Live Beyond the Norms

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

*Disclaimer*

The content shared in this podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice of any kind, nor does it include any specific claims or guarantees. The views expressed are based on personal experiences, research, and individual perspectives, and are meant to inspire and inform listeners on topics related to wellness, lifestyle, and personal development.

We strongly encourage all listeners to consult with a qualified professional or licensed expert before making any decisions related to health, finances, or other sensitive areas of life. Thank you for tuning in—and for taking proactive steps toward a more informed, intentional life.

Why Your Brain Triggers Panic Before You Know What's Wrong | Dr. Nicole Cain Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

Why would evolution give us something as terrifying as a panic attack? Couldn't be for no reason, right? The fear response that once helped our ancestors escape predators is still hard at work, even when there's no obvious danger.

Our brains want to keep us happy, sure. However, they're a lot more concerned with keeping us safe than satisfied. Dr. Nicole Cain joins me to explain how fear becomes a learned response and why panic can strike before we even understand what's triggered it.

This is a short excerpt from a previous episode, where Nicole and I had a much broader conversation about anxiety and mental health. Listen to the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNiWLirepE0

“Your brain isn't concerned about your well-being. It's concerned about your safety.” ~ Dr. Nicole Cain

We appreciate everyone who takes the time to review Live Beyond the Norms. Post your review on iTunes and Spotify, let us know, and we'll thank you with 50% off MCT oil and free shipping. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Resources Mentioned:

Little Albert Experiment - https://www.simplypsychology.org/little-albert.html

The Serotonin Theory of Depression: A Systematic Umbrella Review of the Evidence (2022) - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0

About Dr. Nicole Cain:

Dr. Nicole Cain is a naturopathic physician, EMDR-trained psychotherapist, and author specializing in anxiety, panic disorders, and trauma. With a master's degree in clinical psychology and a background in integrative medicine, she combines conventional psychological approaches with holistic treatments to address the underlying causes of mental health challenges. She is the author of Panic Proof: The New Holistic Solution to End Your Anxiety Forever and founder of the Holistic Wellness Collective. Her work has been featured in Psychology Today, Forbes, and Health, and she hosts the Holistic Inner Balance podcast.

Connect with Dr. Nicole Cain:

- Website: https://drnicolecain.com/

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

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

Connect with Chris Burres:

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

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

*Disclaimer*

Can Your Mind Reverse Chronic Pain in Minutes? | Brandy Gillmore Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Imagine waiting months for a clinical trial that could give you your life back, only to hear a doctor say they don't expect you to recover.

That's what happened to my guest, Brandy Gillmore. After a car accident and a serious fall, she spent years battling severe chronic pain, struggling to walk, and searching for treatments that might help. When the clinical trial failed to bring relief, one question about the placebo effect sent her in an entirely new direction.

Today, Brandy teaches others how to identify and change emotional patterns that she believes influence physical health. We talk about her remarkable recovery, why positive thinking alone wasn't enough, and how she uses thermal imaging to demonstrate changes in pain.

“We are so much more amazing than we realize.” ~ Brandy Gillmore

Love the show? Review us on iTunes and Spotify, tell us when it's done, and claim 50% off MCT oil with free shipping. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Resources Mentioned:

Master Your Mind and Energy to Heal Your Body, book by Brandy Gillmore - https://brandygillmore.com/master-your-mind-book/

Heal Yourself. Change Your Life, podcast hosted by Brandy Gillmore - https://brandygillmore.com/podcast-episodes/

Brandy Gillmore's TEDx Talk, Could This Be the Missing Link to Your Health? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dEbqRYqY_0

About Brandy Gillmore:

Brandy Gillmore is a TEDx speaker, author, and host of the Heal Yourself. Change Your Life podcast. After years of debilitating chronic pain following a car accident and a fall, she began researching the placebo effect and the relationship between emotions and physical health. Her personal recovery inspired her to develop the GIFT method, an approach focused on identifying and changing emotional patterns. She is also the author of Master Your Mind and Energy to Heal Your Body, in which she shares her experiences and mind-body healing techniques.

Connect with Brandy Gillmore:

- Website: https://brandygillmore.com/

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

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

Connect with Chris Burres:

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

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

*Disclaimer*

26 Surprising Pleasures Linked to a Longer, Healthier Life | Dr. Patrick Quillin Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

Ice baths, prolonged fasting, extreme diets, and uncomfortable biohacking routines. You don't want to do these things. No one does. And you know what? You don't have to.

Chocolate, laughter, sunshine, vacations, and spending time with friends sound much better. And surprisingly, these simple pleasures may help you live longer. There's even research to support some of their health benefits.

Dr. Patrick Quillin joins me to discuss his latest book, The Pleasure Advantage, and why enjoying life deserves a place in the longevity conversation. We explore the science behind everyday pleasures, the importance of belonging, and why staying healthy doesn't have to feel like punishment.

“There's two main urges in the human mind, and that's to seek pleasure and to avoid discomfort.” ~ Dr. Patrick Quillin

Resources Mentioned:

- The Pleasure Advantage by Dr. Patrick Quillin https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8FTDGFQ

- Beating Cancer with Nutrition by Dr. Patrick Quillin https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735234702

- 12 Keys to a Healthier Cancer Patient by Dr. Patrick Quillin https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578564297

- Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price https://www.amazon.com/dp/0916764206

- The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3Y7J6PN

- Harvard Study of Adult Development: https://www.robertwaldinger.com/harvard-study/

About Dr. Patrick Quillin:

Dr. Patrick Quillin, PhD, is a clinical nutrition expert, author, and educator with more than 45 years of experience in nutrition and health. He served as Vice President of Nutrition at Cancer Treatment Centers of America for 10 years and has written 21 books, selling over two million copies. His bestselling book, Beating Cancer with Nutrition, focuses on the role of nutrition in supporting cancer patients. His latest book, The Pleasure Advantage, explores how enjoyable activities, social connections, and everyday habits can contribute to a healthier, longer life.

Connect with Dr. Patrick Quillin:

- Website: https://patrickquillin.com/

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

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-patrick-quillin-phd-rd-cns-9ba37b10/

Connect with Chris Burres:

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

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

*Disclaimer*

Living Longer Means Nothing If You Spend Your Final Years Sick | Dr. Bob Rakowski Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Human life expectancy has increased dramatically over the past century. In the United States, the average has risen from roughly 47 years in 1900 to around 77–78 years today.

We can thank advances in medicine, sanitation, and public health for much of that progress. But what's the point of living longer if you spend your final years struggling with illness or disability?

My guest, Dr. Bob Rakowski, believes those final years don't have to be defined by poor health. In fact, he argues that the best way to protect your independence starts decades earlier, with the habits you practice every day.

We discuss why sleep, strength training, and real food deserve more attention than biohacks, and how his Magnificent Seven approach can help us work toward a longer, healthier life.
“You don't want to spend the end of your life suffering.” ~ Dr. Bob Rakowski

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Bob Rakowski's Magnificent Book Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HDLN8VJN

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1982137274

The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1401902162

Biomarkers by William J. Evans and Irwin H. Rosenberg: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0671685473

Dr. Bob Rakowski's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DrBobRakowskiTV

About Dr. Bob Rakowski:

Dr. Bob Rakowski is a Houston-based chiropractor, board-certified kinesiologist, certified clinical nutritionist, author, and international speaker. For more than 30 years, he has lectured on nutrition, natural medicine, human performance, and healthy aging. His work spans professional athletes and patients managing chronic health conditions, with an emphasis on improving long-term health through daily habits. Drawing on his background in electrical engineering, Dr. Bob developed his Magnificent Seven framework and authored the Magnificent book series.

Connect with Dr. Bob Rakowski:

- Website: https://drbobrakowski.com/

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

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bob-rakowski/

Connect with Chris Burres:

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

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

*Disclaimer*

Meet the Intermittent Fasting Expert Who Stopped Fasting | Cynthia Thurlow Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

What happens when someone who built her career around intermittent fasting decides to stop doing it? That's one of the questions I explore with Cynthia Thurlow, a nurse practitioner, bestselling author, and women's health expert whose TEDx talk on fasting has reached nearly 16 million views.

