Live Beyond the Norms

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!Most people slow down in their 60s. John Brink became a competitive bodybuilder in his 70s and now, at 84, he’s still lifting more than most 20-year-olds.Born during WWII in Nazi-occupied Holland, John grew up scavenging train yards for food, dodging bombs, and surviving trauma that would shape the rest of his life. At age 23, he immigrated to Canada with nothing but a suitcase, $25, and three books, and eventually built a company employing over 400 people.But his journey didn’t stop there. Diagnosed with ADHD at age 62, John finally understood what made him different and how his “disorder” was actually a superpower that fueled his drive, energy, and creativity. Now a five-time author, active podcaster, and passionate speaker, he’s on a mission to prove that age is just a number—and life doesn’t have to slow down unless you let it.In this episode, John shares his unfiltered take on longevity, building a life of purpose, and why your mindset is your strongest asset. You’ll also learn how he conquered anxiety, why he calls ADHD “a gift,” and the surprising health scare that turned him into a vegan bodybuilder at 68."Your body is extremely forgiving. It wants to be healthy, but it needs you and your mind to say 'I can and I will.'" ~ John BrinkAbout John Brink:John A. Brink is a war survivor, bodybuilder, author, podcast host, and founder of the Brink Group of Companies—an enterprise that includes lumber manufacturing, logistics, real estate, and media, employing over 400 people. After being diagnosed with ADHD in his 60s, John reframed his story, writing books like ADHD Unlocked, Finding Your Passion, and Living Young, Dying Old. At 84, he continues to speak globally, publish books annually, and train as a competitive bodybuilder. He lives in British Columbia with his wife and horses, proving daily that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.Connect with John Brink:- Website: https://www.johnabrink.com - Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-brink/id1523109056 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john.a.brink/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrinkGroup/ Connect with Chris Burres:- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/ - Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/ 

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!You’re not tired because you’re getting older. You’re not bloated because of “just stress.” And your labs being “normal” doesn’t mean you’re actually healthy.Reed Davis wants to change how we define health because symptoms are just the surface. He’s trained over 4,000 functional practitioners, run thousands of functional lab tests, and guided over 10,000 people back to health by doing what most practitioners miss: looking at the big picture.In this episode, Reed explains how our medical system got it wrong, why most chronic conditions are misdiagnosed or mistreated, and how to finally fix what’s really going on in your body.He also breaks down his powerful H.I.D.D.E.N. framework—the six most common areas of metabolic chaos—and the exact blueprint he uses to bring people back from fatigue, brain fog, hormone issues, digestive pain, and mystery illnesses.“Having no symptoms doesn’t mean you’re healthy. The opposite of tired isn’t ‘not tired’—it’s energetic.” ~ Reed DavisAbout Reed Davis:Reed Davis is a double board-certified holistic health practitioner, certified nutritional therapist, and founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition®. Over the past two decades, he has trained over 4,000 FDN practitioners across 50 countries and personally guided more than 10,000 clients to better health using lab testing and functional healing strategies. His methods focus on root cause discovery, metabolic chaos, and personalized epigenetic lifestyle changes. Reed is also the author of The Gap and a longtime thought leader in natural wellness.Connect with Reed Davis:- Website & Free Gift: https://www.fdntraining.com/livebeyondthenorms Connect with Chris Burres:- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/ - Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/ 

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!When your body hurts and no one believes you, where do you go for answers?Most women with autoimmune disorders, especially Hashimoto’s, don’t even realize what’s really happening to them. They’re dismissed, misdiagnosed, and put on pills that never solve the root issue.In this episode, natural medicine expert and functional practitioner Gwen Foster breaks down everything mainstream medicine gets wrong about Hashimoto’s, hormone imbalance, and autoimmune dysfunction. What started as a dream vacation to Africa turned into a medical mystery as Gwen faced a firestorm of pain, inflammation, and pharmaceutical side effects. After her own life was derailed by lupus, fibromyalgia, asthma, and Hashimoto’s, she learned firsthand how broken the system is. That’s when she stopped outsourcing her health and started looking for real solutions.Today, Gwen is helping thousands of others avoid the painful, expensive path she took—by finally getting the right labs, removing the triggers, and learning how to heal the whole system."Hashimoto's is not a thyroid disorder. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disorder that also affects the thyroid. That's where people get messed up." ~ Gwen FosterAbout Gwen Foster:Gwen Foster is a Doctor of Natural Medicine, Hanna Kroeger practitioner, NLP master, and biofeedback technician who’s helped thousands of clients unravel the complex root causes of chronic illness. She’s also the creator of New Vision, an AI-powered health scanning system. After being diagnosed with multiple autoimmune conditions, Gwen left the tech world to reclaim her health and now empowers others to do the same. Her work specializes in autoimmune disorders, hormone disruption, and thyroid imbalances, especially Hashimoto’s.Connect with Gwen Foster:- Website: https://www.gwenfosternd.com - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gwenfoster3829 Connect with Chris Burres:- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/ - Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/ 

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!The biggest threat to your health might not be bad food or lack of exercise—it might be the voice in your head that says, "you’re not enough.”No supplement, workout, or productivity hack can outdo a life built on stress, burnout, and self-loathing. In this episode, Shawn Wells—biochemist, bestselling author, and “world’s greatest formulator”—opens up about what truly matters on the path to longevity. With over 1,100 supplement formulas and 40+ patented ingredients under his belt, he could easily focus only on the science. Instead, Shawn shares his raw story of trauma, burnout, and suicidal thoughts and how embracing vulnerability and psychedelics saved his life.From optimizing mitochondria to redefining success and healing through self-love, this conversation goes deeper than most biohacking talk ever dares.“Challenge yourself. Without challenge, there’s atrophy. Without growth, you’re dying. You want ease? You’ve got to train for it.” ~ Shawn WellsAbout Shawn Wells:Shawn Wells is a biochemist, dietitian, and product formulator known in the health world as the "world's greatest formulator." He’s created over 1,100 products, holds more than 40 supplement patents, and authored the bestselling book The Energy Formula. But more than formulas and research, Shawn is known for his vulnerable, heart-forward approach to health—blending science with soul. He's been featured in major documentaries like The Skinny on Fat and Psychedelics Revealed, and is on a mission to help people live with more energy, truth, and peace.Connect with Shawn Wells:- Website: https://shawnwells.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnwells - Energy Formula Book: https://www.energyformula.com/ Connect with Chris Burres:- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/ - Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/ 

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!Your body wasn't designed to struggle with obesity, diabetes, or chronic illness—these are symptoms of a deeper metabolic dysfunction that about 93% of Americans now experience.Most people chase weight loss through calorie counting and deprivation, never addressing the root causes that would permanently transform their health.In this episode, Ben Azadi, bestselling author and metabolism expert, reveals the truth about metabolic freedom—how specific lifestyle changes can rewire your body to burn fat efficiently, balance hormones naturally, and reverse conditions that are often declared incurable by doctors.Whether you're battling stubborn weight gain, insulin resistance, or brain fog or simply want more energy and vitality, this conversation offers a science-backed blueprint to reclaim your metabolic health."I have found that you cannot outperform your self-image. The way you view yourself, your behaviors will match that." ~ Ben AzadiAbout Ben Azadi:Ben Azadi is a health expert focused on helping people achieve metabolic freedom. After losing 80 pounds and transforming his own health, he has been on a mission to help 1 billion people live healthier lives through evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies. He has written four bestselling books—Keto Flex, The Intermittent Fasting Cheat Sheet, The Perfect Health Booklet, and The Power of Sleep—and his latest book, Metabolic Freedom, is available for pre-order. Ben also hosts the popular Metabolic Freedom podcast (formerly Keto Kamp) and has a massive social media following with over 850,000 followers across platforms. Connect with Ben Azadi:- Website: https://benazadi.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenazadi/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@KetoKamp TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebenazadi Book: https://metabolicfreedombook.com/ Connect with Chris Burres:- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/ - Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/ 

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!Feeling constantly tired, snappy, or just…off? You’re not broken, and you’re definitely not alone.Rachel Sanders has lived it.She’s the founder of Rootine, a mom of two, with a Harvard MBA—but behind the scenes, she was juggling brain fog, stubborn weight gain, and stress that felt never-ending. After trying all the “healthy” habits that didn't seem to work anymore, she discovered the real problem: cortisol imbalance.In this episode, Rachel opens up about the silent health crisis impacting women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s and issues stemming from a mix of hormone chaos, lifestyle overload, and misinformation.We dive into everything. Why your favorite workouts might be making things worse, how cortisol actually hijacks your energy, skin, weight, and sleep, and what needs to change in the wellness industry to truly support women in their prime.She also shares personal tips and mindset shifts that helped her drop 52 pounds in 10 months—without starving herself or overtraining."Cortisol is one of our major hormones along with oxytocin and insulin. And if your major hormone is off, that means minor hormones can be thrown off." ~ Rachel SandersAbout Rachel Sanders:Rachel Soper Sanders is the founder of Rootine, a supplement company focused on helping women 30 and over achieve vibrant health. With an MBA from Harvard Business School, Rachel combines her business expertise and personal health experience to create science-backed solutions for stress, sleep, and focus. She's also a podcast host, investor, and health & wellness digital creator with over 100,000 followers. Through her newsletter, Glow and Elevate, she shares practical tips on stress management, weight loss, sleep optimization, and productivity.Connect with Rachel Sanders:- Website: https://rootine.co/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelsopsanders/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelsopsanders - Newsletter: https://rachelsanders.kit.com/b0850fc51c Connect with Chris Burres:- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/ - Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/ 

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!Aging doesn’t have to mean falling apart. But if you walk into a typical doctor’s office today, chances are you're only getting patched up—not actually fixed.Dr. Elizabeth Yurth thinks it’s time for a serious shift.As a double board-certified MD with 30 years in orthopedic and regenerative medicine, Dr. Yurth spent decades treating pro athletes and performing surgeries—until she realized surgery alone wasn’t truly solving the problem. So she flipped the script.In this episode, she unpacks the science that traditional medicine keeps missing: how to actually heal joints, regenerate cartilage, reboot mitochondrial health, and strengthen the immune system in a toxic world that’s constantly beating it down. Her approach? Go deep on cellular pathways, not just surface-level symptoms.You’ll hear why osteoarthritis isn’t a wear-and-tear issue, the hidden dangers of loading up on NAD, and why homeostasis—not high or low—is the name of the longevity game.“If you fix the cell, you fix everything. You fix every disease that's going to happen to you.” ~ Dr. Elizabeth YurthAbout Dr. Elizabeth Yurth:Dr. Elizabeth Yurth is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Boulder Longevity Institute, where she leads cutting-edge work in regenerative medicine, cellular health, and human optimization. With over 30 years as an orthopedic specialist and multiple board certifications—including in Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine—Dr. Yurth combines deep clinical experience with the latest science in peptides, mitochondria, and performance medicine. She consults with professional athletes worldwide, speaks nationally at top medical conferences, and helps everyday people take back control of their health and longevity.Connect with Dr. Elizabeth Yurth:- Website: https://boulderlongevity.com/ - Academy: https://www.bli.academy - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boulderlongevityinstitute/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@boulderlongevityinstitutel5018 Connect with Chris Burres:- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/ - Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/ 

