, OAB and related conditions. Callie is the founder of Callie K Nutrition, the IC You Podcast, and social media platforms (@callieknutrition) that have empowered hundreds to find relief from bladder pain, urgency, and frequency through practical diet and lifestyle changes. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Interstitial Cystitis Association, advocating for awareness and better care for those living with IC.
9: What's the Best Way to Diagnose IBS?
Episode 9
Friday, May 23, 2025 • Duration 17:04
In this episode, we’re diving into the actual diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). As an IBS and gut health Dietitian, I am always explaining to my clients and community that IBS is a true medical diagnosis and that your symptoms are valid! We discuss the hallmark symptoms of IBS, IBS subtypes, common drivers and causes of IBS, and how to receive a proper diagnosis.
8: The Missing Link in PCOS — How Your Gut Microbes Influence Hormones
Episode 8
Friday, May 16, 2025 • Duration 01:05:51
In today’s Episode, we’re exploring PCOS and dysbiosis—specifically, how your gut microbiome can influence the development and management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. We break down the science behind the gut-hormone connection and what it means for those navigating gut symptoms like IBS, SIBO, or GERD alongside hormonal conditions like PCOS.
⏱️ Chapters:
(0:35) – Intro
(1:24) – Exploring the Gut-Hormone Connection in PCOS
(2:07) – Guest Intro: Sana Motlekar, PCOS & Metabolic Health RD
(4:35) – Sana’s Personal Journey & Cultural Focus
(8:25) – What Is PCOS? Diagnosis Criteria Explained
(10:35) – Misdiagnosis & Dismissal of PCOS Symptoms
Sana Motlekar isa Registered Dietitian with a Master of Public Health, specializing in PCOS, weight loss, fatty liver, and diabetes. Based in Toronto, Sana brings over 12 years of experience helping women feel at home in their bodies without restriction, shame, or sacrificing their cultural food roots.
7: Why Does Stress Make My IBS & Gut Symptoms Worse?
Episode 7
Thursday, May 8, 2025 • Duration 20:47
Welcome to our first listener Q&A Episode! This question comes from Bianca from Canada: Why does stress make my IBS and digestive symptoms worse?
This topic is super important, and fairly complex. I see the connection play out very often in my clients with digestive issues like IBS, SIBO and IBD. More often than not, they know that stress is a huge trigger for flare-ups. And when they come to me, many are often in a high-stress state due to their life commitments, work, family, etc. But also more often than not, they don’t realize how much stress is actually affecting their digestion and ability to heal from IBS.
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 Check Out My Article on Visceral Hypersensitivity & IBS
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
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If the GutFit Nutrition Podcast is giving you value - helped your digestion and fitness, made you rethink how you approach your gut health, please consider leaving a review! 🎧
If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
Apple Podcasts
🇨🇦 Canada - nutrition
20/08/2026
#79
🇨🇦 Canada - nutrition
08/08/2026
#92
🇨🇦 Canada - nutrition
07/08/2026
#63
🇬🇧 Great Britain - nutrition
31/07/2026
#96
🇬🇧 Great Britain - nutrition
30/07/2026
#56
🇨🇦 Canada - nutrition
23/07/2026
#73
🇨🇦 Canada - nutrition
22/07/2026
#37
🇬🇧 Great Britain - nutrition
05/07/2026
#77
🇨🇦 Canada - nutrition
01/07/2026
#98
🇨🇦 Canada - nutrition
23/06/2026
#84
Spotify
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