The Medical Fitness Podcast

Season 4, Episode 3 of the Medical Fitness Podcast focuses on one of the most important and often misunderstood topics in our field: clinical integration. In this episode, David Flench, Thomas Hammett, and Jeff Young discuss the difference between offering medical fitness “programs” and truly becoming part of how healthcare is delivered. We cover why clinical integration requires more than good intentions. It requires structured referral pathways, defined roles, clinician trust, vetted exercise professionals, communication loops, and meaningful outcome tracking. We also discuss why programs can help patients and clinicians understand what is being offered, but should not lead to gimmicky or underdosed exercise. The goal is not simply to create more programs. The goal is to build intentional systems that connect medicine, rehabilitation, and fitness in a way that improves patient care. If you work in healthcare, rehabilitation, lifestyle medicine, fitness, or medical fitness, this episode will help clarify what true clinical integration actually looks like. Listen to Season 4, Episode 3 of the Medical Fitness Podcast: Clinical Integration. Support the show

Building the Rehab-to-Fitness Bridge with Dr. Thomas Hammett In this episode, Jeff sits down with Dr. Thomas Hammett to examine one of the most persistent breakdowns in healthcare: the gap between rehabilitation and long-term fitness. Most patients are discharged from physical therapy with a home exercise program, not a structured transition to a qualified fitness professional. The result is predictable, recurring pain, incomplete recovery, and missed opportunities to build long-term resilience. This conversation challenges the assumption that discharge equals completion. Dr. Hammett shares data from a 450-patient sample showing that 80% of patients are interested in learning how lifestyle, nutrition, and long-term exercise influence their condition. That finding directly counters the belief that patients are disinterested. The issue is not motivation, it is messaging, systems design, and failure to assess readiness to change. The episode explores how early conversations, simple screening questions, and culture shifts within clinics can transform the rehab experience into the first step of a larger continuum. The discussion then moves beyond individual clinicians and into leadership and operations. Topics include rebranding from “orthopedic rehab” to “lifestyle medicine,” building referral trust, aligning mission with financial sustainability, tracking outcomes, and avoiding the common mistake of treating fitness referrals like general population clients. Exercise professionals must learn medical language, refine progression planning, and demonstrate both technical and behavioral competency to earn clinician confidence. The central takeaway is clear: rehab is not the finish line. Medicine stabilizes. Rehab restores. Medical fitness builds capacity. If we want durable outcomes, fewer recurrences, and true culture change, the bridge between rehab and fitness must become standard practice, not an afterthought. Support the show

Season 4 of the Medical Fitness Podcast is here, and we have officially rebranded the show into a two-part format: Part 1: We interview a guest on what we consider a true “hot topic” in medical fitness. Part 2: We reconvene to break down the conversation and translate it into practical takeaways. For Season 4, Episode 1, we sat down with Jason Jones (Technogym) to tackle one of the most important issues in clinically integrated fitness right now: data collection and outcomes tracking. Jason makes a clear case that if you are not measuring meaningful outcomes, you are not proving impact. And if you are not proving impact, you risk being seen as an “activity center” rather than a health and performance solution that belongs in modern healthcare. Key themes we cover: Why outcomes are a core differentiator in medical fitness, and why they matter strategically (not just academically). The common trap of collecting too much data and overwhelming staff, and how to avoid it. The value of starting small with a short list of “easy win” metrics (think: 3–5) and building your system over time. How to organize outcomes in a practical way: performance/fitness capacity, patient-reported outcomes, adherence and completion, and more. How technology can reduce friction, create consistency, and make reassessments and reporting realistic in the real world. In Part 2, we expand on the implications: outcomes tracking is not just measurement, it is positioning. It can determine whether a program gets treated like an optional amenity or a clinical asset that drives referrals, retention, credibility, and long-term growth. To connect with Jason: Email: jjones@technogym.com LinkedIn: Search “Jason Jones” + “Technogym” If you work in medical fitness, lifestyle medicine, physical therapy, or any setting where exercise is being positioned as healthcare, this two-part episode will sharpen how you think about measurement, value, and credibility. Support the show

