In this conversation with Dr. Cassie M. Smith, we dive deep into understanding the impact doctors have with their patients. Dr. Smith also gives us a look into her own career journey, and how her empathy and expertise helps heal those who struggle with their hormone and gut health.

4 months ago 01:15:01 Watch

Hormones affect everything. Your energy, metabolism, sleep, mood, and even how your workouts feel. But most people struggling with fatigue, stubborn weight gain, or brain fog are told the same thing: “It’s just stress” or “It’s part of getting older.” In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we sit down with Shauna Theresa Butler (@shaunatheresa), health coach and functional medicine practitioner, to break down what is actually happening inside the body when hormones fall out of balance and why so many women feel like their health suddenly changes after 30 or 40. Shauna shares her personal health journey, how functional medicine helped her uncover root causes, and the strategies she now uses to help women restore energy, balance hormones, and build sustainable wellness habits that last.

4 months ago 49:03 Watch

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we’re joined by health coach and functional medicine expert Travis Wallace, who shares how shifting your mindset is the key to achieving lasting fitness results. Travis opens up about his own health journey, how overcoming challenges led him to a career in health coaching, and why your mental approach is just as important as your workout routine.

4 months ago 01:02:25 Watch

In this episode, Dr. Mani breaks down what most people get wrong about pain, mobility, and performance — and why simply “training harder” often leads to compensation, imbalance, and injury. If you’ve ever dealt with nagging knee pain, tight hips, poor squat mechanics, recurring injuries, or wondered why your body doesn’t move the way it used to, this conversation will change how you think about training.

1 month ago 57:56 Watch

In this episode, Kristy Olendorf shares what changed when the food noise finally got quiet. If you’ve ever felt like you’re thinking about food all day, battling cravings at night, or wondering why willpower never seems to last, Kristy’s story will hit home. With this authentic client story, we break down how hunger signals, cravings, hormones, blood sugar, stress, sleep, and appetite control can all affect weight loss. Because the answer usually isn’t “try harder,” despite diet culture’s lifelong commitment to making people feel broken.

1 month ago 26:24 Watch

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we sit down with Liz Roman, better known as The Poop Queen, to talk about what your gut, digestion, bloating, and bathroom habits may be telling you about your overall health. Gut health is connected to so much more than digestion. It can influence energy, metabolism, cravings, inflammation, hormone balance, mood, and how your body responds to food. Because apparently your poop has been trying to send you a full medical memo while most people just ignore it and move on with their day. Liz breaks down how to better understand your gut, why symptoms like bloating and irregular bowel movements shouldn’t be brushed off, and what people often miss when trying to “fix” digestion on their own.

2 months ago 1:15:05 Watch

Blood Flow Restriction training is getting a lot of attention, but what’s actually happening inside the body? In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Michael MacPherson PhD, 1st Optimal Advisor and BFR specialist, for a deep dive into the science behind BFR training, how it works, and why it’s becoming such a powerful tool for strength, recovery, rehabilitation, and performance. Dr. MacPherson breaks down how Blood Flow Restriction training may help create a muscle-building stimulus with lighter loads, support smarter recovery strategies, and give athletes, active adults, and high performers a new way to train without always relying on heavy weights.

2 months ago 58:25 Watch

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the critical connection between gut health and fat loss with hormone-focused health coach, Becca Chilczenkowski (@thehormonequeen). If you’ve been struggling with stubborn belly fat, low energy, and brain fog despite trying all the “right” diets and workouts — your gut health might be the missing piece.

2 months ago 1:37:13 Watch

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Washburn, the owner of Thera Performance Lab inside Robotic Rehab & Relief in Lake Orion, MI, to dive into the world of performance recovery for active adults. At Thera Performance Lab, Tim and his team focus on assessing and balancing the complete kinetic chain to release the restrictions caused by repetitive movement patterns in both sport and daily life. No more guessing about your recovery — just clear answers and a direct path back to doing what you love. Tim shares his expert insights into how understanding the body’s movement patterns can lead to faster recovery, pain relief, and improved performance.

2 months ago 43:35 Watch

In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, Coach Eli Coffey joins us to explore how to optimize every part of the body to function at its best. From strengthening your muscles to improving mental clarity, Eli dives into strategies that help make your body whole and healthy. Whether you're an athlete or just focused on overall wellness, Eli's insights will inspire you to elevate your health game.

2 months ago 1:08:17 Watch

Menopause isn’t the end of feeling like yourself. It’s the point where most women finally realize the system failed them. In this episode, we sit down with Cynthia Thurlow, author of The Menopause Gut, to unpack the real story behind her work and why she wrote this book in the first place. After a personal health crisis in 2018, Cynthia saw firsthand what so many women experience: symptoms dismissed, answers delayed, and a complete lack of real guidance during perimenopause and menopause. That moment became the turning point that shaped her mission.

3 months ago 1:13:22 Watch

As a functional health coach, we’ve seen it all—clients struggling with fatigue, hormone imbalances, and the overwhelming pressure of "wellness trends." But the truth? True health isn’t about fitting into a mold. It’s about understanding the root causes, shifting the mindset, and creating personalized, sustainable solutions that actually work. In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we are joined by the amazing Jamie Hill, a functional health coach with us at 1st Optimal. Jamie strives to help every client feel their best and optimized in their health journey.

3 months ago 1:05:34 Watch

In this special episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we’re joined by Amber Miller, COO and Co-Founder of 1st Optimal, to discuss her personal health journey and the vision behind 1st Optimal. Tune in as Joe and Amber share their insights on hormone health, longevity, and how the company blends functional medicine with personalized coaching to deliver lasting results. Whether you're looking to boost your energy, manage stress, or improve your overall well-being, this conversation is packed with valuable strategies and expert advice. Don't miss out—subscribe now to hear more from 1st Optimal's leaders!

3 months ago 1:06:43 Watch

In this episode, we’re joined by health and wellness coach, Tara LaFerrara, who is passionate about breaking the mold of societal expectations surrounding women's bodies and fitness. Tara’s mission is to help women redefine their relationship with their bodies, moving away from the pressures of social media perfection and embracing a more holistic, empowered approach to health. Tara opens up about her personal journey and how overcoming her own struggles with body image and fitness led her to create a coaching philosophy that empowers women to focus on strength, confidence, and self-love rather than chasing unrealistic ideals. With a focus on mental and physical well-being, Tara shares how she’s helping her clients break free from the constraints of diet culture and live authentically. Tune in to hear Tara’s inspiring life story, the importance of redefining fitness on your own terms, and how to shift from self-criticism to self-celebration in your wellness journey.

3 months ago 58:38 Watch

Most women are told their symptoms are “just part of aging.” Fatigue. Weight gain. Brain fog. Mood swings. Dr. Mariza Snyder is here to challenge that narrative. In this episode of the 1st Optimal Podcast, we sit down with functional medicine expert and author of The Perimenopause Revolution to break down what’s really happening with your hormones and why so many women feel dismissed, overlooked, or stuck.

4 months ago 01:07:15 Watch