New Normal Big Life

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What if the life you’re building is draining the person you need to be to live it? We sit down with occupational therapist and coach Heidi Blackie to explore how relentless doing, perfectionism, and inherited “shoulds” quietly feed burnout, illness, and despair — and how belief, boundaries, and acceptance can reset the nervous system and restore joy.

Heidi shares the pivotal moment she chose to believe in her ability to heal despite no diagnosis, no roadmap, and mounting losses. From there, she built a practical, research-informed toolkit: journaling to turn inward, mindfuln...

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What if your “mild” concussion wasn’t mild at all — and what if most of your recovery sits in your daily habits? Neurologist and Navy veteran Dr. Ryan Williamson joins us to unpack why TBI outcomes vary so wildly and how to rebuild cognitive power with simple, evidence-based steps. We dig into his BRAIN protocol—Breathwork, Rest, Activity, Intake, Nurturing — and show how purpose, sleep quality, training, and community flip the switches that drive neuroplasticity and longevity.

Antoinette shares how whitewater kayaking and archery became cognitive therapy, sharpening processing speed, focus, and memory t...

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What if recovery isn’t about gripping harder, but about becoming someone new? Greg Vorst and Michael Nolan, co-founders of Embodied Recovery, join us to reframe suffering as a portal to soul growth and show how accountability and honesty can reset a life. Their message doesn’t romanticize pain; it transforms it. By shifting from abstinence-only goals to embodied practices, they reveal a path where peace, purpose, and joy are the outcome of daily choices lived in the body.

We dig into practical markers that you’re out of accountability — like chronic...

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Denied benefits don’t mean you’re not disabled — they usually mean your record isn’t saying what the system needs to hear. We sit down with disability law expert, Attorney Nancy Cavey to map a practical route through VA ratings, Social Security’s five-step test, and short- and long-term disability insurance, showing how objective medical evidence turns “I hurt” into “Here’s why I can’t work.” If you’re a veteran juggling C&P exams or a civilian facing an LTD cutoff, this conversation gives you the playbook to build a case that holds up.
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What if a few minutes of guided EFT tapping could lower your anxiety, quiet your inner critic, and help you face what really hurts without feeling overwhelmed? That’s the promise — and the science — behind Emotional Freedom Techniques, and it’s the heart of our conversation with EFT Tapping Coach and SOAR with Tapping founder, Amy Vincze.

We start by demystifying how EFT works: tapping on specific acupressure points while naming what you actually feel, which sends a powerful “de-escalate” signal to the amygdala. The research is compelling — faster cortisol drops, improvements i...

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Imagine flipping a switch in your body that tells your brain, “You’re safe.” That’s what a few minutes of intentional breath can do, and it’s the doorway we walk through with meditation guide and author Kara Goodwin. We talk about real stress, real loss, and the very human habit of living braced for the next blow — then we map the simple moves that shift you from fight-or-flight to a steadier baseline you can feel.

Kara opens up about a cascade of family crises that pushed her to seek help, first...

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What if the fastest way to feel better isn’t another pill, but a smarter way to move, align, and listen? We sat down with Dr. Alex Hilario — award-winning chiropractor, former powerlifter, and Westchester, NY care leader — to unpack three practical keys that help real people beat chronic pain and reclaim energy: chiropractic care, nervous system optimization, and avoiding the traps of long-term medications and poor posture. His take is refreshingly grounded: start with the safest, least invasive options, and build only as needed.

We dig into why the nervous system is the...

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What if the fastest way to strength is letting go of what’s living rent-free in your head? We sit down with best-selling author and forgiveness mentor Katharine Giovanni to unpack a clear path to release anger, dissolve triggers, and reclaim energy without giving anyone a pass. No platitudes, no pressure to reconcile — just a step-by-step method that works in real life, backed by neuroscience and grounded in compassion. You'll find the complete process in this episode.

Giovanni shares the “anger cup” visual that explains how resentment quietly steals focus, opportunities, and joy...

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What if the worst thing that happened to you could become your strongest edge? We sit down with Coach Rob Wheeler—a Navy veteran, former federal police officer, and founder of Battlefitted — to trace a hard path through hazing-level abuse, stacked PTSD, divorce, the loss of a parent, and a gym shuttered by lockdowns. No platitudes here. Rob shows how he rebuilt identity with three simple, demanding pillars: fitness, mindset, and disciplined systems that hold when motivation fails.

You’ll hear the origin moment on a Jacksonville payphone when going home wasn’t...

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Over one billion people worldwide battle chronic pain daily - a silent epidemic robbing them of joy and vitality. But what if this suffering isn't inevitable? What if the pain signals persisting long after tissues have healed are actually trying to teach you something?

Functional medicine practitioner Leigh Brandon transforms our understanding of pain from enemy to messenger. Drawing on 24 years of clinical experience helping patients overcome seemingly hopeless chronic pain conditions, Brandon reveals the three fundamental pillars of pain-free living: structural alignment, nutritional balance, and nervous system regulation.

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Muscle mass becomes a critical longevity marker as we age, with research showing we lose up to 40% of it between ages 42-65. This silent decline directly impacts how long and how well we'll live — yet most people have no strategy to combat it.

Timothy Ward, fitness expert with 35 years of experience training everyone from pro athletes to octogenarians, shares his revolutionary Fitness Quadrant System that transforms how we approach health at any age. This trademark methodology integrates resistance training, nutrition, cardiovascular work, and recovery into a cohesive ecosystem that produces remarkable re...

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When a car pulled out in front of Kelly Tuttle on a rural road in 2015, the resulting crash didn't just damage her vehicle — it fundamentally altered her brain and identity. The thunderous collision that day transformed this cardiology nurse practitioner into a traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor who would have to relearn how to navigate the world with new cognitive challenges.

Kelly's story is particularly powerful because she experienced the jarring role reversal from healthcare provider to patient. Despite her medical background, she initially fell into the same trap many Traumatic Br...

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Sirens pierce the night as disasters strike without mercy, while the chilling silence of power grid failure plunges communities into darkness. Would you be prepared? Since 2020, America has endured over 115 billion-dollar disasters, leaving millions displaced and countless lives lost – made worse by delayed aid and broken supply chains.

Drawing from my eleven years of military service, sometimes tasked with supporting FEMA relief efforts, I share the uncomfortable truth that shaped my approach to preparedness: government aid isn't guaranteed or immediate. 

This three-part disaster preparedness series builds on FEMA's guide for...

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Imagine living with chronic pain, crushing fatigue, and brain fog so severe it disrupts your daily life – yet doctors dismiss your symptoms as "all in your head." For 20 million Americans suffering from fibromyalgia, this frustrating reality has been their normal. Until now.

Dr. Bruce Gillis, a Harvard-trained physician with four decades of clinical experience, shatters widespread misconceptions about fibromyalgia in this revelatory conversation. Through groundbreaking research published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Gillis demonstrates that fibromyalgia isn't a catch-all diagnosis for "neurotic, hypochondriacal women" but a legitimate condition with measurable biological ma...

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The healthcare system can be a maze of hidden dangers, but what if you had an insider's guide to navigating it safely? Dr. Julie Siemers pulls back the curtain on hospital risks in this eye-opening conversation that could save your life or the life of someone you love.

Drawing from 45 years as a nurse educator and author of "Surviving Your Hospital Stay," Dr. Siemers reveals shocking statistics about medication errors, misdiagnoses, and the alarming fact that only 9% of newly graduated nurses demonstrate competency for safe practice. She shares practical tools anyone...

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Ever felt trapped in a healthcare system that sees your symptoms but misses you as a whole person? Dr. Kevin Smith pulls back the curtain on why so many individuals feel chronically sick and tired despite countless doctor visits. The answer lies in understanding the profound difference between conventional medicine, which treats symptoms with drugs, and functional medicine, which asks the critical question: why is this happening in the first place?

The statistics are alarming—chronic disease affects more Americans than ever before, and at increasingly younger ages. Through enlightening explanations of...

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What your hands reveal about your health might surprise you. Grip strength isn't merely about physical power — it's a remarkable indicator of your overall health status, longevity potential, and quality of life as you age.

This deep dive explores the fascinating connection between grip strength and metabolic health. Your muscle mass, which naturally declines with age through sarcopenia, plays a crucial role in regulating blood glucose and maintaining metabolic balance. When measured with a dynamometer, grip strength offers a snapshot of not just hand strength but your systemic health, potentially predicting yo...

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Ever wondered why you're still exhausted despite a full night's sleep? Why those muscle cramps keep returning? Or why anxiety seems to lurk around every corner? The answer might be simpler than you think.

Magnesium – a mineral powering over 300 biochemical reactions in your body – could be the missing piece in your wellness puzzle. Yet remarkably, up to 80% of us are deficient without even knowing it.

In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into what many health professionals call "the invisible deficiency." Guest Natalie Jurado - Founder - Rooted In shar...

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Your mental wellbeing faces a perfect storm of threats. Economic strain crushes family finances while access to mental health support dwindles. Social isolation — accelerated by pandemic lockdowns and digital substitutes for real connection — has created what experts now call a "loneliness epidemic." Family breakdowns and bitter political divisions complete this toxic mix that's literally killing Americans.

The statistics tell a grim story. Recent surveys reveal that between 2017 and 2019, so many young adults lost their lives to "deaths of despair" that US life expectancy decreased for the first time in a century. One...

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Imagine finding pain relief from the palm of your hand - no pills, no procedures, just enhanced blood flow delivering healing nutrients throughout your body. This groundbreaking approach to chronic pain is transforming lives through a remarkably simple technology.

Danielle Forsgren, the dynamic co-founder of AVACEN Medical, reveals how their FDA-cleared devices are reshaping pain management by enhancing microcirculation through a combination of vacuum pressure and heat therapy. The technology works by targeting arterial venous anastomosis points in the palm, essentially creating a "body hack" that maintains open blood vessels and...

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What if that righteous post you just shared is actually making you lonelier? Virtual signaling — the loud declarations of moral superiority on social media — has become more than just an annoying trend. It's potentially driving a nationwide and global loneliness epidemic with far-reaching consequences for mental health and social cohesion.

Across America, we're seeing alarming patterns: white women publicly rejecting white men as potential partners, college-educated young people of color disconnecting from their middle-class parents until "they receive reparations," and angry social media posts that divide rather than unite. Behind these perf...

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Digestive diseases have reached epidemic proportions in America, with 60-70 million people suffering from conditions like IBS, GERD, and Crohn's disease. This silent crisis extends globally, affecting over 3 billion people worldwide. Yet despite these staggering numbers, many sufferers remain silent, enduring symptoms in isolation due to stigma or dismissal by healthcare providers.

Our veterans face particularly daunting challenges. With gastrointestinal issues accounting for over 500,000 annual VA visits, many former service members continue fighting invisible battles long after returning home. Poor nutrition during deployments, exposure to environmental toxins like depleted uranium, and...

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Your grocery store is harboring a dark secret. Those familiar snacks and pantry staples - the ones with government-approved labels - might contain chemicals so dangerous they're banned across Europe and Canada. Yet here in America, they lurk in plain sight, hidden behind cryptic names and industry loopholes.

The culprit? A regulatory failure called the "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) provision that allows food manufacturers to determine ingredient safety without FDA oversight. Through this gateway, an estimated 1,000+ potentially harmful substances have quietly infiltrated our food supply. The consequences touch everything from...

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The veil has finally been lifted on what many dismissed as fringe conspiracy theory. On July 10, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin confirmed what observant citizens have suspected for years: geoengineering is actively occurring in American skies. Those distinctive crisscross patterns you've noticed trailing behind aircraft? They're not mere contrails but deliberate weather modification efforts with far-reaching consequences.

Diving into the science behind this revelation, we explore how stratospheric aerosol injection aims to cool Earth. But at what cost? The American Lung Association has documented alarming health impacts: respiratory distress, heart arrhythmia, and...

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Discover the extraordinary power of chlorella, nature's green superfood that could revolutionize your health journey. This remarkable single-celled algae packs an astonishing array of nutrients — vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, and essential fatty acids — all working together to combat everything from blood sugar spikes to inflammation.

But here's what most people miss: the secret to unlocking chlorella's full potential lies in its processing. That tough cell wall that protects chlorella in nature becomes a barrier in your digestive system unless properly broken down before consumption. Without this crucial step, you might be swal...

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Are you one vitamin away from a calmer, happier you? While pharmaceuticals remain the conventional treatment for anxiety and depression, groundbreaking research reveals that the nutrients in your daily diet might hold the key to transformative mental wellness.

The science is compelling: B-complex vitamins reduce stress and boost brain function, vitamin D lifts mood, omega-3s support cognitive health, while GABA and L-theanine mimic anti-anxiety medications without the concerning side effects. These natural alternatives address the chemical imbalances that contribute to anxiety and depression, offering hope for the estimated one-third of...

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Something remarkable is happening in American kitchens. As I pull two dozen Madeleines from my oven, I'm reminded that we're witnessing a return to fundamentals — 71% of Americans are embracing home cooking with purpose, saving an average of $91 monthly while building skills that matter.

This culinary renaissance spans all demographics. Families like Sarah's prioritize chemical-free meals for their children, while singles discover cooking as self-care, with more than half learning techniques through social media. The benefits extend beyond health and savings — cooking creates community resilience. In my own Northwoods cabin, I've experienced how...

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The timeless practices of foraging and wildcrafting are experiencing a modern renaissance. Since the early 2010s, these ancient skills have been steadily gaining popularity, but the 2020 pandemic sent interest soaring as people sought meaningful connections to nature and greater self-reliance during uncertain times.

Foraging—the gathering of wild foods—and wildcrafting—harvesting plants for medicinal or craft purposes—offer more than just practical skills. They provide a gateway to a simpler, more grounded way of living that younger generations increasingly crave. As one young influencer notes on social media, these practices reflect...

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Drowning claims over 400 lives yearly in US recreational boating accidents, with a shocking truth hiding behind these statistics: 87% of drowning victims owned personal flotation devices but weren't wearing them when tragedy struck. This sobering reality forms the foundation of our deep dive into water safety equipment that could literally save your life.

Drawing from years of experience teaching thousands of paddlers through the American Adventure Sports Club, I share the costly mistake I made as a new paddler – purchasing an advanced whitewater Personal Flotation Device - PFD when I needed something mo...

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A dark trend is silently devastating teen boys across America. Sextortion — digital blackmail using intimate images — has become a weapon in predators' arsenals, leaving thousands of young men and boys trapped between shame and fear. Behind screens and fake profiles, criminals manipulate teens into sharing personal content, then threaten to expose them unless demands for money or more images are met.

The statistics are alarming. The FBI documented over 7,000 sextortion cases targeting minors in 2022 alone, with at least 20 teens dying by suicide as a dire...