We live in a world fueled by caffeine, overstimulation and burnout — and most of us call it “normal.”But what if the fog, the fatigue, the anxiety… isn’t a personality trait, but a biological response?
In this episode, we sit down with Justin Ford, founder of Life Within, to uncover how functional mushrooms, ceremonial cacao and ancestral African superfoods can help reset the body and rebuild the mind from the inside out.
This is a conversation about nervous system healing, conscious nutrition, and the moment Justin realised he was living a life completely disconnected from himself.If you’ve ever felt tired, wired, anxious or overwhelmed - this episode is for you.
00:00 Intro – Meet Justin, Founder of Life Within
00:43 What Is Life Within & the Cacao Wizard’s Mix?
02:01 First Taste: Cacao Ritual & Grounding Exercise
08:43 How a Lion’s Mane Curry in Singapore Changed Everything
14:27 What Are Functional (Not “Medicinal”) Mushrooms?
16:04 African Excellence & Conscious Sourcing of Ingredients
19:04 Heavy Metals, Mold & Testing for Safe Cacao and Mushrooms
21:17 Why Justin Chose Dubai & Burning Out in Corporate Life
26:49 Where to Start With Functional Mushrooms & What Is “Mushroom Stacking”?
31:25 Sprays vs Powders – Which Form Works Best and Why
33:55 Tremella & Beauty From Within: Skin Hydration and Glow
35:17 Mushrooms and Hormones: Support Through Perimenopause & Menopause
40:12 Fertility, Pregnancy & Why Justin Won’t Overclaim Benefits
42:32 Coffee Addiction & Discovering Manibrew (Caffeine-Free “Espresso”)
45:39 Cacao vs Coffee – Energy, Mood & the Science Behind Both
49:29 How to Prepare Ceremonial-Grade Cacao at Home
51:12 Can You Take Too Much Cacao? Safe Doses & Side Effects
52:28 Closing Thoughts, Gratitude & Next Guest Teaser
Learn more about our guest Justin Ford and Life Within:
Instagram @justin4d @wearelifewithin
YouTube @wearelifewithin
wearelifewithin.com
If this conversation challenges the way you think about energy, focus and wellness, share it with someone who needs it.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
▶️ Watch the full episode on YouTube
In Episode 2, we sit down with Dr. Maria Alonso - the UAE’s leading voices in preventive and integrative medicine. We unpack how gut health shapes our mood, skin, immunity, and longevity - and why true wellness is never about perfection but rather about connection with yourself.
01:14 Dr. Maria’s Journey from Spain to Dubai
04:28 From Conventional to Integrative Medicine
07:10 Why We’re More Confused Than Ever About Health
09:25 What Your Gut Is Trying to Tell You
12:05 The Myth of Clean Eating
14:52 How Microbiome Diversity Shapes Your Mood
17:40 Gut–Skin Connection: Healing From the Inside Out
20:33 Intuition & the Biology of the “Gut Feeling”
23:11 The Truth About Emotional Eating
25:45 The Hidden Enemies of a Healthy Microbiome
28:12 Personalized Nutrition — Help or Hype?
31:25 Cravings, Travel & Gut Imbalance
34:49 Are We Too Clean for Our Own Good?
37:25 Dr. Maria’s Daily Wellness Rituals
40:10 The Future of Gut Health & Longevity
In Episode 1, we dive into the idea that true health isn’t something you can shortcut — it’s about consistent habits, mindset, and the small decisions you make daily.
00:00 Intro & Why “Feeling Healthy” Isn’t a Cheat Code
02:15 The Myth of Quick Fixes: Why They Fail
05:30 Short-Term Gains vs. Sustainable Health
08:05 The Role of Sleep, Stress & Recovery in Real Health
10:40 Nutrition: It’s Not Just What You Eat, But How You Eat It
13:20 Movement & Exercise: Less About Extremes, More About Consistency
15:55 Why Mindset Shifts Matter More Than Metrics
18:45 Habits Over Hacks: Building a Foundation You Can Trust
21:30 When “Doing Everything” Becomes Doing Too Much
23:50 Slumps & Plateaus: How to Navigate Them
26:15 You Can’t Cheat Feeling Healthy
28:00 Final Thoughts