Optimal Metabolism

If you’ve ever wondered why you feel great one minute—and crash the next—or why your weight won’t budge despite healthy eating, it might be time to try a CGM.

In this solo episode, Shana Hussin, RDN, breaks down what a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is, why it’s one of the most powerful tools in metabolic healing, and how to use it effectively. Whether you’re managing insulin resistance, adrenal fatigue, or just curious about your patterns—this is the clarity you need.

You’ll learn:

How CGMs work and why real-tim...

In this raw and deeply personal episode of Optimal Metabolism, I’m opening up about something far beyond food, fasting, or hormones: my spiritual transformation.

Over the past several years, I’ve experienced tremendous success—and tremendous loss. What started as a nutrition therapy business rooted in service began to feel more like striving. I found myself chasing downloads, metrics, and content calendars… and losing sight of who I was really called to be.

✨ In this episode, I share:

Why I stepped away from social media and podcasting for a season

How I real...

Join Shana Hussin, RDN for an in-depth conversation with board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Cassie Smith of Modern Endocrine. We dive into:

How gut health drives hormone balance, metabolic function, and cortisol regulation

Practical strategies for reducing stress, improving circadian rhythm, and restoring foundations of health

The lowdown on microdosing GLP‑1 medications—safe, effective, and who may benefit

Testing guidance: what labs to run for insulin resistance, cortisol, gut markers, thyroid, and circadian balance

Dr. Smith brings a unique blend of conventional endocrinology and functional medicine to help listeners understand testing, defi...

Episode Summary:
Most women think their high morning blood sugar is from what they ate the night before—or not fasting long enough. But after tracking her own numbers with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), I discovered that the real culprits were much deeper.

In this solo episode, I share how I brought her fasting blood sugar back to normal (hello 70s and 80s!), and what truly made the difference. This episode is for any woman who’s tried “everything” and still feels stuck with stubborn glucose spikes.

Links Mentioned:

🎧 Listen to the Podcast...

Episode Summary:
If you’re navigating midlife, battling stress, and struggling with sleep, this episode is for you. Shana welcomes Elizabeth Grosjean, founder of Baloo Living, to explore how cooling weighted blankets can naturally support nervous system regulation and sleep quality—without medications or synthetic materials.

Learn how deep pressure stimulation improves HRV, calms cortisol, and why the right kind of blanket can make all the difference—especially for hot sleepers and hormonally sensitive women.

Elizabeth also shares what makes her blankets different (hello, breathable cotton and glass microbeads!) and how to choose the right...

Episode Summary:
Are you sleeping enough but still exhausted, anxious, or gaining weight? The issue might not be how long you’re sleeping—but when. In this episode, Shana explains why the circadian timing of your sleep is critical for hormone balance, metabolism, and adrenal health.

Discover how getting to bed by 10 PM supports the natural flow of cortisol, melatonin, insulin, and leptin, and why late-night sleep (even if it’s 8 hours) can disrupt your hormonal repair cycles.

Links & Resources:

Cortisol Calm Course – Reset your circadian hormones naturally:
shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/cortisol...

Episode Summary:
Are carbs really the enemy? Not when they’re eaten in sync with seasons, hormones, and metabolic rhythms. In this episode, Shana breaks down why many women feel worse—not better—after long-term low-carb or keto, and how reintroducing seasonal, local carbohydrates can actually improve insulin sensitivity, hormone balance, and energy.

You'll learn how to shift from fear and restriction to trust and flexibility—rooted in both biology and God's design.

Links & Resources:

Join Low Insulin Academy (On SALE the first week of June!):
shanahussinwellness.com/programs-courses/low-insulin-academy-on-demand

Free...

Episode Summary:
In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Peter Martone reveals how the structure of your cervical spine could be the hidden culprit behind your blood sugar instability, adrenal fatigue, and infertility. We explore how modern posture—from phone use to poor sleep position—disrupts the central nervous system and hormonal balance. Dr. Martone also shares how his Neck Nest sleep pillow is helping people improve HRV, sleep quality, and overall nervous system health—without supplements or complex protocols.

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve been doing “everything right” and still feel stuck, tired, or inflamed.

📝 Episode Summary:
Exhausted. Wired. Bloated. Belly fat. Stuck in survival mode.

If you're nodding along, this episode is your invitation to pause, breathe, and believe that healing is not only possible—it's how your body was designed.

In this deeply personal episode I share my own burnout story and walk you through the rhythms and rituals that brought me back to energy, clarity, and peace. You’ll learn how to rebuild your cortisol curve naturally—without pills, caffeine, or extreme protocols.

Plus, I introduce the Cortisol Calm course, now open with a special M...

📝 Episode Summary:
Are your adrenals "tired" or “shot”—or is your body just out of rhythm?

In this episode I explain the critical differences between adrenal fatigue and circadian dysfunction, and why so many women are misled by quick-fix solutions that don’t address the root cause. If you’re waking at 3 AM, crashing by 2 PM, or feeling wired and tired all day… this is for you!

You’ll learn how light, timing, and God’s natural rhythm are the missing pieces in true hormone healing—and why Cortisol Calm is designed to help you reset naturally.<...

📝 Episode Summary:
3 AM wake-ups are an annoying and exhausting part ot your night.. OR you’re sleeping 7–8 hours but still dragging through your day. Sound familiar?

In this episode, I unpack the real reasons behind 3 AM wake-ups, and why you feel fatigued, even when your sleep seems “good on paper.” From cortisol misfires to nighttime light exposure, I break down how your circadian rhythm and hormone patterns affect your energy, mood, and metabolism.

This is essential listening for any woman who’s doing all the “right” things… but still feels off.

🔗 Helpful Links:

🌿 Corti...

🎙️Episode Summary:
Feeling off after a long winter? In this solo episode, I share how to reset your circadian rhythm naturally using light, meal timing, and simple daily shifts. You'll learn how to build a “solar callous” to prepare your body for sunnier days, and how to leverage springtime habits to balance cortisol, melatonin, and metabolism—without supplements or strict diets.

This is the perfect episode to shake off the sluggishness and start feeling energized, clear-headed, and hormonally aligned.

🔗 Helpful Links:

🌿 Cortisol Calm Course – Mother's Day Special

🕶️ Free Circadian Reset Guide

🏡 Homepa...

In case you missed it, Living Beyond Medicine held a live webinar with nutrition expert and health practitioner Shana Hussin, RDN on the impact of metabolic health for longevity and powerful aging.   In this riveting session, we explored the realities behind the current metabolic health crisis as well as: Common things you may be experiencing in your daily life that are actually caused by poor metabolic health. How metabolic health impacts other areas of the body. How metabolic health impacts pre-menopausal and menopausal women. How to reverse the effects of metabolic disease including fatty liver, PCOS and pre-diabetes (yes, metabolic dise...

Scott Chaverri is the founder of Mito Red Light and is invested in educating people about the endless benefits of red light therapy. Red light has been a hot trend in the health and wellness space for a while now, so what exactly is the hype all about? In this episode we break down exactly how red light works, the red light devices that are actually worth investing in, and the best source of infrared and red light- the sun! Tune in! 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

[3:52]- Super exciting changes coming to my business… which have led...

Lindsey Parsons is a gut health coach with a specialty in getting to the root cause of gut imbalances and reversing autoimmune disease naturally. After taking repeated antibiotics for food poisoning, Lindsey’s pre-existing digestive issues only became worse and she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. Present day, having healed her own health issues holistically, she now helps those struggling with unexplained weight gain and medical problems coined “untreatable” by way of traditional medicine. I was delighted to talk with her about the interesting connection between the gut and metabolic health! 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[7:29]- How foun...

Julie Ruelle is a registered dietitian and works alongside the GoCoCo team where she helps empower consumers to make informed decisions about their food by reducing reliance on ultra-processed products. The GoCoCo app was created to empower individuals to make healthier food choices by helping them avoid ultra-processed foods and their hidden health risks. This episode covered the basics of what ultra-processed foods are, how big food is driven by wealth (not consumers health), and exactly what the chemicals in the food system are! 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

[6:32]- What led Julie to investigate the big f...

Mario Brainovic is the creator of the Analemma Wand, a tool that transforms regular water into its super-charged, full-spectrum coherent state. Mario came across the profound influence of water quality on human health and made it his life’s work to uncover and share knowledge surrounding structured and mother water. What on earth is structured water? How is this different from reverse osmosis or filtered water? Does water have memory? Let's talk about that in this episode! 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[6:25]- How did Mario get interested in coherent water? 

[12:47]- Are structured water and E...

Oops! The last few minutes of my episode with Mollie got cut off! Here is the remaining portion of the episode, including how Mollie healed her gallbladder and what habits she is implementing now to maintain a healthy metabolism lifelong through sustainable habits. 

Mollie Starkey is one of my students who completed Low Insulin Academy, my program designed to equip students with lifestyle tools to reverse insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation. Since Mollie is passionate about following an integrative approach to health, she began addressing her health issues through caloric restriction and increased activity. Eventually, Mollie found my Instagram and programs and began following the strategies I teach. She quickly experienced weight loss success along with a host of other health improvements! 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[9:44]- How Low Insulin Academy affected Mollie’s health and life. 

[2...

Greg the Hydrogen Man recovered from many health issues with help from this hydrogen machine.  He is a leading figure in the research field of molecular hydrogen. After struggling with depression, being told he would need open heart surgery, and a whole slew of additional sudden health diagnoses, Greg decided to take his health into his own hands. He learned about the healing capabilities of hydrogen water and has invested in learning more about molecular hydrogen ever since. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[8:58]- Why is Greg so passionate about hydrogen water? 

[14:24]- How did hydr...

Dr. Matt Dawson is the CEO and co-founder of Wild Health- a refined medical service providing personalized, genetics-based care. Dr. Dawson’s curiosity surrounding the role of genetics first peaked when he watched a friend adopt a personalized treatment plan for chronic disease and heal much more effectively than he had when following a generalized treatment protocol. It was fun to review parts of my genetic test results with Dr. Dawson in this episode along with discussing the insight genetic testing offers into one’s understanding of their unique physiology. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[8:28]- What led Dr...

Jimi Sturgeon-Smith shared her powerful story of overcoming breast cancer at age 40 using a blend of conventional and holistic treatment therapies. In this episode she recalls her walk with breast cancer and how present day she lives differently in remission. Jimi also shares how despite her genetic predisposition to cancer and her mother having chosen a conventional treatment plan, Jimi was confident in the healing power of ancient medicine and God. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

[7:38]- The strategies I teach that Jimi implements in her own life. 

[13:20]- Jimi’s journey of losing her moth...

Wow, am I glad to close the door on 2024! It was easily the most challenging year of my life mentally and emotionally speaking, but also the year I invested most in my personal relationship with God and saw it thrive like never before. In this episode I share the four biggest lessons I learned in 2024 and what you can expect from me in 2025! Thank you for being along for the journey, I pray you find your best health this New Year. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[7:22]- Life changes I experienced in 2024 including the loss of my pa...

Amanda Kuda is an alcohol-free lifestyle expert. After realizing that the best version of herself did not include drinking, she closed the door on alcohol in 2017. Amanda went from being a casual drinker to elevating her life through living alcohol free. Present day, she offers a contemporary perspective on personal growth, self-actualization, and spiritual enlightenment, all through the lens of voluntary sobriety.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[6:18]- How going alcohol free for 30 days translated into 8 years of sobriety for Amanda. 

[12:58]- How have Amanda’s friendships been impacted by living alcohol free? 

[26:08]- Wha...

