New Normal Big Life: Functional Medicine and Holistic Health for Veterans, First Responders, and Caregivers

Antoinette Berrafato: Army Medic, TBI Survivor, and Holistic Health Advocate
  • 4.6 (24)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

New Normal Big Life is a functional medicine and holistic health podcast for veterans, first responders, blue-collar workers, and caregivers who feel their minds and bodies slipping after years of stress and hard work. Hosted by TBI survivor and former Army medic Antoinette Berrafato, also known as The Wellness Warrior, this show brings doctors, functional medicine clinicians, naturopaths, and researchers into plain-language conversations about nervous system regulation, caregiver burnout, root cause medicine, veteran mental health, holistic nutrition, and what it actually takes to reclaim your health after years of stress, service, and survival. We cover the full world of functional and natural health: root cause medicine and how it differs from the conventional care that keeps brushing you off, nervous system regulation and trauma recovery for people whose bodies have been running on high alert for years, caregiver burnout and what recovery actually looks like, TBI and brain health after military service and injury, holistic nutrition and natural protocols for chronic illness, and disaster preparedness as a health practice. This show answers questions like: What is functional medicine, and how is it different from conventional care?Why am I always tired, no matter how much I sleep?What causes chronic inflammation, and how do I fix it naturally?How do I regulate my nervous system after trauma or prolonged stress?What are the signs of caregiver burnout, and how do I recover?Why does my doctor keep telling me my labs are normal when I feel terrible?What natural treatments actually help with TBI recovery?How do veterans and first responders get real mental health support that isn't just therapy-speak? If you want real answers, plain language, and a host who has lived it, you are in the right place. Start here: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here Disclaimer: For informational not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider before pursuing any health-related procedure or activity.

  1. Camp Lejeune Gave Him Parkinson's — Then His Bloodwork Changed

    9h ago ·  Video

    Camp Lejeune Gave Him Parkinson's — Then His Bloodwork Changed

    Diagnosed with Parkinson's or Alzheimer's and told there's nothing left to try? Mark Burnett heard the same words — advanced, incurable, manage it and move on. This episode is for anyone facing a neurological diagnosis, their own or a loved one's, who won't take "there's no cure" as the final answer. His father served in the USMC. Born on the contaminated-water base at Camp Lejeune, Mark watched his body slide toward stage-four Parkinson's while the Alzheimer's gene quietly rewrote his memory until the day he forgot how to drive home on a road he'd known for 20 years. A database developer with a warrior mindset, he refused to curl up and hand his life to the medical system. He went hunting for a mechanism the pharmaceutical companies couldn't patent, one tied to how the brain physically clears what gets "stuck" inside it. A year later, what his neurologist measured in his blood left even the doctor saying, "I've never seen anybody do this." We're not spoiling the numbers here, but they're specific, they're documented in repeat testing which Mark publishes on his website, and they're the reason this conversation matters for anyone touched by Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, brain injury, or dementia. Your host, Antoinette Berrafato, is the New Normal Big Life podcast host who used nature therapy — archery and kayaking — to recover from physical limitations after a traumatic brain injury, finding passion, purpose, and people as a recipe for mental health. Chapters 0:00 Falls, Concussions, And Lost Balance1:06 A Shock Parkinson's Diagnosis During COVID5:05 Turning A “Blank Screen” Into Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and brain injury Research9:44 The Ziziphus Seed And Why Source Matters20:13 Clinical Parkinson’s Changes Without A Blood Test25:32 Hope, Prevention, And The Glymphatic System31:56 Free Book, Progress Tracking journal, And Final Thoughts🔗 Guest & Resources Mark Burnett, President, APDI: https://mybrainrestore.com/my-journey/ This episode shares one person's personal health experience and is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before changing your treatment. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.

    34 min
  2. Can Biophilic Design Reset Your Nervous System At Home?

    Jun 9 ·  Video

    Can Biophilic Design Reset Your Nervous System At Home?

    Your nervous system reset may have been hiding inside your home the entire time. If you've tried therapy, supplements, and better sleep but still feel chronically stressed, the missing piece might not be a habit it could be your living space. This episode is for anyone ready to stop managing symptoms and start designing a home that heals. Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist Healey Ikerd shares research-backed findings on what natural light, indoor plants, and even a simple view of nature actually does to your cortisol levels and what happens to your healing when those things are missing. New Normal Big Life host Antoinette Berrafato used nature therapy — archery and kayaking to recover from physical limitations, finding passion, purpose, and people as her recipe for mental health. In this episode, she and her husband put biophilic design to the test inside their own Northwoods cabin. Not with a renovation budget, but with intention. The research is clear. The question is whether your home is working for you or against you. Chapters 0:00 When Your Home Adds To Your Stress1:26 Chronic Illness Inside Your Home5:53 Searching For A Healing Place8:35 Sick Home Syndrome And Toxins12:23 Three Biophilic Design Principles Light Order Life16:31 Biophotomodulation or Light Therapy And Natural Sunlight18:27 Declutter Your Home For Peace And Focus22:48 Bring Nature Indoors On Purpose25:15 Get Family Buy In EarlyWe want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.

    30 min
  3. Greenwashing Exposed: Simple Non-Toxic Swaps For A Healthier Home

    Jun 4 ·  Video

    Greenwashing Exposed: Simple Non-Toxic Swaps For A Healthier Home

    Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by non-toxic living and confused by the "natural" claims on your product labels? Today, we are breaking down the truth about greenwashing and giving you the exact non-toxic swaps you need to start cleaning up your home, pantry, and cosmetics immediately.  Our guest for this episode is Amy Hartshorn. She is a nontoxic living educator, certified organic farmer, podcast host, and retreat leader based in Waitsfield, Vermont. She was the founding Executive Director of the Household Toxins Institute, created with the founder of Seventh Generation, and served as technical editor of Green Living for Dummies. If you are a conscious consumer ready to protect your family's health, this episode is essential listening. You can read how to spot 12 toxic ingredients on food labels in this NNBL.Blog article. New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow the show so the next episode finds you automatically. Chapters 0:00 Labels Greenwashing And Spotting Fake Claims3:30 Amy’s Non-Toxic Origin Story6:24 Fragrance Antibacterials And Daily Exposures9:40 Start With Priorities Not Perfection14:24 Organic Shopping That Fits Real Life17:18 Helping Kids Avoid Hidden Toxins23:27 Glyphosate, gluten-sensitivity, Celiac disease, Wheat And Healing PathsGot a health challenge you can’t crack? Send us a text and we’ll find an expert to get you answers and give you a shoutout on the show. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting protocols Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultationsBeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.

    39 min
  4. 3 Biomarkers That Predict Longevity and Quality of Life

    May 28 ·  Video

    3 Biomarkers That Predict Longevity and Quality of Life

    Most people's longevity biomarkers never appear on a standard checkup and that gap may be shortening your health span. Bestselling author and fitness expert, Timothy J. Ward reveals the three markers that do an extraordinary job predicting how long you'll live and how well, and why training all three is possible at any age, even if you've been told it's too late. This episode is for veterans, first responders, blue-collar workers, and caregivers who are done being told their "your labs are normal" while you body tells a different story. The answers you've been looking for are here! Chapters 0:00 Three Biomarkers That Predict Longevity1:29 Tim Ward on Preemptive Healthcare5:43 Aging Strong In A Sick Culture14:44  Toxic Food17:50 The Health Metrics Doctors Miss25:12 Biomarker Panels And Healthy Baselines29:32 Making Advanced Testing Affordable33:03 Custom Supplement Packs And Bioavailability35:40 The Longevity Matrix And Fitness Quadrant40:41 Training Zones For Real Life and SportsNew Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow the show so the next episode finds you automatically. Got a health challenge you can’t crack? Send us a text and we’ll find an expert to get you answers — and give you a shoutout on the show. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting protocols Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultationsReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.

