Chief Life Podcast

In this episode of Chief Life, we sit down with Alex McDonald, who completed an incredible feat—running 5 marathons in 5 consecutive days while fasted, consuming only water and electrolytes. Alex has been following a low-carb diet for 14 years and a strict carnivore diet for the past five, challenging conventional wisdom on endurance fueling.

We discuss:

• Why he chose to run 5 marathons fasted
• His transition from keto to carnivore and how it impacts his performance
• Training, nutrition, and preparation for extreme endurance challenges
• How his body responded—blood markers, body composition, HRV, and recovery
• The role of fat adaptation in endurance performance and whether carb-loading is necessary

Alex shares his key takeaways from the experiment and whether he plans to take on more endurance challenges in the future. If you’re curious about low-carb endurance performance or considering testing your own limits, this episode is packed with insights!

https://www.instagram.com/ketomarathons/

https://www.ketomarathons.com

In this episode, we dive deep into Chris’s journey — from gruelling fight camps and brutal weight cuts to his current focus on long-term health, brain function, and smart training. He shares hard-earned insights from decades in the fight game, including what’s changed in the way athletes train, eat, and recover today.

Whether you’re a combat sports fan, a coach, or just someone trying to optimise your own performance, this episode is packed with value.

We cover:

• How training and nutrition in combat sports have evolved over the years
• The most extreme weight-cutting practices he's witnessed (or experienced)
• The role of recovery and how it’s changed since his early fight days
• How he trains and eats now compared to during his fight career
• Supplements he recommends for fighters and active individuals
• Reflections on health after years of high-level competition
• Chris’s views on ketogenic and carnivore diets for fighters

Chris is one of the rare athletes who has bridged the gap between elite performance and sustainable health. You’ll come away with practical tips, new perspectives, and maybe even some inspiration to level up your own training or nutrition game.

Are your unexplained symptoms—like bloating, fatigue, skin issues, or brain fog—actually caused by parasites? In this fascinating episode, we sit down with Kim Rogers, founder of RogersHood Apothecary and self-proclaimed “Worm Queen,” to uncover the truth about parasites and whether you really need a cleanse.

• Why she’s called the Worm Queen and the craziest things people have passed on her cleanses

• Common signs of parasites that are often misdiagnosed: acne, cravings, fatigue, anxiety, brain fog
• The formulation behind her ParaFy cleanse and how it differs from conventional treatments
• Can parasite cleanses be dangerous? Kim’s thoughts on gut lining health and safety
• Everyday habits and foods that help prevent parasite reinfection
• Mould and heavy metal detox kits—what they are, why they matter, and when to use them

After 20+ years in Western medicine and a personal health journey through endometriosis, Lyme, parasites, and mould toxicity, Kim left pharmaceuticals behind to create her own holistic parasite cleanse—now a viral sensation online. But are these cleanses necessary? Are rope worms real? And can you have parasites without any gut symptoms?

In this episode, we cover:

Whether you’re a total sceptic or ready to start your first cleanse, this episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about parasites and toxins.

We’ve all heard that to lose weight, you need to “eat less and move more.” But what if that advice is completely backwards? In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jessica Turton, Accredited Practising Dietitian and PhD in Nutrition & Dietetics, who challenges conventional weight loss advice with a refreshing and science-backed perspective: you might need to eat MORE to lose weight.Jessica is the founder of Ellipse Health and a leading researcher in low-carb diets, metabolic health, and the long-term effects of restrictive eating. Her passion lies in helping people understand the why behind their weight struggles—especially when they’re “doing everything right” but still not seeing results.

• Why “calories in vs. calories out” isn’t the whole story
• The difference between eating more food vs. eating more calories
• How to tell if you’re under-eating or over-eating without obsessing over numbers
• The metabolic consequences of long-term low-calorie dieting
• How aging, menopause, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome affect weight loss
• Should calorie needs change with life stages like pregnancy, menopause, and aging?
• Why inflammation might be the hidden barrier to fat burning

In this episode, we cover:If you’re frustrated with dieting, confused about how much to eat, or navigating weight gain in menopause—this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Turton brings clarity, nuance, and compassion to a topic that’s often oversimplified and misunderstood.

Gut health has become one of the most talked-about topics in the health and wellness world—but what does it actually mean to have a “healthy gut”? In this episode, we sit down with Dr Pran Yoganathan, Gastroenterologist and Director of The Centre for Gastrointestinal Health in Sydney, to cut through the confusion and get the science-backed answers you need.Dr Pran is known for his holistic, food-first approach to health and his deep interest in nutrition, regenerative farming, and human evolution. Together, we dive into all things gut health—from testing and food sensitivities to antibiotics, mental wellbeing, and fibre.

In this episode, we cover:

• What a healthy gut actually looks like and how to know if you have one
• Whether gut microbiome tests are legit—or just clever marketing
• The real impact of diet, seed oils, pesticides, and tap water on your gut
• Do we really need fibre? And what about short-chain fatty acids?
• IBS and the role of hypnotherapy
• Why food intolerances and sensitivities are so common today
• Antibiotics and the microbiome: why probiotics may delay recovery
• Can gut-produced neurotransmitters affect your mental health?
• The most powerful tools—besides diet—for improving gut health

Whether you’re struggling with bloating, curious about probiotics, or just want to better understand the gut-brain connection, this episode is packed with actionable insights from one of Australia’s leading gut health experts.

In this episode of Chief Life, we unpack the world of regenerative farming—what it really means, how it differs from factory and organic farming, and whether it lives up to the hype. You’ve probably heard terms like carbon sequestration, rotational grazing, and cow burps contributing to climate change, but what’s fact and what’s fiction? To break it all down, I’m joined by Brock Hatton, CEO of Chief Nutrition, who’s passionate about regenerative farming and its role in improving both human and planetary health.

We cover:

• The origins and principles of regenerative agriculture
• How it impacts the environment, food quality, and human health
• Whether the science supports its benefits
• The controversies—scalability, sustainability, and economic viability
• What it really means to be ‘carbon neutral’

If you want an honest, no-nonsense take on regenerative farming and its potential to shape the future of food, this episode is for you!

wearechief.com

In this episode of Chief Life, we break down stress—what it actually is, how it impacts us, and the best ways to manage it beyond the usual advice.Our guest, Nam Baldwin, is an elite human performance coach with 28 years of experience working with some of the world’s best athletes and business leaders. He co-founded the internationally recognised Breath Enhancement Training program and recently launched HUPO, a company focused on human performance and well-being. With clients ranging from Olympic gold medalists to world champion surfers and elite sports teams, Nam knows what it takes to handle stress under pressure.

We cover:

• The difference between acute and chronic stress and their long-term effects
• The role of mindset in managing stress
• Breathing techniques to instantly calm the nervous system
• How stress impacts men and women differently
• Lesser-known strategies to build resilience and handle stress more effectively

If you’re looking for practical, science-backed ways to stress less and perform better, this episode is packed with insights from one of the best in the game!

https://www.instagram.com/nambaldwin/

https://hupo.com.au/

While we at Chief Nutrition work closely with qualified nutritionists, we want to clarify that we are not medical doctors, and the information provided in this podcast episode is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The content is for informational purposes only. We strongly recommend consulting with a healthcare professional, particularly your doctor, before making any significant changes to your diet and medication, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions.

In this episode of Chief Life, we sit down with a coach Lachy Oliver  to hear his incredible story of overcoming Crohn’s disease, anxiety, ADHD, and burnout—without medication. After years of struggling with his health, Lachy turned to an animal-based diet and saw life-changing results. Within months, he went into remission, ran a marathon, worked 12-hour days, and saw his mental health completely transform.We cover:

• Why he turned to a wholefoods, meat-based diet instead of medication
• How his symptoms evolved and what challenges he faced early on
• The role of gut health in Crohn’s disease and whether diet alone can make a difference
• How his mindset, performance, and overall well-being have changed
• The scepticism he’s faced from the medical community and how he responds

Lachy is now on a mission to help others take control of their health through nutrition. If you’re curious about the link between diet and disease, this episode is packed with insights!

https://www.instagram.com/animal_fuel/

https://www.instagram.com/lachyoliver_tat/

In this episode, we dive into the art of balancing success with personal well-being. Andy Hannagan, founder of Bounce Foods and a biohacking enthusiast, shares his journey of staying fit, productive, and energised at 53 while managing the demands of family life and running a business.We explore Andy's daily routines, fitness strategies, and the mindset practices that keep him performing at his best. From the role of nutrition and sleep to managing stress and staying consistent with healthy habits, Andy offers practical advice and insights for anyone looking to optimise their health and longevity.

Guest Highlights:

• Andy Hannagan is an entrepreneur and founder of Bounce Foods, with a passion for personal growth and biohacking.
• He’s navigated the highs and lows of business, balancing his professional pursuits with family, fitness, and a love for nature.
• At 53, Andy exemplifies how to stay in peak physical and mental condition while leading a busy life.

Whether you’re a business owner, a health enthusiast, or simply striving for a better work-life balance, this episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiration to help you thrive.

https://www.thehannaganeffect.com/andy-hannagan

In this episode of Chief Life, we’re unpacking the science of jetlag and how to beat it—especially for athletes and high performers who need to stay sharp while traveling.Our guest, Dr Peter Fowler, holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology, with his research focused on travel and its impact on athletic performance. He has worked with elite athletes to develop science-based strategies for minimising jet-lag, improving recovery, and maintaining peak performance across time zones. We cover:

• Why jet-lag happens and how it affects physical and mental performance
• The best ways to manage light exposure, nutrition, exercise, and sleep to adjust faster
• Whether fasting or specific foods can help reduce jetlag
• Why people often get sick after flying and how to prevent it
• Practical pre-, during-, and post-travel strategies for anyone who wants to travel better

If you want to optimise your travel and avoid feeling wrecked after long flights, this episode is packed with expert insights and actionable tips!

GUEST LINKS:https://www.instagram.com/recoveryprojectau/