The Primal Shift

When you pay a premium for pasture raised chicken or pasture raised pork at the store, you're probably not getting what you think you're getting. Chickens and pigs are monogastric animals — they have one stomach and no rumen, which means they can't ferment grass the way a cow can. Chickens descend from jungle fowl and pigs are woodland animals, so the image of birds on open green pasture has more to do with marketing than with biology. Whatever you feed a monogastric goes straight into its meat. There's no filter. My guest this week is Chester Bidmead, founder of Ancestral Food, who moved from the UK to Texas and built a vertically integrated farm after his son's health forced him to question the eggs and chicken his family was buying. We get into why breed selection matters more than any label — American Bresse chicken versus Cornish Cross chicken, and why heritage breed chickens behave like an entirely different animal — plus fermented chicken feed, rationing, woodland raised pork, and running a corn and soy free chicken operation at commercial scale. Chester also shares what his lab tests actually showed when he compared his birds against store-bought, including one result that surprised him and one that didn't improve at all. If you eat pork or poultry, this episode changes how you shop for it. About Chester Bidmead:  Chester Bidmead is the founder of Ancestral Food and a former entrepreneur who grew and sold two businesses before turning to farming, with a family history of fishing in coastal England dating back to 500AD, a 2016 move to San Antonio, Texas, and a vertically integrated monogastric operation he built from scratch in 2025 that controls everything from birth to packet — his own farrowing and hatchery, woodland raising, and a USDA-inspected processing facility. His approach argues that pasture-raising chickens and pigs is largely theater, because neither animal can ferment grass — and that what a monogastric eats is exactly what ends up on your plate. Ancestral Food — https://ancestralfood.com/  In this episode: 00:00 Intro 03:52 Why ancestral foods 06:12 Son's health wakeup 09:23 Breeds over labels 11:01 Woodland trials win 12:29 Rationing and fermented feed 14:28 Can you go zero feed 28:51 If the lights go out 40:08 Clean processing without chlorine 43:39 Fatty acid lab results 57:20 Sourcing and shipping options 01:00:47 Final thoughts Find me on social media for more health and wellness content: Website: https://michaelkummer.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelKummer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primalshiftpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michaelkummer/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realmichaelkummer/ [Medical Disclaimer] The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health. [Affiliate Disclaimer] I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you'd like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code.

In this episode of the Primal Shift podcast, I sit down with Dr. Rob Carter, an integrative physiologist who has spent 25 years studying what happens to human beings under pressure. His new book, The Convenience Trap, makes the case that modern life has quietly outsourced our navigation, memory, attention, and physical competence — leaving most adults measurably less capable than they were built to be. I like that argument, which is exactly why I pushed on it. "Modern life is making us weak" feels so obviously true that almost nobody checks whether the science holds up. We talk about the heat shock proteins behind sauna and heat adaptation, why hormetic stress builds resilience, and where the dose-response curve turns against you. Rob explains what the GPS research actually shows versus what gets blamed on it, why the average person can now recall fewer than four phone numbers, and how hydration advice went wrong in both directions — including the risk of hyponatremia. He also walks through the ALIVE framework from the book and makes the case that capability loss in adults is reversible. I share why I stopped using GPS and what came back when I did. About Dr. Rob Carter:  Dr. Rob Carter is an integrative physiologist and four-time Taekwondo World Champion who has spent 25 years studying what happens to human beings under pressure, with a PhD in medical physiology, postdoctoral training at Harvard School of Public Health, and over 100 peer-reviewed papers on human performance and stress. His new book The Convenience Trap, co-written with his wife Dr. Kirti Salwe Carter, argues that modern life has outsourced our navigation, memory, attention, and physical competence — leaving many adults measurably less capable than they were built to be.  Website: https://theconveniencetrap.com Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Peluva! Peluva makes minimalist shoes to support optimal foot, back and joint health. I started wearing Peluvas several months ago, and I haven't worn regular shoes since. I encourage you to consider trading your sneakers or training shoes for a pair of Peluvas, and then watch the health of your feet and lower back improve while reducing your risk of injury.  To learn more about why I love Peluva barefoot shoes, check out my in-depth review: https://michaelkummer.com/health/peluva-review/  And use code MICHAEL to get 10% off your first pair: https://michaelkummer.com/go/peluva  In this episode: 00:00 Intro: Convenience makes us weak 00:35 Meet Dr Rob Carter 03:13 Why stress builds resilience 05:13 Heat adaptation and sauna 16:01 Strategic inconvenience basics 23:00 Finding the right dose 29:32 ALIVE framework explained 46:26 GPS and brain autopilot 55:08 Can the brain rebuild 01:13:52 Final thoughts Find me on social media for more health and wellness content: Website: https://michaelkummer.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelKummer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primalshiftpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michaelkummer/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realmichaelkummer/ [Medical Disclaimer] The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health. [Affiliate Disclaimer] I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you'd like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code.

When news broke that the FDA finally approved bemotrizinol — the first new sunscreen ingredient cleared in the United States in over two decades — many people in the health community celebrated it as the ultimate breakthrough in sun protection.  Since it's been used safely across Europe for over 20 years and underwent extensive safety testing, the immediate assumption is that any bemotrizinol-based sunscreen hitting shelves is an automatic win for clean living.  But that assumes the active ingredient is the only thing ending up on your skin. So the real issue isn't whether bemotrizinol itself is safe — it's how manufacturers formulate the actual products they sell to consumers. In this episode, I break down the science and safety profile behind bemotrizinol, explain why I ordered the first product available on Amazon the moment it launched, and reveal why I sent it right back without even opening the bottle. On paper, bemotrizinol is arguably the best chemical UV filter available. Unlike older chemical sunscreen ingredients that readily absorb through the skin into the bloodstream and act as endocrine disruptors, bemotrizinol has a large molecular weight that prevents it from crossing the skin-blood barrier.  Multiple clinical trials show zero detectable absorption even with repeated daily applications. It's exceptionally photostable, does not mimic estrogen or suppress testosterone, and offers broad-spectrum protection without leaving the thick white cast typical of physical mineral blockers. The problem begins when you look at the rest of the bottle. Curious to see what was currently available, I bought an SPF 50 sunscreen from BioPop Health marketed prominently around its bemotrizinol content. But turning the bottle over revealed a lineup of problematic companion ingredients: octinoxate (a known xenoestrogen banned in Hawaii and Palau for environmental and hormonal toxicity), a formaldehyde-releasing preservative, an iodine releaser restricted in Europe, propylparabens, and synthetic fragrances.  Combining an advanced, clean UV filter with legacy endocrine-disrupting chemicals defeats the entire purpose of seeking out a better ingredient. My personal approach to the sun hasn't changed: I focus on building a natural UV callus through gradual, year-round exposure, and I rely on shade, protective clothing, or clean mineral sunscreen from OneSkin when intense sun demands it.  Bemotrizinol is a genuinely promising ingredient, but until reputable brands release clean formulations free of hormone-disrupting fillers, grabbing the first bemotrizinol sunscreen you see on the market is a mistake. Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Peluva! Peluva makes minimalist shoes to support optimal foot, back and joint health. I started wearing Peluvas several months ago, and I haven't worn regular shoes since. I encourage you to consider trading your sneakers or training shoes for a pair of Peluvas, and then watch the health of your feet and lower back improve while reducing your risk of injury.  To learn more about why I love Peluva barefoot shoes, check out my in-depth review: https://michaelkummer.com/health/peluva-review/  And use code MICHAEL to get 10% off your first pair: https://michaelkummer.com/go/peluva  Learn More: 136: Rethinking Sun Exposure From Scratch: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/136-rethinking-sun-exposure-from-scratch/ OneSkin Sunscreen Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzxwbOcLiVs  21: Is Sunscreen Destroying Your Health?: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/is-sunscreen-destroying-your-health/  In this episode: 00:00 Intro: FDA approves Bemotrizinol 01:27 Review: Bemotrizinol-Based Sunscreen SPF 50 02:28 How sunscreens absorb 05:16 Why it took 20 years to get approved 05:46 Ingredient list red flags 08:00 Octinoxate hormone risks 10:01 More toxic additives 10:55 Will I use sunscreen? 13:14 Final thoughts Find me on social media for more health and wellness content: Website: https://michaelkummer.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelKummer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primalshiftpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michaelkummer/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realmichaelkummer/ [Medical Disclaimer] The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health. [Affiliate Disclaimer] I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you'd like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code.

Carnivore was the eye-opener that showed me how to eliminate anything that could be bothering me, but five years later, animal-based is the framework that actually stuck. I've gone through paleo, keto, and carnivore, and none of them were failed attempts; each one raised the baseline and taught me something I still use today. In this episode, I break down the three things that actually changed (not my weight, not a number on a chart), why animal-based has outlasted every stricter diet I've tried, who should still go stricter first, and how raising our own food on the homestead reshaped the whole picture. Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Peluva! Peluva makes minimalist shoes to support optimal foot, back and joint health. I started wearing Peluvas several months ago, and I haven't worn regular shoes since. I encourage you to consider trading your sneakers or training shoes for a pair of Peluvas, and then watch the health of your feet and lower back improve while reducing your risk of injury.  To learn more about why I love Peluva barefoot shoes, check out my in-depth review: https://michaelkummer.com/health/peluva-review/  And use code MICHAEL to get 10% off your first pair: https://michaelkummer.com/go/peluva  Learn More: The Ultimate Animal-Based Nutrition Handbook: https://michaelkummer.com/food-list/  59: Paleo, Keto, Carnivore [Navigating Dietary Changes as a Family]: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/59-paleo-keto-carnivore-navigating-dietary-changes-as-a-family/ 137: The Nutrient Gap Most Carnivores Don't Know About: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/137-the-nutrient-gap-most-carnivores-dont-know-about/  In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:14 Three life changes 03:23 Carnivore, paleo, keto (Diet ladder) 09:10 Why animal-based sticks 14:17 How we eat day to day 18:25 Who should go stricter 20:50 Homesteading for transparency 24:16 One decision framework 26:03 Adherence beats perfection 28:55 Final thoughts Find me on social media for more health and wellness content: Website: https://michaelkummer.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelKummer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primalshiftpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michaelkummer/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realmichaelkummer/ [Medical Disclaimer] The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health. [Affiliate Disclaimer] I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you'd like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code. #AnimalBasedDiet #CarnivoreDiet #PaleoDiet #KetoDiet

Bryan Johnson was diagnosed with autoimmune gastritis in 2026, and within a day the internet had already decided it was his vegan diet — I don't think it's that simple. In this episode I break down what autoimmune gastritis actually is, why Bryan's own data (crashed ferritin, failed iron absorption, a second autoimmune condition since he was 21) points to something deeper than food alone, and why both sides of this argument — "it's the diet" and "diet has nothing to do with it" — are missing the real pattern. I walk through the genetics-plus-environment framework behind autoimmune disease, compare Bryan's lifestyle against how humans have lived for most of our history — sun exposure, food sourcing, community, caloric rhythm — and lay out the specific changes I'd make instead, most of which don't cost you anything. If you've ever wondered whether optimizing your health can go too far, this one's for you. Thank you to this episode's sponsor, Peluva! Peluva makes minimalist shoes to support optimal foot, back and joint health. I started wearing Peluvas several months ago, and I haven't worn regular shoes since. I encourage you to consider trading your sneakers or training shoes for a pair of Peluvas, and then watch the health of your feet and lower back improve while reducing your risk of injury.  To learn more about why I love Peluva barefoot shoes, check out my in-depth review: https://michaelkummer.com/health/peluva-review/  And use code MICHAEL to get 10% off your first pair: https://michaelkummer.com/go/peluva  Learn More: 2: 8 Key Primal Shifts for Ancestral Living: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/8-key-primal-shifts-for-ancestral-living/  59: Paleo, Keto, Carnivore [Navigating Dietary Changes as a Family]: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/59-paleo-keto-carnivore-navigating-dietary-changes-as-a-family/  In this episode: 00:00 Intro 02:37 Health optimization gone too far 03:02 Diagnosis facts and markers 06:08 Genes, diet, and autoimmunity 08:32 What we know and don't 10:28 Against nature comparison 13:45 Risk factors with data 15:34 Ferritin red flags 17:47 A better primal blueprint 19:33 Final thoughts Find me on social media for more health and wellness content: Website: https://michaelkummer.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelKummer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primalshiftpodcast/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/michaelkummer/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realmichaelkummer/ [Medical Disclaimer] The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health. [Affiliate Disclaimer] I earn affiliate commissions from some of the brands and products I review on this channel. While that doesn't change my editorial integrity, it helps make this channel happen. If you'd like to support me, please use my affiliate links or discount code.