Have you ever wondered how ancient traditions and modern life can coexist to promote better health and well-being?
Holistic Hilda, a passionate advocate for ancestral wisdom and the host of the Wise Traditions podcast, has made it her mission to explore this intersection.
Her travels across the world, learning from diverse cultures, and her personal journey to holistic living have inspired countless individuals to embrace healthier lifestyles.
In this blog, we delve into her story, insights, and practical tips for living a life rooted in ancestral wisdom.
Who is Holistic Hilda?
Hilda Labrada Gore, affectionately known as Holistic Hilda, is more than a podcast host—she’s a world traveler, storyteller, and educator. She is the host of one of my favorite podcasts, Wise Traditions, and she shares transformative lessons from her travels and interviews with experts in health and nutrition.
Her journey into holistic health began with a deeply personal experience. Born with a heart defect, Hilda underwent open-heart surgery as a child. This early encounter with medical intervention instilled in her a profound appreciation for life and a curiosity about maintaining long-term health.
What Inspired Hilda’s Holistic Journey?
"I feel like my story starts before I was even born," Hilda shares. Her mother faced complications during pregnancy, but her determination to bring Hilda into the world ignited Hilda’s zest for life.
After her surgery at nine, Hilda was determined to strengthen her body and explore her physical potential.
Years later, as a mother of four, she began questioning the standard dietary practices she followed. "My kids were constantly hungry, and I realized they weren’t being truly nourished," she explains. This realization led her to discover the Weston A. Price Foundation and the importance of ancestral diets.
What are Wise Traditions?
The Weston A. Price Foundation advocates for a return to traditional diets—foods that are local, seasonal, and nutrient-dense. Inspired by the work of Dr. Weston A. Price, a dentist who traveled the world in the 1930s studying the diets of healthy, isolated communities, the foundation emphasizes the power of ancestral eating to promote physical and mental well-being.
Hilda describes this wisdom as belonging to everyone: "These traditions don’t belong to me or the foundation—they belong to the world."
How Can Ancient Wisdom Be Applied Today?
Hilda’s travels have taken her to remote corners of the world, where she has witnessed both the preservation and erosion of traditional lifestyles.
In Kenya, she observed the Maasai people, who still practice some of their ancestral dietary habits, such as drinking blood and roasting goat. Yet, she also saw the encroachment of modern foods like white bread and jelly sandwiches.
During her visits, she encouraged communities to reconnect with their roots. "When I left, they made a vow to return to their traditional foods," she recounts. This shift was evident when she returned a year later and saw tangible changes in their diets.
What Lessons Can We Learn from Indigenous Communities?
A powerful takeaway from Hilda’s experiences is the contrast between traditional and modern lifestyles. In Nairobi, a professional shared her observations: "My grandmother in the village is strong and healthy, while we in the city are weak and sick. Modern diets and lifestyles have disconnected us from nature."
This sentiment highlights the importance of whole, nutrient-dense foods and the value of maintaining a connection to our natural environment.
Practical Tips for Embracing a Holistic Lifestyle
Hilda’s message is clear: small changes can make a big difference. Here are her top tips:
Incorporate Nutrient-Dense Foods: Include organ meats, raw dairy, fermented foods, and bone broths in your diet.
Choose Local and Seasonal: Eat foods that are grown locally and in season for optimal nutrition.
Reconnect with Nature: Spend time outdoors, barefoot if possible, to ground yourself and absorb the healing power of nature.
Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and seek out alternative ways of living that align with your values.
Embrace Lifelong Learning: Explore resources like the Wise Traditions podcast to stay informed and inspired.
How Connecting with Nature and Light Can Improve Your Health
In our modern world, we're constantly surrounded by artificial light. Whether it's from indoor lighting or the screens of our devices, we rarely get to experience the natural sunlight that our ancestors did. How does this affect us, and what can we do to reconnect with the natural rhythms of our environment? Hilda shares her wisdom.
Why Is Sunlight Important for Our Biological Clock?
Artificial light—especially blue light from screens and LEDs—disrupts our natural circadian rhythms. The absence of natural sunlight during the day can contribute to issues like poor sleep, headaches, and fatigue.
To combat this, it’s crucial to honor the natural sunlight that sets our biological clocks. The morning sun, in particular, helps synchronize your circadian rhythm, promoting better sleep, metabolism, and overall energy levels.
A simple habit of stepping outside and getting the morning sun before starting your day, even before scrolling through your phone, can work wonders.
The first sunlight of the day sends signals to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which regulates the timing of hormone production in your body. This can help your body know when to release melatonin for a deeper sleep at night.
What Are Simple Daily Practices to Reconnect with the Outdoors?
One effective way to reconnect with your surroundings is through regular outdoor activities. Even a short 15-minute morning sunlight exposure can make a huge difference. I aim to spend around 30 to 45 minutes outdoors shortly after sunrise to absorb the beneficial spectrum of light, which is particularly healing and helpful for the body.
For movement, a morning walk can be a great addition to your routine. I walk every morning for about 45 minutes, and I challenge my body with "shiver walks." By walking outside in the cold, without a sweater, I stimulate my mitochondria, which helps improve energy production at the cellular level. It's essential for overall health, especially when trying to combat fatigue or lethargy.
How Can You Use Light to Improve Your Sleep?
Making simple changes in your lighting environment can have profound effects on your sleep and overall well-being. For example, replacing harsh artificial light bulbs with red lights in the evening can signal to your body that it’s time to wind down, mimicking the natural rhythms of sunset. Avoiding bright screens before bed is also crucial. Instead of using your phone late into the night, try wearing blue-light-blocking glasses to help protect your circadian rhythm.
What Are the Health Benefits of Exposure to Cold?
Exposing yourself to cold temperatures, like during shiver walks, like Hilda does and shares online, or cold showers, can stimulate your body in ways that improve mitochondrial function. Cold exposure has been shown to help reduce inflammation, boost metabolism, and improve overall resilience. If you’re new to this practice, start slow and gradually expose your body to colder environments for short periods. Your mitochondria will thank you for it.
How to Start a Healthier, More Natural Lifestyle?
Hilda and I had the same message, if the idea of changing your lighting or engaging in cold exposure feels overwhelming, start with small changes. Consider introducing red light at night, wearing blue-light-blocking glasses, or simply stepping outside for a few minutes of sunlight each day. The key is consistency and being willing to make small changes that can improve your health over time.
How committed are you to improving your health? Are you ready to make some changes to your daily routine to enhance your sleep, reduce stress, and boost energy? The steps may seem small at first, but they can lead to long-lasting improvements in your well-being.
Can Eating the Right Foods Contribute to Your Health?
Food plays a significant role in supporting your health, too. Ancestral diets, rich in nutrient-dense foods like meat, eggs, butter, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K, have stood the test of time. Contrary to popular belief, these foods are not harmful; in fact, they are crucial for hormonal function, cognitive health, and heart health. Embracing a more natural, whole-foods-based diet can help you feel better and live longer.
What Are Some Other Practices to Improve Your Daily Life?
I loved having the opportunity to dive into the wisdom of Hilda. What does she do daily to improve herself?
She discussed incorporating strength training and intentional movement into your daily routine can help improve bone density, strengthen muscles, and keep you energized. She wears a weighted vest during my walks to enhance her bone density and overall strength. But movement isn’t just about physical health—it’s about strengthening your spirit as well.
She shared how practices like gratitude journaling can help nourish your soul and promote a positive outlook on life. Every day, she writes down things she's thankful for, including the challenges that have shaped her. This simple practice has helped her stay positive and grounded, even during difficult times.
How Can Connecting with Your Body and Environment Lead to a Thriving Life?
To truly thrive, it’s essential to nurture your mind, body, and spirit. This involves honoring the natural rhythms of your body, reconnecting with nature, and nourishing your soul with practices that promote inner peace and joy. It’s about finding a balance between work, rest, and play, and embracing a lifestyle that supports overall well-being.
By focusing on sun exposure, sleep hygiene, movement, nourishing foods, and positive mental practices, you can improve your health, feel rejuvenated, and thrive in every aspect of your life.
Are you ready to make these changes and reconnect with your environment? The journey to better health starts with small steps—and the results can be life-changing.
Why Does Holistic Living Matter?
Hilda’s story is a testament to the power of ancestral wisdom and the resilience of the human spirit. Her work reminds us that we have the tools to thrive, if we’re willing to reconnect with the traditions that have sustained humanity for centuries.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking to deepen your commitment to holistic health, Hilda’s insights offer a beacon of hope and a path forward.
