Episode Details

This is StRest! In this episode, Kerstin Lindquist is joined by her best friend and board-certified functional health coach, Debbie Wright, for an empowering, practical conversation that will change how you think about your health. From how to prepare for your doctor’s visit to what wearables actually matter, they walk through the top five things you can do to get the most out of your (often brief) medical appointments.

Kerstin and Debbie unpack the truth behind “normal” bloodwork ranges, how to interpret your health data from devices like WHOOP and UltraHuman, and why glucose monitoring may be the single most powerful thing you can do to prevent chronic disease. They also model exactly what to say to your doctor when they push back, how to self-advocate with grace, and what functional medicine can offer when traditional healthcare falls short.

If you’ve ever walked out of a doctor’s appointment frustrated or confused, this episode gives you a roadmap—and the mindset—to walk in prepared, collaborative, and confident.

Major Themes & Concepts

✅ What your wearable metrics (HRV, RHR, VO2 Max, etc.) actually mean

✅ How to talk to your doctor—even if you only have six minutes

✅ Why “normal” lab ranges aren’t the goal (and what to ask for instead)

✅ Connection between glucose spikes, sleep, stress, and chronic disease

✅ How food scanning apps help you beat marketing lies on food labels

✅ Power of informed consent and requesting blood panels with confidence

✅ Prevention is cheaper than sick care

✅ What to do when insurance won’t help

✅ How knowing your genetic risks can make you healthier, not more afraid

✅ Functional medicine vs. traditional care: building your full health team

✅ Why you deserve collaborative care—and how to find the right provider

Chapter Breakdown

00:00 – Introduction to Health and Wellness Coaching

05:12 – Maximizing Your Doctor's Appointment

08:01 – The Power of Wearable Technology

10:38 – Understanding Health Metrics (HRV, VO2 Max, Deep Sleep, etc.)

13:38 – Proactive Health Management and Using Data to Drive Change

16:13 – Navigating Blood Work and Doctor Relationships

28:21 – Understanding Health Metrics and Blood Work (continued)

32:10 – The Importance of Glucose Monitoring

34:19 – Navigating Doctor Consultations and Medication Prescriptions

36:24 – Food Scanning and Label Reading for Health Awareness

40:13 – Genetics, Lifestyle, and Beating the Odds

42:33 – Finding the Right Healthcare Provider for You

45:52 – Empowering Yourself in Doctor Visits and Knowing What to Say

50:51 – Building a Supportive Health Community and Advocating for Yourself

58:15 – CTA: Join Coaching, Get the Blood Panel List, Plug Into the Community

Resources & Recommendations

Work with Kerstin

📅 Workshops & Events – Join upcoming events & retreats.

💡 Health Coaching with Kerstin – 1:1 coaching for stress reduction & wellness.

Vita Hustle Protein  or  https://bit.ly/KERSTIN20

Use code KERSTIN20 for 20% off your first order

Dr. Denese Skincare –   Use code STREST

Apollo neuro - https://apolloneuro.com/kerstinlindquist-llc 

Code: KERSTINLINDQUISTLLC

Lumen 

Listen Now