EP 74: Why Diets Fail and What Actually Works

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Peak Performance Podcast, Coach Kyle sits down with Andres Ayesta, a registered dietitian and former clinical nutritionist who now helps burned-out adults reclaim their energy and health. Together, they dive into why most diet advice is broken, how reverse dieting actually leads to fat loss, and why self-awareness is the secret to sustainable change. Andres shares his no-BS take on outdated dietetic education, how to build trust and accountability in coaching, and why he’s about to experiment with the carnivore diet even though he’s not a fan of it. Expect plenty of laughs, real-life strategies, and game-changing perspectives on what it really takes to feel and function your best.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Most people don’t need more information—they need better accountability and fewer judgmental coaches.

• Sustainable change starts with building self-awareness: what you eat, how you feel, and who you’re around.

• Reverse dieting (eating more calories gradually) can be a powerful tool to heal metabolism and drive fat loss.

• Many people, especially women, unknowingly under-eat and then binge, creating a metabolic and hormonal mess.

• The "core five" basics of nutrition: protein, water, fiber, enough food, and daily movement.

• Andres believes in challenging the conventional dietetics model and doing the right thing, not just what’s taught in school.

• A 30-day carnivore diet experiment is underway—not because he loves it, but to test claims and spark dialogue.

   

   

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Andres Ayesta, RD with a camera setup like a YouTuber

01:13 – Coaching 101: How to empower clients without judgment

02:53 – Tough love vs. reflection-based coaching

04:15 – The 3 Levels of Accountability: Self, peer, and expert

06:00 – Why helping clients become independent is the real win

06:45 – The Dietetics Industry is Broken (Andres doesn’t hold back)

08:30 – What most dietitians miss about real-world health

10:00 – Why credentials don’t matter as much as real-world skill

11:20 – Who Andres works with: Burned-out moms and dads

12:17 – Andres’ 3-Step Framework for Behavior Change

14:34 – How emotions and self-awareness tie into food habits

15:34 – The “Core Five” daily nutrition habits everyone forgets

17:40 – Undereating: The epidemic among women (and men)

20:00 – Two types of chronic under-eaters and how to help them

22:11 – Why reverse dieting works & how to do it step-by-step

24:12 – Kyle’s personal transformation through eating more

25:57 – Why muscle is the #1 key to longevity

26:44 – The truth about carnivore: Andres’ 30-day self-experiment

29:56 – Whole foods vs. carnivore: Which is really better?

32:44 – Final reflections on performance, energy & gut health

33:32 – Where to follow Andres and track his carnivore journey

 

Sponsors:

This episode is sponsored by The Longevity Center FL. Your one stop natural m