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Know Your Physio
Knowing your physiology, the very science that makes you who you are, is the best thing you can do to optimize your health, bolster your performance, look and feel your best, and enjoy a longer and more fulfilling lifespan. My dedication to this field derives from a selfish place born out of necessity before it became the bright, selfless passion I'm known for. It was through my health journey (mainly battling ADD and ten years of Adderall dependency plus related side effects) and love for the scientific method that I found my way. Eventually, with the right knowledge and mentorship, I stumbled upon an enhanced state of awareness between mind, body, and spirit where healthy intentions met actionable steps and lasting, positive lifestyle change. Today I call this "physiological intuition," and to me, it's a right that every human being deserves to thrive with, without having to battle themselves or pursue a degree to discover it. Every day I spend on this planet, I get to connect with world-leading experts on my podcast and learn more of the substance I wish I could have gotten my hands on earlier, for YOU to apply and enjoy total mind and body fitness, personal mastery, and self-actualization! The more you #KnowYourPhysio… Enjoy the show!
Know Your Physio
Chocolate, Oxytocin, and the Biology of Courage with Yaniv Simpson
While most of us associate chocolate bars with a guilty pleasure, cacao in its purest form is actually a superfood with a ton of benefits. Today’s guest is Yaniv Simpson, and he is the CEO of The Conscious Bar, a 100% sustainable chocolate that is both delicious and nourishing. Our conversation with Yaniv is all about chocolate, the good kind, and we dive into the story behind The Conscious Bar and the many benefits of this superfood for health. Yaniv talks about his journey as an athlete and how he had to leave basketball behind because of a series of injuries. After shifting into the world of business, Yaniv struggled with the question of purpose for many years, and this was when he got the idea to combine his passions for wellness and chocolate by founding The Conscious Bar. We talk about the ethics behind the product and how this fits into its nourishing ingredients, sourcing approach, and sustainable packaging. Yaniv weighs in on the fact that his chocolate is only made from two superfoods, cacao and dates, and we get into the many health benefits of the antioxidants, minerals, and fibers found in them. Here we explore the stress-relieving effects of oxytocin, the high count of antioxidants in cacao and dates, and a whole lot more. So for all this and some other great perspectives on the artistry of chocolate making, be sure to tune in for today’s great conversation.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Yaniv’s journey with injuries while pursuing his first love of basketball.
- How Yaniv had to leave basketball and move into business but felt he had no purpose.
- Yaniv’s lifelong passion for chocolate and how he got the idea to create a healthy and nourishing form of it.
- How the healthy intention behind Yaniv’s product influenced the name ‘The Conscious Bar’.
- Challenges getting environmentally friendly packaging due to a lack of suppliers.
- The role of the best chocolatiers in achieving the difficult task of sweetening chocolate with dates.
- Corruption in the cacao industry and challenges around paying farmers for cacao directly.
- The low benchmark for accepted amounts of cacao solids in chocolate bars.
- Perspectives on the flavor profiles of different cacao beans and the artistic skill of chocolatiers.
- The health benefits of the antioxidants and minerals found in cacao.
- Chocolate’s effect on oxytocin levels and its association with warmth and love.
- The health benefits of dates, the only ingredient in Yaniv’s chocolate other than cacao.
- How Yaniv’s chocolate doesn’t spike glucose levels and fits in with a keto diet.
- Kelly McGonigal’s research on making stress your friend and the role of oxytocin in the stress response.
- The role of the food we eat in our general sense of health and wellbeing.
- The role of social interaction on good health and how chocolate encourages this.
- Imagining a place where only good food can be bought and the mood-enhancing effects of this environment.
- Where to find The Conscious Bar online and learn more about its healthy chocolate.
- Last words about the exciting toasted coconut flavor of The Conscious Bar.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The Conscious Bar on Instagram