Life and How to Live It with Dr Rocco

Life and How to Live It PodcastEpisode: Lessons from Our Parents — A Mother's Day & Father's Day TributeHost: Dr. Rocco | Co-Host: Pete LogiudiceEpisode OverviewIn this special episode, released around Mother's Day 2026, my co-host Pete Logiudice and I take a step back from our usual format to do something a little more personal. With Father's Day just around the corner, we decided to dedicate this episode to our own parents — the lessons they taught us about life, how to live it, and how to be good parents ourselves. This one comes straight from the heart.Pete's Story: Albert and Donna LogiudicePete shares warm memories of growing up in the New York City area with his Irish-Italian family. A few highlights from his story:Parenting as a united front. Pete's parents, Albert and Donna, were always aligned. What mattered to one, mattered to the other — and their children were always the priority.Quality time over quantity. Even though his dad worked constantly, he always made time for catch in the backyard, ball games, and family day trips.Two families, one big table. Pete paints a vivid picture of alternating Sundays — one week with the Italian family in Eastchester (pasta, meat, baseball on TV), the next with the Irish side of the family in the Bronx. Different food, same love.A mother's calm. Pete's mom had a gift for putting things in perspective. No matter how big the problem felt, a call to mom left you feeling like everything was going to be okay — even if nothing had actually changed yet.Parenting with respect and empathy. These are the values Pete credits to his parents, and the same ones he and his wife Michelle have worked to pass on to their four kids. My Story: Alfredo and Tomasina ChiappiniMy parents' story is one I never get tired of telling — it's a testament to courage, resilience, and the immigrant spirit.Born in wartime Italy. My parents were born in a small town between Rome and Naples in the late 1930s. Their early childhood was spent in the middle of World War II — with battles literally happening in their backyard. At one point, German soldiers occupied their town and the entire village had to flee and live on a mountainside.A MacGyver mentality. That kind of upbringing shapes you. My dad could take anything and turn it into something useful. He never wasted a thing.Coming to America. My father arrived in the United States in 1961, in his early 20s, with about $10 in his pocket. He came alone — driven partly by the loss of his mother at age 13 and tension with his stepfather. He had a cousin here who helped sponsor him, and he arrived with a job as a mechanic waiting.My mother's journey. My mom came a few years later with her parents and siblings. Though my parents knew of each other in Italy — their families both worked in the traveling markets there, his selling fabrics, hers selling shoes — they didn't become a couple until they reconnected at a gathering in America.Building something from nothing. My mom worked as a seamstress. My dad worked in mechanics and construction. Together, they saved aggressively and my father had the vision to invest in real estate — buying multifamily homes, collecting rent, and flipping houses before it was even a popular concept.Lessons I Learned from My ParentsHere are the core values my parents instilled in me that I've tried to carry forward:Courage. Taking leaps of faith and backing them up with hard work.Support the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

Dr. Claudia Wheeler shared her inspiring 10-year journey from being overweight and inactive to becoming a competitive athlete, losing 85 pounds and completely transforming her relationship with fitness and nutrition. The episode provides actionable strategies for sustainable weight loss, exercise adoption, and lifestyle change, emphasizing that mindset shifts are essential for long-term success.Guest BackgroundDr. Claudia Wheeler: Board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitationCurrent role: Owner and medical director of Derma Zenith Medical Spa and Wellness, Warwick, Rhode IslandPersonal mission: Optimizing function of body, mind, and spirit for patients and herselfTransformation JourneyInitial PhaseWeight LossStarting point: Age 38. Over 200 pounds with knee pain; realized she wouldn't take her own medical advice about exerciseCatalyst: Wanted to be an active mom and guide her daughter toward healthy habitsMethod: Weight Watchers with accountability partner Kate, meeting every Saturday at 6 AM 2Result: Lost 85 pounds and has kept it off for more than 10 years.Exercise EvolutionMarch: 3 months in: Joined YMCA, started with treadmill and elliptical in comfort zoneMay: Hired personal trainerProgressive training: Learned squats, deadlifts, bench press, tire flips, box jumps, and running drillsMindset shift: Transitioned from weight loss goals to performance goalsrunning 5K, strength achievementsCurrent activities: CrossFit 4 years and HYROX competition trainingHIROX Competition AchievementEvent: Boston 2025 HIROX competition as male-female pairComponents: 8 kilometers running plus 8 workout stations including ski erg, row, burpee broad jumps, weighted lunges, sled push/pull 250-350 pounds, and 100 wall balls with 14-pound ballTraining: 3 months intensive preparation after 10 years of consistent exerciseKey Mindset StrategiesMental Mantras"Are you choosing health or are you choosing disease right now, Claudia?"Used during food decisions"Would you feed this to your baby?"Applied when considering daughter's future habits"If my trainer, John says let's do it, it means he thinks you can do it"Built trust in trainer's judgmentIdentity TransformationImposter syndrome parallel: Took approximately 10 years to internalize identity as "athlete"Professional authenticity: Now advises patients from place of lived experience rather than theoryPractical Tools and RecommendationsNutrition ManagementFood scale: Digital scale $10 on Amazon for measuring portions and tracking macrosMacronutrients education: Understanding that all food is carbohydrate, protein, or fat with specific calorie valuesCooking at home: Knowing exact ingredients enables better weight control than eating outChronometer app: Free app for tracking macros; paid version provides micronutrient analysis for targeted supplementationExercise ApproachPersonal trainer value: Provides accountability, customized programming, and belief in client's abilitiesPost-rehab transition: Trainer helps bridge gap after physical therapy dischargeInjury workarounds: During rotator cuff surgery recovery, continued walking and single-arm exercises to maintain momentum. Did not let injury be an excuse for stopping exercise altogetherBehavioral StrategiesAccountability parSupport the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

In this episode I talk with Dr James Beauregard, a neuropsychologist, about brain health. We talk about normal brain development and the components of developing and maintaining a healthy brain.Those components are:Social interactionExerciseDietSleepAvoiding head traumaWe also talked about normal brain aging, and that as people get older, they may lose the speed and accuracy of recalling specific names or words. However, losing the ability to perform activities of daily living like managing our finances is not part of normal aging.When we see concerning signs in our loved ones, we should not ignore them or write them off as things that happen when people get older. Dr Beauregard described a stepwise approach to getting to the bottom of things which begins with an appointment with the primary care doctor to look for treatable causes like urinary tract infection, dehydration or vitamin deficiency. Once these causes are ruled out, there are other steps such as MRI or neuropsychological testing that may better explain what is happening. According to Dr Beauregard, there are now some medications which may slow down the cognitive manifestations of Alzheimer’s dementia. If you are interested, please discuss with your or your loved one’s physician.Support the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

In this episode of Life and How to Live It, I explore the importance of friendship, connection, and the role meaningful relationships play in living a fulfilling life. Joined by my co-host, Pete Logedis, I reflect on our 50-year friendship and how deep connections can support our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being.Throughout the conversation, I share research showing that close friendships are strongly linked to greater life satisfaction and lower rates of depression, while loneliness and weak social ties can negatively affect overall health. Pete and I also reflect on our own experiences and talk about how friendships evolve over time, the importance of being intentional about staying connected, and why even a simple text, phone call, or casual conversation can make a real difference.I also highlight that friendship does not always look the same. Some friendships last a lifetime, while others are formed through shared interests, routines, work, or community spaces. In the end, this episode is a reminder that we all need people in our lives—people who help us feel seen, supported, and connected.Key Takeaways:I believe friendship is deeply connected to emotional and physical well-beingMeaningful friendships require intention, especially as life gets busierNot every friendship has to be a “best friend” relationship to still be valuableEven casual social connections can positively impact our well-beingA simple call or text may mean more than we realizeSupport the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

I wanted to do this episode on sleep because it’s something we hear a lot about, and honestly, poor sleep is an epidemic. A huge number of people aren’t getting enough rest—insomnia is common, sleep apnea is common—and I’ve had my own personal experiences with sleep disorder as well. So I start by asking the basic question: why do we sleep at all? And the answer is that sleep is when the body and brain do essential repair and maintenance—things that protect our health, our memory, and how well we function day to day.Then I talk about what happens when we don’t sleep well: it affects pretty much everything—chronic health risks, mood, attention, memory, processing speed, and emotional regulation. I also break down what causes poor sleep, because it’s not usually just one thing. Lifestyle plays a big role—caffeine, screens, irregular schedules, not enough movement—plus stress, anxiety, medical issues like sleep apnea, and even your environment like noise, light, and temperature.And finally, I get practical about what you can do. If you snore, I really want you to consider getting checked for sleep apnea—I share a personal story about actually falling asleep at the wheel, and that was a real wake-up call for me. I also go through sleep hygiene: consistent schedule, a wind-down routine, keeping the bed for sleep (and sex) only, optimizing your room, cutting caffeine, turning off screens, and getting regular exercise. I give you a simple memory tool too—the 10-3-2-1-0 rule—and in Dr. Rocco’s Rex I challenge you to do one thing outside your comfort zone this week. And for “one more thing,” I share a fascinating sleep fact: dolphins and whales can sleep with one hemisphere of the brain at a time. Sweet dreams—and remember, life is not a dress rehearsal.Support the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

I recorded this episode around New Year’s Day 2026, because it’s that season when everybody’s talking about resolutions—and we all know how often those get broken. So I wanted to connect New Year’s resolutions to something I work with a lot as a leadership coach: goal setting, because that’s really how change becomes practical.For me, goals usually begin when I realize my current reality isn’t matching my values—your values are the “why.” Then I walk through the SMART approach: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timed, and I stress the importance of pairing long-term goals with short-term milestones so you build momentum and stay honest.And the big thing—the thing that makes or breaks it—is accountability. Weekly check-ins, journaling, quarterly markers… all helpful. But the best tool is an accountability partner—someone you trust to keep you on track. I share my three goals for 2026, recommend trying fruit for dessert, and I close with a reminder inspired by Van Gogh: do the thing you love, even if no one’s paying attention—because life is not a dress rehearsal.Support the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

I recorded this episode because I’ve been thinking about a question that’s been hanging in the air lately: are we living in the best of times, or the worst of times? I’m talking mainly about life in the U.S., and I’m not getting into politics—this is about life and how to live it.On the “best of times” side, a lot of it comes down to what we have access to: information in our pockets, the ability to connect instantly across the world, more comfort, more choices, and medical progress that past generations couldn’t even imagine.But there’s a shadow side too—loneliness, isolation, mental health struggles, toxic online spaces, distrust, and lifestyles that make us more sedentary and less connected. So my takeaway is: it’s both, and we have to be intentional. Seek real community, unplug sometimes, choose a little healthy discomfort, and don’t fall into despair—you’ve got more control than you think.Support the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

In this episode, Dr Rocco talks about exercise including the physiologicalbenefits and the Department of Health and Human Services exerciseguidelines for adults.HHS guidelines:1) At least 150 minutes/week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise2) Moderate muscle strengthening activity at least twice each weekSupport the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

In this Episode Dr Rocco introduces his co-host and old friend, PeteLogiudice. They talk a bit about their personal history and then Pete isgiven the opportunity to share what he thinks are the components of a fulllife.Pete’s components:CommunityPurposeHealth and wellnessSupport the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

Guest: Susan Chiappini, PhDIn this episode Dr Rocco and his guest, who is also his wife, discuss themany benefits of cooking and preparing your own food at home.Some of these benefits:You control all the ingredients; better quality, fresherYou control portion sizeMuch more economical than eating out or getting carryoutFamily bonding that comes from preparing food together and cleaning up as a teamThere is also a discussion with tips about how to approach cooking if youare not that comfortable with it or feel that you don’t have time to cook.Support the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

In this episode Dr Rocco shares what he thinks are the components of afull and rewarding life.The components are connection, creativity and experience.Connection or connectedness to oneself, family, community and importantplaces is an essential component to a full life.Creativity or having a creative outlet is another component of a full life. Thecreative outlet may be what people usually think of, such as art, music orcrafts, but may also be anything that allows you to put your impact on theworld in big and small ways. It can be creating a beautiful home, gardening,or creating community with family or friends. There are as many creativeoutlets as there are people.Experience or experiences is the third component to a rewarding and richlife. We should strive to live actively in the world. This gives us a treasuretrove of experiences. In addition to seeing and doing things, living a life ofexperience teaches us many new skills.Dr Rocco’s components may not be the same as yours. What do you thinkare the components of a full and rewarding life?Support the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast

This episode welcomes you, the listener, to the podcast. The podcast is an exploration of all things life with the host, Dr Rocco. Dr Rocco is a medical doctor as well as a certified leadership and performance coach. Topics will include health and wellness, personal finance, relationships, the arts, travel, sports, religion and spirituality as well as many others.In this episode Dr Rocco shares his story of personal transformation which occurred on hiking trails in Maine and northern Spain.Support the showFeel free to visit my website https://www.neaccoaching.com/podcast