Optimal Performance Podcast

Is Cancer a Metabolic (Mitochondrial) Disease? Our guest on the OPP today, Dr. Thomas Seyfried says it is. Dr. Thomas Seyfried is a leading cancer researcher, Biology professor at Boston College and author of the book Cancer as a Metabolic Disease. His work focuses on epigenetic and metabolic nutritional therapies for neurological and mitochondrial diseases.      According to Dr. Seyfried, cancer is a mitochondrial metabolic disease. His Press-Pulse protocol of ketosis, fasting, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) created with colleague Dominic D’Agostino is producing amazing results in animals, dogs, and people.   On today's show, we explore: Why Dr. Seyfried thinks genetic tests are a waste of time & money Why neuroinflammation should scare you (Hint: it's linked to almost every major disease) How cancer could be single disease with a single cause, and a single cure Why calories restriction - and fasting - signals our healthy cells to improve themselves How ketosis starves cancer cells and helps heal

Today’s guest on the OPP is Dr. Cyrus Raji, a neuroradiologist at UCSF conducting structural and functional neuro imaging (brain scans) to investigate neuropsychiatric disorders, cognitive decline and head trauma.    He was recently awarded the 2017 Alzheimer’s Grant by the ASNR and his colleague during his training at the University of Pittsburg was Bennet Omalu - the man portrayed by Will Smith in the movie Concussion.   On the OPP today, we talk about the 7 modifiable lifestyle choices that could reduce Alzheimer’s diagnoses by 1 million worldwide.    We discuss the amyloid plaques seen on brain scans for Alzheimer’s, why waiting for these to show up is too late and why amyloid removing drugs don’t work (Hint: neural cells are already dead) and how we might correct this with Growth Factors and lifestyle choices - like exercise - that stimulate the release of BDNF, aka Miracle-Gro for the brain.   We also discuss the differences between depression and cognitive decline, what each looks like on the MRI, the

I’ll spare you the sensationalized, click-bait headline about how spirulina and chlorella are the missing nutrient in your diet that are 1000X more powerful than fruits and vegetables.    But, technically speaking, one gram of algae – the amount in a single tablet – contains the nutritional equivalent of 1,000 grams of fruits and vegetables. So make no mistake about it, these nutrient dense blue green algae, Spirulina (a bacteria) and Chlorella (a plant) are true superfoods.   Spirulina contains 2.5X more protein per ounce than steak and 2-5X more antioxidants per ounce than leading fruits and vegetables.   A mere 30 gram serving of chlorella has 5X the chlorophyll content of kale and contains more iron than liver.   They’re also the most potent source of plant-based omega-3’s and Vitamin B12 - making them a powerful supplement for non-meat eaters.   These nutrient powerhouses may be the most nutrient dense foods on the planet and Catharine Arnston of Energy Bits is on the OPP to share the details of how we

The most polarizing topic in medicine, the OPP vaccine debate did not disappoint. We invited Yale Director of Public Health Dr. David Katz and the Paleo Cardiologist Dr. Jack Wolfson on to explore both sides of the vaccines conversation...what happened shocked me. Our debate quickly turned into a 1-sided conversation as Dr. Katz excused himself from the recording. As a health professional with a position likely funded by - and certainly supported by - the medical orthodoxy, I understand Dr. Katz’s reluctance to “pretend there is a legitimate debate” about the safety of vaccines.    However, the pro-vaccine contingency’s strategy to "ignore the debate so the public will think there isn’t one” is more of a red flag than they realize. I, like many others feel like - if there is nothing to hide, we should be able to have an open, honest, transparent discussion about the safety of the public.   Despite our loss of the pro-vaccine argument in this debate, I tried to present you an unbiased episode that is digging

