The Art Of Living with Kathy Smith

In our never-ending quest for the fountain of youth, people will try all sorts of gimmicks and products that promise eternal vitality and radiance. However, true longevity isn't about chasing fads - it's about understanding the science of how our bodies age and making lifestyle choices that promote healthspan as well as lifespan. My guest today is Bill Gifford, an author who has dedicated years to researching this fascinating topic.  Bill has teamed up with Dr. Peter Attia to author the runaway hit called 'Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity' - a manifesto that has sold over a million copies by redefining how we approach healthcare and pursue wellness over merely treating diseases." One of the book's central theses is that "The way we approach healthcare must undergo a fundamental shift from Medicine 2.0 to what they're calling Medicine 3.0. Medicine 2.0 is about diagnosing and treating illnesses, while Medicine 3.0 is about preventing disease and promoting wellness, ultimately extending not only lifespan, but also healthspan.  Get ready to take some notes, because today's conversation will be a roadmap for taking charge of your longevity. For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.  

Here's a sobering fact: more than 75% of the population in America over the age of 65 has not one, but two degenerative diseases. The rise in chronic illness is affecting nearly every family in America. However, today's guest challenges the idea that we must accept this as a natural part of the aging process. Dr. Camillo Ricordi, a distinguished scientist, author, and pioneer in the field of regenerative medicine, joins us. Throughout his remarkable career, he has made countless contributions to advancing cellular and organ transplantation, particularly in the treatment of diabetes, thereby revolutionizing medical practices and offering hope to countless patients worldwide. Having been born and raised in northern Italy, his professional journey and research endeavours have led him to several universities and medical centers across the U.S., and eventually to Florida, where he founded the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami. Now, with his groundbreaking new book, "The Health Span Code - How to Reverse Your Biological Age", Dr. Ricordi shifts his focus towards addressing one of the most severe pandemics we face: an unhealthy lifespan. The traditional notion of life expectancy is outdated. What we need to focus on is the quality of life we can expect as we age. His book delves into the captivating science behind biological aging and the factors that can accelerate it. A significant portion of our discussion will center around a major contributor to this decline: the body's inability to manage sugar effectively, which sets us on the path of metabolic dysfunction, often leading to diabetes. Uncontrolled sugar intake can have a detrimental effect on a healthy lifespan. However, there are proactive steps we can all take to slow down, and even reverse, this process. I have known Camillo for nearly 40 years, as we are connected through marriage. It is both a pleasure and an honor to introduce him to our listeners. For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast

From the moment we lift our heads off the pillow and put our feet on the floor… our days are filled with movement. In fact we make hundreds of movement decisions every single day. For the most part we don't think of our movements as ‘choices'... but in fact whether they are conscious or unconscious – we're the boss of how our bodies move and the consequences of those choices. I recently spoke with author Katy Bowman about her newest book: “Rethink your Position – an updated guide to everyday body alignment and movement. It's chock-full of sensible – doable solutions to make your body your new best friend. Back as a guest on this NEW episode of The Art of Living podcast, nobody knows body mechanics quite like Katy. She's made significant contributions to the field of human movement with her holistic, sensible approach to health… and truly practices what she preaches. In today's episode, Katy talks about the numerous benefits of movement, going beyond the obvious to explore lesser-known advantages that you may have never heard about, including the profound effects on your health. During our conversation, you will discover: Katy's “Head Ramping” technique to save you from “tech-neck” The best Sleep shapes for a healthy spine and reduced pain Simple, easy toe exercises that lead to Better Balance Why your Calves are your second heart – crucial for good circulation

Many of us are searching for a magic bullet to improve our longevity, whether it be a supplement, medication, or exotic superfood. And yet, when it comes to enhancing our health span and preventing cognitive and physical decline, it turns out that exercise is the most potent tool we have at our disposal… even more than nutrition, sleep, or medication.   Exercise is the key to living a longer, healthier life, and nobody knows that better than today's podcast guest, Dr. Bob Sallis.   Bob is a visionary physician who helped launch the groundbreaking initiative, Exercise is Medicine in 2009 while president of the American College of Sports Medicine. By introducing a new approach of focusing on lifestyle and specifically exercise to extend your health span and prevent chronic diseases, Bob helped start the game-changing discussions that there is a new approach to aging.   For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Robert Lustig, is sounding the alarm on the problems caused by processed foods and sugar. His new book, Metabolical, takes a deep dive into what's fueling the continual increase of lifestyle diseases. By now, you know these diseases by heart… type 2 diabetes, hypertension, lipid problems, cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, and the list goes on.   One of Robert's defining messages is that these lifestyle diseases aren't druggable, but they are foodable. You're about to find out what that means in today's episode. Food is the only lever you have to affect biochemical change to improve your health. As Dr. Lustig says, "If we do not fix our food and change the way we eat, we will continue to court chronic disease, bankrupt healthcare, and threaten the planet."  Here are some highlights from the show...  "My job is to kill the calorie, I want it gone as a unit of measure because it is absolutely completely useless. It's only gotten us into more and more trouble."   "All food is inherently good; it's what's been done to the food that can make it bad. All of your cells either respond positively or negatively to the specific components of your food."    "Essentially, all you need to know are two precepts, six words total: protect the liver, feed the gut."   "Everybody kept saying, 'eat less, exercise more, eat less, exercise more.' Guess what? We ate less, we exercised more, and we only gained more weight." Buckle up!    For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

Many of us are walking around in a tired and dazed state, resting poorly at night, and living in a low-energy loop. Exhaustion is often the result of living out of sync with your circadian rhythms, which is the inner clock that dictates the ebb and flow of hormones, body temperature, and blood pressure.    Today's guest, Dr. Michael Breus explains all of this in his new book, Energize! Go from dragging ass to kicking it in 30 days.    Dr. Breus is a sleep specialist and clinical psychologist, and right now he's mr. popular! You can't turn on the TV without seeing him on some talkshow. He was recently on The Today Show, and Live with Kelly and Ryan. Michael was a previous guest on this podcast, you can find that in the archives, it's episode #63.    For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

On today's show, Dr. Kathyrn Schmitz is talking about her book, Moving Through Cancer. Her empowering message will not only resonate with anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer but with their family and loved ones as well.    Dr. Kathryn's many, many accomplishments include holding the position of Distinguished Professor of Public Health Sciences at Penn State's College of Medicine and Penn State Cancer Institute, and as a past president of the American College of Sports Medicine.    Her must-read book, Moving Through Cancer, presents the science of using exercise as a tool to help reduce the risk of developing some of the most common cancers. The groundbreaking power of this book is its step-by-step guide that takes you from diagnosis to thriving you using strength training and exercise to improve your mental and physical health before, during, and after cancer diagnosis and treatment.    For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

When we think of the names of women who have seemingly defied the aging process, who comes to mind? Helen Mirren, Cate Blanchett, and Judy Dench. These are just a few women who have  decided to celebrate their natural beauty. We admire them for their confidence, talents, and sense of style. But in a culture that's obsessed with youth, it can be difficult to embrace the aging process and be proud of the skin you're in.   Today's guest is Dr. Naeemah Ruffin, also known as “the face fitness doctor.”   Naeemah is is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Mt. Sinai Hospital and the CEO and founder of Bellantz, which specializes in personalized face fitness with expansive range of exercises tailored to tone the facial muscles to create a more youthful and symmetrical facial appearance. She also has Clinical Skincare line that's formulated with plant-based natural and organic ingredients to repair, restore, and revitalize the skin.   In today's conversation, we'll talk about specific facial exercises to lift and tighten certain areas of your face that have decreased muscle tone over time. There is evidence-based research that supports facial exercise as a natural facial rejuvenation in addition to correcting facial symmetry, especially in those with Bell's Palsy.   We'll also talk about facial expressions that are working for and against you. And of course, we can't talk about the face without chatting about skin care.    For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

We're in the third decade of the 21st century, if you're currently in your 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, then you've been a part of the modern fitness industry. To those of you who have been exercising most of your adult lives, congratulations: You are in the first generation of active adults who have had access to gyms and exercise throughout their life span.    The original intent of exercise was to sculpt attractive bodies of lean, well-defined muscle. Now, scientists have had the opportunity to study how exercise affects the aging process. What we are learning is that exercise, especially high-intensity exercise, just may be the key to aging awesomely.    Today's guest, Pete McCall, is author of Ageless Intensity: High intensity workouts to slow the aging process. The book includes four aspects of fitness that will help turn back the clock. As Pete highlights in his book, focusing on exercise  intensity may be the key to reducing the biological effects of time.    I'm excited about this conversation with Pete, because he always provides straight-forward, science-backed information. But more importantly, he gives you useful tricks and tools to control aging and keep you feeling young. 

Today, we're welcoming back Dr. Sara Gottfried. In past episodes, we've talked about how hormones impact every system of your body. In today's episode, we'll take it one step further. Because as she points out in her new book, “Women, Food and Hormones”  food is the backbone of the hormones you make. When it comes to your health and metabolism, food is medicine.     In her newest book, Dr. Gottfried presents a groundbreaking new plan that helps women balance their hormones so they can lose excess weight and feel better. And, she lays the groundwork for how to get your body to flip the switch from burning carbohydrates to burning fat.    Dr. Gottfried is a multiple New York Times bestselling author, and Harvard-educated women's health expert. Over the past two decades, Sara has seen more than 25,000 patients, and specializes in identifying the root causes underlying her patients' conditions to achieve true and lasting health transformations, not just symptom management. 

If you've tried everything to gain control of your health and manage your weight but still feel like you can't reach your goals, I think you'll appreciate today's conversation about Uric Acid.    The scientific literature is bursting with evidence that chronic elevated uric acid lies at the root of many pervasive health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease. But it's not something that's being discussed in  mainstream medicine and media…. Until now.     Today's guest, David Perlmutter is a Board-Certified Neurologist and six-time New York Times bestselling author. He serves on the Board of Directors and is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition.    His groundbreaking book, Grain Brain, showed that the fate of your brain is not in your genes. It's in the food you eat. By the way, that book made it to the top… #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.    David's new book, Drop Acid, alerts us to the dangers of elevated uric acid, and how it's a Key to Losing Weight, Controlling Blood Sugar, and Achieving Extraordinary Health.   

Welcome to On Health: The Art Of Living, where I bring you the latest research and info on how to live a healthier, more vibrant, more passion-driven life. To help you better understand the importance of gut health, and support your journey to better digestive function, I've invited Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, lovingly known as “Dr B” back on the show!    If you missed our last discussion,  check out episode 90. It's all about identifying weaknesses in the  gut, what habits lead to a poor microbiome, the role of pre & probiotics, and some really valuable information you can learn from your bowel movements.    Today we're going to expand on that discussion. The microbiome is this super organism ecosystem that is arguably the center of human health. We rely on all these microbes to keep us healthy and when they fail, we fail. Making peace with your microbiome is one of the biggest steps you  can take to  improve your health and wellbeing.   When you take care of your gut, just about everything else in your body...from your immune  system to your moods to your brain and heart health are all impacted.    For many, it's food sensitivities. For some, it's irregular bowel movements. For most, it's not understanding fiber. You get the picture. If you have gut issues and food sensitivities, and your goal is to feel better or you're just curious about exploring more plant based eating then you will want to listen up!.   Dr. B is a genius in helping you understand what's going on in your gut. He has a new book, The Fiber Fueled Cookbook, that will put you on a healing path to restore function to your gut.  It is a step by step program to support your journey to better digestive Function.  Whether you have gut issues or want some outrageously good tasting recipes, it is all here.   Dr. B is not your ordinary doctor.  He's an award-winning gastroenterologist and an internationally recognized gut health expert. His New York Times Best-selling book, Fiber Fueled is changing lives. It's a must-read for optimizing your microbiome and learning which foods help create a vibrant and healthy microbiome.    Dr. B is a rockstar. When he talks, I listen.    Understanding your gut is a gateway to revealing what's happening in your body. Let's get started! Welcome back, Dr. B!

Dr. Felice Gersh is back on the podcast by popular demand! She's been on the show twice before sharing science-backed information on intermittent fasting, and today's podcast is all about the Big M... menopause.  In this episode, we discuss step-by-step approaches that guide you through the menopausal phases (pre and post), and how to handle everything from hot flashes to fuzzy thinking... from irritability to insomnia. This show is full of straightforward and practical advice that every woman needs to take control short-term symptoms and long-term health.  I asked the Fit Over 40 Facebook group which topics of the book they'd be most interested in discussing, and the answers came in loud and clear...  Weight gain Body shape change Sex drive decrease Joint pain Appetite fluctuations We'll dive into all of those topics in today's NEW Art of Living episode!  Her new book, Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know is full of information that prepares you for what lies ahead in the menopausal journey (pre and post), and find solutions for all of the symptoms.  Dr. Felice Gersh is board-certified in both OBGYN and integrative medicine. She's the director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irving, a comprehensive women' health care practice. As a clinical assistant professor, she teaches students and residents, as well as lectures across the country. For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

ONE OF THE MOST FRUSTRATING FACTS OF HUMAN BIOLOGY IS THAT WE ARE MUCH BETTER AT CREATING FAT THAN WE ARE AT BURNING IT OFF. TODAY’S GUEST OFFERS THE TOOLS TO HELP YOU FLIP THAT SWITCH TO BECOME WHAT HE CALLS A “FAT-BURNING BEAST” IN HIS NEW BOOK “TWO MEALS A DAY: THE SIMPLE, SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY TO LOSE FAT, REVERSE AGING, AND BREAK FREE FROM DIET FRUSTRATION FOREVER.”  HE IS A NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR, AN ELITE ENDURANCE ATHLETE, THE FOUNDER OF PRIMAL KITCHEN AND THE PRIMAL BLUEPRINT; PLUS, HE  PUBLISHES A WONDERFUL AND CRAZY SUCCESSFUL BLOG CALLED “MARK’S DAILY APPLE.”

Look around you. Where you are right now is the destination that represents every step you’ve ever taken, every road you’ve ever traveled down, every choice you’ve ever made.    Whatever those habits were, however small or large they seemed at the time…which book to read, what shoes to wear…they’re all pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that form a picture of you today. Each one, in its own way, contributed something to making your life what it is today.   If you’re happy with your life, congratulations! If you don’t, then perhaps it’s time to change some habits.    Today’s guest, Dr. Patrick Porter, is a master on specific, practical techniques to rewire your brain to make starting a new habit a little easier. He’s an award-winning author and speaker, including a recent TED talk. He’s also the creator of BrainTap, which is distinctively designed to relax, reboot, and optimize your brain’s peak potential.    For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

Until around age 30, your muscles grow larger and stronger. At some point in that third decade, you start to lose muscle mass and function. You can lose as much as 3-5% of that muscle mass each decade after age 30. The term for this is “age-related sarcopenia.” Even if you’re active, you can still lose muscle if you’re not training and eating properly. Why is all of this so important? That’s the topic of the show today.  I’m a big believer that STRONG WOMEN STAY YOUNG! Each year, I see more evidence on the importance of muscle mass as the key to staying younger, longer.  I produced my first strength training video in 1985. And, that’s the time period when I first heard about our next guest, Dr. Wayne Westcott.  He was lecturing, writing articles, and involved in cutting-edge research about strength training. He was answering all the questions...how much, how often, slow, heavy, light, when, where, how? Why is it important? When it comes to strength training, Wayne was, and still is, the go-to expert and deep source of knowledge for maintaining strength at any age.  He’s the author of over 25 books including Strength Training Past 50, and thousands of articles,  After listening to Wayne you will probably start tweaking your exercise routine. 

Women’s bodies go through many complex stages in a lifetime. Each of our journeys are unique, and they can include the excitement and stress of building our careers, through the rollercoaster of pregnancy and its postpartum aftermath, to the shifting hormonal dance of menopause. With each stage comes dramatic physical and emotional changes that often manifest themselves in seemingly unrelated symptoms.  We all tend to look at these symptoms, such as weight gain, digestion issues or anxiety, as separate issues, independent of one another.  Many times, we just don’t connect the dots. In this time of over-specialized medicine, we might struggle, because symptoms are often treated individually, not as a whole… especially related to incremental weight gain.  How are weight, digestion, anxiety, and many other symptoms related? Today’s guest, Dr. Sara Gottfried has a surprising answer for you.  Dr. Gottfried is a multiple New York Times bestselling author and Harvard-MIT educated women’s health expert. In her newest book, Brain Body Diet, she delivers a revolutionary 40-day program to reconnect the brain and body to prevent and reverse symptoms and diseases afflicting millions of women.

We’re increasingly coming to understand  that the way to bolster your immune system begins with the microbiome. Surprisingly, the microbiome in your gut is home to 70% of our immune system.  The human gut is complex and has a huge impact on whole-body health. A healthy gut supports a strong immune system, brain health, and heart health. A balanced microbiome can create easier weight loss and weight management and have a positive impact your moods and quality of sleep. To help better understand the importance of gut health, I’ve invited Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, lovingly known as “Dr B” on the show. He’s a respected gastroenterologist  who has devoted his practice to understanding the microbiome.   Dr. B’s New York Times Best-selling book, Fiber Fueled: The Plant Based Gut Health Program For Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome is a must-read.  It’s a step-by-step approach that shows a simple, science-backed process for optimizing your gut microbiome. And as you do, you will transform your health.  Today, we’re going to discuss how to identify weaknesses in the  gut, what habits lead to a poor microbiome, the role of pre & probiotics, and some really valuable information you can learn from your bowel movements. Yes, that’s right… poop! We spend a lot of time talking about what goes in our body, but today we’re also going to talk about what comes out.   Get ready for some honest and straightforward discussion. It could just be the most powerful conversation that will empower you to change your health for the better.  For more, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

Today’s guest, Dr. Felice Gersh will be answering the most frequently asked questions I get about time-restricted eating. Last year’s podcast with Felice was one of our most popular shows.  As most of you know, time-restricted eating is a nutritional approach based on when you eat. Basically, all meals and snacks are consumed within a particular window of time each day. Outside that window, no calories are allowed. This approach to eating can boost weight loss, lengthen lifespan, reduce insulin resistance, improve heart health and have positive effects on your immunity.  You can check out Dr. Felice’s first episode at kathysmith.com/podcast. Just click on episode 85.  Today, we’re going to delve a little deeper into all the questions you have been sending me about time-restricted eating, including… What is the best time of day to eat for weight loss? What are the potential downsides to fasting? Is there science behind it? Can I exercise while fasting? What do I eat when I’m not fasting? As a reminder, Felice is an award-winning physician, a board-certified gynecologist, and obstetrician, also trained in integrative medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton, and her medical degree from USC School of Medicine. 

I might be stating the obvious, but just to be perfectly clear… eating a vegan or vegetarian diet doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re eating a healthy diet. There’s an enormous difference between simply eliminating animal products from your meals, and adopting a whole food, plant-based diet. That’s just one of the topics we’re going to get into today with the amazing Dr. Joel Kahn. Joel is one of the world’s top cardiologists who believes that plant-based nutrition is the most powerful source of preventative medicine on the planet. He is the author of The Plant-Based Solution, and sometimes refers to himself as the Top Broccoli in the united states. On our previous episode, we covered a lot... including how research has linked plant-based diets to a decreased risk of cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure...plus, it could prolong your life. That’s episode 71. For long-time listeners, you’ve heard from some of the top plant-based researchers, scientists, and advocates in the country and in the world. Those guests have included John pop  Lewis the Badass Vegan, Dr. Valter Longo from USC,  Dr. Zach Bush whose specialty is gut health, and of course… Dr. Joel Kahn.   And yet, the optimal way to eat still has controversy swirling around it. There are different camps offering conflicting information, and often times it can get muddled, confusing, and emotional. I look forward to hearing more science as well and delve into some of the questions I’m getting from the listeners, including…  What are the healthiest fats, whether you’re vegan or not? And, can you be vegan and still in ketosis? Dr. Joel is one of my favorite people, and I’m excited to share his message with you today. There’s a lot to cover! Whether you’re sitting down to a green smoothie, heading out for a walk, or listening in the car let’s get this show started! 

On the show today...your thyroid. That butterfly shaped gland located in the lower front of the neck that makes thyroid hormone, which in turn goes into the bloodstream, creating energy and enhancing the activity of every function in your body. It determines your mood, skin and hair health, body temperature, blood sugar levels, hormonal function (especially as they relate to PMS and menopause), and whether you’re more likely to gain or lose weight.  Overproduction or underproduction of hormones in the thyroid can cause a host of problems — including Hashimoto’s syndrome, Grave’s disease, and hypothyroidism.  Age, gender and genetics all play a role in thyroid disease… and yet the truth is that most thyroid issues are driven by simple choices in our diet and lifestyle that we can control.  Today’s guest Dr. Alan Christianson, has spent decades helping people deal with thyroid disease, and has seen how absolutely devastating it can be. Indeed, it can get in the way of everything that matters in life. But as he discusses in his upcoming book, The Thyroid Reset Diet, thyroid disease is not a permanent condition and most of the time, it can be reversed.  In today’s show, we’ll delve into one surprise element that’s essential to life… but can be devastating and disruptive when it comes to your thyroid… causing a whole host of problems… weight gain despite intense efforts…. Energy levels that run lower… fatigue that sets in early in the day… Exercise feels like a chore, and the brain moves more slowly. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, then you’ll want to listen to today’s show because it’s packed with information! 

Today is special because I'm talking to my daughter, Olympian Kate Grace, about something that every great athlete knows a lot about: motivation. The biggest lessons that I've learned for my daughter have to do with how she trains her mind as well as her body so she can push through the plateaus in training and push through setbacks - like the delay of the Olympics - and stay focused and consistent over so many years. So, whether you have your sights on the Olympics, a marathon, a 5K, or you just need to get out of bed in the morning and get moving and go for your walk, we can all benefit from these tips and tricks on how to flex your motivational muscle. For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

Today’s guest is Maye Musk. She started modeling at age 15, and then in her 60s, life turned fabulous. Can you imagine appearing in a Beyonce music video, or signing a contract as a Covergirl spokesperson, and setting a record for being the oldest Covergirl yet!? Then, at the end of 2019, Musk added “best-selling author” to her resume.    In her book, A Woman Makes a Plan: Advice for a Lifetime of Adventure, Beauty and Success, she shares experiences from her life conveying hard-earned wisdom on career, family, health , and adventure. She talks about her experience raising her 3 children, filmmaker Tosca, restraneur and philanthropist Kimball, and tech entrepreneur Elon, who founded SpaceX and Tesla. From an outsider looking in, it might appear as if Maye’s life has always been charmed and glamorous, but when you step behind the curtains, you see how this dynamic creature has pushed through the hard times and made her way through it all with resilience and a no-nonsense attitude to become a global success at what she calls the "prime of her life."    Now at the age of 71, Maye lives in Los Angeles, and is having the best time ever. She says that  81 it will be great. Her mom had her best times when she was in her 90s, so she looks forward to that. What an inspiration!   For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

On today’s show, we’re focusing on time-restricted eating. It’s a nutritional approach that’s not about what you eat, but when you eat.    So what is time-restricted eating? It means a person eats all their meals and snacks within a particular window of time each day. Outside that window, a person consumes no calories. It’s a type of intermittent fasting that has become popular in the recent years. And by the way, intermittent fasting refers to any eating plan that alternates between periods restricting caries and then eating normally.    By the way, intermittent fasting is a way to boost weight loss, lengthen lifespan, reduce insulin resistance, improve heart health and have positive effects on your immunity.    I get a lot of questions on time-restricted eating. Is it effective, is it safe, what’s the best approach for women, and do the benefits vary based on your age?    That’s why I’m delighted to have Dr. Felice Gersh on the show today. I had the privilege of meeting Felice at the  A4M Conference in Las Vegas. She has a brilliant mind, is an incredible speaker, is passionate about holistic women’s healthcare, and she’s a leader in this discussion of intermittent fasting.    She’s an award-winning physician, a board-certified gynecologist, and obstetrician, also trained in integrative medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton, and her medical degree from USC School of Medicine.    For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast/.

Today's topic is so simple that it’s often overlooked. It’s a breathing technique that can impact your weight, improve your sleep and energy, increase concentration, reduce breathlessness during exercise, heighten athletic performance, and improve  cardiovascular health.  Today’s guest, Patrick McKeown, has written 8 books on breathing, including the international best-seller, The Oxygen Advantage, which is something of a bible on nose breathing. His book has helped create a buzz about a revolutionary technique based on the Buteyko method.  Over the past 15 years, Patrick has been focused on breathing re-education. He has trained thousands of people around the world with his scientifically validated techniques. And the results have been dramatic… with increase of oxygen flow to all of your body’s systems. And what that translates to a host of benefits, which we’ll talk about today.  For more, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.  

If you want to turn your walk into a workout, try this 30-minute Pump Up The Pace guided walk. This free audio incorporates brief interval bursts shown to help break through any weight loss plateaus and improve your cardiovascular health.  Make sure to visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast for more.

I know this is a bold question… but what if I asked you if you were satisfied with your sex life? You might think, “That’s a little  too personal to be talking about.”  Today’s guest, Cindy Eckert,  is at the forefront of a movement to de-stigmatize this discussion, of sexual vitality, specifically as it relates to low libido. Cindy is the creator of Addyi, a little pink pill to treat women with low or no  sexual desire. It has been labeled by the media as the female viagra.  She fought an uphill battle to get ADDYI approved by the FDA, and sold her company for 1 billion dollars. Through that experience, she got a first-hand lesson of what it meant for women to advocate for each other…. for better health outcomes, for better research for women, and for better business opportunities for women.  Cindy is on  a mission to put women on top.  And that’s what prompted her to launch The Pink Ceiling in 2016… It was her way of helping female-focused businesses with capital as well a s mentorship.  You can’t miss Cindy when she walks into the room. She’s unapologetically pink... from her clothes to her accessories.  I’m excited about today’s show. Cindy is such a powerhouse when it comes to getting the attention and funding for women’s health issues… something that is desperately needed in this country!  For more, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

Today, we welcome back Dr. Alan Christianson. He’s been a guest on the show before, and he's back to discuss his new book, The Metabolism Reset Diet. The book offers a 28-day program which works to heal the core issue behind a slow metabolism —a n overloaded liver.  That’s right… the liver! How many times have you thought about your liver... specifically when it comes to weight loss? Most of the time, we think about our liver when we’ve had too much to drink, and we think, “Oh my gosh… what am I doing to my poor liver?”  And yet, Dr. C reveals in his book that the liver is actually a key to a healthy metabolism. With clinical studies on tens of thousands of people, he is revolutionizing the way that we look at weight loss.  His participants are losing inches and weight (specifically around the midsection) many of whom had tried countless diets, and nothing seemed to work. The best part? They’ve kept the weight off and no longer felt like they are slaves to exact foods and exact portions. Dr. Alan Christianson is a Naturopathic Endocrinologist who focuses on Thyroid function, specifically Hashimoto’s, Hypothyroidism, and Graves’ disease. For more information, visit https://www.drchristianson.com/. For more podcasts, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

If you knew there was a technique where you could achieve just about anything you want by learning how to focus on your strengths and what you’re good at - instead of trying to correct your weaknesses - would you want to learn that technique? I sure would! That’s why I’m so delighted to have Fatima Doman the author of Authentic Strengths on the show today.  Fatima is one of the most influential voices in positive change...in other words, how to focus on what’s going strong instead of what’s going wrong your life. She's a Bestselling Author, Speaker, and Executive Coach, and has motivated audiences across six continents to leverage their authentic strengths for personal  transformation. Today, we’re going to talk about her incredible system that will help you achieve your goals and stay motivated… especially when life gets busy, chaotic, and you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. For more information, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

Chances are good that you, or someone you know, is dealing with anxiety. One in five Americans over 18, and one in three teenagers 13 to 18, reported having a chronic anxiety disorder during the past year.   Now, everyone worries sometimes. But if you’re repeatedly feeling panicky, or anxious, or find yourself avoiding situations because of irrational fears, then you’re going to want to listen to today’s podcast. I believe everything happens for a reason, and it was no coincidence that when I was shopping for an outfit for burning man, I met today’s guest, Julian Brass. Little did I know that chance meeting would lead to today’s podcast about a subject that I’m passionate about.  His international best-selling book, Own Your Anxiety, takes you on an inspirational journey of self-discovery, to transform anxiety into your secret edge. With 99 bite-sized, powerful tips in the book, you may discover that anxiety is your greatest  gift.  For more information, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

Throughout the years, we hear about the latest innovations in fitness that claim to change the way we’re going to workout forever. Although most of these trends don’t really catch on, there is always one that manages to break through and get identified as a game changer. Well, the buzz right now is about “blood flow restriction training.” It is one of the newest training tools to hit both the rehab and sports performance worlds and it’s also being recognized as a potent tool for all of us aging baby boomers. There’s a lot of research that supports it, which is why Blood Flow Restriction or BFR is becoming more popular with athletes, physical therapists, trainers, and even celebrities like Mark Wahlberg.    While the idea has been around for decades, it’s only now that we’re seeing it becoming more mainstream...and largely because of our next guest, Dr. Jim Stray-Gundersen. Jim runs the SG Performance Medicine Center. He is also the chief medical officer of B STRONG, a Utah based company he co-founded in an effort to make blood flow restriction training safe, effective, and affordable for the general public.  For more from Kathy, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.  

Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone! A comfort zone is something you carry with you as you move through life. This comfort zone is very much like an invisible bubble of sorts that surrounds your psyche. And as you go about your day and encounter different circumstances, this bubble constantly expands and constricts depending on your situation.  Having peak performance in life and in fitness starts by seeking that edge, that threshold, and staying there.  If you can’t confront something that’s outside of your comfort zone, then you won’t venture forward. And you can’t expand. In other words, you keep yourself limited.  When it comes to this philosophy, Coach Bob Larsen was the master. When the running craze was in its infancy in the ‘70s, Coach Larsen took an unconventional group of young, rag-tag track and cross-country runners and launched them onto the national stage. During the course of his career, Coach Larsen developed sought-after training techniques that made him one of the greatest coaches of all time.  Our guest is Matthew Futterman, author of Running to the Edge, which presents a riveting account of visionary coach Bob Larsen, who changed the sport of running in America. The book is about the coach, the runners, and the training techniques. But even if you're not a runner, don’t miss this episode. There's a big takeaway for everyone, no matter what you do or who you are. This is a story about taking risks, stepping outside your comfort zone, changing your destiny, and knowing that if you work hard, you can do better tomorrow than you did yesterday. Matthew is a New York Times Deputy Sports Editor, and has previously worked for The Wall Street Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Star-Ledger of New Jersey, where he was a part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. And, Matthew is also an avid runner. For show notes, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

Today’s podcast is a 10-minute visualization that I recorded that helps you break old patterns and switch away from negative and limiting ideas and put your energy into more positive outcomes.  These types of visualizations are powerful. I like to start my morning routine with a visualization. Because it helps me focus on what I want to accomplish for the day… and I get so much more done!  Remember, your thoughts create our actions...your actions create your habits… our habits create our character… and your character becomes your destiny.  Where your focus goes, energy flows.  For more, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.  

CBD is popping up nearly everywhere. It’s in oils, lotion, toothpaste, bath bombs, shampoo, and even ice cream. It’s definitely moved from the experimental fringes and into the mainstream.  Today, let’s dive into how CBD is different than THC - and how hemp is different than marijuana. There's a lot of info in today's episode and, luckily, today’s guest is here to sort things out. Naturopathic doctor Dr. Melissa Gallagher has a YouTube channel that delves into the science, the safety, and the benefits of CBD. With her hundreds of thousands of followers, she’s helping to set the record straight on a subject that can be a bit complicated. So get ready for CBD 101 the beginner's course! Dr. Gallagher's Endocannibinoid Deficiency Quiz:  https://naturalhealthresources.com/cbd/edsquiz.html  

Let me ask a question. Do you feel like you’re at a point in life where you feel like something has to shift...it could be changing a job, losing weight, moving to a new state, improving or ending a relationship? If you’re frustrated or confused about how to take action and get started in that process, then today’s show with Julie Weiss is for you. Julie wrote the book, The Miles and Trials Of A Marathon Goddess. Imagine having the determination to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks...it seems impossible. But that’s exactly what Julie did. In her book, she opens up her soul and talks about the tough stuff that happened in her life...the dark side, the demons, the bad choices she made, and when she finally hit bottom and felt completely overwhelmed, she decided to finally reclaim her life. And she did it one step at a time...or should I say, 26.2 miles at a time. And along the way she raised over half a million dollars for a cause near and dear to her heart. Julie’s powerful message of determination will give you the courage to step outside your comfort zone and make the changes you want. If you’re ready to spread your wings and make things happen, listen up!

Today, we're talking about vitamins. It might have started with chewable Flintstones that your mom gave you as a kid, then in college it was vitamin infused water, and now there is an edgier and somewhat controversial method called vitamin vaping. Although the delivery systems might have changed through the years, this idea of supplementing your diet with vitamins has been something that’s been part of our lifestyle since the time we were little ones. So the question is: Do we even need to take vitamins? We know that taking vitamins and minerals is never going to justify less-than-healthy eating habits. But, there’s growing evidence that the right supplements can improve your health and vitality, including maintaining bone density and muscle mass, improving brain function and mental clarity, balancing hormones and rejuvenating skin, hair and nails. One trip down the vitamin aisle and you’re bombarded with hundreds of options, and some with outrageous claims. That can cause decision fatigue and opting out of adding any of the supplements to your cart. So, if your head starts to spin when you start to talk about vitamins, welcome to the club! But that’s all about to change because today’s guest Shawn Wells is here to clarify the confusion and simplify a conversation that can tend to be very complicated. Shawn has a divergent background. He is a Registered Dietitian with a decade of experience as a Chief Clinical Dietitian in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. He is also a Certified Sports Nutritionist and has worked with celebrity clients and professional athletes. All of this experience combined with his extensive background in formulating supplements for big companies converge to make him the world’s greatest formulator.

Aging comes subtly. Sometimes, the changes might feel like joint stiffness in your hip or shoulder, or sometimes the signs are stooping posture, increasing belly fat and loss of muscle mass... those changes are easy to see and feel. Yet other changes are completely hidden. I hear over and over again from my friends and listeners that after their annual bone-density scan, they’ve been diagnosed with thinning bones. It’s expected that by 2020, half of all American men and women over the age of 50 will have, or will be at risk of developing osteoporosis of the hip... and even more will be at risk of developing it elsewhere. What if I told you that you can increase your bone density and actually reverse bone loss with a technique that requires only 10 minutes a week. Are you listening now? It seems unbelievable! Make sure you listen to this show all the way to the end, because today’s guest Dr. John Jaquish has developed a device that’s placed in over 300 clinics worldwide. These clinics, called Osteostrong, focus on osteogenic loading (which basically means putting strain on the bone that applies enough impact or pressure to stimulate new bone growth). It has now helped over 30,000 individuals with their bone health. We have a lot to cover and we're lucky to have Dr. Jaquish here to help us. He is an inventor, author, and scientist, and stumbled upon his life’s mission to promote bone health after his mother was diagnosed with osteoporosis. He is currently advancing osteogenic loading research and speaking worldwide, as well as developing other biotechnology devices and products that will aid in the advanced health and wellbeing of people all around the world. For more, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

Imagine being able to take cells and use them to cure all kinds of ailments - from diabetes to heart disease to macular degeneration. All across the world, scientists have begun clinical trials to try and do just that, by making use of the incredible power and versatility of stem cells. Today’s guest, Dr. Amy Killen, is at the forefront of this movement with her revolutionary work with cosmetic stem cells to create youthful, healthy, glowing skin...also  to stimulate hair to move from the inactive “resting” phase to the active “growing” phase….. and she also works with sexual revitalization for both men and women. Stem cells help heal tissues. Whenever you have some kind of injury, stem cells target those damaged tissues and release a rich mixture of growth factors to trigger the healing. With age, stem cells start to poop out, and you don’t heal as quickly. And this happens to every tissue in our body. Trying to boost the impact of your own stem cells has captured the attention of the medical community. Dr. Killen talks with us about the latest research and advancements in the field. Dr. Amy Killen works at Docere Medical in Park City, Utah, where along with Dr. Harry Adelson they have built a reputation for regenerative optimization medicine. For more, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.

What’s the optimal way to eat for good health? That’s a topic that seems to be very controversial right now. With all the conflicting information, it can get muddled and confusing, and often times emotional. To help clear up some of the confusion is Dr. Joel Kahn, a cardiologist who has seen first-hand the devastating effects of your diet on your heart and on your health. He’s also the founder of the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity in Michigan. He’s authored hundreds of articles on heart disease, and, he happens to be the owner of GreenSpace Café, advertised as plant-based and pure, where health tastes amazing. In addition, Dr. Kahn is the author of five books, including The Whole Heart Solution and his newest offering, The Plant-Based Solution. For more from Kathy, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.  

Back by popular demand, we welcome Drew Manning to the show! If you listened to our last conversation, you know that he went from Fit to Fat to Fit! He actually was in killer shape, then gained 70 pounds in 6 months on purpose, and lost it again in 6 months...just to get a better understanding of the weight loss process. And, he wrote about it in his New York Times best-selling book, Fit2Fat2Fit. In Drew’s latest book, Complete Keto, he gets PRACTICAL about how to live a ketogenic lifestyle that works with your daily routine.  The ketogenic diet is the world's fastest-growing diet, and I have been getting so many questions about it on social media, so today's episode dives into the why, how, and the whats. This is where Drew comes in. He has a solution that goes way beyond willpower, offering a program that's based on a deep understanding of the challenges in starting a keto program, and sticking with a keto program so you can enjoy the benefits for life. For show notes, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.  

If you’re like most people, you have some complaints about your memory.  Perhaps you walked into a room and forgot why you were there, or you can’t think of a name of an acquaintance even though you met her half a dozen times...or you see a movie, and two weeks later you can’t remember the title, or parts of the plot.  It can be a very frustrating experience!   With more than 41 million Americans over the age of 65 in the United States, the question becomes how much (or, perhaps, what type) of memory loss is to be expected as one gets older and what should trigger a visit to the doctor.   On today’s show, we will delve into What’s normal, what’s not, and what to do about it. Our guest is Dr. Andrew Budson, the author of Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory. And he’s here today to help us address key concerns about memory loss. Dr. Budson is a professor of neurology at Boston University, and lecturer of neurology at Harvard Medical school. His career combines education, research, and clinical care for those with memory disorders.    For show notes, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.  

The ketogenic diet is the world's fastest growing diet - and with good reason. When practiced correctly, it burns fat, reduces inflammation, fights cancer, balances hormones and gut bacteria, improves neurological diseases, and even increases lifespan. Unfortunately, many people are still confused about several of the key factors that are crucial to the diet's success... and that sets them up for frustration and failure. In his new book, Keto Diet, Dr. Josh Axe sets the record straight on how to start a ketogenic diet the right way...for your body and your lifestyle. He joins Kathy to discuss the book and ways to implement the keto diet for yourself! More complete notes, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.  

My guest today is Dr. Jonathan Greenburg, celebrity dentist and snore expert who, for the past ten years, has focused his practice exclusively on the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea. He’s the inventor of a simple and effective way to eliminate sleepless nights and the health issues that may result from chronic snoring. Even Shaquille O'Neal, one of the nation's most publicly notorious snorers was cured by Dr. Jonathan Greenberg, and thousands of others have credited him for saving their marriages.  

Have you noticed that, as we age, things can take on a different look? I’m not just talking about wrinkles, hair color, and hormones but also energy levels, sleep patterns, joint issues, balance, vision, muscle or memory loss...things we traditionally associate with getting older. You are possibly dealing with one or more of these issues or have witnessed your parents, partner or close friends coping with some aspects of getting older. Part of the Art of Aging includes asking the question: are these issues inevitable as we age?   My guest today offers the viewpoint that medical issues associated with aging are not a given; they don’t need to be inevitable. Dr. Bob Goldman is a good friend whom I’ve admired from afar for decades; he’s a great spirit with a great heart. Bob is a leader and global force in health and sports medicine—specifically as they relate to aging--and truly a remarkable human being. In addition to extraordinary achievements in physical strength--earning him at least twenty world records--Dr. Bob began in the early 1990’s dedicating his medical efforts and research toward what is now commonly referred to as “anti-aging” medicine…the focus of our show today.   For complete show notes, visit www.kathsmith.com/podcast.  

You’ve all heard of H20, and that H stands for HYDROGEN! What, you might be asking, is why is it so important to our health and wellbeing?    It appears to be an element that does a lot of miraculous things... including slowing down the aging process. And, there is a positive connection between therapeutic uses of hydrogen, and  improving our overall well-being.  I KID YOU NOT!  Wait until you hear about the benefits!   My guest today, Tyler LeBaron, is an esteemed biochemist and one of the leading proponents in this promising and exciting field of molecular hydrogen research.   Tyler is everywhere these days talking about the benefits of hydrogen. He’s the Founder and Executive Director of the Molecular Hydrogen Institute, and his mission is to help further research and education on the benefits of hydrogen. When he’s not in the lab or lecturing around the country, you will most likely find him training for his next marathon, and we might even be seeing him at the upcoming Olympic trials.

Do you lie awake in bed thinking about your never-ending to-do list and those upcoming deadlines? Or, maybe you keep replaying a conversation where you wish you would have responded differently? Perhaps falling asleep isn’t the issue, but STAYING asleep is your achilles heel? Joining me today is Dr. Michael Breus, also known as  “The Sleep Doctor”. He is a clinical psychologist with a specialty in sleep disorders. In his book, The Power of When, Dr Breus helps you understand your personal inner clock - from the best time for you to work out, eat, and even go to sleep. Getting in sync with your own circadian cycle can help you live a more healthy, energetic life. For more, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.    

Does this scenario sound familiar to you: You’re looking forward to a romantic evening and possibly some long overdue intimacy. You mention to your significant other that it's date night, you pull out your lacy undies, and you tend to some much needed grooming (like shaving above the knee). But, after dinner and a few glasses of wine you find yourself back home, curled up and drifting off to sleep with barely enough energy to brush your teeth. Definitely no hot sex tonight!    If you have noticed that the sizzle has started to fizzle, then you need to hear from today's guest, Ben Greenfield. Ben is here to talk about how your lifestyle, including your fitness routine, can help you feel younger, look younger, and boost your sexual vitality. His science-based approach to the balance between health and performance has revolutionized the way thousands of athletes and exercise enthusiasts around the world live, train and eat. He’s a world renowned coach, speaker, and Ironman triathlete who has immersed himself in studying the modern science behind health and vitality, including male sexual vitality. For my female listeners out there, if you’re thinking this episode isn’t for you because you’re not a man, think again. If you find yourself getting sucked into social media or answering work emails 24/7,  and not finding time or energy for sex then Ben can help you rediscover the joy of connection.   For complete show notes, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.   Ben Greenfield has been recognized as the top 100 Most Influential People in Health, and the author of the New York Times best-selling book “Beyond Training” as well as 13 other books. And, he’s and the man behind the Ben Greenfield Podcast, one of the top ranked fitness podcasts on iTunes. 

Over the years, I’ve run into Petra time and time again at fitness conferences. It’s easy to spot her from a block away, because she radiates confidence, vitality, and a passion for life. It was only through reading her newest book, The Perfection Detox, that I started to understand her inner struggles with perfectionism, and the destructive impact it had on her life. Her book provides 21 steps that will help if you're struggling with your own bout of perfectionism. As a two-time cancer survivor, she is passionate about waking people up to the precious gift of time. Her mission is to inspire people to move more and fear less, so that they can stretch their dreams, strengthen their courage muscle and build an inspired life, full of joy and gratitude. For more, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.  

Drew Manning went from fit2fat2fit - which is also the name of his New York Times best-selling book. In 2011, Drew did an experiment where he went from being in incredible shape, then put on 70 pounds in 6 months... on purpose! Then, over the course of another 6 months, he lost it all again. His journey was featured on shows like Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, The View and many more. And, his experiment has since become a hit TV show, airing on A&E and Lifetime. Even though he gained and lost all that weight, what happened on the inside of his body was even more fascinating - and that's why you have to listen! For more, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.  

We all know that life can bring all kinds of stressors. They can come in the form of a career setback, financial worries, perhaps a divorce or the death of a loved one. Despite knowing this, most of us never focus on honing our coping skills to meet these kind of life events. Researchers who study stress and resilience tell us that resilience should be considered an emotional muscle that can be strengthened at any time.   Today’s guest, Danette May, is a world renowned motivational speaker, and a #1 best-selling author. Danette has an upcoming book, The Rise, where she shares her journey from an unimaginable loss to putting her life back together again using what she calls the 4 hinges: daily positive actions that can create enormous momentum in changing your overall life and future.     As the founder of The Rise Movement and through her moving story,  she’s helping women across the world discover how to overcome inevitable obstacles and enjoy a life filled with possibilities.     For more, visit www.kathysmith.com/podcast.