In this final episode of Wildly Optimized Wellness, I reflect on the life-changing experience of surviving SCAD and how it has reshaped my beliefs about health, wellness, and the industry I’ve worked in for over a decade. After years of immersing myself in functional medicine, I’ve realized just how much misinformation and oversimplification exist in the wellness space—some of which I, too, have unknowingly contributed to. I dive into the illusions that the wellness industry sells, the importance of critical thinking, and why I’ve decided to take a step back, take a gap year, and reevaluate what’s next for me. This is a raw, honest, and deeply personal farewell—for now.

Timestamp

00:00 - Cracks in the Illusion: The Unspoken Lies I Believed in the Wellness Industry

01:11 - How SCAD Changed Everything

02:34 - Entering Functional Medicine

05:41 - Questioning Wellness Culture

08:29 - The First Wake-Up Call: Skin Cancer

10:40 - Misinformation in the $6.3 Trillion Wellness Industry

16:02 - Breaking Free from Affiliate Marketing

19:26 - Living in the Gray Area

21:17 - The End of Something Great

Resources Mentioned:

Toréa Rodriguez’s Website

Episode 073: Surviving SCAD & What Every Woman Needs to Know



Connect with Toréa

Website: https://www.torearodriguez.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torearodriguez/

Threads:https://www.threads.net/@torearodriguez

For full show notes and resources: https://www.torearodriguez.com/wowpodcast/e074

In this episode of Wildly Optimized Wellness, I open up about my journey with SCAD—spontaneous coronary artery dissection—a life-altering, yet little-known heart condition that primarily affects women. Six months after my SCAD heart attack, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about this condition, from its surprising connection to hormone fluctuations to the gaps in research and diagnosis. I also dive into the emotional and mental health impact of surviving a SCAD event, the challenges of navigating medical care, and what we can do to raise awareness. If you’ve never heard of SCAD before, you’re not alone—but this is something every woman should know about.

Timestamp

00:00 - The SCAD Heart Attack I Never Saw Coming: What Women Need to Know

01:37 - What is SCAD?

04:28 - Who is at Risk?

06:31 - A Trip to the Mayo Clinic

09:29 - The Lack of SCAD Research

16:59 - The Hormone Controversy

26:54 - The Emotional and Mental Health Toll

34:34 - The Role of Functional Breathing

42:40 - The Future of SCAD Research

45:27 - Why SCAD Awareness Matters

Mayo Womens Cardiovascular Medicine

Mayo SCAD Information

iSCAD Registry

SCAD Alliance

Episode 062 | Cracking the Migraine Code

Episode 055 | Power of Functional Breathing

Connect with Toréa

Website: https://www.torearodriguez.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torearodriguez/

Threads:https://www.threads.net/@torearodriguez

For full show notes and resources: https://www.torearodriguez.com/wowpodcast/e073

In this episode of Wildly Optimized Wellness, Toréa Rodriguez is joined by Becca Kannapell, the co-founder of Pound Jewelry. Becca’s passion for stones, crystals, and the natural world sparks a fascinating discussion about the energetic properties of minerals and their role in healing. Together, they explore how Pound Jewelry sources its materials ethically and the significance of sacred geometry in their designs. This episode is perfect for listeners curious about the deeper connection between nature and wellness, as Becca and Toréa reveal the powerful bond between the natural world and personal transformation.

Timestamp

00:00 - Listening to Stones: A Journey with Becca Kannapell

04:24 - The Birth of Pound Jewelry

07:04 - Childhood Connection to Crystals

10:04 - Sacred Geometry in Nature

19:02 - Feeling the Energy of Different Places

26:53 - Healing with Crystals

34:48 - Reconnecting with Nature

42:30 - Upcoming Projects for Pound Jewelry

45:53 - Where to Find Pound Jewelry

For full show notes and resources: https://www.torearodriguez.com/wowpodcast/e072