In this episode of the Health Upgrade Podcast, I talk with Waldi Hoon, the founder of yōjō, about her journey into the world of vagus nerve health. She shares how her background in content creation, along with her family's experience with chronic pain, inspired her to help others improve their health using science-based solutions.

We also discuss how modern life, from constant stress to information overload and unhealthy habits, affects our nervous system. Waldi explains why building resilience, creating simple daily routines, and finding the right self-care practices can make a big difference. We also explore how YoJo's technology and community help people make these healthy habits part of everyday life.

If you're looking for practical ways to reduce stress, improve your wellbeing, and learn more about nervous system health, this episode is for you. If you find it helpful, share it with three friends who could benefit too.

Dr. Navaz Habib

Email: podcast@healthupgraded.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNavazHabib/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnavazhabib

Waldi Hoon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waldihoon/
Website: https://www.yojo.health/

In this episode, I explore the connection between your light environment, the vagus nerve, and heart rate variability (HRV). Drawing on a 2025 systematic review of 25 studies, I explain how both the timing and quality of light exposure can influence nervous system function and overall recovery.

I discuss how morning exposure to bright, blue-enriched light helps regulate your circadian rhythm and support healthy biological rhythms, even if it may cause a temporary reduction in HRV. In contrast, warmer, dimmer light in the evening can help promote relaxation and prepare the body for restful sleep.

I also share practical strategies for optimizing your daily light exposure, particularly for individuals who experience anxiety, stress, or heightened sensitivity to environmental factors.

As a simple challenge, I invite you to pay closer attention to your light habits for one week. Aim to get natural light in the morning and use warmer, lower-intensity lighting in the evening. Observe how your HRV responds over time, rather than focusing on moment-to-moment changes.

If you find this episode valuable, share it with someone who may benefit from it. Small changes in daily habits can have a meaningful impact on long-term health and well-being.

Dr. Navaz Habib

Email: podcast@healthupgraded.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNavazHabib/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnavazhabib

Welcome to another episode of the Health Upgrade Podcast!

Today I am joined by Dr. David Rabin to dive deep into the science of stress, healing, and the power of the vagus nerve. Dr. Rabin unpacks decades of research, explaining how chronic stress impacts our cells, the crucial role of safety in the healing process, and how modern medicine often misses the importance of looking at the whole person rather than isolated symptoms. Together, we reveal how ancient practices align with the latest neuroscience, showing that mindful breathing, touch, and familiar, calming experiences directly influence our health.

The conversation also explores cutting-edge topics like MDMA-assisted therapy, epigenetics, and the power to reverse trauma at both psychological and genetic levels. Dr. Rabin discusses how trauma can be inherited, and more importantly, how healing is absolutely possible, with evidence-backed tools and practices ranging from technology like Apollo Neuro to traditional approaches such as yoga, meditation, and breathwork.

If you’re looking to upgrade your health and feel empowered in your healing journey, this episode is for you. Share it with friends who could benefit, and discover practical steps you can take today to reconnect your mind and body for a healthier, happier life!

Dr. Navaz Habib

Email: podcast@healthupgraded.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNavazHabib/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnavazhabib

Dr. David Rabin
Website: https://www.drdave.io/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidrabin/

In this episode of the Health Upgrade podcast, returning guest Don Moxley joins us to talk about heart rate variability (HRV) and why it matters for your health, recovery, performance, and healthy aging.

Drawing on his experience working with elite athletes, Don explains how HRV can help you understand how well your body is adapting to stress and recovering from daily challenges. He also discusses the factors that influence HRV, including sleep, exercise, nutrition, past trauma, and your environment.

The conversation highlights the connection between HRV and aging, showing how simple habits like regular movement, healthy food, quality sleep, and strong social relationships can help improve HRV and support long-term health. Don also introduces HRV Plus, a supplement designed to help manage inflammation and improve resilience to everyday stress.

If you want to learn how to better understand your body's signals and discover practical ways to improve your health and age well, this episode is for you.

Dr. Navaz Habib

Email: podcast@healthupgraded.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNavazHabib/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnavazhabib

JP Errico
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevnsguy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-errico-097629aa

Don Moxley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donmoxley/

In this episode of the Health Upgrade podcast, I explore the essential nutrients that power up your vagus nerve for optimal health, higher HRV, less stress, and more energy. You’ll learn why the vagus nerve is crucial for stress resilience, mood, and overall recovery, as well as how heart rate variability (HRV) acts as its report card. I break down the science behind five key nutrients: B vitamins, choline, magnesium, omega-3s, and vitamin D, explaining what each does, why they matter, and the best food and supplement sources to easily support your nervous system.

I also highlight the common deficiencies in these nutrients and how that may be contributing to symptoms like low energy, brain fog, and poor stress recovery. With practical tips and some personal supplement recommendations, you'll understand exactly how to start upgrading your health through nutrition.

Ready to take action? If you’re looking to boost your resilience and energy by supporting your vagus nerve, tune in and try implementing at least one tip from this episode. Start nourishing your way to better health today!

Dr. Navaz Habib

Email: podcast@healthupgraded.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNavazHabib/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnavazhabib

In this episode, I talk with Maggie Awad, a functional sports medicine nurse practitioner, about how gut health affects performance, energy, and recovery. We explore the connection between the gut and the brain, why good digestion matters, and how issues like inflammation or poor nutrient absorption can impact focus, sleep, and overall health.

We also break down topics like amino acids, the gut microbiome, and lab testing in a simple and practical way. Maggie shares easy habits that can support recovery and lower stress, including eating seasonal foods, using breathwork, reducing blue light exposure, and creating more time for rest and healing.

Ready to upgrade your health and resilience? Listen now to learn actionable strategies that can help you recover better, improve energy, and build a stronger foundation for peak performance. Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs a health upgrade!

Dr. Navaz Habib

Email: podcast@healthupgraded.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNavazHabib/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnavazhabib

Maggie Awad
Website: https://www.maggieawad.com/

In this episode of the Health Upgrade podcast, I sit down with Ashok Gupta to explore the groundbreaking science of neuroplasticity and how retraining the brain may hold the key to healing chronic illness. Ashok shares his personal journey with chronic fatigue syndrome and how that experience inspired him to create the Gupta Program, a brain retraining method that has helped thousands of people around the world transform their health by calming deeply ingrained survival responses.

We dive into how childhood experiences, trauma, chronic stress, and even generational patterns can shape the brain’s threat response system, contributing to symptoms such as fatigue, chronic pain, food sensitivities, anxiety, and inflammation. Ashok explains how the nervous system can become stuck in a cycle of hypervigilance, and more importantly, how we can begin to rewire those patterns through neuroplasticity.

Throughout the conversation, we discuss practical tools for healing, including somatic retraining, meditation, emotional regulation, and lifestyle changes, as well as the growing body of scientific research supporting these approaches.

This episode offers hope and a fresh perspective for anyone struggling with chronic symptoms or searching for a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection. If you believe in the body’s incredible ability to heal, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Dr. Navaz Habib

Email: podcast@healthupgraded.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNavazHabib/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnavazhabib

In this episode of the Health Upgrade podcast, I dive into a fascinating research article from March 2026 exploring how chaotic fluctuations in heart rate variability (HRV) signal mental activity during task-based work. I unpack the science behind HRV, highlighting the dynamic interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and explain how healthy levels of chaos in HRV reflect our brain’s ability to shift seamlessly between productivity, creativity, and focus.

I also break down the study’s findings, emphasizing that true productivity and creativity aren’t about pushing harder, but about cultivating an adaptable, well-regulated nervous system, particularly through vagus nerve activation. I offer actionable steps, like resonance breathing, sleep optimization, cold exposure, and environmental tweaks, to boost vagal tone and foster that ideal, “chaotic” heart signature associated with our best cognitive work.

Ready to level up your performance? Try my top tip this week: practice 10 minutes of resonance breathing before your work sessions and see how your focus and creativity improve. Curious to learn more? Access the free 10-day Vagus Nerve Jumpstart and join the Health Upgraded community for more science-backed tips!

Dr. Navaz Habib

Email: podcast@healthupgraded.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNavazHabib/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib/
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/drnavazhabib