Discipline Is Freedom: Reclaiming Your Energy, Health, and Joy

In this solo New Year episode, Darin Olien strips everything back to what actually works. Not hacks. Not trends. The fundamentals. Discipline, food, movement, stillness, sleep, hydration, and real human connection. Darin explains why sovereignty is built through small daily practices — and how mastering the basics is what creates freedom, resilience, joy, and a truly SuperLife.     What You'll Learn 00:00 – 02:00 Welcome to SuperLife + why this episode is about foundations, not quick fixes 02:00 – 03:21 Why New Year change fails — and how discipline actually creates freedom 03:21 – 04:21 Discipline reframed: not restriction, but the container for sovereignty 04:21 – 05:29 How to build momentum with one high-leverage habit (and why simplicity wins) 05:29 – 06:15 Sleep as a keystone habit — routines, consistency, and nervous system repair 06:15 – 07:39 Food basics: eating close to the source and why Mediterranean-style works long-term 07:39 – 09:13 Practical nutrition without overwhelm — fiber, diversity, and simple planning 09:13 – 10:54 Movement as medicine — why walking and consistency beat intensity 10:54 – 12:00 Strength, mood, brain health, and why there's no substitute for exercise 12:00 – 14:04 Sponsor break: non-toxic cookware and eliminating hidden daily toxins 14:04 – 16:36 Silence and stillness — the missing vital force in modern life 16:36 – 17:22 Sleep as repair: mitochondria, recovery, and why stimulation without repair fails 17:22 – 18:14 Hydration fundamentals — mood, cognition, digestion, and mineral balance 18:14 – 19:43 Water rituals, warmth, electrolytes, and daily hydration structure 19:43 – 21:23 Heart-centered living — healing, relationships, and real human connection 21:23 – 22:55 Why meaningful relationships are the lifeblood of happiness 22:55 – 24:28 Escaping algorithmic dopamine and replacing fatal conveniences 24:28 – 25:32 Media fasting, boundaries, and protecting your inner life 25:32 – 26:46 Why the basics are the most powerful tools you have 26:46 – 27:56 Final message: pick one habit, build sovereignty, and create your SuperLife     Thank You to Our Sponsors Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.       Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway The basics aren't boring — they're the most powerful tools you have. Discipline creates freedom. Simple food fuels performance. Movement, sleep, stillness, hydration, and real connection build resilience. Pick one habit, commit to it, and build the life you actually want.  

As we close out the year, this special Holiday episode of the SuperLife Podcast weaves together the most powerful moments, conversations, and awakenings from an extraordinary season of inquiry. From environmental toxins and metabolic health to resilience, trauma, consciousness, and human potential, this episode is a reminder that living a SuperLife isn't about perfection — it's about awareness, sovereignty, and choosing differently. This year challenged assumptions, exposed broken systems, and offered real tools for healing — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This episode is both a reflection and a recalibration: a moment to pause, integrate, and step forward with clarity into what's next.     What You'll Learn 00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife + why this Holiday Special matter 02:10 - Year-end reflection: the conversations that cracked us open 07:26 - Dr. Aly Cohen on how her golden retriever's autoimmune illness revealed the unregulated chemical soup in our daily products. 10:57 - Dr. Laurie Santos on the arrival fallacy of happiness and why our brains are wired to get used to the good life. 16:03 - Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson on how a study on Navy dolphins led to the accidental discovery of C15, a fatty acid that may slow aging. 20:55 - Jennifer Cohen on how a simple "spit and catch" game taught her that boredom forces kids to build resiliency. 24:05 - Ian Clark on the moment he refused a terminal prognosis and committed to finding a different way to heal. 29:59 - Jim Poole on inventing NuCalm, a technology using physics and math to bypass trauma responses and restore the brain. 35:32 - Dr. Richard J. Brown on how his muscle mass provided the metabolic reserve needed to heal from severe burns after a grill explosion. 39:45 - Chef Bailey Ruskus on how the failure of Western medicine regarding her chronic illness led her to find her cure and calling in the kitchen. 48:48 - Sheila Morovati on how asking one question about default settings on food apps saved over a billion pieces of plastic cutlery. 53:28 - Cameron Waters on the theory that Jesus wasn't angry about money in the temple, but about the massive animal slaughter taking place. 01:01:04 - Redfoo on a masterclass in manifestation and how he decided his work was play. 01:08:24 - Ilan Sobel on bio-farming and mirroring nature to grow specific cells without soil. 01:14:08 - Dr. Jessica Stavale on fascia, the bioelectric web that holds us together and might be the missing link to understanding chronic pain. 01:18:05 - Gabrielle Reece on the ultimatum she gave her husband Laird Hamilton that saved their marriage and deepened their love. 01:22:29 - Johnny Fine on the vulnerability of the power grid and practical solar solutions for an EMP event. 01:28:26 - Josh Macin on discovering a physical parasite that changed his understanding of his own depression and intrusive thoughts. 01:34:40 - Gustavo Herman Moro on finding a literal treasure beneath the sea during a lightning storm just as time was running out. 01:39:26 - Dani Fontaine on the endocannabinoid system as the body's master thermostat and regulating signal system. 01:44:02 - Catharine Arnston on how algae acts as a firefighter for our mitochondria to put out the flames of inflammation. 01:49:26 - Dr. Mindy Pelz on the grandmother hypothesis and how menopause rewires the female brain for leadership. 01:55:00 - Dr. Max Butterfield on the surprising mismatch between what men think women find attractive versus what they actually do. 01:59:00 - Kyle Nicolaides on an Ayahuasca ceremony where he realized depression was an initiation rather than a defect. 02:03:52 - Dr. Aimee Apigian on why you cannot think your way out of trauma and why the body must physically move through the experience. 02:09:00 - Aaron Bigelow on the science of the human voice as a holographic blueprint for our health. 02:13:30 - Charlie Goldsmith on the moment he first felt magnetic energy in his hands at 18 years old and his first accidental healing. 02:21:10 - Maya Raichoora on using visualization to heal her body and walk again after a rude comment from a nurse ignited her fight. 02:25:20 - Dr. Lori Woodley on the "cross backwards" technique to break autopilot and stop reactive behavior. 02:29:32 - Chloe Temtchine on flipping the script from victimhood to empowerment to reclaim her health from a terminal diagnosis. 02:35:10 - Jürgen Horn on a somatic release technique for the jaw that shifted his body enough for his wisdom teeth to grow in. 02:39:23 - Jeff Turner on getting crushed in a rap battle in high school and finding the humor that launched his career. 02:44:53 - Dr. Michelle Jorgensen on how her own mercury poisoning led her to uncover the toxic truth about modern dentistry. 02:50:05 - Robyn O'Brien on the character assassination she endured when she blew the whistle on the food industry and how it forged her resilience. 02:54:16 - Darin synthesizes the year's insights into a final message of empowerment, reminding listeners that they are not victims but possess the agency and tools to actively shape their own biology and destiny.     Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.   Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "What shocked me most this year wasn't how broken our systems are—it was how powerful the human body is when you remove the interference. When you give it clean inputs, space to recover, and permission to heal, it does what it was always designed to do."

In this solo episode of The SuperLife Podcast, Darin Olien dives deep into the true biology of energy—not motivation, not stimulants, not willpower, but the mitochondria themselves. Inspired by a groundbreaking conversation between Dr. Andrew Huberman and Dr. Martin Picard, Darin reframes energy as an emergent property of how we live, not just what we eat or how much we sleep. This episode explores how mitochondria act as signal translators, listening to your food, stress, sleep, movement, emotions, purpose, and environment—and turning those signals into either vitality or depletion. Darin connects cutting-edge mitochondrial science with real-world practices around recovery, meaningful stress, consistency, connection, and alignment, showing how true longevity and resilience are built at the cellular level.     What You'll Learn in This Episode 00:00  – Welcome to SuperLife & the mission of sovereignty and vitality 00:32 – Thera Sage sponsor: family-built healing tech & red light 02:10 – Why this episode is different: diving into cellular energy 02:42 – Inspiration from Huberman & Picard's mitochondria conversation 03:11 – Rethinking mitochondria: not just ATP, but information processors 04:03 – Energy as potential for change, not calories or fuel 04:39 – How thoughts, emotions, food, and stress shape energy 05:05 – Energy is dynamic, adaptive, and responsive to how you live 06:02 – Mitochondria as signal integrators: sleep, hormones, purpose, connection 06:50 – Mitochondria as antennas, not factories 07:16 – Translating life experience into biological energy 08:09 – Why we don't feel "energy," we feel energy flow 08:53 – Flow states, purpose, and why passion creates vitality 09:32 – Different organs, different mitochondrial roles 10:26 – Why energy optimization is not one-size-fits-all 10:49 – Energy resistance: the hidden cause of fatigue and burnout 11:47 – Chronic stress, poor sleep, and ultra-processed food as energy blockers 12:12 – Why recovery is non-negotiable for longevity 12:20 – Caldera Lab sponsor: clean, performance-driven skincare 14:20 – The danger of constant output without recovery 14:45 – Sleep as a mitochondrial reset and repair system 15:40 – Exercise, adaptation, and why recovery completes the signal 16:22 – Intentional stress vs. chronic stress 17:29 – Food as information, not just fuel 18:05 – Time-restricted eating, fresh food, and metabolic signaling 18:27 – Meaning, purpose, and emotional states as cellular inputs 19:23 – Mitochondria, aging, and the potential reversibility of decline 20:06 – SuperLife framework: alignment over optimization 20:37 – Consistency beats intensity at the cellular level 21:19 – Stable rhythms: sleep, nourishment, hydration, movement 21:45 – Stillness, meditation, and parasympathetic repair 22:35 – Growth requires both resistance and recovery 24:44 – Connection, community, and loneliness as biological signals 25:27 – Eliminating fatal conveniences to restore vitality 26:02 – Your mitochondria are listening—change the signals 26:21 – Honoring Huberman & Picard's contribution to human health 27:12 – Energy flow as the foundation of a SuperLife 28:11 – Closing reflections and invitation to apply this work     Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Caldera Lab: Experience the clinically proven benefits of Caldera Lab's clean skincare regimen and enjoy 20% off your order by visiting calderalab.com/darin and using code DARIN at checkout.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Your mitochondria are not broken. They are responding perfectly to the signals you give them. Change the signals, and your energy, resilience, and life will follow."     