I am delighted to have Dr. Donald Vega joining me as my guest for today’s podcast episode.  Dr. Vega is a Costa Rican-based registered dietitian, strength and conditioning specialist, and lifestyle mentor with more than two decades of experience promoting metabolic health. His latest book, The Science of Losing Weight, has been a valuable resource for countless individuals seeking to improve their metabolic health.  Dr. Vega brings a wealth of expertise to today’s conversation. In our discussion, we explore the multifaceted role that lifestyle plays in fostering metabolic health, touching on topics like the influence of sunlight and blue light therapies, the importance of high-quality sleep, and why diets fail to work. We discuss the impact of mindset, oxytocin, and gratitude on our personal growth, also looking into the intriguing concept of cold hormesis and how autoimmune disorders and trauma can affect our overall health, in addition to many other informative and relevant topics. IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: Why are people struggling more with weight loss resistance now than ever before? How sleep deprivation impacts weight-loss resistance and overall health How exposure to artificial light affects brain function and energy consumption The benefits of morning exposure to blue light and sunlight   The role of Vitamin D in immune function How stress and inflammation in the gut can prevent weight loss and muscle gain How acts of kindness impact our emotional well-being How hormetic stressors like cold exposure improve our metabolic health Why cold exposure can bypass the need for exercise How deep breathing changes our brainwaves, leading to creativity and problem-solving Connect with Cynthia Thurlow Follow on Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Check out Cynthia’s website Submit your questions to [email protected] Connect with Dr. Donald Vega On his website Spanish-speaking listeners can find Dr. Vega on social media @kilosophy The Science of Losing Weight is available on Amazon