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Sometimes, a single phrase can change your life.
That happened to me in 2014, on a trip to LA, when I was introduced to Dave Asprey and the term ‘biohacking’. For those of you who haven’t heard of it, biohacking is the idea of using the best tools that modern science has to offer to become the absolute strongest, healthiest, and most kick ass version of yourself.
Needless to say, Nick and I became instantly hooked by this concept — and by Dave himself — and we pretty much made a complete transition to the ‘Bulletproof’ way of life (the wellness philosophy that Dave created and espouses)… and we’ve literally never felt healthier and stronger.
If you’ve never heard of Dave Asprey, he’s the founder and CEO of Bulletproof (a high-performance coffee and food company), the creator of Bulletproof Coffee, host of the Webby award-winning podcast Bulletproof Radio (one of my all-time favorite podcasts), creator of the wildly popular documentary Moldy and a New York Times bestselling author.
From Silicon Valley entrepreneur to biohacking pioneer, this man uses himself as a human guinea pig to uncover groundbreaking techniques to give you control of your biology so that you can reach a whole new level of high performance, health and strength.
Not only is he one of the most well researched and respect people in the health industry, he is also incredibly humble and nice as (gluten-free) pie.
I am bursting with excitement for you guys to hear from him today.
Get ready for your mind to be blown.
In this episode we chat about:
- The toxic growth found in an alarming number of homes that can seriously impact your health and life (09:09)
- His journey from Silicon Valley entrepreneur to biohacking pioneer (10:44)
- The (life altering) discovery he made in India (16:51)
- How and why he created Bulletproof coffee (and his secrets for the best cuppa!) (18:41)
- How fat makes you lose weight (22:06)
- How to transform yourself into a fat-burning machine (24:14)
- The ketogenic diet and why it works so well (26:30)
- How to get your body ready for babies (28:10)
- How to become smarter (and why your intelligence isn’t fixed) (34:03)
- Are you ignoring this vital aspect of your cellular health? (36:44)
- The difference between hunger and cravings, and how to hack both (41:01)
- How to boost your energy without putting on weight (44:25)
- How to get your kids on the bulletproof bandwagon (46:05)
- The biggest thing he is working on within himself right now (54:18)
- Plus so much more!
Episode resources:
- Bulletproof Products (Amazon)
- Bulletproof Coffee (Amazon)
- Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil (Amazon)
- Bulletproof Radio by Dave Asprey on iTunes (iTunes)
- Crosby Tailor on The Melissa Ambrosini Show (podcast episode)
- Books by Dave Asprey (Amazon)
- Bulletproof Collagen Protein (Amazon)
- Watch Moldy: The New Documentary About Toxic Mold (website)
- 40 Years of Zen (website)
- The Bulletproof Diet: Lose up to a Pound a Day, Reclaim Energy and Focus, Upgrade Your Life by Dave Asprey (Amazon)
- The Better Baby Book: How to Have a Healthier, Smarter, Happier Baby by Lana Asprey (Amazon)
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene (Amazon)
- Mastery by Robert Greene (Amazon)
- The Power of When: Discover Your Chronotype–and the Best Time to Eat Lunch, Ask for a Raise, Have Sex, Write a Novel, Take Your Meds, and More by Michael Breus (Amazon)
- The Power of When Quiz (website)
- Bulletproof Vibe – Whole Body Vibration Plate (website)
- Vasper – One of the most powerful and efficient exercise technologies available (website)
- Sleep Cycle alarm clock: iOS and Android
- Delta Sleeper (website)
For Aussie’s get your Bulletproof products here.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode. I’m so honored that you’re here and would be so grateful if you could take 2 minutes to leave me a 5-star review in iTunes or on your podcast app, that way we can inspire even more people together.
P.S. Please seek advice from a qualified holistic practitioner before starting any new health practice.
P.P.S. If you’re looking for a high-impact marketing opportunity for your business and are interested in becoming a sponsor for The Melissa Ambrosini Show podcast, please email pr@melissaambrosini.com for more information.
Thanks for this Melissa. Where do you purchase the bulletproof bars from in Australia?
Hey honey,
We get them all online from his website 😉
Oh my stars! I was blown away by the incredible information in this podcast. Dave Asprey is an extremely knowledgeable, amazing man. I can’t wait to try bulletproof coffee and the energy giving, satisfying, brain-fuel fats. I experience incredibly debilitating fatigue and this gave me such hope.
Melissa, do you find the bulletproof way of eating and fueling the body works well with healing the gut and maintaining an optimal gut biome? Through your podcast with Kirsty Wirth, I’ve sent off for testing and have a consult with her soon. I’m sure I remember that Kirsty recommends good fats as well.
Thank you, Melissa for introducing me to Dave and his work. REALLY worth listening to folks!
Hey Anthia,
Yep, they go well together. Ask Kirsty about it too she is a huge fan of bulletproof and Dave’s work.
Enjoy the health journey 😉
xx
Very interesting. I have recently adopted many of these techniques in my life in an attempt to heal many gut issues that I have. (Yes, I have listen to your podcast with Kirsty!!!) Really interesting to hear from Dave. I have not jumped in the whole way, but rather piece by piece – I think that the whole “full fat” mentality is such a departure from what we are taught it’s sometimes hard to believe! I have & have read the Glow Kitchen, and am cooking Bulletproof recipes (lots of ghee, coconut oil, salmon, avocado, eggs, bone broth, slow cooked lamb etc), but haven’t made a bulletproof drink yet, that’s the next step!
Oh it’s so delish honey.
Enjoy!
I loved this so much, thank you!! I’m really curious about the mould you mentioned at the start of your discussion. I’ll definitely do more of my own research but do you have any suggestions about getting rid of it if it’s in your home, and even being able to tell if it’s there if it’s not obvious (stains on the walls, etc). Does Dave go into more detail about it in any of his podcasts? It’s a bit scary to think it can have such a massive impact on your health and it’s not really something I’d ever considered as a massive factor!
Kathy x
Hey Kathy,
Dave created an entire documentary on it called Moldy. Check it out here. It’s so eye openeing.
Nick and I are going to do an Instagram live on it next week so make sure you tune into that too 😉
xx
Hi Melissa! Thanks so much for this interview with Dave. What an amazing man. This was the best timing, only yesterday I was thinking I need to find out more about this man as he and Bulletproof kept popping up for me! Now, I don’t drink coffee, it has really made me sick in the past. Do you think if I get some say brain octane to put in my Turmeric latte etc that would still work the same as coffee? Thanks so much hun for all you do… I hope you’re settling in your new home….much love xxxx
Hey honey,
It won’t work the same as coffee will have a different effect but it will taste great I am sure 😉
Hi beautiful lady, thanks so much for this interview with the incredible Dave Asprey. I have been wanting to learn more about him and boom your podcast appears! Thank you universe and Melissa! Now, I don’t drink coffee, when I did in the past it made me quite sick. Do you think the brain octane for example would be beneficial anyway? Excited about learning more about this subject. Thanks again gorgeous, love what you do!!
Another fabulous podcast Melissa! (I listen to every one religiously:)
This may be more of a question for Dave; but I’m on the lookout for a coconut alternative in my bulletproof. After adding coconut oil to EVERYTHING recently when I was diagnosed with autoimmune, I have just found out I’m actually intolerant to it! I have a strong inflammatory reaction which was actually making me worse, so now need to remove all coconut products. But I so want in on this bulletproof way of life 😉 Any thoughts on a good fat alternative? I use grass fed butter but don’t know of a coconut oil or brain octane-style oil without coconut.
Thanks again for everything you’re putting out there. So inspirational x
Hi Melissa,
So inspired by this podcast and all of them – they’re so insightful. Thank you! I’m eager to try Dave’s Bulletproof Coffee. Do you buy yours online from his website? What’s your favourite grass-fed butter brand?
Thanks,
Kate
Hey angel,
Glad you love them. If you are in Australia you can get the products here and I only use organic grass fed and grass finished butter which you can get from any health food store or Westgold from Woolies 😉
Enjoy sista.
xx
I want to start off by saying how wonderful and life changing every single one of your podcasts have been. Its as if you knew the exact topics I need to know more about.
I wanted to know how do you get the bullet proof ingredients from amazon to Australia?
Pleasure angel.
If you are in Australia you can get your Bulletproof products from here.
Enjoy sista!
loved it, so much good information! Thank you Melissa can’t wait for the next one 🙂
Amazing podcast Melissa! Dave is a wealth of health knowledge. Ordered my bulletproof starter kit halfway through the podcast! Thank you so much for sharing this with us xx
Hi Melissa,
Loved this podcast so much (and all your other episodes!)! I’m really curious to hear about your husband’s healing journey in more detail. A few years back my mother suddenly had unexplainable neurological and physical symptoms that completely wiped her out and caused her to stop working for 4 years now. This was diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome as the doctors don’t care to investigate this any further. So your husband’s story really resonated with me as looking at the whole situation retrospectively, I’m sure she has plenty of gut issues, issues due to mould exposure and possibly even Lyme disease. She’s certainly getting better slowly but just by experimenting with what works for her, but I’d love it if you did another interview with your husband to describe his precise healing regime and the science/resources behind it.
Once again, thank you so much for your podcast, it’s truly amazing and you’re an incredible host, it really is you fulfilling your calling!
All the best,
Sandra
Thank you so much for your kind words angel. So glad you love the podcast as much as I love doing it for you 😉
You can hear more about Nick’s journey in this interview here. Check it out and let me know what you think.
xx
Loved the podcast, currently reading through all the links you included.
Hey Melissa! I have been reading a lot about the Bulletproof philosophy. Many medical experts and dieticians argue the diet has no basis in medical science and many of the studies Asprey refers to aren’t credible – ie they are not random, controlled double blind studies published in peer reviewed journals. One study he refers to was done in 1976 with two people! Can you point me in the direction of some studies because I would love to read further as the podcast was certainly interesting I would like to believe this isn’t quackery or bad science that people are wasting money on. Any thoughts????? Thanks!
Proof is in the pudding Lisa 🙂 My only recommendation here is to experiment yourself and see how you feel. Everyone who speaks out about health will have its detractors, and nothing is perfect, but for me the Bulletproof lifestyle works very well.
You could try this short essay on double blind studies: http://www.orthorexia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Double-blind-studies.pdf. It’s about how pseudoscientific health claims “work” and what makes their supporting rationales both flawed and convincing. It’s a good resource when evaluating wellness claims in general–goodness knows there’s a ton of BS out there, so it pays to find ways to tell the difference.
Hi Melissa,
I’m vegetarian and have a lactose intolerance (so not the ideal bulletproof candidate)! However I’m obsessed and want to learn more about it!
Is it possible to make BP coffee with coconut oil?
Ps. Adore your podcast! It’s truly the best part of my day! 🙂
That is music to my ears honey.
Yes you can use coconut oil 😉
Enjoy sista!
Great podcast Melissa and Dave Asprey is a wealth of knowledge about everything!! Can I make a suggestion for a future blogpost- what does a day of bulletproof look like for you?
Really interested to see how you incorporate the bulletproof lifestyle into your life- thanks 🙂
Great idea honey, thanks for the suggestion. I will add it to my list 😉
Heya! l love all your podcasts especially this one! Im trying the ketosis life style myself at the moment. Quick question about the bullet proof coffee, i have had bad reactions/withdrawls from coffee in the past and don’t drink it anymore but after hearing this podcast am thinking of trying it.
I am reading a book however, ‘Women’s Wellness Wisdom’ by Dr Libby where it says the actual caffeine in coffee stimulates your SNS system causing your body to be in a constant ‘fight or flight’ mode, depriving different body systems of the blood and nutrient source as the body is conserving it all to manage this ‘threat’ stimulating the SNS. What are you thoughts on this? Does this caffeine reaction still occur in bullet proof?
Thanks! 🙂
Hi Amy, I do love Libby’s work and think the best way to know what works for you is to try it for yourself and see how you feel. I can’t have coffee just straight up, but I can have Bulletproof style coffee and I feel great on it.
Thanks heaps!!
hi – im really confused, because coffee is SO bad for your hormones and fertility isnt it?
Hi Jac, this is a big question and very individual based on your own circumstances. If you are working on fertility and hormonal issues, I would highly recommend you speak with someone like Nat Kringoudis who is an expert on this topic. x
Hi beautiful,
do you happen to know if bulletproof coffee is suitable when pregnant or breast feeding? xx
Hi Kate, when it comes to pregnancy you really do need to get advice from your chosen health practitioner. I would also recommend reading The Bulletproof Diet as I am sure he talks about it in there. x
Thanks Mel, much appreciated xx
This really opened my eyes to a whole new way to enjoy coffee.. Loving it!
So inspiring, thanks Melissa and Dave. I am a vegetarian and I’m also limiting my dairy intake, more for care of the cows than for dietary reasons. But I am concerned about the fas I am limiting, particularly animal fats, which I’ve learnt from listening to your podcasts, are important. And I have a 3.5 month old son so I don’t want to limit his intake of important nutrients. So, do you know of any resources of grass-fed butter where the cows were treated well or is it a case of finding a local farmer? I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the dairy industry and how we can choose wisely for our health but also keep the animals’ welfare in mind. Thank you, and please keep up the podcast. I LOVE THEM! x
Hi Lily, we have done some research and have found Westgold to be a very high quality butter source but affordable. If the animals eat their natural diet and are free to roam on pasture all year round, then that is our preference of course! Even some organic butter brands don’t see to have the deep yellow colour of Westgold. I believe the affordable equivalent in the US is Kerrygold. But please do your own research and find what is best for you. If you can go straight to the farm, see the cows and chat to the farmer, then even better! Thank you for being here! x
Thanks for this awesome podcast!! I have just bought the bulletproof cookbook and would love to make the icecream you mentioned that your son has for breakfast. Do you use xylitol as the sweetener? If so where do you purchase it from?
Thanks heaps
Hey Rachel, we use this monk fruit to make the ice cream for Leo. Check it out. xx
Hi beautiful Melissa!
Thank you again for your wonderful podcasts!
I found this interview fascinating. It is so contrary to what we were taught was healthy growing up, but so many people seem to have great results with the bulletproof coffee. I too have avoided coffee, except for the odd social one, believing it to be bad for my health overall.
Interested to try now though.
Do you know if it is recommended for breastfeeding woman? All current studies regarding pregnancy/lactation say there is no known safe quantity of caffeine to consume during pregnancy/lactation. The same as what they say for alcohol. However, I’m curious to know if you know anyone who has consumed bullet-proof coffee while breastfeeding and what sort of effect it has had on the baby.
Sorry for such a long post!
Thank you so much! xx
Hey honey, I am not an expert on this so I can’t comment. You could ask Dave or check out his Better Baby Book as he may mention it in there. Sorry I couldn’t help more. xx
Thank you so much for writing back you gorgeous thing you! 🙂 I appreciate the suggestions and will follow up. Even more so appreciate your honesty. mwah!
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for another inspiring podcast. I love the information that comes from your conversations with people like Dave and I look forward to the end of each week when you publish a new podcast. I don’t have a twitter account to make this request via that platform but I was wondering if there is someone you know you are able to record a podcast with in relation to sleep, its benefits, how it is affected and how to get more. I hear how important it is in many of your podcasts. My partner struggles with getting enough sleep each night because he thinks so much so it would be so helpful for some information around this, or even just a book! Thanks Melissa. Your work is amazing.
Thank you so much angel. So glad you love them and get loads from the show. Sleep is a great topic so I will add it to my list. Thanks beautiful. xx
Sooo fantastic! Absolutely loved this episode it was so fascinating
Thank you both!!
Heidi
x
I love Dave! What a wonderful interview.
Melissa, was wondering if you drink coffee on a regular basis, as it’s something I don’t quite understand yet as whether it’s a “good” thing or “bad” thing for my health.
I hear it’s great for movement of the digestive system. I near it’s high in antioxidents…and then I also hear that it’s incredibly acidic and bad for your cells. I get so many mixed reviews, so I’m wondering what you’ve found works for you?
xx
Hey honey, what I have learned is to always listen to MY body, to turn in and only do what feels right for me. I have experimented with so many things over the years and it doesn’t matter what anyone else says’s because if it doesn’t feel right for me I don’t do it. Honour yourself, tune in and listen to what your heart, body, mind and soul desire ALWAYS in ALL WAYS. xx
Really amazing interview. I am so inspired, going to order my first Bulletproof order today 🙂
And watched “Moldy” this evening…. eye opening to say the least! WOW! Thank you for sharing that!
Pleasure. Enjoy and let me know what you think. xx
Hi Melissa,
I have recently started listening to your podcasts and have enjoyed listening to many of the interviews.
I was really disappointed to hear you talk about your step son’s class mates who are or may be suffering from “ADD”. ADHD is not a condition that is caused by diet or lifestyle. Please be informed and withold your judgement particularly when talking about a condition that effects so many of our beautiful children. This is coming from a place of kindness, I know that your heart is absolutely in the right place.
Kim
Hey Kim, you’re right, my heart is always in the right place so I apologize if that offended you and I will be more mindful of my words. Thank you for the reminder darling. xx
Thanks Melissa