The Animal Based Dad Podcast

Reversing Metabolic Decline: Dr. Jerry Sims’ 40-Year Journey in Lifestyle Medicine

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jerry Sims, a physician with nearly four decades of experience, to explore how simple lifestyle shifts - grounded in low-carb nutrition, movement, and sunlight - can radically transform metabolic health.
We dive deep into:
The truth about reversing type 2 diabetes and hypertension through diet.
Why more doctors are embracing low-carb, high-protein nutrition.
The overlooked mental health benefits of ditching sugar and ultra-processed carbs.
Practical self-care routines for busy men looking to avoid heart attacks.
The power of cold exposure, outdoor movement, and reconnecting with nature.
Dr. Sims also previews his 21-Day Metabolic Reset for Men - a free, actionable program focused on reclaiming health and vitality.
Whether you're battling low energy, stubborn weight, or just seeking clarity in the chaos, this episode will give you the tools to take control of your metabolic future.
 
Where to find more from Dr. Sims:
LinkedIn: com/in/dr-jerry-sims-970547246
Substack: https://themetabolicmd.substack.com/
BioSymm Technologies: https://biosymmtechnologies.com/
 
More from Ricky Du Plessis / Animal-Based Dad:
https://linktr.ee/Animal.Based.Dad

Episode 12: Bioenergetics, Metabolic Flexibility & Mitochondrial Truths – the frontlines of metabolic health research with Neill Friedman

In this powerful episode, we sit down with PhD researcher Neill Friedman, whose journey from obesity and pre-diabetes to academic success in bioenergetics is both personal and profound. We explore the vital role of mitochondria in interpreting environmental signals, how chronic glucose exposure may reprogram cellular metabolism, and why metabolic flexibility is crucial to human health and evolution.
Neill shares cutting-edge insights from his research on mitochondrial function, inflammation, and glucose metabolism, while also offering practical tools to reclaim metabolic health through intermittent fasting and process-based lifestyle goals.
We also unpack:
Why today's dietary guidelines are outdated
How modern convenience sabotages ancestral health patterns
The urgent need to prioritise healthspan over lifespan
And why simple steps like lifting weights, walking, and sleeping better can change your health trajectory
This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about reversing chronic disease, boosting vitality, and understanding how our bioenergetic systems shape human potential.
 
If you found value in Neill’s journey from personal transformation to cutting-edge bioenergetics research – did you know there’s a way for you to make a meaningful impact in this space yourself…?
By donating to Neill’s GoFundMe, it will help propel his ground-breaking  work on metabolic flexibility and mitochondrial health. Every contribution, big or small, brings us one step closer to unlocking vital insights and your support means the world!!!
https://gofund.me/45cb9085
 
Where to find more from Neill:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neillfriedman/

Episode 11: From Dietician to Rogue Metabolic Healer - Shannon Davis on Reversing Chronic Disease, Real Food, and Muscle for Life

In this powerful episode, Ricky speaks with Shannon Davis - a veteran dietician who walked away from the conventional model to become a "rogue metabolic healer." With over 18 years of clinical experience in bariatrics, nephrology, and organ transplant, Shannon shares her eye-opening journey into the world of metabolic health after personal struggles with infertility and professional disillusionment.
 
They unpack:
Why chronic diseases are rooted in diet and how most are reversible
The truth about food quality, nutrient density, and metabolic flexibility
Why women must lift weights to age strong and avoid sarcopenia
How metabolic health transforms mental health, energy, and cognition
Shannon’s daily stack: from creatine to Yerba Mate concentrate
Real food, home-grown habits, and the collapse of basic life skills
Why symptom management is not healthcare and what needs to change
Whether you're a health professional, parent, or simply someone seeking to reclaim your vitality, this episode is packed with practical insights and unapologetic truth. Don’t miss it.
 
Where to find more from Shannon:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/shannondavis
 
More from Ricky Du Plessis / Animal-Based Dad:
Zinzino Questionnaire (personalized product recommendation):
https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/2...
Conquering King Stomach (my book):
Kindle (Global) / Standard Paperback (UK & USA): https://amzn.to/4hRImti
Premium paperback (International): https://amzn.to/4l5F2h3

The Facts about Metabolic Water (EZ Water), Deuterium and the Body's Electrical Charge with Roderick Lambert

In this fascinating episode of The Animal-Based Dad Podcast, Ricky and special guest Roderick delve into one of the most misunderstood foundations of human biology - hydration…
But this isn’t just about drinking more - it’s about unlocking the molecular intelligence of water and how it drives metabolic health.
Together they explore:
Why hydration isn’t just fluid intake and how electrolytes and structure matter.
The science of EZ (Exclusion Zone) water and how it powers your cells like a battery.
The role of infrared light, earthing, and nose breathing in maintaining water charge.
The emerging research on deuterium, its role in metabolic dysfunction, and how exercise, fat metabolism, and light exposure help deplete it.
The shocking truth behind how herbivores hydrate and what it teaches us about water efficiency in the human body.
With references to pioneers like Gerald Pollack and Luc Montagnier, this episode goes beyond hydration and into the bioenergetics of life itself.
Perfect for those interested in metabolic health, mitochondrial function, deuterium-depleted water, structured hydration, and ancestral living.
If you think water is simple - this episode will change your mind…
 
Links to some of data & resources upon which this discussion was based:
Embedding images or intention in water: Veda Austin https://www.vedaaustin.com/examples-1
The Fourth Phase of Water - Beyond the Three You Already Know (RTF Lecture with Dr. Gerald Pollack): https://youtu.be/8qqyCA9vz_s?si=dBk2Ci8OLA5S7zfL
How water + light could be used therapeutically:
Water’s Many Roles in Laser Photobiomodulation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vWI_-Ymgf8A0tBJqYd-koiYFrO87WBTF/view?usp=share_link
Water Experiments, Aerospace Center Stuttgart: https://youtu.be/cWLPFK3sXdw?si=KxTxXZ37LrsgeVCY
Qelby Quantum Energy Balls:
The explanation: https://www.morphogeniq.com/microcurrents-and-cell-energy
The science: https://www.morphogeniq.com/scientific-peer-reviewed-publications-on-q-e-l-b-y
Get a 10% discount here (use discount code QELBYMMH): https://morphogeniq.shop/discount/MMHQELBY
4th Phase water Marc Henry: https://inference-review.com/article/the-fourth-state-of-water
Guy Foundation lecture series: Quantum effects of Water: https://www.theguyfoundation.org/our-online-lectures/
Theory of the Water Battery: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276456800_Theory_of_the_Water_Battery
Solid water at room temperature?: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187853522200853X
 
If you would like a more comprehensive list of the research which has informed this discussion (because space within the episode description is limited), please sign up to Roderick’s mailing list via https://midlifemetabolichealth.com/profile
 
Where to find Roderick Lambert:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodericklambert/
YouTube: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodericklambert/ 
Links page: https://midlifemetabolichealth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidlifeMetabolicHealth
 
More from Ricky Du Plessis / Animal-Based Dad:
Zinzino Questionnaire (personalized product recommendation):
https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/2c6d-722611668
Conquering King Stomach (my book):
Kindle (Global) / Standard Paperback (UK & USA): https://amzn.to/4hRImti
Premium paperback (International): https://amzn.to/4l5F2h3

Metabolic Health, Mental Clarity & Mortality: Real Talk with Colin Walke on Food, Emotions, and Living Fully

In this powerful and wide-ranging episode, Ricky sits down with Colin Walke, an educator, coach, and metabolic health enthusiast, for a heartfelt conversation on everything from life & happiness to suicide, self-discovery, and species-appropriate nutrition.
They dive into:
The life-changing impact of diet on mental health, depression, and autoimmune conditions.
How modern society’s relationship with food disconnects us from our biology.
The emotional roots of food addiction and why processed food keeps us stuck.
Evolutionary insights into metabolic health, genetics, and chronic disease.
Midlife reflections on mortality, family, and the call to reclaim your health.
Why carnivore and ketogenic diets may be the key to both mental and physical resilience.
This episode isn’t just about food - it’s about life, purpose, mortality, and choosing to live fully before it’s too late.
 
Where to find more from Colin:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-walke/
 
More from Ricky Du Plessis / Animal-Based Dad:
Zinzino Questionnaire (personalized product recommendation):
https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/2...
Conquering King Stomach (my book):
Kindle (Global) / Standard Paperback (UK & USA): https://amzn.to/4hRImti
Premium paperback (International): https://amzn.to/4l5F2h3

Episode 09: Cracking the Migraine Code - Dr Angela Stanton on Salt, Hormones & the Metabolic Root of Chronic Pain

What if migraines aren’t just headaches, but electrical storms in the brain triggered by metabolic imbalances?
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr Angela Stanton, a neuroscientist, author, and founder of the Stanton Migraine Protocol, to explore how electrolytes, hormones, and nutrition intersect to drive (and heal) chronic conditions like migraines.
We dive into:
Why sodium - not potassium - is the critical electrolyte we’re missing
How the wrong magnesium could be sabotaging your sleep
The truth about Himalayan salt, sugar, and blood pressure
Why standard blood tests often miss the mark
How low-carb, protein-rich diets support long-term health and brain stability
Her protocol’s astonishing 100% success rate in eliminating migraines without medication
Whether you’re battling migraines, fatigue, or just want deeper insight into the metabolic causes of chronic illness, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom and hard-won truth.
 
Find more from Dr Stanton here:
https://stantonmigraineprotocol.com/
https://migraine-book.com/
https://cluelessdoctors.com/
She writes for a scientific blog for Hormones Matter. You can find all her articles:https://www.hormonesmatter.com/author/angela-stanton/ Angela’s new research is focused on how modifying nutrition affects health and disease. Blog about Angela:https://keto-mojo.com/article/meet-migraine-expert-angela-stanton-phd/
 
More from Ricky Du Plessis / Animal-Based Dad:
Zinzino Questionnaire (personalized product recommendation):
https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/2c6d-722611668
Conquering King Stomach (my book):
Kindle (Global) / Standard Paperback (UK & USA): https://amzn.to/4hRImti
Premium paperback (International): https://amzn.to/4l5F2h3

Episode 08: From Techie to Health Trailblazer – a discussion with Prashant Karhade

In this inspiring episode of The Animal-Based Dad Podcast, I sit down with Prashant - an IT Engineer turned serial entrepreneur, author, and founder of the innovative health app 1Step.
We dive deep into his unique fusion of technology, storytelling, and wellness to empower individuals to take charge of their metabolic health - one small, consistent improvement at a time.
Prashant shares the journey behind his latest book My Health My Responsibility, how it evolved into the 1Step methodology, and why he believes "slow, steady, and systematic" beats quick fixes when it comes to sustainable health transformation. With a rich background spanning Silicon Valley, AI-driven solar tech, and multiple book publications, Prashant brings a multi-dimensional perspective to what it truly means to live well in the modern age.
Topics Covered:
The origin of the 1Step health philosophy
Marrying engineering logic with metabolic health
Making wellness accessible through tech and habit change
The role of personal responsibility in long-term vitality
Whether you're biohacking your health, battling burnout, or simply trying to build better habits—this episode is a must-listen.
 
Find more from Prashant here:
Social media/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prashant-karhade-6a164410/
 
More from Ricky Du Plessis / Animal-Based Dad:
Zinzino Questionnaire (personalized product recommendation):
https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/2c6d-722611668
Conquering King Stomach (my book):
Kindle (Global) / Standard Paperback (UK & USA): https://amzn.to/4hRImti
Premium paperback (International): https://amzn.to/4l5F2h3

Light Diet - Part 2: How Modern Life Is Wrecking Your Health (And What to Do About It) with Roderick Lambert

Is your lifestyle silently sabotaging your health? In this episode, Roderick and Ricky explore how modern indoor living, blue light exposure, and sunscreen overuse are contributing to a growing "light deficiency epidemic." They reveal how our natural circadian rhythms, metabolic health, and even skin resilience are being disrupted by artificial environments and digital habits.
You’ll learn:
Why natural sunlight exposure is essential for mitochondrial and hormonal health.
How blue light from screens and LEDs impacts sleep, insulin sensitivity, and mood.
The surprising truth about sunscreen, UV light, and cancer myths.
Practical strategies to optimize light exposure for better energy, immunity, and longevity.
Tools like infrared panels, light-tracking apps, and full-spectrum bulbs to biohack your environment.
Perfect for health seekers, wellness enthusiasts, and biohackers looking to reclaim their vitality by syncing with the natural light-dark cycle.
 
Links to some of data & resources upon which this discussion was based:
The impact of blue light and digital screens on the skin: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.15576
Unveiling the Hidden Dangers: The Impact of Blue Light on Skin Health and Aging: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387497437_Unveiling_the_Hidden_Dangers_The_Impact_of_Blue_Light_on_Skin_Health_and_Aging
Morning and Evening Blue-Enriched Light Exposure Alters Metabolic Function in Normal Weight Adults: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4871543/
Long-term blue light exposure impairs mitochondrial dynamics in the retina in light-induced retinal degeneration in vivo and in vitro: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1011134423000088?via%3Dihub
Immediate effect of blue-enhanced light on reproductive hormones in women: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25789589/
Evening blue‐light exposure, maternal glucose, and infant birthweight: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9489633/
Blue Light Exposure Changes Puberty Onset and Ovarian Tissue, Study in Rodents Suggests: https://sleepreviewmag.com/sleep-health/sleep-whole-body/blue-light-exposure-changes-puberty-onset-and-ovarian-tissue-study-in-rodents-suggests/
Sun Exposure and Mortality From Melanoma : https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article-abstract/97/3/195/2544082?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Beneficial Effects of Sun Exposure on Cancer Mortality: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091743583710108?via%3Dihub
How UV Light Touches the Brain and Endocrine System Through Skin, and Why: https://academic.oup.com/endo/article/159/5/1992/4931051
Increased UVA exposures and decreased cutaneous Vitamin D3 levels may be responsible for the increasing incidence of melanoma: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987708005999
Astrophysicist on Infrared Light & Life Interactions | Robert Fosbury, PhD: https://youtu.be/ZnkQSjKwH-M?si=sVBv9C4oEQ108Ouf 
 
If you would like a more comprehensive list of the research which has informed this discussion (because space within the episode description is limited), please sign up to Roderick’s mailing list via https://midlifemetabolichealth.com/profile
 
Where to find Roderick Lambert:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodericklambert/
YouTube: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodericklambert/ 
Links page: https://midlifemetabolichealth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidlifeMetabolicHealth
 
More from Ricky Du Plessis / Animal-Based Dad:
Zinzino Questionnaire (personalized product recommendation):
https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/2c6d-722611668
Conquering King Stomach (my book):
Kindle (Global) / Standard Paperback (UK & USA): https://amzn.to/4hRImti
Premium paperback (International): https://amzn.to/4l5F2h3

Episode 07: Where Metabolic Health Meets the Mat - Surf, Jiu-Jitsu & Longevity with Nick Tiscoe

In this episode, we explore the intersection of metabolic health, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and surfing with Nick Tiscoe, a second-degree black belt, lifelong surfer, and founder of North Shore BJJ in Newquay. Nick shares insights from decades on the mat and in the waves, exploring how martial arts and surf culture foster resilience, mental clarity, and high-performance living. We also discuss how he brings corporate professionals into the world of Jiu-Jitsu to build stronger, more adaptable leaders. Whether you're a health enthusiast, athlete, or curious about the lifestyle benefits of grappling and ocean energy - this one's for you.
 
Find more from Nick Tiscoe here:
Website: https://www.nsjj.co.uk/
Social media/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicktiscoe/
 
More from Ricky Du Plessis / Animal-Based Dad:
Zinzino Questionnaire (personalized product recommendation):
https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/2c6d-722611668
Conquering King Stomach (my book):
Kindle (Global) / Standard Paperback (UK & USA): https://amzn.to/4hRImti
Premium paperback (International): https://amzn.to/4l5F2h3

Light Diet - Part 1_Sunlight, Skin & Science: The Forgotten Power of Natural Light - Deep Dives with Roderick Lambert

Could your daily sunlight exposure be the missing link in your health routine?
In this illuminating episode, Ricky and Roderick dive deep into the surprising science of sunlight, exploring how natural light affects everything from melanin production and mood to immunity and mitochondrial health.
Discover the real reason vitamin D might just be a stand-in for something much bigger, and why modern artificial lighting may be sabotaging your well-being.
They also tackle hot topics like infrared therapy, the biological wisdom of skin pigmentation, and how weather patterns can subtly shift your mental and physical state.
So, whether you're basking on a terrace or buried under LEDs, this is your guide to reclaiming the light your body was built for.
 
Links to some of data & resources upon which this discussion was based:
Electromagnetic spectrum: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/electromagnetism/x4352f0cb3cc997f5:the-remaining-maxwell-s-equation-and-understanding-light/x4352f0cb3cc997f5:properties-of-em-waves/a/light-and-the-electromagnetic-spectrum 
Spectrum of visible light: https://www.blockbluelight.co.uk/pages/what-is-blue-light/?ref=RODERICKLAMBERT 
John Ott: 2 minute video on the effects of light on hyperactive children, hens and mice: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RR_AYSRI5un1jqwr7y16kt5cs6w6glXD/view?usp=share_link 
Sweden study - Nonsmokers who avoided sun exposure had a life expectancy similar to smokers in the highest sun exposure group, indicating that avoidance of sun exposure is a risk factor for death of a similar magnitude as smoking: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/joim.12496
Sunlight: time for a rethink? https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(24)00280-X/fulltext
Light stimulation of mitochondria reduces blood glucose levels: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jbio.202300521 
Sun Exposure and Its Effects on Human Health: Mechanisms through Which Sun Exposure Could Reduce the Risk of Developing Obesity and Cardiometabolic Dysfunction: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5086738/
Photobiomodulation Improves Serum Cytokine Response in Mild to Moderate COVID-19: The First Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Pilot Study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9304695/
Video: Roger Seheult, Pulmonary ICU doctor and light as therapy: https://youtu.be/2Zzo4SJopcY?si=dnSV38FB8H3DxV-e 
How UV Light Touches the Brain and Endocrine System Through Skin, and Why (how light cleaves proopiomelanocortin peptides): https://academic.oup.com/endo/article/159/5/1992/4931051
LED light for health. Video lecture, Alexander Wunsch https://vimeo.com/137681449
Opsin absorption spectra: https://www.sas.upenn.edu/%7Etareilaj/AbsorptionSpectrum.html 
Absorption and emission spectra of basic elements (video): https://youtu.be/bSI9E2Pc_jU?si=tEo8lBkP81TEGdsd&t=372 
 
If you would like a more comprehensive list of the research which has informed this discussion (because space within the episode description is limited), please sign up to Roderick’s mailing list via https://midlifemetabolichealth.com/profile
 
Roderick also has some affiliate links to help you harness the power of light and stay aligned with your Circadian Rhythms (products he uses daily):
Morning: use this full-spectrum SAD panel for a daily circadian reset: https://solshine.org/products/sol-photovites?ref=MMH10
Use code MMH10 for a 10% discount. Free global shipping. 
Daytime: maintain peak cognitive function by illuminating your workspace with this floor lamp: https://solshine.org/products/telescope?ref=MMH10
Use code MMH10 for a 10% discount. Free global shipping. 
Evening: Support your melatonin rise using this flexible light bulb in your lamps and house lighting: https://www.blockbluelight.co.uk/products/full-spectrum-light-bulb/?ref=RODERICKLAMBERT
10% discount automatically added at check-out via this link.
Choose from a wide-range of Blue Blocking glasses (including clip-ons and fit-overs for prescription specs): https://www.blockbluelight.co.uk/collections/blue-light-blocker-glasses/?ref=RODERICKLAMBERT
10% discount automatically added at check-out via this link.
Night : avoid disrupting your circadian rhythm before bed or during night time disruptions with these no-blue night lights: https://www.blockbluelight.co.uk/collections/sleep-enhancing-lighting?sort_by=manual&filter.p.m.my_fields.lighting_type=Night+Lights/?ref=RODERICKLAMBERT
10% discount automatically added at check-out via this link.
 
Where to find Roderick Lambert:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodericklambert/
YouTube: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodericklambert/ 
Links page: https://midlifemetabolichealth.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidlifeMetabolicHealth
 
More from Ricky Du Plessis / Animal-Based Dad:
Zinzino Questionnaire (personalized product recommendation):
https://forms.pabbly.com/form/share/2c6d-722611668
Conquering King Stomach (my book):
Kindle (Global) / Standard Paperback (UK & USA): https://amzn.to/4hRImti
Premium paperback (International): https://amzn.to/4l5F2h3