The Dr. Francavilla Show

Trauma and Its Impact on Health and Weight with Dr. Meghan Tierney

• Dr. Francavilla

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0:00 | 37:48

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Have you ever done everything right — the workouts, the meal plans, the early bedtimes — and still felt like your body was quietly working against you?

Most people assume the answer is a stricter routine or a better diet. But what if the missing piece has nothing to do with either? What if it goes all the way back to something that happened to you years, maybe even decades, ago?

This episode gets into trauma — what it actually is, how it silently rewires the body's biology, and why it keeps showing up in conversations about weight, health, and the way people experience care from their providers. It's a topic that's easy to sidestep, but one that deserves a real, honest look.

Joining the conversation is Dr. Meghan Tierney, a board-certified family physician, obesity medicine specialist, and Menopause Society certified practitioner. She is the founder of Sorrel Health and Wellness in Seattle, Washington, where she supports women in midlife navigating perimenopause, menopause, and metabolic health — using evidence-based, weight-neutral care that weaves together medical treatment, mindfulness, and self-compassion.

Here's what we talked about:

  • What trauma actually means — and why it's probably broader than you think
  • What trauma does to your body — the real biological changes that happen underneath the surface
  • Food, coping, and why it's not your fault — understanding the connection between difficult experiences and eating behavior
  • Stress, sleep, and the nervous system — why the body gets stuck, and what that looks like day to day
  • What you can actually do about it — practical, compassionate approaches that go beyond willpower and discipline

The pattern keeps showing up: people dealing with persistent weight and health challenges who have also lived through difficult experiences. This isn't a coincidence — it reflects real shifts in biology, and understanding it changes everything about how care can be approached.

Tune in to the full episode to hear the complete conversation with Dr. Meghan Tierney. Whether you're a patient trying to make sense of your own health journey, or a provider looking to show up more fully for the people in your care, this one is worth your time.


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