"There is never an age or a skill level where your body will not respond to the positive energy you put into it to become healthier," says Vonda Wright, M.D., M.S.

Vonda, a double-board-certified orthopedic surgeon, joins us to discuss the best tips to build muscle, enhance bone density, and support mobility long-term, plus:

- How the bones & muscles talk to each other (~00:09)

- How to assess your bone & muscle health (~02:27)

- How to measure joint health (~09:47)

- How to assess VO2 max (~11:56)

- Common lifestyle activities that harm bone & joint health (~13:43)

- The impact of surfaces on bone health over time (~18:23)

- How women should strength train as they age (~20:27)

- Why Vonda doesn’t prefer weight machines (~23:40)

- How Vonda recommends splitting up workouts (~25:43)

- Should women do cardio as they age? (~29:19)

- The power of exercise “snacks” (~32:36)

- Why estrogen is the “elixir of longevity” (~35:02)

- Vonda’s nutrition philosophy (~38:21)

- The role of mindset in extending healthspan (~41:09)

- How Vonda recommends surgery vs. lifestyle methods (~45:31)

- The future of orthopedics & recovery (~47:59)

- Why you shouldn’t underestimate the power to heal yourself (~50:51)

Referenced in the episode:

- Vonda's lab in Orlando, FL

- Vonda's free Strong & Courageous guide with sample workouts

- mbg Podcast episode #514, with Stacy Sims, Ph.D.

- Check out Vonda's books

Visit shop.mindbodygreen.com/whey20 to get 20% off whey protein isolate+. Cannot combine with gift cards or other discount codes.

We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices