Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 

Guest: Katherine A. Meese, PhD, Researcher | Author | CEO - HuMargin Group – Nashville, TN 

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 

Guest: Saranya Wyles, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Dermatology and Regenerative Medicine 

Director of Regenerative Dermatology and Skin Longevity Laboratory 

Mayo Clinic Department of Dermatology, Rochester, MN 

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it does a lot more than just make you look good! It is our primary defense against the outside world and regulates many of our body's internal functions. Given the major role it plays in our health and overall performance, it is important that we take care of our skin to keep it healthy for as long as possible.  

Dr. Saryna Wyles is our expert guest here to answer these big questions for us:  

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”: 

Discussion Questions for this Episode: 

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize 

Email: [email protected] 

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 

Guest: Amy Morin, LCSW, Psychotherapist / Mental Strength Coach / International Bestselling Author | Mentally Strong 

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 

Guest: Cal Aurand, Creative Director – Communications | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN 

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 

Guest: Charanjit S. Rihal, M.D., MBA 

William S. and Ann Atherton Professor of Cardiology - Department of Cardiovascular Medicine | Chair, Mayo Clinic People and Culture Committee, Member Board of Trustees - Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN 

We are all a product of our environment, and this includes the people we surround ourselves with. Anyone that has achieved a level of success knows that they didn’t do it completely alone. One of the key ingredients to success in all activities is having high quality mentorship. A good mentor is worth their weight in gold, but how do we FIND a good mentor? And equally important, how can we BE a good mentor to others? That’s what we’ll discuss with our expert guest, Dr. Chet Rihal.  

The three big questions we will cover include:  

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”: 

Discussion Questions for this Episode: 

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize 

Email: [email protected] 

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 

Guest: Andrea A. Tooley, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Oculofacial Plastic Surgery | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN (2020-2025) 

Innovative Ophthalmology | Paducah, Kentucky (2026-Present) 

“Work Life Balance” is a term we hear almost daily. Although the phrase is intended to help us successfully juggle our many responsibilities, we mostly hear about it in the context of struggle. The constant striving for Work-Life Balance can leave us exhausted and unfulfilled. That begs the question, should we be looking at this in a different way? To help us sort that out, our expert guest is Dr. Andrea Tooley. 

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”: 

Discussion Questions for this Episode:

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize 

Email: [email protected] 

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project 

Guest: Chelsey Hoffmann, PA-C, MS, RD, Physician Assistant | Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Medicine - Mayo Clinic - Rochester, MN 

It’s been said that "we are what we eat," and we all sort of understand what that means. At the same time, most understand what it's like to intermittently experience body aches and pains that we can't always explain.  While the reasons for these aches and pains are variable, much of this pain and inflammation we experience may be related to the food we eat and the beverages we drink. Are you curious if that is the case for you? Our expert guest here to help us figure that out is Chelsey Hoffman.

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize 

Email: [email protected]

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

Guest: Stephen L. Kopecky MD, FACC, FAHA, MASPC, Professor of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Division of Preventive Cardiology | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN

Straightforward question…are you healthy? Sounds like a simple question, but how in the world are we supposed to answer that? In the sea of health information out there, how do we define “healthy," and what simple metrics can we use to tell if we are hitting the mark? For those of us looking to be our best selves, we need to prioritize our health. And in order to do that, we need to know what we are aiming for, in our quest to become healthy. To answers those questions and more, our expert guest today is Dr. Stephen Kopecky.

The three big questions we have for Dr. Kopecky are:

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:

Discussion Questions for this Episode:

1) The podcast defines being healthy not just as the "absence of disease, but the presence of health," emphasizing "health span" over "lifespan." How does this definition resonate with your personal understanding of health, and how might it change your focus?

2) Dr. Kopecky introduces the "North, South, East, West" compass for health (Nutrition, Stress/Sleep/Spirits/Smoking/Social, Exercise, Weight). Which of these areas presents the biggest opportunity for your personal improvement?

3) The discussion highlights that less than 1% of Americans meet the full definition of health. What are some practical ways individuals or communities can address these challenges?

4) The podcast warns against "quick fixes," "one-size-fits-all" solutions, and products that overpromise. How do you personally evaluate health information, products, or services to distinguish between genuine benefits and hype?

5) Dr. Kopecky shares his personal motivation for focusing on prevention after his cancer diagnosis. Has there been a specific event or realization in your life that significantly shifted your perspective on health and wellness?

6) The episode suggests starting with small, sustainable changes, like "one bite at a time" or "one minute of relaxation." What is one small, actionable step you could take this week in one of the "North, South, East, West" categories to improve your health?

7) The discussion touches on the connection between different health factors (e.g., sleep and blood pressure, weight and liver health). How do you see this interconnectedness playing out in your own health or the health of those around you?

8) The podcast emphasizes that over 50% of our health is determined by lifestyle, even with genetic predispositions. How does this perspective empower you to take more control over your health journey? 

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize

Email: [email protected]

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

Guest: Graeme Rosenberg, MD., Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery | Director of Performance & Wellness for the Department of Surgery | Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA

We define “human optimization” as the ability to do “more” while simultaneously improving our well-being. One of the keys to that is, defining what “more” means to you, because it’s different for all of us. The other key is linking that “more” up with your well-being. Many people feel that in order to accomplish more, their well-being automatically has to suffer. We don’t think that’s the case, and we are going to tell you why in this episode with our expert guest, Dr. Graeme Rosenberg.  

The three big questions we are going to tackle are:

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:

Discussion Questions for this Episode:

1) Dr. Rosenberg defines performance as an equation involving individual abilities, internal factors, and external environmental factors, all aimed at an "outcome of interest." How do you currently define "performance" in your own life or work? How might broadening this definition to include these components change your perspective?

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project

Guest: John C. Benson, MD, Neuroradiologist | Associate Professor, Radiology | Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN

Regardless of your official role or job title, you are a leader. Leadership takes on so many different forms, and this is true both inside and outside of the workplace. Any time you are interacting with another human being, there is an opportunity for leadership. Fortunately, we all have leadership skills inside of us. The question is whether or not we fully understand them, work to develop them, and put them into practice in our everyday lives.

In order to help you do just that, our expert guest today is Dr. John Benson, and the three big questions we are going to answer are:

How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:

Discussion Questions for this Episode:

1) How do you personally define leadership? What are the ideal qualities of a good leader?

2) Prior to reviewing this content, did you consider yourself to be a leader (independent of your professional title)? Why or why not?

3) What are some of the qualities you embody that allow you to have a positive impact on others? Do you view this as leadership?  Why or why not?

4) What are some of the reasons that you haven’t considered yourself to be a leader in certain situations in the past? Do you feel like these qualities are legitimate reasons that you can’t lead others? To overcome them, do you need to change your behavior, change how you see yourself, or change your definition of what a leader is? Or is it a combination of all of these elements? 

5) What are some of the obstacles you’ve experienced in being a young/new leader? Now, what are some of the benefits of being a young/new leader?  

6) What are your leadership goals for yourself? Who, what, how, and why do you want to influence others? No wrong answers here as leadership goals can (and should) look very different for each of us. We have to cultivate our own definitions of success here, but you can refine that definition based on feedback from others.

7) Now you’ve defined your leadership goals, tell your group at least one new thing (action step) you are going to do or behavior you are going to adopt to improve as a leader.

8) After others list the "one new thing" or "action step" they are going to do, help them refine that to make it more: clear, objective, measurable, and simple. The more we can make our actions clear, objective, measurable, and simple, the more likely we are to do them and enjoy the process!

Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize

Email: [email protected]