The Finding My Psych Podcast

What we eat has the power to contribute to chronic disease processes (i.e., autoimmune disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) via the promotion of chronic inflammation. This is not to be confused with acute inflammatory states designed to heal localized injury via capillary dilation and leukocyte infiltration.

“Optimal wellness for runners? Focus on Zone 2 training!” Optimal Wellness and Helpful Metrics The three pillars for health optimization are Diet, Exercise, and Sleep. If any one element is out of alignment, the others suffer. Optimized wellness means engaging in habits that predict both longevity and wellness throughout the lifespan. Some have called this, […]

We become what we do, at least according to the Behavioural Psychologists. In today’s episode, I provide a brief primer covering critical need-to-know concepts from the field. This includes a discussion on Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, Intentional Personal Reinforcement, and Modelling.

Our success is defined by those who helped get us here. As we develop into better individuals, parents, and professionals, it is critical that we take the time to acknowledge those who have made that development possible. The best expression comes in the form of gratitude for the individuals who cared enough to offer a helping hand, kind word, or advice, ultimately taking us to the next level in our journey and self-discovery.

Orthorexia, a lesser known eating disorder not yet approved by the American Psychiatric Association, is characterized as an obsession with eating, ‘clean’ food. Individuals typically categorize food in terms of, ‘good vs. bad’ and are often concerned with putting, ‘poison’ in their body, going to great lengths to control the food they eat and how it is prepared by others.

Frustrated with those extra pounds that hang on no matter how hard you workout? Let’s face it, exercise alone rarely results in sustainable weight loss. In fact, if you want to lose weight, a surgical approach focusing on diet just might be the key.

Oh my God…where has the last 20, even 30 years gone? In today’s episode, I review what turning 50 means to me, what feels different, and outline what I want the next few decades to look like. I also share my findings of what others say they have experienced entering the 5th decade of their life.

Are you thinking about getting the Whoop 4.0? Have you seen mixed reviews of the product and don’t know where to land? I dove in and made the six month financial commitment to give the wearable a try. In today’s episode, I share my experience and try to answer who the Whoop 4.0 is for. I break down what I love, and what leaves me ‘almost’ certain I will not renew once my commitment is finished.

In the middle of last week, I started feeling sick. By Thursday, I was wrapped in a blanket, sitting in front of my computer, working from home. What I worried about, even feared a year ago, had come true – I had COVID-19.

Freud’s Psychoanalytic theory and the field of Health Psychology have one thing in common – Both approaches seek to help individuals, ‘feel better’. We typically associated Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine within the context of cognition and behaviour.

Everyone is looking for a hack to wellness. In reality, the turtle wins the race when it comes to improved physical and emotional wellbeing. In today’s episode, I review five dangerous health trends, many promoted on TikTok to youth.

Over the past three years, we received dozens of questions from our listeners. In this special episode, we sifted through the most relevant and interesting queries and answer each from a place of thoughtfulness and authenticity.

Living a vegan lifestyle is a journey, not an endpoint. I discuss my own circuitous path living as a vegan, the bumps along the way, and the lessons I have learned. My vegan choice started over a decade ago. Over the years, my adherence has not been perfect.

Based on listener feedback, today, I review the dark history of treatments for mental illness. In my review, I highlight the most astonishing practices – Who knows how well intentioned these actors were. Nevertheless, treatments such as blood letting, insulin shock therapy, and lobotomy were anything but humane.

In today’s episode, I walk through a series of insights on professional and personal growth as part of my Autumn period of self-reflection. I challenge the idea that our work and home life should be considered separate. I also consider the importance of being comfortable with who you are and your accomplishments as a part of emotional wellbeing.

The evidence is clear – A plant-based vegan diet is protective against emerging disease and in some cases can reverse symptoms associated with heart disease, diabetes, etc. The Finding My Psych team is dedicated to promoting emotional wellness, preventative dietary habits, and physical fitness.

We are all familiar with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This potentially debilitating presentation is found in individuals that have suffered traumatic experiences, typically from external forces with significant power over the individual.

In today’s episode, we return to basics and provide a detailed framework for positive health outcomes through the lens of Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine. In the past, we have barely touched on the important contribution that behaviour has on physical and emotional wellbeing.

In today’s episode, I bring us back to basics in a review of how behaviour impacts wellness. I share my personal experience several years ago when I went through a depressive episode – I realize now that activating adaptive behaviour would have helped in treating difficult to manage symptoms.

In our previous episode, “Review of Netflix Series Surviving Death – Spirituality in Psychology,” on the Finding My Psych Podcast, we believe that we missed an opportunity. In our excitement, it is clear that we glossed over the impact of spirituality on wellness.

In today’s episode, we review a recent study published from the College of Sports Medicine in Sports and Exercise, in an effort to understand the connection between exercise minutes and weight loss. In other words, how much exercise is required to lose significant weight for those starting their first exercise program?

In today’s episode I talk about how society has shifted in the past few weeks as we settling into the COVID19 pandemic crisis. I note that kids getting back to school and companies calling their employees back into work who were operating virtually, has provided a sense of normality.

In today’s episode, I share the details of my experience going through a psychological crisis as I reach a personal inflection point regarding COVID19. In short, I hit the, ‘positivity wall.’ I no longer am able to put on a smile in an effort to push on through my day.

In today’s episode we discuss the rationale for why the Finding My Psych brand promotes a plant-based lifestyle. It is important to emphasize that plant-based living is a personal choice that is not easy to make. In particular, we support plant-based living from a Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine perspective first and foremost.

In today’s episode, we discuss the current state of the COVID19 pandemic as we officially start recovery mode. Society has been rattled, lives lost, and the pathway forward is uncertain. Nevertheless, we persevere, even when the news is dominated by reports of death and the chaos created by Donald Trump in the United States.

The anti-vaccination movement is attempting to align itself with the plant-based movement, in particular, veganism. While a very small minority of vegans subscribe to ill-informed anti-vax beliefs, it is important for plant-based advocates of any kind, differentiate themselves from such radical ideas.

Starting in November, people experience a significant downgrade in both their physical and emotional wellbeing. This health slump, if not managed appropriately, can feel impossibly difficult to emerge from after the holiday season passes.

This is one of my favourite times of the year. Not only is June the month that I was born, it is also LGBTQ2 Pride Month. Starting now, a series of celebrations kicks off acknowledging progress made possible by strong advocacy within communities and governments around the world.

There is no cookie cutter approach to dealing with loss. Whether you are someone who recently experienced the death of a family member, or a therapist working with individuals through the bereavement process, how we take this journey is complicated. There is no clear pathway or destination.

The holidays are approaching fast!  That means that tens of thousands of post holiday guilt ridden individuals will join a gym soon.  However, most will only attend a handful of times, regardless of the ongoing monthly payments in honour of the contract for the remainder of the year.

In our previous episode, “Sexual Abuse Trauma, Clinical Insights and Observations,” we discussed the effects of sexual abuse, especially in settings permissive (and therefore complicit) to the trauma.  Listeners have been asking for details about the therapeutic process when working with trauma.  Today, we deliver.

The mental and emotional impact of an under regulated housing market causes distress by those who are unable to enter the market, and others suffering from fear of loosing the property they rent (with current vacancy rates less than a half percent).  People describe both feeling excessively anxious and depressed.

Learn about the theory that continues to challenge the status-quo throughout our mental health and substance misuse service continuum.  Be willing to forget everything you know about mental health treatment, (e.g., clinical depression), and problem solving – We challenge you to try on a new perspective for the next 40 minutes.

The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau, report that 9.2% of all victimized children are sexually assaulted (2010).  Furthermore, Dr. David Finkelhor, director of Crimes against Children Research Center, reports that up to 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys become victims of sexual abuse.

As requested by our listeners, today, we discuss effective communication.  Mastering communication at home and at work, comes with a set of prerequisite.  Becoming a, ‘communication ninja,’ requires commitment to a positive outcome, and the ability to know when to step away when the conversation turns negative.

The Finding My Psych team is always looking for guests to be a part of our show.  We are interested in your journey and the insights you have learned along the way.  If your message fits into our health and wellness mission, we would be love to have you join us on the show.