Sam Miller Science

In the rapidly evolving landscape of 2026, many health coaches are embracing AI, but often in ways that diminish their unique value rather than enhance it. This episode dives into the critical distinction between using AI to replace your voice and leveraging it to amplify your impact. We explore the common pitfalls of outsourcing your entire intellectual and creative process to AI, which can lead...

While much attention is given to the gut microbiome, the foundational elements of digestion (stomach acid, digestive enzymes, and bile) often go overlooked. This episode shifts our focus upstream in the digestive process, revealing how these critical players orchestrate the breakdown and absorption of nutrients. Topics discussed: - Stomach acid - Challenging the reflux narrative - Risk factors for...

Gut dysbiosis is more than just an overgrowth ofbad bacteria; it's a complex disruption of the entire gut ecosystem. This episode delves into the updated scientific understanding of dysbiosis, moving beyond simple diversity metrics to explore altered community structures, impaired microbial function, and the critical role of metabolite production. Topics discussed: - Updated definition - Rainf...

Many conversations around gut health focus on what's wrong, but few truly define what good digestion looks like. This episode cuts through the noise to establish a clear understanding of normal gut function. We'll explore the nuances of bowel movements, gas production, and other biofeedback, helping you differentiate between typical variations and signs that warrant deeper investigation. T...

"Leaky gut" is a term that sparks debate, often dismissed as a fad or exaggerated as the root of all illness. This episode cuts through the noise to explain what intestinal permeability truly is: a spectrum from normal physiological function to pathological barrier dysfunction. We explore the real causes of this dysfunction, from chronic stress and poor sleep to medications and metabolic...

Many fitness coaches start with macros and workouts, but what happens when clients bring deeper, more complex health challenges like PCOS, gut issues, or hormonal imbalances? This episode features Annette ( EmbodyYou Wellness ) who shares her journey from a traditional fitness coach to a women’s health expert through the Functional Nutrition and Metabolism Specialization (FNMS) Program. She talks...

Most of us live with a frustrating gap between what we know and how we actually live. It is not a lack of information or a character flaw. We discuss the two systems governing our behavior. We move past the myth of willpower as a depleting muscle and look at it as a matter of cognitive bandwidth. This conversation names the human experience of shame and self-judgment that often follows a lack of a...

GLP-1 medications are often seen as a simple solution for weight loss, but they can also prolong the state of chronic dieting, leading to significant physiological consequences. This episode explores the "phase two" problems that follow widespread GLP-1 use, including severe metabolic adaptation and the risk of muscle loss. Topics discussed: - The reality of chronic dieting while on GLP-...

The phrase "evidence-based" often signals authority in health and fitness. But what happens when that authority is borrowed, not earned? This episode explores how the pursuit of "evidence-based" status has, for many, become an intellectual performance, detached from genuine understanding. When coaches build frameworks on follower counts instead of deep literacy, clients can be harmed. Topics discu...

Every year, the clock change brings more than just a few days of fatigue. This episode uncovers the profound physiological impact of Daylight Savings Time, particularly the spring shift, on your health. Moving beyond anecdotal complaints, we delve into the published research revealing population-scale circadian disruption and its downstream effects. This is your ultimate guide to understanding the...

We all have those days when motivation wanes, when the gym feels too far, or the work too daunting. This episode offers a powerful reframe: your drive isn't just about personal gain; it's a debt owed to those who believed in you. Diving into the psychology of commitment and legacy, we explore how recognizing the investment others have made in your journey, from supportive teachers and family to me...

Reverse dieting has been a buzzword in fitness for years, promising a way to increase calories without gaining fat. But why do so many coaches and individuals still get it wrong? This episode dives deep into the 5 crucial mistakes that can derail your reverse diet, turning a promising strategy into a frustrating setback. Topics discussed: - Individual factors - Importance of adherence - Impact of...

In the booming world of peptides, a critical and often hidden danger lurks: purity. While demand for compounds like Semaglutide and BPC-157 soars, the unregulated online market is rife with products that fail basic quality standards. This episode serves as your essential intelligence briefing, exposing the alarming truth behind research chemical websites, fabricated Certificates of Analysis (CoAs)...

What if the routine that once propelled you forward is now holding you back? Many of us experience a frustrating plateau where established habits stop working, leading to self-blame and a sense of being "broken." This episode dives into the science behind why routines fail, revealing that it's often not a personal failing, but a mismatch between your old system and your current self. Topics discus...

This isn't your typical sex ed class. In this 2026 Valentine’s Day edition of Sam Miller Science, we go beyond sex hormones discuss the drivers and sub-components of libido including:   - Overview of Libido and Connecting Topics - Activation and Deactivation of Certain Systems - Sex Hormone Aspect of Libido - Testosterone Replacement in Women Studies - Stress and Libido - Diatic vs Solitary Se...

Navigating complex health cases doesn't always mean more labs and endless supplements. While advanced testing has its place, this episode dives into practical, often overlooked tools that empower both health coaches and individuals to think critically about their health. ----------  Join me LIVE for our 3-day workshop ⁠⁠ Advanced Practice Nutrition Intensive ⁠⁠ ----------  Topics Discussed - B...

Many aspiring fitness coaches believe a certification and a great physique are enough to build a successful career. This episode reveals why that mindset often leads to failure and how to truly thrive in the competitive health and wellness industry. Drawing insights from a powerful conversation, we expose the biggest pitfalls that stop trainers from building a sustainable business and what you can...

Before you blame yourself for that last bad decision, consider this: what if it wasn't a character flaw, but a design flaw in your hardware? This episode dives deep into the science of why humans make predictably irrational choices. We explore five critical pillars that govern our decisions: from the biological constraints of sleep, stress, and blood sugar, to the psychological traps of present bi...

The health and wellness industry is facing a critical stress test. Recent revelations from the Department of Justice files concerning Dr. Peter Attia have forced a hard look at the foundations of trust, ethics, and professional integrity. This isn't about gossip; it's about asking critical questions: What does this mean for the information our clients consume? How do we lead an industry when trust...

Is the 25-40g of protein per meal max a thing of the past? In a very recent article that released this month, "The Anabolic Response to Protein Ingestion During Recovery from Exercise Has No Upper Limit in Magnitude and Duration in Vivo in Humans" (PMID: 38118410), we see that a 100g protein intake has a "greater and prolonged anabolic response" than the traditional and previou...

In a world where trust in traditional healthcare is collapsing, consumer genetic testing has rushed in, promising precision and control. But is your DNA test truly empowering you, or is it selling you fear dressed up as knowledge? In this critical episode, we expose the limitations and dangers of direct-to-consumer genetic reports, from the misleading focus on single SNPs (like MTHFR and FTO) to t...

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept, it's a daily reality for millions seeking health advice. While these tools offer unprecedented access to information, they also introduce a new set of challenges that few are talking about. In this episode, I explore the hidden risks of relying on AI for health decisions, from its surprising inability to discern basic facts to the illu...

A1C is one of the most commonly used markers for assessing metabolic health, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, I revisit the “Overrated or Underrated” framework to break down what A1C actually measures, where it can be useful, and why it often fails to tell the full story. We explore the many conditions, supplements, medications, and physiological states that can falsel...

Poor sleep isn’t always a discipline or routine problem — sometimes it’s a digestion problem hiding in plain sight. This episode explores the emerging evidence linking gut dysbiosis with sleep quality, including research showing a bidirectional relationship between insomnia and the microbiome. I break down how bacterial overgrowth, inflammation, and altered neurotransmitter signaling can interfere...

A new food pyramid sparked familiar outrage, quick conclusions, and polarized takes across the nutrition industry. This episode isn’t about defending or attacking the graphic itself, it’s about understanding what population-level guidelines are meant to do, and why they’re often misunderstood. Topics discussed: - Population-level nutrition guidance - Food pyramid history - Why guidelines fail - In...