Health Is A Skill with Todd Vande Hei

Todd Vande Hei

Welcome to the Health is a Skill podcast with host Todd Vande Hei! Todd is the CEO of Stark, which exists to change the future of health and fitness in the communities they serve. For the last 15 years, Todd has been on a journey to discover what it means to be in a state of peak health. After suffering from a series of seizures and being diagnosed with high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation in his early 30’s, Todd decided it was time to make a change. Those changes fell into one of four categories: lifestyle, exercise, nutrition, and stress management. But the biggest thing Todd learned through it all? Health is a skill. You’re not born with it, like some would like you to believe, and it isn’t acquired by simply buying another product or starting that new diet. Health is something you can create for yourself, and over time it is possible to attain peak health.

  1. 3D AGO

    Why Your HRV Is Low (And What To Do About It)

    You track your HRV. You try to eat clean. You train. You supplement. You optimize. But your numbers still won’t rise. In this solo episode, Todd Vande Hei explains why HRV often drops in modern life — not because you’re weak, aging poorly, or genetically broken — but because your stress cycle never completes. Stress isn’t the problem. Incomplete stress is. If you don’t physically or emotionally discharge activation, your nervous system stays partially “on,” and HRV reflects that immediately. This episode breaks down the biology of stress completion and how to restore adaptability at any age. In this episode: • What HRV actually measures (and what it doesn’t) • Why stress must complete its cycle to allow recovery • The difference between activation and discharge • How modern life keeps the nervous system partially “on” • Two versions of the same stressful day — and why one restores HRV • What it really means to metabolize stress • How movement, sleep, and emotional resolution improve HRV • Why HRV isn’t a trophy — it’s feedback • The single most powerful lever to improve HRV If you’re tracking HRV but not seeing progress, it may not be your age, your hormones, or your genetics. It may simply be that your stress isn’t finishing. To learn more about how Stark measures and improves nervous system adaptability, visit https://stark.health. Complete the cycle. Let your body recover Connect with Stark Personalized inside‑out health programs at stark.health Enjoying the show? Follow, rate, and review to help more listeners master the skill of health. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🤔 ABOUT Todd Vande Hei 🤔 Welcome to Todd Vande Hei's channel, where health mastery meets real-life transformation. Join Todd as he shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you unlock your full health potential. Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, seeking sustainable weight loss, or simply striving to live your best life, Todd's journey and expertise will inspire and empower you to take control of your health and well-being. Join our community of health enthusiasts committed to making positive changes and thriving at every stage of life. Let's embark on this journey to vibrant health together! DISCLOSURE We focus on optimizing every aspect of your well-being. At Stark, our team of expert trainers, doctors, nutritionists and a complete medical support team, led by CEO Todd Vande Hei, is dedicated to helping you become the BEST version of yourself. We specialize in coaching executives, athletes, pop stars, astronauts and other noteworthy individuals in all forms of exercise, diet, lifestyle, stress management and personalized supplement protocols. Our methodology is designed to tackle each facet of well-being comprehensively. We believe that optimal h...

    11 min
  2. FEB 26

    Why Fasting Is Making Most Americans Weaker — Not Healthier

    Fasting has become one of the most popular health trends in America. But what if it’s quietly making most people metabolically weaker? In this solo episode, Todd Van De Hei challenges the modern obsession with intermittent fasting and explains why, for the majority of Americans, it may be doing more harm than good. After years of using fasting protocols inside Stark — and later integrating DEXA scans into their system — Todd and his team noticed a troubling pattern: people were getting smaller… but they were also getting frailer. The real issue isn’t calories.  It’s muscle. Todd breaks down why muscle is your metabolic currency, how protein intake underpins nearly every system in your body, and why fasting layered on top of stress, low protein, and sedentary living often accelerates insulin resistance, hormone dysfunction, and chronic disease. Fasting isn’t evil.  But for most unhealthy, under-muscled Americans, it’s mistimed. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: • Why intermittent fasting often leads to muscle loss — not just fat loss • What DEXA scans revealed about fasting inside Stark • Why most Americans are “under-muscled,” not just overweight • How low protein intake contributes to insulin resistance • Why fasting is a physiological stressor — and why that matters • The connection between muscle mass, hormones, and metabolic health • How protein supports detoxification, gut repair, and immune function • The difference between intermittent fasting and extended fasting • Who should avoid fasting altogether • When fasting may actually make sense Connect with Stark Personalized inside‑out health programs at stark.health Enjoying the show? Follow, rate, and review to help more listeners master the skill of health. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🤔 ABOUT Todd Vande Hei 🤔 Welcome to Todd Vande Hei's channel, where health mastery meets real-life transformation. Join Todd as he shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you unlock your full health potential. Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, seeking sustainable weight loss, or simply striving to live your best life, Todd's journey and expertise will inspire and empower you to take control of your health and well-being. Join our community of health enthusiasts committed to making positive changes and thriving at every stage of life. Let's embark on this journey to vibrant health together! DISCLOSURE We focus on optimizing every aspect of your well-being. At Stark, our team of expert trainers, doctors, nutritionists and a complete medical support team, led by CEO Todd Vande Hei, is dedicated to helping you become the BEST version of yourself. We specialize in coaching executives, athletes, pop stars, astronauts and other noteworthy individuals in all forms of exercise, diet, lifestyle, stress management and personalized supplement protocols. Our methodology is designed to tackle each facet of well-being comprehensively. We believe that optimal h...

    30 min
  3. FEB 19

    Why High Performers Burn Out — and How to Evolve Without Losing Your Edge with Lane Kennedy

    High performers don’t think they have a stress problem. They think they have a performance problem.  In this episode, Todd Van De Hei sits down with mindfulness teacher and genetic stress specialist Lane Kennedy to unpack why stress silently compounds in leaders, CEOs, and Type A achievers — and why success itself often becomes the trap. This conversation explores the hidden cost of hyper-vigilance, chronic sleep deprivation, and identity-level attachment to productivity. Lane shares how genetics, sleep windows, mindfulness, and practices like yoga nidra can help high performers evolve into their next chapter — without sacrificing ambition, clarity, or drive. This isn’t about slowing down. It’s about becoming sustainable. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: • Why stress often goes unnoticed in high performers until it shows up as exhaustion, irritability, or poor sleep • How success creates a powerful feedback loop that eventually turns against your health • What a “sleep window” is — and why missing it sabotages recovery • How chronic sleep debt impacts leadership, mood, and decision-making • Why high performers resist stress management — and what finally breaks that resistance • How genetics influence burnout, cognitive load, and long-term performance • Why mindfulness doesn’t need to look like meditation — and how to build a practice that actually works Key Takeaway You don’t lose your edge by evolving — you lose it by refusing to. About: Lane Kennedy Mindfulness teacher, genetic stress specialist, and leadership guide Website: laneKennedy.com Connect with Stark Personalized inside‑out health programs at stark.health Enjoying the show? Follow, rate, and review to help more listeners master the skill of health. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🤔 ABOUT Todd Vande Hei 🤔 Welcome to Todd Vande Hei's channel, where health mastery meets real-life transformation. Join Todd as he shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you unlock your full health potential. Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, seeking sustainable weight loss, or simply striving to live your best life, Todd's journey and expertise will inspire and empower you to take control of your health and well-being. Join our community of health enthusiasts committed to making positive changes and thriving at every stage of life. Let's embark on this journey to vibrant health together! DISCLOSURE We focus on optimizing every aspect of your well-being. At Stark, our team of expert trainers, doctors, nutritionists and a complete medical support team, led by CEO Todd Vande Hei, is dedicated to helping you become the BEST version of yourself. We specialize in coaching executives, athletes, pop stars, astronauts and other noteworthy individuals in all forms of exercise, diet, lifestyle, stress management and personalized supplement protocols. Our methodology is designed to tackle each facet of well-being comprehensively. We believe that optimal h...

    42 min
  4. FEB 12

    Peptides Without the Hype: Signals, Safety & the Future of Longevity with Regan Archibald

    Peptides are everywhere right now—marketed as fat-loss shortcuts, anti-aging hacks, and miracle compounds. But what are they actually doing inside the body? In this episode, Todd Vande Hei sits down with Regan Archibald, founder of Ageless Future and host of the Unreasonable Health podcast, to strip away the hype and talk honestly about peptides: how they work, when they help, and where people get into trouble. This is a grounded, responsible conversation about peptides as biological signals—not lifestyle replacements—and how they fit into the future of longevity medicine. In This Episode, We Cover: • What peptides really are (and what they are not) • Why peptides work best as signals, not shortcuts • GLP-1s, metabolic health, and why misuse causes problems • The risks of “research-use-only” peptides • Why labs are non-negotiable before using peptides • Cycling vs. long-term peptide use • Peptides, brain health, recovery, and longevity • Where peptides, stem cells, and gene signaling are heading next Key Takeaway Peptides don’t replace discipline or lifestyle—but when used responsibly, they can reveal what your body is capable of and help you build momentum toward long-term health. Learn More Regan Archibald: agelessfuture.com Stark: https://stark.health If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who’s curious about peptides—but wants the truth, not the hype. Connect with Stark Personalized inside‑out health programs at stark.health Enjoying the show? Follow, rate, and review to help more listeners master the skill of health. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🤔 ABOUT Todd Vande Hei 🤔 Welcome to Todd Vande Hei's channel, where health mastery meets real-life transformation. Join Todd as he shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you unlock your full health potential. Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, seeking sustainable weight loss, or simply striving to live your best life, Todd's journey and expertise will inspire and empower you to take control of your health and well-being. Join our community of health enthusiasts committed to making positive changes and thriving at every stage of life. Let's embark on this journey to vibrant health together! DISCLOSURE We focus on optimizing every aspect of your well-being. At Stark, our team of expert trainers, doctors, nutritionists and a complete medical support team, led by CEO Todd Vande Hei, is dedicated to helping you become the BEST version of yourself. We specialize in coaching executives, athletes, pop stars, astronauts and other noteworthy individuals in all forms of exercise, diet, lifestyle, stress management and personalized supplement protocols. Our methodology is designed to tackle each facet of well-being comprehensively. We believe that optimal h...

    33 min
  5. JAN 29

    From Burned Out to Built Different — Matt Cook’s Stark Transformation

    What happens when someone stops guessing about their health and fully commits to a system? In this episode, Todd Vande Hei sits down with Stark student Matt Cook, host of The Pull Hook podcast, to unpack a seven-month transformation that reshaped Matt’s body, energy, sleep, digestion, athletic performance, and even fertility. What started as fatigue, weight gain, gut issues, and poor sleep turned into strength, clarity, resilience, and a completely different relationship with food and health. This is a real-world case study in what happens when coachability meets data-driven health optimization — and why most people don’t realize how unhealthy they are until they feel truly well. In This Episode • How Matt lost 30+ pounds and reversed years of fatigue in months • Why “eating healthy” isn’t the same as being healthy • The role of gut health in energy, immunity, and hormone balance • How sleep apnea resolved without a CPAP • Why strength, mobility, and cardiovascular health unlocked athletic performance • The connection between optimal health and fertility • What “coachability” really means in a health journey • Why health optimization becomes easier — not harder — over time Key Takeaway You don’t realize how much you’ve been surviving until your body finally starts working the way it was designed to. To learn more about Stark and health optimization, visit stark.health. Connect with Stark Personalized inside‑out health programs at stark.health Enjoying the show? Follow, rate, and review to help more listeners master the skill of health. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🤔 ABOUT Todd Vande Hei 🤔 Welcome to Todd Vande Hei's channel, where health mastery meets real-life transformation. Join Todd as he shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you unlock your full health potential. Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, seeking sustainable weight loss, or simply striving to live your best life, Todd's journey and expertise will inspire and empower you to take control of your health and well-being. Join our community of health enthusiasts committed to making positive changes and thriving at every stage of life. Let's embark on this journey to vibrant health together! DISCLOSURE We focus on optimizing every aspect of your well-being. At Stark, our team of expert trainers, doctors, nutritionists and a complete medical support team, led by CEO Todd Vande Hei, is dedicated to helping you become the BEST version of yourself. We specialize in coaching executives, athletes, pop stars, astronauts and other noteworthy individuals in all forms of exercise, diet, lifestyle, stress management and personalized supplement protocols. Our methodology is designed to tackle each facet of well-being comprehensively. We believe that optimal h...

    1h 6m
  6. JAN 22

    Mercury Toxicity, Hormones, and the Hidden Root of Chronic Health Issues with Kyle Hulbert

    What if your anxiety, fatigue, joint pain, or low testosterone isn’t a motivation problem or a discipline problem, but a toxicity problem? In this episode, Todd sits down with Kyle Hulbert, co-founder of Longevity Centers of America, to unpack his personal journey through severe mercury toxicity and what it revealed about heavy metals, hormones, and modern chronic disease. Kyle shares how mercury poisoning nearly derailed his health in his early 20s, why standard lab testing often misses the problem, and how proper detoxification helped him reclaim his body, mind, and performance. This conversation dives deep into mercury exposure sources, why some people are more vulnerable than others, and what actually works when it comes to testing and treatment. In This Episode, You’ll Learn How mercury toxicity can masquerade as depression, anxiety, low testosterone, gut issues, and chronic painWhy blood, hair, and standard urine tests often fail to detect heavy metal burdenThe difference between unprovoked vs provoked testing and why it mattersHow mercury disrupts the brain, hormones, and nervous systemWhy some “detox supplements” can make mercury toxicity worseThe role of dental amalgams, fish, pesticides, and generational exposureWhat safe, physician-guided chelation actually looks likeHow detoxification fits into optimization, not just illness recoveryKey Takeaway If you know something feels off in your body despite “doing everything right,” there may be a deeper root cause. With the right testing, the right guidance, and patience, there is real hope for healing and optimization. Learn More Longevity Centers of America: www.thelcoa.comStark Health: stark.healthConnect with Stark Personalized inside‑out health programs at stark.health Enjoying the show? Follow, rate, and review to help more listeners master the skill of health. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🤔 ABOUT Todd Vande Hei 🤔 Welcome to Todd Vande Hei's channel, where health mastery meets real-life transformation. Join Todd as he shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you unlock your full health potential. Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, seeking sustainable weight loss, or simply striving to live your best life, Todd's journey and expertise will inspire and empower you to take control of your health and well-being. Join our community of health enthusiasts committed to making positive changes and thriving at every stage of life. Let's embark on this journey to vibrant health together! DISCLOSURE We focus on optimizing every aspect of your well-being. At Stark, our team of expert trainers, doctors, nutritionists and a complete medical support team, led by CEO Todd Vande Hei, is dedicated to helping you become the BEST version of yourself. We specialize in coaching executives, athletes, pop stars, astronauts and other noteworthy individuals in all forms of exercise, diet, lifestyle, stress management and personalized supplement protocols. Our methodology is designed to tackle each facet of well-being comprehensively. We believe that optimal h...

    54 min
  7. JAN 15

    Building a Human Health Protocol — Brain Optimization, Data & the Future of Performance

    In this episode, Todd Vande Hei sits down with Thoryn Stephens, co-founder and CEO of BrainOne, to explore a simple but powerful idea: most people aren’t unhealthy because they lack data — they’re unhealthy because they lack structure. Thoryn shares how a personal injury and a disappointing recovery plan from elite orthopedic care sparked his mission to standardize human health protocols using neuroscience, biometrics, and behavior change. Together, Todd and Thoryn unpack how structured micro-habits, wearable data, biomarkers, and even voice analytics can be used to optimize brain health, performance, and long-term resilience. This conversation spans everything from dementia prevention and sleep optimization to stress, community, masculinity, and why modern life is quietly working against human biology — and what we can do about it. In This Episode, Todd & Thoryn Discuss: Why more data doesn’t equal better health without a protocolHow BrainOne uses biometrics, biomarkers, and behavior to drive changeThe role of micro-habits in brain optimization and longevityDementia risk factors — and how 30–40% may be modifiableStress, sleep, and the hidden cost of high performanceSocial isolation, technology, and declining brain health in young peopleWhy community, nature, and routine matter as much as supplements ⚡ Final Takeaway Health isn’t about guessing — it’s about structure. When you give the brain a clear protocol, performance and resilience follow. Connect with Stark Personalized inside‑out health programs at stark.health Enjoying the show? Follow, rate, and review to help more listeners master the skill of health. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🤔 ABOUT Todd Vande Hei 🤔 Welcome to Todd Vande Hei's channel, where health mastery meets real-life transformation. Join Todd as he shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you unlock your full health potential. Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, seeking sustainable weight loss, or simply striving to live your best life, Todd's journey and expertise will inspire and empower you to take control of your health and well-being. Join our community of health enthusiasts committed to making positive changes and thriving at every stage of life. Let's embark on this journey to vibrant health together! DISCLOSURE We focus on optimizing every aspect of your well-being. At Stark, our team of expert trainers, doctors, nutritionists and a complete medical support team, led by CEO Todd Vande Hei, is dedicated to helping you become the BEST version of yourself. We specialize in coaching executives, athletes, pop stars, astronauts and other noteworthy individuals in all forms of exercise, diet, lifestyle, stress management and personalized supplement protocols. Our methodology is designed to tackle each facet of well-being comprehensively. We believe that optimal h...

    48 min
  8. JAN 8

    Genetics, Epigenetics, and Taking Back Control of Aging | Jeffrey Mark Gaal

    What if your genes weren’t your fate — but a starting point? In this episode of Health Is a Skill, Todd Vande Hei sits down with Jeffrey Mark Gaal, co-founder of Genetic Lifespan, to explore how genetics, epigenetics, and lifestyle choices intersect to shape aging, disease risk, and long-term health. This conversation bridges cutting-edge diagnostics with personal responsibility, reframing health as something you actively steer — not something that happens to you. Jeffrey explains how modern genetic testing goes far beyond DNA reports, revealing how daily choices influence gene expression, biological age, and the pace at which individual organ systems age. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: • Why genetic predisposition does not equal genetic destiny • The difference between genetics, epigenetics, and methylation • How lifestyle choices influence which genes turn “on” or “off” • Why biological age matters more than chronological age • How intracellular nutrient testing reveals what blood tests miss • The role of inflammation, mindset, and environment in aging • Why true prevention starts with better data, not more treatments • How personalized diagnostics empower better decisions — not fear Your body isn’t broken — it’s adaptive. With the right information, you can change how you age, how you feel, and how your genes express themselves. About the Guest Jeffrey Mark Gaal is the co-founder of Genetic Lifespan and a former aerospace engineer with decades of experience in genetics, epigenetics, and integrative wellness. His work focuses on giving individuals and practitioners actionable data to optimize healthspan, longevity, and performance. Learn more at: agecode.bio/healthspan Connect with Stark Personalized inside‑out health programs at stark.health Enjoying the show? Follow, rate, and review to help more listeners master the skill of health. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🤔 ABOUT Todd Vande Hei 🤔 Welcome to Todd Vande Hei's channel, where health mastery meets real-life transformation. Join Todd as he shares invaluable insights and practical tips to help you unlock your full health potential. Whether you're struggling with chronic pain, seeking sustainable weight loss, or simply striving to live your best life, Todd's journey and expertise will inspire and empower you to take control of your health and well-being. Join our community of health enthusiasts committed to making positive changes and thriving at every stage of life. Let's embark on this journey to vibrant health together! DISCLOSURE We focus on optimizing every aspect of your well-being. At Stark, our team of expert trainers, doctors, nutritionists and a complete medical support team, led by CEO Todd Vande Hei, is dedicated to helping you become the BEST version of yourself. We specialize in coaching executives, athletes, pop stars, astronauts and other noteworthy individuals in all forms of exercise, diet, lifestyle, stress management and personalized supplement protocols. Our methodology is designed to tackle each facet of well-being comprehensively. We believe that optimal h...

    1 hr
5
out of 5
65 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Health is a Skill podcast with host Todd Vande Hei! Todd is the CEO of Stark, which exists to change the future of health and fitness in the communities they serve. For the last 15 years, Todd has been on a journey to discover what it means to be in a state of peak health. After suffering from a series of seizures and being diagnosed with high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation in his early 30’s, Todd decided it was time to make a change. Those changes fell into one of four categories: lifestyle, exercise, nutrition, and stress management. But the biggest thing Todd learned through it all? Health is a skill. You’re not born with it, like some would like you to believe, and it isn’t acquired by simply buying another product or starting that new diet. Health is something you can create for yourself, and over time it is possible to attain peak health.