Episode 178: More Than a Gut Feeling — The Gut-Brain Axis Explained

In this episode of Healthy Looks Great On You, Dr. Vickie takes you on a mini-medical school field trip through the fascinating world of the gut-brain axis. Starting with the wild true story of Alexis St. Martin — the fur trapper who literally had a window into his stomach — you'll learn how early experiments paved the way to our current understanding of how your gut and brain constantly chat behind your back.

We cover everything from why you lose your appetite during stressful times, to how your gut might actually cause your brain fog, mood swings, or even anxiety. You'll meet key players like the vagus nerve and the enteric nervous system (aka your "second brain"), and discover simple, natural ways to heal your gut-brain axis — starting with your diet, your stress, and your habits.

And as always, Dr. Vickie serves up easy-to-understand science with a healthy dose of humor (and fiber). Because when your gut is happy, your brain is happy. And when both are happy — healthy looks great on you.

👉 Don’t forget to download my Pantry Guide and check out my Kickstart to Healthy Habits 7-day mini-course to start healing your gut-brain axis naturally.

In this week’s episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, we dive into the deep connection between belly fat, body image, and mindset. Dr. Vickie discusses how visceral fat is a serious health concern—but also how obsessing over your waistline can spiral into shame.

Her guest shares an empowering 5-R framework to help you: 📍 Recognize the root of distorted thinking 📍 Reclaim the lens of truth 📍 Reset your mind through repetition 📍 Rebuild your body with purpose 📍 Reframe your self-worth outside of appearance

This conversation is especially powerful for women navigating midlife, identity shifts, and a culture that constantly sells body dissatisfaction. Let’s ditch the shame and choose strategy.

Enroll in Healthy Habits Kickstart to Lose Belly Fat and Live Healthier

https://healthylooksgreatonyou.com/kickstart-to-healthy-habits-in-7-days/

Learn more about Lisa Michelle and FITT by design

https://www.lisamichellejones.com/

Could gut health be the cornerstone of your overall health?

In this week’s Healthy Looks Great on You podcast, I take you on a behind-the-scenes journey of your gut microbiome—where trillions of organisms help with digestion, immunity, mood, sleep, and even weight.

I cover how to maintain a balanced microbiome:

• Prebiotics to feed good bacteria
• Probiotics add the helpful microbes
• Caution around antibiotics, sugar, stress, and poor sleep

If you want to feel better physically and emotionally, your gut is a great place to start!

🎧 Listen to Episode 176 now!

And, if you’re ready to go further, join my 7-day Prescription for Change mini-course.

For only $47, you’ll get simple, science-backed daily habits delivered directly to your Inbox. I’ll walk you through building momentum, restoring balance, and the steps to take to start loving your body again.

👉 Kickstart Because healthy starts from the inside—and looks great on you. ❤️

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You Are What Your Microbes Eat: Gut Health 101 This week, we’re talking about your gut—home to trillions of microbes that can help you sleep better, lose belly fat, and reduce inflammation… or wreak havoc.

We’ll explore:

• 🧬 The Stanford twin study on plant-based diets

• 🦠 Good gut bugs (like Mitzi Nitzi, Mama Bif, and Lactobacillus)

• 🔥 Bad bugs (hello, C. Diff and Bilophila!)

• 🍽️ What to eat to feed the good ones and starve the bad ones

• 💤 The surprising link between gut health and sleep

🎁 Free resource: Pantry Guide for Gut Health

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Plant-Based Living in a Carnivore Household

Ever tried to introduce more plant-based meals at home, only to face resistance from your meat-loving partner? You're not alone. In this episode of Healthy Looks Great on You, I share my personal journey of guiding my husband towards embracing plant-based eating—without any ultimatums or food battles.

We'll discuss:

• The Power of Hybrid Meals: How combining plant-based dishes with familiar favorites can ease the transition.

• Gradual Changes: The importance of making small, incremental adjustments rather than drastic overhauls.

• Creative Cooking: Tips on using versatile ingredients like beans and mushrooms to create satisfying meals.

Whether you're just starting your plant-based journey or looking for ways to involve your family, this episode offers practical advice and heartfelt stories to inspire and guide you.

Bonus: Grab Dr. Vickie’s free Pantry & Freezer Guide at PANTRY GUIDE

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Healing Lupus and Autoimmune Disease Through Nutrition with Dr. Brooke Goldner

Today, I’m bringing you a truly special conversation that every woman facing chronic illness, autoimmune struggles, or daily inflammation needs to hear.

I’m joined by Dr. Brooke Goldner — bestselling author of Goodbye Lupus, Goodbye Autoimmune Disease, and a physician who has helped thousands of people reverse autoimmune conditions using a results-based, plant-powered protocol rooted in cellular repair and nutrition.

And what makes her story even more powerful?

She was a lupus patient facing kidney failure, chemotherapy, and being told she had six months to live.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The unexpected way nutrition helped Dr. Goldner reverse her autoimmune disease
• Why protein panic is overhyped
• What most doctors (and even influencers) get wrong about “anti-inflammatory diets”
• The emotional work behind healing: resilience, joy, trauma recovery, and choosing life at level 10
• And how a simple smoothie protocol has changed lives — without perfection or pricey supplements

We also dive into her rapid recovery program, her free community education work, and how healing is about more than just what you eat.

Learn more at Goodbye Lupus

If you’ve ever felt like your diagnosis defines you... If you’ve been told “you’ll just have to live with it”… If you’re exhausted from managing symptoms with meds but not feeling any better…

You need this conversation.

👉 And if you want a real-life step toward healing your body from the inside out, don’t forget to grab my Free Pantry Guide — 10 plant-forward staples that make healthy eating easy, even when you don’t have a plan.

🛒 Get it here: https://healthylooksgreatonyou.com/pantryguide/

Let this episode remind you: You’re not broken. You’re not alone. And healing is possible.

Because healthy looks great on you.

Let’s talk about the thing no one wants to talk about…Belly fat.

It shows up quietly, settles in like an uninvited guest, and refuses to leave — no matter how “healthy” you try to be.

So what actually causes it? 👉 Diet? 👉 Lack of exercise? 👉 Hormones, stress, age, medications, soda?

You might be surprised.

This week on the Healthy Looks Great on You podcast, I’m diving deep into the unexpected root cause of belly fat — and why it’s not about willpower, calories, or crunches.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through: ✅ Why stress and busyness are more to blame than your sweet tooth ✅ How the “no plan = takeout again” cycle keeps your body stuck ✅ Why ultra-processed foods are a symptom — not the root problem ✅ The plant-powered pantry staples that can turn dinner stress into dinner success

And if you’re tired of that 5PM “what’s for dinner” panic, I created something that can help you take back control (without dieting or spending hours in the kitchen):

🍲 Get the Free Pantry Guide: https://healthylooksgreatonyou.com/pantryguide

It’s filled with 10 go-to items to keep in your pantry, 10 freezer essentials, 10 spices & add-ons, and 3 quick recipes — so you can prepare easy, healthy meals in minutes (even when you forgot to plan).

Because when you feed your body with real nourishment, everything changes:

Your energy. Your hormones. Your cravings. Your confidence.

And healthy? It looks really great on you.

💛 blessings, Dr. Vickie

Let’s talk about it.

That stubborn, uncomfortable, sometimes embarrassing belly fat that creeps in seemingly overnight.

You didn’t change your eating. You didn’t stop moving. But your body changed, and no one can really explain why.

This week on Healthy Looks Great on You, I’m sharing:

✔️ The real causes of belly fat (it’s not what you think) ✔️ My personal story of prednisone, cheesecake, and Dr. Pepper ✔️ Why stress, sleep, and hormones matter more than calorie math ✔️ What TikTok got wrong ✔️ A practical plan rooted in the 6 pillars of Lifestyle Medicine

This episode is honest and practical. No shame, no gimmicks.

Because your belly isn’t a punchline, it’s your body asking for help.

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Belly Fat: Are you in the danger zone?