The Low Carb Consultant

Max Helmer The Low Carb Consultant

Welcome to the low carb consultant podcast, where I speak with leading experts, trainers, and athletes in the low-carb, fasting, and strength and conditioning communities, to ultimately discover the best health and nutritional advice available.

  1. 3d ago

    Stephanie "Keto" Person | What Keto, Carnivore & Fasting Are Getting Wrong | September 27, 2026 | Ep. 85

    Summary: In this episode, Stephanie Person shares nearly two decades of experience in the ketogenic space and challenges some of today’s biggest keto and carnivore trends. She explains why she views diets as tools rather than dogma, why she questions high-protein carnivore and extreme fasting, and why factors like stress, metabolic health, individual history and lifestyle can dramatically influence results. Stephanie also opens up about her own approach to nutrition, training and longevity as she approaches 60, the importance of mindset and authenticity, and why true health goes far beyond what you eat. We also discuss GLP-1s, dietary trends, her evolving philosophy on health, and what’s next—including upcoming retreats and her new book. Find Stephanie: Site: https://www.stephanieperson.com/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/stephanieketogenic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/fitsk8chick Key  topics: The importance of individualized diet plans Common misconceptions about keto and carnivore diets The impact of stress, toxins, and lifestyle on metabolic health The significance of mindset and mental attitude in health Practical strategies for diet customization based on health history The importance of belief and mindset in manifesting health and success Critique of mainstream diet trends and the deception in the health industry The role of mental resilience and tuning out noise for success Holistic approaches to health including nature, horses, and nervous system reset Stephanie's plans for retreats, a book, and holistic health education The pitfalls of fasting, keto, and supplement scams The significance of grazing, movement, and real food in health Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:10 Introduction to Stephanie's holistic health philosophy 01:27 Guest Background and Expertise 04:00 The power of belief and manifestation in health 04:11 Mother's Cancer Journey and Keto's Role 07:03 Stephanie's Age and Lifestyle Secrets 07:50 Common Misconceptions About Keto 07:56 Critique of mainstream diet industry and scams 10:58 Misunderstandings About Electrolytes and Keto 11:59 The importance of mental resilience and tuning out noise 14:26 High Protein Carnivore Diets: Myths and Realities 16:13 Stephanie's journey from Hollywood to land living 18:20 The Importance of Diet as a Tool, Not a Religion 20:06 Her approach to health beyond diet: horses, nature, and nervous system reset 23:57 The role of grazing, movement, and real food in well-being 24:23 Risks of High Protein and Carnivore Diets 27:31 Personalized Approach to Carnivore and Keto 27:58 The pitfalls of fasting, keto, and supplement scams 31:59 Building a life aligned with true self and purpose 35:05 The Role of Blood Work and Human Connection 35:59 Upcoming retreats, book, and holistic health education 37:37 Living Young and Embracing Change 40:07 Final thoughts: authenticity, resilience, and living fully 41:11 Success Factors in Health Coaching 43:22 Mindset and Readiness for Change Keywords: ketogenic diet, metabolic health, keto adaptation, personalized nutrition, health coaching, carnivore, high fat diet, blood sugar, gut health, stress management health, diet, carnivore, keto, holistic wellness, mental resilience, life philosophy, retreats, book

  2. Sep 20

    Dr. Tro Kalayjian | The TRUTH About Weight Loss, Food Addiction, Low Carb & GLP-1s | September 20, 2026 | Ep. 84

    Summary: Dr. Tro Kalayjian shares his personal journey from obesity to metabolic health expert, revealing how understanding the true nature of food addiction and emotional control can transform weight loss and health. This episode explores the psychological and systemic barriers to sustainable health and practical strategies to overcome them. Find Dr. Tro: Site: https://toward.health/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ X: https://www.instagram.com/doctortro/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DoctorTro/featured Podcast: https://lowcarbmd.com/ Key topics: The role of emotional ownership in food addiction Systemic misinformation in nutrition guidelines Practical strategies for immediate recovery from slip-ups The importance of understanding your brain's programming How systemic biases influence health outcomes The psychological barriers to weight loss The systemic influence of food industry on health guidelines Immediate action as a key to long-term success The emotional struggle behind weight loss The role of GLP-1 medications in obesity treatment The importance of advocacy and self-awareness in health The impact of gaslighting and misinformation on health choices The potential and pitfalls of pharmacological interventions The significance of holistic, individualized health strategies The role of resistance training and lifestyle in weight management Emerging research and clinical trials in metabolic health Takeaways: Most people fighting weight issues are blindfolded due to misinformation and lack of support. Advocacy and immediate help are crucial for successful weight management. GLP-1 medications are effective but must be paired with lifestyle changes. Overuse of drugs without proper oversight can cause harm. Weight loss success often involves overcoming emotional and mental barriers. Personalized nutrition and recognizing individual food sensitivities are key. Small, consistent efforts and mindset shifts lead to lasting change. Medical professionals should focus on holistic care, not just prescriptions. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and sponsor message 03:16 The origin of Dr. Tro's mission and righteous anger 07:08 The role of gaslighting and misinformation in obesity 11:12 The importance of data and evidence in Dr. Tro's approach 15:24 The systemic issues in childhood obesity and healthcare costs 17:18 What finally clicked for Dr. Tro in his weight loss journey 18:46 The programming of hunger and how to combat it 20:03 Nutritional deficiencies and their role in overeating 20:49 Risks of overusing pharmacological treatments without oversight 21:26 Admitting food addiction and emotional ownership 22:53 The illusion of control and emotional ownership 24:13 Controlling emotions versus owning emotions 25:38 The role of food in owning our thoughts and feelings 25:58 Holistic and personalized approaches to weight management 27:15 What separates successful from unsuccessful weight loss efforts 28:21 The importance of immediate action and recovery 30:08 The systemic failure in obesity treatment and personal responsibility 31:02 The significance of resistance training and lifestyle changes 32:18 The importance of quick action and forgiveness in progress 34:18 The power of immediate recovery and self-compassion 35:37 Why we avoid action with food and the manipulation by food 36:03 Emerging research, clinical trials, and future directions 37:20 The brain's preference for comfort and avoidance of discomfort 38:50 The relentless nature of food addiction and systemic pressure 39:18 The cycle of giving up and systemic disempowerment 41:00 The importance of mindset, consistency, and small wins 46:07 The role of medical professionals as good shepherds 51:09 Personal stories of transformation and medical breakthroughs 55:58 Final thoughts on hope, resources, and next steps for listeners Keywords: metabolic health, food addiction, weight loss, emotional control, systemic misinformation, low carb

  3. Sep 14

    Dr. Nash Jocic | Low Carbs. High Volume Training. THIS Is How You Build Muscle | September 13, 2026 | Ep. 83

    Summary: After more than 40 years in bodybuilding, 46 competitions, 17 titles and thousands of clients, Nash has developed a very different philosophy from much of the modern fitness industry. In this episode of The Low Carb Consultant Podcast, Nash explains why he believes high-carb diets aren't necessary for muscle growth, why he favors high-volume bodybuilding over constantly training to failure, and how moving away from a high-carb approach completely changed his own physique. We also get into some of his most controversial opinions: why he thinks Mike Mentzer's Heavy Duty approach is misunderstood, why chasing strength isn't the same as building muscle, why he doesn't recommend deadlifts for bodybuilding, and why he believes calorie counting misses an important part of the nutrition equation. At 64, Nash still trains five days per week, eats roughly 250–300 grams of protein per day with very few carbohydrates, and maintains an exceptionally lean, muscular physique. Find Dr. Jocic: Site: https://www.nashfittraining.com/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/nash_jocic/?hl=en Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-JddIjjLEL_Na7ObKE4ghQ key topics: High volume training effectivenessDiet strategies for muscle and fat lossEvolution of bodybuilding physiquesThe role of steroids and supplementsTraining principles for longevity and health Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Nash Jocic and his background 02:50 Dr. Jocic's journey from philosophy to bodybuilding 04:36 Lessons learned from 40 years in bodybuilding 08:28 Differences between Mike Menser's and traditional training philosophies 12:23 The impact of technology and steroids on bodybuilding evolution 16:36 Transition from low sets to high volume training 22:19 The importance of training principles over failure 27:50 Why high volume training stimulates muscle growth 33:00 The role of training in muscle and fat development 43:56 Dr. Jocic's diet philosophy and low carb benefits 52:19 The classic physique versus modern bodybuilding 55:14 Advice for aspiring bodybuilders and the importance of individuality 01:00:25 Reflections on past champions and their training approaches 01:06:45 A day in the life of Dr. Nash Jocic 01:15:53 Mythbusting calories and carbohydrate misconceptions 01:20:38 The dangers of carb loading and peak week strategies 01:24:38 Key factors for fat loss and muscle gain in 90 days 01:29:59 One rule for lifelong health and fitness 01:30:08 Upcoming projects and how to connect with Dr. Jocic Keywords: bodybuilding, training, diet, high volume, low carb, muscle growth, fat loss, natural bodybuilding, steroids, physique evolution

  4. Sep 6

    Daniel Orrego | Cancer & Keto: Why Simply Eating Keto Isn’t Enough | September 6, 2026 | Ep. 82

    Summary: In this episode, Daniel Orrego discusses the science behind metabolic therapies, their application in cancer treatment, and how patients can take control of their health through understanding and implementing press pulse protocols. This conversation highlights the importance of scientific literacy and proactive health management. Find Daniel: Site: https://www.sustainableinterventions.org/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/incrediblechap/ Key topics: Metabolic therapy and cancer Press pulse protocol explained Importance of glucose and glutamine control Role of fasting and muscle preservation Integrating metabolic therapies with conventional treatments Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and sponsor message 01:27 Guest introduction: Daniel Orrego and his work 02:10 Daniel shares his background and journey into metabolic therapies 04:00 Common misconceptions about metabolic therapy 05:08 The importance of controlling macronutrients for disease management 07:28 Why simply eating keto isn't enough for cancer treatment 09:03 The significance of tracking glucose and ketones over time 11:01 The flexibility of diet formulation in metabolic therapy 12:58 Why low glucose and glutamine are critical in cancer therapy 15:10 Fasting, its role, and when to use it in cancer care 20:33 Exercise strategies for maintaining muscle mass during treatment 27:11 What conventional oncology gets right and what it misses 37:55 Initial steps after a cancer diagnosis 40:16 What is press pulse therapy and how does it work 42:08 Key metric to monitor: glucose-ketone index 44:23 What to do if diagnosed with cancer today 50:11 The importance of becoming your own health CEO 58:09 Why some patients abandon metabolic therapy 01:02:05 The long-term commitment to metabolic health 01:13:18 Final thoughts: hope and community in cancer management 01:14:53 Upcoming projects and contact information for Daniel Orrego Keywords: metabolic therapy, cancer, press pulse protocol, ketogenic diet, glucose ketone index, metabolic health, cancer treatment, fasting, muscle preservation, scientific literacy

  5. Aug 30

    Dr. Ana Rosa | How to Lose the Hidden Fat That’s Destroying Your Health | August 30, 2026 | Ep. 81

    Summary Dr. Ana Rosa, a radiologist and metabolic health advocate, shares insights on how imaging reveals the impact of visceral fat on health, the importance of early detection, and strategies to reduce harmful fats through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Discount links: 10% off Equip foods prime protein - Code THELOWCARBCONSULTANThttps://www.equipfoods.com/Keto Brick Use code - TLCC https://team.ketobrick.com/TLCCSalty Provisions - High Mineral Clean Norwegian Sea SaltDiscount Code - TLCC Find Dr. Rosa: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anarosagratitude/ Site: https://dranarosagratitude.com/ Key  topics: Importance of visceral fat in metabolic health How imaging techniques like MRI can detect hidden fats Strategies for reducing visceral and intramuscular fat Impact of diet, fasting, and exercise on fat reduction The connection between fat, inflammation, and chronic disease How to measure progress in body composition The significance of stress management and sleep Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ana Rosa and her background 01:16 Personal journey: from Brazil to Minnesota and health challenges 03:07 The importance of visceral fat in health and disease 05:03 Early detection of metabolic issues through radiology 06:14 The alarming rise of childhood obesity and future risks 07:20 Why fat in the wrong places is more dangerous than overall weight 08:42 Understanding different types of fat: visceral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular 11:35 Reversing fat around the heart and in the abdomen 12:49 The significance of subcutaneous fat and healthy fat stores 13:46 Effective strategies to eliminate visceral fat 14:33 Targeting fat inside muscles and in the liver 16:18 The impact of fatty liver and pancreatic fat on health 18:16 How the body prioritizes fat loss and the role of diet and exercise 20:07 Dietary approaches: low carb, fasting, and reducing processed foods 22:33 The benefits of fasting and microbiome health 26:21 Managing stress and sleep for fat loss and longevity 29:33 The role of resistance training and muscle health 32:02 Using imaging to track progress and optimize health 36:15 The importance of body composition over weight 37:43 Advice for women on body image and health 47:22 The most important thing for longevity: self-love and honoring your body 01:00:06 The potential to reverse brain volume loss and improve cognition 01:02:30 Choosing what loves you back: food, relationships, and lifestyle 01:04:22 The power of gratitude and mental health practices 01:11:14 Daily habits for longevity: walking, grip strength, and gratitude 01:13:36 Final thoughts: living a long, healthy life through self-care and awareness #visceralfat #metabolichealth #lowcarb #fasting #bodycomposition #inflammation #fatloss

  6. Aug 23

    Anna Vocino | Low Carb Eating, Celiac Disease, Recipe Tips & Building a Clean Food Brand | August 23, 2026 | Ep. 80

    Summary Anna Vocino breaks down celiac disease, low carb eating, mental health, and building a clean-ingredient food brand with Max Helmer. Anna Vocino is a comedian, voice actor, bestselling cookbook author, and founder of a clean-ingredient food company. In this conversation with Max Helmer, The Low Carb Consultant, she shares her personal health journey from undiagnosed celiac disease to thriving on a low carb, gluten-free lifestyle. Anna explains how cutting carbs impacted her mental health, reduced cravings, and supported sustainable weight loss. They dig into how to navigate the modern food industry, read ingredient labels, and choose products that truly support metabolic health. Anna explains what it takes to build a transparent food brand, why she insists on simple, real-food ingredients, and how community feedback shapes her recipes and products. She also talks candidly about dealing with criticism, negative self-talk in publishing and entrepreneurship, and the importance of staying anchored to your “why.” Max and Anna cover low carb cooking tips, easy protein-forward meals, the role of fat in satiety, and how carbs drive hunger for many people. They discuss myths around vegetables and autoimmune conditions, experimenting to find your own carb tolerance, and why self-awareness is crucial in diet. Anna also shares ideas for infused spirits and low sugar cocktails that fit a low carb lifestyle. Discount links: 10% off Equip foods prime protein - Code THELOWCARBCONSULTANThttps://www.equipfoods.com/? Keto Brick Use code - TLCC https://team.ketobrick.com/TLCC Salty Provisions - High Mineral Clean Norwegian Sea Salt - Discount Code - TLCC Find Anna: Insta: https://www.instagram.com/annavocino/ Site: https://annavocino.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnnaVocino Key  topics: Anna Vicino's personal health journey and celiac diagnosis The impact of low carb on mental health and weight loss Navigating the food industry and ingredient choices Building a food brand with clean ingredients The importance of community support and customer connection Overcoming negative self-talk and criticism in publishing The role of experimentation and self-awareness in diet Supporting local and emerging food brands The impact of carbs on hunger and satiety Simple low carb recipes and cooking tips The role of protein and fats in weight management Myths about vegetables and autoimmune health Infused spirits and low sugar cocktails Chapters: 00:00 70 additives nobody has to declare00:48 Sponsor: Hack Your Health02:07 Meet Anna Vocino04:07 Celiac in 2002, and ten years of gluten free07:11 Why 100 percent of people eat sugar again12:10 Going gluten free did not make her lose weight16:42 Her mother, and why it is called Eat Happy25:55 Seed oils, and what is really in pasta sauce39:12 You eat far more processed food than you think49:23 Stop counting calories and go live your life58:37 The purple goo in commercial wine1:07:22 Rapid fire Keywords: low carb, gluten-free, health journey, food industry, recipes, entrepreneurship, mental health, community support low carb, keto, food recipes, health, cooking tips, autoimmune, alcohol, food industry, sustainable eating

