You Don’t Have The Wrong Genes, You’re in the Wrong Environment

With: Dr. Sam Shay

About the Episode

What if the genes you’ve been blaming for your health struggles were never the problem to begin with? Your “bad” genetic hand might actually be a survival advantage in disguise, and the issue may be that you’re not optimizing your lifestyle to the genes you have.

In this episode, Dr. Sam Shay, founder of FitGenes and a genetics expert with over a decade of clinical experience, explains why analyzing the right genes matters far more than chasing trendy ones, such as MTHFR. If you’ve ever felt betrayed by your own body, this episode offers a completely different, more empowering way to see your genetics.

Listen now and start optimizing your body today!

What We Discuss

Dr. Shay has some of the worst inflammatory genetics he’s seen in a decade of testing, but by using genetic testing and evolutionary biology, he was able to understand that his body wasn’t sabotaging him. It was just mismatched with his environment. That’s how a properly prioritized genetics test can give people the fewest lifestyle changes for the biggest impact.

Why Your Genes Aren’t the Enemy

Genetic variations that seem like disadvantages today, such as being hyper-inflammatory, were often survival advantages in ancestral environments where fast healing outweighed long-term risk. Understanding this evolutionary trade-off can help you stop viewing your body as broken and start seeing it as simply mismatched with your modern environment. Reframing genetics this way turns a sense of victimhood into a practical starting point for change.

Why MTHFR Isn’t the Most Important Gene

MTHFR has become the most talked-about gene in wellness circles largely because it was the first to capture public attention, not because it’s the most critical one. Methylation, the process MTHFR affects, is actually downstream of inflammation, free radical damage, and liver detox, making it a lower priority than most people assume. Understanding the correct hierarchy helps you avoid wasted effort on the wrong genetic targets.

The 80/20 Approach to Genetic Testing

Rather than overwhelming you with hundreds of genes and supplement recommendations, an effective genetics test should prioritize the fewest genes that drive most of the health changes. His approach focuses only on genes that are actionable through diet, exercise, or lifestyle, rather than fixed traits you can’t change. Working with a trained practitioner ensures this prioritized data gets translated into a manageable, personalized plan for your life.

Because the goal isn’t to fight your biology but to finally understand it well enough to work with it. Whether you’re dealing with chronic inflammation, unexplained fatigue, or a health condition that’s felt like a mystery for years, this conversation offers a clear, science-backed starting point.

Listen now and start making peace with your body today!

Guest Bio

Dr. Sam leverages functional labs and genetics to create the personalized biological blueprints that clients need to optimize their health, longevity, and performance.