The Made to Thrive Show

Steve Stavs

Optimising your mind, body and soul. Hosted by Steve Stavs, Africa's Pro Biohacker, Health Futurist, and founder of www.madetothrive.co.za.

  1. 3 days ago

    The Creatine Masterclass: Why & How Men and Women Optimize Performance with this Miracle Compound. Dr Darren Candow PhD CSEP-CEP FISSN (Rebroadcast)

    Despite being the most studied supplement of all time, creatine is making a big resurgence.  That's why we decided to rebroadcast this highly informative episode, that is more relevant now, than when it was originally posted.  It’s been the hot topic in the health podcast space, as new scientific evidence is showing creatine is about more than looking big, but has big and important effects on brain health and overall longevity. But, like all things, creatine needs to be handled with care. It needs to be the right type, at the right dose, at the right times, with the right movement and for the right person. That’s why it was fundamentally important for me to get a true creatine expert on the show, Dr Darren Candow. Dr. Darren Candow is a professor specializing in exercise physiology, nutrition, and aging. He supervises the Aging Muscle and Bone Health Laboratory, where the primary research focus is to develop effective lifestyle interventions involving nutrition—primarily creatine monohydrate—and physical activity, particularly resistance training. These interventions aim to improve muscle, bone, and brain health and function, with both practical and clinical relevance. To date, Dr. Candow has published over 120 peer-reviewed journal articles, supervised more than 20 MSc/PhD students, and secured research funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Nutricia Research Foundation. Join us as we explore: Everything about creatine! What it is, is it right for you, the safest form, dosage, its most important (and surprising) effects, why it’s the most studied supplement ever and some risks and side effects.Creatine’s incredible effects on a sleep deprived and exhausted brain!Creatine’s relationship to caffeine, hyperbaric chambers/hypoxia and TRT.Dr Candow’s recommended morning exercise and creatine protocol.Does creatine cause you to gain weight, retain water, and is the loading phase a real thing?Veganism and creatine.Mention: Study - Creatine and anti-depressants, Roitman, S., Green, T., Osher, Y., Karni, N., Levine, J., & Levine, S. (2012). Creatine monohydrate in resistant depression: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(7), 779-784. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.11091452 Study - Creatine and pregnancy, Ellery, S. J., LaRosa, D. A., Kett, M. M., Della Gatta, P. A., Snow, R. J., Walker, D. W., & Dickinson, H. (2016). Dietary creatine supplementation during pregnancy: A study on the effects of creatine supplementation on creatine homeostasis and renal excretory function in spiny mice. Amino Acids, 48(8), 1819–1830. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-015-2150-7 Study - Creatine and sleep deprivation, Gordji-Nejad, A., Matusch, A., Kleedörfer, S., Patel, H. J., Drzezga, A., Elmenhorst, D., Binkofski, F., & Bauer, A. (2024). Single dose creatine improves cognitive performance and induces changes in cerebral high energy phosphates during sleep deprivation. Scientific Reports, 14, 4937. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54249-9 Person - Stuart Phillips, https://experts.mcmaster.ca/display/phillis Support the show Follow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok Support the show on Patreon: As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShow Send me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

  2. 19 Aug

    Toxic Fat: The Most Dangerous Sign for Heart Disease. Unpacking The Fat Crisis Around Your Heart and Organs. Dr Sean O’Mara MD JD (Rebroadcast)

