Optimize Your Health: Join Free Living Co's Wellness Revolution in 2025

Happy New Year! I hope this article finds you in the afterglow of love and connection from the holidays, and looking forward to a health-full New Year.

Health for many becomes the forefront of New Years resolutions. And, IMO, we are at such an exciting time in health and wellness. You may have read about my pivots, plot-twists, and epic fails last week, well I think healthcare is finally going through something similar on a much grander scale. You see the way our system is built, we all go on living our lives eating what the processed food and agriculture industries puts in front of us hustle and bustle about our busy lives, maybe getting in a workout here and there, maybe not, barely pausing to take a breath until BOOM, CRASH, HALT we are sick and need a remedy. The healthcare system does it's best to mitigate symptoms with drugs and interventions.

I worked in healthcare for 17 years so I can confidently and without hesitation say that healthcare is essential for certain (many) health issues. I dislocated my hip 6 years ago and there was absolutely no functional medicine approach to popping it back in. However, when it comes to lifestyle and chronic disease, there is an enormous amount of power we each have to prevent disease, extend our healthspan, and optimize our biology before the BOOM, CRASH, HALT happens.

I can feel a shift happening - the conversation is changing. I was a little disturbed when I watched a documentary called Food, Inc. back in 2008 and realized what an impact our food quality had on our health - but nobody was talking about it then. Fast forward to today and it is being discussed at the highest levels of government, a 10 time presidential podcast guest (JRE), and mainstream news is beginning to pick up on this conversation. We are beyond the tip of the iceberg in this discussion and I can feel real change on the horizon. We are in the beginning of a profound shift in how our country approaches health and I am THRILLED to be a part of it, in a small way, via Free Living Co!

And so in that spirit, I want to commit to you all that we will be a growing and improving resource for you this year. Not just a place to buy clean products, but a community of people who are committed to building a cleaner and healthier lifestyle together. Our blog will continue to give you the latest resources, tools, knowledge and expertise from practitioners in the areas of functional medicine, nutrition, holistic health, clean product knowledge and more. Our social will get better (I promise!) and more engaging and educational. We will host events and build community. And most importantly WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF FUN together!

To kick this year off, we are launching not one but TWO community groups this month because when it comes to health and wellness, as with much of life, it’s always better together!

Free Living Co Health is Wellth Media Club

I've been studying and researching clean living, functional health and longevity almost since the moment the internet was invented. I've voraciously consumed podcasts, books, documentaries, and articles and I rarely find things to be interesting for the first 15 minutes and then fall into a coma from data overload. But, books, podcasts, documentaries, are incredibly powerful and effective tools and when you find the ones that resonate they can be life-changing. The issue is you have to keep up the consumption, it’s like exercise and eating well - the knowledge alone doesn’t keep you healthy - it's the application. Given the avalanche of incredible health content out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start, which sources to trust, and how to apply what you learn so they may fizzle out before you see long term benefit. Enter the FREE LIVING CO Health is Wellth Media Club. I love all this stuff and I know you do too because, well... you are here! So lets learn together and create a long term sustainable lifestyle that WORKS! Lets read what the experts have to say, lets discuss, lets try things, lets create our own unique and personalized roadmap to health and wellness for very little cost. If you are "in" give me a "heck yeah baby"! We are launching our Media Club THIS MONTH!

How it works

We will pick ONE podcast, documentary or book per month. We will share summaries, key take-aways, and our favorite moments with you. At the end of the month we will gather (virtually OR in person) to discuss and celebrate our learning! We will let you know and get the conversation going on our social channels so follow along!

Free Living Co Wellness Walk Club

Did you know that just 7,000-10,000 steps a day is linked to a significant reduction in mortality risk? And that walking after meals blunts blood sugar spikes AND improves cardiovascular health? Walking is one of the most powerful - and wildly underrated - forms of movement. The beauty is it requires nothing but decent shoes and a willingness to get outside (or on a treadmill). The Free Living Co Wellness Walk Club is simple: we walk together, in community, regularly. We will share our walks on social, track milestones, share our favorite routes, and invite you to participate in our in-person walks. If you can get to Kansas City or San Diego, we would love to have you!

Interested in joining our Wellness Walk Club or our Health is Wellth Media Club? RSVP HERE. We have in-person groups forming in Kansas City and San Diego. If you would like to get a group together, please reach out and I will be sure to help you and offer ongoing support!

Here's to following right behind the trailblazers in health, wellness, and longevity.

Live free,
Dana

🫶

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between treating disease and optimizing health?

Conventional healthcare largely focuses on managing symptoms after disease develops. Health optimization—sometimes called functional or preventive medicine—focuses on lifestyle, nutrition, sleep, stress, and toxin reduction to prevent disease before it starts and extend the years you feel vibrant and capable. Both have their place; the shift is in adding proactive tools to the reactive ones.

Why are New Year health resolutions so hard to stick to?

Most resolutions fail because they’re dramatic overhauls rather than sustainable habits, and they’re pursued alone. The research on habit formation shows that small, consistent changes compounded over time outperform intense short-term efforts. Community accountability—a walking group, a book club, a wellness check-in—dramatically improves follow-through.

How much walking do you need to do to meaningfully improve your health?

Research links 7,000–10,000 steps daily to significant reductions in all-cause mortality, improved cardiovascular health, and better metabolic function. Walking after meals specifically blunts blood sugar spikes. You don’t need to hit a gym—walking consistently is one of the most powerful and underrated health interventions available.

What does a wellness book or media club look like and why is it effective?

A wellness media club reads, watches, or listens to one health-focused book, documentary, or podcast per month, then gathers to discuss and apply what was learned. The accountability of the group keeps you consuming information you might otherwise drop, and the discussion transforms information into personalized action. Learning in community is significantly more effective than learning in isolation.

How can I take control of my health without being overwhelmed by information?

Start with one pillar at a time—sleep, movement, nutrition, or toxin reduction—and consume content from credible sources in that single area before expanding. Join a community that curates and contextualizes health information for you. Progress over perfection: one sustained habit change is worth more than a dozen improvements you abandon in February.