22 | Goopified Wellness: When the Pursuit of "Wellness" Creates Barriers to Health

01/22/24 • 39 min

This episode has been a long time coming for us. Today we not only want to talk about problematic wellness brands and the treatments and products they promote, but the barriers they create around wellness and how that negatively impacts our personal pursuit of health.

2:00 We talk through our thoughts on Goop as a wellness brand and how it has made “wellness” feel like something different than what it actually is — the pursuit of health and wellbeing. There is a massive responsibility that comes with advising or influencing people on their health, and that responsibility can be used incorrectly when focusing on money over health or if promoting harmful practices.

4:10 Is it Goop or utter poop? Tune in for a game of distinguishing a true Goop recommendation or a made up scenario from Michael.

9:14 We talk through Goop’s conception — from the name to the launch in 2008 as a health and wellness blog. Goop is now a lifestyle site with the intention of sharing information from experts. This has taken Goop from home-style recipes shared to lawsuits around false health claims, harmful treatments branded as natural remedies, and unfounded products.

15:45 Ethical and evidence-based practices and recommendations are often at odds with anecdotal experience or personal belief, and that is where wellness companies can lead us astray at times.

19:30 Our goal with this episode is not to invalidate or talk down on alternative methods of care. We understand the draw to alternative practices while also recognizing that major platforms have a responsibility to provide accurate and safe information.

20:10 Annual Goop health summits have been the host platform for many problematic practitioners who now have a larger audience to whom they can spread more misinformation. This further fuels criticism of experts and leaves space for more rampant misinformation and overwhelm.

24:00 As consumers, the draw to new, shiny, interesting information is very alluring.

26:49 This is a bigger issue than just Goop; Goop has paved the way for the success of many other problematic brands who are marketing and selling wellness in a way that may not be in our best interest. Rampant pseudoscience only adds to information overwhelm and an image of wellness and health that is not accurate, attainable, or inclusive. 29:00 Problematic wellness brands spread a message that we can have long lasting health if we are white, slim, and have the money to purchase expensive products and services required to be “well.” Wellness should be accessible to anyone and should be a right rather than a luxury.

31:00 Problematic wellness brands can be a distraction from what can truly benefit us, our health, and our habits. What can be empowering to us on our pursuit of health is understanding what truly moves the needle on our health goals rather than what has minimal impact but appears shiny and exciting.

36:55 We believe that our pursuit of health is not black or white. Brands like Goop can have some helpful recommendations and resources AND still be problematic. What is problematic, however, is creating barriers to health when health should be achievable for everybody and doesn’t have a specific cost or loo

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🟡 Michael Ulloa: https://www.michaelulloa.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelulloapt

🟡 Kate Lyman: https://www.katelymannutrition.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klnutrition/

Thank You for Listening to How to Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!

4:10 Is it Goop or utter poop? Tune in for a game of distinguishing a true Goop recommendation or a made up scenario from Michael.

15:45 Ethical and evidence-based practices and recommendations are often at odds with anecdotal experience or personal belief, and that is where wellness companies can lead us astray at times.

24:00 As consumers, the draw to new, shiny, interesting information is very alluring.

STAY CONNECTED
🟡 Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode.

🟡 Michael Ulloa: https://www.michaelulloa.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelulloapt

🟡 Kate Lyman: https://www.katelymannutrition.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klnutrition/

Thank You for Listening to How to Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!

Previous Episode

21 | The "Anti-Aging" Craze: When the Secret to Youth Isn't Actually A Secret

Today we’re talking about the overwhelming amount of anti-aging messaging we receive and what actually contributes to our health and longevity. We’re talking about “anti-aging” products and treatments, the lengths we go to to look younger, and the frequency with which we overlook factors that actually contribute to aging healthfully.

3:55 We’re constantly facing a societal obsession with aging, and we’re talking about this topic with the lens of helping our listeners become more informed consumers.

8:44 We’re faced with pressure surrounding the need to slow down aging from a early on in life, and much of that pressure is placed on women. Part of this messaging demonizes aging or any physical changes to the typical “beauty” standard we’re often faced with.

NYT article and quote: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/12/magazine/the-ever-changing-business-of-anti-aging.html

16:04 We share how anti-aging marketing and products has impacted us individually and our perception of our aging.

19:30 We talk through some of the more outrageous “solutions” out there for combatting age, including some of the lengths that billionaires go to for “youth restoring” protocols. In this category is also anti-aging clinics, and how this type of medicine is not actually recognized by board certifications. Often times, the treatments offered in this setting are concerning, especially when it comes to off label usage of medications for anti-aging purposes.

25:00 One risky area where age prevention medications are offered is in the prevelance of HRT offered outside of secure medical setting.

27:00 The global anti-aging market accounted for 66 billion USD in 2022, and is only expected to grow exponentially.

28:30 A question for listeners:What do we actually want when we think about preventing aging? What is our actual goal?

30:15 We can shift from thinking about “anti-aging” methods and think, instead, about healthy aging and longevity. How long we live doesn’t matter as much as whether or not we’re living well.

34:19 can promote health and lifespan through our nutrition by avoiding weight cycling, monitoring alcohol intake, and prioritizing balance and micronutrient intake in our food choices.

40:17 There are some supplements that can help optimize our healthful againg. There is preliminary research showing the benefit of cocoa extract on longevity. Protein powder can help prevent sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and strength. Certain B vitamins have also been found to reduce some cognitive decline.

https://examine.com/categories/healthy-aging-longevity/

43:57 Exercise is truly the closest we get to an “anti aging” miracle. It benefits us in many ways related to our health and makes our bodies more adaptable to the physiological stress of aging itself. Benefits in cognitive changes, heart function, strength, and mobility come from regular exercise. These positive effects happen on a cellular level!

46:00 There is so much we don’t know about efficacy of different treatments and products, but then there are things we DO know!

50:22 Aging is natural, and to age

STAY CONNECTED
🟡 Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast so you never miss an episode.

🟡 Michael Ulloa: https://www.michaelulloa.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelulloapt

🟡 Kate Lyman: https://www.katelymannutrition.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klnutrition/

Thank You for Listening to How to Fitness Podcast with Michael Ulloa and Kate Lyman!

Next Episode

23 | The Myth of Cycle Syncing & Becoming Our Own Experts on Menstruation with Dr. Alyssa Olenick

In this week's episode, we are joined by Dr. Alyssa Olenick, an expert in exercise physiology. Dr. Alyssa delves into her research on sex differences and metabolic response to exercise and shares her knowledge on menstrual cycle importance and its impact on training and nutrition. Alyssa also addresses misconceptions about 'cycle syncing' and offers practical advice for fitness and nutrition based on individual needs, urging against a 'one size fits all' approach.

2:10 Dr. Alyssa Olenick shares her background, research experience, and her history as an athlete. She has incredible experience as a research scientist as well as in her training as a hybrid athlete.

5:40 There are major gaps in sex differences in the world of exercise physiology and Alyssa’s research focuses on those differences and improving health outcomes of females across the entire lifespan.

10:45 Alyssa gives a rundown of the menstrual cycle — how our hormones change across various phases of a cycle and what the implications are. There is a lot of variability in every individual’s cycle and these phases are never one size fits all.

16:24 We discuss the confusion, controversy, and misinformation around cycle-specific workouts and cycle syncing. Not only does the idea of cycle syncing not have support from the research, but it doesn’t help us listen in to our own bodies or own needs.

19:56 What we can watch out for when trying to identify misinformation: absolutisms, assumptions that we all have a 28-day cycle, suggestions to avoid any high intensity exercise, or messaging talking only about cortisol. None of these suggestions are evidence based and the idea of a one size fits all blanket solution doesn’t teach us how to manage our own intensity, volume, or exertion.

24:05 Our education should feel empowering. We are not frail, and it’s not helpful to create unnecessary barriers to movement. We talk about the problematic fitness industry messaging and how it overlooks our need for rest or doesn’t factor in individual needs.

30:00 What can we actually do to support ourselves, our hormones, and our training across our cycle? Alyssa talks about the impacts of our cycle on our performance across different phases and how it may be related to our motivation, performance, and mood. We talk about rest, carbohydrates, caffeine, and sleep alongside changing hormones.

38:18 Our energy needs may be higher during our luteal phase and the need to be accurately fed at all times can have a huge impact on our energy, performance, recovery, and how we feel in general. Alyssa dives into our nutritional needs across the menstrual cycle and even touches oncertain supplements.

44:41 The “solutions” that help us feel better and more supported through our menstrual cycles are often simpler than we want them to be: adequate energy availability, rest days, hydration, prioritizing sleep, etc. The skills and tools we can gain around our cycle gives us permission to be more in tune with our bodies.

48:19 How can male trainers and coaches support their clients who menstruate? Alyssa gives us her opinions on this topic.

Where to find Dr. Alyssa Olenick: Instagram @doclyssfitness