For today’s special bonus episode, David welcomes Tavi Castro to the show to explore the bold decisions and mindset shifts that have defined Tavi’s journey—from walking away from the toxic elements of fitness culture to reinventing himself through the meditative power of freediving.

Tavi recounts how a devastating injury led him into the water, sparking a new passion that reignited his purpose. His viral video—where he appears to leap through an underwater cloud—garnered hundreds of millions of views, but it wasn’t fame he was chasing. Instead Tavi speaks on the importance of authenticity in content creation, how he uses visual art to share messages of peace, and why he rejected sponsorships to protect his creative and spiritual integrity.

David and Tavi also discuss his intermittent fasting approach, how he eats and trains to sustain elite performance, and the introspective practices that drive him. Now, with a screenplay in development that explores humanity’s search for meaning in an AI-driven world, Tavi is channeling all of his life’s experiences—fitness, music, diving, and resilience—into one cinematic project.

This special conversation is an invitation to redefine success, embrace discomfort, and live with bold intentionality—don’t miss it!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Launching Into the Cloud: The Viral Freedive

01:29 Tavi’s Journey: From Tomorrowland DJ to Aquaman

02:36 Leaving Bodybuilding for a Deeper Purpose

05:52 The Story Behind the 100M+ View Video

08:19 Viral Fame vs. True Fulfillment

11:06 Aerospace Engineering and the Art of Learning

12:29 How Freediving Became Meditation

14:10 Holding Breath for Six and a Half Minutes

15:28 Why Curiosity Beats Talent

17:29 From Soccer to Self-Mastery

19:27 The Dark Side of Bodybuilding Competitions

22:13 Letting Go of Titles to Embrace True Impact

23:18 Tavi’s Nutrition & Training Blueprint

26:58 Intermittent Fasting and Personalized Fitness

27:31 Hollywood, AI, and Writing a Visionary Script

30:36 Reconnecting With Purpose in a Utopian Future

32:15 Final Words and Creative Freedom

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David Nurse is an NBA/elite performance optimization coach, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Do It: The Life-Changing Power of Taking Action, and an internationally-acclaimed motivational keynote speaker.

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Todd Vande Hei—CEO of Stark Health—joins David for the final episode of season 2, sharing his transformation from medical crisis in his 30s to top-tier health in his 50s. Todd outlines his game-changing “Wheel of Health” framework—designed to assess and optimize all key health domains—and explains how integrating lifestyle, exercise, nutrition, stress management, hormone balance, and data tracking leads to sustainable gains.

Together Todd and David debunk magic bullets, emphasizing fundamentals and strategic measurement using tools like DEXA, HRV tracking, blood panels, and hormone labs. Todd also touches on enhancing mental resilience through cold immersion, AI-assisted personalized training, and when hormone therapy can be a foundational game-changer.

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon once again joins David for the final part of this episode, this time discussing the importance of muscle quality over quantity and advocating measuring the fat within the muscle to assess true muscular health. The two reinforce the importance of body autonomy, stating that if a tool helps someone mentally and emotionally—whether they have 5 or 50 pounds to lose—it’s valid. The key takeaway from this conversation: health is not fate, it’s a skill that can be acquired and mastered to achieve peak performance.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Holding My Baby—Morning Epiphany

01:13 From Medical Crisis to Peak Health

05:14 Building the Wheel of Health Framework

07:34 Life Integration vs Balance—The Dance

12:30 Measurement Tools: Oura, DEXA, Labs

16:56 What Works—Lifestyle Always Comes First

18:23 Hormone Therapy: A Foundational Tool

21:20 Cold Plunges & Brain Growth

22:22 Teen Testosterone Decline & Digital Stress

24:01 AI’s Role in Personalized Training

27:57 Minimal Viable Training: 2–4 hrs/week

29:43 Individual Variability: Goals & History

32:44 Key Metrics: Grip, VO₂max, Mental Health

34:58 Final Takeaways + How to Follow Todd

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David Nurse is an NBA/elite performance optimization coach, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Do It: The Life-Changing Power of Taking Action, and an internationally-acclaimed motivational keynote speaker.

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Dr. Dawn Mussallem, an integrative oncologist at Mayo Clinic, joins David to share her extraordinary journey—surviving Stage IV lymphoma, enduring a near-death flat line, and later undergoing a heart transplant—guided by her joy, faith, and steadfast commitment to a lifestyle-centered healing approach. Traveling to Dharamsala to meet the Dalai Lama reinforced Dawn’s belief in love, compassion, and unity as essential complements to medical science. She unpacks metrics for heart and cancer prevention (like Apo-B, lipoproteins, calcium scoring, early detection tests), debunks extremes, and champions five daily pillars—connection, movement, nutritious eating, sleep, and reducing toxins—as foundational to vibrant, purposeful living.

At the end of the episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon joins David to highlight the most actionable biomarkers and tools for heart and cancer prevention. Gabrielle underscores a shift toward individualized care and warns against outdated generalizations—like past assumptions linking testosterone to prostate cancer—underscoring the evolving nature of medical understanding.

This episode blends profound personal experience, spiritual enlightenment, and evidence-based lifestyle guidance. Whether you're fighting illness or striving for vitality, Dawn's infectious joy and practical wisdom illuminate a path that uplifts body, mind, and spirit.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Meeting the Dalai Lama: love, compassion & time standing still

03:48 Cancer diagnosis: facing Stage IV lymphoma in medical school

06:55 Cardiac aftermath: near-death flat-line & living with 8% ejection fraction

10:33 Integrative medicine at Mayo: holistic care & lifestyle optimization

15:08 Heart health metrics: Apo‑B, lipoproteins & imaging insights

19:20 Cancer prevention through lifestyle: nutrition, movement & sleep

24:59 Environmental factors: navigating risks without fear

27:12 Five daily habits: connection, movement, food, sleep & toxin awareness

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David Nurse is an NBA/elite performance optimization coach, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Do It: The Life-Changing Power of Taking Action, and an internationally-acclaimed motivational keynote speaker.

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To learn more, you can go to kashkhanofficial.com/nurse and use code Nurse50 for $50 off + Free 15 minute personalized health call. (may want to spell out K-A-S-H-K-H-A-N Official.com forward slash NURSE)

What if your health, energy, and mental edge were already coded into your DNA—and all you had to do was unlock it? Kashif Khan, founder of The DNA Company, joins David on this week’s episode of The David Nurse Show to break down how your genes really do hold the blueprint for peak performance and longevity.

During their conversation, Kashif walks David through his personal DNA results, revealing shocking insights about gut health, mitochondrial energy production, and the so-called "clutch gene" that influences high-pressure performance. The two also discuss whether killer instinct is born or built, how to fix poor genetic detox systems, and why many popular supplements may be doing more harm than good if your body isn’t genetically suited for them.

Finally, learn why some people never feel full, why keto can backfire based on your fat metabolism gene, and how your DNA can predict future disease risk—so you can take action before it’s too late. Don't miss this fascinating conversation!

Use code NURSE50 at kashkhanofficial.com/nurse for $50 off your DNA test and a free 15-minute personalized consultation.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Can You Develop Killer Instinct or Is It in Your DNA?

02:29 Kashif’s Health Journey and Founding of The DNA Company

04:37 The Neurochemical Blueprint of Clutch Performance

08:11 How Genomics Predicts Mental Toughness and Trauma

09:48 Developing Killer Instinct Through Genetic Expression

11:23 Personalized Health: Gut Issues and Missing Detox Genes

15:48 Mitochondrial Dysfunction and the Future of Your Energy

21:09 Cardiovascular Risk and the Truth About Endothelial Health

24:37 The Vaccine, mRNA, and Young Athletes' Heart Risk

28:40 Is Gene Therapy Real or Just Hype?

