In this conversation, Vanessa Leone and OD explore the concept of fluidity in the body, discussing the importance of fascia, movement, and the lymphatic system. They delve into how emotional health is connected to physical fluid flow and provide practical tips for enhancing fluidity through breath and playful movement. The discussion emphasizes the significance of applying knowledge to improve health and well-being.
Tag Archives: injuryprevention
Calisthenics: Play & Learn Skills For Strength and Longevity with Yannick Kwai-Pun
Vanessa Leone interviews Yannick Kwai-Pun about calisthenics. Yannick discusses his journey from weightlifting to calisthenics, emphasizing the sport’s evolution from simple bodyweight exercises to a structured and competitive discipline. They highlight the importance of mobility, strength, and skill, and the benefits of breaking down complex movements into achievable tasks. Yannick also stresses realistic goal-setting and the value of small wins in maintaining motivation. The conversation concludes with insights into the future of calisthenics and its potential for broader application in fitness.
Unlocking Fascia for Enhanced Movement and Longevity
In this episode, Vanessa Leone and Ian “OD” O’Dwyer discuss the importance of fascia in movement, health, and performance. OD explains how fascia, which encases every structure in the body, plays a key role in communication, fluid flow, and force mitigation. They explore the differences between “Viking warriors” (stiffer individuals) and “temple dancers” (more flexible individuals), emphasizing the need for personalized training approaches. The conversation covers common misconceptions about stretching, the impact of hydration on tissue health, and how certain exercises, like box jumps, can affect the body. They conclude with practical insights on optimizing movement for longevity.
10 Life Lessons from 10 Health, Fitness, and Wellness Experts!
This week marks the 10th episode of the Meant to Move Podcast, a milestone that fills me with gratitude. As the host, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to interview health, fitness, and wellness experts from around the globe. One thing is clear: the world of wellness is dynamic, which is a positive and sometimes a negative. Our bodies are ever-changing, research evolves, and trends come and go. Navigating this landscape can be a challenge, and that’s precisely why I’m so passionate about bringing you valuable insights.
Unlocking Fitness Performance: Key Metrics to Track
Host Vanessa Leone speaks with fitness experts Rhys James and Jesse O’Sullivan about tracking performance and wellness metrics. Jesse, an online coach, tracks body composition, strength, sleep, and stress markers. Rhys, training for an Ironman, measures power, heart rate variability, and swim speed. They discuss the role of data in setting goals, motivation, and avoiding overtracking. Jesse highlights sleep as a key wellness metric, while Rhys emphasizes cognitive testing for future fitness trends. The episode explores the importance of individualized assessments and balancing data-driven training with movement enjoyment. They close with a call for listener engagement and future testing events.
Meant to Move Mini Episode #1 – What is “Slowgress?”
In this episode, Vanessa Leone introduces the concept of ‘slowgress,’ emphasizing the importance of understanding that health and fitness progress is not linear. She discusses how seasonal changes affect our wellness goals and shares her personal journey of recovery post-surgery. Vanessa encourages listeners to reflect on their own wellness journeys and to embrace a more gradual approach to achieving their goals, allowing for both progress and regress.
Meant to Move Episode #7
In this episode, Vanessa Leone and Ian O’Dwyer discuss fitness metrics, movement assessment, and self-awareness in training. O’Dwyer emphasizes the importance of listening to the body over relying solely on biofeedback tools. He advocates for “appraisals” instead of “assessments” to reduce fear and improve self-awareness. They explore how movement, hydration, nutrition, sleep, and mood impact performance. O’Dwyer highlights fascia’s role in movement and explains mobilizers as low-force, functional movements tailored to individual needs. The conversation underscores the value of intuitive training, proper recovery, and questioning conventional fitness testing for a more holistic approach to health and movement.
Meant to Move Episode 5
Dr. Emily Splichal discusses the importance of foot health and its impact on stability, posture, and overall movement. She explains the foot’s role in energy transfer, shock absorption, and balance, emphasizing the benefits of barefoot training. Dr. Splichal highlights the deep front fascial line’s connection from the feet to the core and diaphragm, advocating for intentional foot engagement in exercises. She also promotes Naboso recovery socks and toe spacers for foot stimulation and realignment. Finally, she stresses a gradual transition to barefoot shoes and shares her passion for ballroom dancing as a therapeutic movement practice.
Meant to Move Episode #3
In this episode of Meant to Move, Vanessa interviews Ian O’Dwyer (OD), a “movement coach” known for his holistic approach to movement therapy. OD shares his journey from semi-pro sports and plumbing to becoming a movement mentor. He emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, emotion, and interoception—listening to internal body signals. Through anecdotes, OD explains how tailored movement practices can prevent injuries and enhance joy. He advocates for intuitive, low-risk interventions like grounding and fluid flow exercises. This conversation underscores the connection between emotion, intuition, and physical well-being, offering a refreshing perspective on fitness and health.
Vanessa Leone Movement Therapist 