White Coat Black Sheep

Dr. Valerie Civelli
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Medicine

Hosted by Dr. Val Civelli, White Coat Black Sheep explores physiology, functional medicine, and the medical questions most people are told not to ask. This is where evidence meets curiosity, where dogma gets uncomfortable, and where real world medicine takes priority over headlines. From understanding your lab work to debunking hormone myths, medication misconceptions, and optimization strategies, this podcast helps you understand what is actually happening inside your body. If you care about health and think there might be a better way to practice medicine, you’re in the right place.

  1. 21h ago

    Francisco Padilla's Road From Prison to Doctor of Physical Therapy

    Francisco Padilla's path to becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy started about as far from a classroom as possible. He grew up in a rural part of Mexico where he didn't know anyone in a medical or professional career, dropped out of high school, and ended up serving five years in prison, where he earned his GED. Less than a year after his release, while working in the oil fields, he was in a car accident that left him with burns over nearly 80% of his body. He spent months in an induced coma, underwent 30 surgeries, lost the digits on his hand, and remained hospitalized for over 10 months. In this episode, Dr. Civelli talks with Francisco about how that experience became the turning point of his life. He shares what it was like to relearn how to walk, the depression and brain fog that followed, and the moment his own physical therapists encouraged him to go back to school instead of returning to his old life. As a first-generation college student with no roadmap, he sold his car, his motorcycle, and his jet skis to study full time, retook classes he failed, and prepared for the GRE while working a near full-time job. He talks candidly about how his criminal record became a "red flag" in nearly every program application, how some interviewers questioned whether he'd even be able to get licensed, and why he pushed forward anyway. Francisco now owns Padilla Physical Therapy and Fitness Incorporated, a family-run practice in Wasco, California, where his mother and nephew both work, and is preparing to open a second location in Bakersfield. He and Dr. Civelli also dig into the recovery tools he uses and recommends to patients, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500, sauna, cold plunge, and why he believes movement is often the most underused medicine in physical therapy.

    56 min

  2. Jun 10

    The Album I Owe Myself | Ep. 17

    SHOW NOTES About This Episode Brandon Benjamin Benavidez — known as B3 — is a Bakersfield native, hip-hop artist, and labor foreman in the film industry. He's worked on major productions including Twisters, Elevation, and Sponsor, managing large crews on location across the country. He's also a husband, a father to a four-year-old daughter with autism and a history of febrile seizures, and a musician with four albums out — with his best work, he says, still ahead of him. Topics Covered B3's background: from football dreams to film sets to the Bakersfield rap sceneWhy he almost didn't take music seriously — and what changed his mind senior yearWorking as a labor foreman on Twisters, Elevation (Anthony Mackie), and Sponsor (John C. Reilly)His daughter's autism diagnosis and febrile seizures — 16 seizures by age fourThe gut-brain axis and its connection to autism, seizure thresholds, and neurological healthWhy he chose not to medicate, and how ABA therapy and speech therapy have shaped her daily lifeDr. Civelli on ketogenic diet and glucose stability as tools for seizure managementThe perfectionist artist: rushing album four (Neapolitan), and what "letting God write it" looks like nowBeing the sole provider, managing chronic stress, and the gray beard that showed up during TwistersWhat accountability in health actually looks like — and why B3 is ready to startMentioned in This Episode Twisters (2024) — film, directed by Lee Isaac ChungElevation (2024) — film with Anthony MackieSponsor — film with John C. ReillyNeapolitan — B3's fourth album (released August 2024)Bricktown, Oklahoma CityABA therapy and speech therapy for autismKetogenic diet and febrile seizure managementLove on the Spectrum — Netflix seriesBaylen Out Loud — YouTube creator with Tourette syndromeBuc-ee'sConnect B3 on Instagram: @b3astof661 | https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mbxGBNS_FeHurJ4O9RFVzbpKRNVqr4fsUDr. Valerie Civelli / Trifecta Medical: trifectamedical.org | (661) 677-2623Guest inquiries: justin@thebeaconstudios.com

