The Revital Health Podcast

Endometriosis, Fertility and the Vaginal Microbiome with Chanae Brookes

Endometriosis affects millions of women worldwide, yet many still experience years of pain, dismissal, delayed diagnosis and uncertainty around fertility, treatment options and long-term support. In this episode of The Revital Health Podcast, Jodi is joined by Chanae Brookes for a deeper conversation on endometriosis, fertility and the vaginal microbiome. Together, they explore why endometriosis should not be viewed as simply a reproductive condition, but as a complex inflammatory, immune and whole-body condition that can influence pelvic pain, bowel function, hormone signalling, fertility, implantation and quality of life. A key focus of this episode is the role of the vaginal microbiome. Jodi and Chanae discuss how Lactobacillus dominance, vaginal pH, microbial balance and pelvic inflammation may all play a role in reproductive health, especially for women navigating endometriosis or preparing for conception. They also discuss the importance of: * understanding endometriosis beyond pain alone * supporting oestrogen clearance and progesterone balance * addressing inflammation and oxidative stress * improving bowel function and fibre intake * assessing the vaginal microbiome in preconception care * using targeted nutrients such as vitamin D, magnesium and B vitamins * the role of herbal medicine, including turmeric, ginger, garlic and other anti-inflammatory botanicals * why individualised naturopathic care can help women feel more supported and less hopeless This episode offers a grounded and hopeful conversation for women with endometriosis, suspected endometriosis, pelvic pain, fertility challenges, recurrent vaginal symptoms, or anyone wanting to better understand the connection between the microbiome, inflammation and reproductive health. You can find more information about Chanae Brookes here: https://www.revitalhealth.com.au/chanae-brookes Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualised medical advice. Always work with your healthcare provider or qualified practitioner for diagnosis, treatment and personalised care.

The Bone Health Revolution with Kyle Zagrodzky: OsteoStrong, Osteogenic Loading and the Future of Strength

In this episode of the Revital Health Podcast, Jodi Duval sits down with Kyle Zagrodzky, Founder and CEO of OsteoStrong, to explore why bone health deserves a much bigger place in conversations about longevity, strength and health optimisation. Bone is often reduced to calcium, vitamin D and osteoporosis risk, but as Kyle explains, bone is dynamic, responsive and deeply connected to the nervous system, hormones, muscle, balance, metabolism and ageing. Jodi and Kyle discuss osteogenic loading, the science of mechanotransduction, how targeted skeletal loading differs from traditional resistance training, and why many people are not receiving enough stimulus to maintain or improve bone density across the lifespan. They also explore: * Why bone density is declining across generations * Why strength and balance matter for longevity * The relationship between menopause, oestrogen and accelerated bone loss * Why protein is essential for muscle, collagen and bone matrix * The difference between bone density and bone tensile strength * Why bone health cannot be separated from hormones, inflammation and metabolic health * How OsteoStrong uses short, targeted, supervised loading sessions * Why people may notice changes in strength, balance and confidence before DEXA changes appear * The role of red light therapy, vibration plates and PEMF in broader musculoskeletal support * Why bone health needs to be part of a bigger health optimisation model Kyle also shares the origin story of OsteoStrong, his personal experience with chronic pain, the early challenges of creating a new category in health and fitness, and why he believes skeletal strength conditioning could have major implications for future generations. This conversation is especially relevant for women in perimenopause and menopause, athletes, practitioners, parents, older adults, and anyone interested in maintaining independence, resilience and strength as they age. Where to find out more: http://osteostrong.com.au/

From ICU to Integrative Care: Marli Allan on Nursing, Naturopathy and Preventative Health

In this episode of the Revital Health Podcast, Jodi sits down with Marli Allan, registered naturopath and qualified nurse, for a grounded conversation on career change, burnout, preventative care and the future of integrative health. Marli shares her journey from working in intensive care and cardiology to studying a Master of Naturopathic Medicine, and how her experiences in the hospital system shaped her passion for root-cause, preventative healthcare. Together, Jodi and Marli explore the emotional impact of frontline care, the importance of nervous system support for practitioners, and why more people are seeking an approach that blends biomedical understanding with evidence-informed natural medicine. They also discuss: * burnout in nursing and the hidden emotional toll of healthcare work * why preventative medicine is more important than ever * bridging conventional and naturopathic models of care * the role of gut health, hormones and stress in long-term wellbeing * following intuition when you know something in life needs to change * supporting people to not just function, but truly feel well This episode is for practitioners, students, nurses, and anyone interested in a more integrated, human-centred view of health. About Marli Allan Marli Allan is a degree-qualified clinical naturopath and registered nurse with experience across acute care, cardiology, intensive care and chronic disease management. She is part of the Revital Health team, where she supports clients with digestive and gut health, hormonal health, fatigue, stress, burnout, and chronic or complex conditions through personalised, evidence-informed care. WHERE TO FIND MARLI https://www.instagram.com/restorenaturopath/ https://www.revitalhealth.com.au/marli-allan orqobumb0TT5MA9g8FUI

The Last Taboo: Transforming How We Die, Grieve, and Remember with Cara Walker

We spend so much time talking about health, longevity and optimisation — yet almost no time preparing for the one experience we are all guaranteed to face: death. In this deeply powerful and emotional episode, I sit down with Cara Walker — independent funeral director, celebrant and death doula — who is redefining how we approach death, dying and grief in modern culture. From her journey as an eco-fairy to founding a more human, personalised approach to funeral care, Cara shares what is missing from the current system — and why reclaiming ritual, touch, and connection is essential for true healing. We explore how death has been removed from the home and outsourced to systems, how this impacts the grieving process, and what it actually looks like to support someone through a conscious, dignified end-of-life experience. This conversation is not just about death. It’s about how we live, how we love, and how we prepare for what is inevitable. WHAT WE COVER * Why death is the last major taboo in modern Western culture * How the funeral industry has shifted away from community-based care * The role of a death doula and what end-of-life support should look like * Why removing touch, presence and ritual complicates grief * The physiological and emotional process of dying * How to support loved ones during the final stages of life * The importance of normalising death conversations within families * How children process grief and why inclusion matters * The difference between traditional funerals and personalised rituals * Voluntary assisted dying and curated end-of-life experiences * Practical ways to prepare for death before crisis hits KEY TAKEAWAYS * Death is not just a medical event — it is a deeply human, relational and emotional process * Avoiding death conversations often leads to increased trauma and confusion during grief * Touch, presence and witnessing are critical components of healing * Supporting someone through death requires unlearning many instinctive caregiving behaviours * Ritual and personalisation can significantly change how grief is experienced and processed * Preparing for death is one of the most powerful acts of love we can offer our families ABOUT CARA WALKER Cara Walker is an independent funeral director, celebrant and death doula based in Perth, Western Australia. With over 30 years as an eco-fairy and community figure, Cara transitioned into death care after witnessing the limitations and lack of compassion within the traditional funeral system. She is the founder of Walker Family Funerals, where she provides personalised, community-led funeral services and advocates for more natural, conscious approaches to death care — including education, home-based dying, and reform around end-of-life options. RESOURCES & LINKS * Walker Family Funerals: https://walkerfamilyfunerals.com.au * Free death care workshops (via Cara’s website) * Petition for natural body composting in Western Australia FINAL NOTE This episode may bring up emotion — and that’s the point. Death is not something to avoid. It is something to understand, prepare for, and honour. And in doing so, we often find a deeper appreciation for life itself. SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you haven’t already, leave a review — it helps these conversations reach more people.

Movement as Medicine: Strength, Play, Recovery and Longevity with Ben Verrier

What if better movement was not about punishing your body, but learning to trust it again? In this episode, Jodi sits down with movement coach Ben Verrier for a rich conversation on movement, resilience, recovery, nutrition and longevity. Together they unpack why personalised movement matters, how to build a body that feels capable and adaptable, and why more people need to think beyond conventional exercise advice. They discuss the role of plyometrics, handstands, barefoot training, outdoor movement, morning routines, nutrition and the importance of asking better questions when it comes to pain, injury and performance. This episode is a reminder that movement should not make your world smaller. It should expand it. KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1. There is almost always something you can do to improve how your body feels 2. Movement is not just exercise — it is feedback, adaptability and confidence 3. Small, consistent movement habits can create major change over time 4. Training should be individualised, not one-size-fits-all 5. Nutrition and recovery need to support your output, not work against it If this episode resonates, share it with someone who wants to move better, feel stronger and age more powerfully. WHERE TO FIND BEN VERRIER Instagram (best contact point) @benverrierr 1. Reach out via DM for questions, training enquiries, or general movement advice 2. This is where he is most responsive and open to conversations In-person training 1. Works out of Aspire in Osborne Park, Perth 2. Offers 1:1 personalised training sessions Future 1. Online offerings are in development (worth following him on Instagram to stay updated)