Rise Above Chaos

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/091

In this episode, Erick sits down with Dr. William Haas—an integrative and regenerative medicine physician based in Charlotte, North Carolina—for a practical conversation on longevity that bridges cutting-edge biomarkers with real-world habits.

Dr. Haas explains why many high performers feel "off" long before conventional labs show a problem, and why longevity is less about doing more and more—and more about building a foundation for cellular repair, metabolic flexibility, and nervous-system recovery.

The discussion covers the "detox–redox–repair" framework, why sleep and HRV are powerful feedback loops, when fasting helps (and when it can backfire), and the simplest ways to get measurable wins through movement, sunlight timing, and smarter carbohydrate strategy.

• How to find the right practitioner: why functional/integrative clinicians often interpret advanced labs better and can reduce lab-cost surprises.
• Why longevity is about health span—and how cellular health sits underneath energy, resilience, and recovery.
• Dr. Haas's 3-pillar framework: Detox, Redox (mitochondrial recharge), and Repair—and why you can't "biohack" your way past a faulty foundation.
• What "detox" really means (beyond supplements): reducing environmental chemical load, addressing mold/heavy metals, and lowering psychosocial stressors.
• How disrupted sleep drives metabolic chaos (insulin resistance, inflammation) and why sleep quality is non-negotiable for longevity.
• Heart Rate Variability (HRV) explained: what it measures, why it matters, and how to interpret your number against your baseline.
• The value of deeper bloodwork beyond a standard annual physical—especially micronutrients, inflammatory markers, and metabolic markers like fasting insulin.
• Why 72-hour fasts can be powerful for the right person—and harmful for others (insulin resistance, adrenal/thyroid issues, low muscle mass).
• What's happening during fasting: hormesis, autophagy, metabolic stress adaptation—and why re-feeding strategy matters.
• The closest thing to a "magic pill": exercise, especially strength training—why muscle is a metabolic organ that protects against frailty and mortality.
• Longevity markers you can train: grip strength, farmer carries, and the "hang" test—plus why sarcopenia meaningfully raises mortality risk.
• Zone 2 vs HIIT: how different intensities train different metabolic pathways and improve overall fuel flexibility.
• The minimum effective dose of movement: 150 minutes/week is ideal, but even 10 minutes after long sitting blocks can move the needle.
• Sunlight as a circadian lever: why morning and evening light (without sunglasses) helps regulate sleep, hunger cues, and cellular repair timing.
• Nutrition at a high level: why carbohydrate quantity and quality matter most for metabolic health—and how continuous glucose data can personalize decisions.
• Practical glucose stability: why food order matters (protein/fat/fiber first) to blunt glucose spikes and reduce cellular stress.
• "Superfoods" Dr. Haas actually uses: dark chocolate for polyphenols and heart health, plus Mediterranean-style healthy fats (salmon, olive oil, avocado).

Dr. Will Haas, MD, MBA is redefining what it means to age well. He is the Founder and CEO of VYVE Wellness in Charlotte, NC, where he helps high-achieving professionals reclaim energy, focus, and vitality through cellular optimization.

Board-certified in Integrative and Family Medicine, Dr. Haas blends advanced therapies—IV nutrient infusions, therapeutic peptides, hyperbaric oxygen, and red light therapy—to deliver measurable results that help patients feel decades younger.

Beyond VYVE, he co-founded OvulifeMD, creating natural fertility protocols, and serves as Chief Medical Officer at Infusive, supporting wellness practices nationwide.

His expertise has been featured in Men's Journal, Daily Mail, Yahoo Life, and Woman's World Magazine. Passionate about bridging science with practical results, Dr. Haas empowers high-performers who want more than just longevity—they want their best years ahead of them.

