The Wellness Effect (A Lifestyle U Podcast)

Lacey Iskra
  • 5.0 (127)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you sick of yo-yo dieting and the mind games that come along with it? If you are looking for something sustainable that you can maintain for the rest of the life you will find the answers within this podcast. My name is Lacey Iskra, host and CEO of the lifestyle coaching company Lifestyle U. Lifestyle U is known for helping women create a healthy and sustainable lifestyle that focuses on mental, physical and spiritual health. Our holistic approach is what sets us apart from others in the industry and I am excited to share what I have learned after transforming over 500 women's lives for the better The short weekly episodes will bring you information and insights on how to level up all pillars of your health.

  1. 4D AGO

    The Wellness Catch-Up: Menstrual Cycle Wins, Chinese Medicine for Fertility & Endocrine Disruptors in Your Home (Ep. 69)

    Life updates, hormone wins, and holistic health deep dives — we are back with a raw, real catch-up episode you don't want to miss. In this week's catch-up episode of The Wellness Effect, we share personal health updates that are equal parts exciting and eye-opening. Jensen reveals a potential breakthrough in her menstrual cycle after completing a parasite cleanse — her shortest cycle in three years. Lacey opens up about her first acupuncture experience with a Chinese medicine practitioner on her fertility journey, unpacking what pulse reading, meridians, and liver qi stagnation actually mean for hormone health. Kira gets vulnerable about her emotional thaw after years of fertility struggles, sharing how she's finally reconnecting with the joy of creating holiday memories for her kids. We also get into the dangers of toxic household products like Scentsy and dryer sheets as endocrine disruptors, and Jensen's plans to start making home-cooked, whole-food meals for her dog Stevie, who has been dealing with pancreatitis and GI issues.   Key Takeaways 1. Parasite cleansing may support hormonal and menstrual health. 2. Chinese medicine and acupuncture offer a whole-body lens on fertility. 3. Everyday scented products are endocrine disruptors harming your hormones.   Chapters  (00:00) Welcome + Life Updates (Mexico trip, Easter, catching up) (01:00) Jensen's Parasite Cleanse Results & Menstrual Cycle Update (05:00) Rope Worm, Biofilm & What's Actually Leaving Your Gut (07:45) Kira's Emotional Thaw: Reconnecting with Motherhood & Holidays (12:00) Nervous System Healing & Creating Magic for Your Kids (16:50) Lacey's First Acupuncture Appointment with a Chinese Medicine Practitioner (19:30) What Is Chinese Medicine? Qi, Meridians & Pulse Reading Explained  (23:00) Lacey's Appetite Struggles, Peptides & Possible Self-Sabotage (33:30) Castor Oil Packs, Sauna Use & Cycle-Syncing Detox Protocols (39:30) Jensen's Dog Stevie: Home-Cooked Meals for Pancreatitis & GI Issues (42:00) Scentsy, Dryer Sheets & Toxic Household Products as Endocrine Disruptors  (48:30) HTMA Testing for Dogs & the Future of Functional Pet Health (50:30) Jensen's Move to Kamloops   Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program.   Follow us on Instagram: The Podcast: @thewellnesseffectpod Lacey Iskra - @laceeiskk Jensen - @wellnesswjensen Kira Iskra - @wellbykira   Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @thewellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

    55 min

  2. APR 29

    Lymphatic Drainage: Your Body's Most Underrated System (Ep. 68)

    If you've been bloated, puffy, fatigued, or breaking out — your lymphatic system might be the missing piece. We break down what the lymphatic system actually is, why it quietly affects everything from your immune health to your skin, and exactly how to start supporting it today — most of it free.   Key Takeaways  1. Your lymphatic system has no pump — movement is the only way to keep it flowing. Even walking and belly breathing count. 2. A congested lymphatic system shows up as puffiness, brain fog, chronic fatigue, skin issues, cellulite, frequent sickness, and more. 3. Your brain has its own lymphatic system (the glymphatic system) that only activates during deep sleep — another reason quality sleep is non-negotiable.   Chapters 00:00 — Intro 02:00 — What is the lymphatic system? 09:14 — Lymphatic organs (spleen, thymus, tonsils & why they matter) 13:20 — Why your lymph affects how you look and feel daily 19:38 — The glymphatic system & brain health during sleep 23:30 — Signs your lymphatic system is congested 27:42 — How to support it: movement & rebounding 32:33 — Diaphragmatic breathing for lymph flow 34:44 — The Big Six lymphatic activation 40:00 — Dry brushing, contrast showers & red light therapy 45:26 — Hydration, minerals & supportive foods     Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program. Follow us on Instagram: The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesseffectpod/ Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/ Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/ Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/kiraiskk/ Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @wellnesseffectpod (https://www.instagram.com/wellnesseffectpod/) to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

    49 min

  3. APR 22

    Mindset Shifts for Women's Health: Why Your Identity Is Keeping You Stuck (Ep. 67)

    You've cleaned up your diet. You've done the supplements, the workouts, the routines. Things improve for a while — and then something pulls you back. If that sounds familiar, this episode is the missing piece you never knew you needed.   Join us in this episode as we break down why so many women stay stuck in their health. It's not because of a lack of discipline or willpower, but because of identity. Drawing on Lacey's $40,000 mindset coaching experience (condensed here for free), we walk through the 5 identity and mindset shifts women make right before their bodies finally start changing for good. This isn't woo-woo — there's real nervous system science behind it.   Key Takeaways: 1. Your brain is wired for safety, not success. Your nervous system learned what "safe" looked like before age 10 — and it's still running those programs today.  2. Self-sabotage is self-protection in disguise. What looks like self-sabotage is actually your brain repeating what feels familiar — because familiar is predictable, and predictable feels safe. Flip the question from "what's wrong with me?" to "what does my body think it's protecting me from?" 3. Lasting change requires an identity shift, not more discipline. Real change happens when your daily actions become congruent with who you believe you are. You need to start seeing yourself as the healthy person you're becoming.   Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome — why identity is the missing piece in women's health 00:04:31 Your brain is designed for safety, not success 00:10:27 How childhood experiences shape your health today 00:15:11 Why mindset work alone doesn't move the needle 00:22:47 Shift #1 — "Something is wrong with me" → "My body is communicating with me" 00:30:32 Shift #2 — "I need more discipline" → "My body needs safety first" 00:36:29 Shift #3 — "I always self-sabotage" → "I learned protection patterns" 00:43:25 Shift #4 — Suppression → Emotional release 00:47:47 Shift #5 — Fixing yourself → Becoming yourself 00:56:42 What if nothing is actually wrong with you?   Resources:  📖 Atlas of the Heart — Brené Brown.  🎡 The Emotion Wheel — A journaling tool for identifying root emotions beneath the surface.  🎙️ The Wellness Effect — Functional Fat Loss Episode — Companion listen on why doing less can be the more healing choice.   Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program. Follow us on Instagram: The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/ Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/ Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/ Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

    1h 3m

  4. APR 15

    Coffee Enemas for Detox, Liver Health & Spiritual Healing (Ep. 66)

    The wellness tool that sounds wild — until you try it. If you've ever been curious about coffee enemas but didn't know where to start, this episode is your sign. Kira, Lacey, and Jensen share their personal journeys, break down the science behind liver detox and bile flow, walk you through how to do one safely, and explore the unexpected spiritual side that nobody else is talking about.   Key Takeaways Coffee enemas support far more than digestion — the compounds in coffee travel directly to the liver via the portal vein, stimulating bile flow, boosting glutathione, and supporting full-body detox. Always replenish your minerals after — coffee enemas are mineral-intensive, and skipping this step is the number one reason people feel drained or get headaches afterward. They can double as a spiritual practice — when treated as a ritual with intention and stillness, many people experience emotional releases they didn't expect.     Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Why coffee enemas? Personal stories from Kira, Lacey & Jensen 09:50 – What is a coffee enema? History from the 1800s, WWI, and Gerson Therapy 13:12 – The liver & bile connection: how coffee compounds stimulate detox pathways 15:46 – Bile, fat digestion, and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E & K) 17:01 – Glutathione, Phase 2 liver detox, and why this matters for skin and hormones 19:35 – Full benefits list: parasites, candida, heavy metals, hormones, mental clarity, pelvic floor health 25:21 – How to do a coffee enema: coffee grade, kit types, temperature, and setup 30:24 – Tips for holding, breathing through waves, and releasing 34:29 – Post-enema support: binders, mineral replenishment, adrenal cocktails 36:38 – Coffee enemas as a supplement, not a foundation — know when you're ready 38:02 – The spiritual ritual: intention setting, journaling, playlists, red light therapy 42:03 – Important cautions: pregnancy, breastfeeding, and a reminder that they're not doctors   Resources 📋 Kira's Coffee Enema Training Guide — full step-by-step instructions, binder list, mineral support protocol, and playlist — https://wellbykira.myflodesk.com/i9rr9lnmqu 💊 Lifestyle U — root cause health coaching with functional nutrition and lab testing. Use code WELLNESS EFFECT for a free functional lab when you join → https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145   Connect with us Follow us on Instagram: The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/ Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/ Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/   Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @thewellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

    45 min

  5. APR 8

    Body, Mind & Intuition: A Deep Dive into BodyTalk, Somatic Healing & Human Design with Chelsea Bessette (Ep. 65)

    What if your stress, self-sabotage, and even physical symptoms aren't just "in your head"—but stored in your body? In this episode, we're joined by Chelsea, practitioner behind Deconstructed Wellness, who blends BodyTalk, somatic healing, and human design to help people reconnect with their bodies and break free from deep-rooted patterns. We explore how your nervous system, subconscious beliefs, and past experiences shape your health—and how to start healing from the inside out. From understanding why self-worth blocks keep you stuck, to learning how your body communicates what it needs, this conversation will completely shift how you view healing, stress, and personal growth.   In this episode, we discuss... What BodyTalk is and how it connects physical, emotional, and energetic health How somatic healing helps release stuck emotions through the body  How to support your kids' emotional health through repair, not perfection   Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 02:00 – Chelsea's journey: from healthcare to holistic healing 05:00 – What is BodyTalk & how it works 07:30 – The nervous system's role in health & behavior 18:00 – Why everyone's healing journey is unique 20:00 – Why women feel unheard in traditional healthcare 22:00 – Introduction to somatic healing 31:00 – Parenting & nervous system regulation for kids 35:00 – Human design explained simply 43:00 – Simple daily practices for nervous system health 47:00 – Meditation struggles & neurodivergence 57:00 – Intuition vs anxiety (how to tell the difference) 1:00:00 – Muscle testing & body intelligence   Connect with Chelsea Website: https://chelseadeconstructedwellness.podia.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deconstructed.wellness/   Want to Work With Us?  Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program.    Follow us on Instagram:  The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/ Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/ Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/   Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

    1h 7m

  6. APR 1

    Catch-Up: Parasite Cleanse, Heli Skiing, Dream Sauna & Gentle Parenting (Ep. 64)

    What does it actually look like to live a holistic wellness lifestyle? This week, we pull back the curtain — worms, cliffs, and toddler head-butts included. We are back with a full catch-up episode covering real life in the functional wellness world. Jensen is mid-parasite cleanse with results she didn't see coming. Lacey survived heli-skiing in Revelstoke and finally got her dream backyard sauna. And Kira is navigating the chaos of gentle parenting with a toddler who gives as good as she gets. Plus: why GLP-1 supplements while breastfeeding are a hard no, the moon's role in parasite activity, and building a personal brand in the health space.   Key Takeaways Don't jump into a parasite cleanse unprepared. If your drainage pathways aren't open, your minerals are depleted, or you haven't addressed your gut environment, parasites will come back — and you'll have wasted your money. Gentle parenting isn't passive parenting. Holding natural consequences with a highly emotionally intelligent child takes serious nervous system regulation. Repeat yourself on social media. No one remembers what they saw yesterday. You become known for a topic by saying the same thing 50 times — not by constantly creating new content.   Chapters 01:43 - Lacey and her building a personal brand presentation 08:04 - Jensen's parasite cleanse: coffee enemas, real results, and what nobody warns you about 22:23 - Why parasite cleanses aren't a "level one" protocol (minerals, drainage & environment first) 25:00 - Gentle parenting with a headstrong toddler: Kira's honest struggles with Ellie 33:22 - Lacey's heli-skiing trip to Revelstoke: avalanche risk, powder boards & expanding capacity 44:07 - Lacey's dream sauna is finally here: nighttime routine, cold plunge & grounding 45:00 - Does moonlight affect your circadian rhythm? Full moon, melatonin & parasite activity 48:36 - PSA: GLP-1 supplements while breastfeeding + why postpartum weight loss pressure misses the point 52:16 - Wrap-up & what's coming next     Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program. Follow us on Instagram: The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/ Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/ Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/ Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

    55 min

  7. MAR 25

    Why Your Eczema Won't Heal: Gut Health, Triggers & Root-Cause Solutions (Ep 63)

    Struggling with eczema, skin flare-ups, or chronic inflammation that just won't go away—no matter what you try? In this episode of The Wellness Effect, we dive deep into all things eczema. We're also exploring why topical treatments alone often aren't enough and what your body might actually be trying to tell you. We unpack the connection between gut health, inflammation, immune response, and skin conditions, and share real-life experiences navigating eczema, lifestyle changes, and holistic healing approaches. From triggers like food sensitivities and stress to deeper conversations around functional medicine, nervous system regulation, and long-term healing, this episode offers a grounded, honest look at what it really takes to heal from within. If you've been stuck in cycles of flare-ups, confusion, or frustration with your skin, this conversation will help you better understand eczema root causes, natural healing strategies, and sustainable wellness practices.   Key Takeaways Eczema is often a symptom, not the root problem. True healing requires addressing internal imbalances like gut health and inflammation. Triggers are highly individual, making self-awareness and tracking essential for long-term skin health. Sustainable healing comes from a holistic approach—combining nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle changes rather than relying on quick fixes.   Chapters 00:00 — Eczema & Skin Health: Why Nothing Seems to Work 02:10 — Personal Experiences with Eczema & Chronic Skin Issues 05:45 — Understanding Eczema as an Internal Inflammation Issue 10:20 — Gut Health, Food Triggers & Skin Flare-Ups 16:30 — Stress, Nervous System & Skin Reactions 22:15 — Why Topical Treatments Aren't Enough for Eczema 28:40 — Functional Medicine Approach to Skin Healing 35:10 — Identifying Triggers & Lifestyle Patterns 42:00 — Healing from Within: Diet, Habits & Long-Term Change 49:30 — Key Takeaways for Managing Eczema Naturally   Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program. Follow us on Instagram: The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/ Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/ Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/ Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @thewellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

    47 min

  8. MAR 18

    Functional Fat Loss: Why You Can't Lose Weight (Inflammation, Metabolism & Hormones Explained) (Ep. 62)

    If fat loss feels like a constant battle, it's likely not a discipline issue — it's a physiology issue. In this episode, we break down how inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic stress can block fat loss, even when you're doing "everything right." Join us as we dive into functional fat loss — a smarter, more sustainable approach to losing fat by addressing the root cause instead of forcing restriction. We unpack why the traditional calories in vs. calories out approach doesn't work the same in stressed or dysregulated bodies, and how factors like inflammation, cortisol, insulin resistance, thyroid function, and nervous system stress directly impact your ability to lose fat. You'll learn why many women feel stuck despite eating less and exercising more, and why fat loss often becomes easier — not harder — when you focus on regulating your body first. We also walk you through a 3-step functional fat loss framework to help you lose fat and keep it off long-term. If you've been stuck in cycles of dieting, burnout, or "white-knuckling" your way through fat loss, this episode will help you understand what's actually going on in your body — and what to do instead.   Key Takeaways • Fat loss resistance is often a physiology problem, not a willpower problem • Lowering inflammation and stress can lead to fat loss before dieting • Sustainable fat loss happens when you regulate, repair, then reduce   Chapters 00:00 — Functional Fat Loss Explained: Why Weight Loss Feels So Hard 06:30 — Calories In vs. Calories Out (Why It Stops Working) 12:00 — Metabolism, Hunger Hormones & Energy Adaptation 18:00 — Inflammation vs. Fat: What You're Really Holding Onto 25:30 — Cortisol, Insulin Resistance & Thyroid Function 34:00 — Why Dieting Increases Stress & Blocks Fat Loss 41:00 — Signs Your Body Is Not Ready for Fat Loss 47:30 — The 3-Step Functional Fat Loss Framework 55:00 — Why Most People Regain Weight After Dieting 01:02:00 — How to Lose Fat & Keep It Off for Good   Want to Work With Us? Join us in the Root Cause Reset Program: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/wellness-effect-906145 and use code "Wellness Effect" for a FREE functional lab test when you join the program. Follow us on Instagram: The Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnesseffectpod/ Lacey Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/laceeiskk/ Jensen - https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswjensen/ Kira Iskra - https://www.instagram.com/wellbykira/ Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @thewellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

    1h 3m
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About

Are you sick of yo-yo dieting and the mind games that come along with it? If you are looking for something sustainable that you can maintain for the rest of the life you will find the answers within this podcast. My name is Lacey Iskra, host and CEO of the lifestyle coaching company Lifestyle U. Lifestyle U is known for helping women create a healthy and sustainable lifestyle that focuses on mental, physical and spiritual health. Our holistic approach is what sets us apart from others in the industry and I am excited to share what I have learned after transforming over 500 women's lives for the better The short weekly episodes will bring you information and insights on how to level up all pillars of your health.

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