Sam Ridgeway emphasizes the power of smart investments, particularly in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. He shared his strategy of setting automatic sell and buy orders, which allowed him to profit when Bitcoin hit $28,000. By reinvesting the earnings and the principal amount when the price drops, one can compound their money. Ridgeway advocates for automating the investment process, noting that this approach can yield better returns than traditional savings or money market accounts. He reiterates his mission to enhance people's lives in various aspects, including financial well-being, and stresses that with astute financial decisions, one can live a more luxurious life.

• Maintaining muscle health enhances survivability rates, with more substantial muscle mass offering a higher metabolic health, which acts as a survival mechanism, especially in critical diseases like cancer. Sam Ridgeway emphasizes the importance of strength for longevity. As individuals age, particularly after 40, hormonal imbalances can hinder muscle retention, affecting metabolism, hair, skin, nails, cognitive clarity, and sexual functions. Addressing these imbalances with bioidentical hormones can rejuvenate the body, making it respond better to workouts. Without the right hormonal resources, rigorous exercise remains ineffective. Hormone therapy provides these necessary resources, akin to supplying all the bricks required to build a house. With a revitalized body, personal confidence increases, leading to better decisions and improved financial and social outcomes. Sam notes the societal perceptions based on physical appearance, stressing the health implications of being overweight. Hormone therapy isn't a magical fix; it requires work and time. But it optimizes the body's systems and fosters growth at the cellular level. Despite aging, Sam feels in his best shape in recent decades, attributing his vitality to hormone therapy.

Sam Ridgeway discusses the benefits of the healing peptide BPC-157, which he and his wife have used to aid recovery from injuries and surgeries, often surprising medical professionals with the rapid healing. However, the FDA has banned many peptides, including BPC-157, citing potential side effects and concerns about sanitary compounding conditions. Sam questions the FDA's logic given their existing oversight of compounding pharmacies and points out inconsistencies in their decision-making, particularly concerning another peptide, Thymus and Alpha 1, which showed promise in treating COVID. He critiques the FDA's alignment with Big Pharma's profitability rather than patient health, suggesting that these bans will push people towards unregulated black-market solutions. While Sam acknowledges the risks of seeking banned substances, he warns against clinics that offer these products, emphasizing the legal consequences and potential compromise on other health fronts.

Elizabeth Snedeker, the clinical director of Viking, discusses the importance of testosterone for women's health. She explains that while testosterone is often associated with men, women also have a healthy amount of it in their bodies. Testosterone plays a vital role in various aspects of health, including mental wellbeing, metabolism, muscle retention, bone density, and sexual function. Elizabeth emphasizes that testosterone supplementation can benefit women as they age, helping to maintain vitality and prevent age-related health issues. Viking offers different methods of testosterone administration, including injectable therapy, transdermal cream therapy, and troches, allowing for individualized care.

Elizabeth further highlights the patient-centered approach at Viking, with close monitoring and dosage adjustments based on individual needs and preferences. Elizabeth dispels misconceptions about testosterone, such as its association with aggression, and addresses potential adverse effects, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups and monitoring for hormone-dependent cancers. She concludes with information on how interested individuals can get started with Viking, including filling out intake forms and ordering labs. The goal is to provide personalized care and help women restore their vitality and overall wellbeing through testosterone supplementation.

LINK TO TRANSCRIPT AND VIDEO:  https://livelikeaviking.com/video/women-and-hormone-therapy-expert-answers-to-top-questions/


I. Introduction

• [00:00:00.000] - Elizabeth Snedeker
  • Description of a 45-year-old patient experiencing menopausal symptoms and their transformation with therapy.

II. Laurie Miller Introduction

• [00:00:28.950] - Laurie Miller
  • Introduction to the segments discussing hormone replacement therapy with Elizabeth Snedeker.
  • Encourages audience to send in questions.

III. Elizabeth Snedeker Introduction

• [00:01:13.210] - Elizabeth Snedeker
  • Overview of her role as Clinical Director Supervisor at Viking.
  • Expression of satisfaction and fulfillment in helping make a difference in people’s lives through her work.

IV. Discussion on Top Issues and Questions about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

• [00:01:48.930] - Laurie Miller
  • Queries Elizabeth about the top three issues women inquire about regarding HRT.
• [00:02:02.080] - Elizabeth Snedeker
  • Discusses how women often come to inquire about HRT through observing its effects on others.
  • Addresses skepticism and cautious approach women generally have towards HRT.
• [00:02:40.960] - Laurie Miller
  • Comments on conflicting information about HRT for women.

V. Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women

• [00:02:49.400] - Elizabeth Snedeker
  • Explains the benefits including improved skin, hair, nails, energy, mood, and physical health.
  • Emphasizes help in hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, energy levels, libido, and other menopausal symptoms.
  • Describes the long-term benefits including prevention of osteoporosis and dementia.
• [00:04:35.910] - Laurie Miller
  • Shares personal experience of improved motivation and drive with HRT.
• [00:04:44.980] - Elizabeth Snedeker
  • Highlights the ability of HRT to help women take care of themselves along with others, improving overall well-being.

VI. Elizabeth’s Favorite Aspect of Her Job

• [00:05:59.880] - Elizabeth Snedeker
  • Shares a story of a transformed patient and expresses her enjoyment in seeing patients' progress.

VII. Importance of Addressing Menopausal Symptoms

• [00:06:37.450] - Laurie Miller
  • Discusses the unnecessary suffering women go through during menopause.
• [00:07:58.790] - Elizabeth Snedeker
  • Echoes the sentiments and highlights the drastic improvements in patients’ lives with HRT.

VIII. Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy

• [00:09:02.530] - Laurie Miller
  • Questions about the possible risks associated with HRT.
• [00:09:29.320] - Elizabeth Snedeker
  • Discusses potential risks, especially related to hormone-dependent cancer.
  • Emphasizes the importance of yearly check-ups and coordination with specialists.
  • Addresses the concern of synthetic hormones and clarifies that Viking uses bioidentical hormones.

IX. Dealing with Possible Adverse Effects

• [00:11:00.860] - Elizabeth Snedeker
  • Details about the monitoring process and the emphasis on catching and addressing adverse effects early.

X. Conclusion

• [00:13:48.370] - Elizabeth Snedeker
  • Explains the consultation and follow-up process at Viking to ensure optimal patient care and satisfaction.

I. Introduction

• [00:00:00.000] - Sam Ridgeway
  • Introduction to the series "What I'm Taking"
  • Discussion about the goal of extending both the duration and quality of life.
  • Introduction to Rapamycin as the first medication in the series.
  • Explanation of the origin and basic function of Rapamycin.

II. Background of Rapamycin

• [00:00:00.000] - Sam Ridgeway
  • Origin in 1972 from the soil of Easter Island.
  • Initial use in preventing organ rejection in transplant patients.
  • Explanation of how Rapamycin moderates the activity of the immune system, making it a ‘border patrol agent’ for transplanted organs.
  • Introduction to the anti-aging properties of Rapamycin.

III. Anti-Aging Properties of Rapamycin

• [00:01:26.690] - Sam Ridgeway
  • Details of studies on mice revealing Rapamycin’s potential to extend lifespan.
  • Potential for combating age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer.
  • Example of a study: Administration to 20-month-old mice, extending their average lifespan and leading to potential human benefits.
  • Discussion on how Rapamycin contributes to DNA stability, thus aiding in body repair and reducing disease risk.

IV. Potential Side Effects of Rapamycin

• [00:02:35.150] - Sam Ridgeway
  • Overview of potential side effects such as lower potassium levels, decreased blood platelets, increased blood pressure, and constipation.
  • Emphasizing Rapamycin’s unique role beyond standard medications.
  • Rapamycin as a significant development in understanding immunology and aging.

V. Conclusion

• [00:02:35.150] - Sam Ridgeway
  • Rapamycin’s impact on not just extending life but enhancing its quality.
  • Clarification of not advocating its use but sharing personal choices and reasons.
  • Closing statement on the choice in feeling and looking old.

