The Dr. Josh Axe Show
The Dr. Josh Axe Show
Dr. Josh Axe
7 First Things I'd Do If I Had to Start My Health Journey Over
25 minutes Posted Aug 24, 2026 at 7:00 am.
Introduction — why health is a sequencing problem
The 88% statistic — what metabolically healthy actually means
The 5 ordinary habits linked to 12–14 extra years of life
Step 1 — Know your numbers (the blood markers that matter most)
Step 2 — Anchor your wake-up time first
Step 3 — Walk after your meals
Step 4 — Lift twice a week (especially if you're over 40)
Step 5 — Crowd out, don't cut out
Step 6 — Fix your gut with fermented foods and fiber
Step 7 — Guard your peace and build joy
Weekly action plan + closing encouragement
Free resource: Top 25 Blood Markers PDF
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Show notes
Most people fail at health not because they lack willpower — they start in the wrong order. In this episode, Dr. Josh Axe walks through the exact 7-step sequence he would follow if he had to rebuild his health from zero: the things that make the biggest difference fastest, layered so each one makes the next easier.
**In this episode:**
- Why 88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy — and the one blood marker most doctors skip that predicts disease a decade early
- The sleep fix that beats duration: why a consistent wake time (not more hours) cuts risk of death by up to 48%
- The ancient after-meal walk that matched a full 45-minute workout for 24-hour blood sugar control
- Why resistance training twice a week is the highest-return investment if you're over 40 — and why body weight and bands count
- The "crowd out, don't cut out" food strategy that helped Josh's patients reverse autoimmune disease and hypothyroidism without giving up the meals they loved
- Why guarding your peace isn't soft advice — church attendance alone was linked to a 33% lower risk of death over 16 years, and the physiology behind it is real
Uncover what’s really going on in your body with advanced biomarker testing for hormones, thyroid, and metabolism— plus a 1-hour consultation with a Senior Health Advisor! →  http://mybloodwork.com
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DISCLAIMER
This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Axe nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.
*Disclaimer: The bloodwork our team runs at mybloodwork.com covers a handful of the biomarkers listed in the guide above — including critical thyroid and metabolic markers — plus a 1-hour consultation with a Senior Health Advisor, but does NOT cover all 25. You will want to consult your primary or functional doctor for the entire list.
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