Peak Performance Life Podcast

Show notes:
(0:00) Intro
(0:40) From firefighter to author: Caroline's backstory
(2:25) Why society tells us to slow down after 60, and why we shouldn't
(5:09) The science: how our beliefs about aging shape how we age
(12:21) The 5 pillars of healthy aging
(17:15) Nature's healing power: from tree chemicals to birdsong
(23:46 The psychology of awe and how it rewires your brain
(35:06) Caroline's mom: biking into her 80s
(42:00) Outdoor activities don't have to be extreme
(45:06) How to take the first step
(46:58) Where to find Tough Broad and follow Caroline Paul
(47:50) Outro
 
Who is Caroline Paul?
 
Caroline Paul is an American author and former San Francisco firefighter, known for her adventurous spirit and bestselling books. Born in New York City in 1963, she grew up in New York, Paris, and Connecticut, and studied communications and journalism at Stanford University. In 1988, she joined the San Francisco Fire Department, where she was one of the first women in the department and specialized in search and rescue. After 13 years, she shifted her focus to writing.
 
Her books include Fighting Fire (a memoir), Lost Cat, East Wind, Rain, The Gutsy Girl, You Are Mighty, and Tough Broad: From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking, How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age. She is also known for her TED Talk on bravery in girls and is a longtime member of the Writers Grotto in San Francisco. Caroline is the identical twin of actress Alexandra Paul and continues to live in San Francisco.



Connect with Caroline Paul
Website: https://www.carolinepaul.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caroline.paul.750/
IG:https://www.instagram.com/carolinembpaul
 
Grab a copy of her books: https://www.carolinepaul.com/tough-broad
 
Preorder her new book, Why Fly: https://tinyurl.com/d6kxa33j




Links and Resources:
Peak Performance Life
Peak Performance on Facebook
Peak Performance on Instagram

Show notes:
(0:00) Intro
(0:49) Dr. Shah's background and personal health crisis
(4:55) The most important biomarkers: hs-CRP, A1C, ApoB
(7:46) How to track inflammation and metabolic health
(13:00) Home tools: bioimpedance scale, grip strength meter
(21:09) Nutrition basics: just cut ultra-processed foods
(27:09) Hidden toxins in your air, water, and skincare
(34:37) Longevity circuit: sauna, cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen
(38:11) Therapeutic plasma exchange and next-gen biohacking
(40:01) Dr. Shah's top 3 health tips anyone can start today
(41:18) Where to find Dr. Shah
(42:11) Outro



Who is Dr. Darshan Shah?
 
Darshan Shah, MD is a health and wellness specialist, well-known, board-certified surgeon, published author, tech entrepreneur, and founder and CEO of Beautologie and Next Health. As an expert on all body systems, he has performed over 10,000 surgical procedures, including trauma surgery, general surgery and plastic/reconstructive procedures. As a health and wellness specialist, he has advised thousands of patients on how to optimize their well-being and extend their lifespan, culminating in the creation of Next Health, the first health optimization and longevity center to offer life-extending and enhancing technology and treatments in a beautiful, welcoming environment.
 
Connect with Dr. Shah
Website: https://www.drshah.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshanshahmd
IG: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/
 
Grab your free Biomarker guide: https://www.drshah.com/biomarkers
 
Tune in: https://www.drshah.com/extend




Links and Resources:
Peak Performance Life
Peak Performance on Facebook
Peak Performance on Instagram

Show notes:
(0:00) Intro
(1:07) Caroline's personal story of grit and recovery
(4:22) What real grit looks like (and how to build it)
(7:07) Why adults lose their sense of zest, and how to get it back
(10:01) Why SMART goals don't work
(14:03) The science behind happiness before success
(17:43) How to actually flourish (even in tough times)
(21:18) Why "do your best" leads to the worst results
(28:12) Learning goals vs. performance goals
(29:31) The six pillars of setting a "big goal"
(37:36) The jargon mismatch syndrome
(42:05) Why goal-setting advice often fails women
(43:44) "Goals Gone Wild", what happens when you skip the learning phase
(47:12) Where to find Caroline and her resources
(48:26) Outro



Who is Caroline Adams Miller?
 
Caroline Adams Miller is an executive coach, bestselling author, and keynote speaker known for her work on goal setting, grit, and positive psychology. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and was part of the first graduating class in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Caroline has written several acclaimed books, including My Name is Caroline, Creating Your Best Life, Getting Grit, and Big Goals, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. Her personal journey of overcoming bulimia in her twenties has inspired countless others.
She frequently speaks at global events, teaches in executive education programs, and has been featured in major media outlets for her research-driven insights on success, resilience, and personal growth.
 
Connect with Caroline:
Website: https://www.carolinemiller.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineadamsmiller
IG: https://www.instagram.com/carolineadamsmiller/?hl=en
 
Grab a copy: https://biggoalsbook.com/



Links and Resources:
Peak Performance Life
Peak Performance on Facebook
Peak Performance on Instagram

Show notes:
(0:00) Intro
(1:03) Dr. Garley's background and why sleep became his passion
(3:14) 85% of people with sleep apnea don't know they have it
(5:20) What a modern home sleep test looks like
(7:17) How untreated sleep apnea shortens lifespan
(12:54) Are sleep medications helping or harming you?
(18:00) Magnesium and other common sleep aids
(24:30) The gold standard for insomnia: CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)
(26:45) What "better sleep" really means
(29:51) The ideal sleep environment: cool, dark, and quiet
(31:39) Do sleep trackers actually help or stress you out?
(36:51) Is there a "magic" sleep window before midnight?
(38:53) Morning sunlight and your body's internal clock
(42:00) The real problem with phone use before bed
(45:30) How to get help from Dr. Garley and The Better Sleep Clinic
(46:17) Outro



Who is Dr. David Garley?
 
Dr David Garley is a Sleep Expert and Managing Director of The Better Sleep Clinic. He originally trained in respiratory medicine and qualified as a member of the Royal College of Physicians before moving to primary care, where he continued his specialist interest in sleep medicine. He is passionate about sleep health and greatly motivated by the profound impact that the restoration of good sleep can have on the quality of life of his patients. The Better Sleep Clinic is an online sleep clinic that diagnoses and treats a wide variety of sleep disorders and specialises in obstructive sleep apnea. They offer online appointments with consultant sleep specialists and send out home sleep tests to be carried out in the comfort of your own home. Gold standard treatments for sleep disorders are provided through a friendly, patient-centred and personalised service.
 
Connect with Dr. Garley
Website: https://www.thebettersleepclinic.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-garley-tbsc/?originalSubdomain=uk



Links and Resources:
Peak Performance Life
Peak Performance on Facebook
Peak Performance on Instagram

Show notes:
(0:00) Intro
(0:37) Charlie's backstory: escaping trauma and rebuilding from rock bottom
(3:41) The truth about mindset and why it matters more than motivation
(4:34) The 5 Ks framework
(7:39) How limiting beliefs get wired in and how to rewire them
(14:04) The "integrity gap" and why we feel stuck
(16:55) Our mind as a goal-serving mechanism
(22:08) Morning routines that actually work
(27:58) Living by principles, not preference
(33:07) What confidence really means
(34:46) Why community and support are essential
(39:59) Charlie's tools, programs, and how to connect
(44:17) Outro
 
Who is Charlie Smith?
 
Charlie Smith is a keynote speaker, mental performance consultant, and coach who helps individuals and organizations build confidence, overcome challenges, and perform at their best. He is the founder of the "My Life…My Pen" platform and host of the Overcome Outloud podcast, where he shares tools and stories to inspire personal growth and ownership.
 
Charlie's work is deeply rooted in his own journey—surviving a traumatic childhood, overcoming addiction, and rebuilding his life after a successful 30-year career in business and real estate. Today, he trains executives, athletes, and teams to develop mental skills, resilience, and habits that support lasting success. His programs focus on practical strategies that help people make real change from the inside out.
 
Connect with Charlie:
Website: https://charliesmithspeaks.com/
IG: https://instagram.com/charliesmithspeaks



Links and Resources:
Peak Performance Life
Peak Performance on Facebook
Peak Performance on Instagram