Due to my busy travel and competition schedule, I haven't been able to schedule podcast interviews like usual. As a result, I've been documenting my experiences during this competition season, and for this episode, I'll discuss how I maintain a positive pre-show mindset.   What you'll hear:    The psychology of preparing for a big endeavor and how it affects dopamine (1:34) How I'm feeling as I'm about to step onto the largest stage I've ever been on (2:44) The importance of mental preparation in bodybuilding (3:52) Winning a major competition in 2012 and the period of depression and disordered eating that followed (4:46) How I've made this prep season more sustainable to avoid the downfall postseason (7:39) Post-competition meal-planning and mental well-being (10:11) My nutrition plan post-competition and macronutrient targets (14:12) The importance of having a plan and support to cope with the stress after the competition season is over (18:03) My plan to relax, enjoy the moment, and be present with my supporters (22:24)  If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!    

Maintaining a Positive Mindset During Competition Season

The podcast discussing fitness lifestyle, the keto diet, science, nutrition, contest prep, the fitness industry, business, and the pursuit of happiness!  There will be several different podcast guests that will consist of athletes, experts in the health and nutrition industry, and other people of interest!

Nutrition

Fitness

Health & Fitness

Are you aware of how environmental toxins and poor nutrition can affect your thyroid function? Risa Groux is a functional nutritionist and is an expert in all things thyroid health. It was a very interesting conversation and I know you'll learn a lot.    What we discussed:    Why Risa became so interested in thyroid function initially (1:18) The impact of social media and processed foods on mental and physical health (4:43) Childhood obesity, insulin resistance, and poor nutrition (11:25) Healthy eating, focusing on fiber, fats, and proteins (17:13) Diet, genetics, and health (24:57) Genetic testing and blood/stool analysis for personalized health insights (30:33) Functional medicine approach to nutrition and health, with emphasis on personalized dietary plans based on individual health status (34:40) Functional medicine certification programs and their acceptance in conventional Western medicine (39:28) Insurance issues (43:27) The growth of functional medicine (45:31)    Where to learn more:    Risa Groux Nutrition    If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!   

Your Thyroid and Autoimmune System with Risa Groux

If you weren't aware, we're going through a bit of a crisis in the cacao butter market. I recorded a quick podcast to bring you up to speed on what this means for you as the consumer and our business practices because we value transparency.    What you'll hear:    Why we avoid raising prices (1:40) The details behind the cacao butter crisis (2:20) The devastating increase in price (2:58) How we're mitigating the loss (5:07) Possible solutions if the price continues to increase (6:02) Our pledge to maintain the quality of the product (9:02)    If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!   

How the Cacao Butter Crisis Will Affect You with Robert Sikes

If you've been following us for a while, you know that we've made an effort to evaluate the products that we use in our home and on our bodies in order to avoid environmental toxins. Dr. Tom O'Bryan is a recognized world expert on gluten and its impact on health. He is an internationally recognized and sought after speaker and workshop leader specializing in the complications of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, Celiac Disease, and the development of Autoimmune Diseases, as they occur inside and outside of the intestines. (https://thedr.com/about/) He has a vast knowledge of how our everyday products can impact our hormones and everyday health, and it was a pleasure to learn from him.    What we discussed:    Why he became interested in environmental toxins (2:58) Fertility and the impact of diet on reproductive health (3:45) Toxic chemicals in environment affecting fetal brain development (9:33) Epigenetics and how lifestyle choices impact health, with a focus on toxins and inflammation (14:34) Reducing inflammation through air purification and simple lifestyle changes (18:42) Importance of clean water and air for overall health (24:44) Plastic contamination in bottled water and its impact on brain health (29:54) Toxic chemicals in everyday products and their impact on hormones and overall health (31:40) Gluten sensitivity and its impact on health (37:15) Immune system and food sensitivities (43:42) Inflammation, seed oils, and holistic health (50:24) Tips for reducing exposure and improving overall well-being (55:50)   Where to learn more:    The Dr.    If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!   

The Detrimental Effects of Environmental Toxins with Dr. Tom O’Bryan

If you've ever wondered how mushrooms can help you from a neurological and performance standpoint, you'll want to listen to this episode. Stephanie founded Try Troop with her cousin Jake. They are on a mission to demystify mushrooms and make them approachable. By turning to preventative rather than curative health measures, they believe we can walk a path to a healthier life. It was a pleasure to learn from her and I know you'll take something from this episode.   What we discussed:    Her backstory and what got her into the mushroom business (1:46) What exactly mushrooms are, how they can be beneficial, and their different uses (4:04) Conditions required to grow mushrooms (6:30) Avoiding poisonous mushrooms (7:22) The mushroom growing process from start to finish (9:22) Making sure you get a quality product (11:52) Delivery options (15:44) Deep dive into the different types of mushrooms (18:09) What Stephanie and her cousin consume on a daily basis (21:48) Her stance on psilocybin and how they're used for mental health treatment (24:14) Microdosing (30:52) Holistic approach to medicine using natural compounds like mushrooms (39:05) What she's excited about in the future (41:05)    Where to learn more:    Try Troop    If you loved this episode and our podcast, please take some time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or drop us a comment below!  

The Healing Power of Mushrooms with Stephanie Moyal

Matt was born in Florida and went to the University of Florida for undergrad and medical school (Go Gators!). He got tired of the flatlands of Florida and hiked the Appalachian Trail before medical school, which started his love of hiking.  His wife, the great Laura Buchanan, is also a family medicine resident at Wake. They share a passion for metabolic health and wellness. When not checking their blood sugar by their continuous glucose monitors, they can be seen lifting weights, cycling, playing tennis, hiking, and walking around town. They also enjoy experimenting with their diets and seeing how their metabolic markers change - so far Matt has done 3 months of ketogenic diet and 10 days of whole food plant-based diet. But most of all, they enjoy spending time with their co-residents in the wonderful city that is Winston-Salem! (https://school.wakehealth.edu/residents-and-fellows/c/matthew-william-calkins)   It was wonderful to gain some insight from Matt and learn from him, and I know you'll enjoy this conversation, too.   What you'll hear:    Will's background and passion for family medicine (4:53) Bridging the gap between traditional and functional medicine (9:37) Healthcare system incentives and profit margins (11:16) Medical billing and compensation for physicians (17:02) Nutrition and lifestyle design for diabetes management (19:57) Lifestyle changes for improving metabolic health in urgent care settings (21:39) Nutritional interventions and food addiction (31:31)  Food addiction and its application in medicine and the Yale food addiction scale (32:03) The acceptance of low-carb diets in medicine, with a focus on patient education and practitioner pushback (35:45) Using lifestyle interventions for weight loss and improving health outcomes (41:42) Benefits and risks of a ketogenic diet to treat mental illness (47:09) Healthcare system challenges and the importance of patient advocacy (49:45) Diabetes management and the importance of low-carb diets (52:17) Incentivizing doctors to have longer patient conversations for better health outcomes (58:01)    Where to learn more:    Twitter 

Maintaining a Positive Mindset During Competition Season

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