Healthy Wealthy & Smart

Are you a strength and conditioning coach or physical therapist interested in working in Major League Baseball?  Then this is the episode for you!  I talk with the Latin American strength and conditioning coach for the Houston Astros, Rachel Balkovec. In this episode we talk about: * How she found her self worth through strength training. * How hard work, sacrifice and the right attitude got her to where she is today. * What she needed to learn to work in MLB. * The ways in which she goes above and beyond for her players. * What it takes to be a strength and conditioning coach in MLB. * Her biggest challenge so far in her career. * Her advice to women wanting to get into MLB. * and much much more! Rachel is a true inspiration, a hard worker and a great role model for young women coming up in the strength and conditioning world.  Thank you for listening and subscribing to the podcast! Stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart, Karen  

In this week's Thursday Quickie Dr. Richard Severin and I discuss: The importance of being on social medial for all physical therapists. Why Rich likes to nurture open discussions on social media. Why the "why" matters when it comes to explaining treatments to your patients. Why trust and truth is paramount in patient care. Rich shares his go to resources on social media! This was a fun Thursday Quickie with Dr. Severin and I hope it gets at least one more physical therapist to join the fun on social media!  I would even go a step further to say I hope it not only gets physical therapists to join social media, but to engage fully with other therapists from around the world, expand your knowledge base and have fun! Thanks for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

As physical therapists we are now front line healthcare professionals. Because of direct access (this means you can go to a physical therapist without a doctor referral) clients may be coming to us as an entry point into the healthcare system. As a result of this we need to treat every client with a holistic view. We need to at the very least screen the cardiopulmonary system within the overall human movement system. This is where Dr. Richard Severin comes in! He is a passionate proponent of taking vital signs and screen the cardiopulmonary system for every client in every setting.  In this episode we talk about:  His background and interest in cardiopulmonary branch of physical therapy The importance of getting baseline measurements for every client in every setting Why it is important to take vital signs in all physical therapy settings. His response to “I have to see so many patients in my outpatient clinic I don’t have time to take vital signs” Risks of not taking vital signs. His talk at CSM And much more! This is such an important topic for all healthcare professionals and taking vitals is something we should all be doing…..regardless of our work setting! Thanks for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart!  Karen

This episode was literally recorded while Lenny Macrina and I were having lunch a the Titleist Performance Institute's Level 1 certification course in Rhode Island.  This was Lenny's first podcast, although you would think he has done this his whole life. We had a great conversation and it was super fun! In this episode we talk about: * The TPI Level 1 Certification * Lenny's approach to evaluating and treating and shoulder injury. * What might be missing the CrossFit athlete’s shoulder complex that may lead to injury. * What is the Red Zone and Green Zone and how does it relate to your patient's injury. * How to get a patient (specifically a CrossFit athlete) to buy in to your treatment plan. * How to sell as a physical therapist. * How Lenny harnesses the positive to continue to empower and motivate his clients.  * and much more! A huge thanks to Lenny for this great conversation and to you for subscribing and listening tot he podcast! Have a great weekend and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen  

Welcome to 2016! The Healthy Wealthy & Smart podcast is back with new album art, new intro music (thanks to Candlebox) and a fantastic line up of amazing guests! I could not think of a better way to kick off the New Year than with a revealing interview with Ms. Gloria Steinem. Ms. Steinem is a writer, lecturer, political activist, and feminist organizer. She travels in this and other countries as an organizer and lecturer and is a frequent media spokeswoman on issues of equality. She is particularly interested in the shared origins of sex and race caste systems, gender roles and child abuse as roots of violence, non-violent conflict resolution, the cultures of indigenous peoples, and organizing across boundaries for peace and justice. She lives in New York City, and just published her first book in over twenty years. During this interview we talk about that new book, My Life on the Road. It is a wonderful book full of history and nuggets of wisdom from Gloria.  In this interview we talk about:  How the nomadic nature of her childhood shaped her life as an adult. The concept of talking circles and how that concept guided her throughout her life. What were her more memorable moments from her life on the road. One of her biggest fears and how she continues to overcome it. The biggest challenge for women today. What her thoughts are on being the “face of a movement”. Her advice on how to identify an issue and start a movement (it is easier than you think). And so much more!   I can’t thank Gloria enough for her generosity of time, words and thoughts. She is truly a remarkable woman who continues to live an extraordinary life. For more information on Gloria Steinem and see her speak in person click here. Enjoy the conversation and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

This is the last podcast of 2015 and I am so happy to end the year on such a high note with my interview with Dr. Chris Powers, PT, PhD, FAPTA.  He is Professor in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and Co-Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Southern California. Dr. Powers' research and teaching interests relate to the biomechanical aspects of human movement. More specifically, his research focuses on how altered kinematics, kinetics, and muscular actions contribute to lower extremity injury. He is particularly interested in the pathomechanics underlying knee and patellofemoral joint dysfunction. Dr. Powers is an active researcher, and has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles. He frequently lectures both nationally and internationally on topics related to lower limb biomechanics and the pathomechanics of orthopaedic disorders.  Dr. Powers is the current President of the California Chapter of the APTA In this episode we talk about: * The definition of the human movement system. * Why physical therapists are uniquely qualified to lead the human movement system paradigm. * The identity crisis of the PT profession and how the human movement system should be the thread that binds our profession together. * What are the biggest barriers to adopting and implementing the human movement system? * What should the PT professions unifying message be? * In the words of Dr. Anthony Delitto "What is the hold up?" * And much more! What Dr. Powers and I would like for you to think about is: how would you describe what you do (as physical therapist) in only 5 words? Have a great holidays season and Happy New Year!  See you in 2016 and as always stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

In this week's Thursday Quickie Jennifer and I continue our conversation from Monday about leadership.  But this week we focus our attention on the female leadership in physical therapy.  In this episode we talk about: * The lack of female leadership in the PT profession. * How our mindset needs to shift. * How we need to support each other to better our profession. * Peer to peer "bullying". * How to authentically lead and adapt to the current culture. * How to be your best self advocate! Jennifer and I also issued a challenge to all of the listeners: We would like you to tweet to either of us who your pick would be for a great female keynote speaker for the PPS conference in Las Vegas in 2016!  I can't wait to reach your choices! @KarenLitzyNYC @JGDubs Have a great weekend and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen  

What qualities make a good leader?  Can those qualities be taught?  Should leadership be taught in entry-level healthcare education programs? In this episode my guest, Jennifer Green-Wilson and I tackle these big questions.  We talk about: * The 4 qualities that are essential for a good leader.  * How does Jennifer go about cultivating these qualities in her clients and students? * What needs to happen in entry-level education to make leadership skills part of the curriculum. * Her dissertation on leadership and practice management in entry-level education. * Who is the first person you must lead in order to be an effective leader. * and much more! Jennifer is high energy and her passion for leadership is contagious! Don't forget to tune in to the Thursday Quickie where Jennifer and I talk about female leadership in the physical therapy world...or lack there of! Thanks for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen  

In keeping with the Thursday Quickie theme I am going to keep this short and sweet.  In this episode Win and I talk about: Her writing process from thought to finished book. How she self published her books (she gives specific websites!). The timeline from idea to finished product And much more! Again, to find out more about Win and her podcast Win’s Women of Wisdom go to: Her website Twitter iTunes Win’s co-CEO of Win’s Women of Wisdom Danielle Coulter Thanks for tuning in to this week's Thursday Quickie with Win Charles! Have a great weekend and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

In this episode I was honored to speak with best selling author, artist and podcast host of Win's Women of Wisdom, Win Kelly Charles. Win is all too familiar with physical therapy as she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a very young age.  From MoveForwardPT.com, "Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a general term used to describe a group of disorders that affect the normal development of movement and posture. CP is caused by an injury to the brain—such as infection, stroke, trauma, or the loss of oxygen to the brain—that occur before, during, or after birth or within the first 2 years of life. The injury to the brain is "nonprogressive," meaning that it does not get worse after the initial injury. However, the day-to-day activities that can be affected by the injury during an individual's childhood can worsen throughout the individual's life." Believe me, Win does let CP stop her.  She is one of the busiest people I know (she makes me look like a total slacker)!  She has written several books, is an accomplished artist, teaches part time, is in school working towards a degree in education, snowboards regularly, and is the host of the podcast Win's Women of Wisdom.  Like that is not enough she plans on launching a new podcast next year!  In this episode we talk about: * Win's experience with physical therapy. * How her physical therapy care has changed as she has gotten older. * Her best advice for physical therapists working with children with disabilities (it is always great to get the patient's point of view). * The most challenging aspect of her current physical therapy plan of care. * How important the rapport is between the patients and therapist. * How Win keeps in shape outside of PT. * The importance of a strong support team. * Her book I Win. *  And much more! This was a great conversation and I think it gives us all a better idea of what it is like to not only live with cerebral palsy but to live well with cerebral palsy! A big thanks to Win for being so open and honest during our conversation. Thanks for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen