Ep 26: Meet the man creating an integrated global health system | Craig Bullock

In this conversation, I speak with Craig Bullock, the founder of Alchemy Soul, a premium wellbeing operating system designed to help individuals build structure, discipline, and clarity through daily habits and guided systems.With over 15 years of experience in fitness, coaching, and wellness, Craig is a qualified fitness instructor (since 2009) and a lifelong martial artist. He has trained in boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling; competed across multiple disciplines; and worked alongside world-class athletes, including cornering world champions.Craig is also the founder of Southside MMA in Phuket, Vego—a plant-based lifestyle café in Koh Samui —and Alchemy Soul Retreats. Both his cafe and retreats offer a balanced approach to wellbeing by combining traditional retreat practices such as yoga, breathwork, and meditation with mental resilience and more masculine disciplines like martial arts.Enjoy listening in.We covered:- The origins of Craig Bullock's plant-based lifestyle- Martial arts as a path to self-cultivation- The role of internal psychology and mental models in health- Development and purpose of the wellness app and book- The importance of the six pillars of lifestyle medicine- Why pushing harder often leads to the opposite effect in health- The impact of eating more plants on athleticism and fitness training- Craig's vision for integrative health vs the health fragmentation that's become a global problemChapters00:00 Introduction and Background02:49 The Journey to Plant-Based Living05:37 The Impact of Martial Arts on Life11:24 Philosophy and Mindfulness in Martial Arts17:02 Mental Models and Personal Growth22:45 The True Essence of Shaolin Monks23:56 Evolution of Craig's Career and Philosophy26:15 Challenges of Introducing Plant-Based Nutrition28:22 Creating Balance in Wellness Retreats29:45 The Journey of Writing 'Quantum Alchemy'31:33 The Duality of Human Nature33:05 Understanding Fragmentation and Ignorance34:45 Alchemy: Transforming Lower Energies37:57 Bridging the Gap After Retreats40:34 The Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine47:12 Contextual Understanding in Health Discussions52:14 The Overwhelm of Health Information57:31 The Pursuit of Purpose and Wellbeing01:03:17 The Power of Awareness and Mindfulness01:06:37 Identifying Root Causes for Health TransformationYou can learn more about Craig Bullock and Alchemy Soul below:Website: alchemysoul.app Instagram: @craigbullockalchemyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-bullock-ast/If you're a career-driven parent over 40 who wants to use evidence-based exercise, nutrition, and psychology for your health, the VBL Podcast is your new health and fitness resource.Learn how to create a lean, strong, and healthy body in less time while feeling confident in your health.Every Friday, we share practical tips to build optimal health and strength in minimal time.Get free access to our 9-day body transformation course and newsletter below:https://www.veganfitnessredefined.com/newsletter-1Our online personal training special: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18EOnVkVRg5T4Mt5GB9oapy7g_-mU5KgiygHvC0_Jt3Y/edit?usp=sharingStay connected:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.zhanayInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriel.zhanay/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-zhanay-522153147/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gabriel.zhanay