In this solo episode, Darin reframes one of the most misunderstood forces in life — stress. Instead of seeing it as the enemy, he explores how stress is actually a messenger, guiding you back to alignment, safety, and awareness. Through science, spirituality, and lived experience, Darin breaks down how stress shows us where we're trying to control, where we're disconnected, and where our nervous system is calling for attention.

He unpacks the layers of modern stress — from trauma and environment to community and purpose — and offers practical, embodied tools to restore calm, clarity, and resilience.

What You'll Learn

00:00:00 – Welcome to Super Life: Solutions for a Healthier Life and Better World

00:00:32 – Sponsor Spotlight: TheraSauna - Natural Healing Technologies (15% off with code Darrandai)

00:02:10 – The Super Life Podcast: Finding Contentment, Happiness, and Purpose

00:02:51 – Today's Topic: Stress - Reframing Stress as an Ally and Dashboard Light

00:04:54 – The "No Choice" Universe: Reconnecting to Infinite Possibilities

00:05:16 – The Reality of Stress: Statistics and the Impact of Chronic Stress

00:06:21 – Stress is Layered: Beyond a Single Cause, Addressing Chronic Stress

00:08:29 – Solutions for a Super Life: Safety over Calm and the Vagal Response

00:09:38 – The Inner Dialogue Layer: Trauma, Unconsciousness, and Spiritual Bypassing

00:11:47 – The Social Field Layer: Relationships, Community, and Finding Your Way Home

00:14:20 – Sponsor Spotlight: Bite Toothpaste - Sustainable, Non-Toxic Tabs (20% off with code Darin20)

00:16:35 – Creating Your Own Vision: Setting Boundaries with Media and Social Algorithms

00:17:29 – Finding Your Purpose: From Raising Children to Healing Injuries

00:18:35 – Environmental and Existential Stress Layers: Clutter, Noise, and Service

00:19:26 – Stress Load and Resiliency: Why Small Triggers Cause Blow-Ups

00:20:02 – Understanding the Dashboard Light: Acknowledging Unwillingness

00:20:35 – Safety as the Signal: Body Relaxation and Providing Inner Security

00:23:44 – Reframing Trauma: Was it the Protector You Needed at the Time?

00:25:00 – Releasing Trauma: Techniques, The Healing Code, and Waking the Tiger

00:26:06 – Finishing the Survival Response: Shaking, Crying, Screaming, and Stretching

00:26:38 – Stress as a Multiplier: Impact on Immune System, Heart, and Aging

00:28:10 – Stress Slows Repair: Inflammation, Cardiovascular Risk, and Cellular Aging

00:29:48 – The Integrative Approach: Changing Your Environments to Support Anti-Stress

00:30:07 – Actionable Stress Solutions: Circadian Rhythm, Nature, and Noise Reduction

00:30:44 – Actionable Stress Solutions: Gratitude, Conscious Breath, and Movement

00:31:32 – Energy Drains to Eliminate: Conflict, Clutter, Scrolling, and Late Caffeine

00:32:17 – Connecting to Greater Purpose: The Super Life Patreon Platform

00:32:54 – Morning/Night Questions: Letting Go, Creating, and Contributing

00:33:17 – Final Toolkit: Slow Breathing, Movement, Nature, Sauna, and Sleep

00:34:25 – The Invitation: Digging into all Layers of a Super Life on Patreon

Thank You to Our Sponsors

• Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off

• Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order.

Find More from Darin Olien:

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Podcast: SuperLife Podcast

• Website: superlife.com

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

Key Takeaway

"Stress isn't your enemy — it's your compass. Every wave of tension points you back to what's asking for care, attention, and love. When you stop fighting stress and start listening to it, you don't just survive — you evolve."

Bibliography (selected, peer-reviewed)

• Sources: Gallup Global Emotions (2024); Gallup U.S. polling (2024); APA Stress in America (2023); Natarajan et al., Lancet Digital Health (2020); Orini et al., UK Biobank (2023); Martinez et al. (2022); Leiden University (2025).

• Cohen S, Tyrrell DA, Smith AP. Psychological stress and susceptibility to the common cold. N Engl J Med.1991;325(9):606–612. New England Journal of Medicine

• Cohen S, et al. Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2012;109(16):5995–5999. PNAS

• Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. Slowing of wound healing by psychological stress. Lancet. 1995;346(8984):1194–1196. The Lancet

• Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. Hostile marital interactions, proinflammatory cytokine production, and wound healing.Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(12):1377–1384. JAMA Network

• Tawakol A, et al. Relation between resting amygdalar activity and cardiovascular events. Lancet.2017;389(10071):834–845. The Lancet

• Epel ES, et al. Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.2004;101(49):17312–17315. PNAS

• McEwen BS, Stellar E. Stress and the individual: mechanisms leading to disease. Arch Intern Med.1993;153(18):2093–2101. PubMed

• McEwen BS, Wingfield JC. Allostasis and allostatic load. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1998;840:33–44. PubMed

• Felitti VJ, et al. Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many leading causes of death in adults (ACE Study). Am J Prev Med. 1998;14(4):245–258. AJP Mon Online

• Edmondson D, et al. PTSD and cardiovascular disease. Ann Behav Med. 2017;51(3):316–327. PMC

• Afari N, et al. Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychosom Med. 2014;76(1):2–11. PMC

• Goyal M, et al. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(3):357–368. PMC

• Qiu Q, et al. Forest therapy: effects on blood pressure and salivary cortisol—a meta-analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;20(1):458. PMC

• Laukkanen T, et al. Sauna bathing and reduced fatal CVD and all-cause mortality. JAMA Intern Med.2015;175(4):542–548. JAMA Network

• Zureigat H, et al. Physical activity lowers CVD risk by reducing stress-related neural activity. J Am Coll Cardiol.2024;83(16):1532–1546. PMC

• Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Layton JB. Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS Med.2010;7(7):e1000316. PMC

• Chen Y-R, Hung K-W. EMDR for PTSD: meta-analysis of RCTs. PLoS One. 2014;9(8):e103676. PLOS

• Hoppen TH, et al. Network/pairwise meta-analysis of PTSD psychotherapies—TF-CBT highest efficacy overall.Psychol Med. 2023;53(14):6360–6374. PubMed

• van der Kolk BA, et al. Yoga as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD: RCT. J Clin Psychiatry. 2014;75(6):e559–e565. PubMed

• Kelly U, et al. Trauma-center trauma-sensitive yoga vs CPT in women veterans: RCT. JAMA Netw Open.2023;6(11):e2342214. JAMA Network

• Bentley TGK, et al. Breathing practices for stress and anxiety reduction: components that matter. Behav Sci (Basel). 2023;13(9):756.

In this powerhouse episode, Darin sits down with Catharine Arnston, founder and CEO of ENERGYbits, to explore one of the planet's oldest and most potent foods — algae. From spirulina's superoxide dismutase to chlorella's detoxifying chlorophyll, Catharine breaks down the science of why these tiny organisms hold the key to longevity, energy, detox, and cellular repair.

This episode dives deep into the microbiology of health, uncovering how microalgae could solve both human nutrition and planetary sustainability — and why spirulina may truly be "the food of the future."

What You'll Learn in This Episode

[00:00] Welcome and intro — algae near the ocean, Darin's long relationship with chlorella and spirulina [00:01:28] The origins of ENERGYbits and Catharine's passion for transparent, toxin-free sourcing [00:03:19] Why algae isn't just another supplement — it's a whole food category of its own [00:04:07] Nutrient density per calorie — the power of bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and proteins [00:05:02] Understanding macroalgae vs. microalgae — why spirulina and chlorella are the real heroes [00:06:15] Why growing algae in freshwater matters — avoiding ocean toxins and micro-contaminants [00:08:06] The global algae revolution — how sustainable "photo bioreactors" may feed the planet [00:10:30] Quality control in algae production — how ENERGYbits preserves nutrient integrity [00:11:18] Spirulina as offense and chlorella as defense — the ultimate nutrition playbook [00:12:58] Why spirulina fuels performance and chlorella drives recovery [00:13:43] Why "food first" is the future of health — and how over-supplementation misses the mark [00:14:25] Algae's 99% absorption rate vs. supplements' 5–10% — the "orchestra" analogy [00:15:06] Phycocyanin — the blue pigment powerhouse behind spirulina's antioxidant strength [00:17:14] Real food vs. isolates — why nature's nutrient matrix always wins [00:18:18] The UN's endorsement: why spirulina could solve world hunger [00:19:13] Bioavailable plant protein — 64% complete protein by weight [00:21:14] How algae creates and saves energy — digestion efficiency and cellular fuel [00:22:02] The chlorophyll connection — nature's blood builder and detoxifier [00:23:32] Why chlorella is a daily detox essential — heavy metals, toxins, and PM2.5 [00:24:43] Chlorella as your daily "internal shower" — detoxing in a toxic world [00:26:59] The antioxidant that saves your mitochondria — superoxide dismutase (SOD) [00:28:32] How SOD prevents inflammation, disease, and aging — and why we lose it after 40 [00:30:46] Why spirulina is nature's richest source of active SOD [00:32:29] Preserving enzymes — why low-temperature processing is everything [00:33:53] Algae's healing power — stories from Hippocrates and Gerson Institutes [00:35:01] The missing human operating manual — how to truly fuel your cells [00:36:07] The symptom isn't the problem — it's the signal your body's sending [00:37:12] Catharine's origin story — how her sister's breast cancer changed her life forever [00:38:32] Discovering alkalinity — Otto Warburg's cancer research and pH balance [00:40:28] The goldfish analogy — why your body's environment determines your health [00:41:32] How feeding fish algae solved oceanic "dead zones" — the alkalinity connection [00:42:22] Disease as slow imbalance — how poor food slowly drains vitality [00:43:06] Why cellular energy equals cellular wealth — mitochondria as your body's power grid [00:44:36] How chronic disease spirals begin — free radicals, mitochondria, and collapse [00:46:11] The alkaline rescue — how algae restores blood charge and vitality [00:48:23] Real food as communication — how nutrients talk to your cells [00:49:25] The mitochondria-light analogy — why spirulina "turns the lights back on" [00:50:51] Mitochondrial health and mental health — the "Brain Energy" connection [00:52:14] Aging naturally vs. declining unnecessarily — how nutrient density extends life [00:52:58] Spirulina puts nutrients in, chlorella pulls toxins out — the perfect pair [00:53:18] Catharine's 15-year algae experiment — her personal health story [00:54:22] Building ENERGYbits from scratch — Shark Tank, $50k, and unstoppable grit [00:55:07] The "Mother Nature" philosophy — how simplicity and consistency heal [00:56:13] Living in alignment — yoga, sleep, sunlight, and algae as core habits [00:57:09] Listening to intuition — following the whisper of your soul, not the ego's noise [00:59:23] The feather touch of purpose — when you follow your calling, life unfolds [01:00:36] Hitting rock bottom to rise higher — the unseen power of persistence [01:02:22] When helping others heals yourself — Catharine's message of divine reciprocity [01:03:00] Closing reflections — Mother Nature as the ultimate mentor

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

• Pique Tea: Go to www.piquelife.com/darin to get 20% off all products for life and a free starter kit.

• EnergyBits: Get 20% off your entire order by going to https://energybits.com/ and using code DARIN at checkout.

Join the SuperLife Patreon:

This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices

Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien

Connect with Darin Olien:

• Website: darinolien.com

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

• Platform & Products: superlife.com

Find More From Catharine Arnston:

• Buy Algae at Energy Bits: energybits.com

• Instagram: @catharinearnston

• Website catharinearnston.com

Key Takeaway

"You didn't get sick overnight — and you won't heal overnight. But you can. The recipe is simple: give your body the ingredients Mother Nature designed — sunlight, sleep, breath, movement, and algae. Algae isn't a supplement. It's food. It's your body's operator manual in disguise."

In this solo episode, Darin takes a grounded and research-backed look at some of the most popular wellness trends circulating today — from creatine and cold plunging to plant-based eating, morning routines, healthspan vs. lifespan, and what it actually means to build long-term vitality. Instead of hype, Darin focuses on common sense, context, and listening to your body. This one is all about clarity, discernment, and sovereignty over your wellness path.

What You'll Learn

00:00 — Welcome to SuperLife + intention of the show 00:32 — Sponsor: Mana Vitality + why real minerals matter 02:23 — Darin's shift away from social media + why he built the Patreon community 03:35 — The purpose of this episode: not to preach, but to provoke reflection 04:07 — Why creatine is more than a gym supplement 05:50 — Creatine's cellular energy role (ATP regeneration explained simply) 07:45 — Creatine for brain performance + neuroprotective support 09:09 — Who benefits most: athletes, women, older adults 10:55 — Safe dosing, cycling, hydration, and kidney myth clarification 12:22 — Longevity vs. healthspan — and why we should care more about how we live 15:50 — The research behind lifestyle, mortality, and meaningful aging 17:50 — Your set point is not your potential: feeling "fine" is not the goal 19:10 — Community, joy, purpose, emotional expression & biological longevity 20:04 — "Good genes are nice — but joy is better." 21:01 — Sleep is not hackable — it's rhythm-based physiology 22:07 — Light exposure, circadian biology, temperature, and nighttime stimulation 23:11 — Darin's grounding nightly wind-down routine 24:07 — Patreon invitation: deeper conversations + decentralized wellness community 25:13 — The carnivore diet — what the science says and what it doesn't 26:01 — Why eliminating plants is metabolically expensive and microbiome-damaging 27:12 — The Blue Zones don't eat like carnivores — and that matters 28:05 — You can get all essential amino acids from plants 29:43 — Cold exposure benefits, risks, timing, and overstimulation 31:57 — Why cold plunging after workouts may reduce gains 33:20 — Dose, duration, nervous system load — "more" is not better 33:44 — Morning routines as spiritual alignment practice, not productivity trend 35:12 — The deeper gift of sitting with yourself 35:39 — Closing: health is common-sense discipline + inner listening

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

• Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.

• Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.

Join the SuperLife Patreon:

This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices

Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien

Connect with Darin Olien:

• Website: darinolien.com

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

• Platform & Products: superlife.com

Key Takeaway

"Good genes are nice — but joy is better. Your lifestyle, your community, your purpose, your sleep, your alignment — these shape your healthspan more than anything else."

This Halloween, Darin turns the spotlight from ghosts and goblins to the real ones that haunt us — the memories, wounds, and traumas stored deep within our bodies and minds. In this cinematic special, he revisits some of the most powerful guests from past SuperLife episodes — Lori Woodley, Kyle Nicolaides, Dr. Aimee Apigian, Jules Schroeder, Maya Raichoora, Dr. Max Butterfield, Dr. Jess Stavale, Dani Fontaine, and Josh Macin — weaving together a spellbinding journey through emotional alchemy, mind-body science, and spiritual restoration.

From the fascia to the endocannabinoid system, from visualization to detoxification, Darin explores how healing trauma is not about running from darkness but transmuting it into light. This episode is a hauntingly beautiful reminder that acknowledging our pain can become the path to our deepest purpose.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

[00:00] Welcome to SuperLife — igniting possibilities for a better, sovereign world [00:00:32] Sponsor: EnergyBits — the most concentrated whole-food nutrition on Earth [00:01:51] Happy Halloween — Darin introduces the real "ghosts" we carry within us [00:02:11] What trauma really is and why it's stored in the body, not just the mind [00:03:29] The science behind stored trauma — how fascia, endocannabinoids, and cells hold the score [00:04:14] Why facing trauma is the path to freedom — transmuting pain into purpose [00:04:50] Revisiting powerful past guests with new insight and wisdom [00:05:09] The integration principle — why real healing must unite mind, body, and biology [00:05:36] Practical techniques you can use today: breathwork, somatic release, visualization [00:05:58] How art and creativity can release stored trauma and regulate emotions [00:06:35] Facing our ghosts: turning pain into our most heroic journey [00:07:04] Guest highlight – Lori Woodley: "Crossing Backwards" and breaking free from autopilot [00:08:24] The exercise that reveals how easily we live on autopilot — and how to disrupt it [00:09:30] Two steps forward: how small, conscious actions shift your entire life [00:11:29] Learning to ask for what you truly need — the root of emotional intelligence [00:12:51] Guest highlight – Kyle Nicolaides: Finding purpose through depression [00:13:12] Depression as initiation — the "dead decade" that led to divine reconnection [00:16:01] Realizing depression isn't the enemy — it's a sacred messenger [00:17:05] The power of reframing suffering as wisdom waiting to be revealed [00:17:30] Guest highlight – Dr. Aimee Apigian: Trauma, biology, and building inner safety [00:18:10] The three layers of trauma repair: mind, body, and biology [00:19:30] Taking responsibility for your healing — no one can regulate you but you [00:20:21] Trauma bonds and projections — how unhealed pain shapes relationships [00:21:15] Guest highlight – Jules Schroeder: Start with the breath [00:21:44] The "Perfect Breath" — 4 seconds in, 6 seconds out through the nose [00:22:27] How 7.5 hours of mindful breathing can reprogram your nervous system [00:23:36] Removing stress before adding more — foundational calm before growth [00:24:07] Sponsor: Our Place Cookware — eliminating toxins from your kitchen [00:27:00] Guest highlight – Maya Raichoora: Visualization as a rewiring tool for trauma [00:27:54] Five visualization techniques: outcome, process, creative, negative, explorative [00:29:18] The neuroscience of imagery — how your body reacts to imagined experience [00:31:38] Lemon exercise — proving your mind and body are one [00:33:13] Using visualization for emotional resilience, performance, and healing [00:34:33] Explorative visualization — channeling creativity like Einstein or Disney [00:35:41] Guest highlight – Dr. Max Butterfield: Emotional regulation and relationships [00:36:10] The Gottman principles — why contempt destroys relationships [00:37:15] Why emotional regulation matters more than compatibility [00:38:02] The modern self-regulation crisis — how disconnection fuels chaos [00:39:01] Guest highlight – Dr. Jess Stavale: Fascia — the body's emotional network [00:39:55] How fascia stores trauma and connects all bodily systems [00:40:45] The fascia as a quantum interface between body and emotion [00:41:33] How to integrate physical and emotional therapy for release [00:43:12] Patreon segment — building sovereignty and community through conscious living [00:44:21] Guest highlight – Dani Fontaine: The endocannabinoid system explained [00:44:45] The ECS as the body's "master balance system" — how it keeps all others aligned [00:45:31] Understanding energy, vibration, and homeostasis [00:46:43] Why overstimulation blocks healing and how to recalibrate [00:47:25] Sound, light, and frequency as inputs for cellular communication [00:48:16] Guest highlight – Josh Macin: Parasites, detox, and terrain theory [00:49:00] The biological link between toxicity, trauma, and emotion [00:50:12] How acidity and chemicals create disease and disconnect [00:52:17] Parasites and the metaphysical mirror — cleansing darkness from within [00:54:27] Annual detox protocols — why cleansing is essential for clarity [00:55:36] Closing reflections — integrating body, mind, and spirit for full release [00:57:20] Darin's final message: healing is sacred, not spooky — the path back to your SuperLife

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

• Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.

• EnergyBits: Get 20% off your entire order by going to https://energybits.com/ and using code DARIN at checkout.

SuperLife Patreon

Join the SuperLife Patreon: deeper conversations, extended interviews, wellness challenges, and community connection.

https://patreon.com/darinolien/

Connect with Darin Olien:

• Website: darinolien.com

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

• Platform & Products: superlife.com

Key Takeaway

"Acknowledging the ghosts within isn't a horror story — it's a homecoming. Trauma isn't here to punish you, it's here to teach you. When you meet it with breath, awareness, and compassion, you stop running from the dark and begin to walk in your light."

In this follow-up to his deep dive on protein, Darin exposes the other side of the protein story: where your food comes from, what's really in it, and how the system itself affects your health, the planet, and the animals. From factory farm contamination to antibiotic resistance, industry lobbying, and why plants still win on every level — Darin breaks down the research, ethics, and environmental data so you can make conscious choices that fuel a truly SuperLife.

What You'll Learn

[00:00] Welcome + sponsor message: plastic waste, conscious products, and Bite Toothpaste [02:47] Introduction — the real protein conversation continues [03:00] The source of your food matters more than macros [03:10] Contamination, ethics, and the reality of factory farming [03:30] Stewardship vs. dominion — a call for responsibility [04:01] EPA data: confined animal operations and environmental chaos [05:00] Foodborne illness: salmonella, E. coli, and what contamination really means [05:57] Antibiotics, resistance, and hormones in animal agriculture [06:42] Persistent pollutants (PFOAs) showing up in food and milk [07:10] How animal feed (soy and corn) drives ecological damage [07:57] USDA marketing boards + industry lobbying against plant alternatives [08:38] Darin's 17 years vegan — data and lived experience [09:00] The numbers: amino acids, LDL, fat swaps, and longevity [09:47] Common plant-based protein myths answered [12:59] Patreon message — upgrade your operating system and join the tribe [14:03] The cancer connection: processed and red meat research [14:47] Iron, B12, and what vegans actually need to know [15:37] Soy, testosterone, and thyroid myths debunked [16:08] Protein quality: why mixing plant foods covers all bases [16:31] Feeling better on moderate meat? Understanding the trade-offs [17:18] Substitution data: even small swaps improve health outcomes [17:57] Processed vs. ultra-processed: why Beyond Meat isn't the enemy [18:09] Environmental impact: why beef's footprint dwarfs plant protein [19:05] Food miles myth — what you eat matters more than distance [19:29] Cost and accessibility: the cheapest protein sources are plants [20:08] Contamination and antibiotic resistance rising annually [21:03] Anti-nutrients and the myth of plant dangers [21:47] Real-world evidence: fiber, polyphenols, and legume-based longevity [22:00] Final recap — all essential amino acids come from plants [22:17] Strongest evidence: plant protein wins ethically, environmentally, and scientifically

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

• SuperLife Patreon: Go towww.patreon.com/DarinOlien and sign up to start changing your life today

• Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order.

Connect with Darin Olien:

• Website: darinolien.com

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

• Platform & Products: superlife.com

Key Takeaway

"All plants contain all essential amino acids. The more you swap red meat for plants, the longer, stronger, and cleaner your life becomes."

In this mind-expanding episode, Darin sits down with Dani Fontaine — researcher, practitioner, and expert on the human body's forgotten communication system: the endocannabinoid system. They unravel how this network regulates everything from mood and sleep to pain and consciousness — and why it was deliberately scrubbed from mainstream medical education.

Dani reveals how cannabinoids, light, sound, and nature all communicate with our body's receptor fields — shaping the way we feel, heal, and perceive the world. Together they explore the profound spiritual and scientific implications of this hidden system, and how it connects us back to balance, nature, and truth.

What You'll Learn

00:00:00 - Welcome to the SuperLife Podcast

00:00:32 - Sponsor: Energy Bits

00:01:52 - Introducing Guest Danny Fontaine: Cannabis Pioneer and Plant Medicine Healer

00:04:54 - Deep Dive: What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

00:06:30 - ECS: The Homeostasis and Retrograde Signaling System

00:09:20 - ECS as a Receptive System for Subtle Energies and Environment

00:10:23 - Endocannabinoid System Toning (X-Tone)

00:12:58 - When the ECS Gets Worn and Depleted

00:16:34 - ECS Receptors on Every Cell, Fascia, and Neural Makeup

00:19:14 - How the ECS Breaks Down: The Impact of False Light

00:22:11 - The ECS and Non-Photon Rich Food

00:23:40 - Modulating the ECS Through the Six Senses (Touch and Breath)

00:24:38 - Mitochondria and ECS Receptors (MTK, CB1)

00:25:14 - Endogenous ECS and the Need for Proper Nutrients

00:27:11 - Cannabis as our Phyto Twin: The Plant Factor

00:27:57 - THC and the Suppression of Anandamide (Bliss Molecule)

00:31:44 - Sponsor: Fatty 15

00:35:25 - The Vast Amount of ECS Research & Medical Suppression

00:38:27 - Cannabinoids, Pain, and Individual Assessment

00:40:29 - Modulating ECS with Nature: Terpenes like Pinene

00:42:51 - Olfactory System as the Most Sophisticated Input

00:47:03 - ECS as the "Microscope Moment" for Health

00:48:23 - Pinene, CB1, and TRP Receptors in Pain Management

00:50:39 - The ECS, Collagen, and Hyaluronic Acid Fluctuation

00:51:44 - Working with the ECS for Faster Results (Cancer and Genetic Mutations)

00:55:06 - Sponsor: SuperLife Patreon

00:56:39 - Measuring the ECS with Bio-Field Technology

00:57:29 - The Danger of THC Stacking and Immunosuppression

00:59:30 - Overwhelmed Cells and Fake Inputs

01:00:12 - Hemp as a Homeostasis Plant for the Planet (Soil Remediation/Carbon)

01:02:06 - ECS Strength in Animals vs. Humans

01:04:08 - Why Cannabis and Hemp Were Suppressed

01:07:07 - The Historical Use of Cannabis in Medicine

01:08:12 - Hemp's Nutritional Profile (Amino Acids and Omegas)

01:09:37 - Ayahuasca, Receptor Overexpression, and Looping

01:13:33 - Importance of ECS Knowledge and Application

01:14:58 - Exercise, Anandamide, and ECS Toning

01:15:22 - Cold Plunge and Shocking the ECS and Hormones

01:17:16 - Takeaways: Light, Movement, Sound, and Breath

01:21:41 - ECS: The Main Signaling and Communication System

01:23:28 - Final Thoughts: ECS as the Conduit to Self and Spirit

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

• Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout.

• EnergyBits: Get 20% off your entire order by going to https://energybits.com/ and using code DARIN at checkout.

Find More from Dani Fontaine

• Instagram: @danifontaine

• Website: danifontaine.com

• Products: Try Dani's Nature Root

Connect with Darin Olien:

• Website: darinolien.com

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

• Platform & Products: superlife.com

Key Takeaway

"Your endocannabinoid system isn't just a biology lesson — it's a bridge between your body and the universe. When you feed it light, breath, and truth, you remember what balance actually feels like."

In this solo episode, Darin dismantles one of the most persistent myths in nutrition: that plant proteins are incomplete or inferior. Drawing from decades of peer-reviewed research and his own 17-year plant-based journey, he breaks down how plants contain all essential amino acids, how digestibility differs from bioavailability, and why variety — not animal flesh — is the key to optimal health and longevity.

This is part one of a two-part deep dive into protein, performance, and ethics — separating science from marketing and helping you understand where real nourishment begins.

What You'll Learn

00:00:00 - Intro and Sponsor: Fatty15

00:04:13 - Welcome to the Super Life Podcast

00:04:26 - Plant-Based Living and the Protein Question

00:06:24 - Protein Basics: Amino Acids in Plants

00:07:20 - Dr. Christopher Gardner and the Diversity of Plant Protein

00:09:52 - Protein Quality, Digestibility, and Flesh

00:11:12 - Heart Health: Stanford Twin Trial Results

00:12:02 - Saturated Fat, Polyunsaturated Fat, and Heart Disease

00:13:01 - Stanford Swap Meat Trial: Plant-Based Alternatives vs. Red Meat

00:14:14 - Sponsor: Our Place Cookware

00:17:01 - Longevity and Mortality Data

00:17:49 - Performance and Strength: Protein Requirements

00:20:47 - Easily Hitting Plant Protein Requirements

00:21:43 - Debunking the Carnivore Diet

00:23:02 - Closing Thoughts and Personal Point of View

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

• Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.

• Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout.

Connect with Darin Olien:

• Website: darinolien.com

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

• Platform & Products: superlife.com

Key Takeaway

"Living food creates life. Every amino acid, every cell, every act of nourishment begins with plants — not because of belief, but because that's where all protein begins."

Living in Harmony with Earth: Robin Greenfield's Radical Simplicity

In this inspiring conversation, Darin sits down with activist, environmentalist, and author Robin Greenfield — a man who has dedicated his life to proving that another way of living is possible. From giving up his cell phone and divesting from banks, to foraging 100% of his own food, Robin's radical experiments in simplicity challenge everything we've been taught about success, comfort, and happiness.

Together, they explore how to reclaim sovereignty from destructive systems, find fulfillment in simplicity, and reconnect to the Earth through daily, mindful action. This isn't about perfection — it's about alignment, awareness, and choosing to live your truth, one conscious choice at a time.

What You'll Learn

00:00:00 – Robin's awakening: how a six-figure lifestyle turned into a journey of radical change

00:05:00 – The documentaries and books that opened his eyes to global systems of destruction

00:07:00 – How he transformed his life through 100 conscious lifestyle changes — from banking to transportation

00:10:00 – Why "My life is my message" became his mantra, inspired by Gandhi

00:12:00 – Facing ego, societal pressure, and judgment while walking away from the American Dream

00:15:00 – Building resilience through challenge — from biking across the U.S. to living without a phone

00:18:00 – The inner transformation that comes from changing your environment and habits

00:20:00 – How true freedom begins with changing your surroundings and reclaiming your autonomy

00:25:00 – Robin's year of foraging — what it's like to live entirely off wild food

00:29:00 – The wild rice, seaweed, venison, and mushrooms that fuel his journey across America

00:33:00 – Regeneration at scale — why we can restore the planet if we act locally and mindfully

00:36:00 – The power of responsibility: living in alignment with your beliefs and values

00:42:00 – Finding peace and clarity through Vipassana meditation and self-awareness

00:46:00 – Why judgment and "rightness" block change — and how compassion creates true activism

00:50:00 – How foraging reconnects us to our senses and the intelligence of the natural world

00:54:00 – Robin and Darin's plan for a 2026 California foraging school collaboration

Thank You to Our Sponsors

• Bite Toothpaste Bits — Ditch the plastic tubes. Try Bite today for 20% off with code DARIN20 at trybite.com/darin20.

• Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your order.

Find More from Robin Greenfield

• Website: robingreenfield.org

• Instagram: @robjgreenfield

• YouTube: Robin Greenfield

• Learn more about his foraging journey: robingreenfield.org/foraging

Find More from Darin Olien:

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Podcast: SuperLife Podcast

• Website: superlife.com

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

Key Takeaway

"When we stop trying to fix the world and start fixing our relationship with it, everything changes. True activism begins the moment we take responsibility for how we live, breathe, eat, and love."

In this solo episode, Darin takes on the "beef tallow" craze that's been sweeping the wellness world — exposing the industry manipulation, environmental costs, and scientific inaccuracies behind the trend.

From skincare to supplements, companies are selling animal byproducts as miracle cures — but what's really happening behind the scenes? Darin dives into the industrial rendering process, the hidden pollution of factory farming, and the false "ancestral" marketing that's convincing people to buy into a billion-dollar rebrand of waste.

This episode isn't about guilt — it's about truth, awareness, and sovereignty. Because when you know how the system really works, you can choose differently.

What You'll Learn

00:00:00 – Why Darin decided to peel back the layers on the beef tallow trend

00:01:00 – What tallow actually is: industrially rendered animal fat from slaughterhouse byproducts

00:03:00 – The dirty details: high-heat rendering, bleaching, deodorizing, and chemical refining

00:06:00 – The hidden foundation of factory farming and the myth of "ancestral" sourcing

00:08:00 – The human and environmental toll of the tallow supply chain — pollution, stress, and labor exploitation

00:10:00 – Marketing manipulation: how "natural" language disguises industrial exploitation

00:12:00 – Science check: why tallow isn't nutritionally superior to seed oils

00:14:00 – The clinical data: saturated vs. polyunsaturated fats and heart health

00:16:00 – The real safety issues — prion disease, contaminants, oxidation, and hidden toxins

00:18:00 – Why skincare claims are unproven — no data shows tallow outperforms plant oils

00:20:00 – The illusion of "zero-waste": how byproduct economics fuel more slaughter

00:22:00 – What "natural" actually costs — to the planet, animals, and human health

00:24:00 – The path forward: transparency, awareness, and choosing regenerative alternatives

00:26:00 – The SuperLife perspective: stop calling destruction natural — awareness is the first step toward change

Thank You to Our Sponsors

• Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout.

• EnergyBits: 100% spirulina and chlorella tablets delivering pure food nutrition. Use code SUPERLIFE for 20% off at energybits.com.

Find More from Darin Olien:

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Podcast: SuperLife Podcast

• Website: superlife.com

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

Key Takeaway

"Let's stop calling destruction natural. When we stop buying into exploitation, we stop funding it — and that's when change begins for the animals, for the planet, and for us."

Bibliography / Key References

1. Meatscience.org, "Rendering 101" (industry rendering overview)
2. FAO / Codex Alimentarius, edible fats and oils specifications (MIU, peroxide, etc.)
3. Sölens / rendering-industry chemical supplier blogs (on refining aids, odor control)
4. FDA/EPA dioxin/PCB in fats monitoring programs
5. AHA/ACC (American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology) review on saturated vs unsaturated fats and cardiovascular disease
6. PubMed articles on prion resistance to rendering
7. Derm & cosmetic reviews on tallow/animal fats in skincare
8. Industry & environmental NGO reports on factory farming's greenhouse gas, water, land use, manure pollution, worker conditions

In a digital world saturated with questionable dating advice from self-proclaimed gurus, Dr. Max Butterfield has emerged as a powerful and refreshing voice of reason. A professor with a Ph.D. in psychology, Max never intended to become a social media star. Tasked by a literary agent to simply build a small online presence for a book deal, he accidentally tapped into a massive cultural nerve, dissecting viral relationship videos with research-backed clarity and amassing over a million followers in just a few months. His journey is a testament to the power of authentic expertise, proving that in a sea of misinformation, people are desperately searching for grounded, scientific truth to navigate the complexities of human connection.

This conversation is a masterclass in the psychology of modern relationships, going far beyond surface-level tips to explore the deep undercurrents shaping how we connect today. Dr. Butterfield breaks down why the "paradox of choice" fueled by dating apps makes us treat people as disposable and how these platforms are financially incentivized to keep you single . He and Darin dive into the critical difference between initial physical attraction and the values that predict long-term happiness, the truth about "soulmates," and the foundational skills—like managing conflict, building safety through mutual disclosure, and simple kindness—that are essential for growing a healthy, lasting partnership.

What You'll Learn

[04:52] The Accidental Influencer: A Quest for 100 Followers That Ignited a Movement

[07:19] The Danger of Expertise: Why What You Know Can Get in the Way

[09:47] The Algorithm's Easter Gift: Discovering That Instagram Is a Dating App

[10:54] The Trap of Absolute Statements: Why "All Men" or "All Women" Is Your First Mistake

[12:58] The Tyranny of Choice: When Endless Options Make People Feel Disposable

[14:48] The Business of Keeping You Single: How Dating Apps Are Built to Fail

[17:54] The Lost Art of Patience: Looking to the Past to Build a Future

[19:40] The Unseen Green Flags: The Power of Genuine Curiosity

[25:47] The Saboteur in the Parking Lot: Confronting Your Unconscious Patterns in Love

[28:47] The Death of the Village: Losing Community, Accountability, and Self-Regulation

[32:24] The Great Deception: What We Say We Want vs. Who We Actually Choose

[36:28] The Alchemy of Attraction: How Your Behavior Literally Changes Your Brain Chemistry

[38:15] The Four Horsemen of Contempt: Why How You Argue Is Everything

[40:07] The True Meaning of Respect: It's Kindness, Not Fear

[43:20] The Radical Act of Honesty: Letting the Universe Sort It Out

[45:47] The Sacred Exchange of Mutual Disclosure: Building Unshakeable Safety

[53:24] Stupid Games, Stupid Prizes: Debunking the "Rules" That Ruin Relationships

[56:22] You Don't Find a Soulmate, You Grow One

[01:04:14] The Grand Misunderstanding: What Men and Women Get Wrong About Attraction

[01:15:46] The Jealousy Trap: Can Men and Women Really Be Just Friends?

[01:22:35] Growing Up Together: The Secret to a 23-Year Marriage That Started in College

[01:27:57] The Professor's Megaphone: Sharing Truth on a Global Stage

Thank You to Our Sponsors

• Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.

• Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ or use code DARIN for 20% off your order.

Find More from Dr. Max Butterfield

• Instagram: @drmaxbutterfield

• Website: drmaxwellness.com

• Download his Long-Distance Relationship Survival Guide

Find More from Darin Olien:

• Instagram: @darinolien

• Podcast: SuperLife Podcast

• Website: superlife.com

• Book: Fatal Conveniences

Key Takeaway

"Your hormones aren't broken — they're responding to your environment, your thoughts, and your stress. When you reconnect to safety, balance minerals, and honor rest, the body remembers how to heal itself."