Cancer Survivor: Resilience, Hope, & the Power of Integrative Medicine to Heal - with Dr. Jill Carnahan | E191

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Tune in to The Empowering Neurologist Podcast for an Inspiring Conversation with Dr. Jill Carnahan, Author of Unexpected

I’ve just finished recording a very moving interview with Dr. Jill Carnahan—Functional Medicine expert, speaker, and author. This was an unforgettable conversation about her new book, Unexpected. Dr. Carnahan’s story is one of resilience, empathy, and transformation, and her insights have changed countless lives through her compassionate approach to health.

Dr. Carnahan’s journey to becoming a functional medicine leader is anything but conventional. Early in her career, she faced serious health challenges that nearly ended her life and forever transformed her approach to patient care. After being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 25, Dr. Carnahan was forced to confront the fear, uncertainty, and upheaval that accompany life-altering illness. During her treatment, she developed a deeper understanding of what her patients were experiencing, not only physically but also emotionally. Just as she was beginning to regain her health, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a severe autoimmune disorder that impacted her life for years.

These back-to-back health crises became defining moments for Dr. Carnahan. They pushed her to pursue holistic healing modalities, ultimately shifting her career path toward Functional Medicine. Through her own journey of recovery, she developed a unique perspective on health that goes beyond treating symptoms, instead focusing on addressing the root causes of illness and the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.

In our time together Dr. Carnahan discusses:

☑️ The pivotal moments in her life that led her to Functional Medicine and reshaped her philosophy on health

☑️  How emotional resilience and compassion are critical components of healing

☑️  Practical strategies to detoxify, restore gut health, and promote holistic recovery

☑️  Insights into managing autoimmunity and chronic illness in a way that prioritizes the whole person

☑️  The role of mindset and self-compassion in transforming personal health challenges into opportunities for growth

My hope is that you will find our conversation to be an inspiring and enlightening experience. Her warmth, empathy, and expertise make her a true pioneer in Functional Medicine and a source of hope for anyone on their own health journey.

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00:11  Intro

01:09  Introduction to Dr. Jill

04:30  Dr. Jill’s Cancer Diagnosis

09:16  How She Learned To Trust Herself: Blending Intuition with Logic

11:54  The Illusion of Certainty & Embracing Fear

14:53  Returning to Medical School Post Chemo

20:12  Where Jill’s Cancer May Have Originated

24:24  The Diet That Helped Dr. Jill’s Crohn’s, Colitis, SIBO and SIFO Flare Ups

34:51  Dr. Jill’s Journey Into Functional Medicine as a Doctor

39:45  Dr, Perlmutter Shares His Patient’s Gluten-Free Experience

41:11 Using The Human Genome in Functional & Integrative  Medicine

50:00 How Personal Agency Impacts The Healing Process

51:50 Upstream From The Microbiome Is The Soil & Outro

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Dr. Jill Carnahan is Your Functional Medicine Expert® dually board certified in Family Medicine for 10 years and in Integrative Holistic Medicine. She is the founder and Medical Director of Flatiron Functional Medicine, a widely sought-after practice with a broad range of clinical services including functional medical consulting, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage.

Be sure to follow her @drjillcarnahan on