The Power of Purposeful Aging: Nourishing Body, Mind, and Community with JJ Virgin
Release Date: 04/10/2024
I Love Being Sober
Anxiety will always be a part of the roller coaster of life. However, suppressing it will only lead to frequent panic attacks and a more emotionally unstable you. Joining Tim Westbrook, MS is , ND, MA, a licensed naturopathic physician in Arizona and a leading expert in trauma-informed and integrative mental health. Together, they discuss how to turn anxiety into intelligent signals from the body that lead to healing. Dr. Nicole also breaks down the four steps of reprogramming, the nine different types of anxiety, and how to listen to your symptoms. Find out how to treat anxiety not as an...
info_outlineI Love Being Sober
Choosing a medical provider in recovery can be a life-and-death decision, and for those newly sober, an uninformed choice could create a dangerous path back to old habits. , a pioneering naturopathic physician and expert in integrative addiction medicine with over 20 years of clinical experience, joins us to issue a crucial warning about the growing trend of biohacking, peptide therapy, and hormone replacement that is being pitched to vulnerable people in early recovery. Dr. Chandiramani explains the dangerous "more is better" mindset that makes controlled substances like testosterone and...
info_outlineI Love Being Sober
Addiction may bring you to your rock bottom, but it does not mean jumping back is impossible. Learn how to find your path to recovery and love yourself all over again with bestselling author and podcaster Arlina Allen. She joins Tim Westbrook to share how she helps redefine the recovery process through her , her book , and . Learn how to embrace solutions-based approaches that go beyond traditional recovery techniques to deliberately create a better future for yourself. Arlina also explains how to live above the line and get rid of your limiting beliefs to start transforming your life and...
info_outlineI Love Being Sober
The era of saying “you got yourself here, now get yourself out” is over—the true future of data-driven addiction recovery is paved with objective science. Tim Westbrook, MS welcomes , a certified addictionologist, former Olympic team doctor, and founder of , who is moving the entire field past its stigmatized, trial-and-error past. Dr. Higgins dives into how understanding an individual’s unique biological blueprint, including 85 biomarkers and genetic snips, provides clinical proof that addiction is a healthcare problem. Discover how this scientific validation takes the shame...
info_outlineI Love Being Sober
How do you turn 35 years of absorbed pain and rage into peace? It all starts with the radical act of healing from shame and complex trauma. Tim Westbrook sits down with his personal therapist, Ken Wells, a nationally recognized expert in treating sex addiction, intimacy disorders, compulsive behaviors, and trauma. Ken shares his raw journey from a cult-like childhood, abuse, and clinical depression to 35 years of sobriety. He explains his powerful method of giving shame back to its source. Learn how he transformed his rage into compassion and found unconditional self-worth by focusing on...
info_outlineI Love Being Sober
Deep personal healing requires facing the self with as much courage as one faces the world. Former US Senator and trailblazing military leader , the first American female fighter pilot and the first to command a US Fighter Squadron, shares her raw, intimate story of navigating profound loss, emotional volatility, and a painful cycle of abuse that began after the death of her father and childhood dog. She discusses the critical shift from seeking external saviors to taking radical responsibility for her own recovery, a journey that involved disconnecting from a victim frequency and pursuing a...
info_outlineI Love Being Sober
You must know the right type of depression that a person is going through to provide them with appropriate treatments – but not with TMS. Tim Westbrook, MS sits down with , who breaks down how Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation works even without knowing someone’s exact medication or diagnosis. He explains how TMS rebalances neurotransmitters without limitations of traditional pharmacologic approaches to help patients freely feel their emotions. Dr. Robbie also discusses how TMS differs from ketamine-assisted therapies and what must be done to make this treatment method more accessible to...
info_outlineI Love Being Sober
Ketamine therapy has become a turning point for many who once believed change was impossible—and for , it opened the door that changed everything. After years of addiction, trauma, and self-destruction following a devastating military accident, Chad found healing and clarity through his recovery journey and the transformative effects of ketamine therapy. He shares how this experience helped him break lifelong patterns, rediscover purpose, and channel his renewed strength into , a movement that uses apparel to start conversations about mental health, addiction, and healing. His story is a raw...
info_outlineI Love Being Sober
Embracing your most authentic version is not about adding things to yourself, but instead removing everything that is not you. Through healing and mindfulness, unleashing the real you is possible. Joining Tim Westbrook, MS is composer and musician , who guides people on cultivating awareness, emotional balance, and peace through the power of breath and presence. He shares his work at Zen Wellness, where he teaches how breathwork and meditation can quiet the mind, reconnect the body, and open the heart. Jason also presents how he uses his musical skills to elevate meditation practices to...
