LEAP Into Wellness Podcast Network

Interview with Superintendent Mendoza

In this episode of 'Fit to Teach,' Kyle Pfaffenbach and Leap intern Nathan Marshall explore the health benefits of resistance training, particularly using lower weights. They discuss a 2023 research paper by Jonathan Weakley which demonstrates that low load resistance exercises can still promote muscle hypertrophy and strength. Suitable for all ages, these exercises can be done with common househo...

In this episode of 'Classroom to Calm,' host Kyle Pfaffenbach and LEAP intern Nathan discuss the importance and benefits of meditation, especially for teachers experiencing high rates of stress and burnout. They explain how meditation can reduce anxiety and improve mental health through physiological changes like decreased cortisol levels and increased heart rate variability. Practical tips for in...

Interview with Tami Goddard and Stacy Shown

In this episode of Fit to Teach, hosts Kyle Pfaffenbach and Nathan Marshall delve into the mental health benefits of physical activity, particularly walking. They discuss a review paper about how exercise can reduce stress and burnout among teachers by highlighting biochemical changes such as endocannabinoids and endogenous opioids. The episode includes practical advice on integrating short, brisk...

In this episode of 'Classroom to Calm,' hosts Kyle Flaffenbach and Nathan Marshall discuss the significance of mindfulness as a tool to reduce job burnout among teachers and staff in the Grand School District. The conversation includes the benefits of mindfulness practices, such as meditation, breathing exercises, and repetitive physical activities like running and cooking. The episode also highli...

In this episode of 'Fit to Teach,' hosted by Kyle Pfaffenbach and intern Nathan Marshall, the focus is on the extensive benefits of walking for healthy aging. They discuss a 2023 review article from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center that explores the positive impact of walking, particularly in areas known as blue zones—regions with a high concentration of centenarians. The hosts hig...

In the debut episode of 'Classroom to Calm,' host Kyle Faffenbach, an associate professor at Eastern Oregon University, and lab intern Nathan Marshall introduce their new show aimed at helping teachers and staff recharge over the weekend. The show is less structured compared to their other podcast 'Fit to Teach' and will feature various topics including healthy recipes, studies, and relaxation tip...

In the inaugural episode of 'Turning Point,' the new podcast from the La Grande School District, Principal Monica West shares her journey in education. Starting as a student who found her passion through an inspiring science teacher, Monica pursued a degree in biology before beginning her career as a high school math and science teacher. She then transitioned to middle school, where she discovered...

In the inaugural episode of 'Fit2Teach,' host Kyle Pfaffenbach, an associate professor of health and human performance, alongside LEAP intern Nathan Marshall, discuss evidence-based health and wellness information aimed at teachers and school staff. The episode focuses on a research paper examining exercise responses among sedentary postmenopausal women. The study reveals how people respond differ...

Anyone who has ever tried to break a habit or implement a new routine knows firsthand that making a lasting behavior change is difficult. But did you know that an entire field of study is devoted to the science and process of behavior change? In this episode, I discuss behavior change theory with Dr. Kelly McNeil, Ph. D, a professor of community health and health promotion at Eastern Oregon Univer...

Have you every heard of chrononutrition? If not, then this is the perfect episode for you! Chrononutrition explores how meal timing interacts with circadian rhythm to influence metabolism, hormonal release, appetite, sleep, and the development of chronic disease. From minimizing jet lag to lowering the risk of developing atherosclerosis, chrononutrition provides insight into many areas of health t...

This is a good one! There is a large body of research that points to the health benefits of intermittent fasting, and we want to talk about some of that research today. The goal of this episode is to clearly define intermittent fasting, outline sustainable, long-term implementation strategies, and discuss a few of the physiological mechanisms that make intermittent fasting so effective at lowering...

Although hormonal signaling can be complex, it is a very important and interesting topic! Hormones impact everything we do and fluctuate depending on internal and external signals. The purpose of this episode is to give an overview of what hormones are, how they can be broadly classified, and what thier significance is in our physiology. In future weeks we will be doing deep dives into more specif...

Macronutrients get a lot of hype. But would you know what to say if someone asked you to define them and explain their importance? After listening to this podcast you will! In this episode, we break down the three major macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and protein), thier role in metabolism, and why macronutrient needs vary depending on age, activity level, and health goals. We even throw in so...

Blood sugar is a tightly regulated element of our internal homeostasis. The importance of maintaining stable blood sugar can be illustrated with the all too familiar phenomenon of a "sugar crash" where the amount of sugar in our blood spikes rapidly, followed by a feeling of fatigue. How do the foods we eat and choices we make throughout the day affect blood sugar? How do blood sugar fluctuations...

Several listeners have wanted to learn more about blood pressure. So today we focus on the question, "What can I do to maintain healthy blood pressure?" Most people know that chronically high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is not optimal for health, but the reason why is not always clear. In this episode, we explore some of the mechanisms of the circulatory system that lie at the hear...

Everyone needs sleep. We've done it since the day we were born, so we all must be experts at sleeping, right? Unfortunately not. An estimated 50-70 million American adults experience chronic sleep deficiency and everyone has experienced the frustration of a poor night's sleep. Last week we discussed circadian rhythm and hormones of the sleep-wake cycle. In this episode, we dive into sleep hygiene—...

It's time to talk about sleep! Sleep is vital for health, and we want to do a deep dive into the factors that influence sleep quality. One of the most significant factors is circadian rhythm--the fascinating connection that all living organisms have to the 24 hour rotation of the earth. Tune in to learn more about circadian rhythm, how it impacts sleep, and all the cool physiological processes tha...

We've referenced mindfulness several times in previous episodes and it's high time we explored it more deeply. Mindfulness is a powerful way to become more in tune with your body and emotions as well as reduce stress and burnout. Give this episode a listen to learn more!

The Holidays can be a stressful time! In this episode we share strategies prioritize sleep, nutrition and exercise over winter break so you will be able to show up as the best version of yourself for your family and loved ones.

Hosts Kyle Pfaffenbach and Anya Schooler introduce themselves and set the stage for what listeners can expect from the podcast in the future. They talk about the importance of holistic self-care, and why it should be non-negotiable for everyone.