The Dylan Gemelli Podcast

Episode #50 – SPECIAL EDITION Featuring Dave Asprey!

Sept 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this milestone 50th episode, Dylan Gemelli welcomes Dave Asprey, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, biohacking pioneer, and best-selling author. The discussion dives deep into the fundamentals and controversies of biohacking, optimizing mitochondrial health, nutritional myths (especially around cholesterol, fats, and oatmeal), and cutting-edge longevity strategies. The episode hits both science-based analysis and personal transformation stories in a dynamic, open, and sometimes irreverent tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Biohacking and Its Origins

• [04:44] Dave Asprey defines biohacking as “the art and science of changing the environment around you and inside of you so you have full control of your state, full control of your biology.”
• Biohacking unites people from all backgrounds—yogis, neuroscientists, Navy SEALs, bodybuilders—with the common goal of systemic, measured self-optimization.
• Dave credits bodybuilders as some of the earliest and best biohackers due to their precise manipulation of variables—diet, training, recovery—to reach target outcomes.

Notable Quote:

• “Biohacking is just the art and science of changing the environment around you and inside of you. ... It’s about doing the right recipe with the right ingredients to get the results you want.”
  — Dave Asprey [04:44]

2. Challenging Conventional Fitness and Nutrition Myths

• [07:12] Both Dylan and Dave share frustration and personal stories about the failed results of high-cardio and low-fat/low-calorie approaches.
• Dave recounted his own inability to lose fat despite militant cardio and restrictive dieting, only to realize the “advice is bullshit.”
• Individual differences matter—a “one size fits all” approach fails; measuring and experimenting is crucial, as “the recipe is different for everyone.”

Notable Quote:

• "If it does not work for you, then don’t do it. ... The recipe is different. ... You are not the same as any other human on the planet, and it’s okay.”
  — Dave Asprey [09:45]

3. The Role and Benefits of Animal Proteins

• [16:12] Asprey argues that animal proteins are simply better than plant proteins: more bioavailable amino acids, minerals, vitamins, fewer toxins, and better outcomes for bone density and overall health.
• Plant proteins often come with antinutrients and potential heavy metal contamination.
• Ongoing global nutritional guidance against animal protein and saturated fats is driven by a complex mix of ideology, economics, and misinformation.

Notable Quote:

• “They’re better because they work better ... more minerals, more vitamins, and they don’t come with toxins.”
  — Dave Asprey [16:12]

4. Debunking Cholesterol and LDL Myths

• [18:22] Dave and Dylan challenge the mainstream push towards ever-lower LDL cholesterol, revealing its links to pharmaceutical marketing more than evidence-based health benefits.
• Low LDL is not universally beneficial and can increase “all-cause mortality” risks, while higher LDL often correlates with longevity in older adults.
• The most harmful marker is oxidized LDL—and truly valuable vascular health markers go ignored in standard medicine.

Notable Quotes:

• “People with low LDL die more from all-cause mortality.... LDL helps your body escort toxins out ... LDL is simply not bad for you. Oxidized LDL is bad for you.”
  — Dave Asprey [27:48]

5. The Truth About Oatmeal, Grains, and Plant-based ‘Superfoods’

• [50:46] Both hosts admit to years of eating oatmeal and believing in its health claims, only to ultimately suffer from energy crashes and blood sugar spikes.
• Oats and whole grains contain avenin (a protein similar to gluten), phytic acid (anti-nutrient that blocks mineral absorption), and are often contaminated with mold and glyphosate.
• Traditional societies reserved animal foods for themselves and fed grains to peasants—modern “health” trends miss this context.

Notable Quote:

• “Oatmeal ... has enough energy to go plow the fields ... but it’s low in nutrients and it’s not good for you in many different ways.”
  — Dave Asprey [51:10]

6. Mitochondrial Health as the Foundation of Vitality and Longevity

• [32:45] Mitochondria are not just power plants; they’re a distributed network of environmental sensors that “run” the body and influence perception, emotions, and biological aging.
• All aging and chronic disease ultimately link to mitochondrial dysfunction.
• Asprey breaks down mitochondrial “decision-making” as a cascade of “5 Fs”: Fear, Food, Fertility, Friend, and Forgiveness—rooted in evolutionary biology and neuroscience.

Timestamped Microbreakdown:

• The F-Words Framework [37:03 – 44:15]
  • Fear: Hypervigilance to threat, often subconscious.
  • Food: Drives overeating and food attachment.
  • Fertility: Underpins drive for reproduction.
  • Friend: Community & cooperation are wired in.
  • Forgiveness: Key to psychological and mitochondrial resilience.

Notable Quotes:

• “What really happened is...mitochondria infected the cell...there’s way more ancient bacteria calling the shots than your cells that you identify as you.... They decide the state of your body and the state of the world around you...”
  — Dave Asprey [32:45]
• “It’s not you. It’s an automated system to keep your body safe and make sure that we reproduce.... You’re the application, not the operating system.”
  — Dave Asprey [42:09]

7. NAD, NMN, and Supplements for Energy and Longevity

• [45:38] NAD levels fall with age, impairing mitochondrial function and cellular energetics.
• Dave recommends precursors (niacinamide, NR, NMN) over NAD IVs, preferring mixture approaches and pairing with targeted antioxidants to block possible pro-inflammatory responses (CD38).
• Overdosing on supposed “superfoods” like olive oil (or grains, nuts) is also cautioned against; moderation and diversity matter.

Notable Quotes:

• “Raising your NAD is necessary as part of a longevity or cognitive performance strategy ...”
  — Dave Asprey [47:43]

8. Lab Testing, Individualization, and Advanced Longevity Practices

• [26:24] Discusses state-of-the-art AI-driven health testing at Upgrade Labs, focusing on markers often ignored by standard panels (LP, LP PLA2, etc.).
• Advocates for individual measurement—“Track what you hack”—to guide and personalize interventions.

Notable Quotes:

• “If you don’t measure, you don’t follow that rule. ‘Track what you hack,’ you might get different results.”
  — Dave Asprey [09:28]

9. Fun, Philosophy, and Coffee

• [58:12] Dave’s love of coffee and the ethos behind his “ceremonial grade” releases, including the benefits for social connection, alertness, and even the history of science.
• Closing shout-outs for Danger Coffee, with Dave’s signature blend of information, humor, and trolling.

Notable Quotes:

• “Coffee is the original longevity compound.... During the Enlightenment, coffee houses were banned by one of the kings of England because it made people think too much.”
  — Dave Asprey [59:22]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:23–04:44: Dave’s tongue-in-cheek intro to biohacking & social triggers
• 06:57–09:45: Cardio, fat-phobia, and nutrition industry failures
• 16:12–18:03: Why animal protein is superior—bioavailability, minerals, toxins
• 27:44–29:39: What labs and markers actually matter for heart/vascular health?
• 32:45–44:15: Mitochondrial theory, consciousness, the Five F-words model
• 45:38–49:34: NAD, NMN, and stacking for optimal mitochondrial energy
• 50:46–57:59: Oatmeal, phytic acid, plant superfoods, and mineral depletion
• 58:12–59:40: Coffee, consciousness, and ceremonial rituals

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Polarizing to dumb people.” — Dave Asprey [04:35], jokingly triggering debate
• “If you say what I don't like, lord will strike you down from heaven with a stick of rice cake.” — Dave Asprey [14:30]
• “You’re not the same as any other human on the planet, and it’s okay.” — Dave Asprey [09:45]
• “You turn me into a coffee snob ... It’s been a game changer for me.” — Dylan Gemelli [58:12]

Episode Tone & Takeaways

Irreverent, challenging, and deeply informative, this episode shatters widely held health and nutrition myths, making a compelling case for individualized, data-driven longevity strategies grounded in mitochondrial health. Asprey’s analogy-packed explanations and sharp humor keep the dense biology accessible and actionable. Both guests stress that true optimization is about measuring, adjusting, and thinking for yourself—not blindly following trends or dogma.