Pursuing Health

“When I was 12, I played my last season of parks and rec basketball in braces, and after that, everyone was basically like, 'Hey, no sports.  Try to limit activity, we don't need you to get hurt because you could seriously injure yourself.'  So, it basically turned into video games and reading.  I think it was in the best interest to keep me safe, but in my mind I was like, 'So, I don't get to play with my friends unless I'm inside?'” - Dano Lotz Imagine being an active kid who loves playing baseball, basketball, soccer- basically anything outdoors.  You notice you’re a little slower than your classmates, but you chalk it up to minor differences, and go on playing sports for the love of the game.  Then, at age 12, you’re put in leg braces and told you need to stop being active in order to prevent injury.  Suddenly your world shrinks to afternoons on the couch, reading and playing video games. This was the case for Daniel ‘Dano’ Lotz, who was born with a genetic condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.  CMT is a form of muscular dystrophy that affects sensory and motor nerves in the extremities, causing nerve degeneration and resulting in muscle weakness.  In Dano’s case, his CMT affects his lower legs, including his calves and ankles. Dano wasn’t about to let his condition hold him back.  At 16 he started weight training with the football team at his high school, and he found a new passion.  Working out helped him regain muscle mass and motor control, and it gave him the satisfaction of being part of a team.  It also ignited a fire to one day become a trainer himself. As Dano continued to improve and build strength, his mentality changed.  Rather than letting his limitations hold him back, he became more and more active- but ended up breaking several pairs of braces, an expensive habit.  He decided to stop wearing the braces and continued with his active lifestyle.  After several years of working out at traditional gyms and practicing to become a personal trainer, some friends invited him to join them for his first CrossFit workout- Fight Gone Bad. Dano finished the workout, collapsed to the floor, and fell in love.  He would go on to get his Level 1, and then his Level 2 Certificate, and has had the opportunity to compete as an adaptive athlete and to coach at multiple affiliates across the United States.  Dano’s tenacity and determination give him a unique perspective as a trainer.  As he himself learned what movements he could do, and how to modify the movements he struggled with, he laid the groundwork to be able to empathize with others. Now, as a full-time trainer, Dano says, “The best thing is that I now get to teach and train others to become the best versions of themselves.” I first heard Dano’s story several years ago- not too long after he started CrossFit.  I was excited to catch up with him and hear how his story has grown and evolved, and how he's using his passion for fitness to inspire others. In this episode we discuss: CMT muscular dystrophy: what it is and what it has looked like in Dano's life How Dano’s childhood and activity was impacted by his condition Reflecting on how becoming active as a teenager improved his mood and motor function How Dano became interested in personal training and exercise science How Dano got into CrossFit The changes he noticed in his health and physical abilities once he started CrossFit How he decided to become a CrossFit coach and what that journey has looked like How his experiences as an adaptive athlete help him as a coach Making the most of his downtime from coaching during the COVID pandemic Three things Dano does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health One thing he knows would have a positive impact on his health, but he struggles to implement What a healthy life looks like to Dano You can follow Dano on Instagram and Twitter, and you can follow the Adapting to Life podcast on Instagram and YouTube. Links: Winona State University National Academy of Sports Medicine Related episodes: Ep 107 - Play the Hand You're Dealt: Choosing to Thrive with a Rare Genetic Condition and Congenital Heart Defect with Stephen Douglas 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. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other 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. This post was originally published on August 10, 2020.

