Aaron Leventhal: From Professional Soccer, Coaching, and Exercise Oncology to the Fit Standards, Helping People Take Charge of Their Own Wellness
Jan 9, 2025
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Aaron Leventhal, an author and director of AKTIV Against Cancer USA, shares his insights on exercise oncology and personal wellness. He discusses innovative strategies using exercise to aid cancer recovery, emphasizing empowerment for patients. Leventhal reflects on his past as a professional soccer player and the evolution of sports culture. He introduces 'The Fit Standards,' fitness benchmarks rooted in science, and advocates for rethinking fitness beyond aesthetics, prioritizing holistic health and enduring resilience.
Aaron Leventhal emphasizes the transformative role of exercise oncology in enhancing cancer patients' recovery and emotional resilience during treatment.
The Durability Summit aims to provide essential, sustainable health practices that prioritize foundational strategies over transient fitness trends.
Leventhal's background as a professional athlete informs his belief in the importance of continuous education in fitness for both athletes and non-athletes.
Deep dives
Introduction to the Durability Summit
The upcoming Durability Summit, scheduled for January 22, 2025, aims to address the overwhelming amount of health advice that many people encounter. The founders emphasize that amidst the myriad of tips and shortcuts often promoted, essential foundational practices for long-term health can be lost. The summit prioritizes providing attendees with reliable methods to cultivate a resilient body, steering clear of transient trends and focusing instead on actionable, sustainable practices. Its objective is to help individuals integrate crucial health strategies like improved movement, sleep, and nutrition into their busy lifestyles.
Understanding Exercise Oncology
Aaron Leventhal, a cancer survivor and expert in exercise oncology, shares insights on utilizing exercise to improve health outcomes for cancer patients. This emerging field highlights how exercise can play a significant role, not just in cancer prevention, but also in enhancing recovery and quality of life during treatment. Leventhal emphasizes that the benefits of exercising extend beyond the physical realm, fostering a sense of community and emotional resilience among those affected by cancer. This perspective aims to reshape the approach towards cancer treatment, emphasizing proactive engagement with exercise.
The Impact of Exercise on Cancer Treatment
Research indicates that engaging in physical activity during and after cancer treatment can lead to better overall health outcomes. Exercise has been linked to reduced side effects from therapies, improved emotional well-being, and even enhanced survival rates. Leventhal's work in exercise oncology centers on educating patients, healthcare professionals, and caregivers about these benefits, advocating for exercise as an integral component of cancer care. This focus reveals the need for a systematic approach to incorporating exercise into patients' treatment plans.
The Role of Professional Athletes in Health Education
Leventhal's experience as a former professional soccer player informs his approach to health and wellness. His journey underscores the importance of fostering a strong connection between exercise and health for athletes and non-athletes alike. The conversation delves into the historical context of professional sports, where seat-of-the-pants coaching played a significant role in shaping athletes' fitness approaches, highlighting the necessity for ongoing education in best practices. By emphasizing these narratives, there is a clearer path to understanding how fitness principles can adapt to and benefit everyday individuals.
Creating a Sustainable Fitness Practice
Sustainable fitness practices are rooted in the principles of connection, progression, and knowledge. To find lasting success in fitness, individuals need to connect personally with their chosen activities and feel driven by passion rather than obligation. Establishing a progression framework enables individuals to see tangible results and keep them motivated. This combination of finding what works personally, adjusting it as necessary, and understanding the science behind fitness becomes essential for maintaining long-term health.
Addressing the Isolation Following a Diagnosis
Community plays a crucial role in the journey of individuals facing cancer or severe health challenges. Programs like Active Against Cancer create supportive environments by incorporating exercise into treatment plans, enabling patients to connect with one another. These environments foster discussions that help people process their experiences, combatting feelings of isolation and helplessness often associated with diagnosis. The shared journey through movement helps restore a sense of agency and normalcy during treatment.
Aaron Leventhal is the author of The New Fit, the director of AKTIV Against Cancer USA, and a coach and educator. His work on health, wellness, and exercise oncology has impacted thousands. Aaron is an ex-professional soccer player, performance coach, gym owner, and cancer survivor.
Aaron’s Longevity Fitness Tests, “The Fit Standards,” have provided clear direction and guidance to help educate thousands on the type of exercise that will have the most impact on their personal wellness. Through his work with exercise oncology, professional athletes, and everyday people, his goal is to help patients and clients, doctors, and health care professionals re-frame how exercise can be used to improve physical and emotional outcomes.
SPONSORS
This episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by Momentous, a leading high-performance lifestyle company making the best supplements and sports nutrition products for individuals looking to optimize all parts of their lives. We always prioritize whole foods, but to meet our protein minimums for building and maintaining muscle mass, we also supplement. After living through the terrible tasting protein powders of yesteryear, we are stoked on Momentous Whey Protein. It tastes great and has pre-digestive enzymes so it's easier to digest. Go to livemomentous.com/TRS and use code TRS for 20% OFF your first purchase.
This episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by LMNT, a tasty electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. That means lots of salt — with no sugar. Guys we are still OBSESSED with LMNT Sparkling. It is literally our favorite drink of all time. All the electrolytes you need, in the MOST festive beverage you've ever tasted. Go to DrinkLMNT.com/TRS and check it out!
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