Recorded: September 6 (rainy morning in Idaho 🌧️)Host: Joanne Lee CornishTheme: Cutting through the “too simple” and the “too complex” to the useful middle—so you actually know what to do and why it works. Why this episode matters There’s a giant gap in health education: on one side, fluffy tips (“eat healthy fats!”); on the other, firehose-science that sounds impressive but leaves you asking, …now what? This episode lives in the middle. You’ll get plain-English explanations of high-value concepts and, more importantly, how to implement them for midlife results. ⚡️ Heads up: Enrollment for Mastering Midlife starts really soon. It’s a 10-Step to Success program with live coaching plus a full content library so you can learn at your own pace. Details below. Episode Highlights 1) The “Gap” I Fill (00:29–03:31) The internet swings between oversimplified advice and overcomplicated biohacking. Most people don’t need more noise—they need actionable explanations and a clear progression. That’s why my programs are designed as a journey—not 10 random Zooms. 2) Why a Progressive Framework Works (03:01–04:46) Mastering Midlife follows a 10-step sequence across bloodwork, smart nutrition, supplements, exercise, and strength training. Each step builds on the last so you can understand, apply, and sustain. 3) Buzzwords You Hear Everywhere—Decoded (04:46–10:07) We name the elephant in the room: terms are tossed around like everyone learned this in school (we didn’t). This series clarifies the why and the how so you can use the info. Topics called out: mitochondria, cellular energy, NAD+, autophagy, mTOR/AMPK, BDNF, leptin resistance, metabolic flexibility, glycation, inflamaging, photobiomodulation, peptides (BPC-157, tesamorelin, GHK), exosomes, stem cells, senescent cells, HRV, cold exposure/brown fat, methylation, zonulin, LPS, histamine intolerance, oxalates, collagen cross-linking, microdosing, sarcopenia, longevity genes, and more. 4) Deep Dives (Plain English) A) Mitochondria & Cellular Energy (10:07–18:43) Mitochondria are more than “little batteries.” They decide: How efficiently you burn fat How much energy is available to brain/muscle/organs How quickly you age Cellular energy = ability to produce ATP (the “currency of life”). Low ATP → fatigue, cravings, slow recovery, poor gains. Support via quality food, smart meal timing (including some fasting), resistance training, sleep, and light (e.g., red light therapy). B) NAD+ & Why Everyone’s Talking About It (18:43–23:54) NAD+ is a coenzyme required to turn food into usable energy. Levels decline with age. You’ll hear about NR/NMN (precursors). Lifestyle also protects NAD (exercise, sleep, fasting). 5-Amino-1MQ (which I carry) supports your own NAD production. Warning: medications may create great scale changes, but cellular health still matters—don’t abandon the basics. C) Microbiome Diversity (24:19–29:49) Think of your gut like a rainforest—diversity = resilience. Diverse microbes = better digestion, vitamins, hormone balance, immune regulation, even mood/cognition (gut-brain axis). Midlife naturally reduces diversity. Counter it by: Eliminating ultra-processed foods (non-negotiable) Eating more fiber (feeds good bacteria) Including fermented foods (adds good bacteria) D) LPS & Leaky Gut—The Silent Saboteur (29:49–34:35) LPS (lipopolysaccharide) lives on certain gut bacteria. Fine inside the gut; toxic if it leaks out. With leaky gut, LPS escapes → big immune reaction → systemic inflammation, brain fog, joint pain, fatigue, insulin resistance, mood issues; linked with autoimmunity. Drivers: ultra-processed food, irritants, toxins, antibiotics, high sugar. I have a free leaky gut video—email me. E) Oxidative Stress (34:57–41:51) When cells make energy, free radicals (sparks) are created. Antioxidants are the cleanup crew. If sparks build up without cleanup, you get a fire = oxidative