Episodi

  • 49 | Dr. Sarah Koehl - The Victim-to-Victory Method: Love Your Body, Heal Your Pain
    Feb 24 2026

    Are you tired of feeling trapped by pain, tension, or stress… yet desperate for hope that real change is possible?

    In this powerful episode, Stacey Roberts welcomes physical therapist and yoga expert Dr. Sarah Koehl of Anchor Wellness, who shares her personal journey from chronic pain “victim” to holistic healer. Together, they pull back the curtain on how breath, movement, and integrated PT-Yoga strategies unlock greater mobility, resilience, and calm, even when medicine says there’s nothing “wrong.”

    Expect straight talk on why headstands aren’t magic, the underrated art of 360-degree breathing, plus hands-on tips for calming your nervous system and changing your story today. If you want to break cycles of pain and reclaim control, this episode is urgent listening. The alternatives to living “stuck” are real, local, and accessible. Don’t miss these exclusive tools and mindset flips.


    Timestamped Highlights
    1. [00:00:00] – The accident that changed everything and why movement—not medicine—set Sarah free
    2. [00:03:39] – Cutting through the chaos: what yoga teacher training in Costa Rica taught about healing
    3. [00:05:52] – What most PTs and clinics are missing and how holistic care redefines possibility
    4. [00:07:21] – Yoga’s misunderstood roots: is it religion, flexibility, or something far deeper?
    5. [00:09:24] – The danger zone in overstretching, headstands, and what real stability looks like
    6. [00:12:20] – Fascial lines explained: why Downward Dog is more than a stretch (and what plantar fasciitis reveals)
    7. [00:14:13] – Posture, compensation, and the missing link between your breath and pelvic floor
    8. [00:23:04] – The umbrella breathing revolution: how 360 expansion changes your body—and your mind



    About The Guest

    Dr. Sarah Koehl is a leading physical therapist at Anchor Wellness Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. With more than 11 years of clinical expertise, Dr. Koehl specializes in pelvic floor dysfunction, movement biomechanics, and chronic pain management, empowering individuals, especially women experiencing pelvic discomfort, postpartum transitions, chronically tight tissues, and movement-related pain, to achieve lasting relief through personalized, evidence-based physical therapy.

    At Anchor Wellness Center, Dr. Koehl embraces a holistic approach that goes well beyond merely treating isolated symptoms. She dives into how breath, posture, nervous system regulation, and functional movement shape pain perception and promote long-term resilience. This science-backed yet holistic perspective resonates with anyone seeking real, root-cause solutions to chronic pain, not just quick fixes.

    In her practice, Dr. Koehl educates and equips patients and fellow clinicians with practical tools for movement and body awareness. She teaches the critical role of fascia, biomechanics, and diaphragmatic breathing in shifting pain for the long term, often blending the movement wisdom of yoga with her physical therapy background. Her insights offer accessible strategies to move and feel better without overreliance on medications, surgery, or endless band-aid solutions.


    Learn more about Dr. Koehl and Anchor Wellness Center at

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    42 min
  • 48 | Diaphragmatic Breathing: The Most Inexpensive Pain Treatment Doctors Never Talk About
    Feb 10 2026

    Do you ever wish for a simple, proven way to quiet pain and anxiety without pills or endless appointments?

    In this science-backed solo episode, Stacey Roberts reveals the transformative benefits of diaphragmatic breathing and why harnessing this “built-in remedy” could be your life’s most powerful shift. Drawing on research from leading institutions and her own clinic success, Stacey demystifies breathwork, explains how stress amplifies pain, and walks you through a step-by-step exercise you can use anywhere, anytime.

    Tune in now to break free from pain’s grip, reclaim your body’s resilience, and tap into insights you won’t find on a typical health show. Don’t wait! Your calm, confident self is just one breath away.


    Timestamped Highlights
    1. [00:00:01] – Why pain isn’t just physical: Meet the surprising tool that works every second of your life
    2. [00:01:06] – Stacey’s personal meditation story and the “aha” moment that changed her pain forever
    3. [00:02:24] – Is relief just placebo, or is science on your side? The critical research most people miss
    4. [00:03:17] – Are you trapped in fight-or-flight mode and how can you break free today?
    5. [00:04:13] – What’s really happening in your body with diaphragmatic (belly) breathing
    6. [00:06:29] – Pain thresholds, stress hormones, and how breath can reset your nervous system
    7. [00:07:15] – Try this game-changing breathing exercise right now—Stacey walks you through exact steps
    8. [00:10:21] – The secret to activating your parasympathetic system (and why it matters for lasting pain relief)
    9. [00:12:11] – Breathwork as daily medicine: How clinicians recommend you build your “pain-resistant” muscles
    10. [00:12:45] – Bonus benefits: Why breathwork heals anxiety, sleep, gut issues, and more



    References:
    1. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. (n.d.). Diaphragmatic breathing. Johns Hopkins Medicine
    2. Overview of diaphragmatic (belly) breathing and its role in activating the relaxation response and reducing stress-related pain.
    3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Diaphragmatic breathing: Assist self-management of pain. VA Whole Health Library
    4. Clinical guidance from the VA Whole Health program on using diaphragmatic breathing as a practical, self-directed tool for pain management.
    5. Busch, V., Magerl, W., Kern, U., Haas, J., Hajak, G., & Eichhammer, P. (2012). The effect of deep and
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    20 min
  • 47 | What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Arthritis?
    Feb 3 2026

    Are you tired of your joints holding you back, or told your only options are pills, injections, or just “living with it?”

    This episode of The Pain-Free Formula Podcast invites you to ditch the resignation and discover a science-backed pathway to true relief. Host Stacey Roberts, bestselling author and physical therapist, tackles the burning question: what’s the real most effective treatment for arthritis and why has nobody told you?

    This episode unpacks powerful, surprising insights: why movement (done right) outperforms medications and surgery, how gut health and daily habits can radically change your pain, and what to do if “nothing seems to work.” Want less pain and more control? Don’t wait. Tune in now and stop wasting years on ineffective quick fixes. This episode reveals what truly empowers lasting change, hope, and movement.

    Listen now before your next appointment or prescription. These practical truths could change your life, and you’ll only hear them here.


    Timestamped Highlights
    1. [00:00] – Why most people still believe pills and surgery are the “answer” and what they’re missing
    2. [00:02:05] – The headline that rewrote Stacey Roberts’s approach: “It’s not a pill or surgery…”
    3. [00:04:12] – Your arthritis isn’t just “wear and tear”—discover the unexpected factors that really drive progression
    4. [00:06:10] – Rest versus movement—why doing less is making joints worse, not better
    5. [00:08:31] – Tried exercise and failed? The secret reason it “doesn’t work” for so many
    6. [00:11:31] – The untold story of muscle function: Why knee and joint pain respond to smarter strength
    7. [00:14:40] – Real-life success: From “bone on bone” to moving better than ever. Here’s what works
    8. [00:18:09] – Gut, food, and “can it really matter?” The proof (and a dramatic personal story)
    9. [00:22:59] – Don’t fear arthritis: Science says you have more options than ever and you’re not broken



    References:
    1. Toomey, C. (2026, January 26). The most effective treatment for osteoarthritis isn’t a pill or surgery. SciTechDaily. https://scitechdaily.com/the-most-effective-treatment-for-osteoarthritis-isnt-a-pill-or-surgery/
    2. Bennell KL, Wrigley TV, Hunt MA, Lim BW, Hinman RS. Update on the role of muscle in the genesis and management of knee osteoarthritis. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America, 2013 Feb;39(1):145-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rdc.2012.11.003 PMID: 23312414


    Important Links
    1. Pain-Free Formula Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pain-free-formula/id1802518411
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    30 min
  • 46 | Should I Stay Ahead of the Pain?
    Jan 27 2026

    Ever find yourself thinking, “I’m doing everything right, so why does my pain keep coming back?” If pain feels like a stubborn villain sabotaging your workouts, sapping your energy, and making you question your body, you’re not alone.

