The Optimal Body

Dealing with soreness? Concerned about your soreness? DocJen & Dr. Dom dive answer frequently asked questions about the science behind soreness. Diving into what delayed onset muscle awareness is, where you might feel it, and why soreness occurs, DocJen & Dr. Dom describe the types of exercises that might elicit a greater soreness response and what other factors could be contributing to the degree...

Struggling with back pain? Feel like your back pain is never getting better? Tim Reynolds and Bryan Guzksi, physical therapists, take you from PT school to clinical practice as they hone in on how their curiosity drove their career path. Then, they discuss the psychology behind back pain and how you can trust that your back pain will resolve. In the name of research and clinical experience, Tim &...

Do you warm-up? Cooldown? At times, warm-ups and cool-downs feel unimportant or a waste of time, however, DocJen & Dr. Dom break the confusion in this episode. With a high emphasis on specificity, they explain the importance of strategically warming up the body to prepare for the upcoming movement and cool down to truly downregulate the system and facilitate recovery. After explaining the RAMP pro...

Lose weight by eating more or less? Jason Philips takes us back to his teens as he shares his perspective on dealing with Anorexia Nervosa. With his story inspiring his passion for nutrition education, he simplifies the rabbit hole of fat loss and nutrition, explaining caloric maintenance, restoring biofeedback, and true stress management. Through his triangle of awareness approach, he speaks abou...

Is a weak core giving you back pain? Feeling your low back during core exercises? Will core workouts rid your back pain? DocJen & Dr. Dom debunk common myths surrounding the relationship between core exercises and back pain. Clarifying the possible roots of back pain, they explain the how the biopsychosocial model in relation to expectations, mindsets, and beliefs surrounding interventions and pai...

Dealing with recurrent, current chronic pain? Is pain all in the mind? Wondering how different techniques are helping your pain? We have Dr. Alex Anderson, Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, on to break down the shifts in pain science and why pain is important.  Using the biopsychosocial model, Dr. Alex addresses pain through a biomedical perspective, and how psyc...

Bloated often? Dr. Jen & Dr. Dom break down the anatomy and different components of the gut. After discussing their experiences with gut issues, they dive into how gut mobility and motility relate to fascial connections.  By describing different manual techniques to help reduce that bloat, they hone in on the importance of diaphragmatic breathing and the role of the nervous system, as well as diff...

Whether you are looking to get pregnant in the near future, are pregnant, or are due soon, Dr. Breanna covers it all in the interview. As a board certified physical therapist with post-doctorate training in obstetrics and pelvic health, and a mother of three, she dives into the lack of education about the birthing process and where you can find resources to get educated. As she rides the wave of h...

New Year, New You? Creating new year resolutions? Perhaps not. It’s not about re-inventing yourself or changing who you are, but about how you develop and grow everyday. As DocJen says, “It’s about continuing to be aware and create evolving pattern of YOU throughout the years.” DocJen & Dr. Dom dive into how you can make sustainable goals for the new year! Debunking expectations typically seen in...

Heard of the attachment theory? Perhaps sacred union? Wanting insight into the psychology of cheating and sex addiction? Sick of social pressures influencing your relationships? Curious about freedom in a relationship? We have Stefanos Sifandos to discuss the intricacies and aura within relationships as he leans into the vulnerability and humility that comes through his story of childhood trauma m...

Been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis? Fear loading the spine or moving around it? DocJen & Dr. Dom dive into what’s happening with the spine when diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis, the research around its prevalence, and who may be more prone to the diagnosis, explaining the potential causes of Spinal Stenosis. They explain Spinal Stenosis as an extension-based diagnosis that requires flexion-based tr...

Sick of social pressures influencing your relationships? Curious about how to overcome arguments in relationships? Want to understand the difference between momentary infatuation and reality? Curious about true love? Feel like your past is getting in your way of a successful relationship? We've got you covered with an insightful interview with Christine Hassler. Firstly, Christine discusses how to...

Wondering how to find a good physical therapist? DocJen & Dr. Dom have got you covered with their best tips to finding the best physical therpist for you. Providing you with a few questions that will help you understand a physical therapist's approach, method, and understanding, they discuss the importane of education, the ability to listen, and how they use in-clininc tools. Then, they describe w...

Considering Knee Replacement? Wanting to delay getting knee surgery, but don’t know where to start? Curious about the best way to manage swelling? Unsure which experts are reliable online? We have Dr. Kelly Starrett back on the podcast to provide you an insightful rundown on his journey with his knee replacement journey, and how you can optimally navigate online education to optimize your health....

Got High Arches? You’re in luck. DocJen & Dr. Dom provide insight into when you should address your high arches. They explain the importance of focusing on function, rather than structure. They describe the different types of high arches and their prevalence. Dr. Dom shares his journey with flat feet and how he is navigating function in his feet again, discussing the interaction between foot and a...

Feel like you are too old to start exercising? Have an aesthetic goal, but trying to navigate body positivity? In need of tips for finding balance and flexibility with discipline and intuitive eating? Don Saladino, the celebrity trainer and fitness expert, offers a compelling perspective on aging, goal setting, body positivity, nutrition, and finding a balanced lifestyle for YOU. With an emphasis...

What is Breathwork? What makes it a hot topic? Let’s dive into the science of breathwork and how it relates to the autonomic nervous system. DocJen & Dr. Dom dive into stress and recovery and how breath can be one simple tool to access the different states. They describe the differences between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, how they related to principles of survival, and how...

Wanting to fix your relationship with food? Had experience with an eating disorder? Wanting out of your eating disorder? Know that you are not alone! Kelsey Heenan, takes us through an emotional ride as she describes her eating disorder journey, her thoughts, and exactly how she was feeling as she tried to navigate her overriding, fearful, and anxiety-inducing thoughts around food and body image....

Consistency, awareness, accountability/community, grace/compassion, individuality. Do these resonate with you? To DocJen ad Dr. Dom, these ideas mold the path to finding what’s optimal within your body and how you can truly begin to feel something different. They dive into The Optimal Body Membership and the Jen Platform, and how these concepts manifest through the toolbox they provide you and emp...

Curious about baby development? Feel like your parent-worth is defined by the visible developmental stage of your baby? Wanting to optimize the physical and neurological development of your baby? Kailee, a pediatric physical therapist, walks you through her top tips in navigating self-worth as a parent and how it relates to baby development, as well as her approach to finding a balance between all...

Worried about noises in your ankle? Can you stop bodywork if you improve mobility? Thinking about working with your significant other? Thinking about investing in a pair of Vivo Barefoot shoes? DocJen & Dr. Dom dive into it all, providing their insights on coaching beginners, the power of mobility, the pelvic floor, breaking stigmas around working with your partner, the noises from your ankles, an...

Commitment, Excellence, Respect. Resonate with these values? Luka shines a light on topics of identity, an individual’s narrative, self-esteem, and confidence as characteristics of cultivating a healthy mindset to build healthy habits.  To start off, Luka discusses the philosophy he currently lives his life by and shares four values that help him cultivate the unique culture that he embodies. In s...

Shoulder popping left right and center? Hearing or feeling weird noises from your shoulder? Let’s combat your assumptions about what is happening in the shoulder in this episode! DocJen & Dr. Dom explain the medical diagnosis – shoulder crepitus- for noises in the shoulder. Explaining the anatomy of the shoulder, they break down the types of noises that could be associated with pathologies around...

“You are an athlete if you have a body.” Kaisa, the co-founder of Just Move, spills the truths about movement, recovery, and how it all relates to finding your truth and freedom within the body. Kaisa goes way back to middle school and high school, sharing her journey with navigating body confidence, fitting in, and athletic ability as an adolescent. She shares how she overcame obstacles with body...

Is meniscus injury worrying you? Considering surgery but feel like there’s a way out? Dr. Jen & Dr. Dom dive into the anatomy of the Menisci, potential causes, and which populations tend to be of higher risk. Then, Dr. Dom shares his journey with his Meniscus injury, speaking into his mistakes and his post-rehabilitation. Dr. Jen & Dr. Dom discuss their perspective on surgery and the importance of...