Danica Patrick: Shares Her Health Transformation After Removing Breast Implants | TUH #180

Danica credits Dr. Gabrielle Lyon for getting her into the best shape of her life at 43. She emphasizes that women often avoid lifting heavy due to fear of bulking, but with low testosterone, it's very hard to get bulky. She herself does weighted pull-ups and heavy deadlifts at 105 lbs. She starts her day with 5 eggs, which keeps her full and energized without the bloat and crash from high-glycemic carbs. Gary adds that combining saturated fat with seed oils and high-glycemic carbs is a recipe for inflammation. They both agree that simplicity in food—like a ribeye with grass-fed butter and sea salt—is where the magic is.

Danica adopted this routine after her breast implant illness journey, as she became more attuned to lymphatic health. She uses two red light panels (front and back) and performs gua sha on her face, neck, and down to her chest. She then targets six specific lymphatic points with rubbing and tapping. Gary explains that Ayurvedic medicine recognized the importance of lymphatic drainage through observation. Danica adds jumping at the end for a 'full flush.' They coin the term 'biostacking' for this combined practice.

Danica regrets not knowing about proper hydration during her racing career. She used to avoid salt, but now understands its importance. She drinks Element electrolytes and installed hydrogen water filters at home. Gary mentions Baja Gold sea salt as a quality option.

Danica shares her experience with eggs: blood tests showed reactivity, but she felt fine eating them, so she reintroduced them and thrives. Conversely, cauliflower makes her bloated, so she avoids it. Gary notes that many people mistake immediate allergic reactions (sneezing, watery eyes) as the only signs of intolerance, but delayed symptoms like bloating and weight gain are equally valid. They agree there is no one-size-fits-all diet; the Blue Zones show that longevity is associated with whole foods compatible with one's genetics, not a specific diet dogma.

Danica's bus driver would prepare her pre-race meal: sweet potatoes or rice and chicken. She didn't have time to cook, but the simplicity was key. Gary echoes that a ribeye with grass-fed butter and sea salt is a perfect simple meal. They criticize the food industry for pushing sauces with seed oils that combine with saturated fat and carbs to create metabolic chaos.

Danica recounts how she used to dismiss concepts like the law of attraction until she saw the science. Gary then introduces the physics principle of constructive interference: when two frequencies of equal wavelength meet, the amplitude doubles. This means you can literally gain energy from conversations with aligned people, or lose it from draining interactions. Danica identifies as an introvert who recharges alone, but notes that the right conversations—like those at the White House with mission-driven people—energize her. They connect this to the collective energy of the MAHA movement, suggesting a critical mass of belief can shift planetary frequency (the hundredth monkey theory).

Danica got breast implants and for about three years noticed nothing. Then she gained 5 lbs inexplicably while maintaining her athletic routine. Her hair became unhealthy, her face puffy, and she thought her hormones were off. She tried eating more vegan, eating less, working out more—nothing worked. In early 2021, she lost her menstrual cycle, prompting a doctor visit that revealed low thyroid. She initially thought that explained everything, but it was just the tip of the iceberg. After a year and a half of searching, she found YouTube videos of women describing breast implant illness; their symptoms resonated deeply, and she had a 'knowing' that this was her issue. She had the implants removed after 7.5 years. Within hours of coming home from surgery, she noticed oil on her face—something that hadn't happened in years—and her dry scalp began to recover. Two days later she posted about it on Instagram, and within a week Good Morning America was at her house to cover the story. She emphasizes that symptoms are highly individual: 'It's basically your own body's personal expression of I'm not happy.'

Danica admits she bought into the propaganda that salt is bad and avoided it during her racing career. Now she 'salts beyond belief' and drinks Element electrolytes all day. She also had blood tests showing eggs were highly reactive, so she avoided them for 7-8 years, even though they never made her feel bad. She eventually questioned the science and reintroduced eggs, now eating 3-5 daily and feeling the best she's ever been. She contrasts this with cauliflower, which makes her bloated, so she avoids it. Her rule: if a food gives you energy and no discomfort, it's good; if it makes you tired or bloated, avoid it.

Danica loves to habit stack, referencing Atomic Habits. She combines red light therapy with gua sha facial massage and lymphatic drainage tapping, then finishes with jumping to flush the lymph system. Gary suggests trademarking 'biostacking' as a term for this practice. This approach maximizes time and enhances the benefits of each modality.