The EMPWR Podcast

• Your Body Keeps Score: How Emotional Pain Becomes Physical Illness | ft. Dr. Josh Axe

  I used to think “stress” was just mental — until I learned it’s the root cause of almost every hormonal, digestive, and inflammatory issue we face today. In this conversation with Dr. Josh Axe, we unpack the real reasons your body is breaking down — and how to finally heal it from the inside out. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Josh Axe, one of the world’s leading experts in functional and natural medicine. If you’ve ever looked up a natural remedy or gut-healing tip, chances are you’ve encountered his work — from Eat Dirt and Ancient Remedies to the countless wellness tools he’s shared through DrAxe.com. But today’s conversation is about more than supplements and superfoods — it’s about the emotional, spiritual, and biological roots of why women are so burnt out, bloated, and hormonally imbalanced. Dr. Axe opens up about his mother’s battle with cancer and how faith, food, and natural medicine helped her heal against all odds. We dive into the connection between emotional trauma and autoimmune disease, the truth about inflammation and stress hormones, and why healing your gut is the first step to healing everything else. Dr. Axe doesn’t just talk about health — he lives it. His approach blends functional medicine, biblical wisdom, and eastern principles to help people heal on every level: body, mind, and spirit. _____ Sam’s LINKS: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial* https://www.empwrbysam.com/ My Macro Guide: https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only Running Programs: https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs   Follow Sam:Insta: @samcfit_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine _____ Dream Recovery | code: SAM15 https://dreamrecovery.io/ CLEARSTEM Head to https://www.clearstem.com and use code SAMCFIT at checkout for an exclusive Black Friday deal, just for EMPWR listeners. Eight Sleep Head over to https://www.eightsleep.com/empwr and use the code EMPWR to get $350 off your very Pod 5 Ultra. The best part is that you still get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don’t like it - but I am confident you will love it. Trust me, your body will thank you for this investment in better sleep. Branch Basics Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code EMPWR at https://branchbasics.com/EMPWR Cozy Earth Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code SAMCFIT on top of their sitewide sale at https://www.cozyearth.com — giving you up to 40% off in savings.  _____ Topics discussed: 00:00 – How Emotional Stress Drives Disease 00:32 – Why Slowing Down Is the Medicine You’ve Been Missing 01:25 – Dr. Axe’s Story: His Mom’s Cancer and the Shift to Natural Healing 09:49 – Why One Diet Doesn’t Fit Everyone 10:17 – The Truth About “Healthy” Foods That Harm Your Gut 11:18 – Inflammation: The Root Cause of All Disease 19:52 – The Power of Gratitude and Mindset in Healing 24:41 – The Real Reasons Behind Women’s Hormone Imbalance and Infertility 29:13 – How Emotions Like Fear, Anger, and Grief Cause Physical Illness 32:09 – The Truth About Leaky Gut and How to Fix It 35:00 – The Gut–Hormone Connection Explained 48:12 – Nutrition, Macros, and Finding Balance Without Stress 51:33 – Everyday Toxins and How to Reduce Your Exposure 57:07 – Healing Naturally: Simple Steps for Gut and Hormone Health 01:00:10 – What Empowerment Means to Dr. Josh Axe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Solo Q&A: What No One Tells You About Fitness, Family, and Finding Yourself Again

  It’s been a season — moving houses, marathon prep, wedding planning, launching a new program — and somehow keeping the kids, workouts, and business afloat. In this solo Q&A, I’m getting real about what it looks like to juggle all the things without losing yourself in the process. From marathon training and moving into our dream home, to navigating motherhood, building my business, and staying grounded through change — I’m answering your questions about fitness, mindset, nutrition, and balance. This is one of those cozy, girl-chat style episodes — raw, real, and hopefully encouraging. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance your health goals with the chaos of real life, this one’s for you. _____ Mentioned in this episode: EMPWR App (new program launches Nov 17) CLEARSTEM & Complexion Skincare Toonie Moonies s’mores bites  TruFru Dark Chocolate Blueberries Redmond Sea Salt Simple Mills “Sweet Thins” Adrenal Cortex by Thorne Ashwaghanda supplement Sam’s LINKS: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial* https://www.empwrbysam.com/ My Macro Guide: https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only Running Programs: https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs   Follow Sam:Insta: @samcfit_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine _____ Blokes + Joi Wellness | code: SAMCFITPOD *50% off all labs on both sites* https://blokes.co/samcfitpod https://choosejoi.co/samcfitpod  PUORI Go to https://puori.com/pages/SAMCFIT and use the code SAMCFIT at checkout for 20% offAquaTru Head to AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promocode SAM. Cozy Earth Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code SAMCFIT on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings. _____ Topics discussed: 00:00 – Intro 02:23 – Are You Ready for the Marathon? 05:16 – How’s the Wedding Planning Going? 06:28 – What’s Your Go-To Meal You Could Eat on Repeat? 07:25 – Are You Watching Any Good TV Shows? 08:06 – How Often Do You Weigh Yourself (Without Freaking Out)? 10:23 – Tell Us About the New House 17:11 – If You Only Have 30 Minutes to Work Out, What Should You Do? 19:25 – What Are Your Favorite Running Shoes? 20:28 – What Are Your Favorite “Better-for-You” Desserts? 22:13 – Biggest Tips to Build Muscle While Staying Lean 24:33 – How Do You Avoid Eating Kids’ Snacks? 25:48 – How Can I Heal My Skin Through Gut Health? 26:32 – How Did Your Exes React to the Engagement? 26:54 – Will You and Ian Have a Baby Together? 27:24 – When Is the Next Program Coming Out? 28:04 – Will You Be Doing Another Macro Guide? 31:39 – How Do You Balance Parenting, Business, Training & Self-Time? 34:38 – Are You Carb Loading Before the Marathon? 35:09 – Do You Cycle Sync Your Workouts? 36:32 – Should I Add Creatine (and What About Water Weight)? 38:17 – Best Supplements to Lower Cortisol Naturally 40:02 – Is It Bad to Eat Too Much Protein? 41:09 – What’s a Healthy Body Fat Percentage for a Toned Look? 42:55 – How to Start as a Content Creator Without Feeling Embarrassed 44:27 – What Are Your Beauty Secrets and Skincare Routine? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• The Hidden Toxins in Your Home (and How to Fix Them) | ft. Mike Feldstein

  I never thought about my air quality until this conversation. In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Mike Feldstein, founder and CEO of Jaspr, to explore the invisible world of the air we breathe—and how it could be silently sabotaging your health, energy, and longevity. We breathe 20,000 times a day, yet most of us have no idea what’s in our air. From mold and VOCs to toxins from furniture and cleaning products, the hidden pollutants inside our homes can trigger fatigue, brain fog, allergies, and even chronic illness. Mike breaks down why indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, what makes “new home smell” toxic, and how air scrubbers differ from traditional purifiers. As a mom, this conversation made me realize that air is the missing link in creating a healthy home. If you’ve ever walked into a space and felt “off,” this episode will completely change how you think about your environment—and what it means to truly live well. _____ About Mike: Mike Feldstein is the Founder & CEO of Jaspr, an air science and technology company on a mission to protect air quality and improve human health through innovation and education. An unconventional entrepreneur, Mike’s journey spans disaster restoration, air-quality consulting, and design. His work is driven by one mission: to make clean, healthy air accessible to everyone. With Jaspr, he’s transforming how we understand and control the spaces we live, work, and breathe in. Find Jaspr online: 🌐 jaspr.co 📸 Instagram: @jasprair _____ For the next two weeks, Mike is giving EMPWR listeners an exclusive $400 off a Jaspr Air Scrubber! Just head to https://jaspr.co and use code EMPWR at checkout to claim your $400 discount. Sam’s LINKS: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial* https://www.empwrbysam.com/ My Macro Guide: https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only Running Programs: https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs   Follow Sam: Insta: @samcfit_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine _____ Dream Recovery | code: SAM15 https://dreamrecovery.io/ Beam Go to https://shopbeam.com/SAMC and claim your 35% off.  Caraway Visit https://carawayhome.com/samcfit you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase. Calm Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at https://calm.com/SAMCFIT. Timeline Head to https://timeline.com/SAMCFIT to get 20% off. Fabletics Go to https://Fabletics.com/SAMCFIT and sign up as a VIP and get 80% off everything. _____ Topics discussed: 00:00 – Introduction 01:40 – Why Air Quality Awareness Matters 04:02 – What’s Actually in Our Air 06:00 – The Hidden Dangers of Modern Homes 07:10 – Toxic Furniture, Fire Retardants & Home Building Codes 08:10 – Crawl Space vs. Slab Homes 09:20 – The Truth About “New Home Smell” 10:30 – Why Home Inspectors Don’t Check Air Quality 11:42 – Fragrances & Air Fresheners: Hidden Toxins 12:50 – How Builders Can Create Healthier Homes 17:20 – Understanding PM2.5 and Air Scrubbers 18:45 – Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality 19:20 – Mike’s Background in Disaster Restoration 21:00 – The Difference Between Air Purifiers and Air Scrubbers 22:35 – Founding JASPR: From Burnout to Purpose 24:30 – How COVID & Dentists Helped Launch JASPR 26:40 – Early Testimonials & Family Transformations 28:30 – The Power of Environment & Design 32:40 – The Data Behind Clean Air 35:40 – Chronic Exposure vs. Acute Exposure 37:40 – Simple Steps to Improve Air Quality 39:00 – Cooking & Hidden Air Pollutants 41:00 – Bathroom Moisture, Mold & Ventilation 42:20 – What Makes JASPR Different 44:30 – The Value of Investing in Health 45:40 – Lifetime Warranty & Customer Service Model 47:50 – JASPR as an Education Company 51:00 – Building the Healthiest School in America 52:10 – Why Kids Get Sick in Schools 53:40 – Designing the Ideal Learning Environment 55:00 – Redefining “Environment” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Why You Keep “Starting Over” Every January (and How to Stop)

  Every year, Halloween used to kick off my spiral — candy, family gatherings, food guilt, and the endless “I’ll start again in January” loop. Not this year. In this episode, Ian and I sit down right before our big move and marathon weekend to talk about how the holiday season doesn’t have to derail your health, your goals, or your peace of mind. I open up about my past struggles with binge eating, body dysmorphia, and the years I spent stuck in the guilt–restrict–repeat cycle… and how tracking macros and healing my mindset changed everything. We talk about: How to enjoy Halloween candy without spiraling into guilt Why “waiting until January” is the biggest lie we tell ourselves The holiday habits that secretly keep you stuck Our family’s healthy Halloween traditions (hello, Switch Witch!) How to help kids build a positive relationship with food Staying consistent when it’s cold, busy, and chaotic My new winter training program designed for balance and strength If you’ve ever felt like the holidays undo all your progress — this one’s for you. You can have the candy, the cookies, and the cozy nights… without losing your sense of control or confidence. _____My Favorite “Better-for-You” Treats: 🍫 Unreal Candy — tastes just like the classics, without the junk 🍬 Hu — rich, dark chocolate made with simple ingredients 🍭 Yum Earth — dye-free, kid-approved sweets Sam’s LINKS: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial* https://www.empwrbysam.com/ My Macro Guide: https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only Running Programs: https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs   Follow Sam:Insta: @samcfit_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine _____ Blokes + Joi Wellness | code: SAMCFITPOD *50% off all labs on both sites* https://blokes.co/samcfitpodhttps://choosejoi.co/samcfitpod   David Protein: Buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to https://davidprotein.com/samcfit Pouri: Go to https://puori.com/pages/SAMCFIT and use the code SAMCFIT at checkout for 20% off Remi: Go to https://shopremi.com/  and use CODE  SAMCFIT to get up to 50% off your nightguard at checkout. Branch Basics: Head to ⁠https://BranchBasics.com ⁠and use code EMPWR for 15% off your Premium Starter Kit.  Bubs Naturals: Get 20% Off your entire order with code SAMCFIT at https://www.bubsnaturals.com/ _____ Timecodes: 00:00 – Welcome & Intro 01:04 – Moving on Halloween 02:05 – Power Rangers Family Costumes 03:18 – The Holiday Overwhelm & Food Mindset 04:06 – From Binge Eating to Healing 06:03 – Discovering Macros & Food Freedom 12:47 – Restriction, Upbringing & Food Psychology 13:58 – Balancing Food & Joy During the Holidays 16:07 – Holiday Health Tips: Candy, Dyes & Kids 19:10 – Staying on Track for Thanksgiving & Christmas 20:05 – Winter Workout Program & Muscle Building 24:14 – Post-Holiday Mindset Reset 27:22 – Calorie Strategy & Macro Flexibility 28:37 – Staying Consistent During Winter 30:26 – Why You Should Start Now (Not January) 31:37 – Discipline vs. Perfection 35:22 – Non-Negotiables & Mindset 36:58 – Managing Different Health Mindsets in Relationships 38:15 – Favorite Holiday Foods 40:26 – Halloween Community Callout & Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• We Are Engaged!

  I can’t believe I get to finally say this out loud… we’re engaged!! In today’s episode, I’m joined by my fiancé (!!!) Ian, and together we’re reliving every detail of the proposal — from how he secretly planned it to the moment I realized what was happening (spoiler: I was completely shocked). We’re opening up about everything — how it really went down at the coffee shop where we had our very first date, why having the kids there made it so special, and what this next chapter means to us after both having walked through divorce, growth, and healing.This episode is raw, joyful, and full of laughter (and maybe a few tears). It’s one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever shared on the podcast, and I’m so excited to let you in on our story. If you’ve been following our journey — from healing to happiness — thank you for being part of it. Your messages and support mean the world. Listen in to hear how Ian asked, how I said yes, and what’s next for us.  _____ Sam’s LINKS: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial* https://www.empwrbysam.com/ My Macro Guide: https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only Running Programs: https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs   Follow Sam: Insta: @samcfit_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine _____ Dream Recovery | code: SAM15 https://dreamrecovery.io/ Manukora Head to https://manukora.com/SAMCFIT to save up to 31% plus $25 worth of free gifts with the Starter Kit. Growth Therapy Visit https://GrowTherapy.com/SAMCFIT today to get started. EightSleep Head to https://eightsleep.com/empwr and use the code EMPWR to get $350 off your very own Pod 5 Ultra. CLEARSTEM Go to https://CLEARSTEM.com/SAMCFIT and use code SAMCFIT at checkout for 15% off.  Kion Visit https://getkion.com/samantha  for 20% off. _____ Topics discussed: 00:00 – Intro 00:15 – We are engaged! 01:21 – How Ian Planned the Proposal 03:06 – Why the Coffee Shop Was Meaningful 04:32 – The Morning of the Proposal 07:12 – The Proposal Moment 09:15 – Ian’s speech to Sam & Sam’s Reflections 10:17 – Full-Circle Feelings & Family 14:18 – After the Proposal: Celebration & Sushi 15:36 – Favorite Parts of the Engagement 17:46 – The Ring 18:29 – Other Moments Sam Thought It Might Happen 20:35 – Ian Asking Sam’s Dad for Permission 23:13 – Reflections on Healing & Partnership 26:40 – How This Engagement Feels Different 29:21 – What’s Changed with Age & Maturity 33:05 – Lessons from Past Relationships 38:28 – Next Steps: Wedding or Elopement? 40:23 – Wedding Vision & Dress Talk 40:45 – Destination Ideas: Greece, Switzerland, Florida 41:17 – Staying Present & Planning Ahead 41:36 – Tentative Wedding Timeline 42:45 – Wrap-Up & Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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