Healthy & Awake Podcast

Mike Vera, Board-Certified Health Coach

On Healthy & Awake Podcast we question the conventional, explore the unconventional, and seek the truth in health and wellness.

  1. 4d ago

    How to Calm Your Nervous System: The Best Tool Is Free w/ Dr. Eva Selhub

    How do you calm your nervous system when survival mode has quietly become your baseline? Dr. Eva Selhub joins Mike Vera on the Healthy & Awake Podcast to get into stress, anxiety, and burnout, and instead of a standard Q&A, Mike brought four case studies, the archetypes he sees over and over in sessions as a health coach: the guy stuck in the cookie-and-coffee loop who asks why even bother, the person waking at 2 a.m. with layoffs circling, the mom quietly dreading the empty nest, and the caregiver running on empty. Resilience is more than toughness, she says, and she argues that the coping most people reach for only brings the stress response part of the way down, which leaves the baseline creeping higher over time. 🔎 ABOUT THE GUEST — DR. EVA SELHUB Dr. Eva Selhub is a board-certified internist who spent 20 years on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and served as medical director of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. She ran her own integrated medicine practice for over two decades and has written six books, including Burnout for Dummies, Resilience for Dummies, and The Love Response, and she co-authored Your Brain on Nature. Today she coaches C-suite leaders and teaches the SHIELD method and her six pillars of resilience. - Website: https://www.drselhub.com - Substack: https://substack.com/@dreva1 - Free Preview of Resilience Program - https://resilienceexperts.learnworlds.com/course/week7-free-sample - Foundations of Mastering Resilience (10-week self-paced program): https://resilienceexperts.learnworlds.com/course/foundations-of-mastering-resilience - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drevaselhub/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ESelhub 📖 FREE — WHY SUGAR KEEPS WINNING EVEN WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER This episode opens on the cookie loop, and Mike wrote the long version of it. Why sugar keeps winning even when you know better, and what is actually running underneath the craving. Free to read and subscribe: → https://mikevera.substack.com/p/why-sugar-keeps-winning-even-when 🤝 WORK WITH MIKE One-on-one coaching with a board-certified health coach, just $1 to start: → https://bit.ly/3QDnWg7 🔗 FOLLOW & LISTEN — HEALTHY & AWAKE - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healthyandawakepodcast - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeverahealth - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikeverahealth - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfvera

  2. Jun 29

    The Antidepressant Side Effect They Buried w/ Dr. David Healy

    Dr. David Healy, psychiatrist, psychopharmacologist, and author of Pharmageddon, returns to lay out what he argues the drug companies concealed about antidepressants. He says the healthy-volunteer trials showed sexual side effects in close to 90% of people while the marketed figure was under 5%, and he explains why he considers the word "antidepressant" itself a marketing term. Host Mike Vera, MS, NBC-HWC, walks through the trial data, informed consent, and whether the same pattern is now repeating with GLP-1 drugs. This is a discussion of Dr. Healy's research and perspective, shared for educational purposes only, and it is not medical advice. A note before you listen: this conversation covers antidepressants, SSRIs, and mental health, including the subject of suicidal thoughts. It is not a recommendation to start, stop, or change any medication. Always make medication decisions with your prescribing clinician. If you are struggling or in crisis, support is available 24/7: in the US, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). Outside the US, contact your local emergency services or crisis line. 🔎 ABOUT THE GUEST — DR. DAVID HEALY Dr. David Healy is a psychiatrist and psychopharmacologist, and one of the most influential critics of how antidepressants are studied, marketed, and sold. He founded RxISK, where people can report and research drug side effects, and he is the author of Pharmageddon and other books on antidepressants and the history of medicine. - Writing and blog: https://davidhealy.org - RxISK (report and research drug side effects): https://rxisk.org - Book: Pharmageddon 📖 FREE — THE COMPLETE GLP-1 BREAKDOWN Mike's no-hype breakdown of GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro): what they actually do, what happens when you stop, and what the research says the marketing leaves out. Free to read and subscribe: → https://mikevera.substack.com/p/the-ozempic-trap-what-theyre-not 🤝 WORK WITH MIKE One-on-one coaching with a board-certified health coach, just $1 to start: → https://bit.ly/3QDnWg7 🫁 BREATH TRAINING (affiliate) The breath-hold and meditation training Mike uses, from BreathHoldWork, 25% off automatically through these links: - Meditation Masterclass → https://www.breathholdwork.com/a/2148085889/XjErFcgW - BreathBuilt course → https://www.breathholdwork.com/a/2148152057/XjErFcgW — DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. This episode contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are not paid sponsorships, they are products and programs I personally use and recommend.

  3. Jun 17

    From SEAL Team 6 to Child Rescue: Craig Sawyer's Fight Against Trafficking

    Former Navy SEAL Team 6 operator Craig "Sawman" Sawyer — founder of the nonprofit Veterans for Child Rescue — joins Mike Vera on the Healthy & Awake Podcast to share his firsthand assessment of child trafficking in America: how he says it operates, why he believes it stays out of the headlines, and what he argues regular people can do about it. One of the heavier conversations we've had on the show, and one of the most important. 🔎 ABOUT THE GUEST — CRAIG SAWYER Craig "Sawman" Sawyer is a former Marine and Navy SEAL Team 6 operator who founded Veterans for Child Rescue (V4CR), a nonprofit that investigates child trafficking and works with law enforcement to bring predators to justice. His documentary, Contra Land, follows that work. - Veterans for Child Rescue: https://v4cr.org - Contra Land (documentary): https://contralandmovie.com 📖 FREE — THE COMPLETE GLP-1 BREAKDOWN Mike's no-hype breakdown of GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) — what they actually do, what happens when you stop, and what the research says the marketing leaves out. Free to read and subscribe: → https://mikevera.substack.com/p/the-ozempic-trap-what-theyre-not 🫁 BREATH TRAINING (affiliate) The breath-hold and meditation training Mike uses, from BreathHoldWork — 25% off automatically through these links: - Meditation Masterclass → https://www.breathholdwork.com/a/2148085889/XjErFcgW - BreathBuilt course → https://www.breathholdwork.com/a/2148152057/XjErFcgW 🔗 FOLLOW & LISTEN — HEALTHY & AWAKE - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healthyandawakepodcast - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/445erBVLF6J49TRAOtB0nk - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-awake-podcast/id1668607581 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeverahealth - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikeverahealth - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfvera — DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. This episode contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are not paid sponsorships — they're products and programs I personally use and recommend.

  4. 10/28/2025

    The Scientist Who Healed Herself When Modern Medicine Failed w/ Dorinda Smith

    In this episode of the Healthy & Awake Podcast, Mike Vera talks with immunotoxicologist Dori Smith, who reversed seven autoimmune diseases after being disabled for over a decade. They dive into the root causes of chronic inflammation, the science behind detoxification, and how functional medicine can help the body heal naturally. Dori shares how understanding genetics, nutrition, toxins, and faith transformed her life—and why conventional medicine still overlooks these key insights. If you’ve ever wondered whether true recovery from chronic illness is possible, this conversation will change your perspective. 🎧 Guest Links: Dori Smith YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DorindaASmithMS Website: https://www.truewellnesstoday.net/ Paper – “Introduction to Immunology and Autoimmunity” (1999): https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/pdf/10.1289/ehp.99107s5661 🧠 Avantia Health Optimization: Get personalized coaching for weight loss, chronic health issues, and peak performance → https://avantiahealthoptimization.com/ 💡 Support the show: BonCharge Glasses (15% off code: healthy-and-awake): https://boncharge.com/?rfsn=6048119.41d325MovNat Training (10% off code: mike_movnat): https://movnat.comBreath Training (25% off code: MIKE): https://breathholdwork.com🌐 All links & socials: https://mikevera.com ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Dori's Background 01:56 - What's the sequence of events—were you practicing science when you got sick? 03:05 - What did functional medicine offer you that conventional medicine did not? 06:31 - Can you give us an overview of sources of toxic exposure and how it fits into chronic illness? 09:28 - Detox and toxins: Is there legitimacy to these terms? 13:06 - What would you say to people who feel overwhelmed by toxic exposure? 16:07 - The identity shift: How does mindset affect healing? 21:21 - Are supplements the answer, or is there something more reasonable? 26:09 - What about stress, sleep, and other factors? (Tattoos, lifestyle, and hope for change) 31:53 - What do you think the biggest offender is from sources of toxic exposure? (Coffee, food, and more) 36:37 - How do you respond to people who think everything is poisoned? DISCLOSURE Content shared on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only. It’s not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health, nutrition, or lifestyle routines. Results vary by individual. © 2025 Healthy & Awake™ / Mike Vera

    The Scientist Who Healed Herself When Modern Medicine Failed w/ Dorinda Smith
  5. 10/12/2025

    12 Alternative Cancer Treatments: A Doctor Breaks Them Down w/ Dr. John Catanzaro [Ep. 77]

    In this eye-opening episode of the Healthy & Awake Podcast, Dr. John Catanzaro joins Mike Vera to break down 12 of the most searched alternative and integrative cancer treatments. From ivermectin, fenbendazole, and methylene blue, to peptides, vitamin C, cannabis, DMSO, and more—Dr. Catanzaro explains what actually works, what’s promising, and what’s overhyped. They also dive into the role of the microbiome, mitochondria, spike protein, and lifestyle changes in cancer progression and recovery. If you or someone you know is exploring options beyond conventional cancer care, this episode is a must-listen. https://neo7bioscience.com/ For a deeper dive into the studies we discussed, check out the companion article: https://mikevera.substack.com/p/12-emerging-cancer-therapies-youve ___________________________ 🧠 Avantia Health Optimization: Tired of conventional medicine treating symptoms instead of root causes? Get hyper-personalized coaching for sustainable weight loss, chronic health solutions, and peak performance. Start your transformation at https://avantiahealthoptimization.com/ 📢 Heads up: The links in the episode's show notes are affiliate links. Making a purchase through these links is a great way to support the show—at no extra cost to you! 👓 BonCharge Glasses: Protect your eyes and look great doing it! Get 15% off the stylish BonCharge glasses I wear with the code 'healthy-and-awake'. Shop here. https://boncharge.com/?rfsn=6048119.41d325 🏋️‍♂️ MovNat Natural Movement Training: Unlock your body’s potential with natural movement workshops, certifications, and retreats. Use code "mike_movnat" for 10% off and start moving better today! Visit MovNat.com. 🌬️ Breath Training Program: Master your breath for improved mental clarity and performance. Use code "MIKE" for 25% off eligible programs! Check it out at BreathHoldWork.com. --- Find all social media links, and everything else at www.mikevera.com 00:00 - Introduction 01:47 - Ivermectin & Fenbendazole 05:29 - Methylene Blue 08:12 - Peptide Therapy & Personalized Medicine 14:51 - High Dose IV Vitamin C 21:00 - Medicinal Mushrooms 25:21 - Chlorine Dioxide 27:21 - Cannabis 31:43 - DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) 38:47 - Apricot Seeds (B17) 42:47 - Rife Machine & Wave Therapies 47:05 - Colloidal Silver 50:46 - Lifestyle Changes for Cancer

    12 Alternative Cancer Treatments: A Doctor Breaks Them Down w/ Dr. John Catanzaro [Ep. 77]
  6. 05/21/2025

    Are We Poisoning Our Pets? A Veterinarian's Shocking Revelation w/ Dr. Judy Morgan [Ep. 76]

    In this eye-opening episode of the Healthy & Awake Podcast, holistic veterinarian Dr. Judy Morgan reveals the hidden dangers of toxic pet food, overprescribed pet vaccines, and harmful pharmaceuticals like trazodone for dogs. With over 40 years of experience, she shares how natural pet care and raw food for dogs can dramatically improve your pet’s health and longevity. We explore powerful alternatives like CBD for pets, mushroom therapy, food-based healing, and why many chronic illnesses and dog cancer cases may be preventable. This is a must-watch for anyone who loves their animals and wants the truth about the veterinary industry, veterinary corruption, and how to make smarter, safer choices. Learn how the microbiome, environmental toxins, and holistic medicine are changing the game for pets everywhere. Dr. Judy Morgan’s Website https://drjudymorgan.comNaturally Healthy Pets (her company) https://naturallyhealthypets.comDr. Judy U (her online course platform) https://drjudyu.com___________________________ 🧠 Avantia Health Optimization: Tired of conventional medicine treating symptoms instead of root causes? Get hyper-personalized coaching for sustainable weight loss, chronic health solutions, and peak performance. Start your transformation at https://avantiahealthoptimization.com/ 📢 Heads up: The links in the episode's show notes are affiliate links. Making a purchase through these links is a great way to support the show—at no extra cost to you! 👓 BonCharge Glasses: Protect your eyes and look great doing it! Get 15% off the stylish BonCharge glasses I wear with the code 'healthy-and-awake'. Shop here. https://boncharge.com/?rfsn=6048119.41d325 🏋️‍♂️ MovNat Natural Movement Training: Unlock your body’s potential with natural movement workshops, certifications, and retreats. Use code "mike_movnat" for 10% off and start moving better today! Visit MovNat.com. 🌬️ Breath Training Program: Master your breath for improved mental clarity and performance. Use code "MIKE" for 25% off eligible programs! Check it out at BreathHoldWork.com. Find all social media links, and everything else at www.mikevera.com 00:00 Introduction to Veterinary Drug Use 00:26 Meet Dr. Judy Morgan: Holistic Veterinarian 00:54 Discovering Holistic Veterinary Medicine 02:51 The Power of Alternative Therapies 07:12 The Importance of Pet Nutrition 12:06 The Dark Side of Commercial Pet Food 21:06 Vaccination Concerns for Pets 30:15 Client Demands for TF Vaccine 30:50 Veterinary Pricing Controversies 31:56 Homemade Diets for Pets 34:13 Pharmaceuticals for Pets 40:39 CBD and Alternative Therapies 42:41 Environmental Toxins and Pets 46:45 AI and the Future of Pet Care

    Are We Poisoning Our Pets? A Veterinarian's Shocking Revelation w/ Dr. Judy Morgan [Ep. 76]
  7. 05/13/2025

    Communist Medicine in America: A Doctor’s Warning w/ Dr. Renata Moon [Ep. 75]

    Send us a text In Episode 75 of the Healthy & Awake Podcast, Dr. Renata Moon, a board-certified pediatrician, shares her firsthand experience with medical censorship after raising concerns about COVID vaccine risks for children. Drawing parallels between her family's escape from communism and current events, Dr. Moon discusses the importance of informed consent and medical freedom. She details the repercussions she faced, including termination from her position and investigations by medical boards. This episode delves into the challenges of maintaining ethical standards in a climate where dissenting medical opinions are often suppressed. Silent Majority Foundation – Dr. Renata Moon v. WSU Case Page Details Dr. Moon’s lawsuit against Washington State University for alleged First Amendment violations following her Senate testimony. https://www.silentmajorityfoundation.org/renatamoon Donate to Support Dr. Moon’s Legal Fight Support Dr. Moon's efforts to defend medical freedom and free speech. https://secure.silentmajorityfoundation.org/np/clients/silentmajorityfoundation/donation.jsp?campaign=6 Senator Ron Johnson’s COVID-19 Vaccine Roundtable (Dec 7, 2022) Official page for the Senate roundtable where Dr. Moon testified about COVID-19 vaccine safety. https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2022/12/sen-ron-johnson-hears-from-experts-and-medical-professionals-on-covid-19-vaccine-efficacy-and-safety ___________________________ 🧠 Avantia Health Optimization: Tired of conventional medicine treating symptoms instead of root causes? Get hyper-personalized coaching for sustainable weight loss, chronic health solutions, and peak performance. Start your transformation at https://avantiahealthoptimization.com/ 📢 Heads up: The links in the episode's show notes are affiliate links. Making a purchase through these links is a great way to support the show—at no extra cost to you! 👓 BonCharge Glasses: Protect your eyes and look great doing it! Get 15% off the stylish BonCharge glasses I wear with the code 'healthy-and-awake'. Shop here. https://boncharge.com/?rfsn=6048119.41d325 🏋️‍♂️ MovNat Natural Movement Training: Unlock your body’s potential with natural movement workshops, certifications, and retreats. Use code "mike_movnat" for 10% off and start moving better today! Visit MovNat.com. 🌬️ Breath Training Program: Master your breath for improved mental clarity and performance. Use code "MIKE" for 25% off eligible programs! Check it out at BreathHoldWork.com. Find all social media links, and everything else at www.mikevera.com  00:00 Introduction and Personal Story 00:48 Welcome to Healthy and Awake Podcast 00:56 Introducing Dr. Renata Moon 01:34 Dr. Moon's Experience During the Pandemic 04:00 Concerns About the COVID-19 Vaccine 07:58 The Impact of Speaking Out 13:31 Reflections on Communism and Capitalism 27:21 The Rise of Real ID and Its Implications 28:23 Voice of America: A Beacon of Freedom 29:05 The Quest for Freedom and American Values 31:48 Fired for Questioning Mandates 33:36 Speaking Out at the Senate H/

    Communist Medicine in America: A Doctor’s Warning w/ Dr. Renata Moon [Ep. 75]
  8. 05/07/2025

    FDA Whistleblower Exposes Toxic Truth About Your Food w/ Dr. Renee Dufault [Ep. 74]

    Send us a text FDA whistleblower Dr. Renee Dufault joins the Healthy & Awake Podcast to expose the hidden dangers of heavy metals in food, including how high fructose corn syrup, ultra-processed foods, and nutritional epigenetics are linked to rising rates of autism and ADHD. We discuss her groundbreaking research, the FDA’s internal resistance, and how food choices impact future generations. Dr. Dufault also shares hopeful strategies for detoxing your diet, building health through regenerative agriculture, and creating systemic change. If you care about food safety, autism prevention, or just want to understand the truth behind processed foods, this episode is a must-listen. Keywords include: FDA whistleblower, nutritional epigenetics, heavy metals in food, autism and food, high fructose corn syrup mercury. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Dr. Renee Dufault’s Published Research: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Renee+dufaultFood Ingredient Safety Nonprofit: https://foodingredientsafety.orgDr. Dufault’s Website: https://reneedufault.comUnsafe at Any Meal (Book): https://a.co/d/9VeBJUQUnsafe at Any Meal – Study Guide: https://a.co/d/1bro5Lp___________________________ 🧠 Avantia Health Optimization: Tired of conventional medicine treating symptoms instead of root causes? Get hyper-personalized coaching for sustainable weight loss, chronic health solutions, and peak performance. Start your transformation at https://avantiahealthoptimization.com/ 📢 Heads up: The links in the episode's show notes are affiliate links. Making a purchase through these links is a great way to support the show—at no extra cost to you! 👓 BonCharge Glasses: Protect your eyes and look great doing it! Get 15% off the stylish BonCharge glasses I wear with the code 'healthy-and-awake'. Shop here. https://boncharge.com/?rfsn=6048119.41d325 🏋️‍♂️ MovNat Natural Movement Training: Unlock your body’s potential with natural movement workshops, certifications, and retreats. Use code "mike_movnat" for 10% off and start moving better today! Visit MovNat.com. 🌬️ Breath Training Program: Master your breath for improved mental clarity and performance. Use code "MIKE" for 25% off eligible programs! Check it out at BreathHoldWork.com. Find all social media links, and everything else at www.mikevera.com  00:00 FDA Controversy and Introduction 00:36 Meet Dr. Renee DuFault 01:15 Nutritional Epigenetics Explained 04:09 Impact of Diet on Autism and ADHD 05:46 Heavy Metals in Food Supply 24:27 Health Coaching and Corporate Influence 26:23 The Illusion of Trust in Authority 27:33 Personal Health Choices and Western Medicine 30:06 Waking Up to Corruption in Public Health 34:20 Optimism for the Future of Agriculture and Health

    FDA Whistleblower Exposes Toxic Truth About Your Food w/ Dr. Renee Dufault [Ep. 74]

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

On Healthy & Awake Podcast we question the conventional, explore the unconventional, and seek the truth in health and wellness.

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