How well do you actually know your own health? In this episode of The Phi Life Podcast, hosts John Barban and Brad Pilon dive deep into the importance of understanding key health markers, getting regular testing, and taking control of your long-term health before problems arise.
John starts by sharing a real-life example of a 50-year-old man who was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer—something that could have been caught much earlier if he had been testing his PSA levels in his 30s or 40s. This leads into a discussion about common health metrics men often overlook, including testosterone levels, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
Brad raises an important point: many guys train hard in the gym, eat right, and still don’t get the results they expect. They assume it’s a workout problem, a diet issue, or a lack of effort—but what if it’s something deeper, like chronically low testosterone? They explore why getting a baseline in your 20s or 30s can give you a massive advantage in managing your health later in life.
The episode also highlights the differences between healthcare systems in Canada and the U.S., particularly when it comes to preventative medicine. In Canada, a government-funded system means limited access to proactive health screenings, whereas in the U.S., access often depends on your insurance and healthcare network. They discuss why both systems fall short when it comes to promoting early testing for long-term health.
One of the most critical takeaways? You can’t just rely on how you feel or how you look in the mirror. Many serious conditions—like heart disease and cancer—develop silently. John shares how his own proactive health scans led to the early detection of a cancer that might have gone unnoticed for years.
The guys wrap up the episode with practical advice: if your doctor isn’t offering these tests, ask for them. If they refuse, push for them. If necessary, go out of pocket—it’s an investment in your future health.
This episode is a wake-up call for men of all ages: the best time to start tracking your health was 10 years ago. The second-best time? Right now.
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WEBSITES
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https://johnbarban.com
https://bradpilon.com
https://www.totaltclinic.com/podcast-connect
https://eatstopeat.com
https://www.ultalabtests.com
