Episodes

  • Why 93% of Chronic Diseases Are Preventable: Fitness Expert Reveals the Ultimate Exercise-Health Connection

    Why 93% of Chronic Diseases Are Preventable: Fitness Expert Reveals the Ultimate Exercise-Health Connection
    Apr 29 2026
    This podcast episode of Next Level Healing features Dr. Tara Perry speaking with fitness industry expert Kevin Steel, PhD, about the transformative benefits of exercise for brain health, anti-aging, and overall well-being.Kevin Steel brings decades of experience in health and fitness, having completed multiple Ironman competitions and holding a PhD in exercise physiology with a subspecialty in nutrition. He spent his career working with everyone from corporate executives to athletes, eventually becoming director of education research and member services for the world's largest health club company. The conversation centers on Steel's assertion that exercise is like a miracle drug - "if science could put it inside a pill, people would be lined up around the block, willing to pay anything to get it". He emphasizes that only 7% of chronic diseases are genetic, meaning 93% are lifestyle-related and preventable. Key benefits of exercise discussed include:Brain Health: Regular exercise regenerates neurons and expands gray and white matter in the brain [13:52]. It stimulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which acts like "fertilizer for your brain" [15:32]. Exercise can reduce amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's and dementia [13:52].Mental Health: Steel references Dr. John Ratey's book "Spark," which demonstrated that exercise therapy can achieve the same or better results than pharmaceutical drugs for treating anxiety, depression, and stress [21:12] [21:38].Physical Health: Exercise improves cardiovascular function, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and can even reverse type 2 diabetes when combined with healthy eating [18:58] [16:32] [18:01].Children's Health: A study in Naperville, Illinois showed that structured exercise programs eliminated ADHD symptoms in children, allowed them to go off medications like Ritalin, and dramatically improved academic test scores [23:05] [23:34] [23:44].Steel advocates for a whole food, plant-based diet, noting concerns about hormones and antibiotics in mass-produced animal products [34:11]. He emphasizes that exercise doesn't require expensive equipment - simple activities like walking 30 minutes daily cost nothing but provide significant health benefits [29:33].Despite these proven benefits, only 26% of American adults exercise regularly, and only 18-20% belong to health clubs [28:34]. Steel attributes this partly to doctors receiving little education about exercise science in medical school, leaving patients without specific guidance when told to "eat better and exercise" [30:53] [31:41].The episode concludes with Steel's contact information for those seeking more guidance: LinkedIn at Kevin D Steel PhD: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevindsteelephd and email at KDsteelphd@yahoo.comWork with Dr. Tara PerryTune in every Wednesday for a new episode of Next Level Healing. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!
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    47 mins
  • Fix Brain Chemistry Naturally with Dr. Hyla Cass

    Fix Brain Chemistry Naturally with Dr. Hyla Cass
    Apr 22 2026
    Dr. Hyla Cass, known as "the drug-free psychiatrist," reveals how nutrition and targeted amino acids can naturally heal depression, anxiety, and other brain imbalances without prescription medications. She shares powerful case studies and practical strategies for taking control of your mental health using the building blocks your brain needs to create its own feel-good chemicals.Resources: Dr. Cass’ website - https:/cassmd.comFor more information on therapeutic use of amino acids for mental health, and training for professionals: https://aminoacidtherapy.com (Christina Veselak LMFT, CN) Further reading: Dr. Candace Pert: The Molecules of Emotion, the Science Behind Mind-Body MedicineJulia Ross: The Mood Cure, The Craving CureChristina Veselak: EAT!Hyla Cass: https://cassmd.com/my-books/ For more information on Balance Oil to counter inflammaging: cassmd.com/zinzinoFree ebook: "Reclaim Your Brain”Here is a link for your own use: https://cassmd.com/reclaim-your-brain-downloadEPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 💡[00:02:34] - The Prescription ProblemDiscussion of how 16.5-20% of US population is on psychotropic medicationsKey quote: "As soon as somebody says something about their mood to a doctor, any doctor doesn't have to be a psychiatrist... they get a prescription for an antidepressant and nobody is looking under the hood."[00:04:48] - The Brain as Master Control PanelBrain uses 20% of nutrients despite being only 2% of body weightKey quote: "The brain weighs about 2% of the body weight and uses over 20% of the nutrients, oxygen in all the goodies, very, very biochemically active."[00:06:05] - Neurotransmitters: Your Natural Feel-Good ChemicalsHow proteins break down into amino acids that form neurotransmittersKey quote: "We make our feel good chemicals and sometimes we can't make them because we don't have enough of the source material."[00:09:32] - Case Study: 50-Year-Old Woman's TransformationWoman with lifelong depression and suicidal thoughts improved in 3 weeksKey quote: "Three weeks later, she tells me, I so appreciate what you've done for me. I feel so different and I'm making big changes in my life."[00:12:13] - The Sugar Crash SolutionFriend's sugar binge resolved with glutamine under the tongueKey quote: "She took a thousand milligram glutamine, put it under her tongue... She called me that night. She said, you saved me."[00:14:56] - Safety and Drug InteractionsAmino acids have high safety profile but require spacing from SSRIsKey quote: "If you're taking an SSRI and you're giving a serotonin precursor... take them a few hours apart, you're not going to get yourself into trouble."[00:17:21] - Pioneer's Journey: Blood Sugar DiscoveriesEarly observations of mood changes with nutrition 40 years agoKey quote: "I go to the fridge, get some cheese or an apple or something, give them something to eat, and they, they're changed."[00:19:24] - Orthomolecular Psychiatry ExplainedDefinition and origins with Dr. Abram HofferKey quote: "Orthomolecular, straight molecules, the right molecules in the right place. You get your molecules going in the right direction, and you can make enormous changes."[00:23:47] - The Four Key NeurotransmittersDopamine for energy and focus, serotonin for mood and satietyKey quote: "People who are low in serotonin have the munchies. They're always wanting to eat something."[00:26:26] - Quality Matters: Choosing SupplementsImportance of professional-grade supplements from reliable sourcesKey quote: "With something that you're putting inside your body, you really need to be very, very careful."[00:36:35] - Empowerment MessageTaking control of mental health naturallyKey quote: "Controlling your mental health is not rocket science. It's science. It's basic science, basic nature."[00:40:19] - Essential Fatty Acids: The Missing PieceBrain cells need proper omega-3 to omega-6 ratios for optimal functionKey quote: "Our brain cells we're fat heads. Our brain cells are made out of fat."KEY TAKEAWAYS 📝Mental health issues often stem from neurotransmitter imbalances that can be corrected with targeted amino acids.Amino acids work immediately unlike prescription medications that take 6 weeks and have significant side effects.The brain requires proper nutrition - proteins, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids - to function optimally.Getting off psychiatric medications safely requires gradual tapering while building up natural neurotransmitter production.Quality matters when choosing supplements - professional-grade products from reliable sources are essential.Work with Dr. Tara PerryTune in every Wednesday for a new episode of Next Level Healing. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!
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    45 mins
  • Why You Feel the Way You Do (It’s Not What You Think) w/ Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

    Why You Feel the Way You Do (It’s Not What You Think) w/ Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
    Apr 15 2026

    In this episode of the Next Level Healing Podcast, Dr. Tara Perry interviews Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard-trained and published neuroanatomist and NYT bestselling author, whose research specializes in understanding how our brain creates our perception of reality.

    In 2008, Dr. Jill gave a presentation about her experience with a stroke at the TED Conference in Monterey, CA, which was the first TED talk to ever go viral on the internet. TED and Dr. Jill became world-famous instantaneously, and that TED talk has now been viewed well over 30 million times.

    This episode is a must-listen.

    Work with Dr. Tara Perry

    Tune in every Wednesday for a new episode of Next Level Healing. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Remove This = Healing with Dr. Chris Molda

    Remove This = Healing with Dr. Chris Molda
    Apr 8 2026

    Dr. Chris Molda, a licensed chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner, shares his remarkable journey from battling multiple chronic infections (black mold, COVID, parasites, Lyme) to discovering a groundbreaking healing protocol using phage therapy. After 20+ years in practice and struggling with complex health challenges in his own family, he found a simple yet powerful solution that's transforming how he treats chronic conditions.

    Dr. Chris Molda's Website: https://www.drmolda.com

    Work with Dr. Tara Perry

    Tune in every Wednesday for a new episode of Next Level Healing. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!
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    41 mins
  • Why You're Still Stuck 🤔

    Why You're Still Stuck 🤔
    Mar 24 2026

    Join us for a transformative conversation with Dr. Tara Perry, who shares her remarkable journey from Hollywood talent agency to becoming a leading expert in subconscious healing. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Perry reveals how addressing emotional blocks at the subconscious level can create rapid, lasting changes in health, relationships, and success. Discover why traditional therapy sometimes falls short and how working with the mind that processes 40 million bits of information per second can unlock your true potential.

    This interview was originally aired on Brenda Mundt's Heartache, Health and Healing Podcast.

    Work with Dr. Tara Perry

    Tune in every Wednesday for a new episode of Next Level Healing. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!
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    54 mins
  • How Dehydration Blocks Healing with Dr. Dana Cohen

    How Dehydration Blocks Healing with Dr. Dana Cohen
    Mar 18 2026

    Dr. Dana Cohen, functional MD and author of "Fuel Up," reveals why proper hydration goes far beyond drinking eight glasses of water a day. Discover how eating water-rich foods through blended meals can transform your energy, eliminate brain fog, and prevent chronic disease - often within just one day of implementation.

    Work with Dr. Tara Perry

    Tune in every Wednesday for a new episode of Next Level Healing. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!
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    40 mins
  • Paralyzed Twice.... He Healed Himself with Leland Holgate

    Paralyzed Twice.... He Healed Himself with Leland Holgate
    Mar 11 2026

    Join Dr. Tara Perry and neurobiologist Leland Holgate for a deep dive into the revolutionary science of breathwork healing. Leland shares his incredible journey from being paralyzed twice to pursuing his PhD in neurochemistry, while revealing how strategic breathing practices can reverse autoimmune diseases, regenerate neurons, and even impact aging at the cellular level.

    Work with Dr. Tara Perry

    Tune in every Wednesday for a new episode of Next Level Healing. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • From Ice to Inner Peace: Breath & Cold Exposure with Steven Roccazzella

    From Ice to Inner Peace: Breath & Cold Exposure with Steven Roccazzella
    Mar 4 2026

    Discover the powerful combination of breathwork and cold exposure therapy with Steven Roccazzella, Tennessee's only Wim Hof certified instructor. In this eye-opening conversation, Steven shares how these ancient practices helped him overcome PTSD, panic disorder, and depression, ultimately transforming his relationship with his body and mind. Learn practical techniques you can start using today to build resilience, reduce anxiety, and tap into your body's natural healing abilities.

    Work with Dr. Tara Perry

    Tune in every Wednesday for a new episode of Next Level Healing. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!
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    54 mins