How to Reach Your Wellness Potential With the Ultimate Health Podcast

Dr. Jesse Chappus and Marni Wasserman are committed to helping you reach your full potential—in work, in life, and in health. They started the Ultimate Health Podcast five years ago with the goal to interview the best health and wellness experts from around the world and share this powerful information with their listeners. Today, they have surpassed 300 episodes, adopted a pup aptly named Goji, and have inspired millions of people to feel their best.

We recently chatted with them to learn how they got started with the podcast. Read on to discover their favorite episodes and get tips on how to start your own journey toward lifelong wellness.

You interview health and wellness experts for your series, Ultimate Health Podcast. What are the top five pieces of advice that you’ve heard over the years?

1. Make sleep a priority. Get to bed early and make your room a dark sleep sanctuary.
2. Eat real, whole foods.
3. Simplify your life by focusing on what you love to do and work hard to maintain balance. Don’t forget to include lots of play.
4. Practice mindfulness and find a form of meditation that works for you.
5. Surround yourself with good people, both in person and online so that you can always connect with people who inspire you.

How did you start your podcast?

Jesse always had a passion for podcasting and knew the medium really well from a podcast he cohosted previously. We started the podcast part-time while Jesse worked as a chiropractor and Marni ran a cooking studio in Toronto. The podcast was just something on the side at first and now it has become our full-time job! We’ve been podcasting for five years now and we’re so grateful for what we get to do and the message we get to spread!

Which episodes do you recommend for new listeners?

Episode #135: The Six Pillars of Health.
The six pillars of health comprise the foundation of our healthy routine: water, nutrition, sleep, exercise, mental health, and community.

Episode #300: Snapshot of Our Life.
This episode marked a milestone in our podcast journey—300 episodes! In this show, we share our one-year anniversary plans, talk about how we make time for each other, and discuss letting go and enjoying life.

Episode #282: don Miguel Ruiz – The Three Questions, Stop Believing Your Thoughts, Normal vs. Irrational Fear.
don Miguel Ruiz is the international bestselling author of a series of books including “The Four Agreements,” which appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for nearly 10 years. He’s dedicated his life to sharing the wisdom of the ancient Toltec through his books, lectures, and journeys to sacred sites around the world.

Episode #295: Andrew Weil – Cooking as a Form of Meditation, Moods Are Contagious, Microdosing Psilocybin.
Dr. Andrew Weil is the founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. The center is the leading effort in the world to develop a comprehensive curriculum in integrative medicine.

Who is a dream podcast guest that you’d love to have on the show?

Paul McCartney, Ellen Degeneres, and Oprah.

Jesse, how does your previous work as a chiropractor and marathon runner inform your approach to health and wellness?

I have learned so much about the body while getting my degree in Kinesiology and my through my education at Chiropractic College. This has given me a strong foundation when preparing for interviews and having conversations with other health experts. Marathon running has taught me the values of consistency and hard work, which transfers over to being a successful podcaster and entrepreneur.

Marni, you wrote “Fermenting For Dummies.” What are the health benefits of fermented foods?

First and foremost, fermented foods are essential for gut health. They provide natural living probiotics that are helpful for digestion and may improve immune function. Fermented foods are easy to add to your diet in the form of sauerkraut, kimchee, kefir, kombucha, fermented veggies, and yogurt. It’s extremely easy to make fermented foods at home, but if you’re intimidated, it’s just as easy to purchase them. Be sure to look for organic and unpasteurized sources.

What are your favorite tips and tricks for making favorites dishes healthier?

If you start with real, whole foods, then the dish is automatically healthy! Starting with a base of plant foods and lots of healthy fats is another easy way to keep things healthy. We’re big fans of a well rounded diet that’s rich in quality animal protein, colorful veggies, healthy fats and in-season fruit. Some of our favourite dishes include large salads, tacos with Siete tortillas and ground turkey, homemade grass-fed burgers on grain-free buns, baked sweet potato fries and homemade pizza on grain-free crust.

Let’s talk about Goji, your sweet pup. How do you make sure she’s getting the right nutrients?

We feed Goji a raw diet that’s species-specific. It consists of raw animal protein, lots of raw vegetables and supplements in the form of fish oils, turmeric, green powder, probiotics, and quail eggs. Dogs are meant to eat real food, too! Goji’s health is thriving and her coat is so shiny and vibrant.

What do you love most about Thrive Market?

We love that it caters to all different dietary preferences and has such a wide range of products. Thrive Market makes it possible for people to find the quality foods they need for amazing prices! The website is easy to navigate, and we loveThrive Market’s mission of giving back to families and people in need.

What are your favorite products that you always order, and how do you use those products?

We love getting coconut butter for desserts, smoothies and elixirs. Jackson’s Honest sweet potato chips are a favorite snack. Jesse loves grass-feed Epic bars for a snack and yerba mate tea for some morning energy. Sharing a Hu Chocolate Bar makes for a great nighttime snack.

What is your #1 tip for shopping success on Thrive Market?

What we love most is the ability to search under a specific food category. This makes it so much easier to find what we’re looking for and helps us eat according to our dietary preferences. For us this includes grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo.

What is your secret kitchen weapon, and how do you use it?

The blender, of course! We use it for smoothies, dips, sauces, and elixirs.