Episode #309. Testosterone: we hear it thrown around constantly as the silver bullet for curing all kinds of symptoms. Join me as I sit down with Dr Adam Hotchkiss, podiatric physician and foot surgeon turned human optimisation specialist, to answer all your burning questions about testosterone, TRT, steroids, and more. This is an important listen for any men considering using steroids to enhance their physique or looking to safely increase testosterone without compromising fertility. We take a deep dive into testosterone in this episode, covering what it is, what’s considered normal and healthy levels in men, and symptoms of low testosterone. Dr Hotchkiss breaks down how lifestyle factors can influence your testosterone, explains how to boost it (and whether you need to), and covers concerns about fertility and heart disease. Specifically, we discuss: Introduction (00:00) Adam Hotchkiss' Journey: From Podiatry to Hormonal Health Optimisation (03:55) Understanding testosterone's functions, symptoms of deficiency, and impact on overall health (12:00) How the body makes testosterone? (20:56) Understanding Total, Free, and Bioavailable Testosterone Levels (24:35) Examining Testosterone Reference Ranges and How They've Changed Over Time (29:46) Role of Oestrogen in Testosterone Replacement Therapy Benefits (38:27) Preserving Fertility While on Testosterone Therapy: HCG and Other Options (48:48) HCG and Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): What You Need to Know (55:17) Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): When Is It Necessary? (1:01:09) Understanding Testosterone Replacement Therapy: Bioidentical vs Synthetic (1:04:56) The Science Behind Steroid Abuse: What Young Men Need to Know (1:12:39) How Does Testosterone Affect Cardiovascular Health? (1:16:02) Optimising Testosterone Levels Through Lifestyle Changes: Nutrition, Sleep, Exercise (1:20:28) Do Testosterone-Boosting Supplements Really Work? (1:33:55) Should You Optimise Testosterone Levels? Case Study and Discussion (1:36:30) Trenbolone Exposed: Exploring the Evidence on Side Effects (1:44:35) Outro (1:54:11) Connect with Dr Adam Hotchkiss on Instagram and learn more on YouTube. This episode is brought to you by: InsideTracker If you want to improve your health, you need to measure where you’re currently at. InsideTracker analyses up to 48 blood biomarkers including ApoB, LDL, HDL, A1C, and more before giving you advice to optimise your health. Get a 20% discount on your first order at insidetracker.com/simon. Bon Charge Enhance skin health, increase collagen production, and reverse sun damage with BON CHARGE, my choice of low-level light therapy. Holistic, evidence-based, premium products for healthier skin. Get started at boncharge.com and use code THEPROOF for a 15% discount. Eimele Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, and support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Head to Eimele.com and use code SIMON at checkout for 10% off your first order. 38TERA Consider 38TERA's DMN-01 prebiotic supplement a daily multivitamin for your gut. Formulated by yours truly and gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz. Use code THEPROOF for a discount at checkout. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide Download my complimentary Two-Week Meal Plan and high protein Plant Performance recipe book