Health Coach Talk: Conversations About Wellness Through Functional Medicine Coaching

Is cognitive decline an inevitable part of aging? Not according to renowned neurologist and bestselling author Dr. Dale Bredesen. In this week’s episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi sits down with Dr. Bredesen to talk about his latest book, The Ageless Brain, and how his groundbreaking work is changing the conversation around Alzheimer’s prevention, brain span, and the power of lifestyle medici...

What happens when an Olympic champion faces life’s hardest loss—and uses that pain to help others heal? In this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi sits down with FMCA graduate Kate Slatter, a gold medalist turned functional medicine health coach, to talk about grief, resilience, and how coaching became her way forward. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/kate-slatter-13...

Why do so many women struggle with food—and why does dieting often make it worse? In this week’s episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes Lydia Knight, founder of The She Center and an expert in helping women end disordered eating. Together, they explore how our relationships with food are shaped by thought patterns, not willpower, and how healing begins when we ditch the shame and break t...

What does it look like when health coaches are fully integrated into a medical practice—not just as support staff, but as central figures in the care team? This week on Health Coach Talk , Dr. Sandi sits down with Dr. Jason Shumard and Tierni Eaton to explore how their practice is redefining functional medicine through true practitioner-coach collaboration. Together, they share how their remote mo...

What if you could tailor your wellness approach to match your DNA? In this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi sits down with Heather Morgan, CEO of NBX Wellness, to discuss the exciting future of personalized, genetics-based wellness—and how health coaches are perfectly positioned to lead the charge. With her background in health coaching and nutraceuticals, Heather brings a unique perspectiv...

Do you freeze up at the thought of public speaking? Whether it’s on stage, over Zoom, or at a community event, getting your message across clearly and confidently can be one of the most valuable skills a health coach develops. In this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes Joel Weldon—Hall of Fame professional speaker and creator of the Ultimate Speaking System—to share practical strateg...

What if your routine blood test held the key to understanding your future health? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes David Vogel—renowned data scientist, entrepreneur, and longevity researcher—for a compelling conversation about how data can transform our approach to health, prevention, and personalized care. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/david-vogel-13...

What happens when a physician reclaims her health—and purpose—through functional medicine and faith? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi sits down with Dr. Tabatha Barber, a triple board-certified OB-GYN turned functional medicine doctor and coach, to discuss the powerful connection between gut health, hormone balance, spirituality, and soul healing. Show notes: https://functionalmedicinecoa...

Why do so many women do all the “right” things and still struggle to lose weight—especially in midlife? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi sits down with metabolic health expert Ashley Fillmore to unpack why traditional dieting fails and what it really takes to achieve sustainable, long-term results. With nearly two decades of experience, Ashley helps women heal their hormones, repair their...

What if your dental issues weren’t just about your teeth—but your stress, diet, and sleep? On this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi sits down with trailblazing biological dentist and functional medicine practitioner Dr. Eniko Loud to explore how conventional dentistry misses the mark on whole-body healing—and how a holistic approach to oral care could change lives. Show notes: https://funct...

What makes health coaching uniquely powerful compared to traditional healthcare approaches? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi takes the mic solo to explore the heart of coaching: client-led, client-centered care. She explains why letting clients lead the way is not only different from what doctors or AI health platforms offer—it’s the key to building the lasting change and self-efficacy th...

What if a diagnosis didn’t mean decline—but a chance to build something stronger? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi is joined by Amy Behimer, pharmacist, board-certified health and wellness coach, and founder of the Habit Hub for Autoimmune Health, to talk about thriving with autoimmune disease, rethinking chronic care, and coaching as a powerful path to resilience and well-being. Show not...

What if your everyday environment was quietly impacting your health in ways you never realized? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes back integrative rheumatologist and environmental health expert Dr. Aly Cohen for an eye-opening conversation about toxins, immune health, and what we can do to reduce our exposures. Dr. Aly shares insights from her new book, Detoxify: The Everyday Toxi...

Can you really reverse your biological age—and feel better than you did in your 30s? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi sits down with Leslie Kenny , Oxford-based CEO of Oxford Healthspan and co-founder of the Oxford Longevity Project, to explore the science of longevity, immune modulation, and one intriguing compound that’s making waves in the wellness world: spermidine. Show notes: https:...

Is it ever too late to embark on a new, purpose-driven career? This week on Health Coach Talk , Dr. Sandi welcomes Charlette Plinneke, a former middle school science teacher who, at 64, transitioned into the field of health coaching. Now a nationally board-certified Functional Medicine Health Coach with a Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, Charlette shares how thi...

What does it take to truly rebuild yourself—body, mind, and spirit—after life’s hardest moments? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi is joined by Col. Martha McSally, a retired combat veteran, former U.S. Senator, and author of Dare to Fly, for a raw and uplifting conversation about overcoming adversity, redefining resilience, and how true transformation happens with the right support—much l...

Is everything we’ve been told about cholesterol wrong? This week on Health Coach Talk , Dr. Sandi welcomes Jonny Bowden, PhD, a renowned expert in nutrition and functional medicine, to challenge conventional wisdom about cholesterol. As the co-author of The Great Cholesterol Myth , Jonny explains why the outdated “good vs. bad cholesterol” model falls short and what we should focus on instead for...

What does it mean to “win broken”? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes Whitney Jones, a three-time Fitness Olympia champion, world-class athlete, and author of Win Broken, to explore the mindset that has fueled her success. Despite facing numerous injuries and setbacks—including 18 surgeries—Whitney has refused to let obstacles define her, proving that resilience and determination c...

Could the key to preventing heart disease be found in your gut? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes cardiologist and bestselling author Dr. William Davis to explore how conventional medicine has overlooked the real drivers of heart disease—and how diet, gut health, and probiotics play a far greater role than previously thought. Dr. Davis, known for Wheat Belly and Super Gut, shares...

What drives someone to leave a stable career in conventional medicine for a path focused on holistic wellness? In this episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi welcomes FMCA graduate and former pharmacist Adriana Shuman to share her journey from pharmacy school in Slovakia to building a thriving health coaching practice in the U.S. Adriana’s story is one of transformation, resilience, and a deep pa...

What role does strength training play in women’s health, especially through midlife? On this episode of Health Coach Talk , Dr. Sandi welcomes Dr. Stephanie Estima, chiropractor, author, and expert in women’s metabolic and hormonal health, to discuss how exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle choices impact female physiology. Their conversation explores the importance of muscle preservation, the hormo...

Is our healthcare system designed to keep us healthy, or just to treat sickness? This week on Health Coach Talk , Dr. Sandi brings listeners a special episode featuring excerpts from a past interview with Dr. Casey Means, originally recorded for What the Func?! and recreated here with full permission. In this conversation, Dr. Sandi breaks down Dr. Casey’s powerful insights on the failures of our...

What if everything you thought you knew about exercise after 50 was wrong? For decades, women were told that endless cardio was the key to staying fit, but new research shows that strength training is the real game-changer for longevity, energy, and metabolism. This week on Health Coach Talk , Dr. Sandi welcomes fitness expert and Flipping 50 founder Debra Atkinson to explore how midlife women can...

What does the future hold for health coaches in today’s evolving wellness landscape? This week on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi explores this vital question with Leslie Wier-Fincher, a seasoned coach, mentor, and founder of the Health Coaching Jobs Newsletter. Together, they delve into the ever-expanding job market for health coaches, the challenges new coaches face, and the promising opportunities...

How can we better take charge of our health in the rapidly evolving wellness landscape? In this solo episode of Health Coach Talk, Dr. Sandi explores three transformative health trends for 2025, each with the potential to empower individuals to take control of their well-being. From the growing awareness around ultra-processed foods to advancements in direct-to-consumer lab testing and wearables,...