Why the Foods You Eat Are Failing You (And The Supplements To Take To Fix It!) with Zoe Karli

Hey, Robert Sikes here. I recently had the chance to sit down with Zoe Karli, an inspiring entrepreneur in the supplement and longevity space who has faced some pretty tough challenges in her life, including battling seizures. Her story is one of resilience, hard work, and determination.

Zoe also had a lot to say about how the declining quality of our food has left us with deficiencies that hold us back from being able to fully optimize our health. Zoe has made an impact in her community by helping others understand how to combat poor nutrient quality in our food and use the right supplements to optimize health & longevity.

If you want to hear about how she turned adversity into opportunity and how she's now helping others through health and longevity, keep reading.

A Military Childhood and a Mindset Built for Challenges

Zoe grew up in a military family, moving around a lot and learning early on how to handle change and chaos. She says, "Life ain't gonna stop. Slow down, be nicer, be gentler. It's just not the way the world works." Her parents, both retired military captains, taught her the importance of tough love, work ethic, and delaying gratification. This mindset helped her face life's challenges with strength instead of pity.

"I always challenge people. Why would you think that something is being done to you? Why don't you just shift it? Because as soon as you shift that definition, you can change your mindset and how you tackle it."

This way of thinking prepared Zoe for the difficult journey ahead when she started experiencing seizures at age 29.

The Seizure Journey: From Confusion to Control

At 29, Zoe woke up in an ambulance after having a grand mal seizure, a serious type of seizure that causes loss of consciousness and convulsions. She remembers, "I was literally strangling the EMT that was standing over top of me, bright white lights... I probably think I'm dead."

Despite being healthy, active, and drug-free, Zoe was repeatedly questioned by medical staff, which frustrated her. She went through a battery of tests, seeing top neurologists and specialists, but no one could figure out why she was having seizures. She describes the struggle:

"Why me? I'm healthy. I'm active. I eat well. Doctors don't know why. Can't fix it. Why me?"

During this time, Zoe couldn't drive, had to rely on others, and faced many setbacks. Eventually, a brain MRI found a small tumor near her right eye in the temporal lobe, which was unusual because that area doesn't usually cause grand mal seizures.

Medication and the Battle to Stay Controlled

Zoe started on medication to control her seizures, but it wasn't easy. She admits to being in denial and sometimes skipping her meds, which caused breakthrough seizures. After many trials, she discovered that the generic medication she was given wasn't effective for her, and she had to fight insurance companies to get the branded version that worked.

This struggle taught her a valuable lesson about responsibility and self-care:

"I wasn't really listening. I was in denial. But in the last several weeks, my family was like, ‘You gotta grow up and take your meds.'"

Now, Zoe has been seizure-free for years, except for a rare breakthrough if she misses her medication for too long. She credits discipline and honesty with her doctors for getting her health under control.

Entrepreneurship and Partnership: Building a Life with Purpose

Zoe's journey didn't stop at health. She's a passionate entrepreneur working alongside her husband, who is a stem cell regenerative medicine expert and orthopedist. Together, they run several companies focused on health innovation, including Curley Health Institute and Gray Ledge Technology.

She explains their dynamic:

"We have a work and a love relationship. We battle. We fight. Sometimes I'm not your wife, I'm your business partner. We fix problems like CEO and president."

Despite the challenges of mixing marriage and business, Zoe and her husband have built a strong partnership based on mutual respect and shared goals.

Revolutionizing Stem Cell Therapy

Zoe's husband has spent over 20 years pioneering stem cell treatments, especially in orthopedics. Their biotech company, Gray Ledge Technology, focuses on measuring and optimizing stem cell doses to improve patient outcomes. This cutting-edge work has the potential to impact millions worldwide.

Zoe highlights the importance of data and technology in medicine:

"If you don't know what you're injecting, you're just blind hoping that the patient's gonna get better."

By using artificial intelligence, they analyze treatment results to predict outcomes and improve therapies. It's a big step toward making regenerative medicine more reliable and effective.

Passion for Longevity and Brain Health

Alongside the biotech work, Zoe started a supplement company called Zeta Body, which focuses on brain health and longevity. She's passionate about helping people live longer, healthier lives with energy and vitality.

One of their flagship products is a nootropic called Z83, designed to improve mood, reaction time, and energy without overstimulation. Zoe explains:

"Look at how overwhelmed everybody is. Look at how overstimulated everyone is. Look at how anxious our society and our culture has become."

She also emphasizes the importance of basics like vitamin D3 and creatine, especially for women dealing with hormone changes through premenopause and menopause. Creatine, often misunderstood, supports muscle energy and brain function, making it a valuable supplement for many.

Simple Nutrition and Real-Life Tips

Zoe is honest about her own struggles with nutrition, admitting she sometimes forgets to eat due to her busy life. She shares practical advice:

• Batch cook proteins like chicken and fish using a slow cooker or oven for convenience.
• Use a "beauty juice" mix with phytonutrients, amino acids, and electrolytes to get essential nutrients easily.
• Focus on high-quality supplements rather than cheap, low-quality options.

Her approach is about making health manageable and sustainable, not perfect.

Lessons Learned and Words of Wisdom

Zoe's story is a powerful reminder that life's challenges don't have to define us. She also stresses the importance of asking for help and learning from others, something she struggled with but now embraces fully.

Her entrepreneurial drive is fueled by big dreams and a desire to impact millions of lives through health innovation and education.

Final Thoughts

Zoe Karli's journey from a military kid to a seizure survivor, entrepreneur, and health advocate is inspiring. She shows us how mindset, hard work, and partnership can help us overcome even the toughest obstacles.

If you're ready to take control of your health and fitness journey, I invite you to join my FREE Masterclass! Discover the 7-Phase System that helped me lose 30+ pounds, drop to 3.9% body fat, and earn my WNBF Pro-Card—all without wasting time on useless supplements or exhausting cardio. Let's unlock your full potential together!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What caused Zoe's seizures?

Zoe suspects her seizures may have been linked to the HPV vaccine she received at age 29. Recent studies suggest a possible connection between HPV vaccines and seizures in some females, but the exact cause remains uncertain.

How did Zoe manage to control her seizures?

After many tests and trials, Zoe found that taking her medication regularly and using the branded version rather than the generic helped control her seizures. Consistency and honesty with her doctors were key.

What is Zoe's approach to health and longevity?

Zoe emphasizes a balanced diet, quality supplementation (like vitamin D3 and creatine), regular exercise, and managing stress. She also focuses on brain health with nootropics and supports her body with regenerative medicine.

How does Zoe balance entrepreneurship and personal life?

Zoe and her husband have a unique partnership where they separate their business roles from their marriage. They communicate openly about workload and support each other, especially during tough times.

What advice does Zoe have for people facing adversity?

She encourages shifting your mindset from "why me?" to "what can I learn?" and to ask for help when needed. Learning from both good and bad examples in life can speed up growth and problem-solving.

Episode Chapters:

0:00 The Vital Role of Supplements for Health & Brain Power

2:03 Lessons from a Military Upbringing: Resilience & Work Ethic

8:33 Life-Altering Seizures, a Brain Tumor, & Overcoming Challenges

18:53 Women's Health: Self-Care, Medication, and Balance

24:11 Balancing Family, Entrepreneurship, and Health Goals

29:52 Turning Tough Childhood Lessons into Strength

35:29 Big Problems, Big Rewards: The Power of Innovation

37:26 Cutting-Edge Cellular Therapies & AI in Medicine

46:40 Improving Nutrition & Launching Game-Changing Products

54:20 Must-Have Supplements for Longevity and Energy

59:49 Protein, Diet Hacks, and Creative Meal Prep for Success