Welcome to Episode 403 of The Intermittent Fasting Podcast, hosted by Melanie Avalon, author of What When Wine Diet: Lose Weight And Feel Great With Paleo-Style Meals, Intermittent Fasting, And Wine, and Vanessa Spina, author of Keto Essentials: 150 Ketogenic Recipes to Revitalize, Heal, and Shed Weight.
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LINKS:
Vanessa's Tone Device: The Tone Device Breath Ketone Analyzer
Melanie's podcast: The Melanie Avalon Biohacking Podcast
Vanessa's podcast: The Optimal Protein Podcast
More on Melanie: MelanieAvalon.com
More on Vanessa: ketogenicgirl.com
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TRANSCRIPT
(Note: This is generated by AI with 98% accuracy. However, any errors may cause unintended changes in meaning.)
Melanie Avalon
Welcome to episode 403 of the Intermittent Fasting Podcast. If you want to burn fat, gain energy, and enhance your health by changing when you eat, not what you eat, with no calorie counting, then this show is for you. I'm Melanie Avalon, biohacker, author of What, When, Wine, and creator of the supplement line, Avalon X. And I'm here with my co-host Vanessa Spina, sports nutrition specialist, author of Keto Essentials, and creator of the Tone Breath Ketone Analyzer and Tone Lux red light therapy panels. For more on us, check out ifpodcast.com, melanieavalon.com, and ketogenicgirl.com. Please remember, the thoughts and opinions on this show do not constitute medical advice or treatment. To be featured on the show, email us your questions to questions at ifpodcast.com. We would love to hear from you. So pour yourself a mug of black coffee, a cup of tea, or even a glass of wine if it's that time and get ready for the Intermittent Fasting Podcast. Hi friends. So today we have a very special episode for you guys. It's actually a podcast swap. So Scott Emmons is going to be interviewing me all about my podcasting life and the history of the Intermittent Fasting Podcast and all the things. You'll be listening to that episode now. And it also will be airing on Scott's incredible podcast called Behind the Mic. So definitely check out that show. If you like this format on that show, Scott engages in super dynamic discussions across a wide range of topics with all different podcasters. He's had on crowd favorites like Ben Azati and Liz Wolf and many more. And they really dive deep into their expertise and their experiences and their insights, because so often in the podcasting world, especially the health world, we interview these incredible guests and the focus is on their topic. So on Scott's show Behind the Mic, you actually get to know the person behind the mic of some of your favorite podcasts. So definitely check that show out. All right, now enjoy the show. Hi everybody and welcome. This is episode number 403 of the Intermittent Fasting Podcast. I'm Melanie Avalon and I am here with a very special guest today on today's show. It is somebody that you guys are probably very familiar with because he has been on this show so many times. Actually, Scott, do you know how many times you've been on the Intermittent Fasting Podcast?
Scott Emmens
I think this is gonna make seven. Seven? Seven. I think I'd lucky number seven.
Melanie Avalon
Awesome. Yes. So, the backstory on what we're doing right now, we recently aired our final goodbye episode with Vanessa Spina, which was very sentimental and bittersweet. We adore each other. We adored podcasting together and her life and everything with her kids and homeschooling and all the things just wasn't going to work out anymore doing this show. So, I wish Vanessa nothing but the best and maybe actually we'll have to bring her back in the future for some special guest episodes. So, now we are in the in-between because we do have a new co-host joining the show very soon. So, while we're in the in-between, with Scott Emmons, Scott has been on the show multiple times. He is my fantastic, incredible partner at IndiLogic Health, helping me create my Avalonix supplement line. Scott and I also have a third podcast together, a third for me, a second for Scott, which I will explain in a minute, called the Mind Blown podcast, which we just absolutely adore doing that. So, friends, definitely check that out. And Scott recently launched a new podcast called Behind the Mic, where he actually interviews podcasters, which is such a cool format and so, so fun. It's actually a ton of guests that I've had on my shows as well. So, a lot of people you're probably familiar with. So, we thought we would do a fun mashup episode here, where Scott is actually going to interview me about my podcasting experience, I mean, just in general, but in particular, the intermittent fasting podcast with you guys. So, this episode is going to be a little bit of a personal episode for me, with Scott taking the reins. Yeah, it's going to work so well, because we're going to air it on his Behind the Mic show as well. So, yeah, Scott, I'm excited for this. Thank you.
Scott Emmens
Behind the Mic Wellness launched November 11th. I am super excited about it. It is exactly what you said. Really, we take a deep dive into podcasters people already know. And then you get to meet some new voices that you probably haven't heard of before. So the whole objective is to spread the good word of podcasters in the health and wellness space doing great things for other people.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, so it's an awesome show. Definitely check it out and you'll actually get a sneak peek of it right now because this episode is going to air on that show as well. So Scott, I'm just going to, I'm going to let you take over and do your thing.
Scott Emmens
Awesome. Well, so, you know, Melanie, you've done so many things in the podcast world, intermittent fasting world, the biohacking world. So I want to take us back, though, to sort of pre-IF podcast, Melanie. And I guess what led you into intermittent fasting? Was there a defining moment that you said, this is it for me? Or was there something else that came before intermittent fasting?
Melanie Avalon
Yes, so great question. It was both a defining moment, epiphany moment, like singular acute moment that I remember, and an evolution leading up to it, which was basically that growing up, I was always trying different diets all the time, just to lose mostly vanity pounds, and nothing really ever stuck or worked. I mean, there were things like calorie counting, and I tried really silly crazy diets in college, like the cookie diet where you eat all these cookies instead of real food. And it wasn't until I discovered low carb in college that I realized what I was eating not only could be effective in helping me lose weight, but also had all these other health benefits as well. And I will say I'm no longer low carb, at least not, well, I do low carb nights, but I'm not currently low carb in general. But that really opened my eyes because from there I discovered the science of diet and the science of fat burning. I discovered keto, it was a whole thing. And this was over a decade ago, I was often in the internet web spheres, forums and message boards, trying to learn more about how to further optimize everything I was doing. And that's where I found this blog post because this was back in the days where blog posts were still the place to be. Because before, now it's all Instagram that they and people still do blogs.
Scott Emmens
Vlogs had a moment there. They were they were the thing
Melanie Avalon
Like you were a blogger, you know, like today you, you don't, people don't really identify as a blogger. I mean, you can, if you want to, and you might be one, I'm not trying to offend bloggers, but like they were like a thing for a while. So there was this one blog post by this guy, Rusty Wayne, I think, and the title was eat one meal. I think, I think it said like eat one meal a day to lose weight or something like that. And it basically made the case for OMAD one meal a day, which is the intermittent fasting protocol that I followed for years and years and years. And a lot of our listeners do as well. And I remember this blog post had like hundreds of comments and all these people saying how incredible it was. And the idea was like really, it's so interesting to me because now it's literally what I do. It's so second nature. I can't imagine being any other way. So it's weird to me that there was a point in time where this concept of eating one meal a day was kind of shocking to me. I decided to do it. I had like a diet buddy in college, shout out to Ben and P. We would always do our crazy diets together. Like he did the cookie diet with me and the Apple fast and all the things.
Scott Emmens
Did he want to do the cookie diet, or did you arm wrestle him into the cookie diet?
Melanie Avalon
No, he was all about the different diet. Actually, did he actually do the cookie diet? Oh, he did the HCG drops. We did those. Yeah, so he was my diet buddy. And so we decided to do the one meal a day thing together. It was called the, I was calling it the warrior diet, which is Ori Hofmeckler. I think I found the warrior diet Ori Hofmeckler's thing through after finding this one blog post. In any case, I decided to do it for a week while in film school. And I never stopped.
Scott Emmens
So you went to OMAD and are you still doing OMAD or have you kind of loosened that up? No.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, I'm still doing it. No loosening. Well, I have actually... Wait, let me... That was the incorrect answer. I have loosened in that when I first started, I was very much driven by the clock. So it was like, I am not eating until I have fasted a minimum amount of hours until this time. It was very intense about that. Now, I don't think about that at all. I just eat every night. I don't really stress about it.
Scott Emmens
like I did. Yeah, timing. And I think, you know, everyone's unique and individual in that way, and timing probably doesn't matter as much as just getting the right amount of nutrients at the right, you know, in the one meal a day.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, I think some people like me, when starting, you need a very specific plan and protocol like time wise that you're sticking to to get into the habit. And then you can be more flexible, as you know, as it were.
Scott Emmens
I completely relate. As a former bodybuilder, at first, you read all the magazines, did all the form properly, did the basic routines and sets that they described. Then over time, you become in touch with your muscles and your body and you learn how to do things a little differently and then you start adding things. I think it's very similar when you're doing a diet or intermittent fasting. You've got to go through some kind of scheduled program to learn your body and then you can start to tweak it based on how you're responding as you get to know your body. Exactly. Yep. So you mentioned the warrior diet. Is that one meal a day or was that something with a slightly different concept?
Melanie Avalon
That's Ori Hofmeckler's work. I've actually had him on the Intermittent Passing podcast, which blows my mind, A, that I forget that he's been on the show, and B, that he was such a key figure for me, and then I eventually was interviewing him. Actually, that's just the way I feel all the time with all the people I interview. But his approach is based on, I think, the ancient Romans. And it's like the idea of being a warrior, and so you eat your big meal in the evening, but he does allow for during the day, you're allowed to have slight munching on salad greens and stuff like that. That's really the only really big difference between that and a traditional one meal a day approach that we talk about on here. Got it.
Scott Emmens
So, I mean, obviously, you know, you did the OMAD, you started intermittent fasting. What was some of the really difficult challenges you faced early on when you were experimenting with intermittent fasting in OMAD?
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, so what's really interesting is, so I had been low carb already. So I was pretty fat adapted, because a lot of people, they have to gain this metabolic flexibility where their body more easily taps into using their fat stores, because it can be pretty resistant in the beginning, especially if you've been eating a high carb diet, eating constantly, eating the standard American diet. So I didn't have that issue jumping into intermittent fasting, because I was already pretty good at burning fat. So honestly, I remember the first day, very clearly, because it was on my friend's film set. On the film set, there's these craft services, which is like the snacks and the food. And I was so conditioned to just snacking all the time. And I was like, Oh, I can't snack, I can just drink tea now. So I distinctly remember that. After that, though, it was very easy for me. That's the reason I kept going, like I just never stopped. I didn't have a lot of challenges physically with appetite or cravings. That said, the social challenges were intense.
Scott Emmens
I was just going to ask about the social challenges because, you know, it's so often like, let's have lunch together, let's have breakfast together, it becomes part of your social fabric.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, exactly. And the good thing about doing if you do a one meal a day evening situation like me is the most communal meal does tend to be dinner. So that's not an issue. But things like lunch and breakfast and yeah, just all of that. And this was before because now intermittent fasting is very well known. It was going to be anyways, but maybe our podcast contributed a tiny tiny bit to that. Back then people weren't talking about it or doing it as like a thing. So people thought if you said you were fasting, it was like people thought you were, I don't know, had disordered eating.
Scott Emmens
I have personal experience in two things. One, relating to that, so in 2015 or 16, one of my coworkers asked me, well, how are you staying fit? And I'm like, well, I do a lot of intermittent fasting. And he just literally burst out laughing, like, you think that actually works? There's no science to that at all. I'm like, actually, there's a ton of science and you haven't read it, so you think I'm crazy. But in 2016, it was definitely not mainstream. That same person today now is convinced that I have podcast or intermittent fasting is the way to go, which is kind of funny. But the other thing you mentioned, like, did your show contribute to it? Well, just an anecdote. The first time I was on your show, I got a phone call from three or four of my friends and colleagues from, like, that I either was really good friends with or knew pretty well in the work situation or just really good friends with. At least three, I think four people either called or texted me. Was that you on I Have Podcast? Oh my God, I've been listening to that for years. So just within my small circle of friends, not all of whom are health nuts or biohackers or fasters, I had four different people reach out to me on the very first time I was on your show. So you definitely made an impact.
Melanie Avalon
Was it really that many, really three or four?
Scott Emmens
My best friend, his wife, Kate, her friend, another colleague, Ann, and a colleague in the health and wellness space named Dawn. So that's the ones I can remember, but there's probably more.
Melanie Avalon
That's so crazy to me. And you know what else is also really interesting? So aside from when I'm at a conference where a lot of people I meet know who I am, in my entire seven or so years of podcasting, I don't think I yet have met a random stranger who knows me from my podcast, even though I hear so many stories like that, where like other people's friends listen, or like my mom. My mom moved into, my parents moved into a townhome and like their neighbor listens to my show. So like it happens to other people, but I don't think it's ever happened to me. Like I've never met a random person and then they're like, what do you do? And I say podcasting and then what are your shows? And I tell them, and then they've heard of it. Like, I don't think that's ever happened. Isn't that weird? You'd think that would have happened at least once.
Scott Emmens
Well, I think as you continue to go to more conferences and travel more, I think that's going to become commonplace for you.
Melanie Avalon
Conferences don't count, Scott. That's what I just said. Conferences, like everybody at conferences knows me. I'm sorry, this is like.
Scott Emmens
Just walking to the airport or at the grocery store. Yeah, I hear you.
Melanie Avalon
It's just weird because it happens to people, you know, like you just shared that story.
Scott Emmens
It's coming, I feel it. So, you also wrote a book. Now, did the book come before I Have Podcasts or did I Have Podcasts come before the book? What, when, why?
Melanie Avalon
some listeners have heard this story. Okay. I was working on, I had my agent backtrack. I still published the book in 2014, I think. So that was pre-podcasting completely. I got an agent, a publisher. So that was like 2017. I was working on the book to re-release it in stores. And that's when I started trying to find a co-host. And so that's how I found Jen Stevens. You know the story, Scott, of what happened?
Scott Emmens
Vaguely, I think we've talked about it in the past, but my listeners won't know.
Melanie Avalon
I knew I wanted to do a podcast on intermittent fasting. I knew I needed a co-host. I had not done a podcast before. So I was like, how do I find a co-host? And I was like, well, I'll just like look for intermittent fasting Facebook groups. And then I'll ask in there if anybody wants to co-host. So I found the biggest intermittent fasting Facebook group I could find, which was Jen Stevens's group. I went in there, I posted, I said, I wanted to make it super clear. I was not trying to pitch my book at the same time. I wanted to give myself credibility so people would know like, oh, this is like a legit person. She's writing a book about fasting. She wants to do a podcast. So I said in the post, I was like, I have a book coming out. I didn't mention the name or anything. I was like, I have a book coming out and I really want to do a podcast on intermittent fasting. Would anybody like to co-host with me? And the group freaked out on me, like flipped. Like all these comments about how horrible of a person I was to come in Jen's group and promote my stuff.
Scott Emmens
How dare you promote yourself?
Melanie Avalon
Yeah. So I was like, Oh, okay. And then they blocked me from the group. So I was like, Oh, well, that's not going to happen. Okay, moving on. And then Jen herself, who I didn't even know at the time, messaged me and said, Hey, she said she had been thinking of starting a podcast. So did we want to maybe discuss doing it together? So yeah, we did a phone call and
Scott Emmens
That's a cool story.
Melanie Avalon
We did a phone call off to the races and we podcasted together for five years or so.
Scott Emmens
ish. It's funny how, you know, the person that is running the group or the person that's superstitious, they'll find you, you know, if you put it out there, someone will find you and, you know, kudos to you for putting it out there. It takes a lot of bravery to do that.
Melanie Avalon
Well, thank you. And I'm so grateful to Jen because I'm so grateful because she had such a huge audience. So once we did launch the show, we immediately had an audience which is not common in the podcasting world at all.
Scott Emmens
You decide you're going to do the intermittent fasting podcast. You now have a partner, but you alluded to earlier that there was like a distinct moment when you knew you were going to do a podcast on intermittent fasting. What was that moment? What went through your mind when you made that decision? Like, I know I want to do a podcast.
Melanie Avalon
So there wasn't a distinct moment for the podcast that was for that was
Scott Emmens
for intermittent fasting itself.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, the podcast, I just knew I wanted to do but I didn't know how or when. So, yeah. But then once Jen sent me that message, we locked it in. We're off to the races. And I had to figure it all out myself. Actually, the guy I was dating at the time, who was also my mentor for my book, because he was an author and a podcaster, among other things. And he actually told me what to do with podcasting. So that was helpful. It's always helpful to have a...
Scott Emmens
somebody tell you what to do. Absolutely, and I think that's been an advantage I've had working with you and other podcasters is kind of learning some of the things to do and some of the things not to do. So thank you for that. But you did so much of it on your own. I mean, you really had to learn from the ground up. Plus you had a co-host that you were also supporting and you were, I think, weren't you even doing the editing yourself at one point?
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, it almost broke me like it literally almost in the beginning. I was doing everything editing. Yeah, I was edited. I would upload it. I would do all the, all the graphics, all the campaigns. I was prepping that it was, it was a lot. It was exhausting.
Scott Emmens
If there was if you could go back and tell yourself something as that podcast was beginning like advice you would give yourself When when I have to launch what would it be about? Would it be about the podcast would it be something else? What would be the advice you'd give yourself right as you were launching that and doing all of this work that almost broke you?
Melanie Avalon
My first immediate thought was, oh, well, I would tell myself, outsource some of that and take it from sponsor money at the beginning, but then I'm like, Oh, wait, you don't have sponsor money in the beginning. So, you know, at the beginning, it's all, you're paying for everything. If I could have afforded it, I would have still said, outsource. Although I do like what I learned, I think I would have done it on my own for like a month, not for as long as I did, which was a long, maybe a year. So that's thing one, there's been so many changes in the podcasting world over the past almost decade. So it's interesting because the way things are done now, a lot of it isn't even remotely how it was done back then. So I can't really, I was gonna give myself advice about that. But it's like that wasn't the way it was back then. So it doesn't really apply.
Scott Emmens
That is a great segue into the next topic, which is...
Melanie Avalon
Very vague answer, but.
Scott Emmens
Well, I think it's a legitimate answer, right? The podcast world has changed in so many ways. I mean it's become Really? I think the go-to place people look for you know People in the know and so many people are turning to podcasts for all types of information because the long form allows you to do So many things and so it's become a really sort of mainstream but also the industry who's a part of it Like who you have to be partnered with there's so many things that have changed but to that point You're making a slight change in I have podcast you're having a new co-host that's going to be joining you But you also mentioned to me that the format might be tweaked a little bit Do you want to talk about like your vision for the future and where you see I have podcasts going in this new podcast world?
Melanie Avalon
I thought of another thing I would have given myself advice about, it literally could have been a TV show. We had a situation at one point where we got involved with people and there was so much drama, like podcast world drama, that was shocking, like it literally could be a TV show. However, a lot of good things came from it and we got out of it. Just looking back, I would have like told myself to be ready and to do things a little bit differently. As for the future, yeah, so a few different things, one, well, I don't know if I'll ever be able to do this. I know I should be doing video podcasts, like I know, is behind the mic video?
Scott Emmens
It is primarily audio, but I am recording it via video and using the clips to sort of get people attracted to the audio, but eventually it will probably be partial video or whole video and audio, but it's primary mode is audio.
Melanie Avalon
I just realized the irony of asking that question when I know you're going to air this on it. So clearly it doesn't have to be video, but I'm just laughing because I was going to say how video is draining for me and you have to get ready. And I'm like, but you're a Scott, Scott, you're a man. You don't understand. But now I'm thinking about Scott having to pluck his eyebrows.
Scott Emmens
Trust me, there's plenty of prep and it has to go into the on-camera.
Melanie Avalon
Can I tell this story?
Scott Emmens
Yes, you can.
Melanie Avalon
literally, I mean, it's not really a story, but literally, at one point, I was lamenting about all the prep that's required to get ready for video calls or podcasts or whatever. And Scott, like so sincerely, which I know you're still sincere about it. So I'm not making fun. I'm laughing with you. But you were like, you're like, I know, like, there's so much to get ready. And I was like, Scott, what do you what do you have to get ready? Like, well, you know, I have to like pluck my eyebrows. I am like,
Scott Emmens
got to put a little gray cover up on the roots. So I've switched over to just going with a baseball cap now. That's made it a little easier. But I'm about to say I'm not a huge fan of the video because it distracts me from the conversation. I find myself, like, am I looking in the camera? Does it look like I'm looking at the person? So while I see the value of it, because a lot of people like to watch things and listen, it doesn't allow me to be completely engaged in the conversation. And also, I'm an auditory learner. So to me, the video is a bit distracting, and I'm still getting used to it.