    54 min
  5. Functional Medicine for Veterans, Caregivers And First Responders

    Season 2, Episode 75 Trailer ·  Video

    Functional Medicine for Veterans, Caregivers And First Responders

    Functional medicine holds the answers veterans, first responders, blue-collar folks, and caregivers are searching for, but the conventional system keeps running out of time to give them. This podcast strips away the noise around nervous system regulation, TBI recovery, and caregiver burnout and replaces it with an exact road map from the world's best experts. If you've spent years serving, caregiving, or working in conditions most people can't handle and your health is now paying the price, you just found the right show. Host Antoinette Berrafato is a TBI survivor, former Army Air Assault Medic, and The Wellness Warrior — the New Normal Big Life podcast host who used nature therapy (archery and kayaking) to recover from physical limitations, finding passion, purpose, and people as a recipe for mental health. She rebuilt her health from rock bottom and brings expert answers to the questions you're actually living. Every episode is shaped by real listener questions or topical health events, covering root cause medicine, somatic healing, and the health challenges the conventional system consistently misses. Chapters 00:00:00 - Introduction to New Normal Big Life functional medicine and holistic health podcast 00:00:17 - This podcast is for veterans, first responders, caregivers, and blue-collar workers. 00:00:22 - We cover nervous system regulation, TBI recovery, root cause medicine 00:00:29 - About the host - U.S. Army veteran, Antoinette Berrafato 00:00:45 - Every episode features MDs, functional medicine doctors, health researchers and innovators 00:01:46 - Start with the start here playlist New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow the show so the next episode finds you automatically. New episodes drop weekly. Start with the 'Start Here' playlist at nnbl.blog. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting protocols Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultationsReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.

    1 min
  6. Reset Your Nervous System Through Foraging

    May 21 ·  Video

    Reset Your Nervous System Through Foraging

    Nervous system regulation doesn’t start in a pharmacy — it starts on the ground beneath your feet. Modern medicine treats dysregulation with prescriptions, but foraging and food as medicine have held the answer for thousands of years, and this episode takes you back to your roots. Literally. Host Antoinette Berrafato — Army Medic, sponsored adventure athlete, and a believer in natural health solutions takes you on a foraging walk that’s equal parts science and survival skill. You’ll learn why the act of foraging itself is one of the most powerful nervous system resets your body can experience, plus which wild edibles changed how she thinks about healing. If your body has been stuck in fight-or-flight with no way out, this episode is for you. Chapters 0:00Wild Plants You Walk Past  1:24 The Nervous System Crisis  2:46 Why Forest Time Calms You  3:33 Simple Foraging Gear That Works  4:06 Dandelion As Food And Medicine  5:38 Fiddleheads And Cooking For Safety  6:39 Foraging Safety Rules To Follow  7:53 How Outdoor Therapy Helped Me Heal  9:05 Dandelion Gummies And The Research  12:48 A Mullein Tincture Story  13:48 Dandelion Gummy Recipe Walkthrough  15:07 One Plant Challenge New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow the show so the next episode finds you automatically. Got a health challenge you can’t crack? Send us a text and we’ll find an expert to get you answers — and give you a shoutout on the show. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text Disclaimer Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.

    16 min
  7. Hidden Mattress Trap: Nervous System And Sleep

    May 12 ·  Video

    Hidden Mattress Trap: Nervous System And Sleep

    That mattress you trusted for recovery could be the hidden thing sabotaging your nervous system regulation without you knowing it, and most people never connect the dots. Professional mattress tester Derek Hales cuts through the marketing noise and matches real performance data to your body, sleep style and budget, not showroom spin. This episode gives you the clarity most shoppers never get, especially if caregiver burnout or a functional medicine approach has you treating sleep as the foundation of healing. By the time you finish this episode, you will know exactly how to match your mattress to your body's needs so you can stop guessing, stop overspending and start sleeping like recovery depends on it, because it does. Chapters 0:00 The Mattress Price Myth3:51 Why Sleep Drives Health And Resilience6:24 Simple Habits That Calm The Mind8:41 Creatine Light Dimming And Sleep Tools13:43 Budget Mattress Picks And Natural Materials16:55 When To Replace A Mattress18:15 The Real Truth About Mattress Pricing20:21 NapLab’s Data Driven Mattress TestingNew Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow the show so the next episode finds you automatically. Got a health challenge you can’t crack? Send us a text and we’ll find an expert to get you answers — and give you a shoutout on the show. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting protocols Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultationsBeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.

    23 min
  8. Aging Strong: Lifestyle Medicine for Longevity

    May 7 ·  Video

    Aging Strong: Lifestyle Medicine for Longevity

    Aging strong with lifestyle medicine is possible, but most people are stuck in a reactive healthcare model that waits for problems before taking action. In this episode, Dr. Darren Clair, MD, explains how to use lifestyle medicine to prevent chronic disease, reduce reliance on medications, and build long-term vitality. This conversation is for men and women who are tired of being told that fatigue, pain, and declining health are just part of getting older, and who want to take control of their health before things start to decline. Dr. Clair also unpacks overlooked drivers of chronic illness like inflammation and hormone imbalance, along with practical ways to support your body and, when appropriate, reduce dependency on prescriptions. If you’re ready to stay strong, sharp, and capable as you age, this episode offers a more practical and empowering path forward. Chapters 0:00 Rethinking What Counts As Normal 0:52 Proactive Health And Lifestyle Medicine 2:50 Why The System Rewards Sickness 5:10 Focus On Vitality Not Disease 15:10 Becoming Your Own Health Advocate 20:21 Why Doctors Skip Nutrition Basics 22:31 Inflammation And The Body’s Healing Power 25:37 The Myth Of Inevitable Medications 30:44 The Human Owner’s Manual Explained New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow the show so the next episode finds you automatically. Got a health challenge you can’t crack? Send us a text and we’ll find an expert to get you answers — and give you a shoutout on the show. We want to solve your biggest health challenge. Send us a text DrStellaMD MarketplaceImmune-boosting protocols Premium all-natural supplements Telehealth + wellness consultationsReady Hour & My Patriot SupplyBest price on US-based preparedness and long-term storable food. Shop now with my affiliate link.BeRootedInRootedIn: Magnesium Cream. Shop Now With My Affiliate LinkDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show New here? Start with our 8‑episode playlist: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here/ Free listener ebooks & guides (newsletter subscribers only): https://nnbl.blog/new-normal-big-life-ebooks-and-guides/ Rebuilding Resilient Lives Uncensored Community: https://rebuilding-resilient-lives.mn.co/share/kNbNMRnkLlpKWjar?utm_source=manual New Normal Big Life streams free in audio and video on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. DISCLAIMER: For informational purposes only, not medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare professional.

    32 min
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4.6
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

New Normal Big Life is a functional medicine and holistic health podcast for veterans, first responders, blue-collar workers, and caregivers who feel their minds and bodies slipping after years of stress and hard work. Hosted by TBI survivor and former Army medic Antoinette Berrafato, also known as The Wellness Warrior, this show brings doctors, functional medicine clinicians, naturopaths, and researchers into plain-language conversations about nervous system regulation, caregiver burnout, root cause medicine, veteran mental health, holistic nutrition, and what it actually takes to reclaim your health after years of stress, service, and survival. We cover the full world of functional and natural health: root cause medicine and how it differs from the conventional care that keeps brushing you off, nervous system regulation and trauma recovery for people whose bodies have been running on high alert for years, caregiver burnout and what recovery actually looks like, TBI and brain health after military service and injury, holistic nutrition and natural protocols for chronic illness, and disaster preparedness as a health practice. This show answers questions like: What is functional medicine, and how is it different from conventional care?Why am I always tired, no matter how much I sleep?What causes chronic inflammation, and how do I fix it naturally?How do I regulate my nervous system after trauma or prolonged stress?What are the signs of caregiver burnout, and how do I recover?Why does my doctor keep telling me my labs are normal when I feel terrible?What natural treatments actually help with TBI recovery?How do veterans and first responders get real mental health support that isn't just therapy-speak? If you want real answers, plain language, and a host who has lived it, you are in the right place. Start here: https://nnbl.blog/podcast/start-here Disclaimer: For informational not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider before pursuing any health-related procedure or activity.

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