By Jim McCoy / Photography courtesy of Dr. Jeffrey Burke

I have known Jeffrey since I moved to Las Vegas in the 90s. His mother, Pat, was one of the best volunteers and “Moms” I had during my career with Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest. Our paths met so many times over the years with the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association (NGRA) that I knew there would be a time when his incredible knowledge would be shared with our readers and me. He was delighted when I asked him to share some insight on Health and Wellness for 2026!

To know him is to love and respect him!

Dr. Jeffrey Burke

Dr. Jeffrey Burke has been a key figure in the Natural Products industry for over four decades. He has worked at every level of the industry, from management and product formulation to research and development. Dr. Burke is also a well-known lecturer, educator, and author, with a passion for sharing knowledge and advancing the industry.

Currently, Dr. Burke serves as the Director of Education for Kokora Life, a regenerative company focused on growing, formulating, and manufacturing Certified Organic and Certified Regenerative products. Kokora Life’s mission is “to create the finest herbal remedies that promote health and vitality for all.” In his role, Jeff provides the public with the latest information, ensuring they have access to the best opportunities for healthier living.

Before his work with Kokora Life, Jeff had a storied career in radio, hosting a 42-year-running National Radio Talk Show. During that time, he interviewed some of the most brilliant minds in the industry and promoted hundreds of companies, sharing groundbreaking discoveries, formulations, and insights with his loyal audience. Over his 42-year radio career, Jeff had over 20,000 shows. After concluding his radio career, Jeff launched his new podcast, “Honest Health with Jeffrey Burke,” where he continues his tradition of interviewing experts in the Natural Products Industry, as well as athletes, entertainers, and other notable figures.

Jeff resides in Las Vegas with his seven dogs and twelve horses. He enjoys volunteering at benefit events with Rodeo Associations and is always eager to connect with audiences in live settings.

2025 was a year full of chaos for so many. Can you tell us what we should all be doing with our lives, our regular diets, and our exercise routines to help with daily stress?

Saying that 2025 was a stressful year, in most cases, would be an understatement, but that being said, when it is compared to the 4 years prior, it was actually much better. Let’s face it, Stress is a part of life, almost a personality trait we all deal with, and where it differs among us is how we respond to it. Stress can be a motivator, or a force that pushes and drives us to complete a task, finish a project, or do the things we have been putting on the back burner for way too long. Where it becomes unhealthy and troublesome is when we are at the point of overwhelm, and we cannot deal with the pressures it is putting on our physical and mental health.

Now, does that mean when we are stressed out to the point of exhaustion, both mentally and physically, we need to run to the Doctor for a prescription medication like an antidepressant, or anti-anxiety drug, NO. Although there are times when a prescription is the only option, thank goodness for them when that’s the case.

When we are stressed out, we tend to do things that actually add to the stress, rather than relieve the unhealthy symptoms. The first, and actually the most important, is not getting an adequate amount of sleep. Sleep is not just about giving us the energy we need to get through the day; it is also the way our bodies rejuvenate, rebuild, and regenerate after a typical day’s stress and exertion. Without adequate sleep, we end up cranky, exhausted, and losing focus. It can affect everything from our blood pressure and immune system to our mood, energy, concentration, and even cognitive function. So, if you have always thought sleep is just something we should do, you know, a good idea because we were taught that as children, know it is more important than most of us think.

We are desert rats! Is there anything special that we all should be doing to combat the brutal conditions of the dry climate?

Hydration, how much water do you actually drink, not juice, Red Bull, coffee, tea, or a sugary or diet soda, but actual water? Water is essential for everything from supporting digestion and elimination to diluting annoying mucus during a cold and helping sweeten our breath. For the vanity-focused folks out there, if you are trying to slow down Mother Nature’s footprints from running your face and leaving wrinkles, drink more water. Water hydrates the skin, plumps the skin cells, and can make you look much younger than your driver’s license says you are. It also supports your mineral balance and helps prevent cramping and tight, sore muscles.

I feel like I am constantly changing tires on a moving bus. Running a non-stop marathon and attached to technology. In simple terms, what would be your top three things to improve one’s health?

The Healthy hit list is food, or what most people consume, foodstuffs. We have become a nation of addicted, unhealthy foodies! From junk food, fast food, and processed foods to unhealthy consumers motivated by cravings and the allure of great-tasting, unhealthy food. We all know that it is so easy to stop at a drive through on the way home, or when you are out on an errand, and even easier to purchase foods that are basically almost prepared, pre-cooked, or food that comes with directions like, add water, add milk, or microwave for 5 minutes, and let’s not even talk about food delivery services!

When I am asked about the easiest way to choose our foods at the grocery store, I always say, shop the perimeter of the store: Start with Fruits and Veggies, select some healthy Protein, Healthy grains and bread, and then add some healthy dairy. This way, you can follow a “Mediterranean-like diet”, with real food, no premade anything, and a diet that can actually support and rebuild your body from the inside out.

There is no easy way to get healthy, and no shortcuts. Stay away from fad diets, get slim quick themed diets, or the “too good to be true” weight loss methods. They do not work, they never work, and they are usually unhealthy.

Last, and very important, is activity, exercise, or movement. Every year, the world makes New Year’s resolutions that last a few weeks and then fade away, mostly because our hopes and dreams set goals that are unattainable, and we just cannot keep up or stay motivated. A smarter and more successful thing to do is walk, walk as far as you can, and call it a day. The next day, walk a little further and keep increasing your distance and time until you are automatically taking a great stroll, and you are not having to work hard to do it. It will actually become enjoyable because you will not feel pressured, you can walk with a friend, listen to music, or take that overweight dog with you to get them in shape, too. It will not take long to see changes in your body, energy, sleep habits, cognitive health, mood, overall well-being, and, in many cases, your libido!

Getting healthy, being healthy, and staying healthy is not as hard as you think. Baby steps are still forward movement, and even if you are moving slowly, you are miles ahead of those who are still talking about starting and sitting on their couch.

My goal for 2026 is simple! Thanks to our good friend Dr. Burke! Get up and move, turn off the devices, intake more water, take a deep breath of fresh air, find some grown-from-the-ground nutrition, and go forth for a better me!

This article was originally published in the 2026 New Beginnings Issue of Las Vegas PRIDE Magazine, and can be read in its original format here.