In this eye-opening episode of Everyday Epigenetics: Raw. Real. Relatable, hosts Susan Robbins, certified epigenetic human performance coach, and Kate King, licensed psychotherapist and board-certified art therapist, sit down with Dr. Navaz Habib, bestselling author, podcast host, and globally known as The Vagus Nerve Doc.
Dr. Habib brings decades of clinical experience and personal healing to the table as he unpacks the science and soul behind the vagus nerve, inflammation, and heart rate variability (HRV) three key players in your body’s ability to adapt, recover, and thrive.
Why the Vagus Nerve Matters More Than You Think
Most people have heard of the vagus nerve but few understand how critical it is to health. Dr. Habib explains how this powerful nerve connects your brain, gut, lungs, heart, and immune system, serving as the master communicator of your autonomic nervous system. If your vagus nerve isn’t functioning optimally, you may experience chronic inflammation, fatigue, digestive issues, and poor stress resilience.
Heart Rate Variability: Your Window Into Stress & Recovery
HRV is more than just a techy stat on your fitness tracker it’s a real-time measurement of how your nervous system is handling stress. A higher HRV means your body can shift between “fight or flight” and “rest and digest” with ease. A low HRV? It’s a red flag that your resilience is compromised.
Dr. Habib shares how tracking your HRV using tools like the Oura Ring or Garmin can help you make smarter decisions about exercise, recovery, and daily stressors.
The V.A.G.U.S. Protocol: A Roadmap to Resilience
In a world filled with chronic stress, Dr. Habib introduces his transformative V.A.G.U.S. protocol:
- V – Validate (track your data)
- A – Activate (your vagus nerve through breath, cold, movement)
- G – Gut-Brain Optimization (support digestion + microbiome)
- U – Unburden (release overwhelm and shift mindset)
- S – Sustain (create long-term, health-building habits)
This framework is a practical path to rebuild vagal tone, reduce inflammation, and improve emotional regulation and energy levels.
It’s Never Too Late to Rebuild Your Brakes
Whether you’re 35 or 75, it’s possible to restore your nervous system health. With personalized tools, breathwork, and awareness, you can reclaim control and build a body that thrives, not just survives.
🎧 Listen now and learn how to become the most resilient, radiant version of yourself.
👉 Learn more at healthupgraded.com
Follow Dr. Navaz Habib on Instagram: @drnavazhabib
RESOURCES:
Connect with Dr. Navaz Habib:
Website: https:/healthupgraded.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnavazhabib
Books: Activate Your Vagus Nerve, Upgrade Your Vagus Nerve: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Dr-Navaz-Habib/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ADr.%2BNavaz%2BHabib
The Oxygen Advantage – Patrick McKeown: https://www.amazon.com/Oxygen-Advantage-Scientifically-Breathing-Techniques/dp/0062349473
Breath – James Nestor: https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art-ebook/dp/B0818ZZNLR/
Connect with Susan:
- Check out Susan’s NEW E-book! Download it FREE here: https://healthyawakening.co/ebook-signup
- Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching! To schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening
Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach - Susan’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/susanrobbins
Connect with Kate King:
- Kate’s Website: https://TheRadiantLifeProject.com
- Kate’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theradiantlifeproject
Kate’s Books:
Stay tuned for Kate’s newest book “Mend or Move On” that will be available early 2026!
The Radiant Life Project (https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538181874/The-Radiant-Life-Project-Awaken-Your-Purpose-Heal-Your-Past-and-Transform-Your-Future)
Use code RLFANDF30 at checkout for 30% OFF “The Radiant Life Project”!
The Authentic Mother – Kate King https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Mother-Creative-Engagement-Support/dp/098983414X/
Mend or Move On – Kate King
Learn more about our guest Dr. Navaz Habib:
After years of watching patients cycle through his practice, Dr. Navaz Habib noticed a pattern. While his patients struggled with a wide range of conditions, they all suffered from the same core problem: they were unable to control inflammation.
When we think about health, we tend to think about diseases and diagnoses, but in reality, it comes down to inflammatory control. As the body’s most unique nerve, the vagus nerve actually determines everything about the trajectory of health and disease. Many of the conditions Dr. Habib’s patients were experiencing were actually due to the lack of vagus nerve signaling to control inflammation.
Now, Dr. Habib offers an easy-to-follow nutrition, lifestyle, and self-care program anchored in evidence and pioneering research that teaches you how to optimize vagus nerve function, no matter your age or health background.
Learn More about Kate King:
Kate brings nearly two decades of experience as a licensed psychotherapist and board certified art therapist, combined with her work as a Radiant Life coach to the table. She is also the multi-award-winning author of three powerful self-help psychology books. Kate’s work integrates epigenetics through a relational, behavioral, and intergenerational family trauma lens. She also incorporates brain and nervous system science with psychology, spirituality, and creativity for a dynamic approach to deep inner work and personal healing.
Learn More about Susan Robbins:
Susan is a retired law enforcement officer and an accomplished Certified Epigenetic Human Performance Coach with a diverse and extensive background in wellness. She began her wellness career in 2015 as a holistic health and stress management coach. Her passion for helping others led her to expand her expertise into epigenetics in 2019, where she discovered the missing piece of the health optimization puzzle: Personalized health.
As a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Level 2 Apeiron Zoh Epigenetic Human Performance Coach (DNA), and Certified PH360 Coach through Precision Health Alliance, Susan has developed a unique approach to health and wellness through completely personalized health. She is the proud recipient of the 2023 Precision Health Alliance Coach of the Year award. Susan works with clients to elevate their health and overall quality of life by understanding their unique needs based on their genetic makeup, taking out the guesswork, and getting results.
Their Synergy
Susan and Kate come from two very different, but perfectly complementary, worlds in the health and wellness space. Together, their synergy is magnetic. Think: science meets soul, strategy meets intuition, real talk meets radical transformation.
