Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly maintain a healthy weight while others struggle despite their best efforts? Or why do certain individuals experience anxiety and depression more intensely than others? The answer might lie within your DNA.

The Impact of Genetics on Your Health

Elwin Robinson's health journey is a testament to the powerful influence of genetics. While genetics can predispose us to specific health conditions, it doesn't mean we're destined to suffer. In his late twenties, Elwin experienced chronic fatigue, which he linked to both his genes and unhealthy lifestyle habits. His family history, marked by his father's chronic fatigue syndrome and his mother's passing from cancer, underscored the role genetics played in their health.

Elwin embraced a healthier lifestyle, eliminating alcohol, smoking, and processed foods. He incorporated holistic practices like fasting, yoga, and detoxing into his routine. Despite these positive changes, he faced persistent health issues, including debilitating pain related to digestive problems. Genetic testing finally revealed his predisposition to conditions like sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and cholestasis. These conditions hindered his body's detoxification processes.

Decoding Food Sensitivities

Food allergies and intolerances can manifest in various ways, often with subtle, easily overlooked symptoms. Many individuals experience anxiety, depression, digestive discomfort, or even heart failure linked to undiagnosed food sensitivities. Elwin's experience exemplifies this.

Even though genetic tests indicated no specific food allergies, Elwin's digestive issues worsened as he aged. Further genetic testing revealed that his food sensitivities were likely connected to bile toxicity and gut dysbiosis, not typical allergies. Genetic reports can pinpoint sensitivities to compounds like histamine, salicylates, and oxalates, often hidden triggers. These substances are found in healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, and oils.

The Genetic Roots of Mental Well-being

Anxiety and depression are often perceived as purely mental health issues, but genetics can significantly influence our emotional experiences. For Elwin, chronic pain and unresolved health concerns fueled his anxiety and insomnia. Genetic testing revealed a genetic variant that slowed his body's breakdown of stress chemicals, shedding light on the biological underpinnings of his mental health challenges.

This highlights the concept that some individuals may be genetically predisposed to anxiety and depression, making it more difficult for them to regulate their emotions. These individuals may benefit from personalized support, including specific nutrients and lifestyle modifications, to achieve mental balance. For instance, low levels of oxytocin (often called the "love hormone") can contribute to feelings of emotional emptiness and even trigger addictive behaviors like overeating.

DNA's Influence on Weight Management

If you've struggled with weight loss despite trying various diets and exercise plans, your genes may be playing a role. Historically, obesity rates were low, even when diets included sugar and saturated fats. This suggests that modern environmental factors, combined with individual genetic differences, contribute to the obesity crisis.

Some individuals have a genetic predisposition to insulin resistance, making it harder to shed pounds. Others may experience hormonal imbalances that affect hunger, fat storage, and metabolism. Even variations in thyroid function, like suboptimal or undiagnosed hypothyroidism, can lead to unexplained weight gain.

In this podcast, you will learn:

• The impact of genetics on  conditions like chronic fatigue

• How food sensitivities may be related to bile toxicity and gut health

• The influence of genetics on anxiety, depression, and emotional well-being

• How DNA can affect weight loss efforts and metabolic processes

• The importance of personalized health insights based on genetic testing

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Dr. Nayan Patel is a pharmacist and wellness expert who has worked with physicians to develop custom medications and personalized drug and nutrition plans for patients. He has been the pharmacist of choice for celebrities, CEOs, and even fellow physicians. Dr. Patel recently wrote a book about glutathione. After years of research on glutathione, Dr. Patel and his team developed a patented technology for topical glutathione delivery. This led to the creation of a skincare line designed for efficient and effective antioxidant delivery.

Glutathione Helps Detoxify the Body

Glutathione is a crucial molecule for human health. It plays a vital role in detoxification and neutralizing harmful toxins. It acts as the body's primary defense against oxidative stress, a major contributor to various chronic diseases. Dr. Patel emphasizes the importance of shifting focus from merely extending lifespan to improving health span. This means striving to live longer while maintaining good health and avoiding chronic illnesses.

Dr. Patel’s Glutathione Breakthrough

Despite the availability of numerous glutathione products, many fail to deliver noticeable benefits due to scientific and regulatory constraints. There is a medically approved treatment for raising glutathione levels that is primarily used to counteract Tylenol toxicity. Conventional methods like IV administration, liposomal delivery, and nasal sprays have proven ineffective for long-term optimization.

Dr. Patel dedicated years to exploring different delivery methods before achieving a breakthrough. He successfully developed a stable, water-soluble glutathione molecule. This innovative formula, perfected after years of rigorous trials, can be stored at room temperature and is readily absorbed by the body. Dr. Patel published his book and launched his product, though its widespread adoption was delayed.

Glutathione Multiple Health Benefits

Glutathione acts as an energy-saving molecule, helping to conserve molecules that are essential for vital functions like protein production, detoxification, and overall health maintenance. Dr. Patel's research indicates that maintaining youthful levels of glutathione can lead to several benefits:

• Reduced oxidative stress

• Improved detoxification

• Potential prevention or delay of chronic diseases

Athletes have reported experiencing improvements shortly after using Dr. Patel's topical glutathione spray. This delivery method directly introduces glutathione into the cells, aiding the body in balancing oxidative stress levels and sustaining energy over time.

In this podcast, you will learn:

• Why glutathione is crucial for health and longevity

• The impact of declining glutathione levels with age

• Effective ways to deliver glutathione to the body

• Benefits of glutathione for athletes and everyday individuals

• How to naturally boost glutathione levels through diet and lifestyle changes

 

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In the expansive realm of mental health and cognitive enhancement, neurofeedback emerges as a particularly promising approach to brain training. It offers exciting possibilities for optimizing brain function and mental well-being. 

But what is neurofeedback, and how does it work? Join us on a journey through the brain's intricate pathways, guided by insights from Andrew Hill, a pioneer in the field.

Introduction to Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback's origins trace back to the early 20th century with the discovery of the EEG (Electroencephalogram), which laid the groundwork for understanding brain waves. By the mid-1960s, the foundations of modern neurofeedback were established. This technique trains the brain's electrical activity through operant conditioning, similar to how a baby learns through exploration and feedback.

To fully understand neurofeedback, one must first grasp the basics of EEG and the brain's complex structure. EEG measures the brain's electrical activity, providing insights into its function. The cortex, with its six layers of tissue, serves as the command center for processing information. Different brainwave frequencies, from Delta to Beta, reflect various states and functions of the brain, revealing its inner workings.

Exploring Brainwave Frequencies

Each brainwave frequency has its significance. Delta waves, linked to deep sleep, facilitate memory consolidation. Theta waves promote insight and creativity, although excessive Theta can cause distractibility. Beta waves are associated with focused attention but can become intrusive in excess, leading to OCD-like behaviors.

Neurofeedback sessions are personalized experiences, tailored to individual goals and brainwave patterns. Through Quantitative EEG (QEEG), individuals can compare their brainwave patterns to those of age-matched peers, identifying unique traits. These sessions, typically lasting 20-30 minutes, gradually train the brain to regulate its activity, enhancing executive function, creativity, and emotional regulation.

Despite its potential, neurofeedback faces skepticism from traditional medical and pharmaceutical industries, due to historical controversies. However, advancements in technology have made neurofeedback more accessible and effective in treating various conditions, facilitating broader acceptance.

Dr. Barry Sterman's groundbreaking research inadvertently discovered neurofeedback's potential in reducing seizures. Despite early successes, funding challenges and skepticism slowed its widespread adoption. Andrew Hill's pioneering efforts have sought to unravel the mechanisms behind neurofeedback's effectiveness, pushing the field forward.

The Future of Neurofeedback

As research progresses, the future of neurofeedback looks promising. Current efforts aim to deepen our understanding of its mechanisms and enhance efficacy. Remote neurofeedback programs offer tailored brain training from home, supported by coaches and personalized protocols. Future advancements may include longitudinal brain data tracking and intelligent avatars for testing interventions, heralding a new era of personalized brain optimization.

In essence, neurofeedback holds the key to unlocking the mind's potential, offering a pathway to enhanced cognitive function and mental well-being. As we delve deeper into the brain's mysteries, the possibilities appear limitless, ushering in a brighter future for humanity's most complex organ.

In this podcast you will learn about:

• Neurofeedback: Harnessing brain waves for optimal mental well-being.
• EEG Insights: Understanding the brain's electrical activity for personalized training.
• Tailored Sessions: Customized neurofeedback journeys for individual goals and brain patterns.
• Overcoming Skepticism: Technological advancements pave the way for wider acceptance.
• Future Frontiers: Remote programs and intelligent interventions signal a new era of brain optimization.
  And much more.

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He’s a master at self-promotion, marketing, trash-talking, and using fear to his advantage. 

In this episode, one of the most popular and inspiring MMA fighters to ever compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship - Chael Sonnen - sits down with two of his biggest fans: podcast host Wade T. Lightheart and his biOptimizers cofounder Matt Gallant.

In this podcast, we cover:

• How political debates can help you improve your public speaking
• How to create a public persona to stand out from the crowd
• Why building an audience is a more valuable skill than having the best technical skills in your industry
• What Chael’s physical training days were like as an MMA fighter
• Chael’s nutrition regime as a UFC fighter
• How Chael became a dynamic storyteller
• How to use fear to your advantage
• What Chael thinks about PEDs
• Why Chael likes reading the comments below his online videos
• Chael’s prediction: Will Connor McGregor ever fight again?

What a remarkable story. 

Twenty years ago, our guest took a walk with her wife when her left leg suddenly stopped working correctly. The leg inexplicably lost most of its strength, causing Dr. Terry to hobble home confused.

The next day, our guest was in a neurologist’s office and heard these life-changing words: “Terry, this could be bad. Or, really, really bad.” 

Over the next two weeks, Dr. Terry went through a battery of tests. During those two long weeks, she kept thinking about what her neurologist said - and prayed for a fatal diagnosis to avoid a life of disability. 

Finally, the diagnosis came in: multiple sclerosis.

Within three years, Dr. Terry found herself in a tilt-recline wheelchair, unable to sit up at her desk. This rapid deterioration occurred despite seeing the best specialists and taking the newest, cutting-edge medications. 

Whether listening or watching on YoutTube, Dr. Terry’s story on what happens next is jaw-dropping. Listen to get inspired. If you know someone with MS, please share this interview with them. 

Because everything Dr. Terry shares is science-based. Fortunately for her (and ultimately for all of us), being a doctor with MS was a blessing in disguise. This enabled her to begin using the research skills she developed in her medical career to explore multiple sclerosis and search for possibilities.

During her journey, Dr. Terry became a functional doctor through the Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner program. She is also a longtime clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa, conducting clinical trials. In 2018, Dr. Terry won the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Linus Pauling Award for her research, clinical care, and patient care.   

She is also the author of The Wahls Protocol: A Radical Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles, and The Wahls Protocol: Cooking for Life.  

How did Dr. Terry go from being in a wheelchair to riding her bike to work each day? How did she overcome MS and restore her health? 

Tune in and find out!    

In this podcast, we cover:

• Dr. Terry’s emotional story

• What is multiple sclerosis?

• That moment her entire family cried tears of joy 

• Dr. Terry’s profound “A-ha” moment

• The dietary changes involved in her breakthrough

• How meditation played a role in Dr. Terry’s recovery

• Dr. Terry’s exciting clinical trials

• The emotional struggles of losing your ability to run, ride a bike, or hike

• How Terry’s partner dealt with her MS 

• How to bring more innovation to the medical industry

A Funny Moment that Shocked Her Doctors

For a long time during her illness with MS, Dr. Terry saw her neurologist every six months. 

As her condition turned around and she found herself in a much better place, Dr. Terry called her neurologist’s office.

“There’s been a big change! I should really see a physician.”

Wanting to see her that day, Dr. Terry said, no, I want to come on Friday. Despite their protests, she waited till Friday.

“So I walk in, and I’m not in my tilt recline wheelchair. I’m in the waiting area, and the nurse comes out. She’s got a chart, and she’s looking around, and I realized she is looking for me.”

“So I stand up and go, ‘Hey, Cindy! Over here!’ She is like, ‘Oh my God, you’re walking!” My physician is thrilled, and he says the same thing, ‘Oh my God! You’re walking!’”

Those Who Disrupt the Status Quo Face Ridicule and Criticism

Over the time since she defied her prognosis and went on to clinically test her theories and positively change the lives of others suffering from MS, plenty of tomatoes get hurled at Dr. Terry. 

Here is a snippet of what Dr. Terry said about her critics: “Anyone who is truly innovative is going to draw ire because it’s very uncomfortable to have to abandon constructs of how you understand the world.”

“I don’t want to do that. You don’t want to do that. None of us do. So I don’t think it’s possible to have innovation without facing ridicule and rejection at first.” 

“And then your new ideas either pan out or are suppressed. So you keep doing the experiments.”  

One of the most profound episodes of the Awesome Health Podcast, Dr. Terry’s personal story from an MS diagnosis back to feeling good again, is truly astonishing. But what makes this even more startling is the fact that this happened to a medical doctor, a clinical professor, who has gone on to show the medical community a whole new way of looking at MS. Many people get results through Dr. Terry’s breakthrough work and will continue to do so as she continues her research at the University of Iowa.

Check out this episode - discover a groundbreaking approach to multiple sclerosis.

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Read The Episode Transcript:

1 00:01:24.930 --> 00:01:25.140 Oh. 2 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:44.700 Wade Lightheart: hi Terry how are you doing. 3 00:03:45.150 --> 00:03:46.320 Terry Wahls: Excellent how are you. 4 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:52.530 Wade Lightheart: Excellent i'm so excited to have you here today it's so great, for you, James Where are you calling in from. 5 00:03:53.370 --> 00:03:55.170 Terry Wahls: A client from iowa city iowa. 6 00:03:55.560 --> 00:03:59.040 Wade Lightheart: Okay okay so great, where the papers have been published. 7 00:04:01.260 --> 00:04:17.310 Wade Lightheart: But I had the pleasure of reviewing beforehand before we get started, I just want to go through a couple of quick things is there any particular areas that you'd like to talk about today, or is important to kind of cue you up to mention. 8 00:04:18.210 --> 00:04:20.730 Terry Wahls: US remind me who your audiences. 9 00:04:21.030 --> 00:04:24.900 Wade Lightheart: So our audience is people who are looking at. 10 00:04:26.190 --> 00:04:35.640 Wade Lightheart: We call biological optimization they're leveraging technology and nutritional supplementation exercise fitness all that sort of stuff to address. 11 00:04:36.150 --> 00:04:42.720 Wade Lightheart: How do they improve their health, how do they you know live a healthier life, a better life that sort of stuff and we bring different people from. 12 00:04:43.350 --> 00:04:50.820 Wade Lightheart: Every possible background to address the importance of diet, nutrition and how they can improve the quality of their life or their family members. 13 00:04:51.420 --> 00:05:15.510 Terry Wahls: Okay, so our recent research will be launching another study here shortly we're very close to having that approved in, then I have a seminar next year and so it's a four part series and get the whole seminar or they could just get the last one, which is all about healthy aging. 14 00:05:16.530 --> 00:05:17.280 Wade Lightheart: Oh wow. 15 00:05:20.910 --> 00:05:21.360 Wade Lightheart: and 16 00:05:23.820 --> 00:05:28.530 Wade Lightheart: will probably going to your story, because I think it's super inspirational and. 17 00:05:28.890 --> 00:05:32.460 Terry Wahls: Oh yeah I should tell my story people yeah so how much time do we have. 18 00:05:32.730 --> 00:05:39.510 Wade Lightheart: Well, the year actually the defining component on it so that was my next question is, do you have any hard stops there, and like. 19 00:05:39.900 --> 00:05:46.170 Terry Wahls: I probably do so let me look at my calendar now because my team keeps this going. 20 00:05:47.430 --> 00:05:52.680 Terry Wahls: So it looks like 1230 is absolutely hard stop. 21 00:05:53.430 --> 00:06:00.030 Wade Lightheart: Okay, great well let's get you guys are two hours difference in iowa then over here on the west coast right. 22 00:06:01.350 --> 00:06:03.570 Terry Wahls: yeah, it is now 11. 23 00:06:04.290 --> 00:06:05.220 Terry Wahls: Before four. 24 00:06:05.640 --> 00:06:16.440 Wade Lightheart: Perfect alright, so I will do my little razzle dazzle introduction and then we'll get into we'll get into this as soon as you're ready to go. 25 00:06:17.310 --> 00:06:17.850 Wade Lightheart: Okay. 26 00:06:18.300 --> 00:06:19.980 Terry Wahls: I get settled, we are good. 27 00:06:20.700 --> 00:06:21.210 Okay. 28 00:06:22.530 --> 00:06:33.900 Wade Lightheart: Okay, for our recording team, we will start the podcast here in 321. 29 00:06:34.710 --> 00:06:51.810 Wade Lightheart: Good morning, good afternoon and good evening it's way too light heart from by optimizer with another edition of the awesome health podcast and today we have Dr Terry walls joining us, and this is a really exciting and important. 30 00:06:53.400 --> 00:07:09.000 Wade Lightheart: audio recording video recording if you're watching it on YouTube because Dr Terry walls has a very unique story, first of all, she is in the Institute of functional medicine certified practitioner in a clinical professor of medicine at the University of iowa. 31 00:07:09.270 --> 00:07:22.560 Wade Lightheart: where she conducts clinical trials in 2018 she was awarded the Institute for functional medicines Linus Pauling Award for her contributions and research clinical care and patient advocacy. 32 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:29.160 Wade Lightheart: she's also a patient with the secondary progressive multiple sclerosis sclerosis sclerosis sorry. 33 00:07:29.760 --> 00:07:38.250 Wade Lightheart: I have a hard time saying that sometimes we're going to say that again she is also a patient with secondary progressive multiple cirrhosis. 34 00:07:38.640 --> 00:07:47.310 Wade Lightheart: Which couldn't find her to a tilt recline wheelchair for four years walls restored her health. 35 00:07:47.730 --> 00:07:56.790 Wade Lightheart: Using a diet and lifestyle program she designed specifically for her brain and now pedals her bike to work every. 36 00:07:57.210 --> 00:08:09.870 Wade Lightheart: Each day she's the author of the walls protocol a radical new way to treat all chronic autoimmune conditions, using Paleo principles and the cookbook the walls protocol cooking for life. 37 00:08:10.350 --> 00:08:25.050 Wade Lightheart: learn more about her Ms clinical trials at http PS, you know that colon slash slash walls w H l s dot lab diet you I O w a.edu. 38 00:08:25.560 --> 00:08:40.680 Wade Lightheart: Forward slash.we will have the links to this, I just had a chance there, Dr Terry to look at that trial and it's extraordinary you have an extraordinary story, I mean you know I had. 39 00:08:41.610 --> 00:08:56.520 Wade Lightheart: Some a relative that suffered from multiple sclerosis, and it is a very progressive in kind of depressing condition of it's in so many people suffer suffer from it. 40 00:08:56.970 --> 00:09:06.450 Wade Lightheart: I was actually Member when I was in elementary school, we did fundraising for multiple sclerosis research, and I remember I. 41 00:09:06.780 --> 00:09:15.780 Wade Lightheart: raised a bunch of funds and I got this little green little puppy dog as a prize for my for my work is again, I was very proud of that, because that was the first time I was. 42 00:09:16.170 --> 00:09:31.590 Wade Lightheart: introduced to the importance of research around degenerative conditions, and you have kind of spearheaded not only your own recovery, but also some extraordinary research in this area, can you talk about your journey that led you to this. 43 00:09:31.830 --> 00:09:32.220 sure. 44 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:47.520 Terry Wahls: So when I was 20 years ago i'm out walking with my wife and my left leg gross week on dry unit a humble home next day, I see the neurologist who says, you know Terry this could be bad or really, really bad. 45 00:09:48.240 --> 00:10:01.080 Terry Wahls: So the next two weeks, while i'm thinking going through the workup I think about bad in really, really bad I, and I don't want to be disabled so actually i'm praying for a fatal diagnosis. 46 00:10:02.100 --> 00:10:09.630 Terry Wahls: Two weeks later, I hear multiple sclerosis, I see the best people take the no drugs three years later I hear totally fine wheelchair. 47 00:10:10.530 --> 00:10:26.400 Terry Wahls: I take my de Santo infusions than ties IV infusions nothing helps I am too weak to set up at my desk my zingers do the trigeminal neuralgia electoral jolts of pain, are more frequent more severe more difficult to turn off. 48 00:10:27.870 --> 00:10:33.090 Terry Wahls: Fortunately i'm a physician, so I go to the basic science, I began reading. 49 00:10:34.140 --> 00:10:47.910 Terry Wahls: And experiment, the based on what i'm reading I developed theory that mitochondria are a big driver, particularly in the more progressive decline and so At first I work on supplements. 50 00:10:49.200 --> 00:11:01.350 Terry Wahls: speed of my declined slows, then I discovered study using electrical stimulation muscles I convinced my physical therapist so let me try that my test session hurts like hell, but when it's over I feel great. 51 00:11:02.520 --> 00:11:15.450 Terry Wahls: I, and so my therapist lets me add East him to my workouts I discovered the Institute for functional medicine, I take their course on neuro protection, I have more supplements that i'm taking. 52 00:11:16.770 --> 00:11:31.170 Terry Wahls: In, then I have a really big Aha and sort of in retrospect wait i'm like dear God how That takes me so long to think about this i'm like what if I redesign my Paleo diet that i'd been following for last five years. 53 00:11:32.520 --> 00:11:40.350 Terry Wahls: Based on all the science i've been reading the nutrients that i've said, are important if taking supplements, what if I figure out where they are in the food supply. 54 00:11:41.370 --> 00:11:43.020 Terry Wahls: So redesign my Paleo diet. 55 00:11:45.120 --> 00:12:01.440 Terry Wahls: And it's stunning three months later, my zingers of 27 years are gone my fatigue is gone and my physical therapist says Terry you're getting stronger it begins advancing exercise. 56 00:12:03.090 --> 00:12:03.600 Terry Wahls: and 57 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:07.680 Terry Wahls: Three months after that I am walking without a cane. 58 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:10.560 Terry Wahls: Three months after that. 59 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:15.570 Terry Wahls: I. 60 00:12:17.190 --> 00:12:18.150 Terry Wahls: got on my bike. 61 00:12:19.290 --> 00:12:25.860 Terry Wahls: For the first time in six years with my son zach jogging alongside in the left my daughter's tab on the right. 62 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:29.310 Terry Wahls: And my wife behind. 63 00:12:30.900 --> 00:12:43.140 Terry Wahls: I biked around the block for the first time, you know everyone's crying my kids are crying my wife's crying i'm crying if you could see my face you'd see that i'm crying because that. 64 00:12:45.090 --> 00:12:56.460 Terry Wahls: That was the moment where I understood that the current understanding of multiple sclerosis was incomplete and who knew how much recovery might be possible. 65 00:12:57.660 --> 00:12:58.140 Terry Wahls: and 66 00:12:59.760 --> 00:13:02.070 Terry Wahls: You know it's about five months after that. 67 00:13:03.780 --> 00:13:13.170 Terry Wahls: Then I completed an 18.5 mile bike ride with my family and once again roll cry you know my kids are crying my wife's crying i'm crying. 68 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:30.840 Terry Wahls: If this really transforms how I think about disease and health, it will transform the way I practice medicine and it transforms the focus of my research, I and we've done five clinical trials. 69 00:13:32.010 --> 00:13:46.560 Terry Wahls: We hopefully we'll be talking about most recent one we've got a couple more trials that will be getting launched here momentarily I and i've gone from being this. 70 00:13:48.570 --> 00:13:56.070 Terry Wahls: sort of unusual eccentric person that was roundly condemned by many in the Ms community. 71 00:13:57.540 --> 00:14:02.400 Terry Wahls: To be now are respected dietary intervention research. 72 00:14:03.930 --> 00:14:18.720 Terry Wahls: In the Ms community and really changing the whole discussion that diet and lifestyle are in should be an essential part of the care plan for me every Ms patient. 73 00:14:20.190 --> 00:14:28.500 Wade Lightheart: is profound first off your story is incredible and I can see why that would be activating so emotional because you know. 74 00:14:29.040 --> 00:14:39.990 Wade Lightheart: there's two two parts to it, one you're not just someone with a diagnosis you're someone with a medical background, so you understand the progressive degeneration, and what that's going to look like over a period of time. 75 00:14:40.590 --> 00:15:02.070 Wade Lightheart: Based on prior research, you were of all the medications the interactions the contraindications all that sort of stuff and then you go off and kind of do some your own experiments and start reversing what is generally believed to be a and reversible condition is that not. 76 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:04.140 Terry Wahls: Correct no absolutely and. 77 00:15:04.650 --> 00:15:13.380 Terry Wahls: I want to be clear at the time that I was doing all of this, all of my physicians my primary care doc's all of the various neurologists i've seen. 78 00:15:13.770 --> 00:15:26.490 Terry Wahls: were very clear MS is a progressive disease, the whole point three says Wayne and I was thrilled to take these incredibly toxic compounds that I knew had at a rate of causing. 79 00:15:27.990 --> 00:15:36.150 Terry Wahls: leukemia to percentage time you took it because I was, and I was already seriously disabled I didn't want to become even more disabled so. 80 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:51.450 Terry Wahls: I was happy to take very toxic drugs that may be very l in an effort to slow my decline, because this was all about slowing the decline it as I improve, so my my face pain is gone first time in 27 years. 81 00:15:52.140 --> 00:16:00.090 Terry Wahls: My fatigue is gone first time in seven years i'm walking again around the hospital and then around the block. 82 00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:09.930 Terry Wahls: But you know I don't know what it means, and in part of what you you do when you have a progressive neurological disorder. 83 00:16:11.490 --> 00:16:24.090 Terry Wahls: Is you learn to let go of the future right and take each day as an adult and that's a very healthy coping strategies so here I am. 84 00:16:25.140 --> 00:16:36.750 Terry Wahls: i've let go the future I don't know what it means i'm clearly at a different place than I was a month ago, or ios six months earlier but I don't know what it means I don't know. 85 00:16:38.070 --> 00:16:39.330 Terry Wahls: You know I didn't know what it means. 86 00:16:41.370 --> 00:16:42.780 Terry Wahls: until the day I rode my bike. 87 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.310 Wade Lightheart: mm hmm. 88 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:54.510 Terry Wahls: And that's when I understood in my heart and my bones, that the current understanding of Ms was wrong and that. 89 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:03.240 Terry Wahls: I was recovering and who knew how much recovery might be possible. 90 00:17:04.770 --> 00:17:18.150 Terry Wahls: You know i'll to note sort of funny story I in this happened, the month previous pay and seen my neurologist you know access home every six months. 91 00:17:18.630 --> 00:17:33.000 Terry Wahls: And I called the office to say you know there's been a big change I should really see a physician, so they were happy to see me that day as well, oh no, I want to come on Friday so know if there's a big change, we should not wait till Friday Friday i'll be fine. 92 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:40.740 Terry Wahls: So you know I go in I i've walked in so i'm not in my total Klein wheelchair i've seen in the office. 93 00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:54.240 Terry Wahls: In the waiting area and my the nurse comes out and she's got a chart she's looking around and I realized oh I bet she's looking for me and i'm not in the wheelchair, so I stand up go hey. 94 00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:57.750 Terry Wahls: Cindy over here, and she goes. 95 00:18:01.320 --> 00:18:04.140 Terry Wahls: And I was like oh my God you're walking. 96 00:18:05.730 --> 00:18:09.990 Terry Wahls: And so yeah I see my position is like oh my God you're walking. 97 00:18:11.130 --> 00:18:22.680 Terry Wahls: he's thrilled you're showing what I might East him, you know what i'm doing he still the startup got to get your MRI and see what's going on and. 98 00:18:23.760 --> 00:18:28.830 Terry Wahls: we're both quite surprised there's no change on the MRI and it comes back and says, you know. 99 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:35.880 Terry Wahls: Of course there's no changing them right, these are old lesions they haven't been active in a long time to still that active. 100 00:18:37.080 --> 00:18:42.360 Terry Wahls: But what you clearly have done is you have rewired your brain. 101 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:55.950 Terry Wahls: You are we miley and the MRI can't capture that but your body clearly has rewired in re function your brain and your spinal cord. 102 00:18:56.700 --> 00:19:12.300 Wade Lightheart: Can you explain to our listeners just what multiple sclerosis is so that they understand what it what it what it is what and then this breakthrough that you've. 103 00:19:12.300 --> 00:19:14.400 Wade Lightheart: Experienced why that's so profound. 104 00:19:14.850 --> 00:19:31.740 Terry Wahls: So it's a autoimmune process where your immune cells are attacking your spinal cord in your brain first we said it was just the installation the mile and part now realized in fact that they're killing all sorts of parts of your brain astrocytes have been damaged. 105 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:43.290 Terry Wahls: glial cells are being damaged neurons are being damaged axon to being damaged there are these acute inflammation episodes so as a call to relapses that gradually improve. 106 00:19:43.980 --> 00:20:05.520 Terry Wahls: In addition, in the background, this is slow, steady deterioration brain bind spinal cord shrinkage that is lit that is associated with that cognitive decline we're seeing disability that from which people do not recover so and I clearly have a lot of fatigue. 107 00:20:06.600 --> 00:20:18.180 Terry Wahls: Had was being to have some cognitive decline in you know, had had severe severe disability, I could not sit up in a regular chair like I am right now, at that point. 108 00:20:20.310 --> 00:20:21.300 Terry Wahls: And so. 109 00:20:23.310 --> 00:20:28.650 Terry Wahls: What what my neurologist said very clearly is I had rewired. 110 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:39.810 Terry Wahls: My brain and my spinal cord we didn't really have the technology that could have measured mile and production. 111 00:20:41.490 --> 00:20:55.530 Terry Wahls: And so unfair, unfortunately, we had not sent me over to the neuro ophthalmologist to get something called flicker fusion if we had the product if they had done that previously and now. 112 00:20:56.040 --> 00:21:07.110 Terry Wahls: They probably would be able to measure the remote island nation there, and my optic nerves, but you know we didn't have it, because there's no reason to think you know it's going to be any modulation occurring. 113 00:21:07.560 --> 00:21:24.300 Wade Lightheart: Right and that's an important distinction, I think, for people to recognize is now that you've you've demonstrated that it's possible well, we can start designing divine developing and designing trials about how to measure this to see which might well. 114 00:21:24.870 --> 00:21:30.870 Terry Wahls: Right and that the end that's what we're doing so, the next trial that we're doing. 115 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:36.840 Terry Wahls: Well, maybe talk about the trial that we just published and then we'll talk about the next one. 116 00:21:36.870 --> 00:21:40.290 Wade Lightheart: yeah let's let's do that let's we're getting ahead of ourselves here because it's so. 117 00:21:40.290 --> 00:21:51.690 Wade Lightheart: exciting I just read through this trial now basically if you want to kind of outline what you've been able to put forth here in this in this discovery or. 118 00:21:52.230 --> 00:21:55.080 Terry Wahls: The sequence of doing research ghost. 119 00:21:55.440 --> 00:22:07.980 Terry Wahls: Typically, like this, an interesting case study, then an interesting case series about a intervention that may be changes it leads to an unexpected outcome. 120 00:22:08.670 --> 00:22:17.730 Terry Wahls: We then did what's called a single arm safety and feasibility study so and that was my chair medicine that got me to do this. 121 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:29.430 Terry Wahls: We wrote up a protocol that outlined what I did for myself and then we enrolled 20 folks with secondary and primary progressive Ms. 122 00:22:29.790 --> 00:22:40.350 Terry Wahls: Sure, expect any of them to get any better, and the fact of all you can do is hold them flat, as a group that would be an amazing home run and anybody improve that would be studying. 123 00:22:41.850 --> 00:22:54.570 Terry Wahls: So we enrolled them we showed that people could implement it if the big the big side effect weight was if you're overweight or obese you lost weight get back to a healthy weight. 124 00:22:56.280 --> 00:23:10.260 Terry Wahls: And I had to file reports every three months about the weight loss that was occurring fatigue reduced quality of life, improved in half of our folks motor function walking function improved. 125 00:23:11.280 --> 00:23:17.730 Terry Wahls: So 50% of the people start to see improvements in motor function function that that's really quite remarkable. 126 00:23:18.210 --> 00:23:23.610 Terry Wahls: cognition improved depression declined anxiety declined. 127 00:23:24.090 --> 00:23:30.870 Wade Lightheart: Now, where was in that trial, where you just measuring dietary changes or Where are you adding the. 128 00:23:30.870 --> 00:23:31.800 Terry Wahls: stimulation well. 129 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.490 Terry Wahls: You know. 130 00:23:33.330 --> 00:23:47.400 Terry Wahls: We, the program was to do could they do everything that I did so there was diet, there was meditation those exercise electro stimulation and supplements very complicated. 131 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:50.760 Terry Wahls: In severely criticized I might get. 132 00:23:51.750 --> 00:23:53.070 Terry Wahls: Really criticize because. 133 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:56.850 Terry Wahls: Well, if it works, who knows what the mechanism is and i'm like. 134 00:23:57.330 --> 00:24:06.360 Terry Wahls: Who cares cares first, you have to show, can they do it, and do you heard them and does it work, then you could do follow up studies to figure out the mechanisms. 135 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:25.800 Terry Wahls: Yes, so so get that first study, then we got some again it was a small small study funded by my friends and Canada, the next study again small pilot study now randomized and simplified so it's just a diet. 136 00:24:26.970 --> 00:24:34.320 Terry Wahls: And we did relapsing remitting folks we looked at fatigue, quality of life and motor function so again people could do it. 137 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:43.110 Terry Wahls: Safe and less fatigue higher quality of life better motor function. 138 00:24:44.490 --> 00:24:46.440 Terry Wahls: Then we did a comparison of. 139 00:24:47.910 --> 00:24:55.800 Terry Wahls: The Paleo diet, the ketogenic diet to usual diet and again showing that people could do it, it was safe well tolerated. 140 00:24:57.540 --> 00:25:01.320 Terry Wahls: The next study, which is a study that you read. 141 00:25:02.490 --> 00:25:10.620 Terry Wahls: Looked at the low saturated fat diet, which is a swank diet and that was the only other diet that was out there for. 142 00:25:11.970 --> 00:25:14.730 Terry Wahls: people with MS and the modified Paleo diet. 143 00:25:16.320 --> 00:25:32.790 Terry Wahls: We had a 12 week observation phase where we looked at people's all of the measures over that baseline period that run in period to see if they were stable or not, and they were then we randomize them. 144 00:25:34.080 --> 00:25:38.280 Terry Wahls: To either the low saturated fat diet, or the modified Paleo diet. 145 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:48.840 Terry Wahls: They came back at 12 weeks repeated all the measures and came back again in 12 weeks repeated all the measures, so we had 12 and 24 weeks worth of intervention. 146 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:55.500 Terry Wahls: were able to show is both sides were associated with a significant reduction fatigue. 147 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:59.040 Terry Wahls: And improvement in quality of life. 148 00:26:00.270 --> 00:26:15.660 Terry Wahls: was being and they're really pretty cool in at 12 weeks at 24 weeks walls had greater poverty reduction in some measures and higher quality of life than swank and some measures. 149 00:26:17.010 --> 00:26:18.090 Wade Lightheart: Now that's physical abuse. 150 00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:20.520 Wade Lightheart: that's the reduced fat the saturated. 151 00:26:20.550 --> 00:26:20.910 Right. 152 00:26:22.170 --> 00:26:26.610 Wade Lightheart: And why is it, why is that do you understand why that mechanism is. 153 00:26:26.790 --> 00:26:35.010 Terry Wahls: Well, so let's first think about what the two diets have that similar and what is different. 154 00:26:35.070 --> 00:26:36.330 Wade Lightheart: Uniform I love that pro. 155 00:26:36.390 --> 00:26:40.650 Terry Wahls: Okay, so what's similar we had. 156 00:26:41.790 --> 00:26:55.830 Terry Wahls: Increased fruits and vegetables in both walls had more fruits and vegetables and swag, but we also increase fruits and vegetables, compared to baseline in there was less sugar less hydrogenated fats. 157 00:26:57.120 --> 00:27:01.350 Terry Wahls: So less of those are harmful fats in both that. 158 00:27:02.580 --> 00:27:14.520 Terry Wahls: Now what is different yeah actually you're both walls and sway had a so the swank group had on average about 10 grams of saturated fat. 159 00:27:15.810 --> 00:27:26.130 Terry Wahls: The walls had on average 16 grams of saturated fat so both diets are relatively low in saturated fat swank being a little more so than the walls. 160 00:27:27.570 --> 00:27:47.790 Terry Wahls: The walls group had more fiber had more fermented foods, I had little more structure the vegetables more green green leafy vegetables more sulfur rich vegetables more deeply colored vegetables and probably a greater variety of fruits and vegetables and a greater variety of meats. 161 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:59.010 Terry Wahls: What are the market as well, we were working on a grant that will get submitted tomorrow that's going to look at. 162 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:15.090 Terry Wahls: Changes in the microbiome well between the running face, that is, the observation face in the diet intervention face, so we can see how that changes both the swank died in the walls night we'll get some biomarkers. 163 00:28:16.110 --> 00:28:22.980 Terry Wahls: In terms of the essential fatty acid metabolism and neural filaments a marker of. 164 00:28:24.990 --> 00:28:36.780 Terry Wahls: of brain cell damage in osteopontin a marker of metabolism and of inflammation and actually also. 165 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:39.300 Terry Wahls: bone metabolism as well. 166 00:28:41.310 --> 00:28:52.650 Terry Wahls: And will correlate changes with dietary changes and changes with clinical outcomes as well, so we'll begin to tease out. 167 00:28:54.000 --> 00:29:05.220 Terry Wahls: what's the mechanism of diet that yo it diet is is a huge driver in changes in the microbiome so so my interpretation is. 168 00:29:07.650 --> 00:29:11.880 Terry Wahls: We ever genetic vulnerability, we have our existing microbiome. 169 00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:19.920 Terry Wahls: In the two of them interact to create more inflammation at the higher risk of autoimmunity and accelerated aging. 170 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:28.530 Terry Wahls: You change your diet you fertilize and starve out different populations of the microbiome. 171 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:42.480 Terry Wahls: And so, should I or I path deciding we starve out disease, promoting microbes fertilize health marine microbes who then as they eat up the food that we eat create. 172 00:29:43.800 --> 00:29:51.300 Terry Wahls: The these anti inflammation compounds that get into our bloodstream and have a favorable impact on our physiology. 173 00:29:52.350 --> 00:30:02.970 Wade Lightheart: You know it's interesting that you've discovered that because we've been in digestive health research, we have a partnership with birch University in Croatia and we develop. 174 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:11.970 Wade Lightheart: A variety of probiotic agents in order to elicit the same effects, and we do all kinds of interesting tests we add vitamins to them, we give them. 175 00:30:12.270 --> 00:30:23.370 Wade Lightheart: Different types of food we blast them with EMF waves, sometimes we do we'd all kinds of things to do this research to see and we've come to the same conclusion that if you can. 176 00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:30.210 Wade Lightheart: feed the good guys and starve the bad guys we see positive progressive changes. 177 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:38.460 Wade Lightheart: That enhance well being enhanced health or like vitality immune system response these type of things and it's really exciting. 178 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:44.610 Wade Lightheart: That you've done this in a disease state because we're obviously we're in health promotion. 179 00:30:45.540 --> 00:30:54.000 Wade Lightheart: we've got a recent book called from sick to superhuman and our goal is to promote the individuals, the therapies, the research. 180 00:30:54.540 --> 00:31:06.210 Wade Lightheart: That it takes people who might have a diagnosis that says here's what it's going to be it's the end of the line for you it's going to be progressive degenerative you're going to take these toxic chemicals and drugs and whatever and then. 181 00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:25.140 Wade Lightheart: you're going to kind of waste away to say hey no, you know what there are other options that you can take and experienced a higher quality of life, at best, or worst and maybe even recover from your condition or or delay it's it's a you know its destructive nature. 182 00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:31.020 Terry Wahls: You know it my clinical practice in our clinical research week we talked a lot about. 183 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:51.300 Terry Wahls: Maintaining your locus of control reflect on are you doing all that you can to have the best life today and in the future, and so I just think that is so important to remind people that you always have choices. 184 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:59.700 Terry Wahls: That you know what i'm eating is a big choice, yet, so I can eat. 185 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:06.660 Terry Wahls: food that is delicious and health, promoting work eat food that is delicious and disease, promoting. 186 00:32:10.860 --> 00:32:11.880 Wade Lightheart: it's very simple. 187 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:25.080 Wade Lightheart: I want to talk about something that I think is really important, before we get into some more topics and you mentioned meditation and you, you mentioned. 188 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:30.690 Wade Lightheart: kind of letting go of the future, in other words just dealing with things as they come up, which is. 189 00:32:31.110 --> 00:32:45.720 Wade Lightheart: kind of mindful Buddhist almost practice of being in the moment and seeing the moment unfold into that and not getting ahead of yourself or behind yourself What role do you think that played in maybe. 190 00:32:46.950 --> 00:33:03.300 Wade Lightheart: How you approach this discoveries that you made management of kind of you know, negative thinking or you know that sort of like how important was that do you think to your recovery or your your your discoveries. 191 00:33:03.630 --> 00:33:09.570 Terry Wahls: You know what else diagnosed my children are quite small five and eight. 192 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:30.360 Terry Wahls: And at the time that I was diagnosed, I was still athletic still skiing biking and hiking with them, but very quickly, I cannot do that you know, I was having to reimagine parenting and as having to reimagine my life, each year, as more functions were being taken away. 193 00:33:31.410 --> 00:33:31.980 Terry Wahls: I. 194 00:33:32.040 --> 00:33:34.320 Wade Lightheart: Is what was that, like just. 195 00:33:34.470 --> 00:33:36.570 Wade Lightheart: From an emotional and psychological level. 196 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.310 Terry Wahls: well. 197 00:33:40.470 --> 00:33:43.410 Terry Wahls: It was certainly incredibly challenging. 198 00:33:44.550 --> 00:33:45.030 Terry Wahls: i've. 199 00:33:46.110 --> 00:34:07.860 Terry Wahls: All my life I struggled with depression and, as a young person I had made the astute observation that for me if I was athletic my mood was much, much better I and so that drove me to get into biking hiking running. 200 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:16.350 Terry Wahls: martial arts and then, as I was losing that it's like you know that was very, very tough. 201 00:34:17.610 --> 00:34:19.590 Terry Wahls: And thinking about. 202 00:34:23.040 --> 00:34:30.120 Terry Wahls: Is sort of very depressed out looking at okay how bad could this be was I going to be filtered Bob. 203 00:34:31.140 --> 00:34:35.190 Terry Wahls: Was I going to have cognitive issues and then. 204 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:40.140 Terry Wahls: yeah you know within three years, you know, should I was wheelchair bound. 205 00:34:42.270 --> 00:34:46.170 Terry Wahls: In the average it's 15 years, so I was. 206 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:51.090 Terry Wahls: extremely difficult. 207 00:34:52.830 --> 00:34:55.440 Terry Wahls: But I also fortunately. 208 00:34:56.550 --> 00:34:57.690 Terry Wahls: was impressed by. 209 00:34:58.740 --> 00:35:00.300 Terry Wahls: Victor frankel's book that. 210 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:10.110 Terry Wahls: Between every event in your life and your response to it there's a space in that space, you can make a choice and it's the choice that defines your character. 211 00:35:12.720 --> 00:35:22.440 Terry Wahls: And so my choice was Okay, you have two young kids who are watching what you're doing and my choice to give up. 212 00:35:23.580 --> 00:35:31.680 Terry Wahls: And succumb to my depression and the dark thoughts that I had would be modeling on life is tough you you give up. 213 00:35:32.760 --> 00:35:37.170 Terry Wahls: Or, I could make the choice of i'm going to do all that I can. 214 00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:47.820 Terry Wahls: In which was, I want to keep working out whatever my limited workout is going to be every day i'll keep going to work in they're going to have to have chores. 215 00:35:49.050 --> 00:36:06.660 Terry Wahls: You know I grew up on a farm I understood that chores were really very beneficial for children and young people growing up, and so my wife right said, your kids will have to have chores and, of course, as I became more disabled like it yep they have chores and they have. 216 00:36:08.640 --> 00:36:13.680 Terry Wahls: It really is real work that needed to happen, I and so. 217 00:36:14.940 --> 00:36:22.980 Terry Wahls: that's sort of would chuckle like Okay, I guess, God heard me and I said, my kids need to have chores and saw to it that they were going to have chores. 218 00:36:25.020 --> 00:36:31.260 Wade Lightheart: Viktor frankl has impacted so many people in the book man's search for meaning I think it's. 219 00:36:31.650 --> 00:36:32.700 Terry Wahls: Really striking found. 220 00:36:33.270 --> 00:36:44.340 Wade Lightheart: I want to extend one other piece to this because, to your partner and i'm sure you had plenty of candid discussions inside of that what was like that for you and what was your best. 221 00:36:45.660 --> 00:36:46.830 Wade Lightheart: Observation of what that. 222 00:36:46.830 --> 00:36:47.940 Wade Lightheart: was her. 223 00:36:49.170 --> 00:36:50.640 Terry Wahls: Well, I remember. 224 00:36:52.710 --> 00:37:11.310 Terry Wahls: She worked really hard at getting me to get to go out and do things so she loves mountain biking and took me in my wheelchair out to the park set set me up under the tree well she what mountain biking so. 225 00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:22.860 Terry Wahls: much bigger deal for her, and then it came back and helps me walk down to the water's edge and. 226 00:37:24.090 --> 00:37:25.140 Terry Wahls: got in the water, but. 227 00:37:27.720 --> 00:37:39.000 Terry Wahls: You know, a wonderful commitment just another example, all that she had done for me and then, when she was out mountain biking in the winter. 228 00:37:40.620 --> 00:37:42.690 Terry Wahls: She broke her ankle. 229 00:37:43.800 --> 00:37:46.020 Terry Wahls: It would have to have so. 230 00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:52.110 Terry Wahls: After our two kids were going off to Sweden. 231 00:37:53.280 --> 00:38:05.310 Terry Wahls: For a week to be with friends, so we sent sent them off we showed them that you know jack and I would be fine jack header surgery to have her ankle set and the pins set. 232 00:38:06.390 --> 00:38:06.990 Terry Wahls: And i'm. 233 00:38:08.100 --> 00:38:11.940 Terry Wahls: taking care of jack getting her her pain pills. 234 00:38:12.960 --> 00:38:15.150 Terry Wahls: And our friends were bringing over. 235 00:38:16.170 --> 00:38:23.040 Terry Wahls: takeout for us so so we could eat and the week that we had planned to have off with each other. 236 00:38:24.210 --> 00:38:30.540 Terry Wahls: While the kids were in Sweden, of course, was quite different was giving her pain pills were watching. 237 00:38:32.010 --> 00:38:33.660 Terry Wahls: netflix movies. 238 00:38:35.100 --> 00:38:39.810 Terry Wahls: And I just felt immensely grateful that I could finally be taking care of her. 239 00:38:41.790 --> 00:38:42.600 Wade Lightheart: You know. 240 00:38:44.190 --> 00:38:57.120 Wade Lightheart: One of the things that i've noticed, I went through a tragedy at an early age, my sister was diagnosed with hodgkin's disease and progressively until she died at age 22 she was four years, my senior and the striking. 241 00:38:59.070 --> 00:39:10.410 Wade Lightheart: component of being subjected to a serious medical condition and all of its dire consequences and everything that kind of disrupts the natural flow of life. 242 00:39:11.040 --> 00:39:27.480 Wade Lightheart: There is this other side of it, where you see the outpouring of love and connection and humanity and kind of the noble aspects that inspire all of us to you know it's. 243 00:39:27.930 --> 00:39:37.860 Wade Lightheart: I call it the sublime or to see that there are other energies or forces beyond our intellect that have that define what it is to be a human. 244 00:39:38.940 --> 00:39:47.070 Wade Lightheart: And there's these beautiful little moments, whether that's in the patient rooms, or maybe with a nurse or a doctor. 245 00:39:47.490 --> 00:39:56.460 Wade Lightheart: or a loved one or a friend, where they going above and beyond in the care of either the extended family or with the individual and. 246 00:39:57.420 --> 00:40:16.620 Wade Lightheart: it's if you've been in that situation it's hard to describe it's transcendent because you just see pure kindness and pure love and concern for other people and it's it's inspired me in my own life to continue to advocate you know. 247 00:40:18.030 --> 00:40:26.130 Wade Lightheart: Then commit to helping other people live a healthier and better life, because I saw the impact that well your health isn't a guarantee and your life isn't a guarantee at a very early age. 248 00:40:27.330 --> 00:40:31.500 Wade Lightheart: How has this situation with yourself. 249 00:40:32.520 --> 00:40:35.790 Wade Lightheart: Inspired you your research and what. 250 00:40:35.820 --> 00:40:46.050 Wade Lightheart: We see happen as a way of you know, providing hope and opportunity for more of those moments for other people. 251 00:40:46.800 --> 00:40:56.550 Terry Wahls: You know, when I had my remarkable recovery my chair of medicine at the university called me and told me first to get a case report written up. 252 00:40:57.720 --> 00:41:03.060 Terry Wahls: In like on myself so yeah yeah this is your job, your assignment for the years right I got that done. 253 00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:12.360 Terry Wahls: Then, my got that published he called me back and say okay Now I want you to safety and feasibility study testing out this Protocol. 254 00:41:13.590 --> 00:41:24.360 Terry Wahls: You know there's and I said well that's not the research that I do it goes i'll get you the mentors that's your assignment and that's what you'll do so I saluted that Okay, Sir, and. 255 00:41:25.410 --> 00:41:41.550 Terry Wahls: Then, as people at the university some books were intensely critical, but what I was doing I in as I published my research and published my book, and my Ted talk I got all sorts of hate mail immense criticism. 256 00:41:42.810 --> 00:41:46.110 Terry Wahls: And so I do these interviews had say well. 257 00:41:47.400 --> 00:41:58.350 Terry Wahls: You know, obviously, obviously I want you to do what you think is ethically right, but I will tell you that I remember what it's like to be disabled. 258 00:41:59.700 --> 00:42:17.160 Terry Wahls: And that I need to tell people what my story was and the research that i'm doing, and they can decide how comfortable, they are with eating more vegetables meditating exercising asking for physical therapy in work with your medical team. 259 00:42:18.810 --> 00:42:21.300 Terry Wahls: And i'll keep putting that information out there. 260 00:42:22.320 --> 00:42:34.020 Terry Wahls: And so many times, I was you know ripped to shreds called unprofessional in dangerous in worse, and I would just call me set you know. 261 00:42:34.470 --> 00:42:45.930 Terry Wahls: Absolutely do what you think is ethically right, and I am i'll be to do what I think is ethically right absolutely I will disclose my conflicts of interest, I will disclose. 262 00:42:46.650 --> 00:42:59.670 Terry Wahls: Where the researcher that a caution people to work with they're treating physicians and they can decide how dangerous vegetables are how dangerous meditation is it how dangerous exercises for that. 263 00:43:01.290 --> 00:43:11.010 Terry Wahls: I just call me state those things, and then you know people would have their intense reaction like yo ever wonder I just saying like. 264 00:43:11.520 --> 00:43:27.180 Terry Wahls: Well, and how would you feel if I came started saying I could do all these things to treat rheumatoid arthritis and say, well, if that got my rheumatoid arthritis patients eat more vegetables to meditate exercise, I would say hello yeah. 265 00:43:30.330 --> 00:43:33.150 Wade Lightheart: i'm gonna ask I just a big thing because we're living in. 266 00:43:34.380 --> 00:43:46.020 Wade Lightheart: An interesting time right now, and there is a significant condemnation of certain narratives around medical and i've been following. 267 00:43:47.370 --> 00:43:51.810 Wade Lightheart: The weinstein's I don't know if you know who they are their evolutionary biologists. 268 00:43:52.380 --> 00:43:59.310 Wade Lightheart: That were essentially kicked out of evergreen university and ended up starting their own podcast because they were willing to challenge. 269 00:43:59.790 --> 00:44:05.370 Wade Lightheart: Some of the negative criticism that was directed towards the research and and heather and. 270 00:44:06.210 --> 00:44:13.620 Wade Lightheart: And Brett the husband and wife team they go through the science currently with the pandemic that we're dealing with today. 271 00:44:14.070 --> 00:44:24.930 Wade Lightheart: And they take it apart like reasonable rational scientists with skepticism and scientific method night as a non scientist person or I don't have a medical background. 272 00:44:25.260 --> 00:44:38.310 Wade Lightheart: I find it very refreshing to be able to kind of borrow on their intellectual acumen and they're structured thinking to go through this, and they also have received extreme levels of criticism. 273 00:44:38.790 --> 00:44:58.230 Wade Lightheart: And i've interviewed a number of doctors, who have made breakthrough discoveries we've had them on the podcast and variety of conditions and they to get subjected, particularly to very vicious attacks from their peers, why is that do you think is something threatening about it or. 274 00:44:58.950 --> 00:44:59.550 Terry Wahls: Explain. 275 00:44:59.610 --> 00:45:00.750 Terry Wahls: The biology of what. 276 00:45:00.810 --> 00:45:05.880 Terry Wahls: That happens i'm going to invite you to reflect pretty carefully we'll talk about this. 277 00:45:07.560 --> 00:45:09.240 Terry Wahls: sensory input, as it comes up. 278 00:45:10.860 --> 00:45:30.900 Terry Wahls: to buy spinal cord and brain is an overwhelming by him of information so at various points, the amount of information that gets through keeps getting cut down to smaller and smaller amounts so that my vision my hearing my sensory my sense of space. 279 00:45:32.100 --> 00:45:41.040 Terry Wahls: Is a tiny fraction less than half a percent of what's coming in and that and as infants, we learn to do that, so we can. 280 00:45:42.180 --> 00:45:56.880 Terry Wahls: cope, we can feed ourselves interact with the world on on just a tiny amount of information in we learn to do that in our social constructs first in our family unit in our expanded. 281 00:45:57.990 --> 00:46:03.930 Terry Wahls: universe of friends colleagues in our educational life and then in our work life. 282 00:46:05.070 --> 00:46:16.470 Terry Wahls: And so we we learned to interact with a tiny amount of information for my relationship with my my spouse my kids my family. 283 00:46:17.580 --> 00:46:32.670 Terry Wahls: I, and so is information that comes in that doesn't conform to my understanding of the world, it doesn't get to my cortex it doesn't get to my higher and say it's been pruned out and then what apply does get to my cortex I ignore it. 284 00:46:33.960 --> 00:46:36.240 Terry Wahls: Because it doesn't it doesn't match my to save the world. 285 00:46:37.470 --> 00:46:40.380 Terry Wahls: And then I may ridicule it I may push back. 286 00:46:41.490 --> 00:46:50.520 Terry Wahls: And then occasionally there's enough information that I realize maybe I need to change my understanding of the world. 287 00:46:51.990 --> 00:47:03.870 Terry Wahls: And we will do that with minus eight of my best friend my spouse my kids my work environments my professional environment until mindset of the world is somehow shatter. 288 00:47:05.610 --> 00:47:25.950 Terry Wahls: So of course our anyone who is an innovator, who thinks of something really new and different is going to face that kind of resistance, the innovators, in order to be successful, have to be okay with being ridiculed rejected potentially burned at the stake mm hmm. 289 00:47:27.330 --> 00:47:31.110 Terry Wahls: And you know part of the reason that I think i've been successful. 290 00:47:32.130 --> 00:47:54.930 Terry Wahls: And wanting to hang in here with this is that I had this internal moral obligation, because my own experience, the other reason that i'm successful is i'm a lesbian, and so I had to as part of my evolution as a emotional adult is it to let go of societal expectations of May I finally. 291 00:47:56.190 --> 00:48:02.550 Terry Wahls: Let all of that roll off my back and became comfortable with who, I am in my family structure. 292 00:48:03.750 --> 00:48:12.090 Terry Wahls: In being able to eventually get comfortable with that I think has made it easy for me to let the criticism that i've gotten. 293 00:48:12.960 --> 00:48:25.050 Terry Wahls: and probably another thing that's helpful is I am sort of clueless My family has found it far more stressful for the amount of criticism i've gotten over the years that I have because I just. 294 00:48:26.640 --> 00:48:27.690 Terry Wahls: focused on. 295 00:48:27.810 --> 00:48:28.590 My. 296 00:48:30.780 --> 00:48:36.060 Terry Wahls: You know my work my family what i'm doing and i'm oblivious to the world. 297 00:48:38.580 --> 00:48:46.590 Terry Wahls: And so i've i've learned to pay more attention to the world professionally but i'm still more oblivious than many of my colleagues. 298 00:48:49.200 --> 00:48:55.590 Wade Lightheart: it's a very important distinction, I think, for people to understand that. 299 00:48:57.120 --> 00:49:00.180 Wade Lightheart: Much of our world, I think it was. 300 00:49:02.970 --> 00:49:05.070 Wade Lightheart: reminded Maharishi that says. 301 00:49:06.180 --> 00:49:10.170 Wade Lightheart: there's no sense of being upset of the world, because the world he perceived doesn't actually exist. 302 00:49:13.980 --> 00:49:14.280 Wade Lightheart: enough. 303 00:49:14.640 --> 00:49:25.380 Wade Lightheart: That you brought this up is on Sunday, I was at my meditation Center and the monk was giving a discussion about the. 304 00:49:25.890 --> 00:49:30.360 Wade Lightheart: amount of information that's coming into our nervous system and how much is if it's actually filtered out. 305 00:49:30.930 --> 00:49:45.150 Wade Lightheart: And the component of meditation is to increase in open up one's awareness, to increase the opportunity for us to expand our consciousness or awareness into other areas, yet we live in a world today. 306 00:49:46.230 --> 00:49:59.400 Wade Lightheart: Which is fascinating because we've never had more information coming through to us yet specialization has increased as society. 307 00:50:00.300 --> 00:50:10.500 Wade Lightheart: improves and technological innovation so, for example, 100 years ago I needed to know how to chop wood and I needed to know how to farm and I needed to know how to maybe. 308 00:50:11.490 --> 00:50:23.910 Wade Lightheart: Properly hunt or clean animals and how to fix my house and it was a very more rural setting and today, you can have a job in in an urban area let's say as a cashier. 309 00:50:24.570 --> 00:50:30.750 Wade Lightheart: And you literally don't have to know anything other than how to punch numbers into the code and what's up and so. 310 00:50:31.170 --> 00:50:39.210 Wade Lightheart: The the interesting component as we've developed so much technologically we in and we get so much more information there's almost like. 311 00:50:39.630 --> 00:50:57.990 Wade Lightheart: As a response there's a drilling down to narrowness do you think that is something that needs to be identified in the medical community or do you think there's a way that we can cultivate innovation in geniuses in a way that doesn't. 312 00:50:59.130 --> 00:51:03.360 Wade Lightheart: draw the ire of people who are performing functions within that field. 313 00:51:04.590 --> 00:51:05.310 Terry Wahls: I think. 314 00:51:06.510 --> 00:51:17.370 Terry Wahls: Anyone who's truly innovative is going to draw the ire because it's very uncomfortable to have to abandon my constructs of how I understand the world. 315 00:51:18.450 --> 00:51:34.950 Terry Wahls: None of us want to do that I don't want to do that, you don't want to do that, we won't easily do that, so I don't think it's possible to have innovation that without facing ridicule and rejection at first and then either your ideas pan out. 316 00:51:36.240 --> 00:51:37.740 Terry Wahls: Or the suppressed. 317 00:51:39.690 --> 00:51:46.530 Terry Wahls: And so you keep doing the experiments, I have. 318 00:51:48.420 --> 00:52:01.260 Terry Wahls: A unique story, you know it actually the university's sort of commented on this, because most of my research has been funded by philanthropic gifts. 319 00:52:02.730 --> 00:52:05.640 Terry Wahls: From people whose lives, I have touched. 320 00:52:06.660 --> 00:52:14.370 Terry Wahls: Who then afterwards, who happen to have money, and so you know I believe what you're doing a turtle like to support your research. 321 00:52:15.990 --> 00:52:34.260 Terry Wahls: And so here's a gift for your next project, and so the second time that happened, but we got a six figure donation to my research lab the dean of the College called me and I had a meeting I thought your God yo who have I pissed off now. 322 00:52:36.990 --> 00:52:37.380 Wade Lightheart: Of course. 323 00:52:37.410 --> 00:52:38.430 Terry Wahls: And it was like. 324 00:52:39.870 --> 00:52:43.620 Terry Wahls: This has never happened at the University of iowa So what are you doing. 325 00:52:45.030 --> 00:52:59.850 Terry Wahls: And you know we continue to have some remarkable philanthropic support, which is a that has allowed me to invest it to do some really interesting and small projects and now we'll be doing this much larger project. 326 00:53:01.770 --> 00:53:02.730 Terry Wahls: Because. 327 00:53:04.080 --> 00:53:25.110 Terry Wahls: i've made a diff I have a protocol that has had some dramatic impact on people who have resources, then, to come back to me in my lab say you know what we like what you do a talk to us about some ideas and we think we'd like to give you another larger gift. 328 00:53:27.090 --> 00:53:28.050 Terry Wahls: And so. 329 00:53:29.100 --> 00:53:46.470 Terry Wahls: That allows me in some ways to be vastly more innovative than folks who have to write grants that have to convince their peers have a newly innovative idea who can't accept new big innovations, they can accept small incremental. 330 00:53:47.490 --> 00:53:48.630 Terry Wahls: Partial ovations. 331 00:53:49.290 --> 00:53:51.030 Terry Wahls: You know and and what i've done. 332 00:53:51.960 --> 00:54:07.050 Terry Wahls: With my multi multi modal studies was a huge big innovation that was completely utterly rejected by all the NIH folks in 2010 when we're writing those grants. 333 00:54:08.370 --> 00:54:15.960 Terry Wahls: But now you're in 2011 these multimodal studies are being done, and our work has been cited. 334 00:54:17.100 --> 00:54:17.550 Terry Wahls: Beautiful. 335 00:54:18.000 --> 00:54:30.570 Wade Lightheart: I was also listening to Eric weinstein that's brett's brother he runs a podcast called dark horses and advanced physicist a super genius and he was sharing how. 336 00:54:31.200 --> 00:54:45.240 Wade Lightheart: Many of the current research grant organizations are stifling a lot of the development of science and what he felt that there was between him and his brother and a sister they had three. 337 00:54:47.220 --> 00:54:57.330 Wade Lightheart: Human human transformational discoveries that was essentially being suppressed, and he says, well, if you do the math of how many other researchers that could be. 338 00:54:57.690 --> 00:55:04.080 Wade Lightheart: Situated in this, I think a lot of people and, and this is what I love about alternative funding. 339 00:55:04.560 --> 00:55:14.610 Wade Lightheart: That the NIH over the last 30 years I think has given out somewhere around $3 trillion in research grants, but they develop they define what gets. 340 00:55:15.360 --> 00:55:23.940 Wade Lightheart: What gets accepted and what doesn't but now there's these other funding options that you kind of illustrated with yourself that are allowing researchers to maybe go outside of. 341 00:55:24.330 --> 00:55:34.890 Wade Lightheart: The normal parameters using science, but to kind of create exponential growth, do you see that as the future for research that you're doing or expanding teachers in the field. 342 00:55:35.040 --> 00:55:38.190 Terry Wahls: So, so I think that peer review. 343 00:55:39.270 --> 00:55:41.550 Terry Wahls: incremental approach has certainly. 344 00:55:42.780 --> 00:55:48.180 Terry Wahls: hugely deepen understanding of physiology in very wonderful ways. 345 00:55:51.030 --> 00:56:11.820 Terry Wahls: The ability to do what i'm doing his also ultra understanding in really profound ways I in that as been on the basis of this philanthropic gifts because we've made an impact on the lives of people have to have a lot of money. 346 00:56:13.560 --> 00:56:28.710 Terry Wahls: And you know when i'm in these meetings with my other scientific colleagues who are doing dietary research in there right yeah i'm writing grants, along with them and sore they were talking about the issued struggles to get through to peer reviews. 347 00:56:29.940 --> 00:56:33.210 Terry Wahls: To do the innovative work I and. 348 00:56:34.470 --> 00:56:43.680 Terry Wahls: When I reflect on what i'm going to be able to launch into next because i've had i'm so blessed to have this philanthropic support. 349 00:56:46.800 --> 00:56:53.910 Terry Wahls: And I think the bigger breakthroughs will come through from folks who have access to philanthropic support. 350 00:56:54.630 --> 00:56:57.420 Wade Lightheart: know, can you talk about what's coming down the pipe for. 351 00:56:57.450 --> 00:56:57.870 yeah. 352 00:56:59.370 --> 00:57:00.000 Terry Wahls: it's very exciting. 353 00:57:01.200 --> 00:57:12.660 Terry Wahls: So again, this is from a grateful patient who really believes in what we're doing we're going to enroll people. 354 00:57:13.680 --> 00:57:32.370 Terry Wahls: with multiple sclerosis relapse remitting who want to do a dietary approach they'll need to be agreed to be randomized between a ketogenic diet, a modified Paleo diet and dietary guidelines will give them support. 355 00:57:33.750 --> 00:57:43.860 Terry Wahls: over that time period, we will follow them over two years we will be measuring did they actually implement the diet. 356 00:57:44.310 --> 00:58:00.450 Terry Wahls: What what are they eating so will will know about dietary adherence we will know about clinical outcomes in terms of walking function vision function hand function will understand patient reported outcomes in terms of mood. 357 00:58:03.570 --> 00:58:11.610 Terry Wahls: Processing speed or memory fatigue, quality of life, we will have biomarkers as well. 358 00:58:13.200 --> 00:58:13.740 Terry Wahls: and 359 00:58:15.930 --> 00:58:34.380 Terry Wahls: This will be the first time that will have had a study of this size for two years, that will be able to look at changes in clinical outcomes changes in biomarkers whilst be looking at myelination along the way. 360 00:58:35.610 --> 00:58:36.180 Terry Wahls: as well. 361 00:58:37.680 --> 00:58:46.350 Terry Wahls: And we're will be freezing microbiome specimens will be freezing blood specimens so at the end. 362 00:58:47.400 --> 00:58:55.200 Terry Wahls: We will ask bill to write another grant to go back and say let's look at the molecular mechanisms of what is going on and why. 363 00:58:56.250 --> 00:58:59.820 Terry Wahls: So this will be absolutely transformational. 364 00:59:01.440 --> 00:59:05.910 Terry Wahls: A smaller study that may be even more transformational in some ways. 365 00:59:05.910 --> 00:59:08.640 Terry Wahls: Ways it may be looking at an. 366 00:59:10.380 --> 00:59:21.510 Terry Wahls: An online course that we've created that teaches people through virtual technology such as this, how to improve diet. 367 00:59:22.770 --> 00:59:24.600 Terry Wahls: Stress reduction and exercise. 368 00:59:25.620 --> 00:59:30.060 Terry Wahls: In these supplemental non diet not exercise things that you can be doing. 369 00:59:31.710 --> 00:59:44.310 Terry Wahls: And we'll see that impact on MS patients with we're so that cities approved, we are talking now with our cancer Center and. 370 00:59:45.600 --> 00:59:57.690 Terry Wahls: We anticipate having it studied in cancer we're also talking to rheumatology folks and saying this in rheumatology patients as well, so if we can show anticipate that will we will build a show. 371 00:59:58.170 --> 01:00:10.590 Terry Wahls: That we can teach these concepts online and have improvement in dietary intake improvement in patient reported outcomes Now this is. 372 01:00:12.120 --> 01:00:13.020 Terry Wahls: The sky's the limit. 373 01:00:14.550 --> 01:00:19.170 Terry Wahls: We can transform more lives, this can be. 374 01:00:22.050 --> 01:00:26.130 Terry Wahls: expanded its it has no limits. 375 01:00:27.180 --> 01:00:34.080 Wade Lightheart: You know, this is one of the beauty beautiful things about the Internet and the distribution of information is once. 376 01:00:35.190 --> 01:00:45.750 Wade Lightheart: A demonstrated will protocol breakthrough can be developed, you can share that with a wide variety of people who might not have both the medical. 377 01:00:45.750 --> 01:00:54.000 Wade Lightheart: Or you know the or the even the knowledge of that by you know hey they find out about it, they can experiment they take it to their professional medical science said hey i'd like to. 378 01:00:54.570 --> 01:00:58.920 Wade Lightheart: i'd like to experiment with this on our own, on my own Is that what you anticipate happening. 379 01:00:59.310 --> 01:01:03.930 Terry Wahls: Well, what we certainly anticipate is that this makes it so much more available to. 380 01:01:04.950 --> 01:01:12.090 Terry Wahls: Rural communities to small small communities that don't have access to professionals that could. 381 01:01:13.050 --> 01:01:35.760 Terry Wahls: say a dietitian or to those populations, for whom transport into a clinic is a huge difficulty because of their motor disabilities or access to transportation, so I think this makes it so much more readily available and it's standardized is the education. 382 01:01:37.110 --> 01:01:38.730 Terry Wahls: So I mean, I think this will be. 383 01:01:40.020 --> 01:01:42.960 Terry Wahls: You know, huge huge huge technology. 384 01:01:44.370 --> 01:01:56.910 Terry Wahls: You know that the next the other studies that were the grant next grant that i'm writing and we'll see if I can get this funded by grants or, if not we'll be going back through philanthropic support. 385 01:01:58.230 --> 01:02:03.810 Terry Wahls: When can people stop the disease modifying drug treatment, but when can you do a point is that appropriate. 386 01:02:04.620 --> 01:02:14.550 Terry Wahls: So there are a couple of studies that are underway, now that are randomized and you stop where you stay on there's no intervention to make it more likely that the stoppers will do okay. 387 01:02:15.060 --> 01:02:31.740 Terry Wahls: um so of course you know you know me i'm like well there's a lot we can do to make it more likely that if you stop you're going to be okay, and so we're working on designing studies that could make it more likely that the stoppers will in fact be okay. 388 01:02:32.310 --> 01:02:50.220 Wade Lightheart: that's a that's a really huge piece, because I guess once a once a person has a diagnosis and is going by standard Karen is on a pathway through their physician, many of the physicians are remiss to kind of stop that because of the you know the the legal and. 389 01:02:50.610 --> 01:02:52.740 Wade Lightheart: Well, that would be so. 390 01:02:52.920 --> 01:03:10.500 Terry Wahls: The current standard of care for an autoimmune disease is once you're on a disease modifying treatment you're on that the rest of your life or maybe until you're in your 60s, I should, is there a way to identify who could be weaned off safely. 391 01:03:11.700 --> 01:03:20.400 Terry Wahls: And so I think that's a really important question i've been talking with my neurology colleagues who agree like yep that's a really important question. 392 01:03:20.790 --> 01:03:27.990 Terry Wahls: we've been working on that study design and we will be putting that grant forward. 393 01:03:29.040 --> 01:03:30.060 Terry Wahls: very excited about that. 394 01:03:31.320 --> 01:03:32.070 Wade Lightheart: So. 395 01:03:33.120 --> 01:03:48.480 Wade Lightheart: i'm gonna i'm gonna invite you know that you can you said that you had to give away the future but i'm going to ask you, what do you see happening in the future, so I could ask you to go out there, what would you like to see happen or what would you like to see. 396 01:03:49.620 --> 01:03:55.800 Wade Lightheart: come out of your research your work and that of your colleagues in this area, what do you, what do you hope to happen. 397 01:03:56.220 --> 01:03:57.420 Terry Wahls: Well, you know, I think. 398 01:03:59.040 --> 01:04:14.850 Terry Wahls: What I see is more dietary multimodal interventions that there is a greater recognition that human physiology is incredibly complicated that single drug based steps. 399 01:04:15.630 --> 01:04:31.200 Terry Wahls: compounds that impact our physiology in one pathway very effectively is not going to restore health, but if we're going to restore health we're going to have to work on a comprehensive multimodal support. 400 01:04:31.860 --> 01:04:41.460 Terry Wahls: and that it will make it even more complicated and messy is that if I were to do a multimodal intervention that addresses diet lifestyle exercise. 401 01:04:42.360 --> 01:04:53.670 Terry Wahls: I need to allow for self determination, because if i'm going to have you adapt this multimodal stuff for the next year or two years. 402 01:04:54.420 --> 01:05:06.240 Terry Wahls: I need to design a method of support that gives you autonomy to select elements of what is the meditative practice you gonna do what is the exercise gonna do what is. 403 01:05:07.110 --> 01:05:16.500 Terry Wahls: The dietary plan that the menu of what I offer that you can do so that we're designing a lifestyle intervention that. 404 01:05:17.040 --> 01:05:30.780 Terry Wahls: meets my targets but you've had autonomy and design it what to meet your needs and your family needs that's messy complicated hard science to do that we're going to have to work out. 405 01:05:32.340 --> 01:05:44.490 Terry Wahls: But I think it's really arbitrary say you got to do ballet as your workout you're going to have to do the modified Paleo diet, as your workout and you're going to have to do a mantra based meditation meditation. 406 01:05:47.100 --> 01:06:00.840 Terry Wahls: That doesn't allow for autonomy that's going to make it much harder to adapt this new behavior and sustain if we can personalize this for that you have a variety of acceptable. 407 01:06:01.890 --> 01:06:08.640 Terry Wahls: strategies that you could use to hit the targets that we lay out, I think that would be more successful. 408 01:06:09.930 --> 01:06:14.400 Terry Wahls: My team and I are thinking deeply about how we could design that. 409 01:06:16.500 --> 01:06:34.260 Terry Wahls: What are the parameters that could work in what are the standardized target so it's reproducible science, this will be messy it'll be difficult, and I think one of the reasons i'm so innovative is I don't have a PhD I have an md. 410 01:06:35.460 --> 01:06:54.540 Terry Wahls: I have a depth of clinical experience I have ideas now hire my PhD say Okay, we take these ideas we're going to keep working on it till we come up with a rigorous approach that's reproducible that honors the basic framework that i've laid out yet and. 411 01:06:56.490 --> 01:07:01.890 Terry Wahls: My pitch, these are coming along they're like okay Okay, I think we can do this. 412 01:07:05.310 --> 01:07:09.150 Terry Wahls: You know I realized, now that if i'd had my PhD. 413 01:07:10.860 --> 01:07:29.430 Terry Wahls: I wouldn't be as innovative I would be more in this yet the the the intervention has to be exactly this intervention and we're not going to allow for any patient autonomy and self determination, because that is how research is done. 414 01:07:30.030 --> 01:07:32.250 Terry Wahls: Correct that is not how life is lived. 415 01:07:32.550 --> 01:07:39.450 Wade Lightheart: Right PhD research is you're controlling all the parameters in life it's impossible to control all the parameters essentially. 416 01:07:40.320 --> 01:07:53.070 Terry Wahls: So if we're going to ask someone to do this for a year or two years, we need to think about that self determination aspect, a little bit more. 417 01:07:54.510 --> 01:08:03.630 Wade Lightheart: last question before you we go you've been so generous with your time and your information, your research, and I know there's going to be some listeners here they're going to wonder about this. 418 01:08:04.710 --> 01:08:13.170 Wade Lightheart: would like for you to speak to someone who might have multiple sclerosis or someone who might know some with multiple sclerosis. 419 01:08:13.650 --> 01:08:26.700 Wade Lightheart: or looking at options, what would you say to them as someone who has you know, been subjected to the to the diagnosis saw the degeneration and found a way to turn it around and doing research, what would you say to that person. 420 01:08:28.350 --> 01:08:41.400 Terry Wahls: So I had really profound disability and profound levels of pain and was able to have a dramatic impact by addressing what was under my control. 421 01:08:42.570 --> 01:08:56.220 Terry Wahls: And then, working with my position to adjust my medications appropriately we seen that in others, and of course we don't know for you what level of recovery might be possible. 422 01:08:57.630 --> 01:09:08.010 Terry Wahls: But, are you doing all that you can, in terms of improving your diet, adding a stress reduction practice thinking about movement practice. 423 01:09:09.270 --> 01:09:15.960 Terry Wahls: We, we have a variety of tools that can help you in that journey would love to be support. 424 01:09:18.630 --> 01:09:36.630 Terry Wahls: it's not just Ms it's part of the proteome it's other autoimmune conditions there's so much that can be done to slow your decline and often rest in reverse the disability we'd love to help you in we could. 425 01:09:38.460 --> 01:09:47.130 Terry Wahls: We have a variety of resources for you at Terry walls that calm try, while still be a challenge COM. 426 01:09:49.350 --> 01:09:58.710 Wade Lightheart: Dr dairy walls it's an honor and a privilege for you to join us today on the awesome health podcast and I am inspired by your story. 427 01:09:59.220 --> 01:10:10.650 Wade Lightheart: and your research and your work and i'm wishing you continued success in this journey, I know you're making a big impact for a lot of people and that's a very noble cause, thank you for your effort. 428 01:10:12.120 --> 01:10:13.710 Terry Wahls: Much love to you and your team as well. 429 01:10:15.450 --> 01:10:22.920 Wade Lightheart: There you have it folks another edition of the awesome health podcast just absolutely remarkable work about what's possible. 430 01:10:23.160 --> 01:10:35.580 Wade Lightheart: actually know, we believe that you can go from six to superhuman Dr Terry walls is someone who has is a living example of the possibilities of great diet. 431 01:10:36.390 --> 01:10:45.780 Wade Lightheart: meditation and an iron will to discover the possibilities of human physiology Thank you so much for joining us today, we appreciate. 432 01:10:46.590 --> 01:10:57.540 Wade Lightheart: You listening, if you like it, you can share it and, of course, check all of the information on the show notes, if you or someone you love is suffering from one of these autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis. 433 01:10:57.840 --> 01:11:06.000 Wade Lightheart: Make sure that you check out Dr Terry walls and her research thanks so much for joining us today i'm at light heart from by optimize there's see you next time.

In this episode, we get the skinny on bone health from Sarah Glicken, who has a wealth of knowledge on this topic. 

Sarah co-founded the Los Angeles-based wellness center called OsteoStrong LA - a place where clients received attentive care and treatments that strengthen bones, joints, and muscles.  

Sarah is “pro-aging,” not anti-aging. She helps people age gracefully using technology, mindset, and supplementation and believes everyone deserves to live in a healthy body. She is a Certified Holistic Healthcare Coach and holds a Masters in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. She also is an entrepreneur who loves running a business that brings people hope and guides them to a healthier and happier place.

In this podcast, we cover:

• How bone health became Sarah’s passion in life
• Tony Robbins’ health challenges and what he thinks about OsteoStrong
• What “bone degeneration” looks like and how it affects people
• The typical profile of a new client at OsteoStrong 
• Why do many athletes use OsteoStrong’s services? 
• What is “osteogenesis” 
• The four pieces of equipment Sarah uses to stimulate osteogenesis
• The most fractured body part and the most common way it gets fractured
• Why “pro-aging” is better than “anti-aging”
• The critical supplements you need for bone health

They say when you only have a hammer - everything looks like a nail. 

This expression doesn’t apply to our guest today. He has a toolbox full of healing modalities that are cutting edge, tested, and, here’s the best part: proven to work! 

First of all, Dr. Jason Chiriano has an extensive resume as a surgeon: President of the Southern California Vascular Surgery Society, and a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons. 

If you need vascular surgery, he’s your man! 

But what makes Dr. Jason so unique is that his resume continues into the exciting field of regenerative biologics (a.k.a. regenerative medicine.)

Buckle up as Dr. Chiriano shares why he started the Vivalife Healing Centers - a destination for those suffering from chronic ailments who cannot find results in the allopathic matrix. Dr. Chiriano’s approach to healing includes powerful, non-invasive regenerative-based treatments, including omniwave sonic therapy, stem cells, brainwave activity, IV therapy, photobiomodulation therapy, sound vibrations, and electromagnetic field therapy. 

If you are suffering from a chronic ailment or want to learn about the compelling field of regenerative biologics, be sure to tune into this episode!  

In this episode, our guest Marc Champagne takes us on a quest to find mental fitness - something that is extremely important when it comes to not only your health but also your ability to achieve your goals and dreams. Marc illuminates the pathway: the key is to ask the right questions. 

But what does it mean to “ask the right questions”?

Tune into this episode, where Marc shares these powerful questions and how to use them to break out of a mental rut to find a different life, personally and professionally. 

Marc is the host of the top 50 ranked podcasts Behind the Human, and his first book recently was recently released titled Personal Socrates. In the pages of his new book, Marc explores the practice of asking pointed questions (like Socrates did) to stimulate our mental fitness, teach us how to direct our internal narrative, and facilitate a better life. 

Marc is also an entrepreneur. He co-founded the journaling app KYO, which had 87 million people without using advertising. Marc had to shut down KYO, and he shares this life-altering experience with Wade.

Marc is a renowned expert on mental fitness - primarily due to his exceptional interviews with legendary figures like Kobe Bryant, Maya Angelou, Robin Williams, James Clear, Coco Chanel, Stephen Hawking, and many others.  

If you are looking for a way to climb out of depression, start the career of your dreams, or reach higher levels of success, be sure to listen to this episode. Getting clear on who you are and where you’re going isn’t so hard when someone like Marc can guide your steps. 

Meet Aleks Rybchinskiy. This young man and his partner Sara offer one of the most holistic wellness services available today. 

Aleks is a co-founder of Primal Fusion, which takes “holistic wellness” seriously. In this episode, you will discover the exciting health education and holistic wellness therapies offered at Primal Fusion. Aleks points out that Primal Fusion does not do any intentional marketing. Instead, the business is growing through word-of-mouth referrals because of Aleks and Sara’s truly holistic approaches to their clients.

Aleks specializes in wellness education and primal integration for optimal living as a co-founder of Primal Fusion. 

He is a Master CHEK Practitioner and Neurosomatic & Holistic Therapist with over 15 years of clinical experience. Alex works with celebrities, pro athletes, and “regular” folks from all walks of life. 

In this episode, you get to hear how the breath powerfully impacts every facet of life from the world’s foremost authority on breathing, breathwork, and something called “rebirthing.” His name is Dan Brulé, and you will quickly be enraptured by Dan’s joy for life and the mind-blowing stories he shares from his incredible life journey. 

Dan is the author of the popular book JUST BREATHE: Mastering Breathwork for Success in Life, Love, Business, and Beyond (available in ten languages). He is also the Founder and Director of The International Center for Breathwork and The Breathing Festival. 

Hippocrates - the father of modern medicine - once said (in so many words) that experiencing illness creates empathy, so those who get sick with many ailments would naturally make the best healers. 

If there is a best-case example to prove this - Sara Banta might be the one. 

Although not a doctor - Sara has accumulated years of self-education in nutrition, Ayurveda, Chinese Herbology, fitness nutrition, and supplements to become one of the most followed and respected alternative health coaches out in the field today. 

Sara also has plenty of empathy through her past suffering with many debilitating ailments, including Crohn’s disease, hormonal issues, PCOS, heavy metal toxicity, and depression. 

Since discovering these new healing modalities, Sara has not been sick in 15 years. 

You may be wondering how someone battling so many debilitating illnesses could turn into a passionate evangelist for alternative medicine? 

Let’s just say her “momma bear” instinct kicked into high gear several years ago when her nine-year-old son was diagnosed with a devastating illness. Sara’s first response was to break out in tears. But when her precious son looked up at her and asked why she was crying, and confidently told his mom, “you’re gonna fix me,” Sara knew right then what her life’s mission was going forward: get her son healed and open people’s eyes to the world of natural healing. 

Early on in her journey, Sara was surrounded by naysayers - many were her family members. Today, those same family members come to Sara for advice on health matters after seeing her son restored and thriving. 

Sara has accumulated plenty of results during her years of coaching practice, and her happy client testimonials bear the fruits of her labor. She continues to expand her knowledge while serving clients and radio podcast listeners with cutting-edge protocols that combine Scalar frequency-based supplements, Chinese medicine, healing devices, and more to detox, reset and rebuild the Body, Mind, and Spirit. 

Soon after you hit play, you will notice the soothing, healing frequencies emanating from Sara. Watch her in person, and you will see her aura glowing with red, pink, orange, and yellow energies.  

Tune in to turn up your frequency. 

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Sara’s heartbreaking beginning and her inspiring journey bringing her to where she is today 
• Why a “scio machine” made Sara cry tears of relief
• Her son’s unexpected diagnosis and how Sara’s career launched that day
• The benefits of supplementing with silver and gold 
• How Sara overcame nervous self-doubt when appearing on podcasts and became a successful radio show host
• What are frequency-based supplements, and why they are important
• Managing radiation exposure and radiation toxicity
• Iodine supplementation
• The importance of detoxification

“People thought I was crazy. They thought I was mental or depressed.” 

That was the low point for Sara. She was suffering physically, but everyone around her thought it was all in her head. 

Ever feel that way? 

Sara can relate. She tried working with allopathic doctors but found that experience frustrating. One doctor would completely forget who Sara was and her story between weekly appointments. She would have to recant her entire story each office visit. 

Yikes. 

Until one day, Sara had her body scanned by a particular machine to check 10,000 items in the body. “It was like peeling an onion,” Sara tells Wade. “Within ten minutes, this man (mind you, he wasn’t even female) knew exactly what was going on in my body, what I was experiencing. I started crying. I thought, ‘Finally!’ This proves I’m not crazy.” 

“This guy tells me, Sarah - you’re not digesting food. You’ve got a leaky gut. You’re loaded with heavy metals. You’ve got hormones that are out of control. You’re high in testosterone.” 

“So, we started cleansing me, putting me through detox from heavy metals. I was loaded with heavy metals. Aluminum and mercury were off the charts.” 

“I have to tell you about a client that just finished my cleanse.” 

At one point, Sara brings up one of her clients who went through her cleansing process: “He started out homeless. He was addicted to heroin, cocaine. He was down and out. Now fast forward ten to fifteen years - he’s living in a multi-million dollar home. However, he has fatty liver. And he’s telling me, ‘I can’t do anything. I can’t live my life. I’ve got all this money and a beautiful partner to share it with. We want to go road tripping. We want to do all this stuff. I can’t do anything. I feel like crap.”

“Yesterday, he finished the end of the cleanse, the liver cleanse. He says, ‘Sarah, I’m buying an RV. I’m living life. The pain’s gone. You could see his aura. He looked like a different human being.”

Be sure to listen in as Sara and Wade cover a lot of ground in the areas of frequency, detoxification, and supplementation. Knowledge is power, and Sara knows this as well as anyone - when you want to be well, you will seek answers. Sara is a wealth of health solutions. She brings up several things never before discussed on the Awesome Health Podcast. You don’t want to miss this one.  

Check out this episode - “biofeedback” is just that - biological feedback. Information like this could radically improve your health! 

 

Episode Resources: 

AHP Listeners get 10% off here
Accelerated Health Radio Show
Accelerated Health on YouTube
Accelerated Health on Instagram
Accelerated Health on Facebook
Sara Banta on Twitter
Sara Banta on Pinterest
Sara Banta on LinkedIn

A Powerful Hypnotherapeutic Technology that Improves Mental Health & Restores Self Confidence

Hypnotherapy continues to deliver many people from phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, hang-ups, and low self-esteem. 

However, too many folks continue to suffer from these mental health issues because they never give hypnotherapy a chance. 

Why? 

The answer lies in a few myths floating around hypnotherapy, keeping people too cautious about trying it out. These myths mainly involve a patient’s inability to wake back up or have “the wrong program” placed into their mind. 

These concerns are unnecessary. Finding a trusted, experienced hypnotherapist is the key to getting the results you need - one with many testimonials to back up their work. Our guest today, Jacob Strachotta, has the resume and results. He is one of the best hypnotherapists in the world. 

If you wrestle with stress or grapple with getting a good night’s sleep, be sure to tune in to this episode. 

Jacob has worked as a hypnotherapist for over 25 years. His work in the mind field started back in his days serving in the Danish Air Force as a Captain. During those years, Jacob worked with technical management, quality control, and organizational management. As part of his training, he learned how to deploy personnel on a psychological level. 

Jacob’s career went to a whole new level in 2016. Fueled by a desire to reach more people, Jacob, and his team launched the App HelloMind. This award-winning app is helping people break and eliminate negative thought patterns. HelloMind already has over 1.5 million downloads and was nominated as Best Mental Company and Best Consumer & Wellness Company by UCSF Digital Health Awards in 2019. 

Curious to learn more about hypnotherapy? You found a fantastic interview to dive into!  

Check out this podcast, where we cover: 

• Highlights from Jacob’s 25-year career as a hypnotherapist
• How hypnotherapy took Wade’s bodybuilding career to a higher level
• Busting some harmful myths about hypnotherapy
• How hypnotherapy works
• Jacob’s new hypnotherapy app that’s the talk of the tech world
• How hypnotherapy can help military veterans with PTSD
• How much hypnotherapy is needed for it to work
• Where you can find Jacob’s revolutionary hypnotherapeutic app

 

You already went in and out of hypnotic states many times.

In the interview, Wade talks about his experiences using hypnotherapy and the powerful results he found. He asks Jacob: “Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t people going in and out of hypnotic states all the time and don’t even realize it?” 

“Yes, we are,” replies Jacob. “It’s like passive hypnosis that you go in and out of daily. For example, if you sit in your car and drive from one place to another, and you might forget to turn. You were in control, but your mind was somewhere else.” 

Wade: “You realize - I’ve been playing with the radio and drove three miles but don’t remember anything on the road.” 

Jacob: “Exactly. If you have been in school, and your mind wanders, and the teacher says to you, ‘read page 17 out loud,” and you are still on page 12. There is a time slip. You know where you are (a classroom), but you have been inside yourself.”

“When you go inside yourself and find tranquility, you can change your long-term memory. We have short-term memory and long-term memory. We want the good stuff to go down into our long-term memory.”

“I talk about deep learning and hypnosis is good at not only discovering what’s in the long-term memory but also learning what’s in the long-term memory that you don’t want there.”

“If you have negative beliefs of yourself, your values, or something else you are convinced about - but that belief is not fruitful for you - you can go into this mellow state and change it. You can change beliefs that were formed a long time ago in your life.” 

Hypnotherapy vs. Regular Talk Therapy

During the interview, Jacob has this to say: “Hypnotherapy is powerful because you don’t need a lot of sessions. It’s not like a standard talk therapy where you take a lot of time to get to the root cause of the problem. It can also be confusing for the person sitting in the session to know what they need to solve. Sometimes clients don’t know what the problem is.” 

“When I was in the military, I did some research on the people that get sent out into war zones. Soldiers carry stuff with them from back home, including traumatic childhood stuff. What happens is if they get ambushed or in some other scary situation that can trigger a link back to an episode in their childhood. The logical thing would be not just to treat the actual episode, where you talk about what happened. We will debrief you. You also need to go back and link that other episode (from childhood), and that will help.”

“We have done sessions in the HelloMind app for this.” 

With this new technology that anyone can download with a smartphone, fears and insecurities get addressed from the comfort of home. You deserve better mental health. Now is a great time to see if hypnotherapy is the right therapy for you. Why not skip weeks of traditional treatment and find peace and happiness sooner with HelloMind? 

At the count of three, you will tune into this episode: 1, 2, 3. (A little hypnotherapy humor there.) 

Check out this episode - hypnotherapy might leapfrog you to a happier existence. 

 

Episode Resources: 

AHP Listeners get 30% off by visiting Hello Mind here
Hello Mind on Instagram
Hello Mind on Facebook
Find Hello Mind on ClubHouse: @strachotta
Jacob Strachotta on LinkedIn
Jacob Strachotta on Twitter
Jacob Strachotta on Pinterest

In our quest for health and vitality, we often seek solutions that align with our body's natural rhythms and capacities. For Connie Zack, the journey toward wellness began with a personal mission rooted in pain, passion, and the transformative potential of infrared technology.

The Origin Story of Sunlighten

Connie Zack's trajectory towards founding Sunlighten mirrors a profound personal journey. Witnessing her brother's battle with chronic illness, including chronic fatigue and vertigo, Connie delved into the realm of natural solutions. Her brother's recovery, catalyzed by the therapeutic embrace of an infrared sauna, sparked a flame of inspiration. 

Leaving behind a corporate career at Procter and Gamble's pharmaceutical division, Connie and her husband Erin embarked on a mission to share the healing power of infrared technology with the world.

From the confines of their basement, Connie and Erin ventured forth into the uncharted territory of entrepreneurship. Despite encountering skepticism and obstacles along the way, their unwavering belief in the transformative potential of infrared technology fueled their endeavors. Connie's background in the pharmaceutical industry endowed them with access to medical insights, facilitating their research and development process.

At the heart of Sunlighten lies a steadfast commitment to enhancing well-being and enabling individuals to embrace life fully. Connie emphasizes the emotional underpinnings of their mission, driven by a profound desire to positively impact lives and foster holistic wellness.

Infrared Technology Overview

Infrared technology represents a paradigm shift in wellness, offering a holistic approach to health maintenance and restoration. Unlike traditional heat sources, infrared heat penetrates the body deeply without causing oppressive temperatures. This unique spectrum of light and heat encompasses far, mid, and near wavelengths, each offering distinct therapeutic benefits.

The health benefits of infrared therapy are manifold and profound. From activating heat shock proteins to reducing inflammation and regulating circadian rhythms, infrared exposure holds the promise of rejuvenation and vitality.

Impulse Sauna Technology

Sunlighten’s Impulse Sauna stands as a pinnacle of innovation in the realm of infrared therapy. Engineered to deliver targeted wavelengths for specific health outcomes, Impulse Sauna's tailored programs cater to diverse wellness needs, including cardiovascular health, relaxation, detoxification, anti-aging, pain relief, and weight loss.

Scientific rigor underscores every facet of Sunlighten’s endeavors. Through ongoing research and collaboration with experts, they continuously refine their products and deepen their understanding of the physiological mechanisms underpinning infrared therapy.

In the pursuit of wellness, Sunlighten exemplifies a commitment to harnessing the transformative power of infrared technology. From the depths of personal struggle to the heights of entrepreneurial success, Connie Zack's journey serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards optimal health and vitality. 

As we unlock the potential of infrared saunas, we embark on a voyage of self-discovery and holistic well-being, guided by the radiant light of possibility.

In this podcast you will learn about:

• Understanding Infrared Technology: Explore the science behind infrared saunas and how they differ from traditional saunas in promoting deep tissue healing.

• Personal Stories of Transformation: Hear how real users have experienced significant health improvements from regular infrared sauna use.

• Health Benefits Explored: Discover the wide range of health benefits, from detoxification to improved cardiovascular health and pain relief.

• Insights from Experts: Gain valuable insights from health experts on the optimal use of infrared saunas for wellness.

• Sunlighten's Innovative Approach: Learn about Sunlighten's commitment to research and innovation in developing highly effective sauna technology.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Website

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Here’s why many doctors are NOT healthy...

Not all medical professionals live a healthy lifestyle. The long hours filled with stress coupled with diets supplied by hospital cafeterias and vending machines are a toxic combination. 

Our guest, Alejandro Junger, knows this firsthand. 

Dr. Junger’s life didn’t start that way. He was born and raised in Uruguay, and he describes his childhood as being closely connected to the natural environment. Some of his most vivid memories are of his father at the local market teaching young Alejandro how to pick out fruits and vegetables through touch and smell. His youth was spent “in the moment.”   

But when Dr. Junger moved to New York for postgraduate training in internal medicine, he experienced a blast of culture shock. Suddenly, he was working long hours with little time to cook his food. Naturally, he ate from the food sources at the hospital where he worked. 

Hospital food has never been known for its health benefits. 

These drastic lifestyle changes wreaked havoc on Dr. Junger. As a workaholic, he lost touch with his body, mind, and spirit and became afflicted with irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, and depression. 

Through a series of events along life’s road, Dr. Junger’s well-being was holistically revived - his story is incredible. Be sure to tune in and hear how Dr. Junger’s open mind led him to shift his medical career from allopathic healthcare to a medical practice heavily influenced by Eastern medicine. 

Becoming a patient inside the same healthcare system he worked in was a wake-up call. Dr. Junger became a functional doctor who incorporates Ayurveda and is now an expert in gut health and nutrition. 

Today, Dr. Junger is known as “The Father of Detox.” His Clean Program is followed by people worldwide, including dignitaries, A-List celebrities, and media personalities. 

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Dr. Alejandro’s journey from severe illnesses and prescription medications to a remarkable holistic health revival
• Why meditation plays a significant role in Dr. Junger’s healing program
• How Dr. Junger is fusing western and eastern medicine
• Dr. Junger’s powerful detox program
• What happens emotionally and psychologically after detoxification
• Why do our modern conveniences hurt our health?
• How Dr. Junger went from helping people in medical crises to instead, prevent medical problems ahead of time

 

Physical, Mental, & Emotional Toxicity are ONE

During this episode, here is a snippet from Dr. Junger: “In Ayurvedic medicine, thousands of years ago, they did not distinguish between mental, emotional and physical toxicity. They’re all called under an umbrella name - AMA. Some say A-M-M-A. This is a Sanskrit word that encompasses toxic elements. And they include mental, emotional, and physical factors. 

Now, what is the relationship between them? Ultimately, we’re just energy. Whatever vibration your physical body is, it will attract thoughts and emotions as a means average. Are you going to help them be released? 

“You need to make this available for everyone.”

Dr. Junger: “I started doing the detoxification with my friends, family, and then my patients. Over time, as I started getting lots of good results, people said, ‘you need to scale up. You need to make this available to everyone. That is when my program became a company.”

“The program is a set of things that you do. It involves food, supplements, and activity that creates the conditions for your body to work its detoxification system at maximum efficiency for optimal health.”

“Functional medicine talks about the seven systems. The communication system, hormones, nerves, cardiovascular system, transport system, defense, repair system, and immune system have to be equalized because any system will affect other systems. Imagine one system messing up the other six. Balancing them helps 60% of the people I see with all their health problems.”

“It’s about decreasing the workload of the digestive system and decreasing the need for the body to keep on the inflammatory system. By reducing the workload of the digestive system during breakfast and dinner, replacing solid meals with liquid that’s easier to digest, a shake in the morning and night and a solid meal at midday, eliminating all the foods known to cause all kinds of reactions, acidity, mucus, and eliminating allergic foods - doing this for 21 days plus certain supplements to enhance liver detoxification - the results are unbelievable.” 

Dr. Junger’s message to the world is you can find health and wellness again through detoxification. You need someone to show you how to do it effectively. Dr. Junger has a proven detoxification process. Tune in and discover how to clean your body, soul, and mind in 21 days. (Or start with his 7-day program if you only have a week.) 

Check out this episode - time to remove toxins and feel fantastic! 

 

Episode Resources: 
AHP Listeners get 20% off with code: AWESOME20 at Clean Program
Alejandro Junger Amazon Author Page
Dr. Alejandro Junger Personal Website
Dr. Alejandro Junger on Instagram
Alejandro Junger MD on Facebook
Alejandro Junger MD on Twitter
Gwyneth Paltrow recommending Dr. Junger on YouTube

This episode’s guest loves to teach.

Being an assistant professor or adjunct professor is one of Don Moxley’s favorite parts of his resume. He’s a scientist at heart who navigates his academic career by staying on the fringes of the university where he teaches - keeping his hands free from the handcuffs of whatever dogma the institution professes. Don loves to teach. However, he is not interested in getting comfortable in a college ivory tower. 

This is why Don stays nimble in his health and wellness work by working directly with innovative health brands.  

Trained as an exercise physiologist, Don likes to keep a foot in the wearable technology industry. He has also worked for years in the high-performance athletics field - primarily collegiate wrestling. Don was a good wrestler himself back in college and has spent much of his career working with college wrestling programs, helping athletes reach their full potential. 

At the beginning of 2017, Don made a significant shift in his mindset by changing how he approached life by operating through his mission statement instead of operating life through definition. His mission is “understanding and directing individual changes that alleviate suffering and contribute to the betterment of well people.” 

This new approach to his career and life opened up tremendous opportunities to grow and impact his community. 

Currently, Don works with Longevity Labs, an Austrian company, and is helping launch their flagship product, spermidineLIFE. 

This molecule with the funny name provides serious help to our cells, impacting human longevity, how you feel in the present, and your ability to live a quality life as you age. 

Tune in as Wade and Don discuss this little-known health agent that biohackers are getting excited about. 

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Don’s career journey in athletics, academia, and cannabis
• What is “heart rate variability,” and how it provides insights into an athlete’s potential success
• What “spermidine” is and how it can contribute to longevity
• The benefits to fasting and intermittent fasting
• How spermidine is measured in the body
• The physical benefits people experience after supplementing with spermidine
• The one type of food you want to consume when you take spermidine

 

High-Performance Athletics and Cannabis

At one point, Don speaks about his experiences working in the cannabis industry, where he did a deep dive into understanding the human endocannabinoid system, a portion of his career Don calls “an incredible opportunity.” 

Here is a snippet of what he said on this episode: “I think if you’re trying to do high-performance athletics, and you’re not at least trying to understand cannabinoids and terpenes, you’re kidding yourself.”

“I think when you measure HRV, you measure endocannabinoid system status, and you can modify it. While I was doing that, I get a call from a buddy in Austria. He asks, “What are you doing?” He tells me about this company that’s focused on autophagy.” 

“I had not done a deep dive into it yet. He then says, ‘have you ever heard of a molecule called spermidine?’ I had not. He says, ‘I want you to do the same thing for us that you did in Florida for the cannabis brand.’ 

“Today, I’m their director of applied science and brand development. So, my job is to help this company build a brand that’s based on science. And that’s what we do.”

“So now I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of autophagy and polyamines.” 

You need THIS for a long, healthy life…

The one thing you must be doing for a long, healthy life, according to Don, is autophagy, which is, in layman's terms, your body’s natural process of recycling cells. 

Don tells Wade, “There is no doubt in my mind that to live healthy, to get the most out of your healthspan and lifespan, you have to have good autophagy. Intermittent fasting or fasting is the shortest pathway to that. And spermidine helps. No doubt about it - you increase spermidine, then your autophagy increases as well.” 

“You also need to eliminate sugars. It’s one of our biggest challenges as a society. I call it caloric toxic. We have so much access to sugary drinks.”

“On the other end of the spectrum, you move from caloric restriction and autophagy and then into intermittent fasting and longer fasting, ceremonial fasting. There’s a reason why it’s included in every major religion in the world. Health benefits come from it.” 

“What’s old is new, and old is leading the way,” replied Wade.

Tune in to find out what spermidine can do for your health, energy, and quality of life. Don Moxley is a science-based researcher with a diversity of subject matter areas. He is good at connecting the dots, revealing connections between spermidine, autophagy, fasting, strength training, our endocannabinoid system, cannabis, and our ability to live a longer, higher quality life through diet, exercise, and supplementation. 

Check out this episode - spermidine could revolutionize your health!

 

Episode Resources: 
AHP Listeners get 15% off with code: Wade15 on spermidineLIFE 
Don Moxley on Instagram
Don Moxley on Twitter
Don Moxley on Facebook
spermidineLIFE on Facebook
Don Moxley on LinkedIn
Don Moxley on About.Me

She’s on a quest to empower and heal. 

Years ago, Jessica Van Antwerp was a typical college student searching for answers to life’s conundrums. 

Still figuring out what to do with her future, Jessica changed her major from business to philosophy (dad was not happy.) This one decision tells us so much about her - Jessica is a thinker. A critical thinker. A big thinker. Finding business school to be a bore, she fell in love with philosophy, which fit her like a glove, and those thinking skills she picked up would serve her well as an adult. She never stopped asking big questions and seeking truth. 

Jessica was an athlete in high school, and she was always interested in health and fitness. Over the years, she has lived on a vegetarian diet, but some severe health results (that she shares with Wade) brought her back to eating meat. 

If you struggle with addiction, be sure to tune in as Jessica talks about her seven-year daily addiction to weed. She has also leaned on alcohol and even nicotine at times during stressful periods. Today, those substances are far behind her. Still relatively young (late 30s), Jessica has overcome addictions, stress, and childhood trauma through two powerful physical and emotional therapy modes: traveling and massage. 

Today, Jessica is an entrepreneur whose business focuses on both travel and Asian massage therapy.

She is the owner and CEO of Integral Travel - a wellness retreat company that educates people on how to unlock the natural healing capacity of their bodies while connecting people around the globe. 

She draws on over a decade of experience in the health and wellness industry. Her experiences with anxiety, weight, low self-esteem, and addiction are also huge contributors to her knowledge base today. 

Jessica is also a licensed massage therapist trained in several eastern schools of massage, including Shiatsu, Qigong, Thai Yoga Massage, and other energy modalities. 

Her story will grab you by the qi. Don’t miss this fantastic conversation between Jessica and our host, Wade Lightheart. You’ll learn a whole lot during this 80-minute journey.  

In this podcast, we cover:

• Jessica and Wade geek out over the topic of philosophy
• The childhood wounds Jessica discovered that were holding her back and how she overcame those traumatic memories
• The various modes of massage Jessica practices and how they help people
• Jessica’s profound spiritual moment 
• Jessica’s transition from staunch atheist to belief in a “higher power” 
• How Jessica overcame weed addiction
• From low self-worth to self-love
• What are Qigong and its ancient medicinal practices
• Jessica’s nervous breakdown and how she found restoration

 

The answers lie within, not outside of you.

During the show, Jessica talks about when she first discovered a particular form of Qi gong called Sheng Zhen Gong, which means unconditional love. Here’s an excerpt: “I immediately felt its power. I went from feeling qi in the palms of my hands to feeling it in my entire body. And I felt my heart. It was like that scene from the Grinch, where his heart grows three times and busts out.”

“I felt this in my whole body, and I knew this was my medicine. I dove into the practice. Within a month, I was at a five-day meditation retreat with Master Li, the founder of Sheng Zhen. In China, he trained with a women's martial arts team for over a decade. He’s a Kung Fu movie star. This guy knows what he’s doing in relation to energy. And so I practiced every day for six months before I felt normal. Meanwhile, very little had changed about my external circumstances.” 

“I think this is the key I want anyone listening to understand - sometimes there’s not a lot you can do about the stressors in your life. They are your responsibilities, your obligations. What you can do is change your relationship with them.” 

Gaining New Perspectives

You may already have a taste of the impact a retreat can provide - particularly a focused, organized retreat. As the CEO of Integral Travel, Jessica offers powerful wellness retreats. She says: “That’s sort of the pinnacle of what we offer during a multi-day experience, just immersing or exploring one’s inner terrain while the attendee is exploring an outer terrain that is unfamiliar.”

“The newness sheds new light and gives perspective on what you’re confronting and learning about yourself through the internal practices that we do - yoga, qi gong, meditation - how it takes you out of your day-to-day routine so you can look back and ask yourself, “Okay, what aspects of this are working for me, supporting my health, my vitality, making me feel good? What aspects of my daily life are not so good?” 

“What do I want to change? That’s the magic of going on a retreat - giving conscious attention to your life and yourself, as opposed to just going on vacation, feeding on activities.”

“A retreat is different. It’s about inner reflection for long-term change in your life.” 

Don’t feel ashamed if life seems overwhelming. Jessica has been there. She worked 90 hours per week at one point and had a nervous breakdown. With refreshing honesty and compassion, she shares the high and low points of her life. Dealing with addictions, emotional hurts, workaholism, and then the spiritual turning point that led to healing travels and life-altering rejuvenation through eastern meditation, yoga, and qi gong. 

Check out this episode - love is energy, and it can turn your life around.   

Episode Resources: 
Check out more about Jessica Van Antwerp & Integral Travel
Integral Travel YouTube Channel
Integral Travel on Instagram
Integral Travel on Facebook

Her childhood was filled with danger, confusion, and angst. 

Picture East LA in the 1990s - neighborhoods filled with gang violence. Police were overstepping their authority, creating fear and mistrust. Drive-by shootings. Riots. Burning buildings. All the media portrayals from that era were very real for Rosie Acosta in those days. 

Growing up in such a harsh environment took a toll on this episode’s guest. By the age of fifteen, Rosie found herself standing before a judge, facing severe penalties for a surprisingly bold and brash crime.  

Her youth had plenty of anxiety and confusion. Because she witnessed people getting stabbed, shot, and beat up on the street, Rosie had PTSD. She also knew nothing about health and nutrition in her young life. Living on the “McDonald’s Diet,” Rosie was over two hundred pounds at one point, living a life of quiet desperation. 

Confusion followed Rosie around like a dark cloud, mainly due to the spiritual mixed messages and failures she witnessed happening inside her community growing up. (Rosie shares her childhood in detail with Wade during the first part of the episode. Wade’s attention is riveted to her compelling story. Don’t miss it.)

But then, one day, her mother left some brochures on her bed, and that’s when Rosie’s journey took a spiritual turn that changed everything. (You will hear her powerful story about how meditation and yoga transformed her soul to a place of Radical Love.) 

Today, Rosie is a yoga and meditation teacher and a holistic health coach who works with a wide range of students. Her clients range from East LA residents to Olympic athletes, NFL champions, NBA All-Stars, and military veterans who have seen combat. 

Rosie is on a mission to help others overcome adversity, anxiety, and low self-worth and replace those negatives with radical love. She has been featured in Yoga Journal, Well + Good, Forbes, and the New York Post. 

If you want to feel radically loved, hit that play button. 

In this podcast, we cover:

• What was a typical day like in Rosie’s childhood and how she navigated all the dangerous traps
• Her recounting of the day she skipped school to seek enlightenment
• The exact moment when Rosie’s spiritual awakening took place
• Why do people need to get past their “Amazon Expectations” 
• Why does the law of attraction kick in when you get your fitness on track
• Why and when things turned in a positive direction for Rosie
• When a person exudes electromagnetic attraction and becomes what they seek
• How yoga led her out of teen crimes to teaching yoga to star athletes
• How Rosie mentally pushes through those lazy, apathetic moments we all experience

 

The Power of Intention

At one point, Rosie says, “I do believe in the power of intention and the power of belief. Also, the right people are coming in at the right time.”

“The moment that I started to bring my awareness to feeling good and focusing on my body and my health, everything else started to fall into place.”

“I started getting different job opportunities. I ended up working as a hair salon manager for this celebrity hairstylist. Here I was 19 years old and an ex-criminal - yet I got asked to run a million dollar business.”

“Now, he didn’t need to know my colorful past. At the time he offered me the job, I was working at another salon, and he recruited me because he heard that I was doing a great job.”

“So that’s all it took - one opportunity. One person believed in me and gave me that sort of positive feedback. At the time, I was still learning more. I got more into nutrition and health. I got off the McDonald’s diet. I started eating organic foods. I read the China Study. I went deep into wellness. I made a new set of friends.”

“My world started to expand. I started to see the difference in putting your energy into things that were making you better. I felt better. I started attracting people in my life that were also doing the same type of work that wanted to be better as well.” 

One thing Rosie loves about yoga is THIS

Another snippet of Rosie’s wisdom: “One of the main things I like about yoga is cultivating discernment.”

Wade asks, “What does that mean to you?”

Rosie: “For me, it means knowing what to do when you’re off of the safety of your cushion. Because I know what to do when I’m on my mat. I know what to do when I’m on my cushion. That’s easy for me. I’ve been doing it for years now, almost two decades. That’s easy.”

“But taking that and actually going out into the world and being a kind, compassionate, present human, that’s a different story. There are so many variables thrown into that, which are happening simultaneously. Discernment means to know the difference between knowing what’s going to serve the highest good.”

“Sometimes things that you may not think are going to serve your highest good serve do serve your highest good.”

“It’s difficult to navigate a world that’s full of impermanence. It’s difficult to navigate a world that’s constantly changing.”

Wade and Rosie then go into more conversation about impermanence and our mortality. Death is a topic that is kept tidy and tucked away in western culture. But Wade brings up the eastern view of death, and Rosie expands on our impermanence and how we struggle by clinging to this material world. 

This turns out to be one of Wade’s most in-depth interviews - a conversation that goes deep into the spiritual realm of our existence. Rosie’s clients see firsthand how physical transformation leads to spiritual transformation. Or, at least it should. The person must be mindful to include spirituality into their life for a complete sense of wholeness. 

Can you feel the radical love? Tune into this episode and tap in! 

Episode Resources: 
Check out more about Rosie Acosta & Radically Loved
Rosie Acosta on Facebook
Rosie Acosta YouTube Channel
Rosie Acosta on Instagram
Rosie Acosta on Twitter
Rosie Acosta on LinkedIn
Radically Loved Podcast on Apple Podcasts

She’s applying artificial intelligence to healthcare in groundbreaking ways.

At the age of 22, Noosheen Hashemi launched her career at Oracle. Those days during the 1980s were exciting times. Oracle the company experienced exponential growth - Noosheen was one of the power brokers who helped Oracle double its revenues for five straight years. 

Noosheen moved from Oracle in the mid-90s to a fintech company that was instrumental in bringing financial, educational content to companies like E-Trade and Charles Schwab during the dot com heyday. 

After this dot com was sold, Noosheen started a family and a couple of foundations who began investing in many companies, which involved Noosheen working closely with nonprofits and think tanks. 

During those think tank years, Noosheen “became very wonky.” Her interest in the government's ability to solve problems (and create problems) took off. 

With a deep interest in creating lasting change for the betterment of humanity, and after careful, systematic research, Noosheen decided to “bet on herself” by starting her own tech company: January AI. 

There are reasons why Noosheen pursued the private sector to make a difference. She shares with Wade those reasons in this episode. Listen as she shares how her multiple careers prepared her to lead today’s brand new seed-stage precision health tech company that’s got people talking. 

Wait till you hear what January AI offers - user-friendly AI that helps prevent, predict, and postpone chronic disease. 

Diabetes is where Noosheen’s company is already making waves - did you know 80% of the population is prediabetic and doesn’t know it? 

Are you? 

Tune in and discover how AI can help you predict and prevent future illnesses. 

In this podcast, we cover: 

• The incredible technology Noosheen’s company is developing to stop diabetes
• Which is more effective at bettering society: business or philanthropy? 
• How to know if you qualify as someone who is pre-diabetic
• How technology can be used to help you eat better and feel better
• How January AI can predict your glycemic response 33 hours into the future
• Using personalized technology to find desserts that are a good fit for YOU while avoiding foods that spike YOUR blood sugar
• How to create “psychological leverage” to foster self-discipline in your food choices
• The two tech “wearables” January AI requires that take data from your body to provide digital glucose management solutions
• Changes in U.S. healthcare Noosheen sees coming in ten to twenty years
• What does January AI do (and NOT do) with your health data
• China’s role in the future of AI and genome data harvesting
• Will “singularity” become our reality? 

Do you have diabetes? 

January AI started with a focus on diabetes for a good reason - far too many people end up with one type of diabetes or another at some point in life. 

In her conversation with Wade, Noosheen says we should think about diabetes as a spectrum. We all are on a metabolic health spectrum, some more healthy than others. The healthier side of the spectrum is where a person has better metabolic fitness. They can go from fasting to feeding quickly as their body makes speedy adjustments. This person has enough insulin to process glucose. 

According to Noosheem, 34 million Americans have diabetes, and 88 million have prediabetes - many of them don’t know this. 

Why is this possible? Because with no symptoms and no testing, how else would someone be able to know they are prediabetic? 

While Noosheen goes into further detail on this situation, she points out a test you can pick up at a local store that provides a quick and easy way to tell if you are prediabetic or not. 

Here is a glimpse of AI helping people live healthier lives:

Here is Nooshen describing how January AI works with the average user:

“We look at what you have been doing and eating. We create a behavioral model and a biological model of your body. This is the core data that tells us what you’re going to do next.”

This provides a “prediction ability” that the AI service can use for your benefit. Noosheen explains, “For biohackers, instead of putting things through your beautiful body that you fine-tuned so much, why don’t you instead put this info through the AI, and let the AI tell you how you’re going to respond. Why eat this? After only four days of training, you can take off the CGM, and the AI will continue to predict for you.” 

“The AI tells you which pizza you should eat, this pancake vs. that pancake, this grocery item vs. that grocery time. You can compare graphs to decide what you should do. You can compare any two grocery items or recipes. We have 2 million recipes in our database. How will you respond to eating this or that? Our AI will tell you.” 

“It will tell you how many minutes you have to walk to get back into a healthy blood sugar range after eating. So, if you eat a huge meal, you need to walk an hour and a half, for example. If it’s Saturday and you don’t have an hour and a half, it tells you the price of walking in minutes. To get your blood sugar back in the healthy range, it guides you. The AI can tell if you have been fasting for 15 hours. It makes recommendations as you go, like ‘maybe you should drop that particular yogurt because it has a high glycemic index. Instead, why don’t you shift to this yogurt instead?”

“We train people’s pallets over a period of time to move to lower glycemic foods without making it so extreme.” 

Wade’s questions took a deep dive into some topics surrounding AI and the future of healthcare. As a Silicon Valley veteran of almost four decades - Noosheen provides many glimpses into what awaits us as AI technology marries healthcare. Episode 156 is one fascinating interview you don’t want to miss. 

Noosheen says “singularity” is inevitable - possibly as soon as 2030. 

Are you ready for the “brave new world” of futuristic healthcare technology? Find out by listening! 

Episode Resources: 

Check out more about Noosheen Hashemi & January AI
Noosheen Hashemi on LinkedIn
January AI on Facebook
January AI on Twitter
January AI on Instagram
Noosheen Hashemi on YouTube

According to this episode’s guest: Liz Parrish, people should be demanding access to the latest gene therapy treatments.  

According to Liz, effective gene therapy that treats and heals a plethora of diseases could be in place today if not for the human race's mistakes in prioritizing our funds. Trillions of dollars have been invested in war machines, for example, when we could have used that money to advance humanity into a healthier, more productive, and enjoyable way of life. 

As you can see, Liz thinks big - but she’s not only a dreamer - Liz is a doer. 

As the Founder and CEO of BioViva, Liz devotes her life to pursuing scientific advancements that extend healthy lifespans in humans using cell technologies. 

Liz will tell you that aging is a disease caused by cell damage over time. Her company uses BioInformatics to gain knowledge through collecting, storing, and analyzing data from clinical studies. Liz advocates for overhauling the U.S. medical system so that drugs proven successful in animal trials can be offered more rapidly to human patients. Our aging population needs urgent healthcare. 

As a passionate science evangelist, Liz is a popular speaking guest. She serves as a motivational speaker in the life sciences field and is a strong proponent of advancing regenerative medicine modalities. She enjoys educating laypeople about the promising field of gene therapy and is actively involved in international educational media outreach.

Tune in and meet this humanitarian, entrepreneur, innovator, podcaster, and a leading voice for genetic cures.     

In this podcast, we cover: 

• Liz’s story on how she ended up in the bioinformatics and gene therapy business
• How our current healthcare system slows down anti-aging solutions
• What gene therapy is and how it can benefit you
• Why gene therapy isn’t affordable or available for most people today
• How BioViva is giving people at all income levels access to gene therapy
• How risk aversion is killing us
• The age Liz thinks she will reach
• How the media harms scientific progress
• And more

 

“I went looking for cures for kids and ended up at a conference.”

Two seminal moments occurred in Liz’s life back in 2011 and 2013.  

Only ten years ago, Liz was a layperson, not working in the longevity and gene therapy field. Her destiny began to change when she volunteered in 2011 for a stem cell project that aimed to educate the world on the regenerative capacity of stem cells. This sparked an obsession with stem cells - what makes them different? Liz began researching and discovered their differences, which she shares. 

Then, in 2013, her son was diagnosed with type one diabetes. One day, while in the hospital with her son, Liz asked the doctors about the fabulous research she had been studying on stem cells. Was any of this available for her son? NO. The hospital bluntly told her that stem cell therapy was “experimental medicine.” They made it sound dirty. 

The doctors even had the nerve to tell her, “Your son has a treatable disease. Kids dying here. Maybe you should consider yourself lucky?” 

This rude attack did NOT sit well with Liz. She pondered, “Why does this technology not translate to humans?” 

So, Liz searched for pediatric cures and ended up at a conference that introduced her to the promising future of gene therapy. 

The rest, as they say, is history.   

Liz practices what she preaches 

Back in 2015, when she launched BioViva, Liz proved she doesn’t just talk the talk. She walks the walk. How? By becoming “patient zero” in her own experiment. 

She willingly injected herself with two gene therapies. Since then, her results look promising. She tells Wade, “I took two gene therapies, and my biomarkers are great. We have a biostatistician working on those now, and we’ll be releasing those with a short synopsis.”

“My telomeres slowly keep getting longer. My triglyceride levels are low. My blood glucose levels are low - this is something that we see in medical tourism as well...Telomeres are not a perfect aging clock, but they are an indicator of a disease state. Having a better length on your telomere is a good thing. So that should mean better overall health.”

Keep your eye on Liz - she’s a walking gene therapy experiment, as well as a bold individual willing to offer her body to the furthering of scientific advancement. 

Science geeks will enjoy this episode with Liz Parrish. As an entrepreneur, she fosters scientific advancement in gene therapy by employing scientists, raising funds for research, and using her leadership and marketing skills to spread the word on the fascinating works happening inside the labs at BioViva. 

Check out this episode - you may end up living longer than you currently think possible.  

 

Episode Resources: 
Check out more about Liz Parrish & BioViva 
BioViva Science on YouTube
Liz Parrish on Instagram
Liz Parrish on Twitter
BioViva Sciences on Facebook

He’s probably the best-known chef in the world when it comes to vegan dining. 

Matthew Kenney didn’t start as someone you would expect to become a leader in the plant-based cooking field. That’s because Matthew grew up in Maine, where fishing and hunting were a big part of his family’s way of life. 

But many years ago, before most futurists and business speculators could see it - Matthew caught a vision of where the food industry was going and how plant-based cuisine would one day explode into the billion-dollar business it is today.

His career is jaw-dropping for anyone who understands the food business’s ins and outs, yet Matthew is still growing. He’s planning more exciting things as plant-based cuisine and vegan products continue to grow in popularity. 

When Matthew first switched from including animal protein in his repertoire to exclusively plant-based cuisine, many of his colleagues thought he was crazy. At the same time, the food media stopped covering his work. 

Feeling alone and isolated, Matthew struggled through some highly lean years. Thankfully, he persevered, and his work contributed to the paradigm shift that we see today. Now, pretty much every restaurant offers at least a few vegan options. Meanwhile, vegan restaurants continue to multiply. 

Matthew takes us through his incredible journey during his conversation with host Wade T. Lightheart - who asks his usual probing questions to draw out Matthew’s story and what makes him stand out enough to become famous as a plant-based chef.

Not only is Matthew the world’s leading chef of plant-based cuisines, but he is also the author of twelve books and a best-selling memoir. He is a culinary educator highly respected throughout the halls of all primary cooking schools. 

As a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, Matthew went on to work in upscale New York kitchens, opening up several of his restaurants along the east coast. 

His awards include being named one of America’s Best New Chefs by Food & Wine Magazine. Matthew was also twice nominated as a Rising Star in America by the James Beard Foundation.  

Matthew regularly appears on various media channels, including all the well known talk shows, and presented two TEDx talks that are still highly viewed (link below.)  

In this podcast, we cover:

• The ups and downs Matthew saw while shifting into gourmet vegetarian cuisine
• What motivated Matthew to push ahead as a pioneer when everyone thought he was making a mistake
• The traits that make someone a talented plant-based chef
• How the Matthew Kenney Cuisine brand grew to world dominance
• How an experienced chef uses art, fashion, and architecture for culinary inspiration
• The dessert Matthew makes that Wade can’t get out of his head
• A new plant-based fast-food drive-thru Matthew recently opened
• How Matthew keeps his restaurants on the cutting-edge of vegetarian cuisine
• Where Matthew sees his company going in the next ten to twenty years

 

When your career aligns with your passions and principles - magic happens.

No matter what industry it is, when a person finds a vision that aligns with their personal beliefs, this is often the secret formula that enables them to leapfrog over their career to the highest levels of success. 

This is what happened with Matthew. His love for food and wine intersected with his passion for health and environmentalism. Matthew didn’t like how many of his tastiest dishes made him and others feel like crap the next day in his early days as a chef. As someone who wanted to achieve optimal wellness and nourish the environment, Matthew found a path that aligned good food, health, and environmental integrity. 

Matthew tells Wade at one point, “The chef's role is not only to feed and entertain but to nourish people and the environment. This is the most aligned path I have ever experienced. I have always been motivated by the fact that if I don’t keep going, I’m not going to be able to share this with people and not show what can be done, to teach others how to do it...I’m lucky that I was able to stick it out.”

Everything is creative.

Matthew is a true polymath with many additional interests outside of food, including fashion, art, architecture, music, and writing. His brand has become multifaceted over the years, as his new clothing line is about to launch. 

The pandemic pushed his business into other creative areas. For example, Matthew’s business creates a ton of content and recently produced a series of educational cooking videos for people to learn cooking skills online. The course was projected to receive a few hundred students. However, because of the lockdowns, more than 500 people signed up for the video course the first month.

Matthew says, “We’re always shifting our business model. Right now, 85% of our company’s revenue is from restaurants. This will eventually flip upside down, and most of our revenue will be products and institutional food service, serving huge campuses with our patented know-how. Our system will be seeing significant demand in every sector - hospitals, schools, universities, corporate campuses, and so forth. We will see huge growth online with 60 different types of businesses like meal plans, frozen food, etc.”  

Wade is super excited to have Matthew visit his BioHome, as Wade has followed Matthew’s career for years and loves to eat at one of Matthew’s restaurants located just a couple of blocks from his house. You will enjoy this episode if you are a fan of Matthew or love plant-based cuisine. Investors and entrepreneurs should tune in also to hear about the glowing opportunities ahead of us in the plant-based food industry. 

Check out this episode - plant-based cuisine never tasted so good! 

 

Episode Resources: 
Check out more about Matthew Kenney
Matthew Kenney Cuisine on Instagram
Matthew Kenney’s Wikipedia Page
Matthew Kenney’s Amazon Author Page
Matthew Kenney’s TEDx Talk: Crafting the Future of Food
Matthew Kenney on Facebook
Matthew Kenney on Twitter
Matthew Kenney Cuisine on LinkedIn

In this episode, Wade chats with two sisters, Lauren Sambataro and Renee Belz, who grew up in a health-driven family. Their dad was “the original biohacker” and a pioneer in holistic dentistry.  Dr. Sambataro was one of the first dentists in the country to pivot his dental practice away from mercury fillings. 

His influence made a strong impression on Lauren and Renee. Although they like to point out that their upbringing was not too extreme - as kids, they still enjoyed mac-n-cheese and peanut butter sandwiches! But Dr. Sambataro taught his daughters how to be independent minded and question everything - a principle sorely needed in this day and age.  

Renee has quite a story: after years of dealing with many health issues - including a long battle with the Epstein-Barr virus - she became fed up with allopathic care and decided to go the functional medicine route to find the root causes of her chronic fatigue and brain fog. So she began doing her research. She has made a miraculous recovery, regaining her health, and is now on a mission to help others do the same. 

Renee became a certified nutritional consultant and a holistic life coach with a master’s degree in Nutrition along her health education journey. 

Lauren is her athletic sister who works as a dancer on Broadway - her last show before the Covid lockdowns were Wicked. In the meantime, Lauren trains clients one-to-one in New York, offering virtual health coaching for anyone anywhere in the world. Her certifications include the CHEK Institute Exercise Coach, Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition, Pre-Post/Natal Training, and Institute for Functional Health Coaching. 

The Biohacker Babes want you to discover how your unique body functions at its optimal level through their journeys to wellness. 

Come join their world of biohacking in this episode with our host Wade T. Lightheart serving as the tour guide. 

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• What it was like for these sisters to grow up in such an unconventional family
• Renee’s incredible healing journey. (With Epstein-Barr syndrome on the rise, you don’t want to miss this)
• The common issues Renee and Lauren are seeing with their clients
• What does the mindset of a successful biohacker look like?
• Using technology with intuition in their biohacking practice
• How to keep biohacking fun and interesting
• The interesting differences between the two sisters who grew up in the same household
• Some tech tools the babes like to use for biohacking
• How “the jab” is affecting Lauren’s Broadway career
• How Lauren and Renee are moving forward in this “new normal”

 

How their dad’s questioning mindset made them tenacious biohackers

At one point, Wade asks Lauren and Renee to unpack their “questioning mindset.” How did it develop? They know their dad played a big part. But how did this passion for finding answers to their health issues (and not blindly accept conventional medicine) rub off on them? 

Lauren said, “I don’t know. I think it probably leaked into the subconscious. When Renee had her burnout, I had my version of burnout - what they used to call adrenal fatigue. My cortisol was super low. Renee had mononucleosis which turned into Epstein-Barr and chronic fatigue.”

“When you get answers from your doctor like “you’re fine. You’re normal.” That’s not okay. That’s unacceptable. You want to find out more. There are amazing resources available to us now.”

Renee unpacked her journey by saying, “My journey led to burnout. I ended up with chronic fatigue syndrome in my early twenties. My doctors were saying that my labs were normal. Just keep sleeping. You need to sleep more. I was sleeping 13 to 14 hours a night. I ended up with Epstein-Barr, virus, mercury toxicity, HPA axis...I just had to keep searching and putting my puzzle pieces together to figure out what I needed to do. So I started studying nutrition. I graduated with a degree in international business and got my “dream job” and hated it.”

“My dad then asked me, ‘what is your Friday night essence?’” 

And that started the journey to becoming biohacker babes. 

A peek into Renee’s online coaching practice. 

When Renee first began coaching people how to address their health issues using online tools like Zoom or Skype, she described how at first, she would put on nice clothes and try to look “professional” during an online coaching call. 

She also presented herself in a “dry and scientific” way. What is interesting is how Renee noticed her clients would mirror her. Their energy would match her energy. If she were serious, the client would be serious. Over time, she realized her clothing and hair worries were unproductive and unnecessary. 

She began letting herself be silly and brought humor into her coaching sessions. She would be sure to laugh during their talks, and sure enough, the clients then loosen up and laugh as well. Her decision to conduct coaching in a “joyous, positive, lighter way” instead of being so serious made a massive difference in her coaching business - for both her and her clients.  

You can feel the healing energy coming through your audio speakers while listening to this dynamic duo. The Biohacker Babes love helping people overcome the health challenges that conventional medicine casts away - “it’s all in your head,” they say. But Lauren and Renee are persistent forces of nature who do not settle for that. Tune in and hear what biohacking did for these two beautiful souls. 

Check out this episode - the path to feeling better is one tenacious health coach away!  

 

Episode Resources: 

Check out more of the Biohacker Babes
Biohacker Babes Podcast on Apple Podcasts 
Biohacker Babes on Instagram
Lauren & Renee on YouTube 
Biohacker Babes on Facebook
Renee Belz’s Personal Website
Lauren Sambataro’s Personal Website
Renee Belz on Instagram
Lauren Sambataro on Instagram

The bodybuilding coach who guided Wade to victory 25 years ago is back, helping Wade crush his 50th birthday.

One day back in 1996, our host Wade Lightheart happened to catch a lecture at the BC provincial bodybuilding championships. Scott Abel was presenting the lecture, and Wade quickly noticed Scott's impressive knowledge of bodybuilding. One of Scott’s students stood on stage during the class, and her bodybuilding physique was aesthetically flawless. The experience made an impression on Wade.  

Over the next year, while Wade struggled in all of his bodybuilding competitions, usually coming in dead last, he kept noticing how multiple students of Scott’s were winning contests and looking fantastic onstage. Wade decided he should find out what these other bodybuilders were learning from “Coach Abel.”

So, Wade hired Scott to be his bodybuilding trainer, which turned out to be one of those defining moments in Wade’s life. Scott guided Wade to many victories - not only in bodybuilding competitions - but also internal wins involving fitness, nutrition, mindset, and developing high-performance habits. 

As Wade approaches 50, he has hired Scott a second time to be his fitness trainer to help guide his 50 weeks to 50 fitness plan. 

Wade wants to hit his 50th birthday feeling fantastic (and he is documenting the entire process for biOptimizer followers), and Scott is highly qualified to help Wade achieve this milestone. 

Scott Abel is a 40+ year veteran of the fitness industry whose expertise is in using metabolism to transform the physiques of both everyday people and bodybuilders alike. 

Scott loves helping ordinary and everyday people lose weight, look better, and feel great - so don’t think this episode is only for bodybuilders. Far from it - the groundbreaking information in this episode is already helping overweight, average Joes and Janes get into the best shape of their lives without feeling deprived by food restrictions. 

Intrigued? Be sure to tune in! 

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Why Scott thinks the Keto diet is “the worst diet ever.” 
• What is the “cycle diet?”
• How Scott’s high-performance bodybuilding history makes him one of the best fitness coaches for “regular people”
• What you need to do to stay fit and healthy beyond age 50
• Metabolism changes as we age and how hormones play into this
• Scott’s recent pivot on plant-based diets
• Why Scott has never been a low-carb advocate
• Some gold nuggets found in Scott’s exciting books 

 

What Professional Eaters Teach Us about Metabolism

Scott was ahead of his time back in the 1970s with metabolism. He and Wade talk a lot about the science of metabolism, along with the hype and misinformation out there. 

As a high-performance expert who constantly seeks out real-world evidence before making claims, Scott points out how his book The Cycle Diet talks about professional eaters and what they teach us about metabolism. He points out a petite, skinny female competitive eater they call the Black Widow and how she can eat crazy amounts of food in a short amount of time - like nine pounds of cheesecake in ten minutes - yet she remains “skinny as a rail.” Her example supports everything Scott has taught about metabolism for forty years. 

Competitive eaters eat very little before a competition. This is what Scott teaches with the Cycle Diet: regular undereating with well-timed “refeeds.” This approach keeps your metabolism in fat-burning mode rather than getting sluggish and shifting into a fat-storing mode. 

You see, diets - meaning long stretches of food deprivation that only work if they last forever, are not the right approach. They set people up for failure because when someone only eats a low-calorie diet for a long time, their metabolism goes into starvation mode, meaning it slows way down to a standstill. So then, when you do enjoy a cheat meal, your body stores it as fat. 

This illustrates why most diets don’t work in the long run. 

Accept the reality of where you are physically.

Scott talks about his spiritual transformation over the years and how he is a different person now. Scott Abel from the 1980s was much different. 

One of Scott’s spiritual principles he now takes to heart is “acceptance is better than resistance.” He points out that none of us can change the aging process, so it is better to accept the reality that aging is not something you have to fight off. Aging is not a bad thing. Go ahead and accept how aging is like a snowball going down a hill. “It accelerates as we age, and it's a very real thing. You’re going to lose muscle. And you’re going to have to accept that. You can mitigate it to some extent, but you cannot stop it.”

“In my book Physique After 50, I say that ‘it’s not enough to stop comparing yourself to other people based on your age, gender, or whatever. You must stop comparing yourself to the younger version of yourself.”  

If you are 50 years old and Scott is starting a training program with you, he will not have you doing the same routines you did in your twenties. “Why would you try to approach it with the same mindset?” 

Scott tells Wade, “One of my favorite sayings about aging is ‘consistency is more important than intensity. Back when you (Wade) first hired me, I would have slapped someone who said that. I used to be all about intensity.”

“But now, I can throw my back out in my sleep. I used to be able to train with a little bit of backache. Now, I can hurt myself getting out of bed in the morning.”

“People want to deny all this, but if you try to deny it, there’s going to be some serious consequences. I like to say, ‘train your age.’

If you’re “past your prime” physically, yet want to get into better shape and optimize your fitness so you can live at the highest optimal level possible for you, then be sure to tune into this episode. Keep in mind this is Wade’s trainer here. If you value and respect the knowledge Wade holds in the realms of fitness and health, then you will surely want to listen to what his bodybuilding mentor has to say. You know Wade is smart. Imagine how brilliant Scott is! There’s a reason why Wade sought Scott’s counsel. 

Check out this episode - training at your age level could transform your life! 

 

Episode Resources: 
Check out more about Scott Abel
Scott’s books on Amazon
Scott Abel Coaching on YouTube 
Coach Scott Abel on Instagram
Coach Scott Abel on Facebook
Scott Abel on Twitter
FLASHBACK: Episode 002: The Cycle Diet & What True Health Is

Attention Women Who Work 60+ Hours & Have Children: You Can Look & Feel Better Than Ever

If you are a smart, ambitious, upwardly-mobile woman working as a corporate executive or a business owner - you understand how precious time can be. 

Having an exciting career brings some fantastic benefits to a woman’s life. However, when it comes to looking and feeling your best physically, finding the time to do that can be challenging. Gym workouts, crazy diets, meal prep, eating healthy at restaurants - your career throws many obstacles at you when it comes to staying in shape and feeling good about wearing that sexy dress. 

And then there is the baby factor. Many successful women experience the “ticking biological clock” in their 30s - they want to have a child! Maybe two or three! Which is such a life-altering thing to do. One of the areas of life that get cut out in the career mom routine is paying attention to their physical fitness. 

Unfortunately, when this occurs, many smart and savvy career ladies feel unhappy with their appearance, which causes cascading results like avoiding social invitations because you don’t have any outfits you feel good in or simply not feeling good in general. The adverse effects of obesity are well documented.

What if you could lose 40 pounds while working 60+ hours per week?  You absolutely can. In this episode, our guest is health coach Nagina Abdullah. In this exciting conversation, Nagina shares how she lost 40 pounds in 7 months while working full time as a mom. Nagina has already taught 700 other women how to do this as well. The testimonials show that Nagina’s approach to looking and feeling great fits perfectly with a career woman’s lifestyle because it doesn’t require hours in the gym. 

Be sure to listen in as Nagina shares her secrets to boosting your metabolism using some simple things in your kitchen cabinet. 

Nagina’s expertise has been featured on FOX NEWS, TIME, Health.com, People.com, and Business Insider.  

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Why this California girl followed her dreams to work in New York City
• How Nagina’s physical weight was “blocking” her from being the woman she wanted to be
• Secret weapons to weight loss found in your kitchen cabinet
• Nagina’s experiences starting motherhood while working
• What are the biggest challenges facing women’s health that Nagina is seeing
• Nagina’s biggest frustration early on as a coach and how she turned it around to success 
• How to make eating healthy easy 

 

The Pressure to Have Kids & Stay In Shape at the Same Time

Nagina is part of the Indian culture, where there is still a lot of pressure to have children. Most cultures still have this pressure to some degree. When asked about her experience as a successful corporate executive who wanted to become a mother, Nagina said, “ I just wanted to indulge in being a new mom and taking care of my baby and learning from it. I was on full leave with my company, and I pretty much had nothing else to do except focus on being a mom. It was heavenly. I loved it.”

“Then, after three or four months, I started to feel good again. I started to feel “back to normal” and just went with my body and didn’t put any pressure on myself. Then when I felt healthy and was ready to work again, I had a lot of energy.”

But this is where so many women end up gaining significant amounts of weight over time. They feel “back to normal” after maternity leave, but their diet and lack of exercise prevent them from losing their pregnancy weight. So, many women will want another child and often give birth to a second child around 16 months later. After the second maternity leave, they go back to work with even more weight than after the first child was born. 

As you can see, this is a typical cycle of weight gain that leads many women to an unhappy place physically. “I didn’t enjoy having this physical weight slow me down,” said Nagina. 

A super-fit in her thirties can end up looking much different after two or three children. This profile is the type of woman Nagina works with to help them regain their youthful figure.  

Professional women are smart - but they still need help and accountability

Women executives and entrepreneurs are intelligent and hard working. However, career women are not immune to the food temptations and stress eating that afflicts everyone. Eating out with colleagues is something people expect. What can you eat and lose weight out at a bar? These ladies don’t know what choices to make on the menu. 

Accountability is a significant factor in Nagina’s coaching - and a key component to her client’s successful results. Once the accountability component to her coaching service was established, Nagina’s coaching took off. 

Clients began sending her before/after pictures. She then began creating online group programs. Nagina also has higher-end programs for super busy women who are physicians and entrepreneurs. 

Nagina has a 58-year-old client who recently lost 55 pounds in the last eight months! Another client is a professional woman in her forties, and she dropped 25 pounds as a mother of three kids. She’s now feeling great!

It would be best to tune into the entire episode to discover the weight loss secrets for career women that Nagina has to offer. She can teach you how to eat delicious foods and still lose weight without insane amounts of time spent on exercise. 

If you’re a career woman who is unhappy with your weight and want to feel good again, check out this episode! 

 

Episode Resources: 
Get Nagina’s Sweet Spice Cheat Sheet Absolutely FREE Check out more about Nagina Abdullah
Healthy Lifestyle for Professional Female Leaders Private Facebook Group
Masala Body on Instagram
Nagina Sethi Abdullah on LinkedIn

In a world rife with distractions, demands, and existential contemplations, Cory Holly emerges as a beacon of wisdom, merging health consciousness with a deep understanding of the human condition. 

His journey, characterized by curiosity, skepticism, and steadfast commitment to wellness, provides invaluable insights into the complex relationship between health and productivity.

Curiosity and Existential Inquiry

At the heart of Cory Holly's philosophy is a profound curiosity about existence itself. He explores questions concerning reality, the essence of being, and the existence of a higher power. Through existential inquiry, he examines life’s complexities, seeking meaning and purpose amidst chaos.

Noting the widespread prevalence of disease and pathology in society, Holly places a strong emphasis on health. He prioritizes understanding how to maintain and enhance both the physical body and mind, recognizing the fundamental connection between health and overall well-being.

Holly's approach involves challenging societal norms, authority, culture, and beliefs. He stresses reliance on tangible, material aspects of reality and maintains a healthy skepticism towards baseless claims and assertions. Through skepticism and critical thinking, he sifts through the deluge of information to find truth.

Clarity of Vision and Purpose

Cory Holly advocates a three-step process for success: developing a clear vision, understanding the steps necessary to achieve goals, and actively pursuing those goals. He champions purpose-driven living, aligning actions with values and aspirations to maximize fulfillment and productivity.

Holly finds joy and fulfillment in sports and physical activities, considering them vital for self-expression and personal growth. He views these pursuits as valuable lessons in discipline, patience, and resilience—qualities essential for success in any field.

Reflecting on pain, suffering, and mortality, Holly embraces the inevitability of death. He emphasizes acceptance, rationality, and the minimization of suffering while maximizing personal growth and well-being. By recognizing life's impermanence, he fosters a deeper appreciation for the present moment.

Role of Consciousness and Responsibility

Exploring the complexities of consciousness, free will, and responsibility, Holly acknowledges the significant role of conscious choice in shaping actions and behaviors. He advocates for personal accountability and autonomy, recognizing the influences of genetics, environment, and past experiences.

Holly values intellectual pursuits, as evidenced by his extensive reading and study across various disciplines. He emphasizes rationality, reason, and evidence-based thinking as crucial tools for navigating life and understanding reality.

Purpose of Sharing Knowledge

Cory Holly shares his insights to reach a broader audience than possible through traditional lectures alone. He believes in the transformative power of ideas and the importance of effectively applying knowledge to achieve tangible results.

Merely acquiring knowledge is insufficient; it is critical to apply it effectively to achieve desired outcomes. Holly encourages individuals to transform knowledge into action, leveraging it to enhance their lives and accomplish their goals.

Holly recognizes that some questions may remain unanswered and that seeking absolute answers can be futile. Instead, he embraces uncertainty and focuses on what can be known and understood.

Philosophy of Non-violence

He advocates for minimizing violence and harm, believing that humanity's higher nature seeks peaceful solutions and coexistence.

Cory advises that an excessive focus on unprovable concepts can distract from personal well-being. He encourages prioritizing tangible, evidence-based approaches to self-improvement.

Autonomy and Self-reliance

He emphasizes personal responsibility, autonomy, and self-reliance, urging individuals to take ownership of their decisions and actions.

Cory champions cooperation based on mutual respect and understanding, emphasizing the importance of minimizing violence for survival and fostering harmonious relationships.

He questions the nature of consciousness and stresses the importance of living in the moment, urging individuals to cultivate awareness and mindfulness.

In conclusion, Cory Holly's holistic approach to health and productivity transcends conventional boundaries, blending philosophical inquiry with practical wisdom. By integrating physical fitness, mental well-being, and existential reflection, he provides a roadmap for optimal health and purposeful living. As we embark on our own journeys, let us embrace his insights and strive for a balanced synthesis of health, productivity, and existential fulfillment.

In this podcast, you will learn about:

• Cory Holly’s Wellness Wisdom: Explore the profound insights of Cory Holly, blending health consciousness with existential inquiry.
• Health as a Priority: Discover how Cory emphasizes health and wellness as integral to achieving personal fulfillment and productivity.
• Skepticism and Critical Thinking: Learn about Cory’s approach of questioning societal norms and beliefs, advocating for evidence-based reasoning and skepticism toward unfounded claims.
• Passion for Physical Excellence: Uncover Cory's passion for sports and physical activities as avenues for personal growth, discipline, and resilience.
• Purpose-Driven Living: Delve into Cory’s philosophy of living with purpose, emphasizing clarity of vision, personal accountability, and the transformative power of applying knowledge to action.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

CSNA Education Program (BIOptimizers Special International)

Attention Men Who Are Struggling with Low Energy & Low Libido: You Can Get Your Spark Back 

If your male mojo is currently lost, this episode of the Awesome Health Podcast could change your life. 

There is nothing shameful about having “low-T” or “low testosterone” or any other hormone imbalance as a man. You did nothing wrong. Your endocrine system changed for some reason, which is something entirely out of your control. 

There are answers if you know where to look. 

Our guest in this episode, Saad Alam, wants you to know that you can feel like your old self again through his unique approach to hormone therapy. Saad experienced low testosterone firsthand and shared his personal story during this interview with our host Wade Lightheart. 

Saad knows what it’s like to “feel sad all the time” and not understand why. He knows what it’s like to lose your sex drive, causing relationship issues. 

He’s been there and done that. And came out on the other side happier and more energized about life than ever before.  

Once he figured this out through a long and difficult journey, Saad decided to channel his entrepreneurial spirit into starting the Hone Health business, dedicated to offering dignified hormone therapies to men. 

Saad understands the “seedy” vibe surrounding men’s hormone therapy. He knows that too much shady marketing, quackery, and cookie-cutter approaches tainted the male hormone therapy industry. This is why Saad dedicated his business to providing a comfortable, respectful service for men struggling with hormone challenges. Saad helps men by educating them on male hormone issues as well as providing therapies. Through education, you can find clarity on your condition and make better decisions about your needs. 

If you are feeling “off” these days, listen in as Wade and Saad go on a deep dive into the world of testosterone replacement therapy.  

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Saad’s journey from rugged athlete to ZERO energy and libido, then back to restored manhood
• How steroid scandals in professional sports confused men’s perceptions about testosterone
• Other hormone therapies for men apart from testosterone 
• How to navigate through the adjustment phases while receiving testosterone therapy
• How Saad has streamlined the hormone process, so you don’t spend too much time and money 
• Why men need to be careful who they get medical info from and avoid the “bro science” on social media
• Why men should monitor their hormone numbers regularly

 

Why you need more than just a test result - finding out your hormone numbers is only the beginning.

These days, a guy can go to a service like Lab Corp. and get their hormone levels lined out. That’s fine. But what are you going to do with that information? Unless you’re a medical professional, we don’t advise you to try to figure it out through a Google search. 

As a man with hormone issues, you are likely to be dealing with some psychological issues. Saad says, “The psychological problems that result from all the changes are worse than the physical changes alone. Because all of a sudden, you are questioning yourself and your identity as a man. So much of a man’s identity is wrapped up in providing for their family, taking care of aging parents, caring for children, being a role model for a younger sibling, building a business. All these things can hit you at once. You can get into a negative feedback loop where you question yourself over and over. Frankly, it messes with you. As guys, we are bad at admitting something is wrong.”  

Saad says he sees too many men who go five, ten, or fifteen years keeping their struggles to themselves until things get so bad they have to talk. 

If you think it’s okay, this is what happens to men when you get to be 35 or 40 years old. Stop right there! No - it doesn’t have to be like that at all. 

Saad says, “I’m blessed that so many of the people I get to see daily are ages 60, 70, or 80 years old, and they look like they’re 30 to 45 years old. So much of this is a mindset. They think they’re young, and they take care of themselves.” 

What was the trigger point for Saad when he knew something was wrong?

At one point, Wade asks Saad what brought him to the point where he acknowledged there was something wrong, and he needed help? 

Saad said, “I’ve been very fortunate that I can juggle a lot of things all at once in my life. I’ve always gone home to see my family every other weekend, regardless of where I lived. And there came the point where I couldn’t. I remember it was clearly in the back of my mind - something is off. But I can’t figure out what is going on. But I couldn’t figure out how all the concepts connected. I couldn’t apply this idea to other subject matters, even though I knew applying this idea would make those other areas juicier.”

“Then, on top of that, I was supposed to go see my family that weekend. And I remember I was planning to take my girl out to dinner, and I told her I couldn’t do it because I don’t have enough energy.”

“All of a sudden, I thought, I’m that guy - something is wrong.” 

“I love reading, and one day I was reading something really valuable, something that excited me. But I couldn’t grasp it. I couldn’t put the pieces together. I knew the idea was brilliant. It was giving me a rush through my entire body.”

“I knew I was sleeping well. So that wasn’t the problem. At that point, I knew I needed to go figure it out. It was emotionally tough. When my first doctor told me nothing was wrong, and it was all in my head, it was devastating because he was a guy I trusted.”

Saad saw 11 specialists in 6 months before he began finding answers. 

Now, he wants to help you find answers to your male hormone issues.
 

There is much more to this conversation you don’t want to miss. Ladies, if your man struggles with low libido, low energy, mood changes, or depression - tune in to this episode. And share it with someone who could use this great information. Saad shares his knowledge in a respectful, easy-to-digest way. 

Check out this episode - you CAN feel like a man again with the correct information! 

 

Episode Resources: 
Check out more about Saad Alam
Email Saad directly at Salam@homehealth.com 
Hone Health YouTube Channel
Saad Alam on Instagram

From Russia with Love

This episode’s guest is Dr. Gary Shlifer. Born in the former Soviet Union, Dr. Gary emigrated at age three to the United States with his parents, who somehow escaped the totalitarian communism embedded in the country at that time. His parents fell in love with America right away, finding a haven for liberty, free speech, and an environment that fostered new ideas. 

Not only are Dr. Gary’s parents politically brave - but they are also intellectually brave. Both were already physicians when they left Russia, and both of their healing careers greatly influenced Dr. Gary. They started teaching Gary at an early age to “question everything,” which is what Gary proceeded to do as he entered medical school. 

A story Dr. Gary shares here is how he won the award for “the biggest complainer” towards the end of his medical residency. Why? Because Gary questioned everything. He asked a lot of “why” questions, and sadly, the medical “powers that be” labeled him a “complainer.” 

His commitment to living life questioning everything is why Gary became a D.O instead of an M.D. If you don’t know what studies are required to become a Doctor of Osteopathy, listen to this episode. As someone who questions everything, Gary forsakes the group-think, herd mentality of the allopathic healthcare industry. Instead, he carves out a more individualistic, unconventional, preventative-focused medical practice. Becoming a D.O. is a crucial part of his journey.  

Early in his training, Dr. Gary displayed a gift for making personal connections with patients. His bedside manner is top-notch, which also makes him a fun and informative podcast guest.

Dr. Gary is a board-certified internal medicine physician specializing in preventative care, nutrition, metabolism, and anti-aging medicine.  

He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, where he now practices medicine today. Through his companies and community outreach, Dr. Gary promotes healthy living, eating, and lifestyle practices. 

