The Well-ISH Podcast

What should you actually do before starting a GLP-1 medication? In this follow-up to our previous GLP-1 conversation, Derek and Anthony move beyond the big-picture discussion and walk through exactly how they would prepare a patient before starting a GLP-1 medication. Using patient scenarios, they discuss the foundational habits that can improve long-term success—from protein and fiber intake to m...

In this episode of The Well-ISH Podcast, Anthony and Derek sit down to talk about one of the most overlooked—but most impactful—parts of health: sleep. They break down why sleep is foundational to everything from recovery and metabolism to mental clarity and emotional stability. While most people know sleep is important, far fewer are actually getting enough—or building routines that support it. T...

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound have changed the conversation around weight management—but are we doing enough to prepare people before they start them? In this episode, Derek and Anthony explore what they believe is one of the biggest gaps in obesity care today: helping patients build the habits, nutrition foundation, and lifestyle skills that can maximize success before the...

In this episode of the Well-ISH Podcast, Derek and Anthony explore why so many people struggle to stick with healthy habits—and why the answer may be simpler than we think. From nutrition and fitness to career growth and personal development, they discuss the importance of building a strong foundation before chasing the next trend, shortcut, or quick fix. The conversation dives into consistency, p...

What if the goal isn't just getting out of pain—but getting back to the life you want to live? In this episode of The Well-ISH Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Kyler Case, chiropractor, owner of Metro Movement, and founder of The Arena, a new Hyrox-focused training facility in Des Moines. Kyler shares his journey from small-town Iowa athlete to chiropractor and business owner, how two ACL injuries sh...

What are the most common health, nutrition, and fitness questions people are searching for right now? In this episode of the Well-ISH Podcast, Anthony and Derek put AI to work and use some of the internet's most frequently asked wellness questions as the foundation for a wide-ranging discussion on protein, muscle, sleep, supplements, and long-term health. Topics include: How much protein do you ac...

School is almost out, routines change, and summer can quickly become a season of unlimited snacks, inconsistent meals, and disrupted structure. In this episode of the Well-ISH Podcast, Derek and Anthony discuss practical ways families can help children build healthier nutrition habits during the summer — without perfection, guilt, or rigid food rules. They cover: Why summer structure matters for k...

What’s actually in the products we use every day — and how much does it matter? In this episode of the Well-ISH Podcast, we sit down with Ashley Asberry, founder of Low Toxy, to unpack the world of “cleaner living,” environmental exposures, and reducing toxic burden without becoming overwhelmed. Ashley shares how pregnancy sparked her deep dive into ingredient safety, why she transitioned from par...

This one’s different. In this episode, we sit down with Thomas — a patient at Iowa Weight Loss Specialist — to talk about what a real health journey actually looks like. From struggling with weight since childhood to reaching over 500 pounds, Thomas opens up about the deeper layers behind it all: binge eating, addiction, loss, and the turning point that led him toward sobriety and change. We talk...

In this episode of The Well-ISH Podcast, Derek and Anthony tackle one of the most common barriers people face when trying to eat better — the belief that healthy food is just too expensive. They break down the real cost of eating at home versus going through the drive-through, including a side-by-side comparison of a homemade burger, fries, and drink versus a typical fast food combo. The numbers m...

In this episode of The Well-ISH Podcast, Anthony flips the script and interviews co-host Derek Groathouse, MS, RDN, CPT about his path into nutrition, how he works with patients, and what actually drives his approach to care. Derek shares how his background in teaching, coaching, and nutrition shaped the way he connects with patients today. From substitute teaching and high school football coachin...

In this episode of The Well-ISH Podcast, Derek Groathouse, MS, RDN, CPT and Anthony Kinley, MS, RDN sit down with Lynzy DeVary, ARNP, a nurse practitioner with Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, to talk about what medical weight loss really looks like when the goal is long-term health, not just a lower number on the scale. Lynzy shares her path from hospitalist into more preventive care, and why helpin...

