We sat down with Dr. Natazia Stolberg, acupuncturist and founder of herbal tea brand DOCTOR STOLBERG, to dive deeper into the connection between movement, digestion, and whole-body wellness. Known for her integrative approach and commitment to empowering women through science-backed healing, Dr. Stolberg shares insights on how to reset your system and feel your best - from the inside out.
Why is digestion such a critical part of our overall health, especially when it comes to energy and physical performance?
Digestion is at the root of everything, it’s how we extract energy from our food, absorb nutrients, and build the foundation for health. In Chinese medicine, we say your digestive fire is your life force. If that fire is weak, everything else struggles. When digestion is strong, we have steady energy, mental clarity, and physical resilience.
From your perspective, what are the common ways poor digestion can show up in someone’s day-to-day life (both physically and mentally)?
Bloating, fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, constipation, trouble sleeping, sugar cravings, they can all trace back to digestion. If your system is inflamed or sluggish, it can feel like you're dragging through your day, no matter how “healthy” you’re eating.
Can you explain the connection between gut health and inflammation, and how that impacts how we feel during workouts?
When your gut is inflamed, your body diverts energy to help it heal leaving less energy for everything else, including your muscles and recovery. Inflammation can make workouts feel harder, increase your risk of injury, and even lead to lingering soreness.
How does functional movement - like Pvolve - support digestive health? Are there specific movement patterns you recommend?
All movement helps support circulation, lymphatic flow, and digestion but Pvolve is unique in how intentionally it targets the deep core and pelvic floor, which are foundational for gut health. I love all of the lengthening and twisting movements through the abdomen, to gently massage the digestive organs and stimulate motility.
What types of exercises (breathwork, rotation, core activation, etc.) do you believe are the most beneficial for digestive wellness?
Breathwork, especially deep, diaphragmatic breathing, can massage the digestive organs and calm the nervous system. It’s important to remember our digestion works best when we are in a calm state. Rotational movements and gentle twisting also stimulate the gut and help with motility.
What are your favorite pre-workout foods or rituals to optimize digestion and energy?
I always start my day with a warm cup of bone broth and then will have scrambled eggs and rice (perfect combo of protein and carbs) or a warm oatmeal with fruits and warming spices like cinnamon. It’s very important for women to eat before workouts, fasting is not good for our hormones!
What about post-workout? Any go-to meals or ingredients to help with digestion, recovery, and reducing bloat?
If I did a strength workout I will have a protein powder mixed with room temp water to make sure I am getting enough protein to feed the muscle I just worked hard to build. If you want to avoid bloating, definitely stay away from cold water and cold smoothies. I try for all my meals to be warm/cooked as they are easier on digestion than raw veggies and salads.
You often talk about the importance of “routine” - what are a few daily wellness habits you personally practice to keep digestion and energy levels strong?
Some of my non-negotiables: starting every morning with bone broth and a warm breakfast to wake up digestion, stepping outside mid-day for fresh air or a short walk to reset my nervous system, and dry brushing or doing legs up the wall to support circulation and lymph flow. I carve out intentional time away from my phone each day to give my mind a rest. And of course every night, I wind down with DOCTOR STOLBERG Rest + Digest tea to strengthen digestion and eliminate bloat.
For someone who struggles with sluggish digestion, what is one small change they can make today to start seeing improvement?
Start consuming more warm drinks and eating warm cooked foods! Even just switching your morning smoothie to a warm breakfast can make a huge difference.
How can warming rituals (like your Rest + Digest tea) complement a fitness routine to support gut health?
In Chinese medicine, warmth is the foundation of good digestion. That’s one of the reasons why Rest + Digest works so well. It’s a warming formula that softly eases digestive tension by strengthening the stomach, naturally stimulating the production of digestive enzymes and eliminating bloat. We work hard to look and feel our best, and bloating shouldn’t get in the way of that.
In your own words, what makes Pvolve’s method and philosophy such a good match for your approach to holistic wellness?
It’s about moving with intention and building functional strength in a way that supports longevity and vitality.
Favorite piece of Pvolve equipment?
The P.3 Trainer, without a doubt. It’s so versatile and helps you move in all planes while staying connected to your core. I love how it encourages length, control, and rotation, all of which support circulation, mobility, and ultimately, digestion.
Explore DOCTOR STOLBERG Rest + Digest tea here - a streamlined formula to strengthen digestion and eliminate bloat. Get 15% off with code PVOLVE
