At some point in midlife, many of us are given a diagnosis that changes how we move — not because of pain, but because of how the words land.

“Bone on bone.”
“You have arthritis.”
“Degenerative.”

In this episode, I share my take on how medical diagnoses are meant to inform — but how they often end up making people feel broken.

We talk about:

• What “bone on bone” actually means on imaging
• Why arthritis does not reliably explain pain
• How common disc bulges and degeneration are with age
• Why imaging findings and pain don’t always match
• How fear and loss of trust — not damage — often change how we move
• Why doctors still recommend movement and exercise, even with arthritis
• How to rebuild confidence in your body without ignoring medical reality

This is not about dismissing medicine.
It’s about understanding context — and learning how to move forward without letting a diagnosis become a verdict.

Research & references mentioned:

• Brinjikji et al., 2015 — American Journal of Neuroradiology: Systematic review showing disc bulges, degeneration, and herniations increase with age and are present in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals; imaging findings alone do not reliably explain pain.
• Bedson & Croft, 2008 — Arthritis Research & Therapy: Radiographic osteoarthritis findings do not consistently correlate with pain severity.
• Hunter & Bierma-Zeinstra, 2019 — The Lancet: Osteoarthritis pain is multifactorial and poorly explained by imaging alone.

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  Intro to Plyometrics for Women 50+: Sign up here

  Where to find me or work with me:

  • Website: IronStrongFitness.net
  • Instagram: @IronStrongFit
  • Small group strength training in Jersey City: View schedule

  New episodes drop once a week.

Jumping for bone density matters. But it’s not the whole story.

After watching my 86-year-old dad trip and fall, I started thinking differently about what actually prevents falls as we age. It’s not standing still and balancing on one leg — it’s how fast you can react when something unexpected shows up.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why “jump for bone density” advice is incomplete

• What plyometrics really train (and why stomping misses the point)

• Reaction time, fast muscle fibers, and staying quick on your feet as we age

• Why most falls happen while moving — not balancing

This is a conversation about training to stay nimble, responsive, and upright in real life.

Intro to Plyometrics for Women 50+ Early-bird registration opens this week! Join the waitlist here for early bird savings:👉 https://straightupstrong.kit.com/2026-plyo-waitlist

Where to find me or work with me:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IronStrongFitness.net⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@IronStrongFit ⁠⁠⁠⁠

My small group strength training schedule in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

This episode is a timely reflection on the murder of Alex Pretti, the VA ICU nurse, and why events that happen “far away” still affect us deeply.

I talk about:

• Why the news feels heavy, anxiety-producing, and hard to look at

• How silence and avoidance can increase feelings of powerlessness

• Three simple ways I take action when I’m not a volunteer or organizer type of person

• Why “echo chambers” can be a place of empowerment, not weakness

This is about feeling, naming what matters to you, and taking one small action — even when everything feels overwhelming.

Organization I mentioned in the episode: 5calls.org

Where to find me or work with me:

Intro to Plyometrics for Women 50+ waitlist: https://ironstrongfitness.net/9-week-online-intro-to-plyo

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IronStrongFitness.net⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@IronStrongFit ⁠⁠⁠⁠

My small group strength training schedule in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

If your business lives online, staying quiet about politics can feel safer — but not always honest.

In this episode, I talk about where I draw my line, why online businesses are in the trust business, and why I’m willing to post in my instagram stories about what I think about current events.

I also share how I use money as alignment — including canceling Amazon Prime — and why this is a personal, privileged decision with no single right answer.

Mentioned:

• Intro to Plyometrics for Women 50+ Next cohort starts February 22 Join the waitlist: https://ironstrongfitness.net/9-week-online-intro-to-plyo

Where to find me or work with me:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IronStrongFitness.net⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@IronStrongFit ⁠⁠⁠⁠

My small group strength training schedule in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

From the outside, personal training looks like flexible hours and working out all day.The reality is very different.

In this episode, I break down what the life of a personal trainer actually looks like — especially in the early years — including:

• Why trainers work when everyone else is off

• The pay reality inside big box gyms

• The energy cost of “bringing motivation” all day

• Why independence isn’t automatically easier

• Why passion alone doesn’t sustain a career in fitness

This episode is for:

• Anyone who’s ever said, “You must love your job — you just work out all day

• • Anyone considering becoming a personal trainer
• • Anyone curious about what really goes into making fitness a career

  
  

• Intro to Plyometrics for Women 50+ waitlist: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/9-week-online-intro-to-plyo

  Next cohort starts Feb 22, 2026

  Where to find me or work with me:

  Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IronStrongFitness.net⁠⁠

  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@IronStrongFit ⁠⁠⁠⁠

  My small group strength training schedule in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

  Episodes drop once a week.

​​This episode isn’t really about a TV show — it’s about what happens when we judge something (or someone) from the outside.

I talk about how Heated Rivalry unexpectedly cracked through an emotional numbness I didn’t realize I was in, and why labeling it as “just smut” misses the deeper point. (And yes, I am part of the HR cult)

I explore vulnerability inside rigid systems, the difference between judgment and understanding, and how context creates empathy — for others and for ourselves.

This one’s for listeners who tune in for more than fitness.

Intro to Plyometrics with Pain-Free Knees - A 75-minute live Zoom workshop with me and Dr. Allison Heffron for people who are jump-curious but hesitant because of knee pain. Live zoom workshop on Sunday, Jan 11, 10am EST.

👉 Register here:https://introtoplyos.bfsrehab.com/workshop-opt-in

Intro to Plyometrics for Women 50+ (9-Week Online Course) - February 2026 cohort opens late January.

👉 Learn more:https://ironstrongfitness.net/9-week-online-intro-to-plyo

Where to find me or work with me:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IronStrongFitness.net⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@IronStrongFit ⁠⁠⁠⁠

My small group strength training schedule in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

Dr. Allison Heffron and I are teaming up to teach a live zoom workshop, Intro to Plyometrics with Pain Free Knees.

Get on the waitlist for the Jan 11, 2026 workshop here: https://straightupstrong.kit.com/plyo-pain-free-knees

In this episode, we discuss knee pain related to jumping, focusing on the underlying causes and the importance of proper movement mechanics. We emphasize the significance of understanding foot mechanics, joint mobility, and the role of pain in movement. The discussion also highlights the importance of preparing the body for plyometric activities and the concept of pressure management in maintaining overall body function.

Foot drills referenced during the episode:

Passive foot mobility: https://youtu.be/EAg3l00rrzE?si=wdnUFQ_e9tm-QS0-

Tibial Mobilization: https://youtu.be/o85nRVcKgwY?si=7zGiVI8WSYw53B_E

Seated eversion/inversion: https://youtu.be/se1BAetAalg?si=a297F3U6DQOfKDbS

Intro to Plyometrics for Pain Free Knees workshop waitlist: https://straightupstrong.kit.com/plyo-pain-free-knees (Sun, Jan 11, 10:30am EST)

About Dr Allison Heffron:

Dr. Allison is a rehab-based chiropractor and movement specialist who helps people break through physical limitations and move with confidence.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dr.allisonheffron

Where to find me or work with me:

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IronStrongFitness.net⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@IronStrongFit ⁠⁠⁠⁠

My small group strength training schedule in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.

Your future physical health is linked with your future financial health. This epsiode is to urge you to take action to start saving for retirement, if you haven't already.

In this episode I interview my partner, Todd Rothermel, (MBA who works in banking, and obsessed with saving for retirement) on why we save for our future selves AND how it can be simple.

You do NOT need an MBA or be a master stock picker to live comfortably in your elder years.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as personalized financial, legal, or investment advice. All opinions expressed are for general informational purposes only. Investment decisions involve risk, and listeners should consult their own financial professionals regarding their individual circumstances.

Todd talks about the significance of compounding interest, the realities of real estate investment, and the advantages of using low-cost index funds over active management. The conversation aims to educate listeners on making informed financial decisions and the importance of financial literacy.

Reddit Financial independence flow chart that Todd references in episode

Book: Millionaire Next Door - The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy by Dr Thomas Stanley and Dr William Danko

Where to find me or work with me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@IronStrongFit ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IronStrongFitness.net⁠⁠

My small group strength training schedule in Jersey City: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/schedule

Episodes drop once a week.