Let’s talk about testosterone testing and other important blood tests you can track for your overall health, wellness, vitality, and longevity.

I recorded this show on the occasion of my first visit to the blood lab after signing up for Vitals Vault’s premium program, and I talk about some of my favorite markers while pedaling home from the lab.

I focus a lot on testosterone because I believe it’s a great proxy for overall wellness, vitality, recovery, and resilience to stress. I share my own numbers, which have ranged from 562 to 1,004, and explain why I’m so intent on keeping testosterone levels high as I age.

I also get into the roughly 1% annual decline in average male testosterone levels since the 1980s, vitamin D and the widespread fear of the sun, why looking beyond LDL can give you a better picture of your lipid panel, and the lifestyle practices that can help optimize testosterone—from sleep and diet to avoiding chronic cardio, lifting heavy things, sprinting once in a while, and even maintaining a winning relationship.

 

TIMESTAMPS:

Testosterone testing is the best proxy for your overall state of wellness, vitality, and recovery or resilience to stress.  [00:51]

Brad checks his testosterone level frequently because it is his way of monitoring the stress impact from his training. [5:41]

Triglycerides to HDL ratio is a premier indicator of your heart disease risk factor. It is much better than looking at total LDL cholesterol.  [06:42]

In 2017 they lowered the ideal level of testosterone due to the widespread decline of testosterone among males around the world. [09:02]

If you are not optimizing your sleep, including down and rest time, you cannot reduce your stress. [12:13]

Get the junk out of your diet. If you are in that chronic cardio pattern in your exercise, you may be tanking your testosterone.  [12:37]

If there is arguing and other dysfunctional patterns in your relationship, it will tank your testosterone as well as shorten your lifespan. [13:34]

Vitamin D comes from sun exposure more than from your diet or pills. [14:30]

 

LINKS:
Brad Kearns.com
BradNutrition.com
B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet!
B.rad Superdrink – Hydrates 28% Faster than Water—Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery
NEW: B.rad Real Rad Gummies - Creatine + Nootropics for Focus, Motivation, Performance, and Recovery!
Brad’s Shopping Page
BornToWalkBook.com
B.rad Podcast – All Episodes
Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes
Vitals Vault
The Vitamin D. Solution

 

We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&A shows, emailed to podcast@bradventures.com. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!

Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn’t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won’t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:

Recover Faster: B.rad Superfuel helps with fat loss, longevity, immune function and athletic performance with a potent combo of grassfed whey protein and creatine. A five-star bestseller on Amazon, or order direct and save! Get 20% OFF your first order with code BRAD20

Strengthen Your Feet: Peluva five-toe minimalist shoes naturally strengthen and realign your feet to perform better, relieve pain, and achieve full functionality. Use code BRADPODCAST for 10% off

Online Education: Immersive learning to transform your diet in 21 days, endurance train the right way, prepare Paleo meals for the whole week, get started the right way the therapeutic cold exposure, and custom-design a morning movement routine. 

Clean Your Indoor Air!: The Jaspr Air Scrubber is an ultra high-performance, automatic-sensor unit that will address the often-disregarded health concern of indoor air quality. Save $200 on your unit with code BRAD

Explore B.rad Nutrition, online courses, and my favorite gear at: BradKearns.com/Shop

 

Enjoying the podcast?
Please leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts—it helps more people discover the show. Thanks for your support!

 

#bradpodcast

Let&rsquo;s talk about testosterone testing and other important blood tests you can track for your overall health, wellness, vitality, and longevity.
I recorded this show on the occasion of my first visit to the blood lab after signing up for Vitals Vault&rsquo;s premium program, and I talk about some of my favorite markers while pedaling home from the lab.
I focus a lot on testosterone because I believe it&rsquo;s a great proxy for overall wellness, vitality, recovery, and resilience to stress. I share my own numbers, which have ranged from 562 to 1,004, and explain why I&rsquo;m so intent on keeping testosterone levels high as I age.
I also get into the roughly 1% annual decline in average male testosterone levels since the 1980s, vitamin D and the widespread fear of the sun, why looking beyond LDL can give you a better picture of your lipid panel, and the lifestyle practices that can help optimize testosterone&mdash;from sleep and diet to avoiding chronic cardio, lifting heavy things, sprinting once in a while, and even maintaining a winning relationship.
&nbsp;
TIMESTAMPS:
Testosterone testing is the best proxy for your overall state of wellness, vitality, and recovery or resilience to stress.&nbsp; [00:51]
Brad checks his testosterone level frequently because it is his way of monitoring the stress impact from his training. [5:41]
Triglycerides to HDL ratio is a premier indicator of your heart disease risk factor. It is much better than looking at total LDL cholesterol.&nbsp; [06:42]
In 2017 they lowered the ideal level of testosterone due to the widespread decline of testosterone among males around the world. [09:02]
If you are not optimizing your sleep, including down and rest time, you cannot reduce your stress. [12:13]
Get the junk out of your diet. If you are in that chronic cardio pattern in your exercise, you may be tanking your testosterone.&nbsp; [12:37]
If there is arguing and other dysfunctional patterns in your relationship, it will tank your testosterone as well as shorten your lifespan. [13:34]
Vitamin D comes from sun exposure more than from your diet or pills. [14:30]
&nbsp;
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/podcast-index/">Brad Kearns.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://bradnutrition.com/">BradNutrition.com</a></li>
<li><a href="about:blank">B.rad Whey Protein Superfuel - The Best Protein on The Planet!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://a.co/d/3pVVl9w">B.rad Superdrink &ndash; Hydrates 28% Faster than Water&mdash;Creatine-Charged Hydration for Next-Level Power, Focus, and Recovery</a></li>
<li><a href="https://a.co/d/00WIESpY">NEW: B.rad Real Rad Gummies - Creatine + Nootropics for Focus, Motivation, Performance, and Recovery!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/shop/">Brad&rsquo;s Shopping Page</a></li>
<li><a href="http://borntowalkbook.com/">BornToWalkBook.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/podcast-index/">B.rad Podcast &ndash; All Episodes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://peluva.com/?view=cro-id28570">Peluva Five-Toe Minimalist Shoes</a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Outlive-Longevity-Peter-Attia-MD/dp/0593236599/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11VG9OIWDYDEN&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YUxA6UoAabaT0qCyg3O2joFZDw8jKrQ8h3Slvy8Es0M7Kt_QomDoljROTVG1rSixx-II0vKMPamtVWkuQUf5pMM1F7ZWzyAFffHMmkyRGnojtOUu5hYbp4AMg5TYCjEs7SLiB0tHgmCsZlEOjWGoz8540x-a_7iC17mRFmQJPouAhJbj1buFkLazY8jWrdoJAnVol53XnHzKE0A4cw0n6lUG-iyD_DOrwl4mhASWf0w.laZgXJb8OzvjVxBaEkxLX7aSdyd4sQZybNL0SysGbtU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=outlive&amp;qid=1748894874&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=outlive%2Cstripbooks%2C151&amp;sr=1-1"></a></li>
<li><a href="http://vitalsvault.com/">Vitals Vault</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-Solution-3-Step-Strategy-Problems/dp/0452296889/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14QU3QW82IGT1&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yYv8i9V2HOtCfi7YAPkqo7c7kJYhv9ELZDDfVCDikm5JWkQscmVkz0gV1vu4VKwJBQERbsunmYhuBS8ZJIYYujs5nSNP9x2CIrWbzbycBMCKqmTfR1qDmP_gTGTi3fvTq6t3s4is6V_61GXUBZXuHp5YYcr8xIsQ2gk7zBlxBmBbjwd3AKYT7YPHTGJgl9Ula4taz8ROvQDYryhQFJI7m2rwxlY1hFzgGd-LVLnnu50.LG2GFacLco8cnEhaTrRIolxiFWt98-dgd4HlLdFdkaU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+vitamin+d+solution&amp;qid=1787614452&amp;sprefix=the+vitamin+d+colution%2Caps%2C205&amp;sr=8-1">The Vitamin D. Solution</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
We appreciate all feedback, and questions for Q&amp;A shows, emailed to <a href="mailto:getoveryourselfpodcast@gmail.com">podcast@bradventures.com</a>. If you have a moment, please share an episode you like with a quick text message, or leave a review on your podcast app. Thank you!
Check out each of these companies because they are absolutely awesome or they wouldn&rsquo;t occupy this revered space. Seriously, I won&rsquo;t promote anything that I don't absolutely love and use in daily life:
Recover Faster:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/B-rad-Grassfed-Superfuel-Monohydrate-Bioavailability/dp/B0B9F9YXN6?ref_=ast_sto_dp&amp;th=1" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/B-rad-Grassfed-Superfuel-Monohydrate-Bioavailability/dp/B0B9F9YXN6?ref_%3Dast_sto_dp%26th%3D1&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787056628256000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2MWD49PA1mU9rDI4mA4_ue">B.rad Superfuel</a>&nbsp;helps with fat loss, longevity, immune function and athletic performance with a potent combo of grassfed whey protein and creatine. A&nbsp;five-star bestseller on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/B-rad-Grassfed-Superfuel-Monohydrate-Bioavailability/dp/B0B9F9YXN6?ref_=ast_sto_dp&amp;th=1" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/B-rad-Grassfed-Superfuel-Monohydrate-Bioavailability/dp/B0B9F9YXN6?ref_%3Dast_sto_dp%26th%3D1&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787056628256000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2MWD49PA1mU9rDI4mA4_ue">Amazon</a>, or <a href="http://bradnutrition.com" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bradnutrition.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787056628256000&amp;usg=AOvVaw115_PgbiBsQOXl8hk-9FcR">order direct</a> and save! Get 20% OFF your first order with code BRAD20
<a href="https://affiliate.peluva.com/BRADPODCAST" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://affiliate.peluva.com/BRADPODCAST&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787056628256000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0LEllw66vyimNEtyLvicj7">Strengthen Your Feet</a>: Peluva five-toe minimalist shoes naturally strengthen and realign your feet to perform better, relieve pain, and achieve full functionality.&nbsp;Use code BRADPODCAST for 10% off
<a href="https://bradventures.thinkific.com/collections" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradventures.thinkific.com/collections&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787056628256000&amp;usg=AOvVaw27eikGOgUog08Js21iPcC0">Online Education</a>:&nbsp;Immersive learning to transform your diet in 21 days, endurance train the right way, prepare Paleo meals for the&nbsp;whole week, get started the right way the therapeutic&nbsp;cold exposure, and custom-design a morning movement routine.&nbsp;
<a href="https://jaspr.co/products/airscrubber?rfsn=8682396.a9fad4&amp;utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=newsletter&amp;utm_campaign=the-most-powerful-exercise-you-re-probably-not-doing&amp;_bhlid=75fee7d935445b542d3c2a1ad3a8d3a319075521" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://jaspr.co/products/airscrubber?rfsn%3D8682396.a9fad4%26utm_source%3Dbrad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com%26utm_medium%3Dnewsletter%26utm_campaign%3Dthe-most-powerful-exercise-you-re-probably-not-doing%26_bhlid%3D75fee7d935445b542d3c2a1ad3a8d3a319075521&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787056628256000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Bvv0Ll5fRjHgl_JbPFosC">Clean Your Indoor Air!</a>: The&nbsp;Jaspr Air Scrubber is an&nbsp;ultra high-performance, automatic-sensor unit that will address the often-disregarded health concern of indoor air quality.&nbsp;Save $200 on your unit with code BRAD
Explore B.rad Nutrition, online courses, and my favorite gear at:&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mail.beehiiv.com/v2/c/e706e641e4b42b41856a3c4af8757c9c1efbaf22213975d5dde08feed025d649e07ceac708654f8df27257e26e729600060af51d05299e7498a5b94216e50b32cf37dd2c74e5c833723c6c2b003c290c0d0c37c3fab00985301516107aaf4978402dafd3125e547d9d9e487410334b0f0c36aefe285985fc49241068b2119ec1cdd1046d13e2a10e135710d13a9600bb12b09dafb9a1dec684f59100a2f0ece2/2fdd801f903e410b" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://link.mail.beehiiv.com/v2/c/e706e641e4b42b41856a3c4af8757c9c1efbaf22213975d5dde08feed025d649e07ceac708654f8df27257e26e729600060af51d05299e7498a5b94216e50b32cf37dd2c74e5c833723c6c2b003c290c0d0c37c3fab00985301516107aaf4978402dafd3125e547d9d9e487410334b0f0c36aefe285985fc49241068b2119ec1cdd1046d13e2a10e135710d13a9600bb12b09dafb9a1dec684f59100a2f0ece2/2fdd801f903e410b&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787056628256000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Wm7QjsCiB8LaxwhqB1WbO">BradKearns.com/Shop</a>
&nbsp;
Enjoying the podcast? Please leave a quick review on&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mail.beehiiv.com/v2/c/7de211e48305416f37b3b840e7bd3b2d701461eecc0b4dcf2696721e6132fc69aa42d18bc6a193692c829317cbb19928bb60d0337474cfbfec02205f602c580ebb45d14350a0c275060cb0c339956413be377120fdf14110ce7e1f206c0881a77366159fbc94fef0c2175819853c5645468b789bf1ae7afc28e318bc41782826fac2223d1b8d147bc456e8512e423c31293833733e30041df908275e1426c837/9aaa3bc6157abfa7" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://link.mail.beehiiv.com/v2/c/7de211e48305416f37b3b840e7bd3b2d701461eecc0b4dcf2696721e6132fc69aa42d18bc6a193692c829317cbb19928bb60d0337474cfbfec02205f602c580ebb45d14350a0c275060cb0c339956413be377120fdf14110ce7e1f206c0881a77366159fbc94fef0c2175819853c5645468b789bf1ae7afc28e318bc41782826fac2223d1b8d147bc456e8512e423c31293833733e30041df908275e1426c837/9aaa3bc6157abfa7&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787056628256000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0EfmY2XdN_XdLHedC9beQ6">Apple Podcasts</a>&mdash;it helps more people discover the show. Thanks for your support!<a href="http://bradnutrition.com/?utm_source=brad-kearns-news.beehiiv.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=brad-kearns-news-dismantling-the-modern-fitness-lie"></a>
&nbsp;
#bradpodcast

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author, world #1 ranked masters 60+ high jumper, Speedgolf world record holder, and former world #3 ranked pro triathlete, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Brad delivers an engaging mix of step-by-step education on important health topics like staying fit, strong and powerful as you age; transforming diet to lose body fat and increase energy; sort through hype and misinformation to make simple, sustainable lifestyle changes; and broaden your perspective beyond a fit body to experience happy relationships, nonstop personal growth, and ultimately sail to 100 with a happy, healthy, long life. Let’s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It’s time to B.rad!

 

Join Brad Kearns, New York Times bestselling author, world #1 ranked masters 60+ high jumper, Speedgolf world record holder, and former world #3 ranked pro triathlete, in pursuing peak performance with passion throughout life. Brad delivers an engaging mix of step-by-step education on important health topics like staying fit, strong and powerful as you age; transforming diet to lose body fat and increase energy; sort through hype and misinformation to make simple, sustainable lifestyle changes; and broaden your perspective beyond a fit body to experience happy relationships, nonstop personal growth, and ultimately sail to 100 with a happy, healthy, long life. Let&rsquo;s explore beyond shortcuts, hacks, and crushing competition to laugh, have fun, appreciate the journey, and not take ourselves too seriously. It&rsquo;s time to B.rad!
&nbsp;

Brad Kearns, NY Times bestselling author and world #1 masters age 60+ high jumper, offers a fun and diverse mix of interviews with leading authors and health experts, and  how-to shows for peak performance, weight loss, personal growth, and longevity

The B.rad Podcast

Today, we've been conditioned to believe that accelerated aging is normal — that getting older means slowing down, losing our competitive edge, and watching others from the sidelines. Brad Kearns is living proof that's a lie. A New York Times bestselling author, former world #3 ranked professional triathlete, and current world-ranked masters high jumper and 400-meter runner, Brad is competing and excelling into his 60s.

The B.rad Podcast informs and inspires you to see what's possible at any age. Every episode cuts through the hype and misinformation on the topics that matter most: ancestral nutrition and diet strategies that strip body fat and restore energy; training methods that build strength, power, speed, and endurance without destroying your body; recovery protocols that keep you performing at your peak; and the mindset shifts that help you thrive as you age instead of simply survive. This show offers a refreshing alternative to slowing down, giving up, and fading away.

Whether you're a competitive athlete looking to extend your prime, someone battling fatigue and frustration with conventional health advice, or simply a person who refuses to go quietly into a slower, smaller life — the B.rad Podcast was built for you. No shortcuts. No hype. Just world-class guests and actionable tips to help you dial in all areas of healthy living and lifelong functional fitness.

Enjoy step-by-step actionable protocols from Brad, as well as prominent guests like Mark Sisson, Dr. Paul Saladino, Ben Greenfield, Shawn Stevenson, Dr. Tommy Wood, Mark Manson, Katy Bowman, Gabby Reece, Cynthia Thurlow, and Melanie Avalon. Forget the age limitations. It's time to raise the bar. Visit BradKearns.com for free PDF resources, peak performance tools, and weekly insights delivered to your inbox.

Today, we've been conditioned to believe that accelerated aging is normal &mdash; that getting older means slowing down, losing our competitive edge, and watching others from the sidelines. Brad Kearns is living proof that's a lie.&nbsp;A New York Times bestselling author, former world #3 ranked professional triathlete, and current world-ranked masters high jumper and 400-meter runner, Brad is competing and excelling into his 60s.
The B.rad Podcast informs and inspires you to see what's possible at any age. Every episode cuts through the hype and misinformation on the topics that matter most: ancestral nutrition and diet strategies that strip body fat and restore energy; training methods that build strength, power, speed, and endurance without destroying your body; recovery protocols that keep you performing at your peak; and the mindset shifts that help you thrive as you age instead of simply survive. This show offers a refreshing alternative to slowing down, giving up, and fading away.
Whether you're a competitive athlete looking to extend your prime, someone battling fatigue and frustration with conventional health advice, or simply a person who refuses to go quietly into a slower, smaller life &mdash; the B.rad Podcast was built for you. No shortcuts. No hype. Just world-class guests and actionable tips to help you dial in all areas of healthy living and lifelong functional fitness.
Enjoy step-by-step actionable protocols from Brad, as well as prominent guests like Mark Sisson, Dr. Paul Saladino, Ben Greenfield, Shawn Stevenson, Dr. Tommy Wood, Mark Manson, Katy Bowman, Gabby Reece, Cynthia Thurlow, and Melanie Avalon. Forget the age limitations. It's time to raise the bar. Visit BradKearns.com for free PDF resources, peak performance tools, and weekly insights delivered to your inbox.