Squats & Séances

Sex is one of the only places where we can’t fake being present for long, and that’s exactly why it can transform us. I’m joined by Emma Galland, founder of Tantric Awakenings, to talk about tantra as a full-body path of self-realization and why sexuality is not a “side topic,” but a powerful life force tied to confidence, vitality, healing, and how we show up in relationship.We get practical and honest about what changes when intimacy moves from tension to regulation. Emma breaks down how tantric sex differs from conventional sex: less urgency, more sensation, more nervous system safety, and far less obsession with a finish line. We explore orgasm vs ejaculation, why many men experience performance pressure as premature ejaculation or erection changes, and how presence, eye contact, and embodied attention can shift everything from arousal to emotional connection.We also open up the conversation around women’s pleasure, anatomy, and consent, including why time and “massage-like” touch matter, how de-armoring can restore sensitivity, and what it looks like to reclaim pleasure after shame or trauma. Then we go there: sex magic as manifestation, using intention plus embodied pleasure to rewire fear, align the nervous system, and take bolder action toward what we want. If you’re curious about mindful sex, sexual energy, trauma healing, and intimacy coaching, this one will stay with you.Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of mind, body, and spirit, share this with someone who needs a new lens on intimacy, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What part of this conversation challenged your current story about sex?Emma GallandWebsite: Tantric-AwakeningsHolistic and Tantric Sex, Love and Relationship CoachCreator of the Virtilité MethodPublished Author and Inspirational Speakerhttps://tantric-awakenings.com/ssdmSend us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Doctors told Dr. Jonathan Locus Jr. he’d be on medication for life and on paper his career was thriving, but internally he was spiraling. That collision of success, depression, and a terrifying diagnosis sends him in the opposite direction of quick fixes: deep research into holistic healing, meditation, and the mind body spirit connection. What follows is one of the most intense stories we’ve hosted, a 24-day water fast guided by intention, reflection, and a willingness to face the hidden roots of pain.We get specific about what fasting looked like in real life while working as a university vice president, how he built up to longer fasts, and why he now practices intermittent fasting as a steady baseline. Dr. J also shares the spiritual and psychological side: what surfaced during meditation, why forgiveness became non-negotiable, and how “find the lesson” reframed his entire healing journey. If you’re curious about autophagy, trauma-informed self-inquiry, or using stillness to hear your inner voice, this conversation delivers both meaning and mechanics.Then we name a harder truth: the spiritual marketplace can be unsafe. We talk scams, why vulnerable seekers get targeted, and what real discernment looks like when there’s no universal accreditation for healers. That gap is exactly why he built Conscirise, a platform that vets practitioners and connects people to hypnosis, breathwork, sound therapy, meditation, fasting groups, and other supportive modalities. We also bridge science and spirituality through his work in psychometric research and behavior modeling, including a fascinating example of how bias can shape legal outcomes.If you’ve been looking for grounded spiritual growth with practical tools, listen through the dream interpretation and active imagination segment and try it for yourself. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s navigating healing, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of your own journey needs a clearer lesson right now?https://www.conscirise.com/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

In this week's episode we take a detour from the spiritual realm and dive deep into the physiology of medical aesthetics.  Our discussion with Jody Work, RN and founder of Beauty Lounge Med Spa will cover an overview of the field and recommendations for treatments.  We discuss commonly misunderstood industry options, even who should seek treatment and who should not.  The answers may surprise you!  Listen in for a practical, ethical roadmap for medical aesthetics and whole-body wellness.https://beautyloungemed.com/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

