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“Compassion is the most important form of strength.”
Mike Mahler
When we ponder health, we tend to think about things like diet and exercise.
Overlooked in this conversation is the primacy of hormone regulation. Chemical messengers that control almost all biological functions — from hunger to mood and everything in between — hormones play a massive role in overall well-being. When properly balanced, we function at our best. But should they fall out of whack, we become susceptible to everything we endeavor to avoid: weight gain, depression, poor energy, impaired sleep and a litany of chronic lifestyle diseases to name just a few.
So let’s stop overlooking this critical aspect of wellness.
Today’s maestro for all things hormonal is Mike Mahler — a human specimen of strength and power whose personal expertise in hormone optimization was catalyzed by an acute health crisis he struggled mightily to solve.
Perhaps best known as one of the leading experts on effective kettlebell training for size, strength, fat loss and conditioning, Mike is a renown strength coach with a specialization in hormone optimization via nutrition, training, supplements, and lifestyle. He is the author of a variety of best-selling kettlebell training e-books and DVDs. He teaches popular kettlebell workshops globally and is a regular contributor to publications like Muscle & Fitness, Men’s Fitness, and Testosterone Magazine (yes, this is actually a thing). And he has been featured in Muscle & Fitness, Men’s Fitness UK, and CBS News.
In addition, Mike is the host of the Live Life Aggresively podcast and the author of Live Life Aggressively! What Self-Help Gurus Should Be Telling You*.
Refreshing for his raw honesty and no B.S. style, Mike developed a deep interest in hormone health after a serious bout with pneumonia and chronic stress left his immune system debilitated. Solutions to his malady eluded him until he pulled focus on correcting his hormonal imbalances — a journey that provoked a passion for preaching the importance of understanding the crucial role our internal regulators play in order to live truly well and perform at our peak potential.
This is conversation about that journey.
We nerd out on the specifics, which hormones do what and why, and how regulatory imbalances can lead to everything from obesity to exhaustion.
We talk intermittent fasting; effective training techniques; how to avoid over-training; and the importance of restoration, stress reduction and sleep.
We cover this interest and role in the growing kettlebell revolution; the importance of functional strength and mobility; and his every-day rituals.
We discuss Mike’s interest in combating human trafficking and his support of Project Child Save, a non-profit devoted to locating and recovering children kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery.
And we explore his vegan journey, why he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve, the importance of leading by example.
But more than anything, this is a conversation about what it means to live live aggressively — and why compassion is the ultimate strength.
Chocked full of great information, Mike was awesome. I sincerely hope you enjoy the exchange as much as I enjoyed having it.
And make sure to break out that pen and paper — you’re going to want to take notes.
Peace + Plants,
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Show Notes
Check out Mike’s book: Live Life Aggressively! What Self Help Gurus Should Be Telling You*
Background, Context & Reference
- Connect with Mike: Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
- Mike’s Podcast: Live Life Aggressively | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher
- Human Trafficking Non-Proft: Project Child Save
- T Nation: Articles by Mike Mahler
- Boby Building: Articles by Mike Mahler
- Muscle & Strength: Articles by Mike Mahler
- Breaking Muscle: Articles by Mike Mahler
- Breaking Muscle: 12 Reps With Mike Mahler, Kettlebell Coach
- Viva La Vegan! – Interview with Mike Mahler: Vegan Strength Trainer
- Psychology Today: The Real Strength of Mike Mahler | How Sense of Purpose and Goal Setting Lead to Fitness by Michael Friedman Ph.D.
