Up in the Air

Flight protocol & travel essentials, plus an introduction to the RUNGA Q&A series, featuring Melissa Boloña of Beauty & the Broth.

Jun 08, 2025

Margaux Hemingway at José Martí International Airport, 1978 | Getty Images

FLIGHT PROTOCOL

I find myself returning to this protocol time and again to alleviate the adverse effects of long-haul air travel. I’m almost certain I heard Dave Asprey outline it on a podcast years ago, but unfortunately, I couldn’t find the source. Nonetheless, I’ve outlined the general steps below.

Before Flight

Take liposomal glutathione to help repair cell damage. My favorites include Quicksilver Scientific (glass bottle) and Cymbiotika (single-serve packets).

During Flight

Consume hydrogen water after takeoff and then every two hours for its anti-inflammatory effects. Drop the tablet into water and allow it to fully dissolve before drinking quickly. Quicksilver Scientific is my current brand.
Take activated charcoal; however, avoid taking it close to the time you take any supplements as it can bind to nutrients and vitamins, reducing their efficacy.

After Flight

Take glutathione again.
Ground yourself. Find an open space and let your feet touch the earth to help regulate your nervous system and circadian rhythm.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

In addition to the items above and my normal supplements, I also pack the following when traveling — many of which I’ve featured before, but including again for good measure.

After Party - If indulging in alcoholic beverages on vacation, best to support your detoxification as much as possible. This supplement has only one active ingredient — dihydromyricetin — which aids in the breakdown of acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism.

Bone Broth Concentrate - Provide your body nourishing gut and immunity support with a travel-friendly, organic concentrate from Beauty & the Broth (more on this brand below). Simply pour the concentrate into a cup and add warm water.

EPIC Bars - A variety of flavors available, but the Wagyu Beef Steak Strips are my favorite for clean protein on the go.

Manuka Honey Travel Packs - I love the MGO 850+ Stick Packets from Manukora for travel because they’re a great multitasker; use as a clean sweetener or even as a hydrating face mask.

Mold-Free Coffee - Coffee is notoriously moldy, which can contribute to brain fog, afternoon crashes, and more. When possible, I pack my own coffee to brew. LIFEBOOST Cognition Mushroom Coffee remains my favorite as it’s 3rd-party tested for toxins. Danger Coffee is another mold-free brand.

Pocket Salt Shaker - Most salt at restaurants is bleached with caking agents. These Redmond Real Salt mini shakers are easy to tote around, and you can sprinkle away knowing it’s sourced from an ancient, underground salt deposit.

Wired Headphones - Yes, the cord can get in the way, but these are still my choice to avoid an additional Bluetooth device and extra EMF exposure.

In partnership with RUNGA, I’ll be featuring Q&As from time to time with expansive players in health and wellness.

I'm thrilled to launch the series featuring Melissa Boloña, Beauty & the Broth founder, whom I had the pleasure of meeting a few years ago at an Austin RUNGA event.

Beauty & the Broth offers organic, collagen-rich bone broth concentrate. After using broth as a powerful healing aid to her own health issues in her 20s, Melissa developed the unique gel formula with five times the nutrients of other broths on the market.

Melissa truly walks the walk, embracing ancestral care, conscious living, and a joyful and grounded approach to wellness.

Your company, Beauty & the Broth, was created in alignment with your personal approach to wellness and nutrition. How does this affect your sense of happiness and fulfillment? What’s the most meaningful part of running the company?

Bringing Beauty & the Broth to life has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. It’s not just a company — it’s truly aligned with how I live and what I value. Creating something that supports people’s wellness in such a foundational, nourishing way gives me a deep sense of purpose. The most meaningful part? Hearing from people who’ve built it into their routines and feel stronger, clearer, and more radiant because of it. That never gets old.

When you’re not hosting guests on your own podcast, Beauty & the Babble, are there other shows you regularly turn to?

I love thoughtful shows that weave health, consciousness, and humor, like The Lifestylist with Luke Storey, Almost 30, and Expanded by To Be Magnetic. I’m also a sucker for a great wellness rabbit hole. Sometimes I just want to learn something weird and wonderful.

How do you cultivate and maintain community in your life?

I’m intentional about keeping my circle real and reciprocal. I deeply value women who are curious, supportive, and on a similar path of growth. I make time for them — even when life is full. Sometimes that’s a walk, a voice note, or inviting them into my rituals. Presence matters more than perfection.

Impactful book you recently read or find yourself returning to?

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer is one I always come back to. It’s one of those rare books that quiets the noise and recenters me in a single page. Every time I read it, I uncover a new layer of clarity or peace — especially during big life transitions like pregnancy. It reminds me that I’m not my thoughts, I’m the observer — and that truth is so freeing.

In addition to Beauty & the Broth concentrate, what are the top 5 items in your travel bag?

Electrolyte packets (I’m obsessed with deep hydration)
My red light therapy wand
Magnesium spray
A silk sleep mask
And a huge GLASS water bottle that never fits in any cupholder but comes everywhere with me

You’re in your third trimester of pregnancy. What are the most meaningful wellness and nutrition additions you’ve incorporated to support you and your growing baby?

Acupuncture, bone broth daily (of course!), and trace minerals have been non-negotiables. I’ve also been focused on regulating my nervous system through breathwork, walking barefoot, and limiting stress where I can. It’s been about creating an inner sanctuary for both me and baby.

What do you do when you need to clear your head or ground yourself?

Nature is my go-to. Even ten minutes outside shifts everything. I also love dry brushing before a warm shower and journaling with absolutely no filter. Moving stagnant energy out of the body and mind is everything.

There’s much discussion around daily routines. Are there one or two things that you consistently do morning and night that you find most impactful?

Morning: A warm mug of broth or lemon water with minerals, and five minutes to just be before I check my phone.
Night: Magnesium, oil, and red light on my belly—it’s my wind-down ritual for me and baby.

You’ve dealt with mold toxicity and autoimmune issues. What have you found to be the best protocols to keep your body detoxed and balanced?

I’ve learned how personal healing really is, but for me: binders, infrared sauna, glutathione, lymphatic movement, and removing hidden toxins from my home made the biggest difference. Nervous system support is also key. Detox isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, too.

You refer to your broth concentrate as a total-beauty elixir in a cup with an inside-out approach to beauty. What are your other “beauty” non-negotiables?

Red light therapy, lymphatic drainage, a non-toxic skincare routine, and sleep — honestly, nothing makes me glow like deep rest. Also: self-respect and boundaries. They age you in reverse.