
Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition
Optimal Health Daily, hosted by the esteemed Dr. Neal Malik, a tenured professor, registered dietitian nutritionist, and certified exercise physiologist, is a treasure trove of health and wellness insights. Dr. Neal delves into the latest research and timeless wisdom in nutrition, fitness, and diet, presenting them in easy-to-understand, digestible episodes. His expertise shines through as he handpicks and narrates the most informative and inspiring blog posts, offering practical tips and motivational stories to help listeners on their journey to optimal health.Each episode is a blend of science-based information and real-life application, making it a unique resource for anyone looking to improve their health and wellbeing. Dr. Malik's approach is holistic and inclusive, recognizing the importance of balancing physical health with mental and emotional wellness. By focusing on diet, fitness, and nutrition, each episode provides you with the tools needed to achieve your health goals. His engaging narration and the podcast's diverse range of topics make it an essential daily listen for you as you seek to lead a healthier, more balanced life.This podcast is designed for those passionate about diet, fitness, and nutrition. It’s your go-to source for practical advice on managing your diet, improving your fitness, and understanding nutrition. Each episode offers actionable steps to foster a healthier lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of diet, fitness, and nutrition in achieving optimal health.Listen now, and become an OLD friend--your optimal life awaits...
Latest episodes

May 29, 2025 • 13min
2995: Self Care and Parenting the Inner Child by Rachel Trotta on Creating A Sustainable Healthy Lifestyle
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 2995:
Rachel Trotta explores how treating yourself with the same compassion, structure, and care you'd offer a child, or even a pet, can transform your self-care habits. By reconnecting with your "inner parent," you can develop routines rooted in empathy, foresight, and executive function, creating a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://racheltrotta.com/inspiration/self-care-parenting-inner-child/
Quotes to ponder:
"Why don’t we treat ourselves that way?"
"The parental self, caring for the inner child, is the wise, executive planner who knows how to keep the show running smoothly."
"Taking responsibility for yourself is not the same thing as shaming and hating yourself." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 28, 2025 • 13min
2994: In the Gym, Keep it Simple Stupid! By Steve Kamb of NerdFitness on Fitness Goals and Motivation
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 2994:
Steve Kamb emphasizes the power of simplicity in achieving fitness goals, advocating for a straightforward approach that prioritizes consistency over complexity. By removing unnecessary options and sticking to foundational movements, you can eliminate decision fatigue and stay on track with your workouts.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/in-the-gym-keep-it-simple-stupid/
Quotes to ponder:
"Complexity is the enemy of execution."
"When it comes to working out, less is often more."
"Having too many choices leads to analysis paralysis, which leads to inaction."
Episode references:
Starting Strength: https://startingstrength.com/
StrongLifts 5x5: https://stronglifts.com/5x5/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 27, 2025 • 11min
2993: What’s Your Limit Break? by Roger Lawson AND Most People are Dead at 35 by Michael Boyle
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 2993:
Roger Lawson challenges readers to identify and push through the personal bottlenecks that stall their growth, drawing inspiration from the concept of "limit breaks" in Final Fantasy 7. Michael Boyle underscores the urgency of taking control of physical health early in life, warning that most people begin to deteriorate far before they realize it, and that exercise, not medication, is the real solution.
Read along with the original article(s) here: http://roglawfitness.com/whats-your-limit-break & http://roglawfitness.com/guest-post-most-people-are-dead-at-35
Quotes to ponder:
"We do not rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training."
"This is your limit. Regardless of where you are in life, there is always something holding you back from moving forward, and until you can identify and correct it, progress will come to a screeching halt."
“Most people are dead at thirty-five, they just walk around for another thirty to forty more years.”
Episode references:
The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/1577314808 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 26, 2025 • 14min
2992: Avoid Temptation With the Science of Cheating by Tyler Tervooren of Riskology on Building Healthy Habits
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 2992:
Tyler Tervooren explores how understanding your brain’s response to temptation can help you make better choices in relationships, health, and productivity. Backed by psychological research, he explains how staying in a "cool" mental state can significantly boost your ability to resist temptation and stick to your values.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.riskology.co/science-of-cheating/
Quotes to ponder:
"Even if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, happy gardeners will be less likely to notice."
"When you’re in an agitated or hot mood, you’re more likely to give into temptation."
"To avoid temptation, you need to keep yourself in a cold visceral state when temptation comes calling."
Episode references:
Rowland Miller’s Relationship Study (summarized in secondary sources): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695752/
Loran Nordgren and Eileen Chou's Research: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167210385921
The Stanford Marshmallow Experiment: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_marshmallow_experiment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 snips
May 25, 2025 • 11min
2991: Weight Loss - Strategies to Hold Yourself Accountable by Elizabeth Biscevic with Diet Spotlight
Explore the transformative power of accountability in weight loss. Discover the differences between internal and external accountability, and how they can uniquely support your journey. Learn practical strategies like goal-setting, structured planning, and the impact of support systems on your progress. Elizabeth Biscevic emphasizes that honest self-reflection and positive reinforcement are key to overcoming challenges. Discover how the right accountability method tailored to your personality can significantly enhance your chances of lasting success.

7 snips
May 25, 2025 • 11min
2990: The True Cost of Waiting for What You Really Want by Kumiko of The Budget Mom
Explore the hidden costs of waiting for the 'right time' to pursue your dreams. Delve into how procrastination can sneakily drain your happiness. Discover the joy of embracing the present moment and how it's key to finding true fulfillment. Learn practical strategies to overcome procrastination and take immediate action in your life. It's time to stop putting off happiness and start appreciating the journey!

7 snips
May 24, 2025 • 12min
2989: Top 9 Benefits of Using a Sauna by Eric Leija on Cardiovascular Health and Muscle Recovery
Unpack the intriguing benefits of regular sauna sessions! From improving cardiovascular health to accelerating muscle recovery, saunas can significantly enhance your wellness routine. Plus, there's a fascinating link between sauna use and mental clarity, stress relief, and potentially lowering the risk of dementia. Discover how heat stress can repair damaged cells and boost endorphin release for better mood. With scientific insights backing these claims, you might just consider making the sauna a staple in your life!

May 23, 2025 • 12min
2988: Breaking Through a Weight Loss Plateau and What To Do When You Can't Lose Weight
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 2988:
Dr. Neal Malik breaks down why weight loss plateaus occur, even when you're doing everything right, and offers science-backed strategies to reignite progress. Learn how small adjustments in diet tracking and exercise intensity can make a big difference in overcoming metabolic slowdowns.
Quotes to ponder:
"When you lose weight, your body's metabolism slows down."
"Eventually as you continue lowering your left arm, it's gonna line up with your right, that represents the plateau."
"Simply tracking your food intake can help jump-start weight loss."
Episode references:
Cronometer: https://cronometer.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 22, 2025 • 9min
2987: All About That Base by Randi Kay of NaturallyRandiKay on Holistic Healthcare and Self-Care Practice
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 2987:
Randi Kay shares how building a strong physical foundation transformed her self-care practice, showing that strength training and cardiovascular fitness can significantly amplify daily rituals like yoga and mindfulness. Her story encourages listeners to rethink motivation, embrace course correction, and redefine their "why" in pursuing holistic health.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.naturallyrandikay.com/post/all-about-that-base
Quotes to ponder:
"I needed to build a new foundation for my health."
"It’s like tag-teaming with yourself!"
"A strong foundation can weather any storm." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 21, 2025 • 11min
2986: [Part 2] 5 Signs You Don’t Know What Your Body Needs by Brittney daCosta with TinyBuddha
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.
Episode 2986:
Brittney daCosta explores how disconnection from your body’s signals can lead to fatigue, poor eating habits, and emotional overwhelm. By tuning into subtle symptoms like cravings, skin issues, or afternoon slumps, she encourages a compassionate shift from autopilot to intuitive self-care that actually works.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://tinybuddha.com/blog/5-signs-you-dont-know-what-your-body-needs/
Quotes to ponder:
"The body is a multilingual being. It speaks through its color and its temperature, the flush of recognition, the glow of love, the ash of pain, the heat of arousal, the coldness of nonconviction."
"If your body doesn’t know if it’s going to get enough at its next meal, it sends mixed signals." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices