The Hidden Role of Mitochondria in Chronic Illness & Fatigue

Today, I'm excited to share my conversation with Emily, founder of Ziva Meditation and one of the most insightful teachers I know when it comes to meditation, personal growth, spirituality, and manifestation. One of the central themes of our discussion is the idea that our deepest desires may have more meaning than we realize. Rather than viewing desire as something to suppress or ignore, Emily sees it as a source of guidance. The things we are most drawn toward may reveal important clues about our growth, purpose, and the direction life is inviting us to move. At the same time, she believes meaningful goals often surface unresolved fears, insecurities, and limiting beliefs. Instead of seeing those challenges as roadblocks, Emily views them as invitations to grow. We also explore a fascinating perspective on how reality is shaped. Emily argues that manifestation is happening all the time, whether we're aware of it or not. The thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and assumptions we carry each day may be quietly shaping the experiences we create and attract. Whether or not you consider yourself interested in manifestation, I think you'll find this conversation thought-provoking because it ultimately centers on questions we all wrestle with. In this podcast, Emily and I discuss: Why she believes desire can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal growth The difference between pursuing goals from a place of fulfillment versus a place of lack How meditation may help uncover the beliefs and emotional patterns shaping your reality Why meaningful goals often bring unresolved fears, insecurities, and limiting beliefs to the surface Emily's perspective on spirituality and the importance of connecting with unseen aspects of life The relationship between manifestation, nervous system regulation, and emotional well-being Why self-awareness may be one of the most important ingredients for creating lasting change How meditation and other practices help people access deeper states of awareness The role of presence, intentionality, and emotional resilience in shaping the future Why Emily views manifestation as a powerful tool for transformation rather than simply a method for getting what you want Take the Next Step: Join the Free Magic Maker Live Experience If today's conversation resonates with you and you're tired of feeling like you're pushing uphill to reach your goals, Emily is hosting a free, 3-day live event called Magic Maker. On July 16, 21, and 23, she will be sharing her 4-part formula—a potent blend of ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience—designed to help you dissolve stress at a cellular level and create from a state of alignment rather than burnout. It's the perfect practical deep-dive into the concepts we explore in this episode. 👉 Click here to save your free spot for Magic Maker  

In this episode, I am speaking with Dr. Daniel Stickler—co-founder of The Apeiron Center for Human Potential—about the best peptides for boosting mitochondria, brain health, and longevity. In this podcast, Dr. Stickler will cover: What are peptides? The various areas peptides can help with (You will be shocked!) The amazing benefits of Epitalon peptide for longevity The best peptides for brain function and productivity Can peptides help with autoimmunity and chronic infections? The different parameters used to assess age (It is not what you think) Health span versus lifespan: which one is most important? How growth hormones boost anti-aging (Should you be concerned about IGF1?) The best peptides for boosting mitochondria

In this episode, I'm speaking with Dr. Jason Hawrelak, world-renowned microbiome expert, gastrointestinal specialist, and author of over 60 research papers dedicated to gut health. He is, in my opinion, one of the foremost gut/microbiome experts on the planet. So this is a MUST-listen. In this podcast, Dr. Hawrelak and I discuss: The invisible but highly active "organ" that affects everything from mitochondrial function to our nervous system to cancer treatment outcomes The truth behind microbiome testing and what to know before you get your results 3 primary connections between your microbiome and mitochondria  The mitochondrial poison some people produce in their own GI tract connected to Alzheimer's, blood sugar dysregulation, and neurotransmitter imbalance 2 GI and mitochondrial-damaging substances that most Americans consume every day The crucial short-chain fatty acid created by your microbiome that feeds your colon…and your mitochondria  

In this episode, I am speaking with Dr. Eric Gordon, MD, who has spent the last 40 years helping his patients overcome chronic complex illnesses by focusing on mitochondria and cellular communication. We will discuss the Cell Danger Response, mitochondria, lifestyle, and much, much more. 

There are moments in life when the old version of you stops working, but the next version hasn't arrived yet. A relationship ends, or a career changes direction. A long-held identity begins to crack. The things that once gave you certainty no longer fit, yet what comes next remains unclear. It's uncomfortable, disorienting, and most people do everything they can to escape it. According to my guest today, those in-between periods may be some of the most important moments of our lives. Today, I'm excited to share my conversation with Telfer McCognahay, founder of Ecotone Academy, whose work focuses on helping people navigate major life transitions and uncover the opportunities hidden within them. Telfer believes that many of us spend years building our lives around what he calls a "provisional identity": our job, accomplishments, social roles, relationships, or other labels we use to explain who we are. The problem is that these identities are often far more fragile than we realize. Growth often requires old stories, outdated coping mechanisms, and limiting identities to fall away so something more authentic can emerge. In this fascinating conversation, we explore what happens when life places us in what Telfer calls an "ecotone": a transition zone between who we have been and who we are becoming.  

