Holistic Savage Podcast

Metabolic Solutions
  • 4.2 (18)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Functional Medicine, Fitness, and Wellness Podcast

  1. FEB 11

    66: How Stored Trauma Rewires Your Biology, The Three-Level Healing Framework + The Inflammation-Trauma Feedback Loop | Dr. Aimie Apigian

    Hey Functional Friends! This week I'm sitting down with Dr. Aimie Apigian — trauma expert, surgeon-turned-functional medicine doctor, and author of the bestselling book The Biology of Trauma — for what might be the most profound conversation about trauma and healing I've ever had. Aimie shares her deeply personal journey of trauma, to her own health collapse that led her to completely reimagine what trauma actually is and how it lives in our body. We go deep into the critical distinction between stress responses and trauma responses, why most people stop at safety when healing requires readiness, and how trauma creates a three-level lock (psychological, somatic, and biological) that keeps us stuck in chronic illness patterns. Aimie drops absolute truth bombs about why feeling our feelings is terrifying, how disconnection is actually a survival mechanism, and why jumping into deep healing work without proper preparation is like diving into the deep end before learning to swim. If you're dealing with chronic health issues, autoimmunity, or just can't seem to break free from old patterns — this conversation will fundamentally shift how you understand the mind-body connection. A Preventive and Addiction Medicine physician with Master’s degrees in both biochemistry and public health, Dr. Aimie Apigian is the national bestselling author of The Biology of Trauma. She hosts her podcast, leads online nervous system healing courses and a practitioner certificate training program. Bridging the worlds of functional medicine, attachment and trauma, she is a leading expert on how the body holds fear and overwhelm from the past to make one sick today. Find Aimie and her book here: https://biologyoftrauma.com/ Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draimie/ Check her out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrAimieApigian Key Timestamps: 01:57 - Dr. Aimie's backstory: From biochemistry to surgery to becoming a foster parent in medical school 04:09 - The story of Miguel: How a 4-year-old with reactive attachment disorder changed everything 06:07 - Aimie's health collapse: Chronic fatigue, autoimmunity, and the wake-up call 15:58 - What is trauma, really? The critical distinction between stress response and trauma response 19:48 - The specific sequence: How trauma encodes in the body through art narrative therapy 21:33 - Why your body never got the message that "it's over" — and how this keeps you hustling for worth decades later 26:24 - The three levels trauma must be resolved: Psychological, somatic, and biological 33:04 - Perimenopausal women and decades of stored trauma creating biological damage 35:14 - Internal danger signals: How inflammation, nutrient deficiency, and toxins create feedback loops 41:24 - The expansion vs. contraction principle: Why asking "how do I stay safe?" keeps you small 42:15 - The better question: "Who do I want to be?" — choosing expansion over protection 46:47 - Why people struggle to feel their feelings (and why numbing is a survival mechanism) 48:19 - The five patterns of stored trauma (Chapter 9 of her book) 49:17 - Dissociation explained: From emotional eating to watching yourself from outside your body 50:32 - Chronic functional freeze: When you learn to function while holding trauma 51:04 - How society promotes disconnection (screens, foods, inflammation) 52:08 - The shocking reality: 95% of people Aimie meets are walking around with unprocessed pain 53:01 - Why "just feel your feelings" is the worst advice — you need safety first 54:08 - The deep end vs. shallow end: Why jumping into healing too fast backfires (especially with chronic illness) 57:22 - Creating new experiences: How to safely dip your toe in the shallow end Check Out Brendan: Brendan’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_holistic_savage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.metabolicsolutionsllc.com/ ⁠ - - - Send in a voice message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/holisticsavagepodcast/message

    1h 2m

  2. JAN 15

    65: Rethinking SIBO: Why Antibiotics Fail, The Hidden Fungal Factor + Testing That Actually Works | Angela Pifer

