Welcome to Episode 54 of the Back to Human Podcast

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rebekah Heishman, a health & life coach whose personal health journey—from debilitating illness to vibrant wellness—has shaped her powerful approach to healing through food. Once told she’d never live to see 30 or become pregnant, she defied the odds after struggling with osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s, mood disorders, and a life-threatening C. diff infection that left her severely underweight. Her recovery involved multiple rounds of antibiotics and three fecal transplants— ultimately leading her to adopt a ketogenic lifestyle.

Now, she helps others reclaim their vitality through metabolic healing, nourishing foods, and hormone support.

In this conversation, we explore:

• ​ Why she doesn’t rely on the scale to measure progress—and what markers she uses instead
• ​ How dietary fat plays a vital role in hormone production and metabolic health
• ​ The ideal balance of fat to protein in a healing diet—and how to gradually increase fat intake
• ​ Why it often takes women longer to restore their menstrual cycles—and how nutrition plays a role
• ​ The concept of metabolic flexibility
• ​ How her nutrition impacted her breastmilk supply postpartum
• ​ Whether she tracks her macros—and if she recommends it to her clients
• ​ Her take on fasting
• ​ Which foods she personally avoids and why
• ​ Where people commonly go wrong with keto and how to avoid those pitfalls
• ​ How she approached her birth plan going into the hospital
• ​ How nourishing the body supports not only physical recovery, but also emotional resilience and hormonal balance

This is a powerful episode for anyone interested in women’s health, healing chronic illness, or approaching food as a foundational tool for thriving.

To learn more about Rebekah and her work, follow her on Instagram & Youtube @tailoredketohealth

Welcome to Episode 53 of the Back to Human Podcast
In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Zev Mellman, a chiropractor based in South Florida who brings a radically holistic and human-centered approach to healing. Dr. Zev works with everyone from elite athletes and music artists to members of the general population—including underserved communities and even the homeless. His mission is simple: restore function, reduce suffering, and make quality care accessible to all.

We dive deep into the philosophy, science, and controversies behind chiropractic care, and explore why Zev believes this work is about far more than just cracking backs.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How Zev first discovered chiropractic and what drew him to this path

• The history of chiropractic—and how the Flexner Report nearly wiped it out

• What actually happens physiologically during an adjustment

• Why people return for care even when it "works" the first time

• Why chiropractic hasn’t been fully adopted by Western medicine despite its results

• Whether Zev has ever regretted an adjustment or unintentionally caused harm

• The difference between spinal adjustments and soft tissue/fascial work

• Why self-adjusting can do more harm than good

• How modern medicine often suppresses symptoms rather than resolving root issues

• Vitalism vs. Mechanism — the fundamental worldview shift between chiropractic and conventional medicine

• How research like the Manga Report highlights chiropractic's superiority for certain conditions

• The connection between posture, mood, stress hormones, and performance

• How spinal adjustments have both localized and systemic effects

• Why Zev adjusts barefoot—and what it says about his connection to the healing process

• Allostasis, allodynia, and the body’s burden of chronic stress

• The spine as a sensory organ—and how it constantly communicates with the brain

• Why chiropractic may help with emotional regulation, neurological resilience, and overall well-being—not just back pain

• How Zev responds to criticism and handles being labeled a “quack”

• The impact of diet, emotions, and lifestyle on pain and healing

• Why he built his pricing model around accessibility—with the single mother of three in mind

To learn more about Zev and his work, follow him on all platforms @drzevtv.

Welcome to Episode 52 of the Back to Human Podcast

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Simone Davies, author of The Montessori Toddler and host of The Montessori Notebook Podcast. Simone is an AMI-trained Montessori educator with over 20 years of experience, and she’s dedicated to helping parents bring an authentic Montessori approach into the home.

We dive deep into the philosophy and practical application of Montessori, especially during the early years of parenting.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How Simone was introduced to Montessori education

• The importance of setting up a Montessori environment as early as pregnancy

• Key principles of Montessori education

• How Montessori differs from traditional public schooling

• What a Montessori classroom and day of learning looks like

• Whether there is a set curriculum or specific subjects that need to be taught

• The concept of agreements vs. rules

• How Montessori children transition into adulthood and even college

• Sensitive periods of learning in toddlerhood

• Fostering independence and giving children a meaningful role in the family

• How to set up and present Montessori activities at home

• Why traditional praise may undermine intrinsic motivation

• Montessori-approved toys and their purpose

• How to gain cooperation from a toddler in refusal—without bribes or threats

• The passive nature of screens vs. active engagement in real-life activities

• How to handle meltdowns and model emotional regulation (including apologies)

• Smooth transitions between activities

• How parents can prioritize themselves—without guilt

To learn more about Simone’s work, visit her website at themontessorinotebook.com and follow her on Instagram @themontessorinotebook This episode is packed with insight and practical tools for anyone looking to foster more connection, independence, and respect in their parenting journey.

Welcome to the 51st episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

In this deeply human and introspective conversation, I sit down with Julian Bermudez—a psychedelic integration guide whose work centers around emotional healing and reconnecting with our authentic selves.

Julian shares how his own upbringing and personal struggles led him to explore the power of psychedelics as a means of true emotional integration—not escape. Together, we unpack the emotional imprints of childhood trauma, addictive patterns, and how modern busyness can mask our deepest pain.

In this episode we dive into:

• ​ Julian’s journey into psychedelic therapies and the events that shaped his path
• ​ The messages we internalize from childhood, including the cost of “crying it out”
• ​ How we often trade one addiction for another—from destruction to obsession
• ​ The subtle ways we sacrifice authenticity for attachment—and why that matters
• ​ Why resisting emotion gives it more control over us
• ​ What makes an experience “bad” during a psychedelic session
• ​ The value of having a guide: holding space vs. controlling outcomes
• ​ Success as a front—what are we really chasing? Respect? Control? Worth?
• ​ How busyness can be a distraction from distress
• ​ The unintended messages we send our children when we’re always “busy”
• ​ Why we’re so driven to escape discomfort—and how psychedelics disrupt that pattern
• ​ My personal experience with food addiction and where it really came from
• ​ The importance of showing up for your family with presence
• ​ Understanding addiction as short-term relief with long-term harm
• ​ How your environment shapes your behavior, often unconsciously
• ​ The potential to misuse plant medicine—and bypass the real work
• ​ Our disconnection from nature, each other, and ourselves
• ​ What are the core human emotions?
• ​ Tools for managing emotion: not suppressing, but accepting
• ​ How acknowledging a child’s emotion often diffuses its intensity
• ​ The power of painful emotions as portals for growth and reconnection
• ​ How “negative” emotions can bring us back to the present
• ​ The connection between repressed emotion and physical pain

This episode is a compassionate exploration of the emotional landscapes we often avoid—and how the right tools, perspectives, and conversations can help us come back to ourselves and show up for those we love.

Enjoy the conversation, and if it resonates with you, share it with someone who’s doing the inner work.

Welcome to the 50th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

On today’s episode I’m joined by Dr. Anthony Chaffee—an American medical doctor, carnivore diet expert, and host of The Plant-Free MD Podcast. With over 20 years of research into optimal human nutrition, Dr. Chaffee shares his bold and evidence-backed perspective: that the carnivore diet is the true species-appropriate diet for humans, and many of the chronic illnesses we face today stem directly from what we eat—or don’t eat.

As someone currently five months into my own carnivore journey (after transitioning from a ketovore approach), I’ve seen firsthand both the benefits and the challenges.In this episode, we dive into some of the most common challenges people face when transitioning to a carnivore lifestyle, how to overcome them, and what to expect along the way. We also explore how a meat-based diet impacts athletic performance, as well as its potential to improve — and in some cases reverse — chronic conditions like autoimmune disease, diabetes, and more.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dr. Chaffee’s personal experience with athletic performance and adaptation on carnivore

• How chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, heart failure, schizophrenia, and autoimmune diseases can go into remission with a strict carnivore diet

• The origins of meat-and-water diets used to treat IBS, Crohn’s, and rheumatoid arthritis since the 1800s

• Whether autoimmune diseases really involve the body attacking itself

• Fat metabolism, VO2 max, and what low-carb research shows in elite athletes

• The role of insulin in blocking fat-burning and disrupting metabolic hormones

• Why high blood sugar is so damaging—and whether elevated glucose is inherently toxic

• How testosterone levels may double on keto, and how ketones support recovery and reduce inflammation

• Endocrine disruptors in plants and their effects on human physiology

• Hydration and electrolyte support on a carnivore diet

• Caffeine use on carnivore

• Why humans are biologically designed to live 120–130 years in health

• Why carbohydrates are so addictive

• How we use the same terminology for sugar as we do for drugs

This is a deep and eye-opening conversation about food, health, performance, and what it means to return to our biological roots.

Welcome to the 49th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

In this radical and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Samuel Shepherd—a biochemical engineer, inventor, cancer survivor, and true renaissance man whose work spans medicine, AI, space exploration, and national defense.

Sam shares how he reversed a rare form of cancer, developed his productValasta, and uncovered the oxidative root behind 92% of inflammatory diseases.

In this episode we dive into:

· Sam’s personal journey of reversing a rare cancer diagnosis through biochemical innovation

· The story behind Valasta—how it works and what makes it different from other antioxidants like vitamin C or vitamin E

· Why certain animals don’t get cancer—and what humans can learn from that

· How Sam has faced resistance, censorship, and even threats to his life

· The 4–5 reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause nearly all chronic inflammatory conditions

· How sugar—especially fructose—disrupts DNA repair and creates disease

· The dangerous introduction of high-fructose corn syrup into the food supply

· Why your CRP (C-reactive protein) level is a powerful predictor of disease

· The difference between treating symptoms (branches) vs. root causes (ROS)

· How the healthcare system perpetuates sickness through systemic inflammation

· How Sam had zero atherogenic plaque at 70+ years old!

· How light, frequency, and military tech can influence your physiology and brain health

· What makes cancer cells electrically different (sodium, potassium, and charge potential)

· How Sam contributed to early AI and what it means for human relevance

· The existential cost of losing purpose in a post-AI world

· The two behavioral rules every living being follows: maximize pleasure or minimize pain

· The various ways to take Valasta: chocolate, capsules, or topical

· ValAsta's testimonials including compelling cases such as the reversal of the founder Sam Shepherd's mother's renal failure, along with reported remissions in conditions like breast cancer, brain tumors, and even severe cases of COVID-19

· What lifestyle changes are recommended while using Valasta

To learn more about Sam's work, visit Valasta.net.

Here are two of his 44 patents:

• Method of Using Astaxanthin for the Treatment of Diseases, Particularly Cancer
  US Patent 11065269B1

• Process for Reducing Cell Death and Increasing Growth of an Algal Culture
  US Patent 10364426B1

This episode is a thoughtful dive into biology, purpose, and what it means to take ownership of your life—with one of the most insightful and unfiltered guests I’ve had on the show. Enjoy the conversation, and if it resonates with you, feel free to share it with someone who’d appreciate it.

Welcome to the 48th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

In this raw and introspective conversation, I sit down with my good friend Alvey Thompson, a coach, a father, and a man whose transformation has been shaped by personal loss, emotional evolution, and an unwavering commitment to truth. Alvey opens up about the pivotal moments that redefined his values, from his mother’s long battle with illness to becoming a father and stepping into a higher version of himself.

We explore what it means to lead with presence, to coach from experience, and to disrupt cycles of stagnation—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

We dive into:

• ​ Alvey’s journey into coaching, sparked by his mother’s chronic illness
• ​ His challenge of 1000 general health deposits in 100 days and how consistent action rewires identity
• ​ Counting your wins
• ​ Awareness, intention, and disruption—and how real change demands all three
• ​ How people overcomplicate health
• ​ How fear, distorted love, and emotional immaturity shaped his early responses to pain
• ​ The difference between being a trainer and being a life coach
• ​ What it means to serve with dignity, and let others say no
• ​ Why the people closest to us are often the hardest to hear
• ​ The limiting beliefs his clients bring to the table
• ​ What have been some of Alvey’s own self-limiting beliefs that have kept him from taking action?
• ​ The importance of digging deeper than physical goals to uncover the real why
• ​ How fatherhood has changed his worldview and sharpened his purpose
• ​ The core values Alvey wants to instill in his son, Zion

This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a challenge to look inward, strip back the layers, and get radically honest about who you want to be.

