The Model Health Show How to Change Your Environment to Make Healthy Choices Easier, Combat Stress, & Feel Your Very Best
Dec 22, 2025
Shawn Stevenson, a nutritionist and author, dives into the powerful impact of stress on health. He discusses the alarming rise of ultra-processed foods in children's diets and how communal family meals can foster better health outcomes. Shawn reveals that strong social bonds can significantly enhance longevity while sharing engaging tactics to make family meals enjoyable. He emphasizes the importance of teaching kids to cook and highlights how our relationships shape our health behaviors, urging a more human approach amidst technological advances.
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Family, Movement, Play
- Shawn Stevenson says family is his first pillar for feeling rooted and cites multi-generational energy exchanges.
- He also credits movement and play as core daily practices that keep him healthy and engaged.
From Ultra-Processed Diet To Diagnosis
- Shawn recounts a childhood of eating ~90% ultra-processed foods and developing severe spinal degeneration by age 20.
- That story became the catalyst for his health transformation and career in nutrition.
Relationships Trump Typical Health Metrics
- A meta-analysis of 148 studies found strong social bonds give a roughly 50% boost in longevity.
- Social connection reduces all-cause mortality more than typical lifestyle factors like diet or exercise.