

Savage Perspective Podcast
Robert Sikes
The "Savage Perspective Podcast" is hosted by Robert Sikes, WNBF Pro Natural Bodybuilder. Robert has been deconstructing human performance and is willing to push the envelope to see what is possible. He's been following a ketogenic lifestyle for over a decade, is the founder and formulator of Keto Brick, and has a passion for helping others achieve their highest potential. In the show, he brings on guests to dive deeper into what has led to their successes and failures in all walks of life from fitness to business, relationships to spirituality so you can learn and take action!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 19, 2024 • 1h 21min
Battling Demons with a Ketogenic Diet with Valerie Smith
Do you struggle with mental illness? Valerie Smith healed her mind and body through a well-formulated ketogenic diet. Her story is honest, raw, and inspiring, and I know you'll take something from our conversation. What you'll hear: Valerie's list of diagnoses over the past 40 years, including mental illness and eating disorders (1:55) Childhood trauma and disordered eating (7:26) Her struggle with anorexia and body dysmorphia, which led to a feeling of guilt and shame (13:31) The various health complications she suffered as a result of anorexia (23:18) Long recovery after organ prolapse surgery and the role of nutrition in her recovery (27:18) Struggling with multiple mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, OCD, self-harm, and hair pulling, and the shame she felt as a result (32:24) Overcoming her mental struggles through nutrition and an animal-based diet (39:53) The improvements she felt by increasing her daily intake of protein (45:57) How her symptoms diminished and eventually completely resolved as a result of a high-fat diet (50:47) Her participation in a case-study on using an animal-based diet to treat anorexia (58:22) Implementing a high protein diet to reverse her symptoms of osteoporosis (1:02:56) Overcoming the stigma surrounding mental health disorders and seeking help (1:10:57) Weight lifting and body transformation (1:19:19) Where to read more of Valerie's story: Twitter Instagram If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Feb 16, 2024 • 1h 5min
What a Long, Strange Trip it has Been with Robert Johnson
If you're like me, you don't know much about mushrooms other than the strains we're all familiar with. Robert Johnson is a mushroom aficionado and has been since he was a teenager. He founded the premium mushroom product line Mycroboost as well as Custom Capsule Consultants, where he is CEO. His work in the cannabinoid, health, and supplement space since 2008 has given him deep expertise around cannabinoids, hemp, mushrooms, supplements, product development, business development, market demands, and consumer trends. (https://www.rollingstone.com/author/robert-johnson/) I was excited to dive deeper into the world of mushrooms and can't wait to hear what you think of this episode. What you'll learn: Why he became interested in mushrooms originally (1:44) Nootropics, mushrooms, and their cognitive benefits (4:28) Various mushrooms and supplements and the importance of the proper dosage (9:32) Mushroom cultivation and industry transparency (15:55) The legal and scientific aspects of psychedelics and cannabis (22:12) Cannabis legalization and its effects on society (27:45) Microdosing psilocybin mushrooms for mental health benefits (33:58) The use of psychedelics for spiritual and therapeutic purposes (39:38) Risks vs. benefits and when to take caution (45:30) The potential for psychedelics and marijuana to treat mental health issues (52:40) How to ensure you're purchasing a quality product (1:00:14) Where to learn more about Robert and Mycroboost: Mycroboost Instagram If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Feb 12, 2024 • 1h 16min
Sharing the Stage and the Microphone with Lewis Summerson
I met Lewis Summerson when we shared the stage during the world's competition, and afterward, we had the opportunity to chat about all things natural bodybuilding. It was an honor to speak to him at the competition and to have him on the podcast, and I know you'll enjoy this conversation. What you'll hear: Waiting for the judges' feedback (1:24) Lewis' offseason plans, focusing on progress over competition (3:41) The benefits of taking more time off between preps (5:27) Weight classes and conditioning (10:10) Reflecting on the process, and nutrition and conditioning strategies (15:10) Pushing your body to the limits to get into peak physique condition for competition (21:03) Slowing down the rate of fat loss in the final stages of prep (24:14) Maintaining a healthy relationship with food post-competition (30:22) Body weight and caloric intake for muscle gain (33:29) Lewis' nutritional protocol during prep (37:31) Macronutrient ratios for muscle gain and low-carb diets (42:58) The various nutritional and fitness approaches and seeing success with each (45:41) Consistency and the bodybuilding lifestyle (50:33) Training habits and the importance of tracking (54:27) Enjoying the process (1:01:49) Bodybuilding, fitness, and business goals after the competition season (1:04:07) Promoting natural bodybuilding and educating young athletes (1:09:44) Where to find Lewis: Instagram YouTube If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Feb 9, 2024 • 1h 18min
