White Coat Black Sheep

SHOW NOTESAndrea Gebhardt is a leadership and business coach, mother, and host of her own leadership podcast, reachable across social platforms as "Andrea Gebhardt" and at brewingsuccess.com. She joins Dr. Civelli for a conversation that moves from leadership and boundaries into hormone health, biological age, and a live read of her own blood work.In this conversation, they cover:The difference between managing time and rationing energy, and the personal rule Andrea uses to protect her schedule from last-minute add-onsA leadership lesson about listening before jumping in with solutions, learned early in Andrea's career transition from teacher to administratorSocial battery, boundaries, and the "five cars in the drive-through" rule for protecting personal peaceBiological age testing: Andrea's result came back at 38, while Dr. Civelli shares that her own biological age was 55 shortly after residencyThe omega-3 index as an overlooked marker for sudden cardiac event risk, and how Andrea used chia seeds and coconut milk to raise hersA breakdown of blood type theory (O as the oldest blood type suited to heavy protein and intense exercise, A suited to lighter, plant-forward eating, and AB as the newest and least understood) as it relates to diet and exercise responseA detailed explanation of mitochondria: their structure, their role producing cellular energy, and what poor mitochondrial health looks likeWhy alcohol is now classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, and the idea that an alcohol "buzz" is technically an early symptom of alcohol poisoningPerimenopause and menopause, including the drop in growth hormone around age 30, painful intimacy, and the lack of a normalized conversation around treatmentThe importance of routine bloodwork, including markers like vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc, for long-term health and longevityA live, unscripted moment where Dr. Civelli reviews Andrea's real lab results on air, flags an elevated iron saturation and thyroid antibody count consistent with Hashimoto's, and discusses gluten avoidance and a short steroid course as next steps

SHOW NOTESRhonda Vaughn works in a large orthopedic surgery practice and, outside of that role, has become an advocate for Kangen Water, a Japanese water ionization technology that's been in use for roughly 50 years. She was first introduced to it through a personal conversation and has since built it into her daily life, for herself, her Yorkshire Terrier, and her plants.In this conversation, she and Dr. Civelli cover:What ERW (electrolyzed reduced water) is and how a water ionizer separates a water stream into different pH levels, from acidic to alkalineThe claim that this technology is classified as a medical device in Japan and used in hospitals thereRhonda's personal experience coming off Gabapentin after 8 to 10 years, the brain fog she says it caused, and what the withdrawal process was likeThe range of uses she describes across the different water pH levels: drinking water, a toner for skin, a natural hair detangler, a surface disinfectant, and water for houseplants and petsA discussion of microplastics in bottled water, including Dr. Civelli's own experience finding microplastics on a personal specialty lab panelHRV (heart rate variability) and vagal nerve health as it relates to stress tracking and wearable devicesA broader conversation about the bottled water industry, food additives, and consumer trust in labelingSeveral claims in this episode, including specific health outcomes attributed to drinking this water, reflect Rhonda's personal experience and testimonials she's heard from others rather than clinical research findings. Viewers should treat these as personal accounts, not medical guidance.

SHOW NOTES"Dr. J," who goes by the Car Wash Doc online, is an internal medicine physician and former Kaiser hospitalist who spent eight years working in San Diego after training at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in the Inland Empire. At the peak of running both his medical career and a growing car wash business, he was working roughly 100-hour weeks, night shifts at the hospital combined with hands-on days managing his sites, and experienced significant burnout before leaving Kaiser in December 2025.In this conversation, he and Dr. Civelli cover:How he used SBA loans, starting with a $250,000 minimum, to acquire and turn around underperforming car washes, scaling to 21 locations worth an estimated $60 million with roughly $6 million investedThe choice he ultimately had to make between medicine, entrepreneurship, and lifestyle, and why leaving medicine became the easier pathHis advocacy for subscription-based business models, tax strategy, and replacing earned medical income with scalable business incomeWhy physician skills, empathy, diagnostic thinking, critical thinking, communication, translate directly into running and scaling a businessBuilding wellness centers of his own and the irony of being "unwell in a wellness industry"His wife's parallel career as a nurse anesthetist and YouTube content creator, and how they built their business and family life around each otherThe burnout culture in medicine: insurance red tape, prior authorizations, and the feeling of being a "paper pusher" rather than a critical thinkerHis personal health turnaround since leaving Kaiser: consistent gym time, better meals at home, red light therapy, saunas, and cold plungesHis own biological age testing through True Diagnostic, which returned a result of 55 shortly after residency during his highest-stress period, and the work since to bring that number down closer to his real ageHis closing message to physicians: you are not defined by your degree, and it's never too late to start over

SHOW NOTESDr. Sulagshan "Shaun" Mahendrarajah is a board-certified neurologist practicing in Bakersfield, California, currently opening his own neurology clinic at Doctor's Park (Ming Avenue and New Stine Road). Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Montreal after his family fled the civil war, he trained in the Netherlands Antilles, completed clinicals in Chicago, and did his residency at the University of Iowa before practicing in Oregon, Texas, and now California.In this conversation, he and Dr. Civelli cover:The physical signs that let a trained neurologist diagnose Parkinson's on sight, including decreased blink reflex and masked facial expressionNon-motor early warning signs: loss of smell, constipation, REM behavior sleep disorder, and shrinking handwritingHow the DaT scan and PET scan have changed diagnostic confirmation for Parkinson's and Alzheimer'sThe role of exercise in slowing both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's progression, based on his own patient outcomesThe frustrating reality of insurance denials, peer-to-peer reviews, and step therapy requirements for dementia and Parkinson's medicationsApoE testing and the bleeding risk considerations behind infusion therapies for Alzheimer'sFunctional medicine and genomic testing as a cash-pay option in his upcoming practiceHis personal meditation practice, tied to Hindu tradition and a two-week trip to Varanasi, IndiaThe concept of svadharma, or true calling, and how it shaped his decision to leave a hospital job and open his own clinicHis father's story of being tortured while fleeing the Sri Lankan civil war, and the survivor's guilt that follows his family's story

IntroIn this episode of White Coat Black Sheep, Dr. Civelli sits down with Mary Rose Gutierrez, a healthcare business development professional, aspiring actress, and luxury wellness travel expert who has spent her career selling five star escapes to the Maldives while quietly working through a reset of her own. They cover everything from her surprise role in a new Filipino-American series to the fifteen pounds she has lost since an IVF process last year, and what a gut microbiome test taught her about the way she eats.Topics CoveredSplitting her career between healthcare business development and luxury resort salesHer background role in the new Filipino-American series Nurse the DeadAn upcoming short film headed to the California Film FestivalA modeling blooper from a cigar commercial shoot during her med school years in ChicagoThe biggest luxury travel booking of her career, a $400,000 stay, six nightsBuilding a business around wellness travel, not just vacationsWhat actually happens once you land at a five star Maldives resortCultural rules she had to learn quickly doing business in Saudi Arabia and the UAEYears spent living and working in Malaysia, Singapore, Grand Cayman, and St. KittsWhy she stepped back from full time nursing to focus on the business side of healthcareHer current skincare and supplement routineWhy she believes Bakersfield is ready for its own medical grade wellness destinationHer IVF process and the fifteen pounds she has lost since through intermittent fastingWhat a Viome gut microbiome test revealed about her personal food listHer scuba certification story, including a scary boat diveMentioned in EpisodeNurse the Dead (iWant series)California Film FestivalSun VenturesRecovering Co, a Bakersfield sauna and recovery studio (worth confirming exact spelling before this goes out)Viome gut microbiome testDior foundationA collagen supplement discovered through a Facebook ad (brand name not confirmed on air)Spoiled Child gummiesFlame and Skewers, a Bakersfield restaurantConnect with Dr. Civelli Trifecta Medical | trifectamedical.org 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield, CA 93308 (661) 677-2623 | [email protected] Personal brand: www.houseofval.com Instagram: @drcivelliServices: HRT, Peptides, Health Optimization, Botox, IV Hydration, Functional Medicine, Dermatology, Aesthetics, Regenerative Medicine, Hair Loss Treatments, Psychiatry, Clinical Trials

IntroIn this special episode of White Coat Black Sheep, Dr. Civelli isn't hosting, she's the guest speaker. She joined Empire Medical Training's live peptide webinar alongside Dr. Chris Crowley, Empire's Chief Medical Officer, with founder Dr. Steven Cosentino opening the session. Together they break down what peptides actually are, which ones are FDA approved versus banned versus somewhere in between, and the legal, insurance, and advertising realities that come with offering peptide therapy in a practice.Topics CoveredWhat a peptide is, structurally and functionallyThe four major peptide categories in demand right now: healing (BPC-157, TB-500), weight loss (GLP-1s), cognitive/longevity, and skinThe angiogenesis and undiagnosed cancer risk question with BPC-157Why her malpractice insurance premium doubled after disclosing peptide prescribingThe real meaning behind peptides being called banned, and the difference between FDA approved, removed from the prohibited list, and still prohibitedThe FDA's April 2026 removal of six peptides from the prohibited category and what still has to happen before they're fully approvedWhether compounded medications are still considered unsafe, and how to vet a compounding pharmacyTwo real legal cases involving unapproved peptide distribution and their consequencesBuilding effective, synergistic peptide stacks without overwhelming a patientHow to find and work with a healthcare attorney who helps you find compliant paths forward instead of just saying noFDA rules around advertising peptide therapy without making unsubstantiated claimsHow peptide regulation differs by state, with Florida cited as more peptide friendly than much of the SoutheastThe legal exposure of mid-level providers selling peptides without proper physician oversightMentioned in EpisodeBPC-157 and TB-500, together known as the Wolverine StackGLP-1 peptides: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, RetatrutideCognitive and longevity peptides, including Semax, Selank, and EpithalonGHK-Cu, a copper peptide used for skinThe FDA's April 2026 removal of six peptides from its prohibited compounding categoryUSP 797, the federal compounding lawByrd Adatto, a healthcare and med spa focused law firmCompounding pharmacy partners referenced: Empower Pharmacy, Olympia, and Anazao HealthJournal of Peptide Science and Peptides as ongoing research resourcesEmpire Medical Training's peptide certification course pathwayConnect with Dr. Civelli Trifecta Medical | trifectamedical.org 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield, CA 93308 (661) 677-2623 | [email protected] Personal brand: www.houseofval.com Instagram: @drcivelliServices: HRT, Peptides, Health Optimization, Botox, IV Hydration, Functional Medicine, Dermatology, Aesthetics, Regenerative Medicine, Hair Loss Treatments, Psychiatry, Clinical Trials

IntroIn this episode of White Coat Black Sheep, Dr. Civelli sits down with Jen, a mom, grandmother, and someone who calls herself a mom CEO, to talk about her long journey through Hashimoto's disease, hypothyroidism, and a healthcare system that kept telling her she was fine when she didn't feel fine at all. Jen shares how she went from burnout and 185 pounds to bioidentical hormone therapy, peptides, and a level of energy she describes as annoyingly happy, and how that shift rippled out to her husband, her kids, and even her animals.Topics CoveredHashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism diagnosisBeing told repeatedly that lab work was normal despite ongoing symptomsInsurance denying a referral to an endocrinologistSwitching from synthetic to bioidentical thyroid medicationStarting hormone replacement therapy, including progesterone, and its impact on sleep and moodExploring peptides for recovery, inflammation, and overall functionGut microbiome testing and how it changed her approach to foodDNA Intellect genetic testingReassessing family history as genetics versus environment, using her mother's lung cancer diagnosis as an exampleHer husband's parallel transformation, including weight loss and coming off blood pressure medicationPeptides in pets, including BPC-157 for her dog and her cousin's Great DaneThe story of her rescue horse Boss, a survivor of the 2017 Cottonwood Fire, his recovery at UC Davis, and his recent ulcer treatmentThe importance of finding the right fit between doctor and patientPrioritizing sleep and realistic movement over rigid exercise routinesLongevity patterns in both her family and her husband's familyMentioned in EpisodeHashimoto's disease and hypothyroidismBioidentical thyroid medicationProgesterone and hormone replacement therapyBPC-157, TB500, and KPV peptidesRetatrutide, mentioned as an unverified report about Eli Lilly pursuing biologic status for itGut microbiome testingDNA Intellect genetic testingReda TrueTide (name as transcribed, worth confirming spelling before this goes out)Ulcergard (omeprazole)UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and Dr. MadiganThe 2017 Cottonwood FireConnect with Dr. Civelli Trifecta Medical | trifectamedical.org 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield, CA 93308 (661) 677-2623 | [email protected] Personal brand: www.houseofval.com Instagram: @drcivelli

Intro:Twelve-year-old quarterback Marz Lopez, aka "50 West Cowboy," sits down with Dr. Civelli to talk about life as a young athlete with NFL dreams — his training, his diet, his family, and his honest curiosity about how to grow taller and build muscle. The conversation turns into a real, protective breakdown of why performance-enhancing drugs are dangerous for a still-developing body, plus a detour into mitochondria and an attempted chess match.Topics covered:00:00 – Meeting Marz: quarterback, "50 West Cowboy," seventh grader00:56 – A day in the life: routine, breakfast, school02:30 – Football, playing quarterback, and the NFL dream02:57 – Family life: twin sister Armani, younger brother, and good genes04:09 – A quick check on dad's health history06:04 – Working out, staying fit, and the weightlifting-and-height myth07:44 – Travel for football camps: San Diego, San Jose, LA09:14 – Wanting to gain weight and eat enough protein10:04 – Building a real nutrition plan: protein targets, greens, sleep12:32 – The big question: performance enhancement and testosterone13:06 – What actually happens to a teenage body on steroids14:46 – Marz's favorite topic: mitochondria, explained simply20:22 – An attempted chess lessonConnect with Trifecta Medical:trifectamedical.orgwww.houseofval.com(661) [email protected] Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CA 93308Guest intake: [email protected]

Intro:Dr. Susan Nichols spent over a decade training to become a cardiothoracic surgeon — from the University of Iowa College of Medicine through a UCSF residency and a Stanford fellowship — only to have a profound spiritual awakening mid-fellowship that redirected her entire life. Today she holds an Executive MBA from Emory's Goizueta Business School and works as a financial advisor with MassMutual out of Atlanta, blending clinical training and behavioral finance to help clients confront generational patterns around money. She's also a TEDx speaker on The Frequency of Money®, a three-time author, a Reiki energy healer, and host of the Be Conscious® Podcast. In this episode, she joins Dr. Civelli to unpack what her awakening looked like, how it connects to generational trauma around money and worth, and a practical framework for transforming stuck emotional patterns.Topics covered:00:00 – Dr. Nichols' path from chemist to surgeon to financial advisor10:00 – The "protracted adolescence" of long medical training13:00 – Tracing sadness back to generational wounds around security and money22:00 – The Map of Consciousness and living at the frequency of shame30:00 – Out-of-body experiences during her fellowship and what shifted after34:00 – Family shame around money and sexuality, and how it's carried forward45:00 – A 3-step exercise for transforming stuck emotional patterns53:00 – Applying energy work to modern financial planningMentioned in episode:Dr. David Hawkins, The Map of ConsciousnessMaslow's Hierarchy of NeedsReiki healing training (2013–2015)The Be Conscious® PodcastTEDx talk on The Frequency of Money®About Dr. Susan Nichols, MD, MBA:Dr. Nichols is a former physician-surgeon turned financial professional, medical intuitive, and energy healer. She practices out of The Piedmont Group in Atlanta, GA as a financial advisor and registered representative with MML Investors Services, LLC (MassMutual). She is Founder and CEO of the Human Consciousness Consortium Publishing and SusanNicholas.org, a three-time author, and host of the Be Conscious® Podcast.Connect:The Piedmont Group, 6 Concourse Parkway, Suite 2700, Atlanta, GA 30328(770) 551-3404trifectamedical.orgwww.houseofval.com(661) [email protected] Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CA 93308Guest intake: [email protected]

Dr. Rasham Sandhu is an interventional cardiologist in private practice in Bakersfield, California, and the founder and host of the Next Phase Human podcast. His practice focuses on delivering high-quality cardiovascular care with a growing interest in wellness, metabolic health, and the intersection of traditional and functional medicine. He is the founder of California Cardiovascular Institute.Topics Covered00:00 Opening and show intro00:23 Meet Dr. Rasham Sandhu01:00 A cardiologist's daily schedule: procedures, office, and evening training02:00 EAAs, taurine, and skipping traditional pre-workout03:00 Morning routine: Kriya Yoga, meditation, red light therapy, cold plunge, protein04:00 Cold plunge timing and why he keeps at least 12 hours between training and plunge05:00 11 minutes per week: the cold plunge sweet spot05:30 Lymphatic drainage, Hyperice boots, and Surya Namaskar06:00 Growing up in India, entering med school at 18, and the path to cardiology09:00 The CCU rotation that made everything click10:00 Functional medicine vs. traditional medicine: the false binary12:00 The biochemistry light bulb moment14:00 Thinking at the mechanism level: upstream vs. downstream disease15:00 Building CCI from scratch three years ago16:00 PET/CT: calcium scoring, stress testing, and myocardial blood flow in one scan17:00 When to start cardiovascular screening and why disease is moving younger18:00 How calcium builds up in your arteries explained simply19:00 Rotablator, shockwave lithotripsy, and the tools of interventional cardiology21:00 Vagal nerve stimulators: breathwork, Pulsetto, Sensate, and what works23:00 Dr. Sandhu's HRV in the 20s: what is driving it and what it means25:00 Why your body treats a hotel room as a threat27:00 Wind-down routines and why we are terrible at them28:00 The blue light iPad study and the effect that lasted days30:00 The guilt of being on call and putting the phone down32:00 Random questions from the bowl35:00 Three types of conversations: heard, helped, and hugged37:00 The 40s squeeze and the cost of ignoring it39:00 The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle41:00 Dandapani on awareness, focus, and distraction42:00 The squirrel that crashed a hormone lectureMentioned in This EpisodeDr. Rasham Sandhu | @nextphasehuman | California Cardiovascular Institute | cacvinst.comNext Phase Human Podcast | Spotify | Apple PodcastsEckhart Tolle — The Power of NowDandapani — awareness and focusHyperice compression bootsSensate vagal nerve stimulatorPulsetto vagal nerve stimulatorKriya Yoga / Surya NamaskarCold plunge science: 11 minutes per weekPET/CT cardiac imagingCalcium scoringEAAs and taurine as pre-workoutConnectDr. Valerie CivelliInstagram: @drcivelliTrifecta Medical | trifectamedical.org7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CA 93308(661) 677-2623 | [email protected] inquiries: [email protected]. Rasham SandhuInstagram: @nextphasehumanNext Phase Human PodcastSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033qZ46toArgzpRrRrlpvbApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/next-phase-human-w-dr-sandhu/id1896859526California Cardiovascular Institute | cacvinst.com8337 Brimhall Rd Building 1200, Bakersfield CA 93312

David has spent nine years building a following of more than half a million subscribers for his police accountability work in the San Joaquin Valley. Off camera, he's spent almost as long trying to figure out what's actually wrong with his gut. GERD as a kid. An acid reflux diagnosis in his twenties. A diverticulitis flare up that led to antibiotics one doctor now says he never needed. A proton pump inhibitor that sent him into a middle of the night crisis. And a phone call with his primary care doctor that ended with an offer of antidepressants and the suggestion that he stop Googling his symptoms.In this episode, Dr. Civelli sits down with David to walk through his entire health history, symptom by symptom, and talk about what a real root cause workup actually looks like: stress, activity, food, and the testing most doctors never mention because insurance rarely covers it.Topics Covered 00:00 – Intro: where science gets curious and dogma gets uncomfortable 00:22 – Meet David: nine years of police accountability content, and how his approach changed 02:06 – Losing his mom to cancer in 2014, and the nutrition question that never left him 03:42 – Years of unexplained pain, and doctors with no answers 04:56 – Childhood GERD and growing up in Wasco, California 06:09 – A CT scan, a diverticulitis diagnosis, and antibiotics he didn't need 07:27 – A proton pump inhibitor sends him into a middle of the night crisis 08:18 – Turning to Dr. Berg and other online doctors for answers he wasn't getting 08:58 – A diverticulosis diagnosis, and learning to walk after every meal 10:20 – A slight fatty liver, and the fast to feel human again cycle 11:26 – New chest pain, clean scans, and a ChatGPT rabbit hole 12:16 – Losing 30 pounds in two weeks, and surprising his own doctor 13:53 – Ruling out parasites, H. pylori, and IBS one test at a time 14:24 – Meeting a functional medicine doctor who questions the good bacteria script 15:53 – The doctor who wouldn't let him speak, and his son's frustration 16:24 – Making peace with whatever happens, and the three hour walk that helped 19:02 – Dr. Civelli's framework: stress, then activity, then food 20:36 – DNA and RNA gut testing, and the insurance barrier nobody talks about 23:27 – Told to stop researching, then told the doctor needed to hurry because he was hungry 24:59 – Offered antidepressants instead of answers, and why he said no 27:04 – Feeling ready for whatever happens, and the friend who got him traveling again 30:52 – "I don't believe it's just in my head" 32:35 – Why chemistry with a doctor matters as much as credentials 35:53 – Told to fly to West Hollywood just to get properly tested 36:53 – How other countries approach the gut microbiome, including transplants 39:45 – Chicken, blueberries, and a diet narrowed down to almost nothing 40:08 – The vices he's given up easily, all except coffee 42:46 – Dr. Civelli's stepwise plan to safely reintroduce food 47:18 – Why he refuses to stop researching his own health 50:46 – The real science behind why walking after eating works 52:24 – Where to find David, and the work he does outside the doctor's officeMentioned in This EpisodeDr. Berg, YouTube health educator David followsViome, gut microbiome testingThe FODMAP elimination dietRNA and DNA gut testingSan Joaquin Valley Transparency, David's YouTube channel@sanjoaquinvalleytransparency, David's InstagramConnect with David YouTube: San Joaquin Valley Transparency Instagram: @sanjoaquinvalleytransparency Email: [email protected] with the Show www.houseofval.com trifectamedical.org Want to be a guest on the show? Email [email protected]

What if your gym was more than a place to lift weights? What if it actually knew your name, saw your struggle, and refused to let you disappear into the crowd?Dr. Civelli sits down to explore the intersection of fitness, functional medicine, entrepreneurship, and holistic wellness with Laurie Ovanessian, co-owner of Body Exchange Health Clubs, a Bakersfield-born, family-run operation now spanning five locations over 23 years.How Laurie and her family sold everything, bought a Honda Civic with 300,000 miles, and built a fitness empire from scratchWhy COVID forced Body Exchange to reimagine its entire model and actually come out strongerThe truth about GLP-1 medications like Retatrutide: why they are a tool, not a cheat code, and what happens when people use them without supportHow gut health, nervous system regulation, and even equine therapy connect to why people plateau despite doing all the right thingsWhy being seen at the gym might be the most underrated health intervention of allScience gets curious and dogma gets uncomfortable.

Angelina Rodriguez has been in rooms most people only read about. As a hospice nurse, HMO case manager, healthcare liaison, and now consultant, she has spent over two decades watching the healthcare system do what it does best — and what it fails to do completely.This episode opens with something unexpected: a story about grief. After losing her nephew to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and watching him die in pain, Angelina didn't step away from medicine. She walked straight into hospice care, where she spent years being the last kind presence in people's lives. The work was heavy, she admits, but it was also a privilege she doesn't take lightly.From there, the conversation goes places that might surprise you. Dr. Civelli and Angelina dig into the structural failures of hospital discharge systems, why families often leave without understanding their options, and what it actually looks like when a population takes its health seriously — contrasting Bakersfield's outcomes with communities like San Luis Obispo where the numbers tell a very different story.They also get personal. Dr. Civelli shares her own reluctance to be a patient, the wake-up call that finally got her into her mammogram, and why healthcare professionals are often the worst at taking care of themselves. Angelina talks about building Candor Consulting — a practice named after what the system rarely offers — and why joy, not revenue, is what actually drives her.The second half of the episode is a masterclass in human relationships: accountability partners versus people who just let you off the hook, the psychology of all-or-nothing thinking, parenting five children across a 23-year span, and the quiet complexity of the mother-daughter relationship from both sides of the table.Find Angelina at Candor Consulting — search "Candor Consulting Bakersfield" and she populates right through.

Francisco Padilla's path to becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy started about as far from a classroom as possible. He grew up in a rural part of Mexico where he didn't know anyone in a medical or professional career, dropped out of high school, and ended up serving five years in prison, where he earned his GED. Less than a year after his release, while working in the oil fields, he was in a car accident that left him with burns over nearly 80% of his body. He spent months in an induced coma, underwent 30 surgeries, lost the digits on his hand, and remained hospitalized for over 10 months.In this episode, Dr. Civelli talks with Francisco about how that experience became the turning point of his life. He shares what it was like to relearn how to walk, the depression and brain fog that followed, and the moment his own physical therapists encouraged him to go back to school instead of returning to his old life. As a first-generation college student with no roadmap, he sold his car, his motorcycle, and his jet skis to study full time, retook classes he failed, and prepared for the GRE while working a near full-time job. He talks candidly about how his criminal record became a "red flag" in nearly every program application, how some interviewers questioned whether he'd even be able to get licensed, and why he pushed forward anyway.Francisco now owns Padilla Physical Therapy and Fitness Incorporated, a family-run practice in Wasco, California, where his mother and nephew both work, and is preparing to open a second location in Bakersfield. He and Dr. Civelli also dig into the recovery tools he uses and recommends to patients, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500, sauna, cold plunge, and why he believes movement is often the most underused medicine in physical therapy.

SHOW NOTESAbout This EpisodeBrandon Benjamin Benavidez — known as B3 — is a Bakersfield native, hip-hop artist, and labor foreman in the film industry. He's worked on major productions including Twisters, Elevation, and Sponsor, managing large crews on location across the country. He's also a husband, a father to a four-year-old daughter with autism and a history of febrile seizures, and a musician with four albums out — with his best work, he says, still ahead of him.Topics CoveredB3's background: from football dreams to film sets to the Bakersfield rap sceneWhy he almost didn't take music seriously — and what changed his mind senior yearWorking as a labor foreman on Twisters, Elevation (Anthony Mackie), and Sponsor (John C. Reilly)His daughter's autism diagnosis and febrile seizures — 16 seizures by age fourThe gut-brain axis and its connection to autism, seizure thresholds, and neurological healthWhy he chose not to medicate, and how ABA therapy and speech therapy have shaped her daily lifeDr. Civelli on ketogenic diet and glucose stability as tools for seizure managementThe perfectionist artist: rushing album four (Neapolitan), and what "letting God write it" looks like nowBeing the sole provider, managing chronic stress, and the gray beard that showed up during TwistersWhat accountability in health actually looks like — and why B3 is ready to startMentioned in This EpisodeTwisters (2024) — film, directed by Lee Isaac ChungElevation (2024) — film with Anthony MackieSponsor — film with John C. ReillyNeapolitan — B3's fourth album (released August 2024)Bricktown, Oklahoma CityABA therapy and speech therapy for autismKetogenic diet and febrile seizure managementLove on the Spectrum — Netflix seriesBaylen Out Loud — YouTube creator with Tourette syndromeBuc-ee'sConnectB3 on Instagram: @b3astof661 | https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mbxGBNS_FeHurJ4O9RFVzbpKRNVqr4fsUDr. Valerie Civelli / Trifecta Medical: trifectamedical.org | (661) 677-2623Guest inquiries: [email protected]

SHOW NOTESDr. Valerie Civelli welcomes Dr. Anna Marie — known as the Mindset Doctor — for a conversation that moves from entrepreneurship and ego vs. soul alignment all the way to tongue analysis, quantum fields, and the emotional roots of thyroid disease. It is one of those episodes where the clinical and the spiritual keep meeting in the middle.Topics covered:Ego vs. soul-led decision making in business and healthMetacognition — why less than 30% of people think about their thoughtsThe Flexner Report and how Western medicine shifted away from holistic rootsWhy mindset outranks diet and exercise as the primary driver of healthTongue analysis and iridology as diagnostic toolsThe connection between emotional suppression and physical diseaseDr. Anna Marie's personal history with psychiatric medication at age 22 and how she healedBioregulators and plant stem cellsThyroid issues, the throat chakra, and speaking your truthWhy placebo works 30% of the time — and how to use thatMentioned in this episode:Happy Whole You (Bakersfield, CA) — happywholeyou.comDr. Masaru Emoto's water consciousness researchThe Flexner Report (1910)528 Hz — the frequency associated with love in sound therapyIridology and blue lymphatic iris constitutionAbout Dr. Anna Marie:Dr. Anna Marie, known as The Mindset Doctor™, is a leader in mindset transformation, human performance, and holistic wellness. With over two decades of experience in education, health, and well-being, she helps individuals and organizations bridge the gap between external success and internal fulfillment. Blending neuroscience, neuropsychology, and epigenetics with a mind-body-spirit approach, she empowers people to break through limiting beliefs, reconnect with purpose, and elevate their performance from the inside out. As the founder of Happy Whole You™, she has helped countless individuals and teams move from burnout and disconnection to alignment, resilience, and lasting transformation.Connect with Dr. Anna Marie:Happy Whole You: happywholeyou.comInstagram: @dr.anna.marie Connect with Dr. Civelli + Trifecta Medical:trifectamedical.org7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield, CA 93308(661) 677-2623

SHOW NOTESIntro Vinni Morais grew up in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Brazil, using jujitsu as a survival tool before it became a career. He came to the US on a soccer scholarship, earned degrees in sport management and international business, won a BJJ world title in 2021, placed ninth at Mr. Olympia in 2024, and won both his division and the overall at the Arnold Classic, one month after losing his mother.Topics CoveredGrowing up in poverty in Brazil and how sports became a way outThe soccer scholarship pipeline and why he walked away from soccer permanentlyBJJ black belt journey (15 years) and the 2021 World ChampionshipThe transition to competitive bodybuilding and what his first show taught himLosing his mother one month before his 2025 competition prep, and competing anyway"Impossible" tattooed on his abdomen with the end scratched out to read "I am possible"Peptides vs. PEDs: why the distinction matters and how the industry gets it wrongThe three-dose problem: what the coach prescribes, what the athlete actually takes, and what they tell people they takeMOTS-c, SS31, NAD+, IGF-1, SAOPP, Retatrutide, and GHK-Cu, how they work and when to use themWhy MOD-GRF should be taken in the morning, not at nightMitochondrial function, aging after 30, and why NAD+ supplementation isn't a stimulantCycling off peptides and why continuous use can blunt receptor responseWhy sweating more doesn't equal fat lossMentionedArnold ClassicMr. OlympiaPanic! at the Disco, "High Hopes"Freddie Mercury, "The Show Must Go On""Pressure Creates Kings" (song referenced by Vinni)Flame and Fire (Arnold Classic sponsor)Trifecta MedicalConnectTrifecta Medical: trifectamedical.org | (661) 677-2623 | 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CAGuest inquiries and episode submissions: [email protected]

Intro Miguel Morales is a California-licensed private investigator, content creator, new father, and self-proclaimed aspiring Norteño accordion performer. He was born in Florida, found love in Bakersfield on St. Patrick's Day at McGarry's, became a father at 27 to a son named Makai who was almost running as of the recording date, and bought a $1,200 accordion as a birthday present to himself before he knew how to play it. He is currently episode 13 of White Coat Black Sheep, which he would like noted for the record.Topics CoveredFatherhood at 27 — what changes the moment you realize there is a literal half-you in the world, and how every week brings a new chapter.Medicine and performance — why getting the degree does not mean you stop answering to someone, and why the bosses just multiply.Private investigation work — what Miguel actually does day to day, why infidelity is the most common individual case, and why the hardcore criminal work is a building phase.The marriage scale — why six to ten is a green light, five is a dead zone, and the Malta family tree moment that reframed everything.Accordion at a quinceañera — buying a $1,200 instrument before you can play it, performing before you are ready, and why that is the right move every time.Sunday as a non-negotiable — how faith, family, and zero work became the structure that grounds the rest of the week.Fitness with real life — why 20 minutes of air squats in the living room after a 12-hour shift counts, and why consistency beats intensity every time.Legacy over logistics — why keeping the bigger mission in mind is the only way to survive both parenting and partnership.The hormonal cycle explained — Dr. Civelli's rapid-fire relationship advice to close out the episode.Mentioned in This Episode McGarry's Irish Pub — Bakersfield, CA Fitology Wellness Center — Florida Bakersfield College, CSUB, University of West Florida, Adventist University of Health Sciences The Epstein files and child safety conversation Follicular, LH, and luteal phases of the female hormonal cycleConnect Miguel Morales https://www.instagram.com/miguelangelmoraleshttps://www.tiktok.com/@miguelangelmoraleshttps://www.facebook.com/miguel.morales.363540Dr. Valerie Civelli — trifectamedical.org Trifecta Medical — 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CA 93308 | (661) 677-2623 | [email protected] Services: HRT, Peptides, Health Optimization, Botox, IV Hydration, Functional Medicine, Dermatology, Aesthetics, Regenerative Medicine, Hair Loss Treatments, Psychiatry, Clinical Trials Guest intake: [email protected]

Intro Terri Agcaoili is a healthcare marketing strategist born and raised in Kern County, working across cardiology, neurology, and OBGYN to build the practices and brands of some of the valley's most mission-driven physicians. She also just launched Fitology, a full-service wellness center in Pensacola, Florida, got engaged on a beach at sunset with a funky band playing, and somehow still had time to show up early with a sandwich in her purse. She's exactly the kind of energy this show was built for.Topics CoveredPersonal branding in a community where your name IS your reputationHealthcare marketing: what it means to build someone else's vision when you're aligned with itCollagen types 1 through 5, why chicken beats beef for type 2, and what chicken sternum, crest, and feet actually doGLP-1 medications: Tirzepatide vs. Retatrutide, accessibility, micro-dosing, and the inflammation angleChicory root in your coffee — it might not be for everyoneHiring with intention: building a team of hand-selected people, not people with a pulseFaith, alignment, and turning down money when your values aren't in lineThe "coming in hot" text and why respecting time is a form of loveSocial media and the danger of getting health information from influencersPeople and Things MentionedTerri Agcaoili — @agcaoili on InstagramFitology Wellness Center, Pensacola FL — fitologylife.comDr. Sandhu, California Cardiovascular InstituteTirzepatide (GLP-1 / GIP receptor agonist, brand name Mounjaro / Zepbound)Retatrutide (GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon triple receptor agonist, in development)Collagen types 1 through 5Chicory root — common coffee alternative, in many products, not tolerated by everyoneConnect Terri Agcaoili — @terriagcaoili | [email protected] | (661) 205-4079Dr. Valerie Civelli — trifectamedical.org Trifecta Medical — 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CA 93308 | (661) 677-2623 | [email protected] Services: HRT, Peptides, Health Optimization, Botox, IV Hydration, Functional Medicine, Dermatology, Aesthetics, Regenerative Medicine, Hair Loss Treatments, Psychiatry, Clinical Trials Guest intake: https://forms.clickup.com/9017720434/f/8cqyzkj-7997/PAKUAT3ISINQJZFNDQ

Intro Ten weeks into the podcast, Dr. Civelli and Justin take stock — what the show is doing, why it matters, and where it's headed. Then they get into it: a full listener mailbag with no softballs.Topics CoveredSnoring and sleep as the foundation of every health problemTestosterone: why total T vs. free T matters, and what 310 actually meansGLP-1s and Ozempic: the real concern isn't addiction — it's what happens when skinny becomes the goal at any costAntidepressants: how to taper off safely, and why methylene blue is worth looking atRecognizing depression in men who don't think they're depressedInflammation markers: what "eat better" actually means and what doctors missFunctional medicine explained: root cause vs. Band-Aid, and the chess game of complex healthStress and the mom who does everything right but still feels offSleep tracking tools: wearables, rings, bedside apps, and vagal nerve stimulatorsFitology Medical in Pensacola — how a Facebook poke accidentally started a wellness centerMentionedViome (customized toothpaste + microbiome supplements)BioCell collagenLion's mane, ashwagandha, chaga, L-theanine, BCAAsVivix antioxidantNMN (NAD precursor)Methylene blue / BPC-157Creatine (10mg/day split)Oura Ring / WhoopCPAP, mouth tape, jaw repositioning devicesVagal nerve stimulator (Q Collar adjacent)Retatrutide / Tirzepatide (GLP-1s)Quest Diagnostics (cash-based lab orders via Dr. Civelli's Instagram)ConnectInstagram: @drcivelliTrifecta Medical: trifectamedical.org | (661) 677-2623New patients: [email protected] inquiries / questions: [email protected]

About the Guest Jinal Patel is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner at Adventist Health's Chester location, where she practices in an internal medicine clinic with a growing focus on functional and integrative medicine. Originally from India and raised in Canada, Jinal earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Studies before relocating to Florida, where she completed her BSN and Master of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner while working as an ICU nurse in Orlando. Now based in Bakersfield, she provides holistic, longevity-focused care emphasizing nutrition, lifestyle, and mental wellness — treating everything from diabetes and hypertension to women's health and thyroid disorders. She is fluent in English, Gujarati, and Hindi, and is currently accepting new patients.Intro Dr. Civelli sits down with Jinal for a conversation that goes exactly where you'd hope two clinicians obsessed with functional medicine would take it — deep into the gut, the genome, and the gap between what conventional medicine offers and what patients actually need.Topics Covered Functional medicine and how the field has evolved over the past 20 years. Cycle syncing and how menstrual phases should inform workout intensity, intermittent fasting, and nutrition. The Oura Ring and heart rate variability as stress indicators. The beta-glucuronidase gene, estrogen dominance, and implications for hormone replacement therapy. Gut microbiome testing and DNA sequencing as tools for personalized treatment. Glucose monitoring and how eating order at meals affects A1C. The connection between work culture, community, and long-term health. Why the basics — sleep, diet, movement, social connection — have to come before supplements or peptides can make a meaningful difference.Mentioned Oura Ring, Glucose Goddess, Viome gut microbiome test, DNA Collect, CGM (continuous glucose monitor), functional medicine conference in Las Vegas, MTHFR gene, beta-glucuronidase enzyme, GLP-1s, NAC, glutathione, blue zonesConnect Trifecta Medical — trifectamedical.org | (661) 677-2623Jinal Patel — Adventist Health Chester | https://doctors.adventisthealth.org/provider/jinal-patel/3095648IG @np.jinalWant to be a guest on White Coat Black Sheep? We're always looking for clinicians, researchers, and health professionals who are ready to challenge the status quo. Email [email protected] to start the conversation.

About This EpisodeDr. Hugh Beatty has spent over four decades in medicine, including 25 years in anesthesiology and pain management before pivoting to functional medicine in 2013. Today he runs a thriving private practice in Bakersfield, CA, treating complex chronic conditions that traditional medicine often can't solve. In this conversation, Dr. Beatty and Dr. Civelli explore the philosophy, science, and patient stories behind functional medicine's growing impact.Topics CoveredPhysician burnout: Dr. Beatty's decision to step away from anesthesiology and the two years that reset his careerFunctional vs. traditional medicine: the diagnostic mindset shift from "what" to "why"Collaborative care: why functional medicine works best alongside specialists, not against themOzone therapy (MAH IV): mechanism, safety, and case studies including prostate cancer radiation damageThe Otto Warburg hypothesis: oxygen deprivation, inflammation, and diseaseNeuropathy, Bell's palsy, and chronic pain resolved with ozone injectionsMitochondrial health and NAD as the "money of the cell"Residency culture: 36-hour shifts, hazing, and what hasn't changedThe med school application grind: 2.6% acceptance rate and the $30K residency match processCold plunge, red light therapy, and blood flow as the foundation of healingWhy functional medicine patients and doctors tend to look healthierMentioned in This EpisodeOtto Warburg and the Nobel Prize theory on oxygen and cancerAmen Clinic (brain health and Alzheimer's support)GainsWave / shockwave therapyMAH IV ozone (major autohemotherapy)"Don't Let Your Doctor Kill You" (book referenced by Dr. Beatty)Jules Stein Eye Institute, Harbor-UCLA, Howard UniversityConnectDr. Hugh Beatty: https://www.hughbeatty.com/Dr. Valerie Civelli | Trifecta Medical: trifectamedical.org | 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield CA | (661) 677-2623White Coat Black Sheep: listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

In This EpisodeDr. Civelli sits down with Tim Pace — physician assistant, 20-plus year clinical veteran in orthopedic surgery, and doctoral candidate in lifestyle medicine graduating in 2027. What starts as a catch-up between colleagues turns into a deep, honest conversation about stress, burnout, the six pillars of lifestyle medicine, and why the people most qualified to give health advice are often the last ones following it.Topics CoveredWhat Is Lifestyle Medicine? Lifestyle medicine is built on six pillars: adequate nutrition, avoiding risky substances, restorative sleep, physical activity, stress management, and social connectedness. Tim's two favorites — stress management and social connection — are also the two most overlooked. The field goes far deeper than it sounds, because the problem isn't that people don't know what to do. It's that they don't do it.The Lifestyle Medicine Assessment When Tim completed the long-form intake questionnaire for his own program, he discovered he scored off the charts on anxiety — something he'd never considered a diagnosis. That moment of stopping, reading, and looking inward changed how he thinks about both himself and his patients. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine holds providers to living the lifestyle themselves, which Tim calls one of the most therapeutic parts of his doctorate.Box Breathing — The One-Minute Reset Box breathing is simple: inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for four, hold for four — and repeat while visualizing a box in your mind. The benefits are measurable: increased oxygen, decreased blood pressure, reduced cortisol and adrenaline, activated prefrontal cortex for clearer decision-making, and a calmed amygdala — your brain's fear center. You can do it at a red light, between patients, or the moment you feel yourself flooding with stress.Your Brain Can't Tell Real From Imagined When you run a stressful scenario in your head — even one that never happens — your body responds with the same chemical cascade as if it were real. Cortisol spikes, adrenaline surges, oxidative stress builds. The amygdala fires whether the threat is real or imagined. The good news is the reverse is also true: calm the thought, calm the chemistry.Medical Provider Burnout Tim and Dr. Civelli get candid about the reality of provider burnout — chugging Mountain Dews, smashing Red Bulls, eating Snicker bars at 3am between surgeries, going home with amniotic fluid on your neck. Medical training is entirely patient-focused, and providers are expected to just be okay. Burnout rates are skyrocketing alongside documentation demands, EMR systems, social media, and post-COVID anxiety. You cannot pour from an empty cup.Nutrition — Whole Food Plant-Based The evidence overwhelmingly points toward whole food plant-based eating. Not vegetarian, not giving up meat entirely — just making plants the foundation. Tim reversed his chronically elevated triglycerides and cholesterol by shifting away from meat at every meal. His weekly routine is simple: random vegetables from Trader Joe's, protein beef broth, bullet it, done. Lentils, soy, beans — protein is not a problem.Sleep, Distraction, and the Art of Recentering Both Tim and Dr. Civelli admit to the middle-of-the-night spiral — waking up, brain firing, anxiety about not sleeping compounding into anger. Tim's trick is listening to something without a storyline, like David Attenborough narrating animal facts. The key is redirecting focus away from the stressor before the amygdala takes over. Meditation is the cleanest solution, but it takes practice — real, ongoing practice, like any skill.Social Connection as Medicine Isolation is one of the most underestimated health threats. When people are stressed, they isolate. But social connection drives oxytocin, reduces cortisol, and is a documented protective factor against chronic disease. It doesn't require a big social life — wave at your neighbor, find a community around something you love, try Meetup or Bumble BFF. Small moves count.Reading Research Without Bias Tim and Dr. Civelli discuss the responsibility that comes with a platform — how easy it is to take a study, spin a narrative, and present it as truth. The goal for this show is always to create conversation, not confirm bias. Look it up yourself. If they're wrong, they want to know.Mentioned in This EpisodeThe six pillars of lifestyle medicineAmerican College of Lifestyle MedicineFITT prescriptions (frequency, intensity, time, type)Stages of change / pre-contemplation modelBox breathing techniqueAmygdala and prefrontal cortexCortisol, GABA, adrenaline, noradrenalineOxytocin and pet bonding researchCalm app / bedtime storiesDavid Attenborough sleep listeningGame Changers documentaryWhole food plant-based nutritionBumble BFF / Meetup for social connectionMedical provider burnout statisticsResearch bias and media spinConnect with Tim Pace t.paceoflifeConnect with Dr. Civelli 🌐 trifectamedical.org 📍 7702 Meany Ave #101, Bakersfield, CA 93308 📞 (661) 677-2623 📧 [email protected] Coat Black Sheep — where science gets curious and dogma gets uncomfortable.

In This EpisodeDr. Civelli sits down with Jerry Teixeira — founder of Bodyweight Strength, Marine Corps veteran, competitive jiu-jitsu athlete, and coach helping busy professionals over 40 build real strength at home with no gym required. What starts as a conversation about fitness habits turns into a masterclass on training efficiency, aging, and why most people are doing far more work than they need to.Topics CoveredFrom the Marine Corps to Bodyweight Strength Jerry never considered himself an athlete growing up on his grandparents' dairy in McFarland. He left for the Marines at 18, and the daily morning PT habit just stuck. Years later, inspired by watching gymnasts train his daughter at practice, he realized bodyweight training could deliver the same results as the gym — and built his entire business around that insight.The 80% Rule Your first set delivers about 55% of your possible gains. Sets two and three get you to roughly 80% of the total. Every set after that is chasing the last 20% at the cost of doubling your time. For most people, two to three hard sets per exercise is all they need.The Velocity Method — How to Know You're Actually Building Muscle Instead of counting arbitrary reps, Jerry teaches clients to track movement velocity. When you have to push harder to maintain the same pace, that's when muscle building begins. Push a few more reps from there — not to complete failure, but close.Reps, Ranges, and Bone Density High reps and low reps both build muscle as long as you get close to failure. But lower rep ranges of five to eight are better for strength and bone density. One heavy set per exercise is enough to stimulate bone, with the rest of your sets at higher reps if you prefer.Aging Is the Loss of Fitness Muscle loss begins in your 30s at around 5% per decade, accelerating through your 50s and 60s. Strength and power go first — even NFL players lose explosive capacity before they lose muscle size. But the research is clear: you can reverse it at any age. A 70-year-old client of Jerry's was curling 30-pound dumbbells within weeks and had visible muscle definition that made him question whether her numbers were even real.The Metabolism Myth Your metabolism doesn't slow down in your 30s and 40s. Research shows it stays stable from your early 20s all the way to your 60s. The decline after 60 may actually be driven by muscle loss — which means building muscle is one of the most powerful things you can do to protect your metabolic rate long-term.Non-Linear Aging — The Mid-40s Acceleration A recent study found that aging doesn't happen in a straight line. There are two windows where certain organ systems accelerate: the mid-40s and the mid-60s. People who get proactive before those windows hit build a biological reserve that slows the process down.Exercise Snacks and Micro Workouts The total weekly volume of work is what your body responds to — not how it's spread across time. A 45-minute dedicated workout and the same exercises broken into micro sessions throughout the day produce the same results. Jerry literally works out between cooking dinner, stepping into his garage gym between stirs.The Mindset of an Outlier Jerry started jiu-jitsu at 44 and competed at 45 against guys 20 years younger. He talks about why he eventually decided to share his story publicly — not to show off, but because someone in his demographic needed to see that it was still possible.Mentioned in This EpisodeArnold Schwarzenegger's Guide to Modern BodybuildingBodyweight Strength methodMaximum recoverable volumeReps in reserve conceptVelocity-based trainingFast-twitch vs. slow-twitch muscle fibersSarcopenia and muscle loss with agingNon-linear aging study (mid-40s and mid-60s acceleration)Metabolism stability researchOura Ring and sleep trackingDeep sleep and light disciplinePlacebo effect and mindset researchGymnastics as a bodyweight strength modelExercise snacks and micro workoutsConnect with Jerry Teixeira Website: bodyweightstrength.fit YouTube: Jerry TeixeiraConnect with Dr. Civelli https://trifectamedical.org/White Coat Black Sheep — where science gets curious and dogma gets uncomfortable.

Dr. Civelli sits down with Kristin Saban — real estate agent, insurance specialist, mom of two, and peptide enthusiast — for a candid conversation about managing health, hormones, and hustle in the middle of real life.From morning routines and the four burner method to retatrutide, cold plunging, and life insurance that pays out while you're still alive, this episode is equal parts practical and personal.The Four Burner Method Kristin shares a framework she discovered that changed how she thinks about balance — health, wealth, family, and friends. The idea is simple: not all four can run at full capacity at the same time. Something has to turn down so nothing burns out.Morning Routines & Real Consistency Kristin breaks down her 5:30am routine — Bible study, 20-30 minute workouts, Peloton, running, sauna, and cold plunging in the pool. The conversation gets honest about internal resistance, sleep quality, and what actually makes showing up easier.Peptides & Retatrutide Dr. Civelli and Kristin dig into retatrutide — what makes it different from semaglutide and tirzepatide, why it's more activating than depleting, and how it helped Kristin lose 90 pounds post-pregnancy and clear inflammation tied to Hashimoto's.Cold Plunge & Mitochondrial Health Kristin cold plunged throughout her second pregnancy. Dr. Civelli explains why the ability to tolerate extreme cold is actually a marker of mitochondrial health — and what overdoing it can do to your adrenal system.NAD, NMN & Supplements Dr. Civelli breaks down the difference between NAD and its precursor NMN, why NAD dose matters more than people realize, and how she tracks mitochondrial health through labs every three months. Also covered: Vitamin D3 paired with K2 and why that combination matters for calcium and bone health.Selank & Semax Nasal Sprays Kristin shares her experience with cognitive-enhancing nasal sprays for winding down at night — and yes, the taste is rough, but the calm is worth it.Microbiome Testing & Food Sensitivities Kristin reflects on her microbiome test results and how discovering that bell peppers were triggering inflammation changed her meal prep entirely.Alcohol & Inflammation An honest conversation about what alcohol actually does to the body, the liver's bandwidth during illness, and how quality of life factors into every medical decision — including whether to take brownies away from a grandma with dementia.Life Insurance with Living Benefits Kristin introduces the concept of living benefit riders — life insurance policies you can cash in on before death if diagnosed with a critical, chronic, or fatal illness. She shares a real story of a couple who used their policy to access $900,000 for specialty cancer treatment outside their network. He's alive today.

In this episode of White Coat Black Sheep, Dr. Civelli sits down with personal trainer David Watkins aka S.I.L.A.S. Black for an honest conversation about grind culture, recovery, and the peptide everyone in fitness is talking about. David opens up about the work ethic instilled by the women who raised him, the physical toll of never slowing down, and how his coaching philosophy goes far beyond the gym. Dr. Civelli then breaks down BPC-157 — what the research actually shows, where the FDA stands, and how it works at the cellular level to reduce inflammation and accelerate healing.Real conversation. Real science. No fluff.For educational purposes only. Consult your provider before use.

Dr Civelli sits down with addiction medicine specialist Dr Matt Bear to discuss harm reduction, opioid policy, functional medicine, and why patient-centered care may be the most powerful tool in modern medicine.Episode DescriptionIn Episode 5 of White Coat Black Sheep, Dr Civelli and Dr Matt Bear explore addiction medicine, burnout, harm reduction, and the evolving philosophy of patient-centered care.They discuss how addiction is a complex neurobiological disease, why moral narratives fail patients, and how harm reduction strategies save lives.The conversation expands into opioid prescribing, chronic pain, hyperalgesia, and the unintended consequences of regulatory fear. They also examine functional medicine, sleep optimization, inflammation, Alzheimer risk, and the future of longevity care.This episode blends science, real-world practice, and honest reflection about where medicine needs to evolve.

Dr Civelli sits down with Lord Elliot, owner of NAS Power Gym, to talk about fear, identity, discipline, vulnerability, and reversing the trajectory of type 2 diabetes through consistent lifestyle change.In Episode 4 of White Coat Black Sheep, Dr Civelli and Lord Elliot explore the psychology behind ambition and the hidden trigger word enough.Lord shares how early discipline in powerlifting shaped his identity, how emotional avoidance led to unhealthy patterns with food, and how a diabetes diagnosis forced a complete reset.They discuss:• The power of accountability• Why community matters more than branding• Emotional maturity and vulnerability• The physiology of blood sugar swings• Rebuilding health one disciplined day at a timeThis episode blends mindset, physiology, and lived experience in a way that challenges both comfort and complacency.

White Coat Black Sheep with Dr CivelliIn this episode Dr Civelli sits down with Jose Gonzalez to talk about the long path from grinding to wholenessThey unpack why health is not just labs or workouts and why living longer starts with living slowerFrom burnout to recovery and from pain to purpose they cover• The pillars of wholeness spiritual mental emotional physical• Why the grind mindset feels productive but creates damage over time• How reflection and intentional rest improve focus and longevity• Why medication can have a place but can’t replace root work• The difference between learning through pain and learning through wisdom• Why mentorship and humility are rare and powerful• How purpose changes the way you train work and leadIf you’ve ever built your life on overdrive and wondered why it still feels heavy this episode will landSubscribe for weekly conversations where science gets curious and dogma gets uncomfortableDisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not provide personal medical advice Always consult your healthcare provider for individual care

White Coat Black Sheep with Dr CivelliIn this episode, Dr Civelli breaks down why you can sleep eight hours and still wake up exhausted.If you are not dreaming, waking up multiple times a night, or living in light sleep without realizing it, this conversation will change how you think about recovery.From circadian rhythm to cortisol physiology, we unpack:• Deep sleep vs REM and why dreaming matters• Why checking your phone at night resets melatonin• The difference between light sleep and restorative sleep• Snoring, oxygen drops, and hidden sleep apnea• When to use wearables vs formal sleep studies• How stress and cortisol timing affect sleep quality• Why no heavy conversations after 5 pm can protect recoveryThis episode is for clinicians, entrepreneurs, parents, and high performers who feel tired despite doing “everything right.”If you’ve ever thought,There has to be a better way to do this.You’re in the right place.Subscribe to White Coat Black Sheep for weekly conversations where science gets curious and dogma gets uncomfortable.DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not provide personal medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for individual care.

Welcome to White Coat Black Sheep — where science gets curious and dogma gets uncomfortable. In this episode, Dr. Civelli and Nurse Sarah unpack what it actually means to practice “real world medicine” when patients, lab reports, and guidelines don’t fit neatly into a checkbox.They talk about why reference ranges can mislead, how clinicians decide what’s urgent vs. noise, and the difference between “normal” and optimal. Along the way: a story from the gym that turns into a serious safety lesson, why people misunderstand medications as “only for one thing,” and a candid conversation about hormone therapy myths that have shaped an entire generation’s decisions.In This EpisodeThe origin of White Coat Black Sheep and what the show is here to questionWhy Dr. Civelli calls herself a “hybrid” physician (and why that matters)Hospital lab priorities vs. optimization medicine: what gets missed“Don’t send the babies to war”: understanding bands and what they can signalWhy people panic at bolded lab values—and what’s often actually relevantInjection safety basics (and a serious warning about the inner-thigh/groin “triangle”)“You don’t ‘used to’ have a heart condition”: risk, denial, and the danger of ignoring dataHow medications get pigeonholed—and why side effects are sometimes the pointHormone therapy fear, the culture that spread it, and what patients are hearing nowTopical vs oral vs injection delivery: why the route changes the physiologyDr. Civelli’s philosophy: if you’re going to push limits, you don’t get to skip the data