In this episode, Noah is joined by Rockelle Jang.  Rockelle Jang is a PhD candidate working in the laboratory of Dr. Gina Poe where she studies mechanisms of sleep, learning, and memory in animals and humans. Rockelle has served as a teaching associate and graduate student mentor for programs run by the UCLA Undergraduate Research Center. She was the recipient of the UCLA Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology Eureka Scholarship and the UCLA Training in Neurotechnology Translation Training grant in 2020, which supported research that led to the novel discovery that different areas of the brain can be in different sleep stages at the same time in humans. In her spare time she enjoys training Brazilian jiu jitsu, training her dogs, and selling delicious home-baked sourdough bread alongside her husband for their small business named, Out of Thin Air. 

Rocky and Noah talk about a wide variety of topics, starting with what sleep actually is!  They also talk about Rocky’s groundbreaking research on what is happening in the brain during sleep, and how sleep affects your overall health. Listen and explore the interplay between sleep and disease, and the actionable steps you can take to become a healthier human being.

1. Why we yawn (open access)

In this episode, Noah is joined by Dave McBride.  Dave McBride is a doctoral candidate in the chemical engineering program at UC San Diego. Dave received his B.S. in chemical engineering from UC Santa Barbara. As a chemical engineer, Dave is interested in improving human health by understanding cells as reactors that integrate biochemical signals and output a complex network of chemical reactions. Dave’s graduate work has focused on developing biomaterials to understand and control aberrant immune responses in autoimmune disease. He hopes that this work will lay the foundation for new treatment options for patients with unmet needs. Outside of research, Davey is an avid beach volleyball player and obsessed dog dad to his dog, Hoodoo. 

Dave and Noah talk about a wide variety of topics, starting with Dave’s own health journey, involving a stroke.  They also talk about Dave’s groundbreaking research on immune responses, and the vital role of the microbiome in overall health. Listen and explore the interplay between autoimmune disease and cancer, current treatments, and the actionable steps you can take to become a healthier human being.

Here is the link to the paper on Dave’s most recent work:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202202720#

Here is a link to a press release from UCSD talking about the research:

https://today.ucsd.edu/story/biodegradable-polymer-system-offers-new-hope-for-treating-rheumatoid-arthritis

The Pangenome: the Pangenome project is focused on properly accounting for diversity in the human reference genome by incorporating genes of people from different ethnic backgrounds.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04601-8

The Bubonic Plague and Autoimmune Diseases:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/genes-protective-during-the-black-death-may-now-be-increasing-autoimmune-disorders-202212012859

Tattoos and immunology:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31654543/

In this episode, Noah is joined by friend and client David Moscow.  David Moscow is the creator, executive producer, and host of From Scratch.  David made his feature film debut at age thirteen in Big, starring as the young Tom Hanks; years later, he starred with Christian Bale in Newsies. He has appeared in dozens of films, television shows, and theater productions over a thirty-five year career.  Most recently, David founded the production company UnLTD Pictures. He has executive produced more than twenty feature films, including Under the Silver Lake, To Dust, Strawberry Mansion, and Wild Nights with Emily. He also directed the thriller Desolation.  David develops mixed-income sustainably green apartment buildings. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and children.

David and Noah talk about a multitude of topics, covering how your food choices affect your environment and community.  The importance of following the journey your food takes before landing on your plate and then in your body.  Humans have worked very hard to make life easier for ourselves, but we have actually created a blockade that has ended up hurting us.  So listen to find out how food gathering can positively affect you and your family, and how it’ll result in a happier, healthier, and more intelligent family.  And make sure to listen to hear the most difficult thing David ate during his travels!

Below are some great resources to find quality food from sustainable farms that pay their workers living wages.

• https://slowfoodusa.org

In this episode, Noah is joined by Chloe Catherine.  Chloe Catherine is a Dynamic Eating Psychology coach who is revolutionizing how we achieve and experience health. Her work dives into not just what someone eats but who they are as an eater and how that impacts their bodies metabolic rate. A teacher of food freedom and doing the deep inner work to find peace with food and body, Chlo’s work has impacted people from around the world.

Chloe and Noah talk about a wide variety of topics, starting with Chloe’s own experiences with anorexia and orthorexia.  What type of exercise women should do depending on what phase of the menstrual cycle they are in.  How damaging the “1,500 calories” per day standard is and other terrible diet trends.  What birth control does to a woman’s body.  But most importantly, the process you can start to love yourself, no matter what size or shape you are in.

In this episode, Noah is joined by his therapist Nathaniel Flatt. Nathaniel Flatt is an eclectic therapist channeling his skillset from evidence based and alternative modalities. He specializes in psychedelic assisted therapy, disordered eating, addiction, depression, anxiety, and LGBTQ+ issues. Nathaniel’s approach is unique in that he melds Western psychotherapy practices with Eastern philosophy and thought, which leads him to approach his practice with an open heart and client-centric collaboration. Nathaniel has guided his clients through daily life struggles, as well as long haul journeys to selfdom and agency.

Nathaniel and Noah talk about a wide range of topics.  From disordered eating and body dysmorphia, to psychedelic assisted therapy.  We hope that this conversation helps YOU normalize feelings of depression and anxiety in your life and to find the ability to talk about it.  Being vulnerable is not a weakness, it is a strength.

In this episode, Noah is joined by his client George Augusto.  George is co-founder and Artistic Director of women’s lifestyle brand STAUD.  He is also a partner of Kitchen Mouse, which is a restaurant, bakery, and caterer in Highland Park.   This episode is a little different than the usual FKFB episode, as we talk more about being an entrepreneur and taking a shot at building your own company.  We cover how important it is to really know yourself to be successful, being okay with failure, and how to operate at your best as a successful entrepreneur.

In this episode, Noah is joined by his friend Lucas Serventi.  Lucas is a business owner, entrepreneur, working model, aspiring actor/writer/director, a fitness and enthusiast AND is also a Fat Kid in a Fit Bod!  We talk about the different relationships we've had with food and our own body dysmorphia.  We explain when we first recognized we were fat: having to wear husky jeans and custom shorts for fat kids.  And how to live your life and have fun, while still maintaining a lean physique and good health.  

In this episode, Noah is joined by his long time friend Gabe Loza.  Gabe is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and currently works in Santa Barbara, CA at Muller and Weber Physical Therapy.

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Physical Therapists and Chiropractors? What should you look for when choosing a physical therapist?

We list out the most common injuries and how you can avoid them.  And most importantly.... we discuss why YOU need to have a Strong Butt!

Marijuana.  Mary Jane.  Weed. Pot.  Cannabis comes in many different names and many different forms.  Today, it has become more and more popular.  States are legalizing it for medical and recreational use, and it may be federally decriminalized soon.  Growers, dispensaries, certain health care professionals, and your run of the mill pot-head claim that it can solve and fix many medical issues…. But does it?  Our host, Noah Zimmerman, has been a daily user for the past 5 years, and reviews studies and anecdotal evidence to figure out if cannabis really is the “magical medicine” some claim it to be.  And listen to find out why he has decided to stop being a daily user!

Works cited:

• Desmarais, A., Smiddy, S., Reddy, S., El-Dallal, M., Erlich, J., & Feuerstein, J. D. (2020). Evidence supporting the benefits of marijuana for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is extremely limited: a meta-analysis of the literature. Annals of gastroenterology, 33(5), 495–499. https://doi.org/10.20524/aog.2020.0516

Have you wondered whether "Fasted or Fed" exercise is better?  Are you feeling stagnant in your progress in life?

A "growth mindset" is one of the most important factors in leveling up in life, but there are a lot factors that can hold you back from achieving a growth mindset.  From negative self talk and feeling overwhelmed to decreasing anxiety and feeling powerful, Noah gives 4 steps that will help you achieve a growth mindset.  

He also answers the question, which is better: "Fasted vs Fed" exercise. 

Give the episode a listen for information that will help YOU grow!