You're Great with Unique Hammond

In Podcast 61, I sit with Dr. Karen Hurd to discuss HRT. Episode Focus: Re-examining the risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in light of new scientific rhetoric, The biological mechanism of hormonal damage, and the power of lifestyle in navigating menopause. 1. The Core Scientific Risk: DNA Damage Dr. Hurd challenges the idea that "bioidentical" hormones are inherently safer than synthetic ones. * The Mechanism of Action: Hormones (both endogenous/innate and exogenous/prescribed) are very small molecules known scientifically as nuclear receptors. * Crossing Barriers: These molecules are so tiny that they can bypass normal cellular defenses by diffusing directly through the cell membrane (plasma membrane) and the nuclear envelope. * The DNA Barrage: Once inside the nucleus, the hormone-transcription factor complex randomly attaches to the DNA3. This is not a one-time event; a daily pill or patch creates a constant barrage on the nuclear envelope. * Mutating Genes: If this random attachment occurs at a critical site, such as the P53 gene (often affected in nearly 50% of hormonally receptive cancers) 5, it can disable the cell's stop mechanism (stop codon)6. The damaged cell then reproduces daughter cells carrying the same mutation, leading to tumors. The Power of Diet and Lifestyle * The Natural Menopause: Menopausal symptoms (bone loss, brain fog, hot flashes) are often the result of entering menopause in a non-healthy state * Estrogen Drivers: Hormones are naturally produced, but their excess can be driven by lifestyle. Caffeine is a more powerful driver of estrogen production than sugar. * Adrenal Role: The adrenal glands are meant to take over producing weaker, protective estrogens after menopause16. Stressing the adrenals with caffeine, sugar, and over-exercising diverts resources away from hormone production, leading to symptoms like vaginal atrophy and hot flashes. * The Bean Protocol Solution: Eating soluble fiber (like beans) does not stop innate hormone production; rather, the fiber acts by carrying out what the liver dumps into the gut.. This prevents the excessive recycling (up to 72 times daily) of hormones, allowing the body to naturally bring elevated estrogen levels back down to a safe, post-menopausal level You can learn more about working with Karen Hurd at www.karenhurd.com [http://www.karenhurd.com] and you can learn more about my courses and working with me at www.youregreat.com [http://www.youregreat.com] Wishing you well on your human journey. X

From diet culture to thriving. In this powerful episode of the Your Great Podcast, host Unique sits down with her client, Catherine's, to share an incredible transformation story. Catherine's came to Unique feeling "at war" with her body, struggling with eczema, chronic sickness, and food sensitivities that left her at rock bottom. But through the foundational principles of the Bean protocol™, Catherine moved beyond simply managing symptoms. She healed her relationship with food and her body, rediscovering vitality and joy. This isn't just a story about a diet; it's about a complete mindset shift, from feeling like a victim of your health to becoming the empowered hero of your own life. Listen in as Catherine reveals how she went from being sick more weeks than she was well, to having the energy to say "yes" to life, all by learning to nourish her body from within. If you've ever felt like healing is a struggle, this conversation will inspire you to look at your health journey with new eyes. You can find out how to work with Unique at https://www.youregreat.com/oneonone-consults [https://www.youregreat.com/oneonone-consults]

In this episode, host Unique and guest Luis Mojica discuss the concept of "food ideologies" and how they can become a person's identity, often to the detriment of their health. Podcast Summary: Food Ideology vs. Personal Health In this episode, Unique Hammond and her guest, Luis Mojica, discuss the concept of food as identity and how it can become a limiting factor in personal health journeys. Unique emphasizes that while the Bean Protocol was a tool that helped her heal from autoimmune conditions like Crohn's and endometriosis, she doesn't want it to be her sole identity. Both hosts share personal stories of how they subscribed to strict food ideologies—first vegetarianism, then veganism and macrobiotics—as a means of finding health. Luis recounts his journey from eating a highly processed diet to becoming a "militant vegan" after a traumatic experience at a factory farm. He initially thrived on a whole-foods vegan diet but later began to experience fatigue, brain fog, and weight gain. He realized his body was craving animal proteins and fats. They both highlight a key issue: when a food ideology becomes a person’s identity, it can lead to social and internal conflict if they need to change their diet for health reasons. Luis shares his experience of losing friends and a book deal after he started incorporating eggs and fish into his diet. Unique notes that many of her clients, particularly women, feel better after adding in legumes and some animal protein, but are afraid to do so openly due to social pressure. The conversation touches on the psychological and emotional components of eating. They discuss how a strict diet can sometimes be a trauma response, a way of exerting control or protecting oneself. They also note that a balanced diet, like the one offered by the Bean Protocol™, can create a sense of internal stability that allows people to address deeper emotional issues. Unique concludes by saying her upcoming book will frame the Bean Protocol ™ as an omnivore plan for healing, emphasizing that wellness requires effort, consistency, and a willingness to listen to one’s body. Scientific Correction: * Clarification: The human body needs a total of 20 amino acids to build proteins, 9 of which are essential and must come from food. The body can create complete proteins from a variety of plant sources, provided the diet is varied enough to supply all the essential amino acids. The feeling of improved health from adding animal protein is likely due to the higher concentration and more easily digestible form of protein (a complete protein) and fat-soluble vitamins found in animal products, which may be more challenging to obtain in sufficient amounts on a vegan diet, not due to an inability to break down carbohydrates. A Note on Veganism: It's important to recognize that not everyone chooses a vegan lifestyle for health reasons. For many, the choice is driven by a deep ethical commitment to animal welfare and environmental sustainability. For these individuals, the diet is a core part of their moral belief system, and they may be willing to sacrifice their own health if needed for the life of an animal. This is a powerful and personal choice that goes beyond the conversation about food as medicine.

In Podcast Episode 57, I sat down with my inspiring client, Micaela, to talk about her incredible health journey. Micaela has achieved Natural remission from Ulcerative Colitis not once, but twice, thanks to her dedicated work with The Bean Protocol™. Her story is truly inspiring, showcasing the power of nutrition, persistence and grit. I hope hearing about her transformation encourages you as much as it does me. Ready to start your own healing journey? My next 12-week Bean Protocol™ course kicks off on July 11th. Don't miss your chance to join – registration closes July 7th! Follow this link for more info https://www.youregreat.com/join-the-bean-protocol [https://www.youregreat.com/join-the-bean-protocol] Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before making any changes.

Podcast 56: The Fundamentals of Great Health. This week, I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Karen Hurd to the podcast! We're diving deep into the core principles of great health, covering the five crucial elements that are often overlooked: 1. Soluble Fiber (found in powerhouses like beans and psyllium husk) 2. Water - ( key for great energy) 3. Complete & Efficient Protein ( this combo is key for great health and aging gracefully) 4. Good Fats (healthy oils for happy hormones, your hair, skin and nails) 5. Vegetables (packed with insoluble fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals) This foundational conversation sets the stage perfectly for anyone looking to optimize their health. My next 12-week LIVE Bean Protocol with special guest Karen Hurd kicks off July 11th! This will be the last live protocol of 2025. Hope to see you there! More info here- https://www.youregreat.com/join-the-bean-protocol [https://www.youregreat.com/join-the-bean-protocol]