Optimal Metabolism

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to do everything "right"—eat nutritious foods, take quality supplements, exercise regularly, and prioritize sleep—yet still struggle with fatigue, inflammation, hormone imbalance, or stubborn metabolic issues? In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with Dan Stachofsky, founder of Essential Energy, to explore one of the most overlooked influences on...

Obesity treatment has changed dramatically over the past decade. While nutrition and lifestyle remain the foundation of long-term metabolic health, today's medical landscape also includes bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications as potential tools for certain individuals. In this episode, I sit down with board-certified bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Betsy Dovec to discuss ho...

What if the way you're aging has more to do with your metabolic health than your age itself? In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I sit down with longevity physician Dr. Jennifer Timmons to discuss the powerful connection between insulin resistance, hormone health, disease prevention, and aging well. Dr. Timmons shares how her experience in traditional primary care led her to pursue advanced tra...

Between constant notifications, endless scrolling, chronic stress, poor sleep, ultraprocessed food, and information overload, modern life is placing an unprecedented burden on our brains. It's no wonder so many people struggle with brain fog, forgetfulness, low energy, difficulty focusing, and concerns about long-term cognitive decline. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Marc Milstein, brain hea...

Type 2 diabetes is often presented as a chronic, progressive disease that inevitably requires increasing medications over time. But what if that's not the full story? In this week's episode of Optimal Metabolism, I sit down with Dr. Jason Shumard to discuss the root causes of type 2 diabetes, why conventional treatment approaches often fall short, and what it actually takes to reverse blood sugar...

In this thought-provoking episode of Optimal Metabolism, Shana tackles four deceptively simple questions that reveal some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding metabolic health today. Could eating too often be more problematic than eating too much? Can someone be overweight and undernourished at the same time? Is your fatigue really a food issue—or could your light environment be playing a lar...

Cancer care is evolving, and today's conversation with Martha Tettenborn dives into one of the most overlooked aspects of healing and prevention: metabolic health. Martha is a cancer survivor, author of Hacking Chemo , and currently works with Dietary Therapies , where she helps support patients using evidence-based nutritional and metabolic approaches alongside conventional cancer care. In this f...

In today's episode, I'm answering some of the most common metabolic health questions I hear from people who feel frustrated, exhausted, and stuck — even though they're trying to "do everything right." We're diving into the real root causes behind fatty liver, high triglycerides, stubborn weight gain, cravings, blood sugar instability, and rising blood pressure — and why insulin resistance is often...

What if weight loss wasn't the ultimate goal—but instead the starting point for true health? In this episode, I sit down with longevity-focused coach Jason Nelson to discuss the hidden side of modern fat loss culture. While many people are finally losing weight through restrictive dieting, excessive cardio, or GLP-1 medications, they're often left with low energy, muscle loss, metabolic dysfunctio...

What happens when a pharmacist of 30+ years realizes the system she was trained in isn't actually helping people heal? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Amanda Yue, PharmD, to discuss her journey from conventional pharmacy to root-cause healing—and the life-changing results that followed. Amanda shares how her 80-year-old mother-in-law, who was facing foot amputation due to long-stand...

Fatty liver is one of the most common metabolic conditions today—and many people don't even know they have it. It's often discovered incidentally on lab work or imaging, and the typical advice is vague at best: lose weight, eat better, exercise more. What's often missing from that conversation is this: Fatty liver is not just about fat. It's a metabolic and hormonal issue—driven largely by insulin...

What if the constant thoughts about food… just disappeared? In this powerful success story, I sit down with Jill Kramer to talk about her transformation using the Feel Great System —and how it completely changed not only her body, but her relationship with food. At 56 years old, Jill is now the leanest she's ever been, with better gut health, more energy, and zero obsession around food. But what m...

What if severe anxiety, depression, and brain fog aren't just mental health issues—but metabolic ones? In today's powerful conversation, I'm joined by Dr. Matt Bernstein, a clinical psychiatrist and leading voice in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry. We dive deep into the connection between metabolism and brain health—and why conditions like insulin resistance, blood sugar instability, an...

Carbohydrates have become one of the most controversial topics in nutrition. Depending on who you follow, carbs are either the root of all metabolic disease or an essential part of a healthy diet. In this episode, I'm sharing my personal and clinical approach to carbohydrates and answering a question I hear all the time: Do you have to go keto to heal insulin resistance and metabolic issues? The s...

What if cancer isn't just genetic — but deeply connected to your metabolism and your body's ability to manage infections? In this powerful episode, Shana sits down with Mark Lintern , author of The Cancer Resolution , to uncover the overlooked connection between cancer, chronic infections, and blood sugar dysregulation. If you're struggling with insulin resistance, fatigue, weight gain, or inflamm...

Is fasting helping your metabolism… or actually making things worse? If you've tried fasting and felt shaky, exhausted, or stuck, or if you're fasting longer and seeing  no results, this episode is for you. The truth is fasting isn't one-size-fits-all. The wrong approach can actually increase stress hormones, disrupt blood sugar, and stall your progress. In this episode, I break down: How to tell...

Ashleigh Di Lello is an international speaker, mindset and trauma expert, and the creator of Bio Emotional Healing®, a method designed to help people break free from trauma, chronic pain, and subconscious patterns that keep them stuck. Ashleigh's journey is nothing short of remarkable. As a professional dancer who performed with legends like Michael Jackson and appeared on Dancing with the Stars ,...

Most people think their metabolism is controlled by what they eat during the day. But the truth is, your hormones start being programmed the moment you wake up. Your morning routine has a powerful influence on insulin, cortisol, melatonin, and other key hormones that regulate your energy, metabolism, sleep, and overall health. When your morning habits are aligned with your body's natural circadian...

In this episode of Optimal Metabolism, I sit down with Dr. Michael Biamonte, founder of the Biamonte Center for Clinical Nutrition and author of The Candida Chronicles , to unpack the surprising connection between Candida overgrowth and metabolic dysfunction. Candida is often reduced to "just a yeast infection," but Dr. Biamonte explains why chronic fungal overgrowth can disrupt insulin signaling,...

If you're eating clean… exercising… and still struggling with blood sugar, cravings, or stubborn belly fat — this episode may change how you see your metabolism. Because your blood sugar isn't just influenced by what you eat. It's influenced by when you see light. In this episode, I break down: How morning light sets your insulin sensitivity for the entire day Why artificial light at night increas...

Are medications solving the root of metabolic disease — or just masking it? In this powerful episode that started as a Instagram LIVE, I break down what you're not being told about the most commonly prescribed drugs for blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight loss: GLP-1s (Ozempic, Wegovy), statins, and Metformin. I help you unpack: What these medications actually do (mechanisms of action) The real d...

GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy are dominating the conversation around weight loss — but what happens when the prescription ends? In this episode, Shana sits down with Lindsay Venn, PA-C, RD, and Clinical Director of Insulin IQ, to unpack how to reverse metabolic dysfunction without relying on lifelong medication. They explore why insulin resistance is the real root issue, how to safely taper off G...

This episode was originally recorded as part of my Insulin Reset Facebook & Instagram LIVE series , where I go live weekly to teach the truth about insulin resistance, hormones, and metabolic health. In this powerful session, I unpack: The REAL reason your cholesterol and triglycerides are high How fatty liver actually develops (hint: it's not from eating fat) Why statins may lower numbers but don...

What happens when a doctor leaves his practice, but finds his true mission? In today's episode of Optimal Metabolism , I'm joined by Dr. Kenny Harless—a retired chiropractor whose second act is nothing short of transformational. Through his own health journey and the discovery of the Feel Great System , Dr. Kenny has found new purpose: helping others reverse insulin resistance, regain energy, and...

If you've ever felt "hangry," needed a snack every 2–3 hours, or crashed after a meal—this episode, taken from Instagram LIVE is for you. Shana Hussin shares how meal timing and food order can drastically improve blood sugar stability, reduce cravings, and help women over 40 finally feel in control of their energy and weight. You'll learn: Why the timing of your meals matters more than you think (...