Optimal Metabolism

We've been told cancer is genetic… or just bad luck. But what if that's not the whole story? In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode, I share the journey of my mom—a nurse, a night-shift worker, and a fighter who passed away just 7 months after her pancreatic and liver cancer diagnosis. For well over a decade, she was told to "watch" elevated liver enzymes while living in a circadian storm...

Could the invisible waves around us be damaging our children's brains, hormones, and fertility? In this critical episode, Shana Hussin, RDN, interviews Arthur de Calenge, founder of HAVN (Havnwear), about the powerful yet often overlooked effects of EMF (electromagnetic field) exposure on human health. Arthur breaks down what EMFs really are, how they affect our biology—especially in children and...

If you've ever wondered why you feel great one minute—and crash the next—or why your weight won't budge despite healthy eating, it might be time to try a CGM. In this solo episode, Shana Hussin, RDN, breaks down what a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is, why it's one of the most powerful tools in metabolic healing, and how to use it effectively. Whether you're managing insulin resistance, adrenal...

In this raw and deeply personal episode of Optimal Metabolism , I'm opening up about something far beyond food, fasting, or hormones: my spiritual transformation. Over the past several years, I've experienced tremendous success—and tremendous loss. What started as a nutrition therapy business rooted in service began to feel more like striving. I found myself chasing downloads, metrics, and content...

Join Shana Hussin, RDN for an in-depth conversation with board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Cassie Smith of Modern Endocrine. We dive into: How gut health drives hormone balance, metabolic function, and cortisol regulation Practical strategies for reducing stress, improving circadian rhythm, and restoring foundations of health The lowdown on microdosing GLP‑1 medications—safe, effective, and who...

Episode Summary: Most women think their high morning blood sugar is from what they ate the night before—or not fasting long enough. But after tracking her own numbers with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), I discovered that the real culprits were much deeper. In this solo episode, I share how I brought her fasting blood sugar back to normal (hello 70s and 80s!), and what truly made the differenc...

Episode Summary: If you're navigating midlife, battling stress, and struggling with sleep, this episode is for you. Shana welcomes Elizabeth Grosjean , founder of Baloo Living, to explore how cooling weighted blankets can naturally support nervous system regulation and sleep quality—without medications or synthetic materials. Learn how deep pressure stimulation improves HRV , calms cortisol, and w...

Episode Summary: Are you sleeping enough but still exhausted, anxious, or gaining weight? The issue might not be how long you're sleeping—but when . In this episode, Shana explains why the circadian timing of your sleep is critical for hormone balance, metabolism, and adrenal health. Discover how getting to bed by 10 PM supports the natural flow of cortisol, melatonin, insulin, and leptin , and wh...

Episode Summary: Are carbs really the enemy? Not when they're eaten in sync with seasons, hormones, and metabolic rhythms . In this episode, Shana breaks down why many women feel worse—not better—after long-term low-carb or keto, and how reintroducing seasonal, local carbohydrates can actually improve insulin sensitivity, hormone balance, and energy. You'll learn how to shift from fear and restric...

Episode Summary: In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Peter Martone reveals how the structure of your cervical spine could be the hidden culprit behind your blood sugar instability, adrenal fatigue, and infertility . We explore how modern posture—from phone use to poor sleep position—disrupts the central nervous system and hormonal balance. Dr. Martone also shares how his Neck Nest sleep pillow is h...

📝 Episode Summary: Exhausted. Wired. Bloated. Belly fat. Stuck in survival mode. If you're nodding along, this episode is your invitation to pause, breathe, and believe that healing is not only possible—it's how your body was designed. In this deeply personal episode I share my own burnout story and walk you through the rhythms and rituals that brought me back to energy, clarity, and peace. You'l...

📝 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 l...

📝 Episode Summary: 3 AM wake-ups are an annoying and exhausting part ot your night.. OR you're sleeping 7–8 hours but still dragging through your day. Sound familiar? In this episode, I unpack the real reasons behind 3 AM wake-ups, and why you feel fatigued, even when your sleep seems "good on paper." From cortisol misfires to nighttime light exposure, I break down how your circadian rhythm and h...

🎙️Episode Summary: Feeling off after a long winter? In this solo episode, I share how to reset your circadian rhythm naturally using light, meal timing, and simple daily shifts. You'll learn how to build a "solar callous" to prepare your body for sunnier days, and how to leverage springtime habits to balance cortisol, melatonin, and metabolism—without supplements or strict diets. This is the perfe...

In case you missed it, Living Beyond Medicine held a live webinar with nutrition expert  and  health practitioner  Shana Hussin, RDN on the impact of metabolic health for longevity and powerful aging.   In this riveting session, we explored the realities behind the current metabolic health crisis as well as: Common things you may be experiencing in your daily life that are actually caused by poor...

Scott Chaverri is the founder of Mito Red Light and is invested in educating people about the endless benefits of red light therapy. Red light has been a hot trend in the health and wellness space for a while now, so what exactly is the hype all about? In this episode we break down exactly how red light works, the red light devices that are actually worth investing in, and the best source of infra...

Lindsey Parsons is a gut health coach with a specialty in getting to the root cause of gut imbalances and reversing autoimmune disease naturally. After taking repeated antibiotics for food poisoning, Lindsey's pre-existing digestive issues only became worse and she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. Present day, having healed her own health issues holistically, she now helps those struggling...

Julie Ruelle is a registered dietitian and works alongside the GoCoCo team where she helps empower consumers to make informed decisions about their food by reducing reliance on ultra-processed products. The GoCoCo app was created to empower individuals to make healthier food choices by helping them avoid ultra-processed foods and their hidden health risks. This episode covered the basics of what u...

Mario Brainovic is the creator of the Analemma Wand , a tool that transforms regular water into its super-charged, full-spectrum coherent state. Mario came across the profound influence of water quality on human health and made it his life's work to uncover and share knowledge surrounding structured and mother water. What on earth is structured water? How is this different from reverse osmosis or...

Oops! The last few minutes of my episode with Mollie got cut off! Here is the remaining portion of the episode, including how Mollie healed her gallbladder and what habits she is implementing now to maintain a healthy metabolism lifelong through sustainable habits. 

Mollie Starkey is one of my students who completed Low Insulin Academy , my program designed to equip students with lifestyle tools to reverse insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation. Since Mollie is passionate about following an integrative approach to health, she began addressing her health issues through caloric restriction and increased activity. Eventually, Mollie found my Instagram...

Greg the Hydrogen Man recovered from many health issues with help from this hydrogen machine.  He is a leading figure in the research field of molecular hydrogen. After struggling with depression, being told he would need open heart surgery, and a whole slew of additional sudden health diagnoses, Greg decided to take his health into his own hands. He learned about the healing capabilities of hydro...

Dr. Matt Dawson is the CEO and co-founder of Wild Health - a refined medical service providing personalized, genetics-based care. Dr. Dawson's curiosity surrounding the role of genetics first peaked when he watched a friend adopt a personalized treatment plan for chronic disease and heal much more effectively than he had when following a generalized treatment protocol. It was fun to review parts o...

Jimi Sturgeon-Smith shared her powerful story of overcoming breast cancer at age 40 using a blend of conventional and holistic treatment therapies. In this episode she recalls her walk with breast cancer and how present day she lives differently in remission. Jimi also shares how despite her genetic predisposition to cancer and her mother having chosen a conventional treatment plan, Jimi was confi...

Wow, am I glad to close the door on 2024! It was easily the most challenging year of my life mentally and emotionally speaking, but also the year I invested most in my personal relationship with God and saw it thrive like never before. In this episode I share the four biggest lessons I learned in 2024 and what you can expect from me in 2025! Thank you for being along for the journey, I pray you fi...