Today, I’m looking forward to speak with Richard Game—a physiotherapist, Functional Medicine Practitioner, biohacker, and entrepreneur founder of Vital Origin—who shares a vision I deeply resonate with: that modern health challenges stem from a fundamental disconnect between our biology and today’s modern lifestyle. Richard’s approach blends ancestral wisdom with cutting-edge science to help people move beyond surviving and into thriving.
This means addressing mindset, nutrition, movement, and environment—because health is truly multidimensional.
In this conversation, we’ll explore how Richard’s deeply informed, systems-based approach aligns with my work as a health coach and pharmacist focused on root-cause resolution. Together, we hope to share insights and practical tools that can empower his community—and yours—to optimise wellbeing at every level.
In this inspiring episode, Richard shares how a curious physiotherapist, high-performing athlete, and functional medicine practitioner turned his own health challenges into a mission to help others heal and thrive. You’ll hear how minimalist biohacking, ancestral principles, and a grounded, sustainable approach to lifestyle change helped him navigate obstacles like IBS, eosinophilic oesophagitis, intense study, ice hockey, and martial arts, while deepening his understanding of gut health, stress regulation, and living in tune with nature.
Richard also opens up about life as a new parent through a nutritionist’s lens, and how that perspective shapes the way he thinks about food, environment, and long-term health for the next generation. His story is a powerful reminder that mindset, simplicity, and consistency often matter more than the latest gadget or extreme protocol.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The top biomarker Richard relies on in his functional medicine practice to quickly assess how well a body is really coping beneath the surface.
- The simple, day-to-day practices he uses with clients—most of which are completely free—that move the needle on energy, resilience, and long-term health.
- How becoming a new parent reshaped his philosophy on nutrition, environment, and what truly matters when raising healthy, robust kids.
- Why he developed Vital Origins, and how its nutrient-dense products are designed to reconnect people with real food while supporting local and regenerative farming communities.
- The minimalist biohacking strategies that helped him overcome his own health challenges and what they can teach us about the power of gut health, stress balance, and nature-aligned living.
- The role of mindset in making any health strategy sustainable, and how to avoid over-complicating your routine so you can actually stick with it.
Takeaways
Root-cause thinking over quick fixes.
Gut health as a cornerstone of performance and resilience.
Stress regulation through small, repeatable habits.
Using nature and simplicity as guiding principles for modern health.
Blending science with practicality so real people can take real action.
What you can do next
Share this episode with a friend, teammate, or fellow parent who is navigating their own health journey, and tag the show so the conversation can continue beyond the podcast
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Health and Wellness
02:58 Richard’s Journey to Functional Medicine
05:54 Mindset and Chronic Health Conditions
08:53 Defining Optimal Health
11:53 Biohacking Basics and Strategies
15:13 Understanding Biomarkers and Testing
17:48 Affordable Biohacking for Everyone
21:09 Movement and Exercise Recommendations
24:07 Power-Based Training and Hormesis
27:13 Raising a Healthy Child
30:10 Vital Origin and Ancestral Nutrition
32:57 Daily Health Optimization Practices
To turn this episode into tangible change, choose one of these actions today:
- Pick one free daily practice Richard mentioned—such as getting morning light, walking more, breathing practices, or improving sleep routine—and commit to it for the next 7 days.
- Reflect on your own “gut check”: notice how your digestion, energy, mood, and stress levels respond to different foods and habits, and jot down patterns in a simple journal.
- Support a more nutrient-dense, nature-aligned way of eating by seeking out one locally produced or regenerative food option to add to your weekly shop.
Resources:
Evolved Health (Richard’s functional medicine/biohacking website)
Vital Origin (Richard’s supplement business)
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