In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, Christina Veselak sits down with dietitian Sarah Thomsen Ferreira to explore how food fuels neuroplasticity and supports BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). Together, they dive into the science of brain health, functional nutrition, and the role of food as medicine for mental wellness and recovery.

You’ll learn how to:

• Support brain growth and resilience with nutrition

• Reduce inflammation and boost mood naturally

• Incorporate neuroplasticity-boosting foods into daily life

• Use food as a tool for mental health and addiction recovery

Whether you’re on a healing journey or simply want to optimize your brain, this episode will give you practical, science-based strategies to fuel your mind and body.

Meet our Guest

Sarah Thomsen Ferreira, MS, MPH, RD, LD, IFNCP is an integrative and functional dietitian, educator, and founder of Food and Mood Nutrition Therapy, LLC. Her clinical expertise lies at the intersection of nutrition, neurological health, food choice, and emotional well-being, with a special focus on eating psychology, thyroid health, and coaching-informed counseling principles. She is also the creator of The Brain Food Digest and host of The Nourished Brain podcast, where she explores topics such as nutritional psychology, gut-brain health, and the role of nutrition in supporting nervous system function.

Website: https://www.foodandmoodnutritiontherapy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourishedbrainrd/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/nourished-brain-podcast/id1414067445
Brain Health Nutrition Updates: https://brainfooddigest.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Discover More Unlock a world of resources at https://aminoacidtherapy.com/ where you’ll find expert insights, transformative training, and actionable tools to support your recovery journey. Whether you're looking for professional courses like our Level 1 Core Training

Learn more at https://feedtherecoveringbrain.com
Support Our Mission Check out our nonprofit initiative, Eating Protein Saves Lives, at https://eatingproteinsaveslives.org/ Learn how we’re improving lives and communities through better nutrition, the science of amino acid therapy, and our simple yet powerful message: Eat protein every 4 hours.

Also, if you’re just starting out or want a solid foundation, check out Eat: A Guide to Radiant Recovery Using Food and Amino Acids to Repair the Addicted Brain and Reduce Cravings by Christina Veselak. It’s a clear, powerful intro to the core concepts. Grab your copy here: https://www.eatforrecovery.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information shared is meant to inform and empower listeners but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care and treatment.

Music by: Bensound
License code: GFZAESIUP3ZUNGXM

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Let’s make nutrition part of the conversation for lasting recovery.

In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, host Christina Veselak sits down with Paige Speers, founder of the Choose Greater Health Community, to share her inspiring journey of healing from brain injury caused by blood clots and oxygen deprivation. Paige reveals how nutrition, supplements, neurofeedback, movement therapies, and functional medicine helped her rebuild her health and emotional resilience.

After surviving pulmonary embolism and anoxic brain injury at 32, Paige channeled her innate resilience into recovery, finding whole person focused therapies centered around bringing all systems into balance in a way that would fill in the pieces and complement standard medicine. This brought in Paige’s entrepreneurial vision of connecting other undersupported brain injury survivors with integrative and functional medicine resources and professionals, providing options to choose in alignment with their highest health potentials. Additionally speaking and writing about her recovery path have been a focus.

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/19mPD6AyGn/?mibextid=wwXIfr
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paige-speers-a9a38b62

Discover More Unlock a world of resources at https://aminoacidtherapy.com/ where you’ll find expert insights, transformative training, and actionable tools to support your recovery journey. Whether you're looking for professional courses like our Level 1 Core Training

Learn more at https://feedtherecoveringbrain.com
Support Our Mission Check out our nonprofit initiative, Eating Protein Saves Lives, at https://eatingproteinsaveslives.org/ Learn how we’re improving lives and communities through better nutrition, the science of amino acid therapy, and our simple yet powerful message: Eat protein every 4 hours.

Also, if you’re just starting out or want a solid foundation, check out Eat: A Guide to Radiant Recovery Using Food and Amino Acids to Repair the Addicted Brain and Reduce Cravings by Christina Veselak. It’s a clear, powerful intro to the core concepts. Grab your copy here: https://www.eatforrecovery.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information shared is meant to inform and empower listeners but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care and treatment.

Music by: Bensound
License code: GFZAESIUP3ZUNGXM

Like this episode?
Subscribe, rate, and share it with a friend or colleague who needs this information.
Let’s make nutrition part of the conversation for lasting recovery.

In this episode of Power Up Recovery with Nutrition, Christina Veselak talks with breathwork and trauma expert Alyse Bacine about how healing childhood wounds and nourishing the brain support lasting recovery. Alyse shares her journey from an eating disorder to discovering breathwork, and how her Metamorphosis Method helps clients break free from trauma patterns. Together, they reveal the link between nutrition, trauma, and emotional healing and why feeding the brain is key to thriving.

Alyse Bacine is a leading expert in trauma healing and transformational breathwork with over 25 years of experience and a Master’s in Counseling Psychology. She is the creator of The Metamorphosis Method™, a groundbreaking system that integrates clinical psychology, somatic practices, and energy healing to deliver predictable, lasting transformation. A former school counselor, Alyse has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Well + Good, and Nylon, and has guided hundreds of women to release trauma, reclaim their power, and thrive.

Website: https://www.alysebreathes.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyse_breathes/

Discover More Unlock a world of resources at https://aminoacidtherapy.com/ where you’ll find expert insights, transformative training, and actionable tools to support your recovery journey. Whether you're looking for professional courses like our Level 1 Core Training

Learn more at https://feedtherecoveringbrain.com
Support Our Mission Check out our nonprofit initiative, Eating Protein Saves Lives, at https://eatingproteinsaveslives.org/ Learn how we’re improving lives and communities through better nutrition, the science of amino acid therapy, and our simple yet powerful message: Eat protein every 4 hours.

Also, if you’re just starting out or want a solid foundation, check out Eat: A Guide to Radiant Recovery Using Food and Amino Acids to Repair the Addicted Brain and Reduce Cravings by Christina Veselak. It’s a clear, powerful intro to the core concepts. Grab your copy here: https://www.eatforrecovery.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information shared is meant to inform and empower listeners but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for personalized care and treatment.

Music by: Bensound
License code: GFZAESIUP3ZUNGXM

Like this episode?
Subscribe, rate, and share it with a friend or colleague who needs this information.
Let’s make nutrition part of the conversation for lasting recovery.