    This week we run a rebroadcast, back by popular demand, of our discussion with Dr Sean O’Mara, and what an incredible episode it was with an amazing health hero  who gives a no nonsense, no prisoners-taken masterclass on visceral fat and adipose tissue, and how it’s killing you and turning on the “ugly button”. What sets this episode apart is not only Dr O’Mara’s knowledge, but his use of incredible visual images to tell the story of visceral fat and how it is creating disease and death. This is one of the most important episodes I’ve ever done.  Dr. Sean O'Mara works with business executives, professional performers and athletes motivated to optimize through innovative techniques of performance enhancement. He was a founder of an innovative medical startup in Minneapolis, MN called Lantu, focusing on health and performance optimization. In 2016, Lantu was awarded a National Science Foundation research grant to reverse chronic disease. Dr. O'Mara and his team used cutting-edge data analytics to glean insights to both identify and leverage innovative biometrics/biomarkers of health, the human genome as well as the microbiome. He has over a decade of experience evaluating and, more importantly, reversing chronic disease. He innovatively provides his clients with practical solutions to optimize their overall appearance, performance, health, and quality of life. No risky pharmaceuticals, hormones, or surgical interventions are needed for better optimizing results. Join us as we explore: Visceral fat, adipose tissue, is any amount healthy, where it comes from , how to get rid of it and how it’s the #1 risk most directly causal to cardiovascular disease.Why your face is a picture of your health, especially as you age and how visceral fat and adipose tissues affects everything from hormones to cancer and even your beauty.The number one (by far) most important thing everyone needs to do to get rid of visceral fat, including visual proof of how it can radically change your body composition in less than 6 months!Why the “MRI ends the lie” and is the best tool available to literally see where your visceral fat is hiding and creating 24/7 inflammatory disease.Terrifying photos of young children’s visceral fat, and the massive changes to their health and face when the fat is vanquished.Contact: Website: https://drseanomara.com Instagram: @drseanomara Mention: Programs - The Alpha Plan, https://drseanomara.com/plans Support the show Follow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok Support the show on Patreon: As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShow Send me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

  3. 12 Aug

    Stillness Under Fire: How Daily Meditation Clears Allostatic Overload, Heals Corporate Burnout & Restores Presence Amid Panic, Anxiety & Overstimulation — with Tom Cronin, Founder of The Stillness Project

    Panic. Stress. Overwhelm. Anxiety. Worry. It’s me, it’s you, it’s everyone. What are we going to do? Meditate. Be present. Yes, this ancient practice and philosophy is more relevant and necessary than ever before. Why? Because we are overstimulated and overloaded. Allostatic overloaded. But how to meditate in this world and brain of overstimulation? Tom has some tips and tricks to succeed with meditation in an overstimulated world. Tom Cronin is the founder of The Stillness Project, author of a global movement to inspire 1 billion people to meditate daily, and Producer and Writer of the film and book The Portal. Tom discovered meditation in the early stages of his successful 26 yr career in finance as a tool for stress management. Tom’s experiences through meditation were not only immediate but very profound. He explored deeper into the realms of his meditation practice and Eastern philosophy, and after completing his teacher training in Bali, India and Australia, he qualified as a meditation teacher. Tom has been teaching meditation for top level companies in Australia, from Nova Fm, CBA, Rivkin Finance, Criteo and Fairfax Media and also authored 6 books. Contact: Website - https://tomcronin.com Join us as we explore: The corporate burnout crisis, Tom’s nervous breakdown and how he transformed from it.Allostatic load, how to clear it and the highest 20 min ROI practice is meditation.How to find peace and presence inside of us despite the chaos and craziness happening around us by balancing the polarity of pleasure and pain In a world chasing pleasure and avoiding pain at all costs.Modeling peace for our kids by following one simple principle, and why we need to embrace dynamic, more relevant schooling systems like the Green School.Why peak performance is happening during the time you are not performing.Why 85% of lawyers are anxious and depressed.Mentions: School - Green School Bali, https://bali.greenschool.org Person - Steven Kotler, https://www.stevenkotler.com  Support the show Follow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok Support the show on Patreon: As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShow Send me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

  4. 5 Aug

    The Modern Mental Health Crisis Is an Environment Problem: Fix Your Nervous System, Boost HRV & Beat Overstimulation | Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD

    What if the mental health crisis isn’t simply a crisis of the mind—but a crisis of the environment we’ve created for the brain? In this fascinating conversation with Dr. Dave Rabin, one of my best podcasts ever, we explore why our nervous systems are being pushed beyond what they evolved to handle, how chronic overstimulation is fueling everything from burnout to dementia, why HRV is one of the most important biomarkers of longevity and the remarkable science and results of the ApolloNeuro. Dr. David M. L. Rabin, MD, PhD, is a translational neuroscientist, psychiatrist, entrepreneur & inventor on a mission to cure mental illness. He has been studying the impact of chronic stress in humans for over 20 years, focusing on trauma, addiction, and human performance. Dr. Rabin is a Senior Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder at Apollo Neuroscience, the Executive Director of The Board of Medicine nonprofit medical board, and the Medical Director of The Apollo Clinic.  Dr. Rabin is also the author of A Simple Guide to Being Alive (2026). At the Apollo Clinic, Dr. Rabin and his team collaborate with clients and patients, empowering them to take control of their mental and physical health by tapping into the natural ability for the body to adapt and heal itself.  Contact Website - https://www.drdave.io Website - https://apolloneuro.com Join us as we explore: Why the mental health crisis is at the core a cognitive and neurological habitat mismatch emergency - things are too much, too fast and too loud and we are overstimulated, overwhelmed and overreactive.How an overstimulated world has crashed the glympathic system and led to the fact dementia is now the number one killer in multiple countries.The three major categories of chronic, acute nervous system overstimulation.Measuring overstimulation subjectively and critically objectively with data and using technology to curate the habitat required for a healthy nervous system.Why HRV is the true longevity signal, and how ApolloNeuro can elevate your HRV sustainably.How Dr Rabin used ApolloNeuro to move his HRV from the 20s to averaging over 100 ms and hitting heights of 220 ms.Dr Rabin’s 17 clinical trials prove scientifically the ApolloNeuro works to improve REM, deep sleep, decrease burnout and elevate HRV.Dr Rabin’s new book “A Simple Guide to Being Alive”, and his three most important guidelines.Mentions Science - ApolloNuero Backed by Science, https://apolloneuro.com/pages/apollo-neuro-research Support the show Follow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok Support the show on Patreon: As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShow Send me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

  5. 29 Jul

    Stress Is Your Greatest Performance Tool: Master HRV, Vagus Tone & Beat Burnout | Matt Bennett

    We’ve been taught that stress is the enemy! And I have been trying for years to break that dogma. Because stress is actually one of your greatest performance tools. And there is one data point that encapsulates stress - HRV.  In this episode, we explore why HRV may be one of the most powerful biomarkers for improving not only personal health and resilience, stopping the burnout epidemic and improving employee wellbeing, engagement, and performance in the modern workplace. Matt Bennett is a keynote speaker, author, and trainer who brings trauma-informed care, neurobiology, behavior change, and resilience to life for professional audiences. Through compelling stories, practical frameworks, and research-based insight, he helps people see their work — and the people they serve — through a more hopeful, effective, and transformational lens. His presentations are energetic, thought-provoking, and actionable, designed to inspire audiences while giving them tools they can use immediately. Contact: Website - https://www.optimalhrv.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-bennett-584abb3  Join us as we explore: What is stress, and why we need it to succeed.HRV, defining it, why it goes up and down, measuring burnout with HRV and the 4 stages of burnout.The vagus nerve, vagal tone, a “good” HRV, how to improve it and HRV’s connection to emotions and cognition.How HRV is the best data point to improve employee wellbeing while improving employee productivity and performance.The demonization of stress, differentiating between distress and eustress and why a majority of stress is happening automatically and subconsciously.The best and worst HRV wearablesSupport the show Follow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok Support the show on Patreon: As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShow Send me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

  6. 22 Jul

    Nitric Oxide: The Master Molecule That Controls Blood Pressure, Clears Soft Arterial Plaque, Protects Your Brain & Lowers Diabetes + Alzheimer’s Risk | Nathan Bryan, PhD

    What if one tiny molecule played the central role in your blood pressure, heart health, brain function, exercise performance, and even your risk of diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease? Dr Nathan Bryan believes that molecule is nitric oxide. And he walks the walk, having used his N101 products for decades testing shows his endothelial health to be of someone half his biological age! This is an incredible, illuminating podcast that deserves worldwide attention. Dr. Nathan Bryan has been involved in nitric oxide research for the past 25 years and has made many seminal discoveries in the field. His many seminal discoveries have resulted dozens of issued US and International patents and the product technology resulting from his discoveries and inventions has improved patient care worldwide. His companies and product technology are responsible for more than one billion dollars in product sales worldwide. Bryan is an international leader in molecular medicine and nitric oxide biochemistry. Contact:  Website - https://n1o1.com Join us as we explore: The secret power of nitric oxide - the root causes of deficiency, the #1 symptom of insufficiency and why it’s molecularly a hormone.Nitric oxide’s causation to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease.Eliminating deadly soft arterial plague with nitric oxide lozenges.Why most nitric oxide promoting supplements are false marketing.How your toothpaste and mouth wash are destroying your nitric oxide.How exercise creates nitric oxide.The key enzyme for nitric oxide and how to keep it in high supply.Mentions  Podcast - Dr Robert Elliot, https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/the-made-to-thrive-show/id1509452847?i=1000718543359  Podcast - Dr John Osborne, https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/the-made-to-thrive-show/id1509452847?i=1000766332388 Study - Elrod JW, Calvert JW, Gundewar S, Bryan NS, Lefer DJ. Nitric oxide promotes distant organ protection: evidence for an endocrine role of nitric oxide. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Aug 12;105(32):11430-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0800700105. Epub 2008 Aug 6. PMID: 18685092; PMCID: PMC2516252 Support the show Follow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok Support the show on Patreon: As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShow Send me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

  7. 15 Jul

    Beyond the Operating Room: How AI, Regenerative Medicine & Smarter Protocols Are Changing Surgery with Dr. Robert Whitfield, MD

    Surgery doesn’t end when you leave the operating theatre. And in fact, it begins long before you step into the hospital. Dr Rob Whitfield is a surgeon intent on doing things differently for his patients aka doing things better. From informed consent, to holistic and personalized post-op care and removing toxic implants, he is setting a new standard. With AI, regenerative medicine, and direct-to-consumer biotechnology the future isn’t just better surgery but smarter preparation and recovery. Dr. Robert Whitfield understands what you're going through. He has listened to thousands of patients describe the same experience: symptoms that don't add up, doctors who dismiss them, and a desperate search for someone who will take them seriously. As a board-certified plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Whitfield has published the largest PCR-tested explant capsule series in the world, presented at major medical conferences, and built a patient education library with over 26 million views. He created the SHARP Method specifically because standard surgical care wasn't enough for his patients. Contact Website - https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com Join us as we explore: The unappreciated risks of breast implants, breast implant illness and genuine informed consent.What Dr Whifield’s has learnt removing implants and testing them, and his unique SHARP method. Genetic sequencing, AI, genomic supplementation and where the standard of care is heading, including surgical robots.Mentions Science - Dr Whitfield’s research and publications, https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/media/research Support the show Follow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok Support the show on Patreon: As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShow Send me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

  8. 9 Jul

    No Pro Athlete Shows Up Under-Slept or Overstimulated — So Why Do Business Leaders? How to Become an Executive Athlete and Stop Burning Out with Nicole Elizabeth Ward

    No professional athlete in 2026 goes into a game under-slept, under-nourished and overstimulated. So why are business execs and entrepreneurs still doing that every single day? It’s because they don’t recognize they are actually executive athletes. And just like sport athletes, business athletes need healthy bodies and minds to the same degree if they want to avoid being another burnout statistic.   Nicole Elizabeth Ward combines twenty-five years of sales leadership experience with her passion for wellness and performance optimization. Her unique background enables her to address the specific health challenges facing sales professionals with practical, evidence-based solutions. Through her book, podcast, and coaching, she helps sales professionals transform into Sales Athletes who can sustain peak performance without sacrificing their health. Buy her book “Biohacking for the Sales Athlete” on AMAZON: https://tinyurl.com/biohacksalesathlete  Contact: Website - https://www.nicoleelizabethward.com/biohack Join us as we explore: Why it is critical business leaders and executives look beyond IQ and EQ and  understand they are executive athletes with a real responsibility to manage and optimize their physiology.The executive athletes gym bag - hacks to do functions, social events and traveling healthier. How feedback loops from data is the key to unlock the corporate burnout puzzle.The trapping of the all or nothing mentality, the ROI of health coaching and why execs need to decelerate to accelerate to competitive advantages.The power of keeping a food journal for 2 weeks, and the cost of choices.Why HRV tracking made Nicole go wow, and how she got hers unstuck.Mentions Resources - The Executive Athlete’s Gym Bag, https://www.nicoleelizabethward.com Support the show Follow Steve's socials: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok Support the show on Patreon: As much as we love doing it, there are costs involved and any contribution will allow us to keep going and keep finding the best guests in the world to share their health expertise with you. I’d be grateful and feel so blessed by your support: https://www.patreon.com/MadeToThriveShow Send me a WhatsApp to +27 64 871 0308. Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our content: https://madetothrive.co.za/terms-and-conditions-and-privacy-policy/

5
out of 5
156 Ratings

About

Optimising your mind, body and soul. Hosted by Steve Stavs, Africa's Pro Biohacker, Health Futurist, and founder of www.madetothrive.co.za.

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