Dr. Richard Blake responds to 3 million views, 3,000 comments, and a mental health system under fire. Last week Dr. Richard Blake (@the_breath_geek) posted a reel that challenged the foundational assumptions of modern therapy — and it exploded: 3M+ views, 100K shares, and thousands of comments.

In this episode recorded live from the Health Optimization Summit, Richard, therapist-in-training Natalia Blake, and co-host Joseph Anew unpack the firestorm. They address accusations of manipulation, the limitations of talk therapy, and the rise of therapy culture that may be doing more harm than good. This is a raw, honest, and timely conversation that asks big questions about how we heal, what’s keeping us stuck, and what a more empowered, integrated path forward might look like.

• The Limitations of Traditional Talk Therapy – Why many people feel stuck in therapy, and how the field is still influenced by outdated frameworks and models of the mind.
• The Rise of “Therapy Culture” – A critical distinction between therapy as a tool and the growing cultural identity around being in therapy, working on trauma, or identifying as broken.
• Personal Agency and the Path to Real Healing – How movement, community, breathwork, and lifestyle interventions can create the transformation many are seeking—but not finding—in conventional care.
• Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB) as a Therapeutic Alternative – Drawing from his PhD research, Richard shares why CCB may offer a more embodied and effective route for emotional processing and nervous system regulation.
• Rethinking the Mental Health System – From ghosting therapists to the limitations of insurance-based models, the conversation explores what’s not working—and what could work better.

Liability Note
This episode includes a critique of therapy culture, outcomes, and common practices. Listeners are reminded that not all therapy is ineffective, and many benefit from mental health support when well-matched with a trained professional. This podcast does not offer individualized clinical advice. Always consult a licensed provider for mental health needs.

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Joseph and Richard sit down with integrative nutritionist Marek Doyle for a deep and honest conversation about the true nature of stress, why cortisol isn’t the villain it’s made out to be, and how the nervous system—and our energy levels—shape our capacity to heal. Marek brings a refreshingly nuanced perspective to the world of functional medicine, challenging mainstream narratives and offering insight into how energy security, nervous system regulation, and breathwork all play a central role in true well-being. You’ll hear about his transition from reductionist, evidence-based protocols to a more intuitive and personal approach—one rooted in lived experience, clinical insight, and the intelligence of the body.

What You’ll Learn:

Why Cortisol Isn’t the Enemy: Marek breaks down the true role of cortisol, showing that it’s not the stress hormone we should fear—but a key player in turning off the stress response. Chronic stress, not cortisol itself, is what leads to health issues like inflammation, gut permeability, and burnout.

The Hidden Cost of Low Energy: He explains how low energy availability—not just poor nutrition—can prevent healing, stall progress, and make even the best protocols ineffective. Energy security, including how the body predicts and produces energy, is at the center of Marek’s system.

Rethinking Functional Medicine: Marek challenges the typical reductionist model in functional medicine. Rather than relying on isolated tests and trendy supplements, he emphasizes a personalized, systems-based approach rooted in how the body actually functions in real life.

The Limits of “Evidence-Based” Approaches: This episode dives into why rigid, data-only thinking can leave many people behind. Marek shares how effect sizes, individual responses, and clinical nuance are often more important than what the latest study says.

Breathwork as a Breakthrough Tool: After trying countless somatic practices, Marek found breathwork to be the most consistent and fast-acting way to shift someone out of stress and into healing. He now considers it essential for restoring nervous system balance and resilience.

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Jay Campbell is a leading expert in the field of hormone therapy, peptides, and biohacking. With a wealth of experience dating back to 2004, Jay delves into the cutting-edge world of peptide therapies and their diverse applications for optimizing health, performance, and longevity. He dives into the transformative potential of both peptides and bio-regulators, with a particular focus on the revolutionary impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management and metabolic health. 

With exciting advancements in exercise-mimicking peptides and nootropics, as well as the reality of the complex regulatory landscape surrounding these compounds, listeners will get a glimpse into the forefront of biohacking for enhanced physical and cognitive function. This episode is packed with cutting-edge insights from Jay Campbell. Whether you’re an athlete, health optimizer, or just curious about the next frontier in performance science, you won’t want to miss it.

