Savage Perspective Podcast

Break through your keto plateau and build a plan that supports your body and mind. Book a free consultation with Robert Sikes: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/call

In episode 902 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with Robyn Dobbins to share the powerful story behind her keto mental health journey and the Cholesterol Code film. Robyn started a low carb diet after high cholesterol led to a statin recommendation. She cut out sugar and grains, lost 50 pounds, and noticed major changes in her mood, energy, and daily life. Robert and Robyn discuss postpartum depression, medication side effects, family struggles, processed food, social media, ketosis, carnivore eating, strength training, and the sweet potato experiment that brought her symptoms back. Her story offers hope to anyone searching for a simple path toward better physical and mental health.

Follow Robyn on IG: https://www.instagram.com/robynrdobbins/

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Chapters

0:00 - Who Is Robyn Dobbins—and Why Is She in Cholesterol Code?

0:51 - How High Cholesterol Led Robyn Dobbins to Keto

3:44 - Can a Ketogenic Diet Improve Mental Health?

6:53 - What Did Decades of Depression Look Like?

10:58 - Why Are Depression Rates Rising in Young People?

12:15 - How Processed Foods May Affect Brain Health

15:22 - Are Smartphones and Social Media Harming Kids?

21:45 - What Does Postpartum Depression Really Look Like?

28:23 - How Did Her Bipolar and OCD Diagnoses Begin?

31:05 - How Are Mental Health Disorders Diagnosed?

32:07 - The Hidden Trial and Error of Psychiatric Medication

35:15 - How Mental Illness and Medication Affected Her Family

38:38 - Did Psychiatric Medication Actually Help?

39:44 - How She Realized Diet Had Changed Her Mental Health

42:20 - What Does Life After Depression Feel Like?

45:23 - How Did Her Children Respond to Her Transformation?

48:23 - How Does Keto Affect the Brain?

52:31 - Do You Need to Track Ketones and Macros?

54:37 - Did One Sweet Potato Bring Her Depression Back?

57:17 - Can Too Much Protein Affect Mental Health?

58:33 - What Does Robyn Dobbins Eat in a Typical Day?

1:00:22 - Why Eating the Same Foods Every Day Works

1:02:00 - What’s Next for Robyn Dobbins?

1:04:59 - Where to Follow Robyn and Ketobiography

In this episode, Greg tells me all about his weekend getaway to Eureka Springs, complete with haunted hotels, paranormal activity, zip lining, great food, and some seriously unique history. We also talk about wild animals, gambling, the upcoming Rock Town Naturals bodybuilding show, new apparel and Keto Brick projects in the pipeline, my prep for the 50 Mile March, and the return of the vlogs. Plenty of random conversation, questionable pronunciations, and cool things cooking!

Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/

Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Struggling to break through your keto or low carb plateau? Book a free consultation call with Robert Sikes here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/call

Your love handles are not just stubborn fat. They are a warning sign of the visceral fat hiding deep inside your body, and it could be quietly making you sick. In episode 901 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with Dr. Sean O'Mara to break down what MRI scans really reveal about visceral fat, deep subcutaneous fat, and the fat around your heart. Dr. O'Mara shares how one man reduced his heart fat by 60 percent in just five days, why fasting and sprinting beat long cardio, how gut bacteria and fermented foods change your body, and why your blood work may be lying to you. If you care about fat loss, longevity, and looking and performing your best, watch the full episode now.

Follow Dr. O'Mara on IG: https://www.instagram.com/drseanomara/

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Chapters

0:00 - The MRI Experiment: Scanning a Natural vs. Enhanced Bodybuilder

2:00 - Natty vs. Steroids: What Do MRI Scans Actually Reveal?

3:35 - Do Steroids Cause Visceral Fat? A Doctor's Prediction

4:37 - What Are Love Handles Really? The Deep Subcutaneous Fat Problem

7:46 - Why Fascia Is a Bigger Deal Than Your Doctor Told You

9:32 - Good Fat vs. Bad Fat: The Membrane That Separates Them

11:54 - Why the Future of Healthcare Is Trainers, Not Doctors

12:55 - Superficial vs. Deep Subcutaneous Fat: What Drives Each?

14:21 - The Longevity Molecule Bodybuilders Are Starving Themselves Of

15:53 - How To Burn Deep Subcutaneous Fat (Without Losing the Good Kind)

18:06 - The Muscle You've Never Trained: Why Blood Flow Beats Hypertrophy

20:38 - Can You Have Low Visceral Fat But Stubborn Love Handles?

22:17 - How Fast Does Heart Fat Disappear? An NFL Player's Scan

24:15 - The 60% Heart Fat Reduction in Just 5 Days

26:23 - The 39-Hour Body Transformation That Shocked a Doctor

29:06 - The Secret Probiotics That Supercharge Fat Loss

30:57 - A Word on Keto Brick

31:43 - Do You Need Fermented Foods on a Carnivore Diet?

32:35 - How Gut Bacteria Create Natural GLP-1 (Ozempic Alternative?)

34:00 - The Probiotics That Gave Him "Superhuman" Senses

41:22 - The "Living Diet": Why You Should Chew Meat With Ferments

43:05 - Why the Government Now Recommends Fermented Foods

45:00 - DEXA vs. MRI: Which Is Accurate for Visceral Fat?

47:09 - Why an MRI Scan Changes Your Life (And a Number Doesn't)

53:03 - Why Blood Work Lies: The Case for Structural Health Markers

58:07 - The Danger of Extreme Fasting (And How To Do It Right)

1:00:31 - Why You Should Only Work Out in a Fasted State

1:02:37 - Where To Find Dr. Sean O'Mara

Book a free keto or low carb plateau consultation with Robert Sikes: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/call

Marriage after babies can test even the strongest families. In episode 900 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with his wife, Crystal Sikes, for an honest look at marriage after kids, life with a toddler and a baby, postpartum fitness, homeschooling, homesteading, business pressure, and the hard truth about trying to stay close when life feels full. Crystal shares why she paused a new business idea, how she lost postpartum weight without GLP-1s, and why she chooses natural aging over Botox and filler. Robert and Crystal also talk about faith, family, keto, low carb living, strength training, and building a life that keeps marriage, kids, and health at the center.

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Chapters

0:00 - Episode 900: Robert & Crystal Sikes Life Audit

1:34 - What’s Changed Since the Fourth Trimester?

3:01 - Should Homesteaders Raise Turkeys Next?

3:47 - Why Busy Couples Need a Life Audit

5:54 - Why Asking for Help Feels So Hard

6:44 - When Your Kid Finally Becomes a Daddy’s Boy

9:33 - How Should Parents Start Homeschooling?

11:03 - What Is TPLO Surgery for Dogs?

14:50 - Why Crystal Is Pausing Her Apothecary Business

19:56 - Is Motherhood the Season to Build or Slow Down?

22:27 - Why Parents Should Stop Rushing the Little Years

24:27 - How Crystal Changed Her Workout Routine as a Mom

29:16 - Why Barbell Training Feels Better in a Private Gym

30:29 - How Crystal Lost Postpartum Weight Without GLP-1s

35:19 - Rebuilding Strength After Pregnancy: Bench, Squat & Deadlift

37:12 - Keto Bodybuilding Resources for Fat Loss & Muscle

38:52 - How to Organize Life When Everything Feels Chaotic

40:28 - How to Protect Marriage During the Baby Years

42:43 - Why Homeschooling and RV Travel Could Change Everything

45:20 - Crystal’s Role in the Savage Business

46:12 - Why Women Feel Pressure to Get Botox and Filler

47:20 - Why Crystal Chooses Natural Aging Over Looksmaxing

51:32 - Are GLP-1s Replacing Real Lifestyle Change?

52:55 - Why Natural Strength and Healthy Habits Age Better

54:51 - Where to Follow Crystal and Live Savage

This week on The Work, Greg is back from a Fourth of July road trip, while I share stories from a weekend of fireworks, family, chainsaws, and a tree that definitely didn't blow up the way I planned. We also talk about training, body composition, why patience beats constant dieting, and the value of making one change at a time instead of chasing quick results. We wrap things up with updates on new apparel, upcoming Keto Brick products, and what's next behind the scenes. Thanks for tuning in. 

Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/

Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Break through your keto or low carb plateau. Book a free call with Robert Sikes: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/call

Constipation can wreck your gut health, detox, energy, and results long before you notice the real problem. In episode 899 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with gut health expert Marina Ortega to talk about why you’re still constipated and what to fix first. Marina shares how stress, dehydration, low electrolytes, laxative use, and poor drainage can keep the body stuck. They also cover colon hydrotherapy, coffee enemas, castor oil packs, parasite cleansing, black mold exposure, liver detox, GLP-1 constipation, bloating, and why men, athletes, and high performers should pay more attention to daily elimination.

Follow Marina on IG: https://www.instagram.com/marinathepoopfairy

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Chapters

0:00 - What Is the Gut Microbiome and Why Does It Matter?

0:19 - Marina Ortega’s 5-Year Battle With Chronic Constipation

1:49 - How Stress and Dehydration Can Shut Down Digestion

3:01 - Why Is Poop Still So Hard to Talk About?

3:45 - Are Laxatives Making Constipation Worse?

4:33 - How Often Should You Poop Each Day?

5:38 - Constipation vs. Diarrhea: What Is Actually Normal?

5:51 - When Does Constipation Become Dangerous?

6:56 - How Black Mold Exposure Nearly Took Marina Down

9:49 - The Hidden Black Mold Risk in Steam Rooms

11:01 - What Is the Best Way to Test for Mold?

13:18 - The Biggest Mistake People Make With Detox Cleanses

15:20 - How To Open Your Detox Pathways First

16:38 - How Do Coffee Enemas Actually Work?

18:16 - Coffee Enemas vs. Distilled Water Enemas

19:23 - Should Healthy People Do Detox Treatments?

19:53 - Keto Brick Interruption

20:43 - Why Coffee Enemas and Castor Oil Packs Are Back

21:05 - What Is a Castor Oil Pack and How Does It Work?

22:29 - Is Dehydration Causing Your Constipation?

23:02 - How To Choose the Right Electrolytes

23:41 - How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day?

24:28 - Is Coffee Dehydrating You?

25:13 - What Happens During Colon Hydrotherapy?

26:01 - Colon Hydrotherapy vs. Enemas: What’s the Difference?

26:31 - Is Colon Hydrotherapy Safe?

27:48 - Should Everyone Do a Parasite Cleanse?

29:21 - How Often Should You Do a Parasite Cleanse?

30:34 - Why Parasite Cleanses Can Make You Feel Worse First

31:05 - What Comes Out During a Parasite Cleanse?

32:17 - What Ingredients Kill Parasites?

34:48 - Ancient Detox Remedies That Still Work

36:10 - Are Castor Oil Packs and Parasite Cleanses Safe for Kids?

36:57 - What To Expect After a Parasite Cleanse

37:54 - Why More Men and Athletes Are Doing Gut Detox

39:46 - How GLP-1 Drugs Can Cause Constipation

40:28 - What’s Next for Marina Ortega and Trust Your Gut

41:47 - Why Liver Cleansing Is So Underrated

42:17 - Can Extended Fasting Detox the Liver?

43:10 - Where To Find Marina Ortega

Book a free consultation call with Robert Sikes to break through your keto or low carb plateau here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/call

One of the most well known low carb/keto advocates adding carbs back to build muscle changes the whole conversation. In episode 898 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with Maria Emmerich to break down why she added carbs back into her diet, how protein, fat, and strength training support muscle gain, and why nutrition is never one size fits all. They also dig into gluconeogenesis, metabolic health, hormones, HRT, peptides, GLP-1s, menopause, body composition, and the real cost of chasing weight loss over strength. This is a practical talk for keto, carnivore, and low carb listeners who want better results, better health, and a smarter plan. 

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Chapters

0:00 - What Does Maria Emmerich Eat Now?

2:37 - Why Add Carbs to Carnivore for Muscle Gain?

4:02 - How Much Protein, Fat, and Carbs Does She Eat?

5:31 - Why Morning Strength Training Feels Like an Antidepressant

6:26 - What Is Gluconeogenesis and Is It Demand-Driven?

8:23 - Can You Eat Too Much Protein on Keto or Carnivore?

10:24 - Are Peptides Overrated Without the Basics Dialed In?

13:14 - What Hormone Panel Markers Matter Most for Women?

14:45 - Why HRT Matters Even If You Feel Fine

16:46 - Is Bioidentical HRT Really Unnatural?

19:05 - Do Hormones Start Declining Earlier Than People Think?

20:43 - Should Every Perimenopausal Woman Consider HRT?

21:50 - How Often Should You Test Hormones and Is It Ever Too Late?

23:05 - How Women 40+ Should Train, Eat, and Protect Bone Density

24:03 - Why GLP-1s Can Backfire During Perimenopause

25:13 - The Perfect Storm of Kids, Stress, and Hormone Decline

27:20 - Why HRT May Be a Better Investment Than Peptides

28:11 - Quick Break: What Is Keto Brick?

29:00 - When Do Peptides Actually Make Sense?

29:42 - Which HRT Option Is Best: Pellets, Creams, or Injections?

31:56 - What Men Get Wrong About Testosterone Therapy

33:12 - What Are Peptides and What Was the First One?

34:48 - Which Peptides Help With Weight Loss, Gut Health, and Inflammation?

35:32 - Are Peptides Safe Long Term?

36:40 - Can GLP-1s Cause Anhedonia and Dopamine Problems?

38:33 - How Should You Cycle Peptides the Right Way?

40:47 - Should You Cycle Off GLP-1s Instead of Staying on Forever?

41:26 - What’s Next for GLP-4, GLP-5, and Myostatin Inhibitors?

42:48 - Can Athletes Even Test for Peptides?

43:27 - Do GLP-1s Cause Muscle Loss or Mostly Water Loss?

45:02 - Why Peptides Should Never Replace the Fundamentals

46:44 - Do GLP-1s Make It Easier to Eat More Junk Food?

48:36 - Should You Focus on Performance Instead of Scale Weight?

49:18 - The Dangerous High of Getting Too Lean

51:03 - Why Gaining Weight Can Be the Healthier Goal

52:21 - How Maria Is Mentally Navigating Weight Gain

54:16 - Why Maria Emmerich Keeps Evolving Her Views

55:26 - The Sardine Experiment That Spiked Arsenic

56:01 - Maria Emmerich’s Global Keto Retreats

57:28 - Where to Find Maria and Her New Book

57:46 - Hunting, Freezers, and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Work, Greg and I kick things off with a tongue twister, stair master etiquette, and a pretty cool reminder not to judge people too quickly.

We also talk through the upcoming posing seminar, Natural State Savages updates, Keto Brick showing up in the natural bodybuilding space, July launches, DEXA scan takeaways, high fat nutrition experiments, fireworks chaos, Diesel’s recovery, and a few flavors that may or may not make the cut.

It’s a little bit bodybuilding, a little bit business, and a whole lot of real life as we keep putting in the work.

Greg Mahler is also a lifetime natural bodybuilder, and can be followed on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ketogreg80/

Register For My FREE Masterclass: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/registration-2

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Book a free consultation call with Robert Sikes to break through your keto or low carb plateau: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/call

Eating less can make women store more fat, lose muscle, and wreck hormones.

In episode 897 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes talks with Stephanie Crassweller about why women store fat when they cut calories, especially in perimenopause and menopause. They break down chronic under eating, reverse dieting, metabolism, thyroid issues, stress, muscle loss, hormone health, HRT, GLP-1 drugs, blood work, and the DUTCH test in simple terms. This episode is built for driven men and women who want real fat loss, better energy, stronger training, and long-term health without living in a constant calorie deficit.

Follow Stephanie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/vitalityoet.stephanie/

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Chapters

0:00 - Why Chronic Undereating Breaks Female Metabolism

1:18 - Can Eating More Actually Help Women Lose Fat?

2:50 - What Happens When You Stay in a Calorie Deficit Too Long?

4:42 - Why Perimenopause Makes Stress and Fat Loss Harder

6:39 - Reverse Dieting for Women: Why Nobody Talks About It

7:56 - Why the Scale Controls So Many Women's Moods

8:46 - How To Reverse Diet Without Rapid Weight Gain

10:04 - Why Low Calories Can Cost You Muscle, Hair, and Nutrients

12:04 - Stephanie Crassweller's Hormone Story and Coaching Mission

14:36 - How Trauma, Stress, and Menopause Affect Long-Term Health

16:47 - Is Low Carb Hurting Your Thyroid and Hormones?

17:18 - Why Some Women Need More Carbs, Not Less

19:06 - Can You Still Eat Donuts and Lose Fat?

21:16 - How Stress Ruins Digestion and Nutrient Absorption

21:57 - Why Your Nutrition Plan Should Change With Life Stress

23:14 - How Long Should a Fat Loss Phase Really Last?

26:14 - The Biggest Fat Loss Mistake: Living in Diet Purgatory

27:17 - Why Your Values Decide Whether You Lose Weight

30:19 - How To Find a Stronger Why Than Just Looking Better

32:18 - Why Women Should Spend More Time Building Muscle

33:11 - How Muscle Protects Women in Menopause and Aging

34:52 - Are Your Workouts Actually Building Muscle?

38:49 - Perimenopause vs Menopause: What Changes Most?

44:17 - Is HRT Worth It for Menopause Symptoms and Longevity?

46:14 - Why Estrogen Can Backfire If Your Liver Pathways Are Off

48:34 - How Often Should Women Test Hormones and Adjust HRT?

51:18 - GLP-1 Weight Loss: What Happens When the Drug Stops?

54:02 - How Identity Shapes Fat Loss and Health Habits

55:22 - Why Silence and Rest Are Missing From Modern Health

57:02 - What Is the DUTCH Test and When Should Women Use It?

58:31 - What Blood Work Should Women Get for Hormones and Thyroid?

1:01:39 - Best Progress Metric If the Scale Isn't Moving

1:02:35 - Stephanie Crassweller's Book, Certification, and Where To Find Her

Book a free consultation call with Robert Sikes to break through your keto or low carb plateau here: https://www.ketobodybuilding.com/call

A contrast from what's been said on the podcast lately, but what if Mike Mentzer’s Heavy Duty method was right and high-volume training is holding you back?

In episode 896 of the Savage Perspective Podcast, host Robert Sikes sits down with Chris Chavanu to break down Mike Mentzer, Heavy Duty training, low-volume training, high-volume training, workout intensity, failure, recovery, progressive overload, bodybuilding nutrition, contest prep, and healthspan. Chris explains why brief, hard training may build more muscle with less time in the gym, while Robert challenges the idea with real world bodybuilding experience. If you care about muscle growth, training frequency, recovery, and staying lean while building a strong body, this talk gives you a clear look at both sides of the volume vs intensity debate.

Subscribe to Chris' YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NattyandNice1

Get Keto Brick: https://www.ketobrick.com/

Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/42cjJssghqD01bdWBxRYEg?si=1XYKmPXmR4eKw2O9gGCEuQ

Chapters

0:00 - Was Mike Mentzer’s Heavy Duty Just a Business Play?

3:05 - Who Was Arthur Jones and Why Did He Change Bodybuilding?

5:17 - Why Did Mike Mentzer Quit High-Volume Training?

6:20 - Can High Volume Still Build Muscle?

8:27 - Is Volume vs. Intensity a False Debate?

11:14 - What Matters Most for Growth: Intensity, Volume, or Frequency?

12:41 - What Does Training Intensity Actually Mean?

14:32 - Is Failure the Same With Light Weights and Heavy Weights?

16:24 - Is “Junk Volume” Killing Your Gains?

18:18 - Do Warm-Up Sets Prevent Injury or Waste Energy?

21:32 - How Long Should You Rest Between Hard Workouts?

23:20 - What Does a 12-Minute Heavy Duty Chest Workout Look Like?

30:02 - How Does Chris Know When He’s Recovered Enough to Train Again?

33:14 - What Is Mike Mentzer’s Leg Day Strategy?

38:42 - Can You Build Muscle Training a Body Part Once Every 25 Days?

42:06 - How To Use Progressive Overload and a Training Journal Correctly

43:18 - Did Chris Actually Build Muscle With Low-Volume Training?

49:33 - 5,700 vs. 71,900 Pounds of Volume: What Really Builds Muscle?

51:20 - Why Does One Lifter Get Sore and Another Doesn’t?

53:06 - What Causes a Pull-Down Plateau?

57:17 - Is More Gym Time Better for Health, Fitness, and Enjoyment?

58:35 - Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Training Explained Simply

1:02:21 - Why Minimal Training Works for Busy Men With Real Lives

1:05:24 - Can More Muscle Help You Live Longer?

1:08:23 - What Is the Mike Mentzer Heavy Duty Diet?

1:12:12 - Are 1,200 Calories Ruining Progress During Prep?

1:13:34 - How To Handle Post-Show Blues, Hunger, and Low Testosterone

1:17:07 - How To Lose Fat Without Living in the Gym

1:20:00 - What Happened After Robert’s Sardine Diet Experiment?

1:21:44 - What’s the Best Training Style for You?

1:23:17 - Where To Find Chris Chavanu