Health is Wealth | Guest starring Sara Barthel

Health & Wealth: Why Real Estate Investors Must Prioritize Their Well-BeingIntroduction: Why Health Matters for InvestorsWelcome to Getting Real! I’m Monick Halm, founder of Real Estate Investor Goddesses, and today we’re diving into a crucial but often overlooked topic—health.As real estate investors and entrepreneurs, we focus on deals, financial growth, and business success, but without good health, none of that matters. After spending more time than I wanted in hospitals and ERs last year, I realized that if I wasn’t healthy enough to work, there would be no more deals.That’s why I’m thrilled to have Sarah Bartell, a functional medicine nutritionist, with us today to discuss gut health, hormone balance, stress management, and practical steps for optimizing our well-being.Sarah is a board-certified nutritionist with a Master’s in Functional Medicine and Nutrition. She specializes in digestion, hormones, energy, and weight balance using personalized lab testing, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions. She has worked with corporate wellness programs and is a former Ironman and ultramarathon athlete.Sarah explains that high-achieving women—investors, executives, and entrepreneurs—often experience unexpected health challenges in their 30s and 40s.🔹 Symptoms like brain fog, weight gain, fatigue, and anxiety appear.🔹 Doctors often dismiss these symptoms as “aging” or prescribe medications that only mask the issue.🔹 Root causes—like gut health, hormone imbalances, and stress—are rarely addressed.Most of us want to keep growing, building wealth, and living vibrantly, but to do that, we must invest in our health just as much as we invest in real estate.✅ Eat a Diverse Diet – Studies show that people with the best gut health eat 30-50 different plant foods per week (veggies, herbs, nuts, seeds, etc.).✅ Increase Protein Intake – Many women don’t get enough protein, which impacts hormones, metabolism, and brain function.✅ Balance Your Gut – Inflammation, leaky gut, and gut infections trigger anxiety, mood swings, and fatigue.✅ Test, Don’t Guess – Sarah recommends lab testing for gut health, blood sugar, and hormones to identify underlying issues.🚫 "Just eat less and exercise more." – As women age, hormones (not just calories) determine metabolism.🚫 "Stress is unavoidable." – Chronic stress increases cortisol, causes belly fat, and triggers cravings.🚫 "Self-care is selfish." – Prioritizing sleep, movement, and nutrition actually makes us better investors, professionals, and parents.💡 Start your day with 5-10 minutes of meditation, prayer, or gratitude.💡 Take short walks after meals to regulate blood sugar and improve metabolism.💡 Eat without distractions—turn off the TV, take deep breaths before meals, and enjoy food mindfully.Why Women Need Strength Training (Not Just Cardio)As a former Ironman athlete, Sarah once believed that endurance training was the key to health. But she discovered that excessive cardio can:🚨 Increase cortisol & stress🚨 Cause gut inflammation & hormone imbalances🚨 Lead to insulin resistance & weight gainInstead, she recommends:✔️ Weightlifting 2-3x per week – Strength training improves muscle, metabolism, and insulin sensitivity.✔️ Low-impact movement – Yoga, walking, and mobility exercises reduce stress and improve recovery.🔥 Sleep is non-negotiable. Without 7-8 hours, you’re more insulin-resistant, leading to fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog.🔥 Plan your meals in advance. Make sure meals are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.🔥 Know your numbers. Get lab work done to track hormones, blood sugar, and gut health.Success in real estate and business means nothing if your body is breaking down. 💬 Want to take control of your health?📌 Get Sarah’s FREE Anti-Aging Guide: chatwithsarah.com📌 Book a free health consultation: vibrantvia.com