Wellness by Designs - Practitioner Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

What if the real fallout from a head knock is not the moment of impact, but the silent systemic storm that unfolds in the weeks, months and even years that follow?

In this powerful episode, clinical naturopath Louise Cork reframes concussion as a whole-body injury that is widely underreported, frequently misunderstood, and too often treated as an isolated knock to the head. Drawing on years of clinical experience, Louise explains why symptoms can appear long after the incident, how intestinal permeability and a disrupted microbiome can amplify neuroinflammation, and why a gut-first approach often becomes the missing link in recovery.

We explore the systemic cascade that follows impact: increased intestinal permeability, a leaky blood-brain barrier, microglial priming, altered HPA axis signalling and hormone shifts such as low testosterone in men. Louise shows how these shifts can present as headaches, fatigue, anxiety, poor stress tolerance and slow injury recovery. A compelling motocross case study highlights how mapping a patient’s clinical timeline across body systems can reveal the turning points many people overlook.

We then move into practical strategies. Louise shares evidence-informed tools to repair the terrain and calm an oversensitised brain, including stool-guided treatment plans, endotoxin control with SBI and S. boulardii, targeted probiotics, and nutraceuticals such as saffron for mood and NFkB regulation, PEA for endocannabinoid balance and pain, omega 3s for inflammatory resolution, and thoughtful curcumin use that considers COX LOX balance without overloading the liver. We also explore sleep as a primary therapy, the role of the glymphatic system in clearing neuroinflammation, and how nutrients like L-theanine can deepen rest without immediately reaching for melatonin.

Prevention is a major focus. Whether you are working with athletes, military personnel, domestic violence survivors or high-risk workers, Louise outlines how optimising gut health, sleep, recovery rituals and nutritional foundations can reduce the fallout when impacts occur.

If you have had a knock, care for someone who has, or support patients navigating persistent symptoms, this episode offers a clear and actionable framework: assess deeply, repair the gut, calm the brain, support sleep and tailor the plan to the individual.

If this episode supports you or someone you love, follow the show, share it with a teammate or colleague, and leave a review so more people can access these tools.

Connect with Louise:  www.theconcussionnaturopath.com

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

What if adult acne isn’t hormonal after all, but an inflammatory signal from the gut asking for help?

In this thought-provoking episode, naturopath Asha Evertsz unpacks the gut–skin–brain axis and reveals why most adult acne is less about hormones and more about systemic inflammation, microbial imbalance, and stress. Drawing on years of clinical experience treating complex female acne, Asha reframes the condition as a terrain issue, not a topical one, where digestion, bile flow, and microbial diversity determine how the skin behaves.

You’ll hear how chronic stress, impaired digestion, and microbiome disruption from antibiotics, the pill, and Roaccutane alter immune pathways and ignite the mTOR signalling cascade that fuels breakouts. Asha walks through the stool markers that matter, including secretory IgA, zonulin, SCFAs, and Akkermansia, and explains the overlooked roles of bile, stomach acid, and pancreatic enzymes, her “guardians of the gut.” She demystifies the H. pylori connection, showing how low stomach acid and disrupted FOXO1 and IGF-1 pathways link directly to acne through poor absorption, excess sebum, and inflammation.

From there, we get practical. Asha outlines her phased gut-repair framework: fortifying mucosal defences, feeding the microbiome with fibre and polyphenols, introducing strain-specific probiotics, and only then layering in antimicrobials like berberine, a clever mTOR modulator. She shares clinical pearls on using bovine immunoglobulins to rebuild IgA and barrier function, timing omega-3s once bile flow is restored, and using zeolite, curcumin, and green tea to bind and calm the system during detox. From the outside in, she explains how corneotherapy protects the skin’s acid mantle and microbiome with topical pre-, pro-, and postbiotics, ditching harsh actives that create “leaky skin.”

Whether you’re a practitioner ready to move beyond surface-level acne care or a clinician refining your gut-first protocols, this conversation offers a test-led roadmap for rebuilding both inner and outer barriers, turning chronic flare-ups into calm, resilient skin.

Connect with Asha: Acne Naturopath | Asha Evertsz | Home

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Is Ubiquinol the Missing Nutrient for Lifelong Heart Health?

In this eye-opening episode of Wellness by Designs, Dr Ross Walker, a renowned cardiologist with 25 years dedicated to preventative medicine, challenges the conventional approach to heart disease, statins and cholesterol management. Central to the discussion is ubiquinol, the active form of CoQ10, essential for mitochondrial energy production and a powerful antioxidant. Dr Walker explains how our natural production of ubiquinol begins declining around age 30 and drops sharply by 50, contributing to fatigue and reduced cardiovascular resilience.

Dr Walker explores why many patients with “normal” cholesterol still develop significant coronary artery disease, arguing that coronary calcium scoring offers a far superior risk assessment tool than standard cholesterol tests. Dr Walker also addresses statin-associated muscle symptoms, recommending 150 mg of ubiquinol daily for statin users, citing research showing a 50% reduction in muscle problems, and up to 300 mg for those with heart failure to support cardiac function and endothelial health.

From mitochondrial health to protection against oxidative stress, this episode highlights why ubiquinol may be a cornerstone in maintaining cardiovascular wellness and why a more personalised, evidence-based approach is needed to truly prevent heart disease.

Connect with Dr Walker: Home - Dr Ross Walker

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Today we're joined by Dr Amie Steel, a naturopath and researcher who dedicates her whole career to fostering the communication between research, clinical practice, and results.

Today, we'll be discussing a fascinating topic of knowledge mobilization, and how the sharing of knowledge impacts not only other practitioners but the industry as a whole.

About Dr Steel:
Dr Amie Steel is a naturopath and Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney and is ranked Australia’s #1 Complementary Medicine researcher.

She holds editorial appointments for a number of journals, has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications and edited three special journal issues and three research books. Her methodological interests encompass mixed methods research, implementation science, knowledge mobilisation, applied health services research, and practice-based (pragmatic) clinical research.

Connect with Dr Steel:
Dr Amie Steel Senior Research FellowAustralian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM)

Faculty of Health UTS
Phone: +61 418 786 186
Email: Amie.steel@uts.edu.au 

 Shownotes and references available on your local Designs for health website
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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Shownotes and references are available on the Designs for Health website


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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Today we are chatting with Lisa Moane, a nutritionist, naturopath, and an SOS feeding therapist. And that's indeed what we'll be discussing today, extremely fussy eating. 

In today's episode we explore: 

• What an SOS feeding therapist is and what is involved in the therapy
• The potential ties to improvement in speech and behaviours with dietary modifications
• What is means when kids don't cope with the sounds of eating 
• What a basic feeding therapy session looks like 

This episode is a must listen to any parent or carer facing feeding issues in children. 

About Lisa:
Lisa is an experienced naturopath, nutritionist and feeding therapist dedicated to the health and wellbeing of the children she cares for.

She founded The Paediatric Naturopath, one of Australia’s leading online Naturopathy clinics focused solely on the needs of children.

Knowing the insurmountable struggle that some parents can experience when they try to feed their child a diverse whole foods diet, Lisa has trained as a Feeding Therapist.  With this extra tool in her toolbox, she can not only recommend WHAT a child should eat but also HOW they can eat it

With 3 children of her own, Lisa weaves together the technical know-how with the practicalities of family life to ensure achievable positive outcomes for children.

Connect with Lisa:
Website: holistichealthbylisamoane.com.au
Facebook: holistichealthbylisamoane
Instagram: lisa_moane_holistic_health


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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Shownotes and references are available on the Designs for Health website


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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Joining us today is Emily Pickering, a naturopath and PhD candidate at the University of Queensland who has completed a  clinical trial with Dr Elizabeth Steels using PEA for people with type 2 diabetes, who had peripheral neuropathy. 

Tune in as Emily explains the many benefits of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) across several conditions and why it should be a clinical consideration for practitioners.

About Emily:
Emily is a degree-qualified Naturopath and PhD candidate with the University of Queensland. Her research focuses on nutraceutical and botanical-based treatments for both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, She is also investigating the risk factors for glucose dysregulation and developing a robust new screening tool for clinicians to use in determining the presence of glucose dysregulation at an early stage. She has worked in several clinical trials as part of her PhD, in particular investigating PEA as a treatment for reducing pain and inflammation in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and has an interest in understanding the interconnections between pain, mood, gut microbiome and diabetes.

 
Alongside her research she practices in her clinic, focusing on conditions that cause pain, hormone dysregulation and mitochondrial dysregulation, which are linked to poor mood and poor energy levels. She is passionate about educating people on the importance of managing blood glucose levels, which are often associated with, but not addressed, in chronic health problems

Connect with Emily:
Facebook: Emily Pickering Clinical Nutritionist and Herbalist
Instagram: @emilypickeringnutritionherbs
Email: emily@evidencesciences.com.au

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Shownotes and references are available on the Designs for Health website


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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Joining us today on Wellness by Designs is fertility expert Brittany Darling.  Tune in as Brittany discusses her work helping people with fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding issues.

About Brittany:
Brittany is a Clinical Accredited Nutritionist and Western Herbalist with 10+ years of experience and is a mum of two. 

She has a special interest in the areas of fertility, prenatal and postnatal, and paediatric nutrition. She is the founder of the children’s supplement company I’m Nutrients, the co-founder of Day One fertility and the author of "A Holistic Guide to Preconception + Pregnancy" and "Starting Solids". 

Brittany believes in a whole-food approach to nutrition and addresses misalignments with a holistic, evidence-based and functional perspective. Brittany is a keen researcher, keynote speaker and regular expert in the media. She is currently completing her Masters in Human Nutrition.

Connect with Brittany:
Website: www.wholefoodhealing.com.au
Instagram: @wholefoodhealing

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Shownotes and references are available on the Designs for Health website


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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Today we welcome Sally Whitmarsh-Knight, a  Naturopath and Clinical Nutritionist of over 20 years to Wellness by Designs.   

Sally has focuses her knowledge in the pharmacy setting. Providing Naturopathic consults focusing on family health, and today we are discussing a hot topic of Immune Support in the Greater Community.

About Sally:
Sally Whitmarsh-Knight has been practising as a Naturopath for over 20 years. During this time Sally has focused her knowledge in the pharmacy setting. Providing Naturopathic consults focusing on family health, fertility, weight loss and general wellbeing. 

Sally’s passion is to provide as many people with tools for a healthy life. Sally divides her time at the pharmacy, finishing a Bachelor of Clinical Nutrition and family life with 2 teenagers. 

As a qualified Naturopath for 20 years, Sally has worked in many pharmacies combining advice on supplements, herbal medicine, and nutrition with allopathic treatments. Conducting consults within a clinic space and advice on the shop floor, Sally has been able to provide care to a wide range of clientele. 

Growing up in a household that mainly served packaged and frozen foods, Sally embraced her multicultural neighbourhood. Through childhood friends she observed the Mediterranean diet, and therefore the joy of cooking, growing healthy produce and the importance of healthy eating. This leads to a passion for natural medicine and an understanding that a healthy lifestyle can turn your health around. 

Working in pharmacies has been a unique place to reach a varied audience. Understanding pathologies and their prescribed pharmaceuticals, has provided an opportunity to recommend diet, lifestyle and supplement advice to customers. Many of which would not ordinarily have exposure to natural medicine. 

Having worked at Gaslight Pharmacy for over ten years means that Sally has been able to build relationships with a large part of the community. Treating babies, children, their parents and often grandparents. Having a place where a patient can ask about their medicine as well as preventative and supportive help, brings about holistic care.

Connect with Sally:
Website: Gaslight Pharmacy Rose Bay

About Gaslight Pharmacy:
An institution in the eastern suburbs, opening 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. Cutting edge facilities, providing naturopathic assistance, practitioner only supplements, consulting rooms and a compounding lab able to provide personalised medication. 


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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Jessica Donovan is a Naturopath who specialises in Childrens' Health through her Natural Super Kids business. Today we're discussing How to Manage Kids' Immune Health Naturally.

About Jess:
Jess is the founder of Natural Super Kids, and she helps busy mums raise their super kids with healthy food and natural medicine.

As a Naturopath Jess has an intricate understanding of how the body works and natural therapies that can help support optimum health in our children. (many of which are already in your kitchen  )

In her clinical work, Jess has helped hundreds of parents to transform their children’s health. Her results have been from minor issues like getting picky kids to eat a more varied diet to helping clients to navigate chronic issues like cystic fibrosis and everything in between from eczema to tummy issues.

Connect with Jess:
Website: www.naturalsuperkids.com
Facebook: @naturalsuperkids
Instagram: @naturalsuperkids

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Shownotes and references are available on the Designs for Health website


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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Today we're speaking with Dr Daniel Yazbek, a Chiropractor who has a holistic approach to helping people with Migraine.  Tune in as we chat about diagnosis, pathophysiology, assessment and treatment of Migraines.

About Daniel:
Dr Yazbek is a chiropractic clinician in private practice for the past 5 years. His clinical application in everyday practice concerns the diagnosis, treatment and management of neuromusculoskeletal and spinal-related disorders. He ensures that every treatment decision surrounding a patient’s health encompasses sound clinical reasoning and an ethical, all-around evidence-informed approach.

He completed an undergraduate degree in Exercise & Sport Science in 2012 and a Masters in Chiropractic Science at Macquarie University in 2015. His unique special interests are within functional immunology, clinical and functional neuroscience, motor control & learning, sports and exercise medicine, as well as general, integrative & lifestyle medicine.

He is currently in the final stage of completing his Diplomat of Chiropractic Neurology with The Carrick Institute as well as Practitioner Certification with the Institute for  Functional Medicine, which will complete the circle of knowledge necessary to address his patients’ needs from all angles.

After successfully establishing and developing The Chiro Hub over the past 4 years, he has now entered a phase of expansion as his practice transitions to become Insight Health and Medical, with the enormous task set to amalgamate medicine with his niched allied health perspective.

Connect with Dr Yazbek:
Website: https://www.chirohub.com.au/

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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health

Shownotes and references are available on the Designs for Health website


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DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health