
The Made to Thrive Show
Optimising your mind, body and soul. Hosted by Steve Stavs, Africa's Pro Biohacker, Health Futurist, and founder of www.madetothrive.co.za.
Latest episodes

Jun 26, 2025 • 52min
Your Gut Health: IBS, IBD, Chron’s, Colitis, Bloating & Auto-Immune Conditions. Inspiration, & Empowerment from Josh Dech CHN CPT
It’s painful seeing so much sickness and ill-health. And one of the big reasons for so much sickness is the pain so many people’s guts are in. IBS, Chron’s disease and ulcerative colitis are becoming more common for more people, and tragically as young as 6 months old. This episode is a true gut health masterclass , with someone who really knows his gut stuff and is having real clinical success with real people, Josh Dech.Josh Dech is a Holistic Nutritionist and IBD specialist who believes that doctors often miss the mark by simply prescribing medication that masks symptoms. He advocates for functional medicine, focusing on addressing the root causes of health issues rather than just treating the symptoms. With his Gut 911 approach, Josh aims to heal the gut, rebuild the microbiome, and restore freedom to his clients’ lives by addressing the underlying causes of digestive diseases like Crohn’s and Colitis. His success in reversing these conditions led him to partner with medical clinics across the country, and he now shares his expertise as a medical lecturer for the Priority Health Academy, teaching doctors to implement his approach. Josh’s extensive background includes being a Physician’s Consultant for IBD and IBS, a former paramedic, and the Scientific Strategist and Education Director for the Root Cause For Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Join us as we explore:What is at the root of the continuous rise of gut imbalance conditions like Chron’s and colitis, and why the North American population has over 50% of the GLOBAL cases of serious gut disease.How it’s possible to cure - YES CURE - the most serious of gut imbalance in just 16 weeks by following Josh’s Gut 911 approach.The three reasons you get gut disease, the three ways to treat, reverse and cure them and the specific detox protocols and tools Josh finds success with.How detoxing as principle is woefully misunderstood, leading to worse symptoms and outcomes.The difference between IBD and IBS, and why Josh doesn’t believe a specific diagnosis between IBD, IBS, Chron’s or colitis is critical to treating, reversing and curing it.Why your gut health is about a lot more than what you eat.Contact:Website: https://gutsolution.ca/aboutInstagram: @joshdech.healthSupport the showFollow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTokSupport the show on Patreon:As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShowSend me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

Jun 20, 2025 • 60min
The Lies I Taught in Medical School: Prof Lufkin MD Phd.
Guests don’t get as accomplished and credentials as Dr Robert Lufkin, a physician and medical school professor of the highest calibre with over 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers. And then he wrote a book about the lies he HIMSELF was teaching in medical school. I believe this is one of the most important books I have ever read, and that Dr Lufkin himself is one of the greatest health heroes speaking truth despite the personal consequences. That’s why it was a true privilege to have him on the show and unpack the lies he was telling at medical school. Robert Lufkin, MD is a physician and medical school professor at both UCLA and USC. New York Times bestselling author dedicated to helping people reclaim their metabolic health through lifestyle and other evidence-based tools. A frequent guest on the Today Show, USA Today, FOX, and other major news outlets, his weekly video podcast reaches over 500,000 viewers. After reversing his own chronic disease, Dr. Lufkin has made it his mission to empower others to do the same. His latest book, Lies I Taught in Medical School, quickly became a New York Times bestseller and has reshaped the public conversation around metabolic health and longevity. In addition to his clinical work, he has authored over 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 14 books, published in fourteen languages.Join us as we explore:Why western or allopathic medicine is losing the battle against obesity, diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, cancer, Alzheimer’s and mental illnessWhy being diagnosed with four of the main chronic diseases and then reversing them with a few simple lifestyle changes left Dr Lufkin understanding he was “trusting the science that couldn’t be trusted” and that he was teaching lies as a medical school professor.Which lie Dr Lufkin believes is the most egregious and harmful still being told by the official medical institutions.Why going to your doctor is not the person who is going to make you healthy, but AI could be.The debate around lipid health and markers like apolipoB.Why despite writing a book about the abundance of untruths in medicine Dr Lufkin is more optimistic about the future than he’s ever been.Contact:Website: https://www.robertlufkinmd.comMention:Quote - “Gentlemen, I have a confession to make. Half of what we have taught you is in error, and furthermore we cannot tell you which half it is. Be calm and strong and patient. Meet failure and disappointment with courage”, Sir William Support the showFollow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTokSupport the show on Patreon:As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShowSend me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

Jun 11, 2025 • 50min
Health Technology to Upgrade Your Mental Health and Performance: The Science of Cutting Edge Laser Tech: Dr Brandon Crawford DC FIBFN-CND
In this engaging talk, Dr. Brandon Crawford, a functional neurologist specializing in childhood neurodevelopment and photobiomodulation, shares groundbreaking insights about the power of light in health. He discusses his unique therapy laser, 'laser focus,' and its transformative effects on mental health and cognitive performance. Listeners will learn about heart rate variability, the role of different light wavelengths in enhancing organ health and overall well-being, and the fascinating therapeutic potential of lasers for conditions like ADHD and anxiety.

Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 3min
The Cholesterol Masterclass 101: How Oreos Reduce Cholesterol, ApoB, and What Causes Heart Disease. Dave Feldman
In this engaging discussion, Dave Feldman, a senior software engineer and entrepreneur passionate about cholesterol research, questions conventional wisdom about cholesterol's role in heart health. He introduces the revolutionary idea that cholesterol may function as an energy adaptogen. The conversation playfully explores how eating Oreos can lower LDL as effectively as statins. Feldman also highlights the importance of understanding ApoB, the lean mass hyper responder phenomenon, and innovative health assessments for better cardiovascular health.

May 28, 2025 • 1h 1min
Optimise Your Brain with BrainTap. You Know that Your Mental Performance is Everything! Dr Patrick Porter Phd
Dr Patrick Porter is on a mission to better a billion brains, and he’s definitely bettered a few thousand brains with me here in Africa. BrainTap is a game-changing mental performance tool, and yet people tell me every week they don’t have time for it. It breaks my heart, because people do not understand the power they are refusing to even try. In today’s show Dr Porter shares some incredible insights on how best to utilize BrainTap, amazing new research statistics and why his latest discovery Neuralcheck is going to revolutionize mental performance.Dr. Patrick Porter is the esteemed Founder & CEO of BrainTap, driven by a profound dedication to unraveling the complexities of the brain and leveraging neuroplasticity to enhance lives worldwide. Recognizing the limited accessibility of such life-altering technology to practitioners, Dr. Porter embarked on a mission to democratize its availability. Today, he proudly shares groundbreaking scientific advancements with a global audience through BrainTap, aiming to catalyze positive change on a significant scale. With over 40 annual appearances, Dr. Porter integrates daily routines that include Wake-Up, Afternoon Reboot, and Go-to-Sleep sessions. Dr. Porter finds immense fulfillment in witnessing the profound enhancements in brain function among BrainTap users. His vision drives the team at BrainTap to continually strive towards making a lasting, positive impact on the world—one brain at a time.Join us as we explore:How to get more people to sit down and do a BrainTap, and what Dr Porter tells people when they say they don’t have time.Dr Porter’s morning BrainTap recommendation for a better day of brain performance, the importance of the headset and why you shouldn’t listen to the same session for 72 hours.How to get 23% more production after 2 pm with a “brain break”, and other incredible stats from BrainTap’s research.Why the brain is inherently lazy, and what that means we have to do to overcome the survival mindset.NeuralChek why it has become central to BrainTap’s impact and future and what two drinks do to the “color” (and performance) of your brain!BrainTap, your kids and your grandkids.Mention:Study - 2 pm brain break, https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8uutgexVdl/Support the showFollow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTokSupport the show on Patreon:As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShowSend me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

May 15, 2025 • 54min
The Creatine Masterclass: Why & How Men and Women Optimize Performance with this Miracle Compound. Dr Darren Candow PhD CSEP-CEP FISSN
Despite being the most studied supplement of all time, creatine is making a big resurgence. It’s been the hot topic in the health podcast space for the past year, as new scientific evidence is showing creatine is about more than looking big, but has big and important effects on brain health and overall longevity. But, like all things, creatine needs to be handled with care. It needs to be the right type, at the right dose, at the right times, with the right movement and for the right person. That’s why it was important for me to get a true creatine expert on the show, Dr Darren Candow.Dr. Darren Candow is a professor specializing in exercise physiology, nutrition, and aging. He supervises the Aging Muscle and Bone Health Laboratory, where the primary research focus is to develop effective lifestyle interventions involving nutrition—primarily creatine monohydrate—and physical activity, particularly resistance training. These interventions aim to improve muscle, bone, and brain health and function, with both practical and clinical relevance. Join us as we explore:Everything about creatine! What it is, is it right for you, the safest form, dosage, it’s most important (and surprising) effects, why it’s the most studied supplement ever and some risks and side effects.Creatine’s incredible effects on a sleep deprived and exhausted brain!Creatine’s relationship to caffeine, hyperbaric chambers/hypoxia and TRT.Dr Candow’s recommended morning exercise and creatine protocol.Does creatine cause you to gain weight, retain water, and is the loading phase a real thing?Veganism and creatine.Mention:Study - Creatine and anti-depressants. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.11091452Study - Creatine and pregnancy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-015-2150-7Study - Creatine and sleep deprivation. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54249-9Person - Stuart Phillips, https://experts.mcmaster.ca/display/phillisSupport the showFollow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTokSupport the show on Patreon:As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShowSend me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