  7. Aug 16

    Chris Irvin | The Truth About Keto: Fat Loss, Brain Health & Performance | August 16, 2026 | Ep. 79

    Chris Irvin breaks down keto for fat loss, brain health, performance, and metabolic flexibility, including long-term keto and carnivore use. Chris Irvin, known as “The Ketologist,” joins us to unpack what ketogenic diets actually are, how they work, and where they’re most useful. Chris shares his personal journey into keto, how he went from curiosity to deep research, and why he sees ketosis as a flexible metabolic tool rather than a rigid dietary dogma. We discuss practical applications of keto for fat loss, energy, athletic performance, and metabolic flexibility, plus how ketones support brain health and healing. Chris tackles common misconceptions about keto and ketosis, including fears around carbs, protein, and sustainability. He also explains how diet shapes hunger, food choices, and our relationship with the modern food environment. The conversation dives into therapeutic uses of ketosis for mental health disorders, the work he’s doing with Metabolic Mind, and where he believes the most important future research in ketogenic therapy is headed. Throughout, Chris contrasts keto, low carb, and carnivore approaches and how to use them strategically over a lifetime. If you want a grounded, science-informed overview of keto that goes beyond weight loss hype, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more low carb, keto, and carnivore deep dives: Find Chris: Insta: https://www.instagram.com/theketologist/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/metabolicmind/ Site: https://www.metabolicmind.org/ Key  topics: Chris Irvin's background and journey into keto Practical applications of ketogenic diets for health and performance Common misconceptions about keto and ketosis The role of ketones in brain health and healing Sustainability and long-term use of keto and carnivore diets Keto for athletes and metabolic flexibility Impact of diet on hunger and food choices The food environment and discipline in diet adherence Therapeutic uses of ketosis for mental health disorders Future research and developments in ketogenic therapy Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Chris Irvin and his expertise in keto 02:13 Chris's journey from sports science to ketogenic research 04:54 Initial health benefits and personal experience with keto 07:10 Common misconceptions about keto and calorie restriction 09:05 The unique benefits of ketones beyond energy 10:58 The hunger game and how keto helps control appetite 12:57 Sustainability of diets and food environment challenges 15:12 Using diet as a tool, not a dogma 17:02 Keto for athletic performance and metabolic flexibility 19:52 The future of ketogenic therapy in mental health 21:55 Practical advice for starting and maintaining keto 24:56 Balancing diet, family, and lifestyle challenges 27:00 The importance of individualization in diet choices 30:02 Chris's day-to-day routine and diet 32:51 The role of keto in athletic and mental performance 35:59 The impact of diet on health markers and insulin resistance 40:03 Long-term use of keto and diet flexibility 42:53 Final thoughts on keto as a tool for health and performance Keywords: #keto #lowcarb #carnivore #metabolichealth #brainhealth #mentalhealth #ketogenicdiet

  8. Aug 9

    JJ Virgin | Build Muscle, Lose Fat & Fix Your Metabolism | August 9, 2026 | Ep. 78

    JJ Virgin, fitness Hall of Famer, on muscle, healthy aging, and why the scale did more damage to women's metabolism than age ever did.Her client lost 10 pounds of fat, gained 10 pounds of muscle, dropped her body fat percentage from 25% to 18% and went down two dress sizes, and she was disappointed because the number on the scale went up. It is the body recomposition case JJ Virgin has spent 40 years making, that fat loss and muscle gain happen together, body composition is the metric that matters, and muscle loss is what actually wrecks a metabolism.She explains why cardio makes you hungrier while resistance training is the only real lever on resting metabolic rate, cites research in which one week of bed rest cost young men 2 pounds of muscle and 37 percent of their insulin sensitivity, and walks through the gut permeability mechanism behind her seven-food elimination protocol.She calls the carnivore diet the perfect short-term elimination diet for gut health, put her brain-injured son on a keto diet, and argues the government protein RDA was written for a ten year old, so protein for older adults needs doubling rather than cutting.She also tells the story of the hit and run that nearly killed her son at 16, why the muscle he was carrying is what she credits with saving him, and what four decades of clients taught her about healthy aging.CHAPTERS00:00 Trailer00:50 Meet JJ Virgin01:44 Told to lose 30 pounds at 1705:34 Why women fear getting bulky07:36 What the scale did to women's metabolism10:20 Walking into the weight room12:55 Muscle is your 401k14:26 When to start lifting, and bed rest16:46 The hit and run that nearly killed her son22:51 What almost losing him changed24:35 The seven foods and food sensitivity29:14 The seventh food nobody counts31:37 Carnivore, keto and diets as tools38:37 How much protein you actually need41:40 Her low fat years at 25% body fat46:53 A typical day, peptides and travel55:29 Rapid fire, creatine and the biggest protein lieAbout our Guest - JJ VirginCelebrity nutrition expert, fitness Hall of Famer, and author of The Metabolism Fix - Restore Your Body's Ability to Build Muscle and Lose Fat Faster, out December 29.Website - https://jjvirgin.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jj.virgin/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jjvirginvideosFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/JJVirginOfficial/Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/well-beyond-40/id911502027Host - Max Helmer, The Low Carb Consultant.Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@thelowcarbconsultantFollow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelowcarbconsultant/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxwellhelmer/Ep. 7810% off Equip foods prime protein - Code THELOWCARBCONSULTANThttps://www.equipfoods.com/?utm_source=superfiliate&utm_campaign=THELOWCARBCONSULTANT&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=eyJzZi1leHRlcm5hbC1zZXNzaW9uLXV1aWQiOiJhYzM2YTUzNi1mNjdiLTRmNmQtYTBkYi1lMTI5N2RiZWEwZjMiLCJzZi1vcmlnaW4iOiJvcmdhbmljLS1USEVMT1dDQVJCQ09OU1VMVEFOVCJ9&ref=superfiliate-THELOWCARBCONSULTANT&attributes=%7B%22sf-external-session-uuid%22+%3D%3E+%22e33bd5d6-b03b-4618-b6a3-5334531b4d13%22%2C+%22sf-origin%22+%3D%3E+%22organic--THELOWCARBCONSULTANT%22%7DKeto Brick Use code - TLCC https://team.ketobrick.com/TLCCSalty Provisions - High Mineral Clean Norwegian Sea SaltDiscount Code - TLCC#healthyaging #protein #bodyrecomposition

4.4
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About

Welcome to the low carb consultant podcast, where I speak with leading experts, trainers, and athletes in the low-carb, fasting, and strength and conditioning communities, to ultimately discover the best health and nutritional advice available.

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