Live Beyond the Norms

Latest Episodes:

Ashok Gupta On Retraining Your Brain: How Neuroplasticity Can Heal Chronic Illness & Restore Your Life Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

According to neuroplasticity expert Ashok Gupta, your brain could be the key behind 70% of the chronic illnesses we're battling today, including Long COVID, chronic fatigue, autoimmune conditions, and even gut issues.

In this episode, Ashok shares how neurological patterns become stuck after illness, creating chronic inflammation and endless health issues. He reveals how your nervous and immune systems become trapped in a defensive loop, why your gut health is critical to breaking this cycle, and the powerful role meditation and breathwork play in resetting your brain.

Ashok also shares the science behind his Gupta Program, showing us why it's not just about temporarily feeling better but fundamentally retraining your brain to restore balance, overcome chronic illness, and reclaim vitality.

"Our brain doesn't care about our well-being; it cares about our survival." ~ Ashok Gupta

About Ashok Gupta:

Ashok Gupta is a renowned practitioner and researcher dedicated to helping people overcome chronic illness through brain retraining. After suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome himself, Ashok made it his mission to discover and share effective ways to reverse chronic conditions by addressing their neurological roots. Creator of the Gupta Program, he's been featured in numerous studies showing the powerful link between the brain, inflammation, and chronic health conditions.

Connect with Ashok Gupta:

- Website: https://www.guptaprogram.com

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GuptaProgram/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashok-gupta-8495a0/

Connect with Chris Burres:

- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/

- Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/

Dr. Hemal Patel On Mitochondria: The Overlooked Key to Health, Longevity & Resilience Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Most people focus on diet, exercise, and supplements, but they’re missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: mitochondrial health. According to Dr. Hemal Patel, mitochondria do a lot more than just generate energy—they dictate your resilience, longevity, and overall well-being.

In this episode, Dr. Patel breaks down why mitochondrial health is the missing link in most longevity discussions. He reveals what your mitochondria can tell you about your overall health, how stress impacts their function, and why most people unknowingly walk around in a state of mitochondrial dysfunction.

He also explains his groundbreaking mescreen test, which analyzes mitochondrial function from just a few drops of blood—opening the door to personalized insights on energy metabolism, stress resilience, and long-term health.

"Mitochondria become sort of this real conduit for how we live and survive." ~ Dr. Hemal Patel

About Dr. Hemal Patel:

Dr. Hemal Patel is a scientist, researcher, and mitochondrial expert dedicated to uncovering the deeper mechanisms behind health, aging, and resilience. His work spans from traditional research in pharmacology to groundbreaking studies on meditation, stress adaptation, and mitochondrial diagnostics. He’s at the forefront of a new way to measure and optimize mitochondrial health without invasive procedures.

Connect with Dr. Hemal Patel:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemal-patel-39594916/

- ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hemal-Patel

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hemalpatelphd/

Connect with Chris Burres:

- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/

- Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/

Zack Varkaris On Fertility & Longevity: The Science of Extending Life By 20 Years--How Reproductive Health Unlocks Vitality Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping -- just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Most longevity research overlooks the powerful connection between reproductive function and lifespan. According to Zack Varkaris, maintaining fertility longer might be the secret to gaining up to 20 extra years of vibrant health—with the research showing women who experience menopause just 5 years later than average live 11 years longer.

In this episode, Zack reveals how autologous stem cell treatments can rejuvenate ovarian function, potentially reversing menopausal symptoms and extending the reproductive window. He also introduces the concept of "Freudenspanne"—how our emotional states directly impact biological aging markers.

"If you can extend [fertility], it's much better than actually reversing infertility." ~ Zack Varkaris

About Zack Varkaris:

Zack Varkaris is the scientific director and Founder of Austin Biotec. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Molecular Biology from Heriot-Watt University. Working by the ethos that "a functional reproductive system and aesthetic maintenance is the foundation for a fully extended life," Zack is developing technologies that could extend lifespan by up to 20 years. His work focuses on stem cell therapies for ovarian rejuvenation and the connection between emotional state and biological aging.

