Ali Fitness Podcast

“The skin is a mirror for your overall health, and it’s your largest organ. You absorb everything. What you put on your body, what you put in your body—we really value here.” Dr. Michele Burklund is the Chief Scientific Officer at Puriya, a line of plant-based healthcare products that combine ancient wisdom with modern science to treat a wide range of skin ailments. Dr. Burklund’s role on the Puriya team involves medical research and product development. An internationally recognized naturopathic doctor, speaker and blogger, Dr. Burklund is a graduate of the prestigious Bastyr University where she specialized in neurology, psychology and women’s health.    Today, Dr. Burklund joins us to discuss her current work at Puriya to reformulate their product line and create supplements that address the root cause of skin issues like eczema, psoriasis and acne. She shares Puriya’s commitment to sourcing high-quality, certified organic ingredients and thorough testing on large sample groups. Dr. Burklund also weighs in

What does wellness mean to you?  Josh Trent contends that it’s about more than our physical and emotional health. Yes, it’s important to have a strong body and mind. And it doesn’t hurt to be surrounded by people who care about us. But to achieve true wellness, Josh believes that our spiritual health is vital. In fact, it’s the only way we can live our truth and lead with our hearts. Josh is the creator of Wellness Force Media and the host of Wellness Force Radio, one of the top-ranked podcasts on iTunes. Josh has published 300-plus high-level interviews with thought leaders in the realm of health, wellness and self-development, and he has been featured on Onnit, Spartan and SealFit, among many other wellness media outlets. Josh is also the CEO of Civilized Caveman, a platform providing practical solutions around wellness, nutrition and personal growth. Today, Josh joins us to discuss the WHY behind Wellness Force, explaining how he used food to deal with difficult emotions as a kid and what inspired him to d

We’ve all been there. You try the hot new fitness studio or vegan-friendly restaurant that’s getting a lot of buzz and you just aren’t impressed. Meanwhile, there are great gyms, healthy eats, and events that don’t get the credit they deserve. Ever wish someone else would do the legwork and create a resource around the best health and fitness opportunities in your community? Or that there was a place to share what YOU know about the local wellness scene with more people? Joe Vennare is the cofounder and COO of Fitt, a website and mobile app that connects users with local health and fitness experiences, and Fitt Insider, a publication designed for entrepreneurs, executives and investors interested in boutique fitness, the future of foods, fitness tech and emerging wellness trends. The Fitt network currently covers 30 cities in the US, Canada and the UK, an includes a Fitt for Brands partnership platform for businesses in the health, wellness and fitness space. Today, Joe joins us to discuss what inspired him t

If you’re struggling with autoimmune or digestive issues, and your general practitioner hasn’t been able to help, it may be time to explore a naturopathic approach. But how do you choose the right holistic practitioner? How does the process of working with an ND differ from that of a conventional doctor? And how do you pay for it when the service isn’t covered by health insurance? Dr. Tim Gerstmar is the Clinic Director at Aspire Natural Health, a naturopathic practice out of the Greater Seattle area. Dr. G. specializes in helping people with digestive and autoimmune issues regain their freedom without drugs or surgery. A respected holistic practitioner with ten years of experience, Dr. G. is a sought-after international speaker with an understanding of both conventional and natural treatments. He earned his ND from Bastyr University, the most prestigious naturopathic medical school in the world, and Dr. G. is the author of the bestselling book The Clear Path to Health: Gain Clarity So You Can Feel Your Best

Many endurance athletes use the keto diet to boost their energy and optimize performance. What if there was a supplement that could mimic what the body does in ketosis, allowing keto and non-keto athletes alike to reach their full potential? Ketone ester drinks serve as the fourth food group, helping both elite athletes and weekend warriors perform at their best. But not all ketone drinks are created equal... Frank Llosa is the Founder and CEO of KetoneAid, a company that produces ketone-based dietary supplements to fuel the brain and improve athletic performance. In addition, Frank is a former Division I track athlete and wildly successful serial entrepreneur with a unique ability to find a way where others have failed. He adheres to a vegan ketogenic diet and incorporates biohacking to stay competitive in all areas of his life. Today, Frank joins us to explain how he came to partner with Dr. Richard Veech and create KetoneAid. He describes how ketone esters impact athletes who are already on a keto diet ver

As endurance athletes, we know that recovery is key in optimizing performance. We also deal with pain on a regular basis. For those reasons, many of us are curious about the medicinal benefits of cannabis as an anti-inflammatory and pain remediator. But with all the hype out there, how do you know what products to choose? Do you need CBD, THC or both? How do you identify a quality supplier?   Don Moxley is a respected exercise physiologist who specializes in tracking and improving performance and alleviating unnecessary suffering. His work with elite athletes led to an interest in the role of cannabinoids in the central nervous system and his current role as an advisor at Mendi, a company using cannabis to build recovery tools that optimize performance. Don has 30-plus years of classroom and industry leadership to his credit, and as an athlete, he served as captain of The Ohio State University Wrestling Team, earning a Big 10 Title in 1985. Today, Don joins us to discuss the medicinal value of cannabis and ex

“There is some magic in these [stem cell] treatments. They are not cure-alls and they are not miracles, but I think once we really harness that power … it’s going to change medicine forever.” Dr. Michael Heim is an osteopathic physician and president of Heim Regenerative Medicine Center, a full-service clinic based in Tampa, Florida, that offers cutting-edge treatments to optimize patient health and wellbeing. Dr. Mike specializes in primary care, regenerative medicine and anti-aging therapy, and he is board certified in family medicine, osteopathic manipulation and bariatric medicine. He is also a lifelong triathlete, completing 70-plus races over the course of his career, including the recent IRONMAN Florida Challenge. Today, Dr. Mike joins us to provide an overview of the full spectrum of regenerative medicine and introduce the therapies offered at his clinic—prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma and stem cell products. He shares the benefits of stem cell therapies in slowing down and reversing damage from in

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of teaching in a group exercise setting is challenging ALL the participants. How do you avoid a one-size-fits-all approach that is too difficult for some, yet too easy for others? Is there a way to provide everyone with the same physiological experience? How might we leverage wearables to design a workout based on effort and customized to each individual’s maximum heart rate? Dave Wright is the creator and CEO of Myzone, an innovative wearable heart rate based system that uses wireless technology to accurately monitor and log physical activity. He is also the CEO of Creative Fitness Marketing, a marketing solution designed to increase the membership base and profitability of health clubs—with offices in the UK, Australia and North America. A gym owner himself, Dave operates multiple health clubs across two continents and is often called upon to present at conferences like IHRSA, Filex and Club Industry. His work has been featured in international trade magazines including Wor

“Everything we say, everything we do, every choice we make in the thinnest sliced moments of life is either creating a connection to what we want, or it’s driving a disconnection.” Language is incredibly powerful. The words you use with colleagues, clients, friends and family can either promote solutions and create connection or drive you further apart. And the language we use on ourselves is just as powerful. The stories we tell ourselves about ourselves become our identity. So, how do we learn to choose our words more carefully? How can we create new beliefs around what we’re capable of? How can we leverage the power of self-talk to overcome limiting beliefs and move closer to our goals? Mary Shores is the founder and president of Midstate Collection Solutions, an innovative debt collection agency that partners with clients to collect past due receivables. She is also a prominent keynote speaker and creator of the Conscious Communications system, a method of forming new neural pathways by simply changing yo

Are you in a position to perform at your very best? The desire to optimize performance is not exclusive to elite athletes. In fact, we’d all like to reach our potential—on the field and off. Measuring resting heartrate, HRV and sleep performance helps us understand what’s going on with our bodies and how prepared we are to perform. So, what is the best way to leverage data to achieve peak performance and improve our overall health? Kristen Holmes is the Vice President of Performance Optimization at WHOOP, a data and analytics company empowering users to perform at a higher level through a deeper understanding of their bodies. The WHOOP wearable gives feedback around strain, recovery and sleep, allowing users to course correct as necessary and put themselves in the best possible position to perform. In her role as VP, Kristen works with tactical, professional and NCAA athletes and teams to optimize their use of the WHOOP system and understand how to best action the data. She is also a former member of US Natio

Many thought leaders in the health and fitness space aspire to grow their platform by publishing a book. But how, exactly, does the process work? What are the pros and cons of self-publishing? How do you get the attention of a traditional publishing house? Do you need an agent? And what does a book proposal look like? Patrick Nolan is the Vice President, Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher at Penguin Books. A 19-year veteran of the publishing house, Patrick served as VP of Trade Paperback Sales before transitioning to his current role. Today, he oversees the editorial direction of Penguin Books, generating trade paperback bestsellers like Alexander Hamilton, A Gentleman in Moscow and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. On this episode of Ali Fitness, Patrick joins us to discuss the pros and cons of self-publishing your book and working with publishers that specialize in the health and fitness space. He walks us through the components of a non-fiction proposal, explaining why it’s beneficial to submi

While only 5% of the population meets the criteria for binge eating disorder, 100% of us have eaten beyond our better judgement. In fact, the industrial food complex works to encourage overeating, hitting our pleasure buttons without providing the nutrition we need to feel satisfied. So, what can we do to get a handle on our cravings and develop the self-control to follow a healthy food plan? Dr. Glenn Livingston is an esteemed psychologist and former CEO of a multimillion-dollar consulting firm serving the food industry. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and on Bloomberg Radio, among many other media outlets. Glenn’s current venture, Never Binge Again, grew out of a personal 30-year struggle with binge eating—and a disillusionment with what traditional psychology had to offer in the way of treatment. His book, Never Binge Again, teaches readers techniques for overcoming food addiction and sticking to any food plan. Today, Glenn joins us to share his story of food addiction an

Sugar is addictive. It triggers the same pleasure zones in your brain as cocaine and causes insulin levels to spike. So, what are the natural alternatives to sugar that don’t have these adverse effects? How do they impact the body differently? And how do natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit differ from artificial ones like Sucrose or Aspartame?    Thom King is the founder of Steviva, a consumer food brand that produces all-natural sweeteners, and Icon Foods, an ingredients company dedicated to supplying the natural health foods industry with natural alternatives to sugar. Thom’s latest food science venture is Guy Gone Keto, a new consumer line of keto condiments. He is also the author of Guy Gone Keto: How to Lose Weight, Feel Great, and Achieve Lifelong Fitness.  Today, Thom joins us to explain how his own struggle with weight inspired his business ventures in natural sweeteners. He offers insight around how the mind-body-spirit connection applies to food and shares his philosophy of doing good in o

Gyms don’t appeal to everyone. That’s why Mark Fisher Fitness isn’t a gym, it’s an Enchanted Ninja Clubhouse of Glory and Dreams. Famous for making fitness fun and inclusive, the studio delivers science-backed fitness strategies in a supportive environment. So, how do you build a successful business that balances the best practices of training with an unmatched customer service experience? Mark Fisher is a sought-after international speaker and entrepreneur with an expertise in community-building, leadership development and positive organizational cultures. Mark and his business partner, Michael Keeler, founded Business for Unicorns in 2016, and their client roster includes Sony Music, the ACLU, and many of the leading fitness studios in the US and UK. Mark and Michael are also the cofounders of Mark Fisher Fitness, one of Men’s Health’s Top 20 Gyms in America. MFF has been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, among many other publications, and the studio is known for its unpre

Three years ago, Matthew Januszek wrote an article entitled, ‘Which Fitness Clubs Will Make It or Break It in 2016?’. And he was spot on. With 20-plus years of experience running a successful business in the industry, Matthew knows a thing or two about trends, and he can speak to the future of fitness with stunning accuracy. So, what is his take on where the space is headed next? Will big box gyms survive? How will boutique studios continue to evolve? What about home fitness trends? And what role will technology play in the future fitness experience? Matthew is a serial entrepreneur with experience building successful businesses in the UK, Germany, Poland and the US. He cofounded Escape Fitness in 1998, and the company has since grown into an international brand that supports fitness clubs all over the world with a combination of innovative products, instructor training, group programming and gym design. Committed to functional training, Escape’s client base includes industry leaders like Equinox, Fitness Fir

There is a lot of controversy and misunderstanding around the ketogenic diet. And the fact is, any diet that results the liver making ketones qualifies, whether it’s healthy or not. So, how do you sift through the information overload to integrate keto in a way that feels good to you? How do you get away from the value judgements and choose foods that get you closer to your health goals? How can you bring a primal approach to the keto diet, continue to enjoy healthy carbs AND achieve ketosis? An expert on the primal/paleo and ketogenic diets and lifestyle, Lindsay Taylor, PhD, serves as the Senior Writer and Researcher at Primal Blueprint Publishing. She coauthored The Keto Reset Diet Cookbook and The Keto Reset Instant Pot Cookbook with Mark Sisson and collaborated with Layla McGowan to write Keto Passport. A psychologist by training, Lindsay shares her expertise around mindset, goal-setting and lifestyle change to Mark’s Daily Apple and the Primal Blueprint Podcast. An avid ultrarunner and triathlete, she i

Most of us check the reviews before we say YES to a new experience, especially if that experience involves our health and wellbeing. If you look at the reviews for Rythmia, 93.26% of the resort’s guests report a life-changing miracle during their stay, and when polled six months after the experience, 97% indicate that the ayahuasca experience changed their life. So, what is involved in the Rythmia program? How is it different from other plant medicine retreats? And what do guests have to say about what they experienced? John Jacob Mubarak is the Assistant Director of Rythmia Life Advancement Center, a medically-licensed, life-transforming, luxury health and wellness center in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Rythmia’s team of naturopathic healers, health specialists and spiritual teachers work together to create integrative programs that provide a complete renewal of mind, body and spirit. John also serves as a licensed spiritual practitioner, having studied at The Agape International Spiritual Center in Culver City,

What do a daily meditation practice and a glass of soulful natural wine have in common? Both have the capacity to open your heart and help you connect with others. Both can be a spiritual practice. And both have the potential to better your health and wellbeing. Todd White is the founder of Dry Farm Wines, one of the fastest growing companies in the US and the only health-focused, natural wine club in the world. Dry Farm is known for curating the finest sustainably-grown natural wines and lab testing for the highest standard of health, and Todd is known for helping people make better choices around food, nutrition and alcohol consumption. An advocate for micro-dosing, he is passionate about finding the best way to enjoy the benefits of moderate alcohol consumption while avoiding the health risks. Todd is also dedicated to cultivating his own health and wellness, and his priorities around fitness, nutrition and meditation inform the company culture at Dry Farm Wines. Today, Todd joins us to share his personal

Technological advancements have made many aspects of our lives easier. But technology also comes with invisible electric and magnetic currents that impact our biological systems in ways we don’t fully understand. So, how do electromagnetic fields influence our health? Is there a relationship between the current epidemic of autoimmune and neurological diseases and the technology in our homes? And if so, what can we do to protect ourselves from the wireless tech and dirty electricity that pervades our modern world? Brian Hoyer is the founder of Shielded Healing, a company dedicated to reinventing human habitats and recreating electromagnetic environments that more closely mimic our ancestral homes. He is also a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Geobiologist with extensive knowledge of the invisible stressors produced by modern technology and their impact on the body’s innate healing mechanisms. Brian travels the country doing EMF assessments, speaking at conferences, and helping families install sh

What is the secret ingredient of success and achievement? According to Christopher LaMorte, the key is understanding that failure is part of the process. And he contends that gymnastics parallels life in that you keep trying and failing at each new skill until one day, it works. Success isn’t about being perfect. It’s about not giving up. Chris is a legend in men’s gymnastics, dominating both national and international competitions throughout his career. Born and raised on Long Island, he was a four-time New York State rings champion. He took first in rings at the NCAA National Championships as a freshman and sophomore on full scholarship at the University of New Mexico before competing in the 1996 World Championships. Chris was also a gold medalist at the 1998 Goodwill Games and ranked #1 in the US in rings from 1992 through 1999. Today, Chris joins us to share his gymnastics journey, from taking classes to recover from pneumonia as a child to competing in the World Championships with a serious shoulder inju