Health Under the Hood

What if the story behind your metabolism didn’t start with food, but with your childhood? In this episode of Health Under the Hood, Dr. Markyia Nichols sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Brian Alman to explore a truth that’s often overlooked in healthcare: our early life experiences don’t just shape who we are. They shape how our bodies function.At the center of this conversation are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), a framework developed alongside Dr. Vincent Felitti that reveals how stress, loss, and adversity in childhood can drive patterns in adult health. Not just mental health, but obesity, autoimmune conditions, cardiovascular disease, digestive issues, and more.Sadly, this isn't rare. It’s the norm. More than 60% of people have experienced ACEs in the form of neglect, abuse or household challenges. Which means for many high-functioning, high-achieving adults, what looks like discipline or drive on the surface may actually be a nervous system shaped by chronic threat detection. In this episode, we unpack:What ACEs are and how they impact chronic disease development (and reversal!)Why so many chronic conditions show up together, not in isolationHow trauma-informed patterns can drive behaviors like emotional or reward-based eating.Why “fixing” symptoms often misses the root causeWhat it really means to work with your nervous system, not against itDr. Alman also shares practical, accessible tools such as his “15th Row” technique to help listeners begin gently rewiring long-standing stress patterns and rebuilding trust with their own bodies. Bonus: the change doesn’t take long to see! If you’ve ever felt like your body is working against you or like you’re doing everything “right” but still not getting answers, this episode will help you see your health through a completely different lens.And, more importantly, show you where to begin.Notes:From Trauma to Enlightenment: The Four Steps to Unconditional Self-Acceptance is available on Amazon.truesage.comSign up for enlightn™Follow Dr Alman on:LinkedInInstagramYouTube

We’ve been taught that movement has to hurt to count. That exercise is discipline, prescription, and sweat, but never joy.Kate Wallich is here to challenge all of that.As the founder of Dance Church®, Kate has built a movement that’s less about getting it “right” and more about showing up…exactly as you are. What started as a small, no-judgment dance class in Seattle has grown into a national community reaching hundreds of thousands of people, all rooted in the idea that movement is medicine when it’s experienced, not prescribed.In this episode of Health Under the Hood, we talk about why joy and play might be the most underutilized tools in health, what happens when movement becomes something we “should” do instead of something we want to do, and how dance creates healing that traditional healthcare often overlooks. We explore stress, disconnection, accessibility, and the  transformations that happen when people feel safe enough to move together.This conversation is a reminder that health is about connection, expression, and belonging. And sometimes, the most powerful intervention doesn’t come with instructions…just music and space.Notes:Learn more about Dance Church - https://go.dancechurch.com/Follow Dance Church on: Instagram TikTokFollow Kate Wallich on:InstagramLinkedIn

What if the biggest predictors of health aren’t genetics, bad luck, or aging, but the systems we’ve normalized and the questions we’re not encouraged to ask?In this episode of Health Under the Hood, Dr. Markia Nichols sits down with longtime global health consultant and independent researcher, Emma Tekstra, to unpack an uncomfortable truth: modern healthcare is exceptional at managing symptoms, and remarkably bad at creating health.With 25 years advising global employers on benefits strategy, and a deeply personal journey sparked by her son’s early neurological and digestive diagnoses, Emma brings both hard data and hard-earned insight. She explains why a system built for acute care now dominates chronic disease, how “standard of care” protects institutions—not patients—and why pharmaceuticals are too often the first (and only) line of defense.Together, they explore:Why chronic disease is driven by nutrient deficiencies and toxic overload—not inevitability.How women’s health in midlife is misunderstood, undertreated, and over-medicated.What patients (and parents) must do when the white coat doesn’t have the answers.Why food, lifestyle, and environment outperform prescriptions in the long runAnd how employers and health plans could save money and lives by making root-cause care the default.Emma doesn’t traffic in wellness trends or wishful thinking. She follows the evidence wherever it leads. Her conclusion is that better health isn’t a mystery. It’s a choice, once you know where to look.If you’ve ever felt dismissed, overprescribed, or told to “manage” a condition you want to reverse, this conversation will change how you think about health, medicine, and what’s actually possible.Notes:How to Be a Healthy Human: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Health and Longevity is available on Amazon, and wherever books are sold.https://emmatekstra.com/Follow Emma Tekstra on: Instagram LinkedIn

In this episode of Health Under the Hood, we sit down with Dr. Ed Walker, a scientist at the Bioeconomy Science Institute’s Plant & Food Research group, who’s spent the last 13 years studying one of the most universal human experiences: hunger. With the curiosity of a researcher and the heart of a guide, Dr. Walker unpacks the science behind “food noise,” cravings, and why our relationship with food can feel so complicated… and how it doesn’t have to stay that way.Dr. Walker takes us inside the discovery of Calocurb (Amarasate®), a New Zealand hops-based nutraceutical that taps into the same GLP-1 pathway made famous by medications like Wegovy and Zepbound. We explore why this plant-based approach is generating so much buzz, how it may help calm hunger naturally, and what people should know if they’re hesitant about prescriptions or looking for a gentler “step-down” option instead of or after injectables.Together, we look at the future of plant-based therapeutics, the expanding world of metabolic health tools, and the simple but profound idea at the center of Dr. Walker’s work: when we change our relationship with food, we change our health.If you’ve ever wished your cravings were quieter, or wanted a science-backed, natural way to support healthier choices, this episode is for you. Tune in and get curious under the hood with us.Notes:Follow Dr. Walker on LinkedInTo learn more about Calocurb, visit https://www.calocurb.com/ or follow along on Instagram and Facebook. .

When a health scare put Javant face-to-face with prediabetes and hypertension, he didn’t turn to pills. He turned to his plate. Nearly 20 years later, that wake-up call became the spark behind a full-blown revolution in how he lives, eats, and teaches others to prevent and reverse chronic disease.Today, Javant’s messages reach nearly one million followers Instagram, where his oil-free, wheat-free, refined sugar-free recipes have become a rallying cry for anyone ready to fight back against chronic disease and misinformation.In this episode of Health Under the Hood, Dr. Markyia Nichols sits down with Javant, founder of @HealthyVeganEating, creator of the Healthy Vegan Lifestyle App, and author of the upcoming cookbook Make Your Own, to explore how food can be an act of rebellion against quick fixes, diet culture, and the “sick-care” system itself.They unpack:✔️ How Javant lost 80 pounds and reversed prediabetes through food✔️ Why he swears by a no-oil, no-wheat, no-sugar approach✔️ The mindset shifts that make lasting change possible✔️ How to start your own anti-diet revolution, one delicious plant-based meal at a timeAfterall, sometimes, the most radical thing you can do is feed yourself well.Javant’s new cookbook, Make Your Own, is available for preorder everywhere books are sold.Notes:https://www.hveating.com/Follow Javant on: Instagram YouTube

Could the foods you eat every day be quietly fueling inflammation, fatigue, or digestive issues? In this episode of Health Under the Hood, we sit down with James White, CEO and founder of KBMO Diagnostics, a company transforming how people uncover and address food sensitivities.James shares the story behind KBMO’s rise, from pioneering patented food sensitivity testing to being one of the first labs to roll out COVID-19 testing during the pandemic. We dig into food sensitivities, how they differ from allergies, and why uncovering hidden triggers can be a game-changer for conditions like IBS, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders.You’ll also hear powerful stories of people whose health dramatically shifted once they identified the foods working against them. This episode will help you see your plate in a whole new light.Notes:Follow James White on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-white-a729b58/Follow KBMO Diagnostics on:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kbmo-diagnostics/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbmodiagnostics/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KBMODiagnostics#

The U.S.  has the highest rate of maternal deaths and complications among developed nations, but it doesn’t have to be this way. We sit down with Melissa Hanna, founder and CEO of Mahmee, a groundbreaking maternal healthcare company uniting nurses, doulas, OBs, lactation consultants, mental health providers, nutritionists, and more into one coordinated circle of care.Melissa shares the personal spark—co-founding Mahmee with her mother, a longtime nurse and lactation consultant—that set her on a mission to change maternal health. We dive into the overlooked root causes behind poor maternal outcomes and why too many moms feel dismissed in the system.Whether you’re pregnant, planning to be, or want to support people who are pregnant, this conversation is packed with insights, advocacy tips, and one bold idea for how we can rewire the entire maternal health system.Notes:Follow Melissa Hanna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissachanna/Follow Mahmee on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mahmeeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinmahmeeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/joinmahmee

Megan lit up the kitchen on Season 4 of Next Level Chef with her creativity, but it was her decision to step away for her health that truly set her apart. In this episode, the Minneapolis-based personal chef, nutrition coach, and autoimmune advocate shares the full story behind her time on the show, and her journey with a chronic health condition. With a background in Public Health and Nutrition and features in Shape Magazine and Well+Good, Megan opens up about the reality of living (and cooking) with an autoimmune condition, the stress-symptom connection, and how she uses food as a form of self-care, healing, and empowerment.This conversation is full of honesty and practical insight for anyone living with chronic illness, chasing a dream, or learning how to truly nourish themselves.Notes:Visit megansheley.com for more about Megan, including some of her mouthwatering recipes.Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/megansheley/?hl=enTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@megansheley

For years, Erin Kerry was told her mental health struggles were due to a “chemical imbalance.” She did what many do: followed the standard treatment plan. Medications led to more medications to manage side effects. But through it all, she never truly felt well.In this eye-opening episode of Health Under the Hood, Dr. Markyia Nichols sits down with Erin, functional medicine practitioner, mother of three, and host of the Sparking Wholeness podcast, to talk about what happens when conventional care falls short, and what’s possible when we dig deeper.Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, PTSD, and depression, Erin went on a personal mission to heal, not just survive. Her journey led her to uncover powerful root causes, from past trauma to nutrient deficiencies to gut health imbalances, and remain medication-free for more than a decade.Notes:Sparking Wholeness PodcastBook: Live Beyond Your LabelInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/sparkingwholeness/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sparkingwholenessLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-kerry-655a59111/

Dr. Keesha Ewers is board-certified in both functional and Ayurvedic medicine, a Doctor of Sexology, trauma-informed psychotherapist, integrative medicine nurse practitioner, and a MAPS-certified MDMA-assisted psychotherapy therapist. With more than 40 years in the medical field, Dr. Ewers helps women reverse autoimmune disease, heal childhood trauma, and reconnect with themselves in profound ways. After conducting the HURT Study in 2013, she developed the HURT Model, redefining how we understand the connection between unresolved trauma and chronic illness.In this episode, we explore her groundbreaking work, her own deeply personal health journey through autoimmune disease and childhood abuse, and how she emerged with a mission to heal others at the root. If you’ve ever felt that your physical symptoms might have deeper emotional origins, or wondered if full-body healing is really possible, this conversation is for you.Let’s get Under the Hood.Notes:Check out Dr. Ewers’ book on Amazon - Solving the Autoimmune Puzzle Follow her work:https://www.drkeesha.com/Instagram - @drkeeshaFacebook - @drkeeshaewersLinkedIn - @keeshaewers

This episode dives into the incredible story of Shaun and Shamus Evans—the father-son duo who just made history at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, becoming the first tandem team to ever cross the finish line, clocking in at an astonishing 3 hours and 15 minutes. But their journey didn’t start in Tokyo. In 2015, they ran 3,200+ miles across America from Seattle to NYC, gifting Freedom Push chairs to families along the way to champion inclusion. From the open roads of the U.S. to the world stage in Tokyo, Shaun and Shamus are proving that real endurance isn't just physical—it's driven by purpose, love, and an unbreakable bond. Get ready for a story of grit, heart, and a mission that’s changing the meaning of movement forever.Check out their book on Amazon - Better Together: A Memoir of Persistence, Inclusion, and a Family’s Power to Overcome Follow them on social media:Instagram - power2pushFacebook - power2push

In this episode, board-certified clinical hypnotherapist, Dr. Sonia Gupte, explains the fascinating connection between the subconscious mind and physical health. Discover how this ancient practice, backed by cutting-edge science, can help prevent, manage, and even reverse disease.Dr. Gupte takes us on a journey through the history of hypnotherapy, explaining how the mind's untapped potential can unlock profound changes in the body’s ability to heal. From boosting the immune system to reducing chronic pain, reversing stress-related diseases, and improving overall wellness, hypnotherapy is a powerful, non-invasive tool for health transformation.Bio: Dr. Sonia Gupte is a doctor turned healer, board-certified clinical hypnotherapist, international bestselling author, certified hypnotherapy trainer and mentor, and founder and director of Enso-nia, Center for Mind and Life Transformation in San Diego.Dr. Gupte’s book:Within: Finding Yourself, Fixing What’s Broken, & Finally Reclaiming True HealthDr. Gupte’s website:  enso-nia.com Follow Dr. Gupte on social media:Instagram Facebook

In this episode, Deborah discusses her unique approach to treating hormonal imbalances, the importance of the hypothalamus, and the key factors that contribute to health issues that many practitioners overlook. Enjoy 10% off at Deborah's store with code HEALTHUNDERTHEHOOD10. Don’t forget to check out her book, The Hypothalamus Handbook, for more insights.