
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

Apr 10, 2025 • 50min
#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 To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com.

Apr 3, 2025 • 20min
#212: Building 5lb of muscle: how long does it take, member tips, and more
Building 5lb of muscle in 2025 can help you improve your metabolic health, body composition, strength, and longevity. In this episode, Dr. Shannon discusses her updates on building muscle, discusses member stories, and addresses frequently asked questions. 0:00: Why you should build 5 lbs of muscle 5:30: Dr. Shannon’s experience with building 5 lbs of muscle12:00: Evlo member success stories 14:25: Q&A on building 5 lbs of muscle To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com.

Mar 28, 2025 • 36min
Coffee Chat with Olivia Adriance: Pregnancy Q&A
Today, I sit down with food blogger and local Austin resident Olivia Adriance, and we answer your questions about pregnancy. We talk about body image during pregnancy, training your core, how to stay consistent during first trimester, and more. To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com.

Mar 27, 2025 • 34min
#211: How to get fit during pregnancy
Is it possible to build muscle or strength during pregnancy? Dr. Shannon breaks down the current literature and suggests a strength-training and cardio routine to aim for during pregnancy. 0:00: Introduction to weight lifting during pregnancy5:00: ACOG exercise recommendations during pregnancy8:30: Resistance training during pregnancy 13:20: Is it possible to build muscle during pregnancy? 16:00: How to build muscle & strength during pregnancy 28:00: How to maintain muscle29:50: Signs and symptoms that you need to stop exercise 31:30: Recommended workout plan during pregnancy To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com.

Mar 25, 2025 • 5min
Mini: Will your waist get thicker by training abs?
Will training your abs close to failure will make your waist thicker? Dr. Shannon and Dr. Payton discuss this topic today. To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com.

Mar 20, 2025 • 37min
#210: Does strength training cover all your bases for generalized health & fitness?
You may want a more fit-looking body, but other things are likely important to you as well: strength, mobility, balance, flexibility, endurance, bone density, cardiovascular health, and more. Can strength training really tick all of those boxes? Dr. Shannon and Dr. Payton address this today. Does Strength Training Double as Cardio episode0:00: Introduction to hybrid training 2:50: How to exercise to improve posture 9:25: Mobility 15:15: Flexibility 18:56: Stability 23:54: Strength vs. muscle mass 26:45: Muscle endurance31:36: Balance 33:20: Bone density, VO2max, cardio, and fat loss 35:10: The ideal fitness routineTo take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com.

Mar 13, 2025 • 26min
#209: AMA: Accuracy of Body Composition Scales, Splitting Workouts in Half, and More
1:05: Why ball crunches over regular crunches? 2:43: How accurate are body composition scales? 4:48: Do the Evlo instructors do "more" than the rest of us? 6:48: Is your workout just as effective if you stop halfway through and finish the rest later? 9:17: Can men do Evlo? 11:01: What to do if your low back hurts during heavy leg exercises? 15:38: How to keep Gentle Consistency® while planning a wedding? 22:50: How to deal with body image postnatal? To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com.

Mar 6, 2025 • 20min
#208: Genetics and somatotypes - should you train for your body type?
You may have heard of the different somatotypes. Somatotypes categorize someone based on their body type: ectomorph, endomorph, or mesomorph. Shannon explains where this theory came from, how much genetics play a role in your results, and if/how you should train for your body type. 0:00: Introduction 1:30: How genetics influences fitness results 5:15: Should you train differently based on your somatotype? 10:30: What to do if you're struggling to gain muscle 16:00: What to do if you're struggling to lose fat18:57: When is it time to see a provider? 19:40: Final thoughts To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com.

Feb 27, 2025 • 6min
#207: How does creatine affect body composition?
Delve into the science behind creatine’s effects on body composition! Discover how this popular supplement works to enhance muscle gains and athletic performance. Myth-busting reveals that while creatine can increase strength, it doesn’t aid in fat loss. Plus, learn how it interacts with water retention and its implications for lean mass. Get ready to optimize your fitness journey!

Feb 25, 2025 • 5min
Ask an RD: Reverse dieting with Hope Brandt, RD
What is reverse dieting, and is it something you should implement to reach your goals? Registered Dietitian, Hope Brandt, discusses this in detail today. Hope's websiteHope's IG To take our free 35-minute Upper Body Build class taught by Dr. Shannon, visit portal.evlofitness.com.
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