The Well Life Podcast

Episode 133 - Care For Your Soul Survey

Care for Your Soul Survey   On a scale from 0–10 (0 being way out of whack and 10 being you are in perfect health and balance), how healthy and balanced do you feel you are in the following areas?   Spiritually   1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10    Physically   1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10   Financially  1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10   Relationally 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10   1.  Do you take time daily to read your Bible/Journal? (Y/N) If not, why? (i.e. time, schedule, etc.)   2.  Do you take time daily to pray for your needs, your church, your family, etc. (Y/N) If       not, why?   3.Do you sit in service with your family every weekend? (Y/N) If not, why?   4. Do you feel overwhelmed in your day to day life? (Y/N) If so, why? How often?   5. If you do feel overwhelmed in your daily life, what do you think would help you regain balance?   6. Do you make time to rest/take a weekly Sabbath? (Y/N)  If not, why?   7. Do you feel like you are overworked or that your work schedule is too much? (Y/N) Why or why not?   8.  How much time a day do you think you spend engaged in technology? TV/Facebook/Computer/Pinterest/Texting, etc.         a. Are you able to turn it all off and disengage? (Y/N)   9. Do you take time several days a week for physical activity? Exercise? (Y/N)   10. Do you faithfully tithe and give over and above offerings? (Y/N) If not, why?   11. Do you feel you have time every week to connect one on one with your friends and/or family members (in person, not via technology)? (Y/N)  If not, why?   12. Do you host or are you in a small group that is ongoing? (Y/N)   13. Do you feel you have fostered some great relationships with others that allow you        to open up and be honest about challenges you might be having in life? (Y/N)   14. If you could change anything in your schedule right now and if we could change         anything that would help you feel balanced and healthy in every area, what would        that be?    15. Have you written down your goals in every area mentioned at the top of this page for this coming year?   16. Do you feel like you have a well thought out organized plan to accomplish your goals for this year?  17. If you could change one thing about your current lifestyle, what would that be?   ------------------------------------- Dr. Glenda’s new Book:  40-Days Closer to Him, A God-Inspired Wellness Plan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPPLRBYV [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPPLRBYV] For more information about the hosts, please visit their websites and follow them on social media: Dr. Glenda Shepard - Doctor of Nursing Practice/Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Certified Nutrition Coach/Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Intrinsic Coach https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/ [https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/?r_done=1] FB - https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1 [https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1]   Robin McCoy - Certified McIntyre Seal Team Six Coach and John Maxwell Team Trainer/Speaker/Coach https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/ [https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/] IG - https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy [https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy] FB - https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1 [https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1/?show_switched_toast=0&show_invite_to_follow=0&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0&show_community_review_changes=0&show_community_rollback=0&show_follower_visibility_disclosure=0]   Produced by KB Podcasts [https://www.kingdombringer.com/services]

Episode 132 - HRV and Your Health

Heart rate variability measures the time intervals between heartbeats — a direct window into how your nervous system balances stress and recovery. Those fluctuations reflect the balance between your sympathetic system (fight or flight) and parasympathetic system (rest and repair). It reflects how well the autonomic nervous system (which is sympathetic and parasympathetic) manages stress and recovery, serving as a key marker for cardiovascular health, fitness, sleep quality, and physical resilience * A higher HRV means more variability between beats. Your parasympathetic system is strong, and your heart rate can shift smoothly between stress and recovery. * A lower HRV suggests your body is in a sustained stress state. The sympathetic system is doing more of the driving. Heart rate stays elevated instead of quickly downshifting back to baseline.   1. Warning signs of heart conditions Monitoring your HRV may detect early warning signs of cardiac problems. According to a 2019 study, a low HRV was a strong predictor of myocardial ischemia, which occurs when blood flow is partially or completely blocked due to plaque buildup. If you have concerns about your HRV and what it means for your risk of heart disease, consult your healthcare provider.       2. Stress levels When you’re feeling stressed, your heart rate variability changes. Your HRV can indicate if you’re experiencing stress because of exposure to certain physiological or environmental stimuli, as a 2018 meta-analysis and literature review reported.        3. ANS imbalances Measuring your HRV is a noninvasive way to notify you of any imbalances in your autonomic nervous system. In fact, according to a 2020 study, HRV was a valid indicator of autonomic nervous system disturbance (ANSD) In addition, HRV may also detect mental conditions such as depression. A 2018 study revealed that ANSD indexed by HRV is often connected to indicators of depression.  4. How certain habits affect you Knowing your HRV can help you understand your health status. You’ll be more aware of whether certain lifestyle habits improve or worsen your heart health. In addition, monitoring your HRV can motivate you to adopt healthier lifestyle habits. 5. Emotional well-being A high HRV is associated with higher emotional well-being7 [https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/what-is-heart-rate-variabilitywhat-affects-your-hrv#citations], meaning there’s improved emotional regulation, according to a 2019 manuscript. Good emotional well-being involves handling stressful situations and adjusting to new changes7 [https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/what-is-heart-rate-variabilitywhat-affects-your-hrv#citations].   Recovery is where adaptations happen. When HRV stays suppressed, recovery slows, training feels harder than it should, and you might notice a decrease in performance. Multiple factors influence your HRV: * Training load: Hard training blocks push HRV down as your body works to repair and adapt. * Sleep quality: Poor sleep keeps the sympathetic system activated, limiting HRV rebound. * Stress: Mental and emotional stress trigger the same physiological response as physical stress. * Nutrition: Inadequate fuel or micronutrient deficiencies can impair recovery capacity. * Hydration: Reduced blood volume forces the heart to work harder, raising heart rate and suppressing HRV. * Alcohol: Even moderate intake disrupts sleep and autonomic balance. Hydration is one recovery strategy that is fast and easy to control. Sleep debt takes days to repay. Training fatigue requires structured recovery. Mental stress doesn't have an off switch. But hydration?  What happens to HRV when you’re dehydrated At rest, one of the simplest relationships in cardiovascular physiology is this: when heart rate goes up, HRV generally goes down. HRV is driven by your autonomic nervous system — the branch that governs stress and recovery. When heart rate rises and the sympathetic (stress) side takes over, beat-to-beat variability narrows. When the heart is forced to beat faster, that window narrows. Dehydration drives this process in a few ways.  * Reduced fluid volume means the heart has to work harder to maintain circulation, which pushes heart rate up.  * That volume drop triggers a mild stress response to preserve blood flow to vital organs, shifting the nervous system toward greater sympathetic activity.   “The higher your heart rate, the less time there is for variability between those beats, which is why your HRV goes down when your heart rate is up. Whereas when your heart rate comes down, there's more opportunity for variability between those beats and your HRV goes up,” says Dr. London.   A 2019 study in Scientific Reports [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-52775-5?utm_source=chatgpt.com] found that mild dehydration was associated with lower HRV and increased perceived effort and anxiety, suggesting that even small fluid deficits can shift autonomic balance unfavorably.   Baja Gold: https://bajagoldsaltco.com/products/mineral-sea-salt?variant=45925213110582 Ring: Oura:  https://ouraring.com/store/rings/oura-ring-4 Ring: RingConn:  https://ringconn.com/products/ringconn-gen-2?variant=481628474248 [https://ringconn.com/products/ringconn-gen-2?variant=481628474248]  ------------------------------------- Dr. Glenda’s new Book:  40-Days Closer to Him, A God-Inspired Wellness Plan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPPLRBYV [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPPLRBYV] For more information about the hosts, please visit their websites and follow them on social media: Dr. Glenda Shepard - Doctor of Nursing Practice/Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Certified Nutrition Coach/Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Intrinsic Coach https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/ [https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/?r_done=1] FB - https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1 [https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1]   Robin McCoy - Certified McIntyre Seal Team Six Coach and John Maxwell Team Trainer/Speaker/Coach https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/ [https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/] IG - https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy [https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy] FB - https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1 [https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1/?show_switched_toast=0&show_invite_to_follow=0&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0&show_community_review_changes=0&show_community_rollback=0&show_follower_visibility_disclosure=0]   Produced by KB Podcasts [https://www.kingdombringer.com/services]

Episode 131 - The Lymphatic and Glymphatic System

Cleansing, renewal, flow, rest, and stewardship of the body is how God designed the human body systems to function.    Spiritual cleansing  Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Connection: “Just like David asked God to cleanse his heart, our bodies were also designed with systems that cleanse us daily—physically and spiritually.” John 7:38 “He who believes in Me… out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Connection: “God designed us for flow—not stagnation. That applies spiritually and physically. When flow is blocked, dysfunction follows.” “Most people think detox happens in the liver. But your body actually has two major drainage systems that keep you clean from the inside out—the lymphatic system and the glymphatic system. One works in your body… and the other works in your brain.”    “The lymphatic system is like your body’s sewer and filtration system.” * It’s a network of vessels, nodes, and organs that: * Removes waste, toxins, and excess fluid * Supports immune function * Helps your body fight infections  “Unlike the heart, the lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump. It relies on movement.”  “Think of it like a drainage system that only works when you move the body. If you’re stagnant, your lymph becomes stagnant.” Signs it’s sluggish: * Puffiness or swelling * Brain fog * Frequent illness * Fatigue What activates it: * Walking, rebounding, exercise * Deep breathing - Breathwork - The Breathing Room (Samantha Skelly) The Breathing Room  [https://do.pausebreathwork.com/the-breathing-room?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email+marketing&utm_campaign=%7BNEWSLETTER%7D+The+Pause+Pulse+-+Vol.+87+(03-05-2026)&contact_id=7IUNNxw34pHMmXvSBfKO] * Vibration Plates/Therapy (The rapid vibrations simulate muscle contractions, which are needed to push lymph fluid through vessels, similar to physical exercise.) * Hydration * Dry brushing or lymphatic massage _______________________________________________________ Rest & the Glymphatic System (Brain Cleansing During Sleep)  Psalm 127:2 “He gives His beloved sleep.” Connection: “Sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a God-given function. It’s during sleep that your brain literally clears waste.” Psalm 23:2-3 “He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Connection: “Restoration happens in stillness. Your brain’s ‘cleansing system’ works best when you are truly at rest.” “The glymphatic system is your brain’s cleaning system—and it only works efficiently when you’re asleep.” * It clears: * Metabolic waste * Toxins * Proteins linked to neurodegenerative disease  “Your brain literally washes itself at night.”  “It’s like a nighttime janitorial crew that comes in while everything is shut down.” Important science simplified: * During deep sleep, brain cells shrink slightly * This allows fluid to flow through and “rinse” the brain If this system doesn’t work well: * Brain fog * Memory issues * Increased risk of cognitive decline What supports it: * Quality sleep (non-negotiable) * Consistent sleep schedule * Sleeping in darkness * Managing stress Bridge the Two Systems  “Here’s what most people don’t realize—these two systems are connected.” * The glymphatic system drains waste from the brain into the lymphatic system * If your lymphatic system is sluggish, your brain drainage can also be impaired Simple takeaway line: “You can’t have a clear mind with a congested body.” Order, Design, and God’s Wisdom 1 Corinthians 14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.” Connection: “The body God designed operates in order—flow, rhythm, rest. When we disrupt that order, we experience dysfunction.” Healing & Wholeness 3 John 1:2 “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you…” Connection: “God cares about your physical health. These systems are part of how He sustains it.” “If you’re tired, inflamed, foggy, or feel ‘off,’ it may not just be what you’re eating—it could be how well your body is draining. Move your body so your lymph can flow. Sleep deeply so your brain can clean. Because healing isn’t just about what you put in your body… it’s about what your body is able to clear out.” ------------------------------------- Dr. Glenda’s new Book:  40-Days Closer to Him, A God-Inspired Wellness Plan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPPLRBYV [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPPLRBYV] For more information about the hosts, please visit their websites and follow them on social media: Dr. Glenda Shepard - Doctor of Nursing Practice/Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Certified Nutrition Coach/Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Intrinsic Coach https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/ [https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/?r_done=1] FB - https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1 [https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1]   Robin McCoy - Certified McIntyre Seal Team Six Coach and John Maxwell Team Trainer/Speaker/Coach https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/ [https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/] IG - https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy [https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy] FB - https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1 [https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1/?show_switched_toast=0&show_invite_to_follow=0&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0&show_community_review_changes=0&show_community_rollback=0&show_follower_visibility_disclosure=0]   Produced by KB Podcasts [https://www.kingdombringer.com/services]

Episode 130 - Mothers Day 2026

The modern holiday was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held the first Mother's Day service of worship at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in Grafton, West Virginia.   Andrew's Methodist Church now holds the International Mother's Day Shrine] Her campaign to make Mother's Day a recognized holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died. Ann Jarvis had been a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War, and created Mother's Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. She and another peace activist and suffragist, Julia Ward Howe, had been urging for the creation of a "Mother's Day For Peace" where mothers would ask that their husbands and sons were no longer killed in wars. Forty years before it became an official holiday, Ward Howe had made her Mother's Day Proclamation in 1870, which called upon mothers of all nationalities to band together to promote the "amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace." Anna Jarvis wanted to honor this and to set aside a day to honor all mothers because she believed a mother is "the person who has done more for you than anyone in the world". (also - National Clean Up Your Room Day) 1. Best Part about being a mom 2. Challenges of being a mom 3. Transitions/Seasons as a mom (graduations, marriages, etc) 4. Describe your perfect Mother’s Day These days, Mother’s Day is a $25 billion holiday in America, with those who celebrate spending about $200 on mom, according to National Retail Federation data [https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/mothers-day-expected-deliver-highest-consumer-spending-date] published in 2019. More people buy flowers for Mother’s Day than at any other time of year, except during the Christmas and Hanukkah season. Gift givers spend more than $5 billion on jewelry alone, and nearly another $5 billion on that special outing. Then there’s $843 million on cards, and $2.6 billion each on flowers and gift certificates, according to the data. ------------------------------------- Dr. Glenda’s new Book:  40-Days Closer to Him, A God-Inspired Wellness Plan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPPLRBYV [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPPLRBYV] For more information about the hosts, please visit their websites and follow them on social media: Dr. Glenda Shepard - Doctor of Nursing Practice/Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Certified Nutrition Coach/Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Intrinsic Coach https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/ [https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/?r_done=1] FB - https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1 [https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1]   Robin McCoy - Certified McIntyre Seal Team Six Coach and John Maxwell Team Trainer/Speaker/Coach https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/ [https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/] IG - https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy [https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy] FB - https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1 [https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1/?show_switched_toast=0&show_invite_to_follow=0&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0&show_community_review_changes=0&show_community_rollback=0&show_follower_visibility_disclosure=0]   Produced by KB Podcasts [https://www.kingdombringer.com/services]

Episode 129 - Stem Cells & Peptides and more with Dr. Jennifer Joy

Discovering what’s new in Natural Medicine and what’s to come.  We welcome back Dr Jennifer Joy. (Episode 26)   Dr. Joy started with an interest in medicine from a young age. Her father was an orthopedic surgeon and her mother a school psychologist.  Knowing she wanted to be a doctor she studied biology and environmental sciences while finishing a pre-med curriculum at Cornell College.  Dr. Joy believes in a collaborative approach where she empowers her patients to make informed decisions in their health care.  Treatment incorporates clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, mind-body medicine, botanical medicine, homeopathy, nutrient therapy, detoxification, physical medicine, diet and lifestyle interventions and pharmaceuticals as needed.  While working with her patients, Dr. Joy likes to optimize their health and revitalize their mind and body. Her goal as a physician is to provide empathetic, patient centered care.  She wants to teach her patients how to thrive as individuals in this fast-paced world. She hopes to inspire her patients to be the healthiest they can be.   Contact Info: Website:  https://www.sisuhealth.net/ [https://www.sisuhealth.net/] 253-549-9216 Instagram: @drjenjoy ------------------------------------- Dr. Glenda’s new Book:  40-Days Closer to Him, A God-Inspired Wellness Plan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPPLRBYV [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GPPLRBYV] For more information about the hosts, please visit their websites and follow them on social media: Dr. Glenda Shepard - Doctor of Nursing Practice/Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner/Certified Nutrition Coach/Certified Personal Trainer/Certified Intrinsic Coach https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/ [https://www.triumphantwomancoaching.com/?r_done=1] FB - https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1 [https://www.facebook.com/glenda.shepard1]   Robin McCoy - Certified McIntyre Seal Team Six Coach and John Maxwell Team Trainer/Speaker/Coach https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/ [https://www.thewellnessfactor.coach/] IG - https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy [https://www.instagram.com/RobinRMcCoy] FB - https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1 [https://www.facebook.com/robin.mccoy1/?show_switched_toast=0&show_invite_to_follow=0&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0&show_community_review_changes=0&show_community_rollback=0&show_follower_visibility_disclosure=0]   Produced by KB Podcasts [https://www.kingdombringer.com/services]