I am a big fan of my Whoop wearable. It has helped me better understand how exercise, sleep and stress impact my body and mind. I also love the Whoop podcast. This month it included a really lovely guided Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) session. Yeah, NSDR may just be a fancy name coined for the simple, "duh" concept of a lie-down. But if you only have a few minutes and don't love traditional meditation it's a great thing to try!
Read MoreI've been having a lot of conversations this month with clients about alcohol, epigenetics and the physical effects of stress on the body. So when I came across this podcast that covers all these topics and more I was fist pumping the air in delight. So if you're interested in the latest science of stress and possible ways to tackle it, give it a listen.
Read MoreI've been dragging my feet on meditating lately. I know 110% that it would benefit me. But sometimes humans are stubborn and won't pick up the tools we know will help (same with exercise and nutrition for a lot of folks). So when Peter told me about this app offering a 30-day free trial of daily positive affirmations I was intrigued. I've been listening to one or two a day for a week and I am starting to notice a difference. It feels a little silly at first, but I recognize that's part of the negative programming in my brain. I appreciate the science and research behind this idea and how it leverages the brain's neuroplasticity to pre-program negative patterns. Two thumbs up! Let's get some positive self-talk going in 2024!
Read MoreThis might be the most important thing you hear all year. "You don't have to finish the year strong." It's ok to just finish. This episode of my pal Allison's podcast made me feel seen. I shared it with clients and friends and it helped many of them connect with how they are feeling right now. I listened to this while walking to an ultrasound appointment yesterday because "surprise" in the midst of "finishing strong in December" my body informed me it had other plans. (Note, I'll be fine. I'm just being forced to slow down. Getting "older" is a trip!) I encourage you to take 30 minutes to listen to this episode to embrace alignment over achievement for the rest of the year.
Read MoreI really enjoyed being a guest on the Mind Body Planet podcast talking about the three pillars of fitness and debunking many common misconceptions in the health industry. If you get confused from the conflicting and sometimes crazy information permeating from "fitness influencers" on social I hope you’ll give it a listen and a like!
Read MoreI struggle just as much as the next guy when it comes to social media. Sometimes it fills me with joy and really makes me feel connected to people I love. And sometimes it makes me feel awful--like I'm endlessly scrolling for something I never find. And it's hard to notice exactly when I cross the line from joy to doom. There are several great tips in this article from One Medical so I encourage anyone who wants to improve their relationship with social media and their mental wellness to give it a read.
Read MoreI recently spent the night in a noisy hotel. And it STRESSED me out. I was exhausted from the flight and the thought of a sleepless night from the raucous noise of my neighbors was causing my heart to race and my blood to boil. I remembered hearing in a podcast recently that birds singing have a calming effect on humans due to an evolutionary signal of safety (birds don't hang out and sing when threats to humans are around). I started poking around on Spotify looking for nature sounds and found this lifesaver playlist of rain sounds.
Read MoreSean Haleen is one of my favorite yoga practitioners (and friends!). And I’m IN LOVE with his YouTube channel where he shares loads of great virtual yoga videos and tutorials for a variety of issues and focuses. As a runner with an old back injury, this class for the IT Band and Piriformis is one of my favorites.
Read MoreTraditionally a lot of people jump into the holidays with two feet (see what I did there?!) and the best of intentions for crushing big fitness and wellness goals starting in the new year. Trainers like me used to see spikes in new gym memberships and requests for strict meal plans (instead of spikes in Coronavirus variants and virtual training sessions). If you are struggling with motivation and finding a goal that resonates with you, here are 15 some of my peeps are going for in the coming months that will influence their weekly fitness routines.
Read MoreThe concept of “grounding” or “earthing” is an interesting one. On the surface it seems simple and rather intuitive: humans need to connect physically with the Earth to optimize our health. To ground you simply place your skin (usually feet or hands) in direct contact with the Earth (like natural grass, dirt or sand--no artificial surfaces). The health benefits of stepping away from our busy lives to move our bodies, get fresh air and sunlight and be in nature are proven and widely accepted. Fledgling research adds another fascinating potential benefit of this practice that Morgan and I discuss in this short five minute video.
Read MoreIn this month’s edition of "Couch Talk with Morgan and JJ" we take a few minutes to share some goal setting strategies that will help you find the right goals for where/who you are and how to prepare and plan to succeed!
Read MoreBreath is LIFE. Like, literally. So I was so happy when my amazingly talented and super knowledgeable friend Morgan dropped by my office for a couch talk session about breathing. We’ve both noticed clients lately experiencing episodes of shallow, labored breathing and she has some fantastic drills for breathing optimally in the moment and for building a breathing practice. Think of your breath like a muscle. To get stronger we need to exercise it strategically and consistently.
Read MoreThis post isn’t about how to eat to lose fat or gain muscle. Those are great goals and I help people do that all the time. You can get that for free in my guide. This is about something different. This post is about looking at your routine and what you’re eating in a day and making incremental, manageable improvements. The goal is simply to do something kind for your body not so you look better, but so you feel better physically and emotionally because you know you are doing something good for your health.
Read MoreI shared in my latest newsletter the idea of picking just one thing to make things better. My one thing these days is to better connect with gratitude. The proven physical and mental benefits of a gratitude practice are undeniable. Gratitude can improve many aspects of your wellness including reduced pain, better physical performance, improved sleep and even better relationships.
Read MoreRecently a friend asked my thoughts about “mindful eating”. In short, Mindful eating is based on mindfulness, a Buddhist concept. It's a beautiful concept and one I strive to achieve. But it takes a very long time in today’s world. And for folks looking for a more basic, first step to change it can be overwhelming. In my experience success can more often be achieved by first tracking one’s food for a period of time to achieve the right calorie goals while making room for the foods you love.
Read MoreThe body is designed to move and a daily walking habit is well-worth keeping up with for its physical and mental health benefits. But sometimes, despite our best intentions, getting out the door for a walk can feel next to impossible. To increase motivation when you’re not feeling it, try shifting your mindset with these strategies from me and 14 other fitness pros in this MyFitnessPal blog post.
Read MoreSince sheltering in place and social distancing have become the new normal for the time-being, most of us are working more, moving even less and are definitely feeling more anxious. Though your routine may be shot, it’s not too late to create a new one. Just because your gym is closed doesn’t mean you can’t work out. Now’s the perfect time to get started. Not tomorrow. Today! When all this is over, you can look back and say you stepped outside your comfort zone and did something amazing for yourself.
Read MoreThough our gyms and yoga studios are closed many of the Bay Area’s top yoga professionals are offering live and recorded classes online through Facebook Live, Instagram Live and other web sites. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite yoga instructors in this post. These instructors are offering amazing free/donation-based classes appropriate for all levels. If you want to feel and perform better check them out. Namaste!
Read MoreNow more than ever it’s critical that we practice preventative care to boost our immune systems, manage stress and tend to our body’s needs. I’ve been curious for a long time about Naturopathic Medicine and how/if it integrates with traditional Western Medicine. Can Naturopathic modalities help reduce our chances of contracting COVID-19 or minimize its impact if we do contract it? I interviewed Dr. Ashton Perroni, ND to help shed some light on these questions and more.
Read MoreMy good friend and amazing yoga instructor Ross McIntire shares with us in this video the ONE stretch you should do every day, how to safely stretch your wrists and how to avoid one of the biggest mistakes in yoga.
Read MoreOnce a month I gather the best fitness and nutrition news, tips and videos from my blog into one handy email. I never share email addresses with third parties and you can unsubscribe at any time. Check out past issues.
