Advertise on podcast: Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman

Set yourself up for success: how to create a sustainable movement plan. We walk through their own real-life movement plans to explore the three things every movement plan needs: a clear focus, a small set of daily “ride-or-die” exercises linked to that focus, and movement integrated across the many domains of life—not just exercise. This episode offers a practical, honest look at how to build a sustainable movement plan that actually works, highlighting flexible planning and simple environmental makeovers that reduce resistance and make movement easier to return to—again and again. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript 00:12 Movement Plan Introduction00:45 Resources for Your Movement Plan01:30 Sponsor Acknowledgements02:50 The Three Movement Plan Must-Haves03:50 The First Essential: A Movement Focus You Re-Evaluate06:25 Daily “Ride-or-Die” Exercises10:30 Psychological Flexibility: Why Time Targets Often Backfire19:18 Containers for Movement: Exploring the SLOTH Model20:13 Sleep, Repetitive Positioning, and Supportive Rest23:16 Leisure Activities26:28 Incorporating Movement Into Your Occupation28:55 Transportation and Home Makeovers33:00 Listener Question: Underuse vs. Overuse of Body Parts Books Mentioned: My Perfect Movement Plan by Katy Bowman Links & Resources Mentioned: Download a printable Movement Plan Hamstring curls with a ballSide bend on the ball Ball push-ups Connect, Move & Learn:Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! Made Possible By Our Wonderful Sponsors:Smart Playrooms: Beautiful playroom design and movement-rich equipment—save 10% on monkey bars and rock-wall items with code DNA10.My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNA.Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs that encourage dynamic sitting.Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10.Peluva: Five-toe minimalist shoes that move like you do—take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

How cold affects muscles, blood flow, and cardiovascular risk—plus practical ways to keep moving safely indoors and out.  Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Dr. Jeannette Loram explore how cold air and cold water affect muscle function, blood flow, heart rate, and blood pressure during exercise. They unpack how vasoconstriction increases cardiovascular demand, and why activities like snow shoveling and cold-water swimming carry specific risks. The episode also offers practical strategies for continuing to move safely outdoors throughout the winter months. Even when winter keeps many of us indoors, movement doesn’t have to disappear. Karri Bowen-Poole of Smart Playrooms joins Katy to discuss how indoor spaces can be designed to encourage movement for kids, teens, and adults. They share ideas for simple, versatile equipment that supports strength, coordination, and play, explain why visible and aesthetically pleasing setups matter, and describe how rotating movement tools over time helps sustain interest as needs and abilities evolve. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript 00:14 Discussing Cold Weather and Its Impact  01:19 The Dynamic Collective  03:07 Practical Tips for Exercising in Cold Weather  03:43 The Importance of Balance, Slip Training, and Other Winter Exercise Tips  10:45 Cardiovascular System, Cold Weather, and Snow Shoveling  21:52 Cold Water Immersion and Its Effects  29:46 Listener question: Hallux Limitus and Foot Issues  36:02 Introducing Smart Playrooms  LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED Katy’s 2025 Advent featuring Venn Designs Air Chairs Smart Playrooms x Move Your DNA equipment picks Smart Playrooms setting up a teen room Smart Playrooms Sport Court section CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Peluva: Five-toe minimalist shoes that move like you do—take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT.Smart Playrooms: Beautiful playroom design and movement-rich equipment—save 10% on monkey bars and rock-wall items with code DNA10.Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10.Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs that encourage dynamic sitting.My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNA. Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

