What if your health had less to do with the number on the scale and more to do with how your body moves and performs? In this episode, we reveal why measuring your athletic ability may be the single most powerful step toward living longer, stronger, and more independently.

Drawing on insights from The Body User Manual by Dr. David Quartell, this conversation unpacks what “athletic ability” really means — and why it’s about much more than sports. We break down the two key components: endurance (your body’s ability to sustain energy and activity) and mobility (flexibility, strength, and balance working together). You’ll learn why avoiding injury is the golden rule for long-term health, how improving your VO₂ max boosts vitality at every level, and why even people in their 90s can see measurable improvements in just a few weeks.

This episode connects the dots between athletic ability, healthspan, and independence — showing how simple tests like sit-to-stand, push-ups, balance holds, and squats can map your baseline and track progress. Whether you want to fight off chronic disease, avoid frailty, or simply enjoy life on your own terms, these tools offer a clear roadmap.

Join us as we translate nearly three decades of Dr. Quartell’s hands-on patient care and chiropractic expertise into practical, empowering steps for your journey toward optimal health.