Nutrition & Life

Welcome to a special crossover episode! Lisa Franz, host of the Nutrition and Life Podcast and founder of Nutrition Coaching and Life, joins Amanda Azzopardi on her acclaimed show Aesthetic Ambition for an eye-opening conversation on ending food guilt, building flexible nutrition habits, and cutting through the noise of the ever-changing diet industry.
Lisa Franz gets real about her own struggles yes, even with an exercise science background! From feeling trapped by “good” and “bad” food rules to discovering true food freedom with macro tracking. She shares her hard-won lessons about moderation, the power of nutritional education, and why you never have to choose between loving your body and loving your life.
Together, Lisa Franz and Amanda Azzopardi discuss how guilt and restriction keep women stuck, what the diet industry gets wrong, and practical strategies to break the cycle of “starting over Monday.” If you’re tired of confusing headlines and ready for a kinder, more sustainable approach, this is for you.
Tune in for honest advice, actionable tips, and encouragement from two women who believe wellness is about more than rules it’s about living well, without guilt.
Timestamp Overview:
00:00 — Amanda Azzopardi introduces the problem of food guilt in her clinic0
1:15 — Meet Lisa Franz: From exercise science to flexible nutrition coach
03:04 — Why classic nutrition education doesn’t prepare us for real life
04:28 — 2016’s breakthrough: How donut macros led to food freedom
06:04 — The surprising lessons of food tracking (and common mistakes)
08:24 — Monday-to-Friday “good,” weekend spiral: fixing the all-or-nothing trap
09:38 — Why women lose weight “perfectly” but still feel like failures
13:16 — Media confusion and the diet industry’s biggest mistakes
14:20 — The real-life impacts of stress, menopause, and missed calories
15:45 — Water, salt, and social media: myth-busting hydration hype
16:19 — From gym floor to international coaching: Lisa Franz’s entrepreneurial leap
20:54 — Lisa Franz’s #1 mindset shift to break the guilt cycle
21:45 — Mindfulness, single-tasking, and making food choices you’re proud of
22:53 — Stay in touch: how to connect with Lisa Franz and her community

Connect, Share & Subscribe: Love this episode? Subscribe for more real conversations and expert guests. Share your favorite takeaway and tag @nutritioncoachingandlife on Instagram, or visit Lisa Franz’s website for more resources and ways to work with her. If this resonated, send it to a friend who’s ready to eat, live, and thrive—guilt-free!

Welcome to a powerful and heartfelt episode of the Nutrition and Life podcast! Today, host Lisa Franz welcomes Sue Weldon, 22-year breast cancer survivor and founder of Unite for Her. Sue’s journey from high-level gymnastics coach to leading a groundbreaking nonprofit offers hope, practical wellness tips, and a reminder that no one needs to navigate cancer (or life’s toughest challenges) alone.
Sue shares her story, from receiving her diagnosis at 39 to building Unite for Her’s signature Wellness Passport program, which empowers women through nutrition, integrative therapies, movement, and compassionate community care. Learn how plant-forward eating, small steps with movement, and emotional support can bring healing and joy, even in the hardest chapters.
If you or someone you love is facing breast or ovarian cancer, or if you want real-world inspiration for living well, this episode is a must-listen.
Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction & About Sue
[01:01] Surviving and Thriving: Turning Diagnosis Into Purpose
[03:38] The Emotional and Physical Challenges of Cancer
[06:05] Discovering Acupuncture & Integrative Healing
[08:49] Nutrition Support During Treatment
[12:36] Plant-Forward Eating & Food Joy
[16:15] The Power of Movement—At Any Ability
[20:27] Embracing Routine, Joy, and Progress
[24:23] Mental & Emotional Health, Support Then and Now
[27:18] Opening Dialogue on Sexual Health & Menopause
[33:06] How to Access Unite for Her & Resources Beyond the Book
[36:53] Final Thoughts: Self-Compassion & Community
Learn More & Connect with Unite for Her and Sue Weldon:
Website & Program Enrollment: uniteforher.org
Instagram: @unite4her
Facebook: Unite for Her
Book: Heal, Empower, Restore – Get it here
Connect, Share & Subscribe: Want more life-affirming conversations and expert wellness inspiration? Subscribe to the podcast, follow us for Lisa’s latest guests and empowering updates, and share your favorite insight from this episode.
Instagram: @nutritioncoachingandlife
Website: nutritioncoachingandlife.com
Let us know what resonated with you, and don’t forget: you never have to walk this path alone.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Nutrition and Life podcast! In today’s episode, host Lisa Franz welcomes metabolism and menopause specialist Cindi Stickle. Drawing on her personal and professional experiences, from overcoming gestational diabetes and Hashimoto’s to helping clients thrive through menopause, Cindi Stickle brings practical wisdom, honesty, and actionable advice for women seeking to optimize metabolic health in midlife and beyond.
Together, Lisa and Cindi Stickle unpack the realities of metabolism, bust pervasive menopause myths, and discuss how nutrition, stress management, and individualized routines can dramatically impact health and wellbeing during the menopause transition. Plus, Cindi Stickel gives a behind-the-scenes look at her signature 12-week coaching program and offers real, compassionate encouragement for every woman wanting to feel vibrant at any age.
This episode is filled with science-backed strategies, relatable examples, and empowering tips, perfect for anyone looking to feel their best during one of life’s biggest transitions.
Timestamp Overview:
[00:00] - Warm Welcome & Introduction to Cindi Stickle
[00:44] - Cindy’s Journey: From Family Health Challenges to Nutrition Expert
[02:22] - Defining Metabolism & What Actually Changes with Age
[03:30] - Menopause’s Impact on Hormones, Weight, and Metabolic Rate
[06:18] - Busting Myths: Does Metabolism “Break”? Or Just Respond to Life?
[08:24] - Why “Trying Harder” Isn’t Always the Solution
[09:07] - Estrogen: Your Body’s Protector & What Happens When It Declines
[10:00] - Movement, Muscle Loss, and Activity Trends in Midlife
[12:24] - Blood Sugar Balance: Cindi's Personal Nutrition Tactics
[13:59] - Nutrition vs. Genetics: What Can We Really Change?
[15:15] - The Truth About Meal Timing, Breakfast Protein, and Fasting for Women 40+
[17:46] - Spotting Hidden Stressors and Protecting Cortisol Rhythms
[20:07] - Easy Wins: Protein Shakes, Coffee Timing, and Real-Life Breakfasts
[20:34] - Weight Loss Stalls: The Nervous System & Metabolic “Safety”
[22:39] - The Critical Role of Rest, Recovery, and Breathwork [
25:53] - Deep Dive: What Happens Inside Cindi’s 12-Week Coaching Program
[27:13] - The Power of Healthy Fats for Hormonal Health [
30:52] - Supplements That Make a Difference for Midlife Women
[33:54] - Final Recommendations: Seek Menopause-Educated Support
[35:28] - Closing Thoughts & Key Takeaways

Connect with Cindi Stickle:
Instagram: @cindisticklenutrition and Website https://www.cindistickle.com
More from Nutrition and Life: Subscribe for in-depth expert interviews, real-world nutrition strategies, and empowering wellness stories! Follow along and share your favorite episode takeaways on Instagram @nutritioncoachingandlife or visit https://nutritioncoachingandlife.com for tools, updates, and Lisa’s latest recommendations.
Did something resonate? Tag us with your insights, we love hearing your story!

Welcome to a powerful new episode of the Nutrition and Life podcast! Today, Lisa Franz sits down with Dr. Judith Swack, acclaimed mind-body healer and author of “Clear Trauma Now.” With her unique background in biochemistry and postdoctoral training in immunology, Dr. Swack shares how she transitioned from scientist to sought-after mind-body therapist, helping clients break free from trauma, phobias, and stubborn weight challenges through an individualized, multi-level healing approach.
In this uplifting conversation, dive into the science and spirit of healing as Dr. Swack reveals her journey, explains the concepts of unconscious programming, and demonstrates practical techniques, like muscle testing and meridian tapping, that allow clients to access their “deepest wisdom” for transformation. Discover the links between trauma, emotion, weight gain, and menopause, and learn actionable strategies for clearing self-sabotage, emotional blocks, and body-based barriers, all with compassion and real-life examples.
Timestamp Overview:
00:00 – Introduction & Dr. Judith Swack’s Scientific Background
00:29 – From Bench Scientist to Mind-Body Therapist0
3:34 – Discovering the Unconscious Mind & Life’s Inner Patterns
05:01 – The Multi-Level Healing Model: Body, Unconscious, Soul & Conscious Mind0
6:15 – Using Muscle Testing (Applied Kinesiology) For Communication & Diagnosis
08:12 – Tapping into Soul-Level Wisdom: The Art of Asking the Right Questions
10:25 – 52 Tools & Self-Administered Healing Techniques
12:21 – Case Study: Identifying Hidden Iron Deficiency via Muscle Testing
14:08 – The Role of Trauma in Weight Gain and Eating Patterns
16:10 – Clearing Emotional Emptiness Using Meridian Tapping
19:29 – Breaking Repetitive Patterns with Energy Psychology
21:15 – How Strong Feelings Influence Behavior & Diet Adherence
21:58 – Neglect Trauma: The Hidden Saboteur in Weight Loss
24:44 – How Clearing Neglect Patterns Restores Self-Care
25:42 – What Inspired “Clear Trauma Now” & The Structure of Trauma
27:27 – Quick Demo: The TWR Tapping Technique for Instant Relief
30:18 – Step-By-Step Protocol for Clearing Trauma at Home
31:15 – Biochemistry of Stress, Tapping, and the Nervous System
32:15 – The Menopause Link: Hormones, Body Fat, and Stress3
4:36 – “The Third Ovary”: Muscle Testing and Fat Storage for Estrogen
36:38 – Personal Story: Cortisol, Estrogen, Stress & Healing Family Trauma
38:31 – The Body Remembers: Honoring Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Healing
39:45 – Final Takeaways: Gratitude, Connection & The Body As a Gift

Connect with Dr. Judith Swack:
Website: https://www.hblu.org/
Instagram: @hblu_drjudithswack https://www.instagram.com/hblu_drjudithswack
Connect, Share & Subscribe: Want more empowering interviews and practical mind-body wisdom? Subscribe to the podcast and follow us on social for regular updates, behind-the-scenes with Lisa, and new expert guests! Share your favorite takeaway from this episode by tagging us on Instagram @nutritioncoachingandlife or visit our website at https://nutritioncoachingandlife.com.

Welcome to another energizing episode of the Nutrition and Life podcast! In today’s conversation, host Lisa Franz is joined by Michelle Malloy, an inspiring acupuncturist and women’s health specialist who transformed her own life—and countless others—by integrating Chinese medicine, cycle awareness, and compassionate care for women.
Michelle candidly shares her journey from persistent allergies and a career in finance to uncovering the healing potential of acupuncture and traditional medicine. Tune in as she explains what happens during an acupuncture session, how Eastern and Western medicine differ in their approach to women’s health, the intricacies of cycle tracking, and why your period is your body’s most honest “report card.” Michelle also offers everyday nutrition, movement, and self-care tips you can start using today—even if you’ve never tried herbs or acupuncture before! Whether you’re looking for holistic strategies for fertility, curious about self-diagnosis, or wanting to make friends with your hormones, this episode uplifts and empowers.
Timestamp Overview:
[00:00] - Introduction & Michelle’s story: allergies, career change, and self-healing
[01:42] - Discovering acupuncture & transition to women’s health
[04:13] - Women’s health, fertility, and Chinese medicine
[06:12] - What to expect from an acupuncture visit [
09:44] - Individualized pattern diagnosis: deficiency, excess, and more
[12:33] - How acupuncture supports hormones and cycles
[15:25] - Stress, blood flow, and reproductive vitality
[18:58] - The overlooked link: digestion and general health
[21:51] - Cycle tracking, period blood, and your “monthly report card”
[24:03] - Changing narratives: education and social media
[27:49] - PCOS, “phlegm,” and the metabolic connection
[31:25] - Practical cycle care: foods, herbs, exercise, and diagnosis at home
[38:02] - Fertility success stories & holistic hope
[39:15] - Final thoughts & wrap-up
Empowerment Through Awareness:
How the growing conversation on social media is breaking taboos, encouraging women to talk openly about periods, digestion, and cycle symptoms.
Real-life success stories: hope, persistence, and the benefits of integrating Eastern and Western approaches—especially for those facing complex or long-standing fertility challenges.
Connect with Michelle Malloy:
Instagram: @shellythemedicinewoman https://www.instagram.com/shellythemedicinewoman/
Website: https://www.shellythemedicinewoman.com/ Y
outube: @Shellythemedicinewoman
Connect, Share & Subscribe: Want more nutrition wisdom and inspiring conversations? Subscribe to the podcast and follow us on social for updates, more expert guests, and Lisa’s latest news. Share your favorite takeaway from this episode and tag us on Instagram @nutritioncoachingandlife or visit https://nutritioncoachingandlife.com/