Everyday Wellness with Cynthia Thurlow ™

• Ep. 457 Faith, Fitness & Grit: How to Live with Purpose with Todd Durkin

  Today, I am delighted to connect with a personal friend and colleague, Todd Durkin. Todd is the CEO and Co-founder of Impact-X Performance, a fitness and coaching franchise featuring faith, fitness, recovery, and life coaching, and he motivates and inspires people daily through his inspirational keynote speeches, books, podcasts, and franchise.  Todd and I went to middle school together, so our conversation today is personal in addition to being inspirational. We explore the role of faith and family, looking at the benefits of sports, the importance of vision boards, the value of motivation, and transforming passion into purpose. Todd also discusses his philosophy, which centers on mindset, habits, and routine, shares his evening and morning routines, offers his take on big, hairy, audacious goals, and explains why challenges and adversity are crucial for growth.  Todd is one of the most inspiring, thoughtful, and intentional voices on social media today, and I have no doubt you will find this conversation as valuable as I did. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Being raised in a blue-collar town shaped Todd's values. Significance of having a strong sense of family and community The challenges Todd faced led to his personal growth Role of faith and divine guidance in overcoming challenges Morning and nighttime routines, quiet time, journaling, and prayer  Addressing mental health issues and supporting others who are struggling How coaches and mentors help people grow and achieve their goals Why we must set big, bold, and exciting goals and continuously challenge ourselves Todd shares his philosophy on winning each day and overcoming personal struggles How champions get made during tough times  Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Todd Durkin On his website Instagram and other social media: @ToddDurkin

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• BONUS: Why NAD Matters for Women’s Health & Hormones with Dr. Andrew Salzman

  This podcast is the first episode in a series featuring companies I am eager to explore and share with my community. Today, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Andrew Salzman, a Harvard-trained medical doctor, pioneering scientist, and esteemed inventor. Dr. Salzman is the Chief Medical Officer at Wonderfeel, where he applies over three decades of medical innovation. His research into DNA repair with NAD-activated enzymes led the way for a groundbreaking treatment for BRCA-related breast and ovarian cancers, which he licensed to Genentech. Dr. Salzman was among the first researchers to publish papers on the gut microbiome and leaky gut syndrome in the 1980s, and he has published over 170 peer-reviewed papers and holds more than 50 patents. In our conversation today, we dive into what NAD is, its significance, why it matters, and how it impacts fertility, menopause, and sexual health. Dr. Salzman walks us through the symptoms of NAD deficiency and explains how an enzyme called CD38 can emerge when NAD levels are low, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress. We explore the difference between pharmaceutical agents and nutraceuticals, examining why oral NMN is preferable and how sleep and alcohol can influence NAD levels. We cover the risk factors for breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers, looking at what we can do to reduce them, and we also talk about Wonderfeel and how their supplements and botanicals enhance wellness for women.  This is an invaluable discussion with Dr. Salzman, so you will likely want to listen to it more than once. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How our NAD levels change as we get older The role of NAD in energy production  How oxidative stress and inflammation affect NAD levels in the ovaries Why NAD is essential for sexual health Lifestyle choices that could affect NAD levels How inflammation can increase CD 38 levels and deplete NAD Why oral administration of NMN or NR is the most practical and effective method for maintaining NAD levels How alcohol affects NAD levels and increases the risk of cancer How, with Dr. Salzman's input, Wonderfeel developed a product combining NMN with botanicals to enhance NAD levels Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Andrew Salzman On the Wonderfeel website .

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• Ep. 456 Why Muscle Matters: Metabolism, Myths & More with Dr. Shannon Ritchey

  I am delighted to have the amazing Dr. Shannon Ritchey joining me today. She is a doctor of physical therapy, a fitness trainer, and the founder of Evlo Fitness. In this insightful conversation, we explore the complex landscape of social media and its influence on our perceptions of health and fitness, unpacking myths, stigmas, and societal conditioning. We dive into body recomposition, looking at the compare and despair trap of social media, the effects of fitness challenges, and the science behind muscle soreness and eccentric exercises. Dr. Ritchey explains how to measure body composition requirements accurately, how muscle supports metabolic health, and the results of different types of muscle fiber stimulation, and she also shares her thoughts on Zone 2 cardio, Pilates, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), nutrition, and more.  This discussion with Dr. Ritchey offers a wealth of information, and I look forward to welcoming her back for another conversation later this year. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Navigating the noise around fitness on social media Benefits of GLP-1s and some common misconceptions around GLP-1 use Why we need to find credible sources when looking for health advice Why it is crucial to start building muscle early to prevent future health issues Over-exercising affects your overall health Role of nutrition in body composition How social media can lead to unrealistic expectations around body image Is protein essential for muscle-building? How creatine supports muscle growth and cognitive health Some common micronutrient deficiencies, including magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 Why testing to determine specific needs for micronutrient deficiencies is important  Bio: Shannon Ritchey Dr. Shannon Ritchey is a former physical therapist, a fitness trainer with over 15 years of experience, and the founder of Evlo Fitness. She educates on the science of exercise, specifically teaching women how to build muscle with less wear and tear on their bodies. Residing in Austin, Texas, but originally from Kansas, Shannon is a wife and mom to a daughter (and pregnant with a second!). Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on X, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Shannon Ritchey On the Evlo Fitness website The Dr. Shannon Show Podcast Instagram and TikTok

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• Ep. 455 Microbiome Masterclass: Secrets to a Healthy Gut

  We have a mashup episode today, with several experts diving into the critical role of the microbiomes in our bodies. In this episode, Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe explains why fiber is essential for gut health and the challenges of cultivating anaerobic probiotics outside the body. Dr. Elisa Song discusses the impact of antibiotics on children’s gut and mental health. Dr. William Li highlights how plant-based foods nourish gut bacteria, metabolism, and mental well-being. Dr. Nathan Bryan dives into the role of the oral microbiome in nitric oxide production, and Dr. Vincent Pedre explains how glyphosate contributes to leaky gut and health issues and examines how alcohol and environmental toxins impact weight management.  Join us for today’s in-depth exploration of how our microbiomes impact digestion, health, and overall well-being. Ep. 346 Gut Health: Unveiling the Science of the Microbiome with Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe [00:02:18]- [00:25:22] Dr. Cutcliffe highlights the importance of dietary fiber for supporting gut microbes, metabolism, and overall health and explains the challenges of growing anaerobic probiotics like Akkermansia outside the body.  Ep. 360 Raising Resilient Kids: Insights from Holistic Pediatrician Dr. Elisa Song [00:12:17] - [00:24:28] Dr. Song highlights the often overlooked effects of antibiotics on gut and mental health, emphasizing the importance of educating preteens, teens, and young adults about how their daily choices impact their microbiome, brain function, and long-term health.  [31:30]- [00:43:01] Why it is essential to understand how antibiotics and birth control impact the gut microbiomes of children and the importance of nurturing their resilience and restoring balance in their microbiomes over time. Ep. 354 Metabolism Myths Debunked: Weight Gain Insights with Dr. William Li [00:01:46] - [00:24:29] Dr. William William Li clarifies how bioactive compounds in plant-based foods feed gut bacteria, benefiting metabolism and mental well-being. He also highlights the importance of a healthy diet for gut health and explains how colonoscopy prep temporarily alters the gut microbiome. Ep. 379 Understanding Nitric Oxide and Its Impact on Our Health with Dr. Nathan Bryan [00:13:46]- [00:21:51] Dr. Nathan Bryan explores the crucial role of the oral microbiome in nitric oxide production and how mouthwash or fluoride products can disrupt that process, leading to higher blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular protection. [00:35:04]- [00:37:17] How, even though antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwash can disrupt the oral microbiome, the microbial communities can recover when given proper care and nutrition. Ep. 296 Secrets of Gut Microbiome and Glyphosate with Vincent Pedre [1:56-27:39] Dr. Vincent Pedre highlights how glyphosate disrupts the gut microbiome due to its mineral-binding and antimicrobial properties, leading to imbalances, leaky gut, and numerous health issues. [48:00- 1:02:15] The role alcohol, gut bacteria, and environmental exposure play in weight management and gut health, and how certain bacteria may lead to increased caloric extraction from food. Connect with Cynthia Thurlow   Follow on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected]

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• BONUS: How To Optimize Your Bone Health with Bone Coach Kevin Ellis

  Today, I am honored to connect with Kevin Ellis, the Bone Coach. Kevin Ellis, better known as Bone Coach™, is a certified Integrative Nutrition health coach, podcaster, Youtuber, bone health advocate, and the founder of BoneCoach.com. After an osteoporosis diagnosis in his early 30s, he realized just how challenging it can be for the average person to make sense of what needs to be done to improve and how to move forward confidently with a stronger bone plan. So many women struggle with osteopenia and osteoporosis throughout their lifetimes. In this episode, Kevin and I dive into his background and interest in osteoporosis and celiac disease. We discuss bone health, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and the various contributors to bone health. We get into conventional treatments for osteoporosis, explain why they are problematic, and discuss proactive ways to address osteoporosis. We also speak about the role of the gut microbiome in bone health, a study on how blood pressure accelerates bone aging, and the impact of insulin resistance.  I hope you will enjoy listening to today’s discussion as much as I did recording it! IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Kevin’s background Osteopenia vs. osteoporosis. Do you have osteoporosis? How to find out if you are actively losing bone. Lifestyle factors negatively impacting bone health Causes of bone loss and osteoporosis in men and younger women How sugar damages bone Problems with the conventional approach to osteopenia and osteoporosis Addressing osteoporosis proactively Looking at diet and nutrition before considering supplements How melatonin promotes bone health. Chronic stress and its negative impact on bone health Connection between gut health and bone health Kevin’s top three recommendations for bone health Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on X Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website  Connect with Kevin Ellis On his website Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Kevin’s free Stronger Bones Masterclass

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