In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I spoke with Health Coach & Research Psychologist Dr. Kasey Jo Orvidas. We discussed some of the key research and tactics for developing positive life changes. We talked about the prerequisites for making long-term changes for the better and also how to overcome challenges, set-backs, and roadblocks along the way. Kasey also provided her insight on creating the ideal support structure to optimize outcomes. 

Kasey has transformed hundreds of lives (and minds) in her coaching career, while also being published in multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals for her research exploring the relationship between our mindset and our health and fitness behaviors. As a health and fitness coach, she was the Mastermind behind the creation of the Health Mindset Coaching Certification for health & fitness professionals.

Dr. Orvidas completed her Ph.D. in Psychology at North Carolina State University where her research focused on health behavior change and mindsets – specifically dwelling on eating and exercise behaviors, body image, and self-regulation. In addition to her graduate training, she is also a certified nutrition coach and owner of KJO Coaching.

She is also a writer and member of the scientific review board for Legion Athletics, where she shares her knowledge and passion for all things fitness, nutrition, and psychology. In addition, Dr. Kasey also makes guest appearances sharing her knowledge on numerous health & fitness podcasts.

Find out more about Dr. Kasey on her website www.kjocoaching.com and on Instagram @coachkaseyjo.

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:14 — 38.2MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with CrossFit Games coach James Jowsey. We had a great conversation about programming, injury prevention, and nutrition. James talked about programming for building tissue tolerance and sustainability over the long term. We also talked about helping athletes and clients distinguish between good and bad pain to optimize performance while minimizing injury risk. 

Coach James Jowsey is a Sports Coach & Therapist who specializes in human movement for the treatment of injuries and increasing performance. He is the Head Coach of the Trinity Programme in Red Pill Generic and Founder of the JamesJowseyTraining.com and has trained some high level CrossFit Games athletes, including Sam Briggs and Emma McQuaid. 

Before beginning his fitness industry career, James was a professional goalkeeper playing in the Manchester United reserve team. Shortly afterward, James started as a personal trainer in 2005, and became fascinated with how all his clients moved differently and got different responses from the same exercises. These practical day to day observations sent James on a path to understand human function alongside a Level 5 Advanced Sports Therapy Diploma. 

Coach James found his love of CrossFit in 2006 and began to use his learnings helping CrossFitters to regain lost movement patterns. With over 17 years of experience in the fitness industry and working with athletes at the pinnacle of their sporting career, ranging from CrossFit, English Premier League and Championship football and Premiership rugby players. 

He has spent years being invited to travel around Europe to work with CrossFit Games champions, Games competitors, European Regional athletes, and CrossFit gym members.

The majority of his work comes from the CrossFit world, but James has also worked with professional MMA fighters and professional footballers, as well as amateur enthusiasts from cycling, triathlon, running, and golf. James’ most recent project is the SQUATFit service founded with friend and mentor Phil Mansfield.

Find out more about Coach James on his website www.jamesjowseytraining.com and on Instagram @jamesjowseytraining.

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:49 — 41.5MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with Matt Wenning, who is a world class strength athlete and coach. We talked about the key considerations for sustainable strength training for overall health and longevity. Matt outlined the components of his infamous Wenning warmup that has help build world class strength. He talked about the importance of exercise and programming variance to reduce training mileage, wear and tear, and allow for successful training for the long haul. Matt also detailed his philosophy for nutrition, recovery, and the key principles for avoiding injury past the age of 40. 

Matt is one of only a handful of people to total over 2,600lbs in a professional competition, hold an all-time world record of 2,665lbs in the 308-lb class, and bench press over 800lbs in a full powerlifting meet. He is a three-time world champion powerlifter who has led over 6,000 troops in strength, conditioning, and wellness for the U.S. Army including Infantry and Ranger Divisions. He graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s Degree in Biomechanics.

Matt was raised in Indiana by a hardworking, middle-class family. His mother was a nurse, and his father was a Marine and truck driver. When he was six years old, Matt was hit by a car going 50 mph, which took a toll on his physical development. After undergoing 12 months of full leg casts and 12 months in a boot, his legs were underdeveloped. 

Four years later, Matt discovered lifting. It allowed him to see he was capable of anything, despite what he had gone through during his recovery from injuries. At the age of 13, Matt started lifting in competitions when his father passed away due to cancer. In the beginning, lifting was just a stepping stone to the goal of football. However, it became a much larger path in his life which motivated Matt to further his education and become a strength coach. 

Matt has been an adviser for the NFL, an international speaker for the NSCA, as well as a contractor for border patrol, airborne divisions, and the pentagon. He is currently a private strength coach at Ludus Magnus gym in Columbus, Ohio, and a personal trainer to many executives and professionals at Capital Club Athletics. He also works with firefighters, physicians, children with disabilities, and all forms of athletes in the Columbus, Ohio, area. 

Find out more about Matt on his website www.wenningstrength.com and on Instagram @realmattwenning. 

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:37 — 51.4MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I had a fascinating chat with Dr Dan Karlin about the latest info on the applications of psychedelics for improving cognitive function and mental health. We talked about the most common outcomes, proper dosing, and designing the ideal environment and experience. Dr. Karlin summarized what we currently know about the mechanism and the relation to our neurotransmitters and neuroplasticity. We also talked about future applications and when we could expect some of these psychedelics to come to market. 

Dr. Dan Karlin joined MindMed as Chief Medical Officer in February 2021 following MindMed’s acquisition of HealthMode, the company he co-founded and led as CEO. He graduated with degrees in Neuroscience and Behavior (BA), and Clinical Informatics (MA), Columbia University; Medicine (MD), University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Dr. Dan is Board Certified in Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, and Clinical Informatics working at the intersection of health and technology in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry on psychiatric drug development, novel instruments, data, and analysis-driven strategies for clinical drug development; and in clinical medicine where he practices psychiatry and addiction medicine, teaches clinical skills and quality improvement, develop novel technologies, and creates tech-enabled care models and practices.

Prior to joining HealthMode, he established and led Pfizer’s Digital Medicine and Innovation Research Lab’s clinical, informatics, and regulatory strategy. He also worked at Pfizer as the Global Clinical Lead for psychiatry clinical compounds. He previously served as Column Health’s founder and Chief Medical Officer, a leading technology-enabled psychiatry and addiction practice.

Dr. Dan serves as a strategic advisor to several pharmaceutical, biotech, and health technology firms. He is also a founding Advisor to the Digital Biomarkers Journal, the founder and Board Member of the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe), and a member of the Critical Path Alzheimer’s Disease, MJFF, and Mental Health IT committees at the APA.

Currently, he is also an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Find out more about Dr. Dan on the MindMed website at www.mindmed.co.

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:45 — 46.9MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I sat down with CEO of Power Athlete, John Welbourn. John chatted about his journey to becoming a 9 year NFL athlete and CrossFit Games competitor.  We talked about the key principles of strength training to stimulate long-term functional strength and sustained muscle mass. John discussed the most critical habits for developing and maintaining athleticism and function as we age. We also chatted about the concept of metabolic flexibility, its importance, and how it is developed. 

John Welbourn is the CEO of Power Athlete and Fuse Move and the creator of the online training phenomena, Johnnie WOD. He is a 9-year veteran of the NFL and was a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999-2003, the Kansas City Chiefs from 2004-2007, and appeared in 3 NFC Championship games. 

In 2008, he played with the New England Patriots until an injury ended his season early with him retiring in 2009. Over the course of his career, John has started over 100 games and has 10 playoff appearances. 

John got involved with CrossFit after retiring from the NFL and eventually developed the CrossFit Football program. He has worked with the MLB, NFL, NHL, Olympic athletes, and the Military, and he currently travels the world lecturing on performance and nutrition for Power Athlete.

Find out more about John on his website at www.powerathlete.com and on Instagram at @johnwelbourn.

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:52 — 58.0MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I interviewed Marcus Filly, who has been a leader in the fitness industry for 10+ years. Marcus talked about his journey from sport to med school to become a 6-time CrossFit Games athlete. We chatted about the essential training elements to optimize healthspan and how to prioritize and balance the key habits with a demanding life schedule. Marcus and I also talked about the logistics of programming for sustainability and longevity to keep in peak functional shape for as long as possible. 

Marcus is the CEO and Founder of Revival Strength, as well as the creator of the Functional Bodybuilding training method. He is a six-time CrossFit Games competitor (2016 12th fittest) and has 20 years of expertise coaching and structuring individual and group training programs for clients all around the world. 

The desire to assist people to live healthier lifestyles inspired Marcus to leave part way through medical school and pursue a career in coaching. After reaching the pinnacle of his competitive career and experiencing burnout and injury, he created the Functional Bodybuilding Method, which combines bodybuilding techniques with functional movements focusing on longevity, strength, and aesthetics to help people look good and move well for as long as possible.

Currently, he leads a team of coaches and creates online Functional Bodybuilding training, nutrition, and education programs. He also co-hosts the “Look Good Move Well Podcast”.

Find out more about Marcus on his website at www.functional-bodybuilding.com and on Instagram at @marcusfilly.

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:57 — 47.1MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with Dr. Stacie Barber, a Physical Therapist and founder of “The Physio Fix” in Phoenix, Arizona. We covered all things physical therapy from her background to her passion for helping people move better and feel better. We talked about the key foundational principles of mobility work as a tool for injury prevention and movement prep. Stacie talked about the key exercises that should be included in a weekly routine, in order to optimize joint function and longevity. We talked about how and when to apply ice, cold therapy, and compression to facilitate recovery. Stacie talked about the use of Olympic lifting as an anti-aging tool, and also the future of the mobility industry. 

Dr. Stacie Barber received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Illinois State University in 2011 where she was an NCAA student-athlete, earning several honors in the sport of gymnastics. After undergrad, Stacie went on to become a strength and performance coach, furthering her knowledge of exercise prescription and implementation. With a special interest in sports rehab/prehab, she later pursued her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree which she obtained from Duke University in 2015. By 2017, Dr. Stacie then founded “The Physio Fix”.

As a former collegiate gymnast and current Olympic Weightlifter, Dr. Stacie aims to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and sports performance. She has had her fair share of orthopedic injuries/surgeries and understands how detrimental an injury can be for an athlete at any level. She spends a lot of time with patients analyzing their movement patterns, identifying deficits, and improving body mechanics to not only fix the current problem but also prevent future compensations and degeneration.

Dr. Stacie enjoys working with the entire spectrum of patients of all ages who participate in a wide range of sports. To assist people to reach their maximum potential, she incorporates strength training, mobility training, and sports performance enhancement into all her treatment plans.

In her spare time, Dr. Stacie enjoys quality time at home with her husband and their five dogs who regularly provide “patient support” at her facility. She has competed in Gymnastics, Powerlifting, and Bodybuilding, and is currently pursuing her passion for Olympic Weightlifting.

Find out more about Dr. Stacie Barber on her website at www.thephysiofix.com and on Instagram at @thephysiofix.

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:49 — 25.0MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with CrossFit Games veteran Alex Vigneault. Alex talked about his recipe for success on the field, while balancing being a full-time police officer and father. We chatted about his programming, including improving weaknesses, accessory and mobility work. Alex talked about his approach to finding optimal nutrition to fuel his workout, as well as his mental approach to competitions. 

Alex Vigneault is a former hockey player with a passion for sports. While studying as a police officer, the five-time individual CrossFit Games athlete from Quebec started his CrossFit journey in 2013 and made his first regional appearance in 2014 at the Canada East Regional. He made his Games debut in 2015 with an 11th-place finish. He qualified again for the Games in 2016, 2019, and 2021 with two top-ten finishes. He also qualified for this year’s CrossFit Games via a 4th place finish at the Atlas Games.

Find out more about Alex on his Instagram at @vigneaultalex.

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy I caught up with CrossFit Games competitor, Alex Gazan. I asked Alex about how she got started in the sport and her road to qualifying for the CrossFit Games. We chatted about her programming, recovery, and nutrition strategy. We also talked about her team of workout partners and coaches and the dynamics that have helped her reach a truly elite level of fitness. 

Alex Gazan is a CrossFit Games athlete based in Las Vegas, Nevada who has been competing in the Games since 2018. Alex has grown while under the coaching of Justin Cotler and the Underdogs Athletics. Her best lifts are at a 240lb clean and jerk in a 375lb deadlift and she’s just coming off a fourth-place finish at the Granite Games. 

Find out more about Alex on her Instagram at @alexgazan_.

*** Please note that the content discussed in this podcast is intended for self-education and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:13 — 19.9MB)

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