Message From Ashley and Jess

Ashley and Jess are taking a little Spring Break... or a permanent one. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week's episode of Wellness Reality Check, we’re joined by Dr Taylor Goldberg, known online as The Hypermobile Chiropractor. Taylor is a Doctor of Chiropractic who specializes in helping people understand and navigate life in hypermobile bodies especially those who have spent years being told they’re simply “flexible” or “double jointed” without realizing there may be a deeper connective tissue pattern at play.In this conversation, we unpack what hypermobility actually means in the body and why so many people go decades without being properly identified or supported. Taylor explains the difference between generalized hypermobility and hypermobile conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and why some people can be hypermobile without symptoms while others experience chronic pain, instability, and nervous system dysregulation.Movement and exercise are a major part of the discussion. We talk about why traditional fitness programs can backfire for hypermobile bodies, the common advice -like stretching or excessive yoga- that may actually worsen symptoms, and what types of training can safely build strength and stability over time. In addition, we discuss the chiropractic profession itself, including red flags hypermobile patients should watch for when seeking care and what safe, effective chiropractic support can look like for connective tissue disorders. If you’ve ever felt like your body is unpredictable, fragile, or difficult to understand, this episode offers a new lens—one that emphasizes education, stability, and rebuilding trust in your body.In This Episode We DiscussWhat hypermobility actually means in the bodyThe difference between flexibility and joint instabilityWhy hypermobility often goes undiagnosed for yearsWhy many hypermobile people struggle with exercise intolerance and injuriesCommon mistakes people make when trying to strengthen hypermobile bodiesWhy stretching and certain fitness trends can sometimes make symptoms worseHow hypermobile individuals can safely build strength and stabilityChiropractic care: what helps and what to watch out forWhy hypermobile bodies often respond differently to exerciseRebuilding confidence and trust in your bodyConnect with Taylor GoldbergInstagram: @thehypermobilechiroPrograms and offeringsBook a Free Discovery Call HereVisit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week's episode of Wellness Reality Check, we’re joined by Dr. Zac Spiritos, board-certified neurogastroenterologist and co-founder of EverBetter Medicine, to unpack the complex overlap of chronic conditions that often leave patients feeling dismissed or misunderstood.We dive deep into the gut-brain-immune connection, exploring how MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome), POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), hypermobility, and gut dysmotility intersect and why these overlapping issues are often treated in isolation. Dr. Spiritos shares insights on why labs can look “normal” while patients are still struggling, how nervous system regulation affects digestion, and the critical role of recognizing patterns across multiple systems for real healing.If you’ve ever felt like your chronic health issues are confusing, invisible, or misdiagnosed, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on in the body and how integrative, whole-person approaches can make a difference.Tune in to learn:How gut health, inflammation, and immune activation are connected to POTS and hypermobilityWhy patients are often sent from specialist to specialist without answersHow nervous system regulation influences digestion and chronic illnessPractical insights for supporting the body when multiple systems are affectedThis is a must-listen for anyone navigating chronic health challenges, caregivers, and practitioners interested in the intersection of gut, immune, and nervous system health.Find Dr Zac Spiritos on instagram @drzacspiritosEverBetter MedicineVisit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ashley and Jess talk with trauma-informed somatic relationship coach Becky Aste about how the nervous system shapes our relationships far more than insight or communication skills alone.Becky shares the breaking point in her own marriage at year ten, when she and her husband, with two young kids and a long history of a “chase and run” conflict pattern, chose separation and began discussing divorce. Despite years of therapy and self-development, they felt hopeless until Becky discovered somatic coaching during their separation. Learning to work with her body and nervous system, rather than just her thoughts, shifted her energy and the “dance” in their marriage. Over time, they reconciled and rebuilt a relationship with more safety, intimacy, and play.The conversation explores key differences between traditional “neck up” therapy and somatic coaching, which focuses on present-moment body awareness and regulation. Becky explains how the vagus nerve and body-to-brain signaling mean that 80 percent of our experience is driven from the body upward, so ignoring the body leaves many couples stuck.They dive into topics like using sex as a way to regulate or avoid disconnection, dissociation as a protective mechanism, and how trauma shows up in symptoms such as anxiety, gut issues, and chronic illness. Becky reframes codependency as a fawn response rooted in early survival strategies and unpacks how common attachment styles—anxious, avoidant, disorganized, and secure—play out in