RUNGA Radio

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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After a short hiatus, we're back with a bang. Joseph is joined by breathwork experts Richard L. Blake (aka The Breath Geek) and Taylor Somerville, founder and CEO of Symmetry, to discuss everything you need to know about breathwork.

If you’re curious about the transformative and healing power of breathwork, you’re in the right place, as Richard and Taylor bring their unique perspectives to this comprehensive discussion. They explore the physiological, mental, and emotional benefits, and share essential techniques like CO2 tolerance and nasal and diaphragmatic breathing.

Plus, they debunk common myths and caution against the dangers of unregulated breathwork coaching, offering the sage advice: “beware of the guru.”

Key takeaways from this episode:

• [04:57] The Science and Benefits of Breath Work Explained
• [17:07] Deep Dive into CO2 Tolerance and Its Impact on Health
• [28:26] The Magic of Nasal Breathing and Its Benefits
• [39:01] The Interplay Between Breath, Posture, and Emotional Well-being
• [48:45] Breathwork as a Foundation for Physical Strength and Stability
• [01:01:19] Harnessing Breathwork for Emotional Regulation and Reactivity Control
• [01:22:19] Debunking Myths and Navigating the Breathwork Space

Quotes from Episode:

“What I love about breathwork is that it acts like a rudder on your ship. Many people feel like they are a ship in a storm, being tossed around by life's waves. Breathwork helps you steer. If you need to relax, you can use your breath. If you need more energy for a workout, you can use your breath for that too.”

“As a breathwork practitioner, people often project their admiration onto you, thinking you're amazing. That power is so easily corruptible and that's why you get so many terrible life coaches, shamans and breathworkers.” 

Today's episode is brought to you by:

RUNGA’s Momentum Coaching - 60 days to embody a state of thriving while building sustainable systems around your goals.

Liposomal Glutathione by Quick Silver Scientific: Use code RUNGA10 to save 15% off your order.

Links from Episode: 

Joseph’s TEDx Talk: BREATHE.

Richard’s Website

Richard’s Medium Articles

Symmetry’s Instagram

Symmetry’s Website 

Taylor’s previous Intuitive Warrior appearance: 204 | Live from RUNGA 

Taylor’s previous Intuitive Warrior appearance: 161 | Taylor Somerville - 2021 Cold Plunge Tank Reviews, Breathwork, & Dumbbell Pool Workouts

Joseph’s appearance on the Laughing Through The Pain podcast

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Dr. Tania Dempsey is an expert in chronic disease, autoimmune disorders, and mast cell activation syndrome. She is sought after internationally for her knowledge of chronic immune dysregulation and uses integrative medicine to get to the patient's root causes of their illness. Her purpose is to understand why people get sick and to help patients understand their body and why it fails them when it does. 

Joseph sat down with Dr. Dempsey to explore her long history working with “mystery diseases” and sheds light on the reasons they can go undiagnosed for so long.

This episode covers:

• The mystery and detective work of diseases. There are various approaches that doctors can take to understand a patient’s symptoms and help them look deeper at underlying causes. Dr. Dempsey explains the complexities of Lyme disease and the importance of understanding the immune system's response to infections.
• Mast cells are critical to optimal health, but often overlooked as an underlying cause of disease. Mast cells are everywhere throughout our body, and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a condition where mast cells release chemicals that cause inflammation in response to infections, stress, or other factors.
• MCAS affects a significant portion of the population, but awareness and understanding among doctors is limited. MCAS can manifest in a wide range of symptoms affecting various body systems, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. 
• The marketing industry has had a significant influence on diet recommendations, often prioritizing profitability over health. In today’s dietary landscape, the most important general guidelines are prioritizing protein and reducing sugar.

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Raja Dhir is the co-founder of Seed, a company at the forefront of utilizing bacteria to revolutionize human health and planetary well being. In this episode, Joseph and Raja discuss the importance of the microbiome in children's health. They also discuss the presence of environmental contaminants such as microplastics in our water and food supply, and what you can do to reduce your exposure and maintain optimal gut health.

How do we promote children’s health? The microbiome plays an important role in children’s health. Raja highlighted the importance of a diverse diet and the impact of certain factors like antibiotics, breastfeeding, and vaginal birth on the development of a healthy microbiome in infants.

What’s the science behind probiotic use in children, and their potential effects on issues such as constipation? Raja unveils some of the promising research and results of PDS-08®, their pediatric probiotic, for childhood health.

How microplastics in the environment are impacting gut health. Raja elaborates on the presence of microplastics in food and the potential risks they pose to human health, and the steps that we can take to minimize our exposure to contaminants.

Your microbiome influences metabolism and weight, and the keys to a healthier lifestyle. Raja explained how certain bacteria in the microbiome can affect energy harvest and metabolism, potentially contributing to obesity. He emphasized the need for a balanced diet, exercise, and stress management to maintain a healthy microbiome and overall well-being.

Links

Seed Daily Synbiotic DS-01®

Seed Pediatric Daily Synbiotic PDS-08®

Sponsored By

Seed

Seed’s DS-01® Daily Synbiotic is a broad-spectrum probiotic and prebiotic formulated with 24 clinically and scientifically studied strains for whole-body benefits including gut, skin, and heart health. Engineered to survive digestion, their patented 2-in-1 capsule-in-capsule technology ensures that 100% of the probiotic starting dose ends up in your colon.

Save 25% on your first order with code RUNGA25.

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Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC is a Naturopathic Practitioner, Doctor of Chiropractic, clinical researcher and author. His primary focus is digestive health and its impact on other facets of health, including energy, sleep, mood, and thyroid function and optimization. Dr. Ruscio’s book, Healthy Gut, Healthy You, has paved the way for a ‘start with the gut’ philosophy that has enabled doctors and patients to see improved outcomes with minimal expense and effort. 

In this episode, Dr. Michael Ruscio draws from his vast experience to present an approachable perspective on diet and things we can all do to become healthier and enjoy our lives even more, starting today.

10:38 - Clinicians who are more opinionated tend to be more rewarded, but beware. When someone has a specifically clear narrative or is highly confident in their perspective, it’s best to proceed with caution. This can be a sign of ignorance of the full picture and the complexities of the human body.

20:45 - People can become less healthy overall when trying to maximize the health of their diet. If you’re learning about lichens, histamines, dairy, seed oils, etc., it is easy to put yourself in a dietary prison from a place of fear and worry. We need to ensure that we don’t end up diminishing quality of life by limiting social activities and other aspects of life.

31:37 - We each have a health bank account: you put deposits in the bank and sometimes you make withdrawals. Invest and deposit liberally in your health, and make exceptions to have fun, smile and laugh. Having the vitality from enjoying different experiences in moderation will lead to a net positive account.

34:50 - The mind-blowing way we might be causing ourselves to be more sensitive to certain foods and environmental triggers. The limbic system helps us recognize aspects of our lives that help us survive, and the amygdala and limbic system get overactive when associating certain foods with fear. This correlates with depression and anxiety, and most importantly, can lead to blood that is actually more prone to inflammation. This means that your relationship with and narrative around food can cause you to actually become more sensitive to things like mold, pollen, and perfumes.

This episode is sponsored by Quicksilver Scientific. Use code RUNGA for 15% off their advanced liposomal supplements to enjoy optimal health in 2024.

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Joseph sits down with Dr. Mindy Pelz, who is a D.C., nutrition and functional health expert who has spent over two decades helping thousands of people successfully reclaim their health. She is a recognized leader in the alternative health field and a pioneer in the fasting movement, teaching the principles of a fasting lifestyle, diet variation, detox, hormones, and more. Her popular YouTube channel regularly updates followers on the latest science-backed tools and techniques to help them reset their health. She is the host of one of the leading science podcasts, The Resetter Podcast, and the author of three best-selling books.

In anticipation of her book, Fast Like A Girl, in this episode, Dr. Mindy Pelz describes the importance of understanding women’s hormones to fully optimize their health and unlock their “superpowers.” In her work, Dr. Mindy not only helps solve the fasting issue for women, but gives women a framework that is relevant for anything in their life—from exercise, to socialization, to protein intake. This is a must-listen for all women and the men who love them.

In This Episode:

Dr’ Mindy’s Book: Fast Like a Girl
Dr. Mindy’s Website
Follow Dr Mindy on Instagram
Subscribe to Dr Mindy on YouTube

Proudly Sponsored By:

Quicksilver Scientific

Quicksilver Scientific supplements are highly bioavailable and help support a vibrant body and mind. Today, we’re highlighting glutathione as one of the top supplements we recommend. Glutathione helps safeguard our cells from the negative effects of toxins, helping to neutralize and remove them from the body. It is also your immune'system’s first line of defense. Most glutathione supplements have poor bioavailability, but Quicksilver Scientific’s liposomal delivery floods the body with nutrients and botanicals within minutes.

Save 15% on Glutathione & other products with code RUNGA.

The RUNGA Micro-Conference

Join us at RUNGA, happening this October 14 & 15 in Austin, Texas for two full days of hands-on workshops, interactive panel discussions and paradigm-shifting keynotes among an intimate group of passionate like-minds. Once you attend RUNGA, you’ll see right away why people call it the highest impact event in health & wellness.

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Today Joseph plays "devil's advocate" and presents a case against  the current popular trend of wearing exclusively "barefoot" shoes.

Today's episode is brought to you by:

Alive Water: Use code "RUNGA" to save on home delivery of the healthiest possible, freshly bottled spring water for your family.

CURED Nutrition: Ease stress and unwind your mind with CURED's Serenity Gummies with no artificial ingredients, dyes or preservatives. 

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