The Body Nerd Show
As someone who is currently diving deep into all things gut health-related, I am really excited to invite Dr. Meg Mill on today’s episode. Dr. Meg is a Functional Medicine Practitioner, author and speaker and you might remember her from . So when she reached out about today’s topic, I was instantly interested. Especially because symptoms of mast cell activation can impact the skin with hives, rashes, or itching, the GI tract with diarrhea, bloating, nausea, and general body symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, coughing, and inflammation. Basically, it’s a lot. So if you’re someone who...
info_outline 235 Ozempic, Wegovy and Understanding Weight Science with Ragen ChastainThe Body Nerd Show
Today I’m joined by Ragen Chastain - a remarkable speaker, writer, and thought leader in weight science, weight stigma, and health. With all the talk about Ozempic and Wegovy, I knew we needed to do a deep dive here on the Body Nerd Show Podcast and have an expert to guide us through. And Ragen 100% delivered on both fronts. Whether you're curious about these medications, interested in weight science, or simply looking to expand your knowledge, this episode offers valuable insights and perspectives. As I've said on the show time and time again - my goal is to provide...
info_outline 234 You Don’t Need to Lose Weight to Get Out of PainThe Body Nerd Show
Would it surprise you to know that you don’t need to lose weight to get out of pain? I frequently get messages that include something along the lines of “I know I need to lose weight but…” which breaks my heart because I believe that life without pain is possible for everyone - no matter what your body looks like or feels like right now. We’ve been sold this idea that the pain in our joints is directly related to body mass. But time and time again - the research does not find this to be true. You don’t need to lose weight to get out of pain. And the idea that some amount of pain is...
info_outline 233 Osteoporosis and Building Stronger Bones with Sarah CourtThe Body Nerd Show
More than 50 million people in the U.S. live with osteoporosis, a bone disease that leads to a decrease in the structure and strength of bone. But what if I told you that the best way to rebuild bone strength doesn’t require any pharmaceuticals? Because it might surprise you to know that osteopenia isn't the same as osteoporosis. But should we be treating them differently? In today’s episode, I’m joined by physical therapist (and my hiking partner), Dr. Sarah Court (), and she’s sharing her best tips to improve bone density, the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia, why...
info_outline 232 Why I (still) Don’t Drink CoffeeThe Body Nerd Show
Do you drink coffee? When I posted the video "Why I Quit Caffeine (and you should too!!)" on YouTube in 2017, I quickly realized just how passionate folks are about their coffee rituals. Fast forward to 2024 - and I still don't drink coffee. Not a drop. Not even in ice cream! But I'm not entirely anti-caffeine. I do, however, still have a cup of tea every morning, but I tread carefully because too much caffeine turns me into the Energizer Bunny with insomnia. Many of my experiments start with a curious "I wonder what would happen if…" and giving up coffee was no exception. The result? No...
info_outline 231 Debunking Fitness Myths with Michael UlloaThe Body Nerd Show
The internet is filled with fitness myths that promise quick fixes and magical solutions. From the carnivore diet to the “best exercise to make shredded abs!” - there’s a lot of 💩 out there. So when UK-based Michael Ulloa (@michaelulloapt) came through my feed calling out lies on the internet - I knew I wanted to be friends and have him on the show. Michael is a personal trainer and performance nutritionist with a unique talent for making health advice accessible and empowering for everyone, regardless of their fitness background. And while we could have gone through the myths line by...
info_outline 230 Back Pain Recovery (without Surgery!)The Body Nerd Show
Unlock the secrets to a pain-free life - recent research reveals that retraining your brain is the key to saying goodbye to chronic back pain without surgery. But is life without pain possible? Even if you have an x-ray or MRI that says the only fix is surgical? Here's a revelation: MRI studies on people without back pain consistently reveal a significant percentage with disc issues but zero pain. This challenges the idea that disc issues are always correlated with pain. And I know this goes against what most of us have been told about back pain — which is precisely why I recorded this...
info_outline 229 Building Sustainable Strength with Allison TenneyThe Body Nerd Show
If you’re ready to get started with weights or redefine your relationship with strength training — today’s episode is for you. I’m joined by the incredible Allison Tenney (). As a former D1 Athlete and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Allison totally gets the “all or nothing” mentality that so often sabotages our progress (especially when you’re an overachiever perfectionist like me!). And while I thought this would be a conversation on how to get started with strength training (which it is), we go so much...
info_outline 228 How Collagen Powder WorksThe Body Nerd Show
Are you curious about collagen powder and whether it lives up to the hype? In this week’s episode of the Body Nerd Show, we’re diving deep into the world of collagen, including exploring what it is, the various types, and most importantly the science behind collagen supplementation. How much should you take if you want to reduce joint pain? Or reduce aging? I’ll be honest - I went into this knowing that collagen works but was really surprised at all the ways research has found it helps! But it makes sense when you consider that collagen makes up 25% of all protein in your body. I’m all...
info_outline 227 How Graston, Tissue Scraping, and IATSM WorksThe Body Nerd Show
Has your physical therapist or chiropractor used a stainless steel tool to work on your persistent knots? If so, you've experienced Graston therapy. The Graston Technique is a type of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IATSM), which research has shown to be effective in improving range of motion and reducing pain. Personally, I've never been a big fan of hard tools, especially if they cause bruising, but this is where things can get confusing. In many Eastern medicine techniques (gua sha, cupping, etc.), bruising is the goal and is seen as a sign of healing. So is Graston just a...
info_outlineDiscover the surprising connection between your low back pain and your pelvic floor in this eye-opening episode. Dealing with nagging discomfort can be frustrating, especially when the usual remedies like stretching and heat only offer temporary relief.
But here's something you might not know: your pelvic floor could be playing a role in your low back pain, and it's not just a topic for postpartum.
We all have important muscles at the base of our pelvis that contribute to core and spinal stability.
So if you've been pushing through back pain without exploring what's happening in your pelvis? This episode will be a game-changer for you.
You’ll learn:
- Why your low back pain might be related to your pelvic floor
- The anatomy of the pelvic floor
- Why working on the muscles of the hip and pelvis can help your low back feel better
All the links:
- The Role of the Obturator Internus Muscle in Pelvic Floor Function ( Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy)
- Association between lumbopelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction in women: A cross sectional study (Musculoskeletal Science and Practice)
- Low Back Pain and Pelvic Floor Disorders (Physiopedia)
- Assessment of pelvic floor muscle function in women with and without low back pain using transabdominal ultrasound (Manual Therapy)
- How to Find Neutral Pelvis and Spine (AE Wellness YouTube)
- Glute and Hamstring Warmup (AE Wellness YouTube)
- 30 days to more strength + flexibility with the Mobility Mastery Toolkit
- Movement Mavens has the tools and strategy to support you on your path to enjoying life without pain - www.aewellness.com/mavens
- www.aewellness.com/podcast - Show notes, links and more.
- Join the free Body Nerds FB community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aewbodynerds/
- Come hang out with me on Instagram @hollaformala : https://instagram.com/hollaformala/
- TikTok @ aewellness
- Bodywork Starter Guide - learn the 6 places you need to roll right now for quick relief, plus the reason why what you’ve tried so far has only given you a temporary fix. Download the guide for free now at www.aewellness.com/bodywork
- 818-396-6501 is the Body Nerd Hotline - how do you build consistency and/or where are you getting stuck? Drop me a line and let me know your body nerd hacks - you might just hear your voice on a future episode!
Today’s episode is brought to you by Mobility Mastery Toolkit. Forget icing and stretching - and get a simple program you can do on your own that actually works. The Toolkit includes 30-days of exercises so you know exactly what to do to improve the mobility of your hips, lower back, feet, neck and shoulders. With video demos and a full-body mobility workout calendar, you’re just 15-mins a day from feeling stronger and more flexible. Get $20 off when you use the code MASTERY at www.mobilitytoolkit.co