At 64, Pam has lost 45 pounds without a GLP-1, but that is only one part of her transformation. For years, Pam knew something wasn’t right. She was gaining weight, exhausted, frustrated, and tired of trying things that simply weren’t working. She and her husband had reached a point where they were sick of feeling stuck and didn’t know what else to do. But Pam’s story began to change when the focus shifted away from yet another generic plan and toward understanding what was actually happening inside her body.

In Part 1 of this special two-part series, Susan sits down with Pam and her sister, Leslie, to share the raw, real story behind their health transformations. They explore how genetics, labs, stress, metabolism, digestion, and lifestyle helped uncover pieces of their health that had previously been missed, including genetic lipid risks such as Lp(a) and phytosterolemia. In this episode the focus is on Pam. This conversation is about much more than a number on the scale. At 64, Pam has lost 45 pounds, feels dramatically better, and has changed the trajectory of her health by learning how to work with her individual biology. Her story is a powerful reminder that feeling better is possible at any age, and that sometimes the answer isn’t trying harder, but finally understanding what your body needs.

In This Episode

• Why Pam felt exhausted, frustrated, and stuck after repeatedly trying to improve her health
• How personalized testing revealed genetic and metabolic factors that helped explain what was happening
• What Pam learned about Lp(a), phytosterolemia (ABCG8 genes), stress, digestion, and their impact on her individual health risks
• Why weight loss became a by-product of helping her body function better rather than the only goal
• The lifestyle and nutrition changes that helped Pam lose 45 pounds at age 64
• Why feeling seen, heard, and understood can completely change someone's health journey

Come back next week for Part 2, where Pam’s sister Leslie shares her own very different journey, from overwhelming fatigue, weight gain, hormone struggles, and years of trying to figure out her health on her own to finally understanding what her body needed. Two sisters, shared genetics, but two distinctly individual and impactful health stories that will inspire you.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Pam Fowler:

https://galenoiabrainwellness.com/

Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes:

https://healthyawakening.co/2026/08/24/episode137/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

MTHFR may be one of the most talked-about and misunderstood genes in the wellness world. Depending on where you get your information, you may have been told that an MTHFR variant is responsible for everything from fatigue and brain fog to poor detoxification, hormone issues, fertility challenges, and chronic disease. You may have even been told you need a specific supplement, detox protocol, or diet simply because of one genetic result. But your biology is far more complex than one SNP.

In this solo episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable., Susan Robbins is breaking down the facts and fiction surrounding MTHFR. She explains what the MTHFR gene actually does, the difference between a genetic variant and a mutation, and why having an MTHFR variant does not mean your methylation is "broken." Susan also explores folate versus folic acid, methylfolate supplementation, detox claims, MTHFR-specific diets, and why looking at genetics without considering labs, symptoms, lifestyle, environment, and the rest of your genetic pathways can lead to unnecessary fear and one-size-fits-all recommendations. This episode is about replacing fear with context so you can use your genetics as information, not as a prediction of your future.

In This Episode:

• What MTHFR actually is and its role in folate metabolism and methylation
• Why having an MTHFR variant is not the same as having a disease or diagnosis
• The difference between folate, folic acid, and methylfolate
• Why an MTHFR variant doesn't automatically mean you need methylfolate or another supplement
• How genes such as DHFR and other pathways add important context to MTHFR
• Why genetics should be considered alongside labs, symptoms, nutrition, sleep, stress, movement, environment, and health history

RESOURCES:

DNA Decoded: The Truth About Genetic Testing & What You Need to Know

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dna-decoded-the-truth-about-genetic-testing-what-you/id1736527617?i=1000700566833

Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes:

https://healthyawakening.co/2026/08/17/episode136/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

When people think about longevity, they often focus on nutrition, supplements, strength training, or cardio. But there's another piece of the puzzle that's just as important, and it's often overlooked: balance.

In this episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable., Susan Robbins sits down with fitness professional and Balero Board creator, Karen Harbour to explore why balance is one of the most powerful predictors of long-term health, mobility, and independence. Karen shares how decades of experience in the fitness industry, combined with her own passion for functional movement, led her to create a simple, accessible way for people to improve balance, stability, and confidence. Together, Susan and Karen discuss why balance begins declining earlier than most people realize, how it affects everything from injury prevention to athletic performance, and why training balance should become part of everyone's wellness routine—regardless of age or fitness level.

In this episode:

• Why balance is one of the most overlooked pillars of longevity and healthy aging
• The four essential components of balance: stability, agility, strength, and endurance
• How improving balance can reduce the risk of falls, injuries, and loss of independence
• Why functional movement and unilateral training are key for recovery and everyday life
• Simple ways to incorporate balance training into your daily routine without spending hours in the gym
• How building balance today can improve confidence, mobility, and quality of life for years to come

RESOURCES:

Connect with Karen Harbour:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baleroboard/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karenharbour/

Find all of Susan’s Resources and links in the show notes:

https://healthyawakening.co/2026/08/03/episode135/

Connect with Susan: https://healthyawakening.co/

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast