Is Your Digestion on Par with Your Golf Game with Holistic Nutritionist, Ashley Moss
Tori welcomed holistic nutritionist and LPGA teaching professional Ashley Moss to her golf podcast "T-Time with Tori" for an eye-opening conversation about health, nutrition and the shocking reality of fast food.
Growing Up Immersed in Golf
Ashley shared how she grew up engulfed in golf thanks to her dad being heavily involved in the sport. Though she resisted playing golf for years, preferring team sports, she eventually embraced the game in high school as a potential path to playing sports professionally. She reached out to the University of Arizona's golf coach and ended up playing on their Division 1 team.
"It was an incredible opportunity to be there and be a part of a program like that."
Though Ashley didn't feel she was as talented as her teammates, being immersed in that competitive environment showed her what it would take to play professionally. She turned professional after college but realized she didn't love golf enough at that level to make the required sacrifices.
Transitioning into Teaching and Nutrition
Needing to make money after giving up professional golf, Ashley somewhat reluctantly got into teaching. She found she was well suited for it given her lifelong golf immersion. She primarily taught women and kids initially.
"It's almost like, oh, it's a female instructor, so the men aren't gonna go see a female, but I'll send my wife to her or l'll send my kids to her."
Ashley had to work hard to earn men's respect as an instructor. She eventually became Director of Instruction at a country club at a young age for a woman.
Her interest in nutrition blossomed after meeting a biochemist who analyzed her blood. The analysis allowed Ashley to pinpoint what foods her body could and couldn't digest properly. This knowledge helped her nutrition and performance as an athlete.
The Journey to Motherhood
Infertility issues intensified Ashley's passion for nutrition. She and her husband focused on improving their diet and supplements, eventually adopting a temporary plant-based diet. After much perseverance, they conceived their now 4-year old daughter. Ashley credits nutrition for making this possible.
Introducing Live Blood Analysis
Ashley explained how live blood analysis works. A tiny blood sample from the finger is put on a slide and observed under a microscope connected to a screen. The analysis evaluates:
- Digestion
- Immune system health
- Nutrient levels
- Bacteria and fungi
The analysis shows what foods the body struggles to digest. It also reveals the impact of one's diet on overall health, pinpointing areas for improvement.
The Enzyme Difference
Ashley demonstrated how enzymes help digest food using chocolate pudding samples. She had Tori stir one pudding which maintained its thick consistency. In another pudding, Ashley mixed digestive enzymes. Within seconds, it turned into liquid as the enzymes broke down the food.
"What would your body rather digest?"
This showed the dramatic difference enzymes make in digestibility. The food mixed with enzymes could be properly absorbed by the body rather than clog up the digestive system.
The Truth About Fast Food
Ashley revealed some shocking fast food truths, pulling out samples of a McDonald's Big Mac and Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich she bought years prior and kept as visual aids. Besides slight shrinkage, they looked largely the same as the days she bought them with no mold or rotting.
She explained that fast food's processing and preservatives keep it from breaking down. With no living enzymes or nutrients, the body must work overtime to metabolize the "dead food." Over time, this stresses critical digestive organs like the pancreas.
"If you were to eat that, your body is solely responsible to break that down and get any kind of nutrition from that food."
She also showed processed chocolate snack packs and pudding cups, lamenting society's tendency to think kids can safely eat junk food despite long-term consequences.
The Golf Connection
Tori asked how nutrition relates to golf performance. Ashley explained that food fuels the body and mind. If the body is stressed digesting food, or nutrients fail to be properly absorbed, it affects energy levels, recovery, and focus - all critical for peak performance.
"You're not gonna perform your best on the golf course or in the gym if you're trying to increase your stamina for the golf course and you feel like crap."
She recounted her own experience struggling with fatigue, mental fog and bloating from excessive protein intake. The blood analysis revealed her body wasn't properly digesting all that protein, allowing her to modify her diet for improved performance and body composition.
Hydration Habits
Ashley advised paying attention not just to water intake but electrolyte replenishment. She warned that many popular hydration supplement packs have excessive added sugars. She recommended a plant-based powder with vitamins and minerals but no added sugars.
"Why would you throw [sugar] in your hydration pack? It's just, it's crazy."
Accessing Live Blood Analysis
Unfortunately live blood analysis as Ashley performs it is not widely available. She offered to help connect interested listeners with one of the few qualified nutritionists around the country doing this specialized form of testing.
Conclusion
Tori committed to having Ashley do a live blood analysis on her and potentially share the results on a future podcast episode. This would allow listeners to see firsthand how the test works and get an inside look at the host's health markers.
The conversation shone a glaring spotlight on the food industry and the importance of mindful nutrition for wellbeing and performance. While the facts about fast food are unsettling, small steps to improve health can make a big difference.
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