Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina

Vanessa breaks down 7 of the biggest science-backed lessons from her recent conversation with Dr. Cassandra Evans on protein, body recomposition, fat loss, muscle preservation, genetics, caffeine, and women's iron health. BACK TO SCHOOL SALE! For a limited time, save 40% sitewide at ketogenicgirl.com with code BACKTOSCHOOL40, including the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library, ToneLUX Red Light Therapy Collection, and Tone Breath Ketone Analyzer. Australia, New Zealand & Southeast Asia: Save 75% on available ToneLUX and Tone products during the warehouse moving sale with code WAREHOUSE75, while supplies last. Vanessa explains why higher protein intake becomes especially...

Dr. Cassandra Evans joins Vanessa to break down the science of protein, body recomposition, fat loss, muscle preservation, genetics, caffeine, and women's iron health. BACK TO SCHOOL SALE! For a limited time, save 40% sitewide at ketogenicgirl.com with code BACKTOSCHOOL40, including the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library, ToneLUX Red Light Therapy Collection, and Tone Breath Ketone Analyzer. Australia, New Zealand & Southeast Asia: Save 75% on available ToneLUX and Tone products during the warehouse moving sale with code WAREHOUSE75, while supplies last. They discuss how much protein may be optimal during body recomposition and fat loss...

Vanessa breaks down the biggest takeaways from her conversation with Dr. Sara Oikawa, including what the research says about losing body fat while preserving—or even gaining—lean mass. A major focus is a tightly controlled body recomposition study in which young men followed a 40% calorie deficit while completing intensive resistance and interval training. The group consuming 2.4 g/kg of protein per day actually gained lean mass while losing fat, while the lower-protein group maintained lean mass. Vanessa explains why resistance training was likely the most important signal, how higher protein intake may supp...

Dr. Sara Oikawa joins Vanessa to break down the science of protein, body recomposition, muscle preservation, and protein quality. BACK TO SCHOOL SALE! For a limited time, save 40% sitewide at ketogenicgirl.com with code BACKTOSCHOOL40, including the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library, ToneLUX Red Light Therapy Collection, and Tone Breath Ketone Analyzer. Australia, New Zealand & Southeast Asia: Save 75% on available ToneLUX and Tone products during the warehouse moving sale with code WAREHOUSE75, while supplies last. They discuss a fascinating study in which young men followed a 40% calorie deficit while completing intensive resistance and interval t...

Vanessa is joined by Craig Emmerich, co-author with Maria Emmerich of The Art of Metabolic Health, for a deep dive into how to lose body fat while protecting lean mass and hard-earned muscle. Back-to-School Sale! Save 40% sitewide at ketogenicgirl.com with code BACKTOSCHOOL40, including the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library, ToneLUX Red Light Therapy Collection, and Tone Breath Ketone Analyzer. Australia, New Zealand & Southeast Asia: Save 75% on available ToneLUX and Tone products during our warehouse moving sale with code WAREHOUSE75, while supplies last. Craig explains why fat loss is about...

Can you build and preserve muscle while spending dramatically less time training? In this episode of the Optimal Protein Podcast, Vanessa sits down with Børge Fagerli, creator of the Myo-Reps training method, to break down one of the most time-efficient approaches to hypertrophy and body recomposition. BACK TO SCHOOL SALE! For a limited time, save 40% sitewide at ketogenicgirl.com with code BACKTOSCHOOL40, including the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library, ToneLUX Red Light Therapy Collection, and Tone Breath Ketone Analyzer. Australia, New Zealand & Southeast Asia: Save 75% on available ToneLUX and Tone products during the w...

Vanessa is back with her first solocast since welcoming baby Taylor! In this episode, she breaks down the seven biggest takeaways from her recent conversation with world-renowned muscle hypertrophy and body composition researcher Dr. Brad Schoenfeld—and shares how she's applying them to her own postpartum body recomposition journey. Back-to-School Sale! For a limited time, save 40% sitewide at ketogenicgirl.com—including the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library, ToneLUX Red Light Therapy Collection, and Tone Breath Ketone Analyzer—with code BACKTOSCHOOL40. Australia, New Zealand & Southeast Asia: Save 75% on available ToneLUX and Tone products during our warehouse moving sale wi...

Today I'm joined by Dr. Brad Schoenfeld, one of the world's leading researchers in muscle hypertrophy and resistance training, to break down the latest science on body recomposition, protein intake, fat loss and training. The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA Can you actually build muscle while losing fat — even if you're already resistance trained? We discuss whether aggressive calorie deficits make it harder to preserve lean mass, why higher protein intakes may be especially helpful during dieting, and how much protein women may need as they...

Why does fat loss suddenly feel harder during perimenopause and menopause—even when you're still exercising and watching what you eat? In today's Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Series episode, I'm joined once again by bestselling author and nutrition expert Maria Emmerich for a fascinating conversation about hormones, metabolism, protein, muscle and body composition in midlife. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. We discuss how changes in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone may influence insulin sensitivity, sleep, motivation, muscle retention and fat distribution, and why preserving le...

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of the Optimal Protein Podcast, Vanessa sits down with Dr. Ty Beal, a global nutrition scientist and research advisor at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), to explore the widespread problem of "hidden hunger"—getting enough or even too many calories while still falling short on essential vitamins and minerals. The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA Dr. Beal explains why micronutrient deficiencies are not limited to lower-income countries. Women, children, older adults, people consuming a high proportion of ultra-processed foods, a...

PSMF 101: How to Burn Body Fat While Protecting Muscle with Craig Emmerich What exactly is a protein-sparing modified fast—and how can it accelerate fat loss without sacrificing precious lean mass? Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. In this episode of the PSMF series, Vanessa is joined by Craig Emmerich, co-author of The Art of Fat Loss, for a step-by-step guide to protein-sparing modified fasting. They break down how a PSMF differs from a traditional fast, how to determine your protein target, why di...

What happens inside skeletal muscle during obesity—and how can we protect lean mass while losing fat? The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA In this episode, Vanessa speaks with Dr. Paul Morgan about the hidden effects of obesity on muscle metabolism, including anabolic resistance, fat infiltration, inflammation, and changes in muscle protein turnover. Try my favorite new electrolytes Cure Hydration 💙 Now available at Amazon! If you'd like to try Cure for yourself, head to curehydration.com/VANESSA and use code VANESSA to save 20% on your order...

In this foundational solocast, Vanessa breaks down the basics of protein nutrition and explains why protein is essential for fat loss, body recomposition, metabolic health, and preserving lean muscle. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. You'll learn how dietary protein is broken down into amino acids, why essential amino acids must come from food, and how leucine helps trigger muscle protein synthesis. Vanessa also explains protein turnover, the balance between muscle protein breakdown and rebuilding, and why protein needs may increase during dieting, aging, illness...

The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA In this episode of the Optimal Protein Podcast, Vanessa welcomes back neuroscientist, physician, performance coach, and author Dr. Tommy Wood to discuss his new book, The Stimulated Mind. Try my favorite new electrolytes Cure Hydration 💙 Now available at Amazon! If you'd like to try Cure for yourself, head to curehydration.com/VANESSA and use code VANESSA to save 20% on your order. Dr. Wood explains why brain health and body composition are deeply connected—and how the same habits that help u...

Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. Today's episode of the PSMF series is a special conversation from the archives with bestselling author and nutrition expert Maria Emmerich. We explore how a protein-sparing modified fast can be used strategically to accelerate fat loss while prioritizing protein and protecting precious lean muscle. Maria explains the important difference between losing weight and losing body fat—and why simply adding more dietary fat may work against your goals when fat loss is the priority. We discuss how PSMF differs fr...

What if training more is actually slowing your progress? The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA In this episode, Vanessa is joined by exercise scientist Dr. Katie Vasenina to explore why fatigue is not the same as progress—and why recovery is essential for fat loss, muscle growth, and body recomposition. Try my favorite new electrolytes Cure Hydration 💙 Now available at Amazon! If you'd like to try Cure for yourself, head to curehydration.com/VANESSA and use code VANESSA to save 20% on your order. They disc...

This episode is part of our special summer series, The Secrets of Fat Loss from Elite Athletes, where we explore what some of the world's highest-performing athletes can teach us about fat loss, muscle preservation, and body recomposition. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. How do elite MMA fighters get down to just 6–8% body fat while preserving the strength and performance needed to compete at the highest level? Vanessa is joined by Dr. Corey Peacock, researcher at Nova Southeastern University and one of th...

In this fascinating episode of the Optimal Protein Podcast, Vanessa Spina is joined by Dr. Anthony Ricci, lead author of the International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand on nutrition and weight cutting in combat sports. The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA Vanessa and Dr. Ricci unpack how elite fighters can drop 5, 10, or even 19 pounds in just 24–72 hours — and why most of that rapid scale change is not body fat, but water, glycogen, electrolytes, and gut content. They also explore the key difference...

🇺🇸 4th of July Sale Starts Now! Celebrate Independence Day with our biggest sale of the summer! 🎉 Save 40% on: 📘 The PSMF Library ❤️ Tone LUX Red Light Therapy 💨 The Tone Breath Ketone Analyzer Use code: INDEPENDENCEDAY40 ⏰ Limited-time offer. 👉 Shop now at ketogenicgirl.com Welcome back to the Optimal Protein Podcast Summer PSMF Series, where we're exploring the science, history, and practical application of protein-sparing modified fasting (PSMF), protein pacing, intermittent fasting, and evidence-based strategies for rapid fat loss while preserving lean mass. In this episode, Vanessa is joined by Dr. Paul Arciero, professor, rese...

In this episode, Vanessa sits down with bestselling author, nurse practitioner, and Everyday Wellness host Cynthia Thurlow to discuss why women who enter perimenopause with more muscle and better metabolic health often experience a smoother transition. The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA They explore protein intake, intermittent fasting, testosterone, insulin resistance, gut health, inflammation, and practical strategies to preserve lean mass, improve body composition, and support long-term health. In this episode: Why muscle is essential for metabolic health during menopause The connec...