075 - I Tried Fasting for 96 Hours and This Happened

Is fasting actually the reset your body has been waiting for? And what really happens when you go 24, 48, 72, even 96 hours without eating?In today’s episode, I break down the full truth of what happened to my body and mind across a four-day fast — from the first hunger wave… to the unexpected clarity… to the moment my long-standing Achilles pain finally started to heal.This isn’t theory.This is exactly what I experienced — paired with what leading experts like Dr. Andrew Huberman and Dr. Peter Attia have discovered about extended fasting, insulin, autophagy, ketones, inflammation, stem-cell activation, and metabolic repair.If you’ve ever wondered why fasting improves energy, why your cravings disappear after a certain point, or how ketones actually change your brain, this episode will finally give you a clear, simple, science-backed explanation.Reference: Transcript sourceIn this solo deep dive, I break down:– The real reason I attempted a 96-hour fast– What happens hour-by-hour as glucose runs out and ketones take over– Why insulin resistance ruins energy, hunger signals, and fat-burning– When autophagy begins and what “cellular cleanup” actually means– How stem cells activate later in the fast and why old injuries start healing– The science behind visceral fat vs. subcutaneous fat– Why electrolytes (LMNT) were a lifesaver during the process– The moment mental clarity snapped into place– What 72 hours felt like — emotionally, not physically– How my Achilles tendon pain improved for the first time in years– What a 96-hour fast really does to cravings, metabolism, and mood– What I ate to break the fast safely– My new plan: monthly 36-hour fasts + 18:6 eating schedule– Why I’m preparing for a major calisthenics event in Cleveland this MayThis isn’t a weight-loss tutorial.This is a blueprint for longevity, discipline, and metabolic health — built on lived experience.If you’re curious about fasting, stuck in low energy, or feeling disconnected from your physical potential, this episode will give you clarity and direction.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction02:15 Why fasting — and why now04:12 What fasting is NOT (not a weight-loss hack)06:10 Huberman, Attia, and Limitless: inspirations08:30 Day 1: glucose, insulin, electrolytes11:05 Ketosis & visceral fat explained14:20 Day 2: energy returns, hunger fades16:40 Autophagy and cellular repair18:55 Day 3: HGH spike & stem-cell activation23:10 How fasting reduced my Achilles pain27:45 Hitting the emotional wall at 72 hours31:00 Completing the full 96 hours33:10 What actually happens to your weight35:00 Refeeding: bone broth, whole foods, and appreciation38:15 My new fasting & nutrition plan40:40 Preparing for the Cleveland calisthenics event43:30 Final thoughtsFOLLOW DEREKInstagram: https://instagram.com/healthmovementpodcastJOIN THE HEALTH MOVEMENTSubscribe to The Health Movement Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@HealthMovementPodcastJoin our community: https://healthmovement.usDr. Peter Attia — https://peterattiamd.comDr. Andrew Huberman — https://hubermanlab.comAll Muscle Service (Calisthenics event) — https://www.instagram.com/allmuscleserviceLMNT Purchase - Amazon - https://amzn.to/4pSaoJk