Pain that lingers isn’t a life sentence; it’s a puzzle waiting for the right clues. We sit down with Paula Nickel of Performance Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation to unpack what truly drives recovery, why slowing care down can speed healing, and how a small, patient-first clinic thrives after 30 years by refusing to treat people like metrics. From triathlon roots and Olympic training rooms to everyday back pain and post-op rehab, Paula shares how she reads movement like a story—spotting muscle imbalances, compensations, and daily habits that hide beneath symptoms.

We dig into common myths, including the idea that physical therapy is just exercises, and the harmful belief that aging equals decline. Paula explains how targeted mobility, hip dissociation, and stability work can unlock back and sciatic pain when done consistently, and why tiny daily movements often outperform big, flashy workouts. Her philosophy is practical and hopeful: outcomes improve when you combine hands-on assessment, clear coaching, and time to think. She also makes a case for a multidisciplinary team—PTs, chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists—because different perspectives reveal different solutions.

Paula’s most formative story comes from a college English class, not a clinic: a harsh critique, a flawless draft, and a C that sparked a lifelong promise to never do a lazy job. That same standard shows up in her practice’s careful evaluations and individualized plans for athletes, weekend warriors, and active grandparents alike. If you’ve tried PT and felt unseen, don’t stop there—fit matters, and not all physical therapy is the same. Subscribe to discover more neighbor-to-neighbor stories, share this with someone who needs a nudge toward hope, and leave a review to help others find the show.

Need help at home but unsure where to start? We sit down with Eric Burnett of Humble Horizons Home Health to demystify modern home care and show how skilled support can fit your life instead of forcing your life to fit care. From nursing and therapy to respite and homemaking, this veteran-owned team builds flexible plans that keep people safe, mobile, and independent in their own homes.

Eric explains how home health differs from hospice, why visits are scheduled intermittently instead of 24-7, and who qualifies for support through the VA, Medicare, Medicaid, or private pay. We talk through real-world scenarios for veterans and adults across age groups, covering common needs like wound care, mobility training, errands, and companionship. The throughline is simple: relationship-driven care leads to better outcomes. By learning each client’s routine and respecting their dignity, Humble Horizons helps neighbors navigate daily life with less stress and more confidence.

We also dig into local growth and access. Eric shares how the team connects with assisted living communities, expands its digital presence, and serves Northern Colorado while coordinating with branches in Wyoming and Boise, Idaho. You’ll get a clear path to action, including the website and office number, so you can get answers quickly and build a plan that fits your situation. If you’ve ever wondered how to secure skilled help at home—or challenged the myth that home health is only for seniors—this conversation delivers practical clarity and hope.

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Your skin routine might be doing too much. We sat down with esthetician and studio owner Demetria Wildenstein of Skin by Demi to unpack why sensitive skin responds best to fewer products, smarter ingredients, and a patient plan that protects the barrier. Demetria brings a rare blend of experience to the table: massage therapy, cosmetology, and aesthetics licenses, years in medical settings, and two decades running a studio on South Gaylord. Her own autoimmune journey with Hashimoto’s shaped a calm-first philosophy that trades hype for results.

We explore the big traps that keep skin irritated: label marketing that overpromises, overlayered actives that overwhelm, and routines that change too fast to learn from. Demetria shares how to audit your products, read ingredient lists with purpose, and build a minimal base of cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, plus one targeted active. She explains when medicine helps, when gentle formulas win, and how diet, stress, and hormones play into acne and rashes. If big spas leave you tight and red, her approach to gentle facials and barrier repair offers a different path.

Beyond skincare, Demetria talks about serving a truly diverse clientele—from teens to folks in their 80s—along with accessibility in her ground-floor studio and collaborative work with dermatologists, acupuncturists, and nutrition pros. We also touch on why she favors referrals over heavy social media, how virtual consultations work for product guidance, and the confidence boost that comes from brows, lashes, and makeup done with skin health in mind. If you’ve felt stuck, overwhelmed, or skeptical of glossy claims, this conversation gives you practical steps to find calm and build a routine that lasts.

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