MEET THE GUEST
Tom Nikkola is a fitness and natural health expert with over 23 years of experience in strength training, nutrition, and metabolic optimization. He is the founder of VIGOR Training, author of The 3 Pillars of Vigor, and publisher of the widely read Nikkola Newsletter. Tom empowers high-performers to break through the noise of mainstream health advice using science-backed, real-world strategies. His work focuses on enhancing energy, longevity, and mental clarity through sustainable lifestyle shifts rooted in evidence-based principles.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• How Tom’s childhood battle with leukemia sparked a lifelong passion for natural health and functional fitness.

• What methylation actually is, why it matters, and how genes like MTHFR, COMT, and CBS affect detox, mood, and resilience.

• The dangers of synthetic folic acid and why 40–60% of people can’t process it, leading to anxiety, miscarriages, and more.

• Why eating healthy isn’t always enough how foods like avocados, fermented veggies, and even folic acid-fortified grains can backfire if your genes are sensitive.

• How genetic testing can reveal which methylation pathways need extra support and how to balance B vitamins, sulfur, and glutathione.

• The connection between histamine overload, MAOA variants, neuroinflammation, and anxiety and how your gut drives most neurotransmitter production.

• Why adrenal fatigue is real, how chronic stress rewires your cortisol output, and what conventional medicine gets wrong about burnout.

• The three pillars of recovery: strength training, sleep, and protein and why they’re the foundation for every healing protocol.

• Why group workouts, calorie restriction, and cardio may make you feel worse if your genes and hormones aren’t supported.

• What genetic resilience really means, and how to rebuild yours with a personalized, root-cause approach to fitness and health.

EPISODE RESOURCES
Sequencing
Genetic testing to uncover your traits, risks, and health insights.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Sequencing

Promix
Clean supplements made with real food, protein, pre-workout, and more. Use code THETRAILTOHEALTH for 10% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/PromixNutrition

Rho Nutrition
Pharma-grade creatine for strength, absorption, and results. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/RhoNutrition

Oura Ring
Smart ring that tracks sleep, heart rate, and recovery to optimize your health.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/OuraRing

Pulsetto
Wearable vagus nerve stimulator to calm stress and support nervous system balance.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Pulsetto

Jaspr
Medical-grade air purifiers that filter mold, VOCs, and allergens. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 10% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Jaspr

BodyBio
Phospholipids and minerals for brain, cell, and methylation support. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/BodyBio

Quicksilver Scientific
Targeted detox support for mold, metals, and liver health. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/QuicksilverScientific

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Website:
http://tomnikkola.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tomnikkola/

KEYWORDS
health, wellness, genetics, methylation, MTHFR, COMT, adrenal fatigue, nutrition, fitness, metabolic optimization, mental health, anxiety, genetics, strength training, nutrition, stress management, resilience, adrenal fatigue, neurotransmitters, gut health