What if some people diagnosed with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, anxiety, or even early Alzheimer's are actually dealing with an underlying infection that was never properly identified? Today, I'm sharing my conversation with Dr. Richard Horowitz, a board-certified internist who has treated more than 13,000 patients with Lyme and tick-borne disease over the last four decades, many of whom had already seen countless doctors and collected diagnoses like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, and early dementia before discovering Lyme may have been part of the picture. Dr. Horowitz calls Lyme "the great imitator" because its symptoms can overlap with so many other conditions, and since 2016, Dr. Horowitz has published 11 papers on treatment approaches. In one of his latest studies, he and his colleagues explored a possible connection between Lyme disease and Alzheimer's biomarkers, reporting major improvements in certain inflammatory and cognitive-related markers after treatment. We discuss his broader "MSIDS" model, which looks at chronic illness through a much wider lens. Instead of looking for one single cause, the model examines multiple overlapping factors that may contribute to illness, including infections, toxins, gut dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, sleep issues, immune imbalance, and inflammation. In this podcast, Dr. Horowitz and I discuss: Why Lyme disease is called "the great imitator" and how it can resemble chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer's disease The often-overlooked migratory pain that is one of the hallmark symptoms of chronic Lyme The Lyme symptom questionnaire, which he developed and validated on 6,400 patients How research from Johns Hopkins and other universities changed our understanding of Lyme as a persistent infection Why Dr. Horowitz began using drugs like dapsone and rifampin in Lyme treatment protocols His published research on dapsone combination therapy and the improvements he has observed in patients His recent findings on Lyme disease and Alzheimer's biomarkers, including reductions in tau217 levels Dr. Horowitz's unique MSIDS model and the many overlapping factors that may drive chronic illness Why chronic illness rates continue rising and what conventional medicine may still be missing Why Dr. Horowitz believes recovery is possible, even for patients who have been sick for years  

In this episode, I am speaking with Emily Fletcher – the founder of Ziva meditation – about why you should tab into your sexuality to manifest your goal and dreams.    In this podcast, Emily and I discuss:  ·      The secrets of sacred sexuality  ·      The link between sex and the divine ·      How to use orgasms to level up your potential ·      The power of GOYA (Get Off Your Ass)

Most people think fatigue is simple. You're tired because you didn't sleep enough. Or you're stressed. Or maybe you just need more caffeine. But what if you've addressed all those factors and are still fatigued? Today, I'm joined by Dr. Evan Hirsch, a physician who has helped thousands of people recover from chronic fatigue after experiencing it himself. And according to Dr. Hirsch, fatigue is rarely caused by one singular thing. When you look deeper, a pattern emerges. Hidden infections, environmental toxins, nutrient deficiencies, poor sleep quality, and nervous system dysfunction often show up together. Once you start connecting these dots, fatigue stops looking like a simple problem and starts looking like a signal. In this episode, Dr. Hirsch and I break down the real drivers of low energy and what it actually takes to fix them, not just manage symptoms. This episode was first released in June 2017 In this podcast, Dr. Hirsch and I discuss: Why fatigue is often driven by multiple root causes, not just lack of sleep, stress, or an isolated virus How toxins, mold, and environmental exposures can silently drain your energy, and why they need to be addressed slowly versus "hard and heavy" Why poor sleep quality, not just sleep duration, is often the real issue Why many people wake up at night (and what it really means) How hidden infections, yeast, or even parasites may contribute to fatigue and long-term brain health Why morning habits can improve sleep and energy more than nighttime routines The three supplements Dr. Hirsch leans on the most when working with chronic fatigue patients How addressing root causes can lead to lasting improvements in energy  

Most people think weight loss is simple: eat less, move more, push through the fatigue. But what if that approach is exactly why so many diets fail? Today, I'm joined by Dr. Susan Peirce Thompson, a PhD in brain and cognitive sciences who studies the neuroscience of eating behavior and long-term weight loss. According to Dr. Susan, fatigue during dieting is a short-term feeling that should ease over time…with the right approach. When you cut calories, your body doesn't just burn fat and carry on. It responds. Metabolism slows, energy drops, and hormones shift in ways that are normal but may make you feel tired. However, Dr. Susan's work challenges the idea that dieting has to mean constant hunger and fatigue. According to her data, hunger actually drops to very low levels when the right strategy is in place. Her approach is different. She believes sustainable results don't come from pushing harder. They come from working with your biology in ways that reduce fatigue, stabilize appetite, and support long-term adherence. In this episode, Dr. Susan and I break down why dieting so often leads to rebound weight gain and what to do instead. (This episode was initially released in May 2017)

Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar taught the most popular course ever at Harvard and is one of the world's top happiness experts. He defines happiness not as temporary pleasure (like going to the beach or eating ice cream), but as "whole person well-being," captured in his SPIRE framework: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional. One of the most powerful studies Dr. Ben-Shahar shares is about janitors, nurses, and doctors working in the same hospitals doing identical work…yet some saw their work as a "job" (something they had to do for a paycheck), others as a "career" (focused on climbing the organizational hierarchy), and others as a "calling" (meaningful work that matters). The janitors who saw their work as facilitating patient healing were happier and performed better than doctors who saw their work as just a job. Surprisingly, research shows there is NO connection between IQ and happiness. But there IS a strong connection between using your intelligence (being curious, asking questions, and lifelong learning) and happiness. Curious people are not just happier and more successful, they also live longer!