The Jay Campbell Podcast

Many guys use growth hormone in order to build up their body composition and reverse aging. Does it really achieve this, or does it actually do more harm than good? What is the pharmacology of injectable testosterone? What is the best way to work out if you want to live long and be functional? On this episode, I’m joined by the founder of Fortitude Training, Dr. Scott Stevenson, to go really deep on these topics. People would rather inject something instead of just changing their lifestyle, but major lifestyle changes are have so much more payoff. -Dr. Scott Stevenson   Three Takeaways Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to the drugs, and pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body.   When you just give 22 kDA growth hormone, you’re not really replacing growth hormone from an endogenous production standpoint, because the body produces two forms of it. One of the side effects of growth hormone administration is the loss of insulin sensitivity. Metabolic stress is a very important stimulus for muscle growth. At the start of the show, Scott shared why greatest thing that can come from our lives is learning to be self-actualized, and why so few people reach that point. Next we talked about interindividual differences that play a role In the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of injectable testosterone. We also talked about the two types of growth hormones, and how replacement therapy only deals with one of them.     We also discussed: Training over 40 and the beauty of resistance training What causes the antibody response with growth hormone The counterfeiting crisis with growth hormone   Increasing growth hormone does nothing for life expansion, and its impact on body composition is not significant. You basically end up with a bunch of negative side effects, which don’t bode well from an anti-aging and health standpoint. While it makes sense from an evolutionary perspective for us to look for the quick fix and the easy way out, there is no injection that can take the place of a healthy lifestyle, eating well, working out and getting enough sleep. If we want a real payoff with our health, this is where we should put our effort.   Guest Bio- Dr. Scott W. Stevenson, PhD, LAc is an applied exercise physiologist (PhD from University of Georgia, ACSM and NSCA-certified), licensed acupuncturist (State of Florida) and competitive bodybuilder (four overall titles, including the 2009 NPC Mr. Arizona, and four top 5 national level showings). He is the founder of Fortitude Training and the author of a few books including Fortitude Training and Be Your Own Body Building Coach. Scott has over thirty years in the gym and two decades of experience personal training and coaching online. Go to http://drscottstevenson.com/ for more information.

In a bid to get optimized, many men end up buying grey market steroids which do a lot of harm. What are the problems a lot of men are facing because of these products? What protocols would a smart doctor put in place to wean them off? What is the first step to a doctor helping their patients? On this episode, I’m joined by the Anabolic Doc, Dr. Thomas O’Connor, to talk about his work and the men he helps. Every man has a fingerprint, which means I tailor his medicine just for him. -Dr. Tom O’Connor   Three Takeaways There are 2 kinds of side effects: cosmetic and life-threatening. What brings out the side effects for most men is either genetics or lifestyle choices. Every man on androgen is going to have an increased red blood cells. Most standard doctors aren’t dealing with testosterone because everything that goes into treating a patient is too complicated. At the start of the show, Dr. Connor shared how he got started and why he works with men exclusively. Next we talked about why so many primary care docs avoid diagnosing for low T, and Dr. Connor shared the complications that make doctors hesitant to do this. We also gave a list of the some of the impacts of testosterone, including hair loss and puffiness. Dr. Connor talked about how he helps people who abused grey market steroids, and the use of weaning protocols.   We also discussed: What causes TOT side effects Preferred delivery methods for long term use of testosterone The importance of listening to the patient TOT comes with side effects, which are controllable, but only doctors who are well-versed in all the facets of treatment can really help patients. This knowledge takes time and effort to gain, and most primary care physicians don’t have the time to dedicate toward it. For doctors with time and a passion for testosterone optimization, it’s not about rushing to treatment. Everything starts with a handshake, a sit-down, and a conversation to find out what’s going on. This helps doctors tailor the right approach for each patient.   Guest Bio- Dr. O’Connor is the Physician-In-Chief at the Metabolic Doc and the Anabolic Doc. His medical practice consists of a range of specialized, comprehensive and preventative medical services exclusively for men:  Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Anabolic Recovery Medicine, and Metabolic Men’s Health – focusing on aggressive cardiovascular disease prevention, quality of life, and prostate health. Go to https://www.metabolicdoc.com for more information.

Having more visceral fat on your body is associated with a higher mortality rate. What are the risk factors that come with a higher rate of visceral fat? How does weightlifting and cardio fit into a plan to reduce it? How can you become more self-regulating? On this episode, doctors and I talk about the dangers of visceral fat and tips, hacks and strategies to reduce it. Three Takeaways You can eat and get ripped on a diet that’s not necessarily healthy for your arteries. High protein diets in certain individuals will escalate inflammatory markers, but Mediterranean diets work very well. A device like the Skulpt Body Fat Scanner can help you keep track of your body and make you more self-aware and self-regulating. When you build muscle the bone will follow.   At the start of the show, Dr. Rob talked about his upcoming presentations, and then the doctors shared their strategies for reducing visceral fat including diet, exercise and supplements. The doctors also talked about the importance of being realistic about what their patients can do with their health. We also talked about the importance of getting real exercise, not walking the dog or doing steady state cardio. “If you want to burn fat, you have to incorporate high intensity interval training (HIIT), low intensity, long duration exercise doesn’t work for fat burning.” We also answered questions on structural integration, the use of peptides and joint issues   We also talked about: Mediterranean diet vs. animal protein-based diets Mistakes people make with exercise Biomedical systems you can include in your life to get feedback about your body   Visceral fat is hazardous to health because it plays a role in the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer if it goes unchecked. It’s so important to come up with a targeted plan to get rid of hormonally active visceral fat because it will make a big difference to your health. Get your visceral fat measured by a doctor or invest in a biomedical tool that allows you to measure it yourself. Reduce your intake of alcohol, bread, sugar and soda and adopt a Mediterranean diet. Exercise is necessary too, even 20 minutes of HIIT training on an Assault Bike will make a huge difference.

Estrogen is something so many doctors are taught to fear, and women are suffering because of it. How does estrogen affect the minds and bodies of women, and what happens when they are deficient? What are the 4 generations of HRT, and where does each go wrong? What are some of the biggest mistakes being made in the use of estrogen? On this episode, I talk to researcher, and founder of Moxie Menopause, Marie Hoag, about the biggest fallacies around estrogen and how to help women live better lives through optimization. Estrogen dictates how all the other hormones are going to function in the body for women. -Marie Hoag   Three Takeaways You know you’re going to the wrong doctor when you’re prescribed birth control as hormones. It’s important for a menstrual cycle to have rhythmic dosing and peaks and valleys. The peak is important because it triggers a hormone receptor response that is critical for estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, growth hormone, thyroid, insulin. Estrogen and progesterone need to be looked at as two halves of one main sex hormone. A static dose of estrogen is what ends up burning people’s receptors.   At the start of the show, Marie shared how she got started, her own experience and how patients can know if they are getting optimized at all when they work with a doctor. Next she shared on the generations of HRT and their impact on women’s bodies. We also talked about why pellets are so terrible, “anybody who is actually practicing evidence-based medicine in the hormonal optimization space knows that pellets are a farce.” We also went onto discuss why so many diets are fallacies and how they affect estrogen-deficient women.   We also discussed; The importance of taking HRT to the more advanced stages How all hormones are affected by just one peak of estrogen Why estrogen is the self-esteem hormone for women     Estrogen is to women what testosterone is to men. It is vital for the functioning of all hormones in the body. It solves a multitude of health concerns including mood disorders, but again many fallacies and misconceptions keep it from being used correctly or being used at all. If estrogen is not being administered in a manner that mimics the body’s own production you risk obliterating receptors and doing more harm. Doctors have to make sure patients get on some good, advanced HRT so they can actually properly detoxify estrogen out of the system and eliminate estrogen dominance. If they are still being taught that estrogen is bad, we won’t get to the advanced stages that will save women.   Guest Bio- Marie is a Clinical Hormone coach, Menopause and Hormone Medical Practice Consultant, Educator, and HRT Patient Coach. She is the founder of Menopause Moxie. Go to https://menopausemoxie.com/ for more information.

The number of people in their 30s walking around with osteoporosis and osteopenia is staggering. Why is this issue so largely overlooked? How can people start improving their musculoskeletal systems and bone density? Why is the insurance system within medicine a waste of time and a hamster wheel? On this episode, I am joined by Dr Jim Meehan, Dr Rob Kominiarek, Dr. John Crisler and Dr. Sean Breen continue with our biological systems series, tackling the musculoskeletal system today.   Three Takeaways Geroprotection is a better term to use instead of anti-aging. You can protect yourself from the effects of aging, but you can’t stop it.   The strength of our musculoskeletal system is dependent on microfractures, micro-tears and repairs and this is why movement and resistance training are so necessary. Medical boards have almost unlimited power. They are the end all be all with no supervision and oversight. That’s a huge part of the problem.   At the start of the show, we talked about the issues with the sick care model and the doctors who are getting taken down by the medical board for trying to step out of the system. We also talked about why you just can’t make a difference in the sick care model and if there’s anything we can do to help fellow physicians. We also talked about how to improve bone health through lifestyle changes.   We also discussed: Why anti-aging is a dangerous term to use How hormones can be used regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle How doctors are contributing to bone health issues   People are constantly trying to look for shortcuts to solve issues that can easily get fixed by simple lifestyle changes. When it comes to bone health, every conversation about the musculoskeletal system has to start with getting off the couch, moving and being active. Following from that, we have to cut out sugar and alcohol. All these things will affect the strengths of our musculoskeletal, and make more of a difference than any drug can.

Too many people remain in the dark— unoptimized, miserable, and in denial because they don’t do the internal work to overcome their demons. Why is swallowing the ego the first step to solving our internal problems? Can we address the lack of strong masculine figures in our society? How is our society rapidly getting weakened? On this episode, Marcus Torgerson is back to talk about the importance of optimization and doing the internal work, as well as the worsening crisis in masculinity. History has shown that the easiest people to collect are the weakest minded. -Marcus Torgerson   Three Takeaways People grow the most in life when they’ve gone through some difficult times. Our bodies are the only vessels we have in this life, and it’s our job to prioritize them. You have to be willing to do the internal work and give up the ego. No amount of money or outward perfection will compensate for that.   At the start of the show Marcus shared how he’s managing after an injury, and he talked about the nightmare of trying to find an optimization doctor. Next, we discussed why optimization is so important and who is to blame for the crisis young men are facing. We also covered: The importance of individual accountability   Why Marcus prioritizes taking care of his body Why gaming is the greatest threat to masculinity When we feel broken or defeated internally, it directly affects our physicality and mentality. No amount of money or looking good on the surface will fulfill us if we don’t really love or trust ourselves. There is a targeted attack aimed at men to make them docile, weak-minded and easy to control. Optimization is our means of fighting back and reclaiming our power.   Guest Bio- Marcus is the Owner and Lead Instructor at IKMF Krav Maga. He is certified in teaching Civilians, Women, Children, Law Enforcement, Executive Protection, and Technical Shooting. Go to https://www.kravmagafortworthtx.com/ for more information. To get in touch DM him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marcustorgerson/?hl=en.

For patients who have experienced cardiovascular issues, special attention must be paid when it comes to optimization. Why is good dental care so critical for treating these patients? Is a super micro dose of a statin a responsible therapy for an optimized person? How do our physicians treat them to maintain their health? On this episode, Dr. Crisler, Dr. Meehan, Dr. Kominiarek, and Dr. Nichols and I discuss optimization of cardiovascular and circulatory health.   Three Takeaways Chronic opioid therapy will always drop natural testosterone levels. For vascular patients, eating foods that help increase nitric oxide secretion like spinach, arugula, beets and beet juice is great. If you can’t get vitamin D naturally, take 1000mg for every 25 pounds of body weight if you’re caucasian. For non-caucasian people,1500mg per 25g of body fat will do. Take care of your teeth. Plaque build up in the gum line can cause a terrible coronary event because embryologically, the mouth and heart are in the same sack.   At the start of the show, we talked about a recent story about an optimization doctor who is in trouble after a patient’s death, even though the real cause was opioid therapy. The doctors then shared how they manage a cardiovascular patient, the types of supplements they use and the foods they recommend. We also talked about the importance of good dental care. We also discussed: The value of getting your vitamin D levels up The use of Niacin and side effects Why statins are bad news The importance of avoiding processed foods   Diet and lifestyle have to really be dialed in for a patient with any circulatory issues. That means eating vegetables and meat with low fat and sourcing food that is as organic or locally grown as possible. It’s also very important to get your vitamin D up, either naturally or through supplementation. Good dental care is very important because the overload of plaque can cause a coronary event.

Most people think body fat is just an aesthetic thing, but its effects on our health are very real and very dangerous. Why is testosterone optimization such a great way to combat body fat? What are the other factors that contribute to the overall health of a patient? How can patients with erectile dysfunction get help, and how does addressing it improve their relationships? On this episode, I talk with Dr. Breen about why TOT is such a game changer and how it can benefit relationships in addition to physical health. The more fat you have on your body, the more inflamed you are. It's a fertilizer for all disease in the body. -Dr. Sean Breen   Three Takeaways Fat cells are extremely inflammatory. Body fat is biologically active, and it is the basis for a lot of preventable diseases and health issues. Testosterone is incorrectly lumped in with the substance abuse associated with the bodybuilding community. The truth is that men’s sexual performance declines as they age, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. There are many options out there that can help.   At the start of the show, Dr. Sean shared how he got started and gave his own experience with testosterone optimization. We talked about how fat cells are extremely inflammatory, and how testosterone helps with this. Dr. Sean also shared on some of the ways he helps men with erectile dysfunction. We also talked about: Why so many physicians won’t publicly support the use of testosterone Why optimization has to go with a healthy lifestyle How Dr. Sean helps women as well   Dr. Sean Breen believes there’s no bigger game changer and problem solver for men’s health than testosterone. For a guys who are eating clean, controlling stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep, hormone optimization will completely transform their lives. It will also impact their happiness and the level of intimacy in their marriages. Optimization also has a huge impact on body composition, which doesn’t just improve how you look— it also reduces your risk of inflammation. If you team up with a physician who is evidence-based, knows their stuff, and is dedicated to their patient-care, the benefits are endless.   Guest Bio- Dr. Breen is an Anti-Aging, Functional and Regenerative Medicine Specialist. During his 9-year career as a Navy medical officer, he spent 4 years as a battalion surgeon with 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. Following his decorated military career, Dr. Breen shifted his focus to preventative medicine. Dr. Breen is the founder and medical director for Dr. Sean Breen, PC. His clinic is the premier medical clinic in preventative, functional and regenerative medicine in Southern California. His goal is to restore optimal health and prevent disease before it becomes symptomatic. He has developed an annual health plan that walks patients step-by-step through the healing process over an entire year. Go to http://www.doctorbreen.com/ for more information.

Most women are taught to avoid weightlifting out of fear of bulking up. However, this is a huge missed opportunity, and even a danger to their health. Why is weightlifting important from an age management perspective? What is the surprising truth about the use of testosterone in the treatment of breast cancer? On this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Mickey Barber for an awesome, in-depth conversation about some of the frontline treatments and methods that keep her patients looking and feeling great. If you’re not doing weight training, you’re going to waste away and the muscle will be replaced with fat. -Dr. Mickey Barber   Three Takeaways Hormone replacement for women is not only safe, but also instrumental in the prevention of diseases. Using TOT for breast cancer treatment was actually normal in the 1940s until pharmaceutical companies got involved. Testosterone down-regulates the estrogen receptors that are up-relegated with breast cancer. Weightlifting for women: Whatever you work out with at the gym has to be heavier than your handbag.     At the start of the show, Dr. Mickey shared how she got started, the health challenges she faced, and how that led her down the path of optimization. We also discussed the importance of building muscle for women, and why medicine is 40% science and 60% art and intuition. Dr. Mickey also talked about different peptides and the varying benefits they have. We also discussed: Why we can’t use blanket statements when it comes to nutrition If hormone replacement is safe for women How low bone density can be reversed   It’s natural for us to lose bone density and muscle as we get older. When we lift weights, we’re tearing the muscle down and building it back up through nutrition and supplements providing protein and amino acids. Without this, we would simply shrivel away. Until our evolution catches up with our lifespan, we have to do something about it and consistent weight training is the way. Optimizing hormones also helps, but it can’t be in isolation. Lifestyle is still important, so we also have to also prioritize sleep, fitness and nutrition. Guest Bio- Dr. Mickey is the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Medical Officer at Better Life Carolinas. She offers an integrative approach to age management medicine while providing the patient with an assessment of hormonal balance and overall health and disease risk. Her philosophy for successful aging includes maintaining energy, health, and sexual vigor through shared responsibility of the patient-doctor team. Dr. Barber not only teaches her patients about hormonal balance but practices such balance herself. She has competed in Masters level figure competitions at the age of 48 placing second and ten years later competing to a standing ovation. Given a strong family history of heart disease and cancer, she takes her health very seriously and is a living example of the benefits of the program. Go to https://betterlifecarolinas.com/ for more information.

Even with today’s unprecedented access to information, there are still a lot of misconceptions around nutrition and fitness. How is mineral and vitamin deficiency affecting our health? How can we change our mindset and habits for better health? How has social media influenced perception of weightlifting? On this episode, I’m joined by former Mr. Universe and owner of the best gym in Asia, Bart Van der Molen, as he shares insights on nutrition, fitness, and bodybuilding. Three Takeaways Every chronic disease is because of a mineral deficiency. The body’s best source of Vitamin D is the sun, and when we take artificial Vitamin D, we actually mess up our ability to absorb it from the sun. Many people who are struggling with weight lie to themselves by saying it’s a disease instead of the result of habits and choices. People hide behind these lies to be more socially acceptable. A lot of African countries are gaining weight to the same level as the US because of the influence of American fast food.   At the start of the show, Bart shared he got started and how Muscle Factory was born. He also talked about the rules of his gym and how they are different from others. We discussed how Instagram has driven the shift in how certain workouts are viewed. We also talked about some of the health issues obese people have and why food is so addictive to them.   We also discussed: Why we have a love-hate relationship with social media Why it’s easier to help athletic people change their habits The supplements Bart uses to prepare for competitions   If we were to prioritize giving people the minerals they need, we’d solve many health problems. We shouldn’t be making being unhealthy a socially acceptable thing because it doesn’t alleviate the danger people are putting themselves in. Ultimately, we have to change not only the habits of these people, but their mindset and psychology. Guest Bio- Bart is the founder and owner of Muscle Factory Gym in Bangkok, Thailand. He is a former Mr. Universe. Go to https://www.facebook.com/pg/musclefactorybkk/posts/ for more information.