Nature of Wellness ™️ Podcast

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

One of the biggest fears we face as a species is change. We have been socialized to believe that change is “bad,” or “scary,” or “hard.” While some changes are unpredictable and require more effort, change is the one true constant in our lives.

It is also important to remember that every good thing you've ever experienced, or accomplished in life was the result of change.

Change is a foundational part of our health and wellness journeys. Helping others make positive, lasting lifestyle changes lies at the very center of the wellness field.

What does it mean to “Elevate Change?”

Mark recently had the opportunity to gather with hundreds of wellness professionals to discuss this concept. He was lucky enough to be able to interview many of the speakers and change makers involved in the event. We are excited to share their wisdom with you.

Welcome to a bonus SPECIAL EDITION of The Nature of Wellness Podcast.

The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) Summit was held in San Diego, at the end of September. Professionals from all corners of the wellness industry, from around the world were in attendance.

Mark provided a keynote session on “The Nature of Wellness” He was blown away by the response to the session, but also to our mission and this show.

On this compilation episode, Mark sat down with multiple speakers, entertainers, and change-makers who made the WELCOA Summit successful.

Join us as we speak with Human Resources Guru Julie Develin, Musicians Manas Itene and Mike Blankenship, Author and Summit MC Lucas Mack, Co-founders of Meet Your Magic Jana Wilder and Molly Strong, CEO and Speaker Andrew Sykes, Best-Selling Author and Speaker Dr. Daren Martin, and WELCOA CEO Ryan Picarella.

The depth and breadth of these powerful conversations were truly inspiring. They all represented ways to “Elevate Change,” which was the theme of the WELCOA Summit. We covered topics ranging from what it means to “be human,” managing traumatic situations, owning your “first and last name” identity, how music enhances spiritual wellbeing, discovering and embracing your personal magic, why a return to in-person gatherings (such as the summit) are desperately needed to combat loneliness and the future direction of health and wellness.

Mark often gets asked, “Who motivates the motivator?” After listening, you will truly understand the answer to that question, and why each of these amazing humans made the event so special.

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.
Stay tuned. Season Two is right around the corner...

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW

Links for Each Episode Guest:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-people-purpose-podcast/id1567454260

https://www.manasitene.com

https://www.mike-blankenship.com/music
https://www.jabstepproductions.com
https://www.yeahart.org

https://www.lucasmack.com

www.meetyourmagic.com

https://www.andrewsykes.com

https://linktr.ee/darenmartin

https://www.welcoa.org

The Nature of Wellness Podcast is produced by the remarkable Shawn Bell.

** The NOW theme song was written, performed, produced, and graciously p

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Music has always been an essential aspect of the human experience. Throughout our development as a species, music has had the power to influence society and culture in countless ways.

Music has been shown to impact our health and well-being by positively influencing mood, reducing anxiety, lowering blood pressure, as well as improving sleep quality, mental alertness, focus, and memory.

Music Therapy has been shown to improve physical rehabilitation, increase motivation, and provide an outlet for expressing and processing difficult emotions.

Like nature, music makes us better.

Welcome to Episode Nineteen of The Nature of Wellness Podcast.

https://natureofwellness.buzzsprout.com

On this episode, we sat down with Joe Mainlander, one-half of the Grammy-winning Okee Dokee Brothers. Along with his musical partner Justin Lansing, the five-time Parents’ Choice Award winners have created a special blend of Americana and Folk music full of life lessons and a love for the natural world.

Join us as we talk to Joe about their unique journey into the genre, how music transcends many of the labels we place upon ourselves and others, and how a lifelong love of nature has influenced much of their professional work. We cover a range of topics such as interconnection, intergenerational interaction, social wellness, and the importance of “Play” in our lives.

Joe shares the deep meanings behind some of the songs on their latest album BRAMBLETOWN, how nature can positively impact human development, and the process behind their incredible songwriting and “mini-documentaries.” He even performs one of our favorite Okee Dokee Brothers songs.

This conversation made our souls sing (pun absolutely intended).

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast. It will help us extend the reach of these powerful messages.

https://natureofwellness.buzzsprout.com

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW

Okee Dokee Brothers Website: https://www.okeedokee.org

Okee Dokee Brothers Instagram: @okeedokeebros

Okee Dokee Brothers Twitter: @okeedokeebros

Brambletown Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2YfPpfdgvU

The Nature of Wellness Podcast is produced by the remarkable Shawn Bell.

** The NOW theme song was written, performed, produced, and graciously provided by the incredibly talented Phil and Niall Monahan.

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Nature of Wellness Podcast.
In this "Who are we?" episode Dr. Campbell interviews cohost Steve Otero about his military service, utilizing nature as a form of healing and transition from the military, his current educational and career wellness pursuits, and his remarkable relationship with the natural world.

Join us as we lay the foundation for our amazing future guests.
*NOW theme song written, performed, produced and graciously provided by Phil and Niall Monahan.

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Thanks to decades of advances in awareness, research, and resources, humans are living longer. Yet large amounts of the population are consistently facing chronic health issues, diseases, and health disparities, These ongoing challenges are common and costly, and many are preventable.

Many factors are behind our current levels of health, including the social narratives we have created around lifestyles that have become normal.’

These questionable lifestyles are undermining our well-being and imperiling the future of humanity.

Welcome to Episode Twenty-Eight of The Nature of Wellness Podcast.

On this episode, we sat down with award-winning health journalist, founding editor of Experience Life magazine (which reaches millions with each issue), and co-host of the top-rated The Living Experiment podcast Pilar Gerasimo.

Pilar served as senior vice president of Healthy Living for Life Time Fitness, lead health editor at The Huffington Post, and chief creative officer for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Her incredible work has earned attention from the New York Times, Psychology Today, Mindful, Blue Zones, Thrive Global, and many other leading media outlets. Pilar’s work has also been embraced by the World Economic Forum, the International Monetary Fund, and a variety of healthcare organizations.

Join us as we talk to Pilar about her personal wellness journey, the power of standing out from unhealthy social norms, the pitfalls of comparison, and how to take the first steps toward building your own healthy identity.

Pilar discusses the power of awareness, the lessons that we should re-discover from our ancestors, the importance of including those we love in our journeys, how small modifications lead to big breakthroughs in personal health, and the power of community.

We left this conversation ready to become healthy deviants, and break from the ’norm.’

Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast. It will help us extend the reach of these powerful messages.

We appreciate you all.

Be Well

-NOW

Pilar Gerasimo Instagram: @pilargerasimo

Pilar’s Podcast www.livingexperiment.com.

The Healthy Deviant Website: https://www.thehealthydeviant.com

A very generous FREE offer for NOW listeners:

• 5-Day Un-Challenge sales page: https://www.thehealthydeviant.com/5day-unchallenge
• enter code NOW5DAY at checkout to get the course for free.
  

The Nature of Wellness Podcast is produced by the remarkable Shawn Bell.

** The NOW theme song was written, performed, produced, and graciously provided by the incredibly talented Phil and Niall Monahan.

We'd love to hear from you about this episode.

Happy Holidays!!!
The new year brings new chances to set and achieve goals, explore and prioritize aspects of our lives, and declare resolutions for lifestyle changes.
The most common goals each year focus on health and well-being, with many falling under the umbrella of "getting in shape" or "losing weight."
According to a Statista poll, the most popular New Year's resolutions in the US for 2025 are to save more money (21%), exercise more (17%) and eat healthier (19%).
Regardless of the specifics of our goals, as the ball drops on New Year's Eve, millions deliberately focus on creating lasting lifestyle change.
But how do we start fresh and become a better, healthier, and happier version of ourselves?
Welcome to Episode Fifty-Three of the Nature of Wellness TM️ Podcast!!!
In this New Year's episode, we sat down with coach, trainer, and competitive fitness athlete Chelsea Kidd. Chelsea is also the founder of Sitewell Solutions, where she connects high-risk industries like construction, tactical forces, and healthcare professionals to the support they need to thrive, enhance their well-being, prevent injuries, and unlock their full potential.
Join us as we speak to Chelsea about the need for comprehensive worksite wellness programs, creating lasting lifestyle change, and creating a corporate culture that elevates employees and their families.
She discusses her relationship with the natural world, her motivation for starting an online community for fitness athletes and professionals, and how we can seamlessly build nature into our healthy New Year's resolutions.
We left this conversation with a new list of goals for the new year.
Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review anywhere you listen to this podcast.
We appreciate you all.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!!!
Be Well
-NOW TM️
SiteWell Solutions - Fitness, nutrition, human performance services for high-risk industries.
www.sitewellsolutions.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sitewell-solutions-llc
Bikini, Wellness & Figure Competition Prep - Women's fitness community for physique and lifestyle athletes.
The community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BikiniWellnessFigureCompetitionPrep
Fitness programs: https://coach.everfit.io/package/IK460124
Connect with Chelsea
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-e-kidd/
Instagram: @chelsea__kidd
* The unbelievable Shawn Bell produces the Nature of Wellness Podcast, making us sound good.

** The NOW theme song was penned, performed, produced, and provided by the dynamic duo of Phil and Niall Monahan.
*** This show wouldn't exist without our amazing guests and all of you who listen. Please like, subscribe, follow, and review to help us get these important messages out to more folks who can benefit from them. Thank you all.