Podcast Summary: Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel

Episode: The Science of Energy: Serena Poon on Healing, Longevity, and What Wellness Gets Wrong

Original Air Date: December 4, 2025
Guest: Serena Poon, Nutritionist, Chef, Reiki Master, Founder of Serena Loves

Episode Overview

In this deeply personal and insight-filled episode, Rachel Uchitel explores the intersection of science, spirituality, energy, and nutrition with wellness expert Serena Poon. From Serena’s moving family story and her own struggles with health crises, to concrete advice on hydration, nutrition, longevity, healing, and energy work, the conversation demystifies holistic wellness. The segment highlights what mainstream health often misses, debunks wellness trends, and offers accessible steps for healing and longevity, emphasizing the power of combining science with ancient wisdom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Serena’s Personal Story & Path to Wellness

• Early Love for Food and Family Connection
  • Grew up in a Chinese-American family where food symbolized love and community ([05:22]).
• Trauma Ignited Her Wellness Journey
  • Both parents diagnosed with cancer within months; father (48) died of stage four liver cancer, mother diagnosed with rare ovarian cancer at 45 ([07:56]).
• Turning Point
  • Frustration with Western medicine’s limitations led her to investigate nutrition, plants, and herbs for relieving suffering—even when her scientist father had top medical care ([09:23]).
• Personal Health Crisis
  • Serena herself experienced severe complications after surgery, including MRSA and multiple operations, leading her to value self-care and spiritual healing ([12:43]).

"All that mattered was the health and happiness of the people that I love... And at the same time, I left myself off that list."
— Serena Poon ([10:46])

2. Bridging Science and 'Spirit'

• Culinary Alchemy
  • Developed her method combining nutrition and energy healing based on understanding how physical and energetic bodies intersect ([17:49]).
  • Credits a master healer (Nicole) for teaching her about energy releases and supported Serena’s own healing journey, inspiring her to create individualized food protocols supporting specific energy centers ([20:31]).
• Integration of Eastern Wisdom
  • Blends modalities such as Reiki, quantum touch, and somatic techniques in her practice ([41:15]).

3. Misconceptions About Health and Wellness

• Critique of Western Medical Model
  • Western medicine focuses too much on symptom-masking (e.g., "pills for problems") and ignores food’s healing power ([21:49]).
• Importance of Food and Emotion
  • Emphasizes emotional connection and community through food and warns against reducing nutrition to technical values or deprivation ([23:25]).
• Everyone is Seeking Quick Fixes
  • Wellness is more than green juice and macro-counting; it's a blend of healthy habits, emotional well-being, and consistency over time ([26:46]).

4. Longevity: What Works and What’s Overhyped

• Breakthroughs Accessible Today
  • NAD precursors (NMN, NR), mitochondrial support, and photobiomodulation (red light therapy) are now more available, but require attention to sourcing and calibration for true effect ([35:20]).
  • Ancient wellness practices (e.g., hot and cold therapies) are the backbone of many new wellness trends; technology has just made them more widely available ([39:28]).

"It's really about what you do every single day. ... Every part of [your body] has to be healthy, you know, every part has to be balanced."
— Serena Poon ([30:44])

• Biohacking vs. Ancient Wisdom
  • Recommends balance and personalization, especially with stressors like extreme cold/heat, which are not ideal for women at all life stages ([38:00]).

5. Serena’s Daily Routine and Advice

• Holistic Practices
  • Top 3 longevity tips: Meditation, hydration, and eating the rainbow (consuming a variety of colorful whole foods daily) ([43:41]).
  • Sleep: Quality and depth matter more than quantity. She recommends her own supplement ‘Sweet Dreams’ for better sleep quality ([42:44]).
• Diet Philosophy
  • Personally plant-based but not dogmatic; advises focusing on more plant foods regardless of whether animal products are consumed ([45:02]).
  • Does not count calories or macros, believes in balanced intake of carbs, fats, and protein ([45:45]).
  • Enjoys pasta and comfort food occasionally; not restrictive ([49:34], [50:08]).
  • Alcohol: No longer drinks for health but is not rigid ([59:54]).

"I don't believe in perfection... It's your basics and fundamentals. That's where it all comes from—having your emotional well-being is so important to longevity."
— Serena Poon ([50:39])

6. Hidden Dangers in “Healthy” Choices

• Microplastics are Ubiquitous
  • Warns about microplastics’ dangers—found in cups, packaging—and recommends avoiding plastics as much as possible ([54:20]).
• Supplements and Stem Cells: Ask for Proof
  • Always check for certifications of analysis with supplements or stem cell therapies. If a provider cannot prove potency, purity, or sourcing, do not use it ([56:05], [57:21]).

7. Parasites and Chronic Health

• Parasites in the US
  • Believes everyone probably has some parasites; they can contribute to a range of symptoms and conditions. Regular, annual cleanses are recommended ([62:07]).
  • Her protocols for clients always include a full pathogen panel ([62:07], [62:29]).

8. Starting a Wellness Journey: Avoiding Overwhelm

• Start with Hydration
  • Hydration is foundational. Recommends targeting 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight (i.e., 120 lbs = 120 oz per day), and ramping up gradually ([64:14], [65:16]).
  • Most people are significantly dehydrated; improved hydration alone drives massive improvement ([64:14]).

"99% of people are dehydrated... Just getting yourself to a point where you are drinking enough water that your body does not have to ration it is a small but massive, massive improvement that anyone can do."
— Serena Poon ([64:14])

• Add Variety (Eat the Rainbow)
  • Make your diet visually colorful and varied to ensure you’re getting a full spectrum of nutrients ([43:41], [67:11]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "There was a moment … my dad is sitting there…with this hard boiled egg…and he’s just like, ‘my life has been reduced down to an egg.’” — Serena Poon, on the emotional impact of illness and food ([21:49])
• “We aren’t using food in a way to nourish the soul and our mind as much as we nourish with the body…and food in and of itself is... coming from Mother Nature in a way our body is designed better to receive than medicine through chemical pathways.” ([23:25])
• "Hot and cold... it's about the shock to the system. You don't need an $8,000 bathtub; it's the principle, not the price." ([38:00])
• “I believe in being very mindful, being educated, taking care of yourself, providing yourself with as much resources as you possibly can, but knowing that the end of the day it's your basics and fundamentals.” ([50:39])
• “Solvable and everything is resolvable … whatever’s going on with you is going on right now in this moment in time, and we can change it.” ([62:32])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Serena’s family background and cancer journey: [05:22] – [10:46]
• Her personal health crisis and spiritual awakening: [12:43] – [17:42]
• Development of Culinary Alchemy: [17:49] – [20:31]
• Why mainstream medicine misses the mark: [21:49] – [25:03]
• Discussion of longevity, supplements, photobiomodulation: [29:28] – [39:28]
• Serena’s daily routine, diet philosophy, approach to food and sleep: [42:22] – [52:24]
• Microplastics and health risks in everyday products: [54:20] – [55:00]
• Supplements, stem cells, how to vet products/providers: [56:00] – [59:47]
• Alcohol, cheat days, emotional health in wellness: [59:54] – [61:38]
• Parasite cleanses in America: [62:07] – [64:03]
• First steps for overwhelmed beginners: [64:14] – [67:11]
• Practical hydration and dietary tips: [67:11] – [69:05]

Where to Find Serena and Her Resources

• Instagram: @chefserenapoon
• Website: SerenaLoves.com
  • Full of educational content, supplement line (including ‘Sweet Dreams’), and detailed wellness guides ([51:14]).

Episode Tone

Uchitel’s open curiosity and Serena’s down-to-earth expertise lead to a conversation that’s practical, human, and deeply motivating. Serena’s vulnerability in sharing her personal history brings warmth, while her explanations demystify intimidating wellness concepts, making ancient and modern tools accessible to all.

This summary captures the episode’s wisdom, emotional depth, and practical guidance, spotlighting memorable moments, expert tips, and the original voices of the speakers. Perfect for those seeking an authentic, actionable understanding of holistic wellness beyond the headlines.