epidemic of loneliness

and
volunteering at dnd in a castle
https://www.dndinacastle.com/

561 Township Road 3352
Loudonville, Ohio 44842

https://landollsmohicancastle.com/

Fitness Food Finances
Loneliness and DnD in a Castle
Summary:• D&D in a Castle: A Unique Volunteering Experience: Andy McCann volunteered at a Dungeons & Dragons event held in a castle in Loudonville, Ohio, working with a young staff and gaining insights into team dynamics, creativity, and connection.
• The Epidemic of Loneliness: Research suggests a lack of meaningful social connections can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, with technology potentially reducing social interactions by up to 70% compared to two decades ago.
• Building Connections Through Shared Interests: Andy emphasizes the importance of finding and joining groups with overlapping interests, such as mountain biking, D&D, or gym activities, as a way to combat loneliness and form meaningful relationships.
• Men's Social Challenges: The podcast highlights the difficulty men face in forming and maintaining friendships, with a stark statistic that only half of men make it past 72 years old, underscoring the need for intentional social connection.
• Five Principles of Holistic Well-being: Andy outlines five key areas for a healthy life: how you eat, sleep, move, think, and connect, with special emphasis on the often-overlooked aspects of mental and social health.
• Emotional Intelligence and Workplace Dynamics: The podcast explores generational differences in recognizing and addressing emotional needs, with younger staff showing more awareness and sensitivity to emotional contexts.
• Personal Growth and Self-Reflection: Andy discusses the importance of continuous personal development, acknowledging that the person we think we are may not align with reality, and the need to remain open to change and improvement.

https://www.bloodsugarchef.com/

https://www.drinkeatlearn.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drinkeatlearn/

https://www.crossfitgarage.com/free

Ken Daniels – Certified Sommelier, Chef Instructor, Beverage & Hospitality Consultant

Ken Daniels is a Certified Sommelier, Executive Chef Instructor, and award-winning mixologist with over 20 years of leadership in the food and beverage industry. He is the Owner of Advanced Hospitality Consulting Group, where he helps restaurants,
caterers, and hospitality brands design smarter systems, build stronger teams, and create unforgettable guest experiences.

Ken’s career spans from small “Mom & Pop diners” to corporate fine dining, large-scale event & festival catering, food & beverage consulting, and event crisis/operational recovery.

He holds a Certificate of Culinary Arts from NCSD and an Executive Certificate in Brew Science from the World Brewing Academy. He is also a Cigar & Cannabis Sommelier, and an apprentice cheese Affineur. His past roles also include Whisky Associate
Ambassador for Glenfiddich and a former National Champion Mixologist in cocktail design for Absolut Elyx. In 2021, Ken also built one of the largest national single-barrel spirits procurement programs of whiskey, Bourbon, rum, tequila, and gin.

As a writer, Ken’s work has appeared in The SOMM Journal, The Tasting Panel, and Campestre Wine Magazine, blending technical expertise with a storyteller’s edge. He has spoken at events for Google, Hyundai Korea, the California Craft Brewers
Association, and the Special Events Convention, always focused on bringing practical knowledge to real-world hospitality challenges.

In addition to consulting, Ken is the founder of BloodSugarChef.com — a site dedicated to unapologetically bold, low-carb cooking for real life — and DrinkEatLearn.com, an educational platform exploring food and beverage history, technique, and storytelling.

https://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/about-tspc/meet-the-expert-council

🔥 In this episode of Drop Dead Years, Andy McCann interviews Ken Daniels — Certified Sommelier, Executive Chef Instructor, and founder of BloodSugarChef.com — to explore the intersection of flavor, fitness, and food freedom.

Ken shares his 20+ year journey through the hospitality industry, from Michelin-style restaurants and large-scale event catering to launching AI-enhanced spirits consulting and building one of the largest national single-barrel spirits procurement programs. But behind the culinary success lies a powerful personal health transformation, sparked by burnout and fueled by bold, low-carb cooking.

This episode dives into:

• 🧠 How Ken reinvented his health using low-carb, high-flavor meals
• 🥩 The philosophy behind Blood Sugar Chef and unapologetic real-life eating
• 🍷 His experience as a cigar & cannabis sommelier, mixologist, and beverage historian
• 🍽️ Tips for sustainable eating in a high-stress industry
• 🧂 How to balance flavor, nutrition, and personal boundaries in the kitchen
• 🤖 Using storytelling, systems, and even AI to uplevel food & beverage brands

Whether you’re a foodie, CrossFitter, carnivore curious, or just love a good story about personal reinvention, this one’s packed with wisdom, flavor, and real-life takeaways.

👉 Subscribe now, share with your health-minded friends, and check out more at www.bloodsugarchef.com and DrinkEatLearn.com.

🎙️ Hosted by Andy McCann — fitness coach, health mentor, and founder of Garage Fitness Online.

#BloodSugarChe

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Five Pillars of Health and Longevity series! In this episode, Andy McCann—CrossFit coach, carnivore dad, and self-reliance advocate—dives into the critical but often neglected topic of sleep and recovery.

Think you're just "resting" when you sleep? Think again. Sleep is your body’s rebuild mode, and without it, no amount of working out, eating clean, or biohacking will save you. Andy unpacks the science and real-life habits behind better sleep, deeper recovery, and how this pillar can literally extend your life.

🛏️ What we cover:
• Why sleep is your #1 recovery tool
• How to build a nighttime routine that actually works
• Tracking vs. optimizing: the WHOOP/Oura Ring discussion
• CrossFit recovery protocols: from cold plunges to zone 2
• Tips for men over 40 to improve hormonal recovery
• The danger of “grind culture” and burning out your mitochondria
• Why rest days are not lazy—they’re strategic longevity

Whether you're a high-performer, homesteader, or weekend warrior, this episode gives you practical ways to sleep smarter, recover faster, and stop spinning your wheels.

💪 Bonus: Hear Andy’s personal recovery rhythm, including why he walks every morning, avoids screen time at night, and how his carnivore lifestyle affects deep sleep.

👉 Subscribe to follow the entire Five Pillars series. New episodes on Eat, Move, Think, and Connect coming soon.

Tags (for YouTube):
#SleepOptimization #RecoveryTips #Longevity #MensHealth #CrossFitRecovery #Biohacking #SleepBetter #DeepSleep #RecoveryForAthletes #HealthyHabits #Over40Fitness #SelfReliance #CarnivoreCoach

Sleep as the Foundation of Recovery: Sleep is critical for overall health, with studies showing that sleep deprivation can lead to pre-diabetic symptoms and increased heart attack risks. Getting consistent, quality sleep (around 8 hours) is essential for proper recovery and bodily function.
• Personal Sleep Routine: The host follows a strict sleep schedule, typically going to bed by 9:30 PM and waking naturally between 5:30-6:00 AM. He recommends a reset method of staying up until midnight, waking at 5 AM, and gradually adjusting to a consistent sleep pattern.
• Recovery Techniques: Proper recovery involves more than just sleep. The host recommends foam rolling, stretching, and active recovery techniques. His personal routine includes rolling glutes, lower back, quads, IT band, and calves to prevent and address muscle soreness and potential injuries.
• Understanding Body Signals: Recognizing your body's recovery needs is crucial. Signs of poor recovery include falling asleep at red lights, feeling wiped out after exercise, and persistent muscle soreness. The key is to be proactive about recovery, not reactive.
• Individualized Recovery Approach: Recovery is highly personal and should be tailored to individual needs. This might include hydration, gentle movement, stretching, or using tools like a Theragun. The most important aspect is doing something to support your body's healing process after physical activity.
• Supplemental Recovery Strategies: While supplements and techniques like creatine can be helpful, they are most effective when paired with proper sleep, nutrition, and consistent exercise. The host emphasizes that sleep is the primary foundation for any recovery or fitness strategy.
• Continuous Adaptation and Learning: The body is an adaptation machine, so it's important to continually challenge yourself and try new approaches to prevent plateauing. This applies to both workout routines and recovery techniques, keeping the body responsive and improving.