In this empowering episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom tackle the realities of aging head-on with research-backed insights. They debunk common fears around MRI findings like disc bulges and osteoarthritis, explaining—using research-backed evidence—that many are normal age-related changes, not reasons to stop moving. From research-backed benefits of weighted vests for improving strength and posture, to the critical role of strength training for bone density and joint health, the hosts emphasize that movement is medicine. Whether managing osteoporosis, herniated discs, or arthritis, a proactive, guided approach to exercise can help you age with strength, confidence, and independence.

Zulu Weighted Vest:

Upgrade your everyday movement with the ZULU Weighted Vest — designed to increase calorie burn, naturally engage your core, and improve posture with every step. Perfect for walks, workouts, and daily errands. Use code OPTIMAL for 20% off at checkout.

Lifting for Longevity Discount:

Check out our NEW movement longevity course -> Lifting for Longevity! Build your Strength, Mobility, Power, Balance and more regardless of what stage or age you’re at! Podcast listeners get a bonus discount with code OPTIMAL20

We Think You'll Love:

• Lifting for Longevity
• Jen’s Instagram
• Dom’s Instagram
• YouTube Channel

What You'll Learn:

1:54 The Truth Behind Aging

3:42 The Power of a Provider's Words

6:07 Misconceptions About Aging and Exercise

7:13 Understanding MRI Findings

11:07 Knee Osteoarthritis and Exercise

14:21 Running with Osteoarthritis

15:45 Osteoporosis and Heavy Lifting

18:23 The LIFTMOOR Trial for Osteoporosis

20:58 Herniated Discs and Fear of Movement

25:47 Red Flags for Back Pain

27:11 Four Pillars of Healthy Aging

28:19 Pain Monitoring Rules for Exercise

For the full show notes and resources visit https://jen.health/podcast/470

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In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, welcome back Doctor Courtney Conley to discuss her new book, Walk. Together, they explore why walking is considered the "sixth vital sign" and how gait speed can predict health issues like cognitive decline. Doctor Courtney breaks down the importance of power in walking, how to improve gait speed for greater efficiency, and why the 10,000-steps goal isn't scientifically based. She also shares practical advice on footwear choices and encourages listeners to start simply — by taking their shoes off at home to reconnect with their feet and build a foundation for better gait speed and movement. It's not just foot health, it's about our movement longevity.

Needed Discount:

Jen trusted Needed Supplements for fertility, pregnancy, and beyond! Support men and women’s health with vitamins, Omega-3, and more. Used by 6,000+ pros. Use code OPTIMAL for 20% off at checkout!

Dr Conley's Resources:

• "Walk"Book
• Gait Happens on IG
• Gait Happens on YT
• Gait Happens Website

We Think You'll Love:

• Free Week of Jen Health
• Barefoot Mini Course
• Jen’s Instagram
• Dom’s Instagram
• YouTube Channel

For full show notes and resources visit https://jen.health/podcast/469

What You'll Learn:

2:17 Doctor Conley discusses writing her book with a physical therapist and how their different perspectives created a well-rounded final product.

8:04 Walking speed is discussed as a key indicator of overall health, predicting issues like cognitive decline years in advance.

11:11 The conversation shifts from strength to power, explaining how power exercise is a one of the most crucial health tips for efficient gait and everyday movements.

12:36 Doctor Conley offers simple ways to assess and improve walking power, such as tracking steps per minute and walking uphill.

17:50 The mechanics of an efficient gait...

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In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, Doctors of Physical Therapy Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore the critical link between walking speed and overall health in older adults. They discuss research showing that resistance training can significantly improve gait parameters, emphasizing that muscle power is the most important modifiable factor influencing walking speed. The hosts highlight key exercise like calf raises, hip abduction, and squats, stressing the need for progressive overload to stimulate real muscle adaptation and improve gait. They encourage listeners of all ages to prioritize strength training to reduce fall risk, support cognitive health, and improve longevity. Ultimately, the episode underscores health tips on how targeted exercise can improve gait and overall quality of life.

Zulu Weighted Vest:

Upgrade your everyday movement with the ZULU Weighted Vest — designed to increase calorie burn, naturally engage your core, and improve posture with every step. Perfect for walks, workouts, and daily errands. Use code OPTIMAL for 20% off at checkout.

Needed Discount:

Jen trusted Needed Supplements for fertility, pregnancy, and beyond! Support men and women’s health with vitamins, Omega-3, and more. Used by 6,000+ pros. Use code OPTIMAL for 20% off at checkout!

