Beyond My Diagnosis with Michele Weston

Michele Weston

Welcome to Beyond My Diagnosis, the podcast that brings real conversations, real stories, and real breakthroughs in health, healing, and hope. I’m your host, Michele Weston—Holistic Health and Wellbeing Coach—and I'm here to help you look past the symptoms and into the deeper story of living with your chronic condition.Each week, we go beyond the chart and challenge the status quo of conventional care. From powerful patient journeys to expert insights in functional medicine and integrative practitioners, using mindset and lifestyle medicine, you’ll get the tools and inspiration to become the most informed, empowered version of yourself.This is not just about managing illness—it’s about reclaiming your health, your voice, and your life.Let’s get curious. Let’s get courageous. And let’s go Beyond My Diagnosis.

  1. 4D AGO

    Holistic Health That Actually Works: Simple Habits to Build Energy and Prevent Burnout

    Send us Fan Mail What if improving your health didn’t require doing everything at once… but simply starting with one thing? In this episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele Weston sits down with health and wellness coach Tess Cheng to explore how sustainable lifestyle changes can help you build energy, reduce stress, and feel better, especially when living with a chronic condition. This conversation goes beyond nutrition and dives into what holistic health really means. It’s not about dieting or perfection. It’s about understanding how sleep, stress, movement, and connection all work together to support your well-being. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to “fix” your health, this episode will help you simplify your approach and focus on what actually works in real life. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: Why nutrition alone isn’t enough for long-term healthThe difference between dieting and creating a sustainable food planHow to build habits that fit your schedule and lifestyleWhy doing one thing at a time leads to better resultsSimple ways to incorporate movement into your daily routineHow breathwork can reduce stress and improve focusThe role of mindset in creating lasting health changesWhy personalized wellness matters more than one-size-fits-all solutionsBeing certified holistic health and wellness coaches, Michele and Tess also share real-life strategies for managing busy schedules, reducing overwhelm, and creating habits that feel good instead of forced. “It’s not just one thing… sleep, stress, movement, and connection all work together.” This episode is your reminder that your health journey doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be intentional. 🔗 Connect with Tess Cheng https://glowithtess.com/ Tess Cheng is a certified health and wellness coach with over 13 years of experience helping ambitious women build sustainable energy, focus, and resilience. With a Master’s in Clinical Nutrition from NYU, she supports entrepreneurs and high-performing professionals in creating simple habits that prevent burnout and fit real life. She is also a contributing author to Confident You: The Raw Conversations, where her chapter focuses on sustainable habits for energy, focus, and health. 🔗 Stay Connected with Michele Weston micheleweston.substack.com Instagram @beyondmydiagnosis.podcast  Threads @micheleadvocates4health

    45 min
  2. APR 1

    Over 50 with Chronic Illness: Finding Joy, Strength, and Movement Every Day

    Send us Fan Mail What does it really mean to live well after 50, especially with a chronic illness? In this heartfelt solo episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele Weston reflects on aging, movement, nourishment, and finding joy in the journey, even when living with a condition like Multiple Sclerosis. This is an honest and empowering conversation about what it means to listen to your body, adapt to change, and embrace the life you have today. Michele shares her personal experiences with weight loss, MS, aging, and learning to take ownership of her health. She reminds us that while our bodies change, our ability to grow, move, and find joy does not disappear. As she shares, “healthy aging isn’t about slowing down to stop. It’s about choosing where your energy goes, nourishing your body, and moving because it feels good.” This episode is for any woman navigating midlife, chronic illness, or simply looking to reconnect with her body in a more compassionate and intentional way. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why movement becomes more important as we age  • How to shift your mindset around aging and chronic illness  • The importance of listening to your body and honoring change  • How to create a new “recipe” for health and prevention  • Why slowing down and eating mindfully matters  • The role of gratitude in long-term wellness  • How to stay strong, mobile, and independent as you age  • Why joy, connection, and intention are essential for healthy living

    28 min
  3. MAR 25

    Bariatric Nutrition, Inflammation, and Emotional Eating | How to Fix Your Relationship with Food

    Send us Fan Mail What’s really causing inflammation, weight struggles, and chronic health issues? In this powerful episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele Weston sits down with registered dietitian Nancy Lum, RD, LDN to unpack the truth about nutrition, processed foods, and the emotional patterns that shape how we eat. This conversation goes far beyond traditional diet advice. Nancy shares what she sees every day in her clinical work, helping patients navigate bariatric surgery, digestive issues, and long-standing eating habits that are difficult to break. Together, we explore how inflammation develops, why highly processed foods are at the root of so many chronic conditions, and how small, intentional changes can completely shift your health and energy. Nancy also explains the importance of understanding your body, slowing down while eating, and creating a balanced approach to food that is sustainable long-term. If you’ve ever struggled with emotional eating, weight management, or knowing what to eat for your health, this episode will give you clarity and practical tools you can start using immediately. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • The real difference between dietitians and nutritionists • How processed foods contribute to inflammation and chronic disease • Why emotional eating and habits are so hard to break • What bariatric patients need to know before and after surgery • How portion sizes and eating speed impact digestion and weight • Why the gut is considered the “second brain” • How to identify real food vs highly processed food • The correct order to eat foods for better digestion and satiety • Why slowing down while eating is critical for your health About the Guest Nancy Lum, RD, LDN is a licensed, registered dietitian specializing in GI health, bariatric nutrition, and weight loss. She is the founder of the GI & Bariatric Nutrition Center and has over 19 years of experience helping patients improve their health through sustainable nutrition strategies. Nancy has led bariatric nutrition programs at major hospitals and works with patients managing digestive disorders, emotional eating, and long-term weight challenges. She integrates clinical nutrition with behavioral strategies to help clients create lasting change. Learn More About the GI & Bariatric Nutrition Center https://nutrition5.com/

    58 min
  4. MAR 18

    Multiple Sclerosis Support: Holistic Care, Community, and Living Well with MS

    Send us Fan Mail What does it really look like to live well with Multiple Sclerosis? In this powerful and informative episode, we sit down with Dr. Deneb Bates, ND and Yadira LaMazza, MSW from the International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice (IMSMP) to explore a holistic, compassionate, and community-driven approach to MS care. Dr. Bates shares how naturopathic medicine, nutrition, and botanical therapies can support people living with MS, emphasizing the concept of food as medicine and empowering patients to take an active role in their health. Yadira brings a deeply human perspective, sharing the impact of support groups and counseling in helping individuals navigate the emotional and social aspects of living with MS. From newly diagnosed patients to long-standing communities, her work highlights the importance of connection, identity, and belonging. Together, this conversation bridges science, support, and strategy to help individuals living with MS feel more informed, empowered, and supported. If you or someone you love is navigating Multiple Sclerosis, this episode offers both practical insight and hope. Learn more about IMSMP: https://imsmp.org/ Meet the IMSMP Team: https://imsmp.org/our-team  What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • What a holistic approach to Multiple Sclerosis care looks like • How nutrition and botanical medicine support MS wellness • The role of naturopathic medicine in chronic illness • Why emotional support and community are critical for MS patients • How support groups help people feel seen, heard, and understood • The importance of identity, connection, and mental health when living with MS • Practical ways to feel more empowered in your health journey About the Guests Dr. Deneb Bates, ND Dr. Bates is a Naturopathic Doctor at IMSMP specializing in holistic care for individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis. With a background in biochemistry, ethnobotany, and culinary medicine, she integrates nutrition, botanical medicine, and lifestyle strategies to support wellness. She is passionate about helping patients take an active role in their health through a comprehensive, whole-person approach. Yadira LaMazza, BA, MSW Yadira is a clinical social worker who has been supporting the MS community for decades. She founded the Center’s first women’s MS support group in 2006, which continues to thrive today. She also leads groups for newly diagnosed individuals and gay men, providing compassionate guidance and support for navigating life with MS.

    48 min
  5. MAR 10

    Women Supporting Women: The Power of Community, Sisterhood, and Growth

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele Weston sits down with sisters Amy and Nancy Harrington, co-founders of The Passionistas Project, to explore the powerful role that women’s circles and community play in healing, empowerment, and personal growth. Amy and Nancy left successful careers in Hollywood to create a platform dedicated to supporting women who often feel unseen or unheard. Their work centers around the belief that no woman should have to navigate life’s challenges alone. Through their podcast, global community, women’s summit, and bestselling anthology Awakening Your Power, they have created a movement that amplifies the voices of women from all walks of life, including women from marginalized communities and women living with chronic illness or disability. In this conversation, Michele, Amy, and Nancy explore the importance of community, storytelling, and the strength that comes from women supporting one another. They discuss why women’s circles can be transformative, especially when navigating life transitions, caregiving responsibilities, health challenges, and moments of uncertainty, and how community can become a powerful catalyst for change, resilience, and healing. This sense of connection is especially important for people navigating chronic illness or caregiving roles. Many health conditions are invisible, meaning others may not realize what someone is experiencing. In supportive communities, those stories can finally be heard and understood. Amy and Nancy emphasize that community is not just about receiving support. It is also about giving it. When someone asks for help, they are creating an opportunity for connection. They are allowing others to contribute their knowledge, experience, and compassion. Over time, these exchanges build trust and strengthen relationships. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE• Why women’s circles and support networks are critical for emotional health • The role community plays in navigating chronic illness and life challenges • Why storytelling helps women reclaim their power and identity • How asking for help can strengthen relationships and trust • The importance of amplifying voices that have historically been overlooked • How women from marginalized communities benefit from supportive spaces • Why sisterhood can transform personal and professional growth ABOUT THE GUESTSAmy and Nancy Harrington are sisters, entrepreneurs, and the co-founders of The Passionistas Project Sisterhood, a global community for passion-driven women. Before launching The Passionistas Project, Amy and Nancy built successful careers in Hollywood. Amy worked on major film franchises including Harry Potter and The Matrix, while Nancy led Academy Award campaigns for major studios. Today they dedicate their work to empowering women, especially those from marginalized communities, to find their voices and build meaningful connections. Through their podcast, annual Power of Passionistas Women’s Summit, writing mentorship program, global online sisterhood, and bestselling anthology Awakening Your Power, they provide platforms for women to share their stories and inspire change. Their mission is simple but powerful: create spaces where women feel seen, heard, and supported. LINKS AND RESOURCESWebsite https://www.thepassionistasproject.com/ Passionistas Project Sisterhood https://thepassionistasproject.circle.so Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ThePassionistasProject LinkedIn

    50 min
  6. MAR 4

    How Music and Rhythm Reduce Stress and Build Community | with Greg Whitt

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele welcomes Greg Whitt, teaching artist, team builder, wellness facilitator, and founder of Drum for Change. If last week’s episode with Annelies Gentile explored leading change from the inside out, this week expands that conversation into rhythm, culture, music, and embodied leadership. Greg, Annelies’ husband and creative partner in life, brings a complementary lens to resilience. Where Annelies explores awareness and internal calm, Greg explores connection, rhythm, and community as tools for thriving. Greg facilitates workshops and retreats that connect people to one another and to the world around them. His work centers on ontological design, the idea that the culture we create shapes who we become. In this rich conversation, we explore: • Music as metaphor for leadership and life • Rhythm as regulation for the nervous system • Wellness drumming in healthcare settings • Building culture intentionally • Experiential education and embodied learning • Positive psychology and folk wisdom • Service as leadership • The power of story and shared rhythm • Community as protective factor in uncertain times Greg’s diverse background includes eight years of service in the US Air Force, ten years in higher education, and decades of global study in folkloric music traditions from Cuba to Belize. He has led interactive rhythm experiences since 2002 and founded the Raleigh Drum Circle community group. His company, Drum for Change, has been full-time since 2009. Through music, storytelling, and experiential facilitation, Greg reminds us that leadership is not about volume. It is about harmony. And in times of change, rhythm helps regulate what chaos disrupts. ABOUT THE GUESTGreg Whitt is a Teaching Artist, Team Builder, and Wellness Facilitator who designs workshops and retreats that foster connection and community. He studied holistic lifestyle practices in graduate school with a focus on wisdom traditions for modern society. His work fuses positive psychology, applied philosophy, folk wisdom, and experiential music-based education. Greg served eight years as a non-commissioned officer in the US Air Force, worked ten years in higher education at NC State University, and has been leading facilitated rhythm experiences since 2002. He founded Raleigh Drum Circle and launched Drum for Change as a full-time business in 2009. Greg has studied folkloric music in Cuba and Garifuna drumming in Belize. He has received multiple professional development grants and has brought wellness drumming into healthcare environments. He serves on advisory and arts boards including the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild and the City of Raleigh Arts Commission. Greg believes culture creates us. Through rhythm and shared experience, he helps groups rediscover harmony, cooperation, and joy. Learn more at: https://www.drumforchange.com

    49 min
  7. FEB 18

    Burnout, Grief, and Creative Affluence: Navigating Change | with Annelies Gentile

    Send us Fan Mail Returning guest Annelies M. Gentile, MA, PCC joins Michele for a powerful follow-up conversation about leadership, burnout, grief, and cultivating calm in a world that feels anything but calm. In her previous appearance, Annelies introduced us to the idea that change is not just external. It is internal. She spoke about resilience, awareness, and tending the emotional landscape of uncertainty. In this episode, we go deeper. This conversation explores: • The hidden grief that accompanies change • Burnout as a signal, not a failure • Managing energy instead of managing time • Creative affluence and nurturing ideas • Leading from awareness rather than reaction • The role of mindfulness and creative process in leadership • Cultivating courage and grace in uncertain seasons • Why internal leadership shapes external outcomes Annelies reminds us that resilience is not about pushing through. It is about sense, solace, and sanity in rapidly changing times. If you are navigating professional transition, personal loss, organizational change, or simply feeling stretched thin, this episode offers grounded wisdom and practical reflection. Because thriving begins on the inside. Connect with AnneliesWebsite: https://conduitforchange.com Book: https://conduitforchange.com/the-book Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conduitforchange YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/conduitforchange LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conduit-for-change-llc?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company

    46 min
  8. FEB 18

    Root Cause Healing, Ayurveda, Functional Medicine, and Your Responsibility as the Patient

    Send us Fan Mail What if chronic illness is not just something to manage, but something to better understand? In this episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele welcomes back Cindi Acree, RN, a lifelong nurse, educator, and integrative health advocate. With decades of experience in neonatal medicine and advanced nursing practice, Cindi has seen firsthand how Western medicine excels at acute care. But she also recognized its limitations when it comes to prevention, root cause healing, and long term vitality. After retiring from clinical practice, Cindi expanded her education into Applied Positive Psychology, Integrative and Functional Medicine, Yoga, and Ayurveda, the 5,000 year old sister science to yoga. She now blends biomedical knowledge with complementary and functional approaches to support sustainable health. This episode is a powerful reminder that doctors do medicine, but patients take care of patients. In this conversation, you will hear about: • The difference between biomedicine and integrative medicine  • Ayurveda and the three doshas, vata, pitta, and kapha  • Agni, the digestive fire, and why food combinations matter  • Ama, toxins in food, water, air, and daily products  • Ojas, vitality and resilience  • Functional medicine pillars, sleep, hydration, stress, and movement  • Why elimination diets can uncover hidden triggers  • The dangers of unregulated supplements  • Vitamin B12 excess and unintended consequences  • The microbiome and antibiotic recovery  • Forest bathing, grounding, and restorative movement  • Appreciative inquiry and positive reframing  • The power of coaching and asking better questions Cindi shares practical examples of root cause investigation, including cases where symptoms that looked like autoimmune disease were actually nutritional deficiencies or supplement overload. This episode is not about rejecting medicine. It is about expanding the lens. It is about asking better questions. It is about understanding your role in your own healing journey. Because it is your body.

    39 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Beyond My Diagnosis, the podcast that brings real conversations, real stories, and real breakthroughs in health, healing, and hope. I’m your host, Michele Weston—Holistic Health and Wellbeing Coach—and I'm here to help you look past the symptoms and into the deeper story of living with your chronic condition.Each week, we go beyond the chart and challenge the status quo of conventional care. From powerful patient journeys to expert insights in functional medicine and integrative practitioners, using mindset and lifestyle medicine, you’ll get the tools and inspiration to become the most informed, empowered version of yourself.This is not just about managing illness—it’s about reclaiming your health, your voice, and your life.Let’s get curious. Let’s get courageous. And let’s go Beyond My Diagnosis.