When someone feels anxious, exhausted, inflamed, or unlike themselves, they usually go looking for answers.
A diagnosis.
A test result.
A treatment plan.
But for many people, that search turns into a frustrating cycle of doctor visits, normal lab results, prescriptions, and no real explanation for why they still feel unwell.
In this episode of Never Been Sicker, Michael Rubino sits down with holistic mental health advocate Miriam Putnam to explore a growing gap in healthcare:
The space between symptoms and root cause.
Their conversation highlights how often physical, environmental, and physiological contributors are overlooked when symptoms are labeled as purely mental or emotional.
And why that can leave people stuck for years.
Who You’re Listening To: Miriam Putnam
Miriam Putnam is a certified wellness coach, freedom-from-stress counselor, and holistic mental health advocate with more than 25 years of experience.
Her work focuses on helping individuals address stress and mental health challenges by first supporting the body’s physical foundation, including factors like nutrition, environment, and underlying physiological imbalances.
Miriam’s perspective is shaped by both professional experience and personal history. After witnessing her mother struggle within the mental health system without meaningful improvement, she became committed to exploring alternative, root-cause approaches to wellness.
Her work emphasizes education, self-advocacy, and helping individuals better understand what may be driving their symptoms.
The Difference Between Managing Symptoms and Understanding Them
One of the central themes in this episode is the difference between symptom management and root-cause care.
Medication can be necessary and helpful in certain situations.
But as Miriam explains, it is often used as a first-line response without fully investigating what may be contributing to the symptoms.
If someone is experiencing anxiety, depression, fatigue, or sleep issues, the deeper question is:
What is driving those symptoms?
Possible contributors may include:
- mold exposure
- Lyme disease
- allergies or sensitivities
- parasites or infections
- nutrient deficiencies
- environmental toxins
- chronic stress
On the surface, many of these can look similar.
But the underlying cause can be very different from person to person.
When “Normal” Lab Results Don’t Tell the Full Story
A major frustration for many people is being told that their test results are normal.
Despite still feeling unwell.
Michael shares examples from his work in indoor air quality where individuals feel significantly worse in certain environments and better when they leave, yet struggle to find validation within the medical system.
Miriam explains that part of the issue is structural.
- Insurance often limits what testing is available.
- Doctors are working within defined systems and time constraints.
- And environmental and lifestyle factors are not always fully explored.
As a result, symptoms may be real, but the system may not be designed to identify the cause.
The Connection Between Body Health and Mental Health
Another key takeaway from the conversation is that body health and mental health are deeply connected.
Symptoms like anxiety, depression, mood changes, and behavioral shifts are often treated as isolated mental health concerns.
But in some cases, there may be underlying physiological contributors.
These can include:
- inflammation
- immune dysregulation
- environmental exposure
- chronic infection
- nutrient imbalances
This does not make the symptoms less real.
It highlights the importance of understanding them more fully.
How the Environment Can Influence Symptoms
The conversation also emphasizes how often environmental factors are overlooked.
Mold exposure, allergens, and indoor air quality are all discussed as potential contributors to both physical and mental health symptoms.
Michael shares examples of individuals who feel worse inside their home and improve when they leave, only to be told their environment is not a factor.
In some cases, environmental exposure can:
- increase inflammation
- affect sleep quality
- influence mood and cognition
- contribute to fatigue and brain fog
When these variables are not considered, people may continue treating symptoms without addressing a key piece of the puzzle.
Miriam’s Personal Story
Miriam’s perspective is deeply rooted in lived experience.
After witnessing her mother go through years of treatment within the mental health system without meaningful improvement, she began questioning the traditional approach early in life.
Years later, she experienced her own health crisis following a traumatic accident.
As her condition worsened and neurological Lyme symptoms developed, she says there were still attempts to frame her experience as psychological rather than physical.
Because of her background, she continued searching for answers.
Eventually, she found more comprehensive testing and a more integrative approach that helped clarify what was happening in her body.
That experience reinforced her belief that symptoms are often misunderstood when the full picture is not considered.
Why Self-Advocacy Matters
One of the strongest messages in this episode is the importance of self-advocacy.
Many people do not initially feel equipped to question diagnoses or treatment plans.
But Miriam emphasizes that asking questions, seeking additional perspectives, and understanding available options can be a critical part of the process.
That may include:
- asking for more comprehensive testing
- exploring environmental factors
- evaluating lifestyle and nutrition
- questioning whether a diagnosis fully explains the symptoms
For many people, progress begins when they feel empowered to take a more active role in their health decisions.
The Takeaway
This episode is not just about mental health or physical health.
It is about what happens when symptoms are treated in isolation and the broader picture is overlooked.
For many people, anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, and other symptoms are not random.
They may be signals.
And understanding those signals often requires looking beyond a single diagnosis and considering the body, the environment, and the systems that influence both.
If there is one message that carries through the entire conversation, it is this:
Symptoms are real, even when the explanation has not been found yet.
Meet Today’s Guest: Miriam Putnam
Miriam Putnam is a certified wellness coach, freedom-from-stress counselor, and holistic mental health advocate with more than 25 years of experience.
Her work focuses on helping individuals move beyond symptom management by exploring the connection between body health, stress, and overall well-being.
Drawing from both personal experience and extensive study, Miriam supports individuals in identifying potential root causes behind their symptoms and building a more comprehensive approach to healing.
She is the creator of the Freedom from Stress Course and continues to advocate for more personalized, informed, and integrative approaches to mental health and wellness.
Learn more about Miriam’s work:
https://miriamputnam.org/
