Antoinette Leis, long-time patient and lover of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, describes her path to self-discovery and self-love, after years of battling health issues. Antoinette's spiritual journey and path to healing has been long and not always linear. She talks about her struggles with hypothyroidism, but also low self-esteem, shame and old trauma. This is a story of personal transformation that is more common than we know. Antoinette's discourse on physical health, body image and tappi...
Jan 06, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 22
When you sustain an injury, or go through any type of health issue, it can be scary and bring up big questions: Is this something serious? Should I be worried? Will I need surgery? It almost feels like an identity crisis for some people. Many people panic, and look for the quick solution. Try not to panic! Remember that every type of practitioner has a different set of tools, and it depends on whose chair you are sitting in. Often times, there are many treatments options, and you have time to fi...
Oct 12, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In this podcast, you hear from Steph Saffer, cofounder of OptimizeYou, as she gives insight into some of the big events that shaped her throughout her life. She describes herself as a "recovering perfectionist" and talks about how losing a parent at a young age and growing up questioning her sexuality were some of the origins of that perfectionism. She also discusses the power of story...her "coming out" story...and how visibility and the retelling of experiences can help others in their own liv...
Sep 16, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode, we talk with Marie Purvis, fitness professional and former Nike trainer, about the journey she's had in sport and exercise, and how she is working in new ways to empower people in health. As a Nike trainer, Marie traveled the globe working to share her passion for movement, and has touched the lives of thousands of people. She played an integral role in the rise of the Nike NTC app, a fitness app that revolutionized home fitness and made elite workouts accessible to millions of ...
Aug 20, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Ten years ago, Sarah Hayes, co-founder of OptimizeYou, was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid. She was diagnosed soon after the birth of her second child, and her physical symptoms became a massive disruption to her daily life, as she battled against fatigue, digestive upset, brain fog, irritability, in addition to many other symptoms. Hashimoto's is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S. It affects 5 out of 100 people (1-2% of the popula...
Jul 22, 2020•20 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Kendall Johnson, former Portland Thorns soccer player, talks about her long road to healing after sustaining multiple concussions and traumatic brain injury. After working hard and pushing her body her whole life to play soccer professionally, Kendall was sidelined by brain injury and forced to slow down in efforts to regain her health. She talks about the major challenges she faced during this process, and the unexpected lessons she learned along the way. This inspiring conversation is one EVER...
Jul 22, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this podcast we talk with Sadie Lincoln, Co-Founder and CEO of Barre3. Sarah and Sadie have been good friends for 11 years, and this was a fun, heartfelt conversation with a woman who has been empowering clients through movement for over a decade. From the evolution of her business, to the power of making major decisions from a place of truth, we break it all down. Sadie tells us how she had redefined health for herself over the years, and what it means to practice self-love. We could have ta...
Feb 28, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 16
This podcast is intended for mature audiences, and discusses topics such as sexual abuse that could be triggering to some. Please use discretion when listening. | Today we talk with Tania Culver Humphrey and her incredible story of trauma and healing. She tells us that sharing her story, being able to speak her truth, and not feeling like she has to hide, is a big part of her healing process. As healthcare practitioners, we believe storytelling, and feeling supported and seen are part of the pro...
Feb 21, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this podcast we talk with Gail Hardman-Woung, LCSW. A licensed clinical social worker, Gail discusses various cognitive therapies, dealing with trauma, and how she cares for her patients to help them with work through their negative cognitions. She is famous for saying, 'whatever is historical is hysterical.' This means whatever negative messaging was ingrained in you as a young child, it is louder and bigger as an adult. She talks with us about the ways that she successfully helps her patien...
Jan 23, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Today Sarah and Steph talk health habits and look at the evolution of their own routines in their life. It is so important to remember that every one of us in different. What may work for some might not work for you. And that's okay. Finding the right routine for you may take some work. You can do it. Just keep trying things and investing time into caring for yourself. Small changes add up and eventually become a lifestyle that has you moving towards better health every day.
Jan 08, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 13
This week we welcome Sarah Ochoa, single mom, project manager and breast cancer survivor. Sarah talks about her experience going through the Surviving to Thriving course, and the impact it had on her mentally and emotionally as she was navigating cancer treatment and life after. This is a powerful conversation, and an honor to have been able to speak with her. Often people wonder what it's like to do a course like Surviving to Thriving. Sarah articulates it beautifully. You don't want to miss th...
Jan 02, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Connection and community are so important when it comes to feeling balanced and healthy. In this episode, we talk about active listening. Listening and asking questions can sometimes feel like a lost art. Relationships with depth and meaning take time and energy. Asking the hard questions, really listening and showing up for your people can go a long way. On the flip side, a willingness to be vulnerable, open and honest with the people in your inner circle is equally as powerful. You know that f...
Dec 10, 2019•17 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In this episode, we talk about the power of our inner dialogue, and the impact it has on our ability to thrive in our life. We have all experienced negative self-talk and limiting beliefs, but for some people it can become a harmful backdrop to everything they do. We have seen how helpful it is to become aware of our inner dialogue and challenge our limiting beliefs, not only for our physical health, but for our emotional and mental well-being. In our course Surviving to Thriving, we give you st...
Dec 03, 2019•18 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this episode of the OptimizeYou Podcast, we discuss what it means to explore our “why” in life. To understand our personal motivations and purpose can be incredibly empowering when it comes to making decisions or change. We feel that our sense of purpose is deeply connected to our personal health and well-being. Because of this, it is the topic of the first module of our course #SurvivingToThriving. We have permission to evolve and grow. It's part of being a human. Staying curious and learnin...
Nov 29, 2019•18 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In this episode we sit down with Yoga Instructor Margo Lightburn and discuss how yoga has been instrumental to feeling great in her body and mind. It’s never too late to adopt a new practice. Whether it’s yoga, meditation, or simply a daily walk, consistency is instrumental. Pouring into yourself with any form of movement or mindfulness practice will strengthen your reserves, emotionally and physically. That's why we are here: to help you optimize your health. #TheProjectIsYou...
Nov 18, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Sarah Hayes X Steph Saffer In today's episode we talk about how we decided on the name "OptimizeYou." We all to want to feel better. And often times, we don't have to change our whole life to achieve that. Even small changes, if made into a practice, can add up to big impact. We might not be able to control all of our circumstances, but there is always room to optimize our health.
Nov 08, 2019•6 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Sarah Hayes X Steph Saffer In this episode we discuss doing vs. being and the struggles we all encounter as we strive to "be." We can do hard things. Struggle can serve us. Not only can we learn through struggle but we can learn vicariously from someone else's struggles. There is no road map and we are all learning as we navigate the twists and turns in life. We hope you enjoy today's episode.
Oct 31, 2019•7 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Sarah Hayes X Steph Saffer In this episode we discuss our own struggles with practicing mindfulness and how, despite those difficulties, we have come to view meditation as essential for our well-being. Sitting down and getting our busy minds to quiet down can be a challenge, but like all things, with practice mindfulness becomes as easy as breathing.
Oct 21, 2019•13 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Join us while we sit down with health and wellness coach Rajiv Harry to discuss FOOD and all things nutrition. In this episode, we dive into nutrients, plant-based diets, and how you can begin eating for the way you want to feel! Learn how to be more intentional about the foods you are using to fuel your body. Tune in, this is a great place to start!
Oct 08, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode we talk about personal relationships, connecting with the right people and the struggles associated with that. Relationships are hard, plain and simple. Today, we’re going to be talking about what we see in our personal relationships as well as what we see clinically. Please join us.
Oct 01, 2019•18 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this episode we talk about exercise and movement and how important it is for our bodies to be able to move on a daily basis. Also, the struggles around how to incorporate exercise into your daily routine and how sometimes it can be intimidating. How does one get started? Let's jump into it.
Sep 24, 2019•17 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In this episode we talk about core values and why they are important. We describe our own personal core values and how they impact our physical health as well as our emotional and mental well-being.
Sep 18, 2019•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1