Season 3, Episode 22 of the Medical Fitness Podcast is live, and it is an extremely insightful conversation. In this episode, Thomas sits down with Courtney McCliment, a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and manager of the Lifestyle Medicine Department at Valley Medical Center. Courtney oversees physical and occupational therapists, registered dietitians, cardiac and pulmonary rehab staff, and medical exercise personnel across a large multidisciplinary team. Her advocacy for exercise, behavior change, and patient empowerment is unmatched. This conversation goes far deeper than standard discussions about nutrition or exercise. Highlights include: 1. Why “move more” is not enough. Courtney explains why physical activity must be viewed as a prescription, not a hobby, and why relying on generic advice leaves patients stuck. She details how movement drives metabolic change, supports long-term disease management, and gives patients genuine control over their health. 2. Strength training as a cornerstone therapy for insulin resistance. Courtney outlines how skeletal muscle drives glucose metabolism, why under-muscled patients face major metabolic limitations, and how resistance training is essential for improving type 2 diabetes outcomes. 3. The real story behind bariatric surgery preparation. Courtney walks through the rigorous nutrition and behavioral requirements patients must meet long before surgery, and why expecting them to self-diagnose their own exercise plan often backfires. Her examples make clear why structured guidance matters, especially for medically complex individuals. 4. How continuous glucose monitors (CGM) can transform motivation. She explains how CGM provides immediate feedback about the effects of meals, stress, sleep, and exercise, and why this real-time insight often increases patient engagement far more than traditional education. It is one of the most powerful behavior-change tools now available. 5. A practical look at motivational interviewing. Courtney shares how true behavior change conversations differ from education or advice-giving, why fear-based messaging fails, and how eliciting a patient’s own motivations creates lasting adherence. Her examples are relevant to clinicians, coaches, and anyone trying to help people change. This is one of those episodes that blends science, clinical wisdom, and real-world experience in a way that can reshape how clinicians and fitness professionals think about patient care. If you work in medicine, rehab, fitness, lifestyle medicine, diabetes education, bariatric services, or health coaching, you will take something meaningful from this conversation. Listen to Season 3, Episode 22 now and share it with colleagues who believe lifestyle change deserves a seat at the clinical table. Support the show

🎙️ New Episode: Season 3, Episode 21 — “Bridging Lifestyle Medicine and Medical Fitness with Dr. Andrew Mock” In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Andrew Mock, physician, educator, and national leader in lifestyle medicine and medical fitness. Dr. Mock currently serves as Chair of the Fitness & Medicine Member Interest Group for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Chair of the MFA Physician Advisory Committee, and a member of the MFA Board of Directors. He’s also delivering a keynote presentation at the upcoming Medical Fitness Association Annual Conference in San Diego. Dr. Mock shares his personal journey and his evolving vision for how medicine and fitness must merge to build a healthier society. Together, we explore five key topics shaping the future of medical fitness: ✅ The Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine in a Medical Fitness Context Dr. Mock discusses how the six pillars—nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoidance of risky substances—can be assessed and integrated into every medical fitness program. While nutrition and exercise often receive attention, he highlights sleep and connection as profoundly underutilized levers for improving health outcomes. He also emphasizes how substance use, while often overlooked in fitness settings, should be addressed through proper screening and referral systems. ✅ The Underrated Role of Sleep and Recovery Sleep emerged as one of the most powerful yet neglected health determinants. Dr. Mock explains that inadequate sleep impacts every physiological system and is linked to billions of dollars in productivity loss annually. He and Jeff discuss how wearables and self-monitoring can help track improvements in sleep and recovery as patients progress through medical fitness programs. They also explore how progressive resistance training and structured recovery can coexist under the same “sleep” pillar, representing two sides of the same restorative process. ✅ Behavior Change and Habit Formation Dr. Mock outlines practical methods for promoting sustained lifestyle change, including habit stacking, self-monitoring, and shifting from outcome-oriented to process-oriented goals. He explains how simple prompts (like linking daily activities to desired behaviors) and connecting patients to their deeper “why” can dramatically improve adherence. The discussion reinforces that long-term success depends not on willpower alone but on intentional structure, tracking, and meaning. ✅ The Role of Exercise Professionals in Clinical Integration Exercise professionals, Dr. Mock notes, are essential to bridging the gap between medicine and wellness. Since most physicians receive minimal formal training in exercise prescription, fitness professionals with advanced education and credentials play a key role in guiding patients safely and effectively. He emphasizes the importance of two-way communication between clinicians and fitness specialists, data sharing, and referral quality control to build trust and continuity of care. ✅ Policy and Advocacy: Coverage Determination and the Path to Reimbursement Dr. Mock provides an inside look at current efforts to secure insurance coverage for exercise services through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). He explains the ongoing work between the Medical Fitness Association, Physical Activity Alliance, and American College of Lifestyle Medicine to expand national coverage determinations and modify the Physician Fee Schedule so that preventive exercise interventions can be reimbursed. The discussion also touches on the need for standardized exercise reporting (CERT) and better data capture to strengthen the c Support the show

🎙️ New Episode of the Medical Fitness Podcast Guest: Dr. Michelle Segar, University of Michigan In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Michelle Segar, NIH-funded scientist, author of No Sweat and The Joy Choice, and internationally recognized expert on sustainable behavior change. With more than 30 years of research and coaching experience, Dr. Segar has advised organizations like the World Health Organization, Kaiser Permanente, and Walmart on how to create lasting lifestyle change. What we cover: The “lightbulb” moment:Why people don’t stay active:A better approach:1. Pleasure & positivity – helping people actually enjoy movement. 2. Permission for self-care – reframing exercise as fuel for life, not a selfish act. 3. Flexible strategies – building a toolkit of options so people can adapt when life gets busy. The power of the “why”:Changing mindsets, not just behaviors:Key takeaway: If we want people to sustain physical activity, we must help them discover ways to feel good while moving. Enjoyment, permission, and flexible strategies—not shame, rigid goals, or generic prescriptions—are what create lifelong habits. 📌 Dr. Segar will also present an MFA webinar on October 7th: Reframing Exercise: Why our approach to exercise counseling causes harm and what science shows is a better way. She will also be leading a pre-conference workshop at the ACLM annual conference in November. Connect with Dr. Michelle Segar: Support the show

🚨 New Episode Alert: The Brain Health Opportunity 🚨 We just dropped a powerful episode of the Medical Fitness Podcast featuring Ryan Glatt, Senior Brain Health Coach and Director of the FitBrain Program at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute Foundation. Ryan’s path into brain health is anything but ordinary—starting with childhood concussions, video games like Dance Dance Revolution, and eventually pioneering how exercise, cognition, and technology can come together to improve brain health. 🎙 In this episode, Ryan shares: double by 2050dual-task trainingclinical exergamingMFA Brain Health Program Accreditation👉 Whether you’re a clinician, fitness professional, or simply want to protect your own brain health, this episode highlights the massive opportunity to bridge neuroscience and fitness. 📲 Connect with Ryan: LinkedInInstagram@glatt.brainhealthSupport the show

🚨 New Episode of the Medical Fitness Podcast! 🚨 This week, we sit down with Simon Matthews, a psychologist and global leader in health behavior change coaching. Simon has nearly 30 years of experience helping people bridge the gap between mental health, physical health, and lifestyle medicine. In this episode, we cover: ✅ Why clinicians often struggle when patients present with hopelessness and helplessness—and how to prevent burnout when faced with it. ✅ The Common Factors Theory and why the patient–clinician relationship and fostering hope often outweigh any single tool or method. ✅ Practical strategies clinicians and fitness professionals can use to strengthen trust, empathy, and coaching skills. ✅ How small affirmations and helping patients recognize their own resources can create powerful momentum for behavior change. ✅ What true interdisciplinary care could look like in the future—and why lifestyle medicine may be the key to breaking down silos in healthcare. Simon also shares insights from research on empathy, his approach to coaching healthcare leaders, and a preview of his upcoming ACLM pre-conference workshop on supporting patients who feel “stuck.” 🎧 Tune in now to learn how to apply these lessons in your own practice and better support patients and clients in making meaningful, lasting change. 👉 Follow Simon Matthews: · LinkedIn: Search Simon Matthews (the one connected to Jeff Young & Thomas Hammett) · Website: www.simonmatthewsconsulting.com Support the show

🚨 New Medical Fitness Podcast Episode! We’re joined by Dr. M. Lucius Pomerantz—orthopedic surgeon, lifestyle medicine physician, and founding member of the MFA Physician Advisory Committee. Dr. Pomerantz shares how he combines surgical expertise with lifestyle medicine to help patients not only recover but also thrive. From small, sustainable lifestyle changes to the role of exercise as “the best medicine,” his insights show how healthcare and fitness can truly work together to improve lives. 💡 Highlights include: ✔️ Bridging orthopedics and lifestyle medicine ✔️ Helping patients connect health goals to purpose ✔️ Building collaborative care teams (PT, nutrition, fitness) ✔️ His vision for the future of medical fitness 🎙️ Listen now and get inspired by Dr. Pomerantz’s approach to redefining patient care. Support the show

🚨 NEW PODCAST EPISODE ALERT! 🚨 🎧 Medical Fitness Podcast | Powered by the Medical Fitness Association + MRFi 🔥 This one’s a must-listen for anyone serious about bridging the gap between healthcare and fitness. We sat down with Carly Headd, Director of Programming at Pinnacle Lifestyle Medicine, to unpack what real medical fitness looks like in action—from behavior change coaching and chronic disease programming to building powerful referral pathways from PTs and RDs into long-term fitness care. 🏥 Carly shares: · How she moved from exercise physiologist to leadership · Why behavior change is often more important than the exercise prescription itself · How to build confidence and credibility as an EP in clinical settings · What she looks for when hiring fitness professionals in a medical model · How Pinnacle’s Lifestyle 365 program leverages standardized assessments, education, and collaboration with PTs and RDs to drive outcomes · How they track referral effectiveness by provider, not just clinic ⚠️ Key message: You can design the best program in the world—but if the patient isn’t behaviorally ready, it won’t matter. Carly reminds us that health coaching skills are not optional anymore—they’re essential. And yes—we talk data too. You’ll hear how Pinnacle tracks referral patterns, uses CGMs in pilot programs, and avoids overwhelming patients with metrics they don’t understand. 💥 Whether you're a clinician, exercise physiologist, or just someone working to build a bridge between medicine and fitness—this episode delivers. 🎙️ LISTEN NOW — Available on all platforms. 📬 Connect with Carly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-headd-4a3589a6/ Support the show

🎙️ New Episode: Redefining Cardiac Rehab—How One Team Is Disrupting the Status Quo 📍 Season 3, Episode 14 | Guests: Ashan Korala & Alex Cannon 🎧 Listen now on all major podcast platforms For decades, cardiac rehab has followed the same outdated script: light aerobic work, RPE-based guesswork, minimal resistance training, and low adherence. The result? Underwhelming outcomes and missed opportunities. In this episode, we spotlight a cardiac rehab model that challenges all of that. Ashan Korala, Director of Wellness Services at Pinnacle Lifestyle Medicine, and Alex Cannon, Lead Exercise Physiologist at Valley Medical Center, join us to break down how they’ve rebuilt cardiac rehab from the inside out—shifting from subjective, nurse-led monitoring to a progressive, data-driven, exercise science-based program that delivers real outcomes. 🚨 Highlights from the conversation: ✅ Objective Testing Over Guesswork Patients now undergo baseline submax VO₂ testing and 1RM assessments. VO₂ estimates are used to guide aerobic prescriptions, while strength training is periodized using real metrics, not assumptions. ✅ Resistance Training Is No Longer Optional Forget light bands and 5-pound dumbbells. Their program integrates structured, progressive resistance training using Technogym’s BioCircuit system—allowing for safe eccentric overload, objective progress tracking, and meaningful improvements in lean mass and strength. ✅ Quantifiable Outcomes •35.5% increase in VO₂ (vs. national average of ~10%) •12% increase in grip strength •27 average visits per patient (vs. 15 national average) •Seamless transition into a structured, self-pay phase 3 program with high continuity rates ✅ Built-In Safety, Structure, and Oversight This model isn't just scalable, it's smart. Safety features in the equipment, team-based staffing models, and consistent reassessments allow for aggressive progression when appropriate, and conservative dosing when necessary. ✅ Patient Retention Through Smart Handoffs The “Vitality Visit” and integrated phase 3 transition model ensure patients don’t fall through the cracks post-rehab. Instead of handing them a generic home exercise program and hoping for the best, they’re walked directly into their next step—with purpose, planning, and accountability. 💬 “This isn’t just cardiac rehab. It’s a clinic-wide systems shift—fusing medical oversight with the best of exercise science. And it’s working.” Whether you're a clinician referring to rehab, an exercise specialist working in a hospital, or a fitness pro hoping to collaborate across disciplines—this episode is a blueprint for what cardiac rehab should look like. 🧠 Data-driven. 💪 Strength-integrated. 🔁 Patient-centered. 📈 Outcome-focused. This is how we bridge the gap. Support the show

🏥💪 A Certified First in Medical Fitness: How One YMCA is Reshaping Community Health 🎙️ In the latest episode of the Medical Fitness Podcast, we sat down with Veronica Lopez, RN, Vice President of Health Strategies at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine—the first YMCA in the country to become Medical Fitness Association certified. Hosted by David Flench, President and CEO of the MFA, this episode is a playbook for any organization looking to elevate their impact, credibility, and partnerships in the health continuum. What you'll learn: 🔹 How a vision became reality: Veronica explains how her team took a bold idea—positioning the Y as a legitimate healthcare ally—and executed it across nine branches. 🔹 Behind the scenes of MFA certification: From culture shifts and weekly task-force meetings to scoring a 97+ on the audit, this is the blueprint for making medical fitness real in a community setting. 🔹 Why now?: With healthcare access gaps, transportation deserts, and chronic disease on the rise, the Y leaned in—not away—and created solutions like the Fit Truk, a mobile fitness and screening center. 🔹 What’s next? “Prescribe the Y” is launching soon, powered by encrypted EHR and real clinical referrals. Their team of certified professionals (mostly NASM) is trained, connected, and ready. 🔹 Key takeaways for leaders: Don’t wait for the perfect time—start with your “why.” Create cross-functional teams and track progress visually (think: red-yellow-green dashboards). Certification isn’t about checking a box—it’s about credibility, partnerships, and long-term sustainability. A certified facility gets a real seat at the healthcare table. Whether you’re in healthcare, fitness, public health, or community leadership, this episode shows what’s possible when standards meet passion—and when strategy meets service. 👇 Tag a clinician, YMCA leader, or fitness professional who needs to hear this. Support the show

🎙️ NEW EPISODE ALERT: “From Policy to Pavement: Building a Physically Active Nation” 💪🗽 In this powerful new episode of the Medical Fitness Podcast, co-hosts Jeff Young (MRF Institute) and David Flench (Medical Fitness Association) sit down with Greg Mihailovich, National Advocacy Consultant for the American Heart Association, to break down what it really takes to make physical activity a national priority. 🔥 We’re not just talking about guidelines — we’re talking about action: ✅ How the AHA pushes for policy, system, and environmental change ✅ The origin and evolution of the Physical Activity Alliance ✅ The inside story behind the launch of the New York Moves Coalition ✅ The challenges and equity issues in state-level planning ✅ Lessons from success stories in NYC, Michigan, and West Virginia 🎯 Whether you're a healthcare provider, policymaker, fitness professional, or someone fighting for a healthier future in your community — this episode shows how advocacy and collaboration can drive measurable change. 📣 “You can’t just tell people to move more. You have to create the conditions that make movement possible — and sustainable.” 👂 Tune in to learn how we’re scaling the blueprint for a movement-friendly nation. From state coalitions to national campaigns like “It’s Time to Move,” this conversation lays out what’s working, what’s scalable, and why your voice matters. 🎧 Available now on all podcast platforms. Support the show

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: When PT Ends, What’s Next? A Physiatrist’s Answer to the Follow-Through Problem Dr. Sarae Jandreau is not your average physician. A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, athlete, and former assistant strength coach, she’s now a newly minted physiatrist with a mission: bridge the disconnect between therapy, medicine, and fitness. This episode is a masterclass in what can happen when a physician is trained in the science of exercise before they ever wear a white coat. Sarae gets it — the underdosing, the communication breakdowns, the passive referrals that never go anywhere. She’s not just treating back pain, she’s addressing the root cause and planning for what the patient’s body should look like 20 years from now. We dig into: 🔹 What physiatry is — and why it’s uniquely positioned to bridge medicine, rehab, and fitness 🔹 How Sarae plans to use intake forms and lifestyle screening tools (like ACLM’s Epic integration) to prime patients for behavior change 🔹 What really happens when therapy “didn’t work” — and why that phrase should always prompt follow-up questions 🔹 Why physicians need to vet fitness pros — and how most clinicians don’t know how 🔹 What true collaboration across specialties should look like — not just in theory, but in practice Physicians: if you’ve ever felt like you’re sending patients into a black hole after discharge... this one’s for you. Fitness professionals: if you want to earn the trust of clinicians... listen closely to how Sarae evaluates potential collaborators. The field is changing. We need more doctors like Sarae — who speak the language of strength, who understand dosing, and who aren’t afraid to teach, question, and collaborate. Connect with Dr. Jandreau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarae-sager-jandreau-do-cscs/ Support the show

🚨 NEW EPISODE DROP! 🚨 How is digital health reshaping cardiac care—especially for women and underserved populations? 🎙️ On the latest episode of the Medical Fitness Podcast, we team up with the American Heart Association to bring you an insightful conversation with Dr. Ritu Thamman, cardiologist, digital health leader, and fierce advocate for women's heart health. We discuss: ✅ Why digital tools are critical to improving access and outcomes ✅ How virtual cardiac rehab can close care gaps ✅ The unique barriers women face—and how asynchronous tech can help ✅ Why certifications like the AHA’s Digital Health in Cardiac Care are becoming essential for fitness pros ✅ The game-changing role of Life’s Essential 8 in prevention 🔓 Limited-time offer: Access the AHA's CPAHA Telehealth Certification FREE through June 30! → medicalfitness.org 💥 Whether you're in-clinic or virtual, your role in prevention just got more powerful. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 👊 Keep changing lives. One heartbeat at a time. Support the show

🎙️ NEW EPISODE ALERT: The Medical Fitness Podcast 🔗 This week, we sit down with one of the pioneers in exercise oncology — Dr. Karen Wonders — and if you work in the medical fitness space, this is a must-listen. Dr. Wonders is a professor at Wright State University, director of both the Exercise Science and Exercise Oncology Certificate Programs, AND founder/CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance. She's been on the front lines of integrating exercise into the cancer care continuum since the early 2000s, long before most of the field even had a name for it. 🔥 In this episode: ✅ What exercise oncology really means — and why it’s now part of standard of care in breast cancer ✅ How fitness professionals should collaborate with oncology teams ✅ Programming considerations during prehab, active treatment, and survivorship ✅ How her certification programs with Maple Tree (now partnered with MFA) are building the workforce we need ✅ Why patient trust and interdisciplinary credibility are everything 💡 If you're a clinician, fitness professional, or educator — this episode gives you the roadmap for getting involved in one of the most important emerging areas in medical fitness. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 📣 Learn more about Dr. Karen Wonders: 🌐 Website: MapleTreeCancerAlliance.org 📱 Instagram & TikTok: @MapleTreeEducation Support the show

New Episode Drop! 🎙️ Get ready for one of our most practical and powerful conversations yet on The Medical Fitness Podcast. We’re joined by Raina Childers-Richmond — registered dietitian, certified health coach, and a true pioneer in integrating nutrition, behavior change, and fitness inside medically integrated centers. With nearly three decades of experience, Raina brings frontline insights you won't hear anywhere else. In this episode, we dive deep into: Supporting clients on anti-obesity medications (GLP-1s and beyond)Nutrition for active aging and women’s healthRedefining medical fitness centersCollaboration vs. Scope CreepBuilding engagement that lastsEmerging TrendsWhether you’re a fitness professional, clinician, program director, or health leader, this episode will leave you thinking differently about how to serve your clients and patients more effectively — and humanely. 🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts — this is a conversation the medical fitness industry needs right now. 🗓️ Plus: If you want to connect with Raina in person and dig even deeper into these topics, catch her live at the MFA Central Region Summit in Owensboro, Kentucky this June! Support the show

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT — Season 3, Episode 8 🎙️ The Medical Fitness Podcast Powered by the Medical Fitness Association + the Medicine-Rehab-Fitness Institute 🎧 Guest: Dr. Jessica Matthews 🎓 Tenured Professor, Program Director – M.S. Integrative Wellness, Point Loma Nazarene University 🏥 Clinical + Research Appointment – UC San Diego Health 🏆 Former Board Member – ACLM & National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching In this powerhouse episode, we sit down with returning guest and long-time friend of the show, Dr. Jessica Matthews — one of the nation’s top voices in integrative health, health behavior change, and lifestyle medicine. 🔊 What you’ll hear: ✅ Why most traditional healthcare education STILL misses the mark on health behavior change – and how Dr. Matthews built a nationally recognized grad program to fix it ✅ How clinicians and fitness professionals can stop “practicing in silos” and start collaborating effectively ✅ What health and wellness coaching really is — and how it can be implemented successfully into clinical care workflows ✅ The exact skill gaps that are holding many health professionals back from effectively guiding patients through sustainable lifestyle change ✅ A raw and personal look at how Dr. Matthews’ family experiences with chronic disease + recovery shape everything she teaches ✅ Behind the scenes of UC San Diego Health’s coaching integration model — plus barriers, reimbursement challenges, and scalable strategies 🧠 Whether you’re a clinician, coach, educator, or fitness pro, this episode will challenge your assumptions, sharpen your perspective, and ignite your sense of what’s possible when we get behavior change right. 🎯 Big themes: • Communication as clinical competency • Interdisciplinary training done right • Coaching mindset > authority mindset • Dosing lifestyle medicine for real-world results • Bridging healthcare and fitness through trust + workflow alignment 🗣️ “You can’t expect clinicians to refer unless you understand their pain points—and their workflow.” 🗣️ “Lifestyle medicine DOES work—when it’s dosed appropriately and supported by the right systems.” 🗣️ “We don’t need more buzzwords. We need more collaboration.” 🗣️ “My mom went from an A1C of 13 to under 5.7—and she was given a 1% chance to live.” Support the show

🚨 NEW EPISODE – Season 3, Episode 7 of the Medical Fitness Podcast 🎙️ “Muscle as Medicine: Strength Training for Health & Longevity” . Featuring Dr. Rachele Pojednic Powered by the Medical Fitness Association and the MRF Institute . What happens when an Ivy League scientist, Harvard educator, Stanford faculty member, and lifelong fitness advocate steps into the medical fitness conversation? You get an unforgettable episode with Dr. Rachele Pojednic—who brings the receipts and the passion. . This episode is a deep dive into why skeletal muscle is one of the most powerful, underrated tools we have to combat chronic disease, improve metabolic health, and extend healthspan. Rachele breaks it down in a way both clinicians and fitness professionals can use immediately in practice. . 🔬 Topics we cover: muscle is a critical organresistance training in metabolism, glucose regulation, and insulin sensitivitymassive gap in female-specific researchpostmenopausal women CAN build musclethere’s no single perfect protocolnutritional literacy. Rachele also shares personal insights from working in both academia and the wellness industry, and how bridging those silos is essential for real impact. She gets blunt (and refreshingly honest) about the social conditioning that keeps women away from strength training—and what we can all do to change that narrative. This is one of those episodes you’ll want to share with your clients, patients, students, and colleagues. If you're a clinician, strength coach, trainer, or anyone working at the intersection of medicine and movement, this conversation is mandatory listening. 📍 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts 🔗 Full episode + show notes linked in bio 👥 Follow Dr. Pojednic at @rachelepojednic and rachelepojednic.com 🧠 Learn more about the MRF Institute and the work we're doing to connect medicine, rehab, and fitness Support the show

🔥 NEW EPISODE ALERT! 🔥 . Season 3, Episode 6 of the Medical Fitness Podcast just dropped, and we’re bringing back a powerhouse guest—Dr. Rick Howard! 🎙️💪 . Rick is a leader in applied sports science, strength & conditioning, and long-term athletic development—and when he talks, people listen! 👏 . This episode dives into game-changing strategies for increasing physical activity at every stage of life, from childhood through older adulthood. We cover: . 🚀 The National Physical Activity Plan—How the Physical Activity Alliance is working to make physical activity a national priority, and what you can do at the local level to help. 📍 State-Level Action in Motion—How initiatives like New York Moves and Play Move Thrive are creating real change by tailoring fitness strategies to local communities. 🏋️‍♂️ Strength & Conditioning for ALL—Why it’s not just for athletes, and how coaches, clinicians, and fitness pros can integrate evidence-based training for lifelong health. 🤝 Breaking Down Silos—Why collaboration and collective impact are essential to getting people moving and shifting public health trends. 🏅 The Role of Qualified Professionals—How NSCA, ACSM, SHAPE America, and other leading organizations are stepping up to improve fitness education and programming. . 💡 This episode is packed with insights for: ✔️ Clinicians looking to integrate fitness into healthcare ✔️ Strength coaches & trainers who want to bridge the gap between sports performance and public health ✔️ Educators & policymakers working to improve youth and adult fitness ✔️ Anyone who cares about making movement a priority across the lifespan . 🔥 Don’t miss this powerful conversation with Dr. Rick Howard! . 📢 Tag a colleague who needs to hear this! Support the show