Our guest on the OPP today is Eric Remensperger. Eric was diagnosed with inoperable Stage IV, metastatic Prostate Cancer - and survived. Instead of radiation or chemotherapy, Eric used oxygen, light, fasting, ketosis, sleep and functional foods to improve mitochondrial, cellular, and immune function to defeat his cancer. (Disclaimer: This is not medical advice.) This is the story of one cancer survivor - and his mission to share the information that saved his life. On this information-packed, inspiring episode of the OPP you’ll hear: Why Eric says we’re all "cancering" ←→ healing on a spectrum at all times and what this means for our immune system and odds of developing cancer (the noun/condition we know) How fasting induces autophagy and promotes a stronger immune system - helping Eric fight off his cancerous growths How Eric used oxygen therapy to reduce lactic acid, and clear metabolic waste from cancer cells to stop their proliferation Learn the single 30-day cycle of medicine Eric used in his treatment

Listener Request Episode - the Jet Lag and Travel Hacks episode of the OPP: The 9 Best Travel Tips to Reduce Jet Lag We love travel. But flying is tough on our bodies and immune systems. If you’ve ever had to fly long distances, you’ve felt the effects of jet lag on your ability to function optimally. Whether you travel for business or pleasure, you probably want to feel and perform at your best - get the 9 best travel tips to reduce jet-lag, the science behind them and practical strategies for how to implement them. (It’s the OPP - strategies to implement the knowledge base is what we do!) Discover the best way to eat when traveling: Fasting? Ketosis? How to use light therapy in your pocket to reset your circadian rhythm Immune-boosting tips to help safeguard against recirculated air and germs Can compression socks and pants reduce jet lag? A tip from Mark Sisson on when to reset your watch and why How to use grounding - on the plane and off it - to enhance cellular function What to drink in airports to max

The New York Times calls it the $325,000 burger. National Geographic calls it the petri-dish burger. Impossible Foods calls their plant-based "meat" the Impossible Burger. On this very special episode of the OPP, I chat with Chris Davis, Director of Research and Development at Impossible Foods to discuss their meat alternative - the Impossible Burger and it's impact (or lack thereof) on feeding the world, fixing the broken factory farming industry, and decreasing our massive food waste problem. As the Impossible Foods website states: "The world loves meat. But relying on cows to make meat is land-hungry, water-thirsty, and pollution-heavy. That’s why we set out to do the impossible: make delicious meats that are good for people and the planet." It's a great marketing message for the general public. It that all it is? Just an empty marketing message? To the discerning Optimizer, or anyone who has given thought to the issue of feeding the world, there are gaps in the Impossible Foods mission (as you'll hear).

Mind Pump Media meets Optimal Performance Podcast. Adam, Justin and Sal from Mind Pump sit down with me on the OPP (or am I on Mind Pump Media?) for an epic 2 hour conversation of "podcasting magic" that is being released simultaneously on both of our shows. These guys are brilliant, funny, and ready to sling science at every topic that came up. This conversation ranges far and wide, including: podcasting, the pros and cons of technology, dopamine, movement, blue zones, meditation, suffer-fests, how, why, and when to use HIIT training... A few of the specific topics we dive into during this conversation: Why 24 hour was the first billion dollar fitness club Impact of Social media, on psychology life and business  The exact moment each of us learned to question everything  Why technology has decentralized power How podcasting is a revolution equal to the printed word The problem with high intensity and low frequency training methods Bodybuilding, steroids and testosterone problems The rise of "Suffer Fests"

Ben Greenfield is back on the OPP to discuss his newest project, gratitude journaling. Ben explain his own gratitude rituals - answering 3 simple questions first thing each morning while he measures his HRV in bed (don't worry, I get Ben to explain his HRV routine as well.) We dive deep into the science of gratitude and reveal the 5 ways gratitude practices change our brain - including increased physical health, mental health, improved resiliency, better sleep, and enhanced activation of the brain regions that control serotonin and dopamine. Since no conversation with Ben would be complete without his latest biohacks and experiments, we also cover: Oxytocin injections Live O2 for hyper and hypo-oxygenation to boost mitochondria function Red Light Therapy Telomere protection Ben's Top 3 tips to fight aging And much more...

At the risk being accused of hyperbole, this is one of the most powerful episodes of the OPP yet.    The ever passionate Todd White (Dry Farm Wines) reveals his Profit and Peace Manifesto: how focusing on gratitude and abundance rather than financial results has helped Dry Farm Wines build the fastest growing club in the world - one that features 6 hour work days, daily team meditations and affirmations, and 100X growth last year. (We don't even mention wine until the 37 min mark.)   I visited the Dry Farm Wines team in Napa Valley to participate in their daily pre-work ritual of meditation, affirmation and gratitude. What I experienced was beyond my expectations.   The transformative power of their energy, light, and love revealed much about their success as individuals and as a team. Todd shares how we can build these habits into our lives along with the deeper impact of living in a world filled with love and support.   As Todd reminds us, "Darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Likewise, our doubt

Endurance runner, biohacker, father and husband Todd Shipman will be featured in September's Men's Health magazine for a day in the life of a biohacker. We've got him on the OPP first, sharing his 6 most cost effective biohacks and an epic conversation about promoting health, wellness, nutrition and movement. We discuss: Why Men's Health chose Todd for their "A Day In The Life of Biohacker" feature Is The AHA a terrorist organization? How do we spread our message of health and optimization without turning people off like we're door-to-door evangelists. The phenomenon of Horizontal Hatred: Stopping the in-fighting within our health niches (keto, primal, Crossfit, Vegan, etc) to focus on promoting better living to people currently outside the health community The importance of celebrating every small victory along the journey Todd's best FREE biohacks: breathing, cold exposure, and going barefoot Todd's Top 3 "best bang for your buck" biohacks: Red Light, HRV, and neurofeedback MoveNat - Natural movement How

Dr. Michael Breus, also known as The Sleep Doctor is the author of The Power of When - the book that explains the best time for you to do everything, based on your individual biological clock. Dr. Breus has identified 4 chronotypes or "sleep animals": bears, lions, dolphins, and wolves. Understanding our natural tendencies allows us to find the optimal time to do anything and everything - from sex and sleep, to workouts, highly productive work and everything in between. Understand why most studies and health recommendations are wrong for 40-50% of the population Discover why 90% of people are having sex at the wrong time of day Learn how the PER3 gene is one of 80 genes  that determine your sleep drive and your unique biological clock How cancer cells multiply faster when we're sleep deprived Why "The Power of When" can improve your relationships at home and at work How light changes metabolism, sleep, and sexual arousal And much more... Tune in to learn your chronotype and what it says about you.

Kasandrinos Olive Oil is the fastest growing olive oil company in the world. Founder Tony Kasadrinos has built this family business while serving as an active duty US Marine. We talk about family, how the Kasandrinos clan has built such a thriving business, the Paleo world, and of course Olive Oil. Tony reveals the secret behind the "fake olive oil" scandal, why you shouldn't worry about these reports and why he says ALL oils will eventually fail this test. He also explains how to find the best oils - looking for lot numbers, pressed on dates and more - way beyond the normal label claims like Organic and Extra Virgin.

This episode is by request. You guys asked for ways to "hack" your mood, happiness, and mindset...here are 5 research-backed methods to instantly improve your mood, increase happiness and skyrocket your productivity. Find out:  How social media is linked to depression and how the average person spend 2 hours a day on social media. Why we produce less serotonin on cloudy days and when we're sedentary. Why 10,000 steps a day doesn't mean you're "healthy". Why city dwellers have a 20 percent higher risk of anxiety disorders and a 40 percent higher risk of mood disorders as compared to people in rural areas. How walking in nature - even looking a pictures of nature can decrease activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression, reduce mental fatigue, and boost productivity. Plus, we'll cover the 1 simple trick that makes you 12X more likely to be happy, how real social interaction impacts our physiology more than cigarette smoking, and what you can learn from prison shows like Orange

Chris Dancy is the World's Most Connected Man, lecturing all over the world on how we can better utilize technology to monitor our health, hack time, and be more mindful cyborgs.   I met Chris at the Biohacker Summit Sweden last month where he presented a keynote on time-traveling using our phones, calendars, and wearable devices.   In this episode of the OPP, Chris explains how we "lack the ability to track what we value, so we end up valuing what we track."   We explore time travel, time-hacking, and optimizing our tracking devices to enhance our lives.   Chris has a new TV show coming soon where he "reads" phones like a psychic reads palms - called "phone palmistry". We have Chris analyze the phones of some of our listeners (with startling accuracy) and we have their reactions to prove it!   Discover what your phone says about you and learn how to customize your phone to slow down time, optimize your health and relationships, and enhance your overall wellbeing.

