Episode 25: When Normal Isn’t Normal — Decoding the Case of the “All-Clear” Labs
You’ve heard it before: “Your labs are normal.” But what happens when the numbers look fine on paper — and you still feel exhausted, foggy, or unwell?
In this episode of The Holistic Decoder, Tonya Nichols pulls out the detective’s magnifying glass to reveal why “normal” doesn’t always mean healthy. Through a real case study, you’ll learn:
The difference between conventional and functional lab ranges
The most common “clues” doctors overlook on standard bloodwork
How patterns — not single numbers — tell the real story
Why trusting your instincts matters when your labs say you’re “fine”
🎙️ Listen in and discover how to decode the hidden messages in your labs, so you can stop doubting yourself and start uncovering the truth behind your symptoms.
Episode 24 — The Back-to-School Slump: Why Kids Crash a Few Weeks In
The first month of school often starts strong — then suddenly, meltdowns, illnesses, and focus struggles take over. This isn’t just “getting used to it.” In this episode, Tonya Nichols breaks down the real causes of the Back-to-School Slump — immune stress, nervous system fatigue, and nutrient depletion — and shares simple, root-cause strategies to help kids (and parents) recover faster. Whether your school year starts in August or September, you’ll want this episode on your radar three to four weeks in.
Episode 23: NAD+, Nicotine Patches & the Biohacking Buzz — Miracle or Mismatch?
Why is everyone suddenly talking about NAD+ and nicotine patches? Are they the next big thing in brain performance and longevity — or just another risky trend?
In this episode, Tonya Nichols decodes the science, hype, and hidden dangers behind the popular biohacking stack of NAD+ and nicotine. You’ll learn:
🔹 What NAD+ actually does in the body
🔹 How niacinamide compares — and when to use each
🔹 Why nicotine patches are being used for focus and “flow”
🔹 Who should absolutely avoid this combo (hint: MTHFR, MCAS, anxiety-prone)
🔹 Safer, more effective alternatives for cellular energy and cognitive support
🔹 The emotional root behind why we chase shortcuts when we’re running on empty
This is your real-talk guide to decoding the trend — so you don’t just follow the crowd, but actually understand what your body needs.
✨ Stay curious. Stay connected.
Ever feel like you're just a list of body parts sent to different doctors? This episode unpacks the cost of over-specialization in medicine — and why it leaves so many without answers. From nurse practitioners filling the gaps to how fragmented care misses the root, we explore how real healing starts when someone sees the whole you. A must-listen if you’ve ever felt dismissed or pieced apart.
This episode goes beyond parenting — it’s about breaking the silence around boys’ emotional lives and healing the men they become. We explore 5 lessons from Raising Cain, the impact of emotional miseducation, and how physical symptoms often stem from repressed feelings. If you’ve ever wondered why boys shut down — or how to support the men in your life — this one’s for you.
Is your cholesterol really the problem — or is it a signal your body’s sending for help? In this episode, we unpack what rising (or low) cholesterol actually means, the hidden dangers of statins without CoQ10, and why thyroid, hormones, or inflammation might be the real culprits. It’s time to decode your labs — not fear them. A must-listen for anyone told their cholesterol is “too high.”
Could your kidney issues be connected to Lyme? In this episode, we uncover the hidden link between chronic infections, mineral imbalance, inflammation, and kidney stones. If your symptoms don’t “fit the textbook” — or keep coming back — this decode is for you. Because sometimes the missing piece isn’t more treatment… it’s a better understanding of the root.
Caroline was doing everything right — supplements, hormones, appointments — but still felt like she was falling apart. In this episode, we unpack how "too much help" can backfire, especially after crisis. From lab clues to liver congestion, adrenal fatigue to emotional collapse, this is a powerful reminder: healing sometimes means doing less, not more. If you’re burnt out by your wellness plan, this one’s for you.
Episode 17: It’s Not in Your Genes
There’s no “depression gene” — but there is a sensitivity gene. In this episode, we decode how 5-HTTLPR, COMT, MTHFR, and early emotional environments shape your mental health. You’re not too much — you’re deeply attuned. And with the right support, your sensitivity becomes your superpower.
Share with a sensitive soul who needs to hear this.
Episode 16: When Modern Medicine Fails
Tired of hearing “everything looks normal”? This episode explores what to do when you're dismissed by the system — and how to begin a true healing journey. From nervous system support to minerals, drainage, and trauma work, we lay out a step-by-step root-cause roadmap to finally feel seen, heard, and better.
Share this with someone who feels stuck.
Are you carrying more than your own story? In this powerful episode, we unpack the difference between genetic risk and inherited trauma — and how unhealed experiences can shape your biology. Featuring the cherry blossom mouse study, real-life case insights, and practical tools to begin breaking cycles. You’re not broken — you’re carrying a legacy that’s ready to be decoded.
Episode 14: The Sensitive Child
Some children aren’t misbehaving — they’re overwhelmed. In this episode, we explore what sensitivity really is, why it often looks like “bad behavior,” and what’s happening beneath the surface. From gut health to nervous system overload, we decode how to support the sensitive child — or the one you used to be.
Share this episode with a parent, teacher, or grown-up sensitive soul.
Episode 13: Estrogen Isn’t the Enemy
Estrogen isn’t bad — but imbalance is. In this episode, we decode what estrogen is really doing in your body, how it interacts with progesterone, copper, histamine, and detox, and why “normal labs” don’t always mean balanced hormones. If you’re bloated, weepy, or feel dismissed — this decode is for you.
Follow for more root-cause clarity.
Bloating, reflux, or gut issues that don’t make sense? It might not be what you’re eating — but what your body isn’t doing with it. In this episode, Tonya decodes hidden stressors like low stomach acid, vagus nerve dysfunction, and enzyme depletion.
Discover why your gut symptoms aren’t always about food — and what to do instead.
Pass it on to someone who needs real answers — and follow for more real talk, real healing.
You’ve changed your diet, detoxed, and taken the supplements — but deep down, your body still doesn’t feel safe. In this episode, Tonya explains why survival mode is more than mental, how it shows up in labs, and what it really takes to reset your nervous system.
Discover real case studies, a 30/60/90 nervous system protocol, and simple daily tools to start shifting from shutdown to healing.
Pass this on to someone who feels stuck — and subscribe so you never miss a decode.
When energy, focus, and drive crash in midlife men, it’s often blamed on age — but the real story runs deeper. In this episode, Tonya unpacks the testosterone-cortisol tug-of-war, what most labs miss, and how to restore vitality without jumping straight to TRT.
🛠️ If you or someone you love is "just not the same," this decode is for you.
Follow for more real talk, real healing.
Ever tried detox and felt worse — or nothing at all? You’re not alone. In this episode, Tonya breaks down why detox isn’t a product — it’s a sequence. Learn the 7-step detox flowchart that prevents backlash and supports real healing.
🧪 If your body’s not responding, it may not be broken — just out of order.
You’ve tried everything — supplements, therapy, detox — but nothing sticks. Why? In this episode, Tonya breaks down why healing often fails: wrong sequence, disconnected care, and no map. Learn how to build a team, follow the right order, and stop playing health roulette.
What if your anxiety, weight gain, or burnout isn’t a breakdown — but your body’s last-ditch message? In this powerful episode, Tonya unpacks what happens when we hold too much for too long — and how symptoms become signals.
Explore the labs, genetics, and patterns behind “normal” results that don’t match how you feel.
Asthma. Polyps. Aspirin sensitivity. It’s called Samter’s Triad — but what if the real problem runs deeper? In this episode, Tonya shares Brianna’s case and the overlooked root causes: mold, mineral depletion, and unresolved grief.
Discover the true triad behind chronic inflammation — and the protocol that gave her breath and life back.
