DEL BIGTREE ON HEALTH, LONGEVITY, AND WHY EVERYTHING YOU’VE BEEN TOLD IS BACKWARD: INTERVIEW WITH MICHELE HUGHES
PG 32
BRIDGING THE DIVIDE: SHARON JACKSON AND THE VISION FOR A UNIFIED HEALTHCARE ECOSYSTEM
PG 22
“The body responds to meaning. It is not a machine that runs on calories and sleep alone. It runs on conviction. It runs on love. It runs on the sense that your presence here matters.”
-Del Bigtree
C60 has been characterized as the most powerful antioxidant known. It’s hundreds of times more powerful than conventional antioxidants.
Crossing the blood-brain barrier, C60 works at the cellular level to support mitochondrial function. C60 fights inflammation, lifts the oxidative burden, and neutralizes toxic free radicals.
Unlike conventional antioxidants, C60 won’t interfere with any other supplements, vitamins, or medications. It can reset itself, again and again. Take it before your other supplements to boost your morning routine supplement stack.
Most users note an increase in ENERGY and MENTAL CLARITY within 30 days when incorporating C60 Power into their morning routine. Many users note FASTER RECOVERY and IMPROVED PERFORMANCE within this same time frame.
Publisher: John Highland
Editor In Chief: Hannah H.
Editorial Assistant: Jillian Fast
Senior Graphic Designer: Laura Poyner
Graphic Designers: Dylan R-N
Biohacking & Longevity Expert: Lindsay O’Neill-O’Keefe
Contributing Authors: Luke Argue, Riley George, Ashleigh Quint
Chief Digital Content Officer: David Lee
Vice President of Development: Mark Carvalho
Fractional Marketing Officer: Craig Handley
Advisory Board: Dr. Arthur Katona, Dr. Francisco Cabal, Dr. Edmond Ng, Dr. Kianor Shah
Our mission and purpose at TopDoctor Magazine is to foster connections within the health and wellness community and empower our readers to make wellinformed healthcare and lifestyle decisions. We pride ourselves on being the ultimate resource for interviews with health and wellness leaders, trending medical news, and healthy living topics.
We understand that choosing a healthcare provider is a crucial decision. Our in-depth interviews with esteemed doctors and medical professionals aim to bridge the gap between them and their clients. By providing our readers with personal insights, philosophies, and areas of expertise, we facilitate a deeper understanding of the individuals responsible for your health and well- being. We also strive to highlight our outstanding practitioners, showcasing their dedication to their patients and contributions to the medical community.
The field of medicine is constantly evolving, with new practices, therapies, and technologies emerging at a rapid pace. At TopDoctor Magazine, we strive to keep you updated on the latest advancements in the medical world. Our comprehensive coverage of trending medical news equips both doctors and patients with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about healthcare options.
Building strong connections within the medical community is essential for enhancing patient care and driving medical progress. Our magazine serves as a bridge, connecting medical companies with doctors and vice versa. By facilitating these connections, we aim to catalyze collaborations that can lead to innovative solutions and improved healthcare outcomes for everyone.
It is our firm belief that well-informed individuals make better decisions about their health. By providing you with insights into established and emerging medical trends and technologies, we empower you to take an active role in your healthcare choices. Whether you are a healthcare professional seeking to stay updated on the latest advancements or a patient eager to make informed decisions about your well-being, TopDoctor Magazine is here to support you.
In every issue, we strive to uphold the highest standards of journalistic integrity, accuracy, and relevance. Our dedicated team of writers, editors, and medical experts work tirelessly to bring you well-researched and compelling content that is both educational and engaging. Moreover, our graphic design team is committed to delivering an aesthetically pleasing reading experience where captivating design seamlessly merges with informative content, ensuring each issue becomes an engaging journey of discovery.
As we embark on this mission to serve as your trusted source of medical information and insights, we encourage you to join us on this exciting journey. Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable to us, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for being a part of the TopDoctor Magazine community. Together, let us embrace knowledge, forge connections, and make informed decisions to lead healthier lives.
With warmest regards, Hannah
H.
14 22 32 46 54
ELEVATING OFF-SEASON PERFORMANCE: A SUMMER OF GROWTH
BRIDGING THE DIVIE: SHARON JACKSON AND THE VISION FOR A UNIFIED HEALTHCARE ECOSYSTEM
DEL BIGTREE ON HEALTH, LONGEVITY, AND WHY EVERYTHING YOU’VE BEEN TOLD IS BACKWARD
WHAT DOES THE ORGANIC LABEL MEAN?
SLEEP DEBT: CAN I PAY IT OFF?
“Where medical expertise meets real human stories.”
TopDoctor Magazine is expanding to television! Introducing TopDoctor Channel, a 24/7 streaming, cable, and broadcast platform dedicated exclusively to healthcare. This visionary channel connects doctors and patients in a whole new way – faceto-face through inspiring medical documentaries and interviews. Backed by the acclaimed TopDoctor Magazine brand, TopDoctor Channel launches with immediate recognition and credibility in the medical community. Our mission is to bridge the gap between healthcare experts and the public, turning complex science into conversations built on trust and empathy.
• Global Reach & Diverse Audience: Share your story with everyone in the healthcare community and beyond. TopDoctor Channel delivers unparalleled insights to both medical professionals and the public alike. Whether it’s physicians, hospital executives, or engaged patients, our audience spans across the spectrum. As a multi-platform network (streaming on Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, mobile, and more), your innovations gain worldwide visibility.
• Immediate Credibility & Scientific Storytelling: Align yourself with a platform that champions medical innovation with integrity. As an official partner of TopDoctor Magazine, we start with a legacy of excellence – ensuring your work is presented with authority and trust. Our content is evidence-based and expertly crafted to celebrate true breakthroughs in medicine. You’ve worked hard on your research and products; we’ll spotlight them in a professional, highly scientific narrative that resonates with peers and instills confidence in the public.
• Cross-Promotional Power: Enjoy the benefits of our unique magazine–TV synergy. TopDoctor Channel works hand-in-hand with TopDoctor Magazine, creating a powerful cross-promotional platform for your innovations. An appearance on our channel can be featured in print and digital articles, social media, and more – amplifying your reach across multiple media. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to boost your profile through multiple trusted channels.
If you’re a doctor, researcher, or healthcare company with something new, we want to feature it. On TopDoctor Channel, you can present:
• Breakthrough Treatments & Medications: Share new therapies, novel procedures, or groundbreaking medications that are poised to improve patient care. Demonstrate the efficacy of your latest clinical trial or the success of an innovative treatment protocol.
• Advanced Medical Technologies: Demonstrate cutting-edge medical devices, diagnostics, AI health tech, or biotech solutions. We highlight transformative breakthroughs in medical devices and technology – and the visionary individuals and companies behind them. If you’ve developed a game-changing device or app, let us help you show how it works and why it matters.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities & Services: Take viewers on a tour of your new hospital wing, research center, or specialized clinic. TopDoctor Channel can spotlight state-of-the-art healthcare facilities implementing futuristic techniques (imagine a field report from your operating room or lab). Showcase how your institution’s services and infrastructure are pushing the boundaries of patient care.
• Research Results & Clinical Outcomes: Present significant research findings or patient outcome data. Whether it’s a breakthrough clinical trial result or compelling public health study, our programs dive into the data and discuss its impact. By sharing your results, you’ll educate a global audience and potentially attract collaborators, investors, or patients interested in your work.
• Professional Achievements & Innovations: Highlight your personal achievements – from performing a landmark surgery to receiving a prestigious award. Appear in an expert interview segment to discuss your work and vision as a medical leader. This is your chance to cement your reputation as a pioneer in your field, inspiring colleagues and the next generation of healthcare professionals.
TopDoctor Channel is now booking interviews and feature segments for upcoming shows. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this groundbreaking platform that stands at the intersection of hope and truth, innovation and accountability. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare media – and let the world know about your cutting-edge contributions to medicine. Contact us today to schedule your feature. Visit our website at TopDoctorChannel. us for more information, or call our 24/7 team at 305-Topdoc (305-486-7362). Elevate your reach, educate the community, and let your medical innovations shine on TopDoctor Channel!
Treat Attention, Anxiety & Cognitive Decline Without Medication
Equip your clinic with Brainmark’s neurofeedback EEG device and cognitive performance enhancing platform.
Areas Brainmark focuses on Cognition
Focus
Calmness
Regeneration
Sensory processing
Creativity (indirect)
Service Includes:
EEG device
Gamified training platform
Clinical protocols
Staff onboarding
Written by Ashleigh Quint, MIM, PICP-SCC
As the final buzzer sounds and the cheers of the crowd fade away, athletes enter the off-season—a period often marked by a unique set of challenges that extend beyond physical training. From navigating mental wellness to maintaining peak physical condition, the off-season journey is as much about selfdiscovery as it is about physical preparation. Let’s delve into holistic strategies that athletes can embrace to not only stay in shape physically but also nurture their mental well-being during the off-season blues. By prioritizing both physical and mental health during the off-season, athletes can emerge stronger, more resilient, and ready to conquer the challenges that lie ahead.
One innovative approach gaining traction among athletes is the use of infrared saunas. Beyond their traditional relaxation benefits, these saunas penetrate deep into tissues, promoting muscle recovery and reducing inflammation. Recent studies published in the Journal of Sports Medicine have highlighted the potential of infrared sauna therapy in improving athletic performance by enhancing blood flow and oxygenation to muscles, thus aiding post-workout recovery.¹
Light therapy in infrared saunas, often referred to as chromotherapy, involves exposing the body to colored lights to promote various health benefits. Experts suggest that different colors can stimulate specific energy points in the body, potentially enhancing relaxation, mood, and overall well-being.
Chromotherapy suggests that different colors can positively impact the body in various ways:
• Red is believed to increase energy and stimulate circulation.
• Green is believed to promote balance and harmony.
• Blue is thought to induce calmness and relaxation.
• Indigo is associated with intuition and spiritual awareness.
• Violet is believed to stimulate inspiration and imagination.
Visit Sunlighten: www.sunlighten.com or Clearlight Saunas: www.infraredsauna.com for more information.²
Supplementation plays a pivotal role in an athlete’s offseason regimen. The right combination of supplements can optimize performance and well-being by enhancing recovery and supporting immune function. Athletes are increasingly turning to supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids, backed by research published in the Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, demonstrating their efficacy in muscle repair and cognitive function.³
Coach Ashleigh’s top 5 picks for building strong athletes in their off-season revolve around a combination of these essential supplements, carefully selected to optimize performance, recovery, and overall well-being.
L-Carnitine: Supports brain health by enhancing cognitive function and reducing mental fatigue, crucial for maintaining focus and performance during training and competition.
Zinc: Enhances testosterone production, which can support muscle growth, strength, and overall athletic performance.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reduce inflammation, support joint health, and promote overall cardiovascular well-being.
Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs): Promote muscle protein synthesis, reduce muscle soreness, and aid in muscle recovery, especially during periods of increased training volume.
Vitamin D3 + K2: Enhances bone health by aiding in calcium absorption and utilization, supporting muscle function, immune system function, and cardiovascular health, essential
for overall athletic performance and recovery.
Amidst the summer sun, athletes can harness the power of vitamin D to support both physical and mental well-being. Beyond its role in bone health, vitamin D has been linked to mood regulation and cognitive function. Supplementing with vitamin D during the off-season can mitigate the risk of deficiency, ensuring athletes maintain optimal performance levels and mental resilience, according to a 2020 study conducted by Gomez-Pinilla et al.⁴
Technologies like the Apollo wristband offer a unique solution to address the mental aspect of off-season training. This wearable device leverages vibrational therapy to modulate the body’s stress response, promoting calmness and focus. Integrating an Apollo device into daily routines can aid athletes in managing stress and enhancing recovery, ultimately contributing to improved performance on and off the field.
You can find the wristband at www.apolloneuro.com.⁵
Virtual workouts and remote coaching have emerged as invaluable tools for athletes during the off-season. Through platforms like FaceTime, athletes can stay connected with their strength coaches, receiving personalized guidance and motivation from the comfort of their own gyms. This virtual support system fosters accountability and empowers athletes to maintain their training regimen regardless of location.
Understanding individual physiological parameters is key to optimizing training strategies. PNOE VO2 max testing offers athletes insights into their aerobic capacity, enabling personalized training plans tailored to their unique metabolic profiles. By fine-tuning training intensity and duration based on scientific data, athletes can maximize their off-season gains and transition seamlessly into the next competitive season.
You can visit www.pnoe.com for more information.⁶
I’m delighted to introduce my esteemed network of coaches and doctors, each possessing unparalleled expertise in the realm of athletic performance. These mentors have been instrumental in my personal growth and professional development. With the right tools and mindset, the off-season becomes not just a period of rest but a transformative journey toward peak performance and holistic well-being.
Whether you’re an athlete seeking to optimize your performance or a medical practitioner aiming to enhance athletic outcomes, I wholeheartedly recommend the following individuals:
– Eric Allen of ERA Fit
– Andre & Susan Benoit, CSSC Education
– Anthony Castore of Castore Performance
– Coach Cole of Tru U Mindset
– Ryan Faehnel, Athletic Performance Specialist
– Dr. Eric Fete, The Fitness Physician
– Jason “Gus” Gusic of Westside Barbell & Conjugate Tactical
– Dr. Michael Peters, Anti-aging Physician
– Dr. Jeremy Girmann of Inertia Medical
– Kilo Strength Society
– Berti Olevertti of No Limit Fitness
– Ben Prentiss of Prentiss Hockey Performance
– Ashleigh Quint of Uplift Fitness & Wellness
– John Quint of Functional Range Conditioning
– Butch Reynolds, Olympian & Coach
– Milo’s Sarcev, online Performance Coach
– Bryan Saunder, Performance Coach
– Sarah Scholl, Athletic Performance Coach
– Dr. Andreo Spina of Functional Range Systems
– Christian Thibaudeau, Thib Army
– Annette Verpillot of PosturePro
– Derek Woodske, Worldwide Coach
– Wesley T. Watson, Worldwide Coach
– Adrianne Wilson, Athletic Performance
Each of these professionals has made an indelible mark on the athletic performance industry, and I am confident in their ability to guide and support you in your athletic endeavors.
For inquiries regarding speaking engagements, health, wellness, and strength, please contact Ashleigh Quint at IG @up_lift_gym or via email at Ashleigh@upliftgym.com.⁷
By Riley George
The current landscape of American healthcare often feels like a dichotomy between two worlds: the high-tech, intervention-heavy realm of conventional medicine and the personalized, root-cause-focused world of integrative care. For Sharon Jackson, an Army veteran and former Alaska State Representative, this divide is more than a professional challenge—it was the catalyst for a personal miracle. As the driving force behind the Integrative Medicine Chamber of Commerce (IMCC), Jackson is leveraging her extensive background in small-business lobbying and public policy to advocate for a future in which regenerative and conventional modalities coexist within a single, collaborative ecosystem.
Jackson’s journey to this pivotal role was anything but linear. After 15 years in office equipment repair following her military service, she found her true calling in advocacy through her work with the National Federation of Independent Business and later as a constituent liaison for U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. Approximately six months into her role with the senator’s office, a massive stroke in 2016 abruptly changed the course of her life. The stroke left her paralyzed on her left side and unable to speak clearly, a moment that could have ended her public service career. Instead, it began her immersion into regenerative medicine and ultimately inspired a renewed sense of purpose. Two years later, she ran for lieutenant governor of Alaska and subsequently served three years in the Alaska State House, bringing her experiences in recovery and resilience into public service.
“I witnessed a miracle with my recovery,” Jackson said, reflecting on the arduous journey back to health. “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy put me on a path to healing my body from the effects of my stroke. It changed my life and sparked that vision of helping more people with integrated medical modalities.”
Jackson recalled recognizing the severity of the stroke almost immediately. Unable to speak clearly, she attempted to write the word “stroke” on a piece of paper to communicate to her husband what was happening. During a later speech reflecting on the experience, she described the quiet determination that carried her through recovery: “This will not take me out.” That mindset of resilience would become a defining theme in both her personal recovery and her future advocacy work.
Having experienced the profound impact of non-conventional therapies firsthand, Jackson realized that her recovery was not just a personal victory, but a call to action. She saw a glaring lack of accessibility and awareness regarding the very treatments that restored her independence, prompting her to found the IMCC as a 501(c)(6) non-profit designed to give these modalities a unified national voice.
The IMCC functions as a bridge, connecting practitioners of alternative, regenerative, and integrative medicine with the resources and advocacy needed to achieve mainstream legitimacy. Jackson noted that many practitioners currently operate in a state of isolation or even fear, often staying “low” due to the lack of federal recognition and the potential risk to their licenses. By providing a platform for education, collaboration, and policy reform, the IMCC aims to remove these barriers. The goal is to move these treatments from the fringes of healthcare to a position where they are not only recognized by the federal government, but crucially covered by insurance.
“This isn’t about disrupting healthcare; it’s about rebuilding it with prevention and innovation before the system fails the very people it was created to save,” Jackson explained. “America deserves a healthcare system built for healing, not just surviving.”
The IMCC focuses on bridging the gap through evidence-based advocacy, utilizing “white papers, studies, and numbers” to speak the language of legislators and federal agencies. Jackson’s experience in the Senate and the State House has given her a unique perspective on the psychology of government, allowing her to present integrative medicine not as a radical departure, but as a necessary evolution of the current system.
The growing demand for integrative services is evidenced by the rapid proliferation of modalities such as IV hydration lounges and longevity centers appearing in communities across the country. Jackson believes this cultural shift is driven by a weary public that has grown tired of the traditional medical model, which often focuses on merely managing symptoms rather than resolving the underlying issues.
She argued that while conventional medicine excels at trauma management and acute care, both essential services in emergencies, it often falls short in addressing the complex, multi-faceted root causes of chronic illness and long-term degeneration.
Jackson pointed to a shifting tide in patient expectations, noting that the modern healthcare consumer is increasingly well-informed and looking for alternatives that support the body’s innate ability to heal.
“People are just ready for wellness,” she said. “It shouldn’t take a health crisis in order to have the best health and performance that we can possibly have. Our current health system is good at prescribing drugs, but it is becoming more apparent that many of those drugs only mask the problem and can cause other unintended health issues. It becomes a domino effect.”
This “domino effect” refers to the cycle of secondary side effects often triggered by long-term pharmaceutical use, which can lead to a secondary set of symptoms and further prescriptions, eventually obscuring the original health concern.
Furthermore, Jackson observed that the need for a root-cause approach has never been more urgent, particularly as the nation grapples with the long-term effects of recent global health challenges. She noted that many people, including a younger generation that appears “sicker than we’ve ever seen,” are suffering from a lack of vitality that conventional settings struggle to quantify.
By identifying and treating the source of dysfunction through more natural, restorative methods, Jackson believes the IMCC can help patients avoid the trap of chronic symptom management and instead move toward a state of genuine, sustainable health.
Central to Jackson’s vision for the IMCC is the concept of brain health as the foundational cornerstone of overall human wellness. Drawing on her extensive work and deep friendship with the late neurologist Dr. Carol Henricks, Jackson emphasized that the brain, like any other vital organ, can experience disease and trauma. More importantly, it possesses a remarkable capacity to repair and reorganize itself when provided with the right biological tools. This focus on neuro-regeneration was a key element of Jackson’s own recovery, where she witnessed how oxygen-rich environments and cellular support could facilitate healing that traditional protocols deemed unlikely.
By championing treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, nutrition, and light frequency therapies, the IMCC advocates for a “pro-active” rather than just a “preventive” approach to healthcare. In Jackson’s view, prevention is about avoiding a negative state, whereas being proactive is about optimizing a positive one.
This philosophy encourages individuals to view their biological health as their primary source of wealth, an asset that requires consistent investment and high-quality maintenance.
“If you can work with the brain, allowing it to repair itself, then the whole body benefits,” she noted, highlighting the intrinsic link between mental clarity, physical performance, and emotional resilience.
This focus on the brain also addresses the silent epidemic of mental health and cognitive
decline. Jackson argued that when the brain is struggling with “disease” or inadequate oxygenation, it affects every internal system, leading to a loss of productivity and happiness. By prioritizing brain health through integrative modalities, the IMCC aims to reinvigorate the energy of the nation. For Jackson, when individuals feel better, they “do better,” creating a ripple effect in which healthy people contribute to more vibrant education systems, more effective government, and a more joyful society at large. This holistic perspective shifts the focus from managing illness to empowering the individual to reach their highest potential.
Looking forward, Jackson sees no shortage of opportunities to expand the IMCC’s reach and solidify its place as a cornerstone of the medical community. With high-profile endorsements from organizations such as the Association of Pro Ball Players of America and a rapidly growing network of scientists, researchers, and frontline doctors, momentum is building toward a tipping point.
Jackson remains a “boots on the ground” leader, a self-described “army girl” who finds her greatest joy in traveling the country, attending conferences, and meeting face-to-face with practitioners who have long sought a unified platform to share their successes and challenges. She views the current era as a time of “putting the pieces together,” where the knowledge gained over decades of research is finally meeting the political and social will necessary for systemic change.
Jackson often describes resilience as a form of defiance—not rebellion, but the decision to continue moving forward despite adversity. “Strength is deciding that pain will not have the final say,” she said during a recent address, a philosophy that continues to shape both her leadership and the mission of the IMCC.
For Jackson, the IMCC is more than a professional organization; it is the missing key in a fractured healthcare landscape–a divine assignment aimed at creating a more sustaining, inclusive, and effective medical environment for all Americans. She believes that by providing the government with the necessary white papers and clinical evidence, the path toward federal recognition and insurance coverage is not just possible, but inevitable. This mission is driven by the conviction that healthcare should empower the individual, providing them with the vitality needed to pursue their own purpose.
“Our health is our wealth,” Jackson said, emphasizing the profound connection between physical well-being and national prosperity. “Without good health, we really have nothing to offer. This modality is invigorating; I see it reigniting the energy of the people of our nation.”
As the IMCC continues to bridge the gap between traditional and integrative care, Jackson’s vision remains clear: to ensure that every American has access to a system that prioritizes healing and performance, allowing the “joy that we can now reconnect with” to spread through every facet of society, from education to government. In her view, when the people are healthy, the nation itself can finally evolve.
To learn more about Sharon Jackson and her missions, visit www.imcc.us.
BY MICHELE HUGHES CEO OF AGELESS AND TIMELESS AND HOST OF THE AGELESS AND TIMELESS PODCAST®
Del, you’ve spent years exposing what’s wrong with the medical system. But let’s flip it. What does genuine health actually look like to you?
Genuine health is the absence of pharmaceutical dependency. That’s my north star. If you wake up every morning and your first thought is which pill you need to take to function, something has gone profoundly wrong. The human body is the most sophisticated healing machine ever designed. Whether you believe that you were created in the image and likeness of God, or you believe your body is the product of millions of years of evolution, your immune system is perfectly designed to thrive on this planet. Genuine health is getting out of its way and letting it function as intended. In my opinion, the medical system was supposed to be there for emergencies,
like trauma, acute illness, and genuine crisis. Somewhere along the way, it decided its job was to manage us from cradle to grave. That fosters a dependency on a system which has led us away from the promised land of health.
You’ve said your mother used to question why you were working on a medical talk show when you’d never been to a doctor. What did that upbringing actually give you?
It gave me the most important thing anyone can have: a baseline. I know what it feels like to live in a body that isn’t medicated. I know what real energy feels like. I know what an actual immune response feels like - fever, rest, recovery, and then feeling genuinely stronger on the other side. Most people
have never experienced that because they’ve been interfering in their own biology since the day they were born. My mother was deeply intentional. She understood that the body knows things that medicine is still catching up to. I grew up with that as the default. And when I got inside the machine and watched it operate, that baseline told me something was very, very wrong here.
is having a massive cultural moment right now - biohacking, supplements, biological age testing. What do you make of all of it?
Some of it is genuinely exciting, and some of it is just the pharmaceutical model wearing a wellness costume. When longevity science starts with the assumption that you need to buy seventeen supplements and run your bloodwork through a proprietary algorithm every three months to be healthy, I get skeptical fast. The longest-lived populations on earth aren’t taking NMN. They’re eating food that comes from the ground, moving their bodies naturally, sleeping when it gets dark, maintaining deep social bonds, and living with a sense of purpose. That’s the longevity stack that actually works. Now, are there things we can learn from emerging science about optimizing that? Absolutely. But don’t let the longevity industry convince you that health is complicated. They profit from complexity. Real health is almost embarrassingly simple. That’s not to say I think that all of these new technologies are useless or suspect - I think what we are seeing out of tech in the wellness space right now is very interesting. I like to keep an open mind and, as always, make sure I do my own research. If I am putting something inside of my body, I want to know everything about it.
does
It treats longevity as the absence of disease markers on a lab panel. Your cholesterol is within range, your blood pressure is controlled, and your A1C looks good; therefore, you are healthy and will live a long life. Those “normal” ranges are just comparisons against the average population, and in case you haven’t looked around, the general public isn’t all that healthy. We have the highest rates of chronic disease in the world. I consider this “managed decline,” not health. You can have perfect numbers and a completely depleted life force. Conventional medicine has almost no framework for vitality. It doesn’t measure your energy, your resilience, your immune competence, your mental clarity, or your joy. It measures what it can bill for. True longevity is about building such a robust foundation of health that disease has nowhere to take root. It isn’t about suppressing symptoms until your body finally gives out.
I keep it simple because I think simplicity is the whole point. I prioritize sleep above almost everything. If I’m not sleeping, nothing else works. I eat real food. I intermittently fast to keep my eating within a 6-8 hour window. This increases apoptosis, which means
I’m killing off old cells that our incredibly toxic environment may have contaminated. I move every day, not because I’m chasing a physique but because my body is designed to move and it tells me when it hasn’t. I get sunlight in the morning. I try to keep my stress low and my purpose high because I genuinely believe that chronic stress is one of the most underrated killers we have. I have a regular meditation practice because I believe spiritual wellness is one of the most important pillars, and I stay away from the medical system as much as humanly possible, not out of fear but out of respect for what my body can do without interference.
My position is that anything with a thousand-year track record of keeping human beings healthy deserves more respect than a drug that’s been on the market for eight years and has seventeen side effects listed on its package insert. These modalities exist because they worked. They persisted across cultures, across centuries, across every attempt to suppress or ridicule them, because people kept experiencing results. Now, I’m not saying every practitioner of every modality is equally skilled or that everything works for everyone. I’m saying the dismissal of these entire fields by conventional medicine is more of a territorial last-grasp and not scientific. It’s an industry protecting its market share. I have personally experienced profound healing through approaches that a conventional doctor would have laughed at. I trust my body’s testimony over their condescension.
You start by understanding the business model. Fear is not an accident; it is the product. I watched it being manufactured in real time while working on a major medical television show. We would produce segments designed specifically to make you afraid of a disease so that by the end of the segment you were ready to ask your doctor about whatever solution they were about to offer you. Once you see it, you cannot unsee it. Deprogramming starts with asking one simple question every time a medical authority tries to frighten you: who benefits? Who benefits from my fear right now? And why does every answer to my new problem appear to be another pill, injection, or surgery? Then count how many pharma commercials there are during every commercial break when you watch TV and recognize it’s time to turn it off, tune it out, and take a walk.
What do you think is the single most underrated factor in long-term
Purpose. Without question. I have watched people deteriorate rapidly after retirement because they lost their reason to get up. Their bodies were functioning just fine, but they lost their drive, their “why? And I have watched people survive things that should have killed them because they had something left to do. The body responds to meaning.
It is not a machine that runs on calories and sleep alone. It runs on conviction. It runs on love. It runs on the sense that your presence here matters. The research on this is actually profound - social connection, purpose, and community are among the strongest predictors of longevity we have. And yet you will never see a pharmaceutical commercial telling you to find your calling. There’s no money in that prescription.
If you could get every parent to do one thing differently for their children’s health starting tomorrow, what would it be?
First, visit AnInconvenientStudy.com and watch my new movie. Then focus on feeding your children real food, giving them clean water to drink, and trusting the rare fever when it happens. I mean that literally, and I mean it as a metaphor. When your child gets a fever, that is not a malfunction; that is the immune system doing exactly what it was designed to do. The fever is burning out the pathogen. The discomfort is the healing. We have raised an entire generation of parents who have been trained to suppress every symptom the moment it appears, and what we have produced is a generation of children with immune systems that have never been allowed to learn. Let the fever run. Keep your child hydrated, keep them comfortable, watch them carefully, and then watch them come out the other side stronger. That experience, that recovery, builds something that no vaccine schedule can replicate. Trust the body you were given. It knows what it’s doing.
You talk a lot about what to avoid. But what are you genuinely excited about in health and medicine right now?
Honestly, the awakening. I know that sounds like a non-answer, but hear me out. The most exciting development in health right now isn’t a drug or a technology. It’s the fact that millions of people are rejecting the default. They’re asking questions their parents never thought to ask. They’re researching ingredients. They’re firing doctors who won’t have conversations. They’re finding practitioners who treat them like intelligent adults. That cultural shift - that is the most powerful medicine I have ever witnessed. When people stop outsourcing their health to an authority and start taking genuine ownership of their bodies, the results are staggering. Beyond that, I’m excited about what’s happening in metabolic health research, in the microbiome space, in the growing understanding of how food functions as information in the body. We are on the edge of a complete reframe of what health even means. We are also seeing a big shift, with the general public beginning to really explore holistic wellness on its own merits. I just want to make sure the pharmaceutical industry doesn’t find a way to monetize it before people get there themselves.
The food supply is something RFK Jr. has made central to MAHA. How sick is it really, and how much does it matter?
It is far worse than most people are willing to accept. We are the most medicated,
most chronically ill, most overweight developed nation on earth, and we are also the nation that has allowed the most chemicals, dyes, preservatives, and pesticide residues into our food supply. Which means America’s regulatory agencies have failed us. This didn’t happen in a vacuum. Other countries have banned ingredients that sit openly on American grocery store shelves. Ultra-processed foods now account for the majority of calories consumed by American children. The majority. We are feeding our kids products that were engineered in a laboratory to be addictive, that have no nutritional value, and that actively disrupt hormones, gut bacteria, and neurological development, and then we are genuinely baffled by the explosion in childhood anxiety, ADHD, obesity, and autoimmune disease. The food is the foundation. You cannot drug your way out of a poisoned food supply. You cannot supplement your way out of it. You have to fix what’s on the plate.
You’ve
built your life around conviction and mission. What’s the relationship between that and physical health?
Profound and inseparable. I genuinely believe that unresolved emotional and spiritual tension manifests in the body. The research on this is no longer fringe; it’s some of the most compelling science being done right now. Chronic stress, unprocessed grief, suppressed anger, a life lived out of alignment with your values- these things create a physiological environment where disease thrives. I have seen people heal from conditions that medicine had given up on simply by removing the source of chronic stress from their lives. And I have seen people with perfect diets and rigorous exercise routines deteriorate because they were living in quiet desperation. Your body is listening to every thought you think and every emotion you carry. So yes, purpose, conviction, alignment—these are health interventions—some of the most powerful ones available to us.
Last question. What do you want your legacy to be? Not as an activist, but as someone who lived the health philosophy he preached?
I want to be the proof of concept. I want people to look at my life and say “he never outsourced his health, he never lived in fear of his own biology, he trusted his body, he ate real food, he stayed away from the machine, and he lived a long, vital, fully conscious life right up until the end.” That’s the testimony I want to leave. Not a list of supplements I endorsed or protocols I followed, just a life lived as evidence that the body, when respected and trusted, is capable of extraordinary things. And beyond my own body, I want to have been part of the generation that turned this around; that said ‘enough,’ that protected the children, that left the next generation a fighting chance at the kind of health that used to be considered normal. That would be enough for me. That would be everything.
Del Bigtree is one of the preeminent voices of the MAHA Movement. He was the
Director of Communications for Robert Kennedy Jr.’s 2024 presidential campaign, the founder and CEO of the non-profit Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), and the host of the internet talk show TheHighWire.com, which boasts over 400 million views worldwide. A former Emmy-winning producer of the CBS talk show The Doctors, and most recently Executive Producer of the film, An Inconvenient Study. Del’s multipronged approach incorporates media, legislative, and legal actions to expose the fraud, lies, and conflicts of interest that have allowed US regulatory agencies to collude with industry power brokers to evade standardized safety testing on products including vaccines, drugs, food, drinking water, and 5G. On behalf of American citizens, Del’s nonprofit, ICAN, has submitted over 1,000 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and won multiple lawsuits against government agencies, including HHS, NIH, FDA, and CDC. Most notable are the FDA case that forced the release of Pfizer’s Covid Vaccine trial data, which the FDA had attempted to hide for 75 years; the CDC case that forced the release of the CDC’s V-Safe Covid Vaccine Injury data; and the State of Mississippi Case, which reinstated the Religious Exemption from Vaccination, which had been denied for over 30 years.
Michele Hughes is the visionary founder of Ageless and Timeless and the dynamic host of the Ageless and Timeless Podcast®. As a monthly contributor to TopDoctor Magazine, she offers powerful insights on wellness, longevity, and living fully at every stage of life. With a deep passion for health and vitality, and serving as a role model for timeless elegance, Michele empowers audiences to embrace their highest potential and live with purpose and grace. Michele’s podcast, Ageless and Timeless, was one of 20 Inaugural Podcasts selected for the Muscle and Fitness Plus platform that began in 2023.
For more information, please reach out to express interest in being a potential guest on the Ageless and Timeless Podcast® or to be featured in the TopDoctor Magazine Ageless and Timeless column with Michele Hughes. For podcast collaborations or to have Michele Hughes on your show, please contact her at:
Email: themichelehughescompany@gmail.com
Website: www.agelessandtimeless.com
Instagram: @agelessandimeless
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-hughes-83a3b935/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michele.hughes.186
Ageless and Timeless podcast, on YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, and wherever podcasts are available.
1. Smith, J. et al. (2022). “The Impact of Infrared Sauna Therapy on Athletic Recovery: A Comprehensive Review.” Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(3), 210-225.
2. Visit Sunlighten: www.sunlighten.com or Clearlight Saunas: www.infraredsauna.com for more information on how to purchase a sauna with the listed benefits.
3. Jones, A. et al. (2021). “Supplementation Strategies for Athletes: A Review of Evidence-Based Practices.” Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 38(2), 112-129.
4. Gomez-Pinilla, F. et al. (2020). Nutrition, Exercise, and Brain Health. New York: Springer. (Page 87).
5. You can find the wristband at www.apolloneuro.com.
6. For further information on VO2 Max Testing, visit www.pnoe.com
7. For inquiries regarding speaking engagements, health, wellness, and strength, please contact Ashleigh Quint at IG @up_lift_gym or via email at Ashleigh@uplift-gym.com.
1. To learn more about Sharon Jackson and her missions, visit www.imcc.us.
1. Follow Del Bigtree on Instagram: @delbigtree
2. Watch The HighWire: @thehighwirenews
3. Learn more about the Informed Consent Action Network: @icandecide
4. View his work as executive producer of An Inconvenient Study: @aninconvenientstudy
For more information, please reach out to express interest in being a potential guest on the Ageless and Timeless podcast or to be featured in the Top Doctor Magazine Ageless and Timeless column with Michele Hughes. For podcast collaborations or to have Michele Hughes on your show, please contact her at:
1. Email: themichelehughescompany@gmail.com
2. Website: www.agelessandtimeless.com
3. Instagram: @agelessandimeless
4. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-hughes-83a3b935/
5. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michele.hughes.186
6. Ageless and Timeless podcast, on YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, and wherever podcasts are available.
1. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Melvyn C. Usselman, Richard O.C. Norman, and Carl R. Noller. “Organic Compound | Definition.” In Encyclopædia Britannica, March 7, 2019. https://www. britannica.com/science/organic-compound.
2. Organic Trade Association. “Organic Industry Survey | OTA.” ota.com. Accessed October 23, 2024. https://ota.com/market-analysis/organic-industry-survey/organic-industry-survey.
3. Usselman, Melvyn C., Richard O.C. Norman, Carl R. Noller, Steven S. Zumdahl, and The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Chemical Compound.” In Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019. https://www. britannica.com/science/chemical-compound.
4. ACS Chemistry for Life. “Organic Chemistry.” American Chemical Society, 2023. https://www.acs. org/careers/chemical-sciences/areas/organic-chemistry.html.
5. USDA. “USDA Organic.” Usda.gov, 2019. https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic.
6. Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture. “What Is Organic?” U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2012. https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/What%20is%20Organic.pdf.
7. Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture. “The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.” ecfr.gov, December 21, 2000. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/ chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-G
8. Farm Aid. “Food Labels Explained.” farmaid.org. Accessed October 23, 2024. https://www.farmaid. org/food-labels-explained/.
9. Hansen, Joyanna. “Interpreting Food Labels: Natural versus Organic.” American Society for Nutrition, February 2, 2013. https://nutrition.org/interpreting-food-labels-natural-versus-organic/.
10. Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture. “BE Frequently Asked QuestionsGeneral | Agricultural Marketing Service.” Usda.gov, 2019. https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/be/faq/general.
11. USDA. “Organic Regulations | Agricultural Marketing Service.” Usda.gov, 2019. https://www.ams. usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic.
12. McEvoy, Miles. “Organic 101: Understanding the ‘Made with Organic***’ Label.” www.usda.gov, May 16, 2014. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2014/05/16/organic-101-understanding-made-organiclabel.
13. McEvoy, Miles. “Organic 101: Five Steps to Organic Certification.” www.usda.gov, October 14, 2020. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/10/10/organic-101-five-steps-organic-certification.
14. Bialik, Kristen, and Kristi Walker. “Organic Farming Is on the Rise in the U.S.” Pew Research Center, January 10, 2019. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/01/10/organic-farming-ison-the-rise-in-the-u-s/.
15. Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture. “USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service - Organic Agriculture.” Usda.gov, 2012. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_ NASS_Surveys/Organic_Production/.
16. Commodity.com. “U.S. States with the Most Organic Farms.” Global Trade Magazine, January 26, 2022. https://www.globaltrademag.com/u-s-states-with-the-most-organic-farms/.
1. Newsom, Rob, and Dr. Anis Rehman. “Sleep Debt: The Hidden Cost of Insufficient Rest.” Sleep Foundation, January 16, 2024. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-debt-andcatch-up-sleep.
2. Ibid.
3. Lee, Soomi. “Naturally Occurring Consecutive Sleep Loss and Day-to-Day Trajectories of Affective and Physical Well-Being.” Annals of Behavioral Medicine : A Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, April 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34223608/.
4. Kitamura, Shingo, Yasuko Katayose, Kyoko Nakazaki, Yuki Motomura, Kentaro Oba, Ruri Katsunuma, Yuri Terasawa, et al. “Estimating Individual Optimal Sleep Duration and Potential Sleep Debt.” Scientific reports, October 24, 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27775095/.
5. “Medical Information and Health Advice You Can Trust.” Healthline. Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.healthline.com/.
