#189 Unlocking Better Sleep: Mastering Your Circadian Rhythm
Release Date: 08/21/2025
#201 Building True Mental Toughness with Tony Ricci
Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart
In this episode of the Heart to Heart podcast, Dr. Mike Hart chats with Tony Ricci, an athletic performance and mental health coach for athletes. Tony shares his fascinating journey from studying exercise physiology to working with elite athletes like MMA fighter Chris Weidman. They discuss the critical impact of mental resilience on athletic performance, practical strategies for mental and physical training, and bridging the gap between nutrition, conditioning, and mental skills training. Additionally, the conversation touches on the role of technology like HRV and sleep tracking in athlete...
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#200 Rethinking LDL and Longevity with Greg Mushen
Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart
In this episode of the Heart to Heart Podcast, Dr. Mike Hart sits down with Greg Mushen, a former tech professional turned health advocate, to discuss his incredible journey of transforming his body and lifestyle. Greg shares insights from his background growing up in a medical family and how early exposure to health experiments sparked his long-lasting interest in nutrition and fitness. He details his significant body transformation starting at age 47, the role of tracking macros and engaging in strength training, and the importance of key habits like walking 17,000 steps a day. The...
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#199 How to Train Like a Pro Fighter with Dr. Corey Peacock
Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart
In this episode of the Heart to Heart podcast, Dr. Mike Hart interviews Dr. Corey Peacock, an exercise physiologist and department chair at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Peacock discusses his diverse background, from establishing the Fight Science Laboratory to working with elite MMA fighters at Kill Cliff Fight Club. The conversation covers advanced training methods, including zone-based cardio, strength and conditioning exercises, and recovery protocols. Listeners gain insights into the importance of athletic balance, the role of power versus strength in MMA, and the efficacy of various...
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#198 How to Reverse Insulin Resistance
Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart
In this solo podcast episode, Dr. Mike Hart delves into the intricacies of insulin resistance, a prevalent yet misunderstood condition. The episode covers the fundamental role of insulin, what happens during insulin resistance, and its linkage to various diseases like diabetes and heart disease. It includes a detailed discussion on how to measure insulin resistance using markers like triglyceride to HDL ratio, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, and hemoglobin A1c. Dr. Hart also explains the significance of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and how they contribute to aging and diabetes....
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#197 Why Your Brain Needs Friends with Dr. Ben Rein
Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart
In this episode, host Dr. Mike Hart welcomes neuroscientist and author Dr. Ben Rein to discuss his new book, 'Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection.' Dr. Rein shares his journey in neuroscience, his research on autism and MDMA, and his pivot towards science communication. They delve into the devastating effects of loneliness, comparing its impact on mortality to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and explore why human connections are critical for our brain health. Dr. Rein also discusses the benefits of having pets, the intricate balance of social interactions across...
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#196 Rethinking Protein and Recovery with Dr. Jose Antonio
Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart
In this episode of the Heart to Heart podcast, Dr. Mike Hart chats with Dr. Jose Antonio about the evolution and impact of sports nutrition research, particularly focusing on creatine and protein consumption. Dr. Antonio shares his journey from studying muscle physiology to pioneering research in sports nutrition, highlighting the initial skepticism in the scientific community and the eventual acceptance of supplements like creatine. They also delve into the benefits of various supplements for athletic performance, the ongoing debates in the medical field regarding supplementation, and...
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#195 How to Eat for Satiety with Dr. Ted Naiman
Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart
In this episode of the Heart to Heart podcast, Dr. Mike Hart sits down with Dr. Ted Naiman, a family medicine physician from Seattle with a passion for diet and exercise. They discuss the importance of family physicians in healthcare, Dr. Naiman's personal fitness transformation focusing on a high-protein, low-carb diet, and the significance of satiety over counting calories. Dr. Naiman shares his views on effective exercise routines, optimal macronutrient ratios, and the advantages of front-loading protein. They also delve into insulin resistance, the use of fasting triglycerides as a marker,...
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#194 Unraveling Imposter Syndrome and Embracing Transformation Through Storytelling | Featuring Serena Choo
Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart
In this episode of the Heart to Heart podcast, host Dr.Mike Hart welcomes author Serena Choo, who delves into her journey of writing and overcoming imposter syndrome. They discuss Serena's second book, 'The Monkey and the Way of Zen,' which contains 28 short Zen-inspired stories aimed at providing readers a relaxing and reflective experience. Choo shares insights into the origins of her work, the importance of letting go and subtracting complexities from life, and how personal transformation can be achieved without the burden of constant goal-setting. Additionally, they touch upon topics such...
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#193 Debunking Health Myths and Optimizing Nutrition with Alex Leaf
Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart
In this episode of The Heart to Heart podcast, host Dr. Mike Hart interviews Alex Leaf, an independent nutritional researcher renowned for debunking nutritional misinformation on social media. The discussion covers topics such as the benefits of collagen for skin health, the potential advantages of ketogenic diets for athletes, and the truth behind various nutrition myths including the effects of soy on testosterone and semen retention. Alex also shares his insights on intermittent fasting, ideal protein intake, and the debate over seed oils. The conversation concludes with their...
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#192 Exploring Modern Therapy: From Psychedelics to AI with Rav Arora
Hart2Heart with Dr. Mike Hart
In this episode of The Heart to Heart podcast, host Dr. Mike Hart welcomes back Rav, an author and host of the Illusion of Consensus podcast. The conversation delves into Rav's evolving interests, from his initial focus on COVID-19 and myocarditis to his current pursuit of a more holistic and spiritually grounded life. Rav discusses his journey through rigorous psychotherapy, aided by psychedelics, to uncover subconscious patterns and improve his overall well-being. The discussion also touches on the utility of AI tools like ChatGPT as supplementary therapy, the impact of social media on Gen...
info_outlineIn this solo podcast episode, Dr Mike Hart provides actionable, evidence-backed strategies to improve overall circadian rhythm and consequently enhance sleep quality. He discusses the importance of a regulated sleep-wake cycle and its impact on hormone release, metabolism, immune function, and general well-being. Various methods to maintain a healthy circadian rhythm are explored, including the benefits of morning sunlight exposure, the role of blue light blocking in the evening, and the timing of meals and exercise. He also touches on the effects of caffeine and alcohol on sleep, the ideal sleep environment, and additional supportive practices like social interaction, light physical activity, and evening routines that promote relaxation.
Links:
Light Therapy Box (10,000 lux standard)
Show Notes:
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(0:00) Welcome back to the Hart2Heart Podcast with Dr. Mike Hart
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(02:00) Morning sunlight: The key to a healthy circadian rhythm
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(07:00) Evening strategies for better sleep
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(09:00) Exercise and movement: Timing and types
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(14:30) Meal timing and its impact on sleep
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(19:00) The role of melatonin and caffeine
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(20:41) “Caffeine within six hours of bed can cost you a full hour of sleep.”
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(25:00) Alcohol and other sleep disruptors
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(30:00) Optimizing your sleep environment
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(33:00) Pre-sleep relaxation techniques
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The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to
cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health,
longevity, and peak performance. This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to
hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise
protocols, leveraging sunlight light, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals—using medications only when absolutely necessary.
Beyond health science, we tackle the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how
policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being.
Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary
(Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as
Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen).
If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this is the podcast for you. We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being.
Connect on social with Dr. Mike Hart:
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Instagram: @drmikehart
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Twitter: @drmikehart
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Facebook: @drmikehart