In the 1980s, Nancy Reagan coined the term, “Just say no!” and spearheaded the social aspect of the so-called war on drugs. It didn’t work, nor have any of the dozens of public, private, and international efforts to curb the disease of despair. Things have become so much worse that today, almost every single person listening has a friend or family member affected by addiction. My guest on this week’s podcast is a recovered addict herself and uses yoga as part of an integrated 12-step program to support others. Listen and learn: The importance of support for addiction recovery The benefits of talk therapy vs. movement based therapy How trauma can feel like it’s stuck physically The integration of past, present and future self Links Y12 ABOUT OUR GUEST Nikki is the founder of Yoga of 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR). Her approach is based on her personal journey through addiction and recovery, leading her to blend the somatic aspect of yoga with the cognitive approach of 12-step programs. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Injuries can derail your best healthy lifestyle plans, and if you’re not careful, they can lead to deconditioning and loss of function. But here’s what you need to understand and accept: everyone with an active life gets injured - everyone. So rather than feeling guilt or regret about your aches and pains, it’s a much smarter approach to swiftly move into healing mode and take full ownership of the process. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a career yoga teacher and physical therapist whose work focuses on overcoming injuries. Listen and learn: Why many injuries simply require time to heal The importance of things like shoes, sleep position, and lifestyle choices The power of walking and how to titrate movement vs. pain How to potentially get help from a physical therapist or qualified professional Links Ariele’s Anatomy Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Ariele Foster is a physical therapist and yoga teacher with over two decades experience helping people recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and rehab from surgeries. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Dr. Sujay Kansagra, a sleep expert, discusses sleep hygiene, differences in kid vs. adult sleep, and when to seek medical help. Topics include sleep issues, children's sleep patterns, gender-based temperature preferences, sleep testing, and the benefits of yoga breathing.

Delve into the fascinating world of stem cells and their potential in regenerative medicine. Learn how adaptogenic plants can boost your own stem cell production, the difference between umbilical cord and adipose tissue-derived cells, and the legal and ethical concerns surrounding stem cell therapies. Explore the role of stem cells in maintaining health and preventing age-related diseases, and debunk myths about inflammation and seed oils. Discover the benefits of stretching exercises for flexibility and the importance of choosing healthy oils for overall well-being.

If you’re interested in meditation and have downloaded an app or purchased a book, yet fail to consistently follow through, this week’s podcast is for you. We’ll discuss meditation for average people living in the real world with recurring guest, Ann Swanson. Listen and learn: Meditation practice vs. meditative practices How to manage rumination Why different meditation practices can serve you in different scenarios How to start small and link your practice to an existing habit Links Meditation for the Real World Get your bonus here ABOUT OUR GUEST Ann Swanson is a certified yoga therapist and author of the best-selling book, Science of Yoga. She specializes in helping people manage stress, pain and arthritis. Her new book is called, Meditation for the Real World: Finding Peace in Everyday Life. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

The quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our relationships. While most people would probably agree with that statement, they would also admit that their relationships are often troubled. From a psychological perspective, attachment theory can be a helpful frame for understanding our patterns of emotional connection and strife, and it can also provide a path forward toward balance and security. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet an author whose work is centered around understanding yourself to create space for healthier relationships. Listen and learn: How to identify your attachment style as secure, anxious, avoidant, or dismissive Why we’re often attracted to people who struggle in similar or familiar ways Why our fundamental needs must be met Links Thais Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Thais Gibson is an author, counselor, speaker, and founder of The Personal Development School. She has a background in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), underscoring her deep commitment to understanding and teaching the principles of psychological wellbeing and personal growth​. She’s the author of Attachment Theory: A Guide to Strengthening the Relationships in Your Life.  Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

Health education is lacking in most school systems, to the extent that most high school graduates can’t name 10 muscles in their own bodies. Anatomical learning has historically been seen as boring, complex, and difficult to make relevant. Today, things have changed, thanks to 3D software, inexpensive models, and cadaver dissections freely available around the world. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet an online educator reaching millions monthly with anatomy and physiology videos using real human cadavers. You'll learn: How cadavers are donated and used ethically (or not) in science The anomalous nature of all of our bodies Why real human bodies are still an invaluable resource in learning How to use LLMs / AI to advance your learning Links Institute of Human Anatomy Dissection Room on Youtube Substack ABOUT OUR GUEST Justin Cottle is the Lab Director at the Institute of Human Anatomy, a private human cadaver lab located in Salt Lake City, Utah. He and his IOHA team reach millions each month through educational social media videos, often using real human cadavers. He is also the creator of The Dissection Room on Substack and YouTube.  Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

I’m an introvert. In my private life, I don’t talk much and am mostly in my head. But since the forced isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve come to re-appreciate the power of community. Every single health goal I have becomes so much easier when I’m around positive, supportive people. So once a week, I force myself to practice yoga, take a run, ride my bike, or paddle surf with other people. On one of those runs, I joined up with 120 people on the beach in Barcelona running, doing burpees, and dancing to pop songs. The group is called Midnight Runners, and it turns out it’s a long-standing event that happens all over the world. On this week’s show, you’ll meet the founder to learn about the power of fitness and community.   Links: Midnightrunners.com @gregexplores ABOUT OUR GUEST Greg Drach is the co-founder of Midnight Runners with a mission to make fitness more engaging and fun. Drach is an avid traveler and adventurer having visited 65 countries across five continents. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

There is no such thing as a perfect human diet because we are all unique and have unique objectives. The bodybuilder eats to build mass, the dieter plans meals to lose weight, while others use food to manage their mental health. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a metabolic psychiatrist who takes a food-first approach in her work with clients. Listen and learn: How to determine if an extreme or moderate approach is best for you How ketosis can fuel the brain and cool inflammation Why low carb approaches can be helpful for depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD Short term treatment or long term fix? Sustainability questions explored Links Dr. Ede’s site ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Georgia Ede is a nutrition and metabolic psychiatrist. She has done extensive research on ketogenic diets, and is the author of the book, Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel

“I don’t know the meaning of life, but I know the purpose of life: to survive and procreate.” This quote was from a biologist on the podcast eight years ago, and it stuck with me because if he’s right, I’ve achieved my biological imperative and I’m now on borrowed time. While that may sound soulless and even nihilistic, it’s also a helpful frame (for me) as I attempt to make choices to optimize my life in the second half - my bonus time. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a researcher who debunks many pop longevity myths and also shares some compelling research around the supplement nicotinamide riboside. Will it make you live forever? No, but it might help you live better for the time you are here. Listen and learn: Why “biological age” tests are inaccurate How we’re unlikely to experience “escape velocity” Metformin, rapamycin, and resveratrol debunked Why so-called longevity clinics giving TRT and HGH are almost certainly reducing - not extending - lifespan   Links Brennerlab.net ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Charles Brenner, the Alfred E. Mann Family Foundation Chair in Diabetes and Cancer Metabolism at City of Hope National Medical Center, discovered nicotinamide riboside (NR) as a crucial precursor to NAD+ in 2004 and a second NR-to-NAD+ conversion pathway in 2007, enhancing yeast cell lifespan. Currently, Dr. Brenner leads groundbreaking clinical trials on NR, focusing on its maternal and neonatal effects and translating animal model findings into safe, evidence-based clinical practices for human metabolic stress conditions. Like the Show? Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel Visit www.yogabody.com