Welcome to the 50th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

On today’s episode I’m joined by Dr. Anthony Chaffee—an American medical doctor, carnivore diet expert, and host of The Plant-Free MD Podcast. With over 20 years of research into optimal human nutrition, Dr. Chaffee shares his bold and evidence-backed perspective: that the carnivore diet is the true species-appropriate diet for humans, and many of the chronic illnesses we face today stem directly from what we eat—or don’t eat.

As someone currently five months into my own carnivore journey (after transitioning from a ketovore approach), I’ve seen firsthand both the benefits and the challenges.In this episode, we dive into some of the most common challenges people face when transitioning to a carnivore lifestyle, how to overcome them, and what to expect along the way. We also explore how a meat-based diet impacts athletic performance, as well as its potential to improve — and in some cases reverse — chronic conditions like autoimmune disease, diabetes, and more.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, heart failure, schizophrenia, and autoimmune diseases can go into remission with a strict carnivore diet

• The origins of meat-and-water diets used to treat IBS, Crohn’s, and rheumatoid arthritis since the 1800s

• Whether autoimmune diseases really involve the body attacking itself—or if there's more to the story

• Dr. Chaffee’s personal experience with athletic performance and adaptation on carnivore

• Fat metabolism, VO2 max, and what low-carb research shows in elite athletes

• The role of insulin in blocking fat-burning and disrupting metabolic hormones

• Why high blood sugar is so damaging—and whether elevated glucose is inherently toxic

• How testosterone levels may double on keto, and how ketones support recovery and reduce inflammation

• Coming off TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) on a carnivore diet

• Endocrine disruptors in plants and their effects on human physiology

• PCOS, hydration, electrolytes, and why water follows sodium

• Caffeine use on carnivore—and how to manage it

• Why humans are biologically designed to live 120–130 years in health

This is a deep and eye-opening conversation about food, health, performance, and what it means to return to our biological roots.

Welcome to the 49th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

In this radical and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Samuel Shepherd—a biochemical engineer, inventor, cancer survivor, and true renaissance man whose work spans medicine, AI, space exploration, and national defense.

Sam shares how he reversed a rare form of cancer, developed his productValasta, and uncovered the oxidative root behind 92% of inflammatory diseases.

In this episode we dive into:

· Sam’s personal journey of reversing a rare cancer diagnosis through biochemical innovation

· The story behind Valasta—how it works and what makes it different from other antioxidants like vitamin C or vitamin E

· Why certain animals don’t get cancer—and what humans can learn from that

· How Sam has faced resistance, censorship, and even threats to his life

· The 4–5 reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause nearly all chronic inflammatory conditions

· How sugar—especially fructose—disrupts DNA repair and creates disease

· The dangerous introduction of high-fructose corn syrup into the food supply

· Why your CRP (C-reactive protein) level is a powerful predictor of disease

· The difference between treating symptoms (branches) vs. root causes (ROS)

· How the healthcare system perpetuates sickness through systemic inflammation

· How Sam had zero atherogenic plaque at 70+ years old!

· How light, frequency, and military tech can influence your physiology and brain health

· What makes cancer cells electrically different (sodium, potassium, and charge potential)

· How Sam contributed to early AI and what it means for human relevance

· The existential cost of losing purpose in a post-AI world

· The two behavioral rules every living being follows: maximize pleasure or minimize pain

· The various ways to take Valasta: chocolate, capsules, or topical

· ValAsta's testimonials including compelling cases such as the reversal of the founder Sam Shepherd's mother's renal failure, along with reported remissions in conditions like breast cancer, brain tumors, and even severe cases of COVID-19

· What lifestyle changes are recommended while using Valasta

To learn more about Sam's work, visit Valasta.net.

Here are two of his 44 patents:

• Method of Using Astaxanthin for the Treatment of Diseases, Particularly Cancer
  US Patent 11065269B1

• Process for Reducing Cell Death and Increasing Growth of an Algal Culture
  US Patent 10364426B1

This episode is a thoughtful dive into biology, purpose, and what it means to take ownership of your life—with one of the most insightful and unfiltered guests I’ve had on the show. Enjoy the conversation, and if it resonates with you, feel free to share it with someone who’d appreciate it.

Welcome to the 48th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

In this raw and introspective conversation, I sit down with my good friend Alvey Thompson, a coach, a father, and a man whose transformation has been shaped by personal loss, emotional evolution, and an unwavering commitment to truth. Alvey opens up about the pivotal moments that redefined his values, from his mother’s long battle with illness to becoming a father and stepping into a higher version of himself.

We explore what it means to lead with presence, to coach from experience, and to disrupt cycles of stagnation—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

We dive into:

• ​ Alvey’s journey into coaching, sparked by his mother’s chronic illness
• ​ His challenge of 1000 general health deposits in 100 days and how consistent action rewires identity
• ​ Counting your wins
• ​ Awareness, intention, and disruption—and how real change demands all three
• ​ How people overcomplicate health
• ​ How fear, distorted love, and emotional immaturity shaped his early responses to pain
• ​ The difference between being a trainer and being a life coach
• ​ What it means to serve with dignity, and let others say no
• ​ Why the people closest to us are often the hardest to hear
• ​ The limiting beliefs his clients bring to the table
• ​ What have been some of Alvey’s own self-limiting beliefs that have kept him from taking action?
• ​ The importance of digging deeper than physical goals to uncover the real why
• ​ How fatherhood has changed his worldview and sharpened his purpose
• ​ The core values Alvey wants to instill in his son, Zion

This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a challenge to look inward, strip back the layers, and get radically honest about who you want to be.

Welcome to the 47th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

On this episode I sit down with coach Guy Alteme whose path to coaching was forged through deep personal hardship and a bout of homelessness. Guy shares how financial struggles shaped his approach to life, relationships, and ultimately, his coaching philosophy.

We dive into:

• ​What led Guy into financial hardship
• ​How stepping in to help someone can sometimes inhibit their growth
• ​How to not take it personally when clients fall off—and how to dig deeper into what's really going on
• ​The importance of non-verbal communication and presence
• ​The role of willpower and how it carried him through rock bottom
• ​How past experiences sparked a deep interest in truly connecting with others
• ​The power of being present with the client in front of you
• ​What two instances of homelessness taught him about materialism and putting people before objects
• ​The toll that giving to others can take on intimate relationships
• ​How Guy refills his own cup and stays grounded
• ​His approach to nutrition and health
• ​Why so many people are on medications and the need to think critically
• ​The balance between what clients want and what they truly need
• ​The importance of support systems—and not getting stuck in grief

If you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or out of touch—this conversation is a gentle return to the power of presence, empathy, and inner strength.

Welcome to the 46th episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

In this episode, we sit down with Steak & Butter Gal to dive deep into her journey from a strict whole-foods-based vegan diet to thriving on a high-fat carnivore lifestyle. She shares how this radical shift transformed her health, restored her menstrual cycle and helped her achieve her weight loss goals.

Tune in as we discuss:

• ​ How she got the name Steak & Butter Gal and why she started documenting her carnivore journey.
• ​ The health struggles she faced as a vegan and what pushed her to make the switch.
• ​ Why so many women under-eat when dieting and the warning signs of undereating—like hair loss, low energy, and missing periods.
• ​ How the body prioritizes healing before weight loss—and why weight gain was an essential phase in her carnivore journey.
• ​ How she stopped calorie counting, learned to listen to her body, and still achieved her weight loss goals.
• ​ High-fat carnivore: what it is, how she does it, and why adding more fat can be a game-changer for women.
• ​ No-salt carnivore, electrolytes, and why eating your meat rare might be the key to better mineral absorption.
• ​ Her thoughts on pregnancy and whether women should cycle carbs for hormonal balance.
• ​ How she navigates social situations
• ​ Is the quality of meat important?
• ​ How the carnivore diet has impacted her performance as a pianist.
• ​ Bowel movements on carnivore, what to expect, and how they’ve changed for her.
• ​ Who shouldn’t do a carnivore diet?
• ​ The life-changing health transformations she’s seen in her community, from reversing diabetes and improving mental health to overcoming infertility.

To follow Steak & Butter Gal’s journey and learn more about her approach, check her out on Instagram at @steakandbuttergal

Become part of her community and take part in weekly Q&A sessions with coaches, carnivore experts, and medical doctors by visiting https://sbg-s-meat-up.mn.co.

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Alvarado, a physical therapist and owner of Goefit, a gym in South Florida, to explore the intersection of strength training, rehabilitation, and the power of the mind in recovery.

