Monthly Archives: August 2022

The Present and Future Applications of Psychedelics for Improving Mental Health and Function with Dr. Daniel Karlin



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.


The Key Elements of Developing & Maintaining Strength and Power as We Age with John Welbourn



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.


Combining Functional Movement with Bodybuilding Methodology for Longevity, Strength, and Aesthetics with Fitness Mastermind Marcus Filly



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.


Key Principles of Prehabilitation and Joint Pain Correction with Dr Stacie Barber



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.