    46 min

  3. Jun 3

    Your Body Is Keeping Score — and It's Time to Listen | Ep. 16

    SHOW NOTESDr. Valerie Civelli welcomes Dr. Anna Marie — known as the Mindset Doctor — for a conversation that moves from entrepreneurship and ego vs. soul alignment all the way to tongue analysis, quantum fields, and the emotional roots of thyroid disease. It is one of those episodes where the clinical and the spiritual keep meeting in the middle. Topics covered: Ego vs. soul-led decision making in business and healthMetacognition — why less than 30% of people think about their thoughtsThe Flexner Report and how Western medicine shifted away from holistic rootsWhy mindset outranks diet and exercise as the primary driver of healthTongue analysis and iridology as diagnostic toolsThe connection between emotional suppression and physical diseaseDr. Anna Marie's personal history with psychiatric medication at age 22 and how she healedBioregulators and plant stem cellsThyroid issues, the throat chakra, and speaking your truthWhy placebo works 30% of the time — and how to use thatMentioned in this episode: Happy Whole You (Bakersfield, CA) — happywholeyou.comDr. Masaru Emoto's water consciousness researchThe Flexner Report (1910)528 Hz — the frequency associated with love in sound therapyIridology and blue lymphatic iris constitutionAbout Dr. Anna Marie:Dr. Anna Marie, known as The Mindset Doctor™, is a leader in mindset transformation, human performance, and holistic wellness. With over two decades of experience in education, health, and well-being, she helps individuals and organizations bridge the gap between external success and internal fulfillment. Blending neuroscience, neuropsychology, and epigenetics with a mind-body-spirit approach, she empowers people to break through limiting beliefs, reconnect with purpose, and elevate their performance from the inside out. As the founder of Happy Whole You™, she has helped countless individuals and teams move from burnout and disconnection to alignment, resilience, and lasting transformation. Connect with Dr. Anna Marie: Happy Whole You: happywholeyou.comInstagram: @dr.anna.marie Connect with Dr. Civelli + Trifecta Medical: trifectamedical.org7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield, CA 93308(661) 677-2623

    1h 4m

  4. May 27

    Forged in Fire: Vinni Morais on Hunger, Discipline, and the Long Road to the Arnold Classic | Ep. 15

    SHOW NOTES Intro Vinni Morais grew up in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Brazil, using jujitsu as a survival tool before it became a career. He came to the US on a soccer scholarship, earned degrees in sport management and international business, won a BJJ world title in 2021, placed ninth at Mr. Olympia in 2024, and won both his division and the overall at the Arnold Classic, one month after losing his mother. Topics Covered Growing up in poverty in Brazil and how sports became a way outThe soccer scholarship pipeline and why he walked away from soccer permanentlyBJJ black belt journey (15 years) and the 2021 World ChampionshipThe transition to competitive bodybuilding and what his first show taught himLosing his mother one month before his 2025 competition prep, and competing anyway"Impossible" tattooed on his abdomen with the end scratched out to read "I am possible"Peptides vs. PEDs: why the distinction matters and how the industry gets it wrongThe three-dose problem: what the coach prescribes, what the athlete actually takes, and what they tell people they takeMOTS-c, SS31, NAD+, IGF-1, SAOPP, Retatrutide, and GHK-Cu, how they work and when to use themWhy MOD-GRF should be taken in the morning, not at nightMitochondrial function, aging after 30, and why NAD+ supplementation isn't a stimulantCycling off peptides and why continuous use can blunt receptor responseWhy sweating more doesn't equal fat lossMentioned Arnold ClassicMr. OlympiaPanic! at the Disco, "High Hopes"Freddie Mercury, "The Show Must Go On""Pressure Creates Kings" (song referenced by Vinni)Flame and Fire (Arnold Classic sponsor)Trifecta MedicalConnect Trifecta Medical: trifectamedical.org | (661) 677-2623 | 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CAGuest inquiries and episode submissions: justin@thebeaconstudios.com

    1h 1m

  5. May 20

    A PI, a New Dad, and a Doctor Walk Into a Podcast | Ep. 14

    Intro Miguel Morales is a California-licensed private investigator, content creator, new father, and self-proclaimed aspiring Norteño accordion performer. He was born in Florida, found love in Bakersfield on St. Patrick's Day at McGarry's, became a father at 27 to a son named Makai who was almost running as of the recording date, and bought a $1,200 accordion as a birthday present to himself before he knew how to play it. He is currently episode 13 of White Coat Black Sheep, which he would like noted for the record. Topics Covered Fatherhood at 27 — what changes the moment you realize there is a literal half-you in the world, and how every week brings a new chapter. Medicine and performance — why getting the degree does not mean you stop answering to someone, and why the bosses just multiply. Private investigation work — what Miguel actually does day to day, why infidelity is the most common individual case, and why the hardcore criminal work is a building phase. The marriage scale — why six to ten is a green light, five is a dead zone, and the Malta family tree moment that reframed everything. Accordion at a quinceañera — buying a $1,200 instrument before you can play it, performing before you are ready, and why that is the right move every time. Sunday as a non-negotiable — how faith, family, and zero work became the structure that grounds the rest of the week. Fitness with real life — why 20 minutes of air squats in the living room after a 12-hour shift counts, and why consistency beats intensity every time. Legacy over logistics — why keeping the bigger mission in mind is the only way to survive both parenting and partnership. The hormonal cycle explained — Dr. Civelli's rapid-fire relationship advice to close out the episode. Mentioned in This Episode McGarry's Irish Pub — Bakersfield, CA Fitology Wellness Center — Florida Bakersfield College, CSUB, University of West Florida, Adventist University of Health Sciences The Epstein files and child safety conversation Follicular, LH, and luteal phases of the female hormonal cycle Connect Miguel Morales https://www.instagram.com/miguelangelmoraleshttps://www.tiktok.com/@miguelangelmoraleshttps://www.facebook.com/miguel.morales.363540 Dr. Valerie Civelli — trifectamedical.org Trifecta Medical — 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CA 93308 | (661) 677-2623 | info@trifectamedical.org Services: HRT, Peptides, Health Optimization, Botox, IV Hydration, Functional Medicine, Dermatology, Aesthetics, Regenerative Medicine, Hair Loss Treatments, Psychiatry, Clinical Trials Guest intake: justin@thebeaconstudios.com

    1h 2m

  6. May 13

    Your Vibe IS Your Brand | Ep. 13

    Intro Terri Agcaoili is a healthcare marketing strategist born and raised in Kern County, working across cardiology, neurology, and OBGYN to build the practices and brands of some of the valley's most mission-driven physicians. She also just launched Fitology, a full-service wellness center in Pensacola, Florida, got engaged on a beach at sunset with a funky band playing, and somehow still had time to show up early with a sandwich in her purse. She's exactly the kind of energy this show was built for. Topics Covered Personal branding in a community where your name IS your reputationHealthcare marketing: what it means to build someone else's vision when you're aligned with itCollagen types 1 through 5, why chicken beats beef for type 2, and what chicken sternum, crest, and feet actually doGLP-1 medications: Tirzepatide vs. Retatrutide, accessibility, micro-dosing, and the inflammation angleChicory root in your coffee — it might not be for everyoneHiring with intention: building a team of hand-selected people, not people with a pulseFaith, alignment, and turning down money when your values aren't in lineThe "coming in hot" text and why respecting time is a form of loveSocial media and the danger of getting health information from influencersPeople and Things Mentioned Terri Agcaoili — @agcaoili on InstagramFitology Wellness Center, Pensacola FL — fitologylife.comDr. Sandhu, California Cardiovascular InstituteTirzepatide (GLP-1 / GIP receptor agonist, brand name Mounjaro / Zepbound)Retatrutide (GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon triple receptor agonist, in development)Collagen types 1 through 5Chicory root — common coffee alternative, in many products, not tolerated by everyoneConnect Terri Agcaoili — @terriagcaoili | terriagcaoili@gmail.com | (661) 205-4079Dr. Valerie Civelli — trifectamedical.org Trifecta Medical — 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CA 93308 | (661) 677-2623 | info@trifectamedical.org Services: HRT, Peptides, Health Optimization, Botox, IV Hydration, Functional Medicine, Dermatology, Aesthetics, Regenerative Medicine, Hair Loss Treatments, Psychiatry, Clinical Trials Guest intake: https://forms.clickup.com/9017720434/f/8cqyzkj-7997/PAKUAT3ISINQJZFNDQ

    52 min

  7. May 6

    Your Labs Are Normal. So Why Do You Feel Like Trash? | Ep. 12

    Intro Ten weeks into the podcast, Dr. Civelli and Justin take stock — what the show is doing, why it matters, and where it's headed. Then they get into it: a full listener mailbag with no softballs. Topics Covered Snoring and sleep as the foundation of every health problemTestosterone: why total T vs. free T matters, and what 310 actually meansGLP-1s and Ozempic: the real concern isn't addiction — it's what happens when skinny becomes the goal at any costAntidepressants: how to taper off safely, and why methylene blue is worth looking atRecognizing depression in men who don't think they're depressedInflammation markers: what "eat better" actually means and what doctors missFunctional medicine explained: root cause vs. Band-Aid, and the chess game of complex healthStress and the mom who does everything right but still feels offSleep tracking tools: wearables, rings, bedside apps, and vagal nerve stimulatorsFitology Medical in Pensacola — how a Facebook poke accidentally started a wellness centerMentioned Viome (customized toothpaste + microbiome supplements)BioCell collagenLion's mane, ashwagandha, chaga, L-theanine, BCAAsVivix antioxidantNMN (NAD precursor)Methylene blue / BPC-157Creatine (10mg/day split)Oura Ring / WhoopCPAP, mouth tape, jaw repositioning devicesVagal nerve stimulator (Q Collar adjacent)Retatrutide / Tirzepatide (GLP-1s)Quest Diagnostics (cash-based lab orders via Dr. Civelli's Instagram)Connect Instagram: @drcivelliTrifecta Medical: trifectamedical.org | (661) 677-2623New patients: info@trifectamedical.orgGuest inquiries / questions: justin@thebeaconstudios.com

    58 min

  8. Apr 29

    When Your DNA Knows Better Than Your Doctor | Ep. 11

    About the Guest Jinal Patel is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner at Adventist Health's Chester location, where she practices in an internal medicine clinic with a growing focus on functional and integrative medicine. Originally from India and raised in Canada, Jinal earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Studies before relocating to Florida, where she completed her BSN and Master of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner while working as an ICU nurse in Orlando. Now based in Bakersfield, she provides holistic, longevity-focused care emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle, and mental wellness — treating everything from diabetes and hypertension to women's health and thyroid disorders. She is fluent in English, Gujarati, and Hindi, and is currently accepting new patients. Intro Dr. Civelli sits down with Jinal for a conversation that goes exactly where you'd hope two clinicians obsessed with functional medicine would take it — deep into the gut, the genome, and the gap between what conventional medicine offers and what patients actually need. Topics Covered Functional medicine and how the field has evolved over the past 20 years. Cycle syncing and how menstrual phases should inform workout intensity, intermittent fasting, and nutrition. The Oura Ring and heart rate variability as stress indicators. The beta-glucuronidase gene, estrogen dominance, and implications for hormone replacement therapy. Gut microbiome testing and DNA sequencing as tools for personalized treatment. Glucose monitoring and how eating order at meals affects A1C. The connection between work culture, community, and long-term health. Why the basics — sleep, diet, movement, social connection — have to come before supplements or peptides can make a meaningful difference. Mentioned Oura Ring, Glucose Goddess, Viome gut microbiome test, DNA Collect, CGM (continuous glucose monitor), functional medicine conference in Las Vegas, MTHFR gene, beta-glucuronidase enzyme, GLP-1s, NAC, glutathione, blue zones Connect Trifecta Medical — trifectamedical.org | (661) 677-2623Jinal Patel — Adventist Health Chester | https://doctors.adventisthealth.org/provider/jinal-patel/3095648IG @np.jinal Want to be a guest on White Coat Black Sheep? We're always looking for clinicians, researchers, and health professionals who are ready to challenge the status quo. Email justin@thebeaconstudios.com to start the conversation.

    48 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hosted by Dr. Val Civelli, White Coat Black Sheep explores physiology, functional medicine, and the medical questions most people are told not to ask. This is where evidence meets curiosity, where dogma gets uncomfortable, and where real world medicine takes priority over headlines. From understanding your lab work to debunking hormone myths, medication misconceptions, and optimization strategies, this podcast helps you understand what is actually happening inside your body. If you care about health and think there might be a better way to practice medicine, you’re in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Valerie Civelli
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dr. Valerie Civelli
  • Show Website
    White Coat Black Sheep

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