
Live Beyond the Norms
You want to have a spectacular life. You want to live longer as long as you are healthy mentally and physically. This podcast has been a vision of mine for the last two and a half years. As I continue to share with people the astounding results, 90% extension of life in test subjects, reported in peer-reviewed published research about our molecule ESS60, I started to think about what it would be like to live longer. Not just longer, but ALOT longer. I also started thinking about how living longer would disrupt the vision many people had about their lives and the final years of that life. This podcast is big enough to cover all aspects of Living Beyond the Norms but it will start and probably focus on health and longevity and the cutting-edge research which promises significantly longer and healthier living. It will also cover the unconventional strategies employed today by today's experts to help people Live Beyond the Norms.
Latest episodes

May 9, 2025 • 1h 7min
Rethinking Cancer — Dr. Michael Karlfeldt on Rethinking Tumors, Firing Up Mitochondria & Why It’s Not About the Tumor
Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!Ever notice how quickly conventional oncology jumps straight to chemo, radiation, or the scalpel—and how rarely anyone asks why that tumor showed up in the first place?In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Michael Karlfeldt, naturopathic physician and author of the Amazon bestseller A Better Way to Treat Cancer. Michael has treated 100,000‑plus patients since 1987 and hosts Integrative Cancer Solutions and Integrative Lyme Solutions podcasts. His message is simple: cancer is less a genetic death sentence and more of a whole‑body systems failure which we can reverse, once we fix inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, mindset, and (yes) the gut.Michael shares the real root causes of cancer that no one is talking about. He reveals how cancer cells hijack our natural energy-producing pathways, why detecting a tumor is just the tip of the iceberg, and how to create an environment where cancer cells simply can't survive.Whether you're currently battling cancer or on a healing journey, or you are fortunate to have a clean bill of health, this episode will arm you with the tools to kick cancer to the curb for good. Let's dive in.“I don't think that it (cancer) is a genetic disorder. I think genetics is something that is kind of secondary. I believe that it is that shift in how the cell produces energy." ~ Dr. Michael Karlfeldt About Dr. Michael KarlfeldtDr. Michael Karlfeldt is a board-certified naturopathic doctor and the founder of the Karlfeldt Center in Boise, Idaho. He specializes in integrative oncology and has treated over 100,000 patients across 30+ years. He’s the author of A Better Way to Treat Cancer, host of the Integrative Cancer Solutions and Integrative Lyme Solutions podcasts, and an expert in therapies like IV Vitamin C, photodynamic therapy, frequency medicine, and personalized peptide immunotherapy.Connect with Dr. Karlfeldt- Website: https://thekarlfeldtcenter.com/ - Book: The Better Way to Treat Cancer: https://a.co/d/8RjXQ8C - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KarlfeldtCenter - Phone: (208) 338-8902Connect 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/

May 6, 2025 • 1h 3min
Len May on Personalizing Cannabis, Cracking the Endocannabinoid Code & Why Your DNA Should Pick Your Strain
Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!Ever wonder why the same joint hits your buddy like a creativity bomb but leaves you paranoid on the couch?Len May has the answer, and it’s all in your DNA.Len is the CEO of EndoDNA, a kid who turned ADHD self-medication into hard science, and the man whose once-skeptical parents now consume products that his company has patents on. He’s on a mission to swap one-size-fits-all pot culture for true precision medicine—so you get bliss, not paranoia.In this episode, Len shares everything from getting booted out of his house for smoking a rigged cigarette to sequencing thousands of cultivars. Plus, he unpacks the political roots of marijuana’s bad reputation and why it’s still misunderstood today.“Two people will consume the same chemical variety and have a completely different experience.” - Len MayAbout Len MayLen May is the CEO of EndoDNA, author of Making Cannabis Personal, and host of the Everything Is Personal podcast. He’s pioneered genetic testing that matches cannabinoids and terpenes to individual biochemistry, holds multiple cannabis-genomics patents, and serves as principal investigator on ten ongoing clinical trials. Fun fact: the same parents who once called the cops on him now swear by products his company formulated.Connect with Len- Website: https://www.endodna.com - Instagram: https://instagram.com/lenmaydna - Podcast: Everything Is Personal: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everything-is-personal/id1534027849 - Book: Making Cannabis Personal: https://a.co/d/bnHu0uO 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/

May 2, 2025 • 1h 19min
The Vitamin A Toxicity Epidemic: Dr. Garrett Smith on Toxic Bile, Liver Health, and Why Your Supplements Might Be Making You Sick
Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!Your multivitamin might be making you sick.What if the very supplements we think are helping, like Vitamin A, Vitamin D, or so-called superfoods, are quietly sabotaging your liver, calcifying your joints, and draining your energy?Dr. Garrett Smith calls it like it is.Known as “The Nutrition Detective,” Dr. Smith has spent the last decade dismantling mainstream nutrition myths and uncovering what he calls a “toxic bile paradigm.” His theory? Vitamin A toxicity is real, widespread, and behind many of today’s chronic illnesses. And that’s just the start.In this episode, he breaks down why your liver is the real MVP of your health and why most detox advice is dead wrong. You’ll learn how bile works, what’s clogging your detox pathways, and why seemingly healthy choices (like tomatoes, multivitamins, or even certain labs) might be leading you further away from healing."Do I consider vitamin A just a toxin? Yes. Do toxins have effects? Absolutely." ~ Dr. Garrett SmithAbout Dr. Garrett Smith:Dr. Garrett Smith is a licensed naturopathic physician who began his practice in 2006. Known as "the nutrition detective," he hosts a weekly "Love Your Liver" livestream and has developed controversial theories challenging conventional nutritional wisdom. With a background in strength conditioning and naturopathic medicine, Dr. Smith combines scientific rigor with practical, results-oriented approaches to solving chronic health mysteries. His work focuses on vitamin A toxicity, toxic bile, and liver health as foundational causes of chronic disease.Connect with Dr. Garrett Smith:- Website: https://nutritiondetective.com - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NutritionDetective - Twitter (X): https://x.com/NutriDetect - Love Your Liver Program: https://members.nutritiondetective.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/

Apr 29, 2025 • 1h 15min
Triathlon Legend Brad Kearns on Born to Walk, Avoiding Burnout, and Living Vibrantly to 123
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 out of shape because you don’t work hard enough. You might just be doing the wrong kind of hard.Brad Kearns was once ranked #3 in the world as a professional triathlete. He’s a two-time US national champion, a Guinness World Record holder, and most recently took second place in the USA Masters National High Jump at 58. He has trained with the greats, written 14 books, and co-founded Peluva, a minimalist footwear company born out of everything he's learned about performance, longevity, and movement.But Brad didn’t always win.After burning out in college as a D1 runner, he spent years crashing from injury to illness, chasing performance but ignoring the signs. Then came the recalibration—one that shaped his career, his coaching, and his message for every fitness-minded overachiever who thinks “more” is the answer.In this episode, Brad shares a brutally honest look at what it really takes to thrive in the long term and why most people train too hard. You'll learn why recovery, not intensity, is the new secret weapon.“ Control yourself. Do what works for you and do your best rather than get sucked in to the overly-competitive modern world.”~ Brad KearnsAbout Brad Kearns:Brad Kearns is a former professional triathlete, world-ranked #3, two-time US national champion, and Guinness World Record holder. He’s the co-author of bestsellers, including The Primal Blueprint, host of the B.Rad Podcast, and co-founder of Peluva minimalist footwear. Brad’s work bridges high-performance athletics with real-life longevity—helping people train smarter, feel better, and live longer through movement, mindset, and metabolic health.Connect with Brad Kearns:- Website: https://bradkearns.com - Book: https://borntowalkbook.com/ - Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-b-rad-podcast/id1430171257 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradkearns1/ - Peluva Shoes: https://peluva.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/

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 5min
John Brink on War, ADHD, Bodybuilding at 84 & Building a 400-Person Company from Scratch
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/

Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 12min
Reed Davis on Functional Lab Testing, Metabolic Chaos & Why “Normal” Results Don’t Mean Healthy
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/

Apr 18, 2025 • 1h 11min
The Hashimoto’s Wake-Up Call: Gwen Foster on Gallbladder Loss, Hormone Chaos, and How to Finally Get the Right Tests
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/

Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 8min
The Energy Formula: Shawn Wells on Beating Burnout, Biohacking with Purpose & Redefining Real Health
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/

Apr 11, 2025 • 1h 5min
Metabolic Freedom: Ben Azadi on Healing the Body by Rewiring the Mind, Breaking Diet Myths & Ending Self-Sabotage
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/

Apr 8, 2025 • 49min
Stress, Weight Loss, & Hormones: Rachel Sanders on Building Routine for Women's Health After 30
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/