30:27 What Really Slows Aging: Genes, Mitochondria & Inflammation

32:14 The Warrior Gene: Training Based on Your Hormones

36:53 Is There a Fat Gene? Why Diets Succeed or Fail by DNA

39:02 How to Get Your DNA Tested and Optimize Your Life

40:18 The Dopamine Map: Broke or Billionaire?

42:00 Facing Mortality and the DNA of a Life Well Lived

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Get David's New Breakout book of the year:

https://www.amazon.com/Do-Life-Changing-Power-Taking-Action/dp/1119853702

David Nurse is an NBA/elite performance optimization coach, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Do It: The Life-Changing Power of Taking Action, and an internationally-acclaimed motivational keynote speaker.

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Dr. Will Cole sits down with David on today’s episode of The David Nurse Show to unpack one of the most pressing issues facing America: our broken approach to healthcare and nutrition. Despite spending more on healthcare than any other industrialized nation, the U.S. faces skyrocketing chronic disease and declining life expectancy. Will doesn’t just point out the problems—he presents solutions through his work with the “Maha” movement (Make America Healthy Again), which is aiming to democratize access to functional medicine and break the grip of the pharmaceutical and processed food industries.

Together Will and David expose the deep-rooted issues: food subsidies that promote disease, misinformation in media, and political agendas that distort the truth. They also tackle the cultural contradictions—how toxic diet culture has swung to glorify obesity under the guise of body positivity, and why self-respect should be the foundation of nutritional choices. The conversation balances big-picture activism with personal responsibility, offering both inspiration and actionable guidance.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Why the U.S. Health System Is Set Up to Fail

01:20 The Truth About Lucky Charms and Processed Foods

02:45 MAHA Movement: More Than Politics

04:10 Inside the Kellogg’s Headquarters Protest

07:10 The Power of Deep, Dark Pharma Money

10:00 Hope vs. Juggernaut: Can Change Really Happen?

11:45 Public School Food, Subsidies, and Chronic Disease

14:00 Body Positivity vs. Self-Respect in Health

16:00 The Cultural Overcorrection and Virtue Signaling

18:00 Behind-the-Scenes at MAHA and Kellogg’s

21:00 Realignment of Political Ideals in Wellness

25:00 Why Stats on Health Should Wake Us Up

28:15 The Core Four Inflammatory Foods to Cut

31:25 What to Eat Instead: Nutrient-Dense Healing Foods

33:30 Feeding Your Head and Heart with Intention

35:00 Stevia, Zevia, and the Peanut Butter Addiction

38:00 Guilty Pleasures and the Truth About Balance

41:30 Holding Each Other Accountable for Health Habits

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On today’s episode of The David Nurse Show, cardiovascular researcher and pharmacist, Dr. James DiNicolantonio, sets the record straight on one of the most misunderstood nutrients—salt. Far from being the enemy, sodium is essential for performance, focus, energy, and cardiovascular health. During his conversation with David, James explains why most people are chronically under-consuming salt and how this impacts everything from fatigue to hormonal health.

Together David and James explore how low salt levels can increase insulin resistance, stress hormones, and even cravings, creating a dangerous cycle that sabotages physical and mental performance. James also breaks down how proper sodium intake improves endurance, sleep, and stress resilience—and gives specific guidance on how to tailor salt intake based on your activity level and lifestyle. This episode is a must-listen for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone wanting to perform at their highest level.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. James DiNicolantonio

01:32 Why Salt Is Not the Enemy

03:45 The Real Science Behind Sodium and Blood Pressure

06:10 Hydration Myths That Hurt Performance

08:05 Signs of Salt Deficiency in High Performers

10:22 How Low Salt Increases Insulin and Stress Hormones

13:01 Optimizing Sodium for Energy and Focus

15:17 Best Forms of Salt and Electrolyte Supplements

18:00 How to Personalize Your Salt Intake

20:04 Final Takeaways on Salt, Health & Longevity

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Visit https://ketone.com/DAVID for 30% OFF your subscription order PLUS receive a free gift with your second shipment—fun surprises like a free 6-pack, Ketone-IQ merch, and more!

Celebrity trainer Don Saladino joins David Nurse for this raw, energizing conversation about what it really takes to build and sustain elite-level health and performance—physically and mentally. On today’s episode Don outlines why consistency is the single most overlooked and irreplaceable factor in transformation—revealing how he’s structured his training for over 30 years to avoid burnout, stay injury-free, and keep evolving.

Together the two explore how Don’s approach has evolved from his early Equinox days to working with top-tier Hollywood clients, and why standards—not hacks—create real transformation. Don discusses resistance training as the “entrée” to fitness, how he integrates cardio for recovery and longevity, and why NSVs (non-scale victories) are a far more reliable progress marker than the number on the scale. Don also takes a firm stance on the influencer vs. coach debate—calling out the lack of real-world experience in the online fitness space—and shares why application trumps lab results when it comes to real change.

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon joins David toward the end of the episode to break down intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) as a game-changing new health marker and how movement is essential for skeletal muscle quality. They also discuss the best ways to track nutrition for body composition, the psychology of standards, and what truly sustainable excellence looks like.

No matter where you’re at in your fitness journey, this episode will challenge you to raise your standards, think deeper, and train with more purpose.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Don Saladino’s Relentless Consistency

03:00 40,000+ Sessions and What They Taught Him

06:45 Periodization, Recovery & Training Blocks

11:20 Real Coaches vs Influencers

13:40 The Science vs Application Debate

16:00 Tracking, Feel, and Nutrition Misconceptions

18:45 Metabolic Flexibility and Real RMR Gains

21:15 Training to Failure: What It Really Takes

23:00 Celebrity Coaching and Industry Experience

26:15 Why Standards > Motivation

28:45 NSVs and Sustainable Progress

31:00 Ozempic, Shortcuts, and Long-Term Costs

34:00 Gabrielle Lyon on iMAT and Muscle Health

38:00 Optimal Training Frequency & Recovery

42:00 Reframing Body Fat vs Muscle Quality

46:00 Standards as a Lifestyle Filter

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Visit https://ketone.com/DAVID for 30% OFF your subscription order PLUS receive a free gift with your second shipment—fun surprises like a free 6-pack, Ketone-IQ merch, and more!

Christian Drapeau, a leading expert in stem cell science, joins David Nurse to unpack the often misunderstood world of stem cells and how they are changing the game for health, healing, and longevity. Rather than splurging on expensive injections abroad, Christian outlines how specific plant extracts can trigger your own body to release millions of stem cells daily—jumpstarting recovery, rejuvenation, and regeneration from within.

David and Christian’s conversation also navigates the socio-political resistance to stem cell technologies in Western countries, detailing how the pharmaceutical industry’s profit-driven model clashes with treatments that actually restore health rather than manage symptoms.

Christian brings clarity to a cutting-edge yet practical health approach that many medical professionals still dismiss simply because it challenges the status quo. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to optimize performance, prevent disease, or better understand how to support the body’s natural healing abilities.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 The Future of Medicine—Stem Cell Repair Potential

02:07 Why Stem Cells Are Misunderstood

03:00 Stem Cells as the Body’s Repair System

04:54 Regulatory Resistance and the Pharma Business Model

08:47 The Truth About Stemregen and Plant-Based Activation

10:32 From Lab to Reality: Proof of Heart Regeneration

12:33 How Much Stem Cell Release Is Possible?

14:58 Top 5 Plants That Mobilize Stem Cells

15:37 Study: Accelerated Injury Recovery in Elite Athletes

18:59 Microtrauma, Athletic Recovery & Injury Prevention

19:21 What is ESCM (Endogenous Stem Cell Mobilization)?

21:20 What It'll Take for Mainstream Acceptance

24:44 Why This Could Be a Turning Point in Modern Health

26:30 Stem Cells: From Concept to Cultural Acceptance

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Visit https://ketone.com/DAVID for 30% OFF your subscription order PLUS receive a free gift with your second shipment—fun surprises like a free 6-pack, Ketone-IQ merch, and more!

Dr. Latt Mansor’s path from a small town in Malaysia to earning degrees at Columbia and Oxford is a story of relentless curiosity, resilience, and timing. In this compelling conversation with David Nurse, Latt reveals how a series of unexpected decisions led him to the forefront of ketone research at H.V.M.N., where he now leads groundbreaking studies on performance, focus, recovery, and heart health.

He breaks down the science behind ketones—why the brain and body love them, how Ketone IQ differs from traditional energy sources like caffeine, and what the data shows in real-world applications: improved endurance, sharper mental clarity, deeper sleep, and even enhanced cardiac output in heart failure patients.

But this episode is about more than science. Latt shares how personal loss, cultural identity, and internal self-doubt shaped his mission to help others live longer, more optimized lives. It’s a conversation on fuel—not just for the body, but for the mind, purpose, and belief.

Whether you’re training for peak performance, building a business, or simply aiming to think and feel your best, this episode delivers the clarity, consistency, and actionable insight you need to operate at your highest level—physically and mentally.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Latt's Journey: From Malaysia to Oxford

06:43 Breaking Into Biotech Without a Plan

12:59 The Startup Pivot: From Academia to Entrepreneurship

17:01 How Ketones Work in the Body

21:50 Ketone IQ vs. Caffeine: Real Energy Without the Crash

25:33 Sports Performance & Anaerobic Gains

30:20 Ketones for Mental Focus & Flow State

33:45 Sleep Enhancement & Ketones at Night

37:02 Appetite Suppression & Weight Control Studies

40:25 Heart Health Breakthroughs in Ketone Research

43:57 Risks, Cautions & What Ketones Can't Do

45:31 The Real Takeaway: Consistency, Self-Belief & Performance Optimization

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Dr. Chris Asandra, one of the top hormone and peptide therapy experts in the world, sits down with David Nurse to discuss the frontier of health optimization—and why it's not just about looking younger, but truly feeling better, longer. From testosterone therapy to breakthrough peptides like BPC-157, CJC-1295, and GHK copper, this conversation unpacks the real science behind the “Hollywood stacks” transforming how top performers—from actors to athletes—prepare their bodies and minds. Known as a leading expert in anti-aging and performance medicine, Dr. Asandra shares the truth about TRT, peptide stacks, Ozempic alternatives, and the secrets behind Hollywood’s physique transformations.

The episode covers the stigma around hormone replacement, the power of copper peptides, and how hormone balancing is transforming both male and female lives. David and Chris also explore gene therapy trends, optimal supplement stacks, and what the future of personalized medicine looks like. Dr. Asandra pulls back the curtain on peptides that heal gut lining, stimulate growth hormone, burn fat, and even promote collagen and hair regrowth. The two also dive into Ozempic and its alternatives, the growing impact of GLP-1s, and how people are using these compounds safely to transform their health—with less risk and more reward than traditional pharmaceuticals.

Whether you’re getting ready for a blockbuster role or just want to feel your best, Dr. Asandra maps out the exact protocols and stacks that get real results—and why working with a qualified professional matters more than ever. If you're curious about anti-aging, aesthetic performance, or the truth behind what top-level talent is using, this episode will open your eyes to a powerful new health paradigm.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Chris Asandra

01:42 The Science and Stigma Behind Peptides

05:20 Ozempic, GLP-1s, and Safe Fat Loss

10:03 The Power of Copper Peptides

13:00 TRT: Truths, Myths, and Proper Use

17:50 Building the Ideal Stack: Lean vs. Mass Goals

23:15 Injectables vs. Orals: What's Safer?

26:45 Brian Johnson, Gene Therapy, and Follistatin

29:00 Hormone Therapy for Women: Pre and Post-Menopause

32:40 How to Work with Dr. Asandra

34:10 Final Thoughts on Changing Lives with Hormones

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