Meet My Wife, Dr. Chelsea Axe

Dr. Josh Axe and Dr. Chelsea Axe discuss their marriage, parenting philosophies, natural health practices, and spiritual growth, emphasizing a holistic approach to life prioritizing faith, family, and then health.

• Prioritize faith and family as foundational for a fulfilling life and marriage.

• Embrace natural health practices like clean eating, heavy weightlifting, and home births, supported by internal well-being.

• Parenting and educational choices should be intentional, considering a child's unique needs and the influence of their environment.

Dr. Josh Axe and his wife, Dr. Chelsea Axe, share insights into their personal and family life, addressing questions from their audience on marriage, fertility, skincare, diet, and parenting. They highlight the importance of faith and an 'iron sharpens iron' dynamic in their marriage, advocating for natural health approaches including home births and specific dietary practices, while also discussing their evolving views on education and vaccines.

Marriage Dynamics and Growth

• 00:04:30 Dr. Josh Axe describes his wife, Chelsea, as mentally stimulating, physically breathtaking, and spiritually on fire, noting how she has refined him and deepened his relationship with God through her spiritual practices. Chelsea views their marriage as an adventure, characterized by busyness but also fun, and cherishes Josh's role as an amazing and big-hearted father to their two daughters. Their relationship is a continuous journey of growth, where their complementary approaches to life, such as Josh's structured planning and Chelsea's free-flowing spirit, strengthen their bond by filling each other's weaknesses, embodying the 'iron sharpens iron' principle.

Skincare and Diet Essentials

• 00:07:34 Chelsea Axe attributes her glowy skin primarily to diet, emphasizing that internal health reflects externally. Her foundational skincare routine involves True Botanicals cleanse, radiant serum, and moisturizer, supplemented by practices like gua sha and 'frownies' to prevent wrinkles without Botox. Her daily diet is very clean and high in protein, often starting with a smoothie containing stem cell or bone broth protein, plant protein, super fruit powders, and berries, followed by meals rich in protein, steamed vegetables, sweet potatoes, sourdough bread, and cottage cheese, with chocolate chip cookies as a favorite dessert.

Optimizing Female Fertility

• 00:11:22 Optimizing female fertility, especially for women in their 30s, begins with mental and spiritual well-being, focusing on feeling safe and secure to reduce stress, a major inhibitor of conception. This involves creating a 'nesting' environment and incorporating warming foods and spices. Beyond mindset, preparing the body for birth includes specific supplements like raspberry leaf tea and evening primrose oil, along with consuming dates, and incorporating physical movements such as hip mobility exercises, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, and regular walking throughout pregnancy. Crucially, releasing the need for control and trusting the body's natural processes are vital for successful conception and a healthy pregnancy, as illustrated by many who conceive once they stop 'trying too hard'.

Home Birth Experience and Benefits

• 00:16:04 The decision for home births with a midwife was driven by a desire for a comfortable home environment and greater control over choices, which proved to be an amazing and spiritual experience. The convenience of not having to travel during labor and the ability to rest in their own bed post-birth were significant advantages. Preparation for birth included specific exercises, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, and consuming raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil, and dates in the third trimester to support the body. Post-pregnancy, emphasis was placed on recovery through rest, nutrient-dense warming foods like soups and red meats, blood-building supplements, and encapsulating the placenta to replenish blood loss and support milk production, along with asking for help from family for the first three months.

Parenting and Education Choices

• 00:23:30 The decision to homeschool or send children to traditional school is a yearly reevaluation based on the child's needs and environment. While homeschooling offers significant benefits in terms of time and direct influence over education, Chelsea's oldest daughter thrives in preschool due to her love for social interaction and ability to receive instruction from external teachers. The couple believes in being highly intentional about a child's environment, recognizing that teachers and peers significantly shape a child’s development, emphasizing that school should supplement parental guidance in training children in their values. They stress that the 'average of the people you're around most' includes a child’s school and social circle, making careful consideration of these influences crucial for a child's character formation.

Vaccination and Health Philosophy

• 00:28:10 The couple chose not to vaccinate their children, basing this decision on observing the 'fruit' or health outcomes of families who follow natural health principles, such as functional medicine practitioners, chiropractors, and naturopaths. They note that the healthiest people they know, often with long lifespans and fewer chronic illnesses and allergies, tend to avoid or minimize vaccines. This perspective aligns with their overall health philosophy of observing lifestyle outcomes, leading them to model their health choices after those who exhibit optimal well-being. They also emphasize that true health encompasses mental, physical, and spiritual aspects, with God and family as top priorities before health, advocating for a holistic lifestyle that naturally leads to healthy eating and active living.