Mads Friis Podcast

Why do most people struggle with energy, focus, and health as they age? In this episode, I sit down with Umahro Cadogan, a world-renowned Functional Medicine expert, to discuss the simple yet powerful habits that define long-term vitality. Umahro breaks down the "600g Rule": the minimum amount of vegetables, berries, and fruits required to slash your risk of chronic disease, and why fall...

Why do people with beautiful families, thriving careers, and financial freedom still feel unhappy?  Mik Strøyberg breaks down the paradox of modern achievement, why hitting every external milestone often creates an internal collapse, and how redefining values - not goals - reshapes the entire trajectory of a man’s life. This episode is a deep dive into meaning, belonging, and the cost of a life li...

Many men assume losing energy, focus, and drive is just part of getting older but in reality, it often reflects biological changes that can be understood and addressed early. In this episode, Medical Doctor Pia Norup explains why modern lifestyles are quietly disrupting hormonal balance and long-term health in men. From chronic stress to declining testosterone, this conversation explores the biolo...

Longevity is no longer about living longer, it’s about avoiding the slow decline most people mistake for “normal aging.” In this episode, Chris Moore , a leading voice in longevity medicine and preventative health, breaks down what modern longevity science actually supports and what the industry often gets wrong. From over-optimizing biomarkers to chasing endless data, this conversation cuts throu...

What if the biggest threat to your performance, longevity, and clarity isn’t age but something silently building inside you? In this episode, biochemist and biomarker scientist Jesper Eugen-Olsen breaks down the hidden role of chronic inflammation in disease risk, biological aging, and long-term health outcomes. This conversation challenges how high performers think about strength, resilience, and...

In this episode, researcher Mikael Palner reveals the surprising science behind the psychedelic renaissance, how compounds like psilocybin create a "window of opportunity" to rewire the brain for creativity and healing, and the unspoken dangers of "hero doses," emotional addiction, and the shocking risks of long-term microdosing. Dr. Mikael Palner is a neuroscientist with over 15 years of experien...

In this episode, World Champion fighter and performance coach Niclas Larsen reveals the untold truths about resilience, fear, and the warrior mindset. From nearly losing his leg to capturing world titles, Niclas shares the rituals, inner battles, and mental frameworks that forged his path back to glory — and how those same lessons apply far beyond the ring. This is not just a story about fighting,...

In this episode, world-renowned sleep scientist Dr. Daniel Gartenberg reveals the surprising truths behind sleep tracking, the real science of deep sleep, and how common mistakes are silently wrecking your recovery, and the future tech of sleep. Dr. Daniel Gartenberg is a sleep scientist and the founder and CEO of SleepSpace, where he develops innovative solutions to improve sleep quality and heal...

What made Steve Jobs such a powerful communicator? Tune into this episode of Growth Island w/ Forbes-featured communication expert/bestselling author Nancy Duarte to find out, and more how translating numbers into narratives help you win in business. In this talk, Nancy Duarte discusses the mechanics of making great presentations, the secrets to a powerful speech, and how to communicate better wit...

Can going to saunas four times a week save you from a severe heart attack? Researchers says YES. In this video, we discuss the history and health benefits of saunas with Lassi A Liikkanen, author of the Amazon bestseller "The Secrets of Finnish Sauna Design". Lassi is also a renowned expert in the construction of saunas and takes us through Finland’s history and present state of sauna development...

Are you curious about psychedelics and drugs? Let’s hear what the experts have to say. In today’s episode of Growth Island, Professor Wayne Hall discusses his research into psychedelics, their potential benefits and harms, and how they might be used to help people struggling with addiction. He also comments on recent developments in the field of psychedelic research, including the increasing popul...

Did you know that Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that have health benefits for both mind and body? Tune into today’s episode of Growth Island for amazing unknown facts about whether olive oils are bad for you, and much more. In this interview, Udo Erasmus, author of "Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill" and "The Omega Diet," discusses the benefits of consuming omega fats, the healthy diet...

Can you stop trauma from happening? No, sometimes it is unavoidable but what we can do is weaken and rewire the damage that it has done using your minds capacity to heal, Dr. Caroline Leaf is my guest on Growth Island this week. Dr. Caroline Leaf is a communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist with a Masters and PhD in Communication Pathology and a BSc in Logopedics, specializing in co...

Soon women will be able to reproduce on their own. This statement may scare some of you or may be comforting to know, but it’s all thanks to the power of stem cells. I have with me an esteemed guest Dr. Alessandro Prigion on the show this week. Dr. Alessandro Prigion is a professor of Pediatric Metabolic Medicine at the Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University in Dusseldorf, Germany and Editor...

Ever been told to trust your intuition? What if I told you that there is actually science backing it. Helané Wahbeh is the Director of Research at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and an associate assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University's Department of Neurology. Her National Institutes of Health-funded VET-MIND study looked into the mechanisms of meditation for combat veterans w...

Is your air clean? Well, it depends on where you live and your personal environment. Patrick L. Kinney is here to shed some light on the topic. Patrick joined the School of Public Health faculty in January 2017 as the inaugural Beverly Brown Professor of Urban Health. He was trained as an air pollution epidemiologist at Harvard School of Public Health, and went to Boston University after two decad...

Friendships, like all relationships, take time and effort. But it does more for your life than most of the health hacks you can think of; to shine more light on the subject, I have Lydia Denworth on the show. Lydia Denworth is a science journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. She is a contributing editor at Scientific American, and the author of the book ‘Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Ex...

How do people manage to live a long, healthy and meaningful life for 100+ years? Is it possible for humans to decelerate, or even reverse aging? And most importantly, can seaweed really help you look and feel younger inside out? Sigh, so less is known and talked about the science and academia behind aging research. The guest for this week’s episode of Growth Island is Dr. Vera Gorbunova, a promine...

Does being a perfectionist stop you from connecting with your emotional side? Or does it stem from unresolved trauma? Well it depends on what type of perfectionism you are referring to, YES there are different types of perfectionists. This week's guest on Growth Island is an author, blogger, professor, Clinical Psychologist and has her own podcast. Dr. Margaret Rutherford holds a PhD. in Clinical...

Is your relationship or sex life going stale? Would you like to bring back the flare and spice things up with your significant other? Well, I’m sure we all need help every once in a while to keep the fire burning in a relationship, because relationships take time and effort, but it’s always worth it. This weeks guest on the Growth Island is a leading expert when it comes to sex and relationships....

Do you want to get a tan without being in the sun or a tanning bed? Well I certainly do, Dr. Heather Smith-Fernandez, my guest on this episode, talks about all the amazing things peptides can do. Dr. Heather is fully trained and certified in Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, advanced biocellular aesthetics, Integrative medicine, and preventative health. In 2016, she opened the Regenerative Institu...

Does our memory grow weaker as we grow older? Is it inevitable that we forget more and mo- NOPE! That’s one of many misconceptions we debunk in today’s talk with Nelson Dellis! He is a five-time USA Memory Champion and Grandmaster of Memory. He is also one of the co-founders of Memory League and runs the nonprofit Climb 4 Memory. Safe to say, his passwords probably look like this - s6Kw4UmVgnC;>}c...

As the Russo-Ukrainian war continues, Ukraine has used lethal ‘Punisher drones’ to return fire. Sounds absolutely terrifying, right? What role do these drones play in shaping our future? In this unusual but important episode, I talk to retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, Wayne Phelps. He has commanded units at every level from Platoon to Squadron and was the commanding officer of the Marine U...

How important are your personal values when it comes to making business decisions? Well turns out they are really important, if your personal values don’t align with your business values you probably won't have the same level of interest in it anymore. My guest this week is Nikki Trott. She is an entrepreneur who was featured in Thrive Global’s “Top Thriving Female Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2021”,...

What do you do when you get a migraine? I take an alternating hot and cold shower, that's what works for me. Turns out that is one of the natural ways of soothing our nerves when we have a migraine. In this week's episode on the Growth Island we have a n expert on the topic. Dr. Stephen D. Silberstein MD, a neurologist and headache specialist, he is the Professor of Neurology and Director, Headach...