Pursuing Health

Empowered Motherhood with Annie Thorisdottir + Katrin Davidsdottir PH335

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 01:00:00 -0700

Today, I’m joined by two of the most accomplished athletes in CrossFit history, Annie Thorisdottir and Katrin Davidsdottir, both two-time CrossFit Games champions who have been an absolute joy to compete alongside. Now that we've all retired from elite competition, we’re discussing embracing new chapters of life, including motherhood, pregnancy, staying active through life’s transitions, and how our identities have evolved beyond the competition floor.

You can follow Annie @anniethorisdottir, Katrin @katrintanja, learn about their EMPOWER community at https://empowerbydottir.com/, Drink Dottir at https://drinkdottir.com/, and pre-order Annie’s book, Iceland Annie, on Amazon. You can connect with Brianna Battles at https://briannabattles.com/.

Related Episodes:

Ep 83 - Pelvic Floor Health for Athletes with Dr. Julie Wiebe

Ep 141 - From the CrossFit Games to Pregnancy with Annie Thorisdottir and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Protecting the Birth Experience: Dr. Bill Chun PH334

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 07:08:14 -0700

Dr. Bill Chun is a board-certified OB/GYN who trained and has spent his entire career in Boston, where he has practiced solo for the past two decades. He is the founder of Empowering Pregnancy and Doula Unbound, and the host of Sunday with Chun. A Korean immigrant and U.S. Navy veteran, he is currently writing a literary memoir, The Accidental Obstetrician.

Follow Dr. Chun via his website drbillchun.com, and Instagram @dr.billchun

Related Episodes:

Ep 291 - Nutrition for Pregnancy with Brigid Titgemeier

Ep 333 - Life Update: We’re Pregnant! With Julie Foucher Brown

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Life Update: We’re Having a Baby! PH333

Tue, 26 May 2026 01:00:00 -0700

In this special solo episode, I’m sharing a personal update on the experiences that have shaped my life over the past several years. From the inner work that transformed my approach to relationships and personal growth, to meeting my husband, building a family with our adopted son, and finding a deeper sense of joy and connection, this chapter has been full of unexpected blessings. I also open up about my fertility journey, the challenges we faced along the way, and the incredible surprise of becoming pregnant shortly after our wedding. As we prepare to welcome a baby boy into the world, I’m excited to share what’s ahead for our family and for the next chapter of Pursuing Health. Thank you for being part of this journey and for your support through every season of the podcast.

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with me on Instagram @JulieFoucher.

Ep 309 - How I Created My Life Plan

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

HRV + Pregnancy PH332

Tue, 05 May 2026 10:50:36 -0700

In this special compilation episode, we explore the evolving science of pregnancy, exercise, and recovery through conversations with two innovative voices in women’s health: Dr. Shon Rowan and Dr. Lindsey Mathews.

Dr. Shon Rowan, an OB-GYN and researcher, shares groundbreaking insights from his work studying heart rate variability (HRV) throughout pregnancy and postpartum. His findings reveal fascinating physiologic adaptations—including measurable changes in HRV and resting heart rate that begin almost immediately after conception, reverse in the weeks leading up to delivery, and may ultimately rebound postpartum to levels even higher than pre-pregnancy.

Dr. Lindsey Mathews, a Doctor of Chiropractic and prenatal movement specialist, offers practical guidance on how women can use HRV as a tool to better understand stress, recovery, and readiness—helping inform training intensity during pregnancy and postpartum in a way that honors the body’s changing needs.

Together, these conversations challenge outdated beliefs about pregnancy and exercise, highlight the incredible adaptability of the female body, and offer a more informed, empowering perspective on movement during one of life’s most transformative seasons.

In this episode, we discuss:

How HRV and resting heart rate change during pregnancy
Why postpartum HRV may exceed pre-pregnancy levels
Using HRV trends to guide training and recovery
Why pregnancy research has historically been limited
The future of wearable technology in women’s health
How exercise can support—not hinder—a healthy pregnancy and recovery

Related Episodes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1019070179?i=1000532952176Ep 210 - HRV + Pregnancy with Dr. Shon Rowan

Ep 263 - Resilience, Recovery + Performance with Kristen Holmes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1019070179?i=1000564649843

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

The 5 Non-Negotiables for Fertility Health with Dr. Natalie Crawford PH331

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:00:00 -0700

Natalie Crawford, MD is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Austin, Texas. Dr. Crawford is CEO and co-founder of Pinnacle, a professional network for women in medicine. She completed her undergraduate at Auburn University obtaining a degree in Nutrition Science, Medical School at UTMB, OBGYN Residency at UTSW, and REI Fellowship at UNC, concurrently obtaining a Master of Science in Clinical Research. Dr. Crawford is a digital health educator on social media, YouTube, and hosts the podcast “As a Woman” with over 6 million downloads. Her debut book, “The Fertility Formula”, will be released by Penguin Random House.

Follow Dr. Crawford on Instagram at @nataliecrawfordmd and check out her book, The Fertility Formula.

Related Episodes:

Ep 155 - Dr. Marguerite Duane on FACTS about Fertility

Ep 314 - The Fertility Crisis + Support for Couples with Ronit Menashe + Vida Delrahim

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Moms: Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Returning to Competition PH330

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0700

In this special compilation, former CrossFit Games athletes Lindsey Valenzuela, Kara Saunders, Annie Thorisdottir, and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet share their experiences transitioning from elite competition to motherhood, and back again.

They discuss how training evolved before pregnancy, what changed during pregnancy, and how they approached postpartum recovery and return to performance. Enjoy this honest conversation about identity, expectations, and redefining strength as a mom.

Related Episodes:

Ep 81 - Lindsey Valenzuela on Postpartum Training and the Road Back to the CrossFit Games https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pursuing-health/id1019070179?i=1000406935633

Ep 110 - Kara Saunders on CrossFit and Expecting Baby She-Bear https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1019070179?i=1000435062288

Ep 141 - Annie Thorisdottir and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet: From the CrossFit Games to Pregnancy https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1019070179?i=1000472870644

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

What I Learned From Starting 100 Conversations PH329

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0800

In this episode of Pursuing Health, Julie shares what she learned from a year-long experiment of starting 100 conversations with strangers.

As an introvert, this challenge pushed her beyond fear, discomfort, and self-doubt.

She reflects on rejection, surprising moments of connection, and why first impressions rarely tell the full story.

This episode explores how helping others feel seen opens the door to real, meaningful connection. If you’ve ever wanted more connection but felt held back by fear, this episode is for you.

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with me on Instagram @JulieFoucher.

Related Episodes:

Ep 323 - Four Questions to Overcome Limiting Beliefs

Ep 281 - Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng on Becoming an Unapologetic Leader

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Innovative Primary Care: Conversations with Physicians PH328

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:00:00 -0800

In this episode of Pursuing Health, Dr. Julie Foucher Brown explores direct primary care as a model that restores time, trust, and relationship to medicine. Through conversations with physicians practicing DPC, Julie examines what becomes possible when care is no longer driven by insurance—but by people.

Related Episodes:

Ep 111 - A New Model for Primary Care with Dr. Kenneth Rictor

Ep 128 - Dr. Jeffrey Geller on Loneliness and the Power of Groups

Ep 308 - Dr. Lilian White on Providing Empowered Care

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

A Simple Tool for Big Emotions: An Introduction to Tapping PH327

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:00:00 -0800

What do you do when your mind is racing, emotions feel overwhelming, and meditation doesn’t help?

In this episode of Pursuing Health, I share a personal moment of overwhelm and the simple, unexpected technique that helped me regulate my nervous system in just minutes. When sitting quietly felt impossible, I turned to Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or tapping—and experienced a powerful shift.

I’ll explain why meditation isn’t always the right tool in intense moments, the science behind tapping, and guide you through a short practice you can follow along with in real time.

If you’ve tried tapping, I’d love to hear what you think.

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with me on Instagram @JulieFoucher.

Related Episodes:

Ep 223 - Tapping to Reduce Stress with Nick Ortner

Ep 303 - Exploring Consciousness + Transcendental Meditation with Tony Nader

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Creating Health: A Functional Medicine Perspective PH326

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0800

What if medicine focused less on naming diseases and more on understanding why the body falls out of balance in the first place?

This episode brings together some of the most respected thinkers in functional medicine: Dr. David Haase, Dr. Mark Hyman, Chris Kresser, and Dr. Bob Rountree. Together, they explore how a systems-based approach—one that looks at root causes rather than isolated symptoms—can transform the way we understand health, healing, and the human body.

This episode offers a clear and compelling look at functional medicine as a framework—not just for treating disease, but for truly pursuing health.

Related Episodes:

Ep 007 - Dr. Mark Hyman on Functional Medicine, the Future, and Community

Ep 189 - Chris Kresser HPA Axis Dysfunction and the Stress Response

Ep 233 - Dr. Bob Rountree on Healthy Aging

Ep 193 - Superhuman: Dr. David Haase on Unlocking your Brain’s Potential

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

The Physical Foundations of Mental Resilience PH325

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 01:00:00 -0800

In this solo episode, Julie shares a deeply personal story about discovering the profound connection between physical movement and mental health. What began as a lesson in self-care during her early medical training became a lifelong understanding that our physical habits—exercise, sleep, nutrition, and recovery—are essential to maintaining emotional resilience. This experience reshaped her approach to physical health—not as a performance pursuit, but as a foundation for emotional balance and well-being.

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with me on Instagram @JulieFoucher.

Related Episodes:

Ep 139 - Stress: The Elephant in the Room with Dr. George Slavich

Ep 299 - Dr. Wayne Jonas on Whole Person Care for Cancer and Healing

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Calming the Mind: Meditation, Breathwork, Tapping, and the Science of Spirituality PH324

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 07:55:57 -0800

How do meditation, breathwork, and tapping influence the brain—and what can they teach us about healing, connection, and resilience?

In this episode, I speak with four thought leaders exploring the neuroscience and practice of inner calm:

Niraj Naik, creator of SOMA Breath, on breathwork rooted in Pranayama and how rhythmic breathing and brief hypoxia strengthen mitochondria and balance energy.
Nick Ortner, founder of The Tapping Solution, on how Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) calms the amygdala, lowers cortisol, and helps rewire stress and cravings at the brain level.
Dr. Lisa Miller, author of The Awakened Brain, on how meditation shifts us from rumination to guidance, activating the brain’s natural capacity for oneness and enduring alpha waves associated with peace and spiritual connection.
Dr. Tony Nader, neuroscientist and leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement, on TM’s measurable effects on blood pressure, brain coherence, and even collective consciousness.

From ancient practices to modern neuroscience, this episode explores how tuning the mind and body can transform stress into clarity—and reconnect us to our shared field of consciousness.

Related Episodes:

Ep 289 - Niraj Naik on Efficiency with Breath

Ep 223 - Tapping to Reduce Stress with Nick Ortner

Ep 277 - Dr. Lisa Miller on the Science of Spirituality + Mental Health

Ep 303 - Tony Nader on Exploring Consciousness + Transcendental Meditation

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Four Questions To Overcome Limiting Beliefs PH323

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:52:49 -0700

Have you ever felt trapped in a thought you couldn’t shake? In this episode, Julie shares how the belief “I’ll never be organized” kept her stuck in anxiety and overwhelm—and how Byron Katie’s The Work helped her break free. Through four simple questions, she discovered a way to shift limiting beliefs into empowering ones. Listen in to learn how this tool can open new possibilities in your own life.

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with me on Instagram @JulieFoucher.

Related Episodes:
Ep 309 - How I Created My Life Plan

Ep 20 - Julie Foucher on Her Current Daily Schedule, Medical School Applications, Preventing Injury, and Advice for the CrossFit Games Open

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

The Best of Nutrition: 10 Years of Pursuing Health Insights PH322

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 08:31:32 -0700

What matters more—quality or quantity when it comes to nutrition? And how does diet connect to stress, longevity, and overall health?

In this episode, we’re bringing together highlights from some of my favorite past conversations on nutrition and lifestyle. You’ll hear from:

Brigid Titgemeier on how changing her diet transformed her health and why food quality comes first
Dan Buettner, author of Blue Zones, on what the world’s longest-lived communities teach us about diet, environment, and relationships
EC Synkowski on foundational nutrition principles, the 800g Challenge, and protei
Chris Kresser on how stress and restrictive dieting can slow metabolism
Dr. Cate Shanahan on the impact of seed oils and dietary toxins on cellular health

It’s a packed episode with practical takeaways to help you think about food—and health—in a more holistic way.

Related Episodes:

Ep 22 - Brigid Titgemeier on Functional Nutriton

Ep 272 - The Secret to Longevity: Dan Buettner on the Blue Zones

Ep 95 - EC Synkowski on Optimizing your Nutrition

Ep 189 - Chris Kresser on HPA Axis Dysfunction and the Stress Response

Ep 302 - Cate Shanahan on The Dangers of Seed Oils

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Visualization: A Simple Tool to Show Up Fully PH321

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0700

I first learned visualization as a young gymnast, used it in CrossFit, and now I’m finding it just as powerful in everyday life. In this week’s episode, I share how this simple tool can help you show up with more confidence, presence, and joy—no matter what challenge you’re facing.

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with me on Instagram @JulieFoucher.

Related Episodes:
Ep 319 - Finding Purpose Beyond the Podium

Ep 315 - Mind Over Muscle: The Power of Mental Training in My CrossFit Journey

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Legends of the CrossFit Games PH320

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0700

In this special episode, I’m sharing a compilation of some of my favorite conversations with five of the most decorated athletes in CrossFit Games history: Rich Froning, Tia-Clair Toomey, Mat Fraser, Katrin Davidsdottir, and Annie Thorisdottir. These episodes span the past ten years of the podcast—starting with my very first recording ever, with Rich Froning. It’s been incredible to reflect on how much the show has evolved, and even more powerful to revisit the insights these champions shared. We talk about their mindset towards competition and pressure: what drove them to the top of the sport, what continues to fuel their training, and the habits behind their success. Whether you’ve been following the podcast from the beginning or just tuning in, I hope you enjoy this look back at some of the most inspiring conversations I’ve had with the Fittest on Earth.

Related Episodes:

Ep 001 - Rich Froning on Competition, Shifting Priorities, and Discovering his Purpose

Ep 52b - Tia-Clair Toomey on Realizing Her CrossFit and Olympic Dreams and Finding Confidence

Ep 56 - Katrín Davíðsdóttir and Ben Bergeron on The Process of Creating a Champion

Ep 153 - Mat Fraser + Sammy Moniz: Sweethearts on a Mission

Ep 271 - Annie Thorisdottir: a CrossFit Legend on the Will to Win

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Finding Purpose Beyond the Podium: My Wake-up Call PH319

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:33:43 -0700

I’m sharing a personal story from one of the most challenging seasons of my life—balancing the intense demands of medical school with training for the CrossFit Games, all while navigating grief and major life transitions.

A pivotal conversation with my mom forced me to pause and ask a question I had never truly considered: Why was I doing all of this? What followed was a powerful realization about the role of purpose in sustaining us through life’s most difficult moments.

I hope this reflection encourages you to examine your own "why"—and to rediscover meaning in the things that matter most.

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with me on Instagram @JulieFoucher.

Related Episodes:
Ep 315 - Mind Over Muscle: The Power of Mental Training in My CrossFit Journey

Ep 309 - How I Created My Life Plan

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Celebrating a Decade of Pursuing Health: A New Chapter Awaits PH318

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0700

As we celebrate 10 years of the Pursuing Health podcast, I’m filled with gratitude—for where we’ve been and where we’re headed. What started in 2015 as a way to stay connected to the CrossFit community has grown into a space for conversations around all aspects of health—physical, emotional, and beyond.

Looking ahead, I want to make this next chapter even more intentional and meaningful—and I’d love your help. What episodes have resonated most with you? What topics or voices do you want to hear more of?

I’ll be sending out a few feedback opportunities in the coming months, including some one-on-one calls. If you’d like to be part of shaping what’s next, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for being here—for listening, sharing, and growing with me. I can’t wait for what’s to come.

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with me on Instagram @JulieFoucher.

Related Episodes:

Ep 300 - Q+A with Nicole Carroll

Ep 200 - Q+A with Pat Sherwood

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Reclaiming Digital Boundaries PH317

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:29:15 -0700

As we celebrate nearly 10 years of Pursuing Health, I’m thrilled to share another solo episode! This week I’ll be sharing insights into the shadow sides of social media, and the need for digital boundaries.

I’d also love to hear from you! What topics or guests would you like to see featured on the podcast in years 10 and beyond? Are you interested in more solo episodes, or is there something specific you’re curious about? My focus continues to evolve, and I imagine yours does too—so let’s shape the journey together!

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with me on Instagram @JulieFoucher.

Related Episodes:
Ep 231 - Digital Wellness with Nina Hersher

Ep 139 - Stress: The Elephant in the Room with Dr. George Slavich

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Healing with Ayurveda: Dr. Avanti Kumar-Singh PH316

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 01:00:00 -0700

Avanti Kumar-Singh, MD, is an internationally recognized Ayurveda and integrative medicine practitioner, a certified yoga therapist, and a former ER doctor. Her approach brings together Western medicine with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda from her South Asian lineage. Dr. Avanti is the former co-lead facilitator at Northwestern Medicine's Osher Center for Integrative Health, hosts The Healing Catalyst podcast, and offers courses on integrative medicine. She is a sought- after speaker and advisor in the wellness community, sharing her knowledge with Fortune 500 companies, top academic institutions, and leading industry and medical conferences. She has also been featured in notable outlets such as the Huffington Post, Goop, mindbodygreen, and more.

You can connect with Dr. Avanti via Instagram @avantikumarsingh, and get your own personalized box at myarvasi.com

Related Episodes:

Ep 289 - Niraj Naik on Efficiency with Breath

Ep 288 - From the Vault: Dr. Wayne Jonas on How Healing Works

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Mind Over Muscle: The Power of Mental Training in My CrossFit Journey with Dr. Julie Foucher PH315

Tue, 27 May 2025 01:00:00 -0700

As we near the 10-year mark of Pursuing Health, I’m excited to bring you another solo episode! In this one, I reflect on how my mindset evolved throughout my competitive CrossFit career, and how I came to understand the powerful role our internal narratives play in shaping our lives. I’ll also share the strategies I still use today to cultivate the best version of myself.

I’d love to hear from you! What topics or guests would you like to see featured on the podcast? Are you interested in more solo episodes, or is there something specific you’re curious about? My focus continues to evolve, and I imagine yours does too—so let’s shape the journey together!

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with me on Instagram @JulieFoucher.

Related Episodes:

Ep 260 - Tiny Habits to Create Behavior Change with BJ Fogg

Ep 262 - Upgrade Your Language with Mark England

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

The Fertility Crisis + Support for Couples PH314

Tue, 06 May 2025 01:00:00 -0700

Ronit Menashe and Vida Delrahim are the visionary co-founders of WeNatal, a pioneering prenatal supplement company dedicated to supporting both women and men on their fertility journeys. Their partnership began over 15 years ago at Nike, where they forged a deep friendship that would later evolve into a shared mission. After experiencing miscarriages just a week apart, Ronit and Vida were struck by the lack of guidance and the absence of male-focused fertility support in traditional prenatal care. This realization propelled them to create WeNatal, aiming to shift the conversation from "me" to "we" in reproductive health. Backed by leading functional medicine doctors and nutritionists, WeNatal offers science-backed, clean, and bioavailable supplements designed to optimize fertility and overall health for both partners from preconception through postpartum.

You can connect with Ronit and Vida via Instagram @we_natal

Related Episodes:

Ep 291 - Nutrition for Pregnancy with Brigid Titgemeier

Ep 304 - Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Treatment with Dr. Lauren Rubal

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Words to Heal: Dr. Steve Bierman on Noetic Medicine PH313

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0700

Steve Bierman, MD is the Director of the Noetic Medicine Institute at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (University of Arizona, College of Medicine). He is also the author of two award-winning books on Noetic Medicine: HEALING (2020) and The END of WORRY (2023). Dr. Bierman is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Medicine and was board certified in and practiced Emergency and Family Medicine. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of Medical Hypnosis. Dr. Bierman teaches noetic medicine (“mind medicine”) around the world, reminding caregivers that MIND MATTERS – that “the words of a caregiver can harm or heal.”

You can connect with Dr. Bierman via YouTube @SteveBierman and the website www.healingbeyondpills.com

View his recently published paper, Placebo and the law of identification, here.

Related Episodes:

Ep 299 - Dr. Wayne Jonas on Whole Person Care for Cancer and Healing

Ep 262 - Upgrade your Language with Mark England

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Dreaming Beyond Bars: Jody Luke on Passion and Purpose PH 312

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 01:00:00 -0700

Jody Luke is the President of Love Does – a nonprofit founded by Bob Goff over 20 years ago that fights for human rights, cares for the vulnerable, and provides education in conflict zones around the world. Under Jody’s leadership, the organization has expanded internationally to fourteen countries, while also broadening its reach domestically to further help refugees, teen moms and the incarcerated. From a major accounting firm to a variety of start-up businesses, Jody has a diverse financial background with companies of all sizes.

Jody may have a firm grasp on the numbers, but it’s the life stories of people around her which fuel her desire to help friends and strangers alike. Jody strives to bring bundles of purpose and passion to everything she does, just ask her biggest fans: her family. She has been married for more than 20 years and has 3 kids who can all attest to her many world record setting attempts at multi-tasking

You can connect with Jody via Instagram @jodylluke and you can learn more about Love Does at their website https://lovedoes.org/ and via Instagram @lovedoes.

Related Episodes:

Ep 267 - Always Positive Energy with Elijah Muhammad

Ep 297 - From Prison to Pastor: Andrew Carter

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

From Workaholic to Health Activist with Jason Karp PH 311

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:45:06 -0800

Jason H. Karp is the Founder and CEO of HumanCo, a mission-driven company investing in and building brands focused on healthier living and sustainability. He is also the Co-Founder of Hu Kitchen, which created the #1 premium organic chocolate in the U.S. After spending over 21 years in the hedge fund industry, where he led a $4 billion investment fund, Jason shifted his focus to fixing the broken food system in the U.S. As a long-time activist investor, he has been a vocal advocate for cleaner food options and continues his fight against the use of harmful ingredients, including launching a shareholder activist suit against Kellogg’s for their use of artificial food dyes. His efforts focus on promoting transparency in the food industry while also addressing the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases, chronic illnesses, and childhood obesity. Jason graduated summa cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

You can connect with Jason via Instagram @humankarp and HumanCo via their website Humanco.com

Ep 291 - Brigid Titgemeier on Nutrition for Pregnancy

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

A Holistic Approach to Healing with Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino PH 310

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 01:00:00 -0800

Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino is a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician with a subspecialty in Hormone Optimization. A Doctor of Osteopathy, she takes a holistic approach, treating the whole person and empowering the body’s natural ability to heal. Passionate about nutrition and wellness, Dr. Tolentino combines her medical expertise with a personal love for plants, fitness, and disease prevention, inspiring others to prioritize health and balance in daily life.

You can connect with Dr. Tolentino via Instagram @drjaclyntolentino and @theofficiallove.life, or via her website drjaclyntolentino.com

Related Episodes:

Ep 225 - CrossFit + Cancer

Ep 97 - Dr. Thomas Seyfried on Challenging Conventional Cancer Care

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

How I Created My Life Plan PH309

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 01:00:00 -0800

As we celebrate nearly 10 years of Pursuing Health, I’m thrilled to kick off 2025 with my very first solo episode! With the new year underway, I thought it would be the perfect time to dive into the topic of setting intentions. I’ll also be sharing insights into the process I’ve used to create a life plan that guides me.

Please share your thoughts with info@pursuing-health.com, or connect with meon Instagram @JulieFoucher. To learn more about Kinship, visit ourkinship.com.

Related Episodes:
Ep 300 - Q+A: Celebrating 300 Episodes

Ep 297 - From Prison to Pastor: Andrew Carter

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Providing Empowering Care with Dr. Lilian White PH 308

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0800

Lilian White, MD, IFMCP is a graduate of the Cleveland Clinic Family Medicine Residency where she won the Family Medicine Resident Award for Advocacy and was a nominee for the Cleveland Clinic Intern of the Year. She attended Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine where she received the Dean’s Award. Dr. White graduated summa cum laude from Heidelberg University with a B.S. in Chemistry.

Dr. White is an advocate for family medicine and holistic health and serves as a board member for the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, the Academy of Medicine of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, and president of the Northeast Ohio Academy of Family Physicians. She is active as a writer and a contributing editor for the American Family Physician Journal and is a senior author at Core Content Review of Family Medicine.

In October of 2023 she founded Empowered Health, a direct primary care practice to offer personalized, holistic care using the best use of her conventional medical training and her passion for functional medicine and holistic health. She enjoys doing her best to see the big picture and relate all of a patient’s conditions to one another and in the context of their life and values. She is certified in functional medicine through the Institute for Functional Medicine. During her first year in practice, she received the Top 25 under 35 by the Cleveland Professional 20-30 Club and Cleveland Magazine’s Best Doctors of 2024 awards by a nomination of her peers.

Outside the office, Dr. White enjoys paddle boarding, yoga, reading and planning events to gather her friends and family together.

You can connect with Dr. White via Instagram @lilian_white.md and @empoweredhealthdpc

Related Episodes:

Ep 299 - Dr. Wayne Jonas on Whole Person Care for Cancer and Healing

Ep 111 - Dr. Kenneth Rictor on a New Model for Primary Care

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Legacy of a Champion: Katrín Davíðsdóttir Looks Back PH 307

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 01:00:00 -0800

Katrín Davíðsdóttir is a legendary CrossFit athlete renowned for her impressive career, which includes ten appearances at the CrossFit Games. Over her last eight appearances, she consistently finished in the top ten, and in 2016, she made history as only the third athlete ever to claim back-to-back first-place titles.

Widely respected for her grit, resilience, and unshakable mental toughness, Katrín brings an unmatched competitive spirit to every challenge she faces.

Originally from Iceland, Katrín now resides in Idaho. Beyond her athletic achievements, she is also a published author, skincare entrepreneur, and passionate traveler.

You can connect with Katrín via Instagram @katrintanja

Related Episodes:
Ep 4 7 - Coffee Talk at the Reebok Athlete Summit with Jennifer Smith, Katrin Davidsdottir, Kelley Jackson

Ep 56 - Katrín Davíðsdóttir and Ben Bergeron on The Process of Creating a Champion

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Things Every Parent Should Know with Dr. Joel Gator PH306

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 01:00:00 -0800

Joel Warsh is a Board-Certified Pediatrician in Los Angeles, California who specializes in Parenting, Wellness and Integrative Medicine. He grew up in Toronto, Canada and completed degrees in Kinesiology, Psychology and Epidemiology and Community Health before earning his medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College. He completed his Pediatric Medicine training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA) and worked in private practice in Beverly Hills before founding his current practice, Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine Studio City, in 2018.

Dr. Gator has published research in peer-reviewed journals on topics including childhood injuries, obesity and physical activity.

He has been featured in numerous documentaries, films, summits, podcasts and articles including CBS, Fox, LA Parent, Washington Post, MindBodyGreen, and many others.

He is also the founder of the Parenting Masterclass Platform Raising Amazing which can be found at RaisingAmazingPlus.com

Dr. Joel Gator may be best known for his popular Instagram DrJoelGator where he offers weekly parenting and integrative pediatric support.

He is a consultant for high-profile brands in the health and wellness space.

Dr. Gator is married to Sarah Intelligator, an attorney, whose Holistic Divorce and Family Law practice is located in Beverly Hills. For almost 20 years, she has taught yoga throughout Los Angeles. Dr. Joel was given the nickname, Dr. Gator, by his peers after marrying Sarah Intelligator (yes that is her real last name) and the nickname stuck.

You can connect with Dr.Gator via Instagram @drjoelgator.

Related Episodes:
Ep 305 - What Modern Medicine Gets Wrong with Dr. Marty Makary

Ep 237 - Fitness, Nutrition + Motherhood with Sarah Hopping Estrella

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

What Modern Medicine Gets Wrong with Dr. Marty Makary PH305

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 01:00:00 -0700

Dr. Marty Makary is a New York Times bestselling author and health care expert at Johns Hopkins University. He writes for The Wall Street Journal and served in leadership at the World Health Organization. Marty is the recipient of the 2020 Business Book of the Year Award for his most recent book, The Price We Pay, which has been described by Steve Forbes as “A must-read for every American”. His newest book, BLIND SPOTS, explores the latest scientific research or major health topics today where medical dogma has loomed large.

A public health researcher, Dr. Makary leads efforts to improve the health of communities and focuses on the “re-design of health care” to make health care more reliable, holistic, and coordinated, especially for vulnerable populations. He leads national efforts to increase medical transparency and lower health care costs for everyday businesses and consumers.

Clinically, Dr. Makary is the chief of Islet Transplant Surgery at Johns Hopkins and is the recipient of the Nobility in Science Award from the National Pancreas Foundation. He has been a visiting professor at over 25 medical schools, has published over 250 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine. A graduate of Bucknell, Thomas Jefferson, and Harvard Universities, he completed his surgical residency at Georgetown University and his specialty training at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

You can connect with Dr. Markary via Instagram @martymakary and his website martymakarymd.com.

Related Episodes:
Ep 202 - Environmental Toxins and Your Health with Jackie Bowen + Oliver Amdrup

Ep 123 - Dissecting Nutrition Research and Dietary Guidelines with Zoë Harcombe

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Treatment with Dr. Lauren Rubal PH304

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 01:00:00 -0700

Lauren Rubal, MD, is a USC-trained Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility physician with a boutique practice in Orange County, CA. Her unique approach focuses on fertility, recurrent miscarriage, painful, irregular, or heavy cycles, and menopause using an integrative lens. Dr. Rubal is double board certified in Integrative Medicine and Ob/Gyn. She is a FEMM Fellow at the Reproductive Health Research Institute and has completed a Fellowship with the Leonine Forum.

Dr. Rubal's greatest career achievement is one defined by its end: leaving a traditional REI partnership to pursue a radically reimagined vision for reproductive care. Her mission is to identify the root cause and heal reproductive issues holistically. She is a Board Member of the Couple to Couple League and serves on the Advisory Board for the non-profit Pre-Health Shadowing. When not at work, she's wrangling her 3 boys with her amazing husband, trying to homestead, or spending time in nature (though, as a native Floridian, usually not in the water).

Resources:
Fertility Science Institute
International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine
FACTS About Fertility
Natural Womanhood

You can connect with Dr. Rubal via Instagram @laurenrubalmd and her website laurenrubalmd.com

Ep 293 - Dr. Erin Faules on Support for Infertility and Autoimmune Disease

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Exploring Consciousness + Transcendental Meditation with Dr. Tony Nader PH303

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 01:00:00 -0700

Tony Nader, MD, PhD is a medical doctor trained at Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D. in neuroscience) and a globally recognized expert in the science of Consciousness and human development. Dr. Nader, whose training includes internal medicine, psychiatry, and neurology, is a bestselling author (One Unbounded Ocean of Consciousness), with his book Consciousness is All There Is recently released on August 6 (Penguin/Hay House). He is the successor to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the head of the Transcendental Meditation organizations globally.

Dr Nader conducted research on neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology, and the relationship between diet, age, behavior, mood, seasonal influences, and neurotransmitter and hormonal activity, and on the role of neurotransmitter precursors in medicine.

Dr. Nader’s interest to explore the full potential of the human physiology, and the human mind led him to also study and conduct research on ancient and modern techniques of self-development.

For many years, Dr. Nader worked closely with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who first introduced Transcendental Meditation or TM® to the world in 1958, and who emphasized the scientific understanding and validation of Transcendental Meditation.

Dr. Nader has discussed his expertise at academic institutions such as Harvard Business School on The Neuroscience of Transcendence, Stanford University, where he gave talks in a series entitled "Hacking Consciousness" as well as the keynote speaker for a number of conferences at the House of Commons, British Parliament. His research has been published in Neurology, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Journal of Gerontology, Progress in Brain Research, and many other journals. Dr. Nader has been awarded many time for his outstanding contribution in human development, environment, education, and health.

You can connect with Dr. Nader via Instagram @drtonynader

Ep 277 - The Science of Spirituality and Mental Health with Dr. Lisa Miller

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

The Danger of Seed Oils with Dr. Cate Shanahan PH302

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 01:00:00 -0700

Dr. Cate Shanahan is the leading authority on nutrition and human metabolism. A board-certified Family Physician with over 20 years of clinical experience, and NY Times bestselling author of The FatBurn Fix, Deep Nutrition and Food Rules, her expertise is fixing the underlying problems that cause metabolic damage and inflammation, leading to autoimmunity, weight gain, diabetes, cancer and accelerated aging processes. Her passion is helping people feel their best.

After getting her BS in biology from Rutgers University, she trained in biochemistry and genetics at Cornell University’s graduate school before attending Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She practiced in Hawaii for ten years where she studied ethnobotany and her healthiest patient’s culinary habits. She applied her learning and experiences in all these scientific fields to write Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food.

Her most recent book, Dark Calories, explains how eight common seed oils cause the cellular damage that underlies virtually all chronic disease, exposes the corruption that deceives doctors and consumers alike, and gives us a clear roadmap to recovery and rejuvenation.

You can connect with Dr. Shanahan via Instagram. @drcateshanahan

Related Episodes:

Ep 71 - The Sugar Free Revolution with Karen Thomson

Ep 123 - Dissecting Nutrition Research and Dietary Guidelines with Zoë Harcombe

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Capturing the Human Experience of the CrossFit Games: Christine Bald PH301

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 01:00:00 -0700

Christine Bald is a freelance writer in the CrossFit space. She is best known for her deeply human behind-the-scenes coverage of the CrossFit Games season via Dave Castro’s Instagram. She is the co-author of Resilient with Brooke Wells, Chasing Excellence with Ben Bergeron and What Is The Way? with Annie Thorisdottir and Katrin Davidsdottir.

You can connect with Christine via Instagram. @christinedca

Related Episodes:

Ep 84 - Chasing Excellence with Ben Bergeron

Ep 131 - Dave Castro on Changes in Life and the CrossFit Games

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Q+A: Celebrating 300 Episodes PH300

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 01:00:00 -0700

300 episodes of Pursuing Health—what an incredible journey!

It’s been almost three years since my last Q&A-style episode, so to celebrate this milestone, I'm hosting a special Q&A session with the help of the amazing Nicole Carroll. Thank you to everyone who responded to my call for questions via email; there were so many excellent ones, and I wish I could have answered them all!

I deeply appreciate your support for the podcast. Many of you have followed my path from CrossFit Games athlete to medical student to physician, and I'm truly honored that you tune in week after week. It's been a privilege to listen and learn from an array of remarkable guests—medical experts, elite athletes, and everyday individuals with inspiring transformation stories—and I'm grateful to share these conversations with you.

Cheers to nine years of Pursuing Health, and here's to many more ahead!

You can connect with Julie and Nicole via Instagram @JulieFoucher, @Nicole.Carroll

Ep 58 - Nicole Carroll o n the early days and preserving the culture of CrossFit

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Whole Person Care for Cancer and Healing with Dr. Wayne Jonas PH299

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 01:00:00 -0700

Wayne Jonas, MD, is a widely published investigator, practicing family physician, and professor of medicine at Georgetown University and at Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. He is also a retired lieutenant colonel in the Medical Corps of the United States Army.

Dr. Jonas was the director of the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health from 1995 to 1999 and led the World Health Organization’s Collaborative Center for Traditional Medicine. Prior to that, he served as the director of medical research fellowship at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

He now advises national and international organizations on ways to implement evidence-based healing practices in their medical systems.

He serves as the President of Healing Works Foundation and participates with Primary Care for All Americans. His newest book is Healing and Cancer: A Guide to Whole Person Care, co-authored with Alyssa McManamon, MD, released April 23, 2024 by Rodin Books.

You can connect with Dr. Jonas via Instagram. @drwaynejonas

Related Episodes:

Ep 242 - Exercise to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Dr. Allison Betof

Ep 288 - From the Vault: How Healing Works with Dr. Wayne Jonas

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

The Science of Spirituality + Mental Health with Dr. Lisa Miller: From the Vault PH298

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 01:00:00 -0700

Lisa Miller, Ph.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of The Spiritual Child and a professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the Founder and Director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute, the first Ivy League graduate program and research institute in spirituality and psychology, and has held over a decade of joint appointments in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical School. Her innovative research has been published in more than one hundred peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, including Cerebral Cortex, The American Journal of Psychiatry, and the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Dr. Miller is Editor of the Oxford University Press Handbook of Psychology and Spirituality, Founding Co-Editor-in-Chief of the APA journal Spirituality in Clinical Practice, an elected Fellow of The American Psychological Association (APA) and the two-time President of the APA Society for Psychology and Spirituality. A graduate of Yale University and University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her doctorate under the founder of positive psychology, Martin Seligman, she has served as Principal Investigator on multiple grant funded research studies. Dr. Miller speaks and consults around The Awakened Brain and The Spiritual Child for the US Military, businesses (including tech, finance, HR and sales), personal development, faith based organizations, schools and universities, and for mental health and wellness initiatives.

You can connect with Dr. Miller via Instagram. @dr.lisamiller and her website lisamillerphd.com. You can access her book, The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life, via Amazon. Check out her Ted Talk on Depression and Spiritual Awakening via YouTube.

Related Episodes:

Ep 149 - The Science of Spontaneous Health with Dr. Jeffrey Rediger

Ep 267 - Elijah Muhammad: Always Positive Energy

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

From Prison to Pastor: Andrew Carter PH297

Tue, 14 May 2024 01:00:00 -0700

Andrew Carter is the founder and lead pastor of Royal City Church in Los Angeles, CA. He runs a popular live YouTube Bible study called 'Coffee and Prayer' that streams on all major podcast platforms. He appears on television networks, podcasts and stages preaching the good news of Jesus. Andrew travels the world guest speaking at conferences, churches, and events, and recently released his first book, The Privilege of Prayer.

Andrew has become an inspiration for others who face difficult times and struggles. With millions of followers, Andrew has become an influencer for God's Kingdom. He is a leader, speaker, writer, husband and father.

In addition to his social media, you can find Andrew on Kinship, a platform to make connections and share conversations.

You can connect with Andrew via all social media channels. @andrewfcarter

Related Episodes:

Ep 175 - Pursuing Your Passion with Jonny + Libby Diaz

Ep 173 - Small Steps, Big Results: Carrie McCall

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Nutrition and Brain Health with Dr. David Perlmutter: From the Vault PH 296

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:08:42 -0700

Dr. Perlmutter is a Board-Certified Neurologist and Fellow of the American College of Nutrition. He received his M.D. degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine where he was awarded the Leonard G. Rowntree Research Award. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific journals and is a frequent lecturer at symposia sponsored by such medical institutions as Columbia University, Scripps Institute, New York University, and Harvard University. He also serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Dr. Perlmutter is the author of four New York Times bestselling books showing the connection between gut health and brain health, including Grain Brain, Brain Maker, The Grain Brain Cookbook, and his most recent book, The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan. Dr. Perlmutter has also been interviewed on many nationally syndicated television programs including 20/20, Larry King Live, CNN, Fox News, Fox and Friends, The Today Show, Oprah, The Dr. Oz Show, and The CBS Early Show.

He is also the recipient of numerous awards, including: the Linus Pauling Award for his innovative approaches to neurological disorders; the National Nutritional Foods Association Clinician of the Year award; the Humanitarian of the Year award from the American College of Nutrition; the Media Award from the American College of Nutrition; and the Healthy Living Award from The Invisible Disabilities Association.

Related episodes:

Ep 22 - Brigid Titgemeier on Functional Nutrition

Ep 38 - Micronutrients and Quality Supplementation with Oliver Amdrup and Julius Heslet

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Fitness for Peri + Post Menopausal Women PH295

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 06:55:08 -0700

Stacy T. Sims, MSc, PhD, is a forward-thinking international exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist who aims to revolutionize exercise nutrition and performance for women.

She has directed research programs focusing on female athlete health and performance and pushing the dogma to improve research on all women.

During her tenure at Stanford, she had the opportunity to translate earlier research into consumer products and a science-based layperson's book (ROAR) written to explain sex differences in training and nutrition across the lifespan. Both the consumer products and the book challenged the existing dogma for women in exercise, nutrition, and health. This paradigm shift is the focus of her famous "Women Are Not Small Men” TEDx talk.

Her contributions to the international research environment and the sports nutrition industry has established a new niche in sports nutrition; and established her reputation as the expert in sex differences in training, nutrition, and health.

Stacy currently holds a Senior Research Associate position with SPRINZ- AUT University, supervises PhD students, writes academic papers, and is on the advisory board of some cutting edge companies including Tonal Strength Institute, WILD.AI, and EXOS. She also has her own business (www.drstacysims.com) where she creates and delivers online learning material focused on women training with their physiology across the lifespan.

She currently resides at the beach in Mt. Maunganui, New Zealand with her husband and young daughter.

You can connect with Stacy via Instagram. @drstacysims

Related Episodes:

Ep 155 - Dr. Marguerite Duane on FACTS about Fertility

Ep 176 - Women are Not Small Men with Dr. Stacy Sims

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Building a Champion Mindset with Dr. Joe Janesz: From the Vault PH 294

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 01:00:00 -0700

Joseph Janesz, PhD, is an Associate Staff and Director of the Outpatient Executive and Professional Program at Cleveland Clinic. He has been a Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, lecturer, author and national Consultant for the past 30 years.

Dr. Janesz completed his undergraduate work at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and received his PhD degree from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. His training includes couples and group therapy, performance enhancement and sports psychology, executive coaching and management and organizational consulting.

He consults with a wide range of clients in the medical, legal, financial, sports and entertainment fields and has been a Consultant to the National Football League for the past 20 years and a key player in the first NFL Players Assistance Program -- the Cleveland Browns "Inner Circle Program."

Dr. Janesz played an integral role in my own training as I prepared for the CrossFit Games. It was a pleasure to re-connect with him to learn more about his approach for helping individuals become their own personal best self and how high-performers can find balance and excellence through mindfulness.

*Dr. Janesz’s Bio was adapted from clevelandclinic.org

Related episodes:

Ep 274 - Be the Hero of Your Own Story with Donald Miller

Ep 264 - How to Build Mental Resilience with Dr. Lara Pence

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Support for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, IVF, and Autoimmunity PH293

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 01:00:00 -0800

Dr. Erin Faules (formerly Donaldson) is on a mission to educate and challenge others to take charge of their health. She is board certified in Family Medicine, and practiced rural ER and Hospital Medicine before settling into her true love of Precision Medicine, specializing in Autoimmune Diseases. She now owns her own practice, Doctor Erin Health, where she uses genomics and comprehensive data to co-create a health plan with her patients.

She believes the majority of health is accomplished through daily habits, a philosophy sparked by her own health journey with autoimmune disease. She understands first-hand the overwhelming feeling of navigating our healthcare system, and more importantly the liberation that comes with taking control back of your outcomes through optimizing daily choices. Above all, she believes joy feeds health. When not practicing medicine, you can find her hanging out with her dogs, practicing yoga, adventuring around the world, or laughing with her friends and family.

You can connect with Erin via Instagram, @thedoctorerin and on her website, www.thedoctorerin.com

Free Webinar: https://erin-faules.mykajabi.com/webinar
Autoimmune Academy: https://erin-faules.mykajabi.com/academy

Related Episodes:

Ep 246 - Overcoming Celiac Disease and Infertility

Ep 252 - Healing Autoimmune Disease with Dr. Erin Donaldson

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

What to Eat When with Dr. Michael Roizen: From the Vault PH 292

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 01:00:00 -0800

Michael F. Roizen, MD, is an internist and anesthesiologist who is passionate about helping people choose to live younger and healthier lives.

He is the Chief Wellness Officer at Cleveland Clinic, the co-founder of RealAge Inc, a five-time number one New York Times best-selling author, and the Chief Medical Consultant on the Dr. Oz Show. An accomplished lecturer, researcher, CEO, television personality and author, Dr. Roizen’s myriad achievements are too numerous to count.

Dr. Roizen continues to practice internal medicine, using the RealAge metric to motivate his patients. He routinely sees patients who are in the midst of struggling with tobacco, heart, diabetic or arthritic problems and coaches them with simple (but persistent) lifestyle changes to be able to live, feel, look and be years younger. He really enjoys getting them to throw away their medications when they no longer need them, and teaches the role of food and other simple steps in reversing disease processes.

I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Roizen during my medical school studies, and I was thrilled to catch up with him at his home to talk about the benefits he’s witnessed since Cleveland Clinic implemented an Employee Health Plan, the most important lifestyle factors we can change to improve our overall health and wellness, and his take on What to Eat When.

You can connect with Dr. Roizen via Instagram. @drmichaelroizen

Related episodes:

Ep 99 – Dr. Axel Pflueger on Fighting Chronic Disease with Fitness

Ep 38 – Micronutrients and Quality Supplementation with Oliver Amdrup and Julius Heslet

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Nutrition for Pregnancy with Brigid Titgemeier PH291

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 01:00:00 -0800

Brigid Titgemeier, MS, RDN, LD, IFNCP is a Functional Medicine Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and health advocate. Inspired by her own health journey in which changing nutrition played a key role, she is on a mission to transform your health and change your life through personalized nutrition.

With a Master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition and Board Certification in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, Brigid was a founding dietician at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine, under Dr. Mark Hyman.

Throughout her career she has worked with thousands of clients. She founded the functional nutrition and health consulting business, BeingBrigid Nutrition in 2018 to offer consistent health outcomes for her executive clients by leveraging a data driven personalized nutrition approach, advanced lab testing, education and coaching.

Brigid has a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics from Miami University, as well as a Masters of Science in Public Health Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University. Brigid has completed four years of advanced functional medicine training through the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy and the Institute for Functional Medicine.

You can connect with Brigid via Instagram. @beingbrigid and thebeingcollective.co

Related Episodes:

Ep 22 - Functional Nutrition with Brigid Titgemeier

Ep 210 - HRV + Pregnancy with Dr. Shon Rowan

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Stress: The Elephant in the Room with Dr. George Slavich PH 290

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 01:00:00 -0800

Dr. George Slavich is a leading expert in the conceptualization, assessment, and management of life stress and it's relationship to poor health. He is the founding Director of the Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research at UCLA whose goal is "to advance the science of stress and health to help prevent disease and improve human health and resilience worldwide."

Since beginning his career as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Slavich has been researching the relationship between stress and health for over 20 years. His area of focus is psychoneuroimmunology, which studies the effect of the mind on health and resistance to disease. By integrating tools from psychology, neuroscience, immunology, biology, genetics, and genomics, Dr. Slavich’s research has provided new insights into the inflammatory response to social stress and helped to pioneer a new field of research called human social genomics. He has also developed the first online system for measuring lifetime stress exposure called the Stress and Adversity Inventory (STRAIN), and proposed a new theory called the Social Safety Theory, which hypothesizes that developing and maintaining friendly social bonds is a fundamental organizing principle of human behavior and that threats to social safety are a critical feature of psychological stressors that increase risk for disease.

Dr. Slavich completed undergraduate and graduate coursework in psychology and communication at Stanford University, and received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Oregon. After graduate school, he was a clinical psychology intern at McLean Hospital in Boston and a clinical fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He subsequently completed three years of NIMH-supported postdoctoral training in psychoneuroimmunology at UCSF and UCLA. He is presently an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA, a Research Scientist at the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, and the Founding Director of the UCLA Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research. His research has been covered by many media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Atlantic, Scientific American, TIME Magazine, HBO, NPR, U.S. News & World Report, and others.

In this episode, we talk about the science behind how stress impacts our body down to the level of gene expression and immune system activation, what type of stressors seem to have the biggest impact on our health, some of the things we can do to mitigate the negative impact of stress, and how measuring stress may improve our ability to address it on a large scale. We also talked about how Dr. Slavich's work provides insight into the current coronavirus pandemic including the impact of stress on chronic systemic inflammation, why we should be practicing physical distancing instead of social distancing, and how best to communicate with others during this time to preserve the protective effects of social bonds on our health.

Bio adapted from uclastresslab.org

You can connect with Dr. Slavich via Instagram. @uclastresslab

Related episodes:

Ep 105 - Sleep, Stress and Brain Health with Dr. Nate Bergman

Ep 135 - Immune System Strength with Dr. Leonard Calabrese

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Efficiency with Breath: Niraj Naik on SOMA Breathing PH289

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 01:00:00 -0800

Niraj Naik is a professional musician and pharmacist turned holistic health and breathwork expert. He started his path in healing others, as a community pharmacist, yet after several years he found himself a patient with stress-related depression and ulcerative colitis. This was a wake-up call that made him embark on a journey of profound self-healing and education. He created a global community of heart-centered changemakers by founding SOMA Breath - the global breathwork and wellness movement with over 2000 certified instructors, and hundreds of thousands of students around the globe.

Known internationally as the Renegade Pharmacist, Niraj is dedicated to educating others on topics of holistic health, breathwork, meditation, and more. Niraj’s breathwork is advocated by some top names in wellness such as Ben Greenfield, Marisa Peer, Vishen Lakhiani, and Josh Trent of Wellness Force Radio and his techniques are currently being studied by leading neuroscientists at Cambridge University.

In addition to the global breathwork and wellness movement, Niraj has created many other brands related to health and healing and was featured in articles from multiple news outlets across the world as well as hundreds of podcasts.

You can connect with Niraj via Instagram. @nirajnaikofficial DM the word ‘BREATH’

Related Episodes:

Ep 223 - Tapping to Reduce Stress with Nick Ortner

Ep 286 - Music for Healing: Barry Goldstein

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

How Healing Works with Dr. Wayne Jonas PH288

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 01:00:00 -0800

Dr. Wayne Jonas is a practicing family physician, an expert in integrative health, and a widely published scientific investigator. In addition to his medical practice, he has served as President, CEO, and Executive Director for Samueli Integrative Health Programs, Director of the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, and Director of the Medical Research Fellowship at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Dr. Jonas is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Medical Corps of the United States Army and a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Drawing on his experience from leading hundreds of research studies, Dr. Jonas authored the book How Healing Works, in which he explains the biology of healing and the science behind the discovery that 80 percent of healing can be attributed to the mind-body connection and other naturally occurring processes. His goal is to change the way doctors and patients approach healthcare—away from a disease treatment model to an integrative system that incorporates the best of evidence-based conventional, complementary and self-care approaches. Dr. Jonas’s advice can help us facilitate our own innate ability to heal after both minor and major medical incidents, changing how we consume healthcare, and enabling us to be more in control of our recovery and lasting wellness.

You can connect with Dr. Jonas via Instagram. @drwaynejonas

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Ep 99 – Dr. Axel Pflueger on Fighting Chronic Disease with Fitness

Ep 109 – All About Functional Medicine with Dr. Elizabeth Bradley, Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

How to Become an Unapologetic Leader with Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng PH287

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng is the department head of critical care at The Ottawa Hospital. He dedicates his time to care for the sickest of the sick patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). As a researcher, he is interested in using ICU resources more efficiently and improving access to palliative care in the ICU. To help do this, he founded the Resource Optimization Network, a multidisciplinary research group working to reduce health spending in this area without compromising care. In September 2019 Dr. Kyeremanteng launched his ever-growing podcast “Solving Healthcare with Kwadwo Kyeremanteng. '' These podcasts feature interviews and discussions on the topic of improving healthcare delivery in Canada. Underpinned by the values of cost-effectiveness, dignity, and justice, these podcasts will challenge the status quo, leaving no stone unturned as we explore gaps, assumptions, and different perspectives in the pursuit of finding solutions to problems in Canada’s healthcare system. During the COVID 19 Pandemic Dr. Kyeremanteng created ‘Solving Wellness’ a virtual health & wellness platform for health care professionals. ‘Solving Wellness’ has been helping address health care burnout and providing health, fitness and self care for its members.

You can connect with Dr. Kyeremanteng via Instagram @kwadcast

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Ep 168 - Avoiding the ICU + Racism in Medicine with Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng

Ep 143 - We Work Until It’s Done: Caity Henniger on Rogue Fitness and its Response to COVID-19

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Music for Healing with Barry Goldstein PH286

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Barry Goldstein’s musical experience spans many styles and genres from co-producing the Grammy Award winning track” 69 Freedom special” with Les Paul for Best Rock Instrumental in 2005, to providing ambient music for Shirley MacLaine. In addition, He has composed and produced music for television, film, major record labels and top ten recording artists.

Barry’s music is being used in hospitals, hospices, cancer centers, and medical practices. In addition, Barry has worked with the “Father of Biohacking” Dave Asprey and reached the Billboard Top Ten New Age albums with New York Times Best Selling Authors Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Daniel Amen, Neale Donald Walsch, and Anita Moorjani. His bestselling book “The Secret Language of the Heart” has become a “go to” manual for utilizing music beyond art and entertainment. It provides over 50 groundbreaking studies that assist the reader in using music to improve their health and quality of life.

You can connect with Barry via Instagram @barrygoldsteinmusic and his website, www.barrygoldsteinmusic.com

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Ep 263 - Resilience, Recovery + Performance with Kristen Holmes

Ep 149 - The Science of Spontaneous Healing with Dr. Jeffrey Rediger

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

What the Research Says About Pregnancy + CrossFit: Alexis Morgan, PT, DPT + Christina Prevett, PT, PhD PH285

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Christina Prevett, PT, PhD and Alexis Morgan, PT, DPT are pelvic floor physiotherapists who lead the Pelvic Division at the Institute for Clinical Excellence. Together, they work to help other physiotherapists empower their pregnant and postpartum athletes to safely continue strength training via online and live courses across North America.

Christina recently completed her PhD at the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, and she holds a Masters of Physiotherapy. She also helps create programming for pregnant and postpartum athletes via The Barbell Mamas. Christina is a national level weightlifter, who competed in powerlifting and olympic weightlifting meets within 6 months of giving birth to her daughter. She has also completed the CrossFit Open while pregnant twice!

Alexis is a clinical practitioner and co-owner of Onward Physical Therapy in Hendersonville, TN with her husband. In her practice, she works with individuals interested in improving their pelvic health, utilizing and applying the latest research. As a CrossFit Level 2 trainer, Alexis is dedicated to fitness; you can find her exercising at the 4pm class at CrossFit Hendersonville.

You can connect with Alexis & Christina via Instagram. @alexismorganpt, @christina_prevett, & @icephysio

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Ep 83 - Pelvic Floor Health for Athletes with Dr. Julie Wiebe

Ep 179 - Half His Size: Physical Therapist Alan Fredendall on Losing 200 Pounds and Introducing Patients to CrossFit

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Supercharge Your Mindset with Mark England PH284

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Mark England is a TEDx speaker and co-founder and head coach of Enlifted. He has been researching, coaching and presenting on the power of words and stories for the past 15 years. Mark holds a Masters degree in education and was an elementary school P.E. teacher before getting into personal development. Through his coaching program and his public speaking engagements, Mark gives athletes and professionals the tools they need to translate their inner conversations to take control of their lives and perform their best.

You can connect with Mark via his website, his podcast, or Instagram @enliftedcoaches, and you can listen to his TEDx talk here: Identity vs. Process: Reinterpreting Failure.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Fee Saghafi: Small but Fierce PH283

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Feeroozeh Saghafi is a two-time CrossFit Games athlete who made her individual debut at the 2019 CrossFit Games. She’s currently gearing up for her second appearance this August in Madison. She has also made multiple appearances on the Regional and Sanctional stage both as an individual and team athlete.

Fee’s rise to the elite level is remarkable. When she first started attending CrossFit classes, she had no aspirations of competing; she was looking to lose weight and surround herself with a healthy community. As she began consistently attending classes, she grew to love how strong and powerful she felt, and she was inspired by seeing other elite athletes. A competitive fire was born. For several years Fee trained alongside Scott Panchik at CrossFit Mentality, and recently she has moved to Florida to train with Brute Strength.

You can connect with Fee via Instagram. @fee.saghafi

Resources:

Lycam Fitness Feroz barbell will be available after the CrossFit Games here with proceeds benefiting Buddy Strong Academy
Beauty in Strength video

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Ep 115 - Becoming a CrossFit Games Athlete: Feeroozeh Saghafi & Erin Vandendriessche

Ep 18 - Scott Panchik and his Father on Running an Affiliate, Competition, and Recovering from Injury

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Will Moorad: Evolution of a Top Athlete PH282

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Will Moorad is a four-time CrossFit Games athlete with a career spanning a decade. This August, he heads back to Madison to compete in his 5th CrossFit Games.

In 2017, after being mis-diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, Moorad was forced to take a break from the sport. When he returned to competition in 2019, he achieved his highest-place position on the Games leaderboard to date, finishing 10th overall.

Moorad is also a patient of Wild Health, a genetics-based personalized medicine practice he uses to help optimize his performance. He trains out of CrossFit East Nashville with PRVN Fitness.

You can connect with Will via Instagram. @willmoorad

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Recovering Perfectionist: World Championship Team Member Megan ‘The Savage’ Henry PH281

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Meet Megan, also known as The Savage Meglet. Megan is a force to be reckoned with, known for her grit, determination, resilience, and perseverance. As a lifelong athlete playing two Division 1 sports, field hockey and track, Megan had her sights set on her next athletic pursuit - a calm 80mph sled ride experiencing 5Gs of force going head first with her chin off the ice, representing Team USA and the Army World Class Athlete Program for over a decade.

However, Megan's dreams were put on hold when she was diagnosed with life-threatening blood clots and was told she'd never be an athlete again. But instead of giving up, Megan chose to tell a different story. She battled back to become a multiple World Championship team member, a 2x Track Record Holder, and ranked as high as 8th in the world. She was also the fastest pusher in the United States and #1 in the United States for many years and a 2022 Olympic Alternate.

Now, Megan is pursuing sport psychology, where she helps athletes harness their inner power by changing the story they tell themselves and harnessing the power of consistency and habits. Megan is a true inspiration to all who know her, and her story serves as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work, self belief and determination.

You can connect with Megan via Instagram. @thesavagemeglet

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Become the CEO of Your Own Well-Being with Colleen + Jason Wachob PH280

Tue, 23 May 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Colleen + Jason Wachob are the co-founders and co-CEOs at mindbodygreen, the leading independent media brand dedicated to well-being with 15 million monthly unique visitors. They in Miami, Florida, with their two girls, Ellie and Grace.

Colleen graduated from Stanford University with degrees in international relations and Spanish. She spent ten years working at Fortune 500 companies including Gap, Walmart, and Amazon before devoting her life’s work to mindbodygreen. Colleen has been a speaker at Fortune 500 companies and numerous trade conferences on well-being trends. Her new passion that brings her joy is pickleball.

Jason is the host of the popular mindbodygreen podcast and the bestselling author of Wellth: How I Learned to Build a Life, Not a Resume. He has been featured in the New York Times, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company, Business Insider, BoF, and Vogue, and has a BA in history from Columbia University, where he played varsity basketball for four years. In his spare time he loves walking to get hot black coffee.

You can connect with Colleen + Jason via Instagram @colleenwacho b + @jasonwachob

You can purchase The Joy of Wellbeing here and wherever books are sold.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

You are Built to Move: Dr. Kelly + Juliet Starrett PH279

Tue, 02 May 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Dr. Kelly Starrett is the coauthor of the New York Times best sellers Becoming a Supple Leopard, Ready to Run, and the Wall Street Journal best seller Deskbound. He is also the cofounder of The Ready State and San Francisco CrossFit. He consults with athletes and coaches from the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, the US Olympic Team, elite Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard forces, and consults with corporations on employee health and wellbeing. He lives in California.

Juliet Starrett, J.D. is an entrepreneur, attorney, author, and podcaster. She is the cofounder and CEO of The Ready State, the former cofounder and CEO of San Francisco CrossFit. She is coauthor of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Deskbound, and was a professional whitewater paddler, winning three world championships and five national titles. She lives in California.

You can connect with Kelly + Julie via Instagram @thereadystate and you can check out the 21-day challenge at builttomove.com

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Ep 17 - J uliet and Kelly Starrett on standing desks and movement for kids

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Dr. Austin Perlmutter on Supporting Brain Health PH278

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, published researcher and international educator. His mission is to help people improve their health by targeting the biological basis of “stuckness” in our brains and bodies. His writing, presentations, podcasts, and online educational programs explore how environmental factors influence our cognitive and mental state and have reached millions. Dr. Perlmutter currently serves as the executive director and research lead at Big Bold Health, a food-as-medicine company focused on helping people rejuvenate health through better immune function, where he is running a first-of-its kind study exploring the effects of plant nutrients on human aging through epigenetics.

You can connect with Dr. Perlmutter via Instagram. @draustinperlmutter

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

The Science of Spirituality + Mental Health with Dr. Lisa Miller PH277

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 01:00:00 -0700

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit CEO Don Faul on The Magic of CrossFit PH276

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 01:00:00 -0800

Don Faul is the CEO of CrossFit, the world’s most effective program for improving health and performance through nutrition and exercise. Prior to joining CrossFit in August 2022, Don served as CEO at Athos, a next generation smart clothing company focused on building better athletes. Before Athos, Don held leadership roles at multiple Fortune 500 companies including Pinterest, where he led community outreach, international growth, and business partnerships as head of operations; Facebook, where he built and led the company’s global user, developer, and payments and risk operations teams as vice president of online operations; and Google, where he built and managed the operations supporting merchants using Google’s commerce and payments products.

Don started his career as a Marine Infantry Officer, serving as a Platoon Commander with 1st Light Armored Battalion and 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. Don completed combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq before leaving active duty in 2003. Don graduated with Honors from the United States Naval Academy with a BS in Systems Engineering and received his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Don currently sits on the board of Nuru International, a nonprofit focused on battling extreme poverty through sustainable development efforts, and More Perfect Union, a veteran-led organization focused on civic education, leadership development, and community service to bring Americans together. In his free time, Don enjoys reading, being a soccer dad, and (obviously) doing CrossFit.

You can connect with Don via Instagram. @donfaul

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Female Athletic Performance with Dr. Carla DiGirolamo PH275

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 01:00:00 -0800

Carla DiGirolamo is a double board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and reproductive endocrinologist specializing in women's performance and menopause health. She is CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, Precision Nutrition Certified Nutrition Coach, lifelong recreational athlete, and avid Crossfitter. She is currently a partner physician at Boston IVF where she has spent the last 15 years practicing as a Reproductive Endocrinologist specializing in infertility and hormonal physiology in reproductive age and menopausal women. In 2024 she plans to retire from Boston IVF and launch her own practice in Women's Performance Endocrinology and work full time pursuing her lifelong passion in the world of fitness and sport.

You can connect with Carla via her website, fitforlifemd.com, her blog, athleticaging.blog, and Instagram. @dr_carla_d

If you’d like to join Wild Health, please use code WILDCF20 for 20% off your membership.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Be the Hero of Your Own Story: Donald Miller PH274

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 01:00:00 -0800

Donald Miller is the CEO of Business Made Simple. He is the host of the Business Made Simple podcast and is the author of several books including Hero on a Mission and the bestsellers Blue Like Jazz, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, and Building a StoryBrand. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Elizabeth and their daughter, Emmeline.

You can connect with Donald via Instagram @donaldmiller, Facebook, Twitter, or his website, businessmadesimple.com and heroonamission.com

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Never Settle: Miranda Alcaraz on Consistency + Why Fitness Doesn’t Have to Look Perfect PH273

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Miranda Alcaraz is one of the most well-recognized personalities in the CrossFit space.

She’s competed at the CrossFit Games both as an individual and as a member of team NorCal CrossFit. She’s also a former affiliate owner, former Seminar Staff flowmaster and has worked in various capacities for the CrossFit broadcast and media team.

These days, she’s a CrossFit Level 4 trainer and the co-founder and CEO of Street Parking, which is an at-home workout community. She’s also a wife, and a busy mom of 3 boys under the age of 6.

You can connect with Miranda via Instagram. @fearlessmiranda

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Ep 58 - Nicole Carroll on the early days and preserving the culture of CrossFit

Ep 60 - Chris Spealler on Training for Longevity and Becoming a Master

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

The Secret to Longevity: Dan Buettner on the Blue Zones PH272

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 09:13:44 -0800

Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, Guinness World Record holder in distance cycling, and New York Times bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world – dubbed blue zones hotspots – where people live the longest, healthiest lives. His articles about these places in The New York Times Magazine and National Geographic are two of the most popular for both publications.

In his new book “Blue Zones American Kitchen” Dan uncovers the traditional roots of plant-forward cuisine in the United States. Following the acumen of heritage cooks who have passed their recipes from generation to generation, he uncovers the regions and cultures that have shaped America’s healthiest food landscapes, from Hmong elders living in Minnesota to Quakers in New England. Along the way, he illuminates both traditional and revolutionary ideas in vegetarian food.

You can connect with Dan via Instagram (@danbuettner) or via his website, https://danbuettner.com/

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Legend Annie Thorisdottir on the Will to Win PH271

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 10:20:48 -0800

Annie Thorisdottir is one of the most decorated and recognizable athletes in the sport of CrossFit.

Annie is an 11-time CrossFit Games competitor with six podium finishes, including back to back first place finishes in 2011 and 2012, and a third place finish just one year after giving birth to her daughter. Most recently she switched to team competition, finishing 4th with team CrossFit Reykjavik at the 2022 CrossFit Games, and has her sights set on a 12th CrossFit Games appearance in 2023.

You can connect with Annie (@anniethorisdottir) via Instagram.

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Ep 57 - Annie Thorisdottir and Fred Aegidius on Team Work and Individual Performance

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Dr. Terry Wahls on Reversing Multiple Sclerosis PH270

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 01:00:00 -0700

Dr. Terry Wahls is an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner and a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa where she conducts clinical trials in the setting of Multiple Sclerosis. In 2018 she was awarded the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Linus Pauling Award for her contributions in research, clinical care and patient advocacy. She is the author of The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles, and the cookbook, The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life. Learn more about the current study Efficacy of Diet on Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis at https://wahls.lab.uiowa.edu/. Pick up a one-page handout for the Wahls™ Diet at https://terrywahls.com/diet/

You can connect with Dr. Wahls via Instagram. @drterrywahls

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Dr. Aviva Romm on Perfectionism and Living in Survival Mode PH269

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 09:32:12 -0700

Aviva Romm, MD is a midwife, herbalist, and Yale-trained MD, Board Certified in Family Medicine with Obstetrics. A practitioner, teacher, activist and advocate of both environmental health and women’s reproductive rights and health, she has been bridging the best of traditional medicine, total health ecology, and good science for over three decades. She’s a long-time home birth pioneer and birth activist. Her company’s philanthropic arm, DharmaMoms, provides funding for organizations working toward reproductive justice and birth equity in high risk obstetric communities. She’s also a world renown herbalist, and author of the textbook, Botanical Medicines for Women’s Health, as well as 7 other books, including Hormone Intelligence, an instant New York Times Bestseller, which explores the impact of the world we live in on women’s hormones and health, and brings us a new medicine for women that is at once holistic and natural, while being grounded in the best science and medicine have to offer. Her podcast, articles, books, and online programs help women take back their health and her innovative professional programs are educating a next generation of health practitioners. Dr. Romm lives and practices medicine in the Berkshires and New York City.

You can connect with Dr. Aviva via Instagram. @dr.avivaromm

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Ep 252 - Healing Autoimmune Disease with Dr. Erin Donaldson

Ep 189 - Chris Kresser on HPA Axis Dysfunction and the Stress Response

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Adrian Bozman on Programming the 2022 CrossFit Games PH268

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 01:00:00 -0700

Adrian Bozman, known to many as “Boz,” has been a staple figure in the CrossFit community for over a decade. Since starting CrossFit in 2004, he’s worked as a coach, a garage affiliate owner, a Seminar Staff flow master, and a CrossFit Education department member. Most notably, he served as the longtime CrossFit Games head judge until this year, when he was selected to lead the programming for the 2022 CrossFit Games.

You can connect with Boz via Instagram. @apbozman

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Ep 27 - Adrian Bozman on Teaching CrossFit, Judging at the CrossFit Games, and Garage Gym Training

Ep 90 - CrossFit Games General Manager Justin Bergh: The Man Behind the Magic

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

EZ Muhammad: Always Positive Energy PH267

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 01:00:00 -0700

Elijah “EZ” Muhammad is a 2x CrossFit Games athete, the Owner of Unorthodox Fitness, co-founder of Project Onyx, owner of Lift Heavy Often as in Everyday seminars, a former collegiate basketball player at Tennessee Tech as well as a father, husband, and an individual who is using his platform to do great things in the world.

You can connect with EZ via Instagram @elijahEZmuhammad or his website EZMuhammad.com and you can get involved with Project Onyx via @projectonyxdsm

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Ep 174 - Building Stronger, Smarter, High Character Kids: KidStrong

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Train Your Brain for Peak Function: Dr. Andrew Hill PH266

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 01:00:00 -0700

Dr. Andrew Hill is the founder of Peak Brain Institute and a leading neurofeedback practitioner and biohacking coach for clients worldwide. He has lectured on psychology, neuroscience, and gerontology at UCLA’s Department of Psychology where he received a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience.

At Peak Brain, Dr. Hill provides individualized training programs to help you optimize your brain across goals of stress, sleep, attention, brain fog, creativity, and athletic performance. He is the host of the Head First podcast and continues to do research on attention and cognitive performance.

You can connect with Dr. Hill via Instagram @andrewhillphd and @PeakBrainLA

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Ep 193 - Superhuman: Dr. David Haase on Unlocking your Brain’s Potential

Ep 78 - Lifestyle and Brain Health with Dr. David Perlmutter

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Surviving Cardiac Arrest at Age 33: Jason Wang + Dr. Amer Johri PH265

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 01:00:00 -0700

Jason Wang is a former collegiate basketball player who started CrossFit in 2011. He competed at West Regionals in 2017 as a part of Team Reebok CrossFit Ramsay. Today, Jason lives in Calgary, Alberta and works out at CrossFit Currie Barracks with his close friends and box owners, Eric and Christi Barber. Outside of the gym, Jason is a corporate and securities lawyer at Bennett Jones LLP with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, financings and capital market transactions.

Dr. Amer Johri is an associate professor of cardiology at Queen’s University, the Founder/Director of the Cardiovascular Imaging Network at Queen's, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada, and a Fellow of the American Society of Echocardiography. He completed his research/clinical fellowship in imaging at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

You can connect with Dr. Johri via Twitter @amerjohri

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Ep 92 - Bob Harper on Surviving a Heart Attack

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

How to Build Mental Resilience with Dr. Lara Pence PH264

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 01:00:00 -0700

Dr. Lara Pence is a licensed clinical psychologist. She holds her doctorate degree in psychology and her masters in business administration. She is best known for her straight-forward approach to talking about mental health and the importance of building resilience in a society that prioritizes comfort and complacency over courage and challenge.

Dr. L works with executives, elite athletes, and entrepreneurs to elevate performance through curiosity and understanding of the mind/body connection. In addition to her clinical practice, she is the founder of Lighfbox, the Chief Mind Doc of Spartan Race, co-author of 10 Rules of Resilience: Mental Toughness for Families, and is part of the expert team on CNBC’s No Retreat: Business Bootcamp.

You can connect with Dr. L via Instagram. @drlarapence

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Ep 101 - Dr. Joe Janesz on Building a Champion Mindset

Ep 91 - Mind Over Matter: Improving Performance in Athletics and Beyond with Sports Psychiatrist Dr. MaryEllen Eller

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Resilience, Recovery + Performance with Kristen Holmes PH263

Tue, 31 May 2022 01:00:00 -0700

As Vice President of Performance Science at WHOOP, Kristen Holmes drives thought leadership by engaging with industry leading researchers and partners to better understand individual, team, and organizational biometric and performance data across high stakes verticals. Before joining WHOOP in 2016, Kristen was the Head Field Hockey Coach at Princeton University where she was one of the most successful coaches in Ivy League history, having won 12 league titles in 13 seasons and a National Championship.

Kristen was a 3x All American, 2 x Big 10 Athlete of the year at the University of Iowa competing in both Field Hockey and Basketball and recently inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2021 and was a 7-year member of the U.S. National Field Hockey Team. Kristen blends her academic and applied background in athletics, coaching, performance technology, psychology, and exercise physiology to drive research, partnership, and product development initiatives to strengthen WHOOP as a leader in Human Performance. She holds a Masters in Psychology and Sports Performance from the University of the Rockies and is a PhD candidate in Psychology at the University of Queensland.

You can connect with Kristen and WHOOP via Instagram @whoop @kristen_holmes2126

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Ep 221 - Using Wearables to Improve Health, Recovery + Performance

Ep 224 - What is HRV?

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Upgrade Your Language with Mark England PH262

Thu, 12 May 2022 08:57:22 -0700

You can connect with Mark via his website, his podcast, or Instagram @enliftedcoaches, and you can listen to his TEDx talk here: Identity vs. Process: Reinterpreting Failure.

Related Episodes:

Ep 101 - Building a Champion Mindset with Dr. Joe Janesz

Ep 84 - Chasing Excellence with Ben Bergeron

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Healthcare + Fitness for Indigenous Communities: Roger Boyer, PhD PH261

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 01:00:00 -0700

Roger Boyer II, PhD, is an American citizen, Canadian citizen, and a citizen of the Anishinabek Nation, which is an Indigenous nation of 1.7 million people that stretches across parts of Canada and the American Midwest.

In addition to his work in Indigenous healthcare as a director of comprehensive primary care, and involvement in other numerous healthcare improvement initiatives, Roger is the leader of CF Indigenous, a project aimed at cultivating a community of Indigenous CrossFit athletes.

Canadian Indigenous suffer from chronic disease at rates far higher than the national average, and Roger himself was once in danger of becoming part of this statistic. In 2017, he weighed nearly 400 lbs and was prediabetic and prehypertensive.

Since starting CrossFit, Roger has lost over 150 lbs and seen numerous health improvements. He believes CrossFit can be a catalyst for positive change within Indigenous communities, and through CF Indigenous he hopes to make CrossFit more accessible to other potential CrossFit athletes and coaches.

You can connect with Roger and CF Indigenous via Instagram @cfindigenous or Facebook.

Resources:
Indigenous CrossFit Level 1 Scholarship Fund
215 Honor WOD

Related Episodes:

Ep 88 - From Hypocrite to Advocate: Rebecca Blonsky

Ep 147 - Deborah Cordner Carson on Cancer, Racism, and Speaking Up

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Tiny Habits to Create Behavior Change with BJ Fogg, PhD and Stephanie Weldy, MEd PH260

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 16:48:55 -0700

Motivation isn’t enough to create lasting behavior change. The secret to success? Focus on consistency. In the words of behavior scientist BJ Fogg, Ph.D., it’s important to “make the habit so tiny you can do the baseline habit on any day.”

Dr. Fogg is the author of the New York Times bestselling book “Tiny Habits” and the director of the Behavior Design Lab at Stanford University. He has spent over 20 years researching and teaching insights about human behavior with a special focus on health and productivity.

Dr. Fogg and his colleague, Stephanie Weldy, M.Ed., recently joined me for a live Q&A-style webinar hosted by CrossFit Health which I’m sharing here. We had a great conversation focused on why celebrating small habits is the key to creating huge transformations.

You can connect with Dr. Fogg via his Instagram (@bjfogg)

Other ways you can learn more:
Tiny Habits book on Audible
Free 5-day Tiny Habits Program
Behavior Design Bootcamp
Tiny Habits Coach Certification Program

Related Episodes:

Ep 91 - Mind Over Matter: Improving Performance in Athletics and Beyond with a Sports Psychiatrist

Ep 257 - Motivational Interviewing for Behavior Change with Stephen Rollnick, PhD

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Caffeine for Athletic Performance with Mark Goodman, MD PH259

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0700

Caffeine: It’s likely the most widely used mood- and performance-enhancing drug.

However, have you ever noticed that some people are wired all day from one cup of coffee in the morning while others can drink it right before bed?

The CYP1A2 enzyme is largely responsible for caffeine metabolism, and our genes may give some information about our individual response.

Interested in harnessing the performance-enhancing benefits of caffeine? Mark Goodman, MD, recommends you start by eliminating regular caffeine consumption. Then you can reintroduce a small amount approximately 60 minutes before your workout to observe its effect on your performance. Experiment with timing and dosage, and keep in mind that some individuals might experience a neutral or even negative effect, so it may take a few trials to find the best formula for you.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Fasting with Mike Mallin, MD PH258

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0700

The average American spreads their food consumption out over 15 hours a day, which basically means they’re eating from the time they wake up until the time they go to bed and fasting only during sleep.

Increasing this fasting window by even just a few hours can provide a multitude of health benefits, (1, 2, 3) including:

Decreased rates of obesity
Improved blood pressure
Decreased insulin resistance
Better lipid profiles
Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease
Decreased cancer risk
Decreased inflammation

These benefits are seen with many different fasting practices. With time-restricted feeding, for instance, an individual eats for only a portion of the day, say 8-12 hours, and fasts the remainder of the day. Periodic prolonged fasting, on the other hand, ranges from as little as 24 hours to up to 3-5 days during which an individual is consuming only water.

Keep in mind that fasting isn’t for everyone. Those who have a history of disordered eating or diabetes, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are participating in high-volume training should all consult with a doctor before fasting.

However, if fasting is right for you, it can be a small, easy-to-implement change that can have a significant positive impact on your health.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Motivational Interviewing for Behavior Change with Stephen Rollnick, PhD PH257

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0700

It’s a familiar scenario: Your client understands what they need to do to improve their health, and yet they just can’t seem to consistently follow through on eating right, exercising more, getting quality sleep, etc.

Enter motivational interviewing, a way of conducting conversations about change to strengthen clients’ motivation and commitment.

Dr. Stephen Rollnick is a pioneer in the field of motivational interviewing and has spent much of his career researching and developing effective methods for helping people resolve difficult behavior change.

He recently joined me for a live Q&A-style webinar hosted by CrossFit Health with a focus on how motivational interviewing can help clients and patients achieve their goals.

Join me live for next month’s webinar on April 22 at 6p ET/3p PT. I’ll be chatting with Dr. Alessio Fasano about gluten and the microbiome. Keep an eye out on CrossFit.com for registration details.

You can connect with Dr. Rollnick via his website.

Dr. Rollnick is offering a 25% discount to the CrossFit Health community on his book Motivational Interviewing as well as 50% off the online course Motivational Interviewing in Healthcare (use code MICROSSFIT)

Resources mentioned in the episode:

Coaching Athletes to Be Their Best: Motivational Interviewing in Sports (Applications of Motivational Interviewing), Stephen Rollnick

Finding Your Way to Change: How the Power of Motivational Interviewing Can Reveal What You Want and Help You Get There, Allan Zuckoff

Related Episodes:

Ep 84 - Chasing Excellence with Ben Bergeron

Ep 91 - Mind Over Matter: Improving Performance in Athletics and Beyond with a Sports Psychiatrist

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Alcohol + Sleep with Mike Stone, MD PH256

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0800

It probably comes as no surprise that alcohol has a negative impact on sleep quality, but why does something that seems to help you drift off actually turn out to be problematic?

Mike Stone, MD, shares two main reasons why alcohol and sleep don’t mix:

Alcohol disrupts normal sleep architecture, leading to nighttime waking and reduced sleep quality.
Alcohol suppresses REM sleep, which is critical for learning and memory.

For an eye-opening experiment, try using a wearable sleep tracker and observe the results. You’re most likely to notice decreased HRV, increased resting heart rate, and decreased REM sleep.

Still want to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine? Dr. Stone suggests these strategies to help mitigate the negative effects of alcohol consumption:

Minimize the total amount of alcohol you consume.
Keep your alcohol consumption earlier in the evening, further away from sleep.
Use a sleep tracker to run experiments and determine which types of alcohol and what circumstances result in the smallest impact possible for you personally.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Rising Above Addiction: The Phoenix PH255

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Jacki Hillios, Ph.D., is Deputy Executive Director of The Phoenix, an addiction recovery program that uses physical activity and community friendships to support members on their sobriety journey. In her role, she focuses on oversight and leadership in program design, implementation, evaluation, and expansion.

Jacki is a former clinician who worked with youth and families struggling with mental illness and substance-use disorders. Since joining The Phoenix in 2006 she has helped expand the model to 22 states and over 40 communities across the country.

In this episode, we discuss the amazing outcomes The Phoenix is seeing amongst their members and how CrossFit affiliates and other supporters can get involved.

You can listen to Jacki’s Tedx Talk here.

You can connect with the Phoenix via their website or Instagram (@riserecoverlive)

Related Episodes:

Ep 67 - Sobriety Through CrossFit: Brain Reap

Ep 71 - The Sugar Free Revolution with Karen Thomson

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Using HRV to guide training during pregnancy with Lindsey Mathews, DC PH254

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 01:00:00 -0800

“We like to say heart rate variability is the range of motion of your nervous system,” Lindsey Mathews, DC, says.

Put another way, heart rate variability (HRV), or the variance in time between the beats of your heart, can provide insight into how your body is responding to the many different stressors in life.

This is a valuable tool to help guide women’s training through pregnancy and postpartum. When HRV is low, it opens up a conversation on what other life stressors are going on and indicates a need to reduce training load.

When HRV is stable or trending upwards, pregnant and postpartum women can use it as an opportunity to push training a little bit harder within the parameters of what is safe for their pregnancy.

HRV values are individually unique, but by establishing a personal baseline, women can bring awareness to how different lifestyle factors impact their physical readiness. They can then use this knowledge to inform training throughout their pregnancy and postpartum.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Nutrition for Kids with Nicole Christensen, CF-L4 PH253

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Mealtime with kids — Is it possible for it to be low-stress AND nutritious?

Nicole Christensen wears many hats: CF-L4, owner of CrossFit Roots, Seminar Staff Flowmaster, CrossFit Nutrition Course Director, and, most importantly, mom of two.

Her best tip: Keep it simple and offer a small selection of healthy options to keep the decisions and negotiations to a minimum.

At breakfast, she keeps it quick and easy by offering a fruit and a protein, which vary based on what’s in the house.

For lunches and snacks, she likes to have a variety of good choices available so her girls can make their own selections.

At dinner, the kids eat what the adults eat: typically grilled meat, some form of potato, and a vegetable.

If this all sounds too good to be true, Christensen shares that when her girls come across foods they don’t want to eat, oftentimes it simply takes patience and time for them to change their minds.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Healing Autoimmune Disease with Dr. Erin Donaldson PH252

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Erin Donaldson is a board certified Family physician and graduate of the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. After starting her career practicing hospital medicine, she transitioned to her true passion, providing preventative care through wellness and disease prevention.

While working in the hospital system, Dr. Donaldson developed a deep respect for the capacity of our healthcare system to treat acute conditions, but she also constantly witnessed the devastation that chronic disease creates.

Dr. Donaldson’s personal journey with Lupus, a systemic autoimmune condition, also helped spark her passion for changing healthcare. Since her diagnosis, she has made dramatic lifestyle changes to improve her nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and more, and today no longer requires the use of medication to manage her condition.

In Dr. Donaldson’s current practice, she combines her personal and clinical experience to help patients take control of their own health outcomes. By using genomics, in-depth labs, and an understanding of each individual’s unique lifestyle, she’s able to formulate treatment plans that help her patients create sustainable change to optimize their health.

You can connect with Dr. Donaldson via Instagram (@thedoctorerin) and her website.

You can learn more about Wild Health and how to become a patient at wildhealth.com.

Related Episodes:

Ep 172 - Optimal Health through Genomics Based Personalized Medicine

Ep 109 - All About Functional Medicine with Dr. Elizabeth Bradley, Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Cooking Oil Basics with Sarah Hopping Estrella, CF-L3 PH251

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Fats and oils are important parts of a healthy diet and support functions such as vitamin absorption, brain function, and nerve function — but did you know not all fats and oils are created equal?

When choosing the right oil for your meal, consider two factors:
-The degree of processing the oil has undergone
-Smoke point (the temperature at which the oil starts to burn and smoke)

Seed oils such as sunflower, vegetable, and canola oil require a high degree of processing and can be pro-inflammatory. Better choices require less processing and include avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and grass-fed butter.

Olive oil has a low smoke point and is best saved for dressings.

Avocado oil and butter have higher smoke points and are more appropriate for cooking.

By selecting minimally processed oils with appropriate smoke points, you can maximize the health benefits of including fat in your diet and minimize factors that contribute to the risk of chronic disease.

Continue learning with the CrossFit Nutrition I Course.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - How much food should I eat? with Stephane Rochet, CF-L3 PH250

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Focusing on QUALITY food can have a huge impact on health, but many individuals reach a point where they hit a plateau.

That’s when food QUANTITY comes into play.

Stephane Rochet, CF-L3, shares a simple method to begin measuring food portions.

At each meal, load your plate with:

Protein: Between 1 and 2 palm-sized servings, depending on your size and goals
Vegetables: Double the size of your protein serving
Starch: Equivalent to the size of your protein serving
Fat: Approximately the size of your thumb

Ready for more precision? Start with between .8 and 1.2 grams of protein per pound of body weight and set a macronutrient ratio from there — 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fat is a good place to start.

The practice of measuring doesn’t have to last forever.

Once you do it often enough, you’ll have built the skill to look at your plate and generally know if you’re hitting the correct quantities, Rochet says. From there, you can return to measuring as needed when you find you need to recalibrate your eye.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Managing Stress for Wellbeing with George Slavich, PhD PH249

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 01:00:00 -0800

You probably know it’s important to reduce stress for your mental health, but did you know stress can impact your body all the way down to the level of gene expression and immune system activation?

Dr. Slavich recently joined me for a live Q&A-style webinar hosted by CrossFit Health with a focus on stress and its effects on health.

Dr. Slavich is a leading research expert and the founding director of the Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research at UCLA. His area of focus is psychoneuroimmunology, which examines the effect of the mind on health and resistance to disease.

By integrating tools from psychology, neuroscience, immunology, biology, genetics, and genomics, Dr. Slavich’s research has provided new insights into the body’s inflammatory response to social stress, paving the way for a new field of research called human social genomics.

You can join me live for next month’s webinar featuring Stephen Rollnick on February 17th at 1PM Eastern. Keep an eye out on CrossFit.com for registration details.

You can connect with Dr. Slavich via Instagram @uclastresslab

Related Episodes:

Ep 139 - Stress: The Elephant in the Room with Dr. George Slavich

Ep 135 - Immune System Strength with Dr. Leonard Calabrese

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - What happens to HRV during pregnancy? with Shon Rowan, MD PH248

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 19:00:00 -0800

Can giving birth increase your heart rate variability (HRV)?

Research conducted by OB-GYN Shon Rowan, MD, indicates that it can!

In a study following women who were already exercising and planning to become pregnant, Rowan used a wearable device pre-, during, and post-pregnancy to track HRV and resting heart rate.

The results provided several fascinating insights:

Several participants were able to detect conception prior to taking a pregnancy test.
Women experienced a statistically significant increase in resting heart rate and decrease in HRV with each trimester.
Approximately 56 days before delivery, those trends reversed. Resting heart rate began to decrease, and HRV increased with the approach of delivery.
This trend continued into the postpartum period to the point that postpartum HRV exceeded the pre-conception state.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Conference Preview - Longevity Panel with Mike Mallin, M.D., Matt Dawson, M.D., Tommy Wood, M.D., Ph.D PH247

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Friday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, CrossFit will host the 2022 CrossFit Health Conference, a virtual event that will bring together world-class experts in science, fitness, and healthcare for a series of lectures and panel discussions on ways to improve our health and quality of life.

The conference will focus on the latest scientific research and advances in areas such as nutrition, mental health, injury treatment and prevention, genomics, and more.

Healthcare Professionals, Physicians and CF-L3 Trainers can earn up to 8.5 CME or 8 CEU credits at this year’s CrossFit Health Virtual Conference.

See the full line-up of presenters and register at conferences.crossfithealth.com. Use code Julie15 for 15% off at checkout.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Overcoming Celiac Disease and Infertility: Jenn Hunter-Marshall PH246

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Jenn Hunter-Marshall is a CrossFit Level 4 Coach, and Seminar Staff Flowmaster, affiliate owner, and former CrossFit Games athlete.

In this episode we discuss her struggle to find a diagnosis for celiac disease, her journey with infertility, the importance of advocating for yourself within the medical system, and why its so important for everyone, including fit-appearing individuals, to regularly checking biomarkers to catch underlying conditions before they become problematic.

You can connect with Jenn via Instagram @yescoachgym

Resources:

Mother Wit Maternity Tanya Tringali

Physio Detective Antony Lo

Related Episodes:

Ep 110 - Kara Saunders on CrossFit and Expecting Baby She-Bear

Ep 180 - Putting Scleroderma into Remission: Katie Spilka

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Making Nutrition Changes with Sarah Hopping Estrella, CF-L3 PH245

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 01:00:00 -0800

“Trying harder is usually not the answer” when you’re making changes to your nutrition, says CF-L3 Sarah Hopping Estrella.

Instead, try these strategies to set yourself up for nutrition success.

Adopt a positive mindset.
Recognize the habits that aren’t moving you toward your goal.
Set up your environment to support your goal.
Identify challenges or barriers to success and plan ahead for those scenarios.
Replace undesired behaviors with healthier options that support your nutrition goals.

“When you have goals that are important to you, it’s much more rewarding if you’re sticking to things that are actually consistent with those goals than letting yourself fall victim to momentary pleasures,” Hopping Estrella says.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Making Lifestyle Changes with Stephane Rochet, CF-L3 PH244

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Making a lifestyle change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Stephane Rochet, CF-L3, offers tips for getting started and overcoming plateaus.

“There’s nothing harder than taking that first step,” Rochet says.

His advice: Start small. Master the basics before moving on to more advanced steps.

Once you get started, he emphasizes the importance of being patient and focusing on the process rather than the results.

“If you focus on the outcome, it eludes you. But if you focus on the habit or the process, you end up getting the outcome you want,” he explains.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

How this Small-Town Doc is Making Big Ripples: Dr. Geoff Mire PH243

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Dr. Geoffrey Mire is a small-town family medicine practitioner who is using CrossFit to transform his life and the lives of his patients.

Several years ago, Dr. Mire, a former Ironman, found himself out of shape and unmotivated. When an affiliate opened in his town, his passion for fitness was reignited. He’s since become a CrossFit Level 1 trainer and now his passion for fitness with his patients.

Dr. Mire developed a pilot program within his local affiliate, CrossFit Acadiana, and recruited 12 senior patients considered medically sick with multiple co-morbid conditions with the goal of improving their health through lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise.

Dr. Mire completed his medical training at Louisiana State University. In addition to his private family practice with MDVIP, he is a Certified Medical Director and is medical director of a local nursing home and local home health. He volunteers as the team physician for his former high school and as an adjunct clinical professor for Tulane medical school. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Family Physicians, board member and former president of the Louisiana Geriatric Society, member of the Society for Post-Acute and Long Term Care Medicine, member of the American Academy of Sports Medicine, and member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

You can connect with Dr. Mire via Instagram @gmiremd

Related Episodes:

Ep 125 - Bridging the Gap Between the Hospital and the CrossFit Affiliate

Ep 168 - Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng on Avoiding the ICU

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Exercise to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Allison Betof, MD PH242

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 01:00:00 -0800

It’s well recognized that lifestyle factors are key in preventing cancer — quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, avoiding obesity — but did you know incorporating regular exercise has an impact as well?

Exercise reduces the risk of developing cancer by approximately 20% and decreases cancer mortality by about 20% as well.

Exercise oncologist Allison Betof, M.D. and Ph.D., shares some of the many ways exercise can function as a component of cancer treatment, including improving:

Aerobic fitness
Mental health
Bone health
Metabolic health
And overall functionality

She notes open communication with an oncologist is important so patients and trainers have guidelines for modifications and safety precautions. And she stresses that exercise can have a multitude of benefits for patients undergoing treatment.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Skeletal Muscle + Health with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon PH241

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Your skeletal muscles make up nearly half your body weight, and while they are widely recognized as critical for locomotion, their lesser-known functions include increasing metabolism, protecting neurological health, and more.

Dr. Lyon recently joined me for a live Q&A-style webinar hosted by CrossFit Health with a focus on why it’s important to maintain adequate muscle mass to promote long-term health, and I’m sharing that content here.

Dr. Lyon is a functional medicine physician specializing in muscle-centric medicine, which focuses on the key role skeletal muscle plays in health and longevity. By using high-quality protein diets, supplements, and resistance training, she helps a variety of patients, from those suffering with sarcopenia or prediabetes to elite military operators, reduce chronic disease risk and improve longevity.

You can join me live for next month’s webinar featuring Dr. George Slavich on January 19th at 7 PM Eastern. Keep an eye out on CrossFit.com for registration details.

Related Episodes:

Ep 183 - Robb Wolf on The Case for (Better) Meat

Ep 204 - Dr. Gabrielle Lyon on Maximizing Muscle Mass for Health

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit health.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Preventing Shoulder Injuries with Kelly Starrett, DPT PH240

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Kelly Starrett, DPT breaks down the most common causes of shoulder injuries in CrossFit athletes and explains what can be done for prevention.

Starrett attributes most injuries to:

Poor preparation or taking insufficient time to warm up
Athletes lacking the necessary range of motion
Generally not treating the shoulder with the same care as the rest of the body

To address shoulder discomfort before it becomes a problem, he recommends:

Increasing soft tissue work by adding mobilization between sets during training sessions and doing myofascial release with a foam roller and ball at home
Expanding your repertoire of warm-up exercises to restore normal range of motion in the shoulder joint
Checking in with your breathing. Maintaining regular breath patterns often restores mobility.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Your Doctor Does CrossFit: Dr. Rodrigo Jasbick + Dr. Bruno Cardoso PH239

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 06:42:12 -0800

Dr. Rodrigo Jasbick is a clinical cardiologist and the chief medical officer in the intensive care unit at the Hospital Clínica do Esporte in Goiânia, Brazil. Dr. Bruno Cardoso is a doctor of sports medicine and regular member of the CrossFit Games Medical Team. The two have teamed up to help educate their colleagues on the power of the CrossFit methodology and to promote what they know from first-hand experience is a potentially life-changing lifestyle intervention.

In this episode, they share how CrossFit has transformed the way they practice medicine and how they’re sharing the health benefits of high intensity exercise with other physicians and with their entire community.

You can connect with Rodrigo (@seu_medico_faz_crossfit) and Bruno (@brunocardosodr) via Instagram.

Related Episodes:

Ep 132 - Dr. Amy West on Healing Through Functional Movement

Ep 219 - Solving Chronic Disease with Pat Sherwood, Athena Perez, Nick Nwabueze, Tom McCoy

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit health.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Nutrition Travel Tips with Nicole Christensen, CF-L4 PH238

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 07:45:32 -0800

Being a frequent flyer doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice healthy nutrition habits.

Nicole Christensen, CrossFit Nutrition Course Director, has spent a significant amount of time on the road as part of CrossFit Seminar Staff.

To stay on track while on the go, she recommends visiting the grocery store as soon as you land and keeping a phone note of go-to portable meals so you don’t have to think about what you’re going to purchase.

Need help getting started? For breakfast, lunch, and snacks, she chooses:

Packages of berries
Cooked chicken breasts
Deli meats
Avocados
Peanut butter packets
Oatmeal packets
Lara bars
Carrots & hummus

When traveling multiple days a week, she notes dinner should mirror what you eat at home so you can maintain consistency in your diet. Keep yourself on track with basics like salads, meats, and vegetables.

Continue learning with the CrossFit Nutrition I Course.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Fitness, Nutrition + Motherhood with Sarah Hopping Estrella PH237

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Sarah Hopping Estrella started CrossFit in 2009 after narrowly missing qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games in the hammer throw. Since then, she’s been involved with CrossFit in just about every way imaginable: Regionals competitor, coach, affiliate owner, Seminar Staff, Nutrition Course contributor, and member of the CrossFit Sport virtual events team.

In this episode, we talk about how she’s navigated the transition from competitive athlete to motherhood, how CrossFit has shaped her beliefs around body image and nutrition, and how her approach to training has changed as her goals have shifted from competition to lifelong health optimization.

You can learn more about the CrossFit Nutrition I Course here.

You can connect with Sarah via Instagram. @sarahhoppingestrella

Related Episodes:

Ep 141 - From CrossFit Games to Pregnancy: Annie Thorisdottir and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet

Ep 121 - Christy Adkins & Lindy Barber on Transitions in Life & Fitness

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit health.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Approach to Aches + Pains with Jason Garrett, DC PH236

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 07:01:16 -0800

Nagging aches and pains? According to Jason Garrett, DC, rest and myofascial release are often the best first line of defense.

If your aches or pains persist for more than a few days without improvement, he recommends you seek professional assistance from a provider who employs a combination of manual therapy and corrective exercises.

Your provider's goal should be to not only take away the cause of pain but also to rebuild and strengthen the area while educating you about what's causing the injury in the first place.

Learn more about Airrosti's approach at Airrosti.com/crossfit-recovery/

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit with Type 1 Diabetes: Dr. Luke Palmisano PH235

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 01:00:00 -0800

At just seven years old, Luke Palmisano was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Nearly 35 years later, he’s an ER physician, avid CrossFit athlete, father, and former collegiate wrestler, and he’s learned quite a bit by modifying his lifestyle to help reduce complications from the condition.

We first met a couple years ago at a CrossFit Level 1 seminar for physicians and ever since I have been struck by his intensity and passion for using CrossFit to prevent and treat so many of the conditions he encounters as an ER physician.

In this episode, we talk about how diabetes has impacted so many aspects of his life, how he’s navigated the unique challenges of cutting weight for wrestling and beginning CrossFit, what his experience in the emergency room has been like in the midst of the covid pandemic, and even how his service dog helps him monitor his blood sugar!

You can connect with Dr. Palmisano via Instagram. @drlukep

Related Episodes:

Ep 46 - Living and Training with Type 1 Diabetes with Brendan Snyder

Ep 125 - Bridging the Gap Between the Hospital and the CrossFit Affiliate

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit health.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

CrossFit Health Tip - How to Avoid Added Sugar PH234

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 01:00:00 -0800

The average American consumes 57 lb of added sugar per year — not total sugar, but sugar that has been extracted and added into foods!

This statistic seems shocking until you consider how many sneaky sources of added sugar show up in our diets: sauces, dressings, breads, granola bars, and more. These small amounts add up over time.

Luckily, the FDA now requires that the volume of added sugar be reported on nutrition labels for packaged foods. Want to learn 56 different names for sugar so you know what to look for on food labels? You can do that here.

To reduce the amount of added sugars you’re consuming, remember to check labels and be mindful of how small choices can add up over time.

Continue learning with the CrossFit Nutrition I Course.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Healthy Aging with Dr. Bob Rountree PH233

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0800

We know aging is inevitable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re destined for decrepitude. There are numerous lifestyle factors that can support longevity and contribute to maintaining mental, social, and physical well-being.

Dr. Bob Rountree recently joined me for a live Q&A-style webinar hosted by CrossFit Health with a focus on the science behind healthy aging, and I’m sharing that content here.

Dr. Rountree is widely regarded as an expert in functional medicine and is one of the original core members of the Institute for Functional Medicine faculty. At his Boulder-based wellness center, he practices integrative medicine, blending traditional family medicine, nutrition, medical herbology, and mind-body therapy.

You can join me live for next month’s webinar featuring Dr. Gabrielle Lyon on December 9 at 6 PM Eastern. Keep an eye out on CrossFit.com for registration details.

Related Episodes:

Ep 202 - Environmental Toxins and Your Health with Jackie Bowen + Oliver Amdrup

Ep 112 - Eating for Longevity with Dr. Valter Longo

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit health.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - Can time in nature improve my health? with Chardae Mara, RN PH232

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Spending just 15-20 minutes in nature 3 times per week can contribute to a host of physical and psychological benefits, including:

An increase in natural killer cells which support the immune system, prevent cancer, and speed recovery
A decrease in heart disease, blood pressure, and heart rate
A reduction in stress hormones, depression, and anxiety
An improvement in some attention deficit disorders

Longer exposures are important as well. Full-day immersions create benefits that can last up to 30 days!

Try these tips to start incorporating nature into your regular routine:

Detach from your devices daily.
Find green space, even if it’s not in a remote location, and take time to engage all five senses.
Use phone calls or coffee breaks as an opportunity to take a short walk outside.
And, finally, take off-the-grid vacations when possible to maximize your exposure to nature.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit care.crossfit.com.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Digital Wellness with Nina Hersher PH231

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Nina Hersher is CEO of The Digital Wellness Institute and co-founder of the Digital Wellness Collective, a global trade association of digital wellness experts and organizations collaborating to enhance human relationships through the intentional use and development of technology.

She holds a specialized Masters of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis in Norms of Connectivity and Reconceptualizing Human Development in the 21st Century, and holds additional credentials as an Oasis in the Overwhelm facilitator, Teen Outreach Program facilitator, and meditation teacher.

She is passionate about sharing best practices for consuming and integrating technology into our lives in a way that protects our mental health in a fast-paced world.

In this episode, Nina shares best practices for digital flourishing, including ways to set up your environment to minimize distractions, tools you can use to protect your physical health, and her tips for setting boundaries around social media.

You can connect with Nina via Instagram @digitalwellbeing. You can learn more about her work at DigitalWellnessInsitute.com, and you can assess your own digital flourishing habits here.

Resources:
Loftie alarm clock

Ep 139 - Stress: The Elephant in the Room with Dr. George Slavich

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - What is chronic inflammation? with Mike Mallin, MD PH230

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Chronic inflammation: It's a term we hear all the time, but just what is it, and what causes it? Check out these tips from Mike Mallin, MD, to figure out whether you're experiencing chronic inflammation.

And if you are, here are some tactics you can use to address it:

- Make sure you're getting recovery and not over-exercising.

-Focus on improving sleep quality and quantity.

-Consume a healthy diet consisting of a variety of whole, well-sourced foods.

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient visit health.crossfit.com.

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Using Genomics to Improve Health + Performance PH229

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Healthcare practitioners discuss the applications of using genomics to improve health and performance. Panelists Dr. Matt Dawson and Dr. Mike Mallin provide background on the science behind genomics and precision care, describe how this cutting-edge form of medicine can inform lifestyle choices, and explain why genomics is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to optimizing health.

The panel was part of a series of conversations hosted by CrossFit Health at the 2021 CrossFit Games.

You can connect with the featured panelists via Instagram:

Julie Foucher, MD - Family Physician @juliefoucher

Matt Dawson, MD - CrossFit Precision Care @wildhealthmd

Mike Mallin, MD - CrossFit Precision Care @mikemallin

Ep 217 - Revolutionizing Healthcare: CrossFit Precision Care

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

CrossFit Health Tip - What is precision medicine? with Mike Mallin, MD PH228

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0800

What is precision medicine? In short, it's a data-driven approach to healthcare that recognizes we're all unique and a one-size-fits-all approach to care doesn't work for everyone.

Mike Mallin, MD, explains how precision medicine providers take your genetics, epigenetics, biomarkers, and unique risk factors into account as they develop a comprehensive plan designed to help you achieve your overall health goals.

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit care.crossfit.com.

Gut Health + the Microbiome with Dr. Lucy Mailing PH227

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Lucy Mailing is a microbiome researcher, educator, and passionate scholar of integrative, evidence-based gut health.

She received her Bachelor’s in Biology from Kalamazoo College and her PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois. Lucy has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles related to the microbiome and health and was named an Emerging Leader in Nutritional Sciences by the American Society for Nutrition in 2017.

On her website, lucymailing.com, Lucy shares content dedicated to integrative, evidence-based articles about the microbiome, gut and skin health, and nutrition science. She is a nationally recognized speaker on gut health and one of the most trusted experts in the integrative health space.

I have been following Lucy’s research for years, and I was excited to sit down with her to discuss how the microbiome impacts virtually every aspect of our health. We talk about factors that impact the gut lining, methods we can use to screen for intestinal permeability and gut dysbiosis, and actions we can take to support our microbiome.

You can connect with Dr. Mailing via Instagram @lucymailingphd

Related Episodes:
Ep 44 - 5 Tips for New Year Nutrition and The HealthySelf Reset with BeingBrigid

Ep 189 - Chris Kresser on HPA Axis Dysfunction and the Stress Response

CrossFit Health Tip - Avoiding Injury with Amy West, MD PH226

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0700

"The idea that CrossFit is dangerous is actually not supported in the scientific literature," says Amy West, MD. Her number-one tip for avoiding injury: "Check your ego at the door." Other suggested strategies include seeking out supervision to make sure you're moving properly, knowing your own limits, and paying attention to recovery.
To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit health.crossfit.com.
If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

CrossFit + Cancer PH225

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Healthcare practitioners, cancer advocates and a cancer survivor discuss the applications of CrossFit for individuals diagnosed with cancer. They share their personal connection to cancer, the impact of exercise on cancer prevention and treatment, and ideas on how we can build a bridge between fitness providers and healthcare to better support cancer survivors. The panel was part of a series of conversations hosted by CrossFit Health at the 2021 CrossFit Games.

You can connect with the featured panelists via Instagram:

Julie Foucher, MD - Family Physician @juliefoucher

Fran Whitfeld - Trainer with Stage IV Breast Cancer @franwhitfield

Allison Betof Warner, MD - Exercise Oncologist @jockmeetsnerd

Zionna Hanson - Barbells for Boobs Founder @zionna

Scott Britton - Battle Cancer Founder @battle.cancer

Ep 203 - Using CrossFit to Battle Cancer with Scott Britton

CrossFit Health Tip - What is HRV with Mike Mallin, MD PH224

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Wearable devices can measure the variability between the beats of your heart and can indicate how relaxed you are-- "an objective measure of how chill you are," says Mike Mallin, MD. The more variability the better.

Dr. Mallin and I discuss our top 5 tips to increase heart rate variability.

Sleep- a regular bedtime & at least an 8-hour sleep opportunity every night
Exercise- a consistent amount over time, and be sure to allow time for adequate recovery
Avoid alcohol- more than one drink can cause HRV to plummet
Meditation & mindfulness
Breathwork- give this nasal breathing technique a try: a quick, 3-4 second inhale, followed by a slow 8-second exhale

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit health.crossfit.com.

Tapping to Reduce Stress with Nick Ortner PH223

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Nick Ortner is the creator and executive producer of the documentary film, The Tapping Solution, as well the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Tapping Solution: A revolutionary system for stress-free living. Tapping is also sometimes referred to as Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT. Nick began sharing this stress and anxiety-relieving method with others in 2007 after experiencing tremendous success using the protocol for his own personal pain relief. He has gone on to become a highly regarded public speaker, presenting live tapping sessions at seminars, hosting an annual world summit, and appearing in numerous well known media outlets, such as CNN, Psychology Today, and The Dr. Oz Show.

In this conversation, we discuss what tapping is and why it can change emotions by calming the amygdala, circumstances in which tapping can be helpful, and the data being collected to objectively demonstrate tapping’s effectiveness. As a bonus, Nick leads us through an interactive tapping session focused on relieving stress and anxiety.

You can connect with Nick via Instagram @NickOrtner

Research on Emotional Freedom Technique:

Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health

App-Based Delivery of Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques: Cross-Sectional Study of App User Self-Ratings

Ep 215 - Mentally Fit: Tarryn Harvey

CrossFit Health Tip - The State of Primary Care with Eric Roza PH222

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0700

What is primary care?

In theory, it’s a long-term relationship between a healthcare practitioner and a patient encompassing preventative health practices, acute illness, and chronic disease.

In practice, the insurance system has created an environment where physicians are incentivized to see more patients in less time, and the doctor-patient relationship is suffering because of it.

Julie talks with CrossFit CEO Eric Roza about the current state of primary care and why the direct primary care model gives hope for the future.

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit health.crossfit.com.

Using Wearables to Improve Health, Recovery & Performance PH221

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Healthcare practitioners and wearables experts provide insights on several different types of wearable devices for CrossFit and health, including trackers for workouts, sleep, recovery, and blood glucose. The panelists share the most useful metrics to track, why personalized data and experimentation are so crucial for improving health and performance, and actionable tips individuals can use to improve their biometrics.

The panel was part of a series of conversations hosted by CrossFit Health at the 2021 CrossFit Games.

You can connect with the featured panelists via Instagram:

Kristen Holmes - Whoop VP of Performance Science (@kristen_holmes2126)

Josh Clemente - Levels Founder and President (@josh.f.clemente)

Nick Nwabueze, MD - SteadyMD Physician (@thefittestdoc)

Mike Mallin, MD - CrossFit Precision Care (@mikemallin)

Katina Thornton, MD - Anesthesiologist (@katinathornton911)

Ep 210 - Shon Rowan on HRV + Pregnancy

CrossFit Health Tip - Must Haves for Great Sleep with Matt Dawson, MD PH220

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0700

“Are you waking up rested and without an alarm clock?” asks Dr. Matt Dawson of CrossFit Precision Care. His advice to get the rest and recovery you need? “Stick to the basics… cool, dark, and quiet.”

PMID: 31759934, 33879784, 27611440

To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit care.crossfit.com.

Solving Chronic Disease PH219

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Healthcare practitioners and affiliate owners discuss limitations of the conventional healthcare system, the power of the CrossFit affiliate to transform health, and how we can make CrossFit more accessible to a broader population. The panel was part of a series of conversations hosted by CrossFit Health at the 2021 CrossFit Games.

You can connect with the featured panelists via Instagram:

Julie Foucher, MD - Family Physician @juliefoucher

Pat Sherwood - CrossFit Linchpin Owner @sherwood215

Athena Perez - Scaled Nation CrossFit Owner @athenamariebt

Nick Nwabueze, MD - SteadyMD Physician @thefittestdoc

Tom McCoy, DO - Vital Human Medical Director @vitalhumandoc

Related Episodes:
Ep 214 - CrossFit and Injuries

Ep 208 - From 450 Lbs. to Fit: Athena Perez

CrossFit Health Tip - Do I Have Insulin Resistance? with Tom McCoy, DO PH218

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0700

1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes, and 84% don’t even know it. Family physician Tom McCoy, DO, describes the mechanism behind insulin resistance, how to investigate whether you have it, and steps to take to reverse it.

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit health.crossfit.com.

Revolutionizing Healthcare: CrossFit Precision Care PH217

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 09:01:34 -0700

CrossFit CEO Eric Roza and Wild Health co-founder and CEO Matt Dawson, MD join me to discuss the evolution of CrossFit Health and the inception of CrossFit Precision Care, a personalized medicine practice. We discuss why CrossFit is uniquely positioned to revolutionize healthcare, the importance of primary care visits, even for healthy individuals, what it will be like to experience CrossFit Precision Care as a patient, and how other practitioners can get involved.

To learn more visit care.crossfit.com.

You can connect with Eric Roza via Instagram @rozaeric and Dr. Matt Dawson via Instagram @wildhealthmd.

Related Episodes:
Ep 158 - Eric Roza: CrossFit’s new CEO on Health, Happiness, and Performance

Ep 172 - Optimal Health through Genomics Based Personalized Medicine

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

CrossFit Health Tip - Real vs. Processed Food with EC Synkowski PH216

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0700

“You want food that goes bad,” says EC Synkowski, CF-L4 and founder of OptimizeMe Nutrition. “When we’re looking at nutrition for general overall health, you really want quality AND quantity. What happens with processed foods is we tend to have a mismatch of that.”

To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit health.crossfit.com.

Mentally Fit: Tarryn Harvey PH215

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0700

When Tarryn Harvey was in her early 20’s, an unexpected heartbreak left her struggling with depression, anxiety, and the early stages of anorexia. A friend helped her recognize she needed help, and connected Tarryn with a personal trainer who eventually introduced her to CrossFit. As Tarryn began lifting weights, she started eating to fuel her workouts, and soon, she began to feel empowered and strong. Her depression started to fade, she reconnected with friends, and she discovered the power of meditation and positive self talk. Tarryn credits CrossFit with saving her life: not only does it help her remain physically healthy, she knows she can count on the community and the workouts help her mentally reset on challenging days.

You can connect with Tarryn via Instagram @wildandsassy1

Related Episodes:

Ep 161 - An Unlikely Antidote to Anorexia: Becky Fox

Ep 56 - Katrín Davíðsdóttir and Ben Bergeron on the Process of Creating a Champion

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

CrossFit and Injuries PH214

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Healthcare practitioners speak on what drew them to CrossFit when their colleagues might have said it was dangerous, how the risk of injury in CrossFit compares to other sports, the risk vs. benefits of exercise, the most effective recovery modalities, how we can change the perception of CrossFit in the medical community, and more.

You can connect with the featured panelists via Instagram:

Sean Rockett, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon @321gomd
Kelly Starrett, DPT, The Ready State Co-Founder @thereadystate
Amy West, MD, Sports Medicine Physiatrist @amywestmd
Jason Garrett, DC, Airrosti Chief Medical Officer @airrosti

Related Episodes:
Ep 132 - Healing Through Functional Movement with Dr. Amy West

Ep 184 - A Neurosurgeon Healing Back Pain with Functional Movement: Dr. David Johnson

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Moving Through Ankylosing Spondylitis with Scott Young PH213

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0700

After years of experiencing mysterious intermittent pain in his back, Scott Young was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory autoimmune condition that, over time, can cause the bones of the spine to fuse.

In this episode, he shares how his physical therapist encouraged him to start CrossFit to improve his movement mechanics, and how, over time, that’s led to his realization that staying moving helps relieve some of the stiffness and pain he experiences as a result of his AS.

We also talk about the mental benefits of surrounding yourself with a community that lifts you up, and the importance of focusing your energy on habits that lead to health and happiness in the long-term.

You can connect with Scott via Instagram @scottyoungcf.

Related Episodes:

Ep 180 - Putting Scleroderma into Remission with Katie Spilka

Ep 184 - A Neurosurgeon on Healing Back Pain with Functional Movement: Dr. David Johnson

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Healing the Brain with Functional Fitness: Jenna Muri-Rosenthal PH212

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Jenna Muri-Rosenthal is a speech-language pathologist, certified brain injury specialist, and a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer. As the founder of Fit to Function Recovery, she has blended these areas of expertise into a program that combines functional fitness with cognitive rehabilitation.

Jenna works with survivors of brain injury and strokes, both one-on-one and in a community environment to help them progress their recovery beyond what is typically considered “good enough” in a traditional rehabilitation setting.

In this episode, we talk about the benefits of CrossFit for those recovering from cognitive impairments, how the training community can better serve this population, and resources for those looking for help for themselves or a loved one.

You can connect with Jenna via Instagram @fittofunctionrecovery or via email fittofunctionrecovery@gmail.com.

Ep 124 - Breaking Barriers with an Adaptive Athlete and Coach Kevin Ogar

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Quiet Consistency, Big Weight Loss: Jen Dudley PH211

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 02:38:53 -0700

Jen Dudley shares her amazing story of personal transformation. Her struggles with career anxiety and the stress of nursing school had led to an 80 pound weight gain, and no matter how many times she told her friends and family she was ready to make a change, she always seemed to wind up back where she started, feeling embarrassed for her lack of success. She finally got the wake up call she needed when a family member became ill. Jen quietly committed to herself to start a health and weight loss journey that would stick, and over three years she’s lost 75 pounds. In doing so, she’s avoided chronic disease and medications, and gained a love for CrossFit and a community of friends.

You can connect with Jen via Instagram @jedudley16

Related Episodes:

Ep 173 - Small Steps, Big Results: Carrie McCall

Ep 190 - Jess Esch on Treating Yourself with Value

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

HRV + Pregnancy with Dr. Shon Rowan PH210

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Dr. Shon Rowan is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He completed his medical training at the West Virginia University School of Medicine and continues to work there as an Assistant Professor. He is clinically active in reproductive medicine including infertility and In Vitro Fertilization, and recently led a research study exploring how monitoring pregnant women’s resting heart rate and HRV can provide insights to the fitness changes that take place during and after pregnancy.

Jeff Giosi Memorial WOD

Love Like They Will Die Tomorrow with Shon Rowan

You can connect with Dr. Rowan via Instagram @shonromd

Ep 126b - Nicole Christensen on Coaching Pregnant Athletes

Taking the Fear Out of Cancer: Fran Whitfield PH209

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 02:36:27 -0700

Fran Whitfield is a London based personal trainer who, at age 25, learned she has breast cancer that had metastasized to her brain and was given a prognosis of 2 years to live. Unwilling to settle for such a grim diagnosis, Fran sought the help of a care team who was willing to fight the disease with her. She credits her hedge of fitness with helping her recover quickly from brain surgery, and her current fitness routine with protecting her mental and physical health as she manages the side effects of chemotherapy. Throughout her treatment, Fran has candidly documented her experiences to help spread awareness to other young people. She hopes that by sharing her journey she can reduce the fear of the unknown that so many people experience as they battle cancer.

I first heard Fran’s story on a panel discussion at the CrossFit Games, and I was immediately struck by her resilience in the face of such a scary diagnosis. Her mental fortitude as she advocates for herself and keeps her focus on the variables within her control is nothing short of remarkable.

You can connect with Fran via Instagram @franwhitfield

Ep 203 - Scott Britton on Using CrossFit to Battle Cancer

From 450 Lbs. to Fit: Athena Perez PH208

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Athena Perez is the owner of Scaled Nation CrossFit, the author of the book, Lifting the Wait, and is an advocate for the inclusivity of obese and overweight athletes in the CrossFit community. She has a remarkable transformation story, and she draws on her experiences to support others in need. A survivor of child abuse, Athena has struggled with her relationship with food since the age of 5, but with the help of CrossFit, she’s lost over 225 lbs and reclaimed her confidence.

You can connect with Athena via Instagram @athenamariebt

Ep 179 - Half His Size: Physical Therapist Alan Fredendall on Losing 200 Pounds and Introducing Patients to CrossFit

From Aneurysm to Recovering Athlete with Vanessa Lew PH207

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0700

As a second degree black belt in Taekwondo, two-time New York City marathon finisher, and long-time CrossFit athlete, Vanessa Lew was shocked when she experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm while working out. Thanks to the quick thinking and fast reaction of her CrossFit community, she quickly received the appropriate medical attention, and within weeks was on the road to recovery.

In this episode, we talk about the importance of undergoing regular medical screenings, even for healthy individuals, and the lessons she’d like to share as she’s had to relearn the most basic of skills, from walking to talking. Vanessa also shares her incredible mindset around admiring other’s achievements, but keeping her focus on celebrating her own progress as she continues to recover.

You can connect with Vanessa via Instagram @glenmere67

Related Episodes:

Ep 180 - Putting Scleroderma into Remission with Katie Spilka

Ep 169 - Jasmine Joy on Taking Control of Multiple Sclerosis

James Hobart + Austin Malleolo on Developing Better Trainers PH206

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Austin Malleolo and James Hobart have been leaders in the CrossFit community for over a decade. Austin is a 7-time CrossFit Games competitor, including two individual finishes inside the Top 10. James is an 8-time Games veteran, including two first place finishes as part of Team CrossFit Mayhem Freedom.

Austin and James are also two of the most prolific CrossFit Seminar Staff Flowmasters, having been a part of hundreds of Level 1 and Level 2 Seminars, in addition to being experienced affiliate owners.

Austin and James have combined all this expertise, together with fellow Seminar Staff member Spencer Hendel, to develop CrossFit Affiliate Programming, a new resource that CrossFit Home Office is making available to affiliates. CAP provides programming, class planning, and coach development tools to affiliates with the goal of strengthening coaches’ skills and giving CrossFit affiliate members the best experience possible.

In this episode we discuss how James and Austin became so involved in CrossFit, the challenges and lessons they’ve learned from running affiliates, and why they are so passionate about creating resources to support trainers.

You can connect with James and Austin via Instagram @jameshobart, @austinmalleolo, and @hamplan.

Ep 28 - James Hobart on Teaching, Competing, and the Real Purpose of CrossFit

The Power of Being Present: Michael Asterino PH205

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Michael Asterino shares his journey from young lacrosse athlete managing a chronic stomach condition known as gastroparesis, to college sophomore struggling with alcohol and drug abuse. When Michael recognized that his addictions were damaging his relationships and preventing him from upholding commitments, he sought help from others who were sober. With their support, he started on a path to self-betterment. Along the way, fitness, spirituality and mindfulness played a key role in his recovery.

In this episode, he shares how he came to recognize the power of living in the present moment, and how CrossFit helps him live a life free of alcohol and drugs, and focused on connecting with the ones he loves.

You can connect with Michael via Instagram @coachasterino

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Ep 67 - Sobriety through CrossFit: Brain Reap’s Story

Ep 153 - Mat Fraser + Sammy Moniz: Sweethearts on a Mission

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon on Maximizing Muscle Mass for Health PH204

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a functional medicine physician specializing in the concept of muscle-centric medicine, which focuses on the largest organ in the body, skeletal muscle, as the key to health and longevity. By using high-quality protein diets, supplements, and resistance training, she helps a variety of patients, from those suffering with sarcopenia or pre-diabetes to elite military operators, reduce chronic disease risk and improve longevity.

Dr. Lyon received her doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and is board-certified in family medicine. She earned her undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she studied vitamin and mineral metabolism, chronic disease prevention and management and the physiological effects of diet composition. She also completed a research/clinical fellowship in Nutritional Science and Geriatrics at Washington University in St. Louis.

In this episode, we talk about why muscle mass is so critical for overall good health, the importance of having a substantial amount of protein at each meal, and why dietary protein is not a clinically significant risk factor for developing cancer.

Links:

The Role of Meat in a Healthy Diet

Protein researcher’s rebuttal to Dr. Valter Longo’s research

Piedemontese discount code: GLYON

Ep 183 - Robb Wolfe on the Case for (Better) Meat

Using CrossFit to Battle Cancer PH203

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Scott Britton is the founder of Battle Cancer, a non-profit that uses functional fitness events to raise funds for cancer charities, as well as provides free training programs to help cancer survivors thrive post-treatment.

Originally a small, personal fundraising initiative, Scott quickly recognized that when it came to creating a big impact, there is strength in numbers. He recruited others and worked hard to grow Battle Cancer into a huge movement that has raised over $1.4 million and hosted events across Europe and in the US.

Most recently, Battle Cancer has formed an official partnership with CrossFit and sits poised to become an even bigger global phenomenon as it leverages the CrossFit community to create powerful bonds and relationships that support cancer survivors.

In this episode, Scott shares how he became so passionate about the fight against cancer, the benefits of using movement as medicine, and his dream of developing a network of fitness professionals and affiliates who are trained to support those affected by this pervasive disease.

You can connect with Scott and Battle Cancer via their website and Instagram @battle.cancer

Ep 127 - Fighting Breast Cancer with Barbells: Barbells for Boobs Founder Zionna Hanson

Environmental Toxins and Your Health with Jackie Bowen & Oliver Amdrup PH202

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Jackie Bowen is the executive director of the Clean Label Project, a non-profit with the mission to bring transparency to food and product labeling by using analytical chemistry and data investigations to research top selling products. Jackie has a Master of Science in quality engineering from Easterm Michigan University, a Master of Public Health in management and policy from University of Michigan, and has appeared on numerous media outlets including NBC, ABC, CNN, ‘The Doctors’, ‘Dr. Oz’, and ‘Dr. Drew’.

Oliver Amdrup is co-founder of the natural health and food supplement brand, Puori, as well as the founder of the first CrossFit affiliate in Denmark. His interest in food and supplement quality was borne out of a desire to ensure his own personal fish oil supplementation was coming from the best source possible. Since then, he has helped Puori grow into a company that offers a variety of supplements to address the main nutritional deficiencies of the developed world with full transparency testing across their entire product portfolio.

Together, Jackie and Oliver are working to educate consumers on how environmental toxins can lead to chronic disease and how as consumers we can make better food choices.

In this episode, we cover the basics of cleaner living, steps you can take to reduce your overall toxin load, and what to look for when purchasing supplements. We also get into some fascinating research, including why vanilla protein might be a better choice than chocolate!

Resources:

Toxins in Chocolate

Coming Clean Project podcast

Clean Label Project brand search

You can connect with Oliver and Jackie via Instagram @comingcleanproject

Ep 22 - Brigid Titgemeier on Functional Nutrition

Sam Briggs: Sights Set on Fittest 40-Year Old PH201

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Samantha Briggs has been a staple athlete within the CrossFit community for over a decade. Her nickname, “The Engine,” refers to her incredible work capacity in longer events, but it now seems to apply to her longevity in the sport as well. Sam is a 9-time CrossFit Games competitor, the 2013 Fittest Woman on Earth, and in 2022, she has her sights set on becoming the fittest 40 year-old in history.

It’s been over 3 years since Sam last joined me on the podcast, so I was excited to have the chance to catch up with her recently to learn more about what she’s been up to lately. We talked about several of the philanthropic endurance challenges she’s taken on, her world record time at the Spartan Games, how she’s adapted her training over the years, and what drives her to continue working hard in the gym, day in and day out.

You can connect with Sam via Instagram @bicepslikebriggs

Ep 72 - Sam Briggs on Going Back to Basics and Training for Longevity

Q+A: Celebrating 200 Episodes PH200

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 01:00:00 -0700

200 episodes of Pursuing Health, wow!

To celebrate, I decided it was time for a long overdue Q+A style episode. Thank you to everyone who responded to my email request for questions; there were so many fantastic ones, and I wish I was able to cover them all!

To make this Q+A session extra special, I enlisted the help of my friend Pat Sherwood. Pat was one of the first people to interview me when I began my career as a CrossFit athlete, so it was a huge treat to catch up with him now, over 10 years later!

Thank you so much for your continued support of the podcast. I know many of you have followed along on my journey from CrossFit Games athlete, to medical student, to physician and I’m honored that you continue to tune in each week. I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to listen and learn from so many amazing guests, from medical experts to elite athletes to everyday individuals with inspiring transformation stories, and it’s a privilege to get to share these conversations with you.

Here’s to 6 years of Pursuing Health, and many more to come!

You can connect with Julie and Pat via Instagram @JulieFoucher, @Sherwood215

Related Episodes:
Ep 100 - Q+A: Your Questions, Answered

Ep 21 - Pat Sherwood on CrossFit, the Games and Quality of Life and Longevity

Roll Up Your Sleeves: Dr. Francis Collins on the COVID-19 Vaccine PH199

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., is the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and the only presidentially appointed director to serve more than one administration. In this role, Dr. Collins oversees the work of the largest supporter of biomedical research in the world, spanning the spectrum from basic to clinical research.

A pioneer gene hunter, Dr. Collins led the Human Genome Project from 1993 until 2008. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007, and the National Medal of Science in 2009 for his revolutionary contributions to genetic research.

In addition to his numerous scientific achievements, Dr. Collins also has a longstanding interest in the interface between science and faith and is the author of The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief.

I have been a fan of Dr. Collins since I first read his book in medical school, and given his role in the response to COVID-19, I was curious to learn more about his insights on how we can bring the pandemic to an end. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, from how the COVID-19 vaccine works, the impact of Long COVID, how lifestyle and precision medicine can play a role in the prevention of disease, and how Dr. Collins reconciles his faith in God with his role as a scientist.

*Dr. Collin’s bio adapted from the NIH website

You can connect with the National Institutes of Health via Instagram @nihgov

Resources:

To find a vaccine near you visit vaccines.gov or text your ZIP code to 438829

All Of Us Research Project

BioLogos Foundation

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Ep 185 - Daryl Cajon on CrossFit after COVID

Ep 164 - Boosting Immunity and Reducing COVID Risk with Dr. Aseem Malhotra

Fighting Parkinson’s with CrossFit: Dr. Jeff Livingston PH198

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Jeff Livingston is a retired maternal fetal specialist who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the relatively young age of 36 after noticing a tremor in his finger.

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative, progressive neurological disorder that leads to reduced dopamine production and can result in tremors, balance problems, stiffness, and even depression.

For many years Jeff did very little to address his symptoms, but as his neurological symptoms increased and the condition grew more and more isolating, his wife and his family encouraged him to face his Parkinson’s head on. He began exercising to increase his dopamine levels and stumbled upon CrossFit. Since then, the changes he’s witnessed in his physical condition and mindset have been powerful.

Jeff and I first connected at an MDL1, and I was interested to catch up with him to learn more- not only how the high intensity component of CrossFit results in an immediate reduction in his Parkinson symptoms, but also how being a part of the CrossFit community has played such a big role in improving his mental health as well.

You can connect with Jeff via Facebook and you can learn more about the annual Fox WOD here.

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Ep 169 - Taking Control of Multiple Sclerosis with Jasmine Joy

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

The Right Dose of Exercise with Dr. Mark Goodman PH197

Tue, 25 May 2021 01:00:00 -0700

The secret to training success? The right type of exercise in the right dose for the right person.

Dr. Mark Goodman is an emergency and sports medicine physician who utilizes this secret to help athletes understand how to make the most of their time spent in the gym. Dr. Goodman received his medical training at Oregon Health and Science University and completed his residency at University of Utah, followed by a fellowship in Sports Medicine. He has worked with athletes of all levels and volunteered as a physician for the Cascade Cycling Classic, USA Olympic Speed Skating and University of Utah team sports.

As the Director of Sports Medicine for Wild Health, a genomics based medicine practice, Dr. Goodman applies his passion for health and performance optimization to provide personalized care for issues surrounding athletes of all levels.

In this episode, Dr. Goodman and I talk about the role genetics play in our response to training, including how they can indicate what our training strengths and weaknesses will be, how much recovery time we need, and which supplements will benefit us the most. We even dig into my personal genomics and talk about some of the factors that might have contributed to my success as a CrossFit athlete.

You can connect with Dr. Goodman via Instagram @precisionsportsdoc

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A Diagnosis Doesn’t Define You: Thriving with Asperger’s PH196

Tue, 18 May 2021 01:00:00 -0700

At age 20, Sarah Adams was surprised to learn she had Asperger Syndrome.

She had taken advanced classes in school, played competitive sports, attended college, and overall enjoyed a happy, healthy childhood.

After receiving her diagnosis, some of the symptoms and signs of the condition she experienced as a child began to make sense.

Rather than feel limited by her diagnosis, Sarah has been able to use this knowledge as a powerful tool, implementing strategies to be successful in both her personal and professional lives. In this episode, we chat about what it was like to be diagnosed with a developmental disorder later in life, how CrossFit plays a role in keeping her balanced, and the importance of surrounding yourself with a community of friends and family for support.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Pace Yourself: Max Finkbeiner and Kate Caines on Metabolic Conditioning PH195

Tue, 11 May 2021 01:00:00 -0700

"Imagine you’re doing thrusters, but you can breathe like you’re going for a walk."

Max Finkbeiner and Kate Caines have developed a methodology to help do just that. By using science, data, targeted assessments, and technology, they derive relative intensity personalized to individuals. These athletes can then use this information to inform their training, making sure to work on all of their energy systems with their own personal targets in mind.

This methodology is not just limited to elite athletes, either. Max and Kate have implemented this style of training with members at their location, as well as remotely, and found that by taking intensity back a notch, their members not only feel better, but also have an increased work capacity even on high intensity efforts. They’ve seen these paced methods elicit improvement across all metrics of health and wellness making training sustainable, purposeful, and vital to a bigger life.

You can connect with Max and Kate via their website and Instagram @tickerfitness.

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Don’t Call it a Comeback: Scott Switzer PH194

Tue, 04 May 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Scott Switzer is a former athlete, CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, and a familiar face at CrossFit events across the country. He has a remarkable transformation story, having lost nearly 250 pounds and reversing his diabetes with the help of his neighbor, his family, and his CrossFit community.

But Scott’s journey has not been without setbacks. Back surgery, a vascular condition, and an ongoing struggle with depression have resulted in regaining weight, but he’s not giving up.

In this episode, Scott shares his incredibly inspiring mindset around how he’s improving his mental and physical health. We chat about the ups and downs of his journey: how he recognized he needed to get help from a professional, how he’s found the courage to make big changes in his life, and how he continues to work his way back towards fitness.

You can connect with Scott via Instagram @clydesdale_fitnessandfriends

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Superhuman: Dr. David Haase on Unlocking your Brain’s Potential PH193

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 01:00:00 -0700

David Haase, MD, is a doctor, teacher, author and innovator. In his practice, he strives to be a super-generalist, looking at the human body as a whole and applying relentless curiosity to identify and treat the root cause of a patient’s disease.

Dr. Haase received his medical training at Vanderbilt University and completed his residency in family medicine at the Mayo Clinic. He is board certified in family medicine, integrative holistic medicine, neurofeedback and functional medicine. He also holds additional training and certifications in nutrition, health coaching, systems biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and precision medicine.

In this episode, Dr. Haase and I talk about the importance of curiosity, the potential of the human brain, and how better questions lead to better answers, specifically in regard to our own health journeys.

Links:
Book: Curiosity Heals the Human
TED talk: Systems and Plasma Regenerating HOPE for Dementia

You can connect with Dr. Haase via the Maxwell Clinic, his website, Facebook and Twitter.

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PGA Pro Scott Stallings on Becoming the Fittest on the Fairway PH192

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Three-time PGA Tour winner Scott Stallings has been a professional golfer since 2010. Despite turning in successful performances on green, off the course, Scott struggled with sleep, excess weight, and lack of energy, all compounded by a grueling travel schedule.

He finally decided enough was enough and made a huge lifestyle overhaul. He worked with a physician to address hormone imbalances and to correct a sinus problem that was causing sleep apnea. He cleaned up his diet, incorporated CrossFit into his training regimen, and developed strategies to stay on track even though his career has him on the road more days than he is home.

To date, Scott has lost over 40 pounds and has improved his lab markers substantially. In this episode, he shares the steps he’s taken to get in the best shape of his life, and the motivation behind this huge transformation.

You can connect with Scott via Instagram @scottstallings

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Ultra-endurance Athlete Katie Spotz on Testing Your Limits Katie Spotz PH191

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Katie Spotz is an incredibly impressive ultra-endurance athlete who has undertaken enormous adventures across the globe to help raise funds for clean water and sanitation for underserved communities.

Just a few highlights: at 22, she rowed solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 70 days, becoming the youngest person ever to do so. In 2020, she ran 138-miles nonstop in 33-hours across the state of Maine. She was also the first person to swim the length of the Allegheny river at 325 miles, she’s cycled across the country, and completed 5 ironman triathlons and countless marathons. Her next adventure will take her cycling across the coastline of Maine, 308 miles from the Canadian border to New Hampshire.

Katie’s drive to test her limits, dream big, and break records is remarkable, all the more so because of the motivation behind it. Worldwide, an estimated 2.2 billion people lack access to a safe, clean water source, and roughly 4.2 billion people live without adequate sanitation services, according to the World Health Organization.

By taking on these challenges, Katie helps raise funds for organizations such as Run4Water and Lifewater International who work to transform lives by providing clean water, and at the same time, she reminds us all that we’re all capable of making a difference in the world.

You can connect with Katie via Instagram @katiespotz, Facebook @hellokatiespotz and her website.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Jess Esch on Treating Yourself with Value PH190

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 01:00:00 -0700

At a very young age, Jess Esch became aware that her shape and size did not fit in amongst her friends. She struggled with years of shame and insecurity and fell into a pattern of starving herself, followed by large binges. By 16, her weight peaked at 220 lbs, and her doctor began discussing the potential for gastric bypass surgery.

Jess was devastated by the idea, and instead turned to her faith to re-frame her mindset. She began to recognize that her value and worth are not determined by her weight. This was the first step in her healing journey. Over time, Jess’s small, consistent changes have resulted in a huge weight loss, and even more importantly, in the discovery that she truly loves living a healthy lifestyle.

In this episode, she shares how she was able to change her mindset from shame to self-love and the tools she used to develop the discipline to change her nutrition and exercise habits.

You can connect with Jessica via Instagram @joyfilledjess

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Chris Kresser on HPA Axis Dysfunction and the Stress Response PH189

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Chris Kresser is a leading clinician and top educator in the fields of Functional Medicine and ancestral health, and the New York Times-bestselling author of The Paleo Cure.

In 2015, Chris founded The Kresser Institute to provide the next generation of functional health practitioners and coaches with the skills and tools they need to turn the tide of chronic disease—and change the future of medicine. Through the Institute, he also created and launched the ADAPT Practitioner and Health Coach Training Programs to train health professionals around the world in his unique approach.

He has appeared regularly in the media, including The Dr. Oz show and Fox & Friends, as well as top-rated health podcasts, such as The Broken Brain, The Doctor’s Farmacy and The Ultimate Health Podcast.

Chris was one of the first people who introduced me to functional medicine, and I was excited to sit down with him to learn more about HPA axis dysfunction, especially as it pertains to high achievers and the CrossFit population. We talked about how stress, both good and bad, can impact the body, strategies to implement for successful behavior change, and how HPA axis dysfunction differs from adrenal fatigue.

*Chris’s bio adapted from his website.

You can connect with Chris via Instagram @chriskresser

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Surviving Colon Cancer: Sharon Cabe PH188

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Sharon Cabe was a young, vibrant, active wife and mother of two, so she was shocked when an exploratory colonoscopy resulted in finding a mass so large that her doctor immediately took her into surgery to remove the growth.

She underwent a year of chemotherapy, and all signs of the cancer disappeared. However, it wasn’t too long before a routine follow-up scan revealed a node in her lung. Her colon cancer had become metastatic. In the 8 years that followed, Sharon underwent a multitude of treatments, including having a portion of her lung removed.

Eventually, just a few short weeks after finishing treatment, Sharon decided to try CrossFit. She had read research indicating that high intensity interval training could reduce colon cancer growth, and her son had been urging her to try it for years. She found an affiliate that felt like a good fit for her, and she took the plunge.

Since starting, Sharon has found that the workouts help her manage her anxiety surrounding scans, and the friends she’s made keep her excited about showing up. Her breathing has improved, and her doctors are impressed with the function of her remaining lung tissue.

For the last three years, Sharon has had clean scans. She credits her faith, her positive attitude, and her active lifestyle with helping her remain as healthy as possible.

You can connect with Sharon via Facebook

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

From Overweight to Fittest in the UK: Zack George PH187

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 01:00:00 -0700

Zack George finished the 2020 Open as the Fittest Man in the UK and 26th worldwide, but hearing this accomplishment, you would never guess how far he’s come.

As a child, a steady diet of sweets and fast food led to him being extremely overweight and self conscious. With the support of his family, he was slowly able to transform from a kid who hated exercise to one of the most athletic teens in his school.

Fueled by the knowledge of how much better he felt living a healthy lifestyle, Zack has made it his mission to inspire others to do the same. In addition to training for the 2021 CrossFit Games, he coaches others at his affiliate, CrossFit BFG, works with remote clients, and has just written a book based on his personal mantra: Start Where Others Stop.

In this episode, we chat about how making small changes can lead to dramatic results, why it’s important to surround yourself with the right community, and why it’s never too late to set big goals and chase them down.

You can connect with Zack via Instagram @zackgeorge and his website.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Growing Into Her Best Self: Haley Morrone PH186

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 01:00:00 -0800

“I have changed so much as a person over these past 5 and a half years, I almost don’t recognize myself. I feel as if I have lived my life as two very different people, but yet I am very much the same person that I have always been.”

In this week’s episode of Pursuing Health, Haley Morrone shares the story of her tumultuous childhood during which she experienced sexual abuse, depression, and drug and alcohol abuse. As she grew up and became a young mother, she found herself facing even more challenges, including smoking, binge eating, obesity, and back pain.

Haley knew she wanted to be healthier, but struggled to overcome the obstacles in her path.

Luckily, Haley’s friends and family didn’t give up on her, and Haley didn’t give up on herself. She decided to educate herself as much as possible so that she could learn how to create long-term healthy habits. She went back to school for Bachelors in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and then joined a CrossFit affiliate while her husband was on an Army deployment.

Once the health and fitness ball was rolling, Haley became unstoppable. She became a certified 500-hour Yoga teacher, got her CrossFit Level 1, opened an affiliate with her husband, completed her Precision Nutrition Level 1 and more.

In this inspiring conversation, Haley and I talk about how she’s always working to grow to her fullest potential, why surrounding yourself with a good community is so important, and how getting outside her comfort zone has led her down a path of wanting to share her story to help and motivate others.

You can connect with Haley via Instagram @haley_racine.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

CrossFit After COVID: Darryl Chajon PH185

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 01:00:00 -0800

47-year old Darryl Chajon didn’t start CrossFit until later in life, but once he did, he was hooked. After several years of regular training, he even set his sights on becoming a competitor. He started ramping up the volume and intensity of his sessions, dialed in his nutrition, and worked hard to get in better shape than ever.

Then, in March of 2020, just as he was preparing for a competition, he came down with extreme fatigue, a cough, and a fever: classic symptoms of COVID-19. His symptoms progressed from mild to life-threatening. He was admitted to the hospital and spent six days alone in the ICU on a ventilator and underwent dialysis when his kidneys began to fail. When he was discharged, taking even just a short walk would leave him exhausted.

Despite experiencing such severe symptoms, Darryl was able to get back to his regular training within 3 months of leaving the hospital and now, nearly a year after he first became ill, he’s fitter than ever. He credits his fitness level prior to becoming sick with saving his life and expediting his recovery, living proof of the CrossFit Sickness-Wellness-Fitness continuum.

You can connect with Darryl via Instagram @darrylchajon

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

A Neurosurgeon on Healing Back Pain with Functional Movement: Dr. David Johnson PH184

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Dr. David Johnson is a brain and spinal neurosurgeon who has had a pioneering role in the establishment of multidisciplinary spinal practices and holistic care for neurosurgical patients in Brisbane, Australia. He is also the co-owner of CrossFit Neuro, the first clinical CrossFit affiliate.

By combining his passion for CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting, neurosurgery, and science, Dr. Johnson works to deliver the fundamental message that learning to move proficiently is key to preventing movement dysfunction which can lead to chronic back pain symptoms.

Many of Dr. Johnson’s patients go on to become members of his affiliate as a part of their recovery process to rehabilitate and to avoid future spine surgery.

I first had the opportunity to hear about Dr. Johnson’s work when he presented at the 2018 CrossFit Health Conference, and I was excited to catch up with him to learn how his practice has changed and evolved over the years. In this episode, we talk about the importance of addressing the root cause of pain rather than just treating the symptoms, and why sleep, nutrition, and stress management also plays an important part in managing and preventing back pain.

You can connect with Dr. Johnson via Instagram @crossfitneuro

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Ep 104 - Physical Therapist and CrossFit Games Athlete Amanda Barnhart

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Pursuing Wild Health: Robb Wolf on The Case for (Better) Meat PH183

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Robb Wolf is a former research biochemist and 2X New York Times/Wall Street Journal Best-selling author of The Paleo Solution and Wired To Eat. He and co-author Diana Rodgers recently released their book, Sacred Cow, which explains why well-raised meat is good for us and good for the planet.

Robb is a longtime CrossFit enthusiast, and he is the co-founder of the 1st and 4th CrossFit affiliates in the world.

Robb has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world via his podcast, books and seminars. He’s known for his direct approach and ability to distill and synthesize information to make the complicated topics easier to understand.

In this episode, Robb joins myself and Dr. Matt Dawson and Dr. Mike Mallin of Wild Health to discuss a broad range of topics, including the online censorship of health communities, why beef can have a place in a healthy diet, and the importance of regenerative agriculture for the health of our planet.

*Robb’s bio adapted from his website

You can connect with Rob at sacredcow.info and join.thehealthyrebellion.com

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Reversing Prediabetes with Dr. Robert Oh PH182

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Seemingly healthy and in his late thirties, Robert Oh was shocked when routine blood work showed that he was prediabetic.

He was at a healthy weight, did CrossFit 3-4 times per week, ate mostly healthy foods, and worked as a military family physician. He had no family history and no risk factors, and he had no intentions of starting the metformin recommended by his colleagues.

The more he researched, the more Dr. Oh began to believe that a statin medication he had been taking for 10 years contributed to his insulin resistance.

Instead of adding another pill to his daily routine, Dr. Oh decided to drop the statin and experiment with his nutrition. He ultimately adopted a Paleo/low carb diet and saw dramatic improvements in the way he felt, his waist circumference, and his blood markers.

Not only did this approach help Dr. Oh reverse his prediabetes, the changes inspired him to pursue a fellowship in Sports Medicine so that he could help others like himself- in the military and unknowingly having insulin resistance- heal through lifestyle medicine as well.

You can connect with Rob via Twitter @RobertOhMD

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Alec Smith: Finding Growth Outside Your Comfort Zone PH181

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Alec Smith is a 3-time CrossFit Games competitor who is perhaps best known for his incredible expertise at gymnastics, and for being one of the first openly gay male athletes in the sport.

He started in gymnastics at age 2, and excelled at the sport through middle school when a car accident forced him to retire. After recovering and dabbling in several other sports, he eventually began training CrossFit alongside his older brother, Ben Smith.

In 2013 Alec qualified for his first Regionals, and by 2017 he was competing at the Games as an individual. In 2019 Alec joined Team CrossFit Krypton and went on to win first at Wodapalooza and second at the CrossFit Games.

Currently Alec is gearing up for the 2021 season by training alongside Brooke Wells in Nashville, TN.

I was excited to catch up with him to learn more about his experience winning team silver at the Games, to hear what his plans are for 2021, and to learn more about how he found the courage to get outside his comfort zone and share his true self with the world.

You can connect with Alec via Instagram @alecsmith8

Related Episodes:

Ep 49 - Ben Smith on Why He Trains and the Evolution of The CrossFit Games

Ep 170 - Brooke Wells on What it Takes to be a Top CrossFit Athlete

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Putting Scleroderma into Remission with Katie Spilka PH180

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 01:00:00 -0800

This week’s story features Katie Spilka who shares her story of being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called scleroderma at age 16 and how CrossFit and a positive outlook have helped her put her symptoms into remission.

Katie was an everyday teenager when she first experienced unusual symptoms, including numbness in her fingers. Because of her family’s medical history, Katie’s mom advocated for her to see a rheumatologist, and conversations with the doctor revealed that symptoms Katie had thought were normal were actually signs of scleroderma.

After 5 years of treatment involving some heavy hitting medications, Katie worked with her doctor to begin weaning off some of her prescriptions. Says Katie, “At this time I was 20 years old and scared yet relieved that I would be able to feel “normal” again. I knew I needed to do more for myself to keep myself well.”

She made the leap to join a CrossFit affiliate and the workouts and community were instrumental in helping her re-build strength she had lost to her disease, as well as providing an incentive to improve her nutrition.

As an adult, Katie, inspired by her rheumatologist, has gone on to become a nurse so that she can help care for others. She continues to experience remission from her symptoms and says, “I have now been weaned off all my medications that I was taking for my scleroderma and trying to take it one day at a time taking the best care of myself that I can!”

You can connect with Katie via Instagram @kspilkz

Related Episodes:

Ep 99 - Dr. Axel Pflueger on Fighting Chronic Disease with Fitness

Ep 169- Taking Control of Multiple Sclerosis with Jasmine Joy

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Half His Size: Physical Therapist Alan Fredendall on Losing 200 Pounds and Introducing Patients to CrossFit PH179

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 01:00:00 -0800

At age 18 and finishing high school, Alan Fredendall topped the scales at over 400 pounds. Climbing a single flight of stairs to attend class on the second story of his school left him wheezing and breathless.

During college, he began a weight loss journey involving body building and lots of cardio, but he hadn’t yet found a way to make sustainable, long term changes. A stent in the Army gave him the motivation he needed to maintain a healthier weight for several years, but it also left him looking forward to the day when he would get out so that he could “never exercise again.”

Once Alan left the Army and went back to college to finish his exercise science degree, he continued the cycle of inconsistent exercise, yo-yo dieting and huge weight fluctuations.

It wasn’t until a friend introduced him to CrossFit that he finally developed healthy habits that stuck. Although he was reluctant to start, Alan soon ramped up his attendance and quickly learned that good nutrition outside the gym helped him feel better inside the gym.

He came to love being part of a tribe of individuals looking to improve themselves, and appreciates that training with CrossFit allows him to be better in activities outside the gym.

Not only has Alan used CrossFit to improve his own health, he splits his time between working as a doctor of physical therapy and as a Level 2 trainer using CrossFit methodologies to help others who are in his old shoes. He often sees his clients transition from being physical therapy patients to affiliate members attending the classes he coaches.

I first connected with Alan via a virtual physical therapy conference for the Institute of Clinical Excellence, and I was excited to learn more about his remarkable transformation story in this episode. We talk about the approach his friends used to encourage him to make major lifestyle changes, and how he sees CrossFit and physical therapy working together to help individuals stay functionally fit throughout their lives.

You can connect with Alan via Instagram @alan.fred.dpt and the Institute of Clinical Excellence at @icephysio

Related Episodes:

Ep 116 - How Healing Works with Dr. Wayne Jonas

Ep 132 - Healing Through Functional Movement with Dr. Amy West

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Haley Adams: Poised to Top the Podium PH178

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Despite being the youngest Individual competitor at the 2020 CrossFit Games, Haley Adams brought a wealth of experience to the field, including three CrossFit Games podium finishes as a teen competitor.

In 2019, Haley’s first year participating in the Women’s division, she finished in 6th and earned the title “Rookie of the Year.”

In 2020, she continued to climb her way up the leaderboard and left no doubt that even at a young age, she’s ready to be one of the top CrossFit athletes in the world. Despite a tumultuous and uncertain training season, she gave a strong performance and finished 4th, just a few points out of podium contention.

The 2021 season finds her back hard at work in Cookeville, Tennessee where she balances studying at Tennessee Tech with training alongside the likes of Rich Froning and Tascia Percevecz at CrossFit Mayhem.

Haley last joined me on the podcast shortly before she won the title of Fittest Teen on Earth in 2017, so I was excited to catch up with her again and hear how her training has evolved as she’s grown up in the sport, what her 2020 training season looked like, and what’s in store for 2021.

You can connect with Haley via Instagram @haleyadamssss

Related Episodes:

Ep 64 - Haley Adams: A CrossFit Teen with Talent

Ep 79 - Sam Briggs on Going Back to Basics and Training for Longevity

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Living with Lyme Disease: Maddie Tretter PH177

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 01:00:00 -0800

Maddie Tretter was an accomplished Division 1 swimmer at Cleveland State, preparing for the Olympic Trials, when she she started coming down with a laundry list of seemingly unrelated symptoms: panic attacks, nausea, migraines, swollen joints and more.

After trying several treatments with no success, Maddie was encouraged when she finally tested positive for Lyme disease - she figured now that she had a diagnosis, she’d complete a course of antibiotics and be back in the pool.

Despite treatment, her symptoms continued to worsen to the point where she could barely keep down food or walk to the mailbox. At the encouragement of a family friend, she began working with a functional medicine practitioner who used an array of traditional, alternative, and integrative therapies, and slowly her symptoms began to improve.

Says Maddie, “Treating my whole body and not just trying to cover it up with a pill changed my life.”

After nearly two years of treatment, Maddie was finally able to re-join her collegiate swim team and finish out her senior year.

These days Maddie credits prioritizing her nutrition and active lifestyle with helping her remain symptom-free. “I know to stay healthy and functioning I can’t sacrifice the little easy things. Advice I would give to other people going through my experience are not to give up and to always always advocate for yourself.”

You can connect with Maddie via Instagram @maddietretter

Related Episodes:

Ep 73 - Caroline Burckle & Rebecca Soni: Olympic Swimmers RISEing to the Occasion

Ep 104 - Physical Therapist & CrossFit Games Athlete Amanda Barnhart

Pursuing Wild Health: Women are Not Small Men with Dr. Stacy Sims PH176

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 01:00:00 -0800

“If a woman can understand how she feels on different days her cycle, then she can start dialing and being more personalized with her training. When the hormones are low, this is where women have more power, more speed, recover better, have more “mojo” because they have less central nervous system fatigue. Around ovulation, with that boost of estrogen, some women feel bulletproof and other women feel a little bit flat, and then a couple days later they’ll feel bulletproof, so, understanding that as well. And then when you get into the high hormone phase, with estrogen and progesterone being the highest, this is where we want women to deload more, where they’re working functional technique and they’re not doing too much high intensity, they’re not trying to do top-end VO2 work because physiologically you’re fighting your body because there’s so many different metabolic and thermoregulatory and metabolic shifts that happen with the hormones. It’s really hard to do that high, high intensity in the high hormone phase.”
- Dr. Stacy Sims

In the words of Stacy Sims, Ph.D, women are not small men. Dr. Sims is an applied researcher, innovator, and entrepreneur in human performance, specifically sex differences in training, nutrition, and environmental conditions. She is dedicated to educating women so that they can use their natural cycle to their advantage and train with their physiology, not against it.

Dr. Sims earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition from the University of Otago in New Zealand. From there, she began work as an exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist at Stanford University, where she specialized women's health and performance.

During her tenure at Stanford, she had the opportunity to translate earlier research into a science-based layperson's book, ROAR: How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Unique Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong, Lean Body for Life. In the book, she provides insights into how women can adapt their nutrition, hydration, and training to optimize their performance across the lifespan.

Dr. Sims's contributions to the international research environment and the sports nutrition industry have established a new niche in sports nutrition and established her reputation as an expert in sex differences in training, nutrition, and health.

She is a regularly featured speaker at professional and academic conferences, including those hosted by US Olympic Committee, High-Performance Sport NZ, and USA Cycling, and is a Senior Research Associate at AUT University.

I was first introduced to Dr. Sims's work by Dr. Matt Dawson and today's co-host, Dr. Mike Mallin of Wild Health, and since then, it's seems like I've heard her name everywhere! So many Pursuing Health listeners have suggested an episode with Dr. Sims, so I was excited to have a chance to chat with her to learn more about her work. We discuss the general differences between male and female physiology, how women can tailor their nutrition, fitness, and hydration to optimize their performance at different times in their cycle, and considerations for peri- and post-menopausal as well as pre- and post-partum athletes.

*Dr. Sim's bio adapted from her website

In this episode we discuss:

Dr. Sims's background and how she became interested in women's health and performance
The general physiological differences between men and women and the female hormone phases
Ways women can adapt their training around their cycle
Methods Dr. Sims's likes for tracking the female cycle
How macronutrient consumption should be adjusted for different times in the cycle
How hormones can affect thirst, and considerations for hydration
The importance of adjusting training intensity at different times during the cycle
Tips to help female CrossFit athletes optimize their training
Changes women experience during peri- and post-menopause and exercise changes that should be considered
Pregnancy and post-partum training and nutrition considerations for athletes
Why fasting is not ideal for female athletes
Lessons Dr. Sims would share with her younger self

You can connect with Dr. Sims on her website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 83 - Pelvic Floor Health for Athletes with Julie Wiebe, PT

Ep 126b - Nicole Christensen on Coaching Pregnant Athletes

Ep 155 - FACTS about Fertility with Dr. Marguerite Duane

Ep 172 - Optimal Health through Genomics Based Personalized Medicine

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday.

Pursuing Your Passion with Jonny + Libby Diaz PH175

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 01:00:00 -0800

“I think the biggest thing that I take away are these transferable skills where, you would think that touring the country and hustling and making it happen in that way is specific to music, but it’s really not. That’s going to help us in the future with our gym, it has already as we bootstrapped the gym and figured that whole thing out, and even with our kids, just that idea of one step at a time. All you have control over is your next step. And that was all the music ever was, too, what’s my next step? What’s my next step? I never… It took me probably five years of doing music full-time to actually admit that I was a musician. I was always like, “Well, I’m doing music until I have to get a real job.” And then maybe five years later I was like, “I guess I’m a musician, I guess I should own that.” So yeah, it’s been fun to see how those skills kind of move into to different areas as well.”
- Jonny Diaz

Jonny Diaz is a contemporary Christian singer and songwriter with a number of chart topping albums, including More Beautiful You which has appeared on several Billboard magazine charts, but his heart wasn't always set on being a musician. He originally planned to focus his efforts on baseball, and attended Florida State University on a baseball scholarship. As the fourth of four brothers to attend college on a baseball scholarship, two of whom have played professionally, a career in baseball seemed a natural fit. However, while Jonny was in school, he also began to develop his musical talent. Ultimately, he discovered that by working hard and pouring his time and energy into his passion for music, he was able to turn something he loved into his professional career.

Libby Diaz grew up in Florida and fell in love with movement mechanics at a young age when she began using functional fitness to elevate her soccer training. She went on to play collegiate ball at Florida State University, and after graduation she slowly grew her hobby of leading fitness classes for friends into her own business. She started small, with an outdoor boot camp, and as her clientele grew she began renting space from other facilities until it became clear it was time to go all-in and pursue her passion.

Together Jonny and Libby opened Fit Factory Nashville, a huge functional fitness gym with an incredibly close-knit community.

I first met Jonny on an airplane, and over the years we've kept in touch through social media. I'm so impressed and inspired by the way he and Libby have charted their own course as they've established non-traditional careers. In this episode, we chat about how they turned their hobbies into thriving careers, how they navigate the challenges of owning their own businesses, and how they create balance in their lives as parents and busy entrepreneurs.

In this episode we discuss:

Jonny and Libby's backgrounds and how they met
The road to pursuing their passions after college
How Libby turned her hobby into a business she’s passionate about
How Jonny started a career in the music industry
How Jonny and Libby started CrossFit
The rewards and challenges of turning their passions into their careers
How they protect their time to create balance in their lives
Things that have helped them navigate some of the challenges of owning their own businesses
The power of having a mentor
What their fitness routine looks like now that they have three kids and two businesses
Lessons they’ve learned from the challenge associated with COVID
Creative solutions to keep their coaches members bought into the business during COVID
Three things Jonny and Libby do on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on their health
One thing they struggle to implement that could have a big impact on their health
What a healthy life looks like to Jonny and Libby

You can follow Jonny on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. You can follow Libby on Instagram, and you can follow Fit Factory Nashville on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Links:

Jonny Diaz on Spotify
Logan Gelbrich, Deuce Gym
BirthFit
ROMWOD
Whole30
Some of Libby's favorite toe mobility: Exercise 1, Exercise 2, Exercise 3, Exercise 4

Related episodes:

Ep 01 - Rich Froning on Competition, Shifting Priorities, and Discovering His Purpose

Ep 51 - Dick Costolo on Taking Risks and Finding Fitness

Ep 41 - Graham + Savanna Holmberg: From Fittest Man, to Faith and Family

Building Stronger, Smarter, High Character Kids PH174

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 01:00:00 -0800

We noticed her speech was definitely years ahead of her age, her confidence, her ability to walk into a room and own it, and other people started noticing all of these social, emotional, physical things about her, and we’re like, “yeah, it really works.” Through physical activity you can really have an impact on a child’s social-emotional health, you can. Mental health, speech, everything. So, Matt said, if we want this for her, imagine how many parents would also be interested in this? This was five years ago, exactly five years ago, when we started KidStrong.”
- Megin Sharp, KidStrong Founder

Observe a KidStrong class, and you'll see what looks like a child's dream playground. Kids climbing ropes, swinging from rings, crawling around obstacles. While you can immediately see that these kids are becoming physically stronger and more capable, they're also developing life skills that aren't immediately visible to the naked eye.

KidStrong is a child development training center focused on brain, physical & character development for young children. Their curriculum is designed with the goal of promoting a strong body, strong brain, and strong character. Based on developmental science, they leverage knowledge from experts in the fields of pediatric occupational therapy, child development, sports physiology, and physical education to create a program focused on helping the entire family. Classes include physical activity, public speaking, affirmations and more.

Founders Matt and Megin Sharp originally created KidStrong for their daughter Ella, to help her become strong and independent. Megin has a Masters Degree in Physical Education, and Matt has a wealth of professional coaching and tech experience. When Ella became old enough for play groups, they was dissatisfied with the un-structured approach of the options available to her, so they put their heads together and developed the beginnings of KidStrong. What started as a small class of children in a warehouse has grown into a nationwide program empowering kids and families.

Matt and Megin have created an amazing program in KidStrong, and I was excited to learn more about how they developed the curriculum, the science behind the program, and to hear some incredibly heartwarming stories of how KidStrong is helping kids excel at life.

In this episode we discuss:

Matt and Megin’s background and the inception of KidStrong
Skills that children learn in KidStrong and how it helps their mental, physical and emotional development
The importance of parents being part of the community, too
How Matt and Megin protect the culture of KidStrong to ensure excellence across all locations
The structure of a typical class
Ways KidStrong helps children excel at life
Stories of how KidStrong has helped families
The importance of kids having coaches and role models beyond beyond their parents
How families can get involved in KidStrong
Three things Matt and Megin do on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on their health
One thing they struggle to implement that could have a big impact on their health
What a healthy life looks like to Matt and Megin

You can follow KidStrong on their website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 17 - Juliet and Kelly Starrett on Standing Desks and Movement for Kids

Ep 68 - Pat and Taz Barber on CrossFit, Coaching, and Kids

Ep 73 - RISEing to the Occasion with Olympic Swimmers Caroline Burckle and Rebecca Soni

Small Steps, Big Results: Carrie McCall PH 173

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 05:57:52 -0800

“For all my friends who are struggling to find where to get started, just do something. Just find something you love. It does not have to be CrossFit. I love CrossFit, and I would love if you loved CrossFit, too, so we could talk that language together, but just find something. Just start. Baby steps. You’ll be far more successful just by taking baby steps instead of trying to do everything all at once.”

- Carrie McCall

“I knew I was overweight and it wasn’t healthy but I didn’t know what to do about it.” At just over 5 feet tall and over 220 pounds, Carrie McCall spent the first 25 years of her life struggling with being overweight.

Carrie’s childhood got off to a tumultuous start when, at just 18 months old, her mother passed away. Then, as a young girl, her brother was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes. Too young to fully comprehend these illnesses, Carrie grew to be fearful and anxious of doctors and hospitals. Says Carrie, “I lived in fear that something was going to happen to me and I was going to die early. I became fearful of going to the doctor. If I never went to the doctor, they couldn’t tell me bad news. If I didn’t know about a problem, I could ignore it, right?”

It was at about this same age when Carrie began to notice she looked different from other kids and started getting teased for her size. Her family was loving and encouraged her to take up physical activities, but Carrie continued to gain weight, and continued to grow more uncomfortable in her own skin. She turned to food for comfort, and a habit of emotional eating began, fueled by her fear of dying young like her mother.

Then, at age 25, Carrie had an epiphany. She was severely overweight, on the couch watching The Biggest Loser while eating McDonald’s, and she realized she had outlived her mother! Still fearful of the medical world, she knew she needed to make a change if she was going to avoid the doctor in the future.

She started her journey very simply, by walking three days per week and reducing her calories. As she became more comfortable with exercise, she added in the elliptical, then fitness videos with light weights. She started planning her meals and cooking more. Slowly, the weight began to come off.

A move to a new city prompted Carrie to join a globo gym where she began working with a trainer who encouraged her to lift heavier weights and introduced her to CrossFit-style workouts. Carrie loved how strong and capable it made her feel!

She’s also quick to note that her progress hasn’t always been linear. While attending seminary, Carrie struggled with stress and academic pressure and her emotional eating returned, leading to re-gain some weight.

Luckily, this time she had tools to help her succeed. She remembered how much she loved CrossFit, and after finishing school she joined an affiliate. Being surrounded by a community invested in healthy living has made all the difference as Carrie works daily to find a healthy balance.

Carrie says, “My journey isn’t one that paints a picture of perfection. My weight is always fluctuating. Some years, it is higher than I want it (or where my doctor would even like it). There are still times where I allow stress and emotional tendencies to creep back into my coping mechanism. However, I am so proud of the progress I have made. I get up every morning and I move my body. I try to plan my meals in advance especially in seasons of high stress. Looking back to where I was 10 years ago, I can see how far I have come. I may have lost several pounds but I have gained so much more. I can see what was hiding behind the excess weight… a strong, sassy, and capable young lady.”

Carrie has been a member of the Pursuing Health community since the beginning, and I'm so excited that she's been willing to share her story. I think it’s so inspiring and will ring true for so many people who know they need to make a change, but aren’t sure how to get started.

In this episode, we chat about how the loss of her mother at an early age shaped her views on health, how Carrie manages her emotional eating, and why she considers herself a professional scaled athlete.

In this episode we discuss:

Carrie’s experiences growing up as an overweight child
How Carrie approached her weight loss with a strategy of small steps
What prompted her to join a gym and start working with a trainer
What led Carrie to attend seminary and how the stresses that came with pursuing that path led her to regain some of her weight
Her introduction to CrossFit
How Carrie benefited from the community aspect of CrossFit
How CrossFit has helped her ministry
How Carrie forges ahead when the challenges of her work feel overwhelming
Advice she would give to her 12-year old self
Advice she would give to someone who knows they need to make a change, but who is struggling on where to start
Three things Carrie does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she struggles to implement that could have a big impact on her health
What a healthy life looks like to Carrie

You can connect with Carrie on Instagram.

Related episodes:

Ep 33 - Bob Harper on CrossFit, The Biggest Loser, and Prioritizing Health

Ep 48 - Jen Widerstrom: Health, Habits, and Why you are Enough

Optimizing Health through Genomics Based Personalized Medicine PH172

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 01:00:00 -0800

“The model of medicine where you base treatment of patients on statistics and epidemiology- what works for most people- we felt like we could do better as a society and as a group of physicians, and that’s what took us down the route of creating Wild Health and focusing on precision medicine.”
- Dr. Matthew Dawson, Wild Health CEO

Can human performance be optimized by tailoring medical care to each patient’s unique genetic makeup?

Matt Dawson, MD and Mike Mallin, MD are the co-founders of Wild Health, a healthcare clinic using a genomics-based personalized medicine approach.

Dr. Dawson has been a life-long athlete focused on optimizing performance. He received scholarships to play two sports in college even with self-professed "minimal talent" because of his voracious reading and implementation of any fitness or nutritional techniques that would give him an edge. He continued that obsession into medical school at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and as a physician he has won numerous national awards for education, innovation, and leadership.

Dr. Mallin has been in medical practice for 10 years, but obsessed with health, physical performance, and longevity his entire life. He attended the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and currently practices in Bend, Oregon. Dr. Mallin is board certified in emergency medicine and has completed a fellowship in point-of-care ultrasound.

Dr. Dawson and Dr. Mallin met during their Emergency Medicine residency in Salt Lake City, Utah, where they bonded over their life-long passion for optimizing performance. Throughout their residency, they continuously self-experimented with nutrition, fitness, and recovery techniques to give themselves a competitive edge.

Together they have gone on to grow several businesses, create apps, and author two textbooks. Most recently they founded Wild Health where they use a medical approach rooted in the lessons they learned during their time self-experimenting as residents.

Wild Health utilizes a team of medical professionals to look at an individuals unique genetics, lab results, microbiome, and lifestyle factors in order to craft a precision treatment plan that fits the patient's health, fitness, and longevity goals.

I recently had the opportunity to appear on Dr. Dawson and Dr. Mallin’s Wild Health podcast, and I was excited to catch up with them at their home base in Lexington, Kentucky to have them as guests on Pursuing Health. We talked about how they became interested in genomics and personalized medicine, how using an objective Health Score can motivate patients to make lifestyle changes, and the processes they’re implementing to make precision treatment plans the future of medicine.

In this episode we discuss:

Dr. Dawson and Dr. Mallin’s backgrounds in health and fitness, and why they decided to go into medicine
How Dr. Dawson and Dr. Mallin met and some of the adventures they shared during residency
The nutrition and biohacking they experimented with as they went through their medical training
How Dr. Dawson and Dr. Mallin came to recognize that genomics were integral to practicing medicine
What personalized medicine/genomics-based medicine means
What the patient process looks like
Using an objective Health Score to help motivate patients and give them a way to track progress
How Wild Health uses health coaches to be more hands-on with their patients
The Wild Health Fellowship
The tipping point that allowed them to go all-in with Wild Health, and what their vision for the future looks like
Three things Dr. Dawson and Dr. Mallin do on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on their health
One thing they struggle to implement that could have a big impact on their health
What a healthy life looks like to Dr. Dawson and Dr. Mallin

You can follow Wild Health on their website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 78 - Lifestyle and Brain Health with Dr. David Perlmutter

Ep 109 - All About Functional Medicine with Dr. Elizabeth Bradley, Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine

Ep 120 - All About Keto with Dom D'Agostino

Benefits of High Intensity Interval Training for Brain Optimization PH171

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 01:00:00 -0800

“When we think about exercise in general as sort of a hermetic stressor, it just makes sense to think about, if you’re going to do it at a higher intensity and have these repeated hormetic stressors, you’re going to get an overall greater response. It’s a lot of the same mechanisms that we see for exercise causing a lot of great brain health and cognitive benefits, but we’re just seeing it to a greater degree.”
- Julie Foucher-Urcuyo, MD

In this special edition of Pursuing Health Pearls, I'm joining Dr. Matt Dawson and Dr. Mike Mallin at the Wild Health Brain Optimization Summit for an interview-style discussion focused on how high intensity interval training (HIIT) can optimize brain health.

The Brain Optimization Summit featured doctors, scientists, biohackers, and nootropics professionals discussing lifestyle habits and methods to improve mental performance, memory formation, concentration, and professional creativity.

This was a really fun conference, and they’re planning to hold another similar conference on athletic optimization which I plan to participate in, so stay tuned. I’m also excited to share more with you about Matt and Mike when I interview them in next week's episode so stay tuned for that as well!

In this episode we discuss:

The definition of high intensity interval training (HIIT)
How HIIT relates to brain health and why it's advocated to improve brain health
How HIIT can reduce risk of stroke and improve stroke recovery rates
The amount of HIIT required to receive health benefits
The mechanism behind getting brain health benefits from HIIT
High intensity exercise versus moderate intensity exercise
The impact of HIIT on dementia, depression, Parkinson's, and ADHD
How to minimize the risks of HIIT
How to safely introduce it to a sedentary individual
How much HIIT is too much?
The target heart rate for a sedentary ramp up
How to cycle HIIT into your weekly routine
Quick workout recommendations
Supplements to help with joint health
Thoughts on fasted HIIT
A Burpee Challenge! 5 rounds of:1 minute of burpees, 1 minute of rest

You can follow Wild Health on their website, podcast, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 78 - Lifestyle and Brain Health with Dr. David Perlmutter

Ep 159 - Pursuing Health Pearls: Exercise and Why It's So Good For Us

This post was originally published on November 23, 2020.

Brooke Wells on What it Takes to be a Top CrossFit Athlete PH170

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 01:00:00 -0800

Six-time CrossFit Games athlete Brooke Wells was just 19 when she qualified for her first CrossFit Games in 2015, and she's competed at every CrossFit Games since, always placing inside the top 20. This year, at the 2020 CrossFit Games, Brooke earned her best finish yet, placing 5th amongst an elite field of competitors.

When Brooke started CrossFit, she had a natural gift for strength and lifting heavy weights. Combine that with a background in track and gymnastics, plus several years of hard work to improve on her weaknesses, and Brooke has become an incredibly well-rounded athlete who is a consistent podium threat. In Stage 1 of the 2020 CrossFit Games, she finished in the top 10 on every event, proving there are very few holes in her game.

Looking ahead to the 2021 season, she's excited to start improving upon her strength numbers again and to inch her way up the leaderboard even further.

She's also excited to be surrounding herself with a training community to help her achieve that goal. Brooke recently relocated from Tulsa to Nashville and has teamed up with several other high level athletes including Will Morad, Alec Smith and Streat Horner to form an environment where she can be challenged to give her best with each session.

In Brooke's second appearance on the podcast, we caught up just a week after Stage 2 of the 2020 CrossFit Games to talk about her experience at the 2020 Games, her plans for the 2021 season, and the legacy she hopes to leave on CrossFit.

In this episode we discuss:

Areas where Brooke feels she has grown the most over the past 6 years
Her 2020 training season
How Brooke decided to move to Nashville
Brooke’s approach to preparing for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the 2020 CrossFit Games
Her typical daily routine
Brooke's experience at Stage 2 of the CrossFit Games
Her impressions on the changes in leadership within CrossFit HQ
How Brooke is preparing for the 2021 training season
How she plans to spend her downtime during the off-season
The legacy Brooke hopes to leave on CrossFit
Three things Brooke does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Brooke

You can follow Brooke on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 47 -Coffee Talk with Katrin, Jen, and Kelley at the Reebok Athlete Summit

Ep 64 -Haley Adams: A CrossFit Games Teen with Talent

Ep 74 - Brooke Wells & Jessica Griffith on Forging Friendships & Striking a Balance

Ep 166 - Three-time Fittest American Woman Kari Pearce on Preparing for the 2020 CrossFit Games

Taking Control of Multiple Sclerosis with Jasmine Joy PH169

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 01:00:00 -0800

“You have something like a major surgery, whether you have MS specifically or whether you have any other type of autoimmune disease or anything like that, but those don’t have to be death sentences. Even though that’s what they feel like when you first get diagnosed, and if the relapses are hitting harder and harder, or if the symptoms are getting worse. It’s easy to think it’s just going downhill. The biggest thing that CrossFit has done for me is to remind me or show me that I can take control of my health. I can take control of what my body does, I can take control of what I put into my body, and all of those things are going to benefit me.”

- Jasmine Joy

To look at Jasmine Joy, you would never know there are lesions on her brain and spinal cord, or guess that rods and screws are holding her spine in place. To the casual observer, 26-year old Jasmine is healthy, happy, and moving freely with full intensity in the gym.

Yet, it is actually because of those three things that Jasmine is capable to live her life with little fear of what is to come. The choice of health, happiness, and movement are life-changing ones.

When she was age 20, Jasmine was preparing for a spinal fusion to treat severe scoliosis. The surgery would help adjust and hold her spine by using two metal rods and at least a dozen screws and would be followed by a daunting recovery process. Jasmine would have to relearn how to stand, walk, move, and function on her own before returning to college.

During the preparation process, the doctors asked a series of routine of questions including, "Do you ever feel numbness, tingling, or pins and needles?" Jasmine told the doctor yes, thinking "who doesn't?" However, the degree, frequency, and locations of pins and needles she was experiencing was not normal and thus, further testing began.

An MRI revealed that Jasmine had lesions on her spinal cord and brain. During what was supposed to be the most fun and social time of her life, Jasmine learned that she likely had Multiple Sclerosis, and she was still preparing for a terrifying spinal fusion to boot.

Jasmine’s fusion was a success, and after an arduous and painful recovery she returned to school, but her health challenges weren’t over. Follow up testing revealed that at just 20 years old, she had Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. Over the next several years her doctors worked to find the right medications to help her as she struggled with pain, allergic reactions and extreme side-effects like depression.

Jasmine also started to make some changes on her own. Driven by having own basic mobility taken from her after her spinal fusion, she was no longer taking movement for granted. She began running, paying attention to her nutrition, and frequenting the gym. Says Jasmine, “I not only realized what a gift movement was by having it taken away, but I also had this looming dread that one day my ability to move might still be taken away, and maybe for good. If there was any chance of that, I wanted to do everything I could now.”

After trying all sorts of fitness, Jasmine ultimately joined a CrossFit affiliate and fell in love with it during her first class. She recognized that in the years to come she might lose some of her abilities, and she knew that when that time came, she would be able to continue by adapting her workouts or finding someone to help her, regardless of how her MS might eventually look.

Now 26, Jasmine has been symptom-free since starting CrossFit, and her MS specialist encourages her to continue with high intensity exercise. CrossFit helps Jasmine forget she even has a terrifying disease with no cure and her doctor assures her that her beliefs as to how she is no longer experiencing symptoms is neither cheesy nor crazy- it’s possible and likely.

The impact CrossFit has had on Jasmine’s life is remarkable. She says, “I know that because of CrossFit, I took control over who I was, who I wanted to be, and the role my conditions would play in my life. I no longer focus on what my body looks like, rather on what it can do. I celebrate new movements and strength, not pounds loss. I look at ingredient lists, and I keep track of macro-nutrients I am taking in, not which food to "cheat" with. I have a massive second FAMILY of people I get to talk to authentically, get to know on good days and bad, workout next to, coach, celebrate with, and just live this life everyday seeing…. I am fully aware that to most everyone, CrossFitters sound like they are this insane cult of people who only talk about CrossFit. However, when you find a community, methodology, and sport that does for you and for countless others what it has for me? How can you not be obsessed with it in some way? CrossFit shapes your life.”

When Jasmine first shared her story with me, I was incredibly inspired by her courage and her desire to focus on the variables within her control as she manages her MS diagnosis. In this episode, we chat about the evolution of her journey, how CrossFit and her CrossFit community have played a huge role in managing her symptoms, and how she keeps a positive mindset in the face of such an unpredictable disease.

In this episode we discuss:

Jasmine’s childhood diagnosis of scoliosis
How her daily life was impacted by the condition
Preparing for major back surgery and how that led to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
What her recovery process looked like
Using nutrition to help manage her MS symptoms
Jasmine’s early treatment plan, which was primarily focused on medication
How she got started with CrossFit and the evolution of her training
How the adaptability and scalability of CrossFit appeals to Jasmine as she approaches her MS long-term
How the rods in her back impact her movement in the gym
How CrossFit and her community have impacted her life
The importance of recognizing that a diagnosis does not have to be a death sentence
Three things Jasmine does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she struggles to implement that could have a big impact on her health
What a healthy life looks like to Jasmine

You can connect with Jasmine via or Instagram or email, jasmine@crossfitfargo.com.

Links:

CrossFit Fargo

Related episodes:

E p 148 - Fighting Back Against Fibromyalgia: Olivia Vollmar

Ep 78 - Lifestyle and Brain Health with Dr. David Perlmutter

This post was originally published on November 9, 2020.

Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng on Avoiding the ICU and Racism in Medicine PH 168

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 01:00:00 -0800

As you learn more, and more, and more about disease, prevention is the key. Why get sick in the first place? Don’t get sick! Why are we going to wait until you’re end-stage or sick as a dog before we try and provide you with help? No. Let’s be smarter with our minds, resources and approaches. It just doesn’t make sense when you think about it, really. A lot of times we’re just putting Band-Aids on [things]. Let’s get to the root cause and, really, stop you from entering the door.”
- Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng

Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng is a palliative care & intensive care doctor based in Ottawa, Canada. As a physician treating critically ill patients, he brings an enthusiasm and passion to the idea of keeping patients out of the hospital in the first place by using lifestyle to prevent disease.

On his podcast, Solving Healthcare, Dr. Kyeremanteng features interviews and discussions on the topic of improving healthcare delivery. He is also the founder of the Resource Optimization Network, a multidisciplinary research group working to reduce health spending, make the ICU more efficient, and improve access to palliative care services.

Dr. Kyeremanteng was one of only two Black students in his medical school class, and as one of the few Black doctors practicing in his hospital today, he is keenly aware of the demographic imbalance in medicine and the resulting challenges Black individuals must overcome to have the same opportunities as their peers. He’s recently launched a healthcare mentorship program to help Black students bridge this gap.

Dr. Kyermanteng’s role in the ICU has put him at the forefront of caring for acutely ill COVID-19 patients, and his experience as a palliative doctor gives him a unique perspective on the challenges facing these patients and their families.

I was excited to hear from Dr. Kyeremanteng on all of these hot topics, and more. We covered a lot of ground in the conversation, from how intensive care medicine and palliative care medicine go hand-in-hand, to the lessons he’s learned from spending time with patients near the end of their lives, to what actions we can start taking now to be anti-racist.

*Photo courtesy of Michelle Dickie

In this episode we discuss:

His background and how he came to practice medicine
Why he chose to specialize in both intensive care and palliative medicine
The overlay between palliative medicine and ICU care
The difference between ICU care, palliative care, and hospice care
Lessons Dr. Kyeremanteng has learned from spending time with patients at the end of their lives
How he developed his passion for disease prevention
Observations Dr. Kyeremantang has had caring for acute patients during COVID
Patterns he’s noticed in patients who thrive after leaving the ICU
Ways Dr. Kyeremanteng helps patients nurture a positive mindset
His experiences with racism both as a child and in medicine
Dr. Kyeremanteng’s youth mentorship program
Lessons he hopes to instill in his three sons
The advice he would give to people to live their life to their fullest
Dr. Kyeremanteng’s advice to people concerned about COVID-19
Actions he would love to see his white colleagues take to fight racism
Three things Dr. Kyeremanteng does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health
One thing he struggles to implement that could have a big impact on his health
What a healthy life looks like to Dr. Kyeremanteng

You can follow Dr. Kyeremanteng on his website, Solving Healthcare, his podcast, and on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 147 – Cancer, Racism, and Speaking Up with Deb Cordner Carson

Ep 149 – The Science of Spontaneous Healing with Dr. Jeffrey Rediger

Ep 164 – Boosting Immunity and Reducing COVID Risk with Dr. Aseem Malhotra

This post was originally published on November 3, 2020.

Three-time Fittest American Woman Kari Pearce on Preparing for the 2020 CrossFit Games PH166

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:00:00 -0700

“I think that’s part of why I love competing, is being side-by-side with people, having the spectators cheer you on and scream you on, and just being in the environment- it’s just so much energy. You push yourself and you don’t think as much about the pain as when you’re doing a workout by yourself. But I’m thankful that there was… because CrossFit ended up sending judges, it was nice that we had a judge, and the gym that we were at had some of their members come and spectate, and my coach- it was really cool also having my coach right there next to me, which is different than any other sort of competition. So, it kind of felt like a competition but also didn’t. Like I said, just because of those factors, but I did my best to keep it the same as a competition setting because, I bet similar to you being an athlete and growing up in gymnastics, just that competition mentality- nothing is like it, and you just bring yourself a little bit higher up than in training.” - Kari Pearce

In just 6 years, Kari Pearce has built one of the most impressive resumes in the sport of CrossFit. A 6-time CrossFit Games competitor, she has been a consistent performer, never finishing outside the top 10 since her rookie season in 2015. She has also earned the title of fittest American female three times and has represented Team USA at the CrossFit Invitational in 2016 in Canada and in 2017 in Australia.

Kari is among the top 5 Fittest Women on Earth who are about to take on Stage 2 of the 2020 CrossFit Games.

Kari has a background in gymnastics and competed for the University of Michigan where where her team won 4 Big Ten Championships. There she also earned her degree in Movement Science from the School of Kinesiology and was three time Academic All Big Ten.

In addition to being a full time athlete, Kari has used her experience with gymnastics, CrossFit, and coaching to develop PowerAbs, which is a core program done by thousands of people around the world.

In this episode we caught up just a couple weeks before Stage 2 of the 2020 CrossFit Games to talk about some of our shared experiences growing up doing gymnastics in Michigan, her collegiate gymnastics career, how she found CrossFit, some defining moments in her Games career thus far, and how she has approached all the twists and turns of this unprecedented season.

In this episode we discuss:

Kari’s background doing gymnastics in Michigan
Why she decided to pursue collegiate gymnastics instead of Olympic gymnastics
Her insights into how the culture of gymnastics can improve to protect young athletes
Lessons in nutrition and recovery that, in hindsight, Kari thinks would have benefitted her as a young gymnast
How Kari got into CrossFit
High points and struggles within her career so far
Kari’s approach to dealing with injuries and finding the right mindset to allow them to heal
Her experience and approach to the 2020 training season
Making the move to Las Vegas
Her reflections on Stage 1 of the 2020 CrossFit Games
Her approach to training as she prepares for Stage 2
Why Kari feels her coaches and training environment are important to her success as an athlete
Her daily routine
The Power Abs program
Three things Kari does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Kari

You can follow Kari on her website, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 36a & 36b - Dominique Moceanu on Gymnastics, Healing and Health

Ep 130 - Kristi O'Connell on Training for Joy and Balance

Ep 145 - 2019 Third Fittest Woman Jamie (Greene) Simmonds

This post was originally published on October 17, 2020.

Thriving on the Unexpected: Cory Schmidgall PH165

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 01:00:00 -0700

“I have learned how to adapt to the unknown and unknowable. I have learned to focus on what I CAN do. This led me to my main mantra to date which is, “What’s the next step?” which is what I focus on in any type of adversity or workout.” - Cory Schmidgall

Cory Schmidgall tried just about every fitness program out there. Nothing seemed to light the fire he remembered from his football days, or satisfied the competitive drive that motivated him to try out for the NFL.

It was while he was recovering from a major surgery, an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion of his spine, that he read about CrossFit. “I tried a few of the WODs at my local rec center. While everyone was looking at me as if I were crazy, I tried Elizabeth. 21 minutes later I was hooked.”

A few years passed, and Cory found that he was struggling with hip mobility and recovery due to inflammation, despite putting extra work in to improve in those areas. A consult with his orthopedist confirmed that he had a genetic degenerative hip disease. At only 37, he suddenly felt twice his age, and began to spiral into a blackhole of self-pity. But his CrossFit community wouldn’t let him. “One day, when I was kicking rocks at our box, one of the other members simply said, ‘Dude, why don’t you just focus on what you CAN do.’ Simple but effective.” From that day forward, Cory took on a new mindset. He began to look at CrossFit as prehab to train for surgery.

In the span of 10 weeks, Cory had surgery on both hips. The pain was brutal. But he remembered his friend’s words of encouragement. “I started slow and again focused on what I could do daily. I started over with all movements focusing on form and rehab. I used CrossFit methodology for rehab, on top of the hip movement rehab, and the CrossFit nutrition protocol to stay on top of inflammation and heal my gut from years of pain meds. I felt I was getting in the best shape of my life prior to surgery but even more so in the months that followed.”

Life wasn’t done dealing to surprises to Cory. A year and a half after his hip surgeries, he was diagnosed with skin cancer, and went back under the knife to have it removed, adding a new scar to his thigh. Just a year later, this was followed by a second cervical discectomy and fusion, adding another level to his previous procedure.

Just as he had before, Cory prepared for these new challenges by keeping his eyes on the horizon, using CrossFit, and by getting his nutrition on point.

Says Cory, “5 years in now, I have learned how to adapt to the unknown and unknowable. I have learned to focus on what I CAN do. This led me to my main mantra to date which is, “What’s the next step?” which is what I focus on in any type of adversity or workout.”

When I first read Cory's story, I was impressed not only by the remarkable mindset he's used to approach so many challenging surgeries, but also by how he's worked hard to develop skills to manage his own panic attacks and anxiety. I was excited to catch up with him to learn more about how identifying his why has been so critical to growing through these obstacles, and how he's using his experiences to help others.

In this episode we discuss:

How sports and injuries played a role in Cory’s life growing up
Pursuing his goal of playing in the NFL
Struggling to find his identity as he retired from sports
The relief of finding an explanation for neurological symptoms he had been experiencing
Cory’s first CrossFit workout
The turning point for Cory’s mindset in approaching his injuries
How Cory is using his experiences to help others
What’s allowed him to grow through these obstacles
Strategies that have been helpful for Cory to manage his anxiety
Cory’s morning routine
Three things Cory does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health
One thing he knows would have a positive impact on his health, but he struggles to implement
What a healthy life looks like to Cory

You can follow Cory on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, or you can listen to his podcast, Anxiety WOD.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 102 - Jason Khalipa and the AMRAP Mentality

Ep 108 - Training Smarter, Not Harder: Prevention and Recovery from Injury with Pure Physio

This post was originally published on October 10, 2020.

Boosting Immunity and Reducing COVID Risk with Dr. Aseem Malhotra PH164

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 01:00:00 -0700

“I think a lot of doctors kind of know this but don’t really… it’s never really been at the forefront of their minds until now. We know, for example, that people who have high blood glucose or type 2 diabetes have worse outcomes from any infection - specifically respiratory infections. So, when I started looking at the literature and also looking at how immune health links to excess body fat, obesity, and type 2 diabetes pre-COVID, the data was very clear that this was a big risk factor for a dysregulated immune system, an immune system that isn’t going to function properly. So, it wasn’t just about the associations that we were drawing from COVID-19 and worse outcomes.”
- Aseem Malhotra

Dr. Aseem Malhotra is a cardiologist with the U.K.’s National Health Service and a world renowned expert in the prevention, diagnosis and management of heart disease.

He is a visiting Professor of Evidence Based Medicine at the Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health in Salvador, Brazil, an honorary council member to the Metabolic Psychiatry Clinic at Stanford University School of Medicine California, and is Cardiology MSc examiner at the University of Hertfordshire, U.K.

Dr. Malhotra is a longtime health activist and a founding member and lead campaigner of Action on Sugar, an initiative which highlights the the harm caused by excess sugar consumption.

Most recently, he has been a vocal advocate for improving metabolic health to reduce vulnerability to disease, including COVID-19, and has authored the book The 21-Day Immunity Plan: How to Rapidly Improve Your Metabolic Health and Resilience to Fight Infection.

Dr. Aseem and I recently sat down to chat about the link between metabolic health and immune function, ways we can improve our own immunity, and why turning the tide in the fight against poor metabolic health will take more than just personal responsibility.

*Dr. Malhotra’s bio was adapted from his website.

In this episode we discuss:

Dr. Malhotra’s background in cardiology and how he became involved in health activism
Why personal responsibility is only a very small factor in the epidemic of chronic disease
How obesity and metabolic health have affected the COVID pandemic
The markers of metabolic health
The link between immunity and metabolic health
Lifestyle factors that optimize the response to vaccines
A broad overview of things we can do to improve our immunity
10 key points for policy makers to address metabolic syndrome on a grand scale
Three things Dr. Malhotra does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health
One thing he struggles to implement that could have a big impact on his health
What a healthy life looks like to Dr. Malhotra

You can follow Dr. Malhotra on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 144 - Pursuing Health Pearls: What COVID-19 is Teaching Us About Our Health

Ep 146 - Pursuing Health Pearls: Understanding and Assessing Metabolic Health

Ep 135 - Immune System Strength with Dr. Leonard Calabrese

This post was originally published on October 2, 2020.

Simple, Sustainable Nutrition with EC Synkowski PH162

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 01:00:00 -0700

“There's no diet plan, there's no 30 day challenge that's going to stick with you forever. You, ultimately at some point, are in the driver's seat.”
- EC Synkowski

EC Synkowski is the founder of OptimizeMe Nutrition, a company dedicated to helping anyone improve their health and well being with simple, non-restrictive diet methods.

EC started CrossFit in 2006 and over time her enthusiasm and hard work led to seminar staff and flowmaster positions for the Level 1 and CrossFit Weightlifting courses, a CF-L4 certification, and a career as a Program Manager with CrossFit, Inc. In 2017, EC stepped down from her position at CrossFit to focus on finishing her second master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine.

From there, she founded OptimizeMe Nutrition, where she focuses on helping individuals understand nutrition physiology and it’s day-to-day application.

She is the creator of the #800gChallenge, a straightforward eating plan that encourages participants to maximize their fruit and vegetable intake and encourages the consumption of whole, unprocessed foods, and it’s slightly more advanced partner, Lazy Macros.

I was excited to catch up with EC for her second appearance on the podcast. We talked about the 10 Principles of Nutrition, the importance of making sustainable changes to our diet, and the nutrition takeaways she’s gleaned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This conversation left me feeling inspired, and Dani and I have decided to run a four week challenge using EC's Lazy Macros approach starting on September 28, 2020 for all of our Pursuing Health subscribers!

Our focus will be on eating 800 grams of fruits and vegetables and meeting protein goals each day, with a leaderboard to track people who demonstrate the most consistency with the 800g, protein, workouts, and sleep.

This challenge will be open to all subscribers at no additional fee. We're hosting a live Q+A for our subscribers on the evening of September 24th to answer all your questions and then we'll get started together on the 28th, so if you're not a Pursuing Health subscriber yet, today would be a great time to join!

In this episode we discuss:

EC’s 10 Principles of Nutrition
Her thoughts on fasting
Why the #800gChallenge has such a positive ripple effect on our nutrition
Her thoughts on the carnivore diet
The Lazy Macro approach
The impacts of under and overeating protein
Why she started The Consistency Project, and why she keeps tracking so simple
EC’s new podcast, The Consistency Project
The nutrition takeaways that have been reinforced by the COVID pandemic

You can follow EC on Instagram and Facebook, or on The Consistency Project podcast.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 95 - Optimizing Your Nutrition with EC Synkowski

Ep 112 - Eating for Longevity with Dr. Valter Longo

Ep 150 - Pursuing Health Pearls: Our Approach to Nutrition

This post was originally published on September 19, 2020.

An Unlikely Antidote to Anorexia with Becky Fox PH161

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 01:47:19 -0700

“My journey to finding myself and my will to live began with finding CrossFit.”
- Becky Fox

The stress of everything was just too much. If she could just lose weight, Becky believed, she would be okay. She drastically cut her calories, restricted food intake and began exercising incessantly. A sophomore in high school, she succeeded only in losing athletic opportunities, a sudden drop in academic performance, and seclusion in her social life.

As her eating disorder consumed her, Becky would constantly think about how many calories she had eaten and how many hours she would need to spend in the gym to work them off. Friends and family became alarmed by her obsession with food and her sudden outbursts, and Becky sought help from a therapist, but it wasn’t enough.

Becky’s health continued to decline, and her bloodwork showed it. Her heart was not able to keep up with her physical state. Doctors stripped exercise from her, forbidding even recreational walks. Soon, depression, suicidal thoughts and self-harm replaced the physical activity Becky had once loved.

Becky’s sister had been by her side throughout her ordeal, and she knew just how important athletics were to Becky. Her sister had heard there was a CrossFit affiliate in their hometown, and hoped it might be a place Becky could go to work out safely and rebuild her self-esteem. “It sounded crazy at the time, putting an anorexic girl who had an addiction to exercise into a gym setting again. Little did I know that a box is very different than the typical gym.”

Becky came to an agreement with her family that if she met her calorie intake goal for the day, she would be permitted to attend a class. “I was hesitant. It was higher calories than I had in about a year, but I wanted fitness back in my life.”

Her first class was terrifying. Becky had developed extreme social anxiety and felt uncomfortable anytime she was away from home. But soon, she found she had a new home. “I could be myself and not worry about what anyone thought. The coaches were patient, everyone was kind, and no one treated me differently even though they could see every vein in my body. It gave me a reason to be OK eating again, fueling my body so I could work out later.”

As time passed, Becky developed close friendships with other members at her box, conquered her fear of food, and returned to a healthy weight. But her battle with eating disorders wasn’t over yet.

“I was always told in recovery that another eating disorder could hit me at any time and it would be something I would have to fight my whole life. Being as stubborn and strong-willed as I am, I never thought that would be me.”

2 years after she started CrossFit, Becky found the pendulum swinging the other way, this time towards binge eating. During the worst of her anorexia, Becky would have a small snack in the middle of the night to help calm her hunger pains and allow sleep. Although her body had returned to a healthy weight, her brain still turned to this old habit as a stress and anxiety reliever.

Becky’s midnight snacks grew to out-of-control binges, sometimes exceeding 2,000 calories a night. She feared her weight gain would be noticeable so she started restricting during the day, which only fed the cycle. Her depression returned with a vengeance, she lacked the motivation to work out, and found it embarrassing to be around her friends from her box.

Once again, Becky’s sister was at her side to help. They moved in together so that her sister could help her control the nighttime binges, even locking food up when it became necessary to break the habit. It was a long road back to a healthy weight as Becky sought to move at a slow pace that would be sustainable for the long term and not mirror her old anorexic ways. Once again, her commitment to fitness and her community helped her overcome her demons.

These days, Becky remains very active with her box, and even married one of the owners! She recently graduated and is helping others as a school counselor. She is a firm advocate for the physical, mental, and social benefits of CrossFit.

“I have had to learn so much about balance through this process and just how important it is in our lives. I have also learned a lot about how important finding self-worth is and not tying it to my body. My body, my weight, my looks do not determine how good of a friend I am or how academically smart I am or how good of an athlete I am. My body is not just to be seen but to be used. CrossFit gave me new goals, and PR's helped me to see my progress and make the journey to recovery worth it. I was getting better, getting stronger, and finding myself, my confidence, and my worth. I cannot thank CrossFit enough because it literally saved my life.”

I first heard Becky's story some time ago, and I think it will resonate with so many women (and men!) who find a new respect and admiration for their bodies when they focus on what it can do, rather than what it looks like. I was excited to have a chance to catch up with her to learn more about how CrossFit helped her overcome her eating disorders, how we can support others who are struggling, and how she's using her experiences to help others in her new role as a counselor.

In this episode we discuss:

The factors that played into Becky developing an eating disorder
How she realized her relationship with food was unhealthy
Becky’s advice on the best ways to approach a family or friend with an eating disorder
How she was able to safely reintroduce exercise into her routine
The importance of trying multiple nutritionists and counselors to find the right fit for you
How Becky’s calorie restriction turned into binge eating at night
Why community support was so important for helping Becky to heal from her eating disorder
Using intuitive eating to establish a healthy relationship with food
Using self care to overcome the self-hatred she experienced with her disorder
What Becky’s life looks like today
How her own experiences help her as a school counselor and a CrossFit coach
Characteristics of CrossFit that led Becky to feel like CrossFit saved her life
How Becky found the right balance for working out at an appropriate volume
Three things Becky does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she knows would have a positive impact on her health, but she struggles to implement
What a healthy life looks like to Becky

You can follow Becky on Instagram, and you can follow her affiliate, SouthWind CrossFit on Instagram and Facebook.

Related episodes:

Ep 85 - Back on Track with Carleen Mathews

Ep 71 - The Sugar Free Revolution with Karen Thomson

Ep 30 - Nadia Johnston on How CrossFit Helped Her to Overcome Eating Disorders and Depression

This post was originally published on September 14, 2020.

Chandler Smith: Brotherhood, Heart, Attitude, Warrior PH160

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 01:00:00 -0700

“I think if I just limited myself to being an athlete I’d be doing a disservice to the other demographics that I represent. I’m a wrestler. I’m a former West Pointer. I’m an Army officer. All these different intersectionalities that are composed within me, and everyone has their own group of intersectionalities that they represent. That’s how you - if you want to create understanding about something that you do that’s outside of the gym - the CrossFit box is a great space for it, because again, of what you said. It’s not a responsibility, but it’s an opportunity that I think should be recognized and capitalized upon.”
- Chandler Smith

In 2012, Chandler Smith set a goal to qualify for the CrossFit Games by 2022. In 2019, he smashed that goal when he placed 15th at his rookie CrossFit Games appearance, and now he's set his sights on climbing up the leaderboard.

The path to becoming an elite CrossFit athlete hasn't always been straight-forward. As a child, Chandler had aspirations of following in his father's footsteps and playing for the NFL. But as a smaller athlete, in high school he decided to focus on wrestling, a sport better suited for his stature.

A lifelong interest in the Army led Chandler to attend West Point, where he would continue to compete as a wrestler and received the Warrior Athlete of Excellence Award in recognition of his mental toughness, coachability, perseverance, and athletic skill.

Following graduation, Chandler was commissioned as an officer and began work as a tank platoon leader. He had previously used CrossFit to help him train for wrestling, but now it became the primary focus for his athletic drive. In 2016, he made a splash onto the competitive scene when he qualified for the Atlantic Regional after finishing 7th in his region during his first complete CrossFit Open.

In 2017, an injury resulting in the loss of part of his ring finger cut his Open season short, and in 2018, a deployment to Bulgaria meant work took priority over training. When he returned to the States, Chandler resumed training with a single-minded focus, and a stellar performance at the 2019 Rogue Invitational earned him a ticket to the Games.

Today Chandler is a Captain in the United States Army as well as the officer in charge of the U.S. Army Warrior Fitness Team. In the lead up to the 2020 CrossFit Games, he's been training with athletes from all over the east coast in an effort to get out of his comfort zone and be as prepared as possible for whatever challenges lay in store.

When Chandler and I recently caught up, I was excited to hear what his 2020 training season has looked like, how his experiences in the Army have helped him grow as a competitor, and to hear his ideas on how CrossFit can improve it's diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In this episode we discuss:

What Chandler’s training has looked like leading into the 2020 CrossFit Games
His background and childhood, and how his parents and the Army have influenced him
Factors that influenced Chandler to attend West Point
How Chandler got into CrossFit
The power of writing down your goals
How Chandler’s success at the 2016 Regionals changed his approach to training
His experience at the 2019 CrossFit Games
Chandler’s role with the U.S. Army Warrior Fitness Team
How COVID has impacted his 2020
Chandler’s decision to sit out the 2020 CrossFit Games following Greg Glassman’s comments
His experience at the CrossFit Community Summit and first interactions with Eric Roza
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within CrossFit
Chandler's experience with being in the racial minority of CrossFit athletes
The importance of being a good role model
His former political aspirations
#BHAW: Brotherhood, Heart, Attitude, Warrior
Three things Chandler does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health
One thing he thinks could have a big impact on his health, but he has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Chandler

You can follow Chandler on Instagram and Facebook.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 157 - Work Hard, Be Kind with Cole Sager

Ep 147 - Cancer, Racism, and Speaking Up with Deb Cordner Carson

Ep 130 - Kristi Eramo O'Connell on Training for Joy and Balance

Ep 52b - Tia-Clair Toomey on Realizing Her CrossFit and Olympic Dreams and Finding Confidence

This post was originally published on September 7, 2020.

Eric Roza: CrossFit’s new CEO on Health, Happiness, and Performance PH158

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0700

“So, you have this term sheet, and the term sheet is non-binding, either party can walk away. The most important part of it is that you’re agreed on some basics for the transaction, and there’s what’s called a no-shop or exclusivity period. Usually lawyers write that, and that says that the seller can’t talk to anybody else. You can do a lot of work, spend a lot of time, spend a lot of money figuring out how this is going to happen. So, instead of talking to any lawyers, I just said I’m going to write this myself right from the heart. So, I wrote - I basically said, “Greg, please don’t shop this deal or try to negotiate it in anyway. I’m not commodity money. I’m a passionate [person] who wants to spend the rest of his life building on your legacy.” And, it was my first version of this notion of being the world’s leading platform for health, happiness, and performance.”
- Eric Roza

When CrossFit, Inc. announced that Eric Roza would be taking over as the new owner and CEO, the news was met with excitement and enthusiasm from the CrossFit community. As a longtime CrossFit athlete and affiliate owner, he has experienced first-hand the power of CrossFit to forge bonds and bring people together, as well as the challenges facing affiliate owners.

Eric brings much more than just a passion for CrossFit to the table. He has a wealth of experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, executive, and consultant.

Eric studied Economics at the University of Michigan, and completed his Masters of Business Administration at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. In 2007 he founded Datalogix and served as CEO until the company was acquired by Oracle in 2015. From there he led Oracle's Data Cloud. Most recently he's served as an executive in residence for a venture capital firm and taught entrepreneur leadership as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Eric is also an active board member for several organizations and supports charitable efforts focused on mental healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship. In his downtime, he enjoys working out with friends, skiing, mountain biking, running, singing, and playing guitar with his band, The House Cats.

I first met Eric about a month ago, and we immediately connected over his vision to make CrossFit “The world’s leading platform for health, happiness, and performance." I was excited to catch up with him to learn more about the behind-the-scenes process for taking over as CrossFit CEO, the key elements that have played a role in the transition, and his vision for the future of CrossFit.

In this episode we discuss:

Eric’s fitness background and how he found CrossFit
How CrossFit has impacted his mental health
Eric's dream of owning CrossFit, and how that dream materialized
How he assessed what needed to be done to transition CrossFit to new leadership
The importance of identifying and communicating with stakeholders
The inception and evolution of the CrossFit Community Summit
The biggest priorities for CrossFit at the moment
CrossFit's new mission to become, "The world's leading platform for health, happiness and performance."
Why CrossFit for health and CrossFit for performance are not separate entities
The notion of thinking “in the box” vs “out of the box:” expanding the idea of what a CrossFit box is, and bringing CrossFit to different audiences
Who will be driving the decision-making process of CrossFit moving forward
Three things Eric does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health
One thing he thinks could have a big impact on his health, but he has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Eric

You can follow Eric on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 58 - Nicole Carroll On the Early Days and Preserving the Culture of CrossFit

Ep 118 - The State of CrossFit with Coach Greg Glassman

Ep 131 - Dave Castro on Changes in Life and the CrossFit Games

This post was originally published on August 24, 2020.

Be Kind, Work Hard with Cole Sager PH157

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0700

“When you think of the CrossFit community, you think of people who are going to the gym to challenge themselves, to be better than they were the day before, and that is such a cool part of the community, and it’s what I fell in love with.”
- Cole Sager

6-time CrossFit Games athlete Cole Sager wants to be known as the kindest person you'll ever meet, and in doing so, he hopes to motivate others to be the kindest, hardest-working version of themselves.

Growing up in a small town in Washington, Cole played sports throughout his youth and aspired to be an NFL player. In 2009 he joined the Washington University Huskies as an invited walk-on, and was one of only a handful of true freshmen to play. At the end of his freshman year, he was awarded the Scout Special Teams Player of The Year award, an honor that would change the trajectory of his life. The honor was awarded based on hard work, and receiving it ignited Cole's drive to always be the hardest worker on the field.

As Cole neared graduation, his goals shifted from playing professional football to becoming a professional CrossFit athlete. Within months of his first CrossFit workout he qualified for Regionals, and just one year after that he established himself a serious contender when he placed first at the 2014 North West Regional and 17th in his rookie appearance at the CrossFit Games.

Eventually, Cole took a leap of faith, resigned from his job as a loan originator, and began training full-time in his home garage gym. With the support of his wife, Genasee, and his coach, Ben Bergeron, he has built a reputation as one of CrossFit's most consistent athletes. Career highlights so far include placing 5th at the 2016 CrossFit Games, 2nd at the 2019 Fittest in Cape Town sanctional, and 3rd at the 2019 Rogue Invitational, but according to Cole, one of his biggest achievements was winning the Spirit of the Games award in 2017, an honor that recognized all the hard work he puts into developing his character.

I was excited to catch up with Cole to learn more about what drives the intensity behind his training, the qualities he values in himself and others, and why he believes developing character leads to athletic excellence.

In this episode we discuss:

How Cole is approaching the 2020 CrossFit Games
How he stays focused on his goals in the face of doubt
Cole’s collegiate football career
Letting go of NFL aspirations and falling in love with CrossFit
Cole’s experience of getting to his first CrossFit Games
How he started working with Ben Bergeron as a coach
The qualities of a good coach
How Cole has developed as a person over the course of his CrossFit career
How he stays driven to train even on days he doesn’t feel like it
The importance of accepting help from others to hold yourself accountable
How Cole’s wife, Genasee, is a vital part of his team
A typical day for Cole and Genasee
Three things Cole does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health
One thing he thinks could have a big impact on his health, but he has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Cole

You can follow Cole on his website and on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 54 - Neal Maddox: From Football to Forty

Ep 56 – Katrín Davíðsdóttir and Ben Bergeron on the Process of Creating a Champion

Ep 76 - Working Against Gravity with Adee Cazayoux

Ep 84 - Chasing Excellence with Ben Bergeron

This post was originally published on August 17, 2020.

Adapting to Muscular Dystrophy with Dano Lotz PH156

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0700

“When I was 12, I played my last season of parks and rec basketball in braces, and after that, everyone was basically like, 'Hey, no sports. Try to limit activity, we don't need you to get hurt because you could seriously injure yourself.' So, it basically turned into video games and reading. I think it was in the best interest to keep me safe, but in my mind I was like, 'So, I don't get to play with my friends unless I'm inside?'”
- Dano Lotz

Imagine being an active kid who loves playing baseball, basketball, soccer- basically anything outdoors. You notice you’re a little slower than your classmates, but you chalk it up to minor differences, and go on playing sports for the love of the game. Then, at age 12, you’re put in leg braces and told you need to stop being active in order to prevent injury. Suddenly your world shrinks to afternoons on the couch, reading and playing video games.

This was the case for Daniel ‘Dano’ Lotz, who was born with a genetic condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. CMT is a form of muscular dystrophy that affects sensory and motor nerves in the extremities, causing nerve degeneration and resulting in muscle weakness. In Dano’s case, his CMT affects his lower legs, including his calves and ankles.

Dano wasn’t about to let his condition hold him back. At 16 he started weight training with the football team at his high school, and he found a new passion. Working out helped him regain muscle mass and motor control, and it gave him the satisfaction of being part of a team. It also ignited a fire to one day become a trainer himself.

As Dano continued to improve and build strength, his mentality changed. Rather than letting his limitations hold him back, he became more and more active- but ended up breaking several pairs of braces, an expensive habit. He decided to stop wearing the braces and continued with his active lifestyle. After several years of working out at traditional gyms and practicing to become a personal trainer, some friends invited him to join them for his first CrossFit workout- Fight Gone Bad.

Dano finished the workout, collapsed to the floor, and fell in love. He would go on to get his Level 1, and then his Level 2 Certificate, and has had the opportunity to compete as an adaptive athlete and to coach at multiple affiliates across the United States. Dano’s tenacity and determination give him a unique perspective as a trainer. As he himself learned what movements he could do, and how to modify the movements he struggled with, he laid the groundwork to be able to empathize with others.

Now, as a full-time trainer, Dano says, “The best thing is that I now get to teach and train others to become the best versions of themselves.”

I first heard Dano’s story several years ago- not too long after he started CrossFit. I was excited to catch up with him and hear how his story has grown and evolved, and how he's using his passion for fitness to inspire others.

In this episode we discuss:

CMT muscular dystrophy: what it is and what it has looked like in Dano's life
How Dano’s childhood and activity was impacted by his condition
Reflecting on how becoming active as a teenager improved his mood and motor function
How Dano became interested in personal training and exercise science
How Dano got into CrossFit
The changes he noticed in his health and physical abilities once he started CrossFit
How he decided to become a CrossFit coach and what that journey has looked like
How his experiences as an adaptive athlete help him as a coach
Making the most of his downtime from coaching during the COVID pandemic
Three things Dano does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health
One thing he knows would have a positive impact on his health, but he struggles to implement
What a healthy life looks like to Dano

You can follow Dano on Instagram and Twitter, and you can follow the Adapting to Life podcast on Instagram and YouTube.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 107 - Play the Hand You're Dealt: Choosing to Thrive with a Rare Genetic Condition and Congenital Heart Defect with Stephen Douglas

Ep 124 - Breaking Barriers with an Adaptive Athlete and Coach Kevin Ogar

This post was originally published on August 10, 2020.

FACTS about Fertility with Dr. Marguerite Duane PH155

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 01:00:00 -0700

“When women learn to chart these observable external signs or symptoms that help them understand what’s happening internally with their hormones, it is so empowering, and we really should be about empowering our patients with this information. I mean, that’s why we encourage our patients to track with they’re their eating, or patients with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar so that they can use that information to to make healthier choices to better improve their overall health and well-being. Fertility awareness based methods are such an incredibly effective tool to educate and empower women, and honestly, engage men back in the conversation of family planning.”
- Dr. Marguerite Duane

Dr. Marguerite Duane is a board-certified family physician and co-founder and Executive Director of FACTS, the Fertility Appreciation Collaborative to Teach the Science. She serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Georgetown University, where she directs an introductory course on natural or fertility awareness based methods of family planning.

She is a practicing direct primary care physician and she has served on the board of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the Family Medicine Education Consortium (FMEC).

After receiving a Bachelor of Science with Honors and a Master of Health Administration from Cornell University, she earned her medical degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and completed her family medicine residency at Lancaster General Hospital.

During her residency, she was surprised to hear her senior resident explain to a postpartum patient that there is a way women can learn to manage their fertility without any medical side effects, such as those that occur from hormonal birth control. She wondered how it was possible this topic hadn't been covered in her medical training.

This insight planted the seed that changed the trajectory of her career. Dr. Duane began to focus on learning more about these methods, for her own personal health as well as that of her patients. She went on to complete training in the Creighton Model of natural family planning and has since made it her passion to educate other healthcare providers and patients.

After recently completing the FACTS course for medical students and residents myself, I was excited to have the opportunity to chat more with Dr. Duane about the basics of the female cycle, the efficacy of natural family planning, and the science behind fertility awareness based methods.

*Dr. Duane's bio adapted from the FACTS website.

In this episode we discuss:

How Dr. Duane became interested in fertility awareness based methods
How FACTS came to be
The need to educate doctors about FABMs
The benefits of being in tune with your cycle
The efficacy of this method and the best way to get started
The basics of the female cycle, and what women can observe throughout their cycle
How following your cycle can give insights to your health
How FABMs can help explain underlying reasons for infertility
Where to look for a practitioner and how to get started
Factors to consider when choosing the right method for yourself
Preferred apps and what to look for when selecting an app to use
The value of using FABMs to help with underlying medical conditions
Dr. Duane's experience with Teen STAR and the benefits of learning these methods from an early age
Three things that Dr. Duane does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she struggles to implement that could have a big impact on her health
What a healthy life looks like to Dr. Duane

You can follow the Fertility Awareness Collaborative to Teach the Science (FACTS) on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 83 - Pelvic Floor Health for Athletes with Julie Wiebe, PT

Ep 126b - Nicole Christensen on Coaching Pregnant Athletes

This post was originally published on August 3, 2020.

Mat Fraser + Sammy Moniz: Sweethearts on a Mission PH153

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 06:11:51 -0700

“If you're wrapping up your identity in the results… there’s a lot of things that go on that you have no control over that can sway the results big time. So, if you’re basing your identity off those results… it might go right, but… There’s only two options when you sign up for a competition, either you’re going to win or you’re going to lose. I try to base my identity off of the effort that I put in. I hope that if the results aren’t what I was looking for, I hope that I’m still able to hold my head high and be proud knowing that I did everything I could.”
- Mat Fraser

Four-time Fittest Man on Earth Mat Fraser is arguably the most dominant competitor the sport has ever seen and has stood on the podium at the CrossFit Games every year he has been in attendance. He earned silver in 2014 and 2015, and for the last four years he's earned gold, typically with a huge margin of victory.

Mat is the son of two Olympic athletes and growing up he was an Olympic hopeful himself, but the road to becoming the Fittest on Earth hasn't been without challenges. As a teenager he struggled with alcoholism and made the choice to become sober at 17. At 19 he suffered a fractured back, an injury which sidelined his Olympic weightlifting career, but would ultimately lead him to try CrossFit. Since graduating from the University of Vermont with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business, Mat has become a full-time athlete and trains in Cookeville, Tennessee alongside some of the best CrossFit athletes in the world.

Mat's fiancé, Sammy Moniz, holds an impressive resume in her own right. A former Reebok affiliate manager, she is now the brains behind Feeding the Frasers. What started as a Instagram account documenting her love of cooking has grown into a website, e-book and upcoming cookbo0k, all a testament to Sammy's desire to make the people in her life feel loved and cared for.

Mat and Sammy are a powerhouse couple who need virtually no introduction in the CrossFit space, and I was excited to catch up with them in their home in Tennessee. We shared lots of laughs as we talked about how they met, what inspires them to give their best in all their endeavors, their take on the recent changes in CrossFit, and where they see themselves in the next 5 to 1o years.

In this episode we discuss:

Mat & Sammy's day-to-day lives
Some of the experiences and challenges from their lives that they've learned from and have contributed to their successes today
The lessons Mat learned from breaking his back
How Sammy became interested in food and cooking
How Mat’s diet has changed since meeting Sammy, and the changes he’s noticed since improving his nutrition
How Mat’s parents' Olympic career impacted his mindset
Why Mat decided to pursue engineering in college
Sammy's college experience and how she ended up at Reebok
How Mat and Sammy started dating
Mat’s experience with alcoholism and sobriety
What it’s like for Sammy to watch Mat compete
Mat and Sammy's plans for the future
The story of the hype music in the tunnel at the CrossFit Games
How COVID has affected Mat’s training and their lives
Mat's first impression of Eric Rosa and what he hopes to see for the future of CrossFit
What motivates Sammy & Mat every day
Why it's important not to concern yourself with what other people think
What's next for Feeding the Fraser's
Three things Mat and Sammy do on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on their health
One thing they think could have a big impact on their health, but they have a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Mat and Sammy

You can follow Mat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can follow Sammy on her personal Instagram, on the Feeding the Fraser's website and on Instagram and Facebook.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 57 - Annie Thorisdottir + Fred Aegidius on Team Work and Individual Performance

Ep 56 – Katrín Davíðsdóttir and Ben Bergeron on the Process of Creating a Champion

Ep 52a + 52b - Tia-Clair Toomey on Realizing her CrossFit and Olympic Dreams and Finding Confidence

This post was originally published on July 21, 2020.

Overcoming Grief & Losing 65 Pounds PH152

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 01:00:00 -0700

“We have life changing events, and at the time, they feel as if they are life-ending but they really mold us into somebody who we are meant to be.”
- Marti Giambruno

“My first memory of waking up in the recovery room was the consent beep of the monitor. A feeling of impending doom consumed me as my doctor leaned over the stretcher and said, ‘Everything went well. We got it all, and the biopsy came back benign. Marti, 80% of your problem is what you put in your mouth and the stress you carry.’”

Another 9 months would pass, and Marti’s weight would top out at 198 pounds before she was ready to act. It was one year after her husband, John, lost his battle with lung cancer, and on his birthday Marti had the first of many epiphanies. She was tired of the pain, fatigue, and the shame of being overweight, and unhealthy.

She wanted to change, but had no idea where to begin. She realized she just needed to make just one small step to start. So, she rose one morning, laced up her shoes and walked. Each day Marti added a few more steps. Within a couple of weeks, she was walking 1.5 miles around her lake. “I felt something I hadn't since before my husband was diagnosed: control.”

Next, Marti made adjustments to her diet. She added new forms of exercise. Before she knew it, she had lost 65 pounds and was sleeping and feeling better than she had in years. Says Marti, “I felt like I was winning. Imagine feeling like a success while mourning the loss of your husband.”

In January 2015, Marti found the courage to walk into CrossFit Hyperperformance and was warmly greeted. She couldn’t wait to return the next day, and she became a regular member for six months, until she needed to move to return to the workforce.

“The next year was profoundly revealing. My position as a cardiovascular technologist in Interventional Cardiac Medicine demanded far too much of my time, and there weren't enough hours in the day to make it to the gym. I gained weight, was tired, and achy. My family needed me.” Realizing she needed to heal physically, mentally, and spiritually, Marti stepped back from her new position and sought to resume her new-found healthier lifestyle.

She joined CrossFit Palm Beach, where her coaches share the idea of fitness being a process of the mind, body and spirit. “The paradigm shift directing me to whole health has taken hold. At 56, I have more energy, and strength, focus, courage, faith, and desire, which enables me to live young, beautiful and strong in mind, body, and spirit.”

Marti is now making the shift to Integrative Medicine to focus on lifestyle changes that improve patient outcomes. She hopes to reach out to those in situations similar to hers to share the message that health, wellness, and fitness must co-exist to produce the changes needed to “Heal Thy Self.”

Says Marti, “The day John proposed to me, he declared his faith, which empowered me 3 years ago, and still does today. ‘Marti,’ he said, ‘I have faith and peace knowing that if either one of us passes, the survivor will not only pick up the pieces and move forward but become stronger because of it.’” To this day, Marti strives to uphold his vision and share her gratitude with those who've provided the means for her to get where she is, and where she is going.

In this episode we discuss:

Her background and the evolution of her health
What prompted Marti to start making changes to improve her health and how she got started
How CrossFit and exercise helped Marti through her grieving process
Recognizing the importance of balancing her caring for own health with a stressful job
Her advice to others who are unhappy with their health and want to make a change
Three things Marti does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Marti

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 48 - Jen Widerstrom: Health, Habits, and Why You Are Enough

Ep 84 - Chasing Excellence with Ben Bergeron

This post was originally published on July 9, 2020.

Mentally Tough: Kristin Holte, Second Fittest Woman on Earth PH151

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 18:00:00 -0700

“I can say with probably 99% [certainty], I would never be at the Games if it weren’t for my mental coach. I think I would be good but I would’ve gotten fourth place instead of third place at the 2014 Regionals, and who knows what would’ve happened after that, but I think that was the edge that I had in my training. I was not better physically than any of the other girls there, I just performed when I had to and when the pressure was at its highest. And I think that’s what kept me in the game for all these years, too. I perform at Regionals every single year. If you looked on paper, my stats are not super good compared to a lot of the other athletes, but I am able to PR. I’ve PR’d my snatch in every single Regional since I started. I am able to perform when it really, really matters. And that’s the difference, that’s where the mental training comes in.”
- Kristin Holte

Over the last 8 years, Kristin Holte has been quietly climbing her way to the top of the CrossFit Games leaderboard.

A native of Oslo, Norway, Kristin grew up in an active household and competed in a variety of sports, including gymnastics, track and field, soccer, triathlons and cross country skiing. The work capacity and discipline she developed in her youth would help lay the groundwork for her success as a CrossFit Games athlete, where she is known to excel at endurance events and gymnastics movements.

Kristin has competed at last 6 CrossFit Games, never placing outside the top 20. After spending two years in 7th place, Kristin knew she wanted to go from good to great. She doubled down, surrounded herself with a team of coaches, and addressed as many nuances in her training, nutrition, and recovery as possible. The attention to detail paid off with a second place podium finish at the 2019 CrossFit Games in Madison. Her third place finish in the 2020 CrossFit Games Open earned her an invitation to this year's Games, and Kristin is excited to return to the Ranch to continue to put her training to the test.

Since qualifying for her first Regional, Kristin has also put a tremendous amount of focus into training her mind and credits her competitive edge to her mental game. With the help of a mental coach, she has improved her confidence and her ability to perform at her best under pressure by using a variety of exercises including an intensive training camps, visualization, mantras, and more.

Kristin and I first competed alongside each other at the 2014 CrossFit Games, where as a rookie she took an event win in Triple 3. I was excited to catch up with her to learn more about her mental training game, how she continues to improve as a competitor year after year, and why she believes that when it comes to training volume and intensity, sometimes less is more.

In this episode we discuss:

How Kristin’s training and day-to-day life has been impacted by coronavirus
Her thoughts on the CrossFit Games being hosted at the Ranch, and how she’s preparing for the Rogue Invitational
What it was like growing up in Norway
How Kristin found CrossFit
The importance of using a mental coach for her training
Exercises Kristin does with her coach to improve her mental game
Overcoming a lung injury and realizing the impact of her mental training
Her experience making the podium at the Games
Her mindset after placing second at the 2019 CrossFit Games
Where Kristin is at in her recovery process from a wrist surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The factors that have played into her ability to improve every year
The key people on Kristin’s team
Why she uses a nutritionist even though she’s a nutritionist herself
How she’s preserving her longevity in the sport
Her proudest CrossFit accomplishments
What Kristin enjoys when she’s not training
Her outlook for her career and future
Three things Kristin does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Kristin

You can follow Kristin on Instagram and Facebook.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 08 - Chris Hinshaw on Regaining Functionality and Endurance Coaching and Programming for the CrossFit Community

Ep 79 - Sam Briggs on Going Back to Basics and Training for Longevity

Ep 101 - Building a Champion Mindset with Dr. Joe Janesz

Ep 91 - Mind Over Matter: Improving Performance in Athletics and Beyond with Sports Psychiatrist Dr. MaryEllen Eller

This post was originally published on June 27, 2020.

The Science of Spontaneous Healing with Dr. Jeffrey Rediger PH149

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 18:00:00 -0700

“I think spontaneous healing is a lot more common than we realize. I’ve asked a room of doctors before, 'How many of you have seen a case of unexplained recovery that you didn’t think was possible and it happened?' Well, lots of doctors raise their hands. And I asked how many had reported it. No one had reported it. And I was loathe to report things myself, because, first of all, how are you going to get it published if you do all that work, and if you do get it published how are your colleagues going to view it?” - Jeffrey Rediger, MD, MDiv

Jeffrey Rediger, MD, MDiv, has spent over 15 years studying spontaneous healing and pioneering the use of scientific tools to investigate recoveries from incurable illnesses.

He is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, is the Medical Director of McLean SE Adult Psychiatry and Community Affairs at McLean Hospital, and is the Chief of Behavioral Medicine at Good Samaritan Medical Center. Dr. Rediger is a a licensed physician and board-certified psychiatrist, and he also holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Dr. Rediger’s research has taken him from America’s top hospitals to healing centers around the world―and along the way he’s uncovered insights into why some people beat the odds.

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Rediger, and I was excited to learn more about how he became involved in studying a somewhat controversial field. We talked how he objectively collects data, the factors the play into spontaneous healing, and the lessons he's learned from his patients that have impacted his own life.

*Dr. Rediger's bio adapted from his website.

In this episode we discuss:

How Dr. Rediger became interested in studying spontaneous healing
The three criteria he uses to objectively collect data
The factors that play into spontaneous healing and help to build a strong immune system
Themes Dr. Rediger has identified in nutrition as it relates to spontaneous healing
The importance of building the parasympathetic response and stimulating the vagus nerve
How our identity contributes to healing
Dr. Rediger’s childhood and how his time in seminary shaped his path in medicine
The implications of quantum physics on our mind, body, and medicine
What Dr. Rediger has learned from his patients that has impacted his own life
Why stories of healing can inspire others in their own healing
The Four Pillars of Healing
Three things Dr. Rediger does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health
One thing he struggles to implement that could have a big impact on his health
What a healthy life looks like to Dr. Rediger

You can follow Dr. Rediger on his website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 97 - Challenging Conventional Cancer Care with Dr. Thomas Seyfried

Ep 116 - How Healing Works with Dr. Wayne Jonas

Ep 135 - Immune System Strength with Dr. Leonard Calabrese

This post was originally published on June 2, 2020.

Fighting Back Against Fibromyalgia PH148

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 18:00:00 -0700

“‘Olivia, you're healthy.’ I held it in in the moment, but when I left the [doctor’s] office that day I cried. I had never had a doctor tell me I was healthy.”
- Olivia Vollmar

Diagnosed with fibromyalgia in July 2016, Olivia Vollmar started CrossFit four months later, despite her doctor’s reservations. “He loved that I was moving, but he thought it was too much. He has friends that are avid CrossFitters and just couldn't see how someone with fibro could manage to do it. Like any good patient, I completely ignored him and continued on in what I was doing.” Olivia decided she would continue with CrossFit for three months, and if the negatives outweighed the positives, she would stop.

One month passed, and Olivia found herself feeling better than ever. Within two months, she was sleeping more regularly, feeling less fatigued, and her joint pain had decreased. She no longer needed to see a psychiatrist from her anxiety and depression. “CrossFit saved your life,” her therapist told her. Within three months, she was completely symptom free, and living a normal life.

Along with her new exercise routine, Olivia made dietary changes, following the general advice to eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. When she returned to her doctor 10 months after her initial fibromyalgia diagnosis and just six months after starting CrossFit, he barely recognized her. She had lost 100 pounds!

Olivia discussed her rheumatologist’s treatment plan with her doctor, and he ran through a series of questions checking on her pain, sleep, mental health and quality of life. Olivia was stunned when, for the first time in her life, he pronounced her healthy.

“When I was first diagnosed I had so many doctors tell me there was no hope in this disease. I would always suffer and always feel awful. I would never be free from medication and I would never live a normal life. One of my doctors told me to not pursue a career in medicine because it wouldn't be possible.”

“Now, I'm completely normal and doing exactly what I want to do. I can confidently say that it [CrossFit] has saved my life. Not only in the physical sense, but also in the emotional sense. Before joining my box, I had suicidal thoughts and was completely ready to end my life. Now I've found health, healing and purpose.”

Olivia's road to maintaining her health has not been without bumps and detours. As she continued her new lifestyle, Olivia felt pressure to please others and anxiety that she might let her coaches down. She realized that her eating had become disordered, and instead of approaching her workouts as an opportunity to be better than she was the day before, she was constantly comparing herself and competing against others at her affiliate. Her "healthy" lifestyle began to take negative toll on her health.

Recognizing that she needed balance, Olivia shifted her focus to make sure she's eating with less restriction and with a greater focus on consuming plenty of nutritious food. She has also recently left her affiliate and started working out solo with guidance from a powerlifting coach. These days, she's finding happiness and confidence in celebrating her own accomplishments without seeking the approval of others.

As she graduates from college this spring, Olivia has big goals on the horizon: she's pursuing her Master's Degree in Nutrition and is excited to use her education and her experiences to help others as she continues her own health journey with a focus on the long-term. Says Olivia, "I am nearly 100% symptom free. I have found freedom from a disease through diet and exercise.”

Olivia shared her story with me many years ago and I was so inspired to hear how she's overcome so many challenges by focusing on what is within her control to change. I was excited to catch up with her recently and hear how her journey has evolved, how she found the courage to get started in the first place, and the advice she gives to help others get started on their own health journey.

In this episode we discuss:

Olivia's childhood and how the passing of her mother impacted her health and her weight
How her father’s health condition and her fibromyalgia diagnosis prompted her to being changing her diet and lifestyle
Starting CrossFit with her roommate and how she overcame the intimidation of attending her first class
Her struggle with suicidal thoughts
How Olivia’s relationship with food changed when she started CrossFit
What led Olivia to leave her local affiliate
How she’s working to find balance in her nutrition and her fitness
What’s she’s most proud of from her journey
Advice she would give to others who are struggling with health and are scared to get started
How to help others who you recognize are struggling
What’s next for Olivia
Three things Olivia does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Olivia

You can follow Olivia on Instagram and Twitter.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 45 - Dan Baily on Moving West, Training for 2017, and Danny Broflex

Ep 69 - From "Obese to Beast" with John Glaude

Ep 19 - Michelle Mitchell on her Experience with Exercise and CrossFit for Fibromyalgia Syndrome

This post was originally published on June 15, 2020.

Cancer, Racism, and Speaking Up with Deb Cordner Carson PH147

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 18:00:00 -0700

“The thing about it, she said, ‘Why are they destroying our city?’ And I said, ‘What if you were trying to get mommy and daddy’s attention and we weren’t paying attention to you? What would you do?’ She was like, ‘Well, I would talk louder.’ I’m like, ‘What if we still didn’t listen to you?’ She was like, ‘I would scream!’ And I was like, ‘What if we STILL didn’t listen?’ She was like, ‘I would be really sad. I would start crying.’ And I was like, ‘I know! And what if we STILL didn’t listen? What if it went on all day long and we just didn’t listen to you?' She was like, ‘I would be so upset. I would… I don’t know.’ And I was like, ‘Would you throw a fit? A tantrum?’ And she was like, ‘Yeah, I probably would. I’d probably throw my toys at you.’ And I was like ‘That’s kind of what happened, and then we would notice you because you would be making a mess, and we’d say ‘Sydney, Sydney, what’s wrong?’ And we would stand with you and try to calm you down and listen to you.’ So I said, ‘That’s kind of what happened with black people around the city.’ Definitely the first night. And people I think have realized what was going on, finally, and what black lives matters means and they were like, ‘Alright. You’re right. We stand with you.’”
- Deborah Cordner Carson

The CrossFit community may best recognize and remember Deborah Cordner Carson as the gutsy athlete who gave an inspirational performance at the 2012 CrossFit Games, overcoming a fear of open water swimming in the triathlon event and going on to win the 2012 Spirit of the Games award. Deb could also be distinguished by the compression sleeve she wears on her left leg, and by the color of her skin. Deb is one of the few black competitors in the sport of CrossFit.

Growing up, Deborah was inspired by great athletes in her family. Her father came to America from Trinidad and Tobago on a track and field scholarship and her grandfather was the heavy weight lifting champion of the British Empire. As a young girl she competed in gymnastics, and as a teenager she excelled in track and field, eventually earning a full scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa as a 400-meter sprinter.

When Deb developed lymphedema, a condition where fluid is retained in certain parts of the body and can cause dangerous swelling, she was forced to retire from her track and field career, but in time, she discovered ways to manage her condition- including that recognizable compression sleeve- while still being active. She took up CrossFit and quickly rose to elite status in the sport, placing as high as 5th in the 2013 CrossFit Open and 13th at the 2012 CrossFit Games.

Since retiring, Deborah continues to do CrossFit for health, but she has also struggled with the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages, and most recently, a diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease, a type of pregnancy-related cancer.

Throughout her life, Deborah has been aware that the color of her skin means she's had to work harder for opportunities than others. As a mother to two mixed-race little girls and a resident of the Minneapolis area, she also has a unique perspective on the recent events that have highlighted the ongoing systemic racism in our society.

I am grateful to Deb for taking a moment to share her perspective amidst all the other challenges she is currently taking on. These conversations can be uncomfortable, but they're also important as we all strive to stand together and learn from each other. In this episode, we chat about her experiences as a minority CrossFit Games athlete, the mentality she's using to fight her cancer diagnosis, the lessons she strives to teach her daughters, and how we should all speak up to overcome injustice and racial bias.

In this episode we discuss:

Deborah’s struggles with multiple miscarriages
How she is coping with the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease, a type of pregnancy-related cancer
How Deborah’s experience competing in CrossFit helps her focus on the task at hand when it comes to tackling challenges
Her initial reactions to hearing about George Floyd’s death and the outrage in Minneapolis
Explaining the looting and rioting to her daughter
Deborah’s personal experiences with systemic racism and unconscious racism
How Deborah needed to be the best of the best to have the same opportunities as her white classmates
Deborah’s thoughts on why there’s a disconnect in people understanding the additional challenges a black person has to overcome
The lack of sponsorship opportunities available for a black CrossFit athlete
Her disappointment with CrossFit HQ’s silence
What it’s like to be a black athlete in the predominantly white sport of CrossFit
Ways that Deb approaches the topic of racism with her children
The importance of speaking up and making an effort to understand other cultures
Three things Deborah does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Deborah

You can follow Deborah on Instagram

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 10 - Jenny LaBaw on Running 500 Miles for Epilepsy Research and Education

Ep 15 - Lewis Howes on Chasing Greatness

Ep 70 - USA Track & Field Heptathlete Tiffeny Parker on Beating the Odds

Ep 137 - Rich & Hillary Froning on Putting Family First

This post was originally published on June 8, 2020.

2019 Third Fittest Woman Jamie (Greene) Simmonds PH145

Mon, 25 May 2020 18:00:00 -0700

“I love competing and testing. You know what you were like the last time you competed, or the last time you did this sort of training block… and I just like building on trying to get better. So there’s that. I also like… I know growing up what my parents and my sisters put into me to try to help me build something like that, so it’s not just for me, I’m doing it for them. And also when I compete at different places they come see me. So I don't get to see my Mom, Dad, my sister Becky much, so they always travel over to the Games, or they’ve come to Madrid a few times and the motivation to train, to get them to watch me to compete is motivation in itself.”
- Jamie Simmonds

Jamie Simmonds, formerly Jamie Greene, made a huge splash in the CrossFit arena when, as a relatively unknown athlete, when won the 2016 CrossFit Open.

Since then, she's gone on to compete at the CrossFit Games four times, and stood atop the podium twice: first as a member Team CrossFit Yas in 2016, and most recently, as an individual at the 2019 CrossFit Games.

Perhaps even more remarkably, Jamie didn’t even start CrossFit until 2013. Her background as a gymnast and rugby player helped propel her from a novice athlete to a force to be reckoned with.

Jamie’s journey to becoming the third Fittest Woman hasn’t always been easy: along the way she’s been challenged by a ruptured Achilles tendon, a team disqualification, and a dislocated shoulder, but her commitment to constantly improving herself has shaped her into a formidable competitor.

Jamie is a native of New Zealand, but since 2014 has lived in Abu Dhabi where she coaches and trains at CrossFit Yas. She and I recently caught up to chat about her experience at the 2019 CrossFit Games, what her 2020 training season has looked like so far, and how she stays motivated and committed to her training in the face of challenges.

In this episode we discuss:

What the COVID-19 pandemic experience has been like in Abu Dhabi
Jamie’s childhood in New Zealand
How her Mom introduced her to CrossFit
Jamie’s experience with rupturing her Achilles’ tendon
Her move to Abu Dhabi, and what prompted her to become a CrossFit competitor
Jamie’s training environment at CrossFit Yas
Why Jamie believes she excelled at CrossFit so quickly
The transition from team to individual competition
What Jamie does to train her mindset
Her approach to the 2020 CrossFit Games season
How she met her husband, Elliott
What Jamie does to stay motivated in the gym
The inspiration for her Feel Better Friday tips
How she’s grown as a person, athlete, and coach while at CrossFit Yas
Jamie’s plans for the future
Jamie’s approach to nutrition, and why she likes fasting
What her training looks like while self-isolating
Three things Jamie does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Jamie

You can follow Jamie on Instagram

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 104 Physical Therapist & CrossFit Games Athlete Amanda Barnhart

Ep 130 - Kristi O'Connell on Training for Joy and Balance

This post was originally published on May 25, 2020.

We Work Until It’s Done: Caity Henniger on Rogue Fitness and its Response to COVID-19 PH143

Mon, 11 May 2020 18:00:00 -0700

Everybody puts their boots on the same way. And what that means is, it doesn’t matter your title here. It could be the people on our leadership team, Bill and I, or it could be the person coming in their first day on the job on the assembly line...everyone is the same. And everyone is going to be treated the same. And it goes back to that first [value], we work until it’s done. If there are boxes that need to go out the door, or we need to make more barbells, you’re going to see the top leadership down going out and helping right now. We did get overrun before we could hire some people- we have everyone in our office right now, they’re doing shifts on our production floor. And that’s really what this is all about, and you see people getting experiences that you normally wouldn’t have. To go out and build a barbell, and maybe you’re in our IT department, a lot of places you wouldn’t have that opportunity, but we live by that standard. Everybody puts their boots on the same way.”
- Caity Henniger

Caity Henniger has been a lifelong athlete. In high school she led her basketball team to victory in 91 out of 102 games, was voted MVP of the 1998 Junior Olympic AAU circuit, and was a two-time state champion in both shot put and discus. She went on to play collegiate ball at Ohio State where she averaged 15.4 points per game and set the school single-season record for three-pointers, with 106, earning her the Edward S. Steitz Award as the nation's best three-point shooter. In 2005, Caity joined the WNBA as a player for the Charlotte Sting.

After multiple leg surgeries led Caity to retire from basketball, she was drawn to the competitive side of CrossFit. In 2008, with just a few months of CrossFit experience, she took first place at the 2008 CrossFit Games. Caity would go on to become a fixture in the production side of the Games, working as an ESPN commentator and as a representative of Rogue Fitness.

Shortly after Caity's 2008 CrossFit Games victory, she began playing a huge role in helping Rogue Fitness grow from a small e-commerce site to a major powerhouse in the fitness equipment industry. With a focus on manufacturing quality, American-made products from local sources, Rogue now employs over 900 people at their massive 600,000 square foot campus in Columbus, Ohio.

Recently, when Ohio issued a stay-at-home order in response to COVID-19, Rogue quickly pivoted their manufacturing processes to make Personal Protective Equipment for healthcare workers, a decision that is not only helping to keep healthcare workers safe, but is also helping to keep their local community employed.

I had to opportunity to sit down with Caity to learn more about the mission and values Rogue was founded on, and how those principles are driving their business during this time of uncertainty. We chatted about her days as a competitor, how she balances her role as an executive with her own personal health, and we were even able to steal a few minutes from Rogue's Director of Product Development, Ahmik Jones, to learn more about the processes behind shifting gears from manufacturing fitness equipment to manufacturing PPE.

In this episode we discuss:

Caity’s athletic background
The history behind Rogue Fitness and their partnership with the CrossFit Games
What led Rogue to branch out into manufacturing equipment for other sports
Rogue's new facility and the Industrial Revolution 2.0
Rogue's three core values and how they implement them
The story behind Don’t Weaken
Rogue’s early response to COVID-19
How Rogue came to have a doctor as their Director of Product Development
How Rogue made the decision to manufacture PPE for healthcare workers, and what the development process has been like
Measures Rogue has taken encourage employees to embrace fitness and the positive impact they’ve seen as a result
How Caity manages her time to allow for her own workouts and downtime away from work
The mentors who helped Caity grow into a strong leader
What a typical day looks like for Caity
Stand-out moments where Caity has felt especially proud of the work Rogue is doing
Three things that Caity does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health but she has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Caity

You can follow Caity on Instagram and Twitter.

You can follow Rogue Fitness on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 51 - Dick Costolo on Taking Risks and Finding Fitness

Ep 90 - CrossFit Games GM Justin Bergh: The Man Behind the Magic

Ep 101 - Dr. Joe Janesz on Building a Champion Mindset

This post was originally published on May 11, 2020.

From the CrossFit Games to Pregnancy with Annie Thorisdottir + Camille Leblanc-Bazinet PH141

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 19:06:00 -0700

“Being a professional athlete, it’s a really selfish lifestyle that you need to lead. You’re number 1, 2, and 3. You think about yourself - it’s your life. Like Cami said, it’s that extra percent that you put in that people don’t see. It’s the sleeping during the night, the recovery in the evening, the food that you eat, the meal prepping, the training. It is everything, it’s the whole package. So, all of a sudden - my body is my work tool and all of a sudden it’s not mine anymore. I’m sharing this with someone else, and my body isn’t going to come first anymore. She’s going to come first, no matter what, and I’m grateful for that, but it’s definitely something that you… It’s weird. It’s a weird feeling. It’s an incredible feeling, but it’s also really, really strange.”
- Annie Thorisdottir

Known as “Iceland Annie,” Annie Thorisdottir is a two-time Fittest Woman on Earth (2011-2012) and ten-time CrossFit Games veteran. With a background of gymnastics, pole vaulting, and boot camp, Annie made her Games debut in 2009 at 19 years old. Since then, Annie has been a staple in our sport and she is known to train hard and always compete with a smile. After placing second in the world in the 2020 CrossFit Open, Annie declined her invitation to the 2020 CrossFit Games as she prepares for her next big event: she and her long-time partner, Fred Aegidius, are expecting their first child in August of 2020.

Camille Leblanc-Bazinet began her Crossfit Games journey in 2010, and she has competed every year since, ultimately earning the title of “Fittest Woman on Earth” in 2014. In 2019 she made the transition from individual athlete to team competitor and took home silver as a member of Team CrossFit Krypton. A former gymnast and Level 1 Seminar staff member, Camille has also been a member of the Canadian National Olympic weightlifting team and holds a chemical engineering degree. She and her husband, Dave Lipson, recently announced that they are expecting their first child in September of 2020.

Annie, Camille and I recently caught up for a long overdue chat. We compared notes on how their pregnancies are progressing, talked about how their training routines have changed, and discussed how their experiences as competitive athletes are helping prepare them for motherhood. And, of course, we shared lots of laughs along the way!

In this episode we discuss:

Camille’s intention to retire from competition, and Annie’s desire to compete again
Camille’s pregnancy experience vs. Annie’s pregnancy experience so far
How they shared the news with their partners
How Camille and Annie’s training has changed since becoming pregnant
How every woman’s pregnancy is different and the importance of listening to your body
Lessons Annie & Camille have applied from their competition days to support their pregnancies
What it’s been like to experience pregnancy alongside their exceptionally fit and supportive partners
The lessons they hope to instill in their children

You can follow Annie on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

You can follow Camille on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 14 - Camille Leblanc-Bazinet on Moving Forward, Engineering, and Body Image

Ep 57 - Annie Thorisdottir and Fred Aegidius on Team Work and Individual Performance

Ep 81 - Postpartum Training and the Road Back to the CrossFit Games with Lindsey Valenzuela

Ep 82 - Training during Pregnancy and Healing Diastsis Recti with Lisa Ryan

Ep 83 - Pelvic Floor Health for Athletes with Julie Wiebe, PT

Ep 110 - Kara Saunders on CrossFit and Expecting Baby She-Bear

This post was originally published on April 27, 2020.

Stress: The Elephant in the Room with Dr. George Slavich PH139

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0700

Bio adapted from uclastresslab.org

In this episode we discuss:

How Dr. Slavich got into the field of stress research and what motivates him
Psychoneuroimmunology: what it is, and how it can be used to study health
What happens in our body when we are exposed to an external stressor
Which types of stressors most negatively impact health
Social Safety Theory
Social genomics
Physical distancing vs. social distancing
Whether connecting via technology can have the same impact as connecting in person
The impact of stress on our biology relative to other lifestyle factors, and what we can do to influence our stress response and reduce chronic inflammation
Tools for reducing the impact of stress on the body: mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy
Quantifying and measuring stress
Three things Dr. Slavich does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health
One thing he thinks could have a big impact on his health but he has a hard time implementing
What a healthy life looks like to Dr. Slavich

Links:

A Cold Fact: High Stress Can Make You Sick, Sheldon Cohen
The Media Equation, Clifford Nass & Byron Reeves
Social Safety Theory
UCLA Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research
The Stress and Adversity Inventory (STRAIN)
Donate to UCLA Stress Lab Research

Related episodes:

Ep 105 - Sleep, Stress and Brain Health with Dr. Nate Bergman

Ep 116 - How Healing Works with Dr. Wayne Jonas

Ep 135 - Immune System Strength with Dr. Leonard Calabrese

Ep 138 - Pursuing Health Pearls: Our 10 Favorite Ways to Combat Stress and Anxiety

This post was originally published on April 13, 2020.

Immune System Strength with Dr. Leonard Calabrese PH135

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 08:34:00 -0700

“What we’re talking about is systemic, low-grade inflammation where the body’s barometer for this inflammatory response is turned up just modestly. This contributes to a whole host of diseases. Diseases of chronic inflammation that range from type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease with heart disease and stroke, neurodegenerative disease, fatty liver– which is now epidemic in our society– as well as autoimmune disease. So, now these diseases which are non-communicable– you can’t catch them– they are the leading cause of death on our planet right now and they’re being driven by chronic, systemic low-grade inflammation” – Dr. Leonard Calabrese

Dr. Leonard Calabrese, is a rheumatologist, immunologist, and doctor of osteopathic medicine. He is the head of Cleveland Clinic’s Section of Clinical Immunology and manages the Clinical Immunology Clinic. After graduating from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Dr. Calabrese completed his internal medical training at Cleveland Clinic, followed by a fellowship in rheumatic and immunologic disease.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Calabrese has authored more than 300 publications and become an internationally recognized HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C researcher. He is also passionate about utilizing lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, sleep and stress management to reduce inflammation, control disease, and bolster immunologic function. Based on growing scientific evidence that environment and behavior play a large role in immune function and gene expression, Dr. Calabrese is leading the charge in educating physicians and empowering patients so that they can feel confident in using wellness behaviors to help strengthen their immune function and improve their overall health and happiness.

Dr. Calabrese and I recently sat down to chat about the basics of the immune system and what practices we can implement in our day-to-day lives to reduce inflammation and lower our risk of chronic disease.

In this episode we discuss:

Dr. Calabrese’s medical background and what drew him to immunology
How the field of immunology has changed over the years
The role of our immune system: how it interacts with our body and our environment
How the immune system can become overactive
What inflammation is, and what causes contributes to it
What we can do to reduce our inflammation
Diet, intestinal permeability and their effect on the immune system
The role of diet, exercise, sleep and stress on the immune system
Social genomics and how we can influence which genes express themselves
Dr. Calabrese’s thoughts on the impact of gratitude practice
Habits that Dr. Calabrese implements in his own life to manage stress, diet, exercise and sleep
Dr. Calabrese’s vision for the Immune Strength program and how he hopes to help patients on a broader scale
Three things Dr. Calabrese does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health
One thing he struggles to implement that could have a big impact on his health
What a healthy life looks like to Dr. Calabrese

You can follow Dr. Calabrese on Twitter and via his CME courses.

Links:

Related episodes:

Ep 22 – Brigid Titgemeir on Functional Nutrition

Ep 42 – Against All Grain’s Danielle Walker on Advocating, Healing and Celebrating

Ep 78 – Lifestyle & Brain Health with Dr. David Perlmutter

Ep 103 – What to Eat When with Dr. Michael Roizen

Ep 105 – Sleep, Stress and Brain Health with Dr. Nate Bergman

Healing Through Functional Movement with Dr. Amy West PH132

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 22:09:00 -0800

What does good movement mean? And what are the principles of good movement? And sometimes people have a hard time articulating that, physiatrists, physical therapists included. Because we focus a lot on, is this person strong, do they pass these … Continued

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Dave Castro on Changes in Life and the CrossFit Games PH131

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 04:00:00 -0800

Im still the Director of the Games. Im still Director of Training, also. I still have that responsibility to conduct it. I still have a lot of freedom to conduct it the way that I see the direction that I … Continued

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Kristi OConnell on Training for Joy and Balance PH130

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 06:54:00 -0800

We, ultimately- we love CrossFit, but we also view CrossFit as a way for us to be fit and do things outside of the gym. And do them together. We always try to continue reminding ourselves of that, so, in … Continued

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Improving Your Fitness from the Ground Up: Nutrition Basics with Nicole Aucoin PH129

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 04:00:00 -0800

I believe something as fundamental as nutrition shouldnt be complicated, and if you keep it simple, and you help people make changes, and you encourage them and find bright spots- find positive things in what theyre doing Theyll make those … Continued

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Dr. Jeffrey Geller on Loneliness and the Power of Groups PH128

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 04:00:00 -0800

But if my model works, I am positive people can copy it. And group visits certainly have been part of the solution. You see a lot of patients, you provide more services, you overcome barriers, you do it in a … Continued

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Fighting Breast Cancer with Barbells: Barbells for Boobs Founder Zionna Hanson PH127

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 04:00:00 -0800

She said when she went in with the lump they basically denied her mammogram and said, Youre too young for breast cancer, and they wrote on her medical documentation mammography recommended at age 40. And, once I heard that, I … Continued

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Nicole Christensen on Coaching Pregnant Athletes PH126b

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 04:00:00 -0800

“It was really fascinating because I think theres such a disconnect, right? So, on one hand, we have the whole population of people that are criticizing women doing CrossFit while theyre pregnant. And it literally helps develop the natural– squatting, … Continued

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Nicole Christensen on Growing a Thriving CrossFit Affiliate PH126a

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 04:00:00 -0800

“I think I talked about nutrition so much, and I talked about functional movements, and I talked about scaling and intensity so many times in blog posts that I was just like, Yeah, people get it now. And you forget … Continued

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Bridging the Gap Between the Hospital and the CrossFit Affiliate PH125

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 04:00:00 -0800

We are trying to reach the populations that would otherwise never consider walking into a CrossFit gym. That was goal #1 was, when we first put this out to people, if youre the least likely person to go to a … Continued

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Breaking Barriers with Adaptive Athlete and Coach Kevin Ogar PH124

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 04:00:00 -0700

I think weve seen a lot of these to-be athletes, these persons with disabilities be told no, or that they cant, and then they just give up or they stop and theyve never actually tried, and theyre only told no … Continued

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Zoë Harcombe on Dissecting Nutrition Research and Dietary Guidelines PH123

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 04:00:00 -0700

For me its so easy, its just so easy. So, if we could put aside the conflicts, would we all be able to agree that we should eat real food and not processed food? Surely, that is a starting point … Continued

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Competing in the CrossFit Games while in Medical School: Singapore's Fittest Man Ian Wee PH122

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 04:06:00 -0700

There was, of course, a lot of shock, a lot of happiness, a lot of pride because we all knew that this was the first time that Singapore gets to send athletes to the Games. Of course, within the box … Continued

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Christy Adkins & Lindy Barber on Transitions in Life and Fitness PH121

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 04:00:00 -0700

“So, you get to the CrossFit gym, and you see- or I see other moms, I see other dads, I see people who have competitive aspirations and Im able to mentor, and so, it kind of feeds a lot of … Continued

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All About Keto with Dr. Dom DAgostino PH120

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 03:40:00 -0700

So, for me, it was kind of liberating that once youre in ketosis youre not that hungry. And then, in the context of elevated ketones, theyre sort of anti-catabolic, and I talked about that a little bit. And, it liberated … Continued

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Josh Bridges on Recovering from Knee Surgery and Paying the Man PH119

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 04:00:00 -0700

I remember asking my Chief, I was like, Hey, I think I want to try to go do this CrossFit Games thing, and Im not going to have to miss a lot of training, are you good with it? And … Continued

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The State of CrossFit with Coach Greg Glassman - PH118

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 04:00:00 -0700

There was an orchestrated mass media campaign by our critics to portray us as dangerous- by the opposition. And thats all waning now, because of the changes in the website. So, we were actually able to alter the worlds view … Continued

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Functional Bodybuilding & Earning Intensity with Marcus Filly PH117

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 04:00:00 -0700

“We’re so resilient as people that we can deal with a lot of stuff. And if you pull back on the intensity, and you give your body a chance to heal, we’re also remarkable healers. You know, you give yourself … Continued

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How Healing Works with Dr. Wayne Jonas PH116

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 04:00:00 -0700

“I call that integrative health. Integrative health is a little different than complementary medicine, is different than integrative medicine. Integrative health is the merger of conventional care like I learned, and you learned in your own medical training. Evidence-based complementary practices, non-drug approaches, … Continued

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Becoming a CrossFit Games Athlete: Rookies Fee Saghafi & Erin Vandendriessche PH115

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 04:00:00 -0700

“I didn’t start CrossFit to be competitive, and I didn’t get into the competitive side until several years later. And, I would say, I didn’t start getting competitive until 3… 3-4 years ago. And then I was like, ‘Oh, this … Continued

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Practicing CrossFit for Health with Dr. Maude Dull PH114

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 04:00:00 -0700

“I really just… kind of wanted to get more into the CrossFit community. More interested in sort of where things were going, especially as we were moving, CrossFit as an organization, is moving away from the sort of Games mentality … Continued

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2009 CrossFit Games Champion Tanya Wagner on Training through all Seasons of Life PH113

Tue, 28 May 2019 04:00:00 -0700

“It was awesome [her first CrossFit Games experience in 2008]… There were no expectations and there was only one Games so nobody really knew what they were doing, and it was like, we really just wanted to see if what … Continued

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Eating for Longevity with Dr. Valter Longo PH112

Tue, 14 May 2019 03:00:00 -0700

“I always say, if you cut yourself, within a couple weeks the repair is perfect and you go back to normal. How is it possible that inside the body we don’t have any of this? Right? So, we just developed … Continued

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A New Model for Primary Care with Dr. Ken Rictor PH111

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 02:00:00 -0700

“Well, the one thing was the change in family medicine, and we started seeing family physicians being pushed out of the hospital systems in place of hospitalists. And you had the decision to make whether you wanted to stay inpatient … Continued

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Kara Saunders on CrossFit and Expecting Baby She-Bear PH110

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 04:00:00 -0700

“But I had been working very closely on- holistically- on keeping my hormones and all those types of things- that’s always been really important to me- on keeping those kinds of things where they should be. And so, then I … Continued

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All About Functional Medicine with Dr. Elizabeth Bradley, Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine PH109

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 02:00:00 -0700

“So, [with] functional medicine we look at the root cause of why someone has a chronic disease or illness, and we dive much deeper in looking at not only lifestyle which is the fundamental basis of it. So, looking at … Continued

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Training Smarter, not Harder: Prevention and Recovery from Injury with Pure Physio PH108

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 04:00:00 -0700

“I think it’s, too, just getting people used to what physical therapy means to us, and I think that’s a little bit different than what they’ve seen in the past, where, it’s their grandma had a hip replacement, and that’s … Continued

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Play the Hand You’re Dealt: Choosing to Thrive Despite a Rare Genetic Condition and Congenital Heart Defect with Stephen Douglas PH107

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 04:00:00 -0800

“I had seen all these different elements come into play of how fitness can impact your life and how CrossFit was working for some people and how bodybuilding was working for some and now even the [Tough Mudder] races. And … Continued

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Saxon & Spencer Panchik: Keeping Fitness a Family Affair PH106

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 04:00:00 -0800

“I think that’s super important, to have just great people around you to train with, especially brothers. You can say whatever you need to say to each other, and no feelings will be hurt. But not just that but, you … Continued

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Sleep, Stress, and Brain Health with Dr. Nate Bergman PH105

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 04:00:00 -0800

“I mean stress is like an illness. It’s like this black box, we don’t have a lot of names for it, we should probably instead of saying stress we should… like Eskimos have 20 words for snow, we should probably … Continued

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Physical Therapist & CrossFit Games Athlete Amanda Barnhart PH104

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 04:00:00 -0800

“I love incorporating one on myself, I experiment a lot with myself. And if I can feel something myself, like, ‘I was having this knee pain, and I did this and it really worked and, you know, try it,’ I … Continued

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What to Eat When with Dr. Michael Roizen PH103

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 04:00:00 -0800

“If you look at the data really carefully now, we’re not sure but we think that aging can be… we’re slowing it now, we’re doing what we call rejuvenation. Meaning, if you slow the rate of aging by physical activity, … Continued

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Jason Khalipa and the AMRAP Mentality PH102

Tue, 25 Dec 2018 04:00:00 -0800

“I wasn’t being present and focused, specifically around the family, that’s where it was most impactful. And, when I looked at my fitness career, I was like, ‘man, the best workouts I get are when I’m against the clock,’ right? … Continued

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Building a Champion Mindset with Dr. Joe Janesz PH101

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 03:00:00 -0800

“If you have awareness, and you have this ability to regulate mood states and thinking, you have this mental agility, and then you have this ability to cultivate character and then connect deeply… you really have this life filled with … Continued

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Q+A: Your Questions, Answered PH100

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 22:00:00 -0800

Can you believe we’re at 100 episodes?! It’s been a slow and steady process over the past 3+ years, but consistency sure pays off! I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for listening and continuing to … Continued

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Dr. Axel Pflueger on Fighting Chronic Disease with Fitness PH99

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 03:00:00 -0800

“As a nephrologist, a kidney doctor, in the Mayo Clinic, you see primarily patients with advanced kidney disease at that time. So, these were patients who needed kidney transplants or needed dialysis. And again, the same thinking process started to … Continued

The post Ep 99 – Dr. Axel Pflueger on Fighting Chronic Disease with Fitness appeared first on Julie Foucher | Reebok CrossFit Games Athlete.

Fittest Teen to Thriving Post Liver Transplant: Sydney Sullivan PH98

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 02:00:00 -0700

“It just got really bad. I honestly don’t really remember that much, but looking back, it’s like ‘man I was sick’… and I can’t say it [competing at the 2016 CrossFit Games] was the healthiest thing to do, but it… … Continued

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Challenging Conventional Cancer Care with Dr. Thomas Seyfried PH97

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 04:00:00 -0700

“I think the biggest thing is that you’ve got to convince people that this is a metabolic disease, it’s a mitochondrial metabolic disease. Ok, so that changes the whole ground– the whole playing field of how are you gonna treat … Continued

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A Hospital Affiliate: Kirby Medical Center and CrossFit KMC PH96

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 04:00:00 -0700

“I really think there is an opportunity for the CrossFit affiliates to work with the hospitals, and to say, ‘We have a big piece of this puzzle that we can help with. We have the programming, we have the coaches, … Continued

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Optimizing Your Nutrition with EC Synkowski PH95

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 21:00:00 -0700

EC Synkowski started CrossFit in 2006 to break out of a globo-gym rut, and shortly thereafter she completed her CrossFit Level 1. Her enthusiasm and hard work eventually led to seminar staff and flowmaster positions for the Level 1 and … Continued

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Danica Patrick on Trailblazing and Shifting Gears PH94

Mon, 03 Sep 2018 22:00:00 -0700

“From a young age, I was never put… I wasn’t put on the same platform as just girls, it was everyone. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh you’re the best girl out there,’ it was, ‘How do you be the best, period,’ … Continued

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Debunking Nutrition Myths with Gary Taubes PH93

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 04:00:00 -0700

“You spend your whole life sort of cycling in and out of diets. I was a football player, I’m the kind of guy who gains weight easily. I know what it’s like to have to lose weight and be hungry … Continued

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Bob Harper on Surviving a Heart Attack PH92

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 03:00:00 -0700

“But I really think one thing I’ve learned during this situation is to not sweat the big things or the little things. How important it is. We are so lucky to be here right now. We are fortunate we have … Continued

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Mind Over Matter: Improving Performance in Athletics and Beyond with Sports Psychiatrist Dr. MaryEllen Eller PH91

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 04:00:00 -0700

“And when it comes to mental preparation, it requires the same level of intention as any other training program. It’s not gonna happen overnight. Being able to shift to that more internal motivation where you’re able to harness that energy … Continued

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CrossFit Games GM Justin Bergh: The Man Behind the Magic PH90

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 04:00:00 -0700

“But I’m really happy that I had that experience of being at the Ranch and understanding culturally what that was. And it wasn’t lost on me. I think for a lot of people it was like, ‘Hey, this is fun … Continued

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No Slowing Down: Two-Time 60+ Fittest Man on Earth Dave Hippensteel PH89

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 09:53:00 -0700

“I’ve always had trouble with the whole… I always never wanted to age. You know, I like Neverland, and, growing up, it’s like, I’m just a kid at heart still, and just super excited about life, and I just wanted … Continued

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From Hypocrite to Advocate: Dr. Rebecca Blonsky PH88

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 21:00:00 -0700

“And then in clinicals, I’m actually seeing people who are suffering from complications of obesity. I remember seeing a patient whose BMI was I think 34 or 35, and they’re like she’s obese. And all I can think is my … Continued

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Stacie Tovar: From Legendary Competitor to Thriving Coach PH87

Tue, 29 May 2018 01:00:00 -0700

“Having a husband as a business owner, it’s literally all we do. It’s all we think about, and whereas before, when we weren’t owning the gym, I cared about it. I really cared about it, but I wasn’t nearly as … Continued

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James Maskell on Fighting Chronic Disease with Community-Based Healthcare PH86

Tue, 15 May 2018 03:20:00 -0700

“A transparent system by which people come together to share their cost is the way that things will be done in the future, and ultimately we’re trying to get to that future. And what the pool will be made up … Continued

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Back on Track with Carleen Mathews PH85

Tue, 01 May 2018 01:00:00 -0700

“When I have a barbell in my hand, I’m not looking at any flaws. I’m looking at how… I’m seeing how strong I am, and all my focus is [on] putting that bar over my head or getting that bar … Continued

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Chasing Excellence with Ben Bergeron PH84

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 01:00:00 -0700

“Having said that, every day we’re chasing excellence. We’re trying to make it better every single day. So, I love that differentiation between… Because I think people hear excellence and they think that, like, we have to be the best, … Continued

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Pelvic Floor Health for Athletes with Julie Wiebe, PT PH83

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 04:00:00 -0700

“So then, what I needed to understand, and as a former female athlete, and still… I love to be fit, I wanted to be fit postpartum. They wanted to continue in their fitness, so it became my mission to try … Continued

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Training during Pregnancy and Healing Diastasis Recti with Lisa Ryan PH82

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 01:00:00 -0700

“I think the biggest message that I’m trying to get out there is, ‘Take the time when you’re pregnant. Don’t look at it as a, ‘okay, what can I still do?’ because we all have that feeling of ‘ok, I … Continued

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Postpartum Training and the Road Back to the CrossFit Games with Lindsey Valenzuela PH81

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0700

“The process of competing and getting to there is super stressful for me. But there is nothing that can… there are not a lot of things that can replace it. I feel like I would be okay with not competing … Continued

The post Ep 81 – Postpartum Training and the Road Back to the CrossFit Games with Lindsey Valenzuela appeared first on Julie Foucher | Reebok CrossFit Games Athlete.

Greg Glassman on Networking CrossFit Physicians and Fighting Chronic Disease PH80

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:00:00 -0800

“A CrossFit physician is a special physician, that’s not an ordinary doctor. A CrossFit doc, she knows something that is not a consensus view, and at the same time it’s essential. And I mean essential like in the sense of … Continued

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Sam Briggs on Going Back to Basics and Training for Longevity PH79

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 02:20:00 -0800

“I think… because I didn’t start CrossFit until I was 27, I’ve already done quite a lot before CrossFit, and I love training. I just love pushing myself, I love being in that environment, and while I’m still enjoying it, … Continued

The post Ep 79 – Sam Briggs on Going Back to Basics and Training for Longevity appeared first on Julie Foucher | Reebok CrossFit Games Athlete.

Lifestyle and Brain Health with Dr. David Perlmutter PH78

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 01:00:00 -0800

“And I became, as a neurologist those first few years, very disenchanted with the notion of pretty much, ‘Diagnose and Adios.’ Meaning, we make these wonderful diagnoses, but we had such little to offer our patients, and I was very … Continued

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Austin Malleolo on CrossFit and Corporate Culture PH77

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 02:00:00 -0800

“My big, my goal… if someone asked me, “What’s your goal for the gym?” I’d say “I wanna get the 50 people in the company that don’t workout, that have never worked out, into the gym. How do we do … Continued

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Working Against Gravity with Adee Cazayoux PH76

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0800

“Especially in a field like this, it’s not…it’s not just about the food that you eat. This is just the medium that I use to help people transform their lives.” – Adee Cazayoux Adee Cazayoux has built a reputation as … Continued

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Growth through Adversity with Kyle Maynard PH75

Tue, 26 Dec 2017 01:00:00 -0800

“I think the big takeaway there, you know, and also a similar takeaway to what my parents had is that they didn’t buy into the inherent limitations that others would place upon us… You know for me, when I was … Continued

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Brooke Wells & Jessica Griffith on Forging Friendships & Striking a Balance PH73

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 01:00:00 -0800

“I just really want to inspire other people. I’m so young, and I just want people to understand that they can do more than just school, that they can do both, and that muscles are beautiful… If I can inspire … Continued

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RISEing to the Occasion with Olympic Swimmers Caroline Burckle and Rebecca Soni PH73

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 01:00:00 -0800

“I counted my confidence as a swimmer to be the main reason that I was able to win the races that I won. I’m not super tall, I’m not super strong. I had very interesting technique, but I’m sure there … Continued

The post Ep 73 – RISEing to the Occasion with Olympic Swimmers Caroline Burckle and Rebecca Soni appeared first on Julie Foucher | Reebok CrossFit Games Athlete.

Finding Balance with Two-time Third Fittest Man Patrick Vellner PH72

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0800

“I’ve always kind of thought that you really make time for things you care about, and so if you love to do something, and if you really want to do it, you’ll find a way. So, it’s not easy, but … Continued

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The Sugar Free Revolution with Karen Thomson PH71

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 01:00:00 -0700

“For us, one is too many and a thousand is never enough. Once I start, I cannot teach myself to eat sugar in moderation. I just can’t do it. You know, I’ve never been successful at it, and I know … Continued

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USA Track & Field Heptathlete Tiffeny Parker on Beating the Odds PH70

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 02:00:00 -0700

“I was the first person at the track and, and I was the last person at the track. And for me, it was, it was an Olympic gold medalist telling me that that extra 5% that I’m willing to put … Continued

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From ”Obese to Beast” with John Glaude PH69

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 01:00:00 -0700

“Yes losing weight is important, but you have to understand that the mental aspect of it is, I would have to say, almost more important. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to work on … Continued

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Pat and Taz Barber on CrossFit, Coaching, and Kids PH68

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 01:00:00 -0700

“The strongest thing a coach can have is a high level of emotional intelligence. So the ability to connect with people and see what they need and where they’re currently at. Whether it be where they’re currently at in life, … Continued

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Sobriety Through CrossFit: Brian Reap’s Story PH67

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:00:00 -0700

“My dog won’t release the twig in his mouth unless I offer him a huge branch. Alcohol was my twig. CrossFit and recovery is my branch.” – Sobriety WOD After finding early success as a young champion competitive freestyle skier, Brian … Continued

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Cleveland Clinic CEO Dr. Toby Cosgrove on Lifestyle, Healthcare, and Persistence PH66

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 01:00:00 -0700

“I was not a good student. I attribute a lot of that to the fact that I am dyslexic. The thing that got me through it was just plain persistence. I think once you’ve had that trial-by-fire and you get … Continued

The post Ep 66 – Cleveland Clinic CEO Dr. Toby Cosgrove on Lifestyle, Healthcare, and Persistence appeared first on Julie Foucher | Reebok CrossFit Games Athlete.

Rory McKernan: CrossFit Games Update Show Host PH65

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 04:00:00 -0700

“When you and I were doing the Update Show for example [in 2011], was a year after I had testicular cancer, a major surgery, and a child. And that’s just my personal life. But the CrossFit growth was going so … Continued

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Haley Adams: A CrossFit Games Teen with Talent PH64

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 02:01:00 -0700

“Keep your eyes on the prize. Don’t get distracted. That’s pretty much what I think about every day.” – Haley Adams Haley Adams is a 16-year-old Reebok CrossFit Games athlete from College Hill CrossFit in Greensboro, North Carolina. Haley has a … Continued

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Sara Sigmundsdottir on Finding Her Happy Place PH63

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 02:00:00 -0700

‘[A healthy life looks like} being happy. I think that’s just what matters the most. People often think that healthy is being skinny and looking good. It’s so not true. So many people look really good but are so unhappy. … Continued

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Becca Voigt: the woman, the myth, the legend PH62

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 01:01:00 -0700

“When I was introduced to CrossFit, it was one of those things where I fell in love – and as many people have probably already heard – I fell in love with the community. And that was that team aspect … Continued

The post Ep 62 – Becca Voigt: The Woman, The Myth, The Legend appeared first on Julie Foucher | Reebok CrossFit Games Athlete.

Ron Ortiz on fighting fires and raising the bar with age PH61

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 01:00:00 -0700

“I think the sad thing is, our society has accepted the fact that with age, you are going to be a certain way. That is one thing that CrossFit has allowed me is to not be so accepting of that. … Continued

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Chris Spealler on training for longevity and becoming a Master PH60

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 04:01:00 -0700

“I do CrossFit just because I love it. I do it for the health and longevity. But, that looks very very different. I really do, and I am passionate about telling people about it because, CrossFit as a sport has … Continued

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Annie Sakamoto on the evolution of CrossFit and setting an example for future generations PH59

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 04:00:00 -0700

“There was a group of us…and we often would workout together. But it was such trial and error back then. They would give us some workouts, see how it went. And we were always kind of racing each other. But … Continued

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Nicole Carroll on the Early Days and Preserving the Culture of CrossFit PH58

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 04:00:00 -0700

“I’ll never forget that. It was recent too – or at least within the last couple years. Someone asked – Greg was doing a Q+A at a Level 1 and one of the participants asked, ‘What’s the most important thing?’ … Continued

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Annie Thorisdottir and Fred Aegidius on Team Work and Individual Performance PH57

Tue, 30 May 2017 03:00:00 -0700

“I do one year at a time. For me, I learned that especially after the back injury. One year at a time – you can’t predict what’s going to happen after that. So at the moment I am going to … Continued

The post Ep 57 – Annie Thorisdottir and Fred Aegidius on Team Work and Individual Performance appeared first on Julie Foucher | Reebok CrossFit Games Athlete.

Katrín Davíðsdóttir and Ben Bergeron on the Process of Creating a Champion PH56

Tue, 16 May 2017 04:00:00 -0700

“Katrin came on at the exact right time when I was switching my approach to a more 360 degree holistic approach for a coach. I started investing more into developing people, and the characteristics of a champion, than I did … Continued

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Lindy Barber on Overcoming a Life-Changing Injury and Finding Her Flow on Team CrossFit Mayhem PH55

Tue, 02 May 2017 04:00:00 -0700

‘I don’t think the girl who didn’t break her back would have qualified [to the CrossFit Games]. Because, she hadn’t been through the same kind of mental and emotional struggle. Because CrossFit, if you have ever competed, or even competed in … Continued

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Neal Maddox: From Football to Forty PH54

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 08:59:00 -0700

“Everyone says I’m a lock for whatever. I’m not a lock for anything. I have to put my head down and I have to work. I know how hard I am working and I know there are people out there … Continued

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Amelia Boone on achievement and growing through obstacles PH53

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 04:00:00 -0700

“I reached a point about a year and a half ago where I said ‘Do I really enjoy this? Is the pressure getting to me?’ It was actually the injury and being forced to take a step back, where I was … Continued

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Tia-Clair Toomey on realizing her CrossFit and Olympic dreams and finding confidence PH52b

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 04:01:00 -0700

“It was still so hard to admit that I wanted to win, because I was scared of failure. I was so scared to say I want to win the CrossFit Games and I don’t do it. It’s just a horrible … Continued

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Tia-Clair Toomey on realizing her CrossFit and Olympic dreams and finding confidence PH52a

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 04:00:00 -0700

“If it wasn’t for CrossFit I would have never picked up on the weight training. At the time I thought, why not do both? What if one thing doesn’t work out? I would have another thing to fall back on. … Continued

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Dick Costolo on Taking Risks and Finding Fitness PH51

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 04:01:00 -0800

“Every time in my life, every time I have taken a risk – a big risk that wouldn’t make any sense for what you would do if you wanted to go and be the CEO of a big company – … Continued

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A Healthy Life PH50

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 04:00:00 -0800

Well here we are – I can’t believe we’ve already made it to the 50th episode of Pursuing Health! First of all, I want to say a HUGE thank you to all of you for listening. We are only getting started, … Continued

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Ben Smith on why he trains and the evolution of The CrossFit Games PH49

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 08:14:00 -0800

Attention! This week I’ve put together a brief survey to better understand who YOU are and what you’d most like to hear more of on Pursuing Health. If you could take a few moments to complete this voluntary and anonymous … Continued

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Jen Widerstrom: Health, Habits and Why You Are Enough PH48

Tue, 07 Feb 2017 02:00:00 -0800

“This is why I love fitness and health. It does not live in the gym. What we do, what we take on mentally in a workout that scares us translates in our lives. It translates in our courage out there.” – … Continued

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Coffee Talk with Katrin, Jen, and Kelley at the Reebok Athlete Summit PH47

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 05:58:00 -0800

Each year, Reebok brings together CrossFit Games athletes at an annual summit. During this time, athletes are introduced to Reebok’s brand campaign, apparel and footwear for the upcoming year. They are able to provide feedback, get to know the Reebok … Continued

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Living and training with Type 1 Diabetes with Brendan Snyder PH46

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 05:57:00 -0800

“You can’t really start making strides forward until you start telling yourself that maybe [having Type 1 Diabetes] makes you stronger, or maybe you wouldn’t be the person you are [without it]. Looking back on 13 years of diabetes, I … Continued

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Dan Bailey on Moving West, Training for 2017 and Danny Broflex PH45

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 02:00:00 -0800

“Having a passion for what you do, and a purpose for what you do. Those two things are probably going to be bigger than anything else in terms of having a healthy life, if we are going to take out … Continued

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5 Tips for New Year Nutrition and The HealthySelf Reset with BeingBrigid - PH44

Tue, 27 Dec 2016 02:05:00 -0800

In this episode I catch up with Brigid Titgemeier, functional dietitian nutritionist at the Center for Functional Medicine and nutrition blogger at BeingBrigid.com. Brigid received her undergraduate degree from Miami University of Ohio in Dietetics and her master’s of science in … Continued

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Jason Wachob: Founder and CEO of mindbodygreen and Inspiration To Live Your Best Life - PH43

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 23:43:00 -0800

“True health, true success, true happiness, it’s not going to be any books, it’s not going to be any guru. It’s unique to you. Fortunately or unfortunately you’re the only person who knows what that looks like. At the end … Continued

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Against All Grain's Danielle Walker on Advocating, Healing, and Celebrating PH42

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 01:23:00 -0800

“Is there anything I am eating, or not getting enough of, or deficient in, or something I am eating constantly that might be aggravating [my symptoms]? Every single doctor said no. They said the same three things: diet can’t cause … Continued

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Graham and Savanna Holmberg: From Fittest Man, to Faith and Family - PH41

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 22:46:00 -0800

Graham Holmberg, 2010 Fittest Man on Earth and six-time CrossFit Games athlete, along with his wife Savanna have built a positive, healthy and faithful community at their affiliate CrossFit Hilliard – Eleventh Element in Ohio. While owning and coaching at their affiliate, they’ve also navigated … Continued

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CrossFit to prepare for and recover from total knee replacements with David Mendenhall - PH40

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 03:04:00 -0700

“CrossFit didn’t break me – it made me stronger and more resilient. Other sports broke me down. CrossFit continues to make me more ‘bulletproof’ for life and its challenges – my challenges. It continues to allow for controlled, strenuous activity that builds wicked strong bones and … Continued

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Nutrition challenges and Practical Paleo with Diane Sanfilippo - PH39

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 01:28:00 -0700

Diane Sanfilippo is the owner and founder of Balanced Bites, a certified Nutrition Consultant, and two-time New York Times bestselling author of Practical Paleo, The 21-Day Sugar Detox and co-author of Mediterranean Paleo Cooking. Diane holds a B.S. from Syracuse … Continued

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Micronutrients and quality supplementation with Oliver Amdrup and Julius Heslet - PH38

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 00:35:00 -0700

Oliver Amdrup and Julius Heslet met in the gym, and it wasn’t long before they realized they both shared a passion for nutrition and specifically, fish oil. Oliver had studied business and followed his passion for fitness by opening CrossFit … Continued

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PH37 Steph Hammerman on overcoming obstacles, teaching CrossFit, and crushing cancer

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 03:14:00 -0700

Steph Hammerman was born 3 months premature and has been defying the odds of what it looks like to live with cerebral palsy ever since. With a background in hand cycling, she started CrossFit in 2012 at CrossFit Hardcore. It wasn’t long before … Continued

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PH36b Dominique Moceanu on gymnastics, healing, and health

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 06:26:00 -0700

Dominique Moceanu is the youngest member of the “Magnificent Seven,” the US gymnastics team that made history by winning the first ever team gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA. Dominique was born to Romanian immigrants and showed promise as a … Continued

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PH36 Dominique Moceanu on gymnastics, healing, and health

Mon, 05 Sep 2016 23:30:00 -0700

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PH35 Coach Greg Glassman on CrossFit, Chronic Disease, and the "5 Buckets of Death"

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 00:58:00 -0700

Coach Greg Glassman grew up in southern California as a gymnast and he supplemented his training with modalities including weightlifting and cycling. When he began his career as a trainer in 1974, he brought innovation to the industry ultimately redefining fitness … Continued

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PH34 Sal Masekela on his Achilles rupture, growing from setbacks, and CrossFit family

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 01:34:00 -0700

Sal Masekela is perhaps best known for his work as a commentator and journalist on platforms including NBC’s Red Bull Signature Series, ESPN’s Summer and Winter X Games, and E!’s Daily 10. He most recently hosted and executive produced VICELAND’s VICE World of Sports, … Continued

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PH33 Bob Harper on CrossFit, The Biggest Loser, and prioritizing health

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 04:05:00 -0700

Bob Harper has an extensive background as a personal trainer and is perhaps best known for his role on NBC’s The Biggest Loser. He has been a part of the show since its first season in 2004 as a trainer … Continued

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PH32 Pete Servold on fine dining, Paleo, and making the most of your meal prep

Tue, 12 Jul 2016 04:39:00 -0700

Pete Servold developed a love for food and cooking early on and worked in the culinary and restaurant industry since the age of 17. He graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Atlanta GA in 2007 and worked at Restaurant Eugene where he … Continued

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PH31 Robert Porter and his coach Patrick Flannery on losing 90 pounds with CrossFit and finding the right community for you

Tue, 28 Jun 2016 01:18:00 -0700

Robert Porter was a swimmer growing up and active through high school and college. As the years passed, he became more sedentary, and with his job as an insurance broker he ate a majority of his meals at restaurants. His weight slowly crept … Continued

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PH30 Nadia Johnston on how CrossFit helped her to overcome eating disorders and depression

Mon, 13 Jun 2016 23:02:00 -0700

Nadia Johnston just completed her first year studying psychology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, but several years ago her life looked very different. Since the age of 16 she has struggled with eating disorders and depression, at one point nearly … Continued

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PH29 Dave Castro on applying lessons learned as a SEAL, his daily routine, and directing the CrossFit Games

Mon, 30 May 2016 22:25:00 -0700

Dave Castro knew he wanted to become a Navy SEAL before graduating from high school, and it wasn’t long after that he enlisted in the Navy, graduated from BUD/S and began his service as a SEAL from 1998-2010. In 2005, he first … Continued

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PH28 James Hobart on teaching, competing, and the real purpose of CrossFit

Mon, 16 May 2016 21:10:00 -0700

James Hobart found CrossFit in 2007, and over the past decade he has served the CrossFit community through a variety of different roles. James joined CrossFit’s Seminar Staff in 2010 while at Suffolk Law School and graduated with his JD shortly thereafter … Continued

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PH27 Adrian Bozman on teaching CrossFit, judging at the CrossFit Games, and garage gym training

Mon, 02 May 2016 21:49:00 -0700

Adrian Bozman, known to many as “Boz,” has been a staple figure in the CrossFit community for nearly the past decade. Coming from a well-rounded fitness background that even included circus training, CrossFit was a natural transition. After attending his … Continued

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PH26 James Maskell on Functional and Integrative Medicine and the impact of community on health

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 23:44:00 -0700

James is the creator of Functional Forum, the world’s largest integrative medicine conference which meets live in New York and in meet up groups around the world each month, as well as the Evolution of Medicine podcast. He lectures internationally, and has been featured on TEDMED, … Continued

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PH25 Christy Adkins on overcoming injury, training for the 2016 CrossFit Games, and the future

Mon, 04 Apr 2016 23:03:00 -0700

Christy is a 6-time CrossFit Games athlete on a quest for her 7th CrossFit Games appearance this year, and she’s been a close friend of mine since we first competed together in 2010. She’s competed in the CrossFit Games every … Continued

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PH24 Airrosti doctors Ty Nickleberry and Jason Garrett on soft tissue treatment

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 23:03:00 -0700

In this episode, I visit the Airrosti Rehab Centers headquarters in San Antonio, TX and speak with two of the first Airrosti doctors, Dr. Jason Garrett and Dr. Ty Nickleberry. I’ve gotten to know Airrosti over the past few years … Continued

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PH23 Lindsey Valenzuela on pregnancy, affiliate ownership, and competition

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 22:31:00 -0800

In this episode, I sit down with Lindsey Valenzuela. Lindsey has been an athlete all her life and played collegiate volleyball at California Lutheran University. During that time, she began Olympic Weightlifting to train for volleyball and quickly fell in … Continued

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PH22 Brigid Titgemeier on Functional Nutrition

Mon, 22 Feb 2016 21:02:00 -0800

In this episode Pursuing Health, I sit down with Brigid Titgemeier, Functional Nutritionist at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. Brigid is a registered dietitian nutritionist at the Center for Functional Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. She received her undergraduate degree … Continued

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PH21 Pat Sherwood on CrossFit, the Games and quality of life and longevity

Mon, 08 Feb 2016 22:51:00 -0800

In this episode, I sit down with Pat Sherwood. Pat has been deeply involved in CrossFit for over 10 years. He served in the US Navy as a SEAL from 1997 to 2004, and it was shortly after this in … Continued

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PH20 Q+A on my current daily schedule, medical school applications, preventing injury, and advice for the CrossFit Games Open.

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 00:28:00 -0800

In episode 20 of Pursuing Health, I answer questions submitted to me by listeners. I address topics including my current daily schedule and life as a medical student on rotations, the process of applying to medical school and residency and how it relates … Continued

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PH19 Michelle Mitchell on her experience with exercise and CrossFit for fibromyalgia syndrome

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 00:31:00 -0800

I sit down with Michelle Mitchell, a Cleveland-based accountant, mom, and member of The Bar CrossFit in Eastlake, OH. Michelle shares her incredible story about how exercise and CrossFit have changed her life after a struggle with fibromyalgia syndrome that spanned … Continued

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PH18 Scott Panchik and his father on running an affiliate, competition, and recovering from injury

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 22:16:00 -0800

In this episode, I sit down with 4-time CrossFit Games competitor Scott Panchik and his father Dave to discuss their affiliate, CrossFit Mentality. Scott, along with his siblings, has always been very active and played football at the University of … Continued

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PH17 Juliet and Kelly Starrett on standing desks and movement for kids

Mon, 14 Dec 2015 21:52:00 -0800

In this episode, I sit down with Juliet and Kelly Starrett to discuss their non-profit organization, Stand Up Kids. Kelly and Juliet founded San Francisco CrossFit in 2005. While Juliet worked as an attorney and ran the business, Kelly … Continued

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PH16 Pete Katz and Dr. Isaacson on using CrossFit and Paleo to overcome chronic disease

Tue, 01 Dec 2015 00:25:00 -0800

In his 20’s Pete Katz was an active, healthy guy – he competed in triathlons, was a vegetarian, and at one point even ran a health food store. A knee injury, a demanding job, and family life eventually took over … Continued

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