Age Less / Live More

One of the best ways to love your body is to stop poisoning it with excess sugar, starch and carbohydrates. This sounds obvious, but it's actually a huge challenge. Excess sugar is everywhere and without careful study, most everyone walks around with chronically elevated blood sugar levels. In the short term, this affects your mood and waistline; in the long term, it reduces your healthspan and lifespan very dramatically. ------------ Listen & Learn: Carbs vs net carbs – what's the difference? Why there is no need to be scared of white sugar How whole grains can actually be a problem Why to focus on the fabulous four: fiber, fat, protein and greens ABOUT OUR GUEST Kelly LeVeque is a holistic nutritionist based in Los Angeles, California. Kelly loves to cook. She believes in real food, real ingredients and a clean diet. The Be Well kitchen is constantly buzzing. Kelly loves creating tasty, clean, nutrient-dense recipes and dishes. She loves sharing them even more. Kelly completed her Postgraduate Clinical Nutrition education through UCLA and UC Berkeley. She is a regular contributor for numerous health, wellness and lifestyle publications. She is also a certified health coach, yoga instructor and personal trainer. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Agave Links & References from the Show: Kelly's Site Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: Health I.Q. — Yoga Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, weightlifters and vegetarians get lower rates on their life insurance. To see if you qualify, get your free quote today at healthiq.com/yogabody or mention the promo code YOGA when you talk to a Health IQ agent. Learn More

Why do so many yoga and meditation teachers talk in the third person, add in huge pauses between words, and hold awkward eye contact while teaching? Where did this caricature of a "spiritual person" come from, and is there really any point? As a career yoga teacher, I've fallen into just about every trap there is, including adopting "yoga speak," appropriating Eastern cultures (disrespectfully), and role playing a yogi. Unfortunately, this behaviour pushes more people away than it attracts, and I've done my best in recent years just to be myself. Our guest on this week's Yoga Talk Show has built a huge online following basically making fun of people like me—and his jokes are so true, you can't ignore him. Beyond comedy, JP Sears is really a satirist, and his knowledge and true messages are worth listening too. He's a smart guy. ------------ Listen & Learn: How comedy can be a great teaching tool Why self-awareness is so important on any path of personal or spiritual growth Why there is so much role playing in yoga communities Why it's important to laugh at yourself (sometimes) ABOUT OUR GUEST JP Sears is an emotional healing coach, international teacher, author and Youtube creator. He is a Holistic Coach Advanced Practitioner through the Holistic Coaching Institute and was a faculty member for the C.H.E.K. Institute from 2006-2013. Youtube channel has: 500K subscribers and 50 million views Nutritional Tip of the Week: Cheap Salt vs Expensive Stuff Links & References from the Show: JP's Site JP's Youtube Channel JP's New Book Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: Health I.Q. — Yoga Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, weightlifters and vegetarians get lower rates on their life insurance. To see if you qualify, get your free quote today at healthiq.com/yogabody or mention the promo code YOGA when you talk to a Health IQ agent. Learn More

Can you imagine if your mother died of a sudden brain aneurysm, your young husband died of a heart attack, and then your father-in-law passed away from cancer all in the span of 9 years? This is Amy Morin's story, and she has since turned her immense grief and suffering into strength and balance. Death, pain, battling with emotions are the focus on this week's Yoga Talk Show. ------------ Listen & Learn: How to train your brain to think realistically about your situation Why we need to learn to control our emotions The importance of positive action during crisis, regardless of how you feel Why death and dying are so taboo and yet ever-present ABOUT OUR GUEST Amy Morin is a psychotherapist and the author of, 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do. Her advice has been featured by numerous media outlets including Time, Fast Company, Success, Business Insider, Oprah.com, Fox News, CNN, CNBC, and Today. She also appeared in a Red Bull TV show called Visions of Greatness. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Sodium Links & References from the Show: Amy's Main Site Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: Health I.Q. — Yoga Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, weightlifters and vegetarians get lower rates on their life insurance. To see if you qualify, get your free quote today at healthiq.com/yoga or mention the promo code YOGA when you talk to a Health IQ agent. Learn More

At one of my first personal growth and development retreats, I wrote down my goals to build a huge health and wellness center with yoga, a restaurant, diet programs, and more. Financially, I wanted it to be so successful that I spent the latter half of my life giving away wealth (think a yoga version of Bill Gates). This HUGE goal got me really excited when I was 25, but it was just too big and too abstract to pull out any specific actions I could implement right then. It's great to think big, but what do you right now to get started? What is your 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year plan? On this week's Yoga Talk Show, we learn about incremental (but very significant) growth using the "Better than Before" mindset where we simply put one foot in front of the other and embrace the process without an over-obsession on the destination. This has been hugely important for me and my goals, many of which I have achieved surprisingly quickly (my Bill Gates status is still a work in progress). I think you'll find it helpful. ------------ Listen & Learn: Rewards versus treats Inner vs. outer expectations: how to differentiate and utilize How to utilize the strategy of treats to increase "self mastery" Strategies to quit sugar (internal vs. external) Rethinking procrastination ABOUT OUR GUEST Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including bestsellers, Better Than Before, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. Gretchen started her career in law and was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she realized she wanted to be a writer. She is also an accomplished speaker and podcaster herself. Her show is called: Happier with Gretchen Rubin. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Cinnamon Links & References from the Show: Gretchen's Main Site Gretchen's Books on Amazon Why We Get Fat (book) Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: Health I.Q. — Yoga Podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, weightlifters and vegetarians get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/yogabody to support the show and see if you qualify. Learn More

I'm often praised for my productivity. I have two kids, three businesses, 28 staff, and a hectic travel schedule. So how do I manage to get it all done? To be honest, I'm not sure I do. Work-life balance is not something I pretend to know anything about because in order to keep the wheels on the bus, I have to selectively neglect major chunks of life. Everything comes at a cost, including a super-productive life. I share with you my experience because most-everyone I know wants to become more productive. We want to get more done in less time, reach our goals quickly, and become creative output machines. But why? And what are you really building? And do you understand yourself enough to make that happen? On this week's Yoga Talk Show, we're going to explore productivity: how it works, how to cultivate it, and why it should (or should not) be a priority. There is no one-size fits all solution, but there are small, foundational actions you can take to get more done and hopefully not exploded your life in the process.   ------------ Listen & Learn: How to increase energy by focusing on the fundamentals of health: sleep, nutrition and exercise How Chris' wacky lifestyle experiments gave him insight into human behavior and productivity Why time deadlines and external pressure can be great motivators for highly productive days How to ensure you're doing your work rather than doing unpaid work for social media websites like Facebook and Instagram The importance of having a reason "why" in order to be productive ABOUT OUR GUEST Chris Bailey turned down two job offers after graduating from university and spent a full year exploring the study of productivity. His research included living in total isolation for 10 days, only using his cell phone for an hour a day, waking up at 5:30am every morning, and working 90-hour weeks. His work has received national and international media attention from outlets like The New York Times, Lifehacker, Fast Company, Fortune, and New York Magazine among others. His book: The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy is available on Amazon. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Conventional vs Organic Apples Links & References from the Show: Chris' Productivity Site Chris' Books on Amazon Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: The Yoga Teachers College offers master-level training for those looking to build a career as yoga professionals. Our trainees benefit from the best of modern learning technology combined with old school apprenticeship. Graduates walk away with the skills, confidence and experience needed to become not just teachers, but community and business leaders as well. Whether your goal is to teach part time locally, travel and lead workshops internationally, or to open your own studios, The Yoga Teachers College will support your career every step of the way. Learn More

"I can't meditate," is one of the most common phrases I hear in the yoga studio. Students somehow feel that since they cannot sit still or calm their mind, they are unable to practice meditation—but the opposite is true. The very fact that you cannot sit still or clear your mind, is exactly why you need to practice. But how do you learn? And where do you get started? On this week's Yoga Talk Show, you'll meet a meditator and innovator who has created the world's first, drop-in yoga center in Los Angeles. Through her book, her studio and her mobile phone app, she is reaching hundreds of thousands with a very simple message: unplug your mind, recharge your soul. ------------ Listen & Learn: How meditation can be as simple as 3 minutes daily The 3 things that happen in just about any meditation How meditation slows mental and physical aging How to find the right practice for you ABOUT OUR GUEST Suze Yalof Schwartz is the CEO and Founder of Unplug Meditation (a bricks and mortar meditation center), the author of Unplug: A Simple Guide To Meditation for Busy Skeptics and Modern Soul Seekers, and the creator of the Unplug Meditation App. In 2012 Suze learned a three minute meditation that completely changed her life and career. Today, Suze's mission is to make meditation simple, powerful and interesting enough so that everyone will want to practice it and experience the benefits for themselves. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Green Papaya Links & References from the Show: Unplug Meditation Center Unplug App Unplug Book Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: Trapeze Teacher Training -- For passionate yoga students who love inversion yoga, this is an exciting opportunity to train with YOGABODY, the leading educator and manufacturer of inversion slings worldwide. The Yoga Trapeze is the most-popular yoga inversion sling ever with over 100,000 students in 81 countries. Despite the ever-growing demand, there are hardly any professional instructors - until now. We’re now accepting applications for The Yoga Trapeze Certification course where you’ll learn how to teach both group and private lessons for beginning and intermediate students. Learn More

There are two types of people who say that flexibility doesn't matter. The first group is stiff as a board and want an excuse for their lack of mobility. The second group consists of people who have always been flexible, the dancers and gymnasts who flop into the splits like it's nothing. For the rest of us, flexibility absolutely matters. It impacts our posture, our walking and running gates, and even our potential for injury. On this week's Yoga Talk Show, you'll meet a yoga teacher working with professional athletes to improve their mobility—and the stakes couldn't be higher. These are people whose body is their business. They need to train hard, recover fast, and injury prevention is a top priority. ------------ Listen & Learn: How mobility training gets integrated into professional sports training How yoga teachers can add value to athletes, adapting their teaching and language to meet students where they're at Why flexibility training should be done after (not before) strength or conditioning How flexibility training can temporarily reduce power and joint stability, but why that doesn't mean you should avoid it ABOUT OUR GUEST Dana Santas, also known as the "Mobility Maker," is a mind-body coach for professional sports teams. She is the yoga expert for CNN Health, and an international speaker helping people breathe, move and feel better. Dana is currently the yoga, mobility & breathing coach for the Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Lightning & World Wrestling Entertainment. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Best Meat to Choose Links & References from the Show: Dana Santa's Mobility Maker Site Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: The Yoga Teachers College offers master-level training for those looking to build a career as yoga professionals. Our trainees benefit from the best of modern learning technology combined with old school apprenticeship. Graduates walk away with the skills, confidence and experience needed to become not just teachers, but community and business leaders as well. Whether your goal is to teach part time locally, travel and lead workshops internationally, or to open your own studios, The Yoga Teachers College will support your career every step of the way. Learn More

Nice Guy Syndrome is when men try so hard to be liked and helpful that they end up miserable and alone. The people-pleasing, caretaker role is something that initially sounds great but often leads to huge meltdowns in personal and professional relationships. On this week's Yoga Talk Show, we depart from our usual discussions about nutrition, anatomy and alignment to explore interpersonal relationships, particularly men's complex and often confused role.   ------------ Listen & Learn: Why avoiding conflict creates more problems than it solves Why dysfunctional relationships are the norm Why cooperative reciprocal relationships should be the goal Caring vs. caretaking – what's the difference? ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Glover is a marriage and family therapist and is an internationally-recognized authority on the Nice Guy Syndrome. Through his book, online classes, workshops, podcasts, blogs, consultation, and therapy groups, Dr. Glover has helped change the lives of countless men and women around the world. Nutritional Tip of the Week: White Sugar Links & References from the Show: Dr Glover's Site & Book Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: Trapeze Teacher Training -- For passionate yoga students who love inversion yoga, this is an exciting opportunity to train with YOGABODY, the leading educator and manufacturer of inversion slings worldwide. The Yoga Trapeze is the most-popular yoga inversion sling ever with over 100,000 students in 81 countries. Despite the ever-growing demand, there are hardly any professional instructors - until now. We’re now accepting applications for The Yoga Trapeze Certification course where you’ll learn how to teach both group and private lessons for beginning and intermediate students. Learn More

Your habits around food, exercise and lifestyle largely dictate your health. What do you eat for breakfast? What is a "fun night out" for you and your friends? How often do you get outdoors, run, cycle or play? In our youth, our healthy habits tend to come naturally, but as we age, unhealthy habits creep in—and they are so hard to break. On this week's Yoga Talk Show, we'll unpack habit change and how to cultivate it in your life.   ------------ Listen & Learn: Why persistence is the key to change How to leverage crisis and pain for changes   Why we should look for questions more than answers How modern agriculture and food processing makes it difficult to stay healthy How you can begin make changes that will compound over time ABOUT OUR GUEST Cyndi O’Meara is a nutritionist, best-selling author, health and wellness expert, and the founder of Changing Habits. She is the author of dozens of publications including her book: Changing Habits Changing Lives that became an instant best seller. You may have seen Cyndi the recent documentary, What's With Wheat or seen her interviewed or profiled in dozens of publications and websites. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Green Pasta Any Good? Links & References from the Show: Cyndi's Changing Habits Website Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: The Yoga Teachers College offers master-level training for those looking to build a career as yoga professionals. Our trainees benefit from the best of modern learning technology combined with old school apprenticeship. Graduates walk away with the skills, confidence and experience needed to become not just teachers, but community and business leaders as well. Whether your goal is to teach part time locally, travel and lead workshops internationally, or to open your own studios, The Yoga Teachers College will support your career every step of the way. Learn More

Did you know that newborn babies are born with 200+ chemical toxins in their bodies? Or that polar bears often have off-the-charts levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) despite living in remote areas? We live in a pollute word: our water, air, and food supplies filled with toxins and end in our body and can lead to scores of health problems. Cancer is obviously the biggest risk, but hormonal imbalances are the more immediate threat—and they contribute to everything from PMS and polycystic ovarian syndrome to infertility and erectile dysfunction.  ------------ Listen & Learn: Why anything that stands in the way of optimal health should be considered a "toxin" Top 7 Toxins: food quality, emotional baggage, toxic thoughts, movement, dishonesty, poor sleep, loneliness   How there are 80,000 chemicals on earth, 700 in most adult bodies, and 200+ in most infants Why POPs (persistent organic pollutants) are a lingering "forever" problem ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Minich has a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences (Human Nutrition and Metabolism) and a M.S. in Human Nutrition and Metabolism. She has also studied Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is the author of 5 books. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Asia Food Choices? Links & References from the Show: Food And Spirit Website Stephen Genuis BUS Study (blood, urine, sweat) Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes Thanks to our sponsor: Trapeze Teacher Training -- For passionate yoga students who love inversion yoga, this is an exciting opportunity to train with YOGABODY, the leading educator and manufacturer of inversion slings worldwide. The Yoga Trapeze is the most-popular yoga inversion sling ever with over 100,000 students in 81 countries. Despite the ever-growing demand, there are hardly any professional instructors - until now. We’re now accepting applications for The Yoga Trapeze Certification course where you’ll learn how to teach both group and private lessons for beginning and intermediate students. Learn More