Getting on the Same Wavelength with Dr. Andrew Hill
If you've ever been curious about the different brainwaves and what they mean for your body, you'll definitely find some answers in this episode. Dr Andrew Hill, holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from UCLA and has extensive experience in the field of neurofeedback and QEEG. Dr. Hill is an expert in functional brain health and performance optimization, and has lectured on Neuroscience, Gerontology, & Psychology at UCLA. (https://peakbraininstitute.com/about-pbi/) I've never recorded an episode quite like this and I'm excited to share it with you! What we discussed: What got him interested in the brain to begin with (1:54) ADHS, autism, and neurofeedback training (3:30) The early days of neurofeedback and its effectiveness (4:28) Neurofeedback and brain mapping (7:58) Training brainwaves (14:14) Understanding and improving brain function (17:20) The effectiveness of neurofeedback in treating OCD, ADHD, seizures, and other ailments (19:45) Neurofeedback as a holistic approach to treating anxiety, sleep, and improving executive function (25:14) Using EEG to understand brain function and improve mental health (27:57) Brain mapping techniques and strategies (31:26) EEG assessment and executive function test (37:16) Using brain mapping tools to identify issues with focus and sleep maintenance to help clients improve these areas (39:41) EEG diagnostics to tailor training programs for each individual's treatment needs (43:20) Toxicity testing in cats and brain wave research (50:11) The power of sensory motor rhythm in treating ADHD, seizures, and sleep disorders (53:14) The importance of working with a therapist for brain mapping to help you understand your unique needs (56:31) Self-awareness in neurofeedback training (1:02:40) Using neurofeedback to train brain waves for relaxation and focus (1:05:52) Peak Brain Institute offerings (1:09:16) Where to find out more: Peak Brain Institute If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Feb 5, 2024 • 51min
Medicine 4.0 with Dr. Adeel Khan
Dr. Adeel Khan, CEO of eterna health clinics, discusses stem cell therapy, peptide therapy, and the accelerated pace of modern medicine. Topics include anti-aging therapy, gene therapy, and the potential impact of cell and gene therapy advancements on healthcare. They also touch on the healthcare systems in the US and Canada, as well as gene editing and stem cell technology.

Feb 2, 2024 • 1h 46min
From Natural Bodybuilding to Science with Eric Helms
If you have any interest in natural bodybuilding, competition, changing your body composition, and anything in between, this episode is for you. Eric is the chief author of the Muscle and Strength Pyramids, a founder of and reviewer for Monthly Applications in Strength Sport, and is a research fellow at the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand at Auckland University of Technology, pursuing research in training, nutrition and psychology for strength and physique sport. Eric has a PhD in Strength and Conditioning with a research focus on autoregulating powerlifting, a masters with a research focus on protein and macronutrient manipulation for dieting bodybuilders, a second masters in exercise science and health promotion, and a bachelors in sports management, fitness and wellness. As an athlete, Eric is a WNBF Pro bodybuilder and competes in multiple strength sports. He has a wealth of information and I can't wait to pick his brain further on a future episode. What we discussed: Fitness competition and earning a pro card (2:20) Bodybuilding, competing, and drug use (6:53) The motivation behind bodybuilding and the importance of loving the process (11:57) Mentally preparing for a competition (16:42) Reverse dieting (21:46) Recovery diet terminology for post-competition nutrition (25:41) Balancing recovery and progress in bodybuilding (31:25) Struggling with post-show dietary needs and maintaining structure (36:53) Building good habits in a bodybuilding lifestyle (39:53) Recovery diet protocols and their impact on hormones and body fat (46:06) Body fat, metabolism, and weight loss (50:53) Holistic approach to weight gain (56:04) Body composition, energy intake, and intervention points in different societies (59:57) The impact of bodybuilding on overall health and well-being (1:04:34) Weight gain and body composition tracking (1:08:40) Tracking training metrics for muscle growth and progress (1:13:03) Ketogenic diets in bodybuilding (1:23:41) Carbohydrates and their place in competition prep (1:30:32) Ketogenic diet adaptation and performance timeline (1:38:05) Natural bodybuilding, coaching, and nutrition (1:41:53) Where to learn more from Eric: 3D Muscle Journey YouTube If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Jan 29, 2024 • 1h
Carnivore Coaching in Dublin with Mark Ennis
