Age Less / Live More

Recently, my friend returned from a family member's funeral 8 lbs heavier and asked, "What's going on?" Weight gain from stress can be clinically explained by a few different mechanisms. There is emotional eating, where you eat to distract yourself and bury your sorrows, but there is also emotion-induced weight gain, where, during a period of high stress, your psychological state chemically disrupts your hormones. This imbalance can increase (or decrease) hunger and change your body's propensity to store fat. My friend's follow-up question was: "What should I do to lose the weight?" On this week's show, I'll share my advice (food, vitamins, and blood tests) with you. This is by no means a comprehensive solution, but it's a very simple and non intimidating starting point for a journey back to a healthy weight. ------------ Listen & Learn: The plus one/minus one approach to making healthy choices Which vitamins are a smart choice for almost everyone How to see what's actually going on with your body from a blood test ABOUT THE HOST In 2002, I worked for a New York City book publisher doing a job I hated. I drank seven nights a week, abused drugs, and smoked a pack of cigarettes a day. For food, it was pizza and takeout—anything quick and easy to keep me going. No one consciously decides to destroy their health, but over the years, that’s exactly what happened. I was bloated and flabby, unable to sleep without alcohol. My eyes were red and puffy, and I struggled to get excited about anything. I had so much potential, so many opportunities, but when you’re sick and numb to the world, everything feels impossible and uninteresting. Enter yoga. A friend dragged me to a yoga studio, where I suffered through one of the most uncomfortable experiences of my life. In that first class, I was sweating and dizzy, unable to do even the most basic postures. I was the youngest person there, but the way I moved, I felt like I was 90 years old. I couldn’t bend forward, sit cross-legged on the floor, or balance in a tree pose. Looking at myself in the mirror, I remember thinking, “How did I end up in such bad shape?” I hated that first class so much, I knew it was exactly what I needed—so I kept going. People assume yoga classes are meant to be wonderful, peaceful experiences. This is not true. A good class should be the most challenging and uncomfortable hour of your entire day. When you push yourself on the mat, real-life problems become lighter and more manageable almost immediately. Hard yoga = easy life. For the next 380 days, I practiced yoga every single day. While traveling, I used audio or video recordings. If I was in a new city, I’d go to any studio I could find. When my teacher told me to take a day off to rest, I’d ignore the advice and go to a class at another studio. The same way I’d fallen in love with things that were killing me (drugs and alcohol), I’d now fallen in love with something that was feeding me and fueling my growth. And it worked. In six weeks, I lost almost 40 pounds (and had to replace my whole wardrobe). I quit drinking and smoking altogether, and most importantly, I found a renewed passion for life that is truly priceless. I remember walking around New York, still dripping with sweat from class, with a big, stupid grin on my face as if I’d unlocked a special secret. My life was changing. Within six months, I’d quit my job and moved to Thailand. Within a year, I was teaching full-time to packed classes in Bangkok and later, Hong Kong. I opened my first studio in 2006 and that same year began training teachers. To date, I’ve taught more than 30,000 students and trained more than 3,000 teachers in 41 countries. I love my life and my work, and as a result, I’m in better health mentally and physically than I was in my early 20s. YOGABODY was built on practice, sweat, and struggle. It’s the physical manifestation of everything I care about in life, and my greatest hope is that some of my passion for this practice and lifestyle rubs off on you when you walk through these doors. Nothing worth doing in life is easy. Movement is more powerful than meditation. And practice is everything. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Rinse Tea Rinse Rice Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: Four Sigmatic - makes delicious Mushroom Superfood Blends and Mushroom Elixirs. Four Sigmatic believes in the real magic of functional mushrooms like Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, and Lion’s Mane, as well as other superfoods and adaptogens like rhodiola, eleuthero, and schisandra to help us live healthier, more enhanced lives. Visit: FOUR SIGMATIC and use coupon code "yogabody" for 15% off your order. Learn More

I feel I’ve let you down. I’ve hosted pretty much every renowned breathing expert in the world on this podcast, and yet most of my listeners are still not sure exactly how yoga breathing works. On this week’s show, my goal is to break down the fundamentals of yoga breathing in a way that you can easily remember and apply to your practice. ------------ Listen & Learn: How all breathing practices are either water, whiskey, or coffee Why it’s easy to get confused with gurus and brand names Why most of us over-breathe (and what to do about it) Why the most popular breathing techniques tend to be too extreme How to incorporate all three breathing patterns into your life ABOUT THE HOST Lucas Rockwood is a yoga teacher trainer, digital nomad, green food junkie, and serial entrepreneur. With a formal yoga training background in Hot Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Gravity Yoga, and the Yoga Trapeze, Lucas has studied with some of the most well-respected teachers on the planet. His most influential teachers (all of whom he studied with personally) include Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Paul Dallaghan, Alex Medin, Gabriel Cousens MD, and SN Goenka. Lucas founded Absolute Yoga Academy in 2006, one of the top 10 yoga teacher training schools in the world with 2,000 certified teachers (and counting) and courses in Thailand, Holland, United Kingdom, and The Philippines. In search of nutritional products designed specifically for achy yoga students’ bodies, Rockwood worked with senior nutritional formulator, Paul Gaylon, and founded, YOGABODY Naturals, in the back of his yoga studio in 2007. The company has gone from strength-to-strength and is now an internationally-renowned nutrition, education, and publishing organization serving 81 countries. In 2013, Lucas founded YOGABODY Fitness, a revolutionary new yoga studio business model that pays teachers a living wage and demystifies yoga by making the mind-body healing benefits of the practice accessible to everyone. A foodie at heart, Lucas was a vegan chef, and owned and operated health food restaurants prior to diving deep into the yoga world. Lucas is also a highly-acclaimed writer, radio show host, TV personality, business consultant, weight loss expert, and health coach. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Marshmallow Links & References from the Show: FREE download & reference guide Patrick McKeown, The Oxygen Advantage Patricia L. Gerbarg, The Healing Power of Breath Wim Hof, Wim Hof Method Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: Yoga International, a community of 300,000 students learning about yoga, meditation, and mindful living from hundreds of expert teachers. It has more than 1,000 classes, the most popular of which are 30 Classes in 30 Days Challenge, The Busy Yogi Challenge, and Yoga to Soothe Sciatica with Doug Keller. Yoga International is offering listeners of the Yoga Talk Show a free Essentials of Yoga Therapy course when you sign up for a 30-day trial membership. Learn More

Have you ever used a scalp massager made of long, thin wires? For most people, it causes quite the sensation, sending tingles from the back of their neck down their spine. Or maybe you have this reaction when someone whispers in your ear? This pleasurable response to specific auditory and visual stimuli is known as autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR), and is likened to meditation. ASMR is exploding on the internet right now because it is deeply relaxing, extremely pleasurable, and can serve to relieve anxiety and depression in some cases. The ASMR movement is mostly made up of YouTubers and DIY fanatics, but there are also a handful of researchers out there gathering information about the real, therapeutic benefits of this response. On this week's show, you'll meet Craig Richard, PhD, the founder of ASMR University. ------------ Listen & Learn: Why ASMR might be helpful to relieve stress and anxiety Why ASMR audio tracks could be more effective than the viral videos online How this deeply relaxing, neck tingling sensation can help you relax ABOUT OUR GUEST Craig Richard, PhD, first learned about ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) in 2013, but has been experiencing its triggers and effects since childhood. In 2014, he launched ASMRUniversity.com to encourage and report ASMR research and to provide helpful resources to assist with the further understanding of ASMR. Craig is the cofounder of the ASMR Research Project and has produced several ASMR podcasts. He is a professor in the department of biopharmaceutical sciences at Shenandoah University, School of Pharmacy in Winchester, Virginia and the author of a new book, Brain Tingles, available soon on Amazon. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Chili Peppers Links & References from the Show: ASMR University The ASMR Podcast Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: Yoga International, a community of 300,000 students learning about yoga, meditation, and mindful living from hundreds of expert teachers. It has more than 1,000 classes, the most popular of which are 30 Classes in 30 Days Challenge, The Busy Yogi Challenge, and Yoga to Soothe Sciatica with Doug Keller. Yoga International is offering listeners of the Yoga Talk Show a free Essentials of Yoga Therapy course when you sign up for a 30-day trial membership. Learn More

After nearly 700 episodes, this is the final episode of Age Less / Live More. What started as a way to answer yoga students’ questions gradually evolved into an international exploration of healthspan and wellness. For over a decade, this podcast has been a key part of the YOGABODY journey—and it’s deeply shaped my work as a teacher. Thank you for listening. I hope to continue supporting you through new platforms and projects in the future.

Is it the chicken or the egg? Did your chemical imbalance lead to weight gain, or did weight changes trigger a hormonal shift? Did depression cause neurotransmitter imbalances, or did the imbalance spark depression—or both? This week, we speak with a psychiatrist who specializes in the physiological effects of mental health, and take a deep dive into trauma. Listen and learn: The clinical definition of trauma What really happens when we "get over" past trauma The role of social support in healing Why physical exercise might be the most powerful mental health intervention of all time LINK: https://odonovanlab.ucsf.edu/ ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Aoife O'Donovan is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and a Research Psychologist at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. She aims to identify biological and psychological markers of stress-related illnesses. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

When you search online for ways to live a healthy life, you're bombarded by charismatic speakers, some with medical degrees or PhDs, promising miracle cures. From cancer treatments to fat-burning morning rituals and an endless array of supplements claiming to unlock the fountain of youth, the noise is overwhelming. Some of these claims contain a grain of truth; others are pure fiction. But in nearly every case, they distract from what truly matters—focusing on minor details that won’t meaningfully impact your health tomorrow, next year, or even a decade from now. The fundamentals of health, fitness, and longevity may not be flashy, but they are essential. In this week’s podcast, we hear from a PhD researcher and educator whose work focuses on healthspan and longevity. Listen and learn: Why the science community often lacks the communication and marketing skills for their ideas How quickly simply-sounding health data can be misinterpreted The real risk of sarcopenia (muscle loss) and what to do about it Why your health in later life is often the compounding of small behaviors over years or decades Links: www.rachelepojednic.com @rachelepojednic About Our Guest: Dr. Rachele Pojednic is a researcher specializing in human performance and healthy aging, serving as the Director of Scientific Research at Restore Hyperwellness and a faculty member in Stanford’s Program in Human Biology. She also leads education at Stanford Lifestyle Medicine and is a research affiliate at Harvard Medical School’s Institute of Lifestyle Medicine. With a PhD in nutritional biochemistry from Tufts and postdoctoral training at Harvard, her work explores the impact of nutrition, supplementation, and physical activity on muscle physiology and longevity.  Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Have you ever struggled to support a close friend or family member dealing with a mental health condition? How do you know when you're truly helping rather than enabling? When should you push, simply show up, or even step away? If these questions resonate with you, you’re not alone—at least 20% and possibly up to 40% of people will face this reality at some point in their lives. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a psychologist who shares her research and clinical experiences. Listen and learn: How to differentiate between supporting and enabling a loved one Key questions to ask yourself if you're in a caregiving role The impact of online support groups and AI on mental health care Strategies for handling difficult or unpleasant caregiving situations How to find affordable mental health resources locally and nationally Common challenges of caring for aging family members and how to cope Links www.SeedsofHopeBooks.com ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Michelle D. Sherman is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience, specializing in individual and couples therapy. She was a professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School and is a board-certified expert in couples and family psychology. Her work focuses on supporting families dealing with mental illness, PTSD, and trauma. She is the author of Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma: Skills, Hope, and Strength for Your Journey. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Chronic pain affects as many as 1 in 5 people worldwide and can lead to a huge reduction in quality of life, drug addiction, and very desperate outcomes. Today’s guest helps people use tools like mindfulness and therapy - among others - to manage and even reverse pain naturally. Listen and Learn: Why pain isn’t always physical. Chronic pain often comes from the brain, not the body. Non-opioid treatment approaches to chronic pain How mindfulness techniques like pain reprocessing can cut chronic pain by 50%. LINKS https://www.drmelpohl.com https://thepointemalibu.com/ ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Mel Pohl is a family physician specializing in addiction medicine and chronic pain management. He is the Senior Medical Consultant for the Pain Recovery Program at The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center and previously served as Chief Medical Officer at the Las Vegas Recovery Center. He has written books on chronic pain, including The Pain Antidote, and focuses on non-opioid treatment approaches. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

On any given day, up to one in three people experience GI tract troubles—whether it's gas, bloating, indigestion, or constipation. These issues are not only common but complex to understand. This week, we sit down with a colorectal surgeon to unravel the mysteries of bowel health and provide practical solutions to keep things running smoothly. Listen and Learn: Colonoscopy vs. FIT test: Which one is right for you? Stool 101: What floaters, sinkers, shapes, and sizes reveal about your health Hemorrhoids: Common causes and effective treatments Practical tips to reach your daily fiber goal of 25–35 grams Links https://carmenfong.com ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Carmen Fong is a colorectal surgeon and author. She is double-board certified in general surgery and colorectal surgery and is the author of Constipation Nation: What to Know When You Can't Go. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

In endurance sports, certain countries consistently dominate the podium. While many theories attempt to explain this, the most overlooked—and perhaps the most relevant—is culture. The influence of your social group and peers plays a huge role in shaping your choices and potential, yet we often assume that health and fitness are driven by gadgets, apps, or elite trainers. In reality, human connection, support, and a sense of adventure may be the biggest performance enhancers. This week’s podcast explores high-performance endurance athletics through the lens of anthropology. Listen and learn: How training in Ethiopia differs from the rest of the world The power of fun, play, and variety in training Why community and social support might be the missing ingredient Link durham.ac.uk ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Michael Crawley is an anthropologist, writer, and accomplished runner. He is an Assistant Professor of Social Anthropology at Durham University and author of Out of Thin Air (2020) and To the Limit (2024). Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Aging is deeply personal—there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Some people embrace every new anti-aging intervention, while others prefer to let nature take its course. But what does science say about aging well? In this episode, we explore the choices people make, the science behind longevity, and how cutting-edge technology might shape the future of how aging looks. Listen and learn: Risk vs. reward of various interventions The role of diet, lifestyle, and nutrition in aging gracefully Developments in aesthetic and cosmetic surgeries A.I.’s potential role in anti-aging   Links https://www.corygoldbergmd.com ABOUT OUR GEST   Dr. Cory S. Goldberg is a board-certified plastic and craniofacial surgeon specializing in longevity medicine. He co-founded Healthspan Digital and Beautyspan, leveraging AI-driven precision medicine for both aesthetic and longevity applications. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

We’re navigating a paradox in health and wellness. Developed nations are sicker than ever, yet healthcare systems have reached remarkable levels of advancement. At the same time, access to care, health insurance, and patient agency seem to be at an all-time low. How can we take control of our health without succumbing to cynicism? And what steps can we take to create a healthier future for ourselves and the next generation? This week, we’re joined by a doctor and healthcare administrator who dives deep into the complexities of modern healthcare. Together, we’ll uncover why the system is broken, explore the differences between Medicare and Medicaid, examine successful healthcare models, and discuss actionable solutions for the future. Listen and learn: Why the healthcare system is failing The truth about Medicare vs. Medicaid Examples of healthcare systems that work Real solutions for meaningful change Link AbrahamNussbaum.com ABOUT OUT GUEST Dr. Abraham M. Nussbaum is a psychiatrist and author dedicated to reimagining healthcare through a more humane and patient-centered approach. He serves as the Chief Education Officer at Denver Health and has written extensively on the intersection of medicine, ethics, and personal connection, including Progress Notes: One Year in the Future of Medicine and The Finest Traditions of My Calling: One Physician’s Search for the Renewal of Medicine. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

By middle age, most people have at least one joint that causes them problems—maybe a knee, hip, their lower back, or shoulder. How should you handle it? Painkillers? Physical therapy? Surgery? These are tough decisions, especially to face alone. This week on Age Less, Live More, you’ll meet a physiotherapist who specializes in helping people stay active and healthy in middle age and beyond. Listen and learn: The importance of full body mobility as well as joint specific mobility Why three months is often a great initial test period for reliability and injury Why it’s never too late to build strength and mobility Guest Link www.WillHarlow.com ABOUT OUR GUEST Will Harlow is a physiotherapist and author of Thriving Beyond Fifty, a guide focused on helping people over fifty maintain mobility, avoid surgery, and reduce dependence on pain medication.  Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

When we think about improving our health, our brain is often overlooked, but it shouldn't be. Neurodegenerative illnesses are among the leading causes of death globally. Even more pressing, a sick, inflamed, or imbalanced brain can immediately diminish your quality of life. This week, we’re joined by a neurologist and author whose work highlights lifestyle interventions that boost brain health. Listen and learn: What the Default Mode Network is and its role in your brain Factors that contribute to migraine and why management might be the key How mindfulness practices can support long term brain health Simple ways to start improving your brain health today LINK www.drsuiwongmd.com ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Sui H. Wong is a neurologist and neuro-ophthalmologist based in London, UK. She has authored a number of books including Sweet Spot for Brain Health, Sleep Better to Thrive, and Break Free From Migraines Naturally.  Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

When you hear the word “metabolism,” you might think of calories or basal metabolic rate—the energy your body needs to survive. But metabolism is much more than that. It’s a complex network of processes influenced by your diet, lifestyle, sleep, exercise, and stress, impacting nearly every part of your physical and mental health. This week, we hear from an academic researcher whose groundbreaking work in metabolomics sheds light on the deeper science of metabolism and its far-reaching implications for health and wellness. Listen and learn: Why metabolism is about more than just calories The hidden complexities of your digestive system and its impact on health How artificial intelligence is transforming scientific research into metabolism The exciting future of vaccines and their role in metabolic health Why fears surrounding GMO foods are often based on myths, not facts How metabolomics is paving the way for innovative health interventions Link ABOUT OUR GUEST Oliver Fiehn is a professor of molecular and cellular biology at the University of California, Davis, and director of the Fiehn Lab and the West Coast Metabolomics Center. A pioneer in metabolomics, he has authored over 450 publications and is renowned for advancing analytical chemistry and bioinformatics to study metabolism in health and disease.  Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel  

Bad knees can feel like a roadblock to living your best life, but modern treatments and techniques can offer real solutions. Whether you're exploring the cutting-edge possibilities of PRP injections, weighing up the benefits of physical therapy, or curious about the latest in meniscus repair, this episode breaks down the pros, cons, and science behind today's knee health strategies. Listen and learn: Why exercise is crucial to healing and long-term joint health Surgical, injection, and other options to consider The confusing paradox of MRIs and scans ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Daniel K. White is an Associate Professor in Physical Therapy at the University of Delaware and an expert in knee osteoarthritis and rehabilitation. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

When stress turns into overwhelm and overwhelm leads to burnout, we all break down in different ways. Some of us get sick or feel anxious and depressed, others retreat into isolation or dive into hyper-social distractions. However you respond, the impact of long-term stress is undeniable. Recognizing the problem is one thing, but what do you do next? This week, we’re joined by a performance coach who specializes in helping people take an honest assessment of their lives and create a framework for meaningful, positive change. Listen and learn: Why sleep, exercise, and nutrition are the cornerstones of resilience How tracking your sleep, heart rate variability, and steps can provide critical insights into your health The role of community and accountability in driving sustainable progress Understanding the risks of an isolated lifestyle and how to stay connected in a work-from-home world LINK https://neuropeakpro.com/ ABOUT OUR GUEST Nick Bolhuis is Vice President of Performance Programs at Neuropeak Pro, where he leads initiatives in precision breathing, heart rate variability, and brain performance training. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Why do you feel hungry, even when you’ve eaten plenty? What drives your cravings, second servings, and post-dinner sweet tooth? In this week’s episode, we dive into the untold story behind hunger and satiety signals with a leading bariatric surgeon. Discover how imbalanced hormones can fuel overeating, and how modern medicine and nutrition can help restore energy balance. From groundbreaking treatments to the science of hormones, this episode is your guide to understanding and overcoming the root causes of hunger and weight gain. Listen and learn: The critical role Omega-3 fatty acids play in weight management How leptin resistance impacts your hunger and energy balance The current state of bariatric surgery and who it helps most How GLP-1 agonist drugs are revolutionizing weight loss treatment Why weight regain is common after surgery, medication, or fad diets LINKS https://www.laparoscopicconsultant.co.uk/ https://mymetabology.com/  ABOUT OUR GUEST Andrew Jenkinson is a bariatric surgeon and author specializing in the treatment of obesity and metabolic health. He is the author of Why We Eat (Too Much), which explores the biological and psychological causes of overeating and weight gain.  Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel  

When you're physically ill, rest and support are often readily offered. But when you're mentally unwell—grappling with anxiety, depression, or even deeper struggles—not only is recognition rare, but the help you receive might even set you back. This week, we tackle mental health in the year ahead. How can you prepare for a proactive, mentally healthy 2025? Join us for an honest conversation about recognizing struggles, offering real support, and creating a foundation for mental wellness in the coming year. Listen and learn:  Why so many addicts’ therapy journeys end in tragedy  Why we rarely work on our mental health proactively How you might support yourself and your family in 2025 for mental health  Links https://www.DrjalaliandAssociates.com https://alignremedy.com ABOUT OUR GUESTS Dr. Shahrzad Jalali is a licensed clinical psychologist based in Newport Beach, California, specializing in depth-oriented psychotherapy that addresses the root causes of psychological distress. With advanced training in trauma, addiction, and couples therapy, she integrates a bio-psycho-social approach to help individuals reconstruct their identities and foster personal growth. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

In 2002, the Women's Health Initiative study on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) sent shockwaves through the medical world, halting a major study due to a reported 26% increase in breast cancer risk. The statistic sounded terrifying, but what it really meant was just eight additional cases per 10,000 women per year. Unfortunately, the lack of clear communication and context sparked widespread fear, leading millions of women to avoid HRT without fully understanding its risks and benefits. Listen and learn: Why the Women’s Health Initiative study on HRT was flawed and misunderstood The difference between relative risk and absolute risk—and why it matters How HRT protocols from 20+ years ago compare to today’s options The importance of advocating for yourself with your doctor How modern research and individualized care can reshape menopause treatment Practical insights to help you make informed decisions about your health and longevity LINKS Dr Schwartz’ s Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Erika Schwartz is a physician, author, and advocate for integrative and patient-centered healthcare. Specializing in hormone health, preventive medicine, and women's wellness, she has spent decades challenging traditional medical paradigms and empowering patients to take an active role in their health journey. With multiple books, national media appearances, and a holistic approach to medicine, Dr. Schwartz bridges the gap between conventional and alternative healthcare strategies. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel