Finding peace with data | Chris Kawaja

Finding peace with data | Chris Kawaja

Author: Marty Kendall January 14, 2022 Duration: 42:56

Chris has a fascinating background.  After studying economics, business and psychology at Stanford and Harvard, he worked as a trader Ray Dalio at Bridgewater Capital, the world’s biggest hedge fund (now with $150b under management), to a private investor, author, father, athlete and biohacker.

Like me, Chris believes in the numbers!

After a couple of rounds of Data-Driven Fasting, he’s been trying to get his Silicon Valley biohacker buddies to try it to optimise their health.

As a data-driven engineer who’s dabbled in trading, I thought it would be fun to chat with Chris about how we can manage our psychology and biology with data.  How can we tame our lizard brain to avoid self-sabotage that is often caused by our self-doubt in any area, including nutrition?

It was fascinating to hear how Data-Driven Fasting helped his brain find peace and calm around food and nutrition.  Having peace that your body will get food exactly when it needs it is a nice change from the anxiety that popular extended fasting methods can often cause.


Marty Kendall hosts the Optimising Nutrition Podcast, cutting through the noise of diet trends and dogma. Here, nutrition isn't about following a rigid belief system or the latest branded plan; it's fundamentally about ensuring your body gets the nutrients it needs to thrive. Marty applies a clear-eyed, engineering mindset to the complex world of food, breaking down the science into actionable strategies. In each episode, you'll hear detailed conversations with researchers, doctors, and other experts diving deep into the mechanics of weight loss, the practicalities of fasting, and the core principles of effective nutrition. These interviews are balanced with candid stories from real people who share their personal journeys, offering relatable insights into what works and what doesn't outside the lab. This podcast serves as a grounded resource for anyone tired of conflicting advice and looking for a substantive, evidence-based path to better health. It’s a space where data meets human experience, all focused on the tangible goal of optimisation. You can expect every discussion to return to that central, uncomplicated idea: strip away the labels, and focus on nourishment.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 36

Optimising Nutrition Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Learning to Nourish (Rather than Deprive) Yourself   | Debra Cleveland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:43
I had a great time talking to fellow Optimiser Debra Cleveland about her journey through the Data-Driven Fasting Challenges and Masterclasses. During our live Q&As, Debra was always full of enthusiasm, inspiration, and p…
Losing 20 kg (44 lbs) in 5 Months! | Sidi Riza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:52
It’s been fascinating watching Sidi’s journey progress since initially taking part in our Data-Driven Fasting Challenge and then hopping into the Nutritional Optimisation Masterclass. Sidi has shed an incredible 20kg (44…
Troubleshoot Your Diet with a Single Blood Test | Chris Kelly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:57
Chris Kelly is the founder of Nourish Balance Thrive. Building on his experience as a programmer for hedge funds and large internet companies, he has done amazing things in the health space. After experiencing his own he…
The Pursuit of Happiness | Paul Burgess [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:49
Paul Burgess has been a great mate, supporter, and mentor throughout my journey to quantitatively define optimal nutrition. When he first invited me on his podcast, I put him off. I felt I still had more work to do befor…
The End of Craving | Mark Schatzker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:11
It was an honour to chat with Mark Schatzker about his new book, The End of Craving: Recovering the Lost Wisdom of Eating Well. I’ve been a MASSIVE fan of his work since reading The Dorito Effect: The Surprising New Trut…
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Duration: 47:02
This chat with Matty Lansdown was part interview, part therapy session as I’ve been working on focusing on getting the essential things done in a world designed to distract and monetise your attention. I hope this episod…
The Origins of Our Nutritional Guidelines | Belinda Fettke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:40
What really underpins our beliefs about nutrition and the food we eat? The truth might shock and surprise you! Our nutritional guidelines and beliefs about food reflect a mixture of cultural, ritual, and religious belief…
Protein Leverage | Professors Stephen Simpson and David Raubenheimer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:25
University of Sydney Professors Stephen Simpson and David Raubenheimer’s work in protein leverage is perhaps the most important body of research around, empowering us to understand our appetite and what leads us to eat m…
The Future of Keto | Craig Emmerich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:36
Craig Emmerich is the author of the book “Keto: The Complete Guide” and the PMSF Cookbook and hubby to Maria Emmerich. Mariah and Craig have been at the forefront of the keto movement since way before it was trendy. Crai…
Regenerative Agriculture Q&A | Diana Rodgers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:06
There is plenty of debate about how we can feed a rapidly growing population in a way that is healthy for us and our fragile planet with limited resources. Diana Rogers and Robb Wolf recently weighed into the debate. The…