Pursuing Health

At just seven years old, Luke Palmisano was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.  Nearly 35 years later, he’s an ER physician, avid CrossFit athlete, father, and former collegiate wrestler, and he’s learned quite a bit by modifying his lifestyle to help reduce complications from the condition. We first met a couple years ago at a CrossFit Level 1 seminar for physicians and ever since I have been struck...

The average American consumes 57 lb of added sugar per year — not total sugar, but sugar that has been extracted and added into foods! This statistic seems shocking until you consider how many sneaky sources of added sugar show up in our diets: sauces, dressings, breads, granola bars, and more. These small amounts add up over time. Luckily, the FDA now requires that the volume of added sugar be re...

We know aging is inevitable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re destined for decrepitude.  There are numerous lifestyle factors that can support longevity and contribute to maintaining mental, social, and physical well-being. Dr. Bob Rountree recently joined me for a live Q&A-style webinar hosted by CrossFit Health with a focus on the science behind healthy aging, and I’m sharing that content...

Spending just 15-20 minutes in nature 3 times per week can contribute to a host of physical and psychological benefits, including: An increase in natural killer cells which support the immune system, prevent cancer, and speed recovery A decrease in heart disease, blood pressure, and heart rate A reduction in stress hormones, depression, and anxiety An improvement in some attention deficit disorder...

Nina Hersher is CEO of The Digital Wellness Institute and co-founder of the Digital Wellness Collective, a global trade association of digital wellness experts and organizations collaborating to enhance human relationships through the intentional use and development of technology. She holds a specialized Masters of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis in Norms of Connectivity and Re...

Chronic inflammation: It's a term we hear all the time, but just what is it, and what causes it?  Check out these tips from Mike Mallin, MD, to figure out whether you're experiencing chronic inflammation. And if you are, here are some tactics you can use to address it: - Make sure you're getting recovery and not over-exercising. -Focus on improving sleep quality and quantity. -Consume a healthy di...

Healthcare practitioners discuss the applications of using genomics to improve health and performance.  Panelists Dr. Matt Dawson and Dr. Mike Mallin provide background on the science behind genomics and precision care, describe how this cutting-edge form of medicine can inform lifestyle choices, and explain why genomics is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to optimizing health.   The pan...

What is precision medicine? In short, it's a data-driven approach to healthcare that recognizes we're all unique and a one-size-fits-all approach to care doesn't work for everyone.   Mike Mallin, MD, explains how precision medicine providers take your genetics, epigenetics, biomarkers, and unique risk factors into account as they develop a comprehensive plan designed to help you achieve your overa...

Lucy Mailing is a microbiome researcher, educator, and passionate scholar of integrative, evidence-based gut health.   She received her Bachelor’s in Biology from Kalamazoo College and her PhD in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois. Lucy has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles related to the microbiome and health and was named an Emerging Leader in Nutritional Sciences...

"The idea that CrossFit is dangerous is actually not supported in the scientific literature," says Amy West, MD. Her number-one tip for avoiding injury: "Check your ego at the door." Other suggested strategies include seeking out supervision to make sure you're moving properly, knowing your own limits, and paying attention to recovery. To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as...

Healthcare practitioners, cancer advocates and a cancer survivor discuss the applications of CrossFit for individuals diagnosed with cancer.  They share their personal connection to cancer, the impact of exercise on cancer prevention and treatment, and ideas on how we can build a bridge between fitness providers and healthcare to better support cancer survivors.  The panel was part of a series of...

Wearable devices can measure the variability between the beats of your heart and can indicate how relaxed you are-- "an objective measure of how chill you are," says Mike Mallin, MD. The more variability the better.   Dr. Mallin and I discuss our top 5 tips to increase heart rate variability. Sleep- a regular bedtime & at least an 8-hour sleep opportunity every night Exercise- a consistent amount...

Nick Ortner is the creator and executive producer of the documentary film, The Tapping Solution, as well  the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Tapping Solution: A revolutionary system for stress-free living.  Tapping is also sometimes referred to as Emotional Freedom Technique, or EFT.  Nick began sharing this stress and anxiety-relieving method with others in 2007 after experien...

What is primary care? In theory, it’s a long-term relationship between a healthcare practitioner and a patient encompassing preventative health practices, acute illness, and chronic disease. In practice, the insurance system has created an environment where physicians are incentivized to see more patients in less time, and the doctor-patient relationship is suffering because of it. Julie talks wit...

Healthcare practitioners and wearables experts provide insights on several different types of wearable devices for CrossFit and health, including trackers for workouts, sleep, recovery, and blood glucose.  The panelists share the most useful metrics to track, why personalized data and experimentation are so crucial for improving health and performance, and actionable tips individuals can use to im...

“Are you waking up rested and without an alarm clock?” asks Dr. Matt Dawson of CrossFit Precision Care.   His advice to get the rest and recovery you need? “Stick to the basics… cool, dark, and quiet.”   PMID: 31759934, 33879784, 27611440   To learn more about CrossFit Precision Care and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit care.crossfit.com.    If you like this episode,...

Healthcare practitioners and affiliate owners discuss limitations of the conventional healthcare system, the power of the CrossFit affiliate to transform health, and how we can make CrossFit more accessible to a broader population.  The panel was part of a series of conversations hosted by CrossFit Health at the 2021 CrossFit Games.   You can connect with the featured panelists via Instagram: Juli...

1 in 3 Americans have prediabetes, and 84% don’t even know it.   Family physician Tom McCoy, DO, describes the mechanism behind insulin resistance, how to investigate whether you have it, and steps to take to reverse it.     To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit health.crossfit.com.    If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pu...

CrossFit CEO Eric Roza and Wild Health co-founder and CEO Matt Dawson, MD join me to discuss the evolution of CrossFit Health and the inception of CrossFit Precision Care, a personalized medicine practice.  We discuss why CrossFit is uniquely positioned to revolutionize healthcare, the importance of primary care visits, even for healthy individuals, what it will be like to experience CrossFit Prec...

“You want food that goes bad,” says EC Synkowski, CF-L4 and founder of OptimizeMe Nutrition . “When we’re looking at nutrition for general overall health, you really want quality AND quantity. What happens with processed foods is we tend to have a mismatch of that.” To learn more about CrossFit Health and how to get involved as a healthcare provider or patient, visit health.crossfit.com. If you li...

When Tarryn Harvey was in her early 20’s, an unexpected heartbreak left her struggling with depression, anxiety, and the early stages of anorexia. A friend helped her recognize she needed help, and connected Tarryn with a personal trainer who eventually introduced her to CrossFit. As Tarryn began lifting weights, she started eating to fuel her workouts, and soon, she began to feel empowered and st...

Healthcare practitioners speak on what drew them to CrossFit when their colleagues might have said it was dangerous, how the risk of injury in CrossFit compares to other sports, the risk vs. benefits of exercise, the most effective recovery modalities, how we can change the perception of CrossFit in the medical community, and more. You can connect with the featured panelists via Instagram: Sean Ro...

After years of experiencing mysterious intermittent pain in his back, Scott Young was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory autoimmune condition that, over time, can cause the bones of the spine to fuse. In this episode, he shares how his physical therapist encouraged him to start CrossFit to improve his movement mechanics, and how, over time, that’s led to his realization that st...

Jenna Muri-Rosenthal is a speech-language pathologist, certified brain​ injury specialist, and a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer.  As the founder of Fit to Function Recovery, she has blended these areas of expertise into a program that combines functional fitness with cognitive rehabilitation.     Jenna works with survivors of brain injury and strokes, both one-on-one and in a community environment to he...

Jen Dudley shares her amazing story of personal transformation.  Her struggles with career anxiety and the stress of nursing school had led to an 80 pound weight gain, and no matter how many times she told her friends and family she was ready to make a change, she always seemed to wind up back where she started, feeling embarrassed for her lack of success.  She finally got the wake up call she nee...