Shiny Healthy You

Meet Sara Brooke – an experienced Reiki Master Teacher and Shamanic Healing Facilitator. She works with people who are seeking deeper truth and meaning to their lives. Sara began her career as a corporate “work hard, party hard” kinda gal. But she was stressed, burned out and unfulfilled. Listen to her breakdown-breakthrough moment when her world fell apart, sparking a search for a more meaningful life. “Something within me rose.” When faced with a choice between mood-altering medications to dull her pain, or finding balance through other means, she sought out a meditation class and simply began. Her search then led her to Reiki. On this week’s show, Sara will explain what Reiki is, how we can use it in our everyday lives, and how it can help women experiencing burnout. Listen to Sara chat about our increasing disconnect from nature and our own bodies, and how she believes it can lead to illness and disease. We talk about what happens to us energetically when we’re leading a busy lifestyle, trying to be every

“You need to be a walking, talking advertisement for the life that you want to lead.” It’s been 7 months since the outspoken Adele was on this podcast (gee… time flies!). Since then, she has started her own podcast, and it’s freakin’ awesome, so I thought I’d get her back on the show to share a little bit about it. The time has come for a radical change with the way we live, eat and treat the planet. Welcome to Easy Green – Adele’s new podcast which will give you short, sharp, actionable steps and simple tips for living a happier, healthier, eco-conscious life. “Happiness, love and laughter – they’re more important to me than things.” In this interview we delve into: Reducing our use of plastics Living a minimalist lifestyle Bulk food shopping Talking to friends and family about becoming greener Sustainable ways to make changes without the overwhelm Did you know that Australians are buying 600 million litres of bottled water per year? And this is just the tip of the (rapidly melting) iceberg. Join us to lea

Today’s guest is a name many of you will know. Her Olympic career in the sport of diving spanned from 1991 – 2012. She was a four time Olympian, a dual Olympic Medalist, three time World Championship Silver medalist and a triple Commonwealth Games Champion. But there’s so much more to Loudy Wiggins. She also has qualifications as a Personal Trainer, and Nutrition and Wellness Coach. She now focuses on helping women of all shapes and sizes (yep – busy women like you and me!) to reach their health and fitness goals. And as a mum of two children, she knows what it’s like to have to juggle a busy schedule in the real world and still achieve her goals. We chat about what health and fitness can do for your mind (not just your body!) and the best way to return to fitness after having a baby. “Slow and steady always wins the race” We discuss: Why new mums shouldn’t aim to lose weight too quickly Why it’s difficult for some women to lose weight (hint: it’s not always about what you eat!) Why counting calories isn’t n

This week I’m bringing you a special episode with Lauren Lacey from Involvement Volunteers International. Lauren is co-ordinating a team of over 30 health professionals (myself included!) who will travel to Greece in February bring healthcare to refugees. How often do you turn on the news, see the terrible atrocities happening in the world, and feel helpless? Do you share posts and videos on social media, and wish you could do something more REAL, more powerful, but you don’t know where to start? I felt that way too. So when I was offered to be a part of the solution, in a small but significant way, I jumped at the chance. Together with a team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, naturopaths and nutritionists, I will be making my way to Greece in just over a week’s time! The refugee camps are going to be confronting and overcrowded. We will be dealing with malnutrition, trauma, and a vast array of illness and disease. So what can a naturopath do in a situation like this? Plenty! We will be helping to suppor

Meet Laurence Tham – Chiropractor, wellness podcaster, husband, father, and motivational speaker. Laurence is a wealth of inspiration and information when it comes to creating the healthy and fulfilling life that deep down, you know you want, and in this week’s show we’re going to pick his brain about how to make positive changes that stick. “I love the process of the journey.” Learn about the limitations and repercussions that come from living a life inside our comfort zones. “You have to get uncomfortable” We talk about why we sometimes have to go through pain to become a better version of ourselves. “The reality is that we all have fear.” Discover the magic in facing your fears, learn how to dance with fear and embrace it, in order to live a life beyond your wildest dreams. “Go where the obstacles are.” Get tips for transitioning to a healthier diet and lifestyle. Learn how to build a system around you that helps you stay on track with your goals, and find out why rituals are so important. Discover why our

Meet Jessica Donovan, aka Energetic Mama. She’s currently travelling around the country in a caravan with hubby and two kids in tow, but I managed to catch up with her on Skype for a chat. Jess became a naturopath at a young age. She had some challenges early on with her own hormones, and some health issues with her first baby, which sparked her interest in women’s and children’s health, and she just grew from there. She now has a website, and eBook and programs dedicated to helping mums to transition their families to a wholefood diet, while regaining their own long-forgotten energy. Her healthy recipes are delicious, simple, and totally kid-friendly! In this podcast episode you will learn: Why paracetamol is not always the best thing for fevers in kids Why conditions like allergies, asthma, eczema and autism are rising at a scary rate (the statistics will shock you!) Why we urgently need to reduce our exposure to toxins (even if we don’t have babies yet) Why antibacterial sprays and hand sanitisers are dam

Meet Aimee Clark – a Queensland woman with an interesting hobby… she spends her spare time foraging for food. Whether it’s at the beach, in the bush, or in her own backyard, Aimee has learned to make use of plants that most of us would dismiss as pointless weeds. Aimee lives what she calls a “paleo lifestyle for a modern time” and after adopting a primal way of living that incorporates food, movement and a chemical free lifestyle, foraging seemed like the natural next step. Aimee didn’t want to pick something and eat it unless she was 100% sure it was safe, so she set out to educate herself on which plants growing wild in her local area could be eaten. She now teaches workshops on the Sunshine Coast to curious locals who want to learn to find their own “urban bush tucker”. Surprisingly, Aimee’s not just about native plant foods. She’s also educated on introduced species and which plants can be used for their medicinal properties. Find out why she rotates through her foraged foods, and why she doesn’t consume

Meet the gorgeous and unstoppable Hayley Carr – an NLP practitioner and life coach who works with Type A personalities. She helps busy, ambitious people to slow down, find clarity, and then smash their goals like never before. With the New Year looming, I’ve brought Hayley in to talk about goal setting and those inevitable New Years Resolutions (dun, dun, duuuuuunnnnnn!!). Whether you love or hate the whole resolution thing, this episode is a MUST. And we don’t mince words in this one. Are New Years Resolutions rubbish? We talk about the pros and cons to putting pressure on ourselves, come Jan 1st. “We often don’t know how close we are to the life that we crave.” There’s so much GOLD in here! Here’s a rundown of what to expect: How to choose a goal What makes a great goal The best time to set a goal for yourself What questions to ask yourself when setting goals How to deal with fear when it comes up Why accountability is so important The tricks our minds play that can lead to self-sabotage What to do when yo

This week we continue to take time out from interviews to bring you part 3 of of the Shiny Healthy You Christmas Special, woohooooo!!! What does Christmas look like for you? Is it a magical holiday season, full of wonder, joy and the warm fuzzy feeling you get from celebrating with friends and family? Or do you sneer “Bah Humbug!” as you race around like a headless chook, from one exhausting event to another, eating too much, drinking too much, and dreading that upcoming family Christmas gathering or work function? Do you throw up a little bit in the back of your throat when you hear a Christmas carol? Welcome to the third of a series of bite sized episodes to help keep you focused, inspired and possibly even relaxed on the run into Christmas. These podcasts will be short, sharp, and full of actionable little nuggets that you can incorporate into this super super busy time of year. This week we talk about the aftermath. We talk about what to do when you’re surrounded by tempting leftovers and you know a clean

This week we continue to take time out from interviews to bring you part 2 of of the Shiny Healthy You Christmas Special, YAY!!! What does Christmas look like for you? Is it a magical holiday season, full of wonder, joy and the warm fuzzy feeling you get from celebrating with friends and family? Or do you sneer “Bah Humbug!” as you race around like a headless chook, from one exhausting event to another, eating too much, drinking too much, and dreading that upcoming family Christmas gathering or work function? Do you throw up a little bit in the back of your throat when you hear a Christmas carol? Welcome to the second of a series of bite sized episodes to help keep you focused, inspired and possibly even relaxed on the run into Christmas. These podcasts will be short, sharp, and full of actionable little nuggets that you can incorporate into this super super busy time of year. This week we look at surviving Christmas without burning out your adrenals. We talk about the effect that being busy has on our bodies

This week we take a little time out from interviews to bring you a Christmas Special, woohoooo!!! What does Christmas look like for you? Is it a magical holiday season, full of wonder, joy and the warm fuzzy feeling you get from celebrating with friends and family? Or do you sneer “Bah Humbug!” as you race around like a headless chook, from one exhausting event to another, eating too much, drinking too much, and dreading that upcoming family Christmas gathering or work function? Do you throw up a little bit in the back of your throat when you hear a Christmas carol? Welcome to the first of a series of bite size episodes to help keep you focused, inspired and possibly even relaxed on the run into Christmas. Over the next few weeks, my podcasts will be short, sharp, and full of actionable little nuggets that you can incorporate into this super super busy time of year. In this episode we dive into surviving Christmas functions without the blowout. We discuss simple healthy swaps you can make to upgrade to health

MTHFR is one of the most confusing topics in natural healthcare today. But with over 60% of the population potentially affected, it’s important to understand how it impacts us. So I’m bringing out the big guns today… Enter the lovely Carolyn Ledowsky from MTHFR Support Australia. Carolyn is a naturopath, herbalist and nutritionist who has a Bachelor of Herbal Medicine, Bachelor of Naturopathy, Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy and Diploma of Nutrition. She has also studied courses in genetics at Duke University and The University of Maryland. She now sees chronically ill patients who have searched, sometimes for decades, to find the reason behind their ill health. Most of her patients have MTHFR mutations and/or associated methylation disturbances. Find out what MTHFR is, and why it’s associated with fertility issues, multiple miscarriages, birth defects, increased cardiovascular risk, detoxification issues, fatigue, anxiety and depression. Learn how this gene mutation can go on to affect your thyroid, adrenals

Meet Lynda Griparic – a naturopath, nutritionist, yin yoga teacher… and a poo whisperer. In this episode we’re going to dive into the topic of healthy bowel function… yep, strap yourself in… we’re going there! Find out why we struggle to talk about poo, and learn what’s normal when it comes to bowel motions. Discover what causes constipation, and what happens to our bodies when we don’t poo regularly. Then, Lynda will give you heaps of tips on how to get things moving again (hint: it’s not just about fibre and water!). We also look at the link between moving your body and moving your bowels. Think that detox teas are totally safe? Lynda and I chat about the different types of laxatives, and why it may be dangerous to use some of them on an ongoing basis. We also discuss the investigative work you should consider if nothing else is working. Welcome to en episode where nothing is taboo – we sweep aside any embarrassment and get down to the nitty gritty… all in the name of better health! Want to find out more? H

Meet Rachel Favilla – when she was just 11 years old, her world was slowly turned upside down. At first, her generalised anxiety and minor digestive issues were dismissed as being “normal.” Severe weight loss then led to accusations of an eating disorder. Tests for coeliac disease proved to be negative. She was forced to eat gluten. She developed depression. Little did she know she has an autoimmune disease of the liver that was slowly killing her. When conventional medicine couldn’t offer any hope, and she was faced with the prospect of a liver transplant, she turned to food for answers. She started doing her own research, and embarked on a simple wholefood diet. Listen to Rachel’s story about how healing the gut improved her mental health (and the biochemistry behind it). Learn how she transitioned to a healthier diet (hint: it wasn’t even that hard!). Find out her views on the chemicals in personal care products, and the impact they have on growing teenage bodies. “What’s scary is that when you try to have

Meet Samantha Gowing – a critically acclaimed spa chef with a Le Cordon Bleu Masters in Gastronomic Tourism. She’s also a nutritionist, speaker, mentor, and founder of Byron Bay Cooking School. As one of Melbourne’s youngest ever female publicans, Sam started out life around the rock n’ roll and live music scene – not the usual story you’d expect from a healthy foodie. Following the loss of her dear father n 1991, Sam became interested in the role that diet plays in disease prevention. She became qualified in clinical nutrition and went on to become a leader in Australia’s ever-evolving health and fitness industry. She has dedicated decades to researching the healing properties of various foods. However, the essence of who Sam was always came back to the sharing of delicious meals, and cooking and eating with love. “I think food tastes better when we share plates.” In this podcast you will learn: Why “slippery foods” are better for your digestion Japanese secrets to healthy eating and living The role that ac

After seeing countless chronic fatigue patients, plus a harrowing personal experience with repeated miscarriages, she became fascinated with a common link: mould. Nicole now specialises in health hazards in the built up environment, including mould, allergens, water and electromagnetic radiation, to name a few. In this episode, you will discover: The risk factors for developing mould in the home Which area is the “mould capital” of Australia How to test your home for mould How to fix a mouldy house Why baking soda and bleach are two of the worst things you can use to remove mould Nicole also lists the symptoms of mould toxicity/sensitivity, and we talk about why exposure is linked to gluten intolerance. If you suffer from chronic fatigue, asthma, allergies, eczema, inflammation, mood disorders, insomnia, depression or anxiety, this episode is a MUST! “The genetics load the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger.” Want to find Nicole online? Visit her website at http://building biology.com.au Her buildin

Meet Brenda Janschek – a mum who’s come back from the brink of burnout to create a happy, healthy, wholefood-loving family. If you’re a busy woman, listen up, because in this podcast we’re going to give you strategies for nourishing your family, nurturing yourself, and raising healthy kids. Discover how Brenda learned to cook (no – it didn’t come naturally at first!), and how she became inspired to try out new flavours. Listen to her backstory of poor health and infertility, and what she had to do to become well again. In this interview, we talk about: Healing from post natal depression and anxiety Going from vegetarian to eating meat again The importance of good nutrition for mental health Positive self-talk and self-care How to make healthy meals on the run How to get kids into the kitchen And why breakfast cereals are a terrible idea! There are some beautiful takeaways in this episode. “I’m really good at self-care now – it’s taken me a while.” “It’s not enough to just address nutrition and exercise.” An

Meet Leanne Anders, aka the Primal Mum. After one of her children was diagnosed with a genetic disorder that needed to be managed through diet, she became very aware of the synthetic nature of a lot of the food and supplements we eat, and the scarcity of nutrients in many of our common foods like bread. In order to take back control, Leanne began looking at different ways of eating, and found the paleo/primal diet ticked a LOT of boxes. She shifted her family to a more natural, nutrient dense diet and they haven’t looked back. There’s so much GOLD in here to help you get started if you’re shifting your family to a healthier diet. Leanne has found simple substitutions for old favourites, ways to create new healthy habits, and how to educate kids about good food choices without instilling feelings of guilt or shame. “Things in packets are made by men in white coats.” “The food you’re eating is going to help your body be the best that it can be.” “I have to give them a little bit of leeway about making their own

Meet Kristin Cosgrove, aka Mamacino. Growing up surrounded by fresh produce, she always loved good food, but didn’t necessarily know how to cook it. Gradually, she found connection and inspiration through her Italian heritage (with a little help from Jamie Oliver thrown in!) and the rest is history. Now she’s made a career out of creating amazing wholefood recipes, teaching people how to cook, and making EPIC tasting granola for the masses! My favourite quote from this interview is “People who love food, love life.” Kristin brings the love and joy back into cooking – it doesn’t have to be a chore! In this episode you will learn: How to get started when moving to a wholefood diet Simple and tasty meal ideas that are family friendly Tips for throwing healthier kids’ parties (and avoiding meltdowns!) How to deal with fussy eaters How to get your kids to eat their food Why kids always seem to crave the wrong foods How she healed her family after a parasite infection Kristin will also give you permission to be l

Meet my beautiful friend Chara Caruthers. If you’ve done my Shiny Healthy You eCourse or been to one of my retreats, you may recognise her as the instructor from the yoga classes. But as well as being a yoga teacher and yoga therapist, Chara is also an Ayurvedic practitioner. In this episode, Chara answers some fundamental questions, including: What is Ayurveda? How can we use Ayurvedic medicine for health and healing? What are the Ayurvedic body types (doshas)? How can we find out which dosha we are? What’s involved in an Ayurvedic detox? There’s so much GOLD in this episode that EVERYONE can apply straight away, including tips on staying healthy when the seasons change, eating the right foods for your body type, accepting the rollercoaster of life, and taking time out for simple self-care. Come along for a 5000 year old journey where we “uncover a truth that’s already there.” Understanding Ayurveda can be a game changer! Want to know more about Chara? Head to http://www.blissbodyandsoul.com. Join her Face