August 13, 2016
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
My guest on today's podcast, Ryan Munsey, is a former fitness model and gym-owner-turned writer, speaker, and biohacker.
He's a mental and physical performance specialist with a degree in Food Science & Human Nutrition from Clemson University, and a wealth of knowledge on topics such as smart drugs, lucid dreaming, unconventional strength training and cardiovascular training techniques, and dirty secrets in the supplement industry. Ryan is also the Chief Optimizer at Natural Stacks and host of the Optimal Performance Podcast.
During our discussion, you'll discover:
-Why Ryan thinks most people shouldn't eat breakfast…[6:10]
-The strange and shocking history of corn flakes…[20:50]
-How to “hack” yourself into a state of lucid dreaming…[22:20]
-How Ryan uses resistance bands to get strength breakthrough…[31:00]
-The concept of something called “Hurricane training” for a huge boost in cardiovascular fitness…[39:24]
-How Ryan stays lean when he can't workout… [45:45]
-Ryan's unique personal “smart drug” stack that he uses…[53:00]
-Why you should use caution when you see the word “proprietary” on a supplement label (and other dirty secrets of the supplements industry)…[62:10]
-And much more!
Resources from this episode:
–Ryan's article on why he skips breakfastr
–The strange and shocking history of why corn flakes were invented
–Ryan's podcast interview on lucid dreaming
–Galantamine for lucid dreaming
–CBD oil vs. Rick Simpson's oil
–Rogue monster resistance bands
–Ryan's article on Hurricane Training
–Martin Rooney's Cardio Workouts for Warriors book
–How To Make Your Own Smart Drugs
–Top 10 dirty secrets of the supplement industry
–Natural Stacks (for CILTEP, etc.) (use 15% discount code BEN15 on anything)
Do you have questions, comments or feedback for Ryan or me? Leave your thoughts below and one of us will reply!
Ben,
Love the podcasts. I am interested in the ATP/HMB stack but i cant remember where you said to find it. Any other suggested articles on the stack.
Thank You,
Dr. Pat
You can find the stack here: <a href="https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/atp” target=”_blank”>bengreenfieldfitness.com/atp and the study is here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24714541
Hey Ben, I’ve been listening to your podcast for the last couple of months and have been learning a lot. It is a great way to spend the morning commute! My question probably has been asked a thousand times but I’ll ask it anyway. I have been doing the 16/8 intermittent fasting protocol for the past 2 months and have seen good fat-loss and muscle gain results. I am taking creatine before my workouts as well as BCAAs before, during and after the workouts. Are there any benefits to the BCAA intake timing I’m using or am I just wasting my money? Am I running the risk of breaking my fast with the BCAAs?
I would suggest you swap to Nature Aminos and you can find out why here: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2015/12/what-are…
And no, they don't break your fast.
Thank you for the reply! I’ll be sure to give it a good read. Also, after the comment on the actual breakdown of some supplements vs. what their label claims I checked the BCAAs I’m currently taking. It turns out I would need to double the serving to get the amount of leucine, isoleucine and valine I’m aiming for. I will be more careful next time!
Was wondering if I do fasted cardio: drink bulletproof coffee right after cardio, then eat 2-3 hours later to help with fat loss, and not affecting what Ryan said happens in the morning with hormones? I actually just bought you looking good naked program which has fasted cardio in it.
Hey Ben, I checked Body Health’s Perfect Aminos product that was on your podcast and that I currently use, and it too says “proprietary blend” of amino acids on it. Do you have any thoughts on this? Would you recommend it or do you think it could be a ripoff? Where could I find out more info? Thanks so much.
I'd recommend getting Nature Aminos – that's my brand so I can absolutely vouch for the blend. They have:
Tryptophan to encourage the release of important neurotransmitters and hormones for mood and sleep, such as serotonin and melatonin.
Lysine, which, if deficient, can result in a deficiency in niacin (Vitamin B), as well as slow connective tissue repair.
Methionine to supply sulphur and other compounds required by your body for optimum metabolism and growth.
Valine, which is needed for muscle fiber firing, tissue repair, and for the maintenance of proper nitrogen balance in the body.
Leucine, which stimulates muscle protein synthesis and may be the major fuel involved in anabolic (tissue building) reactions.
Isoleucine, which is important for blood sugar regulation, muscle development and repair and energy regulation.
Threonine, which is important for antibody production, immune system activity, and can be converted into glycine and serine.
Phenylalanine, which stimulates the release of neurotransmitters and hormones such adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are necessary substances for optimum activity of your central and peripheral nervous systems.
You can get them here: https://greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/product/natu…
200-400mg of huperzine-a can also help with lucid dreaming
Great podcast guys. So many great subjects that I love learning more about. I’ve been playing with lucid dreaming on and off for the last year and notice that according to Sleep Cycle, my sleep quality is much lower when I have lucid dreams but I feel great when I wake up.
Hey Ben! I was hoping you could shed some light on the conflicting information I’ve been hearing in regards to timing carb/protein consumption. Your recommendation has been to save carbs for later in the day, when cortisol is lower. But I’ve also heard that consuming carbs at night goes against the circadian rhythm. Thoughts? Love the podcast by the way!
You heard wrong. You need to get this program and read it in detail…it will answer all your questions: http://bit.ly/2b6YG8F
Great podcast. hit on so many great topics.
Loved this Episode. Loved both Ryan’s neurotransmitter bit, and Ben’s depiction of the best times to use each particular type of smart drug. I was wondering what a brand or a type of oxiracetam is. I would trying to find one to purchase but wasn’t sure what exact kinds there are.
Thank You,
Lou
I talk a little about that here: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2015/07/how-to-m… Also, stay tuned because I have a more in-depth podcast coming out soon on the entire racetam family.
How would you adjust this approach if you workout in the morning?
Ben – I am a former gymnast and have looked but do not see anyone selling a true gymnastics bar for your home use- made out of wood (no metal!!!!)? Do you know of anyone that makes these and sells them or has taken old sets of uneven parallel bars and turned them into home bars? I cannot stand metal, my hands are used to wood and used to a bar that flexes! Help me find one please- I cannot be the only former gymnast that wants this kind of bar?! Thanks!!!!
Off the top of my head I do not know of anyone who actually makes and sells something like that. Perhaps other people in the comments thread will know.