Episode 75 - Tom Nikkola - The Genetic Blueprint of Health
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Meet Tom Nikkola
Tom Nikkola is a fitness and natural health expert with over 23 years of experience in strength training, nutrition, and metabolic optimization. He is the founder of VIGOR Training, author of The 3 Pillars of Vigor, and publisher of the widely read Nikkola Newsletter. Tom empowers high-performers to break through the noise of mainstream health advice using science-backed, real-world strategies. His work focuses on enhancing energy, longevity, and mental clarity through sustainable lifestyle shifts rooted in evidence-based principles.
What We Talk About
• How Tom’s childhood battle with leukemia sparked a lifelong passion for natural health and functional fitness.
• What methylation actually is, why it matters, and how genes like MTHFR, COMT, and CBS affect detox, mood, and resilience.
• The dangers of synthetic folic acid and why 40–60% of people can’t process it, leading to anxiety, miscarriages, and more.
• Why eating healthy isn’t always enough how foods like avocados, fermented veggies, and even folic acid-fortified grains can backfire if your genes are sensitive.
• How genetic testing can reveal which methylation pathways need extra support and how to balance B vitamins, sulfur, and glutathione.
• The connection between histamine overload, MAOA variants, neuroinflammation, and anxiety and how your gut drives most neurotransmitter production.
• Why adrenal fatigue is real, how chronic stress rewires your cortisol output, and what conventional medicine gets wrong about burnout.
• The three pillars of recovery: strength training, sleep, and protein and why they’re the foundation for every healing protocol.
• Why group workouts, calorie restriction, and cardio may make you feel worse if your genes and hormones aren’t supported.
• What genetic resilience really means, and how to rebuild yours with a personalized, root-cause approach to fitness and health.
Episode Resources
Sequencing
Genetic testing to uncover your traits, risks, and health insights.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Sequencing
Promix
Clean supplements made with real food, protein, pre-workout, and more. Use code THETRAILTOHEALTH for 10% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/PromixNutrition
Rho Nutrition
Pharma-grade creatine for strength, absorption, and results. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/RhoNutrition
Oura Ring
Smart ring that tracks sleep, heart rate, and recovery to optimize your health.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/OuraRing
Pulsetto
Wearable vagus nerve stimulator to calm stress and support nervous system balance.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Pulsetto
Jaspr
Medical-grade air purifiers that filter mold, VOCs, and allergens. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 10% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Jaspr
BodyBio
Phospholipids and minerals for brain, cell, and methylation support. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/BodyBio
Quicksilver Scientific
Targeted detox support for mold, metals, and liver health. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/QuicksilverScientific
Connect With Tom Nikkola
Website:
http://tomnikkola.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tomnikkola/
Keywords
health, wellness, genetics, methylation, MTHFR, COMT, adrenal fatigue, nutrition, fitness, metabolic optimization, mental health, anxiety, genetics, strength training, nutrition, stress management, resilience, adrenal fatigue, neurotransmitters, gut health
