Why am I bloated all the time? How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant? What kind of protein do I need to build muscle? What's a holistic approach to treating anxiety and ADHD? And why am I still tired even though I slept 8 hours? You've got questions—and longtime health journalist Rebecca Strong is hell-bent on finding the answers. While interviewing medical doctors, registered dietitians, licensed therapists, certified personal trainers, and other credentialed experts on her podcast Well-Bent, she'll share practical, actionable advice on how to optimize your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This is a show about wellness tips that won't make you broke, confused, or miserable—and we're going way beyond the basics of healthy eating, exercise, and sleep hygiene into the depths of WELL. Because knowledge is power, and feeling good is your birthright—not a privilege. New episodes every other Tuesday.
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About the host: Rebecca Strong is a Boston-based health, wellness, and lifestyle journalist who has written for Health.com, Business Insider, Well+Good, Bustle, Men’s Health, Eat This Not That, Healthline, AskMen, Clean Plates, PopSugar, StyleCaster, and more. Throughout her decade-long career, Rebecca’s coverage has spanned a wide range of topics, from nontoxic skin care recommendations and nutritious recipe reviews to mental health advice and fitness trend roundups. Her work has been discussed on Good Morning America and promoted and applauded by Drew Barrymore, Arianna Huffington, Esther Perel, The Media Freedom Foundation, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
For more information about the show and its host, visit www.well-bent.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why am I bloated all the time? How can I increase my chances of getting pregnant? What kind of protein do I need to build muscle? What's a holistic approach to treating anxiety and ADHD? And why am I still tired even though I slept 8 hours? You've got questions—and longtime health journalist Rebecca Strong is hell-bent on finding the answers. While interviewing medical doctors, registered dietitians, licensed therapists, certified personal trainers, and other credentialed experts on her podcast Well-Bent, she'll share practical, actionable advice on how to optimize your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This is a show about wellness tips that won't make you broke, confused, or miserable—and we're going way beyond the basics of healthy eating, exercise, and sleep hygiene into the depths of WELL. Because knowledge is power, and feeling good is your birthright—not a privilege. New episodes every other Tuesday.
----
About the host: Rebecca Strong is a Boston-based health, wellness, and lifestyle journalist who has written for Health.com, Business Insider, Well+Good, Bustle, Men’s Health, Eat This Not That, Healthline, AskMen, Clean Plates, PopSugar, StyleCaster, and more. Throughout her decade-long career, Rebecca’s coverage has spanned a wide range of topics, from nontoxic skin care recommendations and nutritious recipe reviews to mental health advice and fitness trend roundups. Her work has been discussed on Good Morning America and promoted and applauded by Drew Barrymore, Arianna Huffington, Esther Perel, The Media Freedom Foundation, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
For more information about the show and its host, visit www.well-bent.com.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At the end of 2024, I was beyond burned out — very much “burning the candle at both ends.” Then I came across a new book called Toxic Productivity by Israa Nasir, a licensed therapist in New York City who also founded the digital community Well Guide. As it turns out, Israa struggled with many of the same things — saying “yes” to too many commitments and overscheduling herself, while taking little time for herself. Fortunately, she made some radical changes to ditch these toxic habits and ultimately lead a happier, mentally healthier life. In this episode, she’s sharing:
I also got Israa’s honest take on a range of buzzy wellness trends, from cold plunging, forest bathing, and sleep tracking to habit stacking and dopamine menus.
This episode is for anyone who feels like they have to cross every little thing off their to-do list to feel productive, tends to overpack their calendar, or just wants to create more breathing room for themselves but doesn’t know where to start!
PROMO CODES:
Follow Israa Nasir on Instagram here.
Order Toxic Productivity here.
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This episode of Well-Bent is a little different — instead of interviewing an expert, I'm sharing a life-changing hack I recently adopted that's helped me to maintain a more consistent and beneficial morning routine.
One of the questions I love asking Well-Bent guests is what their morning routines look like — because I truly believe the habits you start your day with can set the tone for you mentally, emotionally, and even physically. Over the last year, I’ve experimented with a lot of different rituals, from dry brushing and gua sha to different kinds of breathwork and journaling, but as I kept adding more and more trendy practices it got to the point where my morning routine was no longer realistic or doable. I was actually overwhelmed by how much I had on my “to-do list” in the morning before I could get out the door or start my work day. And I realized something: having a morning routine that’s supposed to be for the sake of wellness but is actually stressing me out, is kind of counterproductive.
I was telling my therapist about this and she suggested a really helpful alternative approach: creating a "morning menu."
In this episode, I'll explain how to develop a morning menu, and how this strategy can help you build the best morning routine for your specific goals and lifestyle. Hope you find this helpful! And if you need some ideas for practices to add to your menu, head to the Well-Bent pod Instagram and comment "MORNINGS" on my latest post about this episode.
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PROMO CODES:
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Psychadelic-assisted therapy remains one of the hottest (and most controversial) topics in the mental health space today — and in this episode, you’re going to hear from a board-certified physician who has not only tried it but is calling it “the biggest breakthrough in mental health treatment in a generation.” That’s Dr. Sara (Gottfried) Szal, Director of Precision Medicine at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University, and multiple New York Times bestselling author. She’s a Harvard-educated medical doctor who treats professional athletes and executives alike, and I loved getting to hear about how MDMA-assisted therapy has been transformative on her journey to healing trauma. But first, here’s some context.
Only about 30% of people eventually recover from PTSD with treatment — so clearly, we’re missing a piece of the puzzle. The question is: Are psychedelics that missing piece? Multiple trials have shown participants who were given MDMA-assisted therapy for their PTSD experienced a significant reduction in the severity of the symptoms compared to people who were just given a placebo pill with therapy. In fact, in one 2023 trial, 71% of patients no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, and almost 50% were considered in remission 18 weeks after they started MDMA-assisted therapy. Of people who got the placebo with therapy, only 48% didn’t meet the diagnostic criteria anymore and 21% were in remission. Another meta-analysis found that psychedelic-assisted therapy can significantly reduce anxiety and depression, both of which often co-occur in people with PTSD.
Psychedelics aren’t for everyone, and there are risks to consider with taking any substance. The first meta-analysis that examined the safety of psychedelics in a medical context, which looked at 30 studies and was published in May of this year, revealed that in over 1,000 cases where psychedelic substances were administered to people, there were only nine serious adverse events. Most of the side effects were temporary symptoms like elevated heart rate, nausea, and lower appetite.
While Dr. Gottfried Szal shared her transformative experience with psychedelic-assisted therapy, we discussed:
PROMO CODES:
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Over the past year, I started dealing with some mysterious symptoms that my primary care doctor couldn’t seem to solve. They sent me to a bunch of specialists who prescribed medications to help manage my symptoms but didn't offer any answers about why I was having these symptoms. Sound familiar? If you're eager to figure out the root cause of your health issues, Function Health is a paradigm-shifting new platform that tests over 100 biomarkers — and the best part is, you don't need your doctor to order the labwork for you. You can book the appointment yourself and access the data through an online portal. Then, when your results roll in, you can see which biomarkers are "in range" (normal) or "out of range" (abnormal). Plus, you'll get super detailed analysis from a board-certified doctor explaining the significance of your results and offering personalized recommendations for optimizing your health.
Most health insurance plans will only cover a very limited selection of tests. To get all of the labwork Function offers, it could cost up to $15,000 out of pocket. But with Function Health, you get access to all of this valuable info twice a year for an annual subscription cost of $499.
The Function test looks at over 100 biomarkers, which cover almost every aspect of your health, including:
I had the opportunity to test out Function Health myself, and in today’s episode, I’ll share:
Then, you'll hear my interview with the founder Dr. Mark Hyman during which we talked about:
Dr. Hyman is not only the cofounder and chief medical officer of Function Health, but also the Founder and Senior Advisor for the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, the founder and director of The UltraWellness Center, Board President for Clinical Affairs for The Institute for Functional Medicine, founder and chairman of the Food Fix Campaign, and a fifteen-time New York Times best-selling author.
Function Health currently has more than 300,000 people on the waiting list but Dr. Hyman was kind enough to share a special code with our listeners to skip the line! Use code WELLBENT100 when you sign up to breeze past that waiting list!
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PROMO CODES:
Use the code WELLBENT100 at sign-up for Function Health — the first 100 people to use this code can skip the waiting list!
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Follow Dr. Mark Hyman and Function Health on Instagram:
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Athletes' success hinges on their ability to maintain optimal energy, endurance, strength, agility, and mental focus while also avoiding injury — which means fueling up with the right foods. Tom Brady knows this well: In fact, he'd probably be the first to admit that he might not be the G.O.A.T if he hadn’t been so strategic with what he was eating — and that’s where Allen Campbell came in. As Brady’s former personal chef, Campbell played a role in the 7-time Super Bowl winner’s day-to-day diet. He’s also worked with The NHL’s Patrice Bergeron, Charlie McAvoy, and Kevin Hayes, among other athletes. And he's contributed all of the recipes to multiple books, including The Game of Eating Smart and Brady’s first book, the New York Times bestseller The TB12 Method. It should come as no surprise that he's known as "the chef of peak performance."
The good news? You don’t have to be a professional athlete to eat like one thanks to AC Kitchen, Campbell’s fast-growing health-conscious meal delivery service — which currently services MA, NY, and CT. His fully-cooked meals are all made with organic, local ingredients and no gluten, dairy, refined sugars, or seed oils. AC Well, Campbell's corporate wellness program, includes virtual cooking classes, custom meal plans, and made-from-scratch snacks.
Not only does Campbell understand the KEY role food can play in reaching your fitness goals, but he’s proven time and again that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor and joy while prioritizing your health. In this interview, he shares:
Follow Allen Campbell on Instagram here!
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PROMO CODES:
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If you feel like you’ve tried just about everything to cope with your anxiety — to no avail — you’re not alone. Researchers estimate that 50 to 60% of people with anxiety still suffer from symptoms even after trying first-line treatments. Why? Well, maybe it’s because anxiety comes in many shapes and colors. In fact, according to Dr. Nicole Cain, a naturopathic doctor and clinical psychologist, there are actually nine types of anxiety. And knowing your type is the best way to figure out which treatments are actually going to help you.
Dr. Cain is the founder of the Holistic Wellness Collective, a membership program designed to provide self-healing, cohost of the podcast Holistic Inner Balance, and the author of the new book Panic Proof: The New Holistic Solution to End Your Anxiety Forever.
We packed a lot into this conversation, including:
Trigger warning: Assault is briefly mentioned in this episode, but not described or discussed in detail.
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Dr. Cain’s quiz to find your anxiety type: https://drnicolecain.com/anxiety-quiz/
Drugs.com interactions checker
Dr. Cain’s recommended lab tests for anxiety:
Dr. Cain’s recommended supplements for anxiety:
Follow Dr. Nicole Cain on Instagram here!
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PROMO CODES:
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It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Dr. Frank Anderson is a legend in the realm of trauma treatment. Not only is he a trauma survivor himself, but he’s been studying neuroscience, and the effects and treatment of trauma, for three decades now. What sets him apart is that he’s both a board-certified psychiatrist and a licensed psychotherapist. He’s also cofounder of the Trauma Institute, and the writer of the powerful new memoir To Be Loved: A Story of Truth, Hope and Healing, among many other books.
Dr. Anderson completed his residency at Harvard Medical School and he currently splits his time between L.A. and Massachusetts — and because of that, I was fortunate enough to chat with him in person right at Big Night Live’s Studio B in Boston.
During this interview, we covered:
Trigger warning: Assault is briefly mentioned in this episode, but not described or discussed in detail.
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“To Be Loved: A Story of Truth, Trauma, and Transformation” by Dr. Frank Anderson
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PROMO CODES:
For $60 off Apollo Neuro, shop here OR use code WELLBENT at checkout!
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Follow the guest:
Study on EMDR for treating emotional trauma:
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Confused about what is truly healthy eating? You’re not alone. A recent survey found that about 8 in 10 Americans have found conflicting information about what foods to eat and what to avoid, and more than half said this conflicting info has them second-guessing the choices they make. That’s where a registered dietitian comes in. And Maya Feller is a registered dietitian nutritionist who really believes that eating for enjoyment and optimizing your health doesn't have to be mutually exclusive. You can have both!
In addition to running her own practice, Maya is a national nutrition expert on Good Morning America, cohost of the Slate podcast Well, Now, and author of two cookbooks. She’s also a much-needed voice of reason in this oft-unhinged space.
During this conversation, we answered SO many questions, including:
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PROMO CODES:
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FOLLOW THE GUEST:
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Dr. Dave Rabin, a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist, has been conducting research for years to answer one key question: How can we help people better regulate their fight-or-flight response by helping them feel safe? His studies showed that one of the best ways to promote this feeling of safety is through gentle, consensual physical touch. And Dr. Rabin used these research findings to design Apollo Neuro — the first scientifically validated wearable device that uses touch therapy to improve relaxation, calm, sleep, and focus.
Clinical studies have shown that 40% of Apollo Neuro users feel less stress and anxiety, and they experience up to 25% better concentration, up to 19% more deep sleep, and up to 30 minutes more sleep a night. And after using the Apollo Neuro daily for a few months, I can personally attest to all of these benefits.
I had a lot of questions for Dr. Rabin. Namely: Why does everyone seem to have ADHD now? Why is it so hard to meditate? And how can we all help our bodies get out of fight or flight mode? We tackled all of this and more, including:
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PROMO CODES:
For $60 off Apollo Neuro, shop here: Apolloneuro.com/wellbent
Or use code WELLBENT at checkout!
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SHOW LINKS:
Apollo Neuro research:
Studies on the difference in sleep needs for men and women:
AskMen article on Apollo Neuro
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FOLLOW THE GUEST:
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Dave Asprey is largely known as the father of "biohacking" — the art and science of changing the environment around you and inside you, so you have more control over your own biology. In other words, “hacking” your own body’s potential by making lifestyle changes. But he’s also the founder of Bulletproof Coffee, a New York Times best-selling author four times over, and host of the top-ranking podcast The Human Upgrade. Today, he has over 1 million Instagram followers. And it seems he’s just getting started — after all, he plans to live beyond 180.
I had a chance to chat with Dave at the 2024 Biohacking Conference in Dallas, and we tackled quite a few topics, including:
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PROMO CODES:
To get $60 off your Apollo Neuro order, use this link or use code WELLBENT at checkout!
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SHOW LINKS:
Study on zeranol use in cows:
Research on arsenic content in brown rice:
Info on vaccine production in chicken eggs:
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FOLLOW THE GUEST:
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Did you know that acid reflux is the most common chronic disease in American adults? Cases actually increased more than 100% between 2006 and 2015, and have continued to rise since. Whether you’re seeking to get rid of acid reflux for good, get off your proton pump inhibitor, or just improve your gut health overall, this is a must-listen episode. Dr. Daryl Gioffre, a nutritionist and gut health specialist whose clients include Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa, has helped so many people to figure out what’s causing their acid reflux — and reverse it.
Dr. Gioffre is also a board-certified chiropractor, reiki master, certified raw food chef, best-selling author, and founder of Alkamind, a line of acid-neutralizing supplements. He also runs Kick Acid Enterprises, a virtual nutritional testing platform focusing on identifying the root cause of inflammation by restoring, balancing, and strengthening the microbiome.
We covered a lot in this episode, including:
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PROMO CODES:
Use this link for 10% off your first Alkamind order
Use this link for 10% off Dr. Gioffre’s Gut Lab package.
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SHOW LINKS:
Statistics on acid reflux prevalence:
Research on negative effects of long-term PPI use:
Aflatoxins in peanut butter:
Dr. Gioffre’s favorite brands:
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FOLLOW THE GUEST:
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Maggie Berghoff was only 24 years old when she felt like her body was falling apart — she was diagnosed with PCOS, Hashimoto’s, hypothyroidism, leaky gut, and adrenal fatigue, among other issues, and even had a life-threatening mini-stroke. She was told she’d likely never have children, and she’d be on IV drips for the rest of her life. But she proved everyone wrong: Today, Maggie is a healthy, thriving, successful entrepreneur and functional nurse practitioner, USA Today best-selling author, and mom of three.
So, how did she get there? During this interview, we delved into many of the steps Maggie took to reverse her PCOS and other diagnoses, which included the following topics:
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SHOW LINKS:
Info on recalled sunscreens due to potential cancer-causing ingredients:
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MAGGIE'S FAVORITE CLEAN SNACK & BEAUTY BRANDS:
Clean snacks:
Clean skincare:
Clean makeup:
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FOLLOW THE GUEST:
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60% of Americans are living with at least one chronic disease. 40% experience digestive issues that disrupt their daily lives. 30% have symptoms of anxiety or depression. And one in five women under 50 are struggling with infertility. Meanwhile, despite all the scientific innovation in recent years and the trillions we spend on healthcare, life expectancy is falling in the U.S. Clearly, something is wrong. But how are we supposed to fix it when emerging health studies reveal contradictory findings; there’s little regulatory oversight on our toxin-laden food, beauty, and household products; and wellness influencers are selling us one-size-fits-all solutions to our complex issues? How can we know who to trust?
As a health and wellness journalist for over a decade now, Rebecca Strong knows these pain points well, and she’s hell-bent on taking all the guesswork out of what it really means to live well. On her new podcast Well-Bent, she’s tapping board-certified doctors, registered dietitians, licensed therapists, certified personal trainers, and other credentialed experts to offer listeners realistic and actionable advice on optimizing their health. Here at Well-Bent, we believe knowledge is power—which is why we definitely won't be gatekeeping any information.
Struggling with gut symptoms? Tired of battling acne, psoriasis, and eczema? Unable to get pregnant, or manage your ongoing anxiety or ADHD? Or maybe you're just looking for guidance on how to find nontoxic cleaning, personal care, and beauty products that won't put your health at risk? You've come to the right place.
New episodes of Well-Bent will drop every Tuesday morning, and you can tune into the first batch on September 24, 2024.
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Rebecca Strong is a Boston-based health, wellness, and lifestyle writer who has contributed to Business Insider, Healthline, Health.com, Well+Good, Bustle, Men’s Health, Eat This Not That, AskMen, Clean Plates, PopSugar, Best Life, StyleCaster, and more.
Her work has been promoted and applauded by Drew Barrymore, Arianna Huffington, Esther Perel, The Media Freedom Foundation, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and her articles have been featured on Good Morning America. In March of 2024, Rebecca appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show to discuss one of her articles for Drew’s “It’s Trending!” segment.
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