Align Podcast

Cold showers and cold plunges are widely spoken about in the world of wellness, but are they really worth the pain and discomfort theyput you through? In this episode of the Align podcast, I dive into cold- exposure therapy–why it’s essential for optimizing your life, and how to do it properly to ensure you are reaping the full benefits. I also give you a deep explanation on brown adipose tissue, what it is and where it comes from, and the science-backed benefits of Wim Hof-style breathing techniques.   What you’ll learn:  Wim Hof breathing techniques  The science behind holding your exhales The benefits of cold-exposure therapy  Why you want more brown adipose tissue  Why you need to place good stress on your body regularly How to easily set up a cold plunge at home How to perform a cold plunge for the greatest results    Links discussed in this episode:  Wim Hof: Inner Fire, Reversing Disease, Breathing  7-Minute Guided Breath-Work and Meditation

In this episode of the Align podcast, Abel James and I have a deep conversation on a wide array of topics that all drive back to letting go your ego and becoming deeper in-tune with yourself–from toxic masculinity and our obsession with validation, to breaking through the materialistic world and Abel’s new book, Designer Babies Don't Get Scabies.    Abel is a New York Times best-selling, creator of #TheWildDiet, host of the Fat Burning Man podcast, and an all-around quality person. This conversation highlights his wealth of knowledge and unique outlook on life that will help you optimize your mind, body, movement.    What we discuss:  Comparing the way different cultures eat Toxic Masculinity Burning out for validation Able’s new poetry book How poetry is within all of us Breaking through materialistic society  Why you need to flip reality on it’s head The power of visualization    Find more from Abel: @fatburningman fatburningman.com

In this episode of the Align podcast, I talk you through a seven-minute breathwork and meditation practice that is perfect for helping you tune your nervous system and give yourself the rest you need. At the beginning of the episode, I first talk through how to sit properly while mediating, as well as explain how to properly perform the breathwork practice. This breathwork and mediation practice is great for helping you tune your nervous system and give you a reset any time throughout your day. 

“Animal foods are clearly superior to plant foods in every way, shape, and form.” Do you agree with this statement? My guess is no. But if we all agreed on the same things, the world would be a very boring place. Regardless of your beliefs, it’s extremely important to explore all the different perspectives to gain a clearer understanding and deepen our beliefs.     In this episode of the Align podcast, I'm joined by guest Dr. Paul Saladino, MD, who dives into the topic of the Carnivore Diet based off his new book, The Carnivore Code. If you have listened to a podcast on the Carnivore Diet before, trust me when I say this episode is unique. I asked Dr. Saladino challenging questions that provides you with information you have never heard on a podcast before.      He gives an in-depth explanation as to why he believes eating animal foods, from animal meat, animal organs, and animal fats, are the richest source of nutrition. Most likely, you’ve been led to believe plant-based diets is the healthiest diet to live by. He demystifies this myth and gives you a step-by-step guide on beginning the carnivore diet.      It’s very important to note, I don’t have a firm stance in what I believe is the best diet for optimal living. Please keep in mind that this episode is not a reflection of my personal perspective on nutrition. I enjoy standing on the side lines and watching the world leading health experts tee off on what they think is best.   Find More From Dr. Saladino:  Book: The Carnivore Code Website: https://carnivoremd.com/about/  Instagram: @carnivoremd

Celebrity dog trainer and guest of this episode of the Align podcast, Tamar Gellar, discusses the wisdom and knowledge she has cultivated through dog training and shares how it can be applied to the lives of humans. We discuss a range of topics, including how our ability to accept and embrace pain increases the quality of our lives, how we are forced out of living our truth in today’s society, and the importance of connecting and aligning with our feelings.    Tamar Geller is a New York Times bestselling author and as OPRAH says “A Life Coach for Dogs and their People”. “The Loved Dog” method that she created almost 30 years ago is based on the knowledge she acquired as an intelligence officer in the Israeli Special Forces, from the respect that she gained for the wisdom of nature during the time she spent observing wolves in the wild, and her devotion to personal growth. Tamar has transformed lives and impacted relationships not only for dogs but also of people, who gained insight into themselves and their loved ones while learning Tamar’s unique and mindfulness-based dog training method.   Tamar has helped celebrity clients like Ben Affleck, Jon Stewart, Larry King, Ryan Seacrest, Julianne Hough, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Anniston, Ellen DeGeneres & Portia DeRossi & of course Oprah, and many non-famous dog lovers, to have the most awesome dogs.   What we discuss: The positive effects of “faking it until you make it”  How we filter what we allow into our brains  The power of noticing what we like and what we don’t like Connecting and aligning with our feelings How we are forced out of living our truth in today’s society  How our ability to accept pain increases the quality of our lives  The six needs of humans vs. the five needs of dogs Plant medicine  Shifting your negative thoughts Feeling unworthy of love The process of coming back to ourselves The right way to communicate with our dogs and how the translates to communicating with people  Best tips for training your dog 

Hanging? That’s right, hanging! Allow yourself to hang from a pull-up bar, tree branch, playground, or anything that will support your weight, for 90-seconds every single day. I promise you, it will change your life! This episode of the Align podcast educates you on the power of hanging and decompressing your spine. I dive into the anatomy of your spine and how hanging helps to successfully bring it back into alignment, and what happens when you don’t. I also dive into the science-backed benefits of hanging. I explain not only how hanging improves your physical health, but how it also has a dramatic effect on your physiological health by bringing you a greater sense of confidence. Plus, I provide you with pointers on how to successfully incorporate hanging into your lifestyle. 

In this episode of the Align Podcast, I chat with Aubrey Marcus on all the shame and stigma that surrounds sex. Why do we feel shame? Why do we think we are doing something wrong? Why do we allow it to change the way we feel about ourselves? Aubrey shares his personal experiences with sex, as well as lessons he has learned and the wisdom he has cultivated through these experiences. Aubrey’s insight helps us break through our own sexual barriers, allowing us to enhance our own personal experience.    Aubrey is a long-time close friend of mine, as well as the founder and CEO of Onnit, a lifestyle brand based on a holistic health philosophy he calls Total Human Optimization, and is one of the leading health and wellness influencers in the industry,    Aubrey and I discuss:  Ketamine-assisted meditations  Dealing with depression  The connection between your relationship with your parents and your relationship with yourself  Why we feel shame about sex Where sex stigmas stem from  Thoughts on threesomes Stepping into your sexual phobias Using rejection as an opportunity for self love Aubrey’s best life advice    Find more from Aubrey: @aubreymarcus onnit.com   Find more from me:  @alignpodcast alignpodcast.com

To live your most optimized life, prioritizing meditation for at least ten minutes a day is essential.  Countless people come to me saying “meditating is impossible” and I understand it’s a difficult practice, but I believe people make it much more difficult than it needs to be.    In the episode of the Align Podcast, I break down three common mistakes you’re probably making when meditating that are preventing you from growing your practice. I truly believe, when these mistakes are addressed, meditation will not only become more tolerable, it will become extremely enjoyable.    I also share three of my all-time favorite mindful quotes, and explain what each one means to me and how it relates to a mindfulness practice.    Need help getting started with mediation? I share a simple meditation with you in this YouTube video.

In this episode of the Align podcast, I chat with world-renowned boxer, Tony Jeffries. Tony was the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, 7 time national champion, and an undefeated professional boxer. Today, Tony remains active in the fitness industry, traveling the world as an international trainer, honing the skills of professional athletes, including UFC fighters, and sculpting the bodies of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.   I believe Tony is the kindest, most open-hearted human, especially for being such a bad ass, and know you’re going to enjoy our grounded and authentic conversation on what it’s like to have an Olympic mindset. Tony gets vulnerable, sharing the mental struggles he faced, the mental shifts he needed to make, and the affect his mentality has on his life now. Tony believes mental preparation needs to come before all else, and claims the game completely changed once he made it his number one priority.   Find more from Tony:  @tony_jeffries

Apparently there is a perception that I don’t have a ton of stress in my life. And to be honest, that is ridiculous! I experience stress almost every day. Although I have a handful of practices I prioritize that have helped lessen the impact stress has on me. When practiced, it gives me the opportunity to release built-up stress, and prevent more from building up within me.   In this episode, I share my best tips for managing and reducing stress in your life. I don’t believe it’s possible to completely eliminate stress, but I believe by incorporating specific practices and activities into your daily life, it’s possible to lessen the control it has over your health and happiness.