Healthspan Digest
Healthspan Digest cuts through the noise to bring you science-backed strategies for staying strong, energized, and resilient. In just 20–30 minutes, each episode delivers one clear action step to boost your healthspan—how long you stay healthy and thriving. Hosted by Aaron Shaw, a seasoned expert with nearly 30 years in health and fitness, this podcast skips the fads and gives you real tools for better sleep, smarter nutrition, consistent exercise, and emotional well-being. Book a consult or start a conversation at https://www.healthspanpillars.com/contact/
Episodes
67 episodes
DOMS Demystified: What Soreness Really Means and How to Train Smarter
You crushed your workout—but two days later, you’re hobbling down the stairs like you’re 90. That deep, aching muscle soreness? That’s DOMS—Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness—and it’s not the sign of a great workout you think it is.In this ep...
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35:37
Why I Don’t Stretch—and Never Get Injured | Stretching vs. Mobility for Healthspan
Here’s something controversial: I’m a strength and conditioning specialist in my 50s, a competitive athlete, and I don’t have a stretching routine. Yet I don’t pull muscles, strain hamstrin...
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26:16
Burnout, Boundaries, and Career Identity: How to Reclaim Your Emotional Health with Dr. Amber Parks
Feeling overwhelmed at work? Thinking about quitting your job—or even your entire career—because of stress?In this powerful episode of Healthspan Digest, host Aaron Shaw sits down w...
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44:28
5 ‘Healthy’ Habits That Might Be Wasting Your Time (Here’s What to Do Instead)
Are you doing all the “right” things—but not seeing results?In this solo episode, I break down 5 popular health and wellness habits that might be holding you back. From fasted cardio to overhydration, we’ll unpack what the science...
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28:15
Grit Is a Health Tool: Daniel Gospodarek on Resilience, Recovery & Healthspan
When it comes to extending your healthspan, most people focus on the physical pillars—exercise, nutrition, sleep. But there’s one mental trait that quietly drives it all: grit.In this episode,
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42:00
You’re Not Too Old—You’re Just Out of Practice
The Second Half Can Be the Best Half… If You Train for ItYou’re not too old to feel strong, energized, and in control again—you might just be out of practice.In this episode, Healthspan coach Aaron Shaw breaks down why most of the p...
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30:15
Most Doctor Visits Are Useless -- Here's How to Fix That in 5 Questions
Tired of rushed doctor visits and generic advice? In this episode, Healthspan PhysioCoach Aaron Shaw shares five powerful questions to bring to your next primary care appointment—so you don...
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17:17
How Community Can Add Years to Your Life
“Don’t Go It Alone: How Community Can Add Years to Your Life and Healthspan”Feeling disconnected or going solo on your health journey? You might be missing the most powerful tool for living a longer, healthier life: community.<...
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22:29
Take Control Before It’s Too Late
If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or beyond and coasting with your health, it’s time for a wake-up call. Most of the health issues we face later in life—chronic pain, disease, low energy—are preventable. But only if you stop outsourcing your...
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17:22
Overcoming Gym Anxiety: 4 Steps to Build Confidence and Get Started
Does the thought of walking into a gym stress you out? You’re not alone—and today’s episode of HealthSpan Digest is your guide to overcoming gym anxiety and getting started with resistance training the right way.Whether...
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26:28
Crohn’s, Comebacks, and the Grit of Middle-Aged Fitness: Back in the Saddle with Evan St. Clair
What happens when life throws you off the bike—literally and figuratively? In this powerful episode of Healthspan Digest, I sit down with Evan St. Clair: lifelong cyclist, business owner, and local legend, as he shares his journey thro...
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51:18
Breaking Fitness Myths
Getting fit after 40? Chances are, you’ve been lied to—by outdated science, bad Instagram advice, or even your own memories of a younger, fitter you. In this episode of Healthspan Digest, Aa...
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28:53
VO₂ Max: The Longevity Metric You’re Not Thinking About (But Should Be)
If you’ve ever thought VO₂ max was just for elite athletes or lab testing… think again.In this episode, Aaron Shaw breaks down why VO₂ max is one of the most powerful—and...
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29:47
Interview with Keri Cooper. You’re Not Just Tired—You’re Underslept
Are you tired of being tired?In this powerful and practical episode of Healthspan Digest, host Aaron Shaw sits down with certified sleep science coach and psyc...
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41:55
5-Minute Rule: The #1 Hack to Overcome Exercise Procrastination
Struggling to find the energy or motivation to work out? You’re not alone. In this short but powerful episode, Healthspan Coach Aaron Shaw breaks down the science-backed 5-Minute Rule—a sim...
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24:20
Why Your Workouts Aren’t Working—And the 7 Fixes That Will Change Everything
Ever felt stuck in your workouts, unsure if you’re making progress—or worse, dealing with soreness, burnout, or injury? I’ve been there. In this episode of HealthSpan Digest, I’m breaking down 7 game-changing resistance training strat...
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30:01
Interview with Dr. Sonja Olson - How to Build Emotional Resilience (Before It’s Too Late!)
In this episode of Healthspan Digest, host Aaron Shaw sits down with Dr. Sonja Olson, an expert in emotional resilience, well-being, and stress management. With over 25 years of experience as an...
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52:56
Power Pauses: The Secret to Reducing Stress & Boosting Energy
Are you constantly on the go, feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or stuck in a cycle of burnout? In this episode of Healthspan Digest, host Aaron Shaw welcomes yoga instructor, persona...
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42:04
Unpopular Opinion: 90% of Gym-Goers Are Wasting Their Time (Fix This!)
Most people in the gym are wasting their time. Not because they lack motivation—but because they’re doing the wrong things: too much rest, not enough intensity, and exercises that don’t actually move the needle. If you’re puttin...
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40:07
Mastering Mindset Shifts: Overcoming Mental Barriers & Building Resilience with Life Coach Anne Levine
How do high achievers sustain success while maintaining balance and well-being? In this episode of HealthSpan Digest, life coach Anne Levine shares powerful insights on building resilience, overcoming mental roadblocks, and crea...
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1:00:35
The 5-Minute Happiness Fix: Proven Ways to Boost Your Mood!
Want to be happier? Science has the answers! In this episode, I break down five powerful, research-backed strategies that you can start using today to improve your mood, energy, and overall well-being—all in just five minutes
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7:58
Lifespan vs. Healthspan: Why Living Better Matters More Than Living Longer
What is Healthspan? Simple Habits to Live Longer, Healthier, and BetterIn this episode of the Healthspan Digest Podcast, Aaron Shaw breaks down the concept of healthspan and why it’s the key to living a longer, healthier, a...
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28:59
Gut Health 101: Why I’m Eating Sauerkraut for Breakfast
Did you know that 70% of your immune system is housed in your gut? Or that nearly 90% of the serotonin in your body—the “feel-good” neurotransmitter—is produced there? In this episode, Aaron Shaw dives into why gut health is so much more than a...
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25:44
5-Minute Sleep Fix: Quick Tips for Deep Rest
Struggling to get a good night’s sleep? In this quick and actionable episode, Aaron Shaw, Founder of Healthspan PhysioCoaching, shares five science-backed tips to improve your sleep starting tonight. From creating a sleep-inducing envi...
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8:16
Motivation is Overrated: Unlocking the Secret to Consistency in Health
In this episode, Aaron Shaw dives into the fleeting nature of motivation and why relying on it might be holding you back from achieving your health and wellness goals. Using real-life examples, including the story of his coaching client Val—a b...
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33:37