The Wake-Up Call: Dan’s Real Journey Through Fatigue, Sleep Apnea & Self-Discovery (and a Few Darth Vader Nights)

In this episode, Dan gets real about the messy middle of getting healthy. From brain fog and middle-of-the-night insomnia to discovering sleep apnea and learning to love his CPAP (yes, really), he shares what it’s like to rebuild from burnout while trying not to lose your mind—or your sense of humor.

You’ll hear how a random medication side effect set off years of frustration, the 2019 “wake-up call” that pushed him to dig deeper, and the experiments that finally started to make a difference. Dan opens up about the neck revelation (hello, spinal stenosis, tight muscles, and trigger-point injections), the trial-and-error of treating reflux and gut issues, and what he’s learned from testing everything from cortisol to glucose levels.

Along the way, we talk about:
• Why four hours of sleep isn’t a badge of honor
• How treating sleep apnea transformed Dan’s energy and focus
• Neck pain, posture, and why your suboccipitals might secretly hate you
• GERD, PPIs vs. H2 blockers, and gut-testing adventures
• Cortisol crashes, insulin resistance, and learning to interpret labs
• The “optimization paradox” — when chasing health becomes the thing making you stressed

It’s a funny, honest, and surprisingly relatable look at what happens when you treat your health like a lifelong experiment instead of a finish line.

Key takeaway: sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from paying attention, not perfection.

Disclaimer:
The Health Hunt Podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. We’re not medical professionals, and nothing shared should be considered medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider before making any changes to your health.

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If something in Dan’s story resonated, we’d love to hear it! And if you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and share it with someone who might need a little inspiration on their own Health Hunt.

🎧 Next episode: Sandi gets personal and shares her own health story — the ups, the setbacks, and the moments that changed everything.