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In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, I interviewed Abel James, the New York Times bestselling author of The Wild Diet, host of The Abel James Show, musician, and longtime pioneer in the ancestral health space. Abel has been a friend in the wellness world for over a decade, and this conversation felt like catching up with someone who has truly evolved alongside the health movement itself.
We talked about how the wellness space has changed over the years, from the early Paleo days and “bacon culture” to today’s conversations around longevity, AI, neuroplasticity, muscle preservation, and sustainable health practices. Abel shares why real food still matters, why many modern health trends miss the point, and how true wellness is about far more than abs or biohacking gadgets.
We also discuss his experience coaching on ABC’s weight loss competition show, his recovery after a serious car accident, and how aging well often means learning to work with your body instead of constantly pushing against it.
If you’ve ever wondered how to build a healthier life without becoming obsessive about wellness, this episode offers grounded wisdom and practical strategies to keep you feeling your best.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why “real food” is still one of the most powerful healing tools we have. Abel explains why so many health trends come and go, but foundational principles like eating nutrient-dense whole foods continue to stand the test of time. He also shares why reclaiming your health starts with removing the foods and habits that disconnect you from your body.
- The dangerous problem with modern weight loss culture (especially muscle loss). Abel shares behind-the-scenes insights from coaching on ABC’s weight loss competition show, and how his client lost 87 pounds, improved mobility, and maintained the results without extreme restriction.
- Why wellness can quietly become unhealthy. Abel shares why many people turn health into an obsession, chasing perfection through restrictive diets, overtraining, or extreme fitness goals. He explains why true health should give you more freedom, creativity, and energy for life – not make your world smaller.
- How aging changes what your body needs (and why that’s not a bad thing). From marathon running to heavy lifting, Abel talks honestly about the habits that worked in our 20s but no longer support long-term health. He shares how his own recovery journey shifted his focus toward mobility, recovery, strength preservation, and sustainable movement practices.
- The surprising connection between neuroplasticity, stress recovery, and healing. After a severe car accident, Abel explored therapies like PRP prolotherapy, ketamine infusions, and medically supervised psilocybin-assisted healing to support nervous system recovery. He also explains why nervous system healing is becoming such an important part of longevity conversations.
- Why AI can never replace human intuition and wisdom. Abel shares why concerns about relying too heavily on AI-generated health advice, especially when it comes to complex medical information, can be dangerous. Critical thinking, mentorship, books, and learning from real human experience are key when it comes to longevity and overall wellness.
Guest Resources / Connect with Abel James
- Visit Abel James’ Website
- Join Club Wild, Abel’s community-based coaching program to help you safely lose weight, optimize your health, and transform your life for good.
- Get Abel’s Wild Habits app – Get 2 months FREE when you join Club Wild!
- Listen to/watch The Abel James Show
- Follow Abel on social: X, YouTube, Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Rumble
- Watch his 360° virtual reality shows: Adventures with Abel, Improv with Abel
- Check out Abel’s books: The Wild Diet: Get Back to Your Roots, Burn Fat, and Drop Up to 20 Pounds in 40 Days, Designer Babies Still Get Scabies: A Small Book of Mostly Silly Poetry, and The Musical Brain
Supplements We Discussed
- Bone Broth – Abel discusses using bone broth as a nourishing tool during fasting and recovery periods. He also touches on bone broth fasting as a gentler fasting strategy that may support satiety and digestive rest.
- Electrolytes/Salt – Important for supporting hydration and energy levels during fasting. Consider Rootcology Electrolyte Blend.
Other Tools and Resources
- Pulsetto Vagus Nerve Stimulator – A non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation device that may help shift the body out of “fight-or-flight” mode and into a calmer state. Potential benefits include reduced stress, improved sleep, emotional regulation, and nervous system resilience.
- Neuroplasticity Therapies – PRP prolotherapy, ketamine-assisted therapy, and psilocybin-assisted healing were discussed in the context of recovery after trauma.
- Psilocybin (under medical supervision) – Discussed in the context of neuroplasticity and nervous system recovery. Check out our previous podcast episode, Trauma, Autoimmunity, and the Emerging Science of Psychedelic Therapy, for more information on psychedelic-assisted therapy.
- Ketamine Therapy (clinical settings only) – Used therapeutically to support stress recovery and brain rewiring after trauma.
- Real Food/Ancestral Nutrition Principles – Abel emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense foods over restrictive fad diets.
- Walking and Daily Movement – Consistent walking and outdoor movement are central to sustainable weight loss success.
- Resistance Training and Muscle Preservation – Maintaining skeletal muscle is critical for longevity and healthy aging.
- Mobility Training – Abel discusses shifting away from extreme heavy lifting toward mobility and functional movement.
- Sunshine and Circadian Rhythm Support – Daily outdoor exposure plays an important role in metabolic and mental health.
- Community and Creativity – Abel highlights music, creativity, purpose, and meaningful human connection as essential components of wellness.
Books and Articles About Longevity, Thyroid Health, and Sustainable Wellness
- The Wild Diet: Get Back to Your Roots, Burn Fat, and Drop Up to 20 Pounds in 40 Days by Abel James – The Wild Diet features foodie-friendly indulgent meals that will help you program your body to burn fat instead of sugar. Thousands of people across the world have reclaimed their health and lost 20, 50 or even more than 100 pounds with real food following the Wild Diet.
- Adrenal Transformation Protocol: A 4-Week Plan to Release Stress Symptoms and Go from Surviving to Thriving by Dr. Izabella Wentz – A simple program to help you balance mood and mental health by identifying adrenal triggers, balancing the stress response, and building resilience to future stress.
- Why Balancing Blood Sugar is Vital for Hashimoto’s Health
- Are Your Adrenals Sabotaging Your Health?
- Which Protein Is Safe for Hashimoto’s?
- Muscle Wasting and Hashimoto’s
- How to Lose Weight With Hashimoto’s
- Mindfulness & Meditation for Thyroid Health
- The Importance of Electrolytes for Hashimoto’s
- Bone Broth for Thyroid Health
Get the Full Episode Transcript
Let’s Connect!
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Got questions? Drop them in the comments! 🙂
About Our Host
Dr. Izabella Wentz
Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of chronic health conditions. Her passion stems from her own diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009, following a decade of debilitating symptoms.
Dr. Izabella Wentz has written several best-selling books, including the New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, the protocol-based #1 New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back, the Wall Street Journal bestseller Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, and Adrenal Transformation Protocol. Her latest book, IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is now out in the world, and available here!
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About Our Guest
Abel James is a New York Times bestselling author, top podcaster, and recording artist. A leading voice in health and technology for more than a decade, he hosts an award-winning podcast to help people across the world optimize performance, mindset, and longevity.
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