The Joyful Health Show: A Non-Diet Wellness Podcast for Christians

Dr. Dusty Hess, a doctor of functional medicine and founder of Upstream Health, joins the show to explain why your symptoms aren't a moral failure, but messages worth listening to. We talk about moving past symptom chasing and learning to read the biofeedback signals God built into your body, and why conventional and functional medicine should work together instead of competing. In this episode: Why a symptom is "evidence that the body is working hard," not proof that something is wrong with you The 4 signals worth paying attention to Learning what "right" looks like first, instead of only hunting for what's wrong We'll also discuss the difference between health care and sick care and how to navigate the functional medicine vs. western medicine world. Our hope is that you can walk away from this episode with a bit more knowledge and a lot more peace, knowing that God made you on purpose, for a purpose, fearfully and wonderfully designed. "A symptom is evidence that the body is working hard." — Dr. Dusty Hess Helpful timestamps: 04:30 Avoiding Health Idols 09:50 Healthcare Versus Sick Care 15:18 Costly Protocols and Basics 17:37 Symptoms Grace and Stewardship 21:56 Four Biofeedback Basics 22:39 Sleep And Daily Rhythm 24:12 Energy And Capacity Check 25:37 Digestion And Elimination 28:46 Stress Recovery And Baseline 31:18 Keep It Simple And Track Patterns 👉 Work with Dr. Hess at Upstream Health If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show! Give back and help someone else cut through the weeds of wellness culture and discover joyful health, by grace. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode and timely announcements. Let's keep setting others free to ditch the guilt and pursue joyful health, by grace! ☀️ Get your free 5-Week Bible Study on Body Image here 🎉 Find freedom from dieting and get healthy the joyful way with our signature course Connect with me: joyfulhealth.co | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Brushing your teeth may sound like common sense, but did you know that timing really matters? Did you know that you shouldn't brush your teeth right after you drink coffee? After I had this exact conversation after tennis with my friend and dentist, Eleanor Patterson, I knew she had to come on the podcast and explain more. In this episode, we not only chat about the science of dentistry, but the heart behind good care. Here's what we'll cover: What actually causes cavities (it's not sugar) The one food to pair with wine that keeps your teeth healthier What to look for in a worthwhile dentist I know that many people dread going to the dentist for various reasons. My hope is that through this conversation, Eleanor will shine the light of Christ as a dentist who truly cares about her patients. Let's raise the standard for you to find a provider who can do the same. May you leave this episode feeling confident to shine not only through your smile, but whether you eat, drink, or whatever you do. "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 Helpful timestamps: 02:24 Coffee Brushing Myth 05:08 What Cavities Really Are 10:01 Timing Meals vs Sipping 12:42 Kids Teeth and School Snacks 18:36 Wine and your teeth 23:56 Grace Not Shame Care 32:23 Corporate vs Private Practices 🦷 Find Eleanor at https://pattersonandcodentalcare.com/ If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show! Give back and help someone else cut through the weeds of wellness culture and discover joyful health, by grace. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode and timely announcements. Let's keep setting others free to ditch the guilt and pursue joyful health, by grace! ☀️ Get your free 5-Week Bible Study on Body Image here 🎉 Find freedom from dieting and get healthy the joyful way with our signature course Connect with me: joyfulhealth.co | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

As a fitness instructor for 20 years now, I've seen a lot. The fitness industry ebbs and flows on the pendulum from aerobics to weight lifting to everything in between. Today, I want to highlight what I see working well, and 10 things we can look out for to improve upon. Here's what I'll cover: The popular fitness mindset that may be the #1 reason you keep quitting The random YouTube workout trend: why it's inefficient and what to do instead Busting the fear of getting bulky and the catch 22 of other results-based programs As always, my hope is that we can return to our original design, discover how God made us to move, and to continue pursuing Jesus as we walk with God both literally and spiritually. Because in the end, God won't ask you how many push-ups you can do but how much He loves you. "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Time Stamps: 06:07 Movement as Worship 07:29 No Pain no gain? 13:51 Prioritize your routine 16:47 Reinventing the wheel 20:36 Doing Random Youtube Videos 22:03 Skipping Strength 24:28 Recovery and Fueling 27:18 Form and Full Range 28:42 Push Your Potential 32:21 Get Help Starting 🎧 Start with joyful movement habit worksheets If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show! Give back and help someone else cut through the weeds of wellness culture and discover joyful health, by grace. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode and timely announcements. Let's keep setting others free to ditch the guilt and pursue joyful health, by grace! ☀️ Get your free 5-Week Bible Study on Body Image here 🎉 Find freedom from dieting and get healthy the joyful way with our signature course Connect with me: joyfulhealth.co | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

In this episode of the Joyful Health Show, I share a sample of my newest book, Freedom from Food Fixation: A 21-Day Intuitive Eating Devotional for Christian Women. I wrote this to help you rest from the food rules, reconnect with your body, and renew your trust in your Maker. You were meant to think about more than food, so let's get free! Through daily biblical encouragement, practical reflection, and intuitive eating principles, you'll learn how to quiet the mental noise around food so you can focus on Jesus instead of be fixated on food. This book will help you: Recognize the subtle ways diet culture has shaped your thoughts about food and your body Replace guilt, shame, and food rules with biblical wisdom Find freedom from food obsession so you can pursue the abundant life God desires for you Whether you've struggled with chronic dieting, emotional eating, food guilt, or body image, this devotional is here to help you walk towards greater freedom and better health with the Lord your God. 🎧 Get the new book here ✅ Click here for a quiz and group guide If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show! Give back and help someone else cut through the weeds of wellness culture and discover joyful health, by grace. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode and timely announcements. Let's keep setting others free to ditch the guilt and pursue joyful health, by grace! ☀️ Get your free 5-Week Bible Study on Body Image here 🎉 Find freedom from dieting and get healthy the joyful way with our signature course Connect with me: joyfulhealth.co | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

In today's episode, I interview Claire Boyce and Travis Bond from Upward Sports/Upward Running and the Kinda Fast podcast about running, identity, and keeping Jesus at the center of fitness—especially when injury interrupts training. If you're a faith-driven runner or fitness enthusiast who feels discouraged by injuries or even too intimidated to start, this episode is for you. What we'll cover: Imposter syndrome and defining what it means to be a runner Practical ways to avoid making fitness an idol Lessons from recurring injuries Rekindling a love for running and embracing all paces My hope is that you'll walk away with a fresh perspective on running, faith, and what "winning" means to you on your fitness journey. "Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Helpful time stamps: 00:53 What Is Upward Running 02:51 How They Joined Upward 05:01 Adult Running and Community 06:57 Runner Identity Mindset 10:12 Injuries and Training Smarter 13:00 When Running Becomes an Idol 16:22 Practical Ways to Keep Balance 23:31 Training Plans and Defining Wins 🏃‍♀️ Check out Upward Running here 🎧 Listen to the Kinda Fast Podcast ✅ Click here for the full blog post with more resources. If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show! Give back and help someone else cut through the weeds of wellness culture and discover joyful health, by grace. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode and timely announcements. Let's keep setting others free to ditch the guilt and pursue joyful health, by grace! ☀️ Get your free 5-Week Bible Study on Body Image here 🎉 Find freedom from dieting and get healthy the joyful way with our signature course Connect with me: joyfulhealth.co | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube