In this very personal episode of the Prescribing Lifestyle podcast, I share an update from behind the scenes and a gentle reminder for anyone sitting in uncertainty: you don't have to figure it all out right now.

I talk about navigating some current personal and professional stress, and the realisation that—just like my patients—you only ever need to take the next step, not know the entire path in advance. Clarity often comes after action, not before.

In this episode, I cover:

• Why high‑achieving women (and doctors!) often feel they must have a plan, an answer, and a clear future mapped out
• The power of simply starting, even when you can't see the whole road ahead
• How I'm learning to listen to my own instinct and choose what feels aligned for me right now, instead of only doing what I "should" do

A personal announcement

• I'm giving myself permission to pause the Prescribing Lifestyle podcast
• I don't know yet if this is a short break, a longer season, or a full stop—and that's okay
• I may return with new conversations, guests, or shorter video content in the future, when it feels right

How I'm supporting myself during this season

I'm going back to the basics I always teach my patients:

• Sleep as non‑negotiable – consistent bed and wake times, morning light, and full nights of rest
• Nourishing food – choosing what truly fuels my body rather than comfort eating
• Breathwork and stillness – at least 5 minutes each morning to ground, breathe, and notice my surroundings (often with my dog beside me)
• Movement and strength – regular walks and runs, plus short, simple strength sessions using my Core Foundation (CFX) program

These foundations are what help me stay steady through uncertainty, and they are available to you as well—one small step at a time.

If you're in a season of not knowing

This episode is for you if you feel stuck in your health, your weight loss journey, or life decisions and think you "should" have it all worked out by now. I want to remind you:

• You don't need your whole life mapped out
• You don't have to solve everything today
• You can listen to your instinct, choose what feels right for now, and trust that the next step will reveal itself

I'm still here as your Lifestyle GP

While the podcast is pausing, I'm still seeing patients at Melbourne Low Carb Clinic and helping with:

• Sustainable weight loss
• Metabolic and cardiovascular health
• General lifestyle‑centred care

You're welcome to reach out, book an appointment, or simply send a message to check in.

Stay connected

• Pre‑order my book "Prescribing Lifestyle: A Doctor's Prescription for Lasting Weight Loss and Vibrant Health" via Melbourne Low Carb Clinic: www.mlcclinic.com.au
• Follow me on social media: Dr Charlton – Lifestyle GP
• Join my free community for tips, encouragement, and real stories of lifestyle change

If you've enjoyed this podcast, it would mean a lot if you share a favourite episode with a friend or leave a review—these conversations will stay available while I take this pause.

Remember: small, consistent changes truly add up, and you don't need to have everything figured out to take your very next step.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Aaron Hartman, an integrative and functional medicine physician from Richmond, Virginia, and founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine. He's also the author of UnCURABLE and host of the Made for Health podcast.

Dr Hartman shares the powerful story that changed the trajectory of his career: adopting his daughter Anna, who was exposed to crystal meth in utero, had a stroke before birth, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and was told she would never walk, talk, or see. His refusal to accept "hopeless" prognoses led him into deep research, root-cause medicine, and a lifelong commitment to personalised care.

• Anna's story and why it matters
  • Being advised to place a feeding tube as "standard care," and what happened when the family declined.
  • How a simple missing detail (using the wrong growth chart) nearly led Anna down a path of unnecessary procedures.
  • Anna's progress today: ongoing skill gains year after year, including major improvements in vision and independence.
• How Dr Hartman became an integrative and functional medicine doctor
  • Why "incurable" is often a reflection of system blind spots, not a true end point.
  • His deep dives into functional medicine, functional neurology, peptides, and "lipid medicine," and how continuous learning shaped his approach.
• Why many chronic illnesses get missed
  • Common overlooked root causes he sees in clinic: mold-related illness, chronic infections (like Lyme), hidden autoimmune issues, hypermobility patterns, nervous system dysregulation, and basic nutrient deficiencies.
• A practical framework: foundations first
  • Dr Hartman's emphasis on starting with basics such as sleep, stress, gut health, nutrition, and environmental exposures before chasing "advanced" interventions.
• Mold and environmental illness
  • Removing exposure as step one.
  • Supporting detox pathways with binders and targeted nutrition strategies (always individualised and supervised).
• Anti-ageing = lowering inflammation
  • The concept of "inflammaging" and why food quality, sleep, and stress regulation are the real foundations of longevity.
• What he would change about modern healthcare
  • Why the system's incentives and regulations often prevent clinicians from practising deep, personalised medicine.

Dr Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine to provide advanced integrative and functional medicine evaluation and treatment, including complex chronic illness care. His book UnCURABLE shares his family's story and offers a roadmap for patients who have been told "nothing can be done."

• Main hub (clinic, media, podcast): **https://aaronhartmanmd.com/**
• Clinic: Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine: **https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/**
• Book: UnCURABLE: **https://uncurablebook.com/**
• Podcast: Made for Health: **https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/made-for-health/id1785446558**
• Instagram: **https://www.instagram.com/aaronhartmanmd/**

Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.