Saturday started out with Mark Sisson (has anyone noticed he looks like Harrison Ford? Just me? K.) He was discussing the research in his new book Primal Endurance, where he discusses a new training paradigm about how to train for endurance races/events while following a Paleo protocol and also discusses how to become a fat burner over a sugar burner, which was really interesting information! The new training paradigm focused on maintaining a consistent lower heartrate, eating more daily fats and incorporating different types of exercise into your week. I don’t have any endurance races coming up, but I may get the book just for the science aspect, I really enjoyed what he had to say.
Then, who I was waiting for, Chris Kresser. His discussion was titled ‘Exposome, Epigenetics and the Future of Medicine”. (Exposome = the world around you, Epigenetics = How your genes reacts to your environment) He had three main points that he believes needs to be incorporated into the healing models of practitioners. 1) Exposome as the primary driver to health, 2) Utilizing the Ancestry Model and 3) Utilizing the Functional Medicine Model. He broke each of these three down and discussed them at length.
When discussing the Exposome, he had some very startling points. Genetics accounts for LESS THAN 10% of disease, the other 90% is your environment. Whoa!! That’s a crazy statistic. Genetics used to be blamed for most everything it seems, but that can’t be further from the truth. Chris Kresser has a great saying ‘Genes load the gun, environment pulls the trigger’. What that means to me is that you can start out with a set of good or bad genes, but what you do with your life will determine how those play out. What you put into your body, how you manage your stress levels and how much you move will determine how those genes are expressed. He stated that this also accounts for the fact that identical twins can be so different. Their genes are the same, but how they live their lives are different.
The main point of utilizing an ancestral framework is that hunter/gatherer populations were far superior to us in all areas of health. They had no signs of chronic illness, inflammation or disease. Sounds like they must have been doing something right. They obviously ate in an optimal way for the body, their stress reaction systems worked as their were supposed to; in acute stress situations (hello lions, tigers and bears, oh my!) and their circadian rhythms were on point, to name a few. Everything we in the Paleo-sphere are trying to mimic on a daily basis, and yes, it is hard to accomplish in this modern world we live in.
His final point was discussing the Functional Medicine Approach. He compared and contrasted the ‘Conventional’ medicine model and the ‘Functional’ medical model. In conventional medicine, doctors work from symptoms, to disease, to pathology, to environment. We all are aware of this progression and have lived through it I am sure. Conventional doctors are concerned with symptoms first and will medicate those, before looking for underlying causes and other issues. In the Functional medicine model, doctors work from the environment, to pathology, to disease then to symptoms. They are concerned with the entire person, not just the one symptom that brought them into the office. He stressed that this is the model that should be used going forward. Not only looking at each symptom by itself, but looking at the entire human behind the symptom so the symptom (and others possibly present) are best understood.
We jumped right into the Express Yourself Panel, comprised of Mark Sisson, Dr. Cate Shanahan, Dr. Justin Marchegiani, Chris Kresser and Dr. Michael Ruscio. This panel discussed Genetics vs. Epigenetics. I really enjoyed this panel discussion (anyone sense a theme here? I enjoyed it all?) The whole time I was listening to this panel discussion, it felt like I was in information overload. Between having multiple people speaking at any one time, on a super in-depth topic, my head was swimming! The panel discussed how epigenetics are passed on through generations, genetic testing and placebo effects. One of my favorite quotes from the weekend came during this session when Dr. Michael Ruscio was speaking about genetic testing and results. He stated ‘If you drink coffee and it keeps you up all night, I don’t give a shit what your genes say, don’t drink coffee!‘ This was hilarious, but genius at the same time. Too often during the investigative process, we forget to trust ourselves. We get this test done, and that test done, and go by results alone. We forget the greatest indicator of what is working or not, is ourselves.
Another very interesting part of the session was the discussion about the Placebo Effect. One of the studies that was mentioned, was about pairing both a visual and auditory cue with the placebo. Eventually when given just the visual and auditory cue, the individual received the same response as they did when taking the placebo. Groundbreaking! I’ll be pairing pictures of palm trees and steel drum music with my Execdrine Migraine from now on, maybe palm trees will be my new migraine cure! One can only hope, right?
After this discussion we were done for the day and our brains were fried! I’ll finish up later in the week with part 3! Keep your eyes peeled!
Previous Post
Paleo F(x) Part 1: Fridayfollow along on Instagram:
First, comment SLAP and I’ll send you my morning exercise that is great for waking you up and helping you feel better in your body.
Second.. The actually doing something day after day after day is the hardest part!
Most people think consistency means daily- but that’s not true! Don’t fall into that perfectionist trap.