What happens when a wildland firefighter, pushed to the edge by grief and burnout, discovers that changing the mind can change the body? We sit down with visionary healer and entrepreneur Thomas Wurm to unpack a life that veered from helicopter calls and heat lines into a precise, lineage-backed approach to deep healing. His story begins with a near-death moment at fifteen and accelerates through meditation, a destabilizing kundalini surge, and the unexpected clarity of NLP and mental and emotional release—where fear lifted and breath finally returned.Thomas breaks down a clear framework: If beliefs and emotions muddy the lens, the body carries the cost. We explore how Huna and ho‘oponopono fit alongside hypnosis and timeline work, drawing on elders’ teachings to create structure, safety, and depth. You’ll hear what an eight-hour breakthrough session looks like—from mapping the mechanics of a problem to releasing root emotions and installing a detailed future—and why integration isn’t optional. Think six to twelve weeks of focused learning, boundaries, environment shifts, and a hypnotic “install” that helps the unconscious carry your new plan forward.The conversation lands in the real world with case studies: a stubborn back pain that eased after cutting cords to a beloved house, clients experiencing detox-like changes as physiology updates, and sensitive people mislabeled as disordered who, with guidance, transform overwhelm into clear gifts. We talk about plant medicines with respect for lineage and safety, and we underline a theme that powers everything here: cause over effect. You are in charge of your mind, therefore your reality—and when you clean the channel, the body follows.If you’re ready to move beyond “trying everything” and into precise, mind-first healing with grounded tools and ethical lineage, this episode offers a map. Subscribe for more conversations on mind, body, and spirit, share this with someone who needs hope with a plan, and leave a review to help others find the show. What belief are you ready to retire [email protected]://www.facebook.com/thomas.wurm.56/https://www.instagram.com/mountain_mind_mastery/https://www.amazon.com/stores/Thomas-M.-Wurm/author/B07Z8JJ6ZHhttps://www.grassrootswildlandfirefighters.com/https://wffoundation.org/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

What happens when the life that once looked perfect begins to quietly undo you? We sit down with writer and movement-builder Lisa Babincsak to explore Apapacho—an ancient Nahuatl concept meaning to embrace from the soul—and why tenderness, presence, and coherence might be the most advanced form of intelligence we have. From career heights to seismic collapse, a move to Mexico, and writing that became alchemy, Lisa shares how slowing down made room for truth and how truth made room for connection.We dig into the physics of presence and the science of co-regulation: how a steady nervous system can calm a room, why chaotic energy ramps our anxiety, and what it takes to become the person who steadies others. Mexico’s cultural fabric offers a living case study—less consumer distraction, more family and community—which contrasts sharply with Western independence that often isolates us. Lisa tells vivid stories, like gatherings where guests bring only words that matter, to show how simple rituals can shift conversations from small talk to soul talk.We also challenge the attention economy. Algorithms are trained by our behavior, pushing shallow engagement over depth. Lisa refuses to game that system, choosing signal over noise and honesty over performance. We connect the dots between spiritual growth, psychology, leadership, and culture-building, and we talk practical anchors—Pilates as moving meditation, listening without fixing, and returning to the truth faster. If you’ve felt the ache beneath the scroll, the fatigue of pretending you’re fine, or the pull to build communities that actually hold us, this conversation names the path back to our human operating system: presence, connection, and care.https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-babincsak-a63237317/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_apphttps://substack.com/@lisab3819Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

What if the fastest way forward is first to sit still? Our conversation with spiritual coach and master healer Cheryl Stelte begins with a startling beachside vision and unfolds into a practical blueprint for transforming stuck energy into real momentum. Cheryl shares how low, steady breathing below the navel can surface subconscious material, why building safety in the root chakra is the keystone for lasting change, and how to pair inner work with accessible movement rituals to feel stronger, clearer, and more at home in your body.We dig into the mechanics of breath-led meditation, the science of trauma storage as sensations and emotions, and the way neuroplasticity accelerates once emotional charge is released. Cheryl explains her energy work framework—reading chakra flow without theatrics, transforming what’s already yours instead of importing “healing energy,” and returning it cleared so the nervous system can stabilize. The Five Tibetan Rites take center stage as a compact, organ-massaging sequence you can build from three to twenty-one reps, supporting sleep, lymph flow, flexibility, and everyday vitality. Power walking emerges as an underrated movement meditation that rebuilt stamina and bone density while reinforcing identity shifts that stick.You’ll hear vivid case stories: throat and shoulder pain easing when old truths are finally voiced, hip tension releasing as a lifelong burden gets set down, and a client rediscovering excitement after decades of depression. Cheryl’s books—especially her throat chakra guide and From Blocked to Powerful—offer a workbook-style path to becoming your own energy worker with meditations and practices that meet you where you are. The throughline is clear: safety first, inner truth always, and small, consistent rituals that turn healing from a concept into a lifestyle.https://cherylstelte.kartra.com/page/powerful-mediationshttps://www.starofdivinelight.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-stelte/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Welcome to Season Two of The Squats & Séances Podcast.  The guided meditations shared over the break were unanimously well received.  What better way to kick off a brand new season than with the master of meditation himself, davidji!On that note, what if grit isn’t about grinding harder, but about leaning fully into the moment without clinging to outcomes? That one shift frames an eye-opening conversation  in this episode with davidji—globally recognized meditation teacher, mindful performance trainer, and the “Velvet Voice of Stillness”—as we connect ancient practices to modern performance and wellbeing.We start by demystifying meditation as a simple, repeatable tool for presence. We trace its origins from seed sounds in the Vedic tradition to today’s secular methods and shows how consistency, not duration, produces real results. The physiology is striking: stress spikes cortisol, tightens blood, and shuts down immunity; practice reverses those markers within minutes. Over weeks, the brain itself changes—hippocampal growth, calmer amygdala—while research linked to telomeres hints at benefits down to cellular aging. These aren’t abstract claims; they’re the biology of better choices under pressure.davidji makes the inner path feel honest and human. He maps the six stages of a real session—settling, witnessing, drifting, judging, surrendering, stillness—and explains why the gentle return is the master skill. We talk about reframing “threat” as “challenge,” using a 16-second breath to interrupt patterns, and building bookend rituals that anchor the day. Two resonant ideas bring heart to the science: gratitude as a daily primer for intention, and “evidence of presence,” a perspective shift that turns small annoyances into reminders of what—and who—you love.We close with a short guided practice blending breath, gratitude, the mantra “I trust,” and intention planting. If you want lower stress, better focus, and a steadier sense of purpose without the jargon, this conversation is a clear, practical on-ramp. Subscribe, share with a friend who could use a reset.https://davidji.com/linktr.ee/davidjimeditation​ ⁨@davidjimeditation⁩  Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Resolutions pile up; intentions land softly. We open the year with a calming, guided meditation designed to help you set one clear, heartfelt intention and actually feel it take root. Instead of hustling into dozens of goals, we slow down together, breathe with intention, and ground in until your nervous system settles and the mind grows quiet enough to listen.Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

When life demands armor, choosing softness can feel radical. We guide a calm, precise journey that starts with breath, then travels head to toe using brief, controlled muscle tension followed by full release. That simple rhythm—tighten on the inhale, soften on the exhale—teaches the nervous system what safety feels like and shows the mind how to return to the present without force.If this practice helps, share it with a friend, subscribe for more guided sessions, and leave a quick review so others can find their way to softer strength.Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

The mind loves to sprint while the body asks to slow down. We bridge that gap with a concise, soothing practice built around a two-word mantra and steady breathwork, designed to help you return to the only place you can actually live in—this present moment.If this meditation helped you reset, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a pause, and leave a quick review to help others find these guided practices.Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

If the holidays have you overwhelmed, stressed, and screaming silently inside - your not a grinch, you just need a breath.  Try this quick mindfulness practice to reset your nervous system so you can be fully present for those magical holiday moments. Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Drop in for a quick 5 minute guided mindfulness moment to slow that monkey mind and reconnect to your body.  You'll feel amazing after this, we promise! Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

A single session set a bold challenge: make your voice available and your people will find you. That moment sparked a season of conversations and a growing community of spiritually gritty, physically resilient listeners who show up with curiosity and courage. To close out season one, we sit down with Priestess Yeshe Meryemana Matthews Robles—teacher, pilgrimage leader, and longtime student of mystery traditions—to explore how science, spirit, and strength converge on the sacred road.We trace her annual pilgrimages through Greece’s oracular sites—Eleusis, Delphi, Dodoni—and unravel what “embodied history” looks like when you’re rolling bones at night and climbing to caves at dawn. Yeshi shares a slow travel framework that replaces checklist tourism with two or three perfect moments a day, so the place can imprint on your senses and your story. We dig into inclusive design for travelers of all abilities, practical flight and jet lag protocols (compression socks, movement cadence, hydration), and simple nutrition strategies that honor local food while protecting recovery.From there, the conversation moves inward. We talk energetic hygiene on the road—pocket altars, mindful dress, grounding stones—and the stance she calls “friendship with humanity,” a way of showing up that respects culture and softens ego. Yeshi offers a timely, deeply compassionate guide to ancestor season: recognizing subtle signs, helping spirits who feel stuck after sudden death or dementia, and naming unacknowledged losses that echo through families. She shows how dedicating physical practice—those walks, squats, and steady breaths—to lineage repair can shift patterns forward and back.If you’re craving a synthesis of training and transcendence, this finale delivers: a clear path to stronger bodies, steadier hearts, and a kinder, more present way to move through the world. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs this, and leave a review to help more seekers find the tribe.https://priestessyeshe.com/https://www.mtshastagoddesstemple.com/https://www.caravansophia.com/https://www.sacredwell.com/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

What if three minutes could change your day—and then your life? We welcome Unplug founder Suze Yalof Schwartz to trace the surprising journey from high-speed fashion editor to architect of a global, modern meditation movement. Suze shares the exact three-minute breathing exercise that snapped her out of panic, the moment she realized meditation needed a makeover, and how “simplify, simplify… simplify” became the design principle behind the first drop-in meditation studio and the Unplug app.We dig into the science and the strategy: why thoughts drive feelings, how belief audits help you unsubscribe from inherited narratives, and why ten minutes a day—less than one percent of your time—can rewire stress responses and sharpen focus. Suze explains the habit architecture that makes practice stick: wake-and-meditate routines, guided “me time,” gratitude prompts, streaks, challenges, and rewards that deliver a double dopamine hit. We also cover the Unplug Meditation book’s breakdown of methods and research, the growth of corporate wellness programs that convert skeptics on Zoom, and the 40-day teacher training that turns personal insight into a skill you can share.Expect practical takeaways you can use today: a three-step starter practice, myth-busting for “I can’t stop thinking,” and ways to choose the right style—mantra, breath, visualization, or sound—to meet your mood. Whether you’re anxious, over-scheduled, or just curious, this conversation shows how modern, accessible meditation fits real life without robes, jargon, or long retreats.If this helped you breathe easier, tap follow, share with a friend who needs calm, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. Your ripple effect starts now.https://www.unplug.com/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

We sit down with Laura Hoorweg—international intuitive coach, spiritual counselor, and psychic medium—to map how awe becomes practice, and how practice becomes healing that lasts.Laura shares how a three-decade career in high-pressure media unraveled within months of her partner’s passing, sending her on a healing circuit through Brazil, the Peruvian jungle, and into therapeutic yoga. We get practical about intuition and mediumship. Along the way, we talk quantum-curious science, the integration of divine feminine and masculine, and the simple gateways anyone can use.If you’re craving grounded spirituality, tools that actually help, and a compassionate push back toward your own inner knowing, this conversation offers a clear path. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. Website: https://www.spiritspeaks2.me  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/laura.hoorweg https://www.facebook.com/groups/SpiritSpeaksToMe    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoorweglaura/?hl=en   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahoorweg/X (Twitter): https://x.com/HoorwegLSend us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

What happens when a hot-room yoga leader and a strength-obsessed coach decide to tackle a doubles HYROX together? We share the plan, the missteps, and the gritty mindset it takes to run eight 1Ks while grinding through sled pushes, sandbag lunges, and wall balls—without wrecking our bodies or our schedules. Kate Giampapa of Journey Yoga Retreats brings two decades of teaching, heat adaptation, and breath-driven focus; I bring CrossFit mechanics, strength programming, and a love for functional fitness. The clash of styles becomes a partnership built on smarter recovery and practical problem-solving.We map out an eight-week approach designed for busy lives: compromised running between stations, targeted posterior-chain work, mobility that actually sticks, and honest guardrails to avoid overtraining. Heat training takes center stage as a tool to raise cardiovascular demand at lower loads and reduce injury risk—especially crucial as we navigate our 40s. We get real about the shoe dilemma (running turnover vs lifting stability), time crunches, and finding a gym home with turf, sleds, ergs, and a sauna. Then we dig into the stories that shaped our choices: Kate’s L4-L5 discectomy after ignoring a pain signal, my failed foot reconstruction and the pivot to modification and longevity. The throughline is simple: listen first, load second.Beyond race prep, Kate opens the door to Journey Yoga Retreats—Sayulita in spring, rotating destinations in fall—where you choose your path: Bikram, vinyasa, partner play, restorative, and a moving meditation of 108 sun salutations. No judgment, just community, clarity, and the kind of rest that makes training work. If you’re curious about HYROX training, heat adaptation, injury prevention, or how yoga and strength can elevate each other, you’ll find a roadmap you can use.Follow our training updates, share your shoe recommendations, and tell us which HYROX station you’d split with a partner. Subscribe, leave a review, and pass this along to a friend who’s ready to turn an “impossible-possible” goal into a plan.https://www.journeyyogaretreats.com/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

A judge’s mercy changed a life—and set off a movement. Angie Manson, CEO of Elevate Addiction Services, joins us to share how she went from a teenage spiral and a near 10-year sentence to leading an award-winning rehab that rejects limiting labels and builds recovery on agency, community, and the simple power of breath and sweat. We go deep on why language shapes identity, how mindfulness and nervous system regulation give people real-time tools for triggers, and why a campus-style community beats isolation every time.Angie breaks down Elevate’s non–12-step, curriculum-driven model: day-one breathwork, trauma-informed reflection, peer accountability, and a fierce stance on reassessing meds after detox. We dig into misdiagnosis in crisis, the costs of overmedication, and the role of nutrition and sleep in stabilizing mood. Then we step into the gym—literally. As the only rehab in the country with a full CrossFit affiliate on-site, Elevate uses functional training to rebuild confidence, create clean dopamine, and connect clients to healthy tribes after graduation. Angie shares insights from working with CrossFit HQ and why scalable coaching makes intensity safe and sustainable.We also open the spiritual door—no dogma required. Angie’s practice blends breathwork, gratitude, mindful walks, and trust in a higher order, with space for clients to honor their own beliefs. From fentanyl and dust-off to kratom and kava, we spotlight what parents and communities should know, and how to replace fear with informed action. If you care about addiction recovery, mental health, fitness for resilience, and building a life that doesn’t need numbing, this conversation is a map and a nudge.If this resonated, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs a hopeful, practical path forward. Your word of mouth helps this community grow.https://elevaterehab.org/@angiegoingrogueSend us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Pat Barber brings two decades of CrossFit wisdom to this candid, wide-ranging conversation that delves into the mechanics of movement mastery and the art of coaching development. As a six-time CrossFit Games competitor and Level 4 coach who's mentored countless fitness professionals, Pat offers refreshingly honest insights that bridge technical expertise with psychological wisdom.The discussion explores what it truly means to progress from recreational fitness to elite performance, with Pat drawing clear distinctions between pursuing health versus sport. "When you expose yourself to higher loadings and complexity for competitive CrossFit, it should all come after eating well, sleeping well, and being consistent," he explains, emphasizing that doing more isn't necessarily healthier—it's simply sport for sport's sake.Pat's technical breakdown of gymnastics progression reveals his methodical approach to movement development. For strict pull-ups, he recommends slow negatives to create productive muscle damage. For muscle-ups, he emphasizes the importance of understanding the movement as more of a toes-to-bar pattern than a chest-to-bar pull-up. Throughout, he advocates for scaling movements that closely mimic the target skill while varying those scales to prevent plateaus.The conversation takes a personal turn when Pat discusses his relationship with alcohol and its surprising effects on his emotional regulation during vacations. His vulnerability around these topics demonstrates the ongoing self-experimentation that characterizes his approach to optimization. Similarly, his reflections on his competitive career reveal a profound self-awareness: "I don't think I ever reached my physiological potential. I think I reached my psychological potential of what I was willing to do."Perhaps most valuable are Pat's insights into coaching development, drawn from his work with Coaches Development and the Father's Guild. He articulates that excellent coaching transcends mechanical correction to establish individualized relationships with athletes. "Set high standards as your North Star and make people love it," he advises new coaches, emphasizing both connection and integrity.Listen in for a masterclass in movement, mindset, and mentorship from one of CrossFit's most thoughtful veterans.https://www.coachesdev.com/https://www.thefathersguild.com/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Two women wade into the inky darkness of the Pacific Ocean, stripped bare under a moonless sky. It's a ritual they've established—where anxiety transforms into calm, where something is left behind in the sea, and something new is taken back to shore. This is where our conversation with Pam Rivers begins.Pam, a seasoned therapist and transformation guide with over 35 years of experience, returns to share profound insights about our connection to water, ancestral healing, and the energetic exchange she calls "osmosis." The ocean ritual they describe isn't just about cold water therapy or thrill-seeking—it's about honoring something ancient within us, a recognition of our primordial connection to water that transcends rational understanding.As the conversation deepens, Pam guides us through her understanding of "the collective"—that vast ocean of ancestral wisdom and experience we can access, where we follow particular "streams" throughout our existence. She explains how we carry our family's trauma in our DNA, but also their gifts, their resilience, and their light. With remarkable clarity, she details her recent spiritual pilgrimage to Ireland, where she discovered unexpected connections to her heritage that left her "destabilized" for weeks afterward. Her stories of gates clanging shut behind her at an Irish church, encounters with devout Catholics, and revelations about historical atrocities weave together a profound narrative about how we reckon with the past.Perhaps most refreshing is Pam's rejection of spiritual bypassing—the idea that being "evolved" means forgiving everything. "Sometimes there's a cost to being a horrible human," she states, challenging listeners to consider that accountability has a place in spiritual growth. She describes how certain soul contracts—energetic agreements we make with others across lifetimes—can be recognized and completed, while others can be consciously severed.For anyone seeking to understand their own ancestral connections, soul contracts, or relationship with spiritual practices, this conversation offers both practical insights and mystical possibilities. Listen now to discover how slowing down, tuning in, and honoring ancient wisdom might transform your understanding of yourself and your place in the greater tapestry of existence.https://pamriverstransformation.substack.com/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Your perception of reality literally creates your reality. This profound truth sits at the heart of our exploration into mindfulness—not just as a trendy wellness buzzword, but as a scientifically-backed practice that can transform your physiological experience of stress.The human body wasn't designed for the constant state of vigilance we find ourselves in today. What happens when this system never gets a chance to rest? Research shows the frightening consequences: anxiety, depression, digestive issues, heart disease, sleep disruption, and cognitive impairment—all linked to chronic stress.Through simple practices like box breathing (used by special forces), finding flow through creative expression, or establishing a meditation practice, we can interrupt the stress cycle and reclaim our physiological balance.Meditation deserves special attention as the gateway to presence. By learning to observe thoughts without attachment—watching them pass like clouds overhead—we can gradually free ourselves from the tyranny of predictive perception. Subscribe now, leave a review, and join our growing community as we explore the fascinating intersection of science, wellness, and spiritual practice. Your mind creates your reality—isn't it time you learned how to direct it?https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-neuroscience-of-reality/https://www.apa.org/topics/mindfulnesshttps://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-mindfulnesshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MeditationMcCartney, F. (2010). Body of health: The new science of intuition medicine for energy and balance. New World Library. Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

What happens when cutting-edge neurosurgery meets ancient yogic wisdom? Dr. Ciara Harraher bridges these worlds with remarkable insight and grace.As a Stanford neurosurgeon and 30-year yoga practitioner, Dr. Harraher offers a unique perspective on the mind-body connection that few can match. The conversation weaves between her groundbreaking work as a neurosurgeon treating brain tumors, spine injuries, and stroke patients, and her personal experience with how yoga fundamentally changed her approach to medicine and life.Beyond technical expertise, Dr. Harraher's story reveals the power of integrated approaches to health. As she navigates leadership roles advocating for both patients and physicians, she demonstrates how ancient wisdom and modern medicine can work together to create more comprehensive healing. Ready to explore this fascinating intersection of neuroscience and yoga? Listen now and discover how these seemingly different worlds might hold the key to your own healing journey. @neurospineyogi**Single nostril breathing in yoga can refer to practicing only alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana).https://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/11/yogahttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6971819/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Ready to uncover the biggest nutrition myth that's keeping you from achieving your health goals? Prepare to have your assumptions challenged as we dive deep into the truth about carbohydrates and sugar in this eye-opening episode.As a dual-certified nutritionist with years of research experience, I've personally tested countless nutrition protocols and observed a troubling trend: most people believe carbohydrates are the enemy. Want to improve your nutrition without extreme restriction? Discover the freedom that comes with understanding what truly nourishes your body and finding an approach that works for your individual needs.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14672862/https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15416-carbohydrateshttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/facts-about-sugar-and-sugar-substituteshttps://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol-and-weight-loss#alcohol-and-weight-lossSend us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

The gap between fitness and medicine has long been a chasm filled with misunderstanding and missed opportunities. In this groundbreaking conversation with Michele Mootz, we explore how MetFix—Greg Glassman's newest venture alongside medical journalist Emily Kaplan—is bridging this divide with a revolutionary approach to health, nutrition, and exercise.Mootz reveals how MetFix represents "the evolution of the revolution" that CrossFit started, but with a crucial difference: where CrossFit seminars might focus 95% on movement and 5% on nutrition, MetFix flips that ratio to address what many health professionals now recognize as the true proportions of health determinants. "Diet is 95% of your overall health," Mootz explains, detailing how the program eliminates sugar and seed oils while emphasizing metabolic flexibility—the ability to efficiently use both carbohydrates and fat as fuel sources.What makes MetFix truly unique is its commitment to serving populations that traditional fitness has often neglected. While CrossFit revolutionized training for those already predisposed to exercise, MetFix targets the estimated 90% of people suffering from chronic disease or intimidated by gym environments. This approach requires coaches to develop new skills, from understanding medical terminology to communicating effectively with healthcare providers.The program offers multiple touchpoints for engagement: a free Daily Fix program providing nutrition, workout, and educational content; a two-day foundations course open to anyone from fitness professionals to clinicians; a Medical Society facilitating communication between physicians and coaches; and specialty courses addressing conditions like Type 2 diabetes. With approximately 200 affiliates already and international expansion underway, MetFix represents a vision where fitness professionals and medical practitioners collaborate to reverse chronic disease through education and lifestyle modification.For anyone interested in the future of health optimization or frustrated by the limitations of current approaches to chronic disease, this episode offers a compelling vision of what happens when we finally address the complete picture of human health.https://brokenscience.org/metfix/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Against all odds, I found myself pregnant at 39. What unfolded next wasn't the typical story of motherhood I'd imagined, but rather an extraordinary journey into the depths of neurodivergence, intuition, and spiritual connection that would transform me forever.My son's early struggles—from feeding difficulties to recurrent illnesses and hearing loss—were just the beginning. When he received an autism diagnosis at age two, I was plunged into a grief process that forced me to confront my own shadows and unspoken expectations. The dissonance wasn't his—he was perfectly content before and after the diagnosis—it was mine to resolve. This realization became the catalyst for profound personal growth and a radical shift in how I approached parenting.This episode isn't just about autism—it's about the transformative power of acceptance, the unexplored frontiers of consciousness, and how our children become our greatest teachers when we're willing to learn. If you're navigating your own unexpected journey or seeking to understand the extraordinary gifts that come with neurodivergence, this story will resonate deeply with the possibility that lies beyond our conventional understanding of connection.https://publications.ici.umn.edu/impact/19-3/ten-things-every-child-with-autism-wishes-you-knewhttps://www.autismspeaks.org/?form=donate&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=IS-branded-conv&utm_content=IS-evergreen&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18825549490&gbraid=0AAAAADwTDM8l-CCP2xYe48_td0goegIwq&gclid=CjwKCAjw1ozEBhAdEiwAn9qbzfPua8fzJBtt3BNZzowJJqicNxU9WIxY4jLStouAvQX0-L7SHWJDIxoCSo4QAvD_BwEhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-telepathy-tapes/id1766382649?i=1000668870828https://drdianehennacy.com/Southern Oregon psychiatrist’s research into autism and telepathy sparks debate over communication - OPBSend us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

What happens when you reach the pinnacle of success only to discover it feels hollow? In this profound conversation, personal development coach Allan Jay Santos reveals the unexpected journey that led him from Carnegie Hall performances to helping others discover their deepest potential.At the heart of our conversation lies a revolutionary approach to purpose. Allan believes each person arrives with a unique gift to give, yet most remain blocked by external expectations and internal judgments. "The radical act is unobstructed expression and the courage to reveal the parts of ourselves waiting to be seen," he explains. His work focuses on helping clients develop self-trust and the capacity to access their deepest wisdom.Join us for this illuminating exploration of purpose, intuition, and authentic expression. Whether you're questioning your path or simply seeking deeper connection with yourself, Allan's journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for living from the inside out.https://open.substack.com/pub/allanjaysantos/p/seeing-being-doing-the-art-of-observation?r=1zhkee&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false https://youtu.be/[email protected] https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/allan6719/Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Tired of fitness advice that sounds good but doesn't deliver results? In this myth-busting episode, we dismantle five of the most persistent fitness misconceptions holding you back from your goals. First, we tackle the widespread belief that cardio is the golden ticket to body recomposition. Diving deep into exercise physiology, we explain the three energy pathways your body uses during different training modalities and why endless cardio sessions might actually sabotage your muscle-building efforts. The science reveals why a balanced approach incorporating resistance training is essential for that coveted lean physique.The fear of "getting bulky" from lifting weights has kept countless people (especially women) from strength training. We systematically dismantle this myth by exploring muscle protein synthesis, the Fat-Free Mass Index, and the biological limitations on natural muscle growth. You'll understand why those powerlifters look the way they do (hint: it's not just the lifting) and why strength training becomes increasingly crucial as we age to combat natural muscle loss.Think a thousand crunches will carve out a six-pack? We expose the truth about abdominal definition, explaining how genetics determine your ab structure and why body fat percentage—not exercise selection—determines visibility. For those chasing visible abs, we provide realistic body fat targets and effective strategies beyond endless core work.We also challenge the effectiveness of partial-range exercises and isometric movements that dominate many fitness classes. Learn why full-range compound movements deliver superior results for joint health, functional strength, and efficient training outcomes. Finally, we make a compelling case for why stretching should never be optional, explaining how proper flexibility work prevents injuries and enhances performance.Transform your approach to fitness with evidence-based strategies that actually work. Subscribe to Squats and Seances on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media @SquatsandSeances to join our community of informed fitness enthusiasts who train smarter, not just harder.Interaction among Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Energy Systems during Intense Exercise - PMCEffect of testosterone on muscle mass and muscle protein synthesis - PubMedEffects of range of motion on muscle development during resistance training interventions: A systematic reviewStretching and injury prevention: an obscure relationship - PubMedFat-Free Mass Index in Users and Nonusers of Anabolic-Androgenic SteroidsA complete list of works cited is available on the adjacent YouTube Channel. Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

Venture beyond conventional therapy into the transformative world of therapeutic psilocybin with Pam Rivers, a former trauma therapist who now guides clients through profound inner journeys. This conversation reveals the remarkable intersection between traditional mental health approaches and the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted healing.Pam's story begins in what she calls "the trauma swamp" - decades working with society's most wounded individuals, from sex-trafficked youth to children trapped in foster care systems. This background has given her an unshakable presence that she now brings to her work as a transformation guide and psychedelic facilitator. "I know my way around hell," she shares candidly, explaining how this comfort with darkness serves her clients when they encounter challenging material during their journeys.The episode carefully distinguishes between recreational use and therapeutic protocols, walking listeners through Pam's meticulous approach to both microdosing programs and "deep dive" journeys. Unlike the common misconception of psychedelic experiences being about visual hallucinations, Pam emphasizes that therapeutic work is "an inward journey" conducted with eye masks, carefully curated music, and professional support. Her descriptions of preparation, journey day, and integration offer rare insight into a process that remains mysterious to many.Venessa provides crucial scientific context, explaining psilocybin's action on serotonin receptors and the default mode network, while debunking historical misconceptions about addiction potential. The conversation reveals how this medicine, once demonized during Nixon's war on drugs, is now showing remarkable promise for conditions ranging from depression to addiction.Perhaps most valuable is the honest discussion about readiness and expectations. "It's magic, but it's not a panacea," Pam cautions, addressing the misconception that one journey will instantly heal deep trauma. Instead, she emphasizes the integration period where insights must be incorporated into daily life. For those curious about alternative approaches to mental health, this conversation offers a thoughtful, nuanced entry point into understanding the potential of psychedelic-assisted healing.IG: @pam_rivers_guideSubstack: https://substack.com/@pamriverstransformationE: [email protected] of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Medicine: A Narrative Review - PMCPsilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)Neural mechanisms underlying psilocybin’s therapeutic potential – the need for preclinical in vivo electrophysiologySend us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass! 

A brand new and unique podcast about optimizing life through unconventional channels.  This is for the spiritually curious, the physically tough, and the mentally gritty.Send us Fan MailHELP contribute to this growing community.  Email topic ideas, suggestions for interviews, and feedback to [email protected] new episodes of Squats & Séances on all major podcast platforms and the vlogcast on our YouTube channel - Squats & Séances.SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode. VISIT us at www.squatsandseances.com to subscribe to our newsletter.FOLLOW us on social media @squatsandseances (IG, FB, TT, LinkedIn).Until the next time - stay gritty you badass!