Podcast Summary: Episode 161 - Shayna Taylor: Healing Chronic Anxiety and Gut Inflammation by Returning to Nature
Title: The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka
Host: Gary Brecka
Guest: Shayna Taylor
Release Date: April 29, 2025
Episode Number: 161
Introduction
In Episode 161 of The Ultimate Human Podcast, host Gary Brecka welcomes Shayna Taylor, a dynamic entrepreneur and wellness expert, to discuss her transformative journey from the bustling life of Los Angeles to the serene landscapes of Italy. Shayna shares her profound experiences overcoming chronic anxiety and gut inflammation by reconnecting with nature, embracing regenerative farming, and delving deep into spiritual practices.
Shayna's Journey: From Los Angeles to Italy
Shayna Taylor opens up about her life in California, balancing her passion for food from culinary school with a career in modeling. She describes the challenges of managing health issues related to gut health and skin problems, which ultimately led her to a significant life pivot.
Shayna Taylor [03:22]: "If you're a model and you're having skin breakouts, it's a big problem."
After an eight-year relationship ended in 2020, Shayna felt the need to redefine her life. This period, marked by her intense Saturn return at age 28, became a catalyst for her move to Italy—a dream she had harbored for years.
Shayna Taylor [04:13]: "I was building my businesses in LA. I always had this drive to want to move to Italy and buy farmland and grow my own produce."
Challenges Faced in Italy
Shayna recounts the hurdles she encountered upon relocating to Italy. From navigating the complexities of Italian real estate to dealing with unexpected setbacks during property renovations, her journey was anything but smooth.
Shayna Taylor [13:15]: "I made a mistake of starting to invest money into the farm and my garden and the chickens... I got so humbled."
She highlights the cultural differences, such as Italy's robust regulatory environment for property transactions and the financial strains of delayed projects.
Shayna Taylor [17:09]: "Now I have to go to court because they released the deposit... It’s a minimum of four years for this to be resolved."
Despite these challenges, Shayna's love for the land and its natural beauty kept her motivated. She emphasizes the high quality of Italian agriculture, particularly in the Umbria region, known for its lush landscapes and sustainable farming practices.
Shayna Taylor [08:26]: "Umbria stays very green. It’s stunning."
Healing Gut Health and Anxiety
Shayna delves into her personal health struggles, detailing symptoms like chronic bloating, cystic acne, and severe constipation that plagued her despite her healthy lifestyle.
Shayna Taylor [43:15]: "I had so many weird health issues that I could not figure out what was causing them."
Her collaboration with Dr. Joffrey, a gut health specialist, was pivotal in diagnosing and addressing her gut imbalances. Through comprehensive testing, she discovered severe Candida overgrowth, parasites, and H. Pylori infections.
Shayna Taylor [44:20]: "I had everything under the sun for Candida overgrowth, parasites... a very fucked up gut."
However, Shayna acknowledges that addressing her chronic anxiety was crucial to her overall healing. Moving to Italy and immersing herself in spiritual practices provided the necessary mental and emotional balance to complement her physical treatments.
Shayna Taylor [46:32]: "It took me six years to get to where I actually was like, like healed."
Inner Alchemy and Gut Healing Course
Shayna introduces her comprehensive program, Inner Alchemy, a 13-module online course designed to guide individuals through gut health restoration and emotional healing. The program integrates scientific insights with spiritual practices, covering topics like lifestyle choices, supplementation, diets, stress management, and trauma unpacking.
Shayna Taylor [62:38]: "Inner Alchemy is a very extensive 13 module online program that covers all of these topics."
She explains the partnership with Dr. Joffrey, emphasizing the blend of scientific rigor and holistic wellness.
Shayna Taylor [63:25]: "We cover Lyme disease, autoimmune disease, brain fog, depression, SIBO... We cover all those things."
Lifestyle and Daily Rituals
Shayna shares her daily rituals that anchor her well-being, emphasizing the importance of a structured morning routine. Her rituals include:
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Morning Hydration: Starting the day with bone broth and an olive oil lemon shot.
Shayna Taylor [64:33]: "I have my bone broth, I drink my... I have my olive oil lemon shot."
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Spiritual Practices: Dedication to meditation and journaling to maintain inner peace and clarity.
Shayna Taylor [66:16]: "My morning ritual is the key to everything for me."
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Grounding Activities: Engaging with nature through walking on the beach or sitting in her garden to stay connected and present.
Shayna Taylor [28:20]: "Having my feet in the grass and actually grounding myself every day."
Retreats and Community Building
Shayna elaborates on her wellness retreats designed primarily for women. These retreats offer immersive experiences that combine physical activities like yoga and hiking with spiritual workshops and communal dining, fostering a sense of community and personal growth.
Shayna Taylor [47:06]: "We do food, relationship with food, spiritual work, fitness, and then enjoy Italy at the same time."
Due to delays with her farmhouse project, Shayna collaborates with luxury properties across Italy to host these retreats, ensuring participants experience the authentic Italian lifestyle while benefiting from structured wellness programs.
Shayna Taylor [47:19]: "So I've done a couple other properties in Italy, and now we're trying to do weekend retreats."
Additionally, she introduces the Shayna Serene Circle, an online community extending the retreat experience to a broader audience, making her teachings accessible to those unable to attend in person.
Final Thoughts: Becoming the Ultimate Human
When asked what it means to be an ultimate human, Shayna reflects on her journey of self-discovery and healing. She emphasizes the significance of being grounded, present, and joyful, free from the anxiety loops that once dominated her life.
Shayna Taylor [72:30]: "The answer is to be fully grounded and present in the current moment and really happy and free from uncertainty."
Shayna concludes by encouraging individuals to embark on their own journeys of inner work, spirituality, and reconnection with nature to achieve holistic health and fulfillment.
Shayna Taylor [72:36]: "Being somebody that suffered a lot from underlying anxiety and being completely ungrounded... learning how to not live like that and being in this place I am now."
Key Takeaways
- Reconnecting with Nature: Shayna's move to Italy underscores the healing power of nature and sustainable living in overcoming chronic health issues.
- Holistic Healing: Addressing both physical gut health and underlying emotional anxiety is essential for comprehensive wellness.
- Inner Work: Engaging in daily spiritual practices like meditation and journaling fosters inner peace and resilience.
- Community and Support: Building supportive communities through retreats and online platforms amplifies personal growth and healing.
- Embracing Challenges: Shayna's experiences highlight the importance of resilience and adaptability in pursuing one's dreams and overcoming setbacks.
Notable Quotes
- Shayna Taylor [00:24]: "Food became transactional, which is our biggest problem."
- Gary Brecka [34:44]: "If you walk in your grocery store and they have a health food section, what does it say about the rest of the store?"
- Shayna Taylor [43:15]: "I had so many weird health issues that I could not figure out what was causing them."
- Shayna Taylor [66:20]: "I don't care how early I have to wake up. I like to have two hours before I have to do any sort of work."
- Shayna Taylor [72:30]: "The answer is to be fully grounded and present in the current moment and really happy and free from uncertainty."
Conclusion
Episode 161 of The Ultimate Human Podcast offers a compelling narrative of Shayna Taylor's quest for health and fulfillment through returning to nature and embracing holistic practices. Her story serves as an inspiration for listeners seeking to overcome personal challenges and cultivate a balanced, grounded life.
For more information on Shayna Taylor and her offerings, visit shaynaskitchen.com and follow her social media under her full name, Shayna Therese Taylor.