Guest: Zach Gurick (Host of Fully Alive)

In Part 2 of this compelling two-part conversation, Alan continues his discussion with longevity researcher and Fully Alive podcast host, Zach Gurick, and this time, the lens shifts from tools and tech… to the emotional, relational, and psychological drivers of living longer, stronger, healthier lives.

Zach and Alan explore why mindset, purpose, social connection, and personal meaning are just as critical as nutrition, supplements and exercise, and how these human factors shape our biology every bit as much as the physical choices we make.

They highlight remarkable real-world examples - including an 86-year-old cyclist who continues to ride across continents, and a woman who started a university degree at 97 and graduated at 101 - as evidence that “it’s not about being youthful… it’s about staying useful.”

This episode is a powerful reminder that while tech may help, the real engines of healthy longevity are still within our everyday reach.

The link between optimism and living up to 15% longer

Why purpose and social ties are critical medicine for aging well

The importance of continuing to learn, stretch, and challenge the brain

How lifestyle choices can override genetic predispositions (epigenetics)

The future: personalised healthcare, remote diagnostics, and AI-driven support

Biomarkers & body composition testing (DEXA)

Oura Ring, Whoop Band

The idea of “Midlife as a second adolescence”

Longevity Health AI (future preventative care model)

In this first part of Alan’s conversation with longevity researcher Zach Gurick, they explore how busy professionals can improve healthspan through practical daily lifestyle shifts — before getting into the world of cutting-edge biohacking tech.

Zach highlights a powerful truth:

They discuss:

Zach also shares early insights into emerging longevity tech — from AI-powered bikes to data-rich sleep systems — offering a fascinating glimpse into where healthcare may be headed.

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You can’t stop the waves — but you can learn to surf.

In this milestone 60th episode, Alan reflects on what it truly means to live well — in work, in health, and in spirit. As Busy Pro Fast Wellness turns sixty episodes strong, Alan shares his own personal journey toward balance, flow, and inner freedom, offering an honest look at how far he’s come and the lessons that continue to guide him.

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Train your body. Strengthen your mind. Find your edge.

In this energising conversation, Alan speaks with strength coach and podcast host Joe Rodonis about the powerful connection between training the body and training the mind. Together, they explore how resilience, mindfulness, and Stoic philosophy can help busy professionals build strength that lasts -  both physically and mentally.

Joe is a strength coach, Tonal trainer, and host of The Athlete’s Pursuit podcast. In this down-to-earth discussion on the parallels between mental and physical fitness Joe dives into topics such as the continuous process of mental training, finding emotional balance through Stoic principles, and the importance of mindfulness in managing stress.

Joe Rodonis on Instagram → @joerodonis

Tonal Training → www.tonal.com

Hashtags:

Quiet the Voice: Performing Under Pressure

In this episode of Busy Pro Fast Wellness, host Alan shares a personal story from his time as a university music student - a moment of high anxiety and transformation. As a second-study pianist under the guidance of Marios Papadopoulos, Alan was invited to perform in front of elite concert pianists. What began as a deeply uncomfortable experience unfolded into a turning point in his performance mindset.

Reflecting on nerves, self-doubt, and the voice of internal criticism, Alan weaves in key concepts from Timothy Gallwey’s The Inner Game of Tennis - including the battle between the judging Self 1 and the intuitive Self 2.

Listeners are offered a quick and practical tool, the 3-Breath Reset, to help shift from overthinking into presence — a simple practice for anyone facing pressure in work, performance, or daily life.

This is an episode about trust, letting go, and discovering what can happen when we stop trying so hard.

Are you training hard but still feeling burnt out? This episode is your guide to training smarter, not harder.

Alan welcomes Tarek Michael Chouja, co-founder of the Functional Training Institute (FTI), best-selling author of Purpose Driven Movement, and a leading international educator in human performance. Tarek cuts through the noise of the fitness world to deliver efficient strategies specifically designed for busy professionals.

In this powerful conversation, Tarek breaks down the crucial distinction between traditional and functional training, emphasizing how smart programming and avoiding the common mistake of overtraining are key to long-term health and efficiency. We dive into the "why" behind your movement, the power of daily 5-minute rituals, and how embracing a Legacy Mindset is the ultimate key to staying present and achieving longevity.

Tune in to learn how to inject purpose, efficiency, and self-awareness into your fitness routine to finally achieve a sustainable balance between training and recovery.

Training Smarter, Not Harder: Why busy professionals often make the mistake of overtraining and neglecting recovery, and how to program for long-term health and longevity.

The Power of Purpose: Tarek explains that finding the "why" behind your activity—whether it's recreational, communal, or meditative—is the fundamental driver for consistent motivation.

The 5-Minute Productivity Reset: Tarek's simple, non-negotiable daily routine: start by avoiding your phone, followed by light movement or breathwork, to anchor your day in peace and productivity.

The Legacy Mindset: How to balance considering future goals and leaving a legacy with the essential practice of staying present in the moment.

Rituals for Resilience: The importance of anchoring yourself to core values before events, and why repetition and revisiting fundamentals are crucial when energy is low.

Self-Awareness in Training: Introducing the concept of a "gear system" to analyze stress levels during exercise and prevent injury before it happens.

Navigating Fitness Overwhelm: Strategies for finding the right fitness activity for you and where to seek expert guidance (like FTI’s free resources) to cut through the information overload.

Tarek Michael Chouja

In this highly actionable episode, Alan Welch cuts through the noise of complicated wellness routines to deliver three simple, science-backed habits designed for the busy professional. Alan frames the discussion using a guiding principle from Hippocrates: treating food as medicine.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for high-leverage ways to boost mental clarity, sustain energy, and invest in long-term physical health without adding hours to their busy schedule.

The Focus Hydration Hack: Alan reveals his quick, all-natural electrolyte water "recipe" designed to combat mid-afternoon brain fog and fatigue. He explains how this simple mix promotes better blood flow and cognitive function.

The Cognitive Snack Strategy: The episode dives into two specific, brain-boosting snacks—dark chocolate and walnuts—and outlines why they are superior choices for sustained mental performance and long-term cognitive health.

The Strength Hack for Longevity: Alan makes the case for resistance training as a non-negotiable habit, particularly as we age. He backs this up with science on muscle mass preservation and bone density.

Practical Tools for Busy Pros: Alan provides easy, no-excuse resistance alternatives, including the use of simple resistance bands or common household items like a large water bottle.

MUSIC CREDITS

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Welcome to a very special episode of Busy Pro Fast Wellness with our guest, Dr. Andrew Fix, a physical therapist and movement specialist from The Code podcast. This episode is a testament to the fact that with enough resilience and ingenuity, you can turn a seemingly awful setback into something quite powerful.

Early in the interview, the recording platform experienced a significant technical glitch, leading to the loss of the first 30 minutes of the conversation. Refusing to let this get in the way of sharing this incredible wisdom, Alan Welch pivoted. Thanks to Dr. Fix’s generosity in re-recording his portion of the interview, Alan was able to interject his own questions and add live audio effects, creating a unique listening experience. This is the story of how a technical catastrophe became an even more effective masterclass in adaption and resilience.

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Fix provides a blueprint for optimizing health and human performance by demystifying complex concepts. He shares his frustration with traditional healthcare and his passion for empowering people to move better, feel better, and live with more energy.

On the show, we explore:

Daily Habits for Recovery & Resilience. Dr. Fix shares the concept of "movement snacks" and details a study on the power of simple, frequent movements like doing 10 squats every 45 minutes to improve blood sugar and reduce sedentary discomfort.

Breathing Techniques for Stress Management. He introduces a simple, yet powerful cyclical breathing exercise and explains why making it feel effortless, not like work, is key to its effectiveness.

Movement as Medicine for Busy Professionals. Dr. Fix emphasizes the importance of making it easy to succeed. He breaks down the value of Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) and shares how a few short sprint intervals on a bike can have a significant impact on health markers.

Mobility Drills for the Office. For those who sit all day, Dr. Fix walks us through a step-by-step breakdown of the highly effective "couch stretch" to open up the hip flexors and improve mobility. He even offered to provide a video, which will be available in the show notes below!

Mindset Shifts for Consistency. The conversation culminates with the most critical ingredient for any routine: consistency. Dr. Fix advises focusing on personal progress rather than comparison and tracking leading indicators—small daily habits that will inevitably lead to your desired results.

This episode is a testament to embracing challenges and finding a way to succeed. Alan Welch and Dr. Andrew Fix were able to turn a technical mishap into a powerful and effective lesson on mastering your physical and mental well-being.

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Andrew Fix’s Podcast: The Code: https://physioroomco.com/podcast/

Dr. Andrew Fix’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandrewfix/

The "Couch Stretch" Video: Couch Stretch

The Unsexy Secret Linking Wellness and Jazz

Episode Summary

In this episode, host Alan Welch draws on his background as a trumpet player to reveal why small, consistent actions are the “unsexy secret” to both great wellness and great music. Whether it’s practicing jazz progressions on the horn or taking a daily 10-minute walk, the principle is the same: keep it simple, repeat it often, and let it swing.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why simplicity beats intensity when building healthy habits.

The role of spacing—in both music and wellness—for recovery and growth.

How small, repeatable actions can compound over time.

A practical daily challenge you can start today.

Practical Takeaway

Quote to Remember

Stay Connected:

Welcome to episode 53 of the Busy Pro Fast Wellness podcast! This week, Alan Welch is joined by the remarkable Casey Ruff, host of the popular podcast Boundless Body Radio.

In this episode, Alan and Casey explore:

Fueling Your Body for Peak Performance: The conversation kicks off with Alan’s own journey to increase his protein intake. Casey and Alan discuss the importance of high-quality animal protein and Casey shares why nutrition is about so much more than weight—it affects our energy, mood, and daily functioning.

Cutting Through the Noise: The health and wellness industry can be overwhelming. Casey shares his expert advice on how to filter through the conflicting information and find a path that is aligned with your personal well-being.

The Power of Personalized Wellness: They discuss the importance of finding what works for you, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach. Casey highlights the benefits of simple habits like breathing techniques, grounding, and prioritizing sleep.

The Mind-Body Connection in Metabolic Psychiatry: Casey shares his fascinating journey into the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, which explores the profound impact of nutrition on mental health. He provides compelling examples of how food can be a powerful lever for positive change, even in the most severe cases of psychiatric conditions.

Podcasting as a Tool for Growth: As fellow podcasters, Casey and Alan reflect on how their shows have served as vehicles for personal and professional growth. Casey shares a powerful story about an interview that had a lasting emotional impact on him, underscoring the deep connections that can be forged through this medium.

Tune in to this insightful conversation to learn how to simplify your wellness journey and take control of your health with practical, evidence-based strategies from a true expert in the field.