Three years into the Wellness Paradox podcast and the journey continues with a fervor for bridging the worlds of fitness and healthcare, in an effort to make movement a form of a medicine. In this three year anniversary episode, we flip the script and have our host, Michael Stack, be on the receiving end of the interview questions. For this special occasion we've enlisted Nate Langley as our guest host. Nate is a long-time colleague and friend of Michael's, who was instrumental in push...
May 19, 2024•47 min
Strap in for an enlightening journey with our guest Dr. Amy Bantham, as we uncover the vital yet often overlooked role fitness professionals can play in engaging youth through non-sport physical activities. In a discussion brimming with passion and expertise, Amy shares insights from her book, "Move to Live More," painting a vivid picture of how health and fitness centers can transform into community beacons of whole child health and wellness. This episode casts a spotlight on the scar...
May 15, 2024•37 min
Unlock the keys to a sharper mind and an invigorated life with Sarah Lenz Lock from AARP in our latest episode. As we explore the lesser-known truths about cognitive health and aging, Sarah provides a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies to improve brain health throughout our life. Her insights into AARP's groundbreaking research and initiatives offer fitness professionals the tools they need to revolutionize the way we approach exercise and wellness in the aging adult community. Di...
May 01, 2024•42 min
When Melissa Merkle stepped into the fitness industry, her personal battles with mental health illuminated the path to a more holistic approach in health coaching. In our latest Wellness Paradox podcast episode, she shares how deep listening and cultivating relationships with clients go beyond the typical workout regimen to address mental health. We unravel the complexities fitness professionals face in supporting their clients' mental well-being and the transformative potential of exercise...
Apr 17, 2024•37 min
Embark on an enlightening exploration with Drew Smithson, whose journey from healthcare executive to lifestyle medicine advocate epitomizes the transformative power of wellness. Throughout our conversation, Drew opens up about his career evolution, fueled by an unwavering passion for fitness and bolstered by his experiences in nutritional science and healthcare administration. His personal battle with weight gain amidst the pressures of the industry and the pivotal moments leading to the creatio...
Apr 03, 2024•45 min
Discover the enlightening journey of how GetSetUp, under the guidance of co-founder Lawrence Kosick, is redefining the engagement of aging adults with technology and wellness. In an engaging conversation, Lawrence unveils the origins of this transformative platform, born from a commitment to enhancing senior lives, particularly in the shadow of the pandemic's challenges. With a seamless blend of tech education and an enriching curriculum, GetSetUp emerges as a beacon for seniors seeking con...
Mar 20, 2024•42 min
Imagine transforming the darkest moments of your life into a beacon of hope for others. That's exactly what Lynne and Victor Brick did, channeling their personal pain into the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation. Join us as we uncover the power of fitness in mental wellness and discuss the foundation's pioneering Mental Wellbeing Certification. The Bricks' heartfelt stories, paired with their innovative approach, provide enlightening insights into how holistic lifestyle behavio...
Mar 06, 2024•39 min
For years we’ve understood the strong link between exercise and physical health. What has been underappreciated is the link between exercise, physical activity, and mental health. Our guest in episode 116, Dr. A'Naja Newsome knows this well, but also knows the narrative is changing. This paradigm shift is not a moment too soon given the severity of the mental health crisis in America. As Dr. Newsome points out in our conversation the burden of disease from mental illness is on par with chro...
Feb 21, 2024•36 min
Unlock the full potential of your health as Dr. Christopher Davis, Chief Medical Officer for Liquivida, joins us to explore the transformative world of nutrient IV therapy. Prepare to be enlightened on how this cutting-edge treatment is reshaping the landscape of personal health management. With Dr. Davis's transition from interventional cardiology to the holistic realm of functional medicine, we delve into the essential role of addressing the root causes of illness. Together, we navigate t...
Feb 07, 2024•38 min
Unlock the door to a calmer you with the help of Dr. Matthew Lederman as we navigate an area that is often overlooked by fitness professionals - the parasympathetic nervous system. Imagine achieving a serene state of mind amidst the chaos of your daily life; this episode is your guidebook. Dr. Lederman returns to the Wellness Paradox podcast, amplifying our prior insights with advanced strategies for harmonizing our body's restful processes. We'll dissect the intricate dance between br...
