Heal Thee Man
The PHD Program
Physiology. Health. Discipline.
A complete male health restoration system for men 50+
The PHD Program is the core curriculum of Heal Thee Man — a structured, evidence-based system that combines the ancient wisdom of the Tao of Sexology with modern nutritional science to help men over 50 restore testosterone, sexual health, energy, and vitality.
What Is the PHD Program?
Most men over 50 are told that declining testosterone, erectile dysfunction, low libido, and fatigue are simply part of aging. The PHD Program rejects that premise. Built on decades of research and the foundational teachings of Dr. Stephen T. Chang's Tao of Sexology, the PHD Program gives men a complete roadmap to reclaim their health — naturally, systematically, and permanently.
The Three Pillars
Three interconnected pillars that form a complete system for male health restoration
Physiology
Know How Your Body Works
The first pillar is understanding your own physiology. Most men have never been taught how their hormonal systems, sexual physiology, and metabolic processes actually function. The PHD Program begins with education — because you cannot optimize what you do not understand. We cover the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, testosterone production and metabolism, the role of estrogen in men, erectile physiology, and the body's innate capacity for healing and restoration.
Key Topics
- ›Hormonal cascade: LH, FSH, testosterone, DHT, estradiol
- ›Erectile physiology and nitric oxide pathways
- ›Metabolic health and its connection to testosterone
- ›The role of the gut microbiome in hormone metabolism
- ›Adrenal function, cortisol, and stress hormones
Health
Optimize Through Nutrition & Supplementation
The second pillar is active health optimization through targeted nutrition, evidence-based supplementation, and lifestyle practices that directly support testosterone production, circulation, and sexual function. This is where the program becomes practical — specific foods to eat and avoid, a core supplement protocol, sleep optimization strategies, and the dietary principles drawn from the Tao of Sexology.
Key Topics
- ›Testosterone-supporting nutrition protocol
- ›Core supplement stack: Zinc, Magnesium, D3/K2, Ashwagandha, L-Citrulline, Tongkat Ali
- ›Foods that raise testosterone vs. foods that suppress it
- ›Sleep optimization for hormonal recovery
- ›Intermittent fasting and metabolic health
Discipline
Build Habits That Last
The third pillar is the one most programs skip — discipline. Knowledge without consistent action produces no results. The PHD Program provides the accountability structures, daily practice frameworks, and mindset tools that make lasting transformation possible. This includes the Deer Exercise from the Tao of Sexology, cold exposure protocols, strength training principles, and the daily habits that compound over time into profound health change.
Key Topics
- ›The Deer Exercise — ancient Taoist practice for sexual vitality
- ›Cold exposure and its effect on testosterone
- ›Strength training principles for men 50+
- ›Daily habit stacking and accountability
- ›Stress management and cortisol reduction
The Tao of Sexology Foundation
Ancient Wisdom. Modern Results.
The philosophical and practical backbone of the PHD Program is Dr. Stephen T. Chang's landmark work, The Tao of Sexology. Written in 1986, this book synthesized thousands of years of Taoist understanding of male sexual energy, health, and longevity into a practical system for modern men. Dr. Chang's teachings on sexual energy cultivation, the Deer Exercise, breathing practices, and dietary principles form the core of what we teach at Heal Thee Man.
Sexual Energy as Life Force
Taoist medicine views sexual energy (Jing) as the foundational life force that powers all other bodily systems. Preserving and cultivating this energy — rather than depleting it — is central to male health and longevity.
The Deer Exercise
A specific physical and breathing practice designed to strengthen the prostate, improve circulation to the pelvic region, and cultivate sexual vitality. Practiced daily, it produces measurable improvements in erectile function and sexual energy.
Dietary Principles
The Tao of Sexology identifies specific foods that nourish male sexual health and others that deplete it. These principles align remarkably well with modern nutritional science on testosterone optimization.
Mind-Body Integration
Taoist medicine does not separate the mind from the body. Stress, emotional health, and mental clarity are understood as direct determinants of physical health — a view now confirmed by modern psychoneuroendocrinology.
Nutrition Protocol
Eat to Optimize Testosterone
What you eat is the single most powerful lever you have for optimizing testosterone and restoring male vitality. The PHD Program nutrition protocol is built on the principles of the Tao of Sexology and modern metabolic science.
Eat These Foods
- +Grass-fed beef, lamb & organ meats
- +Pasture-raised whole eggs
- +Wild-caught salmon, sardines & mackerel
- +Oysters & shellfish (highest zinc foods)
- +Butter, ghee, tallow & coconut oil
- +Avocados & extra-virgin olive oil
- +Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale)
- +Pumpkin seeds & Brazil nuts
Avoid These Foods
- −Sugar & high-fructose corn syrup
- −Refined grains, bread & pasta
- −Vegetable & seed oils (canola, soybean, corn)
- −Soy products (phytoestrogens)
- −Alcohol — especially beer (hops are estrogenic)
- −Processed & packaged foods
Core Supplement Protocol
The PHD Program Stack
These six supplements form the foundation of the PHD Program supplementation protocol. Each has strong clinical evidence for supporting testosterone, sexual function, or the underlying physiological systems that drive male health.
Zinc
30–50mg/dayEssential for testosterone synthesis. Most men over 50 are deficient. Directly supports LH signaling and Leydig cell function.
Magnesium Glycinate
400mg/daySupports testosterone production, sleep quality, and stress response. Binds SHBG to increase free testosterone.
Vitamin D3 + K2
5,000–10,000 IU/dayVitamin D functions as a steroid hormone and is directly correlated with testosterone levels. K2 ensures proper calcium metabolism.
Ashwagandha
600mg/dayClinically proven to reduce cortisol by 27%, increase testosterone by 15–17%, and improve sexual function and sperm quality.
L-Citrulline
3–6g/dayBoosts nitric oxide production for improved blood flow, cardiovascular health, and erectile function. More bioavailable than L-Arginine.
Tongkat Ali
200–400mg/dayA powerful adaptogen that supports testosterone production by reducing SHBG and supporting the HPG axis. Also improves libido and stress resilience.
Daily Practices
The Discipline Pillar in Action
The Deer Exercise
Daily — morningThe foundational Taoist practice for male sexual vitality. Strengthens the prostate, improves pelvic circulation, and cultivates sexual energy. 5–10 minutes each morning.
Cold Exposure
Daily — post-shower2–3 minutes of cold water exposure at the end of your shower. Shown to increase testosterone, improve circulation, and strengthen stress resilience.
Strength Training
3–4x per weekCompound movements (squat, deadlift, press) are the most potent exercise stimulus for testosterone production. Prioritize heavy compound lifts over cardio.
Sleep Optimization
Nightly — 7–9 hours70% of daily testosterone is produced during sleep. Consistent sleep schedule, dark room, cool temperature, and no screens 1 hour before bed.
Intermittent Fasting
Daily — 16:8 protocolEating within an 8-hour window. Shown to increase growth hormone, improve insulin sensitivity, and support testosterone levels.
Sunlight Exposure
Daily — morning20–30 minutes of morning sunlight. Regulates circadian rhythm, boosts Vitamin D, and supports testosterone production through light-dependent pathways.
Recommended Reading
The Tao of Sexology
Dr. Stephen T. Chang
The foundational text of the PHD Program. A comprehensive guide to male sexual health, energy cultivation, and longevity from a Taoist perspective.
The Testosterone Optimization Therapy Bible
Jay Campbell & Jim Brown
A thorough, evidence-based guide to understanding and optimizing testosterone levels through lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation.
Grain Brain
Dr. David Perlmutter
How modern dietary choices — particularly grains and sugar — impact brain health, hormonal function, and overall vitality.
The Metabolic Approach to Cancer
Dr. Nasha Winters
Essential reading for understanding metabolic health and its connection to hormonal balance and disease prevention.
Ready to Start the PHD Program?
Free consultations are available for men ready to take their health seriously. Schedule a one-on-one session to discuss your specific health concerns and get a personalized PHD Program roadmap.
Or fill out our contact form and we will reach out to you.