Should You Exercise on Vacation? Rethinking Movement When You Travel

04/22/25 • 15 min

In this refreshing episode, Dr. Fred shares his personal reflections after a family trip to Jamaica. He explores the deeper value of movement while on vacation—not just as a workout, but as a form of physical restoration. From pacing in airport terminals to spontaneous gym sessions, he invites listeners to reframe how they think about exercise, especially during downtime. If you’ve ever debated skipping the gym while traveling, this conversation is for you.

🧭 Show Notes + Timestamps

[00:00] What is rehab? Quick intro and host background
[00:34] A family trip to Jamaica: First time vacation stories
[01:27] The importance of reconnecting with family and unplugging
[02:13] Observing how others unwind—and the urge to move
[03:03] The travel struggle: long flights, airports, and lack of movement
[04:07] Vacation routine: lounging vs. gym time
[05:06] Who exercises on vacation? Noticing gym habits at resorts
[05:54] Rediscovering fun in fitness through new equipment and variety
[06:20] The deeper why: Moving because it feels good—not just to look good
[07:18] The balance between challenge and enjoyment in vacation workouts
[07:36] Alternatives to the gym: walking, swimming, exploring
[08:19] Revisiting the "movement buckets" concept from earlier episodes
[09:00] How movement supports recovery from injuries—even on vacation
[09:37] Movement as proactive care, not just reaction to pain
[10:09] Reflecting on your relationship with exercise during travel
[11:04] Rethinking fitness: If it doesn’t feel good, is it the right kind?
[12:15] The risks of going "too hard" and missing the joy of movement
[13:28] The preventative power of staying active—especially while lounging
[14:34] Final thoughts: Plan how you'll move, not just where you'll go

💬 Quote from Dr. Fred:

“If you’re on vacation and don’t feel like moving, maybe you should reevaluate the kind of exercise you’re doing.”

🧠 Key Takeaway:

Movement on vacation shouldn't feel like a chore—it should feel good, natural, and energizing. Whether you're walking the resort grounds, treading water, or exploring a new city, movement is an essential part of wellness—even when you're resting.

🌐 Follow Dr. Fred Bagares:

Instagram: @drfredbagares
Facebook: @drfredbagares
LinkedIn: Fred Bagares, DO
YouTube: Dr. Fred Bagares
Linktree: linktr.ee/drfredbagares

Let me know if you'd like a condensed version of this description for platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or if you'd like social media post captions to go with it!

Support the show

🧭 Show Notes + Timestamps

[00:00] What is rehab? Quick intro and host background
[00:34] A family trip to Jamaica: First time vacation stories
[01:27] The importance of reconnecting with family and unplugging
[02:13] Observing how others unwind—and the urge to move
[03:03] The travel struggle: long flights, airports, and lack of movement
[04:07] Vacation routine: lounging vs. gym time
[05:06] Who exercises on vacation? Noticing gym habits at resorts
[05:54] Rediscovering fun in fitness through new equipment and variety
[06:20] The deeper why: Moving because it feels good—not just to look good
[07:18] The balance between challenge and enjoyment in vacation workouts
[07:36] Alternatives to the gym: walking, swimming, exploring
[08:19] Revisiting the "movement buckets" concept from earlier episodes
[09:00] How movement supports recovery from injuries—even on vacation
[09:37] Movement as proactive care, not just reaction to pain
[10:09] Reflecting on your relationship with exercise during travel
[11:04] Rethinking fitness: If it doesn’t feel good, is it the right kind?
[12:15] The risks of going "too hard" and missing the joy of movement
[13:28] The preventative power of staying active—especially while lounging
[14:34] Final thoughts: Plan how you'll move, not just where you'll go

💬 Quote from Dr. Fred:

“If you’re on vacation and don’t feel like moving, maybe you should reevaluate the kind of exercise you’re doing.”

🧠 Key Takeaway:

🌐 Follow Dr. Fred Bagares:

Instagram: @drfredbagares
Facebook: @drfredbagares
LinkedIn: Fred Bagares, DO
YouTube: Dr. Fred Bagares
Linktree: linktr.ee/drfredbagares

Let me know if you'd like a condensed version of this description for platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or if you'd like social media post captions to go with it!

Support the show

Previous Episode

Direct Care: My Vision for Patients

Hey everyone, it’s Dr. Fred Bagares. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my recent trip to the 2025 Free Market Medical Association Conference in Oklahoma City. This wasn’t just any conference — it helped reignite a spark I’d been missing for a while. I reflect on how my path shifted from traditional medical associations to embracing the direct care model, and how stepping away from the status quo has brought both pushback and empowerment.

If you're a clinician frustrated with red tape, or a patient tired of navigating insurance barriers, this episode is for you. I share why I believe the future of healthcare lies in returning to a direct relationship between the patient and provider — and what it felt like to be in a room full of people who actually get it.

🔑 Episode Highlights & Timestamps:

[00:32] – Why I stopped attending traditional specialty conferences
[01:55] – Burnout, red tape, and the moment I needed change
[02:47] – Enter the direct care model: a shift in purpose
[04:07] – Attending the PM&R conference but feeling uninspired
[05:02] – First impressions of the Free Market Medical Association Conference
[05:52] – Who was in the room and what made it different
[06:33] – Everyone agrees: the system is broken
[07:00] – Learning about the players behind insurance-driven care
[08:03] – Feeling seen, understood, and validated
[09:07] – The skepticism (and quiet curiosity) from my peers
[10:00] – My telemedicine startup before COVID — and how no one believed in it
[10:40] – The more people doubt me, the more I know I’m onto something
[11:04] – Where are the national conversations about healthcare delivery?
[11:56] – A room full of innovators and disruptors
[12:12] – Meeting future physicians: students who want to think differently
[13:00] – Expanding Talking Rehab to cover more on direct care
[13:04] – What direct care really means to me

This one is straight from the heart. If you're thinking about doing things differently — whether you're a doc, a student, or just someone who wants better care — I hope this gives you a little motivation. Thanks for listening and letting me share this journey with you.

📲 Follow me for more:

#DirectCare #HealthcareReform #TalkingRehab #FreeMarketMedicine #PMR #Physiatry #MedicalInnovation #PatientFirst

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Next Episode

The Pathology Pivot

In today’s episode, I dive into a fascinating case that changed the way I think about diagnosis and treatment. I share the story of a patient with chronic lateral foot pain who everyone thought had a tendon problem—but it turned out to be something completely different. This experience taught me about what I now call the "pathology pivot"—how we tend to assume our diagnosis is correct if the treatment works, even when it might not be.

If you're a clinician, therapist, or even just someone who’s been on a confusing healthcare journey, this one's for you.

Timestamps to Navigate the Episode:

[00:00] – Introduction: Who I am and what this podcast is about
[00:35] – The case begins: Chronic lateral foot pain without clear trauma
[01:40] – The original (incorrect) diagnosis and why it made sense
[02:54] – Why the MRI and ultrasound told a different story
[03:28] – The real cause: A small overlooked nerve
[04:34] – Discussions with surgeons and therapists: Skepticism and resistance
[07:00] – Introducing the concept of the "Pathology Pivot"
[08:01] – Why getting better doesn’t always confirm your diagnosis
[09:30] – Real-world examples of treatment success not meaning diagnostic success
[11:02] – How outcome bias affects clinicians and patients alike
[13:00] – Final thoughts on mental errors we all make in healthcare

Thank you so much for listening! I hope this episode helps you think a little differently about diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
If you enjoyed it, please like, subscribe, and share it with a friend or colleague!

Follow me:

Instagram: @drfredbagares
Facebook: @drfredbagares
LinkedIn: Fred Bagares, DO
YouTube: Dr. Fred Bagares
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/drfredbagares

Support the show

Talking Rehab with Dr. Fred Bagares - Should You Exercise on Vacation? Rethinking Movement When You Travel

Transcript

00:00:00.000

What is rehab or rehabilitation? My name is Fred Begaris, a board-certified sports and spine medicine physician in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After 10 years of practice, I still find musculoskeletal medicine both fascinating and challenging. This podcast is about the lingering thoughts and questions I've had after residency and fellowship. My hope is to spark discussion, challenge dogma, and share my experiences in musculoskeletal medicine. Welcome to the Talking Rehab