    In this empowering solo episode, Stacey Roberts blends science and empathy to unveil the hidden reasons pain lingers after 40, from sneaky hormonal shifts to misunderstood gut triggers and what most PTs never discuss. You’ll discover why “just push through” makes things worse, what actually works to calm an inflamed system, and how to reframe pain as your body’s call for change, not a personal failure.

    Don’t wait! Every day spent guessing is a day lost to joy. Listen now to unlock hope and next steps that could change everything. This approach is compassionate, practical, and simply not taught anywhere else.


    Timestamped Highlights
    1. [00:00] – Why “powering through” your pain may actually set you back for years
    2. [00:01:46] – You’re stretching, exercising, doing ALL the right things… so why is your body still screaming?
    3. [00:03:13] – What started as an injury may not just be about your muscles or joints anymore—prepare to unlearn what you thought you knew
    4. [00:04:41] – How aging unlocks a “layer cake” of inflammation, nervous system sensitivity, and hormonal chaos
    5. [00:05:44] – The massive blind spot around hormones—even the cleanest eaters can hurt if this is off
    6. [00:07:59] – When standing, food, or your old workouts suddenly unleash pain: what changed, and what you can control
    7. [00:09:04] – Eating “healthy” doesn’t guarantee relief: the gut-joint link that’s quietly driving pain
    8. [00:13:47] – When exercise hurts instead of helps: breaking the myth of “no pain, no gain” in your 40s and 50s



    References:

    Using These Common Painkillers After Surgery May Be Slowing Recovery – New Study Finds. https://scitechdaily.com/using-these-common-painkillers-after-surgery-may-be-slowing-recovery-new-study-finds/

    RICE Method – Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/rice-method

    Laumet, S., Edwards, A. M., Inyang, K. E., & Laumet, G. (2025). Unexpected Role of TNFα Signaling in the Resolution of Postoperative Pain in Mice. Journal of Pain Research. DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S543971

    Tazreean, R., Nelson, G., & Twomey, R. (2022). Early mobilization in enhanced recovery after surgery pathways: current evidence and recent advancements. Journal of Comparative Effectiveness Research, 11(2), 121–129. https://doi.org/10.2217/cer-2021-0258


    Important Links
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    22 min
  • 45 | Why Won't My Pain Go Away?
    Jan 20 2026

    Ever find yourself thinking, “I’m doing everything right, so why does my pain keep coming back?” If pain feels like a stubborn villain sabotaging your workouts, sapping your energy, and making you question your body, you’re not alone.

    In this empowering solo episode, Stacey Roberts blends science and empathy to unveil the hidden reasons pain lingers after 40, from sneaky hormonal shifts to misunderstood gut triggers and what most PTs never discuss. You’ll discover why “just push through” makes things worse, what actually works to calm an inflamed system, and how to reframe pain as your body’s call for change, not a personal failure.

    Don’t wait! Every day spent guessing is a day lost to joy. Listen now to unlock hope and next steps that could change everything. This approach is compassionate, practical, and simply not taught anywhere else.


    Timestamped Highlights
    1. [00:00] – Why “powering through” your pain may actually set you back for years
    2. [00:01:46] – You’re stretching, exercising, doing ALL the right things… so why is your body still screaming?
    3. [00:03:13] – What started as an injury may not just be about your muscles or joints anymore—prepare to unlearn what you thought you knew
    4. [00:04:41] – How aging unlocks a “layer cake” of inflammation, nervous system sensitivity, and hormonal chaos
    5. [00:05:44] – The massive blind spot around hormones—even the cleanest eaters can hurt if this is off
    6. [00:07:59] – When standing, food, or your old workouts suddenly unleash pain: what changed, and what you can control
    7. [00:09:04] – Eating “healthy” doesn’t guarantee relief: the gut-joint link that’s quietly driving pain
    8. [00:13:47] – When exercise hurts instead of helps: breaking the myth of “no pain, no gain” in your 40s and 50s



    Important Links
    1. Pain-Free Formula Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pain-free-formula/id1802518411

    2. Free eBooks - https://newyouhealthandwellness.com/ebooks
    3. Biomechanics: When Movement Matters
    4. Heal Your Gut, Heal Your Pain - The Gut Joint Axis: A Missing Link to Joint and Muscle Health
    5. Hormones: A Missing Piece in Pain Relief

    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    23 min
  • 44 | Statins, Muscle Pain, and the Shocking Science Fix
    Jan 13 2026

    Do you feel older than you are, battling unexplained muscle or joint pain, and no one gives you a real answer? In this episode, Stacey Roberts pulls back the curtain on statin medications and exposes the newly discovered science that explains why so many people hurt after starting these drugs.

    With decades of experience as a clinician and functional medicine specialist, Stacey Roberts shares proven, compassionate guidance for anyone caught between heart health and a pain-filled life.

    You’ll learn about the controversial studies, the revolutionary discovery behind statin-induced pain, and what you can actually do if you need cholesterol support, but pain isn’t the price you want to pay.

    Listen now for the facts your provider may not have told you because this episode could save you months, even years, of suffering. Do not miss the root-cause answers and next steps only revealed here.

    Timestamped Highlights
    1. [00:00] – The pain puzzle: “I didn’t fall… so why am I hurting?”
    2. [00:01:34] – Statins, secrecy, and the rising tide of mysterious muscle pain
    3. [00:02:54] – Pharma-funded studies, placebo confusion… and the missing answers
    4. [00:04:46] – Game-changing breakthrough: The calcium “leak” that links statins to pain
    5. [00:06:37] – Why YOU might react: Genes, mitochondria, hormones, and inflammation all collide
    6. [00:09:16] – Don’t stop cold turkey: Safer strategies and when to talk to your doctor
    7. [00:10:19] – Are “natural statins” or lifestyle shifts enough to help your heart?
    8. [00:13:37] – Cholesterol’s misunderstood role and the truth about “good enough” levels
    9. [00:14:51] – When pain is real—not “just in your head”—and how to fight for quality of life

    Resources Mentioned
    1. Red Yeast Rice and Monacolin K
    2. Soluble fiber (psyllium, oat beta glucan)
    3. Niacin (vitamin B therapy)
    4. Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol)
    5. Cryo-electron microscopy research on statin muscle effects


    References:


    1. Why Do Statins Hurt? Scientists Solve 30-Year...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    22 min
  • 43 | Heather Jeffcoat - Breakthrough Moments: Why Sex Should Never Hurt!
    Dec 30 2025

    Are you suffering in silence with pelvic pain or painful sex, believing it’s “normal” or something you just have to tolerate? This episode shatters the stigma and reveals why pleasure—not pain—should be your expectation.

    Join Stacey Roberts and pelvic health pioneer Heather Jeffcoat for a raw, uplifting conversation packed with practical strategies and science-backed hope. Heather shares what most doctors and patients miss about chronic pain, why specialized pelvic PT matters, and the real roadmap to reclaiming intimacy and vitality.

    From misunderstood diagnoses to empowering tools, you’ll leave knowing how to advocate for your health and demand better care. Don’t wait for relief. Tune in now to uncover the proven formula for healing that too often gets overlooked.

    Your breakthrough starts inside this episode. Don’t miss what every patient, partner, and provider deserves to know.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:00:00] The anxiety-depression-pain loop: how Covid changed everything (and pelvic PT’s explosive growth)

    [00:05:18] Why Heather gave up sports medicine: the “mill clinic” dilemma and hunger for real connection

    [00:09:13] Quick fixes aren’t enough: Heather’s early patient struggles and what she wishes she knew

    [00:11:14] Sex Without Pain: the radical message (and why Heather had to go beyond a pamphlet)

    [00:14:10] Common doesn’t mean normal—breaking generational silence around intimate pain

    [00:16:29] Kegels, biofeedback, and why most PT clinics simply aren’t enough

    [00:19:10] The glute-jaw-pelvic floor connection (yes, jaw tension may fuel your symptoms)

    [00:22:15] SoftWave breakthroughs: how a single device transformed pelvic therapy (and saved Heather’s hands)

    [00:29:06] The real next steps if you’re struggling: tools, team, and empowerment



    About The Guest

    Heather Jeffcoat, DPT is a nationally recognized pelvic health physical therapist, author, and founder of Fusion Wellness & Femina PT in Southern California. She served as President of the Pelvic Health Academy at the American Physical Therapy Association (2022–2024) and sits on advisory boards for the International Pelvic Pain Society. With two decades’ expertise, Heather’s evidence-based care and book Sex Without Pain: A Self-Treatment Guide are changing lives for patients and reshaping the field itself.

    🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Publications | Email

    Special Offer

    Get 20% OFF the PDF copy of Heather’s book, Sex Without Pain!

    Go to sexwithoutpain.com

    Enter discount code Formula 20 at checkout for 20% off your immediate PDF download!



    Mentioned Resources
    1. Sex Without Pain (book & resources)
    2. SoftWave Therapy
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    36 min
  • 42 | Reed Davis - Your Healing Opportunities are H.I.D.D.E.N.: Find Them, Fix Them
    Dec 23 2025

    Ever wonder why you still suffer even with “normal” bloodwork? Tired of symptom-chasing and quick fixes?

    In this empowering episode, bestselling author and practitioner Stacey Roberts welcomes Reed Davis, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition founder and holistic health innovator. They dig deep into why conventional testing misses so much and how food sensitivity and functional labs uncover answers most have never heard.

    Get real cases, testing strategies, and fresh hope to reclaim your health.

    Timestamped Highlights

    [00:00] Reed’s mission: from environmental law to functional health hero

    [00:04:40] Why “normal labs” leave people stuck—what’s missing?

    [00:07:05] Pain beyond injuries—how “hidden root causes” matter

    [00:11:01] Reed’s H.I.D.D.E.N. formula: why there’s rarely a single root cause

    [00:14:08] The D.R.E.S.S. protocol—real results beyond diagnosis

    [00:17:05] Susan’s story: drug-free relief from chronic hives

    [00:22:13] What food sensitivity testing reveals (even about “healthy foods”)

    [00:26:55] When doctors dismiss functional labs—how clients can respond

    [00:29:00] Metabolic chaos—the missing health link

    [00:34:07] The double standard in medicine—data only counts sometimes

    [00:39:43] Free resources on functional lab testing



    About The Guest

    Reed Davis, Double-Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) and Doctor of Nutritional Therapy (DNT), is a globally recognized expert in functional lab testing and holistic lifestyle medicine. As the visionary founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® (FDN), Reed has pioneered the FDN Certification Course, which has empowered over 5,000 practitioners across 50 countries to take charge of their clients' health. With more than a decade of experience as Health Director at a Southern California wellness center, Reed personally guided over 10,000 clients to optimal wellness, giving him the experience and foundational knowledge needed to teach others to build their own health careers.

    🔗 LinkedIn | Website | Facebook



    Mentioned Resources
    1. Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN)
    2. H.I.D.D.E.N. framework (Hormone, Immune, Digestion, Detox, Energy, Nervous system)
    3. D.R.E.S.S. for Health Success™ (Diet, Rest, Exercise, Stress reduction, Supplementation)
    4. ALCAT food sensitivity test / mediator release testing
    5. The Gap: Simple Steps to Reclaim Your Health and Reverse Most Chronic Diseases (Chronic Health Recovery Book...
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    45 min