The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston Podcast

Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode, host Dr. Pinkston sits down with dual board-certified physician, certified sports nutritionist, and author Dr. Maureen "Dr. Mo" Gibbons. Together, they dive deep into the realities of high-performance burnout, midlife shifts, and the foundations of lifestyle medicine. Dr. Mo shares her personal journey through exhaustion, the power of putting your health first, and how creating sustainable "minimum viable processes" can change your life.

Key Highlights & Takeaways

• The Reality of High Performance: High achievers often try to outwork or out-think every problem until they hit a wall. Recognizing that "working harder stops working" is the crucial jumping-off point for real change.

• Lifestyle Medicine Basics: Rather than chasing quick-fix hacks, Dr. Mo emphasizes foundational "big rocks"—focusing on simple, impactful wins like hydration, quantity/timing of nutrition, and restorative sleep.

• Creating Margin: True margin isn't just having extra bandwidth; it's carving out mental and physical space to breathe, rest, and step away from the endless to-do list.

• Putting Yourself First: A vital reminder from the episode: "If you have your health, you have 99 problems. If you don't have your health, you have one."

Connect with the Guests & Resources

• Dr. Maureen "Dr. Moe" Gibbons: Find her new book at Freedom to Shift Book and connect on Instagram @DrMoeGibbons (DM the word "pink" for her Effort Gap Assessment).

• Dr. Pinkston: Visit the official show website at Dr. P's Better Life for more episodes, links, and updates.

• Show Sponsor: Learn more about DeNovo Plus B12 at Magna Web.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are traditional therapy models falling short on your healing journey? In this powerful episode of The Better Life, host Dr. Pinkston sits down with author and researcher Mark Michaels to explore a groundbreaking approach to trauma, identity, and personal transformation.

Mark shares his extraordinary personal story—from being among the first generation of donor-conceived individuals in the 1950s to uncovering hidden family truths, navigating childhood trauma, and challenging standard psychological labels. Together, Dr. Pinkston and Mark break down why we shouldn't allow past trauma or diagnoses to define who we are, and how innovative approaches like intensive EMDR and ketamine-assisted therapy can lead to rapid, lasting healing.

📌 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Overcoming Identity Traps: Why defining yourself by trauma or neurodivergence can stall your progress—and how to break free.

• Intensive Therapy vs. Traditional Weekly Sessions: How short-term, high-intensity therapeutic models save time, money, and emotional energy.

• The Synergy of EMDR & Ketamine: How combining dissociative anesthetic properties with bi-lateral brain processing reaches underlying trauma talk therapy can't touch.

• Navigating the Therapist Dynamics: Why the relationship with your provider matters and how to empower yourself as a client.

• Demystifying Psychedelics: The role of mindset, setting, and intentionality in deep self-exploration.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Better Life, Dr. Pinkston opens up with raw transparency about her decades-long battle with severe autoimmune disease, chronic pain, and childhood trauma. Despite seeing over 40,000 patients throughout her 30-year medical career, she discovered a critical, missing layer to true healing that modern medicine often overlooks: the central nervous system.

Joined by applied neurology and flow state coach Brandon Day (founder of Evolved Athlete), Dr. Pinkston explores how targeted neuro-training can reset the brain's "baby brain" survival state, quiet chronic inflammation, and bring the body out of continuous fight-or-flight mode. Together, they discuss the mechanics of applied neurology, offer a quick live drill you can try at home to instantly relieve physical tension, and share how shifting focus from downstream symptoms to root signaling can transform your health.

Follow Brandon:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambrandonday/

Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/evolved/about

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can simple, 15-minute changes in your kitchen dramatically impact your health and longevity?

On this episode of The Better Life, Dr. Pinkston sits down with Chef Ron Russell—longevity educator, vegan chef, author, and founder of Longevity Visa. Ron has spent over 50 years mastering plant-based cooking, opening the award-winning Sun Cafe Organic in Los Angeles, leading over 400 cooking classes, and preparing meals for patients at Dr. Dean Ornish’s UCLA Medical Center clinic.

Dr. Pinkston and Ron break down actionable, daily kitchen strategies to reduce systemic inflammation, optimize nutrition, and support healthy aging without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• 15-Minute Meals & Habit Stacking: Simple ways to prepare nutrient-dense meals fast, including Ron’s 5-minute creamy spinach soup.

• The 5 Pillars of Longevity: How nutrition, fasting, smart movement, targeted supplementation, and mind-body health work together.

• Mastering the Greens: Why cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens are the ultimate diet staples—and how to easily add them to every dish.

• Nutritional Yeast & Clean Pantry Staples: Deciphering non-GMO vs. organic, choosing healthier cookware (ceramic vs. Teflon), and using anti-inflammatory ingredients like matcha, cacao, and pumpkin seeds.

• The Power of Gratitude: How mindset, stress management, and a daily gratitude practice directly impact healthspan and longevity.

• Ron Russell | Founder of Longevity Visa

• Website: longevityvisa.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Better Life, Dr. Pinkston sits down with Matt Field, co-owner of Right at Home in the Chicago suburbs, to address the growing dementia crisis facing aging baby boomers and their families. Drawing on his unique background as both a home care leader and an ordained rabbi with years of pastoral experience, Matt shares compassionate, practical guidance on how to preserve dignity for loved ones living with dementia while supporting the heavily burdened family caregiver.

• Host Website: drpbetterlife.com

• Guest Website: chicagoland.care

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston! In this episode, Dr. Pinkston is joined by Steven McConnell—lipidemiologist, founder, and CSO of Health Defenders—for a deep dive into root-cause solutions for kidney disease, cardiovascular health, and integrative medicine.

With over three decades of clinical background and research, Steven shares his inspiring personal journey and groundbreaking insights into reversing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI).

In this episode, Dr. Pinkston and Steven discuss:

Root Causes of Kidney Disease: Why conventional staging with creatinine often misses early-stage disease and why testing Cystatin C and the Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (ACR) is critical.

The Thyroid & Kidney Connection: How acidosis and hormone leakage impact kidney function and GFR.

Cardiovascular & Lipid Links: The role of Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], advanced lipid testing, and targeted interventions.

Targeted Therapies & Inflammation: The benefits and proper use of Niacin, Colchicine, and blood pressure management tailored for kidney health.

Actionable Protocols: Practical strategies for taking control of your health beyond conventional 12-minute doctor visits.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston, host Dr. Pinkston is joined by recurring guest Ray Solano from PD Labs to break down the current state of modern healthcare, online telemedicine platforms, and the true value of personalized compounding pharmacy services.

Together, they discuss:

• The Telemedicine Boom: Why quick online quizzes and pill-delivery services lack continuity of care, miss underlying health issues, and prioritize profit over long-term patient support.

• What Truly Is Personalized Medicine? How custom compounding, off-label therapies (like low-dose naltrexone), and tailored dosages solve complex health challenges.

• Debunking Compounding Myths: Understanding the heavy federal and state regulations, strict quality controls, and advanced tech—including 3D printing—behind accredited compounding pharmacies.

• Chronic Illness Solutions: Insights into tackling root-cause issues like mold toxicity, Lyme disease, and chronic microbial infections.

• Advocating for Patient Rights: Updates on legislative battles to protect patient access to vital therapies like custom thyroid formulations and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

• Seasonal Health Tips: Why preparing your immune system before back-to-school and flu season is essential for staying healthy year-round.

Connect & Resources:

• PD Labs: Visit pdlabsrx.com or call 888-909-0110

• Dr. Pinkston: Visit drpbetterlife.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Use code: PINKc60

https://shopc60.com/

Could a Nobel Prize–winning carbon molecule hold the secret to optimal cellular health, enhanced energy, and anti-aging?

In this episode of The Better Life, host Dr. Pinkston is joined by Ken Swartz, founder of C60 Power, to explore the remarkable science behind Carbon 60 (C60). Discover how this unique molecule acts as a powerful superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase mimic within the mitochondria—the energy powerhouses of our cells.

Ken shares his personal journey with C60, from protecting his research crew against radiation to witnessing incredible health turnarounds in retinal health, energy, and overall vitality. Tune in to learn how target mitochondrial support can help neutralize damaging free radicals, combat chronic inflammation, and boost your body’s natural capacity to heal and thrive.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston, host Dr. Mary Ann Pinkston sits down with pharmacist Ray Solano from PD Labs to discuss cutting-edge integrative science and brain health solutions.

They explore the neuro-regenerative properties of RG3 and RB1 ginsenosides, how nasal spray formulas are helping combat cognitive decline, and the role of Alpha-GPC and nicotinamide riboside in mitochondrial energy. Additionally, Dr. Pinkston and Ray break down critical updates regarding thyroid glandular availability, compounding pharmacy benefits, and off-label therapeutic solutions like VIP nasal spray for pulmonary hypertension and CIRS.

Learn more about PD Labs: pdlabsrx.com

Explore past episodes and resources with Dr. Pinkston: drpbetterlife.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sitting really might be the new smoking. In this episode of The Better Life with Dr. Pinkston, Dr. Mary Ann Pinkston sits down with Dr. Warren Lesser from Magna Pharmaceuticals to break down the severe, long-term health risks of a comfy, sedentary lifestyle.

From metabolic syndrome and systemic chronic inflammation to sleep apnea and peripheral neuropathy, prolonged inactivity impacts far more than just your weight—it directly affects your cognitive function, cardiovascular system, and long-term vitality.

Dr. Pinkston and Dr. Lesser walk through practical, science-backed strategies to break up sitting time, optimize daily movement, adopt anti-inflammatory nutrition patterns, and leverage high-efficacy, bioavailable supplementation (including L-methylfolate, active B12, and pure Omega-3s) to restore energy and protect your cellular health.

Dr. Pinkston's Official Website & Podcasts: drpbetterlife.com

Magna Pharmaceuticals: magnaweb.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.