    Hey Functional Friends! This week I'm sitting down with Angela Pifer — SIBO expert and creator of the massive Cracking the SIBO Code Summit — for what might be the most comprehensive, paradigm-shifting conversation about SIBO you'll ever hear. Angela drops absolute bombs on the conventional treatment approach: why the standard "kill phase first" algorithm is causing recurrence, how 2/3 of SIBO cases also have fungal overgrowth that gets completely ignored, and why we need to flip the entire approach on its head. We dive deep into the vagus nerve connection, the shocking lack of validation behind popular tests (yes, we're calling out TRIO Smart and GI Map), and why antibiotics should be your last resort, not your first line. If you're a practitioner treating gut issues or dealing with recurrent SIBO yourself, this conversation will fundamentally change your approach. Angela Pifer is a Functional Medicine Nutritionist with over 20 years of clinical experience. Known as the “SIBO Guru”, she is recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts in gut health, specializing in digestive disorders, chronic gut conditions, detoxification and SIBO. Angela holds a master’s degree in nutrition science from Bastyr University and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Washington. She is certified in Functional Medicine and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for Physician’s Choice, makers of the #1 probiotic in the U.S. She is the creator and host of the Cracking the SIBO Code Summit, bringing together 50 top experts in functional and integrative medicine to explore the root causes of chronic gut dysfunction and inflammation. Angela is also the founder of Functional Medicine Shop, a direct-to-consumer platform offering clinically relevant lab testing for SIBO and root cause investigation and professional-grade supplements. Find Angela here: https://www.instagram.com/sibo.guru https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelapifer https://www.youtube.com/@SIBOGuru Sign up for Cracking the SIBO Code Summit HERE: https://crackingthesibocode.com/registration?am_id=brendandean1554 00:01:55 – Angela's origin story: from psychology PhD track to becoming the SIBO guru 00:04:27 – Why SIBO "reared its head" 15-20 years ago and hasn't let up since 00:07:04 – The rise of IBS/SIBO: it's not just processed food (though that doesn't help) 00:10:29 – THE VAGUS NERVE CONNECTION: every single SIBO factor ties back to vagal dysregulation 00:14:30 – Busting the myth: "70% of IBS is SIBO" comes from a flawed study with too much lactulose 00:19:30 – TOP-DOWN vs bottom-up: it's proteobacteria swallowing, not colonic migration 00:22:39 – The Re-Imagined Studies: proteobacteria is pushing down firmicutes and destroying diversity 00:31:43 – Mold > SIBO: treat the mold first, watch the SIBO symptoms disappear 00:32:29 – HIERARCHY OF NEEDS: parasites and mold come BEFORE treating SIBO 00:35:36 – SIFO bombshell: 2/3 of classic SIBO cases had fungal overgrowth in aspirate studies 00:38:56 – The common pattern: antibiotics for something else → develop SIBO → more antibiotics → worse 00:59:03 – The cautionary tale: 4 quarterly GI Maps, same person, completely different results each time 01:00:56 – Dr. Jason Hawrelak's reveal: 3 different stool tests from HIM, picture of health, wildly different protocols 01:07:52 – The Dr. Amen debate: do we need RCTs for every functional test, or is compliance the real outcome? 01:17:22 – Cracking the SIBO Code Summit: 50 experts, brain-to-bowel approach, BRAND NEW treatment announced Check Out Brendan: Brendan’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_holistic_savage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.metabolicsolutionsllc.com/ ⁠ - - - Send in a voice message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/holisticsavagepodcast/message

    1h 22m

  3. 12/09/2025

    64: The Hidden Epidemic: Why Mold Makes You Sick, How Inspectors Miss It + The Functional Approach | Brian Karr

    Hey Functional Friends! This week I'm sitting down with Brian Karr — co-founder of We Inspect — for a mind-blowing conversation about why conventional mold inspection is fundamentally broken. Brian shares his personal story of living in a "toxic box" that destroyed his health, and drops some serious truth bombs: most mold inspectors miss 78% of problems, dry mold can be MORE dangerous than actively growing mold, and your home environment might be the missing piece in your healing journey. We dive into why this issue keeps getting swept under the rug, how We Inspect is pioneering the "functional medicine approach" for homes, and the game-changing research they're doing with IRB-certified data. If you're dealing with chronic illness or work with complex patients, this conversation will change how you think about environmental health. 00:07:22 – Why We Inspect is like "functional medicine doctors for the house" 00:11:04 – Brian's origin story: sleeping in a toxic box and the inspector who saved his life 00:22:49 – The cigarette parallel: why mold awareness is 20 years behind the science 00:31:36 – The flower analogy: why DRY mold is more dangerous than wet mold (mind = blown) 00:35:02 – Air is the only thing that attacks THREE body systems at once 00:48:53 – The 78% false negative rate that's destroying lives (and why air samples don't work) 01:00:21 – "We are effectively functional medicine for the house" – the prioritization model explained 01:01:01 – BREAKING: IRB-certified research connecting home data to clinical outcomes 01:05:14 – How to connect mycotoxin testing to what's actually in your house 01:17:20 – Why the government won't touch this Download your FREE Mold Guide: https://go.metabolicsolutionsllc.com/freemoldguide?r_done=1 Check out WeInspect on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/moldfinders Schedule a FREE CALL with the WeInspect team here: https://yesweinspect.com/call/?wi_plf=podcast&wi_mch=guest&wi_cmp_typ=The%20holistic%20savage Get your WeInspect Dust Test here: https://www.thedusttest.net/CLFSJR/3QQG7/ Check Out Brendan: Brendan’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_holistic_savage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.metabolicsolutionsllc.com/ ⁠ - - - Send in a voice message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/holisticsavagepodcast/message

    1h 20m

  4. 11/11/2025

    63: Inside the Microbiome: Terrain-Based Healing, Gut Intelligence & Future Medicine | Kiran Krishnan

    Hey Functional Friends! This week I’m speaking with one of my favorite humans and longtime mentors, the brilliant Kiran Krishnan — research microbiologist, educator, and co-founder of Microbiome Labs. We explore the evolution of functional medicine, the rise of evidence-based holistic practice, and how AI and new technologies are reshaping research. Kiran breaks down the future of microbiome testing, the truth about stool analysis, and why understanding terrain and sequencing interventions is key to better clinical outcomes. We also dive into his new Practitioner Microbiome Mastery Course, the importance of systems-based thinking, and how practitioners can elevate their results through data-driven, root-cause healing. As always, this was an inspiring, mind-expanding conversation — you’re going to love it. 00:00 – Intro + setting the stage for today’s episode 02:25 – Welcoming Kiran Krishnan back to the show 03:50 – Innovation, AI, and the future of clinical trials 06:00 – Elevating the holistic and functional medicine space with real evidence 09:00 – The need for practitioner education and Kiran’s new Microbiome Mastery course 12:30 – Why clinicians struggle with complexity and root-cause sequencing 17:00 – Stool testing: diagnostic limits, pros/cons, and what it really tells us 23:20 – Whole-genome vs PCR testing and the terrain-based model 31:10 – The “Whack-a-Mole” trap of chasing pathogens 39:00 – Why terrain and missing functions matter more than pathogens 46:00 – Understanding phyla ratios and ecosystem-level patterns 50:00 – How Kiran’s course teaches systems biology and clinical sequencing 56:00 – Foundational interventions and order of operations in healing 57:00 – The real deal on Urolithin A and microbiome-derived compounds 1:00:00 – Functional applications, muscle building, nitric oxide + future projects Join the Waitlist for Kiran's Microbiome Clinical Science Certificate Program: https://learn.rebelhealth.co/mcsc-waitlist Check Out Brendan: Brendan’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_holistic_savage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Brendan Online⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ - - - Send in a voice message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/holisticsavagepodcast/message

    1h 6m

  5. 10/15/2025

    62: The Mental Map + The Future of Functional Mental Health | Brendan Vermeire

    Hey Functional Friends, welcome back to the Holistic Savage podcast! Today, I’m flying solo because I want to dive deep into something that I’m incredibly proud of: the Mental M.A.P.. This is a project that’s been years in the making, and honestly, it’s something I’ll be refining and evolving forever. I wanted to take the opportunity to share the philosophy behind it—why I created it, what it's all about, and so much more. If you’ve been following my work for the past few years, you’ve probably heard me mention the Mental M.A.P. Originally, it started as a custom lab panel designed to objectively assess neuroinflammation, microglial activation, blood-brain barrier permeability, and neuronal damage. I wanted to cast a wide net and include other key physiological and biochemical mechanisms implicated in neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative conditions. But The Mental M.A.P. isn’t just a test—it’s a complete program. It combines clinically validated labs, personalized reports, one-on-one mentoring, and a self-guided curriculum to help people truly understand their physiology and track progress over time. Whether you’re a practitioner, self-healer, or just someone looking to optimize brain and body health, the goal is the same: to identify what’s really happening in your body, measure it, and empower you to make informed, effective changes. This is functional mental health, and it’s all about turning confusion into clarity and action. 00:01:56 Origin of the Mental Map: Neuroinflammation, microglial activation, and lab panel purpose 00:03:42 Early career focus on mold illness, Lyme disease, and complex chronic conditions 00:08:22 Contracted lab research experience and creation of original Mental Map panel 00:12:26 Importance of combining clinically validated biomarkers with functional testing 00:20:23 Neuroinflammation explained: chronic vs acute, and why tracking physiology matters 00:34:20 Mental Map as an experience: self-healing program, biomarkers, and curriculum 00:43:51 Closing thoughts, practitioner training, and future cohorts Check Out Brendan: Brendan’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_holistic_savage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.metabolicsolutionsllc.com/ Learn more about The Mental M.A.P. here: https://go.metabolicsolutionsllc.com/The-Mental-Map ⁠ - - - Send in a voice message:⁠⁠⁠⁠http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/holisticsavagepodcast/message

    46 min

  6. 09/09/2025

    61: Functional Genomics, Epigenetics + Oxidative Stress for Holistic Health | Jaclyn Downs

    Hey Functional Friends! This week I'm speaking with one of my favorite people, the brilliant Jaclyn Downs, a leading expert in functional genomics. We explore Jaclyn's journey into functional medicine, the impact of oxidative stress and inflammation, and the importance of comprehensive genetic testing. We delve into the interplay of genetics and environmental factors, particularly in relation to fertility challenges and the future of genomic medicine, and address the impact of trauma on health, the significance of methylation, and the nuances of interpreting genetic data. This was a super awesome conversation and I think you're going to love it. Jaclyn Downs, MS, is a functional nutrigenomics practitioner with advanced training in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and epigenetics. With a lifelong passion for “outside the box” approaches to health, she specializes in uncovering genetic root causes, nutrient imbalances, and environmental stressors that impact fertility and overall wellness. Through personalized protocols that integrate genetic testing, functional lab work, and lifestyle insights, Jaclyn empowers clients to restore vitality and optimize their health at the deepest level. Check out Jaclyn's new book, "Enhancing Fertility through Functional Medicine" 00:00 Introduction to Functional Genomics 00:59 Jaclyn's Journey into Functional Medicine 04:07 Understanding Oxidative Stress and Inflammation 07:52 The Importance of Comprehensive Genetic Testing 11:53 Navigating Genetic Variants and Their Implications 17:07 The Role of Epigenetics in Health 21:06 Integrating Genomics into Functional Medicine 25:00 Key Genetic Variants to Consider 29:09 The Future of Genomic Medicine 39:07 Understanding Glutathione Recycling and Genetic Variants 41:58 The Role of Organic Acids in Functional Genomics 43:15 Exploring Autism Through Functional Genomics 45:10 The Impact of Environmental Toxins on Health 48:17 Fertility Challenges and Genetic Influences 52:15 Optimizing Health for Future Generations 56:13 Navigating Genetic Testing and Supplementation 01:01:19 Folinic Acid vs. Methylfolate: A Nutritional Debate 01:06:33 Resources for Understanding Functional Genomics Check Out Brendan: Brendan’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_holistic_savage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Brendan Online⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ - - - Send in a voice message:⁠⁠⁠⁠http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/holisticsavagepodcast/message

    1h 8m

  7. 08/13/2025

    60: Data-Driven Healing + Standardizing Functional Medicine | Jeremy Malecha from Biocanic

