Protein to Preserve Muscle

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Darin sits down with Hagen Thiers to unpack one of the most misunderstood journeys in health: why doing "everything right" still doesn't always work — and how true transformation requires decoding the body's survival signals, not fighting them.

Hagen shares his remarkable physical transformation after decades of extreme metabolic adaptation, chronic gut inflammation, and stress-driven physiology. Together, they explore metabolism, inflammation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, protein intake, discipline, and why sustainable health is built through patience, self-leadership, and listening to the body's intelligence.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why extreme dieting and endurance stress can permanently slow metabolism

• How survival adaptation can block fat loss despite "perfect" habits

• The overlooked role of gut inflammation in weight retention

• Why fat is a protective organ, not just stored energy

• How leptin signaling and inflammation dictate fat loss resistance

• The difference between calorie math and biological reality

• Why healing must precede weight loss for many people

• How protein intake preserves muscle during fat loss

• Why discipline beats motivation every time

• The role of hyperbaric oxygen in reducing inflammation and restoring function

• How oxygen delivery impacts fat tissue, gut health, and recovery

• Why consistency over months—not hacks—creates lasting change

• How physical freedom directly impacts happiness and life quality

Chapters

00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of sovereignty and health 00:00:32 – Sponsor: Fatty15 and cellular health 00:04:14 – Introducing Hagen Thiers 00:09:43 – Hagen's transformation and why this conversation matters 00:11:26 – Doing everything right but still being stuck 00:13:28 – Discovering severe metabolic suppression 00:14:54 – Extreme endurance, starvation adaptation, and survival metabolism 00:17:04 – Why chronic calorie restriction backfires 00:20:56 – Gut inflammation as the real barrier to fat loss 00:22:41 – Healing before weight loss 00:23:26 – Fiber diversity, probiotics, and microbiome repair 00:24:30 – Enter hyperbaric oxygen therapy 00:27:57 – Why calories in / calories out breaks down 00:30:30 – Stress, inflammation, and metabolic shutdown 00:31:53 – Protein requirements and muscle preservation 00:35:47 – Discipline as a long-term lifestyle 00:38:54 – Eating frequency and metabolic signaling 00:43:39 – How hyperbaric oxygen works 00:47:31 – Why results accelerate after consistency 00:50:23 – 170 lbs lost and metabolic breakthrough 00:54:32 – Oxygen quality and chamber safety 00:58:22 – Breathwork vs hyperbaric oxygen 01:03:40 – Building an internal healing environment 01:05:05 – Life after transformation 01:06:42 – Discipline, the gym, and honest feedback 01:09:26 – Health as freedom, not restriction 01:11:39 – Inflammation as the missing piece for most people 01:12:45 – Closing reflections and hope for listeners

Thank You to Our Sponsors

• Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off

• Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year.

• Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.

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Find More from Hagen Thiers

• Website: https://waveguard.com/en/

• Instagram: @biohacking_ht

Find More from Darin Olien:

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Podcast: SuperLife Podcast

• Website: superlife.com

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

Key Takeaway

True health isn't about forcing the body to change — it's about creating the conditions where the body finally feels safe enough to let go.