In this episode of the Seaworthy Podcast, Dr. Rob Downey interviews women's health coach Saoirse Nash about her personal journey with chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) and the broader systemic issues surrounding women's healthcare. Saoirse shares how recurring UTIs in her youth were normalized and dismissed, leading to years of inadequate treatment until she took control of her health through holistic and functional approaches. The discussion explores the intersection of anatomy, immune and gut health, poor diagnostic tools, and the role of chronic stress and environmental toxins in women’s health. Together, they emphasize the importance of patient empowerment, lifestyle changes, and the need for better research and advocacy—highlighting organizations like Live UTI Free that offer critical support and information.

Timestamps:
(00:00) UTIs common, especially in women
(01:51) Saoirse’s health journey begins with UTIs
(06:25) Gut health linked to immune defense
(08:13) Standard UTI tests often fail
(30:35) Trust your body and instincts

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Key Takeaways:
Chronic UTIs are often misdiagnosed and undertreated.
Gut health is vital for immune defense.
Stress and trauma impact physical health deeply.
Women’s symptoms are too often normalized.
Trust your body—advocate for better care.

In this episode of the "Fieldnotes" podcast, Dr. Rob Downey interviews Courtney Cowie, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and certified coach, about her personal and professional journey through chronic gut health issues, including IBS, IBD, mold toxicity, and Lyme disease. Courtney shares her powerful origin story—from childhood stomach aches and years of ineffective conventional treatments to her transformative experience with Chinese medicine in Japan and her eventual embrace of functional medicine. Together, they explore the critical role of functional testing, the gut-brain connection, and the importance of root-cause approaches in healing chronic digestive conditions. Courtney also highlights how personalized testing, diet, and trauma-informed care can empower patients to regain their health and vitality.

Timestamps:
00:48) Courtney discusses her IBS diagnosis
(05:00) Bathroom stops planned during runs
(06:11) Herbalist urges eating meat
(14:31) Microscopic colitis finally diagnosed
(17:17) Mold toxicity and Lyme uncovered

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Key Takeaways:
Chronic gut issues often start in childhood.
Conventional medicine may overlook root causes.
Functional testing reveals hidden gut dysfunction.
Mold and Lyme can mimic IBS symptoms.
Diet, stress, and trauma impact digestion deeply.

In this episode, Dr. Rob Downey welcomes Dr. Darin Ingels, a naturopathic doctor and expert in environmental and allergy medicine, to discuss alternative and functional approaches to managing allergies. Dr. Ingels explains how conventional allergy treatments, like shots, often fail to address the root causes of immune overreaction. He explores lesser-known but effective methods such as sublingual immunotherapy and Low Dose Allergen (LDA) therapy, which aim to retrain the immune system for long-term relief. The conversation highlights how allergies can manifest in surprising ways, even affecting mood and cognition, and emphasizes the need for personalized, root-cause solutions beyond standard protocols.

Timestamps:
(00:29) Dr. Ingels joins allergy discussion.
(02:42) Alternatives to allergy shots explained.
(06:04) Allergies affect brain and behavior.
(17:48) Immune therapy improves depression symptoms.
(26:48) Remote testing and treatment possible.

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Key Takeaways:
Allergies are immune system overreactions.
Standard allergy tests can miss triggers.
Sublingual therapy is safe and effective.
Allergies can affect brain and mood.
Root-cause treatment leads to long-term relief.

In this powerful episode of Field Notes – Dr. Rob Case Studies 2, Dr. Rob Downey shares the deeply personal story that led him into functional medicine: a patient suffering from severe psoriatic arthritis, depression, and fatigue, who had exhausted all conventional treatment options.

Her transformation through botanical medicine and holistic care became a turning point in Dr. Rob’s career, igniting his passion to explore root-cause healing. The episode explores how lifestyle interventions—like an anti-inflammatory diet, stress reduction, and gut repair—can reverse chronic disease and restore hope.

Dr. Rob also unpacks the science of leaky gut and autoimmunity in accessible, empowering language that inspires both practitioners and patients alike.

• A case of psoriatic arthritis reversal using functional medicine became the catalyst for Dr. Rob’s career shift.

• The patient improved 50–75% through a botanical protocol (Boswellia, Curcumin, Quercetin) and naturopathic care.

• Chronic symptoms included depression, fatigue, pain, and functional disability—impacting every area of life.

• Functional medicine emphasizes systems-based healing: anti-inflammatory nutrition, stress management, and supplements.

• Dr. Rob explains leaky gut with vivid metaphors and highlights its role in triggering autoimmune diseases.

You can learn more about the Case Studies event here:

In this episode, Dr. Rob Downey and Joe Rignola explore the profound link between peace and health. Dr. Rob discusses the importance of cultivating peace to achieve vitality, presenting the science behind stress and its impact on our physical and emotional well-being. He emphasizes how maintaining inner peace can regulate bodily functions such as digestion, immunity, and cognitive clarity. The episode also introduces practical tools like heart rate variability devices and supplements like ashwagandha for enhancing peace, underscoring the critical role of safety—both physical and emotional—in achieving peace. Listeners are encouraged to take proactive steps toward peace through mindfulness practices, positive psychology, and self-care.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction to Dr. Rob and Joe
(02:28) Importance of peace vs. food
(06:31) Cultivating peace through self-care
(11:15) Heart rate variability as peace tool
(22:56) Supplements for peace available

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Key Takeaways:

Peace is Central to Health.

Stress Management Affects Vital Functions.

The Role of the Nervous System.

Mindfulness Practices and Tools Help.

Safety is Essential for Peace.

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Rob Downey speaks with Jenny Harkleroad, an expert in functional medicine and wellness. Jenny shares her personal journey of overcoming chronic pain and discovering the powerful connection between the mind and body. After suffering a severe back injury, she explored alternative healing methods, including muscle testing and subconscious work, which helped her identify emotional pain manifesting as physical pain. She discusses her transformation from a successful real estate career to founding her wellness company, Balanced You, and how she now helps others overcome pain by addressing the root causes within the subconscious. The episode emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional health in healing chronic pain.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Rob introduces chronic pain topic.
(02:24) Jenny’s back injury leads to transformation.
(08:00) Pain revealed as emotional, not physical.
(16:00) Subconscious work helps eliminate pain.
(38:52) Jenny’s app and wellness resources.

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Key Takeaways:
Chronic pain may have emotional roots.

The subconscious mind is a powerful tool for healing .

Pain can be a signal for life changes.

Subconscious reprogramming can transform relationships.

Healing doesn’t require struggle.

In this episode of Field Notes, Dr. Steven Masley, a physician, nutritionist, and expert in functional medicine, joins host Dr. Rob Downey to discuss the critical role of diet and lifestyle in preventing and reversing heart disease. Dr. Masley shares his insights on how heart health can be significantly improved through simple, actionable changes, such as consuming "smart fats," minimizing sugar intake, and incorporating probiotics. He emphasizes the power of real, minimally processed foods and discusses how incorporating Mediterranean and plant-based diets can reduce risk factors like high blood sugar and inflammation. The conversation highlights how people can take control of their health and prevent heart disease and other chronic conditions through sustainable lifestyle changes.

Timestamps:

(00:40) Dr. Masley discusses heart disease prevention.
(03:04) Mediterranean diet and longevity insights.
(05:03) Key heart-healthy foods for improvement.
(09:21) Importance of reducing sugar and sweeteners.
(19:47) Mediterranean diet's long-term benefits.

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Key Takeaways:

• Heart disease is preventable with simple lifestyle changes

• Incorporating Mediterranean and plant-based diets can reduce risk factors

• Healthy fats and probiotics play a vital role in heart health

• Reducing sugar and sweeteners is key to prevention

• Gut health is critical for maintaining a healthy heart

In this podcast episode, Dr. Rob Downey and Dr. Evan Hirsch discuss the intricacies of chronic fatigue syndrome, long COVID, and how to restore energy and vitality. Dr. Hirsch shares his journey from experiencing chronic fatigue to developing a program to help others reclaim their energy. They discuss the root causes of fatigue, including toxins, heavy metals, mold, infections, and nervous system dysfunction. The episode also delves into the importance of understanding energy systems and the impact of stressors on overall health. Additionally, Dr. Hirsch explains the comprehensive approach of his program, emphasizing personalized treatment over testing, and how lifestyle changes and nervous system retraining can lead to lasting health improvements.

Timestamps:
(00:01) Dr. Downey introduces Dr. Evan Hirsch.
(02:02) Chronic fatigue and long COVID overlap.
(05:57) Toxic 5 causes fatigue and burnout.
(10:53) Adrenal and mitochondrial dysfunction discussed.
(36:49) Dr. Hirsch offers a free consultation.

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Key Takeaways:

Chronic Fatigue and Long COVID share common causes.

Energy is our birthright.

The Toxic 5 contribute to fatigue.

Personalized treatment over lab tests.

Nervous system retraining is essential.