Dr. Will Cole, a leading functional medicine practitioner and New York Times bestselling author, discusses his inspiring journey from rural Pennsylvania to pioneering telehealth medicine. He emphasizes the connection between diet, gut health, and emotional well-being, advocating for small, sustainable lifestyle changes. The conversation also highlights the fight against harmful food dyes in popular cereals while promoting a holistic approach that blends modern diagnostics with ancient practices. Dr. Cole encourages mindfulness and being present as crucial elements for health and happiness.
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Revitalize Memories
Dr. Cole and Light Watkins reminisce about attending Revitalize, a wellness event in the Sonoran Desert.
They recall meeting various wellness influencers before they became famous, including Andrew Huberman and Rich Roll.
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Unconventional Upbringing
Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Cole's family embraced health and nutrition, contrasting with the prevalent Rust Belt diet.
His bodybuilder father instilled in him an understanding of food's impact on health.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Biohacking
As a teenager, Dr. Cole used his Finish Line paycheck to buy superfoods and herbs, inspired by books like Andrew Weil's '8 Weeks to Optimum Health'.
He experimented with optimizing his diet, making his family's eating habits seem 'standard American' in comparison.
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In 'Genius Foods,' Max Lugavere presents a detailed exploration of how diet and lifestyle choices affect brain health. After his mother's diagnosis with dementia, Lugavere spent years researching brain health, consulting with leading scientists and clinicians. The book reveals the significant link between food intake and brain functions such as focus, learning, memory, creativity, and mood regulation. It offers actionable lifestyle changes based on pioneering research in dementia prevention, cognitive optimization, and nutritional psychiatry, making it a practical guide for improving brain power and overall well-being.
Eight Weeks to Optimum Health
Andrew Weil
In 'Eight Weeks to Optimum Health', Dr. Andrew Weil presents a holistic approach to health, integrating conventional and alternative medicine. The book outlines a practical, week-by-week plan that covers diet, exercise, lifestyle, stress, and environment. It includes recommendations on developing healthy eating habits, starting an effective exercise program, managing stress through breathing and mindfulness, and eliminating toxins from the diet. The program is designed to be gradual and sustainable, making it accessible to various groups, including pregnant women, senior citizens, and those at risk for chronic diseases. Weil emphasizes the importance of an anti-inflammatory diet, proper hydration, and balanced physical activity, including aerobic exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises like yoga and tai chi.
In this episode, Light Watkins sits down with Dr. Will Cole, a leading functional medicine practitioner, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneer in telehealth medicine. Dr. Cole’s journey from a rural upbringing in Western Pennsylvania to becoming a trailblazer in functional medicine is nothing short of inspiring. He shares how his parents' passion for health and nutrition shaped his path and how his unconventional childhood helped him break through traditional healthcare barriers to create the first virtual functional medicine clinic 15 years ago.
Dr. Cole dives deep into the intersection of diet, emotional wellbeing, and gut health, offering insights on how small, sustainable changes can lead to profound health transformations. He explains his mission to make wellness more accessible, his role in advocating for the removal of harmful food dyes from popular cereals, and why he believes in a “both-and” approach to healthcare—balancing modern diagnostics with ancient, holistic practices.
Light and Dr. Cole also explore the importance of presence in daily life, the power of anchoring yourself to the present moment, and how it directly influences better decision-making for health and happiness. Whether you're curious about the latest in functional medicine, looking for practical health tips, or seeking inspiration to live more mindfully, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.
Join Light and Dr. Cole for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges the status quo and empowers you to make choices that truly love you back.
The Spiritual Perspective 
