1st Optimal Podcast

Why do you feel tired, foggy, stuck with weight loss, or “off” even when your labs look normal? In this episode, Dr. Cassie Smith sits down with our host, Joe Miller, founder of First Optimal, to discuss the powerful connection between gut health, hormones, metabolism, and overall wellness. We talk about root causes, advanced testing, sustainable lifestyle changes, and why your symptoms may be tel...

In this episode, Jim LaValle explains why true longevity starts long before disease shows up. If you've ever wondered how to improve your energy, optimize your metabolism, slow the aging process, or understand what’s really driving your health at the cellular level, this conversation is for you. We dive into the science of peptides, mitochondrial health, metabolic resilience, and functional m...

In this episode, Dr. Mani breaks down what most people get wrong about pain, mobility, and performance — and why simply “training harder” often leads to compensation, imbalance, and injury. If you’ve ever dealt with nagging knee pain, tight hips, poor squat mechanics, recurring injuries, or wondered why your body doesn’t move the way it used to, this conversation will change how you think about tr...

In this episode, Kristy Olendorf shares what changed when the food noise finally got quiet. If you’ve ever felt like you’re thinking about food all day, battling cravings at night, or wondering why willpower never seems to last, Kristy’s story will hit home. With this authentic client story, we break down how hunger signals, cravings, hormones, blood sugar, stress, sleep, and appetite control can...

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we sit down with Liz Roman, better known as The Poop Queen, to talk about what your gut, digestion, bloating, and bathroom habits may be telling you about your overall health. Gut health is connected to so much more than digestion. It can influence energy, metabolism, cravings, inflammation, hormone balance, mood, and how your body responds to food. Beca...

Blood Flow Restriction training is getting a lot of attention, but what’s actually happening inside the body? In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Michael MacPherson PhD, 1st Optimal Advisor and BFR specialist, for a deep dive into the science behind BFR training, how it works, and why it’s becoming such a powerful tool for strength, recovery, rehabilitation, and perfor...

Is Your Gut Blocking Fat Loss? Here’s How to Fix It In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the critical connection between gut health and fat loss with hormone-focused health coach, Becca Chilczenkowski (@thehormonequeen). If you’ve been struggling with stubborn belly fat, low energy, and brain fog despite trying all the “right” diets and workouts — your gut health might be the missing piece....

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Washburn , the owner of Thera Performance Lab inside Robotic Rehab & Relief in Lake Orion, MI, to dive into the world of performance recovery for active adults. At Thera Performance Lab, Tim and his team focus on assessing and balancing the complete kinetic chain to release the restrictions caused by repetitive movement patterns in both sport and daily lif...

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, Coach Eli Coffey joins us to explore how to optimize every part of the body to function at its best. From strengthening your muscles to improving mental clarity, Eli dives into strategies that help make your body whole and healthy. Whether you're an athlete or just focused on overall wellness, Eli's insights will inspire you to elevate your hea...

Menopause isn’t the end of feeling like yourself. It’s the point where most women finally realize the system failed them. In this episode, we sit down with Cynthia Thurlow, author of The Menopause Gut, to unpack the real story behind her work and why she wrote this book in the first place. After a personal health crisis in 2018, Cynthia saw firsthand what so many women experience: symptoms dismiss...

As a functional health coach, we’ve seen it all—clients struggling with fatigue, hormone imbalances, and the overwhelming pressure of "wellness trends." But the truth? True health isn’t about fitting into a mold. It’s about understanding the root causes, shifting the mindset, and creating personalized, sustainable solutions that actually work. In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast,...

In this special episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we’re joined by Amber Miller, COO and Co-Founder of 1st Optimal, to discuss her personal health journey and the vision behind 1st Optimal. Tune in as Joe and Amber share their insights on hormone health, longevity, and how the company blends functional medicine with personalized coaching to deliver lasting results. Whether you're looking to...

