The Rest Factor

Should you drink a protein shake before bed or is it secretly sabotaging your results? What if protein before bed could actually boost muscle recovery, improve sleep, and support fat loss? In this episode of The Rest Factor, Dr. Michael Ormsbee breaks down the science behind protein before bed, pre-sleep protein, and nighttime nutrition. We explore whether drinking protein shakes before bed enhanc...

What if your poor sleep is doing far more than making you tired? In this episode of The Rest Factor, Dr. Audrey Wells, a nationally recognized sleep medicine physician who is triple board-certified in pediatrics, sleep medicine, and obesity medicine, breaks down the hidden connection between sleep, metabolism, stress, emotional eating, and long-term health. We explore why sleep deprivation affects...

Most people think metabolic health is about eating less and working out more. It isn’t. In this episode of The Rest Factor Podcast, metabolic fitness coach and nutrition expert Jenny Fisher breaks down what’s actually happening inside the body when results stall, especially for women navigating hormonal shifts, stress, and changing metabolism. With over 20 years of experience in nutrition, metabol...

Millions of women are told their sleep disruption during perimenopause and menopause is “just aging.” It isn’t. In this episode of The Rest Factor Podcast, pelvic health physical therapist and women’s health educator Dr. Heidi Gastler joins us to break down what is actually happening in the brain and body during hormonal transition. Drawing from nearly two decades of clinical experience and her ow...

Most people chase performance by pushing harder. Elite systems focus on something different: recovery.  Former NFL coach, sports nutrition and human performance expert Pratik Patel joins The Rest Factor Podcast to break down what actually drives long-term performance at the highest levels of sport and leadership. Drawing from his experience working in the NFL and coaching elite athletes, founders,...

Elle Russ, bestselling author of The Paleo Thyroid Solution and creator of the Ultimate Thyroid and Confidence Courses, joins The Rest Factor to uncover what most women are never told about their thyroid health. After years of misdiagnosis, and being dismissed by experts, Elle became her own advocate and reclaimed her health by learning how thyroid hormones really work. In this episode, Elle break...

Dr. Nick Barringer, Army dietitian and professor at Lionel University, joins The Rest Factor to reveal how sleep and nutrition work hand in hand to optimize physical and cognitive performance. From his experience completing Ranger School to leading military nutrition research, Dr. Barringer shares actionable insights on how sleep drives better food decisions, the surprising recovery timeline after...

Dr. Michael Grandner, sleep scientist and clinical psychologist, delivers a masterclass on how sleep works, what actually fixes insomnia, and why chasing perfect metrics can backfire. We cover the science and practice of CBT-I, the “commute to tomorrow” planning mindset, how sleep drives metabolism, mental health, and longevity, and what to know about trackers, supplements, and the claim that “som...

Former MMA fighter and elite coach Tim “Red Hawk” Welch reveals how injury shifted his career and how holistic recovery, optimized sleep, and mental conditioning transformed his approach to training high-level athletes like UFC’s Sean O’Malley. At Red Hawk Academy in Arizona, Tim has built more than a gym; he’s created a culture that blends world-class coaching with a community-driven environment,...

What if your late-night habits weren’t a weakness but a superpower? Military neurobiologist and former CrossFit Games athlete Dr. Allison Brager reveals how understanding your chronotype (a.k.a. your body’s natural rhythm) can give you a serious performance edge. From elite soldiers to world-class athletes, peak performers are using sleep science, not willpower to outlast and outperform. Dr. Brage...

Sleep is the glue holding athletic performance together. So why are coaches still ignoring it? High-performance coach Dr. Justin Lima breaks down why sleep isn’t just a side note. From working with top athletes to using simple but powerful analogies like “clogging the drain,” Justin shares how sleep repairs the body and brain, turning your workouts into real results. In this conversation, you'...

What if the secret to building elite-level strength isn’t training harder but sleeping smarter? Legendary powerlifter and Elite FTS founder Dave Tate reveals how sleep deprivation sabotaged his recovery, shortened his athletic peak, and why quality sleep is now his #1 performance tool. From "earning sleep" through exhaustion as a teen to recognizing the science and strategy behind true r...

What if better sleep was as simple as walking barefoot in the grass? Katie Wells, founder of Wellness Mama, joins Ana Marie Schick to dive into circadian rhythm alignment, nature deficit disorder, and biohacks for high-quality sleep rooted in nature and simplicity. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Understand how circadian rhythm and natural light exposure impact sleep and energy levels. Learn lo...

What if the tools to peak performance aren't in your gym bag but in your mindset? In this episode of The Rest Factor Podcast, Bert Sorin, president of Sorinex, shares how innovation, service, and daily discipline have shaped one of the most respected brands in strength training. From inventing industry-changing equipment like the landmine and rig systems to redefining what it means to lead with in...

Most people skip the basics and still expect peak performance. Are you one of them? In this power-packed episode of The Rest Factor Podcast, Dr. Kelly and Juliet Starrett reveal the 8 essential health habits that form the foundation of wellness. From optimizing daily movement to the surprising truth about recovery and sleep, they unveil real-world strategies for building a durable body that’s buil...

In this episode, host Ana Marie Schick sits down with Chase Chewning, military veteran, health coach, and podcaster. Chase shares how radical self-awareness, sleep optimization, and resilience helped shape his path. He also opens up about his newest role: fatherhood. With a 7-week-old baby at home, Chase shares how he's adapting his once-flawless sleep routine to the unpredictability of parenthood...

In this episode of the Rest Factor Podcast, host Ana Marie Schick speaks with Josh Storms, the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Florida State University Football. Most athletes train hard, but few realize their biggest performance killer is happening off the field. FSU Coach Josh Storms reveals the #1 mistake that’s sabotaging recovery, focus, and overall athletic performance. What You’ll...

In this episode of The Rest Factor Podcast , host Ana Marie Schick sits down with registered dietitian and founder of the LEAN program, Amanda Nighbert, to uncover the powerful connection between nutrition, sleep, and sustainable weight loss. With over 100,000 clients helped, Amanda shares science-backed insights on how sleep affects metabolism, hunger hormones, and fat loss, and why most diets fa...

In this episode of The Rest Factor Podcast , host Ana Marie Schick sits down with Dr. Chris Winter, a neurologist, sleep specialist, and consultant for professional athletes and eliteperformers. Dr. Winter shares fascinating insights into how circadian rhythms impact sleep quality, cognitive function, and physical performance—whether you're an athlete, a businessleader, or just someone trying...

Brought to you by the team behind Chilipad by Sleepme, The Rest Factor is your insider’s guide to how top performers leverage quality sleep for a competitive edge.  What you’ll learn from this podcast: Proven sleep strategies used by elite performers How to optimize your nighttime routine for better rest The science behind sleep and its impact on performance Mindset shifts that improve recovery an...