EP 43. In this episode I sit down with Dr. Courtney Chichilitti, a pharmacist turned functional medicine practitioner, to dive deep into gut health, cortisol management, and how to truly get to the root of your health issues. After over 20 years in the pharmacy world, Dr. Courtney made a massive career shift and retired from traditional medicine to focus on what really matters—helping people heal from the inside out.

We chat about the overwhelming stress, inflammation, and nervous system burnout that so many of us face, and how she discovered a better way to support her health. She opens up about her personal journey of being on birth control from a young age, dealing with endometriosis, and spending 16 years on antidepressants. Dr. Courtney shares the pivotal moment that led her to take control of her own health through holistic practices, focusing on the gut-brain connection, and getting off meds.

We also dive into the scary truth about the supplement industry and how most people don’t realize they’re taking low-quality products that don’t work. Dr. Courtney’s mission is to help people understand the power of probiotics, quality supplements, and real stress management that can actually help you heal.

Plus, we talk about the importance of becoming your own health advocate, listening to your body, and knowing when Western medicine isn’t the only answer. Dr. Courtney gets real about what it’s like to run through life with your hair on fire, and how she’s found her calm, happy place by prioritizing gut health, stress resilience, and truly nourishing her body.

If you’re ready to break free from prescriptions, constant exhaustion, and feeling like you’re not in control of your health, this episode is a must-listen!

As mentioned in this episode:

⇢ Calm Your Cortisol with Probiotics: Happy Juice

⇢ Book a call with Dr. Kourtney Chichilitti

Key Takeaways:

- How gut health impacts everything from mood to inflammation

- The power of probiotics and the gut-brain connection

- Why Dr. Courtney left traditional pharmacy to pursue functional medicine

- The dangers of low-quality supplements and how to find the right ones

- Real talk on birth control, antidepressants, and their long-term effects

- How stress and cortisol wreck your nervous system—and how to fix it

- Actionable steps to start healing from the inside out and build true stress resilience

—

Connect with Dr. Kourtney Chichilitti:

⇢ Linked In: Dr KourtneyChichilitti

⇢ Instagram:

_____

Connect with Dana:

⇢ Keep Your Cortisol in Check with: Happy Juice

⇢ Instagram: @msdanalewis

⇢ YouTube: @msdanalewis

⇢ LinkedIn: @msdanalewis

⇢ Be an INSIDER: Get on my e-mail List!

⇢ Website: danalewis.com

⇢ Find other episodes: Podcast Directory

_____
Copyright of Dana Lewis 2024.

EP42. You’ve heard it said: you are the average of the five people you surround yourself with. But what if the biggest factor in determining your success was about the stories you tell yourself most often?

Is your mental narrative holding you back from being the person you desire to be?

In this episode, podcastor and author, Elizabeth Benton, shares her journey of struggling with weight and body image and how she overcame it by addressing the underlying stories and beliefs she had about herself. She shares the pivotal moment for change when she learned to confront the deep-rooted stories and beliefs that were shaping her reality.

The stories you tell yourself can either push you forward or keep you stuck, and recognizing them is the first step toward true transformation. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance speed with lasting success, this episode is for you!

As mentioned in this episode:

⇢ Register for Elizabeth's course: Upgrade

⇢ Download The FREE Healthy Habits Journal: HERE


In This Episode We Cover:

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 05:55 Recognizing and Addressing Stories and Beliefs
• 09:10 The Power of Slowing Down
• 11:58 Understanding Individual Barriers
• 14:09 Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage
• 15:00 Understanding the Frontal Lobe and Autopilot Behavior
• 17:55 The Importance of Slowing Down for Better Decision Making
• 20:50 Speed vs. Sustainability in Achieving Goals
• 24:09 Identifying Willingness vs. Desire for Change
• 26:50 Introducing the Upgrade Course for Lasting Change
• 30:05 Overcoming Personal Struggles and Building Resilience

Connect with Elizabeth Benton:

⇢ Instagram: @ElizabethBenton
⇢ Website: Primal Potential

_____

Connect with Dana:

⇢ Keep Your Cortisol in Check with: Happy Juice

⇢ Instagram: @msdanalewis

⇢ YouTube: @msdanalewis

⇢ Linked In: @msdanalewis

⇢ Be an INSIDER: Get on my e-mail List!

⇢ Website: danalewis.com

⇢ Find other episodes: Podcast Directory

_____
Production House: Flint Stone Media
Copyright of Dana Lewis 2024.

EP41. Losing a parent at a young age changes you. Ryan Bowles was in college when he got the call his dad had been in an accident. His life is forever marked before and after by that moment. My conversation with Ryan is so dear to my heart because I saw so much of my own grief story in the dynamics he shared. After his father’s death, Ryan took on the role of being a support system to his mother and brother. How the newly appointed eldest man in the home led his family through grief without losing faith is inspiring and enlightening. You will walk away from this episode with tools and strategies to not only better handle grief yourself but also to show up better for those around you who are suffering. If you need a little nudge letting go of expectations and embracing healing and hope so you can move forward, give this conversation a listen.

As mentioned in this episode:

⇢ Join the Facebook: Good Grief Community

⇢ Good Grief Free Support Guide


In This Episode We Cover:

• 00:00 Ryan’s story of loss
• 06:44 Supporting Loved Ones Through Grief
• 13:19 Coping Mechanisms and Comforting Rituals
• 17:37 Finding Purpose in Loss
• 20:47 Faith and Spirituality in Grief
• 25:46 Seeking Professional Help
• 28:14 Continuing the Connection
• 29:01 Grief and Loss: Personal Experiences
• 30:18 Finding Connection in Shared Loss
• 31:16 The Power of Empathy and Compassion
• 36:16 Blending Families and Finding Blessings
• 39:39 Teaching Resilience and Compassion to Children
• 43:48 Parenting with a Laid-Back Approach
• 48:28 Honoring Loved Ones through Shared Experiences
• 53:06 Building a Supportive Community for Grief

Connect with Ryan Bowles:

⇢ Instagram: @goodgriefhq

⇢ Follow the Good Grief Podcast

_____

Connect with Dana:

⇢ Keep Your Cortisol in Check with: Happy Juice

⇢ Instagram: @msdanalewis

⇢ YouTube: @msdanalewis

⇢ Linked In: @msdanalewis

⇢ Be an INSIDER: Get on my e-mail List!

⇢ Website: danalewis.com

⇢ Find other episodes: Podcast Directory

_____
Production House: Flint Stone Media
Copyright of Dana Lewis 2024.