Nutrition and Mental Health with Ellen Issacs, DPT, CNC

Spirit of EQ

Welcome to the Spirit of EQ podcast! In this episode, host Eric Pennington is joined by special guest Ellen Isaacs, a licensed orthopedic physical therapist and nutrition coach.

Ellen shares her inspiring journey from struggling with her own nutrition and eating disorders to becoming a passionate advocate for holistic health.

After years of struggling with her nutrition, Ellen found a nutrition coach who met her at her starting point and guided her through a transformative process of gradually increasing her calorie intake.

Ellen offers valuable insight into the process of setting attainable fitness and nutrition goals, emphasizing the significance of starting with small, sustainable steps.

Key Takeaways

1. Gut microbiome plays a significant role in energy, mood, and mental health, emphasizing the importance of gut health in overall well-being.

2. Nutrition coaching can provide transformative results for individuals struggling with eating disorders and improper nutrition, highlighting the effectiveness of personalized nutrition guidance.

3. Adequate energy intake is crucial for the body's recovery and repair processes, especially for individuals dealing with frequent injuries or chronic pain.

4. Healthcare providers need to consider the holistic well-being of patients, looking at lifestyle factors before resorting to medication or surgery, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to healthcare.

5. Patients play a significant role in their health and should consider educating themselves, asking specific questions, and taking responsibility for their well-being.

6. Starting with small, sustainable steps when setting fitness and exercise goals leads to long-term success and prevents disruption in other areas of life.

7. Nutrition changes should be gradual and sustainable, allowing for indulgences while incorporating nutrient-dense foods to alter cravings over time.

8. The impact of food on overall health, emotional management, recovery, and inflammation is significant and should not be overlooked in healthcare and wellness practices.

9. Nutrition coaching and support can be particularly beneficial for women seeking body composition changes and improved athletic performance, addressing specific needs in health and fitness.

10. Seeking help and understanding that recovery from eating disorders is not linear are crucial steps for individuals struggling with eating disorders, highlighting the importance of support and perseverance in the recovery process.

Memorable Moments

01:22 Started running in high school due to eating disorder, struggled with body image and performance, and continued to struggle in college.

05:11 An Incremental approach to increasing calorie intake helped.

07:54 Exercising depletes body energy, leading to breakdown.

12:01 Trainer shows care by providing snacks for a runner.

15:38 Jump, try, don't waste time, the road to recovery.

17:25 Leap, sit with your fears.

22:18 Clients often expect coaching to work magically, but it requires hard work. Mostly women seek body composition changes.

24:07 Our country's health needs urgent attention.

27:59 Zoom out, ask about symptoms, modify lifestyle.

32:39 Mixed bag of doctor appointments: Some positive.

35:28 Health care system lacks solutions for chronic pain.

37:29 Performance and body composition goals can conflict.

40:32 Set small attainable goals to prevent discouragement.

44:53 Small changes in diet alter cravings.

48:25 Deep dive into gut health and microbiome.

Ellen Isaacs is a former college runner who found her passion for running during her freshman year of high school. However, her running journey began on a difficult note, as she was struggling with an eating disorder at the time. Despite her initial motivations, Ellen quickly excelled in the sport, showcasing her natural talent and drive.

Despite experiencing tremendous success in high school and earning a spot on a college running team, Ellen's battle with her eating disorder persisted. She yearned for the same level of triumph that she had anticipated for herself, as did her coaches. Unfortunately, she struggled immensely with maintaining a healthy relationship with nutrition, which hindered her performance.

Ellen's challenging journey has shaped her perspective on the importance of mental and physical well-being in athletics. She now advocates for an all-encompassing approach to wellness – viewing nutrition, body positivity, and self-care as vital components of athletic achievement.

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In each episode, Jeff and Eric will talk about what emotional intelligence, or understanding your emotions, can do for you in your daily and work life. For more information, contact Eric or Jeff at [e-mail], or go to their website, Spirit of EQ.

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