382: Reparenting Your Inner Child, Self-Abandonment + Nervous System Healing | Dr. Nicole LePera | Nicole LePera

Why do you overreact, shut down, or put everyone else first, even when you know it’s hurting you? In this episode, Nicole LePera, breaks down how your “inner child” shapes your behaviors, from people-pleasing to perfectionism to emotional flooding, and how self-abandonment quietly shows up in your daily life. We also cover why these patterns aren’t flaws, they’re adaptations, and how to actually change them through nervous system regulation, awareness, and small, intentional shifts. If you’ve ever felt stuck repeating the same cycles in relationships, this will change how you understand yourself and what healing really looks like. → Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → Why do I self-abandon in relationships? → What is inner child healing and how does it work? → Why do I overreact or shut down emotionally? → How can I regulate my nervous system in real time? → How do I stop people-pleasing and set boundaries? Sponsored By:  → OGEE | Thanks to today’s sponsor, OGEE: A higher standard for beauty. Go to https://OGEE.com/BEWELL and use code BEWELL to get 15% off certified organic makeup that performs like luxury. → Function | Own your health for $365 a year. That’s a dollar a day. Learn more and join using my link. Visit https://www.functionhealth.com/bewellbykelly and use gift code BEWELL25 for a $25 credit toward your membership → Hiya | Get 50% off your first order at https://hiyahealth.com/KELLY → Minnow | Shop minnow's new apré-ski capsule collection at https://shopminnow.com and enter code MEETMINNOW15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first order. → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com. Timestamps:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:03:07 - Nicole’s Healing Journey   → 00:07:09 - Cry It Out Method → 00:14:28 - Inner Child Work  → 00:18:55 - Inner Children In Relationships  → 00:21:02 - Reparting Steps  → 00:27:37 - Kelly’s Experience With Therapy  → 00:30:35 - Emotional Flooding  → 00:35:41 - Handling Stress  → 00:37:27 - Self Abandonment  → 00:41:41 - Selfless Motherhood  → 00:43:44 - Overcorrection + Helicopter Parenting  → 00:47:52 - Snow Plow Parenting  → 00:51:43 - Negativity Bias + Boundaries  → 00:59:13 - Kelly’s Experience  → 01:01:12 - You Are Not Broken  → 01:05:31 - Regulation Tools   Further Listening:  → Repressed Emotions, Anxiety + Why Self-Improvement Doesn’t Exist | Joe Hudson Check Out Nicole: → Website: https://theholisticpsychologist.com/  → Instagram: @the.holistic.psychologist → New Book: Reparenting The Inner Child Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Youtube → Facebook

In this episode I sat down with metabolic researcher Andrew Koutnik to break down the science of metabolic health, insulin resistance, and ketogenic diets. We explore why most people struggle with energy crashes, cravings, and weight loss resistance, and how blood sugar regulation plays a central role in long term health. Andrew shares insights from decades of research and personal experience living with type 1 diabetes, including how the body adapts to carbohydrate reduction, what metabolic flexibility actually means, and why keto is often misunderstood.→ Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → What is metabolic flexibility and why does it matter? → How long does it take to adapt to a ketogenic diet? → Does keto improve insulin resistance and energy levels? → Why do people feel tired when starting low carb diets? → What is the best way to balance blood sugar naturally? Sponsored By:  → LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/Kelly. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com. Timestamps:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:01:37 - Diabetes + Nutrition  → 00:06:41 - Obesity + Insulin → 00:10:32 - Glucose Spikes  → 00:14:51- CGMs  → 00:15:28 - Blood Sugar Red Flags  → 00:19:30 - Reducing Carb Intake → 00:28:52 - Defining Metabolic Health → 00:34:00 - Meal Timing → 00:38:22 - Intermittent Fasting → 00:41:20 - Ketosis + Metabolic Flexibility  → 00:46:50 - Nutrition Experimentation → 00:50:59 - Nutrition Fundamentals → 00:55:50 - Food Swaps  → 01:01:51 - Performance Changes  → 01:06:27 - Sodium + Children’s Snack  → 01:13:24 - Children’s Sugar Intake  → 01:16:25 - Children’s Nutrition  Further Listening:  → Why You’re Always Hungry + How to Fix It | Dr. Jason Fung Check Out Andrew: → Website  → Instagram  → YouTube Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Youtube → Facebook

Feel like you’re doing everything right but still struggling with hunger, cravings, or weight? You’re not broken, and it’s not about willpower. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jason Fung to break down the real drivers of hunger, why calories in vs calories out doesn’t tell the full story, and how your hormones, environment, and habits are shaping your appetite every single day. → Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → Why am I always hungry even after eating? → How do hormones affect hunger and weight gain? → What are the three types of hunger? → Do ultra-processed foods increase cravings? → How can I stabilize my blood sugar naturally? Sponsored By:  → Timeline | Timeline’s clinically proven formula is now available at a new, lower price. Mitopure now starts at $99, with the exact same science and formula. And my listeners can still get 20% off when you go to https://timeline.com/kelly → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com. Timestamps:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:00:55 - Calories In, Calories Out  → 00:06:52 - Appetite Regulation   → 00:12:10 - Weight Loss Drugs  → 00:17:03 - Hormones + Weight Gain  → 00:22:33 - Processed Foods  → 00:29:11 - Insulin Resistance  → 00:32:31 - Food Addiction  → 00:36:05 - Three Types Of Hunger → 00:49:04 - Food As Reward  → 00:54:02 - Food Boundaries  → 00:59:17 - Portion Control  → 01:02:45 - Three Golden Rules  → 01:07:33 - Calorie Counting  Further Listening:  → How to Take Control of Your Health in a Toxic Food Landscape  Check Out Dr. Jason: →​​​​ The Hunger Code (Book) → Website → X(Twitter) → Instagram  → YouTube Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Youtube → Facebook

Rachel Mansfield is back and we’re talking about the reality of feeding a family while building a business from the ground up. From meal planning systems that actually work to launching her better-for-you snack brand cadootz!, Rachel shares how she balances mom life, entrepreneurship, and creating food her kids will actually eat. → Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → How to feed picky kids healthy meals → Easy weeknight dinners for busy families → Best meal planning system for moms → Healthy kid snack ideas that work → How to launch a food product Sponsored By:  → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com. → Fatty 15 | Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/KELLY15 and using code KELLY15 at checkout. Timestamps:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:01:43 - Food Content  → 00:03:54 - Meal Prep For Families  → 00:05:47 - Grocery Shopping  → 00:09:06 - Favorite Meals  → 00:13:26 - Kitchen Appliances  → 00:16:14 - Picky Eating  → 00:19:53 - Creating cadootz! → 00:24:08 - Healthy Snacks  → 00:26:23 - Research + Development  → 00:28:25 - USDA Organic  → 00:32:11 - Ingredients + Protein  → 00:34:50 - Launching A Brand  → 00:39:19 - Proof of Concept  → 00:40:17 - Social Media Marketing  → 00:43:09 - Snack Packs  → 00:45:49 - Expo West + Distribution  → 00:47:55 - AI  → 00:50:45 - Filling Your Cup  → 00:54:50 - Social Media + Children Further Listening:  → How to Raise Resilient Kids in a Tech Obsessed World | Nicole Runyon  Check Out: → https://cadootz!.com/ → cadootz!! Instagram → Rachel’s Instagram → Website → New Book Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Youtube → Facebook

What if the version of you that’s always “good,” agreeable, and holding it all together… isn’t actually you? In this episode, I sit down with Maggie Nick, founder of Camp Lovable, to unpack the deep conditioning so many women carry around being liked, chosen, and “enough.” We talk about people-pleasing, nervous system safety, and why hustling for your worth keeps you stuck. Maggie breaks down the psychology in a way that actually lands, helping you feel seen, safe, and human. If you’re ready to drop the act and trust yourself again, this one’s for you. → Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → What is Good Girl conditioning → How to stop people pleasing → Why do I seek approval → How to feel safe being yourself → How to build self worth Sponsored By:  → Function | Own your health for $365 a year. That’s a dollar a day. Learn more and join using my link. Visit https://www.functionhealth.com/bewellbykelly and use gift code BEWELL25 for a $25 credit toward your membership → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com. → Timeline | Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit https://timeline.com/KELLY and save up to 39% off your Mitopure® Gummies. → Hiya | Get 50% off your first order at https://hiyahealth.com/KELLY Timestamps:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:01:22 - Maggie’s Mental Health Journey  → 00:03:53 - Defining The “Good Kid” → 00:05:33 - Birth Order  → 00:09:56 - Kelly The Chameleon  → 00:12:43 - Inherited Parenting Habits  → 00:16:47 - Understanding Shame → 00:20:46 - Curious Not Critical  → 00:24:01 - Checking In → 00:29:42 - Apologizing To Your Child  → 00:32:26 - Boundaries  → 00:34:35 - Check Your Expectations  → 00:36:16 - Stand By Them → 00:38:26 - Being Impressive  → 00:44:18 - Unconditional Love  → 00:48:51 - Building Trust  → 00:54:04 - Intuitive Children  → 00:57:50 - The Heart Smile Board   → 01:02:58 - Fight, Flight, Fawn, Freeze  → 01:07:47 - Healing “Good Kids” → 01:13:53 - Parenting Styles  → 01:17:15 - Self-Talk  → 01:19:49 - Best Parenting Moment  → 01:24:55 - Phones + Social Media  Show Links: → Repressed Emotions, Anxiety + Why Self-Improvement Doesn’t Exist | Joe Hudson Check Out: → Instagram: @maggiewithperspectacles → TikTok: @maggiewithperspectacles → New Book: Good Kids (available now) Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Youtube → Facebook

This episode is all about pregnancy nutrition and how small, strategic choices can have a big impact on your baby’s brain and development. We cover omega threes for reducing inflammation and preventing preterm birth, choline for cognitive development, protein for steady blood sugar, and practical meal ideas from breakfast to dinner. I also share my personal routine for breastfeeding, supplement timing, and how I’ve integrated these habits into my daily life. Plus, we touch on the realities of nausea, plant-based diets, mental health, and balancing science with everyday life. If you’re pregnant, planning to be, or just curious about how nutrition shapes early development, this episode is packed with actionable insights. → Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → How do omega 3s help? → What’s choline’s role? → Best protein sources pregnancy? → How to manage nausea? → Plant-based pregnancy safe? Sponsored By:  → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com. → Cozy Earth | Head to https://cozyearth.com and use code BEWELL for up to 20% off. And if you get a post-purchase survey, make sure you tell them you heard about Cozy Earth right here at the Be Well by Kelly podcast. → LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/Kelly. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. Timestamps: → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:03:15 - Blood sugar / glucose → 00:06:15 - Miscarriage → 00:11:46 - Blood sugar hacks → 00:18:29 - Hunger & protein → 00:20:34 - Sugar rationing → 00:24:40 - Pregnancy snacks → 00:25:46 - Choline & organ meats → 00:30:27 - Food conversations → 00:32:02 - Omega-3s → 00:34:58 - Heavy metals → 00:38:48 - Pregnancy meal prep → 00:41:26 - First trimester & supplements → 00:45:26 - Breastfeeding → 00:47:47 - Nutrition for breastfeeding → 00:50:03 - Nutrition & mental health → 00:55:15 - Plant-based diets Further Listening:  → Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy | Lily Nichols & Lisa Hendrickson-Jack  Check Out Jessie: → 9 Months That Count Forever (Book) → Website → Instagram Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Youtube → Facebook

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we talk about food, bodies, and health with our kids…and with ourselves. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lauren Hartman to explore how parents can model kindness, trust their instincts, and help kids develop a healthy relationship with food without shame or rules. We talk about movement, social media, high sugar foods, and the small daily choices that shape how children experience their bodies. Whether you’re navigating mealtimes, worried about eating habits, or just want practical ways to support your child’s well-being, this conversation is full of insights you can actually use. We also touch on early intervention, balancing nutrition with life’s realities, and why rest, self-compassion, and awareness can make all the difference. → Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → How do I spot teen eating disorders? → Picky eating vs ARFID → What causes eating disorders in teens? → How should parents talk about food? → When should I worry about eating? Sponsored By:  → Function | Own your health for $365 a year. That’s a dollar a day. Learn more and join using my link. Visit https://www.functionhealth.com/bewellbykelly and use gift code BEWELL25 for a $25 credit toward your membership → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com. → Cozy Earth | Head to https://cozyearth.com and use code BEWELL for up to 20% off. And if you get a post-purchase survey, make sure you tell them you heard about Cozy Earth right here at the Be Well by Kelly podcast. → Timeline | Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit https://timeline.com/KELLY and save up to 39% off your Mitopure® Gummies. Timestamps:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:02:04 - What are eating disorders → 00:04:32 - Eating disorders in boys → 00:06:22 - Why cases are rising → 00:09:40 - Dieting vs disordered eating → 00:12:59 - Early warning signs → 00:19:58 - Talking to your child → 00:24:10 - Eating disorder education → 00:29:28 - Personal backstory → 00:33:22 - Balance + rabbit study → 00:40:25 - Control and emotional eating → 00:44:26 - Eating disorder recovery → 00:50:07 - Preventing relapse → 00:52:09 - Sugar + processed foods → 00:55:55 - Talking to kids about food → 00:59:33 - Food freedom philosophy → 01:01:56 - Parenting legacy → 01:04:06 - Parenting lessons learned Show Links: → How to Nourish Your Child Through an Eating Disorder (book) Check Out Dr. Lauren: → Freeing Children and Young Adults From Shame, Skills, and Stigma (book) → Website → Instagram Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Youtube → Facebook

What if perimenopause isn’t a cliff, but a seven to ten year hormonal shift we were never properly taught about? Dr. Amy Shah returns to break down what’s actually happening during the hormone “havoc” phase, from fatigue and brain fog to mood changes and body composition shifts. We dive into the 30-30-3 nutrition framework, why protein and fiber matter more than ever, how fermented foods support estrogen balance, and the 4-3-2-1 movement plan to build strength, resilience, and longevity. This conversation is about shifting from smaller to stronger, and taking control of what you can. → Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → What is perimenopause really like?→ How much protein do women need?→ Does fiber help balance hormones?→ Is intermittent fasting bad midlife?→ How to prevent menopause weight gain? Sponsored By:  → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com. → Shop Minnow's new apré-ski capsule collection at https://shopminnow.com and enter code MEETMINNOW15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first order. → Fatty 15 | Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/KELLY15 and using code KELLY15 at checkout. Timestamps:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:01:36 - Writing Hormone Havoc → 00:05:51 - Favorite teachings → 00:06:52 - Early signs of perimenopause → 00:09:33 - Experiencing perimenopause → 00:14:00 - Trouble sleeping → 00:15:13 - Preparing for perimenopause → 00:18:21 - 30-30-3: Meal Prep → 00:21:45 - Midday snacks + probiotics → 00:28:14 - Protein + fiber → 00:31:52 - Breakfast recipes → 00:34:56 - Intermittent fasting → 00:38:55 - Estrogen + inflammation → 00:41:20 - Circadian rhythm + sun time → 00:47:58 - 4-3-2-1 Movement → 00:51:48 - Heat therapy → 00:53:35 - Infrared sauna → 00:55:18 - High intensity training Show Links: → 371: Perimenopause Explained: Sleep, Stress, + Hormone Shifts | Dr. Mariza Snyder Check Out Amy: → Website  → Instagram  → Hormone Havoc (Book) Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Youtube → Facebook

In this episode, I sit down with Rachael DeVaux to talk about what high protein living actually looks like in real life. We get into the habits that keep energy stable, cravings lower, and meals simple, without obsessing over every macro. Rachael shares how her approach to food has evolved through different seasons, including pregnancy and motherhood, and why strength, muscle, and metabolic health are now at the center of everything she teaches. If you want to feel stronger, simplify your meals, and build a healthier family culture without adding more stress to your plate, you are going to love this one. → Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → How much protein do women need? → Is high protein good for moms?  → How do I eat more protein?  → How do I cut sugar for kids? → Easy high protein meals Sponsored By:  → Function | Own your health for $365 a year. That’s a dollar a day. Learn more and join using my link. Visit https://www.functionhealth.com/bewellbykelly and use gift code BEWELL25 for a $25 credit toward your membership → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com. → Cozy Earth | Head to https://cozyearth.com and use code BEWELL for up to 35% off. And if you get a post-purchase survey, make sure you tell them you heard about Cozy Earth right here at the Be Well by Kelly podcast. → Shop minnow's new apré-ski capsule collection at https://shopminnow.com and enter code MEETMINNOW15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first order. Timestamps:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:03:10 - Starting Rachael’s Goodies → 00:05:47 - Evolving nutrition + movement   → 00:12:49 - Protein intake  → 00:15:33 - Men’s weight loss  → 00:17:32 - Women’s weight loss  → 00:19:41 - High protein breakfasts  → 00:23:44 - Tips for eating out  → 00:29:38 - Unpacking “cheat meals”  → 00:31:06 - Steam oven   → 00:34:52 - Favorite kitchen appliances  → 00:37:16 - Quick protein  → 00:40:46 - Introducing solids  → 00:44:47 - Variety + picky eaters  → 00:49:12 - Meal prep  → 00:54:13 - Cooking methods   → 00:57:42 - Family dinner  → 01:01:49 - Day In The Life  → 01:05:58 - Intention setting + screen time  → 01:10:37 - Teaching children movement Further Listening:  → 247. Rachael's Good Eats’ Nutrient-Rich Recipes & Whole Food Philosophy Check Out Rachael: → Instagram → Blog → The High-Protein Plate Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Youtube → Facebook

In this episode, I sit down with neuroscientist Louisa Nicola to unpack what women actually need to know about Alzheimer’s risk, cognitive decline, and long term brain protection. We break down APOE genetics, advanced blood biomarkers that can now detect amyloid and tau with remarkable accuracy, and why brain health is inseparable from metabolic health. Louisa explains how muscle acts as a metabolic sink for glucose, why resistance training and high intensity intervals stimulate BDNF, and how sleep drives the glymphatic system to clear amyloid from the brain. If you want practical tools to assess your personal risk, understand your labs, and build a proactive prevention plan decades before symptoms appear, this conversation is for you. → Leave Us A Voice Message!  Topics Discussed: → What does APOE4 mean for Alzheimer’s risk? → Can exercise prevent cognitive decline? → Do blood tests detect early Alzheimer’s? → How does perimenopause affect brain health? → Does hormone therapy reduce dementia risk? Sponsored By:  → Timeline | Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit https://timeline.com/KELLY and save up to 39% off your Mitopure® Gummies. → Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at https://bewellbykelly.com. → Cozy Earth |  Head to https://cozyearth.com and use code BEWELL for up to 20% off. And if you get a post-purchase survey, make sure you tell them you heard about Cozy Earth right here at the Be Well by Kelly podcast.  → LMNT | Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT’s most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at https://drinklmnt.com/Kelly. Find your favorite LMNT flavor, or share with a friend. Timestamps:  → 00:00:00 - Introduction → 00:01:27 - Mission to end Alzheimer's  → 00:03:28 - Women’s rate of Alzheimer's  → 00:04:11 - Alzheimer’s overview  → 00:07:44 - Education level & health  → 00:09:57 - Anatomy  → 00:14:16 - Neuroplasticity & glucose  → 00:19:38 - Amyloid-beta → 00:26:41 - LDL Cholesterol → 00:28:36 - Preparing for menopause  → 00:31:30 - Blood testing recommendations  → 00:34:26 - Lifestyle interventions  → 00:39:05 - Nutrition & the MIND diet  → 00:42:19 - Zone 2 vs zone 5 training  → 00:44:36 - Lactic acid  → 00:47:58 - HRT is protective → 00:50:19 - When to test for HRT → 00:51:56 - Testosterone + brain health  → 00:53:40 - Cognitive reserve  → 00:57:12 - Hot flashes  → 00:58:13 - Quick fixes  → 01:00:01 - Brain surgery  → 01:05:38 - The brain code  Show Links: → Function | Own your health for $365 a year. That’s a dollar a day. Learn more and join using my link. Visit https://www.functionhealth.com/bewellbykelly and use gift code BEWELL25 for a $25 credit toward your membership Further Listening: → How to Take Control of Your Health in a Toxic Food Landscape | Max Lugavere  Check Out Louisa:  → Instagram  → The Brain Code Check Out Kelly: → Instagram → Youtube → Facebook