Jan 24, 2024•40 min
Anti-obesity medications (like Ozempic) are quickly and dramatically shifting the way weight loss is approached. Lifestyle interventions involving calorie restriction and high-volume exercise, once viewed as primary tools to treat obesity, now seem inadequate next to these potent drugs. Furthermore, the oversimplified mantra of “eat less, move more” seems far less relevant given how these medications work. As fitness professionals have been heavily involved in the “move more” part of that mantra...
Jan 03, 2024•36 min
As we bring 2023 to a close, we acknowledge we’ve learned quite a bit about addressing the Wellness Paradox this past year. This knowledge was driven by our amazing guest that all provided insight and actionable to address the gap that exists between fitness professionals and the medical community. In episode 112, we summarize the collective thoughts of expert guests from this past year about how to address the Wellness Paradox. We trust that you’ll find their insights even more enlightening whe...
Dec 27, 2023•36 min
What happens when a razor-sharp attorney meets the world of fitness? This dynamic episode with Hasson Barnes, a seasoned attorney from Baltimore, promises to unfold the intricate layers of legal liability for fitness professionals. We dig deep into the nuances of liability, from criminal and civil facets to professional and general liability. Hasson’s meticulous legal perspectives will guide you through this complex territory, highlighting the dire consequences of high exposure. Navigating the l...
Dec 13, 2023•40 min
Welcome to another insightful episode of the Wellness Paradox. Today, we are thrilled to have Gabby Rivero, a pioneer in the use of dance and movement to enhance mental health. Gabby's passion for bringing a much-needed change in the mindset towards dance and emotions in our culture is awe-inspiring. Her decade-long research led her to establish Express & Release, a therapeutic dance organization that advocates the unique role of mindful movement in our emotional health. During the epis...
Nov 29, 2023•38 min
Join us for this insightful conversation on the scientific breakthroughs and potential of GLP-1 drugs in managing obesity. For this discussion we’re joined by Dr. Andrew Kraftson, a leading obesity medicine specialist from the University of Michigan Medical System. We'll not only gain a better understanding of these drugs, but also talk about their implications for fitness professionals. Dr. Kraftson enlightens us about the effectiveness of these medications and the significant role they pl...
Nov 15, 2023•41 min
Career changes are never easy, but they can often be rewarding once you've taken the leap. That's what our guest in episode 108, Stacia Root, found as she transitioned from an acute care nurse to a fitness professional; defying the traditional norms and challenges of her previous profession. Stacia's compelling narrative, sprinkled with tales of her unique experiences, is a testament to her unwavering commitment to her passion, even in the face of uncertainty. In this engrossing c...
Nov 01, 2023•33 min
Ever felt that tinge of burnout creeping in as you balance your personal and professional life? You're not alone. This episode features the inspiring Dr. Svetlana Chamoun, a lifestyle medicine physician who transitioned from interventional cardiology and whose life journey has been marked by significant trials and triumphs. Her personal narrative, punctuated by her father's exile to a Siberian Gulag, her own brush with mortality, and her relocation to the US, underscores the importance...
Oct 18, 2023•43 min
Imagine stepping into an arena equipped with robust psychological fitness, where mental resilience isn't a struggle but a norm. This is precisely what you'll gather from our fascinating conversation with psychologist and coach, Karen Doll, author of 'Building Psychological Fitness'. Karen walks us through her insights into how high performers achieve success with ease. We delve into a crucial discussion about the mental health crisis, highlighting the pressing need for mental...
Oct 04, 2023•35 min
It is often said, your competition can replicate everything but your culture. Anyone who has been involved in leadership in any organization and industry knows this to be true. In the highly competitive landscape of the fitness industry, culture can be a true differentiator. It can be the difference between success and failure. Our guest in episode 105, Kemper Sosa, understands the importance of a positive fitness culture, and cultivates it everyday in the way he leads. Kemper has made the journ...
Sep 20, 2023•40 min
Ever wondered how to add a sprinkle of joy to your clients' daily exercise? Or how to make wellness not just an aspiration but a joyful journey? Tune in to our enlightening conversation with Dr. Alona Pulde and Dr. Matthew Lederman, authors of the transformative book, Wellness to Wonderful. We dissect their nine pillars of wellness and how these pillars can be an eye-opening guide to enhance health, longevity and happiness. Exercise isn't just about following guidelines and regimes, it...
Sep 06, 2023•45 min
Imagine a world where fitness professionals and the medical community work in seamless harmony, enhancing the health outcomes of those most in need. That's the transformative vision Sharon Bourke, a seasoned medical exercise specialist, has been championing for over two decades. Today, Sharon joins us as we discuss her unique approach, blending medical knowledge with fitness expertise for the chronically diseased and co-morbid population, all through the lens of health equity. We'll al...
Aug 23, 2023•38 min
We have explored the topic of autism and exercise on the Wellness Paradox previously, in episode 69. This time we do it through the unique lens of translating research into practice. In episode 102 we're once again joined by David Geslak, a pioneer in the realm of autism and exercise who was on the podcast in episode 69. David is joined by Dr. Haylie Miller, an acclaimed researcher on autism and exercise from the University of Michigan. Our conversation is an eye-opening exploration of the ...
Aug 09, 2023•47 min
Ever wondered what it takes to professionalize the fitness industry? Join us as we chat with Francis Neric, Associate Vice President for Certification and Credentialing at the American College of Sport Medicine and President of the Coalition for the Registry of Exercise Professionals (CREP). This conversation focuses on the critical role CREP plays in this transformation, as it brings together many critical stakeholders to the advocacy and professionalization efforts taking place in the fitness ...
Jul 26, 2023•41 min
Can you imagine a world where fitness professionals are seamlessly integrated into every aspect of healthcare? Join us for a special 100th episode of the Wellness Paradox podcast, where we've gathered invaluable insights from 15 of our esteemed guests, all answering the question: "What is your one piece of advice for fitness professionals to close off the Wellness Paradox gap?" Together, we discuss the challenges of integrating the role of fitness professionals into medicine and t...
Jul 12, 2023•48 min
Often when we think about training the aging adult, we think about an individual who is chronically diseased and functionally limited. While that is certainly true of some (maybe most) aging adults, it’s not true for all. There is another segment of adults that would be better classified as aging athletes. Our guest in episode 99, Andy Graham, knows this group well, as he’s one of them. Andy is a long-time fitness industry veteran, primarily working in the equipment space. He’s also started a bl...
Jun 28, 2023•38 min
Being a knowledgeable fitness professional is clearly important. Knowledge and intellect, while important, are not sufficient to be an effective fitness professional. Being effective means being able to use that knowledge to connect what you know, in a meaningful way, to the person that needs to know it. This is where emotional intelligence comes in. Our guest in episode #98, Bob Esquerre, has made a career out of blending this knowledge about fitness and exercise with emotional intelligence. In...
Jun 14, 2023•40 min
Many times on the Wellness Paradox we’ve made the business and public health case for the importance of serving the aging adult population. One very salient issue associated with aging, that fitness professionals don’t think as much about, is hearing loss. In fact, CDC data suggests that 25% of all individuals over the age of 65 experience disabling hearing loss. Given that statistic, it is clear that many aging clients are struggling with clinical and subclinical levels of hearing loss. Our gue...
May 31, 2023•38 min
One of the few positive aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic was a renewed interest in outdoor exercise. Certainly, driven by necessity during that period of time, it has still persisted as a viable environment to engage a variety of individuals in various types of physical activity and exercise. Indeed, anyone who has any time being physically active outdoors knows the benefits extend far beyond just physical exertion. The unique benefits of movement outdoors, and more specifically, outdoor recreat...
May 17, 2023•38 min
Anyone who has spent more than a day as a fitness professional knows that many clients have goals related to improving body composition. Have it be for reasons of health, performance, or aesthetics, body composition improvement is a prominent reason clients come to fitness professionals. Given this is the case, it is incumbent upon fit pros to have a reliable method for measuring change in body composition over time with clients. We’ll dive into the topic of body composition measurement in episo...
May 03, 2023•41 min
Most fitness professionals think of physical health when they think about the benefits of exercise. While it’s very true exercise certainly improves physical health, more and more emerging research is highlighting the role exercise plays in brain health. In fact, much of this emerging research suggests exercise is as critical for the health of the brain, as it is for the body. Given rates of cognitive decline (and associated diseases) as well as the mental health crisis facing our nation, our gu...
Apr 19, 2023•45 min
