The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Show with Ben Brown Why Hormone Optimization Is Now Essential for High-Performing Men
Most men past their 30s aren’t broken. They feel depleted, but their doctors point to normal labs and move on.
In this episode of the Smart Nutrition Made Simple Show, I sit down with Nico Misleh, Clinician, Nurse Practitioner and Founder of HRT University who trains medical providers in hormone optimization and works directly with patients in practice.
We break down the impact of hormones to overall wellness, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and why diet and lifestyle alone eventually stops being enough for a lot of men. This is not about shortcuts or chasing numbers. It is about understanding when biology becomes the limiting factor and responding appropriately.
If your labs look normal but your symptoms show otherwise, this episode will resonate with you.
Episode Timeline
00:00 – Episode Preview
01:42 – Podcast Intro
02:18 – Why Doing Everything Right Still Feels Wrong
03:20 – The Slow Decline Most Men Miss
04:25 – When Energy and Focus Start Slipping
05:29 – How Nico Ended Up in Hormone Medicine
06:40 – Early Exposure to Functional Medicine
07:33 – Lessons From Working With Real Patients
08:45 – Why Hormones Change Everything
09:53 – Why Medical Training Misses Hormones
10:45 – The Limits of Conventional Care
11:10 – The Problem With Reference Ranges
12:26 – When Normal Labs Stop Meaning Anything
13:40 – Symptoms That Get Dismissed
14:40 – Treating the Person Not the Paperwork
15:55 – Why Men Are Told to Accept Less
17:30 – The Point Where Lifestyle Stops Working
19:00 – Where Hormones Fit In
20:20 – Hormones as a Support Tool
22:10 – The Commitment Side of TRT
24:50 – Individualized Dosing Versus Templates
28:19 – The Most Common TRT Mistakes Men Make
35:10 – Addressing Stigma Around Testosterone
43:12 – Is Testosterone Actually Cheating
55:11 – Podcast Outro
Connect with Nico Misleh, MSN, FNP - C
- Learn more about HRT University:
- https://www.hrtuniversity.com
- Nico’s clinical practice in Ohio:
- https://www.apollohealthop.com
Links & Resources:
- Connect with Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodysystemscoaching/
- Learn more about Ben’s coaching program: www.bodysystems.com
- Subscribe to the Smart Nutrition Made Simple Show on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-smart-nutrition-made-simple-show-with-ben-brown/id1244912234
- Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4H8vUlwYvKcAXZOv84sFgT
- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bodysystemscoaching
- Book Free Nutrition Strategy Call - https://bodysystems.com/free-strategy-call/