Bibliography & Sources Here is the bibliography based on the sources referenced in the document, formatted with direct links to the scientific papers, books, and the podcast episode. Primary Source Material Huberman, A. (Host). (2025, December 15). Improve Energy & Longevity by Optimizing Mitochondria with Dr. Martin Picard [Audio/Video podcast]. Huberman Lab. Link to Episode Picard Lab. Mitochondrial Psychobiology Group. Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Link to Lab Website Key Scientific Literature & Books Hood, D. A., Memme, J. M., Oliveira, A. N., & Triolo, M. (2019). Exercise and Mitochondrial Biogenesis. Physiological Reviews, 99(1), 669–715. Read Study Lane, N. (2015). The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life. W.W. Norton & Company. Book Link López-Otín, C., Blasco, M. A., Partridge, L., Serrano, M., & Kroemer, G. (2013). The Hallmarks of Aging. Cell, 153(6), 1194–1217. Read Study Mattson, M. P., Moehl, K., Ghena, N., Schmaedick, M., & Cheng, A. (2018). Intermittent Metabolic Switching, Neuroplasticity and Brain Health. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 19, 63–80. Read Study Picard, M., & McEwen, B. S. (2018). Psychological Stress and Mitochondria: A Systematic Review. Psychosomatic Medicine, 80(2), 126–140. Read Study Picard, M., & Shirihai, O. S. (2022). Mitochondrial Psychobiology: Foundations and Applications. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 43, 102–110. Read Study Speakman, J. R., & Selman, C. (2011). The Free-Radical Damage Theory: Accumulating Evidence Against a Simple Link. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 26(1), 33–39. Read Study Wallace, D. C. (2015). Mitochondria and Cancer. Nature Reviews Cancer, 12, 685–698. (Note: Often referenced alongside his Annual Review of Genetics work on aging). Read Study

In this powerful and paradigm-shifting conversation, Darin Olien sits down with Dr. Mindy Pelz to dismantle everything we've been told about menopause, hormones, aging, and women's power. This is not a conversation about "fixing" women — it's about understanding a profound neurological, biological, and evolutionary transition that has been misunderstood, pathologized, and silenced for decades. Together, they explore why menopause is not the end of vitality, but the beginning of leadership, clarity, and sovereignty — and why reclaiming this transition could fundamentally reshape families, culture, and the future of women's health.     What You'll Learn (with Full Timecodes) 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife: Why this episode matters for everyone, not just women 00:01:05 – The hidden cost of modern living: Plastics, endocrine disruption, and invisible hormonal stress 00:02:47 – Introducing Dr. Mindy Pelz: Why this conversation goes deeper than anything online 00:03:17 – Why women were excluded from medical research for decades 00:05:26 – The shocking pattern Dr. Pelz saw in women in their 40s: When life looks perfect but feels unbearable 00:06:41 – The suicide and divorce statistics no one talks about 00:07:27 – Why menopause exists at all: The evolutionary mystery 00:08:55 – The Grandmother Hypothesis: Why post-menopausal women kept humanity alive 00:10:08 – The brain shift that makes women stop people-pleasing 00:11:31 – Aging, fear, and the cultural erasure of women's wisdom 00:13:10 – The female brain before vs. after menopause 00:15:13 – Darin's reflection on his mother and invisible female labor 00:16:06 – Why community, safety, and oxytocin matter more than willpower 00:18:00 – Carol Gilligan's research: When girls stop knowing what they want 00:19:32 – Menopause as an awakening — not a breakdown 00:21:24 – Why men must be part of this conversation 00:22:26 – Leadership, aging, and reclaiming relevance 00:24:18 – Family dynamics when identity shifts 00:25:33 – The problem with outsourcing menopause to hormone therapy alone 00:27:00 – How to communicate needs without blame or collapse 00:30:07 – Metabolic health, insulin resistance, and early menopause 00:31:16 – The one blood marker every woman over 40 must track (HbA1c) 00:34:45 – The Hormonal Hierarchy explained: Cortisol, insulin, sex hormones, oxytocin 00:37:44 – Menopause as a cultural rite of passage we never created 00:39:31 – Dementia, Alzheimer's, and the glucose-starved brain 00:40:23 – Why fasting is neuroprotective for women 00:42:35 – How fasting helps menopausal belly weight 00:44:36 – Why shame keeps women disconnected from their power 00:45:34 – Why puberty and menopause are happening earlier 00:46:21 – Big Pharma, fear narratives, and the HRT conversation 00:48:35 – Empowerment vs. outsourcing health 00:50:11 – Why society fears powerful, post-menopausal women 00:52:11 – Dr. Pelz's personal breaking point and nervous system reset 00:55:33 – Redefining work, marriage, and self-permission 00:58:37 – Resentment as a diagnostic tool 01:01:15 – Neuroplasticity, obstacles, and the hero's journey 01:03:16 – Why going through discomfort rewires the brain 01:04:23 – Integration: Menopause as rebirth, leadership, and collective healing 01:12:25 – Closing reflections and final takeaways     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order Caldera Lab: Experience the clinically proven benefits of Caldera Lab's clean skincare regimen and enjoy 20% off your order by visiting calderalab.com/darin and using code DARIN at checkout.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More From Dr. Mindy Pelz: Website: drmindypelz.com Instagram: @dr.mindypelz Follow her YouTube Channel Podcast: The Resetter Podcast Order her new book: Age Like a Girl     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Website: https://superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway: Menopause isn't a failure of the female body — it's the moment a woman's brain rewires for truth, leadership, and independence. When we stop trying to fix women and start understanding this transition, we don't just heal individuals — we change families, cultures, and the future.  

In this deeply personal solo episode, Darin shares how to truly thrive through the holidays — not by white-knuckling your way through obligations, but by protecting your energy, honoring your body, and healing what's ready to be released. From food and supplements to trauma, forgiveness, boundaries, and future-self visualization, this episode is a roadmap for turning the holiday season into a period of restoration, clarity, and intentional creation.     What You'll Learn (Timecodes) [00:00] Welcome to SuperLife — sovereignty, possibility, and building a SuperLife together [00:32] Sponsor: EnergyBits — why spirulina is of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet [01:51] Thriving through the holidays — why this conversation goes deeper than food, fitness, and supplements [02:14] An honest check-in — are you enjoying the holidays or just trying to survive them? [03:10] Holiday triggers — why the season activates stress, old patterns, and family dynamics [03:41] The real goal — moving from white-knuckling to truly thriving [04:00] The power of questions — how inquiry opens intuition, clarity, and deeper listening [04:30] Defining the holidays — choosing love, connection, and generosity over pressure and obligation [05:28] Family roles and energetic boxes — outgrowing old identities while being around family [05:56] Energy economics — why obligation silently depletes your vitality [06:10] The thriving question — what would it take for your physical, emotional, and spiritual health to flourish? [06:28] A healing opportunity — addressing old wounds instead of pushing them down [06:56] Emotional release — why forgiveness heals you, not the other person [07:11] Permission to dream — using the holidays as a reset rather than a pause [07:25] Releasing judgment — letting go of pain without denying what you've lived through [07:40] Resilience and self-love — how self-love strengthens the nervous system [07:59] Nervous system capacity — why healing expands your ability to receive life [08:19] Presence over performance — why the holidays aren't about perfection [08:31] Practical strategies — eating well and maintaining discipline without waiting for January 1st [09:15] Environment design — why willpower alone doesn't work [09:30] Visualization as identity training — choosing who you want to be before the event [10:01] Darin's personal approach — sharing transparency rather than a prescription [10:09] Protecting energy — choosing not to go home for the holidays without guilt [10:57] Conscious boundaries — why clarity builds the future you want [11:49] Creating new traditions — why this is the most excited Darin has felt about the holidays [12:15] A year of rebuilding — closing a long cycle of challenge and stepping into what's next [13:03] Sponsor: Our Place Cookware — why non-toxic cookware matters for long-term health [15:39] Releasing early wounds — how unresolved birth trauma shows up as physical pain [16:38] Compassion and history — understanding family addiction and patterns without excusing them [17:36] Shedding the old — how excavation creates space for new love and opportunity [18:11] Building momentum — creating safety and love for the year ahead [18:51] Nourishment rhythms — simple, clean food as a reflection of inner clarity [19:31] Strength from pain — why strength equals resilience on every level [20:04] Darin's supplement stack — mitochondria, minerals, adaptogens, and hormone support [22:02] Nervous system regulation — NuCalm, meditation, and future-self visualization [23:09] Deep regulation tools — red light therapy, sauna, and creating stillness [25:02] Connection over content — replacing screen time with meaningful evening rituals [26:23] Future vision — integrating supplements, technology, and purpose-driven work [27:41] Creation as fuel — how intentional creation restores energy [27:57] Final holiday guidance — protect your energy, honor your body, and heal your heart [28:10] You are not alone — permission to build a life that feels good [28:45] Protecting attention — minimizing algorithmic noise to maintain intention [29:12] Leading from the heart — how one year of intention can change everything [29:30] Closing message — thriving, courage, and living your SuperLife [30:08] Join the SuperLife Patreon — where the deeper work continues [31:12] End of episode     Thank You to Our Sponsors: EnergyBits: Get 20% off your entire order by going to https://energybits.com/ and using code DARIN at checkout. Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway The holidays don't have to drain you. They can restore you — if you choose intentionally, protect your energy, and lead from the heart.     Past Podcasts Addressing Trauma Dr. Jessica Stavale: Beyond the Muscle—How Fascia Can Free You from Chronic Pain Date: October 3, 2025 Focus: Explores how the fascia (connective tissue) acts as a "quantum interface" that stores unprocessed trauma and emotions, and how to release it through physical therapy and breath. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts Stress Isn't the Enemy — It's the Message You've Been Ignoring Date: November 13, 2025 Focus: A solo episode where Darin discusses "hidden trauma" and how old wounds unconsciously drive our stress responses, offering tools like grounding and nature immersion to reset the nervous system. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts Dr. Aimie Apigian: How Trauma Lives in the Body—and How to Finally Let It Go Date: August 1, 2025 Focus: Features Dr. Aimie Apigian, a biology of trauma expert, discussing the three layers of trauma repair (mind, body, biology) and why you cannot just "think" your way out of trauma responses. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts Jeff Turner: How Music and Creativity Heal Trauma Date: June 27, 2025 Focus: An interview with freestyle artist Jeff Turner about his journey through the foster care system and how he used creativity and "flow state" to process deep emotional wounds and finding community. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts Mastering Stress, Anxiety, and PTSD in a Chaotic World Date: January 23, 2025 Focus: Darin shares his personal experience with the California wildfires to discuss PTSD, resilience, and science-backed strategies for managing acute stress and anxiety. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts Dr. Olivia Audrey: Why 7 Days Can Change Your Health Forever Date: January 17, 2025 Focus: Discusses the "circaseptan rhythm" (7-day biological cycle) and specifically touches on birth trauma as a foundational body memory that impacts healing cycles. Link: Listen on Apple Podcasts

In this conversation, Darin sits down with his longtime friend, athlete, and powerhouse human Gabby Reece to talk about what it really takes to grow up without shutting down. They go into childhood chaos, the gift and cost of competitiveness, and what it means to stay "dangerous" in the best way as you age — in your body, your relationships, and your purpose. Gabby opens up about losing her father young, being uprooted from the Caribbean, using sport as a lifeline, and eventually navigating fame, motherhood, and a marriage with Laird Hamilton under intense pressure. She and Darin get radically honest about boundaries, addiction, partnership, sleep, hormones, and why women's wisdom in midlife is massively undervalued. This episode is part love letter to long-haul relationships and part tactical playbook for anyone who wants to keep evolving instead of checking out.     What You'll Learn in This Episode 00:00:03 – Darin's SuperLife mission & why this show exists 00:00:32 – Why Darin is obsessed with cellular health right now 00:04:16 – Twenty years of friendship and the wild arc of life with Gabby 00:06:45 – Island roots, being "rudderless," and getting pulled out of paradise 00:08:30 – Losing her dad, a dolphin-trainer mom, and the power of "bonus parents" 00:10:35 – Sports as salvation and why she chose volleyball over basketball 00:12:42 – Modeling to pay for school & navigating a career before NIL existed 00:14:44 – Built-in boundaries, "don't pet the tiger," and self-protection 00:16:44 – Competitiveness, survival, and learning to take radical responsibility 00:18:52 – Imposter syndrome when you're "crushing it" on paper 00:21:37 – Holding the line on food and environment while raising kids 00:23:43 – Laird's deep confidence vs. her self-doubt: two different operating systems 00:25:41 – MTV Sports, doing extreme things, and why intention matters more than spectacle 00:27:35 – Meeting Laird on The Extremist & the early blueprint of their relationship 00:29:52 – When the "fun guy" drinks too much: loving someone and drawing a hard boundary 00:32:33 – Co-creating safety: respect, sobriety, and growing closer instead of apart 00:34:46 – Radical honesty as foreplay for a long relationship 00:37:01 – Female hormones, aging, and the reality of shifting needs 00:40:00 – The body as an antenna: Manna, minerals & energetic upgrades (sponsor) 00:41:25 – Wanting your partner to stay "exciting" without making it their job 00:42:20 – Purpose, drive, and doing life as two sovereign people in one unit 00:44:37 – Kids, meetings, breastfeeding in the car & modeling a different kind of motherhood 00:49:40 – Rituals, school drop-offs, and redefining "fun" as training time 00:50:54 – "Is this aging?": brutal workout days and reframing decline 00:52:42 – Empty nest vs. open bandwidth: watching kids step into a noisy world 00:53:46 – A female-led wellness project with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, Stacy Sims & others 00:55:29 – Why women move the needle in wellness (and why the industry ignores them) 00:58:56 – No magic pill: the truth about change, discipline, and lazy biology 00:59:53 – Becoming the person you're aiming at before you walk downstairs 01:01:30 – Training as non-negotiable and redefining "fun" in midlife 01:02:29 – Mindy Peltz, menopause, and how culture is failing women in transition 01:05:58 – Shifting from "glue of the family" to embodied wisdom 01:07:41 – A message to young women: skill, service, and soft power 01:08:45 – Harmony when everyone brings their best traits     Thank You to Our Sponsors Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout. Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.     Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only  $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Gabby Reece: Instagram: @gabbyreece Podcast: The Gabby Reece Show Website:gabbyreece.com Book: My Foot is Too Big for the Glass Slipper Try Laird Superfood today! lairdsuperfood.com     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway Develop yourself so you can stand on your own two feet — build real skills, know yourself, and keep evolving — but never believe you have to abandon love or service to do it. Those are the very things that make a strong life worth living.  

In this deeply vulnerable solo episode, Darin dismantles one of the great myths of modern self-help: that transformation is something you're meant to "do alone." Drawing from neuroscience, anthropology, physiology, and personal experience, he reveals the biological truth — the human nervous system is designed to heal, grow, and stabilize in relationship, not isolation. This conversation explores why loneliness creates physiological damage, why belonging is a survival requirement (not a luxury), and how to intentionally rebuild the village your cells have been waiting for. If you've ever felt like you're doing all the "inner work" but still feel disconnected, this episode is the medicine.     What You'll Learn in This Episode 00:00:00 - Opening SuperLife intro narration. 00:00:32 - Sponsor: Therasage — family-driven healing technology, infrared and natural frequency support, details on discount. 00:02:11 - Darin begins the episode — "You were never meant to do this alone." 00:02:22 - The forgotten biology of community and why humans are not built for isolation. 00:03:01 - Your nervous system regulates in relationship — the vagus nerve, safety, co-regulation. 00:03:19 - Social engagement system — coherence, cortisol regulation, belonging as biology. 00:04:03 - Social pain = physical pain; the Baumeister research; the architecture of human connection. 00:05:01 - Tribes, proximity, shared life — Dunbar's number and the limits of real human networks. 00:05:30 - Loneliness as physiology — cortisol elevation, inflammation, disrupted sleep, gray-matter changes. 00:07:01 - Personal growth was never meant to be personal — autonomy, competence, relatedness, love. 00:07:55 - If nobody sees you, your nervous system can't relax — mirrors vs willpower. 00:08:31 - Social contagion of behavior — your network shapes your health. 00:09:01 - Who are you wired into? Environment as epigenetic instruction. 00:10:12 - Why online spaces generate stress instead of transformation. 00:10:35 - Darin's vision: community as a practice, not performance. 00:11:29 - Sponsor: Bite Toothpaste — plastic waste, sustainability, clean ingredients, discount code. 00:13:11 - What if growth wasn't a grind? What if healing was tribal again? 00:13:35 - Building intentional space — not fandom, not following, but practice. 00:14:11 - Supporting the nervous system through community; truth over scrolling. 00:15:04 - Why Patreon — structure, privacy, belonging, circle not feed. 00:15:23 - People looking for truth, depth, real connection — not performance. 00:15:51 - Start building your circle; align with those who align with you. 00:16:12 - You need to be seen, not fixed — community as transformation. 00:17:00 - One person can change your life — the power of being mirrored. 00:17:31 - Men's group, friendships, working out — the daily relational fabric. 00:18:01 - If you're lonely or disconnected, the desire for connection already shifts your biology. 00:18:41 - Darin reflects on a hard year, pain, stem cells, and the deeper healing found in being witnessed. 00:19:26 - Every cell responds when you say yes to deeper connection — the universe moves with it. 00:20:07 - Understanding human biology: we want love, connection, safety, belonging. 00:20:36 - Cutting through "what do you eat" questions — the real priority is connection. 00:21:00 - Closing: "Joy and happiness. Connection. We are built for it… I love you."     Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order.     Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only  $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "You don't need to be fixed. You don't need to be saved. You just need to be seen — and we cannot do that alone."     Bibliography Neuroscience & Biology of Connection Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. New York: W.W. Norton. Link to Book Information (Norton) Lieberman, M. D. (2013). Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect. New York: Crown Publishers. Link to Book Information (Penguin Random House) Eisenberger, N. I. (2012). "The pain of social disconnection: examining the shared neural underpinnings of physical and social pain." Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 13(6), 421–434. Link to Study (PubMed) Thayer, J. F. & Lane, R. D. (2000). "A model of neurovisceral integration in emotion regulation and dysregulation." Journal of Affective Disorders, 61(3), 201–216. Link to Study (ScienceDirect) Psychology of Belonging & Motivation Baumeister, R. F. & Leary, M. R. (1995). "The need to belong: desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation." Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 497–529. Link to Study (PubMed) Deci, E. L. & Ryan, R. M. (2000). "The 'what' and 'why' of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior." Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227-268. Link to Study (SelfDeterminationTheory.org) Adler, A. (1930s). What Life Could Mean to You. Link to Book Information (Google Books) (Note: Various editions exist) Social Networks & Behavioral Contagion Christakis, N. A. & Fowler, J. H. (2007). "The spread of obesity in a large social network over 32 years." New England Journal of Medicine, 357, 370-379. Link to Study (NEJM) Fowler, J. H. & Christakis, N. A. (2008). "Dynamic spread of happiness in a large social network." BMJ, 337, a2338. Link to Study (BMJ) Centola, D. (2018). How Behavior Spreads: The Science of Complex Contagions. Princeton University Press. Link to Book Information (Princeton University Press) Anthropology & Human Ecology Dunbar, R. I. M. (1992). "Neocortex size as a constraint on group size in primates." Journal of Human Evolution, 22(6), 469-493. Link to Study (ScienceDirect) Henrich, J. (2016). The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter. Princeton University Press. Link to Book Information (Princeton University Press) Loneliness, Inflammation & Health Outcomes Holt-Lunstad, J. et al. (2010). "Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review." PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316. Link to Study (PLoS Medicine) Cacioppo, J. T. & Cacioppo, S. (2014). "Social relationships and health: The toxic effects of perceived social isolation." Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 8(2), 58-72. Link to Study (PubMed) Cole, S. W. (2014). "Human social genomics." PLoS Genetics (Cited as PLoS Biology in text, corrected to Genetics based on search), 10(8), e1004601. Link to Study (PLoS Genetics) Group Rituals, Synchrony & Physiology Tarr, B., Launay, J., & Dunbar, R. (2014). "Music and social bonding: 'self-other' merging and neurohormonal effects." Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1096. Link to Study (Frontiers) Konvalinka, I. et al. (2011). "Synchronized arousal between performers and related spectators in a fire-walking ritual." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(20), 8514–8519. Link to Study (PNAS) Digital Communities & Social Learning Lave, J. & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. Cambridge University Press. Link to Book Information (Cambridge University Press) Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning, and Identity. Cambridge University Press. Link to Book Information (Cambridge University Press)  

In this transformative conversation, Darin sits down with world-renowned regenerative medicine pioneer Dr. Christopher Rogers, a physician with over 25 years of experience, 80,000+ patients treated, and a global reputation for advancing non-surgical orthopedic healing. In this episode, Dr. Rogers breaks down the real science behind PRP, stem cells, cartilage regeneration, tendon repair, and why so many people are told to get unnecessary surgeries. This is a deep dive into the future of healing — and the intelligence already built into your own body.     What You'll Learn 00:00:00 Welcome to SuperLife: exploring sovereignty, healing & possibility 00:00:33 Sponsor: Energy Bits and Whole-Food Algae Nutrition as Dense as a Plate of Vegetables 00:01:51 Introducing Dr. Christopher Rogers: 25 Years, 80,000+ Patients, Regenerative Medicine Leader 00:03:28 Darin's Personal Stem Cell Treatment Experience & Early Results 00:04:17 Dr. Rogers' Journey from Sports Medicine to Regenerative Orthopedics 00:05:58 The Moment that Changed Everything: Discovering PRP as an Alternative to Surgery 00:06:45 The Dinner that Changed His Career: Meeting Dr. Arnold Kaplan, Discoverer of Mesenchymal Stem Cells 00:07:13 PRP: What it Actually Is, Why Dose Matters, and How to Use It Effectively 00:10:36 The Wild West of Stem Cell Therapy: Misinformation & The Need for Science 00:13:24 The Core Mechanism: Stem Cells Work by Signaling the Body to Heal 00:16:07 Exosomes, Nanotubes, and the Secret Communication of Stem Cells 00:17:45 Bone Marrow vs. Adipose vs. Culture Expansion: The Critical Dose Problem 00:22:28 Autologous vs. Donor Cells: Why Using Your Own is Safer and More Effective 00:24:51 Sponsor: Fatty15 and the Science of C15 for Mitochondrial & Cellular Health 00:28:32 The Path to Safety: FDA-Approved Trials and the Right to Try Law 00:35:44 The Next Step: Getting Regenerative Therapy Approved as Standard of Care 00:37:08 The Ultimate Excitement: Healing Rotator Cuffs and Alleviating Global Suffering 00:41:07 The Orthopedic Surgeon Who Treated Himself with Stem Cells 00:42:02 Four Rules to Avoid Falling Victim to Stem Cell Hype and Unproven Clinics 00:47:36 Sponsor: SuperLife Patreon 00:49:08 The Frustration of Unregulated Clinics Undercutting Real Science 00:51:36 The Future: What Stem Cell Therapy Will Look Like in 5-10 Years 00:56:25 Systemic Use: The Potential for IV Infusions to Modulate the Immune System 01:01:26 Stem Cells and Cancer: Is There an Increased Risk? (The Data Says No) 01:03:10 Unexpected Healing: A Full ACL Tear Healed with Regenerative Therapy 01:06:10 Chronic Pain and Lifestyle: Why Knees and Backs are the Biggest Challenges 01:09:32 Finding Quality Care: The Network of Trusted Regenerative Physicians 01:12:46 Closing Reflections: The Joy of Bringing Patients Back to an Active Life     Thank You to Our Sponsors: EnergyBits: Get 20% off your entire order by going to https://energybits.com/ and using code DARIN at checkout. Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout.     Find More from Dr. Christopher Rogers Website: San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group Instagram: @sandiegoorthobiologics     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Your body was designed to heal — not just manage pain. When we stop suppressing symptoms and start supporting biology, we unlock the intelligence that's been there since the day we were born."  

In this high-impact solo episode, Darin strips away the noise, hacks, and hype to deliver a clear, no-BS roadmap for transforming your body, brain, energy, and direction in life. This is a straight-talk breakdown of the 5 foundational habits that matter most — the habits backed by science, ancient wisdom, and Darin's decades-long experience living this work every day. Expect practical steps, micro-experiments, timing rules, and the mindset needed to reclaim sovereignty in a world full of distraction. If you're ready to build a stronger, clearer, more powerful version of yourself… this is the episode.     What You'll Learn 00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife How this podcast helps you build sovereignty through real habits, real truth, and real practices. 03:07 – Why this episode is different Darin lays out the mission: habits, hacks, hard truths — without dogma or fluff. 03:44 – The 5 foundational moves that change your biology A preview of the metabolic, physical, mental, and behavioral levers that create huge shifts.     1. METABOLIC EDGE — Eat Like You're Building a Future 04:03 – Terrain theory + why your food timing matters How altering the internal environment of your cells changes everything. 05:02 – The two levers that unlock metabolic health Time-restricted eating + plant-forward whole foods. 05:23 – Compressing your eating window Why 8–10 hours is ideal, how it improves glucose, insulin, weight, and inflammation. 06:18 – Practical weekly ramp-up Week 1: 12 hours. Week 2: 8–10 hours. Simple, sustainable, achievable. 07:10 – Darin's personal eating window 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — and why eating earlier aligns with digestive fire.     2. MOVEMENT THAT MATTERS — Strength Is Survival 11:04 – Why strength training is non-negotiable Muscle protects metabolism, bone density, insulin sensitivity, and longevity. 11:51 – What the evidence says Huge cohort studies show strength training reduces all-cause mortality. 12:23 – The perfect weekly formula 3x/week compound lifts + daily movement + micro-bursts every hour. 13:06 – Real-life practicality Darin's routine of walking, sprinting dogs, mountain biking, and breaking up the day with movement.     3. SLEEP — The Ultimate Biological Reset 16:26 – The truth everyone ignores You cannot out-supplement or out-biohack poor sleep. 16:40 – The real impact of chronic sleep loss Cognition, memory, hormones, emotional regulation — all decline. 17:37 – The universal rule: consistent timing Same bedtime ± 30 minutes, every night. 17:52 – 60-minute wind-down protocol Screens off, light down, nervous system softening. 18:32 – Using sauna as a down-regulation tool Infrared benefits + why Darin does it twice a day in winter.     4. MINDSET & CONSCIOUSNESS — Your Attention Is Your Power 20:00 – Why optimization fails without attention training You can master food, workouts, and sleep — but scattered attention destroys progress. 20:48 – Darin's morning protocol Water → elixir → infrared pad → meditation → visualization → journaling. Every day. Everywhere. 21:01 – Meta-analysis proof Meditation reduces anxiety, depression, stress — and rewires your brain. 21:23 – The perfect 10-minute breathwork formula 5–5–5–5 or 4–4–4–4 cycles for nervous system reset. 21:56 – Journaling as medicine Stream-of-consciousness to activate clarity and emotional release.     5. WEALTH — Treat Your Time Like Capital 22:36 – Redefining wealth It's not money — it's your magnetism, output, relationships, and purpose. 23:16 – The compounding effect of tiny decisions Time batching, micro-actions, and protecting your attention from the social media attention economy. 24:02 – Mini productivity framework 90 seconds → 3 important calls. Every Friday → 1 paragraph on what scaled this week. 25:14 – Darin's post-meditation rule No scrolling — replace with proactive actions: reading, outreach, Patreon replies.     FINAL TAKEAWAYS 26:02 – The master checklist: • Time-restricted eating • Plant-focused meals • Resistance training • Daily meditation • Consistent sleep • Sauna recovery • Treating time like capital 26:11 – The real danger Chasing hacks before mastering fundamentals leads to burnout, confusion, and stress. 27:58 – Your power is in the basics These are simple, accessible, and life-changing. 28:04 – Closing message "Have your best Super Life Day ever."     Thank You to Our Sponsors Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Your biology changes when your decisions change. Nail your sleep, nail your strength, honor your attention, and treat your time like capital — and you will build a Super Life from the ground up."     Bibliography Time-restricted eating (human RCTs / reviews) — Wilkinson et al., 10-hour TRE reduced weight and improved cardiometabolic markers (2019). PMC  Intermittent fasting / metabolic health review — comprehensive reviews showing metabolic switching benefits. PMC+1  Plant-forward/vegetarian diets & cardiometabolic outcomes — BMJ/Nutrition reviews and JAMA network evidence showing improved CVD risk markers and metabolic benefits. BMJ Nutrition+1  Sleep and cognition / brain health — Nature/Harvard coverage & meta-analyses: short sleep impairs cognition and links to amyloid processes. Nature+1  Resistance training & mortality / physical function — systematic and cohort evidence that muscle-strengthening activity lowers risk and preserves function. British Journal of Sports Medicine+1  Mindfulness & mental health meta-analysis — Goyal et al. 2014 and subsequent meta-analyses showing reductions in anxiety/stress. PubMed+1  Sauna bathing and cardiovascular outcomes — JAMA Internal Medicine / Mayo Clinic Proceedings reviews on sauna and lower CVD risk signals.

In this episode, Darin sits down with BioHarvest CEO Ilan Sobel, a leader who is redefining the future of plant compounds, human performance, and scalable biotech. Ilan shares the extraordinary origin story of BioHarvest's technology, how a single scientific breakthrough is disrupting global supply chains, and why "democratizing the power of the plant kingdom" has become his life mission. From hydration to longevity molecules to the French Paradox, Ilan reveals how his company is transforming ancient wisdom into modern, clinically validated solutions that can reach the masses.     What You'll Learn 00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:00:32 Sponsor: Thera Sage 00:02:10 Introducing Ilan Sobel (Bio Harvest Sciences) 00:03:37 Electrolyte Solution Powered by Circulation 00:04:37 Vinia's Baseline: Sea Salt, Coconut Water, Marine Magnesium 00:05:36 The Uniqueness of Pi-Seed Resveratrol 00:06:50 Solubility and Bioavailability: Lasting 12 Hours 00:08:48 Overview of Botanical Synthesis Technology and Cell Growth 00:13:58 Vinia's Potency: 1,000 Red Grapes in a Capsule 00:15:31 Why Blood Flow is Critical for Longevity 00:17:23 Increased Blood Flow to the Brain and Mental Alertness 00:19:00 Sponsor: Our Place Cookware 00:21:35 The Abuse of Nature and the Need for Preservation 00:24:15 Overcoming Pharma's Barriers: Consistency, Low Levels, and Patents 00:28:32 Vinia as a Validation of the Technology's Power 00:30:02 Scaling Production: 137 Bioreactors 00:32:21 Scaling Comparison: Manhattan Island's Worth of Resveratrol 00:34:26 Clinical Substantiation and Solubility 00:35:14 The Mechanism: Increasing Nitric Oxide and Reducing ET-1 00:38:33 The "Vinia Difference" - When Consumers Feel the Benefits 00:40:05 Unseen Benefits: Reducing Oxidative Damage 00:41:16 Low Churn Rate and Science-Backed Commitment 00:42:52 Sponsor: Manna Vitality 00:44:46 Commitment to Mission and Customer Reviews as Fuel 00:48:01 Support for First Responders and Veterans 00:51:32 Ilan's Journey to CEO and Unlocking the Gold Mine 00:55:37 The Plan to Build a Second 100-Ton Facility 00:57:12 Democratization and Scaling: Software Economics in Biotech 01:00:21 The French Paradox and Red Wine Connection 01:01:33 Next in DTC: Olive Cells and Forbascoside for Liver Health 01:05:36 New Partnership: Creating a Super Saffron for Cognitive Health 01:13:02 Partnership with Tate & Lyle for Non-Nutritive Sweeteners 01:16:11 The Movement of Change and Legacy for Future Generations 01:18:52 Introducing the Vinia Blood Flow Hydration Stick Packs     Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.     Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien     Find More from Ilan Sobel Website: bioharvest.com Instagram: @ilansobel Red Grape Cell Product: vinia.com     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Democratizing the plant kingdom isn't just a business strategy — it's a responsibility. If science gives us the ability to help millions of people feel better, perform better, and live longer, then we have an obligation to scale it in a way the whole world can access."