The Wellness Paradox

This is the eleventh episode of our special podcast series exploring the Sept/Oct themed issue of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal on professionalization and advocacy. In this episode, we’ll explore the important and complex topic of payment, with Christina Badaracco, the lead author for the article in the themed issue entitled "Compensation for Exercise Professional Services."

Christina has an extensive background in clinical research, healthcare policy, and public health program development. She’ll provide insights into various reimbursement models, including cash pay, health savings accounts, and insurance reimbursement, and how better understanding these methods and advocating for improvements can increase both accessibility and professional recognition in the exercise field. Christina shares her recent work with Avalere and the Physical Activity Alliance, shedding light on healthcare integration opportunities for interventions delivered by exercise professionals.

Discover the hurdles that exercise professionals may face in a changing compensation landscape, from increased paperwork and lower reimbursement rates to the necessity for specialized knowledge and additional staff. We delve into the importance of clear quality measures and evidence-based programs to showcase the impact of fitness on health outcomes and healthcare costs. Additionally, Christina's explore the parallels between physical activity and the food is medicine initiative, and the importance of advocating for better integration, reimbursement, and support for advancing lifestyle medicine. This is an episode packed with strategies and insights critical for all exercise professionals to understand as they travel on their professionalization journey.

Show Notes Page: https://wellnessparadoxpod.com/episodeacsm11
Our Guest: Christina Badaracco, MPH, RDN, LDN

Christina works as a healthcare consultant and nationally recognized thought leader, focusing on advancing the role of nutrition and lifestyle medicine in healthcare. She also regularly writes, teaches, and develops curriculum about nutrition, culinary medicine, and sustainable agriculture—including publishing The Farm Bill: A Citizen’s Guide, publishing cookbooks with the Transamerica Institute, and co-developing a culinary medicine course at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and lifestyle medicine shared medical appointment series for MedStar Health in the DC metro area. She is currently guiding a start-up focused on healthy and sustainable food in hospitals and several other innovative food projects.

In her most recent full-time role as a healthcare consultant at Avalere, Christina advised various healthcare industry clients (including the Physical Activity Alliance) in care transformation and evidence generation. Christina previously worked for the Environmental Protection Agency, Teaching Kitchen Collaborative, Oakland Unified School District, and other prominent organizations. She serves as president of the DC Metro Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a Slow Food DC board member. She earned her MPH from UC Berkeley and her AB in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, with a minor in Italian, from Princeton University.

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Unlock the full potential of your health as Dr. Christopher Davis, Chief Medical Officer for Liquivida, joins us to explore the transformative world of nutrient IV therapy. Prepare to be enlightened on how this cutting-edge treatment is reshaping the landscape of personal health management. With Dr. Davis's transition from interventional cardiology to the holistic realm of functional medicine, we delve into the essential role of addressing the root causes of illness. Together, we navigate the intricacies of enhancing mitochondrial function, combating chronic fatigue, and the remarkable impact of nutrients like NAD, magnesium, vitamin C, and glutathione on both the ailing population and athletes.
This episode is a treasure trove for fitness professionals aiming to broaden their expertise, and for anyone intrigued by the intersection of health optimization and modern medical therapy. Dr. Davis lays bare the critical importance of safety and knowledge in administering these powerful therapies, shedding light on the founding of the American IV Association and the guidelines that protect patients. If you've been intrigued by the trend of nutrient IV therapy, but don't know where to turn for information, this episode is your one-stop shop.
Show Notes Page: https://wellnessparadoxpod.com/episode115
Our Guest: Dr. Christopher Davis

Dr. Davis is a triple board-certified integrative interventional cardiologist with a passion for educating and empowering individuals to take control of their own health by teaching simple lifestyle changes that have been overlooked by our medical establishment for years. He firmly believes that our bodies were designed to heal themselves given the proper nutrition. Dr. Davis completed his undergraduate education at Duke University and medical school at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He completed his internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins University-Sinai Hospital and went on to serve as chief medical resident at Johns Hopkins. He then completed a 4-year general cardiology fellowship and an additional 1-year interventional cardiology fellowship at the University of Virginia. Other specialties of practice include Functional and Age Management Medicine.

Dr. Davis is the founder of Manatee Cardiovascular Wellness Institute, a full-service cardiovascular practice as well as the founder of Reveal Vitality, a Lifestyle medicine and Functional medicine practice where he incorporates nutrition education, hormone balance, and precision health and wellness utilizing genetic testing. Dr. Davis also serves as the Medical Director at Hippocrates Health Institute, a world-renowned health wellness spa in West Palm Beach, Florida as well as Chief Medical Officer of Liquivida®, an industry-leading IV nutrient therapy corporation. Dr. Davis has created systematic wellness programs that provide the foundational education to dispel the ever-growing number of fallacies and myths related to achieving optimal health.

As an exercise enthusiast, Dr. Davis practices what he preaches. Clients travel from around the world to garner his expertise that allows them to enjoy a life full of vitality.

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Unlock the door to a calmer you with the help of Dr. Matthew Lederman as we navigate an area that is often overlooked by fitness professionals - the parasympathetic nervous system. Imagine achieving a serene state of mind amidst the chaos of your daily life; this episode is your guidebook. Dr. Lederman returns to the Wellness Paradox podcast, amplifying our prior insights with advanced strategies for harmonizing our body's restful processes. We'll dissect the intricate dance between breath control and wellbeing, and I'll introduce you to webe kälm, an innovative tool created to enhance your path to better health. Our dialogue extends beyond theory, showcasing practical steps to seamlessly integrate breathwork into the rhythm of your daily routine.

The topics discussed in this episode are enlightening in two ways. First, we'll discuss how breathwork can assist fitness professionals' clients in achieving better levels of recovery, health, and connection. Secondly, we'll explore how breathwork can be a potent tool for our own recovery, focus, and wellbeing as fitness professionals trying to care for others. Although many listeners likely haven't put much thought into the parasympathetic nervous system, this discussion makes clear its important role in improving the health, fitness, and wellbeing of our clients.
Show Notes Page: https://wellnessparadoxpod.com/episode114

Our Guest: Dr. Matthew Lederman

Dr. Lederman began his professional medical career studying conventional Western medicine to become a board-certified Internal Medicine physician. He quickly realized more skills and tools were needed if he was going to help people achieve his definition of optimum health: to live in a state of, “Life Is Wonderful.” He began his personal and professional expansion starting with additional training in nutrition and lifestyle medicine, eventually participating in the documentary Forks Over Knives as well as co-authoring 6 books, including a NY Times Bestseller. Most recently he co-authored, “Wellness to Wonderful,” interweaving medical science, psychology, spirituality, and life wisdom to help people achieve lasting health, vibrancy, peace, and joy. He further expanded his arsenal of care by completing CNVC Trainer Certification as he found Nonviolent Communication to be the foundation on which mind-body and interpersonal healing lies. He is particularly passionate about bringing NVC into this world to support patients, parents, children, and work teams using technology and other creative outlets. In addition, he strongly believes that effective care must be trauma-informed, and supports that intention through his continued work with the Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Awareness Principles.

After 10 years in the corporate world serving as the Whole Foods Market Vice President of Medical Affairs helping launch their national comprehensive medical & wellness centers and integrated hospital and insurance network, Dr. Lederman moved on to build his newest ventures, WeHeal and webe kälm, with his work and life partner of 18 years. WeHeal & webe kälm are the culmination of decades of learning and practical experience organized into an easily accessible program and tools that do everything just short of guaranteeing lasting health, joy and satisfaction in your life.

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Often when we think about training the aging adult, we think about an individual who is chronically diseased and functionally limited. While that is certainly true of some (maybe most) aging adults, it’s not true for all. There is another segment of adults that would be better classified as aging athletes.

Our guest in episode 99, Andy Graham, knows this group well, as he’s one of them. Andy is a long-time fitness industry veteran, primarily working in the equipment space. He’s also started a blog called Age is No Barrier, that chronicles the stories of athletes as they age.

In this episode, we’ll discuss the lessons Andy’s learned in writing his blog, and how those lessons apply to fitness professionals. Yes, there are aging adults with diseases fit pros need to be skilled at working with. The aging athlete is another population that can use our help to stay healthy, active, well, and competing in the sports they love - at a high level. This conversation unpacks that notion in greater detail.

Show Notes Page: www.wellnessparadoxpod.com/episode99

Our Guest: Andrew Graham, FMFA

Andrew is currently and ecstatically a part of the sales team at Stages Cycling, where they promote cycling in every form – indoors and outside. He has served the health and fitness industry for thirty years, from sales to sales management and recently in strategic partnership management. A Fellow with the Medical Fitness Association, Andrew is a lifelong believer that exercise is even better than medicine, and believes the future of both fitness and healthcare will be found at the intersection of those two worlds. Andrew also considers himself head field researcher for demonstrating that AgeIsNoBarrier for fully participating in life and sports as we pass the half century mark.
Andrew and his wife live in northern Colorado where he averages 7,000 miles on his bike, 20+ days on his skis, and as many hikes in the Rockies that time allows. His interview website: AgeIsNoBarrier.Today, began out of curiosity of how 50+ athletes train, fuel, hydrate and recover. It continues today out of a passion for telling stories of amazing older athletes.

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Unlock the secrets to impeccable posture and peak physical performance with our latest episode featuring Kristen Schuyten, a veteran physical therapist from Michigan Medicine. Kristen's extensive experience with athletes—ranging from athletes and performers—offers a comprehensive look at the critical role of posture in injury prevention and optimal function. Whether you're a fitness professional or a strength coach, Kristen's insights will prove invaluable.
Gain a deeper understanding of the natural curves of the spine and why maintaining alignment is essential for overall body health. We discuss the modern-day culprits of poor posture, such as prolonged computer use and weight gain, and how these factors lead to muscle imbalances and spinal issues. Kristen provides practical advice on addressing tightness in the front body and weakness in the back to ensure balanced musculature and prevent injuries during workouts.
Finally, navigate the landscape of postural improvements and clinical pathology with expert guidance. Learn how to distinguish between issues that can be managed through standard exercise interventions and those requiring professional medical attention. Kristen emphasizes the importance of warm-up and cool-down routines, offering practical tips and resources to integrate into your daily regimen. This episode is packed with actionable advice and strategies to help you or your clients achieve and maintain optimal posture for superior performance and health.
Show Notes Page: https://wellnessparadoxpod.com/episode131
Our Guest: Kristen Schuyten, PT, DPT, MS, SCS, CSCS

Dr. Kristen Schuyten is a Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist and Performing Arts Rehabilitation Program Coordinator at MedSport Domino’s Farms and a Physical Therapist with the School of Music, Theatre and Dance Wellness Initiative. She holds her Board Certification in Sports through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA.

Dr. Schuyten received her undergraduate education from University of Michigan, and her Master’s and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University. She performs staff training in the evaluation, screening and treatment of Performing Arts patients and coordinates and performs on-site triaging, backstage treatment services for the School of Music, Theatre and Dance (SMTD).
She has collaborated in the creation of return to dance post-operative protocol, gymnastic, instrumentalist, post-concussion return and figure skating injury risk screening for these specialized patient populations. For over a decade, she has coordinated injury risk screening for the UM SMTD including analysis of individual screenings and customized exercise prescription.

Dr. Schuyten volunteers with the US Figure Skating Team USA, serving on their medical as Team Physiotherapist and supporting the team supported the team in Olympic and World Championship events. Through US Figure Skating and Michigan Medicine collaborations, she has served as a Co-Chief Medical Officer for 2019 National Figure and Synchronized Skating Championships.

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