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The Proof with Simon Hill

The Proof with Simon Hill

Written by: Live better for longer
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The Proof Podcast is a space for science-based conversation. Together with his guests, Simon Hill, a qualified physiotherapist and nutritionist, explores the health and longevity benefits that come with mastering physical exercise, nutrition, mindfulness, recovery, sleep, and alignment. Facts, nuance and trustworthy recommendations minus the hyperbole. All the proof you need to live better for longer. Hygiene & Healthy Living Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • The Science of Metabolic Flexibility, Zone 2, and Reversing Diabetes | A Masterclass

    The Science of Metabolic Flexibility, Zone 2, and Reversing Diabetes | A Masterclass
    Jul 27 2026
    Metabolic dysfunction rarely announces itself. We tend to think of metabolic health as a line you cross the day you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, but the decay usually begins years earlier, at the level of the cell. In this masterclass I bring together Dr Iñigo San Millán, Dr Alan Flanagan, Dr Kevin Hall, Dr Robert Eckel, Professor Roy Taylor, and Dr Christos Mantzoros to explain what metabolic flexibility is, why your mitochondria sit at the centre of it, and what you can actually do about it. What We Cover Why lactate is a fuel and a signal, not a waste product, and our best non-invasive window into mitochondrial function Whether a calorie really is a calorie, and what the controlled chamber studies found The twin cycle hypothesis, and why type 2 diabetes is more reversible than we were taught The personal fat threshold, and why a normal BMI can still hide a problem Whether sugar or saturated fat does more to drive fat in the liver Why Zone 2 earns its reputation, and how much of it you actually need Metabolic health is not fixed, and it is rarely too late to move in a better direction. I hope this conversation gives you a clearer picture of what is happening beneath the surface, and a few levers you can start pulling today. To learn more from the experts featured in this masterclass, you can follow Dr Iñigo San Millán on Instagram and Twitter, explore Professor Roy Taylor's work on type 2 diabetes remission at Newcastle University, read more from Dr Kevin Hall at kevinhallphd.com or on LinkedIn, and find Dr Alan Flanagan on Instagram and through Alinea Nutrition. The masterclass also features insights from Dr Robert Eckel and Dr Christos Mantzoros. If you are enjoying The Proof, please take a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. It genuinely helps more people find these conversations. The 81-Year-Old Who Reversed 30 Years of Damage (00:00) What Metabolic Health Actually Means Now (01:57) Why Mitochondria Decide Your Disease Risk (06:01) What Is Metabolic Flexibility? (12:47) Hepatic Fat Oxidation and the Sex Difference (15:20) Is a Calorie Really a Calorie? (18:29) You Can Be Sick Before You're Diagnosed (28:41) Why Lactate Is the Biomarker to Watch (29:20) Lactate Is Not a Waste Product (31:03) Is Lactic Acid Burn a Myth? (36:42) Why Athletes Clear Lactate and You Don't (40:34) When High Lactate Predicts Death (43:01) The Study That Found Damage in Healthy People (47:13) The Lactate Test That Beats Blood Sugar (54:31) Training Zones 1 to 6 Explained by Fuel (58:50) Why Zone 2 Builds Mitochondria Best (1:09:18) How to Know You're in Zone 2 Without a Lab (1:16:50) Is 150 Minutes a Week Enough? (1:23:39) Why You Still Need High Intensity Training (1:28:10) What Obesity Research Got Wrong (1:31:44) The Twin Cycle Hypothesis of Type 2 Diabetes (1:35:04) Your Personal Fat Threshold Explained (1:42:26) Why Some People Store Fat Safely (1:45:45) Why BMI Fails as a Health Measure (1:51:29) Sugar or Saturated Fat: What Drives Liver Fat? (1:55:07) 15kg Weight Loss and Diabetes Remission (2:01:05) Does Weight Loss Really Destroy Muscle? (2:04:39) Why Exercise Alone Doesn't Drop Weight (2:07:05) 3 Tests That Reveal Your Metabolic Health (2:11:14) What Blue Zones Get Right About Movement (2:17:40) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Momentous My go-to supplement brand for protein and creatine is Momentous. Use code THEPROOF for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com. Momentous ships to many countries worldwide depending on local import regulations. Truemed Truemed helps qualified customers use pre-tax HSA or FSA dollars on health-related products like fitness, recovery, and sleep tools, often saving around 30% on average. Visit truemed.com/THEPROOF to see what qualifies. This is hands down the best way to make the most of your health dollars. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly ...
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    2 hrs and 20 mins
  • New Science of Weight Loss | A Masterclass

    New Science of Weight Loss | A Masterclass
    Jul 20 2026
    GLP-1 medications are transforming obesity treatment, but they're only one piece of the puzzle. In this masterclass, I bring together insights from Dr Terry Simpson, Dr Federica Amati, Dr Mauricio Gonzalez, Dr Christos Mantzoros, and Dr Stephan Guyenet to explain how these medications work, why "food noise" matters, and what it really takes to improve long-term metabolic health. What We Cover How GLP-1 medications regulate appetite and food noise Why obesity is more complex than willpower Semaglutide vs tirzepatide and newer medications Nutrition and resistance training while taking GLP-1s The role of fibre, protein, and Mediterranean-style eating Common misconceptions and side effects I hope this episode helps you better understand both the promise and the limitations of GLP-1 medications, while highlighting the importance of lifestyle alongside any medical treatment. Why Terry Simpson Started Taking a GLP-1 (00:00) What Is Food Noise, Really? (04:59) Why GLP-1 Drugs Work So Well (10:16) What Actually Causes Obesity (17:37) How GLP-1 Medications Work in the Body (21:22) The Strange Lizard Behind GLP-1 Drugs (25:56) 3 Types of Hunger You Didn't Know About (28:41) How to Naturally Boost Fullness Signals (37:08) How Doctors Choose Which GLP-1 to Prescribe (45:10) Why Some People Don't Respond to GLP-1s (53:09) GLP-1 Side Effects, Guilt, and Eating Right (58:12) Mediterranean Diet's Effect on Long-Term Weight Loss (01:10:29) The Shame Around Taking GLP-1 Medications (01:20:00) Being Called a Pharma Shill (01:32:39) The History Behind GLP-1 Drugs (01:38:18) Will You Need GLP-1s Forever? (01:47:04) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Eight Sleep Upgrade your sleep with the Pod 5 Ultra by Eight Sleep. Clinically validated to deliver up to 1 extra hour of quality sleep per night through temperature control and biometric tracking. Use code THEPROOF at eightsleep.com/theproof for up to $350 off. You get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don't love it. Eight Sleep ships to the U.S. (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and territories), Canada, Mexico, most of the EU, the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. ProLon ProLon’s 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet is a science-backed, plant-based program designed to support metabolic health while keeping your body in a fasting-like state. Get 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift at ProLonLife.com/THEPROOF. ProLon ships within the United States. SwimClub SwimClub is a science-backed supplement designed to support male fertility, sperm health, and reproductive wellness. Head to swimclub.co to get 25% off your first order with code THEPROOF. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships to 56+ international markets, including the US, Canada, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and parts of Asia. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com Host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Subscribe & Connect: YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram: @simonhill Twitter: @theproof Facebook: The Proof with Simon Hill Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide and download my Two-Week Meal Plan.
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    1 hr and 55 mins
  • Fertility, Sperm Health, and Nutrition Before and During Pregnancy | Dr Federica Amati

    Fertility, Sperm Health, and Nutrition Before and During Pregnancy | Dr Federica Amati
    Jul 13 2026
    We tend to treat pregnancy as the starting line for a child's health. In this episode, Dr Federica Amati, Head Nutritionist at ZOE, makes the evidence-based case that the window opens earlier, in the months before conception, and that it shapes fertility and lifelong health in ways most of us were never told. What I valued most is her balance. The science is striking, but she frames it as information to act on rather than a reason for guilt, and she is honest about how much sits with environment and policy rather than individual choice. What we cover: Why the first 1,000 days may be the longevity lever almost no one talks about How a father's metabolic health links to his child's brain, and a mother's to their metabolism The 90-day preconception window, and what both partners can do What the decline in sperm counts really means for individuals GLP-1 medications, fertility, and a contraception detail too few people hear Protein, eggs, soy, and choosing a prenatal supplement, myths included Whether you are planning a pregnancy, supporting a partner, or simply curious about how much of our health is set before birth, I think this one will stay with you. To connect with Dr Federica Amati, follow her on Instagram and explore her work at ZOE. If you enjoy the show, please take a moment to rate and review The Proof on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It genuinely helps more people find these conversations. Intro (00:00) Why Your Baby's Health Is Set Before Birth (03:13) Dr. Federica Amati's Background in Maternal Nutrition (07:41) What 48 of 52 Cell Differentiations Means for Your Baby (15:33) How Egg and Sperm Health Drive Conception Outcomes (21:40) Does What You Do Preconception Affect the Baby Too (26:09) Sperm DNA and Placental Health: The Father's Hidden Role (30:39) Heat, Laptops, and Sauna: What Kills Sperm Quality (32:56) Is the 50% Sperm Count Decline Real (39:32) Soy Foods, Testosterone, and Male Fertility Myths Debunked (44:30) Foods to Avoid in the 90-Day Preconception Window (48:10) GLP-1 Drugs, Fertility, and Unplanned Pregnancies (54:28) First Trimester Nausea: What Actually Helps (59:42) How to Choose a Prenatal Supplement (01:04:34) How Much Protein Do You Actually Need in Pregnancy (01:07:30) Can a Plant-Based Diet Work During Pregnancy (01:11:59) Tylenol in Pregnancy: Is It Safe (01:15:55) Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also support the show by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and sharing your favourite episodes with friends and family. We'd love your feedback. Complete our quick 2-minute audience survey to help us better understand what content, topics, and guests you enjoy most. Take the survey at voicingchange.media/simon. This episode is brought to you by: 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. 38Tera ships to the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. IM8 With 92 nutrients, including Vitamin B12, Iodine, Selenium and Vitamin D, in highly absorbable forms, IM8 Daily Essentials is the perfect all-in-one daily multi-vitamin to ensure you meet your daily micronutrient needs. IM8 is offering an exclusive 10% off your first order with a free welcome kit when you enter the promo code SIMON at checkout on im8health.com. IM8 ships to 27 countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many regions across Europe, Asia, and South America. Function Health Take charge of your health with advanced blood testing and personalised insights. Function Health offers a practical way to track key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and more. Learn more and join at functionhealth.com/simonhill for a $25 credit toward your membership. Only available to those living in the United States. Function Health ships to 48 U.S. states, excluding Rhode Island, Hawai‘i, and Puerto Rico. Pique Pique’s Nandaka combines fermented Pu’er tea, full-spectrum Reishi, ceremonial cacao, and L-theanine for calm, sustained energy without the coffee crash. Unlock 20% off and establish your powerful foundation for sustained well-being at Piquelife.com/SIMON. Pique ships within the U.S. and to Australia, Canada, and select EU countries. Truemed Truemed helps qualified customers use pre-tax HSA or FSA dollars on health-related products like fitness, recovery, and sleep tools, often saving around 30% on average. Visit truemed.com/THEPROOF to see what qualifies. This is hands down the best way to make the most of your health dollars. WHOOP Whoop, the most advanced fitness and health wearable available. Your personalised fitness and health coach to recover faster, sleep better, and train smarter. Claim your first month free on join.whoop.com/simon. Whoop ships...
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    1 hr and 24 mins
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