Melanie Avalon
What's interesting, I'm not an auditory learner, although I wonder if that can be gained as a skill. Like now that I listen to so many audio books and podcasts 24 seven, I feel like maybe I have gained that skill a little bit more than I would have been historically, but basically everything that you just said is exactly how I feel. I get very, I can't focus with the video. There's mostly because I get stressed about how I look on the video and it's just, it's not good. Whereas like audio only, all you can do is listen to the other person, you know, you have to like be there.
Scott Emmens
I do think listening is a skill. For me, it was a natural thing because I was always an auditory learner from the time I can remember. I didn't recognize that until I was older, but then once I started podcasting and listening to podcasts and audiobooks was my first foray into it. So back in the day, you had cassette audiobooks and CD audiobooks. And that's when I realized, holy crap, I learned so much better through listening than reading. But I do think it's something like anything that you can definitely enhance. And I think years of podcasting forces you to become a really good listener.
Melanie Avalon
Yes, for sure. I think, honestly, I think the best skill gained from podcasting is learning how to listen to somebody and not interrupt them. Yes.
Scott Emmens
because if you're interrupting a podcast it's just crosstalk and so you really have to wait for the person to finish their thought and not be thinking about what you're gonna say but really absorb what they're saying and then you know refocus yourself on what it is you how you want to respond or if you're gonna respond
Melanie Avalon
Exactly, like I feel it in real life when I talk to people like you feel this you feel it like jump in like that podcasting Muscle, although I probably interrupt you a lot Scott. So I apologize like in general
Scott Emmens
Check us out on Mindblown, you tell us. So once you started IF Podcast, I'm imagining you started learning a lot more about intermittent fasting. Are there some moments of clarity or moments where you specifically recall like, wow, I thought I knew a lot about fasting. And all of a sudden, you have this level-up jump in your knowledge of intermittent fasting.
Melanie Avalon
Probably. Well, first of all, I try to maintain a perspective where I understand that I don't know anything and that I'm always learning. So I really try to maintain that moments where I have probably learned a ton and felt like there was like a jump in knowledge probably were when people would release certain, like, for example, reading like Dr. Walter Longo's work, like reading his books and reading about his studies or like reading David Sinclair's stuff and learning about sirtuins activated by fasting, although apparently people debate that now. I don't know. That's what that's what I was listening to on Peter Tia recently. Yeah, I was probably being exposed to people's work where they really, you know, provided a lot of science or different perspectives. So like reading about like in the women's world of fasting, reading about like fasting for your cycle and things like that, different concepts. Like with Cynthia, when I brought Cynthia on, I think each co-host brought something. I mean, they all brought wonderful things, but they brought, you know, new perspectives to fasting. So, you know, with Jen and I, it was a lot about being really relatable and like, does this break my fast and, you know, what to eat in your one meal a day. So that was like the Jen vibe. And then Cynthia, it was wonderful because she knows so much about, you know, she's a nurse practitioner, she knows so much about women's hormones. So we, there was a lot of women's hormones and fasting topics. So I learned a lot with her. And then Vanessa's, you know, super big on the protein. So there was a lot in the science of protein and, and Vanessa was, she's not super intense, like athlete. I don't think she would identify as an athlete is my point. She though was the most, she's the most exercisey of like everybody I've had on the show. So, you know, we got to tackle more of those topics. And then I don't know if I will have announced the new co-host. So get excited listeners, because it's a whole new vibe and perspective. I'm excited. That also answers your question a little bit about the future changing co-hosts. So
Scott Emmens
I Have Podcast in particular has like a delicate balance between sort of guests, questions, storytelling, and science. Is it just natural conversation or are you consciously trying to balance the science with the empathy and the stories?
Melanie Avalon
Yeah. So it's interesting because I have the Melanie Avalon biohacking podcast as well. And that one is very formulaic in the meaning of it's an interview show. I am very intensely it's about the science, you know, I'm very intensely studying their book or their work or whatever they do for, I mean, hours and hours and hours. And then when I'm interviewing them, I'm trying to create a connection with them personally and make them feel comfortable. And honestly, all my best friends now are often from the podcasting world. The focus is, you know, the interview and the science and their work. With the intermittent fasting podcast. Yeah, it's it's hard. Hey, it's hard to know like what the people want, like, and I think people want different things. So like if you make it more if you make some episodes more sciency, some people love that, but then other people don't. And then if you make the episode more personal, some people love that other people don't. So I honestly, I did have this is a moment I had, there have been like different defining moments while podcasting where I made personal decisions about things. And I did have a moment where I was like, you know what, I'm going to take into account, obviously, what the audience wants. And I'm going to do all I can to make a show that people love. And also, I'm not going to super stress out if I can't make everybody happy, basically. So what do I most enjoy talking about with the fasting and what vibe feels most, you know, like fun and like being at home. So I think that's this show, the intermittent fasting show is, it's more of a, like a home vibe than, you know,
Scott Emmens
Yeah, like hanging out with your friends who are giving you good information and good science, but it's also just a casual conversation. Exactly. I think that's what attracts a lot of people to it is you get to the science, but you really do it in a way that makes people feel like they're sitting in your living room having a cup of coffee chatting with you.
Melanie Avalon
Yes, and also shout out again to our Mind Blown podcast because the way Scott and I are talking right now is it's more interview-y. On that one, we just tackle random, super cool topics like the Mandela Effect and things that have vanished that people don't realize anymore and catacombs, so many things. And we're very like, we're our true selves, I feel. Do you feel like we're our true selves?
Scott Emmens
Yeah, we get to let our hair down on that one and really just just have a blast with it and be just be us and it's a ton of fun. My favorite was the Titanic. We got a lot of Titanic one and two. We got a lot of praise on that dual part episode. I love doing that podcast. It's just so much fun.
Melanie Avalon
It is so fun, and this is fun too. I'm just saying like, because I remember the, actually this is another defining moment. I remember, so Stephanie Rupper and Noelle Tarr, if people know them, they have the Paleo women podcast. Oh, sorry. Wow, wow, well-fed women. You know what's crazy is I've, the reason I said Paleo women is I'm going back to the story from when I was listening to it back then. That's what used to be called, I know it's called well-fed women. And Scott, you've had Noelle on, have you had her on behind the mic?
Scott Emmens
She is scheduled to record soon and I have been on her podcast about four times.
Melanie Avalon
Okay, awesome. Well, love Noelle. The story I'm telling here, what I'm thinking of is, so her co-host is Stephanie Rupor. And I remember, I love Stephanie as well. I remember the first time I ever listened to Stephanie's stuff was before. She briefly had her own podcast, I think, before she did Wealthhead Women with Noelle. And I remember her vibe was like a very specific vibe, like a very serious and I don't know. And then I heard her with Noelle. And I was like, Oh, this is like a completely different person to me. I mean, I know it's all the same person. But that's the thing I'm emphasizing about I find it really interesting dynamics between people and how it can be like very different in different situations, even though it's all like true to yourself.
Scott Emmens
I know Stephanie a little bit on a personal level and she is a little bit more on the serious side, but when they're together, they blend the chemistry really well. Yeah, I love them. So then you make this shift into biohacking. That's a huge shift because biohacking encompasses so many things, right? So you made the Melanie Avalon Biohacking Podcast, which I loved. That was, I think, the way I found you was through your biohacking podcast and we connected through Instagram. But I love that podcast as well because I love the science stuff and you do such a thorough job of interviewing people. So tell us a little bit about how you made that decision to shift into biohacking. What was that about and why? And then a little bit about the biohacking podcast, you mentioned it a little bit, but I'd love to dig into it some more. But let's start with, what was the moment you said, I'm doing a biohacking podcast on my own. Yeah, let's start there.
Melanie Avalon
The biohacking journey was happening adjacent to okay, like a year after starting intermittent fasting probably ish I started intermittent fasting When I was a junior in college And when I graduated is when I started getting into quote biohacking But I wasn't calling it biohacking at the time because it wasn't really a thing But everything I was doing ended up becoming what biohacking is today and my entrance into that was Dave Asprey who? I've had on this show Two times and I think he's been on two times on the Melanie Avalon or three He's been on a lot. The point is I was following a lot of his work doing things like blue light blocking glasses and Red light therapy and all the things so that was all happening alongside my intermittent fasting journey and Then it was definitely happening once I started the intermittent fasting podcast and I was getting more and more into it And I knew I wanted to have my own show and interview these people But I was kind of intimidated by the the concept and then I read the secret You know the book the secret
Scott Emmens
Of course I know the book. Manifesting.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, and I don't know how much I believe 100% in everything it says. That said, it's such a short read and it's very inspirational and you read it and you just feel like I'm just gonna do it. So like I read that and I was like, I'm doing a podcast, like I'm doing a biohacking podcast. I remember standing in my kitchen finishing that book, having that moment and then I started it probably a few months later. It was crazy because I decided to start it while I was moving from back from LA to Atlanta. What was scary about it and it's so ironic because right now when I book guests, like if you book to come on that show right now, we're booking 14 months out and then it airs a couple months after that. So almost a year and a half like leader, your episode will air if you book with me right now, which is an incredible, amazing problem to have. But when I first started, it was stressful because I was like, I have to have enough guests in the can because I have to keep finding guests. So like what if I can't find guests and there will be no show. So it was stressful to think about how am I going to get so many high caliber people. And it's also hard to get people to come on when you don't have the show yet.
Scott Emmens
Yeah, so I had this conversation with Benazai. He was one of my very first interviews for Behind the Mic Wellness. He's like, I'm never going to get this person on. And then he's like, but then I would, you know, email them and surprisingly, they said yes. And he's like the power of the podcast. And I was nervous too, to like, reach out to people and be like, Hey, you want to be on the podcast? But I got about a 75%, you know, initially positive response. And I was like, wow, that's great. And now that the podcast is launched in a lot of episodes, I feel like, to your point, it'll become easier and easier. But yeah, that pressing that send button to invite somebody sort of, it's almost as scary as you know, hitting the submit button to drop your episode, you know, because you're just speaking into the ether.
Melanie Avalon
Exactly. I think I've shared the story before. I think the most shocking one for me in the early days was when I invited David Sinclair on, because I didn't barely even have the show yet. He was a legend at Harvard, and I just found his Harvard email. I sent him an email and invited him on. Literally, he emailed back and was like, sure. That blew my mind. It was crazy to me.
Scott Emmens
it was a mind blowing moment. That is, I mean, that's what, you know, that's really what it is. Ben made this sort of funny comment on that podcast. He said, you know, like, if I just emailed Davidson Claire and said, Hey, you want to have a discussion with me about, you know, your research and your work, you know, he's probably gonna say no. But the fact that I had a podcast on a platform made it interesting for him as well. Like, he can get his message out to thousands of people. And I get a great guess. And, you know, everybody gets to win the audience wins I win and, and Dr. Sinclair wins. So there is, if you're doing your job well, but you do an amazing job of interviewing folks, you know, you're gonna get guests, just it's persistence and belief. And just to circle back on the secret, you know, I don't know if you ever read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Is it
Melanie Avalon
Short as well? No, I might have. It's not.
Scott Emmens
Super short, but it was Napoleon Hill and Rosalie Beeland. It was released in 1937. The basic of my point is, it's like the more complete version of the secret, right? It's like, it gives you the secret behind the secret. The secret is like the cliff notes that think and grow rich. So if you haven't read it, I strongly encourage you to do so for the listeners and melt you.
Melanie Avalon
I read either that or something very similar similar to it. Yes. I'll have to check it out. Wait is it an old?
Scott Emmens
book 1937 yeah okay oh so you might have you might be thinking of how to win friends and influence people that's sort of in the same I know that one yeah it's worth it thinking grow rich it's basically the secret but but a lot more in-depth like what would it really takes I should read it
Melanie Avalon
If I have not already, thank you.
Scott Emmens
So with the biohacking podcast, you said you're booked out a year and a half. That's incredible. Do you have thoughts about how that might more forechange or is that format really solid for you right now?
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, the actual format, I don't see much change coming. It would really just be if I ever do more and more video interviews. Or I mean, I would love to have like a TV show or a documentary or something. Or so if it could somehow evolve into that, that'd be amazing.
Scott Emmens
Have you ever had an interview like we were going in one direction and then it took like a hard left turn and you're like, whoa, and you had to either rain it in or it was almost became adversarial has that has ever happened or something similar.
Melanie Avalon
I have the majority. Okay. I will say one thing. I don't think I have with the exception of one episode way in the beginning before I had even launched and I was just you know trying to book guess and somebody reached out and wanted to be on it and I recorded that episode. It was mostly the sound quality just wasn't good so I didn't use it. So with that one aside I have aired every episode that I recorded I think and I don't have I've been very happy and grateful and love essentially all of the guests that I've had on because I remember one of my co-hosts would often ask me you know did I ever have experiences of dud episodes or episodes where you know you just couldn't air it based on you know the the content and it didn't end up being what you thought that actually doesn't really has not happened to me. There have been times where I don't know maybe there've been a few episodes where I feel like somebody was getting a little bit argumentative or abrasive but never anything crazy. I very rarely censor any of the content like pretty much everything that we record goes out there as well. There was a little bit of nervousness in the beginning of the pandemic with saying certain words and worrying about getting things censored so you kind of had to like censor yourself in a way which I think is unfortunate. Yeah I've been very very happy with with all of the interviews if that makes sense.
Scott Emmens
I think everyone has those those moments where it gets a little tense or a little maybe miss something got maybe misconstrued in the question But typically, you know, you're a pro you get it right back online I've you know, obviously only done about 20 in the can so far and I think there's only one that's probably not gonna make the air It might maybe the way it's editable. We'll see Yeah, you do such a thorough job, you know reading your guest books preparing the questions I think that really serves you well and probably why you haven't had to not air anything And I really love the fact that you don't do a lot of editing or censoring You just sort of like hey, it is what it is We're gonna put it out there, but I do remember the COVID times and I'm still sensitive to that You know people start going off too much about that I'll I'll try to steer the conversation away just because there's so much sensitivity about it still today to this day
Melanie Avalon
agreed. And that made me remember the thing I was going to say, which is, and you kind of touched on this, but I think I so intensely vet who I'm bringing on that it's typically ends up manifesting the way I would love it to manifest. There have been a few times where I was going to have somebody on and then getting closer and learning more about the work, I uninvited them. I prematurely addressed issues, if that makes sense.
Scott Emmens
Free intervention. Yes. What are some of the things that are so positive about podcasting that you sort of never anticipated when you started IF Podcast, something that you would have never guessed would have come to fruition or that would have occurred through podcasting? Whether it's just skill sets that you've acquired that have helped you in life or things that you would not have been able to accomplish, anything that's substantial.
Melanie Avalon
I definitely had no idea how incredibly, insanely profound and incredible, and I don't like this word. I don't like the word networking, but what it would do for networking. Like I sensed that, you know, that that would be a thing, but it's literally like people, you know, people spend so much time and energy trying to quote network and like learn how to network and go to networking events. And it's like, which is all great if it works for you. So that always was intimidating to me and not my cup of tea. I also don't like the concept of networking. Like it sounds like you're like using people or something. I just don't like it. I just like meeting people and talking to them. And the amazing thing about podcasting is I get to sit down with these incredible people who I would die to network with. And I get to actually talk to them for a long time about their work. So it's something they're passionate about. I get to really listen to them. I get to like the connections I have made and friends is just overwhelming. It's literally a job where you are meeting people constantly all the time on a deep level, not a superficial level. And like I keep saying it, but like all of my really, really good friends now are really all came from this world. I mean, I know you and I, well, I guess you did too, because you found me through my podcast. So yeah, that's true. Although we debate the origin story.
Scott Emmens
Yes, if you want to hear about that weekend, you can go to Mindblown and you can hear all about how we debate the origin story of our meeting. I think we've talked about that on I have podcast once. Yeah, I probably have. So if there was one thing about the podcasting industry as a whole, that you would like to see changed or improved, what would that
Melanie Avalon
be? Okay, well, I have a very technical answer that's boring, but it's true. We'll take the technical answer. Podcasting sponsors are like rates are determined by downloads. And in the seven-ish years that I've been podcasting, there have been quite a few times where Apple podcasts will make a change in how they log downloads in a way. Like there's been changes where, like in the very beginning, it was like, every time you like play the podcast, it's like a download. And then if you stop and you come back, it's another download. And if you, I don't know, skip around, it's another down, like it was like a certain system. And then they like stopped doing that. So then what would happen essentially is everybody's downloads across the board, like drastically dropped. Like another recent one they did was they used to auto download. Like when people were subscribed to shows or something, I probably get this a little bit wrong, but they would like auto, it would auto download to their phone and like count as a download or something like that. And then they stopped doing that. So that was like another moment where the downloads dropped. And what's been difficult during that is because sponsorships are based on rates with downloads. So like the rates aren't changing, but the downloads are changing, but the listeners aren't actually changing. It's just how they're monitoring it differently. And what's so weird to me is that that's like not accounted for and hasn't been, it's been weird. So that's a very technical, boring answer was what would you ask about what would be changed?
Scott Emmens
Yeah, well, if you could change something about the industry, but I think that's a very real thing that I mean, because a lot of like YouTube algorithm will change and suddenly you go to find your favorite YouTube show and it's either gone or the lost 10,000 subscribers or so I and you're exactly right. I was talking to some people about the podcast, you know, ranking systems and what you just said is they used to have if you were following the show, it would automatically download like the most recent 10 episodes. I want to say. And now I think it's just like the most recent episode and you have to download the rest on your own. It might have actually even downloaded all the episodes, but for whatever reason, I think Apple thought that was too much Wi Fi bandwidth or something, you know, a brand within the system. I'm not sure what the reasoning for that is. But every time they change the goal post, you know, it sends the ripple wave through the whole industry. It's not just your podcast is all the podcast and then the sponsors have to figure out, well, what does this mean? And so it's confusing for everybody. So I think that's a great answer.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, exactly. And I remember, I remember when the big change happened where they stopped counting down when they stopped the whole downloads counting multiple times if you stopped and restarted. And we were with the network at the time. I remember saying like, so the downloads are lower, but it's the same number of listeners. So how is the industry adjusting? And there like wasn't really an answer. Like it was really mind blowing to me. Yeah, so it's been the that whole world. And I think that's something really interesting that people wouldn't realize as much is that there's this whole world of like media buyers and agencies. And like, there's a whole world of like podcasting business. So you know, that's not that you're talking about things I've learned, you know, I learned a lot of business skills from from podcasting, which I didn't anticipate.
Scott Emmens
Yeah, I didn't anticipate that either, you know, I came from a long line of business knowledge, executive, etc. But I'm learning keep on learning.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah. And it's really funny. Like I've also realized like a lot of people think a lot of people don't read contracts that they sign.
Scott Emmens
It's almost like the terms of service, they just sort of...
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, because I like meticulously read all contracts I sign and there's been so many times where I'm like, who is signing these contracts? And I'll push back and we'll, you know, we'll get it fixed. But it just blows my mind. I'm like, somebody signing this? Like, as it is?
Scott Emmens
I think sometimes people feel like, you know, well, they're the whoever, so I don't have a, you know, I don't have a choice, but you always, if you're, if you're one of those people signing a contract, you always have a choice. And usually the people, if they really want to partner with you, they'll listen to what you have to say, and they'll make adjustments to the agreement.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, so oftentimes it's just like their stereotypical legal document they're giving everybody, so it's not personal.
Scott Emmens
Yeah, so it's what they call the boiler plate contract. It's their template. They send everybody the template. And then if you don't choose to redline anything, then it is what it is.
Melanie Avalon
Exactly. Because I know we've had that before with brands and like one brand, the contract literally said I couldn't, like it implied based on the way it was worded that I couldn't promote my own products on the show. And I was like, that's a problem. What? We're not? No.
Scott Emmens
Yeah, that's not gonna work, which I definitely want to get into next as we wrap up our last 10 minutes here. But I you do have a third podcast that you and I are co hosts on and I love what we mentioned earlier, we both love doing that podcast, which is mind blown. And I honest to God, I remember us having sort of this text frenzy, and discussion slash then texting, but I don't remember like, what the impetus was like, what was the moment when we were talking about something? I think we were talking about some sort of esoteric Mandela was always the Mandela. And that I think the Mandela effects, that was it, we were talking about the Mandela effect, and we were giving each other our theories and thoughts, right? And then I think was it I can't remember who's you or me that said, Well, we should do a podcast about this. Do you remember how that went exactly?
Melanie Avalon
Well, I mean, because I know listeners check out the Mind Blown podcast, especially the episode one and two, that's where we share the major, major epiphany we had about the Mandela effect, which by the way, Scott, my sister was listening and her mind was completely blown by that and you know what she asked me? And this is what I still wonder. She's like, are people talking about this online? Like, is this a theory? And I was like, no, like Scott and I came up with this theory and then like, it's not anywhere online, at least not yet. Point being though, I think we were so, it was just around that time. Is that when we, maybe we just said, we just got to make a podcast about this?
Scott Emmens
You know what, as you're saying it, I think it was when we came up with that unique theory that we both like, like almost in unison, like, wait, this is a podcast. And then I think I said, this is a podcast. And then you said, well, we should do a podcast. And I was like, we should? I think that's basically how it took off. And then we just put our mind to it and we did it. Turned out to be awesome. But yeah, I think you're right. I think it was the epiphany moment came as we were digging so deep into this Mandela effect. And we came up with this unique theory. And I think that was sort of what pushed us over the edge to say, let's do a podcast about all these cool subjects. And we'll start with the Mandela effect.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah.
Scott Emmens
Yeah, I'm glad you reminded me that I kind of I totally forgot the origin story. So now it's a documented here for life on behind the mic wellness and I have podcast, the next evolution. So you did the biohacking, you did the podcast, and the next evolution was your own product line. Like, what point did you know, you wanted to make your own product line, and what gaps were in the market for you that you said, I think I can do better.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, so something about my life, the way I live, and it literally keeps happening over and over, which is that there's a lot of things I want to do in life. And I, for a lot of those ideas, I just know that, like, it'll come to me. They're like, I just know there are things I want to do, I will do them. And I just need to, like, wait. And it's not like I'm being lazy and, like, waiting around because I'm doing a lot of stuff. But I just wait for that right person to come into my life. And I'll just know that it's, like, the thing, like, this is the thing. And that has happened so many times. But honestly, the best example and, you know, one of the longest and most treasured is I always wanted to, I think I was always, ever since I got into health and wellness and started taking supplements, I probably was alert by the idea of having my own line. I'm so neurotic with what I put in my body. And it is really hard to find supplements that match my criteria. I literally think I'm, like, the most intense of anybody. I don't meet as many people who are as intense as me. I can attest to that. And Scott is a treasure in helping us with formulations and things. So I was very interested in the idea. I actually, for quite a while, was dating somebody who had his own supplement line. And he was saying that I should do it on my own because he did it on his own. And so he was saying, you know, I'll connect you to producers. He's like, I'll connect you to everybody and you can just do it. And I didn't want to do that. I knew that would wreck me. I knew energetically, I didn't want to be doing the actual production, you know, order fulfillment, all that stuff, just timewise. So I was like, I'm just going to wait. But I also didn't want to just, like, white label because I wanted to create my own products. So when Scott popped into my life, slid into my DMs on Instagram,
Scott Emmens
Yes, that was it, red light therapy, I slid in on red light therapy.
Melanie Avalon
We debate it a little bit, but we debate the first conversation. But when I first talked to you on the phone for a long time, we talked for like an hour, an hour and a half or something, I immediately just knew I wanted to do it with you. And what's funny about it is I knew from that moment and I didn't, I didn't think twice about it. I wasn't looking back. And apparently Scott was like white knuckling it, thinking that I was going to give up, you know, or not be sold.
Scott Emmens
Well, I was white duckling it for a few reasons. One was, yeah, like I didn't know if you were really gonna pull the trigger, right? And then two was, you were so specific on how you wanted to make seropeptase because you have been talking about it on your podcast for, you know, years. And you had very stringent criteria that with that particular molecule, we had to like, actually create a new type of manufacturing process to make it without fillers and no anti-caking agents and no magnesium stearate and no plastic in the delayed release capsule. So we like, like made the perfect seropeptase. And once I got that down, I felt better about it. I'm like, I think she's really gonna like this. And then we were off from there. So yeah, I mean, kudos to you for like putting seropeptase on the map.
Melanie Avalon
Well, I could not have done it without you. And yeah, Scott was so amazing and just he kept bringing me options. And I would not be about it and not because it was bad, just because I was so, so intense with my, you know, everything.
Scott Emmens
Well, one of the ones I was like, I figured a way to do it with just like rice hucks and you're like no rice. I'm like, oh
Melanie Avalon
No rice. And then you said acacia fiber.
Scott Emmens
Yeah. And then finally we landed on creating this new formulation process with the MCT oils. And you were like, yeah, perfect. I was like, all right. And that was it.
Melanie Avalon
And it was so exciting because it was my first product and I'd been taking seropeptase for so long. I thought I was just used to taking seropeptase and it feeling harsh on my stomach. I was just used to that and I thought it was the seropeptase doing that, but we made our version and that doesn't happen at all. And on top of that, it works so much better. It's incredible. It's like the perfect seropeptase.
Scott Emmens
Yeah, I literally won't, but never can even consider taking any other seropeptase. And then mag eight, which was another huge hit, then the berberine, which you went to the utmost extremes, you you actually requested that we had it double tested and third party tested, not just for all the things we already test for, which is heavy metals, toxins, mold, identity, specificity, you know, we do do laboratory analysis before the ingredients even walk in the door, but then on top of it, you you said, Well, I want to go one level above that. And for the berberine, because it's a root, you wanted to make sure there are no pesticide residues in there. So we put it through the pesticide residue test and it passed the California stringency test of all the pesticide residues and we're like, Okay, now we can launch it.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, I did not trust using the source's own COA, yeah.
Scott Emmens
And we don't either, right? So we trust, but verify, right? So we always verify that C of A. So that's amazing. The Parkline has been a huge hit. Avalonix, I'm sure everyone knows that. But yeah, I'm super proud to have been part of that with you and continue to be. And we've got other products coming down the line. So I'm excited for you for that. I can't wait to see what you do with that.
Melanie Avalon
Although we say it a little bit different, I say, although I think I said Avalon X earlier, but I mostly say Avalon X.
Scott Emmens
Oh, you know, I didn't pick up on that.
Melanie Avalon
Yes. Wait, Scott, I have told you this so many times. Okay, well. Because you'll say Avalon X and then I'm like Avalon X.
Scott Emmens
All right, Avalon X, I will get it down now. That's like us with MD logic. I'm like, no, it's MD logic health. You have to put the health.
Melanie Avalon
I'll trade you. I'll say immunologic health if you say Avalon X.
Scott Emmens
Deal. Sold. Avalon X.
Melanie Avalon
IndiLogic Health.
Scott Emmens
Speaking of, I'm Dan and Kate May and I am literally five miles from Avalon, New Jersey.
Melanie Avalon
Oh, hey, I got, I use that bag you give me all the time. Scott sent me a bag that says Avalon on it.
Scott Emmens
Not Avalon X, but just Avalon. Yeah. I saw that bag, I'm like, oh, she'll love this.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah. You know what else I use that you gave me all the time? Two things.
Scott Emmens
I don't know. You have to tell me.
Melanie Avalon
You gave me a coaster that says, what does it say? Something about kindness.
Scott Emmens
Oh yeah, I can't remember the quote, but I remember getting that.
Melanie Avalon
It says kindness and ambition are not mutually exclusive.
Scott Emmens
Yes, I saw that and I was like, that's Melanie.
Melanie Avalon
It's so great. And that's Scott too. And then you gave me some Star Trek sticky notes.
Scott Emmens
Oh, I forgot about the Star Trek sticky notes. Yeah, that was another thing we bonded over, is that there's not many Trekkies out there. And you're like, I love Star Trek. I'm like, oh my god, I quizzed you, and you got every question right. I couldn't believe it. That was crazy. Love me some Star Trek. Really, one last question, then I want to turn it over to you. So since launching the supplement line, how has it changed the way you perceive your brand, your mission, your podcasting? Any ways that it's impacted you in ways you didn't think it would, and maybe ways that you hoped it would?
Melanie Avalon
kind of similar to the earlier thing I was talking about where I knew networking would come from podcasting, but I just didn't appreciate the extent to which that would happen. I knew having a product line would, you know, expand my brand, provide a nice foundation for doing even more things, but I really didn't realize just how huge it would be for that. It was the first time. It's funny because I remember being featured, I was in Entrepreneur Magazine, I think, or something. I think this was before I had the supplement line, I think. Something happened with that. And I was like, I don't really feel like an entrepreneur. And then once I actually had a supplement line, I was like, Oh, okay, I guess I am an entrepreneur, even though I was before, I think. But having a product line, especially something I feel so strongly about, it's, well, A, it's amazing to see the response and to see how much it helps, not only me, because literally this is the supplements I want to be taking. It's amazing to see how it resonates with people. And like hearing people's testimonials that people share with me is just the most beautiful, wonderful thing. I'm so grateful for it. It's literally just all wonderful, beautiful things. And I think it really inspired me. It gave me courage to do other things that I think I would have been hesitant about doing, like launching other product lines and other things that happen in the works.
Scott Emmens
Yeah, it's interesting. Life is like that when you start getting a positive things happening, it sort of gives you that boost in confidence to say, well, I did that. So you know what, maybe I can also do this. And then you branch out into other things.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, I just remember like, when we first launched the first product probably, and I was like, okay, I was like, now I understand I want to make all the things. Now I already wanted to, but now I really do. Let's go.
Scott Emmens
Yeah, and I'll tell you that Syrupect taste lunch was something we sold out of the first batch in, like, what was it, eight hours or something?
Melanie Avalon
Yeah. And we didn't say what it is, what seropeptase is. I realize that I probably need to define that more for people. If people are not familiar, it's an enzyme created by the Japanese silkworm. When you take it in the fasted state, it breaks down problematic proteins in your body. And a lot of challenges people face have to do with the body reacting to problematic proteins. So inflammation and brain fog and problems with wound healing, like seropeptase and scar tissue, seropeptase breaks that all down. Oh, allergies. That's why I started taking it originally. It clears your sinuses like none other. So it's incredible for, it's just amazing. Like whole body benefits, clear your allergies, get rid of your brain fog, help with your inflammation. Studies have even shown it can break down amyloid plaque and reduce cholesterol. So I love it.
Scott Emmens
And I told you this is a personal testimonial and I don't recommend anyone do this. This is not a recommendation. Just what I did, I had some pretty severe keloid scars on my nose and my forehead. And I used it with a coconut oil and just mixed it together. And I would put a little bit on my forehead and a little bit on that keloid scar. And it shrunk them topically by like 50%. It was amazing.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, it's really incredible.
Scott Emmens
now I take it mostly orally. Well, Melanie, thank you so much for letting me pull you behind the mic on Behind the Mic Wellness on your IF podcast. I'm so grateful for that. You can find me on the podcast Behind the Mic Wellness, Scott Emmons, E-M-M-E-N-S. And Melanie, let's wrap it up with you. Like, what do you have coming out? What things do you want people to know? And where can they find you?
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, well, first of all, congrats to you on the show. I'm so happy for and proud of and excited for you.
Scott Emmens
Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you.
Melanie Avalon
No, but really. And you're a really great interviewer and you ask amazing questions. You really make the guests feel heard and seen and understood. And so I'm so excited for you on that show. And I have the time of my life doing Mind Blown and also creating all of our supplements. So, yes. Well, things coming, one that Scott is also involved in. I've been teasing it here and there, so I will say it. We are working on a dating app, so that's very, very exciting. Also a massive project. Oh, my goodness. I am also working on a EMF blocking product line that is coming out, so that's exciting. And there's a few other projects in the works. I'm also really, really excited about, okay, well, in the podcasting sphere. So on Biohacking Podcast, like I said, booking six months out, there's an incredible lineup. There's so many people coming that I'm so excited to interview, so that's really exciting. I'm just excited about all the stuff I haven't even learned yet with that show and the people I haven't even met yet. And then on this show, I'm very excited for the new co-host. Like I said, it's still going to be very much about intermittent fasting a lot, obviously. But it's definitely going to be a completely, completely new vibe, like so new. And I'm really excited about that.
Scott Emmens
Well, that's awesome. I cannot wait to hear how the podcast evolves for IF Podcast. That's going to be great. And if you have not checked out Melanie on Melanie biohacking, I strongly urge you to do so. Really deep dive with great questions, with amazing guests. That was one of my first and favorite podcasts that got me more into biohacking. I was already a quasi biohacker, but that really kind of threw me into it. So if you haven't heard Melanie on Melanie biohacking, you should definitely check her out there. Melanie, thanks so much. And so websites, they can reach you at an Instagram handles.
Melanie Avalon
Yeah, so it's Melanie Avalon pretty much everywhere. I'm most active in my Facebook group, I have biohackers, intermittent fasting plus real foods plus life is the subtitle. I also have a clean beauty Facebook group and a group for like cgms and or rings and lumen and biosense and all of those. So if you just search for Melanie Avalon and Facebook, you can find my groups, my main websites, Melanie Avalon calm, you can get the supplements at Avalon x dot us. Yeah, and then the shows for everything. So yeah.
Scott Emmens
Outstanding. Melanie, thank you so much for letting me come on I have podcast and do a behind the mic wellness interview with you. I hope your audience enjoys it as much as I did. Yeah.
Melanie Avalon
Yes, thank you, Scott. This was really amazing. And I can't wait to record with you tomorrow for Mindblown.
Scott Emmens
That's right, pyramids, right? Here we come, pyramids.
Melanie Avalon
Pyramids, here we come!
Scott Emmens
Have a great night, Mel, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Melanie Avalon
too. Thanks, Scott.
Scott Emmens
Alright, thanks everybody. Bye-bye.
Melanie Avalon
Bye. Thank you so much for listening to the Intermittent Fasting podcast. Please remember, everything we discussed on this show does not constitute medical advice, and no patient-doctor relationship is formed. If you enjoyed the show, please consider writing a review on iTunes. We couldn't do this without our amazing team, editing by podcast doctors, show notes and artwork by Brianna Joyner, and original theme composed by Leland Cox and recomposed by Steve Saunders. See you next week!