Connect with Zack Varkaris:

- Website: https://www.austinbiotec.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbiotec

Connect with Chris Burres:

- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/

- Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/

Dr. Sachin Patel On Breathwork: The Missing Key to Health, Longevity & Performance—Why You’re Doing It All Wrong Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping, just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

You can change your diet, exercise all you want, and take the best supplements, but if your breath is out of sync, you're missing a key to unlocking your full health potential. And according to Sachin Patel, mastering your breath is one of the simplest, yet most powerful ways to transform your body, mind, and longevity.

Sachin Patel is a doctor of chiropractic, a functional medicine expert, and the founder of The Living Proof Institute. He’s dedicated to showing people that the future of healthcare isn’t in a pill—it’s in their own hands.

In this episode, Dr. Patel breaks down how improper breathing impacts everything from metabolism to immune function, and why most people are unknowingly stuck in a state of chronic stress.

He also reveals how small tweaks in your breathing can reduce anxiety, improve sleep, enhance focus, and even aid in weight loss.

“ You can't sit there and control how many times your heart is beating unless you control your breath first. So the breath is the window into the heart.” ~ Dr. Sachin Patel

About Dr. Sachin Patel:

Dr. Sachin Patel is a chiropractic doctor, functional medicine practitioner, breathwork expert, and mentor to healthcare providers. He's passionate about empowering individuals to take control of their health through natural and accessible modalities like breathwork. His work extends beyond the clinic, as he's also involved in philanthropic projects, including building a hospital and orphanage in Uganda.

Resources Mentioned:

- Book: Breath by James Nestor: https://a.co/d/ggPJKMF

Connect with Dr. Sachin Patel:

- Website: https://thelivingproofinstitute.com/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesachinpatel/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesachinpatel/

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PerfectPracticementorship

Connect with Chris Burres:

- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/

- Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/

Dr. Neil Paulvin: Gut Health, Brain Optimization & the Future of Longevity – Why More Isn’t Always Better Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Conventional health advice often pushes extremes—more supplements, more workouts, more hacks. But Dr. Neil Paulvin—osteopathic physician and longevity expert—reveals why chasing "more" sabotages your healthspan.

In this episode, he shares his own burnout journey from prescription meds to holistic healing, why gut health rules everything, and how new brain tests could prevent Alzheimer’s.

Learn why mitochondrial health trumps trendy biohacks, the dangers of microplastics, and why hyperbaric chambers and red light helmets are his go-to tools for reversing inflammation.

“More testosterone isn’t better. More supplements aren’t better. Working out seven days a week is not better than five. Everything in moderation—but do the right things in moderation.” ~ Dr. Neil Paulvin

About Dr. Neil Paulvin:

Dr. Neil Paulvin is a board-certified osteopathic physician with 15+ years of experience in integrative and regenerative medicine. A pioneer in gut-brain-heart health, he combines cutting-edge testing (think epigenetics, metabolomics) with holistic tools like acupuncture and breathwork. Featured on MSNBC, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal, he now runs a telemedicine practice where he helps patients and high performers optimize their healthspan.

Connect with Dr. Neil Paulvin:

- Website: https://doctorpaulvin.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drpaulvin/

- YouTube: www.youtube.com/@drneilpaulvin

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Drnpaulvin/

Connect with Chris Burres:

- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/

- Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/

Dr. Betty Murray: Menopause Myths, Hormone Truths & Aging Better – Why HRT Might Be Your Longevity Superpower Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Conventional wisdom about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could be shortening your healthspan. Dr. Betty Murray—researcher, functional medicine expert, and host of Menopause Mastery—shatters outdated fears around estrogen and reveals why avoiding HRT might accelerate aging.

In this episode, she dismantles the flawed science behind breast cancer scares, explains how estrogen protects your brain, bones, and metabolism, and shares why “empty egg carton” biology demands smarter hormone strategies after 40.

Learn how menopause rewires your brain, and why not replacing hormones could leave you vulnerable to dementia, weight gain, and silent heart disease.

“Every single cell in your body, except for two, has estrogen receptors. That means the loss of estrogen has a full-body impact.” ~ Dr. Betty Murray

About Dr. Betty Murray:

Dr. Betty Murray is a Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, founder of Living Well Dallas Functional Medicine Center, and a leading voice in women’s health. She’s the creator of Menopause Mastery podcast and co-founder of MENRVA, a national telemedicine platform empowering women with evidence-based hormone care. With 19+ years in clinical practice, she bridges rigorous science with actionable strategies to help women thrive through menopause and beyond.

Resources Mentioned:

- Book: Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming & Carol Tavris: https://a.co/d/4F5VCcU

Connect with Dr. Betty Murray:

- Website: https://bettymurray.com and https://quiz.hormoneshelp.com

- MENRVA: https://getmenrva.com/

- Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/menopause-mastery/id1607369247

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbettymurray

- YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MenopauseMasteryShow

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettymurray/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbettymurray

Connect with Chris Burres:

- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/

- Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/

Zane Griggs: Overtraining, Metabolic Stress & Longevity Hacks – How to Fuel Your Body for Peak Performance After 50 Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Conventional fitness advice might be aging you faster. After 25 years as a health coach, Zane Griggs—author of Kicking Ass After 50 and host of the Healthy AF | Healthy After 50 podcast—reveals why relentless fasting, low-carb diets, and intense workouts backfire as we age. In this raw conversation, he shares his own wake-up call that manifested as hormone crashes and chronic inflammation.

Learn why blood sugar spikes aren’t the enemy, how to spot “underfueling” red flags, and why longevity isn’t about biohacks—it’s about balancing stress, sleep, and smart nutrition.

“It wasn't just the workout; it was the fueling aspect that was impacting my ability to recover. Adding more carbs improved my sleep, energy, and strength gains.” ~ Zane Griggs

About Zane Griggs:

Zane Griggs is a veteran health coach, fitness expert, and the author of Kicking Ass After 50. He’s also the host of the Healthy AF | Healthy After 50 podcast, where he helps people optimize their health, fitness, and longevity using sustainable, science-backed strategies. With over two decades of experience, Zane has coached executives, high performers, and everyday people on how to stay strong, energized, and healthy at any age.

Resources Mentioned:

- Book: Kicking Ass After 50 - https://a.co/d/2HGMEEW

- Healthy AF | Healthy After 50 podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-af-healthy-after-50/id1674047351

- Free Guide: Build Muscle After 40 - https://free40plan.com

Connect with Zane Griggs:

- Website: https://zanegriggs.com

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zanegriggsfitness

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZaneGriggs

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zanegriggs/

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zanesblog/

Connect with Chris Burres:

- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/

- Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/

Dr. Robert Lufkin: Chronic Diseases, Metabolic Health, and the Lies in Modern Medicine – How to Take Back Control of Your Health Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – just leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Conventional medicine isn’t broken—it’s just missing the mark. And according to Dr. Robert Lufkin, a UCLA/USC professor turned medical maverick, the key to reversing chronic diseases lies in fixing what we’ve been taught to ignore.

In this episode, Dr. Lufkin, author of the Amazon bestseller Lies I Taught in Medical School, breaks down the real root causes of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and other modern chronic diseases—and why most of today’s medical interventions don’t actually fix the problem.

He also shares how changing when and what you eat can reverse disease and extend your lifespan.

“ The challenge, I think, is that the pills and medicine in many cases don't work long term. There is something that does work better, and it's accessible to all of us.” ~ Dr Robert Lufkin

About Dr. Robert Lufkin:

Dr. Robert Lufkin is a radiologist, former UCLA/USC professor, and author of Lies I Taught in Medical School. After reversing four chronic diseases through metabolic health strategies, he now challenges conventional medicine’s approach to obesity, diabetes, and aging.

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Lies I Taught in Medical School: https://a.co/d/4SbOfxz

Connect with Dr. Robert Lufkin:

Website: https://robertlufkinmd.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertlufkinmd/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlufkinmd/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RobertLufkinMD

Connect with Chris Burres:

- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/

- Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/

Mike Belkowski: Red Light Therapy, Methylene Blue, and the Mitochondrial Triad – The Future of Health Optimization Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

You can biohack all you want, but if your mitochondria aren’t working optimally, you’re leaving serious health benefits on the table. And according to Dr. Mike Belkowski, unlocking true longevity starts at the cellular level.

Dr. Belkowski is a physical therapist turned red light therapy expert and founder of BioLight. His mission? To help people optimize their health by focusing on mitochondrial function.

In this episode, Dr. Belkowski breaks down why your mitochondria are the key to longevity, how red light therapy works at a cellular level, and why combining light, methylene blue, and ESS60 is a game-changer for energy, brain health, and overall performance.

"If you can mitigate, prevent, or reverse mitochondrial dysfunction, you're going to be doing a lot of good things." ~ Dr. Mike Belkowski

About Dr. Mike Belkowski:

Dr. Mike Belkowski is a physical therapist, author, and founder of BioLight, a company specializing in red light therapy technology. With a background in exercise science and rehabilitation, he’s passionate about bridging the gap between traditional medicine and biohacking for better health and longevity.

Resources Mentioned:

- Book: The Ultimate Guide to Methylene Blue by Mark Sloan: https://amzn.eu/d/437FRRZ

- Book: The Red Light Therapy Guide: https://a.co/d/avgWppI

Connect with Dr. Mike Belkowski:

- Website: https://www.biolight.shop/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mikebelkowski/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebelkowski/

- Email: mike@biolight.shop

Connect with Chris Burres:

- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/

- Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myvitalc

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisburres/

Dr. Gregory Kelly: Zombie Cells, Senolytics, and the Fight Against Aging — Longevity Science Simplified Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping – leave us a review on iTunes and let us know!

Aging isn’t just about the years you accumulate—it’s about how well your body holds up along the way. According to Dr. Gregory Kelly, the key to longevity isn’t just diet and exercise—it’s eliminating the "zombie cells" that could be making you age faster than you should.

Dr. Kelly is a naturopathic physician, author, and a leading researcher on senolytics—the compounds that target senescent cells (aka zombie cells) to improve health and extend lifespan.

In this episode, Dr. Kelly shares why these "zombie cells" linger in our bodies, how they contribute to chronic inflammation, and what you can do to clear them out. He also breaks down the latest research on senolytics, the connection between cellular aging and joint pain, and why intermittent dosing could be the key to unlocking better health as you age.

"The zombie analogy is used so much because they're not alive, they're not dead, and they can create new versions of themselves that are also not alive and not dead." ~ Dr. Gregory Kelly

About Dr. Gregory Kelly:

Dr. Gregory Kelly is a naturopathic physician and lead researcher at Neurohacker Collective. He has published extensively on natural medicine, nutrition, and the science of aging. His expertise spans from engineering to Southeast Asian studies and naturopathic medicine, giving him a unique perspective on longevity and human health.

Resources Mentioned:

Qualia Senolytic: https://www.qualialife.com/livebeyond

Connect with Dr. Gregory Kelly:

- Qualia Website: https://www.qualialife.com/

- Qualia X: https://x.com/qualialifeco

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qualialife/

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/neurohacker

- Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/collective-insights/id1293899173

Connect with Chris Burres:

- Website: https://www.myvitalc.com/

- Website: http://www.livebeyondthenorms.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisburres/