Category Archives: wellness


Posted by in podcast, wellness

Podcast #344:
Tragedy, Turmoil, and Transformation

Cynthia Pasquella


Guest: Cynthia Pasquella

I was watching Thursday Night Football last night…

The broadcast opened with a motivational segment, narrated by award-wining actor Forrest Whitaker, about the undeniable facts of life — the ups and downs, triumphs and tragedies, victories and struggles.

Life is never easy, he said.

Nor would he have it any other way. Because it’s the hardships, adversities, and setbacks — the behind-the-scenes drama — that make the victories so sweet.

The struggle is not optional but requisite. Happens for us, not to us. It has the propensity to topple, teach, or transform. The choice is ours.

Mr. Whitaker’s speech could not have come at a more perfect time, as it embodied the life and times of today’s podcast guest.

If you ever met Cynthia Pasquella, you might notice her slight Southern twang, welcoming smile, or made-for-TV looks. You might wonder where you’d seen her before. And if you couldn’t quite place her, you’d certainly Google her the first chance you get.

What you’d find is a successful, passionate woman living her purpose — the bestselling author, the media personality, the public speaker and educator, the entrepreneur.

But what you’d likely never imagine is her struggle.

Behind the curtain and out of sight is the story of a deeply impoverished upbringing beset with domestic violence, sexual abuse, and interminable tragedy.

On today’s episode, Cynthia revealed her story to me (and to you) in a way that she has never told it before. Unfiltered and powerfully vulnerable.

It’s a story that could have easily toppled her, but she chose transformation. It happened for her, not to her. Life is never easy.

Click the PLAY button above to listen to the entire episode.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think!

See you next week,

Sean


Posted by in podcast, wellness

Podcast #343: Kale and Coffee.

Kevin Gianni Podcast

Guest: Kevin Gianni

I used to be so neurotic…

If that perfectly healthy vegetable wasn’t on my Metabolic Typing food list, I wouldn’t eat it. It would shift me “out of balance”.

If I forgot to bring my water bottle to the gym, I would much rather die of thirst than take a sip from the fountain. That chlorine would kill me … instantly.

If the hotel room didn’t have blackout curtains, there’s no way I could sleep.

But let’s just ignore the fact that I slept like a baby before some blogger told me that even the teeny, tiniest light exposure would “suppress my melatonin”.

I’m not saying that the Metabolic Typing Diet, avoiding trace exposures to chlorine, and keeping pitch black sleeping quarters are all ridiculously pointless ideas. Not at all.

What I am saying is that my own relentless efforts to implement every single “healthy lifestyle tip” I ever heard or read about sent me off the deep end. Totally overboard.

It wasn’t just me.

My friend Kevin Gianni, once a hugely popular raw vegan YouTuber, was suffering from a similar neurosis. Perceived to be the model of perfect health to tens of thousands of viewers, Kevin’s life behind-the-scenes was something different altogether.

He was irritable. Obsessed over his next meal. Chronically fatigued. And just no fun to be around.

As it turns out, Kevin’s supposed healthy obsession was making him ill. His tenacious pursuit to unearth the complexities of utopian health ultimately brought him back to one place…

Simplicity.

On today’s episode of Underground Wellness Radio, Kevin and I discuss his journey from raw food “renegade” to the more reasonable, realistic husband and father of two he is today.

I actually uploaded this episode last Friday and many of my iTunes subscribers have called it their favorite episode EVER. You’ll dig it.

Click the PLAY button above to listen to the entire episode.

If you want automatic downloads on the day I post new episodes, subscribe on iTunes!

And don’t forget to pick up Kevin’s book Kale and Coffee. It’s on my list of Top Books of 2015.

Enjoy!

Sean


Posted by in mind, podcast, wellness

Podcast #342:
Immovable Heart, Unstoppable Mind.

2

Guest: David Zappasodi

Even I can get caught up in this…

At times, I find myself consumed with thoughts of who and how I used to be.

The ultra-lean personal trainer who could eat anything he wanted and never gain a pound.

The guy who could crush himself in the gym for 2 hours and wake up the next day feeling like he could do it all over again.

The one who didn’t have to warm up and stretch for 30 minutes just to keep from injuring himself in the weight room.

Though I know darn well that the 20-something version of me — the always-at-the-gym trainer who surely walked at least 25,000 steps a day — is long gone, I still sometimes wonder if I can ever get that body back.

It’s as if my brain is in the business of fooling me into believing that a set of shredded, six-pack-abs will bring more joy into my life. That I can be happier and more fulfilled one day if I get what had back then.

But living in the past to get somewhere in the future only serves omits the now.


Posted by in kitchen, podcast, wellness

Podcast #341:
Critics, Controversy, and Paleo Cooking. (Plus, a Rant)

Pete Evans

Guest: Chef Pete Evans

Here goes…

I’ve been on quite the Facebook tear these past couple days, airing my thoughts about where my head is at right now.

I think somewhere during my 6-week hiatus from the podcast this summer, I started questioning the way I had been doing things … wondering if the podcast and newsletter were doing more harm than good.

It kinda reminds me of way back in 2011 when I got fed up with foodie bloggers beefing with other foodie bloggers and I wrote this blog post about Just Eating Real Food.

Does being healthy really have to be this complicated?

Should we just accept every charismatic health expert’s word as gospel and shut out all opposing views?

Is letting someone else decide what’s right for you and me really the path we want to take?

Or might we be better off considering all sides, listening to our own bodies and intuitions, and deciding what makes sense for who we are and where we are in our lives.

This morning, I posted the following to Facebook:


Posted by in podcast, wellness

Podcast #340:
Dr. Tom O’Bryan Responds to The Gluten Lie.

Dr. Tom O'Bryan

Guest: Dr. Tom O’Bryan

This one is by popular demand.

A few weeks ago, my podcast interview with Alan Levinovitz, author of The Gluten Lie, caused quite a stir.

If you missed it, here’s the link.

Due to a few controversial statements made during the show, my inbox nearly blew up with requests for a rebuttal episode with Dr. Tom O’Bryan, host of The Gluten Summit.

Dr. Tom was more than happy to give his take on The Gluten Lie. In fact, he was FIRED UP!

Hear EVERYTHING he had to say in today’s episode of Underground Wellness Radio.

Click the PLAY button at the top of this post to listen to the entire episode.

By the way, if you’re a health practitioner, you’ll learn about next Tuesday’s FREE “Autoimmune Intervention” webinar with Dr. Tom and me.

Episode #340 is brought to you by our brand new sponsor, Thrive Market.

I’ve been looking for a show sponsor for almost 7 years and could never find a good fit. Watering down the show with unnecessary ads just to make a buck was never my thing.

And that’s why I’m happy I could gain a sponsorship from a business that I actually use. Thrive is like the Costco for real food and non-toxic products. It’s 100% online and lets you save up to 50% off what you pay at the retail stores.

I don’t know about you, but saving money on food is pretty much awesome. 🙂

Listen to today’s episode and find out how you can win a $1000 shopping spree and/or a free membership from Thrive.

Happy Friday!

Sean