Heal vs. Ideal

This post shares how we have to go through the "heal" to get to the "ideal." If we feel like "heal" is where we are going to be forever and we don't like it, we bust through it and don't spend enough time there in order to allow our tissues, immune systems, and selves time to truly heal in the way that’s needed. I hope this concept of "heal vs. ideal" will help put the health choices we make into perspective.

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Heal vs. Ideal

When we're dealing with health issues we might find ourselves doing things like elimination diets, avoiding alcohol, going to bed early, etc.

We start to make these changes and then might begin to think, "Oh man this sucks! If I have to live like this forever it's not worth it!" This may then lead us to abandon all of the practices we were doing simply because we don't want to live a life of "restriction" forever.

And then we find ourselves back at square one with all of our symptoms still there, trying to find a more sustainable way to be healthy.

Have you ever felt this before? It can be so frustrating! And a cycle I see many of my clients get stuck in.

I worked with a client who had Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) who was finding that intense exercise was causing her to flare-up and have more pain. She knew she had to reduce exercise, but it felt really challenging because being active and outdoors was a big part of her identity.

Instead of taking a break from strenuous exercise, she kept pushing through her pain because she wanted to keep living her life which is something we can all relate to. What she was noticing was her pain was getting worse and worse.

In our work together we spoke about this concept of "heal vs. ideal" to help put the health choices we make into perspective.

For my client, the "ideal" place of where she wanted to be and how she wanted to live was being able to hike and do more strenuous outdoor activities. This "ideal" place is really about where we want to be which might include eating many diverse foods, being able to have a cocktail when you feel like it, exercising how you want to, etc.

What I want to highlight is that we have to go through the "heal" to get to the "ideal." If we feel like "heal" is where we are going to be forever and we don't like it, we bust through it and don't spend enough time there in order to allow our tissues, immune systems, and selves time to truly heal in the way they need.

When I work with clients in 1:1 coaching we move through the "heal" place effectively and with guidance so you can move more quickly towards the ideal - where you ultimately want to be.

To learn more about this concept watch the video below or tune into the latest episode of The Live Well Podcast! 

If you are looking for support to break the cycle of feeling “on or off the wagon” and finally find more ease and sustainability in your life, I can help! I always offer free 20-minute discovery calls to see if we’re a good fit for coaching and how I can help you identify and break through the blocks standing in your way towards vibrant health. Click here to schedule your complimentary call today! 

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Join me as I introduce the concept of "Heal vs. Ideal" and how this can help you when making changes to your diet or lifestyle to improve your health. If you feel like you're always "on or off the wagon" when it comes to your health, this episode is for you!


If we haven't met before, I'm Christina Tidwell and I'm so excited that you're here! I am a RN & Functional Nutrition Practitioner that helps those with autoimmune disease, hormone imbalance and gut issues heal without overwhelm so you can feel better in your body in a way that honors your unique needs and feels sustainable for the rest of your life. 

If you suffer from:

  • Fatigue and energy crashes

  • Brain fog

  • Poor digestion

  • Painful periods and PMS

  • Symptoms of autoimmunity

  • Stress and overwhelm 

...and aren't getting the support you need, I’m here to help guide you! My job is to clear the overwhelm, help you put the pieces of the puzzle together and co-create a sustainable path forward to help you reach your goals and feel better in your amazing body. When we work together you can’t fail. 

In my health & nutrition coaching programs I support you in the quest to get back into balance by listening to your story, understanding your needs, getting to the roots of imbalance in the body and co-creating a sustainable path to healing together. These sessions weave together functional nutrition and science, lived experience, mindset shifts, and intuitive guidance for a unique and full-spectrum approach to nutrition counseling and holistic health.

I always offer free 20-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and identify what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

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Live Well Podcast | Ep #69 The Secret Language of Healthcare with Robin Shapiro

Robin Shapiro is nationally recognized as a pioneer in the Health Advocacy Movement. After two decades in the health communications and biotechnology fields, she founded several companies designed to elevate the voice and experience of patients.  She applied her unique communications experience to innovate in the area independent health advocacy.  Based on these businesses, she has dedicated the rest of her career to helping patients find their voice to improve their care. Join us as we speak about how to navigate the healthcare system and get the care you deserve!

I have Robin Shapiro co-founder of the Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WASHAA) on The Live Well Podcast to speak about how to get the care you deserve when managing chronic illness.

Robin Shapiro is nationally recognized as a pioneer in the Health Advocacy Movement and an absolute wealth of knowledge and experience. After two decades in the health communications and biotechnology fields, Robin founded several companies designed to elevate the voice and experience of patients. She also has a new book out, The Secret Language of Health Care: How to Ask for the Care You Deserve. Join us as we speak about how to successfully navigate the healthcare system and get the most out of your care!  

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

SHOW NOTE:

  • 0:00 Intro 

  • 6:08 Robin talks about The Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WSHAA) that supports those with chronic illness.

  • 8:07 “There are certain things that smart people do to make the most of their limited time with their doctor” 

  • 9:24 Free Download: Appointment Checklist to prepare for your doctor’s appointment

  • 12:10 Robin speaks about what to do if you don’t feel like you’re getting the support you need from your doctor:

    • Take someone with you (family member, friend or health advocate)

    • Choose another doctor who supports you better

    • “Ask your doctor to listen deeply to you rather than writing notes into their computer.”

  • 20:30 Robin explains how taking charge of her own care transformed her condition

    •   “I was in so much pain, I couldn’t walk and I said to my rheumatologist, ‘What about diet?’ It reduced my pain by 80% in a very short space of time,” 

  • 21:24 Consider a care team: 

    • “Not one person is going to give you everything you need to be a healthy person.”

    • “A specialist is a partialist, they are experts looking at one piece of the picture.”

  • 24:50 Journaling your thoughts is therapeutic and is medically supported by recent studies: Opening Up by Writing it Down by James W. Pennebaker

  • 29:34 Robin discusses her book The Secret Language of Health Care: How to Ask for the Care You Deserve by Robin Shapiro 

  • 37:26 Christina explains her main goal of the work she does now:  “I worked in the hospital for long enough and I want to make sure people do not have to be there unless they absolutely have to.”

  • 40:40 How to contact Robin - www.robin-shapiro.com

Robin S Podcast

Connect with Robin

Website | Facebook | Instagram



If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


If we haven't met before, I'm Christina Tidwell and I'm so excited that you're here! I am a RN & Functional Nutrition Practitioner that helps those with autoimmune disease, hormone imbalance and gut issues heal without overwhelm so you can feel better in your body in a way that honors your unique needs and feels sustainable for the rest of your life. 

If you suffer from:

  • Fatigue and energy crashes

  • Brain fog

  • Poor digestion

  • Painful periods and PMS

  • Symptoms of autoimmunity

  • Stress and overwhelm 

...and aren't getting the support you need, I’m here to help guide you! My job is to clear the overwhelm, help you put the pieces of the puzzle together and co-create a sustainable path forward to help you reach your goals and feel better in your amazing body. When we work together you can’t fail. 

In my health & nutrition coaching programs I support you in the quest to get back into balance by listening to your story, understanding your needs, getting to the roots of imbalance in the body and co-creating a sustainable path to healing together. These sessions weave together functional nutrition and science, lived experience, mindset shifts, and intuitive guidance for a unique and full-spectrum approach to nutrition counseling and holistic health.

I always offer free 20-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and identify what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

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Live Well Podcast | Ep #65 The myth of a "perfect" diet with Kristen Brown

Today on the Live Well Podcast I’ll be speaking with Functional Medicine Practitioner Kristen Brown about the difficulty that arises when we put so much weight on finding and adhering to the perfect diet in the pursuit of health. 

Today on the Live Well Podcast I’ll be speaking with Functional Medicine Practitioner Kristen Brown about the difficulty that arises when we put so much weight on finding and adhering to the perfect diet in the pursuit of health.  

There is SO much information out there about using diet and lifestyle shifts to help improve our health. This is amazing and empowering, but can also leave us feeling overwhelmed and confused about what's best for us. I get many clients who come to me having tried a multitude of healing diets like AIP, Whole 30, GAPS, Keto etc. and come up really confused and overwhelmed about what's going to work for them long term. What’s going to feel sustainable?

In this episode we speak about the myth of a perfect diet, avoiding the label of “good” or “bad” foods, intuitive eating and the dark side of healing diets.

Kristen Brown provides functional medicine care at Altheda Health and is a Nurse Practitioner with years of clinical experience in functional medicine, urgent care, women’s health, and family medicine. As a graduate of The Institute for Functional Medicine Certification Program (IFMCP), Kristen Brown is uniquely trained in the Functional Medicine model to identify and treat the root causes of chronic disease.

Kristen’s interest in functional medicine began even before she knew the name for it. Coming from a family with several members suffering with the symptoms of hypothyroidism, Type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, she wanted to be proactive and live in better health. This sparked her quest to improve her lifestyle and diet to help prevent these diseases in herself and make positive changes to influence the health of her family.

Kristen Brown is passionate about helping people suffering with autoimmune disorders, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, emotional eating disorders, and weight loss. She most enjoys working with daring patients willing to seek out and challenge the root cause of their illness.

LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Kristen Brown The Live Well Podcast

Connect with Kristen

Website | Facebook | Instagram



If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


If we haven't met before, I'm Christina Tidwell and I'm so excited that you're here! I am a RN & Functional Nutrition Practitioner that helps those with autoimmune disease, hormone imbalance and gut issues heal without overwhelm so you can feel better in your body in a way that honors your unique needs and feels sustainable for the rest of your life. 

If you suffer from:

  • Fatigue and energy crashes

  • Brain fog

  • Poor digestion

  • Painful periods and PMS

  • Symptoms of autoimmunity

  • Stress and overwhelm 

...and aren't getting the support you need, I’m here to help guide you! My job is to clear the overwhelm, help you put the pieces of the puzzle together and co-create a sustainable path forward to help you reach your goals and feel better in your amazing body. When we work together you can’t fail. 

In my health & nutrition coaching programs I support you in the quest to get back into balance by listening to your story, understanding your needs, getting to the roots of imbalance in the body and co-creating a sustainable path to healing together. These sessions weave together functional nutrition and science, lived experience, breathwork, mindset shifts, and intuitive guidance for a unique and full-spectrum approach to nutrition counseling and holistic health.

I always offer free 20-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and identify what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

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Live Well Podcast | Ep #64 Ending negative self-talk and self-sabotage with Kari Owens

Today on The Live Well Podcast I’m speaking with Kari Owens about ending negative self-talk and self-sabotage. You might be aware of an “inner critic” or that voice in your head that constantly chatters or maybe just shows up at inopportune moments with less than kind thoughts. That voice that tells you you aren’t enough, you aren’t worthy, or that you won’t succeed. Most of us have experienced this inner “voice,” but many do not realize the impact that this inner critic has on our overall sense of self and wellbeing. In this episode Kari speaks about the impact of this negative self talk, and what we can do to begin to shift our internal dialogue to better support ourselves.

Kari+Ownens

Today on The Live Well Podcast I’m speaking with Kari Owens about ending negative self-talk and self-sabotage. You might be aware of an “inner critic” or that voice in your head that constantly chatters or maybe just shows up at inopportune moments with less than kind thoughts. That voice that tells you you aren’t enough, you aren’t worthy, or that you won’t succeed.

Most of us have experienced this inner “voice,” but many do not realize the impact that this inner critic has on our overall sense of self and wellbeing. In this episode Kari speaks about the impact of this negative self talk, and what we can do to begin to shift our internal dialogue to better support ourselves.

Kari is certified as a Life & Wellness Coach, and a yoga teacher working to empower women to listen deeply to themselves. She helps women put themselves first and reconnect with their body. Kari has coached thousands of women to develop a deeper relationship with themselves and truly live the life their soul desires. Kari is the Founder of Soul Power Women, a membership community with online courses teaching women all over the world how to connect to yourself, listen more deeply to your body, and honor your soul. 

You’re going to love this powerful episode! 

Click here to listen in iTunes

Click here to listen in Stitcher

Show Notes:

  • 0:00 Intro 

  • 0:57 Introducing Kari Owens

  • 2:39 Kari speaks about her personal experience with chronic illness and mindset shifts

  • 4:00 Kari tells us what “self-talk” means and how we can start to pay attention to our own thoughts

    • “What is the impact of me not speaking kindly to myself?”

  • 5:45 Kari encourages us to take a look at different areas of our lives where the negative self-talk is really prevalent

  • 9:00 How finding our limiting beliefs is like finding the root cause of an illness

  • 11:00 How we self-sabotage at a subconscious level

  • 18:00 Kari gives action steps to identify our negative self-talk and develop our “inner listener”

    • “Put down your sword, you don’t have to be at war with your negative thoughts.” We don’t have to get upset with ourselves or berate ourselves for having negative thoughts, but rather open the door for curiosity and compassion.

  • 21:00 What it means to “self-sabotage” and how we may not even know we are doing it

  • 29:00 How coaching helps us to understand our limiting beliefs

  • 30:00 How to bring in more helpful self-talk and “re-wire” our brains

    • Repetition is key - your brain believes what it is told the most

    • Focus on a clear outcome that you want or how you want to feel

  • 32:00 Kari goes through an example of reframing a negative thought

  • 43:00 “Don’t think about it, be about it.” We don’t need to apply the same “hustle” mentality that we do towards work or other areas of life. The transformation can exist just in the moment as it is recognized and you can see yourself differently.

  • 47:22 Outro

Kari Owens

Connect with Kari

Website | Facebook | Instagram



If you loved this episode, I'd be honored for you to give me a rating on iTunes. This helps me to get content out to others who are interested in getting control of their health through diet, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.


If we haven't met before, I'm Christina Tidwell and I'm so excited that you're here! I am a RN & Functional Nutrition Practitioner that helps those with autoimmune disease, hormone imbalance and gut issues heal without overwhelm so you can feel better in your body in a way that honors your unique needs and feels sustainable for the rest of your life. 

If you suffer from:

  • Fatigue and energy crashes

  • Brain fog

  • Poor digestion

  • Painful periods and PMS

  • Symptoms of autoimmunity

  • Stress and overwhelm 

...and aren't getting the support you need, I’m here to help guide you! My job is to clear the overwhelm, help you put the pieces of the puzzle together and co-create a sustainable path forward to help you reach your goals and feel better in your amazing body. When we work together you can’t fail. 

In my health & nutrition coaching programs I support you in the quest to get back into balance by listening to your story, understanding your needs, getting to the roots of imbalance in the body and co-creating a sustainable path to healing together. These sessions weave together functional nutrition and science, lived experience, breathwork, mindset shifts, and intuitive guidance for a unique and full-spectrum approach to nutrition counseling and holistic health.

I always offer free 20-minute discovery sessions to get clear on your major health concerns and identify what’s standing in your way. Click the button below to set up your free consultation and we can create a plan of action specifically for you.

Read More