June 28, 2018
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Sami Inkinen is the CEO & Founder of San Francisco based Virta Health. Virta is an online specialty medical clinic that reverses type 2 diabetes safely and sustainably, without the risks, costs, or side effects of medications or surgery. Sami is also an active investor in companies advancing human health and performance as an angel investor and Venture Partner at Obvious Ventures.
Previously, Sami was a co-founder, COO and President of Trulia until it’s IPO and eventual sale for $3.6B. Sami, an avid athlete, is a triathlon world champion in his age group, and recently rowed across the Pacific Ocean from California to Hawaii unsupported with his wife at a record speed to raise awareness about healthy nutrition. Sami received his Masters in Physics from the Helsinki University of Technology and MBA from Stanford University.
The last time Sami and I spoke in the podcast How To Maximize Triathlon Success With Minimal Training Time, we discussed how Sami has a busy work life that only allows him a maximum of about 12 hours per week to train, and in that interview, he revealed his secrets, including:
-What 99% of Ironman triathletes do wrong…
-How a typical week of Sami’s triathlon training goes…
-Sami’s top swim sessions and strategies (including the use of a swimming snorkel)…
-How the combination of indoor cycling and a Computrainer can save you tons of time…
-Sami’s top run workout on the track…
-How Sami uses something called Restwise to track recovery, and what he really thinks about other training recovery tools…
-What Sami eats and what he avoids eating…
-And much more!
Now Sami's back, and during our discussion, you'll discover:
-The story of Sami's crazy low-carb rowing adventure to Hawaii, fueled by dehydrated vegetables, jerky and nuts…8:30
-What Sami's been up to with the creation of Virta Health…18:15
-How Virta Health works in a shockingly effective way to reverse Type II diabetes…26:45
-How Sami is quantifying his health, his sleep, his fitness and other lifestyle parameters…34:00
-What Sami's diet looks like now…42:30
-Dr. Steven Phinney's thoughts on the dangers of fasting…48:00
-The supplements Sami takes or does not take for maintaining a low-carb lifestyle, anti-aging and beyond…52:00
-And much more!
Resources from this episode:
-How To Maximize Triathlon Success With Minimal Training Time
–Dr. Steven Phinney's thoughts on the dangers of fasting
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Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Sami or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!
I am a new follower Ben and am on metformin for type 2 insulin resistant I’m not over weight and currently do exercise daily with body weight and some weights but I have limited acces., I’m looking for ways to control my blood sugar and get off metformin naturally any links or tips to help please.
I'm not a doctor, so unfortunately I can't really give you advice on getting off of a prescribed medication. I do, however, have tons of resources on my site for controlling blood sugar. Just do a search here: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/ for "blood sugar control"
I very much enjoyed and appreciated the Inkinen interview. I appreciated his concepts of not getting ahead of the science with various recommendations. He suggests eating a balanced diet and sleeping well in addition to a regular workout schedule that includes intervals, endurance and strength training without gimmicks. He was not pushing and bars or pills or any other commercial products with no scientific backup; some of which are certainly not healthful. He stood fast by his dedication to common sense and safety first. He would not “give in” on the risks of fasting for those who are not trained athletes in excellent health. The work he refers to my Dr. Phinney is superb and worth reading.
(FYI: I am a retired cardiac surgeon)
Very hard to accept the word of a Doctor who says there’s no scientific proven research in regards to IF when there clearly is. I know Ben is the host and not his job but was surprised Ben didn’t challenge him more on his negative view of IF when Ben clearly has done the research and talked to countless other reputable sources in science that agree on its benefits.
Hi Ben. Great podcast. What is your fasting blood glucose? You mentioned your genetic tests. I am in the same situation from genetic point of view and I am constantly monitoring the FBG. I observed sometimes it is slightly elevated (in 90-100 range). I was concerned, untill I have read something about “physiological insulin resistance”, which is a mechanism of adaptation in the state of ketosis (I exercise a lot and sometimes I am in an exercise or nutrition induced ketosis). My HOMA IR index and Ha1c is in normal range.
I would like to know your thoghts about it.
Thanks,
AK
My fasting glucose is around 65-80 most often, and you are correct, low insulin and insulin resistance can definitely result in high blood glucose even when following a ketotic diet.
Dear Ben, thank you for your shows. My gf is a type 2 diabetic and experiencing neuropathic pain and also has a herniated disc. She is home on short term disability with alot of pain. Im looking for help to ge her well again. Can either you or Mr. Inkinen point me to doctors that can help me with reversing her diabetes and getting her well. I’m desperate. She has lost weight, she’s weak on several medications and in alot of pain. Please help.
Ben What re your thoughts on the Dr Phinney article about fasting?
Fasting is far different for an athlete vs. the average person (I get more into my own fasting "athlete" protocol in my interview with Dan Pompa here: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/feastfamine)
Ben, I love the podcast, but please no more slurping sounds to start things off (or at any point, really). It just sounds unpleasant.
Don’t look a Gift Horse in the mouth…