Molly Kopischke

The mind-body connection refers to how our thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and feelings either positively or negatively influence our physical bodies — and vice versa. It can be a truly powerful resource to tap into. In this episode, Jessie Syfko explains more about this connection, the benefits it provides, how we can grow it, and the integral relationship it has to our fitness efforts.

Lunges are a fundamental movement for strengthening muscles from your waist down. Yet because they appear easier to perform than they actually are, many people do too many too soon and end up discouraged or with lower-back or knee injuries. Alec Blenis, CPT, CSCS, explains why this move is a staple in strength and conditioning programs and how to add lunges into your routine in a safe and beneficial way.

Adverse reactions to many foods are on the rise, and while allergies are often more easily identifiable, sensitivities and intolerances typically are not. Regardless, they can all cause troubling effects in the body. Samantha McKinney, RD, explains the differences between food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances, what the common food offenders are, how to spot signs of a reaction, and —  in the case of the latter two — why those signs are often symptoms but not the root cause.

The term “fitness competition” often conjures images of bodybuilding events, but it’s much more encompassing than those, including 5Ks and marathons, powerlifting meets, obstacle course races, and more. Danny King, Master Trainer, explains why he thinks everybody — at any fitness or experience level — can benefit from participating in a fitness event.

Working with a coach or personal trainer can boost your fitness efforts and help you make meaningful progress toward your goals. Sometimes, however, we overlook how powerful the partnership can be, including the gains that go beyond physical fitness. In this episode, we hear the firsthand experience of Life Time member Roshini Rajkumar and her coach Brian McKinney, CPT, how they get the most out of their experience working together, and what to look for in your own trainer-client relationship.

Many view massage as a luxury or splurge — but some experts argue that it’s an investment in your health and wellness and deserves to be part of your routine. Zac Ellis, certified massage therapist, explains why he suggests adjusting your perceptions around massage, the benefits that can be reaped from the practice, the different types of massage modalities, and how to get the most out of a session.

There’s a lot of confusion around supplements, leaving many wondering, “What supplements should I take?” or “Do I even need to take any at all?” Paul Kriegler, RD, CPT, shares the top supplements he recommends for most everyone, why supplementing is perhaps more important now than ever, and the importance of quality and how to identify the best options.

The blend of sprinting with strength and balance work makes Ultra Fit training unique in its ability to improve your functional fitness and push you to your athletic limits. It’s also why Bahram Akradi, the founder and CEO of Life Time and developer of this format, describes Ultra Fit as one of the “most efficient, effective workouts.” In this episode, track and field Olympian and Ultra Fit Coach Mechelle Lewis Freeman digs into the science behind the training and explains how it’s designed to challenge your body and brain through every stage of life.

Most people think about the impact of strength training on their physique — but sometimes it’s the mental benefits that can offer the greatest gains. Konnor Fleming, Alpha Master Coach, explains the advantages of a well-designed strength program, particularly the connection to mental and emotional health, and how those results can come from Alpha programming.

Alpha is a signature group training format at Life Time that’s centered around Olympic-style lifting and metabolic conditioning. But what is the class like? What results does it elicit? And how does it differ from other training programs? In this mini episode, Konnor Fleming, Master Alpha Coach, shares what to know about this format.

Understanding your heart-rate zones allows you to approach your fitness efforts in a more personalized way — working at the right intensity level and tapping into the right fuel source for your body at the right time. Omaur Bliss, GTX Coach, explains more about the benefits of this type of training and the ways it’s integrated into GTX programming.

GTX is a signature group training format at Life Time that’s a 50/50 blend of cardio and strength. But what is the class like? What results does it elicit? And how does it differ from other training programs? In this mini episode, Omaur Bliss, GTX Coach, shares those details and more about this format.

Gravel racing has seen an upswing in popularity and participation in recent years —  but why? In this mini episode, Kristi Mohn and Michelle Duffy, who work on the Life Time Athletic Events team, share more about this sport, how it’s different from other types of cycling, and why it’s something more people — from casual riders to professional athletes — are taking part in. 

If you ask any of the Life Time dietitians — including this episode’s guest, Paul Krieger, RD, CPT — they’ll note that one of the most important things you can do for your nutrition is make sure you’re consuming enough quality protein. Kriegler explains why this macronutrient is so critical for health, and he shares how much protein you need, what animal and plant sources are the best, and ways to support your body in properly digesting and absorbing it.

While many are tempted by the latest eating fad or trendy diet, the team at Life Time has long maintained that sustainable, healthy food habits are based on a few foundational practices. In this mini episode, Samantha McKinney, RD, CPT, introduces us to 1-2-12, Life Time’s new nutrition system that offers a framework nearly anyone can use to improve their eating behaviors.

“Detox” is a long-debated topic: Some associate it with deprivation, while others think the practice is not necessary because of our body’s natural detoxification systems. Anika Christ, RD, joins us to clear up the confusion, and explains how to detox your body with a whole-foods approach that feels far from depriving — and that can support nearly everyone in feeling and functioning better.