As we wrap up 2025, we’re doing a shortened version of our annual recap—part reflection, part intention. Katy and Jeannette share their biggest movement wins, smartest health decisions, and one-word themes for the year, then look ahead to what they’re prioritizing in 2026 (strength, power, simplicity, and efficiency).  Then we distill the past year’s episodes into a clear set of movement rules for 2026 including: movement works locally (not just systemically), the 5 S’s of aging (strong, steady, straight, supple, swift) and the reminder that there will always be something else… move anyway. If you only listen to one episode to catch up on the year and set your movement intentions for the next, make it this one. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript 06:25 Katy and Jeannette review 2025 and look ahead to 202620:40 The Dynamic Collective22:36 Movement Rule Number One: Movement works locally, not just systemically32:05 Movement Rule Number Two: You should be getting the 5 S's of aging38:46 Movement Rule Number Three: It's not the mode, it's the load43:13 Movement Rule Number Four: The upward climb – why you need to exercise more as you age51:29 Movement Rule Number Five: Hearts are like hip joints, or why you need to do more for your heart than just cardio56:01 Movement Rule Number Six: There will always be something else – move anyway LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED My Perfect Movement Plan by Katy BowmanI Know I Should Exercise But... by Diana Hill & Katy Bowman  CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Venn Design: Beautifully upholstered ball-shaped Air Chairs that encourage dynamic sitting.Peluva: Five-toe minimalist shoes that move like you do—take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT.My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNA.Smart Playrooms: Beautiful playroom design and movement-rich equipment—save 10% on monkey bars and rock-wall items with code DNA10.Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10. Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

Katy offers an aging reframe: in middle age, you are not “over the hill”—you are actually at the bottom of a valley, and staying strong and healthy means choosing to go uphill on purpose. Katy and Jeannette unpack the difference between chronological age and biological aging, why modern life may be speeding up the aging process, and how movement and exercise positively influence the cellular “hallmarks of aging.” They explore why exercise needs to increase with age (even when life gets busier and energy feels lower), and how reframing discomfort can make consistency possible—so you can extend not just your lifespan, but your healthspan, too. Katy also speaks with Pack Matthews of Ikaria Design (creator of the Soul Seat) about “active sitting” and why our rest positions matter as we age. Pack shares his personal origin story—using floor-sitting and dynamic postures to counter arthritis. They also preview the upcoming Soul Seat Mini for the smaller people in your life and explore its role in dynamic classrooms. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript 00:03:00 — Flipping the visual: “over the hill” → “in the valley” 00:04:00 — The Dynamic Collective 00:06:00 — Chronological age vs biological aging & lifespan vs healthspan  00:08:35 — What may be accelerating aging: obesity, diet, sedentary behavior, stress 00:12:00 — How “biological age” is measured + hallmarks of aging00:18:00 — Why exercise must increase with age: choosing uphill (progressive overload)00:36:00 — Listener question: handedness across humans, animals, and even plants00:47:00 — Interview: Pack Matthews (Ikaria Design) on the Soul Seat + active sitting  LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED Handedness in Animals and Plants Ikaria Design  Soul Seat Instagram  Soul Seat Facebook  CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Movement Advent 2025: 24 Ball Exercises to Balance Tech StressJoin Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNA.Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10.Peluva: Five-toe minimalist shoes that move like you do—take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT. Venn Design: Stylish ball-shaped Air Chairs that encourage dynamic sitting—featuring in our 2025 Movement Advent!Smart Playrooms: Beautiful playroom design and movement-rich equipment—save 10% on monkey bars and rock-wall items with code DNA10.Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus. Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

Katy & Jeannette dive into the question: can movement really change your DNA? Using clear analogies—like libraries, recipes, and sticky notes—they unpack what DNA is, how gene expression works, and what we really mean by epigenetics (the “on top of” changes that influence which genes get used). They explore how exercise can turn the “volume up or down” on metabolic genes, pro-inflammatory markers, and stress protein genes, and how many of these changes involve altering the arrangement and access to DNA within your cells. Using another accessible analogy of spider webs, they explore how forces on cells (through mechanotransduction) act as a powerful, non-chemical “nutrient” that can literally move your DNA and alter epigenetics and gene expression. This is why exercise and everyday movement not only have systemic benefits but also site-specific effects—and why the distribution of movement throughout your body matters just as much as how much you move. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript 00:00:23 “You can’t change DNA”: Katy’s green-room story with a physician who insists DNA is fixed.00:03:33 What is DNA? Jeanette’s library-and-recipe analogy explaining DNA and gene expression.00:06:11 Genes as volume controls: How exercise turns gene activity up or down rather than rewriting DNA.00:12:02 Chromatin & compacted DNA: Archival library shelves as a metaphor for genes you rarely “reach for.”00:18:54 Mechanotransduction & spider webs: How movement plucks the cell’s “web” and signals the nucleus.00:25:36 Epigenetics explained: Sticky notes, covered keyholes, and how markers sit “on top” of DNA.00:29:28 Epigenetic memory & trained vs. untrained leg study: Why movement has site-specific effects.00:32:17 Listener Question (sponsored by Movemate): Do organs such as the brain, liver, and kidney need specific movements? BOOKS & RESEARCH MENTIONED Move Your DNA book by Katy Bowman  Epigenetic profile of trained vs untrained leg   Walking & blood circulation to the brain Physical Activity, Gut Motility & Constipation CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Movement Advent 2025: 24 Ball Exercises to Balance Tech StressJoin Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus. Take 15% off until Dec 7th with code MOVEMy Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNA.Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10.Venn Design: Stylish ball-shaped Air Chairs that encourage dynamic sitting—featuring in our 2025 Movement Advent! Peluva: Five-toe minimalist shoes that move like you do—take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT.Smart Playrooms: Beautiful playroom design and movement-rich equipment—save 10% on monkey bars and rock-wall items with code DNA10. Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

Katy and Jeannette explore why proper recovery is just as important as your workouts. They explain how short-term recovery between repetitions or intervals restores homeostasis—the steady state of your cells—allowing you to continue a training session effectively. Over the longer term, recovery after vigorous activity supports tissue repair and adaptation, helping your muscles and connective tissues strengthen. Without sufficient recovery, training plateaus can occur, and your risk of illness may increase. Finally, they discuss rest as an essential part of recovery and share strategies such as cross-training, stretching, and massage to support the body’s repair and adaptation processes. Katy talks with Jim Leuty of My Happy Feet Alignment Socks, a simple and effective recovery tool that gently stretches and realigns toes while you rest! Toe-spacers are part of the recovery routine for performers like Taylor Swift, who dance in high heels—and they’re helpful for everyone, particularly if you spend long hours on your feet or struggle with bunions or foot pain. Jim also shares his newest products, including kid sizes and complete foot care gift kits. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript 1:34 — Introducing the Dynamic Collective Sponsors3:14 — What Is Recovery? Short-Term vs. Long-Term6:29 — Post-Workout Fatigue: Understanding What’s Still “Off” in Your Body9:19 — Rest vs. Recovery: Why They’re Not the Same13:12 — How Recovery After Vigorous Exercise Supports Adaptation and Strength17:17 — Intensity, Training Plateaus, and the Importance of Variability26:31 — Strategies to Boost Recovery: Sleep, Cross-Training, Massage, and Stretching30:01 — Listener Question: How Does Altitude & Plane Travel Affect The Body?39:44 — Introducing My Happy Feet Alignment Socks41:03 — Socks vs. Toe Spacers: What’s the Difference?46:19 — Real Results, Testimonials, and Taylor Swift’s High-Heel Recovery49:09 — Gifting Foot Care Items and New Products ITEMS, BOOKS & RESOURCES MENTIONEDMy Happy Feet Alignment Socks  International orders My Happy Feet Global  Super Foot Care Kit  Simple Steps To Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on SubstackTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Ikaria Design: The Soul Seat® offers height-adjustable, multi-position sitting—get 10% off new chairs and desks with code DNA10.Movemate: Active standing boards with smoothly articulating wooden slats. Designed to keep you moving without interrupting your focus.Smart Playrooms: Beautiful playroom design and movement-rich equipment—save 10% on monkey bars and rock-wall items with code DNA10.Peluva: Five-toe minimalist shoes that move like you do—take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT.My Happy Feet: Toe-spacing socks that gently realign toes for comfortable recovery—take 20% off with code MYDNA.Venn Design: Stylish ball-shaped Air Chairs that encourage dynamic sitting—enjoy 20% off Nov 17–26 with code MOVEMENTREVOLUTION. Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

What does it mean to raise — or be — a “spicy one”? In this deeply honest and energizing conversation, Katy Bowman and author Mary Van Geffen unpack what it’s like to parent strong-willed, big-feeling kids (and stay sane while doing it). They discuss how movement can support self-regulation and co-regulation, helping both parent and child navigate intensity with compassion and humor. Together, they look at the role of movement before, during, and after heated moments — as well as the art of knowing when to walk away. This episode offers practical wisdom for growing your “calm muscle” and showing up as the safest person in the room. Jeannette chats with inventor, designer, and athlete Tyler Benner of Venn Design — the creative mind behind movement-friendly furniture like the Air Chair and the revolutionary barefoot cycling shoe. They explore Tyler’s “genius energy” and how movement awareness informs everything he creates, from furniture to archery tools and innovative footwear. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00 – Meet Mary Van Geffen – Parenting insights for “Spicy Ones” 0:05 – What is a “Spicy One”? – Understanding strong-willed, big-feeling kids 0:07 – Regulation & Co-Regulation – How parents and kids navigate intensity together 0:10 – Contagious Emotions & Training your ‘Calm’ Muscle– Mirror neurons in action 0:14 – Quick Regulation Tools – Breathing, sensing, and self-talk 0:19 – Move to Regulate – Using movement before, during, and after heated moments 0:37 – Massage & Connection – Diffusing tension with touch 0:52 – Mary’s Resources – Books, classes, and meditations 0:53 – Meet Tyler Benner & Venn Design – Movement-friendly furniture and innovative tools 0:54 – Dynamic Furniture – Air Chairs and floor cushions that encourage motion 0:57 – Genius Energy & Archery – Aligning bones for power and precision 1:04 – Tyler’s Shot Trainer – Archery form and physics made simple 1:07 – Barefoot Cycling Shoes – The first foot-shaped cycling shoes designed for comfort and performance BOOKS & RESEARCH MENTIONED Parenting A Spicy One: A comprehensive Guide for Raising a Deep-Feeling and Wonderfully Strong-Willed Kid by Mary Van GeffenMove Your DNA by Katy Bowman "Movement Hunger" Signals by Katy Bowman CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Katy's Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesFollow Katy on Substack Try Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! About Mary Van Geffen OUR SPONSOR Venn Design makes gorgeous, movement-friendly furniture that turns your home into a space that inspires you to move. Strong Feet Athletics’ barefoot cycling shoes give your feet freedom, comfort, and power—say goodbye to cramped toes! Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

I don’t have time to exercise.” Sound familiar? In this episode, Katy Bowman talks with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Diana Hill about one of the most common barriers to movement—and why it’s really an issue of energy management and prioritization, not time. Drawing from her books Wise Effort and I Know I Should Exercise, But... Dr. Hill shares how recognizing “choice points” throughout your day can help you move past procrastination and toward the exercise you truly want to do.  Through practical psychology and real-life examples, Katy and Diana explore how to recognize your stalling loops, reduce transition friction, and align your daily movement habits with your values and genius energy. You’ll learn compassionate, doable strategies for getting unstuck—whether it’s setting your sport shoes out the night before, reframing movement as energy renewal, or aligning movement with your relationships. This episode offers fresh insight and motivation for anyone who wants to move more and make exercise feel possible again. Enhanced Show Notes and Full Transcript EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 07:40 – Wise Effort: Using your energy in alignment with your values 08:10 – Genius Energy: Recognizing your unique strengths12:44 – Overcoming “I Don’t Have Time to Exercise” with wise effort15:40 – Stalling Behavior: How to recognize and manage it20:03 – Productive Procrastination: Turning stalling energy into productive movement27:12 – Choice Point Tool: Decision moments to redirect energy toward exercise32:47 – Supporting Your Future Self: Setting up routines and contexts that help you stay active36:10 – Relationship Map: Aligning movement goals, energy, and relationships45:38 – Movement, Community, and Celebrations: Engaging others in activity49:58 – Energy Audit for Decision Making: Four questions to guide your choices57:02 – Listener Question: Floor sleeping and neck tension BOOKS & RESEARCH MENTIONED I Know I Should Exercise But... 44 Reasons We Don’t Move and How to Get Over Them by Diana Hill & Katy Bowman Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Genius Energy on What Matters Most by Diana Hill   CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! About Dr Diana Hill MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Ikaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Earth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10Sweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officePeluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

As we age, maintaining muscle power—not just strength—is key to staying independent, quick, and injury-free. In this episode, Katy and Jeannette explain the difference between strength and power, and why adding speed or intensity to the movements you're already doing—like walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a chair—can make all the difference. From stair climbing to pickleball to plyometrics, learn practical ways to build power and maintain independence for years to come. They share practical ways to train power with (or without) an overhaul to your routine, and Katy chats with masters athlete and Peluva co-founder Brad Kearns about maintaining explosive strength after 60. Hear how Brad shifted from endurance to high jump, why minimalist shoes can support aging feet, and how smarter movement helps you age better. Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript CHAPTERS 00:02:15 - Power - the definitions  00:06:10 - The Dynamic Collective  00:12:05 - Why Power is Important as You Get Older  00:21:15 - Listener Question about Plyometrics brought to you by Smart Playrooms  00:31:30 - Interview with power athlete Brad Kearns of Peluva Footwear   BOOKS & RESEARCH MENTIONED My Perfect Movement Plan by Katy BowmanWhole Body Barefoot by Katy BowmanACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal Special Edition on Power  CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10Ikaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officeSweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTEarth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10 Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

Katy Bowman and Jeannette Loram dig into the science—and the hype—around so-called “exercise pills.” They unpack what these drugs do at the molecular level, what they can—and can’t—mimic about exercise, and who might benefit—from elite athletes to people with disabilities or chronic illness.  The conversation goes beyond physiology into questions of culture, psychology, and even the future of sport—where performance-enhancing technologies are blurring the lines between natural and engineered human potential. Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript CHAPTERS 0:03:12 The Dynamic Collective  0:04:28 – How Do Exercise Pills Work? 0:06:50 – Exercise Pills, Skeletal Muscle targets and ‘Enhanced’ Sport Performance 0:12:30 – Who Might Benefit from Exercise Pills?0:14:08 – Why Pills Can’t Replace All The Effects of Exercise0:24:26 – Can Exercise Pills Close the Health Gap? And Why Are We Failing To Exercise Enough?0:34:26 – Beyond Blood Panels: What Pills Miss About Movement0:36:56 – Listener Question brought to you by Venn Design    RESEARCH MENTIONED Mimicking Exercise: What Matters Most and Where To Next? Hawley et al (2021)Exercise pills for cardiometabolic health cannot mimic the exercise milieu Plaza-Florido et al (2025) CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officeSmart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10Earth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTIkaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Sweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20 Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits

Katy Bowman and Jeannette Loram explore skin strength, focusing on what a callus is, how calluses form on the hands and feet, and how it affects circulation. They also discuss the pros and cons of calluses, comparing them to a weight belt for your skin—reinforcing, protecting, and ultimately enabling your body to do more. They share personal stories—from rowing and kayaking to gardening—highlighting how it's often skin, not muscles, that limits activity. Katy also chats with Karri Bowen-Poole, founder of Smart Playrooms, about designing home spaces that promote hanging, build skin strength, and support kids’ physical and cognitive development. They cover equipment ideas, dynamic home design tips, and draw inspiration from Ninja Warrior athletes. Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript CHAPTERS  00:04:30 - The Dynamic Collective  00:08:20 - What is a Callus? And the Listener Question on calluses & circulation brought to you by Sweet Skins  00:22:30 - Updated insights about the Callus, skin strength and its relationship to whole-body movement   00:35:25 - Skin Tissue and Thoughtful Progression 00:42:00 - Interview with Karri Bowen-Poole, founder of Smart Playrooms BOOKS & RESEARCH PAPERS Move Your DNA by Katy BowmanSimple Steps to Foot Pain Relief by Katy Bowman Callus Formation by Kim et al (2010)Blood Flow In The Skin in relation to temperature and pressure by J Petrofsky (2012)Foot Callus and Tactile Sensitivity by Holowka et al (2019) - Daniel Lieberman group CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTVenn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officeSmart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10Earth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10Sweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Ikaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10 Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits

In this episode, Katy Bowman and Jeannette Loram dive into the fascinating relationship between blood sugar, diet, and movement. They unpack how the body regulates blood sugar, what happens when this process breaks down in Type I and Type II diabetes, and why different kinds of activity play such a big role in prevention and management. Katy and Jeannette explain how contracting muscles can pull glucose directly into working cells during exercise—a powerful but site-specific effect—and how long-term training reshapes muscle to take up glucose more efficiently. They also compare the blood sugar benefits of endurance exercise, resistance training, HIIT, stretching, and even light daily movement. Along the way, they highlight two key scenarios: insulin resistance linked to excess weight and inflammation, versus insulin resistance driven by low muscle mass in people with normal weight. For the latter, they stress why resistance training—or “big body work”—is especially essential.Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript CHAPTERS  0:06:00 - Definitions  0:16:00 - The Dynamic Collective  0:17:00 - You Can’t Exercise Off Diabetes  0:20:00 - Muscle is the Key Tissue (and the Liver) 0:36:30 - Stretching & Light Activity  0:47:00 - Exercise Modality for Blood Sugar Regulation 0:54:25 - Listener Question on Lupus brought to you by Peluva  1:09:09 - Blood Sugar Spikes During Exercise BOOKS & RESEARCH PAPERS My Perfect Movement Plan by Katy BowmanI know I should Exercise, But... by Diana Hill & Katy BowmanExercise and GLUT4 by Flores-Opazo et al (2020)  Mechanisms of endurance and resistance exercise in type 2 diabetes by Zhao et al (2025)  Sedentary behaviour as a mediator of type 2 diabetes by Hamilton et al (2015)  Impact of reduced sitting time or increasing sit-to-stand transitions on blood pressure and glucose regulation in Postmenopausal women by Hartman et al (2025)  The impact of standing desks on cardiometabolic and vascular health by Bodker et al (2021) CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Sweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTIkaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officeEarth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10 Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10 Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

Neuro-optometrist Dr. Appelbaum breaks down the crucial difference between eyesight—what you can see—and vision—how your brain interprets what you see and turns it into action. Together, they explore the striking parallels between physical and visual health, highlighting how prolonged screen time and visual inactivity can stiffen our eye muscles just like sedentary habits stiffen our joints. Focusing on screens all day is like clenching your fist nonstop—leading to eye strain, headaches, and long-term issues like poor eye coordination, which can affect depth perception, balance, and even increase the risk of falls. The conversation covers everything from visual tics and dry eyes to how vision is connected to musculoskeletal alignment and behavior—and even offers a glimpse into the future of eye health in our tech-heavy world. Dr. Appelbaum also shares how anyone can improve visual stamina and flexibility, and Katy and Jeannette reflect on their personal experience with his online program ScreenFit—a movement program for your eyes! Dr Appelbaum is offering our listeners $200 off ScreenFit using code MOVEYOURDNA: https://bit.ly/moveyourdnaSF Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript  CHAPTERS00:03:10 - Introducing Dr. Appelbaum  00:09:30 - Impacts of Screens on Vision   00:25:30 -  Unlocking Vision Potential Through Exercise - ScreenFit  00:41:00 - Listener Question on Dry Eyes brought to you by Earth Runners   00:50:40 - The Future of the Screen Time/Vision Connection BOOKS MENTIONED My Perfect Movement Plan by Katy Bowman CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Earth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10 Sweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTIkaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officeSmart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10 Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

Biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram talk about rucking—walking with weight on your back—and other modes of carrying. They touch on the evolutionary history of carrying, carrying in modern Hunter Gatherer populations, rucking in the military and the benefits of fitness rucking.  Jeannette and Katy focus on the challenges associated with rucking particularly pain and discomfort. They explain how different body adjustments—like leaning forward, arching the back, or shifting the hips forward—are responses to offset the backward-pulling force of a heavy load. These shifts help accommodate the extra mass, but if a single adjustment is done repetitively or without muscular support through the core, pain can be the result.  Listen in to discover a more varied and mindful approach to managing your ruck; your low back will thank you! Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript CHAPTERS   00:06:00 - The Dynamic Collective  00:07:00 -  Are Humans Born to Carry?  00:13:00 - Phases of Life and Issues with Fitness Rucking and Carrying in General   00:26:00 - What's Holding You Up? Mindfulness in Rucking   00:38:45 -  Listener Question about broken bones, brought to you by Ikaria Design   00:49:00 - A Conversation Between Katy and Jeannette: What Is the Big Movement Question?  BOOKS, ARTICLES AND RESEARCH MENTIONED My Perfect Movement Plan by Katy Bowman Pain-Free Baby Holding by Katy Bowman Trunk Muscle Activity In Different Modes of Carrying by Motmans et al 2006Bone Density and Intramedullary Rods by Kroger et al 2002 CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS: Sweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Peluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENTIkaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officeEarth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10 Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits 

How you get dressed might be impacting the way that you move or the movement choices you are able to make.  Katy Bowman and Jeannette Loram highlight how stiff or excessively baggy clothing might be ‘casting’ movement. On the flip side ‘stabilizing’ wear like well-designed bras and compressive garments can make movement more comfortable for certain activities. Katy offers advice on how to dress for multiple scenarios: the movement that you plan to do, the spontaneous movements that you might want to do, as well as all the other things you need to do in a day. Also in this episode Katy speaks with Mira Fannin of Sweet Skins. Sweet Skins produce beautiful hemp-cotton organic clothing. Katy and Mira talk about the origin of Sweet Skins and how Mira’s goal to make cute and liveable clothes for busy women has created the perfect movement-friendly clothing line. They also talk about the famous Bike Time pants and the new Sweet Skins styles coming out very soon. Mira is offering our listeners 20% off all clothes with code Movement20 Enhanced Show Notes & Full Transcript CHAPTERS 00:06:00 - The Dynamic Collective  00:07:09 - Definitions and Categories of Clothing  00:17:30 - Compressive Garments  00:25:23 - Listener Question brought to you by Venn Design  00:31:23 - How do you get dressed in the morning  00:40:31 - Interview with Mira from Sweet Skins BOOKS, ARTICLES AND RESEARCH MENTIONED Influence of Compression Garments on Proprioception by Ghai et al 2024Grow Wild by Katy Bowman RESOURCES Minimal Shoes, The ListMovement Matters: Clothes CONNECT, MOVE & LEARN Join Our Newsletter: Movement Colored GlassesTry Katy's Virtual Studio Free for 7 days! MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR SPONSORS: Earth Runners, minimalist sandals that mimic being truly barefoot through their grounding technology, take 10% off with code DNA10Ikaria Design, creators of the Soul Seat®, a height adjustable chair that allows you to sit in diverse shapes including cross-legged, take 10% of new inventory with code DNA10Sweet Skins, organic hemp and cotton clothing that is stylish, flexible and designed to move with you, take 20% off with code Movement20Smart Playrooms, design and products to keep you and your kids engaged and active at home, take 10% off monkey bars, rock wall panels and holds with code DNA10Venn Design, beautiful floor cushions and ball seats that keep you moving at home or at the officePeluva, Five-toe minimalist sports shoes ideal for walking and higher impact activities. Take 15% off with code NUTRITIOUSMOVEMENT Thoughts/questions email us at [email protected] Voice on the Podcast: Read The Credits