

HNL Movement Podcast
Andrew Takata
Andrew Takata from HNL Movement discusses anything and everything related to optimizing human performance so that you can improve the quality of your life. Learn comprehensive ways to take care of your body, achieve better health, and elevate your performance so you can achieve your true potential. Andrew shares valuable information covering topics of rehab and injury prevention techniques, movement efficiency, strength and conditioning, and ways to create sustainable nutrition habits so that you can level up your performance in sports, daily activities, and life. He has over a decade of experience working with people of all ages, activity levels, training backgrounds, as well as helping people successfully return to activities following injury. Join Andrew and his passion to learn, understand, and share how health, nutrition, lifestyle, and movement collectively contribute to human performance. It will be a mix of interviews, great conversations, and solo episodes that you won’t want to miss. Hit subscribe, and get ready to optimize your human performance.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 6, 2023 • 1h 7min
Dr. Love Volkova On Holistic Health, Balance, and Osteopathy
On this episode of HNL Movement, let’s welcome Dr. Love Volkova, an osteopath and emergency medicine physician with a diverse background in healthcare. Dr. Volkova was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, and moved to the U.S. in middle school. She shares her unique journey and experiences that eventually led her to medical school and finding herself embracing the lifestyle here in Hawaii.Dr. Volkova shares her personal journey, passion for osteopathy, and emphasizes the importance of being in tune with your body and addressing stressors that pull the body out of balance and homeostasis. She now lives with her family on Oahu and offers her services in osteopathy to the community, hoping to inspire and educate those around her about this timeless art and profession. She has a strong pull to Hawaii and has fallen in love with its beautiful culture and nature-centric lifestyle.With her practice Tide Osteopathy, Dr. Volkova offers osteopathic treatments, which she covers in this episode. Her goal is to promote holistic and mindful healthcare, keeping the practice of osteopathy alive and accessible to those who need it. Be sure to check out her website for more information and resources. Stay tuned and enjoy this episode!Website: https://www.tideosteopathy.com/

May 30, 2023 • 18min
The Essential Role of Sleep in Recovery and Peak Performance
The Essential Role of Sleep in Recovery and Peak PerformanceIn this enlightening episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew explores the pivotal role of sleep in recovery and injury prevention. He delves into this topic with his extensive experience in working with clients from a wide range of activity levels and training backgrounds. He shares the science behind how sleep contributes to recovery, including the physiological processes that occur during sleep that are vital for physical, cognitive, and so much more. Andrew also discusses compelling research that links inadequate sleep with an increased risk of injuries. Not only does he present the science, but he also provides practical tips for improving sleep quality and quantity, and shares his unique experiences and observations.In addition to highlighting the importance of sleep in athletic performance and overall health, Andrew shares his own journey in integrating sleep science into his training regimen. His expertise and dedication to improving human performance brings a unique perspective to the importance of sleep in recovery and injury prevention. You'll leave this episode with a better understanding of why sleep is so crucial for recovery and injury prevention, and with actionable tips to improve your own sleep habits. So, get ready to optimize your performance by prioritizing your sleep! Be sure to stay tuned for more insightful content coming your way on the HNL Movement Podcast, YouTube channel, and social media outlets. Don't forget to subscribe, follow, and share with others who might benefit. Enjoy the episode!

May 23, 2023 • 25min
The Mystery Of High Responders vs. Low Responders To Training
In this episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew dives into the fascinating world of high and low responders to exercise. Have you ever wondered why some people seem to gain muscle or improve fitness quickly with exercise, while others progress at a slower pace? This episode explores the complex interplay of genetics, epigenetics, and training, helping you to understand why this happens.Andrew breaks down the science behind the varied responses we have to exercise and provides practical tips for optimizing your own fitness journey, regardless of your genetic makeup. With insights drawn from research and real-life examples, you'll gain a deeper understanding of your body's unique responses to exercise. Whether you're a competitive athlete, fitness enthusiast, or just curious about the physiology behind exercise, this episode is for you.Be sure to stay tuned for more content coming your way on the HNL Movement Podcast, YouTube channel, and social media outlets. Subscribe, follow, and share! Enjoy the episode!

May 16, 2023 • 1h 10min
Jono Blodgett on Overcoming Barriers, Optimizing Performance, and Becoming a Spartan Champion
This week on the HNL Movement Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Jono Blodgett, the founder of Mauka Makai Fitness and a three-time Spartan AG World Champion. Join us as we delve into Jono's inspiring journey, from his upbringing in Hawaii, where his passion for the ocean and active pursuits shaped his journey. to his role as an invasive species coordinator for the division of aquatic resources.Jono served as an invasive species coordinator for the division of aquatic resources and engaged in enlightening conversations with fishermen who were faced with aches and pains that prevented them from living active lifestyles. Motivated to create change, he established Mauka Makai Fitness, a company focused on empowering individuals to overcome perceived barriers and achieve their goals. Concurrently, Jono immersed himself in the world of Spartan races, embracing rigorous training and exploring various facets of optimizing human performance, including nutrition, sleep, recovery, biomechanics, and breathing techniques. He has shared the knowledge and experiences he has gained through the years to help others reach their goals.Join us for an engaging conversation as Jono shares valuable insights and lessons learned. Be sure to visit his website and follow Mauka Makai Fitness on Instagram (@mauka.makai.fitness, @jonoblodgett) for inspiring content, workshops, and retreat information. Stay tuned and enjoy this episode!Website: https://www.maukamakaifitness.com/ Instagram: @mauka.makai.fitness, @jonoblodgett YouTube: Mauka Makai Fitness (https://www.youtube.com/@maukamakaifitness4295)

May 9, 2023 • 21min
Completed The 2nd Year Of My PhD Journey!
Show notes coming soon...

