268: The Art of Being Well with Dr. Will Cole
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268: The Art of Being Well with Dr. Will Cole
Episode 268: Show Notes
In this episode, Light Watkins sits down with Dr. Will Cole, a leading functional medicine practitioner, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneer in telehealth medicine. Dr. Cole’s journey from a rural upbringing in Western Pennsylvania to becoming a trailblazer in functional medicine is nothing short of inspiring. He shares how his parents' passion for health and nutrition shaped his path and how his unconventional childhood helped him break through traditional healthcare barriers to create the first virtual functional medicine clinic 15 years ago.
Dr. Cole dives deep into the intersection of diet, emotional wellbeing, and gut health, offering insights on how small, sustainable changes can lead to profound health transformations. He explains his mission to make wellness more accessible, his role in advocating for the removal of harmful food dyes from popular cereals, and why he believes in a “both-and” approach to healthcare—balancing modern diagnostics with ancient, holistic practices.
Light and Dr. Cole also explore the importance of presence in daily life, the power of anchoring yourself to the present moment, and how it directly influences better decision-making for health and happiness. Whether you're curious about the latest in functional medicine, looking for practical health tips, or seeking inspiration to live more mindfully, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.
Join Light and Dr. Cole for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges the status quo and empowers you to make choices that truly love you back.
Key Points From This Episode:
Pioneering Telehealth Functional Medicine: Dr. Will Cole shares how he founded the world’s first functional medicine telehealth clinic 15 years ago, revolutionizing access to wellness care.
Growing Up in Rural Pennsylvania: Dr. Cole recounts his upbringing in a Rust Belt community and how his parents' unconventional focus on nutrition and wellness shaped his path.
Early Fascination with Nutrition: A teenage Dr. Cole used paychecks from his job at Finish Line to buy superfoods and nutritional books, sparking his passion for biohacking.
The Importance of Pivoting: Dr. Cole discusses how identifying the need to pivot from a fully plant-based diet helped him optimize his health and informed his approach to patient care.
The Power of Simplifying Wellness: Through years of practice, Dr. Cole has learned to craft personalized, realistic plans for patients that balance effectiveness and sustainability.
Tackling the “Core Four” Inflammatory Foods: He highlights gluten, industrial seed oils, added sugars, and conventional dairy as key contributors to inflammation and shares practical alternatives.
Advocating for Better Food Standards: Dr. Cole talks about his involvement in efforts to eliminate harmful food dyes from popular cereals and why this matters for underserved communities.
Emotional Health Meets Physical Health: The link between unresolved trauma, stress, and gut health is explored, emphasizing a “gut feelings” approach to integrated care.
Anchoring in the Present Moment: Dr. Cole underscores the importance of mindfulness practices like breathwork and meditation to improve overall health and decision-making.
Structuring Your Day for Productivity: He shares how structure and a strong team allow him to balance seeing patients, writing books, and family life.
Demystifying the New York Times Bestseller List: Dr. Cole reveals the behind-the-scenes reality of bestseller lists and how sales metrics don’t always reflect impact.
A Nuanced Perspective on Wellness Activism: From advocating for better food policies to engaging in nuanced political discussions, Dr. Cole emphasizes dialogue over tribalism.
Emotional vs. Intellectual Growth: The importance of moving beyond surface-level personal development to deeper emotional work.
Relationships as the Ultimate Mirror: How Alexi views partnership as a constant opportunity for healing and self-discovery.
Quotes:
"You can’t heal a body you hate. Self-compassion is at the heart of sustainable wellness." — Dr. Will Cole
"Health is a sacred space where science and spirituality meet—it’s not one or the other."— Dr. Will Cole
"The gut-brain axis isn’t just science; it’s a daily conversation between your thoughts and your body." —Dr. Will Cole
"Eliminating inflammatory foods isn’t about deprivation; it’s about making room for what truly nourishes you." — Dr. Will Cole
"Stress and trauma are stored in the body. Healing is about releasing what no longer serves you." — Dr. Will Cole