info_outlineI Love Being Sober
Collegiate recovery is more than a program—it’s a lifeline for students trying to rebuild their lives while pursuing their education. ’s story is one of transformation, gratitude, and service. After a near-fatal drunk driving accident became her turning point, she committed to sobriety and to helping others do the same. Today, as Associate Director for Student Conduct and Recovery at , Angela leads a powerful Collegiate Recovery Program that’s changing how universities support students in sobriety. In this conversation with host Tim Westbrook, she opens up about her personal journey,...
info_outlineI’m thrilled to welcome a true powerhouse in the world of nutrition and fitness. She is a triple-board certified nutrition expert and a member of the Fitness Hall of Fame. Her passion for the healing power of nutrition goes beyond professional duty; it is her mission to revolutionize our views on aging and longevity.
She has an impressive track record of entrepreneurial success, having launched three multimillion-dollar businesses, including a highly successful personal brand. She is the driving force behind the Mindshare Collaborative, a leading professional community in the health industry, renowned for launching numerous New York Times bestsellers, PBS specials, and successful seven-figure brands.
Her influence also extends to television and media. She co-hosted TLC’s 'Freaky Eaters' and was the go-to nutrition expert for Dr. Phil’s Weight Loss Challenges. Her expertise has been showcased across various platforms, including PBS, Dr. Oz, Rachael Ray, Access Hollywood, and The TODAY Show.
As an accomplished speaker, she has captivated audiences of over 10,000 and shared stages with luminaries such as Tony Robbins, Seth Godin, Lisa Nichols, Gary Vaynerchuk, Dr. Mark Hyman, Dan Buettner, and Mary Morrissey. Join us as we dive into a conversation with the incredible JJ Virgin, exploring the transformative power of nutrition and wellness.
-
[05:57] Aging Powerfully: People who are positive about aging live longer. Mindset is key. JJ decided to get in the best shape of her life at 60.
-
[07:23] Starting around age 30, how we build muscle shifts. Without protein and resistance training, we can lose 3% to 8% of muscle a decade.
-
[08:20] When we lose muscle, we lose our power. We lose our type 2 muscle fiber which influences everything.
-
[09:05] We need to train and build a strong foundation.
-
[11:31] Mental, emotional, and spiritual health ties into physical health.
-
[14:06] Shifting to exercise and health when you're in recovery will make you feel better than ever.
-
[15:55] Replace negative habits with healthy habits.
-
[17:08] Don't be the oldest person in the room in fitness class. We have to continue to progress while aging powerfully.
-
[18:15] You can progress in your resistance routine by changing the weights and exercises etc. You can also change things up with your other exercises or type of yoga.
-
[19:29] The true definition of exercise is doing more than your body is used to so that it will get stronger.
-
[21:34] There's so much to being an expert from knowing the science to having field experience.
-
[23:44] Mindset is first. The three pillars are food & supplements, exercise & activity, and how you recover.
-
[27:18] JJ shares how important sleep is.
-
[29:16] Get curious and pay attention to what works for you.
-
[30:30] To improve how we age: Have a purpose. Have an amazing group of humans. Move a lot.
-
[36:25] Speed of stair climbing matters.
-
[37:05] Alcohol can disrupt sleep and contribute to adipose tissue. It's also a common factor in blue zones.
-
[39:24] JJ shares her opinion on drinking.
-
[40:56] The biggest thing that's impacted with grass-fed or wild is the fat. JJ shares what we get when we eat non grass-fed or wild meat.
-
[44:54] JJ tries to be careful with food, but also lives in the real world.
-
[47:32] Grass-fed meat is nutrient dense and more lean.
-
[49:09] We need creatine for explosive exercise. It also helps with mood, brain function, bone health, skin health, and so much more.
-
[50:11] Foundational supplements include creatine, D3 and K2, fish oil, and magnesium. JJ also likes collagen. And protein powder and essential amino acids.
-
[54:15] Our bodies can handle acute stress. Our bodies weren't built for chronic stress. This includes not sleeping enough, poor nutrition, and not living enough.
-
[55:03] Stress raises your cortisol and keeps it up. It also puts you in a catabolic state and makes it very hard to build muscle. Higher blood sugar makes you more insulin resistant and leads to belly fat.
-
[58:02] Eating healthy and exercise will help with stress, but some mindfulness meditation and breath work is essential.
Links mentioned in this episode: