The Energy Blueprint Podcast

The Best Peptides For Boosting Mitochondria, Brain Health and Longevity with Dr. Daniel Stickler 04.07.2026 1val 7min

In this episode, I am speaking with Dr. Daniel Stickler—co-founder of The Apeiron Center for Human Potential—about the best peptides for boosting mitochondria, brain health, and longevity. In this podcast, Dr. Stickler will cover: What are peptides? The various areas peptides can help with (You will be shocked!) The amazing benefits of Epitalon peptide for longevity The best peptides for brain function and productivity Can peptides help with autoimmunity and chronic infections? The different parameters used to assess age (It is not what you think) Health span versus lifespan: which one is most important? How growth hormones boost anti-aging (Should you be concerned about IGF1?) The best peptides for boosting mitochondria

The Gut - Mitochondria Link - The SECRET To Health, Energy, And Disease Prevention | Dr. Jason Hawrelak 27.06.2026 1val 14min

In this episode, I'm speaking with Dr. Jason Hawrelak, world-renowned microbiome expert, gastrointestinal specialist, and author of over 60 research papers dedicated to gut health. He is, in my opinion, one of the foremost gut/microbiome experts on the planet. So this is a MUST-listen. In this podcast, Dr. Hawrelak and I discuss: The invisible but highly active "organ" that affects everything from mitochondrial function to our nervous system to cancer treatment outcomes The truth behind microbiome testing and what to know before you get your results 3 primary connections between your microbiome and mitochondria The mitochondrial poison some people produce in their own GI tract connected to Alzheimer's, blood sugar dysregulation, and neurotransmitter imbalance 2 GI and mitochondrial-damaging substances that most Americans consume every day The crucial short-chain fatty acid created by your microbiome that feeds your colon…and your mitochondria

The Hidden Role of Mitochondria in Chronic Illness & Fatigue 20.06.2026 1val 55min

In this episode, I am speaking with Dr. Eric Gordon, MD, who has spent the last 40 years helping his patients overcome chronic complex illnesses by focusing on mitochondria and cellular communication. We will discuss the Cell Danger Response, mitochondria, lifestyle, and much, much more.

Telfer McCognahay: How to Navigate Major Life Changes Without Losing Yourself 13.06.2026 1val 35min

There are moments in life when the old version of you stops working, but the next version hasn't arrived yet. A relationship ends, or a career changes direction. A long-held identity begins to crack. The things that once gave you certainty no longer fit, yet what comes next remains unclear. It's uncomfortable, disorienting, and most people do everything they can to escape it. According to my guest today, those in-between periods may be some of the most important moments of our lives. Today, I'm excited to share my conversation with Telfer McCognahay, founder of Ecotone Academy, whose work focuses on helping people navigate major life transitions and uncover the opportunities hidden within them. Telfer believes that many of us spend years building our lives around what he calls a "provisional identity": our job, accomplishments, social roles, relationships, or other labels we use to explain who we are. The problem is that these identities are often far more fragile than we realize. Growth often requires old stories, outdated coping mechanisms, and limiting identities to fall away so something more authentic can emerge. In this fascinating conversation, we explore what happens when life places us in what Telfer calls an "ecotone": a transition zone between who we have been and who we are becoming.

The Hidden Link Between Lyme Disease and Alzheimer's (The MSIDS Protocol) 30.05.2026 1val 13min

What if some people diagnosed with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, anxiety, or even early Alzheimer's are actually dealing with an underlying infection that was never properly identified? Today, I'm sharing my conversation with Dr. Richard Horowitz, a board-certified internist who has treated more than 13,000 patients with Lyme and tick-borne disease over the last four decades, many of whom had already seen countless doctors and collected diagnoses like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, and early dementia before discovering Lyme may have been part of the picture. Dr. Horowitz calls Lyme "the great imitator" because its symptoms can overlap with so many other conditions, and since 2016, Dr. Horowitz has published 11 papers on treatment approaches. In one of his latest studies, he and his colleagues explored a possible connection between Lyme disease and Alzheimer's biomarkers, reporting major improvements in certain inflammatory and cognitive-related markers after treatment. We discuss his broader "MSIDS" model, which looks at chronic illness through a much wider lens. Instead of looking for one single cause, the model examines multiple overlapping factors that may contribute to illness, including infections, toxins, gut dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, sleep issues, immune imbalance, and inflammation. In this podcast, Dr. Horowitz and I discuss: Why Lyme disease is called "the great imitator" and how it can resemble chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer's disease The often-overlooked migratory pain that is one of the hallmark symptoms of chronic Lyme The Lyme symptom questionnaire, which he developed and validated on 6,400 patients How research from Johns Hopkins and other universities changed our understanding of Lyme as a persistent infection Why Dr. Horowitz began using drugs like dapsone and rifampin in Lyme treatment protocols His published research on dapsone combination therapy and the improvements he has observed in patients His recent findings on Lyme disease and Alzheimer's biomarkers, including reductions in tau217 levels Dr. Horowitz's unique MSIDS model and the many overlapping factors that may drive chronic illness Why chronic illness rates continue rising and what conventional medicine may still be missing Why Dr. Horowitz believes recovery is possible, even for patients who have been sick for years

Sexuality, Spirituality, and Manifestation with Emily Fletcher 23.05.2026 51min

In this episode, I am speaking with Emily Fletcher – the founder of Ziva meditation – about why you should tab into your sexuality to manifest your goal and dreams. In this podcast, Emily and I discuss: · The secrets of sacred sexuality · The link between sex and the divine · How to use orgasms to level up your potential · The power of GOYA (Get Off Your Ass)

Dr. Evan Hirsch on Why You're Still Tired (Even When You're Doing Everything Right) 16.05.2026 1val 19min

Most people think fatigue is simple. You're tired because you didn't sleep enough. Or you're stressed. Or maybe you just need more caffeine. But what if you've addressed all those factors and are still fatigued? Today, I'm joined by Dr. Evan Hirsch, a physician who has helped thousands of people recover from chronic fatigue after experiencing it himself. And according to Dr. Hirsch, fatigue is rarely caused by one singular thing. When you look deeper, a pattern emerges. Hidden infections, environmental toxins, nutrient deficiencies, poor sleep quality, and nervous system dysfunction often show up together. Once you start connecting these dots, fatigue stops looking like a simple problem and starts looking like a signal. In this episode, Dr. Hirsch and I break down the real drivers of low energy and what it actually takes to fix them, not just manage symptoms. This episode was first released in June 2017 In this podcast, Dr. Hirsch and I discuss: Why fatigue is often driven by multiple root causes, not just lack of sleep, stress, or an isolated virus How toxins, mold, and environmental exposures can silently drain your energy, and why they need to be addressed slowly versus "hard and heavy" Why poor sleep quality, not just sleep duration, is often the real issue Why many people wake up at night (and what it really means) How hidden infections, yeast, or even parasites may contribute to fatigue and long-term brain health Why morning habits can improve sleep and energy more than nighttime routines The three supplements Dr. Hirsch leans on the most when working with chronic fatigue patients How addressing root causes can lead to lasting improvements in energy

Why Dieting Makes You Tired (and Often Backfires) with Dr. Susan Peirce Thompson 08.05.2026 52min

Most people think weight loss is simple: eat less, move more, push through the fatigue. But what if that approach is exactly why so many diets fail? Today, I'm joined by Dr. Susan Peirce Thompson, a PhD in brain and cognitive sciences who studies the neuroscience of eating behavior and long-term weight loss. According to Dr. Susan, fatigue during dieting is a short-term feeling that should ease over time…with the right approach. When you cut calories, your body doesn't just burn fat and carry on. It responds. Metabolism slows, energy drops, and hormones shift in ways that are normal but may make you feel tired. However, Dr. Susan's work challenges the idea that dieting has to mean constant hunger and fatigue. According to her data, hunger actually drops to very low levels when the right strategy is in place. Her approach is different. She believes sustainable results don't come from pushing harder. They come from working with your biology in ways that reduce fatigue, stabilize appetite, and support long-term adherence. In this episode, Dr. Susan and I break down why dieting so often leads to rebound weight gain and what to do instead. (This episode was initially released in May 2017)

The Science of Human Happiness with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar 02.05.2026 1val 38min

Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar taught the most popular course ever at Harvard and is one of the world's top happiness experts. He defines happiness not as temporary pleasure (like going to the beach or eating ice cream), but as "whole person well-being," captured in his SPIRE framework: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional. One of the most powerful studies Dr. Ben-Shahar shares is about janitors, nurses, and doctors working in the same hospitals doing identical work…yet some saw their work as a "job" (something they had to do for a paycheck), others as a "career" (focused on climbing the organizational hierarchy), and others as a "calling" (meaningful work that matters). The janitors who saw their work as facilitating patient healing were happier and performed better than doctors who saw their work as just a job. Surprisingly, research shows there is NO connection between IQ and happiness. But there IS a strong connection between using your intelligence (being curious, asking questions, and lifelong learning) and happiness. Curious people are not just happier and more successful, they also live longer!

Fixing Midlife Hormonal Symptoms Using Food with Dr. Alan Christianson 25.04.2026 56min

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Alan Christianson, a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist and the founding president of the Endocrine Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the American College of Thyroidology. We'll discuss his new book, the Hormone Healing Cookbook, and specific foods for resolving pesky symptoms driven by hormonal changes in midlife.

Caroline Alan (The Mineral Geek): How Fulvic and Humic Substances Power Your Cells 18.04.2026 1val 4min

In this episode, I'm speaking with Caroline Alan, the self-proclaimed "Mineral Geek." She shares her history of serious health problems, including gut inflammation, periodontal disease with bone loss in her teeth, recurring sinus infections, brain fog so bad she left her corporate career, and lifelong insomnia. But her health completely transformed thanks to a chance suggestion from her business partner to try liquid minerals. Caroline is now passionate about sharing the connections she's found between mineral depletion, replenishment, and cellular function. She's also a soon-to-be published author; her book, The Mineral Reset: The Essential Guide to Replenishing Your Body and Restoring Your Health, will be available at the end of April.

The New Science of Metabolism: How to Burn Fat Without Deprivation 11.04.2026 1val 10min

Most people think body fat is the problem. If you gain weight, the goal is simple: eat less, burn more, and try to get rid of it. But what if that way of thinking is fundamentally flawed? Today, I'm joined by Dr. William Li, a world-renowned physician and scientist who has led the development of more than 30 new medical treatments that impact care for over 70 diseases, including cancer, diabetes, blindness, heart disease, and obesity. Dr. Li has spent decades studying the biology of metabolism, fat, and disease. In his view, body fat itself is not the enemy. In fact, it plays a critical role in your health. The real problem begins when fat becomes excessive, dysfunctional, and inflammatory, disrupting the systems that regulate metabolism and energy balance. This shift in perspective changes everything.

Natural Ways to Beat High Blood Pressure with Dr. Christopher Pickard 04.04.2026 53min

In this episode, I'm speaking with Dr. Christopher Pickard, a hypertension expert with decades of expertise studying nutrition and lifestyle on how to get your blood pressure back down into the healthy range. In this podcast, Dr. Pickard and I discuss: The link between high blood pressure and the risk of dying from COVID-19…and how Dr. Pickard is using this knowledge to help his patients What high blood pressure is actually trying to tell you—it's not a disease; it's a warning sign of something more 3 unexpected causes for hypertension and the problem with simply "fixing it" with a pill 7 practical ways you can start addressing high blood pressure NOW Why breathing through your nose (versus your mouth) might be the missing piece to solving some people's hypertension One amazingly simple step you can take to increase nitric oxide (and decrease blood pressure!) Learn the best fruit to eat to support healthy blood pressure levels!

Plasmapheresis for Longevity and Chronic Disease with Dr. Eric Gordon 28.03.2026 1val 32min

Most people think of chronic illness as something caused by a specific trigger…an infection, a toxin, or even an autoimmune reaction. And the solution is to find and eliminate that one thing. But what if that's not how it actually works? Today, I'm excited to have Dr. Eric Gordon back on the podcast. He's built a reputation for doing what most doctors won't, which is looking beyond the diagnosis to find what's actually driving a patient's illness and figuring out the right order to address it. His clinical work spans Lyme disease, ME/CFS, autoimmune conditions, and mitochondrial dysfunction, and many other forms of dysfunction, often all at once in the same patient. In 2016, he co-authored a landmark study with Dr. Robert Naviaux, also a former guest on this podcast and a bit of a personal hero of mine, someone who has done some of the most important work in medicine of the last century, with his work on the cell danger response. In Dr. Gordon's view, chronic illness happens when the body's normal healing cycle gets interrupted and stuck in a persistent inflammatory state. From that perspective, the problem isn't just the original trigger. It's the state your body has shifted into. And if that's true, it changes how you approach treatment. That shift in thinking opens the door to very different kinds of interventions. These approaches focus on changing the broader biological environment rather than chasing a single cause. In this episode, Dr. Gordon and I discuss a therapy that filters and replaces part of your blood plasma and may help remove inflammatory factors circulating in the blood that keep the body stuck. In this podcast, Dr. Eric Gordon and I discuss: Why chronic illness often reflects a body stuck in the wrong healing state; compensations the body makes for stressors are designed to be short-term, not chronic What happens when the body's normal repair cycle gets interrupted Why the body's response, not the original trigger, can keep people sick The surprising role of "old information" in ongoing dysfunction Why trying to fix one problem at a time often falls short in people with overlapping conditions Dr. Gordon explains why treating the body as a machine will never work - biological reductionism is the fundamental error How a fascinating intervention called plasmapheresis works to filter and replace blood plasma and lower inflammatory load Why plasmapheresis is gaining attention in chronic illness and longevity Dr. Gordon's belief that medicine is faulty because it's hooked on specificity, that the more we can do exactly what we want, the better…but this approach is lacking because we don't know exactly how our bodies work

The Neuroscience of Fixing Anxiety Fast (Do This Every Day) with Neuroscientist Mark Waldman 21.03.2026 1val 26min

In this episode of The Energy Blueprint, I'm speaking with neuroscientist and bestselling author Mark Waldman. Mark has been on the podcast multiple times, but I find his information so interesting that I'm excited to have him back today. Mark is now working in a new field called network neuroscience. During our conversation, he explains the framework of this field and shares some very practical but very effective steps to reduce mind-wandering and improve psychotherapy outcomes.

Metabolic Health, Food Quality, Fasting, and More with Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo 14.03.2026 1val 3min

A 2018 study found that 88% of the population is metabolically unwell. But more recent studies estimate the number is closer to 92%! My guest today is Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, founder of the Institute of Nutritional Endocrinology. She has 30+ years of clinical experience and sees imbalanced blood sugar and disordered insulin regulation as the underlying cause of so many people's problems. Her bottom line is that to get fuel into your mitochondria, good insulin and blood sugar control is a non-negotiable. Most people think of insulin resistance as the diagnosis you get from your doctor, but by that point, there's already been retinopathies (damage to retinas), neuropathies (damage to peripheral nerves), damage to kidneys, and damage to blood vessel linings. Dr. Loscalzo focuses on "pre-insulin resistance," catching the breakdown decades before diagnosis, when you can actually prevent it. This episode was initially released in November 2022

Dr. Amie Hornaman on The Root Causes of Hashimoto's, Testosterone, & Hormone Replacement Therapy and more 07.03.2026 51min

Today's podcast guest is Dr. Amie Hornaman, most well-known as The Thyroid Fixer. She was a figure competitor and powerlifter who gained 25 pounds eating chicken, broccoli, and asparagus while hitting the gym twice a day. Biologically, it didn't make sense. It took seven doctors before she got diagnosed with Hashimoto's, and the sixth one made her cry in her car, praying that something was wrong because, as she told me, "if something was wrong, we could fix it." The seventh doctor gave her Synthroid, and after five months, there was zero change. Not one pound lost, no energy gained, hair still falling out. In this episode, she explains that nearly all diagnoses of hypothyroidism are Hashimoto's, the autoimmune form, where your body attacks your thyroid gland. The conventional standard of care is to check only TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), even though TSH doesn't identify an autoimmune disease. This episode is especially important if you've been struggling with thyroid symptoms and haven't been checked for thyroid autoimmunity. (This episode was originally released in Dec 2022)

How Unexpressed Emotions Wreck Your Hormones (And How to Fix It) 28.02.2026 40min

Today's podcast guest, Dr. Sonya Jensen, is a first-generation immigrant who grew up navigating two very different cultures and the rules imposed on her about how she should look, who she should be friends with, and how she should perform in school. Around age 13, she developed anorexia as a way of gaining control of her own life. Ultimately, her experiences with anorexia, processing childhood trauma, and working with patients led her to put the pieces together between emotions, trauma, and physical health. In this episode, we discuss the deep work she does with women, where she focuses on the well-researched links between emotions and physical health. In this podcast, Dr. Jensen and I discuss: A 66,000-woman study over 16 years found every single woman with a fibroid had childhood abuse, whether physical, sexual, or emotional (this is when Dr. Jensen started piecing together trauma and physical health) When progesterone is low, GABA is low - so you may feel anxious - when estrogen is low, dopamine and serotonin are low, so you're not accessing joy as quickly Constant production of the stress hormone cortisol creates more pronounced estrogen dominance; one woman manifests tender breasts or cysts, another manifests fibroids, but all have low progesterone Fibroids can become worse by pseudo-estrogen from environmental toxins (pesticides, phthalates, plastics)...if your body can't detoxify them, they recirculate and create estrogen dominance Dr. Jensen was previously against bioidentical hormones, but she then realized women go into midlife very depleted, and physiological dosing helps them feel like themselves again Progesterone dosing is nuanced: One of Dr. Jensen's patients went into psychosis on progesterone because her OB-GYN doubled the dose - not everyone can be on the same dose or same kind of hormone Holocaust studies show infants born to survivors have adrenal insufficiency; their ability to adapt to stress isn't as optimal due to generational trauma If mom was stressed during pregnancy, her preteen will have more anxiety, if mom had really low cortisol, the child's nervous system regulation isn't as efficient Women who use hormones along with lifestyle changes and emotional work thrive on minimal doses, and some can even take breaks; women who only do hormones hit plateaus and cycle back

Detox Your Body: The Hidden Toxins Destroying Your Energy with Wendie Trubow, MD 21.02.2026 1val 7min

My guest today, Dr. Wendie Trubow, went to France in 2019 for the trip of a lifetime. But when she came home, her hair started falling out, she gained weight, and had a rash all over her face. She tested her thyroid (perfect), hormones (perfect), and gut (great). Ultimately, she realized that when Notre Dame burned, it released 500 tons of lead into the air and soil, and she had slogged through that dust for a week. Testing showed that her lead levels were incredibly high. Her biggest insight was that all the modern medical issues she treated as a functional MD—obesity, diabetes, cancer, insomnia, endocrine dysfunction, gut dysfunction—could be tracked back to toxic exposures, creating a state of inflammation. Dr. Trubow believes your particular "soup" (genetics, lifestyle, early childhood, antibiotic use, diet, sleep, stress, relationships, self-talk, movement) determines how inflammation manifests in you. Wendie's story is really incredible, and I think you'll love this podcast. This episode was first released in Jan 2023 In this podcast, Dr. Trubow and I discuss: How toxins are related to stubborn weight: they get stored in fatty tissue when you exceed your body's ability to excrete them Studies show that levels of persistent organic pollutants ("forever chemicals") in the bloodstream during weight loss predict weight regain! Alcohol is an acute toxin that takes priority in the liver—your body stops all other detox behavior (hormone processing, pesticide excretion) to focus exclusively on processing alcohol By the time most women leave the house, they've put over 200 chemicals on their bodies, from shampoo, conditioner, face products, makeup, moisturizers, and perfumes Your bed is a hidden toxin if it contains flame retardants—these are endocrine disruptors, mess up your thyroid and female hormones, and raise your risk of estrogen-dependent cancers Never ask "What-if?" questions…ruminating about uncontrollable situations sends your body into fight-flight-freeze and shuts down detox New cars contain over 300 chemicals, and even new clothes are sprayed with chemicals—wash clothes before you wear them, and shop consciously It's more expensive to react to disease than prevent it…if you could avoid cancer by spending $10 extra a day, it would be the right financial move; cancer costs most people over $100,000 per year to treat

Dr. Shivani Gupta: The Inflammation Code and Ancient Ayurvedic Wisdom 07.02.2026 49min

Dr. Shivani Gupta comes from a family of people with diabetes, generation by generation, where she's seen the after-effects of suffering with chronic metabolic disease. Her new book, The Inflammation Code (launching, distills 20 years of studying Ayurveda into simple pillars you can apply to prevent the level of inflammation and disease we see today. When people tell her, "I have brain fog, I'm tired, my sleep is off, my digestion's off, I have stubborn weight gain…I guess this is just aging," her reply is, "No, it's not aging, it's inflammaging." We had a really excellent, in-depth conversation that covered a lot of ground, from black pepper and the blood-brain-barrier to our detox experiences in India. I hope you enjoy the podcast! In this podcast, Dr. Gupta and I discuss: Her study of Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old system from India that taught us the circadian clock, modern science discovered what Ayurveda taught 5,000 years ago about living in rhythm with nature The three doshas or constitutions of Vata (air/ether), Pitta (fire/water), and Kapha (earth/water)—understanding your constitution helps customize your self-care practices and diet The circadian clock in Ayurveda teaches that 10:00 to 2:00 PM is Pitta (fire) time, when you're most focused and energetic, and meant to eat your biggest meal 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM is the most important time to be asleep, when Pitta fire cleans and clears inflammation, the lymphatic system, and the glymphatic system (lymphatic system of the brain) Vata people are always in motion and prefer jobs where they don't sit still—they're endurance athletes who can run through the day on coffee, green juice, and crackers (but their homework is three square meals) Pitta people are fiery, passionate leaders who tend to crave hot, oily, spicy fried food…but that's the one thing they shouldn't eat because their digestive fire is already like a bonfire! Kapha people are sturdy, strong, and very grounded, but can struggle with sluggish metabolism, low mood or depression, getting stuck, or not wanting to create change Black pepper increases curcumin absorption by 2,000%—scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered this, which is why traditional Indian cooking always uses turmeric with black pepper What it feels like to experience a Panchakarma detox in India: "massage that feels like abuse" with paper thongs—Dr. Gupta says, "I can't believe you're allowed to do this to me and I'm paying for it" (both she and I had this experience!) Mental inflammation is the stress we create when forcing ourselves to be healthy; if you force workouts, force protein, force intermittent fasting, the stress alone causes the inflammation you're trying to prevent