Mona Sharma & Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe: 

Your Microbiome as Medicine: Healing Inflammation from the Inside Out

Why you're tired, inflamed, or craving sugar, and how your gut may be to blame.

In this eye-opening episode of Rooted in Wellness, I sit down with microbiome scientist and Pendulum Therapeutics CEO, Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe, to unpack the real reason so many of us are struggling with fatigue, blood sugar crashes, and inflammation, even if we eat “healthy.”

We dive into the science behind how childhood antibiotics, stress, and ultra-processed foods silently deplete your gut bacteria, triggering everything from mood swings to stubborn weight gain.

Dr. Colleen breaks down what most probiotics get wrong, the critical role of Akkermansia, and how your gut is the hidden source of GLP-1 (the hormone Ozempic mimics!).

If you’ve tried every diet or supplement and still feel off, this is the conversation that brings clarity, and real solutions.

Timestamps:

03:55 – When Mona realized her symptoms weren’t “normal”
10:35 – How your gut microbiome controls way more than digestion
15:54 – Yes, poop transplants are real (and they’re working)
24:52 – How childhood antibiotics mess with your metabolism
31:09 – Why your probiotic might be useless
45:42 – What Akkermansia actually does—and why you probably don’t have enough
57:07 – Mona’s sugar cravings disappeared after this one shift
01:05:08 – Thinking about Ozempic? Watch this first

Learn more about Mona Sharma:

Download Your FREE Guide - 12 Wellness Tips to Unlock Your Best Health Now: Ready to reclaim your vitality? Download Mona’s 12 Wellness Tips and take actionable steps to transform your health, energy, and mindset. Get started now at https://monasharma.com/12tips.

Visit Mona's website: https://monasharma.com – Unlock powerful tools and wisdom rooted in wellness to elevate your health, energy, and clarity. Mona blends ancient healing practices with modern science to help you achieve lasting transformation.

Follow Mona on Instagram: Stay connected with Mona for daily inspiration, holistic health tips, and personal growth. Join the conversation on Instagram at https://instagram.com/monasharma.

Learn more about Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe:

🌱 Website: https://pendulumlife.com/
📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/pendulumlifeco
📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/drcolleencutcliffe

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Clearer mind. Stronger immunity. Better energy. It all starts in the gut.

Dr. Colleen Cutcliffe is the CEO and co-founder of Pendulum Therapeutics, a groundbreaking company at the forefront of microbiome science and metabolic health.

 

 

With a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology and over two decades of experience in biotech research, Dr. Cutcliffe is on a mission to revolutionize how we understand and support the gut microbiome. Her work bridges cutting-edge science with practical, personalized wellness - empowering people to take control of their health from the inside out.

 

If you're ready to feel more energized, improve digestion, and understand how your microbiome holds the key to long-term health, this conversation is for you.