Dr. Lara Briden challenges everything you think you know about metabolism, revealing why energy—not weight—is the true marker of metabolic health. This conversation explores how modern life has pushed our physiology into states it was never designed for, and offers a compassionate, science-based approach to understanding your body as a logical system rather than a problem to fix.

GUEST INFORMATION:

• Name: Dr. Lara Briden
• Title/Credentials: Naturopathic doctor, author, former evolutionary biology researcher
• Background: Has peer-reviewed publications and thesis in evolutionary biology, specializes in women's health with focus on centering female physiology as normal mammalian function

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Evolutionary Biology Framework

• • Dr. Briden explains how her background in evolutionary biology informs her medical practice, viewing women's bodies as logical systems that make biological sense

• Menopause as Evolutionary Advantage

• • Discussion of how menopause evolved as a survival advantage, with post-reproductive women being essential for family group survival

• Debunking the Willpower Myth

• • Challenges the narrative that metabolic issues are about eating too much and exercising too little

• The Asthma Analogy

• • Explains why telling people to "just lose weight" is like telling someone with asthma to "just breathe better"

• Environmental Factors

• • Details how environmental toxins, gut microbiome changes, and epigenetics contribute to metabolic dysfunction across species and generations

• Energy as Metabolic Marker

• • Explains metabolic flexibility and how the body should preferentially burn fat in fasting states

• Blood Sugar Crashes

• • Discusses how insulin resistance often presents as reactive hypoglycemia rather than high blood sugar

• Seed Oils Discussion

• • Dr. Briden shares her perspective on high-dose omega-6 oils as metabolically problematic signaling molecules

• Nervous System and Metabolism

• • Explores how the autonomic nervous system significantly impacts insulin sensitivity and metabolic rate

• Key Metabolic Nutrients

• • Discuss essential nutrients for metabolic health: magnesium, taurine, choline, inositol, and glycine, historically obtained from organ meats

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• Mitochondria as Masters

• • Fascinating discussion of mitochondria as dynamic cellular powerhouses affected by emotions and social activity

• Lab Testing Simplified

• • Provides practical lab markers for insulin resistance: ALT levels, ALT to AST ratio, and triglycerides

  RESOURCES MENTIONED:

  • Metabolism Repair For Women, by Dr. Briden
  • Period Repair Manual (previous book)
  • Potential upcoming cookbook collaboration

  KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Metabolism problems often come before weight gain, not after—it's about insulin resistance first
  2. Energy levels and satiety between meals are better indicators of metabolic health than body weight
  3. Environmental factors including toxins, processed oils, and gut dysfunction are major contributors to metabolic issues
  4. The body has a complex system that can't be micromanaged—focus on removing obstacles and supporting overall health
  5. Simple lab tests (ALT, triglycerides) can reveal insulin resistance more effectively than complex testing

  Website: https://www.larabriden.com/

  
  

  CALL TO ACTION:
  Subscribe to the One Thing Podcast for more conversations that challenge conventional health wisdom and center biology over blame. Share this episode with someone who's been struggling with metabolic health issues—these insights could be exactly what they need to hear.

After 6 years of hosting The One Thing Podcast and 20 years in clinical practice, I'm thrilled to announce my first group program: The Gut Freedom Intensive.

This is a 6-week cohort-based course that brings my one-on-one clinical approach to a small group format. If you've been struggling with IBS, SIBO, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, bloating, or any form of digestive distress, this intensive is designed for you.

What You'll Get:

• 6 weekly live group sessions with me
• Personalized roadmap for your specific digestive imbalances
• Deep dives into gut immunity, microbiome, food sensitivities, and more
• Interactive assignments to identify YOUR root causes
• Guidance on nutrition, lifestyle, supplements, and functional testing
• Ongoing support throughout the program

This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Through guided exercises and assessments, we'll uncover exactly what YOUR gut needs to heal.

Course Details:

• Starts: February 4th, 2026
• Duration: 6 weeks
• Format: Live weekly sessions + comprehensive curriculum
• Limited to 25 participants

Special Listener Discount: Listen to the special announcement where I mention a code that will give a discount of 20% off - good through December 15th, 2025

Enroll at: [Gut Freedom Intensive]

Questions? email support@soundintegrative.com

I look forward to guiding you on your journey to gut freedom.

Show Notes:🔗 Enroll in Gut Freedom Intensive: [LINK]📅 Course Starts: February 4, 2026

#guthealth #IBS #SIBO #digestivehealth #gutfreedom #functionalmedicine

In this episode, Dr. James Thompson, MD — a board-certified allergist, immunologist, author, and health educator — shares how a 21-day Daniel Fast sparked a life-changing shift toward plant-forward living. After 34 years in medicine, he realized that despite following what he believed was a “healthy” diet, he still required multiple long-term medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, and chronic inflammation. A plant-based lifestyle helped him eliminate medications, improve sleep and joint pain, and even restore vision.

Today, Dr. Thompson leads the Healthy Living With a Vision Foundation, delivering accessible nutrition and lifestyle medicine education to underserved communities. His FEARLESS Method (Food, Exercise, Avoid Toxins, Restorative Sleep, Less Stress, Engage Mind, Social Energy, Spirituality) is a practical roadmap for chronic disease prevention and sustainable health.

What You’ll Learn

• How fasting and plant-forward eating triggered Dr. Thompson’s health transformation

• Why medical education still provides minimal nutrition training

• How plants impact inflammation, cholesterol, metabolic health, and cognitive resilience

• The truth about protein needs and nutrient considerations (B12, omega-3s)

• How to start a plant-forward lifestyle without going “all or nothing”

• Health disparities in Black communities and why trust in healthcare remains fractured

• The FEARLESS Wellness pillars and how to apply them

Key TopicsPlant-forward nutrition · fasting · inflammation · lifestyle medicine · sleep · stress · chronic disease prevention · community health · spirituality · affordability

Time Stamps:

00:00 — Intro: Why nutrition conversations are polarized
01:30 — Meet Dr. James Thompson
03:11 — How the 21-day Daniel Fast changed everything
04:00 — Running, meds, and early health struggles
05:23 — The nutrition gap in medical training
07:20 — Diving into nutrition education
08:00 — Fasting & time-restricted eating
10:00 — How plant-forward living improved his health
11:20 — Greens, beans, berries & whole foods
12:21 — Unexpected vision improvements
14:29 — Defining plant-based vs. plant-forward
15:20 — Protein myths & amino acid basics
18:43 — How much protein you really need
20:44 — Key nutrients: B12 & omega-3s
24:26 — Getting omegas from plant foods
26:04 — Why patients trusted his holistic approach
29:51 — Introducing lifestyle medicine in practice
32:32 — Reversing chronic conditions through diet
34:29 — Planting seeds for long-term change
37:13 — Asthma, acne & inflammation stories
40:01 — Creating the FEARLESS Method
42:45 — The 8 FEARLESS pillars
45:16 — Starting small without overwhelm
48:25 — Working with the Black community
51:34 — Why medical mistrust persists
54:00 — COVID-19 & vulnerable populations
56:13 — The limits of access without education
57:03 — His current work & foundation
59:15 — What to buy with $5 for a healthy meal
1:00:50 — Spiritual frameworks for hard times
1:02:08 — Closing reflections

Notable Quotes“Within six months of going plant-based, I no longer needed blood pressure or cholesterol medication.”
“Doctors learn to diagnose and prescribe, not prevent.”

About Dr. James Thompson, MDDr. Thompson spent over three decades in allergy/immunology and internal medicine before shifting to lifestyle health education. His work focuses on plant-forward nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and equitable community wellness. His book FEARLESS Wellness outlines eight pillars for long-term vitality.

Website: FearlessMD21.com
Foundation: HealthyLivingWithAVision.org