"The opposite of play is not work. The opposite of play is depression." - Charlie Hoehn Charlie Hoehn is the Head of Author Marketing for Book In A Box and has written several best-selling books of his own: Play It Away and Recession-Proof Graduate, that offer simple solutions that help people get on with their lives.  Previously, Charlie interned with Seth Godin, Ramit Sethi and was Tim Ferriss’ Director of Special Projects, whom he helped edit and launch The 4-Hour Body. The book debuted as a bestseller — #1 New York Times, #1 Amazon, #1 Barnes & Noble. When he graduated college in the midst of the recession, Charlie Hoehn found a way to provide value, allowing him to thrive when many others suffered. His unique approach - explained in this interview - has enabled him to rub shoulders with and learn from some of the most powerful minds of our time. Charlie's own "workaholic" nature drove him to depression and serious bouts of anxiety which led him to discover the power of play and how it can help us inc

Paleo Chef & Phat Fudge creator Mary Shenouda is a true unicorn. Mary, aka the Paleo Chef, is a private chef to professional athletes and Hollywood celebrities, and the flavor formulator of many of your favorite #Paleo products. She's also on a mission to help millions eat better, play more, and live a fulfilling life. #EatPlayCrush We sat down with Mary a few weeks ago in Venice, California to decode her secrets of high performance. The result is one-of-a-kind episode of the OPP, where we talk with the creator of Unicorn Fuel to learn how to embrace your uniqueness, eat like you give a damn about yourself, crush life, being a female entrepreneur, individualizing the Paleo diet to fit your own needs, and using mortality to fuel your mission.    

The average person SITS 7.7 hours a day, with some people sitting up to 15 hours! By comparison, the average person only gets 6.5 hours of sleep each night. No wonder we're seeing a shift away from health in the average person. After all, 71% of the US is overweight. These statistics tell us a LOT. We sit too much. We sleep and move too little. And you already know we eat more than we ever have in the history of our species - most of that coming from low quality, processed foods. But not you - right?! ;) Back to this sitting thing... The CDC has called sitting the new smoking. Since most of us work from a seated position, commute to work sitting in cars, buses, trains, and planes, and then spend much of our down time sitting in front of TV's, hunched over phones... This podcast is something you need to hear. I'm joined by Aaron Alexander of Align Therapy to discuss how our posture impacts - no, it DICTATES - our physiology. Tune in to find out how you can optimize your sitting time and overcome the

Few things are one size fits all. Especially diets. New research has linked the ketogenic diet to decreases in peak performance for some athletes.  In the first ever OPP solo-cast, I'll discuss this research, what it means for us, and for power athletes, the best applications of the ketogenic diet, and how my 8-month experiment with being keto caused a 20-25% drop in strength. We'll look at the benefits of ketosis and how we can hack the ketogenic diet to reap the benefits while avoiding some of the common drawbacks. Study Results on Performance - VO2 Max DECREASED 2.4% - Peak Power DECREASED 4.1% - Grip Strength INCREASED 2.5%  Study Results on Biomarkers - 3% reduction in blood glucose - 20% reduction in insulin - 22% reduction in IGF-1  

Lacie Mackey is the boss behind the business of Caveman Coffee and she's personal trainer to Hollywood's elite. No name-dropping here, but Lacie shares the do's and don't of recovery, hormonal balance, fitness, natural products, coffee and MCT oil.   We expose 3 secrets about coffee - the world's #2 commodity - that most people don't know, including why you should never store it in your refrigerator. (It absorbs freon)   Win FREE Caveman Coffee + CILTEP. Along with Caveman Coffee, we're helping 3 lucky people optimize their mornings with this bundle. 3 winners will receive: 1 Bag Caveman Coffee 1 Bottle of Caveman MCT Oil 1 Bottle of CILTEP   Entering is easy - just share this post by using this link: http://bit.ly/2rmehKB