Peak Performance Life Podcast

Dr. Tom O’Bryan is a recognized world expert on gluten and its impact on health. He holds five different positions at Harvard studying the role of gluten in overall health. His work has garnered him international recognition and he’s a highly sought after speaker on all things gluten.    He joins me today to chat about the dangers of gluten, how it affects overall health, and the role of the gut in various autoimmune disorders. It’s amazing to hear him break down complex body processes in an easy to understand way that really drives home the need for ongoing education.    For instance, he notes that our bodies are almost exactly the same at a cellular level as the bodies of our hunter gatherer forefathers. When they would gather food, they trusted their senses of smell and taste to determine if the food they found was still good.    If for some reason the food was spoiled or harbored a bacteria that the acid in their stomachs couldn’t kill, the body would fire an immune response. This is the basis for leaky gut. In ideal conditions, the leaky gut is meant as a protective response.    Nowadays however, we are overloading our system and constantly exposing our gut to gluten. Gluten has a very similar protein map to that of bad bugs in food. This means that our gut is constantly fighting against the “bug” that is gluten which leads to chronic leaky gut.    Like I said, this is truly fascinating. Listen as he shares ways you can start to turn the tables and start living a more healthful life. Everything from how to structure your diet to ways of empowering your mind. Dedicate just 1 hour each week to living a healthier life and you’ll be amazed at the differences you see.   In This Episode: [00:00:17] Welcome Dr. Tom O’Bryan to chat about gluten and overall health.  [00:01:37] Why is gluten such a problem and how is it affecting our health?  [00:03:39] Learn the two triggers of leaky gut and why gluten is not bad for you. Bad gluten is bad for you.  [00:06:12] Gluten activates intestinal permeability in all human beings. Learn more.  [00:11:36] What should the average person be looking out for with regard to gluten and gluten reactions?  [00:14:20] Leaky gut is actually meant to be a benefit to the body by removing harmful bacteria.  [00:16:02] Gluten has the same protein structure as bad bugs which is why the body fights it. The repeated ingestion of gluten laden products is what causes intestinal distress.   [00:21:05] What should you do now that you know more about the relationship between gluten and gut health?  [00:24:37] Phthalates are accumulative. Years of exposure compound to create huge health issues both in your body and that of your offspring. [00:30:47] Dr. O’Bryan shares his thoughts on the good vs bad vs ugly with regard to gluten in food.  [00:34:47] How your cellular regeneration is impacted by your lifestyle and the food you eat.  [00:40:10] What does he advise people with regard to gluten and what is safe and not safe?  [00:44:08] 36% of all the molecules in your bloodstream are the exhaust from your gut.  [00:48:40] Are there any carbs that are okay or should we avoid them completely?  [00:52:09] How using vegetables and functional medicine helped one of his colleagues reverse MS.  [00:56:19] Ways to determine if you’re suffering from inflammation due to gluten responses.  [01:00:01] Connect with Dr. O’Bryan if you are experiencing symptoms but unable to find the cause.   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on FacebookPeak Performance on Instagram   Dr. O’Bryan’s Website Free Kickstart Guide Dr. O’Bryan on Facebook Dr. O’Bryan on Instagram Dr. O’Bryan on YouTube Dr. O’Bryan on LinkedIn

Peak performance is different for everyone. It’s one thing to know this intellectually and it’s another to have someone as well versed in health and longevity as Dr. Mike T. Nelson confirm it. Dr. Mike joins me to chat about VO2 Max, Heart Rate Variability, and diet for performance and longevity.    Dr. Mike has been has spent the last 18+ years researching the roles of oxygen absorption and heart rate on longevity and performance. While he doesn’t like the term “biohacking” he has found that there are ways to determine and increase your longevity through targeted diet and exercise.    But what works for me may not work for you. It all depends on your overall goals and exercise regimen.    He is sharing various ways that you can determine your VO2 Max, how to continue to measure it and why it’s important to know and understand. We also dive into the role of heart rate variability on longevity and ways you can measure yours.    Of course we also chat about diet and whether or not there is a standard diet one could use while working to increase overall performance and output.    This was a fantastic conversation and Dr. Mike provides fantastic ways to do your own studies and how to properly use your findings to better your overall performance.   In This Episode: [00:11] Learn about Dr. Mike T. Nelson’s background and how he started in health and longevity. [04:09] How does he define metabolic flexibility and what are the benefits?  [06:55] Is there a right and wrong way to implement metabolic flexibility?  [10:22] How the VO2 Max test should be used when determining your approach. [13:04] Learn more about one way of testing VO2 Max and what to measure.  [16:56] What advice does he have for those people who aren’t good at using fat as fuel?  [20:24] If you don’t have equipment to determine your VO2 Max you can instead do this. [22:19] His thoughts on strength training versus cardio. [24:48] The hallmarks that they look for with regard to longevity. [27:19] Dr. Mike shares his thoughts on chronic cardio and what makes sense for people to do.  [32:26] Is high intensity training better for your VO2 Max?  [35:02] Learn more about heart rate variability and why it’s important. [40:34] The pros and cons of using the Oura Ring.  [43:50] Why is physiologic flexibility important and how can we recover more quickly?  [46:34] Learn about the five homeostatic regulators and why they impact recovery.  [49:29] How to pair your parasympathetic regulars with the appropriate stimuli.  [51:40] Does he have a preferred contraption for ice baths? [55:09] Connect with Dr. Mike   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on FacebookPeak Performance on Instagram   Oura Ring Mike’s Website Cold Plunge Freezer Hack  

You only want to live longer if you’re doing so in a healthy manner. Longevity when you’re in pain or feeling terrible is something of a curse. Listen as Oz Garcia shares his thoughts on living with energy in your 70’s and beyond.    Oz Garcia is a huge name in the world of biohacking and anti-aging. He’s been helping people age in a healthy way for many years and he’s extremely knowledgeable about what it takes to live a long, healthy life.    He works with everyone from celebrities to laymen helping to create individualized programs that build stronger, healthier bodies. He joins me today to chat about his methods, his thoughts, and what he’s learned as he’s reached his own later years.    If you’ve been struggling to get started with a good functional health program, then you won’t want to miss out on this conversation. Oz details why sleep is important at every age and stage of life. He’s also digging into his own diet and why he’s made the choices that he has. He also notes that his diet isn’t the right diet for everyone.    Most importantly however, is his focus on building a strong and flexible brain. Your brain is your key to making true change in your life. Creating mindfulness practices, moving your body, and reading are all integral to living a long healthy life.    Listen in to hear all of Oz’s amazing advice and recommendations.    In This Episode: [00:16] Oz Garcia joins me to chat all about anti-aging and living with energy in your later years.  [01:24] Listen as he shares his background, work and how he got started in biohacking.  [07:37] What are some of the biggest changes in learning he’s seen over the years?  [10:02] Learn more about the history of social behavior and how it has impacted overall health and changing ideology. [15:25] What should you focus on as you get older?  [18:53] Why he has a very plant heavy diet.  [21:29] How the human palate and brain work together to keep you stuck in unhealthy patterns.  [24:06] Does he avoid any particular foods?  [30:21] What he does for dessert.  [34:12] Oz’s advice for people who are struggling to make changes.  [38:14] You have to think through your decisions when you’re overcome with cravings.  [40:53] Learn more about the Waking Up App and how it helps with mindfulness.  [43:53] Your practices have to follow you no matter where you go.  [46:53] Oz shares his final words of wisdom.  [47:17] Connect with Oz.   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on FacebookPeak Performance on Instagram   Waking Up by Sam Harris Waking Up App NuCalm King Corn Documentary One Stop Regeneration

Do you suffer from type 2 diabetes, obesity, or weight gain? Are your joints in a state of constan inflammation? Are you not getting relief from traditional western medicine for your chronic illness? Ben Azadi is the founder of Keto Kamp and author of the book Keto Flex and an expert on all things keto. Today, we’ll deep dive into details of how to successfully implement the keto diet and the anti-inflammatory benefits of keto, which create a more healthy you!   Growing up on fast food, video games, and an unhealthy lifestyle, Ben found himself an obese adult weighing 250 pounds. In addition to being physically obese, he talks about himself as being “mentally obese” he was at rock bottom, searching for ways to end his life. “I knew I had to get my act back together. I felt broken, my health was in decline at 24 years old.”   Reading books and researching healthy living, Ben realized he had to take responsibility and ownership for the state of his health. By reversing his victim mentality, Ben was able to take control of his life and own his state of being. Nine months later, he had reduced his weight to a healthy 175 pounds.   Listen as Ben shares his healthy lifestyle journey and why he’s an advocate for the keto diet. Learn why keto is categorized as a metabolic process, how keto can lower the chronic inflammation in your body and the stages of the keto diet and how these stages progress you through your keto journey.   In This Episode: [01:21] Ben talks about his lifestyle history and the unhealthy foods he was eating growing up. [03:10] The importance of carving out a “mental six pack” to continue on his health journey. [05:15] Anti-inflammatory benefits when you eat a keto diet. [06:51] Foundations and basics of a keto diet.  [09:11] Using keto and the state of ketosis to switch over to burning fat. [11:23] How Ben’s clients have reversed type 2 diabetes on the keto diet. [14:02] First steps to take when starting a keto diet. [17:22] Types of bad fats which lead to chronic inflammation. [23:46] Macro breakdown of the keto diet. [25:33] The difference between calories and quality calories. [27:54] Getting healthy is about hormones and their interaction with your metabolic system. [32:00] Negative health effects of chemical-based sugar substitutes. [34:37] High cholesterol can sometimes be fueled by high inflammation. [37:06] Basic keto foods and meals to kickstart your keto diet. [39:40] Moving in and out of ketosis and the benefits of metabolic flexibility.   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on FacebookPeak Performance on Instagram   Follow Ben on Instagram Subscribe to his YouTube Channel Get a copy of Ben’s book Keto Flex

Do you eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, and still feel fatigued? You may be suffering from parasites or heavy metal toxicity. Sarah Holgen is a Functional Medicine Expert and Certified nutritionist who is sharing the power of root cause medicine with the world.   After healing herself of stage 3 melanoma through holistic means and without any chemotherapy, her eyes were opened to new possibilities. Years later she began suffering migraines and realized that there may be even more issues to address than she realized.    She started digging deeper and realized that she was suffering from parasites and heavy metal toxicity. She then went on a journey to discover ways to heal her body from those issues as well. Now she’s sharing her knowledge with the world and bringing awareness to these expanded health issues.    Listen as she shares her story and ways you can get started on your path to finding the root cause of your fatigue and fogginess. Some of this information was brand new to me so I know that you’ll learn something new!   In This Episode: [00:15] Sarah Holgen is joining me to chat about all kinds of health issues faced by high performers and those who suffer from heavy metal toxicity.  [03:29] Welcome Sarah to the show and learn more about her story. [05:20] After she beat a very serious cancer holistically, her eyes were opened and she dug deeper. [06:43] Then she started suffering from migraines and she got to the root cause of them.  [09:51] Why would you run a parasite cleanse and where do you contract parasites?  [13:05] Where can parasites be found in the body?  [13:47] How do we contract parasites?  [15:29] Her thoughts on sushi because of the risk of parasites and heavy metals. [18:05] When you do a parasite cleanse you can actually see them as they pass through your stool.  [19:12] What does a parasite cleanse look like?  [24:04] Sarah shares her advice for eating a better diet to reduce overall inflammation.  [30:08] We are all unique. Even the “good” foods can make you feel terrible. Just pay attention to your body. [34:22] What are the symptoms of heavy metal toxicity?  [35:48] Her preferred method of removing toxic water from your diet.  [37:24] How to get distilled water at home?  [41:31] Ways to test for heavy metal toxicity. [43:29] Does she work with clients remotely to diagnose heavy metal toxicity? [45:07] An incredibly helpful acronym to remember which fishes you can safely eat. SMASH! [47:30] What does she do with her clients when they’re suffering from heavy metal toxicity?  [50:20] Who is more at risk for mold exposure and toxicity?  [54:42] Connect with Sarah.   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on FacebookPeak Performance on Instagram   Creating Balanced Health - Use Code: NUTRITIONFORTHEPPL for $20 off Sarah on Instagram Sarah’s Website

