#236 Mastering HRV & Nervous System Sovereignty — How Emotional Athleticism Shapes Longevity, Leadership & Stress Resilience with Salim Najjar

What if stress wasn’t your enemy—but your greatest teacher?In this episode, nervous system and HRV expert Salim Najjar reveals how heart rate variability acts as the language of the nervous system, guiding us toward emotional resilience, clarity, and longevity. Drawing from his own journey—from entrepreneurial burnout to nervous system sovereignty—Salim explains why learning to regulate stress is no longer optional in modern life.We exploreHow childhood patterns shape adult reactionsWhy you can’t think your way out of overwhelmHow practices like breathwork, sleep, reframing, and community can transform both health and performance.This conversation reframes stress as a training ground and HRV as the compass back to balance, purpose, and embodied leadership.This episode was brought to you by:CAROL BikeKineonSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-longevity-and-lifestyle-podcast/donations

What if pain isn’t a sign of damage — but a signal for change?In this powerful conversation, Dr. Kelly Starrett, world-renowned coach, physical therapist, and co-founder of The Ready State, breaks down what actually keeps the human body healthy, mobile, and resilient across a lifetime. From movement and sleep to nervous system safety and social connection, Kelly explains why most people are chasing optimization while ignoring the fundamentals that truly matter.We explore why sitting is quietly destroying mobility, how the brain interprets pain as threat, why movement signals safety to the nervous system, and how small daily habits — like walking, sitting on the floor, breathing, and sleeping consistently — compound into extraordinary long-term health.We explore:Why pain is information, not damageHow mobility restores nervous system safetyThe overlooked role of sleep, walking & playWhy adherence matters more than intensityHow to build a body that supports adventure, not fearThis episode is a return to basics — and a reminder that longevity isn’t about doing more, but doing what matters, consistently.This Episode was brought to you by:CAROL BikeSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-longevity-and-lifestyle-podcast/donations

What if your stress responses, emotional patterns, and even motivation weren’t flaws to fix but signals to understand?In this powerful episode, Dr. Rewire (Dr. Alok Trivedi) reveals how emotional biohacking and brain DNA insights can transform the way we relate to stress, performance, and ourselves. Drawing on nearly three decades of clinical experience, Dr. Rewire explains why emotions are data, not directives and how rewiring the nervous system can unlock peace of mind, resilience, and longevity.We explore how personalised brain DNA patterns influence motivation, stress tolerance, recovery, and relationships and why one-size-fits-all biohacking often backfires. This conversation reframes mental health from “fixing what’s broken” to understanding how the brain is designed to protect us and how to work with it instead of against it.We explore:Emotional biohacking and nervous system regulationBrain DNA, neurotransmitters & neuroflexibilityWhy stress, anxiety & burnout are adaptive signalsPersonalised approaches to mindset, health & longevityHow to rewire emotions for clarity, balance & peace of mindThis is a grounded, empowering conversation that invites you to know yourself — scientifically and live in alignment with your unique design.Tune in! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-longevity-and-lifestyle-podcast/donations

Why does hunger feel so loud — and why does willpower so often fail?In this illuminating episode, Sarah Kennedy, founder and CEO of Calocurb, unpacks the biology of hunger, the gut-brain axis, and the powerful role of GLP-1 in appetite regulation. Drawing on over 15 years and $30 million of New Zealand government-backed science, Sarah explains why hunger is driven by our most primitive brain systems — and how understanding this biology can finally bring peace with food.We explore how bitter taste receptors in the gut stimulate appetite-suppressing hormones, why dieting can actually increase hunger over time, and how natural GLP-1 activation differs fundamentally from pharmaceutical injections like Ozempic.We explore:The evolutionary biology of hunger and food noiseHow GLP-1, CCK and PYY regulate appetiteWhy calorie restriction backfires long-termNatural vs synthetic GLP-1 pathwaysHow appetite regulation supports metabolic health, insulin sensitivity & longevityThis is a science-grounded, compassionate conversation that reframes hunger — not as a personal failure, but as biology you can finally work with.This episode was brought to you by:CalocurbSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-longevity-and-lifestyle-podcast/donations

What happens when life gives you a second chance?In this powerful episode, world-record mountaineer, author, and resilience expert Jenn Drummond shares how surviving a near-fatal car crash became the defining line between the life she was living — and the life she chose to claim.From promising she’d “do something significant” if she lived, to summiting Everest and completing the second-highest peaks on every continent, Jenn reveals why courage isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you build, one brave step at a time.We explore:How trauma can become a catalyst for purposeWhy courage is trained, not innateThe mindset that turns fear into forward motionWhat it means to shift from success to significanceHow to model resilience for your children — and yourselfThis is a deeply human conversation about choosing life, rewriting identity, and climbing the inner mountains that matter most.This episode was brought to you by:CarolbikeKineonCalocurbSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-longevity-and-lifestyle-podcast/donations

What if your cravings, emotional eating, and daily food choices weren’t driven by lack of willpower — but by biology, psychology, and an environment designed to hijack your instincts?In this eye-opening episode, visionary entrepreneur and creator of WildFit, Eric Edmeades, breaks down the evolutionary roots of hunger, the truth about sugar and stress, and why most modern diets fail. Eric reveals how our ancient programming collides with today’s food landscape — and how to reclaim our natural vitality by understanding what the body is truly asking for.With warmth, clarity, and powerful storytelling, Eric guides us through the deeper emotional patterns behind eating, the role of seasonal nutrition, and how to finally achieve food freedom without discipline, restriction, or shame.We explore:The evolutionary roots of hunger, cravings & emotional eatingWhy diets fail — and how to reset your body’s real nutritional needsThe WildFit method for sustainable health & metabolic healingSugar, stress & the biology of modern overeatingHow to eat in alignment with your natural rhythms and instinctsThis conversation will transform the way you think about food — and the way you nourish your life. Tune in and learn how to return to your most vibrant, instinctive, healthy self.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-longevity-and-lifestyle-podcast/donations

What if health optimization wasn’t just for the elite — but something every teacher, firefighter, and family could access?In this inspiring episode, Jim Donnelly, founder and CEO of Humanaut Health (and former founder of Restore Hyper Wellness), shares how he’s building the most comprehensive, prevention-driven longevity model to date. From advanced diagnostics and regenerative medicine to behavior change and coaching, Jim reveals what it truly takes to add 10–20 healthy, vibrant years to life.He opens up about the loss of his father, surviving a near-fatal car accident, and how stem cell therapy transformed his recovery — all of which shaped his mission to scale health optimization with integrity, accessibility, and world-class medical excellence.We explore:Why foundational habits (sleep, movement, nutrition, stress) drive 90% of resultsHow Humanaut uses 150+ diagnostics to find root causesWhy regenerative medicine works best on a healthy foundationHow to democratize longevity without sacrificing qualityWhat it takes to reverse metabolic dysfunction — 86% success in under 6 monthsThis conversation is a powerful reminder that the future of medicine is preventive, personalized, and incredibly hopeful.Tune in and discover what’s possible when we invest in health — not after we’re sick, but while we’re thriving.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-longevity-and-lifestyle-podcast/donations

Pain might feel like an inevitable part of aging — but what if it’s actually fixable?In this episode, Forrest Smith, CEO and co-founder of Kineon, unpacks the cutting-edge science behind red light and laser therapy, why inflammation is the real driver of pain and accelerated aging, and how daily, targeted phototherapy can transform mobility, energy, and long-term health.We explore the link between inflammation and chronic disease, the surprising gut–brain–thyroid connection, and why repairing internal tissue with the right light wavelengths can dramatically shift your health trajectory.We cover:The four pillars of red light therapy at the cellular levelWhy treating inflammation is key to longevity and mobilityHow gut health, thyroid function & brain health connect through lightRed light protocols for pain relief, energy, mood & recoveryHow Kineon’s Move+ Pro is disrupting traditional pain managementIf you want to stay active, mobile, and pain-free for life, this conversation is a must-listen.Tune in and learn how to use light to heal your body from the inside out.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-longevity-and-lifestyle-podcast/donations

When it comes to longevity, your gut might hold the master key. In this fascinating episode, Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Pendulum Therapeutics, reveals how a single gut bacterium—Akkermansia muciniphila—is transforming the future of metabolic and hormonal health.From her daughter’s early health challenges to pioneering live Akkermansia in supplement form, Colleen shares her journey from biotech to natural therapeutics. Discover how the microbiome impacts metabolism, energy, brain function, menopause, and even GLP-1 hormone production—the same pathway drugs like Ozempic mimic.We explore:Why 88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthyThe gut’s role as the root system of longevityHow Akkermansia acts as “the glue” for gut lining integrityThe connection between gut bacteria and women’s hormonesBreakthroughs in microbiome-based therapies and “bugs as drugs”Whether you’re curious about reversing metabolic dysfunction or optimizing your healthspan naturally, this episode is your deep dive into the science and soul of gut health.Sponsors: Carol Bike: Get $300 off from Oct 17 – Dec 26, 2025, with code CLAUDIA, and enjoy an ongoing $100 off afterward. Visit carolbike.com/claudia and use code CLAUDIA at checkout.Pendulum: Get 20% off your first membership order at pendulumlife.com/CLAUDIA20, your discount applies automatically.Juvent: Get $300 off the Juvent Micro-Impact Platform at juvent.com/CLAUDIA and check out with code CLAUDIA.Kineon: Get 10% off your MOVE+ Pro at kineon.io/claudiaCalocurb: Get 10% off at calocurb.com/longevityandlifestyle with code CLAUDIA10 at checkout.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-longevity-and-lifestyle-podcast/donations

When it comes to longevity, your gut might hold the master key. In this fascinating episode, Colleen Cutcliffe, PhD, CEO and co-founder of Pendulum Therapeutics, reveals how a single gut bacteriu, Akkermansia muciniphila - is transforming the future of metabolic and hormonal health.From her daughter’s early health challenges to pioneering live Akkermansia in supplement form, Colleen shares her journey from biotech to natural therapeutics. Discover how the microbiome impacts metabolism, energy, brain function, menopause, and even GLP-1 hormone production—the same pathway drugs like Ozempic mimic.We explore:Why 88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthyThe gut’s role as the root system of longevityHow Akkermansia acts as “the glue” for gut lining integrityThe connection between gut bacteria and women’s hormonesBreakthroughs in microbiome-based therapies and “bugs as drugs”Whether you’re curious about reversing metabolic dysfunction or optimizing your healthspan naturally, this episode is your deep dive into the science and soul of gut health.This episode is brought to you by Pendulum - get 20% off your first membership order at pendulumlife.com/CLAUDIA20, your discount applies automatically.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-longevity-and-lifestyle-podcast/donations