The Primal Kitchen Podcast

Elle Russ chats with CJ Hunt, the writer, producer and host of the break out film (and first Paleo documentary), The Perfect Human Diet, and author of the how-to companion guide of the same title. CJ is currently in production for The Perfect Human Diet  2. On today’s episode, CJ dispells the lies behind current health news headlines, falsely concluded health studies, articles, and more.   If you are in the Ancestral Health, Paleo, Keto or Ethical Omnivore camps, healthy animal foods and their production are under constant attack by popular films like Forks Over Knives, Cowspiracy and What The Health. These films and films like them claim that animal foods are not only destroying our health, but our environment as well. CJ’s mission is to counteract these false narratives and bring the truth to the forefront by not letting these propaganda films go unchallenged.  You can help support this mission by donating to the film which is non-profit endeavor.   SELECTED LINKS: THE PERFECT HUMAN DIET 2  

Elle Russ chats with Steven Gundry, M.D. about his new book The Longevity Paradox.  During his 40-year medical career he performed over 10,000 heart surgeries and developed patented, life-saving medical technology. After discovering key secrets to health 15 years ago, his mission is to prevent surgery by helping patients heal themselves through proper nutrition. His best-selling book from 2008, Dr. Gundry’s Diet Evolution,focused on specific diet principles for weight-loss and disease reversal. His second book, The Plant Paradox, further illuminates truths about hidden dangers of supposed “healthy” foods.  Dr. Gundry founded Gundry MD in 2016—a wellness blog, YouTube channel and supplement company to achieve optimum vitality. He practices medicine at the International Heart & Lung Institute and Center for Restorative Medicine in Palm Springs and Santa Barbara, CA. Selected Links: Dr. Gundry’s Website The Longevity Paradox

Primal Health Coach and extreme health expert Dude Spellings returns to the show for a wide-ranging discussion about his wild and wacky journey to his current highly optimized primal lifestyle. Dude started as state high school distance running champion in Texas, went to corporate couch potato, and then back into the endurance scene with a random marathon performance after a single 21-mile training session to prepare! As Dude returned to enthusiastic endurance training in his 30s, he shockingly gained excess body fat despite his intensive training regimen.    This is the so-called Elephant in the Room mentioned at the beginning of the Primal Endurance book. Why do endurance athletes, despite hours of weekly training and attention to sensible eating, struggle with excess body fat? Dude has lived through this ordeal and emerged with groundbreaking insights that you will absolutely love. We talk about the balance between discipline and enjoying life, and the slippery slope of bad habits, how the Maffetone 2-week test (carb restriction) prompted a diet overhaul, and how a chance conversation with Brad at a Speedgolf event 4 years ago convinced him to slow down and emphasize MAF heart rate training.

Elle Russ chats with Integrative Physician Gary E. Foresman MD about Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) and its benefits in treating autoimmune disorders, cancer, and much more. In 1994 when Dr. Foresman opened a private practice, he quickly became dissatisfied with the inability of established Western medical treatments to effectively treat many of his patients. Dr. Foresman began investigating alternative therapies and has since expanded his training in many systems of healing—not just through meditation and stress management, but also using botanical, orthomolecular and functional medicine systems. His scientific mind combined with a holistic integrative perspective, makes him a skilled practitioner who therapeutically synthesizes optimal healing modalities for each individual. Dr. Foresman ranked among the top in the nation on his Internal Medicine Board Exams and has some of the most comprehensive Internal Medicine training to be found - including serving as a Clinical Professor who trained other physicians at a University Medical Center.  In-depth commentary on thyroid dysfunction by Dr. Gary Foresman can be found in The Paleo Thyroid Solution written by Elle Russ.   Selected Links: Dr. Gary Foresman - Website

Host Brad Kearns talks about the importance of tracking testosterone and other key blood values, and how we can have a tremendous and immediate influence over our blood values without having to resort to medication regiments. Brad mentions how he doubled his testosterone level, going from clinically low (and candidate for drug therapy) to beyond 99th percentile for males over age 50 six months later. The first reading was after several months of "chronic cardio" in the form of frequent Speedgolf. The second reading came after months of rest and recovery following a string of surgeries. The story comes with an important message about getting help when you are in pain instead of trying to tough it out like a tough guy. Brad's medical ordeal of an emergency appendectomy and months of complications and a few additional surgeries after could have been much less troubling had he insisted on further medical care instead of toughing it out. A few athlete Q&A is also included, including how "180 minus age" is a great reference for training, but not too relevant for a short sprint race.

It's time for the annual Paleo Fx recap podcast with super duper podcast hosts Elle Russ and Brad Kearns. Brad and Elle go off on assorted interesting topics of mind and body, inspired by the consciousness expanding experience at the show. Brad and Elle talk about how vegan creeping into the conversation in Austin, and the importance of examining self-limiting beliefs and manifesting empowering beliefs. Elle won a freaking standup paddleboard at a raffle simply by intentionalizing her victory! We talk about how flawed science, or blanket reliance on science as the end-all, can be detrimental to your personal results. The pair discuss the awesome Primal Health Coach crowd, and some interesting products at the show: Therapeudic near-infrared red light exposure (and Brad's strategic application on key body parts), CBD products, and more. If you couldn't make Paleo Fx, now you can feel connected and inspired to attend next year.

Elle Russ chats with Justin Perry - the founder and CEO of the world's largest Law of Attraction YouTube channel, YouAreCreators™. He founded YouAreCreators™ in 2012 which has over 1.4 million subscribers and over 100 million views combined. Justin’s life changed drastically when he discovered the principles of the Law of Attraction - he went from working on an assembly line to buying a house on the water with two boats, and much more. Justin has made it his mission to share his knowledge of positive thinking and the power of the subconscious mind…to help you create the life you desire, deserve, and love.  Visit his YouTube Channel for inspiring videos, guided prosperity and wellness meditations, positive affirmations, and much more!   SELECTED LINKS: YouAreCreators - YouTube Channel

Brad welcomes Ironman triathlete, personal trainer, and holistic health coach Debbie Potts to discuss her area of expertise: Slowing down, being happy, playful, and mindful, and escaping the disastrous consequences of the hard driving, orthorexic, Type-A mindset that often takes you right to breakdown, burnout, illness, and injury. Debbie is on a long road to recovery after a decade-long binge at the highest levels of amateur triathlon racing (12-time ironman finisher) destroyed her health and well-being. Brad and Debbie talk about a healthy approach to dietary transformation, emphasizing eating wholesome, colorful foods, choosing the best in each category, and never struggling or suffering in the name of diet. This episode is syndicated on Debbie's WHOLEAthlete podcast so check out that channel and get deeper into a holistic approach to endurance training and healthy, fit living.

Dr. Cate Shanahan, the author of Deep Nutrition and Food Rules, pulls no punches when discussing how our conventional view of screening and treating cancer could be ill-advised. Referencing the work of Dr. Thomas Seyfried, Cate explains that cancer is actually a metabolic disease, rather than a genetic disease. This implies that instead of aggressive chemo and radiation treatment to attack cancer at the genetic level, the dietary modification could be the most effective strategy. This aligns with Warburg Effect principle, which suggests cancer cells feed preferentially on glucose, at a rate greater than regular cells. The idea is that starving cancer cells of glucose with fasting and ketogenic eating patterns makes it possible to shrink tumors and heal. Cate tackles the big C question, our biggest fear: What would you do if you were diagnosed with cancer tomorrow? Cate says she would get to business with fasting and ketogenic eating, and head off to Turkey, yes Turkey!, to participate in cutting edge insulin therapy. While it might be unsettling to rethink the template strategy of cancer-fighting, Cate's commentary can help you reflect further about how your thoughts, beliefs, and food choices affect your overall health. Enjoy this discussion with one of the great leaders of the ancestral health movement, and be sure to read Deep Nutrition to learn the hows and whys about choosing the most nutritious foods that your genes expect for optimum health.

Elle Russ chats with Jeffrey M. Smith - the leading consumer advocate promoting healthier non-GMO choices. For more than two decades, his research has exposed how biotech companies mislead policy makers and the public, and put the health of society and environment at risk. In 2018, he and Amy Hart released Secret Ingredients, a documentary that highlights numerous individuals and families that healed from serious conditions after switching to an organic diet.  Mr. Smith’s books include: Seeds of Deception and Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods. They expertly demonstrate why the safety assessments by the FDA and regulators worldwide are based on outdated science and false assumptions, and why genetically engineered foods must urgently become our top food safety priority. Jeffrey is the founding executive director of The Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT), a leading source of GMO health risk information for consumers, policy makers, and healthcare professionals. Mr. Smith resides in California, as well as Iowa, surrounded by genetically modified soybeans and corn. SELECTED LINKS: Secret Ingredients - Movie