How to Lift Your Way to a Bigger, Smarter Brain

How to Lift Your Way to a Bigger, Smarter Brain

Conventional wisdom — and that weird librarian from middle school — say reading books is the best way to become smarter. But new research shows that pumping iron can also bring about significant cognitive gains, and the more you exercise, the smarter you become. Check out my interview in MEL to learn how to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) for increased neuronal plasticity through a mix of HIIT and long duration training. Gotta get those brains, bro!

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Ouch! Too Much Sitting Leads to Muscle Pain. What to Do? (Law.com)

Ouch! Too Much Sitting Leads to Muscle Pain. What to Do? (Law.com)

Many of my clients suffer from occasional muscle spasms in the back, hips, legs and shoulders due to what I call “desk life.”Mobility, strength and core training can help guard against these problems, but sometimes it’s necessary to go a step further to help treat and prevent flare-ups, whether they’re caused by too much sitting or by an injury. Common ways to deal with muscle spasms include visiting a chiropractor, physical therapist or massage therapist. But there are some less common ways. Check out my latest Law.com column for four treatments that many of my clients have used to reduce pain and get back on their feet again.

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SF's Top Style Gurus Talk Gym Fashion and Shopping Tips

SF's Top Style Gurus Talk Gym Fashion and Shopping Tips

Sometimes a workout can feel more like a fashion show and if you live in the Bay Area a nice dinner out can look more like a SoulCycle class. Fashion and fitness are becoming increasingly intertwined as luxury athletic wear and “fit fashion” are dominating not just the gym but also the streets, our favorite restaurants, airplanes and even the office. I asked three of the San Francisco’s most fashionable style gurus their thoughts on this growing trend, their “go to” gym styles and how those of us on a budget can look current and appropriate without breaking the break.  

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What to look for in a gym buddy (MEL Magazine)

What to look for in a gym buddy (MEL Magazine)

Trying to find the perfect workout partner — one who keeps you motivated, even when you can barely bench 100 pounds — can feel a lot like looking for a beefy needle in a sweat-drenched haystack. And like any relationship, even when you think you found the one, the squat to your deadlift, they could very well pack their gym bags and leave you and your swole bod for another even swoler bod. Check out my interview in MEL Magazine for advice on how to find your ideal gym partner.

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Regular massage-therapy sessions can help improve health, reduce stress

Regular massage-therapy sessions can help improve health, reduce stress

Thinking about booking a massage appointment to alleviate some stress? It’s a great idea, one you might want to incorporate into your regular routine. Though most of us view a massage as a sporadic luxury, perhaps something we get around to doing once or twice a year, regular massage therapy has multiple boosts for mental and physical health. Checkout my interview in In Good Health from Tribune Online Content to learn more. And if you're ready to book a massage checkout my rates and schedule here.

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Dealing with a Life-Changing Injury? Read How This Dancer Got Creative... and Some Stickers.

Dealing with a Life-Changing Injury? Read How This Dancer Got Creative... and Some Stickers.

I met Alycia shortly after she received some life changing MRI results that impacted her fitness routine and super active lifestyle. This dancer and lover of movement and yoga wouldn’t let a little thing like the deterioration of cartilage in her first phalange (aka a “bum big toe”) rob her of her joy. Over the last several weeks we’ve worked together to create a robust strength, mobility, cardio and nutrition program for her that adjusts her exercises to account for her injury and strengthen around it.

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CEB Blog: Easy Tips for Lawyers to Improve Their Health

CEB Blog: Easy Tips for Lawyers to Improve Their Health

Many lawyers know they should be taking better care of themselves but don’t have enough time and aren’t sure where to start. Lawyers struggle with long hours spent in client meetings, in court, at computers, and hunched over mobile devices. This all takes a painful toll on their bodies. Checkout my guest post on the CEB Blog for some of my most impactful, realistic tips, which have helped hundreds of lawyers make small, manageable changes to improve their health. And you can experience my wellness advice to lawyers in CEB’s program Attorney Wellness, available On Demand.

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Don't Neglect Planes of Motion Training

Don't Neglect Planes of Motion Training

Many of us could benefit from more "planes of motion" training in our workouts. In a nutshell, the body is designed to move in three planes of motion: sagittal (like in a squat or bicep curl), frontal (like in a lateral lunge or side cable raise) and transverse (like in a "curtsy" lunge or a bicycle crunch). Most of us live almost exclusively in the sagittal plane limiting our functional mobility, strength and performance. Read more about the importance of planes of motion. in addition to standard sagittal exercises (which are still great) consider layering in more frontal and traverse moves to your program for your lower body, upper body and core.

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Why This Former Athlete Turned White Collar Pro Refocused His Approach to Fitness

Why This Former Athlete Turned White Collar Pro Refocused His Approach to Fitness

From the minute I met Chris C. I was impressed. This former college athlete turned white collar finance professional has some very admirable goals and a commitment to them that is inspiring. He wanted help developing a program that would make his body more mobile, more endurant and strong for the long haul. There’s nothing wrong with aesthetic goals. I have them myself. But it’s uncommon these days for a man in his 20s to tell me he wants to move better, longer and stronger. That he doesn’t want his desk job to destroy his body and that he just wants to be the best version of himself possible. I am so lucky to work with clients like Chris (including his roommate and gym buddy Chase) and I’m honored he took time from his busy life to share his thoughts and reflect on his progress with me for this Q&A.

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Podcast: ‘Treat Yourself Like a Client’ … and Other Stress-Free Fitness Tips

Podcast: ‘Treat Yourself Like a Client’ … and Other Stress-Free Fitness Tips

Tired of New Year’s resolutions that fade away come February? Check out my podcast with the editors of Law.com where I offer my best strategies for balancing work and fitness. It’s a good listen for any busy professional, not just lawyers.

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Video: 3 Swimming Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Video: 3 Swimming Mistakes and How to Fix Them

If your freestyle stroke isn’t as powerful, fast and efficient as it could be you may be making one of three common mistakes. My good friend and Equinox Pine Street Tier 3+ personal trainer Sarah Newsom demonstrates in this video the three most common issues that her clients face in the pool and drills for how to fix them. If you’re looking for a band like the one Sarah uses you can pick up a set on Amazon here.

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Mama Haralabopoulos' Shrimp and Feta Bake

Mama Haralabopoulos' Shrimp and Feta Bake

When it comes to cooking, Greek mothers have legendary skills. And my mother-in-law is an Olympian in the kitchen! When she visited for Christmas she whipped up this simple, delicious and healthy dish and it’s quickly become a favorite in my house. It’s warm and filling with less than 400 calories and only 15g carbs and 36g of protein. Serve it with a little pita and hummus or a simple green salad and enjoy!

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JJFit in the News: Workout Programs vs. One-Off Routines: Which Is Best for You? (Openfit)

JJFit in the News: Workout Programs vs. One-Off Routines: Which Is Best for You? (Openfit)

Focusing on your health and fitness is an investment in your time, energy and money. And just like buying organic produce or wearing proper running shoes, it may be a worthwhile investment to get a professionally-designed workout program from a trained professional (like yours truly). But is it absolutely necessary? Especially when the internet is overflowing with free workouts from people who, if their defined abs are any indication, seem to know what they’re doing? Check out my interview for Openfit.com for tips to decide what’s right for you.

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JJFit in the News: Do You Know the 5 Components of Fitness? (Openfit)

JJFit in the News: Do You Know the 5 Components of Fitness? (Openfit)

The term “physical fitness” is used to characterize everything from a person’s physique to their general health and athletic performance. But while different definitions leave some room for subjective interpretation, most share five components of fitness in common. So, what are the five components of physical fitness and, more importantly, what can you do to develop them? Check out this article from Openfit.com for more on cardiorespiratory capacity, strength, endurance, body composition and mobility.

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Meditation 101

Meditation 101

Many of us know we should probably meditate more to help reduce stress, improve brain functioning and even to reduce pain. But like lots of good intentions we forget, get frustrated or just flat out don’t know where to start. Here’s a little secret: you can meditate for as little as two minutes a day and you don’t have to do it perfectly. In this post I share the highlights from one of my most popular corporate wellness workshops: Meditation 101. With an open mind, patience and consistency anyone can begin to benefit from this mindfulness practice.

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