The human body possesses remarkable self-healing abilities that conventional medicine often overlooks when treating chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, IBS, and long COVID.Many sufferers cycle through endless medical appointments, medications with diminishing returns, and growing frustration as their symptoms persist despite "normal" test results.In this episode, Brehan Crawford, founder of Crawford Wellness and expert in traditional Chinese medicine, reveals how this 2,000-year-old medical system addresses chronic conditions through a holistic approach to infection, inflammation, and autonomic healing.Whether you're dealing with persistent health issues, curious about alternatives to conventional medicine, or simply want to understand the power of herbal remedies, Qigong, and acupuncture, this conversation offers practical insights into ancient healing wisdom that modern science is finally beginning to validate."A very natural thing to do when we experience pain is to dissociate from that pain. Unfortunately, that makes us less aware of what the internal processes are in our body that are creating that pain, and then it's harder to address them." ~ Brehan CrawfordAbout Brehan Crawford:Brehan Crawford is the founder of Crawford Wellness and co-founder of Chorus for Life, specializing in treating chronic infections and post-infectious symptoms like long COVID, fibromyalgia, IBS, and POTS. With 15 years of clinical experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Brehan combines herbal medicine, Qigong, and acupuncture to help patients achieve lasting remission from chronic conditions. He studied under renowned practitioners in both the United States and China, bringing a unique blend of Eastern wisdom and Western practical application to his healing approach.Connect with Brehan Crawford:- Website: https://crawford-wellness.com/ - Chorus for Life: https://chorusforlife.com/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrawfordWellness - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crawford_wellness? - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwellnessllc/ Connect with Chris Burres:- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/ - Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/ 

Your brain harbors the world's greatest pharmacy, capable of releasing over 30,000 different neurochemicals with just a single thought.Most people never tap into this incredible power, living instead with overactive stress responses, poor sleep, and mental fog that drain their energy and accelerate aging.In this episode, Dr. Patrick Porter, award-winning neuroscience pioneer and inventor of BrainTap technology, reveals how specific light, sound, and frequency patterns can reprogram your brain for optimal performance, stress resilience, and longevity.Whether you struggle with mental performance, chronic stress, sleep issues, or simply want to unlock your brain's untapped potential, this conversation offers practical tools to transform your neurochemistry and, ultimately, your life." You have the internal power and capacity to change any part of your life because when you change the thing you're looking at from the inside out, the thing you're looking at changes." ~ Dr. Patrick PorterAbout Dr. Patrick Porter:Dr. Patrick Porter is a neuroscience pioneer with three decades of experience in brainwave entrainment technology. He is the creator of BrainTap, a revolutionary device that uses light and sound to optimize brain function. Dr. Porter has written 13 books, won a lifetime achievement award from the Interdisciplinary Association of Functional Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, and has dedicated his life to helping people unlock their brain's potential through frequency science.Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter - Website: https://braintap.com/ - Personal Website: https://drpatrickporter.com/ - Awaken the Genius book: https://a.co/d/8AKiRpV Connect with Chris Burres:- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/ - Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/ 

Nearly 60% of Americans have at least one chronic disease, and an estimated 1 in 10 suffers from an autoimmune disorder. But what if these numbers drastically underestimate the issue? Research suggests up to 80% of Americans show signs of inflammation, a major driver of autoimmune conditions.In this episode, Dr. David Bilstrom, a quadruple board-certified physician and director of the International Autoimmune Institute, breaks down the science of why autoimmune diseases are skyrocketing, why most treatments focus on the wrong things, and how you can actually address the root causes before it’s too late. If you or someone you love struggles with chronic inflammation, fatigue, or brain fog or has ever been told “it’s just genetics,” this episode is a must-listen."The body's default mode is always to move towards wellness. It just inherently fixes things. If you cut yourself, you don't go, 'Great, I'm going to have this open wound my whole life.' The body heals it." ~ Dr. David BilstromAbout Dr. David Bilstrom:Dr. David Bilstrom is a medical doctor and quadruple board certified in functional and regenerative medicine, integrative medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and medical acupuncture. He is the director of the International Autoimmune Institute and author of The Nurse Practitioner's Guide to Autoimmune Medicine: Reversing and Preventing All Autoimmunity. Dr. Bilstrom pioneered "Bilstrom's Nuclearitis," naming an early autoimmune marker to help patients receive proper treatment before more serious conditions develop.Connect with Dr David Bilstrom:- Website: https://drdavidbilstrom.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DrDavidBilstrom/ - YouTube: www.youtube.com/@DrDavidBilstrom - Book: https://a.co/d/eKhEQYI Connect with Chris Burres:- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/ - Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/