Have you struggled with disordered eating? Mark Ennis, a carnivore coach based in Dublin, Ireland, struggled with an eating disorder before he finally healed himself through the carnivore lifestyle and became a coach. It was a pleasure hearing about his success and what being a carnivore looks like in Ireland. What we discussed: The state of health and nutrition in Ireland (1:14) His personal experience with obesity, weight loss, and extreme calorie restriction (2:57) Mark's weight loss journey and eating disorder recovery (5:22) Weight gain through healthy nutrition changes (9:47) How the carnivore diet healed his disordered eating and the improvements to his digestive and mental health and energy levels (14:02) Body image and childhood bullying (19:58) Maintaining a healthy nutrition plan during the holiday season (26:32) Bodybuilding, coaching, and personal growth (30:29) Training intensity vs. volume for muscle growth (34:44) Mark's workout routine and muscle activation techniques (39:40) Prioritizing intensity and recovery (43:56) A low-carb diet and its impact on muscle recovery and training frequency (48:43) Keto coaching and client mental health (54:32) Where to learn more about Mark and his work with clients: Instagram If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Jan 26, 2024 • 59min
Overcoming Disordered Eating with Hannah Willette
Have you ever been faced with a difficulty that seemed almost impossible? Hannah Willette shares her battle with anorexia and her inspiring story of how she overcame her disordered eating and came out healthier on the other side. This was a very emotional podcast and I know you'll take something away from it. What you'll hear: Hannah's struggle with anorexia and weight loss (2:06) Body image and self-confidence after pregnancy (7:26) Weight loss, reverse dieting, and muscle atrophy (12:22) Obsession with exercise and its impact on mental and physical health (17:14) Weight gain, strength training, and the effects on mental health (22:53) How being strong affects body image (28:07) Guilt for past parenting choices and coping with her son's medical issues (32:14) Hunting, healing, and opening up a new chapter in life (37:20) Disconnecting from technology and finding strength through nature (43:12) Lessons learned from nature and stewarding the land and how it can help with parenting (50:10) Disconnecting for personal growth (54:46) If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Jan 22, 2024 • 54min
Journey to Ironman with Scott King
Have you ever faced what you believe to be an insurmountable obstacle? Scott King's highest weight was 552 pounds. Scott set a "unicorn goal" for himself, and through training for an Ironman, he has lost over 200 pounds and undergone an incredible transformation. His story is incredibly inspiring and I know you'll enjoy this episode. What we discussed: His weight loss journey, unhealthy habits, and deciding to train for an Ironman (1:34) Redefining health and body positivity (8:58) His journey with overcoming hopelessness and how his life has significantly changed through weight loss and an increase in healthy activity (12:59) The impact of weight loss on the quality of life and mental bandwidth (18:43) The desire to be a healthy role model for his daughters (23:31) His nutrition protocol (26:39) Simplifying meal choices (31:07) Macronutrient distribution and recovery for an Ironman athlete (36:54) The importance of setting goals and sharing your story with others (40:56) Taking small steps towards a large goal, and setting new goals instead of dwelling on past failures (44:57) Encouraging healthy nutrition habits in his children (47:49) Accountability (50:53) Where to learn more about Scott's journey: YouTube If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!

Jan 19, 2024 • 43min
Continuous Glucose Monitoring with Catherine Staffieri
Have you ever wondered what continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is and its benefits? Catherine is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist currently working as a Nutrition Manager at Nutrisense, one of the fastest-growing health tech start-ups aimed to help anyone discover and reach their health potential. Catherine has counseled thousands of clients on their glucose scores reviewing over 750,000 hours of glucose data and recorded meals in the process while recommending nutritional adjustments to improve metabolic health. (https://www.nutrisense.io/nutritionist/catherine-s). I'm thrilled to have had this conversation and make information on CGM more accessible to you. I know you'll learn a lot from this episode. What we discussed: Catherine's background and how she came to work with Nutrisense (1:24) What exactly a CGM is and its benefits (6:09) Using continuous glucose monitoring for nutrition insights, including how various foods impact blood sugar levels (13:42) Blood sugar management and GMU use (16:02) Morning hormonal changes and glucose levels, circadian rhythms, and monitoring HPA axis function (21:23) Managing diabetes with a CGM (25:55) Changes she has made to improve her health, including additional protein consumption and meal timing (31:14) Mindful consumption of food vs. social and emotional eating and mealtimes (36:50) What's in the pipeline for Nutrisense and what she is looking forward to in 2024 (39:31) Where to learn more about Catherine, CGMs, and Nutrisense: Nutrisense If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!