Pursuit of Wellness

On today’s episode of Pursuit of Wellness, I sit down with Dr. Cameron Chesnut, a plastic surgeon with a passion for blending functional medicine and progressive thinking in his practice. We dive into his unique approach to patient care, focusing on everything from nutrition and peak performance during medical school to the latest in regenerative medicine, including stem cells and red light therapy. Dr. Chesnut shares insights into popular procedures like CO2 laser treatments, fillers, and lymphatic drainage massages, while also emphasizing the importance of educating patients and turning down unnecessary surgeries. We explore the balance between aesthetics and wellness, and what true health means in this evolving field.

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Topics Discussed

00:00:00 - Introduction 

00:02:48 - Growing up as a creative and athletic kid

00:04:43 - Nutrition in medical school

00:05:59 - Sleep deprivation

00:08:00 - Remaining at peak performance

00:12:17 - Dr. Cameron’s process with his patients

00:16:01 - Protocol before operating and anesthesia

00:17:53 - Procedure length

00:19:48 - Understanding the use and legality of stem cells

00:22:22 - How stem cells actually work

00:24:57 - Red Light Therapy

00:27:07- Skin Rejuvenation

00:28:29 - CO2 Laser

00:33:04 - Nonsurgical options and fillers

00:39:43 - Migrating filler and filler misconceptions 

00:43:45 - Lymphatic drainage massages and Sculptra

00:47:40 - Upper “bleph”

00:50:16 - Turning down patients

00:51:42 - Dangers of before and after pics 

00:57:33 - Most common procedure

00:59:09 - Fat transfers

01:05:02 - Working with celebrities and the importance of educating patients

01:08:44 - What wellness means to Dr. Cameron Chesnut

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Mari sits back down with her husband Greg for their first real conversation since welcoming baby Cai, and they don't hold back. This is Part 1 of a two-part episode and it covers everything they've been quietly navigating over the last four and a half months.
They talk about what it actually looks like when two entrepreneurs have a baby. The identity shifts, the separate journeys, the roles that don't come with a manual. Mari opens up about struggling to show up online when she doesn't fully know who she is right now, the pressure she feels from online narratives about what a "good" dad looks like, and how motherhood has completely rewritten how she shows up for herself and her friendships. Greg gets honest about picking up his personal brand while Mari slowed down, his longtime insecurity around reading, and how becoming a dad pushed him to finally commit to books and why it's changing everything.
They also get into: navigating colic, baby gadgets that actually helped, why they're both figuring this out in real time, and the philosophy book Mari is currently reading that's making her rethink people-pleasing, trauma, and forgiveness.
Raw, real, and genuinely funny, this is the conversation you didn't know you needed.
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I’ll be honest, postpartum has challenged me in ways I never expected and this season of fitness looks nothing like my first journey.
In this solo episode, I’m sharing my real postpartum fitness update, what’s working for me, what has felt hard, and how I’m approaching weight loss, strength, nutrition, and recovery after pregnancy, a C-section, and breastfeeding.
I talk about why I personally found it difficult to lose weight while breastfeeding, how my mindset has shifted since becoming a mom, the exact training split I’m following right now, what I’m eating, the supplements I’m loving, and why I’m being transparent about exploring peptides and possibly GLP-1s.
This is not about bounce back culture. For me, it’s about feeling strong, energized, confident, and more like myself again so I can show up better for my son, my family, and me.
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Leave Me a Message -⁠ click here!⁠ (https://sayhi.chat/pursuitofwellness)
For Mari’s Instagram⁠ click here!⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/marillewellyn/?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU%3D)
For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast’s Instagram⁠ click here!⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofwellnesspodcast/)
For Mari’s Newsletter⁠ click here!⁠ (https://marillewellyn.com/)
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Being a new mom is beautiful and messy and sometimes completely overwhelming.
In this episode, I'm getting real about the mental side of early motherhood. From the fear of driving Cai alone for the first time to pulling over on the side of the road in downtown Austin while he screamed, I'm sharing the moments that knocked my confidence and the small wins that slowly built it back up.
I talk about the pressure I put on myself to get out of the house, the guilt I feel when I take time for myself, and how hard it is not to compare my experience to what I see other moms doing on social media. I also open up about the resentment I didn't expect to feel toward Greg, the biological differences that hit you like a truck postpartum, and why I had to learn to accept that our roles just aren't the same.
We're also diving into the little things that are helping me feel more like myself again, working out three times a week, going to baby music class, saying yes to outings even when they scare me, and reminding myself that every rep counts.
I answer your questions about formula, sleep routines, guilt, and how I'm handling Cai's fussy moments without losing my mind. This episode is honest, unfiltered, and full of the stuff I wish someone had told me before becoming a mom.
If you're postpartum, struggling, or just trying to find your footing in this new identity, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone and that it's okay to still be figuring it all out.
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Leave Me a Message click here! (https://sayhi.chat/pursuitofwellness)
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For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast's Instagram click here! (https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofwellnesspodcast/)
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Breastfeeding has been such a meaningful part of this season for me and it also challenged me in ways I did not expect.
In this episode, I’m opening up about my breastfeeding journey and the mental load that came with it. From the early days of colostrum, cluster feeding, and pumping to navigating oversupply and constant feeding schedules, I quickly realized how much of my life started to revolve around breastfeeding.
I talk about the anxiety of leaving the house, planning everything around feeds, and the pressure I put on myself to keep up. Even simple things like driving alone with Cai or going to a class felt overwhelming when I was constantly thinking about milk, timing, and whether he had enough.
We also get into the emotional side of it all the guilt, the comparison, and how breastfeeding impacted my mental health more than I expected. I share what led me to introduce formula, start weaning, and how that decision helped me feel more present, balanced, and like myself again.
I also touch on real-life moments, navigating outings, and the confidence that slowly comes with doing hard things for the first time as a new mom.
If you’re breastfeeding, combo feeding, weaning, or just trying to figure out what works for you, I hope this episode makes you feel less alone.
You’re allowed to choose what’s best for you.

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Leave Me a Message click here! (https://sayhi.chat/pursuitofwellness)
For Mari's Instagram click here! (https://www.instagram.com/marillewellyn/?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU%3D)
For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast's Instagram click here! (https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofwellnesspodcast/)
For Mari's Newsletter click here! (https://marillewellyn.com/)
For Mari's TikTok click here! (https://www.tiktok.com/@marillewellyn?lang=en)

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