EFR 937: The Shocking Connection Between Gut Health and Menopause with Cynthia Thurlow

This episode is brought to you by Timeline and Caldera Lab. Modern cities may be quietly damaging our mental health, relationships, and overall well-being—and most people don't even realize it. Tony Cho breaks down how urban design, capitalism, and disconnection from nature have created a loneliness epidemic, rising depression, and a life that works against human biology. From the loss of community and "third spaces" to the dangers of car-centric living and profit-driven development, Tony challenges everything we think we know about success, environment, and happiness—while offering a powerful vision for regenerative living, healthier cities, and a more connected future. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN Why loneliness is actually a design problem—not a personal failure How modern cities are engineered for profit, not human well-being The real reason behind rising anxiety, depression, and disconnection How environment shapes behavior more than discipline or willpower What "regenerative living" means—and how it could reshape the future Why the American Dream may actually be making us miserable Simple ways to change your environment to improve your life immediately Follow Tony @_tonycho_ Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00:00 – Intro 00:01:02 – Tony Cho Introduction & Regenerative Thinking 00:01:23 – Is Loneliness a Design Problem? 00:02:29 – Cities Optimized for Profit, Not People 00:03:19 – Capitalism, Cars & Disconnection 00:04:07 – The Death of "Third Spaces" & Community 00:05:26 – Why Environment Shapes Your Life 00:06:18 – Loneliness, Mental Health & Longevity 00:07:43 – Biophilic Design & The Irony of Modern Development 00:09:18 – Purpose, Meaning & Connection to Place 00:10:07 – Can Capitalism & Humanity Coexist? 00:12:11 – The "American Dream" vs The "American Nightmare" 00:14:59 – Real-World Example: Jacksonville विकास 00:17:11 – Gentrification & Losing Community Culture 00:18:13 – Is There a Better Way to Develop Cities? 00:20:19 – Regenerative Finance & Supporting Small Business 00:22:19 – What Makes a City Thrive or Fail 00:24:31 – Walkable Cities & European Influence 00:26:14 – What Makes a Place Feel Alive 00:27:18 – Why Diversity Creates Resilience 00:28:48 – "We Paved Over Paradise" 00:32:12 – The Economics of City Development 00:33:55 – Design That Impacts How You Feel 00:37:08 – Winning Over Communities & Co-Design 00:40:22 – Profit + Purpose: Can You Have Both? 00:41:36 – Public vs Private Sector Collaboration 00:43:17 – Infrastructure That Changes Lives 00:45:26 – Smart Homes, Health & Future Living 00:48:23 – The Future of Wealth, AI & Society 00:50:13 – Utopia vs Dystopia: What Future Are We Building? 00:52:02 – Why the U.S. Is Falling Behind 00:55:56 – Learning from History & Indigenous Wisdom 00:57:04 – "What Kind of Ancestor Do You Want to Be?" 00:58:04 – Tony's Childhood: Growing Up in a Commune 01:00:51 – Loss, Death & Perspective on Life 01:03:48 – What "Ever Forward" Means 01:06:43 – Letting Go, Trust & Living Fully 01:07:19 – Regeneration Starts Within 01:09:09 – Where to Find Tony & Final Thoughts ----- Episode resources: Get MitoPure for as little as $59/month at https://www.Timeline.com/everforward Save 20% on my favorite men's skincare with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.CalderaLab.com Watch and subscribe on YouTube

This episode is brought to you by Fatty15, Audible, and Strong Coffee Company. Most women are told their fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and poor sleep in midlife are just "normal aging"—but this episode exposes the real root cause: a breakdown in the gut-hormone connection driven by declining estrogen, chronic stress, and a disrupted microbiome. Cynthia Thurlow reveals how these hidden internal shifts create inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and hormonal chaos—and why traditional approaches often fail to fix it. More importantly, she explains how to reverse the trajectory by addressing the true drivers: gut health, sleep quality, and stress resilience. If you've been doing "all the right things" and still feel off, this conversation reframes the problem—and gives you a path forward rooted in biology, not guesswork. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: How hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause directly alter the gut microbiome, increasing inflammation and impacting metabolism Why sleep is the #1 foundational habit for improving hormones, gut health, and overall energy in midlife The surprising role of chronic stress, trauma, and even toxic relationships in damaging gut health and accelerating aging How simple nutrition shifts—like increasing fiber and supporting detox pathways—can rapidly improve your microbiome Why "surrendering" your old health strategies is essential to thriving in this new phase of life Follow Cynthia @cynthia_thurlow_ Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 – Intro & Why the Microbiome Matters 00:02 – The "Virtual Organ" Explained (40 Trillion Microbes) 00:05 – Why Gut Health Is Overlooked in Women's Health 00:06 – Hormones, Neurotransmitters & Whole-Body Impact 00:12 – Why the Microbiome Is Key to Longevity 00:13 – Gut Changes During Perimenopause & Menopause 00:16 – Immune System Aging, Inflammation & Autoimmunity 00:18 – Leaky Gut, Nutrient Absorption & Food Sensitivities 00:20 – Real-Life Symptoms: Fatigue, Brain Fog & Bloating 00:21 – The Hidden Impact of Stress & Trauma on the Gut 00:26 – The Estrobolome: Estrogen & Gut Detox Explained 00:30 – Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance 00:33 – Where Women Should Start (The Roadmap) 00:40 – Why Sleep Is the First Thing to Fix 00:44 – The Power of Mindset & "Surrender" 00:49 – Can You Repair Your Microbiome? 00:50 – Fiber: The Most Underrated Health Tool 00:53 – Best Foods for Gut Health 00:54 – Sleep, Hormones & the Microbiome Connection 01:00 – Digestive Rest vs Fasting 01:03 – The #1 Sleep Habit That Improves Everything 01:05 – Alcohol, Food Timing & Sleep Disruption 01:06 – Stress, Hormones & Nervous System Overload 01:08 – Rethinking Exercise in Midlife 01:10 – Why Walking Is So Powerful 01:12 – Most Surprising Research: Trauma & Aging 01:16 – Generational Health & Epigenetics 01:17 – What "Ever Forward" Means ----- Episode resources: Save 15% on coffee with code CHASE at https://www.StrongCoffeeCompany.com/chase  Save an extra 15% on C15:0 essential fatty acid with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.Fatty15.com/everforward Get a FREE trial month of my favorite audio book platform at https://www.AudibleTrial.com/everforward Watch and subscribe on YouTube Get her new book The Menopause Gut 

This episode is brought to you by Ancient + Brave and Fatty15. In this episode of Ever Forward Radio, gastroenterologist Dr. Trisha Pasricha, MD breaks down the truth about gut health, digestion, and what your bowel movements actually reveal about your overall wellness. From debunking detox culture and colon cleanses to redefining what "normal" poop really means, this conversation dives into bloating, constipation, fiber intake, stress, and the powerful gut-brain connection. You'll learn how to optimize digestion naturally, identify warning signs in your stool, and build sustainable habits for long-term gut health—without relying on trendy supplements or quick fixes Follow Trisha @trishapasrichamd Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 — The Gut Health Conversation No One Is Having 01:12 — Is Everyone Getting Gut Health Wrong? 02:40 — Detox Culture Is a Myth 05:47 — What Is a "Normal" Poop? 07:12 — How Often Should You Really Go? 08:47 — Fiber, Stool Consistency & Frequency 11:33 — The Myth of the "Perfect" Poop 13:16 — Why You Feel the Urge After Coffee or Meals 14:19 — Best Time of Day to Poop 16:08 — Why Coffee Makes You Poop 18:44 — Poop Variability Explained 20:03 — Stress, Anxiety & Gut Health 21:25 — When to Be Concerned About Changes 22:52 — Can You Train Yourself to Poop on Schedule? 30:42 — Colon Cleanses & Gut Health Myths 32:17 — What Really Causes Bloating 34:24 — How to Fix Bloating Naturally 38:42 — What Your Poop Says About Your Health 43:06 — Should You Test Your Microbiome? 47:34 — Fecal Transplants: Science vs Hype 54:36 — Wiping, Bidets & Hygiene Truths 59:00 — The "Perfect Poop" Explained 01:01:16 — Is Holding It Bad For You? 01:02:15 — Best Position to Poop 01:05:37 — Fiber vs Laxatives 01:08:46 — Best & Worst Foods for Gut Health 01:10:29 — Is Leaky Gut Real? 01:11:12 — Final Takeaway: Gut Health = Brain Health ----- Episode resources: 20% off True Biome and True Creatine with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.AncientAndBrave.com 15% off C15:0 essential fatty acid with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.Fatty15.com/everforward Watch and subscribe on YouTube Get Dr. Pasricha's new book on Amazon and get the audiobook for FREE with your 30-day trial of Audible

