Terms of Use

Terms of Use

Last Updated: 11/28/25

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the website thebodyilluminant.com and all associated social media accounts, educational content, videos, group sessions, classes, and digital materials (collectively, the “Services”) provided by Richard Podolny MD LLC (“Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”).

By accessing or using any of our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, please discontinue use immediately.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By using this website or engaging with our content on any platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by:

  • These Terms of Use
  • Our Privacy Policy
  • Our Medical & Wellness Disclaimer

These documents work together to define your relationship with us and your use of our Services.

2. Description of Services

2.1 Educational Platform

This platform provides general educational content focused on integrating physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. Our primary purpose is to teach people how to make informed decisions about their own health and well-being—not to make those decisions for them.

2.2 Content Types

Our Services may include:

  • Written articles, blog posts, and educational materials
  • Videos, podcasts, and multimedia content
  • Social media posts and interactions
  • Group discussions, classes, or educational sessions
  • Email newsletters and communications
  • Links to third-party resources and practitioners
  • Future offerings such as courses, programs, or spiritual counseling services

2.3 Educational Purpose Only

All content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing on this platform constitutes:

  • Medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
  • Mental health therapy or counseling
  • Crisis intervention or emergency services
  • Personalized spiritual counseling (unless explicitly provided through separate formal arrangements)
  • A substitute for professional evaluation by qualified healthcare providers

3. No Professional Relationship

3.1 No Doctor-Patient Relationship

Using this website, viewing content, commenting on social media, sending messages, or participating in group sessions does not create a doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Richard Podolny or any professional therapeutic relationship with the Company.

3.2 Separate Medical Practice

Dr. Podolny maintains a separate medical practice with formal intake procedures, documentation, and signed physician-patient agreements. That practice operates independently from this educational platform.

If you wish to become a patient in Dr. Podolny’s medical practice, you must contact the practice directly through official channels. Do not use this website or social media to request medical care.

3.3 Future Spiritual Counseling Services

Should formal spiritual counseling services become available outside the medical practice context, they will be clearly designated and will require separate intake processes and agreements.

4. User Responsibilities

4.1 Your Use of Information

You acknowledge and agree that:

  • You are solely responsible for how you use or apply information from this platform
  • You will consult your own healthcare providers before making health-related decisions
  • You will seek appropriate professional help when needed for medical, mental health, or spiritual concerns
  • You assume all risks associated with your participation in any activities or practices discussed

4.2 Emergency Situations

This platform is not for emergency use. If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. Do not rely on this website or social media for emergency assistance.

For mental health crises, you may also contact:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

4.3 Age and Capacity

By using our Services, you represent that:

  • You are at least 18 years of age, OR
  • If you are under 18, you have parental or guardian permission to use this platform
  • You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms

Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising minors’ use of this platform and determining age-appropriateness of content.

5. Acceptable Use and Conduct

5.1 Prohibited Activities

You agree NOT to:

Security and Technical Violations:

  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or accounts
  • Interfere with or disrupt the functionality of the website or Services
  • Use automated tools (bots, scrapers) without permission
  • Attempt to bypass security measures or access restrictions

Harmful or Unlawful Content:

  • Post, share, or transmit content that is illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, or invasive of privacy
  • Share content that promotes violence, hatred, discrimination, or harm to any individual or group
  • Impersonate any person or entity or falsely represent your affiliation
  • Share false, misleading, or fraudulent information

Intellectual Property Violations:

  • Copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from our content without permission
  • Use our content for commercial purposes without authorization
  • Remove copyright notices or proprietary markings

Platform Misuse:

  • Use the platform to spam, solicit, or advertise without permission
  • Collect or harvest information about other users
  • Share others’ personal information without consent

5.2 Content Moderation

We reserve the right to:

  • Remove any user content or comments at our discretion
  • Block, ban, or restrict access for users who violate these Terms
  • Report illegal activity to appropriate authorities
  • Moderate discussions in group sessions or on social media

We are not obligated to monitor all user activity but may do so to ensure compliance with these Terms and maintain a safe, respectful environment.

6. Intellectual Property Rights

6.1 Our Content

All content and materials on this website and associated platforms, including but not limited to:

  • Written articles, blog posts, and educational materials
  • Videos, images, graphics, and multimedia
  • Logos, branding, and design elements
  • Social media posts and content
  • Course materials, PDFs, and downloadable resources

…are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws and are owned by or licensed to Richard Podolny MD LLC.

6.2 Limited License to Users

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:

  • Access and view content for personal, non-commercial, educational purposes only
  • Share links to our content on social media (with proper attribution)
  • Reference our ideas with appropriate citation in personal or educational contexts

6.3 Restrictions

You may NOT:

  • Copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, or create derivative works without written permission
  • Use our content for commercial purposes without authorization
  • Remove or alter copyright notices, watermarks, or proprietary markings
  • Frame or embed our content on other websites without permission
  • Claim our content as your own

6.4 User-Generated Content

If you submit comments, questions, testimonials, or other content through our platform:

  • You retain ownership of your content
  • You grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and display your content in connection with our Services
  • You represent that you own or have rights to the content you submit
  • You agree that we may use your feedback or suggestions without compensation or attribution

7. Third-Party Links and Content

7.1 External Links

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites, resources, practitioners, or services. These links are provided for convenience and educational purposes only.

We do not:

  • Endorse or control third-party websites or services
  • Assume responsibility for third-party content, products, or practices
  • Guarantee the accuracy, quality, or safety of third-party offerings

7.2 Third-Party Privacy Policies

When you click on third-party links or use external services, those entities’ privacy policies and terms of use apply. We encourage you to review them before sharing information.

7.3 Social Media Platforms

Our content appears on third-party social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.). These platforms have their own terms of service and privacy policies that govern your use of those platforms and interactions with our content.

8. Products, Services, and Recommendations

8.1 Educational Recommendations

We may discuss, reference, or recommend:

  • Books, articles, or other educational resources
  • Products, supplements, or wellness tools
  • Practitioners, modalities, or healing approaches
  • Practices or techniques for personal growth

These recommendations are educational in nature and should not replace consultation with your healthcare providers. Always:

  • Research products and practitioners independently
  • Consult your physician before starting new supplements or health regimens
  • Use your own judgment in evaluating recommendations

8.2 Affiliate Relationships (Future)

In the future, we may participate in affiliate programs or receive compensation for recommending certain products or services. Any such relationships will be disclosed in accordance with FTC guidelines.

We only recommend products or services we believe may be valuable, but:

  • We make no guarantees about their effectiveness
  • Individual results vary
  • We are not responsible for the quality, safety, or performance of third-party products

8.3 No Professional Endorsement

References to specific practitioners, modalities, or approaches do not constitute professional endorsements or guarantees. You are responsible for evaluating and selecting appropriate practitioners for your needs.

9. Group Sessions, Recordings, and Consent

9.1 Participation in Group Sessions

If you participate in group classes, discussions, or educational sessions:

  • Participation is voluntary
  • These sessions are educational, not therapeutic treatment
  • No professional therapeutic relationship is created
  • Content shared by participants should be kept confidential and respectful

9.2 Recording Consent

Group sessions or events may be recorded for educational purposes. By participating in any recorded session, you consent to:

  • Being recorded (video and/or audio)
  • Potential use of recordings in future educational content
  • Your image, voice, or participation being included in materials that may be shared publicly

If you do not wish to be recorded, please:

  • Keep your camera and microphone off
  • Participate via chat only, or
  • Contact us beforehand to discuss alternatives

9.3 Respect and Confidentiality

Participants in group sessions are expected to:

  • Treat others with respect and kindness
  • Maintain confidentiality of others’ personal information
  • Avoid sharing details about other participants outside the session
  • Follow facilitator guidance and community guidelines

10. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

10.1 No Warranties

Our Services are provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

  • Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
  • Accuracy, completeness, or reliability of content
  • Uninterrupted or error-free operation of the website
  • Security of data transmission

10.2 No Guarantees of Outcomes

We make no promises, guarantees, or warranties regarding:

  • Health improvements or medical outcomes
  • Emotional, spiritual, or psychological results
  • Life changes or personal growth
  • Effectiveness of any information, practices, or recommendations

Individual results vary widely. Your experiences and outcomes depend on many factors beyond our control.

10.3 Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Richard Podolny MD LLC and its owners, employees, agents, affiliates, and contributors shall not be liable for any:

  • Direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
  • Loss of profits, data, or business opportunities
  • Personal injury, emotional distress, or other harm
  • Damages arising from your use of (or inability to use) our Services

This limitation applies even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

10.4 Assumption of Risk

You expressly agree that your use of our Services is at your sole risk. You assume full responsibility for:

  • How you interpret and apply information
  • Any actions or decisions you make based on content
  • Your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being
  • Seeking appropriate professional help when needed

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Richard Podolny MD LLC and its owners, employees, agents, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from:

  • Your use of our Services
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your violation of any third-party rights
  • Content you submit or share through our platform

12. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

12.1 Governing Law

These Terms and any disputes arising from them shall be governed by the laws of the State of Hawaii, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

12.2 Jurisdiction

You agree that any legal action or proceeding related to these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Hawaii, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

12.3 Informal Resolution

Before filing any legal action, we encourage you to contact us to seek an informal resolution of any dispute.

13. Modifications to Terms

13.1 Right to Modify

We reserve the right to modify, update, or change these Terms at any time. When we make changes:

  • The “Last Updated” date will be revised
  • Significant changes will be communicated through our website or email
  • Your continued use of our Services after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms

13.2 Regular Review

We encourage you to review these Terms periodically to stay informed of any updates.

14. Termination

14.1 Your Right to Terminate

You may stop using our Services at any time. If you wish to delete your information, please see our Privacy Policy or contact us.

14.2 Our Right to Terminate

We reserve the right to:

  • Suspend or terminate your access to our Services at any time, with or without notice
  • Remove content or accounts that violate these Terms
  • Discontinue any aspect of our Services at our discretion

14.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

  • Your right to access and use our Services immediately ceases
  • Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive (including disclaimers, limitations of liability, and indemnification) will continue to apply

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by law.

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Medical & Wellness Disclaimer, constitute the entire agreement between you and Richard Podolny MD LLC regarding your use of our Services and supersede any prior agreements or understandings.

17. No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

18. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms at our discretion.

19. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or feedback regarding these Terms of Use, please contact us:

Richard Podolny MD LLC
📧 Email: contact@thebodyilluminant.com
📍 Location: State of Hawaii
🌐 Website: https://thebodyilluminant.com

20. Acknowledgment

By using our Services, you acknowledge that:

  • You have read and understood these Terms of Use
  • You agree to be bound by these Terms
  • You understand this is an educational platform, not a source of medical advice or treatment
  • You are responsible for your own decisions and well-being
  • You will seek appropriate professional help when needed

Thank you for being part of our educational community. We are committed to providing valuable content while respecting your autonomy and supporting your journey toward integrated wellness.

These Terms of Use are effective as of the date listed above and apply to all users of our Services.