If your brain turns into a 3 a.m. drama queen, doing math on how many hours you won’t sleep, predicting how awful tomorrow will be, and spiraling about “what if I can’t fall asleep?”, this episode is for you.

In Part 3 of our Sleep Series, we go beyond sleep hygiene and talk about chronic insomnia as a mind-body pattern: a nervous system stuck in “danger” mode, even when you’re lying in bed, lights off, doing everything right. Sandy breaks down how neuroplasticity, the amygdala, and the vagus nerve all play a role in sleep anxiety, hyperarousal, and that lovely performance pressure that shows up the second your head hits the pillow.

We unpack how:

• Chronic insomnia is learned, not a character flaw and how the brain wires “bed = danger.”
• Catastrophizing and forecasting (“If I don’t sleep, I’ll ruin tomorrow”) quietly fuel the insomnia loop.
• Mindfulness and cognitive diffusion help you see thoughts as thoughts, not prophecies.
• Paradoxical intention (trying to stay awake on purpose) can lower sleep performance anxiety.
• Somatic tools like progressive muscle relaxation, yoga nidra, guided imagery, autogenic training, gentle movement, and breathwork (including 4-7-8 and box breathing) send the body a clear “you’re safe” signal.
• Vagus nerve activation helps shift you from fight-or-flight into rest-and-digest so sleep can actually happen.

Sandy also shares five practical, try-it-tonight steps to start resetting your mind-body sleep loop, like reframing just one catastrophic thought, using paradoxical intention, doing a 2–3 minute breathing practice, and giving yourself permission to rest even if you’re not asleep.

We also revisit sleep apnea and the mind-body connection: why obstructive sleep apnea still needs real medical evaluation (hi, ResMed 11 👋), but how stress and nervous system overdrive can make apnea episodes worse, and where mind-body tools may support medical treatment, not replace it.

If you’ve ever felt broken, “bad at sleep,” or stuck in the No-Sleep Olympics, this episode is your reminder: you’re not alone, you’re not broken, and your brain can absolutely learn a new pattern. We’re rewiring our brains right alongside you.

👉 Connect with us:

• Instagram: @thehealthhunt_podcast
• Email: info@thehealthhunt.com
• Fullscript supplement store (including our beloved magnesium):
• Resmed

Share this episode with someone who’s tired of being tired and ready to try something different than just “more sleep hacks.”

You know that feeling when you technically slept… but wake up feeling like you got hit by a sleep-deprivation bus? We get it.

In Part 2 of our Sleep Series, Sandi steps into the sleep confessional and shares what’s actually helped her sleep better, from understanding sleep stages and tracking her data, to magnesium glycinate, nighttime routines, ambient noise, and why red wine and late-night pasta are not the sleep hacks we hoped they’d be.

This episode blends real-life experimentation with nerdy-but-practical sleep science so you can start making small changes that add up to deeper, more restorative sleep.

We cover:

• The four stages of sleep (light, deep, REM) and why waking up at the wrong point in the cycle leaves you groggy
• How 90-minute sleep cycles explain why 7.5 hours can feel better than 8
• What Sandi’s Apple Watch sleep data reveals about REM, deep sleep, heart rate, and respiratory rate
• Why some people really can thrive on 4–6 hours (hello, genetic short sleepers) and why most of us are not those people
• How room temperature, light, and blue light (TV, phones, screens) quietly sabotage sleep
• The real story on melatonin, why it made Sandi feel hungover, and who it might be better suited for
• How alcohol (especially that “relaxing” red wine) disrupts deep sleep, REM, and your overnight repair work
• Why magnesium glycinate is Sandi & Dan’s sleep crush, how it supports the nervous system, and when to take it
• The difference between white noise, pink noise, and brown noise — and how to use each one
• Morning sunlight, circadian rhythm, and why getting outside early helps you fall asleep later
• Caffeine cut-off times and how late-night eating & drinking can trigger wakeups and anxiety
• Sandi’s real-life sleep experiments: dogs with dementia, 3 a.m. barking, red light lamps, sleep headbands, and all

If you’ve ever:

• Woken up exhausted after 8–10 hours
• Felt wired at night but wiped during the day
• Relied on wine, melatonin, or Netflix to “shut your brain off”
• Wondered if sleep tracking is worth it

…this episode is for you.

Links

• Questions or stories? info@thehealthhunt.com
• Social: @thehealthhunt_podcast
• Fullscript: Our curated practitioner-grade store with community discounts up to 25% off: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/thehealthhunt

Disclaimer

The Health Hunt Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide medical advice. We are not medical professionals. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before changing your diet, exercise, supplements, or medications.

If this episode helped you feel a little less alone in your sleep struggles, share it with someone who’s also chasing better sleep, hit follow and leave a quick review so more tired tired humans can find us.

You know that foggy, half-alive feeling after a few brutal nights of sleep? That’s where this episode was born.

In Part 1 of our Sleep Series, Dan shares his very real (and sometimes hilarious) journey through insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep studies, mouth guards, and life with a CPAP machine and what finally started to help him sleep again.

If you’ve ever stared at the ceiling at 3 a.m. wondering, “Is this my life now?”, you’re in good company.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Dan went from “I just can’t fall asleep” to a diagnosis of sleep onset insomnia
• What actually happens in CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) and why turning your bedroom into a “sleep monastery” isn’t always the magic fix
• The surprising mix of doctors who touch sleep: pulmonologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, and even a sleep-trained dentist
• What a mandibular advancement device (mouth guard) does for sleep apnea and why Dan had to chew gum every morning just to get his jaw back in place
• What an overnight sleep study is really like (all the wires, lab people watching you sleep, and trying to rest on what feels like cinder blocks)
• How Dan discovered he had moderate obstructive sleep apnea, what his AHI (apnea–hypopnea index) actually meant, and why it matters for long-term heart and brain health
• Life with a ResMed APAP/CPAP machine: the Darth Vader vibes, the airport “CPAP club,” and why it’s been genuinely life-changing for his energy, focus, and recovery
• The ongoing battle with middle-of-the-night wake-ups (middle insomnia), cortisol spikes, bathroom trips, and why sleep is rarely a one-and-done fix

Along the way, we talk about:

• How much that silently costs your body
• Why sleep apnea is massively underdiagnosed and not just an “older, overweight guy” problem
• How sleep isn’t passive “rest” it’s an active biological reset that affects hormones, metabolism, mood, performance, and longevity

This episode isn’t a perfect-protocol “how-to.”
It’s an honest look at what happens when you finally take sleep seriously, advocate for yourself, and realize you’re not lazy, broken, or “bad at sleeping” your body is just asking for help.

💤 If you’re trying to crack your own sleep code — from insomnia to suspected sleep apnea to 3 a.m. anxiety, this conversation is here to help you feel less alone, a little more informed, and maybe more curious about what your own sleep is trying to tell you.

Stay tuned for Sleep Series Part 2 (Sandi’s story: What worked and what didn't) and Part 3 (the mind–body side of chronic insomnia).

Mentioned in This Episode (no sponsorship)

• ResMed (CPAP Machines and Respiratory Health). https://www.resmed.com/en-us/

Links

• 💌 Questions or stories? info@thehealthhunt.com
• 📲 Social: @thehealthhunt_podcast
• Fullscript: Our curated practitioner-grade store with community discounts up to 25% off: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/thehealthhunt

Disclaimer

The Health Hunt Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide medical advice. We are not medical professionals. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before changing your diet, exercise, supplements, or medications.

If this episode gave you an insight into better sleep, follow, rate the show, and share it with someone you care about (or anyone on the street, we're okay with that). Your shares help this community grow.

A candid conversation about migraines, vestibular symptoms, anxiety, and advocating for your own health.

If you’re listening during Thanksgiving week: welcome to the season of chaos, carbs, and hiding from relatives in spare bedrooms. Since everyone’s schedules (and nervous systems) are overloaded right now, we’re keeping things short with a spontaneous, totally off-script mini episode.

This week, Dan shares a recent doctor’s appointment that turned into a much bigger conversation about traditional medicine, neurology, chronic symptoms, diagnosis fatigue, and what it feels like when a doctor actually slows down, listens, and digs into the why behind your symptoms.

What’s inside this mini episode

• Dan’s 4-year journey with vestibular symptoms, imbalance, brain fog, GERD, nausea, and light sensitivity
• The struggle of getting in with a “good” neurologist (aka: the 4–5 month waitlist circus)
• A not-so-helpful appointment… and then a shockingly good one
• A detailed diagnostic process that led to “migraine without aura”
• Why migraines don’t always look like migraines
• How baseline anxiety can contribute to neurological symptoms (and why people don’t always notice it)
• The tension between a helpful diagnosis and the temptation to cling to one
• Traditional medicine vs. functional approaches and where they can work together
• Why being your own advocate matters more than ever

This conversation is raw, real, and deeply human, the kind of thing we normally talk about privately, but decided to share because so many people walk this same confusing medical path.

Key Topics We Explore

• Migraine without aura
• Vestibular and imbalance symptoms
• Severe spinal stenosis findings
• MRI overload and when imaging is (or isn’t) helpful
• Neurologist appointment red flags
• Anxiety as an overlooked driver of chronic symptoms
• Myofascial release and symptom relief
• How to evaluate medical advice without panic or fear
• The psychology of diagnoses (why labels can help and harm)

Why this mini episode matters

Navigating chronic or confusing symptoms can feel endless. Getting conflicting opinions from multiple specialists is even harder. This episode is a reminder that:

• You’re allowed to ask questions.
• You’re allowed to push back.
• You’re allowed to slow down before taking a medication or test.
• And most importantly: you know your body better than anyone else.

If you’ve ever walked out of a medical appointment feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or unseen, this one’s for you.

Disclaimer

The Health Hunt Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. We are not medical professionals and nothing in this episode should be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health.

If this episode resonates…

Share it with someone who:

• has chronic symptoms
• is overwhelmed by the medical system
• loves a good mind-body convo
• or needs a gentle nudge to advocate for themselves

You can find us on Instagram at @thehealthhunt_podcast — feel free to tag us with your Thanksgiving food fights. We fully support catharsis.

Check out our Fullscript Store: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/thehealthhunt

Glucose impacts your mood, energy, cravings, sleep, and long-term health — even if you’re not diabetic. In this episode, Sandi and Dan unpack glucose dysregulation (what it is, why it starts way before diabetes), the key labs (fasting glucose, A1C, fasting insulin/HOMA-IR, OGTT), and real-world levers that smooth blood sugar without extreme diets. You’ll learn practical tips you can use today: pair carbs with protein/fiber, walk 15–20 minutes after meals, build muscle, prioritize sleep, and (optionally) run a short-term CGM experiment to discover your personal “spike foods.” Respect your pancreas. 💪

Key Takeaways

• Glucose dysregulation can precede prediabetes by years and shows up as low energy, brain fog, cravings, and sleep disruptions.
• Aim for insulin sensitivity and low glucose variability (fewer big spikes, smoother curves).
• Labs to discuss with your clinician: fasting glucose, A1C, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, OGTT.
• Lifestyle > hacks: protein + fiber with carbs, lift weights/build muscle, 15–20 min walks after meals, prioritize sleep, manage stress.
• Consider a short CGM trial to identify your personal “spike foods” (it’s motivating without being dogmatic).
• Remember: this is information, not definition your metabolism is adaptable.

Practical Tips You Can Use Today

• Eat order: veggies/fiber → protein/fat → starch/sweets to blunt spikes.
• Move after meals: 15–20 minutes of easy walking helps muscles pull glucose from the bloodstream.
• Build muscle: resistance training improves insulin sensitivity.
• Sleep first: poor sleep raises cortisol and worsens glucose control.
• Protein target: include a quality protein source at each meal/snack.
• N=1: what spikes you might not spike your friend, test, don’t guess.

Mini-Glossary

• Insulin Sensitivity: Cells respond well to insulin (good).
• Insulin Resistance: Cells ignore insulin’s signal; pancreas has to shout (not good).
• Glucose Variability: How much your blood sugar bounces up and down all day.
• Fasting Glucose: “Idle speed” after an overnight fast.
• A1C: ~90-day average of blood glucose.
• HOMA-IR: Estimate of insulin resistance from fasting glucose + insulin.
• OGTT: Lab test measuring how your body clears a sugar load.
• CGM: Sensor that tracks glucose continuously to reveal patterns.

Mentioned in This Episode (no sponsorship)

• CGMs & apps/programs (general category; availability varies by region).
• Levels CHM Monitoring: https://www.levels.com/
• Nutrients/Supplements discussed (educational only): berberine; Akkermansia (e.g., Pendulum’s formulations).
• Fullscript: Our curated practitioner-grade store with community discounts up to 25% off: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/thehealthhunt

Links

• 💌 Questions or stories? info@thehealthhunt.com
  
  
• 📲 Instagram: @thehealthhunt_podcast

Disclaimer

The Health Hunt Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide medical advice. We are not medical professionals. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before changing your diet, exercise, supplements, or medications.

If this episode gave you an “aha,” follow/subscribe, rate the show, and share it with a friend (or your group chat… even if Sandi has mixed feelings about group chats 😅). Your shares help this community grow.

If you’ve felt dismissed or alone in your symptoms, you’re not alone.

Sandi shares 30+ years of chronic pain: rheumatoid arthritis as a teen, hip and knee replacements, severe spinal stenosis, prednisone fallout and the pivot from symptom-chasing to root-cause and mind–body healing. We unpack how stress can amplify pain, why diagnoses can become identities, and how to create space for grace while you heal.

What we cover:

• Rheumatoid arthritis at 18; elbow swelling, injections, cortisone/radiation, methotrexate
• Hip replacement at 20, knee replacement after accident recovery lessons
• Prednisone withdrawal: moon face, immune suppression, brutal taper/itching
• Spinal stenosis MRI, pain patterns, and “diagnosis-as-identity”
• Functional medicine & nutrition: food triggers, root causes
• Mind–body connection for chronic pain, nervous-system patterns, stress
• Why there’s no finish line in health progress over perfection

If this episode met you where you are, the kindest way to support the show is to follow, rate, and share it with someone on their own health hunt.

Connect with us:

Email: info@thehealthhunt.com

Instagram / TikTok @thehealthhunt_podcast

website: www.thehealthhunt.com

Shop trusted supplements and wellness products and get The Health Hunt's exclusive discount of up to 25% off: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/thehealthhunt

Disclaimer: The Health Hunt is for informational/entertainment purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes.

The Wake-Up Call: Dan’s Real Journey Through Fatigue, Sleep Apnea & Self-Discovery (and a Few Darth Vader Nights)

In this episode, Dan gets real about the messy middle of getting healthy. From brain fog and middle-of-the-night insomnia to discovering sleep apnea and learning to love his CPAP (yes, really), he shares what it’s like to rebuild from burnout while trying not to lose your mind—or your sense of humor.

You’ll hear how a random medication side effect set off years of frustration, the 2019 “wake-up call” that pushed him to dig deeper, and the experiments that finally started to make a difference. Dan opens up about the neck revelation (hello, spinal stenosis, tight muscles, and trigger-point injections), the trial-and-error of treating reflux and gut issues, and what he’s learned from testing everything from cortisol to glucose levels.

Along the way, we talk about:
• Why four hours of sleep isn’t a badge of honor
• How treating sleep apnea transformed Dan’s energy and focus
• Neck pain, posture, and why your suboccipitals might secretly hate you
• GERD, PPIs vs. H2 blockers, and gut-testing adventures
• Cortisol crashes, insulin resistance, and learning to interpret labs
• The “optimization paradox” — when chasing health becomes the thing making you stressed

It’s a funny, honest, and surprisingly relatable look at what happens when you treat your health like a lifelong experiment instead of a finish line.

Key takeaway: sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from paying attention, not perfection.

Disclaimer:
The Health Hunt Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. We’re not medical professionals, and nothing shared should be considered medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider before making any changes to your health.

Connect with us:
Email: info@thehealthhunt.com

Instagram / TikTok @thehealthhunt_podcast

website: www.thehealthhunt.com

Shop trusted supplements and wellness products and get The Health Hunt's exclusive discount of up to 25% off: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/thehealthhunt

If something in Dan’s story resonated, we’d love to hear it! And if you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share it with someone who might need a little inspiration on their own Health Hunt.

🎧 Next episode: Sandi gets personal and shares her own health story — the ups, the setbacks, and the moments that changed everything.

Inside The Health Hunt Podcast: Honest, Human Conversations About Real Wellness, Mind-Body Healing, and What Actually Works.

Ever feel like you’re doing everything right, counting macros, tracking sleep, buying every supplement known to man, and somehow you still don’t feel great? Welcome to The Health Hunt Podcast, where curiosity meets honesty and wellness gets real

Hosts Sandi Magder (professional health overthinker and recovering supplement hoarder) and Daniel Schuman (biomarker enthusiast and relentless health optimizer) are on a mission to make health feel human, humble, and humorous. Together, they explore what actually works, and what doesn’t, on the journey toward feeling better in body, mind, and spirit.

In this first episode, Sandi and Dan share what inspired the podcast, what listeners can expect, and why chasing health sometimes feels like a full-time job. They’re not doctors (and they’ll remind you of that often), but they are passionate explorers bringing you real stories, honest insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.

This sneak-peek episode sets the tone for what’s to come, raw, relatable, and a little irreverent—while previewing future conversations about functional medicine, chronic conditions, mind-body healing, and unconventional wellness practices. Episodes 2 and 3 dive deeper into Sandi’s and Dan’s personal health journeys, revealing what sparked their curiosity and why they’re so passionate about making wellness feel human again.

Key Takeaways

• Health isn’t one-size-fits-all, it’s personal, messy, and constantly evolving.
• Humor belongs in health; laughter makes the learning easier.
• You don’t need to “hack” your health you need to understand it.
• The best wellness journey is one shared with community and curiosity.

About The Health Hunt Podcast

The Health Hunt Podcast is a human, humble, and humorous exploration of how to level up your health—without the jargon or fear-mongering. Each week, Sandi Magder and Daniel Schuman share their own health stories and talk with experts about functional medicine, supplements, sleep, mental health, and everything in between. Expect honest conversations, practical insights, and a few laughs as you discover what actually works for real people in the real world.

Resources & Links

Website: https://www.thehealthhunt.com

Email: info@thehealthhunt.com

Follow: @thehealthhunt_podcast on Instagram and TikTok

Shop trusted supplements and wellness products and get The Health Hunt's exclusive discount of up to 25% off: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/thehealthhunt

If this sneak peek resonated with you, hit Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episodes, where Sandi and Dan open up about their own health journeys—the struggles, breakthroughs, and lessons that inspired this podcast. Share your favorite takeaway on Instagram and tag @thehealthhunt_podcast, or email info@thehealthhunt.com to share a story or episode idea. Health isn’t meant to be done alone—and your voice helps shape this community.