Kirk Parsley completed SEAL training at the age of 19 and served as a 60-gunner on SEAL Team Five in Coronado, California. He left the SEAL community in 1994 to pursue a college education. Later, he re-entered the US Navy to attend the military's medical school in Bethesda, Maryland, where he was commissioned as a Navy Officer in 2000.
After completing medical school, internship, and residency, Kirk returned to the SEAL teams as the physician for the West Coast SEAL teams. Kirk was tasked with helping the world's most elite warriors optimize and maintain their performance after eight years of sustained combat. It was during this period that he noticed a significant gap between "healthcare" and true "health."
Kirk was compelled to delve into extensive alternative medical literature, synthesizing and applying it effectively and practically to ensure the SEALs could perform at their peak 365 days a year. Performance and fitness are related components of a SEAL's ability, but they are not synonymous.
Due to the limitations and restrictions of medical interventions available in austere environments with limited medical support, Kirk had to develop plans that relied minimally on pharmaceuticals, supplements, or gadgets. His unparalleled success led him to become a sought-after medical human performance expert, not only for Navy SEALs but also for various military special forces commands. He parlayed this experience into private consulting for professional sports teams, international corporations, law enforcement, first responders, the Department of Justice, entrepreneurs, and executives.
Dr. Parsley has collaborated with numerous elite performers, achieving remarkable results in optimizing their physical, cognitive, and emotional performance. His philosophy is straightforward: our bodies are built on a 100,000+ year-old model, and we perform best by emulating the lifestyle we evolved to live as closely as possible, striving to attain the health metrics of our 25-year-old selves. Kirk firmly believes that 80% of health is derived from focusing on Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise, and Stress mitigation, with a strong emphasis on Sleep.
Kirk is certified in Hyperbaric Medicine, Anti-Aging Medicine, Hormone Replacement Therapy, and is currently pursuing national certification in Psychedelic Medicine Therapies. He dedicates a significant portion of his time to advising non-profit organizations that support the SEAL community and providing healthcare guidance and treatment to veterans. Operating his practice and supplement business from Austin, Texas, Kirk is an avid outdoorsman and fitness enthusiast. When he's not working or working out, you can usually find him in nature, continuously enhancing his medical skills.
SHOWNOTES:
😴 Dr. Kirk notes that a large percentage of SEALs used Ambien nightly. How did they overcome it?
😴 How does sleep deprivation destroy testosterone levels in men and accelerate aging?
😴 Why sleep meds are one of the most "Pernicious Health Problems" today
😴 The truth about stress hormones and how they secretly disrupt your sleep and cognitive function—even when you don't feel stressed.
😴 Discover Dr. Parsley's game-changing "stress worksheet."
😴 ACT & Sleep Strategies: The power of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to simplify your bedtime routine and reduce stress.
😴 How high-stress individuals can still optimize their sleep despite unpredictable schedules.
😴 The pros and cons of tracking your sleep and stress: Should you trust them?
😴 How to use HRV data without stressing over it.
😴 Dr. Parsley’s Personal Sleep Routine: Why he sleeps in a 62°F room
😴 Dr. Parsley’s simple tool that changed his sleep forever
😴 Why sleep, unlike nutrition or exercise, is a "one-time skill" that, once mastered, gives lasting benefits.
😴 Unlock your best night's sleep with The Stressless Sleep Guide—a FREE resource created by Dr. Kirk Parsley, M.D.
https://docparsley.com/sleep-is-a-skill-podcast/
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DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this podcast, our website, newsletter, and the resources available for download are not intended to be medical or health advice and shall not be understood or construed as such. The information contained on these platforms is not a substitute for medical or health advice from a professional who is aware of the facts and circumstances of your individual situation.
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