“Fasting turns on stress hormones,” was the quote that slapped me in the face as I listened to Jay Feldman and Mike Fave discuss their Energy Balance approach during an interview on the Ben Greenfield Life podcast. 

This insight is so simple and obvious, but I failed to appreciate it in the broad context of all the other stress factors in my life—especially the pairing of intense exercise with fasting, low-carb, or other cutting-edge dietary strategies. It’s clear that the devoted health and fitness enthusiast can often get out of balance and into the category of overstressed. Who wants to be that person?! Alas, much of the messaging in the mainstream diet and fitness industries is pushing us toward the struggle and suffer approach instead of respecting the importance of stress-rest balance and energy balance in the body.  

Intrigued by the Energy Balance message, I’ve been on a five-week experiment to start with my day with a big bowl of fruit and a super-nutrition smoothie (with frozen liver, whey protein, nutritious fats and carbs, and assorted performance ingredients like creatine) instead of perhaps fasting for a few (or several hours) before eating my first meal. The idea is that I will minimize the need for stress hormones to release energy from storage and instead have more energy available for peak performance, energy, cognitive function, and stable mood and appetite. 

Jay will discuss this idea and many others on this hard hitting and provocative podcast. We’ll learn how ridiculously narrow and short-sighted the conventional perspective is about calories in-calories out, and how the true secret to health and vitality is our ability to generate cellular energy with healthy metabolic and hormonal function. 

This is the first of two lengthy interviews with Jay as he describes the Energy Balance premise, in the process calling into question some of the foundational principles of the ancestral/progressive health movement, so stuff gets real right away, and you better listen carefully with your seat belt fastened as we strive to sort things out and hint at strategies we can experiment with to optimize cellular energy production, performance, recovery, and vitality. 

Jay Feldman is a health coach, independent health researcher, and host of the Energy Balance podcast. He has degrees in neuroscience and exercise physiology and is devoted to using his knowledge and experience to help people heal from all manner of disease, dysfunction, and difficulty losing excess body fat. Take control of your health with Jay by visiting JayFeldmanWellness.com.

 

TIMESTAMPS:

Energy balance challenges some of the foundational principles of the progressive health and ancestral health movement. [01:20]

A lot of us come to health awakenings through pain and struggle.  [05:55]

Fasting, low carb, keto….these restrictive diets turn on stress hormones. [09:20]

What is the premise of energy balance? [12:50]

It's not just this problem of eating too much or exercising too little, but rather why is the food that we're using not being efficiently used to produce energy or efficiently used for other reasons? [17:34]

If you just focus on the label that mentions calories, you are missing the point of what type of food it is.  The industrial seed oils and other toxins are there.  It’s not just calories. [19:15]

The first step for anyone wishing to improve their body composition, get more energy, protect against disease, is to eliminate the processed foods that are inhibiting energy production. [26:03]

As far as fasting goes, the main benefits are relief from gut toxin production and improvement in intestinal permeability and leaky gut. [30:02]

Some of the success of these niche diets is caused by the lack of processed foods rather than what the person is actually eating on their special magical diet. [32:47]

The out-of-control hunger, the daily battle with willpower, the desire to consume more food is largely driven by something dysfunctional in our ability to produce energy internally to, to burn the logs. [36:50]

Reproduction, repair, growth, and locomotion are a zero-sum game. [40:35]

The calories in, calories out mentality is destructive for most people. Using carb intake sensibly is a must. [42:30]

What about the fat-adapted folks say they thrive on low carb intake? [46:51]

Remove the polyunsaturated fats from your diet and eat whole foods. Remember that all carbs are not equal. [53:59]

We want to be consuming a lot of fuel to be able to produce a lot of energy, assuming it’s going efficiently, that’ll involve a lot of carbohydrates. [01:02:23]

 

LINKS:
Brad Kearns.com
Brad’s Shopping page
Jay Feldman Wellness.com
Energy Balance Podcast
Jay Feldman article part 1: Does Stress Make You Stronger?
Jay Feldman article part 2: Flawed Research And Harmful Misapplications (Including Ketogenic Diets, Intermittent Fasting, Calorie Restriction, And More)
Acute Nutritional Ketosis: Implications For Exercise Performance And Metabolism  
Carbohydrate Restriction Regulates The Adaptive Response To Fasting  
Starvation Physiology: Reviewing The Different Strategies Animals Use To Survive A Common Challenge
Jay Feldman article: Carbs Vs. Fats: Hormonal Effects
The Psychology of Hunger (Minnesota Starvation Experiment)
Ikigai (3 Okinawan Secrets to a Long Life)
100-year-old sprinter Lester Wright

 

Join Brad for more fun on: 

Instagram: @bradkearns1

Facebook: @bradkearnsjumphigh

Twitter: @bradleykearns

YouTube: @BradKearns

TikTok: @bradkearns

 


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, Brad won’t promote anything he doesn’t absolutely love and use in daily life.
Brad’s Macadamia Masterpiece: Mind-blowing, life-changing nut butter blend
Male Optimization Formula with Organs (MOFO): Optimize testosterone naturally with 100% grassfed animal organ supplement
BeautyCounter: Complete line of cosmetics tested to be free of typical toxins and endocrine disruptors. Try Brad's favorite vitamin-C skin serum and make the switch away from toxic mainstream skin-care products! 
Butcher Box: Convenient, affordable home delivery - free shipping! - of the highest quality meat, poultry, and seafood with customizable box design. Click here for special promotion. 
Bala Enzyme: Electrolyte and triple enzyme recovery drink mix. BRAD30 for 30% off
BiOptimizers: Top quality performance supplements like magnesium, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. BRAD10 for 10% off
Paleo Valley: Nutrient-rich, ancestral inspired health products. BRAD15 for 15% off
BradNutrition.com: Coming soon - the ultimate whey protein superfuel formula for peak performance and longevity
Ultimate Morning Routine Online Course: Learn how to custom-design an energizing, focusing morning exercise routine. Enroll now for earlybird discount 

Check out Brad Kearns Favorites Pagefor great products and discounts

&ldquo;Fasting turns on stress hormones,&rdquo; was the quote that slapped me in the face as I listened to Jay Feldman and Mike Fave discuss their Energy Balance approach during an interview on the Ben Greenfield Life podcast. 
This insight is so simple and obvious, but I failed to appreciate it in the broad context of all the other stress factors in my life&mdash;especially the pairing of intense exercise with fasting, low-carb, or other cutting-edge dietary strategies. It&rsquo;s clear that the devoted health and fitness enthusiast can often get out of balance and into the category of overstressed. Who wants to be that person?! Alas, much of the messaging in the mainstream diet and fitness industries is pushing us toward the struggle and suffer approach instead of respecting the importance of stress-rest balance and energy balance in the body.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Intrigued by the Energy Balance message, I&rsquo;ve been on a five-week experiment to start with my day with a big bowl of fruit and a super-nutrition smoothie (with frozen liver, whey protein, nutritious fats and carbs, and assorted performance ingredients like creatine) instead of perhaps fasting for a few (or several hours) before eating my first meal. The idea is that I will minimize the need for stress hormones to release energy from storage and instead have more energy available for peak performance, energy, cognitive function, and stable mood and appetite.&nbsp;
Jay will discuss this idea and many others on this hard hitting and provocative podcast. We&rsquo;ll learn how ridiculously narrow and short-sighted the conventional perspective is about calories in-calories out, and how the true secret to health and vitality is our ability to generate cellular energy with healthy metabolic and hormonal function.&nbsp;
This is the first of two lengthy interviews with Jay as he describes the Energy Balance premise, in the process calling into question some of the foundational principles of the ancestral/progressive health movement, so stuff gets real right away, and you better listen carefully with your seat belt fastened as we strive to sort things out and hint at strategies we can experiment with to optimize cellular energy production, performance, recovery, and vitality.&nbsp;
Jay Feldman is a health coach, independent health researcher, and host of the Energy Balance podcast. He has degrees in neuroscience and exercise physiology and is devoted to using his knowledge and experience to help people heal from all manner of disease, dysfunction, and difficulty losing excess body fat. Take control of your health with Jay by visiting <a href="https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/">JayFeldmanWellness.com</a>.
&nbsp;
TIMESTAMPS:
Energy balance challenges some of the foundational principles of the progressive health and ancestral health movement. [01:20]
A lot of us come to health awakenings through pain and struggle.&nbsp; [05:55]
Fasting, low carb, keto&hellip;.these restrictive diets turn on stress hormones. [09:20]
What is the premise of energy balance? [12:50]
It's not just this problem of eating too much or exercising too little, but rather why is the food that we're using not being efficiently used to produce energy or efficiently used for other reasons? [17:34]
If you just focus on the label that mentions calories, you are missing the point of what type of food it is.&nbsp; The industrial seed oils and other toxins are there.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s not just calories. [19:15]
The first step for anyone wishing to improve their body composition, get more energy, protect against disease, is to eliminate the processed foods that are inhibiting energy production. [26:03]
As far as fasting goes, the main benefits are relief from gut toxin production and improvement in intestinal permeability and leaky gut. [30:02]
Some of the success of these niche diets is caused by the lack of processed foods rather than what the person is actually eating on their special magical diet. [32:47]
The out-of-control hunger, the daily battle with willpower, the desire to consume more food is largely driven by something dysfunctional in our ability to produce energy internally to, to burn the logs. [36:50]
Reproduction, repair, growth, and locomotion are a zero-sum game. [40:35]
The calories in, calories out mentality is destructive for most people. Using carb intake sensibly is a must. [42:30]
What about the fat-adapted folks say they thrive on low carb intake? [46:51]
Remove the polyunsaturated fats from your diet and eat whole foods. Remember that all carbs are not equal. [53:59]
We want to be consuming a lot of fuel to be able to produce a lot of energy, assuming it&rsquo;s going efficiently, that&rsquo;ll involve a lot of carbohydrates. [01:02:23]
&nbsp;
LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/">Brad Kearns.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bradkearns.com/shop/">Brad&rsquo;s Shopping page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/">Jay Feldman Wellness.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/podcast/">Energy Balance Podcast</a></li>
<li>Jay Feldman article part 1: <a href="https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/hormesis-part-1-does-stress-make-you-stronger/">Does Stress Make You Stronger?</a></li>
<li>Jay Feldman article part 2: <a href="https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/hormesis-part-2-flawed-research-and-harmful-misapplications-including-ketogenic-diets-intermittent-fasting-calorie-restriction-and-more/">Flawed Research And Harmful Misapplications (Including Ketogenic Diets, Intermittent Fasting, Calorie Restriction, And More)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://extremephysiolmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2046-7648-3-17">Acute Nutritional Ketosis: Implications For Exercise Performance And Metabolism&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1590373/">Carbohydrate Restriction Regulates The Adaptive Response To Fasting&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S109564331000005X">Starvation Physiology: Reviewing The Different Strategies Animals Use To Survive A Common Challenge</a></li>
<li>Jay Feldman article: <a href="https://www.jayfeldmanwellness.com/category/carbs-vs-fats/">Carbs Vs. Fats: Hormonal Effects</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/10/hunger">The Psychology of Hunger (Minnesota Starvation Experiment</a>)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.newretirement.com/retirement/okinawan-secrets-to-a-long-life-1-ikigai-2-moai-3-hara-hachi-bu-huh/">Ikigai (3 Okinawan Secrets to a Long Life)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2022/05/01/penn-relays-100-year-old-lester-wright-thrills-crowd/9607354002/">100-year-old sprinter Lester Wright</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Join Brad for more fun on: 
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bradkearns1/">@bradkearns1</a>
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bradkearnsjumphigh">@bradkearnsjumphigh</a>
Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/bradleykearns">@bradleykearns</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4XXEoULD0AiiuPHdRw-Efg">@BradKearns</a>
TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bradkearns">@bradkearns</a>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
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, Brad won&rsquo;t promote anything he doesn&rsquo;t absolutely love and use in daily life.
</li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/macademia-masterpiece/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradkearns.com/macademia-masterpiece/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1646259314219000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3AQ3-_vU-DRZCPOmZI948Q">Brad&rsquo;s Macadamia Masterpiece:&nbsp;</a>Mind-blowing, life-changing nut butter blend</li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/mofo/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradkearns.com/mofo/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1646259314219000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2wKEG-rA2Nxox7Ex5ykel0">Male Optimization Formula with Organs (MOFO):</a>&nbsp;Optimize testosterone naturally with 100% grassfed animal organ supplement</li>
<li><a href="http://beautycounter.com/bradkearns" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://beautycounter.com/bradkearns&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1646259314219000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3CSTAMEqYvvt4s-QWggHjK">BeautyCounter:</a> Complete line of cosmetics tested to be free of typical toxins and endocrine disruptors. Try Brad's favorite vitamin-C skin serum and make the switch away from toxic mainstream skin-care products!&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.butcherbox.com/lander/specialoffer-g?utm_campaign=Blog&amp;t=102ddb2ec7e908409da64391f5ddc4&amp;a=7224&amp;o=6&amp;utm_source=affiliate&amp;utm_medium=evergreen&amp;utm_term=Bradventures%20LLC%207224&amp;utm_content=&amp;aff_sub5=" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.butcherbox.com/lander/specialoffer-g?utm_campaign=Blog&amp;t=102ddb2ec7e908409da64391f5ddc4&amp;a=7224&amp;o=6&amp;utm_source=affiliate&amp;utm_medium=evergreen&amp;utm_term=Bradventures%20LLC%207224&amp;utm_content=&amp;aff_sub5=" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.butcherbox.com/lander/specialoffer-g?utm_campaign%3DBlog%26t%3D102ddb2ec7e908409da64391f5ddc4%26a%3D7224%26o%3D6%26utm_source%3Daffiliate%26utm_medium%3Devergreen%26utm_term%3DBradventures%2520LLC%25207224%26utm_content%3D%26aff_sub5%3D&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1652388002068000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2r1wgyoU2Dv2tr5Xp8UOyZ">Butcher Box:</a> Convenient, affordable home delivery - free shipping! - of the highest quality meat, poultry, and seafood with customizable box design. <a href="https://www.butcherbox.com/lander/specialoffer-g?utm_campaign=Blog&amp;t=102ddb2ec7e908409da64391f5ddc4&amp;a=7224&amp;o=6&amp;utm_source=affiliate&amp;utm_medium=evergreen&amp;utm_term=Bradventures%20LLC%207224&amp;utm_content=&amp;aff_sub5=" data-cke-saved-href="https://www.butcherbox.com/lander/specialoffer-g?utm_campaign=Blog&amp;t=102ddb2ec7e908409da64391f5ddc4&amp;a=7224&amp;o=6&amp;utm_source=affiliate&amp;utm_medium=evergreen&amp;utm_term=Bradventures%20LLC%207224&amp;utm_content=&amp;aff_sub5=" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.butcherbox.com/lander/specialoffer-g?utm_campaign%3DBlog%26t%3D102ddb2ec7e908409da64391f5ddc4%26a%3D7224%26o%3D6%26utm_source%3Daffiliate%26utm_medium%3Devergreen%26utm_term%3DBradventures%2520LLC%25207224%26utm_content%3D%26aff_sub5%3D&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1652388002068000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2r1wgyoU2Dv2tr5Xp8UOyZ">Click here</a> for special promotion.&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="http://balaenzyme.com" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://balaenzyme.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1646259314219000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0FVji8aAjrTD-hOAE6gq3d">Bala Enzyme</a>: Electrolyte and triple enzyme recovery drink mix. BRAD30 for 30% off</li>
<li><a href="http://Magbreakthrough.com/brad" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://Magbreakthrough.com/brad&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1646259314219000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1evKLUFC4tRFe0zx_pFRmt">BiOptimizers</a>: Top quality performance supplements like magnesium, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. BRAD10 for 10% off</li>
<li><a href="http://paleovalley.com/brad" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://paleovalley.com/brad&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1646259314219000&amp;usg=AOvVaw23hEfrLkUaETQo_8kBVPAo">Paleo Valley</a>: Nutrient-rich, ancestral inspired health products. BRAD15 for 15% off</li>
<li><a href="http://bradnutrition.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bradnutrition.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1646259314219000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0K26KJH-eYg_zQTGv8m4-1">BradNutrition.com</a>: Coming soon - the ultimate whey protein superfuel formula for peak performance and longevity</li>
<li><a href="https://bradkearns.com/morning-routine/" data-cke-saved-href="https://bradkearns.com/morning-routine/">Ultimate Morning Routine Online Course:</a> Learn how to custom-design an energizing, focusing morning exercise routine. <a href="https://bradkearns.com/morning-routine/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradkearns.com/morning-routine/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1652388002069000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3RhX43ww7YoyTd3RG6h8Ki" data-cke-saved-href="https://bradkearns.com/morning-routine/">Enroll now for earlybird discount&nbsp;</a> Check out <a href="https://bradkearns.com/favorites/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bradkearns.com/favorites/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1652388002069000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1BwtkPowfQOy8bWjm82fny" data-cke-saved-href="https://bradkearns.com/favorites/">Brad Kearns Favorites Page</a> for great products and discounts</li>
</ul>

Brad Kearns covers health, fitness, peak performance, personal growth, relationships, happiness, and longevity. Slow down, take a deep breath, take a cold plunge, and get over the high-stress, tightly wound approach that often leads to disappointment and burnout. Kearns, a New York Times bestselling author, Guinness World Record holder in Speedgolf, 2020 #1 ranked USA Masters track&field age 55-59 high jumper, and former national champion and #3 world-ranked professional triathlete, offers a diverse and sometimes spicy mix of shows: expert guest interviews, peak performance primers, and brief “Breather” shows providing quick insights and how-to tips that you can execute right away to improve your life.

Brad Kearns, NY Times bestselling author and Guinness World Record athlete,  offers a fun and diverse mix of interviews with leading authors and health experts, and "Breather" shows for peak performance and personal growth

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