The Simple Life with Gary Collins

Are you curious why, as Americans, we are getting bigger and bigger, and unhealthier at an alarming rate? Are you one of these Americans? Well, today I have a special guest, and friend, Dr. William Curtis who is going to get to the heart of that matter.

Dr. William Curtis, MD is a family medicine specialist in Corpus Christi, TX and has been practicing for 18 years. He graduated from University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio in 1999, and specializes in family medicine, integrative medicine, and more.

He began blogging to share his common-sense insight with patients, friends, and community and enjoys exploring chronic medical conditions and searching for their common origins… usually nutritional and lifestyle choices.  

The www.NRGTRIBE.com  was born to serve as a resource for all those interested in maximizing their vitality through goal setting, everyday fitness, and “real” nutrition.  It serves as a living resource and a point of reference for those attempting to ‘Bridge the gap’ to better health.  

Curtis states, “My patients all know I believe health doesn’t come from a medicine bottle!”

Dr. Curtis spends his spare time ranching, coaching competitive youth soccer, and enjoying the company of his wife and three wonderful daughters. 

Dr. Curtis is also the co-host of The WFO Life Podcast, which is about lifestyle, fitness, nutrition, and human performance. Each week, using professional experience, book reviews, and interviews to identify and share hacks, tips, and strategies for getting the most out of life. Seeking insight on mastering self, mastering craft and accomplishing any mission!

Topics Discussed:

* A bit about Bill* Bill discusses what it is like being a doctor today in America* Bill talks about how he integrated his farm into his medical practice* What is The WFO Life podcast* The real info from a real doctor about the Coronavirus* Even though we have more access to health information than ever, why we are getting more obese and unhealthier at an alarming rate* What are the keys to living a healthy life* What are the keys to living a life of happiness and integrity* Why perseverance is the key to a successful life

Show Links:

* Dr. Curtis’s The WFO Life Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wfo-life-podcast/id1477433274* Dr. Curtis’s blogs and other info: https://future-focus-health-network.mn.co/landing?space_id=2161685* Gary’s Mother Earth News Online Course: How To Find Your Land For Living Off The Grid https://online.motherearthnewsfair.com/?affcode=460766_r6jcqsw8* How to be in the Simple Life Circle: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife* The Simple Life website: https://thesimplelifenow.com

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be successful, live by your own terms, and do it with integrity? In this episode, I have a very special guest, Donna Halper, who has been credited with initially catapulting the success of the band RUSH in the United States back in the early ’70s.

As some of you know, RUSH is my all-time favorite band, for many reasons, but mainly because they did it with hard work and never conforming to what the music industry wanted them to be. RUSH has taught me many lessons over my life, pretty crazy for a prog-rock band, but that is what makes them unique. Even if you are not a RUSH fan, I highly encourage you to listen to the episode, because we get into a whole host of topics about living a life of passion and integrity.

Donna Halper is an author, educator, media historian, and radio consultant. 

Donna L. Halper, PhD is an associate professor of Communication and Media Studies at Lesley University, Cambridge MA.  She is the author of six books and many articles.  Her most recent book is a newly revised and expanded second edition of “Invisible Stars:  A Social History of Women in American Broadcasting,” published in March 2014.  She is also the author of a well-received local history, “Boston Radio 1920-2010,” which tells the story of Boston radio in words and pictures.  

Dr. Halper is a frequently published and widely quoted media historian. Among her many published articles is one about early radio in Boston, “Preserving the Story of Greater Boston’s Pioneering Broadcast Stations 1XE and WGI,” which appeared in the AWA Review in 2018; and one about a priest who used radio to teach religious tolerance, “Father Michael J. Ahern: Boston’s First Radio Priest,” which appeared in Boston’s Catholic newspaper, The Pilot, in 2017. A collector of rare memorabilia related to the history of radio, she was awarded the 9th Annual Collectors’ Prize by Historic New England in 2018. 

Dr. Halper also writes about baseball history.  A talk she gave at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY, “Written Out of History: Women Baseball Writers, 1905–1945,” was published in 2019 in The Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture, 2017–2018, ed. William Simons. McFarland & Co. And she has provided chapters for numerous books published by the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), including “Opening Fenway Park in Style:  The 1912 World Champion Red Sox,” and “The Miracle Braves of 1914.”  

In addition to researching radio and baseball, Dr. Halper is a free-lance writer for numerous magazines, journals, encyclopedias, and websites.  One of her published essays, “How to Be a Skeptical News Consumer,” about the importance of fact-checking, was the #5 most-shared article of 2013 on the Skeptic Magazine website. 

Dr. Halper’s research on media history and popular culture has resulted in appearances on both radio and TV.  These include CBS Sunday Morning (where she was part of a segment on car radios), PBS/NewsHour, CTV News (Toronto), National Public Radio/Weekend America, History Channel, ABC Nightline, WBZ Radio and WBZ-TV (Boston), WGBH-FM and WGBH-TV (Boston), WBUR-FM (Boston), and a number of podcasts. Her appearance on the Sound Off Podcast, discussing her discovery of the rock band Rush, was the site’s most downloaded podcast of 2017. 

Dr. Halper attended Northeastern University in Boston, where she was the first woman announcer in the school’s history, broadcasting a nightly show on the campus radio station beginning in October 1968.  She completed a BA (English), M.

Are you wondering how we ended up in this situation with the Coronavirus (supposed) pandemic? People are struggling, our economy is in freefall, and people feel it is hopeless. What if I was to tell you, we the people are the solution to the problem.

In this episode, I will discuss the difference between a consumer-based economy, which we are in today, and a production-based economy, which is the solution to our long-term financial stability. In our consumer nation, we are literally, and willingly giving up our personal rights, freedom, and ability to thrive even when things go wrong. In short, we are doing this to ourselves, and the solution isn’t found in big government or big industry; it is found in our communities and us. 

In addition, people have been asking if I’m back at my off-grid house and what I have been up to, so I will be giving a short update.

Topics Discussed:

* A short update of my life off-the-grid in the mountains* How not much has changed in my life during the Coronavirus* Why I haven’t dedicated an episode about the Coronavirus (maybe later when the dust settles) * There are a lot of whiners out there and don’t be one of them* The difference between a consumer and production-based economy* Why a consumer-based economy is destroying the American dream* Why a consumer-based economy plays right into the hands of big government and big corporations* The answer is an economy based upon producing services and items for each other* The importance of supporting your local small businesses * Paying more for an item made in this country is a good thing* Why small businesses are so important for our long-term success and happiness* Setting yourself up for long-term success and happiness* How to avoid the misery caused by the next so-called “crisis”* Why we are the solution to the problems in this country* Now is the time to start planning for your future

Show Links:

* How to be in the Simple Life Circle: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife* The Simple Life website: https://thesimplelifenow.com

Are you really born free? Even if you are, but don’t take advantage of that freedom, it will be willingly taken away. What if we taught our kids the essential skills they need to be free and live the life they want? More importantly, teach them how to capitalize on their freedoms without any outside interference from the government, public institutions, or False Prophets. 

Matt Beaudreau is a Certified Keynote Speaker at The Center for Generational Kinetics. His speaking clients range from Purina, Lockheed Martin, and American Eagle to Cedar’s Sinai and the United States Air Force.

Matt has a reputation as a leader in his own generation. He was a featured TEDx speaker and named corporate trainer of the year at Stanford University.

Matt has received standing ovations for his powerful delivery that combines The Center’s latest research and how-to’s with his unique experience working with clients around the world.

Matt has spoken to over 100,000 people across the United States and Mexico. He completed his undergraduate at California State University, Chico and his Master's from Concordia University, Portland.

Matt’s personal experiences employing multiple generations, serving as a school administrator, and being an entrepreneur make him a powerful and action-driving speaker on solving generational challenges with employees and customers.

Topics Discussed:

* A bit about Matt* Explains what the Acton Academy and how it is shaping its students* What are the core principles taught at the Acton Academy* What is the advantage Acton Academy students have over traditionally taught students* Why the current school system is nothing but an indoctrination into a life of serfdom* What is the future of education* How to launch your own Acton Academy* What is the Essential 11 podcast and its primary focus* Why owning your own business is the key to freedom today* His thoughts on the current state of our country during the Coronavirus pandemic* What are some of the keys to living a free-life 

Show Links:

* Website: https://www.mattbeaudreau.com/* Acton Academy website: https://www.actonacademy.org/* How to be in the Simple Life Circle: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife* The Simple Life website: https://thesimplelifenow.com

Are you tired of being played like a fool in your goals to be as healthy as you possibly can be? If you listen to this show, you know Gary likes exposing all the False Prophets, not only in the health industry, but in all aspects of life.

Well, today Gary sits down with a special guest and friend for nearly a decade, Abel James. Abel transformed his health and has been preaching and spreading the word of primal health for a very long time. Consider him a brother in arms to The Simple Life!

Abel James is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Musician, and Online Creator. He’s the host of the award-winning Fat-Burning Man Show, rated as Apple’s #1 Health Podcast in 8 countries with over 50 million downloads and 2000+ 5-star reviews.

A “Coach to the coaches,” Abel has worked with thousands of people across the world to optimize performance, mindset, health, and longevity. Abel is named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Health and Fitness by Greatist and has been featured in documentaries, ABC TV, Entertainment Tonight, People, WIRED, South by Southwest, and hundreds more.

Abel’s hit podcast is named as one of the “Top 3 Health & Fitness Podcasts of All Time” by Huffington Post and has won 4 awards in independent media, including “People’s Choice” in Health & Fitness at the Podcast Awards. Also a recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, and voice actor, Abel has won several awards including “Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting” in R&B by The Great American Song Contest. 

Hailing from the middle of nowhere in New Hampshire, Abel enjoys playing guitar and piano, writing, reading, sketching, running, hiking, and discovering delicious foods with family and friends. He lives with his wife, Alyson, and a rambunctious yellow lab in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. 

His new book of irreverent poetry, “Designer Babies Still Get Scabies,” a #1 International Bestseller in Humor, is available now.

Topics Discussed:

* A bit about Abel* The concept of primal health and what it means today* Why it is far cheaper to be healthy* Why are our rights and free will are slowly evaporating* How the corrupt businesses and fed gov are running our lives* Why are some plants illegal, but opiate prescription drugs are ok* Diet cola vs alcohol* Is alcohol ok to consume while trying to be healthy* How Abel and his wife recovered and detoxed after almost dying from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning* Why corporate censorship and shadowbanning by major platforms is scary for online creators * What it was like to lose everything in a fire in Austin 10 years ago (then crawl out from rock bottom)* What starring on ABC Reality TV was like as a coach. (Abel’s teammate Kurt Morgan, the 47-year old grandpa transformed into a fat-burning beast by dropping 87 pounds in just 14 weeks.* What it’s like to release a new 360° (or 3D Virtual Reality) video every day for 360 days, including virtual concerts with original music.* Why we’re publishing VR adventure tours in 360 Virtual Reality of Yellowstone, the Badlands, Serpent Mound, America’s Stonehenge, and dozens more

Show Links:

* Websites: FatBurningMan.com, AbelJames.com, WildSuperfoods.

Are you tired of being overweight and out of shape? Are you continue chasing the latest diet or health fad promising you the easy button, but never seems to work? Is it any wonder over 2/3 of Americans are overweight and considered immune-compromised. 

It is no secret America has a massive health problem, and it has become even more apparent during the Coronavirus pandemic. So what is the answer? It is about taking responsibility for your own health and working on the first leg of the three-legged stool of The Simple Life--optimal health. In this episode, Gary discusses some alarming health statistics, that should scare almost everyone. Better yet, he filters through all the false health information and fads, giving it to you straight. 

Once you have the right information and stop chasing health-fad unicorns, becoming healthy is so easy a caveman could do it! 

Topics Discussed:

* Some alarming health statistics* Why your health is vital for living the life you want* Why your health is your responsibility* The difference between the popular diets; paleo, keto, carnivore, high fat, low-carb, and high protein* How not to fall for these trendy diet fads* Understanding why where you come from as a hunter-gather is the key to your health success* Why national healthcare will not be the answer anytime soon* Why it is far cheaper to be healthy, counter to what the health industrial complex tells you* Tying all this information into a rational easy to follow solution

Episode Resources:

* Get a copy of Gary’s simple to follow health book https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-better-life/id1479302777* How to be in the Simple Life Circle: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife* The Simple Life website: https://thesimplelifenow.com

In this episode, Justin Carroll drops back in. Justin is a former Marine, plank-owner in the elite Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), and has worked on a contractual basis with another government agency.

After completing his last overseas deployment, Justin spent five years teaching digital security and identity management to hundreds of soldiers, sailors, and Marines of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). He was instrumental in the development of a highly technical surveillance program currently in use abroad by US Special Operations Forces.

Justin resides in Nashville, TN, and is the author of Your Ultimate Security Guide: Windows 7, and Your Ultimate Security Guide: iOS. He co-authored The Complete Privacy & Security Desk Reference and was the co-host of The Complete Privacy & Security Podcast.

Identity and Other Topics Discussed: 

* A little about Justin* What is informational security and how it applies to the average American* Understanding your data is being mined 24/7* The Coronavirus and the economy* Why being more self-reliant is more important than ever* Why BIG gov and BIG business doesn’t care about you* Things you can do to minimize your personal information being exposed on the internet* The sad state of healthcare in the United States* Why you need to take advantage of this down-time to improve yourself and lot in life* Why this buy, buy, buy economy spells doom for the average American* Why people can run their life like a drunken sailor and expect everyone else to pay for it* Why your health should be your priority and is your responsibility

Episode resources and links:

* Justin’s Security Site Here* Justin’s Amazon Author Page* Join Simple Life Circle here* Episode resources and links here

Have you ever wondered where you really come from as a modern human being? Or what you are designed to eat? Today is your lucky day!

In this episode, Gary interviews Paleo Diet expert Trevor Connor. For those not fully versed in the Paleo topic, it directly relates to our former skinnier, happier selves—hunter-gatherers.

Trevor Connor was Dr. Loren Cordain’s (author of the best-selling book The Paleo Diet) final graduate student at Colorado State University. His research with Dr. Cordain has focused on the effects of a Paleo-style diet on autoimmune conditions. Their pilot study included close to 60 volunteers with diverse conditions ranging from Crohn’s Disease to Multiple Sclerosis to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. So far, the results have been very promising, including all eight Crohn’s subjects going into remission on the Paleo Diet.

Trevor started working with Dr. Cordain in 2010, soon after retiring as a Professional Cyclist. At 38, he felt it was time to hang up the bike. Trevor had studied traditional sports nutrition for over a decade and was admittedly very reluctant to accept the Paleo Diet. But after experimenting with the diet himself, Trevor was able to return to the Pro Peloton at 40, getting Top Five’s in several races and establishing himself as the top-ranked 40+ rider in the country for several years running.

Trevor is now the CEO of both the Paleo Diet, LLC and Fast Labs, LLC – a business focused on the endurance sports science. Trevor hosts a weekly podcast called Fast Talk and writes regularly for the international cycling magazine VeloNews.

Topics Discussed:

* A bit about Trevor* Trevor explains the Paleo Diet from the perspective of Dr. Cordain’s research and teachings* The harm the Western Diet causes* Why processed carbohydrates are killing us* What makes the Paleo Diet unique, or not unique for that matter?* What is a hunter-gatherer and why it is important to understand them when it comes to our health today?* Some of the biggest health myths perpetuated by our modern medical system, food industry, and government agencies today * Our thoughts on the Coronavirus and what is the best defense against it* Easy steps to understanding basic health and incorporating habits for change* The state of our terrible health and obesity epidemic in America

Show Links:

* Trevor’s articles and Dr. Cordain’s research: http://thepaleodiet.com* Contact Trevor at: [email protected]* How to be in the Simple Life Circle: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife* The Simple Life website: https://thesimplelifenow.com

Do you want to up your game as a father? Or just be a better human being for that matter? The Better Dad project, with its creator Larry Hagner was built for just that. 

Meet The Good Dad Project Founder, Larry Hagner:

Our children are not born with manuals and the Journey of Fatherhood doesn’t necessarily come with a “map.”  There are challenges, twists, and turns along the way.As much as we truly enjoy our children and being a father, we tend to internalize our struggles.  When we do that, we get distracted and stressed out.  As a result, we do not enjoy the Journey of being a Dad as much as we would really like to.I am not a psychologist.  I am not a counselor in family dynamics.  I don’t have any accolades behind my name.I am like you.I have an awesome wife and 4 amazing boys (Ethan-12, Mason-10, Lawson-4, and Colton-2).I am an everyday dad trying to do the best job I can. I just want to be the best version of myself so I can guide my kids to be the best version of themselves.My story and passion for being a father is a bit unique. I grew up virtually in “fatherless environment” for most of my life.  In fact, I didn’t meet my real father until I was 30 years old.  As fate would have it, our paths crossed when he walked into a coffee shop eight years ago.  I am happy to say we have a great relationship now and spend a great deal of time together.It was really through my own childhood struggles that I realized my true passion for being a dad.

Topics Discussed:

* What The Good Dad Project is and where the idea came from?* Why and how fathers have lost their way today?* Tips for being a better father* Why it is important to be a good teacher as a father?* What is the Dad's Edge Summit and when is it?

Episode Resources:

* The Good Father website: https://gooddadproject.com* How to be in the Simple Life Circle: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife* The Simple Life website: https://thesimplelifenow.com

Do you feel lost in believing in a simpler and happier life, amongst the chaos today? If you are like many people looking for a better way, the Mother Earth News Fair is the place for you. It gets even better, as your host of this podcast, Gary Collins, is a speaker at all the Mother Earth News Fairs across the United States. In addition, he teaches live workshops on how to get started living off-the-grid and does numerous book signings at the events.

The Mother Earth News Fair is your passport to money-saving hacks, health-boosting remedies, and environmental strategies from leading experts and entrepreneurs around the country. In addition to presentations and hands-on workshops, you’ll encounter a vast marketplace abounding with innovative resources and products to enrich your life. Admission for children 17 and under is free, and there are plenty of youth-oriented activities – including live animals!

Mother Earth News Fair is focused on interactive programming, so you can learn new skillsets live and on-site. More than ever before, the Mother Earth News Fair is truly an immersive experience where Mother Earth News Fair magazine comes to life.

Topics Discussed:

* Andrew explains the history of Mother Earth News and where it is today* What are some of the great events that happen at the Mother Earth News Fair* Why the Mother Earth News is a great place to find your “simple living” tribe* What is in the future for the Mother Earth News Fair

Episode Resources:

* Where to buy tickets for the Mother Earth News Fair: https://www.motherearthnewsfair.com/* Sign-up for the Mother Earth News Fair Newsletter: https://www.motherearthnews.com/newsletter* How to be in the Simple Life Circle: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife* The Simple Life website: https://thesimplelifenow.com