In this deeply personal solo episode, Darin Olien unpacks one of the most ancient and powerful healing practices known to humanity: fasting. From the perspective of cutting-edge science, Ayurveda, and traditional Chinese medicine, Darin breaks down how abstaining from food—done correctly—can reset your biology, boost longevity, and unlock your body’s natural healing intelligence.
Drawing on the work of pioneers like Paul Bragg and modern fasting experts like Dr. Valter Longo, Darin shares his own experiences with water-only fasting and explains how it’s helping him prepare for stem cell treatments. But this isn’t just about calories—it’s about sovereignty. Whether you’re new to fasting or already practice intermittent or prolonged fasts, this episode will expand your understanding and help you align your fasting approach with your unique body type and season of life.
Breakdown
What you'll Learn
00:00 – Why fasting is powerful and why this isn’t medical advice
01:15 – Fasting meets Western science, Ayurveda, and Chinese medicine
02:00 – Darin’s personal fasting journey and stem cell preparation
03:20 – The legacy of Paul Bragg and the ancient roots of fasting
05:00 – "You are what you eat, breathe, drink, think, say, and do"
06:00 – Fasting as a return to ancestral healing
07:30 – How fasting affects digestive fire in Ayurveda
09:00 – Chinese medicine’s take on fasting and chi balance
10:45 – What is intermittent fasting? Scientific and spiritual benefits
12:15 – Body type considerations: kapha, pitta, vata & circadian rhythms
14:00 – Alternate-day fasting: who it works for and who it doesn’t
15:20 – Seasonal fasting and syncing with nature
16:30 – 36-hour fasts, 5:2 protocols, and fasting mimicking diets
17:30 – Ketosis, autophagy, stem cell activation & longevity boosts
18:40 – Women and fasting: why it must be tailored to your cycle
19:45 – Fasting as a spiritual reset, not a punishment
21:00 – Sometimes doing nothing is the most powerful healing
LINKS
Find more from Darin:
Website: https://darinolien.com/
Instagram: @Darinolien
Book: darinolien.com/fatal-conveniences-book/
Down to Earth: darinolien.com/down-to-earth/
SPONSORS
Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off
Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Use code DARIN for 10% off at fromourplace.com.
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