PlayGrounding

Play transforms lives, and this week's guest, Martin Mapoma, believes one way to get the most out of play is by transforming our bodies. Martin is a fitness and nutrition expert who runs a youth strength and conditioning program called Primal Play. I got to talk to him about why he believes it's so important to teach fitness to kids as early as possible, how he motivates them through play, and how we adults can do the same. Getting strong and gaining the ability to move well doesn't have to be torture. We can reach new heights and depths of fun and enjoyment in our lives when we take care of our bodies.

Learn More About Primal Play:

• Visit Primal Play on Yelp!
• Visit Martin's Business, Physique Factor on Yelp!
• Visit the Physique Factor Website
• Call Martin Mapoma at (626) 808-7270

Today's show exposes our limited point of view when it comes to what's possible. The idea that we really can take charge of the order of events in our life can seem crazy. But don't sell yourself out. The things you gave up when you decided to "be a grownup," those things you always wanted, are probably still available to you.

Hear from Heather Dowling about her one-woman show, Unemployed. Finally... It took 30 jobs in 30 years, but she is finally doing what she wants. It's about her life from the age of 14 to 40. She explores the different phases of life and what brought her back to finally doing what she loves because she finally gave herself permission to play.

This episode is posted a day late. Yes, I'm busted. The reason is that it was SO HARD to interview this particular person, let alone edit it. He's a handful. He's my husband. He's the reason this podcast exists and the person who came up with its name. His name is Cupcake. Yes, Cupcake. Hear how the heartache of his youth became fuel for a life of generosity, empathy and love for anyone who crosses his path. He identifies best with Stuart Brown's "joker" play personality, so it makes sense that he's the life of the party. But he's also an amazing "camp counselor" for those of us who call him friend. He re-introduced this podcaster to a life of fun and hilarity & I've been looking forward to introducing him to you. Have fun!

Show Notes:

See what innovative projection solutions Cupcake is up to at RabCup

Have you ever had a moment when you just needed to "show up" but couldn't feel any less like being there? Many of us have, whether it be obligations to our jobs, families or friends. But oftentimes, "putting on a happy face" can be the least constructive approach. In this episode, actress and producer Michelle Barton shares tips from the acting world about how we can find authenticity and power in those difficult moments through play.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How to connect with what it is you need to show up for, even when you don't feel like it
• That we're not prisoners to our patterns of thinking
• How play creates a "bridge" from one mind-set to another, allowing us to be truly present for the other people in our lives, regardless of our circumstances
• How knowing ourselves more intimately helps us to live a life of freedom from the tyranny of negative thoughts

Show Notes!

• Shelene Atanacio's book Act From The Inside Out: Powerful Acting Tools to Transform your Real Life
• To book Michelle Barton as a Dancing Freedom facilitator, feel free to email her at [email protected]
• For booking Michelle an actress, please contact: Danita Florance at Salt Talent: 403-233-4644

"Play is a state of mind, rather than an activity." – Dr. Stuart Brown

This week we get ready for a new round of upcoming guests by exploring the eight "Play Personalities" from Dr. Brown's book, Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. I look at the play personalities as a kind of menu. Some of them might be your usual comfort food while others are new and different, something you try to mix things up when you feel stuck. In the episodes to come, we'll ask each guest about their play personalities and how they helped propel them into a lifestyle of play.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Read Stuart Brown's book, Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul.
• Listen to Howl, a podcast by novelist Eric Czuleger

Amazing things happen inside of our brains when we play. As Dr. Stuart Brown wrote, play is "a profound biological process. It has evolved over eons in many animal species to promote survival. It shapes the brain and makes animals smarter and more adaptable. In higher animals, it fosters empathy and makes possible complex social groups. For us, play lies at the core of creativity and innovation." It's not easy to define play, but in this episode, you'll hear Dr. Brown's definition as well as stories of lives that were changed by taking up true play again as adults.

In this episode you'll hear:

• Why I think a podcast on play belongs in the health & wellness as well as business productivity categories
• Stories of how play transforms different types of people in different ways
• An introduction to the work of Dr. Stuart Brown
  • Get his book, Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul
  • Watch his TED Talk: Play is More Than Just Fun
  • Check out his National Institute for Play

When battling burnout or even something as serious as anxiety or depression, constantly seeking ways to fix yourself might not be the best strategy. Taking care of yourself by having fun can help retrain your brain, improve your mental health, make you more productive and it might even help you to become an inspiration to others.

Discover comedienne and vegan cooking instructor Megan Sadd's strategy for how to focus on joy. In her battle with depression, Megan turned down good money and set off on an adventure she calls the #30dayfunchallenge that's been going viral. Consider this your invitation – your challenge – to join in the fun.

Join the #30dayfunchallenge!

• The Official Rules of the #30dayfunchallenge
• Participate on Facebook
• Participate on Instagram
• See the fun you'll be joining in on

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How the success-first mindset can be poisonous
• The journey that led Megan to create the #30dayfunchallenge
• That anxiety and depression don't have to become your prison
• How bringing fun even to the mundane chores of life can lead to bolder expressions of fun and joy
• How documenting your commitment to start incorporating play in your life helps you move from a burned out workaholic to an inspiration to others
• That having a supportive community – even one online – can help you keep your commitment to making change a priority
• How when we think we're living for others selflessly, we're more likely living for the validation of others – but letting yourself be "selfish" by letting yourself play can make you a better person with more to give to the world
• Read Megan's blog post: "I Quit Using Anti-Depressants and My Life Has Never Been Better"
• Watch Charlie Hoehn's TEDx talk, The Power of Play

Let the memories of how you played as a child become a guide for the decisions you make as an adult. What made you excited to get out of bed when you were a little kid? Staying true to the vision of what inspired us as children can help us get perspective on the pressures we place on ourselves in the never ending quest for stability and prosperity. Hear from tech entrepreneur and artist Meg Athavale (a.k.a. Meg Rabbit) as she shares her story and advice about how letting yourself play can lead to to a life of fulfillment and adventure.

Listen online by clicking the play button below or >>Subscribe on iTunes

• How a young entrepreneur found her way personally and professionally by making play a priority
• The importance of community in finding play and fulfillment
• How she made an awesome interactive toy that helps kids use their imaginations and learn
• Play and our relationship with TV
• The Rat Park study - How liberating ourselves from the grind can lead us out of addiction – Check out Stuart McMillen's Story of Rat Park.

Meet Meg Athavale at MegRabbit.com. Follow her on Twitter: @meghanrabbit

On this very first episode of The PlayGrounding Podcast, I'll take a moment to introduce myself and tell you why I'm investing so much in the concept of play. You'll hear:

• What it's meant to me, as an adult, to learn how to play again
• Why it can be hard for us adults to play
• How stumbling into a playful community changed my life
• What I want you to get out of this podcast
• How you can participate and be on the show

• TED Radio Hour's "Press Play" episode

It's one thing to know how important it is to play and another to work it into a busy schedule. Hear how Audrey "Mourning" Wood took on boredom. She's been a member of the L.A. Derby Dolls Sirens team since 2011 and was a member of All Stars from 2012-2015. She's a derby trainer and has been head trainer, captain of the Sirens and co-captain of All Stars. And this is only one of the many things she does "just" for fun.

I invited her onto the show because we need to hear that people like Audrey face the same challenges so many of us do, but she's managed to take purposeful, conscious steps into new and sometimes scary territory to find fun and meaning in life. So, for those of us who regularly stay late at work and collapse in a heap in front of Netflix the moment we get home, Audrey has advice on how to not only find and create community and fun outside of work, but how to have the energy to enjoy it.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• How to be purposeful about how you spend your time instead of reactive
• Getting over the fear of being the instigator of fun
• How Audrey uses the Self Journal to set goals and keep them
• How reaching health and fitness goals give you the energy to enjoy life (energy you might not have right now)
• What feeling accomplished outside of paid work can do for your energy levels
• How you can get involved in roller derby in your area, including the L.A. Derby Dolls!