The Elevated Health Podcast

Why Being in Nature Improves Mental Health, Stress & Inflammation

Spending time in nature isn’t just relaxing,  it’s physiologically restorative.
In this episode, we explore the science-backed benefits of nature on stress, mental health, inflammation, and long-term longevity. From sunlight exposure to nervous system regulation, time outdoors directly impacts cortisol, sleep, immune function, and emotional resilience.
You’ll learn:
• How nature reduces stress hormones like cortisol• The connection between sunlight, circadian rhythm, and sleep• Why outdoor exposure improves mood and anxiety• The impact of fresh air and movement on metabolic health• Simple ways to incorporate more nature into daily life
Nature is not a luxury-- it’s a biological need.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, inflamed, exhausted, or disconnected, this episode explains why stepping outside may be one of the most powerful health interventions available.

From Anxiety to Peace: A Mental Health Conversation with Shelly Moss, LCSW

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges today — but what actually causes it, and how do we move toward peace?
In this episode, I sit down with licensed clinical social worker Shelly Moss, LCSW, to discuss anxiety, stress, nervous system regulation, and the path to emotional resilience.
We explore:
• What anxiety really is (and what it isn’t)• The difference between everyday stress and clinical anxiety• How the nervous system becomes dysregulated• Therapy tools that help restore emotional balance• The connection between physical health and mental health• Practical steps to move from chronic stress toward peace
This conversation is compassionate, practical, and grounded in clinical experience.
If you struggle with anxiety, feel chronically overwhelmed, or want to better understand how mental health and physical health intersect, this episode offers clarity and hope.

Should You Monitor Your Blood Sugar? CGMs, Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Health

 
Should you be monitoring your blood sugar even if you’re not diabetic?
In this episode, we discuss continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), metabolic health, and why blood sugar stability matters far beyond diabetes. Insulin resistance can develop years before a diagnosis, and early glucose patterns often reveal what standard labs miss.
You’ll learn:
• What a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) actually measures• How blood sugar spikes impact insulin, inflammation, and fat storage• Why insulin resistance develops silently• Who benefits most from glucose monitoring• Common misconceptions about “normal” A1c levels• How glucose tracking can improve energy, weight loss, and long-term longevity
Glucose is not just a diabetes metric -it’s a window into metabolic function.
If you’re interested in prevention, longevity, weight management, or optimizing your health before disease develops, this episode will help you decide whether glucose monitoring makes sense for you.

Functional Medicine vs. Conventional Medicine: What Insurance Doesn’t Cover (and Why It Matters)

What’s the difference between functional medicine and conventional medicine, and why doesn’t insurance cover both?
In this episode, we break down how insurance-based healthcare models shape modern medicine, why most appointments are limited to symptom management, and what gets missed when root causes aren’t investigated.
You’ll learn:
• How insurance reimbursement impacts testing and treatment• Why 10–15 minute visits limit chronic disease care• The difference between symptom suppression and root cause medicine• Why insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction require deeper evaluation• When conventional medicine is essential and when a functional approach adds value
This episode clarifies common misconceptions about functional medicine while explaining how healthcare systems influence the care you receive.
If you’ve ever felt like your labs were “normal” but you still don’t feel well — this conversation is for you.

How I Became a Functional Medicine Provider | Root Cause vs. Conventional Care

In this first episode of The Elevated Health Podcast, I share how I went from studying nutrition to practicing functional medicine and why I believe root cause healthcare is the future of chronic disease management.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated with symptom-based medicine, short appointments, or prescriptions that don’t address the underlying issue, this episode will resonate.
We discuss:• The difference between conventional medicine and functional medicine• Why metabolic dysfunction is at the root of so many chronic conditions• How nutrition, insulin resistance, inflammation, and gut health connect• What it means to practice root cause medicine• Why patients deserve deeper investigation, longer visits, and personalized care
This episode lays the foundation for everything we discuss on this podcast — including metabolic health, hormones, gut health, diabetes, weight loss, longevity, and preventative care.
If you’re new here, this is the perfect place to start.