Episodes

  • Can Your Body Trust You? | Dr. Nikia Evans on Movement as Medicine, Cortisol & the Minimum Effective Dose

    Can Your Body Trust You? | Dr. Nikia Evans on Movement as Medicine, Cortisol & the Minimum Effective Dose
    Mar 12 2026
    What if the most powerful thing you could do for your health today was also the simplest?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nikia Evans — physician, researcher, and human performance coach — to go beyond her chapter in the Handbook for Human Potential. Nikia is a dear friend and one of my most trusted health consultants. She is the person who introduced me to Function Health for comprehensive lab testing and Heart & Soil for ancestral nutrition — two tools now woven into my own daily practice.Nikia works with elite athletes, but her wisdom reaches far beyond sport. In this conversation, we talk about why walking is our first medicine, how cortisol quietly shapes your body composition, and what it really means to stop extracting from your body and start nourishing it.Her mentor once asked her a question that changed everything: Can your body trust you?This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like their body was failing them — and is ready to hear a different story.In this episode:•Why elite athletes are often less healthy than they appear — and what that means for all of us•The missing link most people skip: aerobic foundation and mitochondrial density•Why walking is your first medicine (and why it beats HIIT for most people, most of the time)•How walking regulates the nervous system, lymph flow, blood flow, and emotion•Nikia's personal walking practice during medical residency•What play really is — and how to find it even when you're exhausted•How cortisol works, why it rises when you fast, and what it does to belly fat•Why dieting and over-exercising can make it harder to lose weight•Function Health labs — why functional ranges change everything•The difference between expressive and compulsive exercise•Nikia's upcoming 12-week reset programhttp://itsthatgoodmedicine.com/medrxAbout Dr. Nikia Evans:Dr. Nikia Evans, MD, MS-APK, CSCS, is a physician, researcher, and human performance coach whose work sits at the intersection of performance, health, nervous system regulation, and long-horizon resilience. She has coached 500+ elite athletes across youth, collegiate, and professional levels.Follow her: @itsthatgoodmedicine | itsthatgoodmedicine.comGet the Book:Handbook for Human Potential: An Accessible Guide to Personal GrowthAvailable at chandrazas.com/handbook-for-human-potentialJoin the Newsletter:handbookforhumanpotential.comConnect with Chandra:chandrazas.com | @chandrazasPODCAST CHAPTER TIMESTAMPSPaste these directly into your podcast host's chapter field (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout, etc.) or into the episode notes. Adjust ±10–15 seconds after final audio edit.0:00 Welcome to the Author Interview Series0:46 Meet Dr. Nikia Evans — Physician, Researcher & Human Performance Coach1:30 How Chandra & Nikia Know Each Other2:42 Performance vs. Health — Why Athletes Aren't Always Healthy4:00 Stress Is Stress — Athletes, Parents, Caregivers & the Nervous System5:30 The Missing Link: Aerobic Foundation & Mitochondrial Density6:13 The Short Answer: Walking Is Your First Medicine6:59 Why Walking Beats HIIT for Most People8:30 Walking & Lymph Flow, Blood Flow, Nervous System Regulation10:00 Nikia's Walking Practice During Medical Residency11:30 Walking Regulates Emotion — "It's the Moving of Emotion"13:07 Chandra's Relationship with Walking — Lymph, Energy & Mental Clarity13:52 Walking with Kids — Making Movement Playful15:25 What Is Play? Nikia's Definition — Unscripted, Adaptive, Novel17:00 Play Beyond Physical — Improv, Open Mics & Swing Dancing18:30 How to Lower the Bar to Start — "Just Go Outside"19:42 Play as an Emotional State — Cortisol & the Nervous System20:20 Science Always Catches Up to What the Body Already Knows22:14 Function Health Labs — Why Functional Ranges Change Everything24:26 Cortisol Deep Dive — What It Is, What It Does & Why It Matters26:00 Fasting, Cortisol & When Intermittent Fasting Becomes Too Much28:00 Cortisol & Body Composition — Why Belly Fat Is a Stress Response30:12 Why Dieting & Over-Exercising Can Make It Harder to Lose Weight31:37 Nikia's High-Protein Breakfast Strategy for Residency32:33 Readers Are Walking More — Real-World Impact of the Chapter33:37 Walking Never Gets Graduated Out Of34:05 Pedometers & Step Counts — How Many Steps Is Enough?35:09 Chandra's Sweet Spot — One Long Walk or Two Shorter Ones36:02 Nikia's Closing Message — "Can Your Body Trust You?"37:19 For the People Who Love to Push — Expressive vs. Compulsive Exercise39:35 The Difference Between Nourishing and Extractive Movement41:03 Nikia's Upcoming 12-Week Reset Program41:31 Closing Gratitude & How to Stay Connected42:37 Thank You & How to Get the BookSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-chandra-zas-show/donations
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    43 mins
  • Come Home to Your Body Wisdom | Author Interview Series Chapter 0 | Britta Jo interviews Chandra Zas

    Come Home to Your Body Wisdom | Author Interview Series Chapter 0 | Britta Jo interviews Chandra Zas
    Feb 24 2026
    Welcome to the first author interview for the Handbook for Human Potential! In this episode, book mama Chandra Zas is interviewed by the phenomenal coach Britta Jo in a deep and expansive conversation about what it truly means to “Come Home to Your Body Wisdom.”This isn’t just a repeat of the book’s first chapter. It’s a journey into the stories behind the wisdom, exploring how to move from a state of confusion and self-doubt to one of clarity and profound self-trust. Chandra shares her personal health journey, from a childhood filled with chronic illness to a life-changing discovery at age 15 that put her on the path of holistic healing.Join us for a conversation that covers everything from the food-mood connection and nervous system regulation to transforming your relationships through healthy boundaries and communication. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body or wished you could hear its guidance more clearly, this episode is a loving invitation to begin that journey home.In this episode, we explore:•Chandra’s personal story of healing from chronic illness•The power of the food-mood connection•How to unlearn childhood conditioning that disconnects us from our bodies•Seeing emotions as wise messengers, not problems to be solved•Healthy self-soothing techniques and navigating coping mechanisms•The difference between requests and demands in relationships•What “body knowing” is and how it can cut through confusion and self-doubt•A simple, powerful practice: “If I were my own lover, what would I do?”Get your copy of the book:Handbook for Human Potential: An Accessible Guide to Personal Growthhttps://handbookforhumanpotential.com/Sign up for our book's newsletter to be in our inner circle.Connect with Chandra Zas:Website: chandrazas.comInstagram: @chandrazasConnect with Britta Jo:Website: stayorgocoaching.com#handbookforhumanpotential #bodyawareness #emotionalintelligence #holistichealth #selfsoothing #personalgrowth #traumahealing #relationships #mindfulness #nutrition #selfcare #nervoussystemregulation #foodmood #trustyourbody Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to the Author Interview Series(01:52) Rebuilding Trust with Your Body After Disconnection(03:13) Chandra’s Personal Health Journey & the Food-Mood Connection(06:05) The Story Behind Chapter Zero: “Come Home to Your Body Wisdom”(09:10) Normalizing Health Issues vs. Choosing a New Path(10:45) Unlearning Childhood Conditioning (e.g., “finish your plate”)(13:55) Learning to Listen to Your Body’s Signals(18:08) How This Work Helps in Raising Empowered Children(21:15) Your Emotions Are Information: Seeing Feelings as Messengers(22:13) How to Befriend Uncomfortable Emotions(29:33) Understanding Coping Mechanisms and Healthy Self-Soothing(36:07) Expectations, Boundaries, and Your Relationships(40:00) The Power of Making Requests vs. Demands(44:24) The First Step: Starting Where You Are with Radical Self-Compassion(46:07) A Powerful Practice: “If I am my own lover, what would I do?”(48:00) The Gift of “Body Knowing”: Cutting Through Self-Doubt & Confusion(53:20) Closing Thoughts & Community Q&A---Embody your values, heal generational patterns. For the kids 💚I'm Chandra Zas—Mood Before Food Coach, Functional Embodiment Guide, and book momma for Handbook for Human Potential.This channel helps parents embody their values and heal generational patterns through food psychology and nervous system regulation.📧 Work with me: chandrazas.com📖 Book: Handbook for Human Potential https://handbookforhumanpotential.com💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chandra-zas#MoodBeforeFood #HealGenerationalPatterns #EmbodyYourValues #FunctionalEmbodiment #HandbookForHumanPotential🌐 CONNECTEmail: chandra@chandrazas.com---#PersonalGrowth #HolisticWellness #PsychedelicIntegration #BodyWisdom#ConsciousChange #HumanPotential #PersonalGrowth #SomaticWisdom #BodyBrainOptimization #SelfDevelopment #Mindfulness #Transformation #Coaching #PersonalDevelopmentThis content is for educational and inspirational purposes. Individual results may vary. Always consult with healthcare professionals for medical advice.Music:All music is from epidemic sound, try it for free herehttps://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/4mnfht/The content of this channel is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute other health services. You should not rely upon any information contained on this YouTube channel for your health. This YouTube channel is provided "as is," which does not represent any outcome or result from viewing this channel. Your use viewing of this YouTube channel is at your own risk. Enjoy this YouTube channel and its contents only for personal, non-commercial purposes. Neither Chandra Zas, Zen Odyssey LLC, nor anyone acting on their behalf, will be liable under any circumstances for damages of any kind.#zenodyssey #chandrazasSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-chandra-zas-show/...
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • The Handbook for Human Potential Launch - Wisdom from 18 Experts

    The Handbook for Human Potential Launch - Wisdom from 18 Experts
    Dec 19 2025
    Join us for the launch celebration of Handbook for Human Potential, where 11 contributing authors share the inspiration behind their chapters on resilience, psychedelic healing, trauma, Chinese medicine, and more. Discover accessible tools for your personal growth journey.Welcome to a very special episode celebrating the launch of Handbook for Human Potential: An Accessible Guide to Personal Growth. This conversation brings together eleven of the eighteen contributing authors to share the heart, wisdom, and inspiration behind this collaborative work.This book has been two years in the making, and it represents a collection of accessible, practical tools for personal growth and healing. Each author is an expert in their field, and together they offer a rich tapestry of perspectives on what it means to live into your human potential.What Makes This Book Different:This isn't a book you need to read from cover to cover. It's designed as a handbook, a resource you can return to again and again. You can explore the table of contents and let your intuition guide you to the chapter that holds the medicine you need in this moment. Each chapter concludes with a key takeaway—something practical you can implement today to start creating change in your life.In This Episode, You'll Hear From:Seth shares his framework for resilience, reminding us that "resilience isn't just enduring hardship, it's thriving through it." He offers practical tools including the six levels of awareness, the SMILE method, and the GRACE method.Teresa invites us into the frequency of love, exploring what it means to live with unwavering character and deep connection to yourself and source.Greg, a nurse anesthetist, breaks down the stigma around ketamine for mental health, sharing how this medicine is available, often covered by insurance, and can be life-changing for those struggling with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.Patricia, a nurse with 60 years of experience, offers a compassionate perspective on dying well. She reminds us that people don't stop living because they're dying, and shares how we can honor dignity and choice in the final phase of life.Dr. Erica provides an accessible introduction to Chinese medicine, offering self-care essentials and inviting us to attune ourselves to the seasons and the wisdom of this ancient holistic system.Dr. Burton, a neurologist, explores psychedelics as therapeutics, challenging the Schedule 1 designation and revealing the science and magic behind these medicines for mental health and neurological conditions.Brida guides us into soul-led living, exploring how our beliefs create our reality and how changing those beliefs at the deepest level can transform our entire lives.Dr. Charmin empowers us with naturopathic medicine, showing us that there are always options beyond the conventional approach and helping us understand the difference between normal lab ranges and optimized health.Jim opens the door to healing trauma, sharing how understanding the way we create our experience can transform even the deepest wounds and reveal the possibility of an amazing life.Chandra, the book's creator, shares two chapters: one on rewiring our relationship with food and another on welcoming ourselves home to our body's wisdom and rebuilding trust with our internal signals.Why This Book Matters:Personal growth can sometimes feel overwhelming or inaccessible. This handbook was created to change that. Each author brings years of expertise and distills it into something digestible, something you can actually use. Whether you're exploring these topics for the first time or deepening your existing practice, there is medicine here for you.The book is already a bestseller on Amazon, and future editions will include a hardcover, ebook, and audiobook where each author reads their own chapter.Resources Mentioned:•Purchase the book: Available now on Amazon [INSERT LINK]•Join the Inner Circle Newsletter: handbookforhumanpotential.com•Watch the video recording: [INSERT LINK]•Upcoming event: Book talk at Sierra Psychedelic Society in Reno (February)Key Quotes from This Episode:"Resilience isn't just enduring hardship, it's thriving through it." - Seth"When you live in the frequency of love, you have unwavering character. You know who you are." - Teresa"The most divine thing I can think of is to watch somebody heal in front of you." - Greg"People don't stop living because they're dying." - Patricia"You can grab one thing that you like out of this and one thing that you like out of that and make your own soup." - Dr. Erica"There's a magic and mysticism to these medicines that we probably won't understand, potentially ever." - Dr. Burton"Your entire reality can change based off of changing your beliefs around what's possible for you." - Brida"Just because your labs are normal doesn't mean there's not something that can be done." - Dr. Charmin"Trauma doesn't need to run our life. Healing is very possible." - Jim"You can ...
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    47 mins
  • Why Eating Clean Isn't Enough

    Why Eating Clean Isn't Enough
    Jul 2 2024

    Even though you're eating super clean, you're still struggling with stubborn symptoms? What? Frustrating... I know. I've been there...


    In this video, I discuss a common issue many people face: eating super clean but still struggling with symptoms like bloating, brain fog, and eczema. We'll dive into why a clean diet alone isn't always enough and how emotional health plays a crucial role in your overall well-being.


