Dr. John Douillard: The Ancient Ayurvedic Path To Better Digestion and Better Breathing

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. John Douillard, a leading expert in Ayurvedic medicine and founder of LifeSpa.com. I read his book Body, Mind, and Sport about 20 years ago, and it was one of the first books I found that combined breath work and movement. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. John blends ancient Ayurvedic wisdom with modern science to help people achieve lasting health, vitality, and longevity. We talk about how aligning your diet and lifestyle with your dosha and the seasons can optimize gut health and detoxification. You’ll learn why today’s extreme wellness trends might work short-term but often miss the root causes of poor health. I discuss how nasal and diaphragmatic breathing techniques—practiced by elite athletes and used by Dr. John in his own triathlon training—can improve oxygen delivery, reduce stress, and open up the diaphragm. Dr. John explains that 91% of athletes don’t have a fully contracting and relaxing diaphragm because of excessive sitting, which keeps the diaphragm in a pre-contracted, rigid state. He walks us through a basic Ayurvedic breathing technique called DPR—breathing through the belly, chest, and upper chest while raising your arms—to fully engage and loosen the diaphragm. This breath work pumps the lymphatic system, clears toxins, and helps with brain health. We also cover the “bellows breathing” exercise, or “The One Minute Meditation,” a powerful technique to open the rib cage, increase energy, and enter a deep state of calm. This conversation cuts through the noise of trendy health advice, so if you want to reconnect with time-tested strategies rooted in Ayurveda that support long-term well-being, you don’t want to miss this show. Dr. John Douillard is a globally recognized expert in Ayurveda and the founder of LifeSpa.com—one of the world’s most trusted sources for evidence-based Ayurvedic healthcare. He’s authored seven books and over 1,500 articles, helping millions reverse aging and heal naturally. Dr. John began his Ayurvedic studies in India in 1986 and later partnered with Deepak Chopra to train Western doctors in Ayurvedic medicine. He also served as Director of Player Development for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and has applied Ayurvedic techniques to improve athletic performance, working with top athletes including Billie Jean King. Check out his website, www.lifespa.com, and explore his books—especially Body, Mind, and Sport, which explores how nasal breathing can enhance performance and reduce the stress of exercise.   TIMESTAMPS: Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. It is heavily practised throughout India and Nepal. We will learn much of this science as related to our diet and training. [00:58] It's not really the food that is causing the problem, it is your body's flawed internal detoxification processes. [04:07] It's easy for people now to disregard this ancient medicine, and think only modern science has credibility. [09:40] You can bring wheat and dairy back into your diet. Wheat is not the culprit. [11:42] The most common elective abdominal surgery in America today is having the gallbladder taken out because of the sludge that we eat. [17:14] We have done away with the seasonal pattern of eating. [21:10] The Ayurvedic philosophy looks at body types to see what really works for us. [24:09] More than diet, lifestyle preferences differ with these three different body types. [30:16] After taking a quiz on LifeSpa.com a person can get a better understanding of what their body needs. [38:02] We dump 70 million tons of toxic chemicals in our atmosphere every year in America according to the EPA, that filter down on everything we eat and breathe and drink. [41:50] Breathing correctly adds so much to your well-being. [45:49] How does one get started learning nasal breathing? [55:18]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes lifespa.com Dr. Douillard's LinkedIn Dr. Douillard's Facebook Instagram @lifespa Body, Mind and Sport Body, Mind, and Sport Eat Wheat The Three Season Diet The three body types   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, you’ll learn about the powerful role of friendship and connection in promoting physical, emotional, and even cognitive longevity. I sit down with longtime (40 years long!) friends Christy and Ana from the Girl, Can You Talk? podcast to explore their BOND method—Be Open, Offer Invitations, Nurture Consistency, and Deepen Through Vulnerability—a simple, intentional approach to building real relationships that help you live better, feel better, and not feel alone. This show is great if you want to learn more about how connection impacts your health, why friendships can be more than just brunch buddies, and how simple things like sending a voice memo or asking a friend, “have you been outside today?” can literally change someone’s day. You’ll hear relatable, heartwarming (and often hilarious) real-life stories about perimenopause, empty nest syndrome, and navigating one-sided friendships. Christy and Ana share how getting in front of people, even just once a week for coffee, can turn into something meaningful—and how just one close friend can make a life-changing difference. If you want practical tools, some good laughs, and an important reminder about the importance of building and maintaining social connections, this episode is for you!   