The Dr. Greg Wells Podcast

By Dr. Greg WellsScience Medicine Health & Fitness Education Self-Improvement Life Sciences

The Dr. Greg Wells Podcast episodes

May 17, 2022 #11. Calming the Storm: Ariel Garten on Brain‑Sensing Meditation and Neuroscience
In her conversation with Dr. Greg Wells, Ariel Garten recounts her path from artist and psychotherapist to co‑founding InteraXon and creating the Muse headband. She explains how Muse uses EEG sensors to monitor brain activity and translate mental states into weather‑like sounds; when the mind drifts, the sound becomes stormy, prompting users to return their attention and quiet the “weather”. Garten describes how a concussion taught her that anxiety arises from the amygdala and triggers a cascade of stress hormones, and how approaching experiences with curiosity rather than fear reduces the physiological stress response. She advocates daily meditation as a way to strengthen the brain’s “intentional loop” and improve emotional regulation, envisioning a world where widespread meditation cultivates empathy and reduces conflict.
You will learn that brain‑computer interfaces can train mindfulness, daily practice builds the intentional loop and that meditation fosters compassion.
You’ll learn to establish a daily meditation practice: Allocate 15–20 minutes each day to focus on your breath. When your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back. This simple practice trains your brain to regulate stress and stay present.
Many people struggle to calm their minds and manage anxiety. Garten’s work demonstrates that combining science‑based meditation training with real‑time feedback can demystify mindfulness, making it a practical tool to reduce stress, improve focus and build compassion.
49 min
May 17, 2022 #159. Dr. Ellen Choi on Daily Mindfulness Practices
This week I had an amazing conversation with mindfulness expert Dr. Ellen Choi on Sharpen Your Edge Live.
Ellen is a mindfulness researcher, speaker, teacher, coach, yogi, and meditator that is obsessed (in a mostly healthy way) with wellbeing, mental health, personal growth, and living with purpose.
She is an organizational social psychologist who trained at the London School of Economics and completed her doctoral degree at the Ivey School of Business. In particular, she studies the efficacy of mindfulness training on performance under pressure, resilience, and errors. Ellen has taught and researched mindfulness with corporate executives, lawyers, MBA students, elementary school students, police recruits, and in health care settings.
Ellen is an Assistant Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University in the Ted Rogers School of Management. She teaches organizational behaviour, which includes topics like decision making, team effectiveness, leadership, and motivation.
On this episode Ellen walks me through a series of mindfulness exercises that you can follow along with and implement into your daily life.
You can learn more about Ellen and her research at drellenchoi.com. Enjoy!
16 min
May 11, 2022 #158. Eric Williamson on Rethinking your Diet
This week I had an amazing conversation with Eric Williamson, a grad student at the University of Toronto. He's a fantastic human being who is already making a significant contribution to our understanding of nutrition’s impact on performance. Eric is a registered dietitian who has completed his Master's degree and is currently pursuing a PhD.
In our conversation, he breaks down some key nutrition and lifestyle recommendations. Specifically, we dive into the importance of consuming whole foods, antioxidants and understanding the “why” behind our eating choices.
You can learn more about Eric at unlockedfitnessandnutrition.com. Enjoy!
16 min
May 10, 2022 #10. The Science of How to Live to 120 - Part 3
Longevity & Performance: Dr. Greg Wells on living to 120.
In this conversation, we’re sharing part 2 of Dr. Greg’s presentation at Robin Sharma’s Titan Summit where he shares the latest science related to longevity and healthspan.
In this solo episode Dr. Greg Wells shares insights from his Titan Summit presentation on how science is making 120‑year lifespans attainable. He explains that breakthroughs in 3‑D bioprinting, gene sequencing and personalized medicine suggest an era of radical longevity. However, he emphasises that longevity without health is meaningless, and sustainable health comes from daily habits. Drawing on his book research and his work with athletes, Wells outlines a weekly plan of aerobic training, resistance exercise and high‑intensity intervals; he highlights how aerobic exercise inhibits mTOR and lengthens telomeres, while strength training activates mTOR to build muscle and bone. He also discusses the brain–body connection, noting that micro‑movements and mindful movement boost cognition, and that meditation grows grey matter and reduces mortality. Foods rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, adequate sleep, time in nature and practices such as MAP (Move And Meditate) workouts round out his science‑backed blueprint for living a long, vibrant life.
Many people feel overwhelmed by complex longevity advice and struggle to integrate health habits into busy lives. Dr. Greg Wells demystifies the science and shows that sustainable high performance comes from simple disciplines practiced every day. By focusing on 1 % improvements across sleep, nutrition, movement and mental health, listeners can overcome inertia and build a resilient foundation for a long, healthy life.
24 min
May 03, 2022 #157. Kari Schneider on Optimizing Fitness
Welcome back!
This week I had an amazing conversation with Kari Schneider. Kari is one of the world’s top exercise and strength training coaches. She has devoted her life to high performance, strength and conditioning, research, and physiology. She has worked with elite level athletes through the Canadian Sports Centre Network including national and Olympic level athletes in swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, volleyball, triathlon, soccer, football, Paralympic tennis, aerial skiing, and many more.
She is also the founder of Empowered Conditioning, a training centre that brings athletes and achievers to their goals in physicality, career, and life.
We had a great conversation on how to get into the best physical fitness of your life at any age. Getting and staying fit is a challenge in our busy lives but there are simple tactics that you can instil that can make a big difference.
Enjoy!
15 min
May 03, 2022 #9. the Science of How to Live to 120 - Part 2
Longevity & Performance: Dr. Greg Wells on living to 120.
In this conversation, we’re sharing part 2 of Dr. Greg’s presentation at Robin Sharma’s Titan Summit where he shares the latest science related to longevity and healthspan.
In this solo episode Dr. Greg Wells shares insights from his Titan Summit presentation on how science is making 120‑year lifespans attainable. He explains that breakthroughs in 3‑D bioprinting, gene sequencing and personalized medicine suggest an era of radical longevity. However, he emphasises that longevity without health is meaningless, and sustainable health comes from daily habits. Drawing on his book research and his work with athletes, Wells outlines a weekly plan of aerobic training, resistance exercise and high‑intensity intervals; he highlights how aerobic exercise inhibits mTOR and lengthens telomeres, while strength training activates mTOR to build muscle and bone. He also discusses the brain–body connection, noting that micro‑movements and mindful movement boost cognition, and that meditation grows grey matter and reduces mortality. Foods rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, adequate sleep, time in nature and practices such as MAP (Move And Meditate) workouts round out his science‑backed blueprint for living a long, vibrant life.
Many people feel overwhelmed by complex longevity advice and struggle to integrate health habits into busy lives. Dr. Greg Wells demystifies the science and shows that sustainable high performance comes from simple disciplines practiced every day. By focusing on 1 % improvements across sleep, nutrition, movement and mental health, listeners can overcome inertia and build a resilient foundation for a long, healthy life.
30 min
April 26, 2022 #156. Dr. Lisa Belanger on Working Less to Produce More
Welcome back!
I’m excited to share my interview with behaviour change expert Lisa Belanger. Lisa is the CEO of ConsciousWorks, a consulting firm that helps leaders apply the findings from leading-edge scientific research to maximize their mental capacity and performance. Lisa has a Ph.D. in Behavioural Medicine, an Executive MBA, and is a Certified Exercise Physiologist and High Performance Specialist.
Prior to COVID-19, Lisa was traveling the world (with her two month old baby) visiting companies to explore workplace culture, leadership, and the ability to destress from work. Pulling from the data and her lived experience she has created and hosts the popular podcast, The Science of Work.
Lisa is also the founder of a national charity, Knight’s Cabin, offering wellness programming to cancer survivors and the author of Inspire Me Well: Finding Motivation to Take Control of Your Health & A Cup of Mindfulness: For the Busy & Restless.
In this conversation we discuss the future of work, unwork, recovery, regeneration, and how to work smarter, not harder.
For more information about ConsciousWorks and Lisa, check out consciousworks.com.
13 min
April 26, 2022 #8. the Science of How to Live to 120 - Part 1
Longevity & Performance: Dr. Greg Wells on living to 120.
In this conversation, we’re sharing part 1 of Dr. Greg’s presentation at Robin Sharma’s Titan Summit where he shares the latest science related to longevity and healthspan.
In this solo episode Dr. Greg Wells shares insights from his Titan Summit presentation on how science is making 120‑year lifespans attainable. He explains that breakthroughs in 3‑D bioprinting, gene sequencing and personalized medicine suggest an era of radical longevity. However, he emphasises that longevity without health is meaningless, and sustainable health comes from daily habits. Drawing on his book research and his work with athletes, Wells outlines a weekly plan of aerobic training, resistance exercise and high‑intensity intervals; he highlights how aerobic exercise inhibits mTOR and lengthens telomeres, while strength training activates mTOR to build muscle and bone. He also discusses the brain–body connection, noting that micro‑movements and mindful movement boost cognition, and that meditation grows grey matter and reduces mortality. Foods rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, adequate sleep, time in nature and practices such as MAP (Move And Meditate) workouts round out his science‑backed blueprint for living a long, vibrant life.
You’ll learn how to implement a weekly MAP plan: schedule three aerobic sessions (e.g., running or cycling), two strength workouts and one high‑intensity interval session; incorporate daily micro‑movement and a short meditation immediately afterward. Prioritise 7–8 hours of sleep, include colourful plants and healthy fats in meals, and spend at least one hour in nature each week. These small, consistent practices create a ripple effect that protects mitochondria, reduces inflammation and enhances mental performance.
Many people feel overwhelmed by complex longevity advice and struggle to integrate health habits into busy lives. Dr. Greg Wells demystifies the science and shows that sustainable high performance comes from simple disciplines practiced every day. By focusing on 1 % improvements across sleep, nutrition, movement and mental health, listeners can overcome inertia and build a resilient foundation for a long, healthy life.
30 min
April 19, 2022 #155. Tim Arnold on How to "Lead with And"
Welcome back!
This week I had an amazing conversation with leadership expert Tim Arnold.
Tim has spent over two decades helping leaders manage complexity, increase resilience, and deliver results, with clients that include The United Nations, Royal Bank of Canada, Allstate Insurance, Compassion International, Toyota, and Siemens. After running both a for-profit business and a homeless shelter, he leverages his real-world experience to help organizations pursue both profit and purpose. Tim’s work focuses on helping leaders unleash the superpower of Both/And thinking in an Either/Or world.
In this amazing conversation we talk about building healthy high performance teams and developing world-class leadership. You can learn more about Tim and his new book Lead With And at https://leadersforleaders.ca/.
Enjoy!
16 min
April 19, 2022 #7. How World Class Daily Practice Can Help You Sustain Your Game.
This podcast conversation is with Alan Stein Jr., a coach, consultant, speaker and author with industry-leading expertise in improving organizational performance, cohesion and accountability.
Prior to his current work, Alan spent 20 years working with some of the highest-performing basketball players on the planet, including NBA superstar Kevin Durant. Alan now travels the world teaching organizations how to utilize the same strategies in business that elite athletes use to perform at a world-class level. He has worked with Tower Health, American Express, and USA Basketball, among many other organizations. His new book is Raise Your Game.
During the conversation, Alan shares his expertise about performance, having a world-class mindset, the power and importance of practice, and several tips gleaned from time spent with some of the world’s best athletes.
52 min