The Optimal Body

Flexible, but still tight? DocJen & Dr. Dom discuss tests and ways to determine if you are hypermobile, speaking into the spectrum of hypermobility that ranges from localized to Elhers-Danlos Syndrome. Explaining the neurophysiology of tightness briefly, they dive into how you can reduce the sensation of tightness through strength, using examples to relieve tightness in the hamstrings, inner thighs, chest, quadriceps, and hip flexor tightness. They provide a few tips for passive stretching, yoga, and hypermobility, and discuss how mindful breathing can support tightness relief. What You Will Learn In This PT Pearl: 03:11 - How do you know if you are hypermobile 04:25 - Spectrum of Hypermobility 05:15 - Elhers-Danlos Syndrome 07:25 - How to reduce the tightness sensation? 08:08 - TIghtness in hamstrings? 11:29 - Tightness at inner thighs? 12:50 - Awareness with yoga postures 13:38 - Tightness in pec areas?‌‌ 14:40 - Quad Tightness?‌‌ 15:24 - Hip Flexor Tightness‌‌ 16:18 - Reduce tension in the body with mindful breathing Watch Episode 186 on Youtube For research and full show notes, visit the full website at: https://jen.health/podcast/186 Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Struggling with Chronic Pain? Debilitating pain keeping you from getting on with your daily life? Find yourself really flexible? Andrew walks the path of his EDS diagnosis, and how his chronic pain and many injuries took up the majority of his experience in sport from a young age. We take a peek through Andrew's perspectives on pain, whether or not it makes him want to stop moving, and his experience with his Herniated Disc. With Sciatica pain in both legs, Andrew speaks to how his treatment journey changed and progressed from the time of diagnosis. Andrew dives into some heavy-hitter recommendations to approaching movement with EDS and the importance of gaining control over extreme ranges of motion. Through the ridgid-hypermobile spectrum, he speaks to exploring the happy medium between the two to move the most optimally for you! Finally, he touches base with mindfulness as a main component to navigating pain. Instead of meditation or journaling, Andrew shares his conscious practice of mindfulness. With that, comes permission and a strong meditation to find time to downregulate and enter a true state of play. Tune in! As a listener of The Optimal Body Podcast, we would like to offer a $20 discount for our all new Move 2 Improve challenge. Join in on the fun and let’s move together! Find out more details on our website, get your friends to tag along, and enter in to win some prizes! Use code ‘TOB20’ at checkout. What You Will Learn in this Interview with Andrew Dettelbach: 4:03 - How Andrew approached having experienced chronic pain since 5 6:57 - What is EDS and is it related to chronic, systemic pain 10:00 - Did Andrew’s pain make him want to stop moving & is the brain becomes less sensitive to pain response 14:03 - Andrew’s Disc Herniation 12:37 - Focusing on the small wins 23:43 - Physical therapy & how Andrew progressed through his exercises 28:44 - Debunking the myths & what Andrew recommends 31:48- Addressing flexibility without control 37:10 -How Andrew defines mindfulness & how it helps his pain experience 44:24 - Whealth Items mentioned: Spread Whealth Website: Andrew's Programs Spread Whealth Instagram To learn more about Andrew and view full show notes, please visit the full website here: https://www.docjenfit.com/podcast/episode185/ Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want to start breathwork, but don’t know where to start? DocJen & Dr. Dom present 4 different breath exercises: variations of box breathing, extended breathing, the one-minute reset, and Wim Hoff Breathing. They dive into how to perform these exercises, how these different exercises can be advantageous, how breathing can be beneficial in mobility, and how breathing can optimize CO2 tolerance, especially done nasally. Let’s dive into breath work! 30 Days of Strength and Mobility Discount: We’re focussing on Strength & Mobility this time around. DocJen is going to show up with you every day for 30 days to open up your mobility, build consistency, re-coordinate your core, and build some true strength. We’re getting to the roots of form and the body, moving you forward to feel something different. Grab a special podcast discount using code OPTIMAL20 at checkout! Join us before it’s too late! What You Will Learn In This PT Pearl: 02:49 - Box Breathing 05:01 - Modulating stress/relax response with inhalers & exhales 06:19 - Extending breaths 08:08 - How to Box breath 10:38 - The One Minute Reset 11:36 - How to access the diaphragm & improving mobility 15:21 - Holotropic/ Wim Hoff Breathing 18:42 - Why breathing practices are important - CO2 tolerance‌‌ 20:38 - Nasal Breathing Watch Episode 184 on Youtube For research and full show notes, visit the full website at: https://jen.health/podcast/184 Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are Bunions genetic? How does functional podiatry differ from traditional podiatry? Dr. Emily walks the path of bunions, plantar fasciitis, and other foot conditions through the lens of functional podiatry, She begins by explaining the importance of educating individuals about orthotics and the general foot types. Then, she explains how foot structure is not necessarily related to symptoms and whether or not your foot condition is genetic. By discussing the importance of spending more time barefoot and exposing the feet to different structures to optimize neurological feedback, she dives into how the nervous system manifests in the feet, how training function is beneficial, and the role emotions play in feet’ health. Let’s get your feet functional! 30 Days of Strength and Mobility: We’re focussing on Strength & Mobility this time around. DocJen is going to show up with you every day for 30 days to open up your mobility, build consistency, re-coordinate your core, and build some true strength. We’re getting to the roots of form and the body, moving you forward to feel something different. Grab a special podcast discount using code OPTIMAL20 at checkout! Join us before it’s too late! VivoBarefoot Discount A study showed a 60% increase in foot strength by wearing VivoBarefoot shoes for 6 months consistently. They are shoes that work with your feet and not against them. Try them out and invest in your health. Use code ‘TOB‘ to get 15% off!  **Vivo offers a 100-Day trial period. If you are not completely satisfied, you can send the shoes back and get a refund. What You Will Learn in this Interview with Dr. Emily: 3:08 - What is a functional podiatrist? 4:57 - What is a functional podiatrist? 6:44  - How to educate individuals out of orthotics 8:44 - Dr. Emily’s Foot Self-assessment 10:06 - Three types of feet: a starting place 11:11 - Disregarding the term “flat feet” 13:32 - Are your foot issues genetic? 16:11- Dr. Emily’s advice on preventing bunions when familial 19:02 - Treating function, structure, or both for bunions 22:34 - Toe & Spacers Naboso Technology for foot health 24:58 - Sensory ability with feet 27:52 - Barefoot Strong Book 30:43 - How emotions play a role in foot health 35:57 - Nervous system manifestations in the feet 36:56 - Learn more with Dr Emily Items mentioned: Barefoot Strong Nabosos Dr. Emily's Website Dr. Emily's Instagram To learn more about Dr. Emily and view full show notes, please visit the full website here: https://jen.health/podcast/183 Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Unsure of what to say to someone going through trauma or loss? Following on from last week’s episode on what DocJen & Dr. Dom wish they’d known, going through a miscarriage. they discuss how to be there for someone during a tragic loss. From getting professional help with therapy to receiving support from those who have been through it, DocJen & Dr. Dom hone in on the uniqueness and subjectivity of tragic loss and how you support it, but from a place of comfort and acknowledgment. Using language to support healing, they emphasize providing space for the individual going through loss to approach you instead of providing unsolicited advice. They hone in on what may not be advantageous to say and how loss may persist and it’s about learning to navigate light with a loss potentially being a part of you. By highlighting setting up a healing environment, they discuss differences in approaching the healing process, barriers, and the impact of toxic positivity on the grieving process. As an individual who may be going through loss, communicate your needs to support your healing process. 30 Days of Strength and Mobility: 30 Days of Strength and Mobility! We’re focussing on Strength & Mobility this time around. DocJen is going to show up with you every day for 20 days to open up your mobility, build consistency, re-coordinate your core, and build some true strength. We’re getting to the roots of form and the body, moving you forward to feel something different. Through these shownotes, you'll still be able to get a special discount using code OPTIMAL20 at checkout! Come Join Our Community and Get Strong! What You Will Learn In This PT Pearl: 03:28 - Getting through the psychological with therapy 05:20 - Support from those who have been through it 06:36 - Everyone has their own, unique traumatic experience 08:00 - What to say to someone experiencing loss 13:52 - Resources 15:10 - Let them know they don’t need to respond 17:06 - Self-advocacy: Let them come to you 19:06 - What not to say to someone experiencing loss‌‌ 22:09 - It’s not about the pain going away‌‌ 23:22 - Getting through Physical and emotional reminders & setting up a healing environment‌‌ 30:04 - Different people process differently 33:25 - Bringing up barriers does not help‌‌‌‌ 34:50 - Toxic Positivity & Grieving 36:36 - Other ways to let them know you’re thinking about them Watch Episode 182 on Youtube For research and full show notes, visit the full website at: https://jen.health/podcast/182 Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Going through pelvic organ prolapse? Considering surgery? Thinking about pregnancy? Katie Goss takes us through her story with multiple pelvic organ prolapses and her experience with the healthcare industry. As she educates more in an online space, through Whealth, she speaks to changing the realms within the healthcare industry and the importance of valuing child care. Furthermore, she describes her prolapse symptoms, providing insight into her initial experiences with pelvic floor physical therapy, and how it took time for her to find the right one. Providing the physiology behind prolapse and the different stages, she dives into what she did to return to running and lifting. Moreover, Katie discusses how pelvic organ prolapse is diagnosed and whether or not repercussions of her surgery persist. She gets vulnerable about pelvic pain and her decision to choose surgery, ultimately sharing the purpose behind Whealth! Tune in! 30 Days of Strength and Mobility: 30 Days of Strength and Mobility! We’re focussing on Strength & Mobility this time around. DocJen is going to show up with you every day for 20 days to open up your mobility, build consistency, re-coordinate your core, and build some true strength. We’re getting to the roots of form and the body, moving you forward to feel something different. Through these shownotes, you'll still be able to get a special discount using code OPTIMAL20 at checkout! Come Join Our Community and Get Strong! What You Will Learn in this Interview with Katie Goss: 3:23 - Katie’s background - changing realms within the healthcare industry 7:16 - Educating more in an online space 11:57  - Valuing Childcare 13:11 - Valuing Childcare 17:52 - How did Katie return to running & PT 20:36 - What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse & the different stages 23:27 - Examinations & Diagnosis 25:40- How did Katie work on her prolapse 28:16  - Katie’s experience with surgery for her prolapse 31:20 - Did surgery help Katie’s symptoms 33:36 - Has Katie felt any repercussions after her surgery? 39:38 - The purpose behind Whealth 42:15 - Pillars of Whealth Items mentioned: Whealth Website Whealth Instagram To learn more about Katie and view full show notes, please visit the full website here: https://jen.health/podcast/181 Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Been through a miscarriage? Perhaps, loss? Are hospitals too generalized? Is the medical institution set up to treat trauma, the individual? DocJen & Dr. Dom get real about their recent experience with miscarriage. Loss, pain, trauma, healing – they discuss it all. From start to finish, Jen dives into her how her symptoms progressed and how she advocated for herself through her experience in the hospital. From lack of communication to an overwhelming and unnecessary amount of tests that repeatedly confirmed the loos of her baby, DocJen and Dr. Dom provide insight into the operations behind the medical system, insurance, finance, and the lack of general humanization when approaching patients. With an overarching emphasis on asking better questions, they express their concerns with the lack of patient-doctor communication, treatment protocols, and navigating choices in addressing a miscarriage. As DocJen gets vulnerable with her physical and emotional traumas throughout the experience, Dr. Dom faces the anger and frustration with the repercussions of feeling helpless with hospital orders. Finally, as they find their way through the healing process, they reveal the true realities of miscarriages and loss. Optimal Body Therapy Kit: Grab your Therapy Kit now! It’s a portable home therapy equipment kit with 12 pieces of professional physical therapy equipment for improved flexibility, stability & strength to reduce pain & improve muscular activation. This kit includes: 4 resistance band lengths, 4 resistance band loops, 1 pull up band, 1 jump rope, 2 sliders 2 towels and a mesh bag. And, when you purchase this kit, you will also get access to Dr. Jen Esquer’s 7 Day Back Pain Program for absolutely free. These are low-impact exercises that you can do anywhere you’re at with the use of your Optimal Body Therapy Kit. Grab an extra discount using code OPTIMAL10 at checkout! What You Will Learn In This PT Pearl: 01:35 - Communities as an initial resource 02:50 - Options, Risks & figuring out your doctor’s language 06:15 - No matter where you are in the journey, it’s still a loss 10:49 - Miscarry & its done? The true impact on your body as a miscarriage 16:14 - Navigating repetitive confirmation of miscarriage 19:06 - Advocacy for yourself: Testing & financial communication 21:31 - Advocacy for yourself: Asking questions 23:12 - Insurance & the medical system‌‌ 24:13 - Doctors need to communicate the pros and cons of every treatment‌‌ 27:17 - Labor with miscarriage‌‌ 38:20 - The importance of positions & how it affects examinations 44:27 - A miscarriage is not a day - how necessary is a DNC surgery?‌‌‌‌ 49:31 - True aftermath of miscarriage‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ Watch Episode 180 on Youtube For research and full show notes, visit the full website at: https://jen.health/podcast/180 Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Thinking about pregnancy? Curious about getting pregnant and how to stay pregnant. Tasha Blasi, the fertility consultant, provides us with a holistic approach to fertility. Utilizing science, space, energy, and support to form her unique approach, Tasha explains where her passion for fertility came about and the importance of root cause over science. Then, she discusses what she wishes she knew when during her IVF journey and the role mental clutter plays in physical illness. She dives into how you can begin to de-clutter the mind with one simple tool. Furthermore, Tasha provides insight into understanding the education behind fertility-specialized doctors, and the role of integrative medicine for fertility. Finally, Tasha discusses the role of stress and fertility, how you can optimize sperm and egg health by approaching your environment, the emotional vibrational stage, and how you can optimize your biological age to preserve fertility at an older age. Let’s dive in. PRX Gym Equipment Discount: Looking for gym equipment? PRX performance has got you covered with a variety of gym equipment that you can easily store in a compact and easily accessible manner. Grab your PRX equipment now! Use code OPTIMAL at checkout to get a discount! What You Will Learn in this Interview with Tasha Blasi: 3:38 - Where did Tasha’s passion for fertility come from 5:00 - 10 rounds of IVF - did anything change throughout the process? 8:07  - Root cause over 11:03 - What Tasha wishes she knew during her journey? 12:26 - The best mental tool to address your emotions 12:26 - Conventional shoe vs minimalist shoes 18:36 - Fertility-specialized doctors & their role in integrative medicine 21:34- Relax & get pregnant? 26:15  -  Optimizing sperm & egg through your environment 29:42 - Emotional vibrational scale 33:25 - Getting pregnant at an older age 37:08 - Last tip bit from Tasha & where you can learn more with her Items mentioned: Tasha’s Website Tasha’s Instagram To learn more about Tasha and view full show notes, please visit the full website here: https://jen.health/podcast/179 Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Abs vs Core? Is there a difference? DocJen & Dr. Dom dive into the anatomy of what we know as the abs and how that differs from the true core. They provide insight into the transverse abdominal activation, how it may relate to back pain, and where belts for lifting should be considered. Furthermore, they discuss the importance of midline stability, providing cues and descriptions of their 3 favorite ab and core exercises. Let’s dive in! What You Will Learn In This PT Pearl: 01:09 - Anatomy of the abdominal region 02:04 - TV activation & core 03:22 - Anatomy of true core & midline stability 06:00 - Belts, the core, and lifting 07:33 - Fundamentals of ab exercises 14:40 - Core exercises 20:40 - Learn with Jen about the core! Watch Episode 178 on Youtube We think you’ll love: FREE Week of the Jen Health Membership FREE Low Back Pain Course! Jen’s Instagram Dom’s Instagram YouTube Channel For research and full show notes, visit the full website at: https://jen.health/podcast/178 Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want to transition into barefoot shoes? Dr. Laura, doctor of physical therapy, preaches optimal foot functionality by spending time barefoot, but with safety and slow progression. As a gymnast, she spent much of her upbringing barefoot, however, with several foot fractures, she briefly speaks into how combining the use of the minimal shoe and conventional shoe can be beneficial in transitioning to going fully barefoot! She provides insight into why your feet may be in pain after wearing barefoot shoes, and how minimalist shoes differ from the conventional shoe. Furthermore, she speaks about how the physical therapy industry is evolving and becoming more popular amongst athletes, how in-clinic experiences differ from online physical therapy sessions, and whether physical therapy can be for everyone. She speaks about movement diets and the importance of introducing variety and reflection in approaching movement and health! Let’s dive into the world of optimal foot health and physical therapy with Dr. Laura! VivoBarefoot Discount How may VivoBarefoot shoes be beneficial? Through building strength in the foot and teaching the foot to accommodate your own body! A study showed a 60% increase in foot strength by wearing VivoBarefoot shoes for 6 months consistently, and you a little over 3 months to return your shoes. Try them out and invest in your health. Use code ‘TOB‘ to get 15% off!  **Vivo offers a 100-Day trial period. If you are not completely satisfied, you can send the shoes back and get a refund. What You Will Learn in this Interview with Dr. Laura 3:00 - What drove Dr. Laura’s passion for physical therapy 4:13 - Is physical therapy becoming popular amongst athletes? 5:22  - Where does the “paradigm of perfection” come from? 6:48 - Physical therapy in clinic vs online 10:16 - Can physical therapy be for everyone? 12:24 - Conventional shoe vs minimalist shoes 15:30 - Why your feet may be hurting wearing barefoot shoes? 17:47 - Navigating the transition to barefoot shoes 20:06  -  Explaining movement diets 21:13 - What exercise can look like for YOU 23:08 - How to add exercise to reduce aches/ injuries 24:14 - Starting movement assessments & maintaining consistency 26:14 -  Differentiating between soreness & pain 27:27 - Improving range of motion vs reducing stress 28:20 - How do you know if you’re drinking enough water 30:30 - Do you need to self-assess? 32:57 - Learning more with Dr. Laura Items mentioned: Dr. Laura's Website Dr. Laura's Instagram To learn more about Dr. Laura and view full show notes, please visit the full website here: https://jen.health/podcast/177 Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.