The Dr. Shannon Show - podcast cover

The Dr. Shannon Show

Dr. Shannon Ritchey, PT, DPTwww.buzzsprout.com

Whether it's a research-based solo episode, a detailed expert interview, or a casual coffee chat, you'll learn what is true (and what isn't) regarding fitness, nutrition, mental health, skincare, and more. Join Shannon Ritchey, Doctor of Physical Therapy, fitness trainer, and founder of Evlo Fitness, each Thursday and occasional Fridays for science-based tools to improve your health. 

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Episodes

#221: Weights or cardio first, reaching failure vs. reps in reserve, and an important announcement

5 lbs of muscle episodes: #197: How to build 5lb of Muscle in 2025 Coffee Chat: My journey of building 5lb of muscle and body recomposition Coffee Chat: My updates on building muscle while pregnant, how to track muscle growth without a DEXA, and more #212: Building 5lb of muscle: how long does it take, member tips, and more 0:00: FREE MONTH JUNE 8TH & 9TH 1:35: 5 lbs of muscle check-in & member stories 5:00: Strength training before cardio 7:10: How education can lead to better results 8...

Jun 05, 202521 min

#220: How to Body Recomposition in a Sustainable, Effective Way

0:00: Introduction 7:40: Can you actually "tone" and "tighten?" 12:00: Exercise and fat loss 18:40: Body recomposition 27:22: Tracking macros 31:13: Five basics of building muscle 39:25: How to track progress 41:48: Volume needed for muscle hypertrophy To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com .

May 29, 202551 min

#219: Cardiovascular Aging: How to Measure and Improve It

0:00: Introduction to cardiovascular aging 2:00: How does the cardiovascular system age, and why should we care? 5:56: How to measure cardiovascular aging 8:24: How different types of exercise affects cardiovascular aging 11:30: Exercise recommendations for improving cardiovascular age 12:54: How to track cardiovascular improvements without a fitness wearable To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com ....

May 22, 202515 min

#218: How to train your nervous system and improve vagal tone

Vagal tone is an indication of the health of your nervous system. By improving your vagal tone, you can recover better, feel better, and potentially live longer. Dr. Shannon and Dr. Payton discuss vagal tone and how to improve it both in the short term and long term. 0:00: Introduction 1:45: Defining vagal tone 7:45: How does vagal tone affect your pain response? 10:45: How exercise affects vagal tone 16:55: How to measure vagal tone 23:27: How to improve vagal tone 29:43: How Dr. Payton has imp...

May 15, 202531 min

#217: Body Image and Body Dysmorphia with Psychiatrist Margaret Duncan

We all could improve our body image, but at what point should you seek help? Dr. Margaret Duncan discusses what thoughts may indicate body image concerns, how to improve body image, and when to seek professional help. Dr. Margaret Duncan's TikTok Dr. Margaret Duncan's Podcast 0:00: Introduction to Dr. Margaret Duncan 2:35: Body image 9:45: When should someone seek therapy for body dysmorphic disorder? 12:15: How can therapy help with body dysmorphic disorder 18:15: Body as object vs body as self...

May 08, 202550 min

Coffee Chat with Interior Designer Coco Greenblum

Coco Greenblum is good friend of Shannon's and her designer. Coco designed both the Evlo office space abd Shannon's home. Coco has years of experience working with celebrities and is passionate about design. Learn how to make your space more beautiful on this episode today. Coco's Website Coco's IG To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com ....

May 02, 202538 min

#216: What men and women should do when trying to conceive with Dr. Natalie Crawford

Whether you are currently trying to conceive or planning to do so in the next few years, this episode will educate you on what you can control in your fertility journey. Dr. Natalie Crawford, board certified OBGYN/REI, educates men and women on optimizing their fertility. Dr. Crawford's website Dr. Crawford's IG Dr. Crawford's YouTube 0:00: Introduction to Dr. Natalie Crawford 1:30: Medical steps to take before trying to conceive 13:24: Holistic steps to take before trying to conceive 16:03: Wha...

May 01, 202533 min

#215: Freezing your eggs, how our reproductive system changes with age, and more with Dr. Natalie Crawford

Reproductive health is a major part of our overall health, whether you're family planning or not. In part one of this interview with board certified OBGYN/REI Dr. Natalie Crawford, you will learn what all women should be taught in their early 20s about our reproductive system. Even if you're not currently family planning or never intend to, you'll walk away from this episode feeling more informed about your reproductive health. Dr. Crawford's website Dr. Crawford's IG Dr. Crawford's YouTube 0:00...

Apr 24, 202547 min

#214: How often should you work a muscle each week?

How many days/week should you work each muscle? And how many sets are needed in each workout? Shannon breaks down the current science on frequency and volume. She suggests a protocol that is both realistic and effective. 0:00: Introduction 1:40: Optimal volume for muscle growth 6:15: How frequently should you work a muscle group? 9:10: How many days per week should you strength train? 11:15: The bottom line To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evl...

Apr 17, 202512 min

#213: Understand your hormones in each decade with Dr. Jessica Shepherd

Hormones change throughout a woman's life, and it's important to be educated about how and what to expect. Jessica Shepherd, MD is a board-certified OBGYN, and discusses what all women should know about their hormones throughout their 30s and beyond. Dr. Shepherd's IG Dr. Shepherd's website 0:00: Introduction to Dr. Shepherd 2:15: How do our sex hormones change as we age? 7:15: The effect of breast feeding on hormones 12:13: Clean feminine hygiene products 20:50: What can we do in our 20s and 30...

Apr 10, 202550 min

#212: Building 5lb of muscle: how long does it take, member tips, and more

Building 5lb of muscle in 2025 can help you improve your metabolic health, body composition, strength, and longevity. In this episode, Dr. Shannon discusses her updates on building muscle, discusses member stories, and addresses frequently asked questions. 0:00: Why you should build 5 lbs of muscle 5:30: Dr. Shannon’s experience with building 5 lbs of muscle 12:00: Evlo member success stories 14:25: Q&A on building 5 lbs of muscle To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by D...

Apr 03, 202520 min

Coffee Chat with Olivia Adriance: Pregnancy Q&A

Today, I sit down with food blogger and local Austin resident Olivia Adriance, and we answer your questions about pregnancy. We talk about body image during pregnancy, training your core, how to stay consistent during first trimester, and more. To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com .

Mar 28, 202536 min

#211: How to get fit during pregnancy

Is it possible to build muscle or strength during pregnancy? Dr. Shannon breaks down the current literature and suggests a strength-training and cardio routine to aim for during pregnancy. 0:00: Introduction to weight lifting during pregnancy 5:00: ACOG exercise recommendations during pregnancy 8:30: Resistance training during pregnancy 13:20: Is it possible to build muscle during pregnancy? 16:00: How to build muscle & strength during pregnancy 28:00: How to maintain muscle 29:50: Signs and...

Mar 27, 202534 min

Mini: Will your waist get thicker by training abs?

Will training your abs close to failure will make your waist thicker? Dr. Shannon and Dr. Payton discuss this topic today. To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com .

Mar 25, 20255 min

#210: Does strength training cover all your bases for generalized health & fitness?

You may want a more fit-looking body, but other things are likely important to you as well: strength, mobility, balance, flexibility, endurance, bone density, cardiovascular health, and more. Can strength training really tick all of those boxes? Dr. Shannon and Dr. Payton address this today. Does Strength Training Double as Cardio episode 0:00: Introduction to hybrid training 2:50: How to exercise to improve posture 9:25: Mobility 15:15: Flexibility 18:56: Stability 23:54: Strength vs. muscle ma...

Mar 20, 202537 min

#209: AMA: Accuracy of Body Composition Scales, Splitting Workouts in Half, and More

1:05: Why ball crunches over regular crunches? 2:43: How accurate are body composition scales? 4:48: Do the Evlo instructors do "more" than the rest of us? 6:48: Is your workout just as effective if you stop halfway through and finish the rest later? 9:17: Can men do Evlo? 11:01: What to do if your low back hurts during heavy leg exercises? 15:38: How to keep Gentle Consistency® while planning a wedding? 22:50: How to deal with body image postnatal? To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build cl...

Mar 13, 202526 min

#208: Genetics and somatotypes - should you train for your body type?

You may have heard of the different somatotypes. Somatotypes categorize someone based on their body type: ectomorph, endomorph, or mesomorph. Shannon explains where this theory came from, how much genetics play a role in your results, and if/how you should train for your body type. 0:00: Introduction 1:30: How genetics influences fitness results 5:15: Should you train differently based on your somatotype? 10:30: What to do if you're struggling to gain muscle 16:00: What to do if you're strugglin...

Mar 06, 202520 min

#207: How does creatine affect body composition?

Creatine, a very popular and well-studied supplement, can affect body composition. But how? Dr. Shannon details how and how much creatine can affect lean mass and fat mass. 0:00: Introduction 1:30: How does creatine work? 3:30: Does creatine make you retain water? 4:14: How does creatine affect body composition? To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com ....

Feb 27, 20256 min

Ask an RD: Reverse dieting with Hope Brandt, RD

What is reverse dieting, and is it something you should implement to reach your goals? Registered Dietitian, Hope Brandt, discusses this in detail today. Hope's website Hope's IG To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com .

Feb 25, 20255 min

#206: Weight lifting & fertility with Dr. Payton Busker

What does the research say about exercise/weightlifting and fertility? Dr. Shannon interviews Dr. Payton about this topic today. Episode about Payton's IVF journey 0:00: Introduction 2:43: How can exercise have a negative effect on fertility? 8:06: Should we cycle sync? 11:23: How can exercise support fertility? 13:10: Exercise recommendations to support fertility To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com ....

Feb 20, 202520 min

Ask an RD: What to do if your total daily calorie goal seems too low? With Hope Brandt, RD

If you have a body recomposition goal, you will calculate your total daily energy expenditure to give you a calorie goal for the day. But what if that number feels too low? Hope Brandt, RD answers this today. Hope's website Hope's IG To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com ....

Feb 18, 20258 min

#205: The Burnout Effect: Understanding Anti-Recomposition and How to Avoid It

Have you ever tried an intense fitness program, done it for a few weeks, and quit because of soreness, fatigue, and unsustainability? Or, have you ever felt like you're doing "all the right things" and working hard but not seeing any progress? Today, Shannon will discuss the hormonal reasons why burnout happens and how it can lead to an anti-recomposition environment in which losing fat and/or building muscle becomes difficult. Shannon will also discuss symptoms to look for that indicate burnout...

Feb 13, 202521 min

Ask an RD: How to have more stable blood sugar levels with Allie Chilcote, MS, RD, LD

Stabilizing your blood sugar can lead to better energy, more stable hunger cues, and a healthier body. Learn all about blood sugar and why we should prioritize it with Functional Medicine Registered Dietitian, Allie Chilcote. Work with Allie Follow Allie on IG To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com ....

Feb 11, 202521 min

#204: Does strength training double as cardio?

You may have asked yourself, "My heart rate gets up when I lift, so does that count as cardio?" Shannon breaks down how strength training affects your cardiovascular health, specifically distinguishing the differences between traditional strength training and circuit training. She also speaks to the VO2 max changes that occur with different types of training: traditional cardio, HIIT, traditional strength training, and circuit training. 0:00: Introduction 1:40: Benefits of steady state cardio 6:...

Feb 06, 202519 min

Ask an RD: Calorie deficits, maintenance, and surpluses with Hope Brandt, RD

When should you be in a calorie deficit? And for how long? When is maintenance appropriate, and how do you know when you're at maintenance? Is a calorie surplus necessary for muscle growth? All these things are discussed in today's installment of ASK an RD, with our guest, Hope Brandt, RD. To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com .

Feb 04, 202512 min

#203: Can you target different portions of the same muscle? Breaking down regional hypertrophy

Can you grow different portions of a muscle? The answer appears to be yes. In this episode, Shannon breaks down what regional hypertrophy means and how each main muscle group can be targeted for complete muscle growth. 0:00: Introduction 1:18: Defining regional hypertrophy 2:40: Regional hypertrophy in the hamstrings 6:18: Regional hypertrophy in the quads 8:00: Regional hypertrophy in the glute max 12:40: Regional hypertrophy in the glute med 14:50: Regional hypertrophy in the inner thighs 16:5...

Jan 30, 202526 min

Ask an RD: How much protein can you eat at one time? With Hope Brandt, RD

In this installment of Ask an RD, I sit down with Hope Brandt, RD, to discuss how much protein you should eat at one time. Is it true that your body can only process a limited amount of protein from one meal? To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com .

Jan 28, 20254 min

#202: 200TH EPISODE BEST OF: Pilates & Megaformer: do they build muscle, tone, or "lengthen?"

In the final episode of our 200th episode series, Dr. Shannon is joined by Evlo instructor Dr. Payton to discuss Pilates. They answer if Pilates, barre, and megaformer methods build muscle. They also discuss the potential benefits of these methods and how/if to include them in your routine. 0:00: Introduction 2:35: Defining Pilates 5:14: Does high-rep, low-load training build muscle? 9:54: Benefits of Pilates 14:45: If I'm shaking or burning am I building muscle? 17: 30: Will Pilates make me "lo...

Jan 23, 202537 min
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