

The Coaching Lab: Evidence-Based High Performance & Wellbeing
Brad Cooper, PhD (Catalyst Coaching)
Stop chasing fads and start mastering the science of change. The Coaching Lab is the premier destination for health coaches, wellness professionals, executive coaches, and high performers who demand more than "fluff." Hosted by Dr. Brad Cooper, this podcast bridges the gap between complex performance psychology and real-world application.Whether you are a certified coach (ICF, NBHWC) looking to enhance client outcomes or a driven professional seeking a competitive edge, we provide the evidence-based tools you need to optimize human potential. We filter out the noise of headline-chasing trends to bring you deep-dive conversations with world-class researchers, elite athletes, and master clinicians.What you’ll master in the Lab:Behavior Change Science: Beyond willpower—how to facilitate lasting transformation using evidence-based coaching protocols.Performance Psychology: Insights into flow state, mental toughness, and the "self beyond the self."Integrated Wellness: Practical strategies for metabolic health, stress resilience, and longevity.The Executive Edge: Leadership development and peak performance tactics for the modern workplace.Professional Growth: Best practices for clinicians and coaches to scale their impact and stay at the forefront of the industry.If you’re looking for an entertaining yet rigorous format to help you—and those you lead—achieve the "Better Path," you’ve found it. Join a community dedicated to the evidence-based journey toward better.Hit Follow to stay at the cutting edge of health, wellness, and high performance.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 3, 2021 • 35min
Seven Keys to a Better Life! (Dr. Brad Cooper)
Looking for a few keys to dialing in a better, more meaningful life? In this special episode, Dr. Cooper shares 7 Keys to a Meaningful Life to help point you in the right direction. They include: Dots: More Creating... Less Connecting Tune In Without Tuning Out Differentiating Goals vs. Resources Easier to "Stay" in Shape (in any area of life) than "Get" in Shape Two-way Street: Attitudes and Choices "Getting" Older or "Growing" Older? The Turbocharge for LifeThe two brief videos mentioned are available here:Bias in our "communication" - https://youtu.be/GloVHVPib3cSmiles Per Day - https://youtu.be/FvbURTI6iCMFor more information about the Catalyst Community, earning your health & wellness coaching certification, the annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium and much more, please see https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ or reach out to us Results@CatalystCoachingInstitute.com If you'd like to share the Be A Catalyst! message in your world with a cool hoodie, t-shirt, water bottle stickers and more (100% of ALL profits go to charity), please visit https://teespring.com/stores/be-a-catalyst If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Forum Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is an awesome group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more!Finally, if you enjoy the Catalyst Podcast, you might also enjoy the YouTube Coaching Channel, which provides a full library of freely available videos covering health, wellness & performance: https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelInfo re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelContact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

Apr 26, 2021 • 51min
Dr. Kelly McGonigal: Willpower, Stress, Movement, Compassion (Hidden Gem)
Stanford’s Dr. Kelly McGonigal is a multiple-time best-selling author and a pioneer in the field “science-help” as she aims to translate insights from psychology and neuroscience into practical strategies that support personal well-being and strengthen communities. Her TED talk, "How to Make Stress Your Friend," is one of the most viewed TED talks of all time, with over 20 million views.Dr. McGonigal is the best-selling author of The Willpower Instinct, The Upside of Stress and The Joy of Movement. We took a deeper dive into some of the surprising findings from each of these key areas during our conversation.For more information about the Catalyst Community, earning your health & wellness coaching certification, the annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium and much more, please see https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ or reach out to us Results@CatalystCoachingInstitute.com If you'd like to share the Be A Catalyst! message in your world with a cool hoodie, t-shirt, water bottle stickers and more (100% of ALL profits go to charity), please visit https://teespring.com/stores/be-a-catalyst If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Forum Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is an awesome group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more!Finally, if you enjoy the Catalyst Podcast, you might also enjoy the YouTube Coaching Channel, which provides a full library of freely available videos covering health, wellness & performance: https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelInfo re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelContact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

Apr 19, 2021 • 44min
Kathrine Switzer: Boston Marathon's 1st Female Runner and the Day that Changed Running Forever
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. However the way it happened stunned the world and changed the face of marathons and women's running. In this episode, Kathrine peels back the curtain on what really happened on the day of the race and how it changed our world since that day. Kathrine Switzer has long been one of running’s most iconic figures She is known not just for breaking barriers but also for creating positive global social change. When she became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967, and her official bib number was 261. Because of her, millions of women are now empowered by the simple act of running and from her incredible journey, birthed 261 Fearless, Inc. Katherine's powerful story has changed the history of women in running today and this podcast you don’t want to miss!To find out more about 261 Fearless, please see https://www.261fearless.org/For more information about the Catalyst Community, earning your health & wellness coaching certification, the annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium and much more, please see https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ or reach out to us Results@CatalystCoachingInstitute.comIf you'd like to share the Be A Catalyst! message in your world with a cool hoodie, t-shirt, water bottle stickers and more (100% of ALL profits go to charity), please visit https://teespring.com/stores/be-a-catalystIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Forum Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is an awesome group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more! Finally, if you enjoy the Catalyst Podcast, you might also enjoy the YouTube Coaching Channel, which provides a full library of freely available videos covering health, wellness & performance: https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelInfo re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelContact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

Apr 12, 2021 • 58min
Dr. Timothy Noakes: The Life of a Skeptic
Professor Timothy Noakes has gone against the grain all his life. 1st his groundbreaking book The Lore of Running... then coming out against the idea that dehydration was the most significant risk to marathoners (turns out he was right), then the Central Governor Theory... then... well, it goes on and on. In this once in a lifetime interview opportunity, Dr. Cooper takes a deeper dive into each aspect of Professor Noakes' controversial career, what drives him and what's next!For more information about the Catalyst Community, earning your health & wellness coaching certification, the annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium and much more, please see https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ or reach out to us Results@CatalystCoachingInstitute.com If you'd like to share the Be A Catalyst! message in your world with a cool hoodie, t-shirt, water bottle stickers and more (100% of ALL profits go to charity), please visit https://teespring.com/stores/be-a-catalyst If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Forum Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is an awesome group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more!Finally, if you enjoy the Catalyst Podcast, you might also enjoy the YouTube Coaching Channel, which provides a full library of freely available videos covering health, wellness & performance: https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelInfo re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelContact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

Apr 5, 2021 • 43min
Blood Flow Restriction Training (Joseph Marcus)
When first hearing about blood flow restriction training, it may sound more like an ancient torture device than an actual training strategy - at least it did to us! Restricting blood flow might seem like a counterintuitive training method, but this technique has been touted as “the next big fitness trend”. Airbands Founder Joseph Marcus discusses the research, practical application and more. We came into this interview skeptical, but left intrigued enough to try it out!For more information about the Catalyst Community, earning your health & wellness coaching certification, the annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium and much more, please see https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ or reach out to us Results@CatalystCoachingInstitute.comIf you'd like to look into more about Airbands, you can access their website at https://airbandsbfr.com/ If you'd like to share the Be A Catalyst! message in your world with a cool hoodie, t-shirt, water bottle stickers and more (100% of ALL profits go to charity), please visit https://teespring.com/stores/be-a-catalyst If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Forum Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is an awesome group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more!Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelContact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

Mar 29, 2021 • 46min
Dr. Wendy Wood: Good Habits, Bad Habits (Hidden Gem)
Habits are at the core of what makes us who we are but they are SO hard to change! Or are they? Best-selling author and professor, Dr. Wendy Wood shares evidence-based insights on how we can - frankly quite easily - eliminate the bad habits from our lives and start good habits. This hidden gem episode is one of our all-time favorites for a good reason!If you'd like to access a video version of this interview, it is available here: https://youtu.be/0ydgjra6eUkFor more information about the Catalyst Community, earning your health & wellness coaching certification, the annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium and much more, please see https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ or reach out to us Results@CatalystCoachingInstitute.com If you'd like to share the Be A Catalyst! message in your world with a cool hoodie, t-shirt, water bottle stickers and more (100% of ALL profits go to charity), please visit https://teespring.com/stores/be-a-catalyst If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Forum Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more!Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelContact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

Mar 22, 2021 • 45min
Long Hauler Covid Experience - Endurance Athlete & Coach Matt Fitzgerald
Long hauler or long haul Covid is affecting a significant portion of the population and it isn't just those generally at high risk who are at high risk for long covid. Elite masters runner and best-selling author Matt Fitzgerald sat down with us to share his experience, what he's learned, and what the data and early research is revealing.If you'd like to access a video version of this interview, it is available here: https://youtu.be/0ydgjra6eUkFor more information about the Catalyst Community, earning your health & wellness coaching certification, the annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium and much more, please see https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ or reach out to us Results@CatalystCoachingInstitute.com If you'd like to share the Be A Catalyst! message in your world with a cool hoodie, t-shirt, water bottle stickers and more (100% of ALL profits go to charity), please visit https://teespring.com/stores/be-a-catalyst If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Forum Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more!Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelContact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

Mar 15, 2021 • 41min
Dr. Sian Beilock: Avoid Choking Under Pressure
Barnard College President, researcher and author Dr. Sian Beilock pulls back the curtain on what causes us to choke under pressure and what we can do to reduce or eliminate this tendency.Dr. Beilock, wrote a fascinating book, Choke, and in this interview we dive into why we too often blunder when the stakes are high, what happens in our brain and body when we experience the dreaded performance anxiety, what does the science say about choking under pressure, and how can we avoid falling prey to this tendency. For more information about the Catalyst Community, earning your health & wellness coaching certification, the annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium and much more, please see https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ or reach out to us Results@CatalystCoachingInstitute.com If you'd like to share the Be A Catalyst! message in your world with a cool hoodie, t-shirt, water bottle stickers and more (100% of ALL profits go to charity), please visit https://teespring.com/stores/be-a-catalyst If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Forum Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is an awesome group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more!Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelContact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

5 snips
Mar 8, 2021 • 49min
Friedrich Nietzsche: Health, Wellness & Performance Guidance (Professor John Kaag)
What if we could interview Friedrich Nietzsche about health, wellness & performance? The well-known philosopher famous for "That which does not kill us makes us stronger" or "The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly" or even "He who has a WHY to live can bear almost any HOW." Nietzsche died in the year 1900, but Professor John Kaag has a solid sense of Nietzsche's perspective on all things health, wellness & performance. Professor Kaag wrote a fascinating book "Hiking with Nietzsche", which is about "defeating complacency, balancing sanity and madness, and coming to grips with the unobtainable". In this interview, we dive into philosophical views on what made Nietzsche tick and what that means for us as health & wellness coaches and high performers looking to make the most of their lives. For more information about the Catalyst Community, earning your health & wellness coaching certification, the annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium and much more, please see https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ or reach out to us Results@CatalystCoachingInstitute.com If you'd like to share the Be A Catalyst! message in your world with a cool hoodie, t-shirt, water bottle stickers and more (100% of ALL profits go to charity), please visit https://teespring.com/stores/be-a-catalyst If you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Forum Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is an awesome group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more!Info re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelContact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.

Mar 1, 2021 • 40min
Michelle Barron, MD: Covid-19 Vaccine Myths vs. Evidence
Is the vaccine safe? Was it rushed through development? How about for pregnant mothers? Children? Do we all need it? What if I'd rather just get Covid than the vaccine? Michelle Barron, MD, the Senior Medical Director at UC Health and Professor of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) was kind enough to make herself available to answer every question we posed. She helps to separate reality from all the claims we are hearing about the vaccine in a very relatable way.For more information about the Catalyst Community, earning your health & wellness coaching certification, the annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium and much more, please see https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ or reach out to us Results@CatalystCoachingInstitute.com If you'd like to share the Be A Catalyst! message in your world with a cool hoodie, t-shirt, water bottle stickers and more (100% of ALL profits go to charity), please visit https://teespring.com/stores/be-a-catalystInfo re earning your health & wellness coaching certification, annual Rocky Mountain Coaching Retreat & Symposium & more via https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/ Best-in-class coaching for Employers, EAPs & wellness providers https://catalystcoaching360.com/Tap into the home of the (freely available) Not Done Yet! articles on unlocking life's 2nd half here.YouTube Coaching Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CoachingChannelContact us: Results@CatalystCoaching360.comTwitter: @Catalyst2ThriveWebsite: CatalystCoaching360.comIf you are a current or future health & wellness coach, please check out our Health & Wellness Coaching Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/278207545599218. This is a wonderful group if you are looking for encouragement, ideas, resources and more.


