In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I caught up with Dr. Ray Gorman, who is a physical therapist and entrepreneur. We chatted about pain management and the roles of the therapist, coach and athlete in rehabilitation. Ray gave some really insightful info on understanding pain vs soreness. We talked about how and when to prescribe rest and/or active recovery as well as the transition from rehabilitation to regular training. 

Dr. Ray Gorman is a physical therapist from Nevada, who has spent the recent years of his career leading countless coaches and has worked on creating an education system on how to take effective measures toward getting athletes and everyday people out of pain and improve their performance and function. 

Earning a bachelor’s degree in Community Health Science at the University of Nevada and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Touro University Nevada, Dr. Ray draws on his experience as a Physical Therapist where he’s worked in the typical day-to-day outpatient clinic and in Division 1 Sports. Over time, he began to understand that to feel true fulfillment it was time to grow. He scaled the impact he had on the world by helping the people who help people. His interests include outpatient orthopedic, inpatient rehabilitation, sports performance, strength and conditioning, athletic performance, and managerial and business management. 

You can find more about his work on his website.

*** 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: 36:16 — 33.7MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with Olympic Silver Medalist Laurent Dupreuil. We talked about Laurent’s athletics environment growing up, his training and recovery practices, and his nutrition strategy for optimizing performance. Laurent also talked about how he has fine-tuned and improved his training practices over the years to become one of the top skating athletes in the world. 

Laurent Dubreuil, the current world champion in the 500m, continues to dominate on the international stage and has become Canada’s most successful sprinter in the last decade. He was named the Speed Skating Canada’s long track Rising Star in 2011 and received the Jeremy Wotherspoon Award for Male Long Track Athlete of the Year in 2015 and 2021.

The son of Canadian long track Olympians Robert Dubreuil and Ariane Loignon, Laurent had early success, running in three World Junior Championships from 2010 to 2012 and winning four medals, including 500m gold in 2012. He finished on the podium five times for Team Quebec in the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax.

The Lévis native made his World Cup debut during the 2011-2012 season and has since won a remarkable 29 medals. Despite only skating a few times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dubreuil finished his 2020-2021 season with four World Cup medals and two podium positions at the World Championships, including gold in the 500m. He became only the second Canadian male to win the 500m world title, following three-time winner Jeremy Wotherspoon. In addition, he made history by winning silver at the 2020 World Sprint Championships, becoming one of only four Canadians to reach the men’s podium in the event’s 50-year history.

You can find more about Laurent Dubreuil on his Instagram @laurent_dubreuil

*** 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: 29:53 — 27.8MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with Dr. Kelly Starrett, who is a world-renowned physical therapist and best-selling author. We talked about the importance of mobility for improving movement, function, and prospective healthspan. We discussed the most critical fundamental concepts of mobility and how to build habits for resolving joint pain, and preventing injuries. Dr. Starrett and I also chatted about some of the most common miscues and underutilized types of mobility exercises.

Dr. Kelly Starrett is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a two-time New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and CrossFit trainer. His 2013 fitness book, Becoming a Supple Leopard, was featured on The New York Times’ bestselling sportsbooks list. With his wife Juliet Starrett, he co-founded the fitness website The Ready State, formerly known as the MobilityWOD.

Dr. Starrett is one of the world’s leaders in developing movement patterns congruent with optimal joint function. His clients include Olympic gold medalists, Tour de France cyclists, world and national record holders in Olympic lifting and powerlifting, CrossFit Games medalists, ballet dancers, and elite military personnel.

Since 2013, his fitness career has focused primarily on publishing and continued CrossFit and mobility training. In 2014, he was featured on 60 Minutes Sports for his work on posture and mobility. His work has also appeared on The View, The Joe Rogan Experience, CBS Sports, Outside Magazine, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, and several more podcasts, publications, and books.

To learn more about Dr. Starrett and his work, you can check him out on his website The Ready State.

*** 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: 52:35 — 48.2MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with Executive Director of Source Medicine, Dr. Leilani van Koten. Leilani chatted about her history as a medical doctor and psychotherapist and how that lead her into the field of resonance therapy. We talked about some of the astounding clinical outcomes she has seen in treating both infectious and chronic disease. Leilani discussed some of the research and development that has gone into developing this practice, including some of the principles of energy transfer and quantum physics. 

Dr. Leilani’s academic career started with a Medical Degree from Edinburgh University. She practiced for a number of years as a medical doctor and psychotherapist. Over time, Dr. van Koten has progressed from a focus on illness towards more focus on achieving a higher level of health and well-being. With her desire to work consciously with the issue of holistic healing, she met with Peter Chappell, originator of the Source Resonance initiative. The two of them started working together on research and organizational development of Source Medical. 

You can find more about Dr. van Koten and her work at Source Medicine.

*** 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: 39:01 — 36.2MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I caught up with Jack Farlow, who is making waves as a competitor in the sport of fitness. We talked about Jack’s journey from the early days of finding fitness to his first CrossFit Games appearance as a teen in 2019. Jack talked about his training methods, nutrition, recovery, and mindset. We also chatted about how he is able to balance his training schedule and keep up with one of the most challenging and demanding undergraduate programs in the country. 

Growing up, Jack Farlow played all kinds of sports including lacrosse, football, soccer, and baseball but had a true passion for hockey. In 2015, he found the competitive side of CrossFit. Within a couple of years, his passion for the sport outgrew his love for hockey. Since then, he has competed globally including the CrossFit Games in 2019 where Jack took home a 6th place finish in the teen division. Jack is currently training to join the world’s fittest and qualify for the CrossFit Games as an adult. Earlier this year, Jack was featured in the Morning Chalk Up as one of the Sports Young Guns to watch out for in the 2022 CrossFit Games season. Clearly his future as an athlete is very bright. 

You can find more about Jack Farlow on Instagram.

*** 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: 19:13 — 18.1MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I caught up with mental performance specialist, Alex Hodgins. We talked about the practical aspects of cognitive behaviour therapy, dealing with high pressure situations, and the impact of sleep on cognitive performance. Alex described the tools he applies to help his clients find positivity and prepare for success.

Alex Hodgins is a Mental Performance Consultant helping athletes and organizations optimize their training performance training. He earned his master’s degree in Sports Psychology from the University of Ottawa in 2015 where he specialized in leadership and culture development, as well as individual and team performance. He previously worked as the mental performance coach for Canada’s Women’s Soccer Team, which won bronze in 2016 and gold in 2020 at the Olympic Games. Over the years, he has supported athletes in reaching the podium at prestigious competitions such as the 2015 PanAm Games and the 2016 Olympic Games. Currently, he is the mental health consultant of the Vancouver Canucks and Vancouver Whitecaps.

Employing cutting-edge approaches such as biofeedback, mindfulness, and pressure management strategies, Alex’s calm temperament, and natural teaching abilities have empowered some of the world’s most outstanding athletes to achieve consistent results in the most challenging scenarios.

To learn about Alex and his team of mental performance specialists, check out Kambio Performance.

*** 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: 32:23 — 30.1MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy,  I sat down with 2-time Olympic Pole Vaulter, Anicka Newell, as we chatted about different training regimens in her preparation for the Olympics. Anicka dissected the pole vault movement itself and the specific skill that goes into the jump. We also talked about the key nutrition, recovery and mental strategies in advancing towards peak athletic performance.

Getting into the sport, Anicka Newell started pole vaulting at age 16. After graduating from Texas State University in 2016 with a major in Exercise Sports Science, she made her Olympic debut at Rio in the same year finishing second at the Canadian Championships. She set her personal best at 4.65m in June 2017 at a meet at her alumni stadium in San Marcos, Texas, making her the number two Canadian woman all-time. She repeated as the runner-up at the Canadian Championships before making the final in her debut at the World Athletics Championships.

In early 2018, Newell finished seventh at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. She went on to win her first national title. In January 2021, she set a new indoor personal best of 4.70m at a meet in Texas. Outdoors, she recorded a season-high 4.60m in May. In her second Olympic appearance at Tokyo 2020, she advanced to the 15-woman finals. Anicka now works as a coach and personal trainer in Elite Sportz SA. Outside of her sport, she enjoys being near the water and wakeboarding.

You can find Anicka on Instagram @flygirl93.

*** 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: 27:46 — 25.9MB)

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In this week’s episode of Healthspan Academy, I chatted with Justin Cotler, who coaches a range of high level athletes, including CrossFit Games Athletes Bethany Shadburne, Danielle Brandon, and podium finisher Kari Pearce. Justin and I talked about programming, health, and injury prevention. He outlined how he helps maximize his athletes’ short-term and long-term performance. 

Justin Cotler is the Founder, Head Coach, and Head Programmer of Underdogs Athletics and is currently the USAFF (United States Functional Fitness) National Team Head Coach. He is also the owner of CrossFit Dynamix in Queens, New York which has been thriving for more than a decade. He has coached multiple CrossFit Games teams and individuals over the last 10 years. He was also the head coach of the 2x NPGL champion DC Brawlers and was the 2014 Grid League Coach of the Year. 

You can learn more about Justin and his coaching services at Underdogs Athletics. 

*** 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: 42:38 — 39.5MB)

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