🌟 Episode Summary

Many believers know the frustration of “doing everything right”—clean eating, consistent exercise, even regular doctor visits—yet still feeling exhausted, foggy, or unwell. Why does this happen? And what can you do about it?

In this episode, Coach Alex VanHouten sits down with Functional Medicine Practitioner Heidi Cooper, co-founder of Cooper Health Solutions, to uncover why conventional medicine often misses the root of the problem and how God designed our bodies to heal when we steward them well. Heidi shares her personal testimony of battling autoimmune thyroid disease, chronic fatigue, and weight gain—while being dismissed by traditional doctors.

Her journey of suffering not only drew her closer to Christ but also ignited her mission to help others overcome hormone imbalances, brain fog, and energy crashes.

Together, Alex and Heidi explore:
-Why “normal” lab results don’t always mean you’re healthy
-The crucial differences between conventional (branches) and functional (roots) medicine
-How toxins, stress, and lifestyle choices influence epigenetics and chronic illness
-The spiritual cost of poor health—and how it keeps believers from fully living their calling
-Practical steps to restore energy, balance hormones, and walk in freedom
-Whether you’re discouraged by your own health struggles or curious how faith and functional medicine intersect, this conversation offers both hope and a roadmap forward.

👉 Be sure to grab Heidi’s Brain and Hormone Optimization Guide (link in the show notes) for your next steps.

🕑 Episode Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome & prayer
5:40 – Meet Heidi Cooper – Her background & mission
13:30 – Heidi’s valley & testimony – From Hashimoto’s to healing
21:00 – Why you still feel crummy when “labs are fine”
28:15 – Pain to purpose – How suffering deepened her walk with God
33:00 – Stewardship, bondage, and health in the church
40:20 – Brain & Hormone Optimization Guide – Practical tools for listeners
43:30 – Starting with Cooper Health Solutions – Assessments & labs
49:40 – Conventional vs. functional medicine – Alex’s “tree” metaphor
57:10 – Stewardship costs & investments – Eggs vs. Lucky Charms lesson
1:01:30 – Living differently from the world – Joshua’s declaration applied to health
1:03:20 – Speaking to the discouraged listener – Heidi’s heartfelt encouragement
1:04:30 – Virtual coaching & resources – How to connect with Heidi 1:05:20 – Closing prayer & blessing

Show Resources:
 Visit https//:BetterDaily.live/devo to explore the Faithful Fitness Devotional
👥 Join our Better Daily community: https://betterdaily.live/invite
 Subscribe and share the Faithful Fitness Podcast with someone walking through suffering or looking to serve through their fitness

🙌 Connect with Heidi
Free Resource: https://get.cooperhealthsolutions.com/brain-and-hormone-ebook
Cooper Health Solutions: https://cooperhealthsolutions.com/
Follow Heidi on social media: https://www.instagram.com/skinsideout_heidicooper/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-by-better-daily--5150768/support.