Nourish Balance Thrive

Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author dedicated to evidence-based nutrition. With a deep respect for current scientific findings and ancestral wisdom, Lily's clinical proficiency and extensive experience in prenatal nutrition have established her as a renowned consultant and speaker. Her groundbreaking work in gestational diabetes has positively impacted tens of thousands of women and has significantly shaped international nutrition policies. Today, Lily joins us to discuss her latest book, Real Food for Fertility, co-authored with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack. This comprehensive, heavily cited, practical guide explains how to optimise nutrition for preconception, providing invaluable insights for couples looking to enhance fertility, pregnancy, and beyond. Lily discusses some of the causes of infertility, nutritional considerations for conception, and the effects of alcohol and caffeine on fertility and pregnancy. Additionally, she highlights the si

Deborah Gordon, MD, is the founder and medical director of Northwest Wellness Center, LLC. She has a lifelong interest in health and wellness, which she has incorporated into an integrative medical practice in southern Oregon for over thirty years. She is dedicated to finding lifestyle choices that can prevent and reverse health problems, avoiding medications where possible and using them wisely where necessary. For the last decade, she has worked with a particular focus on cognitive health. On today's podcast, Deborah talks about mould/mycotoxin illness, bone health, and hormone balance. She elaborates on the precise tests and approaches to diagnose and manage mycotoxin illness, assess bone health, and explore hormone replacement options beyond estrogen and testosterone. She also highlights the potential risks of excessive vitamin K2 (MK7) intake, supplements that aid in mould detoxification and bone density enhancement, and the best way to monitor kidney function whilst supplementing creatine. Here’s the ou

Today's journey takes us into unconventional living with my guest, Julie Kelly—my wife and partner in adventure. Together, we delve into our nomadic lifestyle, shared with our three vibrant children, each step an exploration outside societal norms. This conversation unfolds the layers behind our decision to steer clear of conventional schooling, whilst aiming to better support our kids’ needs. Our conversation starts with what we learned from developmental psychologist and evolutionary anthropologist Peter Gray, emphasising the pivotal role of play in a child's development and how we've designed our environment to nurture this philosophy. From living in a house and sending our kids to Forest School to the compact simplicity and togetherness of campsite living in a VW camper van, we share the ups and downs of our experiences. We also discuss living in an intentional community in Costa Rica and Airbnb's important role in enabling our journey. Here’s the outline of this interview with Julie Kelly: [00:00:33] Pet

Kegan "SMURF" Gill, a former US Navy F/A-18E pilot whose life took a dramatic turn following a near-fatal high-speed ejection at 695mph. Kegan's story is not just about survival; it's a profound narrative of overcoming life-altering injuries, battling and defeating prescription drug addiction, and enduring a gruelling two-year recovery process. His triumphant return to flying Super Hornets symbolises a victory over adversity that few can imagine, yet many can draw inspiration from. Kegan's tale, however, unfolds further as he confronts delayed-onset PTSD and cognitive issues from a severe traumatic brain injury—a battle that traditional pharmaceutical treatments only worsened, leading to his hospitalisation. Faced with the limitations of the VA healthcare system and a daunting mental health struggle, Kegan embarked on a quest for healing beyond conventional medicine. His transformative experiences with alternative therapies, including indigenous medicine, are pivotal in his journey toward holistic healing. No

Laura Payling, PhD, leads the animal science division for Biofractal.ai, an innovative startup using gene expression information and advanced data science to improve livestock yield and welfare. Laura’s passion for human and animal health and performance has resulted in diverse professional experiences, including academic research in food chain nutrition, clinical dietetics and consulting as a nutritionist. On today's podcast, Laura shares her passion for understanding and reigniting harmony in the human gut. She discusses her doctoral work, including research on the gut microbiome, food, and health. She also touches on some current science related to keystone species of microorganisms and methane-producing bacteria in the microbiome. Here’s the outline of this interview with Laura Payling: [00:00:15] Life in Costa Rica. [00:05:57] Early life. [00:08:00] A1 vs A2 milk. [00:10:34] Growing up with horses. [00:17:05] Training dogs. [00:22:41] Studying animal science. [00:23:50] Avoiding iodine deficiency. [00:29

Dr. Michael Bazlinton is a Family Doctor (GP) and the founder of the bodymapping clinic in the UK. After recognizing the limits of the National Health Service (NHS) model of practice and discovering compelling data from the low-carb community, Michael expanded his scope as a physician. In 2017, bodymapping was born. The bodymapping programme embraces five key states of being essential to wellness: nourishment, cognition, sleep, movement, and rest. Michael uses blood testing to guide clients in these areas toward optimal health and longevity. On this podcast, Dr. Bazlinton discusses the bodymapping approach and the unique programme he has created for those in the UK who want to apply science and technology to manage their health better. He is currently offering a membership platform for those who wish to use ongoing tracking of their biometric data with periodic live video check-ins. The first six months are free with the discount code NBT-100%. Here’s the outline of this interview with Michael Bazlinton: [00:

Mike Brcic is an adventurer, writer, and entrepreneur with a mission to help others build connection with themselves and others. He founded Wayfinders, a project that brings entrepreneurs together for travel, physical challenge and authentic connection, going beyond networking and financial success. Mike founded Sacred Rides, a highly successful mountain bike adventure company (and sold it in 2019), co-founded Bikes Without Borders, and is the former Dean of Social Enterprise at the Centre for Social Innovation. On this podcast, Mike reflects on his Substack series, Restoring Connection: The Most Vital Work of Our Time, in which he offers practical advice for creating meaningful connections with oneself and others. Noting that human connection is a primary factor in our well-being and longevity, he discusses some of the barriers to connection we’ve created in modern society and some of the tools and practices he uses to reduce loneliness and connect deeply with our true motivations and desires.  Here’s the ou

Fundraiser by Lesley Paterson for Dr Simon Marshall: The Bravest Fight of All Dr. Mike T. Nelson has spent 18 years learning how the human body works, specifically focusing on properly conditioning it to burn fat and become stronger, more flexible, and healthier. He’s been called to share his techniques with top government agencies, universities and colleges, fitness organisations and fanatics. The techniques he’s developed and the results Mike gets for his clients have been featured in international magazines, scientific publications, and websites across the globe. On the podcast today, Mike talks about his Flex Diet Certification program: a course for trainers, coaches and fitness enthusiasts on metabolic flexibility, working with clients on nutrition and achieving fitness goals. We also talk about a little of everything else - his recent talk at the ISSN Conference, measuring and improving your VO2 Max, creating training plans, and the best ways to assess for fitness and healthspan. Mike’s Flex Diet Certif

In today's episode of the Nourish Balance Thrive Podcast, we delved deep into the realm of sleep health, particularly focusing on the role of sleep wearables and nearables. Here's a summary of the key takeaways from our discussion: 1. **Sleep Wearables and Nearables Track Sleep**: We explored how these devices passively monitor various sleep metrics such as duration, phases, and disturbances, offering a convenient and objective way to gather data on our sleep patterns. 2. **Self-Monitoring as a Cornerstone of Behavior Change**: We discussed the importance of self-monitoring in the context of behavior change. By actively tracking our sleep habits, we gain insights that can lead to meaningful improvements in sleep quality and, consequently, athletic performance. 3. **Variability and Opacity in Proprietary Sleep and Stress Scores**: We acknowledged that the scores provided by these devices, though helpful, can vary and sometimes be opaque in their calculation methods. It's essential to understand the limitations

Robb Wolf is a former research biochemist and 2X New York Times/Wall Street Journal Best-selling author of The Paleo Solution and Wired To Eat and co-author of Sacred Cow, which explains why well-raised meat is good for us and the planet. Robb, one of the best-known names in the Paleo movement, has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people worldwide via his top-ranked iTunes podcast, books, and seminars. He co-founded the 1st and 4th CrossFit affiliate gyms in the world and then went on to co-found LMNT Electrolytes. Robb also holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, is a former California State Powerlifting Champion, and is a 6-0 amateur kickboxer.  It’s been almost ten years since my first appearance on Robb’s Paleo Solution podcast, with the interview that ultimately launched NBT as a business. Today, Robb and I discuss the Paleo movement and why it declined in popularity, his latest business and personal ventures, his current love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and why you might like to t

Paul Laursen is a coach and scientist known for his exercise physiology and high-performance sports expertise. He holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology and has a teaching, research, and coaching background. Paul has published over 140 peer-reviewed papers, has more than 14,000 citations, and is co-founder of the parent company HIIT Science. His work often focuses on strategies to optimise performance, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT), heat acclimation, and the role of technology in sports. Paul is also a lifelong athlete, having completed 18 Ironman triathlons. Paul is on my podcast today to talk about Athletica, a personalised AI coaching platform that adapts to your current sport, fitness levels, goals, training sessions and life. We discuss why a coach or athlete might use Athletica, including individualised step-by-step daily training plans, wearable data input, and comprehensive session analysis. Paul also explains how an AI coach can help combat workout boredom, injury, and scheduling chal

Despite social media being everywhere, it’s clear that adults in America face an epidemic of loneliness. This trend comes with health risks equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day. Our guest today has a solution.  The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, a step-by-step handbook that teaches you how to build big relationships by hosting small gatherings. He’s been featured in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and New York Magazine called him a host of “culturally significant parties.” On this podcast, Nick shares his simple formula for hosting low-stress social gatherings to bring people together and create connections. Nick describes the best ways to get people to show up for your parties, get your guests talking to one another without being awkward (even for introverts), and why your home is the best place to host an event.  Here’s the outline of this episode with Nick Gray: [00:00:50] Struggling to meet people in New York. [00:02:23] Nick's book: The 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to Build Big Relationships

Peter Gray, PhD. is a research professor at Boston College in Psychology and Neuroscience, whose recent work focuses primarily on children’s natural ways of learning and the value of play from an evolutionary perspective. He is the author of Free to Learn, a book in which he argues that our children, if free to pursue their interests through play, will not only learn all they need to know but will do so with energy and passion. He has also published many academic articles on play and self-directed education. In this podcast, Dr Peter Gray makes the case that free play is the primary way children learn to solve problems, control their lives, get along with peers, and become emotionally resilient. And by contrast, he discusses the downsides of our traditional education system, which leaves many children bored, prone to misbehaviour, and seeing life as a series of hoops to struggle through. Please visit Peter on his Substack, where he writes about how play makes us human and how we might bring more playfulness i

Sleep, nutrition, and metabolism expert Greg Potter, PhD, is back on the podcast today with a new twist on help for those interested in sleep. Greg is an international public speaker, science writer, consultant and coach, focusing on working with individuals and organisations to adopt easy and long-lasting lifestyle modifications that add years and quality to life. His work has appeared in dozens of worldwide media sources, including Reuters, TIME, and The Washington Post, and he frequently contributes to prominent websites, blogs, and podcasts. On today’s podcast, Greg joins Chris to discuss the use of psychedelic drugs for improved sleep and mental health. Greg talks about the types of psychedelics currently being researched, including psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA, their mechanisms of action, and their potential roles in improving sleep and health. He shares some of the most interesting results from the clinical literature, including therapeutic effects for treatment-resistant depression and the impact of thes

We’re continuing the conversation this week with Greg Potter, PhD., but with a plot twist. We’ve had Greg on the podcast many times discussing all facets of sleep and circadian biology, but today the topic is low back pain.  Greg has had personal experience with this problem since the age of 12 and has devoted extensive time and effort to researching and trying various treatment methods to find relief for himself and his coaching clients. He’s quick to admit he’s not an expert in low back pain, but it’s clear he’s well-versed on the topic. Greg thoroughly examines low back pain in this podcast, including causes, treatments, and scientifically-validated approaches for relieving chronic discomfort. He discusses time-tested treatments and cutting-edge options, including therapies, exercises, and supplements. He also recalls the book that started his healing journey and the best ways to give your back a break during daily movement and activities. Here’s the outline of this episode with Greg Potter:  [00:00:10] H

With us this week is Extreme Human Performance Specialist Mike T Nelson, PhD. Mike has spent 13+ years working with clients, focusing on how to properly condition the body to burn fat and become stronger, more flexible, and healthier. He’s been called in to share his techniques with top government agencies, universities and colleges, fitness organizations and fanatics. The strategies he’s developed and the results Mike generates for his clients have been featured in international magazines, in scientific publications, and on websites across the globe. Today Mike joins Megan Hall to talk about the power and practicality of using metabolic flexibility to achieve exceptional body composition, health, and performance. Mike talks about the surprising psychological factors that go into designing a personalized diet and the system he’s developed that works with the freedom-craving, flexible nature of your typical human. His system is called the Flex Diet, and it combines the science of metabolic flexibility with the

Good nutrition is essential for optimal health, performance and quality of life. Unfortunately, the standard American diet is deficient in many essential nutrients, and at the same time is loaded with toxic ingredients known to cause serious health problems. Making matters worse, doctors rarely test for nutrient deficiencies, which are often at the root of their patients’ complaints. The end result is a population marked by difficulties attaining or maintaining a state of good health and optimal performance. Today we’re rounding out our Health Fundamentals Series with a fourth instalment, this time on the topic of nutrition. NBT coaches Megan Hall and Zach Moore discuss why what you eat deserves your time and attention, and the best practical strategies to ensure you’re getting the nutrition you need from your diet. They talk about the best foods to consume, how many meals to eat and the best time of the day to eat them, and how to avoid the most common nutritional deficiencies. They also discuss the best way

Back on the podcast, today is sleep, nutrition, and metabolism expert, Greg Potter, PhD. Through his academic research, public speaking, consulting and writing, Greg empowers people to make simple and sustainable lifestyle changes that add years to their lives and life to their years. His work has been featured in dozens of international media outlets, including Reuters, TIME, and The Washington Post, and he regularly contributes to popular websites, blogs, and podcasts. In this podcast, Greg is talking about light, including the importance of getting out in the sun and also modern problems with artificial light. He discusses the impact of light on the circadian system along with up-to-date recommendations related to light hygiene. We discuss practical tips for reducing light at night (not all of which involve putting away your device), and why not getting the right kind of light might be keeping you from achieving your body composition goals. Here’s the outline of this episode with Greg Potter:  [00:02:14] 

Back on the podcast today is Steven Wright, the man behind Healthy Gut, a cutting-edge supplement line devoted to helping those suffering with persistent GI problems. After being diagnosed with IBS by several doctors, Steven found relief from his own gut health problems by following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, and then spent years coaching others to do the same. His goal continues to be providing solutions for effective digestion, nutrient absorption, and microbiome balance. Today Steven is talking about targeting the gut for the purpose of optimising immune health. He discusses what to look for in a probiotic supplement, and explains how paraprobiotics are now being used to improve gut function. He describes some of the specific probiotic strains that have been found to modulate immune response, soothe rashes and improve exercise performance - and where you can find them. Steven also offers some of his best tips for supporting immune health and managing stress with nutrition. Here’s the outline of this

The beneficial role of physical movement and exercise in daily life is one of the few things we can all agree on. Extensive research points to movement as essential for living a long and healthy life. It helps keep our bodies strong, flexible, and mobile and helps maintain cognitive health as we age. So what kind of exercise should you be doing and how much should you train? If you have limited time and energy, what type of movement should be prioritized? Today for the third instalment of our Health Fundamentals series, Coach Megan Hall is talking with NBT Head of Strength and Conditioning Zach Moore about movement and exercise. They discuss why it's important for you to be moving regularly, and describe ways to increase movement throughout your day. Zach stresses the importance of strength training: why it should be the foundation of your workout and the 3 simple movements you can use to get started. They also discuss recovery, balance, flexibility, and mobility. To get all the details and studies supporting