A Different Perspective on Detox and True Health
What if the biggest obstacle to better health isn’t what you’re doing—but how you’re thinking about it? In this episode, R.L. Malpica breaks down detox, plant-based nutrition, and the powerful idea that your body already knows how to heal—if you remove the barriers.
👉 “This episode challenges the idea that health comes from outside solutions—and instead shows how removing barriers allows the body to heal naturally.”
About This Episode
In this episode of The Dr. Haley Show, Dr. Michael Haley sits down with R.L. Malpica, a certified detoxification specialist and natural health coach, to explore what it really means to live a healthy life.
R.L. shares his philosophy on detox—not as a short-term cleanse, but as a continuous, natural process the body is always performing. He explains how modern lifestyles interfere with this process and how simple changes can help restore balance.
The conversation dives into plant-based nutrition, the role of fruits and leafy greens, and the concept of “acid-forming” foods versus naturally alkalizing foods. You’ll also hear a fascinating discussion on mindset—specifically how many people unknowingly block their own healing by relying solely on external solutions.
This episode challenges conventional thinking and offers a fresh perspective on how to support your body, simplify your approach to health, and reconnect with nature.
H2: Resources
- Visit R.L. Malpica’s website: https://www.theeatcoach.com/
- R.L. Malpica on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theeatcoach
- R.L. Malpica on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rl_malpica
- R.L. Malpica on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theeatcoach
- R.L. Malpica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rl_malpica/
- Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/axPKO92nfbM
H2: Timestamps
00:00 – What gets in the way of healing?
00:43 – Show introduction
01:23 – Meet R.L. Malpica
03:42 – Who he helps and how
05:10 – What “detox” really means
06:24 – Living in a toxic world
07:39 – Foods to avoid vs. consume
08:41 – Transitioning your diet gradually
09:10 – Plant-based vs. animal-based perspectives
10:44 – Why leafy greens don’t satisfy hunger
12:21 – Fruits vs. greens for energy
13:23 – A typical day of eating
14:58 – Raw hummus and food creativity
16:22 – Plant-based lifestyle transition
17:36 – Favorite foods and recipes
18:51 – Dominican Republic lifestyle discussion
23:55 – The E.A.T. philosophy explained
26:12 – Phytonutrients and detox
27:29 – Acid-forming vs. acidic foods
29:32 – The myth of alkaline water
30:43 – Biggest obstacle to getting well
31:56 – The “outside-in” health mindset
34:23 – Who R.L. helps most
35:31 – Germ theory vs. terrain theory
36:38 – Coaching, programs, and services
37:20 – His new podcast
38:13 – Final thoughts on nature and health
Full Episode Transcript
Below is the full transcript of this episode, optimized for readability and clarity. This conversation explores detoxification, plant-based nutrition, and the mindset shifts required for true healing—highlighting the idea that the body is inherently designed to heal when given the right conditions.
Dr. Michael Haley:
What do you think gets in the way of people getting well?
R.L. Malpica:
The concept of looking outside of themselves—always looking for the answer through medication, supplements, or some type of therapeutic medium—versus understanding that the body is a self-healing organism.
Show Intro Voice:
You are listening to The Dr. Haley Show, the podcast dedicated to helping you optimize your health. Each episode, there will be an interview or a message to help you discover better health. We will be featuring health radicals on the show to bring new ideas to the table, as well as doubling down on key fundamentals to support you living your best life. Your host is none other than the founder of Haley Nutrition, Dr. Michael Haley.
Dr. Michael Haley:
This is The Dr. Haley Show podcast. I’m Dr. Michael Haley, your show host, and today’s guest is a certified detoxification specialist and natural health coach who helps people connect to balance through the mind, body, and spirit. He’s the author of Detox Yourself: The Secret to Freeing Your Mind and Creating a Healthy Life and The Natural Reset: A Beginner’s Guide to Transforming Your Health.
He’s built a strong following across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. I was checking out some of his content—very cool stuff—and I’ll have links to all of it in the resources section, so be sure to check those out.
Today’s guest is R.L. Malpica. Man, welcome to the show. I’m glad to have you here. I found you online, and I know I mentioned this to you already—we’re very different in a lot of ways, in our beliefs, in how we live, and how we approach health. But one thing that drew me to you is not just your differing opinions, but how you deliver them.
So many people are dogmatic—it’s uncomfortable—and you can’t learn from that. It’s their way or the highway. But you deliver your message with a smile, not with a hammer. Does that sound about right?
R.L. Malpica:
That does. I just want to say thank you for that amazing intro. I appreciate everything you said. I like to share love. I’m not into confrontation. That’s just not my approach.
Dr. Michael Haley:
And that’s why I think this is such a good opportunity. We can learn. For people with differing opinions—including myself—if we stay open-minded, who knows how that might affect us or others listening.
I can’t disagree with your perspective when it comes to detoxification. It may not be for everyone from my perspective, but I also have people I’d say, “You need to follow what he’s talking about—it’s right for you.”
So this is a healthy discussion. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself—where you are, what you do, and how you help people?
R.L. Malpica:
For sure. I mostly work with individuals who are looking to make some form of transformation in their life—whether that’s dealing with an illness they’ve been diagnosed with, losing weight, or simply aligning their lifestyle more with nature and becoming a better version of themselves.
I focus on the physical, mental, and emotional aspects. Everything I use in my coaching is something I’ve applied in my own life. I live it as well as teach it. I also create content to educate people about natural health and how the body works from a natural perspective.
Dr. Michael Haley:
Now, who needs to detox? Do you need to detox?
R.L. Malpica:
That’s the thing—we detox all the time. Every time we sneeze, cough, sweat, urinate, or have a bowel movement, we’re detoxing. When I talk about detoxing, it’s about getting the conditions right so your body can detox more effectively.
We do so many things that block that process. My job is to help eliminate those barriers. So yes, we all need to detox.
Dr. Michael Haley:
I think of detox as a lifestyle. Even living the cleanest lifestyle possible, we’re still exposed to toxins. They’re everywhere—air, food, environment.
So it’s about avoiding what you can and supporting your body as much as possible—not just physically, but mentally too.
R.L. Malpica:
Exactly. You can only control what you can control. Even if you grow your own food, you can’t control what’s been in the soil for generations. So you do your best and focus on improving conditions and removing barriers so your body can do what it was designed to do.
Dr. Michael Haley:
When it comes to food, what are your guidelines? What do you avoid and what do you consume?
R.L. Malpica:
I avoid meat, dairy, and processed foods. Those create the most burden on the body through digestion and leave behind waste.
I focus on fruits and leafy greens as the majority of my diet. I still eat some cooked plant-based foods, but the goal is to shift people gradually. Most people are eating 85–90% cooked foods. I try to move that ratio toward more raw, hydrating foods over time.
Dr. Michael Haley:
From a detox standpoint, that makes sense. That’s what many people need, especially those dealing with serious illness.
Do you have friends who eat animal foods?
R.L. Malpica:
Of course. Friends, family—everyone.
Dr. Michael Haley:
And you get along with them?
R.L. Malpica:
Absolutely.
Dr. Michael Haley:
For me, I do eat animal foods. I don’t feel satisfied without them. I can eat a huge bowl of vegetables and still be hungry an hour later.
R.L. Malpica:
Leafy greens are low in calories. They’re essential for minerals, but they’re not great for satiety. That’s where fruits come in—they’re more calorie-dense.
Dr. Michael Haley:
So maybe that’s my missing piece—more fruit.
R.L. Malpica:
Exactly. You’d need multiple bowls of greens to match the calories from fruit.
Dr. Michael Haley:
What does a typical day of eating look like for you?
R.L. Malpica:
I practice intermittent fasting. I eat between about noon and six or eight. My first meal is usually bananas—seven to nine of them. That gives me close to a thousand calories.
Then I’ll have grapes for lunch—maybe one or two pounds. Dinner is a big salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and sometimes avocado. About 15% of my diet is cooked foods—things like hummus.
Dr. Michael Haley:
You mentioned raw hummus. That’s interesting.
R.L. Malpica:
Yes, you can sprout chickpeas, blend them with garlic, lemon, and sesame seeds, and make raw hummus. It’s delicious.
Dr. Michael Haley:
That’s great. You really start to discover new foods when you go plant-based.
R.L. Malpica:
Exactly. Your palate changes, and your body responds differently.
Dr. Michael Haley:
Let’s talk about your E.A.T. philosophy.
R.L. Malpica:
E stands for Energy Efficiency—eating foods that provide the most energy with the least digestive burden. That’s fruits and leafy greens.
A stands for Avoid Acid-Forming Foods—meat, dairy, processed foods that leave acidic residue in the body.
T stands for Toxicity Reduction—everything from food to environment to relationships.
Dr. Michael Haley:
That’s powerful. And to clarify—acid-forming foods are different from acidic foods.
R.L. Malpica:
Exactly. Foods like fruit may be acidic in pH but are alkaline-forming in the body. Acid-forming foods leave an acidic residue after digestion.
Dr. Michael Haley:
What do you think gets in the way of people getting well?
R.L. Malpica:
Looking outside themselves for solutions. We’ve been conditioned to rely on medications and external fixes instead of supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.
Dr. Michael Haley:
That’s huge. We’ve been conditioned to think health comes from outside-in, when it’s really inside-out.
R.L. Malpica:
Exactly.
Dr. Michael Haley:
Who benefits most from your work?
R.L. Malpica:
People who are open-minded, looking for a natural approach, and willing to align with nature.
Dr. Michael Haley:
How can people work with you?
R.L. Malpica:
They can visit my website, theeatcoach.com. I offer free consultations, programs, and resources. I also have a custom AI health coach and a podcast.
Dr. Michael Haley:
Final words?
R.L. Malpica:
Look to nature. Nature has the answers. We’ve been conditioned away from it, but everything we need is there.
Dr. Michael Haley:
That’s a great message. Thank you for being here.
Show Outro Voice:
I hope you enjoyed this episode of The Dr. Haley Show. Be sure to subscribe and share this episode with someone who could benefit. Visit drhaley.com for show notes and more content. We’ll see you next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does detox really mean?
Detox is a natural process your body performs continuously through functions like sweating, digestion, and elimination. Supporting detox means removing barriers that interfere with these processes.
Do you need a special detox program?
Not necessarily. According to R.L. Malpica, improving diet, reducing processed foods, and supporting natural body functions is more important than short-term detox programs.
What foods support detoxification?
Fruits and leafy greens are emphasized for their hydration, nutrient density, and lower digestive burden.
What are acid-forming foods?
Acid-forming foods are those that leave an acidic residue after digestion, such as processed foods, meat, and dairy—not foods that are naturally acidic like fruits.
What is the biggest obstacle to healing?
A common barrier is relying solely on external solutions instead of supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.
