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Could Your Thyroid Be Causing Your Fatigue and Weight Gain? Tired no matter how much you sleep? Gaining weight even though your diet and workouts haven’t changed? Cold hands, thinning hair, brain fog? Your thyroid could be part of the problem, even if you’ve been told your labs are “normal.” In this episode of Health Hacks, we explain how the thyroid affects your energy, metabolism, mood, and weight, and why so many people with real symptoms don’t get answers. We cover: Common signs of an underactive thyroid that often get missedWhy checking TSH alone may not tell the whole storyWhat a complete thyroid panel includes: Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodiesThe difference between “normal” lab ranges and optimal onesHow stress, blood sugar, gut health, and nutrient levels affect thyroid functionHashimoto’s: what it is and why it’s so often overlookedPractical steps you can take and the right questions to ask your providerIf you’ve felt brushed off or been told “it’s just your age,” this episode is for you. Want to dig into your own labs? Learn more about functional lab testing at Thrive Chiropractic and Functional Health in Branson, MO: www.thrivecfh.com/functional-medicine This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your individual situation.

What if the reason your health plan isn't working has nothing to do with the plan itself? In this episode of Health Hacks, Dr. Jeni sits down with Candace Oates — wellness keynote speaker, certified health coach, and author — to talk about the power of mindset in achieving real, lasting health results. Candace shares her signature Health Autonomy Method, a mindset-first framework that has helped hundreds of people break free from the cycle of "trying everything" and finally make sustainable change. Whether you've struggled with weight, energy, stress, or motivation, this conversation will shift the way you think about what it actually takes to get well — and stay well. You'll learn: Why mindset matters more than the "perfect" diet or workout planHow to build habits that actually stick in real lifeWhat health autonomy means and why it changes everythingHow to stop chasing quick fixes and start creating quality of lifeThis episode is for anyone who is tired of starting over and ready to make a shift that lasts. 🔗 Learn more about Candace at healthautonomymethod.com 📅 Ready to look at your own health from the inside out? Book a complimentary consultation with Thrive at thrivecfh.com/functional-medicine This content is for informational purposes only. It is not designed to be medical information. Please consult a medical professional for any questions.

Could hidden mold in your home be affecting your health? In this episode of Health Hacks, Dr. Jeni St. Onge talks with Jason Richards of PureHealth Mold Inspections about the connection between mold exposure, your home, and your health. Dr. Jeni explains how mold exposure can affect the body and why it may be worth considering when someone is dealing with persistent, unexplained health concerns. Jason takes us to the other side of the problem: how to find mold in a home, identify the source, and understand what needs to happen to properly address it. You'll learn why mold isn't always obvious, where hidden mold problems can develop, what a thorough mold inspection looks for, and why simply treating the person without addressing the environment may leave an important piece of the puzzle unresolved. PureHealth Mold Inspections uses health-focused mold and indoor-air-quality testing, including real-time airborne detection, moisture evaluation, air and surface sampling, and detailed reporting designed to provide actionable next steps. In this episode: How mold exposure may affect your healthSymptoms that may warrant looking at your environmentWhere mold can hide in a homeMold testing vs. a comprehensive mold inspectionHow professionals identify moisture and mold sourcesWhat to consider when mold is foundWhy your home environment can matter when working to improve your healthAbout our guest:Jason Richards is with PureHealth Mold Inspections, which provides health-focused mold inspection and indoor air quality services. PureHealth serves clients throughout the United States and also offers select international services. Learn more about PureHealth Mold Inspections Health Hack: When unexplained symptoms keep coming back, don't look only at what's happening inside your body. Sometimes you also need to ask what's happening inside your home. Learn more about Dr. Jeni and Tara at www.ThriveCFH.com/functional-medicine.

Are you eating better, exercising, and still struggling to lose weight? Insulin resistance may be one piece of the puzzle. In this episode of Health Hacks, Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson explain what insulin resistance is, how it affects blood sugar and metabolism, and why it may make weight management more difficult for some people. You'll learn: What insulin resistance actually meansHow insulin affects blood sugar and energy storageWhy insulin resistance can develop before blood sugar becomes abnormalCommon signs associated with insulin resistanceHow muscle, exercise, sleep, stress, and nutrition affect insulin sensitivityWhy strength training can be so important for metabolic healthWhat information may help evaluate your metabolic healthPractical steps that may help improve insulin sensitivityWeight is more complicated than simply “eat less and exercise more.” Hormones, blood sugar regulation, thyroid function, sleep, stress, muscle mass, medications, genetics, and other factors can all influence metabolism. If you've been struggling with stubborn weight gain or wondering whether insulin resistance could be part of the problem, this episode will help you understand what's happening and what you can do next. Learn more about Metabolic Health & Weight Loss at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health at https://www.thrivecfh.com/metabolic-health-weight-loss Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Talk with an appropriate healthcare provider about your individual health concerns.

If you've been struggling to lose weight despite your best efforts, this episode is for you. Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson explore the most common — and often overlooked — reasons why weight loss stalls, and share practical steps that may help get things moving again. In this 14-minute conversation, Dr. Jeni and Tara cover how hormones, thyroid function, chronic stress, and metabolic adaptation can quietly work against your efforts. Rather than another one-size-fits-all approach, this episode takes a functional health perspective — looking at the whole picture of what your body may need to shift. Whether you've hit a plateau, tried multiple diets, or feel like your metabolism just won't cooperate, this conversation may give you the clarity you've been missing. Questions this episode explores: Why can't I lose weight even when I eat healthy?How do hormones and thyroid function affect weight loss?What is metabolic adaptation and how does it affect me?Can stress cause weight gain or make it harder to lose weight?What does a functional medicine approach to weight loss look like?Ready to take the next step? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Jeni at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO: Book your free consultation

Feeling exhausted no matter how much sleep you get? You're not alone — and you're not imagining it. In this episode of Health Hacks, Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson dig into one of the most common complaints they hear in practice: persistent, unexplained fatigue. Dr. Jeni explains that fatigue is a symptom, not a diagnosis — and that distinction matters. If you've been told your labs are "normal" but still feel run-down, this conversation may help you understand what questions to ask and where to look next. From hormonal imbalances and thyroid dysfunction to gut health and nutrient deficiencies, there are many factors that can quietly drain your energy. In just 11 minutes, Dr. Jeni and Tara break down some of the most overlooked root causes of chronic tiredness and share a functional health perspective on what it may actually take to feel better. Questions this episode explores: Why am I always tired even when I get enough sleep?What does it mean that fatigue is a symptom, not a diagnosis?What are the most common root causes of chronic fatigue?Can hormones or thyroid issues cause exhaustion?How does functional medicine approach fatigue differently?Ready to find out what's actually draining your energy? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Jeni at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO: Book your free consultation

Have you been told your labs are "normal" — but you still feel anything but? This is one of the most frustrating experiences in practice, and in this episode, Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson break down exactly why it happens. Conventional lab work is designed to rule out disease, not to optimize your health. Functional medicine looks at the same results through a different lens — searching for patterns, imbalances, and ranges that may indicate your body is struggling, even when everything "checks out" on paper. In this 15-minute conversation, Dr. Jeni explains what functional medicine looks for that standard testing may miss — from thyroid patterns and adrenal function to nutrient levels and inflammatory markers — and what steps may help you actually feel better. Questions this episode explores: Why can you feel sick even when your labs come back normal?What's the difference between "normal" and "optimal" lab ranges?What does functional medicine look for that conventional testing may miss?Can thyroid or adrenal issues appear normal in standard blood work?What is root cause medicine and how is it different from symptom management?Want answers about why you still don't feel well? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Jeni at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO: Book your free consultation

What happens when a nurse practitioner with 30 years of emergency medicine experience leaves the ER to build something completely different? In this episode, Dr. Jeni St. Onge sits down with Sharon Lemoine, ARNP and founder of Gig Harbor Medical Spa and Concierge Medicine in Washington state for a rich conversation about women's health, hormones, and the role of faith in healing. Sharon shares why she left emergency medicine to create a boutique practice where patients are never rushed — and why she believes personalized, faith-centered care may be the future of medicine. She and Dr. Jeni also explore what many women don't understand about hormone replacement therapy, why so many women feel dismissed by conventional medicine, and what it looks like when a provider truly listens. If you've ever walked out of a doctor's office feeling unheard, this conversation may feel like a breath of fresh air. Questions this episode explores: Why do so many women feel dismissed by conventional medicine?What do women commonly misunderstand about hormone replacement therapy?How does faith intersect with functional and holistic healthcare?What is concierge medicine and how is it different from traditional care?What should women know about advocating for their hormone health?Want personalized support for your hormones and health? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Jeni at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO: Book your free consultation

Have you been told your labs are normal — but you still struggle with fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, poor sleep, or low libido? In this episode of Health Hacks, Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson dig into what hormone optimization actually means and why hormone-related symptoms often have deeper root causes than most people realize. True hormone health isn't about replacing a single low hormone. Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol, and insulin all communicate with each other — and an imbalance in one area can affect the entire body. Dr. Jeni and Tara explain how functional medicine evaluates hormones differently by considering lifestyle, stress, sleep, metabolic health, and symptom patterns, not lab values alone. In this episode, you'll learn: What hormone optimization actually meansWhy normal lab work doesn't always tell the full storyThe connection between hormones, thyroid, cortisol, and metabolismHow sleep, nutrition, and strength training may support hormone balanceWhen it may be time to seek a more comprehensive evaluationReady to take a closer look at your hormone health? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Jeni at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO: Book your free consultation

Have you tried every diet, done everything right, and still can't get the scale to move? In this episode of Health Hacks, Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson explore why weight loss is far more complex than eating less and moving more — and what functional medicine looks at differently. Weight gain is often a symptom, not the root problem. Factors like insulin resistance, hormone imbalances, thyroid dysfunction, chronic stress, poor sleep, inflammation, and gut health issues can all contribute to weight loss resistance. Dr. Jeni and Tara break down how functional medicine identifies and addresses these root causes — rather than just putting you on another restrictive plan. This episode also covers practical strategies you can start today — including protein intake, strength training, sleep optimization, and sustainable lifestyle changes that may support real metabolic improvements. In this episode, you'll discover: Why traditional diets often fail despite your best effortsThe connection between insulin resistance and stubborn weight gainHow stress and poor sleep may impact your metabolism and fat storageWhy hormones and thyroid health matter for weight lossThe role of gut health in metabolism and inflammationReady to find out what's really standing between you and lasting weight loss? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Jeni at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO: Book your free consultation

If you've been diagnosed with PCOS — or suspect you might have it — this episode is essential listening. PCOS is now being renamed PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome), and this isn't just a label change. It fundamentally changes how we understand and treat one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women today. In this episode, Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson break down why this name change matters, what PMOS actually is, and why it's a metabolic condition — not just an ovarian one. They discuss the root causes from a functional medicine perspective, including insulin resistance, adrenal dysfunction, inflammation, and gut health, and explain what standard lab testing may miss. If you've been told your labs are "normal" but still struggle with irregular cycles, unexplained weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, or fertility challenges — this episode may give you the clarity you've been looking for. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the name change from PCOS to PMOS matters for how it's treatedWhat PMOS actually is — and why it's a metabolic conditionCommon symptoms in women that are frequently missed or dismissedRoot causes including insulin resistance, adrenal dysfunction, and gut healthWhat comprehensive testing reveals that standard labs may overlookReady for real answers and solutions? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Jeni at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO: Book your free consultation

Autoimmune conditions are on the rise — and what many people don't realize is that they're not random. They are often the result of underlying imbalances in the body. In this episode of Health Hacks, Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson break down why autoimmune conditions happen, why women are disproportionately affected, and what a root-cause approach to healing may look like. Approximately 80% of people with autoimmune conditions are women — and that's not a coincidence. Estrogen, hormonal shifts during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, and genetic factors all play a role in immune dysregulation. Add in gut health issues, environmental exposures, and chronic stress, and the picture becomes clearer. Dr. Jeni explains how functional medicine approaches autoimmune conditions differently — looking at gut permeability, inflammation, hormones, and nutrient deficiencies rather than simply managing symptoms with medication. In this episode, you'll learn: Why autoimmune conditions are not random — and what may be driving themWhy women make up approximately 80% of autoimmune diagnosesThe role of gut health, leaky gut, and dysbiosis in immune dysfunctionHow environmental toxins and chronic stress may trigger immune responsesWhat a functional medicine approach to autoimmune healing looks likeReady to explore what's really driving your symptoms? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Jeni at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO: Book your free consultation

Bloating, fatigue, brain fog, hormone imbalances — these symptoms are frustrating on their own. But what if they're all connected? In this episode of Health Hacks, Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson walk through how a 30-day gut reset protocol may help address the root causes behind many of these common complaints. Your gut is connected to nearly every system in your body — including your hormones, immune function, brain, and energy levels. When the gut is out of balance, the effects show up everywhere. Dr. Jeni explains the core elements of a functional medicine gut reset — what it involves, why it may work, and what you might notice as your body begins to respond. Whether you've dealt with chronic digestive issues, mystery symptoms, or have just never felt quite right despite normal test results, this episode gives you a practical starting point for understanding your gut health. Questions this episode explores: How does gut health affect energy, hormones, and brain function?What is a 30-day gut reset and what does it involve?What is leaky gut and how may it affect the whole body?Can improving gut health help with bloating, fatigue, and brain fog?What does a functional medicine approach to gut healing look like?Ready to take the first step toward better gut health? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Jeni at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO: Book your free consultation

The reason you feel tired might have nothing to do with how much sleep you're getting — and everything to do with tiny structures inside your cells called mitochondria. In this episode of Health Hacks, Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson explain how mitochondria work, why they can be damaged, and what you may be able to do to support better cellular energy. Mitochondria take the food you eat and the oxygen you breathe and convert them into the energy that powers your brain, muscles, metabolism, and hormones. But chronic stress, environmental toxins, blood sugar spikes, and nutrient deficiencies can damage mitochondria — leaving you feeling fatigued, foggy, and inflamed even when nothing shows up on standard tests. If you've been dragging no matter what you try, this episode may offer a new perspective on why — and what a functional medicine approach to mitochondrial support looks like. Questions this episode explores: What are mitochondria and why do they matter for your energy?How may stress, toxins, and blood sugar damage mitochondrial function?What nutrient deficiencies are commonly linked to low cellular energy?Can supporting mitochondria help with fatigue, brain fog, and inflammation?What does a functional medicine approach to energy and recovery look like?Ready to get to the root of your fatigue? Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Jeni at Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, MO: Book your free consultation

Are you fatigued despite sleeping, stuck with weight that won't budge, and concerned it might be hormones or your thyroid, but told your labs are fine? Today, we recognize the forgotten woman, why you are not crazy, and real solutions to your concerns. Join us March 30th at Thrive Functional Health for an educational evening on hormones, thyroid, blood sugar, and adrenal health. Because normal labs don’t always mean optimal health. Event Details: March 30th, 630pm Located at 574 Hwy 248, Ste.4 Branson, MO call or text 417-545-3635 to reserve a spot Schedule a Free Health Consultationhttps://www.thrivecfh.com/