Proven Health Alternatives

In this powerful episode, I sit down with someone who truly embodies grit, discipline, and the underdog advantage. From catching passes alongside Joe Montana to lining up against legends like Deion Sanders, JJ Birden’s journey isn’t just about athleticism—it’s about mindset.

What stood out most to me is how JJ turned obstacles into stepping stones. Despite being overlooked early on, he made it to the NFL through sheer determination and a no-excuses mentality. His stories from the field are more than just entertaining—they’re lessons in perseverance, strategic thinking, and personal accountability.

But his journey didn’t stop when he left the game. JJ shares how he applied the same principles to entrepreneurship, launching his brand Beat the Coverage—a six-step framework for recognizing opportunity and winning in life. He breaks it all down in this episode, along with the health and wellness habits that keep him sharp and performing at his best today.

This isn’t just a highlight reel—it’s a masterclass in resilience. If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, this conversation is your playbook for rising above it.

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience & Mindset: JJ Birden emphasizes the power of resilience and a strong mindset in overcoming barriers and achieving goals against the odds.

• Transition from Sports to Entrepreneurship: Birden discusses his career shift, leveraging his football experiences to motivate and guide others in their personal and professional journeys.

• "Beat the Coverage" Framework: JJ introduces a six-step framework designed to spot and exploit opportunities in life's challenges, aligning with his personal narrative.

• Health and Wellness Commitment: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial to Birden, who shares practical tips and routines that contribute to his well-being at age sixty.

• Family First: Birden and his wife made a significant impact on their family by adopting his five nieces and nephews, expanding their household from five to ten, showing immense dedication and love.

More About JJ Birden:

Born June 16, 1965, in Portland, Oregon, JJ's athletic prowess earned him a track scholarship to the University of Oregon. He walked on to the football team and later excelled in both football and track & field

In the 1988 NFL Draft, JJ was selected in the 8th round by the Cleveland Browns and went on to play nine seasons as a wide receiver, surpassing the average NFL career length of under two years Despite standing just 5'10" and weighing 157 lbs, he defied the odds, overcoming injuries and even being turned down by four teams in five days to establish himself as a key player with the Browns, Chiefs, Falcons, and a stint with the Cowboys

After retiring, JJ didn't slow down. He became a successful entrepreneur in the health and wellness space, distributing Isagenix products and building multiple ventures. He also spent years preparing for life after football, serving as a track coach, raising funds, investing, and coaching youth, then launched a career as a motivational speaker and performance coach

JJ's signature speak­ing style blends stories from his NFL experience, playing two seasons with Hall‑of‑Famer Joe Montana, with clear, actionable strategies designed to help audiences in business and life "seize their opportunities" bestselling book, When Opportunity Knocks: 8 Surefire Ways to Take Advantage!, captures the principles he lives by, and teaches others to follow

He and his college sweetheart, Raina, have been married over 35 years and live in the Phoenix area, raising three children and five nieces and nephews under their roof. Through his speaking, coaching, and writing, JJ inspires people everywhere to embrace their underdog spirit, push past limitations, and take bold steps toward their full potential.

In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. Titus Chiu, a holistic concussion expert, to explore the intricacies of concussion and post-concussion syndrome. Dr. Chiu shared his personal journey that inspired him to specialize in brain health and develop innovative, natural approaches that go beyond conventional medicine.

We discussed what really happens to the brain after a concussion, why every case is unique — like a fingerprint — and why the outdated “one-size-fits-all” approach so often fails. Dr. Chiu highlighted the critical importance of the blood-brain barrier, the autonomic nervous system, and the need to address the physical, chemical, and emotional pillars of brain health for lasting recovery.

This conversation reinforced my belief that recovery is always possible with the right diagnosis and a multimodal treatment strategy. If you or someone you know is struggling with lingering brain symptoms, you’ll find actionable insights — and real hope — in this episode.

Key Takeaways:

• Concussions can vary greatly and do not always result in loss of consciousness, emphasizing the need for awareness around different symptoms and personalized treatment.

• A holistic approach involving the physical, chemical, and emotional pillars is crucial in diagnosing and treating post-concussion syndrome effectively.

• Blood-brain barrier health is essential to prevent ongoing brain inflammation, which can lead to more severe conditions if left untreated.

• Nutritional interventions, including omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols, alongside specific supplements, can significantly aid in concussion recovery.

• The complexity of concussions requires a thoughtful, informed approach using advanced diagnostic tools and interventions for optimal recovery outcomes.

and holistic brain expert that specializes in healing concussions, naturally.

Dr. Chiu has a passion for empowering health-conscious people with the knowledge,
insights, and practical actions needed to heal their brains and reclaim their lives after
concussion– through advanced brain testing, state-of-the-art treatment technologies,
and his clinically-proven concussion recovery programs.

Dr. Chiu is the author of BrainSAVE! and Leaky Brain Fix. He works with patients and
private clients from all over the world, both online and in-person at his holistic brain
centers in California.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Hormonal Health Myths: Dr. Eric Fete addresses widespread misconceptions about women's hormones, touching on topics like PCOS, menopause, and the crucial role stress plays in hormonal imbalances.

• The Role of Muscle as an Endocrine Organ: Muscle produces myokines, which promote various bodily functions, including bone, brain, and gut health, aiding in fat loss and improving overall longevity.

• Peptide Therapy: The potential of peptide therapies for various health conditions is discussed, emphasizing their role in optimizing body composition and enhancing metabolic health.

• Testosterone Optimization: Dr. Fete outlines approaches to managing testosterone levels through lifestyle interventions, supplements, and, when necessary, medical treatments, tailored individually.

• Importance of Circadian Rhythm: The crucial link between proper sleep patterns, light exposure, and overall hormonal balance is highlighted, emphasizing practical strategies to improve sleep and reduce stress.

In this dynamic episode of Proven Health Alternatives, I’m joined by 7x CrossFit Games athlete Bethany Flores and performance coach Randy Flores for a wide-ranging conversation that bridges athletic training, nutritional science, and holistic wellness.

We explore Bethany’s evolution from competitive bodybuilding to elite CrossFit, and how diverse athletic foundations—like gymnastics and strength training—have uniquely shaped her competitive advantage. She opens up about overcoming chronic back pain, the mental and physical toll of injury, and how laser therapy, strategic rehab, and personal support became crucial to her recovery.

Randy shares his approach to training high-performance athletes—including his work with the Los Angeles Lakers—with key takeaways on energy system optimization, posterior chain strength, and training intensity balance.

Bethany also offers a vulnerable and empowering look into her journey with eating disorders, gut health struggles, and the nutritional strategies she uses to sustain elite performance—reminding us that looking fit doesn’t always mean functioning optimally.

Whether you’re a competitive athlete, health enthusiast, or practitioner, this episode delivers a wealth of insights on building a body—and a mindset—that lasts.

• CrossFit requires a strategic understanding of mixed energy systems for optimal performance.

• Bethany's diverse athletic journey showcases the importance of foundational bodybuilding and gymnastics in CrossFit success.

• Managing chronic back injury involves an integrated approach including laser therapy, postural restoration, and varied training intensity.

• The role of a comprehensive nutritional strategy is crucial for maintaining gut health and supporting elite athletic performance.

In this episode of Proven Health Alternatives, I sit down with Dr. Darren Schmidt to explore one of the most promising tools in functional medicine today: the MVX Plus test. Launched in 2025, this next-gen blood panel goes far beyond standard labs—offering a deeper lens into chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, and more.

Dr. Schmidt breaks down the six core markers—from GlycA to citrate to branched-chain amino acids—and explains how they uncover hidden vulnerabilities affecting your healthspan. We also dive into practical insights, like the importance of vitamin B1, the dangers of ultra-processed diets, and how MVX can detect issues even when standard tests look “normal.”

If you're serious about optimizing longevity, identifying root causes, or catching problems before they escalate—this episode is packed with the clinical gold you’ve been waiting for.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding MVX Plus: MVX Plus measures pivotal factors like Glyc A, small HDL particles, and branched-chain amino acids to offer a nuanced assessment of chronic diseases and longevity.

• Importance of B1: Dr. Schmidt underscores the critical role of Vitamin B1 in managing metabolic health and shares his dramatic recovery story from a gas leak-induced health crisis.

• Seven-Step Program: This comprehensive framework targets diet, energy, and detoxification to systematically improve health outcomes as indicated by MVX Plus results.

• Clinical Implications: Real-world examples emphasize how timely intervention based on MVX test results can dramatically affect a patient’s health trajectory.

• Holistic Health: The episode advocates for a return to holistic practices and the understated value of nutrition, particularly protein-rich diets, in combating malnutrition.