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What if one terrifying night became the catalyst for a lifetime of healing?
In this powerhouse episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Angelo Keely, co-founder and CEO of Kion, to unpack his extraordinary path—from a near-fatal stabbing at 16 to building a company rooted in simple, consistent habits that support both muscle and mood. Angelo breaks down protein (in plain English), and you’ll learn how small, repeatable choices can stack up into real change. He also explains why essential amino acids and creatine are especially impactful as we age. If you’ve wondered how to protect muscle, sharpen your mind, or support mental health without going “all or nothing,” this one’s for you.
How Do We Build Muscle and Mood—At Any Age—With Protein, Aminos, Creatine, and Consistent Habits?
Angelo shares the science and the systems that actually work, and how to choose one tiny action you can repeat every day for real impact.
(00:01:00) What Kion Is—and Why Angelo Says You Don’t “Need” It
● Principle first, product second: Food comes first; EAAs are a targeted way to stimulate muscle protein synthesis with fewer calories.
● Non-workout days matter: EAAs still drive protein synthesis—even on rest days.
● Consistency > intensity: Angelo takes EAAs every morning (often with creatine) to “tell” his body to rebuild.
● Better together: Taking EAAs before training leverages increased blood flow for greater impact.
(00:05:30) From Bad Trip to Bigger Life: Trauma, Accountability, and 20 Years of Integration
● The turning point: A severe LSD episode led to assault and multiple stab wounds—sparking a decades-long healing journey.
● Whole-person recovery: Talk therapy, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, movement, and study.
● Daily rhythm: 15k steps, basic strength work, slow “zone-2” runs, and short family meditations.
● One thing rule: Pick one change you’ll actually do every day; stack from there.
(00:14:30) Protein 101: Why EAAs Can Beat Whey—and Whey Often Beats Steak
● Energy vs. materials: Carbs/fats fuel; protein rebuilds tissues, enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters.
● Quality counts: Higher essential amino acid content + digestibility = stronger protein synthesis signal.
● Practical takeaway: EAAs can deliver the goal of protein (rebuild/retain muscle) with fewer calories—useful for fat loss without muscle loss.
● Aging advantage: As we age, we’re less sensitive to protein; powders and EAAs become more useful.
(00:31:30) Creatine & Women: Strength, Cognition, and Mood—Minus the “Bloat” Myth
● How it works: Creatine saturates muscle (and brain) phosphocreatine stores, making reps and sprints feel slightly easier—strength builds over time.
● Brain benefits: Higher intakes in studies have shown improvements in memory/focus; emerging research suggests better depression outcomes.
● Myth-busting: Quality creatine monohydrate doesn’t cause true “bloat”; women tend to gain strength/endurance—not bulk.
● Dosage mindset: Daily use matters (not just on lift days). Pair with protein/EAAs and strength work for the compounding effect.
(00:40:30) Weight Loss Without Muscle Loss: GLP-1s, Deficits & The Case for More Protein/EAAs
● The risk: Calorie deficits (drug-assisted or not) can strip muscle unless protein/EAAs are substantially higher.
● Target outcome: Lose fat, keep muscle—use EAAs as a “cheat code” to shore up a day’s protein gap.
● Real-world hacks: Track a week, then set up defaults: fridge proteins (Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs), shake + EAAs on busy days.
● Habit stack: Morning water → EAAs/creatine → walk after meals → short meditation. Tiny actions, big compound returns.
Visit getkion.com/bigsilence for 20% off.
Guest Resources
● Learn more about Angelo on his website
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