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Every day, microscopic plastic particles accumulate in our bodies—through the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we consume—concentrating in our brains at surprising rates.
But what if exploring this reality could also transform our understanding of exercise, health, and longevity?
My guest today is Dr. Rhonda Patrick, a pioneering scientist and founder of FoundMyFitness who has revolutionized our understanding of human performance and environmental health. After earning her Ph.D. in Biomedical Science and completing post-doctoral work in Nutritional Biochemistry, she’s dedicated her career to exploring the connections between micronutrient deficiencies, aging, and longevity. Her ability to distill complex research into actionable insights has made her one of the most respected voices in health optimization.
This exchange is long overdue—I’ve been following Rhonda since we first connected nine years ago, and it’s been remarkable to witness her evolution in this field.
Today, we dive into new discoveries about movement and brain function. Coming from an endurance background, I’d always viewed lactate as a waste product to be flushed from our systems. Learning about its vital role in brain function and athletic performance shifted my understanding of high-intensity versus steady-state training entirely.
“I studied nutrition, I thought it was the most important thing. But I now realize it’s exercise.”
– DR. RHONDA PATRICK
Our dialogue covers everything from groundbreaking science to sobering environmental concerns. As we explore the microplastics crisis further, I can’t help but feel that we’re conducting a massive experiment on ourselves, the results of which won’t be clear for generations to come.
The questions keep mounting: How do we even know what’s happening in our bodies? How can we protect ourselves and our families?
Things get personal as I examine my own kitchen’s plastic footprint. Rhonda’s wisdom? We can’t control everything, but we must know when to be fastidious, particularly during sensitive life stages.
We also discover how exercise can match—or outperform—prescription drugs for certain conditions, from pre-diabetes to depression. A powerful reminder that often the best solutions are already within our reach.
For those who prefer a visual experience, the conversation is available on YouTube. As always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
These insights serve everyone—athletes optimizing performance, parents protecting their families, and anyone seeking science-backed longevity strategies. All crucial tools for thriving in our modern world.
Peace + Plants,
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- Connect with Dr. Rhonda Patrick: Facebook | Instagram | X
- FoundMyFitness: About
- YouTube: FoundMyFitness
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Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for audio engineering, production, show notes and interstitial music; with additional audio engineering by Cale Curtis and additional music by Moby; Dan Drake & Morgan McCrae for video, & editing; graphics by graphics by Alejandro Ribadeneira & Bryan Lawrence; portraits by Davy Greenberg; copywriting by Ben Pryor; and theme music by Tyler Piatt, Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.
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