Peak Performance Life Podcast

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  

Show notes: (0:52) Dr. Bill Schindler's background and how he came to write the book (2:57) Learning from traditional cultures around the world (6:27) Why plants have toxins and how to make them safer (8:13) The Drunken Monkey Hypothesis and ripe vs. unripe fruit (14:59) What it really means to “eat like a human” (26:52) Practical ways to start adding organ meats (37:10) Where to find high-quality organs and how to start (43:07) Why meat and organs are more than just protein (48:15) Carbs, ketosis, and adjusting your diet over time (54:00) Where to find Dr. Schindler (57:21) Outro Who is Dr. Bill Schindler?   Dr. Bill Schindler is a food archaeologist, primitive technologist, and chef. He travels the world with his family documenting traditional food ways and works to draw inspiration from the deep archaeological record, rich and diverse ethnographic record, and, modern culinary world to create food solutions that are relevant, meaningful, and accessible in our modern lives. He shares all these stories in his book, Eat Like a Human, and puts the recipes into practice at his family’s Modern Stone Age Kitchen in Chestertown, Maryland. Connect with Dr. Schindler: Website: https://modernstoneage.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bill-schindler-46243211 IG: https://www.instagram.com/drbillschindler/?hl=en   Grab a copy: https://amzn.to/4iVC78F                        https://bit.ly/4kWPN5i Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram

Show notes: (0:00) Intro (1:35) Dr. Perez's journey into foot biomechanics (3:45) What is gait and why it matters (4:02) Common foot-related issues and their impact on overall health (7:13) The impact of footwear on foot health (14:58) Transitioning to minimalist shoes safely (21:37) Strengthening exercises for foot health (31:19) Addressing bunions and plantar fasciitis (40:45) The importance of barefoot walking and graded exposure (44:29) Where to find more resources from Dr. Perez (45:26) Outro Who is Dr. Jen Perez?   Dr. Jen Perez is co-founder and vice president of Gait Happens and co-owner of Kinetic Chiropractic in Lafayette, CO. As both an educator and a clinician, her mission to empower as many people as possible to take charge of their lower body health so they can get back to doing what they love. Dr. Perez holds a BS in Kinesiology-Sports Medicine and a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. She’s taught courses to healthcare practitioners both nationally and internationally and she works with clients virtually across the globe. Connect with Dr. Jen Perez: Website: https://gaithappens.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/thegaitdoctor/?hl=en   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram

Show notes: (1:27) The why behind the book (3:14) The science behind memory (7:45) Memory’s role in mental health (18:25) Therapeutic approaches to memory (27:32) The power of reframing (31:40) The subjectivity of memory (34:58) Creating lasting memories (37:44) Maintaining brain health (43:45) Importance of relationships (48:29) Redefining purpose in retirement (50:32) Where to find and learn more about Dr. Ranganath (52:24) Outro Who is Dr. Charan Ranganath?   Charan Ranganath is a Professor at the Center for Neuroscience and Department of Psychology and director of the Dynamic Memory Lab at the University of California at Davis. For over 25 years, Dr. Ranganath has studied the mechanisms in the brain that allow us to remember past events, using brain imaging techniques, computational modeling and studies of patients with memory disorders. He has been recognized with several awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship. He lives in Davis, California. Outside of neuroscience, Dr. Ranganath is also a songwriter and guitarist with a number of recording credits, including a song on a feature film soundtrack. Connect with Dr. Ranganath: Website: https://charanranganath.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charan-ranganath-1a1aa41bb IG: https://www.instagram.com/thememorydoc/?hl=en Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/charan-neuro.bsky.social Grab a copy: https://charanranganath.com/book/ Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram  

Show notes: (1:53) On why he shifted to integrative medicine (4:13) The rise of chronic diseases and the need for open vaccine discussions (6:05) Increasing vaccine schedules and autism rates (10:23) Vaccine schedule breakdown and what parents should consider (17:13) Autism and the lack of definitive research on causes (22:18) Alternative vaccine schedules and detox support (27:50) Prioritizing vaccines: which are most important? (31:28) Flu and COVID vaccines for kids: what parents should know (34:42) Myocarditis and vaccine concerns (38:09) Strengthening natural immunity vs. relying on medical interventions (41:11) The rise in allergies and possible causes (45:22) Advice for parents on raising their children (46:36) Where to find Dr. Gator (47:58) Outro Who is Dr. Joel Warsh?   Joel Warsh is a Board-Certified Pediatrician in Los Angeles, California who specializes in Parenting, Wellness and Integrative Medicine. He grew up in Toronto, Canada, and completed degrees in Kinesiology, Psychology and Epidemiology, and Community Health before earning his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College. He completed his Pediatric Medicine training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) and worked in private practice in Beverly Hills before founding his current practice, Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine Studio City, in 2018.   Dr. Gator has published research in peer-reviewed journals on topics including childhood injuries, obesity and physical activity.   He has been featured in numerous documentaries, films, summits, podcasts and articles including CBS, Fox, LA Parent, Washington Post, MindBodyGreen, and many others. Connect with Dr. Walsh: IG: https://www.instagram.com/drjoelgator/   Grab a copy: https://integrativepediatrics.com/ Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram  

Show notes: (0:49) Dr. Stasha Gominak and the RightSleep program (6:03) The role of gut microbiome and vitamin deficiencies in sleep disorders (12:35) Importance of vitamin D and optimal levels for sleep health (22:30) How B vitamins impact sleep and overall well-being (32:00) Acetylcholine’s role in sleep and inflammation (41:00) Overview of the Right Sleep program and how it works (46:00) Understanding B vitamin supplementation and dosage (56:42) Where to find Dr. Gominak’s resources and closing thoughts (57:59) Outro   Who is Dr. Stasha Gominak?   Dr. Gominak attended college in California and medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, receiving her MD degree in 1983. She completed a Neurology residency in 1989 at the Harvard affiliated, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. From 1991-2004 she practiced as a general neurologist in the San Francisco Bay area.   In 2004 Dr. Gominak moved with her husband to Tyler, Texas, and began to concentrate on treating neurological illness by improving sleep. She published a pivotal article in 2012 proposing that the global struggle with worsening sleep was linked to reduced sun exposure.   In 2016 she followed with a second article linking the change in the intestinal microbiome to the epidemic of poor sleep and described a simple process for normalizing sleep and the intestinal bacterial population, called RightSleep®.    In 2016 she retired from neurology practice to have more time to teach. She currently divides her time between helping individuals, through virtual coaching sessions and teaching clinicians and coaches how to use RightSleep concepts to improve their patients’ health and well being. Connect with Dr. Gominak Website: https://drgominak.com/ Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram  

Show notes: (01:19) How she got into the work she does now (04:11) Monsanto’s history and GMO crops (08:54) The billion-dollar Roundup cancer lawsuits (13:02) Monsanto’s efforts to suppress scientific evidence  (16:41) Social media disinformation campaigns and online attacks  (19:10) The broken incentives in farming and government subsidies  (25:01) Bill Gates' role in pushing GMO crops globally  (29:40) U.S. policies on pesticides and additives (35:41) Paraquat: The deadly pesticide banned in China but sold in the U.S.  (41:30) The push for GMO expansion in Africa and corporate influence (44:40) How can people take action for healthier food policies (45:47) Where to find Carey (47:54) Outro Who is Carey Gillam? Carey Gillam is an American investigative journalist and author with more than 30 years of experience covering food and agricultural policies and practices, including 17 years as a senior correspondent for Reuters international news service (1998-2015). She has specialty knowledge about the health and environmental impacts of pervasive pesticide use and industrial agriculture, and has won several industry awards for her work. Her first book, “Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer and the Corruption of Science,” was released in October 2017 and won the coveted Rachel Carson Book Award from the Society of Environmental Journalists as well as two other awards. Carey's second book, a legal thriller titled "The Monsanto Papers - Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruption, and One Man's Search for Justice," was released March 2, 2021. Gillam has been asked to speak all over the world about food and agricultural matters, including before the European Parliament in Brussels, the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, and to public officials, organizations and conferences in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Argentina, France and The Netherlands. She has also been an invited lecturer to several universities, including Emory University, Berkeley Law School, Washington University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the University of Iowa, the Cambridge Forum in Harvard Square, and others. She has served as a consultant on, and participant in, several documentary T.V. and film pieces, including the award-winning Poisoning Paradise documentary released in June 2019 by actor Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely Brosnan. She also served as story consultant and contributor to the 2022 documentary Into the Weeds by filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal, and appears in the documentary Common Ground.  Gillam can speak to issues of food safety and security, environmental health, agricultural issues, corporate corruption of regulatory policies, as well matters about journalism, fake news, corporate pressure on media and more. After leaving Reuters, Carey spent six years (2016-2021) working as a reporter and data researcher for the public health investigative research group U.S. Right to Know. She currently writes as a contributor for The Guardian, and is managing editor of The New Lede, a journalism initiative of the Environmental Working Group.   Connect with Carey: Website: https://careygillam.com/ Check out Carey’s articles: https://www.thenewlede.org/author/careygillam/ Grab a copy of Carey’s books: https://careygillam.com/books   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on Facebook Peak Performance on Instagram