Bulls Rise: The UB ENS Podcast

Two students. One shared mission. The first-ever student episode in Bulls Rise history.Jenna Kersten is a first-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student in UB's combined three-plus-three program. Rion Dugan is a fourth-year exercise science major on the pre-med track, grinding through MCAT prep while teaching as Dr. Lee Kroll's TA. They both peer-tutor across the ENS department. They both lost their fathers. And they both turned that loss into the foundation of everything they're building.In this episode, Jenna shares her story of losing her dad to a medical mistake — and the moment she dedicated her career to ensuring no other family loses someone the same way. Rion tells the cinematic story of the 9 PM gross anatomy lab where twenty silent students gathered around his cadaver bench to learn the carotid artery — and applauded when he finished. He also unpacks the mentor moment that redirected him from PT school to medical school in a single sentence.This conversation dismantles the myth that exercise science is "just gym class," explores the hidden curriculum of learning to struggle, and delivers the most poetic moment Bulls Rise has produced yet — Rion's Buffalo eternal flame metaphor about finding the work that no amount of hardship can put out.Whether you're a current student, a prospective student, a parent, a mentor, or anyone who's ever wondered if you're on the right path — this episode will land.🎙️ Bulls Rise is the official podcast of the University at Buffalo Department of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences. Hosted by Dr. Chris Perry, PhD, CSCS.#BullsRise #UBENS #ExerciseScience #PreMed #PhysicalTherapy #StudentLife

A student forgot the AED in a simulation. Years later — when a parent went into real cardiac arrest at his workplace — he didn't forget it again.That story is the heart of this conversation. Dr. Sarah Krzyzanowicz is the Clinical Director of UB's Master of Science in Athletic Training Program, and she joins Coach P to break down the teaching philosophy producing clinicians who actually perform when lives are on the line.Dr. Sarah challenges the broken "sage on the stage" model of education, makes the case that confidence is built only through experience, and shares the three-question reflection practice she gives every student to turn experience into real growth. She also unpacks how simulation-based learning works (hint: it's not about expensive equipment), why she wants her students to fail in practice, and how the Adam Grant principle of "confident humility" shapes everything she teaches.We also get her unconventional origin story — growing up in a town with no stoplight, competing as a national-level snowboarder, singing with the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the 17-year journey to her doctorate that proves it's never too late to keep learning.Whether you're a current athletic training student, a clinical educator, a coach, a healthcare professional, or just someone who wants to understand what real-world learning actually looks like, this episode will change how you think about expertise, failure, and the long road from classroom to competence.🎙️ Bulls Rise is the official podcast of the University at Buffalo Department of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences. Hosted by Dr. Chris Perry, PhD, CSCS.#AthleticTraining #SportsMedicine #ClinicalEducation #UniversityAtBuffalo #ExerciseScience

She went from undeclared to unstoppable — and she's already changing how we think about heat and health.This week on Bulls Rise, we sat down with Ayla, a second-year PhD student at UB studying heat physiology under Dr. Hayden Hess — and she came ready. Her dissertation is tackling something most of the research world has quietly ignored: how adults with obesity actually thermoregulate in extreme heat, and why decades of flawed methodology have left us with public health guidelines that may be failing the people who need them most.But this conversation goes far beyond the lab. Ayla walks us through the deadlift that left her with two bulging discs, the moment she stopped caring what her body looked like and started caring what it could do, and the mindset shift that turned a career-ending injury into the foundation of everything she's built since.She calls out the fitness industry hard in this one. She makes the case that motivation is overrated, that discipline is a schedule-not a feeling, and that the simplest tool most people ignore — reducing friction — is the actual key to showing up. She breaks down what sweat really does (and doesn't do) for cooling, why electrolyte culture may be oversold, and what every person should be doing right now to prepare for summer heat.And when asked what it means to rise, she didn't hesitate:Just keep showing up.🎧 Full episode available now on all platforms.

Join us as we explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Lacey Alexander, a Penn State alumna and leading researcher in vascular physiology and endometriosis. Discover her insights on curiosity, resilience, and the future of applied physiology research.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Dr. Lacey Alexander02:43 Journey into Exercise Physiology05:21 Transitioning from Medical School Aspirations08:02 The Importance of Rejection and Self-Evaluation10:56 Research Focus: Small Blood Vessels and Cardiovascular Health13:57 Women’s Health and Cardiovascular Disease Risks16:44 Personal Connection: Endometriosis and Research19:13 The Impact of Chronic Inflammation21:52 Clinical Applications and Patient Care24:47 Curiosity and the Power of Questions27:08 The Role of Pets in Our Lives28:16 Myth-Busting Science: Making It Engaging30:04 The Importance of Asking Questions in Education31:45 Personal Journeys: From Fitness to Academia35:11 Learning from Failure: The Path to Growth37:41 Leadership in Academia: The Editor's Perspective42:28 Navigating AI in Scientific Writing45:35 Exciting Trends in Applied Physiology Research46:27 Key Takeaways for Aspiring Scientists resourcesJournal of Applied Physiology - https://journals.physiology.org/journal/japplphysiolAmerican Physiological Society - https://www.the-aps.orgPenn State University - https://www.psu.eduEndometriosis Foundation of America - https://www.endofound.org

What if the most important nutrition lesson you'll ever learn has nothing to do with macros, seed oils, or the food pyramid, and everything to do with who's sitting at the table with you?Dr. Tegan Mansouri is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of the Undergraduate Nutrition Science Program at the University at Buffalo. She's also a Registered Dietician whose mission is to make nutrition more accessible, not louder, not flashier, not more controversial, just more human.In this episode, Tegan takes us back to where it all started: a family kitchen where Persian stews simmered for hours on Sundays, where her dad adapted traditional recipes when she experimented with cutting out red meat, and where she learned that food has always been about so much more than nutrients on a label. That foundation shaped everything, how she teaches, how she counsels, and how she challenges the noise that dominates nutrition conversations today.We go deep on the topics that are confusing students and consumers alike. Why the flipped food pyramid contradicts its own recommendations. Why the seed oil debate is distracting us from the fact that over 90% of Americans don't eat enough vegetables. Why weight shouldn't be the holy grail of health. What a Registered Dietitian can offer that ChatGPT never will. And why the Dunning-Kruger effect might be the single biggest problem in nutrition right now, where people learn just enough to feel like experts and then start advising others without understanding the complexity underneath.But this episode isn't just myth-busting. It's about what happens when a student sits in your office, reads a chapter about helping people on GLP-1 medications develop a nutrition philosophy, not a meal plan, and says, "This is why I want to become an RD." Not for the science. Not for the credential. For the mission.That moment is why Tegan does what she does. And this conversation is why we do what we do here on Bulls Rise.Topics covered: the Mediterranean diet and its overlooked lifestyle components, the difference between a Registered Dietician and a nutritionist, why restricting entire food groups is the biggest nutrition mistake people make, how to actually start eating more vegetables without overcomplicating it, and why patience, empathy, and advocacy are the foundation of great nutrition education.

It's Not Willpower, It's Neurobiology: Inside the Brain Science of Obesity and GLP-1 MedicationsWhat if the reason you can't stop eating has nothing to do with discipline, laziness, or a lack of self-control? What if the answer has been sitting inside your brain this entire time?In this episode of Bulls Rise, Dr. Chris Perry sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Mietlicki-Baase, PhD, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the University at Buffalo, whose research sits at the intersection of brain reward systems, food intake, and the biology of obesity. Dr. Mietlicki-Baase has spent her career studying why we eat the way we eat, and more importantly, why the brain sometimes refuses to let us stop.From watching a talk show segment on Prader-Willi syndrome as a kid to detecting live dopamine signals in a postdoc lab at UPenn, Dr. Mietlicki-Baase's journey into neuroscience is as fascinating as the science itself. In this conversation, she breaks down some of the most misunderstood topics in modern health — including the real neurobiology behind GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, the concept of food noise and why it consumes people with obesity every waking hour, and why stopping these medications can bring all of that back almost overnight.She also tackles the stigma head-on. The belief that obesity is a moral failing. The idea that GLP-1s are an easy way out. The assumption that willpower is the variable standing between someone and a healthy weight. Dr. Mietlicki-Baase dismantles all of it with evidence, empathy, and the kind of clarity that only comes from spending decades inside the data.This episode is for the coaches, the clinicians, the graduate students, the skeptics, and anyone who has ever beaten themselves up for not being able to put down the bag of chips. The answer was never about you. It was always about your brain.What you'll learn in this episode:What Prader-Willi syndrome reveals about how the brain normally controls food intake in all of usHow fast-scan cyclic voltammetry lets scientists watch dopamine fire in real time and what that means for understanding obesityWhy GLP-1 medications reduce far more than just food intake — including alcohol, cocaine, and compulsive behaviorWhat food noise is, why people with obesity experience it constantly, and why GLP-1s may silence it almost immediately upon stoppingThe muscle mass problem no one is talking about with rapid GLP-1 weight lossWhy weight regain after stopping GLP-1s is nearly universal and what the science says about managing itThe emerging world of amylin-based medications and why they may be the next frontier in obesity treatmentHow a Gila monster's saliva launched one of the most important drug discoveries in modern medicineWhat it looks like to be wrong in science — and why changing your hypothesis is a sign of strength, not failureConnect with Dr. Elizabeth Mietlicki-Baase:University at Buffalo — Department of Exercise and Nutrition SciencesConnect with Bulls Rise & Coach P:Instagram: @ubuffaloens , @drcperry001Bulls Rise is the official podcast of the UB Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences — where faculty, researchers, and students come together to share the science that moves the field forward.

What if everything you've been told about willpower, weight, and food is wrong?In this episode of Bulls Rise, Dr. Chris Perry sits down with Dr. Jennifer L. Temple — Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs in the School of Public Health and Nutrition Sciences Professor at UB — for one of the most intellectually honest conversations about food, eating behavior, and health that this podcast has ever hosted. Dr. Temple has spent over 15 years studying why people eat what they eat, and her findings challenge some deeply held cultural assumptions about obesity, food addiction, dieting, and the relationship between weight and health.They open by exploring Dr. Temple's groundbreaking research on food sensitization — a phenomenon where repeated exposure to highly palatable foods actually increases motivation to eat them in a subset of people with overweight or obesity rather than diminishing it. If you've ever wondered why you seem to want the Doritos more after you've tried to cut them out, this conversation will finally give you a science-backed answer.From there, Coach P and Dr. Temple go deep on topics that matter to athletes, coaches, students, and everyday high performers:🔬 The sensitization paradox — Why restriction often backfires and what the research actually says about eating the foods you love in a structured way.⚖️ Overweight ≠ unhealthy — Why using body weight as a proxy for health leads to dangerous clinical blind spots, missed diagnoses, and psychological harm — and what biomarkers we should actually be paying attention to.🚫 Is food actually addictive? — Dr. Temple unpacks why she refuses to use the word "addiction" in the context of food, what "food noise" really is, and how GLP-1 receptor agonists are giving researchers a fascinating new window into hunger and motivation.💊 GLP-1s, weight loss drugs, and what comes next — Why these medications are life-changing for millions, why exercise is still irreplaceable for maintaining results, and what the science says about sustainable weight management.☕ Caffeine in kids — Dr. Temple's decade of research expected harm. What she found instead will surprise you — and her caveats around sleep are ones every parent and athlete needs to hear.🧠 Why fad diets keep winning — The psychology behind why simple, evidence-based advice loses to trendy, complex diet rules every time, and what that reveals about human behavior.📚 Teaching students to think critically — How Dr. Temple uses her graduate obesity course to challenge implicit weight bias, dismantle nutrition myths, and train the next generation of practitioners to lead with evidence.This episode is a masterclass in thinking like a scientist while leading like a coach. Whether you're a student trying to build evidence-based practice, an athlete trying to fuel performance, a clinician working with diverse populations, or someone who's just tried every diet and can't figure out why nothing sticks — Dr. Temple's work speaks directly to you.The bottom line she keeps returning to? Eat real food. Eat more plants. Get enough protein. Drink your water. Move your body. Get good sleep. None of that is changing — and that's actually good news.Follow Dr. Jen Temple's research at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions. This is one conversation you'll want to listen to twice.

Most professors believe motivation is entirely the student's job—that's a myth holding students back. Dr. Lesley Vandermark flips that idea on its head, revealing how a shift in mindset transforms classrooms and student lives.Imagine a professor who makes learning fun, who emphasizes why students need each skill, and who believes that challenging courses actually boost success. That’s Dr. Vandermark. She shares bold strategies to turn exams from dreaded to engaging, ideas that make even the toughest content memorable, and nuanced systems to help students prioritize and manage their time like pros.You’ll discover: how to design courses that students love by connecting content to real-world impact, practical tools for building internal motivation, and the overlooked power of decision before motivation kicks in. Dr. Vandermark’s story of a rural upbringing ignited her passion for accessible, impactful education—creating lifelong learners and clinicians who thrive.This episode is for educators, students, and anyone tired of tired teaching. Want to see that learning and teaching can be bold, fun, and deeply effective? Hit play. Your approach to education will never be the same.

Dr. Perry hosts Dr. Ed Gannon, a new clinical professor in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at UB with 20+ years in professional rugby and U.S. sports performance, to discuss what makes effective strength and conditioning. Gannon recounts developing an academy rugby player into an international starter through targeted hypertrophy and conditioning, and shares an example of returning a winger with a ruptured ACL for a championship final. He describes major advances in concussion identification, assessment, and return-to-play, emphasizing strength and conditioning roles, heart-rate and load monitoring, the Buffalo treadmill test, neck strength/RFD training, and interdisciplinary collaboration including nutrition and mental skills. Gannon stresses that athletes prioritize trust, relationships, and programming that improves performance and health, critiques social-media-driven low-intensity training, and argues warmups should be efficient and specific. He outlines a professional development process centered on topic study and daily reading, and aims to bring applied, real-world preparation to UB students.00:00 Trust Over Credentials01:04 Meet Dr Ed Gannon03:24 Origin Story Rugby Academy07:23 Building Complete Athletes08:34 Coaching Philosophy Basics09:57 ACL Final Comeback13:43 Concussion Evolution17:00 Performance Role In Rehab19:03 Neck Training For Protection22:07 Interdisciplinary Performance Model25:18 Adapting Across Sports28:38 Communication And Humility32:50 All Blacks Culture Lessons34:17 Intensity Debate Mythbusting39:24 Training Intensity Toolbox40:21 Aging Athletes Strategies41:46 Coaching Special Populations44:16 Mini Band Warmup Debate47:11 Better Glute Activation48:39 Warmup Minimalism54:29 Specificity For Speed58:54 Multiplanar Training Health01:01:39 Build Coaching Philosophy01:04:10 Daily Reading Microlearning01:07:15 Teach The Why01:09:23 Lightning Round Advice01:12:39 Goals At UB Closing

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Lee Krol discusses his unconventional journey from computer programming to physical therapy, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach in treatment. He shares insights on the significance of diagnostic skills, the impact of the bottom 50% of PTs on the profession, and the role of AI in enhancing patient care. Dr. Krol also highlights his teaching philosophy, focusing on real-world applications and the need for students to embrace challenges for professional growth. The discussion covers various topics, including manual therapy misconceptions and actionable takeaways for aspiring physical therapists.

In this engaging conversation, Chris Perry and Ryan Krzyzanowicz delve into the world of athletic training, exploring its significance, the journey from athlete to trainer, and the essential skills required in the field. They discuss the evolution of athletic training education, the importance of communication, and the diverse career opportunities available for athletic trainers. Ryan shares impactful stories, including a real-life incident where a former student saved a life, and addresses common misconceptions about the profession, such as the icing controversy. The conversation emphasizes the role of athletic trainers as healthcare heroes and their commitment to community impact and lifelong learning.Chapters:00:00 Welcome to Bulls Rise + Why Athletic Trainers Save Lives02:05 Ryan’s Origin Story: Shoulder Injury to Athletic Training05:23 Choosing the ‘Chaos’: Emergency Mindset & Staying Calm Under Pressure07:02 What Athletic Trainers Actually Do (Beyond Taping Ankles)10:19 Career Paths Beyond Sports: Industry, Military, Performing Arts & Entrepreneurship13:47 The State of the Profession: Master’s Entry, Pay, Work-Life Balance & Job Outlook17:37 Real-World Saves: Ariel Castro’s CPR Story + Teaching Emergency Skills24:32 When It Clicks: Students Gain Real-World Confidence in Clinicals25:44 Embrace the Uncomfortable: Personal Growth, Soft Skills & Mentorship Beyond Graduation28:01 Ego Check for Young Clinicians: Hubris, Lifelong Learning & Seeking Mentors30:27 Mythbusting Ice: What It Actually Does (and Doesn’t) Do After Injury33:12 Better Than RICE: Compression, Elevation, Safe Movement + Ottawa Ankle Rules35:40 High-Leverage Habits & Communication: Walking More and Talking to Athletes/Parents/Coaches39:11 Lightning Round to the Finish: Books, Healthcare Heroes, Why UB’s MSAT Stands Out & Final Takeaways

SummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Chris Perry interviews UB ENS colleague Dr. Hayden Hess, where he discusses his research in extreme physiology, focusing on how the human body responds to extreme environmental conditions such as heat, cold, altitude, and underwater environments. He shares insights from his experiences in diving research, the importance of understanding human responses to environmental stress, and the implications for health and performance. The discussion also covers practical applications for managing heat stress, hydration myths, and the simplicity of strength and conditioning. Dr. Hess emphasizes the importance of curiosity and understanding the 'why' behind exercise science in teaching and practice.

OverviewIn this inaugural episode of the Bulls Rise podcast, Dr. Chris Perry introduces the mission of the UB ENS podcast, which aims to educate, inspire, and equip listeners through evidence-based conversations in exercise and nutrition sciences. He emphasizes the importance of translating scientific knowledge into practical tools for everyday life, focusing on whole human performance, including recovery, psychology, and leadership. The episode also discusses the iceberg principle of leadership, highlighting the significance of character and self-reflection in personal and professional growth.TakeawaysThe UB ENS podcast aims to educate and inspire through evidence-based conversations.Whole human performance includes exercise, nutrition, recovery, and leadership.The iceberg principle illustrates that much of our character is below the surface.Self-reflection is crucial for personal growth and leadership.Building systems and structures can help manage stress and improve performance.Effective communication is key to solving problems and progressing together.The podcast will provide practical tools for listeners to implement in their lives.Mentorship and community support are essential in the exercise and nutrition field.Challenging oneself is necessary for growth and improvement.The focus is on turning scientific knowledge into actionable steps for better health.Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/ubuffaloens