S7E89 Unlocking the Secrets of Gut Health with Amy Spindel

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Amy Spindel to explore the powerful connection between gut health, nutrition, and overall wellness. Amy shares her inspiring journey from social work to becoming a nutrition advocate, driven by her son’s health challenges. Together, we dive into what it really means to care for your gut, how inflammation impacts your body, and why mindfulness matters more than we realize.Whether you’re a busy mama navigating parenting, a health-conscious woman looking for answers, or simply curious about gut health, this episode is full of practical tips, relatable stories, and hope-filled encouragement. We’re talking about everything from the gut-brain connection and the role of neurotransmitters to the simple, sustainable lifestyle shifts that can make all the difference.Meet Amy SpindleAmy is a functional medicine nutritionist with a passion for helping families heal through better nutrition. Her work is grounded in her own experiences navigating her son’s health challenges, which led her to uncover the deeper links between food, gut health, and emotional well-being. Amy believes that every person has the power to create healthier habits and live with vitality.Where to Find Amy: hello@foodwiththoughtnutrition.comwww.foodwiththoughtnutrition.comFB, IG @foodwiththoughtnutritionlinktr.ee/foodwiththoughtnutritionTakeawaysGut health is everything. It’s not just about digestion—your gut influences your mood, energy, and even your immune system.Mindfulness makes a difference. Simple practices like slowing down and chewing your food well can have a huge impact on digestion and nervous system regulation.Food awareness empowers you. Learning to read labels and avoid processed ingredients is key to making better choices.Daily habits matter. Consistent, small changes—like focusing on real, whole foods—lead to big health improvements over time.Your gut-brain connection is real. 95% of communication between your gut and brain comes from the gut!ResourcesThe Insight Timer App: A free tool to help you incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine—perfect for calming your nervous system and supporting your gut health.Functional Medicine Testing: Amy shares how understanding your gut microbiome and neurotransmitter health can unlock new solutions for symptoms like anxiety, headaches, and fatigue.Sound Bites “The best kind of investigator is a mom.” “Chew your food like it’s your job—it’s the first step to better digestion.” “You don’t have to overhaul everything today. Just take one step.” “Our gut is like our second brain, guiding so much of our health.”Chapters [00:00] Introduction to Gut Health and Personal Journeys [03:12] Parenting’s Role in Health Awareness [06:02] What You Should Know About Inflammation [08:50] Nutrition’s Role in Healing [12:03] Mindfulness and the Nervous System [14:54] Five Key Tips for Gut Health [17:45] Why Ingredient Awareness Matters [21:08] Empowering Your Health Through Small Changes [25:53] How Gut Symptoms Show Up in Unexpected Ways [30:38] The Gut-Brain Connection Explained [37:37] Functional Testing for Gut Health [43:44] Lifestyle Changes That Actually Stick [46:46] Robin and Amy’s Non-Negotiables for WellnessWhere to Find Robin:📌 Instagram: @livelifebalancedwithrobin📌 Website: www.livelifebalancedwithrobin.com📌 TikTok: @livelifebalancedwithrobin.com📌 Pinterest: @livelifebalancedwithrobin.com📌Get the Weekly Scoop ⁠⁠https://live-life-balanced-with-robin.kit.com/scoop⁠⁠Loved this episode? Share it with a friend who needs to hear it! 💛 And if you haven’t yet, don’t forget to leave a review—it helps more women discover simple, sustainable ways to feel their best.