Primal Blueprint Podcast

In recent years, researchers have been running direct head-to-head comparisons between traditional endurance training and more intense forms of exercise, like strength training or sprint interval training. They almost always end badly for cardio. How badly? Let’s find out: (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Ask the average person and you’ll hear “the more iron, the better.” Consequently, many countries mandate iron fortification of wheat flour; in the US, we fortify pretty much everything with the stuff because it’s just so, so good for us. Is it true, though? Not necessarily. (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

On today’s show, Elle sits down with Dr. Dana Lyons—a primal-aligned holistic health practitioner (and Primal Blueprint Cert grad)—to discuss the tips, techniques, and healing methods used in Dr. Lyon’s practice. Dana began following a primal lifestyle in her early 30s while studying medicine. Before that, she spent 10 years as a vegetarian with a chronic-cardio habit—continuing on that path even when she was hurting her health. But adopting a primal diet was pivotal to her own healing, which in turn shaped her practice as a doctor. Currently, she runs a holistic clinic with her husband, where implements what she calls an Alchemist Eating program, which helps people who experience food and eating as a place of struggle or pain. So sit back, relax, and get an education in topics including willpower, the chemical changes in our bodies after 90 days of modified eating, the benefits of mindfulness, overcoming sugar addiction, and the potential harmony between Eastern and Western medicine. This episode is brought

We focus a great deal on the proximate causes of obesity and lifestyle disease (e.g. what people eat, how much they eat, what metabolic issues come into play), but sometimes the actual headspring could be considered “Life” rather than lifestyle issues—negative relationships, family dynamics or job situations, etc. that admittedly don’t force people toward unhealthy behaviors but leave too many of them groping for these as coping mechanisms. (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

I’ve been doing this for a long time. Over the course of 10-odd years, I’ve realized that many Primal and paleo enthusiasts have a few glaring blindspots. They may not be cataclysmic, but addressing them—or at least acknowledging their existence—can certainly improve your health and happiness. Let’s look at three of them. (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

If we simply don’t enjoy meditation or can’t make it work, what options do we have? How can we get some of those attractive effects of meditation without actually sitting in a room for 30 minutes a day, every day? Here are 15 alternatives. (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

On today’s show, Elle Russ sits down with Paleo Fitness Magazine editor Tony Federico, a ten-year veteran of the fitness industry who ditched the conventional wisdom of low fat, high carb eating after reading The Paleo Diet by Loren Cordain and The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson. After adopting the paleo lifestyle, Tony was able to resolve his lifetime struggle with binge eating and exercise addiction. He wrote the best-selling cookbook Paleo Grilling - A Modern Caveman's Guide to Cooking with Fire and is a regular contributor to Paleo Magazine. He also hosts the Paleo Magazine Radio Podcast. He recently partnered with fellow trainer "Relentless" Roger Dickerman to create a professional development program for Personal Trainers called Prime Time Trainer. Tony also blogs at LiveCaveman.com and can be found on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @tonyfedfitness. On today’s show, Tony and Elle cover a wide range of topics, spanning Tony’s journey from a high carb, chronic exercise junky to a heavy hitter in the pa

What would it be like, to have a “yes” day when it comes to Primal health? I’m not talking about eating dessert for every meal of the day or lounging in front of the T.V. all day long. It’s about taking back the intention to live well from all the dismal commandment thinking we typically assign to it. (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Aside from the 10 Primal Blueprint Laws you already know so well, there are other bits of wisdom that you glean over time that can only come from years of adherence. Today, Mark discusses the five biggest ones. (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

We have a whopping ten books in our development pipeline right now. Here’s a quick overview of what’s coming and when. And at the end of the post, I have an important message for the real bookies out there who want to go the extra mile and read and publish thoughtful reviews on Amazon.com and elsewhere.(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Host Brad Kearns talks to Doug McGuff about how to save yourself from the beast that is the modern medical care system. Doug is an emergency room physician in South Carolina, so he wages a front-line battle with the daily challenges of emergency care, including challenging regulations, guidelines and the stupidity of the American humans requiring a trip to the ER.  As the co-author of The Primal Prescription, Doug authored the section called "Save Yourself,” where he detailed a comprehensive plan of attack entailing living healthily (so you don't need medical care in the first place), and navigating the system effectively when you do need medical care. A big key to your success is to find a go-to primary care physician with whom to develop a long term relationship—someone whose expertise you can rely on when you are thrust into a medical scene chock full of specialists. Doug covers topics like false positives from elective screenings, how many unhealthy folks develop a mentality of "dependence and helplessnes

Research has shown that regularly practicing meditation for even just a couple months literally changes the brain’s structure and confers a whole host of health advantages. But what about the application of a mindful approach to everyday life rather than a particular “practice”? (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

I’m sure you’ve seen the rash of fear-mongering headlines proclaiming red meat to be as carcinogenic as smoking. In fact, I know so because dozens of you have asked me for my thoughts. What’s going on? Do we need to worry? What actually happened? Why have your vegan friends become even more smug than before? Why did your crazy aunt send an email in all caps pleading for you to stop eating “so much beef”? (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Don’t expect to see dried Himalayan mulberries, killer bee pollen, or raw cacao nibs on this list. Or grass-fed beef liver, or pastured eggs, or any of the other animal foods we cherish and exalt in the Primal community. Those have been covered to death. It’s time to highlight the regular, everyday foods we probably take for granted. (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Today’s show features a very special guest, Robert P. Murphy, who is a notable economist and co-author of the newly released book from Primal Blueprint Publishing, The Primal Prescription. Robert has a Ph.D. in economics from New York University. After teaching at Hillsdale College, Murphy left academia to work in the financial sector. In 2007, he started his own firm, Consulting By RPM, where he specializes in teaching economic principles and analyzing government policies for the general public. Murphy is affiliated with several non-profit organizations devoted to economic education, including the Institute for Energy Research, the Fraser Institute, the Mises Institute, and the Independent Institute. On Today’s show, Robert goes over the extensive pitfalls of the American “sick care” system and how it came to exist as it currently does. Brad and Robert discuss the Affordable Care Act, the history of employer provided health insurance, rising health care costs, and what we can do to start fixing the problems

It’s a legitimate and even, in some regards, culturally (and probably politically) significant question: why were government dietary guidelines ever put in place—and what was the backstory of their uses and modifications over time? Finally, what perspective can it bring to our understanding of embracing a “niche” dietary model like the Primal Blueprint? (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

For years I’ve been complaining about the state of my country’s health care—I’m sure you’ve heard me loud and clear. The lack of success America’s current system has in helping people achieve, maintain, or regain good health is literally sickening. The U.S. health system is ranked as having the highest cost (in 2011 $8,508 per person was spent on health care) and the lowest performance (a 2014 new Commonwealth Fund report ranked the U.S. health system last among 11 industrialized nations). The U.S. health care system is broken, and our current efforts to fix it are only making things worse. But don’t despair just yet. Authors Doug McGuff, MD, and Robert Murphy, PhD, combine their expertise in medicine and economics in Primal Blueprint Publishing’s newest release: The Primal Prescription.(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Today’s show features Stuart Tomc, a natural health aficionado and science guru who’s worked at a litany of blockbuster nutrition companies, such as Nordic Naturals, North American Urban Spice, and, most recently, Cannavest. If you’re a science buff, and you’re ready to dive into the nitty gritty mechanics of the emerging science on CBD (cannabidiol) and omega-3 fatty acids, then you won’t want to miss this episode. First, Stuart sheds light on the optimal testing required to make sure you’re getting the omega-3 intake your body type needs. Then, Elle and Stuart dive into an in-depth review of the current scientific literature supporting the various benefits of compounds found in hemp. Those benefits range from neuroprotective, anxiolytic, seizure-reducing, and metabolic optimizing effects. Elle and Stuart go over the fundamental differences between the compound typically recognized in popular culture, THC, and the rich array of other compounds found in the plant that has an unmistakable history of controvers

Today Mark highlights some perspective on the unique challenges or “spirit” of health at each age—how to live well and take care of yourself through each of life’s phases. Look for part two next week! (This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Going Primal isn’t so strange or alienating anymore. Now that the status quo is catching up to us, it’s time to look to the horizon. What are the emerging trends in Primal/paleo thinking that will break out and propel us forward? Where are we taking this train next? And is the world changing in ways conducive to our Primal lifestyle?(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)