Built Not Born

Today’s guest is Nadine Kelly, MD.

Nadine Kelly, MD grew up on the South Side of Chicago as the eldest daughter to Haitian Immigrant parents. Dr Kelly is a graduate of the University of Chicago. After graduating from medical school, she did her residency training in pathology. 

Dr Kelly then she spent 7 years as a practicing pathologist.

Dr Kelly says she never really have a deep love for practicing medicine, but she kept pushing through because she believed that she was not allowed to not fail, she was not allowed to give up, because of the strong work ethic and high expectations placed on her by her up bringing. 

Then one day her husband noticed something was wrong. He asked Nadine to make an appointment with their family doctor. Nadine did was diagnosed with major clinical depression.   

After spending time getting herself healthy, Nadine then reinvented herself, her career, and her mission.

Dr Kelly started taking yoga. She then jumped headfirst into a 200 hour Yoga teacher certification and became a yoga instructor. Dr Kelly also became an ACE Certified Health Coach. 

In 2018 she took up podcasting and became the host of the YOGI MD podcast.  

Nadine had finally found her calling. 

Now Nadine Kelly empowers mature women, through yoga, to maintain healthy minds and bodies so that they may live life on their own terms.   

Dr Kelly’s yoga practice also includes teaching yoga to special populations with various physical and mental abilities, including patients with dementia.

In our discussion, Dr Kelly tells us why she believes that good health cannot be constrained by the simplistic formula of diet and exercise alone and why she helps her patients and podcast listeners to expand their definition of health to include not just physical, but mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. 

Dr Kelly discusses why we first have to first become the best version of ourselves, so we can be the best possible person for the people who rely on us most. 

Dr Kelly also tells us why we must be able to adapt to change and learn to evolve if we want to have a positive impact with our families, friends, and community. 

We also discuss the power of podcasting, and how starting the YOGI MD podcast helped her let go of a lifelong struggle of perfection and become brave enough to share creative work with her community.

So …

Thank you for listening.

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. 

We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Enjoy my conversation - with Nadine Kelly, MD – Retired pathologist, ACE Certified Health coach, Yoga instructor, and host of the YOGI MD podcast. 

And remember… “Life is built, not born…”

Mentioned In the Episode:

Guest: Nadine Kelly, MD

IG: The YOGI MD

LinkedIn: Nadine Kelly, MD

Book: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R. Covey)

Matt Seabrook is the owner of Dresher Physical Therapy. Matt founded Dresher PT in 2001 and has built it into two highly respected community-based rehabilitation centers in suburban Philadelphia.

Matt discuses what he and his wife Chris calls “the most challenging thing we ever went through in our lives", when their first child was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Hurler’s Syndrome.

Matt also describes how he signed his first lease for his PT Clinic a few weeks after 9/11 in a location that was notorious for having one failed business after another. 

We discuss Matt's leadership principles, the book he keeps going to when he needs to clear and refocus his mind and why he created a family mission statement

Matt also talks about what it was like to lead a small business through the COVID-19 shutdown and the opportunities that COVID opened up for his business. 

• Matt's PT Clinic: Dresher Physical Therapy (Dresher, PA)
• Matt's IG: Dresher PT
• Book: The Power of Now

"Life is Built, Not Born."

Joe Ciccarone

Cara Ooi, MD is a sleep physician and psychiatrist working in Toronto, Canada. Dr Ooi works with teens with insomnia, delivering a modified version of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).

Dr Ooi obtained her medical degree from the Western University. She then went on to complete her residency and subspecialty training in General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. 

Dr. Ooi then completed a fellowship in Sleep Medicine, during which she received training in cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (or CBT-I) from clinical psychologist Dr. Colleen Carney, a world renowned expert in the field. 

Cara is also the host of the new podcast, "Find the Eight", and she just released a 13-episode series, where she breaks down key sleep concepts and strategies in 10 minutes or less.  

Dr Ooi likes to say that “the worst version of ourselves is usually appears when we are sleep deprived and exhausted.”

Dr Ooi shares a ton of amazing tips, strategies and concepts that will help you, your kids or significant other get a better night sleep.

We also discuss how sleep disorders affect anxiety, depression and other physiological disorders.

No matter who you are, from CEO to Sunday school teacher, from an MMA fighter to a parent trying to help their teen find a better rhythm for a good night’s sleep this episode has something for you.

A good sleep is the first domino we need to have in line so we can be the best version of ourselves for us and those who rely on us most.

Thank you for listening.

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. 

We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Enjoy my conversation - with Cara Ooi, MD – sleep specialist and creator of "Find the 8" Podcast. and learn how to find the best version of yourself one great night sleep at a time.  

And remember… “Life is built, not born…”

Mentioned in the Show:

Website: "Find the 8" Podcast

IG: "Find the 8" Podcast

More Info: Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

Mark Ciccone is a Vietnam veteran, where he served 12-month combat tour as an officer in the US Army Rangers. During his tour in Vietnam, Mark led infantry units through heavy combat in the jungles of Vietnam. 

In our conversation, Mark shares remarkable stories of the Tet Offensive, what it was like to come face to face with a 10 foot king cobra while walking point in the jungle, and his last mission, taking place less than 2 weeks before he was scheduled to come home, where he was asked to lead  group of Southern Vietnamese troops during a two day mission that resulted in then Colonel Frederic E. Davision, who would go on to become the US Army’s 1st ever black Major General, to land his helicopter during the operation just so he could shake Mark’s hand to thank him for the way he was leading his team during the mission

Mark shares with us how his entrepreneurial spirt lead him and a friend to start Surfer Supplies, the first surfing supply store on the east coast in OCNJ, how he became the owner of the dominate helicopter service during the radio traffic war’s in the 1990’s.

We get into what led Mark to become a pilot and how he became the pilot to the rich and famous. Mark has flown President Gerald Ford, Phil Collins, Mick Jagger and Tina Turner. 

Mark and I also discuss how he became the personal pilot to the then owner of the Philadelphia Eagles Leonard Tose, his time of being the helicopter pilot ABC TV’s show Dirty, Sexy Money, where he got to fly and hang out with Donald Sutherland and why he decided it was time to finally retire at 75 after being asked to fly the artist Pitbull home from the Vegas strip at 2am.

This was an amazing to have a conversation with a person who has said “Yes!” to just about every opportunity ever presented to him. Regardless of if he knew the answer or had any idea how he would succeed, or sometimes even survive.

Thank you for listening.

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. 

We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Enjoy my conversation - with Mark Ciccone – Army Ranger, Vietnam Veteran, pilot to the rich and famous, entrepreneur, family man, and a great friend.   

And remember… “Life is built, not born…”

Mentioned In this Episode:

TV Show: Dirty, Sexy, Money Trailer

Blog Post: Seth Godin on "Buzzer Management"

US Army 9th Division

US Army Major General Frederic E. Davision

Tania Del Rio is the author of the book “Happy, Healthy & Zen in Paris” and the creator of the podcast “Postcards from Paris”. 

She is sought-after wellness and mindfulness coach for busy executives and professionals. Tania has been leading wellness workshops and health programs in Paris since 2012. 

Tania specializes in showing high-performing professionals how to succeed in their new assignment living abroad by teaching them how to rewire themselves (and their habits) to thrive in their new environment. 

Tania was born in Mexico City, received her bachelors of science degree in Biomedical Research from Mexico City’s National University. Tania then went on to NYC and became a trained scientist by earning her PhD in Biology from New York University (NYU).  

Tania then went on to a career of research in the field of molecular biology and genetics but as it does so many times, life had other plans for her.

Tania went through some health issues that included dealing with anxiety, which caused her to transition from being a scientist to a health and wellness coach.

Tania and I have a far-ranging discussion that covers how our lifestyle and our daily choices play a huge part our ability to keep both our physical & mental performance in order and the impact that chronic stress has on our bodies.

Tania tells the story of the day she discovered YOGA and how her daily YOGA practice has changed her life forever. 

We also get into an in-depth discussion on the power of consistency, 2 books that had a BIG impact on both our lives and how devoting just a few minutes each day to a mindful activity can not only change your mindset but change your life.

Thank you for listening.

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. 

We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Let's take a walk past the Eiffel tower and maybe stroll over to the Louvre.

Please enjoy my conversation - with Tania Del Rio, author of "Happy, Healthy & Zen" and “Post Cards From Paris.”  

And remember…

"Life is built, not born."

Mentioned in this Episode:

Book: "Happy, Healthy & Zen in Paris"

Podcast: "Post Cards from Paris"

Website: Tania Del Rio - "Happy, Healthy, & Zen"

Book: "Atomic Habits" (James Clear)

Book: "The Practice" (Seth Godin)

Book: "Bird by Bird" (Anne Lamott)

Akimbo "The Podcast Workshop"

Sammy Oropeza is a former mixed martial artist, who competed in Bellator's middleweight and welterweight divisions.

"Sammy O" had 16 professional MMA fights, racking up an impressive 13-3 record. With some of the meanest knockouts you’ll ever see on YouTube. 

Sammy and I have a far-ranging conversation: from what it was like growing up as the youngest of 6 kids, to what it was like losing his Dad to liver failure at age of 10 and how his Dad’s untimely death became the event that shaped his life forever.

Sammy O explains why one of the primary goals of his MMA career was to tell the story of his father’s life before one of his fights and what it was like when he finally had that opportunity. 

We discuss what it felt like when he became a parent himself and the values he tries to pass on to his own daughter. 

We also get into a great discussion on why Sammy believes the greatest gift he got from his MMA career is learning how to live in the present moment and how his most crushing defeat in the ring led to his greatest opportunity – his emerging career in the Philadelphia real estate market. 

Sammy Oropeza has a remarkable story to tell.

Sammy is a microcosm of the great city he lives in.

He is authentic, hard working, high energy, and passionate. These traits come through in everything he says and does.   

Thank you for listening!

If you like what you hear, please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON.

Remember, "Life is built, not born."

Mentioned during show:

Book: Spin Selling (by Neal Rackam)

IG: Sell With Sammy O

YouTube: Sammy O Mixtape of his MMA Career

Kristi Artz, MD is an emergency medicine physician based in Grand Rapids Michigan. She is a graduate from The University of Michigan, attended medical school at Wayne State University. Dr Artz did her residency in emergency medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Kristi shares her story of how she became the first physician in her family, how she wound up in Emergency Medicine and why in the middle of two successful careers she & her husband decided to uproot their family of 5 to the north island of New Zealand and spent a year treating an underserved population in an rural hospital’s emergency room. Her time in NZ included everything from treating Iron Man competitors to working on the helicopter transport team.

Kristi’s biggest pivot and the primary focus of our conversation, is in the emerging field of Lifestyle & Culinary medicine. 

Kristi now focuses her medical practice on working with her patients to stay out of the emergency room by helping them adopt a whole foods, plant based lifestyle.

We discuss the current science that promotes WFPB diet as a tool for not only preventing chronic disease, such as high blood pressure, heart disease & diabetes, but even reversing those conditions.

We discuss why Dr Artz hates the word moderation and why centering diet on a whole foods diet is the most powerful lifestyle change a person can make.

Dr Artz shares a bunch helpful tips and ideas of how you and your family can live a longer and healthier life.

Thank you for listening!

If you like what you hear, please hit the subscribe button.

We have a bunch of thought provoking and cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Healthy Resources:

www.Nutritionfacts.org

www.ForksOverKnives.com

www.MasteringDiabetes.org

Book: How Not To Die

Book: How Not To Diet

Book: Fiber Fueled

Tom Garvey is the author of The Secret Apartment: Vet Stadium a surreal memoir. The book tells the story of Tom secretly living inside of Veterans stadium, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles & Phillies, for almost 3 years. 

Our conversation starts off by what made Tom storm out of a college classroom at Widener University, walk down to the post office and volunteer for the Army Airborne during the Vietnam War. 

Tom's time in the Army led him to becoming an Army Ranger, then to a special forces unit, leading an "A"-Team on the Cambodian border during 1969.

It took 40+ years and meeting his wife Peggy before he was able to write his first book Many Beaucoup Magics, the memoir about his experiences in Vietnam.  

From rollerblading around the 600 level at night, to sleeping under the stars in centerfield, to hanging with Phillies Legend Tug McGraw, Tom's stories keep coming. 

Thank you for listening!

Andreia Torain is a classically trained musician. Andrea teaches violin in the city of Philadelphia. She is also a student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Andreia describes the connection between classical music and jiu jitsu.  Andreia also discusses what it is like being a women training in a mostly male dominated combat sport like jiu jitsu.

We take a deep dive into our shared experience of suffering bad knee injuries only few months apart, what it was like spending months watching class while rehabbing our injuries (sometimes together) and then finally breaking that fear factor of stepping back on the mat to train again. 

Andreia shares with us her teaching philosophy: a teacher’s first job is to teach their students to become good human beings.  We end with why Andreia has read Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mocking Bird" over 15x and the lessons that we can still learn from that book.

Thank you for listening!

Jim Trunick is the author of the acclaimed book The CORE of Leadership™, keynote speaker and leadership consultant.

Jim discusses growing up in Ohio, how he took a degree in Zoology from The Ohio State University and created 30+year career in the pharmaceutical industry in southern California.

We talk about Jim's work as a leadership coach and mentor to C-Suite executives. We also discuss why a leader's first job is to define their priorities and know their core values.

Jim describes the life lesson's he learned after the untimely death of his first wife from leukemia that left him to raise his 3 children while trying to keep his career going. We also talk about how Jim overcame the odds and recovered from a bicycling accident that left him in a coma during the spring of 2020.

COURAGEOUS, KIND, and SELF-AWARE are just some of the words that describe Jim Trunick.

Thank you for listening and please HIT the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON to hear more great conversations like this one.