Health Under the Hood

About Health Under the Hood

Educate and inspire people to take people on their own health goals, no matter how daunting the journey may feel.

Publisher

Ciba Health

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Mar 2025

Latest episode

16 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Sept 2026

   Health Beyond the Zip Code: How the Bronx Raised Ultrarunner Annie Molina

   Where you live matters to your health. But, it doesn't have to determine what your body and mind are capable of. The Bronx faces some of New York’s starkest health disparities. Life expectancy is about seven years shorter, type 2 diabetes is roughly twice the national average, and asthma hospitalization rates are about three times higher. But, statistics don't tell the whole story. On this episode of Health Under the Hood, Dr. Maria Nichols sits down with Annie Molina, a Bronx-born ultramarathon runner, yoga instructor, and elementary school teacher who has run 33 miles in a single day, completed multiple marathons, hiked 1,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and teaches yoga to both kids and adults. Annie talks candidly about growing up in the Bronx, and how her family’s health history shaped the way she thought about food and wellness. She shares her journey from walking and dancing to running and ultramarathons, and the unexpected role yoga played in helping her navigate depression, body image, and self-doubt. The conversation goes beyond miles and finish lines to explore the mind-body connection, finding purpose instead of waiting for motivation, challenging the idea of what a runner “looks like,” and why community can sometimes be the spark that helps us change. Notes: Follow Annie Molina on: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/molinaflow/) Photo credit: Erik Gonzalez - @gokire (https://www.instagram.com/gokire/)

2. 

   11 Aug 2026

   Beyond the Diagnosis with Sean Swarner: From 14 Days to Live to Climbing Everest with One Lung

   What happens after you're told you have just 14 days to live? In this episode of Health Under the Hood, Dr. Markyia Nichols sits down with Sean Swarner, a two-time cancer survivor, endurance athlete, author, and motivational speaker, whose journey challenges everything we think we know about health, disease, and human potential. After surviving two rare cancers and losing one lung, Sean went on to climb Mount Everest, complete the Seven Summits, reach both the North and South Poles, finish the Ironman World Championship, and run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. Sean shares how he learned not to let a diagnosis define his identity, why achievement alone can leave us feeling empty, and how his concept of the "True Summit" helps people pursue goals that actually align with their values. He also introduces his ASCEND framework for navigating adversity, explains the power of gratitude and small daily habits, and offers practical tools for finding clarity when life doesn't go according to plan. Whether you're navigating a chronic health condition, recovering from illness, or simply looking for a new perspective on what's possible, this conversation proves that our greatest limits are often the stories we tell ourselves. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your diagnosis doesn't have to define you The difference between a "false summit" and a truly meaningful goal Sean's ASCEND framework for overcoming life's biggest challenges The powerful question that can help you uncover what really matters Notes: True Summit Method is available on Amazon. (https://www.amazon.com/True-Summit-Method-Pressure-Performance-ebook/dp/B0GHRYKXB3) https://www.seanswarner.com/ (https://www.seanswarner.com/) Follow Sean on: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanswarner/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sean.swarner/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/seanswarner/)

3. 

   16 Jun 2026

   Not All Grief Comes with a Funeral: Finding Strength Through Chronic Illness and Life's Major Transitions

   When we hear the word grief, most of us picture casseroles, sympathy cards, and someone saying, "Let me know if there's anything I can do," before disappearing into the mist. But, grief is much more broad. It can show up after a diagnosis, when your body stops cooperating, when you're caring for someone you love, or when the future you imagined quietly gets replaced by one you never planned for. In this episode of Health Under the Hood, we sit down with licensed clinical social worker and certified death doula Claire Treacy to talk about the kinds of loss that don't always have a funeral, but still deserve to be acknowledged. Drawing from her experience supporting patients and families through cancer treatment, serious illness, and end-of-life care, Claire shares what she's learned about resilience, caregiving, and finding your footing when life takes an unexpected turn. We explore how chronic illness can create invisible grief, why caregivers often put themselves last, and how making space for these experiences can actually help us move forward. You'll learn: • Why grief is a normal part of many health journeys, not just death and loss • How chronic disease can bring unexpected emotional challenges • What it really means to "die with dignity" • Practical ways to find support, build resilience, and regain a sense of control Whether you're navigating a health challenge, supporting a loved one, working to prevent or reverse chronic disease, or simply adjusting to one of life's many plot twists, this discussion is a reminder that being human is complicated, and that you don't have to figure it all out by yourself. Notes: Claire is currently in-network with several insurance providers, and is accepting new clients in Connecticut, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Oklahoma.  You can learn more about her here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/claire-treacy-houston-tx/1601564 (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/claire-treacy-houston-tx/1601564)

4. 

   14 May 2026

   The Hidden Science of Skin and Healing with Jodi Scott of Green Goo

   What if your skin care routine was affecting far more than your skin, and actually driving chronic disease? On this episode of Health Under the Hood, we sit down with Jodi Scott, founder of Green Goo and CEO of Spry Life,  to explore the surprising connection between the skin barrier, the nervous system, inflammation, and whole-person health. With a background in pre-med, health psychology, private practice, and medical education, Jodi brings a rare perspective that bridges modern science and plant-based healing. She unpacks why the products sitting in your first aid cabinet may matter more than you think, how chronic stress shows up on the skin, and why true healing requires looking beyond symptoms. Learn more about: The science of psychoneuroimmunology, and how the brain, immune system, and skin constantly communicate. Why many conventional skin products may disrupt the body’s natural balance The origin story behind Green Goo and the mission to create clean, effective, plant-powered therapeutics. How skin health influences sleep, inflammation, stress regulation, and recovery Why becoming your own health advocate starts with asking better questions Warm, practical, and deeply insightful, this conversation challenges the idea that health care should be compartmentalized, and offers a refreshing reminder that healing is often more connected, and more human, than we’ve been taught. Notes: https://www.greengoo.com/ (https://www.greengoo.com/) Follow Jodi Scott on: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-scott-7234331b8/) Follow Green Goo on: Instagram  (https://www.instagram.com/greengoohelps/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GreenGooHelps/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@greengoohelps)

5. 

   14 Apr 2026

   What Your Childhood Has to Do with Your Metabolism with ACEs expert, Dr. Brian Alman

   What if the story behind your metabolism didn’t start with food, but with your childhood? In this episode of Health Under the Hood, Dr. Markyia Nichols sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Brian Alman to explore a truth that’s often overlooked in healthcare: our early life experiences don’t just shape who we are. They shape how our bodies function. At the center of this conversation are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), a framework developed alongside Dr. Vincent Felitti that reveals how stress, loss, and adversity in childhood can drive patterns in adult health. Not just mental health, but obesity, autoimmune conditions, cardiovascular disease, digestive issues, and more. Sadly, this isn't rare. It’s the norm. More than 60% of people have experienced ACEs in the form of neglect, abuse or household challenges. Which means for many high-functioning, high-achieving adults, what looks like discipline or drive on the surface may actually be a nervous system shaped by chronic threat detection. In this episode, we unpack: What ACEs are and how they impact chronic disease development (and reversal!) Why so many chronic conditions show up together, not in isolation How trauma-informed patterns can drive behaviors like emotional or reward-based eating. Why “fixing” symptoms often misses the root cause What it really means to work with your nervous system, not against it Dr. Alman also shares practical, accessible tools such as his “15th Row” technique to help listeners begin gently rewiring long-standing stress patterns and rebuilding trust with their own bodies. Bonus: the change doesn’t take long to see! If you’ve ever felt like your body is working against you or like you’re doing everything “right” but still not getting answers, this episode will help you see your health through a completely different lens. And, more importantly, show you where to begin. Notes: From Trauma to Enlightenment: The Four Steps to Unconditional Self-Acceptance is available on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Enlightenment-Dr-Brian-Alman/dp/B0FT3QMHBD/ref=sr_1_2?adgrpid=1343603775944300&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.sMLk-G8YqI0X2NoTlRaiL7wm5zPzkLxMLPAz_2LCJbQdKe81gmdxCscVB9D4ED4nYAkjH8We3TyAnCMfqNZlHWrFyve1DsS3TRXdrmwr4Yx7qRCR4sfEXzSRF_FFVIMB-NKTpOH1ThRIMMuYR5OOCLchIpGqJE1ElpmCXc-MjJwIUWmJmx_Ooho8Z-f1_nX1.FqLma8rVrc3Aai_1gkP7ELypCPpiuvl5gW7Y0urfUBE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83975474878201&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=60155&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-83975587493199%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22533_13494418&keywords=dr+brian+alman&mcid=60aef1f4c393338c89674b957e7cfa12&msclkid=4700dcb406b419afe162b563df027630&qid=1775753662&sr=8-2). truesage.com (http://truesage.com/) Sign up for enlightn™ (https://truesage.com/sign-up/) Follow Dr Alman on: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbrianalman/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dralman/reels/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DrAlmanACEhealing/videos)

6. 

   17 Feb 2026

   When Movement Stops Being a Prescription: A Lens on Kate Wallich and Dance Church®

   We’ve been taught that movement has to hurt to count. That exercise is discipline, prescription, and sweat, but never joy. Kate Wallich is here to challenge all of that. As the founder of Dance Church®, Kate has built a movement that’s less about getting it “right” and more about showing up…exactly as you are. What started as a small, no-judgment dance class in Seattle has grown into a national community reaching hundreds of thousands of people, all rooted in the idea that movement is medicine when it’s experienced, not prescribed. In this episode of Health Under the Hood, we talk about why joy and play might be the most underutilized tools in health, what happens when movement becomes something we “should” do instead of something we want to do, and how dance creates healing that traditional healthcare often overlooks. We explore stress, disconnection, accessibility, and the  transformations that happen when people feel safe enough to move together. This conversation is a reminder that health is about connection, expression, and belonging. And sometimes, the most powerful intervention doesn’t come with instructions…just music and space. Notes: Learn more about Dance Church - https://go.dancechurch.com/ (https://go.dancechurch.com/) Follow Dance Church on: Instagram  (https://www.instagram.com/dance_church/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@dancechurch) Follow Kate Wallich on: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/katewallich/?hl=en) LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-wallich-8b510537/)

7. 

   14 Jan 2026

   What Actually Creates Health: Emma Tekstra Exposes the Myth of Conventional Medicine

   Host Dr. Markia Nichols interviews Emma Tekstra, global health consultant, who exposes how modern healthcare manages symptoms, not health, and emphasizes the role of nutrition and lifestyle in preventing chronic disease.

8. 

   20 Nov 2025

   Quieting the Food Noise: Dr. Edward Walker on GLP-1 and Plant-Based Appetite Science

   Dr. Edward Walker explores the science behind food noise and plant-based approaches to appetite control, including the GLP-1 pathway, offering insights into naturally calming hunger in this interview.

9. 

   22 Oct 2025

   From Prediabetes to 1 Million Followers: Javant’s Healthy Vegan Eating Journey

   Javant, founder of @HealthyVeganEating, discusses with Dr. Markyia Nichols his journey of reversing prediabetes and losing 80 pounds through a vegan lifestyle, emphasizing food as a rebellion against quick fixes in this interview.

10. 

    23 Sept 2025

    What’s On Your Plate? The Food Sensitivity Episode with James White

    James White, CEO of KBMO Diagnostics, discusses food sensitivities versus allergies and how identifying trigger foods can improve conditions like IBS and autoimmune disorders in this interview.

11. 

    21 Aug 2025

    Fixing America’s Maternal Health Crisis with Melissa Hanna of Mahmee

    Host interviews Melissa Hanna, CEO of Mahmee, about addressing America's maternal health crisis by coordinating care and empowering mothers.

12. 

    22 Jul 2025

    Next Level Chef, Next-Level Healing: Megan Sheley’s Journey with Food and an Autoimmune Condition

    Chef Megan Sheley discusses her experience on Next Level Chef and her journey managing an autoimmune condition through nutrition and self-care, offering insights into the stress-symptom connection; this is an interview.

13. 

    24 Jun 2025

    Beyond the Chemical Imbalance: Erin Kerry on Reversing Bipolar Disorder Without Medication

    Functional medicine practitioner Erin Kerry discusses reversing bipolar disorder without medication by addressing root causes like trauma, nutrient deficiencies, and gut health imbalances in an interview with Dr. Markyia Nichols.

14. 

    29 May 2025

    Does Healing Trauma Actually Heal Chronic Disease?

    Dr. Keesha Ewers, functional and Ayurvedic medicine expert, discusses the connection between unresolved trauma and chronic illness, sharing her personal health journey and the development of the HURT Model in this interview.

15. 

    1 May 2025

    They Ran Across America. Then, They Changed the Tokyo Marathon Forever

    This episode dives into the incredible story of Shaun and Shamus Evans—the father-son duo who just made history at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, becoming the first tandem team to ever cross the finish line, clocking in at an astonishing 3 hours and 15 minutes. But their journey didn’t start in Tokyo. In 2015, they ran 3,200+ miles across America from Seattle to NYC, gifting Freedom Push chairs to families along the way to champion inclusion. From the open roads of the U.S. to the world stage in Tokyo, Shaun and Shamus are proving that real endurance isn't just physical—it's driven by purpose, love, and an unbreakable bond. Get ready for a story of grit, heart, and a mission that’s changing the meaning of movement forever. Check out their book on Amazon - Better Together: A Memoir of Persistence, Inclusion, and a Family’s Power to Overcome  (https://www.amazon.com/Better-Together-Persistence-Inclusion-Overcome/dp/1645430790) Follow them on social media: Instagram - power2push (https://www.instagram.com/power2push/?hl=en) Facebook - power2push (https://www.facebook.com/Power2Push)

16. 

    9 Apr 2025

    The Shocking Truth About Clinical Hypnosis and Disease Reversal

    In this episode, board-certified clinical hypnotherapist, Dr. Sonia Gupte, explains the fascinating connection between the subconscious mind and physical health. Discover how this ancient practice, backed by cutting-edge science, can help prevent, manage, and even reverse disease. Dr. Gupte takes us on a journey through the history of hypnotherapy, explaining how the mind's untapped potential can unlock profound changes in the body’s ability to heal. From boosting the immune system to reducing chronic pain, reversing stress-related diseases, and improving overall wellness, hypnotherapy is a powerful, non-invasive tool for health transformation. Bio: Dr. Sonia Gupte is a doctor turned healer, board-certified clinical hypnotherapist, international bestselling author, certified hypnotherapy trainer and mentor, and founder and director of Enso-nia, Center for Mind and Life Transformation in San Diego. Dr. Gupte’s book: Within: Finding Yourself, Fixing What’s Broken, & Finally Reclaiming True Health (https://www.amazon.com/Within-Finding-Yourself-Finally-Reclaiming/dp/0578729466) Dr. Gupte’s website:  enso-nia.com  (http://enso-nia.com/) Follow Dr. Gupte on social media: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dr.ensonia/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ensonia)

17. 

    20 Mar 2025

    The Hormone Queen: Deborah Maragopoulos

    In this episode, Deborah discusses her unique approach to treating hormonal imbalances, the importance of the hypothalamus, and the key factors that contribute to health issues that many practitioners overlook. Enjoy 10% off at Deborah's store (https://shop.genesisgold.com/?_atid=aqjjnHOGJhhw0iy4UKxtMDaueovgzn) with code HEALTHUNDERTHEHOOD10. Don’t forget to check out her book, The Hypothalamus Handbook (https://www.amazon.com/Hypothalamus-Handbook-Discovering-Finally-Healing-ebook/dp/B0CF6TF77Y?ref_=ast_author_mpb), for more insights.

Who has been a guest on Health Under the Hood

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Emma Tekstra
• Dr Edward Walker
• Javant
• James White
• Melissa Hanna

Podcast Authority Score: 21 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

41

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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