Ep306: Breaking the Gut–Brain Stress Cycle with Meagan Zarba, MA, FDN-P episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 30, 2025 · 46 MIN

Ep306: Breaking the Gut–Brain Stress Cycle with Meagan Zarba, MA, FDN-P

from Fit + Fueled Life Podcast

Tina welcomes Meagan Zarba, FDN-P, the newest practitioner on the Carrots ‘N’ Cake team. Meagan opens up about her personal health journey, which began in high school with persistent gut issues that led to multiple diagnoses, including PCOS and depression. She shares how functional and integrative approaches helped her finally heal and transform her life. In this episode, you’ll hear how stress, gut health, and hormones often form a hidden vicious cycle and what you can actually do about it. From surprising symptoms of chronic stress to the overlooked role of the vagus nerve, Meagan explains how tiny daily actions and mindset shifts can create lasting changes in your body and overall well-being. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Signs it’s time to look beyond “normal” bloodwork - Why your doctor’s “wait and see” approach could be keeping you stuck (and sick) - Surprising symptoms of chronic stress most women overlook - How gut health, stress, and hormones form a hidden vicious cycle - The tiny daily actions that can rewire your nervous system and improve your health - What the vagus nerve really does and why you should care - First steps to break the stress–gut loop for good - How your thoughts and mindset may be silently fueling digestive chaos" Enrollment is open for Fit + Fueled! https://carrots-n-cake.mykajabi.com/fit+fueled Connect with Tina Haupert: https://carrotsncake.com/ Facebook: Carrots 'N' Cake https://www.facebook.com/carrotsncake Instagram: @carrotsncake https://www.instagram.com/carrotsncake YouTube: Tina Haupert https://www.youtube.com/user/carrotsncake About Tina Haupert: Tina Haupert is the owner of Carrots ‘N’ Cake as well as a Certified Nutrition Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P). Tina and her team use functional testing and a personalized approach to nutrition to help women find balance within their diets while achieving their body composition goals. Connect with Meagan Zarba, MA, IHP, FDNP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganzarba/ Meagan Zarba is a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDNP) and Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP2) with a Master’s Degree in Health and Wellness Coaching and Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and Psychology. She works with clients who are ready to explore the underlying imbalances that are contributing to their chronic digestive, mood, energy and hormonal health symptoms. In a personalized 1:1 virtual program, available in 4 or 7-month options, they embark on a comprehensive journey to transform your health. Together, they address your unique health concerns, history, goals, and limiting beliefs, supported by functional medicine lab screenings. They focus on every aspect of your well-being, from mindset, emotions, and stress management to nutrition, exercise, supplementation, and lifestyle adjustments. Their approach is rooted in scientifically proven methods, ensuring you build a solid foundation for lasting health and wellness, naturally.

Tina welcomes Meagan Zarba, FDN-P, the newest practitioner on the Carrots ‘N’ Cake team. Meagan opens up about her personal health journey, which began in high school with persistent gut issues that led to multiple diagnoses, including PCOS and depression. She shares how functional and integrative approaches helped her finally heal and transform her life. In this episode, you’ll hear how stress, gut health, and hormones often form a hidden vicious cycle and what you can actually do about it. From surprising symptoms of chronic stress to the overlooked role of the vagus nerve, Meagan explains how tiny daily actions and mindset shifts can create lasting changes in your body and overall well-being. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Signs it’s time to look beyond “normal” bloodwork - Why your doctor’s “wait and see” approach could be keeping you stuck (and sick) - Surprising symptoms of chronic stress most women overlook - How gut health, stress, and hormones form a hidden vicious cycle - The tiny daily actions that can rewire your nervous system and improve your health - What the vagus nerve really does and why you should care - First steps to break the stress–gut loop for good - How your thoughts and mindset may be silently fueling digestive chaos" Enrollment is open for Fit + Fueled! https://carrots-n-cake.mykajabi.com/fit+fueled Connect with Tina Haupert: https://carrotsncake.com/ Facebook: Carrots 'N' Cake https://www.facebook.com/carrotsncake Instagram: @carrotsncake https://www.instagram.com/carrotsncake YouTube: Tina Haupert https://www.youtube.com/user/carrotsncake About Tina Haupert: Tina Haupert is the owner of Carrots ‘N’ Cake as well as a Certified Nutrition Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P). Tina and her team use functional testing and a personalized approach to nutrition to help women find balance within their diets while achieving their body composition goals. Connect with Meagan Zarba, MA, IHP, FDNP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganzarba/ Meagan Zarba is a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDNP) and Integrative Health Practitioner (IHP2) with a Master’s Degree in Health and Wellness Coaching and Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and Psychology. She works with clients who are ready to explore the underlying imbalances that are contributing to their chronic digestive, mood, energy and hormonal health symptoms. In a personalized 1:1 virtual program, available in 4 or 7-month options, they embark on a comprehensive journey to transform your health. Together, they address your unique health concerns, history, goals, and limiting beliefs, supported by functional medicine lab screenings. They focus on every aspect of your well-being, from mindset, emotions, and stress management to nutrition, exercise, supplementation, and lifestyle adjustments. Their approach is rooted in scientifically proven methods, ensuring you build a solid foundation for lasting health and wellness, naturally.

NOW PLAYING

Ep306: Breaking the Gut–Brain Stress Cycle with Meagan Zarba, MA, FDN-P

0:00 46:27

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Eat to Live Jenna Fuhrman, Dr. Fuhrman Our health is our most precious gift and smart nutrition can change your life. Each month, join Dr. Fuhrman and his daughter, Jenna Fuhrman as they discuss important topics in the world of nutrition. Eat to Live will change the way you eat and think about food. French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding That Hoarder Hoarding disorder is stigmatised and people who hoard feel vast amounts of shame. This podcast began life as an audio diary, an anonymous outlet for somebody with this weird condition. That Hoarder speaks about her experiences living with compulsive hoarding, she interviews therapists, academics, researchers, children of hoarders, professional organisers and influencers, and she shares insight and tips for others with the problem. Listened to by people who hoard as well as those who love them and those who work with them, Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder aims to shatter the stigma, share the truth and speak openly and honestly to improve lives. The Small Business Startup School – Business Notes | Financial Literacy | Retail Psychology – For Professionals & Entrepreneurs The Small Business Startup School Inc. Starting or buying a small business? While personal circumstances may vary, business patterns remain timeless. On The Small Business Startup School, we explore strategies, insights, and practical solutions to help entrepreneurs confidently navigate their journey.Hosted by Ola Williams—a retail entrepreneur, fintech founder, and financial coach with over two decades of experience—this podcast marries financial awareness and retail psychology with optimism to deliver actionable takeaways.Join us to learn, grow, and connect as we uncover the keys to business success.Let’s continue to learn together and be encouraged to keep on connecting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Fit + Fueled Life Podcast?

This episode is 46 minutes long.

When was this Fit + Fueled Life Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on September 30, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Tina welcomes Meagan Zarba, FDN-P, the newest practitioner on the Carrots ‘N’ Cake team. Meagan opens up about her personal health journey, which began in high school with persistent gut issues that led to multiple diagnoses, including PCOS and...

Can I download this Fit + Fueled Life Podcast episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!