This episode is brought to you by Strong Coffee Company, WHOOP, Caldera Lab and Audible. Boost mental sharpness today and prevent cognitive decline tomorrow, including Alzheimer's disease, with science-backed strategies that will extend your brain's longevity beyond what you thought was possible. The most important part of the body, especially as we age, is our brain. So why aren't we taking the health of our brain as seriously as our heart and achy joints, particularly when people are struggling to focus every day, and dementia and Alzheimer's cases continue to rise? In The Stimulated Mind, Dr. Tommy Wood, a Formula 1 sports performance coach and neuroscientist specializing in lifelong brain health, dispels the myth that the brain is doomed to decline with age. Instead, by providing the right stimulus and building more "headroom"—the amount of mental function we have available to us—we can help our brain to adapt and develop. Follow Tommy @drtommywood Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 – Can up to 70% of dementia be prevented? 00:17 – Why skill-building protects the brain 00:34 – The belief about aging that becomes self-fulfilling 01:55 – Why we're overstimulated and under-stimulated at the same time 03:00 – Train your brain like you train your body 04:28 – Why rest, recovery, and sleep matter for brain performance 05:59 – Brain function is more malleable than most people think 07:15 – Why failure is the primary driver of neuroplasticity 08:22 – Crossword puzzles vs real cognitive challenge 09:40 – What people think is helping brain health, but isn't enough 11:53 – The placebo effect and why "something" can still help 12:28 – Why crosswords help less than you think 14:04 – What it actually means to "stimulate" the brain 15:43 – Why education and complex skills delay cognitive decline 17:05 – Brain clocks, biological age, and measuring brain aging 19:15 – What dancers, artists, gamers, and musicians all have in common 20:23 – It matters less what you do than how hard you engage 22:49 – The truth about the 10,000 hour rule 24:08 – Can video games actually help the brain? 27:40 – The best way to combine learning and application 29:52 – The brain as an adaptation machine 31:11 – How immersion and environment accelerate learning 33:09 – Why some people thrive under pressure and others shut down 35:33 – Is there really a difference between brain and mind? 38:08 – Belief, performance, and the neuroscience of "I can" vs "I can't" 40:25 – What happens in the brain when you think you can't do something 44:27 – Stress-is-bad vs stress-is-enhancing mindsets 50:49 – Can your own beliefs override what you're told? 53:24 – Growth mindset and why belief changes performance 54:30 – Why people lose belief in themselves 56:23 – Self-compassion, process, and staying engaged long-term 58:35 – Mindfulness, presence, and learning as an adult 01:02:02 – Can these habits really prevent Alzheimer's and dementia? 01:02:45 – The real dementia risk numbers: 45% to 70% 01:03:29 – Biggest modifiable risk factors for dementia 01:04:29 – Hearing aids, cataracts, and reversing hidden risk 01:06:26 – Why dementia risk is massively modifiable 01:07:21 – Alzheimer's vs vascular dementia explained 01:09:23 – Why women have historically carried more Alzheimer's burden 01:10:03 – Education, equality, and declining dementia rates 01:15:03 – Where boredom fits into brain health and performance 01:16:02 – Pomodoro, deep work, and cognitive recovery 01:17:06 – Why boredom may be essential for creativity 01:19:24 – Treat your brain like a cognitive athlete 01:20:11 – Creatine for brain health: hype or helpful? 01:25:19 – Best-supported supplements for cognitive performance 01:27:20 – Omega-3s, B vitamins, vitamin D, and iron 01:29:03 – Magnesium, zinc, choline, and antioxidants 01:31:20 – Cognitive headroom: reserve, resilience, and resolve 01:35:33 – What "Ever Forward" means to Tommy Wood ----- Episode resources: Save 15% on organic coffee and lattes with code CHASE at https://www.StrongCoffeeCompany.com/chase Get a FREE activity tracker at https://www.Join.WHOOP.com/everforward Save 20% on my favorite men's skincare with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.CalderaLab.com Watch and subscribe on YouTube Get Tommy's new book The Stimulated Mind and get the audiobook for FREE with your 30-day trial of Audible

This episode is brought to you by Audible, Ancient + Brave, Strong Coffee Company and Fatty15. Today we welcome relationship expert Amy Chan to break down the science of heartbreak, attachment patterns, and modern dating, revealing why breakups feel like addiction withdrawal and how high-performers often sabotage their healing by avoiding emotions instead of processing them. You'll learn how to stop ruminating on your ex, rebuild your identity after a breakup, and create new neural pathways through intentional action, as well as why strategies like "staying friends" or "winning the breakup" often backfire. Amy also shares her dating funnel framework, helping listeners understand how to move from casual dating to committed relationships while avoiding common pitfalls like confusing preferences with dealbreakers. This conversation is a powerful guide for anyone looking to move on faster, date smarter, and build healthier, more conscious relationships. Follow Amy @missamychan Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 – Why You Can't Skip the Pain of a Breakup 00:28 – Feeling vs Avoiding Emotions 00:58 – What Happens When You Suppress Pain 01:26 – Meet Amy Chan 01:51 – The Problem with Forcing Forgiveness 02:47 – The Science of Breakup Withdrawal 04:15 – Why Men Struggle More After Breakups 05:26 – Rebound Relationships Explained 06:30 – How Long It Really Takes to Heal 08:40 – Your Brain on Heartbreak (Addiction Comparison) 09:09 – Why No Contact Works 10:12 – The Reality of Avoiding Your Ex 11:11 – Why Doing Nothing Slows Healing 12:07 – How to Stop Ruminating 13:19 – Building New Neural Pathways 14:38 – Trying to "Win" the Breakup 15:57 – What to Do in the First 30 Days 17:19 – How Friends Should Support You 18:16 – Different Types of Breakups 19:53 – Should You Ever Get Back Together? 22:32 – Why Hooking Up with Your Ex Sets You Back 23:21 – The Danger of Staying Friends Too Soon 24:29 – Healing vs Avoidance 25:47 – Pedestal vs Villain Mindsets 27:32 – Living in Reality vs Fantasy 29:19 – The Dating Funnel Explained 31:03 – From Dating to Commitment 32:29 – Biggest Dating Mistakes Today 33:31 – Preferences vs Dealbreakers 34:28 – Dating Skills vs Relationship Skills 36:34 – How to Create Attraction on Dates 39:14 – Desperation & Dating Energy 41:25 – What Men Get Wrong on Dates 42:04 – Dating After Long-Term Relationships 44:23 – What Predicts Relationship Success 45:16 – Why Your "Type" Is Holding You Back 46:33 – The Dating Experiment That Works 49:31 – Dating Apps vs Real-Life Connections 51:27 – Optimizing Your Dating Profile 53:02 – Best Cities for Dating 54:54 – Aligning Strategy with Relationship Goals 56:56 – Are You Delusional in Dating? 58:30 – Money, Roles & Modern Relationships 01:00:28 – Navigating Family & Cultural Differences 01:02:30 – Final Lesson: Keep Your Heart Open 01:03:27 – What Relationships Are Really For 01:04:09 – How to Move Ever Forward in Love ----- Episode resources: FREE 30-day trial of Audible at https://www.AudibleTrial.com/everforward  20% off True Creatine and True Biome with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.AncientAndBrave.com 15% off organic lattes and coffee with code CHASE at https://www.StrongCoffeeCompany.com/chase  15% off C15:0 essential fatty acid with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.Fatty15.com/everforward  Watch and subscribe on YouTube Get Amy's new book Unsingle

This episode is brought to you by Timeline and WHOOP. Today we sit down with licensed therapist and attachment expert Thais Gibson to break down how your attachment style, subconscious programming, and core wounds shape your relationships, performance, and daily behavior. We explore the four attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, fearful, secure), how childhood conditioning drives adult patterns, and—most importantly—how to rewire your subconscious mind using practical neuroscience-backed tools. If you've ever struggled with people-pleasing, fear of abandonment, emotional disconnection, or repeating toxic relationship patterns, this conversation offers actionable strategies to build secure attachment, emotional resilience, and high performance from the inside out. Follow Thais @thepersonaldevelopmentschool Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 – Why you can't outwork your subconscious mind 00:39 – You're not stuck: attachment styles can be rewired 02:20 – Why attachment theory matters for personal growth 03:01 – Don't label yourself—understand your patterns 04:04 – How attachment styles form in childhood 05:07 – What actually creates anxious attachment 08:53 – What are attachment styles? (Simple breakdown) 09:11 – The 4 attachment styles explained 10:26 – Why secure attachment leads to better relationships 12:20 – How trauma and life events reshape attachment 14:10 – Anxious attachment: core wounds & behaviors 19:39 – Dismissive avoidant: emotional suppression patterns 24:00 – Fearful avoidant: trauma, inconsistency & chaos 28:38 – Empathy vs hypervigilance (key difference) 33:08 – The 5 pillars of healing attachment styles 34:35 – Do high performers have insecure attachment? 37:11 – Why adversity + support creates growth 39:58 – Needs vs core wounds (what drives behavior) 41:56 – Why goals fail (subconscious vs conscious mind) 44:18 – How to rewire limiting beliefs (step-by-step) 52:28 – The 21-day subconscious rewiring method 57:18 – Can you "switch" attachment styles? 59:46 – Superpowers of each attachment style 01:00:25 – Nervous system regulation vs root healing 01:04:10 – Practical ways to calm your nervous system 01:06:39 – Somatic processing to stop emotional triggers 01:11:00 – Taking responsibility (even if it's not your fault) 01:15:17 – Why you repeat relationship patterns 01:17:56 – The fastest way to find your blind spots 01:20:13 – Small daily self-betrayals that shape your life 01:24:20 – Communication mistakes that ruin relationships 01:28:20 – How to express needs effectively 01:34:29 – What "Ever Forward" really means ----- Episode resources: Get MitoPure urolithin A for as little as $79 at https://www.Timeline.com/everforward Get a FREE activity tracker and Peak FREE for one month at https://www.Join.Whoop.com/everforward  Watch and subscribe on YouTube This is an Operation Podcast production

This episode is brought to you by Timeline, Ancient + Brave and Caldera Lab. Koya Webb breaks down what it truly takes to build your dream life—not through hustle, but through alignment, embodiment, and emotional healing. She shares her powerful framework of "connect, heal, build, and thrive," emphasizing that spiritual grounding and self-awareness must come before any external success. From overcoming limiting beliefs and redefining self-worth to healing past trauma and cultivating meaningful relationships, this conversation offers a deeply practical yet soulful roadmap for transformation. Ultimately, the key isn't just setting goals—it's embodying unconditional love, aligning your daily habits with your values, and becoming the version of yourself capable of sustaining the life you desire. Follow Koya @koyawebb Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 — Intro 00:30 — Vision Book: Designing Your Future Without the Past 01:32 — Spiritual Wellbeing: The Foundation of Everything 06:00 — Turning Vision into Daily Practices 09:00 — Emotional Wellbeing: Grounded → Clarity → Abundance 11:28 — Connect → Heal → Build → Thrive Framework 12:58 — Why Spiritual Alignment Comes Before Results 16:17 — Embodiment vs Positive Thinking (The Real Difference) 19:11 — How to Know What You Truly Want 20:14 — Letting Go of "Right vs Wrong" Thinking 24:36 — Eliminating Busyness & Creating Space 26:16 — Self-Talk, Affirmations & Mental Wellbeing 28:03 — Nutrition, Habits & Getting Back on Track 31:25 — Why Simple Habits Actually Work 33:06 — The Power of Commitment & Embodiment 36:07 — The Biggest Internal Block: Limiting Beliefs 37:40 — "I Am Not Enough" — The Root Belief 40:07 — Deserving More: Breaking Old Conditioning 44:12 — Rewriting Your Belief System 48:01 — Crowding Out Negative Thoughts 51:02 — Comparison vs Collaboration 53:25 — Building the Right Inner Circle 56:15 — Burnout, Boundaries & Filling Your Cup 58:36 — Are You In Alignment? Signs to Look For 01:00:21 — What Alignment Feels Like in Your Body 01:02:11 — Trauma, Suppression & The Body Keeps Score 01:04:16 — Why Unresolved Emotions Block Your Future 01:05:46 — Healing Practices: Breathwork, Somatics, Reflection 01:07:16 — The Transformational Letter Exercise 01:08:12 — The Power of Apology (To Others & Yourself) 01:09:27 — Self-Forgiveness & Letting Go of Guilt 01:13:21 — The ONE Daily Habit to Change Your Life 01:14:03 — Embodying Unconditional Love 01:15:14 — What "Ever Forward" Truly Means ----- Episode resources: Get MitoPure for as low as $79 at https://www.Timeline.com/everforward Save 20% on True Collagen and True Creatine with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.AncientAndBrave.com Save 20% on my favorite men's skincare with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.CalderaLab.com Watch and subscribe on YouTube

This episode is brought to you by Audible, AX3 and Ancient and Brave. In this deeply philosophical conversation, James Beshara explores the timeless question of who we really are beneath our roles, labels, and ambitions, drawing from Vedanta, psychology, and modern life. Through powerful metaphors like the allegory of the cave and the hero's journey, James challenges the idea that we're defined by our careers, identities, or need to belong—arguing instead that most people are "living in shadows," mistaking societal conditioning for truth. The discussion reveals how our fear of rejection keeps us from authenticity, why true purpose isn't something we find but something we remember, and how fulfillment comes from aligning with our unique capacity to serve others. Ultimately, the episode reframes success, meaning, and personal growth as a process of shedding illusions, embracing truth, and stepping into the life we were always meant to live. Follow James @jamesjbeshara Follow Magic Mind @magicmind Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 You're Living in an Illusion 00:29 Why Humans Reject Truth 01:11 Why Most People Don't Know Who They Are 03:27 The Meaning of Life & Consciousness 05:04 Vedanta Explained: "Who Am I?" 06:58 The Allegory of the Cave (Modern Meaning) 12:46 The Story Is About You 14:08 The Hero's Journey & Avoiding Responsibility 16:29 Remember Who You Are 17:52 Ambition vs Service 20:21 Identity Is Just an Attribute 21:43 Why Labels Mean Nothing 23:22 Psychology, Philosophy & the Soul 24:06 The Bhagavad Gita & The Warrior's Breakdown 26:04 Why Avoiding Your Calling Breaks You 27:37 The Battle Within Every Human 28:35 Peace Comes From Duty 33:00 Living for Others vs Living as Yourself 35:09 The Fear of Being Misunderstood 36:23 Why Humans Fear Exile More Than Death 38:04 The Price for Community Is Truth 41:26 What Is the Meaning of Life? 42:16 Purpose Comes Before Meaning 43:57 Stop Searching—Start Discovering 45:43 It Was Always Within You 46:16 Religion, Therapy & Self-Sabotage 47:36 Heaven & Hell Are Mental States 48:21 Right Action vs Wrong Action 50:12 The True Message of Christ 53:02 The Idea of Oneness 56:01 What "Ever Forward" Really Means 57:19 Finding Your Unique Purpose 59:05 The Questions You're Avoiding 01:00:11 Remember Who You Are (Final Reflection) ----- Episode resources: Marcus Aurelius Meditations Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic Get a FREE 30-day trial of Audible Save 20% on astaxanthin from AX3 Life with code EVERFORWARD Save 20% on True Biome with code EVERFORWARD from Ancient + Brave Watch and subscribe on YouTube

This episode is brought to you by Audible, Ancient + Brave and Fatty15. Breakups don't just hurt emotionally—they rewire your brain. Cole Zesiger is here to unpack the science of heartbreak, why it can feel like addiction, and what actually helps you move forward. He dives into the truth about no-contact, attachment styles, and why many people stay stuck chasing closure or clinging to the idea of "the one." Cole also shares practical strategies to rebuild your life after a breakup, explaining how healing comes from creating meaning, regulating your emotions, and building a life that feels better than the one you lost. Whether you're trying to get an ex back or finally let go, this conversation reframes heartbreak as a powerful opportunity for growth and becoming your best self. Follow Cole @coachcolezesiger Follow Chase @chase_chewning ---- 00:00 – Heartbreak activates the brain like addiction 01:27 – Why no-contact feels harder before it helps 02:04 – What to do after no-contact actually works 03:13 – Why you feel obsessed with your ex 04:21 – The 2 keys to healing after a breakup 05:57 – Rejection, confusion, and creating meaning 07:53 – "Detoxing" from your ex like a drug 08:18 – Attachment styles explained (secure, anxious, avoidant, disorganized) 12:41 – Love bombing and why it works on anxious attachment 14:32 – Why avoidant partners pull away 15:26 – Who is most likely to get back together 17:10 – If YOU broke up with them… what now? 18:24 – Relief vs regret after ending a relationship 20:15 – How to know if you made the right decision 22:03 – When words don't match actions in relationships 27:26 – Why people don't change (Tony Robbins insight) 29:01 – The "teeter-totter" of love vs fear 31:32 – When to stop trying to fix the relationship 33:24 – Show vs tell: why actions matter more than words 34:07 – Turning heartbreak into your best life 36:20 – Is hope helping you or hurting you? 39:33 – The myth of "the one" 42:35 – Why you can find connection again 45:11 – You don't find love—you build it 48:05 – Why you're attracted to certain people (empathic resonance) 50:10 – Should you date after a breakup? ----- Episode resources: Get Cole's audiobook FREE with your trial of Audible Save 20% on Ancient + Brave with code EVERFORWARD Save 15% on C15:0 essential fatty acid from Fatty15

This episode is brought to you by Ancient + Brave. In this episode of Ever Forward Radio, we sit down with wellness experts and holistic nutritionists from Ancient + Brave, Dana James and Madison Miller, to unpack the modern epidemic of "wellness fatigue"—why more information, supplements, and optimization tools aren't necessarily making us healthier. We dive deep into the hidden role of stress, the nervous system, and gut health, revealing how chronic cortisol, subconscious belief systems, and overcomplicated routines may be sabotaging progress. From practical insights on sleep, nutrition, and supplementation to deeper discussions around emotional patterns, breathwork, and identity-driven behaviors, this episode reframes what it truly means to optimize your health in 2026. Follow Dana @danajames Follow Madison @madisonlizmiller Follow Ancient + Brave @ancientandbrave Follow Chase @chase_chewning ----- 00:00 – The Problem: Wellness Fatigue & Information Overload 00:02 – Why Doing "Everything Right" Still Feels Off 00:03 – The Missing Piece: Prioritization in Health 00:05 – Ambition vs Burnout in High Performers 00:07 – N=1: Why Personalized Health Matters 00:08 – When "Healthy" Habits Backfire (Fasting, Supplements, etc.) 00:09 – The Rise of Wellness Fatigue Explained 00:11 – Protein Myths & Misapplied Health Advice 00:13 – Over-Optimization: When Wellness Becomes Stressful 00:15 – Why Everything Starts in the Gut 00:17 – Stress, Cortisol & Leaky Gut Explained 00:19 – How Stress Creates Inflammation & Chronic Symptoms 00:21 – The Root Cause: Beliefs, Identity & Behavior Patterns 00:24 – The 4 Archetypes Driving Health Decisions 00:27 – Men vs Women: Emotional Processing & Health 00:30 – Breathwork & Emotional Awareness for Healing 00:33 – Thoughts vs Emotions: The Hidden Drivers of Stress 00:35 – Cacao + Collagen Ritual & Daily Optimization 00:37 – Stress, Immunity & Autoimmune Risks 00:39 – Where to Start: Sleep as the Foundation of Health 00:41 – Nervous System Regulation (The Missing Link) 00:43 – Simple Practices: Breathwork, Singing, and Release 00:44 – Nutrition Basics: Fiber, Gut Health & Collagen 00:47 – Simplifying Supplements & Avoiding Overload 00:51 – The Future of Wellness: Peptides & Caution 00:53 – 2026 Trends: Community, Connection & Shared Healing 00:54 – Ever Forward ----- Episode resources: Save 20% on any wellness product with code EVERFORWARD at https://www.AncientAndBrave.com Watch and subscribe on YouTube