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
6. Vyve Wellness + Cellular Aging Assessment

• Do your research

Show Notes: erickheam.com/090

In this episode of the Rise Above Chaos podcast, Erick reflects on a recent 72-hour fast and how the experience reshaped the way he thinks about health, longevity, and the body's natural ability to heal. This was not about weight loss. It wasn't a detox. And it wasn't about proving toughness. It was about giving the body something it rarely gets in modern life—time and space to repair itself. Erick walks through the physiological and mental shifts that occurred over the three days, from the initial transition away from sugar dependence to deep cellular repair driven by autophagy and metabolic flexibility. Along the way, he shares both the subjective experience and the objective data that confirmed what was happening beneath the surface. This episode reframes fasting as a strategic tool for healthspan, resilience, and long-term performance—when done intentionally and sustainably.

• Why a 72-hour fast is not about deprivation, but about activating the body's repair mechanisms
• What happens during the first 24 hours as the body burns through glycogen and shifts fuel systems
• How insulin reduction opens the door to fat metabolism and ketone production
• Why hunger comes in waves—and what that reveals about modern eating patterns
• What changes during hours 24–48 when fat adaptation and mental clarity increase
• How autophagy acts as the body's cellular cleanup system and why it matters for aging
• What makes the 48–72 hour window a unique longevity zone few people experience
• How fasting activates hormesis, a beneficial stress response
• Why ketones act as signaling molecules, not just fuel
• Measurable health improvements including lower resting heart rate, higher HRV, and better sleep
• Why longevity is built through repair, not constant growth
• How fasting improves metabolic flexibility
• What made this approach sustainable with monthly 36-hour fasts

"My 72-hour fast wasn't about deprivation—it was about giving my body time to remember how to heal."

"You don't build longevity by doing more all the time. Sometimes, you build it by doing less—and letting biology do its work."

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner

• Fast one thing from your diet

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/089

In this rich and lively episode, Erick sits down with Elysia Skye—speaker, intuitive guide, former L.A. actor, and creator of The Brilliance Method—for a conversation that weaves together Hollywood stories, healing, mindfulness, and purpose.

Elysia shares her journey from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles to Nashville, chasing the acting dream, working in casting on major films, and learning the art of being fully present through improv and performance. She opens up about being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at 24, how trusting her intuition helped save her life, and how that experience shifted everything about how she lives and leads.

Out of her lived experience came The Brilliance Method—a framework that blends strategy and intuition to help people step into their unique "zone of genius" and live more intentionally. Along the way, Elysia and Erick swap stories about L.A., celebrity encounters, the power of saying yes and figuring it out, and why life isn't about one big moment, but a series of brave, present ones.

• How Elysia's acting and improv training taught her the power of presence, listening, and responding in the moment.
• Why so many of us have lost the art of being bored—and how that robs us of reflection, creativity, and real memories.
• The story of Elysia's move to L.A., her early casting work on major films, and how she learned to see celebrities as humans, not hierarchies.
• How a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis at 24 forced her to slow down, listen to her body, and trust her intuition on a whole new level.
• The surprising way officiating over 1,000 weddings led her into mindfulness, corporate workshops, and keynote speaking.
• The core pillars of The Brilliance Method—intuition, fear vs. love, and discovering your unique brilliance/zone of genius.
• Elysia's powerful "lottery question" that helps people uncover what they're truly meant to be doing with their lives.
• Why you don't have to quit your job tomorrow—how even 20 minutes a week of "on-purpose" time can start to wake your soul back up.
• How presence deepens our relationships, from family and friends to teams and audiences.

Elysia Skye is a graduate and alumni of the Second City Writing Conservatory, Improv Olympic and The Groundings Writing Lab. Having a background in improv makes her a dynamic speaker and presentation leader.

She is an ongoing Audible voice talent.

Her audiobook credits include The Disappearance of the Universe with author Gary R. Renard's books (published by Hay House), Your Immortal Reality, The Lifetimes When Jesus and Buddha Knew Each Other, and Love Has Forgotten No One; as well as Ann O'Brien's A Woman's Guide to Conscious Love, and Everyone is Psychic.

She has also voiced many commercials and branded digital series. As an actress, Elysia has had so much fun playing roles in Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Confidence with Ed Burns and Rachel Weiz, and many indie films, and commercials.

Elysia is a stage 3 breast cancer survivor, diagnosed at 24, and founded a 501 C3 to raise awareness for young women's cancers. She wrote and starred in a heartfelt, hilarious one-person stage play about breast cancer called, I Got My Tits Done in Beverly Hills which ran in Los Angeles to sold out audiences.

She is also certified through Andrea Quinn's QuinnEssentials for Women's Empowerment and Accomplishment coaching.

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
6. ElysiaSkye.com
7. TheBrillianceMethod.com

• Take a 20 Minutes and Observe Your Surroundings

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/088

In this heartfelt episode, Erick reminds us that gratitude isn't just a seasonal sentiment—it's a survival tool. As the holidays approach, he poses a powerful question inspired by his pastor:

"What if you woke up today with only the things you were grateful for yesterday?"

That question sparks a deeper conversation about how easily we overlook the blessings right in front of us. From family relationships to work challenges to long road trips home, Erick explores how shifting from frustration to gratitude can completely transform how we experience the holidays.

• Why focusing on what's missing keeps you from seeing how far you've come
• How gratitude can reframe difficult relationships and situations
• Why "what you seek is what you'll find" during the holiday season
• How simple acts of appreciation—like sending a thank-you text—can change everything
• The surprising way gratitude reduces conflict and increases joy
• How to find peace and perspective even when the holidays don't go as planned

As Erick shares stories from his own family and faith journey, he reminds us that gratitude doesn't erase life's chaos—it helps us rise above it. So before you dive into the holiday whirlwind, pause to reflect: What are you truly grateful for today?

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner

• Send a gratitude message to someone

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/087

In this heartfelt and nostalgic episode, Erick reconnects with Jeff Harris, former teammate, friend, and fellow West Point runner.

Together, they revisit the shared experiences that shaped their lives—from growing up in small-town America to competing at the highest collegiate level—and the brotherhood that continues to this day.

Jeff's story begins in Kentucky, where a simple two-mile soccer tryout changed the course of his life. That run would spark a journey that took him from the fields of Elizabethtown to the hills of West Point, where he learned lessons about grit, leadership, and community that still guide him as a husband, father, and coach.

This conversation is full of laughter, storytelling, and wisdom as Erick and Jeff look back on the days that forged their character and discuss how the lessons of running still influence their lives—and their sons'—today.

• How a high school soccer tryout unexpectedly launched Jeff's running career
• The pivotal role of his mom and coaches in shaping his competitive mindset
• What it was really like to balance athletics and academics at West Point
• Behind-the-scenes stories of the Army cross-country teams of the early 1990s
• How competition, teamwork, and friendship build lifelong brotherhood
• The lessons Jeff now shares with his son as a coach and mentor

Jeff's reflections remind us that life is a marathon—filled with challenges, setbacks, and triumphs—and that meaning is found not in the miles themselves, but in who you run them with.

Jeff Harris is a 1996 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a member of the storied 1993 Army Cross Country team that finished sixth in the nation. A consistent top-five runner, Jeff was a three-time All-Patriot League performer and Patriot League 5,000-meter champion as a freshman, with career bests including a sub-24-minute 8k and a 14:18 5k.

He proudly finished second in the infamous "Tour de Beast" during Cadet Basic Training—and equally proudly recorded an "epic failure" in the steeplechase, a personal reminder that humility is a great training plan.

More than individual results, Jeff credits the brotherhood of his teammates as the defining force in his development—men who forged each other through relentless accountability, laughter, and shared suffering in pursuit of something greater than themselves.

After graduating, Jeff served as a U.S. Army officer from 1996 to 2003, earning a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq.

Today, he leads Business Development for Kellanova, supporting a $1.7 billion business, and is a passionate practitioner of high-stakes negotiation. Trained through the GAP Partnership and the Black Swan Group, Jeff considers negotiation not just a career skill, but a craft and calling.

A native of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Jeff was an individual state champion and captain of the state championship cross country team. Jeff's Middle School team recently cleaned up at the Cincinnati All City Small School Championships, taking home three trophies.

He is a husband of 23 years, father of three, and deeply committed coach and mentor who believes he was guided at every step of his journey and is now called to help others find theirs. His life philosophy remains simple: "Embrace the Suck—stop complaining and get to work."

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
6. Jeff Harris' LinkedIn

• Pick a Day to Load in a Theme

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/086

In this practical and thought-provoking episode, Erick explores how adopting themes for your days can help you create structure, margin, and momentum in your life.

As part of the Rise Above Chaos system, Principle #2 — Tame the Beast — teaches the importance of building systems. Erick shares how one simple concept from his "Seven Elements of the Perfect Day" can transform the way you manage your time and energy: element number seven — build systems.

Drawing inspiration from Dr. John C. Maxwell, Franklin Covey, and Michael Hyatt, Erick shares how he's applied the practice of daily themes to regain control, reduce reactivity, and focus on what matters most. From designating meeting days to reserving creative days, he reveals how intentional structure brings freedom and peace of mind.

• Why building systems creates margin and helps you think more clearly
• How assigning themes to your days increases rhythm and focus
• Real-life examples of how Erick structures his week (internal Mondays, external Tuesdays/Thursdays, creative Wednesdays)
• How tools like Calendly can help protect your schedule
• Why breaking your work into Pomodoro sessions boosts energy and productivity
• How intentional rhythms help you "tame the beast" and rise above chaos

Whether you're overwhelmed by a packed schedule or just looking to fine-tune your productivity, this episode will show you how small, repeatable systems can lead to big breakthroughs.

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner
6. Pomodoro Technique
7. Focus Time App

• Pick a Day to Load in a Theme

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/085

In this inspiring episode, Erick sits down with Jay Buchholz, a dedicated Rise Above Chaos user who has applied the principles of the system to transform his work and personal life.

Jay shares his journey from feeling overwhelmed and reactive to regaining control, focus, and peace through intentional structure. As a busy professional juggling leadership responsibilities and personal goals, Jay discovered how small, consistent habits could help him rise above the noise and live with greater clarity.

Throughout the conversation, Erick and Jay discuss what it really means to live the Rise Above Chaos lifestyle—not just as a productivity framework, but as a mindset shift that prioritizes purpose over busyness.

• How Jay first encountered the Rise Above Chaos system and what drew him to it
• The specific tools and habits that made the biggest impact in his daily life
• How clarity and focus lead to more fulfillment and less burnout
• The real-world benefits of structure and accountability in staying consistent
• Jay's advice for anyone just beginning their own Rise Above Chaos journey

This conversation is an authentic look at transformation from the inside out—proof that when you take control of your time and mindset, everything else starts to align.

Jay Buchholz is currently the Manager of Public Relations for Sioux Valley Energy, a distribution cooperative in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota metro area.

He leads and coaches a team of four individuals from economic & community development, PR coordinator, to communication specialists. Jay has been involved in SVE's key account program since 2017.

Before entering utilities, Jay worked for South Dakota's legacy TV station KELOLAND Media Group for over a decade as a sales executive and promoted to Local Sales Manager.

Jay earned his associate's degree in satellite communications from Mitchell Technical College in 2000 operating a news satellite truck on the east coast prior to completing his bachelor's degree at South Dakota State University.

Being an adoptee himself, Jay and his wife Sheri have adopted all 5 of their children domestically and are currently licensed foster parents.

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner: riseabovechaos.com

• Get Your Rise Above Chaos Planner

Show Notes: erickheam.com/084

In this deeply personal episode, Erick explores how to process and respond when tragedy strikes. None of us are immune to loss, pain, or sudden disruption—but how we choose to face it can either keep us stuck or move us forward.

Drawing on personal reflections and stories, Erick unpacks the importance of acknowledging grief, leaning on supportive relationships, and finding meaning in the midst of hardship. He shares practical insights to help you navigate tragedy without losing yourself in the chaos.

• Why denial and avoidance only deepen the wound
• The importance of naming and facing your emotions honestly
• How to lean on others while still taking ownership of your healing
• Three ways to find hope and growth on the other side of tragedy

If you've ever wondered how to rise above heartbreak or how to support someone going through loss, this episode will encourage you to walk through pain with courage and compassion.

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner: riseabovechaos.com

• Limit Your Outside Influences

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/083

In this energizing episode, Erick unpacks the power of a consistent morning routine and how it sets the tone for the rest of your day.

He shares his own practices—hydration, journaling, exercise, and spiritual reflection—and explains how each one fuels clarity, focus, and balance. You'll learn why mornings are the key to breaking free from chaos and how even a few intentional minutes can create a ripple effect on your productivity and peace.

• Why a strong morning routine sets the tone for the entire day
• Erick's personal routine and how you can adapt it to your lifestyle
• Three simple steps to design a morning rhythm that actually sticks
• How small daily choices compound into long-term growth and success

If your mornings feel rushed, scattered, or draining, this episode will inspire you to slow down, reset, and create space for what matters most.

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner: riseabovechaos.com

• Build Your Morning Routine

Show Notes: erickrheam.com/082

In this inspiring episode, Erick sits down with Nada Lena Nasserdeen—CEO and founder of Rise Up For You, leadership coach, and TEDx speaker—to explore what it really takes to step into the most powerful version of yourself.

What makes Nada's work so impactful is her energy, her enthusiasm, and her deep commitment to helping people grow. She built an entire company and team around one mission: helping you become better.

During the conversation, Nada unpacks four human skills we're never taught in school—yet they're essential to thriving in life and leadership:

• Self-confidence (and why 83% of us struggle with it)
• Emotional intelligence (and the 18 skills that support it)
• Transformational leadership
• Influential communication

Nada and Erick dive deep into practical strategies for moving beyond competence to confidence, and how daily habits shape who we become. One of the most powerful takeaways? The importance of writing down your ideal life. Nada shares her twist on this exercise: don't just write what you want, but also define your core values, identify your non-negotiables, and commit to saying no to the things that hold you back.

This resonated with Erick personally, since in 2005—at his lowest point—he used the same exercise of writing out what he wanted from life to begin his own transformation.

Action Item for You:Take time today to write down your ideal life. Define what you really want, why you want it, how you'll get there, and who you'll do it with. Put your core values on paper and commit to living them daily. Something powerful happens when you write it down.

Nada Nasserdeen is the Founder and CEO of Rise Up For You, a global leader in soft skills and leadership development.

As a 2x #1 Best-Selling Author of Rise Up For You and Emotional Intelligence: The Path to Fulfillment, Influence, and Lasting Success, she continues to inspire transformation with her highly anticipated third book launching this year, Self-Confidence: How to Overcome the "I'm Not Enough" Mindset.

A dynamic 2x TEDx speaker and global keynote presenter, Nada has shared the stage with renowned leaders such as Sharon Lechter, Adam Grant, Tony Robbins, John Assaraf, Bill Walsh, and David Meltzer, speaking to audiences across the U.S., Canada, the Middle East, Europe, and South Africa.

Through Rise Up For You, Nada has worked with Fortune 5 companies, leading tech and pharmaceutical giants, growing enterprises, and educational institutions, impacting professionals in over 50 countries. At the heart of this impact is the Rise Power Up Method™—a proprietary, four-step framework for personal and professional transformation that has earned her organization a 95% client renewal rate.

Nada is also the creator of the Rise Power Up Certification, empowering coaches and professionals to implement her proven methodology without having to build content from scratch. Her influence has been featured across major platforms including Apple TV, Bloomberg, Canada's Global TV, Radio Canada, and Amazon Prime TV. She is one of the few female co-hosts on the groundbreaking talk show Office Hours, where she interviews world-class athletes, celebrities, and entrepreneurs.

In 2023, her contributions were recognized in a monumental way—with her leadership and impact showcased on a Times Square billboard in New York City. Beyond the spotlight, Nada's heart remains rooted in service. Her philanthropic work with underprivileged youth, including teaching soft skills to incarcerated teens, earned her the OC Sheriff's Award.

1. Subscribe to the podcast
2. Rise Above Chaos book
3. Work with Erick
4. Connect with Erick: erickrheam.com
5. Get the Rise Above Chaos Planner: riseabovechaos.com
6. Learn more about Nada and her work: riseupforyou.com

• Identify Your Ideal Life