66: Is Your Relationship Holding You Back from Better Health?

When you commit to improving your health — whether it’s through diet, exercise, or lifestyle changes — you often find yourself at odds with the people closest to you. For example, when I made the switch to paleo over a decade ago, it put a serious strain on my relationship with my wife. I cut out entire food groups overnight, convinced it was the best way forward for our health. But without explaining my reasons or considering her perspective, it nearly pushed us to the brink.

In this episode of the Primal Shift Podcast, I sit down with relationship coach Bates to discuss the often-overlooked impact that health and lifestyle changes can have on relationships. Bates shares similar stories from his clients and his own life, revealing how making drastic changes (even with the best of intentions) can create unexpected friction with those you love. 

During our conversation, we talk about the importance of setting boundaries, how being overly accommodating to your partner can lead to a buildup of resentment, and why it’s critical that you refrain from imposing your beliefs on the people around you. 

Whether you’re dealing with disagreements over food choices with a partner, managing family expectations, or struggling to maintain your health goals amid social pressures, this episode is filled with practical tips and insights on how to navigate those tensions while staying true to your values. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the intersection of health and relationships and how to maintain balance in both.

In this episode:

00:00 - Intro

03:40 - Health goals vs. relationship friction

06:00 - Personal story: Paleo diet and relationship challenges

07:45 - How over-agreeableness can damage relationships

10:00 - Navigating family dynamics when lifestyles clash

12:55 - How setting boundaries strengthens relationships

15:00 - Men and women filling the same roles in modern relationships

17:00 - Balancing career, health, and relationship priorities

22:00 - The challenge of dating while health-conscious

28:00 - Why experimentation leads to truth in health choices

34:20 - Flexibility vs. rigidity in relationships

40:00 - Wrap-up and final thoughts

53:17 - Next episode’s preview

Learn more:

Episode #59: Paleo, Keto, Carnivore [Navigating Dietary Changes as a Family]: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/59-paleo-keto-carnivore-navigating-dietary-changes-as-a-family/

Episode #31: From Vegan to Carnivore: A Deep Dive into Diet and Lifestyle with Bates: https://www.primalshiftpodcast.com/from-vegan-to-carnivore-a-deep-dive-into-diet-and-lifestyle-with-bates/

How to Live a Healthy Lifestyle (8 Core Principles): https://michaelkummer.com/healthy-lifestyle-guide/

Use the code YOUTUBE10 to get 10% off your order of Grass-Fed Beef Liver supplements at https://shop.michaelkummer.com

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, Peluva!

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To learn more about why I love Peluva barefoot shoes, check out my in-depth review and use code KUMMER to get 15% off your first pair.

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