“When women learn to chart these observable external signs or symptoms that help them understand what’s happening internally with their hormones, it is so empowering, and we really should be about empowering our patients with this information. I mean, that’s why we encourage our patients to track with they’re their eating, or patients with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar so that they can use that information to to make healthier choices to better improve their overall health and well-being.  Fertility awareness based methods are such an incredibly effective tool to educate and empower women, and honestly, engage men back in the conversation of family planning.” - Dr. Marguerite Duane   Dr. Marguerite Duane is a board-certified family physician and co-founder and Executive Director of FACTS, the Fertility Appreciation Collaborative to Teach the Science.  She serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Georgetown University, where she directs an introductory course on natural or fertility awareness based methods of family planning. She is a practicing direct primary care physician and she has served on the board of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the Family Medicine Education Consortium (FMEC). After receiving a Bachelor of Science with Honors and a Master of Health Administration from Cornell University, she earned her medical degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and completed her family medicine residency at Lancaster General Hospital. During her residency, she was surprised to hear her senior resident explain to a postpartum patient that there is a way women can learn to manage their fertility without any medical side effects, such as those that occur from hormonal birth control.  She wondered how it was possible this topic hadn't been covered in her medical training. This insight planted the seed that changed the trajectory of her career. Dr. Duane began to focus on learning more about these methods, for her own personal health as well as that of her patients.  She went on to complete training in the Creighton Model of natural family planning and has since made it her passion to educate other healthcare providers and patients. After recently completing the FACTS course for medical students and residents myself, I was excited to have the opportunity to chat more with Dr. Duane about the basics of the female cycle, the efficacy of natural family planning, and the science behind fertility awareness based methods. *Dr. Duane's bio adapted from the FACTS website.   In this episode we discuss: How Dr. Duane became interested in fertility awareness based methods How FACTS came to be The need to educate doctors about FABMs The benefits of being in tune with your cycle The efficacy of this method and the best way to get started The basics of the female cycle, and what women can observe throughout their cycle How following your cycle can give insights to your health How FABMs can help explain underlying reasons for infertility Where to look for a practitioner and how to get started Factors to consider when choosing the right method for yourself Preferred apps and what to look for when selecting an app to use The value of using FABMs to help with underlying medical conditions Dr. Duane's experience with Teen STAR and the benefits of learning these methods from an early age Three things that Dr. Duane does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health One thing she struggles to implement that could have a big impact on her health What a healthy life looks like to Dr. Duane You can follow the Fertility Awareness Collaborative to Teach the Science (FACTS) on Instagram,  Facebook and Twitter. Links: Natural family planning: physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practice Women’s interest in natural family planning Survey of attitudes regarding natural family planning in an urban Hispanic population The Female Cycle as the 5th Vital Sign Webinar Billings Ovulation Method Sympto-Thermal Method Standard Days Method Marquette Model What is charting? The Performance of Fertility Awareness-based Method Apps Marketed to Avoid Pregnancy The Natural Cycles app The Dot app Phendo app for endometriosis FEMM Health app Cycle Pro Go app Chart Neo Fertility app Kindara app Related episodes: Ep 83 - Pelvic Floor Health for Athletes with Julie Wiebe, PT 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. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other 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.   This post was originally published on August 3, 2020.

“If you're wrapping up your identity in the results… there’s a lot of things that go on that you have no control over that can sway the results big time. So, if you’re basing your identity off those results… it might go right, but… There’s only two options when you sign up for a competition, either you’re going to win or you’re going to lose. I try to base my identity off of the effort that I put in. I hope that if the results aren’t what I was looking for, I hope that I’m still able to hold my head high and be proud knowing that I did everything I could.” - Mat Fraser   Four-time Fittest Man on Earth  Mat Fraser is arguably the most dominant competitor the sport has ever seen and has stood on the podium at the CrossFit Games every year he has been in attendance.  He earned silver in 2014 and 2015, and for the last four years he's earned gold, typically with a huge margin of victory.   Mat is the son of two Olympic athletes and growing up he was an Olympic hopeful himself, but the road to becoming the Fittest on Earth hasn't been without challenges. As a teenager he struggled with alcoholism and made the choice to become sober at 17.  At 19 he suffered a fractured back, an injury which sidelined his Olympic weightlifting career, but would ultimately lead him to try CrossFit. Since graduating from the University of Vermont with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Business, Mat has become a full-time athlete and trains in Cookeville, Tennessee alongside some of the best CrossFit athletes in the world.   Mat's fiancé, Sammy Moniz, holds an impressive resume in her own right.  A former Reebok affiliate manager, she is now the brains behind Feeding the Frasers.  What started as a Instagram account documenting her love of cooking has grown into a website, e-book and upcoming cookbo0k, all a testament to Sammy's desire to make the people in her life feel loved and cared for.   Mat and Sammy are a powerhouse couple who need virtually no introduction in the CrossFit space, and I was excited to catch up with them in their home in Tennessee.  We shared lots of laughs as we talked about how they met, what inspires them to give their best in all their endeavors, their take on the recent changes in CrossFit, and where they see themselves in the next 5 to 1o years.   In this episode we discuss: Mat & Sammy's day-to-day lives Some of the experiences and challenges from their lives that they've learned from and have contributed to their successes today The lessons Mat learned from breaking his back How Sammy became interested in food and cooking How Mat’s diet has changed since meeting Sammy, and the changes he’s noticed since improving his nutrition How Mat’s parents' Olympic career impacted his mindset Why Mat decided to pursue engineering in college Sammy's college experience and how she ended up at Reebok How Mat and Sammy started dating Mat’s experience with alcoholism and sobriety What it’s like for Sammy to watch Mat compete Mat and Sammy's plans for the future The story of the hype music in the tunnel at the CrossFit Games How COVID has affected Mat’s training and their lives Mat's first impression of Eric Rosa and what he hopes to see for the future of CrossFit What motivates Sammy & Mat every day Why it's important not to concern yourself with what other people think What's next for Feeding the Fraser's Three things Mat and Sammy do on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on their health One thing they think could have a big impact on their health, but they have a hard time implementing What a healthy life looks like to Mat and Sammy You can follow Mat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  You can follow Sammy on her personal Instagram, on the Feeding the Fraser's website and on Instagram and Facebook. Links: Can Anyone Challenge Mathew Fraser? Mat Fraser: Pursuit for the Better Road to the Games 18.05: Mat Fraser vs. The World Road to the Games 16.08: Smith / Fraser Feeding the Fraser's Fan Favorite Recipes eBook Fittest on Earth 105 Documentary Champlain Valley CrossFit Jones & Fraser - 1984 International Pros, Pairs' Free Skate Old Thing Back, Biggie Smalls & Ja Rule DJ Lucky Lou Alex Guerrero Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell Related episodes: Ep 57 - Annie Thorisdottir + Fred Aegidius on Team Work and Individual Performance Ep 56 – Katrín Davíðsdóttir and Ben Bergeron on the Process of Creating a Champion Ep 52a + 52b - Tia-Clair Toomey on Realizing her CrossFit and Olympic Dreams and Finding Confidence If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other 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. This post was originally published on July 21, 2020.

“We have life changing events, and at the time, they feel as if they are life-ending but they really mold us into somebody who we are meant to be.” - Marti Giambruno “My first memory of waking up in the recovery room was the consent beep of the monitor. A feeling of impending doom consumed me as my doctor leaned over the stretcher and said, ‘Everything went well. We got it all, and the biopsy came back benign. Marti, 80% of your problem is what you put in your mouth and the stress you carry.’” Another 9 months would pass, and Marti’s weight would top out at 198 pounds before she was ready to act. It was one year after her husband, John, lost his battle with lung cancer, and on his birthday Marti had the first of many epiphanies. She was tired of the pain, fatigue, and the shame of being overweight, and unhealthy. She wanted to change, but had no idea where to begin. She realized she just needed to make just one small step to start. So, she rose one morning, laced up her shoes and walked. Each day Marti added a few more steps. Within a couple of weeks, she was walking 1.5 miles around her lake. “I felt something I hadn't since before my husband was diagnosed: control.” Next, Marti made adjustments to her diet. She added new forms of exercise. Before she knew it, she had lost 65 pounds and was sleeping and feeling better than she had in years. Says Marti, “I felt like I was winning. Imagine feeling like a success while mourning the loss of your husband.” In January 2015, Marti found the courage to walk into CrossFit Hyperperformance and was warmly greeted. She couldn’t wait to return the next day, and she became a regular member for six months, until she needed to move to return to the workforce. “The next year was profoundly revealing. My position as a cardiovascular technologist in Interventional Cardiac Medicine demanded far too much of my time, and there weren't enough hours in the day to make it to the gym. I gained weight, was tired, and achy. My family needed me.” Realizing she needed to heal physically, mentally, and spiritually, Marti stepped back from her new position and sought to resume her new-found healthier lifestyle. She joined CrossFit Palm Beach, where her coaches share the idea of fitness being a process of the mind, body and spirit. “The paradigm shift directing me to whole health has taken hold. At 56, I have more energy, and strength, focus, courage, faith, and desire, which enables me to live young, beautiful and strong in mind, body, and spirit.” Marti is now making the shift to Integrative Medicine to focus on lifestyle changes that improve patient outcomes. She hopes to reach out to those in situations similar to hers to share the message that health, wellness, and fitness must co-exist to produce the changes needed to “Heal Thy Self.” Says Marti, “The day John proposed to me, he declared his faith, which empowered me 3 years ago, and still does today. ‘Marti,’ he said, ‘I have faith and peace knowing that if either one of us passes, the survivor will not only pick up the pieces and move forward but become stronger because of it.’” To this day, Marti strives to uphold his vision and share her gratitude with those who've provided the means for her to get where she is, and where she is going.     In this episode we discuss: Her background and the evolution of her health What prompted Marti to start making changes to improve her health and how she got started How CrossFit and exercise helped Marti through her grieving process Recognizing the importance of balancing her caring for own health with a stressful job Her advice to others who are unhappy with their health and want to make a change Three things Marti does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing What a healthy life looks like to Marti     Links: Fight Gone Bad CrossFit Open Workout 16.1 Chasing Excellence by Ben Bergeron Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins Related episodes: Ep 48 - Jen Widerstrom: Health, Habits, and Why You Are Enough Ep 84 - Chasing Excellence with Ben Bergeron If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other 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.   This post was originally published on July 9, 2020.

“I can say with probably 99% [certainty], I would never be at the Games if it weren’t for my mental coach.  I think I would be good but I would’ve gotten fourth place instead of third place at the 2014 Regionals, and who knows what would’ve happened after that, but I think that was the edge that I had in my training.  I was not better physically than any of the other girls there, I just performed when I had to and when the pressure was at its highest. And I think that’s what kept me in the game for all these years, too. I perform at Regionals every single year.  If you looked on paper, my stats are not super good compared to a lot of the other athletes, but I am able to PR.  I’ve PR’d my snatch in every single Regional since I started. I am able to perform when it really, really matters. And that’s the difference, that’s where the mental training comes in.” - Kristin Holte   Over the last 8 years, Kristin Holte has been quietly climbing her way to the top of the CrossFit Games leaderboard. A native of Oslo, Norway, Kristin grew up in an active household and competed in a variety of sports, including gymnastics, track and field, soccer, triathlons and cross country skiing.  The work capacity and discipline she developed in her youth would help lay the groundwork for her success as a CrossFit Games athlete, where she is known to excel at endurance events and gymnastics movements. Kristin has competed at last 6 CrossFit Games, never placing outside the top 20.  After spending two years in 7th place, Kristin knew she wanted to go from good to great.  She doubled down, surrounded herself with a team of coaches, and addressed as many nuances in her training, nutrition, and recovery as possible.  The attention to detail paid off with a second place podium finish at the 2019 CrossFit Games in Madison.  Her third place finish in the 2020 CrossFit Games Open earned her an invitation to this year's Games, and Kristin is excited to return to the Ranch to continue to put her training to the test. Since qualifying for her first Regional, Kristin has also put a tremendous amount of focus into training her mind and credits her competitive edge to her mental game.  With the help of a mental coach, she has improved her confidence and her ability to perform at her best under pressure by using a variety of exercises including an intensive training camps, visualization, mantras, and more. Kristin and I first competed alongside each other at the 2014 CrossFit Games, where as a rookie she took an event win in Triple 3.  I was excited to catch up with her to learn more about her mental training game, how she continues to improve as a competitor year after year, and why she believes that when it comes to training volume and intensity, sometimes less is more.   In this episode we discuss: How Kristin’s training and day-to-day life has been impacted by coronavirus Her thoughts on the CrossFit Games being hosted at the Ranch, and how she’s preparing for the Rogue Invitational What it was like growing up in Norway How Kristin found CrossFit The importance of using a mental coach for her training Exercises Kristin does with her coach to improve her mental game Overcoming a lung injury and realizing the impact of her mental training Her experience making the podium at the Games Her mindset after placing second at the 2019 CrossFit Games Where Kristin is at in her recovery process from a wrist surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome The factors that have played into her ability to improve every year The key people on Kristin’s team Why she uses a nutritionist even though she’s a nutritionist herself How she’s preserving her longevity in the sport Her proudest CrossFit accomplishments What Kristin enjoys when she’s not training Her outlook for her career and future Three things Kristin does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing What a healthy life looks like to Kristin You can follow Kristin on Instagram and Facebook. Links: Kristin Holte - European Invictus Athlete CrossFit Open Workout 20.2 Winner Kristin Holte Filthy 150 CJ Martin, CrossFit Invictus Joakim Rygh, CrossFit Oslo gymnastics coach Chris Hinshaw, endurance coach Jenn Ryan, nutrition coach Related episodes: Ep 08 - Chris Hinshaw on Regaining Functionality and Endurance Coaching and Programming for the CrossFit Community Ep 79 - Sam Briggs on Going Back to Basics and Training for Longevity Ep 101 - Building a Champion Mindset with Dr. Joe Janesz Ep 91 - Mind Over Matter: Improving Performance in Athletics and Beyond with Sports Psychiatrist Dr. MaryEllen Eller If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other 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.   This post was originally published on June 27, 2020.

“I think spontaneous healing is a lot more common than we realize. I’ve asked a room of doctors before, 'How many of you have seen a case of unexplained recovery that you didn’t think was possible and it happened?' Well, lots of doctors raise their hands. And I asked how many had reported it.  No one had reported it.  And I was loathe to report things myself, because, first of all, how are you going to get it published if you do all that work, and if you do get it published how are your colleagues going to view it?” - Jeffrey Rediger, MD, MDiv Jeffrey Rediger, MD, MDiv,  has spent over 15 years studying spontaneous healing and pioneering the use of scientific tools to investigate recoveries from incurable illnesses. He is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, is the Medical Director of McLean SE Adult Psychiatry and Community Affairs at McLean Hospital, and is the Chief of Behavioral Medicine at Good Samaritan Medical Center.  Dr. Rediger is a a licensed physician and board-certified psychiatrist, and he also holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Rediger’s research has taken him from America’s top hospitals to healing centers around the world―and along the way he’s uncovered insights into why some people beat the odds. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Rediger, and I was excited to learn more about how he became involved in studying a somewhat controversial field.  We talked how he objectively collects data,  the factors the play into spontaneous healing, and the lessons he's learned from his patients that have impacted his own life. *Dr. Rediger's bio adapted from his website. In this episode we discuss: How Dr. Rediger became interested in studying spontaneous healing The three criteria he uses to objectively collect data The factors that play into spontaneous healing and help to build a strong immune system Themes Dr. Rediger has identified in nutrition as it relates to spontaneous healing The importance of building the parasympathetic response and stimulating the vagus nerve How our identity contributes to healing Dr. Rediger’s childhood and how his time in seminary shaped his path in medicine The implications of quantum physics on our mind, body, and medicine What Dr. Rediger has learned from his patients that has impacted his own life Why stories of healing can inspire others in their own healing The Four Pillars of Healing Three things Dr. Rediger does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on his health One thing he struggles to implement that could have a big impact on his health What a healthy life looks like to Dr. Rediger You can follow Dr. Rediger on his website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Links: Cured: The Life-changing Science of Spontaneous Healing Spontaneous Healing: Your Body's Power to Heal From Within Blue Zones Immunity over inability: The spontaneous regression of cancer Hyperthermia: How can it be used? How positive emotions build physical health: perceived positive social connections account for the upward spiral between positive emotions and vagal tone Is This Man a Faith Healer? Dr. Issam Nemeh on Dr. Oz Healing with the Heart Related episodes: Ep 97 - Challenging Conventional Cancer Care with Dr. Thomas Seyfried Ep 116 - How Healing Works with Dr. Wayne Jonas Ep 135 - Immune System Strength with Dr. Leonard Calabrese If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other 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.   This post was originally published on June 2, 2020.

“‘Olivia, you're healthy.’ I held it in in the moment, but when I left the [doctor’s] office that day I cried. I had never had a doctor tell me I was healthy.” - Olivia Vollmar Diagnosed with fibromyalgia in July 2016, Olivia Vollmar started CrossFit four months later, despite her doctor’s reservations.  “He loved that I was moving, but he thought it was too much. He has friends that are avid CrossFitters and just couldn't see how someone with fibro could manage to do it.  Like any good patient, I completely ignored him and continued on in what I was doing.”  Olivia decided she would continue with CrossFit for three months, and if the negatives outweighed the positives, she would stop. One month passed, and Olivia found herself feeling better than ever.  Within two months, she was sleeping more regularly, feeling less fatigued, and her joint pain had decreased.  She no longer needed to see a psychiatrist from her anxiety and depression.  “CrossFit saved your life,” her therapist told her.  Within three months, she was completely symptom free, and living a normal life. Along with her new exercise routine, Olivia made dietary changes, following the general advice to eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar.  When she returned to her doctor 10 months after her initial fibromyalgia diagnosis and just six months after starting CrossFit, he barely recognized her.  She had lost 100 pounds! Olivia discussed her rheumatologist’s treatment plan with her doctor,  and he ran through a series of questions checking on her pain, sleep, mental health and quality of life.  Olivia was stunned when, for the first time in her life, he pronounced her healthy. “When I was first diagnosed I had so many doctors tell me there was no hope in this disease. I would always suffer and always feel awful. I would never be free from medication and I would never live a normal life. One of my doctors told me to not pursue a career in medicine because it wouldn't be possible.” “Now, I'm completely normal and doing exactly what I want to do.  I can confidently say that it [CrossFit] has saved my life. Not only in the physical sense, but also in the emotional sense. Before joining my box, I had suicidal thoughts and was completely ready to end my life. Now I've found health, healing and purpose.” Olivia's road to maintaining her health has not been without bumps and detours.  As she continued her new lifestyle, Olivia felt pressure to please others and anxiety that she might let her coaches down.  She realized that her eating had become disordered, and instead of approaching her workouts as an opportunity to be better than she was the day before, she was constantly comparing herself  and competing against others at her affiliate.  Her "healthy" lifestyle began to take negative toll on her health. Recognizing that she needed balance, Olivia shifted her focus to make sure she's eating with less restriction and with a greater focus on consuming plenty of nutritious food.   She has also recently left her affiliate and started working out solo with guidance from a powerlifting coach.  These days, she's finding happiness and confidence in celebrating her own accomplishments without seeking the approval of others. As she graduates from college this spring, Olivia has big goals on the horizon: she's pursuing her Master's Degree in Nutrition and is excited to use her education and her experiences to help others as she continues her own health journey with a focus on the long-term.  Says Olivia, "I am nearly 100% symptom free.  I have found freedom from a disease through diet and exercise.” Olivia shared her story with me many years ago and I was so inspired to hear how she's overcome so many challenges by focusing on what is within her control to change.  I was excited to catch up with her recently and hear how her journey has evolved, how she found the courage to get started in the first place, and the advice she gives to help others get started on their own health journey.     In this episode we discuss: Olivia's childhood and how the passing of her mother impacted her health and her weight How her father’s health condition and her fibromyalgia diagnosis prompted her to being changing her diet and lifestyle Starting CrossFit with her roommate and how she overcame the intimidation of attending her first class Her struggle with suicidal thoughts How Olivia’s relationship with food changed when she started CrossFit What led Olivia to leave her local affiliate How she’s working to find balance in her nutrition and her fitness What’s she’s most proud of from her journey Advice she would give to others who are struggling with health and are scared to get started How to help others who you recognize are struggling What’s next for Olivia Three things Olivia does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing What a healthy life looks like to Olivia     You can follow Olivia on Instagram and Twitter. Links: Snatches Over Suicide For Olivia Vollmar, CrossFit Saved Her Life Podcast Ep. 18.54: Fibromyalgia, and “Snatches Over Suicide” Killing the Fat Man Linchpin Conversations #58 Precision Nutrition Related episodes: Ep 45 - Dan Baily on Moving West, Training for 2017, and Danny Broflex Ep 69 - From "Obese to Beast" with John Glaude  Ep 19 - Michelle Mitchell on her Experience with Exercise and CrossFit for Fibromyalgia Syndrome If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other 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.   This post was originally published on June 15, 2020.

“The thing about it, she said, ‘Why are they destroying our city?’  And I said, ‘What if you were trying to get mommy and daddy’s attention and we weren’t paying attention to you? What would you do?’  She was like, ‘Well, I would talk louder.’  I’m like, ‘What if we still didn’t listen to you?’  She was like, ‘I would scream!’  And I was like, ‘What if we STILL didn’t listen?’  She was like, ‘I would be really sad. I would start crying.’  And I was like, ‘I know! And what if we STILL didn’t listen?  What if it went on all day long and we just didn’t listen to you?'  She was like, ‘I would be so upset. I would… I don’t know.’  And I was like, ‘Would you throw a fit? A tantrum?’  And she was like, ‘Yeah, I probably would. I’d probably throw my toys at you.’  And I was like ‘That’s kind of what happened, and then we would notice you because you would be making a mess, and we’d say ‘Sydney, Sydney, what’s wrong?’  And we would stand with you and try to calm you down and listen to you.’  So I said, ‘That’s kind of what happened with black people around the city.’  Definitely the first night. And people I think have realized what was going on, finally, and what black lives matters means and they were like, ‘Alright. You’re right.  We stand with you.’” - Deborah Cordner Carson   The CrossFit community may best recognize and remember Deborah Cordner Carson as the gutsy athlete who gave an inspirational performance at the 2012 CrossFit Games, overcoming a fear of open water swimming in the triathlon event and going on to win the 2012 Spirit of the Games award.  Deb could also be distinguished by the compression sleeve she wears on her left leg, and by the color of her skin.  Deb is one of the few black competitors in the sport of CrossFit. Growing up, Deborah was inspired by great athletes in her family.  Her father came to America from Trinidad and Tobago on a track and field scholarship and her grandfather was the heavy weight lifting champion of the British Empire.  As a young girl she competed in gymnastics, and as a teenager she excelled in track and field, eventually earning a full scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa as a 400-meter sprinter. When Deb developed lymphedema, a condition where fluid is retained in certain parts of the body and can cause dangerous swelling, she was forced to retire from her track and field career, but in time, she discovered ways to manage her condition- including that recognizable compression sleeve- while still being active.  She took up CrossFit and quickly rose to elite status in the sport, placing as high as 5th in the 2013 CrossFit Open and 13th at the 2012 CrossFit Games. Since retiring, Deborah continues to do CrossFit for health, but she has also struggled with the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages, and most recently, a diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease, a type of pregnancy-related cancer. Throughout her life, Deborah has been aware that the color of her skin means she's had to work harder for opportunities than others.  As a mother to two mixed-race little girls and a resident of the Minneapolis area, she also has a unique perspective on the recent events that have highlighted the ongoing systemic racism in our society. I am grateful to Deb for taking a moment to share her perspective amidst all the other challenges she is currently taking on.  These conversations can be uncomfortable, but they're also important as we all strive to stand together and learn from each other.  In this episode, we chat about her experiences as a minority CrossFit Games athlete, the mentality she's using to fight her cancer diagnosis, the lessons she strives to teach her daughters, and how we should all speak up to overcome injustice and racial bias.   In this episode we discuss: Deborah’s struggles with multiple miscarriages How she is coping with the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease, a type of pregnancy-related cancer How Deborah’s experience competing in CrossFit helps her focus on the task at hand when it comes to tackling challenges Her initial reactions to hearing about George Floyd’s death and the outrage in Minneapolis Explaining the looting and rioting to her daughter Deborah’s personal experiences with systemic racism and unconscious racism How Deborah needed to be the best of the best to have the same opportunities as her white classmates Deborah’s thoughts on why there’s a disconnect in people understanding the additional challenges a black person has to overcome The lack of sponsorship opportunities available for a black CrossFit athlete Her disappointment with CrossFit HQ’s silence What it’s like to be a black athlete in the predominantly white sport of CrossFit Ways that Deb approaches the topic of racism with her children The importance of speaking up and making an effort to understand other cultures Three things Deborah does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing What a healthy life looks like to Deborah   You can follow Deborah on Instagram Links: 2012 CrossFit Games - Spirit of The Games Winner: Deborah Cordner Carson CrossFit Games Regionals 2012 - Proud: Deborah Cordner Carson CrossFit - 'I'll Do It All' LymphCare: Deborah's Story Related episodes: Ep 10 - Jenny LaBaw on Running 500 Miles for Epilepsy Research and Education Ep 15 - Lewis Howes on Chasing Greatness Ep 70 - USA Track & Field Heptathlete Tiffeny Parker on Beating the Odds Ep 137 - Rich & Hillary Froning on Putting Family First If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other 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. This post was originally published on June 8, 2020.

“I love competing and testing.  You know what you were like the last time you competed, or the last time you did this sort of training block… and I just like building on trying to get better.  So there’s that. I also like… I know growing up what my parents and my sisters put into me to try to help me build something like that, so it’s not just for me, I’m doing it for them. And also when I compete at different places they come see me. So I don't get to see my Mom, Dad, my sister Becky much, so they always travel over to the Games, or they’ve come to Madrid a few times and the motivation to train, to get them to watch me to compete is motivation in itself.” - Jamie Simmonds Jamie Simmonds, formerly Jamie Greene, made a huge splash in the CrossFit arena when, as a relatively unknown athlete, when won the 2016 CrossFit Open. Since then, she's gone on to compete at the CrossFit Games four times, and stood atop the podium twice: first as a member Team CrossFit Yas in 2016, and most recently, as an individual at the 2019 CrossFit Games. Perhaps even more remarkably, Jamie didn’t even start CrossFit until 2013.  Her background as a gymnast and rugby player helped propel her from a novice athlete to a force to be reckoned with. Jamie’s journey to becoming the third Fittest Woman hasn’t always been easy: along the way she’s been challenged by a ruptured Achilles tendon, a team disqualification, and a dislocated shoulder, but her commitment to constantly improving herself has shaped her into a formidable competitor. Jamie is a native of New Zealand, but since 2014 has lived in Abu Dhabi where she coaches and trains at CrossFit Yas.  She and I recently caught up to chat about her experience at the 2019 CrossFit Games, what her 2020 training season has looked like so far, and how she stays motivated and committed to her training in the face of challenges.     In this episode we discuss: What the COVID-19 pandemic experience has been like in Abu Dhabi Jamie’s childhood in New Zealand How her Mom introduced her to CrossFit Jamie’s experience with rupturing her Achilles’ tendon Her move to Abu Dhabi, and what prompted her to become a CrossFit competitor Jamie’s training environment at CrossFit Yas Why Jamie believes she excelled at CrossFit so quickly The transition from team to individual competition What Jamie does to train her mindset Her approach to the 2020 CrossFit Games season How she met her husband, Elliott What Jamie does to stay motivated in the gym The inspiration for her Feel Better Friday tips How she’s grown as a person, athlete, and coach while at CrossFit Yas Jamie’s plans for the future Jamie’s approach to nutrition, and why she likes fasting What her training looks like while self-isolating Three things Jamie does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing What a healthy life looks like to Jamie     You can follow Jamie on Instagram Links: Jamie Greene joins Tia-Clair Toomey on the Podium at the 2019 CrossFit Games Cleveland Clinc Abu Dhabi Layaqa at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Coach Andy Edwards Dubai Fitness Challenge Related episodes: Ep 104 Physical Therapist & CrossFit Games Athlete Amanda Barnhart Ep 130 - Kristi O'Connell on Training for Joy and Balance If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other 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.   This post was originally published on May 25, 2020.

Everybody puts their boots on the same way.  And what that means is, it doesn’t matter your title here.  It could be the people on our leadership team, Bill and I, or it could be the person coming in their first day on the job on the assembly line...everyone is the same. And everyone is going to be treated the same. And it goes back to that first [value], we work until it’s done. If there are boxes that need to go out the door, or we need to make more barbells, you’re going to see the top leadership down going out and helping right now. We did get overrun before we could hire some people- we have everyone in our office right now, they’re doing shifts on our production floor. And that’s really what this is all about, and you see people getting experiences that you normally wouldn’t have. To go out and build a barbell, and maybe you’re in our IT department, a lot of places you wouldn’t have that opportunity, but we live by that standard. Everybody puts their boots on the same way.” - Caity Henniger Caity Henniger has been a lifelong athlete.  In high school she led her basketball team to victory in 91 out of 102 games, was voted MVP of the 1998 Junior Olympic AAU circuit, and was a two-time state champion in both shot put and discus.  She went on to play collegiate ball at Ohio State where she averaged 15.4 points per game and set the school single-season record for three-pointers, with 106, earning her the Edward S. Steitz Award as the nation's best three-point shooter.  In 2005, Caity joined the WNBA as a player for the Charlotte Sting. After multiple leg surgeries led Caity to retire from basketball, she was drawn to the competitive side of CrossFit.  In 2008,  with just a few months of CrossFit experience, she took first place at the 2008 CrossFit Games.  Caity would go on to become a fixture in the production side of the Games, working as an ESPN commentator and as a representative of Rogue Fitness. Shortly after Caity's 2008 CrossFit Games victory, she began playing a huge role in helping Rogue Fitness grow from a small e-commerce site to a major powerhouse in the fitness equipment industry.  With a focus on manufacturing quality, American-made products from local sources, Rogue now employs over 900 people at their massive 600,000 square foot campus in Columbus, Ohio. Recently, when Ohio issued a stay-at-home order in response to COVID-19, Rogue quickly pivoted their manufacturing processes to make Personal Protective Equipment for healthcare workers, a decision that is not only helping to keep healthcare workers safe, but is also helping to keep their local community employed. I had to opportunity to sit down with Caity to learn more about the mission and values Rogue was founded on, and how those principles are driving their business during this time of uncertainty.  We chatted about her days as a competitor,  how she balances her role as an executive with her own personal health,  and we were even able to steal a few minutes from Rogue's Director of Product Development, Ahmik Jones, to learn more about the processes behind shifting gears from manufacturing fitness equipment to manufacturing PPE.     In this episode we discuss: Caity’s athletic background The history behind Rogue Fitness and their partnership with the CrossFit Games What led Rogue to branch out into manufacturing equipment for other sports Rogue's new facility and the Industrial Revolution 2.0 Rogue's three core values and how they implement them The story behind Don’t Weaken Rogue’s early response to COVID-19 How Rogue came to have a doctor as their Director of Product Development How Rogue made the decision to manufacture PPE for healthcare workers, and what the development process has been like Measures Rogue has taken encourage employees to embrace fitness and the positive impact they’ve seen as a result How Caity manages her time to allow for her own workouts and downtime away from work The mentors who helped Caity grow into a strong leader What a typical day looks like for Caity Stand-out moments where Caity has felt especially proud of the work Rogue is doing Three things that Caity does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health but she has a hard time implementing What a healthy life looks like to Caity     You can follow Caity on Instagram and Twitter. You can follow Rogue Fitness on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Links: 2008 CrossFit Games: The Final, Final Results The 2008 CrossFit Games On Her Terms: Caity Matter Henniger Semper Fit Rogue Iron Game Rogue Legends Rogue 2016 - 10 Years Strong The Index Rogue Fitness COVID-19 Response Rogue Face Shield Design Related episodes: Ep 51 - Dick Costolo on Taking Risks and Finding Fitness Ep 90 - CrossFit Games GM Justin Bergh: The Man Behind the Magic Ep 101 - Dr. Joe Janesz on Building a Champion Mindset If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other 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.   This post was originally published on May 11, 2020.