What does it mean to live your best life? What does it mean to self-actualize? It’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing status, titles, or physical property; but isn’t what really matters to you based more on your values? If so, your best life could be much closer than it seems. On this week’s podcast, we’ll explore personal and professional growth with coach Michael Balchan.  Listen and learn:  Why top performers have coaches The importance of stacking wins Celebrating success each step of the way How traction is the opposite of distraction How to outsmart our worst habits and become the best version of ourselves  Links Heroic ABOUT OUR GUEST Michael Balchan is Head Coach and Chief of Staff of Heroic. He’s a Harvard-trained behavioral economist and psychologist, who spent almost a decade in finance before becoming a sought-after performance coach to executives and leadership teams. Nutritional Tip of the Week  Cinnamon for blood sugar  Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes

520: Finding Focus with Michael Balchan

This no-nonsense health and wellness show features best-selling authors and thought leaders in nutrition, mental health, relationships, and self-improvement. Each episode also includes listener Q&A. Hosted by yoga trainer, writer, and expert speaker, Lucas Rockwood, the founder of YOGABODY and The Yoga Teachers College.

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Finland has been dubbed the happiest country in the world, but in reality Finns are content, not overwhelmed with joy. They have a high GDP per capita, good healthcare, low corruption, and a decent amount of personal freedom - all great things, but not necessarily a recipe for joy and happiness. Most people claim their biggest aspiration in life is to find happiness. This is a beautiful sentiment, and while we all love positive emotions like joy, laughter, celebration, adventure, and curiosity; these only exist because they are juxtaposed with negative and challenging experiences. My guest on this week’s podcast suggests that rather than look toward happiness for a more fulfilled life, we should focus more on wonder.   Listen and learn:  How nature promotes wonder The difference between superficial vs. epistemic curiosity The tyrannical pursuit of happiness Trait openness and its role in wonder  Links Monica’s site ABOUT OUR GUESTS Monica Parker is a speaker, writer, and authority on the future of work. She is the author of the book, The Power of Wonder, and founder of HATCH, an organization that helps companies with culture change and workplace strategy. Like the Show?  Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel 

617: The Power of Wonder with Monica Parker

If you’re struggling with chronic pain and trying to find help, you’ve probably noticed that the pain management industry is a big minefield with hardcore drugs on one end of the spectrum and questionable potions and placebos on the other. In an ideal world, pain is adaptive and part of our body’s defense mechanisms, but all too often it can become untethered to the original insult and begin to attack your quality of life.   Listen and learn:  The purpose of pain in our bodies  When to medicate and when to ignore The confusing connection between pain and healing Why some people are prone to opioid abuse more than others  Links Amy’s Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Amy Baxter is a medical doctor and entrepreneur known for her research on pain. She is the inventor of Buzzy, a simple device to help kids get injections. Like the Show?  Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel 

616: Rethinking Pain with Dr. Amy Baxter

In the 1980s, Nancy Reagan coined the term, “Just say no!” and spearheaded the social aspect of the so-called war on drugs. It didn’t work, nor have any of the dozens of public, private, and international efforts to curb the disease of despair. Things have become so much worse that today, almost every single person listening has a friend or family member affected by addiction. My guest on this week’s podcast is a recovered addict herself and uses yoga as part of an integrated 12-step program to support others. Listen and learn:  The importance of support for addiction recovery The benefits of talk therapy vs. movement based therapy How trauma can feel like it’s stuck physically The integration of past, present and future self  Links Y12 ABOUT OUR GUEST Nikki is the founder of Yoga of 12-Step Recovery (Y12SR). Her approach is based on her personal journey through addiction and recovery, leading her to blend the somatic aspect of yoga with the cognitive approach of 12-step programs. Like the Show?  Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel 

615: 12 Steps and Yoga with Nikki Myers

Injuries can derail your best healthy lifestyle plans, and if you’re not careful, they can lead to deconditioning and loss of function. But here’s what you need to understand and accept: everyone with an active life gets injured - everyone. So rather than feeling guilt or regret about your aches and pains, it’s a much smarter approach to swiftly move into healing mode and take full ownership of the process. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a career yoga teacher and physical therapist whose work focuses on overcoming injuries. Listen and learn:  Why many injuries simply require time to heal The importance of things like shoes, sleep position, and lifestyle choices The power of walking and how to titrate movement vs. pain How to potentially get help from a physical therapist or qualified professional  Links Ariele’s Anatomy Site ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Ariele Foster is a physical therapist and yoga teacher with over two decades experience helping people recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and rehab from surgeries. Like the Show?  Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel 

614: Injuries Happen - Stay Positive with Dr. Ariele Foster

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night, and we need good sleep quality as well, which means cycling through light, deep, and REM phases. While sleeping is the most natural of all human behaviors, many of us continue to struggle for a variety of reasons, including stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, and more. On this week’s podcast, you’ll meet a medical doctor whose work is focused on improving sleep for kids and adults. Listen and learn:  Sleep hygiene 101  deal sleeping positions Kid vs. adult sleep - what changes? How to know when you need medical help  Links That Sleep Doc (Instagram) ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr. Sujay Kansagra specializes in sleep medicine. He is Director of Duke University's Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program and author of a number of books, including My Child Won't Sleep: A Quick Guide for the Sleep-Deprived Parent. Like the Show?  Leave us a review Check out our YouTube channel 

520: Finding Focus with Michael Balchan

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