Exclusive Interview: Ari Meisel
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In 2006, Ari was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Ari’s case was severe, and required over a dozen daily medications and several hospital visits. After reaching a personal low point in hospital, Ari decided he would do everything in his power to strengthen his, by then, weak body. Through a combination of yoga, nutrition, natural supplements and rigorous exercise (Triathon and Crossfit) he was able to fight back the symptoms of Crohns until he was finally able to suspend his medication. Eventually Ari was declared free of all traces of the ‘incurable’ disease, and competed in Ironman France in June of 2011. Ari has since spoken at seminars and at a regional TED Talk about his struggle against a seemingly insurmountable opponent. Through the process of data collection, self tracking, and analysis, Ari helped develop Less Doing. This was a way of dealing with the daily stresses of life by optimizing, automating, and outsourcing all of his tasks in life and business. Now he focuses on Achievement Architecture, helping individuals be more effective at everything. Ari joins us on Bulletproof Executive Radio to talk about how you can do the same.
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What We Cover
- How did you get interested in what you call achievement architecture?
- How did you apply your problem solving skills to curing your Crohn’s disease?
- What is Crohn’s disease, for people who don’t know?
- What enabled you to cure an incurable disease?
- How did Yoga improve your symptoms?
- What supplements did you find most effective?
- How did sports help you recover?
- Are the steps you took to cure Crohn’s disease applicable to other diseases, or problems in general?
- What are your top three tips for productivity?
- What are the most common things holding people back from getting things done?
- Do you think your experience in architecture and systems thinking helped you “build” your body back from where it was?
- If so, how?
- How do you use outsourcing to improve your life?
- How do you start outsourcing, and at what point should you consider it?
- If you had to lay down 5 steps or less for people to drastically improve their health and performance – what would they be?
- Where can people learn more about you?
Links From The Show
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Bulletproof Upgraded Coffee Beans
Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Oil
Gear
Mentions
Listener Q & A Summary
- Are seeds, beans, and oats healthy?
- How do you cure a candida infection?
- What are some good training tips for marathons?
- What are the best resources for health and wellness information?
- Does ursolic acid help heal cuts?
Biohacker Report (latest studies & research)
“Cyclists Improve Pedaling Efficacy and Performance After Heavy Strength Training.”
Questions for the podcast?
Leave your questions and responses in comments section below.
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Listener Questions
Alex
Do you know where I can buy grass fed butter in Canada?
What is your take on omega 3 eggs vs normal eggs (factory raised).
Coconut oil is very cheap online in large quantities such as Nutiva.
However, it comes in a plastic bottle. Plastic, especially with fat seems to be a constant problem as you mentioned. So I was wondering your take on this?
I would like your opinion on macadamia oil for flavor and health benefits.
Gren
Do you have guidelines relating to seeds, predominantly pumpkin, sunflower, watermelon, flax and sesame seeds? I think these are great for healthy fats and proteins. Do you agree? Why are dried legumes to be avoided. I thought they would be a good source of protein and have some excellent nutrients. I take it rolled oats are to be left out also?
Nancy
Hi Dave and Armi,
I am a big fan of the show and Thanks for all the research that you do.
I have suffered with GI issues all my life which resulted in 7 surgeries, even losing my gall bladder at the age 16 because doctors didn’t know what was wrong with me. I have always eaten healthy and cut out gluten over two years ago as I found I was allergic. I started the Paleo diet a month ago but I still catch everything where I am always sick (Just got over Bronchitis and the flu at the same time) and I am still always tired. I am currently training for my first marathon and it is hard staying with my training with me being sick. What is the best way to make sure Candida is out of your body for sure? Also any great tips on training are welcome.
Charles
- Outside of this blog(obviously) and some of the people who you interviewed, what sites, blogs, resources do you check out for life hacking/health/exercise info?
- Also, my next experiment will be adding ursolic acid for a cut. It is found in apple peels. Lots of really interesting studies of late(check out the Iowa study). Are you familiar or have any experience with the stuff?
Armi says:
- Chris Kresser
- Chris Masterjohn
- Alan Aragon
- James Kreiger
- Martin Berkhan
- Robb Wolf
- Stephan Guyenet
- Mat Lalonde
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Silicon Valley investor, computer security expert, and entrepreneur who spent 15 years and $250,000 to hack his own biology. He upgraded his brain by >20 IQ points, lowered his biological age, and lost 100 lbs without using calories or exercise.
