Vaccines (thread 4), Episode 11: The Shirtless Philosopher: When Abs Met Anti-Vax

Meet Bernard McFadden: part rugged fitness guru, part moralist, who basically treated sit-ups and sunlight as a vaccine alternative. This episode playfully digs into his goofy but influential idea that a disciplined body makes medical intervention unnecessary.

We poke fun at the image of a shirtless man selling health, but also explore how that mix of truth and overreach still shapes today’s wellness world. It’s witty, intimate, and a little bit provocative — like chatting with a friend about the absurdity of thinking abs can beat viruses.