January 30, 2021

In this special episode of the podcast, recorded live at Ben's house in Spokane, Washington, Ra Optics founder and light/circadian rhythm expert Matt Maruca interviews Ben Greenfield.

Ben takes you along his 8-year brick-and-mortar journey in the world of fitness and explains why he eventually switched into writing, speaking, consulting, and podcasting.

You'll learn more about Ben's experiences since starting the Ben Greenfield Fitness Podcast, what the world of podcasting offers now, what ancestral health is, whether Ben sees their small footprint making its way to the mainstream route anytime soon, why Ben recently began managing his daily information consumption through a “quality over quantity” perspective, Ben’s experiments with the magical butter machine and ketamine, the light diet in its spiritual form, how Ben created a name for himself in the fitness world, what fascinates Ben most about natural living, how we make the most impact on this planet, how outsourcing eliminates information overwhelm, spirituality through the lens of the hero’s journey, the idea of finding true fulfillment through spirituality, and much, much more!

Previous episode with Matt Maruca:

• What Time Of Day Can You Eat A “Cheat Meal,” How Cold Can Make You Unstoppable, Lies We’ve Been Led To Believe About Sunlight & Much More!

In Ben's conversation with Matt, you'll discover:

-How Ben began the interview with Matt on a truly high note…07:15

• US Wellness Meats steaks (use code BEN to save 15%)
• Vasper machine
• Ben's Superfood Smoothie Recipe
• Barukas Nuts (use code BGF to save 15% off first order)
• ZEN Nasal Spray produced by Dr. John Lieurance (use code BEN to save 5%)
• Ketamine Nasal Spray
• Essentia Mattress

-The “light diet” in its spiritual form…12:40

• Diet to realign oneself with nature

-Who is Ben Greenfield?…14:15

• Born in North Idaho, parents from big cities wracked with very unhealthy lifestyles
• Raised to be creative, unconventional in thinking
• Developed a keen interest in the human body, physiology
• Accepted into six medical schools; opted to enter the job market in the medical field
• This led to a disillusionment with the Western medicine system
• Immersed in fitness world for 8+ years
• Got out of the personal training/gym owner role and began writing, podcasting, speaking around 2009
• Became known as an endurance, obstacle course racer

-Ben's podcasting and immersive journalist path over the last 12 years…27:45

• The fitness community is obsessed with diet and exercise
• Became more and more interested in ancestral health, evolutionary mismatches
• Personal protocols changed
• Changed understanding of what comprises true health
• Immersive journaling, self-experimentation

-Whether this small ancestral health footprint will go mainstream…32:30

• Paleo f(x)
• Ancestral Health Symposium
• Gold's Gym still represents what fitness means to the mainstream
• Outside Magazine article: Is Sunscreen the New Margarine?
• Cyclic nature of human awareness and understanding of fitness

-What Ben thinks is the most fascinating part of “natural living”…40:50

• Human photosynthesis
• Chaga Mushroom Extract
• Chlorella
• Methylene Blue
• Joovv
• Regenerate by Sayer Ji
• The Human Photosynthesis by Arturo Solis Herrera

-How to know where to put your focus in a world of information overload…47:15

• FOMO – always feeling like you're not taking in enough info
• Use the unique skill set and purpose you're born with to make an impact in this world
• The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
• The One Thing by Gary Keller
• Entrepreneurs don't outsource enough right out the gate
• Taking on debt to hire an assistant is a prudent move
• If it's not a “hell yes,” it's a no
• Learning to fulfill your purpose, not just for the sake of learning
• Limitless by Jim Quick
• Quality over quantity while reading or listening

-Why Ben is a Christian…1:09:45

• Christianity reflects the Hero's Journey
• Hugely popular movies and books resonate with the Hero's Journey

-Where to start your holistic path…1:26:50

• Soul Keeping by John Ortberg
• The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
• The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun
• Spiritual Disciplines Journal
• Daily breathwork practice, combined with meditation and prayer
• Study – reading the Bible at the beginning and at the end of the day
• Daily gratitude practice; writing down what I'm grateful for every day
• Relationships; prioritizing family; being with others
• Worship; songs, hymns
• Hone in on a purpose statement and feed your soul with…
  • Gratitude
  • Prayer
  • Meditation
  • Worship
  • Silence
  • Solitude
  • Family
• Embrace the Hero's Journey for your life

-And much more…

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.

Resources from this episode:

– Matt Maruca:

• Ra Optics (Use code BEN10 to save 10%)
• What Time Of Day Can You Eat A “Cheat Meal,” How Cold Can Make You Unstoppable, Lies We’ve Been Led To Believe About Sunlight & Much More!

– Podcast and articles:

• A New Style Of Meditation That Helps You To Stress Less & Accomplish More – The Emily Fletcher Podcast.
• The Ultimate Breathwork Ninja Guide: How To Banish Stress & Kiss High Cortisol Goodbye
• Sabbath Ramblings: You’re Not The Hero – The Dark Side Of The Hero’s Journey.

– Books:

• Regenerate by Sayer Ji
• The Human Photosynthesis by Arturo Solis Herrera
• The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
• The One Thing by Gary Keller
• Limitless by Jim Quick
• Soul Keeping by John Ortberg
• The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
• The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Calhoun
• Christian Gratitude Journal
• Spiritual Disciplines Journal

– Food, gear, and supplements:

• US Wellness Meats Steaks (use code BEN to save 15%)
• Ben's Superfood Smoothie Recipe
• Barukas Nuts (use code BGF to save 15% off first order)
• Vasper
• Essentia Mattress
• Joovv
• ZEN Nasal Spray (use code BEN to save 5%)
• Ketamine Nasal Spray
• Chaga Mushroom Extract
• Chlorella
• Methylene Blue

– Other resources:

• Paleo FX
• Ancestral Health Symposium
• Gold's Gym
• Outside Magazine article: Is Sunscreen the New Margarine?

Episode sponsors:

–Kion Immune: Kion Immune is a blend of two of the most-studied, clinically-proven nutrients for immune health: vitamin C and zinc. It may sound simple, but the truth is these two nutrients are essential when it comes to the immune system functioning properly. BGF listeners, receive a 10% discount on your order when you use discount code BEN10.

–Paleovalley Beef Sticks: 100% grass-fed AND grass-finished. Keto friendly and higher levels of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Receive a 15% discount on your order when you use my link.

–Ra Optics: Purchase a pair of Ra Optics Day and Night Lenses to optimize sleep quality, energy, levels, and health in the modern, electrically-lit world. Receive 10% off your order when you order through our link.

–Butcher Box: Delivers healthy 100% grass-fed and finished beef, free-range organic chicken, and heritage breed pork directly to your door on a monthly basis. All their products are humanely raised and NEVER given antibiotics or hormones.

Got a question for Matt Maruca or myself? Leave a comment below, and we'll reply!