Stress isn’t the enemy—it’s the imbalance that wears us down.
In this episode of The Thrive Equation, Dr. Jess sits down with registered dietitian ,Rachel Hicks, to dive into the complex world of cortisol, inflammation, and how our lifestyle choices affect long-term health. We break down the science in a practical way, explore the impact on energy, mood, and recovery, and discuss actionable steps to help you thrive rather than just survive.
🎙️ What You’ll Learn:
Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction: Meet Rachel Hicks
2:42 – What is Cortisol? Beyond the Stress Hormone
5:20 – Factors That Keep Cortisol Elevated
7:41 – Inflammation: How It Affects Your Whole Body
10:36 – Survival Mode vs. Thriving Mode
12:57 – The Gut-Brain Connection and Chronic Inflammation
15:43 – Functional Medicine: Seeing the Whole Picture
18:02 – Personalized Labs and Nutrition
25:42 – Anti-inflammatory Diets and Protein-Fiber Pairings
27:24 – Supplements: How to Use Them Wisely
29:15 – Micro Movements and Lifestyle Changes
32:33 – Tracking Your Energy and Progress
36:35 – Comparison vs. Celebrating Small Wins
38:28 – Joy as a Health Practice
40:05 – Incorporating Fun and Mindfulness
42:22 – Building a Strong Foundation for Health
44:18 – Final Takeaways: Cortisol, Lifestyle, and Longevity
From anti-inflammatory diets to mindful movement and understanding your labs, this episode gives you tools to start making small but meaningful changes that add up over time.
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