In this follow-up conversation, Dr. Laura continues her discussion with registered dietitian Kylie Viens, diving into what nutrition actually looks like in real life — not on paper.

They talk about practical strategies for eating out, navigating food prep without overwhelm, and why when you eat can matter just as much as what you eat. Kylie also explains how stress, mood, and hunger influence food choices, and why willpower is rarely the real issue.

This episode covers:

• How to approach eating out without rigid food rules

• Simple ways to think about food prep (even if it feels intimidating)

• Why meal timing impacts energy, mood, and stress

• The relationship between blood sugar, anxiety, and food choices

• Emotional eating vs. under-fueling

• Navigating nutrition during busy seasons, holidays, and social events

• When it may be helpful to work with a dietitian — even preventatively

Kylie also shares her personal perspective on staying healthy through different seasons of life, including motherhood, and why maintaining energy, strength, and long-term health is a priority for her.

Connect with Kylie Viens & FlyFit Nutrition

Website: ⁠⁠Fly Fit Nutrition⁠

Book a Free 15 minute Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/flyfitnutrition/15min

Instagram: ⁠⁠@dietitianforpilots⁠

On The Ascent: Health is produced by Ascent Health & Performance in Anchorage, Alaska — a clinic dedicated to helping people stay strong, active, and adventurous for life. Connect with Dr. Laura & Ascent Health & Performance

Website: ⁠⁠https://ascentak.com/⁠⁠

Podcast : ⁠⁠ascentak.com/podcast⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@ascenthealth_ak⁠

In this episode of On The Ascent: Health, Dr. Lauras sit down with Kylie Viens, registered dietitian and diabetes educator, to talk about something most people have been taught incorrectly:

How not to be on a diet.

We break down what the word “diet” actually means — and how diet culture turned it into restriction, deprivation, and short-term fixes that rarely work.

This conversation challenges the idea that your metabolism is “broken” or that the solution to better health is eating less. Instead, we focus on how to eat in a way that supports strength, energy, performance, and long-term health — without cutting out entire food groups or living in food rules.

We cover:

• Why most diets fail (and why that’s not a personal failure)

• What actually influences metabolism beyond calories

• The role of muscle, protein, and strength training in staying metabolically strong

• How fiber and whole foods support blood sugar, cholesterol, and satiety

• Why caffeine, sleep, and recovery matter more than most people realize

• How to think about carbohydrates and fats without labeling foods as “good” or “bad”

This episode is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.
In Part 2, we’ll talk about navigating holidays, what dietitians really mean by “meal prep,” favorite go-to foods, and how to build an eating approach that fits real life.

🎧 Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2.

Connect with Kylie Viens & FlyFit Nutrition

Website: ⁠Fly Fit Nutrition

Book a Free 15 minute Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/flyfitnutrition/15min

Instagram: ⁠@dietitianforpilots

On The Ascent: Health is produced by Ascent Health & Performance in Anchorage, Alaska — a clinic dedicated to helping people stay strong, active, and adventurous for life. Connect with Dr. Laura & Ascent Health & Performance

Website: ⁠https://ascentak.com/⁠

Podcast : ⁠ascentak.com/podcast⁠

Instagram: ⁠@ascenthealth_ak⁠

Pelvic floor issues are common — but they are not normal.

In this episode of On The Ascent: Health, Dr. Laura Peterson Wright sits down with Dr. Laura Huie, Doctor of Physical Therapy at Point North Physical Therapy, to break down what pelvic floor therapy really is, who it’s for, and why so many women are told to “just live with” symptoms that are absolutely treatable.

They cover:

• What pelvic health actually includes (it’s more than Kegels)

• Urinary leaking, urgency, constipation, and bladder control

• Pain with intercourse — why it’s common but not normal

• Pelvic floor tension vs weakness (and why doing more Kegels can make things worse)

• How childbirth, C-sections, and athletic activity affect pelvic health

• The role of estrogen, perimenopause, and menopause in pelvic floor symptoms

• Why passive treatments like the Emsella chair aren’t one-size-fits-all

• What a pelvic floor exam and treatment really look like

• How pelvic floor therapy supports sexual health, lubrication, and arousal

• When joint pain, tendon pain, or “nagging injuries” may be hormone-related

• Practical myths to bust (frequent peeing, “just in case” pees, and more)

This episode is for women who:

• Leak when they run, jump, cough, or lift

• Experience pain during sex or pelvic discomfort

• Feel constant urgency to pee or struggle with constipation

• Are navigating perimenopause or menopause

• Have been told symptoms are “normal after kids” or “just part of aging”

If you’ve ever wondered whether pelvic floor therapy is for you — this conversation brings clarity without fear-mongering or fluff.

Connect with Point North Physical Therapy & Dr. Laura Huie

Website: ⁠https://pointnorthpt.com ⁠

Instagram: @pointnorthpt

On The Ascent: Health is produced by Ascent Health & Performance in Anchorage, Alaska — a clinic dedicated to helping people stay strong, active, and adventurous for life.

Connect with Dr. Laura & Ascent Health & Performance

Website: ⁠⁠https://ascentak.com/⁠⁠

Podcast : ⁠⁠ascentak.com/podcast⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@ascenthealth_ak⁠⁠