What if your stress, self-sabotage, and even physical symptoms aren't just "in your head"—but stored in your body?

In this episode, we're joined by Chelsea, practitioner behind Deconstructed Wellness, who blends BodyTalk, somatic healing, and human design to help people reconnect with their bodies and break free from deep-rooted patterns. We explore how your nervous system, subconscious beliefs, and past experiences shape your health—and how to start healing from the inside out.

From understanding why self-worth blocks keep you stuck, to learning how your body communicates what it needs, this conversation will completely shift how you view healing, stress, and personal growth.

In this episode, we discuss...

• What BodyTalk is and how it connects physical, emotional, and energetic health
• How somatic healing helps release stuck emotions through the body
• How to support your kids' emotional health through repair, not perfection

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Chelsea's journey: from healthcare to holistic healing

05:00 – What is BodyTalk & how it works

07:30 – The nervous system's role in health & behavior

18:00 – Why everyone's healing journey is unique

20:00 – Why women feel unheard in traditional healthcare

22:00 – Introduction to somatic healing

31:00 – Parenting & nervous system regulation for kids

35:00 – Human design explained simply

43:00 – Simple daily practices for nervous system health

47:00 – Meditation struggles & neurodivergence

57:00 – Intuition vs anxiety (how to tell the difference)

1:00:00 – Muscle testing & body intelligence

Connect with Chelsea

Website: https://chelseadeconstructedwellness.podia.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deconstructed.wellness/

Want to Work With Us?

Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program.

Follow us on Instagram:

The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/

Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/

Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/

Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review!

Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

What does it actually look like to live a holistic wellness lifestyle? This week, we pull back the curtain — worms, cliffs, and toddler head-butts included.

We are back with a full catch-up episode covering real life in the functional wellness world. Jensen is mid-parasite cleanse with results she didn't see coming. Lacey survived heli-skiing in Revelstoke and finally got her dream backyard sauna. And Kira is navigating the chaos of gentle parenting with a toddler who gives as good as she gets.

Plus: why GLP-1 supplements while breastfeeding are a hard no, the moon's role in parasite activity, and building a personal brand in the health space.

Key Takeaways

1. Don't jump into a parasite cleanse unprepared. If your drainage pathways aren't open, your minerals are depleted, or you haven't addressed your gut environment, parasites will come back — and you'll have wasted your money.
2. Gentle parenting isn't passive parenting. Holding natural consequences with a highly emotionally intelligent child takes serious nervous system regulation.
3. Repeat yourself on social media. No one remembers what they saw yesterday. You become known for a topic by saying the same thing 50 times — not by constantly creating new content.

Chapters

01:43 - Lacey and her building a personal brand presentation

08:04 - Jensen's parasite cleanse: coffee enemas, real results, and what nobody warns you about

22:23 - Why parasite cleanses aren't a "level one" protocol (minerals, drainage & environment first)

25:00 - Gentle parenting with a headstrong toddler: Kira's honest struggles with Ellie

33:22 - Lacey's heli-skiing trip to Revelstoke: avalanche risk, powder boards & expanding capacity

44:07 - Lacey's dream sauna is finally here: nighttime routine, cold plunge & grounding

45:00 - Does moonlight affect your circadian rhythm? Full moon, melatonin & parasite activity

48:36 - PSA: GLP-1 supplements while breastfeeding + why postpartum weight loss pressure misses the point

52:16 - Wrap-up & what's coming next

Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program.

Follow us on Instagram:

The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/

Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/

Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/

Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

If fat loss feels like a constant battle, it's likely not a discipline issue — it's a physiology issue. In this episode, we break down how inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic stress can block fat loss, even when you're doing "everything right."

Join us as we dive into functional fat loss — a smarter, more sustainable approach to losing fat by addressing the root cause instead of forcing restriction. We unpack why the traditional calories in vs. calories out approach doesn't work the same in stressed or dysregulated bodies, and how factors like inflammation, cortisol, insulin resistance, thyroid function, and nervous system stress directly impact your ability to lose fat.

You'll learn why many women feel stuck despite eating less and exercising more, and why fat loss often becomes easier — not harder — when you focus on regulating your body first. We also walk you through a 3-step functional fat loss framework to help you lose fat and keep it off long-term.

If you've been stuck in cycles of dieting, burnout, or "white-knuckling" your way through fat loss, this episode will help you understand what's actually going on in your body — and what to do instead.

Key Takeaways

• Fat loss resistance is often a physiology problem, not a willpower problem
• Lowering inflammation and stress can lead to fat loss before dieting
• Sustainable fat loss happens when you regulate, repair, then reduce

Chapters

00:00 — Functional Fat Loss Explained: Why Weight Loss Feels So Hard

06:30 — Calories In vs. Calories Out (Why It Stops Working)

12:00 — Metabolism, Hunger Hormones & Energy Adaptation

18:00 — Inflammation vs. Fat: What You're Really Holding Onto

25:30 — Cortisol, Insulin Resistance & Thyroid Function

34:00 — Why Dieting Increases Stress & Blocks Fat Loss

41:00 — Signs Your Body Is Not Ready for Fat Loss

47:30 — The 3-Step Functional Fat Loss Framework

55:00 — Why Most People Regain Weight After Dieting

01:02:00 — How to Lose Fat & Keep It Off for Good

Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program.

Follow us on Instagram:

The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/

Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/

Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/

Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @thewellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

Struggling with eczema, skin flare-ups, or chronic inflammation that just won't go away—no matter what you try?

In this episode of The Wellness Effect, we dive deep into all things eczema. We're also exploring why topical treatments alone often aren't enough and what your body might actually be trying to tell you.

We unpack the connection between gut health, inflammation, immune response, and skin conditions, and share real-life experiences navigating eczema, lifestyle changes, and holistic healing approaches. From triggers like food sensitivities and stress to deeper conversations around functional medicine, nervous system regulation, and long-term healing, this episode offers a grounded, honest look at what it really takes to heal from within.

If you've been stuck in cycles of flare-ups, confusion, or frustration with your skin, this conversation will help you better understand eczema root causes, natural healing strategies, and sustainable wellness practices.

Key Takeaways

• Eczema is often a symptom, not the root problem. True healing requires addressing internal imbalances like gut health and inflammation.
• Triggers are highly individual, making self-awareness and tracking essential for long-term skin health.
• Sustainable healing comes from a holistic approach—combining nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle changes rather than relying on quick fixes.

Chapters

00:00 — Eczema & Skin Health: Why Nothing Seems to Work
02:10 — Personal Experiences with Eczema & Chronic Skin Issues
05:45 — Understanding Eczema as an Internal Inflammation Issue
10:20 — Gut Health, Food Triggers & Skin Flare-Ups
16:30 — Stress, Nervous System & Skin Reactions
22:15 — Why Topical Treatments Aren't Enough for Eczema
28:40 — Functional Medicine Approach to Skin Healing
35:10 — Identifying Triggers & Lifestyle Patterns
42:00 — Healing from Within: Diet, Habits & Long-Term Change
49:30 — Key Takeaways for Managing Eczema Naturally

Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program.

Follow us on Instagram:

The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/

Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/

Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/

Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @thewellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

In this candid catch-up episode of The Wellness Effect, we dive into a wide-ranging conversation about wellness, relationships, plant medicine, and peptides—and the real-life decisions that shape our health journeys.

From Kira's plant medicine experience to the growing conversation around peptides in functional medicine, we explore how modern wellness trends intersect with personal experimentation. We also open up about relationships, parenting challenges like baby eczema, and how everyday lifestyle choices impact overall health and well-being.

This episode introduces a new segment of The Wellness Effect, where we share life updates while diving into evolving conversations around functional wellness, biohacking trends, and modern health practices.

If you enjoy behind-the-scenes conversations about plant medicine, peptides, wellness trends, and personal growth, this episode offers an honest look at the experiences shaping today's wellness conversations.

In This Episode We Discuss…

• Kira's experience exploring plant medicine and personal growth
• The growing conversation around peptides in wellness and functional medicine
• Relationships, long-term partnerships, and navigating life changes
• Parenting challenges, including baby eczema and gut health
• The balance between unconventional wellness practices and practical lifestyle habits
• How wellness trends like biohacking and peptides are influencing modern health conversations

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Kira's Plant Medicine Experience

06:30 – Peptides Explained: Why They're Trending in Wellness & Biohacking

12:00 – Relationships, Anniversaries & Life Transitions

18:00 – Parenting Conversations: Baby Eczema & Gut Health

25:30 – Raves, Lifestyle Choices & Wellness Balance

34:00 – Navigating Wellness Trends with Curiosity

44:00 – Final Thoughts on Wellness, Relationships & Personal Growth

Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program.

Follow us on Instagram:

The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/

Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/

Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/

Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @thewellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips!

Many women struggle with their relationship with food and their bodies, but healing often begins with one simple shift: learning how to listen to your body.

In today's episode, Lacey and Kira are joined by Cassandra Bodzak, a holistic wellness guide, actress, and author of The Mindful Table. Cassandra shares her personal journey through mysterious health issues, body disconnection, and eventually rediscovering her health by learning how to listen to her body's signals.

We dive into the complicated relationship many women have with food, dieting culture, and body image. Cassandra explains how mindfulness practices, intuitive eating, and self-compassion can help rebuild trust with your body and support long-term wellness. This conversation bridges both science and spirituality, offering a grounded perspective on healing your relationship with food, nourishment, and your body.

If you've ever felt disconnected from your body, stuck in cycles of dieting, or unsure how to trust your body's signals, this episode offers a powerful new perspective.

What You'll Learn

In this episode, we discuss:

• Cassandra's personal journey with chronic pain and reconnecting with her body
• Why many women struggle with their relationship with food
• The difference between dieting and intuitive eating
• Why listening to your body is a key part of sustainable wellness

Chapters:

00:41 — Introducing Cassandra Bodzak

02:00 — Cassandra's background in wellness, mindfulness, and nutrition

03:00 — Her journey from acting to holistic health work

05:30 — When she realized her relationship with food and her body needed to change

09:15 — Learning to listen to the body's signals

14:40 — Healing the relationship with food through mindfulness

22:10 — Why many women feel disconnected from their bodies

31:05 — The power of intuitive eating and body awareness

40:20 — Rebuilding trust with your body

49:30 — Practical steps to start reconnecting with your health

Connect with Cassandra:

Website: https://cassandrabodzak.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CassandraBodzak/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassandrabodzak

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/CassandraBodzakTV

Buy a copy of The Mindful Table by Cassandra Bodzak and get bonus content at https://cassandrabodzak.com/

Want to Work With Us at Lifestyle U? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program.

Follow us on Instagram:

The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/

Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/

Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/

Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @thewellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

If you feel tired but wired, struggle with hormone imbalances, poor sleep, blood sugar crashes, or stubborn symptoms, the issue may not be what you're eating, but when. Your circadian rhythm is the master system coordinating your hormones, metabolism, digestion, and nervous system.

In this episode, we break down circadian rhythm in a practical, real-life way. This isn't just about sleep. It's about how your body knows what time it is and what it should be doing.

We cover how light, food timing, and movement act as biological signals for cortisol, melatonin, thyroid function, mitochondrial health, and even hormone production. We also dive into why poor sleep, PMDD, irregular cycles, afternoon crashes, and even skin flare-ups may stem from circadian disruption.

If you've been focusing on supplements, elimination diets, or protocols without seeing results, this episode will show you the foundational layer you might be missing.

What You'll Learn

In this episode, we discuss:

• What circadian rhythm actually is (and why every cell has a 24-hour clock)
• How cortisol and melatonin should rise and fall naturally
• The difference between sunrise, UVA rise, and UVB light
• How circadian rhythm impacts thyroid hormone conversion (T4 to T3)
• Simple habits to support sleep, metabolism, and nervous system regulation

Chapters

00:00 – Why circadian rhythm impacts hormones & sleep

04:14 – Every cell runs on a 24-hour clock

09:44 – Cortisol timing, digestion & metabolism explained

14:23 – Sunrise: the master reset signal

20:53 – UVA rise & hormone production (pregnenolone, thyroid, insulin)

27:45 – Sunset & melatonin preparation

32:18 – The role of food timing in circadian rhythm 35:29 – Vitamin D vs. melatonin (seasonal shifts explained)

39:09 – Movement timing & workouts

41:36 – Signs your circadian rhythm is off

45:55 – Practical habits you can implement immediately

Resources & Mentions

1. My Circadian App
2. Circadian Rhythm Resource
3. Blue Light Glasses
4. Circadian Lighting
5. How to Turn Your iPhone Red

Want to Work With Us?

Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program.

Follow us on Instagram:

The Podcast: @thewellnesseffectpod

Lacey Iskra - @laceeiskk

Jensen - @wellnesswjensen

Kira Iskra - @kiraiskk

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @thewellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

Did you know? Sex isn't just physical. It is deeply connected to your nervous system, trauma history, body image, and sense of safety. In this episode of The Wellness Effect, we explore how intimacy can actually become a space for healing when it's rooted in trust and regulation.

Today we're joined by Ivana Kolakovic, a registered Sex & Relationships Therapist from Kat Kova Therapy specializing in sex and relationship therapy. We dive into how trauma lives in the body, why shame blocks sexual desire, and the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire. We talk about brakes and accelerators in intimacy, body image struggles, hormonal shifts, parenting transitions, and how couples can rebuild connection through nervous system safety. This conversation is nuanced, compassionate, and deeply practical; especially if you've ever wondered, "What's wrong with me?" when it comes to sex or intimacy.

What You'll Learn:

In this episode, we discuss:

• What somatic therapy actually means (and how it differs from talk therapy)
• How trauma gets stored in the nervous system
• Why safety is the foundation of pleasurable sex
• Accelerators vs. brakes in sexual desire
• Why relationships are powerful tools for nervous system regulation

Chapters:

01:21 - Meet Ivana + what somatic therapy means

06:44 - Talk therapy vs. somatic work

08:49 - Why sex can be a space for healing

10:05 - Low desire, shame & sexual disconnection

18:22 - Safety, ventral state & healing through intimacy

25:00 - Parenting, burnout & libido changes

29:33 - Responsive vs. spontaneous desire

33:04 - Accelerators and brakes explained

40:00 - Body image, shame & self-acceptance

48:31 -Trauma responses in intimacy

53:49 - Open relationships: when they work (and when they don't)

Connect with Kat Kova Therapy:

Website: https://katkovatherapy.com/

Email: info@katkovatherapy.com

Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program.

Follow us on Instagram:

The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesseffectpod/

Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/

Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/

Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/kiraiskk/

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @wellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.