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Feeling more disconnected than ever? AI is getting smarter, but are we becoming less human? In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, Dr. Kien Vuu sits down with keynote speaker and relationship expert Thom Singer to explore a growing problem in the age of artificial intelligence: the loss of real human connection. As AI continues to transform how we work, communicate, and think, many people are unknowingly losing the very skill that will matter most in the future, our ability to connect, build trust, and show up with presence. This conversation goes beyond technology and into what it truly means to be human in a hyper-connected, digitally distracted world. In this episode, we explore: • Why AI and technology may be weakening human connection • The difference between networking and meaningful relationships • How to build trust and authentic presence in a distracted world • Why connection—not intelligence—will define future success • The hidden cost of digital dependence on your relationships and well-being • How to reconnect with yourself and others in a deeper way Thom Singer shares decades of insight on professional relationships and explains why "who you know" is no longer enough, it's about how you show up, how you engage, and how you create real connection. Because in a world where everything is becoming automated… your humanity is your greatest advantage. Follow Doctor V https://instagram.com/doctorvmd Get the #1 bestselling book Thrive State https://thrivestatebook.com Download the FREE Longevity & Human Potential Starter Guide https://thrivestatestarter.com Join the Thrive State Membership https://mythrivestate.com/join

Feeling older after 35? What if the real reason your body is breaking down… isn't aging, but interference? In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, I sit down with nutritionist Stephen Heuer to explore what really happens to your body after 35, and why so many people begin to experience fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, slower metabolism, and declining energy despite doing "all the right things." Together, we unpack a controversial but fascinating perspective on how modern life may be accelerating biological aging—and what you can do to take back control. In this episode, we dive into: • Why energy, metabolism, and recovery decline after 35 • The truth behind bone loss and osteoporosis • Gut microbiome dysfunction and its role in aging and inflammation • The difference between ionic calcium and traditional supplementation • How antibiotics, toxins, and environmental exposures impact your body over time • The deeper connection between biology, energy, and long-term healing This conversation challenges the conventional narrative around aging and asks a bigger question: 👉 Are we blaming age… when the real issue is interference? If you've been dealing with chronic symptoms, low energy, stubborn weight gain, or feeling like your body isn't responding the way it used to—this episode will give you a new lens on what's happening beneath the surface. Because after 35, it's not just about getting older. It's about understanding what's interfering with your body's ability to function, repair, and thrive. Follow Doctor V https://instagram.com/doctorvmd  Get the #1 bestselling book Thrive State https://thrivestatebook.com Download the FREE Longevity & Human Potential Starter Guide https://thrivestatestarter.com  Visit Dr. V's website https://kienvuu.com

What if your fatigue, burnout, and chronic inflammation aren't problems to fix, but signals asking you to change the way you live? In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, I sit down with double board-certified physician Dr. Ann Maria Hester to explore a powerful shift in how we understand health, disease, and healing. After years in traditional internal medicine, Dr. Hester recognized a deeper truth: many of the conditions we struggle with today are not inevitable. They are the result of how we live, think, and relate to the world around us. My conversation with her goes beyond surface-level wellness advice. It dives into the science and psychology of lifestyle medicine, and the often-overlooked role of identity, belief, and consciousness in shaping our biology. If you've ever felt stuck despite knowing what to do for your health, this episode will challenge how you think about change, and show you why knowledge alone isn't enough. In this episode, we explore: • Why burnout, brain fog, and chronic inflammation are signals, not failures • The six pillars of lifestyle medicine and how they drive long-term health • How chronic stress rewires the brain and impacts your body • The connection between identity, belief systems, and behavior change • Why information alone doesn't create transformation • How meaning, faith, and connection can become powerful forms of medicine • The truth about healing as an active, daily practice, not a passive process This episode is a reminder that healing isn't about fixing what's broken. It's about realigning with who you are, and consciously choosing how you live. If you're ready to take ownership of your health and step into a more intentional, energized way of living, this conversation will give you a new framework to start. Follow Doctor V https://instagram.com/doctorvmd Join the Thrive State Community https://mythrivestate.com/join Download the FREE Longevity & Human Potential Starter Guide https://thrivestatestarter.com Visit Dr. V's website https://kienvuu.com  

  Dr. Marianne Pinkston is a board-certified family and functional medicine physician with nearly 30 years in solo practice, based in San Antonio, Texas. After personally overcoming rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, and obesity, she transformed her practice and launched New Bloom, a personalized functional medicine platform focused on helping women reclaim their health, identity, and vitality. She is also the host of the Dr. P Better Life podcast, now in its fourth year. - New Bloom: mynubloom.com - Podcast: drpbetterlife.com - Instagram: @drmariannepinkston Key Takeaways: Chronic stress and adverse childhood events (ACEs) create a biological environment of inflammation that drives autoimmune disease, cancer, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Survival mode — the state of constantly being in fight-or-flight — is the root cause, not just a symptom, of most chronic disease. Identity is medicine. Changing your body requires changing the story you tell yourself about who you are and what you deserve. Emotional eating, people-pleasing, and overworking are survival mechanisms rooted in childhood experiences — not character flaws. Boundaries are not walls. They are a form of self-love that creates the biological conditions for healing. Dr. Pinkston lost 120 pounds over two years, reversed her diabetes and cancer, and is now an athlete at 57. Functional medicine addresses root causes — stress, identity, lifestyle, nutrition — rather than managing individual symptoms in isolation. Dr. Pinkston's Best Medicine: gratitude, paying it forward, and using lived experience to guide others. Resources Mentioned: - New Bloom: mynubloom.com - Dr. P Better Life Podcast: drpbetterlife.com - Film: *The Martian* (Matt Damon) — on solving one problem at a time - Book: *Gone With the Wind* — on resilience and perseverance

Dr. Georgine Nanos is a board-certified family physician based in Encinitas, California, and the North American Medical Director for Exo Mind — the world's most advanced TMS device. She has been practicing medicine for 24 years and pioneered the world's first single-day TMS protocol, publishing the landmark study in 2024. Her clinic, Kind Minds TMS, offers the full spectrum of TMS treatments from performance optimization to treatment-resistant depression. - Website: kindmindstms.com - Instagram: @drgeorginenanos  Dr. Judson Brandeis is a board-certified urologist, men's health specialist, and author of *The 21st Century Man*. Based in Northern California, he has integrated the Exo Mind TMS system into his practice and recently launched Global Men's Wellness — an AI-powered Men's Health large language model trained on curated medical literature. - Website: brandeismd.com - AI Platform: globalmenswellness.com Key Takeaways: TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) uses safe magnetic pulses — no electricity — to stimulate the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, the brain's emotional control center.  The traditional 40-day TMS protocol has been condensed into a single day with equal or better outcomes.  Dr. Nanos' published trial showed a 90% response rate and 72% remission rate — more than double the remission rate of antidepressants.  TMS is not just for depression. It treats anxiety, PTSD, burnout, brain fog, insomnia, perimenopausal symptoms, and performance optimization.  The one-day protocol costs approximately $10,000–$12,000 and is not covered by insurance (cash pay only for accelerated protocols).  TMS creates a "window of neuroplasticity" — the brain is most receptive to new patterns immediately after treatment. Dr. Brandeis' personal experience: woke up 15–20% happier, more creative, with greater mental clarity — sustained for months.  Dr. Nanos' Best Medicine: sleep and exercise. Resources Mentioned: - Kind Minds TMS: kindmindstms.com - Exo Mind TMS Device: exomind.com - Brandeis MD: brandeismd.com - Global Men's Wellness AI: globalmenswellness.com - Book: *The Happiness Project* — Gretchen Rubi - Book: *The 21st Century Man* — Dr. Judson Brandeis

In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, Alli Covington shares how she blends fitness, psychology, and technology to help individuals and organizations truly thrive. She unpacks why most corporate wellness programs miss the mark, how identity and mindset drive lasting behavior change, and why daily gratitude and simple mantras can literally rewire your brain. Alli also reveals her ambitious vision for global workplace health, the story behind her career pivot, and how her role as a mom fuels her mission. Key Highlights: Why "training the head" makes training the body easier The hidden flaws in typical corporate wellness programs How Alli uses an app, community, and fractional Chief Health Officer model The power of identity, mindset, and gratitude in transforming health

Why do most people quit their resolutions by February?   Because they sprint.   In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, I sit down with Light Watkins, author of The Year You Transform, to explore the tortoise approach to lasting transformation.   Light shares a practical framework for change that actually sticks: Why 7-day experiments outperform long-term resolutions How infant steps beat heroic leaps Gratitude as a biological anchor The power of forgiveness sequencing Why awareness is more powerful than willpower The difference between being anti-something and pro-awareness   Most people plan for their perfect day. Light teaches you how to optimize for your average busy day.   That small shift changes everything. Follow @doctorvmd Get Thrive State (2nd Edition): https://thrivestatebook.com Download free longevity tools: https://thrivestatestarter.com

What if the real edge in life and business is not strategy… but energy?   In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, I sit down with Wing Lam, founder and CEO of Wahoo's Fish Taco, to explore what it truly means to bring the Aloha energy into how we live and lead.   Aloha is not just a greeting. It is presence. It is a shared breath. It is generosity and grounded leadership. And from a biological perspective, it matters more than most people realize.   We explore: • Why energy is biological, not just philosophical • How identity shapes health, leadership, and longevity • The connection between stress, cortisol, and emotional states • Building culture through authenticity • Why your presence is your competitive advantage in the age of AI   Everything is energy. The tone you bring into a room. The thoughts you repeat. The emotional baseline you live from. That energy becomes chemistry in your body and culture in your company.   If you want stronger health, better relationships, and more aligned success, this conversation will expand your perspective. Follow @doctorvmd Get the #1 bestselling book Thrive State (2nd Edition): https://thrivestatebook.com Download free longevity and performance resources: https://thrivestatestarter.com

Success looks powerful from the outside. But what happens after you reach the top? In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, I sit down with NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk to explore something rarely discussed publicly: The identity crisis that follows peak performance. We discuss: The hidden biological cost of hustle culture Why achievement can create chronic stress What happens when your primary identity disappears Reinventing yourself after success How your energetic state influences your DNA and mitochondria Your identity is not just psychological. It is biological. Every belief you hold creates a neurochemical cascade that affects your nervous system, immune function, and mitochondrial health. If your identity is built on performance, proving yourself, or constant productivity, your body may remain in survival mode long after the external success is achieved. This conversation is about conscious reinvention. Because success without alignment can quietly cost you your health.   In This Episode You Will Learn How identity influences gene expression and longevity The biological impact of chronic stress Why elite athletes struggle after retirement The science behind energy and mitochondrial function How to consciously evolve your identity   Resources Download the free Longevity and Performance Starter Guide: https://thrivestatestarter.com Get the 2nd Edition of Thrive State: https://thrivestatebook.com Join the Thrive State Membership: https://kienvuu.com/join Follow @doctorvmd for daily insights on longevity and performance.

Is chronic illness really about food alone? What if the real root cause is the signal your body is receiving every day? In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, Dr. Kien Vuu explores a powerful concept in longevity science: chronic disease is often driven not just by diet, but by the biological signals we send through stress, sleep, relationships, mindset, and environment. Drawing from functional medicine, neuroscience, and emerging longevity research, Dr. V explains how your body is constantly listening. Every thought, every interaction, every stress response sends a biochemical signal that either promotes inflammation or supports healing. In this episode, you will learn: Why chronic illness is often a signaling problem How stress hormones influence gene expression The connection between the default mode network and inflammation Why social isolation increases mortality risk How to shift your internal environment to activate healing If you are struggling with autoimmune issues, metabolic dysfunction, burnout, or chronic inflammation, this episode will change how you think about recovery. Follow Doctor V for more longevity insights: https://www.instagram.com/doctorvmd Get the 2nd Edition of Thrive State, a #1 Amazon bestseller: https://thrivestatebook.com Download the free Longevity and Performance Starter Guide: https://thrivestatestarter.com

What if healing is not something that happens to you but something you actively participate in every single day?   In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, I sit down with Steve White, founder of Brae 100 and HomeTeams, to explore what real healing actually looks like beyond the clinic walls. Steve shares the moment in nature that changed the trajectory of his life, why forgiveness may be one of the most powerful biological interventions we have, and how discipline outperforms motivation when it comes to lasting transformation. We break down the science behind agency, community, and caring, including how stress physiology, inflammation, and immune function are influenced by mindset, behavior, and connection. This conversation is a reminder that the most important medicine often happens in the other 23 hours of your day. If you are navigating chronic illness, supporting someone you love, or looking to reclaim ownership of your health and purpose, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.   👉 Follow Doctor V on Instagram @doctorvmd 👉 Get the #1 Amazon bestselling book Thrive State (2nd Edition) at thrivestatebook.com 👉 Download free longevity and human potential resources at thrivestatestarter.com   Episode Highlights: The moment of being lost and the wake-up call in nature Remembering who you are when life pulls you off course Forgiveness as a biological and spiritual reset Why caring for others improves immune function and health Cynicism, belief, and why imagination matters in healing Discipline over motivation and how real change actually happens The 23-hour rule and reclaiming agency over your health Healing as a team sport and the HomeTeams model Why nature remains the most powerful medicine  

What happens when you stop playing it safe and trust your inner knowing? In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, Dr. Kien Vuu sits down with Robin Switzer, founder and CEO of Hack Your Health, to explore what it really means to bet on yourself and turn personal healing into a global movement. Robin shares her deeply personal journey from metabolic dysfunction, emotional eating, and identity patterns that no longer served her, to becoming a trusted leader in the health optimization space. Along the way, she reveals the hidden tax of disconnection, the courage required to follow intuition when logic says play it safe, and why learning to pause may be the most powerful medicine of our time. After COVID, when many would have walked away, Robin faced one of her most defining moments. She lost a business partner and chose to use her own 401K to keep the mission alive. There was no safety net, only conviction. This conversation is about becoming. It is about choosing purpose over fear, listening to your inner guidance, and leading with clarity in uncertain times. In this episode, you will learn: The Power of the Pause: How creating space between stimulus and response restores clarity and agency Identity Before Biology: Why lasting healing starts beyond weight, diets, and symptoms From Healing to Mission: How trusting intuition can transform personal struggle into collective impact Resources: 📘 Get the #1 Bestseller Thrive State (2nd Edition): thrivestatebook.com 🧬 Free Longevity Guide: thrivestatestarter.com 📲 Follow Dr. V: @doctorvmd     Episode Highlights Five to Thrive: Robin's non-negotiables for energy and clarity The Weight of Identity: Breaking free from emotional eating and diet culture Betting on Herself: Cashing out a 401K to protect a movement The Messy Middle: Moving from unconscious patterns to conscious choice What's Next in Health: Hormones, peptides, and personalized medicine  

Are you tired of the "eat less, exercise more" mantra that leaves you fatigued and frustrated? In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, I sit down with nutrition expert Dani Conway to debunk the biggest myths in women's health. We dive deep into why traditional diet culture fails women over 40 and how shifting from chronic restriction to nutrient density can actually unlock your best body and energy yet.   We discuss the power of resistance training over cardio, the essential role of animal fats for hormone health, and why your "nervous system" might be the hidden reason you aren't seeing results. It's time to stop starving and start living.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why "Eat More to Weigh Less" is a metabolic game-changer. The importance of hitting 100g of protein daily for hair and skin health. How to navigate the "Silent Crisis" of fatigue and weight gain in your 40s.   Resources: Get the #1 Bestseller: Download the 2nd edition of Thrive State at thrivestatebook.com. Free Longevity Guide: Download your resource guide at thrivestatestarter.com. Follow Me: @doctorvmd Episode Highlight: The Five to Thrive: Dani's journey from 65 lbs overweight to her leanest, strongest self at 49. Breaking the "Starvation" Cycle: Why diet culture and "fat-free" myths are ruining women's metabolisms. The Foundations of Fuel: The "100g Protein Rule" and why animal fats are non-negotiable for hormones. Beyond the Plate: Using lab testing and nervous system regulation to break through weight loss plateaus. Sustainable Success: Tactical tips for busy women to batch cook and prioritize their health.

Are you tired of the mental fog that slows down your decision making and drains your drive? Most high performers treat fatigue as a cost of doing business, but it is actually a sign of chronic, low grade inflammation. In this episode of the Thrive State Podcast, I sit down with Ayurvedic expert Dr. Shivani Gupta to discuss her new book, The Inflammation Code. We explore how to identify your unique Elemental Design (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha) and why matching your lifestyle to your biology is the ultimate hack for focus and energy. From the detox window of the circadian clock to the clinical power of turmeric, this episode provides the blueprint to reclaim your peak performance.   In this episode, you will learn: The Hidden Tax: How low grade inflammation mimics aging and robs you of your vitality. Elemental Design: How to use your body type to optimize your leadership and productivity. Circadian Performance: Why fighting nature's clock causes mental burnout.   Resources: Get the #1 Bestseller: Download the 2nd edition of Thrive State at thrivestatebook.com. Free Longevity Guide: Download your resource guide at thrivestatestarter.com. Follow Me: @doctorvmd   Episode Highlight: The Five to Thrive: Shivani's journey and why Vitality is the theme for 2026. Ancient Wisdom for Modern Stress: The 5,000 year old science of Ayurveda and gut health. Elemental Design (Doshas): Identifying Vata, Pitta, and Kapha types to personalize your health. Circadian Biology: Using nature's rhythm to flow downstream with your energy. PhD Insights on Turmeric: Clinical rituals and the Tea Time is Me Time habit

We are living through a Joy Crisis. Leaders, physicians, high achievers, and everyday humans are waking up successful on paper, yet spiritually, emotionally, and energetically empty. In this episode, Dr. V sits down with executive coach Dianna Moore to uncover why joy has quietly faded from modern life and how to bring it back with intention. Dianna spent 25 years in aerospace, moved into executive leadership, later became COO of a venture-backed startup, and now coaches high-stakes leaders in medicine, technology, and cybersecurity. Her journey did not begin with joy. It began with survival. At 18, she was a young mother in college with a baby on her hip. Achievement became her fuel. Later, she realized achievement and joy were not the same thing. This conversation blends science, wisdom, personal experience, and real leadership insight. It offers a grounded path to reclaiming joy in a world that rewards burnout.   What We Cover: What Joy Really Is - Not happiness, not distraction, not numbing. Joy is a deeper internal state tied to meaning, purpose, nervous system balance, and long-term health. The Joy Deficit in Modern Leadership - Medical leaders, cybersecurity executives, and corporate teams often operate in chronic stress without emotional recovery. Joy has disappeared from everyday language and the results show up in burnout, isolation, and strained relationships. Success Versus Joy - Dianna explains how achievement became her identity. Promotions and accomplishments created momentum, yet not fulfillment. Joy had to be cultivated separately. What Joy Looks Like Somatically - Dr. V breaks down how joy affects inflammation, hormones, mitochondrial function, and healing potential. This is where mindset, biology, and longevity truly connect. Simple Practices to Rebuild Joy - Helping others, movement, strength training, reconnecting with your childhood imagination, and returning to purpose. These accessible practices help you reignite joy even in difficult seasons. The Top Joy Killer: Comparison - One of Dianna's most powerful insights at 25:04. Comparison drains energy, confidence, and presence. It is one of the fastest ways to shut down joy.   What You Will Learn Why joy is a performance strategy and not a luxury How to identify signs of a hidden joy deficit Ways high performers accidentally numb instead of nourish How to tell the difference between comfort, happiness, and true joy Why meaningful relationships matter more than professional success Daily practices that create noticeable joy in under five minutes How reconnecting with your childhood self restores creativity and vitality   About Dianna Moore Executive Coach and Founder of Moore Joy Group specializing in leaders in medicine, cybersecurity, technology, and the C-suite moorejoygroup.com   Connect with Dr. V Learn the Thrive State Method at kienvuu.com Follow @doctorvmd on all platforms Get the number one bestselling book Thrive State at thrivestatebook.com Download your free Longevity Starter Kit at thrivestatestarter.com