Doug sits down with Dr. Victor Carsrud, Head of Functional Medicine & Health Innovation at Breather Mae, to map a no-fluff health playbook for high-demand performers—rodeo athletes, ranchers, farmers, and anyone who works hard.

We dig into why "test, don't guess" matters, how a simple Gut Check unlocks better hormone balance and recovery, and the panels most annual physicals miss (full thyroid with antibodies, prolactin for pituitary stress, micronutrients, organic acids). We also get real on environmental toxins (mold, microplastics, PFAS), what to eat on the road, and why 30g protein within 30 minutes of waking changes your day.

What you'll learn

• Why TSH alone isn't enough: add Free T3/T4 + TPO/TG antibodies

• How gut → brain → hormones all connect (and why it's step one)

• When prolactin flags pituitary stress (think head hits/endocrine disruptors)

• "Test don't guess" supplements (yes, vitamin D can be too high)

• Tiered testing: Baseline → Tier 1/2 → Tier 3 → Olympiad

• Real-world fueling for the road: protein-first wins for energy & focus.

  Chapters
  00:00 Intro & access-anywhere functional medicine
  02:15 What basic labs miss (TSH ≠ full thyroid picture)
  08:40 Coaching model: from "doctor knows best" to partnership
  10:45 Gut ↔ brain ↔ hormones—no more silos
  15:00 You can't out-supplement bad data
  21:00 Why proactive labs matter in dangerous sports & work
  27:10 Low T in roughstock? Stress, sleep, hits & gut links
  28:20 Breather Mae tiers (Baseline → Olympiad)
  49:30 Protein timing: the 30/30 rule
  54:00 Recovery & oxidative stress markers
  59:00 Making 80-page labs actionable (not pill-pushing)
  1:03:00 Pricing, installments, and ROI for athletes

   

  Brought to you by our partners:
  🤠 Rodeo Now App — the all-in-one platform for rodeo athletes to track entries, standings, and schedules in one place. If you rodeo, you need Rodeo Now. Download it today on the App Store or Google Play.
  🧬 Breather Mae — Use code CLF100 for a discount on testing tiers at https://breathermae.com/registration

• Connect

  • Train with us: Champion Living Fitness App

  • IG: @champion.living

  • Guest: Dr. Victor Carsrud — Breather Mae