Podcast Summary: The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast | Episode 1KHO 428: Uncovering Hidden Toxins: A Journey to Healthier Living with Iliriana Balaj
Introduction
In the premiere episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Yurich welcomes Iliriana Balaj, affectionately known as Illy, to explore a profound journey toward healthier living by uncovering hidden toxins in our environment and everyday products. Released on February 9, 2025, this episode delves deep into Illy's personal health struggles, her quest for solutions, and her mission to empower others to lead toxin-free lives.
Illy’s Health Journey
Illy begins by sharing her early life as an active and fit individual, deeply involved in sports and bodybuilding. Despite her outward appearance of health, she started experiencing severe health issues in her early twenties. “I was the fittest that I really ever was. I was booking modeling gigs and training gigs,” Illy recounts (03:39). However, this peak physical condition was paradoxically accompanied by debilitating symptoms such as cystic acne, chronic migraines, severe eczema, and a consistently bloated abdomen.
Frustrated by the lack of medical answers, Illy explains, “I went to doctors, and my doctor was like, your blood work looks really normal. You’re so fit… Everything looks good. Maybe go on birth control,” (03:00). Despite her active lifestyle and meticulous attention to diet and exercise, traditional medical avenues failed to diagnose or alleviate her conditions.
Discovering Hidden Toxins
Illy’s turning point came when she began scrutinizing the additives and synthetic ingredients in the foods and supplements she consumed. “These additives that we typically see in fast food… are now being found in our supermarkets, our children’s food, and our fitness supplements,” she notes (07:42). This realization sparked her transition into holistic fitness and food advocacy, emphasizing the importance of understanding what goes into our bodies beyond just calories and macros.
Transition to Healthier Living
Determined to reclaim her health, Illy made significant lifestyle changes. She ceased all supplement intake for a year, regardless of their perceived benefits, to eliminate potential toxins. “I stopped every supplement that I was taking for a year,” (08:06). Her focus shifted to whole foods, incorporating fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, and adopting a non-toxic approach to personal care products. Over five years, these changes led to remarkable improvements: clear skin, improved gut health, and the resolution of her eczema.
Advocacy and Live Healthily
Illy's transformative journey inspired her to create Live Healthily, a comprehensive platform offering over 550 clean and low-tox products. She emphasizes, “We wanted a place that I wish I had when I started my journey,” (16:49). Live Healthily serves as a trusted resource, curating products free from artificial dyes, harmful additives, and endocrine disruptors. By partnering with brands that prioritize transparency and safety, Illy aims to make toxin-free living accessible and straightforward for consumers.
Challenges with Big Corporations and Media Misinformation
The conversation shifts to the pervasive influence of big corporations and the media in shaping public perceptions about health and nutrition. Illy criticizes the contradictory and often misleading information spread by influencers and dietitians on social media. “Journalism is such an open textbook right now… you can just pluck a doctor off of Instagram,” Illy points out (36:29). This misinformation makes it difficult for individuals to discern truth from marketing, leading to widespread confusion and the continued use of harmful products.
Discussion on Birth Control
A poignant segment features Illy's personal struggle with birth control. She discusses the adverse effects she experienced, such as severe mood swings and physical discomfort, highlighting the lack of comprehensive testing and informed consent in prescribing these medications. “I cried every single day,” Illy shares about her first year on birth control (45:20). She advocates for thorough hormonal testing and informed choices, emphasizing that birth control can have significant impacts on mental and physical health if not properly managed.
Empowering Listeners
Illy encourages listeners to make small, incremental changes toward healthier living. She stresses the importance of being mindful about product ingredients and making informed decisions. “Start making very small incremental changes every single day,” Illy advises (26:01). Whether it’s drinking more water, spending extra time outdoors, or choosing cleaner personal care products, these steps can collectively lead to substantial health improvements.
Childhood Memories and the Importance of Outdoor Time
In a heartwarming conclusion, Illy shares a favorite childhood memory of protecting ducks from coyotes on her family's farm in Albania. This story underscores the foundational role that outdoor play and nature experiences have in her life and advocacy work. “I spent a lot of my summers only outside,” Illy reminisces (56:30). These early experiences fueled her passion for ensuring that children spend ample time outdoors, contributing to their overall well-being and development.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with a reflection on the power of personal stories in driving societal change. Ginny and Illy agree that authentic experiences, like Illy’s journey from health struggles to holistic living, are compelling forces for inspiring others to make healthier choices. Illy emphasizes the importance of community and education in combating the widespread presence of hidden toxins in our daily lives.
Notable Quotes
- Illy Balaj on her awakening to hidden toxins: “What does this look like? And with that comes the awakening of parenthood...” (01:26)
- Illy Balaj on stopping supplements: “I stopped every supplement that I was taking for a year.” (08:06)
- Illy Balaj on media misinformation: “Journalism is such an open textbook right now… you can just pluck a doctor off of Instagram.” (36:29)
- Illy Balaj on birth control: “I cried every single day for 365 days.” (45:20)
- Illy Balaj on empowering small changes: “Start making very small incremental changes every single day.” (26:01)
Resources Mentioned
- Live Healthily: livehealthily.com – A curated shop for clean and low-tox products.
- Book: Yummy Colors by Illy Balaj – A children’s book educating about hidden sugars and artificial dyes.
- Healthily University: Courses on navigating the supermarket and understanding calorie breakdowns.
Final Thoughts
Illy Balaj's journey is a testament to the profound impact that awareness and informed choices can have on personal health. Her dedication to uncovering hidden toxins and advocating for cleaner living provides a valuable guide for listeners seeking to improve their well-being. Through Live Healthily and her educational efforts, Illy offers a beacon of hope and a pathway to a healthier, toxin-free life.