Podcast Summary: Episode 192. Dana White: 3-Year Health Transformation Review and Results!
Introduction
In Episode 192 of The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka, Dana White, the prominent UFC President, shares his remarkable three-year health transformation journey under the guidance of Gary Brecka. This in-depth conversation delves into the profound lifestyle changes Dana undertook, the significant improvements in his health metrics, and the overarching impact on his personal and professional life.
1. Dana White's Health Challenges Before Transformation
Dana White began his journey with severe health issues that threatened his well-being and career longevity. He faced multiple chronic conditions, including:
- Chronic Leg Pain and Mobility Issues: Dana struggled with constant leg pain, making everyday activities like putting on shoes a challenge (00:07).
- Sleep Apnea: He suffered from severe sleep apnea, causing nightly discomforts such as vomiting, choking, and gasping for air (07:10).
- Early-Stage Renal Failure: Lab results indicated kidney function in the high 40s to low 50s filtration rate (08:16).
- Hyperinsulinemia and Diabetes: Elevated insulin levels above 32 and a Hemoglobin A1C of 7.0 pointed to insulin-dependent diabetes (09:42).
- Brittle Hypertension: Dana was categorized as a brittle hypertensive, necessitating medications like beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors (11:00).
"Nobody could fix anything that was wrong with me. I probably was going to die within years." (00:00)
2. The Transformation Journey
Gary Brecka implemented a holistic and sustainable approach to Dana's health, focusing on dietary and lifestyle modifications rather than relying on expensive medical interventions.
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Keto Reset Diet: Dana began with a rigorous keto reset, emphasizing whole foods and a structured eating routine (00:07).
"A lot of what we did was not fancy multimillion dollar equipment. A lot of it was keto reset diet, getting into a routine, dietary and lifestyle changes." (00:07)
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Supplementation: Introduction of methylated multivitamins and trimethylglycine to lower homocysteine levels (08:16).
"We used a simple amino acid called trimethylglycine to metabolize this homocysteine out of the bloodstream." (10:30)
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Cold Plunges and Red Light Therapy: Incorporation of cold plunges, red light therapy, and PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapy as part of his daily routine.
"I am addicted to cold plunging. I never used to like to do sauna. Now I do the sauna. I do the red light." (14:46)
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Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, steady-state cardio, grounding, breathwork, and exposure to sunlight.
"Getting into a routine, eating whole foods, not missing a workout." (08:16)
3. Significant Health Improvements and Lab Results
Three years into the transformation, Dana experienced dramatic improvements across various health markers:
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Blood Viscosity: Hematocrit levels decreased from over 51 (motor oil-like viscosity) to a healthier range.
"Your blood was very much like motor oil was... now it's like the viscosity of olive oil." (10:30)
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Kidney Function: Early-stage renal failure indicators improved, with the filtration rate rising into the 90s (12:55).
"EGFR is in the 90s, meaning the filtration rate of the kidneys is dramatically improved." (12:55)
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Triglycerides and Cholesterol: Triglycerides dropped from 764 to 79, and total cholesterol stabilized at 190 (12:55).
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Homocysteine Levels: Reduced from elevated levels to 7, normalizing blood pressure without the need for medications.
"Homocysteine is 7. ... Going back to normal blood pressure without meds." (12:55)
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Hemoglobin A1C: From 7.0 (diabetic range) to 5.3, maintained solely through diet without pharmaceuticals (12:53).
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Thyroid Function: Improved T3 levels through methylated vitamins instead of thyroid medications (12:55).
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Insulin Levels: Decreased from hyperinsulinemic levels above 32 to 9 without the use of GLP1 inhibitors (14:39).
"He was hyperinsulinemic with insulin level above 32. His insulin is now 9." (12:55)
4. Personal Impact on Dana’s Life and Business
Dana's health transformation had a profound effect on both his personal life and his role within the UFC:
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Enhanced Vitality and Performance: Improved health metrics translated to better performance in his demanding role as UFC President.
"Everything that I'm doing in my life and in my business... none of this would be happening had I not finally connected with you three years ago." (00:40)
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Business Milestones: Secured significant deals, including a $7.5 billion rights agreement with Paramount, and expanded UFC's reach through innovative events like Power Slap.
"We just announced our new rights deal this week. Power Slap is off the charts." (01:25)
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Increased Fitness and Energy: Dana's newfound energy allowed him to embark on activities like motorcycle trips and attend high-profile events without physical limitations.
"I'm flying all over the place. I'm literally not going to be home this entire month." (07:53)
5. The Influence of Gary Brecka and The Ultimate Human Podcast
Gary Brecka's expertise and dedicated mentorship were pivotal in Dana's transformation:
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Personalized Health Strategies: Gary tailored a holistic health plan that addressed multiple facets of Dana's well-being.
"It started to feel so good that you become addicted to feeling that good." (00:15)
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Sustainable Lifestyle Changes: Emphasis on achievable and maintainable changes ensured long-term health benefits without dependency on expensive treatments.
"There's no steroids, there was no tirzepatide, semaglutide, retatrutide, none of these fancy GLP1 inhibitors." (08:16)
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Community and Support: Their partnership exemplifies the transformative power of expert guidance in personal health journeys.
"Thank you for saving my life, however you want to call it." (23:18)
6. Discussion on Dana’s Business and The State of Pay-Per-View
Beyond health, Dana and Gary discussed the evolving landscape of media and live sports:
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Pay-Per-View's Resilience: Contrary to critiques, Dana asserts that pay-per-view remains a robust business model, especially for live sports, despite the rise of streaming services.
"Pay per view isn't dead. The business is alive and strong." (16:13)
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Integration with Streaming: Live sports like UFC and boxing remain a key driver for streaming platforms, ensuring sustained relevance.
"Destination TV is live sports. ... Now, there's all these streaming services that already need live sports." (17:12)
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Fan Engagement and Fighter Compensation: New rights deals have enhanced fan experiences and fighter earnings, creating a win-win scenario for all stakeholders.
"Every time we knew a new rights deal, fighter pay goes up and up and up." (17:44)
7. Future Plans and Continuing the Journey
Looking ahead, Dana and Gary express optimism and commitment to ongoing health and business success:
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Continued Health Commitment: Dana remains dedicated to his health regimen, continually integrating new practices and maintaining his enhanced lifestyle.
"I created a monster. Because every... So, I just jump back on my routine and get back on my wagon." (15:39)
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Upcoming Business Endeavors: Dana anticipates more groundbreaking deals and events, further solidifying UFC's dominance in the sports industry.
"I'm about to head out on another motorcycle trip... none of this would be happening right now if it wasn't for you." (07:53)
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Ongoing Collaboration: The partnership between Dana and Gary is set to continue, with plans to reconvene and assess progress in the years to come.
"Looking forward to another three years." (23:26)
Conclusion
Dana White's three-year transformation, guided by Gary Brecka's comprehensive health strategies, illustrates the profound impact of holistic lifestyle changes on personal health and professional success. From overcoming severe health challenges to achieving significant business milestones, Dana's journey serves as a testament to the power of dedication, expert guidance, and sustainable practices. This episode not only highlights Dana's inspiring story but also underscores the invaluable role of health optimization in achieving one's fullest potential.
Notable Quotes:
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"Give me 13 weeks and I'll change your life." – Dana White (00:00)
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"Once you feel this good, you never ever want to go back." – Dana White (04:06)
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"There's no steroids, there was no tirzepatide, semaglutide, retatrutide, none of these fancy GLP1 inhibitors." – Gary Brecka (08:16)
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"I'm addicted to cold plunging. I never used to like to do sauna. Now I do the sauna." – Dana White (14:46)
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"I love you. Thanks for changing my life, brother." – Dana White (23:15)
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