Movement Es Medicina: A SuperMarkRock Podcast

Carlos Rawls joins SuperMarkRock for a personal conversation about how early sports shaped his approach to fitness, and why his health diagnosis made wellness non-negotiable. The episode blends personal story, practical advice, and a strong reminder that movement is not optional,  it is part of long-term wellbeing.

Representation in wellness is not just important, it changes what people believe is possible for their own lives. Dr. Patrick L. Valdez shares the story behind his active lifestyle, why he redefined wellness later in life, and how movement became a practical tool for leadership, reflection, and longevity. Dr. Valdez traces how his upbringing, his parents' hard work, and his identity shaped the way he shows up in higher education and in health. He opens up about the pressure of being seen through titles alone, and the power of origin stories From early-morning workouts in New York to reflective walks in Austin, Miami, Lexington, and Dallas, Patrick shows how movement can become a thread that connects every stage of life. If you've been waiting to take your health seriously, rebuild your routine, or hear a conversation that blends culture, leadership, and practical wellness without the hype, this one will hit home. Essential listening for anyone who wants to stay active, stay grounded, and remember why they started in the first place.

SuperMarkRock welcomes Michael Martinez, a social worker and associate director of the counseling center at Hostos Community College, to talk about mental health, running, identity, and community care. Michael shares how his upbringing in Washington Heights and the Bronx, his family’s work ethic, and his therapy experience shaped both his career and his wellness routine. They discuss how movement supports mental health, why representation matters in wellness and higher education, and why taking life one step at a time can make change feel possible. 

#MovementEsMedicina

#HealthIsWealth

#Healing

#DopeEducatedIndividuals

#RecuerdaTuPorQué #RememberYourWhy

Movement can heal, but only if you find the version that actually fits your life. Isabel Gonzalez shares the deeply personal story of how she built an active lifestyle from childhood phone-book step aerobics and park walks with her family, ultimately learning what to leave behind what no longer served her. If you’ve been trying to force yourself into workouts you hate, this conversation will feel like permission to choose differently. SuperMarkRock and Isabel trace the moments that shaped her wellness journey: her dad’s relentless example of staying active, her aunt’s influence through campus aerobics classes, years of running and half marathons, and the surprising turning point in Central Park when she realized running had stopped being joy. Her perspective is especially powerful for anyone navigating first-generation pressure, caregiving, career demands, or the fear of not being able to do it all. Listen for the motivation, stay for the honesty, and leave with a clearer sense of your own why.

You don’t “find” time, you choose how to use it. Dr. Brian J. Cook drops real wisdom on wellness, discipline, and the power of creating your own me time. From 3:30 AM gym sessions to building healthy habits at home, this conversation is a reminder that small choices shape a big life. What are you choosing today?

#MovementEsMedicina

#HealthIsWealth

#Healing

#DopeEducatedIndividuals

#RecuerdaTuPorQué #RememberYourWhy

In this episode of Movement Es Medicina, host SuperMarkRock engages in a heartfelt conversation with Elvis Rivera, a first-generation immigrant from Guatemala, author, and community leader. They explore Elvis's journey through mental health challenges, the transformative power of running, and the importance of professional support. Elvis shares insights from his new book, Pa’lante: The Long Way Forward, which emphasizes resilience and the immigrant experience, encouraging listeners to keep moving forward despite life's challenges. In this conversation, Elvis Rivera shares his journey of resilience, emphasizing the importance of moving forward despite challenges. He reflects on the lessons learned from his mother and the significance of community support. Elvis offers advice for those starting their own journeys, encouraging them to embrace their unique paths. He discusses the power of togetherness and how uplifting others fuels personal wellness. The conversation also touches on recognizing one's worth, contemplating mortality, and understanding the deeper 'why' behind our actions.

Super Mark Rock welcomes Dr. Ayana Jordan, Professor of Psychiatry at New York University, to discuss her work advancing equitable addiction treatment for historically excluded communities through the Jordan Wellness Collaborative, community-based programs, and the REACH training initiative. Dr. Jordan shares how being raised in Pittsburgh and shaped by the South Bronx informed her commitment to culturally responsive care, including integrating family, language, and identity into treatment. She explains how her own mental health challenges pushed her to bring care beyond traditional clinics into trusted settings like churches, where culturally informed, community-engaged approaches improved participation and outcomes. They explore how movement, music, and community connection support recovery, and Jordan offers resources for finding culturally aligned mental health and addiction care.

In this episode of Movement Es Medicina: A SuperMarkRock Podcast, Dr. Mark A. Lopez welcomes educator and Arizona artist Elena Beltran Valdez to discuss her identity, creative practice, and evolving wellness journey. Elena shares growing up in Surprise, Arizona, with a strong belief in education, becoming a self-taught artist influenced by Mesoamerican/Mayan iconography, and finding joy and mental wellness through hand-drawn, one-of-a-kind work (@NEN_Art_AZ). She reflects on being a Division I ASU track thrower, then struggling to maintain health without the structure of organized sports, navigating “food noise,” and learning to prioritize herself without guilt. Elena also details advocating for herself medically, ultimately being diagnosed with diabetes and Hashimoto’s disease, adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, and improving her health, emphasizing the importance of seeking specialized care.

On the Movement Es Medicina: A Super Mark Rock podcast, Dr. Mark A. Lopez welcomes guest Judith Rawls, Esq., an intellectual property attorney focused on patent preparation and prosecution, and a proud Hampton University and University of Michigan Law School alum. Judith reflects that her wellness journey became more intentional when she became a lawyer, using running to manage stress, clear her mind, and reduce physical tension. She discusses prioritizing “me time”, modeling movement for her daughter, and her “why” for health—shaped by a colleague’s early heart-attack death and her desire to live long for her family.

Host SuperMarkRock welcomes Dr. Amilcar Guzman, who shares his journey as a first-generation Dominican and lifelong learner committed to centering underrepresented voices in education. They discuss wellness as more than fitness, including therapy, men’s support groups, spirituality, rest, meditation, and dance. Amilcar reflects on early experiences with weight stigma, the cultural barriers Latino men face in seeking mental health support, and the importance of dance (bachata, merengue, salsa) as movement and cultural connection.