ASCEND ABOVE AVERAGE

ASCEND ABOVE AVERAGE

Feeling tired, dealing with chronic pain, or noticing changes in your body after 40 doesn't mean you have to accept them as normal.

Join Dr. Alessi on Ascend Above Average as he challenges conventional thinking about aging, explores the root causes of common health concerns, and shares practical insights on physical health, functional medicine, and longevity.

Because common isn't normal and it's never too late to feel better.

OUR PODCAST

Latest Episodes

The Momentum Gap: Why You Can't Just 'Get Back to It'
ASCEND ABOVE AVERAGESeptember 15, 2026x
75
00:14:537.35 MB

The Momentum Gap: Why You Can't Just 'Get Back to It'

In this episode, Dr. Alfred Alessi and Matt Tack dive into the challenges of starting and maintaining fitness after 35, particularly for former athletes. They share personal stories and analogies to illustrate the hurdles faced when trying to stay active as one ages. The discussion highlights the be...

Why Your Health Isn't Improving: The 3 Pillars You're Missing
ASCEND ABOVE AVERAGESeptember 01, 2026x
76
00:14:328.09 MB

Why Your Health Isn't Improving: The 3 Pillars You're Missing

Learn why using single-solution tools often fails for complex health issues and how to identify the right approach for your needs. Many people struggle with persistent symptoms because they apply narrow treatments to multi-layered problems. Dr. Alessi explains the core framework used at Health Decod...

Why the Current Medical Model Is Failing You (And What to Do Instead)
ASCEND ABOVE AVERAGEAugust 13, 2026x
75
00:29:0413.75 MB

Why the Current Medical Model Is Failing You (And What to Do Instead)

In this episode, Dr. Alfred Alessi and Matt Tack explore the shortcomings of primary care, focusing on sickness management and brief visits. They introduce functional medicine as an alternative, addressing structural issues and the failure to tackle root causes. The discussion compares health monito...

Beyond Standard Health Panels: The Biomarkers That Truly Matter
ASCEND ABOVE AVERAGEJuly 28, 2026x
74
00:23:3811.78 MB

Beyond Standard Health Panels: The Biomarkers That Truly Matter

In this episode, Dr. Alfred Alessi and Matt Tack discuss the limitations of standard health panels, focusing on disease detection vs. performance measurement. They explore five overlooked biomarker categories, starting with lipid panels and particle count. They cover APOB for cardiovascular risk, gl...

Muscle and Protein: The Unseen Powerhouses for Fat Loss and Longevity
ASCEND ABOVE AVERAGEJuly 21, 2026x
73
00:13:127.05 MB

Muscle and Protein: The Unseen Powerhouses for Fat Loss and Longevity

In this episode, Dr. Alfred Alessi and Matt Tack delve into the pivotal role of muscle in achieving sustainable fat loss and promoting longevity. They discuss muscle's significant influence on glucose disposal and its impact on healthy aging. The conversation shifts to rethinking exercise strategies...

Gut Signals and Hormones: Unlocking Metabolism and the Fasting Paradox (Part 2)
ASCEND ABOVE AVERAGEJuly 14, 2026x
72
00:14:017.14 MB

Gut Signals and Hormones: Unlocking Metabolism and the Fasting Paradox (Part 2)

In this episode, Dr. Alfred Alessi and Matt Tack explore the intricate connections between fat loss resistance and gut signals, sharing insights from Dr. Alessi’s own health journey. They dive into the critical role gut health plays in influencing hormones and metabolism, highlighting the gut-brain-...

Meet your Host.

A Tampa native and founder of Ascend Functional Health, Dr. Alessi is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Integrative Health Practitioner with over a decade of experience helping people take control of their health.

His journey began in fitness and strength conditioning, where his fascination with the human body evolved into a passion for understanding the root causes of chronic health concerns.

Today, his approach brings together physical medicine, functional medicine, and longevity care to help patients move beyond temporary fixes and work toward lasting well-being.

Through Ascend Above Average, Dr. Alessi challenges the idea that feeling worse as we age is inevitable. With honest conversations, practical insights, and a whole-body perspective, he's on a mission to help you understand your health, ask better questions, and realize that common isn't normal.

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