The Body Nerd Show

Stress can manifest in a number of ways - it might be trouble focusing, difficulty sleeping, or hyper vigilance. But when I also started losing hair by the handful this past year - I knew I needed something else. Adding an adaptogen to my supplement regimen did the trick but I had more questions. How do they work? Is it just mushrooms? Are they all created equal? So I reached out to Samantha Attar...

It's estimated that over 54.4 million people in the US have been diagnosed with arthritis. But does having arthritis mean you have to have pain? (Hint: nope) In today's episode, I'm demystifying arthritis so you can understand what's going on and be a better advocate for yourself. Because life without pain is totally possible!  You'll learn: The anatomy of arthritis The difference between osteoart...

Carpal tunnel has become the blanket term for any wrist pain. But the carpal tunnel is a totally normal structure that all of us have. So why does it hurt and what can you do to prevent it? If you have wrist or hand pain and are interested in exploring all of your options beyond surgery - today's episode is for you. You'll learn: All about carpal tunnel, including  What causes wrist pain And easy...

Better flexibility comes from your brain trusting that you can move safely - not your muscles magically getting longer.  So why is stretching always recommended when you have pain? And is there something else you can do (that's faster and has longer lasting results)?  If you're bored of stretching and want to learn how to stretch smarter so your results are longer lasting - this episode is for you...

Whether it's the nebulous days of WFH or the holidays throwing you off track - if you haven't locked in your workout habits yet, there's no time like the present. Consistent movement will bring ease to your mental and physical health unlike anything else.  In today's episode, I'm sharing my top tips to keep you on track with your workouts through the holidays. Plus, my ninja hack for you overachie...

Going from worried about surgery to pain-free in 6 weeks is not only possible - my guest today made it happen. I truly believe that you can change the unchangeable - and Lisette is a perfect example of what taking back control of your body and self-care actually looks like. On today's episode, you'll learn: The simple way to prevent post-workout soreness  How one client went from seriously conside...

Have you ever heard that muscle memory and muscle confusion are the "secret" to getting stronger? I hope I'm not the only one who imagines tiny brains inside your muscles when you hear "muscle memory". To be honest, the science behind what's actually happening is nowhere near as catchy or marketable as "muscle memory", but as a Body Nerd, I know you live to learn - and today's episode is for you!...

When doing core work - should you keep your lower back pressed down? Or in neutral? The better question is WHY. Why are you doing it in the first place? Because when you understand the underlying mechanics, you can make a better decision for your body.  So on today's episode, we're digging into the relationship between core work and lower back positioning. Listen in and learn: The difference betwe...

If you're a runner - you know what a pain (literally!) calf tension can be. And even if you don't run, you've probably felt the ache of tightness along the back of your lower leg from time to time. But what should you do? Stretching your calves off the edge of a stair helps a little bit - but by the end of your next run or walk around the block, everything usually tightens up again.  If you have t...

If you took a break from workouts after the gyms closed earlier this year, you might have noticed that things like concentration and sleep got a little bit harder. But what actually happens to your brain when you exercise? And why do people who exercise seem to have more energy, even when they're using it all the time?  Listen in and learn: What happens to your brain when you exercise How exercise...

I've been mistaken as a PT on more than one occasion, but the truth is - I never went to physical therapy school. It's not that I didn't try (I applied twice), but between lost transcripts and missed deadlines, the universe had other plans for me.  So in today's episode, I'm sharing my story and why I help my clients become self-reliant so they don't need me anymore.  Listen in and learn: Why I ne...

Amanda Thebe is a Menopause Warrior. Because menopause is something that everyone with ovaries will experience in their lifetime - and there's still a ton of mystery around it. Since your hormones regulate and dictate everything from hunger levels, to sleep quality, energy levels and more, there's no time like the present to learn how best to manage your symptoms with Amanda's simple hacks. Listen...

Squatting is one of the most natural human moves - but so many of us can't do it because of issues with your hip, knees, lower back, ankles or feet. So if knee pain is slowing you down, today's episode is for you. Listen in and learn: 3 fixes that'll help you squat without knee pain Proper squat form And the 5 minute squat test that almost did me in   All the links: - How to Squat without Knee Pai...

Meditation is just one form of mindfulness - so if you've been struggling with sitting quietly and still want the benefits of being more present - journaling fits the bill. And while it seems simple, a daily gratitude practice will help with your psychological health, sleep, and more. Listen in and learn: How I use journaling in my mindfulness practice, including gratitude lists and specific promp...

What does it actually take to get stronger without getting hurt? That's exactly what I'm sharing in today's episode. And when you dial in these 6 things, you'll not only know how to build strength in a sustainable way, but you'll also be super clear on how to manage anything that comes up. Because YOU should be the only one who decides when it's time to call it quits - not your grouchy knee, sore...

Injuries slow you down and keep you from your workouts. And while it might be tempting to try fifty million different mobility exercises and foam roller hacks to get out of pain, a step-by-step approach will get you faster and longer lasting results. The Squat Assessment has your back and will help you uncover any imbalances that are creating tension and pain now, or might become an issue in the f...

Being a Body Detetive means you feel phenomenal, every day. You're moving well, sleeping well, and most importantly, not afraid of pain. But how can you change the seemingly unchangeable and get to that point? It's entirely possible, regardless of what your diagnosis or MRI says and on today's episode, I'm laying out exactly how. In this episode, I share... What it means to be a Body Detective  Th...

There's nothing more frustrating than thinking your injury is gone only for it to keep coming back every time you go on a run or back to working out. Which is what was happening to my client, Monica. She's joining us today to share her journey on how she got out of the injury cycle and back to moving her body in all the ways she loves.  Listen in and discover: How learning the new language of move...

The Body Mass Index is an outdated model of measurement that was never meant for individuals. And yet your height and weight are recorded and used to determine if you're healthy or not by your doctors and insurance companies. But did you know that it was created by a mathematician? And the original data collected was only on white men? Yeah, me neither, which is why today we're diving deep into th...

Dawn Mauricio is not only the kindest, most compassionate person you'll ever meet, but she's also a genius when it comes to meditation. So when I saw that she had a new book for meditation beginners, I knew I had to sit down with her. Enjoy our conversation and learn: The difference between mindfulness and meditation If meditating with your eyes open is a thing And how to tell if you're doing it r...

Mobility can be simple - but most of us overcomplicate it to the point where it feels impossible. I'm a big fan of streamlining your movement and wellness so you can spend less time thinking about it and just get it done. But don't worry - I'm not going to tell you to just move more - because moving smarter will save you tons of time. In this episode, I share... The 3 mobility mistakes that are sl...

Do you pee when you sneeze? Or cough? Laugh? Run? While it may be common, it's not necessarily normal and you don't have to just put up with it. On today's episode, we're focusing on one of the most critical aspects of your core and spinal stability - the pelvic floor (and no, this isn't unique to women as all humans have pelvic floors!). I share... Why a weak pelvic floor is to blame for peeing w...

Does more rolling = less pain? Not always. And if you've been rolling the exact same spot over and over again and not getting any relief, then today's episode is for you.  I share... How much bodywork you want to aim for on a daily basis How to know when you've done too much And the super nerdy reason why you don't need to roll the same place every day All the links: - Tune Up Fitness (I like the...

In today's episode, I'm giving you an inside peek to how I work with clients and what's included in an AmplifyU Plan. If you have tight hips - any one of the suggestions I share can be used to get you out of tight hip purgatory. I share... The step-by-step plan I created for a client with hip pain Why more stretching isn't the answer And why unlocking your hips starts with your entire body All the...

Naps are amazing. But not when you fall so deeply asleep that you're down for hours. So what's the best way to take advantage of this free and easy brain-boosting activity?  In today's episode, we cover all things naps, including... How to take naps without falling asleep for hours Why you should be taking naps And the best length of time for a perfect nap All the links: - Tackle Your Tension [FRE...