What's Worthwhile - Healthy Living Motivation and Discussion

How can we reach out to others who are different and unfamiliar, to put them at ease and gain new friends? My friend Parfait knows what it feels like to be the outsider, as an immigrant from West Africa who came to the U.S. to go to college.  In the decades since, he’s become an expert and leading voice in peacemaking, fostering belonging, and creating social and business structures that bring peo...

What did our small group learn about holistic brain health, and what were the extra benefits of getting together each week? Here are my reflections on the Amen WHOLE-4 6-week Foundations Program after facilitating our faith-based group. We expected to learn a lot about how brain health was tied into other aspects of the body, mind, and spirit, and we definitely did.  But we also learned a lot abou...

How can moving and pressing on muscles or finding genetic “snips” provide answers to things like fatigue, depression, blood sugar swings, inflammation, or toxin overload? Dr. J Ann Dunn BS, DC, CKP, CWK, is a chiropractor, certified functional medicine practitioner, and the creator of Wholistic Kinesiology® and Wholistic Methylation, two groundbreaking approaches to natural health that have helped...

What can we do and control to improve our energy, attitude, strength, stress response, stamina, and all the other factors that push back the overwhelm of our lives? It’s not that complicated, and does not rely upon expensive formulas or products. However, it is tough to do on your own, without guidance or a deliberate strategy.  Ramsey introduces the upcoming weekly workshops he will host and lead...

What goes with exercise? How about meditation, Qi Gong, Yoga or even Cannabis? Last we visited with Jill Wisehart, she was in Union, Washington, but she has since moved Treetop Fitness fully online and is expanding her holistic health experience offerings through a new network of practitioners … including Ramsey’s Better Before Burnout foundations of health program. Jill and Ramsey chat about all...

Why do we get anxious when things are going our way? On TV shows and movies we brace ourselves for imminent plot twists when characters are too happy or comfy.  Does that go for real life too? Things are actually going really great for me these days, at work, at home, and with my friends and colleagues. Does that mean a piano is going to fall from the sky? Perhaps instead I can find the courage to...

Do they have it all figured out, those strong and silent guys? Or do emotions, doubts, and uncertainties swirl and remain unexpressed beneath those clear and steady eyes? Jason Blydell is a natural-born leader, athlete, Marine, husband, and father of four young kids. He’s a men’s health coach and retreat leader.  There is also far more to him underneath that quiet confidence.  Jason and Ramsey tal...

What to work on now that I beat two hours on the Half Marathon for the first time?  After many miles of training hills, I had my personal best time on the Capital City Half Marathon, with the official race clock time of 1:59:18. Time to take a beat, consider what to refocus my energy and efforts upon, and answer once again “what’s worthwhile.” What kind of guests do I want to invite onto the podca...

Speaking deeply and honestly, focusing in on other people, and connecting with their own feelings and bodies often don’t come easily to men within the typical surface-level gatherings and interactions that we have. But there is great value in learning to do so in men’s groups.  Jason Lange is a men's embodiment coach, group facilitator, certified “No More Mr. Nice Guy” coach, and an evolutionary g...

How can we get together to improve the health of our brains through mind, body, spirit, and relationship improvements? Amen Whole-4 is now piloting programs at faith communities across the nation, including at Saddleback Church Lake Forest, where Michelle Chen is the ambassador and Jessica Schenk is an enthusiastic participant.  Michelle has about 10 years of experience promoting holistic health w...

Who’s on the trail, and what’s their life like? Out running, I noticed the other people walking and rolling on the trail, watched how they interacted with each other, with me.  I wondered what it would be like to chat with the lonely dad with the stroller.  It would have been weird. So I kept running. I passed out the smiles and head nods as I passed the people, but that didn’t quite make up for t...

Why do some have friend groups, and how do they start? Likely two friends find a third and invite them in. Groups of three friends are the stuff of story and legend, from The Three Musketeers to Three’s Company.  There’s something powerful and stable about the number three, and it can be the foundation and beginning of a group. For those who are lonely and pining for a group of friends, here’s som...

Why is it terrifying to speak honestly to a group and what happens when we do? Even when we show up for community or group meetings in person or online, it’s still often intimidating to raise a hand and speak up. And it’s more intense to share deep truth or a message that doesn’t go along with what everyone else is saying. But that’s where and when real impacts are made, both for the speaker and t...

What changed after 40? Your priorities, stamina, strength, relationships? Philip Blackett turned 40 a few years ago on Thanksgiving Day.  Sitting among family, he realized what he was truly thankful for, and began to see that his actions, attitudes, and behaviors needed to change for the new era of life he was entering.  Today, he works with folks in midlife to navigate this phase of life and live...

What’s a simpler way to drive changes within ourselves that stick for the long-term, require less energy and determination, and make us ultimately more healthy and happy?  “Change Made Easy” podcast host, personal trainer and coach Paul Levitin has devised a system based on the acronym EASIER: which stands for Enthusiasm, Availability, Simple, Imperfect, Exponential, and Repeatable. Ramsey and Pau...

How can we talk with, learn about, and relate to people with very different ideas, beliefs, and views from ourselves in ways that reduce our stress levels and increase our burnout resilience? Maury Giles is the CEO of Braver Angels, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to depolarization, empowering people to have calmer, more productive and respectful interactions with people who think diff...

What works within tight time constraints and with focused attention to drive health and wellness success for busy, responsible professionals and family members? Erica Jones is one of those high-achieving professional parents. She and her husband founded Elevays to work with doctors and other hard workers to maintain and build their own vitality, energy and longevity.  Ramsey and Erica spoke about...

What was it like for 30+ guys to gather for a weekend in Joshua Tree to learn somatic theory, connect their minds to their bodies, and open up to each other? Ramsey experienced the MELD Prime Men’s Retreat and got the comments of three additional men onsite towards the end of the event. Listen in on their raw reflections of expectations far exceeded, insights gained, and images of transformation g...

How can we grow nutritious, delicious vegetables at-scale for everyone to eat and enjoy? Amy (Todisco) Hartshorn has been digging in the dirt, growing organic vegetables for decades. At her family farm in Vermont, she practices, shares, and teaches about Regenerative Agriculture to parents and kids, many of which discover the joy of fresh veggies for the first time. Amy and Ramsey told each other...

What’s the best way to ensure that people and companies don’t burnout? There are two camps when it comes to burnout prevention in professional settings. Those who focus on the perseverance of individuals during difficult times and those who focus on making business environments and demands less impossible. I see the merits of both. I promote supporting the foundations of holistic health in order t...

How do Amen Clinics and Amen University treat the brain for mental and physical health? Dr. Daniel Amen developed the SPECT Imaging system to more accurately diagnose and treat brain-related issues. But Amen doesn’t stop there.  They assess and address biological, psychological, social and spiritual factors holistically. Cindy Santa Ana is the Integrative Nutritionist for Amen Clinics, and works w...

What type of effort can an organization create for team members that will drive actual significant improvements in their physical and mental health, as well as the effectiveness and productivity of the team and the business? Erin Foushee is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and founder of Fortis Wellness.  Throughout her 17 years in the health space, Erin has taught college courses in...

What’s the big deal about the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans that came out from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in January 2026? Proponents claim it is the most significant update to federal eating advice in generations and that it flips the original food pyramid on it's head.  Detractors consider it more of a marketing gimmick and afront to traditional health advice. Two experienced Func...

Organization Braver Angels asks the question, and I’ve got thoughts.  The American Dream (the phrase itself) was coined in 1931, and it has taken on great symbolic meaning in the decades since. What does it mean today, is it still a relevant thing that we share, and is it attainable for all? I think that a version of the American Dream still resonates, is something we still pursue and can achieve,...

May I read to you the introduction to my book Stress Response in hopes that you will download the eBook, now available on Amazon for only 99 cents?  Please return the favor by submitting an honest review and rating, so that others will be more likely to find and buy (and benefit from!) the book.  In the introduction to Stress Response, I tell a bit about my recent story, make the point that we all...