321. Life: The Truth About Stress, Autoimmunity, and Healing for High Achievers with Sarah Reilly

For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning

If you've been feeling that familiar drain of exhaustion, persistent brain fog, or like your body simply isn't keeping up with your high-achieving mind, this episode is going to hit home.

From blood sugar and sleep to your environment and that annoying inner critic, this episode is about tuning in, clearing the noise, and finding your way back to feeling like yourself again.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• Sarah Reilly's personal, years-long journey with undiagnosed Lyme disease and how it fueled her passion for functional medicine.
• The overwhelm of health information and how to find what's right for your unique body.
• The intricate web of factors (stress, infections, toxins, diet) that can trigger autoimmunity.
• Early warning signs of stress in your body, from insidious cravings and middle-of-the-night waking to brain fog and digestive issues.
• Why sleep is the foundational step for restoring your brain and body.
• The truth about "adrenal fatigue" and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction.
• A crucial perspective on intermittent fasting: why it's not for everyone, especially high achievers already battling high cortisol or hypoglycemia.
• Practical strategies for nutrient-dense meals to balance blood sugar and sustain energy throughout your day (including a specific smoothie recipe!).
• How to make healthy foods more appealing ("dress up your veggies!").
• Navigating the financial investment in functional medicine and why it's worth its weight in gold for customized, strategic support.

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 – Is your body keeping up with your high-achieving mind?
• 00:02:48 – Sarah's personal journey: undiagnosed Lyme and the path to functional medicine.
• 00:06:51 – The overwhelm of conflicting health information for high achievers.
• 00:15:58 – Early warning signs of stress you might be overlooking in your body.
• 00:21:12 – The crucial first step to better health: mastering your sleep.
• 00:26:41 – Understanding "adrenal fatigue" and how stress impacts your hormones.
• 00:33:05 – The truth about intermittent fasting: is it right for you?
• 00:38:03 – Practical strategies for nutrient-dense meals and a go-to smoothie recipe.
• 00:44:48 – Investing in your health: navigating the costs of customized care.

About Sarah Reilly:

• Website: https://getnourished.net/
• Sarah Reilly's Free Guide: "15 TRIGGERS KEEPING YOU FEELING FAT, BLOATED, ACHY & BURNT OUT".
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getnourished.sarah/

Today's episode is brought to you by The Planner's Vault—your go-to resource for wedding pros who want to grow, connect, and thrive. If you're looking for expert education, a supportive community, and real-talk guidance to elevate your business, come join us inside The Vault. We’d love to have you!

For Real on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forrealwithmegan/
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Hosted by Megan Gillikin, For Real is presented by The Planner's Vault, and is produced by Walk West.

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