Health Coach Talk: Conversations About Wellness Through Functional Medicine Coaching

Imagine a therapy for grief that speaks to the body as well as the mind. In this episode of Health Coach Talk, we explore a unique approach to processing grief that goes beyond traditional, mostly conversational therapeutic methods. Dr. Sandi sits down with Marelda Rodrigues, an FMCA alum and pioneer in grief wellness massage, to uncover how her unconventional methods are helping clients heal from...

Is the number on the scale your clients' only measure of wellness success? This week, Accountability Coach Lindsey House joins Health Coach Talk to explore the pitfalls of diet culture and the importance of a holistic approach to well-being that shifts the focus from weight to overall health. While many of us are fixated on the numbers on the scale, Dr. Sandi and Lindsey reveal the deeper mark...

How can individuals improve wellness and even hormone balance in the wake of the pandemic? Health coaches provide a critical role in post-COVID healthcare, according to Dr. Sandi's latest guest on Health Coach Talk, Dr. Margaret Christensen. In a world flooded with choices and ever-changing advice, Dr. Margaret advocates for a return to the fundamentals, with health coaches leading the charge...

When it comes to your personal health, what are your priorities? According to Dr. Patrick Hanaway, establishing a relationship with nature should be near the top of the list. This week, he joins Dr. Sandi on Health Coach Talk to explore nature's role in holistic well-being. They discuss the macrobiome, Dr. Patrick's cancer diagnosis, his work with indigenous peoples, and more in this power...

What does it take to earn your National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) credential? This week on Health Coach Talk , Dr. Sandi hosts the Health Nerds, FMCA’s own Susan, Amy, Kellye, and Micki, who unpack their journey from FMCA graduates to thriving health coaches. The four guests reveal their personal stories of studying for and passing the NBC-HWC exam and share how their exp...

Ready to let go of what's holding you back and elevate your career in health and wellness? Join Dr. Sandi and Marketing & Mindset Coach Robert Notter on this episode of Health Coach Talk as they uncover the keys to thriving in your practice. Robert shares his business success strategies in a conversation packed with actionable insights you can use to shift your mindset and excel in your bu...

How are your hormones today? For many of us, the answer is "I have no idea." Depending on your health, gender identity, and life stage, hormones may not be on your radar at all. But if you've experienced hormonal imbalances, especially due to menopause or perimenopause, you know that understanding and optimizing hormones can be a key to well-being. In this episode of Health Coach Tal...

You've probably heard conflicting information about the safety and efficacy of hormone therapy for menopausal and post-menopausal women—you may even have heard that it's dangerous. As our guest this week says, "the bottom line is, that's nonsense." Let's set the record straight. This week, Dr. Sandi unpacks the complex history and science of hormone replacement therapy wi...

Our minds and bodies are linked even more closely than we may realize. Our mental state has an impact on our physical wellness (or illness)—and by tapping into that mind-body link, we can intentionally influence how we feel. This week, Dr. Sandi dives into the power and potential of the gut-brain connection with Board-Certified Internist and Functional Medicine expert Dr. Vincent Pedre. As a compe...

Workplace wellness isn't just a hot topic for human resources departments or a recruitment tool. It is a tool that has been shown to help employees take control of their health and wellness. This week, Dr. Sandi discusses workplace wellness and menopause with expert Jaqueline Olivera-Cella of wellBe Consulting. As a professional actuary, Jaqueline helps employees mitigate risks for their emplo...

One of the most confusing parts of health and wellness is nutrients. What should you be getting? How can you get them? Can you get everything you need from food? Should you take supplements? Which ones? With so much information out there, it is difficult to filter the good information from the bad. This is where a health coach can help. This week Dr. Sandi discusses all things nutrients with exper...

Six thousand women enter menopause in the United States every day. Yet many people don't know the difference between premenopause, perimenopause, and actual menopause. This week, Dr. Sandi welcomes Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz to share her expertise. Dr. Suzanne is the Chief Medical Correspondent for the Drew Barrymore Show and author of Menopause Bootcamp . Menopause isn't "one-size-fits...