We Think You'll Love:

• Free Longevity Webinar
• Jen Health Discount
• Jen’s Instagram
• Dom’s Instagram
• YouTube Channel

For full show notes and resources visit https://jen.health/podcast/468

What You'll Learn:

2:01 Gait Speed as the Sixth Vital Sign

4:43 Why Walking Speed Matters

6:16 Gait Speed and Longevity

8:50 The Importance of Muscular Power

9:37 Preventing Age-Related Muscle Loss

11:05 Key Findings from the Research

12:42 The Importance of Progressive Overload

15:30 Most Effective Exercises for Gait Speed

16:10 How to Progress Exercises Safely

19:20 Applying These Principles to Daily Life

20:14 Starting a Strength Training Routine

21:41 Training to Failure Explained

23:27 The Value of Supervised Training

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In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom, both doctors of physical therapy, welcome back Shannon Algeo, psychotherapist and author of The Power in Your Hands. Shannon explores how smartphone and social media use mirrors insecure attachment patterns, introducing the concept of technology attachment to explain how people unconsciously turn to technology to manage anxiety, avoid emotions, and seek connection. The conversation covers how virtual interactions lack the embodied cues essential for genuine human bonding, the dangers of solitude deprivation, and the societal nature of technology attachment and the pain of digital addiction. Shannon encourages listeners to exercise compassion, small behavioral experiments, and collective action to help reclaim presence, creativity, and authentic human connection.

Shannon's Resources:

• The Power in Your Hands
• Shannon on IG
• Shannon on YT
• Shannon's Website

We Think You'll Love:

• Free Week of Jen Health
• Jen’s Instagram
• Dom’s Instagram
• YouTube Channel

What You'll Learn from Shannon:

2:31 The Genesis of the Book

4:19 Attachment Theory and Technology Attachment

8:21 Virtual vs. Real World

10:51 Attachment Styles and Social Media

15:44 Negativity Bias Online

19:17 The Dangers of Instant Answers

22:10 The Importance of Solitude

30:08 Parenting in the Digital Age

36:25 The Grief of the Unlived Life

42:08 The Influencer's Dilemma

46:48 Is "Doomscrolling" Actually Relaxing?

52:15 Hope for the Future

58:07 How to Start Disconnecting

For full show notes and resources visit https://jen.health/podcast/467

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In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom explore foot pain and injury through Dom's personal experience with a Lisfranc ligament tear and two surgeries. Dom shares how a recent pickleball injury during a session triggered sharp midfoot pain, prompting him to self-assess and begin conservative treatment. They discuss potential diagnoses, footwear adjustments, and rehabilitation strategies including mobility work, strengthening exercises, and balance training. The episode highlights the value of physical therapy, direct access care, and structured programs like Gen Health's foot and ankle roadmap for achieving safe, effective long-term recovery after a pickleball injury.

Jen Health Annual Membership Discount:

Huge discount on Jen Health Annual Membership! Podcast listeners get over 50% off with code OPTIMAL10. Access 12 Therapy Plans and start your free trial now—move with us!

We Think You'll Love:

• Jen Health Discount
• Jen’s Instagram
• Dom’s Instagram
• YouTube Channel

For full show notes and resources visit https://jen.health/podcast/466

What You'll Learn:

3:23 Doctor Dom begins to share his personal experience with his pickleball injury, a recurring foot injury, starting with his history of surgeries.

4:15 Dom details his high school Lisfranc ligament tear, the two surgeries he had, and the hardware placed in his foot.

5:59 Dom describes how a long session of pickleball likely triggered his recent foot pain, causing a sharp mid-arch pain.

7:23 Dom discusses ruling out plantar fasciitis and considering other potential diagnoses like a Lisfranc injury or arthritic flare-up.

9:46 Dom explains his reasoning for not immediately seeking a formal diagnosis, anticipating the likely conservative recommendations he would receive.

11:16 The speakers discuss how switching to more cushioned shoes for high-impact activities might have contributed to their recent foot issues.

13:34 Dom shares the first steps he took for relief, including toe spreading, manual mobilizations, and big toe mobility exercises.

16:06 Dom describes progressing his exercises to include short foot activations, isometric toe flexion, and single-leg stance work to normalize gait.

18:51 Dom explains why his rigid foot needs both mobility work and strengthening through its new ranges to prevent future injury.

20:45 A week after the injury, Dom details his current exercises, including heel raises, single-leg reaches, and what still causes pain.

24:52 The hosts advocate for seeing a physical therapist first for conservative treatment to potentially avoid costly and unnecessary medical procedures.

26:49 Dom outlines his plan to...

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In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom welcome running expert Doctor of physical therapy Vikash Sharma to discuss how to run safely and effectively. They cover key topics like avoiding the "too much, too quickly" trap, using walk-run intervals for beginners, and following the 10% rule for mileage progression. Dr. Sharma also shares valuable advice on strength training exercise (especially calf and hip work), managing common running injuries and pain, and choosing the right footwear. Plus, there's helpful guidance for women returning to running postpartum. A must-listen for anyone looking to run smarter!

Zulu Weighted Vest:

Upgrade your everyday movement with the ZULU Weighted Vest — designed to increase calorie burn, naturally engage your core, and improve posture with every step. Perfect for walks, workouts, and daily errands. Use code OPTIMAL for 20% off at checkout.

Needed Discount:

Jen trusted Needed Supplements for fertility, pregnancy, and beyond! Support men and women’s health with vitamins, Omega-3, and more. Used by 6,000+ pros. Use code OPTIMAL for 20% off at checkout!

Dr Sharma's Resources:

• Perfect Stride Website
• Dr Sharma on IG
• Perfect Stride on IG
• Perfect Stride on YT
• Perfect Stride on FB

We Think You'll Love:

• Free Week of Jen Health
• Jen’s Instagram
• Dom’s Instagram
• YouTube Channel

For full show notes and resources visit https://jen.health/podcast/465

What You'll Learn:

4:13 Dr. Sharma shares his personal history with running, which started in middle school and became a lifelong passion.

8:19 Dr. Sharma explains that the most common reason for running injuries is doing "too much, too quickly" without proper adaptation.

10:08 Recommendations for beginners include...

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In this episode of the Optimal Body Podcast, Doctor Dom shares her personal experience of sustaining a minor back injury and developing sciatic pain while deadlifting. She and Doc Jen discuss how even fitness professionals aren't immune to pain and injury, emphasizing that stress, poor sleep, and rushing through movements increase the risk of experiencing issues like sciatic pain. They debunk the myth that deadlifts are inherently dangerous and clarify that disc bulges are common even in pain-free individuals, and not always linked to sciatic pain. Doctor Dom outlines her recovery approach, including breathing, relaxation, and gentle progressive movement. The key message: pain, including sciatic pain, isn't always a sign of serious damage, and mindful movement is essential for recovery.

Lifting for Longevity:

Check out our NEW movement longevity course -> Lifting for Longevity! Build your Strength, Mobility, Power, Balance and more regardless of what stage or age you’re at! Podcast listeners get a bonus discount with code OPTIMAL20

We Think You'll Love:

• Lifting for Longevity
• Jen’s Instagram
• Dom’s Instagram
• YouTube Channel

What You'll Learn:

2:02 Doc Jen's Deadlift Injury

4:04 The Importance of Mindset After Injury

7:17 Deadlifts Aren't Inherently Dangerous

10:19 Pain vs. Actual Tissue Damage

10:57 Disc Bulges in Asymptomatic People

14:27 The Benefits of Deadlifting

16:06 Immediate Steps for Acute Back Pain

18:29 Reintroducing Safe Movement Patterns

23:49 The Reality of Long-Term Maintenance

24:42 Common Mistakes After an Injury

For full show notes and resources visit https://jen.health/podcast/464

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In this episode of the Optimal Body podcast, Doc Jen and Doctor Dom sit down with Doctor Aleksandra Gajer, an expert in sustainable weight loss, longevity, and women's midlife health. Doctor Gajer discusses her journey from emergency medicine to a focus on proactive, preventative care. Key topics include metabolic health, insulin resistance, peptides, hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause, and actionable lifestyle interventions such as post-meal walking and strength training. The discussion highlights GLP-1 medications, the role of peptides in therapy, and how peptide treatments can support metabolic, hormonal and women's health. Health tips including sleep optimization and the importance of personalized, compassionate care—rather than generic advice—are also emphasized for women navigating complex physiological changes, with a special focus on how peptides can be integrated into individualized health strategies.

Zulu Weighted Vest:

Upgrade your everyday movement with the ZULU Weighted Vest — designed to increase calorie burn, naturally engage your core, and improve posture with every step. Perfect for walks, workouts, and daily errands. Use code OPTIMAL for 20% off at checkout.

Needed Discount:

Jen trusted Needed Supplements for fertility, pregnancy, and beyond! Support men and women’s health with vitamins, Omega-3, and more. Used by 6,000+ pros. Use code OPTIMAL for 20% off at checkout!

Dr Gajer's Resources:

• Dr Gajer's Website
• Dr Gajer on IG
• Dr Gajer on YT
• Dr Gajer on FB
• Free Intro Call

We Think You'll Love:

• Free Week of Jen Health
• Jen’s Instagram
• Dom’s Instagram
• YouTube Channel

For full show notes and resources visit https://jen.health/podcast/463

What You'll Learn:

3:21 Doctor Gajer explains her career...

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.