Health Up

Why do we get slow, soft and tired in midlife, and how much of it is optional?Dr Jerry Mixon is 79, trains most mornings and says he's rejecting "normal aging". A former combat paratrooper and rural country doctor, he found longevity medicine after hitting 49 overweight, exhausted and burnt out. Thirty years later he runs three clinics and hosts a weekly medical call-in show.In this conversation, Anthony Hartcher asks him what actually matters day to day.You'll hear:• Why he calls fat a "destructive gland" and muscle a "healing" one• What senescent (zombie) cells are and how they affect hormones• Foods and habits that may slow them down, including polyphenols like quercetin, fisetin and green tea• How much protein you may need as you get older, and why digestion changes• What he thinks of intermittent fasting• The simple bread-slice calculation behind a 10 lb change in a year• Why he's cautious about peptides when human data is limited• His four rules of medicineFind Dr Mixon at lmclinic.com, where his Saturday call-in show also streams.Hosted by Anthony Hartcher, clinical nutritionist and lifestyle medicine specialist.If this episode helped, follow the show and share it with someone who wants to stay strong for the long haul.General information only, not medical advice. Dr Mixon's comments reflect his US clinical practice. Please speak with your own doctor before making health changes.Keywords: healthy aging, longevity, anti-aging medicine, hormone optimisation, senescent cells, muscle mass, protein for older adults, intermittent fasting, peptides

Short on time, nursing an injury, or nervous about walking into a gym? Whole Body EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) could be the strength training you’ll stick with.In this episode of Health Up, I chat with Conrad Sanchez, an LA-based EMS specialist with 18 years as a personal trainer and a Master’s in Kinesiology. Conrad went from working as a billionaire’s executive assistant to becoming one of the first EMS trainers in the US. He explains how a 20-minute session in an electrode suit works your whole body at once.We talk about:What Whole Body EMS is and what the suit looks likeWhy it suits busy people, beginners, older adults and anyone working around injuries or painWhy 70% of his clients are women aged 40+EMS for perimenopause, sarcopenia, osteopenia and bone density, and why Conrad adds weightsWhether you just lie there and “get zapped”Using EMS for pain relief, physio rehab, Pilates and strength training (and why yoga and martial arts don’t work as well)How European soccer teams quietly used EMS to cut their time in the weight roomDoes EMS make you sweat?Connect with Conrad:🌐 conrademsfitness.com📖 Book: The EMS Difference (on Amazon)📸 Instagram: @conradEMSfitKnow a busy woman who wants to get stronger without the gym intimidation? Share this episode with her.Health Up by me&my wellness: helping you become a better version of yourself.meandmywellness.com.au

In this episode, Dr. Nikki Shah shares her journey from traditional medicine to energy healing and how subconscious beliefs influence our health and well-being. Discover practical techniques to access higher consciousness, reprogram faulty beliefs, and cultivate self-love for a more harmonious life.Key TopicsDr. Nikki Shah's transition from traditional medicine to energy healingThe influence of subconscious beliefs on healthTechniques for accessing higher consciousness and clearing faulty beliefsThe importance of breathwork and vagus nerve regulationThe impact of stress and social media on mental healthThe concept of samsaras and life lessons for evolutionThe collective programming around busyness and fearThe awakening to higher vibrational living and collective consciousnessTakeawaysAccess your subconscious beliefs through meditative energy work to facilitate healing.Faulty beliefs like 'people don't listen to me' can be addressed without re-traumatizing by working in a light-filled space.Slowing down the breath stimulates the vagus nerve, activating the parasympathetic nervous system for relaxation.Modern stressors, including social media and societal programming, significantly impact mental health.Recognizing the cycles of darkness and light in history helps us understand the current awakening.Self-love and higher awareness create ripple effects that uplift collective consciousness.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Dr. Nikki Shah's background01:50 Journey from traditional medicine to energy healing03:59 Accessing subconscious beliefs through energy work05:48 Techniques for clearing faulty beliefs and reharmonizing energy08:05 The role of stress and the nervous system in health10:55 Breathwork and vagus nerve regulation for relaxation12:49 Impact of social media and societal programming on mental health14:54 Historical cycles of darkness and awakening17:54 The collective power of higher vibrational living20:58 Self-love as a catalyst for collective change23:56 Practical resources and how to connect with Dr. Nikki ShahConnect with Dr Niikeewebsite - https://www.drniikee.com/

More parties, more invites, more end-of-year events, and less energy to get through them. If you’re already feeling run down before December arrives, this episode is for you.Clinical nutritionist and lifestyle medicine specialist Anthony Hartcher shares a simple plan for getting through the silly season without burning out:✔ The “outright yes” rule: why a maybe is a no, and how boundaries protect your energy✔ Why a consistent bedtime and wake time matters more than ever in summer✔ Owning your morning routine so other people don’t direct your day✔ Finding a happy medium with food and alcohol, without guilt or peer pressure✔ Spending more time with people who give you energy✔ How to handle difficult family members at Christmas, and what frustration can teach you about yourself🎁 Book your FREE 30-minute coaching session with AnthonyHealth Up is a weekly holistic health podcast for anyone who wants more energy, better sleep and a calmer mind. New episodes every Tuesday.Follow the show and leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It helps others find us.This podcast is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for personalised medical advice.

Your thyroid could be the missing link behind stubborn fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and the kind of exhaustion that does not go away no matter how much you sleep. Dr. Sam Shay breaks down why "normal" TSH is not enough, and why so many people are told they are fine when their body is clearly not thriving.Anthony Hartcher sits down with Dr. Sam Shay, DC, a functional medicine practitioner, international trainer for FitGenes, and stand-up comedian, to unpack the real drivers of thyroid dysfunction - from adrenal stress and estrogen dominance to genetics, mitochondria, nutrient depletion, heavy metals, and gut health. If you have ever felt dismissed by a blood test that only checked one marker, this conversation will change the way you think about thyroid care.You'll discover why the thyroid and mitochondria are so tightly linked, how chronic stress can shut down long-term healing in favor of short-term survival, and why a comprehensive thyroid panel should include more than TSH. Dr. Shay also explains the role of inflammation genetics, detox pathways, exercise recovery genes, and food triggers like caffeine and histamine in shaping your energy and resilience.We break down the six major layers that can influence thyroid function - comprehensive thyroid markers, genetics, mitochondria, adrenals, estrogen, nutrients, and gut integrity - and why each one matters if you want to move beyond guesswork. Dr. Shay shares how leaky gut, infections like H. pylori, Epstein-Barr virus, and even gluten can trigger autoimmune thyroid issues through molecular mimicry.This episode is especially valuable if you have been told your labs are "normal" but still feel unwell, or if you are trying to make sense of why your energy, weight, mood, or hormones seem stuck. It is also a powerful reminder that better information leads to better decisions, and that the right testing can save you time, money, and years of frustration.If you want a clearer, more holistic way to understand thyroid health - and practical direction on what to investigate first - this is essential listening.

The advice to stay clean, stay indoors, and avoid dirt may be making us sicker.Clinical nutritionist and lifestyle medicine specialist Anthony Hartcher makes the case that our growing disconnection from nature is one of the hidden drivers behind poor mental health, gut issues, weak immunity, and dysregulated nervous systems. If you care about your health—or your kids’ health—this conversation will change how you think about sunlight, grass, rain, dirt, and the outdoors. Anthony connects insights from Indigenous living systems, personal childhood memories, and what he sees in clinic to show why modern life can leave us overstimulated, under-grounded, and more vulnerable to disease. He argues that the further we move from earth, movement, and natural environments, the more our bodies pay the price.You’ll discover:Why connection to land and environment is central to resilience and healingHow indoor living and overregulation may be contributing to anxiety, ADHD, and poor immune functionWhy getting children outside, dirty, and moving freely can support calmer, more regulated behaviorThe link between nature exposure, digestion, metabolism, and nervous system healthWhy fear of sun, rain, mud, and bacteria may be costing us vitalityAnthony also challenges the modern obsession with sanitizing every risk out of life, making the case that a little wildness is part of being well. He shares what he notices when kids in his karate classes move outside, and why those moments reveal how quickly the nervous system can settle when we reconnect with the environment.If you want practical perspective on how to support better health through simpler, more natural living, this episode is essential listening. Perfect for parents, health-conscious listeners, and anyone who feels better after a walk, a swim, or a little time in the dirt.

