Hosted by Revital Health Podcast · EN
In this episode of the Revital Health Podcast, Jodi Duval sits down with Kyle Zagrodzky, Founder and CEO of OsteoStrong, to explore why bone health deserves a much bigger place in conversations about longevity, strength and health optimisation.Bone is often reduced to calcium, vitamin D and osteoporosis risk, but as Kyle explains, bone is dynamic, responsive and deeply connected to the nervous system, hormones, muscle, balance, metabolism and ageing.Jodi and Kyle discuss osteogenic loading, the science of mechanotransduction, how targeted skeletal loading differs from traditional resistance training, and why many people are not receiving enough stimulus to maintain or improve bone density across the lifespan.They also explore:Why bone density is declining across generationsWhy strength and balance matter for longevityThe relationship between menopause, oestrogen and accelerated bone lossWhy protein is essential for muscle, collagen and bone matrixThe difference between bone density and bone tensile strengthWhy bone health cannot be separated from hormones, inflammation and metabolic healthHow OsteoStrong uses short, targeted, supervised loading sessionsWhy people may notice changes in strength, balance and confidence before DEXA changes appearThe role of red light therapy, vibration plates and PEMF in broader musculoskeletal supportWhy bone health needs to be part of a bigger health optimisation modelKyle also shares the origin story of OsteoStrong, his personal experience with chronic pain, the early challenges of creating a new category in health and fitness, and why he believes skeletal strength conditioning could have major implications for future generations.This conversation is especially relevant for women in perimenopause and menopause, athletes, practitioners, parents, older adults, and anyone interested in maintaining independence, resilience and strength as they age.Where to find out more: http://osteostrong.com.au/
In this episode of the Revital Health Podcast, Jodi sits down with Marli Allan, registered naturopath and qualified nurse, for a grounded conversation on career change, burnout, preventative care and the future of integrative health.Marli shares her journey from working in intensive care and cardiology to studying a Master of Naturopathic Medicine, and how her experiences in the hospital system shaped her passion for root-cause, preventative healthcare. Together, Jodi and Marli explore the emotional impact of frontline care, the importance of nervous system support for practitioners, and why more people are seeking an approach that blends biomedical understanding with evidence-informed natural medicine.They also discuss:burnout in nursing and the hidden emotional toll of healthcare workwhy preventative medicine is more important than everbridging conventional and naturopathic models of carethe role of gut health, hormones and stress in long-term wellbeingfollowing intuition when you know something in life needs to changesupporting people to not just function, but truly feel wellThis episode is for practitioners, students, nurses, and anyone interested in a more integrated, human-centred view of health.About Marli AllanMarli Allan is a degree-qualified clinical naturopath and registered nurse with experience across acute care, cardiology, intensive care and chronic disease management. She is part of the Revital Health team, where she supports clients with digestive and gut health, hormonal health, fatigue, stress, burnout, and chronic or complex conditions through personalised, evidence-informed care.Where to Find Marlihttps://www.instagram.com/restorenaturopath/https://www.revitalhealth.com.au/marli-allanorqobumb0TT5MA9g8FUI
We spend so much time talking about health, longevity and optimisation — yet almost no time preparing for the one experience we are all guaranteed to face: death.In this deeply powerful and emotional episode, I sit down with Cara Walker — independent funeral director, celebrant and death doula — who is redefining how we approach death, dying and grief in modern culture.From her journey as an eco-fairy to founding a more human, personalised approach to funeral care, Cara shares what is missing from the current system — and why reclaiming ritual, touch, and connection is essential for true healing.We explore how death has been removed from the home and outsourced to systems, how this impacts the grieving process, and what it actually looks like to support someone through a conscious, dignified end-of-life experience.This conversation is not just about death. It’s about how we live, how we love, and how we prepare for what is inevitable.What We CoverWhy death is the last major taboo in modern Western cultureHow the funeral industry has shifted away from community-based careThe role of a death doula and what end-of-life support should look likeWhy removing touch, presence and ritual complicates griefThe physiological and emotional process of dyingHow to support loved ones during the final stages of lifeThe importance of normalising death conversations within familiesHow children process grief and why inclusion mattersThe difference between traditional funerals and personalised ritualsVoluntary assisted dying and curated end-of-life experiencesPractical ways to prepare for death before crisis hitsKey TakeawaysDeath is not just a medical event — it is a deeply human, relational and emotional processAvoiding death conversations often leads to increased trauma and confusion during griefTouch, presence and witnessing are critical components of healingSupporting someone through death requires unlearning many instinctive caregiving behavioursRitual and personalisation can significantly change how grief is experienced and processedPreparing for death is one of the most powerful acts of love we can offer our familiesAbout Cara WalkerCara Walker is an independent funeral director, celebrant and death doula based in Perth, Western Australia.With over 30 years as an eco-fairy and community figure, Cara transitioned into death care after witnessing the limitations and lack of compassion within the traditional funeral system.She is the founder of Walker Family Funerals, where she provides personalised, community-led funeral services and advocates for more natural, conscious approaches to death care — including education, home-based dying, and reform around end-of-life options.Resources & LinksWalker Family Funerals: https://walkerfamilyfunerals.com.auFree death care workshops (via Cara’s website)Petition for natural body composting in Western AustraliaFinal NoteThis episode may bring up emotion — and that’s the point.Death is not something to avoid. It is something to understand, prepare for, and honour.And in doing so, we often find a deeper appreciation for life itself.Subscribe & ReviewIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it.And if you haven’t already, leave a review — it helps these conversations reach more people.
What if better movement was not about punishing your body, but learning to trust it again?In this episode, Jodi sits down with movement coach Ben Verrier for a rich conversation on movement, resilience, recovery, nutrition and longevity. Together they unpack why personalised movement matters, how to build a body that feels capable and adaptable, and why more people need to think beyond conventional exercise advice.They discuss the role of plyometrics, handstands, barefoot training, outdoor movement, morning routines, nutrition and the importance of asking better questions when it comes to pain, injury and performance.This episode is a reminder that movement should not make your world smaller. It should expand it.Key takeaways:There is almost always something you can do to improve how your body feelsMovement is not just exercise — it is feedback, adaptability and confidenceSmall, consistent movement habits can create major change over timeTraining should be individualised, not one-size-fits-allNutrition and recovery need to support your output, not work against itIf this episode resonates, share it with someone who wants to move better, feel stronger and age more powerfully.Where to find Ben VerrierInstagram (best contact point) @benverrierrReach out via DM for questions, training enquiries, or general movement adviceThis is where he is most responsive and open to conversationsIn-person trainingWorks out of Aspire in Osborne Park, PerthOffers 1:1 personalised training sessionsFutureOnline offerings are in development (worth following him on Instagram to stay updated)
Medicinal cannabis is one of the fastest growing areas of modern medicine — yet it remains widely misunderstood.In this episode of The Revital Health Podcast, Jodi Duval speaks with Matt Shales, CEO and Co-Founder of MediCann Health, about the evolving medicinal cannabis industry in Australia and the science behind producing high-quality cannabis medicine.Together they explore how cultivation, genetics, extraction methods, and rigorous testing all influence the safety and effectiveness of cannabinoid therapies.The conversation moves beyond stigma and headlines to examine what truly defines a pharmaceutical-grade cannabis product and why quality control is critical for patient outcomes.They also discuss the rapid expansion of medicinal cannabis prescribing in Australia, the role of clinical research, and the future of cannabinoid medicine.In this episode we discuss:How medicinal cannabis is grown and why genetics matterThe importance of cultivation methods and environmental controlTerpenes, cannabinoids, and the “entourage effect”What defines a high-quality medicinal cannabis productThe challenges of regulation, stigma, and educationThe future of cannabis research and clinical trials in AustraliaThis episode offers a fascinating insight into how a complex plant is being transformed into a regulated therapeutic medicine.Connect with Matt ShalesWebsitewww.medicannhealth.com.auSocialsFacebook: Medicann HealthLinkedIn: Medicann HealthInstagram: @medicannhealth
In this episode of The Revital Health Podcast, Jodi Duval is joined by Chanae Brookes, for a cycle-aware conversation on female training, performance and recovery.Together they unpack what can shift across the follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase, and how these hormonal and physiological changes may influence insulin sensitivity, inflammation, pain tolerance, perceived exertion, recovery demand and injury risk.They also explore what can happen when women overtrain, underfuel and live under chronic stress, including protective endocrine suppression patterns that may show up as cycle disruption, reduced ovulation signalling, impaired recovery, mood changes and downstream performance decline.The conversation covers practical takeaways for women who train, including cycle tracking as a readiness report, the value of biofeedback over rigid programs, and a grounded discussion about the oral contraceptive pill in sport. The episode closes with a timely discussion on creatine: potential benefits, why dosing needs to be individualised, and why lab markers and kidney function context matters when supplementation trends go mainstream.If you’re training hard and want to protect your hormones while still building performance, this episode will give you a smarter framework.Topics we coverTraining through the menstrual cycle: follicular, ovulation, lutealRecovery demand, perceived exertion and cycle-aware programmingOvulation, confidence and ligament considerationsOvertraining, under-eating and hormonal suppressionOral contraceptive pill considerations for athletesCreatine: benefits, dose context, and “test, don’t guess”Where to find ChanaeRevital Health (Global Telehealth). Chanae also offers free 10-minute discovery calls.www.revitalhealth.com.au
In this episode, Jodi Duval is joined by Lindsay Hilder, body therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience and Co-Director of the EMMETT Technique International, to explore a unique, results-based approach to manual therapy used worldwide across humans and animals.The EMMETT Technique is a light-touch neuromuscular release method designed to work with the body’s own intelligence rather than force change. It is results-based rather than time-based, highly precise, and intentionally inclusive rather than exclusive, meaning it can stand alone or integrate seamlessly with other therapies.Lindsay shares the lineage of the technique from founder Ross Emmett, how EMMETT points are identified and applied, and why timing, precision, and practitioner presence matter just as much as technique.In this episode, we explore:What the EMMETT Technique is (and what it is not)Light-touch neuromuscular release and its effects on posture, pain, function and lymphaticsThe “body electrician” analogy and indirect access pointsWhy timing matters: sedating rather than irritating the nervous systemResults-based treatment versus fixed session lengthsThe 7As: attitude, atmosphere, environment and their impact on outcomesApplication across adults, babies and animalsPractitioner training pathways, including workshops, practitioner modules and professional levelsHealth autonomy and restoring agency to individuals and familiesAbout Lindsay:Lindsay Hilder brings both lineage knowledge and contemporary clinical insight to the ongoing evolution of the EMMETT Technique. Raised alongside the development of the method and now teaching internationally, her work focuses on inclusivity, integration, and practitioner-agnostic education.Learn more:Official website and practitioner directory: https://www.emmett-technique-hq.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmetttechniqueinternational/This episode is a grounded reminder that sometimes less force, greater precision, and better listening create the most meaningful change.
In this episode of the Revital Health Podcast, Jodi is joined by Shannon McKendry, an Integrative Health Practitioner and educator in women’s health and medicinal cannabis.With training in functional medicine, nutrition and fitness, and extensive experience supporting clinics, prescribers and patients around Australia, Shannon brings a deeply informed, evidence-based lens to women’s wellbeing and cannabinoid medicine.Together, we explore how cannabinoids can be woven into an integrative toolkit for women, rather than positioned as a quick fix.In this episode we cover:Shannon’s personal journey from young mum and law student to autoimmune patient, and ultimately to integrative practitioner and educatorThe endocannabinoid system as a master regulator for sleep, pain, mood, inflammation and stress responsesWhy women are often more sensitive to cannabinoids, and why “low and slow” dosing is crucialClinical patterns across the lifespan:Teens and young women: anxiety, sleep, cycle symptoms and nervous-system load30s–40s: chronic stress, autoimmune conditions and invisible illnessPerimenopause and menopause: sleep dysregulation, pain, mood shifts, thermoregulation and cognitive changesEndometriosis, PCOS and gynaecological pain:Emerging research on cannabinoid creams and sublingual oilsReal-world shifts in pain, function and quality of lifeHow cannabinoids can act as a catalyst, helping women access enough nervous-system stability to actually implement foundations like nutrition, movement, light and sleepCommon concerns and misconceptions among prescribers and clinics“THC is dangerous, CBD is the only safe option”Fears around psychoactivity, driving and safetyOverwhelm with the number of products and delivery formatsThe importance of:Individualised assessment and careful titrationWorking within current Australian legal and regulatory frameworksOngoing education for clinicians, and collaboration between prescribers, integrative practitioners and referrersUsing cannabinoids not only in chronic disease, but as part of proactive health optimisation and longevity strategiesThis conversation is for you if:You are a woman navigating anxiety, pain, sleep issues or hormonal transitions and want to understand where plant-based medicines may fitYou are a practitioner or prescriber seeking a grounded, integrative view of cannabinoid medicine in women’s healthYou are a referrer wanting clearer, safer pathways for your patientsTo learn more about Shannon’s work and clinical education in this space, you can explore MediCann - https://www.medicannclinics.com.au/
In this episode I’m joined by Dr Talia SteedIn her new book, Choosing the Witness Self, Talia writes:In this way of being, we can make contact with pure awareness. Awareness beyond the thoughts, beyond the feelings, beyond the sensations in the body. And this is the essence of spirituality. Discovering that you are the witness to the experiences of your life. Nothing more, and nothing less.In this conversation we explore:The difference between the will to live and the will to healWhy the body is not punishing you, but illuminating what needs attentionHow chronic symptoms can reflect misalignment in work, relationships and lifestyleWhat it means to “choose the witness self” instead of being run by the ego mindHow to create space, safety and self-compassion so change feels possiblePractical entry points for people who find stillness, silence or “self-care time” confrontingThe power of self-validation and taking ownership of your own healing journeyWe also talk about our new collaboration:Choosing the Witness Self – Monthly Book Club (Perth)Dr Talia is hosting an in-person book club at Skol in Scarborough on the last Friday of each month at 1pm, starting 30 January. We’ll be moving through Choosing the Witness Self chapter by chapter, aligned with this podcast series, so you can integrate the material slowly with community support.Reserve your place here:Book Club Tickets – EventbriteConnect with Dr Talia SteedWebsite: www.drtaliasteed.comInstagram: @bodi_alchemyFacebook: Bodi AlchemyConnect with Jodi & Revital HealthClinic: Revital Health, PerthPodcast: The Revital Health Podcast
In this episode, Jodi sits down with Jordan from Mode Healthcare for a deep and refreshingly honest conversation about what it takes to build a new healthcare model in Australia.Together they explore:• Jordan’s personal journey into the health space and the PTSD event that reshaped his life• the early days of Mode and why “make it matter” became the foundation of their clinic design• communication, culture, and why relatability is critical for patient trust• the difficulties clinics face in Australia: regulation, TGA rules, compliance, dispensary errors, supply inconsistencies• the difference between proactive health coaching and traditional reactive medicine• the risks of recreational-style thinking around natural therapies — and why quality, dosing, safety, and continuity must stay central• the creation of Mode’s GrowHouse system: an integrated treatment, prescribing, communication, education, and logistics platform for improving outcomes at scale• yoga, breathwork, mobility, music and lifestyle as essential components of long-term wellness• the importance of matching the right doctor to the right patient — and why patients have permission to “fire” their doctor and find better fit• the future of medicine in Australia, why burnout is happening at every level, and what a more sustainable system could look likeThis episode is for anyone interested in integrative medicine, business innovation, patient safety, cannabis medicine, or the future of health care delivery in Australia.