RUNGA Radio

Lately, I’ve been feeling a little triggered by those pro-vaccination ads that appear to deliberately insult the intelligence of well-informed, health-conscious individuals who’ve made the decision not to get vaccinated against Covid. As a coach, I don’t believe that demonizing a group of people who eat healthily and take care of their bodies is in anyone’s best interests. In my opinion, it only serves to drive people further apart and get in the way of promoting active, healthy lifestyles. So today, I look into the stats that show that the people who are most likely to become seriously ill with Covid tend to lead less healthy lifestyles. Plus, I share my own experience of coming into close contact with someone who recently tested positive. Support the show

Niraj Naik is a pharmacist turned natural healer, musician, and breathwork expert. After being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and stress-related depression, Niraj resolved to take his health into his own hands and use meditation, breathwork, and traditional Ayurvedic medicine to heal his condition. Today, Niraj is happy, healthy, and symptom-free and, through his powerful SOMA Breath system (which combines pranayama breathwork with music), he helps others lead energized, inspired, and emotionally balanced lives.In our wide-ranging conversation, we talk about Ayurvedic medicine, breathwork, and the healing power of music. We also consider the benefits of traditional yoga, explore the correlation between longevity and rhythmic breathing, and discuss how to quieten the mind, tap into our intuition, and gain a greater sense of clarity, contentment, and perspective.Support the show

In my first live solo video podcast, I feel it’s important to share my thoughts on nutrition and my ancestral approach to diet. I dive into how our diet has changed since we transitioned from hunter-gatherers to farmers and made the switch from mainly eating nutritionally rich animal products to consuming high-carb bread and grains. I also explain why our high-carb, high-fat, low-protein modern diet is making us fat and sick. Above all, I advise listeners to think carefully about their food choices and avoid eating high-carb, high-fat foods that spike insulin, cause addiction, and negatively impact their health.   Support the show

Shanais Pelka is a nutritionist, herbalist, and the Research and Development Manager at Organifi, where she is responsible for sourcing high-quality ingredients for their organic, glyphosate-residue-free superfood blends. Shania is an expert in natural health and herbal remedies. She’s also a mom, an entrepreneur, and the owner of Seven Springs Farm, an 18-acre organic family farm in North Carolina.Today, Shanais shares her experience of using adaptogens to heal her autoimmune disorder and cure her adrenal fatigue. She explains how adaptogenic herbs and medicinal mushrooms help the body cope with stress, fight fatigue, and build immunity. As an expert in medicinal plants and herbs, Shanais recommends adaptogens as a safe and effective alternative to conventional medicine, and she sets out how to limit our exposure to harmful toxins, particularly glyphosate, in our environment. Support the show

 Today I talk about how I evolved from a hyperactive, pharmaceutically medicated kid into a breathwork loving, low-carb eating, holistically healthy guy. Plus, I explain why, at the age of 36, I feel happier, healthier, and fitter than ever. Above all, I stress the importance of questioning the perceived wisdom about what is conventionally considered good for us, and I encourage everyone to think independently and remember to do what feels best for them when it comes to making important decisions about their health and wellbeing.Support the show

Dr. Mark “Merriwether” Vorderbruggen is a foraging instructor, a healer, and a modern-day medicine man. He has a master’s degree in medicinal chemistry, a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry, and an encyclopedic knowledge of plant medicine. Due to his outdoor lifestyle and background as a hunter and a forager, Mark has been described as “the scientist raised by wolves,” and his Merriwether nickname refers to the legendary explorer Meriwether Lewis.Mark previously worked as a chemist developing environmentally friendly products for the oil industry, but he is currently responsible for formulating potent natural remedies for the Medicine Man Plant Co. His aim is to reconnect people with nature and the healing powers of plants, and we discuss the long history of plant medicine and its proven ability to support our health.Support the show

This Friday, I want to share a talk I recently delivered to an audience in Switzerland. It’s entitled How to Prioritize Healthy Decisions for Maximal Sustainability, and it’s intended as a follow-up to my 2016 TEDx talk on breathing and heart rate variability. My new presentation sets out the principal practices to follow for vibrant health and longevity, and it stresses the importance of proper hydration, adequate sleep, and nasal breathing. First and foremost, I encourage the audience to take a thoughtful approach to their health that empowers them to make healthier lifestyle choices and build a broad base of foundational fitness.Support the show

Today’s guest is Howard Martin, the Executive Vice President of HeartMath, an organization that teaches people how to cultivate positive emotions, enhance their wellbeing, and perform to the best of their abilities. HeartMath’s techniques are used by Fortune 100 companies, military organizations, and government agencies to help their employees build resilience and cope with stress, and its unique training system has enabled countless individuals to lead more balanced and rewarding lives. Howard is HeartMath’s key spokesperson and the co-author of The HeartMath Solution and Heart Intelligence, Connecting with the Intuitive Guidance of the Heart.  In this episode, Howard explains why breathwork is only the first step on the journey to connecting with the heart’s intuition and intelligence, and he emphasizes the importance of purposefully activating uplifting emotions, such as love, compassion, and appreciation. He also shares some simple techniques to help us change how we feel and improve how we communicate and relate to each other.Support the show

Dr. David Dodick is a Professor of Neurology and the Director of the Headache Program and the Sports Neurology and Concussion Program at the Mayo Clinic. He’s also the Chair of the American Migraine Foundation and the American Academy of Neurology Sports Concussion Conference. Dr. Dodick has recently developed a supplement that provides nutritional support for the brain and is particularly beneficial for athletes who participate in contact sports and are at risk of incurring a brain injury. The supplement is available in two forms, SynaQuell, which provides daily support to the brain, and SynaQuell Plus, which should be taken after developing symptoms of an injury. We talk about how athletes who play contact sports are likely to experience repetitive subconcussive head impacts during a season. Plus, Dr. Dodick explains how people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury are at an increased risk of developing adverse health outcomes, including coronary artery disease, psychosis, anxiety, depression, and epilepsy. He recommends taking a proactive approach to brain health that concentrates on optimizing cognition and helps protect against neurological impairment, dysfunction, and disease.Support the show

In my recent show with Graham Wardle, we talked about finding our why and following what we’ve been called to do. Today, I suggest adopting the same approach to our health and wellness. As a coach who wants to help people live longer, perform better and feel healthier, I believe we need to ask ourselves what we want to achieve from our fitness programs in order to adapt and tailor them to suit our individual needs. Above all, I believe we need to be flexible in our approach to our well-being and always remember that it’s healthy until it’s stressful.Support the show