Welcome back to Season 2 of the Functional Flow Wellness Podcast. In today’s episode, I talk about my approach and take on recovering from chronic illness. Nothing in this episode should be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your own licensed medical provider before making decisions.

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What if movement could be healing instead of draining?
In this episode, I sit down with Erica Ziel, a movement expert with over 20 years of experience, to talk about how gentle, fascia-focused movement can transform recovery from chronic illness, mold toxicity, Lyme disease, postpartum challenges, and more.

Erica shares her personal journey with pain and illness, and how it inspired her to create a holistic approach to movement that supports the nervous system, strengthens the body, and fosters emotional release—without overexertion or setbacks.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between “do nothing” and “push harder,” this conversation will show you there’s another way.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why intense workouts often backfire for those with chronic illness or high stress

• How to use nourishing movement to calm the nervous system and support healing

• Practical ways to start moving again without fear of crashes or flares

• How visualization and breathwork can create real, measurable strength

• Why the fascia holds emotions—and how gentle movement can unlock release

• The importance of gradual progression and avoiding the “all-or-nothing” trap

• Tools like infrared saunas, ball rolling, and short breath-focused sessions

• How to adapt strength training for hypermobility, EDS, and cranio-cervical instability

Highlights from our conversation:

• Movement as Medicine: Erica reframes exercise as healing rather than calorie burning.

• Gentle Core Work: Her Core Rehab program uses slow, breath-driven movements (10–15 minutes) that work for everyone from athletes to those with severe illness.

• Breathing for Healing: A simple stomach-lying breath practice improves oxygenation, calms the body, and eases pain.

• Emotional Release: Fascia holds onto emotions—movement can bring them to the surface for true healing.

• Sauna Support: Infrared saunas gently support detox and lymph flow without taxing the body.

• Stability Before Stretching: Especially for hypermobility and EDS, strengthening weak areas is key before deep stretching.

• Neck + Nervous System Care: Gentle postural exercises can stabilize the neck and improve blood flow to the brain, easing brain fog and POTS symptoms.

Resources + Connect with Erica

• Website: ericaziel.com

• Instagram: @ericaziel

• Programs: Core Rehab and more resources for gentle, guided movement

  
  

  Nothing in this podcast should be taken as medical advice.

Carly's Integrated Approach Carly explains her integrated approach, which began with functional diagnostic nutrition and expanded to include emotional processing and various life coaching certifications, culminating in a trauma-informed somatics certification. Her aim is to empower clients to reclaim their lives by addressing mind, body, soul, and energetic aspects, recognizing that physical symptoms often stem from underlying emotional suppression.

• Passion for Working with Young Women Carly’s greatest passion lies in working with young women, particularly those in their mid to late 20s, whom they find receptive to alternative practices. She enjoys helping these individuals expand their worldview, process inner child work, and realize the profound impact of having support.

• The Importance of Client Relationships Both Carly and Kristin emphasize the relational aspect of their work as a favorite part of their roles. They highlight the significance of holding space for clients to share openly, breaking down beliefs that prevent them from taking up space or expressing themselves fully, especially since many clients have been dismissed by traditional doctors.

• Addressing Dismissal in Healthcare Carly discusses how their clients, often with prior mental health diagnoses or CPTSD, are accustomed to being dismissed by the traditional medical system. She stressed that even if symptoms are linked to a mental health disorder, the pain is real and should be validated, advocating for a holistic understanding that recognizes the deep connection between mental and physical well-being.

• Mindset and Somatics Carly clarifies that her approach to mindset goes beyond mere manifestation and affirmations, recognizing that physical issues cannot be “mind-setted” away if they originated in the body. Carly details her use of somatics, meaning "of the body," to help clients reconnect with their bodily cues, feel safe in their bodies, and trace physical symptoms back to core wounds or past decisions, ultimately untangling limiting stories and rewriting them.

• Breaking the Symptom Loop Kristin and Carly discuss the challenge clients face when stuck in a symptom loop, particularly with chronic fatigue syndrome, where focusing on symptoms can intensify stress responses. Carly advises asking clients what the symptoms are doing for them, encouraging acceptance and recognizing that symptoms often serve a protective mechanism, such as forcing rest.

• Acceptance and Progress Beyond Symptoms Carly highlights that acceptance of one's current state is crucial for breaking free from the symptom loop, counteracting the common misconception that acceptance equates to staying stuck. She emphasizes helping clients shift their attention from narrowly defined symptom markers to broader indicators of progress, such as changes in thought patterns, daily interactions, and other health markers, especially for those with invisible illnesses.

• Carly's Personal Health Journey Carly shares her personal health journey, which began after discontinuing antidepressants and led to an addiction to functional health, culminating in an orthorexia diagnosis.

• Addressing Root Causes and Hyperfixation Kristin and Carly discuss that health issues are rarely caused by a single factor, often stemming from a combination of elements. They noted a tendency for both themselves and clients to hyperfixate on finding "the one reason" for symptoms, like mold or hormones, which can create its own loop, but ultimately, they advocate for a holistic approach rather than chasing single root causes.

• Shifting from "Why" to "What Do I Need?" Carly explains the importance of shifting from "why" questions, which can lead to unproductive rabbit holes and increased anxiety, to "what do I actually need in this moment?".

• Nothing in this podcast is ever medical advice. Always check in with your own doctor.

In this episode, I talk about my personal take on healing when it comes to chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

Based on my own experiences and my own observations in others, I think it is important to continue to have hope.

I talk about why I value having hope for healing over succumbing to the "no cure" mentality.

I share my personal journey with the push/crash cycle and how getting into remission isn't linear. No two stories are the same, and I acknowledge the nuances between different stories.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the autonomic nervous system.

You’ll learn:

• What the autonomic nervous system (ANS) actually is and why it matters

• The two main branches of the ANS: sympathetic vs. parasympathetic

• How imbalances in these systems show up as symptoms like fatigue, lightheadedness, temperature dysregulation, and more

• What “dysautonomia” really means and how it’s often misunderstood or overlooked

• The hidden stressors that keep the nervous system dysregulated.

This episode is for anyone who suspects their nervous system is stuck in survival mode and wants to begin the process of restoring balance—especially if you’ve been dealing with chronic fatigue, POTS, or unexplained symptoms.

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Want personalized support? Learn more about my 1:1 coaching and Functional Flow Foundations program at

  https://functionalflowwellness.my.canva.site/bring-flow-back-into-your-life

• Join the waitlist for my next group program:

  https://functionalflowwellness.my.canva.site/groupcoaching

✨ If this episode resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Let’s get your nervous system back into healing mode.

This is not medical advice and I am not a doctor. This content is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any health condition. Always consult with your own healthcare team.

In Part 2 of this bonus ME/CFS series, I walk you through the exact functional lab tests I use to help clients get to the root of their chronic fatigue.

If you’ve ever been told your labs are “normal” — but you still feel exhausted, wired-but-tired, or completely burned out — this episode will show you why standard tests often miss what’s really going on. I address mold and mycotoxins, gluten sensitivity, histamine, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, autoimmunity, inflammation, mitochondrial function, HPA Axis Dysfunction and diurnal cortisol patterns, hormones, leaky gut AKA increased intestinal permeability, and more

Inside this episode, I break down:

• What the Organic Acids Test (OAT) reveals about energy production, detox pathways, and gut health

• How HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) identifies stress patterns, mineral imbalances, and nervous system strain

• Why the MRT Food Sensitivity Test is different from IgG testing — and how it supports the gut-immune connection

• How the GI-MAP pinpoints hidden infections, parasites, and inflammation

• What the DUTCH test can tell you about cortisol, sex hormones, and your stress response

This episode is packed with insights for anyone ready to dig deeper into what’s really causing their chronic fatigue.

🧪 Curious about testing for yourself? Fill out an application to work together 1:1 at functionalflowwellness.com/apply.

I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. This is for educational purposes only and nothing in this podcast should be taken as medical advice.

In this two-part series, we’re diving deep into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) — a complex and often misunderstood condition that leaves millions struggling with debilitating fatigue, brain fog, PEM (post exertional malaise), dysautonomia (autonomic nervous system dysfunction) and more.

In Part 1, I walk you through:

• An overview of the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS

• The CDC's current list of potential causes and triggers

• Lack of biomarkers does not mean it's not a real diagnosis

• Why understanding underlying root causes matters in your healing journey

Whether you’ve been newly diagnosed or have spent years searching for answers, this episode will help you begin to piece together what’s really going on beneath the surface of chronic fatigue.

💡 Stay tuned for Part 2 — airing this Thursday — where I break down functional approaches to ME/CFS and the specific root causes I see in my clients that align with the current CDC research.

This is not medical advice, always consult with your own healthcare provider.

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) — what it is, why it’s often misunderstood, and how to start addressing it from a root-cause, functional medicine perspective.

If you're navigating unexplained fatigue, post-viral illness, or ongoing dysautonomia symptoms, this conversation is essential.
You'll learn how chronic fatigue syndrome is much more than just feeling tired — it’s a complex, multi-system illness that impacts energy production, the nervous system, immune function, and more.

In this episode, I’ll cover:

What is ME/CFS?

• Understanding the basics: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• How ME/CFS is more than just “being tired” — it’s a dysfunction of the body's ability to produce and sustain energy

• The diagnostic criteria typically used, including post-exertional malaise (PEM)

Why ME/CFS Is Commonly Misunderstood

• The stigma and misconceptions surrounding chronic fatigue syndrome

• Why conventional medicine often overlooks the complexity of this illness

• How validation, education, and self-advocacy become crucial parts of the healing journey

Root Causes and Contributing Factors to ME/CFS

• Nervous system dysregulation and chronic sympathetic dominance

• Mitochondrial dysfunction affecting energy production

• Chronic infections (viral, bacterial, parasitic) and their lingering effects

• Gut dysbiosis, leaky gut, and the gut-immune-brain connection

• Toxic exposures, including mold, mycotoxins, and environmental chemicals

• Hormonal imbalances (low cortisol, thyroid dysfunction, sex hormone depletion)

• Trauma history and the connection between emotional stress and physical illness

Functional Medicine Approach to Healing ME/CFS

• Why identifying root causes is essential instead of just managing symptoms

• How nervous system regulation practices can shift the foundation of recovery

• Targeted functional lab testing options (gut health, mineral status, cortisol rhythms, infections)

• The role of gentle detoxification, nutrient repletion, and mitochondrial support

• The importance of personalized protocols instead of one-size-fits-all plan

  Why Quick-Fix Approaches Don’t Work

• How pushing through symptoms often backfires

• The importance of respecting your body’s signals and working within your "energy envelope"

• Building resilience gradually through sustainable, step-by-step habits

If you're struggling with unexplained fatigue, dysautonomia, POTS, or have been told "your labs look fine" but you know something deeper is going on — you're not alone.
Healing is possible when you approach recovery by honoring your body's unique needs and uncovering the real root causes.

For a deeper dive into these topics, keep listening for future episodes.

This is not medical advice, always consult with your own healthcare provider.