457: Why Belly Fat Is More Dangerous Than You Think (And How to Lose It) | Sean O'Mara, MD

Chronic pain affects one in five adults, and psychiatrist and social media star Daniel Amen believes most of us are treating it completely wrong. In this episode, we explore how the brain’s hidden “pain circuits” keep suffering alive—and the surprising tools that can finally break the cycle.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Aura Frames make the perfect gift for loved ones! Pre-load photos for a living montage on any counter or bookshelf. Visit AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code MAX at checkout.

Wildgrain slow-fermented sourdough and fresh pastries go from freezer to bakery-level perfection in under 25 minutes. Yum! Get $30 off your first box and free croissants in every box at Wildgrain.com/MAX or use code MAX at checkout.

OneSkin is a skincare company for minimalists utilizing their revolutionary OS-01 peptide which can reverse signs of skin aging according to their research. Visit ⁠http://oneskin.co/max⁠ and use code MAX for 15% off.

Leland Vittert shares the raw, extraordinary journey behind Born Lucky—a story of autism, grit, and the parenting that changed everything.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

BUBS Naturals makes my favorite collagen, pure and unflavored, perfect for mixing into any drink, soup, or even recipes! Your hair, skin, and nails will thank you. Visit BUBSNaturals.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off.

If you’ve ever had one of those nights where your brain won’t shut off, CBDistillery’s Enhanced Deep Sleep Gummies are the low-dose THC/CBN/CBD combo I personally use to help wind down without feeling groggy. Save 25% at CBDistillery.com with code MAX.

Timeline Nutrition makes MitoPure—a purified form of urolithin A, which provides powerful mitochondrial support for increased energy and longevity. Go to http://timelinenutrition.com/genius for 10% off of your order.

Orthopedic surgeon and medical-mystery expert Dr. Erin Nance, aka “Little MisDiagnosed,” joins Max for a powerful conversation on why diagnoses are so often missed and how to finally get the answers and care you deserve.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Puori is an amazing source of incredibly clean and delicious PW1 whey protein. Plus a ton of other high quality, rigorously tested supplements (fish oil, creatine, and more). Visit ⁠Puori.com/MAX⁠ and use promo code MAX to get 20% off site-wide.

Boost nutrient absorption with LivOn Labs. For a limited time, order one carton of Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C at LivOnLabs.com and get one carton of Lypo-Spheric B Complex Plus FREE—a $56 value—with code MAX25 at checkout!

OneSkin is a skincare company for minimalists utilizing their revolutionary OS-01 peptide which can reverse signs of skin aging according to their research. Visit ⁠http://oneskin.co/max⁠ and use code MAX for 15% off.

Max is joined by Dr. Karan Rajan, medical doctor and one of the internet’s sharpest science myth-busters, to break down the real evidence behind bloating, fiber, carnivore, probiotics, and everything the gut-health world keeps getting wrong.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

OneSkin is a skincare company for minimalists utilizing their revolutionary OS-01 peptide which can reverse signs of skin aging according to their research. Visit ⁠http://oneskin.co/max⁠ and use code MAX for 15% off.

BUBS Naturals makes my favorite collagen, pure and unflavored, perfect for mixing into any drink, soup, or even recipes! Your hair, skin, and nails will thank you. Visit BUBSNaturals.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off.

Pique makes quadruple toxin-screened, cold extracted, and uber-delicious matcha for an all-day energy boost without the jitters! Head to http://piquelife.com/genius for 20% off sitewide for LIFE (limited-time holiday special).

AI can either erode your focus and memory—or become the greatest tool you’ve ever used to sharpen them. In this episode with Jim Kwik, we break down how to build an anti-fragile brain that gets stronger in the face of stress, distraction, and rapid technological change.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

LMNT is my favorite delicious, sugar-free electrolyte powder to leave you feeling charged up after a sweat sesh. Get a free 8-serving sample pack at drinklmnt.com/geniuslife.

Momentous holds its products to rigorous quality and purity standards set by the NFL and NBA. I use their creatine and protein regularly. Head to livemomentous.com/genius or use code GENIUS for 35% off your first subscription.

Struggling with back pain, tightness, or posture issues? Eric Goodman, DC breaks down the Foundation Training method that has helped millions rebuild their bodies, improve mobility, and finally move without pain.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Our Place makes beautiful, toxin-free home cookware, free of PFAS and Teflon! http://fromourplace.com for their biggest sale of the year – up to 35% off until Dec. 2!

Fatty15 provides C15:0, a naturally occurring fatty acid found in full-fat dairy that may support cellular health and longevity—get 15% off at http://fatty15.com/MAX with code MAX!

Denmark’s top self-experimenter and broadcaster Emil Thorup joins me live in Copenhagen to share the simple, science-backed habits that actually move the needle for a longer, stronger life. We unpack the truth about diet, exercise, and balance—and why most people are focusing on all the wrong things.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Thanksgiving is almost here! Fuel your health and make an impression with Diestel Family Ranch’s organic, regenerative, and DELICIOUS turkey. Get $20 off your holiday turkey at ⁠diestelturkey.com⁠ with code MYBIRD.

AG1 is my favorite multivitamin now in delicious new flavors! Enjoy a free 1 year supply of vitamin D and 5 free AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkag1.com/GENIUS.

ARMRA Colostrum protects, rebuilds, and strengthens your body’s barriers for defense against everyday threats and enhanced vitality. Go to armra.com/GENIUS or enter GENIUS to get 30% off your first subscription order.

Oliver Amdrup, co-founder of Puori, joins Max live from Copenhagen to expose the truth about regulation, purity, and potency of health supplements, revealing how to spot real quality when it comes to fish oil, creatine, and protein powders—and how to avoid the junk that’s flooding the market.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Puori provides IFOS-certified, high potency fish oil to satisfy all of your omega-3 needs! Plus a ton of other high quality, rigorously tested supplements (protein, creatine, and more). Visit ⁠Puori.com/MAX⁠ and use promo code MAX to get 20% off site-wide.

BUBS Naturals makes my favorite collagen, pure and unflavored, perfect for mixing into any drink, soup, or even recipes! Your hair, skin, and nails will thank you. Visit BUBSNaturals.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off.

JustThrive makes high quality probiotics with mental health in mind. Get 20% your first 90 day bottle when you go to ⁠https://justthrivehealth.com/GENIUS and use code GENIUSLIFE at checkout!

Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and couples therapist with nearly 20 years of experience helping partners untangle the emotional chaos of modern relationships. In this episode, she reveals the hidden family dynamics that silently sabotage even the strongest couples—and what to do about it before the next holiday dinner blows up.

Grab Tracy's new book here.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Wildgrain is the only bread I’ll happily break my mostly gluten-free streak for — their slow-fermented sourdough and fresh pastries go from freezer to bakery-level perfection in under 25 minutes. Get $30 off your first box and free croissants in every box at Wildgrain.com/MAX or use code MAX at checkout.

Upgrade your workspace with the new UPLIFT V3 Standing Desk — built to keep you moving, focused, and pain-free while you work. Get four free accessories and an exclusive discount at upliftdesk.com/GENIUS with code GENIUS.

What if your protein isn’t just fueling your muscles, but shaping the health of the planet—and your body—at the same time? In this episode, fourth-generation farmer Heidi Diestel reveals the truth about meat labels, regenerative farming, and how to tell whether the food on your plate is genuinely nourishing you or just posing as “healthy.”

Get $20 off your holiday bird with code MYBIRD at diestelturkey.com.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Puori provides IFOS-certified, high potency fish oil to satisfy all of your omega-3 needs! Plus a ton of other high quality, rigorously tested supplements (protein, creatine, and more). Visit ⁠Puori.com/MAX⁠ and use promo code MAX to get 20% off site-wide.

BUBS Naturals makes my favorite collagen, pure and unflavored, perfect for mixing into any drink, soup, or even recipes! Your hair, skin, and nails will thank you. Visit BUBSNaturals.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off.

Pique makes quadruple toxin-screened, cold extracted, and uber-delicious matcha for an all-day energy boost without the jitters! Head to http://piquelife.com/genius for up to 15% off.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart breaks down what teens are really communicating beneath their behavior, and why connection—not control—matters most. We discuss key insights from her new book Love the Teen You Have and how reframing “conflict” can strengthen any relationship.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

BUBS Naturals makes my favorite collagen, pure and unflavored, perfect for mixing into any drink, soup, or even recipes! Your hair, skin, and nails will thank you. Visit BUBSNaturals.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off.

Boost nutrient absorption with LivOn Labs. For a limited time, order one carton of Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C at LivOnLabs.com and get one carton of Lypo-Spheric B Complex Plus FREE—a $56 value—with code MAX25 at checkout!

OneSkin is a skincare company for minimalists utilizing their revolutionary OS-01 peptide which can reverse signs of skin aging according to their research. Visit ⁠http://oneskin.co/max⁠ and use code MAX for 15% off.

Harvard grad, Emmy-winning creative, and Clear Thinker founder Kaizen Asiedu joins Max to teach you how to instantly spot bias, spin, and manipulation in real time — and build a sane, truth-centered information diet in a world engineered to confuse you.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

AX3 Life produces highly bioavailable astaxanthin, dubbed the king of carotenoids and a “longevity vitamin.” Visit http://ax3.life and use code MAX for 20% off.

Thanksgiving is almost here! Fuel your health and make an impression with Diestel Family Ranch’s organic, regenerative, and DELICIOUS turkey. Get $20 off your holiday turkey at diestelturkey.com with code MYBIRD.

ARMRA Colostrum protects, rebuilds, and strengthens your body’s barriers for defense against everyday threats and enhanced vitality. ⁠TryARMRA.com/genius⁠ and use code GENIUS to get 15% off of your first order.

Ty Beal, PhD is a nutrition scientist and head of data and analytics at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), whose research for WHO, FAO, and UNICEF helps shape international nutrition policy. In this episode, he cuts through diet confusion with an evidence-based, pragmatic framework for eating to support long-term health and longevity.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Upgrade your workspace with the new UPLIFT V3 Standing Desk — built to keep you moving, focused, and pain-free while you work. Get four free accessories and an exclusive discount at upliftdesk.com/GENIUS with code GENIUS.

Puori provides IFOS-certified, high potency fish oil to satisfy all of your omega-3 needs! Plus a ton of other high quality, rigorously tested supplements (protein, creatine, and more). Visit ⁠Puori.com/MAX⁠ and use promo code MAX to get 20% off site-wide.

Kion is known for their transparent and evidence-based essential amino acid (EAA) supplements which help save you calories while providing all essential amino acids for muscle growth and more. Save 20% by going to http://getkion.com/geniuslife.

If you’ve been feeling tired, foggy, or worn down for no obvious reason, Stanford mitochondrial researcher Dr. Daria Mochly-Rosen—author of The Life Machines: How Taking Care of Your Mitochondria Can Transform Your Health—reveals why your cells may be losing energy long before your labs show it—and what emerging science is doing about it.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

LMNT is my favorite delicious, sugar-free electrolyte powder to leave you feeling charged up after a sweat sesh. Get a free 8-serving sample pack at drinklmnt.com/geniuslife.

Fuel your health with Diestel Family Ranch’s organic, regenerative turkey. It’s lean and far from the dry turkey mom used to send you off to school with! Get 30% off your first order of $60 or more at diestelturkey.com with code MAX.

Momentous holds its products to rigorous quality and purity standards set by the NFL and NBA. I use their creatine and protein regularly. Head to livemomentous.com/genius or use code GENIUS for 35% off your first subscription.

In this powerful episode, neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein—author of Why Brains Need Friends—shares with Max why chronic isolation acts like a biological stressor, triggering inflammation, accelerating aging, and rewiring the brain for anxiety and disease.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

BUBS Naturals makes my favorite collagen, pure and unflavored, perfect for mixing into any drink, soup, or even recipes! Your hair, skin, and nails will thank you. Visit BUBSNaturals.com and use code GENIUS for 20% off.

OurPlace makes beautiful, toxin-free home cookware, free of PFAS and Teflon! http://fromourplace.com and use code MAX for 10% off, site-wide!

Fatty15 provides C15:0, a naturally occurring fatty acid found in full-fat dairy that may support cellular health and longevity—get 15% off at http://fatty15.com/MAX with code MAX!

YouTube sensation Anna Runkle, better known as the Crappy Childhood Fairy, joins Max to unpack the hidden ways trauma shapes how we connect — or disconnect — from others. They discuss the three trauma-driven behaviors that quietly push people away, the difference between PTSD and complex PTSD, and how to re-regulate your nervous system so you can build healthier, more authentic relationships. It’s raw, practical, and unexpectedly uplifting.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

AG1 is my favorite multivitamin now in delicious new flavors! Enjoy a free 1 year supply of vitamin D and 5 free AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkag1.com/GENIUS.

Shopify makes it easy to accept payments, manage orders, and build relationships with customers (cha-ching!). Get everything you need to sell in person and online at http://shopify.com/genius and get a one-dollar-per-month trial period!

Pique makes quadruple toxin-screened, cold extracted, and uber-delicious matcha for an all-day energy boost without the jitters! Head to http://piquelife.com/genius for up to 15% off.

Gabby Reece—legendary athlete, model, wellness icon, and co-founder of Laird Superfood—shares her blueprint for staying strong, mobile, and connected for life. She and Max explore how to train smarter, recover better, and build relationships that last, while redefining what it truly means to age well. You’ll walk away inspired to move with purpose, love with intention, and live agelessly.

Visit Laird Superfood for 20% off your first purchase or a total of 40% off your first subscription and free shipping.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Branch Basics is a non-toxic, plant-based cleaning system that actually works and replaces virtually every cleaner in your home. Head to BranchBasics.com and use code GENIUS for 15% off your Starter Kit.

Momentous holds its products to rigorous quality and purity standards set by the NFL and NBA. I use their creatine and protein regularly. Head to livemomentous.com/genius or use code GENIUS for 35% off your first subscription.

JustThrive makes high quality probiotics with mental health in mind. Get 20% your first 90 day bottle when you go to ⁠https://justthrivehealth.com/GENIUS and use code GENIUSLIFE at checkout!

Feeling stuck or burned out? In this episode, Suzy Welch shares her science-backed framework from Becoming You to help you finally align your values, passions, and career—and start living the life you were meant to lead.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Shopify makes it easy to accept payments, manage orders, and build relationships with customers (cha-ching!). Get everything you need to sell in person and online at http://shopify.com/genius and get a one-dollar-per-month trial period!

OneSkin is a skincare company for minimalists utilizing their revolutionary OS-01 peptide which can reverse signs of skin aging according to their research. Visit ⁠http://oneskin.co/max⁠ and use code MAX for 15% off.

Urologist and author Dr. Kelly Casperson busts decades of menopause myths, revealing how hormone therapy—done right—can boost brain health, longevity, and quality of life.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Timeline Nutrition makes MitoPure—a purified form of urolithin A, which provides powerful mitochondrial support for increased energy and longevity. Go to http://timelinenutrition.com/genius for 10% off of your order.

Puori provides IFOS-certified, high potency fish oil to satisfy all of your omega-3 needs! Plus a ton of other high quality, rigorously tested supplements. Visit ⁠Puori.com/MAX⁠ and use promo code MAX to get 20% off site-wide.

Pique makes quadruple toxin-screened, cold extracted, and uber-delicious matcha for an all-day energy boost without the jitters! Head to http://piquelife.com/genius for up to 15% off.

In this episode, we dive into Dr. Aimie Apigian's groundbreaking new book The Biology of Trauma to explore how trauma gets wired into your nervous system—and the science-backed tools to finally rewire it for healing and resilience.

15 Daily Steps to Lose Weight and Prevent Disease PDF: https://bit.ly/46XTn8f - Get my FREE eBook now!

Subscribe to The Genius Life on YouTube! - http://youtube.com/maxlugavere

Watch my new documentary Little Empty Boxes - https://www.maxlugavere.com/film

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Boost nutrient absorption with LivOn Labs. For a limited time, order one carton of Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C at LivOnLabs.com and get one carton of Lypo-Spheric B Complex Plus FREE—a $56 value—with code MAX25 at checkout!

Shopify makes it easy to accept payments, manage orders, and build relationships with customers (cha-ching!). Get everything you need to sell in person and online at http://shopify.com/genius and get a one-dollar-per-month trial period!

Fuel your health with Diestel Family Ranch’s organic, regenerative turkey. It’s lean and far from the dry turkey mom used to send you off to school with! Get 30% off your first order of $60 or more at diestelturkey.com with code MAX.

Fatty15 provides C15:0, a naturally occurring fatty acid found in full-fat dairy that may support cellular health and longevity—get 15% off at http://fatty15.com/MAX with code MAX!