Set an alarm on your phone a few times a day.
When the alarm goes off- don’t turn it off and ignore it- do the thing!
And you’re done!
How do you help yourself remember to be consistent?
#lissms #slapittomapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms
First, comment SLAP and I’ll send you my morning exercise that is great for waking you up and helping you feel better in your body.
Second.. The actually doing something day after day after day is the hardest part!
Most people think consistency means daily- but that’s not true! Don’t fall into that perfectionist trap.
Set an alarm on your phone a few times a day.
When the alarm goes off- don’t turn it off and ignore it- do the thing!
And you’re done!
How do you help yourself remember to be consistent?
#lissms #slapittomapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis.
There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.
The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼
🥗Nutrition
🏋🏻♀️Movement
🧘🏻♀️Stress management
Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??
Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!
#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
If we haven’t met yet, Hi! 👋🏼👋🏼 I’m Alissa.
I’m a Holistic Practitioner & Therapist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis.
There are SO many tools that we can use to help improve our bodies functioning- which can in turn improve our MS symptoms.
The biggies that have helped me? 👇🏼
🥗Nutrition
🏋🏻♀️Movement
🧘🏻♀️Stress management
Want my most favorite, super short exercise that can help MS symptoms??
Comment: SLAP and I’ll send it to you!!
#lissms #SlapittoMapit #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short how to video!
Your body functioning better so you feel better in 3 minutes?
It sounds like a stupid infomercial BS claim I know and I roll my eyes every time I type it, but.. it’s kinda true?
Idk, I’ll let you be the final judge
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #slapittomapit #betterbrain
It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel.
Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻♀️
Your possibilities are endless!
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!
#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms
It’s an easy exercise with a silly name, but it actually packs a punch and can really change how you feel.
Imagine measurably more energy and feeling more stable and balanced- and even improving a few MS symptoms here and there too?🤷🏻♀️
Your possibilities are endless!
Comment SLAP and I’ll send you the short video about how to do it!
#lissms #slapittomapit multiplesclerosis #thisisms
Take a time out for a literal minute.
It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system.
#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation
Take a time out for a literal minute.
It’s amazing what happens when you take the time to care for your body and nervous system.
#LissMS #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation
First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??
#lissms #cutflowergarden
First year flower garden needed a post. Already looking forward to next summer, maybe a little less yellow? Can’t wait for the zinnias to bloom!
😂🌼💛
What are you growing??
#lissms #cutflowergarden
Thankfully I haven’t heard any of these in a while.. maybe that means I’m getting my point across 🤷🏻♀️
But if you’re new here, I value holistic lifestyle medicine (snake oil 😂) but ALSO conventional medicine, I utilize it all after all.
Yes, what we do as an individual matters for our health.
But so does the health systems we as individuals operate in.
Tomorrow is my MS-aversary, 16 years of having this disease. my newly diagnosed 24 year old self would be pretty shocked that I’m 40 (like in general lol) and also not in a wheelchair.
Here’s to many more years defying what I initially thought to be true about MS.
Comin with me? Hope so.
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #lifewithms
Thankfully I haven’t heard any of these in a while.. maybe that means I’m getting my point across 🤷🏻♀️
But if you’re new here, I value holistic lifestyle medicine (snake oil 😂) but ALSO conventional medicine, I utilize it all after all.
Yes, what we do as an individual matters for our health.
But so does the health systems we as individuals operate in.
Tomorrow is my MS-aversary, 16 years of having this disease. my newly diagnosed 24 year old self would be pretty shocked that I’m 40 (like in general lol) and also not in a wheelchair.
Here’s to many more years defying what I initially thought to be true about MS.
Comin with me? Hope so.
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #lifewithms
I’ve tripped a few times in the last few weeks.. nothing crazy, but I noticed.
And I noticed my thoughts… is this a “THING”??
Oh the constant wonderings of an MSer…
is this a regular life occurrence?
Or is this a new symptom? 😂😂
When was the last time you had this thought process??
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosiswarrior
I’ve tripped a few times in the last few weeks.. nothing crazy, but I noticed.
And I noticed my thoughts… is this a “THING”??
Oh the constant wonderings of an MSer…
is this a regular life occurrence?
Or is this a new symptom? 😂😂
When was the last time you had this thought process??
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosiswarrior
When you’re living with MS, it’s not that you don’t want to feel better…
It’s just that life keeps interrupting the plan.
Stress, symptoms, fatigue — they throw you off track.
That’s where support, structure, and accountability change everything.
That’s exactly what my membership is for.
✔️ Evidence-based strategies for MS
✔️ Real community and support
✔️ Gentle consistency that actually works
Only the waitlist is getting access as a Founding Member.
Comment WAITLIST and I’ll send you the link to add your name
#lissms #MultipleSclerosis #MSwarrior #MSsupport #ChronicIllnessHealing #MScommunity #HolisticHealing #NervousSystemHealing
When you’re living with MS, it’s not that you don’t want to feel better…
It’s just that life keeps interrupting the plan.
Stress, symptoms, fatigue — they throw you off track.
That’s where support, structure, and accountability change everything.
That’s exactly what my membership is for.
✔️ Evidence-based strategies for MS
✔️ Real community and support
✔️ Gentle consistency that actually works
Only the waitlist is getting access as a Founding Member.
Comment WAITLIST and I’ll send you the link to add your name
#lissms #MultipleSclerosis #MSwarrior #MSsupport #ChronicIllnessHealing #MScommunity #HolisticHealing #NervousSystemHealing
But seriously.. this isn’t too far off 😂
Life handed me a lemon that was a MS diagnosis at 24.
Life handed me a lemon that was multiple relapses and MS progression by 30.
Then I snatched those lemons, made some healing lemonade, and feel night and day different than I did 10 years ago when my symptoms were at their worst.
I could do it, my clients are doing it, I know you can too.
That’s why I’m so passionate about doing what I do. I know it’s possible for you to feel better in your body and be able to do the things you want to do.
Like go for a walk or hike with your spouse, say yes to a spontaneous night out with friends or get up and down off the floor playing with your kids.
That’s why I want to invite you to the waitlist for what I have coming.
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things.
Comment WAITLIST below and ill send you the link to join the list
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #becausems #thisisms #communityheals #mscommunity
But seriously.. this isn’t too far off 😂
Life handed me a lemon that was a MS diagnosis at 24.
Life handed me a lemon that was multiple relapses and MS progression by 30.
Then I snatched those lemons, made some healing lemonade, and feel night and day different than I did 10 years ago when my symptoms were at their worst.
I could do it, my clients are doing it, I know you can too.
That’s why I’m so passionate about doing what I do. I know it’s possible for you to feel better in your body and be able to do the things you want to do.
Like go for a walk or hike with your spouse, say yes to a spontaneous night out with friends or get up and down off the floor playing with your kids.
That’s why I want to invite you to the waitlist for what I have coming.
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things.
Comment WAITLIST below and ill send you the link to join the list
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiswarrior #becausems #thisisms #communityheals #mscommunity
I have a saying about dealing with MS (and any other autoimmune/chronic illnesses) that inevitably comes up in my work with clients:
“You don’t get it, until you get it”
Meaning, you don’t understand living life with MS (or any of the above), until you live in a body that has it.
Which is why living with MS can be so tough and lonely, because its hard to find people that truly understand what you mean when you say you’re exhausted, or brain foggy or “fine”.
This is also why I believe that having a community of others who get it is invaluable.
I’ve seen countless times over where someone new to one of my groups is able to feel fully seen and heard for the first time, and that is priceless for them and their healing.
They walk away feeling validated, understood and at home, which are hard to come by at the doctors office 😂🙄
You’re not too much
You’re not alone
You’re not lazy
You’re just talking to the wrong people.
If you wanna talk to the right people, I’m creating something for you..
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things..
BUT- only the waitlist is going to hear about it. So- if you want to be notified and involved in creating whats coming, comment WAITLIST and you’re in
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiscommunity #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosissupport
I have a saying about dealing with MS (and any other autoimmune/chronic illnesses) that inevitably comes up in my work with clients:
“You don’t get it, until you get it”
Meaning, you don’t understand living life with MS (or any of the above), until you live in a body that has it.
Which is why living with MS can be so tough and lonely, because its hard to find people that truly understand what you mean when you say you’re exhausted, or brain foggy or “fine”.
This is also why I believe that having a community of others who get it is invaluable.
I’ve seen countless times over where someone new to one of my groups is able to feel fully seen and heard for the first time, and that is priceless for them and their healing.
They walk away feeling validated, understood and at home, which are hard to come by at the doctors office 😂🙄
You’re not too much
You’re not alone
You’re not lazy
You’re just talking to the wrong people.
If you wanna talk to the right people, I’m creating something for you..
Think, somewhere to go online, where you can: connect with others who have MS, get questions about MS answered, get tools that can help your symptoms, support & accountability to help with actually doing those things..
BUT- only the waitlist is going to hear about it. So- if you want to be notified and involved in creating whats coming, comment WAITLIST and you’re in
#lissms #multiplesclerosis #multiplesclerosiscommunity #thisisms #becausems #multiplesclerosissupport
As Featured In:
