Inflammation is at the root of virtually all diseases, including gut disorders. If we can bring down inflammation, it helps the body to heal. In this episode, we’ll be talking about how a wacky Dutchman has shown the world an amazing, simple way to lower inflammation naturally. That man is the living legend: Wim Hof. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER… Why his ‘Wim Hof Method’ can be an amazing healing tool for people with gut issues. Exactly what the Wim Hof Method is and several other health ben...
Sep 27, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Do you feel like you’ve not been taught much about your gut health condition? Are you still trying to figure out exactly what’s going on – and learn more yourself about what’s caused it, what kind of diet you should follow etc? You’re not alone. This week’s episode has been inspired by one of the show’s listeners, a woman called Leanne from Scotland, who recently sent me a message on social media asking: “Why haven’t I been taught more about my condition by the medical profession?” In this episo...
Sep 20, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Are you sick and tired of hearing advice like ‘drink more water’, or ‘eat more fibre’, as you deal with uncomfortable bloating? We hear ya. There are countless people trying to figure out how to prevent bloating these days as digestive issues are so common. That’s the focus in this week’s episode, titled ‘Bloated Belly S.O.S…How To Prevent Bloating’, as host Marc McLean discusses the issues he used to face with IBS, and what he learned to overcome them. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER… Why LOW ...
Sep 13, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Better digestion is not just about chew your food slowly, having a sip of water, or making sure you’re taking probiotics supplements. There are various natural ways you can prepare the body well for each meal – so that you can give your digestive system a helping hand and maximise nutrient absorption. In this episode, host Marc McLean shares three ‘unconventional’ tips/methods that he uses to improve digestion. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER… Why it’s so important to be as stress-free as possi...
Sep 06, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 16
When you’re diagnosed with a gut disorder for the first time, it can leave you feeling deflated and powerless. But the reality of the situation is that there’s so much we can do to give our bodies a helping hand – and restore gut health naturally. Who says disease is permanent? For Gut Sake is the UK’s only podcast dedicated entirely to reversing gut issues naturally. In this episode, titled ‘Taking Back Control Of Your Gut Health’, host Marc McLean talks about how he struggled with IBS, then la...
Aug 30, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Been struggling with gut health issues? Are you worried about the idea of being on medications long term…with God-knows-what-side-effects?! If you’ve said yes to both questions – and are open-minded to natural solutions to heal your dodgy digestive system – then you’ve come to the right place. This is the first episode of brand new podcast ‘For Gut Sake’ (previously known as ‘Self-Optimized’). For Gut Sake is the UK’s only podcast dedicated entirely to reversing gut issues naturally. It’s hosted...
Aug 22, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 14
This is the final episode of the 'Self-Optimized' podcast... Before we switch things up and go in a different direction next month, focusing on gut health and healing the gut naturally. In today's chat, host Marc McLean opens up about the fear he's experienced just simply going through the creative process in producing this podcast over the last few months. He talks about how putting yourself 'out there' in the world and trying something different can throw up all sorts of blocks which can somet...
Jul 21, 2023•20 min•Ep. 13
This week’s guest is Lexie Haren…a mineral specialist and holistic wellness expert who helps people overcome health hurdles through balance, nourishment and getting to root cause issues… Which she finds are often mineral deficiencies. Magnesium, potassium, sodium, and calcium are just some of the key minerals essential for the body to function properly at the cellular level. In this episode Lexie will share: * Why minerals are foundational to good health. * Reasons why so many people are deficie...
Jul 07, 2023•25 min•Ep. 12
In this week's episode we chat with Dr Nguyen Phan, a pretty rare health expert in today's world. Not only is Dr Phan a medical doctor in the US, but he's massively into alternative healing methods - and uses the teachings of Medical Medium Anthony William in his practice with patients. This centres around nutritional protocols, juicing, detoxing, and supplementing with high quality vitamins, minerals and herbs to address the chronic health issues that many people face today. Dr Phan has had gre...
Jun 23, 2023•27 min•Ep. 11
Let’s go for a deep dive on ‘forest bathing’ with Gary Evans – co-founder of The Forest Bathing Institute in the UK. Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-Yoku, originated in Japan in the 1980s…and is actually prescribed by doctors there for preventing illness. Not simply a walk in the forest to chill out and de-stress, Forest bathing is a specific practice of immersing oneself in nature and being present in the forest environment. Gary Evans and his wife founded The Forest Bathing Institute in ...
Jun 09, 2023•23 min•Ep. 10
If you’re into astrology, spirituality, personality profiling…all of that good stuff…then this is the episode for you. We’re diving into ‘Human Design’ , which is a ridiculously interesting tool being used by a growing army of fans all over the world. They claim it's like a roadmap to a more fulfilling life. Human Design is a spiritual methodology which uses a mix of astrology and various ancient sciences such as the I’Ching and Kabbalah…to help you understand exactly how you best operate in the...
May 26, 2023•42 min•Ep. 9
When Neil McDonald began his trek on Mount Everest in 2012, he was enthusiastic about the ascent and focused on raising a huge chunk of money for a diabetes charity. But the Scotsman had no clue about the drama that lay ahead as he made his way up the world’s tallest mountain. At around 8,000m in the skies, Neil came across a man who was trapped in his ropes and barely surviving. What would he do? If he left the man, he’d most likely be dead within a few hours. If he tried to rescue him so high ...
May 12, 2023•41 min•Ep. 8
Most people hate their 9-5 job. Simple as that. A global poll conducted by Gallup proved it, with just 15% of people saying they were engaged at work. Surely we can do better than that? Surely we can make things happen in this digital age where we can actually do work that lights us up? Elatia Abate thinks so. She’s an entrepreneur, an expert on the future of work, and helps people design a new model for their careers. The Florida woman is also founder of ‘The Future of Now’…a business dedicated...
Apr 28, 2023•23 min•Ep. 7
Thinking about starting a family soon? Want to do everything you can to protect the health of your baby? Then this episode is for you. Our guest is Dr Mary Shackelton, a naturopathic doctor and founder of Holistica Integrative Care in the US. She’s been practicing naturopathic medicine for 25 years with an emphasis on women’s health. Her current focus is on environmental medicine and recovering from the many health conditions associated with toxic exposures today…including autoimmune diseases, i...
Apr 14, 2023•23 min•Ep. 6
This week's guest is Graham Jack, who is a trained psilocybin (magic) mushrooms facilitator in Portugal. He guides and supports people in magic mushroom therapy sessions as they go on a deep inner journey, exploring their own psyche, and overcoming all sorts of issues from anxiety and depression to panic attacks and insomnia. Graham has guided people through more than 300 sessions and also works hand in hand with a psychologist. The world is slowly waking up to the immense power of this natural ...
Mar 10, 2023•28 min•Ep. 5
Holistic health coach Heidi Sorensen has been on an incredible healing journey that could easily be made into a movie. Which is a little ironic as the Canadian woman, who is an expert in holistic breast health, is a former Hollywood actress. Heidi also had a successful career as a model and is an ex-Playboy centerfold. Back in the 80s, Heidi was diagnosed with breast cancer…literally months after giving birth to her daughter. Not convinced by conventional treatments for her type of breast cancer...
Mar 10, 2023•26 min•Ep. 4
This week’s guest is a priest…but he also likes to punch people in the face. Introducing Father Dave Smith, who is a man of God but also a professional boxer. 'Fighting Father Dave' as he is well known is based in Sydney, Australia, and this guy is a spiritual warrior in all senses of the term. He opened a boxing gym in the community and started taking in drugs addicts, criminals, and young people who were going off the rails….and by getting them hooked on fitness and boxing he helped countless ...
Mar 10, 2023•25 min•Ep. 3
The need to detox heavy metals is barely discussed or even known about by most people. In today’s episode, Self-Optimized host Marc McLean talks about how he discovered by chance that he had 'heavy metals poisoning'....and from a source he least expected. He also discusses why toxic heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, and cadmium, are a major causal factor in many chronic illnesses today. You’re gonna hear: * How various types of heavy metals accumulate in our tissues and organs. * The damage t...
Mar 10, 2023•29 min•Ep. 2
Are you struggling with gut issues? Have you tried every diet ever invented, along with countless other steps to try and fix your dodgy digestive system? I hear ya. I've been there and done it...for the best part of a decade. My name is Marc McLean, I'm host of the Self-Optimized podcast, and in this introductory episode I share my long, crazy journey to overcome both IBS and ulcerative colitis. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The extreme lengths I went to try and recover my gut health naturall...
Mar 06, 2023•25 min•Ep. 1
Have you recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis…and are desperate to get your gut health back on track? Or maybe you’ve had colitis for a few years and are open-minded to exploring new natural health methods because you’re fed up with these nightmare symptoms… The restricted diet, the blood, the weight loss, the fatigue…. You know how it works. Well, this podcast is dedicated entirely to helping people like you and me on the colitis healing path…to find natural ways to reverse our sympt...
Mar 06, 2023•3 min
