
411: Unlock Your Potential Through Gut Health with Dr. Nikki DiNezza: How Tending to Your Gut Can Fuel Your Energy, Recovery, and Resilience
May 28, 2025I’m so excited to share highlights from an incredible conversation I had with gut health expert Dr. Nikki DiNezza. As runners, we often focus on mileage, strength work, and recovery—but there’s one area that gets overlooked way too often: our gut.If you've ever struggled with mid-run stomach issues, unpredictable energy, or just want to feel more connected to your health from the inside out, this episode is for you. Let’s break down some of the key takeaways that every runner (and honestly, every human) should hear.
🔍 What We Talked About
Dr. Nikki brought the gut gold, and together we covered a wide range of topics—all through the lens of supporting your health holistically and sustainably:
🧠 Stress & Gut Health
Stress isn’t just a mindset issue—it shows up in your body, especially your digestive system. We explored how stress can disrupt digestion and why calming your nervous system is key to better gut and athletic health.
🦠 Probiotics & Prebiotics
Not all gut-supporting foods are created equal! We talked about the difference between probiotics (the beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (the food that fuels them), and how to get both naturally in your diet.
🌾 The Fiber Factor
Fiber plays a powerful role in digestion, but many of us aren’t getting enough. Nikki shared how to gradually build up your fiber intake without shocking your system.
🚫 Elimination Diets—Helpful or Harmful?
This one hit home. We unpacked the pros and cons of elimination diets—how they can help identify food sensitivities if done mindfully, but also why overly restrictive eating can cause more stress than healing.
🧠➡️🦠 The Gut-Brain Connection
Your gut is often called your “second brain”—and for good reason. A healthy gut supports clearer thinking, balanced mood, and more motivation (yes, even when it’s dark and cold and you don’t want to run).
🏃♀️ Gut Health Tips You Can Actually Use
Let’s get practical. Here are five gut-loving habits you can start weaving into your routine—no overhauls, no perfection needed:
- Prioritize Stress Recovery
Use breathwork, gentle yoga, walks in nature, or journaling to bring down stress. Your gut—and your performance—will thank you. - Add in Gut-Friendly Foods
Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut? Yes please. And don’t forget prebiotic-rich options like garlic, onions, leeks, and oats. - Fiber = Fuel
Start slow and stay consistent. Aim to eat a rainbow of plant-based foods each day—your gut microbes love variety. - Tune Into Your Body
Symptoms are messengers, not enemies. Keep a low-pressure food and symptom journal if you’re navigating sensitivities or trying an elimination phase. - Hydrate Like It’s Your Job
Water is essential for digestion, especially when increasing fiber. Don’t skip it—your gut moves best when things are flowing.
🎧 Ready to Dive Deeper?
This episode reminded me that wellness isn’t about doing more—it’s about supporting our bodies wisely. If you’ve ever felt like your gut is holding you back or you’re just curious about how to feel better in your skin, I hope you’ll take time to listen.
👉 Tune in to the full episode with Dr. Nikki DiNezza here!
And hey—if this resonated with you, share it with a fellow runner or wellness buddy. Sometimes the spark of feeling better starts with a single conversation. Let’s keep lifting each other up!
Cheering you on!
Angie
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