

Align Podcast
Aaron Alexander
Welcome! I'm Aaron, host of the Align Podcast. Understanding your mind and body can be confusing, this podcast will help by combining ancient wisdom with modern science to better know yourself.
New here? Start with these episodes: Byron Katie, Bruce Lipton, Aubrey Marcus, Gabor Maté, Robert Sapolsky, Chris Williamson, Robert Edward Grant, Dr. Perry Nickelston, Wim Hof, Peter Crone, James Clear, Zach Bush, Teal Swan, Dr. Mike Israetel, Gabby Reece, Laird Hamilton, Marianne Williamson
If you love this podcast, I would love for you to connect with me on Instagram, @AaronAlexander
New here? Start with these episodes: Byron Katie, Bruce Lipton, Aubrey Marcus, Gabor Maté, Robert Sapolsky, Chris Williamson, Robert Edward Grant, Dr. Perry Nickelston, Wim Hof, Peter Crone, James Clear, Zach Bush, Teal Swan, Dr. Mike Israetel, Gabby Reece, Laird Hamilton, Marianne Williamson
If you love this podcast, I would love for you to connect with me on Instagram, @AaronAlexander
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 23, 2022 • 1h 17min
Jason Nemer: The Benefits of AcroYoga, Play, and Connection | EP 395
Do you make time for play in your day? In this episode of the Align podcast, Jason Nemer and I chat about the benefits of acroyoga, playing, and connection for our health. While we tend to forget it, humans do need to experience play to feel their optimal selves. We also chat about the concept of the “perfect fit” when it comes to AcroYoga. Jason Nemer is a world-champion acrobat and the Co-Founder of AcroYoga. Jason’s work was featured in New York Times Bestselling author Tim Ferriss’ book, Tools of Titans. What we discuss: 03:20: What does it mean to have space in the body? 08:35: What are meridian lines? 18:04: What is AcroYoga? 21:19: What can people learn about their bodies in this process? 31:13: Does the concept of “perfect fit” exist? 43:13: What are the benefits of “play”? 48:50: Where does DougChiang fit in? 01:10:19: What does it mean to be extreme? To learn more about Jason: Website:

Jun 16, 2022 • 1h 4min
Dr. Doug Brackmann: How to Harness Your Hunter Abilities, What It Means to Be Driven, and Why All Feelings Are Bullsh*t | EP 394
Did you know that someone’s genetics may explain why some people prefer chaos over order? In this episode of the Align podcast, Dr. Doug Brackmann and I chat about what it really means to be Driven. Essentially, our Driven characteristics are related to a certain genetic makeup, meaning our ways of being are not simply personality traits but are ingrained in our DNA. We also debate over why love and social acceptance are not the same thing, the differences between intuition and feelings, and why not all feelings are bullshit. Dr. Doug Brackmann is one of the leading psychologists to some of the most successful and Driven entrepreneurs, pro athletes, executives, and other top performers. By combining the components of meditation, long-range shooting, and therapy, Dr. Doug helps those with Driven characteristics (often wrongfully diagnosed as ADD, ADHD, OCD, or other) to harness their hunter abilities. What we discuss: 02:43: What about one’s genetics makes them more scientific or spiritual? 08:32: Can trauma affect your characteristics? 13:33: What does it mean to be driven? 25:00: Are hunters really superior to farmers? 39:40: Are all feelings bullshit?! 45:31: What is the ego and how does it relate to the narratives we create? 53:41: What exercises can you perform to explore the shadow? 1:01:00: Is social acceptance and love the same thing? To learn more about Dr. Brackmann: Website:

Jun 9, 2022 • 1h 5min
Dr. Steven Lin: Tongue Posture, Jaw Structure, and Nutritional Principles | EP 393
Did you know that our jaw structure could be an indicator of evolutionary decline? In this episode of the Align Podcast, Dr. Steven Lin and I chat about what our tongue posture and jaw structure can tell us about our health. We also chat about the health risks associated with over-disinfecting everything and how oral antibacterials can surprisingly increase your risk of diabetes. Dr. Steven Lin is a world-leading functional dentist, TEDx speaker, and author of the International #1 Amazon Best Selling Book, The Dental Diet. As a passionate preventative, whole health advocate, Dr. Lin focuses on the understanding of dental disease through nutritional principles. What we discuss: 02:24: Overlays of eastern and western mechanics 04:12: Why does tongue posture matter? 10:12: What can we do with our trauma? 13:40: Is there a link between how we’re using the jaw and nutrition? 20:34: Is there a direct correlation between the structure of our jaw and nutrition? 34:00: Why are humans heading towards an evolutionary decline? 36:50: Has there ever been any proof of malocclusion in the past? 43:20: Is sugar infused in culture? 53:45: What do oral antibacterials do to your mouth’s health? 56:56: Can alcohol-based mouthwash increase the risk of diabetes? 58:00: Are there any health risks associated with disinfecting everything 1:00:11: Are sweeteners better?

Jun 7, 2022 • 1h 13min
Dr. Lorin Krenn: Have Better Sex, Understand Your Partners More, and Deepen Your Relationships | EP 392
Did you know our suppressed emotions could be ruining our sex lives? In this episode of the Align podcast, Dr. Lorin Krenn and I chat about the inner work men can do to have better sex and more intimacy in their relationships. We also chat about how one can know if they’re meant for monogamy or polygamy and how they can determine which partner is perfect for them. Dr. Lorin Krenn is an internationally sought after teacher in the field of relationships, who helps people to experience deep intimacy through the power of masculine & feminine polarity. As well, he is the author of the highly-rated book‘Understand Women Better’. What we discuss: 02:02: How can a man cultivate himself in order to have the best sex? 06:23: What is sex? 08:06: What does the process of knowing yourself better look like? 13:46: What is the shadow? 26:00: What is the optimal playing board for modern relationships? 30:19: Why do we experience fear of commitment? 37:00: How does someone know which partner is perfect for them? 47:32: The biggest gift of the feminine energy 50:05: Why are stress-tests so difficult for men? 54:34: How can you stop resisting commitment to “the

May 26, 2022 • 1h 2min
Garrett Salpeter: The Mind-Pain Connection, Electrical Stimulation Therapy, and Why We All Feel Pain Differently | EP 391
Did you know that pain is experienced differently by everyone? In this episode of the Align podcast, Garrett and I chat about why an MRI scan may not show physicians and therapists everything they need to know about the source of chronic pain many patients experience. In fact, the psychological stressors we have within us could be just as much the culprit as something being physically and structurally wrong in the body. Garrett also explains how pain is something that is subjective and is tolerated differently by everyone, as we all separate psychological pain from physical pain differently. Garrett Salpeter combined training in neuroscience and engineering to start NeuFit, a company at the nexus of neurology and fitness, dedicated to treating athletes and patients in the realization of fitness goals, effective rehabilitation, and improved overall health. What we discuss: 02:18: What is electrical stimulation therapy? 10:10: What is pain? 19:07: Why does the pain feel different for everyone? 25:50: Is it possible to separate psychological pain from physical pain in the brain? 30:39: How do psychological stressors induce physical pain? 37:31: What methods does Garrett use and what are the starting points in the analysis? 40:09: What can the Neubie do that other tools can’t? 51:53: What are some stumble blocks that Garrett has learned along this journey? 57:42: What are the differences between each device? To learn more about Garrett: Website:

