The Adversity Advantage with Doug Bopst

Dr. William Davis is a board-certified cardiologist, microbiome researcher, and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wheat Belly and Super Gut. Today on the show we discuss: why chasing weight loss instead of fat loss is quietly wrecking people’s health, how cutting calories and relying on GLP-1 drugs can lead to muscle loss and long-term metabolic damage, why visceral belly fat and fat sto...

Ethan Suplee is an actor and podcast host best known for his roles in Remember the Titans, American History X, and My Name Is Earl, and for his raw honesty about losing over 300 pounds, sobriety, and the ongoing inner work behind lasting transformation. Today on the show we discuss: why massive weight loss doesn’t automatically heal identity, the hidden emotional fallout nobody warns you about, ho...

Dr. Shadé Zahrai is a behavioral researcher, award-winning peak performance educator, and leading authority on confidence and self-doubt. A former corporate lawyer with an MBA and background in psychology, she has designed and delivered transformative programs for Fortune 500 giants including Google, Microsoft, LVMH, JP Morgan, and McKinsey. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices for career developmen...

Dr. William Li is an internationally renowned physician, scientist and author of the books "Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself" and "Eat to Beat Your Diet: Burn Fat, Heal Your Metabolism, and Live Longer.” Today on the show we discuss: why body fat is biologically essential and not something to fear or eliminate, how chronic overeating slowly rewires metabolism a...

Dave Watumull is on a mission to bring astaxanthin to the world. This marine super nutrient supports whole body health and longevity and has captured his imagination for more than 25 years of research, development, and commercialization. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of AX3 Life, a consumer health company dedicated to astaxanthin products, education, and community. He is also the COO of Cardax, a l...

Chris Bailey is an author and lecturer who explores the science behind living a more productive and intentional life. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject and has garnered coverage in media as diverse as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, GQ, HuffPost, New York magazine, Harvard Business Review, TED, Fast Company, and Lifehacker. The bestselling author of The Productivity P...

Disclaimer: This episode includes discussion of Shaun T’s experience surviving childhood sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. Shaun T is a world-renowned fitness trainer, motivational leader, and bestselling author best known for creating iconic programs like Insanity and Hip Hop Abs. Today on the show we discuss: how Shaun turned childhood trauma into strength and purpose, how therapy an...

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz is a board-certified gastroenterologist and New York Times bestselling author. bestselling author. He's won multiple awards for his work as a clinician.  Today on the show we discuss: why chronic inflammation is silently driving both mental and physical health issues, how gut health reflects your entire lifestyle rather than diet alone, why unresolved trauma and chronic stress...

Jefferson Fisher is a board-certified Texas trial lawyer and founder of Fisher Firm. With his extensive experience as a trial lawyer, Jefferson understands the art of persuading and communicating effectively in high-conflict situations, and is one of the most sought after names in functional thinking for modern day communication. Known for his practical videos and authentic presence, Jefferson has...

Stan Efferding is an IFBB pro bodybuilder and has his bachelor of science in psychology and exercise science from the University of Oregon. Stan is a multiple all -time world record holding powerlifter and has been training high school, Collegiate, and Professional athletes for over 25 years. He has conducted over 200 seminars in 14 countries and in all 50 states. Today on the show we discuss: why...

Jaimie Alexander is an actress best known for her roles in Thor and Blindspot. After nearly dying and getting sober, Jaimie is now on a mission to use her platform to spark real conversations around healing, growth, and mental health. Today on the show we discuss: how a near death experience forced Jaimie to get sober and reassess her life, why life can feel like being stuck in a hallway with clos...

John Sapiente is a seasoned entrepreneur, brand builder, and mission-driven leader. After taking over his family’s manufacturing business during a crisis, he learned to thrive through adversity, build systems, and lead with perseverance. Today, he channels that mindset into Volition America a patriotic lifestyle brand where he champions the power of choice, hard work, and purpose-driven business....

Alan Stein Jr. is a world-renowned coach, speaker and author. Alan spent 15+ years working with the highest performing basketball players on the planet including Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry. He now teaches audiences how to utilize the same strategies in business that elite athletes use to perform at a world-class level. Today on the show we discuss: why people spiral during adversity...

Paul Carter is a content creator and leading hypertrophy coach and educator known for his no-BS, evidence-based approach to building muscle. Today on the show we discuss: why most muscle-building advice is overcomplicated and holds people back, the difference between training hard and training effectively, why progressive overload matters more than volume or fancy splits, how training to failure a...

Dr. Julia Garcia is a psychologist, author, and renowned speaker dedicated to empowering people through the science of mental health. For nearly two decades, she has worked with educators, students, business leaders, and individuals facing life’s toughest moments - helping them break through fear, doubt, and hopelessness to build lasting habits of healing and hope. Today on the show we discuss: wh...

Want to be coached by me? I’ve got a few 1:1 spots open where I’ll help you break bad habits, build healthier routines, and transform your life. Book your intro call here: ⁠https://calendly.com/dougbopst/30-min-call⁠⁠ Femi Ayanbadejo is a super bowl champion, former NFL athlete and human performance expert. Today on the show we discuss: how losing an identity can either break you or become the cat...

Judson Brewer, MD, PhD (“Dr. Jud”), is a New York Times best-selling author and a leading authority on habit change and the science of self-mastery. He serves as the Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center and as a professor at Brown University. An internationally recognized psychiatrist specializing in mindfulness for addiction, Dr. Jud has developed innovative mindfulness p...

Dr. Thomas Levy is a board-certified cardiologist and a bar-certified attorney. After practicing adult cardiology for 15 years, he began to research the enormous toxicity associated with much dental work, as well as the pronounced ability of properly administered vitamin C to neutralize this toxicity. He has now written 14 books, with several addressing the wide-ranging properties of vitamin C in...

Vanessa Bennett, LMFT, is a licensed depth therapist, and author of the new book, The Motherhood Myth: A Depth Therapist’s Guide to Redefine Parenting, Reimagine Intimacy, and Reclaim the Self. Today on the show we discuss why relationships often fall apart after having kids, the hidden identity crisis that comes with becoming a parent, the dangerous myth that motherhood and partnership should com...

Dr. Greg Hobelmann, Co-CEO/President of Ashley Addiction Treatment alongside Alex Denstman, brings a wealth of experience to his role. Formerly serving as senior vice president and chief clinical/medical officer, Greg now oversees our entire continuum of care including Medical, Clinical, and Spiritual Care, as well as Family Services, Quality Improvement, and Health Information Management. Holding...

Dr. Mariza Snyder is a functional practitioner, women’s hormone expert and the author of eight books. Today on the show we discuss: why perimenopause and menopause affect relationships and families not just women, how chronic stress blood sugar instability and poor sleep quietly destroy hormones, why community and connection matter more for aging well than any supplement or diet, how to train and...

Brent Gleeson is a Navy SEAL combat veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, author, and acclaimed speaker on topics ranging from leadership and building high performance teams to culture, resilience, and organizational transformation. Upon leaving SEAL Team 5, Brent turned his discipline and battlefield lessons to the world of business and has become an accomplished entrepreneur, best-selling author...

Dr. Andrew Salzman is a Harvard-educated physician, inventor, and biomedical entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in drug discovery and development, Dr. Salzman has published over 170 clinical studies, been cited in more than 12,000 peer-reviewed papers, and obtained over 50 patents. His invention of an NAD-activated DNA repair mechanism led to the world's first clinical treatment fo...

Larry Hagner is the founder of The Dad Edge, a leading voice in modern fatherhood and men’s personal growth. After overcoming a childhood marked by abandonment, abuse, and the absence of strong male role models, Larry has spent the last decade helping men become more present, connected, and resilient fathers. Today on the show we discuss: how growing up without a present father quietly shapes a ma...

Dr. Tommy Wood is a neuroscientist who has coached world class athletes in a dozen sports. He received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Cambridge and his medical degree from the University of Oxford, and he also has his PhD in physiology and neuroscience. Tommy is currently a Research Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington, where his resear...