Episode November 14, 2019

To Hell & Back With Autoimmune Disease: How To Heal Autoimmunity With Diet, Relationships, Lifestyle & More.

Ryan Lee (my guest on this podcast) and I go way back.

The man is probably responsible for initiating and teaching me just about everything I know in the realm of online marketing and success in the fitness industry.

Over a decade ago, I began to delve into his teachings and websites, and it was through him that I learned how to create information products, e-books, virtual coaching and a host of other profit-generating and information-scaling tools I still utilize to this day.

Ryan himself is an exercise physiologist and the founder of Rewind bars. He’s also the author of The Millionaire Workout, Passion to Profits, was featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal, and called “the world’s #1 lifestyle entrepreneur” by Entrepreneur.

Several years ago, Ryan was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder (psoriatic arthritis), and ignored the advice of his MD to go on chemo, while instead focused on coming up with a psoriatic arthritis diet plan, and simplifying his life, relationships, business, and more. We delve into that story on today's show.

During our discussion, you'll discover: -Ryan's journey from fledgling personal trainer to the "godfather" of the online fitness industry [09:15]

First job (1994): recreational therapist in a children's rehab hospital; was a personal trainer during non-work hours
Internet marketing career began in 1998; writing articles and GIF's on a website
Sold training programs to readers -- Craig Valentine assisted
Began selling his knowledge to other health enthusiasts to grow their businesses (including Ben Greenfield)

-How the online fitness industry has changed since Ryan's early days [13:40]

It's much easier to establish an online presence today... and to claim to be a "fitness coach" with little to no real experience
Measure an individual by how many people they've helped in real life, not on vanity metrics on social media
Double-edged sword: "Real Dealers" can help many more people than the old days

-The personal struggle that caused Ryan to take a step back from his business [16:25]

Had started a supplement company - Pro Grade Nutrition (affiliate based company)
Top affiliate formed his company, and took his friends with him
Mother passed; print magazine failed
Began eating more; exercising less
Began having severe joint pain; no idea about the cause
Book: Toxic by Neil Nathan
Rheumatologist diagnosed an autoimmune disease (psoriatic arthritis); prescribed chemo as treatment
Excess stress directly contributes to leaky gut, autoimmune issues

-The steps from debilitating illness to a nearly complete recovery [24:35]

Sought out informed docs who could help; Brian Kurtz
Psoriatic Arthritis Diet: Naturopathic doctor recommended removing gluten, dairy and cane sugar
Elimination diet (see above); within 2 days, noticeable results
Began eating gluten, dairy, sugar slowly; stress levels were erratic; eventually was diagnosed with high blood pressure
Simplification deep dive:
- Focus on morning routine
- Began eating bars (every bar on the planet)
Ryan's special salad recipe:
- Greens (spinach, arugula)
- Can of sardines w/ olive oil
- Use bok choy if concerned about oxalate issues in the spinach
Fell off the wagon because the psoriatic arthritis diet plan was too strict; eat clean and healthy at least 80% of the time
Short-term pescatarian diet was very efficacious
Book: Ultrasimple Diet by Mark Hyman
Tests for Lyme, mold, mycotoxins came back negative