72. Why Sugar Feels So Hard to Quit During Illness (It’s Not Just Willpower) | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

72. Why Sugar Feels So Hard to Quit During Illness (It’s Not Just Willpower) | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

If you feel like you “know better” but still find yourself reaching for sugar (especially when you’re tired, stressed, or overwhelmed) this episode will help you understand why those cravings feel so strong and what your body is actually trying to communicate. In this episode of Renegade Remission, we explore the biology behind sugar cravings during illness and why they are not simply a matter of discipline or willpower. You’ll learn how sugar interacts with the brain’s reward system, how stress hormones increase the drive for quick energy, and why fatigue and blood sugar instability can create a cycle that makes cravings feel almost impossible to break. Rather than framing cravings as a problem to fight, this episode reframes them as signals, pointing to underlying needs in your body that can be supported more effectively. In this episode, you’ll understand: • Why sugar cravings become stronger during illness, stress, and fatigue • How dopamine and the brain’s reward system reinforce craving patterns • The role of blood sugar swings in driving repeated cravings • Why cravings often show up most intensely when your energy is lowest • How to begin reducing cravings by supporting your body instead of restricting it Listen now to understand what your cravings are really telling you and how to respond in a way that supports your energy, stability, and healing. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. This podcast explores stories and science around ALS, dementia, MS, cancer, mind body recovery, healing, functional medicine, heart disease, regression, remission, integrative medicine, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, terminal disease, terminal illness, holistic health, quality of life, alternative medicine, natural healing, lifestyle medicine, and remission from cancer, offering hope and insights for those seeking resilience and renewal.

71. The Hidden Role of Sugar in Inflammation, Fatigue, and Chronic Disease Progression | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

If you feel like you’re doing everything right but your energy is still low, your symptoms aren’t improving, or something just feels off, this episode will show you one often-overlooked factor that could be working against you. In this episode of Renegade Remission, we explore the hidden role sugar plays in fatigue, immune function, and overall healing. You’ll learn how sugar affects your body at a biological level —from blood sugar swings and inflammatory signaling to gut health and energy production— and why even small, frequent exposures can have a bigger impact during illness than most people realize. In this episode, you’ll understand: • How sugar influences inflammation, immune function, and energy • Why fatigue and “crashing” often follow sugar intake • What’s really driving sugar cravings during illness • How sugar affects your gut and overall resilience • Simple ways to reduce sugar without restriction or overwhelm Listen now to understand how sugar may be influencing your symptoms, and how to start making small shifts that better support your body’s healing. Disclaimer This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. This podcast explores stories and science around ALS, dementia, MS, cancer, mind body recovery, healing, functional medicine, heart disease, regression, remission, integrative medicine, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, terminal disease, terminal illness, holistic health, quality of life, alternative medicine, natural healing, lifestyle medicine, and remission from cancer, offering hope and insights for those seeking resilience and renewal.

70. How to Sleep Better With Any Diagnosis - The Science of Healing Rest | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

If you feel exhausted but can’t seem to fall asleep—or you wake up feeling tired still—this episode will help you understand why illness disrupts sleep so deeply and what can actually help your body rest again. In this episode of Renegade Remission, we explore why sleep can be so hard to come by during chronic and serious illness and why it’s not just about “trying harder” to rest. You’ll hear a powerful story from neuroscientist Jill Bolte Taylor, who had to relearn how to rest after a stroke left her brain easily overwhelmed by even simple stimulation. From there, we break down the biology behind disrupted sleep, including inflammation, pain, nervous system hyperarousal, and hormone imbalances. Finally, I will walk you through how to create a bedtime routine that helps you get deep, restful sleep. In this episode, you’ll understand: • Why sleep becomes so difficult during illness—even when you’re deeply tired • What’s happening in your body when you feel “exhausted but wired” • Why pushing yourself to sleep often backfires • The simple, research-backed strategies that help your body relearn rest • How to create a nighttime routine that actually supports healing Listen now to learn how to support your body’s natural sleep systems and begin getting the kind of rest that truly helps you heal. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. This podcast explores stories and science around ALS, dementia, MS, cancer, mind body recovery, healing, functional medicine, heart disease, regression, remission, integrative medicine, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, terminal disease, terminal illness, holistic health, quality of life, alternative medicine, natural healing, lifestyle medicine, and remission from cancer, offering hope and insights for those seeking resilience and renewal.

69. Why You’re So Exhausted During Illness And How to Get Your Energy Back | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease

If you feel like even simple things leave you completely drained, and rest doesn’t seem to fix it, this episode will help you understand why illness fatigue feels so intense and what can actually help. In this episode of Renegade Remission, we break down why fatigue during illness is so different from normal tiredness and why pushing through it often makes things worse. We explore the key biological systems that drive fatigue, including immune activity, mitochondrial function, sleep disruption, and nervous system strain, and how they combine to create that deep, full-body exhaustion. We'll finish with simple strategies you can implement today to begin rebuilding your energy. In this episode, you’ll understand: • Why illness-related fatigue feels so much deeper than normal tiredness • What’s actually happening in your body when your energy crashes • Why pushing through exhaustion often makes things worse • The simple strategies survivors use to gradually rebuild energy • How to support your body even when you feel like you’re running on empty Listen now to understand what’s really driving your fatigue and how to begin rebuilding your energy in a way your body can actually sustain. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. This podcast explores stories and science around ALS, dementia, MS, cancer, mind body recovery, healing, functional medicine, heart disease, regression, remission, integrative medicine, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, terminal disease, terminal illness, holistic health, quality of life, alternative medicine, natural healing, lifestyle medicine, and remission from cancer, offering hope and insights for those seeking resilience and renewal.

68. How Chronic Stress Disrupts Healing And What Helps Your Body Recover | Hope for Cancer, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, MS, ALS, Heart Disease It’s:

If you’ve tried treatments, changed your diet, done all the “right” things but you still aren't feeling better, this episode will help you understand what may be preventing your healing. In this episode of Renegade Remission, we explore a pattern seen across countless recovery stories: meaningful healing often begins when the body moves out of survival mode and into a state of safety. You’ll hear a powerful real-world case, including the story of Norman Cousins, whose recovery journey highlighted the impact of emotional state and nervous system regulation on physical symptoms. From there, we break down the science behind how stress, safety, and the nervous system influence inflammation, immune signaling, and the body’s ability to repair. You’ll understand: • Why your body may struggle to heal when it stays in a constant stress response • How the nervous system directly influences inflammation, immunity, and recovery • The simple practices survivors used to shift out of survival mode • Why healing often begins with moments of feeling safe • How to start calming your system in ways that are gentle, realistic, and sustainable Listen now to learn how small, consistent shifts in your nervous system can create the conditions your body needs to begin healing. DISCLAIMER This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not offer medical advice. Consult your licensed healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment or health regimen. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk. This podcast explores stories and science around ALS, dementia, MS, cancer, mind-body recovery, healing, functional medicine, heart disease, regression, remission, integrative medicine, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, terminal disease, terminal illness, holistic health, quality of life, alternative medicine, natural healing, lifestyle medicine, and remission from cancer, offering hope and insights for those seeking resilience and renewal.