Do you feel like your energy is running on empty, no matter how much sleep you get? Are brain fog and fatigue making it harder to focus and function throughout the day? In this solo episode, Claire O’Brien (Honest and Goodness Nutrition) dives deep into the science of energy production, uncovering the real reasons why so many people struggle with chronic exhaustion, sluggish metabolism, and mental fog.

She breaks down how mitochondria, thyroid health, blood sugar, and detoxification all play a role in sustaining energy - and why stress, inflammation, and even certain diets can leave you feeling drained.

Claire also explores post-viral fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and adrenal dysfunction, explaining why some people never fully recover their energy levels after illness or prolonged stress.

The episode concludes with a guided breathwork exercise to help restore energy and regulate the nervous system.

Key Topics Covered:

• How mitochondria power every cell in your body - and why they stop working

• The impact of thyroid dysfunction on metabolism, energy & brain fog

• Why blood sugar crashes and insulin resistance lead to exhaustion

• The role of chronic stress, inflammation & nervous system dysregulation

• How post-viral fatigue, long COVID & fibromyalgia affect energy metabolism
  

• Why detoxification is essential and how toxin overload drains energy
  

• The importance of setting boundaries & managing energy output
  Nutrition, supplements & breathwork techniques to restore vitality
  

If you’ve been struggling with low energy, brain fog, or chronic fatigue, this episode will help you understand the root causes and provide practical solutions to rebuild your energy naturally.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why mitochondria are the key to energy production and how to support them

• How blood sugar fluctuations contribute to energy crashes & brain fog

• The connection between thyroid dysfunction & chronic exhaustion

• Why chronic stress & inflammation damage energy metabolism

• How post-viral fatigue, ME & fibromyalgia disrupt energy regulation

• Why certain diets (keto, fasting) don’t work for everyone & what to do instead

• The best foods, supplements & self-care strategies for sustained energy

• How to set boundaries & protect your energy from daily drains

• A simple breathwork practice to regulate your nervous system and boost energy
  

Chapters

00:00 – Understanding Energy and Its Blockages

06:12 – Blood Sugar Regulation and Energy Levels

12:01 – Thyroid Function and Energy

18:12 – Managing Energy and Setting Boundaries

23:51 – Self-Care, Nutrition & Energy Management

27:29 – The Role of Detoxification in Energy Levels

30:52 – Herbal and Nutritional Support for Energy Restoration

33:12 – Guided Breathwork for Energy & Nervous System Regulation

Resources:

Mito Food Plan is available here: https://www.honestgoodness.ie/blog

Spoon Theory: https://www.honestgoodness.ie/blog⁠Krebs Cycle with Nutrients: https://www.honestgoodness.ie/blog⁠