When your body is stuck in fight-or-flight mode, healing becomes nearly impossible. In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, you’ll learn how the nervous system affects everything from digestion to hormone balance, and discover why creating a healing state must be our first priority. I share my approach to untangling complex health concerns by focusing on nervous system regulation, and offer simple yet powerful tools you can start using today.

I explain how stress accumulates in the body over time, eventually manifesting as physical symptoms that serve as wake-up calls. Understanding this connection helps us create lasting resilience, not just temporary relief.

In this episode, we cover:

- 02:00 Why the nervous system comes first

- 04:00 Understanding Fight or Flight vs. Healing State

- 07:00 Case Study: Complex Health at Midlife

- 12:00 Practical tools for nervous system support

- 17:00 At-home practices for building resilience

- 21:00 Creating foundations for lasting health

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/drkellylivingston

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode:

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer: Patient stories shared in this episode are used for educational purposes only. All names have been changed and identifying details have been modified to protect patient privacy and confidentiality. These cases are meant to illustrate common health experiences and healing journeys while maintaining strict patient confidentiality.

In this episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast, I dive deep into the foundational principles of naturopathic medicine and the therapeutic order—a powerful blueprint for creating lasting wellness. I share how these guiding philosophies transformed not only my practice but also my personal approach to healing, and why they hold the key to sustainable health for everyone navigating their midlife journey and beyond.

We explore the six principles of naturopathic medicine and how they guide every aspect of the healing process. I explain the therapeutic order, our step-by-step roadmap from basic healing foundations to more intensive interventions. Most importantly, you'll learn why working with your body's natural intelligence, rather than against it, creates true and lasting wellness.

Listen now to learn:

- 04:00 The Foundation: Creating Conditions for Health

- 06:00 The Six Principles Of Naturopathic Medicine

- 13:00 Understanding the therapeutic order

- 15:00 The Healing Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

- 21:00 Practical applications and action steps

Links and resources:

Listen to Episode 1: Midlife As A Gateway to Your Health Awakening: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a148aacf-0b68-41d0-8707-45f6d314c314/

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/drkellylivingston

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode:

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer: Patient stories shared in this episode are used for educational purposes only. All names have been changed and identifying details have been modified to protect patient privacy and confidentiality. These cases are meant to illustrate common health experiences and healing journeys while maintaining strict patient confidentiality.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Vital Spirit Podcast! In this foundational episode, I dive deep into what I call the “health awakening journey” and why midlife isn't an ending—it's a powerful invitation to reclaim your vitality.

Drawing from my 20 years of experience as a naturopathic physician, I share why your body's signals—whether it's exhaustion, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed—aren't just symptoms to manage, but rather a wake-up call to deeper healing. Through patient stories and practical examples, I explain how understanding your nervous system becomes the gateway to lasting wellness.

In this episode, I introduce the concept of getting into a "healing state" through nervous system regulation, share real patient experiences that might mirror your own journey, and offer practical tools you can start using today—from breathwork practices to the healing power of nature connection. You'll discover how small, intentional steps can create profound changes in your health journey.

Listen now to learn:

- 01:12 Why midlife is your wake-up call

- 01:27 When "normal" labs don't tell the full story

- 05:39 Understanding your nervous system's role in healing

- 10:23 Practical tools you can use today to start healing

- 13:24 Guided practice: Box breath exercise

- 14:18 The power of grounding

- 17:02 Your next steps in health awakening

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/drkellylivingston

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode:

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Disclaimer: Patient stories shared in this episode are used for educational purposes only. All names have been changed and identifying details have been modified to protect patient privacy and confidentiality. These cases are meant to illustrate common health experiences and healing journeys while maintaining strict patient confidentiality.

Welcome to The Vital Spirit Podcast, where holistic health meets true human potential. Hosted by Dr. Kelly Livingston, Naturopathic Physician and expert in mind-body-spirit medicine, this podcast is your guide to reconnecting with your health, your purpose, and ultimately yourself.

Midlife transitions don’t have to mean surrendering your vitality. Whether you’ve been told your labs are “fine” when you don’t feel fine or handed a pill without being truly listened to, this podcast is here to offer a different path - to help you navigate the complexities of life with clarity and resilience.

From gut-brain health to hormones, we’ll explore how most physical and emotional challenges are rooted in a maladaptive stress response. Each episode combines practical tools, ancient wisdom, and cutting-edge science to help you awaken your body’s natural healing potential and fully integrate, body, mind, and spirit.

This isn’t just another health podcast - it’s your guide to creating lasting wellness and reclaiming your energy, balance, and vitality. Are you ready to live life fully human and deeply healed? Let’s begin this journey together.

Listen now to learn:

- How your nervous system is the key to healing and renewal

- Practical strategies to shift from “fight or flight” into balance

- Ways to reconnect with yourself and thrive through midlife transitions

Join Dr. Kelly for empowering conversations that will leave you feeling inspired to reclaim your health and embrace your authentic self.

Connect with Dr. Kelly:

Website: drkellylivingston.com

Website Clinic: rootsdeepmedicine.com

Instagram: instagram.com/drkellylivingston

Facebook: facebook.com/rootsdeepnaturopathicmedicine

YouTube: youtube.com/@DrKellyLivingston

Thank you so much for joining The Vital Spirit Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode:

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps us reach more women who are ready to awaken their healing potential.

Remember, healing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Every step brings you closer to the vibrant health you were born to experience. Let’s walk this path together.

If you’re ready to dive deeper or work with me one-on-one, visit www.drkellylivingston.com for more resources and ways to connect.

Until next time, keep nourishing your body, nurturing your mind, and embracing your spirit.

I am so glad that you’re here.