Inflammation: The Silent Saboteur of the Optimized Life
Inflammation: The Silent Saboteur of the Optimized Life
If you want to optimize your energy, focus, and longevity…
You’ll have to deal with one uninvited guest who keeps showing up at the worst possible time:
Inflammation.
The reason you feel foggy some days?
Inflammation.
The joint that used to just click but now screams when you stand up?
Inflammation.
That vague feeling that your body is low-key fighting something, but your doctor says you're fine?
Yep. That guy again.
If optimization is the goal, inflammation is the background app draining your battery.
The Problem: You're Probably on Fire (and Not in the Good Way)
Here’s the tricky part:
Not all inflammation is loud.
Sometimes it flares up in obvious ways—redness, swelling, pain.
But most of the time?
It smolders.
In your gut.
In your joints.
In your veins and arteries.
You don’t always feel it.
But it’s there—blocking blood flow, slowing recovery, jamming up your brain’s signal strength.
Fact: Chronic inflammation is linked to nearly every major disease: heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and autoimmune disorders. Source: Harvard Health
The body’s on fire.
You just haven’t smelled the smoke yet.
🤷♂️ 3 Reasons Pastors Aren’t Dealing With Inflammation
Let’s not pretend this is just about ignorance.
Here’s why pastors let inflammation smolder:
1. We Spiritualize Suffering but Not Stewardship
We preach perseverance through pain, but rarely talk about how preventable some of it is.
Stewarding your health isn’t vanity—it’s warfare.
2. Busyness Beats Awareness
Pastors are always on.
The adrenaline of ministry can numb us to what’s breaking down—until something actually breaks.
3. The Church Potluck Is Trying to Kill You
It’s tough to optimize your mitochondria when Sister Margaret just handed you her “Marshmallow Surprise.”
Church culture has normalized carb overload and inflammation bombs.
The Misconception: “But I Eat Healthy…”
If your version of healthy eating includes:
- “Whole grain” cereal that’s 92% sugar and shame
- Sandwiches “for protein”
- A banana and a granola bar as a snack
You’re not eating healthy.
You’re feeding the fire.
Modern food is basically lighter fluid for inflammation.
And if your goal is to be sharp, focused, energetic, and resilient—you’re trying to run a marathon in a weighted vest soaked in gasoline.
The Fix: 3 Steps to Starve the Fire and Optimize Your Life
Here’s how to start putting the flames out:
1. Cut the Carbs (Like You Mean It)
Most inflammation is driven by blood sugar spikes.
And those are driven by carbs.
You don’t have to go full carnivore.
But ditch the processed carbs and keep the net carbs low.
Bread, pasta, cereal, juice?
All gone.
Think: steak, eggs, avocados, broccoli.
The boring stuff that makes you feel amazing.
2. Power Up With Fats and Protein
Your body loves using clean fat for fuel.
And protein.
That’s your repair crew.
Every meal should be centered around these two anti-inflammatory heroes.
Bonus: they keep you full and stable so you’re not "hangry" by 3 p.m.
3. Audit the Sneaky Inflammers
Vegetable oils, sugar substitutes, and stress (yep, that counts too) can all fuel the fire.
Not a Baptist? Watch the alcohol.
Baptist? Watch the alcohol—yes, even when no one’s looking but the Lord.
Scan your fridge, your pantry, and your calendar.
If it inflames, eliminate.
Recap
You don’t have to memorize the Krebs Cycle.
Just remember this:
Inflammation kills optimization.
Low-carb living kills inflammation.
It’s not just about six-pack abs.
It’s about staying clear, sharp, and useful in ministry for the long haul.
You can’t optimize anything with a drained battery.
Inflammation is stealing your charge.
It’s time to unplug the thief.
More Resources To Help You Optimize
🥤Momentum Shake: The Complete Longevity Shake for Optimal Health
🎥 Sermon Shots: Repurpose Sermons Into Clips & Other Engaging Content in Minutes
💊 My (Scott's) full supplement regimen
