In this episode, Dr. John Barnes welcomes Lindsay Venn, PA-C, RD, MPH—a clinician with rare dual training in medicine and nutrition, and a founding member of the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners. Lindsay shares her journey into integrative, root-cause metabolic care and the mission behind Venn Integrative Medicine, her multi-state telehealth practice.

Together, John and Lindsay unpack the science and real-world implications of insulin resistance—what it is, why it’s so widespread, and how it drives a long list of symptoms and chronic conditions. Lindsay explains how IR develops, why it’s often not your fault, and how conventional dietary guidelines contributed to the modern metabolic crisis.

They also explore why insulin resistance shows up differently in women’s health, influencing everything from PCOS and fertility to the hormonal transitions of perimenopause and menopause. Lindsay breaks down the key labs and biomarkers she evaluates in clinical practice (A1C, fasting insulin, glucose patterns, hormone profiles) and why fasting glucose alone is not enough to assess metabolic health.

The episode wraps with a grounded discussion of GLP-1 medications—their potential role, their limitations and concerns, and how people can boost their own GLP-1 production naturally with low-carb/keto nutrition, specific supplements, and  lifestyle strategies.

If you want a clear, compassionate, clinically grounded explanation of insulin resistance—and why women are uniquely affected—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 

In this flavorful episode of The Life Possible Podcast, John sits down with Chef Roza Phox, founder of JOYFULL, to explore how delicious, healing food can thrive even within Phase 1 “restrictions.”

Roza shares her personal story — how she became a chef, the mission behind JOYFULL’s catered events and “Mother Your Mother” meal prep. She opens up about her own journey with weight, fitness, and finally discovering Ideal Protein. She explains how IP helped her lose fat, reveal the muscle she’d been working for, and why she believes even fit clients can use the protocol strategically to “cut.”

Together, Dr. Barnes and Roza dive into creative Phase 1 cooking, including her favorite spices, flavor hacks, and clever ways to make vegetables irresistible (yes—the wok is back!).

And just in time for the holidays, Roza shares several JOYFULL, Phase-1-friendly recipes:

✨ Espresso Chocolate “Affogato” Cup
 ✨ JOYFULL Phase 1 “Eggnog” Smoothie
 ✨ Holiday Herb Croutons
 ✨ “Charred Carnage” Asian 5-Spice Cabbage

We are sure you will learn some fun new Phase 1 recipes and cooking hacks that you will use right away to help you navigate the holidays this December!! 

In this episode, Dr. Dolores Zumbado from Ideal Protein joins John to unpack how to stay grounded, peaceful, and on-track during the holidays using the neuroscience-based Anchor Point Framework from Bright Line Eating.

You’ll learn:
 • 🎯 Why holidays trigger overeating, cravings, and decision fatigue
 • 🔒 How clear “bright lines” (no sugar, no flour, no snacking, measured meals) create freedom—not deprivation
 • 🛡️ How to handle food pushers, family traditions, and workplace temptations
 • 🚫 Why “just one bite,” “life is short,” and moderation often backfire
 • 🧩 Simple scripts, social boundaries, and recovery strategies if you slip
 • 🌟 How to define the holiday experience you want—and start January feeling proud, not regretful

A practical, empowering guide to enjoying the season while protecting your metabolic health and peace of mind. 🎁💪

After nearly a decade performing complex vascular surgeries, Dr. Lily Johnston, MD, MPH realized something powerful — surgery can fix an artery, but not the disease behind it.

In this week’s episode of The Life Possible Podcast, Dr. Johnston joins Dr. John Barnes to reveal how insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction drive vascular disease — and how changing your nutrition can literally save your limbs and your life.

🎧 Tune in to learn:
 🩸 How insulin resistance damages your blood vessels
 🥑 Why low-carb and therapeutic nutrition can restore vascular health
 💪 How to prevent the need for surgery — before it’s too late

👉 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts!
 🔗 #LifePossiblePodcast #MetabolicHealth #VascularHealth #InsulinResistance #LowCarb #Keto #IdealProtein #PreventDontRepair #FeelGreatLiveLifePossible

Why is sustainable lifestyle change so difficult—and why do so many of us start in the wrong place? In this powerful and practical conversation, host Dr. John Barnes sits down with Jonathan Boulware, a Lifestyle Behavior Change specialist, to discover why the real foundation for lasting lifestyle behavioral change does NOT start with diet and exercise!

Jonathan explains why the journey begins in the mind, not the kitchen or the gym. In this episode you will learn:

• How to develop a “Why” powerful enough to use as your weapon against adversity.
• Why belief is the cornerstone of transformation—and how to rebuild it after years of negative self-talk.
• Developing “Counter-measures” to overcome triggers that normally derail your progress.
• How to cultivate self-compassion and forgiveness as critical tools for progress.
• What “emotional pounds” are and how to shed them for good.
• How to identify and tap into your unique “superpowers” to build the confidence you need for success in weight loss and lifestyle behavior change!

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has tried to “start over” one too many times and is ready to build the mindset and momentum for long lasting Life Possible!

AND if you are inspired to work with Jonathan personally to supercharge your Ideal Protein journey, he is offering an amazing 50% off his brand-new course The 432 Playbook Course which is launching November 10th, 2025!! Head over to www.youcanbeatobesity.com/lifepossible to take advantage of Jonathan’s generous offer!

In this inspiring episode, Dr. John Barnes travels (virtually!) all the way to Fairbanks, Alaska to meet Rachell Powell, a remarkable woman who redefined what’s possible when science, structure, and support come together.

Rachell shares her powerful transformation story — from her athletic and military past to reaching a point where she knew she needed to lose “a lot” of weight. Her journey led her to Ideal Health Fairbanks and coach Dylan Webb, where she discovered the Ideal Protein protocol. But here’s the twist: Rachell achieved her incredible results by combining Ideal Protein Phase 1 with GLP-1 medication under medical supervision.

Together, Dr. Barnes and Rachell explore how the Ideal Protein protocol perfectly complements GLP-1 therapies — preserving lean muscle, supporting metabolism, minimizing side effects, and providing complete nutritional and emotional support through one-on-one coaching.

Rachell’s story doesn’t stop with her success on the scale. Inspired by her results and renewed energy, she became an Ideal Protein Coach herself — helping others achieve their own “Life Possible.”

Whether you’re currently using GLP-1 medication or simply curious about integrating it with a scientifically proven nutrition plan, this episode offers hope, education, and real-world insight into what’s possible when you combine medical innovation with metabolic science.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Ideal Protein is the perfect companion to GLP-1 medications
• How high-quality protein preserves muscle during rapid weight loss
• The importance of weekly accountability and personalized coaching
• Rachell’s best tips, favorite foods, and words of encouragement for anyone ready to start

👉 Tune in and discover how Rachell found her Life Possible — and how you can find yours too!

Emergency Room physician Dr. Amy Gutman has seen it all—and she’s not afraid to tell the truth about what’s killing her patients. Known as “Tough Love MD,” Amy blends compassion with blunt honesty, challenging the culture of quick fixes, patient satisfaction scores, and a medical system that too often keeps people “comfortable” instead of healthy.

Drawing from her own journey with obesity, chronic illness, and a learning disability, Amy offers an empowering message of hope: the solution is simple—but not easy—and it starts with good nutrition, daily movement, and the belief that you’re better than your circumstances.

In this eye-opening conversation, Amy shares what it’s like to work on the front lines where 85% of patients have chronic, preventable diseases, yet few are ready to make the lifestyle changes that could truly save their lives. From the shift in medicine from survival rates to Yelp-style reviews, to the dangers of the “kind lie,” Amy pulls back the curtain on a system that rewards keeping patients happy rather than well.

If you’ve ever wondered why your doctor might not tell you the whole truth, or how tough love can actually be the most compassionate care of all, this episode will change the way you see medicine—and yourself. Keep your eyes open for Amy's new book arriving soon - Powerhouse Living: Lead Your Life Like a Resuscitation!

Metabolic Health Before Motherhood: Empowering Young Women to Take Control Early with Maddison Sutton

What if the choices you make in your 20s and 30s could determine your fertility, energy, and resilience for decades to come? In this powerful conversation, Certified Integrative Health & Wellness Coach Maddison Sutton shares why early metabolic health is the most overlooked—and most important—investment young women can make.

We unpack the silent health crisis affecting women today, from rising infertility and hormonal imbalances to the toll of corporate burnout, and why “look good” diet culture has left this generation unprepared for long-term wellness. Maddison reveals how pre-conception health is truly preventative medicine, the intergenerational ripple effects of early health choices, and the critical link between stress resilience and reproductive health.

You’ll also discover a fresh approach to self-care that goes beyond bubble baths—one that includes creative expression, nervous system regulation, and joy as metabolic healing tools.

Whether you’re years away from motherhood, actively preparing for pregnancy, or simply want to feel your most vibrant, this episode will give you the clarity, tools, and inspiration to start now—before symptoms arise—so you can thrive for a lifetime.

Website: https://www.wellwithmaddison.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maddison.sutton.7

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddison-sutton-97834841/

What if the way you feel — emotionally and physically — is directly shaped by what’s on your plate and the story you believe about yourself?

In this transformative conversation, Integrative Psychotherapist Natalie West reveals how early self-image programming, the gut–brain connection, and a species-appropriate diet work together to reset your mind, body, and emotional health.

We cover:

• Why “Food is a Feeling Filter”
• How self-image is programmed before age 7 — and how to change it
• The gut as your “second brain”
• The truth about carbs, ketosis, and essential nutrients
• Why eating well is one of the purest acts of self-love

💡 Note: The video quality isn’t our usual standard (thank you, internet gremlins), but the insights are worth every second.

How to find Natalie West, DCht:

Website: www.natalieewest.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-e-west-dcht-iict-35591938/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatalieEWest111

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalie.e.west/

🎙️ Episode 89: Dr. Thomas Seyfried — Cancer is a Metabolic Disease: How Nutrition Empowers Prevention and Treatment

In this groundbreaking episode, Dr. John Barnes welcomes legendary researcher and author Dr. Thomas Seyfried to challenge everything you thought you knew about cancer. Rather than viewing cancer as a genetic destiny, Dr. Seyfried presents compelling evidence that it is, at its core, a metabolic disease—and that gives us the power to fight back.

Together, they explore how modern lifestyles and processed nutrition disrupt our evolutionary biology, contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction and the onset of chronic disease—including cancer. More importantly, they reveal how targeted dietary strategies like ketogenic therapy, fasting, and carbohydrate restriction can support healthy cells, starve cancer cells, and restore the body’s natural resilience.

Highlights include:
✅ The Warburg effect and why damaged mitochondria—not mutated genes—may be the true root of cancer
✅ How nutrition can be used not just to prevent, but to treat cancer alongside other therapies
✅ The critical role of glucose and glutamine in tumor growth—and how to cut off the fuel supply
✅ Empowering patients and practitioners to take action through metabolic health strategies

This conversation is a masterclass in metabolic medicine and a beacon of hope for anyone touched by cancer. Whether you're a patient, provider, or simply health-curious, this episode will equip you with science-backed tools to make Life Possible—even in the face of cancer.

If you found this information helpful, please consider donating to support Professor Seyfried’s cancer metabolic therapy research. This can be done in the below ways:

Professor Seyfried’s Biology Department - https://g2ul0.app.link/qqiEVKOufOb

Foundation for Cancer Metabolic Therapies - https://g2ul0.app.link/urNJEBUufOb 

A message from Professor Seyfried: “Please consider a donation ONLY if the information helps you.  Your donation will keep our work moving forward.”