Optimal Health Uncovered

Paul Shapiro wants you to know we can revolutionize the way we eat meat. Be it eating less meat, cleaner meat, or plant-based meat, we can still get the nutrients we need — and more — if we take a step back from the practices that are harmful to animals, humans and the climate.

Paul Shapiro is the author of "Clean Meat: How Growing Meat Without Animals Will Revolutionize Dinner and the World." He's also a long-time leader in food sustainability and the CEO of The Better Meat Co., which creates plant protein formulations that can enhance — or even replace — your meat.

The second part of our podcast where we meet golf trainer Tim Vallely, CFSC, one of the newest additions to the Performance team, but not a new addition to the world of golf. 

In this half, we focus on how working with a team is networking and sharing knowledge — something Tim has plenty of experience with. He dives into his tips for taking initiative and making connections, all with the goal of giving back.

As we welcome our newest member of the Performance team, golf trainer Tim Vallely, CFSC, we thought this podcast would be the perfect time to explain the team-focused world of TPI golf. Tim explains the roles of fitness professionals, medical professionals and golf pros and how they all work together to help their clients succeed.

And part of working with a team is networking and sharing knowledge — something Tim has plenty of experience with. In part two, he will dive into his tips for taking initiative and making connections, all with the goal of giving back.

We are all aware that wanting to build muscle requires weight training. But that's not all weight training can do. It can fast track weight loss, burn fat and increase your basic metabolic rate. Personal trainer Nick DiMeglio, CSCS, gives listeners a rundown of the benefits of lifting weights — and why you should incorporate it into your exercise routine.

People tend to fall into two buckets: night owls and early birds, often decided by your genetics. Yet society favors early risers, emphasizing productivity culture and leaving part of the population behind.

In this episode, personal trainer Nick DiMeglio, CSCS, discusses how night owls ended up with the short end of the stick as well as ways you can build healthier habits that help you feel more accomplished with your day.

Sarah Gleeson, PTA, used to be a figure skater. She moved on to coaching, and found a home working for the Special Olympics chapter in Connecticut. Fast forward to a few years later, Sarah ended up in the realm of physical therapy — but she hasn't left the Special Olympics community behind.

The Special Olympics world is thriving, yet not many know it exists. It provides healthcare, exercise programs and a strong sense of community among its members. Listen to Sarah discuss her transition from skating to physical therapy, as well as how she uses her musculoskeletal knowledge to her advantage when working with her athletes.

Learn more about Special Olympics Connecticut here: https://www.soct.org/

The ability to meditate does not often come naturally to many. You may get bored after a few minutes and find your mind wandering, or think meditating does nothing for you. But with practice and consistency, you can find yourself on a path to mindfulness that helps you destress.

Don't know where to start? Try a meditation app! Listen to Ashley Moriarty, DPT, discuss her own journey with meditation and how she uses meditation apps to improve her sleep and stress levels.

See which meditation apps we recommend.

90% of the nation's $3.8 trillion in annual health care costs is for people with chronic conditions, and those numbers are only going to go up. Yet these increases are preventable: if we prevent the chronic illnesses, we can prevent an exponential increase in healthcare costs.

By focusing on our diet, exercising and maintaining healthy habits, we can make a difference in our futures, ensuring we stay healthier longer — and pay less later.

Read more from the CDC:
Costs of chronic diseases: https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/costs/index.htm
Preventing chronic diseases: https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/prevent/index.htm

The keto diet consists mostly of eating fats, aiming to put the person into a state of ketosis, during which the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. What seems like an easy way to lose weight can actually be a dangerous diet if done without supervision. From experiencing the keto flu to impaired bone health, the keto diet comes with a variety of warnings.

But there's more to it than meets the eye; the keto diet can be a great approach to alleviating symptoms and delaying the onset of some diseases, including some cancers. By breaking down fats instead of glucose, the keto diet can slow a tumor from growing.

Listen to Mike's interview with nutritionist Francine Blinten, CCN, CNS, about the benefits — and possible negative side effects — of trying a keto diet.

Chances are, there's probably a coffee shop within five minutes of where you are currently located. It seems like everyone of age drinks it — with creamers, syrups and plenty of caffeine. In this episode, Mike & Todd break down not just the makeup of coffee, but what exactly it can do to your body and how much is safe to drink.

While coffee has plenty of benefits, the way you prepare and drink it can make all the difference.

Read more about the benefits of coffee from The New York Times.