The Hidden Gem of a Naturopath Who Wrote the Manual to Health and Longevity

This week, I talk with Dr. Erika Siegel, a naturopathic doctor with nearly 20 years of experience. I discovered her work through a recommendation from my doctor and was immediately drawn to her two-volume book set, The Nourish Me Kitchen, which combines essential health wisdom with practical recipes. As a coach, I see many entrepreneurs burning out due to the immense physical and mental demands of their work. In our conversation, Erika shares her journey and insights on how to maintain wellness as an entrepreneur. We explore how to sustain your health, just like a professional athlete, to keep performing at your best. If you’re looking for practical tips on managing stress, taking care of your body, and making an impact without sacrificing your well-being, this episode is for you. Let’s get to it!

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro
(04:45) - Erika's 40-mile hike
(08:46) - Why mental preparation is key
(11:02) - The Importance of Honest Communication
(15:56) - Erika's Journey into Medicine
(22:02) - Choosing a Path in Naturopathic Medicine
(27:05) - The Evolution of Functional Medicine
(33:40) - Life in Portland and Embracing Nature
(44:02) - Nature's Healing Power
(52:03) - Parenting with Intention
(01:03:47) - Healthy expressions of emotion
(01:15:19) - Holistic Health Strategies
(01:24:35) - How psychology impacts biology
(01:29:41) - Starting points for managing stress
(01:35:52) - How to kick bad habits
(01:40:55) - Detoxifying in a Modern World
(01:55:58) - Erika's beautiful future
(01:56:52) - Who Erika is becoming

Key Takeaways

Pushing Beyond Your Comfort Zone Builds Resilience: Erika shares her experience of hiking 40 miles around Mount Hood, pushing herself beyond her usual comfort zone. She emphasizes that challenging yourself in uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations can lead to deep satisfaction and personal growth, highlighting the importance of mental preparation and self-reliance.
Mental Preparation is Key for Tackling Challenges: Mental preparation is as important, if not more so, than physical strength. Erika prepared herself mentally for her hike by anticipating discomfort and thinking ahead about how she would handle tough moments, showing that mindset plays a critical role in overcoming challenges.
Honest Communication Fosters Strong Relationships: Erika stresses the importance of honest and clear communication in relationships. Whether in a family or professional setting, openly sharing feelings and needs helps prevent misunderstandings and creates stronger connections.
We Are Responsible for Our Own Health: Erika is a strong proponent of taking charge of your own health rather than outsourcing it entirely to healthcare providers. While doctors provide valuable guidance, individuals must make daily choices to care for their well-being. This philosophy of self-empowerment and proactive health care is foundational to her practice.
Nature is Medicine: Erika’s deep connection to nature is a recurring theme in her career. She believes that spending time outdoors is not only rejuvenating but essential for well-being. Nature provides a simple yet profound form of medicine, helping to ground and replenish both the mind and body.

Quotes

“We are in charge of our health. And we should feel that we have the information to make the right choices for ourselves, and we should have enough insight and internal guidance so we can navigate those choices without asking our doctors or our healthcare providers, okay, what do I do next?” ~ Dr. Erika Siegel

“An effective and efficient way to be in relationship is to just say, ‘This is how I’m feeling. This is what I need. And please don’t take this personally because this is actually about my need.’ And then it just shifts everyone’s orientation around it. It's like you kind of move through challenges with so much more grace.” ~ Dr. Erika Siegel

“For a long time, I wasn’t aware of my own needs and what I actually wanted and desired from my relationships. Just like the basics of am I hungry? Am I tired? Am I thirsty? Do I need connection? Just these fundamental things.” ~ Dr. Erika Siegel

“There’s so much wisdom in just connecting with your core requirements. Recognizing that our needs change and it’s okay to say, you know, this is not in my capacity right now.” ~ Dr. Erika Siegel

Links