Beyond My Diagnosis with Michele Weston

Michele Weston
  • 5.0 (3)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

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. 5D AGO

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

    Send a text 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

  2. MAR 10

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

    Send a text 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

  3. MAR 4

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

    Send a text 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

  4. FEB 18

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

    Send a text 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

  5. FEB 18

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

    Send a text 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

  6. FEB 11

    Bariatric Life Empowerment, Why Surgery Is Only Part of the Journey

    Send a text Bariatric surgery is a transformative experience, but it’s essential to understand that it’s just one part of the journey.  In this week’s episode of *Beyond My Diagnosis*, I engage in a powerful conversation with Dawn O’Meally and Nancy Lum, the visionary creators of the Bariatric Life Empowerment Program. We explore what truly nurtures long-term success before and after bariatric surgery.  The honesty and grounded perspective Dawn and Nancy bring to this discussion are truly refreshing. With over two decades of experience, they have been unwavering advocates for bariatric patients, guiding them through the intricate emotional, psychological, behavioral, and nutritional dimensions of weight loss. They see the profound impact when surgery is viewed as a tool, not a cure.  In this episode, we discuss: • Why bariatric surgery is only a tool, not a cure • The psychological and emotional factors that drive eating behaviors • How cognitive behavioral therapy supports long-term success • Why food decisions are always preceded by thoughts • The connection between stress, serotonin, dopamine, and eating • Why nutrition education alone is not enough • The importance of self-awareness and mindfulness around food • How trauma and self-esteem impact weight and body image • Why community and group support change outcomes • Creating food plans and physical activity that are livable for life Together, we confront the reality of obesity as a chronic, multifaceted condition and challenge the misconceptions surrounding shame, willpower, and restrictive diets—they simply do not lead to sustainable change. Dawn illustrates how our thoughts and emotions shape our eating habits, underscoring that awareness is the vital first step to healing. Nancy highlights that nutrition education alone often falls short and that realistic, flexible food plans are crucial for lifelong success.  We also delve into the important roles of trauma, self-esteem, and identity, emphasizing how community support and continuous engagement can significantly elevate outcomes. This journey isn’t about perfection; it’s about embracing life with compassion and intention long after surgery.  If you’re considering bariatric surgery, have already taken that step, or are supporting someone on this path, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and hope.   🎧 Listen to the full conversation here:  [on Apple Podcast Platform   https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1845586791  OR  On the Spotify.com  https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v22c1PeOmXH7T2iwLRfmu?si=es4CCBmUS6CJtJ_nzGLUxw ]  To learn more about the Bariatric Life Empowerment Program, visit: https://mbsweightloss.com/bariatric-life-empowerment/  ABOUT THE GUESTS The Bariatric Life Empowerment Program was created by Dawn O’Meally, LCSW-C, and Nancy Lum, RDN, two clinicians who have worked side by side for over 21 years supporting bariatric patients before and after surgery. Dawn O’Meally is a licensed clinical social worker and the founder and clinical director of The Counseling Center for Change. Her work focuses on the psychological, emotional, and behavioral components of obesity, including habit formation, self-esteem, trauma, and mindset. She conducts hundreds of bariatric psychological evaluations each year and specializes in helping patients build the awareness and skills needed for long-term success. Nancy Lum is a registered dietitian and the founder and clinical director of The GI and Bariatric Nutrition Center. She brings extensive expertise in bariatric nutrition and long-term weight loss support. Nancy emphasizes realistic, sustainable food plans and physical activity approaches that patients can live with for life, rather than rigid or restrictive di

    50 min

  7. FEB 4

    Why the Feet Matter More Than You Think for Brain and Body Health

    Send a text Movement, balance, and stability are not just about strength. They are about how the brain receives and processes sensory information. In this episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele sits down with Dr. Emily Splichal, functional podiatrist, human movement specialist, and founder of Naboso, to explore how sensory stimulation from the feet plays a critical role in balance, posture, walking speed, and long term mobility. Dr. Emily shares how her background in conventional podiatric medicine combined with movement science and sensory research led her to challenge traditional approaches to foot health. The conversation explores how improving sensory input can support people living with neurological conditions, chronic illness, and mobility challenges, as well as athletes and anyone focused on aging well. In this episode, we discuss: • What functional podiatry is and how it differs from traditional models • Why the feet are deeply connected to the nervous system • How sensory stimulation supports balance and postural control • The relationship between walking speed, step length, and longevity • Why single leg stability matters for everyday function • How textured sensory tools can support neuro rehabilitation • The role of curiosity and education in managing chronic conditions • How Michele uses sensory feedback tools to support movement with MS This episode offers a hopeful and practical look at how small sensory inputs can create meaningful changes in how we move, feel, and engage with the world, beyond any diagnosis. Links mentioned in the episode: https://naboso.com micheleweston.substack.com ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Emily Splichal is a functional podiatrist and human movement specialist known for her innovative work in barefoot science, sensory stimulation, and rehabilitation. She is the founder of Naboso, a company rooted in the belief that sensory input is essential to how the brain and body function together. With a conventional Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree and years of experience in human movement and sensory science, Dr. Emily has built a unique approach that challenges conformity in traditional foot health and rehabilitation models. Since 2012, she has traveled internationally sharing her work on foot function, sensory integration, and barefoot training. Dr. Emily has taught in more than 35 countries and educated over 25,000 professionals, making her a globally recognized leader in movement education and sensory based rehabilitation. Her work emphasizes how sensory stimulation influences posture, balance, cognition, and quality of life across the lifespan.

    28 min

  8. JAN 28

    Living Well With Invisible Illness Through Compassion | with Simone Giangiordano

    Send a text In this episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele welcomes back Simone Giangiordano, Compassion Based Business and Lifestyle Coach and Certified Compassion Cultivation Training instructor, for a deeper conversation on living well with chronic and invisible illness. When Simone first joined the show, she and Michele explored curiosity, acceptance, and learning to work with the body instead of fighting it. That conversation centered on how invisible illness reshapes identity, work, and self trust. This episode builds on that foundation and goes further. Together, Michele and Simone explore self compassion as a daily practice rather than a mindset slogan. They discuss how compassion influences decision making, boundaries, work, relationships, and quality of life when living with chronic illness. The conversation focuses on honoring limitations without being defined by them and letting go of outcomes in order to create space for resilience, creativity, and meaning. In this episode, we discuss: • Why self compassion is essential for invisible illness • How curiosity replaces self criticism • Letting go of outcomes to improve quality of life • Navigating work and career transitions with chronic illness • Asking for help without losing independence • The difference between compassion and pity • Building supportive healthcare partnerships • Reframing limitations into possibility • Why illness does not define worth or potential This episode offers grounded insight and lived wisdom for anyone navigating chronic illness, invisible conditions, or major life transitions. Simone Giangiordano is a Compassion Based Business and Lifestyle Coach who works with individuals navigating health challenges to build meaningful lives and businesses that support their wellbeing. She is the creator of the BalanceUP® Community and her signature program The Power of I Can’t®, which helps people find creative solutions around health limitations so they can transform their lives, work, and sense of possibility. Simone transitioned from a nearly two decade corporate career into entrepreneurship as a direct result of her own health challenges. With more than 18 years of entrepreneurial experience, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She is a Certified Compassion Cultivation Training instructor through The Compassion Institute, with training rooted in neuroscience, psychology, contemplative practice, and clinical medicine. Her work emphasizes self awareness, values alignment, and compassionate decision making as tools for long term wellbeing. About Simone: Simone Giangiordano is a CCT Certified Instructor, chronic illness advocate, and the founder of the BalanceUP® Community. She teaches individuals how to build meaningful, sustainable lives and businesses that honor their health. Her signature program, The Power of I Can’t®, empowers people to find creative pathways around health limitations so they can flourish. Simone’s Links: 🌐 Website: https://www.simoneg.net 📄 Full Bio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ck56wNRTAbFgjzVWdaLzzaVXDJ4OMMwj/view

    30 min
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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.

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