Live Beyond the Norms

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping—just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566 Feeling fine doesn’t always mean you’re actually fine. When it comes to spinal health, most people don’t realize how much silent wear and tear is happening until it’s too late, and sometimes irreversible.In this episode, I sit down with Jason Gilbert, a spinal health expert who’s helped tens of thousands of clients, including elite athletes and everyday people, avoid surgery, reclaim movement, and reduce pain by focusing on early spinal diagnostics and functional rehab. Jason shares what most doctors overlook about chronic pain and disc injuries, why spinal degeneration starts way earlier than we think, and how walking might be the simplest game-changer for pain prevention and recovery.He breaks down what regular X-rays can reveal before symptoms strike, the danger of ignoring early signs, and how to build a sustainable movement plan that prevents long-term damage."Any investment in health gives a 2000% return on their money." ~ Jason GilbertAbout Jason Gilbert:Jason Gilbert is a leading authority on spinal health, movement, and post-surgical rehab. With over three decades of experience, he’s worked with elite athletes from the World Surf League, top chiropractors, and thousands of everyday clients looking to prevent surgery and extend their quality of life. Jason is the author of Stronger Every Day, and shares functional, movement-based health strategies through his online courses and speaking appearances.Connect with Jason Gilbert:- Website: https://jasongilbert.com.au - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasongilbertofficial - Post-Spinal Surgery Care Book: https://www.jasongilbertcourses.com.au/products/digital_downloads/spinal-surgery-recovery-guide 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—just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566 So many are told their labs look fine, only to get hit with a heart attack or stroke. That’s because most physicians aren’t trained to look for common indicators of heart disease risk in the early stages, such as inflammation, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, and silent plaque progression.In this episode, I sit down with cardiometabolic nutritionist Michelle Routhenstein to break down what’s missing in traditional heart health advice. Michelle walks us through the lab numbers that matter most, how your gut and bowel habits relate to cholesterol, and why erectile dysfunction may be an early warning sign.She’ll open your eyes to why eating “clean” doesn’t equal heart-healthy, why so many are misled by low-carb and keto trends, and how to stop arterial plaque from accumulating silently for decades before the first event strikes."No matter where you are, no matter your age, no matter what you look like, heart disease does not discriminate between underweight and overweight." ~ Michelle RouthensteinAbout Michelle Routhenstein:Michelle is a preventive cardiology nutritionist and the founder of Entirely Nourished, a practice dedicated to reducing cardiovascular risk through evidence-based, personalized nutrition. She holds a master’s in clinical nutrition, is a member of the Forbes Health Advisory Board, and the author of The Truly Easy Heart Healthy Cookbook. Michelle has spent her career working with heart failure specialists, lipidologists, and cardiologists to create a unique nutrition-first approach that empowers clients to take control before disease strikes.Connect with Michelle Routhenstein- Website: https://entirelynourished.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heart.health.nutritionist - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellerouthenstein/ 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—just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566 Brain fog, unexplained fatigue, chronic gut issues, and mood swings that don't add up to a clear diagnosis? There's a strong chance that you, or someone close, could be facing chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) without knowing it. In this episode, I sit down with Jenny Johnson, a practitioner and expert in biotoxin illness and CIRS, to uncover what’s causing this silent epidemic. From genetic susceptibility and mold exposure to long-term inflammation and brain dysfunction, we explore what’s hiding inside your home and your body that might be sabotaging your health. You’ll hear Jenny’s personal journey, the signs to look for, and how to begin healing.“ There are about 37 million Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes, and 17 million with cancer. I just said 42 million are probably walking around with CIRS." ~ Jenny JohnsonAbout Jenny Johnson:Jenny Johnson is a physical therapist, functional medicine health coach, and CIRS expert with a biology degree from Duke University and a master’s in physical therapy from the University of Colorado, Denver. After her family’s health crisis caused by mold exposure, she became a faculty member of the CIRSx Institute and a key voice at Salugenex, a health company focused on optimizing cellular function through innovative diagnostics and regenerative therapies. Jenny’s certifications in the Shoemaker Protocol, Bredesen Protocol, and HeartMath, combined with her personal experience, make her a trusted guide for those navigating chronic illness and seeking vibrant health.Connect with Jenny Johnson:- Website: https://simplifiedwellnessdesigns.com - Website: https://salugenex.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cirs.jennyjohnson/ - YouTube (CIRS): https://www.youtube.com/@CIRSJennyJohnson - YouTube (Salugenex): https://www.youtube.com/@salugenex-videos 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—just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566 That constant state of 'go, go, go' feels productive, even powerful, until one day you realize the engine you've been running on is actually your own survival instinct. The very drive that pushes you to succeed might be steering you directly toward burnout, hormonal chaos, and chronic stress.My guest today, Dr. Mariza Snyder, knows this cycle intimately. She spent years running from childhood trauma, channeling that energy into becoming a hyper-efficient, top-achieving machine. This state of constant alert dysregulated her entire system, leading to the same symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, and weight gain she saw in her perimenopausal patients. Except she was only 30.In today’s episode, we explore how childhood experiences can wire our brains for a lifetime of hustle, why this leads to addiction to stress hormones like cortisol, and the deep mindset work required to finally get off the hamster wheel. You’ll learn how to spot the signs of a dysregulated system and reclaim your calm with some powerful, in-the-moment tools."When you activate that stress response system many times a day to become more efficient in life, it's going to wear and tear on you."  ~ Dr. Mariza SnyderAbout Dr. Mariza Snyder:Dr. Mariza Snyder is a functional practitioner, perimenopause and menopause expert, and the voice behind the top-rated Energized podcast with over 12 million downloads. Her bestselling book, The Essential Oils Hormone Solution, boasts 1200+ five-star reviews, and she’s been featured on The Dr. Oz Show and The Oprah Magazine. With a background as a biomechanical engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Labs, she now empowers women to break free from chronic stress and hormonal chaos through lifestyle medicine and intentional living. Connect with Dr. Mariza Snyder:- Website: https://drmariza.com   - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmariza/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmarizasnyder - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/drmarizasnyder  - Podcast: Energized: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/energized-with-dr-mariza/id1361914055 - Upcoming Book (Oct 2025): The Perimenopause Revolution 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—just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566 Airplanes and operating rooms don’t usually have much in common, but for Ryan Encinas, both are launchpads into transformation.Before co-founding a health optimization platform and pioneering the use of the BioPhotonic Scanner, Ryan spent years inside surgical suites, navigating everything from tumor removals to joint replacements. But it wasn’t the procedures that shook him—it was the broken system behind them. He saw how medicine often overlooked the root cause of cellular dysfunction from toxicity and nutrient deficiency.So he made a shift. A big one.Now, Ryan’s all about color, not just metaphorically, but biochemically. Specifically, carotenoids. These colorful compounds found in everything from blueberries to marigolds are key to measuring cellular health, immune resilience, and long-term vitality. Ryan walks us through how his team has done over 28 million non-invasive antioxidant scans, what those results mean, and why 99% of people are nutritionally starving at the cellular level.In this episode, Ryan and I dive into how stress alters physiology, why mindset matters as much as minerals, and what it means to radically own your health. You’ll also learn why humans should pay attention to how plants use color as a survival strategy.“ When we measure people's carotenoid antioxidant status, which we've done 28 million tests, 99% of people don't measure up. 99% of the population is starving at the cellular level.” ~ Ryan EncinasAbout Ryan Encinas:Ryan Encinas is a former surgical nurse turned metabolic health strategist and the co-founder of Holistic Hub. He’s on a mission to revolutionize healthcare by putting nutrition first. Through his work with the BioPhotonic Scanner—a physics-based, non-invasive device that instantly measures cellular antioxidant status—he’s helping practitioners and patients track real-time health at the cellular level. His approach blends ancient wisdom, quantum physics, and a relentless belief in human potential.Connect with Ryan Encinas:- Website: holistichub.gethealthyusa.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_holistic_hub/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Holistic-Hub/100088374433221  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—just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566 No one accidentally beats Bryan Johnson at the Rejuvenation Olympics—unless you’re Dave Pascoe. What started with a few blood labs quickly turned into a full-blown system of hormone tuning, data tracking, and precise optimization. He’s not just aging slower. His biological age is 24 years younger than his real age.Dave is a longevity-focused biohacker who treats his body like an engineering system. At 62, his biological age clocks in at just 38, and he’s achieved it without a medical team, a trust fund, or a warehouse of tech. What he does have is a rigorous protocol, a deep understanding of blood chemistry, and a habit of challenging outdated medical assumptions.In this episode, Dave and I talk about how growing up with low self-esteem shaped his obsession with self-research, why most blood lab reference ranges are misleading, and how he utilizes monthly testing to fine-tune every variable that matters. We also dig into why stress once crushed his biological age score, and how he’s now outperforming some of the most famous names in the biohacking world while spending under $15K a year.“Why would I want to be average for a population of sick people?” ~ Dave PascoeAbout Dave Pascoe:Dave Pascoe is a longevity-focused biohacker, data analyst, and self-experimenter whose current biological age clocks in at 38 years old, despite being over 62 chronologically. He’s one of the top-ranked participants in the Rejuvenation Olympics and an outspoken advocate for using regular bloodwork, self-tracking, and science-backed interventions to slow aging, optimize health, and boost performance. His approach is methodical, skeptical, and rooted in real-world outcomes, not hype.Connect with Dave Pascoe:- Website: https://www.davepascoe.net - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dave.pascoe - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-pascoe-6617693/ 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—just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566 I never imagined I’d be talking to someone who’s advised the FDA, challenged medical orthodoxy, and lived through one of the most devastating pharmaceutical disasters in history, but Suzanne Robotti is that person.She’s not just an FDA advisor. She’s also the founder of MedShadow Foundation, a nonprofit that helps people understand the real risks of medications without the spin of pharmaceutical companies. And it’s personal for her.Suzanne was born into this fight. A drug called DES, prescribed to her mother during pregnancy, led to her own infertility. That experience set her on a decades-long mission to stop another DES from ever happening again. She got trained, joined FDA drug safety committees, and built a trusted platform to empower millions of patients to make informed choices.In this episode, we talk about how few people participate in drug trials before the meds hit the market, what “post-approval” means, and how patients unknowingly become participants in phase 4 drug experiments. We also dig into the real story behind ADHD diagnoses, Ritalin overuse, and what happened when Suzanne was told to medicate her teenage nephew or risk getting him kicked out of school.This is a deeply honest conversation about what it means to become your own health advocate.“ The real effects of medicines are often kept in the shadows.” ~ Suzanne RobottiAbout Suzanne Robotti:Suzanne Robotti is a nationally recognized drug safety advocate, consumer representative to the FDA, and the founder of MedShadow Foundation — a nonprofit media organization dedicated to informing the public about the risks and side effects of medications. Her journey began after discovering that she was infertile because of prenatal DES exposure. Today, Suzanne speaks widely on the importance of transparency in medicine, shared decision-making, and empowering patients to ask better questions.Connect with Suzanne Robotti:- Website: https://medshadow.org - FDA Advocacy: https://desaction.org - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medshadowfoundation/ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@medshadow_foundation - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/medshadow.foundation - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MedShadowFoundation 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/ 

There’s something broken in how we think about chronic illness, and it’s not just the healthcare system. It’s the way we’re trained to accept pills over root causes, symptoms over patterns, and insurance codes over meaningful conversations.In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Vik Rajan—a quadruple board-certified physician in integrative medicine, nephrology, internal medicine, and pediatrics—who is rewriting the script on how we treat chronic disease. And he is not just trained. He’s lived it.From watching his mother battle multiple transplants, liver failure, and tuberculosis to creating a “health algorithm” that goes beyond prescriptions, Dr. Rajan brings fire, honesty, and clarity to a conversation most people never get to have with their doctor.We break down why modern medicine is failing patients, how carbs are acting like a legal drug, and what it means to pursue longevity through lifestyle. His “Algorithm of Six” (nutrition, sleep, stress, isolation, toxicity, and exercise) gives structure to those seeking to regain control of their health.He’s also taking on obesity, sugar addiction, and why even some doctors wake up to the very problems they’re prescribing for. "In society today, so many people are overweight or obese that if you are of a normal weight, people start to think that's abnormal." ~ Dr. Vik RajanAbout Dr. Vik Rajan:Dr. Vik Rajan is a quadruple board-certified physician with certifications in integrative medicine, internal medicine, nephrology, and pediatrics. He’s the founder of Houston Patient Advocacy and Concierge Integrative Medicine, blending clinical expertise with functional and holistic health strategies. His approach focuses on lifestyle-driven root-cause medicine, emphasizing long-term healing over symptom management.Connect with Dr. Vik Rajan:- Website (Advocacy): https://www.houstonpatientadvocacy.com - Website (Integrative): https://www.conciergeintegrativemedicine.com - Phone: (281) 888-2406Connect 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—just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566 Isn't it wild how many of our lifelong struggles can be traced back to the first few months of life? And most of us don’t even realize it.In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Robert Melillo, one of the top experts in childhood neurological disorders and the founder of the Brain Balance Achievement Centers. He’s helped thousands of families—kids and adults—with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, tics, anxiety, and more… and he’s done it all without medication.Dr. Melillo’s theory of Functional Disconnection Syndrome is changing the way we think about the brain. He breaks down how imbalances between the brain’s hemispheres affect everything from coordination to behavior to gut health. And he shares how we can not only identify these imbalances early, but also correct them, at any age.This one goes deep into brain development, movement, retained reflexes, immune health, and what we seem to be getting wrong about genetics and mental health. Whether you're a parent, practitioner, or just trying to understand your own brain better, this conversation will reframe how you see yourself and others."Movement was the initiation of brains on the planet, and movement is the initiation of brain development in children." ~ Dr. Robert MelilloAbout Dr. Robert Melillo:Dr. Robert Melillo is a clinician, researcher, author, and one of the world’s leading experts on neurodevelopmental disorders. With over 30 years of clinical experience, he's best known for founding Brain Balance Centers and creating the Melillo Method, a multidisciplinary approach to rebalancing the brain through movement, nutrition, cognitive stimulation, and more. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and translated into over 18 languages.Connect with Dr. Robert Melillo:- Website: https://www.drrobertmelillo.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrobertmelillo - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drrobertmelillo - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrRobertMelillo/ - The Melillo Method Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/melillo-method-podcast-everything-brain/id1739403876 Mentioned Books: - Disconnected Kids: https://a.co/d/7J1fQUv - Neurobehavioral Disorders of Childhood: https://a.co/d/f0zflym - Autism: The Scientific Truth About Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Autism Spectrum Disorders: https://a.co/d/8XlyPFt 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—just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566 Most people don’t realize their gut might be the secret to a sharper brain.In this episode, Sarah Turner breaks down how red light therapy is changing everything we thought we knew about brain health, gut function, and the power of light as medicine.Sarah is a clinical neuroscientist, nutrition expert, and the founder of CERAThrive—home to the first FDA-listed red light therapy system designed for both brain and gut optimization. She has led research in photobiomodulation and structured water, and has worked on transcranial light therapy trials for Parkinson’s. In today’s episode, we get into it all, from how she helped Parkinson’s patients regain basic functions during a clinical trial to why grounding and sunrise exposure might be the most underrated biohacks. Sarah also shares why she built a device to heal both the brain and the gut, and what most companies miss about light, water, and the real biology behind change.“There are certain beneficial wavelengths of light, the red wavelengths, and these are the ones you see at sunrise and sunset. And then there are others you don’t want to have all the time, like the blue ones.” ~ Sarah TurnerAbout Sarah Turner:Sarah Turner is the founder and CEO of CERAThrive, a red light neurotech company pioneering gut-brain optimization with their FDA-listed tPBM (transcranial photobiomodulation) device. She holds postgraduate degrees in clinical neuroscience, nutritional medicine, and photobiomodulation. She co-hosts the Rebel Scientist Podcast and co-produced the documentary SuperCharged. Her work spans neuroscience, quantum biology, and wellness tech, with a focus on using light to heal.Connect with Sarah Turner:- Website: https://www.cerathrive.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cerathrive/ - Email: sarah@cerathrive.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/