The Vibrant Wellness Podcast

Dr. Elena Villanueva joins the show to discuss environmental toxins, chronic illness, root-cause medicine, advanced lab testing, and a more personalized approach to patient care. Together, we explore how chemicals, plastics, mold, heavy metals, gut dysfunction, and other underlying factors can contribute to complex symptoms and why identifying and measuring these patterns can help guide more targeted care.
We dive into:
Environmental toxins and their potential role in chronic illness
The cumulative impact of chemicals, plastics, mold, and heavy metals
Why a comprehensive patient history is essential for identifying root causes
Using advanced lab testing to uncover and measure underlying patterns
The connection between environmental toxins, gut health, and immune function
How gut dysfunction can influence nutrient absorption, brain function, and metabolic health
The role of the Gut Zoomer and Wheat Zoomer in providing additional clinical context
Why retesting can help practitioners measure progress and refine patient protocols
Simplifying complex protocols to improve patient adherence
How practitioners can take a more personalized, evidence-based approach to chronic health concerns

🕒Chapters
00:00 Meet Dr. Elena Villanueva
00:55 From Sports Medicine to Functional Medicine
02:13 Why More Patients Are Seeking Holistic Care
04:13 The Rise of Complex Chronic Illness
05:38 Why a Good Patient History Still Matters
07:27 Using Advanced Labs to Find the Root Cause
08:07 Trauma, Toxins & Thoughts
10:10 The Hidden Impact of Environmental Toxins
11:39 Understanding Cumulative Toxic Load
12:40 Why Detox Protocols Can Become Overwhelming
14:23 Testing, Retesting & Finding What Works
15:34 Simplifying Complex Supplement Protocols
17:11 Building an Evidence-Based Approach
17:54 Why Testing Matters for Precision Care
19:08 The Problem with Pill Fatigue
20:15 Supporting Detox, Repair & Regeneration Together
21:33 Who Should Consider Toxin Testing?
22:04 Wheat Zoomer & Immune Reactivity
23:13 How Toxins Can Disrupt Gut Health
24:14 The Gut, Immune System & Brain Connection
24:39 Helping Practitioners Put the Pieces Together
27:25 The Shift Toward Root-Cause Medicine
28:03 Final Takeaways

🔗 Dr. Brooke Stubbs, MD 
https://www.instagram.com/brookiestubbsmd 
https://www.rootedfemme.com/ 

🔗 Dr. Elena Villanueva, DC
https://www.instagram.com/drelenavillanueva/ 
https://modernholistichealth.com/ 

🔗 Explore the Gut Zoomer: 
https://vibrant-wellness.com/tests/gut-zoomer

Do you use lab testing to get to the root cause of patient health issues? Vibrant Wellness offers the largest selection of advanced specialty lab solutions, and it's free to sign up! If you're a practitioner, sign up here: https://portal.vibrant-wellness.com/#/sign-up to order, manage, and track results from dozens of precise lab tests. Are you a patient? Achieve your health goals faster with advanced root-cause lab testing. Sign up here to get connected to a Vibrant provider: https://www.vibrant-wellness.com/Signup/Patient

✨ Like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share this episode if you’re ready to take charge of your hormones and feel vibrant again!

Follow Us:
📸 Instagram:   / vibrantwellness  
💼 LinkedIn:   / vibrantwellness  
📧 Contact Us: support@vibrant-wellness.com

Disclaimer:
All content from Vibrant Wellness, including but not limited to YouTube videos, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services or advice, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on the channel, podcast, or other content linked from this channel or podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
Email us at: podcast@vibrant-wellness.com

Dr. Jack Kreindler joins the show to discuss longevity, human performance, physiological medicine, and what it truly takes to preserve vitality as we age. Together, we explore why longevity should go beyond disease prevention and quick fixes to focus on building the physical capacity, resilience, and independence needed to thrive throughout life.
We dive into:
Redefining longevity around vitality, healthspan, and physiological capacity
What extreme environments and human performance science can teach us about aging
Using VO2 max, body composition, and functional assessments to understand health trajectories
Why treating everyday patients more like athletes can support long-term performance
Building strength, mobility, and resilience to maintain independence with age
Why foundational physiology should come before peptides and other longevity interventions
GLP-1s, emerging therapies, and the importance of thoughtful risk management
The limitations of quick fixes and longevity trends popularized on social media
How clinicians can incorporate performance science and physiological medicine into patient care
Why preserving physical and cognitive function is central to a meaningful approach to longevity

🕒Chapters
00:00 Meet Dr. Jack Kreindler
00:37 Redefining What Longevity Really Means
01:27 What Extreme Environments Teach Us About Human Performance
02:20 Can We Have the Physiology of a 60-Year-Old at 90?
02:47 Moving Beyond Disease Prevention
03:15 Using Performance Testing to Optimize Health
04:51 Treating Patients Like Athletes
05:22 Understanding VO2 Max and Physiological Capacity
06:08 Setting Goals for Lifelong Vitality
07:06 Recognizing Your Health Trajectory Before It Declines
07:40 Measuring Body Composition, Strength & Function
08:48 Finding the Physiological Barriers to Better Health
09:44 Training the Body for Long-Term Resilience
10:11 Peptides, Pharmaceuticals & Longevity Technology
11:10 Why Cutting-Edge Treatments Need a Strong Foundation
12:49 Why There Are No Shortcuts to Longevity
14:55 GLP-1s, Muscle Mass & Responsible Use
16:18 The Risks of Longevity Hype on Social Media
18:03 Advice for Clinicians Entering Longevity Medicine
19:09 Preserving Healthspan Through Physiological Medicine
20:24 Where to Learn More About Dr. Jack Kreindler

🔗 Dr. Alex Carrasco, MD
https://nourishmedicine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dralexcarrasco/

🔗 Dr. Jack Kreindler, MD
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackkreindler/
https://wellfounded.health/

Do you use lab testing to get to the root cause of patient health issues? Vibrant Wellness offers the largest selection of advanced specialty lab solutions, and it's free to sign up! If you're a practitioner, sign up here: https://portal.vibrant-wellness.com/#/sign-up to order, manage, and track results from dozens of precise lab tests. Are you a patient? Achieve your health goals faster with advanced root-cause lab testing. Sign up here to get connected to a Vibrant provider: https://www.vibrant-wellness.com/Signup/Patient

✨ Like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share this episode if you’re ready to take charge of your hormones and feel vibrant again!

Follow Us:
📸 Instagram:   / vibrantwellness 
💼 LinkedIn:   / vibrantwellness 
📧 Contact Us: support@vibrant-wellness.com

Disclaimer:
All content from Vibrant Wellness, including but not limited to YouTube videos, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services or advice, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on the channel, podcast, or other content linked from this channel or podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Email us at: podcast@vibrant-wellness.com

Angela Pifer joins the show to discuss SIBO, digestive dysfunction, the gut-brain connection, and why lasting gut health requires looking beyond symptoms to uncover the underlying drivers. Together, we explore how stress, nervous system dysregulation, infections, diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors can influence digestion and why a personalized, root-cause approach is essential for breaking the cycle of recurring gut issues.
We dive into:
SIBO symptoms and why bacterial overgrowth is often a downstream issue
Why identifying root causes matters before jumping into treatment
The role of stomach acid, digestive function, and nutrient deficiencies in gut health
Stress, trauma, the vagus nerve, and the gut-brain connection
Why repeated rounds of antibiotics may not resolve recurring digestive symptoms
IBS, leaky gut, and the importance of looking at the bigger clinical picture
Restrictive diets, food reintroduction, and rebuilding tolerance to foods like beans and FODMAPs
How slowing down, chewing thoroughly, and eating in a relaxed state can support digestion
Circadian rhythm, sleep, movement, muscle mass, and other foundations of long-term health
Social connection, creativity, and joy as overlooked components of overall wellness
Alcohol's impact on the gut, inflammation, sleep, and the body's ability to process toxins
Why simplifying treatment and addressing upstream drivers can lead to more sustainable gut health

🕒Chapters
00:00 Meet Angela Pifer, the “SIBO Guru”
01:11 SIBO Symptoms and What to Look For
02:10 Looking Beyond SIBO to Find the Root Cause
04:01 Where Practitioners Should Start With Testing
07:26 Stress, the Vagus Nerve, and Digestive Health
10:16 Leaky Gut, IBS, and Recurring Symptoms
11:37 Why Treating SIBO Alone May Not Be Enough
13:04 The Problem With Repeated Antibiotic Treatment
13:46 What to Do When SIBO Keeps Coming Back
15:30 Restrictive Diets, FODMAPs, and Food Reintroduction
18:13 How Slowing Down and Chewing Supports Digestion
20:42 Longevity Tools vs. Foundational Health Habits
21:48 Social Connection, Creativity, and Gut Health
23:48 How Alcohol Affects the Gut and Microbiome
25:59 Simplifying Gut Health and Addressing Root Causes
27:56 Where to Find and Work With Angela Pifer

🔗 Dr. Brooke Stubbs, MD 
https://www.instagram.com/brookiestubbsmd 
https://www.rootedfemme.com/ 

🔗 Angela Pifer, FMN
https://siboguru.com/ 
https://www.instagram.com/sibo.guru 

Do you use lab testing to get to the root cause of patient health issues? Vibrant Wellness offers the largest selection of advanced specialty lab solutions, and it's free to sign up! If you're a practitioner, sign up here: https://portal.vibrant-wellness.com/#/sign-up to order, manage, and track results from dozens of precise lab tests. Are you a patient? Achieve your health goals faster with advanced root-cause lab testing. Sign up here to get connected to a Vibrant provider: https://www.vibrant-wellness.com/Signup/Patient

✨ Like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share this episode if you’re ready to take charge of your hormones and feel vibrant again!

Follow Us:
📸 Instagram:   / vibrantwellness
💼 LinkedIn:   / vibrantwellness  
📧 Contact Us: support@vibrant-wellness.com

Disclaimer:
All content from Vibrant Wellness, including but not limited to YouTube videos, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services or advice, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on the channel, podcast, or other content linked from this channel or podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
Email us at: podcast@vibrant-wellness.com

Dr. Kyle Bills joins the show to explore the neuroscience of dopamine, anxiety, addiction, and the emerging role of non-pharmacological interventions in supporting brain health. Together, we discuss how targeted vibrational stimulation may influence neurological pathways involved in reward, craving, and behavior and how this technology could complement existing therapies to support more effective, personalized care.

We dive into:
How dopamine and GABA interact within the brain’s reward and learning pathways
Why dopamine is more than a “feel-good” neurotransmitter and how it shapes behavior
The neuroscience behind cravings, addiction, and withdrawal
How targeted vibrational stimulation may influence dopamine-related brain circuitry
What clinical research is showing about anxiety and substance use recovery
How non-pharmacological interventions may complement cognitive behavioral therapy and other standards of care
The potential role of this technology in supporting sleep, cravings, and behavioral change
The future of neuroscience-driven, non-pharmacological approaches to mental and neurological health

🕒Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Meet Dr. Kyle Bills
00:51 – The Science Behind NeuroNova
03:00 – Dopamine, Addiction & Withdrawal
06:32 – How Vibrational Stimulation Works
06:57 – Understanding GABA & Dopamine
10:34 – Supporting Addiction Recovery & Anxiety
14:40 – The Neuroscience of Anxiety & Negative Thinking
17:21 – Clinical Outcomes & Reducing Anxiety
18:17 – Social Media, Cravings & Behavioral Addiction
20:40 – Clinical Applications & Future Research
21:19 – Sleep & Non-Pharmacological Support
22:12 – Where to Learn More About NeuroNova

🔗 Dr. Alex Carrasco, MD
https://nourishmedicine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dralexcarrasco/

🔗 Dr. Kyle Bills, PhD
https://www.instagram.com/drkylebills/ 
https://migraineandneurorehabcenter.com/ 
https://choosecove.com/ 

Do you use lab testing to get to the root cause of patient health issues? Vibrant Wellness offers the largest selection of advanced specialty lab solutions, and it's free to sign up! If you're a practitioner, sign up here: https://portal.vibrant-wellness.com/#/sign-up to order, manage, and track results from dozens of precise lab tests. Are you a patient? Achieve your health goals faster with advanced root-cause lab testing. Sign up here to get connected to a Vibrant provider: https://www.vibrant-wellness.com/Signup/Patient

✨ Like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share this episode if you’re ready to take charge of your hormones and feel vibrant again!

Follow Us:
📸 Instagram:   / vibrantwellness
📘 Facebook:   / vibrantamerica  
💼 LinkedIn:   / vibrantwellness  
📧 Contact Us: support@vibrant-wellness.com

Disclaimer:
All content from Vibrant Wellness, including but not limited to YouTube videos, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services or advice, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on the channel, podcast, or other content linked from this channel or podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
Email us at: podcast@vibrant-wellness.com

Dr. Aimie Apigian joins the show to explain how unresolved trauma can become embedded in the body's biology, shaping energy, digestion, sleep, pain, mood, and the ability to respond to stress. Drawing from her experience as a physician, adoptive mother, and trauma specialist, she breaks down the difference between healthy activation and nervous system overwhelm, including the shutdown state that can leave people feeling exhausted, disconnected, or stuck.

We dive into:
How Dr. Apigian's personal health crisis changed the direction of her medical career
The difference between stress, trauma, and nervous system overwhelm
The three nervous system states: safety, activation, and shutdown
Why high cortisol can coexist with fatigue, collapse, and low capacity
How the body trauma loop keeps people moving between activation and overwhelm
Why complex patients need precise, stage-appropriate nervous system support
How somatic exercises can create a felt sense of safety in the moment
The role of parts work in reducing inner conflict and supporting regulation
Why healing must address the mind, the body, and biology
What clinicians should understand before recommending trauma-focused therapies

🕒Chapters
00:00 Meet Dr. Aimie Apigian, MD
00:34 From Surgery Residency to a Personal Health Crisis
02:34 Finding Functional Medicine and Trauma Healing
04:41 When Talk Therapy Did Not Create Forward Movement
07:26 The Three States of the Nervous System
09:23 Stress vs. Overwhelm, Freeze, and Shutdown
13:07 The Critical Line of Overwhelm
15:43 Understanding the Dorsal Vagal State
18:07 The Body Trauma Loop
18:31 A Precision Approach to Nervous System Healing
21:45 Why Dr. Apigian Entered Addiction Medicine
23:45 The Power of Simple Somatic Exercises
25:21 What Changed in the First 21 Days
27:17 A Stomach Support Exercise for Felt Safety
30:13 Why Pressure and Weight Can Feel Regulating
33:13 Building Capacity Before Deeper Trauma Work
34:57 What Clinicians Need to Know
36:42 Somatic Work and Parts Work
39:23 Healing the Mind, Body, and Biology
42:33 Somatic Coupling and Complex Symptoms
44:39 Resources for Individuals and Practitioners

🔗 Dr. Alex Carrasco, MD
https://nourishmedicine.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dralexcarrasco/

🔗 Dr. Aimie Apigian, MD
https://www.biologyoftrauma.com/book 
https://www.instagram.com/draimie 
https://www.biologyoftrauma.com/ 

Do you use lab testing to get to the root cause of patient health issues? Vibrant Wellness offers the largest selection of advanced specialty lab solutions, and it's free to sign up! If you're a practitioner, sign up here: https://portal.vibrant-wellness.com/#/sign-up to order, manage, and track results from dozens of precise lab tests. Are you a patient? Achieve your health goals faster with advanced root-cause lab testing. Sign up here to get connected to a Vibrant provider: https://www.vibrant-wellness.com/Signup/Patient

✨ Like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share this episode if you’re ready to take charge of your hormones and feel vibrant again!

Follow Us:
📸 Instagram:   / vibrantwellness
📘 Facebook:   / vibrantamerica  
💼 LinkedIn:   / vibrantwellness  
📧 Contact Us: support@vibrant-wellness.com

Disclaimer:
All content from Vibrant Wellness, including but not limited to YouTube videos, is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services or advice, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on the channel, podcast, or other content linked from this channel or podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
Email us at: podcast@vibrant-wellness.com