The Optimal Body

In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, Doctors of Physical Therapy Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore the critical link between walking speed and overall health in older adults. They discuss research showing that resistance training can significantly improve gait parameters, emphasizing that muscle power is the most important modifiable factor influencing walking speed. The hosts highlight key e...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, welcome back Shannon Algeo, psychotherapist and author of The Power in Your Hands. Shannon explores how smartphone and social media use mirrors insecure attachment patterns, introducing the concept of technology attachment to explain how people unconsciously turn to technology to manage anxiety,...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore foot pain and injury through Dom's personal experience with a Lisfranc ligament tear and two surgeries. Dom shares how a recent pickleball injury during a session triggered sharp midfoot pain, prompting him to self-assess and begin conservative treatment. They discuss potential diagnoses, footwear adjustments, and rehabili...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom welcome running expert Doctor of physical therapy Vikash Sharma to discuss how to run safely and effectively. They cover key topics like avoiding the "too much, too quickly" trap, using walk-run intervals for beginners, and following the 10% rule for mileage progression. Dr. Sharma also shares valuable advice on strength training...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doctor Dom shares her personal experience of sustaining a minor back injury and developing sciatic pain while deadlifting. She and Doc Jen discuss how even fitness professionals aren't immune to pain and injury, emphasizing that stress, poor sleep, and rushing through movements increase the risk of experiencing issues like sciatic pain. They debunk the...

In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom sit down with Doctor Aleksandra Gajer, an expert in sustainable weight loss, longevity, and women's midlife health. Doctor Gajer discusses her journey from emergency medicine to a focus on proactive, preventative care. Key topics include metabolic health, insulin resistance, peptides, hormonal changes during perimenopause and meno...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore foot health, focusing on flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and bunions. They explain the three types of flat feet and emphasize treating symptoms over appearance. The hosts highlight exercises targeting the posterior tibialis, intrinsic foot muscles, and hip strength as key treatments. While orthotics can help manage pain, the...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom welcome Dr. Kelsey Barr, a physical therapist specializing in chronic pain and fall prevention. Kelsey shares her journey from fitness to PT, inspired by working with elderly patients and those with Parkinson's disease. She discusses how chronic pain affects the nervous system, the importance of strength and balance training and e...

In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, Doctors of Physical Therapy Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore the benefits of toe spacers for foot health. They discuss how these simple, affordable devices help counteract toe crowding caused by modern footwear, reducing pain and improving function. Backed by research, toe spacers show benefits for conditions like bunions, plantar fasciitis, Morton's neur...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, welcome physiotherapist Will Harlow, who specializes in helping people over 50 maintain independence and achieve movement longevity. Will shares his journey from sports physiotherapy to focusing on older adults and introduces his four pillars of independence: mobility, strength, balance, and skel...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, doctors of physical therapy, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, discuss hernias, explaining what they are, their types, causes, and treatment options. They differentiate hernias from conditions like diastasis recti and prolapse, emphasizing that hernias involve a fascial defect requiring surgery. Dr Dom shares her personal experience with bilateral inguinal hernia...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both Doctors of Physical Therapy welcome Doctor Nathan Bryan, an expert in nitric oxide biochemistry. Doctor Bryan explains how nitric oxide, a short-lived signaling molecule, is essential for cardiovascular health, brain function, immune defense, and longevity. He discusses how modern lifestyle habits, including poor diet, seden...

In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, Doctors of Physical Therapy, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, explore the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause, a cluster of symptoms including joint pain, stiffness, frozen shoulder, and muscle loss affecting women aged 40–60. They explain how declining estrogen disrupts connective tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and inflammation regulation. The hosts empha...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, doctors of physical therapy Doc Jen and Doctor Dom welcome pain scientist Dr. Rachel Zoffness to discuss the complexities of pain, especially how to relieve chronic pain, from a biopsychosocial perspective. Dr. Rachel explains that pain is influenced by physical, emotional, and social factors—not just tissue damage. The conversation covers common miscon...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom explore chronic plantar fasciitis, highlighting new 2025 research that reveals its connection to central sensitization—where the nervous system amplifies pain. They explain why traditional treatments for plantar fasciitis may not work for everyone and emphasize a holistic approach, combining strength exercises, pain education, stress...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, interview Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, an MD and expert in obesity medicine. They discuss the science behind GLP-1 receptor agonists, highlighting GLP-1 benefits for weight loss, diabetes, and cardiovascular health, while addressing common myths and side effects. The conversation explores medicati...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, break down cervical radiculopathy—commonly referred to as a “pinched nerve” in the neck. They explain the symptoms and causes of a pinched nerve, and discuss why imaging findings aren’t always alarming. The hosts share practical strategies for relief, including targeted exercises, posture tips, and...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, Doctor's of Physical Therapy, welcome Thoryn Stephens, a scientist and founder of Brain One, to discuss optimizing brain health and human performance. Thoryn shares insights on hydration, micro habits, and the role of wearables and AI in personalizing health protocols. The conversation highlights the importance of behavior change...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, physical therapists Doc Jen and Doctor Dom delve into sesamoiditis, an overuse injury that leads to pain in the sesamoid bones beneath the big toe. They discuss the risk factors and symptoms associated with sesamoiditis, highlighting the importance of an accurate diagnosis. The hosts detail conservative treatment options, including offloading, orthotics...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, hosts Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both Doctors of Physical Therapy, welcome Jennifer Gularson, a leading expert in women’s midlife health and functional medicine. Together, they discuss hormone replacement therapy, GLP-1 medications, and the challenges women face during perimenopause and menopause. Jennifer emphasizes individualized, science-based care, sha...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, discuss the challenges of creating habits around consistent exercise routines, especially as motivation fades after New Year’s resolutions. They emphasize starting small, using accountability, and creating habits through simple cues and systems rather than relying on motivation. The hosts share prac...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doctors of Physical Therapy Doc Jen and Dr. Dom interview Gabriela Rosa, a Harvard-awarded fertility specialist and founder of the Rosa Institute. Gabriela shares her journey into fertility work, the development of her evidence-based Fertile Method, and her dedication to individualized, root-cause-focused care for those experiencing fertility struggles...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, focus on body tips strategies for IT Band Syndrome and IT band pain at the hip—a less recognized but significant issue. They explain why traditional stretching and rolling are ineffective, highlighting the IT band’s anatomy and function in the context of IT Band Syndrome. Instead, they recommend evi...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Dr. Dom, both Doctors of Physical Therapy, interview neuro optometrist Dr. Bryce Appelbaum about the crucial difference between eyesight and functional vision. They discuss how functional vision is a brain-based process that impacts learning, behavior, and overall health, often mimicking ADHD or attention issues. Dr. Appelbaum explains the e...

In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Dr. Jen and Dr. Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, break down a new international consensus on stretching, helping listeners discover the best stretching practices for their needs. They explain the differences between static, dynamic, ballistic, and PNF stretching exercise, and discuss both the immediate and long-term benefits—such as increased rang...