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Dr. Gary’s fascinating journey to becoming a doctor
• “Sick Care” vs. “Health Care”
• D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) vs. M.D. (Medical Doctor)
• Some of the unhealthy practices still being done in traditional medicine
• What is “ancestral healthcare” and how it can improve your health
• Dr. Shlifer’s views on the mRNA “vaccine” and Dr. Fauci
• The tests Dr. Shlifer uses to find out what is going on with a patient
• How we can take technology and evolve healthily instead of devolving into further illness

Why D.O.’s bring more to the patient’s table

Dr. Gary attended the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale. He looks back now on his training and realizes that particular schooling opened his mind to things like meditation, manipulative medicine, and herbal medicine - many different modalities he includes in his patient care today. 

Dr. Gary says, “That made me more open-minded, and I think it (D.O. training) makes osteopathic physicians more open-minded. Some of the stuff that’s considered fringe or “woo-woo” or whatever you want to call it is actually a part of our training. Some doctors end up going that path. There’s a lot of functional medicine doctors that are osteopaths.” 

Sometimes a doctor with D.O. training ends up following a traditional M.D. path. Dr. Gary says, “that’s okay.” He elaborates, “We need doctors and more healthcare providers. It’s not about poo-pooing one or the other. It’s just about understanding that there is a system in place. And this system is driven to make doctors into employees that follow rules that make money for insurance companies and other big corporations.”

“And then there are a few of us that are like, ‘let me do it my way.’” 

Dr. Gary’s Covid Treatment 

During the pandemic, Dr. Gary has been out there promoting the well-known preventative supplementation that many allopathic care professionals have downplayed or flat-out ignored: vitamin D3 with K2 along with Zinc supplements. 

Vitamin C is also one of Dr. Gary’s main recommendations for Covid. 

Together, these protocols have proven to be effective for his patients. On the podcast, he says, “It’s been overwhelmingly proven that if your Vitamin D is greater than 30 or even closer to like a physiological level of 45, you don’t go to the hospital.”

Dr. Gary tells our host Wade Lightheart that these supplements are not promoted because they are incredibly cheap. In other words - there’s no money to be made in promoting them or drugs like Ivermectin (which is also cheap).  

“What we’re talking about here cuts into that bottom line,” said Dr. Gary. He didn’t hold back, going on to say, “That’s why Dr. Fauci doesn’t want to talk about it because it gets in the way of his money-making.” 

You can tell Dr. Gary truly cares about his patients. He's a maverick in the medical field, not afraid to speak his mind AND question everything. That’s why you don’t want to miss this episode. Biohackers, alternative medicine geeks, and people fed up with traditional medicine should tune in because Dr. Gary has a lot to say about finding real, lasting health and wellness. Stop managing your symptoms and listen to what Dr. Gary has to offer!

Check out this episode - questioning the healthcare system could change your life!

 

Episode Resources: 
Check out more about Dr. Gary
Sapien.org
The Sapien Podcast
Dr. Gary on Instagram
Evolve Healthcare on Instagram

Are your mitochondria functioning at full capacity? 

Remember high school biology? You may recall that every cell in your body has an engine called the mitochondria. 

Like the car’s engine, your mitochondria can lose power and performance through neglect and environmental factors. Our guest in this episode, Dr. Tim Jackson, is sort of like a “mechanic” who “works” on a patient’s mitochondria to help clean their cell engines, “oil them up” and restore their vitality through meticulous testing and tune ups. Dr. Tim is a functional doctor and uses a wide variety of tests to determine what is specifically causing a person’s mitochondria to “break down” (underperform.) 

Like a car, environmental factors can take a toll on the wear and tear of your cell's engines. One significant factor that negatively impacts your mitochondria is mold. Dr. Tim shares his expertise on mold in this episode. However, Dr. Tim gives his patients many tests because he knows that if a patient does have an issue with mold - that does not mean mold is her only health challenge. Dr. Tim understands how the environment holds many different toxins. The various environmental toxins we all contend with cause mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic polymorphisms, poor diets, pharmacological side effects, and psychological stressors. 

As you can see, Dr. Tim has one of the most comprehensive medical training to ever appear on the show - which enables him to spot any issues that are missed by the big pharma-trained, overly specialized medical doctors out there. 

Take a look at Dr. Tim’s impressive background: His undergraduate degree is in Health Science and Chemistry (Wake Forest ‘03). Dr. Tim completed his Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from the Medical University of South Carolina in ‘09. 

Dr. Tim was not satisfied with only offering manual therapy and orthopedic care to patients. Sometimes a patient needs some other form of treatment, so he proceeded to study functional medicine and environmental medicine, along with digestive health, functional endocrinology, epigenetics, Lyme disease, and auto-immune/neuro-immune disorders to bring a more holistic approach to his patients.

There is lots of science on this episode, so put in your earbuds and geek out!  

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• What epigenetic polymorphisms are and how they affect your health
• What methylation is and its role in genetics and epigenetics
• The benefits of functional medicine over allopathic medicine
• Stealth pathogens and some common ones Dr. Tim is seeing today
• Dr. Tim’s thoughts on the mRNA “vaccine” 
• How Dr. Tim uses multiple tests to figure out what is wrong with a patient
• The role mitochondria play in feeling good and things that impair their function
• Some of the tools Dr. Tim uses for his health maintenance, like his favorite air filter brand, etc. 
• Some tips on bolstering your immune system

 

Tony Robbins Health Scare

Uber famous self-help guru Tony Robbins is a real-world example of how toxins in the environment can affect you despite your self-discipline and knowledge to live your life healthily. 

Robbins has always been self-disciplined in diet and exercise. He also uses detoxification technologies and practices unconventional wellness hacks like cold immersion. 

Not long ago, Tony discovered he had extremely high levels of mercury in his body through his diet. His mercury readings were the highest ever recorded in one person, according to Tony. Before his speaking events, Tony was taking blood transfusions. He didn’t know that mercury was building up to dangerous levels in his body. 

Tony’s story is a wake-up call for us all. If someone like Tony Robbins, who never drank alcohol and lives an extremely healthy lifestyle, didn’t know he had mercury poisoning, how confident are you in your body’s health? Even if you’re doing all the right things health-wise, Dr. Tim says you need to get tested regularly in various areas. 

Why Dr. Tim Takes his Patients Along in Baby Steps

When you hold a vast amount of knowledge as a doctor, that doctor can easily overwhelm new patients with a bunch of tests and spray them like a firehose with too much information. Over time, Dr. Tim learned he was trying to impress new patients with all his knowledge, and those patients would leave his office thinking, “Wow. That guy is brilliant, but I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.” Dr. Tim acknowledges he was doing his patients a disservice. This is why he starts with the patient’s environment first because you cannot help someone heal if they remain in a toxic environment. “I can fix a lot of issues, but I can’t out supplement or out medicate a bad environment.”

Dr. Tim even looks at a patient’s social connections. “If you’re around people who are constantly nagging you about eating healthy or nagging about exercise, then you need to edit your life and get them out of there. I know that sounds harsh, but they are creating psychological strains on your system, and no amount of supplementation or nutrition can outdo that.” 

Dr. Tim does thorough work with each patient - treating them as the individual they are. He avoids cookie-cutter remedies, knowing how individual humans can require many different treatments to reach health and happiness. 

Tune in and discover how your mitochondria health determines so much of your overall health and wellness. Your cell’s engines may need a tune-up. Listen to Dr. Tim - his breadth of knowledge is staggering! What a breath of fresh air to hear an open-minded doctor take the time needed to get to the root of your health issues. 

Be sure to listen to this episode - the health breakthrough you seek might be found right here with Dr. Tim.  

Episode Resources: 
AHP Listeners get 10% discount on a one-hour initial consultation with code: Wade10 on Heal Your Body.org
Dr. Tim Jackson on Facebook
Dr. Tim Jackson on LinkedIn
Dr. Tim Jackson in Pinterest

Time to step out of the digital realm and plant your bare feet in some lush grass.  

While working indoors, particularly at a computer hour after hour - you can easily spend too much time in the “digital world” and not enough time in your natural, physical environment. 

If you wonder why this matters, let me ask you this: how do you feel these days? Are you anxious? Burned out? Do you have mysterious ailments that your doctor says are stress-related, yet gym workouts, a better diet, and medications are not improving the way you feel?

Perhaps it’s time to take a walk on the rewild side. 

Our guest today offers a new approach to health coaching that involves getting back in contact with nature. Shawn Slade explains why “nature connection” is a growing therapeutic practice - offering those willing to dip their toes into a nearby lake this amazingly restorative experience that leads to happiness and a serene sense of overall well-being. 

In this podcast, Shawn reveals expertise in nature contact, ecotherapy, ecopsychology, and rewilding. 

Shawn began his career as a traditional health coach and then shifted into nature connecting - he is now an emerging scholar in nature contact, nature connection, and human health. 

As a lifelong scholar, Shawn holds degrees in business and economics (2006), political science (2008), a Master of Science (2014). He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in health promotion at Western University in London, Ontario. 

Shawn is also a serial entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Booch Organic Kombucha and does research consultations for Exercise is Medicine Canada. He is also a nutrition and weight loss instructor for Canfit Pro, a part-time professor of health promotion at Fanshawe College. Shawn delivers numerous speaking engagements with ACSM, CSEP, and other academic conferences and trade shows. 

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• What are eco-therapy, ecopsychology, and rewilding?
• The health benefits from nature connecting
• How city dwellers can connect with nature
• Shawn’s “dark night of the soul” vision quest experience 
• Why “micro exposures” are a good starting point to rewilding
• Shawn’s future vision of the nature connection field
• Why nature connecting is perfect for people in extensive lockdowns
• Why Shawn does not want the government leading the nature connecting movement

 

“A lot of research shows nature to be a saving grace for many people.” 

Several published research papers provide evidence of nature’s therapeutic power. 

One of the most vital benefits of nature contacting, or rewilding, is stress reduction - something many people deal with now thanks to our modern, fast-paced world and the added stresses from the pandemic. Lockdowns, fear, economic pressure, isolation, loneliness, and depression reached epidemic proportions aside from the virus. 

When humans are working on a computer or digging a ditch, or whatever task they focus on, the brain goes into the beta brainwaves, which help us focus. But as we all know, you cannot maintain focus indefinitely. 

People need time to relax. Nature connecting puts our brains in the alpha brainwave or the gamma brainwave, which are much more calm and relaxed. 

Shawn goes into a lot of the science backing the practice of nature connecting, including how rewilding drops our cortisol levels. 

Question: What’s the next cool thing in the health industry? 

Answer: Nature-based interventions.

Shawn knows the positive impact connecting with nature brings to the soul, as he experienced a “vision quest” out in the woods for three days that significantly changed his life. (He shares that experience here, and it involves a wolf. You don’t want to miss that.) 

Shawn talks about how nature exploration leads to self-discovery, sparking your creativity and gets you excited about life. With the spark nature provides us at a soul level, you can ride that wave to more happiness and health. 

Even city dwellers can receive rewilding benefits through small doses of experiencing nature. 

Shawn is so passionate about nature connecting. He had to defend his doctoral dissertation paper on this very topic the next day! 

What benefits await you when you begin exploring nature? Tune in to this episode and discover the ways of rewilding. Shawn is about to become a professor of nature connection. You can’t get more authoritative on a topic than that. 

Listen to one of the top experts on the planet - find out which health and wellness surprises you can find at your nearest park, beach, or forest. 

 

Episode Resources: 
Check out more about Shawn Slade
Rewild My Bio on Telegram
Rewild My Bio on Instagram
Book recommendation from Shawn: The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, by Florence Williams

Cannabis products are not “one size fits all.” 

If you are interested in using cannabis or hemp related products or started using them but are not satisfied with the results, you came to the right podcast episode. 

By now, you probably know that the hemp industry exploded across North America. Today, there is a good chance you live near a marijuana dispensary. You might already be using CBD products or THC products, or both. 

But the question is - are you getting the right cannabis in the proper form that works well with your DNA? 

As medical science learns more about cannabis and continues to make discoveries on the endocannabinoid system in the human body - the industry is adjusting, growing, and getting better at addressing specific needs. Consumers are starting to find cannabis product options that are more personalized and micro-focused on particular needs for individuals. 

How this works is all tied to your DNA. The Awesome Health Podcast has the perfect guest to break this topic down: Len May - gifted at explaining the complexities of cannabis in concise, understandable ways. 

Len is a pioneer of the medical cannabis industry, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the hemp industry. He is also an expert in genomics. 

As the CEO and Co-Founder of EndoCanna Health, Len is a mover and shaker in the industry. He has held past positions as President of the Cannabis Action Network and Board Member and Lifetime Member of the California Cannabis Association. May is the current chair of the CBDIA science board and is a stakeholder in some of the industry’s most iconic brands. 

In this episode, he shares his expertise on the Endocannabinoid System and how genetic expression plays a role in human experiences. As a Certified Medical Cannabis Specialist in Medicinal Genomics, May has an in-depth knowledge of genomics, cannabinoids and terpenes, and their interaction with the endocannabinoid system. As well, he holds a Masters of Medical Cannabis and a certificate in Endocannabinoid Formulation from the Institute for the Advancement of Integrative Medicine.

Len is also a published author (Making Cannabis Personal) and the host of the popular podcast “Everything is Personal.” 

 

In this podcast, we cover: 

• Len’s impressively compressed story of his rise to the top of the cannabis industry
• Len May’s past run-ins with law enforcement as the industry changed
• A simple explanation of the endocannabinoid system in your body
• How to determine which cannabinoids are the right fit for your system
• The differences between CBD and THC
• How cannabinoids help the top bodybuilders in recovery
• How you can use your DNA profile (like 23&Me) to fit you with the perfect cannabis formula
• How other medications can affect your cannabis experience
• What are terpenes? 
• Why THC makes Wade ravenous 
• How the hemp industry “clones” plants for better quality
• What the future of the cannabis industry could look like

 

How Len discovered cannabis helps his ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)

When Len looks back on his childhood, he describes himself as a kid who would quickly drift off into daydreams while in class, occurring often enough that Len took many different types of prescription medications. 

Len wasn’t happy with any of them - they either didn’t work or if they did help, the side effects made him feel like crap. 

Until one day - Len was hanging out with some older kids, and one said, “Do you want to smoke a cigarette?” Len was excited as he felt like one of the cool kids. He took a drag from the cigarette, coughed, and he instantly knew that this was not the taste of a regular cigarette. He found out it was a rolled joint full of marijuana. 

What changed Len’s life was when he went back to class after smoking the marijuana, he noticed how he was able to focus much better on the schoolwork in front of him. 

That is how cannabis became Len May’s passion and go-to medicine. He got off all other meds and went to using cannabis only. Eventually, through struggles with his parents and later, his entrepreneurial efforts led Len to becoming a cannabis activist and business owner. 

Hemp is a beautifully complex plant that still has a lot of uses to be discovered.

Len says the hemp plant is “very complex” and has “somewhere around 500 different components identified. But we don’t know what a lot of them are. We have identified somewhere around 114 different components with actual names, and we understand the effects.”

In the hemp plant are the cannabinoids themselves: CBD, THC, THCV, CBDV, CBG, CBN, and other components like terpenes. 

The plant itself has its genetics, which are cannabinoids expressed in the flowers’ trichomes. The flower grows to a particular maturity and then begins expressing these cannabinoids. In the plant, they work synergistically together to create an effect. All of these start at the primary cannabinoid, the grandfather cannabinoid or mother cannabinoid, a CBG. Every single cannabinoid has an acid molecule. 

Len and Wade get into the science behind cannabis and how it works in the human body. Science geeks will love this episode. 

Tune in and hear how a simple DNA test could be the breakthrough you need to find the right match between your body and cannabis products. Len May’s company - EndoCanna Health - can do the DNA test. Or, you can take your 23&Me DNA profile (or whatever company profile you used) and submit it for instant feedback. Pretty incredible service. 

Check out this episode and discover what cannabis can do for your physical and mental health! 

 

Episode Resources: 
APH Listeners get $20 off total order with code: awesome20 on Endo-dna test
Book: Making Cannabis Personal: Take the Guesswork Out of Your Cannabis & CBD Experience By Tailoring It to Your DNA
Endo.DNA on Instagram
Len May DNA on Instagram
Endocanna Health on Facebook
Endo-DNA on Medium
Len May on Twitter

 

When two biohackers get together, the conversation is a fascinating and educational experience. 

In this episode, Wade sits down with fellow biohacker Angela Foster, who was, in a previous life, a corporate attorney in London working a crazy amount of hours. She was driven, ambitious, talented, and made partner by age 30. 

Can you relate to the hard-driving corporate ladder climber? 

Soon after her overachieving run, dreams of becoming a mom kicked in. Of course, being a type A, high achiever, Angela thought she could have it all - the high-pressure career in corporate law and the “super mom,” picture-perfect life with her children. 

The ticking biological clock, along with a sudden physical and mental illness, knocked Angela off the hamster wheel. Burnout threw her into a hospital bed.  

Her entire journey is an incredible story to hear - Angela was at one point on several psychiatric medications for bipolar disorder. 

Angela realized that recovering from burnout was going to require two things: patience and perseverance. 

She also figured out how she needed to make a dramatic career pivot - from attorney to biohacker coaching. Although she was great at being a lawyer, Angela discovered that practicing law was not her passion. Through her physical ordeal and learning how biohacking could help her recover and feel good again, Angela found her calling: coaching high achieving women how to stay healthy and energized while balancing a successful career and love-filled family life. 

Angela is a sought-after speaker to large corporations. Her talks inspire corporate executives to optimize the health and wellness of their employees. 

Angela is also the host of a top-rated alternative health podcast called the High-Performance Health Podcast. 

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• How Angela went from lawyer to biohacker
• Angela’s struggles with depression and suicide
• The difference between chronic fatigue and burnout
• How Angela got off of psychiatric medications
• The critical role spirituality played in Angela’s total healing
• Why the law firm was unfulfilling for Angela and why she loves life now
• How Angela shifted her mentality out of law into developing a holistic health process for her clients
• The first thing Angela has her clients do when starting their wellness journey

She thought she was bulletproof. 

Perhaps you are a high achiever and can relate to Angela’s story? 

At one point, after having her first child, Angela was diagnosed with postnatal depression. Here is how Angela responded to this news at that point in her life: “I’m bulletproof. That’s exactly what I thought because I always achieved whatever I wanted. I was like, ‘this doesn’t happen to me.’ The doctor says, ‘You need to sleep more, take naps in the day when the boys are asleep. I said, ‘No. I don’t need that. I’ve run all these deals. I know what it’s like not to sleep. I’m fine.” 

“That was crazy.” 

“So I carried on. But then my husband took some time off, and then I couldn’t get out of bed till like three o’clock in the afternoon. It was like everything hit.”

“I called the doctor and, as a type-A personality, I said, “You need to run some tests. Because I can’t get out of bed, I must be anemic. Can you check my iron levels, please?”

“After the tests, the doctors told me again that I have postnatal depression. I denied it until it finally took me out.” 

Angela’s Spirituality as a Key Component to Burnout Recovery

She was suffering from severe mood swings related to the bipolar diagnosis and subsequent medications prescribed. Angela realized that her ability to stop taking medication would be a process - patience and perseverance are needed. 

Angela knew she needed to first get “sustainable” on medication before successfully dropping it. She determined that spirituality would be required to smooth out her mood swings. 

The problem was the topic of spirituality caused internal struggles for Angela due to her strict Catholic upbringing. Her father was Lebanese and a strict Catholic.

Angela figured out a path that led her away from that religion, yet she became more spiritual than ever. As she developed her spirituality aside from her Catholic dogma, she noticed that her mood swings became much more manageable. 

As she transitioned off the medications, she figured out that the bouts of depression that occur every time she lowered the dosage were a natural part of withdrawal symptoms.  

Today, Angela is pleased with her spiritual progress, as she is now medication-free. However, she knows her spirituality is still a work in progress. 

There is so much more to Angela’s remarkable transformation. If you are suffering from burnout or mental health issues, work/life balance struggles, or feel like you’re going through the motions in life, you must tune in to Angela! She’s a living example of someone who has hit rock bottom, used pharmaceuticals at one point for years, and then was able to walk away from those medications. 

Check out this episode - biohacking can break through your burnout! 

 

Episode Resources: 
Check out more about Angela Foster: bioptimizers.com/AngelaFoster
Angela Foster on Facebook 
Angela Foster on Instagram
Angela Foster on LinkedIn

Fatigue is Not Your Fate 

Fatigue is one of the most common complaints heard in doctor’s offices across North America, from Atlanta to Vancouver. 

This trend is scary because many doctors report an epidemic of fatigue affecting a disturbing number of millennials. Chronic tiredness is not something that only troubles older people. Folks in their thirties and even twenties struggle with low energy, and they don’t know what to do as their careers - and life - suffer. 

In this episode, Dr. Steven Gundry shares his scientific discoveries that help people get out of their low-energy funk.  

For many years, Dr. Gundry was one of the best heart surgeons in America until his research convinced him to make a dramatic career change (some greedy health professionals might even call it a dumb career move.) He began focusing his cardiac practice on prevention instead of reacting to patient issues with surgery and drugs. 

One example of this shared by Dr. Gundry was his conversion to vitamin therapy. Dr. Gundry would directly insert vitamins into a patient’s artery to help clear the artery if it was clogged. This was, of course, an invasive procedure. Once he dove into researching the benefits of vitamin and mineral supplementation, Dr. Gundry realized his patients could be swallowing those same vitamins long before their arteries clogged up. 

Along the way, Dr. Gundry’s journey led him to the exciting field of the human microbiome. Today, he helps patients use diet and nutrition as a critical component for treating fatigue and all autoimmune disorders like arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, and others. 

 

It’s not every day that we get to listen to a top cardiothoracic surgeon who is also a pioneer in nutrition. Dr. Gundry is the medical director at The International Heart and Lung Institute Center for Restorative Medicine. 

He is also the author of multiple New York Times bestsellers, including The Plant Paradox, The Longevity Paradox: How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age, and his new book The Energy Paradox: What to Do When Your Get-Up-and-Go Has Got Up and Gone. 

Be sure to tune in if you deal with fatigue, exhaustion, brain fog, depression, anxiety, and low metabolism. 

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• How one patient opened Dr. Gundry’s eyes to the connection between diet and good health
• Why so many people today experience chronic fatigue
• Dr. Gundry’s thoughts on our ability to extend our lifespan 
• Signs of leaky gut syndrome, why it occurs, and what to do about it
• What is glyphosate, and why should you avoid it at all costs?
• Hypertension and diabetes link to leaky gut
• The health benefits of intermittent fasting
• Why Dr. Gundry is not a fan of fruit (surprising info)
• How a typical day looks for Dr. Gundry with his diet, eating habits, and exercise

“It never occurred to me to swallow the dumb things.” 

During the early years of his career as a cardio surgeon, Dr. Gundry was not the epitome of health - he was 75 pounds overweight. His running 30 miles per week and eating a low-fat diet wasn’t making a difference. Dr. Gundry still had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. 

One day, a patient arrived in his office that changed Dr. Gundry’s medical destiny. The patient traveled the country, going from doctor to doctor, seeking help for clogged arteries. His initial prognosis was his arteriosclerosis was too far gone. The doctor told this man that he could not do an angiogram or bypass surgery. He was “inoperable.” 

During those six months of seeking a doctor for help, this patient - “Big Ed” - went on a radical diet and started taking a big pile of supplements. 

At first, Dr. Gundry told Big Ed the same thing - “I cannot operate on you.” However, Big Ed was persistent and convinced Dr. Gundry to give him another cardiac catheterization (a video of his heart.) Dr. Gundry agreed to this and was astonished by what he found - Big Ed had cleaned out 50 percent of the original blockages in his arteries! 

In his college thesis, Dr. Gundry realized that Big Ed’s diet was the same diet that Gundry wrote about. And some of the vitamins Big Ed was using were the same vitamins that Dr. Gundry would directly insert into the patient's veins to unclog them. “It never occurred to me to swallow the dumb things.” 

Putting himself on the same diet and vitamin regime as Big Ed, Dr. Gundry proceeded to lose 50 pounds his first year, then another 20 pounds, and he has kept this weight off for over 20 years. 

“If someone calls me a snake oil salesman, I consider that a high honor.” 

After Dr. Gundry lost all that weight and radically changed his medical practice to focus on diet and supplementation, some people called him crazy. Others called Dr. Gundry a snake oil salesman - an old, derogatory term that essentially means “a quack.” 

Here is what Dr. Gundry says about snake oil accusations. “Some of my critics have called me a snake oil salesman. Now, I take that with the highest honor. Because it turns out that snake oil, unbeknownst to most people, has the highest amounts of omega-3 long-chain fatty acids. Higher than any other oil, including fish oil. Even Scientific American has written an article explaining that snake oil is not snake oil.” 

“Snake oil did work for treating inflammation. Unfortunately, most snake oil salesmen were not selling real, pure snake oil.” 

Now you know the history of the term “snake oil salesman” and why its usage today is not historically accurate - and therefore misused. 

This episode is compelling - full of breakthrough knowledge from an M.D. who opened his mind to new information mid-career. This dramatically shifted his practice to functional medicine - someone who helps patients address root causes, not just use drugs to manage symptoms and recommend surgery whenever possible. 

Dr. Gundry is a different type of heart doctor - perfect for people fed up with allopathic care that leads to nowhere. 

Start feeling better by listening to the wisdom of Dr. Gundry! 

 

Episode Resources: 

Check out more about Dr. Steven Gundry: bioptimizers.com/DrGundry
Dr. Gundry’s new book: The Energy Paradox: What to Do When Your Get-Up-and-Go Has Got Up and Gone
Find Dr. Gundry’s wellness products at GundryMD.com 
Dr. Steven Gundry on Facebook
Dr. Steven Gundry on Instagram
Dr. Steven Gundry on YouTube

Read The Episode Transcript:

Wade Lightheart: Three two, one good morning. Good afternoon. Good evening. It's Wade T Lightheart from BiOptimizers with another edition of the awesome health podcast. And today we have a living legend that is going to join us, Dr. Steven Gundry. And we're going to talk about the gut microbiome, mitochondrial health linking the immune system malfunctions to the mental and physical symptoms of fatigue, including exhaustion, brain fog, depression, anxiety, and low metabolism. We're going to be talking about some cool things. Why you might feel fatigue or the people around you. We're going to talk about the mitochondrial rush hour. And of course his latest book, the energy paradox. If you haven't heard of Dr. Steven Gundry, before he is one of the world's top cardiothoracic surgeons in a pioneer in nutrition, as well as a medical director of the international heart and lung Institute center for restorative medicine, he has spent the last 16 years studying the microbiome and now helps patients use diet and nutrition as a key form of treatment. Wade Lightheart: He is an author of many New York times bestselling books, including the plant paradox, the plant paradox, cookbooks, the longevity paradox, how to die young at a ripe old age, and we'll release the energy paradox what to do when you get up and go has gone up and gone. Of course, that just happened. And not that just happened that we lost our gut up and we got to the gut up and gone, but he just published that book in March of this year. He is also the founder of Gundry MD align of wellness products and supplements Dr. Gundry, welcome to the show. Dr. Steven Gundry: Hey, thanks for having me. I appreciate it. But see, I Wade Lightheart: Love the fact that as a thoracic heart surgeon, you've got into nutrition. One of my dear and close friends. I don't know if you're know him. His name is Dr. [inaudible], who Was as a cardiac surgeon. I think he was part of the Harvard team that put the first stent in the body. And I was just hanging out with him last week. And what's interesting. He was sharing with me. I think he's now at around 80 years old of how he started a garden and he's been eating all these vegetables all the time. Has it helped them drop 60 pounds? And so he decided he would open another wound healing clinic. And I think it's always great when we have people in the acute therapy and the surgery component, which Western medicine leads the world in also adding a responsibility side around, you know, what we need from diet and care of the body. How did you originally come to that place in your own practice and work? Dr. Steven Gundry: Well, back in actually towards the late nineties, I very famous heart surgeon, chairman of heart surgery at Loma university, school of medicine, kind of down the block from where you are. And I am I was famous for operating on people that nobody else wanted to operate on. Too difficult, blah, blah, blah. And I was sent a gentleman from Miami, Florida, Miami beach, who was 48 years old, a big fat guy. I call him big ed and all my books. And he had inoperable coronary artery disease. You couldn't put stents in them. You couldn't do bypasses. Cause there wasn't any place to land. And people like him would go around the country to various centers, looking for idiots, like myself, to operate on them and everywhere he went I won't name the names cause I have them. They're, they're very obvious. Dr. Steven Gundry: Everybody turned them down and he spent about six months doing this and he wound up in my office and he brought the angiogram, the cardiac catheterization of his heart from Miami six months previous. And I looked at the catheterization and I said, look, you know, everybody's right. I can't help you. They can't help you. There's nothing could be done. And he said, well, you know, hold on a second. I've been on a diet for the last six months. I lost 45 pounds and I went to a health food store and I bought all these supplements and he literally brought in a giant shopping bag of them and I'm going, you know, well, you know, good for you for losing all that weight, but it's not going to do anything in your heart. And I know what you did with all those supplements. You made expensive urine, which I affirmed believe back then. Dr. Steven Gundry: I don't obviously know, but he said, well, come on, you know, I've come all this way. What would it hurt to get another card cardiac catheterization movie of my heart? Okay. So in six months time, this guy cleaned out 50% of the blockages in his coronary arteries. They were, they were gone now. Not only I never heard of that happening it, you know, it's physically impossible. So I, I go what'd, you do tell me about this diet you did. And let me look at these supplements. So I had the benefit back in the dark ages of education at Yale university to design my own major. And I had a special major called human evolutionary and social biology, where I basically had a thesis that you could take a great ape change, its food supply, change its environment, and predict you'd have a human being when you finish. Dr. Steven Gundry: Then I actually defended my thesis and got an honors and then I gave it to my parents and became a famous heart surgeon. And so as big as it's telling me as diet, I'm going, Whoa, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. That's you know, the ancient human diet that I described my thesis now what's pointed is I was 75 pounds overweight. I was running 30 miles a week going to the gym one hour a day, eating a healthy, low fat diet. And I had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, you name it. I had it. And I put myself on this diet. I called my parents, but you still have it. And they said, Oh yeah. So I lost 50 pounds my first year and another 20 that I've kept off for over 20 years now. But what's interesting is when I looked at his supplements, lo and behold, he was taking supplements that I was using to protect the heart during heart surgery and heart transplantation for which I was actually very famous and it never. So I was putting them down the veins and arteries and it never occurred to me to swallow the dumb things. Dr. Steven Gundry: So I started following a bunch of supplements and I started teaching my patients who I had, who I operated on, how to avoid me in the future. And lo and behold changes in their cholesterol happened, changes in their blood pressure, happened. Their diabetes went away, et cetera. And so after about a year of doing this at Loma Linda I said, Oh my gosh, you know, I've got this all wrong. I shouldn't be operating on people and then teach them how to eat. I should teach them how to eat and then I'll probably never have to operate on them. Now that's a terrible career move as a heart surgeon. I mean, just, just one of the dumbest things, you know, I ever did, but I literally resigned my position. And I said, yeah, Ooh. And I set up a clinic in Palm Springs. Dr. Steven Gundry: And I also now have one in Santa Barbara where I treated every patient as kind of my personal research project and said, look here's certain foods. I want you to eat her certain foods. I don't want you to eat. I want you to go to Costco or trader Joe's and buy some supplements there. Wasn't Amazon way back then. And let's see what happens. And I want to draw blood on you every three months, you know, Medicare insurance will pay for it. And let's see. And I started publishing these papers. Actually just before I got on the phone with you, I was writing an abstract for the American heart association on one of one of my discoveries anyway, so kind of the rest is history. Then my most famous book was the plant paradox. So about four years ago now were kind of up ended that maybe plants didn't like us as much as we all thought that certain plants might have it in for us. And, you know, that's followed with the most recent book, which is the energy paradox. So there you go. Wade Lightheart: It's a, it's a great and unique story. I guess the, the, the S the second question related to that was what was the response by your, in the profession when you're making a break from, you know, an, an ex extremely respected heart surgeon, you get that at the highest credential backgrounds, Ivy league, and now you are a quote unquote, I could imagine the derogatory nature, but now you're a supplement salesman and a dietary advocate. What was the, what was that like the fashionably, was there some people that supported you or some people thought you had lost your mind? Dr. Steven Gundry: Well a little of both. Certainly when I lost all my weight and I was still going to cardiothoracic surgery meetings. The first question on everybody's mind is, you know, what kind of cancer are you suffering from? And you know, good news, I wasn't suffering from cancer. I just lost the weight I was supposed to lose. And some of, some of my critics have called me a snake oil salesman. Now I actually, I take that with the highest honor. It turns out that snake oil, unbeknownst to these people as actually the highest amounts of omega-3 long chain, Omega three fatty acids of, of any oil, including fish oil and the, you know, even, even scientific American has written an article that, you know, snake oil is not snake oil, Speaker 3: So great. Dr. Steven Gundry: And you know, so if someone wants to call me a snake oil salesman, I consider that a very high honor. Now snake oil actually really did work for inflammation. And so unfortunately most snake oil eventually was not sink oil that was sold. That's of course, where the term comes from, but snake oil work because it worked. And so there you go Wade Lightheart: W I love the historical aspects and the humor that you instill in that I think, you know, with your latest book, the energy paradox that you've come out with you're introducing some new concepts that people might not have understand. Can you kind of illustrate maybe some of the things, and I think we'll probably get into it here is why so many people are feeling this exhaustion and chronic fatigue today. Dr. Steven Gundry: Yeah. When I actually first started what I call restorative medicine, some people call it functional medicine. So when I did this 20 plus years ago now and I started seeing regular patients who didn't need heart surgery, there's there's codes. We use called ICD 10 codes that we have to put down to bill. And I was finding that at least 50% of the patients I was seeing had fatigue and malaise as a code. And that is exactly what it sounds like. And I was actually pressed that many people I was seeing for other reasons, for heart disease, for diabetes. One of the main driving factors was fatigue and malaise. And in the process of teaching them out to eat and getting them some supplements they they're fatigued. Malays went away, magically disappeared magically. And so I started, I, I wasn't planning to write this book but a couple of years ago when they're just pre COVID, I was heading into orange County, South of LA to do a PBS fundraiser thing that I was doing, which I like to do. Dr. Steven Gundry: And we were going to do a little pitch on PBS, and this person was going to interview me and I got a call on the cell phone that says so-and-so isn't going to be able to make it in today. She just doesn't have it in her. And I'm going no something wrong. They said, no, you know, she's just exhausted. She doesn't have it enter, and you don't worry, we'll get somebody else. And this was a millennial. And so we did the thing, but the fact that a millennial is calling in that they just didn't have it in them to come into work today, really struck a chord. And I said, you know why is this person totally depleted with energy? And I realized that, you know, God was making people regain their energy through my program. So I figured, you know, I better write a book about this, so it to answer your question. Dr. Steven Gundry: One of the things I start with in the book is a fascinating study that was done by Duke university researchers. And I've actually had them on my podcast, the Dr. Gundry podcast and what they wanted to do. It was actually an interesting hypothesis. They went and studied. The HODs is in Tanzania. They were one of the last Hunter gatherer tribes on earth. And they they've been extensively studied, and they're incredibly fit. They're skinny, they're healthy. They don't have any chronic diseases. The men walk eight to 10 miles a day in search of game. The women walk four to five miles, digging up tubers, gathering berries, getting honey and their preposition. Their hypothesis was we should compare the energy expenditure with these people who were moving around constantly with desk workers as sedentary desk workers here in America. And boy, are we going to find a big difference? Dr. Steven Gundry: Well, lo and behold, they found that the energy expenditure of these walk unhealthy Hodges was exactly the same as the energy expenditure of all these people sitting at their desks. And when in research, when we have a hypothesis and the results don't meet the hypothesis, we're actually supposed to throw the hypothesis out, but some of us don't do that. So their conclusion was, well, everybody, no matter what has the exact same level of energy expenditure. And it doesn't matter if you're walking 10 miles a day, or is it an at your desk you're going to expend the same amount of energy now, quite frankly, that doesn't pass the sniff test. And so in my practice, when I would see someone with low energy we would see all these markers of inflammation, such as HS, CRP. Fibrinogen, myeloperoxidase a lot of auto-immune markers. And we would see, and I've actually published papers that as we healed leaky gut, and hopefully we'll get into that, that these markers of inflammation subsided became normal and people's energy return. Dr. Steven Gundry: So what was happening was that when you have inflammation, inflammation takes huge amounts of energy. And you literally have, if you will, the fire of inflammation and we actually take energy away from muscles, we take energy away from the brain to fuel the troops, our immune system, that's producing this inflammation. And what I think these researchers at Duke were actually seeing was the Hahn's was we're using a lot of energy walking around, but they had absolutely no inflammation, but the people sitting at the desk, they were having huge energy expenditures, but it was going towards inflammation. And I think that that's, you know, the huge wake up call that, of course we're exhausted. Of course our brain is foggy. Of course our muscles. We don't want to go do anything because all of our energy is devoted to this fire of inflammation. Wade Lightheart: So to summarize that it would seem that in the case of these Hunter gatherers, they're using up their energy from, you know, living life. Well, the people in the deaths are using up their energy, just trying to, to recover from the damage that they're doing. So they're both expended aging energy. But one's on trying to recover from the, the issues that you're seeing and the other one's just out doing their, doing their day that's, that's a profound statement. And, and which makes me kind of wonder, cause there's a, there's a conundrum that has been presented through science and philosophy. And some people saying that we, you know, you're, you have a certain amount of breaths in you and you are going to die. And the other philosophy says that we can do these things to extend life. And then I heard another researcher by the name of Dr. Wade Lightheart: David Hawkins says, well, the reason that you remember to take your vitamins and minerals is because you are you're divinely, ordained to live to the X numbers a day is not the other way around. What's your take on that whole story. Cause I I'm kind of resigned myself while we can't necessarily, we can't necessarily ensure that we're going to live a long time, but we certainly can make sure that we live a high quality life. What's your iterations on that? Do you think that we can extend our lives or that we can certainly improve the quality of our lives? Dr. Steven Gundry: Yeah, both actually Dave Asprey and I like to have a little ongoing battle. Dave is significantly younger than me and he's playing to live to 180 and I say that one 50 is the new 100. So I, you know, I'm, I'm, I'm going to arrive at one 50 before Dave does and then I'll wait for him. But so, but not to be cute. So the, the original rate of living hypothesis, which you mentioned was actually postulated back in the 1920s and no matter how you define it, you only have so many heartbeats. You, you, that's one of them, you will eventually die from reactive oxygen species destroying your mitochondria and the longevity paradox. There's actually really exciting information that our health span, how many years we're going to live healthy. And our lifespan is directly correlated to the integrity of the wall of our gut. Dr. Steven Gundry: And as long as the integrity of the wall of our gut is intact, then we will continue to do well and live well into our early hundreds at the very least. And that you can predict aging by looking at leaky gut. And certainly that's, that's been shown over and over again. Recently there is a researcher at the NIH where I was also a fellow for many years by the name of Dr. Dachabo and Dr. The Cabo I talk about the Cabo is mice in the energy paradox. And I think his discoveries are really exciting. And answer, answer your question in another way. So there were two so calorie restriction has been proven to extend lifespan in all models, tested from worms to fruit flies, to mice. It's the one Speaker 4: Common element of longevity, right? One commonality. Yes. Correct. Dr. Steven Gundry: And it was tested in rhesus monkeys by two groups of one at the university of Wisconsin and one at the NIH, the national institutes of aging, and they used different diets, but they had a calorie restriction of about 25 to 30%. Now what's interesting is one group, both groups showed that health span was dramatically improved. These monkeys were youngsters, as long as they lived, one group actually showed that the monkeys lived longer in the calorie restriction group. The other group didn't find it. And there's been arguments back and forth why that is I've argued. Other people argued that the one group of monkeys that didn't live very long had more protein in their diet. And so people fight back and forth. The Cabo says, and you know, I got a different idea and it's brilliant. He says, I think when you don't have a lot to eat and your food is set out for you, then you're probably going to eat your food really quickly. Dr. Steven Gundry: And there's going to be a considerable period of time every day, where you're not eating. And I have a feeling, it's the fact that these guys were fasting longer every day, that made the big difference, not the fact that the head limited calories. So he said, I'm going to design an experiment with a bunch of mice, 300, and I'm going to divide them into two competing groups. One's going to get the university of Wisconsin food, the other group's going to get the NIH food. And we're going to have three groups in each set. One's going to eat a full ration every day and we're going to set it out and they're going to eat 24 hours, mice eat mainly at night. The other groups we're going to set out their food at three o'clock in the afternoon. One, group's going to be 25% calorie restricted. Dr. Steven Gundry: And the other group is going to get a full day's ration, but it's going to come late in the afternoon. And we're going to follow these mice low and behold first, all they found that only the mice that got either calorie restricted or the full supply at three o'clock had metabolic flexibility. That means their mitochondria could use glucose as a fuel or free fatty acids as a fuel. They can make the switch back and forth, which is incredibly important. Some people know this as insulin resistance. Some people know this as prediabetes, but metabolic flexibility is incredibly important. The regular all-day munchers in either group had no metabolic flexibility. They couldn't make a switch between burning glucose or fat that's number one, number two, the calorie restricted mice in each group lived about 25% longer, just like all the other experiments. And interestingly enough, it didn't matter whether they were a high protein group or kind of a high fat group and didn't matter. Dr. Steven Gundry: But the most exciting part of the research is the folks who got a full day's ration, but ate at three o'clock in the afternoon. They only ate for about 10 to 12 hours. So the rest of the time they were fasting, they lived 11% longer than the mice that got the full day's ration, but ate all day now for you and I that's a 10 year increase in lifespan. Wow. Wow. And what's really cool. Is the tie the time controlled eating mice, the 3:00 PM feeding mice in either group had no amyloid formation in any of their tissues and amyloid auto strike a little belt you know, that's highly associated with Alzheimer's and cognitive decline. They didn't produce it. So the longest shorter, the takeaway is it's probably not the sorts of foods that you're reading, but it's the timing of the eating and compressing your eating window. That makes all the difference in how you're going to do Wade Lightheart: Amazing. There's a couple of pieces. I think that is really pertinent that we can kind of unpack in that. And that is why that is. And is it because of this leaky gut component and that the, a lot of the damage that is over continuous eating is creating a problem as opposed to the restriction. That would be my suspicion, but can you unpack your definition of leaky gut and why the variance relative? Cause you kind of insinuated that. And I just want to flush that out a little bit deeper for our listeners. Dr. Steven Gundry: Yeah. So if you had asked me 15 years ago, what I thought about leaky gut, I probably would have told you it was pseudoscience. But number one, we have now easily obtained blood blood tests. Thanks dude, Dr. Alessio Fasano. Who's now at Harvard who discovered that lectins. One of my favorite subjects in gluten happens to be a lectin is a major cause of leaky gut. And he showed that you could produce gaps between the cells of our intestines simply by introducing gluten in, into animals and humans. And you could show that this caused inflammation and cause more damage. So Hippocrates twenty-five hundred years ago said all disease begins in the gut and then the guy was right. He didn't have our sophisticated tests. Dr. Fasano was recently published a paper that says that title is all disease begins in a leaky gut. Dr. Steven Gundry: And I absolutely completely agree with him. So leaky gut, and I talk a lot about it in the energy paradox, where it comes from, what we can do. Your listeners should know that the lining of our intestines is only one cell thick and it's the same surface area as a tennis court. So when we're watching the French open or the Wimbleton, it's that surface area inside of us, I mean, huge. And it's only one cell thick. And so it's if you will, a design flaw, it's a good design flaw because we got to absorb everything through that. But these guys are actually held together. I'm old enough to remember a game called red Rover red Rover. I Wade Lightheart: Played that game myself. Yes, it's Dr. Steven Gundry: Now banned from school is today too dangerous. Speaker 5: You believe that? I mean, that's Wade Lightheart: Some of my most fun time is the Rover red Rover sun over and you just Speaker 5: It's right. They hold you back. It was a lot Dr. Steven Gundry: Of fun. It was actually a lot of fun. And of course, you know, there's usually a big guy who pulled his knee up and the girls screamed and it was a lot of fun. Anyhow. So these cells are, are locked arm and arm like red Rover red Rover. And what happens is you can actually break those cross arms and there's a space and gap that occurs and proteins can leak through bacteria, can leak through and actually particles of food that would normally have been digested into smaller particles now leak through. And what's fascinating is 80% of all of our immune cells, our white blood cells line our gut, 80% of them. Why? Because quite frankly, that's where the mischief is going to come through. And so we, you know, when you have leaky gut you, you, you start inflammation and you start these white blood cells you know, using up a huge amount of energy. Dr. Steven Gundry: And the other scary thing we now know is is that if you have leaky gut, your immune cells in your gut, send a message up to your brain that, Hey guys, some bad actors are loose and you better protect yourselves. And there's a bunch of body guards in our brain called microglial cells. They are literally the, the secret service agents of our neurons. And they actually begin creating inflammation in the brain, getting ready for these attackers that they think are coming. And sadly, we now know that if you have leaky gut, you probably have leaky brain and we can measure leaky brain on blood test. So, you know, it's no wonder that. I mean, I see, I see young women in their twenties who have brain fog now, you know, and it's one thing, you know, to say, okay, he's 80 years old. And you know, he doesn't remember things very well or, eh, that's one thing about a 25 year old with brain fog. You know, it's like, Holy cow, what's what's going on here. And so when we look at these individuals and you know, kind of all their regular tests at the doctor's office are fine and people go, it's all in your head. Well, guess what it is in your head. Because you've got leaky brain and you've got neuroinflammation and I write about this and the energy paradox and how it's connected. Wade Lightheart: This is a powerful statement because we see so many people struggling with cognitive capabilities. There's a lot of evidence of cognitive load and then sitting in a sedentary lifestyle, staring into computer screens and, and the inflammatory response. But we can go into this leaky gut. And I believe there was a paper just recently released out of Harvard that says, suggested that virtually everybody has a certain percentage of leaky gut. Yeah. That's just paper. Yeah. So what causes leaky gut? I guess so. And, and how might someone avoid or minimize leaky gut? Cause that would be the first thing. Like I think it was Susan powder said one day, stop the insanity. So like how do we first and foremost stop the damage. Dr. Steven Gundry: Yeah. So that's a great question. And so I talk about in the energy paradox, the seven energy disruptors, and one of the things, first thing people ought to know is you the idea that eating an anti-inflammatory diet or taking anti-inflammatory supplements or throwing some tumor Groot in your smoothie, you and I live in California, and that's the equivalent of fighting one of our forest fires with a garden hose, quite frankly. So what you have to do is stop the insanity. You have to stop the compounds that are actually causing leaky gut. So I've devoted my current career into teaching people about lectins in foods. And these are plant proteins that Dr. Fasano has proven cause leaky gut and gluten happens to be one of those compounds. There is a similar compound in oats that reacts cross reacts with gluten, about 70% of my patients who are gluten sensitive, react to the proteins in corn with this same reaction the nightshade family, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants potatoes are part of these culprits peanuts and cashews have some really nasty electrons. Dr. Steven Gundry: So we get these things out of people's diets. Number two, probably equally as important is broad spectrum antibiotics. A broad spectrum antibiotics are not only used by us and given to us like candy by well-meaning physicians, but they're given to almost all of our animals and animal feedlots. And those antibiotic residuals are in the meats that we eat and they antibiotics. We didn't realize kill off our microbiome. And my, the microbiome in and of itself is actually our first defense against leaky gut. And we now know that the microbiome actually eats some of these troublemaking lectins, but probably equally importantly, they actually tell our immune system that, Hey, we've got you covered, we've got the bad actors. They're going to meet us first. And you guys, if you're cops go have a cigarette and a donut, and we've got this and our immune system actually calms down and I've published in papers of once we seal leaky gut, we've had about 90% of people, their immune system no longer reacts to, for instance, gluten it doesn't, it's not interested in it anymore. Dr. Steven Gundry: So we can really retrain that. So antibiotics are way up there. Glyphosate Roundup was patented as an antibiotic. It was not patented as a weed killer and glyphosate in and of itself will destroy our microbiome. But even more scary, glyphosate has been shown by itself to cause leaky gut and glyphosate is everywhere. It used to be used on GMO crops, but now glyphosate is sprayed on almost all conventional crops prior to harvesting, to dry the crop out and make it easier to harvest it's. If you look it's in all of our out products, all of our wheat products, it's in California wines, almost all California wines have glyphosate because it was sprayed on weeds between the fields. So the idea that, you know, we can eat, you know, whole foods and be safe. Glyphosate is everywhere. I recently ran a glyphosate level on a woman who actually owns a farm in Montana and she's glyphosate level is one of the highest I've ever seen. And she, and I said, you know, you know, you've been exposed to glyphosate. Oh, she said, Oh yeah, you know, we, we Speaker 3: Not only sprayed on the fields, you know, we carry it on our backs. Dr. Steven Gundry: You know, we we'll spray anything with Clive say it's harmless and I'm going maybe we ought to rethink that. Yeah. Wow. The other thing that's really important to realize is that non-steroidal, anti-inflammatories, INSEAD's like ibuprofen Aleve, Advil are absolute swallowing, a hand grenade in terms of causing holes to appear in the lining of your intestines. And I'm not just saying that out of conjecture, it turns out that the drug companies, when these were introduced back in the 1970s, new, this there's published papers about it. In fact, these were considered so dangerous that they were prescription only, and you could only take them for two weeks because they were so dangerous because of it. And now of course, you know, people chew them like candy. We have, you know, children's Advil and just one of these things will create craters in the lining of your gut. And we just, again take them like candy. Wade Lightheart: Wow. So it's safe to say that anybody listening to this podcast would have a certain amount of damage to some varying degree. Correct. Is there and epigenetic sensitivity, like in other words, some people are more sensitive to other foods and others, and then the other thing that I would come to would be how do we determine that for an individual diet? And then the third piece would be, how do we repair set damage? Yeah. So Dr. Steven Gundry: About 80% of my practice now is auto-immune diseases where people kind of what kind of been all over the country or world looking for help. And they end up in my clinic and we have a, Wade Lightheart: Well, your definition of an auto-immune disease. How would you classify it? Dr. Steven Gundry: So I mean, right now, the kind of standard autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, erythemia ptosis Sjogren's syndrome, dry eye, dry mouth Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis. But we're beginning to realize that simple things like coronary artery disease may absolutely be an autoimmune disease, simple things like plain old arthritis may be an autoimmune disease and the better and more sophisticated the tests we have of how the immune system attacks proteins that are native to us. I'm convinced that we'll probably realize that Apocrypha is, was right, that all diseases beginning of the gut, including all, all of these quote, natural processes of aging. So I publish a paper that 94% of people who follow the plant paradox program have remission of their autoimmune disease within a year. And that's, that's kind of held the course. We it's the rare person that we can't get rid of their autoimmune disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis Kelly Clarkson is the most dramatic example. She never met me. I've met her subsequently, but she never met me. Somebody gave her the plant paradox book. She had Hashimoto's thyroiditis was on thyroid medication and she followed the book, Russia motos resolved. She lost 36 pounds. She got off of her medication and that's a very typical story Wade Lightheart: And very impressive. So you're saying just from the dietary changes by stopping the inflammatory agents, correct. Body will naturally repair it. Is there any ways of accelerating that process or timelines? Cause you're looking at, I mean, we're dealing with severe auto immune disease. That's obviously the farthest end of the spectrum. Correct. however, well, so I hate that word, but yeah. So there is, there's Dr. Steven Gundry: Clearly a genetic tendency to an auto immune disease. It's not as strong as most people think it can absolutely be overcome. So you're not, you know, you're not going to be a lifelong, Oh, you know, this is something I'm going to have to take this immunosuppressive drug that I use for our transplants, you know, to, to treat the heartbreak of psoriasis. You know, whenever I see these patients and I see them all the time on these immunosuppressant drugs, you know first thing I do is I, I say, I didn't put a heart transplant in you. I didn't put a kidney transplant in you. What are you doing on a transplant drug? And they go, what are you talking about? I said, these are transplant drugs. They're they tell your immune system to, you know, go away. And why do you want your immune system to go away? What you want to do is retrain your immune system to not get so crazy. Let me, let me give you an example that I use in the book. 95% of us are born with an immunoglobulin, a preformed antibody to the peanut lectin. So 95% of us are born with that. It's genetic. And yet when I was growing up and I suspect when you were growing up, nobody had a peanut allergy. I mean, we had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at people are eating peanuts Wade Lightheart: On airplane. I roasted planters, peanuts, all that sort of eat that stuff like it's candy and Dr. Steven Gundry: Nobody was carrying epi pins to school. Right, right. Now we literally kids are carrying epi pens to school. And if there's peanut dust in the air somewhere, some kid's going to have an anaphylactic shock. What happened well long ago before broad spectrum antibiotics before all of this crazy foods that we've been eating, we had a great microbiome. We had no leaky gut. And now of course our immune system is on high alert, 24 hours a day. And they see an innocent little peanut antigen and they go, Oh my gosh, you know, we've got an antibody against that, you know, attack. And so what was an innocent little problem now has become this life-threatening condition all because our microbiome is changed. Our leaky gut is changed and our immune system is on hyper alert. And the COVID cytokine storm is the perfect example of that. The people who got into trouble are the people who had pre-existing conditions and those pre-existing conditions, even like hypertension like diabetes, we now know underlies leaky gut, and that's just a sign of leaky gut, Wade Lightheart: Very clear and succinct. So I want to kind of go to your statement earlier, which is one 50 is the new Hunter and then con kind of cross correlating it with this story of leaky gut and then I guess, restricted eating. So how, how have you postulated based on your experience in your research, how we could potentially extend our life, essentially, you're saying 50% from the upper ceiling potentially. And even if it's some derivative of that, I think that's great. And especially if it's a high quality existence, I think that's better. So based on all this, I would love to see how you've postulated this process or this theory. And then what are the mechanics that people can engage in to kind of move towards that direction? Dr. Steven Gundry: A great question. It turns out I'm just this week putting to bed, my next book, which is actually addressing your question and it doesn't even have a title yet. We're still debating the title. It turns out that with each, with each book, the longevity paradox really prompted my interest in, you know, keeping the wall of the in TAC. And one of the things that I really delve into in the energy paradox is one of the ways of keeping that wall intact is to the, and you alluded to it the less time we spend digesting the less work that our intestinal track has to do the less exposure to potential mischievous foods that our intestinal tract has to deal with. Then the less damage to the intestinal track period and the longer we have for the gut wall to actually rest the longer it has to repair itself. Dr. Steven Gundry: So, and I, I think Cabo, you know, prove that one of the other things that I alluded to in the energy paradox, which I think is very exciting is an Italian athletes study a battalion cyclists. And the purpose of the study was to actually look at time controlled, eating time, restricted eating. So they took these athletes and they gave them the exact same food to eat, and they divided them into two groups. They, one group had to eat all their food within a 12 hour time span. They ate breakfast eight o'clock in the morning. They had lunch at one o'clock in the afternoon, and they had finished dinner by eight o'clock, 12 hour eating span. The other group had breakfast break fast at one o'clock in the afternoon, they had lunch at four o'clock in the afternoon, and then they had to finish dinner by eight o'clock. Dr. Steven Gundry: So about a seven hour eating window, about a 17 hour fasting window. So what they found was both athletes had identical performance. They had identical muscle mass, the athletes that constricted their eating window lost weight. The other group did not lose any weight and the most exciting thing. There's a marker. The best marker we have of aging is insulin like growth factor IGF one. And it's, it's a good stand in for how activated or inactivated M Torres the memory only on target of rapamycin. And by the way, back in the dark ages, we researched rapamycin in transplant. And that's actually how we found this correlation, but, that's another story. So these guys, the guys who limited their eating window, their IGF one plummeted by like 50 points, which is dramatic. So the exciting thing, and it's very much like to Cabo said, look, you eat, you can eat a lot of food, but if you compress that time period all sorts of really cool things happen and the new book that's, it's not out yet, it'll be out March of 2022. We'll show you why that happened. And if I told you now, you know, I'd have to kill you. Wade Lightheart: That's great. We'll get you back and specific to that. Now, one of the interesting things, and I'm just going to counter that in an aspect for what I would say, longevity eating versus say the cosmetic in a fitness industry, which if you look at say a fitness competitors, bodybuilders people, fitness enthusiasts, oftentimes they're breaking up their dietary meals over say somewhere between four and six meals a day over an extended period of time, small little mini meals to kind of string out their stable, their blood sugar, keep their caloric restriction down to hit a cosmetic goal. However, would you say that may be counteractive to living longer? Yes. Got it. Okay. Parent now is caloric restriction as good for getting into your cosmetic ideal conditioning. So, so what I'm trying to balance is people's desire to look a certain way versus be a certain way. Long-Term. How have you looked into that? Or is that just like, yeah, I, Dr. Steven Gundry: I still, I mean, calorie restriction is still, you know, the number way to extend lifespan, right? The problem is it's, it's nearly impossible to pull off for an extended period of time. There is the calorie restriction society of America and there's been there is, that's funny, of course. Yeah. And they've been extensively studied by St. Louis university. And I'll give you a actually initially thing I've talked about in the longevity paradox. So they got these guys who are calorie restricted, and they asked them to go on a V vegan calorie, restricted diets, same calories, but just eliminate all animal protein. And interestingly enough, they looked at IGF one and low and behold when they went from a calorie restricted diet that included protein to eliminating animal protein, their IGF ones dropped quite dramatically. So I think there's more here than just restricting calories. Dr. Steven Gundry: I think there's a lot of acid tricks that you can use to fool Lam tore sensors. And I write about that in the longevity paradox. There, you know, if there's a trick, I think I know it, but I'm always discovering a new trick thanks to my patients. So, but for instance, you can take pigs and put them on a [inaudible] restricted diet with signing is much more prevalent in animal proteins than plant proteins. And these pigs eating the same amount of calories on a marathon running restricted diet will live about 50% longer than pigs that aren't on a methoding restricted diet. So there's lots of ways to skin a cat. Wade Lightheart: Right. I want to kind of go back to original topic that we opened up in never kind of flushed out. And that is the mitochondrial rush hour that about, can you talk a little bit about what that is and what your most latest research is discovering? Yeah. Dr. Steven Gundry: So mitochondria are the energy producing organelles in almost all of ourselves. They're not in red blood cells, but that's another story. And these guys have the job of taking either glucose or amino acids or free fatty acids and converting them into our energy currency, ATP, adenosine triphosphate, and they're actually pretty doggone good at taking any one of these substances and running it down the electron transport chain and arriving at ATP. And they're good at taking one thing at a time, and they're not really good at having sugars, proteins and fats converge simultaneously to be made into energy. Now, why is that? Because way back when our, our grandparents not only ate a whole food diet, but they actually ate food whole and there's a, there's actually a very subtle distinction or maybe a very important distinction that w they, for instance they might have a sweet potato, but they didn't have sweet potato chips. Dr. Steven Gundry: And they certainly didn't have sweet potato pasta. So big, old sweet potato takes a considerable period of time for our digestive enzymes to break it down into sugars. And a lot of it is a resistance starch, which we can't even break down anyhow. And our gut microbiome gets the leftovers and they say, thank you. Same thing. When Choate into a steak, it took a huge amount of time to break the steak into individual amino acids that could be absorbed. And the same thing with fat fat actually has to be absorbed not directly into the bloodstream. It actually is absorbed into the lymph system, and then it takes a Securitas route around the body. But now thanks to process food and ultra processed food. We've got, you know, individual sugar molecules, individual amino acids, and finally refined fatty acids, all combined into this incredibly wonderful energy bar or protein powder, or you name the silliness, and we eat it for energy. Dr. Steven Gundry: But the problem is now all of these energy producing compounds, which would have arrived very slowly, glucose would have arrived first after that amino acids hours afterwards would arrive later and fats way after that. Now all of these guys, it's like living in LA and you're in Venice. You got rush hour on the four Oh five, 16 hours a day. And the average American is a doctor at the sock Institute and outside of San Diego. They've shown that the average American now is eating 16 hours a day, and they're doing these little snacks of, of energy foods, right? And it is rush hour in our mitochondria. And it's literally, no, it's no wonder that we actually, our energy production goes down. It is a traffic jam, Wade Lightheart: Powerful statement. And so in combination to eating you know, a variety of these foods, which is creating leaky gut, you're getting an auto-immune response. You're eating too long. You're overloading the mitochondria as you're delivering all of these energy sources simultaneously. The combination of all these leagues is essentially leading to people and our quote unquote millennial person, not up for it. Dr. Steven Gundry: Yeah. And you know, one of the things that interesting millennials are actually the first generation that have been exposed to all of these things simultaneously, right? They've been exposed to processed foods. They've been exposed to antibiotics throughout their lives. They've been exposed to glyphosate for their entire lives. And they're really the first full generation that has been bummed Barden with 365 days of root. And I, I talk about this and I get a lot of grief about it. Fruit, fruit dose is one of the best energy disruptors ever invented. Fructose is a toxin. It's a mitochondrial toxin. It actually prevents ATP generation. And I detailed this in the book and long ago we ate fruit in the summer and early fall to gain weight for the winter. In fact, there are huge textbooks showing that great apes only gain weight during fruit season and believe it or not fruit only ripens once, once a year in the jungle. Dr. Steven Gundry: And they do that because winter and spring is diamond less root. And, you know, but to have a little fat on board, but now our fruits have been hybridized for sugar content. For instance, an Apple has more fructose than a full-sized Hershey's candy bar. There's more fructose in a cup of grapes than a full-sized Hershey's candy bar. And I can tell you what I'd probably rather have but I'm not going to here. And so, as I show in the book fruit dose is it's so dangerous that it's taken directly to the liver, do not pass, go do not collect $200 instead of going into the bloodstream and the liver detoxifies fructose, and to try glycerides, which is the first form of fat from sugar and uric acid, uric acid is what causes gout. And there's a brand new papers showing that uric acid is one of the best producers of metabolic syndrome. Dr. Steven Gundry: And that fruit dose is the best producer of fatty liver. And we now have this incredible epidemic of fatty liver, and everybody's going well, where'd that come from? Well, it came from, you know, we've got fruit toasts on everything now and not just high fructose corn syrup. I mean, fruits movies are just this modern, crazy invention that didn't exist and fruit juices you know, the millennials were really kind of first second generation to be exposed to fruit. Juices is healthy. And I tell my patients, look, if you think juices healthy, let's go down to the San Diego zoo or the LA zoo and look on all occasions. You're not going to find a juicer Wade Lightheart: Beautifully said. So what is a day in the life look like for you from, from, from a dietary practice that would lead you to what you are gunning for 150 year old age. W how, how does that look? How have you maybe adapted your diet over time and are following it today? I think that people would be very, Dr. Steven Gundry: Yeah, so as far as I know, and I, and anybody can correct me, nobody has yet, I'm the first person to write about intermittent fasting as a dietary practice. And I wrote about it in my first book, Dr. Gundry's diet evolution, which was written back in 2006 long before anybody ever talked about this. And I'll, I'll tell you a humorous story. Cause I love repeating it, my editor at the time what was it, random house. And I had an entire chapter on intermittent fasting, time, restricted eating. And at that time I was practicing since the year, 1999 during the winter from January through June during the week, I was consuming all of my calories in a two hour window, a it's now called an OMAD diet one mil one meal a day. And I would do that from January to June. And I was doing that because I was attempting to emulate what our ancestors probably did. Dr. Steven Gundry: There wasn't a lot of food in the winter. And then in the summer, I went back to my usual practice of eating two meals a day. So I've been doing that now for 21 years, 22 years now. And so I had all of the research why time restricted feeding is so important. Why does all of these benefits? And my editor, Heather Jackson said, this is you're crazy enough. This is too crazy. We're cutting it. I said, no, no, no, no, don't do this. You'll regret it. You know, this is really, really important. She said, all right, I'll give you two pages to make your case. And you can actually find the two pages. And so I ran into her at a mind body green symposium that I was talking at pre COVID and she was there in the audience. You, she comes running up to me. Dr. Steven Gundry: She said, you know, congratulations on all your success. And she says, I have apology to make. She said, I, I told you to cut all that out about intermittent fasting. She said, I should have realized you were so far Ida, your time. She said, will you accept my apology? And I said, yeah, but it still burns on me. So, yeah. So I've been living that now for over 20 years and every year I do, I do that. We'll find out you know, Jack, the lane, I got to know late in his life. He, as far as I'm concerned is the godfather of fitness and is not out, I'll fight anybody to the death that says otherwise, but anyhow, remarkable individual. Yeah, he really was. And I got to pick his brain and you know, he used to have this expression of it tastes good, spit it out. Dr. Steven Gundry: And you know, actually all my, all my people who advise me say, please, don't say that, you know, you'll, you'll make people think that eating the way you want them to eat, tastes bad. And I said, no, no, no. He actually, he wasn't actually saying that he was saying that we should be eating for our microbiome and not for this dumb two by three inch piece of muscle. And long before anybody knew about the microbiome. And quite frankly, a lot of vegetables that are really good for you are bitter. And one of my first expressions in the Dr Gundry's diet evolution is more bitter, more better. And, you know, you look at long lived societies and these bitter compounds, which I talk a lot about in the upcoming book, and I've talked in the past. These poly phenol compounds may really hold a lot of secrets to health span and longevity. Wade Lightheart: It's a big aspect of are you Vedic medicine and talking about getting the five different palatable palpable foods on your plate. And bitter and pungent are two particular food groups, which is largely in part avoided in Western cuisine which is very common in Asian cuisine, which is very interesting. I traveled both places and you know, they, you know, you were focused on salt and sugar essentially. That's, that's the two things, right? Why do you suppose that? Is, is there is there is there a natural aspect of consumption, airy increase in consumption from salt and server is salt and sweet tasting foods as opposed to bitter or pungent? Well, it's interesting. Dr. Steven Gundry: You know, the, the original spice trade in the middle ages was actually devoted to very pungent and bitter spices. And people would pay, you know, huge amounts of money for them. They were a drug, but then that was when, when the new world was discovered and sugar which was a super expensive drug, became a cheap drug then sugar in Western society because of its cheapness rapidly replaced these spices as the drug of choice and, you know, any, any white powder is a drug. We've learned, we've learned that by now. And, you know, you, you take, and again, this gets back, cassava is a rude is actually pretty doggone good for you. It's got a lot of benefits, but if you grind it up into a cassava flour and then you start baking with it, I still see people not realizing that now it's all white powder and just be careful of white powders. Wade Lightheart: So in your own dietary practice now are you, are you cognizant of how many calories or are you cognizant of what type of foods you just eat until you're full? How does that, how does that work for you? Dr. Steven Gundry: So I'll give you a, one of an exciting examples from the energy paradox. There's, there's always been research about, you know, where does hunger come from? And the original research was looking at stretch receptors in the stomach, and there was some really cool, fun stuff of having women and men swallow a balloon with a little tube attached to it. And you'd, you'd blow up the balloon until, you know, somebody cried uncle and the women, when the balloon would get to about the size of an Apple they go, Oh, that's uncomfortable, stop guys. You could blow the balloon up to a basketball and the, Oh yeah. It has great. Yeah, love it. So, so that was kind of the gut stretch there. And then as sophisticated blood kind, cadets came along, you could find gut hormones that would, you know, decrease or increase the entirety and then left and came into Vogue, the anti hunger hormone, and then grow and was discovered, which was the hunger hormone. Dr. Steven Gundry: And that kind of one was where things stop CCK was discovered. And so there was some Chinese researchers that said, you know we're now discovering the microbiome and I'll bet you the microbiome and its needs controls hunger became the gut centric theory of hunger. So they took people and put them on a seven or 14 day water fast, but they gave them a hundred calories per day of prebiotic fiber. We can't adjust prebiotic fiber, but our gut bacteria, that's what they live on. And they found that even with a 14 day fast, these volunteers had no hunger, as long as they were given the prebiotic fiber. The people who weren't given prebiotic fiber were hungry as the Dickens for a few days, and then that subsided. But the point of all that is I've been telling my patients for years and years, just like Jack Lane said, if you eat for them, your microbiome, they will take care of you. Dr. Steven Gundry: And they will direct literally everything that happens to you in including your tastes for foods. It shocked me early on when my meat and potato guys, after a few weeks of me forcing them to eat salads and vegetables, they'll come back in a couple of months and you know, this is weird. I don't know what's happening to me. I crave salads. I used to hate salads. What's happening to me. I can't go a day without, you know, a salad on your area, ready to kill to get a salad. I said this because your brain has been taken over by these good gut bugs and they're commanding you to give them what they need to eat. And it's really funny. It Wade Lightheart: Is. It's really great. Do you make any focus on particular types of essential fatty acids or these types of things? Because that's a, that's a big debate out there in the world. How much saturated fats are omega-3 is a mega six, is all this sort of stuff. Do you put any attention on that in society, your own diets or your dietary? Yeah. Yeah. Speaker 3: So when we measure Dr. Steven Gundry: The omega-3 index, which looks at about a two month consumption of DHA and EPA, the long chain omega-3 fats, most people are profoundly deficient in them as they're right in the energy paradox. And in the longevity paradox that if you look at people who have the highest Omega three levels by the omega-3 index, as they age, they have their biggest brains and they have the biggest memory centers, the hippocampus compared to people who have the lowest omega-3 index, they have the most shrunken brains and the smallest areas of memory. There's also some beautiful work out of Japan that shows the same thing is true of a rack hedonic acid, that evil Omega six fat, that everybody, you know, tars and feathers as the ultimate Omega inflammatory fatty acid. In fact the Japanese research shows that people who have the highest levels of arachidonic acid also have the biggest brains and a Texas university study showed that forcing athletes to take or economic assets supplements actually reduce their levels of inflammation. Dr. Steven Gundry: Now people go, no, no, no, that can't be, so your brain is about 70% fat. And half of the fat is DHA. The long chain omega-3 fat, the other fat is arachidonic acid folks. And so we have, you know, a chain trying to take short chain omega-3 fats and make them long chain Omega three and Omega six fats. Most of us in our modern diet are way overloaded with short chain, Omega six fats, like little Lake mental Lake acid. And most of us don't get any long chain omega-3 fats. And where this mechanism for building omega-3 fats long chain have been hijacked by all of these short chain, Omega six fats, trying to move up the totem pole. So number one, don't be afraid of our academic acid have yourself some egg yolks. It's a great source of our academic acid have yourself some shellfish. It's a great source of omega-3 and Omega six fats. And in the new book, I'm going to talk about odd chain saturated fats that probably most people have never heard of. And I won't take the time to go in to it today. Sweet. We Wade Lightheart: Got we'll, we'll set that up for a future discussion in this book, the energy paradox, and I'm going to suggest everybody pick up a copy. We'll put some components in the show notes. What is your hope that people take away from this? And what would you like to see happen as an overall implementation? Cause obviously you've dedicated your life to, you know, helping people live healthier, live longer and have a longer or a healthier life with the age that they have. And you've outlined some beautiful things here. What, what's the takeaway that you want for people in regards to this? And Dr. Steven Gundry: Well, like Arianna Huffington said in the introduction, what I want you to know is that fatigue is not your fate. And I think so many of us in our modern lifestyle have just accepted that, you know, that fatigue and exhaustion and pushing through it is, is something that we just have to do. It's part and parcel of our modern, crazy, hectic lifestyle. And that's, you know, that's not true. You know, I've chased Sardinian 90 year old, Sardinian goat, herders up a Hill. And you know, I can't even keep up with these guys. And it's like, w anybody told you, you ought to be sitting in a rocking chair. You know, I've got I've got a 95 year old gentleman from LA who carries the Alzheimer's gene is 97. I think he just turned 98. He runs his company. He has three daughters who will not let him retire good thinking because he's so good at it. Dr. Steven Gundry: And you know, and he doesn't want to retire and he's 90, 98 now. It's like, that's what I want for us. That's, you know, you look at these elders in the blue zones that I visited and I lived in the only blue zone in the United States Loma Linda for much of my career. You know, these, these are healthy, old people, you know, they're my oldest patient, Edith marae, who I dedicated the longevity paradox. She died in her sleep two weeks before 106 birthday. And she would walk into my office. There's a picture of the longevity paradox in two inch high heels at 105. I kid you not with the most beautiful, full head of hair. And that's what I want for all of us. And, you know, and it's possible. Wade Lightheart: You know, I had the good fortune of when I was a young boy. I met a fellow in our church by the name of Mr. Harvey Rogers, who was 106 years old at the time. And I was six and he was, we were literally a hundred years apart and I just wanted to sit next to him too, because I would imagine, wow, what an amazing thing. And I had an extended good fortune that three I had in my little street Fairview Avenue in Hillsborough, new Brunswick. There's been three centurions within a Stone's throw of my existence. One who's living today at 103 years old. And my mom takes care of her some of her activities and she's still out today. She doesn't have very good use of her legs, but she's out and she'll drag herself around and work on her fence. Wade Lightheart: And she chops her like she carries her own wood into the furnace. And I think this version that you get to a certain age and suddenly you're done, and we're just going to put you in an easy chair and you sit back and, and that's it. And now you live the good life is maybe the most damaging myth of our society. And I think more than anything else, people such as yourself who have dedicated your life into the service of others, but are living examples of what our younger generation needs to embrace and understand, because it's been my observation that people senior to myself are living a higher quality life, even though many people would think that all of they're an old timer or they don't know what they're talking about. They're not as digitally adapt or they're not this or that. And none of that is, is legitimate or true. And the fact that we can live a long, robust life any final words and where people can get ahold of you find out about your information, your clinics, your next upcoming books out, please be, let it loose for everybody to find you, this has been a remarkable interview and I want people to die. Speaker 3: So, you know, just personally, I'm Dr. Steven Gundry: I'm 71 years old now I work seven days a week. I see patients six days a week in my two clinics on Fridays, I'm at my supplement company, Gundry MD. So I literally, you know, I, you know, I should be retired, but you know, I'm like a kid in a candy store. So at 71, you know, if I can work seven days a week and enjoy it there's hope my great grandmother who I live nearby, lived in a three-story house and she raised all her kids and she had her bedroom on the third floor of this three-story house. And my sister and I, we, you know, we'd go over there and we'd visit her quite a bit. She actually cared for one of my spinster aunts, and she always, you know, walked up to her bedroom on the third floor several times a day. Dr. Steven Gundry: And my sister and I would go, you know, grandma, what are you doing that for? Why don't you move your bed down to the first floor, looking back, you know, what a genius, you know, she's, you know, she's like all, all the blue zones actually live in hilly communities. And, you know, my grandmother was walking up and down stairs and she died two months before her hundredth birthday. So she was, you know, doing the right thing. So it's never too late to make a change. I can assure everybody so you can find me. You can get my book, wherever books are sold. Please go to your local bookseller. They've been really hurting from COVID and can use your help. You can find me at Dr. Gundry.Com. You can find me at Gundry MD, my supplement and food company find me at the Dr. Gundry podcast, wherever you get your podcasts. We're now part of podcast one. So we're really excited about that. And I got two YouTube channels, Instagram, Twitter. And if I hopefully don't, I mean, hopefully I show up on your emails every morning and sign up for my daily email@gundrymd.com. Wade Lightheart: Well, this has been a real joy and a real pleasure. You've communicated this information in such an eloquent way. I really appreciate you taking the time for joining us today on the awesome health podcast. I wish you the best of the success. And please let us know when the new book is out as well. Cause I'd love to get back and uncork some of these new discoveries, obviously you're ahead of the curve on a lot of things and we'll continue to follow in tractor career. Dr. Steven Gundry: Very good. Yeah. each new book is actually comes out of some crazy thing. I discover in writing the current book or something that, you know, in researching my patients over the last few years, you know, just pops out and go, Holy cow, this is why this is happening. And there you go. It's so Wade Lightheart: Exciting to to be and discovering all these new things. And it's really great that you're doing so. So for all our listeners that there you have a Dr. Steven Gundry and all his wisdom, please check out his new book, the energy paradox, all of his sites and information to stay up to date on the latest and breaking news. Thanks so much for joining us today. Really appreciate you on this episode. Take care. Appreciate it.

The solution to your protein powder dilemma is here. 

Every fitness buff enjoys a good protein shake. They are simple to make and convenient for people on the go. 

Unfortunately, most protein shakes include a downside, depending on which diet you follow: vegans avoid powders with whey in the ingredients so that rules out a bunch of options for them. Meanwhile, keto lovers often end up with digestive issues from inferior quality whey in the protein powders. Many people, including some keto followers, have a sensitivity to whey or dairy ingredients. Hence, a whey protein powder causes them to have explosive diarrhea, stomach cramps, and other unpleasant issues. 

Whey is not the only problem. The protein powder industry is a minefield of questionable, troublesome ingredients - from sweeteners to emulsifiers - preservatives, sugars, plant sources, caffeine (or other stimulants), how the powder is processed - there are so many traps out there from product to product. 

This is why the founders of Bioptimizers - Wade Lightheart and Matt Gallant - decided to go “all in” to bring to the market a protein powder like no other. 

In this episode, you will get a sneak peek at the formation of this tasty, potent protein powder that is a perfect fit for vegans - wait till you hear what’s in Protein Breakthrough! And keto lovers dealing with intestinal overload, bloating, distended stomach, and other digestive issues will be blown away by the ingredients, including the incredible source of chocolate in the shake that is super healthy and satisfies your sweet tooth. 

Wade & Matt are leaders in the supplemental space, and each has an impressive resume in the health and fitness field. Wade is a former bodybuilder who competed in the Mr. Universe competition. He has been a vegan bodybuilder now for twenty years. Matt has a degree in kinesiology. He is a strength and conditioning coach and a serial entrepreneur who built 13 companies in 20 years. 

 

In this podcast, we cover

 

• Wade’s 20-year “dark journey” to find the perfect protein powder recipe

 

 

• Wade’s story - from bodybuilding champion to “a bag of crap” who then became vegan and rose back up to successful fitness entrepreneur  

 

 

• Wade’s dietary history and Matt’s dietary history

 

 

• Why both Matt and Wade can’t wait for Protein Breakthrough

 

 

• The potent protein power of hemp seeds

 

 

• Why pumpkin seeds make a fantastic ingredient for this protein powder

 

 

• Why a diet low in enzymes is highly detrimental to your health

 

 

• The extraordinary quality of chocolate in Protein Breakthrough

 

 

• The food science behind the emulsifiers in this new protein powder

 

• How Matt picked the perfect sweetener for Protein Breakthrough

 

 

 

Why Wade’s Mission is to Help People Overcome Poor Digestion

For Wade to become a three-time Canadian national Bodybuilding Champion and competitor for Mr. Universe required some severe self-discipline. Wade had that in spades. 

But what Wade didn’t have back in those days was knowledge about digestion. He was eating a lacto-vegetarian diet. That was fine. Whey protein shakes became a big part of his training routine and required for him to build muscle mass naturally.

As Wade was slamming back a ton of whey, the problem was his digestive capabilities were limited in processing all of that whey protein. He hoped that the whey would aid in his workout recovery. Instead, all that whey protein was creating “a sickly layer of black, dark, rotting sludge” building upon his intestinal walls. He didn’t realize that his protein shake of choice was feeding the “bad bacteria” in his gut, where they multiplied and caused him so much trouble, he became “a marshmallow man.” Wade suffered from brain fog as his leaky gut allowed the sludge to enter his bloodstream. 

After his Mr. Universe competition, Wade gained 42 pounds of fat and water. This drastic drop in fitness slammed him psychologically. 

Wade knows how practical and life-changing a protein powder can be. Now, he is off-the-charts excited about what Protein Breakthrough offers those who need high-quality, meatless protein. 

Matt Says this “beautiful” ingredient is arguably the closest food to “perfection”…

During this revealing conversation, Matt recalls Wade’s introduction to hemp protein.  This was a game-changer for Wade as a bodybuilder. 

Back then, Vancouver, Canada, was an early hotbed for hemp. Wade also personally knew one of the “godfathers” of hemp protein - the machine’s creator that broke down those tiny hemp seeds into a powder. 

Wade suddenly noticed he got more robust as an early adopter and had faster workout recoveries after using hemp protein powder. Wade was so impressed with the results, he and Matt began sharing this discovery with the athletes they were training - 15,000 worldwide - over the next four years. 

Wade did not care at the time how poorly hemp seeds tasted back in those days. Fortunately, hemp processing has come a long way, along with the food science that now enables hemp seed protein to taste fantastic. 

All the other ingredients in the mix together are what make Protein Breakthrough so tasty. You don’t have to swallow something that tastes like dirt anymore to get optimized results. This isn’t the early 2000s. 

Protein Breakthrough is a genuinely cutting-edge product that Wade has been searching for for 20 years to find. As a vegan bodybuilder, he dreamed that advances in food technology and food science would one day create a “holy grail” protein powder that vegans would love to drink! Not just tolerate. 

The time has come.

Wade’s “dark journey” is finally over.  

“I feel like the guy that was searching for Shangri-La - he’s lost in the wilderness and has all these crazy adventures, and then he finally stumbles into the enchanted canyon and finds it [paradise].”  

Listening to Matt and Wade passionately share from their heart is a lot of fun. Tune in, and you will quickly notice how genuine their enthusiasm is for Protein Breakthrough. Finally! A protein powder that vegans and keto lovers can both enjoy. Athletes are going to love this. Kids will request it as a snack. Mothers will be able to trust that it's healthy. Athletes and vegetarians are going to flock to this product. And meat-eaters will throw away their whey Frankenstein shakes and embrace something truly delicious.

Tune in, save money, feel better, get stronger - this episode could change your life.

Episode Resources:
Matt Gallant’s Website: https://mattgallant.tv/
More information about Protein Breakthrough: https://proteinbreakthrough.com

Pregnancy takes two to tango. Infertility is caused by the man half the time. 

In this episode, we dive into the topic of male infertility, as more couples than ever before in recorded history are struggling to have a child. 

Why is this happening? And what can a guy wanting a child do to ensure his genes get passed down to the next generation? 

Statistics show that when a couple cannot have a child, the male has the infertility issue 50 percent of the time. More men are opening up to this topic as the industry loses its stigma.  

Tom Smith is just the right guy to provide us some answers.  

Tom is the CEO and co-founder of Dadi, a cutting-edge male fertility business disrupting the industry. His entrepreneurial pedigree includes the sale of two software startups, and he began his career as a member of Apple’s first iPhone team. 

This Toronto-native has a lot to say about the sperm bank industry - how it stayed stagnant for forty years, and you will be impressed with how Dadi innovations make the male infertility treatments accessible for men while providing affordable sperm storage.    

Male sperm count and health are often an overlooked angle to infertility. With Dadi, you can get tested from the convenience of your home and obtain your results within 24 hours of returning your sample. 

Please don’t be embarrassed by this topic. Tom understands what you're going through. If you know a couple struggling with infertility, be sure to send them this episode.  

 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Why did Tom shift into the male fertility industry and leave the tech industry?
• The factors causing severe drops in male fertility globally
• How Dadi serves men struggling with infertility (business model)
• How to get your sperm count tested (conveniently and comfortably)
• What a guy with a low sperm count can do to raise his fertility
• The latest developments in artificial insemination
• Porn and sex robot influences on male fertility

 

There is no single factor causing male infertility. Multiple elements are converging:

According to Tom, many factors are working together to decrease men’s sperm counts. 

We know that male fertility counts have been in steady decline over the past 40 years. For example, if you are, say, 33 years old today, when your father was 33 years old, he was likely 50 percent more fertile than you are now. 

Partially to blame for this decline in male fertility are environmental factors like toxins, plastics, and chemicals. 

According to Tom, another significant factor is the general health of the male population. Many men today are living “non-active” lifestyles. Also, our diets are much different today, with all the processing and additives, dyes, and chemicals in the food. 

Then, consider how young people are waiting longer to have children, steadily increasing later and later. This means many couples are ready to have a baby when they are past their peak fertility point.  

What is the mission of Dadi? To “normalize the conversation around reproductive health.” 

Tom shares how his company is strategically creating awareness of the male’s part in infertility. Dadi’s industry innovations are a big reason why this topic is spreading. 

For example, the company offers the Dadi kit, which makes it so much easier for men to provide their sperm samples without the awkwardness of going to a clinic and then escorting them to a smaller room where they get asked to masturbate into a cup. Even though the room is private, that process can still be quite uncomfortable for most men. 

So Dadi moved the process to the home thanks to their revolutionary home kit, delivered right to your door. Once your sample is in the cup provided, you push a button that releases a preservative that keeps your sample in a quality condition while returning to Dadi. 

FedEx returns the kit overnight, and you will then receive your fertility report in 24 hours. Your sample gets stored for free for a year. Storage is super helpful for those men going through chemotherapy. 

Whatever your reasons for wanting to keep your sperm frozen for future usage, you certainly can do that through Dadi for just $99 per year.   

Men should be proactive when it comes to their general health and their fertility in particular. There are factors in your environment that try to steal your dream of having a child. Once you know those factors and what to do about them, you become empowered with knowledge. 

Tune in and hear what Tom Smith has to share. Male infertility shouldn’t be a taboo topic. Your dreams of becoming a dad are still possible. Dadi is offering you a chance to get there. All you have to do is walk through their door by tuning in. 

This podcast could be your first step to becoming a father.  

 

Episode Resources:

AHP Listeners get $20 off total order with code: BIOPTIMIZERS20  on Dadi Kit 
Dadi on Facebook
Dadi on Instagram
Tom Smith on LinkedIn

 

In this era of medical misinformation and propaganda, we need a voice of reason.

We found one! 

Our host Wade T. Lightheart was super excited to have Dr. Sanjay Gupta back on the Awesome Health Podcast because Dr. Gupta is one of the most outstanding communicators for sharing medical information with the public. He has a real knack for presenting scientific knowledge in a simple, straightforward style. Dr. Gupta advocates for the public to have free access to reliable, jargon-free health information.

He delivers once again!   

Every time he comes on the show, Dr. Gupta brings level-headed health knowledge, tips, and hacks to help you be healthy and stay healthy. 

He is a cardiologist whose specialty is providing patients with non-invasive cardiology and imaging services. 

This is a timely podcast, as over half the conversation focuses on the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting mRNA vaccines. Wade asks the doctor some good questions about what’s happening out there with the virus and the subsequent vaccines. Dr. Gupta doesn’t flinch - he provides straightforward, transparent, honest answers that do not have any hidden agendas. 

The other half of this conversation focuses on blood pressure. As a cardiologist who believes in prevention, not just reacting to symptoms, Dr. Gupta reveals some fascinating aspects of blood pressure that many lay people don’t know. If you are getting older or deal with blood pressure issues, this information is something you don’t want to miss. 

Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll get...

In this podcast, we cover:

• Dr. Gupta’s experiences during the pandemic
• How to get solid, accurate Covid information and skip the propaganda
• Recommendations from Dr. Gupta on protecting yourself from Covid
• How Dr. Gupta determines if a patient is ready for major surgery
• Is the push for mass vaccinations in the middle of a pandemic a mistake?
• Why everyone needs easy access to accurate medical information
• Fascinating insights about blood pressure you probably haven’t heard
• How to spot heart disease in the eyes and kidneys
• In the context of personal growth, what’s the difference between “stretching” and “growing”? 

We should never have a society where people are afraid to ask questions.

This is Dr. Gupta’s foundational philosophy with his medical practice. His commitment to patiently answering questions for his patients is more robust now as Covid brought new challenges. 

Here’s some more on this from Dr. Gupta: “This is a fundamental problem. It’s clear to me that people are getting sicker. Why? Is it the food? Ingredients in the food? How do we sort out the experiments needed to determine these answers? The problem is this propaganda today. We should never be afraid to ask questions. The answers should be found in properly designed experiments geared to answer our questions.” 

“However, unfortunately, that isn’t allowed to happen because the minute you say something, you get branded anti this or that.” 

“I think the point is simple: you should be able to ask questions. Then you design an experiment that answers important questions.”

“For example: if you have a population of a billion people vaccinated, and then we start seeing things like more chronic fatigue syndrome, or more migraines, or whatever, how do you determine what’s going on? It’s going to be difficult to tease out.” 

Dealing with Covid as a young person vs. an older person

At one point in his conversation with Wade, Dr. Gupta said, “This is why the younger, healthier, more independent will cope fine both with some of the social distancing and social isolation. But the older population, the people who have the most chance of suffering if they get the virus, also struggle more with the mental consequences of being trapped in their house. Suppose a vaccination program offers you some hope that you can get out of the house. For an 80-year-old person, quality of life is more important than the length of life. Most 80 year olds will say they want some quality in my last few years. So why deprive them of that?” 

“That’s why it was important to come up with something like a vaccination program, which gave people hope that they would be okay going out.”

“We won’t know if the vaccines or social isolation and lockdowns are what’s working. How do you tease out whether the effectiveness is from the vaccination or the lockdown as things are opening up? It will be interesting to see what happens.” 

This is so refreshing to listen to a caring doctor who doesn’t like hype or manipulating people. He wants to give you honest facts about Covid and heart disease - not sensationalistic anecdotes. Dr. Gupta keeps it real, and he uses science, level-headedness, and open-mindedness to help people get answers. 

And the talk about blood pressure is eye-opening. For example, if a BP reading happens to be on the higher side, you don’t have to panic. Retake your BP again 30 minutes later. That higher score might be because you’re nervous about seeing the doctor. 

Check out this episode - some Covid clarity and heart health hacks could be good for you! 

 

Episode Resources:

Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s two main websites: drsanjayguptacardiologist.com
Yorkcardiology.co.uk
Episode 55 with Dr. Gupta: Keeping Your Heart Healthy
Sanjay Gupta YouTube Channel
Sanjay Gupta on Facebook
AHP Listeners in UK get 15% off total order with code: DRSANJAY15 on BiOptimizers.co.uk

In the realm of holistic health and spiritual enlightenment, Paul Chek stands out as a seminal figure. His journey from a farm on Vancouver Island to becoming a renowned holistic health practitioner is both fascinating and inspiring. 

With over 40 years of clinical experience and a wealth of knowledge from athletic pursuits, spiritual exploration, and deep introspection, Chek introduces the transformative Spirit Gym series — an odyssey into the realms of mind, body, and spirit.

Journey from Farm to Fitness

Raised on a 142-acre farm, Chek developed a profound connection to nature and an understanding of the interconnectedness of all living beings. His diverse athletic background, spanning boxing to motocross racing, coupled with a transformative realization about diet's impact on well-being, laid the foundation for his holistic approach to health.

As a trainer for the Army boxing team, Chek recognized the limitations of conventional fitness methods. By integrating massage therapy and holistic health practices, he addressed the root causes of injuries and enhanced the overall well-being of his athletes. This approach set the stage for his holistic health practice, encompassing sports massage therapy, neuromuscular therapy, and functional medicine.

Spirit Gym: Gateway to Transformation

At the core of Chek's teachings is the Spirit Gym series, an exploration of consciousness, spirituality, and human experience. Drawing on decades of experience and research, Chek explores the connections between belief systems, emotions, and physical health. He shares insights from his personal journey, offering lessons for those seeking spiritual growth and health improvement through practices like meditation, plant medicine healing, and clairvoyance.

In the Spirit Gym series, Chek transcends conventional spirituality, offering a holistic approach to personal growth and self-realization. By exploring the nature of God, consciousness, and life's purpose, he encourages participants to confront their realities and view challenges as opportunities for growth.

In Conclusion: Embracing the Journey

Paul Chek’s Spirit Gym series exemplifies the transformative power of holistic health and spiritual exploration. Through his insights, anecdotes, and practical teachings, Chek invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation, fostering a deep connection between mind, body, and spirit and opening a world of limitless possibilities and profound fulfillment.

In this podcast you will learn about:

• Holistic Health Pioneer: The Spirit Gym series reveals Paul Chek's deep insights into holistic health from his extensive experience.
• From Farm to Gym: Chek's farm upbringing and athletic pursuits underpin his holistic health philosophy.
• Integrating Body, Mind, and Spirit: Chek merges physical therapies with functional medicine and spiritual practices, highlighting their interconnectivity.
• Journey of Self-Discovery: Chek discusses his spiritual awakenings and personal growth, providing valuable lessons.
• Tools for Transformation: Chek provides practical tools like online courses and workshops for spiritual and personal development.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

YouTube

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Threads

Podcast

Laughter is the best medicine - something biohackers should take seriously. 

The healing power of laughter is why our host Wade T. Lightheart invited comedian Brent Pella to show that comedy is a great stress release. Studies show a correlation between laughter, healing, and health. That’s why comedy is essential to Wade. When he is with friends, comedy is a big part of their relationship. And in his spare time, Wade enjoys looking up his favorite comedians on YouTube. 

But Wade is troubled by what’s happening these days with Big Tech censorship. America’s 1st Amendment is under attack by both politicians and by corporations. ‘Wokeism’ dramatically influences the nation’s culture - Generation Z is learning to devalue free speech and to be easily offended. Political correctness is impacting the comedy industry in dramatic ways. 

As a comedian, Brent Pella knows firsthand what the atmosphere is like out in the field. He’s found success on YouTube - Brent’s comedy videos have received over 100 million views. 

However, in this episode, he shares how one of his episodes got banned by YouTube. The reason they gave him for the ban will disturb you. 

Where is comedy going in all this? 

Brent is the perfect guest to help us navigate the comedy scene. His resume includes features on MTV, Funny or Die, WorldStar Hip Hop, BroBible, The Chive, Unilad, 9Gag, LadBible, and more. 

Trained in both the UC-Berkeley and famous Groundlings improv/sketch comedy programs in Los Angeles - Brent makes people laugh across North America at colleges and comedy clubs.

Brent was born and raised in Davis, California, and a former athlete who played basketball in college. He won’t let go of his dream to play in the NBA. 

In this podcast, we cover:  

• Brent’s journey becoming a comedian
• How comedians today deal with ‘cancel culture’
• How comedians workaround ‘Big Tech’ censorship
• The path to comedy superstardom in this internet age
• How Brent writes his jokes and prepares his stage act 
• The comedians’ Brent admires and why
• How spiritual perspective influences comedy 

What does it take to be a comedian? 

Brent says there are two traits needed to become a comedian - stubbornness and stupidity. 

In his own words: “It's stubbornness. You have to be so stupid to want to be a comedian. You have to be so dumb to think, “I’m going to go out there, and all those people are going to pay me attention and be quiet while I talk. And they’re going to laugh at me and give me what I need. It’s very selfish. 

“So, the courage comes from stepping onto the stage - beyond that; you have to be an idiot. I say that with a lot of love.”

“The number one fear for people in America is public speaking. To want to do that for a living and make money is something you have to have the courage for at the end of the day.”

“I think the courage and stubbornness for me came from my competitive side because I played sports my whole life, basketball in college, and I still do. So, I think it clicked for me within the first couple of years in LA, where I was like, ‘Oh, I’m back on the court.’ Know what I mean? Like everybody around me are my friends, but they’re also ‘the other team.’ 

“For me, it was that competitive sports side of myself that flipped a switch.”

“Removing the President from Twitter is nuts!”

Brent and Wade talk about comedy’s relationship with social media, and YouTube specifically, where Brent found an audience. While discussing the state of comedy, free speech, and censorship, of course, former President Donald Trump came up. 

Here’s a portion of what Brent had to say: “Regardless of whether or not you love Trump, I’ll make fun of the guy until the day I die. All politics aside, removing the President from Twitter is nuts. So, when that happened, I was like, ‘Oh, this will never get better.’ This is either going to stay how it is, or it's going to get worse very slowly. 

“How I see it is that many people are going to start alternative social media sites, and I pray it will balance the power out. But Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are so deeply rooted in power grabs and monopoly mindsets that I predict they will do everything in their power to ensure that there is never a level playing field. Playing dirty, buying people out and then dropping the company completely, which they’ve done before.”

 

“I will assume that happens, but I am rooting for the good guys here. I see little sites popping up here and there that are like new types of social sites, new types of interaction places...I have high hopes that the playing field will balance out, and more people will put content on different platforms. As the whole blockchain world starts to be more incorporated, I think this will create new avenues for creators to get their content to people.”

Free speech is not only crucial to comedy - the health and wellness community needs to be able to communicate freely as well. This refreshing and amusing conversation between two people passionate about health and freedom of artistic expression will make you think and laugh. When comedy and health combine, the synergy between the two is fascinating. Laughter is medicine - enjoy some chuckles at no charge!  

 

Episode Resources: 

Brent’s Main Website: www.brentpella.com

Brent Pella on YouTube

Brent Pella Comedy on Facebook

Brent Pella on Twitter 

Brent Pella on Instagram

Brent Pella on LinkedIn

“Why is Elon Musk taking us to Mars, but we are still expected to spend 8 hours a day on a dumb piece of foam?”

That is the question posed by this episode’s guest - Matteo Franceschetti - a dynamic Italian entrepreneur who is disrupting the global sleep industry. 

He’s on a quest to crack the code for a perfect night’s sleep using big data. 

How Matteo and his business partner collect that data is where things get fascinating.    

A former lawyer, Matteo is now CEO of Eight Sleep. A company focused on using technology to help people optimize their ‘sleep fitness’ and efficiency. 

Matteo was a serious tennis player during his teen years.  As an athlete, that period of his life is when he started to get obsessed with physical recovery and rebounding faster after a grueling tournament or injury. 

After becoming a “boring business lawyer” for two large firms, Matteo caught the entrepreneurial bug, which naturally led to working long hours. Once again, his bent toward efficiency prompted him to ask, “why do I have to sleep eight hours? Can I sleep less and recover faster?” 

If you think humans “need” 8 hours of sleep to be at an optimal level of health, Matteo’s discoveries through research and data may surprise you. “Eight hours is what our body needs today because there is no technology enhancing our recovery. Elon Musk is taking us to Mars, but I still spend a third of my life on a piece of foam. We have technology everywhere. We are using technology to conduct this interview. But we spend a third of our life, eight hours every single day on something that hasn't changed for 4,000 years.”

You won’t fall asleep listening to this exciting conversation between Matteo and our host Wade T. Lightheart. However, you may start sleeping like a baby after hearing the many hacks and tips on getting better sleep revealed in this episode.    

In this podcast, we cover:

• How a lawyer in Italy became a sleep expert and sleep industry innovator
• Sleep compression - getting more rest while sleeping less time 
• How Matteo’s sleep technology “keeps you alive” by detecting early signs of illness, like inflammation, while you sleep
• How 8 Sleep develops its technology
• What is “thermal regulation”? 
• Everything that this sleep technology tracks in your body
• Things Matteo is finding in his research that positively or negatively affect sleep 
• Two revolutionary sleep products developed by 8 Sleep
• The fantastic software 8 Sleep is developing that Matteo describes as the “Tesla of sleep” 

A sneak peek behind the curtain:

Matteo reveals the co-founder of 8 Sleep is “kind of a genius” who can “build a space shuttle in the garage.” So he builds the latest technology, and then Matteo serves as the “guinea pig” who tests out the equipment. Matteo is always sleeping on something that the company will be releasing in a couple of years. He tests it and gives feedback to his team. The engineers then iterate until the product is consumer-ready.  

What does this technology monitor while you are sleeping?

8 Sleep technology can monitor everything about your heart rate - your HRV (Heart Rate Variability). Their tech is “semi medical-grade accurate,” meaning it is within one heartbeat per minute, compared to medical-grade EKG - but you don’t have to wear anything. You go to bed as you do now, and then you have this incredible data at your fingertips  (on the app.) 

8 Sleep technology also monitors your entire respiration. In the future, the tech will be able to track snoring and sleep apnea. Everything about your sleep gets observed - like when you toss and turn or when your sleep stages occur - everything - with no need for charging batteries or wearing anything during the night. 

Matteo describes the 8 Sleep product as “the Lamborghini of beds.” And you can give this sleep technology a test drive for 100 Nights with a risk-free, no-questions-asked full refund policy behind it. 

Time to put those sleepless nights to bed using modern technology. Matteo and his team at 8 Sleep are doing incredible work. His team includes professors from Stanford and Harvard. Tune in and tune up one of the essential parts of your day - sleeping! 

Listen to this episode and start sleeping better than ever! You deserve to wake up each morning feeling refreshed. 

Episode Resources:
Check more about Matteo Franceschetti & 8 Sleep: bioptimizers.com/eightsleep
8 Sleep on Facebook
8 Sleep on Twitter
Matteo Franceschetti on Twitter
8 Sleep on Instagram

 

She reversed her own infertility, along with many others. 

Kela Smith is on a mission to get 100,000 women pregnant. 

She’s capable of reaching that goal. So many women working with Coach Kela are now mothers and have had a baby (or multiple babies) after struggling with infertility for years. With so many couples out there still wrestling with infertility - they need to hear this podcast!

Kela is now the CEO and Program Director of the Hormone Puzzle Society, a women’s health hub for fertility, hormones, and training those who want to become fertility coaches like Kela and spread joy to desperate couples. Kela still coaches alongside her team, helping women with hormone imbalances and other fertility issues. She coaches women on getting pregnant naturally while eliminating symptoms of hormone imbalances.

For 20 years now, Kela has coached women wanting to get pregnant, so she knows her stuff! She holds four different qualifications as a Certified Holistic Health & Wellness Coach. Her unique Hormone Puzzle Method helps her clients learn how to cycle sync, which leads to pleasant periods, boosts fertility, higher “happy” hormones, hotter sex lives, and more creativity, productivity, and wellbeing for their career. 

Running her own virtual holistic health and wellness coaching practice has been a dream come true for Kela. If you share a similar vision of becoming a coach in health and wellness, Kela’s story will inspire you. And if you happen to be interested in fertility coaching, this podcast episode could change your life! 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Kela’s personal story of infertility struggles
• The proper diet to encourage fertility (includes some surprises)
• Why Kela avoids counting macros and instead teaches the ‘magic plate’ approach to eat for fertility
• What is ‘cycle synching,’ and how does it boost fertility?
• One simple little thing men can do to help their partner when she’s menstruating
• The signs that show when a woman is at her peak point of fertility
• Exercise adjustments that help your chances of getting pregnant
• Why women who are not trying to get pregnant should ALSO track their monthly cycle

How long does Kela’s program usually take to succeed?

When a woman struggling with infertility comes to see Kela, how long it will take for her to become pregnant depends on where she is starting. 

A woman who has never gone to a gym and eats whatever she wants starts at a much different place than someone who works out and watches what they eat. So ask yourself, where are you starting? Be honest with yourself and start there. 

Someone else starting may only need to make some tweaks here and there. Like, perhaps their diet needs a few simple adjustments? Maybe this person needs to incorporate a meditation practice? Simply adding a few healthy habits to their repertoire can be enough to get pregnant. 

Wherever you begin - start small. Give yourself some grace. This is not a contest. You don’t get a medal for doing this right. Getting started is the best thing. 

The old saying says it takes 21 days to create a new habit. Kela says putting her protocol together and making the new routine a practice typically takes 30 to 60 days. 

Kela’s fertility program typically runs for six months. Many find success in that timeframe. You will know what to do by then, but you can continue getting support from Kela if you need that.

What the initial starting process look like with Coach Kela   

The first thing you do to become a client of Coach Kela’s is to opt-in to her website email list. She will then schedule a phone call with you. She listens to your specific situation, and then if one of her programs can help, she shows you how. 

If you qualify and get started, you will then undergo a comprehensive dried urine test, where Coach Kela looks at your hormones, what they’re doing over a 24 period, and how your body is metabolizing those hormones. If your partner needs testing, Coach Kela has a way to do an at-home semen analysis. 

Coach Kela analyzes the results. She reviews the data. Then you will fill out an in-depth health questionnaire.

Then, you will receive a customized plan based on your medical history, lab work, everything. There is no guessing involved. Coach Kela sees precisely what is going on in your body and draws up a customized plan. You can do this program through one-on-one coaching or Kela’s group coaching program. 

Do you want to have a baby the natural way, but pregnancy eludes you? Do not let this moment pass by! Listen in as Coach Kela not only shares her fertility secrets, you will also hear two incredible testimonials of clients Kela helped get pregnant. One case involves a woman who stopped having a period at age 25 and didn’t menstruate for ten years! She’s a happy mom today, thanks to Coach Kela! 

Tune in or pass this episode along to someone who you know is grappling with infertility. Help make baby dreams come true!  

 

Episode Resources: 

Check more about Coach Kela: bioptimizers.com/coachkela
Coach Kela on Facebook
Hormone Puzzle Society on Facebook
Kela_healthcoach on Instagram
Kela Robinson Smith on LinkedIn
The Hormone Puzzle Society YouTube Channel 
Coach Kela Smith on Pinterest

 

If you struggle with fatigue, this is the most important thing you need:

Fatigue can be a complex puzzle to “figure out.” To solve your lack of energy riddle, you need a meticulous, thorough, medically trained specialist who loves taking comprehensive deep dives into each patient’s health to find the answers that will restore their energy.  

That is what the patients of Dr. Evan H. Hirsch get: a caring doctor with the determination of a bulldog. Hirsch leaves “no stone unturned” while working with his patients. Finding the cause(s) of fatigue takes time and requires a curious mind willing to consider multiple possibilities that may not fit inside the box of conventional medicine. 

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Hirsch points out that prescription pharmaceutical side effects are the “number three killer in the U.S.” Taking your fatigue issues to a “functional medicine doctor” like Dr. Hirsch might be the answer to your fatigue battle.  

 

Dr. Hirsch does not want to only “manage symptoms” like many general practitioners. That’s why he founded the International Center for Fatigue. 

Hirsch knows from experience how debilitating fatigue can be. He suffered from severe fatigue for five years before achieving resolution using a set of methods that are now helping many people who follow the Fix Your Fatigue program he pioneered. 

Hirsch is also the author of the book Fix Your Fatigue: The four-step process to resolving chronic fatigue, achieving abundant energy, and reclaiming your life! 

Suppose you are a doctor who needs some tips to transition your practice to the virtual, online world. In that case, Dr. Hirsch also consults with licensed, functional medicine providers desiring a more digital service experience for patients. 

Board-certified in integrative medicine, when Dr. Hirsch isn’t helping patients, you can find him singing and dancing in musicals (wow) and playing basketball with his family. 

In this podcast, we cover

• The differences between a functional medicine doctor and a regular general practitioner
• The sad fact that many Americans suffer from “medical trauma” and the different patient experiences Dr. Hirsch provides
• The systematic testing Dr. Hirsch conducts to find your cause of fatigue
• How your symptoms reveal 75% of your fatigue causes and how you can get this information in one hour
• Ten categories of fatigue
• The deficiencies and toxicities that cause fatigue
• Why you should skip that tuna fish sandwich  
• The insidious role mold plays in fatigue
• Chronic infections and fatigue - you can have one and not know it! 
• Mindset training to help you overcome fatigue

 

You won’t believe how many chemicals hit you daily.

Fatigue is a matter of deficiencies and toxicities, meaning you need a trained professional like Dr. Hirsch to help you replenish the deficits and get rid of the toxic junk accumulating in your body. 

We get exposed to 84,000 different chemicals regularly. Most of these chemicals are not adequately studied - things like pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and plastics, which are all around us. 

Dr. Hirsch shares that one thing he was doing years ago that led to his fatigue syndrome had to do with his extensive traveling by car across the country. He always had a plastic water bottle with him that was cooking in the sun on these trips. Dr. Hirsch ended up with too much plastic in his body. Plastic in the body is not something people knew about until recently. 

The good news is Dr. Hirsch shares how you can detox plastics out of your body. 

Mold: the silent fatigue devil.

Many folks suffering from fatigue do not realize that mold is behind their lack of energy. 

Mold is a huge problem. Half of the world’s buildings have water damage, and most of those structures have mold. 

Most people don’t think they have a mold issue because they have never seen mold in their house. They forget that their childhood home had a flooded basement at one time. Or they had a leaky roof or a broken pipe at some point. 

Few GPs receive training in molds during medical school, so they do not consider it a diagnosis. 

Mold symptoms generally resemble fungal symptoms: rashes, itching in the anus and ears is common. These symptoms often get worse after eating sugar. The worst sign of all is brain fog, which can get pretty nasty if untreated. 

Mold is just one of many causes of fatigue discussed by Dr. Hirsch in this episode. You can get them all by listening to this exciting conversation. 

Finally, a doctor who takes chronic fatigue seriously and works hard to find a solution for patients. Not just shrug his shoulders because he’s overwhelmed by the complexity of the issue. Don’t miss this episode! Take advantage of the information offered here so you can overcome your struggles with fatigue. 

Are you tired of feeling tired all the time? Tune in! Let’s restore your energy. 

 

Episode Resources:

Dr. Hirsch main website: www.FixYourFatigue.com  
Dr. Hirsch’s Book - Fix Your Fatigue: The four step process to resolving chronic fatigue, achieving abundant energy and reclaiming your life! 
Evan Hirsch, MD on FACEBOOK
The Fatigue Doc on INSTAGRAM
Evan H. Hirsch, MD - Fix Your Fatigue YOUTUBE CHANNEL
 @DrEvanHirsch on TWITTER 

 

Our guest this episode has a highly unusual medical background. 

Dr. Misak first began his medical studies in pharmacy, earning a degree in Pharmacy from West Virginia University. He is still a Registered Pharmacist today. 

But “Doc Misak'' wasn't satisfied with pharmacy only. He has always been fascinated by how things work. Going back to childhood, Misak was always tinkering with things to see how they operated. Misak liked taking things apart - like his bike - and putting them back together to learn how something “functions.”

His obsession with functionality is why he ended up becoming a Functional Doctor. When Misak looks back at his career, he says “it made perfect sense” for him to go from Pharmacist to Functional Medicine. Because Dr. Misak isn’t one to “stay in a box.” One day he discovered by accident that functional medicine was about studying the root causes of disease and going deeper into how different bodywork areas work together. He got hooked. Misak quickly flew out to Oregon to attend one of the nation’s top functional medical schools. 

While in school, Dr. Misak also studied compounding pharmacy - which is preparing custom formulated medications for the unique needs of individual patients. 

Dr. Misak will blow your mind in this episode - from his 5 phase approach to functional health - to his jaw-dropping discoveries in anti-aging, telomeres, and groundbreaking developments in quantum bio-electrical energy and health - get ready for this exciting conversation! 

Most pharmacists ``stay in their lane,” never breaking out of that trained paradigm. Misak’s combined expertise in functional medicine is why you will want to tune in. Our host Wade Lightheart declares this to be one of the BEST Awesome Health podcasts EVER at the end of the show. 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Dr. Misak’s remarkable personal journey to becoming a highly sought-after functional doctor
• The emerging quantum energy component to healing
• A fantastic tool called a “multiple wave oscillator”
• Dr. Misak’s 5 phase approach to health
• How to modulate and measure your “vital force” and energy efficiency for a longer life
• Why you need to frequently test your urine and saliva using ph strips and a refractometer
• What are “telomeres,'' and how are they the doorway to longevity?
• Dr. Misak’s supplement recommendations
• What Dr. Misak thinks about the current COVID-19 vaccine

“We are electrical.” 

At one point during the interview, Dr. Misak said: “Even naturopathic doctors today are taught to use drugs as first-line therapy to control people before they broaden out. I kept finding, wait a minute, I do not see the cures that you talk about in nature here. I can get these cancer patients to feel better, but I’m not breaking through with the cures. 

That led me down a giant rabbit hole where I learned about Dr. Carey Reams and the Reams biological theory of ionization. Instead of taking apart an atom, he’s like - how do you put things together. And he learned that we are electrical. Einstein said in his theory of relativity that everything’s relative. That energy is the same as matter. So you are heat and electricity. Tesla, you know, if you want to understand the secrets of the universe, think of frequency and vibration. 

But nobody teaches health on the level of quantum energy.” 

Now, Dr. Misak IS teaching health from a quantum energy perspective.

Let’s “run your numbers” to get to the root causes of your health issues.

As a functional doctor, Misak does complete and thorough testing on his patients. He collects the data on pretty much everything - from blood work to food allergies and more. 

Dr. Misak talks about bioelectric energy’s impact on our body chemistry. When numbers are up or down, these provide tons of helpful information for someone trained like Dr. Misak. 

One thing he says in this interview: “I can have people come in, run their numbers, and I don’t even look at why they came in to see me, because I can tell them everything that’s going on with them by looking at their numbers because each variable that’s away from normal has a symptom pattern presented with it. 

So chemistry is what makes up everything, right? You have positive charges, negative charges, cations, and anions. Electrically, they make up your atoms, which make up your molecules. 

So if you understand what the chemistry is dictating everywhere down the line, you know what the ideal is. You start correcting the chemistry electrochemically, and then everything starts to fix down below. You begin seeing hormonal effects normalizing. You start seeing blood pressure improve. Then you start supporting the liver, pancreas, lungs, adrenals, thyroid, whatever it is - those things begin to fix themselves. 

But the chemistry will tell you where the weaknesses are and what you need to begin supporting.”  

Dr. Misak is a brilliant yet humble man who can present science in a digestible format for people who didn’t go to medical school. There is so much brilliance in this interview. These show notes do not do this episode justice. Episode 136 is a highly recommended conversation you don’t want to miss. 

Unlock more energy - Dr. Misak can help you find your keys. :) 

 

Episode Resources: 

Primary Website: www.docmisak.com
Company Website: www.vitelometry.com - Awesome Health Podcast listeners get 10% off purchase to try VI-TELOMETRY ESSENTIALS.
Doc Misak on YouTube (Dr. Misak offers a livestream every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Eastern.)
Darrell Misak, ND, RPh on LinkedIn
Doc Misak on Facebook
Info on Dr. Carey Reams

 

 

He’s a fitness coach and lifestyle coach with over 22 years of experience. 

Our host Wade T. Lightheart was excited to get another interview with Joe DiStefano - a true winner who overcame a traumatic brain injury years ago that astounded his doctors. His unique personal story gets covered in episode 99 of the Awesome Health Podcast (link below). 