Welcome to the 47th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

On this episode I sit down with coach Guy Alteme whose path to coaching was forged through deep personal hardship and a bout of homelessness. Guy shares how financial struggles shaped his approach to life, relationships, and ultimately, his coaching philosophy.

We dive into:

• ​What led Guy into financial hardship
• ​How stepping in to help someone can sometimes inhibit their growth
• ​How to not take it personally when clients fall off—and how to dig deeper into what's really going on
• ​The importance of non-verbal communication and presence
• ​The role of willpower and how it carried him through rock bottom
• ​How past experiences sparked a deep interest in truly connecting with others
• ​The power of being present with the client in front of you
• ​What two instances of homelessness taught him about materialism and putting people before objects
• ​The toll that giving to others can take on intimate relationships
• ​How Guy refills his own cup and stays grounded
• ​His approach to nutrition and health
• ​Why so many people are on medications and the need to think critically
• ​The balance between what clients want and what they truly need
• ​The importance of support systems—and not getting stuck in grief

If you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or out of touch—this conversation is a gentle return to the power of presence, empathy, and inner strength.

Welcome to the 46th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

In this episode, we sit down with Steak & Butter Gal to dive deep into her journey from a strict whole-foods-based vegan diet to thriving on a high-fat carnivore lifestyle. She shares how this radical shift transformed her health, restored her menstrual cycle and helped her achieve her weight loss goals.

Tune in as we discuss:

• ​ How she got the name Steak & Butter Gal and why she started documenting her carnivore journey.
• ​ The health struggles she faced as a vegan and what pushed her to make the switch.
• ​ Why so many women under-eat when dieting and the warning signs of undereating—like hair loss, low energy, and missing periods.
• ​ How the body prioritizes healing before weight loss—and why weight gain was an essential phase in her carnivore journey.
• ​ How she stopped calorie counting, learned to listen to her body, and still achieved her weight loss goals.
• ​ High-fat carnivore: what it is, how she does it, and why adding more fat can be a game-changer for women.
• ​ No-salt carnivore, electrolytes, and why eating your meat rare might be the key to better mineral absorption.
• ​ Her thoughts on pregnancy and whether women should cycle carbs for hormonal balance.
• ​ How she navigates social situations
• ​ Is the quality of meat important?
• ​ How the carnivore diet has impacted her performance as a pianist.
• ​ Bowel movements on carnivore, what to expect, and how they’ve changed for her.
• ​ Who shouldn’t do a carnivore diet?
• ​ The life-changing health transformations she’s seen in her community, from reversing diabetes and improving mental health to overcoming infertility.

To follow Steak & Butter Gal’s journey and learn more about her approach, check her out on Instagram at @steakandbuttergal

Become part of her community and take part in weekly Q&A sessions with coaches, carnivore experts, and medical doctors by visiting https://sbg-s-meat-up.mn.co.

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Alvarado, a physical therapist and owner of Goefit, a gym in South Florida, to explore the intersection of strength training, rehabilitation, and the power of the mind in recovery.

Tune in as we discuss:

• Jaime’s journey into physical therapy—how his own experiences with injury, combined with his uncle’s battle with cancer, inspired his career path.

• Why strength training became his ultimate tool for recovery and its vital role in rehab.

• The key differences between cash-based and insurance-based physical therapy models.

• Redefining rehab—how blending strength training with recovery methods pushes past perceived physical limits.

• Jaime’s top five recovery tools: rockfloss, inversion tables, infrared light, Graston technique, and muscle guns.

• Why he believes the majority of healing is mental - how to break free from self-limiting beliefs and injury-based identities

• Rolfing and how fascia can store emotional trauma.

• How plant medicine influenced his spiritual journey and connection to Christ.

• How the transformative power of EMDR therapy has helped with his own healing

• How becoming a father reshaped his approach to training, nutrition, and overall well-being.

• The unspoken challenges of postpartum for men

To learn more about Jaime’s work and to follow his journey, be sure to check him out on Instagram at @prof_gains & @goefit