In this episode of The Well-ISH Podcast, Derek and Anthony sit down with Lauren Overland, therapist with Iowa Weight Loss and part of the Belmond Behavioral Health team, for a conversation about what therapy really looks like — and why it matters so much in a weight loss journey. Lauren shares what her day-to-day work looks like, how therapy often becomes a safe space for people to process stress,...

Derek and Anthony are joined by Laurie Baedke, executive coach, keynote speaker, author, healthcare leadership expert, and so much more. Laurie has spent decades working with healthcare professionals, physician leaders, and executives across the country, helping them develop stronger leadership skills, build meaningful professional relationships, and create environments where individuals and teams...

In Part 2 of this conversation on the newly released Dietary Guidelines, Derek MPP, RDN, CPT and Anthony MFN, RDN move from theory to application. After revisiting the foundations in Part 1, this episode dives deeper into some of the most debated areas of the guidelines — whole grains, processed foods, practical implementation, and how these recommendations play out in real life. Rather than argui...

In this episode of the Well-ISH Podcast, we’re joined by Steve Simonin, President and CEO of Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, for a conversation about leadership, culture, and personal growth. Steve reflects on nearly 30 years leading a rural healthcare system and shares how his perspective evolved over time — moving beyond finance-driven metrics toward a more patient-centered and people-fo...

In this episode, we sit down with LeAnn Hindman, ARNP at Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, to talk about her journey from paramedic and ER nurse to nurse practitioner — and why she’s especially passionate about men’s health. If you want a behind-the-scenes look at how medical weight loss actually works — this episode is for you. LeAnn shares how medical weight loss isn’t just about prescriptions — it’...

In this episode, we sit down with Darci Evans , owner of Burn Boot Camp Waukee and a registered nurse, for a thoughtful conversation on health, identity, and the power of community. Darci shares her journey into fitness entrepreneurship, how her background in nursing shapes her approach to wellness, and why Burn Boot Camp has become more than just a place to work out for so many people. We explore...

In this episode of The Well-ISH Podcast, Derek MPP, RDN, CPT and Anthony MFN, RDN sit down for a much-needed conversation — to break down the newly released Dietary Guidelines and what they really mean. Rather than focusing on headlines or social media controversy, this episode zooms out to revisit the foundations of nutrition. Together, they walk through what’s actually changed, what hasn’t, and...

Dakota VanHauen, HR Professional at Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, joins The Well-ISH Podcast to discuss what it really takes to prepare for a bodybuilding show—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Dakota opens up about making a major shift during a low point, finding renewed direction through training, and committing to the structure required for competition prep. We talk about the rea...

As we kick off the new year, we’re starting with a conversation that feels like it matters. In this episode, we sit down with Wendy Kerby, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) at Iowa Weight Loss Specialists, for an honest conversation about health, early detection, and resilience. Wendy shares how a routine step toward a breast reduction led to a mammogram she almost skipped—and how that decision re...

When we launched the Well-ISH Podcast, the goal was simple: talk about health and wellness as it exists in real life. Not perfection. Not extremes. Just honest conversations about how people actually feel, what they struggle with, and how small, sustainable choices add up over time. In this final episode of 2025, we look back on the moments, voices, and themes that defined our journey — from patie...

In this episode of the Well-ISH Podcast, we sit down with Jon Hardersen, Physicians Assistant at Iowa Weight Loss Specialist, whose career story is full of pivots, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to patient-centered care. Jon shares how he went from studying exercise science, to working in sleep medicine, the ER, and finally to becoming a core part of building Iowa Weight Loss Specialists fr...

In this episode of the Well-ISH Podcast, we sit down with Jennifer Brown, who has transformed her life through resilience, honesty, and unwavering determination. Jennifer opens up about her journey of losing 190 pounds, navigating setbacks, and facing the often overlooked challenge of weight-loss maintenance. Her story is powerful, real, and filled with lessons about perseverance, self-trust, and...

“So many people have given up hope.” Dr. Todd Eibes opens this episode with a message that far too many individuals navigating weight loss silently feel. In this powerful conversation, we dive into the shifting landscape of obesity care — where surgery, medication, mental health, nutrition, and long-term support finally work together instead of alone. Dr. Eibes shares 25+ years of experience, disc...