Peak Performance Life Podcast

Show notes: (0:00) Intro (00:56) Meet Dr. Luc Van Loon and his background in protein research (01:51) How much protein is too much—or not enough? (06:03) Can your body really "waste" extra protein? (07:53) Is the post-workout protein window real? (09:00) Daily protein needs and what the data really says (12:51) Plant vs. animal protein (17:40) Do essential amino acid supplements work like protein powder? (22:15) What to know about collagen protein and muscle growth (30:09) Protein before bed and how your body uses it overnight (34:29) Advice for staying strong and healthy as you age (40:38) Do men and women differ in muscle response to protein? (42:08) Are cold plunges helpful or harmful for muscle growth? (47:11) Where to learn more from Dr. Van Loon and his research team (48:24) Outro   Who is Luc van Loon?   Luc van Loon is a Professor of Physiology of Exercise and Nutrition and Head of the M3-research group at the Department of Human Biology at Maastricht University. Luc has an international research standing in the area of skeletal muscle metabolism, has published well over 530 peer-reviewed articles (more than 32.000 citations) achieving an H-index of 95 (Web of Science profile). Current research in his laboratory focuses on the skeletal muscle adaptive response to physical (in)activity, and the impact of nutritional and pharmacological interventions to modulate metabolism in both health and disease. The latter are investigated on a whole-body, tissue, and cellular level, with skeletal muscle as the main tissue of interest. To support the use of stable isotopes in biomedical research, Luc is also scientific coordinator of the Stable Isotope Research Centre (SIRC) at Maastricht University Medical Centre+.   Connect with Luc: Website: https://www.m3-research.nl/ Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram  

Dr. Emily Splichal is a functional podiatrist and movement specialist with over two decades in fitness. She discusses common foot care mistakes that people make and why they often overlook their feet. Emily emphasizes the transition to minimalist footwear and reveals the myth behind cushioned shoes. Listeners learn about daily routines to strengthen their feet and the importance of toe spacers for conditions like bunions. She also shares insights on how factors like aging and menopause affect foot health.

Tongue Press Course Link: https://www.neelbulchandani.com/tongue-press Use code PEAK20 to get Tongue Press for $20 ($70 off the standard price of $90)   Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:28) What’s Dr. Neel’s background, and how he got into the work he does (4:47) What is a tongue tie, and how common is it? (10:05) Why tongue ties often go undiagnosed (12:12) Dr. Neel’s "airway map" and 70 patterns of dysfunction (14:09) How to screen yourself for a tongue tie (19:23) The right way to breathe and position your tongue (22:25) Nose hair, earwax, and hearing health (31:04) Floor of mouth mindfulness and tongue mobility exercise (42:42) How Dr. Neel works on patients and what his protocol includes (47:23) Courses and teaching across the US with his tours (51:01) Where to find Dr. Neel’s courses and contact him (52:49) Outro Who is Dr. Neel Bulchandani?   Dr. Neel is an integrative specialist and the creator of Embryoloji, a fusion-based approach that blends bodywork, movement, and multiple healing modalities to help people release deep tension, pain, and dysfunction. With a background as a chiropractor, movement teacher, and bodyworker, Dr. Neel brings a unique lens to healing—one that’s rooted in both science and intuition.   He’s known for his work with oral ties, nervous system regulation, and pre-/post-op care for procedures like frenectomies. He’s helped countless families navigate breastfeeding challenges, sleep issues, TMJ dysfunction, and more, often by getting to the root of tethered oral tissues and hidden patterns in the body.   Dr. Neel teaches his Floor of the Mouth Protocol around the country and offers online courses for both practitioners and patients. He’s a big believer in collaborative care and works closely with everyone from midwives and ENTs to osteopaths and lactation consultants.   Based in Santa Barbara, he also sees patients across California—from LA to the Bay Area—and is expanding to Pacific Grove. Outside the clinic, he’s a husband, father of three, and deep thinker who’s passionate about nervous system health, human connection, and the healing potential in all of us.   Connect with Dr. Neel: Website: https://www.neelbulchandani.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/drneelbulchandani Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram

Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:08) Dr. Ramsey’s path to psychiatry and roots in rural Indiana (3:15) The basics of sleep, food, and nature (7:25) Biggest mistakes people make with mental health (9:12) Neuroplasticity, inflammation, and the microbiome (18:12) Worst foods for mental health (30:25) What to eat for better brain health (31:22) Addressing trauma and emotional burdens (35:22) Strengthening your sense of connection (37:41) Benefits of grounding and being in nature (45:07) What is his preferred therapy methods (51:43) Thoughts on supplements like Omega-3s, NAC, and where to learn more about Drew and his book (57:02) Outro Who is Dr. Drew Ramsey?   Dr. Drew Ramsey is a board-certified psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author who specializes in integrative and nutritional psychiatry, with a strong focus on male mental health. He is the founder of the Brain Food Clinic and Spruce Mental Health in Jackson, Wyoming, where he combines clinical expertise with current research to support mental well-being and resilience. A former Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University for two decades, Dr. Ramsey has taught and supervised a range of therapeutic techniques, including Nutritional Psychiatry, while also contributing to academic and media outreach on mental health topics. A prominent advocate and public figure in mental health, Dr. Ramsey is known for his engaging public speaking, national workshops, TEDx talks, and media contributions, including The Today Show, TIME, and NPR. He co-hosts the Men’s Health series Friday Sessions and is involved with several advisory boards, including Men’s Health and Bring Change to Mind. His upcoming book, Healing the Modern Brain (HarperCollins, 2025), follows a series of acclaimed works that helped define Nutritional Psychiatry. Alongside his publications, he has developed online courses and resources like the Mental Fitness Kitchen and the Friday Feels newsletter, all aimed at promoting practical, food-based mental fitness strategies. He lives in Jackson, Wyoming, with his wife and two children.   Connect with Dr. Ramsey: Website: https://www.drewramseymd.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewramseymd/   Grab a copy: https://drewramseymd.com/books-publications/ Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram  

Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:48) Jeff’s story and 9/11 healing (4:03) Good stress vs bad stress (7:53) The psychological side of stress and emotional regulation (13:39) Ancient wellness practices and building calm through meditation (18:00) Tools for managing stress (35:51) Movement and exercise through evolution (41:20) Where to learn more about Jeff and his book (46:05) Outro Who is Jeff Krasno?   Jeff is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well-being. He hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of health experts and luminaries from Andrew Huberman and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté. Jeff pens a personal weekly essay titled “Commusings” that explores spirituality, wellness and culture and is distributed to over one million subscribers every Sunday.   Jeff is the author of Good Stress, a collection of wellness protocols that he developed to reverse his diabetes, lose 60 pounds and reclaim his health at age 50.   Jeff and his better three-quarters, Schuyler Grant, own and operate Commune Topanga, a 10-acre wellness center and production lab where they host regular retreats together featuring yoga, cold plunging, sauna bathing, lectures and story-telling.    Jeff & Schuyler have three beautiful daughters, Phoebe, Lolli and Micah. They currently live in Los Angeles, California. Connect with Jeff: Website: https://www.onecommune.com/   Grab a copy: https://www.onecommune.com/goodstressbook Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram  

Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:00) First steps Dr. Dasari takes with new patients (3:07) Symptoms tied to gut microbiome dysfunction (4:37) Why most stool tests can be misleading (11:27) Why a food diary is the best tool (14:06) What healthy vs. unhealthy stool looks like (17:15) How to fix constipation (19:46) Top foods hurting your gut (24:12) Sugar alcohols and the hidden dangers of diet sodas (31:53) Best foods for gut health (34:59) How to properly prepare beans and legumes (38:08) Why omega fats are so important (40:52) Seed oils and how they sneak into your food (43:41) The truth about oxalates and kidney health (47:33) Final advice and how to work with Dr. Dasari (51:53) Outro Who is Dr. Chanu Dasari?   Dr. Dasari’s clinical career extends to distinguished institutions around the world, such as Vanderbilt University, Oxford University (UK), and the University of California. His original research has been published in top peer-reviewed scientific journals and adopted by the US Department of Health for wide-scale implementation. Dr. Dasari is board-certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, American College of Surgeons, and is a qualified, licensed medical practitioner by the National Board of Medical Examiners and Federation of State Medical Boards. His expertise in hernia repair, gallbladder removal, cysts, digestive disease, and cancer have earned him the reputation of being one of the highest-rated physicians in Las Vegas.   Connect with Dr. Chanu: Website: https://dasarimd.com/ Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram  

Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:45) Dr. Sarah Ballantyne’s background and health journey (6:37) What does “nutrient density” actually mean? (8:58) Why current food scoring systems fall short (13:09) The hardest nutrients to get & why they matter (18:54) Breaking diet culture rules (27:09) What a typical day of eating looks like for Sarah (32:58) Weight loss tips using the Nutrivore philosophy (39:52) Lifestyle habits for sustainable change (47:500 Where to learn more about Nutrivore and Dr. Sarah Ballantyne (49:39) Outro Who is Dr. Sarah Ballantyne?   Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, PhD, is the founder of Nutrivore and New York Times best-selling author of Nutrivore: The Radical New Science for Getting the Nutrients You Need from the Food You Eat. She creates educational resources to help people improve their diet and lifestyle choices, empowered and informed by the most current evidence-based scientific research. Dr. Sarah began her career as a science communicator and health educator when she launched her original website in 2011. Since then, Dr. Sarah has continued to follow the science, diving deep into immune health, metabolic health, gut microbiome health, nutritional sciences, and the compelling evidence for health at any size, while also observing the harm of healthism, diet culture, dogmatic misinformation, and predatory marketing. With Nutrivore, Dr. Sarah has created a positive and inclusive approach to dietary guidance based on science and devoid of dogma, using nutrient density and sufficiency as its basic principles: Nourishment, not judgment. Connect with Dr. Ballantyne: Website: https://nutrivore.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahballantyne Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePaleoMom YT: https://www.youtube.com/@drsarahballantyne   Grab a copy: https://tinyurl.com/ycxk7anw Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram  

Dr. John Douillard is a renowned expert in natural health and Ayurveda, known for merging ancient wisdom with modern science. He shares fascinating insights on the importance of seasonal eating and gut health, emphasizing how our diets should align with nature's cycles. Douillard explains effective breathing techniques for enhanced lung function and emotional balance. He also discusses the power of key spices for digestion and provides tips on reintroducing foods like wheat by healing digestion. Tune in for practical advice and resources related to Ayurvedic health!

Show notes: (0:00) Intro (0:53) Maria and her health journey (2:45) How keto helped Maria and her shift into carnivore diet (6:58) Old-school nutrition advice vs. updated science (12:23) Keto and weight loss—how it really works (18:35) Protein vs. fat: understanding macros and energy (20:40) Should you cycle off keto or carnivore? (23:46) Who benefits most from these diets—real success stories (26:39) Causes of hair loss and how diet can help (30:59) Nutrient density: steak vs. fruits and veggies (35:10) Mediterranean diet vs. animal-based eating (38:11) Maria’s newest books and recipes for kids (40:03) How to get support and coaching from Maria (42:03) Outro Who is Maria Emmerich?   Maria Emmerich is a nutritionist who specializes in the ketogenic diet and exercise physiology. She struggled with her health and weight throughout childhood which led her to become such a passionate nutrition expert. “My goal is to help transform people’s lives and start living again!” Maria specializes in brain neurotransmitters and how food can increase mental wellness. Her expertise has sent her around the World speaking about ketogenic diets. She has also cooked with Halle Berry and writes for Halle’s website. You can find her at KetoMaria.com.   She spends the majority of her time with clients around the World via Skype with amazing results. She specializes in helping autoimmune disorders, diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2), heart disease, cholesterol issues, alopecia, Hashimoto’s, cancer, epilepsy, seizures, depression and anxiety. You would be amazed at the amount of people get off medication with her guidance.   She is also an International Best Selling author of several books including “Quick and Easy Ketogenic Cooking” and “The 30 Day Ketogenic Cleanse“.  She also authored 20 other books including several cookbooks and 3 nutritional guide books including the best-selling book “Keto.” Some of her readers include, Halle Berry, Valerie Bertinelli and Al Roker.   Maria has helped millions of people with her books and coaching to lose weight and regain their health with over 20 years of experience working with clients utilizing the Keto/Low Carb approach. Connect with Maria: Website: https://mariamindbodyhealth.com/ https://www.ketomaria.com   Grab a copy of her books: https://tinyurl.com/2j9a9wk5 Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram  

Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:55) Why crash diets (like The Biggest Loser) don’t work (3:51) Heather’s personal story of restriction and burnout (6:44) Rethinking weight loss goals and caloric deficits (8:15) Metabolism explained with a money analogy (12:23) How to test your metabolic rate at home (17:46) Nutrition needs to fit your lifestyle (23:41) Junk food, real life, and what’s actually sustainable (25:35) The right way to adjust calories (29:33) Real client stories: eating more and losing weight (34:14) Science vs. common sense in metabolism (39:44) Heather’s coaching program and how to reach her (45:02) Outro   Who is Heather Deba?   Heather Deba is a Metabolic Nutrition Coach and the founder of HD Body Academy, where she helps women restore metabolic health, achieve sustainable weight loss, and maintain long-term wellness. With over 22,000 women helped, Heather developed a unique program focusing on metabolic healing rather than restrictive dieting, inspired by her own struggles with weight gain after moving from China to the U.S.   Through HD Body Academy, Heather offers personalized coaching to female professionals seeking optimal health. Her approach empowers clients to make lasting lifestyle changes. She also actively engages with her community on Instagram, sharing insights and motivational content. Heather's work has been featured in podcasts, where she discusses healing metabolism, sustainable weight loss, and ending yo-yo dieting.   Connect with Heather: IG: https://www.instagram.com/heatherdeba/   Learn more: https://linktr.ee/Heather.Deba Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram