Ali Fitness Podcast

We endurance athletes are all about the execution. We do discipline quite well, following a training schedule that allows us to compete at the highest level. But how many of us are truly enjoying the process? What if we could challenge ourselves AND see the incredible beauty in every moment? How might that improve our overall health? Ash Ghandehari is a former food and beverage manufacturing insider turned IRONMAN, entrepreneur, environmentalist and inspirational speaker. Ash has completed in 20 marathons and 7 IRONMAN races, including the World Championship in Kona. Inspired to replace the sugary, unhealthy drinks popular with endurance athletes, he founded Hyburst to provide a healthy alternative—and reduce the plastic waste and pollution accelerated by the food and beverage industry. Ash is also the host of the popular podcast FitXTalks and part of the HeartCore Leadership team, platforms that support Ash is his mission to help people live their miracle. Today, Ash shares his expanded definition of fitness

If you’re enduring a difficult time, either physically or emotionally, you are likely focused on the obstacles that lie ahead. Whatever you may be recovering from, be it cancer, major surgery, the loss of a child, or any number of other challenges, moving forward may seem insurmountable. But what if you had something awesome on your calendar—like an ultra-adventure race—that would inspire you to train every day, even on your worst days? Something that would shift your focus away from the SETBACK and make your life all about the COMEBACK? Robyn Benincasa is a World Champion Adventure Racer, sought-after motivational speaker, three-time Guinness World Record kayaker, San Diego firefighter and ten-time Ironman triathlete. Robyn is also the founder and CEO of The Project Athena Foundation, a nonprofit set up to help survivors live an adventurous dream as part of their recovery. Her book, How Winning Works: 8 Essential Leadership Lessons from the Toughest Teams on Earth, is a New York Times bestseller.  Today, Rob

Wearables afford us access to a significant amount of data. We can track everything from sleep quality to heartrate variability to exercise and recovery. But how accurate is the information we get from wearables? And what is the best way to use that data to identify patterns and make lifestyle changes with real impact? Chuck Hazzard is the VP of Sales at OURA, the award-winning wellness ring and app designed to give users insight into their sleep, recovery and readiness to perform.  He is also a technology expert and wearables guru with experience designing computer networks, developing software applications, and building successful telecommunications businesses. Chuck earned his BA in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Maine, and he is a licensed Heartmath Provider. Today, Chuck explains how the new OURA ring is different from the original model and how the user’s Readiness Score is measured. He addresses why the OURA HRV and Readiness Scores differ from other apps and wearables and answ

When was the last time you really loved movement? For most of us, it was when we were kids, using the natural environment as our playground—climbing trees, pretending to be animals, or mimicking the moves of our favorite Kung Fu stars. Is there a way to reclaim that joy of movement as adults? Darryl Edwards is a movement coach, natural lifestyle education, and the creator of the Primal Play Method. Widely known as the Fitness Explorer, Darryl is the author of several books including Paleo Fitness, Paleo from A to Z and the bestseller Animal Moves. He has delivered keynotes at Harvard Medical School, the University of the Arts London and the Ancestral Health Symposium, among many other venues. Darryl’s work has been featured in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Elle Magazine and Men’s Fitness as well as the BBC documentaries Eat to Live Forever and Doctor in the House. Today, Darryl explains the genesis of Primal Play, discussing how he transformed his own health through movement and the inspiration behind the Pri

Imagine being able to develop sportswear specific to the weather conditions you are likely to face at a race. What if you could create a triathlon suit ideal for the IRONMAN World Championship, a suit specifically designed for the climate in Kona? 2XU is working on just that, developing products based on conditions and testing fabrics at 88° and 95% humidity, for example, for the elite athletes competing in Hawaii. Jamie Hunt was a professional triathlete for 12 years, winning multiple international races and ranking as high as #3 with the ITU. He is also the co-founder and product development lead for high-end exercise garment company 2XU. Founded in 2005, 2XU had become the world’s largest triathlon brand by 2007, and within just eight years, the business was earning $30M in profit. In 2013, Louis Vuitton purchased 2XU, but Jamie continues to oversee product development and own a large stake in the global sportswear brand. Today, Jamie explains how he came to build 2XU, discussing his background as a profes

