If you’re a woman who thinks "eating less” is the answer to losing weight, or that you have to choose between donuts and wine or a body you love, then the Vanessa G Fitcast, hosted by Vanessa Gillette and Omar Pozos, is for you. Vanessa is CEO and head coach of Vanessa G Fitness & Nutrition, an online health and wellness coaching company known for helping women create bodies they love through functional, science-based nutrition and training. We are FED UP with diet culture giving bad advice on how to eat and exercise, so this podcast’s mission is to bring you REAL, actionable information so you can start transforming your body. The short weekly episodes will motivate you, inspire you, and enlighten you. Fat loss is simpler than you realize - hit subscribe to find out.
Welcome to the fourth episode of the Coach's Corner Series! Pregnancy and postpartum are often centered around the baby, but what about the mom? In this episode, I sit down with one of our functional health practitioners, Elizabeth, to talk about what actually happens to your metabolism, hormones, thyroid, and gut health after giving birth. We unpack why so many women feel dismissed when they're told their symptoms are "just part of postpartum," and why those changes deserve attention rather than acceptance. You'll learn how breastfeeding, recovery, and hormonal shifts can all influence metabolism, and why trying to "bounce back" too quickly can often work against your body instead of with it. We also discuss the critical role thyroid health and gut function play during the postpartum season, and how protecting both can make a meaningful difference in your energy, recovery, and long-term health. Elizabeth shares what an ideal progression through postpartum recovery can look like, from prioritizing rest to gradually rebuilding movement and strength without rushing the process. We also explain why foundational habits like sunshine, gentle movement, hydration, and nervous system support often matter more than extreme diet or exercise plans in those early months. Along the way, we walk through a real client lab review that highlights how antibiotics, birth control, and gut health can create a ripple effect on hormone balance after pregnancy. I f you've been waiting for the right time to prioritize your own health, this conversation is a reminder that supporting yourself is one of the best ways to support your family. Your body isn't failing you. It's adapting to one of the biggest physiological transitions it will ever experience. Whether you're currently postpartum, planning for pregnancy, or simply want to better understand how the female body recovers, this episode will help you approach the journey with more clarity, confidence, and compassion. Time Stamps: (2:47) Postpartum Care (6:32) Metabolism Reset in Postpartum? (12:42) Thyroid, Metabolism, and Postpartum (15:07) Ideal Progression Through Postpartum (19:02) Sunshine and Movement (26:04) Recent Client Lab Review --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
Welcome to the third episode of the Coach's Corner Series! We live in a culture that celebrates being busy, but very few people stop to ask what that constant pace is actually doing to their bodies. In this episode, I'm joined by Vital Spark Coach Mackenzie for an honest conversation about the connection between chronic stress, mindset, and physical health. We explore why stress isn't just emotional, it can influence digestion, hormones, inflammation, energy, and even your ability to reach your health goals. You'll hear why your body responds to a packed schedule the same way it responds to many other perceived threats, and how that keeps so many women stuck in a constant state of fight-or-flight. We also unpack why stress management doesn't have to mean hour-long meditation sessions or completely overhauling your routine. Instead, we share practical ways to regulate your nervous system in the middle of a busy day, from taking a few intentional breaths before meals to finding small moments of calm that fit into real life. We talk about how shifting from frantic energy to calm energy can completely change the way your body responds, even when your schedule doesn't slow down. Coach Mackenzie also shares how she coaches busy moms, healthcare professionals, and women with demanding careers to prioritize their health without adding more pressure to their plates. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is our discussion around gratitude and the powerful mindset shift from "I have to" toward "I get to." We also explore why approaching your health journey with curiosity instead of perfection creates far more sustainable results over time. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, constantly on the go, or wondering why your body isn't responding despite your best efforts, I think this episode will help you connect some important dots. My hope is that you'll walk away realizing that supporting your nervous system doesn't require perfection, it simply starts with creating a little more space for your body to feel safe. Time Stamps: (2:27) Why Women Struggle Putting Themselves First (5:51) What Our Successful Clients Do (8:44) Handling Constipation (14:02) Clarity on What To Focus On (16:17) Managing Sleep --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
Welcome to the second episode of the Coach's Corner Series! Today's episode is the second episode in our Coach's Corner series, and this is where I am sitting down with our just incredible functional health coaches, functional health practitioners from the Vital Spark coaching team, and we are exploring some of the most common questions, topics, challenges, things that we see come up in the world of health and wellness. One of my favorite things about these conversations and this opportunity to be able to do these interviews with our coaching team, is that it really gives you all the opportunity to learn from the women who are in the trenches with our clients day in, day out. And while across our whole team, we, we share the same philosophies and approaches to functional health. Each coach really does bring their own unique experience, expertise, and just unique perspectives to the table. And so I'm excited for you all to be able to hear that. Today I am joined by Coach Olivia or Coach Liv. And we are going to talk all about blood sugar and this is a topic that is one that more people need to be diving into because it's definitely one that is often overlooked. This is a game changer when it comes to functional health so Coach Liv will give you not only the physiology but tactical steps you can take to improve blood sugar and your overall health. Time Stamps: (1:40) Coach Liv and Blood Sugar (4:30) Blood Sugar Regulation Red Flags (7:54) Cortisol and Blood Sugar (10:55) Where To Start With Monitoring Blood Sugar (14:20) Coaching Strategies with Blood Sugar (24:00) Ideal Metrics for Blood Sugar --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
Welcome to the first episode of the Coach's Corner Series! This is a special series where I'm sitting down with the incredible functional health coaches and practitioners from the Vital Spark Coaching team to dive deeper into some of the topics we help clients navigate every day. One of the things I love most about our team is that each coach brings their own unique experiences, expertise, and perspective to supporting women through real-life struggles with hormones, metabolism, gut health, energy, body composition, and so much more. These conversations are designed to bring you behind the scenes and give you access to the knowledge, insights, and practical strategies they use with clients every day. Today I'm joined by Jodi Stonehocker and we are going to be talking all things mind body connection. If this is a new area of you, you're really going to enjoy this episode we believe because it's going to connect a lot of dots that a lot of traditional medicine doesn't. We'll also be discussing how mindset affects the body and physiology, the role of hyper vigilance, and where to start with mind body coaching. Time Stamps: (2:22) What Mind Body Coaching Really Is (6:32) How Mindset Affects The Body and Physiology (18:10) Hyper Vigilance (21:52) Supplements, Medication, and Peptides (24:27) Where To Start (28:12) Loving Yourself For Who You Are --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
Check Out Sahil Bloom's Newsletter That Inspired This Episode What if having more choices is actually making you less satisfied with the life you're building? In this episode, we explore a fascinating psychological study from Harvard that challenges the common belief that keeping your options open always leads to better outcomes. You'll discover why our minds respond differently to permanent decisions versus reversible ones, and how that shapes our happiness, confidence, and commitment. We also examine how modern technology has created a world overflowing with options, from careers and relationships to health advice and personal growth. While endless possibilities can feel empowering, they can also leave us constantly wondering if something better is just around the corner. This episode introduces the idea of the "eject button mentality", the temptation to abandon meaningful pursuits the moment they become uncomfortable or uncertain. We discuss why the end of the honeymoon phase isn't necessarily a sign that you've chosen the wrong path, but often the point where real growth begins. You'll learn how to distinguish between healthy persistence and knowing when it's truly time to move on. Rather than making major decisions in moments of frustration, we'll explore the value of evaluating your circumstances with a clear and steady perspective. If you've ever questioned a relationship, career, business, or personal goal simply because the excitement faded, this conversation offers a fresh way to think about commitment. Time Stamps: (3:02) The Eject Button Mentality (9:32) My Thoughts On This Article (14:08) What Commitment Looks Like (23:02) Having A Trusted Advisor --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
What if the biggest thing holding back your gut health isn't the supplement you're missing but the habits you repeat every single day? In this episode, I'm breaking down the simple, foundational practices that support healthy digestion long before you ever consider probiotics, parasite cleanses, or specialized gut testing. We often get asked which supplements or lab tests someone should start with, but the truth is that most people haven't built the daily habits their digestive system needs to function well in the first place. I'll explain why digestion actually begins before your first bite of food and how stress, distractions, and eating on the go can interfere with your body's ability to properly break down and absorb nutrients. We also dive into why slowing down, chewing your food thoroughly, and creating a calm eating environment can dramatically improve bloating, gas, reflux, and other common digestive complaints. From there, we'll talk about why your gut thrives on consistency, how your circadian rhythm and migrating motor complex work together to keep your digestive system healthy, and why constant snacking may be working against you. I'll also share practical strategies to support your gut between meals through movement, hydration, stress management, sleep, and recovery. Finally, we'll discuss how nutrition should be tailored to the feedback your body is giving you, whether you're struggling with constipation, diarrhea, or other digestive symptoms. Think of these habits as the foundation of a house. Supplements and advanced testing have their place, but they're far more effective when they're built on top of healthy daily routines. If you've been searching for better digestion, less bloating, and a healthier gut, this episode will give you actionable steps you can start implementing today. Time Stamps: (1:32) Bets On Pregnancy Date (5:07) Sharp Right Turn Into Gut Health (8:23) A Digestive-Friendly Environment (14:07) Slowing Down Our Eating (19:24) Build A Rhythm Your Gut Can Predict (20:57) Spacing Out Meals (23:12) Supporting Your Gut Between Meals (26:27) Feed The Outcome You Want --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
What if the reason tracking macros isn't working anymore has nothing to do with your discipline? In this episode, I break down one of the most common frustrations I hear from women: "I used to track macros, lose weight, and see results. Now I do the exact same thing and nothing happens.". I want to share the story of how I once believed macros were the magic solution to fat loss, only to realize they were never the answer. They were simply a tool. We'll talk about why there is no perfect macro split, how the body constantly adapts to what we do, and why staying on the same nutrition plan for months or years can actually become part of the problem. I explain how functional nutrition often involves strategically changing calories, carbohydrates, fats, and protein to stay ahead of those adaptations rather than fighting against them. You'll learn why there may be a time for low-carb eating, a time for higher calories, a time for lower protein, and a time for a more balanced approach. Most importantly, we'll discuss how understanding macros can still be incredibly valuable when they're used within the right context. Today, I personally track my macros, not to lose weight, but to make sure I'm eating enough and maintaining the right balance for my current season of life. If you've been wondering why your old nutrition strategy isn't producing the same results anymore, this episode will help you understand what changed and how to start working with your body instead of against it. Time Stamps: (1:47) Life Updates (3:06) My Macro Tracking Journey (4:47) Why Macro Tracking Gets A Bad Rap (8:22) Recent Client Example (12:32) Where To Start --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
Everyone wants to know how "bounce back" after having a baby. The truth is, that's not the goal. In this episode, I'm sharing my postpartum fitness plan and the approach I'll be taking during those first weeks and months after birth. Instead of jumping straight into workouts, fat loss, or trying to get my body back as quickly as possible, I'll be prioritizing recovery, sleep, healing, and listening to what my body actually needs. I'll walk you through what my first few weeks postpartum may look like, including why I plan to spend most of the first week resting, when I might begin incorporating light walks and mobility work, and how I'll use my body's feedback, not a rigid timeline, to guide the process. We'll also talk about why pelvic floor health is at the center of my recovery plan and why I believe every woman should consider working with a pelvic floor physical therapist before problems arise, not just after. I'll share why I won't be rushing back into intense cardio, despite the pressure many women feel to lose baby weight as quickly as possible. We'll also discuss the truth about waist trainers, why external support can actually delay core recovery, and what a healthier approach to rebuilding strength looks like. Most importantly, I'm talking about something I think every new mom struggles with: comparison. Because no two postpartum journeys are the same, and comparing your recovery, body, or timeline to someone else's is one of the fastest ways to create unnecessary stress and frustration. If you're pregnant, postpartum, or simply curious about a more sustainable approach to recovery after birth, this episode will give you an honest look at how I'm thinking about this next chapter and why slower may actually be the smarter path forward. Time Stamps: (2:11) My Postpartum Fitness Plan (3:22) The Mental Side (9:19) Getting Your Body “Back” (11:20) Comparison In Postpartum (13:32) Sharing The Postpartum Journey --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
What if the amount of exercise you actually need for long-term health is far less than you've been led to believe? In this episode, I'm breaking down some fascinating claims from longevity expert Dr. Amy Killen that completely challenge the "more is better" approach many women have been taught when it comes to fitness. One statistic in particular caught my attention: her claim that women may achieve most of the longevity benefits of resistance training with surprisingly little weekly volume. We'll dive into what the research actually says about strength training, longevity, and mortality risk, including why multiple studies seem to show that the biggest health benefits occur at relatively modest amounts of resistance training. I'll also share why, in my own experience and in working with clients, two to three strength-training sessions per week seems to be the sweet spot for recovery, consistency, and long-term results. We’ll talk about the trap of comparing yourself to genetic outliers, influencers, and fitness competitors whose training volumes often aren't realistic or necessary for the average woman. I'll also unpack the recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, why walking may be one of the most powerful longevity tools available, and my thoughts on where high-intensity exercise fits into the picture. Most importantly, I want to make the case that prioritizing health often leads to better physique outcomes over the long term than constantly chasing more workouts, more volume, and more intensity. We'll also discuss the real risks of overtraining, including hormone disruption, cycle irregularities, bone loss, and the cumulative stress excessive exercise can place on the body. If you've ever felt like you're falling behind because you're not doing enough, this episode might be the permission slip you need. Sometimes the path to better health, better recovery, and a better body isn't doing more. It's doing the right things consistently for years. Time Stamps: (3:02) Being Prepared For Baby Girl (4:26) Women’s Needs For Exercise (8:22) Going Against The Stereotypical Advice (12:37) Prioritizing Health Goals (17:42) House Analogy (20:07) HIIT Training --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
Most women who struggle with binge eating never talk about it. I'm changing that today. In this episode, I get personal about my own journey with binge eating, tracing it back to my early twenties and walking through the slow, nonlinear process of working through it over the past decade. This is not a quick fix episode. There is no finish line moment, no single breakthrough that made it all click. What there is, is an honest look at what actually moved the needle over time. I break down the three things that made the biggest difference in my healing: releasing the good food and bad food rules that were quietly running the show, going through a functional reverse diet to address what was happening on a physiological level, and reframing the stories I was telling myself after a binge episode. I also dig into something that does not get talked about enough, which is how your body's overall toxic load and sensitivity to certain foods can actually reinforce disordered eating patterns without you even realizing it. If you have ever felt completely out of control around food, finished a vacation feeling more guilt than joy, or wondered if you will ever stop the restrict and binge cycle, this episode is for you. You are not broken, and you are not alone. Time Stamps: (2:52) Visiting Mama Pozos At Hilton Head (7:27) Defining Binge Eating (12:22) Biggest Difference Makers With Controlling Binging (14:14) Letting Go Of Food Rules (16:50) Functional Reverse Dieting --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
What if burning more calories had less to do with punishing workouts and more to do with how you live your everyday life? In this episode, we’re breaking down 10 low-effort ways to support your metabolism without adding hours of cardio or exhausting yourself in the gym. Because the truth is, your metabolism is running 24/7 and small habits repeated consistently can have a much bigger impact than most people realize. We start with five hobbies that naturally increase calorie burn and improve metabolic health, including hiking, swimming, cycling, dancing, and even hobbies like knitting that help regulate stress and reduce mindless snacking. You’ll learn why activities that support cortisol regulation, muscle activation, and nervous system balance can quietly improve fat loss and energy levels behind the scenes. Then we shift into five simple lifestyle strategies that can significantly change the way your body uses energy throughout the day. From walking after meals and increasing NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) to prioritizing sleep, hydration, and even small micro-movements, this episode explains how metabolism is influenced by far more than workouts alone. We also break down the science in a way that actually makes sense covering blood sugar regulation, insulin, cortisol, thermogenesis, and why sleep may be one of the most underrated fat-loss tools available. Most importantly, this conversation reframes the idea that improving your metabolism has to mean doing more. Sometimes it’s about working with your body instead of constantly fighting it. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all-or-nothing fitness advice, this episode will help you see that sustainable progress often comes from the simplest shifts. Your metabolism doesn’t just respond to exercise. It responds to your environment, your habits, your stress levels, and the way you move through everyday life. Time Stamps: (3:17) #1: Hiking (5:09) #2: Knitting (6:53) #3: Swimming (9:06) #4: Cycling (10:46) #5: Dancing (13:20) #6: Walking After Meals (13:52) #7: Standing More (14:47) #8: Drinking Cold Water (15:32) #9: Fidgeting (17:07) #10: Prioritizing Quality Sleep (19:02) Functional Fat Loss Solutions Masterclass --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing the full arc of my health journey, from my days as a Division I equestrian athlete at UGA to the years of frustration, confusion, and rock bottom moments that ultimately led me to functional health. I open up about how the pressure to maintain a certain body composition as a college athlete first pushed me toward disordered eating habits, setting the stage for years of weight loss resistance. After graduating and moving to Atlanta, I threw myself into CrossFit, convinced that more intensity was the answer, only to find myself getting puffier, more inflamed, and increasingly exhausted. Despite working out harder than ever, I wasn't seeing results, and my body was sending signals I didn't yet know how to read. Chronic digestive issues, debilitating fatigue, brain fog, and social anxiety began compounding on top of each other, leaving me feeling like I might be making it all up. A series of dismissive doctor's appointments left me feeling invalidated and completely stuck, including one where I was simply told to eat less and exercise more. Coming off birth control without proper hormonal support triggered a new wave of symptoms, including severe acne and irregular cycles, adding yet another layer to an already overwhelming season. I describe the emotional toll of watching life move forward, friends getting married and starting families, while I felt too depleted and self-conscious to fully show up. It wasn't until I discovered functional health and began running comprehensive labs that I finally got the validation I had been desperate for. Something was genuinely wrong, and it wasn't in my head. I then invested deeply, financially and personally, in learning everything I could about the connection between hormones, gut health, metabolism, and the immune system. That journey ultimately led to a 40-pound transformation, not through restriction and overtraining, but by working out less, eating more, and addressing the true root causes. Those hard-won lessons became the foundation for the one-stop functional health program I built for my clients. Now pregnant with my daughter, I reflect on how healing my own body is something I'll be able to pass on in ways I never imagined. If any part of my story sounds familiar, I want you to know: you are not alone, and there is a path to the other side. Time Stamps: (5:32) Going Through Weight Loss Resistance (5:54) Georgia Bulldog (9:02) Taking Health More Seriously (14:22) The Crossfit Girl (22:04) Having The IUD Taken Out (28:52) Being Sick All The Time (29:34) Investing In Health Coaching (31:32) The Functional Health Space (35:50) Our Team Now (40:16) Reach Out To Us --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
The best athletes in the world aren't consistent because their lives are calm. They're consistent because they've learned how to get back on track, fast. In this episode, we're breaking down the one trait that actually separates the ultra consistent from everyone else, and it has nothing to do with willpower or discipline. We're diving into the real reason you keep falling off your health routines, and why it might not be a character flaw at all. If you've ever missed a workout, overeaten on the weekend, or abandoned a protocol early and then spiraled into shame, this episode is for you. We unpack the surprising research behind the famous marshmallow test and what it actually reveals about trust, environment, and follow-through. You'll learn why your metabolism, hormones, and stress response may be working against your best intentions and what to do about it. We talk about what a real "way back" looks like when life gets busy, chaotic, or emotionally draining. Forget waiting until Monday; we're giving you practical resets you can use at your very next meal, workout, or hard moment. We also tackle the fine line between releasing shame and staying accountable, because both matter. You'll walk away with a handful of powerful questions to ask yourself when things fall apart, so you can turn setbacks into information instead of evidence against yourself. This episode will challenge the way you define consistency and replace perfection with something far more sustainable. If you're ready to stop starting over and start returning, this one's for you. Time Stamps: (3:29) Hustling Mom's and Busy Seasons (4:47) Recent FLUSH Protocol (5:47) Justin's Perspective on Consistency (19:42) When You're Struggling With Execution --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
What if the constant thoughts about food you deal with every day aren’t a lack of discipline… but your body trying to tell you something important? In this episode, we'll break down what “food noise” actually is and why it’s become such a common struggle for women who feel like they’re always thinking about their next meal. While the current conversation often points to quick fixes or appetite-suppressing solutions, we'll take a different approach. One rooted in understanding the body, not silencing it. Food noise isn’t random, and it’s not just mental. It’s deeply connected to your metabolism, hormones, and nervous system. We'll walk through the three core drivers behind food noise: restriction, highly processed foods, and deeper biological dysregulation. From there, we'll zoom in on what’s happening inside your body when those signals get louder covering blood sugar instability, chronic stress and cortisol, hormone imbalances, gut dysfunction, and inflammation. You’ll start to see how things like cravings, urgency around food, and feeling out of control aren’t personality flaws—they’re physiological responses. We'll also explain why intuitive eating can feel impossible when your internal signals are dysregulated, and why simply “trying harder” often makes things worse. Most importantly, we give you practical, actionable ways to start calming the noise by supporting your body without extremes or all-or-nothing thinking. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly negotiating with yourself around food, this conversation will connect the dots in a way that finally makes sense. Because the goal isn’t to fight your body. It’s to understand it. And when you do, the noise doesn’t need to be forced quiet… it naturally starts to fade. Time Stamps: (1:15) Maturity Photos (5:27) Food Noise (9:12) Three Types of Food Noise (13:02) The Body When Food Noise Is High (17:40) Cortisol Dysregulation (20:50) Hormone Imbalances (22:07) Gut Dysfunction (25:50) Inflammation (29:20) Action Steps --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
What if all the “random” symptoms you’ve been dealing with… aren’t random at all? In this episode, we unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of stubborn weight gain, hormone issues, and chronic inflammation: immune dysfunction. If you’ve ever felt like your body is working against you despite eating well, exercising, and doing everything “right”, this conversation will start connecting the dots. Because the truth is, your metabolism doesn’t operate in isolation. It’s deeply influenced by your gut, hormones, thyroid, nervous system, and especially your immune system. We walk through why so many women are given multiple diagnoses like Hashimoto’s, IBS, or SIBO and told to treat them as separate issues, when in reality they may all stem from the same underlying pattern. When your immune system is constantly activated, your body shifts into survival mode, making fat loss, digestion, and hormone balance significantly harder. You’ll also learn how chronic stress, whether from under-eating, overtraining, poor sleep, or emotional pressure, can keep your immune system stuck in overdrive. This isn’t about “just reducing stress,” it’s about understanding what’s actually happening inside your body when it perceives threat. We also break down why quick fixes like medications or supplements often fall short when the root cause isn’t addressed. While tools like Ozempic or antibiotics can have their place, they’re not a substitute for true healing. Finally, we share the framework we use at Vital Spark Coaching to help women move from dysfunction to real results starting with foundations, then restoring the body, and only then focusing on fat loss and performance. The most important takeaway? Your body isn’t broken. It’s adapting. And when you understand what it’s responding to, everything starts to change. Time Stamps: (1:47) Coming Back From Mexico (6:17) An Overactive Immune System (14:22) Resetting The System (22:57) When Our Clients Start Flourishing (24:32) Applying For Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
Most women don’t realize they’re stuck until they’ve already tried everything that was "supposed" to fix them. In this episode, we unpack one of the most frustrating experiences women face: going beyond conventional medicine, investing in functional medicine, and still feeling stuck. I introduce the two common paths women take: traditional healthcare and functional medicine and explain why both can fail in different ways. You’ll hear exactly why being told “everything is normal” leaves so many women without answers, and why even advanced testing and supplement protocols don’t always lead to real results. I break down the critical difference between the idea of functional medicine and how it’s often delivered in practice. I explain how poor sequencing, incomplete strategies, and lack of real-time support can actually make symptoms worse even when you’re following the plan perfectly. If you’ve ever felt like your body just isn’t responding despite your effort, this conversation will hit home. You’ll also learn why supplements alone are rarely the solution, and how missing foundational pieces like nutrition, lifestyle, and stress regulation can stall progress completely. I have a powerful “flower and soil” analogy to explain why your body needs the right environment before it can actually heal. Most importantly, this episode reframes the narrative so many women internalize that they are the problem. If you’ve tried both conventional and functional approaches and still don’t feel like yourself, this isn’t a failure of your body. It’s a gap in the process. By the end, you’ll understand exactly what’s been missing—and what a truly effective, personalized approach to healing actually requires. Time Stamps: (1:17) Two Types of Women Come To Us (3:27) Recent Client Call (8:57) The Premise and Execution of Functional Health (9:34) Doctor Bob Example (10:50) Recent Vital Spark Google Review (12:09) Functional Health Dr. Joe (14:42) The Sequencing Issue (27:47) Working with Vital Spark --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
What if the most frustrating message in your health journey isn’t wrong… it’s just incomplete? In this episode, we unpack the moment so many women know all too well. Finally getting the courage to ask for help, only to be told “everything looks normal.” I share why this experience is far more common than it should be, and why it often leaves women feeling more confused, dismissed, and alone than before. We break down what standard lab testing is actually designed to detect and why it frequently misses the deeper dysfunction driving symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, bloating, and brain fog. You’ll learn the critical difference between disease and dysfunction, and why you can feel terrible even when nothing shows up as “wrong” on paper. We also dive into the truth about reference ranges, and why “normal” often just means average, not optimal. I'll walk through real examples, including how thyroid and hormone imbalances can exist within normal ranges yet still disrupt how you feel every day. We explore what standard testing doesn’t look at at all, from gut health to full hormone patterns, and why those gaps matter more than most people realize. This episode also highlights how cortisol, stress, and the nervous system play a role in keeping the body stuck, even when basic labs appear fine. Most importantly, we talk about the emotional impact of being told you’re “fine” when you know you’re not, and how that message can slowly shift the way you see yourself. There’s a powerful validation that comes from finally understanding what your body has been trying to tell you all along. If you’ve ever felt like your body isn’t responding despite doing everything right, this conversation will give you clarity, language, and a completely new perspective. You are not the problem and this episode will help you understand why. Time Stamps: (1:32) Sharing A Recent Message (3:52) Why This Is Happening (16:22) Reference Ranges (21:17) Detoxication Pathways (24:42) Gut Testing (29:20) Key Things To Remember --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
I want to tell you about a woman who was doing everything right. Eating clean, working out consistently, tracking everything, taking all the supplements. She'd been doing this for two years. And in those two years her weight had gone up, her energy had gotten worse, and she'd started waking up every morning with this low-grade dread about her body that she just couldn't shake. She went to her doctor. Labs came back normal. She went to a functional medicine doctor. Got a supplement list. Came back six months later feeling exactly the same. And at some point she started to quietly believe that maybe she was just the problem. She wasn't. And if any part of that sounds familiar, stay with us because that's exactly what today's episode is about. We are going to break down exactly why smart, disciplined women are doing everything right and getting worse results, why the medical system keeps missing it, and what's actually going on in the gut, hormones, and metabolism that standard testing never finds. Time Stamps: (1:22) A Story About A Women Doing “Everything” Right (7:12) Does This Sound Like You? (16:07) Everything Looks “Normal” (19:47) Your Gut and Immune System --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
What if the reason your hormones feel “off”… has nothing to do with supplements, diets, or doing more and everything to do with what you’re not doing daily? In this episode, we break down the five simple but powerful habits that can dramatically improve your hormone health in as little as 90 days. These aren’t trendy hacks or complicated protocols. They’re foundational lifestyle shifts that most women overlook while chasing faster, flashier solutions. We dive into how your morning routine, movement, and evening habits directly influence cortisol, energy, metabolism, and overall balance. You’ll learn why something as simple as morning light exposure can reset your internal clock and why daily movement doesn’t have to mean intense workouts to be effective. We also unpack one of the most overlooked disruptors of hormone health: your nighttime routine. From screen exposure to late-night eating, these small habits may be quietly working against your body more than you realize. This episode challenges the idea that you need to do more and instead shows you how to do what actually matters . Because when your lifestyle supports your body, everything starts to work with you instead of against you. If you’ve been feeling stuck, exhausted, or like your body just isn’t responding the way it should, this conversation will give you a clear, practical path forward. Start with one habit, stay consistent, and watch what changes. Because your body isn’t broken. It’s just waiting for the right inputs. Time Stamps: (3:37) Changes In Hormone Health (4:47) #1: Morning Light Exposure (9:17) #2: 20 Minutes of Daily Exercise (14:49) #3: Screens Off 60 Minutes Before Bed (16:58) #4: A Calming Wind Down Routine (20:02) #5: Eating Your Last Meal 4 Hours Before Bed --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
What if the reason your body isn’t responding… isn’t because you’re doing something wrong? In this episode, I sit down with Vital Spark coach Lindsey Newman to unpack the story behind her journey from “doing everything right” to realizing her body was breaking down beneath the surface. Coach Lindsey shares what it looked like to chase the “fit mom” identity of training harder, eating less, and trying to prove something both to herself and to the world around her. Despite eating as little as 1200 calories, lifting six days a week, and adding in cardio, her body was gaining weight, her energy was crashing, and her hormones were spiraling. What followed was a season of deep exhaustion, chronic pain, anxiety, and the terrifying feeling that her body was no longer her own. She opens up about the emotional toll of that time, the frustration of being told she was “fine,” and the moment she finally felt seen after receiving a PCOS diagnosis. But even then, she knew there had to be more to the story. That search led her to functional health, where everything began to click. Lindsey shares how uncovering deeper root causes like POTS, gut dysfunction, and thyroid issues completely changed the way she understood her body and ultimately how she healed it. We talk about why “calories in, calories out” isn’t the full picture, how systems in the body are deeply interconnected, and what most women are missing when they try to fix their health. This conversation is for the woman who feels exhausted, frustrated, and stuck despite doing everything she’s been told should work. Because your body isn’t broken and there is a way forward when you finally start looking at the full picture. Time Stamps: (1:22) Coach Lindsey (3:27) Having Babies Early and Staying “Fit” (9:54) The Calories In Calories Out Conversation (13:02) Finding Functional Health (17:20) Finding The True Answers (23:09) POTS Syndrome (30:14) Coaching Women Through Experience (34:58) Where To Find Coach Lindsey --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women’s Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we’ll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel ! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!
