Pursuing Health

Jenna Muri-Rosenthal is a speech-language pathologist, certified brain​ injury specialist, and a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer.  As the founder of Fit to Function Recovery, she has blended these areas of expertise into a program that combines functional fitness with cognitive rehabilitation.     Jenna works with survivors of brain injury and strokes, both one-on-one and in a community environment to help them progress their recovery beyond what is typically considered “good enough” in a traditional rehabilitation setting.   In this episode, we talk about the benefits of CrossFit for those recovering from cognitive impairments, how the training community can better serve this population, and resources for those looking for help for themselves or a loved one.   You can connect with Jenna via Instagram @fittofunctionrecovery or via email fittofunctionrecovery@gmail.com. Related Episodes: Ep 207 - From Aneurysm to Recovering Athlete with Vanessa Lew   Ep 124 - Breaking Barriers with an Adaptive Athlete and Coach Kevin Ogar   If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. I recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Jen Dudley shares her amazing story of personal transformation.  Her struggles with career anxiety and the stress of nursing school had led to an 80 pound weight gain, and no matter how many times she told her friends and family she was ready to make a change, she always seemed to wind up back where she started, feeling embarrassed for her lack of success.  She finally got the wake up call she needed when a family member became ill.  Jen quietly committed to herself to start a health and weight loss journey that would stick, and over three years she’s lost 75 pounds.  In doing so, she’s avoided chronic disease and medications, and gained a love for CrossFit and a community of friends.   You can connect with Jen via Instagram @jedudley16   Related Episodes: Ep 173 - Small Steps, Big Results: Carrie McCall   Ep 190 - Jess Esch on Treating Yourself with Value If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Dr. Shon Rowan is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology.  He completed his medical training at the West Virginia University School of Medicine and continues to work there as an Assistant Professor.  He is clinically active in reproductive medicine including infertility and In Vitro Fertilization, and recently led a research study exploring how monitoring pregnant women’s resting heart rate and HRV can provide insights to the fitness changes that take place during and after pregnancy.   Jeff Giosi Memorial WOD Love Like They Will Die Tomorrow with Shon Rowan   You can connect with Dr. Rowan via Instagram @shonromd Related Episodes: Ep 81 - Pelvic Floor Health for Athletes with Julie Wiebe   Ep 126b - Nicole Christensen on Coaching Pregnant Athletes   If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Fran Whitfield is a London based personal trainer who, at age 25, learned she has breast cancer that had metastasized to her brain and was given a prognosis of 2 years to live.  Unwilling to settle for such a grim diagnosis, Fran sought the help of a care team who was willing to fight the disease with her.  She credits her hedge of fitness with helping her recover quickly from brain surgery, and her current fitness routine with protecting her mental and physical health as she manages the side effects of chemotherapy.  Throughout her treatment, Fran has candidly documented her experiences to help spread awareness to other young people.  She hopes that by sharing her journey she can reduce the fear of the unknown that so many people experience as they battle cancer.   I first heard Fran’s story on a panel discussion at the CrossFit Games, and I was immediately struck by her resilience in the face of such a scary diagnosis.  Her mental fortitude as she advocates for herself and keeps her focus on the variables within her control is nothing short of remarkable.   You can connect with Fran via Instagram @franwhitfield Related Episodes: Ep 127 - Fighting Breast Cancer with Barbells: Barbells for Boobs Founder Zionna Hanson   Ep 203 - Scott Britton on Using CrossFit to Battle Cancer   If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Athena Perez is the owner of Scaled Nation CrossFit, the author of the book, Lifting the Wait, and is an advocate for the inclusivity of obese and overweight athletes in the CrossFit community. She has a remarkable transformation story, and she draws on her experiences to support others in need. A survivor of child abuse, Athena has struggled with her relationship with food since the age of 5, but with the help of CrossFit, she’s lost over 225 lbs and reclaimed her confidence.   You can connect with Athena via Instagram @athenamariebt Related Episodes: Ep 69 - From Obese to Beast with John Glaude Ep 179 - ​​Half His Size: Physical Therapist Alan Fredendall on Losing 200 Pounds and Introducing Patients to CrossFit   If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

As a second degree black belt in Taekwondo, two-time New York City marathon finisher, and long-time CrossFit athlete, Vanessa Lew was shocked when she experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm while working out. Thanks to the quick thinking and fast reaction of her CrossFit community, she quickly received the appropriate medical attention, and within weeks was on the road to recovery.   In this episode, we talk about the importance of undergoing regular medical screenings, even for healthy individuals, and the lessons she’d like to share as she’s had to relearn the most basic of skills, from walking to talking. Vanessa also shares her incredible mindset around admiring other’s achievements, but keeping her focus on celebrating her own progress as she continues to recover.    You can connect with Vanessa via Instagram @glenmere67   Related Episodes: Ep 180 - Putting Scleroderma into Remission with Katie Spilka Ep 169 - Jasmine Joy on Taking Control of Multiple Sclerosis   If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Austin Malleolo and James Hobart have been leaders in the CrossFit community for over a decade. Austin is a 7-time CrossFit Games competitor, including two individual finishes inside the Top 10. James is an 8-time Games veteran, including two first place finishes as part of Team CrossFit Mayhem Freedom.   Austin and James are also two of the most prolific CrossFit Seminar Staff Flowmasters, having been a part of  hundreds of Level 1 and Level 2 Seminars, in addition to being experienced affiliate owners.   Austin and James have combined all this expertise, together with fellow Seminar Staff member Spencer Hendel, to develop CrossFit Affiliate Programming, a new resource that CrossFit Home Office is making available to affiliates. CAP provides programming, class planning, and coach development tools to affiliates with the goal of strengthening coaches’ skills and giving CrossFit affiliate members the best experience possible.   In this episode we discuss how James and Austin became so involved in CrossFit, the challenges and lessons they’ve learned from running affiliates, and why they are so passionate about creating resources to support trainers.   You can connect with James and Austin via Instagram @jameshobart,  @austinmalleolo, and @hamplan.  Related Episodes: Ep 77 - Austin Malleolo on CrossFit and Corporate Culture Ep 28 - James Hobart on Teaching, Competing, and the Real Purpose of CrossFit If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Michael Asterino shares his journey from young lacrosse athlete managing a chronic stomach condition known as gastroparesis, to college sophomore struggling with alcohol and drug abuse. When Michael recognized that his addictions were damaging his relationships and preventing him from upholding commitments, he sought help from others who were sober. With their support, he started on a path to self-betterment. Along the way, fitness, spirituality and mindfulness played a key role in his recovery.     In this episode, he shares how he came to recognize the power of living in the present moment, and how CrossFit helps him live a life free of alcohol and drugs, and focused on connecting with the ones he loves.   You can connect with Michael via Instagram @coachasterino   Related Episodes: Ep 67 - Sobriety through CrossFit: Brain Reap’s Story Ep 153 - Mat Fraser + Sammy Moniz: Sweethearts on a Mission   If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a functional medicine physician specializing in the concept of muscle-centric medicine, which focuses on the largest organ in the body, skeletal muscle, as the key to health and longevity.  By using high-quality protein diets, supplements, and resistance training, she helps a variety of patients, from those suffering with sarcopenia or pre-diabetes to elite military operators, reduce chronic disease risk and improve longevity.   Dr. Lyon received her doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and is board-certified in family medicine.  She earned her undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she studied vitamin and mineral metabolism, chronic disease prevention and management and the physiological effects of diet composition.  She also completed a research/clinical fellowship in Nutritional Science and Geriatrics at Washington University in St. Louis.   In this episode, we talk about why muscle mass is so critical for overall good health, the importance of having a substantial amount of protein at each meal, and why dietary protein is not a clinically significant risk factor for developing cancer.   Links: The Role of Meat in a Healthy Diet Protein researcher’s rebuttal to Dr. Valter Longo’s research Piedemontese discount code: GLYON Related Episodes: Ep 112 - Eating for Longevity with Valter Longo Ep 183 - Robb Wolfe on the Case for (Better) Meat If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns

Scott Britton is the founder of Battle Cancer, a non-profit that uses functional fitness events to raise funds for cancer charities, as well as provides free training programs to help cancer survivors thrive post-treatment.   Originally a small, personal fundraising initiative, Scott quickly recognized that when it came to creating a big impact, there is strength in numbers.  He recruited others and worked hard to grow Battle Cancer into a huge movement that has raised over $1.4 million and hosted events across Europe and in the US.     Most recently, Battle Cancer has formed an official partnership with CrossFit and sits poised to become an even bigger global phenomenon as it leverages the CrossFit community to create powerful bonds and relationships that support cancer survivors.   In this episode, Scott shares how he became so passionate about the fight against cancer, the benefits of using movement as medicine, and his dream of developing a network of fitness professionals and affiliates who are trained to support those affected by this pervasive disease.   You can connect with Scott and Battle Cancer via their website and Instagram @battle.cancer Related Episodes: Ep 65 - Rory McKernan: CrossFit Games Update Show Host Ep 127 - Fighting Breast Cancer with Barbells: Barbells for Boobs Founder Zionna Hanson If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating or share your feedback on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every Tuesday. Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns