I knew she was special right from the start.
My staff has worked closely with marketing teams from around the globe. But no one was more impressive than Penny Burciaga, former VP/COO of a top biohacker’s company. When she arranged an in-person podcast for me, she couldn’t have been more accommodating and thoughtful. She even made sure my husband and I stayed for dinner at the podcaster’s home.
So today I am thrilled to welcome Penny Joy Burciaga as the newest expert to join our nationwide team! Like many in our field, Penny’s journey to expertise was fueled by overcoming significant personal health challenges, making her insights all the more inspiring and relatable.
As a health educator, faith-driven mindset mentor and author, Penny is a true embodiment of transformation. Her inspiring weight loss journey isn’t just about the weight scale—it’s a powerful testament to faith, perseverance, and a deep commitment to a healthier, more fulfilling life. Featured in Woman’s World magazine which just hit the newsstands all across the country (November 8-14, 2024), Penny’s incredible success includes losing 42 pounds while building 11 pounds of muscle since January 2024.
From Struggles to Transformation
Penny’s struggles with weight began at age 18, shortly after losing her father to brain cancer. Grief, compounded by a tumultuous relationship, led to a cycle of emotional eating—a pattern that many readers may recognize. This cycle persisted for years, contributing to out-of-control weight gain, severe sleep apnea, and chronic health issues. Penny’s highest weight reached nearly 300 pounds in her early 20’s. The turning point came at a county fair, where the physical pain and embarrassment of chafing thighs marked a “last straw” moment. From there, Penny lost an incredible 150 pounds. As life unfolded, she faced the all-too-typical ups and downs of weight management while simultaneously working to overcome chronic Lyme disease and high inflammation.
Penny’s transformation was driven by a determination to rebuild her health from the ground up. At age 49, Penny found success starting with the Smoothie Shakedown, she moved on to the Fat Flush Plan and now embraces the Radical Metabolism eating plan, which she feels is sustainable for the long term. But Penny’s approach is not about diets—it’s about a total lifestyle shift. “I realized that diets have a start and stop date, but real change happens when you shift your identity and embrace the mindset of a healthy person,” she explains. “That’s when everything changed for me.”
Her approach to weight loss includes balancing hormones, which she recognizes as critical for sustainable results. Penny emphasizes that hormones—especially insulin, cortisol, and thyroid—play a major role in weight management. She also attributes much of her success to profound mindset shifts and deep emotional healing. Leaving a demanding job in May 2023 gave her the space to focus on self-guided therapy, long walks in nature, and breaking the behavioral patterns that had held her back for years. She also prioritized rebuilding her relationships and improving her sleep—both of which had been severely impacted by years of chronic illness.
A New Daily Routine
Penny’s new daily routine centers around high-protein meals, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats, complemented by supplements like Bile Builder and Radical Metabolizer. She steers clear of processed foods, prioritizes clean protein, and remains mindful of her insulin sensitivity. Addressing hormonal imbalances became a part of her emotional healing process, as she learned that reducing stress and getting quality sleep were essential for balancing hormones and achieving her fat loss goals.
Penny’s journey has already inspired others around her. Her husband, who is 64, has lost 20 pounds, and a friend, Steve, has shed 50 pounds from a starting weight of 350. For those who feel overwhelmed by the challenges of weight loss and health issues, Penny offers hope: “It’s never too late to change. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—start now. Choose you, because you’re worth it.”
As we warmly welcome Penny to our team, her story is a reminder that health journeys often begin with difficult challenges. We’re grateful for the expertise she brings to our community and look forward to seeing her inspire others to achieve lasting health and happiness.
You can connect with Penny and follow her journey to abundant health using Ann Louise’s protocols on Instagram!