David Osborn has spent his life building wealth and figuring out how his drive and passion for money could and should shift as new priorities have been presented to him. What does this mean? Listen in to hear more about his background and how he has shifted his mindset to better his health and be more present for his family.    He started out in life in a military family traveling the world and making a name for himself as a delinquent, but there was always one thing he was interested in. Making money. When he returned to Texas at the age of 26 he set out to start really building his wealth.    While real estate was booming, he took advantage and became one of the largest franchise owners of Keller Williams in the nation. From there he continued to invest and to build his wealth, but realized that money was not the end all be all for him any longer.   It was then that he started to take a closer look at his health, both physical and mental.    David now shares his knowledge of building wealth with others but also makes sure to focus on doing it in a healthy way. Yes you have to put in your time, but you only get one life, better to live it than to waste it.    Listen as he shares his thoughts and ideas on ways to steadily work the goal setting muscle and why it’s so important to just start. Doing a little bit of something is always better than doing absolutely nothing. Making the decision to start small and build momentum is the best one anyone of us can make.   In This Episode: [00:13] Learn more about 9-figure entrepreneur David Osborn.  [02:13] David shares more about his background and childhood.  [03:53] How he built his wealth.  [07:30] One of David’s fundamental beliefs is that human beings are like clay to be shaped. [10:35] What it takes to master goals and build a satisfied life.  [11:36] Talor shares his morning routine.  [12:46] What led to co-authoring Miracle Morning Millionaires?  [15:59] Something is better than nothing so just take the time to start.  [19:11] David shares some of his health goals for 2021. [22:53] Learn more about the 75 Hard Challenge.  [25:39] Why it’s ineffective to beat yourself up comparing your journey to others’. [31:23] What has helped David to shift his mindset and evolve his consciousness.  [34:13] If you want to build wealth, you have to put in the hours.  [38:43] Who do you have to be to achieve your goals?  [42:05] The importance of coaches, mentors, and mastermind groups in growth.  [47:11] David’s final tips, advice, and ways to connect with him.   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on FacebookPeak Performance on Instagram   David’s Website David on Twitter David on Facebook David on Instagram Miracle Morning Millionaires by David Osborn, Hal Elrod, and Honoree Corder The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham  

I was recently chatting with a friend and colleague who is well-known and liked in the industry. He asked me a question about my dietary habits and I realized that this question applies to most everyone trying to change their lives and bodies with food. Listen in to hear his question and why the answer is so important.    The gist of his question was essentially, how do you do it? How do you avoid sweets, grains, and all the junk that’s out there. The answer, while simple, is not accomplished in a very easy manner, but the reward is amazing.   It’s all about your identity and changing it. For instance, if you’re a non-smoker and someone offers you a smoke what do you tell them? You tell them no, I don’t smoke. You’ve assimilated into your identity that you are a non-smoker.    The same can be said of how you approach the food that you eat. I don’t have to avoid eating cake because I have changed my identity in that I just don’t eat cake. If someone offers it, I can easily avoid it because cake is not something that is in my diet and it’s not something that makes me feel good.    Listen in as I share how you can go about changing your own identity and why it gets easier over time rather than harder. As Tony Robbins says, “Nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels.” Remember that as you feel the pull toward eating junk.    In This Episode: [00:32] The question that inspired this episode.  [03:29] What are empowering beliefs and how do they inform your identity?  [05:03] When you have the identity of not eating bad food it makes it easier to say no. [07:11] How the shows you watch impact your mentality and identity. [09:31] Visualisation techniques are important to changing your identity.  [12:33] Eventually your taste buds change and you don’t crave bad foods. [15:45] Use the pain and logic to remember how you’ll feel when you’re healthy.  [16:36] When your taste buds change your cravings will change.  [19:32] This process is why I’m not a fan of diets. This is a long term change. [23:07] You’ll start to become more in tune with your body and what makes you feel good as you go through this process.   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on FacebookPeak Performance on Instagram   Paleo Powerballs

As more and more people focus on their overall health, many have found that gut health is integral to well-being. Dr. Chanu Dasari has spent his career in medicine working with gut related health issues and cancers. His research into the effect of chronic inflammation and an overwhelmed gut has led him to taking a full body approach to healing.    Rather than focus so much on the pills that you can take to overcome a disease, Dr. Dasari would have you focus on the other things you put in your body. Your gut health is one of the primary drivers of your immune system. The food you eat is most strongly responsible for your gut health.  It follows then that your diet is the number one focus you should have to reduce inflammation and overcome chronic diseases. But that’s not all. You should also focus on getting proper sleep and adequate exercise. Listen in to hear Dr. Dasari’s scale of importance with regard to gut health.    We don’t only talk about the gut however. Dr. Dasari is well-versed in the effect of phytonutrients on a sick and overwhelmed body. He’s sharing his thoughts on food overall, why he eats a mainly plant-based diet, and when you can properly eat and digest meats and carbs.   This was an amazing conversation and we dug into several topics that are near and dear to my heart and your health. The gut really is the nucleus of health. Is yours working properly?   In This Episode: [00:00:55] Welcome Dr. Chanu to the show.  [00:02:00] Why skepticism is always a good thing when dealing with medicine.  [00:04:06] How one of his most complicated cases made a complete recovery against all odds. [00:07:06] Does he see any similarities between people who recover and those who don’t?  [00:09:28] What are phytonutrients and why is he interested in them?  [00:14:07] Learn more about Dr. Chanu’s personal diet?  [00:16:31] Why meat products aren’t all bad and aren’t all good.  [00:18:36] The nutritional value of anything fried is basically zero.  [00:22:42] Learn why our vocabulary around healthy food and eating needs to change.  [00:24:34] What impact does gut health have on inflammation in your body?  [00:27:13] Learning how to hack your gut health will make the biggest impact on their health.  [00:30:10] Why you need to stay away from sluggish foods overall.  [00:32:04] Any particular foods that tend to stay in the GI tract for longer periods of time?  [00:35:01] What would he recommend for cases of constipation?  [00:37:03] Learn more about the Paleo Diet. [00:39:10] Everything you need to know about oatmeal.  [00:42:57] Which fruits you should stay away from. [00:46:22] A few additional thoughts on gut health and things you need to know.  [00:49:37] Your diet is the number one thing affecting your overall health.  [00:50:35] Dr. Chanu discusses the importance of exercise.  [00:53:30] What is on Dr. Chanu’s list of what’s most important in microbiome health?  [00:57:11] Why scaling back is important in life.  [01:00:26] It’s important when thinking about inflammation and health to realize that overworking is a sacrifice to your well-being.  [01:05:20] Connect with Dr. Chanu.   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on FacebookPeak Performance on Instagram   The Mind-Gut Connection by Emeran Mayer Glycemic Index Dr. Chanu Dasari’s Website Dr. Dasari on Instagram  

With everything going on in the world today and the issues we’re having not just with Covid but with rampant inflammation related diseases, getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals is essential. I’m sharing my top 10 supplements for overall health because now more than ever they’re needed.    Of course the first is the organic green superfood powder. There are so many benefits to eating and consuming the right amount of greens. They support everything from eye sight, to gut health, to brain function and as such are extremely important to your overall diet.    I also wanted to share more about the benefits of C8 MCT oil and why it’s such a clean way to get healthy fats into your diet. Our brains are mostly made of fats. When you fail to eat healthy fats you hold your brain back from functioning at its highest level. Listen in to heart the benefits of each of these supplements explained and why they’re all integral to overall health and immune function. I’ve been taking these same supplements for years and they are the reason that I recover more quickly from workouts and am rarely ever sick.    I stand behind these products so much that I have my entire family taking them as well because your health is the key to longevity. If you want to learn more about these supplements check out the website here… Peak Performance Life.   In This Episode: [00:10] Welcome back and get ready to learn which supplements most people should take.  [01:48] Why you need to remove sugars and fried food from your diet.  [02:57] These are the supplements most people should take but it is important to do your bloodwork. [05:51] Number one is the organic green superfood powder.  [08:00] Why you should be taking C8 MCT Oil.  [13:26] Are you deficient in vitamin D and K?  [16:20] Krill and fish oil are super important for your brain.  [20:12] What do you know about Magnesium?  [22:11] Is your gut healthy?  [27:01] Your immune system needs Vitamin C but so do other systems.  [30:10] Are you getting enough collagen?  [32:20] Zinc with copper is necessary for immune system support.  [34:03] Last but not least is organic red superfood powder.    Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on FacebookPeak Performance on Instagram   Wild Health Bulletproof Krill Oil Nordic Naturals Fish Oil RESTORE Complete Gut Well-Being

If you work out and are moving your body, eating a high fat diet will likely NOT make you fat. Of course I can only speak from my experience and the experience of others as every person has a different genetic makeup, but eating fat does not make you fat. There are plenty of high fat foods that are integral to good health.  Contrary to popular belief, simply counting your calories will not lead to optimal health or weight loss because not all calories are created equal. I remember a friend of mine was counting calories and sent back food at a restaurant because it had extra virgin olive oil on it. EVOO is wonderful for your body and your health, but he’d had two Coke Zero’s that day and didn’t have room for the extra calories in his diet.  You see, calorie counting makes sense if you’re counting your other macros as well. All of this being said, I wanted to share which high fat foods I consume every day, why, and why they are so important to you. I even have my kids eating much of this daily because the oils and fats that we eat are amazing for their brain health.  Listen as I share why eating grass fed butter or ghee, C8MCT oil, fish oil, krill oil, organic extra virgin olive oil, and high heat avocado oil is essential to good health (no matter what kind of diet you’re on.) Eating good healthy foods is the key to overall health, pain reduction, and weight loss. Don’t get caught up in counting the numbers without understanding the actual food that you’re eating. In This Episode: [00:24] The supplements you need to be sure you have plenty of during this pandemic.  [02:55] If you’re older you’ve probably seen some crazy diet recommendations over the years.  [03:30] My focus is on longevity over building huge muscles.  [05:04] Lowering inflammation in your body goes hand in hand with longevity. [07:00] We’ve been taught that high fat foods are bad for you, but is that true?  [08:30] What does cause your body to put on fat?  [11:26] Why oatmeal is not necessarily ideal for good health. [12:02] Learn more about the Keto Diet.  [13:17] How does that apply to achieving a caloric deficit?  [15:14] Which healthy fats should you be eating every day?  [18:27] You can still eat carbs when eating a high fat diet.  [20:42] Why you should be consuming grass fed butter or ghee and C8 MCT oil.  [22:57] Organic extra virgin olive oil is amazing for reducing inflammation. [27:01] Don’t forget to take fish oil or krill oil with high levels of EPA and DHA. [29:23] Why omega 3 is so important for children.  [31:51] Use a high heat avocado oil for cooking. [33:27] Eating fat will not make you fat.  [35:56] Not every calorie is made equal. [38:25] Keto is not a long-term plan and always consult with a nutritionist before making a huge dietary change.   Links and Resources: Peak Performance Life Peak Performance on FacebookPeak Performance on Instagram   The Great Cholesterol Myth by Johnny Bowden Dr. Gundry  Celtic Salt Bulletproof Krill Oil Nordic Naturals Primal Kitchen High Heat Organic Avocado Oil Primal Kitchen