May 2, 2023 • 17min
Understanding the Influences and Challenges of Food Choices For Health & Performance
In this episode of the HNL Movement Podcast, Andrew discusses practical strategies for athletes to make healthier food choices. Did you know that up to 90% of athletes don't consume enough fruits and vegetables to meet their daily nutrient needs? Andrew explores the many factors that influence our food choices, including social, emotional, stress, schedule, food preferences, and logistical influences. He also delves into the unique challenges that athletes face when it comes to making healthy food choices.Andrew emphasizes the importance of planning and preparing meals and snacks to help athletes make healthier food choices. By being aware of the many food choices we make each day and the factors that influence them, athletes can make informed decisions that support their health and performance goals. Join Andrew for this informative and engaging episode promoting sustainable healthy habits for all aspects of life.Don't miss out on more informative content coming your way on the HNL Movement Podcast, YouTube channel, and social media outlets. Subscribe, follow, and share this episode to help others practice sustainable healthy habits. Tune in and enjoy the episode!

Apr 25, 2023 • 1h 18min
Luis Ramirez On Passion For Volleyball, Coaching, & Hawaii Athletes
Let’s welcome Coach Luis Ramirez to the HNL Movement podcast! He shares so many great experiences, from growing up following his sister’s footsteps playing volleyball to coaching many great athletes here in Hawaii. He has always loved practicing, training, and studying volleyball through his career and continues to help the next generation of volleyball athletes do the same. Luis grew up playing on the Dominican Republic national teams since he was 12 years old. He gained valuable experiences that shaped him into a well-rounded volleyball player, and he eventually found himself playing collegiate volleyball at Menlo College. During college, he seamlessly began to help to coach club volleyball and do individual and small group coaching. He had a passion for coaching that was just as strong as his passion for playing volleyball himself. Eventually, Luis found his way to Hawaii and has loved being here ever since. The Hawaii volleyball community has welcomed Luis and his ability to develop young volleyball players. He shares what his journey has been like, from coaching at various high schools, directing Rainbows Volleyball Club Hawaii, and the countless clinics and training sessions he has done for more than 25+ years. Listen in to all the great gems Luis shares in this episode; from the evolution of the sport, coaching philosophy, to Hawaii volleyball. Also, be sure to check out more information about coaching services online and on social media. Listen in and enjoy this episode! IG: @luis2rmrzWebsite: https://www.volleyhawaii.com/

Apr 18, 2023 • 16min
Exercise Prescription Vs. Exercise Execution For Optimal Performance
Andrew dives into the concept of how we need to do more than rely solely on what exercise we’re doing, or purely on exercise prescription. The way we perform exercise, or the way we execute exercises, will contribute greatly to how we adapt to exercise. Andrew shares key tips that will help you to improve your movement quality with all your training. These tips are to focus on the basics and fundamentals, work to continually improve your movement quality, and find ways to tune up your body. Overall, these broad concepts can apply to all training philosophies and practices. Be sure to stay tuned for more content coming your way on the HNL Movement Podcast, YouTube channel, and social media outlets. Subscribe, follow, and share! Enjoy the episode!

Apr 11, 2023 • 15min
Proximal Movement Function For Optimal Performance
Andrew dives into the concept of how proximal function is extremely important to reduce injury risk and optimize performance. The stability, strength, and coordination of proximal regions, the regions more central in the body, provide a base for our bodies to move and move well. This proximal function can greatly impact the number of forces placed on our joints and tissues, as well as mitigate any excessive and unwanted strain that may become problematic. The take home message of this episode is to make sure that you work on proximal function and integrate it into movement patterns with training and sports. Working on isolated joints and their function is only part of the picture, working to improve the function of the entire kinetic chain is another crucial part of the picture. Be sure to stay tuned for more content coming your way on the HNL Movement Podcast, YouTube channel, and social media outlets. Subscribe, follow, and share! Enjoy the episode!

Apr 4, 2023 • 1h 5min
Leslie Wright On Bodywork, Recovery, & Fascial Stretch Therapy
Leslie Wright On Bodywork, Recovery, & Fascial Stretch TherapyLeslie Wright, the founder of The Wright Stretch and Fascial Stretch Therapy practitioner, joins us for this episode of the podcast! She is originally from Wyoming, growing up in the country on her family farm. Ever since she can remember, she was gravitated toward science and helping people in any way that she could. This eventually evolved into helping people through the form of bodywork and massage.Leslie eventually went to massage school and started on her career path to help people take care of their body. Soon after she graduated, she connected with her Aunty, Ann Frederick, the co-founder of Fascial Stretch Therapy. This led to her working in Ann & Chris Frederick’s clinic as they continued to improve the techniques of Fascial Stretch Therapy. During this time, she has gained invaluable knowledge and experience from both Ann & Chris, while also helping to assist with Fascial Stretch Therapy workshops and certification courses in the early years.She eventually founded her own business, working on many athletes and clients in the Seattle area. At the beginning of 2020, she made her move to Hawaii and continued to help people take care of their body. The pandemic pushed her to continue to evolve and grow as a practitioner. She began incorporating MELT method techniques to further teach people how to work on mobility by themselves. Listen in to all the great information that Leslie shares about Fascial Stretch Therapy concepts and how she empowers people to take care of their body. Also, be sure to check out her website for more information and the services she offers. Listen in and enjoy this episode!Website: https://www.thewrightstretch.com/