Abel James Show

Can praying over your food change the way you eat? This show with Nick Polizzi will turn your idea of alternative healing on its head. In the heart of the Amazon, “alternative” medicine healing ceremonies can produce baffling results (even for skeptics of the Western World like me). Nick Polizzi is the director of the documentary, The Sacred Science. His work explores holistic alternatives to conventional medicine. His most recent film is The Sacred Science, which follows a group of terminally ill patients who searched for healing in the Amazon jungle.

Why do we eat when we’re not hungry? Today we’re here with Andrew Miles, award-winning doctor of oriental medicine, whose work connects traditional Chinese medicine, Western science, and the future of healing. Andrew Miles specializes in treating chronic pain, opiate dependence, and gut health. He has received awards from the Chinese and Taiwanese governments for the preservation of and contribution to Chinese martial arts and medicine. Andrew's wife holds a PhD in herbal pharmacology and together they work to bridge the gap between Chinese culture and the Anglo-sphere through “botanical biohacking.” On this show, you’re going to learn: Why so many of us overeat The importance of balancing your gut microbiome How herbs fit into the future of medicine Why Jägermeister is healthier than Diet Coke, and more!

We're here this week with one of our show-listeners, 18 year-old Joshua Weissman. Joshua is the foodie behind the delicious Paleo recipes at the blog "Slim Palate," and after taking control of his health in his mid-teens and loosing 100lbs, Joshua is quickly becoming one of the leaders in the Paleo movement. I am very excited to say that my team & I are working on fully redesigning the blog with TONS of new content to come. Brand new videos, recipe ebooks, and fat loss and fitness resources, there's a bunch of awesome stuff coming along soon! If you'd like to get these bonuses before anybody else, be sure to enter your email below to get on the email list and I'll send those right over. [ois skin="Postage"] On today’s show with Joshua, you will learn: The secret to sticking to your nutrition plan and dodging junk food. How our children are still being taught the wrong information in health class. Why Joshua’s “nutritionist” gave no advice about nutrition. Why chubby kids are the new normal (and what to do about it). Why quitting soda is so dang hard. And how this incredible young man is changing the world with real food and cooking. People knew me as the food hipster. They saw it as taboo "Ooo that guy's so cool, he eats so healthy!" Click to Tweet! Show notes: Connect with Joshua here: Slim Palate | The Slim Palate Paleo Cookbook | On Facebook | On Twitter

Can a tomato change a child’s life? “Yes,” says artist and designer Ron Finley, also known as the Gangsta Gardener. Ron lives in South Central Los Angeles and quips that it’s “home of drive-thrus and drive-bys.” But Ron wanted to change that. A few years ago, Ron planted a curbside garden in the strip of soil in front of his house in LA. The city tried to shut it down. So Ron accidentally started a revolution and changed the game of urban gardening. Now he’s teaching others to grow real food in urban landscapes and it’s transforming “food deserts” into “food forests”... one garden at a time.

You may know Max Lugavere as host of Al Gore’s Emmy-nominated “Current TV.” Max has a brand-new documentary in the works—Bread Head which explores the effects of diet on brain health and degenerative disease. The choices you make at the kitchen table now have a marked impact on how you think, how you age, and your risk of mental dysfunction in the future. Don’t miss this one!

Dr. Perlmutter is a board-certified neurologist and fellow of the American College of Nutrition specializing in preventative medicine. He has contributed extensively to medical literature, with publications in the Journal of Neurosurgery, Journal of Applied Nutrition, and Archives of Neurology. You may have seen him on Oprah, Larry King, Dr. Oz, or the Today Show. I've been told he never leaves home without fresh avocados and sockeye salmon in the can. He even plays a mean guitar, ladies and gentlemen! Coming up on the show, you'll learn: How food changes your genetic code The effect of food on Alzheimer’s disease The science of gratitude and health What sugar does to your brain And what to do every day to maintain health as you age

Yasmina Ykelenstam worked as a journalist for CNN and BBC, diving right into combat zones and even getting shot at in a helicopter. But we're talking about the other thing that almost killed her - her diet. Learn about the hidden epidemic of histamine intolerance...

On this week’s show with Dr. Andrew Saul, The MegaVitamin Man, you’ll learn how to take your health into your own hands with inexpensive, readily available, and easy-to-use vitamins.

We’re on the show today with Dr. Amy Myers, MD, New York Times bestselling author of The Autoimmune Solution and a leader in Functional Medicine. On this show, we dig into the causes, prevention, and healing of autoimmune issues that you might not even realize you have—but suffer with every day!

Drew Manning, author of bestseller Fit2Fat2Fit is on the Fat-Burning Man show to share his incredible experience gaining 75 pounds of flab in 6 months and then dropping it all. And you’ll hear about Drew’s recent experiments with ketosis and intermittent fasting.

This week, we’re here with Dr. Robynne Chutkan, a leading expert in the world of gut health and one of the most recognizable gastroenterologists working in America. She has a B.S. from Yale and an M.D. from Columbia, and teaches in the gastroenterology department at Georgetown University Hospital.

Once upon a time, our guest, Barry Friedman, was addicted to sugar, too. He kept his blood sugar in check with a Snickers-a-day. Today, Barry Friedman is the bestselling author of “I Love Me More Than Sugar,” and he’s joining me on the show to talk about slaying your sugar monster.

Our guest today is my friend and functional medicine practitioner, Dr. Justin Marchegiani. He experienced the shortcomings of conventional medicine first hand, beginning with his career in the surgical ward assisting with limb amputations. He knew there had to be a better way. As a functional medicine practitioner, Dr. Justin works with a wide variety of patients, all the way from athletes trying to increase their performance and heal from injuries, to everyday people with chronic health challenges. Using a holistic approach, Dr. Justin addresses core underlying barriers to health, which allows his patients to heal faster and feel better.

Today we pull back the curtain on the fit life of the rich and famous. Actors, models, athletes, and those who need to make weight for their job have a few tricks up their sleeves. On this show with celebrity fitness and nutrition coach, Kyle Brown, we’ll peek into the Hollywood and elite training circles to explore doping, water-loading, and how pros really prepare for the camera.

Today we’re here with a master fermentationist, avid outdoorswoman, and good friend, Summer Bock. You’re going to learn how to upgrade your gut health with probiotics, how to properly complete a cleanse, and I’ll even share a few tips to help you with your New Year’s Resolutions.

This is a very special episode of the show with Kurt Morgan, the 47-year old grandpa who transformed into a fat-burning beast in front of our eyes on ABC’s My Diet Is Better Than Yours by dropping a total of 87 pounds in just 14 weeks. He also dropped an astounding 22% percentage points of body fat.

What happens when a doctor brings his guitar into the chemo room? My guest this week sings in the cancer ward on a regular basis, and his patients absolutely love it. Dr. Steven Eisenberg, the "Singing Oncologist," is co-founder of California's largest medical oncology practice, and he uses the power of music to help his patients heal.

Today we have a special throwback episode with my good friend and bestselling Paleo author and Crossfit beast, George Bryant. He’s a former marine who struggled with weight and an eating disorder for twelve years before turning to the kitchen for salvation. Learning to cook saved his life, and transformed him in a powerful way. He co-authored an incredible New York Times bestselling Paleo cookbook—The Paleo Kitchen—and is passionate about the transformative power of preparing and sharing food with the people you love.

Do you ever feel like you’re “too busy” to make health a priority? Welcome to the club. While we might know how to eat right and exercise, why is it so dang hard to actually DO it? Today we’re here with Sarah Fragoso, the bestselling author of 6 books, world-traveler, and mother of 3 who might have the answer.

On this show with Marc David, you’re about to learn why the “calories in, calories out” model of weight loss is wrong, and how your thoughts impact your nutritional metabolism. As a psychology and brain science geek myself, Marc and I get deep into the mental game on this episode. I think you’re going to dig it.

Today's episode is with my good friend, UJ Ramdas, the co-creator of the Five Minute Journal. The 5-Minute Journal has been getting a lot of buzz from our friend and fellow podcaster Tim Ferriss - stay tuned for a new episode with Tim coming soon! On this show, we’ll share little changes you can make in your life that add up to massive long-term results. My kind of dude. You’ll like him, too.

You don’t need the gym to get fit. Music to your ears? It should be. All you need is to step outside and right into your “earth gym.” No fancy equipment required. Fitness trainer and holistic wellness advocate Chelsey Luger teaches the indigenous traditions that once kept tribal people in optimal health… but which have been replaced by packaged foods and cheap beer over the last century.

Today we have a special throwback episode with Dr. John Berardi PhD, CSCS, one of North America’s most popular and respected authorities on fitness and nutrition. He’s a Co-Founder of Precision Nutrition, which has coached more than 20,000 people across the world. In the last Olympics, John’s students collected over 30 medals—15 of them gold! But he doesn’t JUST coach extreme athletes. He helps regular people reach their goals by using a surprising approach. On this show, you’re going to learn the pros and cons of intermittent fasting as a fat loss strategy, how to use multivitamins, and much more.

We’re here this week with Loretta Breuning, PhD, founder of the Inner Mammal Institute and author of Meet Your Happy Chemicals: Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, & Endorphin. Do you ever feel like there’s a wild animal lurking somewhere inside you? If you’ve ever been derailed by your inner monkey, this show is for you. You'll learn how to quite bad habits and reprogram negative thought patterns, why we're always thinking about food, and tons more.

What does practicing medicine have in common with being a ninja warrior? As an emergency room doctor, our guest today is an expert in dealing with high-pressure situations. Dr. Noah Kaufman, the Ninjadoc, stars on the hit TV show "American Ninja Warrior." He’s an avid rock climber of over 25 years and holds a black belt in karate. He's going to tell us what it's like to compete on the world's hardest obstacle courses—and how regular people can get off the couch and start climbing, too.

You get by with a little help from your friends. Returning to the show is long-time listener Kenny Stanford, cofounder of Grit Fitness down the road here in Texas. Kenny reimagined the gym as a place where friends help friends, and grown-ups get to have recess. Started on a shoestring budget, Kenny built his thriving business in just a few months with a surprising and unconventional approach to fitness.

When Kat and Brent Pence started The Wild Diet and joined Tribe a little over a year ago, they didn’t know quite what to expect. But just 12 months after watching our TV show on ABC, a few crazy things have happened. Kat has shed 40 pounds, and Brent is down 47. But here’s the crazy part… they shed 80+ pounds as a couple “without really working out”! Sounds wacky, but you’re about to learn why focusing on food and lifestyle can work so well. We’ve been chatting in the Fat-Burning Tribe facebook group for nearly a year, but on today’s show we’re meeting for the first time.

Can burpees actually boost your mood? Science is now telling us that exercise can be a better healing therapy for depression than prescription medication. As a dude who has been prescribed anti-depressant medication by my doctor “to help me sleep” in the past, I can tell you that I'm a heck of a lot happier when I'm exercising than when I'm medicating. The reason that a lot of these natural cures don't really get out there is because there isn't a whole lot of money in telling people to go for a walk to help them with their depression. There is a lot of money in patents, trademarks, branding and getting products out there that people can consume over and over again. But if you just go for a walk, there isn't really anyone else who's benefiting directly from that, certainly not monetarily, except for you. So lace up those old tennis shoes and get those endorphins flowing because exercise isn't about how you look, it's about how you feel. And I can definitely attest to that. Our guest on this episode is Amy Clover, founder of Strong Inside Out.

Ever wonder how celebrities and their trainers work out in real life? Back on the show this week is my friend, coach and ABC TV Co-Star, Jay Cardiello. Jay has coached pro athletes in the NFL and MLB... and he’s also trained A-List celebs including Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Seacrest and 50 Cent (no big deal). Today he's here to show us how we can get physically fit by working with our minds.

What happens when a comedian writes a cookbook? Anna Vocino is a voice-over talent and stand-up comedian who also happens to be a celiac and cookbook author. She co-hosts the hilarious Fitness Confidential podcast with Vinnie Tortorich, and has voiced hundreds of commercials, cartoons, movies, promos, radio stations and video games, which is a super cool day job to support her passion of food blogging and cookbook authoring. Her new cookbook and Amazon best seller, with a lovely title, "Eat Happy," features easy-to-make comfort food, free from added sugars and grains. Anna also cooks for a husband, a tiny dog, and by far the most terrifying, a teenage daughter.

Do you ever wonder what modern processed food is doing to kids? While childhood obesity and Type II diabetes are running rampant, the answer to that question is usually a bummer. But you’re about to hear from a remarkable 9 year old who I met at a book signing last spring who made me feel a heck of a lot better. This fourth-grader not only read all the way through my book, The Wild Diet, but also shared a story I won’t forget. I know how unexciting vegetables can be… especially, when you’re in fourth grade. But what if you found out that eating clean made you better at sports… and school?

Do you ever feel like the healthcare system is working against you? How much do you pay for prescription meds? What about health insurance and doctor’s bills? Even my health insurance provider is cancelling my insurance when they pulled out of Texas next month... so I’d better not get sick. Health care is a weird scene at best, and a misnomer at worst. Another good excuse to eat your vegetables ladies and gentlemen. But never fear, today's guest, mega-bestselling author and cardiologist, Dr. William Davis, is here to help us figure it all out. If you’ve been listening to Fat-Burning Man since the beginning, Dr. Davis is no stranger to you. You may remember him from the mega-bestseller Wheat Belly, the last time he was on this show a few years ago. Listen up, the doc holds no punches in this one.

Do you ever feel like the healthcare system is working against you? How much do you pay for prescription meds? What about health insurance and doctor’s bills? Even my health insurance provider is cancelling my insurance when they pulled out of Texas next month... so I’d better not get sick. Health care is a weird scene at best, and a misnomer at worst. Another good excuse to eat your vegetables ladies and gentlemen. But never fear, today's guest, mega-bestselling author and cardiologist, Dr. William Davis, is here to help us figure it all out. If you’ve been listening to Fat-Burning Man since the beginning, Dr. Davis is no stranger to you. You may remember him from the mega-bestseller Wheat Belly, the last time he was on this show a few years ago. Listen up, the doc holds no punches in this one.

Did you know that many marathon runners actually gain weight?? Celeb trainer and bestselling author Vinnie Tortorich, will give us a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on in Hollywood. Vinnie is a celebrity trainer, podcaster, speaker, cancer survivor, and author of Fitness Confidential. His “no sugar, no grains” program has rocked the internet and beyond. Vinnie and Anna Vocino, his co-host and fellow comedian, invited me on their podcast to spill the beans about ayahuasca and plant medicine (don’t miss that one). Vinnie is a OG trainer and coach for+ 30 years, training Hollywood comedians and celebrities like Howie Mandel, playmates, captains of industry, ultra-athletes, Ironman triathletes, and even pregnant moms. On the show, you’ll learn: Why Vinnie doesn’t want to be like “The Artist Formerly Known As Prince” How to sell your books and make a movie What to eat on the road (even when you forget your cooler) The difference between “bro-science” and real science And the truth behind the Twinkie defense…

When’s the last time you doodled just for fun? There are surprising benefits to getting your creative juices flowing, and today we’re here with returning guest, Dr. Srini Pillay, to dig into the inner workings of the mind and how to use tinkering to improve all areas of your life. Dr. Srini Pillay graduated at the top of his class in medical school in South Africa and has been dazzling minds ever since. He's an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, CEO of NeuroBusiness Group and also an award-winning author. I even hear he's writing a screenplay, maybe a musical, and dabbling in a bunch of other things. His wonderful new book has perhaps the best title of all time, Tinker, Dabble, Doodle, Try. We're about to teach you how to upgrade your brain, health, and performance by having more fun.

It's strange but true: Tommie Whitaker has lost 108 pounds in just 13 months... without exercise. Instead, he's rocking out in the kitchen and fueling with real food from The Wild Diet. When this Atascocita high school teacher watched our ABC TV Show in February of 2016, and he thought The Wild Diet "sounded pretty good." Bacon burgers, fresh produce, sweet potatoes, homemade pies, and hearty feasts in the evening. After Tommie watched Kurt Morgan drop 87 pounds in 14 weeks with The Wild Diet on ABC, he was ready. Tommie, his wife and son doubled-down on the Wild lifestyle. Now, just over a year later, he’s down 108 pounds and counting! He might just break the Wild weight loss record - he blew me away 70+ pounds ago! Tommie is an inspiration, always eager to pay it forward and help others with their own transformation.

Recent research in epigenetics shows that eating the wrong food for you can turn disease-promoting genes on. The good news is that when you get on the right plan, many serious conditions can be reversed. We’re here today with a remarkable woman and friend, Dr. Terry Wahls. She teaches others how to heal conditions commonly considered to be untreatable with cutting-edge science and a healthy dollop of good old common sense. Dr. Terry Wahls is a Functional Medicine Practitioner, Clinical Researcher, and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Iowa. Though she is widely respected as a leader at the forefront of functional medicine and health, what sets Dr. Wahls apart is her experience using nutrition and lifestyle interventions to treat progressive health problems, to heal her own multiple sclerosis, and later, that of others. Within a year of beginning her Wahls Protocol, Dr. Wahls went from a zero gravity wheelchair to completing an 18-mile bike tour without drugs or surgery.

“Betcha can’t eat just one!” If you’ve ever been caught elbow-deep in a bag of Fritos, you’re not alone. Why are we hungry all the time? And why is it impossible to stop eating? Because Big Food hires legions of brain scientists, chemists, and marketers getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to keep you addicted. The good news is that you can use the same concepts - evolutionary biology, food chemistry and psychology—to stop yourself from falling into the potato chip trap (or donuts, or ice cream, or soda).

It’s ironic. We’re overloaded with “health and fitness” technology, but our collective health is worse than ever. In a world replete with Fitbits, Apple watches, and other gimmicky gadgets, most of these self-trackers don’t do much to actually improve our behavior. Today, you’ll learn why that’s about to change. Matt Riemann is a social entrepreneur in personalized health. Like Fat-Burning Man, he’s harnessing cutting-edge technology to change the health trajectory of the human race. I dig it.

True story: the world of health supplements is an unmitigated disaster. Scams, hucksters, and frauds are the norm in the supplement business. My guest this week will teach you to spot the difference between the real thing and a well-marketed, pricey placebo in a bottle. I met Jeff Chilton’s son Skye on a wilderness survival trip in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Jeff’s family business creates high-quality, scientifically tested organic mushroom extracts. Today he’ll be talking about how medicinal mushrooms can improve your health and performance.

Is it possible to cook great meals in minutes? Yes indeed, says our friend and best-selling cookbook author, Melissa Joulwan. Her latest book, Well Fed Weeknights: Complete Paleo Meals in 45 Minutes or Less, shows busy people like us how to make crazy-delicious meals without losing our minds in the kitchen.

Our guest this week is Dr. John Gray, author of the mega-bestseller Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. He literally wrote the textbook for my wife Alyson’s communication class in college. His new book, Beyond Mars and Venus, shows how women can get back in touch with their feminine side and actually boost a man's testosterone levels. In today's episode of the show, John will tell us how we can bring passion back to our relationships by restoring our hormonal balance.

Could going without food for 2-3 days actually improve your performance? Dr. Kelly Starrett is the author of the New York Times bestseller Becoming a Supple Leopard and creator of MobilityWOD. He travels the world teaching elite Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard forces; athletes from the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB; and world-ranked strength and power athletes. He consults with Olympic teams and universities and is a featured speaker at strength and conditioning conferences worldwide.

Returning to Fat-Burning Man this week is my running mentor and creator of the ChiRunning phenomenon, Danny Dreyer. As he explains it, you’ll learn “how to run without your legs” and harness the principles of Tai Chi to increase your running efficiency, endurance and speed. Even if you “hate running,” there’s a special section of this show for YOU, so make sure to listen in.

Have you heard all the rage about bone broth? From Gwyneth Paltrow to Kobe Bryant, big time celebs are hopping on the broth train. Not to mention, our guest this week helped Dwight Howard conquer sugar addiction. You’re about to learn how. Dr. Cate Shanahan is a board-certified family physician and bona fide smartypants. She trained in biochemistry and genetics at Cornell before attending Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. For 10 years she practiced medicine in Hawaii, where she studied ethnobotany and the culinary habits of her healthiest patients. She runs a metabolic health clinic in Denver, Colorado, and serves as the director of the Los Angeles Lakers PRO Nutrition Program.

Today we’re here with returning guest, fellow podcaster and New York Times Bestselling Author, Tim Ferriss, to deconstruct the most transformative habits you can learn from the top-performers in the world. We’ll share wisdom from Arnold “The Governator” Schwarzenegger, our mutual mentor Derek Sivers, Richard Branson, and other modern-day renaissance men and women who might just blow your mind. Coming up on the show, you’ll learn: The surprising traits of the top 1% in any field How to make a healthy habit stick this new year The curious reason Tim wore the same jeans and t-shirt for a week straight The power of cultivating empty space Who to trust in a world of phonies and blowhards And even how to save your marriage...

Rich Roll is a fellow podcaster, author, and endurance athlete who is 100% powered by a plant-based diet. How do you fuel elite performance in endurance athletics exclusively on plants? On this special throwback episode with Rich, you’ll learn: How to stick to your nutrition plan when you're eating out What alcoholism can teach us about food addiction Why we're obsessed with bacon How to kick unhealthy habits And much more...

This week we have a fan-favorite throwback episode with retired Navy SEAL commander and New York Times bestselling author, Mark Divine. Mark takes his deep training and expertise as a Navy SEAL and applies it to business, mental toughness, and living a better life. Mark served nine years on active duty in the Navy SEALs, and eleven years as a Reserve SEAL. He now runs SEALFIT, an incredible program that pumps out superhumans like nobody's business. In this show, you’ll learn: The one critical difference between a master and a thug How to do yoga if you're a guy Where a millionaire Navy SEAL gets his knowledge today Why Star Trek: The Next Generation rocks

This week’s guest is a fellow podcaster, myth-buster, and wellness warrior, Chris Kresser. Chris is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Paleo Cure and host of the Revolution Health Radio podcast. For a man so freakishly knowledgeable about health, Chris’s non-dogmatic, balanced approach to wellness is refreshing. Case in point: last time I saw him in person here in Austin, we were chowing on grass-fed ice cream. And it was delicious. Ever wonder if you can eat cheese and still be Paleo? Maybe you feel better eating fruit than super low-carb. Is that okay? Listen up, because we’re talking about: The top 5 myths in fat loss, health, and longevity Why science tells us a different story than the media Why even if 50 million people say a foolish thing, it's still a foolish thing Why it’s okay to eat ice cream sometimes Why cavemen died young, and much more!

Most of us are “getting old” too soon and settling for far less energy and vitality than we deserve. Through instinct, animals stay lean and vital in the wild despite eating as they please whenever food is available. With a bit of practice, you can do the same. In this interview, you’ll learn how to tweak your lifestyle and habits to make your Wild genes thrive. Gray Graham has been an international consultant and teacher in the field of clinical nutrition for twenty years. In 2001, Gray founded the Nutritional Therapy Association, which has gone on to certify over 1,400 nutritional therapist practitioners. Gray is also the lead author of the book Pottenger's Prophecy, and an expert in epigenetics.