The Rever Rundown with Mimi Deal

Episode 16: Peptides 101: What They Are, How They Work, and How to Use Them Safely

In this episode, we break down peptides. What they are, how they work in the body, and which categories are most relevant in modern medicine.  Peptides are everywhere; across social media, wellness clinics, and patient questions in nearly every functional and integrative medicine practice. They are also one of the most misunderstood categories in modern medicine. We cover GLP-1s, growth hormone-releasing peptides, healing peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500, skin and cosmetic peptides, and immune-modulating peptides, along with the safety questions every patient should ask before starting one. For each category, we cover the proposed mechanism, the available human data, what is FDA approved and what is not, the theoretical risks worth understanding, and the patient profiles most likely to benefit. We also walk through the critical safety questions every patient should ask before starting sourcing peptides, third-party testing, certificates of analysis, compounding pharmacy regulation, and the meaningful differences between compounded medications, investigational compounds, and research chemicals. This episode is meant to do what social media cannot: give you the framework to make a thoughtful, informed decision about whether peptides belong in your protocol, and how to use them safely if they do. Follow us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mimi_aprn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mimi_aprn] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@ReverWellness⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-mimi-deal-a38116347/⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See full show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/the-rever-rundown-podcast] Become a Patient: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://form.typeform.com/to/JxDErMDw] Medical Providers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my Clinician Education Platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/u100675516] and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month Subscribe to our Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://polite-acorn-76939.myflodesk.com/bhuvfpmkds] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hume Health⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.humehealth.com/MERCEDES22677⁠]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- Get $20 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gramms Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.gramms.co/reverwellness⁠] - Get $20 off  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ethlete.com]15% off code: REVER15 Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠ [https://go.nexuspt.io/mimi⁠ ] Chapters

Episode 15: Compounding Pharmacies and Personalized Hormone Therapy with Dr. Luis Delgado

In this episode of The Rever Rundown, I'm joined by my uncle and one of the most thoughtful pharmacists I know, Luis Delgado, owner of Village Pharmacy and Compounding in Miami. We have the kind of unfiltered conversation about pharmacy, personalized medicine, and hormone therapy that most patients have never been invited into. Luis walks us through what a compounding pharmacy actually is, how compounded medications are sourced, tested, and regulated, and why the lingering cultural skepticism around compounding pharmacies often does not reflect modern clinical reality.  We also dig into the gap in FDA-approved testosterone dosing for women, why so much of the most clinically meaningful hormone therapy falls outside conventional protocols, and how providers can begin to think about partnering with reputable compounding pharmacies rather than working around them. Beyond the clinical content, Luis shares his entrepreneurial journey, from working in a federally qualified health center to opening Village Pharmacy with his wife, trading in his car to fund the business, and standing outside a restaurant in his early days introducing himself to potential patients.  If you have ever been told compounding pharmacies are unsafe, wondered whether your hormone therapy could be more precisely tailored, or simply needed permission to keep advocating for the care you deserve, this episode is for you. Follow us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mimi_aprn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mimi_aprn] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@ReverWellness⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-mimi-deal-a38116347/⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See full show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/the-rever-rundown-podcast] Become a Patient: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://form.typeform.com/to/JxDErMDw] Medical Providers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my Clinician Education Platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/u100675516] and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month Subscribe to our Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://polite-acorn-76939.myflodesk.com/bhuvfpmkds] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hume Health⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.humehealth.com/MERCEDES22677⁠]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- Get $20 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gramms Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.gramms.co/reverwellness⁠] - Get $20 off  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ethlete.com]15% off code: REVER15 Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠ [https://go.nexuspt.io/mimi⁠ ] Dr. Luis Delgado Website [⁠https://www.villagepharmacymiami.com/⁠ ] Instagram [⁠https://www.instagram.com/villagepharmacymiami/⁠ ] Location 9408 SW 87 AVE, Suite 105, Miami, Florida 33176 00:00 Intro 01:05 Introduction to Compounding Pharmacy and Personal Connections 02:10 Luis’ Journey to Pharmacy and Entrepreneurship 07:19 Transitioning from Employment to Entrepreneurship 12:18 The Growth of Village Pharmacy and Its Impact 13:52 Understanding Compounding Pharmacies and Their Importance 19:28 The Role of Testosterone Therapy in Personalized Medicine 25:00 Understanding Drug Absorption Variability 27:06 The Importance of Integrity in Healthcare 27:53 Differentiating Pharmacy Types 29:43 The Art of Hormone Replacement Therapy 31:28 Challenges in Compounding Pharmacy Utilization 33:14 Regulatory Landscape of Compounding Pharmacies 35:21 Safety and Regulation in Compounding Medications 38:19 Addressing Misconceptions About Compounding Pharmacies 40:11 The Future of Individualized Medicine 45:13 Empowerment Through Knowledge and Mindset 47:11 Outro

Episode 14: Testosterone in Women: Benefits, Risks, and Why It's Under-prescribed

In this episode, we take on testosterone, the hormone that became a controlled substance in the 1990s after decades of misuse, and that remains one of the most misunderstood pieces of the hormonal picture for both women and men. We cover what testosterone actually is, where it is produced, and why women have higher absolute levels of testosterone across their lifetime than estrogen or any other hormone. We unpack the role testosterone plays in libido and sexual function, mood and cognition, muscle protein synthesis, bone density, fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic health and we talk honestly about what happens when levels are too low, too high, or out of balance. We also dig into what testosterone is and is not FDA approved for, why hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal women remains the only female indication, and why so many of the broader benefits women experience on testosterone therapy fall outside conventional prescribing guidelines. Throughout, we explore the difference between physiological replacement and supraphysiologic dosing, the nuance between free and total testosterone, and what to look for in a provider who works with hormones thoughtfully. If you have wondered whether your fatigue, low drive, mood changes, or loss of strength might be hormonal, this episode is for you. Follow us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mimi_aprn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mimi_aprn] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@ReverWellness⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-mimi-deal-a38116347/⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See full show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/the-rever-rundown-podcast] Become a Patient: ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://form.typeform.com/to/JxDErMDw] Medical Providers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my Clinician Education Platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/u100675516] and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month Subscribe to our Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://polite-acorn-76939.myflodesk.com/bhuvfpmkds] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hume Health⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.humehealth.com/MERCEDES22677⁠]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- Get $20 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gramms Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.gramms.co/reverwellness⁠] - Get $20 off  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://www.ethlete.com]15% off code: REVER15 Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE [https://go.nexuspt.io/mimi⁠ ] Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:16 What is Testosterone? 00:44 Testosterone in Men and Women 01:26 Production and Feedback Loop 01:46 Role of Testosterone 02:23 Impact on Body and Health 04:12 FDA Approval and Clinical Use 05:41 Balancing Testosterone Levels 06:31 Final Takeaways 06:59 Outro

Episode 13: Injectable Artistry and Building a Women-Led Aesthetics Practice with Erika Barry, NP

In this episode, I sit down with my mentor Erika Barry, nurse practitioner, national trainer, and also known as Injector Bunny. Erika shares the work ethic that took her from Johns Hopkins and UCSF to building a cult-following brand in aesthetic medicine, and the philosophy of transparency, consistency, and collaboration that has guided her throughout her career. This episode is a thoughtful look at what it takes to build longevity in aesthetics, not through trends or shortcuts, but through authenticity, craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to patients.  We spend a meaningful portion of the conversation on work ethic. Erika is honest about what it actually takes, from showing up thirty minutes earlier than everyone else to the two-year window required to build anything real. We also get into the evolution of her clinical technique, including her experience on the Daxie early experience team and why she now injects corrugators low rather than high. She keeps her older Patreon content online on purpose, so her community can see the evolution rather than a curated highlight reel. Erika is also refreshingly open about the personal side of building a career like hers. We talk about navigating social media criticism, a stalker situation that required FBI involvement, and the reality that no matter how authentic you try to be, social media is still a curated world.  Whether you are an injector early in your career, an experienced provider refining your brand, or simply curious about the people shaping modern aesthetic medicine, this conversation offers both practical guidance and genuine perspective. Follow us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mimi_aprn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mimi_aprn] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@ReverWellness⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-mimi-deal-a38116347/⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See full show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/the-rever-rundown-podcast] Become a Patient: ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://form.typeform.com/to/JxDErMDw] Medical Providers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my Clinician Education Platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/u100675516] and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month Subscribe to our Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://polite-acorn-76939.myflodesk.com/bhuvfpmkds] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hume Health⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.humehealth.com/MERCEDES22677⁠]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- Get $20 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gramms Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.gramms.co/reverwellness⁠] - Get $20 off  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://www.ethlete.com]15% off code: REVER15 Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE [https://go.nexuspt.io/mimi⁠ ] Erika Barry Instagram [⁠https://www.instagram.com/injectorbunny/⁠] Website [https://www.resculptdc.com/⁠] Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:33 Guest Introduction: Erika Barry 01:09 Building a Personal Brand 01:39 Authenticity in Aesthetics 02:46 Work Ethic and Consistency 04:20 Team Mentality in Medicine 05:11 Creating a Collaborative Culture 06:50 Breaking Hierarchies 08:46 Defining the Injector Bunny Brand 10:14 Embracing Innovation and AI 11:11 Learning and Sharing Content 12:47 Challenges and Lessons Learned 18:32 Balancing Personal and Professional Life 19:25 Daily Routines and Rituals 21:08 Who Supports Injector Bunny? 24:14 Partnerships and Relationships in Business 27:14 Book Recommendations 27:49 The Importance of Mentorship 32:44 Further Businesses 34:12 How Has Erika Built Her Team 38:01 Navigating Social Media and Its Challenges 47:34 Final Thoughts and Takeaways 50:45 Outro

Episode 12: Do Vibration Plates Actually Work? An Evidence-Based Look at the Research

We need to talk about vibration plates. In this episode, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about whole body vibration plates because they are all over my Instagram feed and I was so close to buying one. So before I dropped the money, I did what I always do, I went down the research rabbit hole so you don't have to. I walk you through what whole body vibration plates actually are and I break down every major claim you've seen on social media: strength building, balance, bone density, metabolism, and lymphatic drainage. I also talked to a physical therapist friend of mine, and we are on the same page: the data just isn't there yet to recommend these devices broadly. What I found interesting in my research is that vibration therapy actually has legitimate clinical roots. The problem is that the professional-grade equipment used in those clinical settings is very different from what's being sold to you on Amazon. Most consumer devices don't even list their Hz frequency,  which is a major red flag, because the frequencies that showed any benefit in research tend to be on the higher end. Spoiler: I’m not buying one. But I’ll tell you exactly what studies say, who might actually benefit, and what to look for if you still want one. And as always, if I ever change my mind, you’ll be the first to know. Follow us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mimi_aprn/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@mimi_aprn] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@ReverWellness⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-mimi-deal-a38116347/⁠] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See full show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.reverwellness.com/the-rever-rundown-podcast] Become a Patient: ⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠ [https://form.typeform.com/to/JxDErMDw] Medical Providers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join my Clinician Education Platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/u100675516] and use code PATREON10 for 10% off first month Subscribe to our Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://polite-acorn-76939.myflodesk.com/bhuvfpmkds] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hume Health⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.humehealth.com/MERCEDES22677⁠]⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠- Get $20 off ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Gramms Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [⁠https://www.gramms.co/reverwellness⁠] - Get $20 off  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethlete⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ [https://www.ethlete.com]15% off code: REVER15 Book a complimentary call with Nexus Point: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE [https://go.nexuspt.io/mimi⁠ ] Links to purchase equipment on Amazon or affiliate links:  1. VT007 High-Frequency Vibration Plate - https://www.vibrationtherapeutic.com/vibration-plate-vt007.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.vibrationtherapeutic.com/vibration-plate-vt007.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  * Frequency range: 10–40 Hz * Linear vibration (low amplitude) * Designed for muscle activation, circulation, and neuromuscular training 2. LifePro Waver - https://lifeprofitness.com/products/the-waver-vibration-platform?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://lifeprofitness.com/products/the-waver-vibration-platform?utm_source=chatgpt.com]  * Consumer home device * Frequency roughly 4–40 Hz depending on mode * Includes resistance bands and multiple vibration modes 3. Power Plate (professional model) - https://thefitnessoutlet.com/products/power-plate-pro8 [https://thefitnessoutlet.com/products/power-plate-pro8]  * Frequency range roughly 25–50 Hz * Used in gyms and clinical settings * Much more expensive ($2k–$4k) but closest to true >40 Hz operation 4. Thera gun- https://a.co/d/0isTFZ13 [https://a.co/d/0isTFZ13]  5. Foam roller - https://a.co/d/0aMAfzE4 [https://a.co/d/0aMAfzE4]  6. Jumping rope - https://a.co/d/0dS6BoFU [https://a.co/d/0dS6BoFU]  7. Trampoline rebounder - https://a.co/d/05YC1g0w [https://a.co/d/05YC1g0w] Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:27 What Are Vibration Plates? 01:04 Research on Strength 02:28 Balance and Vibration Plates 03:17 Bone Density Studies 04:27 Metabolism and Calorie Burn 05:07 Lymphatics and Circulation 05:51 Alternatives to Vibration Plates 06:33 Market Options and Considerations 08:11 Final Takeaway 08:43 Outro