Crystal Love is now Crystal Sikes! We got married this past weekend and wanted to record a podcast discussing our marriage and our big plans for the future! We dive into some of our new business ventures, Lady Savage, Live Savage Apparel, the Keto Bricks, my next competition, and MUCH MORE!

Robert and Crystal Sikes on our marriage and the things to come!

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

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 

Bridging the Gap Between Traditional Western Medicine and Functional Medicine with Matt Calkins

Kristi Storoschuk is a PhD candidate in the Muscle Physiology Lab at Queen's University studying exercise, metabolic health, and mitochondrial function. She's had the privilege to work with some of the top scientists in her field and is a wealth of information on all things keto, fasting, and metabolic therapies. I learned a ton from this episode and I know you will as well.   What we discussed:    Kristi's background and what is entailed with her PhD program (2:33) Fasted exercise and skeletal muscle adaptations (5:45) How fasting can improve insulin (11:24) Lactate threshold and its relationship to ketogenic diet and exercise (17:51) Keto diet and exercise performance with a focus on skeletal muscle metabolism (24:11) Exercise and metabolism during weight loss (33:28) Muscle glycogen depletion and resynthesis in resistance-trained athletes (42:49) Muscle glycogen supercompensation and ketogenic diets (46:42) Fitness and nutrition habits and strategies (52:33) How small changes can affect metabolic health (59:03)    Where to learn more:    Website Instagram    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 Science of Nutrition with Kristi Storoschuk

If you've followed our content for a while, you know that hunting and eating nose-to-tail is a big part of my life. Founder and lead instructor of Human Nature Hunting, Bruce McGlenn has nearly 40 years of bird and big game hunting experience in the Pacific Northwest. Passed down from his father, hunting has been a way of life for Bruce from the beginning. He sees as much importance in the experiences and personal growth gained from hunting as he does as a source of healthy food and connection to nature. A third-generation hunter/gatherer of the Northwest, Bruce has been helping people reclaim their hunting heritage since the 1990s, officially with the Awaken the Hunter course in 2016. He has taught introductory hunting and shooting classes with the non-profit Washington Outdoor Women since 2001 and guided fly fishing and whitewater rafting. He is a certified Master Hunter and shooting instructor, holds a Master's degree in sustainable business, and is a licensed professional engineer in Washington. Bruce is a committed steward of the land and wildlife, primarily due to his understanding and appreciation of our ecosystem from engaging in it as a participant - a hunter. His desire to help heal and strengthen the human connection to nature inspires him to teach and pass on his skills so others can confidently experience the journey of the hunt. (https://www.humannaturehunting.com/team) It was a joy to speak with him and I know you'll enjoy this conversation, too. What you'll hear:  Bruce's background and hunting as a way of life (2:07) Hunting in the western US, with a focus on physical fitness and outdoor adventure (6:07) The mental and physical challenges of hunting in Montana (10:59) Hunting risks and how it leads to self-sufficiency (17:08) Hunting is a spiritual practice, connecting one to nature and what you consume (21:11) Honoring and appreciating the animals, ethics, and personal growth as a hunter (28:35) Hunting and outdoor skills with a focus on reconnecting with nature (36:24) Human Nature Hunting, his program that teaches women outdoor skills and introduces them to hunting (37:38) Advocating for the need for more hunters to address the declining hunting community and funding for wildlife management (41:53) Conservation and community (45:51) The details of his hunting course, which focuses on practical training, safety, and skill-building (54:04) Hunting as a metaphor for life and sharing the experience with others (1:01:59) Wilderness survival skills and hunting practices (1:05:40)  Where to learn more:  Human Nature Hunting  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!

Robert and Crystal Sikes on our marriage and the things to come!

Download our free app to listen on your phone