Tune in as we discuss:

• Jaime’s journey into physical therapy—how his own experiences with injury, combined with his uncle’s battle with cancer, inspired his career path.

• Why strength training became his ultimate tool for recovery and its vital role in rehab.

• The key differences between cash-based and insurance-based physical therapy models.

• Redefining rehab—how blending strength training with recovery methods pushes past perceived physical limits.

• Jaime’s top five recovery tools: rockfloss, inversion tables, infrared light, Graston technique, and muscle guns.

• Why he believes the majority of healing is mental - how to break free from self-limiting beliefs and injury-based identities

• Rolfing and how fascia can store emotional trauma.

• How plant medicine influenced his spiritual journey and connection to Christ.

• How the transformative power of EMDR therapy has helped with his own healing

• How becoming a father reshaped his approach to training, nutrition, and overall well-being.

• The unspoken challenges of postpartum for men

To learn more about Jaime’s work and to follow his journey, be sure to check him out on Instagram at @prof_gains & @goefit

Welcome to the 44th episode of the Back to Human Podcast!

On this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sally K. Norton, MPH, author of Toxic Superfoods. After years of consuming so-called "healthy" foods, Sally suffered from chronic pain, fatigue, and unexplained health issues—until she discovered the hidden dangers of oxalates. Her journey led her to uncover how these naturally occurring compounds, found in many popular foods, can silently contribute to serious health problems.

Despite being promoted as “superfoods,” many plant-based staples contain high levels of oxalates—compounds that can accumulate in the body and trigger a range of issues, from joint pain and kidney stones to inflammation and mineral depletion. In this episode, Sally breaks down the science behind oxalates, the symptoms of toxicity, and what you can do to protect your health.

• Sally’s personal health struggles and how she uncovered oxalate toxicity
• What oxalates are and where they come from
• Commonly promoted “superfoods” that are high in oxalates
• How oxalates accumulate in tissues, joints, and organs
• Why oxalates don’t just affect the kidneys
• How high oxalate intake raises uric acid, increasing the risk of gout and kidney disease

• The role of oxalic acid in calcification and its impact on health
• The link between high oxalates and gout
• Primary hyperoxaluria—how even those without this genetic disorder can suffer from oxalate overload
• Why high oxalates in urine signal deeper issues
• What is oxalate dumping and how detoxing can affect the body
• How oxalates deplete essential minerals
• Do we really need fiber? A look at common misconceptions

• How cultural norms, dietary trends, and societal conditioning shape our beliefs about "healthy" foods
• Should you quit oxalates cold turkey or reduce them gradually?
• The future of health and the role of feminine energy in healing
• How oxalate toxicity can affect children
• How Sally’s dietary approach has evolved over time

If you’ve been dealing with chronic inflammation, pain, or unexplained health struggles, this episode is a must-listen!

📖 Sally’s book, Toxic Superfoods, is available everywhere books are sold.
📊The Data Companion to Toxic Superfoods is available at https://sallyknorton.com/toxic_superfoods/data_companion
🍽️ Sally’s latest project, the long awaited cookbook, Sally’s Recipe Collection, is filled with amazing recipes; it can be found at Shop.SallyKNorton.com. Connect with Sally:

YouTube: Sally K. Norton
Instagram: @sknorton & @toxicsuperfoods_oxalate_book
Facebook: @BeFreeToThrive
Twitter: @BetterLowOx

Welcome to the 43rd episode of the Back to Human Podcast.

On this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Angela, also known as Faithful Free Momma and Injecting Truth on Instagram. This is an episode I’ve wanted to record for a long time, as I believe the information we discuss is crucial for new and expecting parents. Through her own experience, Angela became a passionate advocate for informed decision-making after her son suffered an adverse reaction following a wellness visit.

This episode dives deep into the topic of vaccines and the many questions surrounding their safety, efficacy, and transparency. Angela shares her knowledge and research in a way that empowers parents to ask the right questions and make decisions that align with their values.

In this episode, we discuss:

Thank you for listening to the show!

This episode is filled with invaluable information for new or expecting parents. If you’ve experienced a vaccine injury or have a story to share, I’d love to hear from you. Please use the contact form on Backtohuman.us to reach out.

You can connect with Angela and explore her work here:

Additional resources mentioned in this episode include:

Books:

Documentaries: