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In this special episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, CEO of the Nutritional Therapy Association, Mike Belz, steps into the lead host seat for a powerful, practical conversation with executive coach and high-performance strategist Michael Vasquez, while show host Jamie takes a supportive back seat. Michael shares his real-world journey from alcohol, smoking, and prescription-drug usage to a life built on purpose, discipline, and "thrilling vision," and explains how that transformation led him into coaching, including training through Jay Shetty Coaching (accredited by the Association for Coaching) and deeper work in ontological coaching through the Meta Performance Institute. Together, Mike, Michael, and Jamie unpack why more information is rarely the missing piece in health, habits, and personal growth, and why implementation breaks down even when people "know what to do." You'll learn how a great coach helps reveal blind spots, disrupt limiting beliefs, and build integrity through commitments, especially "broken commitments," which become valuable data for identifying patterns and closing the gap between current reality and future goals. The conversation covers the ontological framework of be–do–have (instead of do–be–have), the role of language in performance (including insights from The Three Laws of Performance), and how identity, shame, and old stories quietly cap what you believe is possible. You'll also hear a timely discussion on modern numbing mechanisms, including alcohol and doom-scrolling, and why true restoration often requires silence, solitude, and intentional inputs. Mike, Michael, and Jamie connect these coaching principles back to whole-person health, relationships, boundaries, and the long game of rewiring habits (with nods to concepts popularized in Atomic Habits). Michael closes by describing who he coaches best, how breakthrough work actually happens over time, and how listeners can connect with him for a vision-driven coaching conversation. If you're an entrepreneur, leader, high performer, or anyone stuck in repetitive cycles, this episode offers a clear roadmap for mindset shifts, behavior change, and sustainable growth, without shame, without perfectionism, and without the illusion that more content will finally fix it.   Connect with Michael: https://www.mvlifecoach.com/ Attend a Nutritional Therapy Association Webinar! Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!  

The newest dietary guidelines have officially been released, and for the first time in a long time, the language is shifting toward what is real and truly health-promoting — what the Nutritional Therapy Association has been teaching since 1997. In this episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, Jamie Belz breaks down what it means to "eat real food" and shares the NTA's longstanding, scientifically backed, ancestrally aligned, tried-and-true nutrition teachings. Jamie walks through how nutrition messaging became complicated, commercialized, and disconnected from human physiology, and how ultra-processed, hyper-palatable, food-like substances and industrial chemicals found in today's Standard American Diet have been engineered for profit, shelf stability, and addiction rather than nourishment. This episode brings clarity to what "eat real food" actually means in real life.   You'll learn: What the new dietary guidelines say and what they still don't define clearly Why "permitted" or "regulated" does not mean safe or health-promoting How the GRAS system allows industrial chemicals into the food supply Why calories are fuel, while nutrients are information The NTA's clear definition of whole foods and nutrient-dense eating How bio-individuality explains why one diet never works for everyone The difference between macronutrients and micronutrients Why traditional fats support health and industrial seed oils undermine it How digestion, hydration, stress, and food preparation determine nourishment Why alcohol is never neutral when healing is the goal How to read ingredient labels without fear or obsession Jamie also connects the dots between modern food processing, chronic disease, metabolic dysfunction, mental health struggles, and the rising dependence on medications, while offering a grounded, hopeful path forward rooted in education and foundational health principles. This episode isn't about chasing trends or waiting for policy to catch up. It's about understanding nutrition TRUTH. If you're overwhelmed by nutrition advice, confused by labels, or tired of swinging between trends, this episode will help you simplify and reset. Listen now and return to the foundations that have supported real healing long before the guidelines caught up.   Topics Covered: New dietary guidelines explained Whole foods vs ultra-processed foods Nutrient-dense eating Bio-individual nutrition Macronutrients and micronutrients Traditional fats and seed oils Food additives and GRAS Digestion and nutrient absorption Hydration and mineral balance Alcohol and metabolic health Foundations of Health   Other Episodes and Resources Mentioned: "Dehydration Nation" episode Ep 82 - Total Load Theory Ep 81 - Wellness 101 Ep 80 - Digestive Hell Ep 79 - Optimal Digestion Ep 70 - Getting Started with Meal Planning and Eating Healthier Overall Ep 69 - Who Was Dr. Weston A Price? Ep 17 - Big Food Buzzwords BOOK: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Morell (MANY AVAILABLE NOW!)   SUPERFOODS EXAMPLES   Foods rich in vitamins: liver (beef or chicken), sweet potatoes, salmon, avocados, cooked spinach.   Foods rich in minerals: nuts and seeds, shellfish, legumes, dark leafy greens, whole grains, mineral-rich spring water.   Foods rich in polyphenols: herbs and spices (cloves are especially high), cocoa powder, black olives, blueberries, hazelnuts.   Probiotic foods: yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso.   Omega-3 sources: cod liver oil, flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, salmon, sardines. _______________ Attend a Nutritional Therapy Association Webinar! Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us in Spotify comments!  

In this episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz sits down with Patricia ("Patty") Lemer for a wide-ranging, hope-filled conversation on Total Load Theory, introducing and unpacking many of the topics covered in Patty's recently released book, Total Load Theory: Transforming Lives in Autism, ADHD, LD, SPD, and Mental Health. Patty Lemer is a pioneer and internationally recognized authority on identifying root causes and applying a holistic, systems-based model of care to autism, ADHD, learning differences (LD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), and mental health. She was among the first to apply the term "Total Load Theory" to mental health disorders, an engineering concept describing how the body accumulates an overload of stressors that eventually leads to dysfunction. Patty co-founded one of the first online non-profit organizations offering accessible information to families, helped establish a center for young adults in Kuwait (2012–2014), and has recorded over 100 episodes of her bi-monthly podcast, The Autism Detectives. Her work bridges decades of clinical observation with practical strategies, grounded in the fundamentals taught at the Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA): nutrient-dense diet, digestion, blood sugar regulation, sleep, stress, and movement. These "Foundations of Health" apply to all, not only those with difficult diagnoses. When viewed through a bio-individual lens, each of us can begin to see symptoms of dysfunction dissipate as balance is restored to the body. Together, Jamie and Patty unpack how compounding stressors - from poor sleep and blood sugar swings to environmental toxins, mold exposure, nervous system dysregulation, EMFs, trauma, screen overload, and chronic inflammation - can accumulate until the body reaches a breaking point and symptoms become the dash lights we can't ignore. This episode also explores why sleep may trump nutrition, how a dysregulated nervous system can block healing (even with the "right protocol"), the role of polyvagal theory and vagus nerve regulation, and why detoxification must be gentle, foundational, and consistent - not trendy or extreme. In this episode, you'll learn: What Total Load Theory is and how "compounding stressors" lead to chronic symptoms Why symptoms often show up when the body hits a breaking point How stress includes far more than emotions: sleep debt, toxins, trauma, inflammation, screens, EMFs, and more Patty's perspective on sensory and vision therapies Why sleep hygiene can determine whether the body can heal, especially in kids and teens How nervous system dysregulation (fight/flight) can block progress in nutrition, detox, and therapy Practical starting points: reduce exposure, support elimination, prioritize sleep, and begin one step at a time Why healthy fats matter for brain and nervous system function (myelin, seizures, metabolic psychiatry) How to think like a "health detective" and trace symptoms back to root causes How to access Patty's new AI companion that searches her intellectual property and points listeners to relevant chapters and podcast episodes Resources mentioned in this episode: Patricialemer.com Multi-Media Content Podcast: Patricia Lemer: The Autism Detective Patty's AI companion: ai.patricialemer.com Patty's books: Outsmarting Autism and Total Load Theory: Transforming Lives in Autism, ADHD, LD, SPD, and Mental Health Book Mentioned: The Sensitive Patient's Healing Guide by Dr. Neil Nathan Documenting Hope Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast - Wellness 101 (Help getting started with the Foundations of Health) Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast on Circumcision Attend a Nutritional Therapy Association Webinar! Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!  

This episode marks the conclusion of our recent Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, carefully curated as a launchpad for anyone wanting to level up in wellness.    In this replay episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast (originally Episode 46), host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, and CEO of the Nutritional Therapy Association, Mike Belz, break down the Foundations of Wellness into common-sense action steps for anyone looking to level up.   If you've been nodding along with the wellness movement but still aren't sure how to take your first real step - or you want to double-check what you're doing to ensure you're not missing anything - this episode is your warm welcome in.    People everywhere are waking up to a simple truth: real health doesn't come from pills, shakes, or short-term programs. Most of us have tried them - spent the money, followed the plans - only to end up frustrated or right back where we started. The missing piece? A strong foundation. And the good news is, it's not complicated - just a few practical, common-sense shifts can spark real, lasting change.  This episode is packed with real talk, science-backed wisdom, and practical tips to help you pick your own adventure in a doable way. No more "all or nothing" attempts. Start over for the last time with one or a few of the easy but effective action steps you can incorporate today.   If you're ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and finally start your wellness journey, this episode breaks it down into six simple, sustainable categories - what we call the Foundations of Wellness. You'll learn how to:   Eat a nutrient-dense diet rooted in real, whole foods (not calorie math), following Weston A. Price principles and honoring your bio-individual needs. Optimize digestion, the root of all health, by chewing thoroughly, practicing mindful eating, and supporting stomach acid and enzyme function. Balance blood sugar with small, daily habits like walking after meals and pairing carbs with protein and fat. Improve sleep through calming evening routines, avoiding stimulants before bed, and aligning with your circadian rhythm. Reduce stress with tools like the 4-7-8 breath, gratitude practices, and brain dumping. Incorporate movement you actually enjoy - walking, dancing, or strength training—while supporting lymph flow, bone density, and energy.   Podcast Episodes Mentioned (Besides the Rapid Replay Episodes): ⁠⁠Episode 28⁠⁠ – Blood Sugar 101 ⁠Episode 29⁠ - Quick Tips for Blood Sugar Regulation ⁠Episode 62⁠ - Quick Tips From Your Blood Sugar Bestie ⁠Episode 74 - ⁠Dehydration Nation   Find a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP): ⁠⁠NTA Practitioner Directory⁠⁠   Work with a practitioner directly through the NTA. Book a consultation: ⁠NTA HEALTH⁠   Jamie's Rapid Replay Series BONUS Episodes (These are the episodes people tell us they skipped because they "didn't want to hear it."): ⁠Mystery Episode One⁠  ⁠Mystery Episode Two⁠ ⁠Mystery Episode Three⁠ ⁠Mystery Episode Four⁠   Please hit SUBSCRIBE, leave a 5-Star Review, and connect with us on Spotify comments!

When new people find the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, they ask, "Where do I start?" While we'd love for you to go back to the beginning and take them all in, this is for those who need a quick catch-up. We're doing a Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, including the most popular episodes according to streams and downloads, and a few of our team's personal favorites.   In this replay episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, brings back a historical lecture given by the founder of The Nutritional Therapy Association, Gray Graham. Gray discusses the optimal function of digestion in a way you've never heard it explained. Listen to this, then come back tomorrow to catch the next episode as Gray explains digestive dysfunction.   Optimal digestion is crucial for vitality. It ensures that the body efficiently breaks down food into nutrients, which are then absorbed and utilized for energy, growth, and cellular repair. Proper digestion supports a strong immune system, maintains a healthy gut microbiome, and helps prevent gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, it plays a significant role in mental health, as the gut is often referred to as the "second brain" due to its impact on mood and cognitive function. Therefore, maintaining optimal digestion is vital for promoting physical and mental health, enhancing quality of life, and preventing chronic diseases. The follow-up to yesterday's explanation of how digestion works when functioning optimally, today's episode continues along the journey of digestion, explaining that if someone is not properly digesting their food, they will not be able to absorb and assimilate the nutrients from the foods they are eating, regardless of how healthful those foods are. Gray walks you through "Digestive Hell" – the myriad of diseases, conditions, and other unpleasantries that arise from a suboptimal digestive system.   Every cell in an organism's tissues, organs, and systems relies on the ability to absorb nutrients from food properly. Factors such as stress, poor eating habits, gallbladder removal, and reduced stomach acid (HCl) levels can hinder digestion. Given the critical role of nutrition in maintaining healthy cells, any disruption in digestion can be harmful in various ways. A dysfunctional digestive system catalyzes a domino effect, impacting the functioning of other bodily systems.   Topics Discussed: – Recap of optimal digestion – Start of digestive dysfunction – "Where's 'Digestive Hell'?" – Distraction, stress, sympathetic state – Pancreatic amylase – Dysbiosis, yeast, pathogens – It's all about acid/pH levels – Macronutrient degradation – Inputs for the production of HCl – Things that cause hypochlorhydria (stress, too much protein, zinc, other nutrient deficiencies, allergies…) – Dr. Jonathan Wright, Heidelberg Test, hypochlorhydria, pH for proper hormone function, and enzymatic action – Pasteur vs. Bechamp / Microorganisms vs. Terraine (Which is to blame?) – H. pylori – Heartburn, acid reflux, GERD, ulcers – Homework/experiment – Incomplete digestion, whole food particles in the small intestine – Gallbladder, bile, fats, cholecystokinin, liver, fat-free or low-fat diet as the cause of gallstones and gallbladder dysfunction, cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) – Burping up fish oil and delayed-release fish oil – Undigested proteins, microvilli, leaky gut/gut permeability, immune dysfunction – Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, healing her autistic child, GAPS Diet – Large intestine/colon, ileocecal valve, dysbiosis, inflammation, diverticulitis, irritable bowel, Crohn's disease, celiac disease/gluten reactivity, hormones/endocrine system, enzymes, heart health, allergies, butyric acid, and foul-smelling feces   ________________________________________ Thanks for listening! If you like what you're hearing, please don't forget to subscribe and give us a five-star rating!

When new people find the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, they ask, "Where do I start?" While we'd love for you to go back to the beginning and take them all in, this is for those who need a quick catch-up. We're doing a Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, including the most popular episodes according to streams and downloads, and a few of our team's personal favorites.   In this replay episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, brings back a historical lecture given by the founder of The Nutritional Therapy Association, Gray Graham. Gray discusses the optimal function of digestion in a way you've never heard it explained. Listen to this, then come back tomorrow to catch the next episode, where Gray explains digestive dysfunction. Many embark upon their wellness journey by cleaning up their diet. While this is a necessary step, the healthiest diet for an individual's bioindividual needs is of little benefit if they're not properly breaking down food into molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the body. The health of the organism is dependent upon the health of the organ systems, which are dependent upon the health of the organs, which is dependent upon the health of the tissues, which is dependent upon the health of the cells, which is dependent upon digestion. Thus, all wellness begins with digestion.   Topics Covered: – Overview of digestion – Digestive inputs/volume – Six digestive functions – Digestion is a north-to-south process – where does it begin? – Digestion is fundamental to Nutritional Therapy – How's it all supposed to work? – Deep dive into optimal function ________________________________________ Thanks for listening! If you like what you're hearing, please don't forget to subscribe and give us a five-star rating!  

When new people find the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, they ask, "Where do I start?" While we'd love for you to go back to the beginning and take them all in, this is for those who need a quick catch-up. We're doing a Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, including the most popular episodes according to streams and downloads, and a few of our team's personal favorites.  Episodes 76, 77, and 78 are all complementary in helping you structure and organize so you can roll confidently ahead with a solid plan.  On this replay of Episode 24 of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz talks with Miles Welch, Founder and CEO of North Star Training Solutions, about the importance and difficulties of being a good leader - for ourselves. Miles is a leadership expert who is passionate about helping business owners build their leadership bench and develop their leadership potential. He has impacted thousands of executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners through his speaking and coaching, as well as the industry-leading developmental programming he has designed. Miles's varied leadership assignments include serving as a Platoon Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, pastoring one of the largest churches in the United States, serving as the Executive Director of the John Maxwell Leadership Center, and launching two successful businesses. Miles and his family live in the Atlanta area. During their conversation, Jamie and Miles cover many topics in relation to building resilience and having the discipline to level-up and ultimately succeed in all areas of life. Topics Discussed: Entropy Busyness Resilience and the difference between pressure and stress The shame of not "succeeding" The key to high performance Midlife Crisis Doing a life audit and recalibration Tips on resilience and holding yourself accountable Staying up late versus getting up early Stream of consciousness writing Television detox Journaling, reading (growing/learning) and Miles's morning routine The reshaping of friendships as life gets busy - kids' activities and youth sports Miles's evening routing Quit eating earlier in the evening - the blood sugar rollercoaster - craving carbs at night - blood sugar's impact on sleep - waking up in the night The upward or downward spiral of wellness and healthy versus unhealthy habits Having accountability partners Miles's primary core values #1 Hiding things in life - vulnerability - talking with others - working with a counselor Life hack for "receiving counseling from Brene Brown and other high-level professionals" The three-pronged system for working through being "stuck" in life Wisdom and the benefit of having mentors Miles's primary core values #2 Miles's primary core values #3 Having a life that is integrated - having a surrendered relationship with the truth Miles's primary core values #4 The hardest challenge in leading yourself The lie we tell ourselves about "the season coming" when everything will be different or easier - not living in the now Don't squander another minute, hour, day, week, month, year, decade… The upward spiral or the downward spiral The best pre-workout Being kind to yourself Getting better at failing Bounce-back rate - falling off the wagon - small vices Miles's favorite self-improvement resources ___________________ Email Miles Welch: [email protected] Website: https://northstartraining.com/ Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themileswelch/ https://www.instagram.com/themileswelch/ Books mentioned: Developing the Leader Within You - John Maxwell The Endurance: Legendary Antarctic Expedition - Caroline Alexander The Greatest Generation - Tom Brokaw ________________________________________ Thanks for listening! If you like what you're hearing, please don't forget to subscribe and give us those five-star ratings!    

When new people find the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, they ask, "Where do I start?" While we'd love for you to go back to the beginning and take them all in, this is for those who need a quick catch-up. We're doing a Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, including the most popular episodes according to streams and downloads, and a few of our team's personal favorites.  This episode is a condensed version of Episode 031: COLD TURKEY - From Overwhelmed to Unstoppable. (Click ⁠HERE⁠ for the full, original version instead.) This episode is stackable with the last Rapid Replay on Bioindividuality. Episode 76, 77, and 78 are all complimentary in helping you structure and organize so you can roll confidently ahead with a solid plan. Host Jamie Belz walks you through her hot take on going "COLD TURKEY." If you feel stuck on the hamster wheel of "I'll start tomorrow" or are tired of setting new goals only to feel overwhelmed and defeated, give this new approach a try and go from overwhelmed to unstoppable. What's C-O-L-D T-U-R-K-E-Y? • COLD – Cut Out Little Distractions: Small vices sabotage big dreams. Discover how tiny, seemingly harmless habits quietly drain your time, energy, and potential—and learn simple swaps to reclaim your life. • TURKEY – Take Inventory, Understand Your Why, Replace the Habit, Keep It Simple, Establish Accountability, Yield to the Process: Step-by-step, we'll break down exactly how to make meaningful, sustainable changes—without the overwhelm. Learn: • Why traditional resolutions fail (and why it's not your fault). • Practical ways to reset, refocus, and finally stick to habits that align with your goals. • How to leverage the Foundations of Health—optimal digestion, quality sleep, stress management, nutrient-dense eating, blood sugar balance, and physical activity—to build unstoppable momentum. Reclaim your focus and transform your life one intentional step at a time. Subscribe, share, and let's go!!

When new people find the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, they ask, "Where do I start?" While we'd love for you to go back to the beginning and take them all in, this is for those who need a quick catch-up. We're doing a Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, including the most popular episodes according to streams and downloads, as well as a few of our team's personal favorites.  This episode is a condensed version of Episode 004: Bioindividuality - A Freedom You've Never Known. (Click ⁠HERE⁠ for the full, original version instead.) In this episode, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, explains what "bioindividuality" is and how it entails the understanding, acceptance, and embodiment of the truth. There is no "one-size-fits-all" cookie-cutter approach to health and well-being. Each person is unique and, accordingly, in their approach to and pursuit of optimal wellness. Jamie then walks you through:  1.) Finding a trusted health liaison 2.) Doing a personal audit/health audit using the prompts (below) 3.) Setting goals 4.) Making an action plan/determining action steps 5.) Documenting what you're doing and tracking your findings This episode offers an alternative approach to traditional "New Year's resolutions" and the endless pit of programs, packages, and purchases you can make in pursuit of your wellness goals. This is so simple, it sounds complicated. Don't let it be! Grab a pen and paper, hit PLAY, and get started.  _______________ Your Personal Health Inventory / Health Audit (Listen to the audio first) Areas of Consideration Prompts Health Physical Mental/Emotional Spiritual Relationships Spouse/Significant Other/Life Partner Children Parents Siblings Extended Family Friends Neighbors Coworkers/Colleagues/Professional Associates Children's Networks (Teachers, Coaches, Friends' Parents) Environment Home Clean-Tidy Clean-Toxic (Mold, Cleaners, Off-Gassing, Wildfires, etc.) Enjoyable Comfortable Safe Lonely Overwhelming Affordable Hard Work Work Neighborhood Community Digital Space Finances Stability Relationship with money Debt Income Assets Retirement Insurance Charitable giving/Generosity Ability to Provide Career As Employee Job - Satisfaction, Enjoyment, Feel Appreciated, Feel Challenged, Income, Stress, Hours, Coworkers, Supervisor, Purpose, Challenge, Longevity, etc. Confidence, Satisfaction, Quality of Life Impact, Financials, Progress, etc. Education Exercise Diet Sleep Stress Sex Time Management Confidence Physically, Intellectually, Life Stage/Progress/Accomplishments, Productively, Relationally, etc.   Points of Consideration/Questions (for everything!) What's going well? What's not? How does it impact my energy? Is it draining or energizing? Does this increase or decrease stress? What am I proud of? What do I need more of? Less of? How am I feeling about that? What brings me the most joy? What seems to come naturally? Do I still need some healing in that area? Why do I avoid that? How satisfied am I with my performance on that? Is something too time consuming? What's the ROI on that? What feels unsettled? Where and when do I feel welcome? Appreciated? Loved? Encouraged? What should I be doing? What should I stop doing? Where am I seeing patterns? Why does that prompt negative self-talk? Who is getting the best of me? Worst of me? Why does that subject draw anxiety? When do I feel most inspired? ...now replace the "what" with "WHO" in these. ____________________ Please remember to subscribe, leave a review, and connect with us! We appreciate you!  

RAPID REPLAY EPISODE! When new people find the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast for the first time, they ask, "Where do I start?"  While we'd love for you to go back to the beginning and take them all in, this is for those who need the quick catch-up. We're doing a Rapid Replay Series of condensed episodes, including the most popular episodes according to streams and downloads, and a few of our team's personal favorites.  This episode is a condensed version of Episode 002: Reverse The Trend of Preventable Poor Health. (Click HERE to view the full, original version instead.)   In this episode, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, discusses the power of nutritional therapy and personal health journeys, emphasizing the Nutritional Therapy Association's goal of reversing the trend of preventable poor health.  Key Highlights: Archived video of NTA's Founder, Gray Graham, teaching an early Nutritional Therapy Practitioner course Highlights alarming health statistics in the U.S., emphasizing the need for change Belief in the power of a nutrient-dense diet, quality sleep, stress management, digestion, and blood sugar balance Explores societal health views and disease fears, and advocates for rethinking health care Questions the belief that health naturally worsens with age and promotes prevention and proactive care Highlights a new healthcare approach focused on restoring health through nutritional therapy, beyond just disease management Advocates for a world where everyone experiences and values health, energized by personal and collective wellness Emphasizes the Japanese concept of Kaizen for continuous health improvement through small steps Discusses the need to integrate nutritional therapy with conventional medicine, highlighting systemic challenges in healthcare Challenges in the current healthcare system and physician burnout Promotes integrative care and "wellness webs" for better outcomes Aims to dismantle misconceptions and divisions within healthcare, advocating for a united approach Encourages ongoing education and patience for real change, emphasizing collective effort and impact   If you liked this episode of Nutritional & Wellness Podcast, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, share, and subscribe! Your journey towards optimal health doesn't have to be walked alone. We're here to guide, inspire, and support you every step of the way.   Thank you for tuning in! 

What if the most powerful "prescription" for energy, digestion, brain health, joint pain, blood pressure, skin, mood, and overall vitality wasn't a pill at all—but water? In this episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, breaks down why hydration is one of the most overlooked foundations of health—and how chronic, low-grade dehydration may be driving many of the symptoms we normalize as "just part of life," and often approach with prescriptions and surgeries when hydration could have been a successful therapeutic approach. From joint pain and heartburn to brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, and cravings, Jamie explains how water impacts every system in the body, why mild dehydration can derail cognition and energy, and why "drink more water" is both oversimplified—and deeply underestimated. You'll learn: Why hydration should be the first stop, not the last resort How dehydration masquerades as common diagnoses Why joints need time (and movement) to rehydrate How alcohol quietly sabotages hydration and wellbeing Why hydration is foundational to digestion, blood sugar, sleep, stress, and movement How to hydrate effectively (not just drink more water) Plus, Jamie shares clinical stories, practical hydration strategies, and why real, root-cause healing often starts with the simplest things. _____________________________ WATCH THE VIDEO ON SPOTIFY! _____________________________   Recommended episodes & resources mentioned: ⁠Book: "Your Body's Many Cries For Water" by Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidji, M.D. ⁠(told'ja) ⁠Ep 67:Sober Curious with Kristin Rowell⁠ ⁠The Huberman Lab Podcast - How to Optimize Your Water Quality & Intake ⁠ (So you can get deeper into the science, fluoride and other harmful chemicals in our drinking water, filtration methods, etc.) Drink some water. Press play. Subscribe. Leave a Review. Comment on Spotify. Thanks for listening!   VISIT ⁠www.NutritionalTherapy.com⁠!

In this thought-provoking episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz, sits down with fellow FNTP, Patti McCoy, Assistant Instructor at the Nutritional Therapy Association and long-time adult educator, to unpack one of the most paradigm-shifting books on mental health today: Lost Connections by Johann Hari. What if depression and anxiety are not primarily caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, but by a series of broken connections in our lives? Together, Patti and Jamie explore how this book, combined with their work in functional nutrition and the Foundations of Health, can completely reframe how we view mental health, burnout, and the endless "hustle and numb" culture so many of us are stuck in. Some Topics Touched on: Disconnection from meaningful work, other people, meaningful values, childhood trauma, status and respect, the natural world, etc., and how all of this shows up as very real symptoms in the body: depression, anxiety, chronic stress, poor sleep, blood sugar swings, and "feeling like a shell" of yourself Many people are told, "Your brain is broken, here's a pill," and are given an SSRI instead of being asked, "What happened to you—and when did this start?" How childhood trauma and ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) can shape the HPA axis, stress response, food relationships, and long-term health The impact of intergenerational trauma, and how science now shows that stress imprints can be passed down biologically through both mother and father The "dash lights" on your body's dashboard and why symptoms (including nausea, anxiety, insomnia, low mood) are messages, not design flaws to be suppressed How screens, constant notifications, and the pressure to respond to everyone all the time are quietly eroding our capacity for deep connection, quiet, and repair Coping mechanism: alcohol, sugar, shopping, scrolling, gaming, pornography, or Netflix - and how these become nurseries for more trauma and disconnection How the Foundations of Health: digestion, blood sugar regulation, a nutrient-dense diet, sleep, stress management, hydration, and movement - create the biological stability we need to heal Marriage and relationships in the age of screens – the difference between being in the same room and actually being together The loneliness of remote work and why some of us didn't realize how much we needed daily in-person interaction until it was gone The loss of third spaces and micro-communities after COVID Why "busy" has become a bizarre badge of honor, and how Distraction Detox and intentional boundaries around technology can restore sanity and presence Resources Mentioned: Book – "Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions" by Johann Hari Book – "Molecules of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind–Body Medicine" by Candace B. Pert, PhD Book – "Childhood Under Siege" by Joel Bakan   Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA) Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP) program PHWC program (Professional health/wellness certification track referenced in the episode) NTA – Foundations of Healing Course A course for anyone who wants to understand and apply the Foundations of Health: nutrient-dense diet, digestion, blood sugar, stress, and sleep NTA Health The clinical arm of the Nutritional Therapy Association, offering care rooted in foundational, root-cause principles JOIN A WEBINAR to Learn More!   Episode 4: Bio-Individuality Episode 21: STRESS!!! How It Impacts Your Brain and Body Distraction Detox Series: Ep 51: Death By Distraction - Rewire Your Rhythms, Restore Your Health Ep 52: The Hidden Health Cost of Distraction Ep 55: Distraction Detox - Dizzy Busy and Dying Inside Ep 56: Distraction Detox - Cluttered Spaces, Cluttered Brains Ep 57: Distraction Detox - THE MONSTER (Jamie's Favorite) Ep 58: Distraction Detox - Live Immediately   Follow, leave reviews, and comment directly on Spotify. We love hearing from you!

For some couples, conception looks quick and effortless. For others, it's a long, humbling journey that asks you to rethink everything you thought you knew about your body, your faith, and your timeline. In this episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz talks with Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) and fertility mentor Calista (Callie) Chammas, founder of Nourish with Calista, to explore a raw, hopeful, deeply bio-individual look at growing a family in an increasingly infertile world.  After graduating from the Nutritional Therapy Association in 2019, Calista found her calling in fertility through the fires of her own journey - 13 years on the pill, post-birth-control chaos, "unexplained infertility," medicated cycles, IUI, IVF, and a 42-week home birth. She and her husband now await the arrival of their second child.  Calista works with women and families navigating both simple and complex fertility challenges, using ancestral nutrition, targeted lifestyle shifts, nervous-system regulation, precise Functional Blood Chemistry analysis, and the Foundations of Health as taught through the Nutritional Therapy Association, to help restore ovulation and optimize the environment for conception. She is also co-creating a powerful upcoming program, Nourish Your Radiant Fertility - bridging functional nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine for truly holistic preconception support. Together, Jamie and Callie dig into the realities behind falling fertility rates, the aftermath of long-term birth control use, why ovulation is the real monthly vital sign, how labels like "infertile" can quietly shape outcomes, and why safety, mindset, and nervous-system regulation may matter as much as lab work. They share accessible, affordable Foundations of Health: nutrient-dense ancestral foods, blood-sugar balance, mineral-rich hydration, stress regulation, sleep, nature exposure, circadian rhythm, and community support - and speak to the financially and ethically complicated aspects of IVF. Bio-individuality refuses the false choice between "all conventional" and "all holistic." This episode is especially for couples navigating the gray zone—those who want to understand why their body is struggling, who don't want to be reduced to a diagnosis, and who want a real pathway forward, whether they use natural methods, IVF, or both. Topics Discussed: Hypothalamus–Pituitary–Ovarian (HPO) axis Post-birth-control syndrome Ovulation as a vital sign "Unexplained infertility" and medical labeling Nervous system regulation/parasympathetic activation Fertility & safety signaling Ancestral nutrient-dense foods Blood sugar regulation & Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) (insulin resistance of the ovaries) Mineral-rich hydration/electrolytes Circadian rhythm & morning sunlight Nature exposure for nervous system balance Stress perception Natural-cycle embryo transfer Ethical Considerations in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) Medical gaslighting & advocating for yourself Male factor infertility & sperm DNA fragmentation Community support during fertility journeys Boundaries with family/pressure dynamics Identity vs. diagnosis reframing Fortifying the Foundations of Health: Nutrient-dense diet, hydration, digestion, blood sugar regulation, sleep, stress, joyful movement Related and Complementary Podcast Episodes: Episode 71: A Fertility Journey to Natural Pregnancy Through Foundational Healing Episode 61: PCOS Root Cause  Episode 28: Blood Sugar 101 - Hope for Reversing Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Episode 29: Quick Tips for Blood Sugar Episode 62: MORE Quick Tips for Blood Sugar Episode 9: Food For Fertility Episode 66: SIBO Symptoms and Solutions Episode 6: The Dr. Francis M Pottenger Episode  Episode 69: The Dr. Weston A Price Episode Episode 46: Wellness 101 Episode 60: Super Foods, Super Kids Episode 4: Bio-Individuality Episode 11: Digestive Hell (Learn DIGESTION from the NTA's founder, Gray Graham) Episode 10: Optimal Wellness Starts Here (How DIGESTION is supposed to work!) Episode 53: Dr. Lindsey Berkson on Hormones Episode 37: Autism Can Be Reversed Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA) Connect with Callie: Nourish Your Radiant Fertility (Callie's course - coming soon) www.nourishwithcalista.com @nourishwithcalista NTA's Six-Week Course: FOUNDATIONS OF HEALING   Other Resources Mentioned: Real Food for Fertility – Lily Nichols & Lisa Hendrickson-Jack Real Food for Pregnancy – Lily Nichols Real Food for Gestational Diabetes – Lily Nichols Hormones, Cycles & Coming Off the Pill Beyond the Pill – Dr. Jolene Brighten Period Repair Manual – Dr. Lara Briden Dr. Mindy Pelz Spiritual & Emotional Support When God Says "Wait" – Elizabeth Laing Thompson Spirit Babies – Walter Makichen Child Health & Recovery Documenting Hope (Helping children heal and reverse their diagnoses) Subscribe to the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast so you never miss an episode. If you're listening on Apple Podcasts, take 30 seconds to leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps this message reach more families looking for foundational, bio-individual answers. And if you're on Spotify, tap Follow and add comments! We love hearing from you!  

In this episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC, sits down with Abby Taylor, NTP, Certified Birth Doula, childbirth educator, and founder of Mirabelle Birth, to unpack a powerful, hope-filled story of natural fertility and conception through applying the Foundations of Health, learned through the NTA's Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Program.  For over a decade, Abby and her husband, Josh, journeyed through miscarriage, long and irregular cycles, rapid weight gain, and the emotional toll of living in the "maybe someday" of infertility. After years of feeling dismissed by conventional medicine and not wanting to pursue high-intervention fertility treatments, she discovered the Nutritional Therapy Association's NTP program—and everything changed. By applying the Foundations of Health— nutrient-dense diet, digestion optimization, blood sugar regulation, quality sleep, stress management, joyful movement, and hydration —Abby watched her body begin to shift. Her cycles shortened, ovulation resumed, her inflammation markers dropped, and, to her complete surprise, she and Josh conceived naturally after ten years without conventional fertility treatment. Now, through Mirabelle Birth, she's refocusing her birth work to center on fertility nutrition, prenatal and postpartum nourishment, and hope-filled encouragement for women who want to enable and prepare their bodies for pregnancy. If you're trying to conceive, supporting clients with fertility challenges, or simply want to understand how functional nutrition and holistic prenatal care can transform the motherhood journey, this conversation with Abby Taylor will encourage, equip, and remind you that your body was designed to heal. Follow and connect with Abby on Instagram!: @mirabellebirth Give us five stars, subscribe, and connect with us directly in the comments section on Spotify!  

In this episode of the Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz, FNTP, MHC sits down with fellow FNTP and NTA educator Hallie Loy-Roby for a practical, honest conversation about building real, sustainable meal-planning habits that support foundational health for overall wellbeing.  Hallie Loy-Roby is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, course developer, and Assistant Instructor with the Nutritional Therapy Association. Through her practice, Holistically Hallie, she helps clients understand digestion, blood sugar regulation, and liver and gallbladder function with a clear, evidence-informed approach rooted in real food and bio-individuality. She's known for blending science, practicality, and grounded encouragement in a way that helps people take meaningful action without perfectionism or overwhelm. Together, Jamie and Hallie unpack what meal planning looks like in real life—without the pressure, elaborate systems, or unrealistic expectations that so often derail people. They explore the power of consistency, how to build nutrient-dense meals from simple ingredients, and how intentional planning reduces stress, supports digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and frees up mental energy. Topics Covered: Beginning meal planning when you feel disorganized or stretched thin Creating balanced meals using protein, whole-food carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats Increasing color and diversity on the plate for improved digestion and nutrient density Using leftovers, ingredient prep, and theme nights to simplify the week Supporting picky eaters or adults who were never exposed to real vegetables growing up Identifying early signs of blood sugar issues or digestive stress Using tools—from sticky notes to AI—to make real food easier Building a kitchen rhythm that aligns with the Foundations of Nutritional Therapy The conversation is steady, grounded, and refreshingly doable. Jamie and Hallie bring clarity to a topic that often feels overcomplicated, reminding listeners that small steps—done consistently—are what shift energy, digestion, mood, and long-term health.   Resources Mentioned: Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA) Episode 66: SIBO Symptoms and Solutions Episode 6: The Dr. Francis M Pottenger Episode  Episode 69: The Dr. Weston A Price Episode Episode 46: Wellness 101 Episode 60: Super Foods, Super Kids Episode 4: Bio-Individuality Episode 11: Digestive Hell (Learn DIGESTION from the NTA's founder, Gray Graham) Episode 10: Optimal Wellness Starts Here (How DIGESTION is supposed to work!) BOOK: Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon FOUNDATIONS OF HEALING COURSE FROM THE NTA   Explore more from Hallie at: https://www.nourishtherootcause.com https://www.instagram.com/holistically.hallie/   Please subscribe, give us 5-Star reviews, and comment directly to us on Spotify!