The Ready State Podcast

View This Week's Show NotesStart Your 7-Day Trial to Mobility CoachJoin Our Free Weekly Newsletter: The AmbushSue Norman’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From her roots as a world-class whitewater athlete and U.S. National Champion to her time in the military and her inspiring decision to become a mom at 56, Sue’s life is packed with resilience, adventure, and heart. In this episode of The Ready State Podcast, Sue shares her incredible story of navigating risk, overcoming childhood challenges, thriving in elite sports, and embracing unexpected motherhood. Learn how she balanced a life of daring whitewater adventures, military service, and raising a child from a tough start in life. Tune in for lessons on courage, adaptability, and finding strength in the wild outdoors. Don’t miss this deeply inspiring conversation with a true legend.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeHow Sue went from a chaotic childhood to becoming a world-class paddlerThe unlikely Army program that launched her elite kayaking careerWhat it takes to lead an all-women’s rafting team through Class V rapidsHow nature became her anchor during trauma, menopause, and motherhoodWhy she took legal custody of her nephew at 56 — and how it changed herWhat parenting a traumatized child taught her about strength, identity, and healingSponsorsThis episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by Laird Superfood, The World As You'll Know It podcast, Momentous, and LMNT.

Jay Maddock, a Professor at Texas A&M University in Public Health, explores the transformative effects of nature exposure on health. He reveals how spending just 120 minutes outdoors each week can boost mood, cognitive function, and even speed up recovery in hospital patients. Maddock discusses the concept of 'nature deficit disorder,' the incorporation of green spaces in urban design, and why outdoor activities are vital for children's development. He advocates for nature prescriptions in healthcare, highlighting nature's profound influence on well-being.

Nathan Adrian, a five-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer and entrepreneur, shares his journey from elite athlete to passionate mentor. He discusses the immense pressure of competition, the life-altering impact of a cancer diagnosis, and how these experiences reshaped his identity. Nathan reflects on the close ties between family and swimming, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the importance of fostering a love for the sport in youth athletes. Ultimately, he emphasizes a shift from performance to purpose, guiding others through their own transitions.

Katy Bowman, a seasoned biomechanist and author passionate about natural movement, teams up with psychologist Dr. Diana Hill, known for her work in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. They dive into the mental barriers that keep us from moving, emphasizing that it’s about mindset, not laziness. The duo discusses shifting away from all-or-nothing thinking, the joy of integrating movement into daily life, and the importance of self-compassion in fitness journeys. Their insights inspire listeners to redefine exercise and embrace small, joyful actions for a healthier lifestyle.

View This Week's Show NotesStart Your 7-Day Trial to Mobility CoachJoin Our Free Weekly Newsletter: The AmbushFrom Army PT to a successful entrepreneur, Danny Matta’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. Starting as a military physical therapist stationed in Hawaii, he transformed his skills and vision into building multiple successful businesses, including PT Biz, which empowers physical therapists to create and scale thriving cash-based practices. As the host of the PT Entrepreneur Podcast, one of the most influential physical therapy podcasts, Danny shares insights on patient care, business strategies, and creating sustainable growth.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeHow Dr. Danny Matta went from military PT to building a network of physical therapy clinics with over $100M in top-line revenueWhy the traditional medical model fails both patients and physical therapistsHow cash-based care unlocks better outcomes, higher autonomy, and more incomeThe role of clarity, connection, and trust in patient successThe behind-the-scenes power of partnerships — and how Danny built his business with his wife AshleyHow PT Biz is helping reshape the future of musculoskeletal careDiscover how Danny's passion for innovation and helping others has impacted thousands of clinicians, revolutionized musculoskeletal care, and reshaped the future of physical therapy. Don't miss this motivating episode packed with valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and health professionals alike!SponsorsThis episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by LMNT, a tasty electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. That means salt — with no sugar. With athletes (especially youth) overloading on caffeine, LMNT helps you hydrate the right way — caffeine-free, sugar-free, and packed with potassium and magnesium. Skip the crash, sleep better, and hydrate like a human. Bonus points for drinking it hot with your pinky up.

Jeremy Frisch, Athletic Performance Director at Teamwork Sports Performance, is a champion of youth athletic development. He discusses the dangers of early sports specialization, emphasizing its negative impact on children's physical growth and mental well-being. Frisch advocates for multi-sport participation, highlighting how play fosters essential skills like coordination and resilience. He offers practical tips for parents on creating supportive environments that nurture a love for movement, ensuring kids build a strong foundation for lifelong health and enjoyment in sports.

Rett Larson, Vice President of Just Play and an elite sports performance coach, shares innovative warm-up strategies that use gamification to enhance team performance. He highlights the importance of playful engagement, like dance and movement puzzles, to boost morale and communication. Larson recounts how a viral dance warm-up at the 2019 World Championships shifted perspectives on athletic routines. He emphasizes adapting training methods to meet athlete needs, proving that fun and creativity can transform sports dynamics.

In this discussion, EC Synkowski, the founder of Optimize Me Nutrition and a licensed dietitian, reveals her groundbreaking 800-gram challenge, promoting the easy inclusion of fruits and vegetables in our diets. She dispels common nutrition myths and emphasizes the significance of balance, debunking the fear surrounding processed foods. Synkowski introduces her Three Pillars Method for tracking nutrition while maintaining easy and enjoyable eating habits. This episode is packed with practical tips aimed at enhancing health, recovery, and performance for everyone.

View This Week's Show NotesStart Your 7-Day Trial to Mobility CoachJoin Our Free Weekly Newsletter: The AmbushHuman trafficking is a $250 billion global crisis impacting over 50 million lives today—10 million of whom are trapped in sex slavery. This urgent and eye-opening discussion uncovers the harsh realities of modern slavery, ranging from forced labor to organ harvesting. We hear from Alana Stott, MBE—a security specialist, humanitarian, and founder of Wolfraven Omnimedia—who has spent over two decades fighting to raise awareness and combat this crisis. Learn about the dangerous correlation between global disasters and trafficking, the exploitation behind industries like fast fashion, and the innovative strategies to educate and fight back. Alana shares her incredible journey, from protecting vulnerable women to her groundbreaking work in media and education, all while balancing the challenges of motherhood and advocacy. This is a story of resilience, action, and hope for change. Listen now to understand the depth of this crisis and how you can help end it.What You'll Learn:•The Reality of Human Trafficking – How it's a $250 billion industry with 50 million victims worldwide.•The Hidden Dangers of Fast Fashion – How cheap clothing fuels forced labor and human trafficking.•How Crisis Fuels Trafficking – Why disasters and global instability create the perfect conditions for traffickers.•Building a Resilient Mindset – How Alana Stott overcame adversity to become a leader in security and human rights.Key Highlights:00:00 - Intro02:55 - How Did You Get Here?08:52 - The State of Human Trafficking Today18:00 - The Power of Partnership18:45 - Meeting Dean and Starting a Security Company30:34 - Executive Function for Massive Operations37:20 - Role in Dean's World Records41:35 - Planning the World Record43:30 - The Darien Gap47:20 - Importance of a Good Team50:15 - Wolfraven Omnimedia54:25 - What Will Your Kids Do?57:05 - What Alana is Excited About59:00 - Resources: Where to Find Alana59:33 - Weapons Buried in the Middle EastSponsors:This episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by The Starrett System. We are thrilled to announce our brand new 12-week fitness and movement mentorship program designed to help you build unshakable strength⁠, access lasting durability⁠, and maximize your longevity⁠. With weekly LIVE coaching calls with Juliet and Kelly, 4x weekly expert fitness programming for strength, mobility & recovery in our signature Starrett System App⁠, a supportive, high-energy community where you can chat & ask questions⁠, and a bonus vault of content like pain protocols, recipes, and travel workouts for sustainable health & performance⁠. Go to starrettsystem.com to learn more and sign up today!This episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by LMNT, a tasty electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don’t. That means lots of salt — with no sugar. Kelly loves to have his athletes drink an LMNT before their game to bulk pre-load those electrolytes. Try it cold, hot, sparkling, or added to coffee or tea...just don't dry scoop it. To get yours, go to DrinkLMNT.com/TRS and check it out!This episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by Momentous, a leading high-performance lifestyle company making the best supplements and sports nutrition products for individuals looking to optimize all parts of their lives. We always prioritize whole foods, but often need to supplement to meet our protein targets. We recommend Momentous Plant Protein because some people can't tolerate whey and we also love it because it is "clean". And for us, it's not truly clean unless it is NSF certified so you know you are actually getting what the label states and nothing else. Go to livemomentous.com/TRS and use code TRS for 20% OFF your first purchase.

Wendy Troxel, an internationally recognized sleep scientist and author, shares insights on the vital role of sleep in relationships and mental health. She discusses how poor sleep affects couples and suggests creating a 'sleep alliance' for better harmony. Troxel highlights the sleep crisis among teens, advocating for later school start times to improve their well-being. Practical strategies for enhancing sleep quality, including open communication about preferences, are offered to help couples and families thrive.