From Firefighter to Wellness Pioneer: Sammy Tejada on Why Biohacking Starts With 'No' — The Holistic Kids Show

Timestamp 00:00 — Introduction & Welcome 00:32 — Guest Introduction: Sammy Tejada 01:48 — From Firefighter to Wellness Entrepreneur 02:47 — Gaps in the Healthcare System 04:16 — Lifestyle vs. Medication: The Blood Pressure Example 07:18 — Modern Stress & Kids' Health 08:20 — Devices & Cortisol Production 09:35 — Mental Health as the Foundation of Wellness 12:21 — The Secret to Biohacking: 90% of the Job 13:32 — Three Free Pillars of Health: Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep 14:41 — How to Prepare for Sleep 16:04 — What Is Optimal Health? Health span & Quality of Life 17:30— "You Can't Improve What You Don't Measure" 21:32 — Health as the Most Valuable Currency 22:20 — Advice to His Younger Self & the Next Generation 24:21 — Episode Recap In this episode of The Holistic Kids Show, hosts Zane, Iman, and Kasim sit down with Sammy Tejada — a former firefighter and paramedic turned wellness entrepreneur and founder of Liquivita — to unpack what it really takes to take control of your health. Sammy shares his powerful journey from running 911 calls and witnessing the gaps in the traditional medical system firsthand, to working alongside a functional medicine doctor who focused on root causes rather than just managing symptoms. That experience inspired him to build a business dedicated to shifting healthcare from reactive "sick care" to true preventative wellness. The conversation covers the impact of modern stress and constant device exposure on kids' nervous systems, the importance of disconnecting and reconnecting with nature, and why mental health is the foundation of overall wellness. Sammy reveals his "secret to biohacking" — that 90% of the job is simply learning what to say "no" to — followed by three free, foundational pillars: nutrition, movement, and sleep. He also emphasizes the importance of measuring health through biomarkers and blood work rather than guessing, and reminds listeners that health is the most valuable currency you'll ever own. Tune in for actionable, no-cost wellness strategies that kids and families can start using today, and hear Sammy's message to the next generation: start early, be proactive, and never trade your health for anything. --- Learn more about Dr. Madiha Saeed at https://holisticmommd.com, or follow her on social media @HolisticMomMD