Mayo Clinic The Human Optimization Project
Mayo Clinic The Human Optimization Project
Podcast Description
The bar for human performance is higher than it’s ever been. As a result, we all feel the need to do MORE. At the same time, we are becoming increasingly aware of the value of sleep, rest, recovery, and wellness. Accordingly, we also feel the need to do LESS. If you’re like most people, it can be challenging to reconcile this conflict of feeling the need to do MORE and LESS simultaneously, and that is likely contributing to high rates of burnout and decreased performance. So how do we reconcile these seemingly competing desires? That is where Human Optimization comes in. Human Optimization is the process of achieving more (however you define that for yourself) while simultaneously improving your wellness and well-being. Although it’s not easy, it’s certainly possible. Not only is it possible, but it is becoming increasingly essential. In this Mayo Clinic Talks Mini-Series, we are going to dive into the topic of Human Optimization and will focus on a few key areas including: exercise, nutrition, culture, emotional intelligence, and finding joy in all you do.
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at:
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumOpProj
Listening is free and no CME Credit is available for this series.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers a wide range of topics related to human optimization, including exercise, nutrition, emotional intelligence, joy in life, and culture. Episodes explore themes such as understanding circadian rhythms for better sleep, demystifying calories for health management, and strategies for increasing joy at work and home.
The bar for human performance is higher than it’s ever been. As a result, we all feel the need to do MORE. At the same time, we are becoming increasingly aware of the value of sleep, rest, recovery, and wellness. Accordingly, we also feel the need to do LESS. If you’re like most people, it can be challenging to reconcile this conflict of feeling the need to do MORE and LESS simultaneously, and that is likely contributing to high rates of burnout and decreased performance. So how do we reconcile these seemingly competing desires? That is where Human Optimization comes in. Human Optimization is the process of achieving more (however you define that for yourself) while simultaneously improving your wellness and well-being. Although it’s not easy, it’s certainly possible. Not only is it possible, but it is becoming increasingly essential. In this Mayo Clinic Talks Mini-Series, we are going to dive into the topic of Human Optimization and will focus on a few key areas including: exercise, nutrition, culture, emotional intelligence, and finding joy in all you do.
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at:
https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project – YouTube
Email: [email protected]
Listening is free and no CME Credit is available for this series.
Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D., Creator & Guide | Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project
Guest: Chelsey Hoffmann, PA-C, MS, RD, Physician Assistant | Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Medicine – Mayo Clinic – Rochester, MN
It’s been said that “we are what we eat,” and we all sort of understand what that means. At the same time, most understand what it’s like to intermittently experience body aches and pains that we can’t always explain. While the reasons for these aches and pains are variable, much of this pain and inflammation we experience may be related to the food we eat and the beverages we drink. Are you curious if that is the case for you? Our expert guest here to help us figure that out is Chelsey Hoffman.
The three big questions we have for her are:
1. How does our nutrition impact pain and inflammation in the body?
2. What are the foods are the biggest problems and why do we keep eating them?
3. What practical changes can we make to our nutrition to reduce pain and inflammation to leave us feeling like our best selves?
How to start a Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project “Pod-Club”:
Step 1: Find 2-30 friends who want to get better
Step 2: Choose your episodes (can be focused on specific themes or random)
Step 3: Listen to/watch the episodes
Step 4: Meet with your group to work through the provided discussion questions for each episode, and feel free to add your own!
Step 5: Celebrate the fact that you are turning passive knowledge into action!
Discussion Questions for this Episode:
- The podcast defines pain and inflammation as distinct but related, with inflammation being beneficial in the short term but problematic when chronic. How might you differentiate between helpful vs. harmful inflammation in your own body?
- Chelsey emphasizes that nutrition is a major lever for health, but also highlights the interconnectedness of lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and exercise. How do you currently balance these different pillars of health? If you were able to substantially improve one of these (nutrition, stress, sleep, and exercise), which do you think would have the biggest impact on reducing your physical aches and pains for you personally?
- The discussion identifies saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars, and ultra-processed foods as major pro-inflammatory culprits. Reflect on your typical diet; which of these categories do you consume most frequently, and what challenges do you anticipate in reducing their intake?
- The concept of an “anti-inflammatory diet” is described as an umbrella term, best approached through overall dietary patterns like the Mediterranean or Mayo Clinic diets. What are some specific anti-inflammatory foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.) that you could easily incorporate more into your daily meals?
- Chelsey suggests that after a “washout period” from processed foods, taste buds can readjust, leading to a new appreciation for the natural sweetness of fruits and less craving for processed foods. Have you ever experienced a similar shift in your taste preferences? If not, commit to trying it this week and noting how you feel. What strategies could help you commit to such a washout period?
- The podcast advises against relying solely on improving your “blood tests” for reducing inflammation, instead recommending objective functional metrics like improved sleep, mood, and energy. How do you currently measure your own well-being, and how might you start tracking these functional metrics to assess the impact of dietary changes?
- The SMART goals framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely) is presented as a way to make dietary changes. If you were to set one SMART goal related to your nutrition, what would it be, and how would you ensure it’s tied to a personal “why” or value?
- The speakers discuss the importance of habit formation, accountability partners, and removing unhealthy foods from the home. Which of these behavioral strategies do you find most effective for yourself, and how could you leverage them to make healthier eating the “path of least resistance” in your daily life?
Learn more about the Human Optimization Project at: https://ce.mayo.edu/optimize
X: @MayoHumanOpProj
Instagram: @MayoHumanOpProj
YouTube: The Human Optimization Project – YouTube
Email: [email protected]
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