After recovering, Joe built a successful health and wellness business called RUNGA - an experiential lifestyle brand that includes a robust online community of healthy-minded people. RUNGA has adapted to recent changes brought on by Covid and is still thriving today. Joe loves empowering individuals to live highly effective and sustainable lives that fuel health, wellness, and performance. 

Through the course of Joe’s career journey as a fitness trainer, he has put together a unique method for sustainable happiness that is the primary focus of this episode. Listen in and discover Joe’s six life-changing methods that are so simple, anyone can do them. When done consistently, Joe’s clients achieve a reliably steady level of overall wellbeing. 

Joe is also the host of the STACKED podcast, where he interviews compelling guests on topics related to health and wellness. Wade is one of those exciting guests. (Link to Wade’s interview on STACKED below.) 

In this podcast, we cover:

• Why you cannot rely on the government to keep you healthy
• Joe’s six powerful methods for living life with sustainable happiness (one is intermittent fasting)
• The type of people reaching out to Joe and what they’re looking for
• How Joe defines the differences between fitness and health
• How Joe coaches former athletes who are aging and need to make adjustments in their fitness routines and goals
• Why kettlebell workouts help you sustain happiness
• The health benefits of cold immersion (another of the six methods to lasting happiness)
•  The urgency to take responsibility for your wellness in 2021

People contact RUNGA to find THIS

Wade asks Joe at one point: what does a typical client of RUNGA look like, and what are their needs? 

Joe describes his customer base as a spectrum of avatars. Some are like Wade - they know their stuff and want to find a community of like-minded people. Another avatar consists of fitness buffs who have not achieved their fitness goals for whatever reason - it could be a trauma or some emotional barrier or a negative relationship with food. 

Joe and his team carry out a careful application process. Every person that wants to come in is personally spoken to - and heard. 

Through that application process, RUNGA then curates a group of people that Joe and his team believe will work well together. This group grows close during the RUNGA four-day events. Sometimes a group that is dealing with the same issue gets curated together. 

On the outside, these clients might appear quite different. However, they all need to find a sense of stillness. They need to quiet the mental chatter, addiction to the latest and greatest, new diet, new things, etc. 

RUNGA brings people back to the basics. Joe’s clients have a profound interest in health and wellness, but they know something is missing, something isn’t right. They might look like Mr. Universe but still suffer health issues (like Wade did years ago.) 

How to get back to daily exercise when life takes you off course for a while

During the interview, Wade asks Joe how a person can get their fitness back on track after letting themselves go during the pandemic. (People in the U.S. have gained an average of 29 pounds since the lockdowns began in 2020.) 

Joe’s response: “As long as you make space for (exercise), and you understand that that happens automatically, and you don’t try to force anything, it’ll happen and take you on this journey. I think we’re so used to being in control. We are used to forcing everything and working for it. We can’t let go enough.”

“That’s one thing I can help people with - that understanding. I just had a call with a woman who had some surgery, and now she’s saying, ‘I gotta get back to the gym. I gotta do this.’ You know, she just had her neck cut open. She’s got a big wound there. So I’m like, “Hey, right now, be a little easy on yourself. If I told you right now to do a thousand burpees in your garage, that’s not going to be good for you. What would be good for you is to walk into your garage and peddle a few times on your bike. Pick up a kettlebell a couple of times, and leave. Because we’re trying to anchor that habit of getting into the garage, but we’re not judging what happens in the garage right now.”

“All we’re doing is maintaining that habit so that the wheels don’t fall off. Then, when you’re ready to crush it again, you don’t have to start at zero because the routine of going into the garage at 10:00 a.m. never leaves.” 

As the pandemic fizzles out, now is the perfect time to get back to living a more fit and healthy lifestyle. If you are tired of working out alone in your basement and are yearning to find a community of health-minded people who want to achieve a more consistent, steady level of happiness and contentment, tune in to this episode. Joe explains the six methods to feeling great every day. You just have to “anchor the habit” because the government can’t do it for you! They don’t even know how, obviously! 

Listen to Joe - practice these six simple things and get ready for more energy and bliss! 

Episode Resources:
www.rungalife.com 
www.coachjoedi.com
Stacked Podcast 
Runga Life on Instagram @rungalife
Joe Distefano on Instagram @coachjoedi
Runga Life on Facebook
/RUNGALIFE
Runga YouTube Channel
Joe DisStefano on Twitter: @coachjoedi
Joe Distefano LinkedIn Profile
Awesome Health Podcast Episode 99: Overcoming Obstacles and Finding a Tribe with Joe DiStefano
STACKED Podcast Episode 63: How To Reverse Magnesium Deficiency & Optimize Your Biology with Wade Lightheart
Use code AWESOME for 25% off Runga Mobility balls (https://www.rungalife.com/shop/runga-mobility-balls)

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Your health is your wealth.”

Like us all, the Trainer to the Stars got hit by the 2020 pandemic that is still with us in 2021. “It has been an interesting year,” Steve Jordan says understatedly to kick off the interview. 

However, throughout this conversation, Steve shares with Wade the importance of keeping a positive mindset through it all. “I took a step back  (during lockdowns.) It was really enlightening and uplifting to hear you read my resume and background because we don’t often get an opportunity to reflect on where we came from. I can write down what I’ve done axnd read it out loud, or you could write it out, and it sounds so much different when somebody else reads it.”

“Some might shy away from that, but I think it was awesome to hear because it acknowledges the fact that I’ve done the work and been able to take advantage of awesome opportunities. I’ve been able to be on multiple platforms to help people create health and wellness, abundance, and lifestyle approaches that I teach to my clients.

Steve’s incredible two-and-a-half decade career as a health and fitness coach began as a personal trainer at the White House! Along his journey, Steve became a media celebrity in the fitness niche, appearing on programs like Dr. Oz, The Today Show, Men’s Fitness, Self, E!, along with dozens of additional media outlets, podcasts, books, and appearances. His passion for helping people live a better life is infectious. Steve doesn’t follow the herd when it comes to the latest health data and practices. 

In his private health and fitness studio in Los Angeles called Westwood Private Fitness, along with his second location OC FIT in Corona Del Mar, he works with elite clients. 

Plus, Steve hosts his top-rated health and fitness podcast called The Steve Jordan Experience. On that show, Steve talks with other health care professionals about all things related to health and fitness. 

Steve is an articulate and inspiring speaker, which is why he frequently gets asked to speak at such places as the University of Maryland, William Morris Endeavor, and Robb Report Health & Wellness Summit. He leads regular retreats at Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort and Luxury Spa. 

In this podcast, we cover:

• How to get back into a fitness and health routine after lockdowns
• The first and most crucial question Steve asks his new fitness clients
• How Steve came back from a debilitating car wreck
• A peek behind the curtain at Steve’s upcoming new book 
• What does a typical day look like for the “trainer to the stars”?
• When time is short, what areas of health does Steve prioritize? 
• Some signs that older exercisers can use to gauge how hard they should train
• How Steve adapted his business and his personal life to the pandemic restrictions
• One of the essential spiritual outlooks to living your best life

Getting Back in Shape After Gaining “the Pandemic 30” Pound Average

Wade asks Steve: “Do you have any insight into how someone comes back to fitness after last year, or maybe it’s their first time? What strategy would make sense for them to employ to reach their best self?

Steve replies,” That’s an terrific question. I’ve addressed it many times with clients through my 25 years in this profession. People are going to stop working out at times. It’s inevitable. We don’t always have the momentum and motivation to work out. 

What I recommend for people is NOT to pick up where they left off. Many people want to dive into an hour-long workout or 90 minutes of exercise or jump back into Zumba class, whatever it was they were doing before - they want to pick up where they left off at the same intensity and length of time. They want to use the same weights. It’s what people commonly gravitate to because of familiarity. But I recommend taking two steps back, take your time, shorten the workouts, and ease into it. 

If you want to start running, walk first. If you’re going back to a gym, do the light stuff first for a few weeks. I don’t like my clients to get ultra sore after the first day. That’s not how I measure success. Success should be measured by consistency. That’s what’s most important. So start slow and simple. Then think about how you can progress smoothly and safely. Don’t injure yourself.” 

“Sleep is so important.”

Steve explains why his approach to fitness starts with sleep: “I remember studying in college and pulling late-night study sessions with friends for an exam. Everyone would be stressed and cramming until two a.m. At 11 p.m., I would always be like, “I’m out.” Because I knew nothing else is getting in my brain at that point. I would rather wake up on a good night’s sleep and take that test with maybe less knowledge and make good educated guesses rather than sit out here till two, three in the morning and try to cram stuff in and go to an exam feeling tired.

I had an innate understanding of how important sleep was before the knowledge we have gained in the past ten years. So again, sleep is essential. Seven, eight hours. The amount depends on the individual. It depends on what makes you feel good. I would say seven to nine is a good range. 

When I wake up now at age 46, the first thing I do in the morning is stretch in bed. Not because I’m hurting, but so I won’t hurt. I pull my knees to my chest because when you’re lying down, I learned this from my older clients and who have had physical problems. 

Frequently it is the sleep that’s causing a client pain because they’re in a position of laying on one side and their shoulder collapses and their head bends awkwardly, and they’re lying on their stomach while sleeping. Their back is arched. All those contorted positions in sleep put us in restricted states. So I stretch first thing in the morning for about two to three minutes.” 

Steve proceeds to describe further how his day plays out once he gets out of bed. 

If you’re ready to get back to a more healthy and fit lifestyle as communities begin letting go of heavy pandemic restrictions, Steve Jordan is the perfect guy to tune into. The fitness wisdom he has accumulated over the years training famous “stars” (Steve is not a big name-dropper) is now available for everyone through this episode and the online courses Steve teaches as well as his excellent podcast. (Links below)

Check out this episode - easing fitness back into your life could be a game-changer!

Episode Resources: 

www.stevejordan.com  
Email Steve: steve@stevejordan.com (Steve replies within 24 hours) 
www.westwoodprivatefitness.com

First 5 people who sign up for virtual or online series gets a free month: Ripped: Strength Training

The Steve Jordan Experience Podcast 
Steve Jordan on Instagram
Steve Jordan on Facebook
Steve Jordan on Twitter
Trainer to the Stars - Steve’s Blog

 

Are you thinking about changing careers? 

He went to chiropractic school, studying medical science for years. Then, he opened his own business, running a chiropractic clinic. Most people at that point would coast for the rest of their life. Stay in their comfort zone and enjoy the “nice income” of a chiropractor, and chill till retirement. 

That’s the conventional plan for most chiropractors. You can’t blame them. After devoting so much time, energy, and finances to a career like chiropractic care, who wants to start over in a new field?

Jesse Chappus, that’s who. 

Jesse is an “outside the box” thinker. After only four and a half years working as a chiropractor, he knew that he had not yet found his ultimate career path. His passion for health and wellness was evident to his patients, yet Jesse wanted to somehow help more people in a way that felt better aligned with his personality and skills.  

While his chiropractic business steadily grew, Jesse enjoyed listening to podcasts. What he didn’t realize is that seeds of destiny were being planted every time he hit play. 

This episode is fantastic for budding entrepreneurs in the health and wellness space. Or people not yet in the health and wellness space wanting to pivot their career in this direction. 

Listen in as Jesse shares how he made the dramatic career change from chiropractor to full-time podcaster. You get the full story - no sugar coating: the financial “tightness” at the beginning, his transition, and how Jesse grew his Ultimate Health Podcast over time to be one of the most listened to health and wellness shows on the internet. 

As a lifelong learner, Jesse continuously researches the most current information on nutrition and natural health. 

In this episode, our host Wade Lightheart also gets Jesse to share some of his perspectives on health and wellness. Jesse is a former long-distance runner and cyclist who now enjoys focusing on shorter, more purposeful exercises to accommodate his current lifestyle as a busy dad.  

In this podcast, we cover:

• How Jesse shifted from chiropractor to podcaster
• The structure and goals of The Ultimate Health Podcast business
• Some of the “extreme” health programs Jesse has experimented with and what he learned 
• Why Jesse is a big fan of kettlebells for exercise
• Jesse’s current diet and his history of eating plans 
• Some biohacks and technologies Jesse enjoys using
• Why Jesse likes the Oura Ring (link below)
• Why red light therapy is one of his favorite biohacks 
• Why Jesse kept referring to “getting back to the basics” of health

How does it feel to do what you love for a living? What are the mental health benefits?

Jesse said: “It’s huge for me. I get to learn about what I would be learning about anyways (as a chiropractor.) I prepare for interviews intensely, going really in-depth with my questions. I interview a lot of authors in the health and wellness space. I soak up their books. Then I have these incredible conversations where I pick people’s brains, and I get to continue to learn. That is so phenomenal. 

 

Everything is so aligned with what I do. It’s hard to put into words. I get to learn and make money doing something I love. Plus, I get to help people at the same time! I am so grateful for this. 

It was just something that came together organically. Me and my wife doing what we were passionate about as a career. All I can say is just ‘gratitude.’ Even the way we make revenue with our business is just beautiful. We’re sharing products that we use and love. That’s how we generally make money is through sponsorships and affiliate links. We help people and make money doing that. It’s a win-win-win-win all around. I’m very grateful!” 

Testing the Extremes and Coming Back to the Middle

Wade is a big believer in pushing the limits for a short period of time for learning purposes but then pulling back to the center to regain equilibrium. Wade asks Jesse, “What are some of the extreme things you’ve done in experimentation that taught you a lesson, and then you pulled back from the adventure or the dysfunction or the breakdown and centered back in the middle? 

Jesse: “I mentioned earlier about diet. I’ve experimented with diets across the board - from raw food to keto. And then I’ve come back to the middle. That’s where I am now. Again, it’s not sexy to talk about, but I like eating organic, whole foods. I’m just eating clean foods all the time. It’s a default. There’s no choice in the matter for me. 

“We talked before about having too much on my plate when I was building the show with my wife. I was working all day and even between patients working on the show and then coming home at night and pushing it till maybe 11 pm working on the podcast. Then, waking up and doing it all over again. On the weekends, I was doing most of the traveling to meet my girlfriend (now my wife.) I was redlining - pushing real hard.. 

Now, I can look back at that time and see the importance of balance. Now I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I can say “no” to many things and go all-in on the show. I’m so big on focusing on what you do well, what you love to do. I've been an advocate of that for years. I’m a big fan of focus. If I had to pick one word in business that I would stand behind, it’s focus.”

Jesse Chappus' inspiring story provides hope for those feeling like something is missing in their career. Wade describes it like “your music is missing a bass guitar.” Do you feel like something isn’t quite right with your career or life? If you’re seeking to enter the health and wellness space, be sure to tune in to this episode. Successful podcasters in the health and wellness space like Jesse are some of the happiest people you will ever meet. 

Whatever new career path you want to take - go for it! But listen to what Jesse has to say first! 

Episode Resources:

Ultimate Health Podcast website

Ultimate Health Podcast on Instagram

Ultimate Health Podcast on Facebook

Ultimate Health Podcast on YouTube

UHP Interview with Matthew McConaughey

Oura Ring

Berkey Shower Filter

From Ballerina to Corporate Branding to Extraordinary Fitness Trainer

If you are a woman who is feeling down about your health or your fitness, maybe your weight, or just life in general, you are in for a treat. 

This episode can offer our male listeners plenty of fitness tips and inspiration as well, so don’t write this one off until you give Kristin a listen for a few minutes - you will be captivated by her story!

Kristin began studying ballet at the age of five. Like most girls, her body underwent a transformation in her teen years that ended her ballet career at age 15. Not because she could no longer perform ballet - the “gatekeepers” of her local ballet school told her that her body was “not the right shape” for ballet. This was an unfortunate event that made a considerable impact on Kristin. Tragically they took her first love away from her, so she shifted into other forms of dancing for the stage. 

Fast forward to her early twenties - Kristin began a new career in the adult beverage industry, working in the branding and marketing departments. This work involved a lot of traveling, and Kristin was also the only woman in a team of 18 men. She shares how these years molded and shaped her in many good ways that empower her practical fitness coaching work today. 

She’s a biohacker, certified fitness trainer, a “high-performance maven,” and a nutrition specialist who loves helping women gain optimal health. 

Tune in to this interview with Kristin. Allow her wit and wisdom to capture your attention as she shares her passion for fitness, biohacking, and testing the human body to see how far it can go.  

In this podcast, we cover:

• Kristin’s journey from child ballerina to corporate branding to certified fitness trainer
• How she bought a fitness studio to transition out of corporate America 
• What it means to be in “warrior woman mode”
• How Kristin coaches women to become warriors while developing other “softer,” vulnerable parts to their personality
• Kristin describes her typical clients and the journey she takes them on
• Why Kristin strongly believes in ice baths and why she has her clients do ice baths despite their initial fears
• How Kristin incorporates meditation into her program
• The legacy Kristin wants to leave on this earth

The Beginnings of Kristen’s Warrior Woman Mode Mission

In her own words: “Warrior woman mode is a name I pulled, the LLC name, five years ago. I wanted a name that encapsulated strength and a little bit of that ancestral health, like a nod to traditional health.

I want women to understand how strongly they can stand. I always talk about women as powerhouses. They can have a ripple effect on the world. 

So there is a warrior aspect, but I also like to remind myself and help my clients discover that they don’t have to be so intense. I have a Type A personality, and I work with many Type A females - but there is a softness that we need to bring to ourselves. There is a vulnerability. I think moving to California helped me open up slowly. Five years ago, I wouldn’t have talked about my background in the same way because it felt personal or like a wound that I didn’t want to share. But there’s a softness, and that softness has strength when you can talk about your broken parts. 

That’s what I like to find - women who feel like it's broken, and I show them it’s not really broken. It’s a vital part (of yourself) to share.” 

How does a woman become a warrior yet retain their total femininity but can flip a switch at any time and say, “not today”? 

Kristin said, “What I’m doing is working with women from a 360-degree health perspective. I’m not a medical doctor. And the women that come to me typically are between ages 30 to 55. 

These women come to me for several reasons. Before Covid, it was mainly to lose weight and feel better. Which I think is upside down. You need to cultivate a healthy body, and then you can lose fat. If you’re looking for fat loss so you can gain more muscle, have better mental acuity, or sleep better? All those things will happen. 

So what I do is work with women to help them understand that this is a 360-degree picture. 

If a woman comes to me with a medical condition, that’s challenging. I will work with their doctor and make sure there are conversations. We’re all in the loop together. I spend nine weeks with them, and I’m a combination of the best accountability cheerleader and experienced coach they could ever have. 

Be sure to tune in to the full episode if you want to wrap your brain around the “warrior woman mode” mindset and way of life. Kristin has 20+ years of fitness coaching experience along with many certifications, including breathwork. You have probably heard people talk about taking cold water plunges or ice baths and the positive benefits that result from doing something that seems so crazy on the surface. Kristen’s level-headed and personable approach to coaching will steer you correctly - even in ice water. 

Take the plunge - ice baths could change your life. 

 

Episode Resources: 

Warrior Woman website
WellPower Podcast dot com
Warrior Woman Mode on Instagram
WellPower Podcast on Instagram

“You have an extraordinary resume!” - Wade T. Lightheart, after introducing Dr. Tara, listing her incredible achievements. 

Yes, Dr. Sylvia Tara does indeed have an impressive and unique resume. Here’s the thing: our guest on this episode holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from UC-San Diego AND an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. 

Why did a chemist want to study business? 

“I like to think big.” That is how Dr. Tara explains her impressive degrees.  

“When I got my Ph.D. and did research on fat, every tiny atom of that fat, focusing on the intricacies of how that fat interacts with the human body - there’s another part of me that likes to think big. What does this mean for people? What does this scientific information mean for the masses? What does it mean from a business sense and economic sense and a health sense? Putting biochemistry and business together helps me think. Thinking big helps me navigate in a big way.” 

Dr. Tara applied her natural curiosity to fat research years ago when she became frustrated with her weight loss struggles. She noticed how eating less and exercising more than her friends was not resulting in the weight loss she wanted. She saw how some friends could eat all day and stay skinny, while other friends had an easier time losing weight. 

Dr. Tara soon discovered that fat loss is a highly individualized thing. No program or diet will work the same for everyone. That became apparent. So she set out to learn all she could about fat - how it works and what people can do to reduce fat from their bodies. 

In this podcast, we cover:

• How did Dr. Tara end up with both a Ph.D. in biochemistry and an MBA?
• Why do women seem to gain more weight than men?
• Did you know there are different types of body fat? Dr. Tara goes over each one and what each type of fat does
• How body fat has a “voice” and talks to your body organs
• Some little known facts about fat that are key to weight loss
• Why Dr. Tara considers fat to be an “organ” like skin or your liver or heart
• The relationship between your microbiome and fat
• If you have struggled to lose weight, here is how to shed fat right away

What is “slow fat loss” or “fast fat loss?” What is a reasonable level to expect?

Dr. Tara: “That is so individual. I would love to lose a couple of pounds a week, which feels healthy - nothing terrible. But I personally cannot. So for me, a pound every couple of weeks, if I’m lucky. Other people can lose a few pounds a week. It depends on how much weight you have to lose. 

If you’re 300 pounds overweight, there’s no problem with losing five pounds a week or so. You should be able to do that. It’s all relative and on a scale.

Crash dieting, or fasting, is something many people do now with bone broth diets and things like that. As long as you’re getting nutrients for your brain to keep ticking in your body and you feel okay with it, keep going.

However, you can’t overcompensate by saying, ‘I fasted for a week, and now I’m going to eat everything. You have to be careful on that ramp back up. That’s what you have to watch. The body doesn’t like change. It doesn’t like to stop eating altogether and it doesn’t want to start eating altogether. It wants to get to homeostasis where it knows what to expect from its environment. That makes our body happy. 

That’s why when you start losing weight, lowering your fat, your body’s not happy. You took your body out of homeostatic comfort and threw it into uncertainty. Now, your body tries to maintain whatever it had - like more or less fat.”  

How does someone select the proper diet for them and avoid running in circles with fad diets? 

Dr. Tara: “It has to work for you psychologically, socially, and biologically. If you find a very restrictive diet that requires eating only certain foods, you have to buy special foods, there’s a lot of preparation, and you’re a busy person - you’re not going to stay on that diet. Or if you don’t like a lot of rules, you’re not going to keep on that diet. So, the diet has to work with your lifestyle. 

Look at fasting - some people want to eat dinner with their family. So fasting after lunch or something like that isn’t going to work. It would be best if you found a diet that works in all three dimensions and you have to be able to stay on it at least a year. 

So find something you can pick for the long run. Your lifestyle and psychological preferences matter. Low-carb diets are successful. If you eat meat and high fat and minimal carbs, you will lose weight. But it has such a high recidivism rate. People come off of that diet and gain more weight than before. 

Our bodies are so different individually. Keep a log of everything you’re doing. That is what I’ve done. It’s almost like self-directed dieting. Try a diet for a few weeks, and if you haven’t lost any weight, the diet is not suitable for you.” 

Dr. Tara is a top expert in the subject of fat within the human body. Stop wasting time picking the wrong diet and living in a state of disappointment with your body fat. Once you understand the different types of fat, how fat works, and how fat loss works for good  (not just temporarily), you can start your weight loss journey that will succeed long-term. 

Dive into this episode - these breakthrough fat facts could change your life. 

Episode Resources: 

Dr. Tara’s Book The Secret Life of Fat
Dr. Tara on Facebook
Dr. Tara on Instagram
Dr. Tara on Twitter

In today's bustling world, we're surrounded by a silent assailant that often goes unnoticed: toxins and heavy metals. As Wendy Myers aptly puts it, these insidious elements lurk in our environment, stealthily infiltrating our bodies through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. 

But what exactly do these toxins and heavy metals do to our bodies, and how can we combat their harmful effects?

The Threat of Heavy Metals

Research reveals a startling truth: a significant portion of all-cause mortality, as high as 19%, can be attributed to lead alone. Lead is just the tip of the toxic iceberg. Wendy Myers emphasizes that heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, thallium, and cesium wreak havoc on our health, contributing to a myriad of symptoms ranging from fatigue and hormone imbalances to cognitive decline and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

But where do these toxins come from, and how do they insinuate themselves into our bodies? 

The sources are diverse and pervasive, from the air we breathe laden with industrial pollutants to the water contaminated with chemicals and heavy metals like lead leached from aging pipes. Even seemingly innocuous products like beauty care items and non-organic foods can harbor toxins, further exacerbating the issue.

The consequences of toxic exposure are dire and multifaceted. Heavy metals like lead not only impair mitochondrial function, hindering energy production, but also inflict damage on the brain, leading to memory issues and learning disabilities. Moreover, toxins disrupt hormonal balance, compromise immune function, and accelerate aging processes, leading to a myriad health ailments.

Detox for health

The urgency to address this pervasive threat cannot be overstated. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to mitigate the impact of toxins and heavy metals on our health. Wendy Myers advocates for a multi-faceted approach to detoxification, encompassing dietary changes, supplementation, and lifestyle modifications.

One of the key strategies in detoxification is mineral supplementation, particularly focusing on crucial minerals like magnesium, zinc, selenium, and potassium. These minerals not only support essential bodily functions but also aid in displacing heavy metals from our tissues, facilitating their elimination.

In addition to mineral supplementation, incorporating binders like activated charcoal, modified citrus pectin, or zeolite can help absorb and eliminate toxins from the body. These binders act as sponges, effectively trapping toxins and facilitating their excretion.

Furthermore, lifestyle practices such as regular sauna use can aid in detoxification by promoting sweating, increasing circulation, and expelling toxins through the skin. Bioenergetic therapies offer another avenue for detoxification, energizing the body and supporting its natural detox processes.

While detoxification protocols are crucial for restoring health, it's essential to exercise caution, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant or breastfeeding women. In such cases, gentle detox strategies such as binder supplementation may be appropriate to prevent toxin transfer to the baby.

In conclusion, the threat posed by toxins and heavy metals to our health is real and pervasive. By adopting a proactive approach to detoxification and minimizing exposure to harmful substances, we can safeguard our health and vitality for years to come. As Wendy Myers emphasizes, the time to act is now— our well-being depends on it.

In this podcast, you will learn about:

• The Threat of Heavy Metals: Understanding their pervasive presence in our environment.
• Health Impacts of Toxins: Exploring how they disrupt health, leading to metabolic and neurological issues.
• Detox for Health: Understanding its importance in restoring health and countering the effects of toxins.
• Pregnancy and Toxicity Risks: Exploring the dangers of toxic exposure during pregnancy and emphasizing detox strategies for maternal and fetal well-being.
• Health Awareness: Empowering action towards detoxification by raising awareness of toxins' harm.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Website

Facebook

Youtube

Rumble

Instagram

Tiktok

 

 

Essential Oils are Still Essential 

As soon as this episode begins, Dr. Z’s passion for essential oils comes across loud and clear. 

He’s the author of two books on this topic: The Healing Power of Essential Oils & The Essential Oils Apothecary. 

Dr. Z has experienced firsthand the various ways essential oils foster healing in a person’s physical body and how essential oils help us mentally and spiritually. His many clients attest to their power. 

Your nose knows. That’s the fascinating opening point Dr. Z explains here. He shares how our modern way of life is killing our sense of smell. Imperfect olfactory senses hurt people’s health and wellness - again, not just physically but also mentally and spiritually. 

Dr. Z exposes what is causing humans to lose their sense of smell and how turning to essential oils is crucial to restoring our God-given sense of smell intended to help us enjoy a long life of prosperity.  

In this podcast, we cover:

• Why our sense of smell is disappearing
• Dr. Z’s essential oil recommendations for stress and anxiety
• Why the “ancient wisdom” of essential oils is leaving modern culture
• Some of the most significant toxic chemicals that harm people
• How to detox from chemical overloads
• How this new trend called “forest bathing” works 
• Why staying indoors to avoid coronavirus is a stupid strategy
• Should someone use vaping as a means to inhale essential oils? 

Modern Conveniences Gave Humanity a Bloody Nose

In his books, Dr. Z talks about the significance of olfaction - our sense of smell. Olfaction is the primal sense of humans. Our keen sense of smell was once our primary connection to the primates. 

Thousands of years ago, we relied heavily on our sense of smell. Humans have dampened our olfaction through the centuries to the point where people don’t consider their sense of smell necessary anymore. 

That is a dangerous notion.  

Modern conveniences stole humans' connection with nature. For example, humans should not need a “smoke detector.” We need one today because our sense of smell is not what it used to be. Too many chemicals in the environment get much of the blame. Dr. Z talks a lot about these chemicals on this podcast and in his books.  

Forest Bathing for Better Health Makes Total Scents 

Here is a snippet of Dr. Z talking about Forest Bathing on this episode: 

“The thing about forest bathing is, and the reason why I talk about it in my book The Essential Oils Apothecary is the volatile organic compounds being emitted from the forest plants stimulate the olfactory system to bring you to a place of true healing. Forest bathing is tree medicine. 

And when you're smelling something outside, even smelling blades of grass freshly mown with your lawnmower, what do you think you're smelling? Essential oils. 

When you're walking in densely wooded areas filled with evergreens, like Cypress and fir trees, those are wonderful. Pinene oil is a wonderfully healing anti-inflammatory mood-boosting chemical.

While forest bathing, you get aromatherapy. You're getting the experience. Hopefully you're grounding, but here's the key: I'll give everyone a tip - forest bathing isn't about doing a mud runner or a hundred-mile run. It's not about going to the woods with the direct purpose of accomplishing something. It's about being, hopefully, with some people that you love, you want to be with, or maybe being by yourself and just enjoying the outdoors. 

Leave your phone in the car and enjoy nature.” 

Essential oils have never been more critical. With today’s “new normal” of quarantines, social distancing, and other practices that weaken the immune system, people need aromatherapy to strengthen their immunity, alleviate stress and anxiety, improve focus and restore energy.

Time to get back in touch with your nose. Dr. Z can help sharpen your olfactory senses back to where God intended. 

Pay attention to the aromas in your life - the results could be life-changing! 

Episode Resources: 
Natural Living Family
Dr. Z’s New Book: The Essential Oils Apothecary
Dr. Z’s National Bestseller: The Healing Power of Essential Oils
TIME Mag Article: ‘Forest Bathing’ is Great for Your Health. Here’s How to Do It

Are you getting your health and fitness information from trusted sources?

Our host, Wade Lightheart, talks with one of the fittest globetrotters you will ever meet in this episode - John Fawkes - who lives the “digital nomad” lifestyle. John travels the world while serving as the editor-in-chief of the health and fitness website The Unwinder.com - a place where health-conscious people can find reviews and articles on health and fitness products, services and trends. 

What separates The Unwinder from most other fitness websites is how all their reviews, tips, and advice is “evidence-based.” John and other contributing writers use published studies to back their claims - or to back off. The website is not all about selling you something. The Unwinder publishes negative reviews when they deem necessary. They will also tell you why you shouldn’t do that latest health trend everyone is talking about.

John says, “I’m good at writing health and fitness topics in a research-informed manner and citing all my sources. The goal of The Unwinder is to give people honest advice about supplements and some other topics like exercise equipment. We also strive to be leaders with cutting edge topics that are in niche circles and bring those topics to the mainstream.” 

John started out working at an ad agency and didn’t enjoy his job, so he started a fitness blog. Writing became a way for him to escape the drudgery. Once he began researching other blogs for guest post opportunities, John noticed how the sites that used evidence-based research and cited the sources in their content had the information you could trust. “I was like, why doesn’t everyone do this? I was an instant convert. I think it’s the most honest and informative way to talk about health.” 

John is someone you want to listen to as he uses scientific studies in his work. But he’s also quite experienced in health and fitness in his own right. 

John is an NSCA certified personal trainer, Precision Nutrition Level 1 nutrition coach, and managing editor at The Unwinder. 

In this podcast, we cover: 

• How to determine actual research from bogus research
• How to take scientific evidence and apply it to your fitness program
• John’s analysis of the ketogenic diet
• Daily things John does for optimal health and longevity
• Discoveries in maintaining cognitive function as we age
• John’s nutritional findings
• John’s experiments with caffeine for optimal energy
• How John uses EEG headsets and music for better focus

So How Does John Sift Through the Fake Research, Find Legit Research, and Then Apply It to His Life?

John says, “A lot of studies are legit and still lead to the wrong conclusion. The first thing I do is look at the sum total of research, not just a single study. I think a lot of people have this misconception that new research replaces old research. New research adds to old research. It’s another piece of data.”

“Another thing I do is look at sample sizes. Smaller sample sizes make a study more likely to find no significant correlation or no significant difference between groups. By the way, the reverse is not true.”

“Many people think that if a study does find something that it finds a significant correlation. Well, a small sample size makes that less valid. That’s wrong. Small sample size means the effect size had to be bigger to overcome that to be significant. So, if there is a positive result, the effects of a small sample size have already been accounted for by a small sample size, which makes a study more likely to find nothing.”

“Whereas a big sample size means a result can be significant statistically, but not be that important. So make sure you keep those things straight.”

John’s Sleep Tips for Better Health

John emphasizes the importance of sleep. He says the best studies indicate 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to be optimal for overall health, particularly brain health and avoiding dementia. 

His evening routine is consistent. The importance of consistency cannot be overstated. John begins to “wind-down” two hours before bedtime. He stops playing video games two hours before bedtime. The last hour is when John likes to read a physical book. He does not look at computer screens the last hour before bed--including his phone.

John has been a night owl since childhood. These days, he generally gets to bed at midnight and sleeps till 8 am. 

Wade and John talk a little bit about chronotypes and which chronotype fits their personality.

This conversation has much more to offer! 

There is a lot of “noise” out there passing off as legitimate health research. Lots of fitness and health content does not even use scientific research to back their claims. Instead, they use the “experience” of the person providing the information, which makes it harder to know if the information is legit or fake. 

John Fawkes knows how to separate truth from fiction in the health industry. Listen in as he shares his secrets to sifting through health information and finding the gold nuggets of truth. 

Check out this episode - “evidence-based” fitness coaching can be life-changing!

Episode Resources: 

The-unwinder.com 
John Fawkes on Instagram
The Unwinder on Instagram
Daylio.com
Brain.fm 

Sean helps people boost their energy so they can make positive changes in their life.

His methods for helping people reach their optimal performance levels are multi-faceted. 

As a biohacker and natural health enthusiast, Sean has in-depth knowledge in supplementation, diet, and exercise. 

Sean also owns a chain of float centers, which are places that offer isolation tanks (a.k.a. flotation tanks). Float therapy is a powerful method for improving the way you feel and function, regardless of age. Sean explains the benefits of using a float tank for your health in this fantastic conversation with Wade. 

Sean is also a Certified Life Coach and Performance Coach whose clients include professional athletes, television actors, MLS professionals, and the Luluemon corporate team. His credentials equip Sean to coach you through mindset challenges effectively.  

Another tool in Sean’s biohacking toolbox is psychedelics. This podcast episode spends a significant portion of time on this topic, providing a great learning opportunity for listeners who are curious about leveraging psychedelics as a personal growth tool. Although controversial, using psychedelics can provide many health benefits, particularly on a mental and spiritual level, when done under proper guidance with an experienced shaman or practitioner who has your best interest in mind.  Wade asks all the right questions, and Sean is gracious with his time providing in-depth answers that dive into all facets of psychedelics, including spirituality. 

In this podcast, we cover:

• The daily routines and practices Sean uses to stay positive and at peace during the pandemic
• Why Sean broke into the flotation therapy business and the benefits his customers get from this still novel health practice
• Why you should do dopamine fasts and how to do them
• The dangers of diving into psychedelics unprepared and not taking them seriously
• Sean’s experiences with ayahuasca and how this psychedelic helps people heal, experience personal growth, and expand consciousness
• What good is a spiritual awakening if you don’t do anything with it?
• How social media addictions steal the benefits of our dopamine and shift those benefits to “someone else” (like Mark Zuckerberg or Jack Dorsey)
• How people working in the digital space can still benefit from a “media fast” 
• A powerful NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) technique that rewires your brain from a nonproductive emotional state to a productive emotional state

Energy is the Key to Making Positive Changes that Last

It would help if you had the energy to make lasting impactful changes in your life. Yet, so many are struggling with low energy. This pandemic of lethargy has a lot to do with our modern technological society. Many people are bombarded with digital stimuli and don’t know how to get off that train. Sean talks about some of these positive changes you can make to increase your energy flow. 

Things like making some changes in your environment. Are you sleeping with your Wi-Fi on? Do you keep your phone close to your head? When you wake up, is the first thing you do is look at your phone? No wonder you’re getting crappy sleep. 

You should establish a quality morning routine to start your day strong. Sean spends time talking about practical things you can do to stoke your creative fires without caffeine dependence.  

How do you make sure your ayahuasca retreat provides lasting change - not just a short “experience”?

As Sean and Wade discuss the right mindset in using psychedelics for healing and growth, at one point, the discussion turns to what do you do after coming back from an ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica? Because the same habits, vices, and people are waiting for you when you return home. Here is a snippet of what Sean says in this episode:

“The work up to and the work on the backside of experiences is everything because your friends are still at home, your family, your habits. When you left to go do this experience (ayahuasca), seeking greater awareness and clarity, maybe healing - all your same vices, the same habits, and negative thought patterns and trigger points are all there waiting for you. 

So unless you have somebody that you can work with to help navigate all that, you must have enough resolve in yourself to say, okay, I’m going to make some behavioral changes. I’m going to give up sugar. I’m going not watch so much media anymore. I’m going to be kinder to my children.

Those sorts of changes are like a baseline. You can also start meditating or begin journaling and then build off of that “big experience.” 

Like, what good is a spiritual awakening if you don’t do anything with it, right?”  

Sean McCormick was introduced to transcendental meditation when he was 12 years old, bringing this podcast one of the most spiritual conversations Wade has ever recorded. Achieving levels of expertise in some of the most cutting-edge biohacking techniques out there today, you don’t want to miss what Sean has to share. 

Check out this episode - healing and spiritual growth could be right around the corner. 

Episode Resources: 

http://seanmccormick.com/podcasts
https://www.instagram.com/floatseattle/
https://www.youtube.com/channel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-mccormick-47a3b49/