RUNGA Radio

Stacked 014 - Seeding the Microbiome with Ara KatzAra Katz probably knows more about your own gut than you do. She’s the co-founder and co-CEO of Seed, a consumer health company that aims to enhance the wellness of the human microbiome. This trailblazing entrepreneur has experienced firsthand the devastating effects of burnout, and it’s now her mission to combat misinformation and prevent sickness.“We’re nuking our guts with antibiotics, and we’re not feeding them what we need.”We jump right into what Seed does, the meaning of “microbiome,” how seeding works, and what we really need to prioritize when it comes to gut health. It’s basically a podcast version of the Magic School Bus, so hop aboard and join us as we geek out on science, debunk some popular beliefs, and answer some hot-topic questions like “where did all these food allergies come from?” “Health is a verb. It’s literally an action–we health.”What Seed does: the microbiome, the human genome, and the impact of your choices (1:20)People mean the gut when they say the microbiome, but that’s less than half the story (12:30)The biological process of seeding, and the difference between vaginal and c-section births (16:30)Disclaimer: This science is still really new, and often sensationalized (19:45)What’s the most detrimental thing we’re doing to our microbiomes? (25:00)You’re not eating enough fiber (28:00)If you care about health and wellness, you need to care about the environment (32:00)Are whole foods enough, or do they leave gaps? (44:00)Probiotics are not a miracle cure (47:00)Is it more important to avoid foods that are harmful, or add foods that are healthy? (54:45)The best marker of wellness: resilience. How long does it take to return to homeostasis? (57:00)Give people what they need, disguised as what they want, and teach them to consider the consequences (1:00:00)What’s up with the explosion of food allergies? (1:09:00)Fasting and the gut (1:13:00)We’ve got some real challenges ahead (1:18:00)I want to take my health back. What do I need to do? (1:27:45)We’re obsessed with replacing things, when we should just eliminate them (1:31:00)The basic stuff is the most important, but it’s difficult and not sexy (1:32:00)Find Ara Instagram I Facebook I WebProudly Sponsored ByBLUbloxIf you are anything like me, you’ve probably tried to block out every single spec of light in your bedroom—whether at home or on the road. Well, there’s a better option out there. BLUblox has created this incredible sleep mask that not only blocks out all light but also feels comfortable on your face. It makes getting to sleep and staying asleep that much easier...much like their stylish blue-blocking glasses!Head over to BLUblox and enter code RUNGA at check-out for a 15% discount.Four SigmaticA mushroom a day keeps the doctor away… no, really! Four Sigmatic has a wide variety of delicious superfood (and super-good-for-you) beverages made with medicinal mushrooms. Their Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane is my go-to choice when on the road, and at home, I like to start every workday with a double dose of pure Lion’s Mane.To receive 15% off your Four Sigmatic purchase, visitSupport the show

Stacked 013 - Living with Integrity & Strength with Dan JohnDan John is an icon in the world of…well, pick one: Olympic lifting, throwing, academia, Highland Games, coaching, instructional fitness writing - the list goes on. After becoming an All-American discus thrower and competing at the top levels of Olympic weightlifting, Dan started coaching the next generations of athletes. Over 40 years later, he’s still going strong.“The word ‘integrity’ comes from the word ‘integer.’ It means ‘one.’ You should be basically the same person in every situation.”Dan and I sat down during our lunch break at the RKC II to talk about mortality, building a legacy, and how your goals might be tanking your health. We discuss the differences between resume-building and eulogy-writing, evaluate the characters we’ve encountered at high school reunions, and take some shots at conventional health and fitness beliefs.“Will this make a difference? You need to have some kind of mission statement.”Dan John is a legendary strength and conditioning coach…but that’s just the beginning (1:00)The higher you go, the fresher the air…and the nicer the people (6:30)Let’s talk about life and death (not taxes though) (8:30)Olympic medals don’t make you a good person, and other life lessons (16:30)The 10,000-hour rule is actually bullshit, and there’s always someone better, hungrier, meaner than you (19:00)15-20 pushes, squats, pulls, is all you really need in a workout (24:00)You can’t have Christmas every day: how to set goals you can accomplish without sacrificing your wellbeing (25:30)What do recovery and wedding planning have in common? (28:00)The most important practices for longevity: you’ll reap later in life what you’re sowing right now (33:00)Find Dan Instagram I Facebook I WebMentioned in This EpisodeDan’s BooksDan’s Workout PlansRange: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David EpsteinThe Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic PerformanceSpring Chicken: Stay Young Forever (or Die Trying) by Bill GiffordRKC / HKCProudly Sponsored ByFour SigmaticA mushroom a day keeps the doctor away… no, really! Four Sigmatic has a wide variety of delicious superfood (and super-good-for-you) beverages made with medicinal mushrooms. Their Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane is my go-to choice when on the road, and at home, I like to start every workday with a double dose of pure Lion’s Mane.To receive 15% off your Four Sigmatic purchase, visit Four Sigmatic and use discount code RUNGA at check-out.Brain.fm Before every show, I find a quiet place, grab my noise-canceling headphones and head over to my brain.fm app. With brain.fm you can decide how you want to spend the next few hours of your day—focus, productivity, relaxation—and they will play music that has been scientifically engineered to shift your brain in that direction. (See Support the show

Michael A. Rintala, D.C. (@rintala_movementflow) is a chiropractor in San Diego, California who specializes in chiropractic sports medicine and rehabilitation. He is committed to helping you with your rehabilitation and chiropractic needs. Using cutting edge manual medicine, functional rehabilitation, and diagnostic techniques he strives to bring you the quality of care you deserve.  Dr. Rintala is currently a member of the PGA Tour Sports Medicine Team.“For every area you’re investing your energy, there’s an area you’re not.”In this episode, we discussed how he found Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) and why he gravitated so strongly to it. We dive deep into the theory and the hypothesis behind it. We also discuss High Threshold Strategies, what they are, how you know you’re in it and maximizing fitness through functional capacity training. Other topics include athletes with long-lasting careers such as Roger Federer, breathing, intention, and up vs. down-regulation.“The first step to getting better is believing you will get better.”Microdosing fitness to mitigate stress (5:30)How can you incorporate fitness into your daily patterns? (8:00)It’s Seamus’ birthday, and he’s drinking dock sludge (11:00)The best way to help people make good decisions is to make them yourself (14:00)Seamus is a famous chef, by the way (18:00)A knock on the door can change your life. Almost dying can too. (24:00)When the student is ready, the teacher appears (33:00)The power of stories to effect change (41:00)A shift toward feminine energy (43:00)The therapeutic value of music (47:30)Find Michael Instagram I Facebook I YouTube I WebMore on Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization hereProudly Sponsored ByAthletic Brewing Co.Athletic Brewing Co. is pioneering a revolution in non-alcoholic craft beer. They use high-quality, all-natural ingredients to create great-tasting brews, so you don’t have to make sacrifices to your diet and health when you want to enjoy that cold beer on a Friday night!Head over to Athletic Brewing Co. and enter code STACKED at check-out for a 15% discount.Support the show

Lois Laynee is a dynamic pioneer and passionate lecturer in the fields of Education, Sleep, Scar Release Healing, Cranio Facial Neuro development, and much more. Lois is the CEO of AZ Sleep Apnea Center, a speaker and educator of oxygen wellness and the creator of the Laynee Restorative Breathing Method. Lois represents the integration of East meets West, blending neurophysiology with cranial facial development, to provide the opportunity to experience less stress immediately through the power of oxygen.We all have underutilized abilities within each of us, and very few of us are operating close to our human potential. Lois teaches us how every dysfunction starts with an interruption or alteration of connections in the brain. Once these connections are activated and integrated, sleep is restored, pain and anxiety can be reduced, movement is fluid and breathing is effortless. This integration can be achieved in all stages of life to help us sleep, breathe, move, and thrive. The possibilities are truly endless. This episode will thoroughly benefit anyone looking to improve their or their children’s quality of life. Lois even touches on important facets of pregnancy and childbirth.“If you know function, you will understand dysfunction.”For the full show notes go to www.coachjoedi.com/stackedBrain stem injuries literally twist your brain stem (5:00)What does Lois Laynee do exactly? (7:00)Cranial nerves, breathing, and the flight-or-flight state (10:00)Did you know your teeth conduct electricity? (16:00)Learning how to tap potential starts with natural motion (25:30)The brain stem is wired to protect us, but shock becomes our norm if we don’t reset it (32:00)Childbirth is becoming increasingly unnatural (37:00)You can’t get pregnant because you have a...sleep disorder? (48:30)The step-by-step process of tongue loosening (55:00)Spinning babies: it’s actually a good thing (1:02:00)Hum, swallow, and tell yourself you’re safe (1:08:00)Airplane stories: a little bit of ice water saves lives. And don’t leave home without vinegar. (1:13:00)The Dynamic Functional Cranial Nerve Assessment, that’s not a mouthful (1:20:00)It’s easy to fix people, but easy to mess them up again too (1:29:00)Can you cure sleep apnea with Turkish get-ups? Lois can. (1:38:00)Cranial nerve #5 is a big deal (1:39:30)Why can’t Joe put two hands on the kettlebell? (1:42:00)Vibration plates are not for everyone (1:46:00)The connection between the toes and the pelvic floor (1:51:15)Harness the power of nature, don’t try to conquer it (2:00:00)Proudly Sponsored ByBLUbloxIf you are anything like me, you’ve probably tried to block out every single spec of light in your bedroom—whether at home or on the road. Well, there’s a better option out there. BLUblox has created this incredible sleep mask that not only blocks out all light but also feels comfortable on your face. It makes getting to sleep and staying asleep that much easier...much like their stylish blue-blocking glasses!Head over to BLUblox and enter code RUNGA at check-out for a 15% discount.brain.fmLet me tell you about a little hack I have been using lately: Before every show I find a quite place, grab my noise cancelling head phone and pop open this little app called brain.fm. With brain.fm you can decide how you want to spend the next few hour of your day — focus, productiviSupport the show

He’s a James Beard award-nominated chef and an accomplished cyclist, but what you may not know about Seamus Mullen (@seamusmullen) is that he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2007. After flatlining on the table during a hospital visit, he submitted to the tutelage of Frank Lipman, M.D., a practitioner of functional medicine. Through a combination of a diet overhaul, conventional medicine, supplementation and acupuncture, Seamus reversed his symptoms and worked his way back to health.“For every area you’re investing your energy, there’s an area you’re not.”I sit down with Seamus to talk about different approaches to fitness, his experience living with an autoimmune disease, and his definition of success. Seamus shares one of his favorite truisms—“when the student is ready, the teacher appears”—and explains how it not only influenced his approach to life, but literally saved it. “The first step to getting better is believing you will get better.”Microdosing fitness to mitigate stress (5:30)How can you incorporate fitness into your daily patterns? (8:00)It’s Seamus’ birthday, and he’s drinking dock sludge (11:00)The best way to help people make good decisions is to make them yourself (14:00)Seamus is a famous chef, by the way (18:00)A knock on the door can change your life. Almost dying can too. (24:00)When the student is ready, the teacher appears (33:00)The power of stories to effect change (41:00)A shift toward feminine energy (43:00)The therapeutic value of music (47:30)The Seamus 45th Birthday WorkoutBuy In: 45 Swings, 48kg2 Rounds:45 cal Fan Bike45 KB Swings, 24kg45 Chin-Ups / HR Push-Ups45 Goblet SquatsBetween Rounds: 300m Double KB Carry, 24kgFind Seamus Instagram I Facebook I Twitter Seamus’s latest book: Real Food Heals: Eat to Feel Younger and Stronger Every DayListen to the goop fellas podcast hereProudly Sponsored ByKettlebell KingsEvery two weeks we are giving away a $150 Kettlebell Kings gift card! All you have to do is leave us a review on any of our platforms and make sure you are on the Coach Joe DI newsletter to be entered to win.Athletic Brewing Co.Athletic Brewing Co. is pioneering a revolution in non-alcoholic craft beer. They use high-quality, all-natural ingredients to create great-tasting brews, so you don’t have to make sacrifices to your diet and health when you want to enjoy that cold beer on a Friday night!Head over to Athletic Brewing Co. and enter code STACKED at check-out for a 15% discount.Support the show

Blake Houston is something of a virtuoso. Not only is he an excellent barber, he’s also a personal trainer with a rare approach to fitness. A lifelong fitness enthusiast, he pursued bodybuilding, transitioned into muay thai, and then incorporated yoga and meditation.“The only way you can actually be bad at meditation is if you don’t do it.”Blake takes us through his journey, explaining how he works with his clients to help them understand the value of health in all aspects of life. We discuss the prevalence of injury and constant depletion, unpack the effects of social media on the brain, and explore various pathways to meditation.“Just removing that layer of rubber from your soles to the earth will bring you back into a more connected headspace.”Here’s what’s on the menu for today (5:15)Cold and hot immersion can be really stressful for the body(9:30)The middle place is actually a good place, and when you think you need your ass kicked, you probably don’t (11:30)Your most valuable resources are the people around you (15:30)The fitness story: bodybuilding to muay thai to yoga (17:45)The yin yang approach (22:45)If your hormones are a mess, you’ll never reap the benefits of your workouts (29:30)Tarot cards: wait, what? (32:30)Joe’s first kundalini experience (39:30)Track your time, get your day back (47:30)Heart math and body coherence (51:30)Porn is causing erectile dysfunction and infertility (55:30)Time to go back to our roots. Let’s talk about grounding (1:00:00)Blake’s morning routine (Hint: it’s not coffee) (1:10:30)Our worst vices started out as sacred rituals (1:19:30)Proudly Sponsored ByBLUbloxIf you are anything like me, you’ve probably tried to block out every single spec of light in your bedroom—whether at home or on the road. Well, there’s a better option out there. BLUblox has created this incredible sleep mask that not only blocks out all light, but also feels comfortable on your face. It makes getting to sleep and staying asleep that much easier... much like their stylish blue blocking glasses!Head over to BLUblox and enter code RUNGA at check-out for a 15% discount.Kettlebell KingsEvery two weeks we are giving away a $150 Kettlebell Kings gift card! All you have to do is leave us a review on any of our platforms and make sure you are on the Coach Joe DI newsletter to be entered to win.Support the show

Regan Burns runs more obstacle course races than you do. It’s a fact. He’s only running 15 this year, but don’t worry, he’s not slowing down. He’s just also busy doing other things like being an actor, a comedian, a personal trainer, an OCR trainer, a running instructor, a psychic, and a dad.“Your body is a giant battery. We become so ungrounded emotionally because we are literally not grounded.”With a laundry list of occupations like that, it shouldn’t be any surprise that this episode is the Godfather of Stacked episodes to date. Regan’s so easy to talk to that the time just flies. We leave virtually no stone unturned on this one: from health trends we wish we hadn’t embraced, to parenting strategies, to reasons why your mindfulness practice isn’t making you happy, to our approaches to alcohol consumption. Buckle up, it’s a hell of a ride!“You know who you should work with? Truckers.”Strap yourselves in, it’s a long one (1:00)Let’s just sing Four Sigmatic’s praises for a minute (2:00)The worst podcast intro ever (7:45)What does Regan do all day? (8:30)Health trend regrets (13:30)Why do we eat food that isn’t great for us? (22:00)Let’s get one thing straight: sugar-free isn’t a synonym for healthy (29:00)The science of sleep, and how lists of life hacks don’t improve life quality (35:00)The reality of OCR (40:00)Fitness at the expense of health (46:30)Breathwork as an entrance into meditation (1:00:00)What’s your diet look like? (1:09:00)Joe screwed Regan over once (1:14:00)What does Joe the Parent look like? From OCR to parenting advice (1:26:00)RIE: not to be confused with rye bread (1:32:00)Why does everyone hate kettlebells? (1:52:30)How do you know if you’re swinging it right? (2:04:00)What “rest day” actually means (2:12:00)Burgers and alcohol, oh my (2:22:00)If you’re happy, healthy, and with it, then your numbers don’t really matter (2:32:00)Best place for the holidays? Iceland. (2:37:00)Proudly Sponsored ByFour SigmaticA mushroom a day keeps the doctor away…no, really! Four Sigmatic has a wide variety of delicious superfood (and super-good-for-you) beverages made with medicinal mushrooms. Their Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane is my go-to choice when on the road, and at home, I like to start every workday with a double dose of pure Lion’s Mane. To receive 15% off your Four Sigmatic purchase, visit Four Sigmatic and use discount code RUNGA at check-out.Athletic Brewing Co.Athletic Brewing Co. is pioneering a revolution in non-alcoholic craft beer. They use high-quality, all-natural ingredients to create great-tasting brews, so you don’t have to make sacrifices to your diet and health when you want to enjoy that cold beer on a Friday night!Head over to Athletic Brewing Co. and enter code STACKED at check-out for a 15% discount.Kettlebell KingsEvery two weeks we are giving away a $150 Kettlebell Kings gift card! All you have to do is leave us a review on any of our platforms and make sure you are on the Coach Joe DI newsletter to be entered to win.Support the show

“As a human, you have at least 10-15 opportunities everyday to upgrade your energy and stay on the planet a little longer,” Brent writes. It’s his mission to help people recognize those opportunities and take advantage of them, whether through AI with his coaching company VOLV or his supplement line Ethos. He’s been grinding since his college days, when he graduated in three years “accidentally” and his resume clearly speaks to his passion and work ethic.“Experiment, gather results, apply.”In this episode we take on some hefty topics, from how to become self-reliant to the way social media has conditioned society to ignore quality content. We talk about the difference between maximizing and optimizing, get familiar with the concept of micro-moments, and take a look into Brent’s past to understand his evolution from a kid mixing alcohol and SSRIs to a well-established entrepreneur running multiple businesses. It’s a lot to cover, but this octopus on rollerblades handles it with ease.Brent is a jack-of-all-tradesl [2:00]G-37 so you know you made it [9:30]Self-reliance is a theme [14:40]The beginning of mindfulness: get out of your 9-to-5 [19:30]Eastern vs. western approaches and what labels have done to us [21:30]SSRIs and emotional disconnects [25:30]30 pounds of beer fluff and the self-experiment [32:00]Success is an iceberg, and no one wants to see the failures [37:00]Labels fuel big swings, and big swings cause unintended consequences, and social media is bad for good content [43:00]Going deeper with the few is better than being shallow with the masses [48:30]The technology detox [55:30]RKC exam requirements [1:05:00]All of your choices influence the way your body feels  [1:14:00]Let’s talk about Work [1:19:30]The mission of Ethos and the ingredient breakdown [1:26:00]1000 seconds and the origin story [1:35:00]Structure, anchors, and micro-moments [1:38:00]Proudly Sponsored ByBLUbloxThe days of wearing unstylish, red-lens sunglasses are officially over. BluBlox is pioneering in the field of blue-blocking glasses with a wide selection of products for every part of the day—from working on your computer early in the morning to watching TV at night.Head over to BLUblox and enter code RUNGA at check-out for a 15% discount.Kettlebell KingsKettlebell Kings produces some of the best bells I’ve ever had the pleasure of swinging. They come with a smooth finish and a textured grip to make your swings seamless, and the best part? All bells ship free!Head over to Kettlebell Kings and enter code RUNGA at check-out for a 15% discount.Every two weeks we are giving away a $150 Kettlebell Kings gift card! All you have to do is leave us a review on any of our platforms and make sure you are on the Coach Joe DI newsletter to be entered to win.Ethos WorkYou know that feeling when it just seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day? With the new Ethos Work you can optimize your performance on days where you just don’t know how you’re going to get everything done.Head over to Ethos and enter code STACKED10 at check-out for a 10% discount.Support the show

Dr. Peter Percuoco is a  Diplomat of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board and former instructor of Clinical Applications in Neurology.  He also served on the post-graduate staff of 4 Chiropractic Universities and has over 30 years in clinical practice. Among many other endeavors, he now also hosts the “Daily Inspirational Podcast”, which this episode was originally recorded for.“Your body becomes imprinted by creating proteins that are in reaction to your thoughts.”For this episodes, I assumed the role of the guest and let Dr. Percuoco lead the conversation. Our conversation revolved around stress - what it is, how it is, where it is, and most importantly, how to deal with it. We dive deep into the concept of prioritizing your thoughts in order to overcome stress and maintain health.“The way you think will control everything. Everything!”In this EpisodeJoes head injury [2:00]Ask empowering questions and get inspiring results [4:40 ]You create stress in your mind [5:55]Cortisol – The stress hormone [7:30]Controlling internal and external threats [9:00]How stress makes us sick [10:20]93% of what you worry about never happens [12:00]Prioritizing thoughts to maintain health [14:00]Joes TED Talk [16:00]Joe can’t watch his own TED talk [23:05]Measuring your stress through heart rate variability. Mindfulness, yoga, breathing have a measurable effect on your heart [33:00]You make yourself sick or healthy by what you think about [36:30]Your body keeps the score of what you are thinking [44:50]Old traumas are hidden stressors [49:50]If you suffer an emotional, physical or sexual trauma, your brain may keep playing the event subconsciously and this may negatively impact your health [54:40]Anxiety unchecked can become Panic [1:01:05]Get to know your emotional operating system [1:03:00]Protect the first 2 hours of your day [1:09:00]Build the life you want to live in your mind first and your brain and body will work together to make it happen [1:15:10]Joe is meandering with a purpose [1:58:55 ]I got hit by a bus [1:24:40]The importance of living in the moment [1:27:40]Learn from the masters – Children [1:31:15]There can be no peace and happiness without pain and suffering.  No Mud No Lotus [1:52:40]ReferencesDr Percuoco - The Daily Inspirational PodcastProudly Sponsored ByFour SigmaticA mushroom a day keeps the doctor away… no, really! Four Sigmatic has a wide variety of delicious superfood (and super-good-for-you) beverages made with medicinal mushrooms. Their Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane is my go-to choice when on the road, and at home I like to start every work day with a double dose of pure Lion’s Mane. To receive 15% off your Four Sigmatic purchase, visit Four Sigmatic and use discount code RUNGA at check-out.Kettlebell KingsEvery two weeks we are giving away a $150 Kettlebell Kings gift card! All you have to do is leave us a review on any of our platforms and make sure you are on the Coach Joe DI newsletter to be entered to win.Support the show

Adam Von Rothfelder is the founder of Strong Coffee Company. He’s an industrious innovator who isn’t afraid to challenge norms and go against the flow. With passion and fearlessness, Adam channels his love of design into quality, industry-disrupting products that speak for themselves.“Bodybuilding is the best form of working out for 90% of the population."But I let Adam speak for himself on this episode, and he talks about his fitness evolution and how that led to the creation of Strong Coffee. We get into what effective exercise looks like, and Adam breaks down how to formulate a perfect recipe (spoiler alert: it’s a lot of trial and error). He explains the guiding philosophy behind his ingredient selection and encourages listeners to be curious, because asking the right questions is what leads to great new things.“That’s what I hope: to have a legacy that truly makes change.”In this EpisodeStrong Coffee is just awesome, end of story. [4:10]Quick tangent about NeuFit, the muscle stim revolution [9:40]The worst house on the best street, and the good old days [14:10]When cold therapy isn’t actually therapeutic (and why science is important) [19:10]Adam’s sports history [24:10]Not all sugars are created equal, and health and fitness are not the same [35:10]What’s your protein intake? [42:10]You could copy Strong Coffee’s recipe, because it’s literally printed on the back [53:10]Don’t skip breakfast. Redefine it. [58:10]Neurofactor and Alzheimer’s [1:02:10]How to make a great product: test the sh*t out of it [1:06:00]Let’s just all be amazing [1:19:15]The synergy of caffeine and collagen for joint development [1:21:30]The “how to steal your girlfriend” starter kit, and why people shell out for $7 coffee [1:29:10]When everyone looks left, look right (that’s how you create a product people need) [1:34:10]Being a gym owner might not be a good fit for you [1:35:10]Why turn your energy down when you could bring everyone else up to your level? [1:43:10]ReferencesMike T Nelson on Connective Tissue AdaptationsProudly Sponsored ByKettlebell KingsEvery two weeks we are giving away a $150 Kettlebell Kings gift card! All you have to do is leave us a review on any of our platforms and make sure you are on the Coach Joe DI newsletterto be entered to win.Support the show