WNC Health Streams

Is your “Wheel in Alignment”? Marsh shares wisdom from her 43 year journey in nursing including surgical, public health, home health, oncology, and hospice & palliative care with an emphasis on pain management culminating in “The Wellness Wheel”, which is going beyond being free from disease and allowing your health and wellness to permeate all the areas of your life. Hear more from Marsha on “The Wellness Wheel” at the THRIVE Transylvania Health & Wellness Expo September 24th from 10am-2pm at 153 W. Jordan Street in Brevard, NC.

We welcome back Dr. Iyer to continue our exploration of how to get “un-stuck” with a wholistic approach to mind-body-spirit contentment. Learn how forgiveness and emotional blocks play a critical role in our physical health, energy and longevity. Hear more from Dr. Iyer on forgiveness at the THRIVE Transylvania Health & Wellness Expo September 24th from 10am-2pm at 153 W. Jordan Street in Brevard, NC.

Learn how small shifts in daily living can have ripple effects into your energy. Felice shares about The Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Assessment which measures your current worldviews and how you “show up” in work and life.  Hear more from Felice at the THRIVE Transylvania Health & Wellness Expo September 24th from 10am-2pm at 153 W. Jordan Street in Brevard, NC.

Draw from the wisdom of Mary Beth's 25 years in the field of HR and organizational leadership. This Leader Life of focuses on Trauma Sensitive Leadership and putting people first in the workplace through culture, values, and retention.

C2Life is a woman lead company with a powerful business model aimed at fighting hunger & eliminating chronic disease caused by poor nutrition. 1 Meal Purchased = 1 Meal Donated! Hear about their plant based meals that have been hand-crafted and carefully curated with high-quality ingredients and globally inspired flavors that will leave both your belly and heart full!

Helping people break free of poverty must come from direct community involvement. The vision of Circles USA is that everyone has enough money, meaning, and friends to thrive and the program is for any community group, government agency, or nonprofit that seeks to reduce poverty.

Gain critical insights about transforming your health to include your whole person: body, mind, and spirit from Jodi's decades of experience in the health and wellness field as well as important reminders about the role diet and activity play in setting us up for success.

Learn about Conserving Carolina's mission to protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of the natural world, including details on the new Ecusta Trail linking Hendersonville and Brevard, and more!

Learn how engaging the power of self-renewal, building a support network and managing your energy can increase your ability to be more vibrant, creative, energized and resourced in all areas of your life. Renee shares simple practices and science-based tools for feeling more focused, connected and calm no matter how crazy your life is.

Want to get “Un-stuck”? We all have our reasons for being “stuck.” Mary Ann Iyer, M.D. is a board certified licensed physician, trained in Internal Medicine who has integrated a wholistic approach to her patients' needs since 1982. She developed an Integrative Medicine Program in Oregon and was Medical Director there and in Northern California for many years. Most recently she was an Internal Medicine physician at the VA in Asheville, bringing her wholistic approach back into primary care.

Dawn has been a physical therapist for 32 years across many environments and helping people from all walks of life, even as a trainer for the Junior Olympics! Hear valuable insight and health tips from Dawn spanning a diverse background of wellness services.

A WNC native with a deep passion for supporting people living longer and healthier lives, he is the Founder and Director for Sonflower Kids, a local trans nonprofit that prepares and verifies marginalized youth for a career in the tennis industry.

Dr. Paula Hartman-Stein is a consultant, journalist, and nationally recognized expert in behavioral health in late life with over 35 years of experience as a clinical psychologist and health educator. Recently she wrote a news story for the National Psychologist newspaper about Brevard's initiative to become Blue Zone certified. She is the primary editor of the book, Enhancing Cognitive Fitness for Adults: A Guide to the Use and Development of community-based programs.

Join our hosts as they reflect on the last year of challenges, navigating vaccination, assimilating back towards normal living, as well as news and BIG upcoming events for You to take advantage of in our community!

Part 3: Culture can suck! Yes you read that right! Cultural and family disfunction is passed down generationally just like physical attributes and can have negative impacts on your path towards wellness! Lani provides critical guidance to navigate these challenges towards healthy living. 

Part 2: Lani is a facilitator of change and growth who is an advocate for improving our communities' well being for all. Her 2nd episode covers addiction and mental illness: the impact on our lives, family, friends, as well as clear action we can take to make lasting and life-transforming change.

With over 28 years in health care and life sciences, Lani specializes in corporate, academia, and community leadership development and training. She is a certified purpose facilitator/academic and community-based program facilitator for Blue Zones Project Brevard.

Lex leads the only team in history to initiate the milestone 50th Blue Zones Project for better wellness, the first project of its kind in The Carolinas. Green serves a board of nine dedicated trustees awarding millions of dollars collaboratively to non-profits to improve the health and wellness of citizens in western North Carolina.

Hear firsthand what it’s like being a doctor during a pandemic. Also, learn how to begin training and getting in shape, including important misconceptions about overall diet, exercise, and healthy living.

With 22 years as a minister in the episcopal church following a career in journalism, Rob teaches world religions at Brevard College while also leading local initiatives to help people of all faiths focus inwards on their spiritual journey. Learn how spirituality is an integral part of your overall health and wellness lifestyle!

This episode covers holistic health in a special and unique way, dispelling many myths about chiropractic treatments, how it affects your health, and more. Plus get insight into how to boost your immune system and resistance during the current pandemic.

Draw from Colleen’s wisdom and benefit from her many years experience working with natural products, hear more about the magic of plant-based medicine, and some unique advice for your day to day health regimen. Plus learn how Food Matters Market’s personal touch can be a game changer for your own health initiatives!

Hear from our beloved co-host about her new role with the dynamic Blue Zones Brevard initiative powered by Pisgah Health Foundation! What is Blue Zones all about? How can it help us fight and succeed against COVID-19? Plus critical insights to healthy living, eating with a “plant-slant” and more!

Hear school system COVID-19 updates and thought processes directly from a member of Board of Education, while getting insight into the local business community leader Domokur Architecture, the Chamber of Commerce, Arts Council, and overall tips on work life balance in 2020.

Learn all about the health, social, and community benefits of the permaculture that Rooster Head Farms has built right here in Brevard. Jacqui, her husband, a disabled combat vet, and their children live in a tiny house on the farm specializing in pasture raised poultry, eggs, and pork. Hear how the farm has been instrumental in Jacqui’s own personal health journey, as well as the many programs they now offer to the community including free lunches for kids Wed-Sat from 11-6.

Enjoy Dr. Well's intriguing commentary from the perspective of 30 years as a pediatric doctor and community health guide as it pertains to "Lifestyle Medicine" and "Living Well" together here in WNC. You might have seen him out riding his motorcycle or in his 54 Chevy, or even heard him playing bagpipes at local events like the high school graduation. Spoiler Alert: Bagpipe audio is included in this episode!

Living in the region for 44 years, John is a pillar of the business and volunteer community and believes in “Service above Self.” That philosophy pays dividends to us all as he works among many groups ranging from the rotary club to the hunger coalition to the Blue Zones initiative and more.

Amy has been actively working in community health for 10 years. Hear from her on how to help our community neighbors, children, and those who need support through tough times and emotional and crisis. Amy and Meridian partner with other agencies and actively work with TRAIN to collaborate on ideas and resources to better our community health. 

Glenda's perspectives are invaluable, drawing from her past as a local, her pursuit of education and growth, and life changes for herself and her son that lead to multiple degrees, positions with the college, the chamber of commerce, VISION Transylvania, as well as being a Blue Zones Brevard Steering Committee member. She's also a coach and owner at Reunited CrossFit in Brevard, helping those from all backgrounds improve their health and wellness.

Meet Dana whose business offers auto, home, business, life insurance and more! Dana is a leader in our community, has been in the VISION program and subsequently is a member of the Board for VISION. Hear a deep dive on Dana’s experience with Sustainable Health for All, her exploration in personal health awareness and improvement, and the positive repercussions that health and wellness can have on the rest of your life.

Originally from Charleston with a passion for sailing, Tom is a Regional Manager for SCORE here in Transylvania County and enjoys being active in our community. Listen to Tom’s commentary on what SCORE mentoring program is all about, his experience working for the local Census efforts, and the recent “Heroes and Teachers” awards program he arranged for the stars of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enjoy this dynamic interview with Earl where we learn about the powerful mission taking hold to encourage and include black folks and all types of folks in engaging the beauty of the outdoors, as well as the relationships we can build together. Also hear about Earl’s authoring of children’s books, his 14,000 mile, 3 month journey with his son to visit National Parks, and why he is a hugger AND a shover.

013 - Belinda shares her story of coming to Brevard, her own health challenges, the vision for a wellness center and how it developed to include a community kitchen, yoga, wellness consultants, and even "mountain moss" garden on the grounds. Learn more about Blue Zones Brevard and how it can help you find an easier path to healthier living and longevity!

012 - Mike runs a software company, volunteers in the community through the school system, works with the rotary club and as a SCORE mentor helping businesses with a variety of needs as well as being an avid gardener, birder, and photographer. Listen in as he describes his experience working on a PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) project during the COVID-19 Pandemic as a purchasing agent for Brevard and Transylvania County!

011 - Lauren has been a certified yoga teacher for over 10 years while studying mindfulness and meditation at an ever deeper level. Still a runner, hiker and cyclist, she has been a teacher in various settings since she completed her Undergraduate degree in Women’s Studies & International Studies at UNC Chapel Hill and her Masters degree in Education from UVA. Lauren is passionate about connecting people to the natural world as well as helping all of us manage our stress, honor our bodies, and develop self compassion and unstoppable kindness for others.

010 - Angela has over 25 years of business experience with international corporations, small and medium enterprises, and entrepreneurs. She is passionate about living a life of purpose, meaning and success. Drawing upon her personal experience, knowledge and expertise, Angela delivers practical yet dynamic leadership development to audiences around the world. Before returning home to the mountains of North Carolina to start her own business, Angela worked for Procter & Gamble where she held a variety of positions in manufacturing operations, business leadership, organizational development, and human resources. A dedicated wife, mother and daughter, Angela loves hiking the mountains of WNC and feels most successful when helping others discover their own success.

09 - Sarah believes that everyone should have equal access to customized health education and support. She is passionate about helping her community make informed choices that will benefit their health for a better today and tomorrow.  Sarah is an active community member and enjoys her involvement with the Pisgah Forest Rotary Club, Brevard Transylvania Chamber of Commerce, and the Blue Zones Project- Brevard.

08 - Gordon Murray is a native of Brevard and a graduate of Brevard High, Brevard College and App State where he was an athlete and received his degree in Commercial Recreation Management and met his wife Julie of 30 years. With his 30 years of experience in sports and business he is now an entrepreneur, consultant and coach in the areas of business, sports, wellness and fitness. He may be seen running around town or in the forest with is wife, twin girls and friends. He contends that the meaning of life is helping others find their version of Wildly Successful.

07 - Get unique insight to creativity and our community from artist and marketing professional Joan Van Orman. Joan specializes in marketing communications and public relations for photographers, artisans, and creative businesses as well as being a volunteer for our local Blue Zone program. Learn more about the Arts Council’s 35-year mission to enhance quality of life for all who live and work here; by celebrating and nurturing the creative spirit of artists, youth and individuals throughout Transylvania County.

06 - Colin is the TRAIN (Transylvania Resource Action Information Network) specialist for United Way of Transylvania County.  TRAIN’S mission is to provide support for nonprofits and an intersection for public, private, nonprofit, health and human services agencies to communicate and make the most of resources mainly focusing on health solutions. She has over 20 years experience working in nonprofits and social service orgs with an emphasis on education and empowerment for underserved populations.

05 - Rik shares wisdom from his 30 year career in health care, including being a family physician, leader in community sports medicine, and a founding member of a special medical group in Olympia Washington. He and his wife and most of their 7 children, many adopted from around the world, reside in Brevard together as Rik enjoys his active retirement “trail slogging” when he is not working in community service programs like VISION and Pisgah Forest Rotary Club.

04 - Don’t miss this energizing interview with Shelly Webb, Executive Director of Sharing House in Brevard. Listen as she recounts her exciting life and experiences in the mountains, starting with living in Hendersonville as a child and coming back years later through being in the ministry. Shelly uses fun and unique programs to improve the lives of those in need through Sharing House and beyond for all our “neighbors” in the community. Did we mention she plays the banjo and still does a summer preaching tour each year when her colleagues at the local churches go on vacation and need someone to preach?

03 - Hear from Amanda Chalifour, owner of Outdoor Fitness Brevard, certified personal trainer, yoga and group fitness instructor. You'll learn how she started her business when she was pregnant, her holistic approach to healthy living, and her "magic pill" to a long and happy life including success stories from all ages.

02 - Brevard has a very strong Chamber of Commerce thanks to the voice and hard work of Clark Lovelace. He grew up in this area and feels the strong need to give back to something that has given us all so much. He spent most of his career in the hospitality industry at some very desirable locations, including the Greystone Inn in Lake Toxaway. This was his families business until 2014 when they sold the business and lucky for our community he became the Executive Director of the Brevard Chamber and Tourism Development Authority.

01 - Brevard has been named the 50th Blue Zones Project in the US.  Local health advocate and Blue Zones Brevard Project Leader, Trent Humphreys, discusses how being proactive and adopting healthier options should be the easy choice.  If you’re curious about the Blue Zones' future plans or if you’re wanting insider health advice from a passionate trainer and endurance athlete, this episode is for you.