Do you live with chronic pain, inflammation, or migraines and wonder if a GLP-1 could help or are you interested in these medications, but worried about the stigma surrounding them?

In this episode, Nikki chats with aerial coach and movement educator Lauren Kehl about their experiences taking a GLP-1 to manage a chronic illness or chronic condition and why the conversation needs to go beyond calling it a weight loss drug.

Topics covered:

• Personal experiences using a GLP-1 to help manage inflammation, chronic pain, and migraines with both side effects and the benefits.

• The value of body image support while on a GLP-1.

• The intersection of diet culture, GLP-1s, and body autonomy with weight loss

• Cultural stigma around weight loss medications and predatory marketing in the GLP-1 space.

Connect with Lauren Kehl

• Instagram: @laurenkehl

• Website: https://laurenkehl.com/

Connect with Nikki Naab-Levy

• Instagram: @naablevyfitness

• Website: naablevy.com

• Get your FREE hypermobility modification guide for strength exercises! https://naablevy.com/modification-menu/

Do you wonder where your family's traits and medical history came from? Are you looking for insight on your chronic illness and where it might have stemmed from? In this episode, Nikki chats with professional genealogist and storyteller Joanna Tiger to explore the fascinating intersection of family history, DNA, and personal health.

Topics covered

• How paper trails and DNA tests work together to uncover hidden family narratives

• The connection between ancestral trauma, genetics, and modern physical and mental health challenges

• Why knowing your family's history can help you better self advocate in medical settings

Connect with Joanna Tiger

• Instagram: @ourchives.co

• Website: https://www.ourchives.co/

Connect with Nikki Naab-Levy

• Instagram: @naablevyfitness

• Website: naablevy.com

• Get your FREE personalized strength plan! Naablevynaablevy.com/free-strength-plan

• Get your free macros and calories calculator + guide: NaablevyMacros Made Simple - NaabLevy

Episode timestamps

00:00 | Paper Trails and DNA: How to to build and understand your family tree

06:12 | Connecting chronic illnesses to ancestral roots

13:08 | Intergenerational trauma and your DNA

18:59 | How newspaper archives can give you insight on your family's medical and mental health

27:14 | Preparing yourself for family stories that may not match the narrative you were told

33:59 | Using family history to advocate for your health

Traditional physical therapy often doesn't work as well for common hypermobility challenges and comorbidities, such as POTS / dysautonomia, chronic fatigue, pain, and joint instability. However, physical therapy is important for symptom management and improving quality of life.

In this episode, Nikki is joined by physical therapist Dr. Morgan who specializes in a whole-body approach for treating hypermobility related challenges and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Topics covered:

• What is POTS and how it relates to symptomatic hypermobility and hEDS.

• Different physical therapy interventions for POTS and dysautonomia.

• How the thoracic spine and rib cage connect to the autonomic nervous system and may influence POTS symptoms.

• Why standard physical therapy protocols sometimes fail POTS patients and alternative approaches if these protocols don't work well for you.

Connect with Morgan Groover

• Instagram: @morgan.groover.dpt

• Website: https://app.movement-x.com/physical-therapists/morgan-groover

Connect with Nikki

• Instagram: @naablevyfitness

• Website: naablevy.com

• Get your FREE personalized strength plan! Naablevynaablevy.com/free-strength-plan

• Get your free macros and calories calculator + guide: NaablevyMacros Made Simple - NaabLevy

00:00 Introduction and defining POTS and dysautonomia

15:07 | Why traditional physical therapy may not work as well for people with symptomatic hypermobility and hEDS

19:15 | The relationship between the thoracic spine (mid and upper back), nervous system, and POTS or dysautonomia symptoms

28:49 | Navigating the mental and physical challenges that come with flare-ups

39:35 | Why we need to focus on more than the rib flare if we're having pain or symptoms

43:10 | The vestibular system and how it relates to dizziness and migraines

50:34 | Customizing recovery protocols Like CHOP