Episode 226- Adrenal Fatigue or Circadian Dysfunction? Here’s How to Tell!
Release Date: 04/29/2025
Optimal Metabolism
In this powerful interview, Shana sits down with Sam Hughes, VP of Sales at Unicity, to uncover the story and science behind the —a metabolic support protocol built on two potent products: Unimate and Balance. Sam shares his unique journey from working in customer service to helping roll out this system across North America. He breaks down the ingredients inside each product, why they were chosen, and how they’re helping thousands reverse insulin resistance, balance blood sugar, and feel better—often fast. If you’re ready to simplify your wellness journey and actually feel great, this...
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In this powerful solo episode, Shana breaks down two of the most overlooked drivers of weight gain, low energy, and chronic disease: insulin resistance and fatty liver. Discover why these silent conditions are skyrocketing, how to test for them (even if your doctor isn’t looking), and the exact lifestyle steps that can start reversing them—naturally. Plus, hear why she recommends the and how her metabolic reset program works. What We Cover: Why fatty liver is now shockingly common How insulin resistance leads to liver fat, hormonal chaos, and stubborn weight Testing for fatty...
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What No One Tells You About Life After GLP-1 Meds GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have changed the game for weight loss—but what happens when the prescription ends and you need a plan? This week, I’m joined by Dr. Jim Hill, leading obesity researcher and architect of the National Weight Control Registry, to uncover what really happens after GLP-1s—and how to maintain your results without spiraling into regain. We’ll explore the three types of weight regain, what makes maintenance so different from weight loss, and why your body is capable of mimicking GLP-1 effects...
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The holidays bring joy, but they can also trigger emotional eating, guilt, people-pleasing, and that “I’ll start over in January” mindset that sets you back. In this powerful re-air of one of Shana’s most-shared episodes, you’ll learn how to stay grounded and aligned with your health goals—without feeling deprived or isolated. Shana shares practical strategies to help you recognize and overcome the most common holiday eating traps, all through the lens of metabolic health and faith-based wellness. If you’ve ever struggled with holiday parties, food pressure, or all-or-nothing...
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In today’s episode, I’m sharing exactly how I lost weight while on a cruise and over Thanksgiving—yes, during two of my most food-filled weeks of the year! No tracking, no food guilt, no agonizing gym workouts—just two meals a day, a simple fasting rhythm, and daily support from the ✨ I’ll walk you through what I ate, when I ate, how I felt, and the mindset shift that changed everything. Whether you're traveling, hosting, or just trying to make it through the holidays without backsliding, this is for you! What You’ll Learn: Why I stopped obsessing over food—even on...
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If you feel like you’ve tried everything—fasting, low-carb, supplements—and your weight still won’t budge, this episode is for you. Shana welcomes Craig Mullen, founder of Remedy Functional Health and a pioneer in root-cause healing, to unpack the deeper reasons behind weight loss resistance and metabolic burnout. Together they explore how hormone dysfunction, mitochondrial fatigue, and even your nervous system may be silently sabotaging your progress. Craig shares cutting-edge strategies he's using with high performers to reverse fatigue, balance hormones, and restore metabolic...
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Summary: In this episode, Shana dives into one of the most overlooked yet reversible conditions in metabolic health — fatty liver. She explains why this isn’t really a “liver problem,” but a sign of insulin resistance and disrupted circadian rhythm. You’ll learn how to heal your liver naturally through nutrition, light, and daily rhythms — and how the and provide a simple, effective framework for restoring energy, hormones, and metabolic balance. What You’ll Learn: Why 1 in 3 adults now have fatty liver — and most don’t know it The difference between fatty liver and...
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Episode Summary: What if your chronic symptoms aren’t your fault—but the result of being failed by a broken system? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Aaron Hartman—author of UnCurable and founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine—to explore the deeper reasons behind weight loss resistance, autoimmune illness, trauma, and more. We discuss the 4 reasons people struggle to lose weight (even when “doing everything right”), how to regenerate the body using light, food, and rhythm, and why addressing unresolved trauma may be the key to healing. Dr....
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In this Facebook Live episode, Shana shares how she naturally lowered her total cholesterol by 58 points and LDL by 41 points in just 11 weeks—without statins—by addressing insulin resistance and easily adding 7 different fibers with the You’ll learn what causes “high” cholesterol beyond diet, how insulin and inflammation play a bigger role than fat intake, and how strategic nutrients like soluble fibers, phytosterols, and chlorogenic acid improve both lipid and glucose metabolism. What You’ll Learn The real root of high cholesterol: insulin resistance and poor metabolic...
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This week on Optimal Metabolism, Shana sits down with one of her greatest mentors in circadian and quantum biology, Carrie Bennett, to uncover the surprising science behind winter wellness. Together, they explore why embracing the dark may be the key to restoring your melatonin rhythm, healing adrenal fatigue, and boosting mitochondrial health this season. You’ll learn how our biology shifts during winter, why being more ketogenic and aligned with shorter days supports metabolic healing, and whether we really need to supplement with vitamin D—or if nature already built the answer into the...
info_outline📝 Episode Summary:
Are your adrenals "tired" or “shot”—or is your body just out of rhythm?
In this episode I explain the critical differences between adrenal fatigue and circadian dysfunction, and why so many women are misled by quick-fix solutions that don’t address the root cause. If you’re waking at 3 AM, crashing by 2 PM, or feeling wired and tired all day… this is for you!
You’ll learn how light, timing, and God’s natural rhythm are the missing pieces in true hormone healing—and why Cortisol Calm is designed to help you reset naturally.
🔗 Helpful Links:
🧠 Topics We Cover:
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Why “adrenal fatigue” is often a misdiagnosis
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How to know if your cortisol is out of sync with light
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Common patterns of circadian disruption (especially in midlife women)
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Top burnout triggers and how to avoid them
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First steps to heal naturally—without relying on pills or caffeine
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Why God’s design for daily rhythm is the key to restoration