With Jay Campbell, Episode 114
What You’ll Learn
- Tesofensine for fat loss & cognition: This triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor suppresses appetite, increases BDNF, and puts you into a flow state within hours of your first dose. [01:56]
- The 30 Days to Shredz protocol: Alternate day fasting combined with GLP-1 agonists and metabolic accelerants, programmed for beginner, advanced, and fully optimized fitness levels. [09:22]
- Informed use of biohacking agents: Using peptides and fat loss compounds without proper guidance causes muscle loss, metabolic slowdown, and rebound weight gain. [14:00]
- Muscle preservation during fasting: A study on Olympic-caliber athletes showed zero muscle loss under 72 hours of fasting when hydration and hormonal optimization were maintained. [17:30]
- Hormonal optimization prevents catabolism: Therapeutic testosterone and peptides paired with adequate protein intake protect lean mass during aggressive fat loss protocols. [17:54]
- Metabolic dysregulation & inflammation: Obesity creates a constant cytokine storm that causes chronic pain, depression, and psychological suffering beyond the physical weight. [20:17]
- Phentermine & tesofensine stacking: Advanced users can combine phentermine with tesofensine for enhanced cellular respiration and accelerated metabolic output. [24:14]
- Retatrutide as an obesity solution: A new triple-agonist agent targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors that could potentially eliminate obesity at scale. [26:13]
- Alcohol sabotages fat loss: Drinking disrupts sleep architecture, impairs hormonal signaling, increases inflammation, and directly halts lipolysis for up to 48 hours. [39:20]
Why It Matters
Most people who try GLP-1 agonists or fasting protocols for fat loss end up losing muscle, crashing their metabolism, and regaining the weight because they lack a structured framework. Jay Campbell, a 4x international best-selling author and men’s physique champion, has spent years refining a protocol that combines alternate day fasting with specific peptides and metabolic agents. His 30 Days to Shredz system delivers rapid, sustainable fat loss without the rebound that plagues conventional approaches.
Who Should Listen
- Biohackers who want a structured, evidence-based rapid fat loss protocol using peptides and GLP-1 agonists.
- Men and women struggling with stubborn body fat who’ve tried calorie restriction without lasting results.
- Health-conscious individuals curious about tesofensine, tirzepatide, and semaglutide but unsure how to use them safely.
The Science Behind Rapid Body Recomposition
Jay Campbell joins Nick Urban on the High Performance Longevity podcast for part 2 of their deep dive into body optimization. This time, the conversation centers on Jay’s book “30 Days to Shredz” and the specific protocol he’s developed for maximum fat loss in 30 days using alternate day fasting, GLP-1 agonists, and metabolic accelerants.
The protocol layers tirzepatide or semaglutide with alternate day fasting (4 fasting days per week) and twice-daily cardio on fasting days. Jay explains why hormonal optimization through therapeutic testosterone prevents muscle loss during aggressive caloric deficits. He also covers tesofensine’s dual role as both a cognitive enhancer (via BDNF) and appetite suppressant, phentermine stacking strategies, and the emerging compound retatrutide.
After listening, you’ll understand exactly which compounds to consider for your body composition goals, how to structure fasting days to avoid metabolic adaptation, and why hormonal optimization is the non-negotiable foundation before starting any fat loss program. You’ll also learn which common mistakes cause people to lose muscle instead of fat on these protocols.
Key Terms Quick Reference
[01:56] Tesofensine:
A triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor originally developed to treat depression, now used off-label for fat loss and cognitive enhancement. It suppresses appetite, increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and boosts metabolic rate after several months of consistent use.
[09:22] Alternate day fasting (ADF):
A fasting pattern where you alternate between full fasting days (24-26 hours, zero calories) and eating days. Combined with GLP-1 agonists, it prevents the body from adapting to a single caloric baseline, keeping metabolic rate elevated.
[09:22] GLP-1 agonists:
A class of compounds (including tirzepatide and semaglutide) that mimic the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone to suppress appetite and improve blood glucose control. Research shows they also reduce depression and change habit formation in the brain.
[20:17] Cytokine storm:
A sustained inflammatory cascade flowing through the body of metabolically dysregulated individuals. It causes chronic biological pain that leads to depression, reduced mobility, and accelerated aging.
[24:14] Metabolic uncoupling:
The process by which certain compounds (like tesofensine after 3-4 months of use) increase the rate at which the body burns stored energy. This creates fat loss independent of caloric deficit alone.
[26:13] Retatrutide:
A next-generation triple-agonist compound targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors simultaneously. Early research suggests it could be one of the most effective anti-obesity agents ever developed.
[17:54] Hormonal optimization:
The practice of using therapeutic testosterone and peptides to bring hormone levels to optimal ranges before beginning a fat loss protocol. This prevents the muscle loss commonly seen in people who fast or restrict calories without hormonal support.
Does Tesofensine Actually Work for Fat Loss?
The short answer
Yes. Tesofensine suppresses appetite within hours, increases BDNF for enhanced cognition, and after 3-4 months of consistent use, acts as a metabolic uncoupler to accelerate fat burning.
What Campbell found
About 90% of people who use tesofensine respond positively. The standard clinical dose is 500 micrograms, though many do well at 250 micrograms. Jay observed that people who previously used SSRIs sometimes experience insomnia on tesofensine because the compound reactivates brain pathways that were suppressed by the antidepressants. Lowering the dose to 250 micrograms typically resolves this issue.
What to do about it
Start at 250 micrograms if you have any history of SSRI use. Take it in the morning to avoid sleep disruption. Monitor your appetite response over the first week. After 3-4 months of consistent use, expect additional metabolic benefits beyond appetite suppression alone.
“Tesofensine is one of those holy grail agents in that within a couple of hours, you feel improved well-being.” – Jay Campbell
Related: Best Online Peptide Vendors Review & Comparison Guide
Can You Lose Fat Fast Without Losing Muscle?
The short answer
Yes, if you’re hormonally optimized with therapeutic testosterone and peptides, eating adequate protein on feeding days, and following a structured alternate day fasting protocol.
What Campbell found
A study on Olympic-caliber athletes in Canada from the 1970s showed that no participant lost any muscle during 120 days of alternate day fasting, and those athletes were likely on performance-enhancing compounds. Jay’s own clients using the 30 Days to Shredz protocol often gained half a pound of muscle while dropping significant body fat. The key distinction is that uninformed users who take GLP-1 agonists without lifting weights, eating protein, or optimizing hormones will absolutely lose muscle.
What to do about it
Optimize your hormones first (therapeutic testosterone for men, appropriate hormonal support for women). Eat high protein on feeding days. Lift weights on eating days. Use GLP-1 agonists to manage hunger on fasting days rather than as an excuse to skip meals entirely on eating days.
“When you become fast-adapted, it’s amazing how fast the fat loss starts falling off!” – Jay Campbell
Related: Peptides for Weight Loss
How Do GLP-1 Agonists Change Your Brain & Habits?
The short answer
GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide and tirzepatide don’t just suppress appetite. Research published in Nature shows they improve depression, change habit formation in the brain, and create lasting behavioral shifts around food and health.
What Campbell found
People on semaglutide for 2 years showed significant reductions in depression. Jay attributes this to a cascade: lose body fat, reduce chronic inflammation (ending the cytokine storm), feel less pain, look better, shift your mindset from lack to abundance. The GLP-1 agonists serve as the catalyst for this positive feedback loop, making it possible for people to fast 24-26 hours without hunger pangs that previously derailed every diet attempt.
What to do about it
View GLP-1 agonists as a tool for behavioral change, not just weight loss. Combine them with lifestyle interventions (fasting, exercise, nutrition) so the habit changes persist even if you discontinue the compound. Work with a knowledgeable practitioner who understands dosing within the context of a comprehensive protocol.
“Losing body fat will impact both your physical and mental health. The benefits can alleviate depression, decrease the risk of injury, and increase lifespan.” – Jay Campbell
The Campbell Rapid Fat Loss Protocol
A structured 30-day system for maximum body fat reduction using alternate day fasting, GLP-1 agonists, and metabolic accelerants. Designed for anyone from beginners to fully optimized biohackers.
- Hormonal baseline: Get testosterone, thyroid, and metabolic markers tested and optimized before starting
- GLP-1 agonist selection: Choose tirzepatide or semaglutide based on your practitioner’s guidance and individual response
- Fasting schedule: Alternate day fasting with 4 fasting days per week (24-26 hours each) and 3 eating days
- Fasting day protocol: Zero calories, twice-daily cardio, electrolytes, caffeine tablets, and metabolic accelerants
- Eating day nutrition: High protein, controlled carbohydrate intake, relatively unrestricted calories (if you are not morbidly obese)
- Microbiome adaptation: Train your gut gradually into fasting over 1-2 weeks before going full protocol
- Sleep support: High-dose melatonin on fasting days to counteract ghrelin-driven insomnia
Common fat loss protocol mistakes
- Skipping hormonal optimization: Starting aggressive fasting without therapeutic testosterone or peptides causes accelerated muscle loss
- Undereating on feeding days: Using GLP-1 agonists as an excuse to barely eat creates metabolic resistance and thyroid suppression
- Ignoring protein: Failing to hit adequate protein targets on eating days guarantees lean mass loss
Source: Jay Campbell’s Rapid Fat Loss Protocol, Jay Campbell Brand
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tesofensine an SSRI?
No. Tesofensine is a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor, not a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. It was originally developed to treat depression as a dopamine agonist but was never classified as an SSRI. Clinical research shows no receptor attenuation or addiction, and you can stop taking it cold turkey without withdrawal effects.
How much fat can you lose in 30 days with the protocol?
Results vary by starting body composition, but the 30 Days to Shredz protocol is designed to maximize fat loss regardless of body type or genetics. People following the full protocol with alternate day fasting, GLP-1 agonists, and metabolic accelerants consistently achieve significant results that are maintainable.
Will alternate day fasting cause muscle loss?
Not if you are hormonally optimized. Research on Olympic-caliber athletes showed zero muscle loss under 72 hours of fasting. The key is using therapeutic testosterone, peptides, eating adequate protein on feeding days, and lifting weights consistently.
What is the recommended dose of tesofensine?
The standard clinical recommendation is 500 micrograms. However, many people respond equally well to 250 micrograms, especially those with a history of SSRI use. Start at the lower dose and adjust based on your individual response to appetite suppression and sleep quality.
Can you drink alcohol during the 30-day protocol?
No. Alcohol sabotages fat loss by disrupting sleep architecture, impairing hormonal signaling, increasing inflammation, and halting lipolysis. Jay Campbell strongly advises eliminating alcohol entirely during the protocol for optimal results.
What is retatrutide & how is it different from semaglutide?
Retatrutide is a next-generation triple-agonist compound that targets GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors simultaneously. Unlike semaglutide which targets GLP-1 only, retatrutide hits three metabolic pathways at once and could potentially be one of the most effective anti-obesity agents ever developed.
Do you need a prescription for GLP-1 agonists?
Tirzepatide and semaglutide are prescription medications. Work with a knowledgeable physician who understands how to use them within the context of a comprehensive fat loss protocol that includes hormonal optimization, nutrition, and exercise.
Products, Tools, & Resources Mentioned
Outliyr independently evaluates all recommendations. We may get a small commission if you buy through our links (at no cost to you). Thanks for your support!
Peptides & compounds
Tesofensine: Triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor used for appetite suppression, BDNF enhancement, and metabolic uncoupling. Available in 250mcg and 500mcg doses.
Limitless Life Nootropics: Source for tesofensine and other research peptides mentioned in the episode.
Books
The Testosterone Optimization Therapy Bible: By Jay Campbell. The definitive guide to living a fully optimized life through hormonal optimization.
Burn Fat with the Metabolic Blowtorch Diet: By Jay Campbell. Covers optimizing intermittent fasting for fat loss while preserving muscle and enhancing focus.
The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding: By Arnold Schwarzenegger. Jay’s recommended foundational reference for bodybuilding and physique training.
Courses & resources
Jay Campbell’s Peptides Course: Comprehensive e-course covering peptide protocols, dosing, and applications for health optimization.
Best Online Peptide Vendors Review & Comparison Guide: Outliyr’s comprehensive breakdown of trusted peptide sources.
Articles & references
AOD-9604 for Weight Loss: Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects: Jay Campbell’s deep dive into the anti-obesity peptide AOD-9604.
About Jay Campbell
Jay Campbell is a 4x international best-selling author, men’s physique champion, and founder of the Jay Campbell brand and podcast. He’s recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on hormonal optimization and therapeutic peptides, with his website offering deeply researched articles on these topics since 2006. Jay dedicated his life to helping men and women fully optimize their health while raising their consciousness. His work spans hormone optimization, peptides, fat loss, fitness, and spirituality.
Related Episodes & Articles
Full Episode Transcript
Nick Urban [00:00:05]: Howdy, folks. Welcome back to episode number 114 of the Mind Body Peak Performance podcast with your host, Nick Urban. So today, we are continuing last week’s episode on all things therapeutic peptides. But this time, we’re specifically focusing on fat loss. That’s right. Our guest has a special program and a book that he’s recently released called Shortcut To Shreds, which is one of the most effective fat loss programs created to date. In case you missed last week’s episode, Jay Campbell is a 4 time international best selling author, a men’s physique champion, and the founder of the Jay Campbell brand. He’s best known for his well thought out, well researched articles, and teaching around all things, hormone optimization, and therapeutic peptides. And now, fat loss. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed chatting.
Nick Urban [00:01:19]: We’ll move on to your new work now, and that is the book, I believe it’s called 30 Days 2 Shreds with the number 2 and Shreds with a z. So you’ve mentioned one small molecule a second ago that I have and I’ve been using, and that is Tesofensine. And I find it really interesting. But for me, ironically, the biggest side effect that I didn’t like is that it suppresses my appetite too well. If I take it today, I won’t have an appetite today or tomorrow, and my appetite will start coming back the day after, which is profound because I usually consume between 3500 and 4000 calories a day.
Jay Campbell [00:01:56]: Wow. Yeah. I mean, that’s, you’re one of the lucky ones. I mean, there’s no question that there’s an appetite suppressing effect in the literature with Tesofensine, but it usually isn’t shown or seen until a couple months of using. And then also there’s also a metabolic effect. There is an uncoupling after about 4 or 5 months. So yeah, dude. It’s one of those holy grail agents in that it dramatically improves BDNF. It’s brain derived neurotrophic factor. It increases that. It’s noticeable. I mean, most people who take Tesofensine whether you take a lower dose of 250 micrograms or higher dose of 500 micrograms within a day and sometimes within a couple hours, you feel improved well-being. And that’s because your mind is releasing all this BDNF. So if you’re a creator like us, you gotta use Tesofensine. It just puts you into a flow state so much faster. I will say, just to be clear, 90% of people who use Tesofensine absolutely love it. I don’t get a lot of complaints, but there are people, and this is my pet theory, who can’t stay asleep and they can’t go to sleep on it. They’re so wired, they’re in such a flow state. I’ve had hundreds of women message me saying, I love this, I’m so grateful that you taught me about this, but I can’t use it, I won’t sleep. And then I started thinking, what is the commonality? And it hit me one day, I bet they were using SSRIs. So I started messaging them back and sure enough, they had a history of SSRI use. Tesofensine, which by the way is not an SSRI, was an orphaned drug originally geared to treat depression as a dopamine agonist. It triggers or reactivates specific pathways in the brain that I think the SSRIs damaged. So the solution for these people is to lower the dose to 250 micrograms, and that usually alleviates the issue.
Nick Urban [00:07:58]: Is it a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor, meaning it increases dopamine and serotonin and noradrenaline?
Jay Campbell [00:08:05]: Yes. It technically is but it’s not in the same class as an SSRI would be. So that’s where people will argue and debate. But here’s the thing: there is no receptor attenuation or addiction from this drug. You can cold turkey withdraw from this drug at any point in time, you will not have any effects. I have done this for myself where I went off of it cold turkey for 2 months straight, never once felt like I had to take it. So that’s proof that it’s nothing like an SSRI because good luck if you did that with an SSRI you were running for 3 or 4 months.
Nick Urban [00:09:08]: Alright. Well, we got sidetracked on one particular compound. Tell me about your book and your methodology.
Jay Campbell [00:09:22]: 30 Days to Shreds is essentially the book teaching people how to use all these new enhanced peptides and gray market agents for fat loss to lose the most amount of body fat possible in 30 days or less. The entire program is based on alternate day fasting combined with tirzepatide or semaglutide or perhaps even both. Everything is designed so you go into it wherever you are and come out in 30 days dropping your body fat in the most precise maximum amount possible. All the programming is based around whether you’re a newbie, advanced, or fully optimized. The reason we love tirzepatide and semaglutide is that most people who struggle with fasting have hunger pangs they can’t overcome. With these new GLP-1 agonists, that’s not an excuse anymore because people can literally go 24 to 26 hours without even being hungry. So you’ve got 16 days in a 30 day window where you don’t eat food, but you do cardio twice a day and you’re taking metabolic accelerants. It’s insane the amount of fat loss you can experience in 30 days. And this is maintainable fat loss, not crash diet rebound.
Nick Urban [00:13:43]: I love that you’re mentioning it’s a pulsation because the body adapts to things very well. If you don’t do that, that can lead to stalling progress or even going backwards.
Jay Campbell [00:14:00]: There’s a lot of people in the biohacking space talking smack about these agents. And the truth needs to be deciphered. A lot of people say it causes muscle loss, metabolic issues after coming off. All of those things are true, but only in people who are uninformed when they use these agents. You get a physician who doesn’t understand how to actually teach a person how to lose body fat correctly. And now you’re having people scripted these powerful drugs like tirzepatide or semaglutide, and they won’t eat. They’re now finding out that GLP-1 agonists are changing habit formation in the brain. There’s research coming out that they’re improving depression. An article just came out in Nature about how people on semaglutide for 2 years literally are not depressed anymore. You lose body fat, you start feeling good, looking good, and it changes your mindset. But it all needs to be done within the correct context.
Nick Urban [00:17:04]: I hadn’t heard that about depression improving. But it makes sense because if you decrease inflammation throughout the body, you decrease neural inflammation. One thing I was wondering is whether someone relatively lean would burn more muscle as a percentage than fat.
Jay Campbell [00:17:41]: Great question. We have a chapter in the book to address this. If you’re not hormonally optimized and you go down this path, is there a possibility you could lose a little muscle? Yes. But if you’re hormonally optimized using peptides and doing everything else, you’re not going to lose muscle. There was one study on Olympic-caliber athletes in Canada from the seventies, alternate day fasting over 120 days, and not one person lost any muscle under 72 hours without food. These are hydrated athletes, probably taking electrolytes, but not eating food. I always tell people, don’t believe the hype. The bodybuilding culture convinces themselves that if they don’t eat every 4 hours they lose muscle. But you aren’t going to burn muscle at any accelerated rate beyond 48 hours without food. In the 30 Days to Shredz protocol, if anything, participants probably gained half a pound of muscle.
Jay Campbell [00:20:37]: You cannot be a metabolically dysregulated obese human being and not suffer. This is biological. They have a massive cytokine storm flowing through their body at all times. These people are in pain. You lose that weight, get rid of all these inflammatory cytokine storms, of course they’re gonna have an improved mindset. Of course they’re gonna have more positive thought processes.
Nick Urban [00:21:28]: Obesity and carrying around extra body fat is much more than just an aesthetic problem. It translates all the way across the board into your entire quality of life.
Jay Campbell [00:23:26]: Phentermine increases weight loss. It’s a powerful weight-loss agent and appetite suppressant that you can combine with other agents for enhanced results.
Jay Campbell [00:24:14]: When you combine phentermine and tesofensine correctly, you get a synergistic effect for super cellular respiration. It accelerates metabolic output beyond what either compound achieves alone.
Jay Campbell [00:26:13]: A new agent called Retatrutide could potentially eliminate obesity. It’s a triple agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors simultaneously. The early data on this is extraordinary.
Jay Campbell [00:28:14]: Electrolyte drinks and caffeine tablets can support your fasting days. You want to stay hydrated and maintain energy without breaking the fast.
Jay Campbell [00:30:15]: Your body’s microbiome needs to be trained to start a fasting regime. You can’t just jump into alternate day fasting cold. You need to build up over 1 to 2 weeks.
Jay Campbell [00:33:11]: GLP-1 agonists are used in conjunction with lifestyle changes, including fasting and adjusting food intake, to improve blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity.
Jay Campbell [00:39:20]: Alcohol sabotages health in a myriad of ways. It disrupts sleep, impairs hormonal signaling, increases inflammation, and directly halts fat burning. If you’re serious about this protocol, alcohol has to go.
Nick Urban [00:43:22]: How can people access free resources and connect with you online?
Jay Campbell [00:44:44]: My favorite books and teachers: the Ramtha Teachings, Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the Barbara Marciniak books. These have been profoundly influential in shaping my approach to both physical optimization and consciousness.
Nick Urban [00:48:22]: Well, Jay, how would you like to land this plane together? Any takeaways?
Jay Campbell [00:48:29]: I’m profoundly grateful to be here with you today. This has been one of the best podcasts I’ve ever done. I hope as many people as possible will find value in this. I’m literally here to help people, to serve creation. Whenever I get a chance to talk shop with things I’m truly inspired to speak about, it brings the best out of me. So I’m grateful for you, Nick.
Nick Urban [00:49:21]: We could go on forever about these topics. We didn’t even touch on so many different things. I’m Nick Urban here with Jay Campbell signing out from Mind Body Peak Performance. Have a great week and be an outlier.