What You'll Learn:

•Peptides & Bio-Regulators 101 – Understand how peptides act as powerful signaling molecules, why injectables often have the greatest impact, and how bio-regulators target specific organ systems for healing and optimization.

•The GLP-1 Revolution – Discover how peptides like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are reshaping weight management, metabolism, and even brain function. Learn the critical do’s and don’ts of proper usage, including the emerging science of microdosing for long-term benefits.

•Breaking Through Plateaus with Biohacking – Explore how transdermal and oral bio-regulators, nootropics, and exercise-mimicking peptides can enhance recovery, cognition, endurance, and fat loss—without extreme interventions.

•The Truth About Performance Enhancers – From mitochondrial-boosting peptides to metabolism-shifting compounds, learn how to strategically use advanced tools to optimize fitness, longevity, and overall well-being.

•Peptides & Safety: What You Need to Know – Before jumping into peptide therapy, understand the evolving regulatory landscape, why blood work is a must, and how to navigate this space responsibly.

•The Benefits of Key Products – Before jumping into peptide therapy, understand the evolving regulatory landscape, why blood work is a must, and how to navigate this space responsibly.

• Bio Longevity Labs (Use code RUNGA for 15% off):
  • Bio Restore (Oral BPC-157)
  • Biomind (Nootropic)
  • Bio Gut Pro (Gut Health)
  • Shred (SLO-P 332 / Sloop)
  • Shred X (Pre-Cardio)
  • Meta Shred (SLO-P 332 + BAM 15)
  • Biogenics (Transdermal Healing)
  • BioSculpt (Transdermal Fat Loss)

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In this episode, Joseph Anew and Richard Blake break down what really matters in health and fitness—cutting through hype, misinformation, and overcomplication. They dive into authenticity in fitness advice, exploring whether figures like RFK Jr. and Greg Glassman truly “walk the walk” and exploring how rhetoric can overshadow truth. A deep discussion on the Huberman Lab interview with Pavel Tsatsouline sparks debate over a misunderstood recommendation about running with a unilateral load—leading to a breakdown of energy systems, metabolic pathways, and why so many people are aerobically deficient.

The conversation also explores longevity, stress, and why some Blue Zones research may be misleading. They unpack the “Midwit” meme—showing how fitness advice often gets needlessly complex—and highlight the power of community, the mental benefits of strength training, and the history of kettlebell training.

You’ll Learn:

• The real impact of creatine on energy and performance.
• Why authenticity matters in fitness advice.
• How energy systems fuel your workouts—and why most people ignore aerobic health.
• Why fitness advice often gets overcomplicated.
• The surprising mental benefits of strength training—especially back squats.
• The origins of kettlebell training and what RKC & Strong First got right.

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Emilía Rún joins Richard Blake and Joseph Anew this week to share her personal journey with Kundalini Yoga—a practice that profoundly shaped her life. In the wake of HBO’s documentary series Breath of Fire, which exposed the darker side of Kundalini Yoga and some of its most well-known teachers, Emilía offers a fresh perspective. Rather than discarding the practice entirely, she explores how we can hold onto beneficial spiritual practices by approaching them with discernment, integrity, and a deeper understanding of our own vulnerabilities.

Drawing from her firsthand experiences—including time spent practicing at RA MA Institute in LA, a central focus of the documentary—Emilía unpacks the transformative power of Kundalini Yoga, the risks involved, and the fine line between spiritual devotion and cult-like dynamics. This conversation delves into the importance of critical thinking in spiritual spaces, the disenchantment that she believes is inevitable on a spiritual path, and how that disenchantment might actually be a necessary part of the journey. 

What You'll Learn

• Transformational Potential and Risks: Learn about the powerful practice of Kundalini Yoga, its potential for emotional release and the risks associated with such intense practices. Because any spiritual practice requires an element of surrender, it is so important to be aware of our vulnerabilities, especially when our mind is altered from breathwork, yoga, or psychedelics. Emilia recounts her deep involvement with Kundalini Yoga in England, Texas and California, including the intoxicating atmosphere of Sat Nam Fest in Joshua Tree.
• The HBO Documentary “Breath of Fire”: Hear insider insight behind the recent documentary about Kundalini Yoga and RA MA Institute, where Emilia and Joseph primarily practiced. The hosts explore whether Kundalini Yoga can be classified as a cult, red flags in spiritual communities, and the responsibility of spiritual teachers to be trauma-informed.
• The Inevitable Disenchantment on a Spiritual Path: Emilía believes that anyone on a spiritual path is guaranteed to become disenchanted, and how the practice of seeing clearly, as taught in mindfulness, can set you free by separating the practice from the package of the teacher. If you don’t learn to expect their humanness, you will always be disappointed that spiritual people are not meeting your expectations.
• False Gurus, Projection & Attachment to Spiritual Identity: Emilía shares the why we tend to project idealized qualities onto spiritual teachers, citing the deep human desire of wanting to believe that such goodness exists. Learn why insecurity can cause people to construct an identity around spirituality, and become more vulnerable to power-seeking teachers.
• The "U-Turn" in Mindfulness: Emilía explains the mindfulness concept of the "U-turn," emphasizing the importance of turning back to oneself and one's own inner wisdom rather than blaming others for our own experience and wanting others to change, or outsourcing power to teachers.
• The Finger Pointing to the Moon: The parable of the finger pointing to the moon is invoked as a reminder that any teacher or practice is simply a guide pointing to a greater truth, not the ultimate truth itself.
• The Future of Kundalini Yoga: Is it time for a big comeback in Kundalini Yoga? Emilía is optimistic about the future of this powerful practice, with practitioners now approaching it with more grounded perspectives, fewer expectations, and less attachment to teacher identities.

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Joseph Anew and Dr. Richard Blake interview Adam Ludwin, a successful entrepreneur who achieved a $100 million exit before the age of 35 and is now the founder of the breathwork app FivePointFive. In this insightful conversation, Adam shares the story behind his early entrepreneurial ventures, the key decisions and strategies that contributed to his success, and his personal journey into the world of breathwork and its transformative impact on his life and business. He also discusses the development of his wellness app, FivePointFive, and his vision for the future of breathwork.

What You'll Learn:

• Early Entrepreneurial Journey: Adam recounts his experiences from a young age, including washing cars, selling sweets at school (and getting suspended for flour bomb stress balls), which instilled in him a mindset that there were no limits to making money.
• Key Lessons in Business: He highlights the importance of not relying on one partner or marketing channel for business success. He also learned the value of work-life balance early in his career. Starting his entrepreneurial journey young helped him build resilience to the inevitable challenges of running a business.
• Developing a Growth Mindset: Adam realized he thought differently from others, driven by common sense, determination, and urgency. He shares an example of taking a six-person office on day one of a new venture, demonstrating his forward-thinking approach.
• The Motivation Behind FivePointFive: Observing the increasing wellness challenges among Gen Z and millennials in his previous company motivated Adam to create a tool to tackle stress, anxiety, and poor health at scale. FivePointFive aims to make wellness fun, incorporate data and technology for personalized recommendations, and provide measurable results.
• The Future of Breathwork: Adam envisions a future where breathwork sequences are tailored to an individual's unique needs, goals, and biometrics. He also emphasizes the importance of measurability in wellness apps.
• Key Features of the FivePointFive App: The app combines short (3-5 minute) breathwork sessions with mainstream music, visual guidance from coaches, personalized recommendations based on wearable data (mind, body, sleep scores), and progress tracking.

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In the first episode of the new RUNGA Radio, Joseph Anew introduces Dr. Richard Blake as the podcast’s new co-host. Richard—a PhD in Psychology, former Men’s Health model, and expert in Conscious Connected Breathwork—shares his personal journey through fitness, mental health struggles, psychedelics, and ultimately, breathwork as the missing link to real transformation.

Too many people are chasing the next biohack, the next breakthrough, the next psychedelic retreat—only to find themselves stuck in the same patterns. This episode challenges the status quo, offering a raw, honest look at what actually creates lasting change.

This episode covers:

Conscious Connected Breathwork – Richard shares insights from his PhD research, revealing how this style of breathwork downregulates the prefrontal cortex, allowing deep-seated emotions to surface for true processing. He explains why breathwork has effects comparable to psilocybin and why it may be the most accessible and sustainable tool for transformation.

Why Most Self-Development Doesn’t Work – From CrossFit to psychedelics to therapy, Richard has tested countless approaches to health and healing. He and Joseph discuss why so many self-development modalities fall short, the risks of self-obsession, and how to break free from the cycle of seeking without integrating.

The Real Goal of Optimization – Self-improvement is not just about feeling better or performing better—it’s about becoming a stable, reliable force in the world. Richard shares why true transformation isn’t just about personal growth but about building resilience and showing up for others.

Breaking the Cycle of Fitness and Mental Health Struggles – Richard opens up about how his early fitness obsession—driven by the belief that a Men’s Health cover would bring happiness—ultimately led to years of disordered eating and depression. He and Joseph explore how the wellness industry often reinforces unhealthy cycles under the guise of optimization.

The Missing Link Between Biohacking and Real Change – Many people dive into biohacking as a quick fix, but without the right foundation, the results rarely last. Richard and Joseph discuss why breathwork, community, and intentionality are the key to making sustainable changes rather than endlessly chasing the next breakthrough.

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Dr. Kirk Parsley is a physician, sleep expert, and former Navy SEAL who is dedicated to helping high performers optimize their health, particularly through better sleep. This episode takes a deep dive into why Dr. Parsley believes sleep is the most misunderstood and underutilized tool for optimizing health.

This episode covers:

• The Importance of Sleep: Learn how sleep impacts everything from performance to longevity, and why sleep is the ultimate elixir for health and well-being.
• Sleep Deprivation in the Military: Learn why military culture does not value sleep, and how the negative impact of chronic sleep deprivation leads to a diminished capacity for repair, affecting concentration, motivation, focus, emotional control, and physical performance.
• The Impact of Trauma: Trauma significantly affects the ability to sleep and develop a stable nervous system. Learn how the brain categorizes emotional memories during REM sleep, and how a lack of sleep can lead to inappropriately categorized emotions, often causing anxiety and frenetic thoughts.
• The Fight or Flight Response: Dr. Parsley details the fight or flight response, where the body mobilizes resources to deal with a perceived threat. He describes how chronic sleep deprivation leads to a downward spiral of increasing stress hormones.
• The Brain Never Stops: Learn how the brain never truly sleeps, but rather transitions its focus. During deep sleep, the body flushes out waste products and restores the body, preparing it for the next day. In REM sleep, the brain categorises new information and attaches it to old information. If sleep is not sufficient, the body increases stress hormones to get through the day.
• Learned Responses to Stress: Experienced Seals can lower their heart rate and increase their heart rate variability before going into combat, indicating a learned response to stress, and conversely, some combat veterans can be stressed in environments that lack stimulation.
• Psychedelics & Purpose: Psychedelic treatments can decrease the amygdala's activity, which reduces anxiety and helps individuals visualize a future they want, and then take steps towards that future.
• The Sleep Remedy Formula: The sleep remedy product was created to provide the body with the nutrients it needs to initiate and maintain sleep processes. It includes tryptophan, 5-HTP, vitamin D3, magnesium,  phosphatidylserine (to help reduce cortisol production), a small dose of melatonin, GABA, and L-Theanine. The product is designed to support natural sleep processes by providing the necessary building blocks, rather than forcing sleep.

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Lauren Berlingeri is the co-founder of HigherDOSE, a biohacker, entrepreneur, and former health coach. She is passionate about helping people feel their best through accessible science-backed wellness tools. Lauren is an innovator in health and wellness who is on a mission to bring what was once considered elite therapies to everyone. This episode covers the evolution of fitness, using your intuition for biohacking, the benefits of PEMF and Infrared technology, and the importance of self-worth.

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Robby Sansom is the co-founder and CEO of Force of Nature Meats, a regeneratively sourced meat company based in Austin, Texas. He has spent the last decade studying regenerative agriculture and building a global supply network with land stewards and ranchers. This episode explores the benefits of regenerative farming, misleading terms in the food industry, and the myths surrounding conventional and plant-based meats.

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