The Dean of Stanford Medical School on How AI Is Shaping The Future of Health Precision

This episode is a geeky deep dive into the hardcore science behind everything from telomeres and the mechanisms behind aging and longevity to the primacy of maintaining microbiome health; oxidative stress and the relationship between inflammation and chronic disease; epigenetics and genetic disposition versus expression; and of course nutrition – divining truth from myth, the impact of micronutrient inadequacies, focused supplementation and the difference between eating for optimal wellness versus performance. Today's guide through this byzantine labyrinth of crucial biological processes is my brilliant friend Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D. A Ph.D in biomedical sciences, Dr. Patrick is an expert in nutrition, metabolism and aging. She has done considerable research in all of these fields, including research on cancer and the effects of mineral and vitamin supplementation on metabolism, inflammation and aging. She did her graduate research at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, where she focused on cancer, mitochondrial metabolism and apoptosis. In addition, she conducts clinical trials and has performed extensive aging research at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Beyond the fact that Rhonda is whip smart (and totally amazing), through her Found My Fitness blog,podcast and YouTube channel, she expertly translates the complexities of clinical research and physiological processes in understandable terms, adeptly communicates their implications and provides actionable real life practices and applications aimed at maximizing overall health and longevity. It's time to put on the propellor hat and get out your pen and paper, because you're going to want to take notes for this one. We cover a ton of material in this conversation. Specific topics include: * identifying the biomarkers of aging * the biological impact of oxidative stressors * acute inflammation vs. chronic inflammation * why we should forget about protein and focus on fiber * the importance of cultivating a healthy microbiome * the leading causes of chronic inflammation * the benefits of exercise-induced inflammation * the benefits of curcumin * stress adaptation and immune system response * why Omega-3 is important & how to get it * circadian rhythm and bright light exposure * stress reduction techniques * the benefits of meditation * DNA damage and telomerase * the importance of Vitamin D * Rhonda's recommended supplements * gene polymorphisms * nutrition/lifestyle & athletic performance vs. long-term wellness/longevity Rhonda fascinates me and this conversation is an absolute mind-blower. I sincerely hope you enjoy our exchange. Peace + Plants, Rich

18 Jan 20162h 21min

Technically this is another episode of Ask Me Anything. But this week we don't actually answer listener questions. This week we riff. This is a conversation about embracing the journey of becoming more of who you truly are. It's about the commitment to evolve into your most authentic expression. It's about the beauty and power of living an uncompromising, expansive, creative existence. There was a man who exemplified this ethos like no other. A man who never compromised. A man who expressed his creative truth with every fiber of his being, all the way down to his final breath. That man is the singular David Bowie. May you rest in peace, Ziggy Stardust. Today we reflect back on a remarkable life. From his example we mine the path to unlocking your own personal truth. And we weave our way back to one immutable truth — all roads to personal growth lead back to your commitment to you. As a related aside, and in case you missed it, enjoy this short movie about my recent visit to Beirut, Lebanon to run the marathon. I didn't run for time. I ran for peace. An experience that uplifted me, then broke my heart. That's what travel does — it breeds empathy. 2016 is all about video for me. So if you enjoyed this little movie, subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I'll be uploading a new video every week, so lots of cool stuff soon to come. For fun daily videos on my morning routines, nutrition, training, podcast behind the scenes and random musings, add me (iamrichroll) on Snapchat! In any event, enjoy the conversation. Peace + Plants, Rich

14 Jan 20161h 8min

As I write this entry, it's Sunday evening, January 10 around 8pm. Less than one hour ago, after days spent slogging across Antarctic desert in -30 celsius temperatures, 30-year old pro triathlete turned mountaineering adventure athlete Colin O'Brady reached the South Pole — the first stop on his world record quest to become the youngest and fastest human to ever complete the Explorers Grand Slam — an adventurers challenge to summit the highest mountain on each of the seven continents as well as trek to both the North and South Poles. Only 44 people in documented history have successfully completed the challenge. Of these, only 2 have done it under a year. Colin's goal? Get it done in five months. If that's not amazing enough, consider that just eight years ago, Colin faced the very real possibility he would never walk again. After graduating from Yale in 2006, Colin left to explore the world on a backpacking trip. While in Thailand, he suffered a tragic accident and was severely burned in a fire. His injuries covered nearly 25% of his body, causing potentially irrevocable damage to his legs and feet. Determined to beat the odds, he set a seemingly outlandish goal to not just walk again, but to complete a triathlon following his recovery. Colin didn't just finish a triathlon. In his first attempt he won — stunning the multisport community with an overall amateur title at the prestigious 2009 Chicago Triathlon less than two years post-accident and after only a few months of training. On the day immediately following his victory, Colin turned pro, quit his job as a commodities trader, hopped a flight to Australia and spent the next five years representing the United States in triathlon competitions all over the world with a keen eye on landing an Olympic berth. Insane. And yet despite his amazing success, Colin sensed something missing from his life. He wanted more. A compulsion to more deeply explore uncertainty and precariousness that fatefully gave birth to the expedition he calls BEYOND 7/2. His inspiration isn't fame, but pure adventure, buttressed by a conviction to land a blow to childhood obesity by raising $1 million on behalf of the Alliance For A Healthier Generation, a non-profit founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation dedicated to helping kids to develop healthy habits. From his hippie upbringing to life at Yale, organic farming on Kauai, and the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual fortitude required to succeed in his world record attempt, this is an incredibly inspiring conversation with a young man courageously embracing fear to meet his absolute limits in search of meaning, place and giving back. We cover a lot of ground in today's confab, including: * Explorers Grand Slam history * the logistics behind Beyond 7/2 * how to manage fear, risk & unknowns * the difference between poles vs. peaks * climate change impact on the North Pole * the desire to combat childhood obesity * Colin's tragedy in Thailand * Colin's remarkable recovery * Colin's Olympic dream * the discipline of swimming as a springboard * lessons learned from world champions * physical/mental preparation * Colin's daily meditation routine Enjoy! Rich

11 Jan 20162h 18min

Today my good friend Khalil Rafati returns to the podcast. Most would call Khalil a successful wellness entrepreneur. SunLife Organics, his growing chain of organic juice bar cafés, can be seen popping up all over Southern California with more on the horizon. But it wasn't that long ago that the only thing Khalil was successful at was getting high in the dark underbelly of the City of Angels. Addicted to shooting heroin and smoking crack, Khalil was soon overtaken by paranoia and psychosis and written off by friends and family. When he finally hit bottom, Khalil was 33 years old and 109 pounds, a convicted felon, high school dropout, and homeless junkie living in a cardboard box on the infamous Skid Row in downtown L.A. At the time, Khalil was hell bent on dying. But God, the Universe or whatever you want to call it had different plans. He didn't just live — he repaired his life wholesale. A miracle of sobriety. Miracle. So how does someone with nothing, who feels like they deserve nothing, and who just wants to end it all turn their life around? Khalil’s story is nothing short of astounding, trumped only by his ability to tell it. So if you missed his first appearance on the show, listen up here. Today he drops by the podcast studio to pick up where we left off — a tale recently canonized in his recently released memoir I Forgot To Die* — an incredible true story of pain, suffering, addiction and redemption and how one man ultimately conquered his demons and wrote himself a new life story. So let's hear all about it. I sincerely hope you enjoy this conversation with one of my favorite people. Peace + Plants, Rich

4 Jan 20162h 22min

Welcome to Part II of our third annual Best of the RRP Anthology series. If you haven’t already, I suggest listening to The Best of 2015 — Part I first. This is a compendium of some of my favorite conversations of 2015. It's our way of saying thanks, giving back, expressing gratitude and catapulting you into the new year with the information and inspiration required to make 2016 your best year yet. I appreciate you. Here’s to an absolutely extraordinary 2016. Enjoy the listen. Peace + Plants, Rich

29 Des 20151h 55min

This is the time of year to pause. It's the time of year for reflection. For gratitude. And for giving back. So let's do all those things. Welcome to the third annual Best of the RRP Anthology — our way of taking a moment to reflect on the year, express gratitude and give thanks for taking this journey with us. I pride myself on bringing a wide variety of personalities, opinions and attitudes to the show. When I look back over 2015, it's amazing how many incredibly dynamic conversations and perspectives I was honored to share. Second listens brought new insights. Another reminder that this show is a gift that just keeps giving. For long-time listeners, this and the following episode will bring certain insights back into the forefront of your consciousness as you contemplate your new year's trajectory. If you're new to the show, then these episodes will definitely inspire you to peruse the catalog and listen in full to some of the guests and or episodes you may have missed. Links to the full episodes excerpted in this anthology are enumerated below. What a stunning year. Thank you. I appreciate you. Here's to an extraordinary 2016 — the year we manifest our greatest dreams into reality. Join me, and let's do this thing together. Peace + Plants, Rich

28 Des 20152h 7min

Perhaps you know today’s guest from one of her 25+ roles on the silver screen appearing in movies like Titanic, Fandango and The Usual Suspects. Or maybe you know her as the better half of the world’s most successful film director, James Cameron – the incomparable mind behind the biggest cinematic blockbusters of all time: Aliens, Terminator, Titanic and of course Avatar – the highest grossing movie ever. But Suzy Amis Cameron is so much more than all that. In addition to raising five kids, she is a pioneering environmental activist. A passionate philanthropist. An education innovator. And the maverick co-founder (along with her sister Rebecca) of MUSE. Grabbing international headlines last year when it became the first U.S. school to implement a 100% plant-based school lunch program, MUSE is an incredibly progressive, paradigm breaking K-12 institution devoted to sustainability; creative & critical thinking; and preparing young people to live consciously within themselves, one another and the planet. A pretty great vision if you ask me. A living example of selfless advocacy in action, for the last 25 years Suzy has tirelessly dedicated herself to an array of environmental causes, working non-stop to reform education; combat global climate change; raze our execrable system of animal agriculture; overhaul our fatal addiction to the standard American diet; defeat chronic lifestyle disease; and engineer a better, healthier food system for all. Towards this end, in 2014 James and Suzy founded Food Choice Taskforce, a non-profit organization targeting the impact of animal agriculture on climate change to mobilize a global shift in food choice. She is also a founder of Food Forest Organics, a New Zealand-based plant-based cafe and marketplace, and Red Carpet Green Dress, showcasing socially and environmentally responsible fashions. This is a great conversation about her extraordinary life. It’s a conversation about the intricate, intertwined relationship between our actions and the biosphere. It’s about championing sustainable values – from what we do, to what we wear, to how we teach our children, to the food we eat. It's about how our consumer choices impact our personal health and the current and future health of this spinning blue globe we call home. And of course, it’s about what it’s like to be married to Hollywood’s most successful director. Specific topics covered include: * the impact of ‘Forks Over Knives’ * environmental concerns and advocacy * animal agriculture as the center of all health issues * health sector and environmentalist summit * Chatham House research on agriculture & environment * communicating with the average person the powers of a plant-based diet * bringing about hope by changing what’s on our plate * the importance of support systems * MUSE School & MUSE Global * educating the community on the plant-based lifestyle * sustainability pledge & One Meal A Day * our youth, the global champions of tomorrow * typical day in the life of the Cameron’s * sustainable fashion * future projects to catalyze change Suzy stirs me to do and be better. Listen in, and be equally inspired. Peace + Plants, Rich

21 Des 20151h 52min

Today's guest isn’t famous. He hasn’t written a book. He's not an in demand speaker. But I can almost promise that you have seen Trampas Thompson — you just didn’t know it. Working behind the scenes, Trampas is a Hollywood stuntmen extraordinaire, collecting blockbuster credits performing a dizzying array of delicious, death-defying acts in some of the world's most popular movies and television shows. Trampas has run the streets on fire, sword battled with Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and most recently doubled Michael Keaton in Birdman. Yes, that was Trampas, not Michael, who lept off a New York Theatre District rooftop in the most memorable scene from last year's Oscar winning best picture. His credits are impressive: The Dark Knight Rises, National Treasure, 21 Jump Street, Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, The Wolf of Wall Street, and on and on. But what drew me to Trampas as a great fit for the podcast actually has very little to do with his work. Far more fascinating? Who he is. What kind of person becomes a stuntman? God broke the mold with this guy. Larger than life, Trampas is one-of-a-kind. A renaissance man living life full throttle 24/7. The kind of guy who survived a skydiving accident when his parachute didn’t open, then jumped again. A person unapologetically himself, incapable of doing anything half-assed and utterly fearless. This is another epic, thoroughly entertaining 3-hour conversation with a truly singular human about living life on one’s own terms. It's about dragonfly tattoos, synchronicity, Burning Man and the never ending spiritual quest to grow and expand consciousness. It's about what it means to hand-wring the adventure out of life. I sincerely hope you enjoy this conversation with one of my favorite people. Peace + Plants, Rich

17 Des 20153h 14min