Out of Pocket

Andrew Hayes
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Nutrition

You're here because you're in the healthcare gap.  You're already doing the basics of exercise and eating healthy.  But you're also not so sick you need the care of a doctor. You want answers that help you live your best life proactively.  If you’re burned out on diets, confused by your symptoms, and tired of being told “everything looks normal,” this show is for you. Hosted by functional nutritionists Andrew Hayes and Kat Best, we cover the health issues most people struggle with but rarely talk about. Gut problems. Hormone chaos. Fatigue. Cravings. Mood swings. The difference between sustainable fat loss and trendy weight loss. Irregular poops. (Yes, we said it.) Each week, we give you the tools to actually feel better - without crash diets, supplements you don’t need, or 4AM workouts. No shame. No perfection. Just more clarity, not more effort. Subscribe now and say goodbye to guessing on your health.

  1. How to Build Your Body and Mind (Alexa’s Playbook) | Ep. 82

    10h ago

    How to Build Your Body and Mind (Alexa’s Playbook) | Ep. 82

    In this episode, Andrew and Kat sit down with ALTA's lead functional nutritionist Alexa to unpack what it actually takes to build a body and a mind that lasts.  Alexa shares her journey from a kid growing up overweight in an Italian household, to bodybuilding competitor, to coaching clients through their own physical and mental transformations. You'll hear why she calls nutrition and fitness "the gateway drug" to deeper mindset work, what her SIBO diagnosis taught her about the limits of dialing in macros, and the practical playbook she uses with clients: train hard, eat your food, trust yourself, and stop trying to do it alone.  If you've ever felt like you're doing everything "right" and still spinning your wheels, this one's for you. 04:30 — Alexa's journey: Staten Island kid to bodybuilding stage 10:00 — How a SIBO diagnosis rewrote her relationship with food and fitness 17:00 — Why mindset beats macros (and the pyramid that explains it) 25:30 — Alexa's playbook: train hard, eat your food, trust the process Ready to make sense of your symptoms and hit your goals for life? Get more info on our Alta360 program here - https://altaforlife.com/alta360application Order a comprehensive functional lab here - https://app.altaforlife.com/labsoverview (after checkout, you'll get a confirmation email and text. Mention this podcast in your reply and you'll get a free interpretation call with Kat) Get your free Gut Health Assessment - https://atosolutions.typeform.com/to/VhvLsjG2 to get a step by step plan to feel less stuck Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/

    31 min
  2. Can AI Actually Fix Your Health? (Where It Helps… and Where It Doesn’t) | Ep. 81

    May 26

    Can AI Actually Fix Your Health? (Where It Helps… and Where It Doesn’t) | Ep. 81

    AI can build you a meal plan, calculate your macros, and even explain your lab results in seconds. So why aren’t people getting better results? In this episode, Andrew and Kat break down where tools like ChatGPT actually help when it comes to health and nutrition… and where they fall short. Because while AI is incredibly powerful, it’s still just giving you information. And information alone isn’t what gets people results. They walk through what AI does well, where it can mislead you, and why so many people end up stuck even though they “know what to do.” If you’ve ever used AI for your health, or are thinking about it, this will help you use it the right way. (00:00) Why more information isn’t leading to better results (04:26) Where AI actually helps with nutrition and fitness (11:42) Where AI falls short (and can mislead you) (19:48) Why information isn’t the problem, execution is Ready to make sense of your symptoms and hit your goals for life? Get more info on our Alta360 program here - https://altaforlife.com/alta360application Order a comprehensive functional lab here - https://app.altaforlife.com/labsoverview (after checkout, you'll get a confirmation email and text. Mention this podcast in your reply and you'll get a free interpretation call with Kat) Get your free Gut Health Assessment - https://atosolutions.typeform.com/to/VhvLsjG2 to get a step by step plan to feel less stuck Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/

    29 min
  3. Brain Fog, Bloating, Sugar Cravings? It Might Be Candida | Ep. 80

    May 19

    Brain Fog, Bloating, Sugar Cravings? It Might Be Candida | Ep. 80

    Most people don’t connect these symptoms: Brain fog Bloating Skin issues Constant sugar cravings But when they show up together, it’s usually not random. In this episode, Andrew and Kat break down one of the most overlooked root causes behind this cluster of symptoms: Candida overgrowth. Candida is a yeast that naturally lives in your body. But when your gut environment shifts, it can overgrow and start driving symptoms that most people try to fix one at a time. That’s why you end up chasing solutions that don’t stick. They explain what causes it, why it’s often missed, and why things like cutting sugar or taking random supplements don’t actually fix the problem. If you’ve been told everything is “normal” but you’re still dealing with these symptoms, this will help you connect the dots. (00:00) Why your symptoms aren’t random (03:47) What Candida is and how it shows up (08:06) Root causes: gut imbalance and low stomach acid (14:49) Real client story and how fixing the gut changes everything Ready to make sense of your symptoms and hit your goals for life? Get more info on our Alta360 program here - https://altaforlife.com/alta360application Order a comprehensive functional lab here - https://app.altaforlife.com/labsoverview (after checkout, you'll get a confirmation email and text. Mention this podcast in your reply and you'll get a free interpretation call with Kat) Get your free Gut Health Assessment - https://atosolutions.typeform.com/to/VhvLsjG2 to get a step by step plan to feel less stuck Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/

    27 min
  4. Why You’re Bloated Even After Eating “Clean” | Fix the System, Not the Food List | Ep 79

    May 12

    Why You’re Bloated Even After Eating “Clean” | Fix the System, Not the Food List | Ep 79

    You cut out gluten. Then dairy. Then processed foods. Maybe you even tried low FODMAP. But somehow, you’re still bloated. And now even “safe” foods like chicken, rice, eggs, broccoli, or potatoes feel like they’re betraying you. In this episode, Andrew and Kat explain why bloating on clean, simple foods usually isn’t about the food itself. It’s often a sign that your digestive system isn’t breaking food down properly, which can lead to excess fermentation, trapped gas, distension, and a gut that feels reactive to almost everything. They also break down the role of stomach acid, enzymes, bile flow, motility, leaky gut, protein fermentation, and why simply cutting more foods usually makes the problem worse long-term. If you feel like your diet keeps getting “cleaner” while your gut keeps getting more sensitive, this episode will help you understand what’s actually happening.  (00:00) Why “safe” foods can still make you bloated  (06:51) Fermentation, trapped gas, and digestive dysfunction  (14:14) Leaky gut, protein fermentation, and what labs can reveal  (24:49) Simple fixes for bloating, motility, and sparkling water Ready to make sense of your symptoms and hit your goals for life? Get more info on our Alta360 program here - https://altaforlife.com/alta360application Order a comprehensive functional lab here - https://app.altaforlife.com/labsoverview (after checkout, you'll get a confirmation email and text. Mention this podcast in your reply and you'll get a free interpretation call with Kat) Get your free Gut Health Assessment - https://atosolutions.typeform.com/to/VhvLsjG2 to get a step by step plan to feel less stuck Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/

    33 min
  5. Why You Feel Anxious (Even When Nothing’s Wrong) | The Metabolic Side of Anxiety | Ep 78

    May 5

    Why You Feel Anxious (Even When Nothing’s Wrong) | The Metabolic Side of Anxiety | Ep 78

    You feel anxious… but nothing is actually wrong. Your life is stable. Things are “fine” on paper. But your heart is racing, your chest feels tight, and your mind won’t slow down. Most people assume anxiety is purely mental. But what if it’s not? In this episode, Andrew and Kat break down the physical drivers of anxiety that almost no one talks about. Blood sugar crashes, under-eating, poor sleep, hormones, even how you train — all of these can create a stress response that feels exactly like anxiety. The key insight is simple. Your brain doesn’t distinguish between emotional stress and physiological stress. Low fuel and unstable energy can trigger the same response as a real threat. If you’ve ever felt anxious “for no reason,” this episode will help you understand what’s actually going on — and where to start. (00:00) Why you can feel anxious even when nothing’s wrong (05:42) Blood sugar, under-eating, and metabolic anxiety (16:32) Real client story: fixing anxiety by fixing physiology (21:02) The simplest way to reduce anxiety this week Ready to make sense of your symptoms and hit your goals for life? Get more info on our Alta360 program here - https://altaforlife.com/alta360application Order a comprehensive functional lab here - https://app.altaforlife.com/labsoverview (after checkout, you'll get a confirmation email and text. Mention this podcast in your reply and you'll get a free interpretation call with Kat) Get your free Gut Health Assessment - https://atosolutions.typeform.com/to/VhvLsjG2 to get a step by step plan to feel less stuck Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/

    28 min
  6. Why You’re Always Itchy (And It’s Not Your Skin) l Ep 77

    Apr 28

    Why You’re Always Itchy (And It’s Not Your Skin) l Ep 77

    Have you ever had random itching that makes no sense? Your scalp itches at night, your hands itch after eating, your arms or legs get itchy when you sweat. You try creams, switch products, maybe even take antihistamines, but nothing really solves it. Because a lot of the time, it is not actually a skin issue. In this episode, Kat and Andrew break down why histamine overload is one of the most overlooked causes of chronic itching, and why so many people are treating the symptom without understanding what is actually driving it. They explain how histamine works in the body, how it builds up, and why things like gut health, hormones, stress, and even alcohol can impact how your body handles it. They also walk through why itching often shows up without a visible rash, why it can feel random or cyclical, and why it is commonly worse at night. They also cover why antihistamines and steroid creams can help temporarily but do not address the root cause, and how relying on them long term can make it harder to understand what is really going on. If you have ever felt like your skin is reacting for no reason, or you have tried everything and still feel itchy, this episode will help you start connecting the dots. (06:05) What histamine actually does in the body (13:00) Common triggers like food, stress, and hormones (16:30) A real client case and what actually worked (20:13) What to do if you think histamine is the issue Ready to make sense of your symptoms and hit your goals for life? Get more info on our Alta360 program here - https://altaforlife.com/alta360application Order a comprehensive functional lab here - https://app.altaforlife.com/labsoverview (after checkout, you'll get a confirmation email and text. Mention this podcast in your reply and you'll get a free interpretation call with Kat) Get your free Gut Health Assessment - https://atosolutions.typeform.com/to/VhvLsjG2 to get a step by step plan to feel less stuck Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/

    26 min
  7. Food Sensitivity Tests Are Lying to You (Here’s Why) l Ep 76

    Apr 21

    Food Sensitivity Tests Are Lying to You (Here’s Why) l Ep 76

    Have you ever taken a food sensitivity test and suddenly it says you’re sensitive to everything? Eggs, dairy, almonds, wheat, chicken, tomatoes, half the foods you eat every week. Now you’re staring at this list wondering what you’re even supposed to eat, and the advice is usually to remove all of it and hope you feel better. The problem is, a lot of those tests are not actually measuring what people think they are. In this episode, Kat and Andrew break down the difference between food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities, and why many popular IgG food sensitivity tests can be misleading. They explain why these tests often flag the foods you eat most, why that creates so much confusion, and why removing everything on your list is not the solution. They also talk through what is actually happening in the body when you have a true sensitivity, why symptoms can show up hours or even days later, and why that makes it so difficult to connect food to how you feel. If you have ever felt like certain foods are “off” but you cannot figure out which ones, this will likely make a lot more sense. Finally, they cover a more accurate way to approach food sensitivities, how to think about testing in a practical way, and why the goal is never to keep shrinking your food list, but to understand what your body is reacting to and why. (00:01) Why food sensitivity tests feel so overwhelming (06:47) The difference between allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities (09:53) Why IgG tests often flag the foods you eat most (28:41) How to approach elimination without over restricting Ready to make sense of your symptoms and hit your goals for life? Get more info on our Alta360 program here - https://altaforlife.com/alta360application Order a comprehensive functional lab here - https://app.altaforlife.com/labsoverview (after checkout, you'll get a confirmation email and text. Mention this podcast in your reply and you'll get a free interpretation call with Kat) Get your free Gut Health Assessment - https://atosolutions.typeform.com/to/VhvLsjG2 to get a step by step plan to feel less stuck Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/

    31 min
  8. 75 Episodes Later: What We’ve Learned About Health, Mindset, and Ourselves l Ep 75

    Apr 16

    75 Episodes Later: What We’ve Learned About Health, Mindset, and Ourselves l Ep 75

    Seventy five episodes in, Kat and Andrew are doing something a little different. Instead of breaking down one specific health topic, this episode pulls back the curtain on the podcast itself. They reflect on what has changed since the early days, what advice still holds up, and how their thinking has evolved after nearly a year and a half of conversations around nutrition, fitness, gut health, hormones, mindset, and real life. They also get more personal than usual, sharing old training habits they would never go back to and the routines and beliefs that shape how they approach health today. There is also a listener Q and A woven throughout the episode, including questions about workouts, gut research, supplements, peptides, pricing, GI Maps for kids, and a few completely unexpected topics. It is part reflection, part celebration, and part chaos in the best way. If you have been here from the beginning, this is a fun one. And if you are newer to the podcast, this episode gives you a clear feel for how Kat and Andrew think and what this show is all about.  (02:13) What has changed since the early days  (04:36) Health and fitness habits they would never go back to  (14:59) Listener questions and unexpected tangents  (47:07) What this podcast means to listeners Ready to make sense of your symptoms and hit your goals for life? Get more info on our Alta360 program here - https://altaforlife.com/alta360application Order a comprehensive functional lab here - https://app.altaforlife.com/labsoverview (after checkout, you'll get a confirmation email and text. Mention this podcast in your reply and you'll get a free interpretation call with Kat) Get your free Gut Health Assessment - https://atosolutions.typeform.com/to/VhvLsjG2 to get a step by step plan to feel less stuck Follow Andrew https://www.instagram.com/andrewhayeslife/ Follow Kat https://www.instagram.com/katbestwellness/

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

You're here because you're in the healthcare gap.  You're already doing the basics of exercise and eating healthy.  But you're also not so sick you need the care of a doctor. You want answers that help you live your best life proactively.  If you’re burned out on diets, confused by your symptoms, and tired of being told “everything looks normal,” this show is for you. Hosted by functional nutritionists Andrew Hayes and Kat Best, we cover the health issues most people struggle with but rarely talk about. Gut problems. Hormone chaos. Fatigue. Cravings. Mood swings. The difference between sustainable fat loss and trendy weight loss. Irregular poops. (Yes, we said it.) Each week, we give you the tools to actually feel better - without crash diets, supplements you don’t need, or 4AM workouts. No shame. No perfection. Just more clarity, not more effort. Subscribe now and say goodbye to guessing on your health.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Hayes
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Out of Pocket
  • Show Website
    Out of Pocket

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