The Body Nerd Show

If you're human - you're stressed and it probably feels like it's only getting worse. Meditation is exercise for your brain. Not only will a regular practice reduce stress, but will also improve your focus. So if you're feeling distracted, frazzled, and in need of a break -  Don't grab a Snickers, sit down and meditate. On this episode, I cover What happens to your brain when you meditate How to d...

Am I the only one who struggles to eat enough vegetables? Greens (and other colors!) are good for us but it can be hard to weave them in creatively to your dishes, especially if you're feeding picky eaters. Luckily, my guest today is plant-based meal planning expert Stephanie Dreyer. On this episode, we cover How to get more vegetables into your life Why batch cooking will save you time and money...

Stretching is not the cure-all it's made out to be. In fact, if you're dealing with soreness, tension, or pain right now, stretching may not be your best bet. But what do you do instead? Is it mobility? Foam rolling? Icing? On this episode, I cover Why you don't really need to stretch Why stretching isn't as helpful for getting rid of pain as you might think And a simple shift to supercharge your...

CBD is all the rage right now - you can get it infused in your water, smoothies, eat gummies, oil, or rub a balm all over your sore muscles. But if you've ever wondered how CBD works or how it's different from THC, today's episode is for you.  On this episode, I cover How you already have built in receptors for CBD in your brain and body How CBD works And how it can reduce inflammation, anxiety, p...

Willpower is a dangerous lie we use to beat ourselves up when we can't stay away from chocolate. Or get started on a new morning routine. Or any number of ways we like to "should" ourselves. I think willpower is nonsense and that knowing if you're an all or nothing or moderate type of person will help you finally stick with a new habit. On today's episode I cover... Why the idea of willpower is a...

A cancer diagnosis tried to derail her dreams, but she wasn't ready to let that happen. On today's episode, I sit down with life coach and cancer survivor, Ceca Mijatovic of the Truth and Dare Podcast. We go deep in this conversation and her step-by-step framework for how to overcome FEAR will change your life. On this episode, we cover Why intention makes all the difference between short-term fix...

Are you breathing deeply today? Breath is one of those things we take for granted because you don't really have to think about it. But when you do, consciously breathing can rewire your brain. On today's episode, I'm sharing all things breathing and how you can change your breath to build body that's structurally sound, from the inside out.  I cover... How to use breathwork to improve core strengt...

Do you even foam roll? Bodywork. Myofascial Release. SMR. Whether or not you're a foam roller pro or have never seen a therapy ball, bringing bodywork into your body maintenance program will help you get stronger, recover faster, and get out of pain ASAP. Bodywork changed my life and it can absolutely change yours too! On today's episode I share... All about Bodywork and how to use it How regular...

Have you ever wondered if there was a genetic component to happiness? Or how to change your happiness set point? On today's episode, I'm joined by Happiness Coach Kim Strobel, who is sharing the science behind happiness.  On today's episode we cover... How to change your happiness set point The top 6 habits to increase happiness levels Why meditation and gratitude should be an important piece of y...

Lower back pain sucks. And whether it's brand new or an old friend, pain in your lower back gets in the way of everything you do. When it comes down to it, there are really only 4 reasons your back might be hurting and the good news is, the fix is easier than you might think! On today's episode I cover... Why your lower back hurts and what posture has to do with it A super easy assessment you can...

Sitting up straight is hard work - and, more often than not, leaves your back feeling exhausted! So why is sitting "well" so much work? And is it possible to sit in a way that won't create back pain, sciatica or neck pain (without having to spend $$ on a really expensive desk chair?) On today's episode I cover... How to sit up straight without getting exhausted Why a different chair won't make sit...

Body. Mind. AND spirit. All are equally important when it comes to overcoming any story you have about your body. My guest today, Nicole Kaufman, is as nerdy about brain science as I am about the body. And as a board certified licensed mental health therapist, she's the perfect person to share how thoughts affect the physical body. In this episode we cover: How to reframe your stories to make last...

Does icing actually work? Chances are that you've grabbed an ice pack for bumps and bruises. We all do it, but I wanted to really know, is icing actually effective for healing?  Before you grab another ice pack - listen to today's episode and learn... Why icing isn't the best way to treat pain How current research on icing doesn't have lots of answers Why rest, ice, compression, and elevation won'...

Is wrist pain getting in your way? Then today's episode is for you! We live in a time where you don't have to carry groceries, flip a light switch, or walk your dog (there's an app for that, you know), but all the convenience comes at a cost. While devices get lighter, our wrists are getting weaker and weaker. But the fix for most wrist pain is a lot simpler than you might think... On today's epis...

All things skin care, skin fitness, SPF and more with skin fitness expert and friend, Cybil Solyn. Cybil has been instrumental in helping me get clearer and more healthy skin, even after two rounds of Accutane couldn't clear up my acne. On today's episode, she answers your biggest questions around skin care and how to take excellent care of the largest organ in your body. We cover: All things SPF:...

Building a consistent movement habit is hard. And it'll take some trial and error to find your perfect blend of habit forming (and will-power busting) magic before you get it just right. Consistency is required if you want to get stronger and kick soreness, tension and pain to the curb...but it's hard to get going! So on today's episode, I'm sharing: 5 ways to build a consistent movement habit The...

Getting a diagnosis like hip bursitis or plantar fasciitis can be scary, especially when you don't fully understand what's happening. Is your body fighting back? Is it permanent? The good news is that with a little knowledge about what's going on, you can craft a plan to get yourself out of pain, ASAP. On today's episode, I cover: All about the -itises, like bursitis, Plantar Fasciitis and tendoni...

When it comes to pain - an MRI is not always the most helpful first step. As a diagnostic tool it's fantastic - but it has limitations because a diagnosis says nothing about what your best next step is. And the MRI will most likely find a structural issue - but that tear is not the only piece of the puzzle when it comes to resolving your pain. On today's episode, I share: Why you probably don't ne...

Contrary to popular belief, getting stronger will not make you bulk up and lose flexibility. In fact, you'll probably feel more confident, have better posture, and stop having to ask for help to open jars all the time. Getting stronger transformed the way I carry myself and I have Elizabeth Wipff of Strong and Bendy to thank for that. Elizabeth is on a mission to demystify strength training for pe...

Knee pain is a drag - and just because everyone has it doesn't mean it's inevitable. Many of the issues at the knee are caused by something higher up (hips, low back, core) or below (foot/ankle). Think of the knee as the middle kid stuck between your hip and your ankle. So whether you have knee pain or just want to keep it as far away as long as you can, today's episode is for you. On today's epis...

Tension headaches are a drag. Whether you have a tension headache that won't go away or get them frequently, like I used to, I know that you'd probably do just about anything to get rid of them. Luckily, you don't have to sell a kidney, you just have to be intentional with how you move. This week's episode is all about tension headaches, what causes them and what you can do right now to get rid of...

Can you get rid of toxins through your sweat? This is the question that floated around in my head after sweating for an hour (intentionally!) at Shape House. Whether your heat is far-infrared induced (like mine was), from a sauna, or just being outside on a hot summer day, I set out to finally answer the question - are you actually toxic? On today's episode, I share... Why I intentionally got wrap...

The solution for tight hips and hip flexors isn't to stretch more. Especially because your hips aren't tight because they need more stretching - chances are it's something else (that's easily remedied!)  On today's episode, I share... Why stretching isn't really helping your tight hips and what to do instead Why your hip flexors are so darn tight And how sitting this special way can make all the d...

A decade in the fitness and wellness industry has taught me more than how fun it is to wear spandex everyday. And teaching at Wanderlust this past weekend has me all nostalgic about the journey to getting here, what I've learned, and how you can avoid making the same mistakes I did. On today's episode, I talk about... What I've learned over the last ten years in the fitness industry How my approac...

Crystals are having a moment - but what the heck are you supposed to do with sparkly rocks and do they actually do anything? These are the questions I set out to answer when I sat down with energy healer and crystal connoisseur, Devon Cajuste, who also happens to be a former NFL Tight End. Not only do we go deep on how to use energy work to heal your body, but Devon is also an excellent example of...