Food as Medicine in Mallorca, with Maya Flynn

Vicki sits down with Maya Flynn, a Poland-born health practitioner who lived in Ireland before moving to Mallorca. Maya shares how her own health journey, from low thyroid and fatigue to digestive issues, led her into naturopathic nutritional therapy and functional medicine.Together they unpack why symptoms are often signals, not the real problem, why the body is individual, and how lifestyle, environment, digestion, and stress all shape how we feel. They also discuss the difference between folklore wisdom and modern science, and why the best results often come from using both.Vicki brings a real-world question to the table too, a skin antioxidant test result that made no sense on paper. Maya explains how nutrients are prioritised in the body, why absorption matters as much as intake, and why context always wins in nutrition.Finally, Maya shares details of her new Mallorca workshop series, Food as Medicine, starting 24 January, a ten-session community experience designed to cut through misinformation, build food confidence, and help people understand their own bodies with practical tools, not perfection.What you’ll hear aboutMaya’s move from Poland to Ireland, then MallorcaWhy “healthy” diets do not work the same for everyoneFunctional medicine, what it is, and why people seek it outCommon issues clients bring, acne, bloating, itching, allergies, hormone shifts, perimenopauseWhy symptoms are not the disease, they are signalsAncient wisdom vs modern science, and why both can be usefulTime, routines, and why simple, repeatable meals matterThe updated US food pyramid and what it could mean in practiceAntioxidants, beta-carotene, absorption, and why fats matterHow Maya works with clients, questionnaires, photos, consultations, tests, and support optionsOrganic vs non-organic, and the “level up, not perfection” approachMaya’s Food as Medicine series in Santa Catalina, Palma, and what each module coversFood as Medicine series, key detailsStarts: 24 JanuaryFormat: 10 Saturdays (you can join single sessions, or bundles of 5 or 10)Session length: 2.5 hours, with a brunch breakLocation: Santa Catalina, Palma (at Cintina)Language: EnglishSign-up: via Maya’s website (Food as Medicine tab)Modules mentionedNew Year Reset (mindset, health audit, cutting through misinformation)Food confidence (shopping in Mallorca, labels, avoiding marketing traps, Yuka app pros and cons)Reading bloods and symptoms (how to interpret patterns, what you see in the mirror)Stress resilience (thriving in stress, not pretending you can remove it)Gut health (microbiome, parasites, ecosystem balance, symptoms beyond digestion)Hormones and perimenopause (why symptoms are so intense, lifestyle factors)Fitness and immunity (autoimmune conditions, histamine issues, sensitivities vs intolerances)Places and mentionsMallorcaSanta Catalina, PalmaCintinaMercadonaYuka appQuote highlights“There is no such thing as one healthy diet.”“Symptoms are not the disease, they’re the expression of what’s happening deeper.”“Sustainable health comes from consistency.”“Embrace the routine.”“Improve life without turning it into a project.”If you loved this episode…If you’re feeling confused by conflicting nutrition advice, or you want practical steps that fit real life in Mallorca, this conversation is a great starting point. Follow the Mallorca Mallorca Podcast wherever you listen, and share this episode with a friend who’s trying to feel better without making life more complicated.