Get to know Morgan! Her passion for root cause medicine, gut health, and food as medicine is so refreshing!

Morgan is a board-certified physician assistant with three years of experience in acute care and outpatient medicine. She graduated from Southern California University of Health Sciences and has since worked in the emergency department and urgent care. Over time, she has developed a deep passion for preventative and functional medicine, focusing on holistic approaches to health. Morgan’s special interests include metabolic health, autoimmune conditions, hormone health, overall wellness, and disease prevention. Outside of work, Morgan enjoys living an active lifestyle, whether that’s spending time outdoors walking her two dogs, playing volleyball and pickleball, or weight training. She’s also an avid plant enthusiast, tending to her large collection of houseplants.

Get to know Alexis! She has been such a wonderful addition to our team and has the biggest heart for people!

Alexis is a board-certified physician assistant with over 15 years of experience in patient care. She spent much of her career helping individuals navigate chronic pain and now brings that same depth of compassion and dedication to foundational medicine. Alexis is passionate about treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and believes that healing begins when patients feel seen, heard, and truly supported. Her clinical interests include hormone health, graceful aging, food as medicine, and the powerful role of movement and mindfulness in overall wellbeing. She loves working collaboratively with patients to uncover root causes and guide them toward lasting, meaningful change. Outside of the clinic, you’ll often find Alexis practicing yoga, exploring the outdoors, or enjoying nourishing meals with her family.

Summary

In this episode of the Flourishing Life podcast, hosts Jackie and Tad Tewes discuss various health topics, including thyroid health, detoxification, the role of peptides, testosterone therapy, and strategies for maintaining energy and muscle during weight loss. They share patient success stories and emphasize the importance of empowering patients in their healthcare journey. The episode concludes with a discussion on their favorite supplements and their benefits for overall health.

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Takeaways

• Thyroid health requires more than just TSH testing.
• Detoxification can lead to significant weight loss.
• Small, consistent changes can help overcome health ruts.
• Peptides can play a crucial role in health optimization.
• Testosterone therapy can be more effective with pellets than creams.
• Low energy can stem from various factors, including hormonal imbalances.
• Empowering patients to advocate for their health is essential.
• Maintaining muscle during weight loss is achievable with the right plan.
• Patient success stories highlight the impact of personalized care.
• Supplements like creatine and parasite cleanses can offer significant benefits.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Flourish in Life Podcast

02:07 Common Patient Experiences and Thyroid Health

05:31 Detoxification and Weight Loss Resistance

08:26 Overcoming Ruts in Health Habits

11:14 The Role of Peptides in Health

16:09 Testosterone Therapy: Creams vs. Pellets

20:20 Addressing Low Energy and Mood Issues

22:27 Empowering Patients in Healthcare

26:33 Maintaining Muscle During Weight Loss

29:37 Success Stories from Patients

36:13 Favorite Supplements and Their Benefits

Summary

In this episode of the Flourishing Life podcast, hosts Jackie and Tad Tewes dive deep into the world of GLP-1 medications, discussing their mechanisms, benefits, and potential side effects. They clarify misconceptions surrounding GLP-1s, particularly regarding their association with blindness and thyroid cancer, emphasizing that these concerns primarily arise from studies conducted on diabetic patients with pre-existing conditions. The conversation highlights the importance of proper dosing and monitoring, as well as the role of lifestyle changes in maximizing the effectiveness of these medications. They also share real-life patient success stories, illustrating how GLP-1s can lead to significant weight loss and improved metabolic health when used appropriately.

The hosts stress that GLP-1s are not a 'cheat code' for weight loss but rather a valuable tool for those struggling with metabolic dysfunction. They advocate for a holistic approach that combines medication with education, lifestyle changes, and ongoing support. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of finding a qualified provider to guide patients through their weight loss journey, ensuring that they achieve sustainable results while maintaining their overall health.

Takeaways

• GLP-1s are natural peptides that help regulate appetite and blood sugar.
• Blindness associated with GLP-1s is primarily seen in diabetic patients with pre-existing eye conditions.
• Proper dosing and monitoring are crucial to avoid side effects like nausea and fatigue.
• GLP-1s can significantly improve metabolic health and reduce inflammation.
• A holistic approach combining medication with lifestyle changes is essential for sustainable weight loss.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to GLP-1s

07:02 Understanding GLP-1 Mechanisms

10:24 Applications Beyond Weight Loss

14:48 Addressing Side Effects and Misconceptions

21:00 Nutritional Balance and Health Outcomes

21:56 Weight Loss and Its Effects on Hair and Muscle

23:49 Understanding GLP-1 Medications and Their Risks

26:18 Thyroid Cancer and GLP-1: Separating Fact from Fiction

30:30 Clinical Experiences with GLP-1s: Success Stories

37:54 Exploring Alternatives: The Role of CaloCurb

41:30 Real Patient Transformations and Outcomes

48:23 The Balance of Willpower and Medical Intervention

Welcome to the Flourishing Life Podcast! In this episode, host Jackie Tewes sits down with Patrice Lindh and special guest Emily Niswanger, a registered dietitian nutritionist and integrative functional nutrition practitioner. Emily shares her journey from working in conventional hospital settings to founding Anywhere Nutrition, a service focused on gluten- and dairy-free meal planning and holistic health.

The conversation covers the power of food as medicine, practical strategies for meal planning, and how to create sustainable, healthy habits. Emily also opens up about her personal health journey with endometriosis and discusses the challenges and solutions for managing autoimmune conditions through nutrition. Listeners will gain insights into label reading, navigating food marketing, and building balanced meals for the whole family.

Whether you’re looking to improve your health, manage chronic conditions, or make mealtime easier, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration for anyone seeking a more nourishing lifestyle.

Summary

In this conversation, Pastor Zeus Vital joins Jackie and Tad Tewes to explore the transformative journey of faith, emphasizing the importance of spiritual health, community, and the interconnectedness of mental and physical well-being. They discuss the challenges posed by modern technology and isolation, particularly in relation to mental health. The conversation also touches on the significance of Christmas traditions, the unique services offered by River Valley Church, and the importance of small beginnings in one's spiritual journey. Throughout, they highlight the necessity of surrounding oneself with supportive communities and practicing silence for spiritual growth.

Takeaways

• Spiritual health involves worship, adoration, and repentance.

• Isolation can lead to spiritual decline; community is essential.

• Practicing silence can enhance spiritual awareness.

• Christmas can be a challenging time for those grieving.

• River Valley Church offers a unique empty chair service for those who have lost loved ones.

• Technology can negatively impact mental health, especially in youth.

• Small beginnings in faith can lead to significant growth.

• Surrounding oneself with a supportive community is crucial for spiritual health.

In this episode, Tad and Jackie break down why processed foods make us hungrier, how sugar is stored in the body, and how tools like time-restricted eating and alternate-day fasting can improve hormones and metabolism.

1. Why Processed Foods Keep Us Eating

• Designed to be hyperpalatable, triggering dopamine and cravings.

• High calorie, low nutrient → the body doesn’t get what it needs.

• This leads to ongoing hunger even after eating large amounts of processed food.

2. How the Body Handles Sugar

• Used first for immediate energy.

• Excess is stored as glycogen.

• Remaining sugar converts into fat, leading to weight gain and metabolic dysfunction.

3. The Power of Fasting

Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) and Alternate-Day Fasting (ADF) can:

• Improve insulin sensitivity

• Reduce cravings

• Support fat loss and metabolic flexibility

4. Hormones: Insulin, Cortisol & Leptin

• High insulin and chronic cortisol disrupt leptin, the hormone that tells us we’re full.

• When leptin can’t signal properly, we feel hungry even when we’ve had enough food.

Summary

In this conversation, Jackie and Patrice discuss the critical role of strength training in weight loss, particularly for women whooften struggle with caloric intake and weight management. They highlight the misconception that eating less leads to weight loss and emphasize the importance of building muscle to improve metabolic health. The discussion also touches on macronutrients, GLP injections, and tips for staying on track over the holidays.

Takeaways

• Strength training is essential for effective weight loss.
• Muscle mass is crucial for metabolic health.
• Eating too few calories can hinder weight loss efforts.
• A reverse diet may be necessary for some individuals.
• Extreme caloric deficits can lead to muscle breakdown.
• The obesity epidemic is linked to a lack of muscle.
• Understanding macronutrients is key to successful weight management.