    Key Topics Covered:

    - The importance of a happy, relaxed nervous system for nutrient absorption

    -How stress, depression, and anxiety affect your digestive function

    - Why rest and digest (heal and nourish) is essential for maintaining balance

    - Practical steps for managing your emotional state

    - How to talk back to your brain and process uncomfortable emotions


    Get started on your journey to complete health!



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-chandra-zas-show/donations
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    8 mins
  • Energize Your Life by Rewiring Food Cravings for Lasting Health

    Energize Your Life by Rewiring Food Cravings for Lasting Health
    Jun 22 2024

    Join Chandra Zas from Zen Odyssey as she helps you rewire your food cravings for better health and more energy. Discover how to manage cravings without resistance, feel energized at 7 PM, and transform your relationship with food. Ready to make sustainable changes and achieve peak energy? Watch now and start your journey to a healthier, more vibrant you!


    For more tips and coaching, subscribe to our channel and visit Zen Odyssey.


    #HealthTips

    #foodcravings

    #energyboost

    #wellnessjourney

    #mindfuleating



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-chandra-zas-show/donations
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    10 mins
  • Angela’s Coaching Story From Scarcity to Clarity

    Angela’s Coaching Story From Scarcity to Clarity
    Jun 18 2024

    Join us as Angela shares her journey. She is a mother of two who talks about how coaching helped her gain clarity and essential tools for personal growth. She discusses overcoming decision-making hurdles, finding presence and her embodied self in family life, and embracing an internal tool of "expanded self vs small self:. Angela’s story highlights the impact of coaching on her life.


    👉 Highlights:


    Balancing family life and personal growth

    Overcoming decision-making hurdles

    Gaining clarity and powerful coaching tools


    🚀 Ready for your own transformation? Watch now and get inspired!


    #CoachingJourney

    #PersonalGrowth

    #LifeTransformation

    #SelfImprovement

    #Mindfulness

    #Clarity

    #LifeBalance

    #FamilyLife

    #DecisionMaking

    #Empowerment




    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-chandra-zas-show/donations
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    29 mins
  • How Nicole Overcame Anxiety and Lost 44 Pounds

    How Nicole Overcame Anxiety and Lost 44 Pounds
    Jun 7 2024

    In this podcast, Nicole, a web and graphic designer from Reno, Nevada, shares her incredible journey with Chandra, a holistic health coach she fondly calls her "Earth Angel." Nicole's heartfelt testimonial highlights how Chandra's unique approach helped her achieve profound changes in mind, body, and spirit.


    Nicole Shares:


    How Chandra's spiritual and educational insights provided the support she needed

    The remarkable changes she experienced, including losing 44 pounds and improving her overall well-being


    Overcoming financial barriers to access holistic health coaching

    The importance of understanding the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit

    Practical tools and lifelong strategies she gained from Chandra's program

    The lasting impact of holistic health on her life and how it continues to benefit her

    Nicole's story is a testament to the power of holistic health and the profound impact a dedicated coach can have. If you're feeling overwhelmed and seeking a holistic approach to health, Chandra’s program might be the key to your transformation. Discover the balance and joy that comes from connecting mind, body, and spirit.



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-chandra-zas-show/donations
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • "I've Never Felt Healthier or Happier," says former Client Devin

    "I've Never Felt Healthier or Happier," says former Client Devin
    May 31 2024

    Join us in this interview as Coach Chandra sits down with her former client, Devin Bostick, to discuss his journey through increasing his presence, focus, and productivity in her coaching program. Devin shares how he shifted his emotional state, his food and drinking habits, and had some great bonus side effects like gout, while managing the pressures of his startup business and is now feeling happier and healthier than ever.


    He Shares:

    How he found Coach Chandra through a mutual friend and decided to sign up for her coaching program.


    The impact of eliminating processed foods, alcohol, and improving his sleep on his overall health and productivity.


    The profound changes in his relationship with food and cravings.


    How integrating plant medicine, like psilocybin, helped him process emotions deeply and align his mental and physical well-being.


    The power of using tools like the internal human algorithm of change to gain awareness and make conscious decisions.


    Devin's story is a testament to the life-changing effects of Coach Chandra's holistic approach to health and wellness. Whether you're an entrepreneur feeling the strain of business pressures or someone seeking to improve your relationship with food and your body, this interview offers valuable insights and inspiration.


    #HealthAndWellness #TransformationalJourney #CoachChandraZas #GoutRecovery #PlantMedicine #HolisticHealth #EntrepreneurHealth #FoodAndMood #ProductivityHacks #selfimprovement



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-chandra-zas-show/donations
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    58 mins