Apr 30, 2025 • 57min
Holistic Health: Merging Ayurvedic Wisdom, Neuroscience & Health Technology: Dr Nidhi Pandya BAMS
As much as I love and believe in the medical science and biohacks of the 21st century, there is wisdom and knowing that will be forever timeless. Whether my first passion Traditional Chinese Medicine, or Ayurvedic medicine, there are good reasons these health paradigms have lasted for thousands of years. The trick now is how to integrate and make them relevant in today’s modern world, which is the mission of todays guest Nidhi Pandya.Get her new book “Your Body Already Knows”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214540631-your-body-already-knowsNidhi is an Ayurvedic Doctor based in NYC, and the creator of the Inner Climate ® Framework. A groundbreaking approach to health that merges ancient wisdom with modern science, and represents the essence of her 15 years of dedicated practice and deep understanding of Ayurvedic principles. Nidhi soon realized the limitations of a strictly prescriptive approach to health. This insight spurred her to reinterpret Ayurveda through a transformative lens, making ancient knowledge accessible and relevant in today's world. An international teacher, coach, and speaker, Nidhi contributes to various publications and serves as a faculty member at the Shakti School. Her strength lies in her unique ability to bridge the gap between traditional Ayurvedic teachings and the needs of contemporary women, guiding them towards a balanced, empowered life.Join us as we explore:What ayurvedic medicine is, what the word actually means and why it remains timeless.How to reignite our inner intuition, and allow our inner intelligence to guide health, wellness and life flourishing.The climate and landscape of the body and why Nidhi is seeing more and more of the “overly solar” dry archetype.Why we, diurnal mammals, have lunches and dinners the wrong way, and the reason people are putting themselves into food comas.Sunlight’s critical role in Ayurveda. An Ayurvedic perspective on biohacks like sauna and cold plunges.Contact: Website - https://www.nidhi.meInstagram - @my_ayurvedic_lifeSupport the showFollow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTokSupport the show on Patreon:As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShowSend me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

Apr 23, 2025 • 56min
Your Mouth Counts! Oral Health & Cancer, Chronic Disease and Mental Health. Dr Michelle Jorgensen DDS ND
“Health starts in the mouth”. It’s truer than people know. When oral issues can be correlated to about 80% of chronic disease, it may be the most critical area of health neglected by the public and misunderstood by professionals. Which is why Dr Michelle is the voice we need in the world of oral health. Her pain to purpose story combined with a passion for science and her patient’s wellbeing, I wish dentists around the world heard her message and also became health based dentists. PRE-ORDER her NEW book now: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Well-Dr-Michelle-Comprehensive/dp/1637746784Dr. Michelle Jorgensen is an author, speaker, teacher, biologic/holistic dentist, and health and wellness provider. After practicing traditional dentistry for 10 years, Michelle became very sick. Through her own path to return to health, she discovered she had mercury poisoning from drilling out mercury fillings for her patients.This path led her to discover ways to improve her family’s and her own health in all facets of life. She found answers in the kitchen, in the garden, and at home. She has found what it takes to Live Well, in today’s world, and now with Living Well with Dr. Michelle, she wants to share those ways to Live Well with you.Join us as we explore:A health based dentist, why between 60% and 80% of chronic disease are correlated to issues of oral health. Why Utah became the first American state to ban fluoride from public drinking water.Mercury poisoning, how Dr Michelle got it, her painful treatment process and why it remains a problem in the world of oral health.What to ask for when you need a filling. The root canal controversy, cavitations and why the documentary “Root Cause” was banned on Netflix. What actually causes cavities and tooth decay, and how to remineralize. Neuralgia inducting cavitation osteonecrosis and fatty degenerative osteonecrotic jawbone, what they are, how serious are they and what Dr Michelle tells everybody about this process.Contact: Website - www.livingwellwithdrmichelle.comMentions:Person - Hal Huggins, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4566458/Directory - IAOMT, www.iaomt.orgSupport the showFollow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTokSupport the show on Patreon:As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShowSend me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

Apr 17, 2025 • 58min
How To Optimise Your Fat! Seed OIls, PUFA’s, MUFA’s, & Regenerative Farming. Strong Sistas Dr Ashley Armstrong. MS Phd
PUFAS, MUFAS and LUFAS. No, they’re not a new type of cereal or sponge for the shower, these are the types of dietary fats that will either make or break your metabolism. And the key here is where are you getting them from aka what are you eating. Which is Ashley Armstrong's expertise. Not only from a scientific point of view, but because she became a regenerative farmer in order to ensure creating the right fatty acid composition for her animals and the humans that will eventually consume them or their products.Ashley and Sarah Armstrong, also known as the Strong Sistas, are here to help others simplify and implement the foundations of true health. Their goal is to empower individuals to live their best lives, free from being stunted by a diagnosis and the confusion and fear that often accompany it. With firsthand experience, they understand the challenges of feeling lost and afraid, trying every restrictive diet, being prescribed numerous medications, and being told, “this is your new normal,” with no other options, answers, or hope for a positive outcome. Ashley Armstrong received her PhD in Engineering and became a Professor, but during graduate school, she discovered her true passions for nutrition and regenerative agriculture, which led her to build Strong Sistas and start a regenerative farm from scratch. She has overcome numerous health challenges, including amenorrhea (no period for 12 years), autoimmunity, constipation and gut issues, PCOS, severe insomnia, orthorexia, iron overload, hirsutism, self-doubt, and estrogen imbalance.Join us as we explore:How Ashley and her sister almost got caught up in the typical revolving doctor’s doors situationWhy Ashley believes deeply in the ancestral diet aka a diet full of saturated fat.A PUFA, a LUFA and why they critically matter to your metabolic health!Linoleic acid, why it’s hurting for you, why there is too much in your diet and why despite coming from grains that’s NOT the source most people are receiving it from!Is olive oil and omega3 as beneficial and harmless as touted?The scary reality of ruminant bypass dairy modification and field desiccation.Contact: Website - https://www.armstrongsisters.comMentions:Information - The Dirty Dozen, https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/full-list.phpPodcast - Perry Nickelston, https://youtu.be/H_NhrAy6FR8Support the showFollow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTokSupport the show on Patreon:As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShowSend me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

Apr 9, 2025 • 57min
100 is the New 30! Longevity Cardiologist Shows YOU HOW! Dr Jeffrey Gladden MD FACC
The idea of living to 100 or longer but being as healthy as someone in their 30s is one I am both fascinated and hoping to achieve. And I believe at the core of this pursuit is data. But what data? What’s the most important, and how do you measure it? And how do you improve it? To answer these questions and many more, there was nobody better to have on the show than longevity expert Dr Jeffrey Gladden.Dr. Jeffrey R. Gladden MD, FACC is a distinguished authority in the field of longevity and preventive medicine. As the founder and medical director of Gladden Longevity + Advanced Performance Center, an esteemed clinic located in Dallas, Texas, he is dedicated to optimizing life energy, longevity, health, and performance.Get his new book, 100 is the new 30, NOW: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195641782-100-is-the-new-30Join us as we explore:Why Dr Gladden genuinely believes we can live to 100 but inhabit a 30 year old, strong body and sharp mind.What is means to become an “age hacker”, and why it’s as much about mindset as data and biohacking.A hierarchy of biological importance if you want to be 30 at 100 - from the brain to insulin to hormone metabolism.What is means and how to measure nervous system resilience and vagus nerve tone.Why higher does not necessarily mean better when it comes to HRV but why being chronically low does spell trouble.Why Dr Gladden believes psycho-spiritual health is as relevant as anything “biological”Contact: Website - https://gladdenlongevity.comMentions:Programs - Gladden Longevity, https://gladdenlongevity.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Program-Comparison-Chart-v1.pdf Diagnostics - IntellxxDNA, https://intellxxdna.comProduct - BrainTap, https://madetothrive.co.za/special-deals/braintap/Product - Neurocheck, https://www.brainpowerscore.comSupport the showFollow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTokSupport the show on Patreon:As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShowSend me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/