    Hey Functional Friends! In this episode, I’m joined by one of the smartest dudes I know, Jeremy Malecha, CEO and co-founder of BioCannic, a groundbreaking health intelligence platform transforming the way we approach functional medicine. We dive into Jeremy’s personal health journey and how it fueled his mission to bring greater standardization, objectivity, and clarity to the field. From the power of tracking physiology over chasing root causes, to overcoming self-limiting beliefs through actionable health data, Jeremy shares how technology can revolutionize patient outcomes and practitioner success. We also preview the upcoming Health Intelligence Exchange conference, designed to bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and real-world application, fostering community, collaboration, and innovation in functional healthcare. Jeremy Malecha is CEO and co-founder of Biocanic with over 20 years of healthcare and software related experience. Prior to Biocanic, he was the Vice President of Strategy in ResMed’s SaaS Business. Across his 10+ year career at ResMed he also held senior leadership roles overseeing global product management across the product portfolio and was the lead person behind the conceptualization and launch of the ResMed digital health ecosystem. Today, Jeremy is a catalyst for building a new integrative medicine marketplace rooted in the power of health intelligence and consumer advocacy so society can take back control of their health and wellness in a post pandemic world. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University in addition to multiple patents in signal processing for medical applications. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to BioCannic and Health Journeys 05:58 The Evolution of BioCannic and Its Purpose 12:02 The Importance of Data in Functional Medicine 17:58 Navigating the Challenges of Functional Medicine 23:53 Closing the Gap in Functional Medicine 30:43 Understanding Mental Health Concerns in Teens 31:50 The Importance of Functional Testing 32:40 Data-Driven Approaches in Health 34:51 Challenges in Natural Health Research 36:39 The Future of Personalized Health Monitoring 41:03 Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs in Health 44:06 The Role of Data Tracking in Healing 48:37 HIX Live Conference Overview Learn More about HIX Live! October 9-11th, 2025 San Diego, CA⁠ Check Out Brendan: Brendan’s Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@the_holistic_savage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Brendan Online⁠⁠ ⁠ - - - Send in a voice message:⁠⁠⁠http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/holisticsavagepodcast/message

    56 min

  8. 07/08/2025

    59: The Evolution of Functional Health + Deep Healing | Margaret Floyd Barry

    In this episode, I’m thrilled to finally be joined by Margaret Floyd Barry, a good friend and the owner and Executive Director of Restorative Wellness Solutions. Today we're diving deep into what it truly means to be a functional practitioner and the nuances of functional practice itself. We'll explore critical concepts like bio-individuality in clinical practice and the startling rise of complex chronic illnesses. Margaret shares her personal journey into functional nutrition and details confonting the profound interconnectedness of our health. Margaret Floyd Barry is a functional nutritionist, author, speaker, and educator in functional nutrition. Having seen family members suffer the devastating effects of chronic illness from a young age, helping others find a better way back to optimal health has been her passion. Through years of experience creating life-changing results with the most complex client cases, including reversing her own autoimmune condition, Margaret uses a powerful system for restoring health by addressing the root cause of illness. Today, Margaret teaches fellow practitioners the same proven system she uses through Restorative Wellness Solutions - a two-year comprehensive functional nutrition certification program for qualified health professionals. With over 1,200 alumni in 24+ countries, Margaret and the RWS team are actively working to change the way health is delivered. Margaret is also the author of Eat Naked: Unprocessed, Unpolluted and Undressed Eating for a Healthier, Sexier You and The Naked Foods Cookbook and the host of podcast The Clinician’s Corner with Margaret Floyd Barry. Apply for the Master Gut Healing Course --> Use code BRENDAN10QX7 for 10% off Learn More About Margaret:https://margaretfloydbarry.com/ IG: @margaretfloydbarry Learn More About Restorative Wellness: https://restorativewellnesssolutions.com/  IG: @restorativewellnesssolutions Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rwsclinicianscorner2696 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Functional Nutrition and Personal Journeys 04:52 Margaret's Journey: From Eczema to Functional Nutrition 09:59 The Impact of Diet on Health: A Personal Perspective 14:59 The Evolution of Functional Nutrition Education 19:50 Complex Chronic Illness: Understanding the Trends 25:08 The Role of Environmental Factors in Health 30:07 The Future of Functional Medicine and Holistic Health 31:15 The Gap Between Clinical Practice and Research 33:08 The Evolution of Clinical Knowledge 37:51The Importance of Objective Lab Testing 45:42 Navigating the Lab Testing Landscape 01:00:09 The Role of Practitioners in Health Guidance 01:03:22 The Role of AI in Health Care 01:05:06 Challenges in Accessing Functional Medicine 01:06:49 Navigating Lab Testing and Individual Needs 01:09:56 From Dysfunction to Optimal Function 01:12:47 The Importance of Objective Data in Health 01:15:52 Critical Thinking in Health Practices 01:17:28 Empowerment Through Education in Health Care 01:20:17 Restorative Wellness Solutions Training Program Check Out Brendan: Brendan’s Instagram: ⁠⁠@the_holistic_savage⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brendan Online⁠⁠ - - - Send in a voice message:⁠⁠http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/holisticsavagepodcast/message

    1h 26m
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About

Functional Medicine, Fitness, and Wellness Podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Metabolic Solutions
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Metabolic Solutions
  • Show Website
    Holistic Savage Podcast

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