Chronic pain is real, and there is hope.

In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Dr. Michael Lenz, a Med-Peds physician board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, clinical lipidology, and lifestyle medicine.

Dr. Lenz specializes in what he calls "invisible illnesses" including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, migraines, IBS, and other nociplastic pain syndromes that often leave patients feeling dismissed and unheard.

In this conversation, you'll learn:
▹ What nociplastic pain actually is (and why it's different from other types of pain)

▹ The powerful connection between neurodivergence (ADHD, autism) and chronic pain conditions

▹ Why fibromyalgia has been ranked at the bottom of "prestigious" diagnoses for 30 years and what that means for patient care

▹ How narrative medicine and understanding your full story from childhood to present can unlock answers

▹ The research on plant-based nutrition for fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic pain (including the Plants for Joints trial)

▹ Why the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can overlap with or unmask fibromyalgia

▹ Early warning signs to watch for in children (including infantile colic as a potential predictor)

▹ Dr. Lenz's personal cardiovascular health journey that led him to plant-based eating at age 40

About Dr. Michael Lenz:
Dr. Lenz is the author of Conquering Your Fibromyalgia and host of the Conquering Your Fibromyalgia podcast. He practices in southeastern Wisconsin and is passionate about helping patients who have been told to "just live with it" find real answers and hope.

Connect with Dr. Lenz:
Conquering Your Fibromyalgia Podcast: https://www.conqueringyourfibromyalgia.com/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cqrfibromyalgia
Website: https://www.conqueringyourfibromyalgia.com/
Book: Conquering Your Fibromyalgia

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

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Weight loss and weight maintenance are not the same skill set, and treating them as if they are is one of the biggest reasons so many people lose weight only to regain it. In this episode of the Thrive on Plants Podcast, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Dr. Holly Wyatt and Dr. James Hill to unpack what actually changes in your body, brain, and environment when you lose weight, why maintenance is harder, and how to build a plant‑powered life that supports long‑term success at any age.​

IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

• Why GLP‑1 medications (like semaglutide and similar drugs) work so well for weight loss, and why stopping them often triggers rapid regain if you do not have a maintenance plan in place.​
• The difference between weight loss and weight maintenance, including how metabolic adaptation, set point, and muscle loss can work against you, especially in midlife.​
• The 3 pillars of long‑term success: food (resetting appetite naturally on a whole‑food, plant‑based pattern), movement (how much and what kind protects weight loss and muscle), and mindstate (the daily mental “state” that separates short‑term success from sustainable change).​
• How perimenopause and menopause change metabolism, body composition, and appetite signals, and what midlife women can do to protect lean mass and metabolic health with or without GLP‑1s.​
• The three maintenance profiles (food seeker, sedentary sitter, setback cycler) and how to tailor your strategy based on where you see yourself.​

If you want to learn how to stop weight-loss meds without regaining, this conversation offers evidence‑based, compassionate guidance you can put into practice today.​

Resources

Dr. Holly Wyatt & Dr. James Hill

• ​Book, “Losing the Weight Loss Meds”: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637747802?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
• Website: https://www.weightlossand.com/
• ​Website: https://www.weightwisdom.com/
• “Weight Loss and…” podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weight-loss-and/id1723878862​

Key research referenced:

• SURMOUNT‑4 trial on stopping meds and cardiometabolic health: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2841273​

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

Big hikes don’t just “happen.” They’re earned, through smart training, durable joints, and a fueling plan you’ve practiced before the trail gets serious.

In this episode of the Thrive on Plants Podcast, I’m joined by Mikey Bell, founder of Outdoor Adventure Training (OAT), NASM Certified Personal Trainer + Corrective Exercise Specialist, professional mountain guide (Mount Shasta), and a plant-based athlete for over a decade.

Together we break down what it actually takes to prepare for long hikes and big elevation days (including Rim-to-Rim style objectives): posture from the ground up, downhill “armor,” pack weight progression, trekking pole technique, heart rate zone training, and plant-based fueling that won’t wreck your gut.

If you’re training for a bucket-list hike, or you simply want to feel confident and capable on the trail, this is your blueprint.

Key takeaways
• Train the downhill on purpose (eccentric strength + stability), not as an afterthought.
• Posture isn’t “stand up straight, ”it’s alignment under load, starting at the feet.
• Use heart rate zones to build real endurance (and stop guessing intensity).
• Your pack plan should be progressive and strategic, not a last-minute ego test.
• For long efforts, practice a plant-based fueling strategy that prioritizes performance and GI tolerance.

Connect with Mikey + Outdoor Adventure Training (OAT)
OAT Website: https://outdooradventuretraining.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@outdooradventuretraining
Instagram: https://instagram.com/outdooradventuretraining

Some Helpful Videos from OAT
Train for Hiking: https://youtu.be/qHO8m0tQ0j0?si=vvGWSTTNRm02Fvb0
Train Without Mountains: https://youtu.be/42qKDlnt59Q?si=FsTQOT8lon1YZo6U
How Much Should Your Pack Weigh?: https://youtu.be/HgG57D95OMY?si=I9bEKYPyS6ZZg7n9
How to Fit Your Backpack: https://youtu.be/h7eFd-D5_DI?si=Uj9OoqvtRZWnvuXR
Nutrition for Endurance: https://youtu.be/XCPm4VRpX9I?si=jM9IkBVRlX6I-2AZ

#hikingtraining #trekkingpoles #rucking #zone2training #plantbasedathlete #endurancefueling #kneepainprevention #outdooradventuretraining #thriveonplants

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

Toxins are everywhere, but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless. In this episode, Dr. Aly Cohen breaks down the surprising places toxins hide in our homes, how they impact our hormones and health, and the simple, low-stress steps we can take to reduce exposure and protect our families.

Main Topics Covered:

• How environmental toxins disrupt hormones, immunity, and child development
• Common sources of toxin exposure (food, plastics, cleaning products, personal care)
• Easy first steps to reduce your toxic exposure without panic or perfection
• Dr. Cohen’s “good, better, best” approach to clean living
• Empowering parents to make safer choices without overwhelm

Interested in Learning more?

Website: TheSmartHuman.com

Instagram: @thesmarthuman

Podcast: The Smart Human Podcast

Dr. Aly Cohen: www.AlyCohenMD.com

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom interviews Dr. Ruby Lathon, a former NASA engineer who used a whole food, plant-based lifestyle to overcome thyroid cancer and then turned her healing into a mission to help others do the same.

Dr. Lathon shares how she transitioned from a high-dairy, high-egg diet to a fully plant-based approach, the mindset shifts that supported her recovery, and why she believes it’s time for all of us to “stop playing” with our health. You’ll also hear the story behind her new cookbook, Stop Playin’, Go Vegan!, and how she makes nutrient-dense food simple, flavorful, and practical for everyday life.

In this episode, they explore:
• How Dr. Ruby reversed thyroid cancer using a whole food, plant-based diet
• The key foods she removed and the healing foods she prioritized
How meditation, visualization, and spiritual alignment supported her recovery
• Why self-advocacy in the medical system is critical for long-term health
• The inspiration behind Stop Playin’, Go Vegan! and what makes the recipes both healing and accessible
• Practical, beginner-friendly ways to start moving toward a plant-powered lifestyle today

If you’re looking for real-world proof that plant-based nutrition, mindset, and lifestyle changes can create radical health transformation, this conversation with Dr. Ruby Lathon will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take the next step.

Website: https://www.rubylathon.com/
Cookbook: https://www.rubylathon.com/product-page/cookbook-stop-playin-go-vegan
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheVeggieChest
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrRubyLathon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrubylathon/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrubylathon/

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne reconnects with Coach Valarie Swanson, plant-based runner, author, and founder of Running on Carbs, to explore her incredible journey to mastering the marathon at age 52. After recovering from a femoral neck stress fracture, Val trained smarter than ever, embracing strength, patience, and purpose to cross the finish line stronger than she started.

Whether you're eyeing your first 5K or a personal best at any age, this episode delivers practical insights, heartfelt reflections, and plenty of motivation to keep moving forward.

You’ll learn:

• How Coach Val trained for her first marathon after injury and into her 50s
• The mindset shifts that transformed her approach to running
• Her plant-based fueling strategies for endurance and recovery
• The role of strength training in building a resilient runner’s body
• Why midlife might just be the perfect time to thrive as a runner

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

Is the number on the scale really telling you the whole story? In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne is joined by Adam Kadela, co-founder of DexaFit, to explore why traditional health metrics like weight and BMI fall short, and what you should be tracking instead.

They discuss the science of DEXA scans, visceral fat, appendicular lean mass, and why understanding your body composition is essential, especially for women over 35 navigating midlife, menopause, and metabolic shifts.

Whether you’re optimizing fat loss, rebuilding muscle, managing your hormones, or simply want a smarter way to track your progress, this conversation is packed with clarity and tools to empower your journey.

🔬 Topics We Cover:

• Why BMI is outdated, and what to use instead
• The power of DEXA scans for precision health
• Visceral fat: the hidden risk factor
• Appendicular Lean Mass Index (ALMI) and longevity
• How DEXA scans help you track what matters most

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!

Discover how plant-based nutrition and strength training help women thrive during menopause, featuring Dr. Brooke Bussard, author of Outsmarting Menopause.

In this episode of Thrive on Plants, Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with Dr. Brooke Bussard, author of Outsmarting Menopause, to uncover the science (and soul) behind thriving in midlife. Together, they decode how hormones, metabolism, muscle, and bone health intersect and why plant-based nutrition and smart strength training can change the trajectory of women’s health after 40.

📌 What You’ll Learn:
▪︎ Why midlife feels different and what’s really happening to your metabolism
▪︎ How estrogen influences fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and muscle strength
▪︎ The science behind sarcopenia and osteoporosis and how to rebuild from the inside out
▪︎ How to use resistance training and protein to combat “anabolic resistance”
▪︎ What your bone and body composition scans (DEXA or REMS) can tell you about longevity
▪︎ How to create sustainable, plant-based habits that protect your bones, muscles, and mood

About Dr. Brooke Bussard
Dr. Bussard is a physician turned lifestyle medicine expert, fitness coach, and author of Outsmarting Menopause. Through her work with Plants Over Animals, her Quick Cooks! app, and her online course Eat and Feel Good!, she empowers women to transform their health through plant-based nutrition, movement, and mindset.

Website: drbrookebussard.com
Plants Over Animals: plantsoveranimals.com
Quick Cooks! App – Available on App Store & Google Play

Connect with Dr. Daphne Bascom & Thrive on Plants
Join our community - Thrive on Plants Community: www.ThriveOnPlantsLife.com
Follow on Instagram: @drdaphnebascom

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

🌱 Access the free Plant-Powered Body course: Access Here

🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: Start Here

🌱 Watch every episode on YouTube

⭐️ If you loved this episode, please leave a review! ⭐️

Here’s how to do it on Apple Podcasts:

Go to the Thrive on Plants Podcast page: Click here

Scroll down to the ‘Ratings & Reviews’ section. Tap ‘Write a Review’

(you may be prompted to log in with your Apple ID).

Thank you for your support!