Overwhelmed by the Stress of Your Healthcare Job? This Powerful Technique Can Help You Process Your Pain.
COVID-19 could lead to an epidemic of post-traumatic stress disorder in healthcare workers. Mark Goulston, MD shares a new approach to helping them heal: Surgical Empathy.
Nashville, TN (February 2021)—There’s growing evidence that healthcare workers are developing post-traumatic stress disorder due to COVID-19. That may be no surprise, given how difficult this past year has been for frontline employees. But Mark Goulston, MD says PTSD is not inevitable. His approach to treating traumatic stress—called Surgical Empathy—helps healthcare providers heal from the inside out.
“Surgical empathy is helpful when a person’s mind is overwhelmed from external stimulus and their internal pain—pain that has been suppressed, unprocessed, and/or undealt with,” says Dr. Goulston, coauthor along with Diana Hendel, PharmD, of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99). “This process uses empathy with surgical precision to meet people where they are and help them ‘feel felt’ and less alone in their feelings.”
When people are finally able to tap into their pain, they can stop coping with it and finally begin to heal, says Dr. Goulston. He compares the healing process to draining an angry abscess that was sutured too quickly, and finally allowing the wound to heal.
The following Surgical Empathy exercise is great not only for healthcare workers but for anyone impacted by COVID-19 or any other traumatic experience. It is based on Dr. Goulston’s 12 Phase Emotional Algorithm, which describes the road to, through, and back from trauma. (NOTE: See attached tip sheet for an overview of the 12 Phase Emotional Algorithm.)
This exercise can be done alone or as part of a group. You can do it repeatedly and each time you will discover new insights that help you move further along your healing journey:
Trauma: Think back to the traumatizing event or events that created a fight, flight, or freeze response in your mind and body when it occurred. As you recall the event(s), make sure that you keep breathing. If you notice your heartbeat or breathing increasing, pause and focus on your breath before continuing to remember the trauma. Remind yourself that you survived and be compassionate toward your former self who was so upset at the time.
Horror: Remember what it was like to feel the utter horror of the event(s). Allow yourself to experience any feelings of horror that you were unable to feel at the time because you had to keep going. Remember to pause if you feel yourself becoming triggered by memories of this horror. If this happens take a few moments to look around and take in your environment. Look for five things you can see (for example: a window, a table, a pen). Think about what you feel (your shirt, your legs, the armrest of your chair), smell (the scent of rain), hear (traffic outside), and taste (the flavor of toothpaste). This will ground you in the present moment.
Terror: Allow yourself to feel the terror you felt as your survival mechanisms (fight/flight/freeze) kicked in. Remember that we are meant to feel fear when we perceive danger. It is totally natural. Feel empathy for your earlier self who felt so afraid (and still feels afraid). With complete compassion and understanding, tell your former self (and your present self) that it is okay to feel afraid and that you are not alone.
Fragile: Lean into the fragility you felt and continue to feel following your trauma. Feel unconditional love, acceptance, and understanding for your earlier self who struggled to hold it together. Remind yourself that you are safe and secure right now, and that what was once shattered can be repaired.
Overriding Panic: Remember how it felt to override a panic response when you saw so many others in need and hurting, while you felt helpless and powerless. Remember being totally overwhelmed with feelings and emotions. Be gentle with yourself and try not to judge the way you reacted or wanted to react.
Suppressed Thoughts: Remember the sheer exhaustion of trying to push aside everything you thought or were thinking. Feel empathy for your former self who had to bypass thoughts of guilt, shame, blame, and self-loathing to survive. Realize that these thoughts are normal to have, and that they don’t make you a weak or shameful person. The thought really isn’t the deed.
Repressed Feelings: To survive a trauma you pushed your feelings down so they would not bubble up into your conscious mind. Now other behaviors may have erupted due to this avoidance. What feelings are your coping behaviors (such as drinking, overeating, irritability) covering up? Spend time with every feeling that comes to mind. Acknowledge them fully and allow them to be felt.
Focus and Function: Remember how it felt to put your own needs aside and rise to the occasion. You may recall the adrenaline rush you felt that helped you keep on going day after day, even as you knew something wasn’t quite right deep inside. Focus on what it was like to put that assault to your inner well-being on the back burner. What did you neglect so you could help patients? What would you like to do for yourself now that you have time to stop and reflect?
Danger Has Passed: The horror and terror you experienced taunt you, and your new normal is a feeling in your body telling you that you must always be alert—especially when you revisit the place where the trauma occurred (most likely your workplace). How does this impact you today? What about your workplace triggers or unsettles you? Work to accept that while your work environment may not be as safe as you previously thought, this does not have to paralyze you or prevent you from living a full life.
PTSD: Immerse yourself in the pain of living with your trauma. Which routines and protective behaviors allow you to function in the world? How do they protect you? What would you do if you were not impacted by post-traumatic stress?
Disabled or Recovered: Can you label the emotions that come up again and again and make you feel stuck? These are the ones that must be fully felt before you can fully recover. With complete compassion, commit yourself to giving your feelings the space to exist. Allow them to be felt and shared and notice how their power begins to fade.
Healed: Finally, experiencing the emotions you pushed away to survive will drain the abscess and enable you to heal. Keep telling yourself that healing is possible and that you can once again feel peace and joy.
It can be frightening to face and process your feelings around what you have experienced during the pandemic, but the payoff is huge. Surgical Empathy can help you reclaim a sense of safety and control over your life and help you to show up fully to do your important work.
“Don’t forget that post-traumatic stress leads to post-traumatic growth,” concludes Dr. Goulston. “Overcoming trauma can bring a new sense of meaning to past events and can deepen your camaraderie and resilience. You may not be there yet, but you can look forward to the day when you feel newly empowered to take life by the horns and truly make it count.”
Tom Brady is officially the oldest player to appear in a Super Bowl at age 43. While the average career span for an NFL quarterback is three years, Brady has been playing for two decades and made his 10th Super Bowl appearance this year. In defying the aging process and achieving peak performance, he follows a rigorous daily routine and health regimen.
Dr. Myles Spar, Chief Medical Officer of Vault Health, is an integrative men’s health specialist and has served as a medical consultant to professional sports leagues— educating players, coaches, and trainers on best practices and preventative measures.
“Any person – of any age, shape, or fitness level – can apply Tom Brady’s principles in their pursuit of health, wellness, and peak performance,” says Dr. Spar.
To illustrate this, he has taken the key principles of Brady’s health regimen and adapted them into actionable tips to help men achieve optimal performance at any age.
Here are his tips to achieve optimal performance at any age, even if you’re not Tom Brady:
1. Eat Nutritious, Well-Balanced Meals and Snacks. Tom Brady micromanages everything that goes into his body. Every calorie, every ingredient, and right down to the time he eats his meals. He’s heavy on vegetables and lean protein and stays away from alcohol, caffeine, dairy, and sugar.
FOR YOU – “Think about what you’re eating, and when. Sweat the details. If you’re making changes, make one small change today and another small change next week. They start to add up, but they have to be sustainable. Remember, garbage calories in, garbage training out. And for those who need extra help shedding body fat or gaining muscle mass, Vault has affordable, easily accessible personalized treatment plans and supplements to help men get the results they desire,” says Dr. Spar.
2. Treat sleep like the priority it is. Brady’s in bed at 8:30 pm every night. He knows quality sleep can improve reaction time, increase overall health, increase focus and accuracy, and prevent mental errors. He naps. He solves a series of brain puzzles before bed to destimulate his brain, allowing him to get to sleep by 9 p.m. and wake up without an alarm.
FOR YOU – Get enough sleep! Besides the above-mentioned sleep benefits, late at night, people make poorer choices with food and alcohol. Shutting it down on the early side can reduce those temptations. Throughout the day, take time to rest when you can. Think about your craft, sport, or work – in a positive way – before going to bed.
“Consult your doctor if you’re still having trouble falling or staying asleep because there are many healthy, natural prescriptions that can help you. For example, the prescription peptide and natural formulation in Vault’s Brain Kit protects the brain from the toxic effects of the stress hormone cortisol and helps build new brain cells. This can improve memory, attention, and sleep,” says Dr. Spar.
3. Hydration is key. After he hops out of bed at 6 a.m., the first thing Brady reaches for is a 20-ounce glass of water infused with electrolytes. Then he sips a smoothie, which typically contains blueberries, bananas, nuts, and seeds. Pretty normal. During his 8 a.m. workout, he drinks more electrolyte-infused water, followed by a post-workout protein shake. When all is said and done, Brady drinks anywhere between 12 to 25 glasses of water a day. (However, he trains a lot harder than the average human being, so the 25 glasses of water make sense for him.)
FOR YOU – In general, you should try to drink between half an ounce and an ounce of water for each pound you weigh, every day. “For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, that would be 75 to 150 ounces of water a day,” says Dr. Spar.
4. Strengthen your overall health with supplements. Tom Brady has talked extensively about the supplements he takes in many interviews, which include whey protein powder, protein bars, multivitamins, probiotics, and a B complex, to name a few.
FOR YOU – “The best thing to do before starting to take any supplements is to consult your doctor, conduct a full self-audit of your mood, physical health, ability to focus, and overall well being throughout the day to properly assess the areas you’d like to improve and what your overall goals are. For example, guys who want to support their general health, increase their energy levels, and burn more fat would greatly benefit from Vault’s Vitamin B12 Mic Fat Burner,” says Dr. Spar.
5. Train your brain, not just your body. Brady spends 15 minutes per day playing brain games, drilling his cognitive speed and pattern recognition. That prep, plus film study gives Brady the special edge he needs to outplay the opposing team’s defense at the line of scrimmage.
FOR YOU - “It’s natural for memory and cognitive function to decline with age, but there are many things you can do to rapidly slow down this process. For guys who want better focus and attention, memory, and mental energy, I usually recommend Vault’s Brain Kit, which includes prescription peptide and a naturally-formulated brain boost supplement that work together to increase cognitive functioning,” says Dr. Spar.
6. Focus on longevity. Every season is predicted to be Tom’s last. Every summer the columnists and commentators declare he’s too old to perform at the top of the sport: He should retire, what else does he have to prove? He should exit on top, with his legacy intact.
FOR YOU – “Forget everyone else’s narrative for your life and your activities. If you still have a passion for your work or your sport, there is no reason to stop. It is also important to remember that once you stop it will be difficult to start back up or reach the level you have already achieved,” says Dr. Spar.
For more information about how men can live a long, healthy life and thwart the negative effects of aging as Tom Brady has successfully done over the years, visit vaulthealth.com/consumer-health.
New Brain Science Approach to Mental Health
New 8-week Masterclass harnesses power of cannabis to resolve trauma and difficult emotions
January 28, 2021, Tampa, FL— Everyone struggles with past trauma and resulting difficult emotions. For many, the past year has exacerbated these feelings.
The problem with sadness, anger, fear, guilt and shame is that unless you find the root cause, you never do more than slap a band-aid on the issue.Becca Williams, a board member of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine, one of the only certified Emotional Liberation™ teachers in the world, offers a unique cannabis assisted emotional recovery program designed to find the cause and release all of the associated negative emotions and feelings.
Cannabis' ability to facilitate brain and nervous system reorganization and healing aligns closely with the established benefits of meditation – and for many amplifies and accelerates the process. William’s program is a synthesis of cutting edge brain science and ancient Eastern practices.
“The cannabis isn’t the solution, it’s more like a mental lubricant,” said Williams. “It’s like a truth serum.”
Williams advises patients on what is the best CBD or cannabis for their individual needs. The cannabis is integrated with the meditation portion of a session.
In addition to the eight-week masterclass, private session packages are available. All programs are virtual to allow clients to join from anywhere from the privacy and safety of their own home.
To learn more about cannabis-assisted emotional recovery or to interview Becca Williams, please contact dena@provenmediaservices.com
About Becca Williams
Becca Williams is a yoga therapist and educator who specializes in cannabis-assisted emotional & trauma recovery. Her practice integrates ancient healing modalities that utilize expressive movement and breathwork techniques with the judicious use of cannabis. Becca is a registered dietitian/nutritionist, a certified Emotional Liberation® facilitator and a long-time cannabis advocate and activist. She holds certificates from healer.com in Cannabis Core Curriculum, Dosage Protocols & Methodologies, CBD Essentials and Clinical Application. Becca has worked as a group facilitator, speaker, and mentor for personal and collective transformation for more than two decades. She was the founder of MJ Straight Talk, which aired on the Free Speech Network. Becca is on the board of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine and a member of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians and NORMAL.
Overpower Negativity, Push Through Adversity Using Tools Outlined in Optimists Always Win!
Philadelphia, PA, February 9, 2021 — Are you ready for a personal and professional reset? Make 2021 your best year yet by learning how to cultivate and nurture a positive mindset every day.
Optimists Always Win!: Moving from Defeat to Life's C-Suite, from award-winning global diversity and inclusion strategist, international inspirational speaker and unstoppable optimist Kimberly S. Reed, delivers the encouragement and the tools to launch the new beginning we all need.
“Difficulties and struggles are unavoidable in life, but a person has complete control over one’s personal response to the situation,” Reed says. “This book offers readers a plan for responding with optimism for both the challenges and blessings that come their way.”
Optimists Always Win! isn’t another collection of platitudes and motivational mumbo jumbo. Reed’s book digs deep into her most powerful principles and life knockouts (LKOs) and walks readers throughan actionable process for building resilience and choosing optimism over anger.
Reed uses her own experiences, including her heroic battle with her mother’s terminal illness and sudden loss as well as her own subsequent battle with cancer, to show readers that it’s possible to rise above pessimism and hopelessness when faced with hardship.
Relying heavily on her faith in God and the optimism that she learned to cultivate, Reed teaches readers 10 “discouragement eliminators,” which helped her succeed not just in her fight against cancer but as she lives each day as her best self.
Reed’s inspirational messages touch on every aspect of life, to help readers grow in their faith, remove self-placed stumbling blocks and adopt the optimistic attitude needed for reaching the C-suite of life.
All book royalties are being donated to the American Cancer Society AstraZeneca Hope Lodge in Philadelphia and to a premier Academic Research Institution for Integrated Breast Cancer Fund and Patient Care.
Author Kimberly S. Reed, MEd, CDP, is an award-winning diversity, equality and inclusion expert, international speaker and corporate trainer. As founder of the Reed Development Group, LLC, she has developed a distinguished reputation as having one of the most distinct and powerful voices on the lecture circuit, engaging audiences on topics ranging from diversity and inclusion and talent innovation, organizational leadership, intrapreneurship, entrepreneurial leadership, and personal and professional development. Reed earned a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and Public Administration from Westchester University; a certification in Global Organizational Leadership, Human Resource Management, from Fox School of Business; a Masters of Education, Adult Organizational Development and Public Policy; and certifications in Training and Development and Communication and Conflict from Temple University. She has also been a senior partner and advisor for one of the world’s leading CEO branding companies, The Ascendant Group.
Optimists Always Win!: Moving from Defeat to Life's C-Suite
The Prosperity Project: Building Abundance and A Map for A Life Well Lived
San Diego, CA, February 9, 2021 — How do you define prosperity, as it relates to your individual circumstances? Would more money make you feel prosperous? Better health? More friends? The truth is, all these things matter, notes Wall Street veteran and author John Lohrenz.
“Your health, wealth, relationships, self-growth and sense of adventure are all part of the equation for a happy and prosperous life,” he says in his new book,The Prosperity Project: Building Abundance and A Map for A Life Well Lived.
Lohrenz draws upon his professional and personal experiences and seamlessly blends them with the principles of modern psychology, health, wellness, and finance to inform his Pyramid of Prosperity—a reimagined version of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that reflects present-day fundamental truths. The Pyramid of Prosperity gives readers a visual representation of Lohrenz’s point that multiple contributors to happiness need to exist in harmony for the pinnacle of prosperity to be reached.
Chapters dive deep into the layers of the pyramid—Health, Wealth, Relationships, Growth, Adventure, Legacy—to help readers discern what true prosperity means to them.
