Fit For Thought

Lauren Roberts has been running for as long as she can remember. As a young child, she was born with internally rotated thigh bones, and specialists doubted that she would ever be able to run. Never one to be deterred, Lauren did her first 5 km race at the age of 13, and even though she wasn’t the fastest, she continued to incorporate running into her childhood and teenage years. After completing her degree in Kinesiology and Psychology at McMaster University, she went on to complete her Master’s in Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto, as well as compete in local triathlons. In 2015, Lauren competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Austria, where she finished as one of the top ten Canadian women. Lauren presently is focused on running more competitively. She is a member of the BlackToe Race Team in Toronto and competed in the 2018 Boston Marathon.  With advanced qualifications in manual physical therapy techniques, acupuncture, and treadmill gait analysis, Lauren’s treatment at The Running

I recently co-hosted a professional development and networking event where Toronto-based lawyer, athlete and entrepreneur, Darielle Teitelbaum, was the keynote speaker. Over the years, Darielle has combined her passions for fitness, creativity and advocacy to create AWE Legal - a boutique law firm that helps people develop their business goals and protects athletes and entrepreneurs by using the law effectively. I was inspired by Darielle’s wealth of knowledge, her ability to simplify complex legal concepts, as well as her passion for helping people. Needless to say I was thrilled when she accepted my invitation to be a guest on the show. For the athletes, fitness enthusiasts and weekend warriors out there, have you ever wondered what you’re signing when a fitness professional, clinic or gym hands you a waiver of liability? For the fitness entrepreneurs out there, do you know the laws that govern the way you can communicate with prospective clients? Well, you’re in luck! Darielle is here to give us a high lev

In High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way, Brendon Burchard identifies six habits that high performers deliberately and consistently practice in order to reach long-term and sustainable success and well-being. Anyone can practice these habits, but to become a high performer one must: (1) seek clarity; (2) generate energy; (3) raise performance necessity; (4) increase productivity; (5) develop influence; and (6) demonstrate courage. But how can we put these habits into practice? Back by popular demand, holistic sports nutritionist, strength trainer and high performance coach, Sylvie Tetrault, is on the podcast to discuss how you can cultivate these habits through nutrition and lifestyle. 

“Ten years ago, Fitbit pioneered the wearables category with the introduction of its first health and fitness tracker. Since then, we have become the leading global wearables brand, setting the pace of innovation in the category and establishing the largest social fitness network that helps millions of people around the world be healthier,” says James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit. Earlier this fall, Fitbit turned a significant corner when it released its first and long-rumoured smartwatch, the Fitbit Ionic. The Ionic is certainly the most feature-rich wearable Fitbit has ever developed, delivering what Park calls “a health and fitness first platform that combines the power of personalization and deeper insights with Fitbit’s most advanced technology to date, unlocking opportunities for unprecedented health tracking capabilities in the future.” Today, Daniel Shaw, one of Fitbit's Senior Product Marketing Managers, is on the podcast to talk about the Ionic and the future of health and fitness tracking.

If you’re on Instagram and follow what’s going on in the Toronto fitness community, then you’ve likely come across personal trainer, certified holistic nutritionist and founder of All Day Fit, Cassie Day. Cassie passion for fitness and presence on social media is empowering. Since starting All Day Fit in 2016, Cassie has garnered considerable recognition in the fitness entrepreneurship space. In this wide-ranging episode, we cover a lot of ground, including: What motivates and inspires Cassie   What the four pillars of All Day Fit are and how they play into Cassie's business Where Cassie sees the most engagement from the fitness community on social media How Cassie decides what companies and brands to her align herself with The habits and practices that help Cassie to thrive as an entrepreneur How Cassie uses performance necessity to stay motivated Cassie's advice for knowing when to stay the course and double down on a commitment or cut your losses and move on Our mutual passion for customer experience and

One year ago today I released the very first episode of the podcast. It featured fascial stretch therapist and my good friend, Sarah Marino. I remember the rush of excitement and nervousness I felt when TJ hit record. 365 days, 30 episodes, 20 guests, 3 photo shoots and 2 seasons later, I still get the same feeling when I’m behind the mic, because no matter how much you prepare, podcasts can have a mind of their own. As Jonah Weiner so eloquently writes in “The Voices: Toward a Critical Theory of Podcasting”, podcasts are a means for surprising, revealing and above all [elevating] encounters with people, things and ideas we didn’t know. Those encounters have challenged me to learn, to take risks and to grow in ways I didn’t think were possible. Fit For Thought isn’t just a side hustle, a passion project or a hobby, it’s part of who I am and what I want to put out into the world. We’ve had a number of guests on the podcast from New York times best-selling author and Ironman triathlete, Ben Greenfield, to weara

