A'Naja Newsome | The Underestimated Power of Exercise on Mental Health and Resilience

Imagine a world where the mental health benefits of physical activity are as widely acknowledged as the physical benefits. What would it look like if we could shift our perception of fitness, move beyond the focus on weight loss and physical aesthetics, and integrate it as a standard in our everyday lives? In this episode, A'Naja Newsome, an expert in exercise physiology and public health, shares her insights on the barriers to exercise and the powerful impact of physical activity on mental health.

She delves into the neurobiological aspects of physical activity, discussing how aerobic exercise can increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and improve our stress response. Moreover, we touch upon the role of exercise in self-efficacy, which is the belief in one's ability to overcome barriers and accomplish their goals despite challenges.

We discuss the influence of athletic identity on mental health and the transition away from a strong athletic identity. A'Naja provides recommendations on adopting a growth mindset towards exercise and discusses the significance of finding one's "why" in fitness as a motivating factor. She also highlights the challenges of transitioning from a competitive athlete to a non-athlete, the risk of burnout, and the essential role of coaches in teaching athletes about life after sports.

Time Stamps:

[2:52] Myths about exercise that prevent people from starting a regular routine

[9:25] Environmental and cultural barriers to developing regular exercise habits

[13:53] How exercise affects brain physiology

[18:04] How exercise impacts self-esteem and self-efficacy

[25:52] Understanding athletic identity and overcoming the all-or-nothing mindset with exercise

[33:35] Keys to long-term success with positive health behaviors

[41:16] How coaches can help athletes learn autonomy and self-management skills

A'Naja Newsome is the owner of Optimize Strength and a lecturer in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Central Florida. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of South Florida, where her research focused on the psychosocial determinants of sport and exercise. She believes that exercise, nutrition, and overall fitness must be considered within the context of the environment, resources, and personal attitudes. Through her research, she created the Optimize Strength Framework™ to empower athletes through education and evidence-based practices to be the strongest version of themselves.

Outside of the classroom, A’Naja hosts the Strength in the Details podcast and coaches strength athletes. She is a nationally recognized presenter and speaker with an engaging and practical approach to the ultimate pursuit of health and wellness.

To learn more about A'Naja, you can follow her on Instagram.

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