Episode 99. The Primal Nurse Initiative with Health Coach Joff
Prescribing Lifestyle with Dr Avi Charlton
Release Date: 06/25/2025
Prescribing Lifestyle with Dr Avi Charlton
This reflective solo episode marks a special milestone: the 120th episode of the Prescribing Lifestyle podcast and the close of 2025. I share openly about my professional growth, personal health journey, and the challenges and wins that have shaped this year. What’s inside this episode Professional growth and expansion How Melbourne Low Carb Clinic has grown from 1 to 5 physical locations across Melbourne (Wantirna, Pascoe Vale South, South Yarra, Beaumaris, Canterbury) plus telehealth across Australia. Collaborations with like‑minded clinics and practitioners, including Aston Rx, Core...
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In this episode, I'm joined by Wutti Oparkcharoen , founder of OsteoStrong South Melbourne, for a deep dive into bone health and how to take powerful, science-based steps to prevent and even reverse osteoporosis. Wutti shares how a personal passion for health and a family experience with osteoporosis led him to bring OsteoStrong to Australia. We discuss the revolutionary, evidence-based approach to improving bone density using "osteogenic loading" — specialized, safe machines that let members generate forces five to ten times their body weight in just 10 minutes per week. We cover: The...
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In this fascinating episode, I speak with Katie Kirkland, a certified functional nutrition counselor and registered nurse from Cincinnati, Ohio, who shares her inspiring journey from nurse to functional nutrition coach. Katie opens up about her personal health challenges, including anxiety, depression, gut issues, and cervical dysplasia, and how she transformed her understanding of nourishment—beyond dieting—to a truly individualized, whole-body approach. We explore: The importance of patching health "holes" with a holistic, functional nutrition strategy The vital role of bowel movements...
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In this episode, I have a heartfelt conversation with Dr Zen Zeng—a concert pianist, conference interpreter, professional speaker, and master teacher whose work bridges music, psychology, leadership, and personal growth. Zen draws on decades of international performance and coaching, sharing her journey from perfectionism and burnout to embracing imperfection and self-compassion. Zen introduces her signature STAGE framework—a practical inward journey designed to help high achievers find sustainable excellence without burnout: S: Stillness—learning how to pause, listen deeply, and...
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In this deeply personal episode, I speak with Dr Olivia Ong, a Melbourne-based GP and rehab physician, about her life-changing experience with a severe spinal cord injury, her journey through rehabilitation, and how she overcame multiple episodes of burnout. Olivia shares vivid memories of the accident, her emergency spinal surgery, regaining mobility, and what it taught her about resilience and mindset. She explains how the rehab system shaped her path and how she developed an evolving approach to recovery and wellness, combining medical knowledge with nervous system coaching and somatic...
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In this empowering episode, I chat with Coach Lita Mae Button, speaker, nurse, professional boxer, and founder of Punch Positive, joining me all the way from Canada. From battling depression and self-doubt to becoming a national Golden Glove champion and motivational coach, Lita shares her powerful story of resilience, courage, and transformation — one punch at a time. We explore how boxing, both physical and symbolic, can heal the mind, build confidence, and teach you to “step back in the ring” against life’s toughest challenges. Lita also breaks down her unique mindset...
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In this inspiring episode, I chat with Marleen Mour — speaker, coach, and founder of the Self-Love for Permanent Weight Loss Movement. Marleen shares her journey of losing 49 kg, transforming her mindset, and helping thousands of women around the world ditch diet culture and lose weight — permanently. We discuss how freeing yourself from guilt, restriction, and emotional eating leads to lasting transformation — not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Her story is one of courage, self-discovery, and radical self-love. 🌿 What We Cover in This Episode ...
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In this episode, I speak with physiotherapist Amelia Santos, an expert in lymphatic health, lipoedema, pelvic floor, and bowel function. Amelia explains how she became a leading clinician in pelvic floor and lymphatic therapy, and shares essential insights on often-misunderstood conditions like IBS, lipoedema, lymphedema, and chronic bowel and pelvic floor challenges. We explore: How pelvic floor physio can help with IBS, chronic constipation, and incomplete bowel emptying, especially when medical tests have ruled out other causes The differences between lipoedema and lymphedema, why they're...
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In this episode, I sit down with health coach, podcaster, and consultant Jenn Trepeck, host of Salad with a Side of Fries. Jenn shares her personal journey from the business world into health coaching—a shift sparked by her own experiences with endless diets, weight struggles, and ultimately, finding a sustainable wellness approach. I loved hearing how Jenn escaped the diet rollercoaster and dedicated her career to helping others do the same. We dug into her health coaching philosophy, which centres on four key elements: low glycemic impact nutrition, focusing on body composition, building...
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In this episode, Naomi shares her deeply personal journey—from a sudden separation and navigating family court to founding thriving support groups and helping others through the process of divorce and major life splits. Together, we unpack: Naomi’s story of self-representation, overcoming financial and emotional hurdles, and the power of community support The realities of the family court system, why self-care is crucial, and how it’s possible to move from isolation to connection after a split Naomi’s unique coaching approach, customised for each client—no cookie-cutter solutions,...
info_outlineI can’t believe it’s been a full year since I launched this podcast and I’m so grateful you’ve been part of this journey. To celebrate, I’m bringing you a powerful and inspiring episode that reminds us why we keep showing up for our health.
In this episode, I chat with Health Coach Joff, a rehabilitation nurse and primal health coach who shares his incredible transformation story. From metabolic syndrome, weight struggles, and burnout — to a 40kg weight loss, renewed energy, and purpose — Joff has truly turned his life around.
You’ll hear how traditional advice didn’t work for him, and how he found healing through low carb and carnivore nutrition, breathwork, cold exposure, and the mindset shift that saved his life. This is an honest, powerful, and deeply relatable episode — especially if you’ve ever felt stuck or hopeless in your health journey.
In this episode, we talk about:
🍽️ Joff’s diagnosis at 17 that changed everything
🧠 Mental health, sleep apnoea, and why he felt like giving up
💥 The moment that pushed him to try low carb (and eventually carnivore)
💪 How he lost 40kg without counting calories
🌿 What happened when he cut out sugar and processed carbs
🧊 Cold exposure, breathwork, and new lifestyle habits
👩⚕️ His new program helping nurses transform their metabolic health
Connect with Joff:
🌐 Website: healthcoachjoff.com.au
📸 Instagram: @healthcoachjoff
🎙️ Podcast: Steaks with Mates (coming soon to Spotify + Apple)
📘 Primal Nurse Initiative – a 12-week self-guided program for nurses (launching soon!)
Exciting News — My Book Is Coming!
You can now pre-order my new book:
📖 Prescribing Lifestyle: A Doctor’s Prescription for Lasting Weight Loss and Vibrant Health
This is a guide for anyone ready to take their health into their own hands — with practical tools around nutrition, breathwork, mindset and daily habits that work.
💫 Release Date: September 2025
🔗 Link to pre-order: https://mlcclinic.com.au/my-book/
📲 Stay connected:
Instagram: @dr_charlton_lifestyle_gp
Facebook: Dr Charlton Lifestyle GP
Podcast: Prescribing Lifestyle
Website: www.mlcclinic.com.au