The Model Health Show: Nutrition | Exercise | Fitness | Health | Lifestyle

The United States spends more on healthcare than any other country, yet our citizens are sicker than ever. There’s clearly a disconnect between what’s happening inside the healthcare system and the treatment that patients receive. While most healthcare practitioners set out on a career path to help folks, they too are caught in a system of standards of care that prohibit true change, health, and vibrancy.  There’s no one better suited to speak on this issue than Dr. John Abramson. He is a former family physician, a Harvard Medical School faculty member, and an expert in pharmaceutical litigation. Dr. Abramson is also the author of Sickening, a book written from his experience behind the scenes of the medical industry. Sickening exposes the far-reaching deception and greed of the American healthcare system.  This episode contains conversations on lawsuits in the pharmaceutical industry, how insulin costs have skyrocketed in recent decades, and how big pharma prevents well-meaning physicians from actually helpi

The human body wasn’t designed to commute an hour to work, spend the day hunched over a computer, and then sit on the couch for the rest of the evening. Our bodies crave basic, fundamental movements that our modern lifestyle leaves so many of us lacking. Luckily, there are simple ways we can integrate movement into our day-to-day lives and improve our physical health without spending hours at the gym.  On this episode of The Model Health Show, movement coach and podcaster Aaron Alexander is back to share key insights from his new book, The Align Method. You’re going to hear about realistic, foundational principles you can use to gain strength, flexibility, and overall vitality. Aaron’s tips include everything from changing your posture and environment to practicing gratitude and getting sunlight.  If you’ve ever wanted a stronger and more functional body, this episode will resonate with you. And no matter what your current physical state is, you can certainly integrate more movement into your life with Aaron’

Low energy, lethargy, and fatigue are common complaints among the general public. In most cities, you can find coffee shops open around the clock, and convenience store shelves are filled with a multitude of energy drinks and shots. But these products are in no way a sustainable solution to chronic low energy levels. Our bodies require energy in the form of sleep, as well as food. Think about it: we literally measure our food in a form of energy, or calories. For our energy levels and our overall health, the quality of those calories matters.  One of the most energetic, vibrant people I can think of is Dr. Jonny Bowden. He is a board-certified nutritionist, the author of multiple best-selling books, and a nationally recognized expert in the realm of nutrition. On today’s show, Dr. Bowden is back on The Model Health to share simple changes you can implement in your diet and lifestyle for more energy.  This interview contains key insights on insulin and metabolic health, specific foods you can eat for better en

There’s a public health crisis that’s destroying lives and killing our citizens—but it’s probably not the one you’re hearing about in the news. The CDC recently announced that the new leading cause of death for our citizens is fentanyl overdose. On today’s show, we’re going to dig into this topic and uncover what led us to this dire situation.  You’re going to learn about the rising rates of drug use, including the role that the FDA and pharmaceutical companies have played. You’ll hear how synthetic opioids are created and distributed, and how COVID-19 has impacted drug usage rates. We’re going to dive into some of the unethical aspects of our healthcare system at large, and how manipulation and greed within the pharmaceutical industry is hurting our citizens.  Most importantly, we’re going to walk through real solutions we can implement to create a culture of health for our families and how we can uplift our communities. This is a heavy and heartbreaking issue that is near and dear to my heart, and I invite

For most of human history, folks didn’t put much thought into what was going on with their blood sugar unless they had a diagnosis of diabetes or prediabetes. But that’s changing—more and more people are becoming aware of the impact that blood glucose has on metabolic health and overall health. One of the leading experts in this area is our guest today, Dr. Casey Means.  Dr. Means is a Stanford-trained physician and the co-founder of the revolutionary metabolic health company, Levels. Her mission is centered around optimizing health through blood glucose levels, disease prevention and reversal, and empowering patients in their food and lifestyle choices. On today’s show, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of blood glucose levels. You’re going to learn about the multitude of factors that can impact your blood sugar levels, and how this biomarker affects other important processes in the body. We’re going to talk about specific foods that can make your blood sugar rise, and what you can do to reduce the spi

Inflammatory diseases are on the rise in the US and across the world. Most Western illnesses, including autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and cardiovascular disease are linked to chronic inflammation. While the statistics regarding inflammatory diseases are staggering, the good news is that one key factor in bringing down our rates of inflammation is in our control: the health of our microbiome.  On this episode of The Model Health Show, award-winning gastroenterologist and bestselling author, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz is sharing the fascinating role our gut health plays in all aspects of our lives. You’re going to hear how our microbiome can impact your weight, your susceptibility to chronic inflammatory diseases, and even your relationships.  You’re going to hear the latest cutting-edge science on fiber consumption, microbiome health, additives in our food supply, and a whole lot more. Most importantly, Dr. Bulsiewicz is sharing some key dietary changes we can employ to improve the health and diver

Have you ever considered how what you eat impacts your mood? We’ve all heard jokes about how hunger can leave you irritable, or hangry. But like most cliches, there’s some truth behind the idea that your diet affects the way you operate and react to the world around you. You might already know how blood sugar dips and spikes impact your mood, but emerging science shows a connection between mental health and the way that we eat that is far more intricate than you might think.   Our guest today, Dr. Uma Naidoo, packs a powerful resume. She is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, a professional chef, a trained nutritional specialist, and a best-selling author. Dr. Naidoo’s niche is Nutritional Psychiatry—a specialty that combines all her expertise and training. In her book, This Is Your Brain on Food, she elaborates on the complex, intertwined relationship between what we eat and our psychological and cognitive outcomes.  In this interview, we’re diving into the fascinating science of what happens in your brain when

High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, makes headlines in the fitness industry for its ability to burn the maximum amount of calories in a short period of time. But HIIT is anything but a trend. In fact, high-intensity exercise is something that our genes expect, and as you’re going to learn today, it plays an important role in fighting inflammation, regulating insulin sensitivity, and fat storage in the body. On this masterclass episode of The Model Health Show, you’re going to hear the amazing science behind high-intensity interval training. We’re going to discuss the different types of muscle fibers in the body and how they function. You’re also going to learn about how energy is stored in the muscles, and how high-intensity training can help tap into those reserves.  If you want to add high-intensity exercise into your training routine, I’m going to share multiple accessible, low barrier to entry methods you can incorporate. I hope this information empowers you to become a stronger, more resilient ver

Poor diet is a major contributor to our skyrocketing rates of chronic illnesses. While the cause of poor diet can be multifactorial, culture is often a major contributing factor. Cultural influences can impact habits, tastes, access, and much more. If you’re like me and you were born into a culture that didn’t value nutrition, you might feel disadvantaged. The good news is that you hold an infinite potential to create a culture of health for yourself. And when you change your culture, you can begin to influence the culture of your friends, your family, and the world around you. On this episode of The Model Health Show, I’m sharing five tangible tips you can implement to create sustainable change and build a culture of health.  You’re going to learn about setting clear goals, creating consistency, and cultivating a positive community. I hope you enjoy this episode and feel empowered and inspired by its message. Let’s create a culture of health and wellness, together. Enjoy!  In this episode you’ll discover: H

“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.” – Ellen Goodman Every year when the calendar flips to a new year, millions of folks set out to create change in their lives, their relationships, and their bodies. Unfortunately, many resolutions fail because they are simply wishes paired with little follow-through. Today I wanted to highlight your immense capacity for cultivating change.  You are immensely powerful. Your thoughts, your words, and your actions all hold the potential to change the world around you. To remind you of this, I’m sharing seven clips from some of the impactful educators, best-selling authors, and thought leaders. You’re going to hear about the power of your words and the stories you tell yourself, how to build a network of support to help you reach your goals and the importance of inves

At a time when nearly 250 million Americans are overweight or obese, we need to come to an understanding that our approach to this deadly epidemic is not working. In fact, it seems that our citizens are only getting sicker and fatter with each passing year. So how do we end the unproductive conversations about calories, food choices, and willpower and instead pivot to a model that actually helps people understand their brains and their biology?  Today’s guest, Mark Schatzker, is the author of the new book, The End of Craving. He’s back on The Model Health Show to share powerful insights on our society’s dysfunctional relationship with food and how our brain drives our cravings. Mark is sharing powerful insights on the infamous low fat vs. low carb debate, the psychology of obesity, and what we can do to reset our body’s innate intelligence when it comes to food. On this episode, you’re going to hear about the science of pleasure, how to eat in a healthy and sustainable way, and how some of the biggest myths i

Some of the key principles to creating a healthy body are the incredibly simple: eat whole foods, drink water, get quality sleep, and move your body. But if metabolic health is truly that easy, why are so many of our citizens struggling with excess body fat, insulin resistance, and chronic illness? The answer to this question is complex, but one major contributing factor at play is the deception in food marketing.  The best way to navigate deceptive terms and strategies is to educate yourself, and that’s what today’s guest is here to do. Max Lugavere is an author, health and science journalist, and podcaster with a mission to teach others about eating real, health-promoting foods for longevity, cognitive performance, and overall wellness. On today’s show, Max is sharing some of the commonly consumed foods that are detrimental to metabolic health.  You’re going to hear Max’s insights on nutritional labels, how to determine the difference between healthy fats and unhealthy fats, plus three things you should see

If you want to improve your metabolic health, you might turn to common methods like eating enough protein or getting a good night’s rest. I’m a big proponent of both of those strategies, but there’s another key player in this equation that doesn’t get enough attention—brown adipose tissue.  Brown adipose tissue, or brown fat, is a distinct type of body fat that plays multiple roles in the body, including maintaining body temperature, improving insulin sensitivity and metabolic function, and more. Specifically, when it comes to metabolic health the function and responsibility of brown fat is often overlooked, but the science is fascinating.  On today’s show, we’re taking you behind the scenes of brown adipose tissue to gain a better understanding of what it is and how it works. You’re also going to learn specific action steps you can take to influence your body’s brown fat ratios and functionality for better metabolic health. I hope this episode gives you the knowledge and tools you need to improve your health

Obesity is a prevalent and growing epidemic in the United States and worldwide, and it’s also a major contributor to other chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. At this time in history, when we have the best technology and more knowledge than ever before, how can it be that our citizens are fatter and sicker than ever?  Something is clearly wrong with our approach to treating obesity, and today we’re going to dive into what that is. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is the world’s leading expert in Muscle-Centric Medicine, a revolutionary approach to improving muscular health through a protein-rich diet, exercise, and lifestyle shifts. Her protocol teaches muscle optimization for body composition, vitality, and overall long-term health.  This episode contains mind-blowing conversations on the power of dietary protein, and why it’s been demonized in our culture. We’re going to talk about why building muscle is the key to many of our common ailments, plus dietary tips you can implement to optimize your m

Over the past few years, intermittent fasting has made headlines as a popular diet trend. While fasting can certainly create impressive weight loss results, it also has a wide range of benefits that go beyond body composition. Intermittent fasting has been proven to reduce inflammation, improve metabolic function, and aid in the prevention of multiple chronic illnesses.  On this compilation episode of The Model Health Show, you’re going to hear from some of the world’s foremost experts on fasting, like Dr. Amy Shah, Dr. Will Cole, Ori Hofmekler, Dr. Jason Fung, and other knowledgeable experts. You’re going to learn about the history of fasting, special considerations for women, how fasting can help you burn body fat and prevent cancer, and so much more. This episode is full of proven insights and science-backed tips on how you can include fasting in your routine for better health, no matter where you are on your health journey. We’re going to talk about the powerful benefits of circadian rhythm fasting, how f

If you want to improve your health, one of the most important things you can do is optimize your sleep. When it comes to improving your sleep quality, there are a lot of simple, common-sense steps you can take like moderating your caffeine consumption, exercising regularly, and limiting your screen time after dark.  But not every method for getting a better night’s rest is quite so obvious. In fact, there are some strange things that are scientifically proven to impact sleep quality that you might not have considered. On today’s show, we’re going to dive into five of these points, why they matter, and how you can utilize them to get better sleep.  You’re going to learn about the science behind timing your meals for optimal sleep, how improving your air quality can help you sleep better, and why connecting with the earth is an essential human practice. As always, you’re going to walk away with practical and realistic strategies you can implement starting today. So listen in, take good notes, and enjoy this epi

Most people know that obesity is a prevalent and pressing issue in our country today. A smaller subset of folks understand the gravity of this issue and the fact that weight issues lead to a higher susceptibility to COVID-19. Even fewer understand how obesity actually occurs or what can realistically be done to optimize our body fat ratios. That’s why on today’s show, I’m taking you behind the scenes of body fat. We’re going to talk about how our body fat works and the various categories of fat. You’re going to hear about how excess body fat is created, and most importantly, what we can do to have a healthy amount of body fat. Specifically, we’re going to dive into realistic and clinically proven tools you can use to promote a healthy weight.  This episode of The Model Health Show is packed with the science on body fat, insulin resistance, and metabolic health. We’re going to talk about our susceptibility to COVID-19 and why it’s more important than ever to get our communities healthier. I believe that the po

Now more than ever is a time for us to focus on full-body health. Every decision we make has the potential to impact our brains, our immune function, and our gut health. Everything from the air we breathe to the food we eat has an influence on our incredible bodies.  And at a time when so many of our citizens are suffering from diseases like obesity, diabetes, and even viral infections, we need to get to the bottom of our underlying health issues. And if there’s anyone I trust when it comes to finding a root cause, it’s Dr. Alejandro Junger. Dr. Junger is a pioneering cardiologist, a New York Times Bestselling Author, and the creator of the Clean Program. He’s back on The Model Health Show to share profound insights on body fat, inflammation, and gut health.  You’re going to learn about why so many of our common ailments are simply survival mechanisms and what we can do to help our bodies thrive. We’re diving into conversations on the link between systemic inflammation and gut health, the importance of high-q

Fear, anxiety, and worry are natural human emotions that we all experience from time to time. However, perpetual and excessive fear have become prevalent in our society. Prolonged stress can suppress the immune system, ramp up inflammation levels, negatively impact sleep quality and so many other essential functions in the body.  Now more than ever, we need tools help us navigate our fear and anxiety. That’s why I put together this compilation episode with some of the world’s foremost experts on how stress impacts the body and strategies to reframe our mindset. We need logic, composure, and empowerment more than ever, and I hope that’s what you’ll take away from today’s show.  You’re going to learn about emotional health, and how to manage your emotions in a beneficial way. You’ll also learn about the direct impacts that stress and fear can have on the body, and how to identify and categorize your coping mechanisms. This episode is packed with expert insights, so listen in and enjoy the show!  In this episode

It’s no secret that the United States has a weight problem. According to CDC statistics from 2018, over 73% of American adults were overweight or obese. Even worse, thanks to increased sedentary behavior during the pandemic, these numbers don’t seem to be getting any better.  At a time when weight issues are so prevalent, what can we do to add in healthy behaviors and reach our body composition goals? Today you’re going to learn from body transformation coach, Luka Hocevar, about seven key behaviors that lead to success in reaching your health and fitness goals. Luka has helped countless folks attain their fitness goals, and I know his tips will resonate with you.  You’re going to learn about the four stages of changing your behavior, real tips for building your self-esteem, what an exercise routine should look like, and so much more. This episode also contains conversations on obesity rates in the age of COVID-19, our circles of influence, and how to take back control of our bodies and our minds. I hope you