Max, @animalbasedlifestyle, is blue belt in BJJ, but has been at it for almost a decade. We talk about how training modalities and gyms have changed over the years and with our age. Moreover, we talk about the misinformation and intentional misleading messages in the media, from the clothes and magazines we're being sold to the (more insidious) pharmaceutical and food industries. Max talks about his transition from a very unhealthy lifestyle, to plant-based efforts, and eventually sticking with an animal-based lifestyle (as his handle implies).

What is "greenwashing"?  Simply put, it's using fictitious, misleading, or vague claims to exaggerate the environmental and / or health benefits of a product, services, or company.  In other words, lying.  In many cases the goal of greenwashing isn't to sell you a "cleaner" or better product, it's to sell you (on the belief that the company is making efforts towards your and the planet's health).  I cover several big name companies who have settled litigation from greenwashing, though I'm sure they were aware of the financial risks prior, as well as resources for you to DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH when it comes to fluffy, feel-good language, and third party testing -- be that in food, cosmetics, or cleaning products.

As promised, here's my full-length review of the the response article I wrote addressing the recent buzz about Vitamin A toxicity. The short version is that there are many confounding variables in the research (such as grain and soy consumption, "fortified" cereal / grains, un/healthy user biases, cows vs. polar bears, supplements vs. whole foods, etc.). My biggest contention with the podcast that spurred a lot of this is that the speaker specifically stated that he's "not (excluding Vitamin A) for his health, but to prove a point." Vegans are trying to prove a point. Ancel Keys and Harvey Kellogg were trying to prove points. We need to be able to separate our feelings from facts and not conflate "questioning the status quo" with dramatical click-bait and other appeals to emotion.

Maya (@meat.your.potential) and I continue our discussion about the negative impact of western nutritional advice on indigenous tribes (specifically regarding overfeeding and undernourishment) similarly recreating the dietetic crisis of our "civilized" world. We also talk about research hierarchies and being able to examine things at a micro and macro level. Of course, we talk a bit about Vitamin D, cholesterol, and sunburn risks as well. Lastly, we discuss the "science" of behavior change and how our brains and bodies have been hijacked by artificially enhanced sources (e.g. "artificial flavors", 24/7 "news" streams, 24/7 "social" media, etc...).

This week's episode features Australian carnivore and archaeologist Maya (@meat.your.potential). We talk about her negative experiences with vegetarianism and the food pyramid as a child including the absence of nutritional considerations in psychiatry. We briefly discuss the recent Vitamin A buzz that's been going around. We cover, as well, the evolutionary inconsistencies of ancient tubers and modern fruits / vegetables as well as the unsustainability of gathering (without hunting). Most interestingly we talk at length about post WWII agriculture and the negative effects of "modern" society on indigenous tribes such as the Hadza and Aborigines.

Luis (@lriv214) and I continue our conversation about nutrition misconceptions that have been embedded in American culture as well as the failed paradigms that our government is married to (e.g. "a calorie is a calorie", "eat less, move more", etc.).  We also talk about Luis's performance changes on high vs. low carb eating habits and dive into a few different sleep protocols (which of course include an animal-based diet).  Lastly, we talk about balancing complicated work schedules with family and children in addition to "The Land of Opportunity."

Luis (@lriv214), is a BJJ brown belt and we talk about our experiences starting MMA in the "middle ages" with plenty of sketchy promotions, concussions, and Fight Club garage gyms.  Of course, we also talk about how his nutrition has changed regarding cutting weight, but also differences and conflicts with cultural origins and family members caused by eating habits and "modernized" western influences.  Lastly we rap about the education system in the US as well as what to and when to feed kids "treats."

As Mother's Day approaches I present this short mini-pod reflecting on a case that illustrates that complexity and sometimes venom in our family relationships; including the symbolic relationship of supervisor and supervisee.  As the expression goes, you should count the wrinkles and scars on a man's face; because those are where decisions were made.  Sometimes we're all to noble in spite of ourselves.

Christy (@healing_carnivore) and I continue discussing her carnivore journey and get right into talking about women and lifting weights in addition to the ailments of grain (and carbohydrate) heavy diets. We also discuss some resources for and the importance of regenerative agriculture nutritionally and ecologically. Lastly we cover some nuanced, but highly important topics like the benefits, yes benefits of salt and what's in your tap water.