Weight Loss Is a Side Effect: Achieving Optimal Health

Weight Loss Is a Side Effect: Achieving Optimal Health

Join Joe Reid, PA-C, and Heather Bishop, PA-C, for a candid conversation about one of the most common topics in healthcare: weight loss. In this episode, they discuss why the number on the scale doesn't tell the whole story, how accountability can change everything, and why sustainable habits matter more than quick fixes. From protein-first nutrition and intermittent fasting to hydration, mineral balance, and the proper use of GLP-1 medications, Joe and Heather share the practical strategies they use every day to help patients achieve lasting results. If you've ever felt frustrated by dieting, confused about weight loss medications, or wondered why you can't seem to keep the weight off, this episode offers a different perspective: pursue optimal health first, and let weight loss become the side effect. Topics include: * Why Genesis focuses on optimal health, not just weight loss * Accountability and the power of food journaling * GLP-1s: benefits, misconceptions, and best practices * Building muscle and protecting long-term health * Protein-first meals and intermittent fasting * Hydration, minerals, and food quality * Creating sustainable lifestyle changes that actually last Listen now and discover why taking control of your health doesn't have to feel like a prison sentence, it can be the freedom you've been looking for. Visit thegenesisdifference.com to learn more about Genesis Healthcare Center and begin your journey toward optimal health.

The Psychology of Fasting | Joe Reid & Dana Skaggs | Part 1

Fasting is about more than food. In Part 1 of this three part series, Joseph K. Reid II, PA-C is joined by psychotherapist, keynote speaker, and host of the Phoenix and Flame podcast, Dana Skaggs, to explore the mental side of fasting. Together, they discuss why food cravings are often driven by emotion instead of true hunger, what "food noise" really is, and practical ways to build healthier habits that support lasting change.  This conversation lays the foundation for understanding how our thoughts, emotions, and daily habits influence the choices we make and why lasting health begins long before the first meal. In this episode: * Why fasting begins with a decision, not a meal * The psychology behind food cravings and emotional eating * How to quiet "food noise" * Building habits that support long term success * Why sustainable change starts with small, consistent steps  Dana Skaggs is a psychotherapist, keynote speaker, executive coach, and host of the Phoenix and Flame podcast, where she helps high performers overcome burnout, build healthy boundaries, and develop emotional resilience.  This is Part 1 of our three part series on the mental, physical, and spiritual impact of fasting. Learn more about Genesis Membership Healthcare at thegenesisdifference.com.

Hormone Replacement Therapy Has Changed. Here's Why. | Joseph K. Reid, II, PA-C & Meg Ellis, PA-C

For years, hormone replacement therapy has been surrounded by fear, confusion, and outdated information. But what if much of what we've been told simply isn't true? In this episode of the Genesis Healthcare Podcast, Joseph K. Reid, II, PA-C and Meg Ellis, PA-C unpack the modern evidence behind hormone replacement therapy (HRT), why perceptions changed after the Women's Health Initiative, and what today's research tells us about women's health. They discuss: * Why hormone therapy became so controversial * What the latest research actually shows * Common signs of hormone imbalance that are often overlooked * Why hormones are about far more than hot flashes * The connection between hormones, weight, mood, sleep, joint pain, and overall health * How nutrition, exercise, GLP-1 medications, and hormone optimization work together * Why treating symptoms without addressing the root cause often falls short Whether you're approaching perimenopause, menopause, or simply wondering if hormones could be affecting how you feel, this conversation offers practical insight into a rapidly evolving area of medicine. To learn more about Genesis Healthcare or schedule an appointment, visit thegenesisdifference.com.

Take Control of Your Health, Not Your Health Insurance | With Andrew Darlington

Health insurance is one of the most confusing and frustrating parts of modern healthcare—but understanding your options can make a significant difference for your family, your business, and your long-term health. In this episode, Joe Reid sits down with Andrew Darlington, of Veritas Insurance [https://www.veritasins.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com], to unpack the realities of today's health insurance landscape. Together, they discuss employer-sponsored plans, marketplace coverage, health-sharing ministries, Farm Bureau plans, HSAs, direct primary care, and the challenges facing both patients and business owners as healthcare costs continue to rise. Andrew brings nearly three decades of experience in the insurance industry and offers practical insights into how individuals and employers can make more informed healthcare decisions. The conversation also explores the role of direct primary care in improving access, strengthening patient-provider relationships, and helping families navigate healthcare with greater confidence and clarity. Whether you're a business owner evaluating employee benefits, a family trying to understand your healthcare options, or someone looking for a better way to manage your health, this episode provides valuable perspective on one of the most important decisions you'll make. Learn more about Genesis Healthcare at thegenesisdifference.com [https://thegenesisdifference.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com].

Can Fasting Reset Your Body? | Cutting Through the Noise

What actually happens to your body during a fast? Why do sugar cravings feel impossible to break? And is fasting really healthy or just another trend? In this episode of the Genesis Healthcare Podcast, Joe Reid, II, PA-C and Ben Ezell, PA-C break down the practical, physiological, and even spiritual side of fasting. They discuss metabolic health, insulin resistance, inflammation, intermittent fasting, extended fasting, glucose spikes, cravings, nutrition, and why so many people feel exhausted despite constantly eating. This conversation is not about crash dieting or quick fixes. It’s about understanding how the body works, using food as fuel, and learning practical ways to improve overall health. Topics include: * Intermittent fasting vs extended fasting * Sugar cravings and blood glucose spikes * GLP-1 medications and weight loss * Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) * Metabolic health and inflammation * Breaking a fast correctly * Protein, carbs, hydration, and electrolytes * Whole foods and lifestyle habits * The spiritual discipline of fasting Learn more about Genesis Healthcare at www.thegenesisdifference.com