142. Living More From Your Feminine: The Metaphysical and Spiritual Wisdom of the Body with Fred Provenza, PhD

What does it mean to follow your bliss? 

Do you know anyone who has embodied this principle throughout their entire life?

My guest today, Dr. Fred Provenza, has followed his heart since he began to talk. This episode explores the soul-driven decisions that brought Fred to his current position as professor emeritus of Behavioral Ecology in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University. Fred also shares key realizations he came to through research on animal and plant behaviors, his experiences through cancer diagnosis and treatment, and we discuss how our choices, relationships and environment influence our genetics to create our sense of self.

Fred is now directing an award-winning research group that pioneered an understanding of how learning influences foraging behavior and how behavior links soil, plants, herbivores, and humans. That work culminated in a program called BEHAVE, which was active from 2000-2010. BEHAVE was an international network of scientists, ranchers, farmers, and land managers committed to integrating behavioral principles with local knowledge to enhance environmental, economic, and cultural values of rural and urban communities. He is the author of three books, including "Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us About Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom" and "Foraging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of Change; and The Art & Science of Shepherding: Tapping the Wisdom of French Herders" (co-author with Michel Meuret). He has published over 300 research papers in a wide variety of scientific journals and been an invited speaker at well over 500 conferences. The many awards he received for research, teaching, and mentoring are the creativity that flowed from warm professional and personal relationships with over 75 graduate students, post-doctoral students, visiting scientists, and colleagues during the past 45 years.

TIME STAMPS

0:08:56 Follow Your Bliss

0:15:18 Cultural Overriding Of Individuality

0:19:19 The Chariot Metaphor

0:23:36 Following Your Heart

0:28:41 Sytcro-Destinies

0:40:25 “Biochemical Individuality” By Roger Williams

0:48:26 Epigenetic Study Results

0:52:52 On Hugging

0:58:21 Khalil Gibran The Prophet

1:02:31 All Animals Self-Medicate

1:06:54 All Life Is Sacred

1:10:27 The Resilience Of Plants

1:17:47 If Man Made It, Don’t Eat It

1:26:01 Dr. Provenza's Experience With Cancer

1:33:23 "The Power Of Now" By Eckart Tolle 

1:46:06 How To Find Fred

Sharing your thoughts and feedback in a review is the ULTIMATE way to support Awakening Aphrodite :)

You can also jump on Amy's email list and follow her updates at @FitAmyTV. Find out more at amyfournier.com and watch this episode on YouTube at Awakening Aphrodite Podcast/FitAmyTV! For special discounts on Amy's FAVORITE products, visit her estore.