Nicki Williams is a nutritional therapist and hormone expert who embarked on a personal healing journey after struggling with exhaustion, weight gain, and hormone imbalances in her early forties. She is the founder of Happy Hormones for Life and is the host of the Happy Hormones Podcast that features quick episodes with hormone hacks. Present day, Nicki guides women worldwide to heal confusing hormonal symptoms and live their happiest and healthiest lives. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[4:56]- How a false diagnosis of depression led Nicki to discover the symptoms she was experiencing were actually a result of...

Miriam Jacobsen is a functional medicine dietitian with 15+ years of experience helping people improve their physical and mental well-being through food, mindset, lifestyle, and breathwork so they can feel more alive in their bodies. Miriam’s holistic healing approach challenges current medical narratives by examining physiological, biochemical, social, and emotional factors to resolve underlying symptoms of poor digestion, fatigue, and mood imbalances. It was enlightening to have a conversation with Miriam about trauma healing, holistic approaches to treating cancer, and the power of breathwork. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[9:17]- How Miriam healed from tragic life events incl...

Lori Balue gained a certificate as a functional nutrition practitioner after healing herself from metabolic dysfunction and PCOS. To promote weight loss and nervous system regulation, Lori implemented daily movement, grounding, and sunlight exposure as often as she could. For her 60th birthday, and to celebrate a 100 pound weight loss journey, Lori walked the Grand Canyon from one side to the other. If you want encouragement about losing weight in your 50’s/60’s, Lori’s story is just that! 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[6:31]- How did genetic predisposition to obesity motivate Lori to heal childhood metabolic dysfunct...

This bonus episode is a replay of a conversation I had with Lauren Sanchez from the Total Mastery Wellness Show! The show was a free event that took place in October with over 30+ wellness experts sharing their various areas of expertise. In my segment of the event I shared lifestyle tools for maintaining healthy cortisol and melatonin levels, healing insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction, and living a lifestyle that supports healthy metabolism. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

[1:16]- Sharing life updates, including the passing of my father. 

[8:54]- What is the importance of regulating your bl...

Dr. Martin Moore-Ede has been a leading expert on circadian clocks and the health problems including sleep disorders, fatigue, diabetes and cancer caused by light at night. He is the author of The Light Doctor and discovered the human circadian clock as a professor at Harvard University. Dr. Moore-Ede currently teaches about blue light toxicity as a carcinogen contributing to the current cancer epidemic. He also shares why it is important that you use healthy circadian lighting environments and protect your circadian clock to optimize your health!

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[6:21]- What led Dr. Moore-Ede to...

Dr. Liz Lyster is an OB/GYN medical doctor, best-selling author and speaker, and an expert in perimenopause and menopause. She has a private practice in California where she provides resources for women in midlife to successfully lose weight, have more energy, and increase their motivation and drive. In this episode Dr. Lyster shares information about female hormone fluctuations, symptoms of perimenopause and menopause and how to combat them, and her thoughts on hormone replacement therapy. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: [5:44]- How did experiencing menopause at age 43 provoke Dr. Lyster’s interest in women's hormone health? 

[8:15]- Wh...

Dr. Nayan Patel is the author of the The Glutathione Revolution. His expertise lies in identifying and addressing the widespread deficiency of glutathione, a crucial antioxidant that plays a significant role in maintaining overall health. Dr. Patel believes that by understanding and increasing glutathione levels, we can prevent a range of chronic diseases and slow down the aging process. We had a wonderful conversation about what glutathione is, how artificial chemicals affect our bodies natural synthesis of glutathione, and what we can do to support the body's production of glutathione especially as we age. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

Dr. Sara Pugh is a quantum biologist, circadian ketogenic coach, and earned her PhD in biochemistry and biophysics. Dr. Pugh specializes in all things quantum biology: heat, time, light, magnetism, water, and cold. She says that when these practices are leveraged together, our mitochondria can function optimally. In this episode we discuss the changing of the seasons which result in darkness, cold, food scarcity, and more. Dr. Pugh applies these changes to a new way of living, along with addressing the opportunity for weight loss in the winter, if a ketogenic approach is fitting for wintertime, and whether or...

Stephen Davis is an expert on frequency medicine. In the search for a cure for his daughter's Lyme disease, Stephen pursued a deep dive into frequency medicine. That led him to develop the NIKKI, a bioenergetic wearable that delivers light emitting frequencies designed to promote cellular function, immunity, and healing. This “wellness center on your wrist” helps people overcome health struggles like poor sleep, pain, allergies, stress, and even Lyme disease. In this episode we discuss frequency medicine and how Stephen harvests plant energy to create the healing frequencies captured in the NIKKI device. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

Meredith Mann, also known as The Peachie Spoon, is the author of two cookbooks and recently created her own line of protein powder. Meredith focuses on eating protein focused meals that are quick and easy to make. She is well known for her Instagram account, @thepeachiespoon, where she shares her famous nourishing and filling go-to meals. In today's episode our conversation was focused around getting enough high quality protein, natural fats, and complex carbohydrates through fiber-rich, whole foods. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:

[7:59]- How did Meredith’s experience with hypoglycemia fuel her passion for protein-centric eating? 

Jon Hegarty, co-founder of North Star Grounding, is on the podcast this week sharing his knowledge surrounding grounding and its ability to decrease inflammation in the body. After helping his brother recover from bone cancer through a holistic approach, which included frequent grounding and grounding technology, Jon invested his professional career into offering grounding instruments to people worldwide. In this episode we discuss how to ground, what the right amount may be, and the benefits of it. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[5:37]- How his brothers fight against bone cancer led Jon to become passionate about grounding. 

Dr. William is the CMO of L-Nutra and continues to advance the science and research on the Fasting Mimicking Diet.

The ProLon Fasting Mimicking Diet is the first and only meal program that has undergone clinical trials at the University of Southern California and been patented for its healthy-aging effects.

This 5-Day meal program provides scientifically researched nutrients in precise quantities and combinations that nourish you, but are not recognized as food by your body, therefore mimicking a fasting state! Trigger autophagy, enhance clarity, and renew cells.

FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM DR. HSU:

Daniel White is the founder of Sleep Better Live Better, a company dedicated to creating innovative sleep solutions for ultimate human potential that results from being well-rested. The CRD (Circadian Rhythm Disruption) Challenge, also launched by Daniel, is a free, 21-day educational experience that will offer learners the opportunity to end this endemic of circadian disruption and realign with nature's natural patterns. In this week's episode we discussed the different wavelengths of the sun and their benefits, how to protect children from screen addictions, and how to maximize a healthy indoor lighting environment. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

Martha Tettenborn, RD shares her inspiring story of surviving and thriving through cancer and chemo treatments!   It is no secret that cancer thrives on sugar. Cancer cells need it, unable to grow without a steady supply of glucose. But when you’re diagnosed, nutrition recommendations often result in increased blood sugars, the essential food that cancer cells need to thrive.  

In her book Hacking Chemo, Registered Dietitian and cancer survivor @marthatettenborn offers a new way of treating cancer with minimal side effects and maximum effectiveness.   As Martha says, change how you fuel your body, add in a "take...

Happy 200th episode of Optimal Metabolism! My life has truly been so enriched by the guests and topics I have been able to engage with and learn about for the success of this podcast. To celebrate 200 episodes, it seemed fitting for a Q&A episode covering topics about my personal life and sharing the behind the scenes of the podcast. Enjoy this fun listen while learning more about me and what it has taken to keep this podcast alive! 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED:
[10:32]- If I could interview anyone for the podcast, who would it be?

Twin sisters Merav and Michal Mor are both Ironman winners and business founders of the Lumen Metabolism Tracker. It is a small handheld device that measures the CO2 concentration in one's breath to understand if you’re burning carbs or fats for energy in real-time. This technology has been used to transform lives through enhancing physical performance, reversing chronic pain and fatigue, and aiding in weight loss. In this episode Merav and Michal shared their advice for promoting physical fitness and recovery to promote metabolic health. 

WHAT WE DISCUSSED: 

[6:01]- How wanting to take their athl...