While he was still in college, Shawn Stevenson (a lifelong athlete) was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, and told that he would be in pain for the rest of his life. Following the diagnosis, Shawn "took it easy" (at his Dr's suggestion) and gained 50 pounds. But after getting caught up in the vicious cycle of taking lots of medication, becoming depressed and lacking a sense of purpose, he finally reached a breaking point and made the decision to get healthy. And not only did Shawn lose the weight and reach the peak of his physical fitness, he also began a career in strength and nutrition coaching. Today, he’s a bestselling author and host of The Model Health Show podcast. In this episode of the podcast, Shawn Stevenson talks to Steven Gundry MD about degenerative disc disease, the debilitating effects of the “nocebo” effect, the struggles of a college diet, and how improving your sleep can help you lose stubborn weight. He also shares some life-changing insights from his most recent book, “Sleep Smarter”.