partnership.Throughout, she offers simple somatic tools such as grounding through the five senses, box breathing, and movement to discharge built-up energy. The episode also covers boundaries from a nervous system lens, the impact of modeling on children, and how to tell the difference between a trauma-triggered reaction and deeper intuition. Becky ultimately suggests that a lack of embodied safety to be authentic lies at the heart of many divorces.You can find Becky Aste at @becky_aste on InstagramHer website and offerings here.And her podcast Your Blueprint Breakthrough where you stream your podcasts.Visit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this week's episode Ash and Jess interview Jason Gandzjuk, a mental health and mindset coach whose work centers on nervous system regulation, core childhood wounds, and embodiment rather than quick-fix protocols.Jason traces his story back to losing his mother at 13, a trauma that split his psyche and set him on a decades-long journey through illness, professional motocross and cycling, and over $2 million spent on doctors, therapies, and protocols that never truly resolved his symptoms. He explains that meaningful healing only began when he turned inward, stopped outsourcing his health, and started listening to his body.Jason's approach challenges the common wellness myths: the idea that a diagnosis (like Lyme disease or mold illness) is your identity, that healing is primarily about supplements and protocols, or that plant medicines alone will “fix” you. Instead, he frames illness as symbolic and instructive often pointing to unprocessed grief, lack of mothering (externally and internally), and disconnection from the body.He always returns to foundations: sleep, nutrition, movement that feels good, play, fun, and “sacred appointments” you schedule with yourself each day. Without these basics, advanced tools like psychedelics can create more fragmentation than healing, especially if your metabolism and mineral status are depleted and you lack the capacity to integrate what surfaces.Jason also explores relationship dynamics, safety, and the role of early childhood (especially ages 0–7, the “root chakra” phase) in shaping whether we can feel secure, receive love, and regulate our nervous systems. Illness, he suggests, is often the body’s “last successful strategy” to force us back into truth, boundaries, and self-responsibility.Follow Jason on Instagram. You can find Jason's Free Ebook "The Medicine Before the Medicine" hereAnd apply to work with him one on one hereVisit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ashley and Jess are joined by Vida Delrahim, co-founder of We Natal, to explore why fertility must be treated as a team sport and why the often-overlooked “trimester zero” is so critical.Vida shares her personal journey of two heartbreaking pregnancy losses, the lack of meaningful guidance from conventional care, and how her best friend and co-founder Ronit, immersed in functional medicine, helped uncover root causes like Hashimoto’s and lifestyle-driven depletion. Their experiences led them to realize that men contribute 50% to pregnancy outcomes, yet are almost never evaluated or supported, despite sperm being highly sensitive to stress, toxins, heat, and nutrient status.The conversation covers the global fertility crisis (rising infertility, plummeting sperm counts, and delayed childbearing), and the everyday drivers: environmental toxins, ultra-processed foods, chronic stress, poor sleep, and overtraining. Vida explains We Natal’s focus on high-quality, clean, evidence-based prenatals for both partners, and the importance of the three months before conception for improving egg and sperm quality.They also dive into mental health, grief, community, and intuition: how mindset, support systems, and small, consistent lifestyle changes can transform the fertility journey and support healthier future generations.Find WeNatal products on their website.Instagram @we_natalRonit and Vida of WeNatal have a special gift just for our listeners! Head over to wenatal.com/wellnessrealitycheck to start your WeNatal routine today, and receive a free magnesium supplement ($30 value) with your first prenatal subscription.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ashley and Jess sit down with Christy Nault, a root cause health practitioner, educator, breath-work facilitator, and founder of Micro Flow Supplements for a nuanced, non‑binary conversation about GLP peptides (Ozempic, Wegovy, tirzepatide, etc.) and what their cultural explosion reveals about our relationship with health, food, and our bodies.This is not a “they’re evil” or “they’re a miracle” episode. Instead, the three unpack how these drugs intersect with nervous system regulation, metabolic health, eating disorder history, body image, and collective trauma.In this episode, they explore:What GLP‑1 peptides actually areHow peptides work at a cellular levelWhy “natural peptide” is a marketing termHow GLPs improve insulin sensitivity and override hunger cues and digestionWho might benefit from GLPs—and under what conditionsThe difference between morbid obesity/immobility vs. “wellness girlies” and biohacking brosWhy these meds were meant to be cycled and used as a bridge, not a forever fixThe critical role of foundations: circadian rhythm, strength training, protein, fiber, minerals, sleep, and nervous system workThe dangers of calling standard doses “microdosing”What a true microdose looks likeHow most telehealth and influencer protocols are actually starting doses rebranded as “micro”Why dose + drainage capacity matter for outcomesDetox, drainage, bile and the toxin pieceWhy the body stores toxins in fat as a protective mechanismWhat happens when you rapidly shrink fat cells without open drainage pathwaysLinks between GLP use, sluggish bile, thyroid conversion issues, gallbladder removal, symptom flares, and cancer fearsEmotional weight, eating disorders & the control pieceHow unprocessed trauma, good‑girl conditioning, and lack of boundaries can manifest as weightWhy GLPs can feel like an “anorexia rebrand” or a new form of eating disorderEmotional numbness, blunted dopamine, lost sex drive, and “no food noise” as red flagsAre we healing or just making intolerable lives more tolerable?Culture, influencers & the wellness rebrand of pharmaWhy so many former “anti‑pharma” leaders are now selling GLPsCommission structures, business model shifts, and telehealth pipelinesHow outsourcing authority moved from white coats to wellness influencersWhere to start if you’re overwhelmedBuilding capacity instead of chasing every protocolChoosing one foundational lever at a timeRe‑learning body signals and seeing symptoms as the body (and soul) trying to communicateChristy also shares how she works with women through programs, retreats, and her own podcast, focusing on the intersection of cellular intelligence, nervous system repair, emotional healing, and spiritual alignment.You can find more about Christy Nault at the links below:IG: @itschristynault | @microflow.healingchristynault.commicroflowhealing.comThe Cellular Upgrade PodcastVisit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Wellness Reality Check, Ashley and Jess sit down with Dr. Melissa Jones, a board-certified pediatric neurologist with advanced training in functional psychiatry and the Shoemaker Protocol for mold-related illness. They dive deep into the evolving understanding of PANS, PANDAS, autism, ADHD, and neuroinflammatory disorders in children. Dr. Jones explains how infections like strep, mycoplasma, viruses, mold, and parasites can trigger sudden-onset OCD, anxiety, tics, restricted eating, and behavioral changes through immune dysregulation and basal ganglia inflammation.She shares her transition from conventional neurology to an integrative, root-cause approach that includes advanced lab testing, gut health, detoxification, supplements, and targeted use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. The conversation also covers genetics, SNPs (like MTHFR), heavy metals, vaccines as immune triggers, screen-time impacts, and how to support autistic and neurodivergent children while honoring neurodiversity. Parents will find both validation and hope for complex pediatric neuroimmune conditions.Quiz link:PANS/PANDAS QuizCourse link:https://stan.store/PANSdoc/p/panspandas-course-for-caregiversWhere to find Dr Melissa Jones:Instagram @allinonepeacewellnessTiktok: @allinonepeaceYoutube: www.youtube.com/@allinonepeaceFacebook: www.facebook.com/people/All-In-One-Peace/100093045876533/?mibextid=LQQJ4dVisit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Standby for trending health supplements and holistic wellness hacks. In this value-packed episode, Ashley and Jess offer their down-to-earth, experience-driven perspectives on the latest health trends making waves on social media—including biohacks, popular supplements, gadgets, and wellness treatments.From deep-dives on supplements like Body Bio Trio, Tudca, molecular hydrogen, and Nutrafol, to candid conversations about mammograms, biohacking gadgets, and influencer marketing in the holistic health space, you’ll get honest reviews and actionable advice tailored for sensitive individuals and holistic health enthusiasts. Ashley and Jess don’t shy away from discussing their personal health journeys, the limitations of “one-size-fits-all” wellness advice, and the importance of individualized approaches in natural health.You will also get behind-the-scenes stories, research-backed insights on emerging trends like peptides and GLP-1 medications, and practical tips for mindful supplementation, gut health, detox strategies, immune system support, and more.Whether you’re a wellness podcast fan, a holistic health seeker, or just curious about the facts behind the hype, this episode delivers real talk, transparency, and actionable recommendations.Visit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Wellness Reality Check, we're getting real about something that touches every single one of us: social media, influencer culture, and the constant pressure to buy, compare, perform and consume. In a world where everyone is selling something: a product, a lifestyle, a version of themselves; it's becoming harder and harder to tell what's real, what's marketing, and what's actually good for our mental and physical health. The "wellness world" especially has become saturated with perfectly curated lives, overnight solutions, and influencers who are more invested in aesthetics than actual wellbeing. This week, it's just Ash and Jess taking a breath, stepping back and talking about how social media is reshaping our nervous system, the hidden stress of constant comparison, why we feel pressured to buy our way to "better", and how influencer culture impacts our sense of self, our worth, and even our health choices. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, overstimulated, or just over it...this episode is your reset. We are going to be pulling back the curtain and giving the social media the reality check it needs.Visit us on Instagram @wellnessrealitycheckGo to wildwholistic.com and use our discount code 'WRC' for 10% off and to support our sponsor Wild Wholistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.