“The goal of The Prosperity Project is to give you a formula that you can use every day to make sure you are at your best for yourself, those around you, and your work,” Lohrenz writes. “It is so much more than a wellness checkup or a financial plan. The point of the project is to provide you with tangible tools so you can develop a complete personalized and achievable plan for prosperity.”
The result is a clear, easy-to-navigate path forward with calls to action that you can implement daily. The Prosperity Project isn’t a quick fix. Lives of abundance don’t just happen. They are cultivated through mindfully planning and pursuing your purpose. And if living your best life isn’t a purpose, what is?
The Prosperity Project author John Lohrenz is a wealth manager with over 25 years of experience. He spent much of his career at Merrill Lynch before deciding to open his own firm, JKL Wealth Management. John now spends his time nurturing relationships with clients and advising them on living a life of true prosperity.
COVID-19 Contributes to Uptick in Opioid-Related Deaths
Baltimore, MD, February 9, 2021 — Telemedicine and tele-mental health services have emerged as valuable resources for those battling addictions during our country’s expanding opioid crisis. The availability of remote healthcare services gives hope for those struggling with their addictions against a backdrop of social isolation, explains Dr. Paul Christo, anAssociate Professor in the Division of Pain Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and he adds, clinicians need to advocate to their patients that online treatment options are available.
Dr. Christo, who is on the frontlines working to curb the impact of the opioid crisis, also wants patients to know that critical medications for maintaining sobriety can now be prescribed by telehealth or telephone.
"The number of fatalities from opioid-related overdoses could be nearly 30 percent higher than reported due to missing information or incomplete death records,” he says. “The worst fear is that because of social isolation, people are not being found or treated immediately."
The opioid epidemic today progressed in three phases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first involves deaths caused by prescription opioids, the second, an increase in heroin use, and the third, a surge in the use of synthetic opioids or fentanyl. Experts say the U.S. is right in the middle of the third phase of the epidemic, due to the increasing availability of fentanyl and increasing rates of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids.
According to a recent study there were 632,331 drug overdoses between 1999 and 2016. Most of these deaths (78.2 percent) were drug overdoses with known drug classification. Moreover, 21.8 percent were unclassified drug overdoses. A further investigation revealed that for unclassified drug overdoses, 71.8 percent involved opioids, translating to 99,160 additional opioid-related deaths.
There were over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017, according to an estimate from the CDC. Based on findings from the new study, over half of those deaths — about 47,000 — are suspected of having involved opioids.
Another study on opioid overdoses found that the number of drug overdose deaths decreased by 4 percent from 2017 to 2018. In 2018, more than 67,000 people died from drug overdoses, making it a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. Almost 70 percent involved a prescription or illicit opioid of those deaths.
“COVID 19 impacted the drug supply chain by closing borders on some regions, and it led to the higher death rate,” Dr. Christo explained. He added that drugs become more challenging to get, and the potency of overdose goes up. It also impacts the price, everything goes up, and in that sense, it becomes more deadly each day, according to Dr. Christo.
About Dr. Paul Christo
Dr. Paul Christo serves as Director of the Multidisciplinary Pain Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is the author of Aches and Gains, A Comprehensive Guide to Overcoming Your Pain. Dr. Paul Christo also hosts an award-winning, nationally syndicated SIRIUS XM radio talk show on overcoming pain called, Aches and Gains®. For more information about Dr. Paul Christo. Please visit www.paulchristomd.com.
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Rute Fernandes Appointed General Manager of Takeda Canada
Rute Fernandes' wide-ranging expertise and international perspective in rare diseases will enhance Takeda's leadership position in the Canadian biopharmaceutical sector
TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2021 /CNW/ -Takeda Canada Inc. ("Takeda Canada") is pleased to announce the appointment of Rute Fernandes as its new General Manager to lead the Canadian operations of Japan's largest pharmaceutical company.
Ms. Fernandes has held a number of executive roles in business development, commercial strategy operations, and country management over her 22-year career in the pharmaceutical industry. Most recently, she served as Takeda's Group Vice-President and Head of Rare Disease Franchise for Europe and Canada, responsible for a portfolio of more than 15 brands across three disease areas—namely Rare Metabolic Disorders, Rare Hematology, and Rare Hereditary Angioedema and Transplants—in a total of 38 countries.
"Rute is an inspiring leader who has acquired broad experience in senior management roles and a deep understanding of rare diseases internationally," said Giles Platford, President of the Europe and Canada Business Unit at Takeda. "Canada is a critical market for Takeda's global operations and I am confident that under Rute's leadership, Takeda will strengthen our position as a leading biopharmaceutical company in the country, delivering highly innovative medicines and transformative care to Canadians."
Takeda is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company with an unwavering commitment to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world. Established in Canada in 2009, Takeda is one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical companies in Canada and a leader in the treatment of rare diseases.
"I am delighted to have been selected to lead Takeda Canada and work alongside the many talented individuals that make up the Canadian Team," said Rute Fernandes. "This is an important time for our industry in Canada, and I look forward to ensuring sustainable access to innovative medicines for Canadians who need them most."
Ms. Fernandes holds a Master's in Economics from the Nova School of Business & Economics and an MBA from HEC Lausanne.
About Takeda Canada Inc.
Takeda Canada Inc. is the Canadian marketing and sales organization of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, headquartered in Japan. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to patients by translating science into highly-innovative medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Gastroenterology (GI), Rare Diseases and Neuroscience. We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people's lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries and regions.
New Year, New Outlook: Life Coach Shares Powerful Messages of Unity and Positivity
Stafford, TX, February 8, 2021 – Without question, 2020 was a difficult year on many levels. Life Coach Michael Taylor has a powerful call to action, intended to help readers focus on the factors that unite us as humans and view 2021 through a perspective of positivity.
“It is my belief that there has never been a better time to be alive on the planet than right now,” he says. “Obviously, I recognize all the challenges, but at the same time, I honestly believe that every human being has the capacity to be, to do and to have anything that they set their minds to.”
In his latest book, The Good News Is, The Future Is Brighter Than You Think!,the self-described “irrepressible optimist” uses science, spirituality and psychology to inform his insights into a range of topics, including:
•Being Human: Understanding what it means to be human, the role of trauma in our lives, how to move on from past trauma and taking 100 percent responsibility for our lives; •Divine Intelligence and Evolution: The Divine Intelligence as the creator of the universe, the driving force behind human evolution and how to use its power; •Spirituality: Recognition and acknowledgment of a connection to a power higher than oneself, the spiritual connection to the Divine Intelligence as a result of evolution; •Race: Realization that there is only one race and that is the human race — only through evolution will we heal our race relations and accept that we’re all the same; •Love: Accepting love as the highest power that can heal this universe and how to create meaningful connections and develop healthy intimate relationships; •Plus health, wealth, education, technology and everything in between!
“If you’ve been looking for a resource that inspires you and motivates you and lights you up, this is the book for you!” Taylor adds.
Author Michael Taylor is uniquely positioned to spread hope and optimism. A high school dropout, he overcamea divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure, depression and being homeless for two years on his way to becoming a successful entrepreneur, motivational speaker, radio and TV host, and author of nine best-selling books. He has dedicated his life to empowering men and women to reach their full potential by transforming their lives from the inside out.
Taylor is President and CEO of Creation Publishing Group, a company that specializes in creating programs and products that empower men and women to live extraordinary lives,and Too Cool Club, a company that develops transformational education programs for youth. He has been featured in the Amazon.com bestselling book Motivational Speakers America and in USA Today magazine about the changing roles of manhood and masculinity in society. He has won numerous awards for his dynamic speaking style, and he is an Amazon.com bestselling author.
He is the host and producer of two TV Channels on the Roku Network, Joy Passion & Profit and Shatter The Stereotypes, and hosts two podcasts of the same names available on most podcast platforms like Spotify and iTunes.
Most importantly, he has been blissfully married for 18 years to the woman of his dreams and he is a proud father of three grown children.
It’s hard to stick to your fitness regimen during the winter months. Between short days, freezing weather, and ongoing gym closures, you have plenty of excuses to give up. If you’re not ready to quit, but you aren’t sure exactly how to keep fit during cold weather, try one of these winter workout ideas.
Bundle Up
If the weather outside is frightful, put on a down jacket and comfy scarf and head outside. You might not be able to run or ride a bicycle if the sidewalks are slippery, but a long walk can offer low-impact exercise and a reason to get out of the house. Plus, if you’re walking, you can hold onto a cup of hot cocoa without sloshing any on yourself. Try to walk during the middle of the day, when the temperature is usually highest, and look for hilly routes to keep your muscles warm and active.
Try Indoor Cardio
2020 was the year of the home gym as COVID-19 forced even the most passionate exercise enthusiasts to stay inside. Manufacturers are still recovering from record-low levels of stock. While you may not be able to find that squat rack or weight set you’ve been eyeing since March, you still have plenty of options for indoor cardio, including treadmills and exercise bikes. If you’re missing the communal aspect of exercise, give at-home spin classes a try. Performance-focused studios like Plan 7 Coaching offer high-tech class options that carefully monitor your heart rate, caloric output and V02 rates so you’ll get exactly the workout you’re looking for.
Clean Up the House
According to theAmerican Heart Association, cold weather is no excuse for slacking on your exercise schedule. Instead, stay active around the house with aerobic exercise like vigorous cleaning, raking leaves, or shoveling snow. As long as you’re moving fast enough to keep your heart rate elevated, you can turn your chore list into an exercise session.
Throw Yourself a Dance Party
You have to get creative to stay active during the winter. Why not have a little fun and throw yourself an at-home dance party? Crank up Spotify, grab a weighted hula hoop, or just get funky on your own. Give yourself permission to let go after a long day, find a private place to work out and dance like no one can see you.
With some ingenuity and planning, you can stay active even when it's cold outside.
Your Veterinarian Needs Help
Atlanta, GA, February 8, 2021 — Your veterinarian chose to dedicate his or her life to the altruistic pursuit of tending to the health and lives of pets. What you may not have considered is that the health and life of your veterinarian also needs protecting: he or she is nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than someone among the general population. But there are ways you can help.
Sandy Weaver, author of the groundbreaking new book Happy Vet Happy Pet: Caring for Your Pet’s Caregiver, is on a mission to ease the lives of veterinarians, one client’s heart at a time.
“I’ve known for years, as have those in the veterinary field, that there was an issue with suicide and veterinarians,” Sandy says. “Then in early 2019, the CDC report on veterinary suicide was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and what had been anecdotal became data: male veterinarians are 2.1 times more likely, and female veterinarians are 3.5 times more likely, to complete suicide than their non-veterinarian peers.”
Happy Vet Happy Pet is a distillation of Sandy’s research into neuroscience, neuroplasticity and positive psychology mixed with data from the CDC report. The result is an impactful approach that weaves easy-to-understand science with stories that touch the minds and the hearts of pet owners — empowering them to be part of the solution.
Chapters dive deep into topics all pet owners should understand, including:
1. The heart, mind and life of a person who decides to become a veterinarian; 2. The very human, very vulnerable person behind the scrubs; 3. The ways clients unknowingly mistreat their pets’ caregivers; 4. Three simple rules to follow to help your veterinary team; and 5. What to do if you feel that someone near you is facing suicidal desperation.
Happy Vet Happy Pet shares Sandy’s unique point of view that it takes a village to save a veterinarian. “Making pet owners mindful of how their behavior impacts their veterinarian mobilizes the village to help solve the problem,” she adds.
This book will change your relationship with your veterinarian and their team forever. And what you learn in this book could save your veterinarian's life.
Author Sandy Weaver is an expert speaker, trainer, mastermind facilitator and lover of all things dog.
As the Program Director of the Center for Workplace Happiness, Sandy creates the training programs, workshops, mastermind groups and keynotes that help people lead happier, more successful lives. She is also a citizen-scientist in the fields of neuroscience, neuroplasticity and positive psychology. In 2019, she took the resilience tools and strategies she’d been teaching to general audiences and crafted programs specifically for veterinary teams. Her goal is to touch the life of every veterinarian and technician in a way that helps them avoid the pain and despair that comes with an inability to manage stress.
Now in her 40th year of Siberian Husky ownership, Sandy is a passionate advocate for veterinarians and their teams and an ongoing donor to Not One More Vet.
