The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Show with Ben Brown

From joint flexibility to better sleep and nutrition, you can actually hack your way to optimal health. Find out how by checking out my podcast with Dr. Brent Myers.   Brent is a chiropractic sports physician and owner of Myers Chiropractic & Functional Health in Asheville, North Carolina. In his practice, Brent combines chiropractic care, manual therapy techniques like ART, FAKRT, and Graston, and patient-specific rehab to improve patient outcomes.   Additionally, Brent utilizes a wide range of functional medicine treatments to further enhance his patients overall level of health. These include supplements, lab testing, and other "life hacks."   During our awesome podcast, Brent and I focus a lot on these "life hacks." We talk about hacks for sleep, nutrition, kids nutrition, supplementation, joint health and more. Brent also shares a number of his favorite apps you can utilize to improve your health and help you be your best self. It's definitely an interview you won't want to miss.   In This Podcast We Also Discuss:   - How Brent sets his day up for success and the importance of "me time" [4:23]   - The struggles of balancing work and home life [9:06]   - Hacks for optimizing your energy later in the day [10:56]   - The cheapest drink to get your body going in the morning [13:13]   - Hacks for getting kids to eat healthy food and is must-have breakfast [14:47]   - Brent's top 5 supplements for kids [18:24]   - The best ways to maintain joint health as we get older [21:25]   - Why it's beneficial to hold long, static stretches [23:55]   - Techniques for people who don't have time to stretch at the gym [25:59]   - The best stretches you can do if you sit at a desk all day [26:34]   - Why just 5 minutes of meditation is worthwhile [31:19]   - Hacks for optimizing sleep, even if you travel [32:30]   - The most important things to look at when tracking sleep [34:14]   Follow Brent Myers Here: Myers Chiropractic & Functional Health Facebook Instagram   Here is a list of apps/products we discussed in our podcast: 5 Minute Journal My Life Map Headspace Calm Oura Ring WHOOP BrainWave   If you enjoyed this episode, head on over to iTunes and subscribe to The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Podcast if you haven’t done so already.   While you’re there, leave a rating and review.  It's the best way that we can help more people ultimately make Smart Nutrition SIMPLE!  

Are you struggling with weight gain, digestive issues, food sensitivities, or sleep problems? Find out how you can reclaim your health by checking out my podcast with Shawna Curry.   Shawna is a registered nurse, professional coach, and fitness instructor. She is also an Amazon bestselling author. Her book, Healthy by Choice: Your Blueprint for Vital Living, hit the #4 spot on the bestseller list just 48 hours after launching.   Shawna's journey into health and wellness stems from her own struggles with food sensitivities, inflammation, sleep problems, and multiple sports injuries. She felt broken and helpless. Using a combination of her education, experience in the health and fitness world, and some experimentation, Shawna was able to overcome her health challenges.   Now, through her company Your Lifestyle Strategy, she inspires others to take charge of their own health by providing total health solutions that promoting all aspects of healthy living, including fitness, sleep, nutrition, self-help, and overall lifestyle strategies.   During my awesome podcast with Shawna, we talk about why she decided to become a registered nurse, the core components of a healthy diet, major flaws in our hospital system, her new book, and much more. Shawna is just a wealth of knowledge and you will learn a ton of incredible tips for helping make smart nutrition simple.   In This Podcast We Also Discuss:   - What propelled Shawna to pursue a nursing degree [2:31]   - The blame game when patients aren't willing to make a change [6:11]   - Shawna's 10 core components of optimal nutrition [12:18]   - The biggest nutrition component that people struggle with [14:55]   - The worst and best breakfast you can eat in the morning [17:32]   - Inherent flaws in our healthcare system [19:33]   - The concept of fueling for your activity level [22:57]   - Why it's best to eat seasonally [27:24]   - Shawna's theory about the root cause of food sensitivities [29:28]   - The optimal diet you can start implementing TODAY [33:03]   - Shawna's 7 core pillars of health [36:27]   Follow Shawna Curry Here: Your Lifestyle Strategy Facebook Instagram   Also, don't forget to check out Shawna's book Healthy by Choice: Your Blueprint for Vital Living on Amazon. In it, she goes into more depth about the 7 pillars of health and reveals easy lifestyle changes you can make without needing to rely on gimmicky, fad diets.   If you enjoyed this episode, head on over to iTunes and subscribe to The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Podcast if you haven’t done so already.   While you’re there, leave a rating and review.  It's the best way that we can help more people ultimately make Smart Nutrition SIMPLE!    

There is so much conflicting information regarding dieting. On the one hand, you've got diets touting the benefits of extreme restriction. On the other hand, you've got diets touting the benefits of no restriction, but an emphasis on calories and macros.   The fact is, so much of our diet culture is centered on fear-mongering. And that can ultimately lead to confusion and inaction. If nutrition is something you're struggling with, then please check out my podcast with Jason Phillips.   "I think the word diet is synonymous with a list of things we can’t have. And if your thought process around the way you’re going to eat for the rest of your life is predicated on restriction, that’s an issue and it’s one that’s not going to end well." - Jason Phillips   Jason is nutrition coach and founder of iN³ Nutrition and the Nutritional Coaching Institute. Additionally, he is a former model and professional athlete. Jason is also the author of the eBook Macros Explained, your ultimate guide to macronutrient prescription for health, performance, and aesthetics.   Over the course of Jason's career, he's helped tens of thousands of individuals, from the general population to CrossFit Games athletes, reach their personal best through nutrition counseling, macronutrient coaching, and motivational mentorship.   Jason is a walking, talking billboard of what it means to represent good nutrition and nutrition coaching. During our awesome podcast we chop it up about his experience overcoming anorexia, how he found his passion for one-on-one coaching, the triangle of awareness, reverse dieting, CrossFit nutrition, ketogenic diets and so much more. This is definitely a podcast filled with incredibly useful information that you can start to implement right away.   In This Podcast We Also Discuss:   - What propelled Jason into the nutritional coaching space [5:17]   - How Jason was able to overcome full-blown anorexia and his changing relationship with food [10:53]   - The complicated nature of our diet culture  [15:08]   - Why Jason doesn't prescribe to a particular nutritional philosophy [18:33]   - How Jason built a successful one-on-one coaching business [21:06]   - The triangle of awareness and the need to restore caloric maintenance [24:39]   - Biofeedback and why it's so incredibly important for success [38:53]   - The importance of mindfulness when it comes to food consumption [40:46]   - Periodization for athletes, particularly those involved in CrossFit [43:40]   - The worst diet for CrossFitters [48:56]   Follow Jason Phillips Here: iN³ Nutrition Nutritional Coaching Institute Facebook Instagram   If you enjoyed this episode, head on over to iTunes and subscribe to The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Podcast if you haven’t done so already.   While you’re there, leave a rating and review.  It's the best way that we can help more people ultimately make Smart Nutrition SIMPLE!

If you're experiencing bloating, digestive discomfort, brain fog and/or fatigue, then definitely check out my podcast with"Gluten Free Guru" Jennifer Hugo, MS, CHC.   Jennifer is a clinical nutritionist, wellness coach, yoga instructor, and the founder of Gluten Free School, a community where gluten-sensitive women discover simple, savvy, and empowering steps to get healthy.   "I started to realize that there was a real need for people to not only feel like they were normal despite them having all these health issues and issues with food per se but also, how do you do it practically? How do you live this way and not feel like a prisoner or just like you’re being punished? How do you go out and feel like a normal person?" - Jennifer Hugo   Additionally, Jennifer is the author of the best-selling book The Savvy Gluten-Free Shopper: How to Eat Healthy without Breaking the Bank and creator of the Gluten-Free Sugar Cleanse, aimed at helping women feel amazing and energized by ditching their sugar habit.   Jennifer's journey into nutrition began when she was in her 20s and experienced a slew of health issues, including constant headaches, gas, bloating, stomach pain, skin rashes, and fatigue. She went to doctor after doctor, but nobody had any answers for her. It wasn't until she sought help from a nutritionist that she was able to discover the root cause of her problems -- leaky gut and food sensitivities to gluten, dairy, eggs, cruciferous vegetables, and cashews.   During my awesome podcast, Jennifer and I dive deep into various causes of gut imbalances, the obsession people have right now with elimination diets, logical starting points when someone suspects they have a food sensitivity, seemingly simple steps you can take to optimize your health and more.   In This Podcast We Also Discuss:   - Why she started Gluten Free School [2:51]   - Our overfocus on excessive elimination diets and what to do instead [11:13]   - Why you should keep a food journal and track symptoms [15:27]   - The macronutrient you're likely not getting enough of [17:52]   - How your gut health ultimately affects your skin [26:20]   - "Health" foods that could be exacerbating gut imbalances [29:39]   - Simple steps you can take to optimize your gut and overall health [35:26]   Follow Jennifer Hugo Here: Gluten Free School Facebook Instagram Twitter   If you enjoyed this episode, head on over to iTunes and subscribe to The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Podcast if you haven’t done so already.   While you’re there, leave a rating and review.  It's the best way that we can help more people ultimately make Smart Nutrition SIMPLE!    

When it comes to losing weight, improving energy, or simply getting healthier, restrictive diets aren't necessarily the best option. In fact, according to Amy Pamensky, they can often lead to feelings of defeat, frustration, and disappointment.    Amy is known as the Spiritual Nutrition. She helps women who are tired of dieting get out of nutritional overwhelm so that they can live better, be more comfortable with their bodies, and enjoy food again.   As a clinical nutritionist consultant and holistic nutrition coach, Amy works with clients to create long-term food and lifestyle changes. Her approach to nutrition is realistic and balanced. She focuses on a combination of high-quality nutrients, eating psychology, and spirituality to provide a comprehensive mind-body approach for healing.   Amy is the founder of Nourished Balance, where she offers nutrition coaching, nutrition advice, recipes, and workplace wellness programs. Also, Amy recently launched Spiritual Nutritionist, which includes group coaching, workshops, and wellness retreats.   During my awesome podcast with Amy, we talk about what it means to be a spiritual nutritionist, her own personal struggles with digestive problems, the realm of eating psychology, body image, and more. I really enjoyed this interview and I know you will, too.   In This Podcast We Also Discuss:   - Amy's own struggles that led her to become a spiritual nutritionist [3:49]   - The importance of mind-body connection [10:53]   - Two spectrums of perception that people have with food [14:01]   - How to determine if you're eating because of emotional reasons  [15:35]   - The importance of not basing our identity off of a specific type of diet [17:55]   - Tools to help women feel more comfortable with their body [19:26]   - Amy's biggest failures [30:01]   - Why you need to set time for yourself in the morning [36:21]   - The three pillars of becoming fully nourished [40:02]   Follow Amy Pamensky Here: Spiritual Nutritionist Instagram Nourished Balance   If you enjoyed this episode, head on over to iTunes and subscribe to The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Podcast if you haven’t done so already.   While you’re there, leave a rating and review.  It's the best way that we can help more people ultimately make Smart Nutrition SIMPLE!

When you think of high-level athletes like Olympic weightlifters, NBA players, or NFL players, you probably assume that they eat a large amount of meat or other animal products to fuel their workout. But more and more athletes are trading in steak for tofu and tempeh. If you're curious why or are simply interested in learning more about becoming vegan, then definitely check out my podcast with vegan fitness coach, author, and speaker Karina Inkster.   A vegan for 15+ years, Karina is your go-to, no-BS professional fitness nut who is passionate about both the moral and physical benefits of switching to a plant-based diet. She refers to herself as providing a friendly kick in the butt that inspires people to live their best, healthiest, most plant-strong life.   Karina is the founder of Healthy Living Academy, an online training program that offers vegan fitness and nutrition coaching to clients all around the world. She is also the author of two books: Vegan Vitality: Your Complete Guide to an Active, Healthy, Plant-Based Lifestyle and Foam Rolling: 50 Exercises for Massage, Injury Prevention, and Core Strength.   Additionally, Karina is the founder of  The Vancouver Women's Weight Lifting Group. She also holds a Master's degree in gerontology, specializing in health and aging.   In this week's podcast, Karina and I really dive deep into nutrition and the benefits of eating a vegan diet, not just for athletes and fitness buffs, but for the general population as a whole. We talk a lot about the importance of mindset, what it takes to be a "good" vegan, tips for people interested in becoming vegan, quick fix vegan recipes and more.   In This Podcast We Also Discuss:   - The importance of making sure your nutrition fuels your fitness [2:33]   - Steps you can take to level out your nutrition and the idea of the "junk food vegan"[4:25]   - Why you have to think of veganism in terms of abundance as opposed to deprivation [7:00]   - Simple tips for making the transition to a vegan diet [11:37]   - How to determine your protein needs and how to fuel them on a vegan diet [13:32]   - The best way to structure your meals throughout the day to reach protein goals [20:27]   - Why having a designated food prep day is extremely helpful [21:54]   - Quick fix breakfast meals you can whip up before a workout [24:38]   Follow Karina Inkster Here: Healthy Living Academy Online Coaching Program   Click here if you'd like to watch Karina's video for how to make overnight oats.   You can also click here for Karina's Tofu Scramble recipe and here for her FREE list of 350 vegan grocery items.

You don't have to go on a restrictive diet in order to get leaner, stronger or perform better. According to Matt Walrath, the real key to sustainable nutrition and incredible results revolves around macros.   Matt Walrath is a CrossFit athlete and owner of Beyond Macros, a nutrition coaching company aimed at helping CrossFitters, triathletes and weightlifters improve performance through macronutrient-based nutrition coaching.   Through Matt's unique approach to fitness that focuses on realistic and sustainable lifestyle changes, he's been able to crack the code on how to help clients lose weight and keep it off.   During my awesome podcast with Matt, we talk about the importance of macronutrients, how to best utilize macros to get the fitness and body composition results you want, his favorite pre- and post-workout meals and much more. You're going to learn a ton of great nutrition tips from this interview. I hope you enjoy!   In This Podcast We Also Discuss:   - Why macro counting is better and more sustainable than meal plans [2:35]   - The best entry-level place to start in determining your macros [6:53]   - Why Matt doesn't recommend a particular amount of meals per day [7:57]   - How much protein you should aim to get each day [10:07]   - Carbohydrates and how too few carbs leads to "Mom Brain" [13:33]   - Why low-carb isn't always a good option and how to best incorporate carbs when working out [16:02]   - The benefits of eating before and after you train [18:45]   - Matt's favorite pre- and post-workout meals/snacks [21:46]    How Matt views fats [26:11]   - The most frequent problems Matt sees with clients and how to fix them [33:27]   - Nutrition tips for people who travel [36:11]   - How to get your grocery bill down to $6 a day [38:38]   - Matt's macro coaching program [44:08]   Follow Matt Walrath Here: Beyond Macros Beyond Macros Group Coaching Program Facebook Instagram   If you enjoyed this episode, head on over to iTunes and subscribe to The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Podcast if you haven’t done so already.   While you’re there, leave a rating and review.  It's the best way that we can help more people ultimately make Smart Nutrition SIMPLE!

When trying to get healthy, often times movement or physical activity is the lowest barrier to entry and where most people find comfort getting started. However, beginning a training program is still a challenge. What should you be focusing on? What exercises are best for you? How can you prevent injury? You'll get those answers and more in this week's podcast with Charlie Weingroff.   Charlie is one of the top performance experts in the world. He is a doctor of physical therapy, certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist. Charlie is also a member of the Nike executive performance council and serves as the physical performance lead and head strength and conditioning coach for the Canadian Men's National Basketball team.   Additionally, Charlie is the former strength coach for the Philadelphia 76ers and the former lead physical therapist for Marine Corps Special Operations Command.   Currently, works as a physical therapist and strength coach at Drive 495 in Manhattan and Fit For Life in New Jersey. Although, he often travels to consult and treat people around the globe.   Charlie's Training=Rehab DVDs and seminar series are recognized as selling close to 2,000 copies thus far. In addition to his DVD set, Charlie is a former powerlifter and has experience working with both the general population as well as elite professionals and Olympic athletes.   I'm super excited to have Charlie on the show. We talked about training and rehab and the synergy between the two. We also discuss if you should start with weight training or cardio and how intense that training should be. If you're planning to start a new training program this is going to be particularly beneficial for you. And if you're a trainer you will definitely learn some really great approaches to help your clients improve their strength while also preventing injury.   In This Podcast We Also Discuss:   - Charlie's 6 buckets of rehab techniques [9:12]   -  The disconnect between ending physical therapy and ongoing conditioning [12:32]   - The most efficient way to approach exercise in order to prevent injury [18:59]   - How to determine your readiness for exercise [21:40]   - The "Easy Effort Method" and why training until failure isn't always best [27:33]   - Why rest is so critically important in the healing process [43:25]   - Charlie's T=R programs and his latest DVD T=R3 [45:42]   Follow Charlie Weingroff Here: CharlieWeingroff.com Instagram Twitter Facebook   You can also purchase Charlie's T=R DVDs by clicking here.   If you enjoyed this episode, head on over to iTunes and subscribe to The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Podcast if you haven’t done so already.   While you’re there, leave a rating and review.  It's the best way that we can help more people ultimately make Smart Nutrition SIMPLE!

If you've ever been curious about the benefits of medical marijuana or Cannabidiol (CBD) and what it can do for you, check out my podcast with Bryan Hardy.   Bryan is a holistic nutritionist and wellness coach who specializes in helping busy professions revitalize their gut and hormones in order to help combat anxiety and depression, experience joy and improve performance. He is also an avid biohacker and host of the Redefining Reality Podcast.   Using what many would say are "unconventional" methods of treatment, Bryan is able to help clients -- both in person and online -- address the root cause of their health challenges and create sustainable lifestyle changes.   Bryan's journey into health began when his appendix ruptured, leading to widespread infection, including candida overgrowth, parasites, and bowel obstructions. Additionally, Bryan suffered from bouts of anxiety, depression, adrenal fatigue and low testosterone. It's from these things he learned from his own challenges that motivated him to educate, coach and empower others to take control of their health, body, and mind.   During our podcast, Bryan and I talk a lot about cannabinoids and other natural plants that have therapeutic healing powers. We also dive deep into alternative treatments for inflammation and anxiety and the importance of deep tissue massage and fascial stretch therapy. It's a really fascinating interview that you won't want to miss.   In This Podcast We Also Discuss:   - The anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids/CBD [6:03]   - What Bryan tells people who are apprehensive about trying CBD [12:05]   - The optimal form of CBD and most beneficial dosage depending on your needs [14:06]   - The importance of having a balanced ratio of THC and CBD  [16:16]   - Why CBD is particularly beneficial for those suffering from anxiety [19:57]   - The importance of fascia and how it affects both our mental and physical health [25:21]   - Why you should consider getting a deep tissue massage [30:16]   - Bryan's biggest nutrition needle movers [34:43]   - The meal Bryan would eat if he could only eat one meal for the rest of his life [45:32]   Follow Bryan Hardy Here: BryanHardy.ca Facebook Instagram   If you enjoyed this episode, head on over to iTunes and subscribe to The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Podcast if you haven’t done so already.   While you’re there, leave a rating and review.  It's the best way that we can help more people ultimately make Smart Nutrition SIMPLE!

Fitness and delicious food don't need to be mutually exclusive. If you're curious about how you can lose weight, build muscle or get healthier while still enjoying satisfying, yummy food, then definitely check out my podcast with self-proclaimed food lover Ben Johnson.   Ben is a writer, fitness coach, entrepreneur and founder of BenTrained.com. As a coach, Ben uses science-based strategies to help his clients enjoy great food while also experiencing better fitness results.   In addition to his coaching, Ben is a published cookbook author. His book For the Health of It: The Beginner's Guide to Recipe Creation provides readers with the tools to create healthy versions of their favorite foods.    Ben's interest in the fitness and nutrition industry stems from being a "former chubster" as a child, and he's not ashamed of it. Thanks to his own experiences battling weight problems and his passion for food, Ben has been able to help others fight the chub and start the journey towards better health.   Ben is extremely wise for his age and just doing great things in the fitness industry. During our awesome interview, we talk about the fundamentals of good nutrition and how food doesn't have to be painfully tasteless and bland in order for you to be fit or lose weight. We also dive deep into the impact of social media in the fitness industry and how it affects our perception of ourselves. It's a really great interview that I think will resonate with everyone.   In This Podcast We Also Discuss:   - How he designs his coaching programs to get the BEST results [10:33]   - What macros are and why they are incredibly important [13:36]   - The biggest misconception people have about identifying macros [17:24]   - Why you should track your food and how to make food tracking fun [20:15]   - Ben's recommended ratios of protein, carbs and fat [24:06]   - How you can be fit and still eat delicious food [26:42]   - Why flexibility in your diet is NECESSARY for success [30:11]   - The need to cut yourself some slack when it comes to nutrition [31:10]   - How to spice up your protein so that it tastes DELICIOUS [33:38]   - The 80/20 rule of nutrition [38:23]   - Ben's take on social media and the importance of embracing authenticity and vulnerability [44:40]   Follow Ben Johnson Here: BenTrained.com Instagram Facebook   You can download Ben's free macronutrient cheat sheet here.   If you enjoyed this episode, head on over to iTunes and subscribe to The Smart Nutrition Made Simple Podcast if you haven’t done so already.   While you’re there, leave a rating and review.  It's the best way that we can help more people ultimately make Smart Nutrition SIMPLE!