I am delighted to welcome Dr. Ashley Lucas back to the show today. Having her expertise and insights grace our platform again is wonderful. She is the owner, founder, and advisory consultant for PHD Weight Loss and Nutrition. She has over 15 years of education in the field of nutrition and metabolism.  In her mid 20s, she retired from her professional ballet career.  While understanding the importance nutrition played on her own sport performance, she went on to earn her PhD in Sports Nutrition and Chronic Disease from Virginia Tech. Her research throughout her six-year post-graduate doctoral training, focused on energy metabolism and the Female Athlete Triad.   She was awarded the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Scholarship and completed her dietetic internship at The Ohio State University. She passed the national examination registering her as a dietitian offering expert food, wellness and nutrition services. Dr. Lucas is a nationally renowned speaker, columnist, and leading expert in the field of weight management and behavior change. Through a scientific method that focuses not only on the metabolic consequences of fat gain, but also on the behavioral and psychological aspects, she created and continues to innovate the PHD Approach which has helped thousands of people nationwide achieve their peak wellness once and for all. In this episode, Dr. Lucas comprehensively explores key factors influencing weight loss success and metabolic health. Dr. Lucas draws upon her expertise and research findings to shed light on the detrimental effects of extreme dietary habits and chronic mistreatment of metabolism. Despite the grim realities presented, she provides optimism by highlighting the possibility of rehabilitating a damaged metabolism. Additionally, Dr. Lucas dives into emotional barriers, emphasizing the power of mindset in achieving weight loss goals and cultivating supportive environments. She stresses the significance of quality sleep, exercise beyond weight loss, and informed consumption of food additives, advocating for stricter regulations. This approach underscores Dr. Lucas's holistic perspective on achieving overall wellness and sustainable weight loss. ? Get your Keto Recipe of the Week here:  http://www.ketokamprecipes.com  / / E P I S O D E   S P ON S O R S  Wild Pastures: $20 OFF per Box for Life + Free Shipping for Life + $15 OFF your 1st Box! https://wildpastures.com/promos/save-20-for-life-lf?oid=6&affid=132&source_id=podcast&sub1=ad BonCharge: Blue light Blocking Glasses, Red Light Therapy, Sauna Blankets & More. Visit https://boncharge.com/pages/ketokamp and use the coupon code KETOKAMP for 15% off your order. Beam Minerals: BEAM Minerals products are the perfect support for the keto/carnivore/fasting way of living as they won’t break your fast, PLUS they taste just like water and will help you keep carb cravings at bay as you move into a fat-adapted state. Give BEAM Minerals a try today for an enhanced keto experience. Head to http://www.beamminerals.com and use the coupon code AZADI for a sweet discount!  Text me the words "Podcast" +1 (786) 364-5002 to be added to my contacts list.  [01:00] Unlocking the Metabolic Puzzle: Insights from Dr. Lucas -       Dr. Lucas emphasizes that our metabolism is not indestructible. Chronic mistreatment, such as severe calorie restriction over prolonged periods, can definitely harm it. -       Drawing from her own experiences with professional ballet dancers, she underscores the potential damage caused by extreme dietary habits. -       Her doctoral research dives into the energy metabolism of female athletes, comparing professional athletes with recreationally active ones. Surprisingly, despite the rigorous training schedules of professional athletes, they consumed significantly fewer calories than their recreational counterparts. Moreover, their metabolic rates were notably lower, indicating the adverse effects of chronic under-eating on metabolism. -       Despit