TIMESTAMPS: Sometimes we forget that friendship and connection are very important to our overall health. [01:03] Having a society inundated with the internet has changed the way people relate. [07:07] Your relationships at 50 predict your health and longevity and happiness at 80 [10:39] B is for be open. O is for offer invitations. N is for nurture, consistency, and D is deepen through vulnerability. [13:11] Loneliness is the new smoking as far as damage is concerned. [15:45] You need to learn how to engage. [21:15] There are methodical steps one can take to learn how to engage with people. B is for be open. [24:00] O is for offering invitations without fear of rejection. Think about including someone with something you are already doing. [32:41] N is nurturing consistency through intentional habits. [40:49] Deepen your connection through vulnerability. [44:25] What if your friendship feels unbalanced.? You give more than you receive. [49:08] Be inquisitive.  You learn a lot that way. [54:56]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Girl, Can You Talk? Podcast Cactus to Clouds Hike   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Please enjoy a great conversation with my friend and sprinting mentor Cynthia Monteleone, coming to you all the way from the beautiful big island of Hawaii. A Team USA world champion sprinter, Cynthia is also a highly trained metabolic health analytics practitioner who coaches numerous Olympic athletes and world champion masters-level athletes, and she goes deep into the nuances of what delivers peak performance and helps people overcome health challenges to reach personal goals, especially weight loss and excelling in athletic goals. In this episode, Cynthia tells us why chronic cardio might actually be hurting your health—and how training like a sprinter can lead to better longevity, hormones, and overall energy. We discuss the important principles outlined in Born to Walk and get into the damage that can happen to the heart from excessive endurance exercise, how living in that black hole heart rate zone keeps your body in fight or flight, and why you might be storing more visceral fat or throwing off your thyroid just from overtraining. Cynthia shares some eye-opening examples, like a fit masters track athlete who started marathon training and ended up with a heart attack—and we explore how too much endurance training can lead to electrical signaling issues in the heart and chronic inflammation. We also push back on the grind-it-out mindset that’s become so common—where suffering and pain are glorified as signs of discipline. Instead, we highlight a more empowering, intelligent approach to fitness, based on sprinting, walking, lifting heavy things, and prioritizing recovery. This conversation is all about training smarter—not harder—for the long term.   TIMESTAMPS: Fitness people may need to rethink their idea of what is good for the body. [04:25] Brad talks about his participation in sports as a kid and his evolution into triathlon. It took a toll on his life. [06:48] As a parent coach for the kids, is it effective to push the kids hard to teach them life's lessons? [10:38] What are the lessons to be learned from this crazy running boom that we've had where people think that when they turn 40, they should run a marathon? [17:22] Why do people think it is hard to sprint? [18:52] What is the best way to balance your exercise regimen? [25:53] A combination of walking and sprinting is preferable to steady state cardio. [33:12] You can exercise the heart too much. [40:10] There's a disconnect between mental strength and hurting yourself. [47:38] All your training and all your fitness endeavors have to factor into the same equation as all the other forms of stress in your life. [51:06] Is your training making you feel empowered or tired? [59:48]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Brad's Podcast with Cynthia Monteleone Fast Over Forty MAM 808.org   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I go through my deep and fascinating experience with the Stride health optimization program. You'll hear me walk through the six detailed reports from my DNA and microbiome testing—starting with the methylation report, where I had impaired efficiency in the folate cycle, methionine cycle, and BH4 cycle, and finally got a normal score in the transsulfuration pathway. I talk about the role of key nutrients like B vitamins, choline, magnesium, and zinc, and how specific gene variants like MTHFR affect my ability to methylate, detox, and produce neurotransmitters efficiently. I also share my microbiome results—including a 93 out of 100 for diversity—along with some areas for concern like low serotonin and dopamine, which matched my long-standing results from the Braverman neurotransmitter questionnaire. You’ll hear about the consultation I did with Bianca from Stride, how she helped interpret the results, and the personalized supplement stack they created for me based on everything. Then I wrap it all up by pulling up years of blood test data, going through my male hormone panel, fasting insulin, and cortisol patterns, and why I don’t stress over red-flagged total cholesterol. This is a detailed breakdown of how genetics, gut health, and blood markers come together—and how Stride helps make sense of it all through one powerful platform.   TIMESTAMPS: This show takes you through amazing package of benefits and information that you get when you sign up for personal health optimation. [00:51] Stride combines DNA test results, gut microbiome testing. and blood tests. [06:22] Gathering this information, you see your likelihood and your propensities for certain elevated dietary needs. [08:19] Brad demonstrates, with his own use of this service, how it applies to his dietary needs. For example, he talks about the need for vitamins B6 and D. [11:09] Beyond the 60th parallel, the human is not able to synthesize vitamin D at all because the sun's rays are never intense enough to trigger that tanning, [18:01] There is a tendency for middle aged men who are otherwise healthy, athletic and fit to develop sludgy blood with too much iron. [21:01] There is a large concern for females for iron deficiency. [22:23] Lactose intolerance is a term we hear often. [24:41] Is there a difference in how breads and grains affect the body? [26:02] In the fitness portion of the report, Brad found that he has a mix in his muscle fiber composition between power and endurance. [29:58] What are you doing with your training and do you have any genetic information to help? [38:43] Recovery efficiency is also measured with these tests. [39:46] Your genes have much to do with your skin.  [41:02] Humans and all other living things on earth are highly calibrated to circadian rhythm. [46:06]Genes affect methylation. [54:34] It is important to cross reference your blood test and you genetic and miocrobiome testing. Looking at LDL cholesterol is not a great predictor of heart disease. [01:03:56] It's important to test male hormones. [01:09:33]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Get Stride — Save 10% with the code BRAD. Ultra Lab Test.com The Carnivore Code The Primal Blueprint B.rad Nutrition Guide   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I take a hard look at the glorification of obsessive training habits in elite sport, using Michael Phelps’ famous claims—like eating 10,000 calories a day and not missing a single day of training for six straight years—as a springboard for discussion. You’ll learn how research from top performance labs has shown that these types of extreme regimens aren’t just unsustainable, but unnecessary and often harmful. I talk about the real caloric demands of ultra-endurance events like the Tour de France and Race Across America, and how even those athletes only maintain extreme intakes for short periods of time—not year-round. I also discuss the psychological cost of the “no days off” mentality, and why it’s so important to push back against this toxic messaging, especially for young athletes and their parents. You’ll hear about the groundbreaking research of Dr. David Costill showing how cutting training volume in half for seven weeks actually leads to peak performance, and we debunk the widely misinterpreted 10,000-hour rule. I share the incredible story of Donald Thomas, who became a world high jump champion with barely a year of training, in stark contrast to Stefan Holm’s lifelong grind. We also cover mental health struggles among Olympic athletes like Phelps, Simone Biles, and Caleb Dressel—and why balance, perspective, and accurate storytelling from public figures matter more than ever.   TIMESTAMPS: There are many impressionable people watching and listening to star athletes who put out less than truthful advice on podcasts. [00:51] The human is only capable of ingesting a certain caloric limit each day. [07:46] If these athletes want to give advice, why not be truthful so followers can learn. [12:48] An obsessive training approach is absolutely not necessary. [17:18] Do you need 10,000 hours of practice to master your skill? [24:27] If you are going to reach the highest level, know that the healthiest, most well-adjusted athletes are those that have a healthy, happy, balanced lifestyle. [32:33]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Michael Phelps Short - “every day for 5 years” No Days Off - Michael Phelps Motivational Video Phelps Instagram - every day for 6 years Katy Ledecky Caleb Dressel NY TImes Olav Aleksander Bu Podcast with Dr. Herman Pontzer Dr. Jim Loehr   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During this episode, I talk to former firefighter and chief breath officer of Jaspr, Wes Greenwood, about the unseen world of air quality and what’s really in the air we breathe—both indoors and out. You’ll learn how air filters like the Jasper actually catch pollution, what particulate matter is, how cooking (even clean, grass-fed steak) produces airborne compounds, and how most kitchen range hoods are either undersized or vent directly into your house. If you’ve ever wondered how smart air filters work without Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, or why your sleep might drastically improve just by cleaning the air in your bedroom, this is the show for you. Wes also shares the personal story of how his health was deeply affected by mold exposure in a home with a dirt-floor crawlspace, explaining how most of the air in a two-story house actually comes from below due to the “chimney effect.” If you’re curious about breath, air, ions, and the electric charge in your body, and how they all connect, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!   TIMESTAMPS: Indoor air is not as clean as you think. When did you last change the filters on the HVAC? [02:21] The sun and trees are good for neutralizing bacteria and viruses. [05:50] Most people don't realize how much they are asking of their lungs. [09:46] If it is a polluted day outside, is it better to exercise inside? [10:59] Even months after a fire, during the cleanup, we get much exposure to the pollution depending on how the wind is blowing. [13:01] How does a filter actually catch the pollutants? [19:40] Even when you're cooking healthy nutritious food, you're still creating these volatile organic compounds. [25:54] Some air purifier machines have very sophisticated filters that can distinguish the amount oif dust currently in your air. [28:16] Hot air rises and creates a pull. The system, especially in a two story house, is filtering in a different way.  [31:57] You should get your indoor ait tested for mold and other particles that make people sick. [36:09] Learning proper breathing exercises is very helpful. [37:53] Wes, as a fireman, was terribly ill from not breathing clean air. [40:38] Breath work was the mainstay of his recovery. [44:37] People need to understand the importance of breathing.  [52:21] Breath through your nose rather than your mouth. [58:30] What size area is covered by one JASPR purifier? [59:57]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes JASPR.co Biology of Belief Elijah Nissenblum What Doesn't Kill Us Breathwork- Giovanni Bartolomeo   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Please welcome Sasha Graham, the host of the Sports Will Save Us All podcast! What a great name for a show, and I had a great time being a guest on it—we had a wide ranging conversation and really hit it off as she hit me with some surprise questions, trying to put me on the spot…it was wonderful that I said, you know what—how about I bring you onto the B.rad podcast? We turned the tables and while I didn’t put her on the spot too badly, we did talk about some really interesting and thought provoking topics in this episode—one of them was her description of herself as overly competitive, especially in her youth, and how she had to learn the hard way to manage that natural competitive intensity. I asked her if it was inherent or environmental, which led to a really interesting discussion about that and how, as she matured as a person and an athlete over the years, she realized that the most important thing was to have fun and appreciate the journey rather than obsess about the outcome.  I think you're going to love some of that commentary, which might get you thinking about your own competitive mindset and the relative importance of appreciating the process versus setting and achieving goals. Sometimes we can get out of hand with that stuff, especially these days. Our conversation then transitions into a discussion about the overly pressurized, overly competitive youth sporting experience that seems to be the norm today, and what we can do about it as well-meaning, devoted parents who want the best for our kids and want to give them all the opportunities they deserve. But we also touch on some of these disturbing phenomenons that have been really highlighted these days, like the expense, the pressure, and the selectivity of competitive sports and how so many kids end up dropping out of them, so it’s also sort of an all or nothing approach. We also get into some parenting and some kid topics, like the potential solution of bringing back the emphasis and the promotion of recreational sports. I also asked Sasha what her relationship with sports means to her today and throughout her life. We had such a fun conversation and I think, after listening to it, you will be inspired to go listen to some of her great content on the Sports will Save us All podcast. You can start with my interview, but for now, here we go with Sasha Graham. Sports Will Save Us All is an award-winning weekly podcast from Sasha Graham and is available on every major podcasting platform.   TIMESTAMPS: We explore many aspects of sport itself, looking at competition intensity and youth sports. [01:03] In a children's book, Sasha writes about a girl who is not invited to a party because she is always so competitive. She learns a good lesson. [06:09] Is an overly competitive nature inherent? [09:05] Endurance athletes might be different. [14:04] How do you categorize where the healthy competitive drive can drift into something that is not wholesome or has a negative aspect on your life? [16:47] Happines can be complicated but also deliciously simple. Have fun. Just don't focus so much on the outcome. [23:54] Look around your work or at your peers. Are they having a life like you want to have or are they so absorbed in their careers that they don't have family or other sources of happiness. [28:48] The state of today's youth sports is arguably overly competitive and pressurized. [32:43] Parents, let your kids play sports to have fun. [38:40] How can we guard against those negative repercussions in high level competitive in youth sports? [42:16] Why are parents so invested in what they perceive as success for the kids? [45:44] There's a kid at community college who is happy and a kid at an Ivy League who is merable.  Which kid is the most successful? [54:04] Sasha has a successful podcast.  What are her favorite things about doing it? [58:48]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com Brad Nutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com˜ B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Sports Will ave Us All Podcast   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I welcome bestselling author Ben Azadi to the show on the occasion of the release of his new book called Metabolic Freedom: A 30-Day Guide to Restore Your Metabolism, Heal Hormones & Burn Fat. Of course, we get into all the important talking points about the ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, how to lose body fat safely and sensibly, but this show is also going to be way more than you bargained for, because we got into a nice groove, starting with Ben sharing his amazing backstory. You will hear about how he suffered for some 20 years as a child, going into early adulthood with obesity, depression, lack of self-confidence, and suicidal thoughts, and he turned everything around by making a change to his mindset. We went really deep in this show and I can appreciate how the discussion really colors how we can approach diet and fat reduction in the most effective manner, rather than just focusing on the mechanics. You've probably heard some podcasts already with people telling you which foods to eat and which foods to avoid, but we do have a good discussion on all those levels. Ben also talks about things like constant spaced repetition—empowering thoughts or statements or phrases that you write down and you look at and repeat every day. You will also hear him talk about the difference between faith and fear, as well as how you cannot outperform your image, so you first have to change your self image, your thought patterns, and that is how you progress toward lifestyle transformation. It's not about smooth sailing every step of the way; he talks about how to navigate setbacks as well, so you will get a really broad based, colorful conversation from a colorful guy down in Miami in this episode, Ben, who has a great program going called Keto Camp, and I think you're going to love our conversation and his new book, Metabolic Freedom.   TIMESTAMPS: This discussion looks at how we can approach diet and fat reduction in the most effective manner. [01:07] Is ChatGPT going to replace the act of sitting down and writing a book on your own? [04:39] Ninety-three percent of Americans are metabolically handcuffed. [07:00] When insulin is chronically elevated, it's a fast path toward metabolic disease. One of the most important tests you should get done is the insiulin blood test.  You want to see that between three and six.  [11:10] Are there actual symptoms supporting to indicate when you get metabolic insulin resistance? [18:40] Keto is a good way to go but it shouldn't be the only way. You can go back and forth.  [20:44] So someone looking to lose extra weight would be told to firstly look at their sleep regimen.  Sleep is the foundation that builds the house of health. [24:06] A study on metabolism found that between the ages of 20 years old and 60 years old, there were no significant changes in metabolism.  If you are after 60 and start showing a decline, in metaabolism, it is indicative of a loss of muscle mass. [31:26] Ben is physically active with healthy blood work now. In the past, he was obese and was pre-diabetic with low testosterone and, at times, suicidal. This is why he wants to teach others. [35:56] The health of the Population of the United States is horrible, especially with Type 2 diabetes. The US ranks 37th right behind Costa Rica on health. [38:27] The second you take responsibility, the second you create change. You cannot blame others for your situation. [42:54] Your thoughts, you image of yourself, influence your metabolism, disease, or healthy and longevity. [53:48] Seed oils stay in your body for years. They create inflammation.  One French fry cooked in vegetable oil is equivalent to the tobacco in one cigarette smoked. [58:26]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Metabolic Freedom: A 30-Day Guide to Restore Your Metabolism, Heal Hormones & Burn Fat BenAzadi.com Burn You2  (Squared)   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I share my full DEXA scan results, including a visceral fat score of 0.38 pounds, which I’m determined to drop to “0.0 fricking zero” through sprinting—shown in research to preferentially burn visceral fat. My body fat is 21 pounds (12.5%), and I break down the fat and lean mass distribution throughout my body, including minor asymmetries. I was advised to gain 2–3 pounds of muscle for longevity, though my sprinting and high jump goals favor staying lean. I discuss why chronic endurance training can increase visceral fat due to cortisol overproduction, while short, explosive workouts like sprints or strength training create a healthy stress response. You’ll also learn why bone density suffers in cyclists and astronauts, what makes muscles a glucose sink, why Dr. Ron Sinha and Dr. Gabrielle Lyon emphasize maintaining muscle as the key to long-term health and metabolic flexibility, and I end the show with a plug for muscle-centric medicine—focusing on building and maintaining muscle as the key to longevity and leanness.   TIMESTAMPS: There are three types of body fat. Brown fat is what cold therapy tends to activate. [01:07] The viseral fat collects in and around the abdominal organs and is extremely health destructive.  [03:05]  Testosterone replacement therapy is popular however one can also choose to focus on lifestyle optimization before you consider it. [04:20] The accumulaition of viseral fat is a sign that the body's fat storage systems have become overwhelmed. [10:34] Subcutaneous fat is soft and squishy. [12:38] The DEXA scan can examine the inside of your body. Sixty-eight percent of Americans are classified as overweight or obese. [13:31] If you have competitive goals, your body is going to respond to the training stimulus and create the body that is optimal for what you are doing to it. [22:40] For endurance training for a marathon or Ironman Triathlon, you to store visceral fat. [26:47] Our hectic stressful life causes a chronic overproduction of stress hormones. [28:41] More summary of the DEXA scan shows bone density, the weight of the skeleton, and how the viseral fat surrounds your organs. [30:01] The Tour de France cyclists lose bone density because they are sitting on their bikes instead of doing weight bearing exercise. [31:54] One can check out you viseral fat score by measuring your waistline.  People have experimented with changing their body weight in a single day. [35:48] Focus on muscle mass. [39:02]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes South Asian Health Solution   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I sit down with my go-to expert for all things sports performance and injury recovery—Dr. Jonathan Sanburg, a highly respected physical therapist who’s changing the game when it comes to getting people back to peak performance. We dive into what’s truly cutting-edge in the industry right now: treating injuries from a fitness and athletic performance lens, instead of the outdated “rest, meds, surgery” approach most of us have been conditioned to follow. Dr. Jonathan breaks down how and why this mindset shift is essential—not just for athletes, but for anyone who wants to move and live pain-free. I also share my personal journey: how I narrowly avoided an unnecessary exploratory knee surgery (yes, really!) thanks to a referral to Dr. Jonathan and his dream team at PT Revolution in Tahoe. Turns out, all I had were some deeply knotted muscles causing inflammation near my joint. Since then, I’ve been working with Dr. Jonathan for over 2.5 years, learning firsthand that the real path out of injury isn't rest—it's doing the work. He even shares his tip at the end on how to find a great sports performance physical therapist, as well as how to spot the approaches that just waste your time. Dr. Jonathan Sanburg is a Sports Physical Therapist and Performance Coach with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Creighton University, where he focused on return-to-play for athletes. A Sacramento native and former elite-level soccer player, he competed at Gonzaga University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology. He has trained at the world-renowned EXOS and Champion Physical Therapy and Performance, where he worked with NFL, MLB, MLS athletes, and members of the U.S. military’s most elite units. Dr. Jonathan specializes in guiding youth and professional athletes from injury recovery to peak performance.   TIMESTAMPS: Dr. Sanburg has changed the way Brad looks at physical therapy. His emphasis is on "return to play" athletes.  [02:16] Kime is a physical center where the focus is on sports performance and injury rehab rather than treat and go home and rest protocol. [06:48] At Kime they work closely with physicians, many times including post surgery treatment. [10:04] Do people go to physical therapy for injuries or are they seeking advice on performance? [14:34] Jonathan had studied strength and conditioning to add to the PT training. [16:01] Where does rest come in these days? [19:35] How does one work around the pain without doing more damage? [21:45] Is there a difference between treatments for an acute injury vs. overuse injury? [26:40] Resistance training is probably most important if you were going for longevity. [29:27] You should move a lot throughout the day for cardio respiratory fitness. [31:04] A good PT provides the value that the patient expects for their particular performance or body .  It is not necessarily pain related. [35:30] We need to strike a balance between like muscle strength and tendon rigidity or stiffness. [37:42] How does one get bone spurs? [40:21] Is there a difference between pain and soreness?  How does the brain determine? [44:50] Do we always honor the aches and pains? Check with your body after 48 hours.  [52:54] Are athletes' performances getting better in the modern days? [01:01:18] Jonathan is a competitive racer besides serving as physical therapist. [01:04:13]  How can a person be sure they are finding the best in physical therapy care? [01:07:53]   LINKS: Brad Kearns.com BradNutrition.com B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet! Brad’s Shopping Page BornToWalkBook.com B.rad Podcast – All Episodes Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes Dr. Jonathan Sanburg   We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to [email protected]. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you! Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life: B.rad Nutrition: Premium quality, all-natural supplements for peak performance, recovery, and longevity; including the world's highest quality whey protein! Peluva: Comfortable, functional, stylish five-toe minimalist shoe to reawaken optimal foot function. Use code BRADPODCAST for 15% off! Ketone-IQ Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six-pack of Ketone-IQ! Get Stride: Advanced DNA, methylation profile, microbiome & blood at-home testing. Hit your stride the right way, with cutting-edge technology and customized programming. Save 10% with the code BRAD. Mito Red Light: Photobiomodulation light panels to enhance cellular energy production, improve recovery, and optimize circadian rhythm. Use code BRAD for 5% discount! Online educational courses: Numerous great offerings for an immersive home-study educational experience Primal Fitness Expert Certification: The most comprehensive online course on all aspects of traditional fitness programming and a total immersion fitness lifestyle. Save 25% on tuition with code BRAD! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.