Season 5, Episode 7: Navigating Chronic Illness While Living Around The World w/Functional Medicine Coach Vashti Kanahele

Thyroid issues will end up impacting many women over their lifetime, especially as we make our way into perimenopause. But it's not just limited to a sluggish thyroid; unfortunately, autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimotos are becoming more and more common. Today I'm talking with Dr. Heather Stone, who has helped thousands of women overcome their thyroid issues. In the episode, we cover: -Why your symptoms are not about your age, but your toxic load -Lesser known autoimmune diseases that impact the thyroid, where in some cases, antibodies don't even show on lab tests -That it's possible to go into remission from Hashimotos and Graves Disease with the right support -Why you always need to pay attention to the adrenals and blood sugar levels -The details of Dr. Heather's Thyroid Transformation Blueprint Dr. Heather has kindly offered listeners a free gift: The Thyroid Transformation Quick Start (http://thyroidtransformationblueprint.com/). Dr. Heather Stone is one of the top functional medicine practitioners in the world. She has over 20 years of clinical experience in private practice. During that time she has successfully helped thousands of women overcome the symptoms of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Her thyroid transformation blueprint has been used by hundreds of doctors, and thus has helped countless women return to happy, healthy, & lean. Her mission is to change the face of healthcare through her private practice, books, masterclasses, webinars, education programs, and retreats on her ranch in Texas. Find her on her website: http://reversemycondition.com/, on IG @drheatherstone, and on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwRA4XSwUnTMZvUtRIITDrw . --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christine-garvin/support

I'm so excited for you to watch this week's episode of Hormonally Speaking! My guest is my good friend and incredible Functional Medicine Practitioner Vashti Kanahele, who just released her book, "Passports and Parasites." In it, she details living in a variety of places around the world, from war-torn regions to warm, sandy beaches like Baghdad, Beirut, Phnom Penh, Lagos, and Curacao. While that all sounds very glamorous, she actually developed some major health issues along the way, eventually learning she had Lyme and Hashimoto's. We talk about her journey, and how she dealt with these very intense illnesses while being far away from her home base of the US. We cover: -Figuring out why she wasn't feeling well, and putting the pieces together to begin the healing process -What it took to come out on the other side of chronic illness -Why building community is so important, no matter where in the world you are living -Her work now to support other women with similar issues What's even more exciting is that she details the whole breathtaking, powerful, and inspiring journey in her new book, which you can grab here: https://amzn.to/3seEC1n. It's a great gift for someone on your list (or yourself) this holiday season! Vashti Kanahele, an author and functional medicine practitioner, exudes a profound passion for exploring diverse cultures and embracing immersive experiences. Her personal triumph over Lyme disease and complex chronic illness fuels her determination to empower others on their healing journeys. Having lived in Baghdad, Beirut, Phnom Penh, Lagos, and Curacao, Vashti's experiences have shaped her holistic approach to health and wellness. Now residing in Virginia with her family and African village dog, Owen, Vashti’s practice is dedicated to seeking the root causes of disease. With a keen eye for detail and a compassionate heart, she delves deep into patients' health histories, lifestyles, and environmental factors to uncover the underlying triggers of their ailments. Through her writings and clinical expertise, Vashti inspires others to embrace the world's beauty, travel freely, and embark on a transformational path to vibrant health. Learn more at her website: https://vashtikanahele.com/. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christine-garvin/support

Happy Halloween and almost Day of the Dead! For this week's episode, I had a chance to chat with my old friend, Ryan Dungan Hurd, who is a master dream researcher. I thought it was the perfect time of year to chat about the sometimes scary, sometimes illuminating, but always powerful subject of sleep paralysis, where people can feel awake and held down, even though they are still in a sleep state. Ryan and I dive into all the fascinating ways that sleep paralysis and paying attention to/recording your dreams can impact your health, including: -What sleep paralysis is, and the myriad of ways it can show up -Facing your fears and processing your trauma -Spiritual experiences that can occur via paralysis -How the way you take care of your body during the day - and in the evening before bed - can impact not only sleep paralysis, but also your hormones -Sleep supports -Ways to use your dreams to help guide your health decisions in waking life And lots more! If you love experiencing the veil between the two worlds being its thinnest at this time of year, this is the perfect episode for you! Ryan Dungan Hurd (he/him) is an educator, author and dream researcher. He is interested in consciousness studies at the intersections of ecology, spirituality and material culture. His latest work is Lucid Talisman: Forgotten Lore. Ryan has been featured on NPR, CNN, Coast to Coast, Psychology Today, and many more. With a background in both archaeology and dream research, Ryan currently teaches graduate level courses at University for Peace in Costa Rica and National University in California. Ryan is a member of the International Association for the Study of Dreams and abides by their ethical guidelines. His website DreamStudies.org has been going strong since 2007. He currently lives in Philadelphia, PA. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christine-garvin/support

There's a lot of talk today about needing to set boundaries in our lives, including how doing so (or *not* doing so) impacts our hormones. But what does that really mean? I find when I ask people what boundaries they have, or feel like they need to set in their lives, they don't have an answer. Which is why I had this discussion with Lesley King, who helps people find a new career in a year. She shares actionable ways to figure out next steps in your life (and these are easily applied to health & hormones too), including: -Understanding your patterns so you know how to change them -Learning what boundaries are - aka "giving people an idea of what you want and what you don't want" -Getting clear on what you want in a situation or in relationships -How important it is to celebrate your wins, even when you don't achieve the exact goal you set out to do -Creating safety by setting up "rules" Lesley King works with people who feel stuck and confused about what’s next. They don’t just want any job. They want an ideal career aligned with their values and desired lifestyle. She helps them find a new career in a year. Learn more at https://lesleykingempower.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christine-garvin/support

This week on the podcast, we are diving into something that I see as a very important part of hormone health: money. Not money in and of itself, but the security and safety that having enough money to meet your needs (and then some!) can do for your hormones. I brought on my good friend and amazing Business Coach, Jen Aly, to talk about *how* to get to this safe place through creative means. We dive into: -Learning grounded and practical ways to manifest (no spiritual bypassing!) -Understanding that you won't harvest the same day you plant the seed -Utilizing the Hakomi Sensitivity Cycle -Practices for expansion -How bringing in more money goes back to cycles again and again -More practical tips & exercises Jen has been kind enough to gift you a coupon for 50% off of anything in her online store. This includes half off of Jen's "Money Mastery Program" worth $295. Use code "PODCAST" at checkout: https://jenalycoaching.com/course-list/. Jen Aly supports creative and holistic entrepreneurs to create, grow, & optimize thriving businesses. Her unique framework is vision led, guided by the creative process, and focuses on cultivating prosperity and growth mindsets. She teaches marketing, sales, and financial skills in ways that are genuine, practical, leveraged, and fun. She is founder of the virtual MBA Academy community membership program. Her TEDx talk, "Harness Creativity as your Greatest Business Asset" was among the 10% of TEDx talks chosen for TED.com. A coach since 2003, she also geeks out on art, wellness, and travel. You can find more at her website. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christine-garvin/support

Learn more about Perimenopause Like A Boss here. Sign-up for our newsletter and get your free masterclass here. _____________________ Did you know that enzymes are a necessary and powerful part of your overall health? Unfortunately, many of us aren't producing the amount of enzymes we need, and we are no longer getting enough from food, either. On today's episode, I'm chatting with Dr. Ellen Cutler, who explains why enzymes are so important, how even eating organic food doesn't mean you are absorbing nutrients well, why organ-specific detoxification is so important, and so much more. You'll also learn: -How much of our water is now considered toxic -Why toxicity makes us feel more stressed, and how trauma impacts our digestion -All the reasons why digestive enzymes are necessary for everyone -How you can prevent kidney issues and UTIs -About testing how to determine which enzymes are best for your body Dr. Cutler has so much amazing information to share from her vast experience in the wellness field, and you'll glean so much from this interview. Dr. Ellen Cutler is a bestselling author and an internationally recognized teacher, public speaker, and media spokesperson. Her books include "MicroMiracles — Discover the Healing Power of Enzymes," now available in a revised, expanded edition. She has a chiropractic degree and specializes in the use of desensitization to food and other sensitivities, gentle detoxification, and enzyme and nutritional therapies for chronic conditions that have perplexed the conventional medical establishment. This is all addressed in her revolutionary healing technique ECM (Ellen Cutler Method). Connect with her at DrEllenCutler.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christine-garvin/support

Learn more about Mindfulness Expo here. Sign-up for my fibroid webinar on Fullscript here. __________________ Struggling to find your sex drive after it was a big part of your life for many years? Or maybe you've always tended towards low libido, and would like to see it increased? Today we are chatting all about intimacy, desire, and sex drive with Physician Assistant, Women's Sexual Health Educator and Intimacy Coach Jordan D’Nelle. We have an amazing, eye-opening conversation about all things desire, diving into the root causes of why things may be "off." This includes: -A breakdown of how your hormones work throughout your menstrual cycle -How stress and your adrenal function impacts your desire -How too much testosterone can actually inhibit sex drive -Key truth: the more you talk about sex, the more interested you are (and how to do this well!) -Syncing dating and romance with your cycle We also dive into the best options when it comes to lubrication support (and why coconut oil isn't the best option!), what asexuality is all about, and what to do when trauma from giving birth happens to the vulva. If you are ready to turn your libido ship around, this episode is a great way to dive into the underlying issues that may be inhibiting your sex drive. Jordan D’Nelle is a Physician Assistant and Women’s Sexual Health Educator and Intimacy Coach, and speaker. She is the founder and host of the Vaginas, Vulvas, and Vibrators Podcast, where conversations about sex, sexuality, sexual intimacy and relationships happen. She wants to help women feel informed about their pleasure while also create a safe space for women to feel validated. She has been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine, Women’s Health Magazine and many other podcasts. Learn more at her website. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christine-garvin/support

Join me in LA at the Mindfulness Expo on Sep. 23rd! Get your tickets with 15% off here. Grab your free Masterclass, 5 Keys To Making Your Menstrual Cycle Flow, and get onto our list so you never miss good info and freebies here. _________________ Welcome to season 5 of Hormonally Speaking! To kick off this season, I'm talking to Dr. Kela Smith, a hormone specialist who focuses on infertility. This is such an important area, because infertility is running rampant in many parts of the world, and the answer isn't always IVF. Dr. Smith and I deep dive into why infertility has become so common, and all the ways that we can support the body to overcome infertility naturally. We cover: -Why infertility is a symptom and not the "cause" -How stress, toxins, and food all play a role in the infertility epidemic -Utilizing functional lab tests in order to see what is going on in the gut, with hormones, and the ability to detoxify, which are all pieces of the puzzle -Why it's so imperative to get really clear about what's not serving you What I love about our discussion is that whether or not you are trying to conceive, Dr. Smith's advice is going to help improve your hormone situation. She is sharing the keys to hormone health! And Dr. Smith was kind enough to share a FREE gift with you - His and Hers Fertility Meal Plan. Dr. Kela Smith, Ph.D., DNM, DHM is a leading Holistic Integrative Fertility & Hormone Doctor, dedicated to supporting women and couples facing fertility challenges. After overcoming her own fertility struggles using the Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E method, it has been her mission to help others solve their infertility puzzles so they can get and stay pregnant, have a healthy happy pregnancy, and easy postpartum. An accomplished author, she also hosts The Hormone P.U.Z.Z.L.E Podcast, Solving-Infertility Summit, and Healthy Happy Pregnancy Summit. Dr. Kela's expertise also extends to guiding and inspiring future fertility experts as the lead educator at Fertility Coach University. With vast experience and dedication to holistic health, she's a renowned authority in her field. Join her in solving the infertility puzzle at www.coachkela.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christine-garvin/support

Hi friend! I covered a lot of personal stuff in this episode, and here are the links for those things I promised to share: -Perimenopause Like A Boss (starts Sep 11th! Only a couple of spots left!) -Don't miss another newsletter AND get my masterclass, Five Keys To Making Your Menstrual Cycle Flow, for FREE -Mindfulness Expo in LA, Sep 23rd -Sign-up at my Fullscript dispensary or drop me an email at [email protected] for 15% off the Fall Seasonal Support Protocol. -Check out and subscribe to my Youtube Channel here. Let us know what's on your mind by dropping us an email at [email protected]. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christine-garvin/support

Have a moment and want to give back? We work hard to bring you useful & transformative content for free. All we'd love in return is for you to subscribe, share, and leave a review for the podcast. Thanks for the bottom of our hearts! Go here to learn more about Perimenopause Like A Boss. This is a POWERFUL one! For every hormone issue from PMS to perimenopause to endometriosis, there is a spiritual/energetic component. We often overlook this to focus more on the physical side of things. Working through old traumas, issues with boundary setting, and more are all important when it comes to healing our hormones. I take you through a journey to start doing that right now. Come back and do this one more than once! If you want to watch along with the video, head here. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christine-garvin/support