- Nutrition Facts: The Risks of Fish Oil Supplements by Michael Greger M.D
- Health Center: TrueNorth
- Mediation app: Holosync: meditation brainwave training for relaxation
- Film: Antwone Fisher*
Notable People Discussed
- Ty Ritter: U.S. Marine, Vietnam veteran, professional bodyguard and founder of Project Child Save
- Nimai Delgado: professional Men’s Physique bodybuilder, vegan athlete and podcast guest
- Mac Danzig: mixed martial artist, who competed as a lightweight in several MMA promotions, most notably the UFC and podcast guest
- Marc Ching: animal rights activist, founder of Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, a non-profit devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of dogs abused and often tortured at the hands of the Asian dog meat trade and podcast guest
- Michael Greger, M.D.: Physician, Speaker, and NY Times bestselling author & founder of NutritionFacts.org and (2x) podcast guest
- Valter Longo, PhD: Professor in Gerontology & Biological Science, Director of the USC Longevity Institute and podcast guest
- Garth Davis: Plant-based bariatric surgeon & author of Proteinaholic*and podcast guest
- Neal Barnard:American doctor, author, founding president of PCRM and podcast guest
- Gene Baur: founder of Farm Sanctuary, author, animal rights activist and podcast guest
- Tim Shieff: Professional English Freerunner, 2009 Barclaycard World Freerun Champ and podcast guest
- John Joseph: punk rock signer for Bloodclot / Cro-Mags and multi-episode podcast guest
- Harley Flannagan: musician, writer and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. He is one of the founders of New York Hardcore band Cro-Mags
- Mark Gordon: Medical Director of Millennium Health Centers, Inc.in Encino, CA and consultant to the Medical Board of California in Endocrinology, Internal Medicine, and Alternative Medicine
- Thich Nhat Hanh: 90-year old Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist
- Ori Hofmekler: inventor and uuthor of The Warrior Diet*
- Satchin Panda PhD: Professor at Salk Institute. Author of the book, The Circadian Code*
- Carl Lanore: founder and host of popular internet show Super Human Radio
- Joe Rogan: stand-up comedian, color commentator, podcast host, and retired martial artist
- Louie Simmons: powerlifter and strength coach. He is noted for developing the Westside Barbell method of training and applying it to powerlifting
- Brian Peskin: world-leading scientist specializing in parent EFAs — termed PEOs — and their direct relationship to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and wound care (both traumatic and chronic).
- Chris Kresser: health detective specializing in investigative medicine, blogger, podcaster, teacher and a Paleo diet and lifestyle enthusiast
- Nick Delgado: Health and nutrition expert, public speaker and proponent of life extension
- Dr. Thomas Incledon, PhD: as been recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in the areas of human health and athletic performance. He is the founder and CEO of Causenta Wellness, a cutting-edge wellness and cancer treatment center in Scottsdale, Arizona.
- Charles Poliquin: Canadian strength coach and author of eight books
- Johann Hari: award-winning investigative journalist and author of Lost Connections*
- Rumi: was a 13th-century Persian Sunni Muslim poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic
- Mark Duplass: film director, film producer, actor, musician, screenwriter, and author
- Ben Shapiro: Conservative political commentator, writer, and lawyer.
- Robb Wolf: former research biochemist, health expert and author
Related Podcasts You Might Enjoy
- RRP #385: Pro Bodybuilder Nimai Delgado On Vegan Gains, Training Pains & Changing The Game
- RRP #45: MMA Fighter Mac Danzig – Athletic Prowess on a Plant-Based Diet
- RRP #209: Rhonda Patrick, PhD On Longevity, Epigenetics & Microbiome Health
- RRP #370: How To Be Well: Frank Lipman, MD On The Keys To A Happy & Healthy Life
- RRP #319: Living In Alignment With Nature — Colin Hudon On Holistic Health, Seasonal Rhythms & The Interconnectedness Of All
- RRP #54: Matt Frazier: The No Meat Athlete On How He Runs On Plants
- RRP #219:How To Sleep Smarter With Shawn Stevenson
Thanks to Jason Camiolo for audio engineering, production, show notes and interstitial music; graphics by Margo Lubin and Blake Curtis. Theme music by Ana Leimma.
*Disclosure: Books and products denoted with an asterisk are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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