The Glycocalyx Explained: The Hidden Shield Protecting Your Gut, Brain, Heart & Liver

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Tom Wales, creator of Applied Movement Therapy (AMT), to explore how fascia, neurology, and functional movement come together to unlock better performance, recovery, and resilience. Tom shares his expertise on: ✅ The foundational principles of AMT and how it differs from traditional movement therapy 🧠 The critical connection between fascia, the nervous system, and movement retraining 🔄 Strategies to help clients recover from injury, prevent compensation, and move with efficiency 🏃‍♀️ Why coaches and practitioners must integrate fascia and neurology for sustainable results Whether you're an athlete, health coach, bodyworker, or someone dealing with chronic pain or performance plateaus—this conversation will give you practical insights to restore movement and reduce stress on the body. 🔗 Connect with Tom Wales Website: www.amtcertified.ca Instagram: @swales.tom 🧬 Connect with me, Debbie Potts I help driven, high-performing individuals investigate the real reasons behind fatigue, weight gain, and burnout by addressing hidden internal stressors with functional lab testing and personalized protocols. 📍 Learn more about my coaching programs, metabolic testing, podcast, and discount codes: 🌐 www.debbiepotts.net 📺 YouTube: @coachdebbiepotts 🎧 Podcast Archives: The Coach Debbie Potts Show 🧪 Functional Lab Testing + Coaching Info: Start Here 🔗 Linktree with all links & discounts: https://linktr.ee/debbiepotts 💥 Use code COACHDEBBIEPOTTS for partner discounts on BEAM Minerals, CellCore, NIRA Laser, and more.

The Hidden Role of Bile in Hormone Balance, Detox & Digestion (Part One) When most people think of bile, they think of “that stuff your gallbladder squirts out to digest fats.” But the truth is — bile is one of the most overlooked yet powerful fluids in your body, with far-reaching effects on your hormones, brain, and metabolism. In this episode, we dive deep into: 🫙 What bile actually is (beyond fat digestion). ♻️ How bile works as your body’s garbage truck, escorting out toxins, excess estrogen, and metabolic waste. 🧠 Why sluggish bile flow leads to hormone imbalance, gut dysfunction, and even brain inflammation. ❌ Common causes of poor bile flow — from low stomach acid to stress, low-fat diets, and gallbladder removal. ✅ Practical strategies to support healthy bile flow so you can optimize detox, digestion, and hormone clearance. If you’ve struggled with bloating, estrogen dominance, gallbladder issues, or feel “toxic” no matter what supplements you take, this episode will show you why bile might be the missing link in your healing journey. 👉 Tune in to Part One of this Deep Dive series to learn how to get your bile moving — and why it’s essential for hormone balance, detoxification, and long-term gut-brain health.   Learn more at www.debbiepotts.net and www.rootcausedoc.com to get the the root of your chronic health struggles so you can thrive as you age!

Most people think health problems start in the gut — but what if the real first domino falls even further north? In this episode of The Coach Debbie Potts Show, we begin our Barrier Repair series with Part One: The Root Cause Cascade. You’ll learn how stress, sleep disruption, toxins, and trauma dysregulate the brain and nervous system, flipping the body into fight-or-flight mode. This subtle shift weakens digestion, shuts down bile flow, and sets off a domino effect: 👉 Gut lining breaks down → LPS endotoxins leak 👉 Bile stagnates → toxins recirculate & nutrients go missing 👉 Endothelial glycocalyx thins → sticky blood & high BP 👉 Blood–brain barrier falls → brain fog & neuroinflammation We’ll explore why the nervous system is the true “root cause lever”, how vagus nerve tone sets the stage for barrier integrity, and why patching one barrier at a time never works. This is the start of a step-by-step roadmap to repair your barriers north-to-south — so you can restore resilience, protect your brain, and build your Future You. ✨ Connect with Debbie Potts 🌐 Website: www.debbiepotts.net 🌱 Root Cause Revolution: www.rootcausedoc.com ▶️ YouTube: CoachDebbiePotts 📸 Instagram: @coachdebbiepotts 🔗 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/coachdebbiepotts

🎙️ Podcast Series: LPS & Endotoxins — The Fire Starters of Inflammation Episode 1: How Endotoxins Drive Metabolic Chaos What if one hidden trigger inside your gut could explain fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, stubborn weight gain, and even hormone chaos? In this first episode of my new series, we’re unpacking LPS (lipopolysaccharides) — also known as endotoxins. These bacterial fragments are harmless when they stay in your gut. But when your gut barrier breaks down, LPS leaks into your bloodstream and lights up your immune system like an alarm bell. 👉 Inside this episode, you’ll learn: What LPS actually is (and why it matters for your health). How LPS sneaks out of the gut through leaky junctions, dysbiosis, and post-meal surges. Why researchers call LPS a root driver of systemic inflammation and “metabolic chaos.” The cascade of symptoms: brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, hormone imbalances, and gut flare-ups. Where to begin if you want to break the cycle and start repairing. This is the foundation for the rest of the series, where we’ll go deeper into the North-to-South Root Cause Map and how to restore resilience step by step. 🔗 Connect & Learn More: 📸 Instagram: @debbiopottscoach ▶️ YouTube Channel: Coach Debbie Potts 🌱 Linktree (Programs, Coaching & Resources): https://linktr.ee/debbiepotts ✨ If you’re ready to put out the fire of systemic inflammation and reclaim your energy, don’t miss this series!

Part Three: The CIRS–Thyroid–Vagus Connection — How Mold & Toxins Hijack Your Body’s Healing In the final part of our series, we connect the dots between CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome), autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s, and the often-overlooked role of the vagus nerve in healing. We’ll explore: How mold toxins, chronic infections, and chemical exposures disrupt vagus nerve function and weaken your body’s ability to self-regulate The link between vagal nerve toxicity, acetylcholine production, and immune system overactivation Why impaired vagus nerve signaling can worsen thyroid symptoms, slow detox pathways, and keep inflammation high Practical ways to restore vagal tone and acetylcholine levels through nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplements How this nerve–immune–hormone connection fits into a comprehensive CIRS and autoimmune recovery plan If you’ve wondered why you can “do all the right things” for your thyroid and still feel stuck, this episode will help you see how your nervous system might be the missing piece — and how to get it back online so your body can finally heal. 📌 Resources & Links: Learn more at RootCauseDoc.com Book a functional lab review at www.debbiepotts.net

Part Two: Microbes We Don’t Want to Overgrow & Why Bile Flow Matters for Gut Health In this episode of The Coach Debbie Potts Show, we dive deeper into the gut story — not all microbes are your friends. When the wrong ones take over, they release toxins like LPS that slip into your bloodstream, fueling inflammation, brain fog, hormone chaos, and chronic gut symptoms. We’ll cover: 🦠 The key “bad guy” microbes that overgrow in dysbiosis (SIBO, Candida, Histamine bugs) ⚠️ How they create symptoms like bloating, rashes, fatigue, constipation, and anxiety 💡 Why food reactions (to FODMAPs, histamines, or sugars) are just symptoms, not the root cause 🚫 The problem with “just killing everything” and why balance, not eradication, is the goal We’ll explore: 🥬 Foods and herbs that naturally stimulate bile (beets, lemon, bitters) 🔑 Nutrients like choline, taurine, and glycine that keep bile moving 🧘 Lifestyle habits that restore gallbladder signaling, motility, and detox 🌱 How supporting bile flow reduces histamine intolerance and downstream metabolic chaos 👉 By the end, you’ll see why the key to healing your gut isn’t endless restriction — it’s restoring upstream functions like stomach acid, bile flow, enzymes, and nervous system regulation so your microbiome can rebalance naturally. ✨ Follow Coach Debbie Potts on Instagram and YouTube for more deep dives, and visit www.debbiepotts.net to learn about the Root Cause Revolution and how to rebuild resiliency from the inside out.  

In this episode of The Coach Debbie Potts Show, I’m joined by Jonathan Glass, ND, M.Ac, Ayurvedic Practitioner, and author of Total Life Cleanse. Together, we explore how to effectively support your liver, lymph, and detox pathways using the time-tested principles of Ayurvedic medicine—combined with modern functional health insights. If you’ve ever felt tired, inflamed, bloated, or stuck—despite “doing all the right things”—this episode is for you. You’ll learn: Why the liver is the master filter and emotional processor of the body How ancient Ayurvedic concepts like Agni, Ama, and Pitta relate to modern detox The real reasons detox protocols can backfire (and how to do it right) Seasonal cleanse strategies for long-term vitality, hormone balance, and clarity Practical tools: from food and herbs to lifestyle rituals, breathwork, and mindset Jonathan also shares highlights from his book Total Life Cleanse, which guides readers through a safe and transformative 28-day process that resets the body, mind, and spirit. 🌀 “Cleansing isn't about deprivation—it’s about alignment, nourishment, and releasing what no longer serves you.” – Jonathan Glass 🔗 Resources & Links: 🌿 Jonathan Glass, ND Website: https://healingessencecenter.com/ Free eBook: https://healingessencecenter.com/free-gift-ebook Subscribe to updates: https://healingessencecenter.com/subscribe-to-our-newsletter 📚 Total Life Cleanse Book Official Site: https://healingessencecenter.com/product-details/product/6405752de2cc18238bdb7515 Amazon: Search "Total Life Cleanse" on Amazon 📱 Follow Jonathan Online: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jonathanglassnd Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanglassnd/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jonathanglassnd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanGlass108/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-glass-2691967/ 🎧 More from Coach Debbie Potts: Website: https://debbiepotts.net YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachdebbiepotts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachdebbiepotts Podcast Archives: https://debbiepotts.net/podcast 💬 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to leave a review and share it with someone ready to take control of their health from the inside out. #Detox #Ayurveda #LiverCleanse #FunctionalMedicine #TotalLifeCleanse #JonathanGlass #CoachDebbiePotts #RootCauseHealth #MidlifeHealth #CellularDetox

Fiber, Polyphenols & Your Gut Microbiome: Part One Are you feeding the right microbes — or the wrong ones? In this episode of The Coach Debbie Potts Show, we’re kicking off a new two-part deep dive into how fiber and polyphenols shape your gut microbiome, your metabolism, and your long-term health. Most of us have heard that “fiber is good for your gut,” but the truth is more nuanced. The type of fiber — and the type of gut you have — makes all the difference. For some, fiber can help feed beneficial bacteria that support digestion, immunity, and brain health. For others, especially those struggling with SIBO, IBS, or candida overgrowth, the wrong kind of fiber can worsen bloating, gas, or inflammation. That’s where polyphenols come in — the colorful plant compounds found in berries, green tea, cocoa, and pomegranate. These act as a gentler “fertilizer” for beneficial microbes like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, while helping keep harmful bacteria in check. In Part One, we’ll cover: ✅ The difference between fibers and polyphenols in gut health ✅ Why your gut type determines your response to fiber ✅ How polyphenols can help reduce toxins like LPS (endotoxins) that drive inflammation ✅ Practical food swaps to support a healthier, more resilient microbiome By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why one-size-fits-all fiber advice doesn’t work — and how you can use food color and polyphenols to start healing your gut from the inside out. 👉 Learn more & connect with me: 📲 Follow me on Instagram & social media: @CoachDebbiePotts 🎥 Watch & subscribe on YouTube: Coach Debbie Potts 🌐 Visit: www.debbiepotts.net

In this first episode of our deep-dive series, I’m breaking down the hidden connection between total toxic burden, molecular mimicry, and autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. We’ll explore: How living with mold toxins, chemicals, heavy metals, and infections keeps your immune system stuck in overdrive Why toxic burden overload can push your body into autoimmune mode — even if your labs were normal for years The science of molecular mimicry and how gluten, viruses, and environmental triggers can “trick” your immune system into attacking your thyroid Why a gluten-free diet is non-negotiable for thyroid autoimmunity — and how even a single exposure can keep the immune attack going for months The role of gut health, nutrient deficiencies, and detox pathways in calming the autoimmune fire This isn’t just about managing symptoms — it’s about finding and removing the root cause triggers so your body can regain immune tolerance and repair itself. If you’ve been told “your labs look fine” but you still feel tired, inflamed, or foggy, Part One will help you connect the dots and see why true thyroid healing starts far beyond the thyroid itself. 📌 Resources & Links: Learn more at RootCauseDoc.com Subscribe to The Coach Debbie Potts Show for Part Two in this series

🎙️ Podcast Description – Part One: Unlocking the Glycocalyx In this episode of The Coach Debbie Potts Show, we dive deep into the glycocalyx — the invisible, sugar-protein shield that coats every cell in your body and lines your blood vessels, brain, gut, liver, and kidneys. You’ll learn: ✅ What the glycocalyx actually is and how it’s built ✅ Why it’s essential for vascular health, detox, brain function, and gut integrity ✅ How this delicate layer gets damaged by toxins, stress, inflammation, and overtraining ✅ The hidden connections between glycocalyx breakdown, chronic inflammation, leaky gut, leaky brain, autoimmunity, and cardiovascular disease ✅ The role of genetics, glutathione, methylation, nitric oxide, and liver detox in keeping this protective layer strong We’ll also explore how the vagus nerve and acetylcholine act as the body’s anti-inflammatory switch — and how toxins, mold, and stress can silence that signal, leading to cytokine storms that shred the glycocalyx. This is part one of a two-part series, where we set the foundation. In part two, we’ll unpack the latest research on exercise and the glycocalyx — and how training can either build up this protective layer or break it down. If you’ve ever wondered why inflammation feels like it’s at the root of everything — from fatigue and brain fog to high blood pressure and migraines — this episode will connect the dots. The glycocalyx may be the most important body system you’ve never heard of. 👉 Tune in and discover how to protect your glycocalyx, so you can protect you. Head to www.rootcausedoc.com to learn how to take ownership of your futures self today!