Calling all moms, moms-to-be, fitness professionals and anyone who’s interested in pelvic floor and abdominal health - this one's for you! Samantha Montpetit-Huynh is a mother of two, certified pre and postnatal exercise specialist with over 15 years of experience and the co-founder of Bellies Inc. an innovative system designed to empower woman and change the way they prepare for and recover from pregnancy and birth. She's also also a sought after media professional who's been featured on Canada AM, Breakfast Television, CHCH, CTV News and was the in-house fitness expert on the Marilyn Denis Show from 2013-2017. Some of the things you'll learn on this episode The exercises to start practicing now to prepare for pregnancy and birth What diastasis rectus abdominis is and how it's connected to pelvic floor health  The truth about postpartum leaking - we need to talk about it! How to retrain your core using alignment, breathing and coordination  Why pelvic floor physiotherapists should be part of every woman’s b

A listener of the show recently messaged me and asked what are the best supplements to take while training. First, I want to say thanks for reaching out and asking what I think is an important question. In their simplest form supplements are single compounds which have been demonstrated to yield some type of benefit if taken. They play a vital role in supporting and enhancing your health and athletic performance. However, I’m going to take a lesson out of Tom Purvis’ playbook and ask for whom and what type of training are they doing? The right supplement will differ from person to person, and will depend on their individual needs, biochemical makeup and training goals. However, I’ll do my best to talk about the supplements I believe are effective tools for building muscle, restoring energy and recovering from a workout.   Disclaimer: I want to stress that supplements should never be used in place of eating nutrient dense foods that work in relation to your training goals and biochemical makeup. Also, what I’m

We've covered a wide range of topics on the the podcast from fascial stretch therapy to body building. I often wonder how and whether these therapeutic and training modalities can be integrated to ensure that we're functioning optimally. Enter Brad Cote. Brad has been in the health and fitness industry for over 10 years working in clinical, commercial and private facilities with a variety of patients. What sets Brad apart is his integrated and individualized approach to therapy and training. This is evident not only by the number and range of qualifications Brad holds (including a post-grad in functional neurology and rehabilitation), but also by the vast network of practitioners he has built over the years. Some of the things you'll learn on this epsiode How therapy and training can be integrated What tools Brad uses to assess and treat his patients  How you can optimize your training  What Link Integrated Health is and how it's designed to enhance your performance  Get in Touch with Brad Cote Instagram C

Where do you get inspiration from? A great film, a compelling novel, how about influencers in your network? I'm inspired by the people around me who I identify as passionate, creative, intelligent and driven. I can't help but feel inspired by them! Another persons success or happiness shouldn't counteract your own. It's an opportunity to learn and to grow. To quote Anne Friedman, "surrounding yourself with the best people doesn’t make you look worse by comparison. It makes you better."  For me, one such person is a photographer, blogger, fellow podcaster and founder of The E Project, Jodianne Beckford. The E Project is a platform that showcases this generation's current and aspiring entrepreneurs. Jodianne's ultimate goal is to inspire people to go for what they want, work hard and make their passion a reality.  Some of the things you'll learn on this episode:  What Shine Theory is how you can use it  Tips of creating and running a successful podcast  How to build a network of people you find inspiring  Com

On a previous episode of the podcast, Steve Parkhill and I briefly touched upon nutrition in relation to different styles of training. Unfortunately, Steve and I didn't have a chance to delve deep into this topic, and since then I've wanted to interview someone about nutrition and training, but I wanted that person to have a holistic approach to nutrition. I strongly believe that what we consume, how we feel and what we think play a role in health and wellbeing. Enter Sylvie Tetrault - a Toronto based holistic nutritionist, certified strength and conditioning coach, entrepreneur and co-host of the Championship Lifestyle Podcast. She’s worked alongside ex-NHL Gary Roberts in a high performance setting, training both everyday clients and professional athletes about health and wellness. Today, Sylvie is on the podcast to talk about nutrition in relation to stress, recovery and training stimulus, some of the things she’s learned from working with professional athletes, motivation and mindset and other aspects of

We're taking mind-muscle connection to a whole new level with Steve Parkhill. Steve is a Toronto-based trainer and fitness entrepreneur with a unique approach to training. Influenced by elite trainers like Ben Pakulski, Tom Purvis and Charles Poloquin, Steve incorporates bodybuilding principles into strength training. His approach is to create an internal intent and focus, rather than only working the external movement patterns. Engaging and activating the muscle before weight is moved is crucial to this system. Using tempo control and specific muscle contractions and applying them to strength training creates a whole different type of strength and muscle. All these things create longevity in strength instead of giving clients a shelf life before they plateau and before injuries occur.     Spectrum of Exercise Programming Maximum Effort (1-3 reps) | Relative Strength (3-5 reps) | Functional Hypertrophy (6-8 reps) | Metabolic Hypertrophy (10-15 reps) | Strength Endurance (15+ reps) The idea is to move left or

I'm on the hunt for a new cross trainer, but with some many options out there, picking the right shoe can be challenging. I found out through social media that Lululemon was partnering with a unique sportswear company called Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) to offer their athletic shoes in-store. APL's claim to fame was in 2010 when their shoes were banned from the NBA for giving players an unfair advantage. Since then, their footwear has become synonymous with technology, performance and fashion. Intrigued, I decided to check them out. On this episode of the podcast, amateur sneaker expert Ross Newton and I review all three shoes from APL's women's line: the Ascend, the TechLoom Phantom and the TechLoom Pro. Useful Links/Resources Athletic Propulsion Labs FootWear Ling 101: Running Shoe Technologies Explained by Brand (Digital Trends) Are You Wearing the Right Shoes for Squatting? (Squat University)

On the last episode of the podcast, I briefly touched upon the difference between Powerlifting and Olympic Weightlifting, and how lifting weights, when done correctly, can positively affect your metabolic rate, muscle coordination, stability and balance, bone density, stress levels, confidence and a lot more. With the help Maria "MiaMazin" Nikolajev - RAW Powerlifter, WBFF diva fitness and figure competitor, trainer, certified strength and conditioning specialists and women's empowerment coach - this episode is an opportunity to dig deeper and learn more about Powerlifting and why you may want incorporate weights into your training routine.

The Quote That Inspired This Episode “What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do. As I have heard said, a person's success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.” - Tim Ferris, The 4 Hour Workweek Links to Cool Stuff from This Episode Powerlifting vs. Olympic Weightlifting Ignite the fire : the secrets to building a successful personal training career by Jonathan Goodman Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall  Fit For Thought Workout Mix Vol. 5 Haliburton Hill Sprints 

In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with co-founder of TCHAD Quarterly and host of The City Podcast, Chad Cranston. As podcasters with a shared passion for fitness and business, Chad and I cover a lot of ground. From what it's like to host a podcast, to what drives us in and outside the gym (you'll never guess what songs we currently listen to while lifting), to how we define a successful fitness business, Chad and I put it all on the table.  Special thanks to our mutual friend Taylor Viveiors for connecting us. 

Located in the heart of Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood, Scullhouse Rowing is Canada's only authentic indoor rowing workout facility where students are trained and taught by a former National team member. Founder and CEO, Kristin Jeffery is a seasoned rower and former Canadian National Team member. Her classes are an authentic reflection of her own years of training. I'm lucky enough to have had Kristin on the podcast to talk about rowing fundamentals, what's like to be a fitness entrepreneur and much more!  What You'll Learn on this Episode The story behind Scullhouse The difference between sweep rowing vs. sculling Rowing fundamentals like proper rowing form and technique Why rowing is more than just a fitness trend What muscles should be engage while you're rowing The best advice Kristin received from her mentor and coach Connect with Scullhouse Rowing Website Facebook Instragram

At Fit For Thought, we're all about making connections and creating a space where information sharing can grow and thrive. I've had the pleasure of connecting with many of you via social and in-person. Thanks for reaching out and connecting with me. I love reading your questions and comments, so keep them coming! More recently, I've received a lot of questions about pre and post natal fitness, as many of you are either expecting or have recently given birth. Congratulations! On this episode of the podcast, I connect with Trisha Enriquez via Face Time. She's an extraordinary mom, certified Nutrition and Weight Loss Coach, as well as a certified Pre and Post Natal Fitness Specialist. On top of all that, she's the brains behind No Tummy Mommy - a thriving business that provides fitness and nutrition coaching, from one mom to another.  What You'll Learn on this Episode What expecting moms can do to stay health and fit during their pregnancy Common misconceptions about post-natal fitness Diastasis Recti Abdominis

A couple of weeks ago, Dr. Aaron Horschig of Squat University was on the podcast to talk about some of the factors that affect squat performance (among other things). In order to perform a full depth squat, our bodies require a certain amount of ankle mobility. A great way to screen for ankle mobility is the half-kneeling dorsiflexion test.  After doing the test, it turns out that I have soft tissue restriction and joint restriction (always knew I was an overachiever). Dr. Horschig recommended a variety of ankle mobilization drills and soft tissue stretching, but I thought I'd also pay a visit to Sarah Mariano - one of the best fascial stretch therapists in the bizz and my very first guest on Fit For Thought! Needless to say, my session was nothing short of amazing. Sarah and I were so happy with the results that we decided to keep the good vibes going and headed over to the studio to record an episode of the podcast. What You'll Learn on the Episode How to screen for ankle mobility  How fascial stretch ther

If you've been following me on social media, you may have noticed my posts about GoGo Muscle Training, a Toronto-based business that has harnessed the power of electrical muscle stimulation technology to offer a cutting edge, effective and scientifically driven method of training. Electrical Muscle Stimulation (or EMS for short) is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses, which mimics the electrical message naturally transmitted by the brain to the muscle via the central nervous system. After doing some research, I decided to put GoGo Muscle Training and EMS to the test. You can only learn so much about technology by reading about it. You have to experience it first-hand, or in my case, wear a full body suit with built-in electrodes that send electrical impulses directly to muscle groups while working out. Anything, within reason, for the podcast! Now, two sessions in, one of the founders is on the podcast to talk about GoGo Muscle Training and my first-hand experience training with EMS.