I am delighted to have sat down with Gary Brecka, renowned Human Biologist, biohacker, and longevity expert, for an episode on his podcast, The Ultimate Human. Gary’s work is dedicated to helping people reach their peak health through science-backed insights and innovative health tools. Gary speaks with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and scientists about what it really takes to elevate wellness and unlock our human potential.

In our hour-long conversation on The Ultimate Human #161, we dive into my journey with chronic anxiety and gut inflammation. I share the emotional, physical, and spiritual process of moving from the busy city of L.A. to the slow Italian countryside. This conversation is for anyone who:

• Dreams of moving to Italy, becoming a farmer, or living a calmer life surrounded by nature 
• Has digestive issues, skin flare ups, and other challenges related to gut imbalances
• Seeks to manifest and attract healthier relationships, abundance, and empowerment
• Is ready to break out of survival mode and step into the “Ultimate Human” version of yourself

From Stressed In L.A. To Slow Living In Umbria

For several years, I struggled with health issues that just seemed weird and unexplainable—persistent bloating, cystic acne, and constipation, to name a few. I was living a “healthy” lifestyle as a model and chef in Los Angeles and had seen 11 different conventional doctors who told me everything looked “fine”.

I became determined to heal myself, but every time I made progress, I’d experience a flare-up and that set me back. 

It wasn’t until much later that I realized I had been living with unaddressed, chronic anxiety and it was wreaking havoc on my gut. Everything that didn’t make sense before finally clicked. Years of stress and trauma had been contributing to inflammation in my gut, and the symptoms had been manifesting through the powerful gut-brain connection. 

Once I learned to manage stress and anxiety and naturally heal my gut, everything drastically improved. My skin cleared. My energy soared. My mood brightened. My digestion finally felt balanced. It’s no coincidence that this transformation aligned with my move to Italy, where I’ve built a slower, more intentional life that supports the healthiest, happiest version of myself.

Life-Changing Lessons From Italy, Farming, Entrepreneurship, & Spirituality

You can listen or watch The Ultimate Human With Shayna Taylor: Healing Chronic Anxiety And Gut Inflammation By Returning to Nature on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your podcasts. In this episode, I share some deeply personal moments and lessons from my journey, including:

• Starting over after an unhealthy relationship and deciding to move out of L.A. 
• How meditation helped me embrace non-attachment—leading to one of the biggest “letting go” decisions of my life
• A spontaneous visit to a real estate office in Italy & choosing to buy my biodynamic farm in Umbria 
• The highs and lows of moving to a new country alone, and the spiritually humbling reality of investing in a new life abroad as a sustainable farming entrepreneur
• Country living in an old farmhouse without Wi-Fi and figuring out how to get around town for groceries when I couldn’t buy a car!
• Navigating isolation in a new space—what it means to be at home in my body, no matter where I am in the world
• The power of true friendship—how one incredible woman showed up to support my major life transition
• Sitting in silence long enough to realize that my underlying anxiety was chronic—how immersing myself in nature and connecting with animals has helped soothe my nervous system 
• How the culture of convenience has made food transactional in many parts of the world, but Italy continues to respect the interconnectedness of ingredients, animals, farmers, and the local community
• The nutrient density and quality of food in Italy—why many of us feel better eating bread and pasta in Europe compared to in the U.S.
• The gut-brain connection and symptoms of my leaky gut—meeting & becoming friends with renowned gut inflammation specialist Dr. Daryl Gioffre and co-creating the Inner Alchemy Gut Health Masterclass 
• Connecting with my global community through Shayna’s Kitchen Serene Soul Wellness Retreats at luxury villas in Italy, and my online membership space Shayna Serene Circle 
• The need for less screen time and more green time—why being disconnected from nature causes us to be disconnected from our inner world
• The power of journaling—digging deep and figuring out why your energy attracts certain relationships or situations
• Learning to live in peace instead of reactivity—the key lesson in managing my stress & anxiety and reclaiming my joy and energy
• Removing myself from the rat race, breaking out of the “worst-case scenario” mindset, and learning about “la dolce vita” in Italy
• The real non-negotiable steps of my daily morning ritual, with Shayna’s Kitchen organic matcha and organic olive oil
• Why grounding myself with bare feet in the grass and soil is a sacred daily practice that and helps me release fear and overwhelm
• How I allow meditation to me to guide me in my personal and professional life
• The most common misconceptions about meditation, receiving spiritual wisdom, and visualizing your manifestations
• What being an “Ultimate Human” means to me

If you enjoyed my conversation with Gary Brecka, I’d love to hear from you!

Connect With @ShaynaTereseTaylor: Instagram, Tiktok, & Youtube 

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Learn and grow with Shayna’s courses: https://shaynaskitchen.com/masterclasses/