You don’t have to be an elite athlete to understand stress. The fact is, we’re all dealing with performance demands and stressors—both physical and cognitive. What if there was a place designed specifically to support us in the recovery process, providing a calm, centered environment where we can heal? Aaron Drogoszewski and Rick Richey are the founders of ReCover NYC, the city’s first Recovery Studio for everyday athletes. The facility provides the best technologies for recovering from both muscle fatigue and mental stress. Aaron has been a fitness professional since 1997, serving as a personal trainer and massage therapist while competing in Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu jitsu. Rick got his start in 2002, taking on roles as a personal trainer, training manager, massage therapist and subject-matter expert for educational videos. He also competes in Muay Thai and American Kickboxing. Rick and Aaron co-host the Omnia Fitness Podcast for #TeamEverlast. Today, Aaron and Rick explain how they founded ReC

We are suffering from the worst chronic disease problem the world has ever seen, and traditional medicine is not set up to address the issue. In fact, a full 50% of Americans are dealing with at least one chronic disease right now, and by 2030, healthcare spending to treat chronic disease is projected to hit a mind-bending $47 trillion. Chris Kresser is on a mission to address chronic disease by way of a collaborative practice model that affords patients a healthcare team consisting of a general practitioner as well as a health coach, personal trainer, counselor, etc.—all working together to prevent chronic disease before it starts. Chris is a global authority in the realm of ancestral health, Paleo nutrition and functional medicine. His website is among the top 25 natural health sites in the world, and he was recently named one of the 100 most influential people in health and fitness by Greatlist. Chris is also the founder of the Kresser Institute, a functional medicine training platform that offers practiti

Here in ‘The Excited States of America,’ intermittent fasting or IF is all the rage. But fasting has been around since the dawn of mankind and even plays a role in most world religions. Long before it was popular, Dr. Frank Merritt was researching the benefits of intermittent fasting and helping his best friend, Jason, experiment with an IF protocol that would extend his life far beyond the six months he had been given to live in the wake of a brain cancer diagnosis. Dr. Merritt is the founder of VitalityPro, a company dedicated to improving quality of life and athletic performance through the research and development of new, innovative health and exercise modalities, techniques and systems. In addition, he continues to practice emergency medicine in a regional trauma center, celebrating his 20th year in the field. Dr. Merritt earned his medical degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, and he is the co-author of The 17 Hour Fast: Reset Your Eating to Revitalize Your Life. Today, Dr. Merritt sha

We tend to associate biohacking with expensive gadgets. But the truth is, some of the best things you can do for your health cost nothing at all. On this episode of Ali Fitness, we hack the biohacker, picking the brain of a master to find out how to feel our best—without breaking the bank! Thaddeus Owen is a master biohacker and blogger with Primal Hacker and Eris Fit. He is also a certified Bulletproof Coach with a Master’s degree in Holistic Nutrition as well as a certified personal trainer. Thaddeus began his career as a chemical engineer, working for a traditional pharmaceutical company. Eventually, he left the corporate lifestyle for a work-from-home job as Chief Sustainability Engineer and Product Stewardship Manager for Herman Miller, identifying non-toxic products to use in furniture construction. He continues to work full-time while studying biohacking and sharing his knowledge of health, longevity and cognitive enhancement with the Primal Hacker audience. Today, Thaddeus shares his top three no-brai

As endurance athletes, we are well aware of the benefits of resistance training but carving out the time can be difficult—and choosing the right weight is often a guessing game. What if there was a way to train in only 8 minutes once a week, using technology that adapts to provide the perfect amount of resistance? Mike Pullano is the Product and Fulfillment Manager at ARX Fit. ARX is the acronym for ‘adaptive resistance exercise,’ and the Austin-based company builds machines and software that facilitate motorized resistance capable of matching the force of any user for the perfect rep every time. ARX Fit is on a mission to shorten the amount of time it takes to work out and offer the safest and most effective form of resistance training on the market. Today, Mike shares his personal journey to discovering ARX, explaining how an injury to his Achilles tendon ignited an interest in biomechanics and physiology. He walks us through his initial resistance training protocol, discussing how his routine and performan

There is a direct correlation between adverse childhood experiences and the risk for developing addiction, eating disorders, weight issues and medical problems in adulthood. While the vast majority of us experience childhood trauma of some kind, those of us lucky enough to enjoy the social support of a strong family and/or an innate sense of resiliency may not develop addiction issues. But those of us who don’t are tasked with the deep, long-term work of healing. Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross is an expert in the field of eating disorders and integrative medicine and the creator of The Anchor Program, an online practice that provides long-term support for people suffering from food addiction and body image issues. Dr. Ross is the former head of the Eating Disorders Program and the Integrative Medicine Department at the world-renowned Sierra Tucson treatment center, and she currently works in private practice with a focus on treating obesity, eating disorders and addictions. Dr. Ross is also the author of The Emotiona

Recovery is an integral part of bringing health into fitness, and infrared technology provides us with yet another tool for our ‘recovery kit.’ Infrared sauna treatment provides a number of benefits for endurance athletes, including cell rejuvenation, increased circulation and decreased blood pressure. So, how does infrared technology work? Aaron Zack is the co-founder and CEO of Sunlighten, the most effective infrared therapy on the market. The company was founded in 1999 by Jason Jeffers, Aaron’s brother-in-law. Jason’s life was transformed by infrared technology, and he was inspired to share its power to heal chronic illness with others. In 2002, Aaron and his wife, Connie, left their lucrative corporate jobs with Procter & Gamble to join Sunlighten. Soon after, the company patented the Solocarbon infrared technology that differentiates Sunlighten saunas from the rest of the industry. Today, Aaron explains the technology that sets Sunlighten apart from other infrared saunas, describing the specific ben

Most endurance athletes are familiar with the concept of mobility as the body’s ability to move with control in its available range of motion. Yet many of us make the mistake of separating our mobility work from our strength training. How can we evaluate our current ability level and prevent injury by pairing the two together in an intelligent way? Travis Jewett is a strength coach and chiropractor in Northwest Iowa who incorporates the principles of strength and conditioning into his clinical work, addressing the source of his clients’ pain and helping them create better movement. He is a sought-after lecturer with MobilityWOD, giving talks worldwide on athlete assessment, biomechanics and self-care. Travis is StrongFirst-certified in barbells and kettlebells, and he is a CrossFit L1. Today, Travis explains how his approach to strength and conditioning has changed over the years. He discusses the role of a traditional chiropractor and describes how his practice differs from your average practitioner. Travis

As elite athletes, we are in it to win it every time we compete, and anything less than first place is seen as a loss. But what if we looked at it differently? What if we rejected the idea of ‘winning versus losing’ and instead embraced the idea of ‘winning versus learning’? What if we saw every setback as an opportunity to become the best version of ourselves? Roland Schoeman is South Africa’s most successful swimmer, winning gold, silver and bronze in the 2004 Olympics. He attended the University of Arizona on scholarship, breaking several NCAA records during his collegiate career. Roland holds multiple records in the 100-meter freestyle, 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter butterfly and 50-meter butterfly events, and he was the first man to swim the 50-meter freestyle in under 21 seconds. Roland was named African Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and he was elected South African Sports Star of the Year in 2004. Today, Roland discusses the value of his well-rounded athletic background

Seven years ago, Cavin Balaster sustained a two-story fall. He was diagnosed with diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and given less than a 10% chance of regaining consciousness beyond a vegetative state. Cavin did wake up, but he suffered from severe brain fog, double vision and a number of serious infections. He could not eat, walk or talk for several months. How did Cavin repair his broken brain? What role did functional nutrition and neuro-optometry play in his recovery? Today, Cavin is a speaker, educator, blogger and author of How to Feed a Brain, his account of the role nutrition played in healing his brain. He also hosts an award-winning blog and the Adventures in Brain Injury podcast, where he shares what he learned in the process of recovering from TBI with the intention of helping families, practitioners and survivors of all kinds.   On this episode of Ali Fitness, Cavin shares his story of recovering from a traumatic brain injury, walking us through the nutrition and leaky gut protocol he used to heal. Ca

Anxiety and depression are the leading causes of ill health and disability worldwide, yet traditional medicine doesn’t get at the root cause. If you visit a GP, you are likely to get a referral to a psychiatrist and a prescription for a mood stabilizer. A functional medicine practitioner, on the other hand, will investigate what’s going on underneath—and you may be surprised to learn that there is a connection between gut issues and mental health.  Evan Brand is a certified functional medicine practitioner, nutritional therapist and host of the Evan Brand Podcast. He uses at-home lab testing and customized supplement programs to find and fix the root cause of a wide range of health symptoms including chronic fatigue, obesity, depression and anxiety. Evan is also the author of Stress Solutions and The Everything Guide to Nootropics.  Today, Evan explains how his personal struggle with depression and IBS led to a career in functional medicine. He offers case studies to demonstrate the connection between gut and

“Our bodies know how to take care of themselves, and somehow we got disconnected from that. Being able to pave a way back to a ‘native’ state of our skin before we started doing chemistry experiments on it … is very plausible, and it makes a lot of sense to me.” Jasmina Aganovic is the president of Mother Dirt, a biotech company developing biome-friendly skincare products. The line features AO+ Mist, a first-of-its-kind product containing live Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria (AOB), the ‘peace-keeper’ bacteria that has been stripped from the modern microbiome by time spent indoors and contemporary hygiene practices. A cosmetic and consumer goods entrepreneur, Jasmina earned her degree in chemical and biological engineering from MIT. Today, Jasmina shares the story behind Mother Dirt and the evolving definition of what it means to be clean. She offers insight around anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, the connection between our modern lifestyle and skin issues, and the prevalence of acne and eczema in the US. Jasmina des

Eric Remensperger thought he was immune from chronic health problems. He had been living what he thought was a healthy lifestyle for well over a decade when he was diagnosed with stage-4 prostate cancer. Had his efforts at health and wellness been a waste of time? After the shock wore off, Eric made the decision to fight. He would do whatever it took to heal himself. Eric read everything he could find in the realm of cancer treatment, the source of cancer, traditional medicine, and functional medicine—and a plan began to take shape. He would put together a team of flexible practitioners and explore techniques like ozone exposure, adrogen deprivation, and intermittent fasting, choosing only those options that had some evidence of effectiveness AND addressed the underlying cause of cancer. Today, Eric shares the story of his health journey, explaining his shift from ‘the farthest thing from healthy’ to gym rat and holistic health devotee to unsuspecting cancer patient. He walks us through the two theories aroun

Food is medicine, and we should be getting the vast majority of the nutrients we need from the food we eat. But every now and then, we get low in an area and need vitamins supplements. What is the best method for taking in vitamin supplements to ensure maximum absorption? What are the benefits of vitamin shots and IVs? And what are the best supplements available for improving athletic performance and promoting recovery?   Jonathan Mendoza is the owner and chief practitioner at MSW Lounge, a one-stop-shop for all things health based in Austin, Texas. MSW offers vitamin drinks, injections and drips as well as concierge health plans. Jonathan has a background in traditional and alternative medicine, earning a bachelor’s in kinesiology and exercise science, a Doctrine of Chiropractic, and a master’s in nursing. Jonathan’s training in sports therapy (with professional athletes), physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain management, family medicine, urgent care, and functional medicine come together in MSW, a holi

If you’re curious about the benefits extreme wellness training, but not all that interested in climbing Everest in your board shorts, Dr. Marc Cohen is your man. He has spent time with Wim Hof, exploring the science behind the breath control, cold exposure and mental focus that serve as the pillars of Hof’s method, and Dr. Marc has adapted his own practices to help you enjoy the benefits of extreme wellness without having to run a marathon in freezing temperatures. Dr. Marc is a pioneer in the field of integrative and holistic medicine with degrees in western medicine, physiology and psychological medicine as well as advanced degrees in Chinese medicine and biomedical engineering. He leads the wellness research arm of the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT university, and Dr. Marc is currently studying the use of organic foods in reducing pesticide exposure, the use of yoga and meditation to treat insomnia and stress, and the use of various therapies and lifestyle interventions for detoxificatio