In this episode, we’re joined by health and wellness coach, Tara LaFerrara, who is passionate about breaking the mold of societal expectations surrounding women's bodies and fitness. Tara’s mission is to help women redefine their relationship with their bodies, moving away from the pressures of social media perfection and embracing a more holistic, empowered approach to health. Tara opens up...

Most women are told their symptoms are “just part of aging.” Fatigue. Weight gain. Brain fog. Mood swings. Dr. Mariza Snyder is here to challenge that narrative. In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we sit down with functional medicine expert and author of The Perimenopause Revolution to break down what’s really happening with your hormones and why so many women feel dismissed, overlooked,...

In this conversation with Dr. Cassie M. Smith, we dive deep into understanding the impact doctors have with their patients. Dr. Smith also gives us a look into her own career journey, and how her empathy and expertise helps heal those who struggle with their hormone and gut health. What You’ll Learn: The real impact of doctors who listen vs. dismiss symptoms. Dr. Smith's health and career jou...

Hormones affect everything. Your energy, metabolism, sleep, mood, and even how your workouts feel. But most people struggling with fatigue, stubborn weight gain, or brain fog are told the same thing: “It’s just stress” or “It’s part of getting older.” In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we sit down with Shauna Theresa Butler (@shaunatheresa), health coach and functional medicine practition...

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we’re joined by health coach and functional medicine expert Travis Wallace, who shares how shifting your mindset is the key to achieving lasting fitness results. Travis opens up about his own health journey, how overcoming challenges led him to a career in health coaching, and why your mental approach is just as important as your workout routine. Key Tak...

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we’re joined by the incredible Fiona Judd, a seasoned health coach and functional medicine expert. Fiona shares her transformative journey from struggling with hormone imbalances and energy issues to discovering the power of functional medicine and creating sustainable wellness practices. Tune in as Fiona debunks common myths in health and wellness, incl...

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we sit down with fitness expert Coach Joe Wachs, known for his incredible "before and after" transformations. Joe takes us through his inspiring journey from a high school athlete struggling with self-confidence to becoming a top coach who’s transformed thousands of lives. He shares how his background in bodybuilding shaped his approach to coac...

In today’s episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we’re joined by Amy Muller. She helps others optimize their health and community by creating the Michigan Women's Sports and Health Expo. 00:00:00 – Creating the Women’s Sports and Health Expo 00:02:45 – How the Expo Came to Life 00:05:15 – Overcoming Challenges in Starting the Expo 00:09:00 – Family-Friendly Activities at the Expo 00:12:29 – The...

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we’re joined by Whitney Johns, a strength coach and health educator who’s revolutionizing the way women train, eat, and age. Whitney breaks down the myths surrounding women’s health, offering a smarter, science-backed approach to strength training, hormone optimization, and sustainable fitness. As women age, hormones and metabolism change — but it doesn’...

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we sit down with Chelsey Hallblade, a health coach, functional medicine expert, and former nurse turned nutritionist. Chelsey shares her incredible journey from battling chronic fatigue and hormonal imbalances to becoming a leading advocate for sustainable health practices. Chelsey’s story is an inspiration to anyone who has struggled with their health....

In today’s episode, we’re joined by the incredible Mandy White Eskelin, a leading health coach and functional medicine practitioner specializing in empowering women 40+ to thrive in midlife. With over a decade of experience helping women navigate hormonal changes, gut health, stress, and libido optimization, Mandy shares her expert insights on how to biohack your health during this transformative...

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we’re joined by Hailey Babcock, a fitness and hormone health expert, who reveals why “doing everything right” still fails so many women. Hailey shares her journey from burnout to sustainable fat loss and explains why hormonal health should be at the center of every woman’s fitness strategy. Get ready to bust some fitness myths and learn how to train smar...

In this episode, Dr. Michael MacPherson dives deep into the science of Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training, a game-changing recovery and performance tool used by elite athletes worldwide. If you’ve been wondering how BFR works, its benefits for muscle recovery, injury rehab, and strength gains, this episode has all the answers. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or just someone looking to op...