So, what do multiple bodybuilders who have previously been on The Entrepology Podcast have in common? It is that nearly all of them, following a period of intense competition, saw a massive deterioration of their health. Now think about this: these are athletes performing at their highest level. They’re at the most optimized state of physical physique — and yet, their body is falling apart on the inside. 

Today I am joined by Wade Lightheart. Wade is a former Mr. Universe competitor, a 3X Canadian Bodybuilding Champion, and the co-founder and Director of Education for Biooptimizers. Wade is also the host of his podcast, The Awesome Health Podcast. And all around, he’s just an absolute wealth of knowledge! He’s highly articulate and extremely well-researched in the areas of health optimization. In fact, it was Wade’s own journey — one through watching his sister move through deteriorated health — and then his own (coming out of his bodybuilding period) that really encouraged him to delve deep into exploring this issues. 

What was really enjoyable about today’s conversation with Wade was the way in which he was able to weave — not only a philosophical perspective on health — but some tangible research-focused elements into our conversation that related to biohacking from the inside-out. So much of Wade’s work focuses on the gut and digestive health issues — because, even as Hippocrates said 2,500 years ago, all health starts in the gut. So, for anyone who’s interested in taking their health to the next level, understanding how to optimize your digestive health is where things absolutely must start! And there’s no better person to get us started on that conversation than Wade Lightheart himself! 

Key Takeaways: 

[1:38] About today’s episode! 

[3:41] Welcoming Wade to the podcast! 

[3:48] How did Wade get to where he is, right now, today? 

[5:10] Is it common in the bodybuilding industry for bodybuilders to focus more on their physical physique rather than their health from the inside-out? 

[7:37] Was it Wade’s work in bodybuilding and his own health crisis that led him to do the work that he does now? 

[8:49] When was Wade’s ‘aha moment’ of realizing the gut was the root cause of all the downstream effects he had been seeing in his own health and others? 

[10:37] The key metrics Wade wants people to look at in order to measure their health. 

[12:47] When Wade is working with some with respect to gut health, where does he start with them? And what is the process he takes them through to get them back on track? 

[23:01] Wade shares his thoughts on the attention people get from being sick. 

[26:50] How Wade defines health. 

[27:15] Wade speaks about some of the interventions on how to begin remedying gut issues and restore optimal digestion. 

[31:26] Should we be supplementing enzymes? And should you stay on them consistently? 

[42:58] Wade’s key performance indicators! 

[45:45] Where to learn more about what Wade is up to! 

Mentioned in This Episode: 

Mr. Universe 

Journal of Gastroenterology 

Food Enzymes for Health & Longevity, by Dr. Edward Howell 

Enyzme Nutrition, by Dr. Edward Howell 

Yuval Noah Harari 

21 Lessons for the 21st Century, by Yuval Noah Harari 

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari 

Bioptimizers.com/Entrepology — Visit Wade’s website for access to the AWESOME Health Course! You can also enter ‘Podcast10’ for 10% off any of his products! 

More About Wade Lightheart 

Wade is a three-time All Natural National Bodybuilding Champion, advisor to the American Anti-Cancer Institute, Director of Education at BiOptimizers Nutrition, Founder of the Prosperity & Health Alliance, and Enagic Master Trainer! He is also the author of several books, including the best-selling books, Staying Alive in a Toxic World and The Wealthy Backpacker. 

Wade travels the world to spread his life mission, helping other’s achieve a richer experience of life through daily practice of rituals that lead you to true health, real wealth and peace of mind. 

Connect with my Guest: 

Websites: WadeLightheart.net and Bioptimizers.com 

If you enjoyed our conversation and would like to hear more: 

Please subscribe to The Entrepology Podcast on Stitcher or iTunes. 

We would also appreciate a review! 

Join our badass Women’s Facebook Group, Legacy Performance Labs 

If you want to be something amazing, you need to surround yourself with amazing people! The Legacy community is made up of badass women living — not leaving — their legacy every single day. If you are on a mission and get it that your health is the key to your unlimited potential — Join us on Facebook! 

BRAIN HEALTH CHECKLIST! 

What if I told you that your brain biochemistry can help amplify your mindset and your capacity to be effective and help accelerate your mission in the world? Well, I’ve pulled together a very quick checklist so that you can have a better understanding of the things you’re doing every single day to amplify your nervous system or downregulate it in a way that isn’t necessarily serving your mission. If you want access to this information and want to learn a little bit more about how you can optimize your brain health for success, visit: MeghanWalker.com/BrainHealth to grab your handout now! 

CALL TO ACTION 

You can begin remedying your gut issues and restoring optimal digestion today! To start, Wade recommends getting a journal out and just tracking how you feel after everything that you get. You’re going to start noticing patterns and inflammatory agents just from that. Let us know about your aha-moments you get from tracking your diet and follow-up with us on the The Entrepology Podcast Facebook page — because when you’re accountable, you’re helpable. 

Tweetables: 

“Unfortunately, we have a society that has put performance above health.”

— Wade Lightheart 

 

“These are really simple indicators: are you bloated? Are you gassy? Do you have heartburn or acid reflux? Do you have diarrhea or constipation? If you have any of those conditions, you can bet something in your system is not working the way it should.”

— Wade Lightheart 

 

“The United States Journal of Gastroenterology … is saying that 12% of emergency health visits … are … gastrointestinal-related issues. More than 1 in 10 of people going to hospitals [have] something wrong with their digestive system. That’s a crazy number!” — Wade Lightheart 

 

“Contaminants, dyes, preservatives … herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides … are the big elements … of genetic modification. These … are put through all of our food chain at extreme levels and they have deleterious effects on our digestive system.”

— Wade Lightheart 

 

“[You need to] … make better choices in your daily life [or] you can just kiss whatever dreams that you have motivated in your regular world goodbye. At some point that ticking timebomb is going to be disrupted because you didn’t pay attention to your health.” — Wade Lightheart 

 

“You can never supplement yourself out of a bad diet. You can’t do it.”— Wade Lightheart 

 

“Health, to me, is when all of the body’s systems and processes are flowing almost like an eloquent orchestra in optimal levels and potency in the human body.”— Wade Lightheart