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We have all heard the sayings and clichés, but what is the truth behind being afraid of dying? In this episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with Elena Brower, a best-selling author, meditation teacher, and hospice volunteer, to discuss the profound topics of impermanence, living intentionally, and preparing for the end of life.

Drawing from her own experience with the loss of her mother, Elena shares her journey into hospice work and Buddhist chaplaincy, revealing how embracing the reality of death has become her most sacred practice. This conversation is not about morbidity but about using the awareness of death to live a more vibrant, present, and meaningful life.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

1:24 - The Five Remembrances

3:16 - Living with Impermanence

5:11 - The Two Kinds of Physicians

6:14 - Elena's Journey as a Hospice Volunteer

9:22 - Why Not Just Wait to be Afraid?

10:05 - The Power of Day-by-Day Awareness

13:34 - The Practice of Letting Go of Your Personality

15:40 - Making the Room Sacred

17:06 - Why Our Culture Turns Away from Death

23:02 - Do We Need Rituals?

26:39 - Talking to Children about Death

28:27 - Trauma, Grief, and Meeting Death Differently

30:20 - Zen Meditation vs. Other Modalities

38:54 - The Power of Friendship

45:45 - The Lightning Speed of Letting Go

46:33 - Cultivated Things

47:07 - Redefining Success

48:10 - Emptying Self-Doubt

49:30 - The Purpose of Self-Doubt

53:16 - Navigating Too Much Information

54:23 - Sitting Still and Weight Training

56:49 - Intergenerational Healing

59:09 - The Grandmother's Passing

1:01:36 - How Does Someone Become So Capable?

1:07:39 - The Most Powerful Form of Action

1:10:38 - Boundary Setting as an Act of Love

1:17:45 - The Altar of the Heart

1:19:22 - What to Say to Someone Who is Afraid of Dying

1:21:18 - A Quick Story

1:23:58 - Five Remembrances

1:25:01 - Meditation

1:31:16 - Closing Remarks

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Disclaimer: The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, YouTube, or materials linked from this podcast or YouTube is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professional for any such conditions.

In a powerful episode of the Dr. Gabrielle Lyon show, I sit down with my mentor, Dr. Donald Layman, to directly address some of the most common protein myths. We react to a controversial clip from the Huberman Lab podcast with Dr. Christopher Gardner, offering a different perspective on the conversation about protein intake, metabolic science, and dietary guidelines.

Dr. Layman, a pioneer in protein research, breaks down the outdated science behind the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), the flaws of nitrogen balance studies, and why a protein-conscious approach is crucial for your long-term health, not just for building muscle.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to cut through the confusion and understand what the science really says about protein, from its role in metabolism to why a grain-based diet may be leaving you deficient.

Want ad-free episodes, exclusive takeaways, and direct access to community Q&As? Subscribe to Forever Strong Insider and join me for deeper conversations, behind-the-scenes access, and more, every single week. Sign up here: https://foreverstrong.supercast.com

Chapters

0:00 - Intro: The Protein Debate

0:32 - Reacting to the Huberman Lab clip

1:31 - The flawed science of nitrogen balance studies

4:15 - The RDA's misleading "average requirement"

7:47 - The gross extrapolation of "deficiency"

10:41 - The original protein study subjects

12:15 - Why the RDA is much higher than the "minimum"

13:17 - Debunking the average American's protein intake

15:00 - Is there a storage depot for excess protein?

17:34 - The myth of protein being "wasted"

19:30 - Why some say protein metabolism is misunderstood

22:42 - Defining the RDA and EER

25:06 - Why Dr. Gardner's argument is flawed

27:17 - Why the nitrogen balance technique is wrong

32:37 - How to rectify the protein conversation

34:04 - Why we need to compare protein to carbs

41:09 - Comparing metabolic consequences of overeating carbs vs. protein

48:00 - Why a protein-conscious approach is critical

50:41 - Debunking the "incomplete" plant protein myth

55:28 - Do plant proteins have enough leucine?

1:02:45 - The myth of complimentary proteins

1:05:22 - The minimum protein for metabolic benefits

1:07:38 - The upper limit of protein

1:09:10 - The problem with "amino acid oxidation"

1:10:46 - The problem with amino acid supplements

1:13:15 - How do you diagnose protein deficiency?

1:18:13 - Debunking the "Americans eat the most meat" myth

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Disclaimer: The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, YouTube, or materials linked from this podcast or YouTube is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professional for any such conditions.

In this groundbreaking episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with Dr. Tobias Kohler, a professor of urology at the Mayo Clinic, to discuss a topic most people are afraid to talk about: men's sexual health.

Dr. Kohler shares eye-opening insights, backed by over two decades of clinical experience and research, on the powerful link between foundational health habits and male sexual function. They reveal why erectile dysfunction is a critical "check engine light" for heart disease and how building muscle and exercising can improve not just your erections, but your overall longevity.

This conversation goes beyond simple fixes, providing actionable, science-based information that every man needs to hear.

Looking to go deeper with The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show? Become a Forever Strong Insider for ad-free listening, written takeaways, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive Q&A with our guests. Subscribe here: https://foreverstrong.supercast.com

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Chapters

0:00 - Link between muscle mass & erections

0:52 - Erectile function

1:13 - The truth about penis size & penile implants

2:32 - The foundational pillars of men's health

8:48 - Erectile dysfunction is an early sign of heart disease

16:14 - The role of anxiety, alcohol & cannabis on ED

24:29 - The "use-it-or-lose-it" organ

29:31 - The truth about PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra & Cialis)

46:46 - The "C"s of urinary frequency

54:43 - The connection between muscle, testosterone & sexual function

1:02:07 - Is there a point of no return for penile health?

Erections: A “Check Engine Light” for Your Health

One of the most striking points from the discussion was Dr. Kohler’s perspective on erectile dysfunction (ED). He described it not just as a sexual problem, but as one of the earliest "check engine lights" for heart disease. The blood vessels leading to the penis are much smaller than those in the heart. As we age, plaque can build up in these vessels. This process, known as atherosclerosis, affects the smaller vessels first.

This means if you're experiencing persistent issues with erections, it's a strong indicator that you may have vascular problems that could soon affect your heart. As Dr. Kohler put it, "If the penis is failing, you should assume you're going to have problems with your heart soon until proven otherwise." The good news is that anything good for your heart—like exercise and a healthy diet—is also good for your penis.

The "Use-It-or-Lose-It" Organ

The conversation also tackled the surprising phenomenon of penile shortening. When the penis goes into a "garage" for an extended period—meaning there is a consistent lack of erections—it can lose length. Dr. Kohler shared that a consistent lack of erections for just three months can lead to a loss of 1-2 centimeters in length due to the formation of scar tissue. This is why he calls the penis a "use-it-or-lose-it" organ. The key to maintaining penile health is to exercise the penis through erections, and tools like a vacuum erection device can be used for penile