This episode focuses on why hair loss happens, how to identify the real cause, and what listeners can do to support healthier hair before considering a transplant. Anthony Hartcher speaks with Dr. Adriana Nicole Rosales, a family medicine physician with a background in Navy medicine and a private practice spanning wellness, aesthetics, and hair restoration. They discuss common medical and lifestyle drivers of shedding, including androgenetic alopecia, thyroid issues, nutritional deficiencies, stress, and rapid weight loss associated with GLP-1 medications.Key topicsDr. Adriana Nicole Rosales describes her path from family medicine and Navy service to private practice, wellness care, aesthetics, and hair restoration.Hair loss is not just cosmetic—it can cause anxiety, distress, and concerns about self-image.Androgenetic alopecia is discussed as a common cause: testosterone can be converted into DHT, which damages hair follicles over time.Other causes include autoimmune conditions, telogen effluvium, thyroid dysfunction, and postpartum shedding.GLP-1-related hair loss may be associated with rapid weight loss, insufficient protein intake, and the body’s stress response.Lifestyle and environmental stressors, including smoking, alcohol, and some chemical exposures, may contribute to cellular and follicle stress.Identifying the underlying cause may involve a physical exam, lab work, a scalp biopsy, or referral to a specialist.Hair-health basics include adequate protein, a nutrient-rich diet, and addressing factors that may put stress on the body.Dr. Rosales discusses the limits of supplements such as biotin and collagen as standalone hair-regrowth solutions.She explains exosomes as cellular communication packets and discusses their use in hair-restoration protocols.Aim for adequate protein, especially when losing weight or using a GLP-1 medication.Avoid rapid weight loss without medical supervision.If hair shedding is sudden or diffuse, discuss possible underlying causes with a qualified clinician.Ask your clinician whether thyroid function or nutritional deficiencies should be evaluated.Protect your scalp from sun exposure, especially if you have thinning hair or a visible part.Seek support if stress is affecting your well-being or contributing to distress about hair loss.Timestamps00:00 — Welcome and why hair loss matters00:30 — Dr. Rosales’s path from family medicine to hair restoration02:34 — Why she joined the Navy and what military medicine taught her04:22 — Life on an aircraft carrier and working with limited resources06:56 — Shifting the conversation to hair loss prevention and treatment07:55 — Common causes of hair loss09:01 — GLP-1 use, rapid weight loss, and delayed shedding10:27 — Postpartum shedding and thyroid dysfunction11:34 — Nutritional deficiencies, traction alopecia, and scalp infections12:55 — Why finding the right diagnosis matters13:25 — Testosterone, DHT, and follicle damage15:20 — Rapid weight loss versus other peptides18:28 — The body’s stress response during rapid weight loss19:29 — Smoking, toxins, and cellular damage21:00 — The purpose of hair and what it can signal22:34 — Hair, keratin, and the body’s toxin-removal systems23:29 — Sun protection and scalp health25:18 — Healthy eating and adequate protein27:21 — Biotin, collagen, and hair-regrowth evidence28:56 — Shampoos and topical products30:58 — What exosomes are and how they relate to hair regeneration34:11 — How exosomes may be administered35:48 — Cell phones, EMFs, and hair growth39:33 — Emotional stress and telogen effluvium41:31 — The cycle of stress and hair loss42:49 — How to contact Dr. RosalesGuest contact: Dr. Adriana Nicole Rosales shared pacificclinic.com and Pacific Clinic Bellevue’s Instagram and Facebook accounts as ways to connect.

Did you close your rings, hit your protein macros, do your 30-minute sauna… and still feel worse than ever?This week it's just you and me. I recently overheard two young guys in a sauna insisting that 30 minutes was the rule — no less, no more. And it got me thinking about how many of us are living someone else's health protocol.Influencers are selling attention. Studies describe populations, not you. Neither one knows your DNA, your values or what actually feels good in your body. So we end up ticking boxes, chasing numbers, being "good" all week and then swinging to the other extreme — the binge, the booze, the 22K punishment run. I call it the licensing effect, and it's the reason health starts to feel like a chore.In this episode I share:- Why influencer routines and research protocols were never designed for you- How numbers on your watch and food labels create a disconnect from how health should feel- The binge-restrict pendulum and how to find your middle ground- What a pregnant client's KFC cravings were really telling her- Why 5 minutes in the sauna might serve you better than 30- How to become your own "N of 1" and build health you actually look forward toThis picks up where last week's Pleasure Principle episode left off. If you missed it, it's the perfect companion.If you need help shutting down the noise so you can hear your own body again, I offer a free consultation — book via the link in the show notes.Book your free consultationJoin the Health Up community on PatreonConnect with meAnthony Hartcher is a clinical nutritionist and lifestyle medicine specialist based in Sydney, Australia.This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalised medical or nutritional advice.

What if the reason you burn out on wellness routines isn't a personal failure—it's the system?This week on HealthUp, Anthony Hartcher explores The Pleasure Principle in a unique AI-generated discussion format. Discover why your nervous system responds better to pleasure than punishment, how to stop over-optimizing your health, and why the practices you enjoy are actually the ones that work best.A conversation about the wellness trends reshaping how we approach sustainable health—without the guilt.

Stop burning out on wellness routines that feel like punishment. Discover why pleasure is the missing piece in sustainable health, and how your nervous system actually responds to joy over obligation. New research on the over-optimization backlash is changing everything. What if wellness could feel good?What You'll Learn: • Why the over-optimization backlash is changing wellness in 2026 • How your nervous system responds differently to obligation vs. pleasure • Why people who enjoy their wellness routines see better results • Personalized health: using data without letting it control you • The missing piece in sustainable wellness practices • 4 practical steps to transform your approach to health