The Functional Edge with Dr. Julia Ward

Julia Ward, MD

A podcast designed to empower you with cutting-edge insights and practical strategies to transform your health and wellness. Hosted by Dr. Ward, a seasoned functional medicine practitioner with over a decade of experience in functional medicine, this podcast dives into crucial topics like hormonal balance, brain health and the root causes of chronic illness. Whether you're seeking solutions for lingering health issues or striving to optimize your well-being, join us and discover how small changes can lead to profound transformations.

  1. 3D AGO

    Neuroplasticity at Home: Healing the Brain Naturally

    What if the brain doesn’t need more medication — it needs more safety? In this episode, I sit down with Carol Garner-Houston, founder of Brain Harmony, to explore how a bottom-up, neuroplasticity-based approach restores nervous system regulation and rebuilds neural pathways at any age. We discuss why calming fight-or-flight comes before cognitive gains, how sound and multi-sensory tools accelerate brain organization, and what’s possible for trauma, ADHD, stroke recovery, and more. - - - - -  Carol Garner-Houston is an award-winning Occupational Therapist with over 25 years of experience and the co-founder of Brain Harmony, a neuroplasticity-based occupational therapy clinic specializing in a bottom-up approach to healing. After transitioning from traditional clinic models, she developed a telehealth system that brings medical-grade sensory tools directly into families’ homes. Through a structured 5-step protocol focused on calming the central nervous system and integrating primitive reflexes, Carol has helped over 10,000 individuals worldwide improve brain organization, resilience, and functional outcomes without pharmaceuticals. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brain_harmony LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brain-harmony Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/becauseconnectingmatters - - - - -  Connect with me: Check out my ⁠website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drjuliaward.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjuliaward/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-ward-md-55b7672a/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Facebook⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/balancedbodyfunctionalmed/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠YouTube⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPz2YJi8Lw43i6XwNQiS6wg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrTalks.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/⁠

    1h 4m
  2. MAR 3

    Brain Coaching: Rewire Your Brain to Overcome Anxiety, Sleep Disruption & Fear

    What if you could retrain your brain to overcome anxiety, fear, sleep disruption, and performance blocks? In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward speaks with Helen Dugdale, certified brain coach and founder of Australian Brain Coaching. Helen explains neuroplasticity, EMDR/WingWave techniques, and practical tools to rewire thought patterns, reduce stress, and achieve emotional balance and peak performance. - - - - -  Helen Dugdale is the founder of Australian Brain Coaching and a certified brain coach trained in psychology, WingWave, NLP, and EMDR. She specializes in helping clients uncover emotional triggers, retrain their brains, and build resilience for lasting mental clarity, emotional balance, and performance. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/australianbraincoaching/  Website: https://australianbraincoaching.com.au/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustralianBrainCoaching# - - - - -  Connect with me: Check out my ⁠website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drjuliaward.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjuliaward/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-ward-md-55b7672a/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Facebook⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/balancedbodyfunctionalmed/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠YouTube⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPz2YJi8Lw43i6XwNQiS6wg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrTalks.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/⁠

    31 min
  3. FEB 25

    Beyond Carrots: The Gut–Eye–Brain Connection to Prevent Vision Loss

    What if protecting your eyesight has less to do with carrots—and more to do with your gut, brain, and mitochondria? In this episode of The Functional Edge, Dr. Julia Ward sits down with Dr. Rani Banik to discuss the root causes of vision loss, the macular carotenoids that truly matter, precision eye testing, red light therapy, and the future of regenerative eye care. Rudrani Banik is a board-certified neuro-ophthalmologist and functional medicine physician who bridges conventional neurology and integrative eye care. She is the author of Beyond Carrots and the creator of the Ageless Eyes program, focused on preventing vision loss through root-cause medicine, nutrition, and advanced diagnostics. 🎧 The Eye-Q Podcast  The Eye-Q Podcast is hosted by Dr. Rani Banik, America’s Integrative Neuro-Ophthalmologist, as she explores the powerful brain–eye connection. Learn about the latest technological advancements in vision and brain health, and discover how science intersects with a holistic approach grounded in nutrition and lifestyle—while raising your Eye-Q on all things eye and brain-related. Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsInstagram: https://instagram.com/dr.ranibanik/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rudrani.banik.2025/ Connect with me: Check out my ⁠website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drjuliaward.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjuliaward/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-ward-md-55b7672a/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Facebook⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/balancedbodyfunctionalmed/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠YouTube⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPz2YJi8Lw43i6XwNQiS6wg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrTalks.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

    38 min
  4. FEB 18

    The Hidden Cause of Hashimoto’s

    In this episode, I speak with Dr. Anshul Gupta, board-certified physician and Hashimoto’s expert, about why conventional thyroid care falls short and how functional medicine addresses the root causes of autoimmunity. We discuss the mito-thyroid connection, the five primary triggers of Hashimoto’s, and advanced strategies like peptides and cautious detoxification. This conversation offers practical, science-based steps for reversing autoimmune thyroid disease and restoring energy. Dr. Anshul Gupta is a board-certified physician and former Cleveland Clinic practitioner who specializes in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and autoimmune disease reversal. His work focuses on identifying root causes—including mitochondrial dysfunction, toxins, infections, and nutrient deficiencies—to help patients lower antibodies, restore thyroid function, and regain vitality. Website: https://www.anshulguptamd.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anshulguptamd  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxmSA11SbI_3yBcHu6pKi_Q  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drguptafunctionalmedicine/  X: https://x.com/anshulguptamd  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anshul-gupta-md-ifmcp-faihm-0103a29/  Connect with me: Check out my ⁠website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drjuliaward.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjuliaward/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-ward-md-55b7672a/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Facebook⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/balancedbodyfunctionalmed/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠YouTube⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPz2YJi8Lw43i6XwNQiS6wg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrTalks.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

    43 min
  5. FEB 11

    Longevity Secrets with Dr. Ed Park

    In this episode of The Functional Edge, I sit down with Dr. Ed Park, an Ivy League-educated OB-GYN turned regenerative medicine specialist, to explore the mechanics of aging and cutting-edge strategies for longevity. We dive deep into telomeres, the protective caps on chromosomes, and how telomerase activators like TA-65 can support cellular maintenance. Dr. Park also explains exosomes, tiny cellular messengers that carry proteins and RNA to repair tissue and reduce inflammation—offering a new paradigm in regenerative medicine. Dr. Park shares insights from over 3,000 exosome procedures, their success in treating joint pain, autoimmune issues, and brain fog, and the potential future of medicine using stored placental tissue as “software-compatible” stem cells for organ and tissue regeneration. This episode provides a clear, evidence-informed roadmap for anyone interested in active aging, regenerative therapies, and optimizing longevity. Dr. Ed Park is an Ivy League-educated OB-GYN turned regenerative medicine specialist. He has spent over a decade studying cellular aging, telomeres, and exosome therapies. Dr. Park has personally experimented with telomerase activators and performed thousands of regenerative procedures, blending clinical experience with forward-thinking approaches to longevity and healthspan optimization. 🎧 The Recharge Biomedical Podcast The Recharge Biomedical Podcast explores cutting-edge advances in regenerative medicine, longevity, and performance optimization, featuring expert interviews that bridge science, clinical practice, and real-world application to help listeners improve healthspan and vitality. Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on iHeart Radio Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dredpark/?hl=en  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.EdPark/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkjZcyXCmkxzxR6jDPgNo_Po88q7_cwKR  Connect with me: Check out my ⁠website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drjuliaward.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjuliaward/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-ward-md-55b7672a/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Facebook⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/balancedbodyfunctionalmed/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠YouTube⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPz2YJi8Lw43i6XwNQiS6wg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrTalks.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

    36 min
  6. FEB 4

    Why Childhood Eczema Starts in the Gut — with Andra McHugh

    In this episode of The Functional Edge, I’m joined by Andra McHugh, founder of Eczema Kids and a passionate advocate for natural, root-cause healing of childhood eczema. As a mother of four, Andra’s journey into this work began when two of her children developed severe, debilitating eczema that conventional medicine couldn’t resolve. In our conversation, Andra explains why eczema is not just a skin condition—but a visible sign of deeper gut dysbiosis and impaired detoxification. We discuss the major misconceptions around food triggers, steroids, probiotics, and elimination diets, and why these approaches often suppress symptoms without addressing the true cause. Andra walks us through her holistic framework for healing eczema from the inside out, including external skin barrier repair, rebuilding the gut microbiome, supporting detox pathways, and reducing environmental inflammatory triggers. She also shares practical insights on histamine sensitivity, mold exposure, EMFs, and why consistency—not perfection—is the key to lasting healing. If you’re a parent navigating childhood eczema and feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or stuck in symptom management, this episode offers clarity, hope, and a grounded roadmap forward. Dr. Julia Ward interviews Andra McHugh, founder of Eczema Kids, about reversing childhood eczema naturally by healing gut dysbiosis, restoring the skin barrier, reducing environmental triggers, and addressing root causes instead of symptoms. 🎧 Eczema Kids Podcast Eczema Kids Podcast features Andra McHugh, founder of Eczema Kids and a leading voice in natural childhood eczema healing. After successfully reversing severe eczema in her own children, Andra now helps families address root causes through gut health, detoxification, skin barrier repair, and environmental support, empowering parents with practical, sustainable tools for lasting healing. Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsWebsite: eczemakids.comInstagram: @eczema.kidsFacebook Group: Eczema Kids Podcast Connect with me: Check out my ⁠website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://drjuliaward.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjuliaward/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-ward-md-55b7672a/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Facebook⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/balancedbodyfunctionalmed/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠YouTube⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPz2YJi8Lw43i6XwNQiS6wg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrTalks.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

    25 min
  7. JAN 28

    Why Stress, Self-Talk, and Hormones Matter More Than You Think — with Rupina Meer

    In this episode of The Functional Edge, I’m joined by functional health practitioner Rupina Meer, whose work beautifully blends functional medicine with emotional and spiritual healing. Rupina’s seven-year breast cancer journey profoundly shaped her understanding of what true healing requires—and in our conversation, she opens up about the powerful lessons she learned along the way. We talk about the ways our thoughts and emotions influence our physiology, why the immune system “listens” to the stories we tell ourselves, and how often the root of persistent symptoms lies far deeper than diet or supplements alone. Rupina also shares her functional approach to hormone balance, including the foundational systems—blood sugar, microbiome health, and detoxification—that must be in place for women to feel their best. We also explore the physiological effects of chronic stress, the surprising insights from continuous glucose monitoring, and how functional labs can reveal patterns that traditional medicine often misses. Rupina offers practical direction for perimenopause and menopause, along with tools women can begin using right away. If you’ve ever wondered what your symptoms might really be trying to communicate—or how to support your healing from both a functional and emotional perspective—this is a powerful and heartfelt conversation you won’t want to miss. Dr. Julia Ward interviews functional health practitioner Rupina Meer about mind-body healing, hormone balance, chronic stress, functional lab testing, and the deeper emotional roots of chronic symptoms. Rupina Meer is a functional health practitioner who weaves together functional lab testing, mind-body practices, and spiritual insight to help women understand and resolve the deeper roots of their symptoms. Her own breast cancer journey serves as the foundation for her compassionate, integrative approach to hormone health, stress management, and whole-body healing. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupinameer/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rupinameer/  Website: https://www.zen-trition.com/ Connect with me: Check out my ⁠website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://drjuliaward.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjuliaward/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-ward-md-55b7672a/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Facebook⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/balancedbodyfunctionalmed/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠YouTube⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPz2YJi8Lw43i6XwNQiS6wg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrTalks.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

    37 min
  8. JAN 21

    From Illness to IFBB Pro

    On this episode of The Functional Edge Podcast, Dr. Julia Ward interviews Karen Walters, IFBB Figure Pro, nurse, massage therapist, and fitness coach, to explore her extraordinary journey from a life-threatening health crisis to elite-level bodybuilding. Karen shares how, at just 34 years old, she was diagnosed with carotid artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea—despite being a former athlete at a healthy weight. After suffering a TIA and significant memory loss during nursing school, she realized conventional advice wasn’t enough. Through disciplined training, strategic nutrition, and a deep understanding of anatomy and physiology, Karen reversed her cardiovascular disease markers and transitioned into competitive bodybuilding—eventually earning her IFBB Pro card. This conversation dives into: Training smarter with efficient, anatomy-based workouts Why hormone balance is critical during perimenopause and fat loss The role of functional medicine in unlocking stalled progress Recovery strategies used by elite athletes, including deep tissue therapy Why consistency and patience matter more than extremes Karen also shares insights from running Kinetics Fitness Center, a community-driven gym serving members from teens to nonagenarians, and offers practical advice for beginners who want sustainable results. Karen Walters is an IFBB Figure Pro, registered nurse, massage therapist, and fitness coach with over 20 years of experience in therapeutic bodywork. She has worked with elite athletes across the NFL and NBA and specializes in anatomy-based training, recovery, and sustainable physique development. Karen also helps operate Kinetics Fitness Center, a 30,000-square-foot gym built on community, performance, and longevity. Connect with me: Check out my ⁠website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://drjuliaward.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjuliaward/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-ward-md-55b7672a/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠Facebook⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/balancedbodyfunctionalmed/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Dr. Julia Ward, MD, on ⁠YouTube⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPz2YJi8Lw43i6XwNQiS6wg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrTalks.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

    37 min
5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A podcast designed to empower you with cutting-edge insights and practical strategies to transform your health and wellness. Hosted by Dr. Ward, a seasoned functional medicine practitioner with over a decade of experience in functional medicine, this podcast dives into crucial topics like hormonal balance, brain health and the root causes of chronic illness. Whether you're seeking solutions for lingering health issues or striving to optimize your well-being, join us and discover how small changes can lead to profound transformations.

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