In this conversation, Kayla connects with one of her dearest colleagues and friends, Elizabeth McLaughlin, a registered dietitian and creator behind The High-Functioning Hot Mess.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Why so many dietitians get into the field (spoiler: to manipulate their own bodies)
• Functional nutrition vs. conventional nutrition
• Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA)—what this test reveals and common trends seen in high-performing women
• The stress-mineral-depletion cycle and why supplements alone won't fix a (stress) bucket with a hole in it
• GI Map testing—what a stool test can uncover about gut bacteria, low stomach acid, motility, and more
• Practical tips to naturally support digestion and stomach acid production
• The role of nervous system regulation, hobbies, and faith in healing the whole person

Whether you're brand new to functional nutrition or just starting to question why the conventional approach hasn't worked, you’ll get a real framework for understanding what your body might actually be asking for.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Origins
02:48 Elizabeth's Journey to Dietetics
06:47 Navigating Personal Challenges and Health Issues
17:22 Unlearning Diet Culture
18:42 The High-Functioning Hot Mess Concept
20:15 Understanding Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)
23:50 Emotional Awareness and Processing
27:47 Understanding Functional Nutrition
31:19 Comparing HTMA and Blood Tests
32:47 Identifying Patterns in High-Performing Women
36:17 Interpreting HTMA Results
42:05 Stress Less, Play More
49:24 Exploring the GI Map Test
53:12 Stimulating Digestion in a Low-Acid Environment
58:30 Faith and Mental Health
01:06:51 Upcoming Projects & Closing Thoughts

Keywords:
functional nutrition, highly sensitive person, HSP, hair tissue mineral analysis, HTMA, GI map, stool test, gut health, nervous system regulation, mineral depletion, low stomach acid, stress and weight gain, burnout recovery, panic attacks, women's health

🔗Links Mentioned In This Episode
Elizabeth’s website

Follow Elizabeth on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth on TikTok

Listen to the High Functioning Hot Mess podcast

How We Feel app

Abiding Together podcast

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Kayla’s 🏆Win The Week Newsletter

In this episode, Kayla sits down with relationship coach Cailee Rae for an honest conversation about intimacy, communication, emotional eating, and the relationships we have with ourselves and our partners, including how they impact our health, hormones, habits, and overall well-being.

They talk about why so many couples feel disconnected even when life looks good on paper, how resentment builds when we avoid hard conversations, and how creating intentional rituals and check-ins can transform your relationships.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why couples think they’re communicating, when they actually aren’t
• The importance of weekly “check-ins” in relationships
• Why emotional eating often has nothing to do with food
• How trauma and stress can physically show up in the body
• The difference between reacting and responding
• Why stillness feels uncomfortable for so many high-achieving women
• Creating rituals instead of rigid routines

This conversation is full of practical takeaways for women who feel stuck in hustle mode, struggle to slow down, or crave more than just surface-level conversations.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction, Human Design, and Defining a "Manifesting Generator"
06:53 Cailee's Background and How "The Body Keeps the Score"
11:03 Healthy Communication and Making Time for Check-Ins
20:08 Discussing Values and Tips for Productive Check-Ins
24:47 How to Cultivate Intimate and Intentional Conversations
28:05 How Reciprocity Influences Relationships
38:30 Rituals and Devotions Versus Habits and Discipline
41:22 Sitting in Stillness Versus Emotional Eating
49:32 Final Thoughts About Intimacy and How To Connect with Cailee

Keywords:
healing journey, healthy relationships, communication, emotional eating, women’s mental health

🔗Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Deep with Cailee Rae website

Follow Cailee Rae on Instagram

The Art of Intimacy Facebook Group

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.

5-Week Blood Sugar Breakthrough – Program Only

5-Week Blood Sugar Breakthrough – Program + Private Coaching

Blood Sugar Breakthrough FAQs

Apply to Work with Kayla

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In this powerful and personal episode, Kayla sits down with Travis Chapman to talk about how a simple walk with weight—aka rucking—turned into something bigger.

After discovering rucking less than a year ago, Travis found a sustainable way to stay active and a newfound way to drive change. After watching his wife navigate life with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis—two chronic conditions that are often misunderstood and under-supported—Travis is channeling his love for rucking into a meaningful cause to raise awareness and funds for arthritis research.

If you or someone you love is navigating chronic illness, you’ll enjoy this conversation, which goes beyond fitness to explore patience, flexibility, and tips to support a spouse or loved one living with chronic pain.

About the May Arthritis Challenge

Travis created RUCKFWD to raise awareness for arthritis and support research through the University of Florida. You can participate by completing a 1 mile, 5K and/or 11K walk or ruck. Grab a patch and help bring awareness to a silent disease that affects millions of Americans. Learn more and join the challenge at RUCKFWD.com.


Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Travis's Journey Into Rucking
03:07 The Flexibility and Community of Rucking
11:12 RUCKFWD and May Rucking Challenge for Arthritis
13:54 Supporting a Loved One with Chronic Pain
20:47 Challenges in Accessing Care and Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis
32:44 Travis' Observations on Rucking for Mental and Physical Health
42:26 RUCKFWD: Raising Awareness for Arthritis
45:59 Closing Thoughts on Rucking and Supporting a Loved One with Arthritis


Keywords:
rucking, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, rucking challenge, healthy journey, autoimmune disease, caregiver support


🔗Links Mentioned In This Episode:
RUCKFWD Arthritis Challenge

Ruck Fit: Build Strength and Endurance by Walking with Weight

Shop GORUCK Gear and Events

Follow on Instagram

Subscribe on YouTube

Kayla's Website

Kayla’s Free 🏆Win The Week Newsletter