The Optimized NP

Struggling with fatigue, hormone imbalance, or feeling unheard in traditional healthcare? This episode of Hormones Happen dives deep into functional medicine, hormone optimization, Direct Primary Care (DPC), and the real reasons so many patients are searching for better answers. Jeremiah sits down with licensed provider and functional medicine expert Courtney Contreras, PA-C, for a raw, insightful...

The episode discusses the use of HCG as an adjunct to testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) to address side effects and optimize testosterone production. It covers the science behind testosterone production, the role of HCG, its benefits, and considerations for its use. Jeremiah Velasquez, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC , lived through his own hormone crash before realizing "normal" and "optimized" are not th...

The conversation with Tamara Bowman covers her fitness journey, competing, and the creation of Fervor Women's Fitness Studio. It delves into empowering women through fitness, tailored class schedules, and the importance of consistency. It also explores the intersection of fitness and business ownership, as well as the value of taking it day by day in a fitness journey. Jeremiah Velasquez, FNP-BC,...

In this special solo episode, dual board-certified NP Jeremiah shakes things up by answering the internet's biggest pain points and questions about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and overall wellness, directly sourced from ChatGPT. Jeremiah candidly debunks the misconception that HRT and TRT are magic cures, explaining that while they are powerful tools, they can be a "horrible crutch" if you d...

Entrepreneur and operator Dean gets real about what it actually takes to build a business: relentless discipline, a love for “boring” work, and the mindset to ignore shiny distractions. This episode is a field manual for founders who are tired of motivational fluff and ready to do the reps that move the needle—day after day, especially when it’s not glamorous. Highlights Why there are no “easy day...

Board-certified nurse and founder of E & O Wellness, Natalie, joins Jeremiah to unpack the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model—why she left corporate medicine, how longer visits transform outcomes, and the power of truly listening to patients. They dig into navigating insurance (and when to skip it), building genuine provider-patient relationships, and integrating hormone therapy within a wellness...

Nurse practitioner and hormone optimization specialist Justin Groce joins us to unpack what truly drives men’s health, vitality, and fertility. We cover when TRT makes sense (and when it doesn’t), how lifestyle shapes outcomes, why “natural test boosters” rarely move the needle, and where peptides may fit without replacing foundational therapy. Justin shares practical guidance on delivery methods...

If you’ve ever wondered whether integrative/functional medicine is legit—or how to actually use hormone replacement therapy for health optimization —this one’s for you. Jeremiah sits down with Jennifer Jay, NP to unpack the real barriers to functional care, the hidden toll of endocrine disruptors , and what the science actually says about testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone for both women’s a...

Feeling “off” but your labs are “normal”? In this episode of Hormones Happen , Jeremiah sits down with Crystal Hurst, NP, to unpack perimenopause, menopause, and preventative care —including why estrogen protects long-term health and how testosterone supports mood, motivation, and energy . We talk symptom-first treatment (not just lab ranges) , overcoming self-doubt in practice, methods of hormone...

In this episode of Hormones Happen , host Jeremiah sits down with Stephanie Burdick, owner of Clean Eats in Pueblo, Colorado, a thriving hub for healthy meal prep and community wellness. Stephanie opens up about her transformation from an aspiring nurse to a successful entrepreneur, revealing the lessons, setbacks, and victories that have shaped her path. Together, they explore how leadership, com...

In this episode of Hormones Happen , host Jeremiah , the “Optimized NP,” sits down with Chris , an Army veteran and founder of Anvil Bodyworks, for a powerful conversation on healthy self-interest and what true optimization really looks like. Chris shares his journey from high-stress military and corrections work—marked by burnout and hypervigilance—to discovering therapeutic bodywork as a critica...

Episode Summary: Don't miss this! In this episode, Jeremiah breaks down the real-world pros and cons of injectable testosterone versus transdermal creams. From energy crashes and low libido to brain fog and mood swings, he explains how low testosterone shows up in daily life—and how personalized therapy can turn things around. You’ll learn how each delivery method works, who it's best suited for,...

Ever wondered what creatine actually does—or why it’s more than just a “gym bro” supplement? In this episode, Jeremiah takes you on a deep dive into the world of creatine monohydrate. From its fascinating history to how it fuels your body and brain, you’ll learn why this simple compound packs serious power for performance, energy, and mental clarity. He also busts some stubborn myths, compares dif...

In this episode, we sit down with Amy Rose, a nurse with 13 years of experience and a massage therapist with a passion for holistic health. Amy shares her inspiring journey of balancing two healing professions, and how the art of therapeutic touch became a powerful form of self-care—for both her clients and herself. From the challenges of nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic to the restorative ben...

In this episode of Hormones Happen , host Jeremiah sits down with Alixa, a passionate advocate for women’s hormone health, to discuss the life-changing role of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in women’s lives. Alixa shares her personal journey navigating perimenopause and how testosterone therapy transformed her energy, mood, body image, and relationships. Together, they break down the stig...

What happens when you combine cutting-edge medicine with real lifestyle changes? In this episode, Dustin Ortiz opens up about his powerful health transformation using GLP-1 medications. From skepticism to success, Dustin walks us through how diet, exercise, and mental clarity shaped not just his weight loss—but his entire quality of life. We dig into the realities behind GLP-1s, the psychological...

🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode of Hormones Happen , host Jeremiah sits down with JaNae Hill, nurse practitioner and founder of Mountain Muscle, to unpack her evolution from aesthetics to hormone optimization. From testosterone and HCG to cutting-edge therapies like Kyzatrex and peptides, JaNae shares real-world insights on how personalized hormone replacement therapy can transform energy, wei...

✍️ Episode Summary In this episode of Hormones Happen , host Jeremiah sits down with athlete and nurse Dominic Hernandez to explore how fitness and healthcare collide. From the physical demands of nursing to the shortcomings of our current medical system, Dominic shares how staying fit shapes his career and outlook. The conversation dives into the science of peptide therapy for injury recovery, th...

✍️ Episode Summary In this episode of Hormones Happen , host Jeremiah sits down with Anastasiya, founder of Invite Wellness, for a powerful conversation on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and the barriers men face in getting the care they need. From insurance red tape to outdated stigmas, they unpack why telehealth is revolutionizing men’s hormone optimization—and how women like Anastasia a...

Episode Summary In this episode, Jeremiah sits down with Kris, a trailblazing nurse practitioner who left the traditional system to embrace the freedom and impact of Direct Primary Care (DPC). They dive into how this model offers affordable, personalized healthcare without the red tape—making it easier than ever for patients to take control of their health. From hair loss treatments to chronic car...

Episode Summary: Ever wondered how your body really makes hormones—and what happens when you add more? In this eye-opening episode, we unpack the difference between natural (endogenous) and supplemental (exogenous) hormones, how they affect men and women differently, and what HRT means for fertility, menstrual cycles, and long-term vitality. We’re breaking down the science and the stigma. Key Stat...

In this powerful episode, Dr. Rob Archuleta opens up about his raw and inspiring journey from addiction to recovery—and how the pain that once held him back became the fuel for his success. Through his book, Suffer Well , Dr. Archuleta blends personal experience with practical recovery strategies, demonstrating that growth arises from struggle and that lasting change begins with self-awareness. He...

Episode Description: Danielle didn’t just lose weight—she reclaimed her energy, her mindset, and her future. In this raw and powerful episode, she opens up about battling PCOS, the emotional weight of failed diets, and the turning point that led her to try Trizepatide. From overcoming fear around medication to embracing microdosing and reshaping her lifestyle, Danielle shares the unfiltered truth...

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Hormones Happen , I open up about the moment I realized I could no longer survive the traditional healthcare system—and what finally pushed me to take the leap into starting my own cash-based clinic . If you've ever cried before a shift, felt suffocated by bureaucracy, or questioned whether burnout was just part of the job... this episode is for you. I walk yo...

Looking for the best peptides to build muscle, lose stubborn fat, and supercharge recovery? In this game-changing episode of Hormones Happen , your expert host—a licensed nurse practitioner specializing in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and testosterone support —reveals the truth about recombinant human growth hormone (HGH) vs. growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) . You’ll discover why HGH delive...