Functional Medicine Coaching Academy graduates are changing the world. Alum Shawn Blymiller is making a difference in the lives of families one coaching session at a time. This week, Dr. Sandi sits down with Shawn Blymiller of Pure Living and Pure Living Family to discuss his work in building a successful business and non-profit. He is helping kids and families with special needs thrive. In 2018,...

Everyone loves the delicious smells of baking bread or cookies, gardens in the springtime, or fresh fruit ready to eat. But did you know that those smells have a significant impact on your eating habits? This week, Dr. Sandi welcomes Rachel Herz, a neuroscientist and expert on the psychological science of scents and smells. Without a sense of smell, food wouldn't be the same. According to Herz...

Starting a health coaching business can be a daunting task. Where do you start? What do new health coach graduates need to get started? How do you make your first sale? This week, Dr. Sandi sits down with expert business coach for health coaches, Hailey Rowe. Hailey Rowe has a passion for health and a calling to help health coaches make the most out of their health coaching business. She guides co...

s the healthcare landscape changes, it's becoming more and more important for patients to become their own healthcare advocates. This week, Dr. Sandi welcomes the Medical Advocate, Dr. Howard Elkin. Trained as a cardiologist, Dr. Elkin worked in healthcare for years before finding himself on the other side of the table. After having a heart attack, despite living a healthy lifestyle and having...

Can artificial intelligence be used to improve overall health? This week Dr. Sandi discusses how AI is being integrated into healthcare with Jona founder, Leo Grady. After working with and developing artificial intelligence systems for the last 20 years, Grady has put this important tool to work helping people live healthier lives. AI is currently being used to help people analyze and assess their...

Aging isn't a bad thing. Instead of trying to find the best anti-aging solutions, consider instead living a more pro-aging lifestyle. Consider a life of longevity. This week, Dr. Sandi discusses all the ways she embraces longevity and how she remains pro-aging in a world of anti-aging. Dr. Sandi shares her 6 keys to longevity. These keys help to bolster the mind and body as you age. Through fu...

Mental health and mental health care have only gotten worse since 2020. It's becoming harder and harder for people to make appointments to see therapists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals. This week Dr. Sandi discusses mental health, health coaching, and collaborative care with the founder of Intuitive Mental Health, Ravi Hariprasad. With the state of healthcare today, many...

Insurance billing and reimbursement is a complex topic that can be difficult to navigate. This week Dr. Sandi discusses recent changes to Medicare and Medicaid billing that affect health coaches in 2024. She is joined by FMCA educator and insurance billing expert Sonda Kunzi of Coding Advantage. If you are new to medical billing or want a better understanding of how it affects health coaching, lis...

Bone health is a concern many think they don't have to worry about until they are older. Many think about it as mostly an issue for older women. That is not always the case, however. This week Dr. Sandi talks all about bones and bone health with expert Kevin Ellis, aka The Bone Coach. Kevin Ellis was diagnosed with osteoporosis at a young age. After learning that he had celiac, a doctor sugges...

Encouraging clients to eat better only works if they have the resources available to make it happen. A common barrier to eating healthful is cooking. Some clients may not have the culinary skills, while others might not have the time, which can lead to pre-prepared, processed, or take-out dinners. This week, Dr Sandi speaks with Olivia Thomas about her revolutionary digital platform, Rewire Health...

How can we keep the human connection in healthcare while still taking advantage of modern technologies? Dr. Sandi and her guest, Casey Hughes explore answers to that important question this week. Episode Highlights How can technology aid health coaches? Learn how health trackers can sometimes be terrible for clients. Understand the importance of human connection in changing behavior. Better unders...

Where can a health coaching career take you? Many people considering a health coaching education or graduating from a program like FMCA wonder what comes next. This week Dr. Sandi shares her list of 26 Career Opportunities for Health Coaches. While most think of health coaches working solely within medical offices, that is only one of the many career opportunities available for health coaches. As...

This week Dr. Sandi welcomes Chief Wellness officer at Evolution Hospitality, keynote speaker, author, and physician, Dr. Romie Mushtaq to talk about brain health, burnout, and health coaching in corporate wellness. As a physician, Dr. Mushtaq suffered from severe burnout. She shares her experience with discovering mindfulness, meditation, and other ways to quiet her busy mind. Dr. Mushtaq and Dr....