Core Connections with Erica Ziel

I'm THRILLED to have today's guest back on the podcast! I sat down with Holly Bertone—certified health coach, speaker, and author—to dive into the truth about lasting weight loss. This isn't just an episode about shedding pounds; it's about breaking free from diet culture, understanding the root causes of emotional eating, and creating sustainable habits with science, self-awareness, and empowerment. If you've ever felt stuck in the endless cycle of dieting, frustrated with a lack of results, or unsure how to create lasting change, this episode will inspire and equip you to rewrite your story. Holly shares her top insights into what diets miss, practical strategies for overcoming mindset blocks, and even how to reset your relationship with food. Here's the best part: Holly knows firsthand how challenging it is to overcome the noise of diet culture. But through her own journey, personal challenges, and passion for helping others, she's developed a framework that transforms how we think about weight loss—without the gimmicks or quick fixes. Click play to hear all of this and: (00:01:01) Holly's inspiring transition from the FBI to holistic health coaching and her mission to help women reclaim their health. (00:04:06) Discover why 92% of diets fail and how breaking the cycle of dieting can lead to lasting health. (00:06:15) Learn how shifting your mindset around food can help create sustainable health habits. (00:10:49) Holly's personal journey with food and stress and how it shapes her approach to wellness. (00:11:38) Introducing the ROCKY framework for overcoming emotional eating and building lasting habits. (00:15:17) Simple techniques to raise awareness of food triggers and break the cycle of emotional eating. (00:17:57) How nourishing foods and self-responsibility can help stop emotional eating. (00:22:45) The truth about intermittent fasting and how to align eating with your body's natural signals. (00:26:33) Discover how managing stress and reducing inflammation can improve your health journey. (00:30:33) How understanding and tapping into your nervous system can unlock better health. (00:34:51) Techniques for calming your nervous system and boosting mental and physical well-being. (00:36:57) Strategies for breaking free from emotional eating patterns and improving metabolic health. (00:39:08) Why patience is key to lasting health change and avoiding quick-fix results. (00:41:10) Prioritizing your health to inspire positive changes in those around you. Listen to Related Episodes: She Aligns the Body, Starting with the Feet Neurofascial System: What Do Your Emotions Have To Do With Your Health? Uncover Your Covert Weight Loss Block (Using FBI-Inspired Tactics) Connect With Holly Bertone: Instagram: @holly.bertone Website: https://pinkfortitude.mykajabi.com/your-comeback-coach For full show notes, visit https://www.ericaziel.com/blog/322

The journey through pregnancy and postpartum recovery is deeply personal for me…My career is dedicated to helping prenatal and postpartum women heal their bodies and feel empowered. I KNEW the pain and dysfunction many believed were inevitable during this time didn't have to happen—and that's what drives me to educate and support women on this transformative journey! I had the pleasure of sitting down with Julia Kim, a licensed marriage and family therapist. This conversation is a must-listen for new moms, moms-to-be, or anyone supporting someone through this period of change and growth. Julia shares insightful guidance on navigating the emotional challenges of postpartum recovery, practical tools for managing anxiety, and the importance of creating a strong support system. We'll explore how healing is about so much more than the physical—it's also about emotional well-being and learning to prioritize yourself while embracing the joys and demands of motherhood. (Spoiler alert: You don't have to navigate this alone!) Click play to hear all of this and: (00:00:33) The personal journey that inspired Julie to create a postpartum retreat and transform the postpartum experience for new moms. (00:03:44) The #1 struggle new moms face after childbirth and Julie's essential advice to overcome it. (00:06:24) How proper recovery care can alleviate the physical and mental toll of postpartum—and why sleep is non-negotiable. (00:09:42) Julie's candid experience with DMER and how she navigated mom guilt to prioritize her well-being. (00:13:31) Natural ways to ease the emotional intensity of D-MER. (00:16:20) How South Korean postpartum traditions influenced Julie's evidence-based approach to recovery and preparation at her retreat. (00:19:48) Why preparing for postpartum during pregnancy is the game-changer most parents overlook. (00:22:42) The transformative role of pelvic floor therapy in postpartum recovery and why understanding your body is empowering. (00:24:37) The truth about movement in the first six weeks postpartum—and why it's more crucial than ever for healing and strength. (00:28:20) What causes "pregnancy gait" for postpartum moms and how therapeutic movement can bring your body back into balance. (00:30:48) The surprising impact of smartwatches and EMFs on women's health–especially for postpartum moms. (00:34:33) How embracing innovation and staying on the cutting edge can transform your approach. (00:35:53) Learn the crucial role of partners in postpartum recovery and why building strong support systems can make all the difference. Connect with Julia Kim: Instagram Sanu Postpartum Retreat 📧 Sign up for my Free Pelvic Floor Guide for a step-by-step guide on strengthening your pelvic floor through gentle movement and breathwork so you can live pain-free. 📧 For full show notes, visit ericaziel.com/blog/321

She's worked on creating life-changing educational tools (think: homeopathy curriculum for moms). Paola Brown, a passionate advocate for natural health and generational wellness, has found success with homeopathy because of one singular philosophy: true health starts in the home. Homeopathy uses highly diluted natural substances to trigger the body's innate ability to heal itself. It focuses on treating the root cause of illness rather than suppressing symptoms. But here's the catch: it's not as mainstream as modern medicine, and many people don't know where to start. This is exactly why I knew I had to bring her on the show. In this episode, Paola shares her personal journey from battling chronic autoimmune diseases to thriving with homeopathy, why empowering families with this knowledge is so vital, and how you can take simple steps to "ditch the drugs" and embrace natural healing for yourself and your loved ones. Click >>PLAY (00:00:29) How Paola's battle with autoimmune disease led her to embrace homeopathy and create life-changing educational tools. (00:05:21) The first time Paola discovered homeopathy and how it transformed her approach to health. (00:08:00) Why Paola developed a homeopathy curriculum specifically designed for moms and families. (00:09:58) How teaching kids about health choices empowers them to take charge of their wellness. (00:12:09) How homeopathy is helping children make their own health choices. (00:17:54) Why getting sick is a natural and necessary part of building a stronger immune system. (00:19:44) The link between fear, emotions, and your immune system's health. (00:21:20) A look at the history of homeopathy and how it became the first natural medicine. (00:27:45) How homeopathy fell out of favor—and why moms are bringing it back. (00:31:05) The three-step process to find the right homeopathic remedy for any situation. (00:35:34) An inside look at Paola's family-friendly homeopathy curriculum and how it works. (00:43:46) Why homeopathy is perfect for kids and teaches them lifelong health skills. (00:45:21) Free resources and tools Paola offers to help you get started with homeopathy. (00:50:43) The small steps you can take today to "ditch the drugs" and embrace natural healing. For full show notes, visit: ericaziel.com/blog/320

Have you ever had something, someone, or even just a conversation light a FIRE in you? It's as if every nerve in your being is telling you, 'Hey, this might be the missing piece you've been looking for that you need to try now—okay?' Well, as a functional medicine practitioner, the insight and transformation that feeling can bring is pure magic. So, if you're ready to be part of a conversation that's all about pain management, reducing stress, and the beautiful way acupuncture can support your body, then you simply can't miss this episode with Director of Clinical Operations at VUIM Clinic, Dr. Haley Parker. Click play to hear all of this and… (00:00:39) Introduction of Dr. Haley and her journey to becoming an acupuncturist. (00:03:26) How acupuncture works and its effects on the body's healing processes. (00:06:31) How acupuncture can help retrain the brain and nervous system specifically with fear of movement. (00:10:23) The impact of modern lifestyle on health and body imbalances. (00:11:21) How stress affects digestion and overall health. (00:15:01) Dr. Haley's perspective on smart watches and their potential impact on health. (00:20:36) The benefits of acupuncture for pregnancy and postpartum recovery. (00:26:17) Using acupuncture to address infertility and support the overall wellness of both partners in a relationship. (00:28:52) A natural alternative to botox. (00:31:21) Dr. Haley's perspective on beauty and anti-aging. (00:32:51) How acupuncture helps with pelvic floor health, incontinence, and enhancing pelvic floor function. (00:36:57) The concept of Yin and Yang in Chinese medicine. (00:39:55) How often should you be getting acupuncture treatments. (00:42:12) Teaching acupuncture practitioners and the growing field of integrative medicine. Listen to Related Episodes: How to Break Free from Painful Movement and Start Trusting Your Body When You're Afraid to Move 🌟 Enjoy 10% off my supplement line with code PODCAST10 to support your joint health, boost skin elasticity, and nourish your body with the essential nutrients it needs! For full show notes, visit ericaziel.com/blog/319

Welcome to your deep dive into body alignment. Oh yes, today, this conversation starts with the feet, but more importantly… It explores how everything in the body is integrated, working together to create stability and power. (Can you tell that I lo(ooo)ve talking about functional movement?) Joining me today is none other than Dr. Emily Splichal, a podiatrist and movement specialist with a passion for helping people connect with their bodies. We're talking all about how foot mechanics impact your entire body and sharing insight on one of our favorite topics...FACIA. We're also getting into how sensory stimulation can wake up the nervous system in the feet and hands (Emily is so passionate about this that she designed her Naboso products to support this connection). Dr. Emily's approach? It's right up my alley—practical, insightful, and incredibly empowering. I have no doubt you're going to love this conversation as much as I did! Click play to hear all of this and: (00:02:11) Introduction to Dr. Emily's career as a functional podiatrist and human movement specialist. (00:05:48) How pregnancy and postpartum hormonal shifts affect foot posture, gait, pelvic alignment, and overall movement patterns. (00:10:00) The link between lower back pain, foot stability, and how foot-pelvic floor coordination impacts posture and movement. (00:13:40) The importance of relaxing into your body. (00:16:28) The power of tactile feedback from the feet. (00:21:55) Dr. Emily's guidance on introducing sensory feedback safely using specialized tools to awaken nerves in the feet. (00:24:30) How to improve foot arches and core stability. (00:28:12) The connection between fascia, foot function, pelvic floor, diaphragm, and movement for whole-body integration. (00:36:43) The mindset shift you need to make to develop new patterns for better physical alignment and relaxation. (00:38:50) How Naboso products stimulate the nervous system and help create new neural pathways for better movement. (00:44:13) Why Naboso technology's use of textured surfaces to enhance sensory input and brain engagement. (00:47:48) Seeing movement as a personal journey of exploration, with new insights emerging as readiness and experience grow. (00:50:54) Dr. Emily's upcoming book Sensory Sapiens, focuses on sensory movement and how it supports lifelong mobility and longevity. Resources mentioned: Naboso Neuro Ball Naboso Mats Postpartum Core Workout with the Naboso Neuro Ball Connect with Dr. Emily Splichal: Dr. Emily's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefunctionalfootdoc Naboso's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naboso_technology Website: https://www.dremilysplichal.com For full show notes, visit https://www.ericaziel.com/blog/318