Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina Podcast By Vanessa Spina cover art

Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina

Optimal Protein Podcast with Vanessa Spina

By: Vanessa Spina
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Vanessa Spina is a Sports Nutrition Specialist, Best Selling author, creator of the innovative TONE device, as well as a sought after international speaker. On the Optimal Protein podcast, Vanessa shares how to get effortlessly lean and improve metabolic health and fitness with an optimal protein intake! Featuring interviews with world renowned and leading edge protein scientists & experts, authors, and people with inspiring transformational stories discussing the best tools for becoming optimizing your metabolic health with whole foods, nutrition, exercise and more! Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • The Muscle-First Approach to Fat Loss, Protein & Healthy Aging - Dr. Antonella Schwarz Recap

    The Muscle-First Approach to Fat Loss, Protein & Healthy Aging - Dr. Antonella Schwarz Recap
    May 15 2026
    In this Friday solo recap, Vanessa breaks down the biggest takeaways from her recent interview with Dr. Antonella Schwarz on why the goal should not simply be to lose weight, but to build and preserve muscle. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. Vanessa explores the critical difference between weight loss and fat loss, why the scale can be misleading, and how losing weight without resistance training and adequate protein can leave you metabolically weaker over time. She also dives into Dr. Schwarz's latest research on higher protein intake and muscle adaptations, why many people unknowingly under-eat protein, and why protein is uniquely satiating compared to hyper-palatable carb-fat foods. The episode also covers resistance training for women during perimenopause, menopause, and pregnancy, including how lifting weights may support body composition, strength, metabolic health, confidence, and long-term resilience. This episode is a powerful reminder that the most effective fat loss strategy may not be chasing smaller — it may be building stronger. In This Episode Why weight loss and fat loss are not the same thingHow dieting without resistance training can worsen body compositionWhy the scale may not reflect true metabolic healthWhat Dr. Schwarz's protein research revealed about muscle growthWhy many people still under-eat proteinHow resistance training supports women through aging and pregnancyWhy muscle may be the key to fat loss, longevity, and resilience The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 This is the exact structured, high-protein approach Vanessa used for fat loss and body recomposition — without restricting calories every single day. Instead of guessing what to eat or starting over each week, you'll follow a clear, repeatable system combining high-protein, lower-energy days with maintenance days. ✨ What's Included 📘 Premium printed PSMF Library ⚡ Instant digital access 🥩 High-protein, low-carb recipe library 🧠 Tiered system (PSMF + maintenance days) 🛒 Grocery lists + planning tools 👥 3 months of community support 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA 🔴 Tone Lux Red Light Therapy Boost collagen, elastin, and recovery ✨ Save 20% with code VANESSA Discover: Tone Lux Crystal Face Mask Tone Lux Contour (neck & décolletage) 🔬 Tone Device Vanessa uses the Tone Device as a proxy for fat loss + autophagy on PSMF days Check it out HERE 👉 Use code VANESSA for 20% off 📚 Free Resource Get your free high-protein keto guide: 👉 The Keto Reset eBook 👤 Connect with Vanessa Instagram: @ketogenicgirl 📱 Follow for: Latest fat loss researchProtein optimization strategies 🎙 @optimalproteinpodcast for episode updates 💬 Join the Optimal Protein Podcast Community on Facebook ⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not medical or nutritional advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making dietary or lifestyle changes.
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    42 mins
  • Build Muscle to Burn Fat & Age Better with Dr. Antonella Schwarz

    Build Muscle to Burn Fat & Age Better with Dr. Antonella Schwarz
    May 11 2026

    Dr. Antonella Schwarz returns to the Optimal Protein Podcast to discuss her latest study restuls and why building muscle—not simply losing weight—is one of the most powerful things we can do for longevity, metabolic health, and body composition.

    The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉

    👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA

    In this episode, Vanessa and Dr. Schwarz dive into why the scale can be misleading, why fat loss is not the same as weight loss, and how resistance training helps preserve lean mass, support metabolism, and improve long-term health and independence.

    They also explore Dr. Schwarz's latest research on high-protein intake and muscle adaptation, including why consistently hitting higher protein targets may support greater muscle size and strength gains—especially for active individuals and women as they age.

    The conversation also covers resistance training during perimenopause, menopause, and pregnancy, including how lifting weights may support mood, confidence, bone density, body composition, and overall resilience. Dr. Schwarz also shares how she adapted her own training and nutrition while exercising throughout pregnancy.

    In this episode:

    • Why the scale may be misleading you about your true body composition
    • The hidden downside of fat loss without resistance training
    • What Dr. Schwarz's newest research revealed about higher protein intake and muscle growth
    • Why strength may be one of the most important predictors of longevity and independence
    • How resistance training may support women through perimenopause, menopause, and pregnancy
    • Why a muscle-first approach could completely change the way you think about fat loss and aging
    The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉

    This is the exact structured, high-protein approach Vanessa used for fat loss and body recomposition — without restricting calories every single day.

    Instead of guessing what to eat or starting over each week, you'll follow a clear, repeatable system combining high-protein, lower-energy days with maintenance days.

    ✨ What's Included

    📘 Premium printed PSMF Library
    ⚡ Instant digital access
    🥩 High-protein, low-carb recipe library
    🧠 Tiered system (PSMF + maintenance days)
    🛒 Grocery lists + planning tools
    👥 3 months of community support

    👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA

    🔴 Tone Lux Red Light Therapy

    Boost collagen, elastin, and recovery

    ✨ Save 20% with code VANESSA

    Discover:

    • Tone Lux Crystal Face Mask
    • Tone Lux Contour (neck & décolletage)

    🔬 Tone Device

    Vanessa uses the Tone Device as a proxy for fat loss + autophagy on PSMF days

    Check it out HERE 👉 Use code VANESSA for 20% off

    Follow @optimalproteinpodcast on Instagram to see visuals and posts mentioned on this podcast.

    Link to join the Facebook group for the podcast

    The content provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or exercise regimen.
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • The Real Reason Keto Stops Working for Fat Loss & The Protein Shift That Fixes Keto Fat Loss Stalls (Craig Emmerich Recap)

    The Real Reason Keto Stops Working for Fat Loss & The Protein Shift That Fixes Keto Fat Loss Stalls (Craig Emmerich Recap)
    May 8 2026
    Why do so many people lose weight at first on keto or carnivore… only to eventually stall or even gain weight? In this Friday recap episode, Vanessa breaks down the biggest takeaways from her interview with Craig Emmerich, co-author of The Art of Metabolic Health. She explains why ketosis alone does not guarantee body fat loss, why high dietary fat can prevent the body from tapping into stored fat, and how protein-prioritized keto may be a more effective approach for fat loss and body recomposition. Check out the Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting Library at ketogenicgirl.com and use code VANESSA for 20% off. Vanessa also dives into fuel partitioning, the Randall cycle, personal fat threshold, and why so many people get stuck in "diet islands" after using keto, carnivore, fasting, or low-carb diets to lose weight. She shares her personal experience gaining weight on traditional high-fat keto, then later losing 14 pounds of body fat using alternating protein-sparing modified fasting days and maintenance days. This episode is all about using structure, protein, and metabolic strategy to burn body fat while preserving lean mass. In This Episode Why high-fat keto can stall fat lossThe difference between burning dietary fat and stored body fatWhy ketosis does not automatically mean fat lossHow fuel partitioning affects body compositionWhy protein is the anchor for recompositionThe dieting trap of losing muscle and regaining fatHow protein-sparing modified fasting protects lean massVanessa's approach: alternating PSMF days with maintenance daysWhy personal fat threshold matters for metabolic healthHow to avoid getting stuck in keto, carnivore, or fasting "diet islands"Why body composition matters more than scale weight Resources Mentioned Craig & Maria Emmerich The Art of Metabolic HealthIQBAR – Try the Ultimate Sampler Pack: IQBARs, IQMIX, and IQJOE! Text VANESSA to 64000 for a 20% off discount code The PSMF Library is officially live 🎉 This is the exact structured, high-protein approach Vanessa used for fat loss and body recomposition — without restricting calories every single day. Instead of guessing what to eat or starting over each week, you'll follow a clear, repeatable system combining high-protein, lower-energy days with maintenance days. ✨ What's Included 📘 Premium printed PSMF Library ⚡ Instant digital access 🥩 High-protein, low-carb recipe library 🧠 Tiered system (PSMF + maintenance days) 🛒 Grocery lists + planning tools 👥 3 months of community support 👉 Check it out here + get 20% off with code VANESSA 🔴 Tone Lux Red Light Therapy Boost collagen, elastin, and recovery ✨ Save 20% with code VANESSA Discover: Tone Lux Crystal Face Mask Tone Lux Contour (neck & décolletage) 🔬 Tone Device Vanessa uses the Tone Device as a proxy for fat loss + autophagy on PSMF days Check it out HERE 👉 Use code VANESSA for 20% off 📚 Free Resource Get your free high-protein keto guide: 👉 The Keto Reset eBook 👤 Connect with Vanessa Instagram: @ketogenicgirl 📱 Follow for: Latest fat loss researchProtein optimization strategies 🎙 @optimalproteinpodcast for episode updates 💬 Join the Optimal Protein Podcast Community on Facebook ⚠️ Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not medical or nutritional advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making dietary or lifestyle changes.
    Show more Show less
    41 mins
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Love getting to host this show!!! I have the best listeners ever!!! I feel so blessed. Thank you for your generous and kind reviews!! I love you all 🤍

I am so thankful for you; 5 stars for my listeners

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I love the information she brings. its always reliviant and understandable thank you Vanessa optimum protien girl

the best

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