Unschooling, Plant Medicine, Anti-Aging, Veganism vs. Carnivore & More With The Mindpump Guys!

Sep 26, 2019

Guest

Adam Schafer

Guest

Sal DiStefano

Sal DiStefano and Adam Schafer of MindPump dive into unschooling and plant medicine, sharing insights on parenting and learning through daily activities. They explore the vegan vs. carnivore debate, emphasizing personalized dietary choices. The conversation shifts to innovative wellness solutions like fasting and portable sauna therapy. Additionally, they discuss the mind-altering effects of certain substances, the science of longevity, and humorous biohacking misadventures, all while navigating the complexities of modern health with a lighthearted approach.

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ANECDOTE

Investing in Quality of Life

Ben Greenfield prioritizes investing in things that improve his and his wife's quality of life.
He prefers this over material possessions like expensive cars.

ANECDOTE

Foraged Pesto Recipe

Ben Greenfield makes pesto using foraged plants like dandelion, nettle, and wild mint from his property.
He ferments the nettle to add an umami flavor similar to Parmesan cheese.

ANECDOTE

Sons' Food Podcast

Ben Greenfield's sons have a food podcast where they create recipes, interview chefs, and visit restaurants.
This podcast also serves as their occupational studies curriculum for homeschooling.

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Lifespan

Why We Age—and Why We Don’t Have To

David Sinclair

In this book, Dr. David Sinclair presents a bold new theory on why we age, arguing that aging is a disease that can be treated. He discusses recent breakthroughs from his own lab at Harvard, including the activation of newly discovered vitality genes and the role of epigenetics and metabolism in aging. The book explores lifestyle changes such as intermittent fasting, cold exposure, and exercise, as well as emerging anti-aging therapies, to help people live younger and healthier for longer. Sinclair also delves into the philosophical and ethical implications of extending human lifespan, emphasizing that these methods are not against nature but rather a continuation of human efforts to improve health and longevity[2][3][5].

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari

In '21 Lessons for the 21st Century', Yuval Noah Harari tackles the most pressing questions of our time. The book explores issues such as the crisis of liberal democracy, the rise of nationalism, the impact of technological advancements, the threat of terrorism, and the challenges posed by climate change and nuclear war. Harari presents these complex contemporary challenges clearly and accessibly, inviting readers to consider values, meaning, and personal engagement in a world filled with noise and uncertainty. He emphasizes the need for critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity in navigating the future and suggests that individuals must identify strongly with a global community to confront global problems effectively.

Stealing fire

How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work

Steven Kotler

This book explores the revolution in high performance driven by four accelerating forces: psychology, neurobiology, technology, and pharmacology. It delves into how trailblazers like Eric Schmidt, Elon Musk, Navy SEALs, and maverick scientists are harnessing rare and controversial states of consciousness to solve critical challenges and enhance their lives. The authors, Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal, spent four years investigating these leading edges, from Silicon Valley to the Navy SEALs, and present a provocative examination of what is possible and how to radically upgrade one's life.

Earthing

The Most Important Health Discovery Ever

Stephen T. Sinatra

Martin Zucker

Clinton Ober

Earthing introduces readers to the concept of grounding, which involves connecting with the Earth's natural surface charge to promote wellness, reduce inflammation, and improve sleep. The book explores how modern lifestyles have disconnected us from this energy and offers practical advice on how to incorporate earthing into daily life for better health.

Every so often, I get together with my fellow fitness-freak podcasting friends – the good fellas from the MindPump studios – and we take a rather rough around the edges, occasionally drug or alcohol infused, definitely entertaining and edgy foray into longevity to life to religion to parenting to biohacking and beyond.

These always turn out to be incredibly popular podcast episodes, and this latest one - the fifth in our series - is just as crazy as all my other Mindpump podcasts including:

The hosts of Mindpump claim to “pull back the curtain on the mythology, snake oil and pseudo-science that pervades the fitness industry and present science-backed solutions that result in increased muscular development and performance while simultaneously emphasizing health.” These guys are, in no particular order of importance:

Sal DiStefano (follow on Instagram) was 14 years old when he touched his first weight and from that moment he was hooked. Growing up asthmatic, frequently sick and painfully skinny, Sal saw weightlifting as a way to change his body and his self-image. In the beginning, Sal’s body responded quickly to his training but then his gains slowed and then stopped altogether. Not one to give up easily, he began reading every muscle building publication he could get his hands on to find ways to bust through his plateau. He read Arnold’s Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding, Mentzer’s Heavy Duty, Kubrick’s Dinosaur Training, and every muscle magazine he could find; Weider’s Muscle and Fitness, Flex, Iron Man and even Muscle Media 2000. Each time he read about a new technique or methodology he would test it out in the gym. At age 18 his passion for the art and science of resistance training was so consuming that he decided to make it his profession and become a personal trainer. By 19 he was managing health clubs and by 22 he owned his own gym. After 17 years as a personal trainer he has dedicated himself to bringing science and truth to the fitness industry.

Adam Schafer (follow on Instagram) is a IFBB men’s physique Pro and fitness expert. Adam made his entrance into the fitness world 14 years ago and has continued to send shock waves throughout the community ever since. He is a man of many talents who wears many hats. He is first and foremost a certified fitness expert who has an insatiable desire to help people in need of major lifestyle changes and daily accountable motivation. He is also incredibly driven entrepreneur and business minded individual with a vision that continually challenges his colleagues and peers to think bigger and achieve more.

Justin Andrews (follow on Instagram) has an incredible passion to disrupt the personal training industry and create ground breaking programs and tools that fitness professionals and clients alike can benefit from. The fitness industry in general needs a massive face lift to speak more to the generation growing up with a more advanced technology tool kit. Justin’s approach is to create programs that utilize technology as it advances and cut through the millions of options people face everyday when seeking specific information relating to their fitness needs. The great thing about where we are today is how easy it is to access information, the bad part about accessing all this information is how much misinformation is out there to weed through. As a health and fitness professional with a proven track record here in the heart of the Silicon Valley, Justin Andrews will keep working tirelessly to keep people educated and connected to quality personal trainers long into the future.

Doug Egge (follow on Instagram) received his first gym membership as a gift from his dad when he was 16 years old. Rocky III had just come out and he was determined to build a body like Stallone. It never happened.

Despite following the advice of muscle magazines and busting his butt in the gym, Doug saw minimal gains over the next 30 years. Then he was introduced to Sal Di Stefano by his chiropractor who recommended he work with Sal to eliminate muscle imbalances that were causing lower back issues.

Sal’s unique approach, often 180 degrees different from what Doug had read in books and magazines, produced more results in a matter of months than he had experienced in the 30 years prior. Doug with an extensive marketing and media production background, recognized Sal’s unique gift and perspective was missing from the fitness world and suggested that they should join forces.

Doug and Sal have since produced life-altering programs such as the No BS 6-Pack Formula and MAPS Anabolic. Doug is very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Adam and Justin as Producer of MindPump.

During our discussion, you'll discover: -The woman's proper place in the home [5:15] -How to make a killer pesto from plants in your backyard [7:45]

Ben's wild pesto recipe (jo jo can you find?)

-Discussion on unschooling [10:15]

Ben's kids are immersed in nature
Have a 2x/month podcast (video) with sponsors and everything
Document everything in case the state audits their education
Book: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century
We need free-thinking, resilient, adaptive workers
A free-thinker can invest in productive activities if and when AI replaces their jobs
Story boarding - prep for what the kids were going to learn
There are no rules in the Greenfield home - educate about the consequences of their decisions
The adults must provide the example
Biggest challenge: Doing standardized tests
Jiu jitsu, camps, clinics, etc. provide socialization
They'll go on a rite of passage when they're 13

-Discussion on ego dissolution [25:11]

Plant medicine
See yourself in a different light
Embrace greatness, or something different if you're ego is active
Eye gazing with ones mate
See each other as spirits, not bodies

-Increasing awareness and legality of nootropics [29:00]

Double-edged sword: incredibly powerful and dangerous
Of no use without personal discipline and a personal mission
Big $$$ to be made in the future
Connection between these and open relationships?
Do you want short-term pleasure or long-term legacy?
Nootropics can build a spiritual connection between two people

-Reconciling the use of nootropics with spiritual discipline [40:45]

Everything was put on the planet by our Creator for a specific purpose
Anything can be used for good or evil
Puritanical version of Christianity may be at odds with plant medicine

-How Ben has put on several pounds of muscle in the last few months [45:15]

Nose to tail diet (Carnivore diet)
BGF podcast w/ Paul Saladino on the Carnivore Diet
Lost a lot at the Swiss Clinic retreat
Over 5,000 calories per day
Ben prefers to be bigger (feels good, better libido, etc.)
The more meat on your bones, the better
BGF podcast "The Dark Side of Fasting" w/ Dr. Mercola
Autophagy mimicking stack Ben takes at night:
- Quercetin
- Chamomile
- Pau d'arco
- Garcinia
- Glycine
Less inflammation while on the carnivore diet

-Discussing Schwarzenegger's new film [51:50]

Game Changers documentary
Pushing a plant-based agenda; demonized the consumption of animal products
Lots of sleight of hand, misinformation
It's disingenuous to say one diet is superior for everyone
What did your ancestors eat, what are you genetically predisposed to eat?
Use blood, urine, stool testing to determine which supplementation is appropriate

-The forgotten psychological elements of food [1:02:30]

Foods that are not good for you physiologically may be good for you psychologically
Ex. Bad relationships are worse than smoking
Comfort foods can balance the psyche
Slippery slope on psychological effects
Opportunity for entrepreneurs to create a healthy version of the comfort foods
Choose your battles: strict adherence to a diet vs. family bonding

-Finding the proper balance between aging and acknowledging one's mortality [1:09:50]

Live a long life, but a high quality life
We're put on the Earth for a purpose; the more we can take care of our bodies, the greater impact we can make
Historical evidence of men living hundreds of years
Exponential wisdom that can build up over time
What Ben has learned from his many guests who specialize in anti-aging:
- Blue Zone concepts
- The use of NAD (increase mitochondrial health)
- Peptides (epitalon, MOTS-C)
- Taylor Made Compounding
- BGF podcast w/ Dr. William Seeds on peptides
- Book: Life Span by Dr. David Sinclair
6 variables for mitochondrial health
- Earthing and grounding
  - Book: Earthing by Clint Ober (listen to the BGF podcast with Clint here)
- Light: UVA, red light, sunlight
- Heat
- Cold
- Water
- Minerals

-Are Ben Greenfield's days as an endurance athlete numbered? [1:23:10] -And much more! Resources from this episode:

-The MAPS training plans designed by the MindPump crew for fat loss, muscle gain, mobility, sports performance and more.

-Book: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century

-Autophagy mimicking stack Ben takes at night:

-BGF podcast w/ Paul Saladino on the Carnivore Diet

-BGF podcast "The Dark Side of Fasting" w/ Dr. Mercola

-Game Changers documentary

-BGF podcast w/ Dr. William Seeds on peptides

-Book: Life Span by Dr. David Sinclair

-Book: Earthing by Clint Ober

-BGF podcast w/ Clint Ober

Episode sponsors:

-Kion Coffee: Carefully selected and roasted for taste, purity, high antioxidants and health. Ben Greenfield Fitness listeners, receive a 10% discount off your entire order when you use discount code: BGF10.

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-Four Sigmatic: I’ve been using Four Sigmatic products for awhile now and I’m impressed by the efficacies of their mushroom products. I use them. I like them. I support the mission! Receive 15% off your Four Sigmatic purchase when you use discount code: BENGREENFIELD

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Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Adam, Sal, Justin or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.