May 19, 2022 • 1h 11min
John Vervaeke, PhD: Finding Your Meaning “In” and “Of” Life, Cancel Culture, and the Age of Disinformation | EP 390
Do you know what your meaning in life is? What about your meaning OF life? In this episode of the Align podcast, John Vervaeke, Ph.D. and I share a profoundly striking dialogue on our collective starvation for meaning. Plus, we tackle why we experience a gnawing disconnection from ourselves, from each other, and from nature. As he sheds light on the difference between meaning “in” life vs. meaning “of” life, we also touch on cancel culture, addiction, the power of a flow state of mind in meaning-making, and how to cultivate wisdom in the Age of Disinformation. John Vervaeke, Ph.D., is an author of several books, and he’s been a professor of cognitive science at the University of Toronto since 1994. His award-winning 50-part lecture series on Youtube titled "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis” has garnered 500k+ views worlwide. What we discuss: 0:00 - Introduction to John Vervaeke 3:00 - Culture, Grammar, and the Creation of Meaning 6:00 - What is the Meaning Crisis? 9:00 - The roots of our alienation + how to harness our power to self-correct 16:00 - Cancel culture as a symptom of the meaning crisis 23:30 - What exactly is cognition? 27:00 - Love, psychedelics, and the flow state of mind 36:00 - The definition of meaning-making & the different kinds of knowing 41:30 - Addiction: A learned behavior or a disease? 44:50 - Why we should never stop looking for meaning & seeking wisdom 56:00 - Actionable Tips to cultivate wisdom & live a fulfilled life 1:01:00 - How religion contributes to solving the meaning crisis Learn more from John Vervaeke: Website: johnvervaeke.com Twitter: @vervaeke_john Youtube: johnvervaeke Book: Zombies in Western Culture: A Twenty-First Century Crisis Related Links: The revised version of the Align Method book is now available with 22 brand-new exercises! Order here: alignpodcast.com/alignbook alignpodcast.com/alignmethod for a special discount alignpodcast.com/community to join our community www.organifi.com/align and use ALIGN during checkout to receive 20% magbreakthrough.com/alignpodcast and use ALIGN10 during checkout to save 10%.

May 12, 2022 • 41min
Dr. Becca Levy: Blue Zones, Ageism, and How Your Beliefs About Aging Impact Your Health | EP 389
Did you know your beliefs about aging can have a direct impact on how long of a life you will live? In this episode of the Align podcast, Dr. Becca Levy and I chat about how our positive and negative beliefs about aging impact our health. We also chat about what western cultures can learn from other cultures that celebrate growing old and living until old age, such as the famous blue zones. Dr. Becca Levy, Ph.D., is an award-winning Yale Professor of Psychology and Global Health. She received her Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard University. She has been invited to testify before the United States Senate on the effects of ageism, contributed to briefs submitted to the United States Supreme Court in age-discrimination cases, and participated in United Nations discussions of ageism. What we discuss: 04:00: Why did Dr. Levy get involved with the field of aging? 06:04: What is the connection be

May 5, 2022 • 1h 23min
Gray Cook: Movement Fundamentals, Ankle Mobility, and Self-Awareness | EP 388
Do you think you have stiff ankles? Chances are, you just lack mobility. In this episode of the Align Podcast, Gray Cook and I chat about the fundamentals of movement and how our current culture is out of touch with them. In Gray’s experience, a simple practice of self-awareness can help us identify a lot of our movement patterns that are broken and allow us to bring it back to their performing state. We also talk about how we can integrate the basic fundamentals of movement in today’s sedentary modern world where sofas, desks, and cars all have an impact on our mobility. Gray Cook is a physical therapist, orthopedic certified specialist, and certified strength and conditioning coach. His developments in movement pattern screening and assessment are at the forefront of fitness, physical conditioning, injury prevention, and physical rehabilitation. What we discuss: 02:36: What are some of the low-hanging fruit in terms of mobility in today’s world? 05:45:Which movement fundamentals should be thought in our education system? 10:52: What are Gray’s observations on physical independence? 27:22: Have we really conquered nature? 31:02: How do we integrate modern life into the natural and seamless self? 34:48: Can we seamlessly integrate more than one movement practice into our daily lives? 42:30: What does it mean to walk “well”? 51:13: How has Gray’s perspective on breathe shift over the years? 01:11:59: How can we get to a point where we’re effortlessly inhabiting our physical body?

Apr 28, 2022 • 1h 26min
Dr. Kelly Starrett, DPT: Breaking Our False Sense of Fragility, Redefining Pain, & Mobility Tips for Desk-Sitting Humans | EP 387
In today's episode, I'm privileged to host Dr. Kelly Starrett, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, world-leading Mobility expert, and NYT best-selling author who never fails to astound me. Prepare to learn why an obsession with diet and exercise may not solve your complex health issues, why you shouldn't fear aging, how your thoughts could literally reshape your bones, what it means to restore your “full range of motion,” the relationship of quality movement and lasting joy, plus the major differences between stretching and mobilizing (and why you should be focusing on the latter!). As a seasoned Movement and Mobility Coach, Dr. Kelly Starrett guides players in the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA, Olympic gold medalists, and other world-class athletes. He and his wife Julia Starrett co-founded The Ready State, a fitness firm whose unique programs have amassed over 1.3 million practitioners worldwide. What we discuss: 5:00 - A bottom-up approach to transforming our health 9:40 - Addressing your false sense of fragility 16:00 - How isolation contributes to poor health 25:00 - Dr. Kelly’s definition of rest & Aaron’s mantra for success 37:50 - Stretching Vs. Mobility: Restoring your full range of motion 43:00 - What is effective movement? 46:50 - How your mindset can transform your bones, muscles, & joints 49:00 - A top-down approach to pain: How to rework your self-image & practice better self-talk 57:00 - Movement tips for longevity 1:08:00 - The necessity of pain 1:15:00 - 3 Easy Practices for Pain Relief & Management Learn more from Dr. Kelly Starrett: Website: https://thereadystate.com/ Instagram: @thereadystate Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheReadyState Books: https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Starrett/e/B00DJEBOUO Related links: The revised version of the Align Method book is now available with 22 brand-new exercises! Order here: alignpodcast.com/alignbook alignpodcast.com/alignmethod for a special discount alignpodcast.com/community to join our community www.organifi.com/align and use ALIGN during checkout to receive 20% magbreakthrough.com/alignpodcast and use ALIGN10 during checkout to save 10%. getkion.com/align and save 20%

Apr 21, 2022 • 1h 44min
Dr. Eric Goodman: Foundation Training – Postures, Movement, & Breathing Techniques For Natural Pain Management | EP 386
It only takes 3 minutes a day to be mindful of your posture - and that could take away decades of pain that's been keeping you from performing at your best. The exercises involved in making this happen come from Dr. Eric Goodman's life work called Foundation Training, a movement revolution practiced by thousands globally. In this episode, we look back on his journey to creating this world-class program and why it has become extremely important now that our modern habits are throwing our bodies into serious imbalance and misalignment, causing us to live in constant pain. We share top movement techniques you can easily follow - whether you're sitting in front of a computer, commuting to work, or even standing still. Dr. Eric Goodman, DC, is an author, chiropractor, international speaker, and the founder and creator of Foundation Training. What we discuss: 0:00 - Introduction to Dr. Eric Goodman 3:00 - Strength training Vs. Foundation Training 6:20 - Guide to Decompression Breathing 10:00 - Horizontal Vs. Vertical Breathing: How to breathe well for a more focused mind 23:30 - The core definition of pain 30:00 - What it means to "be with what is" & "surrender to pain" 36:00 - Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS): Why masking your pain only makes it worse 53:00 - 3 Tips to Improving Your Sensation of Pain 1:05:00 - Thoughts on God & the Meaning of Life 1:13:30 - Why the only way out of pain is through it 1:18:00 - Views on Stimulants, Cannabis, Psychedelics, & Pain Pills 1:34:30 - 3 Daily Movement Techniques for A Pain-Free Life Learn more from Dr. Eric Goodman: Website: https://www.foundationtraining.com/ Instagram: @foundationtraining Dr. Eric Goodman’s recent book:Foundations of Health Related links: The revised version of the Align Method book is now available with 22 brand-new exercises! Order here: alignpodcast.com/alignbook alignpodcast.com/alignmethod for a special discount alignpodcast.com/community to join our community www.organifi.com/align and use ALIGN during checkout to receive 20% magbreakthrough.com/alignpodcast and use ALIGN10 during checkout to save 10%. neurohacker.com/qualia-mind and use ALIGN during checkout to save 15% higherdose.com/align and use ALIGN during checkout to save 15%


