
The Dr. Shannon Show
Whether it's a research-based solo episode, a detailed expert interview, or a casual coffee chat, you'll learn what is true (and what isn't) regarding fitness, nutrition, mental health, skincare, and more. Join Shannon Ritchey, Doctor of Physical Therapy, fitness trainer, and founder of Evlo Fitness, each Thursday and occasional Fridays for science-based tools to improve your health.
Latest episodes

Jun 5, 2025 • 22min
#221: Weights or cardio first, reaching failure vs. reps in reserve, and an important announcement
5 lbs of muscle episodes:#197: How to build 5lb of Muscle in 2025Coffee Chat: My journey of building 5lb of muscle and body recomposition Coffee Chat: My updates on building muscle while pregnant, how to track muscle growth without a DEXA, and more#212: Building 5lb of muscle: how long does it take, member tips, and more0:00: FREE MONTH JUNE 8TH & 9TH 1:35: 5 lbs of muscle check-in & member stories 5:00: Strength training before cardio 7:10: How education can lead to better results 8:45: Should I train differently based on my age? 11:48: Do less, but better12:54: Reaching failure vs. reps in reserve 16:04: Body recomposition and muscle memory 18:50: Important announcement June 8th and 9th only, the Evlo Fitness trial is extended. You can now try Evlo for 30 days. Cancel any time within that trial if you don't wish to continue. Visit evlofitness.com to get signed up.

May 29, 2025 • 52min
#220: How to Body Recomposition in a Sustainable, Effective Way
0:00: Introduction 7:40: Can you actually "tone" and "tighten?" 12:00: Exercise and fat loss 18:40: Body recomposition 27:22: Tracking macros31:13: Five basics of building muscle 39:25: How to track progress 41:48: Volume needed for muscle hypertrophy June 8th and 9th only, the Evlo Fitness trial is extended. You can now try Evlo for 30 days. Cancel any time within that trial if you don't wish to continue. Visit evlofitness.com to get signed up.

May 22, 2025 • 16min
#219: Cardiovascular Aging: How to Measure and Improve It
0:00: Introduction to cardiovascular aging 2:00: How does the cardiovascular system age, and why should we care? 5:56: How to measure cardiovascular aging 8:24: How different types of exercise affects cardiovascular aging 11:30: Exercise recommendations for improving cardiovascular age12:54: How to track cardiovascular improvements without a fitness wearableJune 8th and 9th only, the Evlo Fitness trial is extended. You can now try Evlo for 30 days. Cancel any time within that trial if you don't wish to continue. Visit evlofitness.com to get signed up.

May 15, 2025 • 33min
#218: How to train your nervous system and improve vagal tone
Vagal tone is an indication of the health of your nervous system. By improving your vagal tone, you can recover better, feel better, and potentially live longer. Dr. Shannon and Dr. Payton discuss vagal tone and how to improve it both in the short term and long term. 0:00: Introduction1:45: Defining vagal tone 7:45: How does vagal tone affect your pain response? 10:45: How exercise affects vagal tone 16:55: How to measure vagal tone23:27: How to improve vagal tone29:43: How Dr. Payton has improved her vagal tone over the years June 8th and 9th only, the Evlo Fitness trial is extended. You can now try Evlo for 30 days. Cancel any time within that trial if you don't wish to continue. Visit evlofitness.com to get signed up.

May 8, 2025 • 51min
#217: Body Image and Body Dysmorphia with Psychiatrist Margaret Duncan
We all could improve our body image, but at what point should you seek help? Dr. Margaret Duncan discusses what thoughts may indicate body image concerns, how to improve body image, and when to seek professional help. Dr. Margaret Duncan's TikTokDr. Margaret Duncan's Podcast0:00: Introduction to Dr. Margaret Duncan 2:35: Body image9:45: When should someone seek therapy for body dysmorphic disorder? 12:15: How can therapy help with body dysmorphic disorder 18:15: Body as object vs body as self 27:15: How to feel like you've done enough 31:10: Postpartum body image June 8th and 9th only, the Evlo Fitness trial is extended. You can now try Evlo for 30 days. Cancel any time within that trial if you don't wish to continue. Visit evlofitness.com to get signed up.

May 2, 2025 • 39min
Coffee Chat with Interior Designer Coco Greenblum
Coco Greenblum is good friend of Shannon's and her designer. Coco designed both the Evlo office space abd Shannon's home. Coco has years of experience working with celebrities and is passionate about design. Learn how to make your space more beautiful on this episode today. Coco's WebsiteCoco's IGJune 8th and 9th only, the Evlo Fitness trial is extended. You can now try Evlo for 30 days. Cancel any time within that trial if you don't wish to continue. Visit evlofitness.com to get signed up.

May 1, 2025 • 34min
#216: What men and women should do when trying to conceive with Dr. Natalie Crawford
Whether you are currently trying to conceive or planning to do so in the next few years, this episode will educate you on what you can control in your fertility journey. Dr. Natalie Crawford, board certified OBGYN/REI, educates men and women on optimizing their fertility. Dr. Crawford's website Dr. Crawford's IG Dr. Crawford's YouTube0:00: Introduction to Dr. Natalie Crawford 1:30: Medical steps to take before trying to conceive 13:24: Holistic steps to take before trying to conceive 16:03: What can men do to assess their reproductive health? 23:20: Exercising while trying to conceive 27:40: When is it time to see a fertility specialist? 30:00: Dr. Crawford's final thoughts June 8th and 9th only, the Evlo Fitness trial is extended. You can now try Evlo for 30 days. Cancel any time within that trial if you don't wish to continue. Visit evlofitness.com to get signed up.

Apr 24, 2025 • 49min
#215: Freezing your eggs, how our reproductive system changes with age, and more with Dr. Natalie Crawford
Reproductive health is a major part of our overall health, whether you're family planning or not. In part one of this interview with board certified OBGYN/REI Dr. Natalie Crawford, you will learn what all women should be taught in their early 20s about our reproductive system. Even if you're not currently family planning or never intend to, you'll walk away from this episode feeling more informed about your reproductive health.Dr. Crawford's website Dr. Crawford's IG Dr. Crawford's YouTube0:00: Introduction to Dr. Natalie Crawford 1:45: What should everyone know about their reproductive health 4:05: The menstrual cycle is a vital sign 10:00: AMH, hormonal birth control, & fertility 18:00: When should you get AMH tested? 22:15: When should you consider freezing your eggs? 31:00: How to utilize reproductive technology for family planning38:18: Exercise recommendations for reproductive health 45:30: Dr. Crawford's final thoughts June 8th and 9th only, the Evlo Fitness trial is extended. You can now try Evlo for 30 days. Cancel any time within that trial if you don't wish to continue. Visit evlofitness.com to get signed up.

4 snips
Apr 17, 2025 • 13min
#214: How often should you work a muscle each week?
How many days/week should you work each muscle? And how many sets are needed in each workout? Shannon breaks down the current science on frequency and volume. She suggests a protocol that is both realistic and effective. 0:00: Introduction 1:40: Optimal volume for muscle growth 6:15: How frequently should you work a muscle group? 9:10: How many days per week should you strength train? 11:15: The bottom line June 8th and 9th only, the Evlo Fitness trial is extended. You can now try Evlo for 30 days. Cancel any time within that trial if you don't wish to continue. Visit evlofitness.com to get signed up.

Apr 10, 2025 • 51min
#213: Understand your hormones in each decade with Dr. Jessica Shepherd
Hormones change throughout a woman's life, and it's important to be educated about how and what to expect. Jessica Shepherd, MD is a board-certified OBGYN, and discusses what all women should know about their hormones throughout their 30s and beyond. Dr. Shepherd's IGDr. Shepherd's website0:00: Introduction to Dr. Shepherd 2:15: How do our sex hormones change as we age? 7:15: The effect of breast feeding on hormones 12:13: Clean feminine hygiene products 20:50: What can we do in our 20s and 30s to prepare for perimenopause? 26:20: How to approach perimenopause 30:50: Hormone replacement therapy 40:40: Is weight gain inevitable during menopause? 46:40: Dr. Shepherd's final thoughts June 8th and 9th only, the Evlo Fitness trial is extended. You can now try Evlo for 30 days. Cancel any time within that trial if you don't wish to continue. Visit evlofitness.com to get signed up.