Cynthia's own experience with midlife changes has reshaped her approach to health. She now prioritizes building muscle over losing weight, keeps her fasting windows shorter, and challenges the advice women are often given when their usual diet and exercise routines stop working.

We also discuss hormone replacement therapy, the connection between menopause and gut health, and why women may need to rethink their habits as they get older. Cynthia shares what she's learned about protecting strength, maintaining independence, and making informed decisions about aging well.
“The things that allowed us to be successful in our teens, 20s, and 30s become maladaptive in menopause.” ~ Cynthia Thurlow

Enjoying Live Beyond the Norms? Leave us a review on iTunes and Spotify, let us know, and we'll thank you with 50% off MCT oil and free shipping! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Resources Mentioned:

Intermittent Fasting Transformation: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/intermittent-fasting-transformation

The Menopause Gut: https://www.cynthiathurlow.com/the-menopause-gut

Intermittent Fasting: Transformational Technique (TEDx Talk): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6Dkt7zyImk

Real Food for Kids: https://www.realfoodforkids.org/

About Cynthia Thurlow:

Cynthia Thurlow is a nurse practitioner, bestselling author, international speaker, and host of the Everyday Wellness podcast. With nearly 30 years of experience in healthcare, including emergency medicine and cardiology, she now focuses on helping women navigate perimenopause, menopause, and metabolic health. Her TEDx talk, Intermittent Fasting: Transformational Technique, has reached nearly 16 million views. She is also the author of Intermittent Fasting Transformation and The Menopause Gut, which explore the roles of nutrition, hormones, and gut health in healthy aging.

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow:

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

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

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-thurlow

Connect with Chris Burres:

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

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

*Disclaimer*

What If Some Diabetic Nerve Damage Isn’t Irreversible? | Dr. Stephen Barrett Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Every 20 seconds somewhere in the world, a person with diabetes loses a limb to amputation. For many, the path to that point begins with diabetic neuropathy. Sensation in the feet fades, so injuries can go unnoticed long enough to become ulcers.

Some of that lost sensation may not be as irreversible as patients are often told.

Podiatric and peripheral nerve surgeon Dr. Stephen Barrett argues that diabetes can cause nerves to swell and become compressed. He believes that relieving the pressure can restore sensation and function in some patients.

Dr. Stephen and I talk about how this happens and what nerve decompression could mean for people with diabetes. We also get into the patient whose foot moved again after five years.

“It's always easier to prevent a problem than to try to reverse a problem.” ~ Dr. Stephen Barrett

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping—just leave us a review on iTunes and Spotify and let us know! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Resources Mentioned:

U.S. Neuropathy Centers - https://usneuropathycenters.com/

The Pod of Inquiry - https://podofinquiry.com/

Some Nerve: New Hope for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - https://podofinquiry.com/2025/12/some-nerve-hope-for-patients-diabetic-peripheral-neuropathy/

About Dr. Stephen Barrett:

Dr. Stephen Barrett is a podiatric and peripheral nerve surgeon with decades of experience treating foot, ankle, and nerve conditions. He holds patents for endoscopic surgical procedures and has trained more than 6,000 surgeons worldwide. He has published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and co-authored a textbook on neurosensory testing. Dr. Barrett is board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and has served as president of the Association of Extremity Nerve Surgeons.

Connect with Dr. Stephen Barrett:

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

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-barrett-92776a51/

Connect with Chris Burres:

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

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

*Disclaimer*

You Can’t Supplement Your Way Out of a Toxic Lifestyle | Tim James Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Americans love their supplements. After all, they spend up to $70 billion per year on supplements, according to some estimates. But supplements can only do so much if your lifestyle keeps exposing you to the things that are affecting your health in the first place.

Chemical Free Body founder Tim James believes supplements have their place, but reducing that exposure has to be part of the equation. We talk about chemicals in everyday products, how stress affects the body, and why he starts some people with greens when they barely have the energy to make other changes.

This is only part of our conversation. To listen to the entire episode, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTULXv5i5F4
“You gotta stop putting in what was causing the problem in the first place.” ~ Tim James

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping. Leave us a review on iTunes and Spotify and let us know! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Resources Mentioned:

Global Healing - https://globalhealing.com/

Dr. Bryan Ardis - https://thedrardisshow.com/

Focused Life-Force Energy (FLFE) - https://www.flfe.net/

About Tim James:

Tim James is the founder of Chemical Free Body, a health coach, speaker, and supplement formulator. At 37, the former athlete and financial advisor was 42 pounds overweight and dealing with severe digestive issues, eczema, and chronic fatigue. His health journey eventually took him to the Hippocrates Health Institute and led him to leave the financial industry behind. He has since spent more than 15 years focused on nutrition, detoxification, and reducing everyday chemical exposure, while developing products through Chemical Free Body.

Connect with Tim James:

- Website: https://chemicalfreebody.com/

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

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-james-cfb/

Connect with Chris Burres:

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

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

*Disclaimer*

Could Your Body Be Rejuvenated at 60, 80, or Even 100? | Aubrey de Grey Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

The rise in human life expectancy is one of medicine’s biggest achievements. In 1950, the global average was just over 46 years. Today, it has passed 73. But living longer has also given us more time to accumulate the cellular damage behind many diseases of later life.

That brings me to my guest, Aubrey de Grey. A biomedical gerontologist and creator of SENS, Aubrey sees accumulated damage as something future medicine could repair again and again, potentially pushing biological decline further into the future.

Aubrey and I discuss his work with mice, the possibility of rejuvenating people later in life, and his idea of longevity escape velocity, where advances in medicine keep buying us enough time to benefit from whatever comes next.
“I don't work on immortality. I don't work on longevity. I work on health.” ~ Aubrey de Grey

Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping—just leave us a review on iTunes and Spotify and let us know! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Resources Mentioned:

Ending Aging: The Rejuvenation Breakthroughs That Could Reverse Human Aging in Our Lifetime - https://www.amazon.com/Ending-Aging-Rejuvenation-Breakthroughs-Lifetime/dp/0312367074

The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Aging - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20021368/

Healthspan XPRIZE - https://www.xprize.org/prizes/healthspan

About Aubrey de Grey:

Aubrey de Grey, PhD, is a biomedical gerontologist and President and Chief Science Officer of the LEV Foundation. He developed the Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS), an approach to combating aging by repairing the cellular and molecular damage that accumulates over time. He is the co-author of Ending Aging and previously co-founded both the Methuselah Foundation and SENS Research Foundation. His work has made him one of the most prominent advocates for rejuvenation biotechnology and extending healthy human lifespan.

Connect with Aubrey de Grey:

- Website: https://www.levf.org/

- X: https://x.com/aubreydegrey

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubrey-de-grey-24260b/

Connect with Chris Burres:

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

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

*Disclaimer*

Chris Has a 50% Artery Blockage and This Toxin Test May Explain Why | Dr. Gregory Burzynski Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

You can feel healthy, stay on top of your numbers, and still have something serious developing beneath the surface. I know because many of my standard markers looked good when I learned I had a 50% blockage in my widowmaker artery.

I wanted to know what else could be contributing to it. Preventive health and longevity physician Dr. Gregory Burzynski joins me to review my Toxin Zoomer results and put the findings into perspective. What showed up has me taking a closer look at the toxins I’m exposed to every day and what they could mean for my heart.
Support the show and get 50% off MCT oil with free shipping—just leave us a review on iTunes and Spotify and let us know! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-beyond-the-norms/id1714886566

Resources Mentioned:

Vibrant Wellness Toxin Zoomer - https://vibrant-wellness.com/tests/toxin-zoomer

Boston Heart Fatty Acid Balance Test - https://bostonheartdiagnostics.com/test/boston-heart-fatty-acid-balance-test/

RAADfest - https://www.raadfest.com/

Previous Episode With Dr. Burzynski: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-KBxljOhhE

About Dr. Gregory Burzynski:

Dr. Gregory Burzynski is a board-certified internal medicine physician and the founder and CEO of Houston Concierge Medicine. He earned his degree in neurobiology from the University of Texas at Austin before studying medicine at Jagiellonian University Medical College and completing his internal medicine residency through UT Southwestern. He also trained in integrative and functional medicine through the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

Connect with Dr. Gregory Burzynski:

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

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

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

Connect with Chris Burres:

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