Health: No Filter

Following on from my previous episode, I look at five additional signs / symptoms you are unfit. As before, if any resonate with you, or someone you know, it might help to address the particular sign and discuss it with your physician or therapist of choice. Always seek a professional opinion prior to taking steps to reduce or eventually stop the issue concerned. Watch the short episode on YouTube...

In this short discussion, we look at easily identifiable signs your are unfit or lacking in the fundamental aspects of physical fitness. The five I've chosen are likely not the first things that spring to mind for those listening here, but please take into account, as a professional personal trainer, I see and hear of the five listed on a regular basis. Should you experience one or more of the sig...

During a 4 week break from my channel, I travelled across China with two of my friends on a health conscious trip from Hong Kong to the Hunan Province, finally finishing in Shanghai. Whilst away I used the hotel gyms and swimming pools to maintain strength and cardiovascular fitness. Targeting multi joint movements, from front squats and pull ups to reverse lunges and incline chest press, my worko...

In this short episode I discuss why it's important to maintain a strong and healthy back. Back muscles are a complex group of tissues supporting the spine and enabling movement, categorized into extrinsic (superficial and intermediate) and intrinsic (deep) layers. Key extrinsic muscles like the trapezius and  latissimus dorsi  move the arms and scapulae, while the intrinsic muscles, such as the  e...

In this short discussion, I share my thoughts on why all men, young and old should participate in various forms of chest / pectoral exercises, or better yet...just do press ups. During a recent routine visit to my GP, I sat in the waiting room for approximately fifteen minutes, whereby on two occasions I saw parents bringing their son's in. Both boys were overweight with clearly visible excess fat...

In this short but insightful episode I share my thoughts on why physically overweight men in the UK make weekend pilgrimages to shopping outlets, in this case, IKEA. This week I myself visited IKEA'S Nottingham outlet to purchase their well known shelving units and witnessed a deluge of overweight to obese men between the ages of approximately 20 to 60 years of age. As a professional Personal Trai...

My guest in this episode is Dan Jones, a Lincoln based Nutritionist, who kindly shares his story from education to professional services. Dan initially embarked on a career in forensic science, prior to his interest and subsequent studies towards a qualification in nutrition science. Find out how cream cakes are tested for nutritional values and how to gauge labels on processed foods. Watch the fu...

In this short episode I look at why it's important to choose quality running shoes. With today's multi billion pound industry in running shoes / sneakers, we have oodles of choice, when it comes to size, fit, cost and look. Our feet and ankles are essentially our brakes and tyres and therefore we should take interest and precaution regarding our spending plans for fitness attire. Listen to the ful...

In this short discussion, I reflect on reaching 100 episodes of my podcast on all things health and fitness. We look at why, how and when I started this channel and what I've learned along the way, from creating content to the multi platform distribution of the finished product. The easy part is content, the less easy part is the follow up editing and post production process, of which I enlisted a...

In this short episode, I share my thoughts on why it's advisable for single parent mothers to get their son into sports and exercise, in the absence of his father. With the rapidly increasing levels of broken family homes, through separation or divorce, we are now gripped in another health crisis to add to long existing ones. In this instance, I look at the rising obesity rates among young men, ra...

In this episode, I get to discuss all things health and wellness with health and nutrition coach, Karen Strengiel Nicolao. Karen kindly accepted my invite to the channel, after initially connecting at a Lincoln UK wellbeing business sector meeting. We delve into coaching services Karen delivers, both in person and online, from type 2 diabetes management and prevention to mental health improvements...

Excess belly fat, or abdominal fat is one of our most common physiological curses. Age, genetics, diet, exercise, sleep, body shape, profession and social circles can all play a major part in our fight against the belly bulge. Arguably, our abdominal region is one of the most difficult areas to decrease unwanted fat storage from. Excessive consumption of carbohydrates, processed foods, alcohol and...

In this short discussion I share my own personal stress avoiding methods, in this case reading. Books , yes remember those things? As a professional in the health and wellness sector, I balance my life with a multitude of work and private / semi private interests, from the previously discussed exercise and nutrition disciplines (see episodes 93 and 94) to reading and travelling. I'm currently appr...

In this short discussion, I look at the current craze of fitness gadgets being marketed by high street grocery stores in the UK. Often, we impulse purchase a shiny, exotic looking fitness or 'wellness' gadget with a mindset of acquiring a new healthy body. Enter, ALDI, LIDL, ASDA, TESCO....and so on. These well known supermarkets have hijacked this specific multi billion pound industry, with low c...

Part 2 of my discussion on stress, from causes to management. I look at a verified list of reasons why we become stressed and how we can identify it, leading to coping mechanisms. Thanks for listening. Watch the full episode on YouTube and listen on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts. Please like, subscribe and comment on the channel, I'll do my best to reply.

In this short discussion I look at stress and why it's both a gift and a curse, from a physiological standpoint. Stress is an essential part of our body's capability to perceive, recognize and cope with external and internal discomfort. Our nervous system plays a major part in short term stress management as well as long term / chronic stress. Find out how this works in part 1 of 3 chapters on thi...

My guest in this episode is Chris Owen, founder and consultant of Optimum Safety. Chris shares his journey, thoughts and training knowledge in all things cycling, from his youth to current experiences in the saddle. This discussion brings up both light hearted conversation and a very unfortunate event in Chris' life, of which was now culminates in a charitable 200 mile ride on June 21st. My thanks...

In this short driving episode I share my thoughts on what I've witnessed in the city of Lincoln UK. There is a noticeable increase in the population of Nigerians and Ghanaians living, working and studying in Lincoln and or parts of Lincolnshire county. Walking or driving past the areas populated by these overseas visitors, there is a clear physiological difference between the African men, women an...

In this short discussion I share my thoughts and findings on why the upcoming scramble to book our annual vacation can lead to an increase in poor health decisions and subsequent outcomes. Holidays are essentially a break from the norm, being work, household chores, family commitments and in some cases mental or emotional stress. Assuming we are fortunate enough to escape overseas for two weeks, t...

In this short episode, I share my thoughts on a common reason we use to avoid exercising / improving our physical and mental health...namely not getting adequate, unbroken or even perfect sleep. This excuse has become a go to for many, with tag lines ranging from "I'm struggling to get to sleep" or "I woke up too early". This reason can quickly deteriorate to become our excuse and in some cases a...

In this short episode, I look at our nations obsession with home improvements, from adding conservatories and kitchen extensions to mowing the lawn and buying shiny new household appliances. Whilst it's nice to replace tired looking carpets or swap the kitchen worktops for a 'modern' updated version, it's equally important, if not more so, to take inventory of our health and fitness. Our bodies ar...

In this short episode I look at the current health and fitness obsession / accountability undertaken by hip hop musicians, from Jay Z and Busta Rhymes to Method Man and Kendrick Lamar. With the accumulation of approximately 2.5 billion dollars of personal wealth Jay Z is the worlds richest music artist of any genre and fittingly works out to prolong his health, with weight training and a keen eye...

In this episode my guest is Rosie Elvin, of ADHD FOCUS. Rosie kindly joins me to share her personal and professional insight into the broad subject of ADHD (Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder). As a verified Neurodiversity in the workplace trainer, online course creator and public speaker, Rosie has worked with Lincoln University and more recently Nottingham Trent University, providing edu...

In this short episode, recorded in a local city center park, I discuss why we should utilize all four seasons in our quest for better health and fitness levels. Approaching March, it's likely many of you are still thinking about or pondering over when you are going to start walking, swimming, weight training or improving your nutrition. Take into account, within 4 weeks time, we are a quarter of t...

In this episode I share my thoughts and experiences regarding why we should consider using books for inspiration and information on all health and fitness related. By taking the time to visit your local book store and purposely deliberate on which book to choose, its likely you'll be more invested into your book of choice, due to the physical experience of venturing out onto the high street or reg...