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As the global population ages, brain health is becoming a critical focus.

What we must all realize is the role that exercise plays in our ability to maintain and improve cognitive function as we age. Our ability to move and play might just be the number one factor in slowing down the brain’s age.

The latest research continues to show that various exercise strategies positively impact brain health and overall cognitive function.

Today on Strong By Design, we welcome Dr. Cody Sipe from the Functional Aging Institute (FAI). Cody is the co-founder of FAI along with Dan Ritchie. Their mission is to educate health and fitness professionals about the aging population and how exercise is key in the longevity of their client base. FAI, established in 2013, also provides these health experts with an online platform and live events for continuous learning and growth opportunities.

Host of this week’s episode is coach Chris Wilson, who is very familiar with FAI, having both a Brain Health Trainer and Mastering Movement Disorders certification through FAI. Discover how to unlock your brain’s full power by enhancing cognitive function through exercise!

Cody Sipe has an extensive background in the fitness industry with 20 years of experience as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, program director, exercise physiologist and club owner. He is currently an Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Research in the physical therapy program at Harding University.

“More and more people are realizing how important power training for older adults is.” -Dr. Cody Sipe

Time Stamps

00:47 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!
 01:10 - Meet today’s special guest, Dr. Cody Sipe co-founder of Functional Aging Institute (FAI)
 04:31 - Discover the factors that contribute to improving our cognitive function
 08:09 - Dr. Cody shares the story of how FAI was founded
 10:12 - Discussing the significant impact you can have on a person's life and well-being
 17:30 - Strategies for attracting people with strong expertise
 20:16 - What is power training?
 24:54 - Why is it crucial to build healthy exercise habits early in life
 31:58 - Physical job vs Desk job: Which one wins?
 35:48 - Dr. Cody highlights success stories from his program
 38:17 - What challenges does physical therapy face with older adults
 40:00 - Why should we treat exercise like kids do as we age
 44:20 - How to combine technology with brain and body training
 48:23 - Older adults’ greatest fear revealed
 51:26 - Follow Dr. Cody to learn more about his work and FAI
 52:31 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast

Resources:

·         FunctionalAgingInstitute.com

Connect with Dr. Cody:

·         Instagram

·         Facebook

·         YouTube

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Mr. Super Human Life himself is back at the Critical Bench Compound!

We welcome back our old friend Frank Rich to the Strong By Design podcast for his 4th time behind the mic.

In the past few years since his last visit, Frank has grown his platform Rebuilt Recovery which continues to help men struggling with their porn addiction. Today we discuss how the gut plays a huge role in our brain function, mental clarity and decision making when it comes to pornography.

Frank also talks about how our nervous system is negatively affected by this impulse and some of the best natural ways we can begin to positively improve our overall health and lifestyle. 

Ultimately if you think porn isn’t a bad thing, are not sure ‘if’ you are addicted, or know ‘why’ porn is bad to begin with, you should go back and listen to Frank in The Truth About Porn - Part 1 and Part 2 – which are Episode 109 and Episode 213 respectively.

"When you get healthier and clean up your gut, you think differently and see the world more efficiently. Not only will you see porn for what it really is, but you'll also see it as a damaging thing." — Frank Rich

Time Stamps

00:33 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!
 00:57 - Meet today’s special guest, Frank Rich of ‘The Super Human Life’ podcast
 04:00 - Frank’s podcast journey with us: How it all began
 07:39 - Frank’s incredible transformation story
 10:16 - Surfing for God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle
 11:56 - Trials that shaped Frank’s mission to help others
 15:28 - The hidden struggles and shortcomings of broken people
 23:06 - How gut health connects to brain function and porn addiction
 26:50 - Unlocking the healing power of fasting
 35:10 - Does healing your gut change how you see porn?
 40:58 - What role does the nervous system play in all this?
 45:16 - Dive into the effects of ice baths
 54:26 - Frank’s toughest challenge in helping others
 58:08 - How to become the best version of yourself
 01:07:12 - Addressing pornography and becoming a better parent
 01:15:30 - Connect with Coach Frank Rich on social media and learn more about his work
 01:17:43 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast

Resources:

·         Rebuilt Recovery

·         The Super Human Life Podcast

Connect with Frank:

·         Instagram

·         Facebook

·         YouTube

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In this empowering episode, we sit down with Dr. Beth Westie – bestselling author of The Female Fat Solution and The Female Menopause Solution, creator of the 12 Week Female Hormone Solution Program, and host of The Female Health Solution Podcast. Dr. Beth has dedicated her career to revolutionizing women’s health by helping them understand and work with their bodies, rather than against them.

Dr. Beth dives into her unique approach to health and wellness, focusing on eating for your hormone cycle. She explains how cycle syncing can lead to more effective, long-lasting results, whether your goal is weight loss, energy improvement, or overall wellness. Dr. Beth shares why traditional dieting doesn’t work for most women and offers powerful insights on aligning nutrition with hormonal phases to maximize health benefits.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to embrace a sustainable, science-backed approach to wellness, customized for each phase of your cycle. Dr. Beth shares practical tips for understanding and working with hormonal shifts rather than resisting them. We discuss what foods can fuel specific parts of your cycle and how hormone-aligned eating can help you shed weight, increase energy, and reclaim your health – all without restrictive dieting.

If you’re ready to ditch the one-size-fits-all approach and harness the natural rhythm of your body for real results, tune in to this must-listen conversation with Dr. Beth Westie!

"Having that time to dedicate to yourself is what your system needs."  — Dr. Beth Westie

Time Stamps

00:50 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!
 1:14 - Meet today’s special guest, Dr. Beth Westie
 02:55 - Hormone Cycle & Cycle Syncing: The key to unlocking your potential     
 05:42 - Cycle Syncing: Where do we start?
 09:49 - Unlocking strategies to optimize your health
 16:45 - Simple and empowering first steps for women
 19:27 - Recognizing signs of change in your body
 23:10 - Menopause: Not an end, but a new beginning
 30:30 - Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Quick fixes vs. Long-term solutions
 35:42 - Why menopause can begin sooner than you think
 39:29 - Honoring your body through every stage
 41:41 - Find Dr. Beth Westie on social media and learn more about her work
 42:20 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast!

Resources:

·         DrBethWestie.com

Connect with Dr Beth:

·         Instagram

·         Facebook

·         TikTok

·         YouTube

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Good food, good meat, good God, let’s eat!

God is good, God is great, put that turkey on my plate!!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub, Thanks for the Grub!

Who doesn’t love a good ole Thanksgiving Day blessing!?

It is a wonderful time of year to spend time with loved ones and to gather around the table to eat our favorite holiday meal.

Thanksgiving Day is a special day for us to connect with friends and family members we do not see throughout the year. It is also the most traveled day of the holiday season which has its own frustrations and drawbacks.

Today on Strong By Design, hosts Jared Haley and Chris Wilson recall their favorite Thanksgiving Day foods, most cherished Thanksgiving memories and what it means to live in gratitude, what matters most and to be truly thankful for our many blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, we are SO GRATEFUL for you!

"We might not have everything that we think we want, but in reality, we actually do have everything." — Jared Haley

Time Stamps

00:30 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast
00:54 - Join Hosts Chris Wilson and Jared Haley for today’s exciting special episode
02:28 - Discover the Thanksgiving table essentials you simply can't miss
09:35 - The Thanksgiving favorite that Chris and Jared avoid!
15:23 - The most memorable highlights of Thanksgiving
21:00 - Thanksgiving: What’s the first thing that comes to mind?
24:46 - Why practicing gratitude changes everything
28:18 - Rewards vs. Responsibility: Are you avoiding the hard part?
31:15 - The power of praising Jesus in times of suffering
34:20 - How to live your life to the fullest
40:46 - Chris' challenge to listeners this Thanksgiving
42:37 - Please share, and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast

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After two and a half years, our friend, host and fitness phenom Jo Ann Miller is back!

In early 2022, Jo was a regular guest and host on the podcast for several months but after a series of life changing events, she unfortunately had to step away from the SBD show.

If you believe in miracles or are in need of hearing one, strap in and get ready for the one and only Jo ‘Animal’ Miller as she and her superman husband Matt open up about the birth of their daughter, her scary diagnosis, her healing process and how she has learned to finally love herself.

The old saying, ‘God certainly broke the mold after He made Jo’ seems especially appropriate for this amazing human being. She is truly one of a kind!

"I'm going to heal you of cancer, but even more than that, I'm going to heal you of the lack of love you show for yourself." — Jo Miller

Time Stamps

00:58 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!
01:22 - Meet today’s special guests, Matt and Jo 'Animal' Miller
05:33 - Where has Jo been over the past 2.5 years?
08:56 - Jo's shocking discovery: Finding light in the midst of darkness
14:01 - What her cancer treatment was like
16:36 - Matt discusses life with a newborn and his wife’s health revelations
22:37 - Jo reveals her ultimate health secret
28:14 - Jo, Matt, and Chris discuss life with their kids
33:18 - How to build Self-Love and Self-Compassion
43:42 - Can love truly heal wounds faster?
46:13 - Love, Medicine and Miracles
51:26 - How you can grow your capacity for love
55:13 - A look back at Jo’s appearances on the SBD podcast
56:39 - A peek into Jo’s weekly fitness schedule
59:21 - Understanding Qigong and its benefits
1:01:56 - Jo shares her healing puzzle and life’s non-negotiables
1:09:17 - Follow Jo and Matt’s journey on social media
1:14:38 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast

Resources:

·       BelieveBig.org

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He is a 3x All-American Georgia Bulldog, Lombardi and Bednarik Award recipient, former first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and featured on ESPN’s College GameDay as a football analyst for 13 years…

Yeah, I would say that qualifies our guest as a ‘football great.’ But what makes him truly great has more to do with his heart for God and people.

Today’s special guest on SBD is David Pollack, husband, father, and Kingdom man.

David is using his gift of speaking and passion for his Christian faith to go beyond the football field and into the home, helping parents teach their children life’s most important values through sports.

Partnering up with Brave, his new children's book, The Won’t Quit Kid, is designed to help kids understand the value of perseverance, teamwork, and hard work.

"There's so many lessons that I learned that God showed me through my journey... Not the way I wanted to end, but (I'm) very thankful." — David Pollack

Time Stamps

01:00 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!
01:26 - Meet today’s special guest, David Pollack: 3x All-American, former NFL first-round pick, College football Hall of Famer, author, and former ESPN College GameDay Analyst
04:00 - David reveals the roots of his passion for coaching and sports
09:42 - Was David good at football in high school?
14:31 - Redefining goals: Path to creating a new purpose
19:27 - Unforgettable GameDay moments highlighted
23:47 - What inspires David's speaking engagements with parents and coaches
28:15 - Why modeling failure and our response is crucial for kids 
32:20 - Introducing the 'Won't Quit Kid' Brave book and its inspiring message
39:23 - What is the Family Goals Podcast all about?
42:49 - The Pollack Family Foundation: Origins and Mission
48:35 - Support David: the Pollack Family Foundation & The Won’t Quit Kid  
50:13 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast

Resources:

·         DavidPollack.com

·         The Won’t Quit Kid [BRAVE BOOKS]

·         The Pollack Family Foundation

·         Family Goals Podcast

Connect with David:

·         Instagram

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• CriticalBench.com
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The 2024 Presidential Election is here…

And it ‘feels’ as if our country is as divided as ever between our two candidates, former President, Donald J. Trump (R) and current Vice President, Kamala Harris (D).

Much of the news coverage and social media posts are largely ‘Anti’ one candidate over another rather than each side promoting what they stand for and why we should consider giving them our vote.

Today, four members of the Critical Bench team discuss the political climate we are living in. A huge thank you to Tim Nixon, Samantha Harrison, and David Sautter for participating.

One thing we MUST remember as our friend Dr. Frank Turek says routinely on his podcast, Cross Examined: 

‘We are not voting in one person to office. We are voting for a platform and policies. Our vote brings in an administration of 5,000 people to influence change in our country.’
 
We must also remember that both candidates are flawed, broken people and we need to look beyond their character issues, which they both have many, to see what they stand for and how will they influence law, policy, and the American way of life for the next 4 years.

Your vote matters!

"Whoever wins needs to have a diversification of thought, constituents and people voting for them.” -Tim Nixon

Time Stamps

00:51 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!
 01:15 - Join us today as the Critical Bench Team hosts a special episode
 04:04 - What would our forefathers think of us today?
 08:25 - The CB team shares thoughts on the two-party system
 19:54 - Are political views driving us apart?
 27:45 - How do social media and the media shape our votes?
 34:45 - How to remain united with different political views
 39:19 - Sam shares powerful lessons from Adam Grant’s book
 42:22 - Popular Vote vs. Electoral College: What’s the difference?
 46:00 - Voting with due diligence: What you need to know
 52:50 - Life's priorities: What really matters?
 1:00:09 - What’s the real definition of tolerance?
 1:05:50 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast

Resources:

·       The Constitution of the United States of America

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Jack-O-Lanterns, ghosts, goblins, skulls, spiders, cobwebs and horror movies remind most of us of Halloween along with fun costumes, bags of candy and spooky scary decorations.

But what are we really celebrating?

While many of us ‘celebrate’ and observe this holiday annually by dressing up in costumes, carving pumpkins, decorating our houses, and handing out candy to kids in our neighborhoods, most of us don’t reflect very much on what exactly we are honoring.

We are in fact just going with the flow of culture.

On today’s episode, members of the Critical Bench team discuss the dilemma of Christians celebrating a day with convoluted spiritual significance, death, and darkness. 

Does this day go against the teachings of the Bible or the Words of Jesus or is the American celebration of Halloween just about having some fun, wearing costumes, and eating some candy?

"Death and darkness are encapsulated around this holiday, and it made me step back." — Cairistiona Haley

Time Stamps

00:44 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!
01:07 - Join us today as the Critical Bench Team hosts a special episode
02:47 - First thoughts on Halloween
11:24 - Halloween origins: What are we really celebrating?
17:38 - Coach Chris reveals his upcoming Halloween costume!
20:03 - Halloween’s meaning for Cairistiona, Jared, and Steve
29:00 - Halloween 101: What are you supposed to do?
38:25 - What it really means to grow up
45:00 - A new perspective on Halloween
50:00 - Seeing things the way Jesus did
56:58 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast

Resources:

·         Billy Graham Evangelistic Association – Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

·         Focus on the Family – Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

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As someone who struggles with a quick temper and anger, this episode was very personal for coach Chris.

While we tend to be on our best behavior in public and at work, often when at home with the people we love the most, we can resort to explosive anger, yelling, cursing, and using harsh, hurtful words.

Basically, our most cherished people in the world, our children and spouses, see us at our worst.

In this solo podcast, host Chris Wilson reveals where his deep seeded anger and yelling behavior comes from. He talks about his father’s lifelong alcoholism and violence, the closeness of his mother and brothers and what he is attempting to do to overcome this unwanted, destructive behavior.

"I want to get to the point that over-reaction doesn't happen at all... I'm not yelling, I'm not loud or irate." — Chris Wilson

Time Stamps

00:44 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast
 01:40 - Join us today as Coach Chris Wilson hosts a special solo episode
 02:45 - Coach Chris discusses his childhood struggles and how they influence his reactions today
 15:00 – From 0-100, what does it mean to make a mountain out of a molehill?
 28:08 - Is raising your voice necessary?
 32:06 - Ways to express anger and frustration positively
 41:59 - How does prayer bring emotional balance?
 45:50 - Chris opens up about his dad
 48:18 - Parenting: Understanding each other’s reactions
 50:14 - How to master your emotions for better control
 54:11 – 4 ‘final thought’ key takeaways from today’s episode

Resources:

·         Books by Dr. Meg Meeker

·         Anger: Taming a Powerful Emotion by Gary Chapman

·         Uncommon Manhood by Tony Dungy

·         The Bible App

Connect with Chris:

·         Instagram

·         Facebook

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Allison Maslan is CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, and last year was named “One of the 10 Women Entrepreneurs to watch in 2023”, by Forbes Magazine.
 
 She is the Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author of, Scale or Fail, which is endorsed by Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran of the legendary show Shark Tank and Allison has built 10 successful companies over the last 40 years.
 
In today's episode host Chris Wilson and Allison talk about what it takes to be leaders others will follow, how personal and professional core values can make or break success, hiring and firing decisions and the key actions to start and stop in your business. Get your notepad and pen ready, Allison is about to drop some truth nuggets!

 For the past 15 years, she and her team of CEO Business Mentors have helped over 150,000 Founders and Leadership Teams scale their companies, fast-track their success and create a more meaningful life through her company, Pinnacle Global Network, one of the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies 2 years in a row.

"You can thrive in any scenario. It's really how you think and how you open your eyes to opportunities and how resourceful are you." — Allison Maslan

Time Stamps

00:47 - Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!

01:10 - Meet today's special guest, Allison Maslan, CEO of Pinnacle Global Network, named one of Forbes' '10 Women Entrepreneurs to Watch' in 2023, and author of the book 'Scale or Fail'

04:50 - Allison shares her journey in leadership and entrepreneurship

07:40 - What is Pinnacle Global Network, and what does it do?
 11:23 - Guiding people to step into leadership roles
 15:49 - Allison's wake-up call to success
 20:17 – Don’t be your company’s bottleneck
 24:39 - How core values drive success
 26:24 – Hiring smarter with the Rule of 3
 32:05 - The key actions to start and stop in your business
 37:29 - Allison discusses her love for trapeze
 41:10 - 'Scale or Fail': The ultimate guide for entrepreneurs
 47:38 – The quest for success: Can it be both personal and professional?
 51:07 – Connect with Allison Maslan to explore her work and Pinnacle Global Network
 54:15 - Please share and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast

Resources:

·       Scale or Fail

·       Pinnacle Global Network

Connect with Allison:

·       Instagram

·       Facebook

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