#167 - Unlocking the Surprising Roadblock to Your Healing: Revolutionary Insights Linking Trauma to Unresolved Illness with Miriam Jacobson​

What does unresolved trauma have to do with your nagging health symptoms? In this episode of Pretty Well, I sit down with Miriam Jacobson, a triple board-certified functional medicine dietitian and founder of Every Body Bliss. Miriam shares her story of losing her father in 9/11 to being poisoned by pollutants from the Twin Towers falling to surviving breast cancer.

Not only does she know firsthand how unresolved trauma resides in our body as a roadblock to healing, but her journey uniquely equips her to help others move forward in their health and live their best, most joyful lives.

Miriam integrates nutritional therapy, mindset coaching, somatic treatment, and breathwork to address the root causes of 'mystery symptoms' like gut problems, chronic fatigue, and mood imbalances that don’t seem to get better even with all of the right steps. Find out why Miriam says “Rest is an action”.

We delve into the gut-brain connection, the impact of trauma on physical health, and why you deserve a fully personalized approach that can be a game changer in your wellness. If you've been spinning your wheels with conventional (and functional medicine) approaches and suspect there's more to the story, this conversation offers fresh insights and practical strategies to help you feel more alive in your body.

LInks & Resources:

Website: https://www.everybodybliss.com/about-miriam

Social:

https://www.instagram.com/everybodybliss/

https://www.facebook.com/everybodybliss1

Join the conversation:

Share your thoughts with us on social media or in the comments!

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🎙If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to Pretty Well! See you next week!

Contact Lisa:

Website: www.lisasmithwellness.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/prettywell_podcast/

Disclaimer:

Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, please take informed accountability and speak to your provider before making changes to your health routine.

The primary purpose of The Pretty Well Podcast being to educate. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice nor to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. By listening to this content, you agree to consult your own physician or qualified health professional regarding specific health questions. Neither Lisa Smith, The Pretty Well Podcast, nor any guest takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons following the information in this educational content. All listeners of this content, especially those who are pregnant or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. The Pretty Well Podcast is for private non-commercial use and our guests do not necessarily reflect any agency, organization, or company that they work for. In addition, opinions of interview guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lisa Smith and/or The Pretty Well Podcast. This content is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.

If you tune into any of the following shows, you'll like ours too!

The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Wellness Mama, Dr. Ruscio Radio DC, Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Just Ingredients Podcast, Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, Found My Fitness with Rhonda Patrick, The Model Health Show, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Freely Rooted Podcast with Kori Meloy, The Dr. Mark Hyman Show, Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition

#166 - Beyond Functional Medicine: Why Most Health Experts Can't Help Complex Chronic Illnesses with Dr. Mel Hopper Koppelman

What if your chronic complex health issues aren’t about needing more supplements or a new practitioner… but from a nervous system that’s been stuck in survival mode since childhood? In this episode of Pretty Well, I’m joined by Mel Hopper Koppelman—an expert in neurological healing who’s helping patients finally get better after functional medicine has failed.

We talk about the overlooked role of retained primitive reflexes, how childhood stress rewires adult health, and why your gut might still be leaky decades later (hint: it started long before gluten showed up). Mel breaks down why some people never fully heal from chronic fatigue, autoimmunity, mold toxicity, and even trauma—and what to do about it.

You'll learn about the Cell Danger Response, what it means to truly “regulate your nervous system,” and why green smoothies might not be doing you any favors. Mel also unpacks in detail the 4 Stage Process of Recovering from Complex Chronic Health Issues.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things and still not getting better, this episode might flip everything you thought you knew about healing.

Connect with Mel:

Website https://essays.synthesishealth.co/mel-hopper-koppelman/

Social https://www.instagram.com/synthesishealth.co/

https://www.facebook.com/melkoppelmanacupuncture

Join the conversation:

Share your thoughts with us on social media or in the comments!

Subscribe, Share & Review:

🎙If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to Pretty Well! See you next week!

Contact Lisa:

Website: www.lisasmithwellness.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/prettywell_podcast/

Disclaimer:

Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, please take informed accountability and speak to your provider before making changes to your health routine.

The primary purpose of The Pretty Well Podcast being to educate. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice nor to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. By listening to this content, you agree to consult your own physician or qualified health professional regarding specific health questions. Neither Lisa Smith, The Pretty Well Podcast, nor any guest takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons following the information in this educational content. All listeners of this content, especially those who are pregnant or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. The Pretty Well Podcast is for private non-commercial use and our guests do not necessarily reflect any agency, organization, or company that they work for. In addition, opinions of interview guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lisa Smith and/or The Pretty Well Podcast. This content is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.

If you tune into any of the following shows, you'll like ours too!

The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Wellness Mama, Dr. Ruscio Radio DC, Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Just Ingredients Podcast, Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, Found My Fitness with Rhonda Patrick, The Model Health Show, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Freely Rooted Podcast with Kori Meloy, The Dr. Mark Hyman Show, Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition

#165 - 6 Shocking Triggers of Leaky Gut and Autoimmunity You’re Probably Missing (and How to Heal Them)

If you’ve been told your gut issues are “just stress” or “no big deal,” pull up a chair—we’re about to get real. In this episode of Pretty Well, I’m breaking down the six sneaky root causes of leaky gut and autoimmunity that most people (and honestly, most doctors) completely miss.

From gluten sensitivity and candida to parasites, SIBO, and nutrient deficiencies, we’ll dig into what’s actually going wrong under the hood—and why your immune system isn’t misfiring.

Facts: Leaky gut isn’t just a GI issue—it’s the ignition switch for autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, skin disorders, and more. We’ll uncover the 3 Legged Stool of Autoimmunity and how to remove 1 or 2 of the legs to find real healing.

You'll learn how gut permeability, microbiome imbalances, and chronic inflammation quietly fuel autoimmune disease—and more importantly, what you can do about it. If you’re tired of symptom-chasing and ready to get ahead of autoimmunity at the root level, this episode is your blueprint.

Because you deserve more than just managing symptoms—you deserve to get real answers and actually heal.

Join the conversation:

Share your thoughts with us on social media or in the comments!

Subscribe, Share & Review:

🎙If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to Pretty Well! See you next week!

Contact Lisa:

Website: www.lisasmithwellness.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/prettywell_podcast/

Disclaimer:

Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, please take informed accountability and speak to your provider before making changes to your health routine.

The primary purpose of The Pretty Well Podcast being to educate. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice nor to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. By listening to this content, you agree to consult your own physician or qualified health professional regarding specific health questions. Neither Lisa Smith, The Pretty Well Podcast, nor any guest takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons following the information in this educational content. All listeners of this content, especially those who are pregnant or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. The Pretty Well Podcast is for private non-commercial use and our guests do not necessarily reflect any agency, organization, or company that they work for. In addition, opinions of interview guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lisa Smith and/or The Pretty Well Podcast. This content is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.

If you tune into any of the following shows, you'll like ours too!

The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Wellness Mama, Dr. Ruscio Radio DC, Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Just Ingredients Podcast, Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, Found My Fitness with Rhonda Patrick, The Model Health Show, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Freely Rooted Podcast with Kori Meloy, The Dr. Mark Hyman Show, Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition

#164 - Too Tired for Sex? It’s Not You, It’s Your Nervous System...Here’s How To Fix It With The Sex Docs

Think your “normal” labs are telling the full story? Think again. In this episode of The Pretty Well Podcast, I’m joined by the brilliant (and hilariously direct) Dr. Cristina Romero-Bosch and Dr. John Robinson—aka The Sex Docs—for a no-holds-barred look at what’s really going on in women’s bodies in midlife. We break down the symptoms most doctors brush off—think fatigue, weight gain, low libido, anxiety, brain fog, and “just getting older” (insert eye roll).

Oh, and if you’re on the pill or ever have been? You’ll definitely want to hear how it can mess with your gut microbiome, immune function, and sex drive—sometimes long after you’ve stopped taking it.

They also explain why your poop is basically a hormone status report and what your sex life can reveal about your health. If you’re ready to stop settling for feeling “meh” and start getting real answers, this episode is your hormone-fueled wake-up call.

Amazon LInks & Resources:

*As An Amazon Associate I Earn A Small Commission From Qualifying Purchases At No Extra Cost To You*

Recommended Book:

Blind Spots - When Medicine Gets It Wrong, and What It Means for Our Health

https://amzn.to/3XQW4FL

Connect with Drs. Bosch & Robinson:

Website: https://hormone-zone.com

Social: https://www.instagram.com/thehormonezone/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/HormoneZone/

Podcast: The Longevity Protocol https://linktr.ee/longevityprotocolpod?lt_utm_source=lt_share_link#420118100

Join the conversation:

Share your thoughts with us on social media or in the comments!

Subscribe, Share & Review:

🎙If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to Pretty Well! See you next week!

Contact Lisa:

Website: www.lisasmithwellness.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/prettywell_podcast/

Disclaimer:

Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, please take informed accountability and speak to your provider before making changes to your health routine.

The primary purpose of The Pretty Well Podcast being to educate. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice nor to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. By listening to this content, you agree to consult your own physician or qualified health professional regarding specific health questions. Neither Lisa Smith, The Pretty Well Podcast, nor any guest takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons following the information in this educational content. All listeners of this content, especially those who are pregnant or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. The Pretty Well Podcast is for private non-commercial use and our guests do not necessarily reflect any agency, organization, or company that they work for. In addition, opinions of interview guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lisa Smith and/or The Pretty Well Podcast. This content is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.

If you tune into any of the following shows, you'll like ours too!

The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Wellness Mama, Dr. Ruscio Radio DC, Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Just Ingredients Podcast, Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, Found My Fitness with Rhonda Patrick, The Model Health Show, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Freely Rooted Podcast with Kori Meloy, The Dr. Mark Hyman Show, Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition

#163 - The #1 Way to Reduce Inflammation with Udo Erasmus from Udo's Choice Oils

You’ve seen Udo’s Choice supplements in virtually every health store —but do you know why these powerhouse oils are essential for your health (and why they’re either making or breaking your health)?

In this episode of Pretty Well, I sit down with Udo Erasmus—founder of Udo’s Choice oils, 40 year pioneer in the healthy oils movement, and author of Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill. Udo shares how modern food prep is silently fueling everything from chronic inflammation to hormone disruption to cancer development—and what to do instead.

During our conversation, we talk about: the truth behind healthy fats; the oils that are powerfully wrecking your health; and why your body literally needs an oil change. We dive into omega-3s, omega-6s, and the nasty processing practices that turn "healthy" seed oils into full-blown poisons.

We also explore detox strategies, new biohacks to sweat out fat-soluble toxins, oil enemas (yep, you read that right), and how to stop frying your health—literally and figuratively. If you’re worn out, achy, or wondering why your “healthy” diet still isn’t working, this episode might be your wake-up call. Because the truth is: the right oils don’t just support your wellbeing—they make it or break it, and in the meantime, help you to look and feel amazing, inside and out.

LInks & Resources:

Website: https://udoerasmus.com/

Social:

https://www.instagram.com/udoerasmus/

https://www.facebook.com/theudoerasmus/

*Udo's Choice Supplements/Oils: https://amzn.to/4dNk0k6

*Udo’s Books: https://amzn.to/3RG8mx4

*As An Amazon Associate I Earn A Small Commission From Qualifying Purchases At No Extra Cost To You*

Join the conversation:

Share your thoughts with us on social media or in the comments!

Subscribe, Share & Review:

🎙If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to Pretty Well! See you next week!

Contact Lisa:

Website: www.lisasmithwellness.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/prettywell_podcast/

Disclaimer:

Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, please take informed accountability and speak to your provider before making changes to your health routine.

The primary purpose of The Pretty Well Podcast being to educate. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice nor to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. By listening to this content, you agree to consult your own physician or qualified health professional regarding specific health questions. Neither Lisa Smith, The Pretty Well Podcast, nor any guest takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons following the information in this educational content. All listeners of this content, especially those who are pregnant or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. The Pretty Well Podcast is for private non-commercial use and our guests do not necessarily reflect any agency, organization, or company that they work for. In addition, opinions of interview guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lisa Smith and/or The Pretty Well Podcast. This content is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.

If you tune into any of the following shows, you'll like ours too!

The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Wellness Mama, Dr. Ruscio Radio DC, Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Just Ingredients Podcast, Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, Found My Fitness with Rhonda Patrick, The Model Health Show, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Freely Rooted Podcast with Kori Meloy, The Dr. Mark Hyman Show, Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition

#161 - Still Saying Yes? How to Stop People-Pleasing. Interview with Kendra Nielson from Fulfillment Therapy

What if your burnout isn’t about doing too much—but about doing too much for everyone else? In this episode of Pretty Well, I sit down with licensed therapist and Fulfillment Therapy founder Kendra Nielson to talk about what’s really driving burnout, anxiety, people-pleasing, and that constant low-key sense of resentment (Spoiler: it’s probably not just your schedule—it’s your boundaries. There, I said it.)

Kendra shares how trauma, perfectionism, and limiting beliefs can keep us stuck in survival mode, and how starting where you are today can lead to massive life transformation. Small, intentional mindset shifts are the key to creating the life you want. If you find yourself continually running on empty, this is what you need more than a bubble bath or a massage (although let’s be honest, we’re not turning those down either).

We also dig into self-advocacy, mantras, burnout recovery, and why your inability to say no isn’t “just how you’re wired”—it’s something you can absolutely change. If you’ve ever said “I don’t have time for self-care” while holding your fourth cup of coffee and solving everyone else’s problems, this one’s for you.

LInks & Resources:

Website: https://fulfillmenttherapy.org/

Social:

https://www.instagram.com/fulfillmenttherapy/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088460742483

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgkWZyjc6_Q4DsXxS0-sD8g

Email: hello@fulfillmenttherapy.org

Join the conversation:

Share your thoughts with us on social media or in the comments!

Subscribe, Share & Review:

🎙If you loved this episode, please take a moment to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more people who need these insights. Thanks for tuning in to Pretty Well! See you next week!

Contact Lisa:

Website: www.lisasmithwellness.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/prettywell_podcast/

Disclaimer:

Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, please take informed accountability and speak to your provider before making changes to your health routine.

The primary purpose of The Pretty Well Podcast being to educate. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice nor to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. By listening to this content, you agree to consult your own physician or qualified health professional regarding specific health questions. Neither Lisa Smith, The Pretty Well Podcast, nor any guest takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons following the information in this educational content. All listeners of this content, especially those who are pregnant or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. The Pretty Well Podcast is for private non-commercial use and our guests do not necessarily reflect any agency, organization, or company that they work for. In addition, opinions of interview guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lisa Smith and/or The Pretty Well Podcast. This content is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.

If you tune into any of the following shows, you'll like ours too!

The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Wellness Mama, Dr. Ruscio Radio DC, Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Just Ingredients Podcast, Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, Found My Fitness with Rhonda Patrick, The Model Health Show, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Freely Rooted Podcast with Kori Meloy, The Dr. Mark Hyman Show, Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition