The Movement Sherpa Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Why can one person stand high on a rock face feeling completely alive while another person freezes at the thought of speaking in front of a crowd?

In this episode of The Movement Sherpa Podcast, I explore The Amygdala Predicament: Our Relationship to Fear.

Are extreme athletes actually wired differently, or have experience and skill taught them to interpret fear differently? Are fear and excitement really two sides of the same physiological response? And what can parents and teachers learn from this when helping children navigate their own fears?

We explore how experience, preparation, competence, and perceived control can change our relationship with fear, and why a racing heart doesn't always mean stop. Sometimes it simply means pay attention.

For parents and teachers, that distinction becomes especially important. The goal isn't to raise fearless children or push them through every uncomfortable experience. It's to help them learn to ask: What am I afraid of? Am I actually unsafe? And if I'm safe, what small step am I willing to try?

Fear doesn't always need to be conquered.

Sometimes we just need to become better at interpreting the alarm.

As always thanks for listening,

Remember,

Try ~ AdJuSt ~ Try Again

Send us Fan Mail

10,000 Steps: Good Science or Better Marketing?

We see it on our watches. We track it on our phones. We celebrate when we reach it and sometimes feel strangely guilty when we don’t.

10,000 steps.

But where did that number actually come from?

In this episode of The Movement Sherpa Podcast, we follow the trail of one of the most recognizable numbers in health and fitness, from a Japanese pedometer marketed in the wake of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics to the digital rings, watches, and apps that now quietly count our movement every day.

Along the way, we explore what modern research actually says about how many steps we need, why meaningful health benefits begin well below 10,000, and how a simple target can turn genuine progress into perceived failure.

But the bigger question isn’t really about steps.

It’s about what happens when we reduce movement to a number.

Ten thousand steps through a shopping mall and 10,000 steps across a mountain trail may look identical to a counter, but they ask very different things of the human body. And some of our richest movement experiences, riding a bike, climbing, balancing, playing, exploring, carrying, jumping, and navigating the world, may barely register in a daily step total.

Measurement can be useful. The problem begins when the measurement becomes more important than the movement itself.

Maybe the goal isn’t to reach 10,000 steps.

Maybe the goal is to build a life where we have plenty of reasons to move.

As always thanks for listening. 

Until next time, Try ~ AdJuSt ~ Try Again

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode, The Swerve Out trend, where cyclists swerve towards oncoming cars for social media attention, is not new but amplified by social media. While risk-taking is part of cycling culture, the Swerve Out trend is dangerous because it involves an unknowable variable - the driver. This trend prioritizes social media engagement over safety, forcing drivers to participate in the risk without their consent.

The Swerve Out trend, where cyclists intentionally create unpredictable situations for views, highlights the need for safer, more constructive outlets for thrill-seeking behavior. In this episode we talk about how society has removed opportunities for healthy risk-taking from childhood, leading kids to seek thrills online. To redirect this desire, we need to build communities that value skill and provide spaces for kids to experience controlled risks and develop genuine expertise.

Thank you as always for listening, never forget to "Try ~ AdJuSt ~ Try Again" until next time!

Send us Fan Mail

Hey Movers, no new episode this week. Between the start of school and life and something new in the works I needed a little more time to get it right for you. I will be back next week with a new format that I think you will enjoy! Until then Try  ~ AdJuSt ~ Try Again...Movement Sherpa out.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode we explore curiosity. Is a restless child misbehaving or are they asking for help? Children’s natural curiosity and desire to move are often stifled by adult expectations and structured environments. While structured learning is important, it’s crucial to find ways to incorporate movement and exploration into the classroom to support children’s learning and development. By protecting the space for wonder and allowing children to engage with the world around them, we can foster a love for learning and a deeper understanding of the world.

Movement is a natural and essential part of a child’s learning process, serving as a gateway to curiosity and engagement. Rather than suppressing movement, educators should create environments that allow for meaningful physical engagement, recognizing that it can enhance focus and memory. By embracing a child’s biological drive to explore, we can foster a lifelong connection to wonder and discovery.

As always I appreciate your time, hope you find something here that starts a conversation. 

Until next time, Try ~ AdJuSt ~ Try Again

Send us Fan Mail

Why do bicycles hold such a special place in our lives?

For some, they're freedom. For others, they're transportation, exercise, adventure, or the key to childhood memories that never quite fade. In this episode, I explore why bicycles have fascinated me for as long as I can remember, from pretending to be Ponch on neighborhood rides to launching homemade BMX jumps in the woods, and eventually sharing the joy of cycling with my own children.

Along the way, we talk about what really happens in your brain when you ride a bike, why experienced cyclists always say "look where you want to go," how vision helps keep you balanced, and why riding a bicycle becomes one of those rare skills we almost never forget.

This isn't an episode about becoming a faster cyclist or buying the perfect bike. It's about the stories we collect on two wheels, the people we meet, the confidence we build, and the simple freedom that keeps calling us back.

Whether you're a lifelong rider, someone whose bike has been collecting dust in the garage, or someone who's never quite learned, I hope this conversation reminds you why bicycles have captured imaginations all over the world.

In this episode:

• Childhood memories and the bikes that shaped us
• Why bicycles feel like freedom
• Teaching children to ride and the lessons that come with it
• The surprising neuroscience of balance, vision, and procedural memory
• Why "look where you want to go" is more than just good advice
• How the meaning of cycling changes as we grow older
• My favorite bicycle movies (yes... Rad made the list!)

Because movement isn't just about getting somewhere.

Sometimes it's about remembering who you were along the way.

Until next time, thanks for listening...

Try ~ AdJuSt ~ Try Again

Send us Fan Mail

This episode critiques dodgeball in physical education, arguing it promotes negative habits like targeting weaknesses and celebrating elimination. It highlights survivorship bias, noting that while some enjoyed dodgeball, many others felt excluded and discouraged. The episode suggests alternative activities that teach resilience and confidence without the negative aspects of dodgeball.

Physical education is not just about sports, but about teaching movement literacy and essential life skills. Elimination games like dodgeball are being removed from PE classes because they often leave struggling students behind, hindering their learning and enjoyment of physical activity. Instead, PE classes are incorporating games that are designed to be inclusive and challenging, helping students develop confidence, competence, and a lifelong love for movement.

Thanks for listening!

Until next time, Just Keep Trying!

Send us Fan Mail

The episode explores the life of Tom Brown Jr., a renowned wilderness survival expert and tracker. It highlights his childhood mentorship under Stalking Wolf, a Lipan Apache elder, and his decade-long wilderness wanderings, honing his survival skills. The episode also draws parallels between Brown and Chris McCandless, emphasizing the importance of proper preparation and mentorship in wilderness survival.

Children learn about the world through movement, actively exploring physics and developing spatial and situational awareness. As adults, we become efficient at navigating familiar environments, relying on digital tools and losing touch with the ground beneath our feet. This “Digital Blindness” diminishes our ability to read the world, a skill that can be regained by engaging with our surroundings and utilizing the sensory information our feet provide.

Thank you as always for taking the time to listen!

Until next time, Just Keep Trying!

Send us Fan Mail

This episode of the Movement Sherpa Podcast, hosted by Chris Luby, explores Walking. This episode focuses on Dr. John Francis, who walked across the United States in silence for 17 years, highlighting the power of walking and silence for connection and environmental awareness. The episode also delves into the science of walking, emphasizing the cognitive benefits of a 3 mph pace, known as the “speed of observation,” and the importance of optic flow for brain health.

Walking benefits the brain by quieting the amygdala and activating the Default Mode Network, leading to relaxation and creative problem-solving. Global data shows that countries with high walking rates, like Hong Kong and Japan, often have happier populations due to their built environments. In contrast, car-centric cultures like the U.S. have lower walking rates and face challenges like unsafe streets and car-dependent infrastructure.

Thank you as always for taking your time to listen. 

Until Next time, Just Keep Trying!

Send us Fan Mail

The First Full Episode!

This episode of the  Movement Sherpa Podcast explores the fear of looking silly while dancing, particularly among adults. The episode delves into the reasons behind this fear, including the influence of social media and the Spotlight Effect, where individuals believe others are overly critical of their actions. It also highlights the positive impact of dancing, such as fostering a sense of community and triggering a state of flow.

The discomfort with dancing in the United States may stem from a cultural shift from participation to performance. While many cultures view dance as a communal activity, Americans often see it as entertainment for professionals. This shift has led to a lack of practice and a fear of looking silly, highlighting the importance of embracing movement and participating in activities like dancing for the joy of it.

Thank you for taking your time to listen!