The Algorithm Is Running Your Life (Unless You Stop It)

In this urgent solo episode, Darin breaks down what may be the most dangerous fatal convenience of our time: the digital algorithms quietly hijacking our attention, biology, and sovereignty. Billions of dollars are being spent to keep you scrolling by triggering fear, shame, comparison, and low-grade stress, and the cost is your presence, peace, and power. Drawing from neuroscience, public health data, indigenous wisdom, and lived experience, Darin exposes how the modern digital environment is engineered to extract from us, and why reclaiming your attention is one of the most powerful acts of self-protection available today. This episode is a call to stop outsourcing your life to algorithms, and start consciously designing your own.     What You'll Learn Why your attention is the most valuable real estate on Earth How algorithms are designed to exploit fear, shame, and comparison Why digital addiction is now considered a global public health crisis The biological cost of constant scrolling and notification overload How distraction prevents you from choosing your own life Why willpower fails against billion-dollar attention economies The concept of the "toxic digital environment" Indigenous wisdom as an antidote to modern extractive systems What it means to build your algorithm for life How intentional friction restores focus and freedom The science behind lost concentration and attention recovery Why psychological richness matters more than happiness Simple, actionable steps to reclaim your time and sovereignty     Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife and the sovereignty mission 00:00:33 – Sponsor: Our Place and non-toxic cookware 00:03:08 – The most expensive real estate on Earth: your attention 00:03:27 – How algorithms hijack fear, shame, and comparison 00:03:56 – The toxic digital environment as a fatal convenience 00:04:21 – What convenience is really costing you 00:04:28 – Breaking the loop and building your own algorithm 00:04:41 – Digital addiction as a global public health crisis 00:04:58 – Why countries are banning social media for kids 00:05:12 – Biological harm: sleep loss, cortisol, and focus collapse 00:05:18 – Big Tech lawsuits and internal documents 00:05:39 – Dopamine delivery systems and low-grade stress 00:06:02 – When you're distracted, you're not choosing your life 00:06:25 – Why more tech isn't the solution 00:06:35 – Indigenous cultures and a different algorithm for life 00:06:48 – The medicine wheel and solving for balance 00:06:59 – Feeding the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual 00:07:11 – Dadirri: deep listening and stillness 00:07:27 – Reciprocity vs extraction 00:07:37 – Rebalancing time between digital and nature 00:07:53 – Get in the dirt: movement and stillness 00:08:04 – Sponsor: Mana Vitality and frequency-based wellness 00:09:59 – Why willpower doesn't work against AI 00:10:14 – Creating intentional friction 00:10:29 – Removing apps and notifications 00:10:50 – The 23-minute attention recovery rule 00:11:18 – Psychological richness vs endless stimulation 00:11:24 – Why novelty and variety expand life 00:11:45 – Seeking the unknown instead of more of the same 00:12:05 – Nature as the ultimate algorithm 00:12:15 – Auditing your digital environment 00:12:28 – Deleting one app that makes you feel less than 00:12:46 – Why the best things in life aren't convenient 00:13:06 – Taking back attention restores health on every level 00:13:19 – From user to creator of your life 00:13:29 – Why you're not missing anything by not scrolling 00:13:41 – Reclaiming sovereignty together as a community 00:14:24 – Put the phone down. Go outside. Be in your life. 00:14:52 – Final message: this is our power     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.     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     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     Key Takeaway When you take back your attention, you take back your life.

In this special compilation episode, Darin curates some of the most powerful conversations ever featured on the SuperLife Podcast, all centered around one core truth: real transformation comes from small, consistent habits, not massive overnight change. Drawing from neuroscience, trauma recovery, behavior change, breathwork, mindset training, and lived experience, this episode dismantles the myth of willpower and replaces it with something far more effective: environmental design, repetition, and self-awareness. From world-renowned researchers to survivors, artists, and healers, each voice reinforces the same message: habits are the infrastructure of a super life.     What You'll Learn Why chasing "quantum leaps" keeps people stuck How small, boring steps outperform dramatic change The science behind habit formation and behavior loops Why willpower fails and what works instead How environment shapes behavior before conscious choice Why micro-movements can save a life How trauma healing requires baby steps, not overwhelm The role of breathwork in rewiring the nervous system How repetition builds new neural pathways Why discipline creates freedom, not restriction How to reprogram negative self-talk into an inner ally Why curiosity beats judgment in long-term growth How mindset can be gamified to support progress The "good, better, best" framework for sustainable habits Why consistency matters more than recognition     Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife and the philosophy of sovereignty 00:00:33 – Sponsor: Manna Vitality and frequency-enhanced wellness 00:02:03 – Why the obsession with overnight success is a trap 00:02:45 – The pattern Darin noticed across hundreds of guests 00:03:03 – Introducing the ultimate habits compilation 00:04:41 – Dr. Laurie Santos on the "arrival fallacy" and why circumstances don't create happiness 00:09:35 – Darin Olien (Solo): Why willpower is the wrong engine & designing your environment 00:13:54 – Chloe Temtchine: Rebuilding life from death's door through micro-movements 00:18:16 – Sponsor: Shakeology and foundational nutrition 00:21:52 – Dr. Aimie Apigian: Why trauma healing requires "baby steps" for the nervous system 00:27:35 – Darin Olien (Solo): Discipline as a container for freedom & the "One Thing" strategy 00:32:55 – Robyn O'Brien: The year-long discipline of rewiring your inner voice 00:41:07 – Sponsor: SuperLife Patreon community 00:42:39 – Juergen 'Jules' Horn: The math of breathwork (7.5 hours to rewire the nervous system) 00:44:57 – RedFoo: Gamifying your mindset with the "plus one" equation 00:48:41 – Alysa Conger: Intuition is a muscle built through reps (just like pushups) 00:50:23 – Darin Olien (Solo): The "Good, Better, Best" framework for reducing toxins 00:55:16 – Sheila Morovati: How asking one simple question can spark a global movement 00:56:47 – Jeff Turner: Relentless consistency and showing up when no one is watching 01:05:12 – Dr. Aly Cohen: The "4 A's" Framework (Assess, Avoid, Add, Allow) for non-toxic living 01:17:55 – Jennifer Cohen: The "Spit and Catch" story & why boredom breeds resourcefulness 01:32:04 – Johnny Graham: Overcoming fear of the future by asking "What am I doing right now?" 01:34:07 – Conclusion: We are not victims—you have agency over your biology and destiny 01:35:24 – Upcoming projects: Roadmap to Happiness & closing thoughts     Thank You to Our Sponsors Shakeology: Get 15% off with code SUPERLIFE at Shakeology.com. 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: Follow the New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway You don't change your life in one leap — you build it one habit at a time.  

In this special solo episode, Darin shares a deeply personal announcement years in the making. After more than two and a half years of traveling, filming, listening, and immersing himself in cultures and conversations around the world, Darin officially invites listeners into a living project and movement: The Roadmap to Happiness. This upcoming series features powerful conversations with voices like Jason Momoa, Elijah Wood, Shailene Woodley, and Alec Baldwin, alongside everyday people across the globe, all exploring what truly creates contentment, connection, and hope. This episode is not about hacks or quick fixes. it's about what truly creates contentment, connection, and hope across cultures. From Sundance revelations to universal human needs, Darin lays out the foundational pillars that consistently show up wherever people are thriving, and why happiness isn't just personal, but collective.       What You'll Learn Why this episode is different from a typical solo deep dive The origin story of The Roadmap to Happiness What Sundance revealed about the power of this project Why happiness isn't about perfection or constant joy The universal human needs that create contentment across cultures Why generosity instantly shifts biology and emotion How purpose extends beyond job titles and income Why community and safety are non-negotiable for thriving The biological and emotional importance of access to nature How health creates energy, clarity, and resilience Why freedom and time matter more than productivity How hope counters fear and catastrophizing Why happiness is contagious and scalable The difference between a TV show and a living movement How small increases in happiness can change the world     Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of sovereignty 00:00:33 – Sponsor: Mana Vitality and frequency-based wellness 00:02:04 – A different kind of episode: a special announcement 00:02:23 – Filming quietly for over two and a half years 00:02:55 – Revealing the project at Sundance 00:03:27 – Familiar faces and unfinished chapters 00:03:34 – The birth of The Roadmap to Happiness 00:04:16 – Sundance panel experience and audience reaction 00:04:44 – Bringing listeners inside the journey 00:05:16 – A question that stopped Darin cold 00:05:28 – What travel and immersion revealed about happiness 00:05:47 – Health, generosity, security, purpose, and balance 00:06:06 – Contentment vs constant joy 00:06:24 – Happiness as a global experience 00:06:50 – Safety, meaning, love, and connection 00:07:36 – Why most people are fundamentally good 00:07:42 – What connects every story across cultures 00:08:02 – Feeling seen, safe, and respected 00:08:40 – Pillars, not hacks, of happiness 00:09:08 – Subjective joy vs foundational needs 00:10:08 – Sponsor: Shakeology and nutrient density 00:13:12 – Generosity as a biological and emotional amplifier 00:14:13 – Purpose beyond titles and income 00:14:32 – Community and collective uplift 00:14:50 – Security and feeling protected 00:15:03 – Access to nature as a biological 00:15:34 – Health as energy, clarity, and resilience 00:16:07 – Freedom, time, and expression 00:16:30 – Happiness across cultures and belief systems 00:16:52 – Hope as the central message 00:17:18 – Why giving up hope gives up everything 00:17:26 – Creating a movement, not just a show 00:17:43 – Lessons from Down to Earth 00:18:06 – The ripple effect of collective happiness 00:18:35 – From TV series to living movement 00:18:52 – Invitation to join The Roadmap to Happiness 00:19:22 – Building community before the show airs 00:19:40 – An invitation to slow down and reconnect 00:19:49 – See you on the road 00:20:24 – Stop the scroll, start the roll 00:20:32 – Closing message and gratitude     Thank You to Our Sponsors Shakeology: Get 15% off with code SUPERLIFE at Shakeology.com. 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: Follow the New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway Happiness isn't a destination or a hack — it's a set of conditions we can build together.

In this wide-ranging and deeply grounded conversation, Darin sits down with Dr. Richard J. Brown to unpack some of the most pressing issues at the intersection of modern medicine, aesthetics, ethics, lifestyle, and personal responsibility. From GLP-1 medications and obesity treatment to body dysmorphia, medical ethics, AI in healthcare, and the urgent need to integrate lifestyle medicine into traditional care, this episode explores what it truly means to help people heal — not just shrink symptoms. Dr. Brown shares candid insights from the front lines of plastic surgery, preventative medicine, and fatherhood, offering a rare look at how discipline, community, and generational health can reshape both individuals and the healthcare system itself.     What You'll Learn The real role of GLP-1 medications in obesity treatment Why lifestyle change determines long-term success after weight loss drugs The ethical dangers of cosmetic medicine driven by profit and aesthetics How body dysmorphia is being amplified by social media culture Why some patients should be turned away from surgery The importance of mental health screening in aesthetic medicine How AI is reshaping medical research and clinical decision-making The risks of unverified online medical advice Why doctors receive almost no training in nutrition and exercise The disconnect between lifestyle medicine and the healthcare system How preventative medicine could radically reduce chronic disease The role of discipline, habit-building, and accountability in health Why community is one of the most powerful drivers of lasting change How generational health starts with parents modeling behavior Why personal responsibility is the foundation of true sovereignty     Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of sovereignty 00:00:32 – Sponsor: TheraSage and frequency-based healing technologies 00:02:15 – Welcoming Dr. Richard J. Brown 00:02:55 – GLP-1 medications, obesity, and long-term use 00:03:31 – Why some people regain weight after stopping GLP-1s 00:04:20 – Lifestyle change as the differentiating factor 00:05:16 – Ethical concerns around GLP-1 misuse 00:06:02 – Body dysmorphia vs medical necessity 00:06:57 – GLP-1s as central nervous system drugs 00:07:37 – Compounding pharmacies and prescription risks 00:08:43 – Aesthetic pressure and social media distortion 00:09:31 – Ethics in plastic surgery and patient selection 00:10:05 – Saying no: turning patients away 00:11:19 – Weight loss, identity, and fear of letting go 00:12:20 – The need for qualified, ethical providers 00:13:13 – Exit strategies and long-term planning 00:14:22 – AI, ChatGPT, and medical misinformation 00:15:04 – How physicians are using AI responsibly 00:16:13 – Risks of self-diagnosis without medical context 00:17:17 – Empowered patients and the "Google MD" era 00:18:43 – Lifestyle medicine vs allopathic medicine 00:23:07 – Why lifestyle still isn't embraced by healthcare 00:24:21 – Doctors as educators, not just specialists 00:25:32 – The absence of nutrition training in medical school 00:27:17 – Redesigning medical education from the ground up 00:28:21 – Teaching exercise, VO₂ max, and resistance training 00:29:19 – How misinformation spreads through bad science 00:30:37 – Authority, algorithms, and ethical responsibility 00:32:12 – Debunking viral health claims 00:36:57 – Preventative medicine and generational health 00:38:26 – Parenting, discipline, and modeling health 00:39:35 – The 75 Hard program and mental resilience 00:42:15 – Planning, time management, and habit stacking 00:43:51 – Personal excellence as rebellion 00:45:25 – Health as agency and probability 00:47:22 – Community as the missing link 00:50:21 – A personal story on health consequences 00:52:03 – Accountability groups and shared momentum 00:54:12 – The future of plastic surgery and wellness integration 00:56:10 – Persistence, setbacks, and commitment 00:57:16 – Closing reflections and gratitude     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. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.     Find More From Dr. Ricky: Instagram: @drrichardjbrown Website: drrichardjbrown.com YouTube: Dr. Ricky's YouTube Book: The Real Beauty Bible     Find More From Darin: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway True medicine doesn't just change bodies — it changes behavior, belief systems, and the trajectory of future generations.

In this solo episode, Darin dives into one of the most universal modern experiences: the feeling that time is accelerating. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, and lived experience, he breaks down why time doesn't actually speed up, but our experience of it radically changes. From the impact of digital distraction and divided attention to the way novelty, memory, aging, and even COVID reshaped our internal sense of time, this episode offers both clarity and agency. Darin shows how reclaiming attention, breaking monotony, and creating richer experiences can give us the feeling of having our time back.     What You'll Learn Why time measured by a clock is different from time experienced by the brain How attention, memory, and emotion construct subjective time Why boredom feels slow while flow states feel fast How novelty creates richer memories and longer-feeling lives The role of routine and monotony in time compression How digital technology fragments attention and erases memory Why social media scrolling makes time disappear without satisfaction How COVID disrupted temporal landmarks and distorted time perception Why time feels faster as we age The neuroscience behind memory density and perceived duration Whether time itself is an illusion or a constructed experience Practical ways to slow down your experience of time How breaking routine restores a sense of fullness and presence Why life is measured in experiences, not seconds     Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife and the exploration of time 00:00:32 – Sponsor: TheraSage and frequency-based healing 00:02:16 – Why time feels like it's speeding up 00:03:07 – Measured time vs experienced time 00:03:39 – Subjective time and how the brain constructs duration 00:04:38 – Boredom, flow, and why time feels slow or fast 00:05:20 – Memory density and time compression 00:05:42 – Clock models vs attention and memory models 00:06:13 – Novelty, travel, and rich experiences 00:06:34 – Routine, repetition, and unremarkable days 00:07:21 – Divided attention and disappearing moments 00:07:56 – The digital shift and fragmented attention post-2000 00:08:30 – Micro-stimulation and wasted time 00:09:12 – Why scrolling doesn't equal flow 00:09:46 – Social acceleration and modern life 00:10:25 – COVID as a global experiment in time perception 00:10:55 – Loss of temporal landmarks during lockdown 00:11:57 – Sponsor: Caldera Lab and clean skincare 00:13:39 – Research on monotony and time compression 00:14:40 – Aging, fewer neural events, and faster time 00:15:30 – Childhood vs adulthood time perception 00:16:22 – Is time real or constructed? 00:16:57 – Physics, relativity, and subjective experience 00:17:56 – How to slow down your experience of time 00:18:12 – Novelty, adventure, and memory creation 00:19:00 – Sustained attention vs multitasking 00:19:37 – Breaking monotony in daily life 00:20:06 – Reducing digital distraction 00:20:25 – Enjoying life as a scientific practice 00:20:49 – Time as memory, not seconds 00:21:08 – Gaining agency over your experience of life 00:21:29 – Creating a richer year through experience 00:22:10 – Curiosity, adventure, and Darin's fascination with time 00:23:27 – Closing thoughts and call to action     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 Time isn't speeding up — your brain is compressing it. When you change how you pay attention and what you experience, you change how long your life feels.     Bibliography & Research Sources Droit-Volet, S., Gil, S., Martinelli, N., Andant, N., Clinchamps, M., Parreira, L., ... & Dutheil, F. (2020). Time paradox in COVID-19 lockdown: A web-based study. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 2185. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.577735 Lugtmeijer, S., Geerligs, L., & Cam-CAN. (2025). Temporal dedifferentiation of neural states with age during naturalistic viewing. Communications Biology, 8, Article 123. (This is the "2025 brain study" on older adults having fewer distinct neural states). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08792-4 Ma, Q., & Wiener, M. (2024). Memorability shapes perceived time (and vice versa). Nature Human Behaviour, 8, 1–13. (The study showing memorable images dilate time). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01863-2 Matthews, W. J., & Meck, W. H. (2016). Temporal cognition: Connecting subjective time to perception, attention, and memory. Psychological Bulletin, 142(8), 865–907. (The core review often attributed to leading field researchers linking time to attention/memory). https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000045 Ogden, R. S. (2020). The passage of time during the UK Covid-19 lockdown. PLOS ONE, 15(7), e0235871. (The longitudinal study showing 80%+ reported time distortion). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0235871 Rosa, H. (2013). Social acceleration: A new theory of modernity. Columbia University Press. (The sociological framework on "social acceleration"). https://cup.columbia.edu/book/social-acceleration/9780231148344 Wearden, J. H. (2016). The psychology of time perception. Palgrave Macmillan. (Comprehensive overview by the author mentioned in your notes). https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-40883-9 Winkler, I., et al. (2020). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time perception. Scientific Reports. (Likely reference for "Scientific Reports" findings on content-dependent timing).  

In this raw, wide-ranging conversation, Darin sits down with Frank Zummo, award-winning drummer for Sum 41, founding member of Street Drum Corps, and current touring drummer for Electric Callboy, to explore what it really takes to sustain creativity, health, and purpose inside the extreme demands of the music industry. From high-pressure fill-in moments and massive tours to mental health, fatherhood, fear, discipline, and recovery, this episode is a masterclass in resilience. Frank opens up about grief, identity, panic, persistence, and how true success comes from staying available when opportunity shows up.   What You'll Learn What it takes to master an entire arena-level set in less than 24 hours The mental and physical demands of high-performance touring How Frank manages recovery, inflammation, and stress on the road Why breathwork, cold exposure, and routine are non-negotiable Hidden health risks of pyrotechnics, heavy metals, and touring environments How discipline becomes freedom when it's built into daily systems Navigating panic, uncertainty, and career transitions at the top level Turning fear into a tool instead of something to suppress The difference between rational and irrational fear How availability creates probability in life and career Lessons from loss, grief, and complicated parent relationships Why creativity can't be replicated by machines or algorithms Staying present as a parent while living an unconventional life Why persistence beats talent over the long run How the music industry, and wellness culture, is changing   Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of sovereignty 00:00:32 – Sponsor: TheraSage and natural healing technologies 00:02:10 – Introducing Frank Zummo 00:02:40 – Life as a professional touring drummer 00:02:56 – Learning a full Electric Callboy set in under a day 00:03:21 – Creativity, technology, and focus 00:04:07 – Frank's respect for Darin's work and health advocacy 00:06:01 – XPT, breathwork, and lifestyle changes 00:07:05 – Heavy metals, pyrotechnics, and detox protocols 00:08:27 – Sauna, ice baths, and recovery on tour 00:10:49 – Down-regulating after high-adrenaline performances 00:12:10 – Warming up smarter, not harder 00:12:53 – Nutrition, protein shakes, and avoiding tour junk food 00:13:52 – Discipline, planning, and long-term consistency 00:15:10 – Frank's relationship with his father and grief 00:16:35 – Learning from trauma instead of repeating it 00:18:30 – Workshops, kids, and mental health conversations 00:19:51 – Writing the book and creative freedom 00:22:25 – Filling in for Tommy Lee and career-defining moments 00:24:07 – Presence, gratitude, and holding onto the good 00:27:13 – Fear, uncertainty, and career transitions 00:28:16 – Breathwork for anxiety and panic 00:29:18 – Staying open when plans collapse 00:30:34 – Electric Callboy and a new chapter 00:31:36 – Family, touring, and being present as a father 00:32:47 – Rethinking fear and emotional programming 00:35:08 – Rational vs irrational fear 00:36:32 – Availability, probability, and opportunity 00:37:29 – Tunnel vision, persistence, and staying the course 00:39:35 – Doing whatever it takes early on 00:41:40 – Building Street Drum Corps from the ground up 00:43:11 – Walking away from success for mental health 00:46:03 – Health, discipline, and longevity in music 00:50:18 – Passion, authenticity, and staying true 00:52:06 – Social media, bullying, and kids today 00:55:00 – Parenting, education, and real-world learning 00:57:06 – Travel, family, and perspective 01:00:14 – Small changes, fatal conveniences, and starting slow 01:01:26 – Closing reflections on persistence and purpose     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 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   Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com   Connect with Frank Zummo: Instagram: @frankzummo Spotify: @frankzummo Watch Street Drum Corps live! Book: Unbreakable Rhythm   Key Takeaway When you stay disciplined, present, and available, life has a way of meeting you with opportunities you could never plan.  

In this solo episode, Darin breaks down one of the most misunderstood drivers of behavior change: environment. We've been taught that success comes down to discipline, motivation, and willpower, but neuroscience tells a very different story. Darin explains how modern environments hijack the brain's reward system, override conscious choice, and quietly shape habits before we even realize it. This episode is a practical, science-backed roadmap for redesigning your surroundings so healthy behaviors become automatic and self-sabotaging patterns lose their grip.     What You'll Learn Why willpower is a weak and unreliable backup system How your environment shapes behavior before conscious choice The neuroscience behind cues, habits, and automatic behavior Why modern food and tech are engineered to hijack dopamine How stress amplifies cravings and impulsive behavior The link between cortisol, dopamine, and habit formation Why changing your environment works better than "trying harder" How visual cues influence food choices and cravings Why phones, notifications, and color overstimulate the brain Simple ways to design a SuperLife environment that supports your goals     Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of sovereignty 00:00:33 – Sponsor: TruNiagen NAD⁺ supplements and why verification matters 00:02:18 – Introducing today's topic: environment vs willpower 00:02:42 – Why willpower has been misunderstood 00:03:18 – Willpower as a weak backup system 00:03:32 – How surroundings shape habits automatically 00:03:53 – The neuroscience of behavior change 00:04:01 – Dopamine hijacking in modern life 00:04:14 – Designing environments that make good habits automatic 00:05:06 – Why this topic matters more than ever 00:05:46 – External cues and automatic brain responses 00:06:18 – Hippocampus, basal ganglia, and habit loops 00:06:55 – Nudge theory and environmental design 00:07:31 – Why willpower shouldn't lead behavior change 00:07:55 – Food cues, stress, and cravings 00:08:20 – Phones, notifications, and dopamine overload 00:09:05 – Reward prediction and cue-driven behavior 00:10:02 – Redesigning environments to reduce addiction 00:10:34 – Stress hormones and habit reinforcement 00:11:30 – Sponsor: Our Place non-toxic cookware 00:13:34 – Stress, scrolling, and lost time 00:14:26 – Junk food, stress, and compulsive eating 00:15:12 – How environmental cues shift food desire 00:15:28 – Engineered foods and reward circuits 00:16:09 – Tech cues, stress, and attention hijacking 00:17:06 – Practical solutions: designing a SuperLife environment 00:17:48 – Kitchen setup and visual food cues 00:18:41 – Workspace design and single-purpose zones 00:19:08 – Reducing digital dopamine triggers 00:19:32 – Using grayscale mode on your phone 00:20:32 – Social environment and behavior modeling 00:21:21 – Community, support, and the SuperLife Patreon 00:22:18 – Bringing nature into your home 00:23:19 – Environment influences habits more than willpower 00:23:52 – Why inaction keeps you stuck 00:24:13 – Changing your environment to change your life 00:24:26 – Closing thoughts and call to action     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Our Place: Non-toxic cookware that keeps harmful chemicals out of your food. Get 10% off at fromourplace.com with code DARIN. Tru Niagen: Boost NAD+ levels for cellular health and longevity. Get 20% off with code DARIN20 at truniagen.com.     Find More From Darin: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway If you don't change your environment, something else will keep making choices for you.     Bibliography/Sources Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones. Avery. (Reference for Environment > Willpower). https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits Laran, J., & Salerno, A. (2013). Life-history strategy, food choice, and caloric consumption. Psychological Science, 24(2), 167–173. (Reference for harsh environment cues increasing desire for energy-dense foods). https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612450031 Mullainathan, S., & Shafir, E. (2013). Scarcity: Why having so little means so much. Times Books. (Reference for scarcity/environment hijacking cognitive bandwidth). https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780805092646 Schwabe, L., & Wolf, O. T. (2011). Stress-induced modulation of instrumental behavior: From goal-directed to habitual control of action. Behavioral Neuroscience, 125(5), 664–673. (Reference for stress hormones amplifying habit/cue-reward learning). https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024732 Story, M., Kaphingst, K. M., Robinson-O'Brien, R., & Glanz, K. (2008). Creating healthy food and eating environments: Policy and environmental approaches. Annual Review of Public Health, 29, 253–272. (Reference for the "ecological framework" of eating behavior). https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.29.020907.090926 Subramaniam, A. (2025). How your environment shapes your habits. Psychology Today. (Reference for the specific Psychology Today article on external cues). https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-from-a-neuroscience-perspective/202503/how-your-environment-shapes-your-habits Thaler, R. H., & Sunstein, C. R. (2008). Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness. Yale University Press. (Reference for Nudge Theory). https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300122237/nudge Ulrich, R. S., Simons, R. F., Losito, B. D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M. A., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11(3), 201–230. (Reference for nature exposure reducing stress markers). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80184-7 Wansink, B. (2004). Environmental factors that increase the food intake and consumption volume of unknowing consumers. Annual Review of Nutrition, 24, 455–479. (Reference for visual cues and food environment engineering). https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.nutr.24.010403.103025  

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Darin sits down with Hagen Thiers to unpack one of the most misunderstood journeys in health: why doing "everything right" still doesn't always work — and how true transformation requires decoding the body's survival signals, not fighting them. Hagen shares his remarkable physical transformation after decades of extreme metabolic adaptation, chronic gut inflammation, and stress-driven physiology. Together, they explore metabolism, inflammation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, protein intake, discipline, and why sustainable health is built through patience, self-leadership, and listening to the body's intelligence.     What You'll Learn in This Episode Why extreme dieting and endurance stress can permanently slow metabolism How survival adaptation can block fat loss despite "perfect" habits The overlooked role of gut inflammation in weight retention Why fat is a protective organ, not just stored energy How leptin signaling and inflammation dictate fat loss resistance The difference between calorie math and biological reality Why healing must precede weight loss for many people How protein intake preserves muscle during fat loss Why discipline beats motivation every time The role of hyperbaric oxygen in reducing inflammation and restoring function How oxygen delivery impacts fat tissue, gut health, and recovery Why consistency over months—not hacks—creates lasting change How physical freedom directly impacts happiness and life quality     Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of sovereignty and health 00:00:32 – Sponsor: Fatty15 and cellular health 00:04:14 – Introducing Hagen Thiers 00:09:43 – Hagen's transformation and why this conversation matters 00:11:26 – Doing everything right but still being stuck 00:13:28 – Discovering severe metabolic suppression 00:14:54 – Extreme endurance, starvation adaptation, and survival metabolism 00:17:04 – Why chronic calorie restriction backfires 00:20:56 – Gut inflammation as the real barrier to fat loss 00:22:41 – Healing before weight loss 00:23:26 – Fiber diversity, probiotics, and microbiome repair 00:24:30 – Enter hyperbaric oxygen therapy 00:27:57 – Why calories in / calories out breaks down 00:30:30 – Stress, inflammation, and metabolic shutdown 00:31:53 – Protein requirements and muscle preservation 00:35:47 – Discipline as a long-term lifestyle 00:38:54 – Eating frequency and metabolic signaling 00:43:39 – How hyperbaric oxygen works 00:47:31 – Why results accelerate after consistency 00:50:23 – 170 lbs lost and metabolic breakthrough 00:54:32 – Oxygen quality and chamber safety 00:58:22 – Breathwork vs hyperbaric oxygen 01:03:40 – Building an internal healing environment 01:05:05 – Life after transformation 01:06:42 – Discipline, the gym, and honest feedback 01:09:26 – Health as freedom, not restriction 01:11:39 – Inflammation as the missing piece for most people 01:12:45 – Closing reflections and hope for listeners     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 Patreon 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 Hagen Thiers Website: https://waveguard.com/en/ Instagram: @biohacking_ht     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway True health isn't about forcing the body to change — it's about creating the conditions where the body finally feels safe enough to let go.

Are you exhausted all the time? In this solo episode, Darin breaks down why so many people feel chronically exhausted despite eating clean, exercising, and "doing everything right." He explains how modern life disrupts mitochondrial function, circadian rhythm, stress signaling, and nutrient availability, and why fatigue is not a personal failure, but a biological signal. This episode offers a grounded, practical roadmap to restoring energy by realigning your environment, habits, and daily rhythms with how the body is actually designed to function.     What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why chronic fatigue is exploding—even among healthy, active people How mitochondria do far more than "make energy" The role of circadian rhythm, light exposure, and timing in energy production Why stress, overtraining, and modern lifestyles drain cellular energy How emotional suppression and unexpressed stress affect vitality The difference between forcing energy and allowing energy Simple daily practices that support mitochondrial repair How breathwork, stillness, and social connection restore resilience Why nutrition alone isn't enough without rhythm and recovery How to realign your biology with the modern world     Timecodes 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife and the intention behind this episode 00:00:32 – Sponsor: TheraSage and natural frequency-based healing 00:02:10 – Happy New Year + why this conversation matters now 00:02:37 – Are you exhausted even though you're "doing everything right"? 00:03:26 – The modern energy crisis and rising chronic fatigue 00:04:12 – Why surface-level health advice no longer works 00:04:27 – Mitochondria: more than energy factories 00:04:59 – Circadian misalignment, EMFs, and modern stressors 00:05:36 – Overtraining, stress load, and lack of recovery 00:06:00 – Fatigue as a signal, not a lack of discipline 00:06:18 – How artificial light disrupts internal clocks 00:07:25 – Discipline as alignment with natural rhythms 00:07:36 – Emotional release, primal expression, and energy recovery 00:08:47 – Why "why am I tired all the time?" is exploding online 00:09:24 – The mitochondria as environmental sensors 00:10:06 – Stress signaling, thoughts, and cellular energy flow 00:11:18 – Breathwork and slowing the nervous system 00:12:24 – Social connection and low-stress signaling 00:13:02 – Sponsor: Bite toothpaste and eliminating plastic exposure 00:15:19 – Morning sunlight and circadian priming 00:15:52 – Reducing artificial light at night 00:16:15 – Nutrients that support mitochondrial function 00:17:29 – Sleep timing, consistency, and repair 00:18:20 – Evening routines and melatonin protection 00:19:46 – Small daily steps compound into real energy 00:20:17 – Antioxidants, inflammation, and recovery 00:20:49 – Training smarter, not harder 00:21:31 – Breathwork, sauna, and recovery rituals 00:22:26 – Nutrition, protein, and polyphenols 00:24:37 – Five daily energy takeaways 00:25:24 – Energy is permitted, not forced 00:26:03 – Listening to the body and closing reflections 00:26:49 – SuperLife Patreon and community support     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     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.     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "Fatigue isn't failure. It's feedback. When your environment, timing, and signals align, your biology remembers how to thrive."     Bibliography/Sources: Ames, B. N. (2006). Low micronutrient intake may accelerate the degenerative diseases of aging through allocation triage. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 103(47), 17589–17594. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0608757103 Bass, J., & Takahashi, J. S. (2010). Circadian integration of metabolism and energetics. Science, 330(6009), 1349–1354. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1195668 Gooley, J. J., Chamberlain, K., Smith, K. A., Khalsa, S. B., Rajaratnam, S. M., Van Reen, E., Zeitzer, J. M., Czeisler, C. A., & Lockley, S. W. (2011). Exposure to room light before bedtime suppresses melatonin onset and shortens melatonin duration in humans. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 96(3), E463–E472. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2010-2098 Kreher, J. B., & Schwartz, J. B. (2012). Overtraining syndrome: A practical guide. Sports Health, 4(2), 128–138. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738111434406 Meeusen, R., Duclos, M., Foster, C., Fry, A., Gleeson, M., Nieman, D., Raglin, J., Rietjens, G., Steinacker, J., & Urhausen, A. (2013). Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the overtraining syndrome: Joint consensus statement of the European College of Sport Science and the American College of Sports Medicine. European Journal of Sport Science, 13(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2012.730061 Panda, S. (2016). Circadian physiology of metabolism. Cell Metabolism, 23(6), 1152–1163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2016.06.005 Picard, M., Juster, R. P., & McEwen, B. S. (2014). Mitochondrial allostatic load: Putting the 'gluc' back in glucocorticoids. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 10(5), 303–310. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2014.22 Picard, M., & McEwen, B. S. (2018). Psychological stress and mitochondria: A systematic review. Psychosomatic Medicine, 80(2), 126–140. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0000000000000544 Picard, M., McElroy, G. S., & Turnbull, D. M. (2015). Mitochondrial functions modulate neuroendocrine, metabolic, inflammatory, and transcriptional responses to acute psychological stress. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(48), 14920–14925. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1518223112 Reiter, R. J., Rosales-Corral, S., Tan, D. X., Acuna-Castroviejo, D., Qin, L., Yang, S. F., & Xu, K. (2017). Melatonin as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant: One of evolution's best inventions? Journal of Pineal Research, 62(1), e12394. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpi.12394 Scheer, F. A., Hilton, M. F., Mantzoros, C. S., & Shea, S. A. (2009). Adverse metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of circadian misalignment. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(11), 4453–4458. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0808180106 Straub, R. H. (2017). The brain and immune system prompt energy shortage in chronic inflammation and ageing. Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 13(2), 74–79. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2016.213 World Health Organization. (n.d.). Micronutrient deficiencies. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/micronutrients

In this expansive and deeply honest conversation, Darin sits down with Gregory Schwartz for a wide-ranging exploration of awakening, ecology, food systems, energy, consciousness, and what it truly means to live in right relationship with the planet and ourselves. What begins as a conversation about athletic identity and environmental travel unfolds into a profound dialogue on political ecology, spiritual awakening, mitochondrial intelligence, community-scale solutions, and the collapse of outdated belief systems. This episode bridges the scientific, the spiritual, and the deeply human—offering a grounded yet visionary roadmap for creating a future where health, sovereignty, and connection replace extraction, disconnection, and burnout.     What You'll Learn in This Episode How early athletic identity, injury, and discipline shaped Greg's lifelong path Why travel and "ground-truthing" reality changes how we see the world The concept of the "Planet Doctor" and speaking on behalf of Earth Why data alone doesn't change behavior—and why the heart must lead How food systems, soil health, and gut health are inseparably linked The real reasons environmental solutions stall despite available money and technology Why community-scale action is the missing link between individual and government change How regenerative food systems ripple into health, ecology, and social cohesion The dangers of hyper-productivity and the loss of rest, recovery, and contemplation Why mitochondria are not just powerhouses—but listeners and conductors of energy What spiritual awakening actually feels like—and why it can be destabilizing The collapse of identity as a necessary step toward integration The difference between being a messenger and being the message How awakenings mature from chaos into discipline, embodiment, and service Why optimism comes from living examples, not abstract ideology How small, aligned actions create resonance fields that attract new realities     Timecodes 00:00 – Athletic roots, injury, and the pivot into physiology & nutrition 03:00 – Travel, environmental exposure, and seeing reality beyond data 07:00 – Political ecology, capitalism, and the illusion of separation from nature 12:30 – Food systems, soil health, and gut microbiome parallels 16:00 – Regenerative agriculture, working with farmers, and nuance over dogma 20:00 – Community-scale solutions: food, energy, microgrids, and localization 24:00 – Burnout culture, productivity addiction, and missing rest cycles 27:00 – Mitochondria, flow state, and the intelligence of the cell 30:00 – Spiritual awakening: lightning bolts, breakdowns, and integration 35:00 – Heaven, hell, and altered states as present-moment realities 39:00 – Discipline vs. chaos: maturing the awakening process 44:00 – Being the message vs. delivering the message 49:00 – Embodiment, purpose, and integrating spirituality into real life 55:00 – System collapse, courage, and rebuilding new realities 01:00:00 – Hope, optimism, and why examples matter more than arguments 01:05:00 – Creating resonance through aligned action and community     Find More From Gregory Schwartz Political ecology research and teaching Environmental systems, food sovereignty, and regenerative frameworks Community-scale energy and food solutions Writing and speaking on consciousness, awakening, and integration     Thank You to Our Sponsors Truniagen: Go to www.truniagen.com and use code DARIN20 at checkout for 20% off Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.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 Gregory Schwartz Website: theplanetdoctor.com Instagram: @theplanetdoctor Try Greg's Free Masterclass by signing up here!     Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway "The systems don't change because we lack solutions—they don't change because we haven't changed our relationship to ourselves, to nature, and to each other. When that shifts, everything else follows."