Link to transcript and Video:  https://livelikeaviking.com/video/what-im-taking-rapamycin/

Weight management and the efficacy of caloric intake is a nuanced topic. "Calories in, Calories out" is a foundational principle of weight loss, implying that the body will lose weight if you burn more calories than you consume. However, not all calories are metabolized equally, and certain foods can be utilized more efficiently than others. There are foods that are less likely to be stored as fat due to their thermogenic effect or the body's process of digesting them. Exercise plays a crucial role in increasing metabolic rate and promoting fat burning. Yet, as Sam Ridgeway's personal experience reveals, drastic calorie restriction can send the body into survival mode, slowing metabolism and conserving energy. This highlights the importance of individualized nutrition plans, as everyone's body reacts differently. Investing in professional guidance can accelerate understanding and effectiveness in achieving weight goals, emphasizing the significance of both nutrition and exercise in conjunction.

Sam Ridgeway, owner of Viking Alternative Medicine, speaks with Laurie Miller, the new representative for women at Viking. Laurie shares her struggles with weight and menopause, describing how her symptoms worsened during her late 30s and 40s. The challenges she faced led her to Viking, where hormone therapy has optimized her health, energy, and motivation. Sam emphasizes the importance of having people who understand the struggles of being overweight and the difficulties women face, especially with the societal expectations placed upon them. The conversation delves into the transformative effects of hormone therapy, and how combining it with proper exercise and nutrition can yield optimal results. They advocate for the comprehensive approach, emphasizing that all three pillars (hormone therapy, exercise, and nutrition) are crucial to achieve the desired outcomes.

In this video Laurie Miller talks about the various foods she eats and why. She also shows how to eat healthy meals, even if you have a busy lifestyle.

[00:00:00.110] - Laurie Miller
It's Laurie again. I am in my own kitchen, and I'm doing a little bit of meal prep today. And I just wanted to show you a couple of things. I did an earlier video about how it can be challenging to get all the protein that you need to eat. If you're trying to do body recomp or you're trying to build muscle, it's recommended to get about a gram of protein per pound of body weight. So that adds up. And it's not always easy to get that because typically our diets are full of carbs and fats. I just want to show you a few things that I have incorporated that are really easy. Every little bit of protein adds up. So for breakfast, I do eggs and I'll make omelets. I'll mix one egg with a bunch of egg YTS because this is just straight protein. I'll throw some veggies in there and just make omelets, just peppers, onions. Mushroom are really good. Egg are always a good choice. These I get it like Costco or Sams. A turkey sausage breakfast buritos. They've got 18 grams of protein. This is called an Eggwhich. It's just like an egg sandwich with turkey sausage, 17 grams of protein.

[00:01:03.840] - Laurie Miller
The turkey sausage gives it less fat and less calories. For loaded sausage bites, Jimmy Dean, a turkey sausage, egg and cheese. These are really good, quick and easy. My kiddo eats these a lot on the way to school. If I'm in a hurry, I do a protein bar and a protein shake. I love the FairLife. They've got these and the Core that's like 42 grams of protein. So these are 30. And then this pure protein bar is 19. So that's a really good high protein. Quick, easy on the go. Sometimes I'll do this for lunch after the gym if I'm in a rush. And then protein oats. I love these. I'll do overnight oats and get some ready ahead of time, maybe three or four nights ahead of time. And do that with the FairLife milk, which is higher protein, lower calories. So this has 13 grams of protein in it. So that together is a pretty good little breakfast there. Kodiak has protein oats as well. There's always fruit. Fruit is always a good choice. Not for protein, but to round out your breakfast. For lunches, any kind of lower carb bread. So this is Lewis Honey Wheat.

[00:02:14.690] - Laurie Miller
I really like this. Keto breads, too. Some are just really high protein, but just turkey or chicken and a slice of tomato. And then mustard adds a little kick for very little calories. So I'll do a sandwich like that. And then I'll have that with some almond. Or I also like to make tuna salad. So I love crackers, but sometimes I don't want those calories. So these are flex chips or you can get any protein type chip to eat it with. And this adds 10 grams of protein to the tuna. And tuna is just really high protein. That's a really great choice. For snacks, I'll do some beef jerky. And then for dinner options, I'm all about quick and easy. So I'll do these chicken breast chunks in a salad with some hard boiled eggs, and that gives some good protein. I will do these in the air fryer with some broccoli or something, and that's really quick and easy and gives a lot of protein. I do the kraut and Polish sausage sometimes. So this is turkey, smoked, sausage. So it's less fat, less calories. And I'll do that with kraut. It's really good for your microbiome, your probiotics there.

[00:03:31.510] - Laurie Miller
But it only has the good probiotics if it's refrigerated, if it's canned or out on the shelf, it doesn't have the probiotics. So you always want the refrigerated kraut. Then salmon is always a really good choice that gives you your fatty acids and is just really good for you. It's got a lot of protein. This I also check in the air fryer, that's super quick and easy. I make these tortilla pizzas. So I'll use either this or I use protein

[00:00:00.000] - Sam Ridgeway
I'm a 56-year-old man. Based upon my age and gender, what would you assume Facebook thinks are the top three things I'd be interested in? If you get Cialis Hormone Therapy and for whatever reason, Two Girls Boxing, you'd be correct. Because those are a majority of the ads showing up in my feed. But Zuckerberg, come on, dude, you got to up your game. Because I don't have ED, I already own a hormone clinic, so it's not like I'm in the market for HRT and Two Girls Boxing. Okay, maybe I stopped once or twice and watched that one. Irrelevant. Like I said, I own a hormone clinic. So, of course, I'm going to critique HRT ads. And every time I see one, I'm like, lie, that's a lie. I can't believe they said that. So why do hormone companies lie? Because they have to. And here's why. At least once a week, I get an email from some aspiring entrepreneur telling me they want to open a hormone clinic and ask me if I'd be willing to help get them started. Now, under normal circumstances, I'd be an idiot to accept a proposal like that. I'd be creating my own competition.

[00:00:56.990] - Sam Ridgeway
I'd be slingshotting a competitor on to the road of success, saving them from making all the rookie mistakes I make, which cost me a ton of time and money. But that's never been my concern, because by the time I have a conversation with them, they always choose to do something else. Why? One word, attrition. I explain to them the hormone therapy business is a repetitive process of putting people on the front of the bus. And of course, I'm speaking metaphorically faster than they're falling off the back. But, Sam, you might wonder, if HRT is the fountain of youth, why the revolving door? Well, brace yourselves. Another one-word answer, laziness. Now, I will give you this. Hormone therapy ads, like the ones I referenced earlier, imply you get this vial testosterone in the mail, you inject it into your body, you immediately lose 50 pounds, and by the following morning, you're a Greek god with the sexual stamina of a porn star. When that doesn't happen, a lot of people are like, screw that. Nobody told me I had to make lifestyle changes. This is bullshit. Which is odd because that's the same mindset that drove them to seek hormone therapy in the first place.

[00:01:58.050] - Sam Ridgeway
They've neglected their body for decades and they're looking for a magic pill to make all the damage disappear instantly. Your first instinct would be to blame hormone therapy clinics for false advertising. Sounds logical to me, until you look at it from their perspective. Imagine you're a company and you're advertising to a bunch of overweight, middle-aged men, and your message is this is going to change your life. Then you whisper, But there's a caveat. You have to eat correctly 80% of the time, and you have to exercise at least three times a week. We both know you're not selling shit if you do it like that because you're not talking to a motivated demographic here. You're talking to men who haven't seen their toes in 20 years, men who get winded walking to the refrigerator, men who think lifting a remote is an upper body workout. Do you really think this guy here has any interest whatsoever in exercise and nutrition? My philosophy as a clinic owner is a bit rogue. It's a bit unorthodox because I'd rather slack you with reality than promise you to rainbows, kittens, and lollipops.  If you aren't willing to make these small incremental changes in your lifestyle?

[00:03:00.930] - Sam Ridgeway
Save your money and your time. Because when you fail, we both know you're not going to blame yourself. You're going to blame me. Then you're going to make sure you tell everyone that will listen that hormone therapy is just a pipe dream perpetuated by a bunch of used car salesmen. Let's be clear. Hormone therapy isn't a genie in a bottle. It's the cornerstone, the bedrock upon which you build the castle