In Episode 2 of the Five Pillars of Health and Longevity series, Andy McCann dives into the most debated and overcomplicated pillar of all: how we eat. As a CrossFit gym owner, health coach, and longtime carnivore, Andy shares how simplifying food choices transformed his health, energy, and focus—and how it can work for you too.
Forget diet fads, calorie counting, and endless confusion. Andy breaks down what real food is, why most Americans are metabolically broken, and how you can reclaim your health by eating the way your body was designed to. Whether you're carnivore-curious, keto-confused, or just tired of feeling like crap—this episode gives you real talk, real tools, and a path forward.
🔥 Learn why meat is the ultimate superfood, how to spot “health-washed” junk, and why a strong body starts in the kitchen.
In this episode:
- Why the Standard American Diet is a death sentence
- What Andy eats daily on his carnivore routine (spoiler: it's not chicken breast)
- The difference between eating for survival vs eating for performance
- Common mistakes when going carnivore or keto
- Tips for families, busy dads, and people who “don’t have time to cook”
- How to start with one small change this week (and why that’s enough)
📌 Start reclaiming your energy, clarity, and body in 2025—one forkful at a time.
🔗 Mentioned in the episode:
- crossfitgarage.com
- Garage Fitness Online
- Carnivore Kickstarter Program (launching 2025)
- 60 Easy Steps to Better Health – Free guide at [CrossFit Garage]
📲 Follow Andy on Instagram: @andymccann2021
Summary:
Personal Health Philosophy and Motivation: Andy McCann introduces his approach to health, emphasizing the importance of having a "sticky why" - for him, it's being healthy enough to coach his future grandchildren in soccer and maintain strong family connections.
Redefining Health Beyond Disease Absence: Challenges the CDC's definition of health, proposing that health is about work capacity across different physical domains and maintaining fitness as a hedge against sickness. Notes a concerning statistic that 50% of people born in the same year will be dead by age 76.
Dietary Transformation and Principles: Recommends fundamental dietary changes like stopping sugar consumption, eliminating fast food, drinking more water, and eating real food (primarily found on grocery store edges). Shares his personal journey of eliminating sugar, grains, and alcohol, and experimenting with carnivore and lion diets.
Habit Formation and Behavior Change: Discusses habit loops and strategies for changing behaviors, emphasizing the importance of positive self-talk and identifying keystone habits. Suggests techniques like eating almonds before meals to reduce hunger and reframing statements from negative ("I can't eat dessert") to positive ("I am a person who chooses healthy food").
Nutritional Tracking and Personal Experimentation: Advocates for tracking food intake for two weeks to understand personal eating habits. Shares his own dietary experiments, including a carnivore diet, and demonstrates how advanced medical testing (like lipid studies) can provide more nuanced health insights beyond standard measurements.
Practical Health Recommendations: Provides actionable advice like drinking water before meals, avoiding seed oils, considering intermittent dietary approaches, and being intentional about food choices. Emphasizes that while health principles are simple, implementing them is not easy.
Holistic Approach to Wellness: Highlights that health is multifaceted, in